My Third
Interview (22-04-2013 – A/N session)
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Name:
Prabhasa Bhoi
Sate:
Odisha
Hobbies:
Swimming and Collecting Indian Coins.
Degree:
Electrical Engineering
Work Experience: (i) Sr Enginner @ NTPC (from 2005 to 2011)
(ii)
Asst. Works Manager / Indian Ordnance Factory Service (continuing from 2011)
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I was the
second candidate to be interviewed in the Board of Manbir Singh in the afternoon session of 22-04-2013. As this was my
third interview I was quite under pressure to perform well this time. I was
called around 14.50 Hrs to proceed to face the Board. I was made to sit on the
chair near the entry door of Board’s room. Then the first candidate left the
room. He was sweating badly. I got more nervous. However, I was able to keep my
cool. Then after 5 minutes the bell rang. I knocked the door and stepped
inside.
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Me – May I
come in Sir.
Ch – yes,
come in.
Me – Good
afternoon Sir... good afternoon Mam .... Good afternoon Sirs.
Ch – Please
be seated.
Me – Thank
you Sir
Ch – So, you
are working in Ordnance Factories.
Me – Yes sir
Ch – These
days there are lot of complains regarding DRDO and Ordnance Factories (OFs) not
meeting the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces. Is it right?
Me – As far
as DRDO s concerned they have many success stories however because of political
and budget constraints we spend very little % of our GDP on Defence Research
leading to failures in cases like Arjun MBT, LCA etc. If we have a look on the
performance of Ordnance Factories they are meeting 60-70 % requirements of the
Indian Army. We have limited capacities and absence of technology to meet the
requirements of Navy or Air Force. Further, these days the equipments and
technology are being out dated at a faster face. Thats why the criticism is
there.
Ch – how to
set this deficiency of OFs right?
Me – There
has been a consensus regarding rapid modernisation of the OFs to improve the
performance the OFs. Govt has planned to spend INR 15,000 Cr during the 12th
Five year plan. Moreover internal R&D has to be strengthened.
Ch – We have
completed already 60 years of independence. Still we are lagging the developed
countries in this regard. Why so?
Me – The
countries like USA, UK has a long history of development. They have a strong
base to built upon. We had to start everything from the scratch. Thats why it
is taking time. In time ahead we will be a strong state too.
Ch – Why
should we go for indigenisation keeping in view that we require the best
product and they are readily available outside.
Me –
Indigenisation is necessary always. During the time of conflicts / war, the
outsiders may not side on our side and they can refuse to supply. In that case
we will be in a bigger problem. Further, indigenisation will give rise to
employment generation and GDP growth.
*****(After this he passed the button to M-2)*********
M2: So, you
are from Odisha?
Me: Yes Sir
M2: What is
recent judgement of Supreme Court on Vedanta issues?
Me: For
Vedanta projects, level-1 clearance has already been granted. There was
protests regarding the location of projects near the location of “NiyamRaja –
the tribal God of Kotia and Dongria Kondha tribes residing there”. SC in its
judgment has asked M/s Vedanta to submit its project plans to Gram Sabha which
will consider it. After that MoEF will grant level-2 clearance if accepted by
Gram Sabha.
M2: Don’t you
think this judgment is detrimental to the development process.
Me:
absolutely not sir. Blind development without being sensitive to the religious
sentiments of local tribal communities will attract bigger problems.
M2: Suppose
clearance is not given, then what will be its repercussions?
Me: First of
all it will affect the investor sentiments and industries will not come forward
with investment proposals. This will affect the developmental process,
employment opportunities will diminish etc.
M2: What is
the problem in POSCO project on Odisha.
Me: Its
basically Land Acquisition problem.
M2: What are
the salient points of the Land Acquisition Bill as approved by Cabinet
recently?
Me: compensation
amount is 4 times in Rural Areas and twice in urban areas. Consensus of 70% of
local people in case of PPP projects and 80% consensus in case of Private
Projects. Forcible acquisition in respect of Road, port, power projects etc. To
Prevent Land hoarding 5-11-2011 is the cut off date to share compensation
between the previous land owner and current owner.
M2: Is there
political stability in Odisha ?
Me: Yes Sir.
M2: What is
the GDP growth rate of Odisha?
Me: In the 11th
plan it was around 9.2%.
*********(After this he passed the button to M-3)********
M3: Though
efforts are being made for women empowerment, still the result is not as per
the expectations. Why so?
Me: Women
empowerment has been proceeding in half-hearted manner. Say, we reserve 33%
seats for women in PRIs. However, it is often found that their husband or other
senior male members are participating in the meetings keeping them aloof as
usual.
M3: So what
is the solution from your point of view?
Me: The
solution lies in change in attitude and behaviour which is possible through
education and generating awareness that women can also lead.
M3: Brief
about the status of Black Money in India.
Me: According
to NIPF&P around INR 40,000 cr black money is there in the foreign banks.
These are the moneys not reported to tax authorities. They are mostly derived
from illegal activities and used for illegal activities too.
M3: Why are
we unable to solve this problem?
Me: Most of
the big politicians cutting across party lines are having black moneys. They
are obstructing the efforts of Government to tackle Black Money menace.
M3: What
should be done by Govt?
Me:Sir, Govt
is trying hard and considering various options to solve this issue like
granting relief from prosecution in case of voluntary disclosure, asking the
foreign banks to give details of persons holding account in their banks etc.
However no consensus is there. And it will take time to solve the issue.
*******(After this he passed the button to M-4-Lady
Member)***********
M4: You are
staying at Nagpur?
Me: Yes Mam.
M4: Tell me
some name of Public Sector Units (PSUs) whose headquarter is at Nagpur.
Me: Sorry
mam.
(Then she said it is Western Coal Fields Limited and
some other names too)
M4: Many PSUs
are having loss. Should not we disband or privatise them.
Me: Mam,
there are many PSUs such as Maharatana, Navrtna and Miniratna companies which
are making profit. If they can function profitably why not others. Solution
lies in identifying the problem and making them run successfully.
M4: These
days we are talking a lot about political reforms. From your point of view what
should be the biggest agenda of electoral reforms.
Me: Mam,
these days more than 30% MPS and MLAs are having criminal background even some
of them are having ministerial berths. This is affecting the smooth working of
the legislature. Thats why main agenda should be how to keep the people having
criminal background away from such positions.
M4: What is a
Presidential Form of Government?
Me: In the
Presidential Form of Government, President is directly elected by the people.
He appoints the Cabinet Ministers and they need not be the part of Congress or
the Parliament by whatever name it is called. USA Govt is ideal representation
of such form.
M4: Should
India go for Presidential Form of Government to improve the working of govt?
Me: there is
no question of any form of Govt good or bad. Its us who make it good or bad by
our working. In India we can’t keep on switching from one form of gove to
another. Instead we should focus on how to improve the functioning of our
parliamentary form of govt which our constituent makers have adopted after a
deliberation of more than 2 years.
M4: how to
improve the functioning of our parliamentary form of govt?
Me: first of
all it is imperative to elect qualified members to the Parliament, as I have already
said, by suitable electoral reforms. Then there should be focus on increasing
use of Technologies, using “Policy Cells”, modernising budget etc.
*********(After this he passed the button to M-5)*************
M5: Your
optional is Geography.
Me: Yes Sir
M5: Then tell
me How to represent height in a 2-D plane?
Me: Sorry
Sir.
(Then he said
that it is contour)
M5: These
days the engineers of all streams are either opting for IT Sector jobs or Civil
Services. Why so?
Me: As far as
IT sector is concerned, the recruitment process consists of tests of only
quantitative aptitude and English Test. So students from all the streams
finding it easy to qualify for IT Sector jobs. Further, IT sector provides fair
amount of salary, postings mostly in cities and high chance to visit foreign
countries. So far as Civil Service is concerned the prime motive is
contributing to the development of society at the grass root level and
designing suitable policies at the later period of job.
M5: Railways
are manufacturing most of the items in India, But why OFs have not been able to
do so?
Me: (I said something regarding Defence being
a sensitive matter and ToT is not there from outside sources)
M5: He was not satisfied and said “I am not talking about ToT, I am talking about
indigenous production”.
Me: Nothing came into my mind and I said
“Sorry Sir, I don’t have any clue how to answer this”.
(After this he passed the button to Chairman)
Ch: Your
interview is over.
Me: Thank You
Sir.
(I wished everyone and left the room)
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