Delhi Underground

Unreachable

Taking note of the fact that circulars or orders issued without the contact number of the undersigned official causes inconvenience to officials of other departments and the public,the Administrative Reforms Department of Delhi government has written to the three corporation commissioners to ensure the officials comply with orders. The order states that every official’s signature will bear his or her contact number so that the official can be easily contacted if someone needs a clarification. But despite orders,officials are still not giving their contact numbers on their notes.

No time for news

The new Director General of Forests for the Indian Forest Service,K Jude Sekar,said at a conference on deforestation last week that he was still,adjusting to the new gig. But,he said,putting his job first meant he had to cut down on certain habits,one of which happened to be his catching up on news. He made the comment after Inspector General,IFS,Rekha Pai gave a presentation weighted with articles on deforestation. While commending Pai for her devotion,he said,“It is nice to see Dr Rekha Pai found the time to read magazines…I can’t even find the time to read the newspaper.”

Poor attendance

At a recent press conference held at Indian Women’s Press Corps in the city,few journalists turned up. Swami Agnivesh,who was going to address the press conference,spoke to woman journalists separately before the address and said at least women must promote IWPC as a conference venue.

His complaint was that journalists preferred fancy venues for press conferences.

Police problem

Senior Delhi Police officers are eagerly awaiting the transfer of a Joint Secretary (JS) in the Ministry of Home Affairs,who is believed to be creating a lot of problems for the force. Apparently,the JS has stalled the promotion of senior police officers,who are facing inquiry in the December 16 gangrape. Even officers who were expecting a promotion after the promotion of their seniors (those facing inquiry in the gangrape) are reportedly miffed with the JS. Moreover,the JS has also opened a fresh inquiry against an officer in a case,which was reported several years ago.

Format under fire

Delhi University Vice-Chancellor’s open letter to teachers last week kicked up a storm at Dyal Singh College. According to several teachers,a staff council meeting to discuss their workload under the four-year undergraduate programme was underway on Friday when they got to know about the letter. “The V-C’s letter mentioned the creation of additional teaching posts under the new format. The staff council has not calculated the workload. We don’t know how the university administration got the figure. The principal has not provided any information in this regard,” a teacher said.

Taking precautions

Keeping in view the unprecedented increase in complaints of rape and molestation,a senior police officer from UP has directed his staff that whenever a woman complainant or an officer comes to his office to discuss a case,two woman staff members of his office should be present as witnesses. The officer said,“With such cases you always need to be careful. The complainant could lodge a complaint against me.”

Courtroom drama

During the cross-examination of a doctor,who had treated the December 16 gangrape victim,his the mobile phone started ringing. Panicking,the doctor stared blankly at the defence lawyer for a brief second before hurriedly switching it off. At this point,one of the accused whispered to the policeman near him that mobile phones must be switched off,sending cops and mediapersons into splits of laughter. “Sir,please tell doctor sahab that mobile phones must be switched off in the court. See it is written there,” the accused said,pointing towards a sign-board that read ‘Mobile Phones Must be Switched Off’.