Whispers Forum

I am a regular reader of your news in whispers in corridors since its inception and have seen it grow to such a top read site. My appreciation for your authentic news and best prediction.
I am a nationalist and want my country to be ruled firmly but the interests of the common man should always be kept in mind. Unfortunately few top Echelons have hijacked the control from all capable professionals, technocrats , scientists and Defence personnel. Bureaucrats are behaving in a self centered manner claiming cream benefits for themselves and denying the same to most others. This is causing heartburn and disgruntlement in masses. Why not have Indian Medical Services, rather than having some graduates doing administration of health services.
Why not have a 5 star General as CDS so that 4 star Generals are able to function better, retired Lt General can never carry the same authority as serving 5 star General. Bureaucrats have a tendency to deny and delay every perk and privilege of others, especially soldiers. By creating disparity and delay in OROP they have brought highly disciplined decorated veterans to lock horns with the establishment which should have never been done. Eighth pay commission should have been announced and timely payment assured to avoid frustration. 18 months DA/Dr could have been paid as earnings of the government have increased far above their expectations but this will only be given once all disgruntled employees, farmers , veterans , unemployed youth create ruckus as in Bangladesh . Opposition is waiting for such an opportunity to create unrest. Mr Salman Khurshid and union leaders are openly warning but not being taken seriously. Can you do something to avoid unrest in my country?
Best wishes and warm regards
Col V K Gupta

I fail to understand why political leadership does not bring uniformity and equality among entire All India Services to begin with and then all Civil services be also brought at par, in terms of pay, promotion and perks. The bonhomie without this will not materialize even if a common basic course is there for all as the differences widen as they grow up in services. Have you seen any such discrimination among doctors, engineers etc of different trades/ specialisation. In my humble opinion, it is not just and rational and adversely affects the efficiency and effectiveness for entire Civil services.
Vishnu

Brief Information about locker agreement and other related information was sought from PNB in Hindi. The applicant submitted that the reply furnished by the PIO was not in accordance with the information sought in the RTI application. When enquired by the CIC as to whether a copy of agreement of locker is available in Hindi language or not, the PIO submitted that the copy of agreement is in English only, however, whenever required, they explain the agreement to the party concerned in Hindi also. The CIC observed that the appellant has sought a copy of the locker agreement in Hindi language but the same could not be provided by the respondent as the agreement is available in English language. The CIC noted that the respondent Bank is in a customer facing department and for the convenience of the general public, a copy of the agreement should be available in English as well as in Hindi language. Therefore, the Commission directed to furnish a translated copy of the agreement to the appellant within 20 days from the date of the receipt of this order.
Comments
Ordinarily the information is provided in the form in which it exists which implies that no changes or translation is needed. However, in specific cases, the public authority may be required to translate the documents and provide it to the citizens.
Citation: Awadh Bihari Gupta v. Punjab National Bank, Second Appeal No. CIC/PNBNK/A/2023/115245; Date of Decision: 05.08.2024
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

The speed with which the ousted Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina was forced to exit Bangladesh(BD) by its army and land at Hindon airbase in India ,caught every one unawares.One wonders whether there was any intelligence and foreign policy failure on India’s part especially when its neighbour had been in turmoil for several weeks.This is a pointer towards a communication gap that existed between two friendly neighbours? Further, how did India fail to provide intelligence feedback and accordingly brief Hasina about handling the situation? Hasina has claimed CIA’s hand in the anti-Awami league movement.She claimed to be under massive pressure from the US for leasing out Saint Martin’s island in Bay of Bengal ostensibly to counter China’s influence in the Indian ocean.If, this is found to be true,Bangladesh ‘coup’ seems straight out of CIA’S game plan. India should wait and watch.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

Hindenburg is a thin veil to distract the right-thinking Indians from the assault on Bangladesh and aggression on India next. After paralysing the Indian media completely and seeing India asserting its power in the region, America has become nervous. That America will fall so low is unimaginable, but the fact that call for MAGA by Donald Trump is receiving increasing support by the day, the Biden/Dem establishment wants to do something horrible to engage global public attention. It seeks to do a Bangladesh in Delhi. Take note that there is a silent regime change in Delhi which will carry out the “mission Bangladesh” in Delhi soon with its army of criminals assembled in Delhi. Donald Trump has cautioned America about criminals in prisons world over being released to take over America with the help of the Democrats. Can chaos and lawlessness in Delhi help them take over the PM House? You strike first or get over-run unaware. Hindenburg Research= Hindenburg Thuggery. Where are all advocates of Hindu Secularists and Advocates of Minority Rights? Paralysed?
M L Gupta

The last date of Income Tax Returns for AY 2024-25 is over and returns are being processed and refunds issued as the case may be. The Income Tax department has done remarkable work to speed up the work of return filing and processing. This is worth praising. No doubt the IT processing has been very fast in some cases and people are getting refunds as early as in 2 to 3 days. As per reports, returns which have been filed in the last week of July, 2024 have received their refunds but the returns which have been filed in June, 2024 are still waiting for their refunds. It is submitted with due respect to Finance Minister to please consider that returns are processed in sequential manner i.e. the returns which have been submitted earlier should be processed first then following FIFO (first in first out) principle irrespective of ITR numbers whether it is ITR1 or ITR2 or ITR3 or ITR4 etc. The status of the returns may also be given in the e-filing portal after 15 days of verification. This will ease out many problems and curiosity of the assesses to find their processing status. For kind consideration please.
Naveen

The Appellant stated that he has not received any information on the RTI Application dated 13.08.2022 filed with the UCO Bank. Before the CIC, the PIO referred to an earlier CIC Order dated 21.12.2023 regarding the same appellant, where it was directed that in order to avoid multiplicity of proceedings, the instant application by the appellant may be listed together for hearing and a common order to be passed in all the matters. The PIO referred to the notice dated 04.04.2024 with regards to the instant RTI application for appearing before the Hon'ble Information Commissioner. The PIO submitted that the subject complainant/Appellant is same to the Complainant in the earlier notice. Therefore, the queries which were sought earlier and replies given may be treated as replies to the instant notice. The CIC was baffled at the sheer complacency of the Respondent in coming across as being absolutely alien to the concept of the RTI Act or its mandate as it was being naively suggested that their sole reply of 21.12.2023 suffices all the past, present and future RTI Applications of the Appellant and that the Commission ought not to call upon the Respondent office for hearing any matters in the aftermath of the order dated 21.12.2023. The CIC noted that even the FAA has not bothered to decide the instant First Appeal till date, which is also a grave violation of the statutory duty cast upon the FAA by virtue of the RTI Act. The CIC was aghast at the conduct and the submissions of the PIO and directed the PIO to provide a point-wise reply to the instant RTI Application. The CIC instructed that the inaction on the instant First Appeal shall also be duly explained by the FAA.In the event that the FAA fails to comply with the said direction, the CIC will be constrained to deem the FAA as the CPIO in the instant matter for proceeding with action under Section 20 of the RTI Act.
Comments
Though there is express provision for action against the PIO for not following the provisions of the RTI Act, there is little that can be done against the FAA. This is one case where the CIC has resorted to a deeming provision and threatened to use it against the FAA.
Citation: Alom Hussain v. UCO Bank, CIC/UCOBK/A/2023/100779; Date of Decision: 29.04.2024
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

The creation of Bangladesh on humanitarian grounds by India is a recorded fact globally especially after the “Blood Telegram” sent to President Nixon by the US diplomats in Dhaka in March 1971. We were lauded for excellent leadership globally and gave a new dawn to millions of Bengali people being butchered by Pakistan politicians and its Army. Full marks to the Indian Armed Forces for decisive victory in 13 days in the war against Pakistan/ China / USA in East Pakistan, smashing all efforts to halt India. We made a full Army surrender in Dhaka and laid their arms, and made 93000 fully armed soldiers, sailors, airmen, officers our Prisoners of War. A feat repeated by India after World War Two. The victory electorally by Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman in 1971 elections were honoured and he was installed as PM of Bangladesh. Democracy was restored to the new country in the teeth of Opposition by the USA , China , UK , Pakistan and some countries opposed to our humanitarian intervention. The withdrawal of our Armed Forces in 1971 from Bangladesh was exemplary. However, we should have ensured Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s security in the aftermath. A crucial mistake by the government of India then. Not to be repeated now in 2024. Today’s events in Bangladesh, especially after recent elections there, were won by Ms Hasina, was a surprise as she had opposed the reservation quotas policy in 2018 and abolished them. So how did a lower court in Dhaka reinstate this policy? That policy was again abolished by SC of Bangladesh last month. There is more going on in Bangladesh to totally subvert democracy and the election results of this year. Reports are coming from Bangladesh that militant Islamic clerics are trying desperately to overthrow the country’s constitution , Army . Secularism and democracy as enshrined by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman , is / has been given short shrift. The Hindu population, Catholics, Buddhists and other minorities face an uncertain future. Currently the situation is very fluid and a military government has been installed. The Indian Armed Forces and Bangladesh Armed Forces have very cordial relations. We must prepare for the future calmly, and ensure secular democracy is restored in Bangladesh, and advise the Army through our Indian military sources. We are a large strong strategic neighbour of Bangladesh with enormous resources economically speaking. We have excellent ties through QUAD and G-20 with the Western powers and must ramp up our efforts in all fields. There is nothing to fear . When the going gets tough the tough get going.
Devindra Sethi
Appointment of Rajeeva as ED, Punjab & Sind Bank
This is great news!!! Congratulations on your admirable success. Hats off to you on your astounding achievements! Wishing you all the best in your well deserved new role. Sending my warmest congratulations
Ashoke Srivastava