Happy New Year, 2013: 5 things you may expect in corridors of power

NOTHING is predictable in today’s corridors of power. Maybe, the regular appointments of the empaneled officials could be the only exception. Yet, BoI presents 5 things that you may expect in corridors of power during the New Year, 2013.

RIP “Nirbhaya”: Bureaucrats express solidarity, lend voices on policing, mentality change

Protests in Delhi (File photo)

FROM “quick and sensitive policing” to suggestions on “national flag flown at half mast” Indian bureaucrats have resorted to social media to lend their voices on Delhi gang-rape case. As the news of Delhi gang-rape victim Nirbhaya’s death in a Singapore hospital shocked the nation on Saturday early morning, here are some voices of Indian bureaucrats:

A vacancy at WTO office in Geneva for an Indian government officer to grab

ARE you an Indian government officer willing to become a Pravasi Bharatiya, that too in Switzerland, for three years? If yes, this is for you. The government has proposed to fill up the post of Counsellor (Services) in Permanent Mission of India, WTO, for a three-year-term. The post is equivalent to a…

Wass Up 2013: Read the mind of a young woman DM posted in an UP district

Cleopatra: A painting by IAS Shubhra Saxena

BORED with gossips in the corridors, or doses of bureaucracy-bashing? As we are getting closer to the New Year, hopefully lucky 13, here is the tale of a young woman IAS, who was recently welcomed at Uttar Pradesh’s Shravasti district with slogans “ziladhikari Shravasti zindabad”. And this is how this 2009 batch IAS introduces herself in her blog post: “Hi I am...

Why CM's secretary must not sign for CM, IPS Amitabh Thakur moves court

DURING Mayawati’s reign as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, her secretary Vijay Singh, an IPS officer, signed on documents with comments that CM approves the matter. Current CM Akhilesh Yadav from Samajwadi Party is also continuing the same practice where his secretary Anita Singh, an IAS officer of 1990 batch, signs on files in his name, alleges 1992 batch IPS officer...

Can govt prevent crimes like Delhi rape; FAQs on sexual harassment in offices

THE recent horrific gang rape in Delhi is a reflection of how women are being treated in our families and in society, say experts. Home secretary RK Singh’s spirited press conference on Friday is a welcome step, but can government alone bring a solution to this deep-rooted menace? The reality is, the cases of sexual harassment within government offices are often spotted, complained and investigated. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers on sexual harassment of women in government offices:

Like to buy a grey T-shirt? LBSNAA displays products on its website

WANT to buy a navy blue pullover or a grey T-shirt where “LBSNAA” is prominently displayed? Merchandise products including apparel and memorabilia of India’s apex training institute for senior civil servants is now on sale through its…

LIST-II: Rajiv Takru, EK Bharat Bhushan empanelled as secretaries, finally

Rajiv Takru

TWO high profile IAS officers of 1979 batch, Kerala cadre EK Bharat Bhushan and Gujarat cadre Rajiv Takru whose names were missing in the first round of secretary empanellment in mid-November, are finally empanelled as secretaries. Whereas Takru acted as CEO of Prasar Bharati, it was EK Bharat Bhushan whose tenure as DGCA was snapped allegedly for…

IFS-IPS combo at driver’s seat: IB chief Nehchal Sandhu is new Dy NSA

Nehchal Sandhu (R) with his would-be boss Menon (File photo)

BIHAR cadre IPS officer and current director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) Nehchal Sandhu will be the next deputy National Security Adviser in place of Vijaya Latha Reddy, a 1975 batch IFS officer who is completing her term in March next year. Traditionally dominated by IFS officers, except during veteran police officer…

How to be a good officer? MP chief minister Chouhan quotes Gita

MADHYA Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan quoted Shlokas from the Gita last week to narrate the qualities a good administrative officer should possess. Chouhan addressed the annual service meet of MP IAS officers’ association which was held between December 14 and 16, 2012. Here are the qualities of a good administrative officer, as elaborated by the CM:

Whistle Blowers Killed: Govt explains why it does not know the exact number

THE government says it has no record on how many whistle blowers were killed so far, and who they are. The reason? According to a resolution adopted by department of personnel and training (DoPT) on April 21, 2004, the identity of whistle blowers is…

Should corrupt IAS be punished more than the rest? A CBI judgement alludes

WHILE giving a five-year jail term to a 1971 batch AGMU cadre former IAS S Malaichamy, CBI special court made a few observations about Indian Administrative Service in its 241-page judgement. Here are a few excerpts which indicate why the special judge thinks IAS officers, if found guilty, need to be punished a little more than those in other services:

Headless Departments: ITBP joins government’s temporary arrangement list

THE adhoc appointment of Dr Mahboob Alam, a 1981 batch Tamil Nadu cadre IPS, as director general of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is the latest in the series of government’s temporary arrangements for heading departments and organizations. The only exception was the reversal of the government’s own order of a temporary arrangement for the post of…

New twist to Rajasthan IAS VS Singh’s death; police to probe afresh

WHEN additional chief secretary-ranked IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre VS Singh died in a road accident in Jaipur a week ago, police did not even doubt it could be more than a mere accident. But the statement of deputy commissioner (commercial tax department) Vijendra Singh who was with VS Singh, and in coma since then, contradicted what the driver of the speeding Maruti Alto car said, forcing the police to begin the probe from the scratch. Here is the twist of the tale:

Job for a retired babu; young graduates needed at Rashtrapati Bhavan

HAVE you spent your entire career in government? Why not yet another year? The government is looking for a retired deputy secretary or director level officer to be recruited as a consultant for six months, which is extendable for one year. Or, if you are a young graduate student from a reputed journalism school, or from a leading university specializing in law, literature, political science and history, here is a chance to work...

How CAG Vinod Rai is of some help to the UPA government in Court

1972 BATCH retired IAS and Comptroller and Auditor General of India Vinod Rai might have given sleepless nights to the government umpteen times, but Rai is of some help to the UPA government when its Attorney General GE Vahanwati dismissed an argument in Supreme Court that “loyal” bureaucrats are being appointed as information commissioners. The government’s top law officer referred to Rai’s example when...

Private sector honchos can apply for the post of Member, PESB

WILL CEO of a top private sector company apply for the post of Member, Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB), a body responsible for selection of PSUs’ top management? The government, while looking for a new Member who enjoys the same salary of a Union government secretary, says in its circular dated December 5, 2012:

Xi Jinping regime frames dos and don'ts of behavior for Chinese bureaucrats

THE Western media has highlighted dos and don’ts of behaviour for Chinese bureaucrats which were recently framed by China’s new regime under new leader Xi Jinping. Here are some:

Rajasthan cadre IAS VS Singh killed in a mishap in Jaipur city

ADDITIONAL chief secretary-ranked IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre VS Singh was killed on Monday when a speeding Alto car hit him near central park in Jaipur. The 1978 batch IAS who was the batch-mate of economic affairs secretary Arvind Mayaram and agriculture secretary Ashish Bahuguna, was returning…

Making of a Diplomat: Ex-envoy Prem K Budhwar’s book dispels myths

ARE diplomats a clan that begins its mornings with English breakfast and ends its day with lavish cocktail dinners? An interesting book titled “Making of a Diplomat - Hone your skills” authored by ex-Indian high commissioner to Canada Prem K Budhwar, makes an attempt to…

Advice on “online gossip” for Australian bureaucrats is a must-read for all

AUSTRALIAN bureaucrats have been advised not to make “harsh or extreme” criticisms of the government, parliamentarians or a political party’s policies even if the comments are anonymous. In the backdrop of more and more bureaucrats getting wooed by social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, the guidance as a part of State of the Service Report is a must-read for bureaucrats across the world. Here are some details:

Wife of a senior IPS accuses a young IAS officer of dowry demand

YOUNG probationary IAS officer Harjinder Singh has been booked for allegedly demanding dowry. According to reports, the 2011 batch officer who is now posted in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh had allegedly demanded dowry from the family of a senior police officer whose daughter was…

1.5 million Chinese youths aspire to be bureaucrats; customs service preferred

An artist's impression of a 15th century Chinese bureaucrat

THE sustained economic downturn has impacted career options of lakhs of Chinese youths. Now, it is official that more and more young Chinese want to be bureaucrats, despite the career is less remunerative. In the recently held national civil service examination, as many as…

First Muslim IB chief, new RAW head & PM's letter on CBI director

1977 batch IPS officer Syed Asif Ibrahim, who used to be a highly efficient private secretary to then railway minister Madhavrao Scindia, is set to become India’s next Intelligence Bureau chief. Ibrahim, who will take charge on December 31, is going to be the first Muslim officer to be elevated to the coveted IB director’s post. The PM-headed Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has also picked up…

1,777 IAS and 1,255 IPS posts are lying vacant, says government

THE shortage of IAS and IPS officers in the country is increasingly becoming a cause of worry for the government. In a reply to three Rajya Sabha MPs on Thursday, the government has given the exact break-up of the authorized strength vis-à-vis the shortage of IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service officers:

Bureaucrats in Brussels are still holding on to a good pay package

NONE other than British Prime Minister David Cameron has been expressing his anger and frustration over fat salaries and perks received by eurocrats or those Brussels-based civil servants. Now, Cameron is not alone…

Bureaucrats’ Growing Responsibilities: Prez pep talk to promoted IAS

Prez with a section of promoted IAS officers

WITH the rising expectations of the public, civil servants are required to shoulder huge responsibilities, President of India Pranab Mukherjee said while addressing 36 promoted IAS officers. Those state civil service officers who were promoted only recently, are currently undertaking…

Zohra Chatterji, Katoch, Khosla among 32 IAS of 1979 batch empanelled as secretaries; Bharat Bhusan not in

HIGH profile IAS officers of 1979 batch including Zohra Chatterji of coal ministry, enforcement director Rajan S Katoch, and Jitesh Khosla who had narrowly missed UTI top post --- all have made into the final list of empanelled secretaries that was officially announced on Thursday. The conspicuous absence was EK Bharat Bhusan who as the Director General of Civil Aviation took on the government on the issue of Kingfisher Airlines. Here are 32 IAS officers of 1979 batch who were empanelled for secretary or secretary-equivalent positions:

Consul's post in New York: “HRD ministry’s advisory cadre is eligible”

FOR deputy secretary or director level officers from IAS or Central Services, here is an opportunity to work in the city of New York for three years. The government has been looking for a suitable officer for the post of Consul (education) in the Consulate General of India in New York, for which it has relaxed norms to say that…

Lessons for Indian bureaucrats from CIA chief Petraeus’ extra-marital saga

Paula Broadwell, David Petraeus

THE recent resignation of David Petraeus, the head of America’s famed Central Intelligence Agency, or CIA, over his extra-marital affairs with his biographer and journalist Paula Broadwell, has a few learning lessons for Indian tops spies, investigators, and also for ordinary bureaucrats. The lessons are not meant for helping those who might have such affairs, but for those who callously use emails despite…

Will an M.Com degree holder work as a consultant in PMO with a peon's salary?

FOR the last few years, the government has succeeded in saving some money by engaging consultants on short term contracts of six months to one year. The move has been widely hailed, as it curtails the government’s liability in terms of accommodation, gratuity, pension etc. But should the government compromise on talents by paying peanuts to those consultants who need to work 9 to 5 every day like any other regular employee? Only recently, none other than the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) advertised to get a…

How are Chidambaram’s 2 ex-babus giving sleepless nights to govt?

Vinod Rai (Standing left) as a loyal official in February, 2007

TWO IAS batch-mates and P Chidambaram’s favourite babus of yesteryears are giving a tough time to the government at regular intervals. Both were powerful secretaries in North Block during UPA-I; both happened to be hot favourite of their boss Chidambaram, as they were loyal and highly efficient civil servants. Who are they, and why have they chosen to target the government now?

How DoPT saves some money when “some officers” go abroad for training!

THE Central government officers including senior IAS and other Group “A” officers join public sector enterprises mainly to break career monotony, and also for a better pay package and handsome perks. But does DoPT, the department of personnel and training of Government of India, gain when government officers go on a deputation to Central Public Sector Enterprises? Yes, it does. The DoPT, if not anything else saves a little money in foreign training of officers when they are in deputation in public sector enterprises. Here is an example:

US Votes Obama: Focus now on Nirupama Rao in advancing Indo-US ties

Ambassador Nirupama Rao with President Obama

IT WAS November 2010. US President Barack Obama landed in Delhi airport on a Sunday afternoon after spending couple of days in Mumbai. 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. On Tuesday US time, President Barack Obama…

Obama’s pampered bureaucrats, and how Romney campaign takes a pot-shot

Romney, Obama

Video Text: “Add Another Bureaucrat”
Voiceover: “Why not have a President who actually understands business?”This is a part of a Mitt Romney advertising campaign hitting out at US President Barack Obama’s idea of adding a “secretary of business” in his second term. As President Obama and challenger Romney are heading for a neck-to-neck fight on Tuesday, BoI takes a close look at Obama’s pampered bureaucracy and how challenger Romney takes a pot-shot through an advertising campaign.

Ambani’s Reliance Industries, black gold in KG Basin & 2 ex-bureaucrats

BP CEO Robert Dudley with Mukesh Ambani in Sep 2011

THE Reliance Industries Ltd, the most valued private sector company in India, has said it welcomes any form of audit by Comptroller and Auditor General of India, something the Mukesh Ambani-owned company was not very comfortable about, even a fortnight ago. But here is how two former bureaucrats became the game-changers by rewriting the traditional rules of keeping a safe distance from the high and mighty of the corporate India.

If Arvind Kejriwal wants to take on bureaucracy, who will be his preys

BUREAUCRAT-turned politician Arvind Kejriwal has been dropping bombshells every now and then. And the targets? The high and mighty like Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra, BJP president Nitin Gadkari and corporate honcho Mukesh Ambani. Till now, he has not targeted any bureaucrat, but if he chooses to do so, who will be Kejriwal’s victim? Here it is:

Canada faces a new challenge of ex-bureaucrats grabbing big contracts

1771 Painting Depicting A Canadian Battle

THE trend of retired bureaucrats grabbing high-valued contracts has become a problem in Canada. The Canadian government has now said, any contract worth Canadian dollar of 10,000 or more, or roughly Rs 5.4 lakh, have to be publicly disclosed. The issue cropped up when auditors spotted an instance when a retired public servant, also a pensioner, received a contract of whopping...

Ex-CBDT chief Sudhir Chandra sets up a voluntary venture to make tax simple

FORMER CBDT chairman Sudhir Chandra has begun a not-for-profit venture to make tax rules simpler for aam tax payers. Chandra who was a favourite official of then finance minister and current President of India Pranab Mukherjee, has formed a…

Central ministries ignore DoPT’s plea to get RTI analysis done by law interns

THE Central ministries and departments have shown reluctance by ignoring DoPT’s plea to allow interns from law schools to get an analysis of RTI applications received by them. The DoPT has now sent a reminder to…

New ministers and their would-be working relations with secretaries, a snapshot

Newly inducted ministers pose for a photo after the swearing-in

A NUMBER of Union secretaries to government of India will have new bosses, from Monday. After the massive rejig of Manmohan Singh’s cabinet, many a minister will drive down to new Bhawans today, and top bureaucrats are getting ready to brief their new chiefs. Here is a snapshot of what does each of the big-ticket ministerial changes means for top Indian bureaucrats…

Jaspal Bhatti as poll brand ambassador; how an ex-IAS remembers him

Bhatti with wife

“Hope in swarg, mahaul theek hai! Will miss you Jaspal Bhatti.” This is what former IAS and ex-chief election commissioner Shahabuddin Yaqoob Quraishi wrote in a social networking site after the tragic news broke out that satirist Jaspal Bhatti died in a car accident in Punjab on Thursday morning. Everyone remembers Bhatti for his cult comedies such as Ulta Pulta and Flop Show, but BoI here reproduces…

Govt officers’ choice for a particular CPSE “not entertained”, says DoPT

Photo Courtesy: BEML

THE department of personnel and training (DoPT) has made it clear that officers applying as chief vigilance officers in Central Public Sector Enterprises can’t give preference to which organization he or she wants to work. In a letter to chief secretaries dated October 19, 2012, additional secretary in DoPT Dr SK Sarkar said...

Who is Tom Jose? Why is his letter to a fellow IAS creating a storm in Kerala

Tom Jose

A LETTER written by Tom Jose, a 1984 batch Kerala cadre IAS, to his senior IAS and Union urban development secretary Sudhir Krishna has created a political storm in Kerala last weekend. The letter dated September 26, 2012, which was made public by a CPI (M) Member of Parliament, has reportedly sought details about…

JS level officer with expertise in agriculture needed at embassy in Rome

COME January, Embassy of India at the Italian capital city of Rome will have a vacancy of Minister (Agriculture), for which the search has begun. A minister in a foreign mission is a joint secretary level officer above counsellor. The DoPT has written to all Union secretaries and chief secretaries of states for…

Indian government to fund officers to study anti-corruption at Vienna’s IACA

IACA campus in Vienna's neighbouring town of Laxenburg

IN THIS scam-a-week news environment, the government has decided to fund officers for a two-year course in anti-corruption at Vienna’s International Anti Corruption Academy (IACA). The course, a masters degree in Anti Corruption Studies (MACS), has been added to the list of Domestic Funding of Foreign Training (DFFT) Scheme this year. But who are eligible…

Leaders must be passionate & passion is contagious, says Nirupama Rao

FORMER foreign secretary and current Indian ambassador to US Nirupama Rao has said that “we are all born leaders”. Referring to the Arab Spring, she said how ordinary young people with access to information inspire people’s movements and revolutions. “We are witnessing the true democratization of leadership. It is no longer exclusive or hierarchical…

Who is Ashok Khemka? How this Haryana IAS becomes a hero overnight

Khemka: Punished for taking on Vadra?

TILL a few days ago, 47-year-old Haryana IAS Ashok Khemka was one of the hundred faceless bureaucrats who make a little effort to bring about changes in the society but end up getting transferred. This 1991 batch IAS officer was transferred about 40 times in last 21 years. On Tuesday evening, social networking sites are abuzz with messages in support of Khemka who raised the issue of Panchayat land worth crores of rupees being transferred to newly-formed companies with paid-up capital of as little as Rs1 lakh. Khemka has challenged his transfer order though...

Director level officer needed as Counsellor, Community Affairs in Indian Embassy, Washington

Gandhi Statue In Front of Indian Embassy, Washington

THE government has circulated the vacancy notice of the post of Counsellor, Community Affairs (Development) in Indian Embassy of Washington among secretaries of the Cadre Controlling ministries and departments of Group 'A' services of Government of India to select the right candidates at the level of deputy secretary or director. In the backdrop of the recent incidents of violence against a section of…

Why the babu in Manmohan Singh emerges when he picks up RTI

PM with CIC Satyananda Mishra

PRIME Minister Manmohan Singh ceased to be a bureaucrat in 1991 after 20 years of civil service in ministries such as commerce, finance and Planning Commission. But the babu in Singh comes out every time he addresses issues concerning Right To Information Act. An analysis of Prime Minister’s consecutive speeches in Convention of Information Commissioners reflects the mood of…

Discount Deals: MEA’s smart move to get discounted Mercs for its diplomats

WITH the festive season round the corner, companies have begun to shower discounts across India. For Indian middle class shoppers, getting a good deal during the season is a priority. But, ever heard of ministry of external affairs (MEA) striking a smart bargain deal with a German auto company to get world class cars at discounted rates for Indian diplomats? Here it is: