whispers in the corridors
Congress’s push to delay women’s reservation bill expected to spark political backlash?
Congress has reportedly asked the government to push the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill beyond the 2029 general elections, a move the ruling establishment has refused. Internal sources suggest that many within the party fear they lack the requisite women cadre strength to effectively contest the BJP if the quota takes full effect in time for the next polls.
This stance, however, is likely to hurt Congress electorally, as rival parties are expected to portray it as being hesitant or even opposed to women’s representation. At a time when women voters are a decisive segment of the electorate, the perception that Congress is resisting a major pro‑women reform could be turned into a powerful narrative against the party. The episode underscores the tension between organisational readiness and the political optics of women’s reservation in the run‑up to the next Lok Sabha elections.
Top diplomatic voices see india’s opening in a changing gulf as us standing set to deteriorate!
Top diplomatic observers in India believe the US may gradually lose some of its traditional heft in the Gulf over the coming years, creating room for other powers to shape the region’s future. As Washington’s influence becomes less dominant, India is seen as well placed to expand its role through soft power, steady diplomacy, and deeper economic engagement.
India already has strong links with Gulf countries through trade, energy, remittances, and a large Indian diaspora. Observers argue that New Delhi should build on these ties by projecting itself as a reliable partner focused on stability, development, and connectivity. Cultural outreach, labour cooperation, digital partnerships, and people-to-people diplomacy could help India widen its footprint without appearing coercive.
The opportunity is clear: if the regional balance shifts, India can help fill part of the space with trust, continuity, and practical engagement.
Rahul gandhi’s absence draws flak from top parliamentary observers !
Top observers and Union ministers have criticised Rahul Gandhi for skipping the all-party meeting on the West Asia crisis, calling it a missed chance to engage on a matter with direct implications for India’s energy security and foreign policy. Critics said the Leader of Opposition should have attended the briefing instead of staying away for a Kerala programme, especially as the government discussed the regional fallout and India’s preparedness.
Congress leader BK Hariprasad defended Gandhi, arguing that he had already raised his concerns in Parliament and that the Prime Minister too has not traditionally addressed such meetings. The row has sharpened the political divide over how opposition leaders should balance public criticism with institutional participation during an international crisis.
- IPS Pankaj Lamba’s Push for Child Safety in East Siang, Arunachal Pradesh: Inside Project Muskaan
- Dr Abhijit Pendharkar to be DGMO
- DGP selection: Punjab Government entangled in its own web?
- HM Amit shah’s charge raises questions on bureaucratic independence in Bengal!
- Search for successor to Saravanan as CMD, NFL begins
- Dr Ashok Kumar Panda selected for CMD, SAIL
- Addl Secretary level officer likely to get additional charge, CMD, SAIL
- Interactions for promotion to GM grade in SBI from third week of Apr
- Special group of bureaucrats and legal experts focused on implementing Women's Reservation by 2029 General Elections deputed by the Government?
- India blocks China's Investment Framework in WTO despite Pressures!
- All women-led panel to select a VC
- IIT Indore Max Planck roundtable
- “Reform Express” and “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks” Push
- A K Poddar & G V Reddy empanelled for appointment as IEMs
- S Singh and C D Balaji empanelled for appointment as IEMs
- Paul Antony empanelled for appointment as IEM
- P K Jain empanelled for appointment as IEM
- Manager (S&T), Rishikesh post advertised by RVNL
- Director, LGBRIMH, Assam sought
- Interviews for Asst Director (Corp Law), SFIO posts soon
- Sr Dy Chief Project Manager (S&T) sought for Maha Metro, Pune
- Sr Industry Specialist-Gas & LNG for US sought
- Economist for Austria sought
- Nine IAS officers get new responsibilities in UP
- Ms Umme Fardin Adil appointed as Deputy Secretary, Economic Affairs (UPDATED)
- Ishoo Ratna Srivastav appointed as Director, New & Renewable Energy (UPDATED)
- Anupam Raj appointed as Integrated Financial Advisor, Assam Rifles (UPDATED)
- Sandeep Dabur appointed as Joint Development Commissioner (UPDATED)
- Debapriya Bardham appointed as Director, Expenditure (UPDATED)
- Ms Rashmi appointed as Deputy Secretary, Expenditure (UPDATED)
- Pradeep Kumar appointed as Deputy Secretary, DPE (UPDATED)
- Two IAS officers assigned additional charge in Haryana (UPDATED)
- Biocon Limited Appointed Shreehas Tambe As CEO & MD
- Chinmay Pradhan appointed MD, Magnus Steel and Infra Ltd
- Karronn Bajaj re-designated NE Director, Magnus Steel and Infra Ltd
- Prakash Salve appointed Addl. Director, Magnus Steel and Infra Ltd
- Mrs Krutika Shah appointed Addl. Director, Magnus Steel and Infra Ltd
- Noratmal Kawar re-appointed MD, Neelkanth Rockminerals Ltd
- Surendra Bhandari appointed Chairman, Hittco Tools Ltd
- Ashish R Agarwal appointed Addl. Director, Ridhi Synthetics Ltd
- Arup Das appointed Addl. Director, IFB Industries Ltd
- Rajeev Gobindram Hassanand bows out as Chairman, Hittco Tools Ltd
- Jash Dalia bows out as NE Director, Ridhi Synthetics Ltd
- Ms Kavita Venugopal bows out as NE Director, AU Small Finance Bank Ltd
In an effort to protect and empower young students, IPS Pankaj Lamba a 2019 batch Officer of AGMUT cadre and currently posted as Superintendent of Police, East Siang district has launched ‘Project Muskaan’. This Child safety initiative focuses on making children aware of issues like abuse, unsafe situations and how to report them.
Recognising that awareness is the first line of defence, Lamba’s initiative places schools at the centre. “We wanted to create awareness at the school level so that children understand what safety means and feel confident to speak up” he added. Additionally they have also roped in Chum Darang as the Child Safety Ambassador for Project Muskaan to increase awareness and dialogue.
Apart from extensive awareness, police teams regularly visit schools interacting with students across age groups. Adopting an age appropriate sensitisation, for younger children sessions revolve around identifying good touch and bad touch while older students are educated about the POCSO act, anti-ragging measures and cyber hygiene.
Under the programme complaint boxes have been installed in the schools, giving students a discreet way to report concerns and a safe channel to share what they are going through.
Under Lamba’s leadership, the outcome has been increased confidence among students towards police with some students coming forward to report incidents and cases registered accordingly.
So far, Project Muskaan has reached over 13,000 students ensuring children are aware, alert, and most importantly, not afraid to speak.
Lt Gen Abhijit S Pendharkar, GOC SpearCorps Dimapur is all set to join as Director General of Military Operations (DGMO).
The Punjab Government is sending a panel of IPS officers for appointment as Director General of Police (DGP) to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) but the state Government already missed the deadline of February 28. The state had earlier attempted to create its own mechanism for appointing a DGP through the Punjab Police Amendment Bill 2023. The Government opined that the state Vidhan Sabha had passed a Bill authorising the state to appoint its own DGP. But the Bill is pending with the President for her assent. However, under Supreme Court norms, an officiating DGP can ordinarily continue only for a limited period while the regular appointment process is completed. Consequently, the UPSC had asked the Punjab Government to send a panel by February 28, 2026. The Centre too had sent a reminder to the state Government in this connection.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remark that many Bengal officers “work like TMC cadres” has intensified debate over political interference in state bureaucracies. His statement came while defending frequent officer transfers during the election period, saying these were handled by the Election Commission to maintain neutrality. However, the accusation raises serious concerns about the independence and morale of the civil service. Administrative circles view such comments as undermining institutional integrity, especially amid growing reports of political pressure on senior officials in several states. Bureaucrats argue that partisan attacks risk eroding the neutrality that underpins India’s federal governance structure and could set a troubling precedent for Centre–State relations.
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A vacancy of Chairman & Managing Director, National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) is arising on February 1, 2027 with the expiring term of incumbent U Saravanan. The Government of India has started searching for his successor.
Dr Ashok Kumar Panda, Director (Finance), SAIL, has been selected for the post of Chairman & Managing Director, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). As many as 10 persons were interviewed for the same.
(We said this on March 11 and 21, 2026)
The curtailed tenure of Amarendu Prakash as Chairman & Managing Director, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is coming to an end on April 1, 2026. An Additional Secretary level officer in the Ministry of Steel is expected to be assigned an additional charge of CMD, SAIL until a regular incumbent is appointed.
Interactions with the eligible candidates for the promotions to the grade of General Manager in Top Executive Grade Scale VII in the State Bank of India (SBI) are likely to commence by third week of April this year.
A special group of bureaucrats and legal experts is said to be examining possible ways to implement women’s reservation ahead of the 2029 general elections. The effort reportedly focuses on the legal, administrative, and procedural steps needed to make the quota workable within the existing political timetable.
Officials are understood to be studying different models, including how to manage delimitation, rollout, and seat allocation without causing avoidable delay. The idea is to identify the most practical path so the reform can be carried out in time for the next Lok Sabha polls.
If advanced, this could mark one of the most significant structural changes in Indian electoral politics. It would also test the government’s ability to balance constitutional process, political consensus, and implementation deadlines while keeping the plan on track for 2029.
India has blocked the proposed incorporation of the China-led Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement into the WTO’s legal framework, standing firm despite pressure from several member nations. The IFD, aimed at promoting transparency and easing procedures for foreign direct investment, was backed by over 110 countries. However, India asserted that the WTO has no negotiating mandate on investment matters and warned that adopting the agreement without full consensus would violate the organization’s foundational principles. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated that India “showed the courage to stand alone” on this contentious issue, emphasizing that allowing non-consensus agreements under Annex 4 could set a dangerous precedent. India’s stance reflects its longstanding view that investment policy should remain under national jurisdiction, not multilateral trade rules, ensuring the WTO remains a trade-focused body rather than a forum for investment governance.
The government has constituted an all women led panel to select the new Vice Chancellor (VC) for the Panjab Central University. According to Office order, the search cum selection committee has named three women scholars- Lt Gen (Rtd) Madhuri Kannitkar, VC Maharashtra Health University, Chairperson, Prof Shashikala Wanzari, VC, NIEPA, New Delhi and Prof Vibha Tandon, Director CSIR-IICB, Kolkata. Meanwhile the Government has approved a 4 months extension for the present VC of Panjab University.
This was a discussion or meeting event between IIT Indore and the famous Max Planck Institutes (Germany). It helps in building research partnerships between Indian and international scientists. These activities show that collaboration between young students, different states, and foreign research institutions is going on without any break.
Indian Railways to focus on operational reforms, safety tech acceleration, passenger amenities, station redevelopment, and freight efficiency under the broader “Reform Express” and “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks” push.
Ashok Kumar Poddar and G Venugopal Reddy have been empanelled for appointment as IEMs. Both are from Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad, M/o Education, D/o Higher Education.
Sanjaya Singh and Cadaba Devnath Balaji have been empanelled for appointment as IEMs. Both are from Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (D/o Higher Education M/o Education.
Paul Antony has been empanelled for appointment as IEM. He is a 1983 batch IAS officer and retired as Chief Secretary Govt of Kerala.
Pavan Kumar Jain has been empanelled for appointment as IEM. He is a 1982 batch IDSE officer and retired as DG (Pers), Military Engineering Services, Delhi.
Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) is seeking to fill the post of Manager (S&T), Rishikesh on deputation basis. Details can be availed from www.rvnl.org.
Applications have been invited for the post of Director at Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health (LGBRIMH), Tezpur, Assam, on deputation basis. Applications must reach latest by May 5, 2026.
As many as 13 candidates have been shortlisted for interviews to three vacancies for the post of Assistant Director (Corporate Law) in Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Interview dates will be announced soon.
Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (MAHA- Metro) is seeking to fill the post of Senior Deputy Chief Project Manager (Signal & Telecommunication) for Maha Metro, Pune. details can be availed from Railway Ministry’s website.
World Bank is seeking Senior Industry Specialist-Gas & LNG for Washington, DC, United States. Applications must reach latest by April 12, 2026.
World Bank is seeking Economist for Vienna, Austria. Applications must reach latest by April 10, 2026.
Nine IAS officers in UP have been given new responsibilities in UP. M. Devraj, Principal Secretary, Department of Appointment and Personnel, will hold the additional charge of the post of Director General, U.P. Academy of Administration and Management, in addition to his current position, while Anurag Yadav has been appointed as Principal Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Soldier Welfare, and Alok Kumar III, PS, Planning and Programme Implementation, Nodal Officer, 'One Trillion Dollar Economy and Zero Poverty' Campaign, was assigned additional charge of PS, IT and Electronics. SImilarly, Saurabh Babu, PS, Rural Development and Rural Engineering Services, will concurrently hold the additional charge of Director General, Deendayal Upadhyay State Institute of Rural Development; Ravi Ranjan will join as Special Secretary, Medical, Health and Family Welfare Department; T.K. Shibu, Special Secretary, Agriculture Production Commissioner Branch, gets additional charge of the MD, U.P. Agro, along with the current post; Himanshu Kaushik is posted as Managing Director, UP Electronics Corporation; Saumya Gururani as Municipal Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Shahjahanpur and Bipin Kumar Mishra will take charge as Additional Managing Director, Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation.
Ms Umme Fardina Adil has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs. She is a 2013 batch IRS-IT officer.
Ishoo Ratna Srivastav has been appointed as Director in the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. He is a 2012 batch IRSME officer.
Anupam Raj has been appointed as Integrated Financial Advisor (IFA) at Deputy Secretary level in Assam Rifles. He is a 2013 batch ICAS officer.
Sandeep Dabur has been appointed as Joint Development Commissioner at Deputy Secretary level in the office of Development Commissioner. He is a 2014 batch IA &AS officer.
Debapriya Bardham has been appointed as Director in the Department of Expenditure. He is a 2012 batch IAS officer of Tripura cadre.
Ms Rashmi has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Expenditure. She is a 2013 batch IRS-C&IT officer.
Pradeep Kumar has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Public Enterprises. He is a 2013 batch IOFS officer.
Two IAS officers have been given additional charge in Haryana. Ajay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Gurugram and Chief Administrator, Shri Mata Sheetla Devi Shrine Board, Gurugram, has been assigned additional charge of DC, Nuh, and CEO, Mewat Development Agency, Nuh, while Mrs Ashima Brar, Commissioner & Secretary, Excise & Taxation and Commissioner & Secretary, Finance and Energy Departments, has been given additional charge of Chairperson, Haryana Power Utility namely HVPNL, DHBVN, UHBVN and HPGCL.
Biocon announced the appointment of Shreehas Tambe as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director, effective April 1, 2026. Tambe, an internal veteran with nearly three decades at Biocon (previously CEO & MD of Biocon Biologics, where he led biosimilars growth to a USD 5.5 billion valuation in 2025 and handled key acquisitions/operations), will lead the unified entity post full integration of Biocon Biologics as a wholly owned subsidiary. Concurrently, Kedar Upadhye was appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Biocon Limited. Siddharth Mittal (prior CEO & MD and long-time CFO since 2013) is transitioning to another leadership role within the Biocon Group. The changes were approved by the Nomination & Remuneration Committee and Board.054.
Chinmay Pradhan has been appointed as Managing Director of Magnus Steel and Infra Limited.
Karronn Bajaj has been re-designated from Managing Director to Non-Executive Director of Magnus Steel and Infra Limited.
Prakash Salve has been appointed as Additional Executive Director of Magnus Steel and Infra Limited with effect from March 28, 2026.
Mrs. Krutika Shah has been appointed as Additional Non-Executive Independent Director of Magnus Steel and Infra Limited.
Noratmal Kawar has been re-appointed as Managing Director of Neelkanth Rockminerals Limited.
Surendra Bhandari has been appointed as the Chairman of Hittco Tools Limited.
Ashish R Agarwal has been appointed as Additional Independent Director of Ridhi Synthetics Limited.
Arup Das has been appointed as Additional Executive Director of IFB Industries Limited.
Rajeev Gobindram Hassanand has resigned from the position of Chairman of Hittco Tools Limited.
Jash Dalia has ceased to hold office as Non-Executive Independent Director of Ridhi Synthetics Limited upon completion of his tenure.
Ms Kavita Venugopal has ceased to hold office as Non-Executive Independent Director of AU Small Finance Bank Limited on completion of her tenure.
BJP is stable for three terms
BJP is stable for the next 15 years. At least 2-3 more terms.
Akshat
Rahul Gandi
He is the only politicians who never afraid to raised any issue against this BJP government,, he is the only one who never afraid and bow down against BJP tactics and tandem played down to defame him, whether its Lok Sabha membership illegally take down by BJP, he is the only one pose real challenges against BJP currently, and frankly speaking in rural areas where 70 percent India live his popularity raised day by day.
Atul
Personal hearing before the first appellate authority
Information in respect of election in Sri Ram CGHS Itd. was sought. The CIC noted that the Complainant has not served a copy of the instant Complaint upon the Respondent. The CIC observed that serving a copy of documents (including Complaint, Second Appeal and Written submissions) to the opposite party is fundamental requirement for due process in legal proceedings and crucial for fairness, transparency, and also in the interest of expeditious response from the concerned Public Authority. The CIC issued an advisory u/s 25 (5) of the RTI Act to the Respondent Public Authority to provide a due opportunity of being heard to the parties while adjudicating the First Appeal in view of principle of natural justice.
Comments
There is no specific provision in the RTI Act, 2005 which provides for a compulsory personal hearing before the first appellate authority. However, it would be incumbent upon the FAA to grant a personal hearing to the appellant if it has been sought. The principles of natural justice should be followed.
Citation: S K T Sherman v. O/o the Registrar Cooperative Societies, File No: CIC/REGCS/C/2024/624441; Date of Decision: 18.08.2025
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
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