today's whispers


 



 

   

 




POLITICAL WHISPERS

Why another Yadav clan is in discussion in Bihar election?

In Bihar, another Yadav is also in discussion and he is Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav. Akhilesh is campaigning aggressively for the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan candidates but this is not the news. The punch is, the Samajwadi Party has released a list of 20 star campaigners for the Bihar Assembly elections with a big surprise. Both his uncles, Ramgopal Yadav, Chief National General Secretary, and Shivpal Yadav, party’s General Secretary, are conspicuously missing in the list. However, Mohammad Azam Khan’s name appears prominently at the third place on the list of the star campaigners after Akhilesh Yadav and Kiranmay Nanda, though Azam Khan has refused campaigning due to ‘health’ reasons.  

 

Phalodi Satta Bazaar predicts NDA government once again in Bihar

Bookies in the Phalodi Satta Bazaar have become very active for Bihar Assembly polls. With the first phase for elections nearing, the prices have also started to come out. As per the latest estimates, the NDA government can be formed once again in Bihar. The NDA is expected to get 128 to 132 seats, while the estimate for the Grand Alliance is limited to 97 to 100 seats. The speculative market is indicating a steady decline in the status of the Congress-backed Grand Alliance. The total Assembly segments in Bihar Vidhan Sabha is 243. However, bets have not been opened on the victory or defeat of any individual candidate in the market. Bookies say that as the campaigning intensifies in the next few days, the prices of individual seats may also be released.

 

Race for new Maharashtra DGP begins: State sends list of 7 eligible officers to UPSC

With Maharashtra’s Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla set to retire on December 31. The state Home department had shortlisted seven IPS officers as potential successors. The list was sent to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for further action. The UPSC is likely to select any three names for final consideration. The state government will appoint one of the three as the next DGP of the state. The names in the list are NIA Chief Sadanand Date, DGP (Legal and Technical) Sanjay Verma, Commandant General of Home Guards Ritesh Kumar, DGP (Anti-Corruption Bureau) Sanjeev Kumar Singhal, Director General (state Police Housing and Welfare Corporation) Archana Tyagi, Civil Defence Director Sanjeev Kumar and DG (Government Railway Police) Prashant Burde.

Meet people who are behind shaping salary hike in 8th Pay Commission
Justice Ranjana Desai Pulak Ghosh Pankaj Jain

The central government approved the terms of reference of the 8th Central Pay Commission. The Centre announced its formation in January this year. The Commission is headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. Let us take a closer look at the persons who would shape the salary hike.

Justice Ranjana Desai: Justice Desai hails from Mumbai. She was born on October 30, 1949. She completed her BA at Elphinstone College and LLB at Government Law College in Mumbai. First, she was appointed as a judge in the Bombay High Court in 1996 and then she served in the Supreme Court from September 13, 2011 to October 29, 2014. She has also chaired the Delimitation Commission of India and the Press Council of India.

Professor Pulak Ghosh: He has been appointed a part-time member of the Commission. He is working as a professor at IIM Bangalore, specialising in technology, data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and their impact on finance, development policy, and social value creation.

Pankaj Jain: He has been appointed as the Member-Secretary of the Commission. He is a senior IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre belonging to 1990 batch. Before this appointment, he was Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. He holds an MBA degree and is a qualified Cost Accountant.

Know the Diplomats behind delivering six-month exemption for India’s operations at Chabahar Port from the United States
Mohan Kwatra Vikram Misri JP Singh

Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Vikram Misri, and JP Singh have formed a formidable diplomatic team, pivotal in securing the US six-month exemption for India’s operations at Chabahar Port. Their collective expertise and coordinated efforts not only safeguarded a vital economic and strategic asset for India but also reaffirmed New Delhi’s role as a decisive actor in regional connectivity and humanitarian corridors.

Kwatra’s tenure as India’s Ambassador to the US brought continuity and deep institutional memory to the negotiations. His prior experience as Foreign Secretary and key postings in Washington equipped him to argue India’s strategic necessity for Chabahar directly to American lawmakers and senior officials. His active engagement—like his October 2025 meeting with Senator Jacky Rosen—ensured the US administration understood Chabahar’s critical role for Afghanistan’s development and regional stability.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, succeeding Kwatra, sustained the dialogue at the highest levels. Through multiple visits to the US, including extensive May 2025 talks with State, Defense, and Commerce officials, Misri laid the diplomatic groundwork. These interactions addressed US concerns, shaped the bilateral architecture, and created the environment for the eventual waiver.

JP Singh’s stewardship of the PAI division was instrumental for operational credibility. Singh’s numerous missions to Kabul and direct conversations with Taliban leadership ensured Chabahar’s role as a humanitarian lifeline was clear. His technical expertise in navigating both Afghan and Iranian dynamics enriched India’s case, reinforcing that strategic connectivity and aid delivery depended on continued access to the port.

Their synergy guaranteed that India’s commitment to regional stability—via Chabahar—was recognized by Washington. This exemption is not just a diplomatic win but a validation of India’s proactive foreign policy, preserving a key route for trade and aid to Afghanistan and Central Asia amid complex geopolitical challenges.

 

PESB yet to hold interviews for CMD, GAIL

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is yet to hold interviews for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, GAIL (India) Limited.

 

PSB Merger Reshuffle in progress

The government is preparing the next phase of PSU bank mergers, reducing the number from 12 to 8 by FY27. Proposed pairings include: Indian Overseas Bank with SBI, Central Bank of India with PNB, Bank of India with BoB, and Bank of Maharashtra with BoB. This follows the 2019 mergers that cut NPAs by 70% and boosted profits 5x. Unions express concerns over job losses and branch closures, but officials emphasize efficiency gains.

 

Manish Singh appointed as SP, BPR&D

Manish Singh has been appointed as Superintendent of Police, Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), on deputation basis. He is a 2013 batch IPS officer of Gujarat cadre.

 

Deputation tenure extended to join FIU

Manish Kumar Hairat, P&TBWS officer, who is working as Addl Director in FIU-IND, under the ministry of finance as Addl Director on deputation basis, will continue till October 28, 2026.

 

Speculation on CBI Overburden

 The Punjab & Haryana High Court remarked that the CBI is “over-burdened,” urging lapses in police investigations (e.g., the IPS officer Puran Kumar suicide case) to justify probe transfers. This fuels whispers of increasing judicial scrutiny on IPS accountability, potentially leading to more inter-agency shifts by early 2026.

 

GST revenue soars in October

The Government of India has collected a revenue of ₹1,95,936 crores from Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) for October 2025, registering a 4.6% increase compared to ₹1,87,346 crores for the same month last year.

 

Three IRS-IT officers get postings

Sanjay Kumar has been appointed as Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, while Mohit Jain was posted as Chief Commissioner of Income Tax in the cadre and K Devarathna Kumar gets additional charge of the post of CCIT, lndore, MP & Chhattisgarh Region.

 

Gaurav Singh Rajawat appointed as Director, Social Justice

Gaurav Singh Rajawat has been appointed as Director in the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment. He is a 2011 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre.

 

2022 batch ITS officers confirmed

After the completion of probation period of probationers of 9 ITS-2022 (Promotee) batch in the grade of Junior Time Scale (JTS) of ITS Group ‘A, have been confirmed w e f December 30, 2024.

 

FSIB invites applications for CMD, GIC Re

The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB), which oversees the selection of top management in public sector banks, insurance companies, and financial institutions, has invited applications for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) on a full-time basis.Applicants must be at least 45 years of age and should have a minimum of two years of residual service, considering 60 years as the age of superannuation, as on October 1, 2025. A graduate degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification is mandatory.  For internal candidates from public sector insurance companies, eligibility requires at least one year’s service as Executive Director or a total of two years as General Manager or above in a non-life public sector insurance company. External candidates should have at least 21 years of experience, including a minimum of 15 years in the non-life insurance sector (including general or health insurance) of which at least two years must be at the Board level or three years at the highest level below the Board on a substantive basis.The last date for submitting the complete online application is December 1, 2025.

 

 

 

Sanjay Garg joins as Director General, Bureau of Indian Standards

Sanjay Garg has assumed the charge as Director General of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body of India. He is a 1994 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.

 

Governor of Himachal Pradesh seeks reply from the Chief Secretary!

In view of the ongoing administrative arrangements in Himachal Pradesh, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla has reportedly sought a formal reply from the Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta on the legality and propriety of appointing acting officers. If the explanation from the Chief Secretary fails to satisfy Raj Bhavan, the issue could evolve into even judicial examination.

 

REC Launches new initiatives

REC Limited (Maharatna PSU under Ministry of Power)  Launched a new initiative for early-stage funding in clean energy startups, allocating ₹1,000 crore under the second phase of Startup India collaboration. This targets PSUs partnering with startups in hydrogen, biofuels, and battery tech. REC also celebrated National Sports Day with a new CSR program for athlete welfare, marking entry into wellness business extensions.

 

Predictions for IFoS in Biodiversity Hotspots

Whispers from environmental circles predict stricter IFoS deployments in Northeast and Western Ghats by Q1 2026 due to declining biodiversity amid overall forest cover gains (1,445 sq km increase 2021–2023). Officials may face “upgradation” to lead anti-deforestation task forces.

 

Four new Vande Bharat to start on Nov 8

Four new Vande Bharat trains to start from November 8. These trains will run between Khajuraho -Varanasi, Lucknow - Saharanpur, Firozpur -Delhi and Thiruvanathpuram -Nellore. PM Modi will inaugurate these trains.

 

Last date to submit nominations for PSM & MSM awards Republic Day 2026 extended

Last date to submit online nominations/recommendations for award of President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) in respect of personnel of Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence and Correctional Services on the occasion of Republic Day2026 has been extended. The revised date is November 15, 2025

 

GM/AGM/ JGM (Safety) post advertised by NHRCL

National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHRCL) has advertised the post of General Manager/ Assistant General Manager and Joint General Manager (Safety) on deputation basis. Details can be availed from the NHRCL website.

 

NHSRC, New Delhi seeks Sr Consultant-RCH-Prog Implementation Plan

National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), New Delhi is seeking applications from qualified candidates for Senior Consultant-RCH-Programme Implementation Plan (RCH Division). Applications must reach latest by November 18, 2025.

 

WB seeks Accountant Analyst for Chennai

The World Bank is seeking an Accountant Analyst for Chennai. Applications must reach latest by November 17, 2025.

Sr Consultant -Logistics & Supply Chain Mgmt, RCH Division sought

National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), New Delhi has invited applications for Senior Consultant -Logistics and Supply ChainManagement, RCH Division on contractual basis. Applications must reach latest by November 18, 2025.

Sanjay Kumar has been appointed to the grade of Pr CIT

Sanjay Kumar has been appointed to the grade of Principal Commissioner of Income Tax. He is a 1988-batch IRS-IT officer.

Mohit Jain has been appointed to the grade of CCIT

Mohit Jain has been appointed to the grade of Chief Commissioner of Income Tax. He is a 1993-batch IRS-IT officer.

 

Nilabhra Sengupta appointed CMRS, New Delhi

Nilabhra Sengupta, an Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE), has been appointed as Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) in the Commission of Railway Safety at New Delhi under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, on absorption basis. His technical resignation from Railway service has been accepted.  

 

Raj Kumar Singh gets extension as CGM (Electrical), IRCON

Raj Kumar Singh, formerly Chief Electrical Engineer (CEE), West Central Railway (WCR), has been granted an extension in his deputation tenure with IRCON International Limited as Chief General Manager (Electrical) for the fifth year, which is up to February 21, 2027. He is an Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) officer.

Narendra Kumar gets extension as CGM (Electrical), IRCON

Narendra Kumar, formerly Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer (Sr. DEE), Traction Distribution (TRD), Northern Railway (NR), has been granted an extension in his deputation tenure with IRCON International Limited as Chief General Manager (Electrical) for the fifth year, which is up to January 31, 2027. He is an Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE) officer.

Vivek Sharma appointed GM (C&O), CONCOR

Vivek Sharma, formerly Deputy Chief Operations Manager (Dy. COM), Goods, Northern Railway (NR), has been selected for deputation to Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR) as General Manager (C&O), Delhi Area-I, for the period from July 16, 2024 to April 30, 2025 . He is an Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer.

P Praveen gets extension as Sr. DGM (Vigilance), RVNL

P Praveen, formerly Assistant Divisional Signal and Telecommunication Engineer (ADSTE), Railway Electrification (RE), South Central Railway (SCR), has been granted an extension in his deputation tenure with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) as Senior Deputy General Manager (Vigilance), Corporate Office, up to February 24, 2028. He is an Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE) officer.

Rupanagudi Ananth appointed PFA (Construction), Southern Railway

Rupanagudi Ananth, who is presently serving in Integral Coach Factory (ICF), has been transferred to Southern Railway (SR) and appointed as Principal Financial Adviser (Construction). He is an Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) officer.

Ms Ambika Jain appointed PFA, Eastern Railway

Ms Ambika Jain, who is presently serving as Principal Financial Adviser (PFA) in Metro Railway, has been transferred to Eastern Railway and appointed in Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) as Principal Financial Adviser (PFA). She is an Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) officer. Ms Jain will also look after the work of PFA, Metro Railway, in addition to her own duties till further orders.

 

16 IFoS officers get new postings in Punjab

As many as 16 officers of Indian Forest Survive (IFoS) have been given new postings in Punjab. Basanta Raj Kumar has been appointed as Chief Wildlife Warden, while Charchil Kumar takes over as Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Administration and Coordination) and Nidhi Srivastava was made the Chief Conservator of Forests (Plains). Similarly, Mahavir Singh has been posted as Chief Conservator of Forests (Hilly Area; Nalin Yadav as Director, Chhatbir Zoo; Mrs Geetanjali as Chief Conservator of Forests, FCA; Vishal Chauhan as Conservator of Forests, Ferozepur Circle; Harjinder Singh as Conservator of Forests, Bist Circle, Jalandhar; Mrs Vidya Sagri as DFO, M&E, Office of PCCF (HoFF); Kulraj Singh as DFO (Wildlife), Hoshiarpur; Amneet Singh as DFO, SAS Nagar; Dharamvir Dairu as DFO, Hoshiarpur; Mrs Monika Devi as DFO (W/L), Roopnagar; Amit Chauhan as DFO, Bathinda; Kaushal Kishore as DFO, Sangrur and Mrs Harpreet Kaur will join as DFO (W/L), Ferozepur.

 

VAW 2025 concludes at POWERGRID with a valedictory ceremony

Weeklong observance of Vigilance Awareness week 2025 concluded at the Corporate office of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), a Maharatna CPSE under Ministry of Power, Government of India. The event was graced by Mrs Trishaljit Sethi, Secretary, Central Vigilance Commission, as the Chief Guest. The ceremony was attended by G Ravisankar, Director (Finance); Dr. Yatindra Dwivedi, Director (Personnel); Shri Naveen Srivastava, Director (Operations); Shri Burra Vamsi Rama Mohan, Director (Projects); and Shri Naveen Kumar, Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), POWERGRID. The Chief Guest, Mrs Trishaljit Sethi, in her keynote address, elaborated on the evolving role of the Central Vigilance Commission in combating corruption - emphasizing the transformation from Punitive Vigilance to Preventive, Participative, and now Predictive Vigilance, driven by the advent of AI and Machine Learning. She commended POWERGRID’s proactive efforts and lauded the enthusiastic participation of its employees in the Vigilance Awareness Week initiatives. During the event, Mrs Trishaljit Sethi along with Board of Directors and CVO, launched PG MAS (POWERGRID Mobile Attendance System) - an app-based GPS-enabled attendance system and released “Candour”, the in-house journal of the POWERGRID Vigilance Department. In line with this year’s theme, “Vigilance: Our Shared Responsibility”, Vendor Meets were organized across 135+ locations of POWERGRID, with the Corporate Office event witnessing participation from over 120 vendors, where the Board of Directors interacted with stakeholders to address and resolve their queries. Apart from this, POWERGRID vigilance department organised various activities including 20+ capacity-building programmes, a seminar on “Sharing Best Vigilance Practices” by Power CPSEs, promoting knowledge exchange and collective learning. The valedictory ceremony marked the culmination of a 3-month awareness campaign started on August 18, 2025. The ceremony concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dy. CVO Rajesh Wadhwa. For POWERGRID, vigilance is not confined to a week-long observance but is a continuous endeavour - an everyday commitment of every employee towards building a transparent, accountable, and corruption-free India.

NBCC honoured with two 5-Star GRIHA Awards

NBCC (India) Limited, a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, has been honoured with two prestigious recognitions at the 17th GRIHA Summit held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The company received GRIHA 5-Star Ratings for its landmark projects — Vanijya Bhawan and Kaushal Bhawan. The rating awards in the form of shields were received from Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs by K P Mahadevaswamy, Chairman and Managing Director, NBCC, during the summit. NBCC was also felicitated at the event for partnering with GRIHA. Extending his heartfelt congratulations to the GRIHA Council, Mahadevaswamy commended the organisation for its unwavering contribution to promoting sustainability in India’s built environment. NBCC’s long-standing partnership with GRIHA is reflected in several of its hallmark projects, including the redevelopment of East Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi, AIIMS campuses at Nagpur and Kalyani executed through its subsidiary HSCC, and the Vigyan Bhawan Annexe Extension, New Delhi, which also holds a GRIHA 5-Star Rating. The Integrated Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC), Bharat Mandapam, venue of the G20 Summit 2023, was conferred a GRIHA 4-Star Rating for its exemplary sustainable infrastructure. The company’s continued alignment with GRIHA standards reinforces our vision of contributing to India’s goal of achieving Net Zero by 2070. With a growing portfolio of GRIHA-certified projects, NBCC continues to lead the way in developing green, energy-efficient, and inclusive infrastructure that supports the nation’s transition towards a sustainable and climate-resilient future.

3 IAS officers get new responsibilities in W Bengal

Three IAS officers have been given new responsibilities in West Bengal. Shakil Ahmed has been appointed as Additional DLRS in the rank of Senior Special Secretary to the Govt of W Bengal, while Dr P Ulaganathan, Secretary, Panchayat & Rural Development, has been assigned additional charge of CEO, WBETS under Information Technology & Electronics Department. Besides, Shubhanjan Das, Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, will also hold charge of Secretary, Information Technology & Electronics Department.

Pradeep Nimkar posted as Assistant Controller of Accounts, MHA

Pradeep Nimkar has been promoted to Junior Time Scale (JTS) of ICAS and shifted to MHA as Assistant Controller of Accounts.

Three ICAS officers promoted to STS

Three ICAS officers: Gite Vijaysingrao Sahebrao, Deepak Gupta and Hirdesh Patelhave been promoted to Senior Time Scale (STS) of the Service.

IIT Ropar and iDG10 solutions ink MoU

Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT Ropar) and iDG10 Solutions Private Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic, long-term collaboration for validation, testing, training and joint consultancy in the field of subsea pipeline design technology, leveraging IIT Ropar’s academic expertise and iDG10’s proprietary software — SPDT (Subsea Pipeline Design Tool). The MoU was inked by Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar and Mrs. Silvi Francis Farnand, A&P Director & Co-founder, iDG10 Solutions Pvt. Ltd in the presence of Dr. Sarang Gumfekar, Associate Dean, Continuing Education and Outreach along with Prof. Dhiraj K Mahajan who will be coordinating the proposed activities from IIT Ropar side. The 60-month partnership creates an India-based capability that brings world-class subsea pipeline design training, hands-on tool validation, industry-facing consultancy and student Capstone projects under one roof, significantly reducing reliance on overseas providers of such niche training and building local capacity for India’s growing offshore and energy infrastructure programmes. Key highlights of the collaboration: Software licensing for education & validation: iDG10 will provide short-term and student licenses of its SPDT and related proprietary tools to IIT Ropar for validation, testing and teaching by students, researchers and faculty: Industry-ready training programme: A flagship Subsea Pipeline Design course will be delivered jointly — 5 days of classroom teaching (in-person at IIT Ropar) followed by a 21-day live project (online) where participants use SPDT for end-to-end pipeline design: Capstone & research opportunities: iDG10 will offer Capstone projects for BTech/MTech students; the top performing candidates will receive further SPDT tool access and technical support. Each participant in the live project receives a 21-day SPDT trial for hands-on work; Joint consultancy: IIT Ropar and iDG10 will provide collaborative consultancy services to the Oil & Gas sector and other infrastructure domains listed below, combining academic research capability with industrial software expertise; Sectors covered: Oil & Gas (offshore), Water & Wastewater infrastructure, Hydrogen transportation, District heating & cooling networks, Carbon Capture transport/storage/utilization (CCTSU), Mining & slurry transport, and Thermal power plant cooling systems. Why this is a game-changer: Specialized subsea pipeline design training and practical exposure has traditionally been available largely from international providers. By combining IIT Ropar’s academic strength, campus infrastructure and student talent with iDG10’s SPDT software and domain experience, this collaboration will:   Localize advanced subsea pipeline skills—building an Indian talent pool ready for offshore projects; Enable students and researchers to validate and test industry software on real workflows, improving employability and research output; Provide the energy, marine and infrastructure sectors with access to affordable, India-based consultancy and training aligned to global standards; Support national goals of technology self-reliance in critical offshore infrastructure and energy transition domains such as hydrogen and CCTSU. “The MoU marks an important step toward building home-grown capability in a highly specialized and strategic area of offshore engineering. Our students and researchers will gain practical, tool-based experience that directly addresses industry needs and national infrastructure priorities”, Said Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar. “We are excited to partner with IIT Ropar to bring SPDT-driven education and consultancy to India’s engineers. This collaboration will help bridge the gap and enable faster, safer and more cost-effective subsea pipeline projects,” said. Mrs. Silvi Francis Farnand, A&P Director & Co-founder, iDG10 Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

NMDC celebrates vigilance awareness week 2025

NMDC, India’s largest iron ore producer, marked the successful conclusion of Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 with a vibrant valedictory ceremony at its corporate office in Hyderabad. This year’s theme, “Vigilance: Our Shared Responsibility,” resonated throughout the week-long observance, inspiring collective commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical excellence. The VAW commenced on 27th October 2025, featured a series of engaging activities, starting from integrity pledge to essay and elocution contests to digital awareness drives across NMDC’s projects and offices. In alignment with the VAW theme, NMDC launched a three-month-long awareness campaign that began on August 18, 2025, and will continue until November 17, 2025. As part of this initiative, various sessions including capacity-building programs are being conducted by currently working and retired personnels from Government of India to enhance understanding of ethical practices and vigilance mechanisms. A key component introduced this year under the campaign is the iGOT module, through which NMDC officers are receiving online training on various aspects of vigilance administration. To extend the message of integrity beyond the organization, NMDC also organized Gram Sabhas at its project sites, engaging host communities and stakeholders. The valedictory ceremony on 1st November, 2025 featured a keynote address by Major General Ajay Misra, General Officer Commanding, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Sub Area, who emphasized the vital role of personal integrity in shaping organizational culture. He said, “Integrity is not a mere virtue we display when someone is watching, it is the essence of our character, reflected in every decision we take. Vigilance begins with self-awareness and extends into our collective consciousness as an organization. Each one of us must own the responsibility of being alert, transparent, and fair in our conduct. True vigilance is not about suspicion; it’s about creating an environment where honesty is instinctive and trust is the foundation.” He added, “When integrity becomes a habit, vigilance becomes effortless. It allows institutions like NMDC to thrive on credibility, discipline, and purpose - ensuring that growth is not just measurable in tons of ore, but in tons of trust.” The event was attended by NMDC’s senior leadership, Shri Vinay Kumar, Director (Technical), Joydeep Dasgupta Director (Production), Mrs Priyadarshini Director (Personnel), and Shri C Neelakanta Reddy, Chief Vigilance Officer, along with NMDC employees. Reflecting on the organization’s journey, Vinay Kumar, Director (Technical) applauded the vigilance team’s proactive role in driving transparency and efficiency and said “The Vigilance Department at NMDC is not just a watchdog, it’s a catalyst for change. We are transitioning into a future where digital interventions, data-driven insights, and preventive vigilance form the backbone of decision-making. As we advance towards our ambitious target, our focus must be on creating frameworks that ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability at every level.” He further added, “When systems are strong, decisions become objective - and that is the truest reflection of integrity. On the occasion, C Neelakanta Reddy, Chief Vigilance Officer, said “Vigilance is not confined to manuals or checklists — it’s a living principle that guides how we think, act, and lead. Through our initiatives, we have reached schools and communities across Hyderabad, Bailadila, Jagdalpur, Nagarnar, Panna, and Donimalai, encouraging thousands of young students to understand that honesty and responsibility are lifelong assets. These interactions remind us that the foundation of a corruption-free society begins with education and awareness. We are committed to building systems that not only detect lapses but also prevent them. Guided by the Central Vigilance Commission’s principles, NMDC continues to create processes that are fair, ethical, and sustainable.” Throughout the week, NMDC employees and stakeholders participated enthusiastically in competitions such as quizzes, drawing, essay and elocution contests, all designed to bring the spirit of vigilance to life. Winners were awarded during the closing ceremony, celebrating their creativity and commitment to ethical excellence. The valedictory function brought together employees, students, and leadership to reflect on how integrity fuels sustainable growth and good governance. With renewed energy and shared purpose, NMDC concluded Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 reaffirming its belief that integrity is everyone’s business - and vigilance, a collective promise.

Disinvestment Shift: Whispers

Centre moving from divestment to dividends, rewriting ‘Ratna’ rules for PSU autonomy. Prediction: FY26 budgets to emphasise profitability over privatisation, boosting Maharatna/Navratna stocks.

 

Nilesh Koul appointed MD, PCBL Chemical Ltd

Nilesh Koul has been appointed as Managing Director of PCBL Chemical Limited.

 

Kulin S Lalbhai appointed Chairman, Arvind SmartSpaces Ltd

Kulin S Lalbhai, Vice-Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Arvind SmartSpaces Limited, has been designated as Chairman of the Board.

Prashant Das appointed Addl. Director, Arvind SmartSpaces Ltd

Prashant Das has been appointed as Additional Director (Independent) of Arvind SmartSpaces Limited.

Punit S Lalbhai appointed Addl. Director, Arvind SmartSpaces Ltd

Punit S Lalbhai has been appointed as Additional Director (Non-Executive) of Arvind SmartSpaces Limited

Ajoy Chawla appointed MD, Titan Company Ltd

Ajoy Chawla has been appointed as Managing Director of Titan Company Limited, commencing from January 1, 2026.

Raktimanu Das appointed CEO, Zee Media Corporation Ltd

Raktimanu Das has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Zee Media Corporation Limited.

Manoj Kumar Das appointed CMD, Gujarat State Petronet Ltd

Manoj Kumar Das, IAS, Director of Gujarat State Petronet Limited, has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director of the Company.

Vinod Kumar appointed ED (Civil), IRCON International Ltd

Vinod Kumar has been appointed as Executive Director (Civil) of IRCON International Limited.

BB Nagpal appointed Addl. Director, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd

Brij Bhushan Nagpal has been appointed as Additional Director (Independent) of Kirloskar Brothers Limited.

Soumitra Hazra re-appointed Ind. Director, Timken India Ltd

Soumitra Hazra has been re-appointed as Independent Director of Timken India Limited.

Sharad Kumar appointed Director (Planning), Andrew Yule & Co. Ltd

Sharad Kumar, General Manager, Cement Corporation of India Limited, has been appointed as Director (Planning) of Andrew Yule & Company Limited.

 

Kaushik Roy resigns as MD, PCBL Chemical Ltd

Kaushik Roy has resigned from the position of Managing Director of PCBL Chemical Limited.

 

Sanjay S Lalbhai steps down as Chairman, Arvind SmartSpaces Ltd

Sanjay S Lalbhai has stepped down from the position of Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Arvind SmartSpaces Limited.

 

FORUM

Whispersinthecorridors.com has maintained highest standards of journalism for 25 years

WIC has stood its ground in these 25 years, while mainstream entities had closed down under a variety of stresses. Staying so long without being tainted even once is possible if the man behind the platform is scrupulous, not for sale and lives truthfully. Journalism is still a “service” in spite of horrible commercialism of the industry. The Prime Minister had asked the people to develop an Indian platform so that opinion makers and influencers can freely and frankly express their opinions on matters of public interest without being dependent on foreign platforms which may be selective or twist views according to their agenda. I am happy to say that Whispersinthecorridors.com has maintained the highest standards of journalism for 25 years. Civilian awards are meant to encourage such honest service of WIC and its Editor-in-Chief Dr Suresh Mehrotra. Wish you many more years of clean journalism and good health!

M L Gupta

DATE WITH RTI

Action taken for overstaying in government accommodation

Information about the policy and instructions regarding the allotment of Government accommodation (Residences, Covered Car Parks, Camp Offices) to the incumbent or Ex. Ministers of Cabinet/State/ Deputy or equivalent status, incumbent or Ex. Member of Parliament between May 1, 2001 and October 30, 2023 was sought by the appellant. Further information about who had overstayed in the Government accommodation, the penal rent collected and copy of notices served etc. was also sought. The PIO replied that the information sought in the instant RTI Application is voluminous as the Appellant is seeking information for 22 years which requires collection and collation of data and providing the same would divert the time and resources of the public authority as per the provisions of Section 7 (9) of the RTI Act. The CIC declined to intervene in the matter observing that a person holds a public office does not, per se, render all personal information subject to public disclosure. The CIC pointed out that public interest is different from public curiosity.

Comments

There has been a long standing discussion about defining the boundaries of Public Interest - Information which is of interest to the public and something which is in the public interest. It raises a pertinent question whether any amount which has been condoned for overstaying in government accommodation should be disclosed.

Citation: Saurabh Kumar v. Directorate of Estates, File No: CIC/DOEST/A/2024/124871; Date of Decision: 09.09.2025

Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com

 

CONTACT US

Dr. Suresh Mehrotra

Editor-in-Chief
mehrotra.suresh@gmail.com
suresh.mehrotra@yahoo.com


Sapna Mehrotra (Magazine)

Chief Executive Officer 
mehrotra.sapna@gmail.com


Yogesh Joshi

Editor (Magazine)
a.editor.whispers@gmail.com

(Cell) : +91-9718708267


Sunil Salve

Editor (Digital)
sswhispers18@gmail.com
(Cell) : +91-
9893512559


Rajendra Sharma

Consulting Editor
rajendrasharma.witc@gmail.com


Prakash Shrivastava

News Editor (Digital)
prakashshrivastava1000@gmail.com


Harsha Bhatnagar

Associate Editor
harshabhatnagar@gmail.com


Rajendra Gupta

Business Head
rajendragupta.witc@gmail.com

(Cell) +919893033311


Barkha soni
General Manager (Marketing)

adsalewhispers@gmail.com

(Cell) +91-9171566711


Manish Kohli
News and Marketing Coordinator

manishwhispers@gmail.com

(Cell) +91-9131149117


Pradeep Gayakwad
Marketing Manager

sales.whispersinthecorridors@gmail.com


whispersinthecorridors.com

A Unit of Arushi News Network
Corporate Office: E-19, 45 Bungalows T.T Nagar, 
Bhopal (M.P) India.
Phone & Tele Fax: +91-755-4221719

Website is updated round the clock

Dear surfers looking to an increased demand for latest news on your favourite website i.e. (https://www.whispersinthecorridors.com) we are nowadays updating it as and when the developments take place. Keep reading & wish you a happy browsing.

Your Attention Please

Share your information with suresh.mehrotra@yahoo.com & mehrotra.suresh@gmail.com.

PUBLIC NOTICE


Breaking news of bureaucrats in India at Whispers in the Corridors

Stay updated with the latest Indian government news and exclusive insights into the world of bureaucracy at Whispers in the Corridors. Get real-time IAS news updates and IPS news updates, covering key transfers, promotions, and policy decisions that shape the nation. Our platform delivers credible and timely information on government affairs, administrative changes, and political developments, ensuring you never miss an important update. Whether you are a civil services aspirant, government official, or policy enthusiast, Whispers in the Corridors is your go-to source for accurate and up-to-date government news.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer

Information is being made available on this website purely for public facilitation. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the contents displayed on this website, we cannot guarantee it may be absolutely and/or necessarily correct. Surfers and readers are advised to verify/check the information with the relevant department/s and/or other source(s) prior to any use. No information on the website should be construed as a statement of law or used for any legal purpose. External links where ever given are for reference and we are not responsible for the content, image or availability of these pages nor do we subscribe to the views expressed thereon. No one is authorised to make any type of commercial usage like Reproduction/ Trdansmitting/Storing in its database, any content from following four websites , , and without prior written permission from the Editor-in-Chief. Violators will be prosecuted. All legal matters subject to Jurisdiction of the Bhopal district courts only.

Copyright 2010. 


Shipping and Delivery  |   Privacy Policy    Cancellation and Refund