www.gfilesindia.com/: June 2012

June 29, 2012

Loot, Loot & Loot in MP

With long-pending corruption cases against many IAS officers in Madhya Pradesh, it seems that they can get away with anything in the state

by Ravindra Dubey

It is a common belief that an IAS officer is beyond any harm. The perception is that nothing can be done against him (or her) and he (or she) can get away with anything. At least that is what it looks like in Madhya Pradesh.

There seems to be a total babu raj in the state and it looks like if you are a bureaucrat, you can get away with any amount of corruption. This is happening in a state where the BJP, otherwise a ‘party with a difference’, is ruling for the second term.

June 14, 2012

‘Inject a system of accountability’

Governance reforms is a ticklish issue and matter of much debate in today’s fast-changing world. In this light, the coming together of three cabinet secretaries – two former secretaries, Mr B K Chaturvedi and Mr Prabhat Kumar alongwith Mr A K Seth, the present cabinet secretary – on one platform and expressing their views holds much importance. This view from inside came at the series of talks on ‘Governance Reforms’, organised by IC Centre for Governance, the Asian Institute for Transport Development and India International Centre.

http://www.gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=291&Name=COVER%20STORY%20-%20governance%20reforms

Turn a new leaf

In the May issue of Gfiles, I had ventured to start a conversation on the role of the civil services. And indeed, it has evoked a number of responses. A senior bureaucrat suggests a policy for utilisation of the large resources available in the form of retired officials. Let me clarify that I did not suggest that retired civilians should be employed by the Government. In fact, I am of the view that there should be absolutely no reemployment of any civil servant after superannuation, however indispensable he may be.

http://www.gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=298&Name=GOVERNANCE%20-%20reforms,%20%20prabhat%20kumar

Refuse to succumb to pressure

In an article titled ‘Battling the Babu Raj’ the Economist had described the downright failure of the IAS to provide managerial efficiency to India. ‘The service,’ it said, ‘is perceived with reverence and contempt’. Refuting these perceptions is becoming increasingly difficult. The service has become famous for all the wrong reasons. Secretaries to the Government of India, Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries have ‘visited’ jail or are out on bail for corruption. Crores have been recovered from the homes of some IAS officers.

http://www.gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=299&Name=GOVERNANCE%20-%20performance,%20shailaja%20chandra

Restore peoples power

Completion of 60 years in an individual’s life is referred to as Shastipoorthi. This is a significant milestone. A memorable turning point. This can well be applied to an institution that affects the life of every individual - India’s Parliamentthat has turned 60. On that auspicious day, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha held a joint session and Parliamentarians celebrated the occasion in a..

http://www.gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=300&Name=GOVERNANCE%20-%20parliament,%20m%20g%20devasahayam

Loot, Loot & Loot in MP

What does the abbreviation IAS stand for? Indian Administrative Service, one would answer. But this is the formal and official interpretation and is just too simplistic an answer. In fact, it has several meanings – ‘I Am Safe’ for one. It is a common belief that an IAS officer is beyond any harm. The perception is that nothing can be done against him (or her) and he (or she) can get away with anything. At least that is what it looks like in Madhya Pradesh.

http://www.gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=296&Name=SPECIAL%20REPORT%20-%20corruption

Hooda protects forest mafia?

Sanjiv Chaturvedi, a 2002 batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) Haryana cadre officer, is these days running from pillar to post to get himself posted out of Haryana. But much as the Hooda Government in the State may hate his guts, it is not inclined to let him leave the jaatland at any cost.

http://www.gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=297&Name=SPECIAL%20REPORT%20-%20corruption

Choppers: the new money spinners

Helicopters like donkeys do the dirty work– yet no one cares till you actually need them. This is going to be the age of three dimensional warfare, involving all the theatres of war—land, air and sea. But have you considered how troops will move from one theatre to another –simple, using a helicopter. One way or the other, a helicopter gunship will be the next mean-flying machine, the new mobile battle platform and the new taxi-to-war.

http://www.gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=312&Name=SPECIAL%20REPORT%20-%20army%20aviation

‘No option but being IAS’

http://www.gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=303&Name=FIRST%20STIRRINGS%20-%20vineeta%20rai

‘I got the inspiration to do something good for society’

An IAS officer of the 2001 batch, the extremely focused and hard-working Vikas Gupta joined as DC Rohtak, Haryana in February last year. In 2008, he was honoured with the Skoch Challenger Award for implementation of ICT in Board of School Education, Haryana.

http://www.gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=301&Name=RAPID%20FIRE%20-%20vikas%20gupta%20dc,%20rohtak%20%28haryana%29

All is not in the well

DESPITE there being gloom all over and small investors being almost on the verge of losing their confidence in the markets, the Sensex is yet to see any sharp correction. This probably is due to the fact that smart and well informed investors better understand the fact that the markets may probably have discounted all the negatives, though they are yet to respond to the positives that a lay investor has failed to identity.

http://www.gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=306&Name=STOCK%20DOCTOR%20-%20dr%20gs%20sood

When fakes speak louder than words!!

From fake Gandhi—a term used for counterfeit currency, spurious medicines, chocolates, toffees, cold drinks, wrist-watches, mobile phones, electronic gadgetry, adulterated food-stuff, ghee, cheese and other milk products—what is it that is not planted on you. Fake, counterfeit, bogus, copied, fictitious, forged, phony, pirated, pseudo, deceitful imitation

http://www.gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=302&Name=INDUSTRY%20-%20consumer%20awareness

Cricket dons defy India

The word ‘autonomy’ is quite catchy and very often we find people going gaga over it. Autonomy is understood to mean ‘one who gives oneself their own law’. It is based on the basic premise of the capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, un-coerced decision. It is also often used as the basis for determining moral responsibility for one’s actions. Thus, in short, it refers to self-government.

http://www.gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=304&Name=MY%20CORNER%20-%20accountability,%20amitabh%20thakur

Of Netas, Babus and Jarnails

Over the years, astute observers of the political scene in and around us have commented favourably about the Indian situation. They are slightly puzzled why despite the many similarities among the countries of South Asia, our histories have traversed totally different trajectories. The specific bewilderment arises from the fact that the Indian Chiefs of Staff have been behaving differently from their peers elsewhere. This is stated as if there is something destined about this scenario.

http://www.gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=305&Name=SILLY%20POINT%20-%20humour,%20mk%20kaw

Humourous, but sensitive

M K Kaw must have been an exceptional IAS officer. Any reader going through his book is bound to have the same impression as mine. He must have been an exceptional man too. For, he can laugh at his own shape. This is a rare quality. And he is an acute observer of things. Through the pages of ‘An Outsider Everywhere’ peeps his smile and his eyes, and they reflect the joy of life.

http://gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=307&Name=BOOK%20REVIEW%20-%20governance

Chidambaram’s network

CHIDAMBARAM cannot forget the day when he was off-loaded from Finance Ministry and shifted to Home Ministry in North Block at Raisina Hills. He is a knowledgeable Home Minister and knows his job well but his heart is still in the Finance Ministry. He would like Pranabda to be elected as President of India so he can again go back to his much loved office. As Home Minister, his job is to keep track of what is happening across the country and that includes the finance ministry.

http://gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=295&Name=Bric-a-brac%20-%20Chidambaram%E2%80%99s%20network

Anand for commerce secretary!

http://gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=308&Name=...by%20the%20way

2014! No babu from Bengal in Delhi

http://gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=309&Name=...by%20the%20way

DD’s predicament

http://gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=310&Name=...by%20the%20way

Valley and wandering dogs

http://gfilesindia.com/frmArticleDetails.aspx?id=311&Name=...by%20the%20way

‘Inject a system of accountability’

COVER STORY

governance reforms

‘Inject a system of accountability’

There is a strong impetus for the civil services to adapt to the times and adopt newer practices to manage human resources, feels the cabinet secretary

by Anil Tyagi / Himanshu Joshi

Governancereforms is a ticklish issue and matter of much debate in today’s fast-changing world. In this light, the coming together of three cabinet secretaries – two former secretaries, Mr B K Chaturvedi and Mr Prabhat Kumar alongwith Mr A K Seth, the present cabinet secretary – on one platform and expressing their views holds much importance. This view from inside came at the series of talks on ‘Governance Reforms’, organised by IC Centre for Governance, the Asian Institute for Transport Development and India International Centre.

The high-powered speakers spoke their mind with refreshing candour, honest introspection and clarity of thought. Not only it came out clearly that the higher echelons of bureaucracy are well aware of the need for change but also that they are conversant with the common perception about the civil services among the people of the country.

Mr AK Seth put this quite succinctly by saying that “critics sometimes very simplistically caricaturise the civil service as closed and change resistance.” But, he added, that this should not deflect attention from the fact that civil services brings together....READMORE

June 8, 2012

Turn a new leaf

Turn a new leaf

Today, bureaucrats are doing their job for sure, but the question is whether they are doing enough to bring about change?

Another friend asked how civil servants should voice their views in public when the media projects them as the greatest hurdle in serving the interests of the people. Now, this is a serious problem. But they can first decide what to say and then find a way of saying it....READMORE

Refuse to succumb to pressure

Refuse to succumb to pressure

The civil services is being labelled as one where trust, kinship and servitude have given the go-by to the need for method, character and standards.

Refuting these perceptions is becoming increasingly difficult. The service has become famous for all the wrong reasons. Secretaries to the Government of India, Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries have ‘visited’ jail or are out on bail for corruption. Crores have been recovered from the homes of some IAS officers. High achievers flaunt flamboyant lifestyles intoxicated with adulation. Several officers continue to put self-interest before public interest. Probity in public life has been replaced by subservience to political expediency.....READMORE

Restore peoples power

Though Independent India’s Parliament has completed 60 years, we are yet to realise the vision of our founding fathers of ‘Swaraj’ that envisaged a people-based governance, with a bottom-up decision-making process

On that auspicious day, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha held a joint session and Parliamentarians celebrated the occasion in a way they know best - speeches, speeches and more speeches! Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made the tall claim that the “history of the functioning of the House over the last 60 years proved that the trust reposed in it by the founding fathers of the Constitution has been substantially fulfilled.”...READMORE

Loot, Loot & Loot in MP

Loot, Loot & Loot in MP

With long-pending corruption cases against many IAS officers in Madhya Pradesh, it seems that they can get away with anything in the state

by Ravindra Dubey

“This is the golden era of bureaucracy in Madhya Pradesh which is powerful as never before,” says Shyam Awasthi, a senior journalist and Editor of Sputnik magazine. The senior newsman, who has kept a keen eye on the developments in the state for last three decades, is of the opinion that governance of the state has deteriorated gradually since 1980 when Arjun Singh had the reins of power....READMORE

Hooda protects forest mafia?

Hooda protects forest mafia?

Sanjiv Chaturvedi’s story exposes the links that bind politicians & officials to corrupt businessmen

by Neeraj Mahajan

Being a Central Service officer, Chaturvedi has petitioned the Centre seeking a transfer from Haryana. But whatever be the outcome of his petition, this case will go down in the history of Centre-State relationships, as for the first time in independent India an officer was suspended and chargesheeted for dismissal from service for performing his constitutional duty. It is also the only instance where the Centre intervened after about three-and-a-half years to quash the chargesheet buried in State Government files on direct orders on behalf of the President.

Chaturvedi’s crime: he was diligently doing his duty. In the process, however, he upset the coterie of power brokers -- politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen and contractors – whom he exposed as being involved in conspiring, promoting or shielding those responsible for felling trees, poaching wildlife, making bogus payments for plantations that did not exist, encroaching forest land and destroying forests in the name of development. His is a story that brings into focus the problems and travails of all Central Service officers. This is also a story which reinforces a confirmed belief about the bureaucracy where the good boys get punished while the bad ones end up having all the fun.....READMORE

Choppers: the new money spinners

Symbolising a major policy shift, India is poised to become one of the largest military chopper markets growing at 20 per cent annually by 2015.

by Neeraj Mahajan

“If a man is in need of rescue, an airplane can come in and throw flowers on him, and that’s just about all. But a direct lift aircraft could come in and save his life.” ~Igor Sikorsky

All this has more to do with the new forward looking security doctrine of offensive defence. If guns have been called, ‘Gods of war’—helicopters are going to be the new ‘force multipliers’—both in counter terrorist and future military operations.

Like tank battles in past wars, the future wars will be helicopter wars. To borrow from what Alvin Tofler said, armies that could reach further, hit harder, and get there faster would eventually win. Helicopters can make all this possible. The concept of air mobility has been a favourite of military strategists who have since the World War toyed with the idea of making extensive use of helicopters to transport both airborne and infantry units, together with supporting equipment, either across or along the edges of the battlefield. No wonder, the Vietnam War was called America’s ‘helicopter war’, while the war in Afghanistan is classified as ‘total helicopter war’. ...READMORE

‘No option but being IAS’

Once nominated as one of the top 25 most powerful women in India, Vineeta Rai looks back on what was a successful and distinguished career

I retired long ago….I am still working….each job has its satisfaction level. Here, I am working as a member in the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. People have enormous expectations from us to settle issues between consumers and the services or the manufacturing sector,” says Vineeta Rai alias Vinty, a 1968 batch officer who in every sense of the term is the perfect candidate for being nominated as the people’s bureaucrat No. 1. Almost like a living Santa Claus, whose mission is to help people and spread reasons to smile, she is totally dedicated to the cause.

A flashback into her life reveals a distinguished career in pursuit of a goal, mission and purpose to serve the people and earn their goodwill. There were ups and downs along the way but that is what life is all about. From the highest level postings in the Revenue, Finance and Insurance, Health and Home Ministries to her middle and junior grade postings in Chandigarh, Delhi and Arunachal Pradesh, her life always revolved around people. “All jobs are people-oriented, tell me one job which is not people-oriented….even when you make a law you have to look at people. It’s all about people….I cannot imagine any job which is not about people,” she explains....READMORE

‘I got the inspiration to do something good for society’

What kind of music you prefer?

Vikas Gupta: I am an ardent fan of Hindi movies, so I prefer listening to Hindi songs.

Which is the last movie you saw?

VG:I saw Dhoop recently. Though the film was released in 2004, I did not get a chance to watch it. On April 12, we had a film festival in Rohtak, where a number of film/documentaries makers like Ajay Sinha, Sushil Rajpal and Satish Kaushik were present, and it was there that I got a chance to see this beautiful movie...READMORE

All is not in the well

DESPITE there being gloom all over and small investors being almost on the verge of losing their confidence in the markets, the Sensex is yet to see any sharp correction. This probably is due to the fact that smart and well informed investors better understand the fact that the markets may probably have discounted all the negatives, though they are yet to respond to the positives that a lay investor has failed to identity.

These positives include falling crude, gas and commodity prices, declining gold imports, an expected GDP growth of 6.5 to 7 per cent with moderating inflation, and a slightly less fragile UPA government preparing itself to bite the bullet on subsidies and on other major reforms. Other positives the markets are yet to take note of to resume its upward journey include no significant pull-out by foreign institutional investors (FIIs) in the recent past despite all the headwinds talked about by experts and analysts due mainly to their understanding of superior long-term fundamentals of India economy and a lot of development activity going on in rural India, a very good central bank and corporate sector, pockets of good growth achieved by many state governments, who in turn, are getting re-elected solely on the basis of good governance and growth achieved....READMORE

When fakes speak louder than words!!

The market for counterfeit products in the country is around US$600 billion a year and has grown at over 10,000 per cent over the last two decades

Fake, counterfeit, bogus, copied, fictitious, forged, phony, pirated, pseudo, deceitful imitation, cloned, forged, phony, or sham – you will run out of breath but not words to describe the business of profiteering or marketing something which is essentially not genuine. In other words, you might call it the process of reverse-engineering or copying original products and distributing the look alikes to make a hefty profit.....READMORE

Cricket dons defy India

The BCCI says it has nothing to do with the Union of India and yet conveniently uses the word ‘India’ at the end of its name, reflecting the patronage of the Government of India.

The idea is quite lucrative and hypnotising. As opposed to government control, many of us seem to prefer the autonomous position of different bodies. This liking for autonomy has its roots in the concept of laissez-faire, which loosely means an environment in which transactions between private parties are free from state intervention, including regulations, taxes, tariffs and enforced monopolies. Something like ‘let it be’, or ‘leave it alone’....READMORE

Of Netas, Babus and Jarnails

People may be mystified, but only because they are not prepared to wrack their brains to crack the mystery. And if some offhand remarks are offered, you find vague, inane observations about the political leadership provided by people like Patel, Nehru and Indira, the strict training imparted in the NDA, the tough stand taken by the Supreme Court on critical constitutional issues, the deliberate distance maintained between religion and the State. They are not prepared to give credit where it is due.....READMORE

Humourous, but sensitive

An insider’s portrayal of government apathy

by DIPTENDRA RAYCHAUDHURI

It all starts from the very beginning of the book, with the opening sentence being: “First, my name.” It goes back to his childhood. When he came out of his house a certain person commented, “Hey the kav bachha (baby crow) has come. Kav bachha, how are you today?”. Then he ‘would burst into peals of laughter at his own witticism’. And Kaw withstood it. Probably from his very childhood he had acquired the great sense of humour that has made his book an excellent read.....READMORE

The Investment Destination

The Government of Karnataka is committed to playing the role of a catalyst and facilitator to maintain the State as India’s most preferred investment destination. Karnataka is a State that is well-known as ‘One State with Many Opportunities’.

Karnataka is, in fact, one of the most attractive destinations for both domestic and foreign investors. The State in the last decade accounted for 6 per cent of total FDI inflows into India and stood third among all states in terms of the quantum of FDI inflows.

Karnataka has a highly evolved eco-system, with presence of over 743 MNCs, over 2,084 IT Companies and the world’s fourth largest technology cluster. Clearly, this indicates the strength of the State and its economy in nurturing investments.....READMORE

Memory problems

Mulayam in rush

When Uttar Pradesh’s leader Mulayam Singh Yadav chose his son Akhilesh Yadav as the heir apparent and made him Chief Minister, many wondered why he was in such a hurry to hand over control. More recently, his daughter-in-law Dimple Yadav has been announced as the candidate from the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat. But, Netaji, as he called by his followers, probably feels he is short of time and wants to oversee a smooth transition of power. It is suspected that Netaji is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is prone to forgetting names, faces and contents. Those within the inner circle say that at times he even has difficulty in sustaining a discussion. Party insiders inform that he is likely to go to the US for the treatment. He has got his all tests done recently at a Noida hospital, and it is learnt that he has some problem but not Alzheimer’s. Netaji’s supporters want us to believe....READMORE

Gadkari’s coup

utilises business acumen of MBA & NRI

BJP President Nitin Gadkari is going great guns after the so-called ‘successful covert Mumbai operation’. First, he has again got himself re-elected as party president for two years. Second, he stage managed the presence of Narendra Modi in Mumbai. He was helped in this coup by none other than a Mumbai-based powerful Industrialist who has a strong business presence in Gujarat and controversial NRI businessman Anshuman Mishra. It was a tough job to begin with. But Gadkari was hell-bent on bringing Modi to the meeting. One option was that an amendment in the party constitution would be passed unanimously but Sangh Priya Gautam, Dr J K Jain, and Hukumdev Narain Yadav objected, asking what was the need for the resolution and why was there no discussion in the party. Then, the controversial Sanjay Joshi was asked to...READMORE

My friend Isher

gursharan kaur’s fav companion

The First Lady is often in a quandary about whom to take with her for religious or social functions even though there is a queue for the asking. Mrs. Gursharan Kaur, wife of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is most of the time playing host for family friends and visitors. As Dr Singh is busy most of the time, so the onus lies on her to attend functions and offer hospitality. She plays this role very well. Family friends, relatives and all others praise ‘aunty’ for her hospitality and warm reception. ‘Aunty’ has one close confidante in Mrs Isher Judge Ahluwalia, wife of Montek Singh Ahluwalia. Mrs. Isher Ahluwalia and Aunty spend a lot of time together. Not only this....READMORE

Chidambaram’s network

eyes on finance ministry

Anand for commerce secretary!

Ever since Rahul Khullar joined as TRAI Chairman, it has been a puzzle in the Ministry of Commerce. According to all reports, Khullar never did get along with Commerce Minister Anand Sharma but he survived as he was close to the Prime Minister. Anand Sharma’s reputation as a tough nut to crack has also seen much see-sawing over the post of Commerce Secretary. The Commerce Ministry is the most important ministry after Finance, Defence and Petroleum and any bureaucrat would love to join as Commerce Secretary but there was reluctance to join the coveted post. Everybody knows that Anand Sharma needs a rubber stamp in the name of the Commerce Secretary. The main contenders were Saurabh Chandra, P K Chaudhary, Financial Services Secretary D.K.....READMORE

2014! No babu from Bengal in Delhi

Don’tbe surprised if West Bengal doesn’t have Secretary rank officer in New Delhi after 2014. Mamata Banerjee’s Chief Minister Office says a big ‘no’ to those who want to move to Delhi on deputation. In fact, many senior IAS officers have stopped seeking central deputation because the state is unable to spare them. There are 109 IAS officers short in West Bengal. The total sanctioned strength is 359 and the pool was expanded by 45 at Mamata’s request. But at present the state has only 215 officers. Insiders inform that Anil Agarwal, Secretary Animal Resource Development, Trilochan Singh, Secretary Consumer Affairs and Moloy De, Secretary Power, had applied for clearance for central deputation last year, but the state government refused. West Bengal can send around 75 officers on central deputation but only 36 officers are posted in Delhi.....READMORE

DD’s predicament

Did you know that there is a TV channel called Rajya Sabha TV, managed by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat? Though there was ostensibly no need for this channel but who can fathom the minds of some of our Elders. With 781 TV channels already beaming in the sky and around 400 waiting for permission, who will watch this so exclusive and thought ‘provoking channel’. Anyway, it is on air. The Rajya Sabha Secretariat, naturally, did not have the expertise to run the channel. The officials were not even aware of what kind of equipment will be used so they entrusted the entire responsibility to Doordarshan and hired equipment for it. Doordarshan was initially not ready to take on this burden.....READMORE

Valley and wandering dogs

Srinagar is believed to facing a peculiar problem. Suddenly, the stray dog population in the Valley has increased and some are of high pedigree. Resident welfare associations are holding meetings, newspapers are abuzz and discussions are going in at all levels on how to control this menace. These dogs come along with military, police and paramilitary officials who join on transfer and stay almost three years. The pet is well taken care of by the orderlies or servants till the time the officer serves. The problem arises when the officials are transferred. Most officers just leave their pets behind and don’t take along with them. The reasons are best known to them. This is especially seen in the case of old dogs.....READMORE

gfiles magazine

June 29, 2012

June 14, 2012

June 8, 2012