POSTAL STAFF CORNER

Cluster for Posting of Inspector Cadre too!!!

2011-07-22T04:49:00.000+05:30

Directorate has recently issued tenure for cluster in respect of Group 'A' cadre. The officers can not serve in the cluster more than the number of years fixed. They cannot come back again if they complete the number of years fixed. Tamilnadu Circle also planning to form a cluster to avoid working of IP cadre officials in a particular Division for years together. Here is the letter calling for suggestions from the Regional PMs General.

Vehicle Registration and Driving licence to be Centralised

2011-07-21T19:54:00.000+05:30

Vehicle Registration and Issue of Driving licenses will be Centralized soon as Highways Ministry and National Informatics Centre have launched a Centralized database for these two regulations.

Once this Centralized Computerization project is operational driving licenses will be issued in the name of Union of India using the terminals linked to the central database. This procedure will eliminate duplication work as reported by NIC.

Also, details of the automobile will only be a click of a mouse away. Officials said a gazette notification will be issued within a month to make it mandatory that all new licenses would be issued as Indian Union Driving Licence.

It is told that this Centralization process will not take away the powers of State Government as far as Registration of Vehicles and issue of driving licenses are concerned.

The idea of bringing these two regulations under a single window is to prevent anyone from getting multiple licenses from different states. Once the centralized database come in to existence every RTO can access, the same and exercise his powers registration vehicles and and issue of driving licenses. In a nut shell, the new system would eliminate usage of vehicles for destabilizing national security.

In this regard the national transport portal will work as a gateway for multiple purposes for individuals and also for states and security agencies. People can apply for Driving licence, Vehicle registration certificate and for hypothecation online. As per official statement, this system will facilitate online payment of various taxes, fees and transport charges. The vehicle owners can also get SMS alerts of their payments due for insurance and renewal of insurance.

Source: The times of India

Regarding Economic Times feature on India Post dated 8/3/11 - Published by our Department in India Post web site.

2011-03-09T19:44:00.000+05:30

Many of staff and officers contacted Postal Directorate about a special feature on India Post in the Economic Times dated 7 March 2011. The Following few points may put the records straight :

First about deficit. It is true that during last two years, the expenditure has increased. That is mainly due to establishment cost going up on account of implementation of recommendations of Pay Commission. This is true of all Government departments whether in public service or not. In regard to revenue of the Department, the two main sources of revenue,tariff for mail and remuneration for savings bank are administered.

Secondly about technology. It is true that post office computerization started nearly fifteen years back. But the compurerisation was incremental and on stand alone basis. A project to computerize and network all post offices by 2012-13 is under implementation. That will provide a platform for new services including extensive financial services, e-commerce and joint products from various corporate

Thirdly about Post Bank. This Deprtment has got a report from consultant in this regard which is under processing. It may be mentioned, till last year RBI did not show any inclination for issuing banking licenses. Further to make post office an effective banking outlet, one needs to have networking and specialized banking package which is under implementation now.

Fourthly about structure of the organization, leadership and continuity. There are as many corporatized post offices who have failed as of those which succeeded. In this regard continuity of vision and ability to transform is important. But that is not necessarily one top person centric. Leadership at all levels with a committed group for transformation is required. That is what we have been aiming at for managing this change.

Source : India Post

About us in the Economic Times dated 7.3.2011

2011-03-09T19:41:00.000+05:30

India Post: Even with social obligation, it could be profitable

Bhanu Pande & Souvik Sanyal,ET Bureau,Mar 7, 2011, 03.08am IST

For an entity that is in the delivery business, speed in decision-making is not a strength of the department of post. From idea to implementation, the department has taken 16 years to computerise and connect all its 155,000 branches; it's taken 10 years to enter the business of managing the movement of goods for companies.

Most recently, it's taken four years just to commission a feasibility study for its biggest transformation yet, becoming a bank.

In the last 15 years, as electronic modes of communication have trampled on physical forms, the department has tried to change, only to give into its worst self, and continue down the road of irrelevance and mounting losses. In 2009-10, it lost Rs 6,641 crore, on revenues of Rs 6,266 crore. In other words, to earn one rupee in revenues, it spent Rs 2. In 1997-98, it gave itself a new, contemporary and meaningful identity: India Post.

Source : Economic Times

DA Calculation based on the CPI for the month of January 2011

2011-03-01T05:15:00.000+05:30

The All India Consumer Price Index number for (Industrial Workers) (Base 2001=100) for the month of January 2011 is 188 as announced by Statistics Department, Labour, Government of India.
Based on this index, expected increase from January 2011 is 6%.

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
Nov 2009	168	34.11
Dec 2009	169	35.70
Jan 2010	172	37.43
Feb 2010	170	39.01
Mar 2010	170	40.59
Apr 2010	170	42.03
May 2010	172	43.54
Jun 2010	174	45.06
Jul 2010	178	46.35
Aug 2010	178	47.50
Sep 2010	179	48.66
Oct 2010	181	49.81
Nov 2010	182	50.81
Dec 2010	185	51.97
Jan 2011	188	53.12

Source : Labour Bureau

Certificate of Posting Discontinued by the Department.

2011-03-01T04:58:00.000+05:30

Department of Posts letter No 2-4/2008-PO dated 23.2.2011

To

All Chief Postmasters General,
All Posmasters General,
Director, PSCI. Ghaziabad,
Director, All Postal Training Centres,
Add. Directorate General of APS

Sub : Discontinuation of 'Certificate of Posting'

Under the provisions of Rule 195 of the India Post Office Rules, 1933 'Certificate of Posting' is granted to the public to afford an assurance that letters and other articles for which no receipts are granted by the Post Office and entrusted to servants or messengers for posting have actuall been posted.

It has since been decided that 'Certificate of Posting' may be discontinued immediately.

A copy of Gazette Notification No 58(E) dated 31.1.2011 deleting the Rule 195 of the Indian Post Office Rules, 1933 regarding 'Certificate of Posting' is enclosed for informatin and necessary action.

This may kindly be brought to the notice of all concerned for strict compliance.

The receipt of this communication may also be acknowledged.

Sd/
(NIRAJ KUMAR)
Director (PO&I)

DA Calculation based on the CPI for the month of December 2010

2011-03-01T04:46:00.000+05:30

The All India Consumer Price Index number for (Industrial Workers) (Base 2001=100) for the month of December 2010 is 185 as announced by Statistics Department, Labour, Government of India.
Based on this index, expected increase from January 2011 is 6%.

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
Nov 2009	168	34.11
Dec 2009	169	35.70
Jan 2010	172	37.43
Feb 2010	170	39.01
Mar 2010	170	40.59
Apr 2010	170	42.03
May 2010	172	43.54
Jun 2010	174	45.06
Jul 2010	178	46.35
Aug 2010	178	47.50
Sep 2010	179	48.66
Oct 2010	181	49.81
Nov 2010	182	50.81
Dec 2010	185	51.97

Source : Labour Bureau

Group 'D' Posts (Now Multi Tasking Staff) are to be filled immediately. Instructions issued by Directorate

2011-01-31T06:19:00.000+05:30

MOST
IMMEDIATE

No.45-2/2011-SPB-I

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

(Department of Posts)

…

Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,New
Delhi-110001

Dated 27^th January, 2011.

1. All Chief Postmaster General.

2. CGM,PLI

Subject: Action to be taken to fill up the vacancies on the basis of latest
Recruitment Rules for the post of Multi Tasking Staff.

Sir/Madam,

I am directed to forward herewith a copy of Recruitment Rules for the posts of
Multi Tasking Staff dated 16^th December, 2010 gazette notified on 20^th
December, 2010. It may be observed that the notified Recruitment Rules provide
to fill up the vacancies as under (For full text pleases refer to the Recruitment Rules):

Vacancies in Circle and Administrative Offices:

i.(a) 25% by appointment of Casual Labourers conferred with temporary status on the basis of selection-cum-seniority failing which by,

(b) Appointment of existing Casual labourers engaged on or before 1.9.1993 working, for full hours viz. 8 hours, on the basis of selection-cum-seniority failing which by,

(c) Appointment of existing part-time Casual Labourers, engaged on or before1.9.1993, on the basis of selection-cum-seniority failing which by,

(d) Direct recruitment as per the scheme circulated by the Department of Posts form time to time.

ii. 75% by direct recruitment as per the scheme circulated by the Department of Posts from time to time.

Vacancies in Subordinate Offices:

i) 50% by direct recruitment from amongst Gramin Dak Sevaks of the recruiting Division or Unit, on the basis of selection-cum seniority.

ii) (a) 25% by direct recruitment of the basis of Competitive Examination restricted to the Gramin Dak Sevaks of the Division or Unit failing which by,

(b) Direct recruitment from amongst Gramin Dek Sevaks of the recruiting Division or Unit, on the basis of selection-cum-seniority.

iii) (a) 25% by appointment of Casual Laborers conferred with temporary status on the basis of selection-cum-seniority failing which by.

(b) Appointment of Casual Laborers conferred with temporary status in the
neighboring Division or unit on the basis of selection-cum-seniority failing
which by,

(c) Appointment of Casual Laborers conferred with temporary status in the
neighboring Division or unit on the basis of selection-cum-seniority failing
which by,

(d) Appointment of Casual Labourers engaged on or before 1.9.1993, working for full hours viz 8 hours, of the neighboring Division our unit on the basis of
selection-cum-seniority failing which by,

(e) Appointment of part-time Casual Labourers engaged on or before 1.9.1993, of the recruiting Division or Unit on the basis of selection-cum-seniority failing
which by.

(f) Direct recruitment from amongst Gramin Dak Sevaks on the basis of their
seniority in the Division or unit.

Failing (i), (ii) and (iii) above by direct recruitment from open market.

2. In order to initiate action to fill up the vacancies of the years 2009 and 2010 the Circles may work out the vacancies falling under various modes of filling up as
provided in the Recruitment Rules. Wherever applicable the vacancies may be
assessed Division/Unit wise. The direct recruitment vacancies of the
erstwhile Group 'D' not cleared under Annual Direct Recruitment Plans of the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 should not be taken in to consideration while assessing the vacancies.

3. The vacancies so assessed may please be furnished to the Directorate by 10^th February, 2011 positively in the enclosed proforma.

4. Once the Circles complete the process of identification of vacancies to be filled up by various modes they may proceed further to fill up the following vacancies:

(a) Vacancies in Circle and Administrative Offices:

25% of vacancies to be filled up by appointment of Casual labourers.

(b) Vacancies in Subordinate Offices:

i) 50% of vacancies to be filled up by direct recruitment from amongst
Gramin Dak Sevaks of the recruiting Division or Unit, on the basis of
selection-cum-seniority.

ii) 25% of vacancies to be filled up by appointment of Casual Laborers.

5. The Circles are requested to process the above said appointments in such time-frame so that the appointment orders are issued by 29^th March, 2011.

6. As regard the vacancies to be filled up by Departmental Examination and direct recruitment, the Directorate is in the process of finalizing the syllabus and scheme for examination. The same will be conveyed to the Circles shortly to enable them to fill up those posts also.

7. Receipt of this letter may be acknowledged.

Yours faithfully,
Sd/-(Salim Haque)
Deputy Director General
Tel.No.23096093

DA Calculation based on CPI for the month of November 2010 - Expected increase in DA from 1.1.2011 is 6%

2011-01-17T06:00:00.000+05:30

The All India Consumer Price Index number for (Industrial Workers) (Base 2001=100) for the month of October 2010 is 181 as announced by Statistics Department, Labour, Government of India.
Based on this index, expected increase from January 2011 is 6%.

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
Nov 2009	168	34.11
Dec 2009	169	35.70
Jan 2010	172	37.43
Feb 2010	170	39.01
Mar 2010	170	40.59
Apr 2010	170	42.03
May 2010	172	43.54
Jun 2010	174	45.06
Jul 2010	178	46.35
Aug 2010	178	47.50
Sep 2010	179	48.66
Oct 2010	181	49.81
Nov 2010	182	50.81

Source : Labour Bureau

One Million Aadhaar card issued by UIDAI

2011-01-17T05:53:00.000+05:30

Another Milestone for Aadhaar
Sukrity becomes the One Millionth Resident whose Aadhaar Number is generated
At noon today, fifteen year old Sukrity, a resident of North Tripura, became the one millionth resident whose Aadhaar number was generated by the UIDAI.

‘It took us nearly six weeks to cross one lakh enrolments,’ Nandan Nilekani, Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India said. ‘However, it has taken us almost the same time to ramp up from one lakh to one million Aadhaar enrolments. This success is an auspicious milestone, en-route to our goal of issuing 600 million Aadhaar numbers in the next four years.’

The speed of UIDAI’s registrars in deploying enrolment stations across the country, and in training large numbers of operators, has ensured this milestone in such a short period. The youngest person to receive their Aadhaar number was a 13 day old infant; the oldest person to receive their Aadhaar number was 103 years old.

The UIDAI’s systems have held up impressively to the large numbers of people enrolling across the country. In addition, the training and quality controls the Authority has put in place have been critical in minimizing problems in data collection, which will ensure that the Aadhaar number will be a secure, reliable form of identification.

‘Enrolment for the Aadhaar number will accelerate further in the coming weeks, as more registrars begin enrolling residents,’ R.S. Sharma, UIDAI’s Director General & Mission Director said. So far, over 60 registrars have signed MoUs with the UIDAI, and more than fifteen of these registrars have begun enrolments.

The Union Finance Ministry recently recognized the Aadhaar number as sufficient proof of identity and proof of address, for individuals to get a bank account. This move will be an impetus for registrars in the financial sector to begin enrolling people for the number. It will also be pivotal in bringing financial services to the millions of unbanked people in the country, who have been excluded so far because of their lack of identification.

Source : Press Information Bureau

DA Calculation based on the consumer price index of October 2010 (181 Points)

2010-12-04T12:01:00.000+05:30

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
Nov 2009	168	34.11
Dec 2009	169	35.70
Jan 2010	172	37.43
Feb 2010	170	39.01
Mar 2010	170	40.59
Apr 2010	170	42.03
May 2010	172	43.54
Jun 2010	174	45.06
Jul 2010	178	46.35
Aug 2010	178	47.50
Sep 2010	179	48.66
Oct 2010	181	49.81

Source : Labour Bureau

Eight Modernized Post Offices Dedicated to Public in Delhi Project Arrow Transforming Postal Services –Sachin Pilot

2010-11-09T05:44:00.000+05:30

Sh. Sachin Pilot, the Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology today dedicated eight post offices to the public in Delhi under Project Arrow. Sh. Ajay Maken, the Union Minister of State for Home was also present. These Post Offices are Delhi Cantt, R.K.Puram-V, Andrewsganj, IARI (Indian Agriculture Research Institute), Patel Nagar, Bengali Market, South Avenue and S.R.T. (Swami Ram Tirth) Nagar. All the Post Offices participated in the function organized at Andrewsganj Post Office through a video link.
Sh. Pilot said that a large number of Post Offices in Delhi Postal Circle are getting transformed under Project Arrow. 36 Post Offices had already undergone complete overhaul last year. The Minister said that the latest Phase of Project Arrow would cover 19 Post Offices in Delhi, of which 8 have been dedicated today and the remaining 11 would be dedicated shortly. Besides, uniform brand hierarchy and a single window service system reducing waiting time for customers, the Post Office employees have been sensitised and imparted training in soft skills and IT (Information Technology). All the Post Offices are equipped with broad band connectivity to provide web-based services of the Department such as e-Money Order, Western Union Money Transfer, Instant Money Order, e-Post etc.
Sh. Ajay Maken thanked Sh. Pilot for the initiative. Sh. Pilot assured him that the Department of Posts would continue to upgrade postal services in Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion Chief Post Master General, Delhi Circle Ms. Rameshwari Handa said that the Project Arrow of Department of Posts is laying foundation for systematic transformation of India Post. She said Project Arrow has won Prime Minister’s award for excellence. There is focus on improving efficiencies of Mail Delivery, Remittances, Savings Bank and Office Service Level. Similarly, enhanced Branding, Technology, Human Resources and Infrastructure are being deployed to deliver better services.

Source : Press Information Bureau

DA Calculation based on Consumer Price Index for the month of September 2010

2010-10-31T05:47:00.000+05:30

The All India Consumer Price Index number for (Industrial Workers) (Base 2001=100) for the month of Sep 2010 is 179 as announced by Statistics Department, Labour, Government of India.
Based on this index, expected increase from January 2011 is not less than 6%.

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
Nov 2009	168	34.11
Dec 2009	169	35.70
Jan 2010	172	37.43
Feb 2010	170	39.01
Mar 2010	170	40.59
Apr 2010	170	42.03
May 2010	172	43.54
Jun 2010	174	45.06
Jul 2010	178	46.35
Aug 2010	178	47.50
Sep 2010	179	48.66

Source : Labour Bureau

India Post Celebrates the Spirit of the XIX Commonwealth Games

2010-10-04T20:41:00.000+05:30

Third Set of Stamps on Tennis, Archery, Hockey and Athletics Released

India Post today released third set of stamps at CWG Village Post Office to commemorate the event that inaugurates today. India Post celebrates the spirit of the XIX Commonwealth Games by issuing a set of four stamps (of Rs. 5/- each) on Tennis, Archery, Hockey and Athletics. The set was formally released by Ms. Rameshwari Handa Chief Postmaster General, Delhi Circle, in the presence of Lt. General (Retd.) Ashok Kapur ADG (Games Village) and other senior officers of India Post.

The 19th Commonwealth games 2010, are being organized in Delhi between 3rd October and 14th October 2010. It is going to be the largest sport event in Delhi after the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. It is also for the first time that the Commonwealth Games are being held in India. To commemorate this sporting extravaganza India Post has already issued two sets of stamps on Themes: One set on the Queen’s baton Relay and a second on the Jawaharlal Nehru and Talkatora Stadia.

As the commemorative stamps are printed in very limited quantity, for this issue only 4 lakh stamps have been printed. The stamp and First Day Cover have been designed by Sh. Sankha Samant.

Source : Press Information Bureau

Department of Posts Sets up two Post Offices for Commonwealth Games

2010-10-04T20:39:00.000+05:30

Department Of Posts has established two Post Offices i.e. CWG Village and Main Press Centre, Pragati Maiden to cater to the athletes, delegates, visitors and media persons. These Post Offices are providing very affordable postal and logistics facilities to its customers in a very friendly environment. The Philatelic Sales Counters of these Post Offices are a major hit as a range of beautiful designed stamps (featuring the flora and fauna, sports, art & culture, famous personalities etc.), Philatelic Books and Special Covers are available for sale. On 30.9.2010, the Delhi Postal Circle has issued one Special Cover to commemorate the arrival Of Queen’s Baton in Delhi and very soon two picture post cards will also be issued by Department Of Posts on Commonwealth Games 2010.

Source : Press Information Bureau

Grant of Permission for treatment in any of the hospitals - Department circulated Ministry of Health and Family Welfare OM dated 28.3.2000

2010-09-22T06:12:00.000+05:30

Copy of Directorate letter No 6-1/2006-Medical dated 14.9.2010 addressed to all Unions/Associations.

Sub : Hospitals recognized by the State Govts./CGHS/CS(MA) Rules, 1944 - Grant of permission for treatment in any of the hospitals.

Sir,

     I am directed to forward herewith a copy of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi OM No S-14025/7/2000-MS dated 28-3-2000 on the above subject for your informatin/guidelines and necessary action.

Copy of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi OM No S-14025/7/2000-MS dated 28-3-2000

Sub : Hospitals recognised by the State govts./CGHS/CS(MA) Rules, 1964 - Grant of permission for treatment in any of the hospitals - regarding

     The undersigned is directed to say that the issue of grant of permission for treatment of Central Govt. Employees and the members of their family in any of the hospitals recognized by the State Govt./CGHS Rules/CS(MA) rules, 1944, had been under consideration of the Govt. for some time past. It has now been decided that the Central Govt. employees and the members of their families may be permitted to avail of medical facilities in any of the Central Govt. State Govts. hospitals and the hospitals recognized by the State govt. /CGHS Rules/ CS(MA) Rules, 1944, as well as the hospitals fully funded by either Central Govt. or the State Govt. subject to the condition that they will be reimbursed the medical expenditure at the rates fixed by the Govt. under the CGHS Rules/CS(MA) Rules, 1964 or the actual expenditure incurred, whichever is less. In other words, the permission can be granted by the Head of Ministry/Department/Office to the Central Govt. employees/members of their families to obtain medical services from any of the private hospitals recognized under CGHS in the 18 CGHS covered cities also.

2.    If the treatment for a particular disease/procedure is available in the same city where the Govt. servant is employed, he may be permitted to avail of the medical services in any other city of his choice but in such cases, he will not be eligible for sanction of TA/DA. In case the treatment for a particular disease/procedure is not available at the same station, the beneficiary will be eligible for sanction of TA of his entitled class for taking treatment in a different city.

3.    These orders will be effective from the date of issue.

Identification of sensitive posts in Department of Posts - reg

2010-09-21T06:00:00.000+05:30

Copy of Department of Posts letter No 4-7/2009-Vig dated 13.9.2010 addressed to all Circles and others

Sub : Identification of sensitive posts in Department of Posts - Reg

Sir/Madam,

In compliance with CVC circular No 17/4/08 issued vide No 004/VGL/90 dated 1st May 2008, it has been decided with the approval of Secretary (Posts) to identify certain posts, mentioned hereunder, of the Department of Posts, as sensitive/non-sensitive, in supersession of any order/communications issued by the Vigilance Division of this Department in this regard.
(Circles, Regions and Divs)

Sensitive		Non-sensitive
(i)	(ii)	(iii)	(iv)
1.	All Group 'A' posts except as mentioned in col (iv)	1.	PMG(BD) Director (BD)
2.	All Group 'B' and 'C' officers dealing with Vigilance, Staff, Building and Procurement in the Circle HQ, Region HQs and Postal Training Centres/College.	2.	All Group 'B' and 'C' officers except as mentioned in Col (ii). for example - Dy SPOs, Postmaster, Supdt CSD, AD(Plg), AD(Est), AD(Mails), AD(PG), AD(PO).

(Directorate)

Sensitive		Non-Sensitive
(i)	(ii)	(iii)	(iv)
1.	All Group 'B' and 'C' posts of Administration, General Administration, C&A, Building, DE, Financial Advice, IR, Philately, Technology, Vigilance and Vigilance Petition	1.	All Group B and C posts of Directorate except as mentioned in col. (ii).
2.	All Group A posts upto the level of DDG and officers subordinate to them except DDG(PG) and DDG (PO)	2.	DDG (PG), DDG (PO) and Group 'A' officers subordinate to DDG(PG) and DDG(PO)

Guidelines on Air Travel on Tours/LTC - Clarifications with regard to purchase of Air Tickets through auhorised agents for travel by Airlines other than Indian Airlines.

2010-09-20T04:45:00.000+05:30

Copy of OM No 19024/1/2009-E-IV dated 16.9.2010 of Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

Sub : Guidlines on Air Travel on Tours/LTC.

This Department is receiving repeated references seeking clarifications with regard to purchase of Air tickets through authorised agents and relaxation for travel by airlines other than Indian Airlines. The following guidelines may be noted for compliance :

1. On official Tours :
(i) For travel by Airlines other than Air India because of operational or other reasons or on account of non-availability of Air India flights, individual cases for relaxation to be referred to M/o Civil Aviation, as stated in this Ministry's OM No 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 13.07.09.

(ii) Air Tickets may be purchased directly from Airlines (at Booking counters/website of Airlines) or by utilizing the services of Authorised Travel Agents viz M/S Balmer Lawrie & Company, M/S Ashok Travel & Tours.

2. LTC
(i) Travel by Air India only.
(ii) In Economy class only, irrespective of entitlement
(iii) LTC-80 ticket of Air India only to be purchased
(iv) Air Tickets may be purchased directly from Airlines (at Booking counters/website of Airlines) or by utilizing the services of Authorised Travel Agents viz M/S Balmer Lawrie & Company, M/S Ashok Travel & Tours and IRCC (to the extent IRCTC is authorised as per DoP&T OM No 31011/6/2002-Estt(A) dated 02.12.09).

3. LTC for J&K
(i) Relexation to travel by Private Airlines to visit J&K while availing LTC is available for all the categories of Govt. employees, including those entitled to travel by Air [DoP&T OMs No 31011/2/2003-Estt(A-IV) dated 18.6.10 and 05.08.10 refer].
(ii) For purchase of Air tickets, however, the procedure as given under para 2(iv) above should be followed.

4. All Ministries/Departments of Govt. of India are requested to strictly adhere to these instructions.

Implementation of MACPS - Instructions on Benchmark regarding.

2010-09-15T06:07:00.000+05:30

Copy of Department of Posts (Pay Commission Cell) letter No 4-7(MACPS)/2009-PC dated 1.9.2010 addressed to all Chief PMsG, PMsG etc published in the NFPE website is reproduced below for information of all:-

Sub : Implementation of Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) - Instructions on Bench mark regarding

Sir/Madam,

I am directed to refer to Directorate letter No 4-7(MACPS)/2009-PCC dated 18-09-2009 wherein detailed guidelines on implementation of MACPS were communicated.

2. Para No 17 of annexure-I to the said letter provides that "the financial upgradation would be on nun-functinal basis, subject to fitness in the hierarchy of Grade Pay within the PB-1. Thereafter for upgradation under MACPS, the benchmarks of 'Good' would be applicable till the GP of Rs 6600 in PB-3. The benchmark will be 'Very Good' for financial upgradation to GP of Rs 7600 and above".

3. The MACPS has been given effect to from 01-09-2008 and the earlier schemes of TBOP and BCR was dispensed with. Many references have since been received in the Directorate that some officials are not getting the benefit of MACPS since the CRs are not written keeping in view, the prescribed benchmark and there had been no such prescribed benchmarks for considering the cases for financial upgradation under TBOP/BCR schemes.

4. The matter was taken up with Nodal Ministry, i.e Department of Personnel and Training for relaxation of the 'benchmark' standard. The Nodal Departmental has clarified that the recruitment of fulfillment of prescribed benchmark would be mandatory as mentioned in para 17 of ibid Annexure-I.

5. In view of the clarification given by the Nodal Ministry, the benchmarks prescribed by the DOPT need to be scrupulously adhered to and financial upgradations under MACPS are to be considered on the basis of of performance of the officials after considering their CRs for five (5) years.

6. The matter regarding proper grading of ACR's for the purpose of conferment of financial upgradations under MACPS has, therefore, been examined and the Competent authority has ordered to constitute Scrutiny committee at Divisional level for scrutinizing the CRs of Postman, PAs/SAs for the preceding 5 years on the basis of the entries made by the Reporting officer and to grade the performance as 'Average', 'Good' and 'Very Good', etc. The composition of the Scrutiny Committee is as below:-

1. Postal/RMS Divisions/Gazetted Class I HOs in charge of Chief Postmasters

1.	Head of Postal/RMS Division/Chief postmaster	Chairman
2.	Senior PM/Divisional Head of neighbouring Postal/RMS Division/Deputy CPM/Dy SRM	Member
3.	ASP(HQs) or Sub division	Member

Note : For the Staff working in Training Centres, the scrutiny Committee of Postal division in which training center is located will evaluate and award gradings. For the clerical staff working in PSD/CSD also, the Scrutiny Committee of the concerned Postal Divisions will review and give gradings.

2. Mail Motor Service

1.	Sr. Manager/Manager MMS	Chairman
2.	Divisional Head of neighbouring Postal/RMS Division. If not available, any AD from CO/RO/Training Centre	Member
3.	Assistant Superintendent of Post offices of neighbouring div.	Member

3. Clerical Staff at Circle/Regional Office/RLO

1.	APMG or AD of CO dealing with Staff matters	Chairman
2.	Another AD of CO/Training Centre/neighbouring division	Member
3.	Assistant Superintendent of Post offices of CO	Member

4. Mumbai/Kolkatta/New Delhi GPOs

1.	Deputy/Assistant Director GPO	Chairman
2.	Divisional Head of neighbouring Division/Asst director of GPO/AD of CO	Member
3.	Assistant Superintendent of Post offices GPO or from neighbouring div.	Member

7. The findings of the Committee to be placed before the concerned Director of Postal Services/Postmaster General, who will be accepting authoriting. The constitution of Scrutiny Committee for grading he performance is a one time exercise only which would help to expedite and faciliate the work of the Screening Committee.

8. The Heads of Circles/Postmasters General are requested for forming the Scrutiny committees in each unit under their jurisdiction and direct the Committees for completion of the exercise of grading the performance of the officials within a period of one month and thereafter the Screening committees may be convened as prescribed under the MACPS for consideration of their cases, who will decide the cases as per the grading arrived at by the Scrutiny Committee and also in terms of the instructions outlilined in Para 18 of Annexure I to this Department OM of even number dated 18.9.2009.

9. All the reporting officers in the Circles may also be instructed for writing the future APARs (CRs) as per the new system of Numerical Grading.

10. This issues with the approval of Secretary (Posts).

Clarifications on MACPS issued by Department of personnel training on 9.9.2010

2010-09-13T05:38:00.000+05:30

The following clarifications have been issued by Department of Personnel and Training vide Memo No 35034/3/2008-Estt (D) dated 9.9.2010:-

1	Whether the Pay Band would change in the hierarchy of Pay Bands & Grade Pay on grant of the benefits under MACPS'	Yes. The upgradations under MACP is to be granted in the next grade pay in the hierarchy of recommended revised pay band and grade pay as prescribed in the CCS (RP) Rules, 2008
2	Whether the benefits of MACPS would be allowed to the Government servants who have been later on inducted in the Organized Group "A" Service	No. The benefits under MACPS is not applicable to Group 'A' officer of Organized Group 'A' Services, as the officer under Organized Group 'A' Services have already been. allowed parity of two years on nonfunctional basis with the officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
3	How will the benefits of ACP be granted if due between 01.01.2006 and 31 08.2008?	The new MACPS has come into existence w e f 01.09.2008 However, the pay structure has been changed w e f 01.01.2006. Therefore the previous ACPS would be applicable in the new pay structure adopted w e f 01.01.2006. Para 6.1 of Annexure-l of MACPS is only for exercising option for coming over to the revised pay structure and not for grant of benefits under MACPS. The following illustrations would explain the position (A) In the case of isolated post: Date of appointment in entry Grade in the pre-revised pay scale of Rs.4000-6000: 01.10.1982 1st ACP granted on 09.08.1999 :Rs.4500-7000 (pre-revised) 2nd ACP due on 01.10.2006 :Rs.5000-8000 (pre-revised) [revised PB-2 Grade Pay of Rs.4200] 3rd financial upgradation under the MACPS would be due on 01.102012 (on completion of30 years of continuous regular service) in the immediate next higher grade pay in the hierarchy of recommended revised pay band and grade pay i e Grade Pay of Rs 4600 in PB 2. (B) In the case of normal promotional hierarchy: Date of appointment in entry Grade in the prerevised pay scale of Rs.5500-9000: 01.10.1982 1st ACP granted on 09.08.1999 :Rs.6500-10500 (pre-revised) 2nd ACP due on 01.10.2006 (as per the existing hierarchy) :Rs.10000-15200 (pre-revised). Therefore, 2nd ACP would be in PB-3 with Grade Pay of Rs.6600 (in terms of hierarchy available): 3rd financial upgradation under MACPS would be due on 01.10.2012 in the immediate next higher grade pay in the hierarchy of recommended revised pay band and grade pay of Rs.7600.
4	Whether the benefits of MACPS would be granted from the date of entry grade or from the date of the regular service approved service counted under various service rules.	The benefits under MACPS would be available from the date of actual joining of the post in the entry grade
5	In a case where a person is appointed to an ex-cadre post in higher scale on deputation followed by absorption, whether the period spent on deputation period would be counted as continuous service in the grade or not for the purpose of MACPS	(i) Where a person is appointed on direct recruitment/deputation basis from another post in the same grade, then past regular service as well as past promotions/ACP, in the earlier post, will be counted for computing regular service for the purpose of MACPS in the new hierarchy. (ii) However, where a person is appointed to an ex-cadre post in higher scale initially on deputation followed by absorption, while the service rendered in the earlier post, which was in a lower scale cannot be counted, there is no objection to the period spent initially on deputation in the ex-cadre post prior to absorption being counted towards regular service for the purposes of grant of financial upgradation under MACPS, as it is in the same Pay band/grade pay of the post
6	Whether the pay scale/grade pay of substantive post would be taken into account for appointment/selection to a higher post on deputation basis or the pay scale/grade pay carrying by a Government servant on account of financial upgradation(s) under ACP/MACP Scheme.	The pay scale/grade pay of substantive post would only be taken into account for deciding the eligibility for appointment/selection to a higher post on deputation basis.
7	In a case where 1st/2nd financial upgradations are postponed on account of the employees not found fit or due to departmental proceedings, etc, whether this would have consequential effect on 2nd /3rd financial upgradation or not.	Yes. If a financial upgradation has been deferred/postponed on account of the employee not found fit or due to departmental proceedings, etc., the 2nd /3rd financial upgradations under MACPs would have consequential effect. (Para 18 of annexure-I of MACPS referred).
8	In a case where the government servant have already earned three promotions and still stagnated in one grade for more than 10 years, whether he would be entitle for any further upgradation under MACPS	No. Since the government servant has already earned three promotions, he would not be entitled for any further financial upgradation under MACPS.
9	Whether the pre-revised pay scale of Rs 2750-4400 in respect of Group D non-matriculate employees, would also be taken as merged to grade pay of Rs 1800 for the purpose of MACPS in view of merger of Rs 2550-3200, Rs 2610-3540, Rs 2610-4000 and Rs 2650-4000, which have been upgraded and replaced by the revised pay structure of grade pay of Rs 1800 in the pay band PB-1	Yes.
10	If a government servant on deputation earns upgradation under MACPs in the present cadre, whether he would be entitled for deputation (duty) allowance on the pay and emoluments granted under the MACPS or not?	No. while eligibility of an employee for appointment against ex-cadre posts, in terms of the provisions of the RRs of the ex-cadre post will continue to be determined with reference to the post/pay scale of the post held in the parent cadre on regular basis (and not with reference to the higher scale granted under ACPS/MACPS). such an officer, in the event of his selection, may be allowed to opt to draw the pay in the higher scale under ACP/MACP Scheme without deputation allowance during the period of deputation, if it is more beneficial than the normal entitlements under the existing general order regulating pay on appointment on deputation basis.
11	Since the pay scales of Group D employees have been merged and placed in the Grade Pay of rs 1800, whether they are entitled for grant of increment @ 3% during pay fixation at every stage.	Yes. On the analogy of point 22 of Annexure-I of MACPS, the pay of such Group 'D' employees who have been placed in the Grade Pay of Rs 1800 w.e.f. 01.01.2006 shall be fixed successively in the next three immediate higher grade pays in the hierarchy of revised pay-bands and grade pays allowing the benefit of 3% pay fixation at every stage.

Child Care Leave in respect of Central Government employees as a result of Sixth Central Pay Commission recommendations - Clarification regarding

2010-09-13T04:26:00.000+05:30

Department of Personnel & Training Memo No No. 13018 /1/2010-Estt. (Leave) dated 7.9.2010 on the above subject is reproduced below:-

The undersigned is directed to say that this Department has been receiving representations from Government Servants through various quarters like the Public Grievances Cell/Associations etc requesting to review the decision to allow Child Care Leave (CCL) only if the employee has no E.L. at her credit.

2. This Department's O.M. No.13018/2/2008-Estt.(L) dated 11/09/2008 regarding introduction of Child Care Leave in respect of Central Government employees and subsequent clarifications vide O.Ms. dated 29/9/2008, 1811 112008 and 2/12/2008 were reviewed. It has now been decided in consultation with Department of Expenditure, to delete the condition that CCL can be availed only if the employee concerned has no Earned Leave at her credit, subject to the following conditions:-

(i) CCL may not be granted in more than 3 spells in a calendar year.

(ii) CCL may not be granted for less than 15 days.

(iii) CCL should not ordinarily be granted during the probation period except in case of certain extreme situations where the leave sanctioning authority is fully satisfied about the need of Child Care Leave to the probationer. It may also be ensured that the period for which this leave is sanctioned during probation is minimal.

3. It is reiterated that the leave is to be treated like Earned Leave and sanctioned as such.

These orders take effect from 1.9.2008. Earned Leave, if any, availed by women employees before availing CCL subsequent to the issue of the OM 13018/2/2008-Estt. (L) dated 18- 1 1-2008 may be adjusted against CCL, if so requested by the employee.

Department introduced new SERVICE DISCHARGE BENEFIT SCHEME(SDBS) for GDS

2010-09-08T05:19:00.000+05:30

Department of Post has introduced a new SERVICE DISCHARGE BENEFIT SCHEME (SDBS) for the Gramin Dak Sevaks vide Establishment Division Memo No 6/11/2009-PE-II dated 1.9.2010 .

Saliant features of the scheme are as under:-

1. This scheme is in lieu of existing Severance Amount Scheme on an optional basis. Mandatory for the new Gramin Dak Sevaks entering into the service with effect from 1.1.2011.

2. For existing GDS opted for the SDBS till the date of their joining, @ Rs 1500/- for every completed years of service will be added to the accumulated contributions at the time of discharge for annuitization.

3. Department shall contribute @ Rs 200 per month for each enrolled GDS. GDS shall not be required to make any contribution from their side. The contributions made by the Department shall be credited to the Trustee Bank designated by the Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA) and invested through Pension Fund Managers (PFMs) designated by the PFRDA.

4. If the GDS is placed under POD or unauthorizedly absent, no contribution shall be made by the Department.

5. If the GDS is absorbed in the Department in any regular Departmental posts, shall have to quit the SDBS and to seek transfer of the accrued accumulations to New Pension Scheme (NPS).

6. If a GDS wishes to exit after attaining the age of 58 years, he can withdraw 20% of the accumulations and has to invest 80% of accumulations for purchase of Life annuity from any of the Life Insurance Company authorised by IRDA. The Department shall not make further contributions once he exists from SDBS.

7. At the time of discharge, GDS would be required to invest a minimum 40% of accumulations to purchase Life Annuity from any of the authorised Life Insurance Company duly approved by IRDA. The remaining amount i.e 60% can be withdrawn.

For other details visit India Post Website.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the IT Modernization Project - Handheld devices will be provided to all the Grameen Dak Sevak (GDS) Post Offices

2010-08-31T04:48:00.000+05:30

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the IT Modernization Project – Phase-II proposal of the Department of Posts. The decision is to computerize all the Departmental and Grameen Dak Sevak (GDS) posts offices in the country. The approval has also been accorded for creation of IT infrastructure including establishment of Data Centre, Networking of the Departmental post offices, development of scalable, integrated and modular software for all the operations of the Department of Posts. The Project will be implemented over a three year period covering 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13.

The total expenditure involved in this project will be Rs.1877.20 crore and it will cover all the Post Offices throughout the country in all the State and Union Territories. The Department of Posts will be floating tenders for procurement of hardware and development of software. Pilots will be held in rural and urban post offices. The final roll out will be completed by September 2012.

Handheld devices will be provided to all the Grameen Dak Sevak (GDS) Post Offices in the rural areas and necessary software application developed. Banking solution will be implemented for the Post Office Savings Bank (POSB) scheme. Software Integration solutions will be developed for mail operations enabling tracking solutions for all registered and Speed Post articles.

The Postal Life Insurance services will be available in all the Post Offices including rural pot offices in the country through computers and rural ICT devices. Comprehensive training will be given to staff in Customer relations, application, IT management and system training skills.

Background: The Post Office presently handles 654 crore pieces of mail annually. POSB has a corpus fund of Rs.5,63,000 crore. Significant trends like liberalization and globalization; urbanization, increased demand for financial services, increased funding by government for weaker sections and rural sector, make it imperative that India Post develop new processes and supporting technology.
Source : Press Information Bureau

PLI/RPLI premium can be paid anywhere in the Country without transfer of the policy file.

2010-08-28T05:28:00.000+05:30

As per the existing provisions, PLI premium can be paid at any Post offices in the Circle from which the Postal Life Insurance policy was procured. RPLI premium can be paid only at the post offices from where the policy was procured. However there was provision to make payment of premium in Post offices in other Circles in the case of PLI and in other post offices in the case of RPLI only after transfer of policy which is a cumbersome process and time consuming. (The file concerned should be transferred to the Circle in case of PLI or Region in the case of RPLI. The insurant will be informed about the transfer and the insurant should show the letter of transfer to the new post office for accepting the premium. Then only, the premium will be accepted).

Now PLI Directorate has permitted all the computerised post offices in the Country to accept PLI or RPLI premium without transfer of policy. It is a welcome issue. There will be remarkable decrease in the paper work and the insurants will be benefited.

However, the counter PAs should collect the premium with proper care to enter correct policy number without mistake as there will be no online validation of the policy number. In case, the policy number is entered incorrect, the premium will still be accepted by the system, but will be kept as 'Unposted'.

Use of Biometric Identification System for TPDS

2010-08-28T05:04:00.000+05:30

Some States/Union Territories (UTs) such as Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Delhi and Chandigarh have taken up implementation of Biometric Identification System for Targetted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
Central Government has approved implementation of a pilot scheme on Smart Card based delivery of essential commodities under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in Chandigarh Union Territory (UT) and State of Haryana. Under the scheme, the existing ration cards will be replaced by Smart Cards which will have biometric features (fingerprints) of adult members of beneficiary families, based on which verification of genuineness of the beneficiary family will take place and only thereafter the essential commodities will be issued to them from the fair price shops. After implementation of the scheme in pilot States, it will be evaluated so as to assess the cost benefits, suitability of technology and the feasibility of replicability in other States/UTs.

Government of Kerala has recently submitted a proposal for Central financial assistance for implementation of Biometric Identification based Integrated Public Distribution System. After the evaluation of the pilot scheme, it will be considered to be rolled out in other States/UTs, including the State of Kerala.

This information was given by Prof. K.V. Thomas, Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

Source : PIB

Postal dept introduces special Rakhi envelopes

2010-08-23T05:10:00.000+05:30

LUDHIANA: To ensure timely delivery of Rakhis, the postal department is making a special arrangements, including Rakhi envelopes to separate letter boxes, in order to tackle the rush.
Made of durable and water-proof material, Rakhi envelopes, available in size 11 cm x 22 cm, are available at five post offices in the city. But they are light enough to keep the mail within the basic weight limit as far as possible.

Available in attractive designs pre-gummed with a peel-off strip mechanism for easy sealing, these envelopes are available at a price of Rs 10 each and customer has to use extra stamps along with this envelope as per weight.
Sources said to ensure the speedy delivery, the circle had made special arrangements for collection of the envelopes through postmen, through special letterboxes at important post offices. While special arrangement for sorting and transmission had been also made by engaging extra staff. These post offices had been placed at Miller Ganj post office, head post office, Focal Point post office and Central post office.

Senior superintendent JR Nur said that the envelopes were being introduced with the motive to identify the Rakhi envelopes with the normal mails so that Rakhis could be delivered safely and on time.

Courtesy : Times of India Ludhiyana

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

2010-08-15T14:27:00.002+05:30

Reservation in Promotion - Treatment of SC/ST candidates promoted on their own merit

2010-08-14T05:43:00.000+05:30

Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training Memo No No.3601214512005-Estt. (Res.)
dated the 10th August 2010.

Subject: Reservation in promotion - Treatment of SCIST candidates
promoted on their own merit.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's
O.M.No.36028/17/2001-Est(Res) dated l1th July 2002 which clarified
that SCI ST candidates appointed by promotion on their own merit and not
owing to reservation or relaxation of qualifications will be adjusted against un-reserved points of the reservation roster and not against reserved points.

It was subsequently clarified by this Department's O.M. No.3602811712001-
Estt. (Res.) dated 31.1.2005 that the above referred O.M. took effect from
11.7.2002 and that concept of own merit did not apply to the promotions
made by non-selection method.

2. Central Administration Tribunal, Madras Bench in O.A. No.900/2005
[S. Kalugasalamoorthy vls. Union of India & Others] has set aside the O.M.
No.36028/17/2001-Estt. (Kes.) dated 31.1.2005 and held that when a person
is selected on the basis of his own seniority. the scope of considering and
counting him against quota reserved for SCs does not arise. The High
Court of judicature at Madras in the matter of UOI vls.
S. Kalugasalamoorthy [ WP No.15926/2007 ] has upheld the decision of the
Central Administrative Tribunal.

3. The matter has been examined in the light of the above referred
judgments and it has been decided to withdraw O.M. No. 36028/17/2001-
Estt. (Res.) dated 31.1.2005 referred to above. It is clarified that SCIST
candidates appointed by promotion on their own merit and seniority and not
owing to reservation or relaxation of qualifications will be adjusted against unreserved points of reservation roster. irresnective of the fact whether the promotion is made by selection method or non-selection method.

These orders will take effect from 2.7.1997. the date on which post based
reservation was introduced.
4. These instructions may be brought lo the notice of all concerned
(K.G. Verma )
Director
Tele: 230921 58.
Department of Personnel and Training Memo dated 10.8.2010

The IT Project Phase-II is expected to be completed by September 2012

2010-08-13T05:21:00.001+05:30

[ The Government proposes to modernize and upgrade all the post offices across the country. In the Eleventh Five Year Plan, the Department of Telecommunications has an approved project for Computerization & Networking of post offices (upto double handed level). Under this project 12604 post offices have been computerized and the process for computerization of the rest of the double handed post offices and networking them is under progress.

The Department has proposed its IT Project Phase-II with an overall outlay of Rs.1877.2 crores to be incurred in the FY 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 (upto September 2012). The project envisages building up of a comprehensive IT solution for all the operations in a Post Office, Postal, Banking, Insurance, Retail operations and the required infrastructure for the computerization and networking of all the post offices in the country.

The Department has also launched Project Arrow in identified post offices for upgrading the “core operational areas and “look and feel” of Post Offices for modernisation of Post Offices in the country. So far 1,000 Post Offices from 22 Postal Circles have been upgraded and modernised under the scheme. Another 510 post offices across the country are being covered in 2010-11.

330.47 crores has been utilized for computerization of 12604 post offices and funds to the extent of Rs. 146 crores has been utilised for covering post offices under Project Arrow. During 2010-11 Rs. 84 crores has been earmarked for Project Arrow, in mostly rural and semi-urban areas. Total outlay proposed for Department’s IT project Phase-II is Rs. 1877.2 Crores. Rural ICT solution is proposed for electronically linking of all rural post offices under the project proposal. The solution would provide for supply of appropriate rural ICT devices, rural connectivity & applications to rural population for services including postal, saving bank, postal life insurance and other related operations including MGNREGA wage distribution.

The IT Project Phase-II is expected to be completed by September 2012. Subject to availability of Plan Funds, departmental post offices will be covered under Project Arrow in a phased manner.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology, Shri Sachin Pilot in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Source : Press Information Bureau

Opening of “Zero deposit/Zero Balance” accounts for OAP under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme with effect from 13 Oct 2009

2010-08-13T05:18:00.001+05:30

The rate of interest payable in Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) accounts in post offices is 8 per cent per annum and Bonus at the rate of 5 per cent is also payable on the deposits made under this scheme on or after 8th December, 2007 upon maturity of the deposit.

The interest rates on small savings schemes are regulated/reviewed as per recommendations of Committee on Administered Interest Rates and other related issues chaired by Dr. Y.V.Reddy, the then Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India(RBI) , according to which, being administered interest rates, they are benchmarked to average annual yield on Government Securities of comparable maturity in the secondary market, with a suitable spread subject to a maximum of 50 basis point over the benchmark yield, depending upon the maturity and liquidity of the instruments.

Bonus at the rate of 5 percent of the amount deposited in MIS accounts is payable in the accounts opened on or after 8th December, 2007 upon maturity of the deposit.

The Central and State Governments take various measures from time to time to promote and popularize small saving schemes through print and electronic media as well as holding seminars, meetings and providing training to various agencies involved in mobilizing deposits under the schemes.

As part of this ongoing exercise, Government has taken following steps to make the small savings schemes more attractive and investor friendly:-

The benefit of Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 has been extended to the investments made under 5-Year Post Office Time Deposits Account and Senior Citizens Savings Scheme, with effect from 01.04.2007.

With effect from 1.8.2007, the maximum deposit ceilings of Rs.3.00 lakh and Rs.6.00 lakh under the Post Office Monthly Income Account (POMIA) Scheme has been raised to Rs.4.50 lakh and Rs.9.00 lakh in respect of single and joint accounts respectively.

The penalty on pre-mature withdrawal of deposits under the Post Office Monthly Income Account (POMIA) scheme has been rationalized from 3.5% to 2% on withdrawal on or before expiry of three years and 1% on withdrawal after expiry of three years.

All categories of pensioners have been allowed to open and maintain ‘Pension Account’ under Post Office Savings Account Rules, with effect from 11th July, 2007.

The restriction on opening of more than one account during a calendar month under the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme has been removed with effect from 24th May, 2007.

Opening of “Zero deposit/Zero Balance” accounts for workers employed under NREG Act, under Post Office Savings Account Rules, with effect from 26th August 2008.

Opening of “Zero deposit/Zero Balance” accounts for Old Age Pensioner Account under Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension Scheme, Widows Pensioner Account under Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme and Disabled Pensioner Account under Indira Gandhi National Disabled Pension Scheme with effect from 13th October 2009.

National Savings Institute, a subordinate organization under the Department of Economic Affairs (Budget Division) also maintains its web site i.e nsiindia.gov.in in collaboration with National Informatics Centre to facilitate interface with the public through wider dissemination of information on small savings and on-line registration and settlement of investor’s grievances.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology, Shri Gurudas Kamat in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Source: Press Information Bureau

Reduction of staff under TBOP/BCR schemes stands withdrawn w.e.f 01.09.2008 consequent upon implementation of MACP

2010-08-08T05:27:00.000+05:30

Copy of letter No. 25-5/2010-PE.I dated 19.07.2010 of Department of Posts:-
Sub: - Reduction of staff under TBOP/BCR schemes stands withdrawn w.e.f 01.09.2008 consequent upon implementation of MACP.

The undersigned is directed clarify the position in respect of reduction of staff under TBOP/BCR schemes w.e.f 01.09.2008 during periodical Establishment Reviews consequent upon implementation of MACP and withdrawal of TBOP/BCR Schemes as under:
“Consequent on implementation of time Bound One Promotion (TBOP) Scheme and Biennial Cadre Review (BCR) Scheme, Department of Posts had imposed cuts of 5% in operative staff and 15% in supervisory staff w.e.f 30.11.1983 under TBOP Scheme and later on, additional cuts of 1% in operative staff and 5% in supervisory staff were introduced w.e.f. 01.10.1991 under BCR Scheme. These cuts were introduced as measure of matching savings to offset the financial implications on account of grant of financial upgradations to staff and for obtaining additional productivity. The number of posts reduced under this matching savings/productivity provisions were kept in view at the time of periodical reviews or establishment of augmentation proposals

The said TBOP and BCR Schemes have now been withdrawn w.e.f 01.09.20087 consequent upon implementation of Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACP). Consequently, the number of operative/supervisory posts existing as on 01.09.2008 will be taken into consideration for the purpose of periodical reviews or augmentation proposals of Post Offices establishment. Thus, provisions relating to reduction of staff under TBOP/BCR Schemes stand also withdrawn w.e.f 01.09.2008.”

This issues with the approval of Secretary (P)
Sd/-
(Raj Kumar)
Director (Estt. & DE)

Govt may bank on post offices for financial inclusion - Economic Times

2010-08-03T04:48:00.001+05:30

NEW DELHI: The neighbourhood post office may soon become a full-fledged bank as the government could facilitate a bank licence for India Post as part of a multi-pronged strategy to achieve greater financial inclusion.
The Reserve Bank of India is expected to soon come out with draft guidelines on licences to new banks.

“India Post is a strong contender for banking license given its spread across the country,” said a finance ministry official.
The postal department already works as a quasi bank, providing a host of savings products, postal life insurance, pension payments and money transfer services through its 1.55 lakh branches, more than any other bank.
It, however, does not provide credit, the most important bit of financial inclusion. A banking licence will help fill that gap enabling the delivery of modern banking facilities in areas lacking access to financial products, credit and savings.
The department is expected to soon seek the required clearances from the Postal Services Board to expedite the process.
The Department of Post has already hired international consultancy firm Accenture to modernise the post offices across the country, which will also help create infrastructure for banking services.
“Once the infrastructure in place, we will able to assess if we need to rope in another player or not and accordingly get clearances from the RBI,” said an official with the Department of Post, adding that a Cabinet approval will also be required before commencing operations.
The idea of the Department of Post evolving into a bank has been around for a while. In 2006, India Post had even decided to appoint consultants to chalk out a regime for the transformation.
“There was a proposal to set up a bank with an initial capital of Rs 1,000 crore. The bank was to be set up as a subsidiary with the postal department holding a 51% stake in it,” said the finance ministry official.
More recently, the idea of a banking licence for India post was discussed in the inter-ministerial committee for financial inclusion, said an official of the Postal Services Board adding that the organisation was keen to provide banking services.
It is already working on core banking solution (CBS) for nearly 4,000 of its branches, which will allow customers to operate their accounts from any of the networked branches. The department has provided for Rs 106 crore towards development of CBS software.
Both the government and RBI have indicated that financial inclusion will be major criteria for giving new banking licences. “The final decision on granting a new licence will be taken by RBI. It will be a consultative decision as India Post is a government arm,” the official said.
A government committee on financial inclusion had also recommended that “India Post, with its ubiquitous reach should actively position itself to offer a low-cost, light-weight bank account to anyone enrolling for a Unique Identity Number.”
As per the committee report, nearly 16 crore people use India Post to save Rs 3,23,781 crore as on March 31, 2007. Out of this, deposits in savings bank account alone is Rs 16,789 crore, which makes a strong case for India Post to deepen the level of financial transactions and offer banking services to the rural population.

The Thirteenth Finance Commission has even proposed a budget of Rs 3,000 crore to be used for delivering an incentive of Rs 100 into the bank account of each BPL resident who enrolls for the UID Project.

Source : Economic Times

10% Increase in DA - Calculation based on the consumer price index of June2010 (174 Points)

2010-07-31T04:37:00.000+05:30

The All India Consumer Price Index number for (Industrial Workers) (Base 2001=100) for the month of June 2010 is 174 as announced by Statistics Department, Labour, Government of India.
Based on this index, there is an increase of 10% in the DA . Present DA rate from 1.1.2010 is 35%. Increase with effect from July 2010 is 10%.

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
Nov 2009	168	34.11
Dec 2009	169	35.70
Jan 2010	172	37.43
Feb 2010	170	39.01
Mar 2010	170	40.59
Apr 2010	170	42.03
May 2010	172	43.54
Jun 2010	174	45.06

Source : Labour Bureau

Swavalamban Scheme in New Pension Scheme

2010-07-26T05:28:00.000+05:30

Swavalamban Scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2010-2011 and PFRDA issued draft operational guidelines. The following are the highlights of the scheme:-

(a) This scheme will be applicable to all citizens in the unorganised sector.
(b) Under the sche, Government will contribute Rs 1000 per year to each NPS account opened in the year 2010-11 for the next three years. that is 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14. The benefit will be available only to persons who join the NPS with minimum contribution of Rs 1,000 and maximum contribution of Rs 12,000 per annum.
(c) A person will be deemed to belong to unorganised sector, if that person :-

is not a regular employment of the Central or State government, on autonomous body/public sector undertaking of the Central or State government having employer assisted retirement benefit scheme, or
is not covered by a social security scheme under any of the following laws:-

(i) Employees' Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952
(ii) The Coal Mines Providen Fund and Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1948.
(iii) The Seamen's Provident fund Act, 1966
(iv) The Assam Tea Plantions Provident Fund and Pension Fund Scheme Act, 1955
(v) The Jammu and Kashmir Employees' Provident Fund Act, 1961.
Eligibility:
The schem will be applicable to all persons in the unorganised sector subject to the condition that the benefit of Central Government contribution will be available only to those persons contribution of NPS is minimum Rs 1000 and Maximum Rs 12000 per annum, for both Tier I and II taken together, provided that the person makes a minumum contribution of Rs 1000 per annum to his Tier I NPS Account.

As a special case and in recognition of their faith in the NPS, all NPS accounts opened in 2009-10 will be entitled to the benefit of Government contribution under this scheme as if they were opened as new accounts in 2010-11 subject to the condition that they fulfill all the eligibility creteria prescribed under these guidelines.

Click here to view Ministry of Finance OM dated 22.6.2010

Not taking care to write/maintain CRs - Department failed to ensure fair and efficient career management for their employees- CIC Decision

2010-07-22T05:39:00.000+05:30

CIC Appeal No. CIC/DS/A/2010/000298 dated 26/05/2010

The appellant Shri R.K. Talwar, vide his RTI request, enclosed as per Annexure-I, dated 14/09/2009, sought information from CPIO, Department of Posts through 23 points largely pertaining to the non-traceability of his ACRs. Due to this, his son Shri Amit Talwar, Architectural Assistant Grade I, could not be considered for promotion by the Screening Committee which met on 26/03/2008.

2. The CPIO, vide his order of 09/10/2009 asked the appellant to deposit the prescribed fee of Rs.42/- for copies of documents sought by him. He, however, informed that documents sought under Sl.Nos.6,7,20&21 were not available in the office of the Senior Architect(P).

3. In respect of para 23, the CPIO clarified that ACRs of officials working under the office of enior Architect(P) were written in duplicate and original copies were forwarded to DOT from ime to time.

4. Not being satisfied by the order of the CPIO, the appellant preferred first appeal dated 4/11/2009 to the first Appellate Authority.

5. The first Appellate Authority vide order dated 01/12/2009 provided additional larifications in respect of information sought through paras 2(b)&(c), 20, 21&22.

6. Being aggrieved and not be satisfied, the appellant has come before the Commission.

7. The matter was heard today. The appellant and respondents were present as above. Both arties presented arguments before the Commission. The appellant provided copy of Department f Personnel & Training OM No.22011/5/86-Estt.(D) dated 10/04/1989 – para 6.2.1 which clearly rovides for action to be taken in case CR for a particular year(s) is not available – para (c) of the aid OM.

8. The appellant also drew the attention of the Commission to Annexure VI and Annexure X f his appeal wherein he has enclosed relevant paras of the P&T Manual which prescribe custody nd handling of confidential reports which procedure was evidently not followed in this case thereby leading to loss/un-traceability of Shri Amit Talwars CRs and for which reason he was not considered for promotion in the fore-mentioned DPC thereby denying him promotion opportunity along with his peers.

9. The respondents could not offer any explanation as to why these procedures had not been followed. They neither could provide copy of dispatch and movement register vide which the duplicate CRs of Shri Amit Talwar had been forwarded to DOT.

DECISION

10. After hearing the arguments presented by both sides and after perusing the facts on records, it is evident that the Department has not adhered to the prescribed procedure in respect of maintenance and movement of ACRs. The Commission drew the attention of the respondents to the 27th Report for the year 1976-77 by the UPSC wherein it is observed “It is the considered view of the Commission that the question of systematic recording and maintenance of character rolls should receive the urgent and careful attention of the Government, so that Government servants are not denied their legitimate promotions on account of administrative lapses. It will be appreciated that the character rolls form the basis of selection for promotion and would, therefore, have a significant effect on career management. It is also necessary to take steps to ensure the utmost objectivity in the writing of character rolls, so that uniform standards could be applied in assessing the officers and selecting them for promotion. The Commission suggests that in order to attend to these matters and to ensure that no Departmental Promotion Committee meeting is delayed due to the absence and incompleteness of character rolls, a Special Cell should be set up in each Ministry/Department entrusted with the task of maintaining up-to-date seniority lists and character rolls of all officers.”

11. Department of Posts may like to re-visit the procedure currently followed by them in this matter keeping in view the guidelines issued by the Government and the UPSC from time to time and take action accordingly.

12. In keeping with the spirit of the RTI Act, the Appellate Authority has offered to write to BSNL regarding non- availability of the missing CRs and urge them to take action as per the above mentioned Department of Personnel & Training OM of 10/04/1989.

13. The CPIO is directed to provide an affidavit to the Commission in respect of the missing information sought vide points 20, 21 & 22 of the RTI application, within 04 weeks of receipt of this order.

14. A copy of the same may be provided to the appellant.

15. It would be in fitness of things to note that it is unfortunate to see a young executive of Department of Posts/BSNL running from pillar to post in his quest to complete an administrative requirement to ensure his career progression whereas the responsibility of the same lies squarely with the public authority to ensure fair and efficient career management for their employees. There has been considerable apathy in handling this case by the public authority for which the appellant has had to pay dearly in terms of losing time and opportunity for timely promotion.

16. Accordingly, the matter is closed at the Commission’s end.

(Smt. Deepak Sandhu),Information Commissioner (DS)

CIC Decision No CIC/DS/A/2010/000298 dated 26/05/2010

Information requestor to approach Appellate Authority (AA) before sending appeal to CIC

2010-07-22T05:22:00.000+05:30

Extract of CIC Decision No CIC/AD/C/2009/000901-DS dated 21/05/2010

CIC has received a petition from Shri Noubdar Singh dated NIL stating that his RTI-application of 03/06/2009 filed with The PIO/Asstt. Post Master General, D/o Post, O/o the Asstt. Post Master General, UP Cirlce, Lucknow-226001, had replied dated 07/07/2009.

2. On perusing the papers submitted by the complaint, it is observed that he has not availed the first-appellate channel u/s 19(1) of the RTI Act and has approached the Commission directly.

3. In view of above, the complainant is advised to file his first-appeal before the Appellate Authority, under section 19(1) of the RTI Act within four weeks of the receipt of this order. The Appellate Authority to take action as mandated under the RTI-Act, 2005 with a speaking order in this matter.

4. In case the complainant still feels dissatisfied with the decision of AA, then he can approach the Commission in second-appeal in prescribed format, along with complaint, if any.

Click here to see the decision of CIC

Small Savings Interest may reduce - Government considereing to link with prevailing market rate.

2010-07-20T03:52:00.001+05:30

The government is considering to deregulate interest rates on small savings schemes like public provident fund (PPF) and post office deposits, linking them to the prevailing interest rates in the markets.

The move will reduce returns on such schemes. At present, the interest rates on small savings schemes are fixed by the government, which are normally higher than the prevailing interest rates in the market. For example, the interest rate on PPF is 8%, which is tax-free, while that on the other similar instruments like bank deposits are lower.

The post-tax return on bank deposits is around 5.5% for those who fall in the highest tax bracket of 30%.

Towards this end, the government has set up a committee under the Reserve Bank of India deputy governor Shyamla Gopinath — to suggest the ways and means — for deregulating interest rates on small savings schemes. Small savings schemes mobilise huge amount of funds as they offer higher interest rates.

According to the Budget estimate, in 2010-11, these schemes may fetch Rs 50,300 crore, taking the total mobilisation to Rs 7,57,000 crore.

Funds mobilised under small savings schemes are disbursed to the central and state governments as debt. As the cost of the small savings funds are high, state governments pay higher interest rates (9.5%-10%) on the loans taken from these schemes compared to other sources in the market.

The 13th Finance Commission headed by former finance secretary Vijay Kelkar had suggested to bring down the interest rates on outstanding loans to 9% by the end of 2009-10.

But for this, the interest rates on small savings should also be brought down.

At the same time, according to the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, states cannot borrow from open market beyond 4% of their fiscal deficits. Therefore, states are not able to benefit from prevailing lower interest rates in the market and take higher-interest loans from small savings.

The committee will also examine the new investment opportunities for the funds mobilized under small savings schemes. At present, the funds could be invested only in the central and state governments special securities. Committee will also review the administrative arrangement including the cost of operation.

Source : Times of India

More about New Pension Scheme !!!

2010-07-18T05:10:00.001+05:30

NPS has a tax edge, but watch out for annuities

The New Pension Scheme (NPS) is likely to get a makeover if the revised Direct Tax Code is implemented. However, the government is doing its bit to lure investors to take a close look at the NPS. Recently, the government announced the ‘Swavalamban’ scheme through which it would add Rs 1,000 co-contribution every year for the next three years for everyone who joins the New Pension Scheme in this financial year. Any NPS subscriber who invests Rs 1,000-12,000 per annum between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011, will get Rs 3,000 free from the government.

The likely DTC impact
The revised DTC, if implemented without any changes, will keep the NPS out of the tax net. This new change will make the NPS an attractive investment opportunity. The government has proposed EEE (exempt-exempt-exempt) method of taxation for NPS, which implies the NPS will be exempt from taxes at all the three stages of deposit, appreciation and withdrawal. Earlier, the NPS proceeds were taxable at maturity.
Advantages
One of the major advantages is also the lowest fund management charge, which is Rs 99 per lakh (0.0009%) compared to charges of a pension plan offered by an insurance company, which is around 0.75-1.75% per year. This low-cost structure makes it more attractive than most annuity/pension plans offered by insurance companies, financial advisors say. The custodian charges are in the range of 0.0075% to 0.05%. Despite all charges, the cost of investment is cheaper than charges of mutual find and ULIPs.
How does it work?
Investors have an option to choose their investment mix among three categories. The first one (E) refers to high investment exposure in equity, which targets investors with a high risk appetite. Equity investment, however, is capped at 50%, which mainly comprises index funds. The second option (C) is high exposure in fixed income instruments, which targets investors of a moderate risk profile. These instruments include liquid funds, corporate debt instruments, fixed deposits and infrastructure bonds. The last option is pure fixed investment products (G) which offer low returns. Ideally, you should start investing for your retirement in your early thirties. If you have the advantage of longer investment horizon (20 years plus), equity is the best option to start with. But in the case of the NPS, you have to buy a life annuity offered by life insurance companies. The NPS requires the investor to use the retirement corpus to buy annuities to avoid taxation. As per the existing stipulations, you have to invest 40% of the corpus in annuities.
Other alternatives
Annuity plans which don’t return the purchase price offer 8-9% and the ones that return the purchase price offer 50% a year are other options. Any bank deposits over five years, which offered 10% a couple years ago, offer around 8-8.5% today because of a decline in interest rates. There are other assured monthly income options like the Senior Citizens’ Savings Scheme (SCSS) which offer 9%, PPF at 15% and the post office monthly income scheme at 8%.

Courtesy : The Economic Times

Top five selected entries for Indian Rupee new symbol.

2010-07-18T04:59:00.002+05:30

Selected Symbol

Other four symbols

Read the full article in rediff news:

Remotely Managed Franking System is likely to be issued in our Department

2010-07-12T18:24:00.000+05:30

India Post has decided to introduce Remotely Managed Franking Machines in place of Electronic Franking Machines with effect from 16.8.2010 based on new technology with security features like generation of 2D barcode with frank impression and elimination of human intervention for uploading the credit in franking machines.

Salient Features of the RMFS is as follows:-
(a) Only India Specific models of Franking Machines with inkjet printing technology approved by the Directorate will be used.
(b) No requirement of mechanical seals.
(c) Amount for uploading the credit is to be credited at SBI or at Post office through ePayment.
(d) The machine is to be connected to the central server three times every day for exchanging information on funds deposited, funds downloaded and uploading of reports etc.,
(e) The credit will be uploaded in Franking machine on its dialing to RMFs server for the purpose. Meters will be set/re-set automatically.
(f) Franking impression shall be in blue colour and will indicate class of article, pincode, authentication code, date of frank, mail item number, licence identified number, frank value and 2D barcode.
(g) 2D barcode will have important information and the barcode can be scanned to check the genuineness of the frank impression.
(h) Migration plan for phasing out the electronic FM is as follows:-
    (i) The scheme will be introduced with effect from 16.8.2010
    (ii) Licences of all FMs which are older than 5 years will not be renewed.
    (iii) Licences of Electronic FM which are less than 5 years old may be renewed till completion of period of 5 years.
   (iv) No Electronic FM of old models shall not be allowed to operate after 30.6.2013. Articles franked by such machines shall not be accepted after 30.6.2013.

Solar-power assisted, pedal-operated cycle rickshaw named Soleckshaw developed by CSIR introduced at Rajasthan Circle

2010-07-11T14:45:00.000+05:30

Shri Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology launched an environment-friendly postal delivery vehicle ‘Soleckshaw’ here today. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that it is the endeavour of the Ministry to use green technology for delivering services in efficient and eco-friendly manner. He said that this effort is a step forward towards the Government’s efforts to modernise and digitise the India Post Services under Project Arrow. Availability of this vehicle will add to the efficiency of postal agents and will also give them a sense of pride.
As a Pilot Project, Soleckshaw will be introduced soon in the Project Arrow post offices in a city of Rajasthan. Shri Pilot mentioned that the Ministry would evaluate the performance of the vehicle within few months and will explore the possibility of its expansion on larger scale.
Soleckshaw is a solar-power assisted, pedal-operated cycle rickshaw developed by CSIR. It reduces the rickshaw puller’s effort by providing battery assistance. It is still a zero carbon emission vehicle. The batteries are charged by solar power at charging stations. Technology has been transferred to multiple entrepreneurs and Soleckshaws are currently plying at Delhi (Chandni Chowk), Chandigarh, Jaipur, Durgapur, Ranchi, Kolkata and Ahmadabad.
Recently, M/s Kinetic Motors in association with CMERI (CSIR) has re-designed and developed a modified version of Soleckshaw specifically suitable as a light delivery vehicle, particularly useful for delivery of post, parcels and other postal services both in urban and rural areas.
Some of the features of the vehicle are as follows: Soleckshaw has potential for use as a light delivery vehicle for distribution of dak etc, Emergence of electronic means of communication is changing the profile of post offices and postmen.
A Postman is likely to carry more parcels for delivery than ordinary mails. A survey in Pune found that each postman covers an area of around 40-45 kms and carries an average weight of 10-15 kgs per day.
The Soleckshaw is the ideal vehicle to enable transportation of such parcels with a minimum of effort.
This is expected to improve speed and efficiency of postal delivery, increase ability to carry more load; distribute other value-added products in rural areas and provide charging facilities for mobile phones in remote areas etc.

Zero response to Dak Adalat : India Post improved its efficiency? or Customers Disinterested?

2010-06-30T06:04:00.000+05:30

MANGALORE: The quarterly dak adalat organised by India Post here on Tuesday elicited zero complaints or grievances from customers. This left the workforce of India Post a trifle confused on whether to be happy or sad, as nobody came up with complaints regarding the services offered by their organisation. They did not know if this was to be considered an acknowledgement of their efficiency or sheer disinterest on the part of customers.

Amita S Rao, office assistant of customer felicitation centre, said she was not surprised at the zero complaints received. "Even in the last quarterly dak adalat no one turned up with any kind of grievance. The customers can walk in with their complaints any day, and do not necessarily have to wait for the dak adalat to register their grievances," she said. A day in each quarter has been marked for dak adalat, as this has been the custom.

T G Naik, senior superintendent of post office said attempts are being made to integrate many services under one roof. People trust our services as we have been in business for long. We have a tie-up with UTI mutual fund and are working on retailing their schemes through selected post offices. In addition to that, stamp papers are being made available here, as well as in post offices at Hampankatta and Pandeshwar, Naik said.

Also, plans are afoot to computerize all the sub post offices in Mangalore circle. As we are facing fierce competition in our business, periodical monitoring of achievements and shortfalls is being done, Naik said. The different products and services offered at the PO counters are advertised on local TV channels for publicity. Book now, pay later and direct post, where articles are accepted in bulk, are some of our main schemes, he added.

Source : Times of India

India Post stops selling MF schemes over fee row

2010-06-30T05:51:00.000+05:30

MUMBAI: Stae-owned ‘India Post’ has earned just about Rs 2 crore by selling mutual funds last fiscal. The national distributor with some 800 postal outlets selling mutual funds has logged its worst numbers in four years. The department has stopped selling mutual fund schemes of four out of five fund houses with which the department has exclusive distribution tie-ups.

According to senior officials, India Post is only selling mutual fund schemes of UTI Mutual Fund; the department has severed ties with Principal MF, SBI, Franklin Templeton and Reliance Mutual Fund as it could not reach an agreement on commission payout for distributor services.

“The postal department wants us to maintain status quo on commission charges. They sold our schemes for a few more months after August — when the entry load ban kicked in — and after that they stopped,” said the marketing head of a fund house that had distributor tie-ups with the postal department.

“The department is now asking us to pay a 2.25% commission and about 75 basis points as trail, which we will never be able to pay,” the official added.

According to a senior official in the postal directorate, it is no longer viable for the department to sell mutual funds at current brokerage rates. “Moreover, we’d just be a plain distributor. We cannot advise investors on which funds to buy. We do not want to collect advisors’ fee from the investor; we’re only interested in pure distribution,” said the senior official.

The best year for India Post with respect to revenues was 2007-08, when it logged a revenue or over Rs 16 crore selling mutual funds. In 2008-09, during recession, the department posted about Rs 4 crore as revenue.

India Post started distributing mutual funds in 2001, first by signing an exclusive tie-up with IDBI-Principal. If one goes by India Post website, the department has stationed one AMFI qualified personnel at every designated post office to sell mutual funds. But postal department officials now say they cannot “advise” investors on mutual fund investments.

Furthermore, it will be interesting as to how UTI will sell its schemes through India Post after the recent Sebi’s mandate that all (MF) sellers or advisors should clear the NISM’s fund advisors’ module certificate test to sell or advise funds to investors. The long-term impact of India Post not selling mutual funds is going to be very drastic, according to industry sources.

“India Post — though not much of a big contributor to AUMs currently — has all that it takes to be a big rural distributor in future,” said the channel head of a bank-promoted fund house.

“But we’ll not try to revive the postal route now as we are not in a position to meet even half of what they expect from us as commission and trail,” the channel head added.

Source : The economic Times

Department proposed to issue Smart Card for NREGS beneficieries

2010-06-30T05:48:00.000+05:30

NEW DELHI: The department of posts plans to introduce electronic cards for payment to beneficiaries under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) to make disbursal of funds under the scheme completely paperless and check financial irregularities.

The government is also planning to open zero-deposit post office savings accounts for beneficiaries of NREGA as well as other social sector schemes. There are about 1.55 lakh post offices in the country which operate small savings schemes.

The proposal aims at helping illiterate workers get their money under the scheme with ease without getting into the trouble of completing forms and procedural hassles.

“Introducing smart cards will ensure that the poor and illiterate workers do not lose out on their wages because of their inability to properly follow the payment procedures and the documentation required,” said an official in the ministry of communications and information technology.

Initially, the electronic cards will be available to workers on a voluntary basis. Depending on its success, it will be gradually rolled out to all beneficiaries of the scheme.

To facilitate ease of use for the illiterate customers, a summary of the transactions will be read aloud in their local vernacular language as an assurance that they have received the requested amount, the official said.

The proposal follows government’s recent decision to make disbursal of funds under the scheme biometric enabled. The twin proposals are expected to bring greater transparency and improve the effectiveness of the UPA’s flagship scheme, which has often been criticised for its lack of proper implementation and revenue leakages.

A review of NREGA, now called Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India last year reflected several flaws in the maintenance of records and money disbursed, leading to questions on effective of the scheme.

The ministry of rural development is also working towards putting in place a system of biometric identification of eligible workers under the scheme.

The biometric database of NREGA workers, which is aimed at bringing more transparency in the implementation of the scheme, will also be shared with Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

Source : The Economic Times

Issue of instructions on Reservation for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in services under the Government of India

2010-06-27T04:58:00.001+05:30

Department of Personnel and Training Memo No.360 1 1/6/20 10-Estt.(Res) dated 25.6.2010

Subject: Issue of instructions on Reservation for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in services under the Government of India.

The undersigned is directed to say that instructions on Reservation for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in services Lh under the Government of India are contained Wbarious OMS issued from time to time by the Ministry of Home Affairs and this Department. Some of the instructions so issued have become outdated and are not in operation at present. It has, however, been observed that some appointing authorities are continuing to implement such outdated and non-existent instructions. Keeping all these aspects in view this Department has decided to issue consolidated instructions on Reservation for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in supersession of all the existing instructions on the subject. The proposal is not to change any aspect of policy on the subject but only to consolidate all the instructions and present them in easy to understand fodlanguage. A draft OM has been prepared which covers all the aspects of reservation policy as existing at present. However, before issuing the proposed OM, it has been decided to put it in public domain and invite comments on it. If any person feels that the proposed OM does not include any of the existing instruction or any instruction included in the proposed OM is not in consonance with the existing instructions, may point out the same and send his comments to the undersigned by 12th July, 2010.

(K.G. Verma)
Director

Department of Personnel and Training Memo dated 25/06/2010

Consolidated instructions on Regularization of Unauthorized absence.

2010-06-27T04:50:00.001+05:30

Department of Personnel and Training Memo No. 13026 /3/20 LO-Estt. ( Leave) dated 22.6.2010

The undersigned is directed to say that this Department has been receiving various references from Ministries/ Departments regarding regularization of unauthorised absence for long periods. The references are made basically because the Ministries/Departments do not follow the prescribed procedure, for dealing with such unauthorized absence. Guidelines/instructions exist for handling such situations.

2. As per Rule 25 of I h e CCS (Leave) Rules 1972.

(1). Unless the authority competent to grant leave extends the leave, a Government servant who remains absent after the end of leave is entitled to no leave salary for the period of such absence and that period shall be debited against his leave account as though it were half pay leave to the extent such leave is due, the period in excess of such leave due being treated as extraordinary leave.

(2) Willful absen ce from duty afier the expiry of leave renders a Government servant liable to disciplinary action. Government of India decisions also exist that a Government Servant who remains absent without any authority should be proceeded against immediately and this should not be put off till the absence exceeds the limit prescribed in Rule 32(2) (a) of the CCS (Leak e) Rules, 1972.

3 . It is once again stressed that a Govt. servant who remains absent without any authority shout d be proceeded against immediately. All Ministries Departments are requested to ensure that in all cases of unauthorized absence by a Government Servant, he should be informed of the consequences of such absence and be directed to rejoin duty immediately within a specified date, say within three days, failing which he would be liable for disciplinary action under CCS(CCA) Rules 1965. If the Government Servant does not join duty by the stipulated date the Disciplinary Authority should initiate disciplinary action against him and the disciplinary case should be conducted and concluded as quickly as possible.

4. It is only due to apathy of the Disciplinary Authorities that the situation arises where long pending unauthorized absence leads to delay in other service matters of Government Servants, including promotions. To avoid such situations all Ministries/Departments should advise Disciplinary Allthorities to ensure that prompt action is taken against Government Servantws who absent themselves without permission and that Charge Sheets are issued without delay.

5. The consequences and procedure to be followed in respect of an officer who is absent from duty without any authority has been brought out under FR 17(1 ) and 17-A. As per FR 17-A(iii) without prejudice to the provisions of the Rule 27 of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules. 1972, remaining absent without any authority or deserting the post, shall be deemed to cause an interruption or break in the service of the employee, unless otherwise decided by the competent authority for the purpose of leave travel concession, quasi-permanency and eligibility for appearing in deparllnent examinations, for which a minimum period of continuous service is required.

6. Comptroller and Auditor General have issued orders that the period of absence not covered by grant of leave shall have to be treated as "dies non" for all purpose;, viz., increment, leave and pension. Such absence without leave where it stands singly and not in continuation of any authorized leave of absence will constitute an interruption of service for the purpose of pension and unless the pension sanctioning authorities exercise its powers under Article 421, Civil Service Regulations [now Rule 27 of the CCS (pension) Rules] to treat the period as leave without allowance, the entire past service will stand forfeited.

7. It may be noted that regularization of unauthorized absence for pension purpose is to be considered under the CCS (Pension) Rules. Only in cases where the disciplinaly authority is satisfied that the grounds adduced for unauthorized absence are justified, the leave of the kind applied for and due and admissible may be granted to him under the CCS (Leslve) Rules.

Sd/-
(Simmi R Nakra)
Director

Department of Personnel and Training Memo dated 22.6.2010

CBS Software expected soon - No more Sanchay Post Software will be purchased

2010-06-21T19:40:00.000+05:30

Directorate has issued letter No F.No.76-01/2010-SB dtd 25.5.10 and as per the letter, Sanchay Post software will not be purchased and CBS software will be installed. The letter is reproduced below for information.

The undersigned is directed to say that on the recommendations of a committee constituted to review utility and capabillity of Sanchay post software in the light of proposed CBS, Accrual Base Accounting and compliance of prevention of Money Laundering (PML)/combating of Financing Terrorism (CFT) norms, the competent authority has taken the following decisions:-

1.There will be no further expansion of Sanchay post software. The post offices for which legal copies of the sanchay post CDs have not yet been purchased will continue to work on manual system.

2.No further CD of Sanchaya Post system will be purchased from Datanet System.

3.Software Development Centre Chennai operating from O/O CPMG, T.N.circle will maintain the software at its present level and no further modifications or enhancements will be carried out in the software.

4.SDC, Chennai will help the probable system integrator in data migration to proposed CBS software.

5.After implementaion of CBS in 4000 major post offies, the remaining departmental offices will be shifted to a lower version of CBS with centralized database system.

This issues with the approval of DDG (FS)

Payment of 2nd Installment of arrears to GDS

2010-06-11T06:34:00.000+05:30

Copy of Dept of Posts letter No No. 6-1/2009-PE.II dated 10.6.2010

Subject: Payment of second installment of 60% arrears on account of implementation of Shri R.S. Nataraja Murti Committee recommendations on revision of wage-structure of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS).

I am directed to refer to this office memorandum no. of even number dated 9-10-2009, wherein approval was communicated for implementation of recommendations of One-man committee on revision of Time Related Continuity Allowance and other allowances. In para 11 of the said Office memorandum it was stated that, 2nd instalment of 60% of arrears will be paid only after issue of specific instructions in this regard by the Directorate.

2. It has now been decided to pay second instalment of 60% arrears of revision of Time Related Continuity Allowance to the eligible Gramin Dak Sevaks.

3. The Circle Postal Account Offices were required to carry out cent percent verification of TRCA consequent on revision of TRCA. The entire process of verification was to be completed by 31st March, 2010. A report on the cent percent verification of TRCA should be sent to the Directorate immediately for record.

4. The excess payment pointed out by the circle verification squad of DAP office should be adjusted while effecting payment of the second instalment of arrears.

5. Before releasing the 2nd instalment of 60% of arrears it may be ensured that requisite funds are available under the relevant Head of Account.

5. An undertaking in the prescribed format should be obtained from each Gramin Dak Sevak to the effect that, he will refund any excess payments that may be found to have been made or detected subsequently and kept on record before the disbursement of second instalment. The process of payment of second instalment may be completed by 15-7-2010.

6. This issues with the concurrence of Integrated Finance Wing vide their Dy. No.119/FA/10/CS dated 09 Jun 2010

A.K. Sharma)
Dy. Director General (Estt)

Postmaster caught taking Rs 5000 for releasing NREGA payments

2010-06-10T05:47:00.000+05:30

SURAT: In charge postmaster at Chikhli post office was caught red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 on Thursday for releasing payment of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employement Guarantee Act (NREGA). Kiran Jain, the in charge post master, was trapped by anti corruption bureau (ACB), Navsari.

Minesh Patel, a contractor of NREGA approached ACB and complained that the postmaster was not releasing money of the people working under NREGA which was released by district administration. In his complaint Patel, who is working at a road construction site at Chikhli, earlier paid Rs 2,000 to Jain to release money of the labourers. But for releasing Rs 42,611 payment, he was demanding Rs 5,000 bribe.

To curb corruption and ensure that money under NREGA reaches beneficiaries, payment by cash was stopped and instead cheques are issued by district administration which are then sent to the local post office. After cheques are cleared, the money gets deposited in beneficiaries' account. But, Jain used to keep the cheques issued by district administration with him and intentionally delay deposit in accounts, the complaint stated.

Following the complaint, a trap was laid and Patel reached Chikhli post office to pay the bribe. No sooner Jain took it and put it in his pouch lying on his office table, he was nabbed.

Source : Times of India

Biometric cards for MGNREGA beneficiaries - Payment at door step through business correspondents who will carry biometric card reader and cash.

2010-06-10T05:44:00.000+05:30

RANCHI: Beneficiaries of schemes under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) will now get their wages without haing to go to the bank or post office and without seeking help from middlemen to complete the formalities.

To ensure this, the state rural development department has sign an agreement with Union Bank which will provide biometric cards to the MGNREGA beneficiaries.

The first lot of 5,000 biometric cards will be distributed among beneficiaries of Itki block of Ranchi district. Later it will be extended to other places in Ranchi, Gumla and Bokaro.

MGNREGA commissioner Sunil Kumar Barnwal said once the beneficiaries get the card, they will not have to go to bank or post office to collect their wage. Instead they will get the money at their doorstep by using the card. The project will be launched on a pilot basis at Itki on Wednesday.

The department will make bulk transfer to the facilitating bank which in turn will transfer to the account of beneficiary.

Sources in rural development department said the cardholder will be saved from travelling long distance to reach the nearest post office or bank. They can use the card like an ATM card and withdraw money from business correspondents who will carry biometric card reader and cash.

"The main purpose of providing such cards to the beneficiaries is to save them from middlemen who often take a share from the salary for helping the illiterate villagers in getting their wage by filling cheques or withdrawal slips," said a source, adding: "We expect that the use of biometric cards will also make transactions safe as it reads the finger print of the beneficiary."

Source : Times of India

Placement in the GP of promotional post instead of higher grade pay on MACP

2010-06-08T06:16:00.001+05:30

A joint Committee on MACP met on 26.5.2010 under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary Establishment of DOPT and one of the item discussed is to provide Grade Pay of the next promotional post under MACP.

The issue discussed in this regard is reproduced below.

Staff Side pressed for placement in the Grade Pay of the Promotional Post instead of next higher Grade Pay in the hierarchy of revised Pay Band and Grade Pay. It was insisted because the career progression only means the promotion in the hierarchy and not to a Grade Pay which is not present in the hierarchy of the respective department.

The Staff Side also gave an alternative that first two MACPs after 10 and 20 years should be to the next promotional post as per the hierarchy of respective department as under the erstwhile ACP scheme and thereafter the third MACP in the next Grade Pay of the Revised Pay Band and Grade Pay.

If this demand is accepted, there will be no benefit for Postman, PA, IPs, and ASPs. But Group 'D' will be benefited. After 10 years of service in Group 'D' cadre, their grade pay is to placed from Rs 1800 to Rs 2000 (GP for Postman), in 20 years to Rs 2400 (GP for PA) and in 30 years of service to Rs 2800 (GP for LSG).

Click here to see other items discussed in the MACP joint committee meeting.

DA calculation based on the All India Consumer Price Index for the month of April 2010

2010-06-08T05:59:00.001+05:30

The All India Consumer Price Index number for (Industrial Workers) (Base 2001=100) for the month of April 2010 is 170 as announced by Statistics Department, Labour, Government of India.

Based on this index, DA calculation is as under. Present DA rate from 1.1.2010 is 35%. So far there is an increase of 7%. If the index remains 170 there will be an increase of 9%.

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
Nov 2009	168	34.11
Dec 2009	169	35.70
Jan 2010	172	37.43
Feb 2010	170	39.01
Mar 2010	170	40.59
Apr 2010	170	42.03

Intimation is to be served by the delivery official for speed post articles also if the addressee not found - Circular by BD Directorate

2010-06-08T05:43:00.000+05:30

Extract BD Directorate Memo No57-01/2010 -BD&MD dated 1.6.2010 on the above subject

Delivery of a Speed Post article is address specific i.e. a Speed Post article is to be delivered either to the addressee or any other person who takes delivery of the article at the address.

Time of the delivery shall be recorded on the delivery slip by the delivery official

Intimation will be served as in the case of registered article if the addressee is not found at the time of delivery

Intimation form is designed separately.

Link to the circular issued in the India Post website

Public Information Officer should not charge towards postal expenses or cost involved in deployment of man power for supply of information etc - Clarification by Dept of Personnel and Training

2010-05-27T05:01:00.000+05:30

Copy of Memo No N0.12/9/2009-IR dated 24.5.2010 of Dept of Personnel and Training.

Subject : Payment of fee under the Right to lnformation Act. 2005 - scope of sub section (3) of Section 7 of the Act.

The Undersigned is directed to say that a question is raised from time to time whether a Public lnformation Ofticer (PIO) has power to charge fee under Section 7(3) of the RTI Act. 2005 in addition to fee prescribed under Sections 6(1), 7(1) and 7(5) of the Act.

2. Section 6(1) of the Act enables the Government to prescribe application fee and sub-sections (1) and (5) of Section 7 to prescribe fee in addition to application fee for supply of information. On the other hand sub-section (3) of Section 7 provides the procedure which a PI0 has to follow for realizing the fee prescribed under sub-sections (1) and (5) of the Section. Details of fees that can be charged by a public authority under the Central Government are contained in the Right to lnformation (Regulation of Fee & Cost) Rules, 2005. The Rules or the Act do not give power to the PI0 to charge any fee other than prescribed in the Fee and Cost Rules. Attention in this regard is invited to following extracts from the common order passed by the Central lnformation Commission in Appeal No. CICIMAIAI2008/0185 (Shri K.K. Kishore Vs. Institute of Company Secretaries of lndia) and Complaint No.CICMIBIC12007/00943 (Shri Subodh Jain Vs. Dy. Commissioner of Police) :

"The Act under proviso to sub-section (5) of Section 7 also provides that fee prescribed under sub-sections (1) and (5) of Section 7 shall be reasonable and no such fee shall be charged from the persons who are below poverty line as may be determined by the Appropriate Government. The Government has already prescribed fees as deemed reasonable mandated under Sections 7(1) and 7(5) of the Act and in the view of the Commission, there is no provision for any further fee apart from the one already prescribed under Sections 7(1) and 7(5) of the Act".

"Thus, there is provision for charging of fee only under Section 6(1) which is the application fee; Section 7(1) which is the fee charged for photocopying etc. and Section 7 (5) which is for getting information in printed or electronic format. But there is no provision for any further fee and if any further fee is being charged by the Public Authorities in addition to what is already prescribed under Section 6(1), 7(1) and 7(5) of the Act, the same would be in contravention of the Right to lnformation Act. The "further fee" mentioned in Section 7(3) only refers to the procedure in availing of the further fee already prescribed under 7(5) of the RTI Act, which is "further" in terms of the basic fee of Rs.101- . Section 7(3), therefore, provides for procedure for realizing the fees so prescribed".

3. The Commission, while delivering decision in above cases, recommended to this Department to make rules, for charging fee towards supply of information which may include fee for supply of books, maps, plans, documents, samples, models etc. that are priced and towards postallcourier charges for mailing information, when postallcourier charges are in excess of minimum slab prescribed by the Department of Posts and for other similar situations.

4. The Right to lnformation (Regulation of Fee & Cost) Rules, 2005 already provide provisions for charging of fee for giving information in diskettes or floppies or in the form of photo copy; for providing samples, models, printed material like books, maps, plans etc; and for inspection of records. The Government have, however, not considered it desirable to charge fee towards expenditure involved in mailing information or overhead expenditure etc. Nevertheless, supply of information in a form which would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority is taken care of by Section 7(9) of the Act according to which information shall ordinarily be provided in the form in which it is sought but supply of information in a particular form may be refused if supply of information in that form would divert the tesources of the public authority disproportionately.

5. It is hereby clarified that where a Public lnformation Officer takes a decision to provide information on payment of fee in addition to the application fee, he should determine the quantum of such fee in accordance with the fee prescribed under the Fee and Cost Rules referred to above and give the details of such fee to 'the applicant together with the calculation made to arrive at such fee. Since the Act or the Rules do not provide for charging of fee towards postal expenses or cost involved in deployment of man power for supply of information etc., he should not ask the applicant to pay fee on such account. However, wherever supply of information in a particular form would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority or would be detrimental to the safety or preservation of the records, the PI0 may refuse to supply the information in that form.

6.Contents of this OM may be brought to the notice of all concerned.

Sd/
(K.G. Verma),Director
Te1.23092158

Depart of Personnel and Training Memo dated 24.5.2010

India's postal system is a huge asset which is currently under-utilised, under-skilled and under-developed

2010-05-26T04:46:00.000+05:30

An article published in the Business Standard by Subir Roy

India’s postal system is a huge asset which is currently under-utilised, under-skilled and under-developed. The 1.5 lakh post offices in a country of 6.4 lakh villages (that’s where the post office really matters) represent a reach unmatched by any other organisation. If it is developed and used well, it can give a leg-up to those parts of the country and their denizens who have benefited the least from the high growth of the post-reform period.

Till not so long ago, post offices were relics of the past where the urban middle class would not venture unless absolutely necessary. The burgeoning private courier companies appeared to be driving the last nail in the coffin of the slowly declining giant. But then, just as hope always triumphs in India, the post office began to change. It gave itself a new logo, prominent urban post offices began giving themselves a new look and you could spot PCs across counters.

The post office management is now getting bolder by the day and big brothers in the government have given it permission to spend Rs 2,000 crore in the next two years to bring in an IT revolution. All post offices will be linked, a core banking solution will be installed and pre-paid cards will be introduced with which you will be able to send money from anywhere to any post office through your cellular phone. All that the person at the other end will have to do to get instant credit is have a savings bank account with his post office.

For that last leg of the operation to be completed, the post office’s savings bank operations will have to be transformed. That can happen in only one way — by converting the financial services operations of the postal department into a proper bank, giving it a banking licence. Banks have well defined procedures and processes, the skills needed to run them are standardised, as are the benchmarks by which they can be judged. And you can easily get the public sector banks to lend a helping hand to enable the Post Bank of India (PBI) to get going. Initially, PBI will be an outreach for the established banks, but over time it should be able to give vigorous competition.

A parliamentary standing committee has again reiterated the demand for such a bank to be set up. And if or when (it is really a matter of time) it is, it will be a behemoth from day one. In financial year 2008, postal savings bank schemes had total outstandings of Rs 3.4 lakh crore, which was second only to the deposits of the State Bank of India that stood at Rs 5.4 lakh crore. (ICICI Bank came third at Rs 2.4 lakh crore deposits.) In the same year, postal mail traffic fell by 4 per cent. So did the number of money orders, by 8 per cent, but their total value went up by 7.8 per cent. Simultaneously, the post office’s “business development activities”, the cumbersome name for newer services like Speedpost, grew revenues by 24 per cent to almost a quarter of the department’s total revenue. So like it or not, the post office is changing. It only makes sense to get it to change the right way.

Once the post office becomes a bank with a logistical arm and not the other way round, it will be able to bury the canard that it is a loss-making outfit. In 2008, the postal department’s budgetary deficit was Rs 1,511 crore. If it were a bank with assets equal to the savings bank liabilities, it should have been able to earn a very modest return on assets of 0.5 per cent, which would have put it at the bottom of the public sector banks league table. That works out to Rs 1,727 crore, over Rs 200 crore more than the deficit. Right now it is the Government of India and the finance ministry that keep the postal department poor. All the deposits go to the central exchequer, to be passed on to states as loans in proportion to their small savings. The department earns a fee to run the inefficient and archaic savings bank system.

Why is it necessary to reinvent the post office and improve the self-esteem of postal employees? The post office with its reach is the best placed to open bank accounts for the beneficiaries of the rural employment programme, recipients of government pensions and the like. The postman remains the best equipped to affirm a person’s proof of residence. Once the banking function of the post office gets going and expands, it will give a boost to India’s financial savings the same way bank nationalisation did and helped push up the national savings rate. The whole scenario is predicated on PBI being run efficiently and on keeping its transaction costs low with the use of information technology and processes for handling no-frill accounts currently being evolved.

The big question is, what does PBI do with its deposits which are relatively costlier as postal rates are higher than banks'. It should remain a narrow bank, eschewing retail and commercial lending and instead investing in secure but relatively high-yielding bonds issued by infrastructure companies looking for longer term funds. PBI could also subscribe to Nabard bonds whose proceeds Nabard could lend to microfinance organisations whose members could get paid through their savings bank accounts with PBI. You have a bit of a virtuous cycle there. An efficient PBI will not only boost financial inclusion but help reduce fraud in social welfare payments. All this must be made to happen.

Source: Business Standard

3rd FINANCIAL UPGRADATION ON COMPLETION OF 30 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 10 YEARS FROM THE LAST PROMOTION/UPGRADATION. DIRECTORATE ISSUED CLARFICATION

2010-05-24T04:33:00.000+05:30

Department of Posts (Establishment Division) Memo No 4-7/(MACPS)/2009-PCC dated 20.5.2010

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

I am directed to refer to this Directorate Office Memorandum of even number dated 18.9.2009 on the above subject mentioned above.

2. In page No 19 of the OM, the following omission has been noticed in illustration No 5:-

(a) In example 4 in Box No 4, the text appearing as "3rd MACP to the grade pay of Rs 4200 on completion of 30 years of service" may be read as "3rd MACP to the grade pay of Rs 4200 on completion of 10 years service in the grade pay of 2800 or 30 years of service, whichever is earlier".

3. This corrigendum is based on illustration No 28B of Annexure I to the OM dated 18 Septemner 2009 which prescribes that if two promotions are earned before completion of 20 year, only 3rd financial upgradation would be admissible on completion of 10 year of service in the grade pay from the date 2nd promotion or at 30th year of service, whichever is earlier.

4. This Directorate OM dated 18 Sep 2009 may be taken as amended accordingly and this change may be brought to the notice of all concerned.

India Post is the official carrier of Unique Identity Numbers - MoU signed between DOP and UIADI to this effect.

2010-05-14T06:16:00.001+05:30

India Post is the official carrier of Unique Identity Numbers and will deliver the UID communication to the citizens of India. Department of Posts has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on April 30, 2010 to this effect. The MoU has been entered into for a period of two years. The Department would use its flagship product, the Speed Post for this purpose. The Department got advantage for this project due to its vast network of 155,015 post offices of which nearly 90% numbering 139,144 are in the rural area.

India Post is also providing the comprehensive business solution of printing & pre mailing activities and last mile delivery of UID letters to the recipients of UID number. Whenever/ wherever required by UIDAI, the Department will also do biometric authentication of each UID letter delivered.

The Department is also successfully implementing the work of distribution of nearly 10,000 tonnes of Census material from 15 printing presses to nearly 12,000 taluk/ municipal level locations across the length and breadth of the country through its Logistics Post in connection with Census 2011 as its official carrier. India Post will also be undertaking the reverse logistics for collection of filled in census forms from these locations and delivery to the respective Directorates of Census Operations and scanning centers in the States. The Project started in February 2010 and will be completed in June 2011.

Source : PIB

Security to be furnished by Gramin Dak Sevaks increased

2010-05-11T05:55:00.000+05:30

The Department of Posts vide letter no 6-18/2010-PE-II dated 07-05-2010 has revised the amount of security to be furnished by Gramin Dak Sevaks as under:

1. GDS BPMs from Rs 10000/- to Rs 25000/-
2 Other GDS from Rs 5000/- to Rs 10000/-

The security will be furnished in the form of Fidelity Guarantee Bond or National Savings Certificate pledged to the Department or in the shape of Bank Guarantee from any nationalized Bank. The present periodicity of yearly renewal- of the Fidelity Guarantee Bond is revised to once in 5 years (quinquinnelly).The required premium for-5 years' block may be recovered and the Fidelity Guarantee Bond obtained for full 5 years block from the recognized Cooperative Credit Society.

Now, account verification even in post office

2010-05-11T05:51:00.001+05:30

LUDHIANA: To check the inflow of black money and to keep a vigil on fake accounts, now even the postal department has started verifying its accounts under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Sources said till now only the banks were verifying the antecedents of a person before opening any account or during the transaction but now even the customers, who will be dealing with the postal department have to submit various documents.

While giving the information, one of the postal officials said that under this system for an instance if the person was depositing Rs 50,000 then he had to deposit the license or I-card and if the transaction went beyond the Rs 5 lakh then income tax return along with the voter card or PAN card. The formalities will increase with rise in amount. While for the city residents the formalities were fine, but the rural people were facing problems, he added.

While the postal department authorities found it a good initiative in order to curb black money flow and also the opening of fake accounts. People’s view was that it was tough to complete the formalities. JR Nur, senior superintendent, postal department, said that the formalities would help in regulate the flow of money in the customer’s account. Nur added that already in banks the system had been adopted from the beginning but now the postal department would be working as per the new system.

Source : Times of India

Submission of representations by Govemment servants

2010-05-08T05:23:00.000+05:30

Copy of Memo No F.No.I1013/4/20I&Estt. (A) dated 19.4.2010 of Department of Personnal and Training.

Subject : Subject : Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 - Submission of representations by Govemment servants - instructions regarding

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. No. 11013/7/99-Estt. (A) dated 01.11.1999 on the abovementioned subject which indicates that the categories of representations from Govemment servants on service matters have been broadly identified as follows :-

(i) Representations/complaints regarding non-payment of salary/ allowances or other Issues.
(ii) Representations on other service matters.
(iii) Representations against the orders of the immediate official superior authority; and
(iv) Appeals and petitions under statutory rules and orders (such as Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965 and the petition instructions.
(Apart from the above, sometimes, Govemment servants also submit advance copy of their representations to the authorities higher than the appropriateICompetent Authority.)

2. Necessary guidelines to deal with such representations are contained in the aforesaid O.M. which are to be followed by the administrative authorities. However, it is observed that some officials resort to the practice of sending repeated representations on the same issue which involves repeated examination of the same issue and bogs down the official machinery to the detriment of consid6ration of more important and time-bound issues. The matter has been considered by this Department. It needs to be emphasized that Govemment servants should desist from making frequent and numerous representations on the same issue. The second representation on the same issue will be examined only if it contains any fresh points regarding new developments or facts having a bearing on the issue. It has been decided that when representations have already been considered and replied, further representations exceeding two on the same issue will henceforth be ignored. A Government servant may make a representation to an authority higher than the lowest competent authority only when he is able to establish that all the points or submissions made therein have not been fully and properly considered by his immediate official superior, or the Head of Office concerned or such other authority at the lowest level competent to deal with the matter. Government servants should desist from prematurely addressing the higher authorities.

3. All the MinistriesIDepartments are requested to bring the above guidelines for the notice of all concerned for information and compliance

Source : Department of Personnal and Training Memo dated 19.4.2010

Collection of Tamilnadu Electricity Bills extended to 50 more post offices in Chennai City

2010-05-08T05:11:00.000+05:30

Tamilnadu Postal Circle has entered into an agreement with Tamilnadu Electricity Board, Chennai whereby, Low Tension consumers of Tamilnadu Electricity Board in Chennai can pay their Electricity Bills through select Post Offices in Chennai.
A consumer residing in any part of Chennai Metro, can approach any of the identified post office to pay the electricity bill amount. The bill collection process is done by Online E-payment facility provided by the Department of Posts in coordination with Tamilnadu Electricity Board. For this service, the consumer will pay Rs.5/- per bill as service charges to the Department of Posts.
This facility was introduced on 1st March 2010. Initially, the facility was available at Anna Road Head Post Office and Anna Nagar Post Office.
Presently, TNEB Bill Collection facility has been extended to 48 more post offices across Chennai Metro, with effect from 1st May 2010.
Source : http://tamilnadupost.nic.in

Postal agent held for duping client of Rs 6.6 lakh

2010-05-08T04:56:00.000+05:30

KOLKATA: A 53-year-old woman has been arrested by Regent Park police on Monday for duping an employee of the US Cultural Office of Rs 6.6 lakh. Mridula Roy, the accused, works as an agent of post & telegraph department and allegedly withdrew Pulak Ranjan Pattanayak's money from his monthly income scheme account with forged papers. Preliminary probe hinted that an official of the P&T department is also involved in the forgery.

Police said Pattanayak, an employee of US Cultural Office had a MIS account at Purba Putiari Post Office. "It was a six-year scheme and he was supposed to withdraw the maturity amount in March 2010," said a police officer.

In February, Pattanayak applied to the post office, stating that he wanted the amount in cheque. The sub-post master of Purba Putiari countersigned it, mentioning the amount.

Finally, when Pattanayak went to withdraw the money, he was informed that his amount had been withdrawn a year ago. The officials refused to divulge any detail. They, however, could not reply how without his signature or valid approval the cheque was issued a year ago.

Realising that he had been duped, Pattanayak contacted Mridula, who used to deposit the monthly amount. "The pass book of my account was also with her. After a lot of cajoling, she confessed that she had withdrawn the amount fraudulently and gave me a written confession," said Pattanayak.

He lodged a complaint with Regent Park police station and Mridula was arrested.

During interrogation Mridula hinted that some officials of the post office are involved in the racket. Police said the previous sub-postmaster of the post office could have played a crucial role in the case.

India Post is on Twitter

2010-05-07T06:02:00.000+05:30

New Delhi : The Department of Posts, one of India's oldest establishments, has become the first government organisation to be on the social networking site Twitter. Tilted ‘PostOfficeIndia,' the DoP's page already has around 200 followers, from both India and abroad, in less than two months of its operations.
As part of its new business strategy, the DoP wants to leverage this unique medium to promote its business, as is being done by leading food chains and other firms in the U.S. and Europe. Though some senior DoP officials are currently managing the web page, soon it plans to have a dedicated team of people to answer queries of followers and paste latest promotions and programmes of the department. It also plans to have sub-categories for various users such as business users, foreigners and have posts State and region-wise.
SMS tracking
It all began with the DoP posting information about new schemes for users. It posted links to its website telling users how they could calculate postage tariffs or know pin codes of their respective areas. Then recently, the DoP launched SMS tracking facility for Speed Post shipments and told people how they could make use of it.
Similarly, through Twitter, the DoP has already started an awareness campaign for India's biggest-ever stamp show that will be held in Delhi next February. It has also been sending messages to people who want to partner DoP in various projects or apply for some tender. Followers have also been making complaints and giving feedback about how to improve the functioning of the department.
Boon to philatelists
DoP's Twitter page is also proving to be a boon for those who pursue philately as a hobby, as it has been informing people about limited edition stamps that India Post issues from time to time. “Welcome to the amazing world of the great magician P.C. Sorcar” read a ‘tweet', asking people to get India Post's commemorative postage on the magician. Through another message – India Post greets you on Earth Day! Let's spare a thought for the future of the planet. Let's all join to put together sustainable lifestyles — it is trying to send social messages and connect with those on Twitter.
Senior DoP officials are excited by the initial response from its followers. “Wow, Indian Post is on twitter...that's great to hear” wrote one Indian follower, while a few foreign nationals have also shown interest in India Post's Twitter postings. The DoP has been taking special initiatives for foreigners. For instance, during the recent Pushkar festival in Rajasthan, which is very popular among foreigners, it informed tourists about the post office near the fair where special arrangements were made for sending mails and parcels, which received good response.
Source : The Hindu

Model Recruitment Rules for Group 'C' posts in Pay Band-I, with Grade Pay of Rs.1800/- (pre-revised Group 'D' Posts)

2010-05-06T05:25:00.002+05:30

Extract of Department of Personnel and Training Memo No. AB-140171612009-Estl(RR) dated 30.4.2010

Sub : Model Recruitment Rules for Group 'C' posts in Pay Band-I, with Grade Pay of Rs.1800/- (pre-revised Group'D' posts)

The 61h CPC recommended that all Group 'D' posts in the Government will stand upgraded to Group 'C', Pay Band-I with Grade Pay of Rs.1800, along with the incumbents (after suitable training, wherever required). The other recommendations of the Commission, in this regard include:

(i) There will be no further recruitment in Group 'D'.
(ii) The existing Group 'D' posts will be placed in Group 'C' Pay Band-I with Grade Pay of Rs.1800.
(iii) The minimum qualification for appointment to this level will be either loth pass or IT1 equivalent
(iv) Multi- skilling, with one employee performing jobs hitherto performed by different Group 'D' employees.
(v) Common Designation for these posts.

Their duties would broadly include:

a) Physical Maintenance of records of the Section.
b) General cleanliness & upkeep of the Sectionl Unit.
c) Carrying of files & other papers within the building.
d) Photocopying, sending of FAX etc.
e) Other non-clerical work in the Sectionl Unit.
f) Assisting in routine office work like diary, despatch etc., including on computer
g) Delivering of dak (outside the building).
h) Watch & ward duties.
i) Opening & closing of rooms.
j) Cleaning of rooms.
k) Dusting of furniture etc.
1) Cleaning of building, fixtures etc
m) Work related to his IT1 qualifications, if it exists.
n) Driving of vehicles, if in possession of valid driving licence.
o) Upkeep of parks, lawns, potted plants etc.
p) Any other work assigned by the superior authority.

NOTE: The above list of duties is only illustrative and not exhaustive. Ministries1 Departments may add to the list, duties of similar nature ordinarily performed by officials at this level.

Office Memorandum dated 30.4.2010

Launch of India Post Gold Coin for sale through Post Offices

2010-04-30T05:42:00.000+05:30

SATYENDRA PRAKASH
Director (M&C)
(M/o Communications, IT & Shipping)
Room No. 113
23382145 9868136618 DATED: APRIL 29, 2010

INVITATION

Dear Sir/Madam,
You are cordially invited to attend and cover Press Conference By Chief Post Master General Delhi Circle on the launch of India Post Gold Coin for sale through Post Offices tomorrow as per the following programme:
DATE : April 30, 2010 (Friday)
TIME : 3.00 pm
VENUE : PIB Conference Hall, Shastri Bhavan,
New Delhi

Yours sincerely,

(Satyendra Prakash)

Director (M&C) (Comm.&IT)

To All Accredited Correspondents All Accredited Cameramen (Still/Movie cameramen) All TV Channels DD News/AIR Photo Division Photo Unit, PIB – Kindly release the photo and provide 2 copies.

Source : Source : PIB

Project Arrow

2010-04-29T18:56:00.000+05:30

Project Arrow has been launched with objective of modernizing the post offices and make visible, tangible and noteworthy differences in the post offices operations that matter to “Aam Aadmi”. It was launched initially on proof of concept basis in 50 post offices in Phase I. After the successful completion of the Phase I it was implemented in 450 post office in Phase II and in 500 post offices in Phase III across the country including the rural areas. Project Arrow aims at comprehensive improvement of the core operations of the post office as well as the ambience in which postal transactions are undertaken.

The response of the general public and the staff of the Department to the initiative has been overwhelmingly positive and Project Arrow offices have shown significant increase in revenue earnings. The initiative Project Arrow – Transforming India Post has also won the Prime Minister’s award for Excellence in Public Administration for the year 2008-09.

Due to budgetary constraints, only 500 Post Offices across the country are being modernized and upgraded in every financial year. In view of this, it is not possible to say by when all the Post Offices in Himachal Pradesh would be covered under this Project.

This information was given by Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology, Shri Gurudas Kamat in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

PIB Release dated 29.4.2010

Disclosure of third party information under the RTI Act, 2005.

2010-04-29T18:49:00.000+05:30

Copy of Department of Personnel and Training Memo No NO. 8/2/2010-lR dated 27.4.2010

Subject: Disclosure of third party information under the RTI Act, 2005.

The undersigned is directed to say that the Government,'in a number of cases makes inter departmental consultations. In the process, a public authority may send some confidential papers to another public authority. A question has arisen whether the recipient public authority can disclose such confidential papers under the RTI Act, 2005. If yes, what procedure is required to be followed for doing so.

2. Section 11 of the Act provides the procedure of disclosure of 'third party' information. According to it, if a Public Information Officer (PIO) intends to disclose an information supplied by a third party which the third party has treated as confidential, the PIO, before taking a decision to disclose the information shall invite the third party to make submission in the matter. The third party has a right to make an appeal to the Departmental Appellate Authority against the decision of the PI0 and if not satisfied with the decision of the Departmental Appellate Authority, a second appeal to the concerned Information Commission. The PI0 cannot disclose such information unless the procedure prescribed in section 11 is completed.

3. As defined in clause (n) of Section 2 of the Act, 'third party' includes a public authority. Reading of the definition of the terin, 'third party' and Section I 1 together makes it clear that if a public authority 'X' receives some information from another public authority 'Y' which that public authority has treated as confidential, then 'X' cannot disclose the infonnation without consulting 'Y', the third party in respect of the information and without following the procedure prescribed in Section 11 of the Act. It is a statutory requirement, non-compliance of which may make the PI0 liable to action.

4. The Public Information Officers and the First Appellate Authorities should keep these provisions of the Act in view while taking decision, about disclosure of third party information in general and disclosure of the third party information, when third party is a public authority, in particular.

Department of Personnel and Training Memo dated 27.4.2010

Clarification for the memo dated 13.4.2010 of the DOPT on treating ACRs with below benchmark grading - DOPT Memo dated 27.4.2010

2010-04-28T06:36:00.000+05:30

Copy of Department of Personnel and Training No No. 2101111/2010-Estt.A dated 27.4.2010

Sub : ACRs with below benchmark grading considered in past DPCs-reg.

The undersigned is directed to state that this Department has issued O.M. of even number dated 13.04.2010 that if an employee is to be considered for promotion in a future DPC and his ACRs prior to the period 2008-09 which would be reckonable for assessment of his fitness in such future DPC contain final grading which are below the benchmark for his next promotion, before such ACRs are placed before the DPC, the concerned employee will be given a copy of the relevant ACR for his representation, if any, within 15 days of such communication. The representation is to be decided by the competent authority as per provisions in para 2 of aforesaid O.M.

2. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in their judgement dated 12.05.2008 in Civil Appeal No. 763 lof 2002 (Dev Dutt vs Union of India) had held that the 'good' entry in the ACR of the appellant which had not been communicated to him and considered in a past DPC which found him unfit for promotion, should be communicated for representation and if upgradation is allowed by the competent authority, he should be considered for promotion retrospectively by the DPC. When the petitions in SLP (Civil) No. 5770/2009, now converted to Appeal Civil No. 2872 of 2010 (Union of India vs. A.K. Goel & Ors.) were called for hearing, the Supreme Court has taken note of the apparent conflict between the decisions of the Hon'ble Court in Dev Dutt case on one hand and the judgemetns of Supreme Court in Satya Narain Shukla Vs UOI 2006 (9) SCC 69 and K.M. Mishra vs. Central Bank of India & Ors. 2008 (9) SCC 120 on the other hand and by their Order dated 29.03.2010, the Hon'ble Court has referred these appeals to a Larger Bench (copy attached).

3. In the light of the Orders issued by Hon'ble Supreme Court in the aforesaid SLP (Civil) No. 1577012009, Union of India Vs. A.K. Goel & Ors.,all MinistrieslDepartrnents are advised that wherever petitions have been filed in the Courts to grant relief on the basis of the aforesaid decision of the Supreme Court in Dev Dutt case, the latest Orders of the Supreme Court in A.K. Goel case may be brought to the notice of the Court.

Department of Personnel and Training Memo dated 27.4.2010

Read the comments of AEPEU-P3 on this Memorandum

Below benchmark gradings in ACRs prior to 2008-09 and consideration of representation by the Competent authority - DOPT Memo dated 13.4.2010

2010-04-28T06:18:00.001+05:30

Copy of Dept of Personnel and Trainig Memo No 21011/1/2010-Estt.A dated 13.4.2010 is reproduced below. As per this OM, the below benchmark gradings for the period prior to 2008-09 should be communicated to the official concerned for representation If any within 15 days of such communication. The representation should be considered by the competent authority, and the competent authority should get the report of reporting/reviewing authorities also before upgradation such ACR.

Sub : Below Benchmark gradings in ACRs prior to the reporting period 200849 and objective consideration of representation by the competent authority against remarks in the APAR or for upgradatin of the final grading.

The undersigned is directed to say that prior to the reporting period 2008-09, only the adverse remarks in the ACRs had to be communicated to the concerned officer for representation, if any to be considered by the competent authority. The question of treating the grading in the ACR which is below the benchmark for next Dromotion has been considered in this De~arbnenat nd it has been decided that if an employee is to be considered for promotion in a future DPC and his ACRs prior to the period 2008 09 which would be reckonable for assessment of his fitness in such future DEcSont ain final grading which are below the benchmark for his next promotion, before such ACRs are placed before the DPC, the concemed employee will be given a copy of the relevant ACR for his representation, if any, within 15 days of such communication. It may be noted that only below benchmark ACR for the period relevant to promotion need be sent. There is no need to send below benchmark ACRs of other years.

2. As per existing instructions, representations against the remarks or for upgradation of !he final grading given in the APAR (previously known as ACR) should be examined by the competent authority in consultation, if necessary, with the Reporting and the Reviewing Officer, if any. While considering the representation, the competent authority decides the matter objectively in a quasi-judicial manner on the basis of material placed before it. This would imply that the competent authority shall take into account the contentions of the officer who has represented against the particular remarkslgrading in the APAR and the views of the Reporting and Reviewing officer if they are still in service on the points raised in the remesentation vis-a-vis the remarkstaradinas given bv them in the APAR. The UPSC has informed this ~epartrnentth at the Commission hasobsebei that while deciding such representations,t he competent authorities sometimes do not take into account the views of RewrtinaIReviewina Officers if thev are still in service. The Commission has further observed that in a'majGty of succ cases, the competent authority does not give specific reasons for upgrading the below benchmark ACRlAPAR gradings at par with the benchmark for next promotion.

3. All MinistrieslDepartments are therefore requested to inform the competent authorities while forwarding such cases to them to decide on the representations against the remarks or for upgradation of the grading in the APAR that the decision on the representation may be taken objectively after taking into account the views of the concerned ReportinqlReviewing Officers if they are still in se~ice'and in case of upgradation of the final grading given in the APAR, specific reasons therefor may also be given in the order of the competent authority.

Dept of Personnel and Training Memo dated 13.4.2010

Photographs of Prime Minister distributing Award for Excellence in Public Administration to Our Secretary

2010-04-21T19:11:00.000+05:30

Relaxation for travel by air to visit North Eastern Region under LTC is extended for further years from 1.5.2010

2010-04-21T05:19:00.000+05:30

Department of Personnel and Training vide Memo No F.No. 3 101 11412007-Estt.(A)dated 20.4.2010 has extended the facility of travel by Air to visit North Eastern Region under CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988 fur further two years beyond 1.5.2010.

Source : Department of Personnel and Training memo dated 20.4.2010

Project Arrow – Transforming India Post, Government of India bags the PM Award for Excellence in Public Administration’ for the year 2008-09.

2010-04-21T04:45:00.001+05:30

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the fifth Civil Service Day today. He will also give away the 'PM Award for Excellence in Public Administration’ for the year 2008-09. Nine outstanding initiatives in three categories – individual, group and organization – have been selected for the award. Of these the ones in the individual category are: (i) Removal of Encroachments of Structures of Different Religions – Maintaining of Communal Harmony (Madhya Pradesh) (ii) Involvement of Community under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in Naxalite Affected Areas (Madhya Pradesh) (iii) Making medicines affordable(Rajasthan) (iv) River Linking Project at Jalgaon (Maharashtra) and (v) Cervical Cancer Screening Evolving a new methodology – A life saving initiative of Chennai Corporation, Chennai (Tamil Nadu).

In the group category the award will be given to (i) Implementation of the ST and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (Madhya Pradesh), (ii) Computerization of Paddy Procurement and Public Distribution System (Chattisgarh) and (iii) Integrated Tax Payer Data Management System – A Data Mining Tool, CBDT, Government of India. Project Arrow – Transforming India Post, Government of India bags the award in the organization category.

Under this scheme of awards instituted in 2006, all officers of Central and State Governments individually or as group or as organization are eligible. The award includes a medal, scroll and a cash amount of Rs. 1 lakh. In case of a group, the total award money is Rs. 5 lakh subject to a maximum of Rs. 1 lakh per person. For an organization this is limited to Rs. 5 lakh.

An exhibition showcasing the various award winning initiatives will be put up. Books written by the Civil Servants during the last five years will also be displayed.

This Day is observed by all Civil Services to rededicate and recommit themselves to the cause of the people. It provides a unique opportunity for introspection as also chalking out future strategies to deal with the challenges being posed by the changing times.

Details of the award winners are as under:

Sl No	Category	Name of the Project	Details of nominees
1.	Individual	Removal of Encroachments of Structures of Different Religions-Maintaining Communal Harmony, Madhya Pradesh	Shri Sanjay Dubey,IAS Chief Executive Officer, Ex-officio Secretary(P&RD), Madhya Pradesh Rural Road Development Authority,Bhopal
2.	Individual	Involvement of Community Under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in Naxalite Affected Areas, MP	Gulshan Bamra,IAS Collector & District Magistrate, Jabalpur ( M.P)
3.	Individual	Making Medicines Affordable, Rajasthan	Dr. Samit Sharma, IAS, Collector & District Magistrate, Nagore.
4.	Individual	River Linking Project at Jalgaon’, Maharashtra	Sh. Vijay Singhal, IAS, Municipal Commissioner, Kolhapur (Maharashtra), KMC, Bhausinghji Road, Shivaji Chowk, Kolhapur.
5.	Individual	Cervical Cancer Screening Evolving A New Methodology-A Life Saving Initiatives of Chennai Corporation’, Tamil Nadu	Sh. Rajesh Lakhani, IAS, Commissioner, Chennai Corporation, Chennai.
6.	Group (3 Members)	“Computerisation of decentralized paddy procurement and public distribution system in Chhattisgarh.	Dr. Alok Shukla, IAS JS, Election Commission, Delhi and Gaurav Dwivedi, IAS, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Raipur.
7.	Group (5 Members)	Implementation of “The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006” in MP	Shri O.P. Rawat, Vice Chairman, Navdha Ghati Vikas Pradhikaran and Ex-officio Addl. Chief Secretary, Navdha Valley Development Department,
8.	Group (3 Members)	Integrated Tax Payer Data Management System (ITDMS) – A Data Mining Tool, Government of India	Sh. S.S. Khan, Member(IT), CBDT, North Block New Delhi
9.	Organization	Project Arrow-Transforming India Post, Government of India	D/o Posts, M/o Communications & IT,

Source : Press Information Bureau

Postal department to launch pre-paid cards for shopping

2010-04-09T19:34:00.000+05:30

NEW DELHI: The postal department will introduce pre-paid cards that will enable cashless transactions at retail outlets across the country, as it looks to leverage the cash-handling expertise of its 1.5 lakh post offices to generate revenues.

The magnetic strip-based cards could be used at merchant establishments and automated teller machines (ATMs) where cards from VISA, Mastercard and American Express are accepted, said a communications and information technology ministry official.

Bankers said this would help the government implement its inclusive growth strategy. “It is an excellent platform for reaching out to communities where financial services are difficult to tender,” said Rana Kapoor, managing director and chief executive of private sector lender Yes Bank. The department of posts is one of the most inclusive distribution networks in the country and it understands financial transactions well, he said.

The department proposes to allow top-ups in the multiples of Rs 1,000 up to Rs 50,000 and aims to complete project formalities such as procurement and training by the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

These cards, which will allow people across the country to make cashless transactions, could boost retail spending by rural households . “The cards could be used for various purposes such as at point of sale, at ATMs, on the Internet, for mobile commerce and for facilitating electronic money transfer,” the government official quoted earlier said, requesting anonymity.

The department has begun identifying a banking solutions partner. The banks will share a percentage of the revenue earned from pre-paid cards with the department, the official said. The banks will have the technology platform and disclose their technology compatibility and certifications with VISA, Mastercard and American Express.

According to the proposal, the department will provide the infrastructure and network to sell and distribute the cards while the bank will partner in operating the pre-paid cards through post offices.

The department is planning to computerise all its post offices in the next two years.

Source : Economic Times dated 29.3.2010

Payment of Dearness Relief to Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners - revised rates effective from 1.1.2010

2010-03-31T19:55:00.000+05:30

Ministry of Finance, Department Pension and Pension welfare has issued Office Memorandum No 42/18/2010-P&PW(G) dated 31.3.2010 for revising the Dearness Allowance applicable to Central Government Employees from 27% to 35% with effect from 1.1.2010.

The DA will be paid cash and the arrears for DA for the months of January and February 2010 will be paid after 1.4.2010

Ministry of Pension and Pension Welfare Memo dated 31.3.2010

HOLIDAY FOR DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR BIRTH DAY ON 14.4.2010

2010-03-31T19:48:00.000+05:30

Government has declared holiday on Wednesday, the 14th April 2010, as a
Closed Holiday on account of the birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, for all Central Government Offices including industrial establishments throughout India.

Department of Personnel and Training Memo dated 29.3.2010

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees - revised rates effective from 1.1.2010

2010-03-29T07:47:00.000+05:30

Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure has issued Office Memorandum No 1(3)/2010-E-II(B) dated 27.3.2010 for revising the Dearness Allowance applicable to Central Government Employees from 27% to 35% with effect from 1.1.2010.

The DA will be paid cash and the arrears for DA for the months of January and February 2010 will be paid after 1.4.2010

Click here to view Finance Ministry Memo dated 27.3.2010

25th All India Postal Weight Lifting, Power Lifting & Best Physique Tournament 2009-10 gets underway

2010-03-23T22:14:00.001+05:30

25th All India Postal Weight lifting, Power lifting & Best Physique Tournament 2009-10 got underway in New Delhi today. Shri Balbir Singh Bhatia, an eminent sports person and Arjun Award winner inaugurated the four day sport event taking place at Shubham community centre Sarojini nagar New Delhi.In the Tournament being hosted by Delhi Postal Sports Control Board ,about 200 participants including a woman, from 15 Postal Circles from all over India will be seen in action. Some of the participants have represented India at International level. The participating Postal Circles are Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Kerala, Army Postal Service, West Bengal, Assam, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Utter Pradesh.

The weight Lifting, Power Lifting and Best Physique competition will be conducted in 28 different weight categories i.e. 8 in Weight Lifting, 11 in Power Lifting and 9 in Best Physique competition. All the Categories will be having 3 Awards i.e. Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals. The Best Physique Participant from All 15 Postal Circles will be adjudged for ‘Dak Sree’ Award. Last year championship was held in Ranchi, Jharkhand Circle.

Yesterday at managers meet held in the O/o the Chief PMG, Delhi Circle, New Delhi-110001,Shri Sanjeev Thapar, PMG (BD), welcomed all the participants. All concerned were briefed about the regulations and instructions and schedule of the tournament and were given copies of the same.

Shri Ajay Singh Chauhan, DPS (O), Delhi Postal Circle requested all the participants to maintain proper discipline and decorum in the tournament and conveyed his best wishes to all the teams.
Source : press Information Bureau

Postal department delivering under tough conditions.

2010-03-23T06:12:00.000+05:30

SURAT: It's not unusual if sometimes a Diwali card is received after a few months and a letter by an old mother from a remote village of Madhya Pradesh to her son in Surat is never delivered. These days with private couriers delivering your valuable documents at your door step within 24 hours in cities, the role of postal department seems to be diminishing, though the reality is different. Even today more than 80 per cent of mail delivery and related work is done by postal department in rural areas.

"Looking at the expansion of the city, we need additional post offices," said member of Parliament Darshana Jardosh, who is also a member of information and technology board of Union government. The city limits have expanded after eight nagarpalikas and 27 gram panchayats were brought under Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC). The population in the city has crossed 40 lakh."

"Forget computerisation, records in some of the post offices in the city are eaten up by bugs. The staff has to work from under a temporary tent like roof," said a resident of Gopipura area Rajula Patel.

The plasters from walls of the rooms of post office here have fallen and the fans don't work. This is the situation of Sagrampura post office in the city. "We have 70 post offices in Surat city and district. Of these, 54 are in the city and we have demanded 10 more at Amroli, Karanj, Sarthana, Ghod Dod Road, Piplod, Anand Mahal Road, Adajan, Katargam, Puna Kumbahriya and Jahangirpura," said Jardosh adding, "We have also demanded immediate filling up of vacancies in the department. Surat should have separate division of its own. How can it be governed from Vadodara?"

Of the 54 city post offices, only two are run from the buildings owned by postal department. The rest are functioning from rented premises.

Arvind Joshi, post master general, Baroda region under which Surat falls, told TOI, "We have asked for land from SMC and the state government. However, we have not been allotted any land so far. We know we are short of staff, but unless a decision is taken at the Centre level, we can't do anything."

SHORTAGE GALORE

Vacant positions in Surat postal department at present

Cadre	Staff	Staff at present	Vacancy	Demand
Postal assistant	401	360	41	150
Post man	446	387	59	200
Group D	112	091	21	100

Source : Times of India : Surat

How postmen sort Dharavi maze?

2010-03-23T05:53:00.002+05:30

An article published in Times of India, Bombay

MUMBAI: Ever wondered what it's like to deliver post in Asia's biggest slum, Dharavi? Especially when the address reads something like this: 'Mahim Fatak ke baju mein' or 'Ajmal Kasab, Dharavi, Mumbai-17!' That the name of the addressee in the latter instance happens to be same as the lone 26/11 terrorist currently on trial at a special court is of course another story.

Dharavi is home to more than a million people. Every day, there are at least 4,000 ordinary letters to be delivered, a hundred registered ones, 150 speedposts, at least four parcels and about 15 money orders, says B S Jaiswar, sub-post master at Dharavi Post office. There are some company annual reports as well to be delivered, he adds.

Surprised? Dharavi is home to several thriving small-scale industries such as embroidered garments, leather goods, pottery and plastic. According to reports, Dharavi's products sell domestically and abroad. The slum's annual business turnover is estimated at more than $650m.

It can become a bit of a problem, says complaint inspector, Mumbai city, west division, Pratibha Parab, with speedposts that must be delivered the same day. Particularly as letters could bear addresses such as Laxmi Chawl, Room No 31, Kumbharwada Road. Or it might be NKP Stores, AKJ Nagar or simply c/o Pandit paanwala. These are not fictional addresses. This is how most letters arrive at the local post office no matter that the sender is a bank, mobile company or lives abroad.

Slum houses generally have no door numbers. Postman B R Rane says that rather than numbers, it is the locals and shopkeepers who help locate the addressee. These postmen become so good at nailing an address that the sleuths recently asked them for help during a hoax bomb scare.

In Dharavi, concrete huts, sometimes two-three floors are standing cheek-by-jowl. There are no numbers written on the door. Negotiating the labyrinthine lanes makes the job more difficult for postmen. They walk gingerly through lanes ducking the maze of electric wires drooping dangerously at times while negotiating open sewers and garbage piles at regular intervals. The walk becomes all the more tricky as sunlight barely passes through the densely built dwellings. So whether it is day or night, it is mostly dark.

Understandably, each postman, covering about 25 km every day, takes about two years to be a pro.

On Kumbharwada road, matters are worse as all the hutments have similar colours and designs since the same community reside here. "At Kumbharwada, whether you talk in Hindi or Marathi, people will still reply in Gujrati," says Mohan Sawant, who has put in 27 years here as a postman.

While there are movies and pictures on Dharavi, it is more on the filth and squalor of Dharavi and the spirit of its dwellers rather than these resilient postmen. Yet, for all their hardships, the weather-beaten faces of S T Nadkar and C R Dalvi wear a content smile.

Source : Times of India

CAT Madras holds the Group B examination held in 2008 as defective, arbitrary, irrational and discriminatory

2010-03-22T06:14:00.000+05:30

An article published by Shri S. Samuel, General Secretary, All India Association of Inspectors and ASPs is reproduced below for information.

Normally, any departmental examination for promotion is held every year depending upon year-wise vacancies so that the eligible candidate for a particular year vacancy would get opportunity to get selection for subsequent year vacancies. But disregarding all principles, the department conducted Group B examination by bunching of vacancies for four years viz. 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Our Association objected to it. But the Department did not heed. Some of IP/ASP filed cases before CAT Madras and CAT Patna and prayed for a stay order. The honourable CATs at that time rejected to pass stay order. Though the single selection for all the four years is prejudicial to majority of the eligible candidates the Department successfully conducted the examination. With a result many juniors who were not at all eligible for the vacancies of 2004, 2005 and 2006 were allowed to appear, got selected and promoted. Now many ineligible candidates are working as PS Group B officer. The CAT Madras passed an order in OA 64/08 and some of the relevant paragraphs are reproduced below:

“ 15. If the selection for promotion is based every year separately for 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, depending upon year-wise vacancies, the eligible candidate for 2003 who did not get selection for the year vacancies, would get opportunity to seek selection for subsequent year vacancies and because of bunching of vacancies for all the four years and holding single selection is prejudicial to majority of the eligible candidate and such selection is detrimental to the eligible employees for whose purpose it has been intended. The respondents have not placed any instruction of guidelines in support their claim for holding the single selection by bunching of vacancies for 4 years or several years.

16. In view of such circumstances as discussed above, the decision to bunch the vacancies for all the four years together and holding a simple selection is discriminatory, arbitrary, unfair and also amounts to defect the selection.

17. In spite of objections raised by the applicants by way of representations an also by filing of this OA, the authorities have not taken any care and proceeded further in conducting examinations. The authorities have completed most of the selection procedure in conducting examination and also declared the result of the successful candidates in the written test.

18. In view of such circumstances, if this selection is restricted for the vacancies for the year 2003, no harm would be caused to any of the eligible candidates who faced the examination and selection for the year 2003 is held valid and the selection for the vacancies for 2004, 2005 and 2006 are held to be defective, arbitrary, irrational and discriminatory. Thus the claim of the applicants is allowed partly, directing the respondents to secure year-wise vacancies for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 in respect of promotion to the cadre of Postal Services Group B by preparing year-wise list of eligible candidates and also vacancies and thereafter hold fresh Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), restricting the present selection only for the year 2003.

19. In the result, the OA is partly allowed as above, with no order as to costs.”

Note:
What is the use of this order? The Department has deliberately conducted this examination. No relief was given by the CAT to affected candidates at that time. Selected candidates have now promoted and working in the higher posts. Justice is supposed to be delivered in time.

Justice delayed is Justice denied!

S.Samuel
General Secretary

Integrity, honesty,objectivity, impartiality, transparency, accountability and devotion to duty are the core values which civil servants should cherish

2010-03-16T04:45:00.000+05:30

Cabinet Secretary's DO letter No 11 01710412010-AIS-III dated 3.3.2010 addressed to all Chief Secretaries of States/Union Territories is reproduced below for information.
Dear Chief Secretary,
Of late there have been some disturbing incidents which call for serious introspection by civil servants. It is important that we ponder over the manner in which we discharge our duties and fulfil our responsibilities and what we need to do to refurbish our image.
2. Civil servants are appointed on the basis of a fair and open competition. We must respond in full measure to the faith that citizens have reposed in us and meet their hopes and aspirations of good governance. Integrity, honesty, objectivity, impartiality, transparency, accountability and devotion to duty are the core values which civil servants should cherish and which should form an integral part of our decisions and actions.
3. The issue of corruption needs to be addressed fairly and squarely. The Government's policy of zero tolerance for corruption must be implemented fully and effectively. Preventive vigilance should be strengthened. Transparency must be introduced in decision making and in all our systems. Stringent action must be taken against officers found guilty. Disciplinary proceedings must be expedited.
4. We need to stand by and uphold our core values. Senior officers must set an example and mentor their colleagues. The Civil Services must work moleheartedly to provide good governance.
5. Please share these sentiments with all officers. Let us resolve to serve the nation and the citizens in a committed manner.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
( K.M. Chandrasekhar )
Source : Department of Personnel and Training

DA calculation based on the All India Consumer Price Index for the month of January 2010

2010-03-16T04:27:00.000+05:30

The All India Consumer Price Index number for (Industrial Workers) (Base 2001=100) for the month of December 2009 is 172 as announced by Statistics Department, Labour, Government of India.

Based on this index, the DA is calculated and given below. 8% DA is due from 1.1.2010.(Present DA rate from 1.7.2009 is 27%). 2% is increased from January 2010.

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
Nov 2009	168	34.11
Dec 2009	169	35.70
Jan 2010	172	37.43

The restriction of travel by Air India only need not to apply to non-entitled officers who travel by air and claim LTC reimbursement by entitled class of rail.

2010-03-14T15:02:00.000+05:30

Department of Personnel and Training Memo No 31011/2/2006-Estt(A) dated 11.3.2010

Subject : Regulation of journeys by private airlines while availing LTC

The undersigned is directed to refer to Department of Expenditure OM No 19024/1/2009-E, IV dated 13/7/2009 and this Department's OM No 31011/2/2006-Estt (A) dated 27.7.2009 regarding journy by air while availing Leave Travel Concession (LTC), stipulating that in all cases of air travel (including LTC) both domestic and international where the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, the official concerned may travel by Air India only.

2. It is clarified that restriction of travel by Air India only need not apply to non-entitled officers who travel by air and claim LTC reimbursement by entitled class of rail.

3. The above orders will be applicable with effect from the date of issue of this OM. Past cases already settled will not be re-opened.

Source : Department of Personnel and Training Memo dated 11.3.2010

The restriction of 18 years of age in respect of disabled/mentally challenged children for grant of Child Care Leave relaxed upto 22 years of age.

2010-03-14T14:52:00.000+05:30

Department of Personnel and Training Memo No 13018/6/2009-Estt(L) dated 3.3.2010

Subject : Implementation of Governnient's decision on the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission - Child Care Leave Waiving of age restriction of 18 years for Government servant having mentally challengedidisabled children.

The undersigned is directed to refer to DOP&T OM No. 13018/212008- Estt.(L), dated 11.9.2008 on the subject mentioned above and to say that this Department has been receiving various references regarding waiving of the age restriction of 18 years in respect of disabled/mentally challenged children for grant of Child Care Leave to women employees. The matter has been considered in consultation with Ministry of Finance and it has been decided to permit Child Care Leave to women en~ployeesw ith disabled children upto the age of 22 years for a maximum period of 2 years (i.e 730 days) subject to the other conditions stipulated by the Government in this regard from time to time. However, it is stressed that CCL cannot be demanded as a matter of right and under no circumstances can any employee proceed on CCL without prior approval of the Leave sanctioning authority. Disabled Child having a minimum disability of 40% is elaborated in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Notification No. 16- 18197-NI.1, dated 1.6.2001 (copy enclosed).

Documents relating to the handicap as specified in the Notification, as well as a certificate from the Government Servant regarding dependency of the child on the God. servant would have to be submitted by the employee. The Child Care Leave would be permitted only if the child is dependent on the Government servant.

Guides for PS Group B examination

2010-03-14T14:42:00.000+05:30

PTC Vadodara has brought out the following publications to the benefit of aspiring candidates for PS Group B examination:

(1) Question papers of past years for the PS Gr B Exam.
(2) Reading material.
(3) Model question paper containing 5 sets.

Cost of one complete set is Rs 1000/- (Rupees One thousand only). Remittance should be made by eMO only to the following address:

Publication Division, Postal Training Centre, Vadodara – 390022

Publications will be sent by speed post. Please write your complete address with PIN code in the communication portion of the MO form.

Rs 16 lakh fraud at Tivim Sub Post Office 403502 in North Goa

2010-03-13T05:46:00.000+05:30

MAPUSA: Devidas V Mandrekar, from Sal-Bicholim, has been booked by the Mapusa police for committing a fraud of Rs 16,89,672.

According to the police, Mr Ratnakar Topare, the post inspector from Mapusa sub-division post office, has complained that the accused working as a postmaster of Tivim, at the Tivim sub-post office, has committed a misappropriation of Rs 16,89,672, prior to March 9 this year. It is learnt that the accused has also been missing from March 6, which prompted the Mapusa inspector to inquire into his absence, wherein this fraud came to light. Interestingly a missing complaint has also been filed at the Bicholim police station by the family of the accused.

Source : NavHnidi Times

There is no proposal to alter the terms and conditions of engagement already enjoyed by the Gramin Dak Sevaks.

2010-03-11T19:07:00.000+05:30

There is no proposal to alter the terms and conditions of engagement already enjoyed by the Gramin Dak Sevaks. In this context, the Apex Court have held that Gramin Dak Sevaks are holders of civil post outside the regular civil service. Gramin Dak Sevaks and regular employees of the Government belong to two distinct and separate groups. There is no parity in terms and conditions of employment between the Central Government regular employees and Gramin Dak Sevaks. The Gramin Dak Sevaks are governed by separate set of Conduct and Employment Rules, 2001 which are non-statutory in nature and not framed under Article 309 of the Constitution. They are not covered by Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, Fundamental & Supplementary Rules, Leave Rules, Central Civil Services (Recognition of Service Association) Rules, 1993 which apply only to regular Government servants. Gramin Dak Sevak work on a part time basis ranging from three hours to five hours per day and are discharged after attaining 65 years of age.
They are paid Time Related Continuity Allowance on a pro-rata basis. They are also paid discharge benefits like ex-gratia gratuity & severance amount at the time of discharge. The women Gramin Dak Sevak are, now, paid maternity grant equivalent to 3 months Time Related Continuity Allowance for the birth of two children. Gramin Dak Sevaks are also eligible for 20 days paid leave in a year.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology, Shri Gurudas Kamat in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Source : Press Information Bureau

India Post as a Point of Presence (POP) for New Pension Scheme (NPS) on behalf of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

2010-03-08T20:04:00.000+05:30

Coimbatore March 7, 2010 :Commissioner of Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax, C. Rajendiran on Saturday launched the New Pension Scheme (NPS) through India Post as a Point of Presence (POP) wherein the Head Post Offices would initially market the scheme.

Launching the scheme, Mr. Rajendiran said that post offices were a bridge between people and Government departments. The Department would play a pivotal role in every one's life. “Change is a must for growth and post offices have changed over a period both in terms of appearance as well as services”.

He exhorted the postal staff to follow a corporate culture and be a trendsetter for others to emulate and pointed out that network and identity with the people was the strength of the department.

The Postmaster General, Mr. Rajarajan, said that the Department would act as a POP for extending the new pension scheme on behalf of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

The scheme was being made available through head post offices on an experimental basis in Coimbatore region of Tamil Nadu and Southern Region of Karnataka. In the first phase, 21 head post offices in the nine districts of Western Region namely Coimbatore, R.S. Puram, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Erode, Bhavani, Gobichettipalayam, Namakkal, Tiruchengode, Udhagamandalam, Coonoor, Pollachi, Udumalpet, Salem, Aatur, Suramangalam, Tirupur, Dharapuram, Mettupalayam, Tirupattur and Gudiayattam will act as POP. The department would operationalise the NPS in terms of subscriber registration for opening new pension account, acceptance of forms, verification, processing and forwarding the forms to Central Record Agency-Facilitation Centre, initial contribution processing, regular subscriber contribution upload through Meghdoot Software, subscriber servicing, grievance handling and MIS uploading.

Any Indian citizen in the age group of 18 to 55 years could join and continue till 60 years. Minimum contribution is Rs. 500 a month and Rs 6,000 per annum and there should be a minimum of four contributions. Account holders could decide on the frequency and extent of contribution across the year as per their grievance. Subscribers' contribution would be invested as per the scheme preference opted by the subscriber and options are low risk: low returns, moderate risk: moderate returns and high risk and high returns. The subscriber could opt for the options failing which the investment would be done in auto choice considering the age of the subscriber. The pension contribution would be invested in various schemes by any one of the seven pension fund managers appointed by PFRDA. The return on investments would be in the range of six to seven per cent.

Courtesy : The Hindu

Union Minister for Communications and IT Shri A. Raja launched the ‘My Child First’ initiative under the Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPIL) Scheme of our Department at Avinashi Post Office

2010-03-08T19:48:00.000+05:30

Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology A. Raja on Sunday launched the ‘My Child First’ initiative under the Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPIL) Scheme of India Post at Avinashi Post Office on 1.3.2010.
The concept is aimed at promoting the habit of investing in insurance scheme among families in rural areas for securing means to provide higher education to their children. Explaining the salient features, Mr. Raja said that the insurance cover ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 3 lakh would provide the insured with adequate funds to take care of the education of their children on its maturity after 15 years. The premium paid by the insured would go into a corpus and the entire earnings would be returned to them with bonus.
“The amount insured will thus get doubled in 15 years,” he added.
The Minister announced that Avinashi sub-post office would be given a thorough makeover both in terms of physical outlook as well as upgrading delivery of services through IT-enabled procedures under the ‘Project Arrow’ scheme of the Department of Posts before March end.
Courtesy : The Hindu

Post offices in Mysore will accept bills of Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC)

2010-03-04T04:58:00.000+05:30

A newsitem published in Times of India, Mysore on 2.3.2010 is reproduced below for information.

MYSORE: For convenience of people, India Post has entered into an agreement with Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) for acceptance of electricity bills at the post offices in the city.

The bills will be accepted in about 30 offices in the city.

They are: Mysore Head Post Office, Bannimantap, Bogadi, Devaraja Mohalla, Jayalakshmipuram, K R Circle, Krishnamurthypuram, Lakshmipuram, Mandi Mohalla, Mysore Fort, Mysore South, Narasimha Raja Mohalla, Siddharthanagar, University Campus, Vijayanagar II stage, Saraswathipuram head post office, Belavadi, Chamundi Extension, Ittigegud, Jayanagar, K R Mohalla, Kuvempunagar, Manasagangotri, Metagalli, Mysore Law Courts, Mysore University, Ramakrishnanagar, Udayagiri, V V Mohalla and Yadavagiri.

Source : Times of India, Mysore

Re-employed pensioners are also eligible for 10 days encashment of leave - clarifications issued by DOPT

2010-03-04T04:45:00.000+05:30

Department of Personnel and Training in Memo No.1402811/2010-Estt.(L) dated 2.3.2010 has issued clarification on the above subject as under:-

The undersigned is directed to refer to DOP&T O.M.No.3 1 0 1 1 /4/2008-Estt.(A), dated 231d September, 2008 allowiiig encashment of earned leave alongwith LTC and to say that various references are being received froin Mnistriesmepartments with regard to the applicability of encashment of earned leave by re-employed pensioners.

2. In this regard, it is clarified that re-employed pensioner will be entitled to encashinent of Earned Leave aloiigwith LTC during the period of re-empioyment upto the linlit of 60 days in accordance with Rule 38-A (including the no. of days for which encashment has been allowed alongwith Leave Travel Concession while in service) provided he is entitled to LTC.

Department of Personnel and Training Memo dated 2.3.2010

Income Tax Rates 2010-11 (Assessment Year 2011-12)

2010-02-28T13:17:00.000+05:30

The income tax rate for the year 2010-2011 (Assessment year 2011-2012) announced by the Government is given below. The taxable income should be arrived after deducting maximum savings of Rs 1,00,000, HRA Exemption etc. i.e Taxable income = Gross Income - (Savings Rs 1,00,000 + HRA Exemption + HBA Interest + Rs 20,000 for infrastructure bonds)

In case of individual (other than II and III below) and HUF

	Income Level	Income Tax Rate
i.	Where the total income does not exceed Rs.1,60,000/-.	NIL
ii.	Where the total income exceeds Rs.1,60,000/- but does not exceed Rs.5,00,000/-.	10% of amount by which the total income exceeds Rs. 1,60,000/-
iii.	Where the total income exceeds Rs.5,00,000/- but does not exceed Rs.8,00,000/-.	Rs. 34,000/- + 20% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.5,00,000/-.
iv.	Where the total income exceeds Rs.8,00,000/-.	Rs. 94,000/- + 30% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.8,00,000/-.

II. In case of individual being a woman resident in India and below the age of 65 years at any time during the previous year:-

	Income Level	Income Tax Rate
i.	Where the total income does not exceed Rs.1,90,000/-.	NIL
ii.	Where total income exceeds Rs.1,90,000/- but does not exceed Rs.5,00,000/-.	10% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.1,90,000/-.
iii.	Where the total income exceeds Rs.5,00,000/- but does not exceed Rs.8,00,000/-.	Rs. 31,000- + 20% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.5,00,000/-.
iv.	Where the total income exceeds Rs.8,00,000/-	Rs.91,000/- + 30% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.8,00,000/-.

III. In case of an individual resident who is of the age of 65 years or more at any time during the previous year:-

	Income Level	Income Tax Rate
i.	Where the total income does not exceed Rs.2,40,000/-.	NIL
ii.	Where the total income exceeds Rs.2,40,000/- but does not exceed Rs.5,00,000/-	10% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.2,40,000/-.
iii.	Where the total income exceeds Rs.5,00,000/- but does not exceed Rs.8,00,000/-	Rs.26,000/- + 20% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.5,00,000/-.
iv.	Where the total income exceeds Rs.8,00,000/-	Rs.86,000/- + 30% of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs.8,00,000/-.

Surcharge: The surcharge on Income Tax for Individuals for total income exceeding Rs.10 lacs stands removed.

Education Cess: 3% of the Income-tax.

Letters addressed to 'Ganga Maiya', the river goddess are delivered(?) by a post office in Kachhla town of Uttar Pradesh.

2010-02-21T19:36:00.000+05:30

An article published in the Yahoo News on 19.2.2010 is reproduced below which is very interesting to read.

Fri, Feb 19 10:59 AM Badaun, Feb 19 (IANS) They are addressed to 'Ganga Maiya', the river goddess. And the letters come in scores every day to a small post office only a few metres away from the banks of the Ganga river in Kachhla town of Uttar Pradesh.

The residents of the town in Badaun district, some 250 km from Lucknow, write to the river - held sacred in India - on auspicious occasions as well as in times of distress in the hope of being blessed by Ganga Maiya.

What's more, the letters are collected without fail by postmen and 'handed over' to the river!

'It is believed that the tradition of writing letters to Ganga Maiya is over 100 years old,' Sukhdev Prasad, 65, a retired primary school teacher, told IANS.

No one actually knows how it began. But people say it has something to do with the belief that the water of the river had therapeutic properties.

'Our forefathers started consuming Gangajal (the river water) to treat chronic diseases. With this perhaps started the tradition of writing letters in which they mentioned the symptoms of a particular disease that afflicted them,' added Prasad.

According to local people, initially the patients or their family members used to 'hand over' the letters to the river by dropping them into the water.

'With the passage of time, the tradition of writing letters to Ganga Maiya acquired more popularity and not only people from Kachhla but also from adjoining districts started posting letters addressed to the Kachhla post office,' Mukhram Singh, 58, who runs a small garments shop in the town, told IANS.

Today those dashing off letters don't just pray for a cure to their ailments; they write on auspicious occasions as well.

Once the letters reach the Kachhla post office, the postmen take them to the river bank and drop them into the water.

'Be it any festival - Holi, Diwali, or birthdays, marriages, mundan (tonsure ceremonies) or house warming, people seek blessings from Ganga Maiya by writing letters,' Satya Pal Singh, a sugarcane farmer, told IANS.

'Residents here believe the letter serves as an invitation to Ganga Maiya, who will then visit their home and bless them, in turn bringing good luck and prosperity,' he added.

According to officials at the Kachhla post office, on an average they receive nearly 50-60 letters addressed to Ganga Maiya every day.

'Though we receive 50-60 letters daily, the number goes up to 200-300 during weddings and other festivities,' Rambhajan Sotia, a postman attached to Kachhla post-office, told IANS.

Sotia himself feels he is 'lucky' to get a chance to bow before the holy river almost daily.

'I am really lucky...I believe it is only by god's grace that I have got the opportunity to seek blessings of Ganga Maiya even while doing my job,' added Sotia.

(Asit Srivastava can be contacted at asit.s@ians.in)
-Indo-Asian News Service
asit/pg
Asit Srivastava

Click here to see the article

Department worked out a system of allocation of points to various attributes based on a 100 point-scale for Compassionate Appointment cases

2010-02-20T14:00:00.000+05:30

Department has worked our a system of allocation of points to various attributes based on a hundred point-scale as indicated below to assess the degree of indigence among all applicants considered for compassionate appointment within the prescribed ceiling of 5% of the direct recruitment vacancies in the letter No 37-36/2004-SPB-1/C dated 20.1.2010:-

(a)FAMILY PENSION (BASIC EXCLUDING DA&ALLOWANCES)

SlNo	Points	Proposed slab for Deptt. of Posts
1	20	Upto 5000
2	18	5001-8000
3	16	8001-11000
4	14	11001-14000
5	12	14001-17000
6	10	17001-20000
7	8	20001-23000
8	6	Above 23000

(b)Terminal benefits (DCRG, GPF, CGEGIS, Leave encashment & Pension Commutation)

SlNo	Points	Proposed slab for Deptt. of Posts
1	10	Upto 1,40,000
2	9	1,40,001-168000
3	8	18001-196000
4	7	196001-224000
5	6	224001-252000
6	5	252001-280000
7	4	280001-308000
8	3	308001-336000
9	2	336001-364000
10	1	364001-420000
11	0	420001 & above

(c)Monthly income of earning members and income from property

Sl No	Points	Proposed slab for Deptt. of Posts
1	5	No income
2	4	2500 or less
3	3	2501-3500
4	2	3501-4500
5	1	4501-5500
6	0	5500 & above

(d) Moveable/Immovable Property

Sl No	Points	Proposed slab for Deptt. of Posts
1	10	Nil
2	8	Upto 1,50,000
3	6	1,50,001-3,00,000
4	3	3,00,001-6,00,000
5	1	6,00,001-10,00,000
6	0	above 10,00,000

(e)No of dependents - Points

Dependents	Points
(i) 3 and above	15
(ii) 2	10
(iii)1	5

(f)No of Unmarried daughters - Points

Unmarried daughters	Points
(i) 3 and above	15
(ii) 2	10
(iii)1	5
(iv)None	0

(g)No of Minor children - Points

Minor Children	Points
(i) 3 and above	15
(ii) 2	10
(iii)1	5
(iv)None	0

(h)Left over Service - Points

Left over service	Points
(i) Over 20 years	10
(ii) Over 15 & Upto 20 years	8
(iii)Over 10 & Upto 15 years	6
(iv)Over 5 & Upto 10 years	4
(iv)0 - 5 years	2

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, CASES WHERE THE WIFE OF THE DECEASED OFFICIAL HAS APPLIED FOR COMPASSIONATE APPOINTMENT FOR HERSELF, SHE SHALL GET 15 ADDITIONAL POINTS AS GRACE POINTS. THIS WILL BE IN LINE WITH THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE THAT THE WIDOW NEDS TO BE GIVEN PREFERENCE FOR COMPASSIONATE APPOINTMENT

Speed post work outsourced to private agency

2010-02-18T06:02:00.000+05:30

Maharashtra Circle outsourced the Speed processing in Mumbai. Newsitem published in Indian Express on 16.2.2010 is reproduced below for information:-

Pune: In order to bring in more professionalism and efficiency into its Speed Post services, the Postal Department has tied up with a private entity to outsource its work. This private agency would only be involved in processing the Speed Post mail posted by the top 25 customers of the post, who provide them business in bulk.

The Speed Post processing centre at Kharadi will be inaugurated by M S Bali, the Chief Postmaster General of Maharashtra and Goa in Viman Nagar on Tuesday .

Along with this service, the Beat Code Mapping of Postal Addresses for customers of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will also be inaugurated.

Talking about this development, Col K C Mishra, Post Master General (Marketing and Technology) said, “After successfully implementing the project in Mumbai on a trial basis, we are going to introduce the same system in Pune as well. Even though there are many customers who provide us mail in bulk, we will be providing this service for the top 25 customers only.”

The system is called Speed Post and Express Parcel Post Processing Centre. This centre will be located at Kharadi. Millennium Soft-Tech Pvt Ltd will run this service under the supervision of postal department.

This private agency would pick up the parcel from the customer. The parcel would then be scanned and later provided with a barcode. After this, the mail will be sorted out, sealed and sent to the transit mail office of the at the railway station. “We tied up with a private agency, because, we were finding it tough to manage the Speed Post with the existing workforce. Our top customers had started complaining about the delayed mails,” Mishra said.

Click here to see the newsitem

Madhanagopalapuram sub post-office in Tamilnadu bagged first prize in Project Arrow Phase - I

2010-02-18T05:55:00.000+05:30

Two post offices in Perambalur district in Tamil Nadu, viz. the Madhanagopalapuram sub post-office and the Perambalur Head Post Office, brought laurels to Tamil Nadu by bagging the first and third prizes respectively in the country for successful implementation of ‘Project Arrow’ scheme (Phase I) launched by the Department of Posts in 50 post offices in the country in August 2008 to enhance the look and feel of post offices and to provide enhanced services to comman man in rural areas on par with the services available in metropolitan cities.

The Postal Department and an external audit agency that reviewed the performance of the implementation of ‘Project Arrow’ scheme in all the 50 post offices in the country had adjudged the Madhanagopalapuram sub post office to receive the first prize and the Perambalur HPO the third prize.

Four employees of the Madhanagopalapuram sub post office -- S.Baskharan, now Superintendent of Post Offices, Pattukkottai, P.Ramani, Inspector of Post Offices, Perambalur, P.Sandanadorai, Sub Postmaster, Madanagopalapuram Post office and C.Sasikumar, Deputy Systems Manager, Perambalur, were deputed by the Postal Department to Bangkok for a week-long special training programme at Asian Pacific Postal College under the scheme ‘Rewards and Recognition of Project Arrow’.

Thirty one officials and staff of the Perambalur Head Post Office were presented with a total cash prize amount of Rs. 1 lakh and each got a prize money ranging from Rs.1,000 to Rs.5,000.

S. K. Chakrabarti, Chief Postmaster General, Tamil Nadu Circle, on Sunday honoured K. Raju, Postmaster of Perambalur HPO and his team of staff in the HPO with cash prizes at a simple function held at Puliancholai village near Thuraiyur in Tiruchi district.

S. P. Rajalingam, Postmaster General, Central Region, Tiruchi, felicitated the award-winners.

Revised Norms for Postmen Establishment

2010-02-12T13:27:00.000+05:30

Department in Memo No 9-1/2005-WSI/PE-I dated 5.2.2010 has revised the norms for Postmen establishment as follows. The revised norms will also be applicable for GDS MD as per note below Rule 106 of Volume VI Part III.

The Head of Circles and Regional PMsG are requested to undertake a review of the implementation of revised norms after six months and provide the for assessing the impact of new norms and undetaking a fresh review if considered necessary.

Sl No	Item	Congested areas in Minutes	Less congested areas in minutes	Remarks
1	Delivery of unregistered mail (other than in multistoried buildings)	0.72	0.72	-
2	Delivery of unregistered mail in multistoried buildings	0.42	0.42	Note 1 below
3	Delivery of unregistered mail in bulk	2.00 for delivery of seven articles	2.00 for delivery of seven articles	Note 2 below
4	Registered and Parcel mail (including insured value payable and speed post articles	2.50	2.50	-
5	Delivery of Registered and Parcel mail under special lists	4.50 per list	4.40 per list	-
6	Delivery of Value Payable and CD articles	3.00	3.00	-
7	Return of value payable & CD articles	2.50	2.50	-
8	Money Orders Paid	3.85	3.85	-
9	Money orders returned unpaid	2.50	2.50	-
10	Unpaid articles	2.00	2.00	-
11	Delivery of Speed post articles	2.00	2.00	-
12	Delivery of insured articles	3.50	3.50	-
13	Return of insured articles	2.50	2.50	-
14	Delivery of Accountable articles in multistoried building	1.80	1.80	Note 3 below
15	Returns by Postman	20 Mts maximum	20 Mts Maximum	Note 4 below
16	Distance travelled	19 Mts per KM by foot 10 Mts per KM by Bicycle	12 Mts per KM by foot 06 Mts per KM by Bicycle	-

Note 1. Multi storied buildings denote high rise buildings with 4 or more storey

Note 2. Bulk addressee is defined as a single person or firm receiving 7 or more unregustered articles in a day. Therefore, the bulk articles as per revised definition have to be segregated and counted separately. Each bulk Addressee in receipt of 7 or more articles will be given a time factor of 2 Mts. There is no need for deduction of this workload from the total work load as is done now. To illustrate, if a particular Post Office is in receipt of 600 unregistered articles, other than bulk mail, it has to be multiplied by 0.72 and if it receives 80 articles for 7 bulk addressees then, the work for delivery of bulk mail would be 7X2 mts = 14 mts

Note 3. The norm provided at Sl no 13 is in addition to normal time factor provided for different accountable articles, In view of the introduction of this norm, separate statistics is to be maintained for accountable articles to be deliverable in high rise buildings of 4 or more storey.

Note 4.The norm provided for rendering returns by Postman of Sl No 14 is Maximum time that can be allowed per day. The individual time factors provided for return of accountable articles at Sl no 7, 9 and 13 will be applied and allowed if the workload is less than 20 mts. By application of the norms, if the workload for rendering returns works out more than 20 mts, the maximum limit of 20 mts will be applied.

Note 5. Articles delivered through Postboxes/Post bags and through window of the Post office will be excluded from the purview of delivery of unregistered articles.

Note 6. The figures of Accountable Articles should be average of six days statistics collected in the middle of the month and furnished by the incharge of delivery post office.

Note 7. The Postmaster/Sub Postmaster will furnish six days figures for unregistered mail. The verifying officer has to collect two days personal figures in the middle of week and the least of two averages will be adopted for assessing the work load.

Note 8. After having a dencity of population of 2500 per sq. km may be taken as congested area

Note 9. For postmen doing delivery of single beat system their staff hours has to be taken at 450 mts per day and doing delivery in two batches, the staff hours is to be taken as 420 mts per day.

Note 10. The number of Postman justified will be arrived at by dividing the total work load by 450 mts or 420 mts as the case may be. Additional Postman will be sanctioned if the work load is 0.5 or more.

Note 11. Distance travelled means distance covered on the main roads, lanes and bye lanes. Distance travelled covered for entering various houses is included in time factor for delivery of articles.

Department decided to allow Lady Inspector Posts selected through Department Examrinatioin and through SSC to Circles of their choice/Place of posting of their spouse

2010-02-12T12:42:00.000+05:30

Department of posts in letter No A-34013/01/2009-DE/SPB-II dated 05.02.2010 addressed to All Chief PMGs has decided to consider the requests of lady Inspectors of posts for transfer to Cirele of their choice/place of posting of their spouse with the following conditions:-

I. The transfer will be allowed under Rule 38 of P&T Volume - IV without provision of minimum service in the grade of Inspectors of Posts but subject to other conditions laid down in the said rule.

II. The CPMG of the Circle where the lady Inspectors of Posts is working would be competent to permit such transfer in consultation with the CPMG of the Circle where the transfer is sought for by the individual.

III. In order to maintain the representation of promotees and direct recruits, a surplus qualified lady candidate may be allowed to seek transfer against a vacancy meant for promotion to be filled up on the basis of Departmental Examination and a lady Inspectors of Posts appointed on the basis of Direct Recruitment may be allowed transfer against a vacancy meant to be filled up by Direct Recruitment in the Circle to which the transfer has been sought for.

IV. Further in order to maintain the representation of SC/ST/OC in the case of surplus candidates appointed by promotion on the basis of Departmental Examination and SC/ST/OBC/OC in the case of Inspectors of Posts appointed by Direct recruitment, a lady Inspectors of Posts belonging to one category may be allowed transfer against the vacant post of the same category in the desired Circle.

V. As the Department has reported 276 vacancies of Inspectors of Posts pertaining to the years 2006,2007 and 2008 to be filled by Direct Recruitment and the SSC has already taken into account the said vacancies with the reported break up for SC/ST/OBC/OC and have since declared the result of writtten part of the Combined Graduate Level Examination, these vacancies shall not be taken into consideration while entertaining requests for transfer received, if any.

Hand-held mobile terminals for Speed Post services supplied to Delivery staff at T. Nagar Post Office, Chennai

2010-02-08T20:25:00.000+05:30

On Saturday hand-held mobile terminals for Speed Post services were supplied to the delivery officials at T. Nagar and Teynampet Post offices. With this this system, customers in these areas will now be able to get their deliveries in a faster manner.

The officials would carry instruments that would record digital signatures of the customers. The senders could soon track the status of the posts through Internet. Ten postmen who would be given the devices would be able to deliver 10,000 Speed Posts daily.

Smt. Sunita Trivedi, Chief General Manager, Business Development and Marketing Directorate, Department of Posts, New Delhi inaugurated the facility.

Rs 40 lakh looted from post office

2010-02-08T20:20:00.001+05:30

Sonarpur (WB), Feb 8 (PTI) Six armed miscreants today looted Rs 40 lakh and critically injured two persons during a daring robbery incident at a local post office in West Bengal's South 24-Parganas district.

The incident took place when money was being transferred from the Sonarpur post office to the nearby police station in the morning, police said.

When the post master and a policeman tried to put up a resistance, the armed group fired at them and critically injured the duo at the doorstep of the post office.

The miscreants, then, decamped with the booty, police said, adding the injured were rushed to a nearby nursing home.

Source - PTI News