Hard at work

At a time when senior bureaucrats are scared to take sensitive decisions in the wake of 2G and CWG scams, all eyes are now on the incumbent Central Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar to restore some confidence among top bureaucracy. HT reports.

Bureaucracy pins its hopes on new CVC

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At a time when senior bureaucrats are scared to take sensitive decisions in the wake of 2G and CWG scams, all eyes are now on the incumbent Central Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar to restore some confidence among top bureaucracy.

These bureaucrats expect Kumar to reform the extremely slow vigilance machinery of the government to weed out the black sheep. The CVC has recommended inquiries against certain officials but it has taken a long time to end the inquiry and initiate disciplinary action. “Quick action on the part of the CVC can help in the fight against corruption from within,” a secretary level official said.

Minister administers the healing touch

A senior cabinet minister travelling on an Air India flight was approached by its pilot. The Captain, like the many of the thousand AI employees, was worried about the state of the national carrier which has run out of money to even pay for salaries.

There were comforting words from the senior minister, who is also a part of the Group of Ministers on civil aviation. He told the pilot that the government will stand behind the airline but also hinted that there could be a few changes in the top management.

Going green is the new mantra being advocated by bureaucrats of the Urban Development Ministry. And one among them, SK Lohia, a JS in the Ministry, has decided to practice what is being preached. Since the past one month, Lohia has been cycling to work on his imported bike to promote the environment-friendly mode of transport.

But the effort, though laudable, has earned its fair share of critics. Reason: while Lohia cycles from his government flat near Connaught Place to his office, a couple of kilometres away at Nirman Bhawan, his office car follows him with his briefcase and files, defeating the very idea of going green.