Whispers Forum

Economic Strategy Jammu Ladakh Valley There is a need to deghettoise the common man and woman of our Kahmir Union Territories . The best way is to :- - Execute Economic Activity at the village level in the state. - First step to buy apples is perfect. - Next step is to bring other produce too to nation by direct purchases from villagers as NAFED has commenced. Let a million trucks move all types of produce to rest of the country. That includes Saffron / Dry fruits/ Carpets / rugs / Shawls / and more. - BSNL should connect each home in Jammu , Valley , Ladakh in a direct message to the people. PCO's should be opened in villages. CONNECT WITH INDIA - ONE NATION PLAN at prices equal to the cost of a Post card. - ISOLATE the Abdullahs / Muftis / Hurriyat as done by fmr PM Indira Gandhi for one year. House arrest is best . As common man is saying in Valley, let them rot !! They siphoned all funds for development for 70 years. Let ED investigate with CBI and Income Tax authorities. WIC should continue exposure of these politicians who impoverished the people. - Let the people become our eyes and ears against Pakistan . –
Devendra Sethi

The new fines imposed for several traffic violation acts in the amended Motor Vehicle Act are deterrent against brazen violations such as over-speeding, riding two-wheelers without helmets, overtaking, talking on mobile phone while driving, not sticking to your lane etc. All this is leading to number of accidents with a heavy loss of life across the country. It is therefore unfortunate that some of the States have given in to the protests against such heavy fines and reduced the same or not implemented the revised fine regime. At least some chance should have been given for the new rates to inculcate some discipline among the vehicle owners and drivers. If one is careful while driving and abiding by the rules one does not have to bother about such fines. Protesters are obviously the ones who do not abide by the rules and therefore are troubled by these hefty fines.
Aarti Khosla

Dear Sir, It is very happy that you have entered the Energy sector. The draw backs are in the field of Corporate Legal Wing (where there is no single qualified to present and follow up) and also an accounts man is the whole and sole from the last about 1- years who does not have any qualification and knowledge about legal issues in such a big organisation. Because of this, wrong decisions /wrong accounts advices are made to be taken by unqualified person for whims and fancies. Only depend some specific monopolised advocates. Kindly take immediate and quick issue to take care of legal issues which are common and settling the issues quickly. without burden to the company. Basic level itself can settle the issues without incurring lakhs of rupees by the company only to specific agencies.
M R Sampangi Ramaiah
Well said and well written
Very clear analysis indeed Sir and a timely caution to our electronic media to restrict themselves to sober levels and not to overdo things
Srinivas

I am proud of governments trying to “regularise” illegal constructions! I am proud of the Supreme Court of India taking care of encroachments under a high powered committee! But this is unique: Gramin Seva. Delhi is the national capital. It is largely a non-gram territory surrounded by developed gramin & non-gramin cities like Ghaziabad and Gurugram. The Delhi government is committed to empower the women of Delhi, for whose safety it has promised free ride in Delhi Metro and DTC which is likely to cost around 5000 Crore in all. It must first provide free Gramin Service in AC mini buses to commuters to provide better connectivity and safety for all. The Red Line, Blue Line and Gramin are remnants of the defeated corrupt regimes. People are entitled to same quality of service as provided by Delhi Metro and DTC AC buses to save them from daily harassment. People avail of the Gramin bus service for short distances not on regular bus routes. The commuters have to bear with the rude and violent behaviour of these dangerous vehicles which are a traffic hazard to the passengers. The drivers carry knife, sword and pistol to silence into submission any passenger raising a voice against their abusive behaviour or dangerous driving or overcrowding small vehicles. Women suffer the most. But there is nobody to mitigate their misery and assure them too a fair amount of safety and comfortable ride to home after a gruelling day at the work place and commuting to reach the boarding point for the GRAMIN SEVA. I am not proud of this attitude towards the Gramin or village folks in the National Capital Territory of India.
M L Gupta

It was almost there. The Vikram Land Rover on the moon. Kept awake to catch this historical and proud moment for the country. Disappointment was deep .Just short of 2.1 km after traversing millions of kilometres. It was natural for ISRO Scientists to feel so upset. The Chairman almost cried. What would have been a great joy turned into a big let down. The Prime minister was there to console them. It was touching when the Prime Minister hugged the Chairman and other scientists and ask them to be courageous. Their efforts for this launch have been no mean achievement. They had almost succeeded in their mission if only the mission control was not lost in those crucial 7 minutes. Hats off to all those who were involved in this mission. It does prove India has the capability to reach the moon. Next time it will not be a rover but a human being-man or woman.
Aarti Khosla

As I kept awake watching the almost near moon-landing, strange thoughts started criss-crossing my mind. Consider the following.
(a) May be the Vikram has already landed at the designated site but signals are missing ;
(b) What if, the link between ISRO and the lander, suddenly resume in future, after the dust settles down or the technical glitches are overcome automatically ? This may not be outside the realm of possibility. In several cases, signals started pouring in, after some days.
(c ) Is there any Kismet connection between Astrology and Astronomy;
(d) Any possibility of Sabotage from within. Investigate;
(e) Any possibility of cyber attacks by the rogue country China ?
Our Space Scientists are the best. India stands solidly behind them as always and PM Modi's encouragement to ISRO scientists was timely as country's leader. His best motivational address. PM Modi exhibited leadership quality by hugging and consoling ISRO Chief. Both got emotional.
And, finally, a lesson for our over- zealous 24x7 Digital Media : Never hype an event disproportionately before Success is achieved.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

The recent decisions of the Government regarding mergers of some weak banks into already facing stress in their balancesheet and trying to recover from their NPAs by exiting from some non-core business have added to the woes of the acquiring as well as target banks despite the fact that Government has provided adequate support in the form of additional capital. It would be more appreciated if the Government first of all extend all the support needed for speedy recovery from their NPAs and strengthen them. It seems Government has been in a bit of hurry for making announcements. Bank of Baroda has not still recovered from the forced merger of Vijya Bank and Dena Bank. Now, it is in the interest of all concerned to first make all PSBs profitable only then the merger of strong bank but a small bank into a large strong bank can be thought of. When we talk of mergers of private banks, we can zero in our choice only for 3-4 strong banks such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank only and there has been a long que of comparatively small banks which have also been strugling with their own problems. RBI and Government can minimise their numbers also by relaxing the existing norms for providing safety to the public deposits such as Yes Bank, Dhanlakshmi Bank and Lakshmi Vilas Bank. The Government can show the door for exit to irresponsible managements and merge it with the comparatively strong banks to regain the confidence of the public. The erring management should be black listed and barred from doing any financial activities.
Ved Prakash Sharma
Achievers from MP in Civil List
As per the civil list PG Mankad from the MP Cadre was 1st in India, Omesh Saigal was 2nd and NC Saxena was 3rd.
Amitabh Agrawal

Hongkong's pro-democracy movement is the largest and the calmest, so far. It may reach the flashpoint with global ramifications, the moment China unleashes its PLA troops on protestors.
China -occupied Tibet, cAksai Chin, unauthorised occupation of a part of Gilgit-Baltistan, must be part of Indian agenda. Atrocities on Uyghurs Muslims minority in China, should not be ignored. Internationalise cases of human rights violations by China. India must raise these issues at the UN.
Being offensively defensive, is imperative, considering China's expansionist designs against India. India as World's largest democracy, must speak up while discussing boundary issues with the mandarins.
Now, a word about Pakistan’s aggressive posturing through proxy wars against India.
POK is a disputed territory. India must broach the subject with Pakistan claiming India's legitimate right over POK . Failing this, military action is the only option for India. Fast and furious action is need of the hour.
Most importantly, India's doctrine of No-first-use of nuclear weapons, is out -of-sync with dynamics of sub-continental geo-politics. It must be revisited and reversed.
India must fulfill its promise of liberating POK, Baluchistan and Sindhu Desh .Let it open multiple fronts simultaneously at LOC, international border (IB) and the Sea-at-large.
This is the opportune time to launch a comprehensive diplomatic-cum- military offensive. Pakistan is down and out.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

India's economy is slipping out of Govt's hands. At least, so it seems. Is the negative impacts of De-monetisation and GST, showing up, feel experts ? As a layman, I find no reason to dis-believe those who have been opposing the successive government initiatives.
The dictum of Statistics, damned statistics and the Lies, is not always applicable. CSO statistics can no longer be manipulated .
GDP quarterly growth rate, is at 6 years low ; 5% this quarter as compared to 5.8% in previous quarter.
Some pertinent questions.
Why is the GoI totally reticent about appropriating 1.76 lakh crores INR forcibly taken from the RBI. FM refuses to answer. Silence is baffling.
Indian public will always stand solidly behind it. Total lack of transparency about the manner in which the public exchequer is proposed to be misused ?
The government's hush-hush mode raises serious suspicions in public mind.
The nation wants to know the truth.
Worse still, in the midst of all this, reasons for mega merger of 10 PSU banks into 4, remains a riddle inside an enigma wrapped in mystery.
What about recapitalisation of banks by infusing 70,000 crores of rupees into banking sector.
The Modi sarkar is extremely extravagant, allergic to taking austerity measures and conserve resources. Expenditure on publicity for trumpeting government's achievements, is criminal waste of money. Throwing the money down the drain. Taking the gullible public for a ride.
Who is advising the ruling government in decision-taking ?
Are bureaucrats the ultimate custodians of all wisdoms? The public as the largest Stake-holder is not taken into confidence. Never, ever.
One useful suggestion for consideration of Modi sarkar.
All discretionary powers of the Executive, political as well as permanent, must be drastically curtailed. The Financial Advisors are not performing their duties diligently. Always willing to please their political masters.
And, about the C&AG, less said the better.
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)
New book by NCS
Dr N C Saxena is a revered figure in the civil services. Topper of the 1964 batch, he can be said to be the "best Cabinet Secretary India never had". Ph.D. from Oxford, his academic credentials are no less impressive. His book "What Ails the IAS and Why it Fails to Deliver" has come out but is unlikely to be a best seller. The reason is that on top of the cover, there is blurb from Mr Harsh Mandar IAS (Retd.). Mr Mandar was a hardworking kind hearted honest officer but he is not a patch on Dr Saxena in terms of either brilliance or performance. Moreover, he is a controversial figure. Considering that many an eminent scholar from India and UK has praised the book, Dr Saxena could surely have a placed someone else's blurb on top of the cover page. Lack of judgement on the part of Dr Saxena is inexplicable and brings into question the credibility of what he has to say in the book.
M P Bauer
Army like restructuring coming for PSBs ?
Yes in units young people who don't know the rules and regulations are posted and the promotion to new people are coming very fast hence they are not bothered about development of bank
Subramanyam
Reservation policy be reviewed !
I fully endorse A.K. Saxena’s views. Reservation policy must be reviewed and should be based on income only and not on caste basis.
S Gopal

Last week India signed an agreement with the Dominican Republic to the effect that Indian Diplomatic and official Passport holders will not require visa to visit that country. Other developing countries try to get visa free entry for businesspersons of their countries (who hold ordinary passports) but the focus of GoI is a always on convenience of its officers. Incidentally, there is little work for Indian officials in Dominican Republic. However, it is the most popular tourist destination in the Caribbeans. Now GoI officers making 'official' trips will be saved from the bother of getting a visa.
Dr N C Saxena
Don’t opine without checking on facts
It has become a habit with some persons to give their opinion without checking on facts. The latest one is one of your surfers joining the brigade which blame Nehru for the mess Kashmir is today. It is true that Maharaja Hari Singh signed the instrument of accession when faced with the tribal raiders who were able to overtake much of his state. He was otherwise keen to remain independent, one of the choices given to Princely states by British. Nehru, a true democrat, agreed to decide the fate of Kashmiris through plebiscite .There were two factors going strong at that time in favour of India. The most popular leader of Kashmiris at that time was Sheikh Abdulla who was a friend of Nehru and trusted him(though he was betrayed later on and put in jail)People of Kashmir would have gone with India at his bidding if the plebiscite was held at that point of time. Kashmiris also with their culture of sufiyat did not consider themselves to be part of a country solely carved out on the basis of religion. Times have changed. Our mistakes as well as Pakistan's relentless pursuit of getting Kashmir by hook or crook has changed the entire land scape. First we failed to check the spread of Wahabi Islam in Kashmir by letting so many mosques and Madrasas come up in Srinagar and elsewhere. Secondly by letting the Pandits leave the valley(why could we not stop them by protecting them) the Islamisation of the valley was complete. Plebiscite is of course no longer a choice. During Nehru's time it was. Article 370 was incorporated to give Kashmir a special status till the issue of the decision of the people over their fate was resolved. This was the need or the demand of the hour then. Today we are living in a different world where consensus, dialogue or will of the people are words not relevant in the statecraft while pursuing what we think is in national interest.
Aarti Khosla
Delayed promotion orders – cause of concern
Extension orders are passed well in time. Promotion orders are delayed, well after retirement and many are denied benefits of promotion.
Vijay