Whispers Forum

DEBATE 1
Republican V/s Democrat ? : As the US presidential election approach, the Indian-American friendship is at the cross roads. Whether the Republicans or Democrats come to power in the US, their national interests are supreme and permanent. This will shape their foreign policy. A comparative analysis.
First the Democrats.
The Democrats have been very critical of the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by Indian Parliament. They have also gone on to hold hearings against alleged “human rights violations” in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. In doing so, they have failed to give any consideration to the genocide of Kashmiri Hindus as also persecution of the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Christian minorities in India’s neighbours : the Islamic Republics of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
The Indian diaspora’s initial enthusiasm with Kamla Harris’s nomination as Vice President, fizzled out soon. She hardly ever claimed her Indian ancestry overtly. So, let us not read too much into her nomination as Vice President even though, historically, the Indian diaspora in the US has been a loyal supporter of the Democrats.
Now, the Republicans.
The US foreign policy towards India, as always, will be based on its national interest. Personalities definitely play an important role.
Let me be upfront. President Trump is perceived as unpredictable, self-centred, disruptive and transactional. In his second term, he could possibly become more so. PM Modi has invested hugely on Indo-US friendship. Any change of guard in the US, at present juncture, ill be disastrous for India nay the whole world. This will merely help China in actualizing its expansionist designs. India will be the worst affected.
Trump’s appearance at the “Howdy Modi” event in Houston and subsequently a mammoth rally in India with PM Modi have solidified his pro- India image. Personal bonding between them is unprecedented. Ties must be strengthened, regardless of whether the next president is a Democrat or Trump 2.0. Let us explore all opportunities.
All things considered, the Republicans would be a better bet for India. The Democrats, the general perception is, lean towards the Left. Joe Bidon, the Presidential nominee had once criticised India’s CAA and National Register of Citizens in an outreach to Muslim Americans.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)
IAS no longer enjoys complete hegemony
The IAS is no longer enjoying the complete hegemony over the country it did under the Congress patronage. Finally, other services are also getting some opportunities which they were unduly denied under the nepotism of the Congress regime.
V K Gangulay
Seniority permanently embedded
Seniority is permanently embedded in mind of AIS more so in IAS. Exceptions are rare.
R K Upadhyay

DEBATE (1)
Debating US Election 2020 : The primary goal of any political party is to serve its people and party first. The ideology that the Democrats have been practising is too outdated now. The anti-India sections of the Democratic Party has always tried to spoil the relations between India and America whenever a Clinton or an Obama tried to warm up towards India. Biden’s victory will not change the policy and attitude a bit irrespective of his public statements. On the contrary, the Republican Party has to ensure the American people live without fear of any kind. The geo-political situation in the world has not changed much since 2016. COVID-19 has affected all countries and America too has suffered. The threat from China remains the same as in 2016. My book “US Elections 2016 And After” (available on Kindle-Amazon) referred to the Chinese policy at that time. America cannot afford to experiment with failed socialist policies any longer as those professing socialism have converted it into a powerful lever to rule the poor masses – whether in America or India.
M L Gupta
Chairman, NIOS will be appointed shortly !
Appointment of Chairman, National Institute of Open Schooling(GoI, Mininistry of Education, Department of School Education) is lying pending. Hope, Chairman, NIOS will be appointed shortly.
Mahesh Prasad Saha
Make IT return filing easier
Fully agree with Naveen. Government should look into the issues raised by him and make IT return filing easier.
S Gopal

DEBATE(1)
Republicans suit India : Logically and reasonably, Republicans would be better suited to India irrespective of the past republicans Presidents horrenduos relations with INDIA. The situation is changed now. USA, under Republicans, is feeling the heat from China economically and in the United Nations. It’s, thus, in the USA 's interest to support India to counter China and that suits India too . Democrats on the other hand have a soft corner for China which is inimical to India.
Rajeev Rastogi
Virtual emergency in India
It is evident that now there is a virtual emergency in India. Autocratic government is ruling roost by hijacking all constitutional machinery by using carrot and stick policy. The opposition is clueless. But soon people will realise the perils of giving power to a tyrant in democracy and will collaborate in a silent revolution to dislodge such tyrant as it happened in 1977.
Narendra
Cong decline due to its obsession with nepotism
In 1947, Mahatma Gandhi said that the purpose of the Congress was to achieve freedom, which had been done, so, the Congress should be dissolved and candidates for elections should be chosen by group of eminent citizens. The Congress did not heed the advice and ruled for 70 years. Today, finally, the end of the road for the Congress is finally in sight due to its obsession with nepotism.
V K Garg

It won’t work. See CBIC example. People with connections (IAS) were selected. Meritorious were left out. Selection introduces arbaritariness and discretion and everyone knows how that works!.
Alok
Conscious IAS officers
Most IAS officers are very "conscious" of their so called "elevated" brown sahib status. One Law Secretary had earlier been in the IPS. He joined the Indian Legal Service after some years in the IPS and since promotions were faster in the Indian Legal Service, he became Secretary, Law before his batch in the IAS or even two-three batches senior in the IAS had become Secretary. Additional Secretaries from the IAS would refuse to go meet him because they thought he was from the IPS and junior in batch too.
Vijay Kumar

A 1983 batch IA&AS officer has proceeded on leave and there are rumours that this is because of appointment of the new C&AGI who is supposedly ‘junior’ in another service. This is untrue. Once an officer has retired (voluntarily or on superannuation) he/she is entitled to hold a constitutional post his batch etc in his former service becomes irrelevant. Some officers who were promoted from state administrative service and state police service to IAS and IPS officers (and therefore retiring with low seniority in IAS/IPS) have been Lieutenant Governors of UTs and Governors of States. In many States they have been Ministers. The Principal Secretaries of the department have never proceeded on leave.
Prof. N. C. Saxena
Why IA&AS can’t be CAG. Because their pliability never get tested.
Awadhesh
Finance Minister: ITR2 Filing-becoming a nightmare
Clear message from the highest Authority the Tax compliance system should be seamless, painless and faceless.Each word has its own meaning. The emphasis was only 1.5 crore pay income tax in the population of 130 crore. It is worrisome and requires deep analysis. Whether policies approved in the Budget are implemented correctly or not. It is implementation strategy which makes policy successful or unsuccessful. If the implementation is simpler and painless the situation would have been different and number of tax payers would certainly be more than the present numbers. Let us understand from very simple example. In FY 2018-19 LTCG on transfer of equity shares or equity oriented mf was introduced through Sec,112A, 10% tax exceeding gain 1 lakh rupees. It means there is no tax on LTCG for the gain less than 1 lakh and hence no tax liability. But tax authorities made it complex by making ITR2 table Sec. 112A mandatory for those tax payers who have incurred loss or LTCG gain is less than 1 lakh having no tax liability. It is not clear why this ITR2 made mandatory for such tax payers and what is the need to have transaction data for such tax payers when no tax liability on this account. Such tax payers otherwise file their returns using ITR1 without going into such complexities. Filing ITR2 is lengthy and difficult process. So it is neither simpler nor painless. We are defeating the basic objective by way of implementation. This can easily be resolved by making ITR2 table 112A optional for those tax payers who have incurred LTCG loss or gain is less than 1 lakh under Sec.112A. However the gain figure can be quoted under exempt income for reporting purpose in ITR1. Govt. is not getting any tax revenue but putting tax payers into difficulties.This also creates mistrust among tax payers whereas we have to overcome trust deficit. But in the process third party i.e.CAs are big gainer as the tax payers are approaching for filing their returns because of lengthy and complexity of ITR2.and paying handsome fees. CAs income are increasing in this process. The complexity of ITR2 can be understood as filing return using ITR2 is not available for directly online on income tax website like ITR1 and ITR4 without downloading iTR2 with Excel or java utilities.. Also there is compatibility issue of downloading ITR2 with MS office 2007 and earlier version. Finance Minister is requested to please look into the matter personally and consider to make ITR2 table optional for those tax payers who have incurred LTCG loss or gain less than 1 lakh under Sec.112A as they do not have any tax liability. There is no need to collect unnecessary transaction data in such cases. This can ea sily be done by issuing FAQ by CBDT. This will be right approach to make tax compliance simpler and painless. Other two are related to software which can easily be fixed. As we have best software engineer in the world so ITR2 can also be made available for filing directly online on income tax website without downloading the form like ITR1 and ITR4. As we all working for the improvement of tax compliance process, we should consider the inputs to make the system seamless, simpler and painless then only faceless will work. Let us hope for best result.
Naveen

Apropos the post in WIC Forum dt August 19, I know nothing about the surfer S Chatterjee. Assuming him to be an ex-officer or a teacher, he lacks the ability of independent assessment. His views on decisions of the ruling political dispensation especially " Demonetization " are laced with political bias. Out-of-sync with ground reality and general public perception. I suppose, he must have been the most obedient civil servant ; Yours faithfully type!
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)
A versatile genius, who transformed a college.
Principal S.Gurbux singh shergill is no more.
In July 2003, I was holding meeting with the officers of drainage department ,when my PA brought a slip of a visitor and placed it in front of me. Since it was unusual for my PA to have brought the slip in the meeting, I gave it a casual glance and a frowning face to him. But the name mentioned on the slip had electrifying effect on me. I told the officers to wait for a minute, got up and moved towards my exit door. Outside my room was standing a very healthy and graceful man of about seventy years .I respectfully looked at him and uttered his name to confirm as some other persons were around. He nodded gently. I immediately touched his feet and ushered him in my room. All the officers were looking at him. I introduced him to the officers and told them about the big achievements of the man. The gentleman did not know me except for my present status and was looking surprisingly as how come I knew so much about him. In fifteen minutes the meeting was over. Then , I looked attentively at him to know the reason of his coming. He started slowly and told that he was running a NGO, which was meant to maintain the site where Maharaja Ranjit Singh had put the flag of his sovereignty on the hill facing Ropar city, when he met Lord William Bentinck at Ropar, to make a historical treaty. He told that when he visited the site for the first time, he came to know that the original flag pole and the flag which was made of eight precious metals had been pilfered ,nobody knowing when. He had met deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police of Ropar and Hoshiarpur districts ,but no action was taken to trace it. Now the area was in Nawanshahr distt, so he wanted to apprise me. He had got a grant from the MPLAD and had fixed a ordinary flag to keep the identification of the place. He added that he had met the chief minister Amarinder Singh, who would see the site for maintaining it befittingly. He had come just to tell in advance for adequate arrangements. He also told me that presently he was on the governing council of the Amardeep memorial college Mukandpur near Banga. As deputy Commissioner, I had already heard that the college was running very well. In his presence I was wondering as to how one man can bring about so much transformation in Khalsa college Amritsar.
I was student of DAV college Amritsar, but my evenings in the years 1971 to 73 were mostly spent in the playgrounds of the Khalsa college. Since its inception it had been producing world class personalities and hardly any year passed since the start of the Asian games, when it did not win a gold medal. But the late 1960s and early 1970s ,though produced eminent personalities, yet the hooliganism, groupism of students, serious fights amongst them, even a murder in the premises, large scale copying in the exams, reduction in merits in pre-medical and pre-engineering, not good results in post-graduate classes and slow down in extra-curricular activities, were being perceived as detrimental to the growth of the institution by one and all. It was being felt that this position would not be changed and the glory of the college may not be restored. However, in the year 1975, the management brought a new Principal of the college. This fearless visionary would work 20 hours a day and within a year the change was being noticed. He would walk into the groups of students known for their notorious and roguish ways and desperate to show their bravado ,sit for a while with them, admonish them and go back. He would stand in between the warring groups at the risk of his own life and prevent fierce fights. He would meet the parents of the toppers and convince them to admit their wards in the college. He started bright sections to be provided special and additional coaching. The goonda elements were tamed. However ,one such goonda ,who had emerged as a fresh gangster, wanted to gain quick recognition by intimidating the Principal. During one big function in the college, he confronted the Principal and started insulting him at gun point. In front of thousands of people, he would signal him to sit and then again to stand repeatedly. The police was informed, which came and the gang dispersed. The Principal, though was publicly insulted by that kirpala mental at gun point, yet he did not lose his wits for a second. He behaved as if nothing had happened. Another time ,at gun point that gangster wanted him to do a wrong work. He refused and also grappled with him and overpowered him. Within 2 years of his taking over, the number of merits of Khalsa college Amritsar were more than the traditional merit churners DAV Colleges Amritsar and Jalandhar. This position was maintained with minor variations till the year 1989,the year in which he retired. I still consider myself lucky to have seen a person, who completely transformed an Institution and was still going strong at this age. He was Gurbux Singh Shergill.
Surinderjit Singh Sandhu, Amritsar

While unveiling Taxpayer's Charter platform, Prime Minister gave a clear message of Seamless. painless and faceless tax system. Many tax reforms have been done and will continue to be done to make the system simpler and without unnecessary details. Ultimately Trusting taxpayers. Major policy decisions are taken in the Budget and implemented thru Finance Ministry/CBDT by issuing various notifications. Complexity reduces tax compliance. It was mentioned that in a country of 130 crore of population only 1.5 crore pay taxes and such trend is worrisome for the growth of the country. We have to find out the solutions for higher compliance. A very simple example how simple things becomes complex and gives rise to problems. In Budget 2018-19, LTCG on transfer of equity or equity oriented MF was proposed to be taxed at 10% if gain exceeding 1 lakh rupees. It means there is no tax liability if there is loss in LTCG or gain is less than 1 lakh. Most of salaried class, pensioners, house-wives etc file returns using ITR1 if there is no business income. Now ITR2 (table Sec.112A) has been made mandatory for those tax payers also who have either suffered LTCG loss or gain less than 1 lakh with regard to transfer of equity or equity oriented MF. Now things became complex and painful for such taxpayers to file ITR2 in place of ITR1. The simple solution can be by making it optional (table Sec.112A) for such tax payers who have LTCG loss or gain less than 1 lakh as there is no tax liability and no need to ask for unnecessary details of table. These figures can be mentioned under the exempt income for reporting purpose only in ITR1 as was being done till AY2018-19. Those who wanted loss to be carried forward or income to be reduced may continue to file ITR2. Others who have LTCG gain more than 1 lakh will mandatorily will file ITR2.. Ultimately we have to create trust among the tax payers. There is always a scope of improvement or reforms, it is on going process. In view of this it is urged Revenue Secretary may like to discuss the issue with Chairman, CBDT to make ITR2 (table 112A) optional for those tax payers who have LTCG loss or gain less than 1 lakh and loss not be carried forward or income to be reduced. Those who wish to file ITR2 may continue to do the same. This can easily be done by issuing FAQ by CBDT as clarification without any other changes as process of filing returns is on. After all we have to trust our tax payers and no need of asking unnecessary details when there is no tax liability. There will be no increase in revenue except some details. CAs may be beneficiaries as more numbers of tax payers will approach for filing of the returns as ITR2 is more complicated and lengthy and difficult than ITR1 to fill themselves. By making ITR2 optional will give big relief to salaried class, pensioners, house wives etc..We have to work for the improvement of tax compliance so more number of people file their returns after paying due taxes. Simplification is the key to success. This will help in overcoming the trust deficit between tax payers and tax administration.
Naveen
Ravindran's resignation
Why a IA&AS officer is not made CAG? They are experienced in their field and have also qualified the same civil services exam. This monopoly of IAS has to be curtailed.
S Gopal
What a fallacy ?
In India, if your whisper is true, we can surmise that only IAS officers are fit and non IAS and other technocrats are unfit and do not deserve such posts. What a fallacy ? When a post which is fit to be manned by a technocrat is headed by an IAS, God only save our Nation. No wonder the brightest and the best from the professional institutions are simply flocking to go abroad given an opportunity. And no one is willing to come back and serve our country because of lack of motivation and recognition in our system.
Amit

India has 25 lakh corona cases for 120 correct population, going by this average Chandigarh could have 2500 cases, fortunately it has 1030 cases. Thanks to excellent response from residents and efficient administration. Please don't publish planted fake news.
Rangswamy
Virtual emergency
Finally Ashok Lavasa gave up to this tyrant government and chose its carrot. No one can blame him. There is virtual emergency in this country now. Tyrant can not rule forever and people come together to replace such authoritarian regimes as in the past. History repeats itself.
Amit
IRS reduced to a call centre service
With the help of his henchmen in CBDT, Modi reduced the IRS into a call centre service. The henchmen sacrificed entire service for their extensions and post retirement jobs. The IT department is now a full fledged tool in the hands of Modi to harass his opponents by conducting raids. The middle class will be harassed by the new call centre department with endless queries on hotel bills, TVs purchased etc while crony capitalists get away by paying obeisance to Modi. In the similar vein Modi may think of faceless police, faceless judiciary, face less everything except his face all over. IAS may rejoice that IRS has been destroyed but remember First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Ram Singh

It was reported in whispers that consequent to faceless assessment, faceless appeals and taxpayers’ charter many IRS (IT) officers having lost all power are going to leave the service. Some may simply take voluntary retirement and turn their accumulated wealth white by opening investment companies. Some may be employed or offered consultancies by the companies for whom they have done favours. However, not all opportunities of accruing wealth have vanished under the new system. For example, exporters will still have to pay bribes without which tax deduction at source is too high. Secondly, the Chartered Accountants’ lobby group is likely to persuade the government that in case of big companies faceless assessment and faceless appeals are inappropriate and the government is likely to water down the new dispensation. IRS(IT) officers need not despair. Prospects of growing rich have reduced only marginally.
M P Bauer
Vicious and totally misleading !
Don't know who AK Saxena is, and which service he belongs to. His comments are vicious and totally misleading. He says demonetisation was failure, notwithstanding the fact that people have voted him back to power with higher majority. He is toeing the line of the disgraced opposition who have been reduced to lowest ever numbers. I can understand the frustration of a bunch of bureaucrats who have lost their patronage, which they thought they were entitled to till death, and now are lost in ignominy. But what is the motive of this self proclaimed expert. Criticism is good, provided it is based on facts, of which he has given none, except those issues on which people have given their verdict in 2019. From fragile five economies, this government has made it to fifth largest economy, provided inclusive banking by Jan Dhan accounts, provided 8 crore free gas connections to poor, provided housing and toilets to crores of needy people, simplified tax rules through GST, and made INDIA getting recognised and respected internationally. Perhaps all these do not matter, what matters to such people is to divide Indians on basis of caste, keep them poor and dependent on Government etc etc. As for appointments, the previous UPA excelled in patronising certain people , many of whom are under investigation. Let us be fair in assessment and not mouth the views of certain opposition parties who have already been disgraced by the people a second time in 2019.
S Chatterjee

DEBATE 1 Democrat or Republican
If republic wins, India could become super power and safe in Asia, or if democrat wins, China will try to finish India. China and democrat both will help Pak also to destabilise India
Bharat Bhushan Tiwari
Death sentence to IRS ?
Modi virtually gave a death sentence to IRS yesterday with faceless scheme. Now the middle class will bear the brunt of faceless assessments because all petty transactions like Rs. 20000 hotel bills, hospital bills will be collated by the Data Analytics of Income-tax and a slew of notices will be issued to hapless middle class tax payers, who are not smart like big businessmen who bill all their personal expenditures to their company account and escape scrutiny. Middle class will be harassed by Modi to help his crony capitalists. If Modi is serious about black money first of all he should investigate the sources of funds of BJP and huge black money it spends to make him PM. Charity begins at home. Even an ardent Modi bhakth can’t claim that BJP’s funds are totally above board, especially the money used to buy MLAs to topple governments.
K Srinivasa Rao
What about cooling period ?
How it is possible to join a Private commercial organisation immediately after retirement from a govt job ? I believe there is a cooling period of 1 yr.
Parag Barman

While it is now being claimed by the Government that the income tax provisions are being simplified with a view to ease compliance for the taxpayers, what has been happening is exactly the opposite. Whereas the party now in power accused the previous government of practising "tax terrorism" and came to power promising tax payer-friendly reforms, it has been honing tax terrorism to perfection into "tax extremism."
Just to give one example, the ITR 2 return form used by most assessees without any business income, which used to have only 6 pages has now been inflated to 47 pages! The department is making even the ordinary assesses to have to engage chartered accountants at heavy fees even for the routine task of preparing and filing the annual return. What is the use of the government exhorting honest tax payers to come forward and pay their tax, while complicating even the filling and filing of the annual return. It is the CAs who are happy and laughing all the way to their banks!
Prema
Post a technocrat as ONGC Chief
Hope a technocrat gets the top post of ONGC. I am a technocrat and I know what will be morale if I am denied the post which I deserve because of my merit.
K Srinivasa Rao
Why did senior IA&AS officer proceed on leave !
The 10th August edition of 'Whispers" carried the above item about Deputy CAG, VR Ravindran, IA&AS (1983 batch) proceeding on leave possibly on appointment of Murmu, IAS (!985 batch), 2 years his junior, as CAG. Whatever be the reasons for Ravindran proceeding on leave, the fact remains that he is an outstanding officer with an impeccable record. One hopes that Government will find suitable avenues to appropriately utilise his services elsewhere, thereby also lifting the morale in the CAG's organisation as a whole.
Surinder Pal

This refers to the views expressed by one Prasad “ Narcissist rule under Modi” in WIC Forum dated August 10.The post merely reveals half-truths.
After taking over the governance by Modi-led NDA in 2014, the Modi sarkar raised public expectations of economic revival, creating millions of jobs. First two years were action-packed with announcement of schemes, programmes, plans.
Demonetisation topped the list of mis-adventures for sheer lack of success and the havoc that it inflicted on the economy. Ignoring the advice of two successive RBI governors: Raghuram Rajan and Urjit Patel, Modi sarkar sucked out 86% of the currency in circulation by value in Indian economy. currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 were withdrawn in the hope that that the move would eliminate all black money from the system along with fake currencies. And, we all know the history thereafter.
Modi Sarkar claimed that 99.7% of the currency came from the system into banking stream. But, there was no black money dividend to the tune of Rs 25 lakh crores, as expected. But, there were huge losses of jobs due to partial closure of lakhs of SMEs, slumps in construction and farming sectors. Massive hardships to lower and middle classes. Long queues of accounts holders for withdrawing their own money. The sarkar failed on its stated objectives of combating terror funding, counterfeit notes and black money besides wiping out joblessness. Having said that, Atmanirbharta is the only lollypop for the public.
Consider specifics.
Fraudsters including Vijay Mallya and two Modis businessmen stealthily left the country. Vijay Mallya fled through diplomatic channel at Delhi airport, carrying some 300 bags (as per Enforcement Directorate). Mallya, by his own admission, had met the late Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the corridors of Parliament before fleeing. Rest is known to everyone.
Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi fled without repaying the loans taken from PSU banks, running into lakhs of crores of rupees. NPA rising exponentially. No accountability, no penalty for bankers for dereliction of duties. PM Modi’s friend Gautam Adani won the contract for building and operating six airports. Criteria for winning contracts to run the airports were changed.
We know PM loves to advertise his achievements to earn political brownie points, so much so, that a parliamentary question revealed that the government spent about Rs 5000 crores of tax payer money out of publicity budget for advertising government's ‘achievements’. History is repeating itself as no lessons were learnt from UPA-1 and 2’s multiple scams.
Freedom of Speech is fair enough. But, unbridled publicity by TV channels owned by business tycoons ,is questionable. Nothing is pro bono in the world. I refrain from expressing further due to current security scenario facing the country.
Misuse of discretionary powers is rampant in appointment matters including those to Constitutional positions. Cases of appointment of pliable, favourite bureaucrats by a caucus, is open secret. Grace marks for regional considerations. Is PM Modi oblivious of the goings-on.
Under UPA-I &II, there was free flow of money by touts to extra-constitutional persons in fixing appointments.
No longer under existing NDA dispensation.
PM Modi is unquestionably honest and incorruptible.
But, he is a politician ,too. His advisors within and outside including extra-constitutional bodies, are not worth trusting .
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)