gfiles magazine

September 10, 2018

Bric a Brac : AICC faces space constraint


The UPA was the biggest votary of computers and internet but never thought it would came back to bite them. Congress has awakened, though late but it is better than never. The party website has been completely revamped. Surfing the website indicates that Rahul Gandhi means business. It’s the virtual face of the party but things on the ground are still shaky. Rahul Gandhi has revamped the party and reconstituted the official setup. If one tries to count the list of the office bearers, in-charge of various departments, frontal organisations, and election committees, more than 100 names appear on the website. Insiders reveal most office bearers don’t come to 23 Akbar Road, the headquarters of the party.

Bric a Brac : Now, Made in Gujarat


When you have the king on your side, everything falls in line. This is an old dictum but its proving right in Delhi. Gujarat and Gujarati companies are the buzz word in New Delhi. Outside the ministers’ bungalows in Lutyens Delhi, luxurious cars with Gujarat state number plates can be seen in the evening. Gujarat food is the new delicacy in the upscale Khan Market restaurants. Gujaratis knows their ‘Dhanda’ well and they don’t waste time in showoff.

By the way : Rockstar Amitabh


NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, a 1980-batch IAS officer from Kerala is called a ‘rockstar’ among his batch mates. He is one civil servant who is most active on social media. Since he has taken over as CEO NITI Aayog, he is moving every day from one programme to another programme. He not only travels most of the time with the Prime Minister but also with ministers. He is so engrossed in his new found avatar that he is visiting most of the Prime Minister’s programme implementation centres in far flung areas. He is always immaculately dressed and carries himself with dignity. He has a simple formula to get the best out of everything.

By the way : J&K Police needs a DG


The names of five top-ranking IPS officers for the post of DG Jammu and Kashmir Police have been sent to the UPSC. According to sources, the panel submitted by the State Home Department to the Secretary, UPSC contains the name of DR Doley, a 1986-batch IPS officer, who has been on Central deputation and posted in Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy since May 28, 2018. Left with nine months of her service, Doley is due to retire on May 31, 2019. The second name is that of Navin Agarwal, a 1986-batch IPS officer, also on deputation since June 22, 2016, and currently posted as CEO and DG of National Anti-doping Agency, Department of Sports.

By the way : Roaring Khandelwal


When there is a will, there is a way. This is easier said than done. When Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced Haryana Real Estate Regulation Authority (HARERA) to regulate the despotic builder mafia in the state, he did not know whom to appoint as the Chairman of HARERA Gurugram. Khattar was looking for a civil servant who could deliver and emancipate the grief-stricken customers from the builder mafia. He finally chose Dr KK Khandelwal, a 1985-batch IAS officer, Additional Chief Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Haryana, irrespective of all opposition.

By the way : No holiday for PMO


Does the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) work on Sundays? Yes! That era has gone when the PMO used to shut on Saturdays and Sundays. Now it’s open 365 days. Even on Diwali or Holi, the PMO works. Sharp 10 a.m office is open. Sunday has a few issues as the office is cleaned by PWD staff so visitors may see some dried leaves and water in the corridors. It’s little difficult to reach the PMO if there is a holiday as the North-South Block entrance is barricaded and there is another check point just before the PMO.