IAS Sachin Gupta, a 2018 batch officer of the Haryana cadre currently posted as Deputy Commissioner of Rohtak has positioned the district as a frontrunner in foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) reforms in Haryana through the initiative ‘Padhe Rohtak Likhe Rohtak.’ The programme addresses learning gaps faced by children in their early years through a systematic process that strengthens classroom teaching,uses data to track progress and involves the community.

Launched in July 2025,the initiative covers 100 per cent of Rohtak’s 211 government primary schools. One of its most impactful innovations is the introduction of the ‘Zero Period’ a compulsory daily remediation slot added into school timetables across the district. This allows teachers to focus exclusively on identifying student weaknesses ,ensure targeted instruction and remedial support for those who need it most. The simplicity and effectiveness of this low-cost, high-impact model led to its adoption across all 22 districts of Haryana, a district-led reform shaping state education policy.

The impact is significant, sentence reading proficiency improved from 28 per cent to 64 percent marking a 128 percent increase while subtraction proficiency rose from 44 per cent to 78 per cent, a 77 percent gain. These outcomes were tracked using Digital Skill Passbooks, a child-wise monitoring system that enabled teachers and administrators to identify learning gaps in real time and plan targeted remediation. Additionally regular data-backed reviews at the school, cluster, block and district levels ensured consistency and accountability in execution.

Infrastructure reform formed another key pillar of the initiative. Rohtak established NIPUN Vatikas a child-friendly, activity-based learning spaces designed to strengthen literacy and numeracy readiness with minimal recurring costs. Apart from this, 50 Anganwadis were also upgraded so they can work as pre schools helping children easily transition and build skills. 

A defining feature of Padhe Rohtak Likhe Rohtak is its emphasis on community ownership. Through Parent-Teacher Circles and a structured home-reading movement over 12,000 parents are actively engaged in their children’s learning journeys, inturn extending literacy practices beyond classrooms into homes. Teachers too benefited from clearer assessment frameworks, level-based worksheets and visible progress tracking, building instructional confidence and motivation.

The initiative’s outcomes have received recognition by the Hon’ble Governor of Haryana and the Hon’ble Education Minister acknowledging Rohtak’s model as a standout example of community-driven FLN reform. In recognition of its innovation, scalability and measurable outcomes ‘Padhe Rohtak Likhe Rohtak’ was also conferred the Good Governance Award.

As the programme moves from initiative to institution, looking ahead Rohtak is now targeting 100 per cent NIPUN coverage by March 2026.

In addition to this a similar governance philosophy is being visible in Rohtak’s health sector. The district has launched Swasthya Vahini, a mobile healthcare initiative delivering free high-end diagnostics, including mammography, directly to villages through a camp-mode saturation strategy. The initiative screened over 1,000 women, conducted 469 mammography scans and identified 106 critical anaemia cases, reinforcing the administration’s emphasis on early intervention, last-mile delivery and data-backed follow-up.

Renewable Energy Milestone : India added a record 44.5 GW renewables in 2025 (51.55% non-fossil capacity), achieving Paris targets early. Solar (132.85 GW, +41% YoY) and wind (53.99 GW) surges via PM Surya Ghar and Green Hydrogen Mission. 

Prediction: 500 GW non-fossil by 2030, with PSUs like NTPC and SECI leading. Under New project, NTPC Green Energy awarded ₹391 crore EPC to Bondada Engineering and ₹725 crore to Solarworld for 250 MW solar (completion FY26-27).

BJP to go Congress way

It is a good observation, but i don’t think it is valid because the candidates in BJP are all selected on basis of their work or politics, not based on legal hire !

Mayank R.Wadhwa

Like congress

It will be like congress as in the leadership will be same as the current BJP or little bit more aggressive but the groundworkers is MLA or other states level leaders will be like congress for sure including state CMs as if we see the current situation it's moving towards that direction

S Tari

BJP  doing well

BJP has been doing well. But, in course of time, it could get complacent, arrogant...then fatigue will set in, leading to decline. In a robust democracy, a strong Opposition is needed. Unfortunately, Congress is nowhere near being a responsible, strong Opposition. I'm sure wise leaders in BJP are aware that a weak Opposition is bad for BJP itself. Let's see how things evolve in the coming years.

Raghvan

A cadre party

A cadre party becoming like congress? No way. Besides the rss pulls strings within the BJP. Not happening.

Karthik Nath                       

Running out of ideas

BJP is already running out of ideas of "zameeni developmental infrastructure" following a spate of natural disasters in the northern region, it's just a matter of time India realizes "kya kya galat ho rahaa" and "who is making unscientific changes"!

Ashiss

Congratulations

Congratulations to DATE WITH RTI COLUMN on completing seventeen long years of regular articles on the Whispers in the Corridors website, every week. Over the years, the column has stood out for being consistently factual, legally sound, and highly relevant to contemporary issues surrounding transparency and governance. It's clear interpretation of RTI provisions and case-based analysis has made complex legal matters accessible and practical. As a PIO, the column has been especially helpful in guiding lawful decision-making, timely responses, and adherence to RTI principles. Wishing continued publication of the same high standards and many more years of meaningful contribution

Rohit Singh

Information about Bharathidasan Institute of Management located in BHEL campus

The appellant sought information related to the Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM) located in the campus of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Trichy such as whether BHEL was a collaborating partner, whether CMD attended the meeting, whether charge-sheet was issued to some officers for granting approval to BIM, etc. The PIO replied that information sought related to BIM which is a private institute and BHEL has no stake in the aforesaid institute. No MoU between BHEL and BIM is available on record. BHEL had allotted the building premises to BIM on lease basis for certain period and thereafter on license agreement basis. In accordance with the BHEL Shop and Allotment Policy, the license fee is collected as per the market rent from BIM and not on any discount or concessional rate. At present, a sum of Rs. 1.40 Crores per annum (excluding GST) is being collected as license fee from BIM. But the Respondent failed to establish how the market rent was arrived at in the absence of any open transparent competitive process. As regards details of tender floated by the BHEL for allotment of its building premises to BIM, the PIO submitted that no document related to the tender is available in their records. The appellant alleged before CIC that BHEL is one of the founders of BIM, and the registration fee for the society’s registration was paid by BHEL. The CIC noted that the Respondent has neither stated in their written submissions nor clarified during the hearing whether grant of its building premises to BIM for establishing the institute was done  through open transparent and competitive process through tender/auction conducted by BHEL. No details of any tender process have been provided by the PIO. The CIC observed that it is a matter of common understanding when government land or property is to be leased out particularly to a private institution, such allotment is ordinarily undertaken through an open, transparent and competitive (tender/ auction) process. In the present case, no material has been placed on record to demonstrate that BHEL followed such a procedure before granting its building to BIM on lease. The CIC pointed out that if land or a building is provided by a public authority to a private entity free of cost or at a heavily subsidized rate, such support may itself amount to “substantial financing”. In the absence of any tender or auction records, the method of determination of ‘market rent’ remains unclear. The CIC held that the Appellant too has not been able to substantiate his assertions or demonstrate how the body from which information is sought is owned, controlled, or substantially financed, directly or indirectly, either by BHEL or by the appropriate Government. The CIC noted that on the website of BIM it is mentioned that the institute was established in collaboration with BHEL. Holding that both sides are unable to come clear on the requirement of the RTI Act and/or public funding, the CIC directed the PIO to submit an appropriate affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper to establish the whether BIM is a public authority.

Comments

The burden to show that a body is owned, controlled or substantially financed or that a non-government organization is substantially financed directly or indirectly by the funds provided by the appropriate Government is on the applicant who seeks information which he failed to discharge in this case. For seeking information related to BIM, it has to be established that it is owned, controlled or substantially financed by BHEL.

Citation: Senthil Manian Vellaichamy v. Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd, File No: CIC/BHELD/A/2024/627929 + /657539; Date of Decision: 11.12.2025

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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