Persona non grata

It is true that Delhi leads the other metros in fixers, wheeler-dealers and power brokers but the numbers leave one a bit bemused. For, according to the CBI, there are only 23 such persons operating in all the four metros -- Delhi (15), Mumbai (3), Kolkata (4) and Chennai (1). This is from a list of undesirable persons circulated by the CBI among senior officers so that they keep them at arm’s length or at least be cautious in dealing with them. These persons are said to be active in several ministries such as Finance, MEA, Petroleum, Urban Development, Heavy Industries, Defence, Power and Steel, a number of PSUs, especially ONGC, IOC, and MTNL. Expectedly, most of them have great interest in the three departments of customs, excise and income tax. Most of them understandably are rich and influential members of Delhi’s Page 3 circuit living at addresses such as Prithviraj Road, Sunder Nagar, Chanakyapuri and Greater Kailash. Now, we learn another list is being prepared. A veteran reporter of a leading city daily is compiling a “Whose Who & Who’s Whom” of bureaucrats and senior CBI men....READMORE