Delaying tactics – Where is the PUC?

As per the dictionary.com – action is taken to defer or postpone an event in order to avoid the outcome or gain and advantage – is the meaning of delaying tactics.

Since most of the time, I am on the computer with an internet facility for doing my write-up work, I searched for another site through “Google Devta”, to know the other version and with a click of the mouse, it came on my monitor screen was ‘things that are deliberately said or done tomake a process slower”.

In fact, this word came to my mind when I happen to visit one of the offices for getting the work done but delaying tactics were being used giving one or the other reason. My further curiosity to know about the delaying tactics with regard to journalism, as I started writing after my retirement, it relates to their demand for Freedom of Information (FOI) in U.K. In this regard, the words of Doug Wills are worth quoting “There are some public authorities who seek to observe the spirit of the act, while others grudgingly observe the letter only”.

In the recent Commonwealth Games scams, the CBI told a trial court that sacked Commonwealth Games organizing committee Chief Suresh Kalmadi was adopting “delaying tactics” in proceedings going on against him in a Games scam. Then I could recollect as to what exactly is “delaying tactics”.

There is a public interest in ensuring transparency, to ensure that the services are being performed well and efficiently. Anyhow, this word reminded me of my service career incident while working with a very senior officer, who was known for his intelligence in dealing and deciding any case, noting files, either way. It happened so that officer was not interested to clear the file for one or another reason and the junior staff was putting up the files again and again despite putting one or the other query. No doubt, the queries were being promptly replied but his intention was to delay and he was feeling short of tactics.

With the introduction of MIS (Management Information System), each paper and file was routed through the personal staff to keep a track of files in the event of any emergency on account of assembly questions, a reference from a senior officer or the police inquiry etc. I was more updated than anybody else for each and every activity in the office.

Frankly speaking, it was surprised to see the noting on the file, which I have never experienced during the four decades service period, this time the query was “Where is the PUC?” PUC (Paper under consideration) is a letter or document kept below the noting file, to deal with the case. In fact, it was detached, torn and thrown in the dustbin.

However, it was suggested in the second line, “If PUC has lost in transit of files, ask for its copy and put up again for orders”. It too added to my knowledge another technique of ‘delaying tactics”.