Whispers Forum

The appellant sought the name and designation of the competent authority for whose approval draft guidelines for the wood based industry were submitted; copy of modified draft guidelines submitted to the competent authority etc.. Before the CIC, the respondent submitted that at the time of the receipt of the appellant’s RTI application, the draft guidelines were under consideration and had been sent to the Minister for approval and therefore, no reply could have been sent to the appellant. However, approved guidelines were received in the section on 23.9.2016 and reply was given to the appellant’s RTI application. The CIC observed that the appellant’s RTI application was dated 20.7.2016 and response was given to the appellant by the CPIO on 26.9.2016, i.e. only after the appellant had approached the Commission in second appeal on 19.9.2016. The CIC advised the PIO for the future to give an interim response to the applicant in case the information is not readily available or awaited from any authority concerned, at the time of the receipt of the RTI application.
Comments
In many cases the information is not available with the PIO or may require some time for obtaining from a third party. In such cases, it is always advisable to keep the applicant informed about the steps being taken to provide the information.
Citation: Shri Udhaya Kumar v. Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change in Appeal No. CIC/MOENF/A/2017/175812/MP, Date of Decision: September 29, 2017
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is the co-author of the books: RIGHT TO INFORMATION – LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

DEBATE (1) Banking Reforms
If the Banks would have verified strictly, Millions of Indian fake currency would have been seized after the demonetization, Pressure from FM & impatient public may be the reason for early normalization of the move.
A temporary slowdown is seen today in this country not because of Demonetization or GST but intense increase in bank NPAs as they have slowed the Bank advances majorly due to bad debts. Past government has disbursed very swiftly & efficiently and today we can see the result in the form of NPAs which have aggregated with a fear of uncertainty. Let’s pray for early recovery & liquidity, only possible if Bank advances & recovery is fast.
Vivek Dhawan
DEBATE (2) Banking Reforms
Huge NPA’s are going to be controlled after the new banking reforms.
N K Singh
PM kept in dark about CSS
Prime Minister is the in-charge of the Minister of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions. He has rarely bothered about of inspecting the activities of this Ministry. The IAS lobby in the PMO had also not brought to his notice about the problem of promotion in the Central Secretariat Services (CSS). The CSS officers are a very big messenger about the functioning of the Government in the market. If they are kept as aggrieved lot for long, then naturally they would spread a wrong impression about the functioning of the government. PM is being kept in dark about CSS being the backbone, well aware about rules & regulations, provide continuity in government functioning, expert in noting & drafting and last but not the least they are honest and do not believe in misusing office perks & facilities.
BBS
Bala Prasad is a competent officer
Bala Prasad is a very fine and competent officer. I wish him all the best for his new assignment in Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Kishori Lal
Where are the Liberals hiding ?
China has ordained “patriotism” for every Chinese citizen. It was expected of the Indian liberal community to raise their voice against it as they have been doing against the Modi government since 2014 May, holding placards in their hands above the chest, reading “Not In My Name”. They seem to be indicating that patriotism is alright for the Chinese, even if acts of disobedience will attract imprisonment, but not for India. The Indian government can’t demand any patriotism from its people and if it does so, it will be labelled rightist/ intolerant/ illiberal, playing havoc with their democratic rights to life, liberty, freedom of speech including anti-national slogans on university campuses under the active provocation and guidance of Academic Dons carrying chips of their leftist credentials on their shoulders.
M L Gupta

DEBATE (1) Banking reforms
New banking reforms will reduce corruption in the banking sector.
R C Vidhyarthi
Who is behind you?
Recently, while watching TV news channels and hearing the debates, interviews and stories about Kanhaiya Kumar, one observation is very strikingly draws attention. Be it top anchors or renowned debaters barring a few, they are curious to know as to who was behind Kanhaiya. It appears that whenever, in public perception, any individual, and that too with a humble background dares to take on the mightiest of the land, and talks against the beliefs of the regime, he is doubted to be working for some powerful people with vested interests, lobbies, and political parties, with their covert support. Napoleon used to call himself 'Man of Destiny' despite his super-human attributes. Circumstances do produce icons and heroes, who make people follow them, rather than banking upon the support of some individuals or organizations to push them to become heroes. Men of destiny have been seen in all ages and all times. The emergence of Hardik Patel and Kanhaiya Kumar, at this moment, on the national horizons, appears to be spontaneous because of their own personal qualities and not as the result of some hidden power. In this context the statement of the great martyr of India Madan Lal Dhingra , is very significant. In reply to the question of any other revolutionary's complicity in the murder of Curzen Wylie, he had made iconic and historical statement, ‘I have conspired with none, but my own conscience, and consulted none, but my duty. ‘I am proud of the fact that i belong to the city, where this great martyr was born and brought up.
Surinderjit Singh Sandhu, Amritsar

DEBATE (1) Banking reforms
How do you measure the extent of reforms in the Banking and Financial Sector needs to be made public. Just assumption on what has improved would be deceiving oneself as in the long run bad decisions will show up on their own.
Ajay Pratap
‘Downsize Ministers’ Personal Staff’
The Private Secretaries to union ministers are normally drawn from different organised Services. Sometimes, even officers from same ministries are deployed as private secretaries to ministers. Their appointments, more often than not, are co-terminus with ministers’ continuance in the council of ministers .
Worse, the ministers also indulge in the luxury of drawing on an army of junior staff far in excess of DOP&T’S entitlements. The number of staff ( designated as Informal staff ) from out of ministries, is as large as 20. This leads to additional office space, telephones, cars, furniture etc, needlessly adding to avoidable, wasteful expenditure. They are generally misused for fulfilling non-official obligations of ministers including receiving political co-workers, both at home and office.
This informal arrangement creates vested interests and misuse of official machinery and must be stopped forthwith. Such staff and officers facilitated all scams during the Congress-led UPA era. Mistaking them as innocuous, they are never kept under CBI’s and IB’s scanners. They are quizzed by anti-corruption agencies only after the scams are investigated. But,they escape scot free in absence of formal allocation of duties in ministers’ offices. They must be asked to return to their substantive posts in the ministry.Even, the Private Secretaries belonging to organised services, must be asked to pack up and report to their respective cadres after two years. The PMO must be kept exempted due to massive amount of work and effective monitoring.
A K Saxena (A retd civil servant)
200 posts of Under Secretaries vacant in Go
CSS is a totally mismanaged cadre by DOPT due to which while people are getting promoted to US and DS grade in a time which is double the time stated in recruitment rules, while large number of vacancies exists in various ministries. Sadly, this DOPT is under the control of PM, who is yet to take cognizance of acute stagnation in CSS grade.
Raj Kumar

DEBATE (1) Banking reforms
The process of reforms in the Indian banking sector is a good move but sweeping and impatient reforms will hurt the sector more than its gains. The reforms need to go step-by-step and not with abrupt policy interventions.
J J Singh
Debate (2) Banking Reforms
Bank unions need to be consulted before any process of reforms because it is the officers and employees who run the system not policy makers.
Abhijit Sinha
No ill temperate language
Whispers transparency is questioned by Radhikai. We don't see any ill temperate language used by Chatterjee nor we see any editing required to be done by whispers editor. Chatterjee has highlighted what is right in his perception and in his own words. If writing against congress becomes ill temperate, be it. Congress has ruined this country all these years by their policies and wrong doings and encouraging and sponsoring corruption. When Some strong measures like demo are taken it will definitely hurt people and the common and poor men understand and undertake it as part of sacrifice for the well being of India. All these efforts taken have hurt only those who thrive and live on corruption and corrupt activities. Foot bridges , health issues have not cropped in these few years. These were there since independence and what did Congress do to mitigate these when they were running the govt for over 60 years. Without being partisan to this or that party, let us appreciate whatever is done with good intentions and without any ulterior motive. This is what as good public, we should do. Let us give some body a chance and give enough time and start criticising afterwards. It is an opportunity for Congress to show by their conduct as to how an opposition party should conduct themselves in a vibrant democracy like ours instead of indulging in mud slinging and this strategy will not go well with people to win them back.
Ramjaya
India - an ancient-modern civilization
Giustizia sociale or social justice India is an ancient-modern civilization, yet the need for social justice in the spirit of ziustizia sociale was never felt as strongly as now. The country carries too much of the old baggage and consequential problems. Too much time, space, money and energy is devoted in the country on religion across sections. All of it should legitimately be invested in providing quality education, skill development in large numbers for all professions in an industrial environment and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities. So long as the mind remains in the captivity of religion, nothing much is possible. In this age of science & technology, education and professional training are the basic requirements for breaking the vicious circle of illiteracy, poverty, hunger and disease. While religion played its dominant role in agricultural economy, education and skill development has replaced it in the industrial economy. It is the industrial era which has compelled thinkers about giustizia sociale in Europe, from where countries like India have imported it. Producing skilled professionals takes almost the same time as do the present degree level education courses. Hence, we have to go beyond slogans, if we seek transformation.
M L Gupta

DEBATE (1) Banking reforms
Are Banks rejecting common man's loans ?
-If sources are to be believed banks watch dogs and the govt receiving number of complaints against banks. Most complaints are said to be related to rejection of loans of commandment, education, housing. Even small entrepreneurs and start up are facing various hurdles. In most of the cases loans are being rejected on flimsy grounds.
G K Krishnan
No fear in MCI
There is no fear in MCI and there will not be any from the fact that when you have tainted persons at the helm of affairs or his proxies. If this would not have been true, how come these private institutes would have managed to get unqualified/low level qualifiers NEET MBBS candidates in private institutions. Newspapers are filled up with ads and one is getting sms for getting admissions directly/booking your seats for MD/MS/Diploma in advance in Maharashtra, Karnataka, TN, etc. at low packages with their contact numbers. This is the audacity of the culprits in the system, they can get you admission in AIIMS, PGI, in different quotas on a remuneration of 50 L to 1 Cr claiming that everyone is hand in glove. Your computer exams are manipulated. This is a country which short of doctors, medical system is crumbling, where neo-natal death are like killing rats. What is this SC monitored committee doing ? It is just wasting time and is not improving the system. Why once for all it is not ensured that who ever has completed MBBS should be given PG admission without interruption instead of wasting 3-4 years in coaching centers, meaning thereby that your quality of education in MBBS is third grade that 99% are not able to qualify PG exam for years together. No one can understand the plight of a girl MBBS student. She is able to complete MBBS by 25-26, prepare for 3-4 for PG exam, when she will settle down in life, and who is going to foot the bill, the hapless parents. I am a frustrated parent of a medical student. I see no bright future for a medical student even parents and peers discourage to go for medical education.
Raghu

DEBATE (1) BANKING SYSTEM
Are Govt banks enjoying more autonomy (Freedom) under NDA government ? Answer is yes. It is said that govt has reportedly asked the banks to get rid from NPA. Many banks, specially big banks imposing arbitrary fee and deducting from customers accounts. Experts says that during UPA regime these banks were not allowed to work in arbitrary manner account holders were esteemed customers in real sense but now they are being treated as buggers.
A Bajpai
“2019 Election: PM Modi’s Annus mirabilis”
With Rahul Gandhi likely to take over as Congress President, I have a dismal prognosis for his party. The congis must prepare themselves to sing their swan song.
Don’t ignore other aspects. I fear the rising crescendo in the level of despondency. As a Modi admirer, I have always stood against his detractors. No sycophancy, this. I consider it my duty in country’s interests, to strike a word of caution.
The country has no alternative to PM Modi.
But, PM Modi should neither over-estimate the achievements of his government nor under-estimate the scheming, wicked Opposition.
First thing first. He must start reining in the loudmouths and rabble-rousers within his party and affiliated organisations. The so-called ‘hindutva elements’ must come out of their comfortable cocoon of arrogance, insensitivity and know-all mindset, far removed from reality.
The bottom line is that all sections must feel safe rather than feel discriminated against? The political and ideological war must be fought politically and democratically.
Confrontation with Supreme court on firecrackers controversy, is unwarranted and ill-advised. If the political class is opposed to SC’s judgment , let the Executive order filing SLP in the highest court.
Chaos would mean alienation from the masses. Silence can be misconstrued as ‘tacit approval’. PM Modi alone can control the wayward forces in his party and the country, failing which, his detractors within and outside, will earn brownie points, undeservedly and by default.
And,last but not the least, lack of punitive action against UPA scamsters is heartbreaking to all Modiphiles including myself.
A K Saxena ( A retd civil servant)
Congratulations to Anupam Kher
Heartiest congratulations to Anupam Kher, well deserving person to head the prestigious institution.
Raghubir

Information about non-crediting of PF Employers share in account slips of 2013-14 etc. in applicant’s account was sought. The CIC held that the RTI request is concerned with ‘life and liberty’ and should have responded by EPFO within 48 hours. The CIC observed that if the phone/mobile or whatsapp, or email id is available, the EPFO shall use them to contact the applicant and to communicate the response. The CIC held that the EPFO is required to incorporate a system according to which the moment RTI application on pension issue is received, there should be a mechanism at the entry stage to discover and identify if it is a pension related grievance and then should start acting immediately. A show was issued to the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-II, Sub-Regional Office, Ganjam to show-cause why maximum penalty should not be imposed upon him for not providing the information within prescribed timelines. The officer submitted an explanation and informed that a sum of Rs. 1,08,000/- will be credited into the account of the appellant within a week. The CIC found the explanation satisfactory and dropped the Penalty proceedings.
Comments
The view of the CIC that a grievance related to pension (delay in response, delay in fixation and delay in payment) should be treated as ‘right to life’ under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and the public authorities shall do all the needful to address the issue within 48 hours extends the scope of life and liberty. The CIC has suggested the quick mode of communication while holding that if the phone/mobile / whatsapp, or email id is available, the respondent shall use them to contact the applicant and to communicate the response..
Citation: Manoranjan Patra v. EPFO, Ganjam, Odisha in CIC/BS/A/2016/000523 Decided on: 15.09.2017
Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is the co-author of the books: RIGHT TO INFORMATION – LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/

Sadly the law and order problem in U.P remains as bad as before notwithstanding the fact that the Chief minister of U.P is working so hard. The chilling report of a woman being gangraped near Muzaffarnagar a few days back in front of her husband who was also beaten badly, then of another girl meeting the same fate but the police not registering her case for three days till she brought the ear of the rapist which she cut during the assault are pointers to this state of affairs. These things are happening not only in the badlands of the state but in a places like Noida and on the signature highways. The other day a neighbour was robbed of her purse right on the DND Flyway while she was driving to Delhi from Noida. Two boys on the motorbike stopped her by hoodwinking her pointing towards her tyre. As she opened the door to see what happened they picked up her purse and drove away. I myself experienced such trauma when on 2nd Oct. I planned to go to the nearby Mall to do some shopping. I did not buy much seeing the crowd there but during the few minutes it took me to exit from the mall and while waiting for the driver of my car outside someone took away my small purse containing all the money by opening the side zip of the big purse hanging on my shoulder. Quite a loss it was. I believe such incidents like purse snatching ,chain snatching are daily occurrence in Noida markets and roads.Many a time criminals leave the attacked ones injured if they resist. It is imperative to let the citizens feel safe. For this the police need to be more proactive.
Aarti Khosla
Cadre review of eight services of Indian Railways pending
It is surprising that cadre review of eight services of Indian Railways is pending with DoPT for years shuttling between DoPT and Railway Ministry for one or the other reasons. Perhaps only GOD may help looking at the way it is being dealt with.
SPU

DEBATE (1) Congress
Congress lost the last election not only due to various scams, corruption but also due to an inefficient and silent PM Man Mohan Singh. Projecting him as PM candidate for Congress in 2019 will be suicidal and will end up in Congress getting much lesser number of seats than they got in 2014 election. People with Congress affinity will prefer Rahul Gandhi much more than Man Mohan Singh. If there is to be a real alternative, Mrs Shiela Dixit will be an appropriate one who would have quite an approval among people.
Ramjays
Answer to Rahul Gandhi
Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the largest Hindu women's organisation working to uphold Indian culture and tradition , celebrated 80 years of its establishment having 2784 branches in 22 countries and 2380 cities, 52 seva sansthan and running 22 hostels.
The Rashtra Sevika Samiti’s goal is to unite everyone and work towards re-establishing our sanskriti . Rashtra Sevika's feeling proud and looks more beautiful wearing saree our traditional dress.
Bhupendra Kumar
Jay Shah’s case is a minniscule
It is indeed amusing to see the plight of the opposition leaders, and the presstitutes, who are scanning all news sources daily to find out how to corner the NDA government, even if for the day, before it is punctured. Thus it is that through some non descript news sources , they have zeroed in on Jay Shah , for corruption. It is sheer shamelessness that having been involved in corruption of lakhs of crores, which are being investigated, they have found solace in Jay shah having a turnover of Rs 15 crore, which is a massive scam!!!! Well people are not fools, and somebody should advise these frustrated leaders, that they would be more credible, if they could introspect and correct themselves. That would at least be reassuring the people.
S Chatterjee
Ill temperate language
The ill temperate language used by S. Chatterjee is highly objectionable and bad in taste. How come the Editor publishes such letter without application of mind. The writing is already written on the wall for the present Govt. The trading community is worst hit and shops are wearing a deserted look just a week before Diwali. Does a country without proper foot bridge at the Railway Stations, clean railway compartments and coaches need a Bullet Train just to please business community of Gujarat? If introduced, the train fare will be much more than the flight ticket. Is it a priority for the Nation when hundreds of poor are dying due to dengue and chicken guinea. People have become wise and are sick of rhetoric and false promises. There is not much representation of highly talented IAS officers from South in the Centre? Why this discrimination? Bureaucrats are literally scared and are not performing their duty to the optimal live. Whispers should change its mind set and feel the pulse of Youth, farmers, small time traders and intellectuals.
Radhikai

Debate (1 ) Congress
True fighting spirit of the party leaders combined together will definitely revive the congress.
Shamita Jain
Debate (2) Congress
Present scenario says Congress will come again as a powerful party, by public votes.
Ayush Seth
Debate (3) Congress
Nowadays, Modi becomes a topic of gossip among people. He has lost his faith to public.
Sahil
Many government officials have little information about RTI Act
There are a large number of government officials who have little information about the provisions of the RTI Act. This results in denial of information in some cases while the third party is made to suffer by providing confidential information related to him in certain cases. Such a chaotic situation would continue till there is a proper training to all the government officials in respect of RTI matters.
Shambhu Nath Singh