today's whispers
Identity crisis for Trinamool: Is the party merging with its roots?
As high-profile exits shake the Trinamool Congress, Mamata Banerjee is pivoting back to basics. Instead of chasing star power, the party supremo banks on her nameless, faceless grassroots foot-soldiers. These quiet workers have been grinding behind the scenes for decades, many tracing their loyalty back to Mamata’s original days in the Congress.
However, this tactical retreat to the old guard has sparked an existential debate. Insiders note that with the recent exodus of big names, the party’s core structure is increasingly comprised of veteran Congress loyalists. If the machinery keeping the TMC afloat is essentially the old Bengal Congress under a different banner, it raises a glaring question: What is the point of a separate party altogether?
Bankipur Bypoll Jolt: Will defection of Jan Suraaj leaders hurt BJP?
In a significant political development ahead of the crucial July 30 Bankipur Assembly bypoll in Patna, several prominent Jan Suraaj Party leaders switched allegiances to the BJP on Wednesday. This mass defection deals a direct blow to party founder Prashant Kishor. Key defectors include former candidates KC Sinha, Ritesh Ranjan, Gopal Singh, and Braj Kishore Sinha. They were formally inducted by Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi, who stated they were deeply influenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the ruling party's policies.
This major defection significantly alters the dynamics for the highly anticipated Bankipur bypoll, where Prashant Kishor will face BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha. However, public opinion remains sharply divided, with many analysts suggesting that this sudden influx of turncoats could end up hurting the BJP’s image.
Reconnect with masses, Samajwadi Party gears up for Rath Yatra in September
Reports indicate that the Samajwadi Party (SP), led by Akhilesh Yadav, is preparing for a significant political campaign ahead of the upcoming 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Sources said, the party is planning to launch a grand "Rath Yatra" across the state starting in September 2026 to mobilize the party's base and reconnect with the electorate on a mass scale.
Political analysts suggest that the proposed yatra aims to echo the party’s historical campaign strategies, which have previously been used to galvanize support and challenge the ruling administration. The initiative is expected to play a critical role in the SP’s broader strategy, which includes consolidating its "PDA" (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) coalition and expanding its reach beyond its traditional support base. By engaging directly with the public through this outreach, the Samajwadi Party intends to set a strong momentum for the 2027 electoral battle.
IAS Apurva Pandey, District Magistrate of the Bageshwar district is the youngest collector in the state of Uttarakhand. Born in 1994, Pandey belongs to the 2018 Batch of the Uttarakhand Cadre.
Vandana Gurnani Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment is retiring by this month end. She is a 1991 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.
Santosh Rastogi, IG, NIA, has been promoted as Additional Director General (ADG) in National Investigation Agency (NIA) and will hold the post upto his approved tenure of seven years i.e. August 5, 2027. He is a 1998 batch IPS officer of Maharashtra cadre.
Rajesh Lakhani, Commissioner (JS level), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) under the Department of School Education & Literacy, has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre on personal grounds. He is a 1992 IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre.
Prashant Jeevan Patil has been appointed as Deputy Director General (Director level) in the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways under the Central Staffing Scheme for a period of five years. He is a 2011 batch IAS officer of Telangana cadre.
Ishaan Sharma has been selected for appointment as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Delhi for a period of four years. He is a 2016 batch IRAS officer.
Five IPS officers in UP have been given new postings. Anil Kumar Singh has been posted as SP, Rampur, while Gopal Krishna Chaudhary will take charge as Commandant, 32nd Battalion, PAC, Lucknow and Mohammad Mustaque is shifted as DCP, Police Commissionerate Lucknow. Similarly, Somendra Meena is appointed as SP, Regional Intelligence, Agra and Sanjeev Kumar Bajpai joins as SP, Lalitpur.
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The Public Enterprise Selection Board has advertised the post of Director (Marketing) in the Fertilisers And Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT). The applications must be reached by August 7, 2026.
The Public Enterprise Selection Board has advertised the post of Director (Personnel) in Western Coalfields Limited (WCL). The applications must reach by August 7, 2026.
As Andy Burnham prepares to assume office as the UK’s Prime Minister this coming Monday, July 20, 2026, there is a palpable sense of optimism within India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). While Burnham officially succeeds Keir Starmer following his leadership victory on July 17, MEA officials are already signalling a bullish outlook, viewing his transition as a potential catalyst for deepening the burgeoning India-UK strategic and economic relationship.
Burnham, widely known as the "King of the North" for his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester, brings a reputation for pragmatic, growth-oriented governance that aligns well with India’s current investment priorities. His focus on regional development and economic revitalization is expected to resonate strongly with New Delhi’s push to leverage the recently signed India-UK FTA.
If sources are to be believed during the tenure of outgoing CP, Delhi Satish Golchha, the govt was not satisfied with Delhi's law and order situation. Sources said that CBI also made some arrests of Delhi Police officials on corruption and extortion charges and that about four other IPS officers were also on CBI radar. Sources said that MHA had reportedly expressed its displeasure to CP, Golchha, but there was no visible improvement. Golchha is an IPS officer of the 1992 batch.
DM Lucknow Vishak G is likely to move to the GoI. He is a 2011 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.
Nominations have been invited from police officers in the rank of Deputy SP/SP who are currently in active service for Individual Police Officer (IPO) training programmes to be conducted in 2026. The training programmes are being conducted under the auspices of the United Nations and host countries to enhance the professional competencies required for participation in UN Peace Operations. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will accept nominations until July 24.
The fully sponsored courses include Monitoring. Mentoring and Advising from September 14 to 18 in Germany; UN Police Pre-Deployment Training from September 28 to October 16 in the Netherlands; Team and Conflict Management in Peace Operations from September 28 to October 2 in Germany and Project Management in Support of Peace Operations from September 28 to October 2 in Germany.
The training courses that come at a cost include UN Police Officers Course II (CPTM + STM) from November 9 to 20 in Sweden and UN Police Officers Course from September 21n to October 2 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Besides, the French for Senior Officers course will be conducted Online from September 14 to October 16 at no cost.
Three IPS officers have been transferred to Tripura. Sudhambika R, SP, Unakoti, has been shifted as SP (Cyber Crime), while Rishabh, Additional SP, Gomati, joins SP, Unakoti.
Besides, Nabadwip Jamatia, SP (Cyber Crime), has been transferred as Commandant, 15th Battalion, Tripura State Rifles (TSR).
The Kerala government has reshuffled IAS officers. Puneet Kumar, Resident Commissioner, Kerala House, New Delhi, has been assigned full additional charge of matters connected with inter-state water in the Water Resources Department in addition to his existing responsibilities, while Minhaj Alam, ACS, Home and Vigilance Department, has been has been entrusted with FAC of Industries (Coir) Department and relieved of the additional charges of the Sports & Youth Affairs, Zoos, Museum, Archaeology and Archives departments.
Likewise, Inbasekar K, MD, Kerala Water Authority, has been shifted as Director, Cultural Affairs Department in the newly created ex-cadre post with additional charge as Registrar, Co-operative Societies and Additional Project Director, Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernisation Project (KERA); Dr Sriram V, Director of Agriculture, has been assigned FAC as Managing Director, Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence (KASE); Prem Krishnan S, Registrar, Co-operative Societies, will be posted as Joint Secretary, Water Resources Department with FAC as Managing Director, Kerala Water Authority and Alex Varghese, Commissioner, Housing, will hold FAC as Resilient Kerala Program-for-Results (PforR) Additional Financing.
Further, Prasanth N, will join as Special Secretary in charge of the Sports & Youth Affairs, Zoos, Museum, Archaeology and Archives departments; Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, has been assigned FAC of the Ayush Department and Suhas S, Special Secretary, Water Resources Department, has been assigned additional charge as Special Secretary, Housing Department, and MD, Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC).
RITES Limited has advertised the post of Senior Manager-Human Resource. Applications may be sent to GM (HR) at kapil.soni3@rites.com latest by August 11, 2026.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is seeking retired government accounts officers for Consultants in PAO CRPF, New Delhi and PAOs of Delhi Police on contractual basis. Applications must reach latest by July 31, 2026.
The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology has advertised the post of Consultant (Techno-legal). Candidates may apply online through link https://ora.digitalindiacorporation.in/ latest by July 28, 2026.
The Ministry of Power has advertised the post of Chairman & Managing Director, SJVN. details can be downloaded from https://powermin.gov.in.
The Ministry of Power is seeking to hire a Director (Human Resources), National Thermal Power Corporation Limited. Details can be availed from the Power Ministry’s website.
Applications from retired government servants to fill the posts of Consultant in the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship have been invited. Applications can be sent at neeraj.1947@gov.in.
Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Limited has advertised two posts each of Manager (Electrical) and Manager (S&T). applications can be emailed at dep_abs@mrvc.gov.in latest by August 15, 2026.
S. N. Karuppannaswamy, presently serving as Chief Personnel Officer (CPO), Southern Railway (SR), has been transferred to South East Central Railway (SECR) and posted as Chief Personnel Officer (CPO). He is an Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) officer.
Ms Pramila Singh, presently serving as Chief Personnel Officer (CPO), Western Railway (WR), has been transferred to Central Railway (CR) and posted as Chief Personnel Officer (CPO). She is an Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) officer.
Ms. Pushpa Rani, presently serving as Principal Financial Adviser (PFA), Metro Railway, Kolkata, has been entrusted with the additional charge of the post of Director (Finance), Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRCL). She is an Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) officer.
Senior BJP leader from Punjab Harjit Singh Grewal has been appointed as Chairperson of National Commission for Minorities. The post was lying vacant ever since the term of Iqbal Singh Lalpura ended in April 2025. Earlier, S. Munawari Begum has been appointed as the Vice-Chairperson of the commission and Glenn E Souza Ticlo as member.
Arun Agarwal has been redesignated from Non-Executive Non-Independent Director to Managing Director of Kisan Mouldings Limited.
Rajesh Ranjan has been elected as Shareholder Director of Central Bank of India with effect from August 1, 2026.
Ms Geeta Balmuchu has been appointed as Non-Official Director on the Board of Orissa Minerals Development Company Limited (OMDC).
Som Nath Sachdeva has been appointed as Non-Official Independent Director on the Board of NTPC Limited.
Gautam Mehra has been appointed as Additional Director designated as Independent Director of Chalet Hotels Limited.
Rishi Bhargav has been appointed as Additional Director (Non-Executive Independent Director) of Northlink Fiscal and Capital Services Limited.
Mrs. Ruta Rohankumar Soni has been appointed as Independent Director of Bloom Dekor Limited.
Kiran Bharatbhai Mistri has been appointed as Independent Director of Bloom Dekor Limited.
Heera Lal Kumhar has been appointed as Independent Director of Bloom Dekor Limited.
Mrs. Payal Ravi Banwari has been appointed as Independent Director of Bloom Dekor Limited.
Sameer Sharma has been appointed as Director of JK Cement Limited.
Mudit Aggarwal has been re-appointed as Independent Director of JK Cement Limited.
Aeruva Bhopal Reddy has been re-appointed as Executive Director of COSYN Limited with effect from August 12, 2026.
Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has been appointed as Part-time Official (Nominee) Director on the Board of Cochin Shipyard Limited.
Ms. Anupama TV, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has been appointed as Part-time Official (Nominee) Director on the Board of Cochin Shipyard Limited.
Ms. Kajal Dubey has been appointed as Independent Director of Lakhotia Polyesters (India) Limited.
Ms. Aditi Dhar has resigned from the position of Non-Executive Non-Independent Director of DCM Shriram Fine Chemicals Limited.
Nikunj Shrawan Bihani has resigned as Independent Director of Lakhotia Polyesters (India) Limited.
Poorly designed govt department websites
I fully agree with comments of a viewer in the Forum that websites of almost all ministries and departments are poorly designed. Each ministry follows its own design which either hides relevant information or makes it difficult to access the same.
NO TRANSPARENCY
A K Singh
FAA’s order directing disclosure set aside by CIC
The appellant sought for the rank, name and marks secured by candidates for Labour Enforcement Officer separately in RT and interview and the total aggregate rank wise. On appeal, the FAA directed to furnish appropriate reply on this point. On second appeal, after the perusal of the FAA’s order, the CIC observed that the directions for disclosure of information were passed without application of mind, although the appellant had sought personal details including educational qualification of other candidates. The FAA’s order was set aside by the CIC regarding providing the educational details of candidates. It was held that personal details/ information of other candidates is held by the UPSC in a fiduciary relationship and is exempted under section 8 (1) (j) of the RTI Act, 2025.
Comments
Information about the educational qualification or the marks scored by the other candidates is often an issue raised in an application filed under the RTI Act. Understanding privacy and respecting the personal information is a responsibility entrusted to the PIO.
Citation: Rahul Kumar Pathak v. Union Public Service Commission, Second Appeal No. CIC/UPSCM/A/2024/650667; Date of Decision: 25.08.2025
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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