The so-called Tyagi mahapanchayat , blessed by BJP-RSS, extends full support to Shrikant Tyagi.His offence was physically assaulting a woman inmate of  a society in NOIDA. Are women safe in UP? At least, CM Yogi claims so.Thousands of tyagis blocked the roads. Was the tractor rally organised with prior Police permission? Hooligans threatening Law & order machinary by asserting their numerical supremacy. UP police specialises in following orders of their political masters. If, the Yadavas,Thakurs,Rajputs,Jaats,Gurjar and others, behave similarly, disintegration of the country will be inevitable?

Where is Yogi hiding? Will UP police issue a look-out circular against him.

Is the Judiciary shielding the State, leaving the vulnerable poor to the mercy of God ?

Pakistani avaam trusts anti-corona  vaccine made in India, more than  Chinese product. So cheap and effective. But, the vicious, backstabber Pakistan, has no face to seek  assistance from India.

Let WIC surfers from Pakistan ponder over this and de-throne Imran Khan. These Pak citizens are India’s ambassadors in Vaccinationalism.

A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

The populist budget fy 21-22 , replete with confusing statistics, new economic jurgons, launching new schemes with chaste Hindi nomenclatures to dupe farmers and the common man.

Anti-kisan and anti- poor budget could escalate the kisan agitation irretrievably.

Budget is PM-centric ( not poor-centric) to get cheap publicity for the coming Assemblies' elections. Manipulating data, as always. Budget is high on promises and low on benefits to the poor. How many promises were executed successfully in the past?. Policy and implementation paralyses, would confront us as we go along.

Mobilising resources through gimmick like " Assets Monetization", is dangerous. It would lead to selling Railway, Defence, PSUs land assets, offloading PSU;s stakes to corporate houses , handing over construction and maintenance of airports, Railways to the two top Gujarati businesses honchos . Guess, who? They will construct ware houses, cold storages, fleece farmers and increase their illegal wealth.

Misplaced priorities. All dirty tricks are being applied to deflect public attention from core issues. Such unethical practices were common during the Congress- led UPA rule. Nothing unusual.

PM’s appeal to agitating farmers to contact him being only a " phone call away " amounts to mockery of farmers . Mere political rhetorics.

Is PM not aware that farmers at Delhi’s three borders are under siege of Delhi police surrounded by the 12-layered barricades, barbed wire fencing , concrete walls with iron nails to prevent the ingress and egress of protesting farmers and public. Assy gherabandi Lal Quila par kyon nahi banai ? Government in catch-22 situation!

Most baffling ? Where is the mysterious guy called Deep Sidhu who allegedly led the mob to Red fort to unfurl the religeous flag at the pole? His photograph in the privileged company of PM and HM has gone viral. Was he planted by the ruling party with specific mission to derail the otherwise peaceful march.? Where is he hiding? Why has Delhi police not booked him for sedition?

The ostrich-like attitude of paid media particularly since persons affected belong to the most vulnerable sections of society, reveals their motive is suspect.

No doubt, the public is being inconvenienced due to heavy police barricading. But, who is to blame ? Royal obstinacy of decision makers, directly or indirectly abetted by the ineffective, incompetent and irresponsible political Opposition led by the Congis , Commies and their moronic allies plus,plus,plus ! The nin-compoops have neither the spine, the calibre nor the face to oppose.

The adverse impact of budget will be felt, years later by the posterity ,who will never forgive the government for wonky priorities for petty political gains.

A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

The country voted in 2014 to replace the erstwhile corrupt Sonia-led UPA  by the Modi-led NDA. The voting pattern was repeated in 2019 elections in the hope of getting Good governance.

Hopes were dashed after initial euphoria. A new narrative was created to deflect people’s attention from the promised dreams. An impression started gaining the ground that the ruling dispensation  is trying to outsmart its predecessor in the game of competitive corruption.

The public feels that decisions are being taken by  present government to help top business houses. Specific cases are in  public domain. Deals, it is alleged, carry quid pro quo tags. Crony capitalism . Illegal funds are collected illegally by all political parties either for staying in power or for coming to power. The allegations are very serious and must be taken note of by PM Modi for corrective steps.

The scandles of the so-called "Lutynes media" during UPA are not forgotten. The infamous tapes of Niira Radia- Barkha Dutt- Tata , keep haunting us . Open secret. Doubling as corporate lobbysts for top business houses, the media persons could pose serious threat to national security besides blackmailing the VVIPs within .

If , lessons are not learnt from history, it would repeat itself . Consider specifics.

WhatsApp chats leaks?

The alleged leaks of  WhatsApp chats between the  Republic TV Editor-in-chief and some VVIPs are disturbing. If  allegations are proved, this may cause considerable embarassment to the bigwigs including some cabinet ministers. The CEO is fighting back. He must. It is his right.

 One wonder how some TV editors, anchors manage to get tapes of classified information /documents  for their TV channels. Game of one-up-manship for TRP for more revenue through advertisements. Who is helping them in procuring propaganda material?

 It is noteworthy that Whispersinthecorridors.com, has avoided unethical practices. I do not recall any  unsavoury controversy having erupted  during the past twenty years, since inception.

Chinese incursion?

May I take the opportunity of raising the issue of China creating a  village in the Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh  by constructing 101 pucca houses? Was this case of intelligence failure, suppression of facts or both?H igh resolution pictures are available in public domain. Honeytrap is common. The matter is very serious warranting consideration by the Cabinet Committee on Security. The culprits must be booked under the Official Secrets Act 1923 for espionage, sedition.

Consider UPA era. Why, no action was taken against Rahul Gandhi, when he tore off a copy of the draft cabinet note, A classified document. It was more than a mistake, A blunder by the UPA. Rahul’s arrogant and impulsive act attracted  the OSA 1923.

The moot point is : Who supplied such high resolution pictures of the ‘Chinese’ village to the prominent TV channel ? Could be the Congis and Commies in cahoots with China and ISI, their paymasters. The culprits must be tried under OSA 1923.

 A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

Delhi High Court in its latest judgement  intends to stop all non-essential, discretionary expenses of the three municipal corporations here, including the perks of councillors and senior officers, "living like lords".

 A city’s health is measured by the quality of  civic services provided by local bodies. Sadly, India's national capital  suffers  from acute municipal decay.

 The three Municipal commissioners of Delhi, chief engineers and their subordinates, must be publicly indicted for dereliction of duties. MCDs corrupt top officers , engineers in cahoots with the local police, perpetuate encroachments on public land by illegally charging hefty bribes ( haftas). There is no practice of responding to public complaints, let alone, redressing public  grievances.

 This is the scenario in the national capital. Position in States is far more appalling. Nothing moves without  coercive or collusive bribes. Absence of raids by anti-corruption agencies  on  illegal wealth of officers, further embolden the defaulters.

 Office of LG, Delhi is powerless , toothless, even gumless. A burden on public exchequer. He merely follows instructions of MHA- passively watching, looking at,or listening to things rather than doing things.

The Delhiites continue to suffer stoically, in silence. PM’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan takes a hit!

Agriculture is a state subject but, the union of India enacted with incredible speed the three farm laws 2020, based on brutal majority in Lok Sabha and the “ Voice Vote” in Rajya Sabha. All  without discussions and  without consulting the stakeholders ( States and farmers unions) naturally raised suspicions in the minds of the aggrieved.

Was there a national emergency during which the Union of India could have legislated on States’ subjects? Was ratification of any international treaty involved. None of these. Then, why undue haste?

How to break the impasse? Extraordinary situation demands extraordinary solutions such as : Suo moto  withdrawal of Presidential assent to the bills for abrogating the farm laws. At least, he could make his intentions clear to the ruling dispensation. In the alternative, the President could invoke the advisory jurisdiction of the Apex court. Political parties including the defunct opposition, must be exposed.

For how long, could the nation be expected to mutely watch the political drama?

A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

PM has huge passion for inauguration and foundation stones  laying ceremonies. He laid the stone of permanent campus of IIM Sambalpur, Odisha on Jan 2. Then, in quick succession, GAIL’s much-delayed Kochi-Mangaluru natural gas pipeline project was inaugurated on Jan 4, 2021.

Fair enough. But, trumpeting achievements through long speeches is like addressing  a political rally. Public apathy. I do not blame  PM Modi ,but, his chatukaars. These  insidious enemies  include his ghost speech writers who takes pride in producing long speeches. More quantitative than qualitative.

I have always stood against PM’s detractors who have failed to advise him appropriately. Modi is irreplaceable.  As his fan , I consider it my duty  to be upfront.

Reverting to PM’s speech at IIM Sambhalpur, one is not sure  whether PM had the clear idea of what the Management schools are supposed to teach? What did he want to convey by his favourite expression : “ Innovation, integrity and inclusive ?” Are these subjects taught in IIMs? Or, was it just a south indian Saambhar-like phraseology that can be used on any occasions : political, scientific or religious. Why is PM fond of giving a stick to the wayward Opposition to beat his party with?

Does the country need more management schools? Absolutely not. For most  management aspirants , the objective of  getting  management  diploma or degree  from low grade schools, is not enterprise but a good job with attractive salary. A vast majority of them do not get anything like that because of  poor quality of intake and worse, teaching. The bitter truth is that  the top management schools  admit only the best students with exceptional academic records. Here is a revelation based on my decade long experience as a Mentor for  civil services aspirants. My long experience holding  a critical position in UPSC at senior level ,comes in handy.

Of late, the management aspirants are not getting attracted to new IIMs. The latest  trend is that  even managers  trained in top IIMs are now keen to join the  Civil Services  after appearing in  UPSC civil services examination.

The little known fact is   that students ,no longer, wish to compete  in the admission process for IIMs like Vizag, Bodh Gaya, Nagpur or Sambhalpur. The new IIMs are being mentored by old IIMs which are known by their alumni rather than competent faculties. The private management schools are money-making machines. Poor infrastructures and incompetent faculties.

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) as the  national-level Apex Advisory Body under Min of HRD ,is mandated  to conduct  surveys of facilities available for technical education and  promote development. A big farce. A den of corruption. No recognitions / No clean chits  without  money power.

Same opinion  is held  by me for opening new medical  colleges across the country. Bribes running  into crores of rupees. PM may  hold a judicial  and transparent enquiry as to how teams of  fake teachers and  medical doctors  are created with hired buildings infrastructures for getting NOC for opening  private managements institutes and universities . Congress-led UPA and its supreme, were specialists in games of corruption.

Flawed recruitment models  continue to produce accidental  bureaucrats. Too many  job seekers in the country.

Game-changing reforms are needed to grapple with India’s increasing responsibilities and bring about  Good governance, PM’s favourite dream, still remains a far cry.

Shri P C Hota’s passing away on Dec 31, 2020, is a sad loss . I served  under him  as Joint Secretary while he was Secretary, DOP&T. He later became Chairperson ,UPSC in 1996. He had been under acute depression for about  three  years.

A highly regarded IAS officer, 1962  batch.  Hota committee report  is a well known document on reforms in UPSC

May his soul rest in peace.

A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)

All CJIs, past and present, have  been  regularly expressing  concerns about massive judicial backlog due to non-availibility of judges. Out of total pendency of  3 crores cases , 2.7 crores  are reportedly pending in subordinate courts; 40 lakh in 24 High Courts; 40,000 or so  in Supreme Court? The situation is going  from bad to worse  due to non-functioning courts during  Covid-19  pendemic.

Delivery of timely judicial verdicts is  part of  Fundamental Right to Justice. The Indian society has grown highly litigious. Appeals are filed on frivolous grounds in the hope of getting favourable judgments. The courts must curb such tendencies. Justice M C Chagla in his autobiography (Roses in December) dealt with solutions to the problem. A must read for judges and lawyers.

The PILs are filed not to help the poor. The ulterior motive is to benefit the political heavy weights, top corporate houses , builders mafia etc. The lawyers charge hefty fees, getting free publicity with the help of  electronic media.

Following steps are suggested for consideration of  M/Law &Justice and the Judiciary :--

(a) Union of India as the largest litigant, must exercise restraints in filing appeals in High courts. Out-of-court  settlements must be encouraged.

(b) Strengthen judicial infrastructure; Use information technology; Taking help of  artificial intelligence could do wonders.

(c)Courts must club cases of same nature and treat them at par;

(d) Promote Gram-Nyayaalay with effective regulation through delegation of powers ;

(e) Conducting  Lok Adalats more frequently ;

(f)Fast- track administration of  justice to seekers of sexually assaulted victims, SC, ST and the minorities;

(g) Practising judicial activism by junior judges should be the new normal. Make judges accountable to deliver time-bound , well-reasoned judgements. Reasons for giving frequent adjournments must be probed by committees  set up by different High courts. The defaulters  must be reprimanded, wherever considered necessary. The SC may lay down guidelines;

(h)  Social issues should not be mixed with legal issues. The job of  judiciary is to interpret the law and deliver judgements and leave the job of creating laws to Law makers, the Legislatures;

(i) The Min of Law &Justice should consider appointing retired judicial officers as ad hoc judges by invoking Art 224 (A) of the Constitution of India ;

(j) Judiciary must review lists of pendencies and delete cases that have become in-fructuous and time-barred;

(k)The centre must fast track constitution of All India Judicial Services to fill vacancies in Subordinate  judiciary.

Let  PM Modi adopt it as country's  New Year’s  resolution.

A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

One Congress chatukaar called D K Barooah, in his 1974 proclamation, stooped so low as to coin the ominous slogan :

"India is Indira and Indira is India".

Barooah soon got disillusioned and left the Congress in disgust. Who is interested in recalling the horrendous days of emergency,the age of sychophancy?

Unless, lessons are learnt, history is bound to get repeated. India failed to learn lessons. Results were obvious. It is unfortunately blessed with a new breed of sychophants to fill the void and relive the horror of autocratic emergency era .

The captive TV Media and BJP’s hired chatukaars in their rhetorics take pride in equating PM Modi with India and vice-versa.

Giving credit to PM Modi for someone else's endeavours , is sinful; an open affront to indians. But, the smart public understands everything and cannot be fooled.

India is neither Modi, nor is Modi India !

India means our Armed forces, farmers, the marginalised labourers, scientists,teachers , the bureaucrats, Police etc. It also covers celebrated criminals, politicians, their sychophants like the builders mafia,dons,criminals,rapists and hooligans who can incite communal riots, violence with foreign funding, at short notice.

The moot point is : Why should credits actually due to our Armed Forces , farmers, scientists at ISRO,DRDO etc be collected as political brownie points by our Prime Minister ?

Unfair, unjust, unmerited and inequitable.

Will PM Modi stop this and eat into others’ achievements . The public gets the impression that all TV scripts are written in the PMO,focusing only on one person.

War strategies are formulated by the three army chiefs and CDS, not PM Modi. Applauding Modi for all achievements in digital and print media breeds contempt.He is shown either while praying in temples or laying foundation stones.

Let me be upfront . PM Modi must lead the Nation in these hard times. There is no substitute for him.

But he must change his style of functioning by jettisoning autocratic, obdurate and egocentric approach with an overinflated sense of self-worth.

Let him follow the consultative approach in decision making.

A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)

Drugs  pedalling and consumption are crimes in the country under the NDPS Act,1985. Ground realities  elsewhere in the country are shocking.  

In Varanasi,for instance,“ thandai ,pakoda,papad,samosas”mixed with “ bhaang" (Cannabis,hashish),are available with impunity .The organized gang of ‘pandas’ and fake thugs masquerade as pedallars. The authorities are not blind to such age old practices. CM Yogi is urged to ban misuse of prohibited  drugs and substances in the holy city which also happens to be PM Modi’s constituency. The NDPS Act 1985  applies to entire country without exemption. UP CM must demonstrate  the political Will  to clear up the mess from the entire Uttar Pradesh?

UP is not alone.Every  Indian state faces same problems. In hundreds of places  in urban and rural India, the menace is widely prevalent. All must be treated at par with Bollywood in taking punitive action.

A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)

Farm bills passed in haste,without due diligence,deliberations and without taking the stakeholders on board, are unforgivable sins in a democracy. The ten trade unions  namely : NTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC have have extended their support to a nationwide agitation called by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee  against the alleged  “anti-people, anti-farmer destructive  legislations pushed through by central government. This could lead to continuous  turmoil  at present juncture ,when the country is facing  heightened threat perception from hostile neighbours.

Punjab and neighbouring Haryana  fear that if big institutions start purchasing directly from the farmers, the state governments will lose out on the tax that these buyers have to pay at wholesale markets(Mandi  tax). Some experts argue that agents, who form the backbone of wholesale markets, would lose their income if large buyers start buying direct from farmers.These concerns must have been addressed before rushing through legislations  reducing democracy to a Number game. There is no room for " Royal obstinacy" in a democracy. Consultative approach is the key to success.

A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)

Consider  their  hands-on experiences.

The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers have large public interface and can successfully manage the political class  and have  cosy relationships  with them. They have huge discretionary authority that is liable to be misused. Excellent  chances of  getting post-retirement assignments by encashing political contacts.

 The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) has been under-rated for several decades ,even though the IFS officers  have more legitimate income  by virtue of better pay scales and  handsome foreign allowances. But , their authority is confined to their domain. Being academically inclined,they have  better  oratorial skill.

Conclusion :

-----------------

Equipped  with wide administrative experience and project monitoring ,the IAS officers have the advantage of having a more  result-oriented approach.

Attaching IFS officers with ministers is waste of their talent. They are not cut out for such jobs.

 This is not to be-little the IFS officers.

If the IFS officers are considered worldly-wise, the IAS officers  can be considered street- smart.

A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)

Hathras gang rape case has jolted the conscience of every indian. Such heinous crimes could not have been possible without the tacit support of political class. After PM’s belated intervention , CM,UP woke up to enhance the quantum of compensation from Rs 25 to 50 lakhs.

What is this awful thing going on in Uttar Pradesh,one wonders? The autocratic CM has a lot to explain. Incompetent administration and callous UP police fail to inspire confidence in lower castes. They are,more often than not, insensitive, incapable of taking decisions by defying political authority . Pliability to political masters,is considered a safe bet. Prized postings, no fear of transfers , suspension.

Haughty utterances by Hathras DM and the Police to victim’s family are shocking,unpardonable Who ordered forced cremation of the victim during graveyard hours and in absence of victim’s family members. UP,CM feels his job is over once delinquent officers are transferred / suspended.His experts do not advise him that transfers and suspensions of officers cannot be treated as punitive steps.

Unable to defend the indefensible, Chief minister,UP has now decided to refer the case to the CBI.But, the family of the deceased, is not satisfied. It demands a Judge-monitored, fast- track inquiry by the CBI. Is CBI losing credibility?A deep conspiracy is alleged by the ruling party.

The public is outraged. The Opposition led by the Congis take pride in activating  its dirty tricks department  for adding to the chaos and confusion in UP and for gaining political brownie points.

Unequal society, Political interference, callous Administration &Police ?

We are living in an unequal society, hierarchical , castes-ridden and in artificial silos . Upper castes are treated as the privileged class. Gang rapes,murders,domestic violence,acid attacks,dowry deaths are the new normal? Macabre pre-occupation of goons and misguided elements in Police force. Egalitarian society is a myth.

Situation  in all  Indian States , is equally reprehensible.

Is  there something seriously wrong with UPSC’s recruitment process and DOPT’s training module? Or, is the entire system flawed? Accountability and transparency are missing.

What steps have been taken to depoliticise  the top appointments in the States and reduce political interference in day-to-day policing  so as to improve the law and order situation in the states.

Will PM Modi please take the call?

A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)

Due to Covid-19 infections in the country, the Union of India must consider scaling down celebrations of the Independence Day functions both at Centre and States,at least this year.

This can be achieved by eliminating participation of children, old citizens (both vulnerable to Corona infections) and general public to enforce mandatory physical distancing.

Extra-ordinary situations call for bold decisions.

A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

The secret world of  drugs mafia,murders, rapes,  casting couch, alleged murders of two actors, are all that constitute the tinsel world . The secrets of  glamorous  Bollywood’s  underbelly  have jolted the conscience of every right thinking Indian.No attempt was ever made to weed out the scum. Investigations by ED,NCB and CBI have revealed an  organised racket with links in Dubai, deep state of Pakistan and Narco-terrorism! Count down has begun.

Of late , the # Me Too movement  lying dormant for sometime has resurfaced.The latest allegation  comes from an actress slamming  sexual innuendos against an infamous Director-Producer of Bollywood. Lack of  deterrent action in the past emboldens  perpetrators to carry on their business with impunity and perpetuate the evil practice. The Bollywood’s cultural standards and values  have reached their nadir. The film city can't take it any more.

Ironically, a large number of  Bollywood celebrities  continue to appear  as brand ambassadors  in  TV ads and participants in a famous  laughter show.These  exercise deleterious  influence on   gullible public  especially the impressionable  youth. There is an emergent need to  scrub, disinfect and purge the film city.

In this context, UP govt’s announcement to set up a film city at ,Noida, is timely.It will have production studios, outdoor locations, post production facilities, special effects studios, hotels, workshops, an amusement park besides an international airport in the neighbouring Greater Noida.The central govt will, no doubt, face opposition from the Opposition and criminal lobbies. But, a strong political Will should overcome it. The  outrageous public and the digital Media ,on their part, must boycott  all accused super stars, their movies and brand endorsements.

Latest media reports on India’ bilateral relations with Iran are disturbing.Indian shias are not happy at these unsavoury developments.Reasons are not far to seek.Deals on development of Chabahar port and construction of Rail project signed in 2016, stand cancelled by Iran citing stoppage of fund flow to Iran by India,obviously under US pressure.

The serious setback has caused massive diplomatic embarassment & geo-political loss to India.

China, as always, was One-UP India . Taking advantage of growing mistrust between India and Iran , China was quick to play the Master stroke by promising huge investment in Iran for 25 years,promising  billions of US dollars to Iran.

Pathetic for MEA and PMO. India's  partial investment in Chabahar has gone waste. Now ,we have to search for new routes to Europe, Afghanistan and central Asia, Russia etc.

Could this not be attributed to failure of India''s foreign policy ? Lack of foresightedness on part of our laid-back mandarins in MEA , over-confident Foreign Minister, the NSA and ill-advised PM? Who monitored the Chabahar deals executed with Iran in 2016 in MEA and PMO. PM Modi would have much to explain to the Parliament.

Was this due to secret pressure from the US as widely reported in the Media?If,so, why was pressure not resisted to protect India's sovereignty?

A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)

The world is slowly but surely edging forward towards World War -3. Procrastination by having frequent dialogues with China is enabling China-Pakistan to mobilise their resources.

Frequency of terror attacks by Pak is increasing by the hour. Arrest of Chinese spies in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim for creating mayham,is disturbing.

Their intrusion through Nepal is the wake-up call. India must strengthen its guard at the " chicken neck ", which China is aiming to take over.

This could cut off the entire North-India from the hinterland. If, necessary, a small surgical strike at Nepal would be necessary to seize a part of Nepal to obfuscate China from further misadventure.

No candyfloss approach for Nepal under its present Oli dispensation. Time is of the essence. Are we awaiting arrival of S-400 air shield from Russia, Rafael fighter jets from France, Spice jets from Israel and F-22 & F-35 fighter jets from the US?

These would be useful in the long term perspective. Though India can take on China and Pakistan together, but the NATO forces led by the US will have to concurrently engage with China and north Korea.

This will force China to fight the war at multiple fronts. India will have the opportunity to take back POK, Gilgit -Baltistan and Aksai chin. India must also assist in the liberation // separatist’ movements in Baluchistan , Sindhu Desh and Pakhtoonistan.

Afghanistan must grab the opportunity of taking over Pakhtoonistan.

India is passing through tough times due to Corona lockdowns.

The plight of civil services aspirants is pitiable due to lockdown of coaching institutes ,threats of eviction by landlords, exploitation by teaching shops.Let me start by revealing the unethical practices followed by some private institutes engaged in coaching of civil services aspirants.

Sample ground realities . Some filthy-rich coaching institutes are generously rewarding cash honoraria to top rankers of CS examinations conducted by UPSC, States PSCs, year-after-year .

This is not for charity but for promoting business interests of coaching institutes. Tough competition. The going rate is anything from 5 to 10 lakh rupees. Cash incentive violates conduct rules if it become a source of income.

There is otherwise no harm on part of top rankers in sharing their success strategy with new aspirants . Dirty secrets.Some even don’t mind haggling for the quantum of honoraria.

I cannot paint all aspirants with same brush.There are honest ones,too.But, it shocks when rank-holders receive regular invitations from coaching institutes with free air tickets and large honoraria in cash.

Worse, some over-enthusiastic ex- Chairpersons, Members of UPSC and States PSCs ( All Constitutional appointees) interact with the toppers, little realizing that they are denigrating the dignity of high constitutional positions ,they once held. Not to lag behind,even some " Serving” Civil Servants, especially those belonging to IAS, IPS,IRS etc, do not hesitate in stealthily taking leave from their employers to assist coaching institutes.

Is this permitted the under Conduct rules? Consider specifics. Of late, a private coaching institute headquartered at outstation, organized a webinar with civil services aspirants.

It invited a former President of India , an ex- Chairperson of UPSC and politician with dubious background like Shashi Tharoor . Nothing pro bono.

One wonders what secret mantra ,they gave to CS aspirants. Misled by names of eminent persons and politicians,the aspirants are easily attracted.

The burden of expenditure ultimately falls on the poor, hapless aspirants, who are charged excessively high fees offering “ attractive” packages by coaching institutes. By indulging in unethical practices, the coaching centres merely promote “dependency culture”.

In the present scenario of corona virus, I would urge the aspirants to follow PM’s mantra of “Atma-Nirbharta ”. No Regulatory Mechanism The coaching institutes are sprouting at every nook and corner of metropolitan cities .

There are no Regulatory Authorities at the Centre or the States to monitor their functioning including verifying the credentials of teaching faculties hired by coaching institutes.

The coaching industry in the country ,has a large turn-over running into thousands of crores of rupees per year. Certain institutes allegedly function under the garb of NGOs benefitting from foreign funding .

These need thorough investigations. It is high time for the Government of India to take the call by ordering a thorough probe into the functioning of coaching industry by IT, ED and CBI and lay down strict guidelines for all State governments and set up a standing body in each state to regulate their functioning.

A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)

Some filthy-rich coaching institutes in Delhi and outside are ready to invest large sums of money as cash honoraria to Top rankers of UPSC Civil services examinations held year after year .

All to promote their business interests. Not for charity.The going rates are anything from 5 to 7 lakhs rupees per event.

Easy to fall for such lucrative cash awards. No payment by cheques. Disturbing Implications The gullible Civil services aspirants are the ultimate casualties.

Misled by names of high ranking officers,politicians, the burden of wasteful expenditure ultimately falls on poor, hapless aspirants, who are charged excessively high fees with “ attractive packages “ offered by coaching institutes.

First lesson to budding civil servants in managing corruption. No Regulatory Mechanism Strangely, there are no Regulatory Authorities at the Centre and States for verifying credentials of teaching faculties of coaching institutes.

There is no practice for carrying out regular Audits of expenditures and quality of teaching by faculty members. Big business. Total turnover running into thousands of crores of rupees.

The coaching institutes exercise huge corrupting influence on budding,uninitiated bureaucrats. Rest by on-the-job experience.They must be kept under scanners of CBI and other anti-corruption agencies.Releasing Audio recordings of negotiated settlements ,could be disastrous for several offenders. Simply disgusting. Top rankers acting like commodities for sale.The caucuses are active in Delhi and outside. All top rankers in civil services examination held by the UPSC, are not rotten eggs who indulge in unethical practices.

There are bright spots,too. Some " Serving” Civil Servants , Judicial Officers, officers belonging to IRS (IT),IRS (Custom),IAS, IPS etc, do not hesitate in taking leave from their employers and assist coaching institutes. Worse , some Ex-Chairpersons and Ex-Members of UPSC and States PSCs ((Constitutional appointees) do not refrain from such inappropriate practices. Nothing pro bono. All for handsome cash rewards. Besides this, they also denigrate the dignity of high Constitutional positions ,they once held. Will PM Modi, as in-charge of DOP&T, please take the call and order investigation by appropriate anti-corruption agencies ?

A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)

As per media reports, BJP is planning ‘digital rallies’ in every district, to mark the first anniversary of second successive Modi sarkar.

Misplaced enthusiasm. PM Modi is in " bad mood" with China,says Donald Trump.

What is there to celebrate,after all? PM Modi is expected to be furious due to China's double standards.

Is PM ill-advised by BJP's top notch or is this figment of his own imagination,one wonders? It is wasteful either way and out-of-sync with ground reality.

Such extravaganza during Covid 19 and stand offs with hostile neighbours,is unwarranted.

Austerity is need of the hour. Does not behove Modi ji who is Prime minister of India, not BJP's?

No time to earn political brownie points for impending elections in States. Indian public is feeling outraged,cheated

A majority of constituents of Retail sector  in the un-organized sector regularly defaults in payment of sales tax, income tax. It  pilfers power and encroaches  on public land .It is, however, smart enough to pay bribes to corrupt politicians, the Police, Sales tax, income tax, municipal officials and those working in  Bijli and Jal boards. The leakage of public money contributes to growth of black money, not GDP.Once the FDI becomes operational, in multi-brand retail sector, the circulation of black money could reduce marginally. The moot point is : Could the kirana store owners work out an effective response  mechanism to retain their  market share in the consumers’ shopping basket under the revised dispensation? Yes; but  not without consumers’ support. The Kirana shops in villages, towns and cities are located in the neighbourhoods. Their replacement by multi-brand retail outlets would be out of question. These will continue to receive patronage by consumers  due to their residential proximity combined with  high transport cost, traffic congestions, parking problems  around   Big bazaars, Malls  etc. These act as a damper  on consumer enthusiasm for visiting the Malls.

The Congress  is aware of ground realities.However,beleagured by public angst against serial scams, rising inflation , the party was in desperate hurry in notifying  FDI rules  by skipping  promised consultation with  political parties and without taking Parliamentary approval. The motive was loud and clear : To deflect public  attention from the latest Coalgate  scam allegedly involving  the PM , his aides and central Ministers. The fear that “foreign players will capitalise on India's high-cost manufacturing base” may not hold water in the face of experience gathered by  India’s majors like the Reliance. Big Bazaar etc.The backlash by Kirana owners and their salesmen against indian majors, is not forgotten.

The assumption that FDI  will boost india’s economic  independence ,is thus  fallacious ,simplistic and misleading. It will be a no-profit-no-loss conundrum in Indian scenario.