First some irritating facts. while 10 Janpath occupied by Congress supremo sprawls over an area of 15,181 Sq metres, 7 RCR , PM's official residence has 14,101 Sq metres. Why is 10-Janpath called the official residence of Sonia Gandhi when she does not ( she never held, nor ever will ) hold any Constitutional position? Even the post of Chairperson NAC was extra-Constitutional. Is her claim to a sprawling bungalow justified? Why separate bungalows for Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi? Total 3 , free of rent, electricity and Z+ security.

These  undeserved privileges  merely increase the tax payers’ burden. Should public money be wasted to massage the collective ego of a party, headed by someone belonging to a dynasty and bearing a certain “ surname”. There is Life after death. As if, the present privileges were not enough, Teen Murti and Indira Gandhi museum, official residences of former PMs,  were added to the list of Delhi’s tourist spots, besides,of course, their samadhis.

Consider Mayawati. Three Type VIII bungalows in Lutynes Delhi allotted to her,were amalgamated into a super bungalow involving unauthorized constructions in violations of rules. Besides the above 3, she was allotted another bungalow plus Z+ security and one more to a BSP trust. Total 5. Thanks to compulsions of coalition politics of the Congress.

Is the common man paying taxes for the comforts of infamous political celebrities of  Lutynes’ Delhi or implementation of  socio-economic  schemes ?

First some irritating facts. while 10 Janpath occupied by Congress supremo sprawls over an area of 15,181 Sq metres, 7 RCR , PM's official residence has 14,101 Sq metres. Why is 10-Janpath called the official residence of Sonia Gandhi when she does not ( she never held, nor ever will ) hold any Constitutional position? Even the post of Chairperson NAC was extra-Constitutional. Is her claim to a sprawling bungalow justified? Why separate bungalows for Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi? Total 3 , free of rent, electricity and Z+ security.

These  undeserved privileges  merely increase the tax payers’ burden. Should public money be wasted to massage the collective ego of a party, headed by someone belonging to a dynasty and bearing a certain “surname”. There is Life after death. As if, the present privileges were not enough, Teen Murti and Indira Gandhi museum, official residences of former PMs,  were added to the list of Delhi’s tourist spots, besides,of course, their samadhis.

Consider Mayawati. Three Type VIII bungalows in Lutynes Delhi allotted to her,were amalgamated into a super bungalow involving unauthorized constructions in violations of rules. Besides the above 3, she was allotted another bungalow plus Z+ security and one more to a BSP trust. Total 5. Thanks to compulsions of coalition politics of the Congress.

Is the common man paying taxes for the comforts of infamous political celebrities of Lutynes’ Delhi or implementation of socio-economic  schemes ?

Hon’ble CJI, J S Khehar , in a recent case directed that : “ Responses of  Central Govt should be signed by officers not below the ranks of JS and Addl Secretaries who should be capable of taking responsibility for what is said in the affidavits filed by them “. It was also felt that " the Centre can't file affidavits through low-ranked officials like ‘ poor ‘ Under Secretaries ".

Consider the ground reality. Normally, in government litigation, replies / counter affidavits are filed by officers of the rank of Under Secretaries and above. So long as the affidavits confirm approval by the respondents/ Secretaries as competent authorities , one  may not stand on ego. The courts can always summon Secretaries and even ministers for personal appearance and haul them up for contempt of court or perjury, instead of being hierarchical in outlook? Under Secretaries are as responsible and honest as Secretaries to GOI ?

However, all things considered and in deference to the observation of CJI, the government, should raise the level of affidavit signing authority from Under Secretaries to Joint Secretaries. But, let this should apply only to cases sub judice before the Apex court. The change will also be in conformity with GOI guidelines that  the Cabinet Notes must be signed by officers of the level of Joint Secretary and above.

The GOI, in consultation with  the new CJI , may also take  corrective steps for liquidating huge arrears of court cases pending across the country to mitigate the sufferings of litigants and  expedite transformation of  the Collegium into NJAC for injecting  more transparency in selecting judges of High courts and Supreme Court.

India must go cashless.

Black money has no place in a cashless society.

Let political parties set examples to the common man by going cashless and use ATM, Debit/ credit / PayTM cards.

But, which party will submit audited statements of accounts, income/expenditure statements , balance sheets etc?

This will always remain a pipe dream.

So,the best option is to remain corrupt and happy.

No hassles.

China has no business protesting against Dalai Lama's visit to Mangolia and, of late, Bodh Gaya. It continues to provide " stapled visas " to indians from Arunachal Pradesh, staking its claim on indian territory besides making frequent incursions. Opposing India'a entry into NSG, let alone, permanent membership of Security council , China is refusing to declare Azhar Masood as a global terrorist. Its aggressive posturing in south- China Sea is a matter of grave concern for international community. China had forced ONGC Videsh (India) to pack up in the midst of  exploratory operations in south-China sea as per agreement with Vietnam. 

Construction of Gwadar port in Baluchistan and China Pakistan Economic Corridor by China pose threats to India’s security. The geo-political situation is fast changing in south Asia with the emergence of rogue nuclear power states like Pakistan and North Korea - both irresponsible and unpredictable. China is untrustworthy. 

We must learn from history or else the same will get repeated. Discarding One-China policy, India must work towards according immediate diplomatic recognition to Taiwan China . The USA , Russia, Japan and other countries of South Asia must be kept in the loop so that they could follow suit. This will act as a bulwark against bullying by communist China .One hopes, the PM, the NSA and the MEA mandarins examine the urgency of the above suggestion.

Government’s decision to release 710 files of NAC is welcome. An important source material for historians, researchers, political analysts, journalists etc to expose how legitimate powers of the executive were usurped by an extra-Constitutional authority. Created in 2004 (UPA-I) and dissolved on,2014 ( UPA-2) before PM Modi took over. Longest ever proxy rule by the de facto ruler.

Consider some home truths about NAC’s bizarre style of functioning . Located in a 5-star office in Lutyen’s Delhi its chain of command was carefully structured on need-to-know basis. Giving oral directions was the unwritten rule. These were quickly legitimized by the then de jure PM- who was richly endowed with pliability and a propensity to retain his comfort zone. Though incorruptible, he was dishonest, anyway.

Union secretaries used to be summoned direct to the NAC bypassing ministers. The nervous bureaucrats shared their predicaments with successive Cabinet Secretaries but without results. All hell broke loose. Scams after scams. CWG, 2G,Coalgate, Choppers gate, Rober Vadra’s illicit  land deals etc. Ottavio Quattrocchi,‘ grand  escape to Italy  via London and Argentina, was deftly manipulated.  Permission to CBI officers to fly to London to arrest Quattrocchi,was  deliberately delayed  to enable the culprit reach Italy and avoid arrest. Thanks to the Screening committee of Secretaries and the then Cabinet Secretary. Secretaries to the Chairperson NAC,were retired secretaries, handpicked  by the Congress supremo. They must be questioned. All  top appointments in GOI, PSUs and public sector banks  bore the informal ( unsigned ) approvals of the supremo followed by signed legitimisation by de jure PM.The Prime Minister’s Relief Fund was blatantly misused by the de facto PM. Unfettered freedom to the supremo, without an iota of accountability. Chairperson NSA acting as super-PM, had prior access to all discussion papers before decision by competent  authorities. Quiz the then Principal Secretary, Secretary or Joint Secretary to the then PM who carried files to NAC office for  seeking oral directions . In short, the NAC committed all illegalities behind the screen. PM chose to turn a blind eye for a decade to remain in power, citing  “compulsions of  coalitions”.

Short-term pains but with long-term gains for the country. Demonetization led to liquidity crunch. People stopped spending on unnecessary things. Food security for the poor was temporarily affected, marginally though.  

Achhe din aa gaye hain.  Raids by IT, ED and CBI have unearthed dirty money that will be utilized for funding social sector schemes for the deprived sections of society. 

People are now beginning to relax.Use of plastic money is increasing fast. Wallets are bulging with ATM and credit cards.

Hit by  a sense of deep insecurity, let the corrupt keep screaming, ranting, slamming PM Modi out of desperation, frustration

Shaktikanta Das (TN 80, IAS) Economic Affairs Secretary attended a conference of economic editors ,chaired by FM Arun Jaitley.

An editor from TN asked a question in english and then willy nilly switched over to his mother tongue Tamil.

Much to FM's bewilderment and others' amusement, Das responded in Tamil. The non-Tamilians without understanding a word of what he said, applauded, nevertheless. No rancour. FM enjoyed without knowing the Tamil language.

Now , an opposite experience.

I recall a cognate incident of 2014 under UPA regime that created a huge controversy.

Sudhir Krishna ,the then urban development Secretary,at a meeting chaired by Chidambaram, started speaking in english with smattering of hindi words. Though from UP, he belonged to Karnataka cadre. Suave and no-nonsense officer.

Chidambaram in his typical arrogance. humiliated the poor Secretary asking him to speak in hindi that could be subsequently translated by his officials into english.

Sudhir Krishna registered his protest with Finance Secretrary and also with his minister Kamalnath to bring the humiliation to PM's notice.

Nothing happened as Dr Manmohan Singh. the de jure PM, was perennially in silent mode.The actual power was exercised by the then Congress supremo,the de facto PM.

The incident demoralised the IAS fraternity,rather unfairly.

Such incidents do not occur in NDA with PM Modi at the helm.

Demonetisation of 500 and 1000 rupees  indian currency notes is like a surgical strike by PM Modi on dirty money followed by Income Tax raids on the filthy rich money bags across the country. An effective ,long overdue step to curb black money that all previous ruling dispensations failed to take.Is India heading for a cashless, paperless transactions in India ?We can surely look forward to cashless voting in the coming assemblies’ elections. The Opposition is desperate, frustrated, and confused. One wonders whether PM Modi's bold actions in India will trigger the anti- black money movement in Pakistani for de-thronement of corrupt civil and military establishments  leading to peace and stability in the sub-continent.

In an attempt to curb black money, GOI has decided to demonetize currency notes of Rs 500, 1000 denominations. These will be invalid.from mid-night onwards.

People can deposit notes of #Rs1000 and #Rs500 in their banks from November 10 till December 30, 2016,

Pakistan Terror funding and circulation of counterfeit currency notes will be largely stopped. China's funding to maoists will stop. Loads of black money held by builders,contractors, money-launderers, hawala dealers,whole-sellers,retailers etc will be on the run, for exchanging invalid notes.Black money, stacked in lockers , secret strong rooms will be invalid.Black money acquired through property transactions.will become invalid.

Use of PLASTIC MONEY must be encouraged.

The political parties including Congress,, BSP, SP, Commies, TDP, etc have been caught unawares like all of us.

PM MODI HAS EXECUTED SOMETHING SPECTACULAR WITHIN OVER TWO YEARS ,WHAT THE CONGRESS COULD NOT ACHIEVE IN 67 YEARS.

In a case of foreign deputation , DOP&T issued a corrigendum No- 35/02/ 2016- EO( SM1 ) dt Oct 28 , 2016 clarifying that : “Shri Kshatrapati Shivaji” mentioned in earlier OM dt Oct 4,2016 , be read as “Dr Kshatrapati Shivaji.The officer (Maha 1986) insisted that a corrigendum be issued, in the hope that his performance and dignity would probably go up after adding the honorific “ Doctor “. Getting posted as ED, ADB, Manila, is not easy particularly as the posting should have legitimately gone to a Foreign Service officer .But, the IFS officers don't serve in States’ districts and thus unable to cultivate politicians. Serving in districts is,therefore , considered more important than serving in foreign countries. This explains why the IFS,is no longer considered a sought-after Service.

As a pessimist, I visualise the worst scenario.

Repatriation of diplomats on tit-for-tat basis by both countries,has begun. This could soon lead to closure of High commissions in both countries.

Support from both the US and Russia, is crucial.

Against this background, I wish that wisdom dawns on the two duffers Rahul, Kejriwal and the Commies to rise above petty politics and refrain from doing anything that demoralises India's Armed Forces.