Race for new CS
Babus are eager to know who is going to be picked up from 1980 and 1981 batch of IAS for the coveted post of Cabinet Secretary on retirement of s PK Sinha on May 10. Finance Secretary Hasmukha Adhia (1981 batch) and Petroleum Secretary , KD Tripathi ( 1980) are expected to be the front runners. The prominent voice of IAS officers Association in Social Media and HRD Secretary Anil Swarup (1981 batch) is also in the race. Commerce Secretary Rita Tewatia (1981 batch) is also expected to be considered for the post in view of the fact that the country never made a woman as Cabinet Secretary.
lost Support
Justice J Chelameswar, the senior most judge of the Supreme Court, was the man of the moment a month ago when he convened a historic press conference at his residence, entertained politicians at his residence, and convinced Chief Justice of India (CJI) to make public the judges’ roster. A month later the Justice Chelameswar finds him all alone. Grapevine has it that the a move initiated by some Opposition politicians to seek CJI’s impeachment over arbitrary listing of cases and the parleys CPI leader D. Raja held with Justice Chelameswar did not go down well with the other three judges. Recently, when the four met, one judge reportedly blamed Justice Chelameswar for “politicizing” the issue.
Goyal’s contingent
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has ordered removal of hundreds of officials from the over-staffed Rail Bhawan, replacing many of them with his handpicked men from prestigious IIMs as well as corporate sector. The strength of the Railway Board is being cut by half, and around 100 railway officers have already been served with marching orders. . Grapevine has it that this is not going down well with the UPSC-qualified officers.
What a reception!
The reception hosted by Canadian High Commissioner Nadir Patel in the honour of his Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared more like a big fat Indian wedding than a diplomatic party. As Trudeau walked in wearing black sherwani and doing bhangra amidst beating of drums, the crowd cheered and clapped. later, as Trudeau walked to meet people what followed was a stampede for selfie and hand-shake with people falling over each other and on ground. With crowd getting uncontrollable, Trudeau’s security took him inside the ambassador’s house to prevent more chaos. And the party continued without the main man.
Purpose defeated
In view of increasing demand for alternative or indigenous medicines, the Union Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) has launched a free helpline number 1800-11-22-02 to satisfy the queries from common man. The service will be available only during the office hours (9 am to 5.30 pm) on working days. The launching of this public interface at the Ministry’s headquarters at Ayush Bhawan in INA in the national capital was a low-key affair, without any publicity, thus defeating its very purpose.
Red-faced
Former RSS leader from West Bengal, Tapan Ghosh, who took to Twitter to express his outrage over appointment of journalists Rahul Mahajan as the Editor-in-Chief of Rajya Sabha TV, was left red-faced when it was pointed out that the man in question was not the son of former BJP leader Pramod Mahajan. “I am shocked. Really shocked. Rahul MahajanIJ That drug addict debauch! That joker! That one time partner of sexy actress Payel Rohtagi! Now I understand why narendramodi graph is downward,” Ghosh tweeted. Understandably, the twitteratis were quick to show him the mirror.
Dil ka rang
Highlighting his ministry’s effort to cap prices of heart stent at Rs 31000/- Union Minister Anant Kumar quipped that this decision was taken on February 14, the valentine day. To this few scribe drew his attention to ‘Bajrang Dal’ ‘s dogged opposition to celebration of the V- day. At this , the Minister retorted , “har dil ka rang ek hi hota hain.”
Cong goes media savvy
Upbeat by recent success in Rajasthan by polls, the Congress has planned to appoint spokespersons in every district to ‘feed’ media persons at grass root level during the coming assembly polls. Under this programme, Congress leaders want to attach the young and talented youth with the party. It has shortlisted 600 applications till date. Before finalizing the candidates, an interview session will be held . The appointees would also be given a month training to handle media and issues related to Rajasthan.