Post offices to enter into core banking system by March 2010

JALANDHAR: Post office would not more limit its banking system to old and traditional technology and would adopt core banking system, on pattern of other commercial banks by the end of current financial year.

"All branches of post office banks will be connected through national computer server for which data scanning and signatures entry was nearing completion", P R Kumar, chief postmaster general, Punjab & Union Territory (Chandigarh) told reporters here on Monday.

At present there were 150 lakh branches with the deposits of Rs 5.60 lakh crore of deposits, Kumar said claiming that no other government organisation could match such a huge customer network.

"The deposits in post office banks are not being used for any commercial purposes like extending loans to people and all the deposits were being utilised by the government of India for welfare schemes only", Kumar said while revealing the differentiation between the commercial banks and post offices.

Apart from banking sector, postal department would emphasise on insurance sector especially in rural areas, Kumar said adding that within one year it has been targeted that over two lakh policies would be issued in Punjab only to reach the number of two crore policies at national level by March 2010.

Source : Times of India

Gold coins at rebate prices

Despite the soaring prices of gold, here's some reason to feel good for all the government officials, who are willing to purchase gold coins this festive season.

For the ongoing festive month, the Post Office department has launched a scheme to give a rebate of 6 per cent on the purchase of gold coin from September 24 till October 24 to all the government officials.

Besides this, a scheme for general customers was also launched where 0.5 gram gold would be given free to all those who would purchase 10 gram gold from the post office. "To avail this scheme, the customers are required to buy two coins of 5 gm each or a single coin of 8 gm or two coins of 1 gm each. Out of these two schemes a customer can only opt for one."

Notably, all across the country the Indian Postal Department along with a private financial firm is selling 24 carat gold coins to all the post offices.

Source : Times of India

GRANT OF DEARNESS RELIEF TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS W.E.F. 1.7.2009

GRANT OF DEARNESS RELIEF TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS W.E.F. 1.7.2009

Extract of Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare Memo No 42/12/2009_P&PW(G) dated 23.3.2009

The dearness relief payable to Central Government pensioners and family pensioners is enhanced from the existing rate of 22% to 27% w.e.f. 1.7.2009.

For details click here to see OM dated 23.9.2009

PAYMENT OF DA TO CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLO9YEES W.E.F 1.7.2009

Sub : Payment of DA to Central Government employees - Revised rates effective from 1.7.2009

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry's Office Memorandum No 1(1)/(2009)-E-II (B) dated 13.3.2009, on the subject mentioned above and to state that the President is pleased to decide that the DA payable to Central Government employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 22% to 27% w.e.f 1.7.2009.

2. The provisions contained in paras 3,4 and 5 of this Ministry;s OM No 1(3)/2008 -E-II (B) dated 29.8.2008, shall continued to be applicable while regulating DA under these orders.

3. The addtional installment of DA paybale under these orders shall be paid in cash to all Central Government employees.

4. These orders shall also apply to all the Civilian employees paid from Defence Service Estimates and the expenditure will be chargeable to the relevant head of the Defence Service Estimates. In regard to Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways, respectively.

5. In so far as the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders issue after consultation with the CAG of India.

Sd. (R. Prem Anand), Under Secretary to the Government of India

MACPS ORDER ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT ON 18.9.2009

Copy of Department of Posts Memo No 4-7/(MACPS)/2009-PCC dated 18.9.2009

Sub : Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) for the Central Government Civilian Employees.

The Sixth Central Pay Commission vide Para 6.1.15 of its report has recommended Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS). The Government has considered the recommendatations of the Sixth Central Payh Commission on the Assured Career Progression and accepted the same with further modification to grant three financial upgradations under the revised Scheme at intervals of 10,20 and 30 years of continuous regular service and issued orders vide Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel & Training) OM No 35034/3/2008-Estt. (D) dated 19.5.2009. The Scheme is known as "MODIFIED ASSURED CAREER PROGRESSION SCHEME (MACPS) FOR THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES" and which has come into operation w.e.f. 01-09-2008.

2. This scheme is in supersession of previous ACP Scheme and clarifications issued there under. The scheme shall be applicable to all regularly appointed Group "A", "B", "C" Central Government Civilian Employees except officers of the Organised Group "A" service. The status of Group D employees cease and be treated as Group C. Multi-Skilled employees on their completion of prescribed training. Casual employees, including those granted 'temporary status' and employees appointed in the Central Government only on adhoc or contract basis shall not qualify for benefits under the aforesaid Scheme.

3. Department of Posts has its own scheme of Time Bound One Promotion (TBOP)/Biennial Cadre Review (BCR) for its employees. . Time Bound One Promotion was introduced w.e.f. 30.11.1983 vide letter No 31-26/83-PE.I dated 17/12/1983. Biennial Cadre Review was introduced w.e.f. 01.10.1991 vide Directorate Memo No 22-1/89-PE-1 dated 11.10.1991. The scheme was further extended to certain other categories of employees from different dates.

4. The scheme of TBOP introduced w.e.f 30.11.1983 and the BCR introduced w.e.f. 01.10.1991 and extended to other categories of staff on subsequent dates shall stand withdrawn w.e.f. 01-09-2008.

5. The postal Federations have given their consent for switching over to the MACPS. As regards drivers, they are governed by a structured promotion scheme & as the scheme is considered beneficial to this category of staff, the Postal Federations have requested to retain the existing structured scheme. It has been decided to continue to the existing structured promotion scheme for drivers.

6. On grant of financial upgradation under the scheme, there shall be no change in the designation, classification or higher status. However, financial and certain other benefits which are linked to the pay drawn by an employee such as HBA, Allotment of Government Accommodation shall be permitted.

7. The salient features of the MACP are given in Annexure- 1.

8. Before initiating action for placing the eligible employees under the MACPS, action may be taken to finalise all TBOP/BCR placements due for the period till 31.08.2008 by conducting meetings of Screening Committee and issuing necessary orders.

9. Screening Committees shall be constituted in each Division/Region/Circle to consider the cases of different levels for grant of financial upgradations under the MACP Scheme. The Screening Committees shall consist of Chairperson and two members. The members of the Committee shall comprise officers holding posts which are at least one level above the grade in which the MACP is to be considered and not below the rank of Under Secretary or equivalent in PB-3 with GP of Rs 6600/-. The Chairperson should generally be of a grade above the members of Committee. The Screening Committees should keep in view of the benchmark prescribed for financial upgradations.

10. The recommendations of the Screening Committee shall be placed before the DPS/Director Accounts Postal/Head of the Region/Circle or Organisation/competent authority as the case may be for approval.

11. In order to prevent undue strain on the administrative machinery, the Screening Committee shall follow a time-schedule and meet twice in a financial year - preferably in the first week of Januay and first week of July of a year for advance processing of the cases maturing in that half. Accordingly, cases meturing during the fist-half (April-September) of a particular financial year shall be taken up for consideration of the Screening Committee meeting in the first week of January. Similarly, the Screening Committee meeting in the first week of July of the financial year shall process the cases that would be maturing during the second-half (October-March) of the same finanancial year.

12. Any interpretation/clarification or doubt as to the scope and mearning of the provisions of MACPS given by the Dept of Personnel and Training (Est-D) will be further communicated by the Establishment Division of the Directorate. The Scheme would be operational w.e.f. 01.09.2008 and financial upgradations as per the provisions of the earlier ACP Scheme (of August, 1999)/TBOP/BCR Schemes of the Department of Posts would be granted till 31.08.2008

13. No stepping up of pay in the pay band or GP would be admissible with regard to junior getting more pay than the senior on account of pay fixation under MACP Scheme.

14. It is clarified that no past cases would be re-opened. Further, while implementng the MACP Scheme, the differences in pay scales on account of grant of financial upgradsation under the old ACP Scheme (of August 1999)/TBOP/BCR Schemes of Department of Posts and under the MACP Scheme within the same cadre shall not be construed as an anomoly.

15. It is requested that the OM may be circulated to all concerned and immediate action may be taken to complete the entire process as indicated in the OM.

16. This issues with concurrence of Integrated Finance Wing vie their Dy. No 205/FA/09/CS dated 18.09.2009

Sd/. (A.K. Sharma), DDG (Establishment)

AIR TRAVEL DURING LTC RESTRICTED TO ECONOMY CLASS IRRESPECTIVE OF ENTITLEMENT

Copy of Dept of Personnel and Training Memo No.3101112/2006-Estt.(A) dated 9.9.2009

Subject:- Regulation of Journey by air while availing Leave Travel Concession - clarification regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's a.M. of even No. dated 27.7.2009 on the above subject and to say that consequent to issue of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure O.M.No. 7(1) E.Coord/2009 dated 7/9/2009 on expenditure management the reimbursement of the expenses on air travel while availing of the Leave Travel Concession by Government servants will be restricted to the cost of travel by the economy class, irrespective of entitlement, with immediate effect.

Click here to see DOPT memo dated 9.9.2009

Expenditure Management - Economy Measures and Rationlization of expenditure

Extract of OM No 7(1) E.Coord/2009 dated 7.9.2009 of Ministry of Finance in which 5% and 10% cut have been imposed on expenditure.

10 % mandatory cut in non-Plan expenditure under the following heads:-

a) Domestic and Foreign Travel expenses b) Publications c) Professional Services d) Advertising and Publicity e) Office expenses f) POL (except for security related requirement) g) Other administrative expenses

5% mandatory cut in the remaining portions of non-plan expenditure, excluding interest payments, repayment of debt, Defence capital, salaries, pension and the Finance Commission grants to the States

No increases in the budgetary allocations under the heads of non-plan expenditure, particularly where cuts are now being imposed, will be allowed at RE stage, except under very extraordinary and compelling circumstances.

For details click here to see the OM dated 7.9.2009 issued by the MOF

GRANT OF HONORARIUM FOR INQUIRY/PRESENTING OFFICERS

Copy of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions No. 142/20/2008- AVD I dated 25.7.2009

Subject: Grant of Honorarium to Inquiry Officers/ Presenting Officers

The undersigned is directed to refer to this department's OM no 134/4/99-AVD I dated 29th June 2001 and 7th  April 2003 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the rates of honorarium payable to the IO//PO in the case of departmental inquiries were last revised vide OM dated 29th June 2001 in the case of serving Government Servants functioning as part time IO/PO and vide OM dated 7th April 2003 in the case of retired Govt Servants functioning as IO.

2. The existing rates of honorarium as prescribed in the aforesaid OM was reviewed in consultation with the Ministry of Finance. As a result of review, it has been decided to revise the existing rates of the honorarium, payable, to 10/PO. The rates of honorarium as revised are indicated in the table below:-

Particulars	Revised Rates ( per inquiry)
a) Inquiry Officer (Part time Serving Govt Servants)	Rs. 3000/-Maximum Rs 1500/- Minimum
b) Presenting Officer (Part time serving Govt. Servants)	Rs 1500/- Maximum Rs 750/- Minimum
c) Retired Government servants	Rs 9750 (lumpsum) plus Rs 1500 for every additional Charged officer

3 The grant of revised rates of honorarium as above will be subject to the same conditions stipulated vide para 4 of this Department's OM No134/4/99-AVD-I dated 29th June 2001.

4, These orders will take effect from the date of issu~ and will also apply ro inquiries in progress.

5. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of 'Finance, Department of Expenditure, vide their ID no 14(4)!2009-EII(B) 14,7.2009.