Whispers Forum

Curb government expenditure on tours and travel
In addition to the aforesaid suggestions for expenditure control, I have also got one suggestion that steps should also be taken to put a curb on government expenditure on tours and travel. Majority of the Conferences/Meetings should be done through Video Conference. Use of vehicles at the exchequers cost for personal purposes by the Ministers/Bureaucrats should be stopped once for all. One of the Minister of the current Cabinet, belonging to Uttar Pradesh, had taken reimbursement of money spent on Hajmola and Hawai Chappal at the cost of office expenditure. The air travel bills of the wife and daughter of Minister is also being paid by the office, with concurrence of Finance Division. Shame on the feudalistic lords in the Government, who are at the helm of affairs of the Government, and indulging in such unethical practices. If we take strict measures to plug such unnecessary expenditure of Government, we will be saving a lot and bringing back the economy on the track.
BBS
Another airport size RT-PCR sanitised room required
The normal time taken for processing in RT-PCR (a nuclear-derived method for detecting the presence of specific genetic material from any pathogen, including a virus) is six hours job including the preparation time added to it. Normally the RT-PCR processes the batch of maximum 70 to 100 tests and seeing the number of passengers travelling we need to have another airport size RT-PCR sanitised room with approximately thousand machines lined up with equally trained manpower.
Rajendra
Appoint non IAS officer as EO
Some Non IAS officer should be appointed as EO
S Gopal

Systematically destroying IRS
It is no surprise that Government ( virtually IAS lobby) issued charge sheets to IRS Association office bearers for giving a report on reviving economy in good faith though the recommendations are of poor intellect. Contrast this with clean chit given to an IPS officer who favoured financial criminals in Maharashtra. IRS Association needs to realize that it is an interest group to protect the interests of IRS officers and not a think tank. It does everything except to protect interests of IRS officers. It is open secret that CBDT bosses have surrendered to Modi government and converted IT Department as an arm of BJP to hound its political adversaries. In return, Modi government is only rewarding its henchmen in the department and systemically destroying the service with innovations such as no promotion in the guise of deferment, arbitrary use of 56J, transfers to remote locations. However, corrupt henchmen of Modi in the income tax are getting all rewards. Will IRS association stand up to protect collective interests of the IRS?
Prasad
IRS force
Suggestions for revenue mobilisation by income tax officers has, instead of starting any serious discussion, started a jokestream on Twitter. Why?
First, the qualifications. Income tax officers are not economists. They do not (nor are they expected to have) any idea of what a particular tax (say, inheritance tax or wealth tax) does to the economy. Their expertise is limited to collecting direct taxes, nothing more.
Second, the populism. ‘Soak the rich’ is a popular refrain across the world. Are the income tax officers (not very popular among the honest people in the society) trying to become popular?
Third the intention. If the suggestions were to be accepted it will increase the power of income tax officers tremendously. It is doubtful that it will be exercised with restraint and without corruption.
Finally, the missing link. The popular perception of most income tax officers being corrupt is misplaced. The officers (at least the idealistic ones) could have proved it by suggesting how to reduce arbitrariness and corruption in the organisation’s various activities. For example, international businesses have to negotiate a bribe for not deducting advance tax. This is a cost to exports. When dealing with assessees, the officers advise them to get a chartered accountant. If the officers had suggested measures for elimination of middlepersons and bring about honesty in their department, they would have been taken seriously. If their association is worth its salt it could advise young direct recruits to expose their corrupt bosses.
In the meantime the government should award them for bringing hilarity in these dark times.
If you see an income tax officer and a chartered accountant drowning and you can save only one of them what would you do? Go home or go for a walk?
Prof. N.C. Saxena

DEBATE (1)
In the present context, COVID-19 has emerged as super-power making super power countries: USA, Russia, China and India powerless.
Manoj Kumar
“Please do not stifle Freedom of Speech”
As an avid fan of Whispersinthecorridors.com since its inception, I venture to share my views with you on certain aspects. The topics selected for ‘ Debates’ have, of late, been serving certain vested interests, bereft of universal relevance. I have noticed a drift in the editorial policy of WIC from original mandate. Some posts do not find space in your FORUM without specifying the reasons. I don’t know, why? But, let us not forget that rapid expansion of new portals implies that one media platform’s censored or dropped column, becomes a prize catch for another.
It is, no doubt, your absolute discretion to accept or dismiss columns without assigning reasons. Your editorial –cum-proprietorial- cum-commercial compulsions, cannot be disputed. You have to run the publication by getting ads from government and corporate sectors. Quite justified.
There are certain points, I would like to share with you in the interest of our Constitutional right relating to Freedom of Speech and Expressions.
First, by not posting the views in WIC FORUM, you are stifling the freedom of speech and expression of genuine contributors. The contributors are not supposed to be supportive of the Governments of the day. If they do, they become paid journalists. More important point is about maintaining the credibility and independence of Journalism. Pressures during the UPA era headed by the then de facto PM Mohtarma Sonia ji, was blatantly explicit , vindictive.
Not under the present NDA era headed by PM Modi. I admire him for his honesty, commitment, nationalistic outlook and exceptional leadership during Corona crisis. I also criticize him freely on other issues.
I have grown with WIC for two decades and started contributing posts after retirement in 2007. I have noticed some change in editorial policy, of late . You would agree that it would be neither ethical nor advisable for contributors to support the policies of the governments of the day on various issues. This explains why you invariably insert a ‘Disclaimer’.
We do not expect the editor-in-chief of WIC to act as the Spokesperson of ruling dispensations at the Centre and States. If that were to be so,then what is the difference between the Whispersinthecorridors.com ( WIC )and the pompous Opinion makers of several mainstream newspapers. You ought to be different.WIC is accessed globally by one and all especially the bureaucracy.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)
Grievance of CSS officers
People in CSS are waiting for promotions in May 2019....No body to listen on this grievance of CSS officers.
GB

Suggestions for international travel
COVID19 is here to stay and most countries have a dilemma on when to open their borders. For flights to operate, one needs guidance and assurance that COVID is not being reintroduced. Here is some food for thought for India and other countries: 1. Every departing passenger entering airport must be tested . Set up camp outside airport, do RT PCR , and get the results in 2 hours...the results be shared by airlines with governments on other side 2. For arriving passengers, do RT PCR test and Anti body test ...before letting them into the country 3. Cost of these tests...be added to ticket cost (200 US dollars / 14000 INR) at most.. 4. Usual social distancing norms (masks, gloves, self dispensing sanitizers in airport, flights, no meal service ( only packed food or drink ) 5. If this looks feasible, airlines may be able to fill up all seats, even middle seats !
V Mohan

DEBATE(1)
United States America (USA) is still supper power as far as military strength is concerned. Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) will not much wreck havoc on the country.
Anup Kumar
Attention Finance Minister
A paper title FORCE (Fiscal Options & Response to COVID-19 Epidemic) developed by nearly 50 IRS officers, the cream of tax experts, is excellent paper for revival of various sectors and boost the revenue. But the paper could not address the real issues of tax leakage and evasions in the system. IRS officers are ground level officers and know the system very well but not able to bring the real issues due to its own limitations. As 10% of population has more than 70% of country wealth and this unequal distribution of wealth is primarily due to aberrations in the tax system. It is estimated that there are people earning more than millions of rupees per TV shows, selling toilet cleaners, selling houses (without physical houses), selling bhujias, endorsing ad. of particular items/brands, performing in stages etc earning millions and millions but how much tax is paid by such professionals, it is to reviewed. Tax professionals should have come with some proposals how to assess the real income of such professionals thru some innovative tools, methodologies etc. in order to reduce the tax leakages and increase the tax revenues. Professionals can show 80% of earning as expenditures and pay the taxes on 20%. Such aberrations should be minimised. A professional earning 50 lakhs get 50% deduction straightway, why it is so? Whereas Salaried class is not even given Rs. 50000/ as standard deduction in the new system.This needs to be seen. Country is passing thru a very difficult time due to Covid-19 and expenditure is being cut to meet the social obligations. But we are allowing tax exemptions to NGOs, trusts, educational institutions etc, These institutions can be brought under income tax act thru an amendment to pay taxes on their donations and contributions. This will solve many problems during this crisis and open a path to increase the tax revenue. As these organisation are already serving the society at large only now the scope will increase to serve the country also by paying the taxes. This will empower the Govt, to know the financial transactions and assets they have when they file their income tax returns otherwise IT and ED takes years to find the details and source of funds. Of course IRS officers can not put such proposals in the paper as it needs a view from highest level to implement such things but this is worth considering in the larger interest of the country. Vivad se Vishwas is good scheme and make it vision of the department .to solve most of the cases. Bring the pendency to zero for the cases older than 5 years. There is no point of dragging the cases. Close the cases if no tax liabilities have been imposed and are in initial stages of notices create the brand TRUST between tax payers and tax administration. Do not chase small tax payers, Sr. Citizens, house wives etc. Conserve the man power and time for more innovative work to reduce tax leakages in the systems. More work is required to assess the income of professionals, traders, contractors etc. using present day technology. Income tax department has done wonderful work developing their website for filing returns and refund is processed very fast now a days, They need appreciations but the fear still continues in the mind of public to go near to the department. This has to go and brand TRUST is developed. ITR filing should remain simple so more people file their returns without the help of CAs. Simplicity is the key to success.
Naveen

DEBATE(1)
India certainly will have an edge atleast on trade vis-à-vis China in the aftermath of COVID-19 but United States will remain the military superpower and may invest more in India. In the trade game, Russia will still have lot of military hardware to sell to India.
Jaiprakash Gupta
CSS officers feeling dejected
Central secretariat service is the basic framework of working of the Secretariat at he union level. It is repository of knowledge and expertise. But officers of this service are feeling dejected and demotivated due to in different attitude of Government on the promotions of its officers. There have been no promotions in various grades of this Central Service. In this period of crisis the officers of this service are manning Ministry of Health, Homes Affairs, Labour, Education and many more. Officers are working as frontliners. Decision makers need to pay attention to their grievances.
GB
A Clarification on Priority
Look at the following words and decide which Board examinee or Civil Services examinee is to be rewarded for correct spelling and which one penalised for wrong spelling: colour, flavour, behaviour, harbour, honour, humour, labour, neighbour, rumour, splendour, color, flavor, behavior, harbor, honor, humor, labor, neighbor, rumor, splendour? Students/examinees are “failed” for wrong spelling, unless rules have changed recently where mistakes in spelling words are ignored. Even if the rules have been liberalised, the computer often turns red at every (mis)spelt word! Meaning of words in different English is only adding to the confusion. Millions of students consult local versions of dictionaries (I refrain from naming them) which only add to the misfortune of the learners. The poor examinees would never even know why they failed/got poor marks in the English language paper, which is a compulsory paper. It would be a surprise if the NCERT/equivalent institutions are using only one standard recognized spelling for Indian students in the text books published by them. Careers of students/IAS Etc Exam (now Civil services Exam) were destroyed by a single missing consonant or syllable! There is no government office which is not supplied a dictionary at public expense only to write correct English. Even then half the time is spent in dotting the i or crossing the t or replacing elevator by lift etc. Can the Hon’ble Minister for HRD kindly clarify which English is standard English to be taught to Indian school/college students and for official use for the purposes for which it was being used before the enforcement of the constitution of India, including the Judiciary, Parliament/Legislative Assemblies and Executive? A notification containing different spellings can’t be submitted for signature of the President of India! Can the number of students penalised for spelling colour as color etc. be published since most states have started English medium schools from nursery classes? Should the students go by the computer spelling? Also which dictionary of English should be prescribed for Indian resident learners of English as a second language (L2)? These clarifications are required on Priority in the interests of building strong foundation in English language for the children and youth on whose shoulders we are going to put the responsibility for development after the economic disaster of COVID-19. A very strong foundation in language laid early in school education can guarantee equal opportunities of growth, development and income. It brooks no ambiguity both for the teacher as well as the student.
M L Gupta

DEBATE (1)
India cannot be an economic superpower simply because of its dependence on China for raw material in the industrial space. The US economy will bounce back in a year or two for sure.
M M Singh
Welcome move to cut DA increase
Transport allowance should not be paid to officers and employees working from home. Govt must also scrap NFU with immediate effect. Special dispensations of exorbitant NE allowance, double HRA, Training allowance, etc should be done away with. Government should close offices and cut down strength of officers and employees across all departments. Number of ministries, departments, statutory bodies and autonomous organisation must be curtailed. Cabinet can be halved and other ministers be cut by one third. In effect it is time to start MINIMUM GOVERNMENT MAXIMUM GOVERNANCE, in real sense and not merely as a slogan.
Prakash
How can government find money for fiscal stimulus and create jobs ?
1. It should not be difficult to find savings of say 2-3 Lakh Crores , from reduction in government expenditure . These could range from deferring the redevelopment of central vista of Delhi to freeze in purchase of government vehicles, AC and other non essential expenses
2. The reduction in age of retirement, say from 60 to 58 ( or the formula of 55 / 33 yr service ) both offer twin advantages of reduction in salary bills of governments , and at the same time opportunity to hire fresh recruits . Given the retirees will draw pension , they will not be disadvantaged, but in one go GoI will be able to ensure fresh recruitment, when job losses are staring at our face.
V Mohan

DEBATE(1)
The United States may certainly bring down its investments in China but that does not mean India will have an edge as the United States will look for markets in South East Asia to invest.
K N Kumar
Sonia Gandhi, a character larger than life
I have always been critical of Congress party. I observe that Mrs Sonia Gandhi is a decent lady. She was offered the post of Congress Chief, but she was reluctant to join politics. Mrs Gandhi became card-carrying member of the party only after repeated requests by the Congress senior leaders. After joining politics, she was also offered the post of Prime Minister after party came to power, but declined the offer. Not only this, she also requested the Government to commute the death penalty to life imprisonments to her husband's killers. Her political decisions may be good or wrong. She is personally decent lady, doesn’t indulge in slanging match. Her personal character is larger than life.
Sunil Kumar
Check misuse of Ministers and Bureaucrats
During the time of Corona pandemic, the country is going to face a number of financial constraints. Apart from the various measures being taken by the Government for financial prudence, there is a need to strictly stop the misuse being done by the Ministers/Senior Bureaucrats in the matter of availing facilities over and above their entitlement especially in the consumption of fuel in their vehicles. They should invariably pay from their pocket the money used for personal purposes. They should reduce their official travel.
BBS

DEBATE (1)
The race to economic supremacy of any country post COVID-19 would depend upon top leadership of that country. It is still very early to say who is going to get the superpower tag.
Ketan Kumar
Will makes the way
The chief minister in a recent address to the media has called upon the private hospitals to run their OPDs, which they have surprisingly completely shut down, because of the fears generated by the unprecedented corona pandemic. He has even cited the example of army, where the absconders in the war are shot, perhaps to instill a sense of fear in them to comply. Generally such threats and dictates by any govt functionaries are taken with utter indifference and this time round also the compliance is minimal. But till about three decades back, such directives, even by the district level officers would be taken diligently by the govt and private institutions and functionaries .
More than four decades back, during my posting at Phagwara,it rained intermittently for about a week, but in the hills across Hoshiarpur, the rain fury was long and intense. The road from Phagwara to Hoshiarpur had a parallel bridge
near villages khati and Rawalpindi through which the rivulet called chitti being passed. During rainy season this bridge would submerge in the flood waters, thereby causing stoppage of traffic. But some adventurers would take risk of driving through this submerged narrow bridge and some cyclists would similarly take risk of walking through this danger zone. Being the main officer for flood control activities, very early in the morning one day, the patwari and qanugo of the area came to me to inform that one villager from khati village had drowned in the bein. Within a short time, we all moved towards the bridge to ascertain the facts. The villagers and the family wanted the body of that person ,which could be located only after the search by the villagers for five six hours. The matter was flashed to the deputy Commissioner, who along with officers of the PWD and drainage departments visited the site. He asked the executive engineer pwd as to why no warning signals or barricades had been put ahead of the bridge to restrain the traffic. Neither he ,nor his SDO had any answer to this. The deputy commissioner immediately asked the accompanying deputy superintendent police to register FIR of criminal negligence of causing death against them. The trembling of those officers at hearing this was visible to everyone around. The barricades and warning signals were put within next four hours, though the deputy commissioner personally monitored the case. This incident brought about improvement in the responsibility level of the officials in the area.
In the early 1990s,we were looking for a site for the construction of Ambedkar Bhawan at Kapurthala. The suitable govt, nazool or evacuee lands for the purpose were all unauthorizedly occupied by the influential people of the area. Since the govt was pressing for the construction of this Bhawan early, the deputy commissioner wrote to the govt for acquiring the land for the purpose. Anyhow ,a very young officer was then posted as deputy commissioner. He looked round the city and decided to get back hundreds of acres of land of the govt, illegally occupied and involved in litigation. He chalked out a plan and started his mission .Within a period of three months ,he got almost entire govt lands retrieved and work on construction of Ambedkar Bhawan began. The politicians ,who earlier were opposed to him, later appreciated his efforts and labelled him as 'landlord deputy commissioner'. Satish Chandra had done wonderful work. We need officers like him in this colossal danger to mankind.
Surinderjit Singh Sandhu, Amritsar

DEBATE(1)
It is still uncertain how the world would trade with China post COVID-19. Let us wait and watch.
Bipin Kumar Srivastava
Govt servant is a favorite punching bag
The government servant is a favorite punching bag for all and sundry. It is assumed that he is corrupt and inefficient. He is supposed to have no privacy and all his personal details are expected to be made private in the name of transparency. In the time of Corona infection, all run to the government officials for help. Surprising? If the assests fo the government servant are to be made private, the same law should apply to all the people of the country. The assests of all citizens should be made public. There should not be any discrimination against the government officers. It is strange that an ex government officer has issued such an order.
G V Shivkumar
Need for a guideline
Need for a guideline -laying down Protocol and SOP for Coronavirus like situation
For the last two-three days, there are reports of chaos-confusion in all parts of the country over the implementation of orders issued by Government of India and by the State Governments. The Central Government is issuing orders under The Disaster Management Act 2005, while many States are using The Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897!!
Yesterday there was confusion/chaos at Delhi’s border due to contrary orders issued by DM concerned. While senior officers sitting in Secretariat may know what are essential commodities and what are not-but the constable/checking staff may not be aware !!! They use their own discretion and create bottlenecks on highways.
Since the present situation is likely to continue for some more time and we may have similar situation in future, there is an URGENT need for issuing detailed GUIDELINES by Central Government. This should include proper protocols and standard operating procedures indicating responsibilities and power of every individual upto the lowest level officials. In fact our Vice President Venkiah Naidu has also advocated this in his message to officers on civil services day.
S Gopal

Attention Finance Minister. We are passing thru a challenging period of Covid-19. ITR forms for AY 2020-21 are likely to be issued shortly. Finance Minister must consider that the form Sahaj (Saral) remains Sahaj and not becomes complex as it is being filed by most of the salaried class and pensioners. Govt. has brought a scheme of " Vivad se Vishwas" or building trust between tax payers and tax administration. Let the scheme becomes vision and Brand TRUST is created and Govt. gets its long term benefits. To create brand Trust if some expenditure is required Govt. should not hesitate in meeting those obligations. Let the ITR1 remains the same as it was in AY 2018-19 where LTCG on transfer of equity and equity oriented MF was tax exempt but in 2018 budget it was made taxable if LTCG more than 1 lakh but filing of return was made complex and complicated even LTCG is less than taxable limit asking the salaried class and pensioners to file ITR2 giving unnecessary details of equity and mf even there are no tax liabilities. Let the ITR filing remains simpler asking the LTCG income under sec 112A in the income for reporting purpose in ITR1 from pulldown menu. If LTCG exceeds 1 lakh then tax payers automatically will switch to ITR2. This will be first step towards creating trust between tax payers and tax administration. Govt, has to take considerate view in these matters not fully depending on CBDT which requires each and every details to put tax payers moving from Vishwas se vivad ki aur. Let us create a good model of TRUST so the people pay tax honestly and correctly. CBDT has to work extra miles to develop tools and methodologies for assessing the income of professionals, traders, contractors etc. by their innovative approach not beaurocratic way. Many things depend on CBDT working and approach for developing ITR forms. Let us follow the time tested forms of AY 2018-19 or FY 2017-18 and making some necessary changes as per approved Budget proposals without making it complex and seeking details which are not required when there is no tax liability. Good luck for simple and sahaj forms. When ITR1 can meet the requirement why force salaried class and pensioners to file ITR2 having no tax liability on account of LTCG.
Naveen
CSS & CSSS most neglected
It's true that the most neglected case is CSS & CSSS in GoI. No promotion whatsoever is happening. Whereas Ellie services are enjoying the fruits as usual, in fact more. Nothing is moving for these two deleted cadres but when it relates to work ethics etc, these two cadres are the most vulnerable and they toil. Even during Covid 19, only these two cadres are supporting the whole Government of India. But promotions will not happen at all. Government should ensure that these cadres should get their deserved promotions soon. The more they wait, the less enthusiastic they become. Hope something happens quickly.
Seth

Why LG Delhi is not taking interest in eradicating Corona from Delhi ? All departments in Delhi come under LG Delhi but his participation in fighting against Corona is negligible. During recent Delhi riots as well, Dhobhal managed the show which otherwise was the role of LG. All this is due to his old age or something else. Where has the dynamism of Baijal gone. Is it due to the action taken by home ministry against the IAS officers very close to his heart ? The general public has very much right to know the back seat role and giving the front seat to Kejriwal.
Mehak Mathur
All the best !
Respected Tripathi ji is a very sincere person for his assignment and all time dedicated for best performance of his duties. He deserves it. Moreover, he is a very nice person with kind nature of human behaviour. All the best for excellent success of his new assignment.
Sukhvir Singh