Whispers Forum

One digital arrest gang is reported to have the sensitive personal bank data of more than 20000 pensioners! It is facilitated by various irresponsible public authorities because of unnecessary exercise like KYC. I have sent a mail to the RBI citing the instance of a mass mailing letter about KYC the SBI had outsourced to some contractor with whom the letter seems to have remained for several weeks before being sent to me through speed post. I am afraid the post man often opens letters and has the audacity to talks about the contents. But the personal data like account number and other details, in connivance with the bank staff, falls in wrong hands and finally reaches the scammers. Can the RBI not stop forthwith this absurd routine and frequent exercise of KYC? Especially in the Digital India and smart phones? If Jeevan Pramanan can be done on phone, why not KYC? It will save crores of rupees in a futile exercise and also spare the account holder the bother of getting the latest photograph done? Are constructive suggestions welcome?
M L Gupta

Selections for the apex level posts in Department of Revenue of Members of CBDT and CBIC may be made soon. There is every need to have strong profiling and background checks preferably by top investigative agencies on the probable, to check corrupt or incompetent officers from manning these positions.
Vijay Kumar
Sunita Williams deserves a ‘Bharat Ratna’
Sunita Williams, the NASA astronaut and an experienced pilot, returned to planet Earth from space after getting trapped for nine months. It was a test of her mental strength and a magnificent feat achieved by a US citizen of Indian descent. She has made India proud. I appeal to the Government to honour her with Bharat Ratna. It would also be a tribute to the US's advancements in the field of space technology.
A K Saxena (Former civil servant)

A consignment booked on March 7, 2025 for delivery in Gurgaon, Haryana is yet to be delivered as on March 18! Website of Indiapost is so slow and awful and it is very difficult to lodge a complaint. It should be able to verify the status using the consignment. Instead it is asking for all kinds of information which it already has. It is not enough to give the pincode of the delivery post office but it is asking for a post office ID without telling how to find it. Since postmen come on bicycles to deliver, the website is also functioning at that speed. It is futile to expect any official to respond to this. It is suggested that the name may be changed to low speed post.
Subramanian

US Reciprocal Tax Policy is a new challenge for India. Reciprocal tariff is imposed to maintain trade balance, protect local industries and prevent unfair business competition. As far as India is concerned, the US remains India's largest export market, accounting for 17.7 per cent of total exports in FY 2023-24. Global trade experts say that India is strategically reducing its dependence on any one country. This approach includes strengthening ties with regions like Europe and the Middle East. At the same time, optimizing the supply chain network is also included. Apart from this, India is focusing on export of finished goods and high-value products from export of raw materials. This is an effort that not only increases export revenue but also ensures competitiveness in the face of rising tariffs.
Raj Ahirwar