Trinamool Congress appeals bureaucrats to maintain safe distance from Left

FOR Trinamool Congress which could end the decades long Left rule in Wes Bengal in 2011 assembly polls, the main challenge lies in a possible connivance of bureaucrats and police officers with the CPI(M) cadres. A few days ago, opposition Trinamool Congress appealed to all the bureaucrats and the police personnel to maintain a safe distance from the CPI(M) till the assembly elections are over. The Trinamool Congress, headed by Union railway minister Mamata Banerjee, has found instances in which the ruling Left is deliberately using bureaucracy for political gains.

Recently, in a place called Khejuri, a CPM leader allegedly asked the Superintendent of Police of East Midnapore district to allow a safe passage for the armed cadres hired from outside to recapture the area. But the police officer refused to obey the command and instead preferred to go for indefinite leave, according to local media report.

After the incident, a few police officers have called on Mamata Banerjee to express their frustration over such developments. The Election Commission of India will monitor the developments of the state in a fortnight’s time.

Bihar cadre IPS Nehchal Sandhu appointed as new IB chief

Nehchal Sandhu, a 1973 batch Bihar cadre IPS, currently Special Director, Intelligence Bureau has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty in the Intelligence Bureau with effect from December 1, 2010. He will take over as Director, Intelligence Bureau for a period of two years with effect from January 1, 2011. He will succeed Rajiv Mathur, a 1972 batch UP cadre IPS. He is a recipient of Indian Police Medal in 1988 and President’s Police Medal in 1998.

No shortage of Personnel in Air Force

The available strength of pilots and personnel below officer’s rank in Air Force is sufficient to meet the current operational requirements of the Indian Air Force. There is no significant shortage of personnel below officer rank. However, vacancies including newly created posts are filled up in a phased manner. This information was given by defence minister AK Antony in a written reply in Lok Sabha on Monday.

Will Dr Faesal and his friends succeed in saving a six-decade old Indian brand, IAS?

IT’S a tale of two doctors, Dr Shah Faesal, the IAS topper of 2009 and Dr Ravi Inder Singh, 1994 batch IAS and home ministry director who was recently detained for allegedly leaking information in lieu of money and sex. Both happen to be MBBS-turned IAS officers, but they are not on the same side when it comes to Brand IAS.

On last Thursday, India’s home minister P Chidambaram released a video entitled “Ray of Hope”, prepared by government-run autonomous organization, National Foundation for Communal Harmony, highlighting the importance of peace, communal harmony and national integration. The video has featured Dr Shah Faesal, 2009 batch IAS topper hailing from the trouble-torn Jammu and Kashmir, as the Goodwill Ambassador of NFCH. In the video, Dr Faesal has highlighted the need of being resilient against odds in life. While home minister Chidambaram released the politically correct video of featuring the young Indian IAS from Jammu and Kashmir, another IAS, a director ranked officer from Chidambaram’s own ministry was already detained as he allegedly leaked sensitive information related to a telecom company. And his reported code language, software from Uzbekistan, meaning sex workers from that country, became a spicy topic for discussion both inside and outside the corridors.

Here comes the big question in corridors of power--- is it the beginning of an end to Brand IAS? Remember, every IAS officer is a big brand in his locality and many middle class families virtually worship IAS officers of their locality or districts as big heroes. And there are many occasions in which IAS toppers are more popular than local MPs and MLAs, both elected representatives.

So, will the young breed of IAS officers being represented by Dr Faesal and his friends be able to stop the fast erosion of a century-old brand, Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Though IAS was formed in 1946, it was a much older brand considering that Indian Civil Service that was created in 1893 was just another name of today’s IAS. But Ravi Inder saga is just one of many recent occasions where brand IAS gets diluted. In February, 2010, Arvind Kumar Joshi and Tinoo Joshi, both 1979 batch Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS, became the talk of the corridors when I-T sleuths recovered a whopping Rs 3.1 crore in cash, jewellery and documents of properties disproportionate to their known sources of income. Similar raids also recovered Rs 52 lakh cash and jewellery worth Rs 72 lakh.from the residence of 1988 batch Chhattisgarh cadre IAS, Babulal Agrawal.

What’s more, in the world of RTIs and growing activism, if the IAS officers finally succumb to the public pressure to disclose their assets, more fall guys are bound to surface. Your assets, your file noting and yes, your telephonic conversations could soon be under public scrutiny!

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An IAS couple in crores

Officer with 220 bank accounts

Munna Bhai MBBS, an MHA insider

Hardware is Room, Software means Sex

Manmohan Singh's prescription for IAS 

Rs 20 cr for innovation center in Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad

Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad has been given Rs 20 crore, as recommended by the Thirteenth Finance Commission, for setting up an innovation centre. The Centre for Innovations in Public Systems (CIPS) was set up in May 2010.

According to a information was given by the minister of state for finance Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question raised in Lok Sabha, the CIPS would create a climate and nurture a culture for accelerating and diffusing innovations in public systems. “Its objectives are to identify, recognize and promote innovations in public systems, catalyze and trigger lateral learning for initiating action research projects, macro level changes and innovations in the policies and practices across states, provide a range of learning opportunities and services to various stakeholders, facilitate sharing of international experiences and exposure to best practices in governance of public systems etc.”, the minister said.

US-based telecom company Telcordia denies links with Ravi Inder Singh, IAS

US-based telecom company Telcordia has denied having links with home ministry official Ravi Inder Singh, who was detained for allegedly passing sensitive information related to internal security. Telcordia in a release denies allegations being reported by sections of the press that Ravi Inder Singh, a Director in the Ministry of Home Affairs, is on its payrolls. “We follow the highest levels of integrity and process. Our only interaction with Mr Singh was at a presentation at the Ministry of Home Affairs, in the presence of other officials from the same ministry. All approvals for doing business in India have come through due process as laid down by the law of the land,” the company said in a statement.

Action and Appointments

a) Vivek Kulkarni, a 1981 batch former IAS officer, has stepped down from the Board of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). It is believed that he had cited lack of corporate governance as a reason for his resignation. A mechanical engineering, Kulkarni is a former IT secretary in Government of Karnataka. He quit the service to join Brickwork India. (In Picture: Karnataka I-T secretary Kulkarni with then CM SM Krishna, File photo)

b) K Chandramouli, a 1975 batch UP cadre IAS officer, presently secretary of Department of Aids Control has been appointed as the health secretary in place of K Sujatha Rao, a 1974 batch Andhra Pradesh cadre IAS who is retiring on November 30, 2010.

Also Read

Who is K Sujatha Rao?

Why the minister was upset with the health secretary? 

Siddhartha Behura, the bureaucrat who signed 2G licence documents was an icon of 1991 liberalization process

Siddhartha Behura, who as the telecom secretary signed the controversial 2G licences announced on January 8, 2008, was incidentally a key officer responsible for the liberalization of the industrial sector in India way back in 1991. When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, then finance minister pioneered the liberalization process in 1991, it was Behura who as a joint secretary in Department of Industrial Development successfully formulated India’s New Industrial Policy, 1991.

Behura, a 1973 batch UP cadre IAS joined the Department of Industrial Development as a director in 1989 and got promoted as joint secretary in 1991. He continued with the department till the end of 1994. Not just that, Behura became the first ex-officio secretary of the newly-created Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) which was responsible for formulating policies for entry of foreign investors into India and also attracting foreign investment into the country.

Behura’s name has been discussed in power corridor ever since India’s auditor, CAG, found telecom department responsible for a revenue loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore while doling out 2G spectrum licences, forcing minister A Raja to resign. (In Picture: Behura with then telecom minister Raja, File photo) On Thursday, Supreme Court asked investigating agency CBI for its inability to question former telecom minister A Raja and telecom secretary in the 2G spectrum scam, and went to the extent of saying that the agency was “beating around the bush” when “illegality is prima facie evident.”

Recently, Behura told an Indian newspaper, Financial Express, that he only implemented the decision taken by the minister in the fairest possible manner as there was no other alternative. He had claimed that when he joined office as telecom secretary on January 1, 2008, all decisions with regard to granting of licences were taken either verbally or on files. “I had no option but to implement the minister’s decision. The relationship between the minister and secretary is a very tenuous one and I would not like to go into it, but my record is clean,” he told the newspaper. In fact, his predecessor DS Mathur has come out in media saying that he had refused to abide by his minister so far as the 2G licences were concerned. Mathur retired as the telecom secretary on December 31, 2007.

Behura, who had also served as CEO of Noida, was with environment ministry between 2005 and 2007 when A Raja was the environment minister. Just before joining as the telecom secretary, he was a special secretary in the ministry of environment and forests.

Immediately after his retirement as telecom secretary on September 30, 2009, Raja made him the chairman of C-DoT Alcatel-Lucent Research Centre based in Chennai. 

Pawar-Point Presentation: Ajit Pawar and Subramanian Swamy lash out at bureaucracy

TWO major newsmakers of recent time, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy, are on the same side when it comes to bureaucracy. Whereas Pawar said there is nothing wrong to be stern with bureaucrats, Swamy accused bureaucrats mainly the law ministry officials of trying to protect former telecom minister A Raja by wrongly advising Prime Minister on whether to sanction Raja or not.

Pawar came into news recently when he addressed top bureaucrats in Maharashtra even before they could brief the chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, leading many local newspapers dubbing his attitude as “dadagiri”. Now, he asks what is wrong if he is stern with bureaucrats who do not heed to ministers’ directives to speed up works related to the welfare of the common man. While addressing NCP workers recently, he told that he would not change his style of functioning (dadagiri, according to bureaucrats) and ensure that the bureaucrats fall in line.

On the other side, Swamy said that it is regrettable that the law officers of the government had failed to apprise the Prime Minister of the law of the land. He also lashed out at other bureaucrats. Meanwhile, DoT legal adviser Dr Santokh Singh who was connected to the faux pas that decisions of law ministry under A Raja had the concurrence of the Prime Minister, was transferred from his position.

Ravi Inder saga continues

The saga of 1994 batch West Bengal cadre IAS officer Ravi Inder Singh continues. The director in MHA who was detained recently, did not stay in official accommodation and used a guest house in GK-II instead. And the staying expenses were borne by his business accomplice Vineet who is also in police custody.

Also Read

Unofficial Code: Software means sex worker

Munna Bhai MBBS: MHA official detained

New Scripts in Power Corridors: Prasad, ladoo and gur for money; hardware means room; and software is sex worker

BUREAUCRATS are known for framing new rules, but here is a sample of an Indian bureaucrat’s reported art of coining a new code language: “Prasad”, “ladoo” and “gur” for money. And hold your breath: “software” for sex workers.

If the media reports quoting unnamed home ministry officials are correct, Ravi Inder Singh, the detained IAS of 1994 batch and director in MHA, had used a code language while talking to his close business associate Vineet who was arrested on Tuesday. In one telephonic conversation, the bureaucrat reportedly asked Vineet whether “software” from Ukraine is available, raising suspicion that favours in deals could have included both money and sex. Though home secretary GK Pillai told a section of media on Monday that raids in North Block were taken in view of allegations of insiders’ leaking information, there is no official confirmation about the code language.

UK Bansal, secretary internal security and Singh’s boss however said that involvement of such a high ranking officer is a matter of concern.

Though it’s confirmed that Singh was engaged in corporate espionage, no official spokesperson has come on record that he had leaked information on BlackBerry issue. Meanwhile, Research in Motion, the Canadian company that makes BlackBerry handsets, sent releases to media houses denying any involvement or insight regarding the matter that has led to the arrest of Ravi Inder Singh. In its clarification, the phone maker said that its employees and representatives have never met any MHA official other than in official meetings at the premises of MHA.

Action and Appointments

a) The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved premature cessation of tenure of Dr Neeraj Mittal, a 1992 batch Tamil Nadu cadre IAS as private secretary to the minister of state for commerce and industry Jyotiraditya Scindia. Mittal will be on a “Compulsory Wait” in the ministry of commerce and industry till he gets an alternate posting as director for the balance tenure under the Central Staffing Scheme which began on June 5, 2008

b) Aruna Sundarajan, a 1982 batch Kerala cadre IAS has been appointed as joint secretary in the ministry of housing and urban poverty alleviation.

c) Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, a 1997 batch Punjab cadre IAS, currently working as director in the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, has been appointed as private secretary to the minister of state (power) Bharatsinh Solanki at deputy secretary level.

d) Vijaya Laxmi Joshi, a 1980 batch Gujarat cadre IAS, presently in the cadre, has been appointed as joint secretary, in the department of commerce.

Munna Bhai MBBS: Home ministry insider Ravinder Singh arrested for leaking Blackberry related documents

HE WAS an MBBS before joining the prestigious IAS in 1994. Unlike many other IAS who don the title “Dr” thanks to their on-the-job scholarly pursuits in universities, Dr Ravinder Singh, a West Bengal cadre IAS and a director in home ministry, is a real doctor who chose to become a civil servant.

Call him Ravinder Bhai MBBS who turned a Khalnayak of power corridors on Monday when he was arrested by investigating agency CBI after both his office and residence were raided. He was under surveillance for the last one month on the suspicion that he has been leaking sensitive documents related to the controversial Blackberry issue to a section of corporate. He has been a director in home ministry from January, 2010, and as a key official of the internal security division of the MHA, he has been handling many a sensitive documents and subjects including the Blackberry dispute in which home ministry has been asking the Canadian company RIM, the maker of Blackberry phone, to give the government access to their secret codes for security reasons.

This is the second major embarrassment for the home ministry during this year. In April, CBI searched the houses of two MHA officers including one of O Ravi, a 1983 batch IAS and joint secretary in MHA. Mr Ravi allegedly accepted a bribe of Rs 25 lakh from a private distiller. Another ministry official, RS Sharma, a director, was booked for accepting bribes to favour a bulletproof jacket firm.

Supreme Court raises questions about Thomas’ appointment as CVC

The Supreme Court on Monday raised questions about the controversial appointment of P J Thomas, a 1973 batch Kerala cadre IAS as Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) who is an accused in a criminal case. Thomas, who had served as chief secretary of Kerala and Union telecom secretary, was appointed as CVC on September 7, 2010 despite massive protests by the BJP. A bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia also observed that Thomas as the CVC will himself feel embarrassed due to the pending criminal case against him as in every case the CBI will be dealing with him. Thomas’ name figures in a chargesheet in the palmolein import case. 

Know Your Babu: Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi, 1976 batch IAS

Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi, a 1976 batch UP cadre IAS and presently Director General (Civil Aviation), has been appointed as new civil aviation secretary in place of M Madhavan Nambiar, a 1974 batch Tamil Nadu cadre IAS who is retiring on November 30, 2010.

Bio-Data 

Name: Dr Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi

Batch: 1976 batch Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS

Date of Birth: July 6, 1952

Place of Domicile: Uttar Pradesh

Mother Tongue: HINDI

Indian Languages Known: URDU, ENGLISH

Educational Qualifications

a) PG in Bio-Chemistry and PG in Public Administration

b) Doctorate in Bio-Chemistry

c) PG in Business Finance

Major Postings

a) Assistant Collector, Unnao

b) Collector,  Farukhabad (From 01/09/1982 to 01/08/1985)

c) Collector, Ghaziabad (From 01/08/1985 to 01/07/1988)

d) Commissioner, Development Authority, Bareilly ( From 01/08/1996 to 01/04/1997)

e) Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation (From 09/01/2003 to 20/11/2005)

f) India Representative, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) (From 21/11/2005 to 17/11/2008)

g) DG, DGCA

Foreign Training

One year long Edward Mason Programmme in USA (1990)

Private Life: Lessons from IES officer RK Chandolia saga

50-year-old RK Chandolia, a 1984 batch Indian Economic Service officer, is one of many officers of elite IAS and allied services of Indian administration who have served as private secretaries to ministers. Nothing unusual about it considering ministers always handpick one of their trusted officers as private secretaries. But after Chandolia’s boss, A Raja was forced to resign as telecommunications minister in the wake of 2G spectrum scam, fingers are now pointed at Chandolia’s alleged role in the telecom saga which had reportedly led to the loss of Rs 1.76 lac crore to the exchequer, according to Indian auditor, CAG.

Even after he was promoted by Raja as an economic adviser in the department of telecommunications, he reportedly played a key role in appointments in the state-owned firms like Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL). Also, Chandolia was reporting to the DoT secretary which many say is a clear proof of jumping the official structure. The Indian economic service officer is now shifted to finance ministry, and it remains to be seen whether he is proved innocent or guilty.

But the episode is a big lesson to hundreds other private secretaries who are with ministers in Centre and the states as they could be vulnerable if their minister bosses are trapped in any scam. The challenge is how to remain insulated from the minister’s wrongdoings even when remaining a part of his inner coterie. For most bright officers who have a long way to go in the administrative ladder, making money as a private secretary is the least of the priority. Why then officers prefer to become a minister’s private secretary? While several IFS officers join as private secretaries in search of home postings, the allied services officers join the bandwagon mainly to break the monotony.

But for most, it’s a window to develop political clout which is indispensable as one goes up. At times, it turns out to be a risky proposition too if one becomes too close to a senior minister of a political party because one can’t rule out the Opposition party grabbing the power later.

Even the government has realized the tendency of a few officers to remain serial private secretaries for years. The DoPT has recently imposed a 10-year cap for an officer to become private secretary (PS) or Officers in Special Duty (OSD), but spared the PMO from the order.

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10-year cap for officers as minister's staff

Who is V Vidyavathi of PMO?

When 11-page affidavit from the PMO was submitted in Supreme Court in connection with 2G spectrum issue, it was V Vidyavathi who signed the much talked about legal document. For the record, Vidyavathi is a 1991 batch Karnataka cadre IAS who has been in the PMO first as deputy secretary and now as director. She joined PMO in February 2004, and is now on an extension.

Indian civil servant to get study leave for “widening his mind”; DoPT may recognize more fellowships soon

FOR Indian civil servants looking for a study break to attend fellowship programs, a recent government clarification could open a window of opportunities. The Government says that study leave can also be granted for a course that may widen his or her mind. The department of personnel and training (DoPT) which has recently included Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowships under its ambit is examining the feasibility of bringing more such fellowships under its purview.

The study leave is normally granted to a government servant for a course of study having direct and close connection with the sphere of his duty. But a DoPT circular, dated November 18, 2010, says that study leave “can also be granted for studies which may not be closely or directly connected with the work of a government servant, but which are capable of widening his mind in a manner likely to improve his abilities as a civil servant and to equip him better to collaborate with those employed in other branches of the public service.”

The circular further said that in that backdrop, the DoPT had allowed study leave to those selected for the award of Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowships in relaxation of the existing rules and is also examining the feasibility of bringing more Fellowships under the purview of study leave, on the same terms and conditions as the Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowships. All ministries and department are requested to provide inputs regarding fellowships offered by reputed institutions which may be of benefit to their area of work.

DoPT CIRCULAR, dated November 18, 2010  

Action and Appointments

a) Nilanjan Sanyal, a 1979 batch Orissa cadre IAS, presently additional secretary in the department of food and public distribution has been appointed as additional secretary in the ministry of women and child development against the newly created post.

b) With the Cabinet approving the setting up of an Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) to assess the Central government’s flagship programmes, a new post of Director General (DG) and a number of other posts would be created soon. The DG will have the rank and status of Member, Planning Commission.

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DoPT's list of global universities for funding

Did 1971 batch IRS officer Manju Madhavan flag India’s Rs 1.76 lac crore 2G spectrum scam three years ago?

AN anonymous reader of babusofindia.com has sent a long email to argue that IAS officers are much more corrupt than their counterparts in other services and how IAS officers are being used by politicians for narrow material gains. While deciding not to publish the names of corrupt IAS officers mentioned in the email because of lack of evidence, BoI Team has however found high merit in some of his/her arguments.

First the reader applauded a 1971 batch IRS officer Manju Madhavan who reportedly flagged the 2G scam. “Kudos to Ms Manju Madhavan, an IRS officer of 1971 batch, for foreseeing the biggest scam in modern India. She resigned as Member (Finance), DoT apparently upset over the decisions of the Minister and his IAS chelas. In doing so she displayed an exemplary character. People in the government know how honest and upright an officer she is,” said the reader, believed to be an IRS officer with the vast knowledge of balance of power inside the corridors of power.

A doctorate of psychology, Manju Madhavan attended a programme on fiscal de-centralization and financial management of regional and local governments at Harvard University, and then a management development programme at IIM, Bangalore. According to sources that BoI had interacted with, both Manju Madhavan and then telecom secretary DS Mathur objected to then telecom minister A Raja's decision to deliberately determine the cut-off date for receiving applications as October 1, 2007. 

The reader further claimed, “IRS is the only service which can dislodge the IAS from their positions both by their expertise (talent) and powerful service lobby. The IAS are wary of this fact and are trying their best to suppress IRS officers. It is very apparent from the CVC reports that among civil servants IAS officers are the most corrupt. The number of cases against IRS officers is the least among the civil servants. The number of disciplinary actions recommended by the CVC (incidentally headed by an IAS officer) is proof enough that IRS is not as corrupt as is perceived and IAS is as corrupt as the politicians.”

Action and Appointments

a) Director of Canadian Security Intelligence Service Robert B Fadden met Director of Intelligence Bureau Rajiv Mathur on Thursday in New Delhi during which issues such as sharing of intelligence and interception of BlackBerry service etc. came up.

b) Sheel Bhadra, a 1995 batch IRSME officer, has been debarred from deputation for a posting under the Central Staffing Scheme for a period of five years as he failed to join as Assistant Director General (Director level) in the Unique Identification Authority of India under the Planning Commission at New Delhi. The debarring is done according to para 19.3 (a) and (b) of the Central Staffing Scheme.

c) Premanshu Biswas, a 1990 batch IOFS who was recommended for Central deputation by the ministry of defence, has been selected for appointment as director in the department of industrial policy and promotion, New Delhi for a period of five years.

Gujarat HC case and Andhra Pradesh CIC ruling revive debate on disclosure of bureaucrats’ assets

DESPITE the challenges by Arvind Agrawal, a 1984 batch Gujarat cadre IAS, Gujarat High Court has stayed an order of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) asking the state government to furnish Annual Property Returns (APR) of its senior bureaucrats. The issue would again come up for hearing on December 9, 2010.

Agrawal, vice chairman and MD of Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), challenged the CIC order in High Court. Principal Information Officer of the state Ashok Dave asked Agrawal two months ago that he must disclose his Annual Property Return as demanded in an RTI query by a journalist.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Information Commission has recently pronounced a ruling asking the state to reveal assets of IAS officers, a move which was highly applauded by Lok Satta Party president Jayaprakash Narayan who left IAS to become a political activist.

Significantly, the demand for disclosing assets of bureaucrats has become stronger despite RTI’s safeguard of no disclosure of personal information of public servants. Back in November 3, 2009, DoPT initiated a meeting of senior bureaucrats of secretary level to discuss whether bureaucrats’ assets should be disclosed under RTI after they conceded to disclose file notings which civil servants successfully blocked for quite sometime. Whereas politicians need to disclose assets once they fight an election, it’s not mandatory for bureaucrats and Judges at all.
Also Read
DoPT-initiated discussion on bureaucrats' assets
MP govt gives nod on bureaucrats' asset disclosure
List of IAS, IPS who declared assets

New telecom minister Kapil Sibal cleared IAS exam in 1973; would have been the batch-mate of Ashok Chawla and Nirupama Rao

HAD Indian minister Kapil Sibal chosen to accept the offer to join Indian Administrative Service (IAS) 37 years ago, he would have been batch-mate of finance secretary Ashok Chawla, President’s secretary Christy L Fernandez, foreign secretary Nirupama Rao, India’s ambassador to US Meera Shankar and her husband and former industry secretary Ajay Shankar, Chhattisgarh’s top cop Vishwa Ranjan and former telecommunication secretary Siddhartha Behura. Yes, all these super bureaucrats are of 1973 batch when Kapil Sibal, an MA in history from Delhi’s St. Stephens College and product of Harvard Law School, cleared the IAS, but declined the offer as he wanted to become an advocate.

This week, Prime Minister has given Sibal additional charge of ministries of science and technology, and telecommunications in addition to his current HRD portfolio. For the record, his handling of telecommunications ministry would be carefully watched as a number of major decisions are likely to be taken in the ministry in the wake of alleged 2G scam.

Sibal, an MP from Delhi’s Chandni Chowk constituency, would have retired if he had joined bureaucracy in 1973. But now in politics, Sibal is not considered old at all, and he seems to have a long innings before the Congress recommends him for a gubernatorial assignment.

Action and Appointments

a) Nawal Kishore Sharma, a 1988 batch Indian Defence Service of Engineers, has been selected for appointment as director in the ministry of road transport and highways for a period of five years from the date of taking over charge of the post or until further

orders.

Prithviraj Chavan warns Maha bureaucrats of non-performance

NEW Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has a clear advantage in dealing with bureaucrats thanks to his long innings in the PMO and also in ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions which frames and changes the rules of administration. Mr Chavan has now made it very clear to Maharashtra bureaucrats who were under attack for their role in Adarsh housing scams in particular, must perform. Those who fail to make sound and speedy decisions would be axed, chief minister reportedly said in his first formal interaction with senior bureaucrats after he took over as CM, a section of media reports said. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar also spoke to the bureaucrats and reminded the babus about the past glory of the state.

There has been a general perception now that while politicians are increasingly being targeted for corruption, and some high-profile political leaders even have lost their jobs, bureaucrats are largely escaping harsh punishments.

V Narayanaswamy to be new man in DoPT

V Narayanaswamy, Congress MP from Puducherry and minister of state in the ministry of planning and minister of state in the ministry of parliamentary affairs has been assigned additional work as minister of state in the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions. DoPT comes under this ministry. Narayanaswamy’s contact details: 28, Tughlak Crescent, New Delhi. Tel. (011) 23794522, 23794523 Fax. (011) 23794524

Contacts for Shunglu Panel

Shunglu panel probing the alleged financial irregularities of the recently held Commonwealth Games has asked people to send information through e-mail at

hlc-cwg@gov.in or telephone numbers 011-23063318-19. A drop box has also been set up to get information at its office in New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhavan, and it was made clear that identity of those who complain would be kept confidential. Shantanu Consul, former DoPT secretary is the second member of the Shunglu panel.  

Naxal sympathizer and senior IAS Pancham Lal to contest Parliamentary elections

MEET this Bihar cadre IAS Pancham Lal who is the batch-mate of some of India’s most high profile bureaucrats --- World Bank ED and possibly the next cabinet secretary Pulok Chatterji, Sonia Gandhi-chaired NAC secretary Rita Sharma and Information and Broadcasting secretary Raghu Menon just to name a few.

Pancham Lal, a 1974 batch secretary level IAS, has recently come under a major controversy when he said 90 percent cases against the Maoists are false. Not just that, he suggested withdrawal of all criminal cases against Maoists, a Times of India report said. Union home ministry has not yet reacted to his statement.

In fact, Lal, a Dalit MP and Bihar’s principal secretary of parliamentary affairs department recently sought voluntary retirement to contest assembly elections on a CPI-ML ticket from Naxal stronghold Bhojpur, but later changed his mind to wait for a while and contest the Parliamentary polls instead.

For Lal, Naxalism is not a law and order problem but a pure political issue and it can be resolved through negotiations. According to media reports, he often cites examples Bihar’s former CM Karpoori Thakur who released many Maoists.

It’s not the first time Lal became the newsmaker. A few years ago, he called in Army and police from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh to take on the then Siwan MP Mohd Shahabuddin who had allegedly assaulted a district police officer. In 2002, Lal uttered derogatory remarks about politicians forcing then RJD regime to transfer him. National president of Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas Paswan, then a Lalu baiter, had expressed resentment over the transfer of Lal, then Saran divisional commissioner.

Gupteshwar Pandey, 1987 batch Bihar cadre IPS officer, too sought voluntary retirement to contest elections in Bihar, but he is now very much in the service. Also, Ram Chandra Prasad Singh or RCP, a 1984 batch Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s private secretary was recently nominated to Rajya Sabha on a JD(U) ticket.

Changing pattern of civil services examination to come up in Rajya Sabha

THE questions related to changes in civil services examination would come up in Parliament. An unstarred question on changes in civil services examination has been admitted for Rajya Sabha on November 18, 2010.

In a major step to change the civil services pattern, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has recently announced a new syllabus for the preliminary examinations, replacing the optional subject with an aptitude test. But many students are not happy as they find the new syllabus much tougher than the earlier one.

The other questions that would come up in Rajya Sabha on the same day include definition of good governance, extension of senior officers, amendment of the RTI Act, grade pay for deputy secretary and under secretary and recommendations to make RTI more effective, just to name a few.

Two major starred questions where minister would answer in Parliament are on reserved posts for ST, SC and OBCs, and increased corruption in the country.

Global Window: Finland companies complain of Russia’s bureaucratic bottlenecks

Finland companies that are doing good business with Russia by increasing their exports have now complained bureaucratic bottlenecks in Russia. According to a survey by Finnish-Russian Chamber of Commerce, the biggest challenges for Finnish companies are still the customs, as well as bureaucracy in general and the shortage of qualified personnel.

Finnish companies are however optimistic. About 70% of them believe that their exports to Russia will increase over the next six months as the Russian economy is set to grow at five percent in the coming years. 

Telecom secretary R Chandrasekhar says “no” for now on CAG suggestions of taking back spectrums

AS PRESSURE on telecom minister A Raja to resign got mounted both inside and outside the Parliament in the wake of 2G spectrum scam, his secretary Rentala Chandrashekhar, 1975 batch Andhra Pradesh cadre IAS, remained composed though he chose to take on the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for its suggestions on pulling away of spectrums.

While talking to a group of industrialists in New Delhi on Thursday, R Chandrasekhar said there is no proposal before the Department of Telecom to take back any spectrums from any of players as suggested by CAG. The meeting was organized by industry lobby Assocham.

In fact, these days there have been more gossips than serious work in Sanchar Bhawan housing the Department of Telecom that was pulled up by CAG for allocating precious 2G spectrum at the throw away price of Rs 9,000 crore leading the government t lose revenues worth estimated Rs 176,000 crore.

Though the alleged scam is likely to have political fallouts including possible sacking of the minister himself, it has raised many questions against senior bureaucrats. PJ Thomas, current Central Vigilance Commissioner, for example, is still hauled up for his role of defending the 2G auction when he was telecom secretary. For the record, he became DoT secretary only after the reported scam was over thereby there is no direct involvement of him in any financial irregularities.

But there have been questions now why did CVC wait for the retirement of DoT secretary Siddharth Behura, a 1973 batch UP cadre IAS, on September 30, 2009, before the case was transferred to the CBI? The case was handed over to the CBI only in October 2009.

Global Window: China closes lobbying offices

China has closed 625 local government lobbying offices in Beijing. Those offices are widely considered a symbol of bloated bureaucracy and abuse of public resources. The numbers of such offices located in various parts of Beijing have dramatically risen in recent years as it was easy for local governments to lobby for central government funding if they were located near the capital. 

No of US bureaucrats earning over $1.5 lakh annually continues to grow under Obama regime, Republicans may stall pay hike

US MIGHT have faced the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression of 1930s, but the number of highly paid bureaucrats has continued to soar in America, giving the Republicans new ammunition to take on the Democratic regime led by Barack Obama. The number of bureaucrats earning $150,000 (about Rs 70 lakh) or more a year has soared 10 times during the past five years and doubled since President Obama took office, a USA TODAY report said. In India, the senior most bureaucrat cabinet secretary receives an annual salary of Rs 10.8 lakh.

The debate over the rise of high-paid bureaucrats in US may challenge Obama’s plan to give a 1.4% across-the-board pay raise to 2.1 million federal workers. In fact, federal employees’ average compensation has grown to more than double what private sector workers earn, the USA TODAY analysis said.

Action and Appointments

a) Bhushan Chander Gupta, a 1975 batch Punjab cadre IAS, presently in the cadre, has been appointed as secretary, department of food and public distribution, ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution in the vacancy of Ms Alka Sirohi, a 1974 batch MP cadre IAS.

b) Rajbir Singh Rana, a 1983 batch IDAS has been appointed as joint secretary in the department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries in place of Arvind Kaushal, a 1979 batch IDAS.

c) Niraj Kumar Gayagi, a 1997 batch IDAS, who was recommended for Central deputation by the ministry of defence, has been selected for appointment as deputy secretary in the department of science and technology for a period of four years from the date of taking over charge.

Shortage of 630 IPS officers recorded

INDIAN states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orrisa and Assam-Meghalaya have topped the chart of shortage of police officers in the country. According to statistics released by the ministry of home affairs, there is a shortage of 630 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in India now. Currently, India has 3,383 IPS officers against the authorized strength of 4,013.

Whereas there is a shortage of 76 such officers in Madhya Pradesh, the figure is 60 in Orissa. In Uttar Pradesh, out of an authorized strength of 404 IPS officers, there are currently 346 officers in the state, making a shortage of 58. The combined Assam-Meghalaya cadre has a shortage of 48 officers whereas in Andhra Pradesh, 41 IPS can be accommodated according to authorized strength. At present, 122 IPS officers of 2009 batch are undertaking training at NPA.

In order to increase the number of IPS officers, recommendations of Kamal Kumar Committee, have been taken seriously. The strength and composition of the state cadres has already been reviewed and the total cadre strength was raised to 4730. The annual batch size of regular recruits has been increased to 150 from 130 earlier, from 2009 onwards, according to minister of state for home affairs Ajay Maken in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Police modernization plans get extension till Oct, 2011

The government approved the extension of two earlier plans to modernize a number of security forces. It had approved a 5 year plan (2002-07) for modernization of six Central Para Military Forces Assam Rifle (AR), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Border Security Forces (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and National Security Guard (NSG) at an estimated const of Rs 3740.71 crore in February 2002. Separately, the government had also approved a three-year plan (2005-08) for modernization of Sashatra Seema Bal (SSB) at an estimated cost of Rs. 444.43 crores in April, 2005. Now both these plans are extended up to October 31, 2011.

Action and Appointments

a) BK Gupta, a 1975 batch AGMU cadre IPS, presently posted as Director General (Prisons), has been appointed to the post of Commissioner of Police, Delhi.

b) Current Commissioner of Police, Delhi YS Dadwal, a 1974 batch AGMU cadre IPS has been appointed as Director General, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) with effect from the date of his taking over the charge of the post and till his superannuation on October 31, 2011 or until further orders. 

Risk of corruption in bureaucracy, an Australian report analyses

THE Australian bureaucracy, known for its high efficiency and delivery, is also fraught with corruption charges though the nature of such acts is quite different from that of India.

According to a report published by The Canberra Times recently, the Commission for Public Administration’s annual Over the Horizon report says the bureaucracy investigated 20 incidents of alleged fraud and graft in 2009-10, up from 12 in 2008. What is interesting is the nature of corruption. The report found the greatest risk to the public service's integrity was staff fraud, such as false pay claims, theft and misuse of office equipment and fuel cards. Significantly, many of such aspects like photocopying for personal use or personal phone calls etc. are often ignored from the purview of corruption in India.

In Australia, three public servants were referred to police for such acts. It was also mentioned that corrupt bureaucrats pose a greater danger to Canberra taxpayers than fraudulent members of the public.

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SC to examine appointment files of PJ Thomas

The Supreme Court on Monday decided to examine the file on appointment of new CVC PJ Thomas, a 1973 batch Kerala cadre retired IAS. Thomas’ name figured in a charge sheet in a criminal case decades ago. A bench of Chief Justice SH Kapadia said they would like to see the file while acting on a petition questioning the new Central Vigilance Commissioner's integrity and challenging his appointment.

Hackers lure Indian bureaucrats with porn sites

Hackers from China, Pakistan and Nigeria are reportedly taking advantages of some Indian bureaucrats’ soft corner to watch pornographic materials during office hours. The hackers mostly use porn attachments to lure officials and staff to click on those with the intention of taking away sensitive materials. Recently, Indian home ministry’s cyber security wing has asked bureaucrats not to click on any external links on their emails as that could be the route for hackers to steal sensitive information stored in office computers.

Namaste Obama: Did foreign secretary Rao and Ambassador Shankar pre-decide to wear pink saris?

AS US president Barack Obama landed in Delhi airport on Sunday afternoon, two senior women diplomats in pink saris were among very few people alongside Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh and his wife waiting to welcome the arguably the most powerful man in earth and his better half Michelle Obama. As the television cameras flashed the two ladies in pink saris, many viewers were forced to guess that foreign secretary Nirupama Rao and her batch-mate Meera Shankar, India’s ambassador to US, had probably pre-decided what to wear before reaching the airport to welcome Obama and his wife. Or are they believers of pink as auspicious colours before big occasions?

No wonder, in famous Bharti-Zain deal, both telecom honchos Sunil Bharti Mittal and Sheikh Nasser Al Kharafi, made it a point to wear the same Moreschi shoes whenever they met as they turned superstitious and believed that the deal would go through if both of them wore the same shoes every time they met. And yes, whopping USD 10.7 billion mega telecom deal was finally struck!

Rao and Shankar, both 1973 batch IFS officers, have been working overtime during the last few weeks to make this high-profile visit of US president a mega success. Both have acted as trouble-shooters and aired significant comments in the run-up to the visit. A few days before Obama reached Mumbai, Ambassador Shankar, for example, had talked about how India needs to watch the anti-outsourcing sentiment in “new political scenario” in the US. Foreign secretary Rao, on her part, stressed how the victory of Republicans would not impact the India-US relationship, which enjoys “bipartisan support” in that country.

After shaking hands with foreign secretary Rao in Delhi airport on Sunday (see picture), US president patted the next woman in pink sari, Ambassador Shankar, who in turn exchanged a few words with Obama. The President, who does not know many Indian ministers and officials welcoming him, was seen visibly pleased to find a known face, Ambassador Shankar. Ambassador’s husband and former industry secretary Ajay Shankar (second from right in top photo) was also present in the airport to welcome the US first couple. Shankar, a 1973 batch IAS, has been staying in US after he had retired 10 months ago.

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Obama In India: Is U.S. really frustrated with Indian bureaucracy?

JUST ahead of U.S. president’s Barack Obama’s high-profile three-day-long visit to India beginning Saturday, a noted American author and former official during Jimmy Carter administration, has said the U.S. is frustrated with Indian bureaucracy. While talking to Rediff.com, Michael Krepon, a co-founder of the Stimson Centre and former official of U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency talked about bureaucratic bottlenecks in India.

He further said that Indians today have great frustration over bureaucracy. “The United States has great frustration with the Indian bureaucracy. I understand Indians also have great frustration with Indian bureaucracy, but it is very hard to change patterns of behaviour from the past even though the situation today is so much different from the Cold War,” he told to popular online media, Rediff.com.

Obama is expected to pressurize Indian policy makers to change rules in India and give more market access to American companies. One of the main agenda that US president may take up during his visit is opening up of multi-brand retail for foreign companies, for which DIPP came out with a draft discussion paper a few months ago. US company Wal Mart among others are expected to gain from the move.

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Group "A" telecom officers set to help TCIL’s African safary

The Union Cabinet has given its nod to the proposal of the department of telecommunications regarding deputation of Group “A” officers of department of telecommunications (DoT) to Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd. (TCIL).

The approval is to allow TCIL to fill up such number of posts on deputation from Group “A” officers of DoT for a period of three years with effect from October 1, 2010 according to DPE guidelines.

The senior officials are expected to help TCIL in executing the time-bound project of Pan-African e-Network and other ongoing overseas and domestic projects. 

Four bureaucrats to assist PM during US president Obama’s visit to India

FOUR top Indian bureaucrats who have been assigned to help PM in formulating India’s standpoint during the three-day long visit of US president Barack Obama, are principal secretary to Prime Minister TKA Nair (1963 batch retired IAS), National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon (1972 batch retired IFS), foreign secretary Nirupama Rao (1973 batch IFS) and India’s Ambassador to USA Meera Shankar (1973 batch IFS).

In addition, there would be seven ministers and deputy chairman of Planning Commission who will also assist PM during Obama’s visit which begins on Saturday in Mumbai, only to conclude on Monday night in New Delhi. In a statement to media, India’s foreign secretary said, “Prime Minister will be assisted by Ministers of Finance, Agriculture, Defence, Home, External Affairs, Human Resource Development, Commerce and Industry, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, National Security Adviser, myself and our Ambassador to USA.”

Here is President Obama’s schedule in India:

November 6

1)      Will reach Mumbai in the forenoon of November 6.

2)      Will begin his program by paying homage to the victims of the terrorist attack in Mumbai.

3)      Visit Mani Bhavan to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi

4)      Attend a business summit organized by the US India Business Council in association with FICCI and CII.

November 7

1) On November 7, he will address a ‘Town Hall’ meeting and associated events at the St Xavier’s College

2)      Celebrate Diwali at a Primary School.

3)      Will leave Mumbai and reach Delhi in the afternoon of November 7.

4)      Will have a brief visit to Humayun’s tomb.

5)      He will be the guest of honour at a dinner hosted by Prime Minister and Mrs Kaur.

November 8

1)      The ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan

2)      Visit to Raj Ghat.

3)      President Obama and Prime Minister will meet in the forenoon and discuss bilateral, regional and global developments of mutual concern.

4)      They will preside over the meeting of the India-US CEO Forum.

5)      Two leaders will address a joint press conference.

6)      In the afternoon, Vice-President, Leader of Opposition and Chairperson UPA Ms Sonia Gandhi will call on President Obama.

7)      President Obama will address a joint session of both houses of our Parliament, in the Central Hall.

8)      His official program concludes with a meeting with President, and a State dinner for him and the First Lady at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

November 9

      1)      President Obama leaves Delhi in the forenoon of 9 November 2010 for Indonesia.

Action and Appointments

a) M Ramachandran assumed charge as Principal Registrar at the head quarters of the Central Administrative Tribunal at New Delhi on November 4. He had earlier served in various capacities in different departments of government of India and had worked as deputy registrar and joint registrar of the tribunal in Bombay Bench and as registrar for many years in the Ernakulam Bench of the tribunal. He holds masters degree in history, public administration and law.