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Journalism of Courage
The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) is believed to have stepped in to get alterations done to a New Year calendar that is being prepared by the government. The calendar,which is distributed to government offices across the nation,is believed to have originally had the photographs of both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi prominently on all pages. With election round the corner and a change in the PMO expected,it was conveyed that the photographs be removed,lest the new government be forced to undergo unnecessary expenditure by publishing a new set. Photographs of the PM and UPA chairperson can,however,be printed on the covering page of the calendar.
DRAGGING FEET
Almost three years after two officials,including a woman,complained against abusive behaviour by Joint Secretary in the Law Ministry P B Singh,the inquiry in the matter is still to be completed. In June last year,an inquiry was marked to additional secretary Raghupati but after sitting on the file for almost a year,he told the Law Ministry that it would not be possible for him to hold a fair inquiry as Singh was his course mate and friend. However,the ministry was not amused and told Raghupati to complete the inquiry. Despite reminders,however,the inquiry report is yet to be submitted. It is learnt that a fresh reminder has now been issued.
LOOKING EAST
For a force that had traditionally been Pakistan centric,the Indian Army has been slowly changing and strengthening itself with knowledge on its bigger neighbour to the east. While the raising of a new mountain strike corps is aimed at firming up defences in the Northeast,the Army is now setting up special cells in all three commands that face China the Eastern,Central and Northern commands. These new China cells are aimed at enhancing knowledge and creating expertise on the neighbouring nation that will aid theatre commanders in planning and understanding the dragon.
ASG QUITS
With less than five months to go for the general elections,Additional Solicitor General A S Chandoike has put in his papers to Law Minister Kapil Sibal. Before submitting his formal resignation,Chandoike is learnt to have also met the minister to brief him about the reasons behind his decision.
CLUB RUSH
While the India International Centre (IIC) is supposed to be an institution that counts most from the corridors of power of Delhi as members,it seems that not all in the bureaucracy are in yet. One of the thousands of applications that the club has received after it gave a rare opening for fresh memberships earlier this year is from Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth. In fact,such has been the rush for submission of forms that the institution has had to extend the final date for accepting applications from December 28 to January 15.
