Whispers Forum

There were speculations that Congress was trying to bring Ghulam Nabi Azad back into the party fold. However, Azad had made scathing attacks on Rahul Gandhi while resigning. He even called Rahul immature. The Gandhi family was very upset with Azad for the attacks on Rahul, but despite the displeasure, there are reports that party leaders are making every possible effort to bring Azad back home. It is really surprising that a leader who made such serious allegations against Rahul could return to the party. But now Azad himself has laid all speculations to rest and said he would not return to Congress.
Arshad Khan

I fully agree with the views expressed by A K Agnihotri regarding more duty while you bring back to India the Foreign Exchange. Suggest dispensation that rules be amended so that there no duty is charged, instead it should be accepted at the selling rate of that day. This will encourage more foreign exchange legally. I have a feeling due to loss of duty element many returnees may be selling illegally. Even if the sale and purchase are liberal, too much of GST taxes are charged when you buy them legally while going abroad. Of course, dispensation has to issue clear guidelines or notification with strictures of punishment if buying or selling illegally, leaving it to the system's judgment.
Harish Kumar

Not a very rational structuring. Pay less duty when you buy and remit foreign exchange. Pay higher duty when you are gifted and the country is saved foreign exchange. Value of Gift should be capped to prevent misuse rather than punishing genuine buyers.
A K Agnihotri
Electorates of Karnataka are very wise and mature
Let us not get carried away by some feedbacks received regarding Karnataka elections. The electorates of Karnataka are very wise and mature and they know whom to elect or not to elect based upon the performances and manifesto of the different parties in the fray. I can say this because I am a native Bangalorean. So let us be patient and wait for the counting day to have the correct picture instead of merely speculating about an election about five months away.
K Srinivasa Rao

Col (Retd) Satpal Singh Sandhu had filed RTI application dated 28.04.2021 for inspection of certain files. He authorised Mr. Prem Kumar Singh and Mr. Anil Bakshi to inspect the said files. Accordingly, Mr. Prem Kumar Singh visited the office of CPIO of Defence Estate Office, but the desired inspection of the said files was not provided. During the hearing before the CIC, the representative of Prem Kumar Singh was present, but had failed to send the authority letter in advance of the hearing. The CIC observed that the present complaint is not admissible. The complainant has no onus in filing this complaint as the RTI application was not filed by him but Col (Retd) Satpal Singh Sandhu. Therefore, the Commission did not admit the complaint. However, the CIC ruled that the RTI applicant is at liberty to file a fresh complaint in his name and seek condonation of delay, citing the present order.
Comment
Only the RTI applicant is entitled to file an appeal or a complaint. The RTI applicant may authorise another individual to represent him in the course of hearing.
Citation: In the matter of: Prem Kumar Singh (under authority from Satpal Singh Sandhu) v. Defence Estate Office, File No. CIC/DIGDE/C/2021/135827, Date of Decision: 18.11.2022
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

We must answer Chinese aggression at least by boycotting Chinese goods if not militarily. I wonder how markets are flooded with Chinese goods from kites to Diwali lights come any festival and one will find shops and even wayside vendors selling that festival needs 'made in China. Xmas and New Year are upon us looking for Xmas trees Santa Claus decorations for Xmas trees or New Year cards or lighting China supplies all. Come Holi and you will find colours and pichkaris made in China even the murtis of all our Gods and Goddesses made in China are available in some shops. If you want to buy winter clothing go to any weekly bazaar or even elite malls you will not be surprised to find something made in China. The other day a friend gifted me a woolen cap nicely packed and in an attractive bag. I opened it and found a label marked made in China. No question of my wearing it. I am surprised. How is all such stuff getting into the Indian market? I do not think it comes within the items of recognised trade between the two countries. Something should be done to stop it.
Aarti Khosla

The spike in Covid cases in China and many other countries is a matter of concern and it has been proved that the virus still exists and its new variants, sub-variants and strains start infecting people in different parts of the world. Fortunately, so far there is no reason to worry in India. But the variant spreading infection in China has already reached India. So we need to be careful. As we have seen in the past, many people do not follow Corona protocols. We have to be careful if we want to keep things under control.
Arunima Mishra