Today's GK(01-11-2013)

In major reform, SC orders fixed tenure for bureaucrats

To insulate the bureaucracy from political interference and to put an end to frequent transfers of civil servants by political bosses, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Centre and the States to set up a Civil Services Board (CSB) for the management of transfers, postings, inquiries, process of promotion, reward, punishment and disciplinary matters.

A Bench of Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and Pinaki Chandra Ghose, giving a series of directions while disposing of a public interest writ petition — filed by former Union Cabinet Secretary T.S.R. Subramanian; former CECs T.S. Krishnamurthy and N. Gopalaswami; former Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Abid Hussain; former CBI Director Joginder Singh; former Manipur Governor Ved Prakash Marwah and 77 others — also said bureaucrats should not act on verbal orders given by politicians and suggested a fixed tenure for them.

Writing the judgment, Mr. Justice Radhakrishnan said “the CSB, consisting of high ranking service officers, who are experts in their respective fields, with the Cabinet Secretary at the Centre and Chief Secretary at the State level, could be a better alternative (till the Parliament enacts a law), to guide and advise the State government on all service matters, especially on transfers, postings and disciplinary action, etc., though their views also could be overruled, by the political executive, but by recording reasons, which would ensure good governance, transparency and accountability in governmental functions.”

The Bench asked Parliament to enact a Civil Services Act under Article 309 of the Constitution setting up a CSB, “which can guide and advise the political executive transfer and postings, disciplinary action, etc.” The Bench directed the Centre, State governments and the Union Territories to constitute such Boards “within three months, if not already constituted, till the Parliament brings in a proper Legislation in setting up CSB.”

The Bench said “We notice, at present the civil servants are not having stability of tenure, particularly in the State governments where transfers and postings are made frequently, at the whims and fancies of the executive head for political and other considerations and not in public interest. The necessity of minimum tenure has been endorsed and implemented by the Union Government. In fact, we notice, almost 13 States have accepted the necessity of a minimum tenure for civil servants. Fixed minimum tenure would not only enable the civil servants to achieve their professional targets, but also help them to function as effective instruments of public policy.”

Deprecating repeated transfers, the Bench said minimum assured tenure ensures efficient service delivery and also increased efficiency.The Bench directed the Centre, States and Union Territories to issue appropriate directions to secure providing of minimum tenure of service to various civil servants, within three months.

Six major central banks make currency swap pacts permanent

Six major central banks, on Thursday, said they would make their web of currency swap arrangements permanent as a ‘prudent liquidity backstop’ in case of future global financial strains.

The Bank of Japan, the U.S. Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England and the central banks of Canada and Switzerland will convert their “temporary bilateral liquidity swap arrangements’’ into standing arrangements that “will remain in place until further notice.’’

“The existing temporary swap arrangements have helped to ease strains in financial markets and mitigate their effects on economic conditions,’’ a co-ordinated statement from the central banks said. “The standing arrangements will continue to serve as a prudent liquidity backstop.’’

Global credit crunch

Currency swap lines were first introduced nearly six years ago in response to a global credit crunch that starved banks of liquidity and threatened to gum up the entire financial system.

They were an important part of the policy response to the 2007-09 financial crisis, keeping a lid on funding costs, which had spiralled due to fear over counter-party risk.

The arrangements were next due for review in February.

Speaking after the BOJ kept its massive stimulus programme in place, Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said the structure had helped bring stability to financial markets, and the move to make it permanent did not denote any new alarm about liquidity.

“We decided to make them permanent to avoid uncertainty as they were due to expire next February,’’ Mr. Kuroda told a news conference.

“We have no plan to extend the swap arrangements beyond the six central banks,’’ he said. — Reuters

Core sector grows 8 % in September

The growth of core sector industries touched an 11-month high of 8 per cent in September, according to official data released on Thursday.

The eight infrastructure industries grew mainly due to expansion in crude oil, steel and electricity production. The growth rate of the core industries is higher than the previous month, August, when these sectors grew by 3.7 per cent. However, it is lower than 8.3 per cent growth that was recorded a year ago in September, 2012.

The core industries, which also include coal, natural gas, petroleum refinery products, fertiliser and cement with a weight of about 38 per cent in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), have grown at 3.2 per cent during the April-September period of this fiscal as. compared to 6.6 per cent in the first six months of 2012-13.

Crude oil, steel and electricity grew by 0.6 per cent, 6.6 per cent and 12.6 per cent, respectively, during September. The IIP numbers for September are likely to be announced on November 12. Factory output slowed down sharply to 0.6 per cent in August mainly on account of contraction in manufacturing and mining. Coal production growth rate slowed to 12.5 per cent, while natural gas output dipped (-) 14.1 per cent.  Growth in petroleum refinery products declined to 8 per cent in September, as against 34.9 per cent in the same period previous year. Fertiliser and cement production growth also slowed to 5.3 per cent and 11.5 per cent.

For the April-September period, crude oil production has declined by (-) 1.3 per cent as compared to a contraction of (-) 0.8 per cent. Similarly, the output of natural gas in the six month period contracted by (-) 16.5 per cent as compared to decline in production by (-) 12.5 per cent in the same period last year. Petroleum refinery production expanded by 5.3 per cent during the period, as against 27 per cent in April-September, 2012.

During the first-half of this fiscal, cement output too slowed down to 4.5 per cent compared to 9.1 per cent. Production of coal also slowed down to 2.3 per cent as compared to 9.4 per cent. However, fertiliser production grew by 2.5 per cent compared to (-) 5.6 per cent in the same period last fiscal. Steel and electricity generation grew by 4.5 per cent and 5.4 per cent, respectively, during the period.

SpiceJet appoints Sanjiv Kapoor as COO

SpiceJet has appointed Sanjiv Kapoor as its Chief Operating Officer with effect from November 1, 2013. Originally a native of Kolkata, Mr Kapoor started working in 1996 with Northwest Airlinesin several roles spanning corporate finance, business planning, procurement and operations. —Special Correspondent

Govt cuts import tariff on gold, hikes silver

The government on Friday cut the import tariff value of gold to $440 per ten gram but raised the same on silver to $738 per kg, in line with international price of the precious metals.

The import tariff value is the base price at which the customs duty is determined to prevent under-invoicing. The tariff value on imported gold was hiked two days back to $442 per ten gram, while it was kept unchanged at $699 per kg for silver.

The notification in this regard has been issued by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), an official statement said here. Apart from precious metals, tariff value on imported brass scrap has been slashed to $3,840 per tonne from $3,933 per tonne maintained till Thursday. However, the tariff value on imported vegetable oils like crude soyabean oil, RBD palm oil and others has been raised.

Import tariff value on crude soyabean oil has been increased to $1,006 per tonne from $952 per tonne and tariff value on RBD palmolein has been raised to $900 per tonne from $869 per tonne in the review period. The import tariff value on gold and silver has been changed taking cues from the global market. In Singapore, the yellow metal is ruling down at $1322.2 per ounce and white metal at $21.87 per ounce.

India, the world’s largest consumer of gold, imported 393.68 tonnes of the yellow metal during the April-September period of this year, as per official data.

China opened new Highway linking Medog to Zhamog; near to Arunachal Pradesh border

China on 31 October 2013 opened a new highway that links Medog to Zhamog-located near the border with Arunachal Pradesh.

The highway linking Medog, the last roadless county in China, with neighboring Bome county in Tibet formally opened to traffic, ending the county's isolation from the outside world. The 117-km highway, which cost 950 million yuan (155 million U.S. dollars), links Zhamog Township, the county seat of Bome, and Medog in Nyingchi Prefecture in southeastern Tibet.

The road will be accessible for 8 to 9 months per year, barring major natural disasters. The Zhamog-Medog starts along the Number 318 National Road in Zhamog township in Bomi County. It goes through the 4400-meter high Galung La Mountain and cross 6 rivers, to reach Medog.

The opening of the Medog road will greatly lower transportation costs and will also improve medical care and educational facilities.

With this new highway, every county in Tibet is now linked through the highway network, underlining the widening infrastructure gulf across the disputed border, even as India belatedly pushes forward an upgrading of border roads in more difficult terrain.

China first started attempting to build the highway to Medog – a landlocked county in Tibet’s Nyingchi prefecture – in the 1960s, in the aftermath of the 1962 war with India.

Six Major Central Banks Permanently Made Currency Swap Accords

Six major central banks in the world made currency swap arrangements permanent on 31 October 2013 as a prudent liquidity backstop  in case of future global financial strains.
Previously these banks had temporary bilateral currency swap arrangements.

Names of Six major central banks

1. The Bank of Japan
2. U.S. Federal Reserve
3. European Central Bank
4. Bank of England
5. central bank of Canada
6. central bank of Switzerland

About Currency Swap

A currency swap is a foreign-exchange agreement between two institutions /Countries to exchange aspects (namely the principal an interest payments) of a loan in one currency for equivalent aspects of an equal in net present value loan in another currency.

About Central bank liquidity swap

Central bank liquidity swap/Currency is a type of currency swap used by a country's central bank to provide liquidity of its currency to another country's central bank

India won Gold in 18th Asian Archery Competition at Chinese Taipei

India's men's compound Archery team on 31 October 2013 won a gold medal in the 18th Asian Archery competition held at Chinese Taipei.

Abhishek Verma, Ratan Singh, Sandeep Kumar forming the compound team defeated the Korean trio of Lihong Min, Yong Hee Choi and Jongho Kim 233-231 to win the gold.

The Indian compound trio showed their consistency right through the qualification round, in which they totalled 2086 points, to be ranked No.1 after they got a bye in the pre-quarters.

In the quarters, India ousted Iraq 231-221 while hosts Chinese Taipei faced the elimination going down 220-232.

18th Asian Archery Championships 2013 was organized by Asian Archery Federation (AAF) in Taipei (TPE) from 29 October to 2 November 2013.

Bharat Suresh Joshi Appointed as British Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai

 

 

Vice-President of India, Hamid Ansari Visited Cuba

The Vice-president of India, Hamid Ansari on 30 October 2013 had a meeting with the revolutionary hero and the former President of Cuba, Fidel Castro. This was the first ever bilateral visit from Indian side to Cuba. During the meeting, India and Cuba signed an agreement on co-operation in broadcasting. It is important to note that India and Cuba are the founding members of Non Aligned Movement (NAM).

Agreement signed between India and Cuba

• The Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation on broadcasting between Prasar Bharti and Cuban Radio and Television Institute was signed on 30 October 2013.
• The MoU was signed by India's ambassador to Cuba Chinthapalli Rajasekhar and vice-president of the institute Emillio Moises Garcia Borroto.

Major Highlights of the visit

• During the tour, Hamid Ansari did the tour of Peru and signed four agreements.
• In the meanwhile, he also inaugurated the Festival of India which started off with Nrityaroopa, a fusion of six classical dances.
• Delegation-level talks and discussions were held with the Cuban leaders.
• Hamid Ansari also visited the Biotechnology Centre in Cuba.
• He also visited the Revolution Plaza.

List of Empowered Group of Ministers as on 19.09.2013

List of EGoMs as on 19.9.2013

Famous Political Leaders Achievements to Indian Politics

1. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru

The first prime Minister of India ruled a chaotic newborn country right from its independence in 1947 until his death in 1964. Nehru’s legacy is that of an extremely liberal, socialist and secular leader, who under the apprenticeship of Mahatma Gandhi, firmly put India on the course in which it runs today. Nehru was a man of letters and is also credited with creating the Planning Commission of India.

2. B. R. Ambedkar

One of the greatest personalities ever born in India, Ambedkar was a jurist, political leader, philosopher, anthropologist, historian, revolutionary, writer and much more. He was a revolutionary leader and held forth on his views even if they went against the popular grain. He also revived Buddhism in India, a legacy still seen in Dalit communities, who’s cause Ambedkar championed throughout his life. Ambedkar is also known as the Father of the Indian Constitution, on behalf of which the nation celebrated Republic Day.

3. Atal Behari Vajpayee

The recipient of the Padma Vibhushan in 1992, he is one of the most respected political leaders in India’s history. The only prime minister to serve a full term outside the Congree Party, Vajpayee was known to be a liberal within the BJP, a party with extreme right views. He fearlessly led the nuclear tests in

4. Lal Bahadur Shastri

Filling the boots of Jawaharlal Nehru was never going to be an easy task, but Lal Bahadur Shastri did just that, and with elan. He gave India a slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisaan’ and worked extensively for farmer sector in India in continuation of Nehru’s socialist policies. India’s decisive victory in the war against Pakistan in 1965 while he was Prime Minister elevated the country’s mood after its defeat to China earlier and turned him into a hero to cherish forever.

5. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

India was not inherited as a whole piece of land upon Independence. It was divided into princely states whose leaders demanded uncontrolled privileges or sought to remain as neutral territories. Dealing with each of them sternly and firmly earned Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel the sobriquet of India’s Iron Man. He also established the civil services division in Indian administration.

6. Subhash Chandra Bose

Though he served as a member of the Indian National Congress only for a small duration, he had a great impact on the country’s armed forces. One of the few leaders who supported armed revolt to overthrow British rule in India, Bose even formed an army that reported to him called Indian National Army and sought the support of Japan to defeat Britishers in the country. Although his Army failed to directly drive out the British, former Britain PM Clement Atlee conceded that Bose’s activities played a major role in the withdrawal of Britain from India.

7. Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi served as a Prime Minister for 11 years and is credited for initiating the Green Revolution in India. The only child of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira wielded a lot of influence in the Congress Party and the sentiments of the public. She was known to be ruthless during her term as Prime Minister that lifted India out of a policy quagmire and firmly placed the development of the country on the fast track. A controversial figure because of the Emergency and subsequent assassination in the aftermath of Operation Blue Star, Indira was named as India’s greatest Prime Minister at the turn of the century.

8. Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Rajendra Prasad was the first President of independent India. He is also considered to be one of the architects of India’s Republic and also served as the president of India’s Constituent Assembly. Prasad is credited with being bipartisan and acting on merit. He is still the only President to have been elected for the President’s position twice.

9. APJ Abdul Kalam

The man with the frizzy hair and India’s favourite grandpa, APJ Abdul Kalam was one of the most proactive President of recent times. He is also known as People’s President and India’s Missile Man for advancing India’s ballistic missile programs. Known for championing youth causes’, Kalam also launched the What Can I Give movement in 2011 to defeat corruption and realize his life goal of turning India into a developed country by 2020.

10. Dadabhai Naoroji

One of the earliest political leaders of India, he was also involved in business like cotton trading. He was also one of India’s early educationists and sought to clear concepts of Zoroastrianism amongst the local populace in Bombay. Naoroji was also a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons between 1892 and 1895 in the UK, becoming the first Asian to be a British MP.

11. Jyoti Basu

Jyoti Basu holds the record for serving as the longest chief minister of any state in India after holding that post in power from 1977 to 2000 in West Bengal as a CPI(M) politician. He was also one of India’s most well-known atheists. Basu designed the land reform plan in India and initiated panchayati raj for farmers in West Bengal. Never one to follow Communism by the book, Basu made it his mission to give the lower strata of society its due and always upheld communal harmony.

12. Shashi Tharoor

One of the most charming leaders in the country today, Shashi Tharoor is also the country’s most well-known diplomat and writer from the political stream. Tharoor is known to have his own views about various issues plaguing the country and is not afraid of being vocal about them. Some of his comments have earned him the ire of the Congress party and he has also been dragged into the Kochi IPL controversy, but his popularity amongst the youth especially, is unwavering. Tharoor is also one of the most tech-savvy politicians who created a direct channel with Indians with his Twitter account.

13. E M Sankaran Namboodiripad

When he took oath as the first chief minister of Kerala, E M Sankaran Namboodiripad or EMS as he was known, also became the first Communist leader to have been elected democratically in India. EMS pioneered the land and education system in Kerala that has become a model for other states and contributed to the rise and rise of literacy in Kerala. He also played an active role within the CPI(M) party and brought it to national prominence in the 60s and 70s. Besides this, he was a well-known journalist and writer as well.

14. N.T.Rama Rao

N.T. Rama Rao, popularly known as NTR, served as CM of Andhra Pradesh for three terms riding on the back of his immensely successful films, in which he mostly played deities Rama and Krishna. His portrayal of mythological characters translated into record wins from audiences when he decided to turn into a politician by founding the Telugu Desam Party. NTR was known to be passionate about the Andhra cause, equal rights for women and introduced many populist schemes for his state. He was an astute politician and was also involved in forming the National Front that ruled the country from 1989 to 1991 under which the Mandal Commission’s recommendation of implementing 27 per cent reservations for OBCs was implemented.

15. M. G. Ramachandran

M. G. Ramachandran, or MGR for his fans, was one of the most influential politicians in Tamil Nadu. MGR was a superstar actor in Tamil films and joined the Congress party after being influenced by Gandhian values. He later joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and became as popular in the party as he was among his film fans. In 1972 he formed his own party called Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and riding on his popularity emerged as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu in 1977 and remained so until his death in 1987. He was known for his focus on education and the earliest proponents of mid0day meals that incentivized children to attend schools. MGR was also known for his philanthropic activities. The frenzy and looting that followed his death remains unparalleled to this day and is a testament to his popularity.

16. Sonia Gandhi

Sonia Gandhi is about to complete 15 years as the President of the Indian National Congress Party. Keeping the grand old party of India under check and voicing her opinions ever so often on the state of the affairs in the country. Sonia Gandhi’s legacy will never be fully known unless somebody spills the beans on how much influence she actually wields in government decisions. She is known to have played an important role in passing important bills such as National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the Right to Information Act. The cash transfers scheme for poor people is the latest initiative from Sonia Gandhi.

17. Rajiv Gandhi

One of the most dashing leaders the country has ever seen, Rajiv was the man behind diminishing the License Raj, gave a push to science and technology and also introduced the telecommunication revolution in India. He took office as Prime Minister of India at the age of 40 after his mother Indira was assassinated in 1984. In the elections held immediately thereafter, the Congress party won an unprecedented 411 seats out of 542 across the country. Known to be a patron of arts, Rajiv also introduced INTACH in 1984 to preserve India’s rich heritage.

18. Manmohan Singh

Manmohan Singh may be a much reviled figure today but no one deny his contribution in lifting the country out of an economic morass in 1991 by opening up the economy. The transformation from socialism and capitalism was a long time coming and Manmohan ensured that the transition went off smoothly. Under his leadership, India achieved the US $ 1 trillion economy milestone. The strong growth recorded by the country over the past few years must go to Manmohan and team.

19. Zakir Hussain

Dr Zakir Hussain was the first Muslim President of India and the founder of Jamia Milia Islamia, one of India’s most recognized university. His dedication to education and efforts to keep Jamia Milia Islamia running even under dire circumstances earned him praise from unexpected quarters, including arch rival Mohammed Ali Jinnah. The current foreign minister Salman Khurshid is the grandson of Dr Hussain.

20. P. V. Narasimha Rao

Narasimha Rao was the Prime Minister when Manmohan Singh opened up the economy in 1991, a role for which he is known as the Father of Indian Economic Reforms. He also introduced computer based trading system of the National Stock Exchange in 1994 and encouraged FDI inflows into the country to revive its flagging economy. He also took important decisions that strengthened the internal security of the country. An astute politician, he passed several important laws through a mixture of cunning and guile even though he headed a minority government.

21. Morarji Desai

India’s first non-Congress Prime Minister, Morarji Desai was the architect of India’s nuclear program. A strict follower of Gandhi’s non-violence movement, his peace overtures were so successful that Desai remains the only politician to have received Pakistan’s highest civilian award Nishan-e-Pakistan from President Ghulam Ishaq Khan. Desai is also credited with promoting social, health and administrative reforms in the country.

22. Sunil Dutt

India’s only worthwhile sports Minister, Sunil Dutt is a well-known former actor. He later joined the Congress party and was elected for a record five terms to Parliament. Dutt was known to be a pacifist leader and promoted communal harmony in Mumbai. He also founded the Nargis Dutt foundation to treat cancer patients. Dutt was one of the rare actor-turned-politician who genuinely sought to change the state of the country in his own way.

23. Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi has the power to divide opinions into two polar opposites. If you see him as the force behind the 2002 riots in Gujarat then you will have to turn a willful blind eye to the economic prosperity and sense of pride he has infused in his community. His supporters call him a tight-fisted leader while his detractors call him a mild dictator. Whichever way you look at it, Modi’s legacy in politics is undoubtable.

24. Jairam Ramesh

As our economy has grown in leaps and bounds, the ecology has suffered in equal measure. Mining and logging rights have been given at throwaway prices to corporate, escalating the conflict with Maoists in the country. Into this mess Jairam Ramesh sought to create a clear and transparent way of dealing with rights, clearing the Forests Rights Act bill and halting the controversial genetically modified food production in India.

25. Jayaprakash Narayan

Jayaprakash Narayan has been an important leader who first came into prominence for opposing Indira Gandhi at the height of her powers. In 1974, he called for a peaceful Total Revolution after leading a students’ movement in Bihar. Although he never became a force to reckon with within politics, Narayan was the first leader who commanded huge crowds for his political stands, a position that was taken over by Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal recently.

26. Nitish Kumar

One of the cleanest ministers to emerge out of Bihar in recent times, Nitish Kumar, a protégé of Jayaprakash Narayan, is also known as an efficient taskmaster. Under his rule, the state recovered from massive economic collapse and powerful corruption. Kumar fast tracked development projects, appointed over a lakh teachers to improve education standards and most importantly, brought crime under control in Bihar, a state long known for its lawlessness. Bihar is slowly turning a corner with migrants from the state eager to take part in the success story created under Kumar’s rule.

SIX objectives of RTI act 2005

OBJECTIVES

The soul objective of the Right To Information Act 2005 is as following:

An Act to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority, the constitution of a Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Above statement articulated as a soul objective in the Act includes the following objectives / points:

•  To setup the practical regime:

However, article 19(1)(a) of the India’s constitution provides “Freedom of Expression”,  as a  Fundamental Right and as well as in the  matter of State of UP v Raj Narain(1975)4 SCC 428, Supreme Court of India has already declared “Right To Know” as a fundamental Right under article 19(1)(a). It means to know the information any one can approach to the High Court or Supreme Court directly, but this efforts was not enough to avail the information properly and systematically as well as uncertainty was their regarding its applicability which was creating ambiguous situation and facing difficulties to avail the information from the various agencies of government and non-government organizations. Therefore in order to provide systematic and concrete mechanism Parliament of India enacted “Right To Information Act 2005” which facilitate the citizen to avail all kind of information with reasonable restriction mentioned as a general and specific exception under Section 8, 9, and 24 of the same Act.

• For citizens:

According to Section 3 of RTI Act only citizen of India is eligible to file the application for any information subject to this Act but the guideline issued by Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions Department of Personnel  & raining,  through their letter No.1/69/2007-IR dated 27^th February 2008, directs that, if any RTI Application filed on the behalf of organization, in such case, instead of rejection that should be accepted as a personal application on the behalf of that name of the person mentioned in the RTI Application.

• to secure access to information under the control of public authorities,

Definition of Public Authority articulated in Section 2(h) of RTI Act includes all the governmental organizations, and as well as , those Non Governmental Organizations substantially financed by the Government but Act doesn’t revealed the percentage of financial aids for this purpose which raise the ambiguous situation and dependability on the court’s decision.

The expression “ under the control of public authority” which is perused in final part of the Section 2(f) while defining the word “Information” that, “information relating to any private body, which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force” means citizen can access the information which is directly related to the activities of that Public Authority as well as those information regarding private body which is held by that Public authority. So in this way indirectly citizen can access the information related to the private bodies from the government offices who are authorised to control or monitor them, or connected in any way under any other laws for the time being in force.

•  To promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority.

This Act ensure to eradicate the any type of corruption in Public Authority by providing mandatory obligation to the Public Authority to make ensure to disseminate the information sought by the Indian citizen within a certain time period with nominal fee,. As well as Section 4 impose Public authority to maintain and provide access all the information specified in the Section  4(b) by applying suo motu (self initiative) action. So, due to the mandatory dissemination of information in the accessible format  definitely transparency and accountability can established because that information not only help to aware the puple as well as could admit as a evidence in any legal procedure.

•   The constitution of a Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions:

To provide the proper remedy with objectivity state and central commissions has been established seperatly by this Act  (Refer Chapter 3 & 4 respectively). In such Commissions Second Appeal and Complaint can be filed by citizen without any fee. The status of Chief Commissioners and other Commissioners are same as the Chief and other Election Commissioners respectively.

• Matters connected to Public Authority or incidental thereto:

This is the first Act in India which provides the controlling power to the citizen in which Public Authorities are compelled to disseminate the information which is either directly or indirectly connected to them. Even if sought information is not belongs to particular Public Authority, in such case, that Public Authority is compelled to transfer to the relevant Public Authority instead of rejection..

Reason Of Rupee Sinking

1. Widening current account deficit: This is resulting in creating more actual as well as speculative demand for the dollar and other convertible currencies.
2. Policy inaction: Perception of lack of clarity on the policy front is also fanning speculative demand wherein the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on one day said it will tighten liquidity and on yet another said it will inject $1 billion in the market.
3. Low forex reserves: India's foreign exchange reserves are enough to cover imports of only seven months. The forex reserves have declined in the recent months. Due to low reserves, the RBI can't intervene aggressively in the currency markets.
4. Growth slowdown: India's gross domestic product (GDP) growth fell to a decade low of 5 per cent in 2012-13. The situation is unlikely to improve much this year. Foreign investors are pulling money out of the Indian markets due to slow growth.
5. Dependence on foreign money: India's current account deficit was financed by foreign money for the last many years. Withdrawal of money by overseas investors is leading to the weakness in the rupee.
6. Recovery in the US: The slow but steady recovery in the US is making the greenback stronger against other currencies.
7. Stimulus withdrawal: Indications that the US may withdraw or ease the fiscal stimulus package could potentially put the brakes on funds for developing economies.
8. Capital controls: The decision by the Reserve Bank and the government to impose temporary restrictions on capital flows has not gone down well with the markets, as it will not only discourage Indian companies from investing abroad, but also foreign firms from pumping money into India.
9. Trends in other markets: The rupee is also following the trend seen in the currencies of other emerging economies such as Brazil, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa.
10. Speculative trading: Speculative trading in the currency markets is putting further pressure on the Indian rupee.

Rupee's fate Links to Narendra Modi: Hong Kong based broker

Asia-Pacific focused brokerage CLSA said on Friday that the current crisis in financial markets could trigger an improvement in governance in India.
The Hong Kong-based brokerage linked the fate of the volatile rupee to the political prospects of Narendra Modi, widely expected to be named the BJP's candidate for Prime Minister in next year's general elections.
Analyst Christopher Wood wrote in his weekly column, "Greed & fear's view is that the worse the sense of crisis the better Modi's chance of winning."
He also said, "The Indian stock market's greatest hope is the emergence of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate."
Wood's 'Greed & fear' reviews global markets and economies and is widely followed by investment professionals and the media.
The BJP is yet to make formal announcement that Mr Modi, also the chief Minister of Gujarat, will be its face in 2014. As the party's campaign committee chairman, he is currently designing the BJP's election strategy with the help of top party leaders.

CLSA's comments come as the Indian rupee, which has fallen over 20 per cent since the start of May, continues to slide. The rupee's weakness has now spilled over into other financial markets such as stocks and bonds. The Sensex has fallen nearly 1,000 points this week as the rupee hit a record low of 65.56 yesterday.

The government has been unable to spell out a concrete plan or take effective steps to stem the bleed and reverse negative sentiments.

The Reserve Bank of India's intervention and curbs on outflows from companies and individuals have proved very temporary measures and traders remain pessimistic despite the huge selloff even as the government continues to stick to its guns that the panic is overdone.

India's problems are most self-inflicted in terms of the continuing lack of an investment cycle and a growing currency crisis, CLSA said, adding the Reserve Bank of India's tightening moves in July clearly backfired in large part because of misguided communication and conflicting signals.

The brokerage also said that India remains the Asian market most at risk of a sovereign debt crisis.

India is currently rated BBB-, which is the last rung on the rating ladder above so-called "junk" status that mainstream investors tend to steer clear of.

The brokerage said there could be further downsides in quality stocks, where FIIs have so far not sold their holdings in the relatively 'quality names'.