Wake up call

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is still chipping away at Right to Information (RTI) they hint, but the Central Information Commission continues to bat for transparency despite the many obstacles it has faced since its inception. Concerned over increased reports of delays in redressal of public grievances, the commission has now

directed the government to notify guidelines on the timeframe for redressing complaints. Incidentally, all this has nothing to do with the bogey of judicial objections that Dr Singh is blaming for wanting RTI amended.
The directive issued by information commissioner Shailesh Gandhi in Delhi recently is being seen by RTI activists as yet another rap on the knuckles to the government for failing to respond in a timely manner. In some states, sources say, the guidelines have been duly framed but never implemented. In the case that came up before Mr Gandhi, the information commissioner learned that though the guidelines issued by the department of administrative reforms and public grievances has stipulated a timeframe for the authorities to respond, it is rarely enforced.
Mr Gandhi’s order now implies that babus who flout these guidelines may have to face administrative action for the delay. But will errant babus change their ways? Your guess is as good as mine.

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A babu gone
The resignation of a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer over “malpractices” has sent ripples across Punjab’s babudom. Jasbir Singh Bir, secretary of the general administration department, has sought premature retirement after he was transferred for crossing the chief minister’s family. Mr Bir instead decided to put in his papers.
Mr Bir’s resignation, sources say, has left Parkash Singh Badal rattled. Even as the IAS Officers’ Association of Punjab has asked the government to note Mr Bir’s “sentiments”, the Opposition Congress, sensing an opportunity to attack the Akali government, has demanded a time-bound probe into the “humiliation” of the senior IAS officer. Mr Bir’s resignation has now turned into a major issue.

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Dormant agency
In the backdrop of the demand for caste-based Census that has found many backers in the Union Cabinet, home minister P. Chidambaram, though opposed to the idea, has suggested that the task be handled by the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). The home minister’s statement has however revived the search for a suitable person to head the commission. NCBC has been headless since August 2009 when chairman, Justice R.S. Pandian, retired.
According to babu-watchers, the ministry for social justice has forwarded the name of a former chief justice of Himachal Pradesh high court, Justice M.N. Rao for the position. The proposal, they say, is now awaiting clearance from the Prime Minister’s Office.

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