Whispers Forum

Air Marshal A. P. Singh will certainly have a challenging tenure as the new CAS, particularly related to the supply-issues from Russia and the U.S., along with the falling squadron strength, the decrease in squadron strength and the local Tejas/Tejas-II/AMCA programs in stagnation. That's only part of the IAF's travails, as compared to dealing with the PAF and PLAAF. However, he's a strong-yet-cautious proponent of local R&D, so the IAF will have to see how the consequences of his leadership play out.
Interestingly, A. P. Singh may be the IAF's highest-ranking officer with full-fledged support for the Tejas programs, like ex-Chief R. K. S. Bhadauria. Having been responsible for fighter test management and having publicly shown confidence in the Tejas when he flew with the Vice Chiefs of the Army and the Navy earlier this month, the Tejas program may hopefully get a boost under his guidance.
Kishore Anandan
DATE WITH RTI
A good case - something which will help a common man in getting some reprieve.It is very common to see that the officials do not respond to any complaint. This judgment would help a common citizen to force the officials into action.
Shubhankar Pandey

A written complaint was filed and the complainant sought to know about the investigation and outcome of the same. The PIO denied the information u/s 8(1)(j). On second appeal, the CIC observed that the initial reply given by the PIO and the written submission before it now are not in tune with transparency. The complete denial of the information invoking Section 8(1)(j) is inappropriate as per the RTI Act, since the Appellant being the complainant, has right to know the broad outcome of the action on her complaint. The CIC directed the Railways to provide a revised updated point-wise reply i.e. action taken on the complaint filed by the complainant.
Comments
It has been often seen that a complaint is filed and the complainant later files an RTI application to know the progress or the action taken on the complaint. Exemption sections like section 8(1)(h) or 8(1)(j) have often been resorted to by the PIO’s to deny information. In many cases the CIC has held that the broad outcome of the enquiry should be disclosed to the complainant.
Citation: Kavita Yadav v. Office of the Divisional Railway, Manager, RTI Cell, Jabalpur; File No: CIC/WECRL/A/2023/120568; Date of Decision : 31.07.2024
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Visakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books, RTI Right to Information - Law and Practice and PIO’s Guide to RTI. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and Third party audit. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link www.rtifoundationofindia.com

Electronic devices like pager, walkie- talkies, mobile phones etc ,having killed and wounded thousands of combatants and civilians in Lebanon, is a Trojan horse in modern warfare. It could be fridges and laptops tomorrow. The Lebanese face new fears of exploding devices. The communication network among Hezbollah has been shattered.
Can the technique be used against the ISI- sponsored terrorists? The Indian scientists must work on the ingenious idea to liquidate the terrorists and insurgents with a far reaching effect on their morale.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

The Appellant filed an RTI application seeking information about the merit list for each category for Office Assistant (Assistant) appointed under direct recruitment in 2011 and related information. Before the CIC, the Respondent submitted that the instant case is identical to an earlier decided case of the Appellant vide File No. CIC/DIOAT/A/2022/609371 dated 01.02.2023. After perusal of records, the CIC observed that concededly, the instant RTI Application is a sly repetition of an earlier RTI Application filed by the Appellant on 02.11.2021 which has been decided vide File No. CIC/DIOAT/A/2022/609371 dated 01.02.2023. In other words, points 2 & 5 of the RTI Application of 02.11.2021 corresponds to point no.3 of the instant RTI Application while point no.7 of the former RTI Application corresponds to point no. 4 of the instant RTI Application. Therefore, the CIC held that the instant matter is devoid of any such material on record that warrants determination of a fresh issue for consideration.
Comment
An applicant should realise that there is an expenditure on every RTI Application, which is paid from the Taxpayers money. Repeating RTI applications on the same issue not only leads to unnecessary wastage of time and resources, but also causes delay in disposal of appeals by the other RTI applicants.
Citation: Naresh Kumar v. Defense Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune; Second Appeal No. CIC/DIOAT/A/2023/621378; Date of Decision: 05.08.2024
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Visakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books, RTI Right to Information - Law and Practice and PIO’s Guide to RTI. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and Third party audit. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link www.rtifoundationofindia.com

I am in favour of the amendment because it's high-time to prioritise the nation's interest over the interests of a particular section. The Waqf Board, instead of serving its purpose, has become a medium to capture land, spread hatred, and empower a select few. Despite having vast resources, the Muslim literacy rate remains low, indicating the Board's ineffectiveness. In reality, the Waqf Board has become a property of the elite class, who exploit it for personal gain, deviating from its original vision of uplifting the entire Muslim community. It's time for a change.
Dr Nidhi Jain

September reminds us about the value and practical utility of the use of Hindi and other Indian languages for public service. Why is there so much upheaval in society these days? There is a disturbing disquiet in all walks of life: governance, business, employment, justice, health, education, security and general well being across sections of population. Civic sense is absent and discipline has eroded. Moral values are archived. There is too much of violence all around. It has increased disputes and court cases have become unmanageable. How much does English language owe it? All quarrels in Delhi start in English and land up in courts, where paid advocacy uses ample lies to fight the case. Yes, we know English but not sufficiently enough to match our rich Hindi and Sanskrit. Take for example this: a single word “maryada” has the potential of millions of English words, especially in legal disputes, and can save crores in court fees/lawyer fees. The tensions at personal or family or society level emerge due to parties to the matter forgetting their maryada. It seems today that everyone is eager to breach her/his Maryada to humiliate the other party. Less English and more Hindi/MIL will only enrich relationships.
M L Gupta