Who is businessmen in India–can form political party?

In business circles there is a talk that some businessman can follow Elon Musk and form a political party in India. Is it possible in Modi regime?

Cabinet reshuffle likely this month?

PM Narendra Modi is now expected to reshuffle his cabinet. Ministry of Minority Affairs, Electronics and Information Technology, Social Justice and Development of the Northeast are likely to have full-time cabinet ministers.

Why are the Congress and AAP giving the same reasons?

ED has filed a case against Sonia and Rahul in the National Herald money laundering case. But Congress is more furious after that and calling the case is a 'fake'. As per experts, this time the party is giving the same reason as AAP used to give- 'Nothing is found solid and the agency is filing cases against our-leaders on imaginations'.

Thackeray cousins pose threat to Shinde’s urban stronghold?

The coming together of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray poses a challenge to Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde. With their combined appeal—Uddhav’s soft Hindutva and Raj’s Marathi-centric Hindutva—the Thackeray duo could dent BJP-Shinde’s urban voter base in cities like Mumbai, Thane, Pune, and Nashik. This unity threatens Shinde’s influence, especially ahead of the crucial BMC polls. A poor civic poll performance may weaken his standing within the ruling alliance, where he’s already viewed by many BJP leaders as a short-term ally rather than a lasting partner.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has reportedly hired a private consultant to overhaul bureaucracy. This is considered to be a move aimed at embracing digital governance and boosting efficiency. The consultant is likely to recommend a roadmap for bureaucratic reforms. The centre has sought this external expertise to identify areas for improvement and implement necessary changes. The consultant is expected to analyse the current bureaucratic structure, identify bottlenecks, and propose solutions that can be implemented.

West Bengal has appointed the recently retired Chief Secretary BP Gopalika as Chief Adviser to CM. He's the latest in long line of retired civil servants given top charge in state. He will look after the project monitoring. He will also hold the posts of Chairman of West Bengal Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation and Managing Director of West Bengal Highway Development Corporation. His predecessor HK Dwivedi, whose extended term as Chief Secretary ended on 31 December, 2023, was also appointed as Financial Adviser to Mamata a day after his retirement. Before Dwivedi, former Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay has been serving as the Chief Advisor to the CM since 2021. In 2020, Rajiva Sinha was made the Chairman of West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation a day after he retired as Chief Secretary.

Pushp Kumar Nayar, ED, BPCL, is in the race for the post of Director (Marketing), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).

The Public Enterprises Selection Board is holding interviews for the post of Director (Marketing), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) on July 14. As many as 12 candidates have been short-listed for the same.

Mahesh Kumar Sharma, GM, NHPC, is in the race for the post of Director (Finance), NHPC Limited

Jitendra Yadav, GM, SJVN Thermal Pvt Limited, is in the race for the post of Director (Finance), NHPC Limited.

Kapil Kotecha has been appointed as Independent Director, MOIL Limited.

Jai Singh has been appointed as CIT(OSD) in the office of Pr. CCIT, Rajasthan region, Jaipur, on return from study leave. He is an IRS-IT officer.

Jiban Ramchiary, Senior Accounts Officer, CBDT, Ludhiana, has been assigned additional charge of CBIC, Ludhiana.

Inderjit Singh, Senior Accounts Officer, PFMS, Chandigarh, has been assigned charge of Health, Kasouli.

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar is being implemented in accordance with the Election Commission of India’s order dated 24.06.2025. As per instructions, draft electoral rolls that will be issued on 1 August 2025 will contain the names of persons whose enumeration forms are received. Till now, 2,87,98,460 Enumeration Forms i.e. 36.47 per cent of the total of 7,89,69,844 (nearly 7.90 crore) electors in Bihar who are enrolled as on June 24, 2025, have been received.

An ITS officer has refused to avail his promotion to SAG. Now he will remain in JAG. As per DoT order dated July 7, 2025. Narendra Kumar Agrawal will not be considered for promotion till June 24, 2026. His promotion order was issued on February 10,2025. He is an ITS officer.

The CBIC has attached three IRS(C&IT) officers temporary to different units. They are- Mrs Samriti Goel Saran, Commissioner, DGTS HQ, Delhi, Kartikey Dubey, Dy Commissioner, Chandigarh Zone GST & CX and Safdar Ali, Dy Commissioner Chandigarh CS & GST Zone.

The DoT has appointed Gopi Nath Sahu as non- official Director on ITI Board for a period of three years. He is a private person.

Arvind Verma has been promoted to Higher Administrative Grade of Indian Postal Service (IPoS) on ad hoc basis and posted as CPMG, Assam Circle on promotion. He is a 1997 batch IPoS officer.

Ms Syeda Tanveer has been posted to Andhra Pradesh Circle upon repatriation from Army Postal Service (APS). She is an officer of Indian Postal Service.

Two IPoS officers have been shifted. Nikhil Jain has been posted as ADG (FS-PMU), Postal Directorate, while Rahul Yadav will take over as ADG (DBT/DARPAN), Postal Directorate.

The Government of India has made it clear that there is no direction given to banks to close inactive PM Jan Dhan Yojana accounts.

The fourth day of the Neyveli Book Fair on July 7, saw enthusiastic participation from school students drawn from different towns and villages of cuddalore district and the public alike. The Cuddalore District Collector, Sibi Adithya Senthil Kumar, IAS, graced today's glittering evening function at the Lignite Hall in Book Fair grounds. M. Venkatachalam, Director (Power), NLCIL, was the President of the function. Senior officials of NLCIL, Employees, Teachers, Students and the general public participated with enthusiasm.  Addressing the gathering, SibiAdithyaSenthil Kumar, District Collector, said that it was a matter of pride that NLC India Limited was organising a Book Fair on such a grand scale for 24 years. He also announced that the Tamil Nadu government had sanctioned a library in Cuddalore district and that by next year, Cuddalore would have one of the biggest libraries in Tamil Nadu. He lauded NLCIL for offering all support to the District Administration in many welfare initiatives. M Venkatachalam, Director (Power), NLCIL, speaking on the occasion said thatBook reading and learning were instrumental for the development of human race in history.  He also recalled that Chanakya, the most influential strategist for the Mauryan empire had stated that knowledge was most powerful for a man, in his popular political treatise,Arthasastra. He exhorted students and children to develop their knowledge by reading books. Prolific writer V Tamilalagan and M/s. Kalachuvadu Publications, were honoured during the function. Two books - "Enakkul Nee Irundhaal" by "Kavidhai" Surya and "Echoes of Fire-Unveiling the mysteries of Dragon world" written by a budding writer SelviAhana Nigam, were released during the function. An impressive "Vande Bharat Dance" was performed by Unmukta Sinha from Pondicherry. The 4th day of the Neyveli Book Fair reinforced the traditional positive vibes among children and students.

As many as 14 IAS officers have been given new responsibilities in Karnataka. Zehera Naseem has been appointed as Regional Commissioner, Kalaburagi Division, while T Bhoobalan takes over as CEO, e-Governance Centre and Dr B Susheela is now Managing Director, Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation. Similarly, Dr K Anandh will take charge as Deputy Commissioner, Vijayapura; Pandve Rahul Tukaram as Additional Commissioner, Public Instruction, Kalaburagi; Bhoyar Harshal Narayanrao as Deputy Commissioner, Yadgir; Dr Dileesh Sasi as CEO, Uttara Kannada Zilla Panchayat; Ishwar Kumar Kandoo as CEO, Raichur Zilla Panchayat; Shashidhar Kurera as Joint Managing Director, Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC); Dr S Akash as CEO, Bagalkot Zilla Panchayat; Aparna Ramesh as Director, Electronic Delivery of Citizen Services and Deputy Director, HRMS 2.0 Finance Department; Narwade Vinayak Karabhari as CEO, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat and R Yatheesh was shifted as CEO, Bengaluru Urban Zilla Panchayat.

Odisha Mining Corporation’s Daitari Iron Ore Mines and Kodingamali Bauxite Mines have been honoured with the prestigious “5 Star Rating” award under the aegis of Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) for the FY 2023–24. The awards were presented by Sri G. Kishan Reddy, Hon'ble Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Government of India, at a ceremony held on 7th July 2025 in Jaipur, Rajasthan as part of IBM's annual recognition programme. Daitari and Kodingamali mines stood out for their systematic mine planning, effective environmental safeguards, progressive mine practices, and proactive community engagement initiatives. These mines have adopted international best practices to ensure minimal ecological impact while contributing meaningfully to the development of the surrounding communities through various welfare programmes. Instituted by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, the 5 Star Rating Award is the highest accolade under the IBM Star Rating System. It is conferred upon mining leases that demonstrate excellence in scientific and systematic mining, community engagement, welfare programs, progressive mine planning, environmental conservation, socio-economic performance and the adoption of international standards. OMC is also driving its other mining units towards similar benchmarks of excellence, with a strong commitment to achieve similar excellence in sustainable mining practices in the years to come. With a focus on scientific and systematic mining, community engagement, and welfare programs, OMC strives to set industry benchmarks in the country, contributing immensely to the industrial ecosystem in Odisha.

Gopinath Sahu has been appointed as Non-Official Independent Director on the Board of ITI Limited.

Ms Bhagyashri Shyambihari Agrawal has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Key Mangerial Personnel, Aayush Art and Bullion Limited.

Mrutyunjay Mahapatra has tendered his resignation as Shareholder Director, Bank of Maharashtra.

Ms Ankita Sharmah has been appointed as Head-Human Resources, Wepsol.

Roshni Gadia has been appointed as a Non- Executive Independent Director of Julien Agro Infratech Limited. 

Ms. Mrinalini Srinivasan has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer & Whole time Director (Additional Director) of Castrol.

G Krishnan has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Key Managerial Personnel, Alembic.

Jiyo Hazaron Saal, dear neighbour Tibet!

Happy birthday to Dalai Lama! Wish you a happy and healthy long life, to steer the Tibetan society through such testing times. Remember Marana Pratap and Mahatma Gandhi. Between those two heroes lives Buddhism, inspiring millions for more than 2500 years! Communism is already dead in lesser than two decades your age. However, like all religions, reforms are overdue in Buddhism globally. It is not the religion of the weak. But it must be proved. One Indian under the influence of Buddhism from his birthplace has already proved it in our own times. Religion is not for the hungry, starving or ailing. So, means of livelihood must be provided. The fingers producing goods and services are the first targets for the proselytisers, whether religious or political. I would like to quote two poetic gems: “bhooke bhajan na hoi Gopala, ye lo apni kanthimala” and, Rahiman paani rakhiyo binu paani sab soon, paani gaye na ubre moti manus choon”.

M L Gupta

Verification of BPL status of RTI applicant

The appellant sought data on customer satisfaction ratings for SBI services from its inception to the current date and asked for the categorization of ratings by type of service and other related information. The PIO provided certain information and clarified before the CIC that data sought on certain points of the RTI application was not available in the desired format. The CIC upheld the order of the CIC. The CIC brought it to the notice of the respondent that in a series of matters filed by the same appellant against a different public authority i.e IDPL (File nos. CIC/IDPCL/A/2024/612395 and CIC/IDPCL/A/2024/604666) an order was passed to veracity of the appellant’s BPL status. The CIC advised the respondent to exercise due caution with respect to the future RTI application received from the appellant relying on his BPL status.

Comments

There is no specific section of the RTI Act, 2005 or rule which prescribes whether the verification of the BPL status should be done, if the PIO has doubts regarding the same. If there are any suspicions, the PIO could ask for the BPL certificate to verify the status of the RTI applicant.

Citation: Rachhpal Singh Saini v. State Bank of India, CIC/SBIND/A/2024/602064; Date of Decision: 22.05.2025

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