Thanks, KGCM! Regarding talking to IO, I guess I was lucky. When I called, I first got connected to the CSR. I requested her to connect me to an IO at the NSC as my case was pending for around 2 years now and my PD was in 2002. She said she would connect me to a level 2 officer. I guess she wanted to get rid of me or something.. That's how I could speak to the IO. Try that again, hopefully it would work this time.
The other thing I had thought of doing was to go for Infopass. Try your luck there as well. Yes, it's highly frustrating to do all this, but you never know what will be useful.
BTW, my para-legal does not think that my calling (on April 1) would have resulted in an approval on April 3. so, go figure..
Good luck on your case!
Thank you very much. have a wonderful life and freedom.