IAS OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION, BRANCH

December, 2010

Editorial Dear Colleagues,

Vol.-14 Issue - 1-4 Regd. No. 953 Dt. 23.01.1996 We have had nearly two months of excitements, months of meticulous planning and assiduous preparations for the Elections to the Bihar Legislative Assembly. And the outcome fills us with joy and pride: the upward swing in the percentage of In this Issue.... our people at the polling booths and the overwhelming participation of the female voters and the mechanical RCS in his mid-nineties about RCS in the post-1947 smoothness with which various stages have just glided into their era...... 01 - S. N. Sinha places have as it were, set a benchmark for future events. Score : e-registration in Bihar ...... 12 And now here we are, with the December issue of - Anil Kumar PRAYAAS, this being the third one during 2010. With this issue Reminiscences of a Deputy Commissioner...... 23 we really come to the end of an era that began with our seniors in - Satish Singh Thakur the pre-independence phase of administration: our seniormost ,d utj ------...... 25 colleague Shri R. C. Sinha who had joined the State Civil Service - jke mins’k flag in 1941 passed away on the 4th of December 2010. bl njE;ku (In the Meanwhile) ...... 26 PRAYAAS proudly presents the second — and what - lh- v’kksdo)Zu turned out to be the final – instalment of the dialogue PRAYAAS eksy ------27 had been having with him since early this year. The concluding - eerk esgjks=k words “The dialogue will continue” retains its inner meaning — Features.... administration too is a process of a perennial interaction between the experiences and wisdom of the past and the Waves & Ripples...... 29 imagination and requirements of the evolving times. Kids Corner ....

Remembering 26 / 11...... 30 (Arvind Kumar Chaudhary) - Shivaditya Sinha Sea Swim Dream ...... 32 - Ashutosh Mehrotra

Principal Editor : S. N. SinhaEditor : Arvind Kumar Chaudhary

Editorial Board : Bandana Preyashi, S. P. Sinha.

All views and opinions expressed in the contributions are of their authors. Patliputra Karuna Stupa, Buddha Smriti Park, RCS IN HIS MID-NINETIES ABOUT RCS IN THE POST- 1947 ERA

- S. N. Sinha

That our respected RCS continued to spare time for this second part till the very day after which he moved to the ICU ward in the Heart Hospital on 22nd of Nov.’10 is yet another stamp — the final one — of the indefatigable spirit of this great soldier of life and life’s majesty. That we could not present the December issue of ‘PRAYAAS’ to him profoundly saddens us. PRAYAAS is proudly publishing the second part of the dialogue which its Principal Editor had been working on for the past six months or so. When our Principal Editor went to look him up on 23rd of Nov. in the ICU ward he had reminded him of the Sloka of the Atharva Veda^^those 'kjn% 'kre~** forming the epigraph to the interview carried out in April, 2010 issue, that had brought a beaming smile on his face. That tragically turned out to be the last beaming smile, but the beam glows on ... — Editor

SNS: Sir, I am happy to share with you the warm two officers submitted to the Chief Minister response of the members of our for selecting one of them as Secretary to Association to the first part of this dialogue the Chief Minister, the latter had picked me which we had left amidst the first unfurling up. Incidentally, the other officer belonged of the National Flag on the 15th of August, to the community to which the Chief 1947 to the soul-stirring chanting of the Minister himself belonged. I assumed my National Anthem. I would now request you new charge on 08-02-1949. to narrate some of your experiences in the This was the first time that such a post post-independence period. Our curiosity is had come into existence. Indeed, the centred at the account of the first Secretary background is very interesting. Earlier, a to the first Chief Minister of Bihar, Dr. Parliamentary Secretary was attached to Srikrishna Sinha. It must have been both a the Chief Minister who used to function as daunting responsibility and fascinating his Secretary. I don’t remember his name experience for you to be associated with right now. You may like to ascertain it*. the inner workings of administration in Once it so happened that the advice of the post-1947 Bihar. same Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief RCS: Let me first thank you, Sinha, from the Minister ran counter to the depth of my heart for providing me with this recommendation of one of the senior-most unique opportunity of both recalling the Cabinet Ministers. The Chief Minister past and sharing some slices thereof with agreed with the advice of the Parliamentary all of you, although in a rather sketchy Secretary and thereby the manner. recommendation of the same Minister I clearly recall that while posted as stood over-ruled. The Minister concerned Administrator, Patna Municipal took umbrage at this ‘humiliation’ at the Corporation one day I got a call from the hands of a Parliamentary Secretary. The P.A. to Sri L.P. Singh, ICS, the then Chief matter ultimately landed in the office of the Secretary, Govt. of Bihar. It was conveyed then Home Minister and Deputy Prime to me that I was required in the Chief Minister of , where in course of Secretary’s chamber immediately. Sri L.P. discussions the Chief Minister stood by the Singh told me there that out of the names of analysis and advice recorded on the file by

* Subsequent enquiries indicate that Sri Shivnandan Prasad Mandal was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister.

1 the Parliamentary Secretary functioning as forties, as you know,the C.M. was called Secretary to the C.M. However the the Prime Minister or Premier. During this discussions resulted in the replacement of period (13th May, 1946 to 14th August, the systemexisting then of a Parliamentary 1947) in pursuance to the advice of the Secretary by a suitable Civil Servant to Central Government the then Governor of function as Secretary to the Chief Minister. Bihar Sir Hugh Dow had conveyed This arrangement, it was agreed, would individually to all the four members of the mesh with the normal pattern of Cabinet including the Premier to retain administration in the Secretariat. Thus was some of the experienced British ICS born the post of Secretary to the Chief Officers who did not have any black mark. Minister, Bihar. Before the Cabinet meeting began, the Very soon this arrangement was liked Premier advised his Cabinet colleagues by one and all, the political leaders as well that they should not discuss this point at all as civil servants. Indeed this went on so and this should be left to the Chief Minister. smoothly that I continued to enjoy the When the Governor raised this issue at the confidence of the Chief Minister and the Cabinet meeting and laid stress on the Finance Minister as well as the entire benefit that could accrue to the State Cabinet till Dr. S.K. Sinha was alive. It was administration from the rich experience of only after his sad and sudden demise on such British ICS Officers, the Premier 31st January, 1961 that I returned to my settled the issue in his own inimitable way. second post, Chairman, Patna He told the Governor very politely and Improvement Trust on a full-time basis. respectfully – ‘Your Excellency, I would like SNS: Sir, as we discussed last time I tried to to submit that the utility of these Officers locate the relevant papers like would vanish as soon as your Excellency correspondence of Governor of Bihar Sir would have reached the Government Hugh Dow (13th May, 1946 to 14th Aug. House.’ And thus no British ICS or IP officer 1947) with the Governor General of India was retained in Bihar. as well as the Mountbatten papers. I have SNS: How was the joint cadre of ICS and IP not succeeded so far. It would take some Officers of Bihar and Orissa managed till time. Meanwhile we should go by your the cadre separated in 1951? Any account which would be adequate for the interesting example that comes to your present purpose. How did Dr. S. K. Sinha, mind at this hour? the Chief Minister of Bihar respond to the RCS: Yes, the customary practice was that the sensitive issue of retention of British ICS / first in the seniority among the IP Officers of IP Officers? the joint cadre would hold the post of I.G. RCS: Well, I am also trying to get those papers. Police, Bihar and the second one would hold While I know you would continue with your the post of I.G. Police, Orissa. The single efforts to fret out these information from the exception that was made was in the case of Archives, etc. I have also given this task to Shri A. K. Sinha, IP, who was appointed Bala, my grandson who is in London. Inspector General of Police, Bihar. You Whenever I happen to get more know it very well, since he happned to be information I would pass it on to you for your great grand father-in-law. your further research work. SNS: Yes Sir, now it is a glorious part of The position was like this: Till the late administrative history, since he was the first

2 Indian Inspector General of Police. He Sinha and Sri L.P.Singh. Indeed this passed away a few months before I got understanding and relationship was so married, indeed a tragic loss for me since I profound and constructive that it would be could not have his blessings in person. difficult to find its parallel. We all knew that While we are on this subject I would this mutual respect and understanding like to remind you that the general between the two continued even after the perception about Dr. S. K. Sinha is that in sudden transfer of Sri L.P. Singh to the his tenures as the Premier (Chief Minister) Govt. of India. of Bihar in pre-independent India i.e. (i) Secondly, Sri Babu, as he was fondly from 20th July 1937 to 3rd November 1939 called, always stood publicly by the Civil and (ii) from 2nd April 1946 to 14th August Servants. I will give you only a couple of 1947, while he was very fair to the British examples out of the numerous ones which ICS / IP officers, he would be visibly happy could form a long chapter of this story. The whenever he came across any Indian ICS / Chief Minister was not happy with one IP officer whose number then was very District Magistrate. One of his Deputy small. Ministers wanted to play upon this. During RCS: This perception happens to be absolutely one of the visits of the Chief Minister to the correct. All of us knew how happy Sri Babu district, this Deputy Minister arranged a was to “find out” that Mr. Reuben, ICS was dinner party in honour of the Chief Minister an Indian of Jewish extraction and Mr. M. where he invited senior officers of the M. Philip, ICS belonged to Syrian Christian district other than the District Magistrate. community. Mr. Reuben became the Chief When Sri Babu came to know of this, he Justice of and Sri Babu refused to attend the dinner, come what saw to it that Mr. M. M. Philip got his due may. The message was conveyed – the and he held many senior assignments, C.M. disapproved of such attempts to ultimately ending up as a Secretary to disparage officers. Govt. of India. Likewise as Shri L.P. Singh SNS: What was the mechanism devised to used to tell me that as Chief Minister in his entertain and attend to the grievances of first term Dr. S. K. Sinha was almost thrilled the people? to know from him that he hailed from Bihar. RCS: In the first place, Dr. S. K. Sinha was a great SNS: I may add in this regard that Shri L.P. leader of the masses. And the tours Singh, ICS has indeed recorded it in his undertaken were important sources of article: “Srikrishna Sinha: the Great Son of feed-back; discussions at the cabinet India.” meetings were meaningful and issues- It is axiomatic to say that a healthy centric. Besides, as we know, Dr. S. K. relationship between the political masters Sinha used to take the debates and and civil servants holds the key to both discussion in the legislature very seriously functioning of democratic form of and utilized them as effective tools for government and effective conduct of the rectifying the deficiencies in planning of administrative machinery. How did this policies as well as their execution. In delicate balance evolve? addition to all these he was open to RCS: At the outset, let me tell you what is already individual visitors at his office chamber. well known – there was a wonderful As Secretary to the Chief Minister, I understanding between Dr. Srikrishna would receive all visitors before 05.00 PM,

3 the time fixed for visitors. I used to fix up senior officers in periodical reviews of appointments and duly record them in a implementation of the plan. register and the visitors would come SNS: Thank you sir. In this very context could you according to the schedule fixed. Whenever kindly educate us a little more about the some serious issues were brought before administrative ambience of this period? him by the visitors, I was sent for and This will obviously include a reference to charged with the responsibility of pursuing the report of Mr. Appleby who had recorded them under due intimation to the Chief Bihar as one of the best administered Minister. If there was a delay in the states of India. compliance of directions on such matters RCS: It could be put like this: the parameters the individual officer used to be sent for. evolved out of the understanding and This was the kind of Janta Darbar which Sri working relationship between the political Babu used to hold after 05.00 PM in his masters and the senior civil servants set office chamber at the Secretariat. This the tone of administration making it served as a window responsive to the The central objective of planning in India at the to the functioning of new facets of the entire present stage is to initiate a process of development which will raise living standards and governance geared machinery and open out to the people new opportunities for a towards the follow-up actions at richer and more varied life. The problem of achievement of our level to ensure development of an under developed economy is goals of eradication the desired results one of utilising more effectively the potential of hunger, illiteracy instilled faith in the resources available to the community, and it is this and ushering in system. which involves economic planning. But the social and economic SNS: Could you kindly economic condition of a country at any given time development. The is a product of the broader social environment, and briefly share with us idealism inspiring economic planning has to be viewed as an integral your views about our leaders was still part of a wider process aiming not merely at the the performance of development of resources in a narrow technical fresh and vigorous to the State Govt. sense, but at the development of human faculties guide the new u n d e r h i s and the building up of an institutional framework enthusiasm of civil leadership during adequate to the needs and aspirations of the servants to come up the first two five people. t o t h e s e year plans which Planning: Economic And Social Aspects expectations. It was First Five Year Plan (1951-55) were heralded as a combination of the open seasam to these that resulted in economic growth and social justice? structuring an administration system RCS: Well, now it is a matter of history; and any sensitive to the people's needs and one can ascertain the figures and take a requirements, as well as their desires and view. However I would like to mention here dreams. Such a productive environment only this much. The fifties in Bihar clearly led experts like Mr. Appleby to maintain registered a dramatically higher rate of that Bihar was one of the best growth. If my memory serves me right it administrated States in the country. I would was higher than the all India growth rate. say that Dr. Srikrishna Sinha, the Chief Dr. S. K. Sinha, I can tell you with full Minister and Sri L.P. Singh, the then Chief confidence, used to spend a lot of time with Secretary equally shared this glory, along,

4 of course, with the entire hierarchy of their activated this force, and no time was lost in colleagues and supporting functionaries. I sending communication to the Union Home am sorry I cannot recall the words or the Ministry the State Govt.'s willingness to sentences used by Mr. Appleby. As far as place the services of Sri L.P. Singh at the my memory goes, the contents were disposal of the Centre. communicated by the Union Home Minister The stock of Sri L.P. Singh at the in a personal letter to our Chief Minister. Centre too was evidently as high as it was SNS: Sir, you should be in a better position to here. Thus this was a god-sent opportunity throw light on the circumstances leading to for the Home Minister who immediately the transfer of Sri L.P. Singh to the Govt. of rang up Sri Babu. The latter confirmed it. India. How did such a strong bond of However, soon thereafter, while we were at understanding between the two come to a Ranchi, Sri Babu told me that he had made sudden cooling off? a mistake and directed me to leave for RCS: The answer to this Patna and question is as During these last thirty years I have often reflected convey this interesting as the over Sri Babu's actions, his values and norms in message to Sri question itself and also politics and administration, his vision and L.P. Singh that illustrates how a simple strivings, his insight into our political history and the Chief Minister single incident could spiritual heritage, his painful awareness of the would like him to weaknesses of the structure of Indian society and bring about a sudden continue as Chief of the exploitation of large sections of our people. I Secretary and end of a decade-old have had opportunities in my working life to know working relationship. most of our political leaders' functioning in Delhi that the Union It was sometime and in the States, and my observations and Home Minister probably in June 1956 experiences have only increased my admiration would be that Sri L. P. Singh and respect for Sri Babu. In my eyes his stature informed that once went up to the has grown with passage of years, when that of Bihar some others, who because of their outgoing C.M. with a request that Government had personalities and the environment of the State in he be relieved of the reconsidered the which they functioned, had greater importance in matter and was responsibilities of national life has diminished. dealing with the files of "Srikrishna Singh, The Great Son of India"(1989) not in a position the Transport — Sri L .. P Singh, ICS to spare the Department. Sri Babu services of Sri was taken aback and his "Why" remained L.P. Singh. "unexplained". Sri Babu shared with me his However, Sri L.P. Singh told me that he feelings of unhappiness at this sudden would not like to continue as Chief development and added that he (Sri Babu) Secretary to the Government any more had been always approving of the since the Chief Minister had once so recommendations of the C.S. on the files of decided. this department as well and therefore this He, however, emphasized that his suggestion sounded a little strange. warm affection and deep respect for Sri For sometime it had been quietly Babu would always be there. He wanted circulating that it would be in the interest of me to convey his request to the C.M. to be the career of Sri L.P. Singh if he moved to kind enough to urge the Union Home the Centre. The unhappiness of Sri Babu Minister to help him get a suitable

5 Government residential accommodation at answered and answered finally. I felt so New Delhi. Sri L.P. Singh, ICS handed over humbled by the quality of trust this great charge to Sri M. S. Rao, ICS the following man always reposed in me. month. During my entire period of nearly 13 SNS: Now a few words about the relationship years as Secretary to the Chief Minister, he between you as Secretary to the Chief called me from my residence only three Minister and Dr. S. K. Sinha, the Chief times. This, let me tell you, underlined his Minister. respect for the legitimate privacy of the RCS: Well, let me first tell you that Sri Babu was public servants. Such generous like a father figure and it was a different understanding became a matter of history quality of human relationship between the soon after the end of that era. two of us as also between him and many SNS: How would you recall the relationship political leaders and senior civil servants. between Dr. S. K. Sinha, the Chief Minister As is well known he was a great lover of and Shri Anugrah Narain Sinha, Finance books and could hold his own in any Minister, since public perceptions continue conversations, casual or academic. This to dwell on their political rivalry? aspect added a special charm to his RCS: I can only speak with confidence on the personality and helped him in "influencing administrative aspects. There was never people and winning friends". any evidence of personal differences, what So far as I was concerned I remember to talk of rivalry, between the two in Cabinet he told me the very first day "There will be meetings, debates and discussion in no secret between you and me". This legislatures or in public addresses. They actually set the tone of our relationship always maintained grace and decorum which remained, despite many adverse befitting their stature and status. situations and intrigues, not un-usual in SNS: How come, you where appointed Chairman such positions, intact till the end. I also Patna Improvement Trust, even while you recall that he spoke to me in English were holding an important and more than thereafter only on two occasions. Once full-time assignment as Secretary to Chief while we were travelling in a car after the Minister, Bihar? There is obviously no cremation of Anugrah Babu, he named a relationship between the two assignments. Minister and told me "Now 'X' will be the RCS: You see, so long as Sri L.P. Singh was the Deputy Chief Minister". All that he wanted Chief Secretary, the entire administration to convey was that he had always accorded had settled down on an even keel evolved importance and respect to Anugrah Babu and nurtured in an administrative culture as if he were de jure Deputy Chief Minister. conducive to efficiency and mutual trust and The third occasion when he spoke to respect. His successor-in-office, Sri M. S. me in English was when we were together Rao, ICS had naturally his own scale of in the lift in the main Secretariat building. judgement and order of preferences. On this He asked me "what do you think of the scale my transfer was required in the interest loyalty of Deputy Superintendent of Police of my career advancement, as I was to learn in-charge of security attached to me?" I told a little later, only after the discomfiture I faced him that his loyalty should not be doubted. in answering a most unexpected question By that time, we had come out of the lift and from the Chief Minister! this question too appeared to have been It is like this. One evening as I was

6 about to enter my office room at the Official designated as Chief Secretary-cum- residence of the Chief Minister at 4KG (now Commissioner General, Bihar (to protect 4 Deshratan Marg), Sri Babu spotted me as you could recall, his emoluments as from his bedroom and called me only to Secretary to Govt. of India, the post he was ask: why are you unhappy with your holding), I was then Subdivisional Officer, present assignment? I was shocked and Jehanabad, where on the day of the poll speechless. I could only mutter - Sir, had I Chief Secretary Shri B.D. Pandey, I.C.S. been unhappy I could have told you first accompanied by Shri H.N. Thankur, since you alone could remove my Divisional Commissioner, Patna and Shri unhappiness, if any. There was no further R.N. Roy, DIG Central Range, Patna had word from him and this was a signal for me come by road on their inspection tour of the to move to my office-room. Districts of Patna, Gaya and Shahabad. At The same evening I went to the Jehanabad after a brief discussion with me residence of the Minister, Sri Mahesh over a cup of coffee at my official residence Prasad Singh for a possible clarification of I accompanied them in visiting a few polling my 'sudden interrogation'. It was there that I booths in Jehanabad. learnt that Sri M.S. Rao, ICS, Chief The one party rule of the Congress Secretary to the State Govt., had told the was substituted by a coalition of various C.M. that the transfer was in the interest of political entities with widely divergent Sri R.C. Sinha because a different antecedents and ideologies. assignment would in due course help him in Would you like to share with us some getting charge of an important district. of your personal experiences with the first While subsequently I placed my views United Front Government? to the C.M. who was fully satisfied, Sri M. S. RCS: Since we are skipping the period of the Rao continued to request him for a new Chief Minister, Shri K. B. Sahay, we would posting for me. It was in such a situation have to take it up later. that by way of a partial deference to the Initially the United Front Government suggestions of the Chief Secretary to the appeared to take a dim view of those Govt., I was posted as Chairman, Patna officers who were supposed to have been Improvement Trust in addition to my 'close' to the previous Ministry. I happened assignment as Secretary to C.M. Of to be placed very high up in that 'Select list' course, a very senior officer Sri Suleman, but as my good luck would have it the two IAS was there as Officer on Special Duty to great figures, the C.M. and the Deputy C.M. look after the day-to-day work of Patna turned out to be my two great bulwarks of Improvement Trust. Sri Suleman later support. succeeded me as Chairman, Patna My family had old ties with Sri Improvement Trust. Mahamaya Prasad Sinha, Chief Minister SNS: Sir, the 1967 General Election had thrown and his family. Besides he was a up a new dispensation in the political and magnanimous personality. In addition to administrative life of Bihar. As you may this, the Deputy Chief Minister, Sri Karpoori kindly recall that before the General Thakur widely respected for his simplicity, Election the services of Shri B.D. Pandey, integrity and transparent commitment to I.C.S. were obtained for six months. He uplift of the weaker sections happened to was the only Chief Secretary to be have been a witness to my independent

7 and bold stand as a Magistrate in the face Socialist Party and my departmental of a possible adverse fall-out and held me Minister. Our Minister seldom attended this in high regard ever since thereafter. meeting. Once it so happened that in a A great orator with histrionic talents meeting of this Committee some of these and his famous "Jigar Ke Tukare" for the Ministers went on asking the Chief student community Shri Mahamaya Engineer of my department relevant / Prasad Sinha won the hearts of the people, irrelevant questions whereupon the Chief particularly the youth. He was, in his Engineer started crying. Even my requests personal life, honest and hospitable to a to the Committee to allow me to explain the fault. Indeed his hospitality at his official position were not heeded. I felt completely residence cost him quite a large chunk of exasperated and on the very first land. True, it would have been difficult for opportunity communicated this to our any Chief Minister to 'monitor' and Minister and requested him to attend the productively coordinate such a diverse meetings of this Cabinet Sub-Committee in group, and for a simple leader with no great future. administrative experience the job remained My Minister arrived at the next almost incomprehensible. No wonder this meeting well in time. Before the agenda ministry lasted from March 1967 to January items could be formally taken up he told the 1968. Chairman and other members of the SNS: Any interesting or important episodes Committee that in the last meeting they all about the Minister incharge of your had behaved like "Goondas" but they had department which you may still recall? forgotten that he himself was a "Super RCS: Yes, I have some episodes to relate. Goonda". He added that henceforward he would make the various departmental Once on way to New Delhi the officers present in the meeting weep and Minister called me at Patna Airport where also make the Ministers themselves weep. he wanted to know why and how an order in He left the meeting at this point. The a tender-bid had not been allotted to the meeting was naturally adjourned. lowest bidder. When I explained to him that the lowest bidder was a seasoned litigant I do not know what would have and had instituted many cases against the transpired subsequently between the department, my minister coolly retorted: various members of this Committee and "Secretary Saheb", Bihar Government has how this outburst could have been sorted instituted quite a number of cases against out. All I can say is that thereafter in all me and still I am a Minister.' The procedure meetings neither the Chairman nor any of allotment of tenders was undoubtedly other member ever crossed the boundary clear and accordingly the orders were line. issued to the lowest bidder even though he SNS: I recall once you had mentioned about the was a habitual litigant. beautification project for , The second anecdote runs like this. Patna undertaken by Patna Improvement There was a Committee of Ministers Trust while you were its Chairman. Could consisting of a Minister belonging to the you kindly elucidate it further? CPI as Chairman and two Ministers RCS: It was after my return from Bangalore that I representing the Samyukt Socialist Party was inspired to take up a few steps in this and two Ministers representing the Praja direction. I vividly remember that it was on

8 the 27th of December, 1960 that the Chief persons like Prof. Moinul Haque who used Minister Dr. S. K. Sinha had delivered to come there for a morning walk regularly. I inaugural address at the All India Political may confide that it is the pleasing sight of Science Conference Gulmohar and at Senate Hall, Patna How heartening it is to find a distinguished Amaltas trees in University. I also psychologist asserting that human nature is bloom and the rows recall how changing and a new kind of humanity is coming into of trees, that still enthusiastically his existence. How reassuring it is to find another provide me quality address was psychologist engaged in the search of a satisfaction of a received by the 'psychological man' in whom the different elements task accomplished. in human nature, the id wants, the ego wants, the audience and hailed I wonder at times super ego wants and the enlarged ego wants will be as a profound so properly developed as to give rise to the whether the speech of a 'harmonious man' - from the 'intellectual man' to the beautification of our philosopher-political 'economic man', from the 'economic man' to the Gandhi Maidan is thinker. While we 'sociological man' and from the 'sociological man' to not the one were returning by the 'psychological man' of harmony. What a daring contribution I would car, he was happy to effort in the study of man? like to be proud of, see the road dividers Inaugural Address by Dr. S. K. Sinha, Chief even though I Minister, Bihar at the Twenty-third All-India Political approaching Gandhi realize a lot remains Science Conference held at Patna on the 27th Maidan and the December, 1960. to be done to raising of the plants beautify the Gandhi on the dividing ridge. Maidan. He advised me to extend this to other areas Even after my posting as D.M., Patna I of the town. The same evening he had to continued as Chairman, Patna leave for Calcutta where unfortunately he Improvement Trust. I remember how once fell ill. Although after suitable treatment during this period when I had been to there he returned to Patna but he could not to receive the C.M., Pandit Binodanand recover and passed away on 31st January Jha. Sri Satyendra Narain Sinha, then 1961. Minister, Local Self Govt. was also there. To extend the beautification plan to As we three were on the steps to the Rajgir the whole of Gandhi Maidan however Circuit House the C.M. told Satyendra remained ringing in my ears and I fondly Babu: Ramchandra Babu has been doing took it as his last instruction to me. excellent work both as D.M., Patna and Since I continued as Chairman, Patna Chairman, Patna Improvement Trust. We Improvement Trust I kept those words as a should post him, after his present tenure is road map for me. The next Chief Minister over, as D.C., Ranchi. As later events Pandit Binodanand Jha fortunately took proved this was not to be. Indeed I was great personal interest in the beautification posted as Deputy Commissioner, Santhal of Patna for which schemes were Paraganas, Dumka which was altogether a sanctioned. And the last desire of Sri Babu new experience for me: as DM, Patna I was as I took it was put into action. always besieged by visitors both at the Subsequently steps for beautification Collectorate and the residential office, at of Patna Gandhi Maidan were drawn up by Dumka the visitors were very few and far the Engineers in consultation with eminent between.

9 I must add here that the project of SNS: In one of our chance meetings at Sinha shifting of Central Jail from Bankipur to Library, Patna a few years ago I vaguely Beur is the gift of Pandit Binodanand Jha. remember, you had mentioned some of Now it is a culmination of that long journey your interesting experiences during your that the premises of the old Bankipur visit to Germany while you were Education Central Jail are proudly hosting the Buddha Commissioner, Govt. of Bihar. Could you, Park inaugurated by the . I must sir, recall some of them? congratulate the present Chief Minister RCS: Thank you Sinha, for reminding me about Shri for the concept and that unique experience. As Education execution of Karuna Stupa Commissioner, during one of my visits to there. Germany I was the guest of Heidelberg SNS: Sir, I am really so grateful to you for your University, Germany. I was invited to a references to some of the famous dinner hosted by Director of South Asia speeches of Dr. S. K. Sinha, Chief Minister Institute. There I was agreeably surprised of Bihar. I have read his address at the All at the quality of knowledge about our India Political Science Conference on the country which the members of the Institute 27th of Dec. 1960. This is indeed an all- reflected in informal conversations with us. encompassing address, an intellectual feat SNS: We owe a lot to German scholars like Max to approach the genesis, the rich Müller for "rediscovering" much of our complexities and the critical relevance of ancient knowledge. We all know how the political science to modern human life, so great German philosopher Schopenhauer much torn by conflicts. This address, you and Herman Hesse, great poet and writer would be happy to recall, is an attempt to were deeply influenced by the Indian study political science from the philosophy. Thus your personal perspectives of an anthropologist, a experience at the South Asia Institute, sociologist, a psychologist, a historian, an Germany falls in line with this living tradition economist and a humanist. of Germany's fascination for India and her And I feel, Sir, this ‘great Son of India’ cultural heritage. really remained a dreamer and a visionary RCS: To get back to your enquiry. Let me tell you all his life and it was but natural for him as that one of the scholars there asked me you would appreciate better, to conclude about the Chhath festival. I could recall the his inspiring and erudite speech with the name of the Sun Temple at Deo, following: “I have been a dreamer all my life Aurangabad where there is a large and I still see the vision of a great Indian congregation on the occasion of Chhath Republic successfully leading in a festival. I also explained how the banks of democratic manner the millions entrusted river Ganga at Patna and other river banks, to its care to the goal of a good life and embankments of canals, ponds and envisaged in its Constitution.” lakes near villages and towns were RCS: I have a feeling now; your new enthusiasm specially decorated for offering prayers to in this direction may highlight some of the the Sun god on this occasion. I remember less-studied traits of the multidimensional with certain amount of satisfaction that I had personality of Chief Minister Dr. S. K. a very attentive learned audience intently Sinha. I would be certainly one of the lapping up the basics of the four-day festival happiest persons to read any such paper. with its fasting and offerings with prayers to

10 the rising and the setting sun. certainly better equipped academically and The second question initially found technologically and I hope and trust the me at sea. I was asked how I would future of our country is in safe hands. compare Phanishwar Nath Renu and SNS: Could I now request you to dwell a little on Premchand as novelists. The fact was that your experiences as a Senior Advocate at while I had read all the novels of the Patna High Court where you earned Premchand I had little knowledge about the such a commendable name synonymous novels of Renujee. Fortunately for me, with fairness, integrity and legal acumen? however, I had seen the film "Maila RCS: Thank you Sinha, but I would beg to be Aanchal". This came to my immediate excused. I would not like to relate my "rescue". I could then share with them with judicial experiences because I regard them some confidence my ideas about the basic as something strictly between me as an similarity in the focus sharpened by both on Advocate and the Hon'ble High Court of the rural life and dissimilarity in their styles Judicature, Patna. of writing, Renujee's novels being SNS: This frankness is sincerely appreciated, Sir. generally called 'regional' novels. It has been a great pleasure and Let me add that after my return from privilege to be with you on so many Germany I recommended to the occasions. You have been very generous Government for an appropriate "Padma with me, with responses to clarifications Award" for Renujee. I also utilized that sought repeatedly on telephones and in occasion to recommend Prof. Moinul course of discussions. There is much more Haque for Padma Award in the field of to be decoded from your vast and rich sports. These were accepted by the memory I know. But it would be prudent to Government. I had also recommended Shri have a break. This dialogue will continue. Hari Uppal for Padma Award in the field of RCS: God bless you, Sinha. Let me repeat, but culture. But, this was not accepted then. I for your initiative, persuasiveness and was therefore very happy to see a couple of patience this could never have been years ago that Shri Hari Uppal was possible. Please do convey my best wishes decorated with a Padma Award. to the IAS Officers' Association, Bihar SNS: Finally, would you like to offer some words Branch for this wonderful opportunity to of advice to the current generation of public one, now very much in his nineties. I would servants? We are indeed looking forward to also like to add that a series of lively such tips coming as they would from the interactions with you spread over quite wisdom, now in a spirit of detachment and some months has stimulated my memory recollected in well-earned tranquility with a to recreate some more slices of the past. grandeur all its own. The credit for all this clearly lies at this RCS: Thank you Sinha for this kind of trust and project of yours. God bless you again. I respect. But times have so changed and agree with you: this dialogue will continue. values have been refashioned that new idioms of approach and understanding [Sri S.N. Sinha(1963),creative & social activities have surfaced. Besides, each generation apart, still pursuing his 1980 has to make its own choices and take its - born dream of developing Koshi region as the own decisions. The new generation is Kochi of North India.]

11 SCORE : e-REGISTRATION IN BIHAR

This project was highly appreciated by Government of India and Shri Anil Kumar and his team were recipients of the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Administration. —Editor

BACKGROUND government service is The system of registration of documents in Bihar as custom made for use dates back to later part of 18th century. The of computers, as is system, which was started in 18th century, was registration of prevalent with certain variations and changes, till documents and their the newscore ystem of mputerized gistration archival. An ICT (score) was introduced. In conventional system solution of the manual of registration of documents, the documents were system of registration is copied serially in register books maintained in the bound to improve office of the Sub Registrar and after making an efficiency, objectivity Anil Kumar endorsement of final certificate of registration and and transparency. This after indexing them, they were delivered to the also is the solution to break down the shackles of concerned parties. Gradually this system led to age old maladies of corruption and harassment in the huge backlog of 7 to 8 years not only in Bihar, the Registration offices. but in other states as well. In Bihar, a significant change in old manual system of copying the Inspired by the computerized system of documents admitted to registration was brought registration in Andhra Pradesh and other in 2001 when the system of presenting the southern states, the Registration Department of documents in two copies was introduced. The started taking initiatives to only difference in this system from the implement it in Bihar also. A team of departmental conventional system was that the parties were officers and officers of NIC were sent to study the themselves submitting the photocopy of the system of computerized registration in different document prepared instead of its being copied by States. A team of NIC Officers took the task of the office staff. This system, however, made it developing software for the project of possible to deliver the original registered Computerized System of Registration. But, as the document same day or very next day. Since in manual system was captive of multi faceted this system also the marginal endorsements interest groups, the ice could not be broken till the made on the original document were to be copied author (a senior IAS officer of 1976 batch) took on Duplicate copy, the delivery of document was over as Secretary & Inspector General of again being delayed. Sometimes the delay was Registration. Earlier also in the capacity of even of a month or more. Planning Secretary and Secretary of Science & Technology he had suggested for ICT solution of The advancement of technology paved the way registration process, but with no result. Strong for introducing radical changes, in the process of determination and continuous effort backed by governance and delivery of service to the some equally diligent officers finally led to the citizens. It is pertinent to mention here that no implementation of the project.

12 FLOW CHART OF ACTIVITIES PRIOR TO Inspector General of Registration Department, SCORE the existing manual process of registration was When the author took over as Secretary -cum- something like this:

Purchase of Stamps from stamp vendors (if less than` 5000/-)

Parties agree for Deed Writer/ Advocate Affixing of photo/ a transaction writes instrument in signature and execution original in two copies of deed between parties

Purchase of Stamp papers through treasury (if more than` 5000/-). The process takes about 8-10 days, since treasury used to supply them only twice a week

RO marks it to the Two clerks read and One clerk examines the Parties present office & a clerk writes compare the document with regard to the document endorsement of duplicate with ceiling Act and other before RO in presentation on the original executive instructions & duplicate (Sec 32) back of the first page document writes endorsement of admissibility (Rule 21)

Head Clerk or an authorized clerk:- __calculates the Executants appear stamp duty required to be paid as per schedule of Registration and before RO and admit Indian Stamp Act other fees are execution. (Sec 34) __ checks the genuineness of stamp papers from the realized in cash Endorsement of fortnightly list of stamp papers sold from treasury (mostly by a peon) execution is written __if stamp papers cover the payable stamp duty on the instrument __decides in which Book is the instrument register able

RO signs 3 statutory LTI of Executants All endorsements are Endorsement u/s 60 is endorsements and copied on duplicate made on original and Identifiers are taken and are compared copied on Duplicate

RO signs final Document is Original document is Endorsement of Indexed delivered to the Party Registration u/s 60

BOT EXPERIENCE • Contract for 5 years In this background with little initiative, ECIL • Operator to transfer hardware after contract offered to run the system of computerized period. registration in Karnataka pattern in Bihar also on • Software was to be provided by state BOT basis. The proposal of ECIL was as under:- government. • The state govt. to make rooms available for PSU Run Initiative (BOT model) – Proposal computerization. • Minimum Guarantee for scanning of 35 lakh • No manual or other system of registration pages in a year allowed during contract period nor could it be • Service Charge @25/- per page given to other agencies. • Escalation of Rs. 1/- per year in service charge • PSU to have liberty of having a private partner

13 • A pilot project to be run in 1 registry office. The ECIL provided 4 computers, web camera, finger print scanner, scanner etc. as 1 unit of The Government agreed to it in principle with the hardware along with their locally recruited & rider that a detailed project proposal would be trained operators. A document was registered on submitted by ECIL, which would be evaluated by the day of inauguration. To avert any functional an Evaluation Committee headed by the dislocation, during transitional period the Development Commissioner and consisting of Registering Officer was permitted to do manual Secretaries of Finance, Law & Registration registration also. Departments and SIO, NIC, Bihar. However, the system did not function properly During the evaluation of their proposal, ECIL next day & in the entire day only 1 computerized offered to run a pilot project, which could be useful registration took place while a good number of for the Evaluation Committee to evaluate their documents got manually registered. The proposal. It was offered that the success of the department reviewed it. ECIL people were demonstration would be useful for the Evaluation blaming NIC for their allegedly slow software Committee to arrive at proper recommendations. while NIC people were blaming ECIL for slow From the Department's point of view also, it was speed scanner and other hardware. In fact the an attractive part of the proposal as there were operators were feeling lost with an entirely new lots of misgivings about the problems & job and since nobody from the office was implications of computerization of registration forthcoming to help them, computerized offices. Therefore NIC was suggested to expedite registration looked like an abortive exercise. their software preparation with a view to permit early pilot launch. The Evaluation Committee PSU RUN INITIATIVE (BOT MODEL) - endorsed the idea of the pilot project and, DEVELOPMENTS accordingly, it started in District Registration • Launch Office, Patna on 05.09.2005, using the software Ø A pilot project was launched on 5th developed by NIC, Bihar. September 2005 in Registry office to evaluate the BOT offering 1 Unit of Hardware Ø The software was prepared by joint efforts Items Number of the department & NIC Bihar Server 1 Clients 4 • Shortcomings UPS 5 Ø System malfunctions were observed right Printers 2 from the day of initiation Web Camera 1 Scanner 1 Ø There was a low level of accountability for 8 Port Switch 1 faults - PSU blamed NIC for slow software Finger Print Scanner 1 while NIC blamed PSU for slow scanner Ø The PSU staff was slow in processing ECIL ran the pilot project exactly in a manner in applications due to their limited which it was proposed by them to the state, so that knowledge of deeds and their structure public & officials could satisfy themselves, not Ø In 17 days only 50 registrations were only about the advantages of computerization but done through computerized process also about the manner in which it is proposed to although the average demand in the be run. This also suited the government. office was about 70 per day

14 • Remediation was looking like a happy party in presiding over Ø PSU was asked to install additional the failure of the pilot project in her office. Another hardware which was completed in 15 days senior officer was deputed. He attached one Ø DSR was transferred office staff with each operator and the data entry Ø New DSR put 1 staff each behind PSU’s became quite fast. The State government had to operators for accelerating data entry learn the second lesson. That the office staffs of Ø The project looked up and survived Registry office, which are familiar & thorough with A review at the level of Chief Secretary was the contents of the instrument to be entered in the arranged in which Collectors and representatives computer, have to be gainfully employed to make of NIC, and Finance Department were also computerization successful. Hitherto ECIL was present. The collector was of the view that adamant that they should have operators only computerization has led to retardation of from outside. Even when it was suggested to registration leading to loss of revenue. But Chief them that use of carefully chosen young smart Secretary's firm reiteration of the government's staff could reduce the cost & thereby the service resolve for computerization finally clinched the charge, they were not agreeable. issue. The author had anticipated teething troubles and, therefore, had permitted manual ALTERNATIVE PILOT- MUZAFFARPUR MODEL While the pilot project was looking for registration also for initial few days but the Chief augmentation of hardware, a local hardware Secretary was clear on the issue. He termed it as supplier offered to supply a set of 5 computers, 5 one sailing on two boats and warned that in the UPS, Printer, Web Camera, Finger Print Scanner process both would sink. It was decided that and one Scanner on hire for a monthly rent of Rs. come what may, only computerized registration 13,500/-. NIC endorsed the offer to be should be permitted. The process should be sped reasonable. ECIL could have also availed of such up by induction of more computers &operators. offers and salvaged the failure of pilot. That would As it was ECIL's responsibility to provide have inspired much more confidence to the computers & operators, they were requested government in their sincerity. accordingly. But their higher authorities in The offer of ECIL (BOT partner) was, in fact, very Hyderabad evaded telephone call for 3 days. costly and they were not ready to take the 15 When contact materialized, they acceded to the services/ assistance of departmental staff. If the request in principle but informed that the offer of ECIL had been accepted, the clerical staff hardware would be rushed from Hyderabad to of the department would have been without work Patna only and for this the State government had for the contract period of 5 years and the to send a no objection certificate for its entry. (No Government had to pay them the salary and other such permission was required under law, but they financial benefits without taking any work from told that no transporter agrees without it.) A 'no them. This finally led to seek an alternative way to objection certificate' was faxed to them after implement the project. The offer of a private vendor taking it from commercial Tax Department. However, in spite of the situation of pendency of was already there to provide a set of required registration work deteriorating and the public hardware on hire and finally the idea of HOHB suffering, the additional hardware could arrive (Hardware on Hire Basis) system was conceived only after 15 days. By that time, the State and based on which a decision to run parallel Pilot Government had learnt its first lesson: if you projects in District Registration Offices at depend upon an all India organization, they may Muzaffarpur & and in sub registry office at not meet any emergent situation. In the meantime was taken by the Empowered Committee the District Sub Registrar was removed as she on the advice of the author.

15 MUZAFFARPUR MODEL- SALIENT POINTS registration procedure • The program was initiated departmentally in Ø APIL was filed to challenge the procedure Muzaffarpur, Hajipur and Danapur using Ø Hon’ble High Court rejected it summarily hardware on hire and the NIC software Ø Detailed writ petition was filed by deed prepared for Patna model writers which was also dismissed • It was run by departmental employees after • Other complaints and allegations they were given appropriate training Ø Elected government took over in Nov’05 • 1 data entry operator was permitted Ø Several baseless complaints including • Service charges were levied on the pattern of personal allegations were received. the BOT model to meet expenditures on : Ø Slow scanning was identified as a cause Ø Hardware hiring for delay in the process which was Ø Consumables remedied by ensuring scanning of the • Several features were incorporated to avoid registered document on the same day by unemployment better scanners. Ø Writing of deeds by deed writers was On comparative evaluation of the pilot project run continued to retain their jobs by ECIL and on HOHB basis, it was soon found Ø Partial use of stamp paper was that the HOHB system was not only cost maintained to retain jobs of stamp vendors effective, but also had other advantages, such as • A connectivity between the computers at the staff satisfaction due to their involvement, bank and the registrar’s office eliminated the development of entrepreneurship among local risk of forged receipts in challans people as the supplier of hardware. Hence after considering all the facts the Government finally • Several other features helped plug corruption took a decision to implement the project through Ø Auto-valuation of the property the innovative model of HOHB. Ø Payment of registration fees in the bank Ø Instant delivery of deed GOVERNMENT DECISIONS • An all-purpose software enabled efficient 1. A presentation was made before the CM on working of the computerized registration system* 1st February 2006 explaining both types of Ø Allots Token no., Serial no. and book wide pilots, their advantages and disadvantages Deed no. for registered document. 2. On 5th February 2006, the CM approved the Ø Assists public in presentation of following proposals: instruments. Ø BOT offer be rejected Ø Assists SR by printing 4 statutory Ø Muzaffarpur model be extended in all offices endorsements for him. Ø Societies to be registered at state & Ø Calculates market value. district levels to function as SPVs Ø Generates registers and reports. Ø Societies to hire hardware, collect service Ø Generates Encumbrance Certificates. charge and meet expenses on Resistance consumables etc. • Public Interest Litigation Ø State level society to collect savings of Ø Vested interests felt threatened by a district level societies and use it for successful pilot running of computerized maintaining the software etc.

16 Ø Not more than 10 officers to be served by 3. The suppliers were listed according to the 1 hardware supplier rates quoted by them for supplying the 3. BOT rejection was justified due the following tendered unit of hardware in any registry reasons: office of a particular division. Ø Major part of the project i.e. software development was already with state/ NIC by then Ø Govt. was to bear the cost on civil items anyway Ø Only hardware supply & operators were left which could be arranged in the state itself Ø BOT from any other reputed all India party was likely to be as expensive Ø Involvement of department staff was missing - Patna project could take off only after involving them 4. The rate for each division was decided on the SOME OTHER INNOVATIONS basis of minimum rate quoted for With the introduction of SCORE, some other that particular division. innovations were also introduced which may be 5. The suppliers were trained for installing the software. listed as follows:- 6. Intensive training programs were organized for both the officers as well as for clerical staff. Bihar 1. The payment of registration and other fees Institute of Public Administration & Rural through cash in the registration offices was Development (BIPARD) with the help of completely stopped and a new system of resource persons from the Registration deposit of Stamp Duty, Registration Fees and Department and NIC played exemplary role in it. all kinds of fees including Service Charge 7. The suppliers were to keep a technical man to remove the trouble shootings, so that registration directly into the designated banks using work may not hamper even for a day. especially designed challan was introduced. 8. The running and maintenance of the system This measure was a radical leap in the system was entrusted to a District level Society called of collection of government revenue and was (Name of the District)_SCORE. A state level carefully introduced with the cooperation of society was also created which is called Finance Department and Banks. In this BISCORE to guide and monitor the function system whereas government revenue of District level Societies. received in treasury Banks get remitted instantaneously to the state government's Before final implementation of the project following decisions were also taken which had crucial account with RBI, the information gets visible bearing on the speedy success of the project - to the RO on his computer on-line. Any prior endorsement either of Registration office staff 1. Hardware suppliers were selected by inviting or of treasury staff on the challan has been all India tenders from suppliers. dispensed with. The “Heads” in which the 2. One supplier was to be allotted not more than money has to be booked in the treasury are 10 offices. pre-printed on challan and do not require any

17 official help to the party who used to face satisfaction of having instrument on corrupt practices right at this stage. traditional stamp paper, to the parties. A limit 2. The option to pay stamp duty either through already existed (Rs 5000/- in Corporation Stamp paper or through deposit in bank or areas, Rs/- 3000/- in other municipal areas partly through stamp paper and partly through and Rs 2000/- in rural areas) for the amount deposit in bank was also made available. This upto, which a stamp vendor could sell, on one hand did not make Stamp Vendors stamps to one party. This limit was unemployed, on the other hand permitted the consciously not increased, although stamp

18 vendors were asking for it since long, to to the new system are reproduced below : - encourage collection of lion's share of Stamp • “It is amazing and pleasant experience to see such duty through direct deposit in Banks. This an efficient execution of complex task in a very simply way. I congratulate the officers and staff of the office to keep it up. The behavior of staffs and officers are really praiseworthy. Best use of technology for services” Dr. Manoj Kumar Chief Commissioner Ministry of S. J. & E., Govt. of India • “I am Amitabh Verma from Muzaffarpur, but I stay in Mumbai and have sold a land but was very apprehensive about the Government functionary, but after coming to the registrar office my view has changed. Everything was done very smoothly and fast. I am impressed with the computerization of the system. I am pretty satisfied with entire system” Amitabh Verma Mumbai (10/02/2006) greatly relieved the burden of treasury in vending stamps to individual parties. 6. HOHB model was first time used in the country with no liability (either financial or 3. The system of making endorsements of the technical or other) on the Government. stamp vendor on the stamp paper was also 7. Amendments in Bihar Stamp (Prevention of changed. By amending the Rules the stamp Undervaluation of instruments) Rules, 1995 vendors were required to write it on the front were made in order to introduce Minimum of the stamp paper (below the official printed Value Register for property-structures also. emblem) horizontally in a strip of about 3/4'' Valuation of structures is now calculated instead of earlier system of writing it on the through computer on the basis of a 3- back of the stamp paper in a circle. This dimensional matrix of location, quality of reduced half of the scanning work as also the construction and nature of uses. The parties Service charge on the parties. are to volunteer this information and 4. A consolidated endorsement of admissibility, calculation of valuation on that basis has presentation, admission, registration and been made acceptable. indexing is printed on the top of first page 8. Amendment in Section 47- A of the Indian (below stamp, if it is a stamp paper) of the Stamp Act was also made which provides for instrument (see above). This, apart from referring the documents undervalued after providing all statutory requirements of registering it. This has put a curb on the power registration process including the name of of Registering Officer to refer a document even Registering Officer instantaneously, makes when there was not sufficient reason to do so. documents written on plain papers attractive. 9. A state level society headed by Secretary, 5. The Registering Officers were directed to keep Registration Department named BISCORE a Visitor's Register, so that the feedback from and district level societies named (Name of user public may be obtained. Some testimonials the district)_SCORE, headed by Collector

19 were registered for autonomous functioning. maintenance and updating of the software. The latter take care of the consumption needs The former collects savings of the latter also for the functioning from service charges and is responsible for providing guidance to collected whereas the former takes care of the the latter to ensure uniformity in the state.

FLOW CHART OF ACTIVITIES IN REGISTRATION AFTER SCORE

Parties approach Bank and Parties agree Deed writer / Advocate writes instrument. If the party desires deposits remaining stamp for a first page is on stamp paper of any denomination duty and all other payable transaction (less than Rs. 5000/-) fees through a challan

Memo generated(indicates if Parties submits Data entered Has appropriate stamp by computer appropriate stamp duty etc. has been instrument and All 4 endorsements needed duty etc. been operator deposited ) challan by registrar printed on separate sheet deposited?

Party submits the Finger prints of Digital photographs signed memo and Parties and thumb If not, deposit of Parties and all 4 endorsements Impression of remaining amount of presentation to identifier captured identifier captured Registrar digitally

Operator gives registration Registrar sitting in the same SR hands over the number and prints a gist of or adjoining room verifies deed to the operator the category of instrument endorsements on the first page of deed

A hard copy of the Operator prints photograph SR takes signatures of document is also and finger prints of parties parties and identifiers printed and preserved on second page of for admission of execution documents

OUT COMES OF THE INNOVATIONS information verified after registration and in 1. The most important and significant outcome case of information being found wrong, he of the project was that the discretion of refers the case to the collector u/s 47A of Registering Officer in the process of Stamp Act. The entire process of scrutiny of registration has been wiped out. The all type of instruments for registration is taken minimum valuation of property is now done by care of by the software. software on the basis of a 3 dimensional 2. Another important outcome was regarding matrix of location, nature of use and quality of the shortage or unavailability of stamp papers construction. Earlier minimum value of the of required value or required denomination property used to be assessed through immediately came to an end. The public had enquiry. This gave a long rope to the RO or now an option to deposit the stamp duty in the his enquiring officer as it could result into designated bank. This also had some other more stamp fee or even threat of impounding positive impacts, which are as follows: of the instrument. In the present system, RO a. It stopped the monopoly of stamp vendors is obliged to accept input regarding nature of and also of treasury staff in vending stamps use, location and quality of construction given b. It was also cost effective as the amount paid by the party. He is expected to get these to the vendors as commission had decreased

20 and the cost of printing, transportation and directly in the Bank. Since System for storage of stamp was also reduced. computerized registration was a new innovation, c. It also put a curb on circulation of fake the system of maintaining a visitors' registers was stamp and black marketing of stamps. introduced since beginning of the project, and the 3. The registration process was made simple feedback from the most important stakeholder, with the help of the automated procedure. i.e., the citizens/users was used for mid course 4. It ensures transparency and accountability in corrections and the system is continuously registration process. evolving. The people coming from outside Bihar 5. With no cash dealing system in the office, and for transactions relating to their immovable transparency of the procedure has led to properties in Bihar were amazed to see the reduction in corruption. The project aims to changes not only in working system, but also in take it to zero corruption level. working climate and attitude of officer & staff. 6. With the use of same software in all the SCORE, i.e, System for Computerized registration offices of the State a uniform and Registration and its implementation model, i.e. standardized system of registration got developed. HOHB is a simple and user friendly model with 7. The system has helped in developing ICT solution for registration of documents and teamwork. The officers and the staff of can be replicated anywhere in the country. The Registration offices who were used to only project SCORE: e-Registration in Bihar” with all traditional ways of working got exposed to its components is easily replicable anywhere. technology and skill up-gradation through The main components of the project are: elaborate training. 8. The software is user friendly and can be i) SCORE, The software developed by NIC, Bihar operated with convenience and ease. ii) Implementation model, i.e., HOHB 9. It provides for the digital archiving of records (Hardware on Hire Basis) and there is on line facility for making iii) Implementation Tool, i.e. Societies at district searches from computerized indexes and for and State level obtaining certified copies in accordance with iv) Administrative reforms and legal change the provisions of Registration Act, 1908. SCORE software is the complete ICT solution for 10. It has promoted public private partnership as registration process as well as for archival of the hardware has been obtained from private registration records. Though types of land, system vendors on rent. In fact this small scale PPP of measurement of land etc. differs from district to offers great employment opportunities to new district in Bihar, SCORE software is adaptable with generation of small entrepreneurs. slight variation anywhere. Thus it can be very well 11. It has emerged as a model with maximization said that with slight variation, it can be replicated of satisfaction of all stakeholders. anywhere in the country. Moreover, it has an extra IMPACT ASSESSMENT advantage of being developed by NIC, national Though no formal impact assessment of the level organization of the Government of India. project has been made, feed back in Visitor Other components like HOHB model and Books reveal that the new system has entirely implementation through district level societies can changed the work atmosphere. The instant be easily replicated. Other administrative and legal delivery of registered instrument comes as a reforms like- system of deposit of registration fee pleasant shock to the parties in the backdrop of and stamp duty directly into the dedicated banks years / months long pendency faced earlier. through specially designed challan, Change of Similarly people who always felt harassed by endorsement of stamp vendors from back to front, almost perpetual Stamp paper shortages have amendment in section 47-A of the stamp Act, auto heaved a sigh of relief with the option of calculation of valuation of land and structure and depositing Stamp Duty fully or its major part stamp duty payable thereon through computer as

21 per provision of the Stamp Act & Rules are also 8. Most important factors contributing to the success easily replicable. were 2 pro active orders of the Patna High Court FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SUCCESS on the writ petitions filed by people with vested A number of factors contributed to the success of interests. In first order the Honorable High Court project, such as- dismissed a PIL summarily by observing that use 1. The Department had a full time senior IAS of computer in this era can't be against public officer as its Secretary and IG Registration interest. In the second it rejected the prayer of the who provided uninterrupted and dedicated petitioner for staying the pilot on the ground that it leadership to make the project successful. did not conform to Registration Rules. The Court 2. Special Purpose Vehicles- an implementing accepted the statement of the government that Society for each district and one at State level Rules will be amended appropriately (new Rules were created and registered under Societies have since come into force) on the basis of Registration Act. Responsibility of running experience in the pilot. and maintaining the system of computerized 9. Intensive training of officers and staff was registration was assigned to the district also one of the factors for its success. society of the concerned district. 10. The cooperation of hardware suppliers in 3. Mr. Dilip Kumar, AIG- Computerization played a installing the software contributed to quick crucial role in success of the project. He had the and successful dissemination of the System. challenge of not only standing to the demands of 11. The cooperation and liberty that the his leader but also facing his colleagues who, to department got from the Hon'ble Chief begin with, were up in arms against the idea of Minister who was also the then departmental computerization. He along with his 2-3 trusted Minister, had been a major factor in colleagues gradually motivated all registration contributing for the implementation and officers to see virtue in the project. The functions success of the project. of the State Level Society are custody and THE WAY AHEAD updating of software and to provide guidelines and technical and other support to the district Some of the important activities that are to be taken up in continuation of the project are: level societies. 4. Everyone at the high level right from Finance 1. To increase the security features in the system. Commissioner to Development Commissioner 2. To take up the task of data entry and and Chief Secretary and also executives of digitization/scanning of old records, so that the higher levels of SBI and other Commercial & computer without any hassle may also Nationalized Banks extended their full generate non-encumbrance certificate relating cooperation in implementation of the project to the records of manual period and the which finally made it successful. certified copy may be issued without any delay. 5. NIC had provided the full time service of its two 3. To establish the computer connectivity dedicated Senior System Analyst Mr. N K between the registration offices within a Prasad and Mr. Sanjay Kumar for this project district and also between a registry office and who got continuous guidelines from a team of concerned circle offices. departmental officers while developing the 4. To develop public assistance systems like software SCORE. “May I help you” booth or information kiosk. 6. The team spirit and we feeling among the 5. To provide ICT solution for other services departmental officers inculcated by the team provided by the department, such as- leader. Registration of firms & societies, different 7. An important factor contributing to the success kinds of marriages etc. of project was that it took care of all stakeholders [Currently Advisor, Bihar State Planning Board, such as, staff, officer, deed writer, stamp vendor Patna, Anil Kumar (1976), was Principal and the citizens. Secretary, Registration, Bihar during the period the innovative scheme was launched.]

22 REMINISCENCES OF A DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

-Satish Singh Thakur

I was posted as Dy Commissioner, Koderma A rifle was brought from the School. The Major (now in Jharkhand) in the year 2000. Extremist inspected the bomb very carefully and minutely. activities had just started in some parts of the He told me that he would fire at the bomb with district. One evening at around 10.00 PM local Dy such care that entire explosion would go into the S.P. came to me with the information that reservoir and no damage would be done to the extremists had planted time bomb in Tilaiya Dam. Tilaiya Dam. He was very upset. Sri Jitendra Kumar, S.P. was on leave. I asked him not to get panicky. After getting my consent Major fired at the bomb. The bomb exploded with high sound. The entire The matter was very serious. Any damage to impact of the explosion went into the reservoir. Tilaiya Dam would have been disastrous. I No damage was done to the Dam. immediately left for the Dam site accompanied by the Dy S.P. All of us heaved sigh of relief. Due to timely action and help from the Principal and Major of On reaching there I found one clock-like Sainik School, Tilaiya not only Tilaiya Dam was instrument placed between the Dam and the saved but also the lives of several thousand reservoir. The instrument was dazzling from the people and several thousand acres of crops were distance. It was very risky to go there without also saved. I thanked the authorities of the Sainik proper security arrangement. Large number of School for their help. people had gathered there and they were getting scared. There was no bomb disposal squad. Next day the news made headlines and There was not much time left to call the squad everybody congratulated us for timely action for from Hazaribagh where CRPF was stationed. averting a major disaster.

I requested the Principal of Sainik School, Tilaiya Another experience relates to development to come and help. He came with the Headmaster schemes and gives me highest sense of who had been a Major in the Army. They satisfaction even today. inspected the instrument from the close range. The time bomb clock was moving. They told me After taking over as Dy Commissioner, Koderma that not much time was available with us. We had everyday I used to get a number of complaints to take quick decision. They advised me that about Mukhias not calling Gram Sabha meetings. there was one option available: the bomb could Mukhias in connivance with the Panchayat be exploded by shooting it. As there was not Sevaks drafted fake Gram Sabha meeting much time left with us and very limited option proceedings and schemes were chosen available, I agreed with the suggestion of the arbitrarily, leading to misappropriation of Sainik School authorities. Panchayat development funds on a large scale.

23 The complaints against Mukhias started piling. Today Jharkhand Government has adopted this Repeated warnings to Block officials were of no model of circulating roaster for Gram Sabha use. meetings through newspapers. I regularly find in newspapers roaster for Gram Sabha meetings in Finally I decided to hit at the root of this problem. I Jharkhand districts. This gives me highest prepared a roaster for Gram Sabha Meetings of satisfaction as this step ensures people's all the Panchayats of the District. For every participation in development process and meeting I deputed a district level officer including finalisation of genuine schemes. Dy Commissioner to remain present in the meeting. The officers were clearly asked not to I hope that above two examples would be of some interfere in the deliberations of the meetings but help to our young colleagues in their long career. remain present as observer so that genuine meetings take place. The roaster for the meeting [Sri Satish Singh Thakur (1988), was widely circulated. Officer on Special Duty to Chief Secretary]

This procedure changed the entire scenario. Very encouraging reports started coming about the Bustopher Jones: The Cat About Town success of the Gram Sabha. I myself participated in several Gram Sabha meetings. I found villagers fighting for every scheme. All times it Bustopher Jones is not skin and bones — appeared that they would come to blows but In fact, he's remarkably fat. nothing of that sort happened. After heated He doesn't haunt pubs—he has eight or discussions schemes were finalised. Similar was nine clubs, the experience of other officers also. The For he's the St James's Street Cat! presence of officers ensured holding of genuine He's the cat we all greet as he walks down the street Gram Sabha meetings and only community In his coat of fastidious black: useful schemes were selected. Mukhias could not manipulate the schemes to their own No commonplace mousers have such well-cut trousers advantages. Or such an impeccable back.

And gradually complaints about fake Gram In the whole of St James's the smartest of Sabha meetings almost stopped. Sri Tilakdhari names is Singh, the then Member of Parliament from The name of this Brummell of Cats; Koderma Parliamentary Constituency And we're all of us proud to be nodded or congratulated me on telephone from Delhi. bowed to When he came to Koderma he met me and By Bustopher Jones in white spats! apprised about the positive impact of genuine Gram Sabha meetings. He expressed his — T. S. Eliot (1888-1965) gratefulness and thanked me on behalf of the general public of the district.

24 ,d utj

& jke mins'k flag ft/kj ft+Unxh fllfd;ka Hkj jgh gS] nqYgu cu ds csVh ft/kj ty jgh gS] ut+j Qsj dj rqe m/kj Hkh rks ns[kksA ut+j Qsj dj rqe m/kj Hkh rks ns[kksA feys gSa cgqr rqedks eryc ds usrk] oks csVh rks Fkh bd leqUnj dh eksrh] elhgk x+jhcksa ds] etgc ds usrk] t+ekuk u pyrk tks csVh u gksrh] x+jhch ft/kj djoVsa ys jgh gS] ft/kj Hkzw.k dks xHkZ esa [+kRe djrs] ut+j Qsj dj rqe m/kj Hkh rks ns[kksA ut+j Qsj dj rqe m/kj Hkh rks ns[kksA fdlh dh vehjh dh vkSd+kr ns[kks] eqdíl jgha tc fl;klr dh pkysa] fdlh dks x+jhch dh lkSxkr ns[kks] ugha HksfM+;ksa dh Fkha HksM+ksa dh [kkysa] rM+irk ft/kj Hkw[k ls ru&cnu gS] ;wa bUlkfu;r gh ft/kj ej jgh gS] ut+j Qsj dj rqe m/kj Hkh rks ns[kksA ut+j Qsj dj rqe m/kj Hkh rks ns[kksA dgha nksLr rks Qwy iFk ij fcNkrs] eqgCcr x+jhch ls Fkh ftudh fQ+rjr] dgha dj jgs tku nsus dh ckrsa] oks djrs exj gSa x+jhcksa ls uQ+jr] ft/kj nksLr esa nq'euh iy jgh gS] ft/kj vkt [+kqnx+fT+kZ;ka iy jgha gSa] ut+j Qsj dj rqe m/kj Hkh rks ns[kksA ut+j Qsj dj rqe m/kj Hkh rks ns[kksA toka gqLu ds uXu O;kikj ns[kks] dgha caV jgs gSa x+jhch ds ipsZ] oks vkxks'k] ckslk dh ckSNkj ns[kks] dgha gks jgs csfgtkch ls [kpsZ] flldrha ft/kj flyoVsa fcLrjksa ij] gj bd iy ft/kj ft+Unxh jks jgh gS] ut+j Qsj dj rqe m/kj Hkh rks ns[kksA ut+j Qsj dj rqe m/kj Hkh rks ns[kksA oks jaxh&fcjaxh tgka frrfy;ka gSa] jgk ft+Unxh dh rjg fnu 'kgj dk] ogha ij rks HkkSajksa dh Hkh iafDr;ka gSa] lqcg dk veu] dksykgy nksigj dk] oks fpFkM+ksa esa fyiVk cnu gh tgka gSa] ft/kj 'kkes&x+e] jkr esa [+kkRek gS] ut+j Qsj dj rqe m/kj Hkh rks ns[kksA ut+j Qsj dj rqe m/kj Hkh rks ns[kksA

Hkys rqeus ns[kh cgkjksa dh jaxr] ;gka ft+Unxh rks gS iy&iy d+;ker] pyks] ns[k yks BwaB isM+ksa dh iaxr] dgha ls fgd+kjr dgha ls t+ykyr] ft/kj >M+ jgs 'kk[+k ls ueZ iÙks] xqt+jrs ft/kj yEgs lfn;ksa dh tkfuc] ut+j Qsj dj rqe m/kj Hkh rks ns[kksA ut+j Qsj dj rqe m/kj Hkh rks ns[kksA cgqr [kq'k Fks csVh dh lkSxkr ikdj] [jke mins’k flag] Hkk-iz-ls- ¼1961½ Fkk ukt+ksa ls ikyk xys ls yxkdj] ¼vodk’k izkIr½]

25 bl njE;ku IN THE MEANWHILE

& MkW- lh- v’kksdo)Zu - Dr. C. Ashokvardhan fQj dHkh ,slh There may not be a call dksbZ iqdkj ugha vk,xhA like this, again. 'kCnksa dh xqgkj dh t:jr ugha jgh] No fumbling for words as a question mark, Pkawfd ,d vdsyk lokfy;k fu'kku the lone thus far, dgha 'kwU; esa foyhu gks pykA vanishes in the blue, oÙkZeku ds lhekar ls No glories to sing tksM+rs relating the past vrhr ds efgek&xku ds fy, even remotely to the present. dqN Hkh rks ugha jgkA In the deepest of thoughts yk[k ;kn djus ij ever os fnu those days, crkSj >wBh rlYyh Hkh] may not twitter again, even in false proxies. fQj ugha pgdsaxsA There could be a small break dgha FkksM+h #dkoV vk,xh somewhere tUe&tUekUrj ds flyflyksa esa from bith to birth rkfd rqe dejs cny ldks] to let you change rooms, beds fcNkou and bed covers. vkSj pknjsa HkhA Broomed these streets lkQ&lqFkjh ;s xfy;k¡& anew- [kqys&[kqys xfy;kjs] and corridors opened ajar- oÙkZeku ekuksa vrhr dk in wait, the present, for future, izrh{kkjr gSA Suitable phrases, vkSj bl njE;ku in the meanwhile, mi;qDr 'kCnkoyh and gestures, pleasant enough [kq'kuqek Hkko&Hkafxekvksa dh for a take- in the make. uDdk'kh tkjh gSA Busy those hands giving a finishing touch os gkFk [kqn dh to themselves, lQkbZ esa e'kxwy gSa& washing of debris sticking stubborn, rkfd xqt+js fnuksa dh all these passing days. teh gqbZ ftn~nh /kwy rks /kqy tk,A [Dr. C. Ashokvardhan (1980), Principal Secretary, Revenue & Land Reforms Department, Bihar]

26 eksy

& eerk esgjks=k ,d dksus esa cSBdj lCth dkVrs gq, og csne izrhr gks jgh rks nwj gS A D;k eSa tkurk ugha gw¡\;g pky mldh fiNys FkhA cw<+h dh [kk¡lh c<+rh tk jgh Fkh A ckcwth pkjikbZ ij rhl cjl ls >syrk vk jgk gw¡A CkSBdj v[kckj i<+ jgs FksA vEek dksbZ ,slh cw<+h ugha Fkh fd vEek dh vk¡[kksa ls vk¡lw Nyd vk;sA mez T;knk xbZ gksA ;gh dksbZ pkSlB&IkSlB lky dh jgh gksxhA ?kj dh x`gLFkh qfjZ;k¡ nwj ls izrhr gksrh FkhaA nqcyk&iryk] Njgjk cnu ^^vPNk! vc csVk bruk cM+k gks x;k gS fd ek¡ ds fy, ml ij ,d vikfgt VkaxA cksysxkA tks [kqn gh ugha cksyk tkrk] og csVs ds eq¡g ls ckcw th fjVk;j gq, lkr&vkB ;k nl lky gks x;s FksA dgyokrh gSA ** mlds ckn dgha dke&/kke k¡dus dk ekSdk ugha feykA ljdkjh ukSdjh gksus ^^vks vfouk'k dh ek¡] pk; rks nsukA^^ ds dkj.k vknr Hkh vkjkerych dh iM+ x;h FkhA vfouk'k viuh ek¡ ds fxjrs gq, LokLF; dks ns[kdj fpfUrr dHkh dksbZ dke oDr ij ugha gksrk rks vkleku t:j flj FkkA ij mBk ysrs Fks A vEek dks futh vkSj lkoZtfud thou esa vudkusd ckj og viekfur dj pqds FksA ij vEek ij rks ^^ckcw FkksM+k iSlk ns nksA ** ekuks tw¡ Hkh u jsaxrh FkhA 'kk;n ckcwth dks >syrs&>syrs ^^iSlk\vjs iSlk dgha isM+ ij Qyrk gS \fjVk;jesaV ds ckn vknr&lh gks x;h FkhA rks ,sls gh vk/kk feyrk gSA rqe ek¡&csVs tc ns[kks rc iSls dk mudh nks csfV;k¡ Fkha] tks C;kg nh xbZ FkhaA csVk eSfVªd gh jksuk jksrs jgrs gksA ** ikldj vkbZ-,- esa vk;k FkkA CksVk vfouk'k V~;w'ku dj tSls vfouk'k dks Hkh xqLlk vk x;kA ^^vc cl Hkh dhft, ckcw gh ykSVk rks ek¡ dh [kk¡lh mlls ns[kh u xbZA thA esjs ikl dqN cpr ds iSls gSa] mUgha ls ek¡ dks fn[kk ^^py ek¡ rqedks MkWDVj dks fn[kk ykÅ¡! ** Loj mldk FkksM+k vkrk gw¡A rst FkkA ;g ckcw dks lqukdj FkksM+k lgkuqHkwfr ysuk pkgrk ^^iSls rks EkSaus gh rqedks fn;s gaS] ogh u rqe cpkdj j[ks gks FkkA vkSj 'ks[kh c?kkjrs gks\** v[kckj i<+dj ckcwth vc vk¡xu esa rst dneksa ls Vgy jgs vfouk'k dqN ugha cksykA lkbfdy cjkensa esa yxkdj vUnj FksA ^^dgk¡ tkus dh ckr gks jgh gS\** pyk x;kA ^^ckcw th] ek¡ dh [kk¡lh fiNys nks eghus ls cjkcj cuh gqbZ vEek Hkh iwjs ukV;Øe esa pqi cSB lCth dkVrh jghA ckcw gSA noknk: Hkh ugha dj jgh gSA** th 'kq: ls datwl vkSj ykijokg vkneh Fks] ij fjVk;jesaV ckcwth FkksM+k jks"k esa cksys ^nok&nk: ls fdlus jksdk gqvk ds ckn rks tSls og iw.kZr% gh cny x;s Fks] ckr&ckr ij gS\viuk è;ku [kqn gh ugha j[krh A lqcg mBdj tc ns[kks >qa>yk tkuk mudh vknr esa 'kqekj gks x;k FkkA rc BaMs ikuh ls lj /kksdj ugk ysrh gS A ;g Hkh dksbZ mez gS vfouk'k us vEek ls dkQh feUursa dh fd pydj fn[kk yks] bl rjg dh fBBksyh dh! 'kjhj dk [;ky j[ksA ij ugha] ij og jkth ugha gqbZA nqfu;k dks rks ;g fn[kkus esa vkuan vkrk gS fd dSls ifr ls 'kknh gks xbZ gS tks Bhd ls bykt Hkh ugha djokrk] ns[kHkky ^^dqN ugha gqvk gS csVkA cl FkksM+h&lh [kk¡lh gh rks gSA

27 fQj ns[k] nok rks ys jgh gw¡A dqN fnuksa esa lc Bhd gks dguk 'kq: fd;kA tk;sxkA rw ,slk dj] ;g okyh nok ykdj ns nsA blls ^^csVk] tks lkspk Fkk mlls Hkh Hk;adj vatke lkeus vk;k gSA vkjke gks tkrk gSA^^ eSaus rks cgqr lkspk rks Hkh Vh-ch- ds vkxs dh dYiuk u dj ckr vkbZ&xbZ gks x;hA ij vEek dh gkyr esa T;knk lq/kkj ik;kA ij ,Dljs rks ------^^ og fBBd x;sA vfouk'k ds u gqvkA vc rks mudks cq[kkj Hkh jgus yxk FkkA igys ls psgjs ij ls mUgksaus vk¡[ksa gVk yhA lj >qdk dj cksys dkQh detksj Hkh gks xbZ FkhA ,d fnu lqcg vEek fcLrj ls ^^vk[kjh voLFkk esa---^^ vkSj dejs ds xexhu ekgkSy ds lkFk ugha mBhaaA b/kj oSls rks Hkksj gksrs gh mudk dke&dkt pkyw og Hkh ,dkdkj gks x;sA gks tkrkA ;g eVds Hkjuk] diM+s /kksuk] vkfnA ij vkt vfouk'k ds Åij rks tSls otzikr gqvkA dHkh nwj&nwj rd lwjt iw.kZr% viuk lkezkT; QSyk pqdk Fkk ij og cslq/k iM+h Hkh mlus ugha lkspk Fkk fd mldh ek¡ gj iy ftUnxh vkSj FkhA ckcwth dks lqcg dh pk; dh ryc yxh gqbZ FkhA vk¡xu ekSr dh yM+kbZ yM+ jgh gSA esa pgydneh dj jgs FksA pkSds esa dHkh vEek us tkus dk lqvolj u fn;k FkkA mlds izfr Bgjs fujs vukM+hA ejrk ldrs dh fLFkfr ls mcjus ds ckn og /khjs ls iwN ik;k D;k u djrk! ckj&ckj >k¡d ds ns[k tkrs fd vEek mBh fd ^^dksbZ mEehn \^^ ugha fQj eu ekj dj ?kweus yxrsA ^^cl] bZ'oj gh dqN dj ldrk gSA ^^irk ugha vkt D;k gks x;k gS rqEgkjh vEek dks\vHkh rd ugha rks ,d eghuk ls vf/kd dk oDr ugha gS muds iklA** lksbZ iM+h gSA py tjk pk; rks cuk nsA^^ vfouk'k Hkkjh eu ls MkWDVj ds d{k ls fudyk] mldk th ^^ckcwth] vki Hkh gn djrs gSaA vEek ,sls gh ugha u vkjke dSlk&dSlk gks x;k FkkA Qjek jgh gSA t:j rch;r fcxM+ x;h gksxhA^^ vfouk'k ?kj igq¡pk rks ckcwth dk viuk gh jkx py jgk FkkA ek¡ Hkkxrs gq, vUnj x;kA viuh pkjikbZ ij iM+h dqN cqncqnk jgh FkhA dejs esa tkdj vEek ds lj ij gkFk j[kk rks dkQhs cq[kkj FkkA [kk¡lh igys ek¡ dk gkFk idM+ dj cSB x;kA 'kk;n dldj idM+us ls ek¡ dh rjg ;Fkkor FkhA ckcwth iSls ds fy, dguk O;FkZ FkkA NqM+k ugha ik;sxhA ek¡ esa Hkh mlds Li'kZ ls LiUnu gqvkA og viuk njkt [kksy dj iSls fudky yk;k vkSj vkuu&Qkuu esa iM+ksl ds MkWDVj dks ys vk;kA ^^csVk rw vk x;kA tk] tkdj [kkuk [kkysA firkth dc ls MkWDVj us gj izdkj ls eqvkbuk fd;k vkSj ,d dkxt ij rsjs fy, ijs'kku ?kwe jgs gSa] Hkw[ks Hkh gSaA vc eSaus gh vknr dqN fy[k dj vfouk'k dk idM+k fn;kA fcxkM+ nh gSA cPps&tSlk O;ogkj djrs gSaA ^^igys ;g lc VsLV djok yhft,] rc dqN dgk tk ldrkA^^ Hkw[k rks mUgsa cnkZ'r ughaA ekSlh [kkuk idkdj j[k x;h gSA** ,Dljs vkSj [kwu dh tkap rks cxy ds ljdkjh vLirky esa ----ek¡ cksys tk jgh Fkh vkSj og lqus tk jgk FkkA vkt og ek¡ ls djok ykuk FkkA mudk urhtk vkus ds ckn ckdh ijh{k.k <+sjksa ckrsa dj ysuk pkgrk Fkk] irk ugha dy D;k ysdj vk;sA djokuk FkkA bl chp cxy okyh 'khyk ekSlh us ?kj dks laHkky fy;k FkkA chp&chp esa vkdj ek¡ dh ns[k&Hkky dj FkksM+h nsj esa tc la;r gqvk rks mB dj ckcwth ds dejs esa x;kA tkrh FkhA 'khyk ekSlh vkSj vEek vkxs ihNs C;kg dj bl ^^dgk¡ Fkk vc rd\^^ dM+d dj iwNk ^^cksyks dgk¡ Fkk\^^ eqgYys esa vk;h FkhaA vEek ds LoHkko ds dkj.k nksuks esa ?kfu"Brk dkQh c<+ x;h FkhA tc 'khyk ekSlh fo/kok gqbZ Fkh ^^MkWDVj ds ikl^^ cM+h eqf'dy ls Loj fudykA ^^D;k cksyk rks vEek us mudks l¡Hkkyk FkkA vkt mlh dk _.k og vnk MkWDVj \^^ dj jgh FkhA vfouk'k ckcwth dh 'kDy ns[kus yxkA fQj fcuk dqN fjiksVZ ys dj 'kke dks MkWDVj ds ikl x;kA ns[kdj MkWDVj Hkwfedk ck¡/ks cksykA FkksM+h nsj ldrs esa vk x;s fQj vfouk'k dk psgjk i<+us dh ^^QsQM+s dk dSaljA^^ vkSj lj >qdk fy;k tSls mlls dksbZ dksf'k'k djus yxsA FkksM+h nsj ckn la;r Loj esa mUgksaus cM+k vijk/k gks x;k gksA ckcwth 'kk;n le>s ugha ;k le>k

28 dj vutku cus jgs ^^QsQM+s dk dSalj!^^ fQj 'kk;n vius gh jg&jgdj dpksV jgs FksA og vEek dks Hkh iwjk oDr ugha ns Loj ls mudh rUnzk VwVh vkSj 'kCnksa dh xEHkhjrk dk Kku ik;s&bldh mudks vkReXykfu gks jgh FkhA gqvkA dkQh le; ls vEek dks ,d lkM+h [kjhnus dk eu FkkA ^^bykt----\^^ VwVs gq, Loj esa iwNkA ^^dqN ugha vk[kjh oDr lqUnj lh Hkkjh lkM+hA lwrh /kksrh ds flok og mldks dqN Hkh gSA flQZ nqvk gh dke djsxhA^^ [kjhn u ik;s Fks vkSj vEek us blds vkxs dHkh dksbZ 'kk;n chekjh dh Hk;kgork ckcwth ds fnekx esa èkhjs&èkhjs Qjekb'k Hkh ugha dh FkhA ,d larq"V x`g.kh dh rjg og ?kj izos'k dj jgh FkhA Hkkjh eu ls og Hkh pgydneh djrs jgsA ds dk;ksZa esa [kq'k jgrh Fkh] ij b/kj mlus igyh ckj eq¡g mB dj vEek dks Nwus dk lkgl muesa ugha gks jgk FkkA ikl [kksyk Fkk og Hkh dherh lkM+h ds fy, vkSj mUgksaus bls dh gh dqlhZ ij iwjh jkr cSBs jgsA f>M+d fn;k FkkA ml fnu ifjokj esa fdlh us Hkh [kkuk ugha [kk;kA ^^viuh vkSdkr ns[k dj iSj ilkjuk pkfg,A^^ vkSj vEek ges'kk ds fy, pqi gks tk; blls igys og yky pqujh dh lqcg tc vfouk'k dh vk¡[k [kqyh rks vEek lks jgh Fkh ij xksVs okyh lkM+h mldks igukuk pkgrs Fks&igukdj mldks ckcwth dk dgha vrk&irk ugha FkkA [kq'k ns[kuk pkgrs FksA mBus ij ek¡ us Hkh lcls igys ckcwth ds fo"k; esa iwNkA vkSj tSls gh nqdku [kqyh og lkM+h [kjhn dj rst dneksa ls ^^cl ek¡] vkrs gh gksaxs] ikl gh dgha x;s gSa------^^ vfouk'k >wB ?kj dh vksj yidsA vEek dh rjQ tkrs gq, os gj dne rst cksy x;kA djrs x;sA lkM+h dks dkQh dl ds idM+s gq, Fks fd dgha NwV u tk;A vkt mUgsa vuqHko gqvk fd ftUnxh ds vkxs ckdh vEek dqN u cksyhA lc cseksy gSA flQZ thou gh cgqewY; gSA ckcwth diM+s dh nqdku ds ckgj cSBs gq, FksA lqcg ls gh nqdku [kqyus dk bartkj dj jgs FksA dy 'kke ls muds [Jherh eerk esgjks=k lkfgR;deZ ls tqM+h gSa vkSj vUnj ,d 'kwU;rk us izos'k dj fy;k FkkA mUgsa dqN Hkh vPNk Jh czts'k esgjks=k ¼1989½] ize.Myh; vk;qDr] ugha yx jgk FkkA vEek ds lkFk fcrk;s gq, {k.k mUgsa iwf.kZ;k dh iRuh gSaA]

WAVES & RIPPLES

Sri Subhkirti Mazumdar (78), Sri E. L. S. N. Bala Prasad (86), Principal Secretary, Director General, Environment & Forest Department, Govt. of Bihar. BIPARD, Patna.

Sri Manoj Kumar Srivastava (80), Sri C. K. Anil (91), Principal Secretary, Secretary, Department of Panchayati Raj, Govt. of Bihar. Agriculture Department, Govt. of Bihar.

Sri C. K. Mishra (83), Sri Rajit Punhani (91), Principal Secretary, Income tax Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Industry, Govt. of Bihar. Income tax Department, Bihar Additional Charge : Principal Secretary, Sugarcane Department, Govt. of Bihar. Sri Atish Chandra (94), Sri Amarjeet Sinha (83), Secretary, Principal Secretary, Health Department, Govt. of Bihar. C.M. Secretariat, Govt. of Bihar. Sri J. R. K. Rao (85), Sri Arvind Kumar Chaudhary (95), Commissioner, Kosi Division, Saharsa. Additional Charge: Managing Director, Additional Charge : Project Director, BDRRS, Bihar. BELTRON, Patna.

29 KIDS’ CORNER

REMEMBERING 26 / 11

- Shivaditya Sinha

assault. The destruction caused at the station was beyond anything seen in years.

Nariman House, a building that mainly houses Jews was also targeted. The terrorists "would be told by their handlers in Pakistan that the lives of Jews were worth 50 Two years ago, on a quiet November night ten times those of non-Jews." The hostages were people did descend from a small boat onto the brutally and inhumanely tortured. Bullets were land of Bombay. Each of them is carrying large flying all over the place as the terrorists entered bags that contain an AK-47 rifle, an auto loading the Taj and the Oberoi to continue this shooting revolver, eight hand grenades, magazines of spree that knew no bounds. As the death toll rounds and a supply of dried fruits. Four started to mount, media presence increased fishermen lie dead aboard the very vessel that tenfold and the police were sent in to combat, a they used for transport, the first of many deaths to situation that they were clearly ill-equipped to come on that fateful day. The men split up and deal with. begin their systematic and coordinated attack on several different targets, most of which lie in While the terrorists created havoc in south Bombay. The first place to be struck was Bombay; miles away in the capital city, Delhi, Leopold cafe, a popular joint in Colaba. Soon politicians were being woken up and rushed to after at around 9:30pm the Chhatrapati Shivaji places where decisions were taken though with Terminus was attacked by two gunmen one of much ado. The politicians twiddled their thumbs whom was later identified with the aid of CCTV as the innocent were slain far away. Finally as it cameras at the location. He was Ajmal Kasab the grew out of control the NSG commandos were only terrorist to survive the Fedayeen style called to launch a strike under the codename

30 "operation black tornado". It took them ten hours restaurant manger of "golden dragon" a fine before they got the necessary clearances and the dining place in the same hotel. He locked all the proper approval to climb aboard a plane and haul guests he could find inside the chambers of the themselves off to Bombay where their incredible very hotel which were located on the first floor displays of heroism saved the politicians their and himself stood outside looking for more blushes and the nation, many a valuable citizen. people whom he could help, Fortunately both survived. No amount of venting of anger against politicians for the tardy pace of police reforms, for Moshe Holtzberg, a two year old boy who the delays in bringing to justice the perpetrators was rescued by his nanny, Sandra Samuel who of the attack, no candle light vigils, no silent grief, appearance beside this boy after hearing his will bring catharsis to a nation, that mourns today. parents scream for help seems like an act of God. Two years on as grieve for those one hundred and sixty-six lives that were lost on that tragic day Such awe-inspiring stories remind us of we are also reminded of the human spirit shown the amazing power of courage and resilience that by those under attack. lies inside each and every one of us.

One of the greatest stories of hope during As Helen Keller once said ' Although the the terror strike is also one of the saddest. The world is full of suffering, it is also full of the general manager of the Taj Mahal Palace and overcoming of it.’ Tower hotel in Bombay, Karambir Kang was in Delhi when he first heard news of the terrorists. At [Shivaditya Sinha, a student of class IX, R.K the time his wife and two children were inside the Puram, New Delhi, is the elder son of Nikesh hotel. Kang caught the first flight to Bombay and Sinha and Aradhana Sinha, elder daughter of went straight to the hotel where he received the Amrita Sinha and S.N Sinha] tragic news about his wife and children, they had perished in the fire on the sixth floor. Despite hearing about such grave losses Kang still entered the premises and assisted those inside who were still trapped to escape the war ravaged hotel.

Another great story is about the

31 SEA SWIM DREAM

- Ashutosh Mehrotra

Once upon a time there lived a boy, who always heal him, he ate it and in an hour the effect of wanted to swim in the sea, but his mother won't venom came down. He started walking again. He let him swim. His name was Masoom, his mother reached the river of hope and asked-Good River! was afraid that he will drown. When he was 12 Please take me to the mountains. The River years old he went to the beach with his school said that it could only take him to the mountains if friends. He played many types of games like he agreed to do two things. He said "Yes". The Volleyball, Kabaddi etc. After all masti he and his River first asked not to throw the garbage near it friends went to swim in the sea. He didn't know and secondly he has to show the biggest human swimming, still he went to swim in it and in a few feelings. He saw a shark eating small fish, so he seconds a big tide took him with it into the sea. picked up the fish and saved her, so the River After a few hours he reached an island where believed that he was a real human and took him ghosts lived. He suddenly saw a ghost. He went to the mountains. He then went inside the hole to the ghost and the ghost said "Whoever comes and reached the seashore where his friends were here becomes a ghost". He had also been human trying to wake him up. He suddenly woke up and being somewhere around 50 years back. realised that it was just a dream. Masoom was afraid of becoming a ghost. Then [Ashutosh Mehrotra, Class - 7 is son of Sri he asked "Is there any passage to go out of here". Brajesh Mehrotra, 1989, Divisional Ghost said "No, there is no passage to go out". Commissioner, Purnia] But the ghost said that the king of evils makes us ghost so he should go out of here fast before he is recognised by the king of Evils. Masoom then The Pope went to the sea and there was a big monster. He fought the battle well with the monster but the It is a fearful thing to be monster was much more powerful than him. Then The Pope. suddenly another monster came and saved That cross will not be laid on me, Masoom from being eaten up by the 1st monster. I hope. He then asked the kind monster to tell him the Arighteous God would not permit passage to get out. The monster said "There is a It. passage in the huge mountains but the route is The Pope himself must often say, very dangerous". He said "I can go anywhere and After the labours of the day, do anything to go out of here", then gave his 'It is a fearful thing to be thanks to the monster for helping him and went to Me.' the mountains. On the route he saw a big scorpion. Masoom was bitten by it and the venom – A. E. Housman ((1859-1936) reached inside his body. He was writhing in pain. He got up and searched for an anti venom bush to

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