AAP leaders spending maximum time in Punjab

After a humiliating defeat in Delhi Assembly polls, most of the AAP leaders are nowadays spending their maximum time in Punjab. The Party boss is in Punjab for Vipassana. Though his course is completed, he is not interested in coming back to Delhi. Experts say now the AAP leaders have become 'Suvidhabhogi' and that's the reason they are enjoying power in Punjab.

ED registers 193 cases against political leaders in 10 yrs

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered as many as 193 cases against political leaders in ten years. Interestingly, only two political leaders were convicted.

Satya Pratap Singh has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Justice. He is a 2003 batch IDAS officer.

Vatsalya Saxena has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). He is a 1994 batch IRS-IT officer.

Javvadi V Naga Subramanyam has been appointed as Joint Secretary, New & Renewable Energy. He is a 2009 batch IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre.

Rajesh Kulhari has been appointed as Joint Secretary, New and Renewable Energy. He is a 1996 batch IRSEE officer.

Kamala Kant Tripathy has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, NITI Aayog. He is a 1999 batch IES officer.

Ms Mukta Shekhar has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Panchayati Raj. She is a 1994 batch IRAS officer.

Sushil Mansing Khopde has been appointed as Additional DG at Joint Secretary level, Directorate General of Shipping. He is a 1995 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre.

Venkatesapathy S has been appointed as Joint Secretary (Shipping), Ministry Ports, Shipping & Waterways. He is a 2009 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.

Ms Aditi Singh has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Rural Development. She is a 2009 batch IAS officer of UP cadre.

Prabhat Tyagi has been appointed as CMD, National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation (NSFDC). He is a 1995 batch IFoS officer of UT cadre

H Kam Suanthang has been appointed as Joint Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC). He is a CSS officer.

Ms Padmini Singla has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Textiles. She is a 2002 batch IAS officer of UT cadre.

Anant Prakash Pandey has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Tribal Affairs. He is a 1999 batch IFoS officer of Haryana cadre.

Karan Singh has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Water Resources, RD &GR. He is a 1999 batch IRTS officer.

Sanjeev Kumar Sharma has been appointed as Member Secretary at Joint Secretary level, National Commissioner for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). He is a 1990 batch ITS officer.

Muktanand Agarwal has been appointed as CEO at Joint Secretary level, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY). He is a 2008 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre.

Ms Prajakta L Verma has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Atomic Energy. She is a 2001 batch IAS officer of Maharashtra cadre.

Lakhpat Singh Choudhary has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Coal. He is a 1997 batch IRSS officer.

Saket Kumar has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Commerce. He is a 2009 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.

Satinder Kumar Bhalla has been appointed as Secretary, North Eastern Council Secretary (NECS). He is a 1992 batch ITS officer.

Madhup Vyas has been appointed as Deputy Election Commissioner in ECI. He is a 2000 batch IAS officer of UT cadre.

Ajay Kumar has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Ex-servicemen Welfare. He is a 1993 batch IP &TA FS officer.

Devesh Deval has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Food Processing Industries. He is a 2004 batch IAS officer of Manipur cadre.

Raghav Langer has been appointed as Secretary, National Medical Commission (NMC). He is a 2009 batch IAS officer of Uttarakhand cadre.

Ms Jyoti Yadav has been appointed as Joint Secretary, National Health Authority (NHA). She is a 2009 batch IAS officer of Uttarakhand cadre.

Prem Chandra Maurya has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Heavy Industries. He is a 1995 batch IRS-IT officer.

Armstrong Pame has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Higher Education. He is a 2009 batch IAS officer of Manipur cadre.

Prasana R has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs. He is a 2004 batch IAS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre.

Ms Sushma Chauhan has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs. She is a 2009 batch IAS officer of UT cadre.

Samir Kumar has been appointed as Joint Secretary, National Human Rights Commission. He is a 1999 batch IRTS officer.

M Ramachandrudu has been appointed as Director (Census Operations), Bihar, in the office of Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. He is a 2009 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.

Ms T Mithra has been appointed as Director, Census Operations, Kerala in the office of Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. She is a 2009 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.

Pradeep Kumar Jha has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Housing and Urban Affairs. He is a 2006 batch IAS officer of Manipur cadre.

Ms Isha has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. She is a 2009 batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre.

Ashish Kumar has been appointed as Joint Secretary, Investment & Public Asset Management.

Amit Kumar Sharma has been appointed as CVO, National Fertilizers Limited (NFL), Delhi. He is a 2004 batch IRS-IT officer.

Ms Vinita Narera has been appointed as CVO, Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC), Delhi. She is a 2000 batch IRSSE officer.

Shalabh Tyagi has been appointed as CVO, Oil India Limited (OIL). He is a 1997 batch IRSEE officer.

Gaurav Govil has been appointed as Combined CVO in Military Engineer Services (MES) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO). He is a 1996 batch IRSSE officer.

Sanjiv Kumar Singh has taken over as the Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL). He has been Director Mining of HCL since March 22, 2022.

(WE  SAID THIS ON DEC,14 2024)

Justice Harish Tandon, Judge of the Calcutta High Court, has been appointed as Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the transfer of Justice Arindam Sinha, Judge, Orissa High Court, to Allahabad High Court.

No officer of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) of 1994 batch from Gujarat cadre has been empanelled as Secretary in the Government of India.

Randheep Thakur has joined the DGFT HQ as Joint DGFT, a Director level post. He is a CSS officer.

Abhinav Agrawal has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Election Commission of India. He is a 2014 batch IRS-IT officer.

Samrat Bandopadhyay, an Information Services Officer (IIS) from the 2010 batch, has recently received recognition for his outstanding dedication to continuous learning. With a total of 720 courses completed on the Karmayogi Integrated Government Online Training (IGoT) platform, he now holds the record for the most courses completed by any officer or official in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Bandopadhyay was also felicitated at ‘NPTEL Stars Event’ at IIT Madras. The Stars Event witnessed the participation of over 800 NPTEL Stars - learners who successfully completed and got certified in more than three NPTEL courses in the previous semesters. During July to December 2024 semester, 733 courses were offered on NPTEL and over 29 lakh students enrolled for the courses. Of these 9.2 lakh students registered and took exams, making it one of the largest MOOC initiatives across the world.

Five members of Non-State Civil Service of West Bengal have been promoted as IAS against the Select List of 2023 and allocated W Bengal cadre. The promoted officers are: Saequa Monazza, Sabnam Mukhopadhyay De, Chinmoy Dey, Kunal Biswas and Anindya Bhattacharya.

Avichal Chaturvedi in Rajasthan has been promoted to the Selection Grade of IAS w e f January 1, 2025. The post of Joint Secretary, currently held by him, has been re-designated as Special Secretary. He is a 2021 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre.

Two officers of Indian Forest Service (IFoS) have been given new responsibilities in Rajasthan. While 2006 batch Sedu Ram Yadav has been appointed as Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF), Udaipur, 2009 batch Sunil was shifted as Conservator of Forest (Territorial), Udaipur.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has advertised for one Consultant in OE&PGE Division. Applications must reach on or before April 1, 2025.

Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has advertised for various posts in Vigilance, Civil and Electrical streams for Mumbai on deputation basis.

Last date for retired Central Government servants to apply for Consultants post in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has been extended. The revised date is March 27, 2025.

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has invited applications for two posts of Manager-Finance for Corporate Office, New Delhi on deputation basis.

Manish Gupta has been sent on deputation to IRCON International Limited as Chief General Manager-Civil, Surat, Gujarat. He is an IRSE officer.

Vishal Sheoran has been transferred from the Ministry of Finance, Delhi and posted at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoH&UA). He is an Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO).

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has invited applications from retired government officers for Consultant post. Applications must reach on or before April 10, 2025.

The Department of Commerce has advertised for the post of Joint Development Commissioner, Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Noida. Details can be availed from the website of Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

THDC India Limited continues to uphold its commitment to social responsibility while also striving to provide Affordable, Reliable, and Sustainable power to the nation 24x7, by enhancing healthcare access, particularly in remote and hilly regions of Uttarakhand. R K Vishnoi, Chairman and Managing Director, THDCIL informed that the company has facilitated the installation of State-of-the-Art surgical microscope ZEISS EXTARO 300 system at Vivekanand Netralya, Dehradun. This surgical microscope will significantly enhance medical precision and improve patient outcomes, especially for those from Underserved Regions. Vishnoi, emphasizing the urgent need for advanced healthcare facilities in difficult terrains stated that at THDCIL, we believe that good health is fundamental to human aspirations. Through 'THDC Niramaya,' we are committed to ensure that critical healthcare services reach those who need them the most. Beyond this initiative, THDC’s – ‘THDC Niramaya' encompasses a range of impactful healthcare programs, including operating allopathic and homeopathic dispensaries, organizing health camps, supporting telemedicine services, and providing critical medical equipment to healthcare institutions.  Shallinder Singh, Director (Personnel), THDCIL, inaugurated the ZEISS EXTARO 300 system at Vivekananda Netralaya, Dehradun and reaffirmed the company’s dedication to strengthening medical infrastructure especially in the state of Uttarakhand. He stated, “THDCIL remains focused on bringing advanced healthcare solutions to marginalized communities. Our collaboration with Vivekanand Hospital aligns with our mission to empower society through medical innovations. This latest contribution builds upon our prior assistance for the Zeiss Microscope Model OPMI LUMERA 700, which has already transformed eye care services at the hospital. Singh added that THDC India Limited remains dedicated to leveraging its resources to uplift communities and make a meaningful impact on Healthcare Accessibility, particularly in Uttarakhand’s remote regions. The company has consistently supported the state's healthcare infrastructure by providing essential medical equipment and services in underserved areas. These efforts are especially vital in hilly regions, where geographical constraints often limit access to quality medical care. Sh. Singh emphasized that these are the best State of Art medical equipment which are currently available in the State of Uttarakhand, which will enable the needy populace from remote and inaccessible hilly regions to avail quality healthcare at most economic rates. The inauguration ceremony was graced by Swami Asimatmanand Ji, Amardeep, General Manager (S&E), H K Jindal, AGM (S&E) and other senior officers of THDCIL, reaffirming the company’s commitment to transformative healthcare initiatives.

Vishal Singh will join as Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands segment in the AGMUT Joint Cadre of Indian Forest Service (IFos). He is a 2020 batch IFoS officer of AGMUT cadre.

Mohan Choudhary will join as Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands segment in the AGMUT Joint Cadre of Indian Forest Service (IFos). He is a 2014 batch IFoS officer of AGMUT cadre.

Two IFoS officers of AGMUT cadre have been shifted. 2006 batch K S Jayachandran, CCF and 2009 batch Saurabh Kumar, CF, both currently posted in Delhi, have been shifted to Delhi.

Alok Kumar Maurya has been granted the Junior Administrative Grade (JAG) of the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) w e f January 1, 2024. He is a 2015 batch IFoS officer of AGMUT cadre.

The deputation tenure of Santosh Rastogi working as IG, National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been extended for a period of two years beyond August 5, 2025. He is a 1998 batch IPS officer of Maharashtra cadre.

Ajit Roy has been appointed as Director of Census Operations/Director of Citizen Registration at Deputy Secretary level, Mizoram. He is a 2013 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre.

Bharat Prakash, Joint Development Commissioner at Director level in the office of Development Commissioner, has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre on personal grounds. He is a 2006 batch IRS-C&IT officer.

Rajeev Kumar Mishra (IRSE-Civil), Chief Engineer, Central Railway, has been selected for the post of Director (Way & Works), Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on March 22, 2025. As many as seven persons were interviewed for the same.

Sunilkumar Panangadan, Chief GM, Unit I/C FOJ, GRSE, has been selected for the post of Director (Corporate Planning & Personnel), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on March 22, 2025. Three persons were interviewed for the same.

Nine officers of the Senior Commandant level in CISF have been shifted. Alok Kumar has been shifted to GP HQ Chandigarh; Mahesh Powrel to Red Fort New Delhi; Anup Kumar to ASG Lucknow; K K Bhardwaj to IOC (GR) Baroda; Maneesh Kumar Rai to VSTPP VIndhyanagar; Bhagwata Ram Dhaka to 8th Res BN Jaipur; Deepak Chouhan to NS HQ New Delhi and Navdeep Singh Heera was moved to 3rd Res Bn Bhilai.  

Eleven officers of the Commandant level in CISF have been shifted. Laxminarayan Choudhary to CCL Kargali; Surender Kumar to IOCL Paradeep; G M Thangzom to ChPA Chennai; Chanchal Sarkar to SCCL Singareni; Ram Mohan to 2nd Res Bn Ranchi; Kundan Kumar to NRL Numaligarh; Lalit Panwar to P&HCS Chandigarh; Neeraj Kumar to GBS New Delhi; Naveen Bhagat to ASG Jaipur and Panjaj Kumar was transferred to NEZ-III Mundali.

K Sendhil Naathan has been re-appointed as Managing Director of TANFAC Industries Limited.

Rajeev Jain has been elevated as Vice Chairman of Bajaj Finance Limited in the capacity of Executive Director, effective April 1, 2025.

Anup Kumar Saha has been re-designated as Managing Director of Bajaj Finance Limited, effective April 1, 2025.

Ms. Parminder Chopra, Chairman and Managing Director of Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC), has been assigned additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director of REC Limited for a period of three months.

Subba Rao NV has been appointed as Additional Director (Non-Executive and Independent) of Aptus Value Housing Finance India Limited.

S Kalyanaraman, Whole-Time Director & Chief Executive Officer, TTK Healthcare Limited, has been re-designated as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of the company.

Shekhar Agarwal has been re-appointed as Managing Director of Maral Overseas Limited, effective April 1, 2025.

 

Shantanu Agarwal has been re-appointed as Joint Managing Director of Maral Overseas Limited, effective June 19, 2025.

Subramanian Sarma has been elevated as Deputy Managing Director & President of Larsen & Toubro Limited.

Sanjiv Kumar Singh has assumed charge as Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Copper Limited, effective March 21, 2025.

Vijay Kumar Ayare has been appointed as Non-Executive Independent Director of Parnax Lab Limited.

Padma Konda has been appointed as Additional Director of Raasi Refractories Limited.

Digital arrest gang possesses bank details of pensioners

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

Numerous complaints against CPIO and First Appellate Authority of Bank

The PIO denied information sought by the appellant claiming that it relates to internal communication of the Bank and is confidential in nature. Further, no larger public interest is involved in the matter and the information is exempt from disclosure under Section 8(1)(d) of the Act. Before the CIC, it was submitted that the appellant has filed multiple RTI applications and First Appeals and the same have been disposed of within stipulated time frame. It was informed that RTI applications of the appellant are an offshoot of a family dispute between him and his relative (being one of their staff) and the respondent authority is being dragged to such a personal dispute, which is a clear abuse of the provisions of RTI Act. The respondent claimed that in addition to filing numerous RTI applications and complaints, the appellant had also been harassing the officials of our Zone by repeated calls and personal visits to the Branch/Zone. The Appellant has filed numerous complaints against the CPIO, First Appellate Authority of Ujjain Zone and even against the CPIO and First Appellate Authority of Head Office for exercising their functions under the RTI Act. The officials including the CPIOs are under threat of constant attack from the RTI Applicant for no fault of theirs. Malicious attacks are made on CPIOs through lengthy RTI Applications and Appeals. It was also submitted that the appellant's second appeal was dismissed by the CIC vide order dated 20.09.2024 in No. CIC/BKOIN/A/2023/128876 and order dated 28.11.2024 in No. CIC/BKOIN/A/2023/141282. The CIC noted that the reply given by the PIO is evasive and misleading. The CPIO, without applying his mind, has simply denied the information as it pertains to their internal communication and most importantly, the CPIO has not specified any of the exemptions clauses or sub-clauses as enumerated under sections 8 and 9 of the RTI Act. The CIC directed the PIO to revisit the above-mentioned points and furnish a revised reply to the appellant, specifying the correct exemptions clauses or sub-clauses. Regarding the submission of the respondents of multiple RTI applications being filed by the appellant, the CIC observed that the said concern can be taken up in an appropriate matter in the future for want of any similar pattern of cases as well as in the absence of any specific reference of the number of RTI applications filed with the respondent.

Comments

A PIO must know the clauses of the RTI Act thoroughly and the denial of information should be only as per section 8 or section 9.

Citation: Premchand Bangaria v. Bank of India, Mumbai, CIC/BKOIN/A/2024/116770; Date of Decision: 05.03.2025

Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com