SMS SERVICE TO PLI INSURANTS - BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

When you withdrew money from ATM, alert is sent through SMS.  When you pay LIC premium in a bank (not in LIC counter) through ePayment, you get confirmation SMS from the LIC.  Whenever cheques are cleared you get SMS from the bank. 

Like that Our Department has also started SMS service to the sender of eMO and the Speed Post.  Kurnool Postl Region under AP Circle has already started SMS service to the Savings Bank Depositors (SMS will be sent whenever withdrawal is made).

It is learnt that the Department has given directions in the online module of  Postal Life Insurance that the SMS service to the insurants is being launched shortly hence, the data entry operators should enter the mobile number of the insurants in the column provided therein.

Let we build the Department more stronger.

Dealing assistant, the deemed PIO under Secion 5(5) of the RTI Act, was imposed penalty of Rs 1000/-

Shri Balbir Singh, the Applicant filed an RTI application dt.24.7.09 with the CPIO, O/o CPMG, Ambala requesting for information against 9 points with regard to transfer procedures. On not receiving any reply, he filed an appeal dt.31.8.09 with the Appellate Authority. On not receiving any reply from the First Appellate authority, he filed a complaint dt.nil before CIC. The CIC vide its order dt.30.10.09 directed the PIO to provide the information by 30.11.09 and to show cause in writing for the delay in furnishing information, by 4.12.09.


The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for December 10, 2009. Shri R.S.Yadav, CPIO, Shri S.N.Bhatia, Shri R.D.Bansal and Shri Ram Nath represented the Public Authority. The applicant was not present during the hearing.

Decision

Shri R.S.Yadav, CPIO vide his letter dt.-.11.09 submitted that on receipt of CIC order dt.30.10.09, the whole episode came to light and explanation of the official at fault was called for keeping the RTI application under active consideration. The RTI application was received on 27.7.09 and it was transferred to the staff section on 29.7.09 where it was to be dealt with by Shri Som Nath Bhatia, the then Dealing Assistant and Section Supervisor (Staff Section) working under the control of Shri V.K.Malhotra, the then APMG (Staff) & PIO (retired on superannuation on 30.9.09). He added that Mr.S.N.Bhatia could not put up the said RTI application to Shri Malhotra due to heavy rush of work as well as ill health and he put up the RTI application only on 3.9.09 with a draft letter addressed to the Complainant requesting him to furnish the receipt of Rs.10/- for taking further action. Shri Malhotra signed the draft letter and marked the file back to Shri Bhatia on 8.9.09. Since, the Complainant was BPL card holder, no fee was to be charged from him and as such the letter was not dispatched to the Complainant. The Respondent emphasized the fact that due to heavy rush of work, Shri S.N.Bhatia forgot to put up the file to the PIO along with the information sought by the Complainant. On receipt of the CIC’s order, information was supplied to the Complainant on 18.11.09. He further added that process for direct recruitment of Postal Assistants in Circle Office/Army Postal Service is in progress and a large number of applications received for the posts are being processed to finalize the recruitment by 31.12.09, the target date fixed by the Postal Directorate. In this way, Shri S.N.Bhatia and Shri Malhotra were busy in finalizing recruitment process of Postal Assistants and they could not supply the information timely to the Complainant. However, keeping in view the gravity of the laxity/carelessness on the part of Shri S.N.Bhatia, strict action is being taken against him.

The Commission after reviewing the explanation observed that no reasonable cause for the delay in furnishing information has been provided by the Respondents. Also, the deemed PIO, Mr. S.N. Bhatia has failed to provide the information on time not once, but twice. The first time he failed to put up the RTI application to Mr. Malhotra and left it unattended to from 29.7.09 to 3.9.09 and the second time, even after having received the approval from Mr. Malhotra on 8.9.09, failed to reply to the Complainant till 18.11.09. The Commission while holding Mr. Bhatia as the deemed PIO under Section 5(5) of the RTI Act, is constrained to impose a penalty on him under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act and accordingly directs the Appellate Authority to recover an amount of Rs. 1000/- for a delay of 4 days (from 30.8.09 to 3.9.09) from the salary of Mr. Bhatia . The amount to be paid in a single installment through a Demand Draft in favour of PAO CAT . The Demand Draft should reach the Commission by 10th February 2010 and it should be addressed to Shri G.Subramanian, Under Secretary & Deputy Registrar, Central Information Commission, Club Building, Old JNU Campus, New Delhi 110 067. The complaint is accordingly disposed off.

CIC Decision No CIC/AD/C/2009/000956 dated 10.12.2009

Calculation of accrued interest if HBA is obtained from the Department

Pay disbursing authority (Accounts Branch of HOs or Budget section in case of RO/CO) is responsible for calculation of income tax due on the salary and giving Form 16 to the employees. Form 16 shows the taxable income and details of income tax deducted. These details are to be entered in the returns and submission of returns to the Income Tax Deparetment is the responsibility of employees. However, we should also know the method of calculation of income tax so that the clerical error if any is detected well intime and correct tax is assessed by Accounts Section.

If HBA is sanctioned, the accrued interest on HBA is exempted from income under section 24(b) of income tax act.

If the loan is obtained from the bank or other institutions the interest will be deducted alongwith principal and the bank authorities will give the certificate to that effect which can be given to the accounts branch for calculation of taxable income.

If loan is obtained from the Department i.e if HBA is obtained, the interest will be recovered only after repayment of principal amount is over. However, the accrued interest can be exempted from income u/s 24(b) of Income Tax Act.

Exemption for Interest portion of HBA is admissible up to maximum of Rs. 1,50,000/- if HBA has been sanctioned on or after 01/04/1999. Exemption is admissible up to maximum of Rs. 30,000/- if HBA has been sanctioned on or before 31/03/1999.

Repayment of Principal sum of H.B.A. is exempt u/s 88 of Income Tax Act. This can be shown along with GPF Contribution/L.I.C. Premium/P.L.I. Premium etc. of which maximum rebate admissible is Rs. 1,00,000/-.

Example for calculation of HBA Accrued interest

1st instalment Rs 2,50,000 paid on 2.4.2008 2nd instalment of Rs 2,50,000 paid on 5.9.2008 Recovery of instalment @ Rs 2000 commenced from the month of October 2009

Month and Year	Amount Paid(Rs.)	Amount Recovered (Rs.)	IBB (Rs.)	Cumulative Amount (Rs.)
04/2008	2,50,000		2,50,000
05/2008			2,50,000
06/2008			2,50,000
07/2008			2,50,000
08/2008			2,50,000
09/2008	2,50,000		5,00,000
09/2008			5,00,000
10/2008			5,00,000
11/2008			5,00,000
12/2008			5,00,000
01/2009			5,00,000
02/2009			5,00,000	47,50,000
03/2009			5,00,000
04/2009			5,00,000
05/2009			5,00,000
06/2009			5,00,000
07/2009			5,00,000
08/2009			5,00,000
09/2009			5,00,000
10/2009		2000	4,98,000
11/2009		2000	4,96,000
12/2009		2000	4,94,000
01/2010		2000	4,92,000
02/2010		2000	4,90,000	59,70,000

(Cumulative Total for the period 01/03/09 to 28/02/10 = Total of IBB of 03/2009 Rs. 5,00,000/- to IBB of 02/2010 Rs. 4,90,000/-)

Calculation of Notional Interest :

Cumulative I.B.B. from 01/03/09 to 28/02/2010      Rs. 59,70,000/-

    59,70,000   x  11.5

---------------------- =    Rs. 57,212.50/- Interest .

            1200

Therefore in above case the accrued interest is Rs. 57,213/-

The recovery of Rs. 10,000/- can be shown as exemption u/s 88 whereas Accrued Interest on HBA Rs. 57,213/ can be shown as exempt u/s 24(b).

Offer of appointment in the grade of AAO in IP&T AFS Group 'B'- reg

Ministry of Communictions & IT vide Memo No 27-7/2009 SEA II dated 21.12.2009 has issued provisional order of appointment in the grade of AAO in IP&T AFS Group 'B' to 465 officials who have passed JAO Part II examination in the Pay Band-2 of Rs 9300-34800/- plus GP of Rs 4800 w.e.f. 30.12.2009 or the date of assumption of charge whichever is later.  The detailed list is available in the DOT website.

Click here to see the order and the list

Post offices to sell pension scheme by Feb 2010

The department of posts (DoP), which has recently acquired a certificate of registration from the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) as one of the points of presence, is gearing up to offer services under the New Pension System (NPS) by the middle of February.

Officials of the postal department said modalities for formally offering services as a point of presence (PoP) is being worked out. “We are working on modalities to offer our services to under NPS. We hope to have everything in place by middle of February to NPS subscribers,” Manisha Sinha, director (financial services), department of posts, told Financial Chronicle. PoPs act as the interface between subscribers and the NPS.

Sinha said that among the issues that need to be resolved is the compatibility of the technology platform of the post offices that would offer the NPS products. “We are working on our IT set up and its compatibility with the Central Recordkeeping Agency (CRA) of the NPS,” she said.

The National Securities Depository (NSDL) is the sole CRA under the NPS.

Ashok Pal Singh, deputy director general (technology) department of posts, said that the IT compatibility would be implemented soon. “The technology sophistication of postal department is being upgraded to be compatible with the requirement of NPS,” Singh said. The department of posts has decided to offer its services from 800 post offices initially and gradually scale it up. “We will bring in more post offices as we go along. Eventually, we should be able to offer NPS products from all the 12,000 post offices,” Sinha said.

At present, the NPS is being distributed by 21 entities through nearly 800 branches spread all over the country. PFRDA is working with these institutions to bring all their branches under NPS in a time-bound manner. NPS will now be sold through over 1600 outlets of DoP and other entities.

Sinha said that the transaction volumes under NPS are still thin and there would not be significant fee income at the present state of development of the system. “If you ask me whether this is good business, I think it is not so yet. NPS is a volumes game, which is very low. One has to generate awareness and increase access points to bring in more subscribers,” Sinha said. The NPS, which was launched on May 1, 2009, has barely roped in over 3000 subcribers till date.

The postal department had earlier voiced its concern over the low fees of the points of presence. PoPs earn Rs 20 as fees per transaction handled by them. “We did express reservations on the fees which we feel is low. But one of the main reasons for joining the NPS was that is was absolutely necessary to have retail presence like that of the post offices to make NPS a success,” Sinha said.

“We are part of government and we feel it is our duty to support a government initiative,” Singh said.


Source : MyDigitCom

Postal staff found dead in offfice

CHENNAI: A 49-year-old postal department staff was found dead in his office in Flower Bazaar on Friday morning. Though there was initial suspicion about the cause, police confirmed the death was natural.

Staff members who noticed the body of T R Raghavalu were frightened and called the police immediately. Flower Bazaar police conducted a detailed investigation. They learnt that Raghavalu was an alcoholic. His wife had died 18 years ago. He was working on a contract basis in the office.

"He usually went to his house in Meenambedu in Ambattur after work. But on days when work is heavy, he would to stay back. On Thursday night, he had stayed back in the office," said a senior police official.
 
Source : Times of India, Chennai

Group A officers can only act as Chairman as per the corrigendum issued by the Department in the committee for MACPS

Directorate has issued orders ON 9.12.2009 modifying the eligibility for chairman for the committee to be held MACPS. As per the  original order of the Department of Personnel and Training Member of the Committee should not be below the rank of Under Secretary or equivalent in PB-3 with Grade Pay of Rs 6600/- and the Chairperson should be a grade above the members of the Committee.

As per the orders of the Department dated 9.12.2009, the officer holding the post in JTS with grade pay of Rs. 5400/- in PB-2 [in the event of non-availability of STS officerl can act as chairperson of the Screening Committee in Department of Posts.
Now as per the order No  No.4-7I(MACPS)/2oO9/ PCC dated 11.12.2009, it is modified that the officers should be in PB-3. 

ASPs promoted to PS Group 'B' should join the post within 31.12.2009 to earn increment on 1.7.2010

Directorate has issued promotion orders for 139 officers to the cadre of Postal Service Group 'B' on 16.12.2009 vide memo no No. 9-51./2009-SPG.  (List available in sahuliyat.com and http://postalinspectors.blogspot.com/

Out of 139 officers promoted thirty nine have been post to other circles.  If the official  joined after 1.1.2010, the increment will not be drawn on 1.7.2010.  Hence, the officers are advised to join the promotional post on or before 1.1.2010.

The nomination position of the cadre is as follows:-
 (Waittttttttttttttttttttttting for more than 25 years ????????????? in a cadre for promotion)

Last OC candidate 1983 Batch officials remaining 32
Last SC candidate 1988 Batch officials remaining 25
Last ST candidate 1985 Batch cleared.

Give priority to locals in post office jobs: Raj Thackeray

Pressing his party's demand for employment to 'sons of soil', MNS chief Raj Thackeray has warned the Post Master General to give priority to locals for the post office jobs or else cancel the recruitment procedure.
"Vacancies in Maharashtra post offices should be filled by local people only. It will give justice to them and influx of outsiders can be controlled," Raj said in a letter written to Post Master General, M S Bali.

Objecting to an advertisement published on October 23, about vacancies of postmen in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai in national newspapers, Raj said this encouraged lakhs of outsiders to apply.

"Lakhs of applications have been received for the posts from across the nation due to advertisement published in national newspapers for local jobs," Raj said, adding, "the same advertisement could have been given in local papers."

On the recruitment norms, Raj said "the post office manual says the applicant should be 10th standard pass with knowledge of the state language which is Marathi in this case."

"However, the advertisement said that knowledge of local language is desirable, which means applicants should know any local language, not necessarily Marathi," he said.

Raj also claimed that about 50,000 outsiders have applied for the job and the whole recruitment process should be cancelled by the post office

Source : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/give-priority-to-locals-in-post-office-jobs-raj-thackeray/556075/

75% Of the Citizens dissatisfied with the quality of information given under RTI

The study made for RTI pointed out that 12% of the women and 26% of men were aware of RTI Act. The study has also pointed out that more than 75% of the citizens were dissatisfied with the quality of information provided to them. The information in this regard is, however, not centrally maintained.


A Budget Estimate of Rs. 14.16 crore has been made under the Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme on “Strengthening, Capacity Building and Awareness Generation for effective implementation of the RTI” for the year 2009-10. The Scheme is being implemented, inter alia, through State Information Commissions, State Administrative Training Institutes and Central Government Agencies.

Till 11.12.2009, a sum of about Rs. 3.63 crore has been spent. Financial proposals for utilizing additional funds are under examination/approval.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri Prithviraj Chavan in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

22372 CAT cases are pending as on 30.9.2009

During 2007 and 2008, 17725 and 18287 cases were filed in the Central Administrative Tribunal(CAT). During 2007 and 2008, 18674 and 20352 cases were disposed of respectively. As on 30.09.2009, there were 22372 cases pending in various benches of the Central Administrative Tribunal.
The following steps have been taken to clear the backlog :

(i) Monthly Pendency report is called for from all the benches of the Central Administrative Tribunal and the rate of disposal is personally monitored by the Chairman, Central Administrative Tribunal.

(ii) Targets are set up by the Chairman for the Benches.

(iii) During the All India Conference 2009, the Benches were advised to give priority to the disposal of old cases pending since 2004 to 2007.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri Prithviraj Chavan in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

Speed complaints for the year 2008-09 is 0.0104% only

There are not many complaints of inefficiency and delay regarding Speed-Post from any parts of the country. Department of Post handled 21.14 Crore Speed Post articles during 2008-09. During the last 3 years and upto October, 2009, department handled 12.86 crore, 17.73crore 21.14 crore and 12.96 crore Speed Post articles and the percentage of complaints is 0.113, 0.098, 0.103 and 0.113 respectively only. As may be seen, the speed post traffic has been growing by an average of 25% and complaints on an average by 0.104% only. There is however scope for improvement.
Occasional complaints arise which are on account of dependence on external agencies for transmission and last mile delivery. The Department of Posts has been taking a number of steps to improve the Speed Post service most efficiently in the country. This reply was given by Shri Gurudas Kamat, Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Rajya Sabha today.
Source : Press Information Bureau

Decisions taken in the first meeting of the National Anomaly Committee held on 12th December, 2009

The The first meeting of the National Anomaly Committee was held on 12th December, 2009 and the details of the meeting are available Confederation of Central Government Employees - Blog.   As per the details available the Government side has accepted to issue orders in major issues.
Some of the main issues discussed in this meeting as per the release of the Confederation are

1.Fixation of pay on promotion (when direct recruits getting more pay than promotees)
2.Revision of option given under CCS Revised Pay Rules 2008 and F.R.22(I) A(1) for fixation of pay
3.Anomaly in pension for Government Servants who retired/Died in harness between 1.1.2006 and 1.9. 2006
4.Date of next increment (postponement of regular increment for more than one year to the employees who were getting pre 6cpc increment from Febrauary to June)
5.Fixation of pay in the revised pay scale where pre-revised pay scales have been merged with higher pre-revised pay (illustration 4B CCS Revised Pay Rules 2008)
6.Parity in pension of all pre 1996 retirees with those who retired on or after 1.1.2006

As per the minutes of meeting, for the issues 1 to 4 detailed above demands of confederation were accepted and issue of formal orders are awaited. For the last two issues Government has agreed to consider the issue once again.

PMG Kanpur launched Operation 100% Delivery of Speed Post Articles

KANPUR: With an objective to provide best quality postal service to the citizens, `operation 100 percent delivery of speed post articles, registered and ordinary mails' will soon be launched in all the post offices and its division throughout the city.
The Post Master General Kanpur Shri Ram Bharosa while talking to media persons said, "Under the objective of 100 percent delivery of speed post articles, all the divisional heads and post office in charge will personally see that all the articles received are delivered to the public on the same day. "
Addressing the post masters, he said: "the operation can be successful in a real and a true way if all the post masters involve themselves in daily monitoring." However, if the articles are undelivered by postman, then it should be sent for re-trial to check up for the correctness of remarks and should also confirm to deliver the article during re-trial, he added.
Source : Times of India, Kanpur

Officer holding the post of JTS with grade pay of Rs. 5400/- in PB-2 [in the event of non-availability of STS officer] can act as chair person of the Screening Committee for MACPS in Department of Posts.

Department of Posts, PC Cell Memo NO No.4-7/MACPS/2009/-PCC dated 9.12.2009

Subject:-Modified Assured carrier Progression Scheme to central Government civil Employees with effect from 01-09-2008

I am directed to invite your attention to the Para 9&10 of this office OM No 4-7(MACPS)2009-PCC dated 18 Sep 2009 regarding constitution of Screening committee for MACPS. Parag 9 of the OM provides that Member of the Committee should not be below the rank of Under Secretary or equivalent in PB-3 with Grade Pay of Rs 6600/- and the Chairperson should be a grade above the members of the Committee.

Keeping in view the difficulties experienced -by various Circles for constitution of the Screening Committee due to non-availability of officers of the rank of Under Secretary or equivalent in the Grade Pay of Rs.6600 and likely delay in holding the meetings of the Screening Committee in the light of the existing provisions; the issue has been considered in the Directorate and I am directed to convey that Officer holding the post in JTS with grade pay of Rs. 5400/- in PB-2 [in the event of non-availability of STS officerl can act as chair person of the Screening Committee in Department of Posts.

In case of any difficulty experienced following the above change in the composition of the screening committee, the same may be brought to the notice of this Directorate for examination.

This has the approval of Secretary (Posts).

Sd/- (Surendra Kumar), Assistant Director General (GDS/PCC)

Khaki Uniform to Postman/Multiskilled employees

Department has again introduced khaki uniforms to Postman/Multiskilled employees vide Directorate letter No 2-33/2008-UPE dated 9.12.2009.

The present dark blue trousers and a light blue full-sleeved shirt in polyester cotton cloth for male employees and light blue sari, with a dark blue border for female employees was introduced in the Department in the year 2004 to mark Department's 150th anniversary.

Department called for suggestions from the Unions/Associations during the October 2008 as there was a demand to change the colour of the uniform. Now the Department has again introduced the khaki colour uniform the Postman and multi skilled employees.

New PSSKs not opened during last six years due to non-receipt of justified proposals and non-fulfilment of norms.

Panchayat Sanchar Seva Kendras (PSSKs) are opened only in villages with Panchayats. At present, there are 4962 PSSKs in the country (as on 31.3.2009). Many of the villages are covered by either the Branch Post Offices (Bos) or where Bos do not justify by the PSSKs. PSSKs are opened only on initiation of proposals by duly elected Gram Panchayats subject further to fulfilment of stipulated norms. No new PSSKs have been opened during last six years due to non-receipt of justified proposals and non-fulfilment of norms.

The scheme was aimed at augmenting postal network in rural areas. But most PSSKs have been found to be financially non-viable and have not shown desired results after their establishment.

Alternate modes of communication are now available. Therefore, there is fall in demand for postage stamps/ stationery and sale proceeds of most PSSKs are low. Further, PSSK agents do not take interest in the work and Gram Panchayats do not exercise effectively control & supervision over them.

Continuous monitoring of PSSKs is done during inspections and field visits by the officers of the Department of Posts.
This reply was given by Shri Gurudas Kamat, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology in Rajya Sabha today.

Health check up is not mandatory, if the villager is between 19 to 35 years of ager of all Rural Postal Life Insurance Policies taken upto Rs 25,000/-

Health checkup is the norm for life insurance policies in general. Health checkups is not mandatory, if the age at entry of a villager is between 19 to 35 years and sum assured of all Rural Postal Life Insurance policies taken by him/ her is up to Rs. 25000/-

Department of Posts under its extant Endowment scheme launched a drive to procure small value micro insurance policies without mandatory health checkups. Details are as under:

• Type of Assurance: Endowment Assurance maturing at the age of 40, 45, 55, 58 and 60 years
  
• Sum Assured: Minimum Rs. 10000/- and Maximum Rs. 25000/-
  
• The Maximum limit of sum assured of all policies taken by one person is Rs. 25000/-
  
• Age limit at entry: Minimum 19 years and Maximum 35 years on next birth day
  
• Declarations: About self health and family history.
  

The insured person/ nominee has to submit claim application along with policy document and Premium Receipt book. This reply was given by Shri A. Raja, Minister for Communications and Information Technology in Rajya Sabha today.

Andhra crisis - A Post office was set fire in Kadapa town of Rayalseema

Hyderabad, Dec 11 (IANS) The political crisis in Andhra Pradesh, triggered by the central government's decision to grant separate statehood to Telangana, deepened Friday with legislators from the other two regions continuing their mass resignations while shutdowns paralysed life in parts of the state.

The southern state stood divided on regional lines, with as many as 130 legislators submitting their resignations protesting the decision on Telangana. However, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said no hasty decision will be taken on the issue of a separate Telangana state, Congress MPs from the coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions who met him Friday in New Delhi quoted him as saying. As many as 20 Congress MPs, including union ministers, led by K.Sambasiva Rao met the prime minister and raised their apprehensions on carving out Telangana from Andhra Pradesh.

In the coastal city of Visakhapatnam, protestors attacked a branch of the HSBC Bank while in Kadapa town of Rayalseema, a post office was set afire.

Click here to read the full article published in Sulekha.com

Grant of Full pension to Government servants who retired on or after 1.1.2006

As per the memo No 38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 2.9.2008, pension at 50% of the emoluments or average emoluments, whichever is more beneficial was allowed only for the Government servants retiring on or after 2.9.2008.  Subsequently, it was clarified vide OM No 38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 11.12.2008 that pension of Government servant retiring on or after 1.1.2006 will also be calculated based on the emoluments or average emoluments received during the last 10 months, whicherver is more beneficial but his pension would continue to be proportionate to the pension on completion of 33 years of qualifying service.


Now as per the Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare Memo No F. No 38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 10.12.2009,  the linkage with full pension with 33 years of qualifying service is dispensed with effect from 1.1.2006 instead of 2.9.2008. Hence, all officials retired from service on or after 1.1.2006 is eligible for 50% of emoluments or average emoluments whichever is beneficial irrespective of  completion of 33 years of qualifying service or not.

Click here to see the Dept of Pension and pension welfare memo dated 10.12.2009

TOKEN SYSTEM LIKE BANKS INTRODUCED IN POST OFFICES AT CHENNAI

When you visit post office for making savings bank transactions either for deposit or for withdrawal you have to stand in a queue for long time till you get your own turn. No proper arrangement is generally available in post offices to regulate the crowd. The customers themselves have to stand in a queue and sometimes some people shortcut the queue also. In Chennai City, T. Nagar, Ashok Nagar and Mylapore post offices token system like bank has been introudced recently which is welcomed by all customers of India Post as well as the employees.

Old age pension payment at the Post Office itself instead of through Postman to eradicate the culture of collecting ‘commissions,’

Tamilnadu government disbursing different type of pensions to widows, handicapped, old aged people etc as a economy measure through post offices. The money orders are sent by the Taluk offices through the post offices and it takes more number of days to reach the beneficiary. Normally pensions are paid on fixed dates like last day of the month in case of Government pensioners or on the first day of every month in case of others. But these poor beneficieries are not getting the pension on a fixed date due to various administrative reasons. The payment is made through money orders even on the last day of the month.

The booking at the post office is delayed for want of man power. The payment is further delayed due to money not reaching the concerned village post office. Even if reached, some postman insists for commission of Rs 20 from the beneficiary.

To eradicate this system of collecting commission and to effect immediate payment, the Kannankurichi Post Office in Salem has started disbursing the monthly direct to the beneficiaries at the post offices itself instead of through postman from Wednesday wherever, the pensioners attend the post office in person.

The local post officials organised a ‘tom-tom’ in the areas served by the Post Office a few days ago to make the pensioners aware of the new mode of payment. Notices were issued asking the beneficiaries to come with proper documents. It had a tremendous response. “The exercise was a huge success. We will continue it,” said a senior official of the post office.

Theft at Post Office - One server and 4 nodes were stolen from a Post Office near Dharmapuri

In a post office situtated at Palacode near Dharmapuri, the computers were stolen yesterday night.
Theft are common wherever secutiry arrangements are lacking. In Post offices theft of cash, stamps and certificates were only taken place so far. In the recent attempt, the miscreants taken away all the computers (1 server and 4 nodes) held at post office yesterday night. Police investigation is going on. Departmental officials started their work to provide standby computers and to restore the data from the backup available with them.

Revision of the proforma for sending dereservation proposals

In the Dept of Pers and Training OM. No. 3601 1120179-Estt(SCT) dated 2.11.1979 proformae for sending proposals for deresewation of resewed vacancies were prescribed. In view of the fact that a number of developments like creation of separate National Commissions for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, replacement of vacancy based rosters by post based rosters, ban on exchange of resewation between SCs and STs have taken place, Dept of Personnel and Training has now modified the said proformae. vide letter No 3602012/2007-Estt(Res) dated 7.12.2009.

Click here to see the OM and proformae

Attempted burglary at a post office near Chandralok theatre, Allahabad

An abortive attempt was made to commit theft at a post office near Chandralok theatre under Kotwali police circle on Monday night.
The police said that the miscreants made an abortive attempt to lift the cash box of the post office. The thieves managed to break the locks of main door but failed to take the cash box.

The police said that Rs 76,000 was kept in the cash box which was fixed in the ground and the thieves were unable to break it. The residents of the area noticed the lock of the post office broken and informed the police.

Modernised head post office dedicated to public

The Alappuzha Head Post Office (HPO), which was modernised under the Postal Department’s Project Arrow, was dedicated to the public recently.

K.C. Venugopal, MP, dedicating the modernised HPO, said conventional post, no matter what advances were ushered in by information technology, would continue to be the common man’s mode of communication. It was a matter of pride that the Alappuzha HPO was the first to be dedicated to the public from among the post offices modernised under Project Arrow.

Lauding the Postal Department, Mr. Venugopal also said a special postage stamp on Alappuzha’s famed kettuvallams, would be released before the next edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race.

Shobha Koshy, Chief Post Master General, Kerala Circle, talking on Project Arrow, said ATM and core banking facilities would be introduced in the Alappuzha HPO shortly as part of improving the savings bank facilities provided at the centre.

Source : The Hindu dated 9.12.2009

Losses of Air India

At the time of merger i.e. 2006-07, the loss of Air India was Rs.447.93 crores. The loss for 2008-09 is Rs.5000 crores (approximately). This information was given by the Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Praful Patel in Rajya Sabha today.

The loss for the year 2007-08 was Rs.2226.16 crores and it is expected to be of the order of Rs.5,000 crores (Prov.) during the year 2008-09. The main reasons for the losses are prevalent economic recession, low yields, load factors, decline in cargo and freight revenue, Increase in fuel expenditure in 2008-09 and increase in aircraft maintenance expenditure.

Author's Comment : Air India serving upper class and India Post serving majority of lower class; Total number of employees in Air India - 16,000 and employees in India Post is 5,20,191 (India Post - estimated loss for 2009- 10 is about Rs 5200 Crores)

Source : Press Information Bureau

Constant Attendance allowance @ Rs 3000/- p.m. payable to pensioners who retired on 100% disability shall also be increased by 25% every time when DA goes up by 50%

Copy of Memo No 45/6/2008-P&PW(F) dated 7.12.2009 of Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare

Sub : Implementation of Government's decision on the recommendations of the VI CPC - revision of CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 1939 - Constant Attendant Allowance

The undersigned is directed to say on the Recommendations of Sixth Central Pay Commission in para 5.1.44 of its Report, orders were issued vide Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare O.M. No 38/37/2008-P&PW(A) dated 2.9.2008 that :

"in the case of pensioners who retired on disability pension under the CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 1939, for 100% disability (wherethe individual is completely dependent on somebody also for day to day function), a Constant Attendant Allowance of Rs 3,000/- p.m shall be allosed in addition to disability pension, on the lines existing in Defence forces".

2. In this Department's OM dated16.4.2009, the provisions of the payment of Constant Attendant Allowance on the civil side were also laid down.

3. Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-servicemens' Welfare vide thier leter No 16(6)/2008(1)/D (Pension/Policy) dated 4.5.2009 has issued orders to increase the rates of CSA by 25% every time when the Dearness Allowance payable on revised pay band goes up by 50%.

4. Based on the recommendations of Sixth Central Pay Commission as contained in their para 5.1.68, it has beend decided that the rates of CSA payable to the Civilian employees shall also be increased by 25%, everey time the dearness allowance on the revised pay bands goes up by 50%

For Details click here to see the Memo dated 7.12.2009

Dearness Allowance rate calculation.

The All India Consumer Price index for industrial workers is released by the Labour Bureau Government of India on the last working day of the succeeding month. Consumer Price index number for the month of October 2009 released on 30.11.2009 is 165. Based on this index, the DA due upto October 2009 is calculated and given below. The increase is 32.67%. (Present DA rate from 1.7.2009 is 27%).

Month	All India Index	% of increase
Nov 2008	148	21.44
Dec 2008	147	22.38
Jan 2009	148	23.39
Feb 2009	148	24.32
Mar 2009	148	25.12
Apr 2009	150	25.98
May 2009	151	26.84
Jun 2009	153	27.78
Jul 2009	160	29.00
Aug 2009	162	30.23
Sep 2009	163	31.45
Oct 2009	165	32.67

Expected deficit of Postal Department for the year 2009-2010 is Rs 5632.46 Crore

The Department of Posts has had deficit for the last three years and it is expected to continue in the year also. The details of the deficit for the last three years and the estimates for the current year are as under;

Year	Amount in Crores of Rupees
2006-07	1249.52
2007-08	1511.44
2008-09	3593.09
2009-10	5632.46

Theft at MVP Colony Sub Post Office in Andhra Pradesh

In a theft at MVP Colony Sub Post Office on Saturday night Rs.1 lakh was allegedly stolen. Two persons reportedly entered the post office and took away Rs.1 lakh from the post office.  They also set fire to some files, Three Town Circle Inspector Ranga Raju said.  The watchman was sleeping in another room. Surprisingly, the doors or cupboards were not broken but the money was lost. It was also not clear why the files were set afire. Investigation is on

CIC Decision - CPIO to provide Rs.2,000/- to the Complainant as compensation for the expenses incurred by the Complainant in traveling to the Commission twice for the hearing and for the harassment he has been subjected to while running from pillar to post for the information

Shri Shiv Kumar Gupta filed an RTI application dt.7.10.08 with the CPIO/Dy. Divisional Manager(PLI), O/o CPMG, Lucknow requesting for information against 17 points with regard to KVPs and NSCs. Shri R.S.Pal, A.D.P.S.(Legal Cell), O/o CPMG, Lucknow transferred the RTI application to Supdt. of Post Offices, Fatehpur Division on 14.10.08 requesting him to provide the information directly to the Applicant. On not receiving any reply, the Applicant filed a complaint dt.10.12.08 with the UP Information Commission who transferred the case to CIC vide letter dt.23.5.09 . The complaint was registered at the Commission on 13.6.09. The Commission vide its order dt.30.9.09 directed the CPIO to provide the information to the Applicant by 30.10.09 and also to respond to the showcause notice issued to him by the Commission for the delay in supply of information, by 5.11.09.

The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for November 19, 2009 and the Commission directed the Public Authority to provide Rs.2,000/- to the Complainant as compensation for the expenses incurred by the Complainant in traveling to the Commission twice for the hearing and for the harassment he has been subjected to while running from pillar to post for the information . The amount to be paid by 15th of December.

Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (Mescom) proposed to switch over from ePayment to ECS

Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (Mescom) consumers were paying their bills through post offices using ePayment software in Mangalore/Puttur and Udupi Divisions.  As the MESCOM planned to switch over to ECS, the MESCOM did not renew its MoU with our Department.
Mescom used to pay Rs 5 for each bill to our Department. Mescom has 2.78 lakh consumers in Mangalore Division, 2.66 lakh in Puttur and 3.23 lakh in Udupi. Mescom officials said Post office remittances were 20%, but still the cost would have been huge following the new rates proposed by India Post.

Reimbursement of air fare along with rail and road fare in the case of LTC journey offered by IRCTC

As per Department of Personnel and Training Memo No 31011/6/2002-Estt.(A) dated 26.3.2008, the tours conducted by IRCTC will also qualify for the purpose of availing LTC on the lines of ITDC/STDCs and claim of two components viz rail fare and bus fare were admissible.

Now as per the Memo NO. 3101 11612002-Estt.(A) dated 2.12.2009 (provided in the link below) re-imbursement of air fare along with rail and road fare is also admissible in the case of LTC journey 'of Government servants in tours offered by IRCTC.

WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER SERVICE AFFECTED AS NRIs RETURNED HOME

Department has been earning huge business in foreign exchange, but owing to NRIs coming to the city over the last one month, business has been affected.

According to information, earlier, on an average, 10 people were using this facility everyday, but the figure has now reduced to two-three. The department of posts had started this scheme in April 2008 in collaboration with a private bank. According to information, till now, postal department had done business worth around Rs 2.60 crore. At present, the department is providing this service in 220 countries and business is coming in from Canada, Australia and USA.

Reimbursement of tuition fee under CEA scheme consequent on implementation of 6th Pay Commission Recommendataions

In claiming reimbursement of tutition fee, Divisions/Units follow different procedures in allowing reimbursement of fees paid by the officials in advance i.e paid annually or half yearly.  Now Directorate has issued clarification in the letter reproduced below that the claim should be made only on quarterly basis by producing the original receipt each time and by submitting xerox copy with the claim submitted. 

Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) Bill 2009

Yesterday Parliament has passed Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) Bill 2009 which mainly provides for the following:

a) Change of name of the Act to Employees Compensation Act 1923

b) Enhancement in minimum compensation payable from Rs.80,000 to Rs.1,20,000 (in case of death) and from Rs.90,000 to Rs.1,40,000 (in case of permanent disability) and funeral expenses from Rs.2,500 to Rs.5,000.

c) Reimbursement of actual medical expenses incurred during treatment of injury caused during course of employment.

d) Increase in coverage by omission of restrictive clause in Schedule-II and inclusion of additional hazardous activities

e) Disposal of cases of compensation by Commissioner within 3 months

f) Empower Central Govt. to specify monthly wages for the purpose of compensation and enhance minimum rates of compensation from time to time.

Copy of the Bill is attached for your ready reference. It will become Act after getting the assent of the President and will come into force on such date as may be specified in the notification to be issued by the Govt.


Amendment Bill 2009

PFRDA All Set To Launch Savings Scheme From Dec 1st 2009

Employees appointed after 1.1.2004 has the option now to save the amount under Tier -II which basically aims at giving better returns on the deposits and which the investors can withdraw fully. This PFRDA Savings scheme is called as tier-II account and the returns generated from this will be higher as they follow market-linked investment patterns.

Liquidity which is a main issue with most of the investors in the current scenario is taken care of in the savings scheme by PFRDA. So investors with the savings schemes in PFRDA can withdraw his entire savings from the account in case of any emergency. Only clause being investors need to have a Tier -I account to open a Tier-II account. These two accounts will run independent of each other.

Tier-I account has become operational since May 01,2009 called the New Pension Scheme when PFRDA has announced various pensions plans. To recall a few basic points in NPS scheme, the investor can withdraw 20% of his investments before the age of 60 years and after attaining 60 years he/she can withdraw another 60% as lump sum. These withdrawals will be taxed as it comes under the exempt-exempt mode. In the exempt-exempt mode no tax is levied when money is being deposited and it generates interest. Tax is only levied at the time of withdrawal.

The registration for this savings scheme can only be done through POP-SP which are contact and collection points for the customers. There are 21 such collection points of NPS in the form of SBI, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, Axis Bank, UBI etc. Minimum deposit is set at Rs1000/- at the point of account opening. And minimum contribution being Rs 250 per contribution. And minimum balance is set at Rs 2,000 at the end of financial year.

If you want to analyze and get more information about the new savings scheme from PFRDA, check the link. Leave your valuable comments and queries here and get them answered

Loan to students

Ministry of Human Resource Development has proposed to introduce a scheme for full interest subsidy during the period of moratorium on loans taken by students belonging to economically weaker sections from the banks under the Education Loan Scheme of the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) for pursuing any of the approved courses of studies in technical and professional streams from recognised institutions in India.

The scheme will be circulated to banks for implementation after the modalities of the schemes are finalized by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

This information was given by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha today.

No mandatory cut in plan expenditure

Press release of Ministry of Finance.

Attention of the Government has been drawn to certain media reports about Finance Ministry imposing a 10% cut in plan expenditure. Ministry of Finance hereby clarifies that the mandatory cut of 10% /5% has been imposed on certain heads of non-Plan expenditure as part of austerity measures. No instructions have been issued for imposing a mandatory cut in Plan expenditure.

Merger of State Bank of Indore with SBI

The Government has granted sanction to State Bank of India (SBI), under Section 35(1) of the State Bank of India Act, 1955, vide Department of Financial Services’ letter dated 08.10.2009 for proceeding with the negotiation with State Bank of Indore for acquiring its business. Consequently, the scheme of acquisition of State Bank of Indore by the Stat Bank of India have been approved by Board of both the Banks. The Government keeps in view the interest of all the stakeholders including employees of the merging banks.

This information was given by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha today.

100% Safe monthly investment is "Post Office RD Account Scheme"

Expert opinion for monthly investment given in the Economic Times is reproduced below. We should continue to encourage opening of this best monthly savings scheme:-

I am around 50 years old. I want to invest up to Rs 5,000 per month. Kindly advise on what is the best and safe instrument for a time horizon of 3-5 years. - Sudhakar C

Opnion given in Economic Times dated 30.11.2009 in the Query Corner

If you want 100% safe investment, you can invest in Post Office-RD, which is a five-year scheme and you will get Rs 36,4450 at maturity with a monthly investment of Rs 5,000. Returns are taxable as per tax slab. If you are looking for higher returns and can take some risk of equity investment, I advise you to go for a SIP. Start a SIP of Rs 3,000 a month in Birla Sun Life Front Line Equity Fund and Rs 2,000 month in HDFC Prudence Fund.

ICICI Prudential life policyholders can pay their premiums at the 529 e-payment enabled post offices across Andhra Pradesh

Private life insurance player, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, on Thursday tied up with India Post to reach out to rural markets through the latter’s network of 16,159 post offices across Andhra Pradesh.

“Under this referral agreement partnership, India Post will give us business leads. Customers who want to save towards their long-term financial goals through ICICI Prudential’s plans will be referred by India Post to the company’s banassurace officer. Over 1,160 postal staff have been trained in raising referrals,” Anup Rau, senior vice-president and head (sales), ICICI Pru, told mediapersons.

ICICI has also launched this service in Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. It plans to take this tie up to the pan-India level in the next one month. India Post gets a commission in the range of 10 per cent to 25 per cent on each referral.

“With this tie up, the existing ICICI Prudential life policyholders can also pay their premiums at the 529 e-payment enabled post offices across Andhra,” said KV Sundar Rajan, chief postmaster general (Andhra Pradesh circle).

Post offices will deliver the warrants, court notices and other documents sent by e-Courts via e-mail to the party by taking print out

The proposed e-courts of Delhi High Court will start functioning from December. These e-courts, along with reducing the paperwork, are environment friendly also.

"The necessity of e-courts has arisen due to shortcomings of a paper-based system like storage, maintenance and wastage of a lot of paper," said Justice B.D.Ahmed, who is responsible for the e-court committee, while presenting the project to the judges and lawyers on Thursday.

Underlining the requirement for cases to be resolved at the earliest, he said that e-courts will help courts function in a more organized way and will provide aces to any case file for anyone from anywhere across the globe.

"We are also working on the project in which live court proceedings would also be seen on the website," Justice Ahmed said, adding that “the project will be first started in one court and will soon be started in all other courts, including the five district courts in the capital”.

He said that this will make the jobs of lawyers and litigants easier as they need to carry a CD or USB of their case.

"Recording of evidence in any case will be done electronically. We are planning to have centres all across the capital from where the person can record his statement and the court can see it via video-conferencing. This will help us in saving a lot of time not only of litigants but also of the court," said Justice S. Muralidhar, another member of the e-court committee.

He also mentioned that e-courts will help in decreasing the number of adjournments.

With the help of e-courts, warrants, court notices and other documents can be sent via e-mail to the party or the post office concerned from where a service slip will be sent back confirming the receipt.

"We will also ensure that courts shall provide adequate facility to the lawyers while they argue their case using the laptops. Judges will also be given a touch screen handbook which will be like their computer screen and they can read it like a file," Justice Ahmed said.

"We are also planning to introduce a system where court fees can be paid online so that entire work is done at a click of mouse," Justice Ahmed said, while mentioning that these courts will provide the litigants with more transpacrency, accountability and accessibility.

Source : India-Server.Com

GRANT OF DEARNESS RELIEF TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONERS WHO ARE IN RECEIPT OF PROVISIONAL PENSION

Copy of Dept of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare Memo No 42/12/2009-P&PW(G) dated 17.11.2009

Subject : Grant of Dearness Relief to the Central Government Pensioners who are in receipt of provisional pension or pension in the pre-revised scales of 5th CPC w.e.f. 1.7.2009.

In continuation to this Department of OM of even No dated 27.3.2009 and 22.10.2009, sanctioning the Dearness Relief to those Central Government Pensioners who are in receipt of provisional pension or pension in the pre revised scles of 5th CPC, the President is pleased to grant the Dearness Relief to these Central Government pensioners as under:

1. Those who are in receipt provisional pension or pension in the pre revised scales of 5th CPC are entitled to Dearness Relief @ 73% w.e.f 1.7.2009 2. The surviving CPF beneficiaries who have retired from service between the period 18.11.1960 to 31.12.1985 and are in receipt of ex-gratia @ Rs 600/- p.m. w.e.f. 1.1.1997 under this Department's OM No 45/52/97-P&PW (E) dated 16.11.1997 are entitled to Dearnes Relief @ 73% w.e.f. 1.7.2009

2. The following categories of CPF beneficiaries who are in receipt of ex-gratia payment in terms of this Department's OM No 45/52-97-P&PW(E) dated 16.12.1997 are entitled to DR @ 65% w.e.f. 1.7.2009

(i) The widows and dependent children of the deceased CPF beneficiary who had retired from service prior to 1.1.1986 or who had died while in service prior to 1.1.1986 and are in receipt of Ex-Gratia payment of Rsw 605/- p.m. (ii) Cenral Government employees who had retired on CPF benefits before 8.11.1960 and are in receipt of Ex-gratia payment of Rs 654/-, Rs 659/- Rs 703 and Rs 965/-

3. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide thier UO No 363/EV/09 dated 23.10.2009 and UO No 373/EV/2009 dated 16.11.2009

Click here to see Memo No 42/12/2009-P&PW(G) dated 17.11.2009

Bill to rename NREGA after Mahatma Gandhi

A bill seeking to name the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act after Mahatma Gandhi was introduced in the Lok Sabha today.

Rural Development Minister C P Joshi said the title of the Act is proposed to be amended as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme.

The statement of objects and reasons of bill says that the association of the name of the Mahatma with the Act will reinforce its thrust towards equity and inclusiveness.

The Act is premised on rural households volunteering to do unskilled manual labour and the association of Mahatma Gandhi's name with it underscores the dignity of labour, it said.

Tax free bonds by Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) shortly

The targeted amount of Rs. 9,170 crore would be raised by Ministry of Raiwlays through various financial instruments including tax free bonds. The Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC), a public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, has been mandated to raise market borrowings to the tune of Rs. 9,170 crore in the current financial year to mainly finance acquisition of rolling stock. A part of the borrowing is expected to be raised through issue of tax free bonds by IRFC. Issue of notification to authorize IRFC to issue the tax free bonds is under process in the Ministry of Finance.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways Shri K.H. Muniyappa in a written reply in Lok Sabha today. (26.11.2009)

Incidents of disproportionate assets cases

The CBI has registered 517 disproportionate assets cases since 1.1.2004 to 31.10.2009. The year-wise figures are as given below:-

YEAR
2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009(Up to 31.10.09)
75	147	78	79	86	52

Government is fully committed to implement its policy of “Zero Tolerance against Corruption” and is moving progressively to eradicate corruption from all spheres of life by improving transparency and accountability. Several steps have been taken to combat corruption and to improve the functioning of Government. These include:

(i) Issue of Whistle Blowers Resolution, 2004;
(ii) Enactment of Right to Information Act, 2005;
(iii) The pro-active involvement of Ministry/Department through Annual Action Plan on Vigilance as a preventive measure;
(iv) Issue of comprehensive instructions on transparency in tendering and contracting process by the CVC;
(v) Issue of instructions by the CVC asking the organisations to adopt Integrity Pact in major Government procurement activities; similar instructions have been issued by the Central Government on 16th June 2009 advising the State Governments to adopt Integrity Pact in major procurements;
(vi) India is amongst the countries who have signed the United Nations Convention against Corruption;
(vii) Introduction of e-Governance and simplification of procedures and systems;
(viii) Issue of Citizen Charters.

This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Shri Prithiviraj Chavan in written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha today.

CHEQUES CAN BE WRITTEN IN REGIONAL LANGUAGE - HONOURABLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) vide its Master Circular dated July 1, 2009 has advised all Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding Regional Rural Banks) that all cheque forms would be printed in Hindi and English. The customer may, however, write cheques in Hindi, English or in the concerned regional language.

This information was given by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha today. (24.11.2009)

JOBS FOR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PERSONS

Section 33 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights & Full Participation) Act, 1995 provides for reservation of posts in government establishments. Special Recruitment Drives are launched by the Government from time to time to ensure that reservation is provided accordingly. In order to encourage employment of persons with disabilities in the private sector, a new Scheme of Incentives to the Private Sector for Employment of Physically Challenged Persons has been launched, w.e.f. 01.04.2008. Under this Scheme, the Government of India provides the employer’s contribution for Employees Provident Fund(EPF) and Employees State Insurance (ESI) for 3 years, for physically challenged employees employed in the private sector on or after 01.04.2008, with a monthly salary upto Rs. 25,000. 144 persons have availed this benefit through the Employees Provident Fund Organisation and 261 persons have availed this benefit through Employees State Insurance Corporation under this scheme in private sector till 30.09.2009.

Source : Press Information Bureau

Russian post office says it will cut 33,000 jobs

MOSCOW: 23.11.2009 The Russian post office said on Monday that it intended to cut its staff by at least eight percent in 2010, leading to about 33,000 job losses.

The state-controlled post office plans "gradual cuts of the total staff of no less than eight per cent," it said in a statement, adding that cuts would affect the management at its branches.

The number of postal workers has fallen by three percent since the beginning of the year, and now totals 415,000 people, the statement said.

The Russian post office has 42,000 branches across the country.

Source : Times of India - Internation Business dated 23.11.2009

NURSERY CLASS CLARIFIED BY DEPT OF PERSONNEL AND TRANING FOR CLAIMING CHILDREN EDUCATION ALLOWANCE

Dept of Personnal and Traianing Memo No. 1201 1 /03/2008-Estt.(Allowances) dated 23.11.2009

Subject: Clarification on Children Education Allowance

The undersigned is directed to refer to DOP&T O.M. of even No. dated 2.9.2008 on the above subject. Para l(c) of the said O.M. says "Reimbursement will be applicable for expenditure on the education of school going children only i.e. for children from classes nursery to twelfth including classes eleventh and twelfth held by junior colleges or schools affiliated to Universities or Board of Education".

Various clarifications are being sought with regard to the definition of 'nursery' as the same is being called by different names in different institutions. This matter was considered in consultation with Ministry of Finance. It is clar5ed that 'classes nursery to twelfth' will include classes I to XI1 + 2 classes prior to class I irrespective of the nomenclature.

It is further clarified that in respect of schools/institutions at nursery, primary and middle level not affiliated to any Board of education, the reimbursement under the Scheme may be allowed for the children studying in a recognized school/institution. Recognized school/institution in this regard means a Govt. school or any educational institution whether in receipt of Govt. aid or not, recognized by the Central or State Govt. or Union Tenitory Administration or by University or a recognized educational authority having jurisdiction over the area where the Institution is situated.

Department of Personnel and Training Memo dated 23.11.2009

LEAVE ENCASHMENT ALSO APPLICABLE WHEN SPOUSE AVAILED LTC IN PUBLIC UNDERTAKINGS/AVAILED CONCESSION IN RAILWAYS/NATIONAL AIRLINES

Copy of Dept of Personnel and Training Memo No NO. 1402812/2009-Estt.(L) dated 24.11.2009

Sub: Encashment of earned leave alongwith LTC -Clarification

The undersigned is directed to refer to DOP&T 0.M.No.310111412008-Estt.(A), dated 23'* September, 2008 allowing encashment of earned leave alongwith LTC and to say that various references are being received from MinistriesIDepartments with regard to the applicability of Rule 38-A of the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 to the Central Govt. employees. In this regard it is clarified that
(1) Central Govt. employees governed by CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 who are entitled to LTC but opt for the facility of LTC provided to their spouses employed in PSUslCorporationlAutonomous Bodies etc. and
(2) Central Govt. employees governed by CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 who are otherwise not entitled to LTC, on account of their spouse being employed in Indian Railways/National Airlines who are entitled to privilege passeslconcessional tickets
are entitled to leave encashment while availing the LTC facility of their spouselprivilege passes/concessional tickets of their spouse on fulfillment of all the conditions as stipulated in Rule 38-A of the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 twice in a four years block of LTC.

Department of Personnel and Training Memo dated 24.11.2009

Rly exams in regional languages simultaneously: Mamata

Nov 21 (PTI) Against the backdrop of MNS attacking candidates from North India appearing in railway exams in Maharashtra, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today said the tests will be conducted in regional languages simultaneously.

"The railway exams will be conducted in regional languages simultaneously apart from English and Hindi. In Maharashtra, the exams will be held in Marathi and in other states, these will be held in local languages," she told reporters here.

"The decision was taken after a review was carried out and a new policy was formulated," she said, adding that besides English, Hindi and Urdu, tests will be held in regional languages.

Banerjee said this after Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said at a function that "locals must be given importance. Whoever is a domicile of Maharashtra must first get an employment opportunity.

Source : PTI News

REVISED WAGES FOR GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS - INFORMATION SUBMITTED TO RAJYA SABHA BY HON'BLE MINISTER

The Government has revised the wage structure and other amenities of all categories of Gramin Dak Sevaks including those engaged to distribute letters in rural areas in the country.

The revised Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) of Gramin Sevaks will be implemented w.e.f. 01.01.2006 while other allowances will be implemented w.e.f 09.10.2009. Women Gramin Dak Sevak will be provided Maternity Grant equivalent to three months TRCA with DA for the birth of two children out of the welfare fund of the Department.

For Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB), present calculation of Ex-gratia bonus by applying the calculation ceiling of Rs. 2500 as basic TRCA+DA shall continue to be adopted till such time a new scheme is devised by the Department.

Arrears of TRCA w.e.f 1.1.2006 to 31.10.2009 have been ordered to be paid in cash in two instalments of 40% and 60% spread over the financial year 2009-10 and 2010-11 after adjusting the payments made toward the basic monthly TRCA+ DA drawn from time to time. The 2nd instalment of 60% arrears will be payable only after issue of specific instructions in this regard.

This was stated by Shri Gurudas Kamat, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Rajya Sabha today.

Source : Press Information Bureau

INCREMENT @ 3% SHOULD BE GIVEN WHILE FIXING NON FUNCTIONAL SCALE TO SECTION OFFICERS OF CSS

Department of Personnel and Training Memo No 6/3/2009-CS-I(S) dated 19.11.2009

Subject : Pay fixation of grant of non-functional scale to Section officers of CSS subsequent to implementation of CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's Order No 21/36/03-CS.I dated 13.11.2009 regarding introduction of Non Funcational scale of Rs 8000-275-13500/- to Section Officers of Central Secretariat Service (CSS) and to say that the matter relating to pay fixation of grant of non-functional scale to section Officers of CSS subsequent to implementation of CCS(Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 has been considered in the Department of Personnel and Trainig [both CS Division and Estt.(Pay)Division] in consultation with the Department of Expenditure.

2. It has been clarified by Estt. (Pay) Division vide their U.O. No 5/2/2009-Estt.(Pay-I) dated 17.9.2009 that at the time of grant of non-functional upgradation to Section Officers belonging to CSS, their pay fixation may be done under Rule 13 of CCS(Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 i.e they should be granted one increment @ 3% of their basic pay and to the figure so arrived at, the difference in grade pay (Rs 5400-Rs 4800) = Rs 600) should be added. Further, this dispensation may be implemented w.e.f. 1.1.2006.

All the cadre units of CSS are requesed to take further necessary action.

Quami Ekta Week to be observed from tomorrow

Quami Ekta Week (National Integration Week) will be observed all over the country from tomorrow. Several programmes, with a specific theme on each of the seven days, will be held/observed during the week. Meetings, symposia, seminars, special literary functions, cultural functions and programmes to highlight themes under focus would mark the observance of Quami Ekta Week. The week would begin with National Integration Pledge. National Integration, Welfare of Minorities, Linguistic Harmony, Weaker Sections, Cultural Unity, women’s issues and Conservation are the themes for the Week. Activities related to a specific theme would be under focus on each day.

Quami Ekta Week is observed from November 19-25 every year with a view to fostering and re-inforcing the spirit of communal harmony, national integration and pride in our vibrant composite culture and nationhood. In view of recent developments in various parts of the country, there is a need to take all possible measures for dissemination and reaffirmation of these values among all sections of our people. The Minister of Home Affairs, Shri P. Chidambaram has written to different Ministries under Government of India for organising programmes/events befitting the occasion. The National Foundation for Communal Harmony (HFCH), an autonomous organisation with Ministry of Home Affairs also organises Communal Harmony Campaign during the week.

This occasion provides us an opportunity to reaffirm our age old traditions and faith in the values of tolerance, co-existence and brotherhood in a multi-cultural and multi-religious society. The observation of the “Quami Ekta Week” will also help to highlight the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand actual, and potential threats to the eclectic and secular fabric of our country, and nurture a spirit of communal harmony in its widest sense.

Source : Press Information Bureau

Promotions earned or upgradations granted in the existing Group 'D' scale under ACP scheme 1999 should be ignored for Group 'D Cadre.

Copy of Ministry of Personnel and Training Memo No N0.3503413/2008-Estt(D) dated 16.11.2009

Subject : MODIFIED ASSURED CAREER PROGRESSION SCHEME (MACPS) FOR THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES - CLARIFICATIONS REGARDING.

Reference is invited to the Department of Personnel and Training (D0PT)'s Office Memorandum of even number dated the lgth May, 2009 regarding the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS). Consequent upon the implementation of Sixth Pay Commissions recommendations, the four pre-revised Group 'D' pay scales viz., Rs.2550- 3200, Rs.2610-3540, Rs.2610-4000 and Rs.2650-4000 have been upgraded and replaced by the revised pay structure of grade pay of Rs.1800 in the pay band PB-1. As per the recommendations of Sixth CPC, Government.sewants in these four pre-revised Group 'D' scales have been granted the Group 'C' revised pay structure of grade pay of Rs.1800 in the pay band PB-1. It has been decided on the analogy of point-5 of Annexure-l of MACPS dated 19.05.2009 that promotions earned or upgradations granted under ACP Scheme of August,-1999 in the past to the four pay scales mentioned above, which now carry the grade pay of Rs.18001- shall be ignored for the purpose of MACPS. However, promotions/financial upgradations earned by existing Group 'D' employees to grade pay of Rs.1900 (pre-revised scale of Rs.3050- 75-3590-80-4590) shall be counted for the purpose of MACPS.

cLICK here to view the OM dated 16.11.2009

OFFICIALS WHO RETIRED DURING THE PERIOD FROM 1.1.2006 TO 31.8.2008 ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE TO ENCASHMENT OF HALF PAY LEAVE

Ministry of Personnel and Training Memo No N0.14028/3/2008-Estt.(L) dated 16.11.2009

Subject:-Recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission relating to encashment of leave in respect of Central Government employees.

The uudersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. of even number dated 25th September, 2008 on the subiect mentioned above according to which encashment of leave in respect & central Government employees will be considered both for earned leave and half pay leave subject to overall limit of 300 days and in respect of encashment of half pay leave, no reduction shall be made on account of pension and pension equivalent of other retirement benefits. In case of shortfall in earned leave, no commutation of half pay leave is permissible. The order was made effective from the lSt September, 2008. The matter was reconsidered in this Department in consultation with the Department of Expenditure (Implementation Cell) and it has been decided to modify the date of effect of this Department's 0.M of even number dated 25th September, 2008 to "O1.01.2006 instead of 01.09.2008 subject to the following conditions:-

(i) The benefit will be admissible in respect of past cases on receipt of applications to that effect from the pensioners concerned by the Administrative Ministry concerned.
(ii) In respect of retirees who have already received encashment of earned leave of maximum limit of 300 days together with encashment of HPL standing at their credit on the date of retirement, such cases need not be reopened. However, such cases in which there was a shortfall in reaching the maximum limit of 300 days can be reopened.
(iii) Calculation of cash equivalent in respect of HPL at credit shall be made mutatis mutandis in the manner given in this Department's O.M. of even number dated 25.09.2008.

2. In respect of persons serving in the Indian Audit & Accounts Departments, these O.M. issues with the concurrence of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

The postmaster with a healing touch

MADHAVPUR (Howrah): His life revolves around two M's mail and medicine. On one side of the village post office is his chamber' where he treats' patients, and the on other side of the dingy premises, he is seen busy sorting mail and receiving the villagers' small savings deposits.

Welcome to Madhavpur, barely 15 km from Uluberia, where 52-year-old Parbati Kumar Charui, the postmaster of this Howrah village for 23 years, doubles up as the lone doctor'. Even a wooden partition has been placed in the post office to demarcate the chamber. The lone physician' even makes time from his busy schedule to visit more serious patients at their homes if he gets a call.

Charui pursues his official profession and his passion for treating' the ailing with equal ease during his 12-hour working day, shuttling as he does between either partition at different times of the day. Beginning his day at 9 am, Charui opens the post office to sort mail that he hands over to his lone postman for delivery. He also attends to clients who have small savings.

At noon, Charui takes a break from what remains of the post office work and shifts across the partition to don the robes of a doctor'. For the next two hours, till 2 pm, he attends to a queue of patients. Then, he is back as postmaster for another three hours, till 5 pm and then, shuttles back to his chamber' where he treats' patients till 9 pm.

Charui has no qualms about his unusual dual role or about using half the post office premises as the chamber'. "Am I at fault?" he asks. "I try to be honest and justify both my postmaster's salary and the paltry fees I accept from my patients. I serve both the ailing and users of the postal system," he argues. In fact, he does not even charge those who are too poor to pay the Rs 10 he accepts as fees' from his patients.

The story of the postmaster-turned- doctor' dates back to 1986. "I had just joined as the postmaster of Madhavpur when a young woman died of abdominal pain before anybody could diagnose her ailment. The very next year, I got an opportunity to get myself trained at a medical camp at Uluberia organised by the Red Cross. Thus began a new chapter in my life," Charui said.

After a year's course in alternative medicine, Charui took practical lessons from renowned doctors working at Uluberia hospitals for two years. Then, he decided to split the post office with a partition and started practising'.

Charui treats patients with cough and cold, fever, anaemia and diarrhoea, among other diseases. He even stores medicines for some common ailments. "I have never failed to attend to patients for a single day till date," he says proudly.

Asserting that he doesn't neglect his postmaster's job, Charui loves speaking about his role as a doctor'. "I keep updating myself every day on the medical science. I have bought a digital instrument to measure blood pressure because that is more accurate," he says.

Needless to say, villagers have no problem with Charui using half the post office for his practise'. "He is the only doctor' in a 10-km radius. If he can take time out of his schedule as a postmaster and treat patients, why should we bother? He even visits patients at their homes whenever he gets a call," says Aroop Mondal, one of the many patients waiting outside Charui's chamber' for his healing touch.

Courtesy : Times of India Kolkatta (15:11.2009)

Government employees should be polite with the Public : High Court

Madurai, Nov 14 (PTI) Observing that government employees are expected to be polite in their interaction with public visiting their offices, the Madras High Court bench here today directed police to investigate a complaint accusing a staff of passport office here of rude behaviour with two applicants.

Justice Raja Elango, disposing of a petition by one of the passport applicants, directed police to verify the complaint and register a First Information Report if any cognisable offence was made out.

The petitioner Imam Hussain, a lawyer, said he had gone to Madurai Passport Office along with his wife on Sept 15 when one of the officials refused to accept bank passbook as a residential proof. Then he took up the matter with the Passport Officer

Source : PTI

CHILEREN EDUCATION ALLOWANCE/HOSEL SUBSIDE - CLARIFICATION

Department of Personnel and Training Memo No 12011/16/2009-(Allowance) dated 13.11.2009

Subject:Children Education Allowance1 Hostel Subsidy - Clarification.

The undersigned is directed to refer to DOP&T OM No.120111312008-Estt. (Allowance) dated 2" September, 2008 on the above subject and to say that this Department has been receiving various references from Government servants, Ministries1 Departments seeking clarification whether Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi (VVN) charged by Kendirya Vidyalayas is reimbursable as per items detailed in para l(e) of the above mentioned OM. The matter has been considered in consultation with Ministry of Finance. It is clarified that Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi charged by Kendriya Vidyalayas will also form part of para l(e) of the said OM and can be claimed for reimbursement under the scheme of Children Education Allowance subject to the annual ceiling of Rs. 12000 per child. Where Vidyala Vikas Nidhi has not been admitted for reimbursement in past cases, the same may now be considered for reimbursement, subject to the other conditions.

This Department has also been receiving references seeking clarification whether Children Education Allowance can be claimed in respect of any two children by Government Servants who have more than two children. It is clarified that Children Education Allowance is admissible for the two eldest surviving children only, except when the number of children exceeds two due to second child birth resulting in multiple births. 2. Hindi version will follow.

Click here to see the OM dated 13.11.2009

PRE-REVISED PAY SCALE OF RS 6500-10500 MERGED WITH THE SCALE OF RS 7450-11500

Ministry of Finance OM No 1/1/2008-IC dated 13.11.2009

As per the OM cited above, the pre-revised scale of Rs 6500-10500 as on 1.1.1006 which were granted the normal replacement pay structure of GP of Rs 4200 has now been granted with GP of Rs 4600/- Hence, the pay will be fixed again and the benefits will be given from 1.1.2006. In our Department Personal secretaries who were in receipt of GP of Rs 4200/- will be benefited.

Click here to see the OM dated 13.11.2009

Thiru. A. Raja launched National Micro Insurance Drive for Rural PLI in Tamil Nadu

The Union Minister of Communications & I.T. Thiru. A. Raja launched the National Micro Insurance Drive for Rural Postal Life Insurance (PLI) at Sholur Mattam, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu today.

The Minister informed in his speech that Postal Life Insurance is being provided by the Department of Posts since as far back as 1884. Started as a Welfare Scheme for Postal employees alone, Postal Life Insurance has been extended to cover Central and State Government Employees, personnel of Defence forces and Paramilitary and Employees of Public Sector Undertakings and Banks. Rural PLI was introduced by Department of Posts in 1995 with a specific mandate to cover people living in rural areas with emphasis on weaker section in general and women in particular. Till March, 2009, there were around 4 million PLI policies and around 7.8 million Rural PLI policies.

In keeping with its mandate to cover weaker sections of the society in rural areas with special focus on women, the Department of Posts launched the Proof of Concept for Micro Insurance Drive focussing on providing insurance cover to the weaker sections in rural areas. The existing policies of Rural Postal Life Insurance with a Sum Assured of Rs.10,000/- to Rs.25,000/- were propagated in this scheme. In a short span of about a month, more than 1.3 million rural lives have been covered under this scheme.

The Minister informed that the Rural Postal Life Insurance policies are being marketed now not only by the Postal staff and Gramin Dak Sewaks but by also engaging Direct Agents, Aanganwadi workers, Self Help Groups and Co-operatives to facilitate people to get themselves covered under Rural Postal Life Insurance. He also distributed policy documents to Insurants and Licences to Direct Agents on this occasion.

The Minister lauded the Department of Posts with special mention of Postal Circles of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh for their commendable performance in the Proof of Concept for Micro Insurance and hoped that more and more people living in rural areas would be able to get the benefit of insurance cover under this scheme.

The function started with a welcome address by Thiru. S.K. Sinha, Chief General Manager, Postal Life Insurance. Thiru Uday Balakrishnan, Member, Postal Life Insurance delivered the Key Note address. In his address, he outlined the plans of the Department for expansion of Postal and Rural Postal Life Insurance aimed at providing insurance cover to about 100 million people by 2010. He also informed about the steps being taken by way of Technology upgradation for speedy issue of documents and settlement of claims.

Meant to be an awareness drive for Rural Micro Insurance, the function was well attended by target audience comprising among others, large number of Aanganwadi workers and rural farmers. Thiru K. Ramachandran, Minister for Khadi, Government of Tamil Nadu, Thiru A. Soundarapandiyan, MLA, Coonor, Smt. S. Gomathi, District Panchayat Chairman & District Planning Chairman, Thiru K.M. Raju, Chairman, Kothagiri Panchayat Union, Thiru S.T. Thamizharasan, President, Denad Panchayat were also present on this occasion.

SANCHAY POST WILL CONTINUE....?

Times of India Bangalore dated 6.11.2009

BANGALORE: IT city is stepping on the gas — it is now at the heart of India’s post-office revolution. Software product ‘Sanchay Post’, designed by engineers of Bangalore-based Datanet Systems, is transforming the gargantuan Indian postal system into a more secure and tech-savvy savings hub, as good as any modern bank, making life easier for thousands of families who swear by postal savings.

Software Sanchay Post is doing what customers have sought for long — computerized post offices. By March 2010, 16,000 post offices across the country will offer computerized postal services that are highly secure, transparent and quick. The services will be available at main post offices in the first phase.

G H Visveswara, CEO of Datanet Systems, said: “India Post has computerized 9,500 post offices so far. The plan is to computerize 6,000 more this year. By March 2010, with 16,000 computerized post offices, the post office will be India’s largest computerized banking system. We are happy Sanchay Post is at the middle of this postal transformation, and more so because it is helping the common man who reposes faith in the post office.”

WHEN DID IT START?

The postal department started its computerization plans around 1998-99, and Datanet Systems was selected through a tender. Around 2000, when the first version of the software was released, 184 post offices had been computerized. Between 2000 and 2007, only 480 post offices had been computerized as the postal department “was going slow”.

An unprecedented change, however, took place after March 2007 “owing to persuasion by CAG that all operations be computerized”. Between March 2007 and October 2009, computerized branches increased from 480 to a whopping 10,000. With 6,000 more planned by March 2010, the Indian postal department is now doing what no limited banking institution in the country has ever done: computerizing 16,000 branches in three years flat, from March 2007 to 2010.

Feedback from post offices to the new software and computerization has been positive. “India Post’s plan to computerize 6,000 branches more with the software is testimony that it has been working well for them. If it was not, such a major decision on such a large scale would not be taken place,” Visveswara said

Shortage of staff affects the customer.

News item published in the Times of India - Ludhiana dated 2.11.2009

LUDHIANA: While Project Arrow was launched with customers’ convenience in mind, it now seems postal department’s efforts have not borne results as people visiting head post office at Bharat Nagar chowk are in a fix as to which counter to visit for getting their work done.
Project Arrow was launched in May 2008 to revitalize the postal department and reposition its brand as one that cares for its customers. Sources said 50 post offices in the first phase, 450 in the second and 4,500 in the third phase were scheduled to come under the umbrella of Project Arrow. Post offices have already assumed a new look with a new logo of India Post and homogeneous architecture of white buildings with red lines under the Arrow project.
On condition of anonymity, a staff member of the department said the main problem is non-availability of the enquiry counter at the postal department as people from all walks of life come to the post office. The elderly are often at a loss to make out as to which counter to visit, resulting in inconvenience for customers and employees. He added that customers are often confused about the counter to be visited for speed post, which results in delay.
For customers’ ease, the department has already installed display boards mentioning the time-frame for completing different kinds of work, but time taken to locate the enquiry counter delays things.
There is not even a single counter where a person could get information about where to get his or work done, said Harpinder Kaur, a city resident. She added that for the educated, things are comparatively easier. For the elderly, however, the going tends to get tough, which is the reason she always accompanies her grandfather to the post office and they have never observed any work being completed within the time-frame notified on the display board.
Talking to TOI, Bant Ram Multani, senior post master, said he agreed customers were facing inconvenience, which was due to staff shortage. He added that the department had already invited applications and recruitment was on for the department to deploy someone to guide customers

Restriction on pay plus Deputation (Duty) Allowance- regarding.

Copy of Department of Personnel and Training Memo No No. 2/22/2008-Estt. (Pay II) dated 3.11.2009

The undersigned is directed to say that consequent upon acceptance of the recommendations of Sixth Central Pay Commission, the deputation (duty) allowance shall be restricted as under:
"Basic pay, from time to time, plus Deputation (Duty) Allowance should not exceed the maximum of the pay band PB-4 (Rs. 67000) plus the grade pay of the post held on deputation subject to the grade pay not exceeding Rs. 10,000. The term 'basic pay' in the revised pay structure means pay drawn in the prescribed pay band plus the applicable grade pay but does not Include any other type of pay like special pay, etc."
2. These orders shall take effect from 1" September, 2008.
3. Insofar as application of these orders to the officers of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department is concerned, these orders issue in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of lndia.

Department of Personnel and Training OM dated 3.11.2009

Post office employee robbed inside the office

News article in Times of India - Bangalore

Bangalore - 29.10.2009

An intruder, in the guise of posting a letter, threw chilly powder on the face of a post office employee and robbed her of Rs 39,220.

The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon at Chamarajpet post office. At 12.15 pm, Shashikala, who sits in stamps counter noticed that a person has been in the post office for over 30 minutes. When asked, the person said he was waiting for a friend to send a registered post.

Ten minutes later, the power went off in the post office. The person headed straight to Shashikala, threw chilly powder on her face, took the money on the table through the transaction window and ran away.

Though other employees gave him a chase, the intruder managed to escape in one of the narrow lanes.

USE OF OWN CAR/HIRED TAXI ON LTC JOURNEY ON ACCOUNT OF PHYSICAL HANDICAP

Department of Personnel and Training Memo No F. No 31011/3/2009-Estt.(A) dated 28.10.2009

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. No. 3101114/2008- Estt.(A) dated 23.9.2008 in which it was stipulated that LTC facility shall be admissible only in respect of journeys performed in vehicles operated by the Government or any corporation in the public sector run by the Central or State Government or a local body.

2. Instances have come to notice where Government servants on account of physical handicap/disability of self or dependant family members are unable to perform the LTC journey by the authorized modes of transport and are compelled to undertake the journey by own car or private taxi. Representations are being received to allow reimbursement in such cases. Matter has been examined in consultation wid). the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure and it has been decided in relaxation of LTC Rules to authorize the Head of Department to allow use of own/hired taxi for LTC journey on account of disability of the Government servant or dependent family member after obtaining following papers/conditions to avoid misuse of such relaxation:-

(i) Medical Certificate from competent authority.
(ii) Undertaking from Government servant that journey in authorized mode IS not feasible and he actually travelled by own car/hired taxi.
(iii) such claim should not be more than journey performed by the entitled class by rail/air by the shortest route.

Click here to see the Memo dated 28.10.2009

PROCESSING OF APAR (Annual Performance Appraisal Report) is going to be computerised.

Government has issued orders to disclose the confidential reports to the officials and now renamed it as Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR)and the official has to keep the copies for future reference. Chances have also been given to make appeal if any adverse remarks are communicated. Now the Department of Personnel and Training has issued orders about the proposal of computerise the process of keeping the APARs. The order is reproduced below for information:-

Extract of the Memo

The undersigned is directed to say that this Department is in the process of computerisation of the work relating to maintenance of APARs and subsequently develop an online system for submission and monitoring of APARs. NIC has been requested to develop a common software for all Ministries/cadre units, which shall be made available in due course of time.

As soon as the relevant software is made available, CS Division will move ahead for computerisation, so that in future, data on APARs of CSS Officers shall be made available with a click of a button to the authorised users. In order to speed up such a process all cadre units may furnish to CS Division the details of nodal officers in their respective Ministries/Departments alongwith their address, phone numbers, e-mail IDs etc. who are currently responsible for keeping a watch on the progress of the completion of ACRs/APARs. The officers so identified (not below the rank of Under Secretary) shall be provided with usernames and passwords to enable them to operate the APARs software of DO P&T.

Click here to see the memo

Post offices may sell cars, in talks with Maruti

The department of posts may soon start selling cars. The department has initiated talks with car majors, including Maruti Suzuki [ Images ], to promote their vehicles in the rural parts of the country. DoP is also planning to act as a registrar of information for the Nandan Nilekani-led Unique ID project. Speaking to reporters after signing up with Sistema Shyam Teleservices (which offers phone services under the 'MTS' brand) to offer e-recharge services at 50 post offices here, Chennai City Region post master general M S Ramanujan said DoP has over 1,50,000 points of presence and about 25,000 offices across the country, a majority of which are located in the rural parts of the country. "We will sell and collect application forms (for cars), which will then be submitted to the nearest Maruti dealer," Ramanujan said. Courtesy : Rediff-Business