SUPREME MISTAKE
Justice CS Karnan has thrown a big challenge not just to the judiciary but also to the Kolkata cops who are camping in Chennai with an order of the Supreme Court to arrest him to undergo a six-month prison sentence for committing contempt of court. Grapevine has it that soon after the SC issued order of his arrest on May 9, the Kolkata Police requested the CJI to direct the authorities to ensure Karnan did not flee the country. The CJI told the cops, “Since we have said that he should be arrested forthwith, there will be no time for him to go anywhere.” Almost a week has since passed with the judge still untraceable.
PMO IS WATCHING!
The Prime Minister’s office is keenly watching service records of private secretaries and Officers on Special Duty of all Ministers. The PMO wants all the ministers to strictly adhere to the rule that any officers reaching the level of Joint Secretary cannot continue as personal staff of the Ministers. Grapevine has it that the PMO has given marching orders to the PS of a very senior minister and sent his back to his IRS cadre.
NEW lOOK
Ministries such as external affairs, defence, finance, and home, all located on the Raisina Hill, are undergoing a major facelift for the last one week. Teams of workers are washing the outer sandstone walls of these power centres and filling the gaps with matching plaster. The façade now looks brighter. “ The sprucing up may be cosmetic affair, but it is also a reflection of the new work culture prevailing in these ministries,” quipped a senior officer.
EXTENSION FOR ASI BOSS
The Director General of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), Rakesh Tiwari, who was supposed to retire on May 12, has been asked to continue for next six months. The search committee of the Cabinet appointment panel is yet to find a suitable candidate to replace him. Tiwari who headed the State Archaeology Department of Uttar Pradesh, prior to his present posting, was appointed by Chandresh Kumari Katoch, former Culture Minister in UPA Government. Incidentally, Tiwari had to wait to take over the ASI top job for nearly a year after he was selected owing to litigation issues.
ON NITISH’S SIlENCE
With RJD leader lalu Prasad and his family members under attack for corruption charges, BJP Minister Ravishankar Prasad wondered why Chief Minister Nitish Kumar not speaking out on the issue. When someone referred to Kumar ‘s excuse that “jor se boleny se gala kharab hota hain”, Prasad retorted,” there are many throat cleaning tabs available.” On the consequences of corruption charges against lalu, the BJP minister said “ baat niklegi to door talak jayegi..”
SlIGHTED BABA
Controversial Baba and Big Boss 10 contester Swami Omji is angry with Election Commission of India. The reason: he was neither invited nor allowed entry in the all parties meeting called by the ECI on electoral reforms and electronic voting machines three days ago. Omji claimed he had contested several elections in the past , and he was the president of an independent national party.
SUMMER VACATION FOR DOGS
Delhi Police dogs’ squad is going for summer vacation due to excessive heat wave in the national capital. This is the first time that dogs of Delhi Police would be enjoy such summer holiday. They would be called only on emergency duty until July end. It is learnt that most of the dogs are from foreign breeds and finding difficult to adopt the severe weather condition during summer.
lOHANI’S GITA
like many others, Air India CMD Ashwani lohani too has adopted the most acceptable method to keep off the stress and give his best to the national carrier.. After the Shiv Sena MP episode which kept the AI in controversy for weeks, lohani has taken to the teachings of Bhagwad Gita. Even in his office he is seen occassionbaly flipping through the pages of Gita. He begins his day by performing Yoga and then delves into the spiritual discourses delivered by lord Krishna.