Sameer Kochar was well known as a PR lobbyist for the PC industry, pushing Hardware penetration into Govt sector for egov etc - lobbying through the Ministry of Comm and IT and is considered close to the DMK party. His trade name is "SKOCH" (do a google search)
This is a background of the operator (Sam Pitroda is another) from whom Mr Wajahat Habibullah received a dubious "award" at a public function - pictures of which are proudly displayed on the CIC website. http://cic.gov.in/CIC-Events/Skoch-photos-award/index.htm Mr Habibullah apparently got this award for contributing an article on RTI for a consultancy report cum book "Infrastructure & Governance" which Skoch Consultancy is flogging at Rs 700 per shot. (Presumably Mr Habibullah will earn his keep by ensuring that a few thousand copies are bought by Govt) "http://www.academicfoundation.com/n_detail/skoch.asp"; Now considering that Mr Habibullah is already paid by the GoI for performing as an C'IC, it was a bit "corrupt" to accept this "award" for doing his job promoting RTI. As was to be expected IC(SG) promptly shot off an email about this scandal and ensured that it was circulated to all ICs. The minutes of CIC's meeting dt 03-March-2009 has the following to say http://cic.gov.in/CIC-Minutes/Minutes03032009.pdf "Agenda 2:- An email by IC (SG) regarding the RTI awards Commission opined that institution of "RTI award" by some NGO/Civil Society is welcome, but the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners agreed that will not accept any awards in reference to their work as ICs." TRANSLATION: Meaning that the corruption will continue among these buggers for doing their work as "authors" Sarbajit
