China to crack the whip on excessive partying by bureaucrats

INDIA may love to follow China in most respects, from chasing growth numbers to building massive infrastructure, but when it comes to its bureaucracy, Indian babus must try not to emulate them. If the latest report on China’s plan to crack down lavish parties by its bureaucrats, is anything to indicate, there have been a number of instances in which Chinese bureaucrats indulged in sex and booze-fuelled parties apart from being beneficiaries of the country’s rampant corruption.

According to media reports being highlighted in US among others, the cost of the visit to foreign junkets including trips to Las Vegas amount to about USD 60 billion per year. The reports further point out how Chinese top politicians took notice of bureaucrats’ indulging in parties filled with casual sex, drinking and under-the-table payments. None other than President Hu Jintao himself warned officials of the temptations of beautiful women, money and power. Recently, the ruling party has come out with a plan to weed out corruption which also included an end to excessive partying at the expense of tax payers’ money.

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Action and Appointments

Alok Prasad made India’s ambassador to Japan

a) Alok Prasad, an Indian Foreign Service officer of 1974 batch and presently Deputy National Security Advisor, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Japan, to replace HK Singh (Read: HK Singh as a good host). According to a release by ministry of external affairs, Prasad is expected to take up his assignment shortly.

b) Rakesh Sood, a 1976 batch Indian Foreign Service officer and India's Ambassador to Nepal, has been appointed as Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA) in place of Alok Prasad.