SHAH’S REPARTEE
On the completion of three-years of Modi-rule on May 26, BJP president Amit Shah addressed a Press conference at the party headquarters in the afternoon. Perspiring due to summer heat, at one point, when Shah tried to wipe out sweat from the forehead, cameras began to click. Shah was quick to comment, “photo kaam nahin ayega…chunav nahin har rahe hain”, (the picture will be of no use, we are not loosing election).
TOP lAW HIRING
Come June, the Government will be required to take call on the future of those holding country’s top legal posts such as Attorney General, Solicitor General, and Additional Solicitor Generals at the Supreme Court. Though many in the Government might like to see senior advocate Harish Salve as the new Attorney General after his recent victory in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case at the International Court of Justice, Grapevine has it that the present A-G Mukul Rohatgi also stands a fair chance for the second term. Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar has completed his term without controversy. However, it is learnt that an Additional Solicitor General is also being tipped for this post.
NON-TRANSPARENT BABUS
Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to usher in an era of greater transparency in governance, bureaucracy is reluctant to follow the course. At least 115 officers of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre have not provided details of their immovable assets for the year 2016-17. As per rules, all IAS officers are supposed to submit their immovable property returns (IPRs) of a year by January-end of the following year. If they fail to do so, they can be denied empanelment and promotion.
MINISTER BYPASSED
Recently, the Government extended the Central deputation of a Joint Secretary level officer despite the objection of the Minister of the department. While Secretary of the Ministry favoured the extension on file, the Minister said ‘no’. Though the officer has been given the extension, the Cabinet Secretary has asked the Secretary to find out why the Minister opposed the extension.
BABUS DERAIl RAIl
While the economic health of Indian Railways remains critical, a recently-appointed Railway Board (Member) has been spending lavishly to refurbish his new Government accommodation in South Delhi’s Moti Bagh. Grapevine has it that the civil and beautification work in his official accommodation may cost the Railways Rs1 crore. The Member, in charge of a crucial wing, seems to be following the footsteps of a former Chairman Railway Board, against whom similar allegations were made. In the past, a number of other top level railway officers also used the Railways’ money for their personal toiletries, upholsteries, household items and shopping. Incidentally, Railways has the highest number of corruption cases listed by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
PAlESTINE HANGOVER
The PMO is undoing the six-decade long Palestine hangover in the external affairs policies as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is gearing for his Israel visit in July. The officials are going through policy documentation on Middle-East ahead of the PM’s visit. An advance party of officials is expected to land Jerusalem. According to senior officers, there would be a grand programmes in Israel in connection with Modi’s visit. After all, he would be the first Indian PM to undertake this historic visit to the Promised land.
WHO TO BE RENOVATED
After the Government’s decision to demolish Pragati Maidan’s famous Hall of Nation, also known as Indian Trade Promotion Organisation, it is now the turn of another iconic building, World Health House at Indraprastha Estate housing World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Regional Office for South-East Asia. Inaugurated in 1962, the seven-storeyed building is now prone to earthquake due to seepage in its foundation from a nearby drain. The 450 plus staff will start shifting to Metropolitan Hotel and Parsavnath’s Red Court at Gol Market near Connaught Place from November 1. The new building is proposed to be ready within next four years.