Too many PCs

What does PC stand for? In casual conversations it is taken as an abbreviation for personal computer; in the entertainment world, it stands for actor Priyanka Chopra; and in political parlance, it refers to Home Minister P Chidambaram. However, of late, the name of another famous personality has got associated with the acronym. The powerful bureaucrat and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Principal Secretary Pulok Chatterji is also being referred to as ‘PC’.

Coup in INTUC

Congress party is silent on the recent coup in their trade union INTUC. Few days ago, one faction led by Ashok Chowdhury, declared the removal of veteran Sanjeeva Reddy from the post of INTUC president while he was touring Nepal. Ending  Reddy’s 17-year-old fiefdom, Chowdhury nominated himself to the top post of the trade union. The nomination and removal of INTUC president has to be ratified by none other than the Congress president. Somehow, the AICC leaders are keeping a stony silence on this issue. It is a different matter that Reddy still claims to be the president of the organisation.

Reporters grouse

Finally, CBI beat reporters can surf television news channels at the media lounge of the state-of-the-art agency’s headquarters. Months after the inauguration of the building by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in April last, a TV set has been finally installed in the media lounge. The administration officials have also installed a water dispenser, but the reporters’ persistent demand for a signal booster is yet to be realised. Mobile network signals of most of the service providers are unavailable in the lounge. This makes life tough for television journos in particular, who have to report important events in real time. Will the authorities take initiatives to get the signal booster installed?

Delight for EU’s first lady!

When the President of European Council Herman Van Rompuy was in New Delhi negotiating for free trade talks at the India-EU summit, his better half Geertrui Windels escaped to the capitals culinary village — the Hauz Khas village for a lunch. The first lady shopped around and later dropped in for lunch at the Amour restaurant. Seems the lady was in love with lobsters and wine. She ordered three lobsters with white wine.

Political migration

The changing political fortunes of film star and Lok Sabha member Jaya Prada in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh polls are of much interest to Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury, who was once together with the Lok Manch leader in the Telugu Desam Party. Taking a jibe on the actress, Renuka termed her a “migratory politician” who jumped from Andhra Pradesh to humdrum of UP politics on the shoulders of mentor Amar Singh. Asked if even thought of making a similar migration, Renuka quipped, “Mujhe kaun aisa jump karayega, mujhe to nachna-gana bhi nahin aata (Who will make me jump when I don’t even know how to dance and sing).”

Confusion galore

Army chief General VK Singh’s withdrawal of his date of birth plea from the Supreme Court, has created an atmosphere of uncertainty in Defence Ministry. With few aware of his next move, the journos are all the time on their toe — just in case he decides to quit. The Government has done little to clear the air by not keeping its cards on the table. “The longer the confusion prevails, the bad it’s for everyone,” quipped an official, adding, “It is time reconciliation takes place.”

Who is right?

The green activists are baffled — whom to believe on the status of Indian forest. Just when, they were rejoicing over the recent statement of the Prime Minister on increase in forest cover by 5 per cent between 1997 and 2007, the Forest Survey of India dropped the bombshell claiming huge decline in forest cover. “It is shocking that the head of the Government and a Ministry under him (read Environment Ministry) are so openly divided on such a sensitive issue,” said an official. “Someone from the Government  must clarify the situation,” said another one.

MCI novel way

With the self-dependency becoming a buzz word for the autonomous bodies, the Medical Council of India (MCI) has decided to rent its auditoriums and meeting halls at its headquarter in Dwarka exclusively to the Government organisations for their official purpose with minimum charge of Rs 20,000 only on non-working days. However, the parent Ministry, Health Ministry will enjoy discount of 50 per cent for the activities.

At long last

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), which heads the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation, hopes to get the new boss within next few days as there are reports that UPSC will hold an interview with the probable four candidates on Monday. The key post has been lying vacant since last October when ex-DCGI Surinder Singh failed to get the extension of his tenure granted by the Health Ministry. Since then, there had been no replacement. VG Somani, deputy drugs controller of the East Zone, who was given additional responsibility of the DCGI for three months, completed the interim tenure last week.