Dilli ka babu
Poll pressure
Frequent visits by Election Commission (EC) officials to poll-bound West Bengal have not only got the ruling Left Front riled, but even the state’s babus. Apparently, two senior Indian Police Services (IPS) officers — Zaki Ahmed and P.R.K. Naidu from the National Crime Records Bureau — have descended on the state and instructed babus in the districts to identity potential troublemakers in their areas and launch drives to seize illegal weapons. District magistrates and superintendents of police have been charged with the responsibility of pre-empting any trouble at election time.
The EC has deputed senior IPS officers, including Shivdhar Reddy, P.S. Ranpise and D.K. Pandey, to monitor and ensure that the state administration complies with EC directives. Naturally, many babus are not comfortable taking orders from the Centre, but clearly they have little choice in the matter.
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Wifely advice
After highly publicised incidents of domestic violence and sexual assault involving two senior diplomats abroad, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) is understandably keen to ensure that there are no embarrassing repeats. Clearly stung, foreign secretary Nirupama Rao has written to all chiefs of Indian missions abroad to adopt a zero-tolerance policy with staffers who abuse their diplomatic immunity to cover their misdeeds.
According to sources, Ms Rao has not minced words. The latest instruction from MEA is that any diplomat who gets embroiled in such acts would be immediately recalled to face a ministerial inquiry to determine guilt or otherwise. Given the current stern mood at MEA and the unambiguous message, it would be prudent for mission staffers to take the diktat seriously.
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Rail downturn
After a few heady years of accolades and awe-inspiring profits, Indian Railways seem to have chugged out of steam. Staring at a deficit of an estimated `2,200 crores, the Railway Board has decided to go on an austerity drive and curb spending. Apparently a review conducted by the board prompted board chairman Vivek Sahai to direct officials to control spending and find ways to boost earnings.
Meanwhile, it is likely, sources say, that the Railways will seek a higher plan support of `39,500 crores and the intervention of the finance ministry to absorb the burden. But for rail babus, the scenario entails travelling only for essential work, stopping overtime and travel allowances, and going-slow in payments to myriad private contractors. Interestingly, contractors in the eastern zone have been spared, probably because it includes West Bengal, rail minister Mamata Banerjee’s home state.
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