Whispers Forum

DEBATE(1)
Both are complementary to each other.
Shilpa Mohan
DEBATE (2)
Vicious circle
Vicious circle like wheels of a bicycle, one can’t move without support from another one.
Selesh Gupta
Taxpayers needs some relief
Income Tax Department has launched new e-filing portal 2.0 but still some problems are continuing. CBDT tries his best to make e-filing simpler and tax payers friendly but many other problems crop up during the process of implementation. Still some more time is needed to fix problems. But surprisingly tax authorities are not inclined to make it more efficient and tax payers friendly. For example when there is no tax liability on account of LTCG or STCG on transfer of equity or equity oriented MF, then why force tax payers to file ITR 2 if otherwise they are eligible to file ITR 1. Tax payers can show LTCG (less than 1 lakh) under exempt income under Sec.112A. It becomes easier not only for tax payers but also for tax authorities. It saves time, man power and energy which can be utilised for some other innovative work. The things should be managed professionally not by orthodox methods. It is quite logical why force for ITR 2 when tax payers can file ITR1. CBDT should look into the issue and give relief to tax payers by giving option to file ITR 1 or ITR 2 if there is no tax liability on account of STCG or LTCG on transfer of equity or equity oriented MF. It will ease out the problems of filing returns. In this pandemic situation and portal is not working smoothly, such relief can be considered by Finance Ministry. Even providing Form 16 date has been extended to 31st July 2021 and 26 AS is still being updated, the final date of filing returns may be further extended. Tax authorities have taken herculean task of providing pre-filled ITRs with dividend income and LTCG figures. There are thousands of companies giving dividend to people. It looks very difficult to get complete data about dividend. Similarly about LTCG, it is being talked and alleged that tax authorities does not have DMAT account numbers of all tax payers then how LTCG figures will be made available in pre-filled form. All these needs time and may be possible by this financial year 2021-22. This AY 2021-22 Govt. may consider giving some relief to tax payers in filing of returns keeping in view of Covid-19 pandemic situation and difficulty of every intermediaries proving DMAT services. These intermediaries have their own format to provide the information related to STCG or LTCG. To synch the data from all needs a coherent approach and this may be understood by software developers who has to fix the glitches. A clarification is requested to be issued for this by CBDT. giving an option to file ITR1 if otherwise eligible in place of ITR 2 if there is no tax liability on account of STCG or LTCG on transfer of equity or equity oriented MF. LTCG figure less than 1 lakh can be shown as tax exempt income in return.
Naveen

DEBATE(1)
Politicians use bureaucrats more since most of the bureaucrats want lucrative postings. That is the reason they have become spineless and pliable.
Satish Agrawal DGP (Retd)
It is very useful page
Please do keep it up. I post some of the glaring issues regarding the tax matters, for example , Non disposals of the matters by CIT(A) which they can do. This is important because if this is not done, then the reduction in litigation made under Vivad se Vishwas tak, would again escalate. The Faceless Appeal system is good for adjudication, not only from the end of the officers but also the assesses. The problem faced by the department in non disposal should be made public.
Vinay Kumar Jalan

DEBATE(1)
The vital roles of both politicians and bureaucrats are unambiguously defined in a democracy. As members of Parliament and state legislatures, politicians enact legislation; and in their capacity, as ministers at the centre or in states, it is their duty to frame policies for government functioning. The bureaucrats' part is to work in conformity with legal provisions and policies. When these two sets of individuals digress from assigned roles, difficulties arise. If the politicians improperly interfere with the functioning of the officialdom and issue inappropriate directives then it is the duty of the officers to point out the impropriety of such orders. In numerous instances, politicians do comprehend. I understand that in some cases that may not happen but that risk exists in every sphere of existence. In many matters, bureaucrats follow improper directions of the politicians either because they themselves are also at fault or want to avoid trouble and be in the good books of ministers.
As in the administrative context, there should be training programmes for the legislators and ministers, which will be helpful in ensuring the proper discharge of duties. Bureaucrats and politicians, while embarking on public service, take an oath to abide by the provisions of the Constitution. I realise we are passing through difficult times but am certain that things will improve.
[Asit Chandra Chandra joined the Indian Revenue Service in 1967 and retired as Director General of Income Tax (Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh) in 2002. He has four books to his credit and is an avid photographer whose pictures were exhibited on five occasions.]

DEBATE(1)
Politicians and bureaucrats are the two pillars which keep the system in motion.
Sneha Jain
DEBATE (2)
Politicians and bureaucrats are like husband and wife
Politicians and bureaucrats are like husband and wife who cannot stay together but don’t leave either too.
Bhavya Singh
“Think before you Speak”
CDS Rawat must think before speaking his mind.
Denigrating IAF as supporting arm of the armed forces , he has been less than careful. Downright divisive; a thoughtless bravado. The controversy is now in public domain.
TOI and India Express,(July 3) among other, have widely reported the public spat.
IAF chief's retort, upholding major role of Air force, is justified.
PM and the NSA cannot remain mute spectators.
The CDS may be advised to be careful with his words and not be a loose cannon.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

Different financial organisations approached the CIC separately seeking stay of the order of the PIO of RBI claiming that disclosure would cause irreparable loss and injury to their institution while no prejudice would be caused to the RTI applicant. In terms of the prayer, the CIC admitted the second appeal and keeping in view of the urgency, the operation of the PIO’s reply and FAA’s order was stayed till further orders. The CIC directed that the matter may be posted for hearing as soon as possible.
Comments
The Supreme Court has already deliberated upon the issue in Reserve Bank of India v. Jayantilal N. Mistry and has directed that such information is liable to be disclosed. Hence, the interim order of the CIC restraining the CPIO from releasing the information appears to be without merit. On 02.07.2021, the Supreme Court refused the prayers made by Punjab National Bank and Union Bank of India to stay the RTI notices issued to them by the Reserve Bank of India.
Citation: Experian Credit Information Company Pvt. Limited & Anr. V. CPIO, Reserve Bank of India & Anr. in Second Appeal No. CIC/RBIND/A/2021/615945 with similar order in: Babaji Datey Mahila Sahakari Bank Limited v. CPIO, Reserve Bank of India & Anr. in Second Appeal No. CIC/RBIND/A/2021/109972; Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited & Anr. v. CPIO, Reserve Bank of India & Anr. in Second Appeal No. CIC/RBIND/A/2021/611795; Jain Co-operative Bank Limited & Anr. v. CPIO, Reserve Bank of India & Anr. in Second Appeal No. CIC/RBIND/A/2021/110465, Date of Decision: 01.06.2021
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Apart from her weekly article here, her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: www.rtifoundationofindia.com

DEBATE(1)
It is the tragedy of the nation that too much is made out from stray cases of misconduct by bureaucrats and politicians and their contributions are ignored in toto. This is unfair. Had it been so, the country would have broken into pieces. We have progressed from 1947 onwards and are self reliant in most of the areas because of cooperation of political boss and bureaucrats and the journey is on. You can compare our achievements with other countries and find out the change. By the way, black sheep are everywhere and in every sphere. Politicians and bureaucrats know too well their limits within which they work and at times, disagree. In today's world, none can boast of unfettered freedom as media, public are keeping close eyes on their performance. We need both to keep a check on each other.
Raj Kumar Thakur
Top Executives of PSUs 'satiate' Independent Directors
Sambit Mahapatra is on the Board of ONGC and Shazia Ilmi on the Board of EIL. The top Executives of these PSUs on the record 'satiate' these 'Independent Directors', which comes very handy for them in the Board meetings when the question of confronting the Government Directors arises.
Bimal Bahadur
WB CM gives nod for formation of Vidhan Parishad
Sir, this is with reference to " CM Mamata Banerjee will step down from the CM post' . But, recently CM has given nod for formation of Vidhan Parishad.
Divakar

DEBATE(1)
Politicians and civil servants are hand in glove in mismanaging India. Both keep on scratching each other's back with a spice called "looting the exchequer" by making faulty policies including ifs buts and relaxations lacunae. In India simple or straight defined rules are missing always, added to that is corruption, jugad, sifarish. Uprightness of civil servants is missing. Civil service need revolutionary reforms including execution, accountability, fixed responsibility rules. One needs a revolutionary and daring UPSC Chairman.
Harish Kumar
“ The New Normal for Appointment ”
The media report of ruling dispensation gaining insidious control on PSUs by posting its loyalists as independent directors , makes a disturbing reading. Consider specifics.
The RTI filed by the Indian Express revealed appointment of 86 political activists as independent directors in as many PSUs out of total 172.This was in flagrant violation of prescribed guidelines, bypassing all ethical considerations especially rules on conflict of interests.
Such mass appointments of politicians in PSUs is unprecedented, making exception as the new normal.
Top bureaucracy in DPE, CVC,C&AG,SEBI etc remain mute spectators, bulldozed by political compulsions. No PILs filed.
The head of government has much to explain.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

DEBATE(1)
Politician uses bureaucrat.Only politician give patronage to the bureaucrat to mint money for him and himslf.
Hari ranjan
Modern EVM PPAT not hacked by anybody
The modern EVM PPAT has not been hacked by anybody. EC has openly challenged all comers to try and do so . Nobody has succeeded. These machines have recently provided results in 5 States elections in 2021. Should we not accept these results? These results are fair and new governments have been formed in the states concerned. Full marks to Election Commission of India. As a democracy we have come far far ahead since 1947 . Indians do not have anything to worry about electorally speaking.
Devindra Sethi

DEBATE(1)
Politicians Use Bureaucrats? Politicians and bureaucrats are inseparable and indispensable to each other in a democracy. But these days, there have been instances that politicians dump a bureaucrat once their purpose is over. In such a case, the question that arises is that who takes more advantage of the situation?
Quid pro quo – The system of giving something in return for a favour granted or a gift presented, has generally been the norm. However, the administrative services, in India, post-Independence, got very little by way of quid pro quo from their masters, as the powers granted by the Constitution and exploited to the hilt by politicians made the wielders of power arrogant and supremely confident of no punishment being meted out to them for any kind of crime committed against the nation. The bureaucrats, who considered themselves indispensable, because they were the ones in touch with the masses, became pawns and puppets with their strings in the hands of their political masters as there was manifold increase in political powers to promote, demote, transfer and ensure the continuance of the tenure of bureaucrats. Furthermore, the two wings of democracy, the Executive and the Legislature, were in tandem actually trying to get the better of the third wing, the Judiciary, the only enlightened wing in India, the Judiciary, because of its education and knowledge. The need for sanction to prosecute criminals in high offices and bureaucratic hurdles made politicians sly victors in political and economic games of deceit and helped political leaders (read “ministers”) maintain status quo. The very fact that it was only in 2005 that the Right to Information became part of the Constitution is a glaring example of political control over the bureaucracy. Even the Right to Education has not been propagated enough for the people of India to benefit from, thanks to political maneuverings over bureaucrats. There is a conspicuous absence of Lokayuktas or ombudsmen in cases requiring prosecution and conviction of those in high office. In a country that claims to be the world’s largest democracy, the first casualty and the most damaging one has been dispensation of justice, thanks to the stranglehold over bureaucrats which our politicians have and we have witnessed shockingly distressing instances of these in the last two virus-ridden years.
Vinay Sethi
Cinematograph bill
I oppose the cinematograph amendment bill 2021.
Tarak
Heartiest Congratulations
It is really good to know that some of my known ISS officers have attained the Higher Administrative Grade. Kudos to all of you.
H S Chauhan