Cabinet approves 7% hike in DA for Central Govt. Employees.

The Cabinet on Monday (24/9/2012) approved a hike of 7% in dearness allowance (DA) for central government employees. This means, the DA will now be 72 per cent from the current 65 per cent of basic pay.



The decision, which would benefit about 50 lakh of employees and 30 lakh pensioners of the central government, comes in the backdrop of government increasing the diesel price by Rs 5 per litre and retail inflation crossing the double digit mark.


The government had increased DA last in March this year from 58% to 65%, which was effective from January 1, 2012. The current hike will be effective from July 1 this year and employees would be entitled for arrears from this date.

The government periodically hikes the DA, which is linked to consumer price index for industrial workers. The consumer price index (CPI) based on movement in retail prices, soared to 10.03% in August, from 9.86% in July

Five tips to select a savings account

If you don't research before opening a savings account, you may end up earning a lower interest rate or paying more for certain services. To maximise your earning potential and minimise your losses, ET lists the things you should consider before choosing the account.






INTEREST RATES



Though a savings account offers meagre interest rates compared with other investing avenues, you do need to park some cash here for ready availability and it doesn't hurt to choose the one that offers the highest rate. After the RBI deregulated interest rates on savings accounts in October 2011, banks have started offering variable rates.



Currently, YES BankBSE 1.14 % is giving a return of 7% a year for a balance of more than 1 lakh and 6% a year for balance of up to 1 lakh. Kotak Mahindra BankBSE 0.63 % has on offer 6% a year for deposits of more than 1 lakh and 5.5% a year on balance of up to 1 lakh. Though 0.1% seems too minuscule a difference, it can add up to a reasonable sum for higher savings. However, keep in mind that higher promotional interest rates can fall later, so choose your account according to your savings plan. Opt for stable rates if you are in it for the long term.



MINIMUM BALANCE



Go for a savings account that requires you to park a low or nil minimum monthly/quarterly average balance. This is because in case of non-compliance , you will have to pay a penalty, which can be as high as 350 a month. While ICICI BankBSE 0.00 % demands a minimum monthly average balance of 10,000, Standard Chartered's 'Breeze Banking' savings account is a zero-balance account for the first six months. After that, it demands a quarterly minimum balance of 25,000. Banks like the Oriental Bank of Commerce, Punjab National BankBSE 2.08 %, and now, the State Bank of IndiaBSE 1.54 % don't have the minimum balance criterion.



NET BANKING



Opt for a savings account in a bank that offers you the Net and mobile banking facilities since you can conduct transactions from the comfort of your home and office. This is especially important since most banks now charge you for specified physical transactions at the bank branch, whereas these are free if you conduct them online or over the phone.



For instance, HDFC BankBSE 0.23 % will charge you 50 for stop payment of a particular cheque, but this service is free if you conduct it through Net or phone banking. Similarly, it will cost you 100 if you ask for the issuance of a duplicate statement by going to a branch, but only 50 if you do it through Net banking. So go for the bank that offers you these facilities to reduce your outgo.



TRANSACTION CHARGES



Before choosing a savings account, make sure you read the fine print because most banks now charge extra for transactions or services that you were not paying for earlier and may not even avail of. For instance, did you know that the ICICI Bank charges 100 for the issuance of a duplicate passbook and 25 for the regeneration of your debit card PIN?



Source:-The Economic Times

LDCE for promotion to the cadre of Inspector Posts(66.66%) Departmental Quota for the year 2012

As communicated vide Department of Posts (DE Section) Letter No.A.34012/07/2012-DE dated 18^th September, 2012 the LDCE for promotion to the cadre of Inspector Posts(66.66%) Departmental Quota for the year 2012 will be conducted on 13^th and 14^th October, 2012.

The Examination will be conducted in all Circle Headquarters except Tamil Nadu Circle.

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi

Demand of Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/- for Inspector Posts rejected by MOF again.

Copy of letter of Shri Permanand posted in "Postal Inspectors Blog for Pay hike" is reproduced below for information. 

Dear Friends,

It is really sad to intimate that Department of Expenditure, MOF has rejected the demand for grade pay of Rs.4600 to Inspector (Posts) even after the full justification given by Hon’ble CAT Ernakulam Bench in its order dated 18.10.2011 in OA No. 381/2010 and the good viable proposal submitted by DoP. The official rejection letter is yet to be received. However, note sheet of the relevant file has been received under RTI from DoP.

2. As available in the note sheets (17/N), the DoP had sent the following proposal with concurrence of IFW and approval of Secretary (Posts) to Department of Expenditure, MOF:

“The hierarchical difference i.e non-availability of intermediary cadre like Assistant Superintendent Posts in CBDT/CBEC and CSS can be resolved by allowing Grade Pay of Rs.4600 to Inspector Posts in Department of Posts (a GCS Group B Non-Gazetted Post) and retaining its promotional cadre of Assistant Superintendent Posts (a GCS Group B Gazetted Post) also in the identical Grade Pay of Rs.4600. In the Accounts cadre, the cadre of Accounts Officer is in Grade Pay of Rs.5400 in PB-2. Its promotional post of Senior Accounts Officer is in Grade Pay of Rs.5400 in PB-3 & its further promotional post of ACAO also in Grade Pay of Rs.5400 in PB-3. This would not thereby involve upgradation in Grade Pays of Assistant Superintendent Posts and PS Group B.”

3. MOF has rejected the demand for Grade pay of Rs.4600 for Inspector (Posts) without examining the above proposal, and stated the following (written in red colour):

(I) There was no specific recommendation in para 7.6.14 to the effect that Inspector Post are granted Pre-revised pay scale of Rs. 6500-10500.

(It seems that MOF has not gone through the para 26 of Hon’ble CAT order dated 19.10.2011 in OA No. 381/2010, wherein the import of the observation of the Pay Commission has been clearly mentioned. Moreover, as mentioned in para 7.6.14 of 6thCPC report “…………With this upgradation, Inspector (Posts) shall come to lie in an identical pay as that of their promotional post of Assistant Superintendent (Posts) [ASPOs]. ASPOs shall, accordingly, be placed in the next higher pay scale of Rs.7450-11500………….”)

(II) Inspectors in CBEC/CBDT were placed in the scale of Rs.6500-10500 w.e.f 21.04.2004 i.e prior to 6th CPC by an executive order of the Govt. keeping in view of their parity with Inspectors of CBI/IB and court directions of CAT Jabalpur Bench. Further, Asstts. Of CSS have also been granted the pay scale of Rs.6500-10500 w.e.f 15.09.2006 on the basis of their traditional parity with Inspectors CBEC/CBDT. Further, it was the conscious decision of the Govt. to keep Asstts. In CSS/Inspector and analogous post in CBEC/CBDT in the higher pre-revised scale i.e Rs.7450-11500/- considering their pre-revising relativities, hierarchical structure, mode of recruitment etc. The mode of recruitment was not the only criteria as contended by the applicants in the OA. In various cases, Apex Court also opined that wholesale identity between two groups would involve matters relating to nature of work, educational qualification, mode of recruitment, experience etc.

(The details of the basis for increase from Rs.5500-9000 to Rs.6500- 10500 for Inspectors CBEC/CBDT w.e.f 21.04.2004 and for Assistants in CSS w.e.f 15.09.2006 along with the note sheet of the relevant file have been asked from MOF under RTI. Also, Documents available for establishing the “Traditional Parity” / wholesale identity between Inspectors CBEC/CBDT and Assistants in CSS have asked. MOF Response is awaited. Further, wholesale identity should be decided by the Expert body i.e Pay Commission. 5th & 6th CPC had rightly did so for Inspector (Posts) and granted equal pay scale/ grade pay to that of Inspectors CBDT/CBEC and Assistants in CSS. Apex Court in the case of State of West Bengal v. West Bengal Minimum Wages Inspectors Association, (2010) 5 SCC 225 wherein it has been stated as under:-

"23. It is now well settled that parity cannot be claimed merely on the basis that earlier the subject post and the reference category posts were carrying the same scale of pay. In fact, one of the functions of the Pay Commission is to identify the posts which deserve a higher scale of pay than what was earlier being enjoyed with reference to their duties and responsibilities, and extend such higher scale to those categories of posts.")

(III) It is pertinent to mention here that the OM dated 13.11.2009 and 16.11.2009 came into existence as a result of demand from various quarters of Govt. seeking upgradation for pre-revised scale of Rs.6500-10500 due to functional requirement. However, hierarchical structure of Inspector Posts does not demand such functional requirement, as post of ASP in the scale of Pay of Rs.9300-34800 GP of Rs.4600/- PB-2 corresponding to the pre-revised scale of Rs.7450-11500 still exists, even after implementation of 6th CPC.

(Regarding the hierarchical differences, a viable proposal was submitted by DoP wherein it was clearly mentioned that the hierarchical difference i.e. non-availability of intermediary cadre like Assistant Superintendent Posts in CBDT/CBEC and CSS can be resolved by allowing Grade Pay of Rs.4600 to Inspector Posts in Department of Posts (a GCS Group B Non-Gazetted Post) and retaining its promotional cadre of Assistant Superintendent Posts (a GCS Group B Gazetted Post) also in the identical Grade Pay of Rs.4600. The example of AO, Sr. AO & ACAO was also given in the proposal. But, MOF overlooked the same.)

(IV) Since Inspector Post have come in the Pay Scale of Rs.9300-3400 GP of Rs.4200/- PB-2 corresponding to pre-revised scale of Rs.6500-10500, the hierarchical posts in their cadre i.e ASP and SP had to be placed in the GP OF Rs.4600/- and Rs.4800/- respectively to maintain the relativity in the cadre. Moreover, the scale of other similarly placed posts i.e Asstt. Manager and Manager in mail Motor Service were also placed in the GP of Rs.4600/- and Rs.4800/- respectively. In case the demand of Inspector Posts for GP of Rs.4600/- is accepted, it will have cascading effect involving huge financial implications. Also, the demand for upgradation from similarly placed posts in Mail Motor Service etc. will arise immediately.

(In the proposal, it was clearly mentioned that this would not involve upgradation in Grade Pays of Assistant Superintendent Posts and PS Group B. Asst. Manager & Manager, Mail Motor Service are placed in the Grade pay of Rs.4600 & Rs.4800 respectively. Hence the imagination of MOF that In case the demand of Inspector Posts for GP of Rs.4600/- is accepted, the demand for upgradation from similarly placed posts in Mail Motor Service etc. will arise immediately, is hypothetical. Further, while submitting the proposal, DoP had given the figures for financial implications and for Inspector (posts), it is Rs. 1.01 crores only. Hence the ground that in case the demand of Inspector Posts for GP of Rs.4600/- is accepted, it will have cascading effect involving huge financial implications, does not hold any ground.)

(V) The duties and responsibilities assigned to Assistant of CSS and Inspector, CBDT/CBEC are quite different from Inspector (Posts). There is no comparison between Assistants CSS & Inspector CBDT/CBEC and Inspector (Posts). They are performing different duties in their respective cadres.

(As a matter of fact, the duties and responsibilities assigned to different cadres in different Department / Ministries will be different and after comparison only, specific pay scale/grade pay is given to particular cadres by the expert bodies i.e Pay Commission. The details regarding comparison of “Duties & Responsibilities” of Inspectors CBDT/CBEC and Inspector (Posts) have been asked from MOF under RTI.
Further, Para 30 of CAT Ernakulam Bench Order dated 19.10.2011 in OA No. 381/10 reproduced below:
“This Tribunal need not have to labour more to arrive at the finding that the functional responsibilities of the Inspector (Posts) are certainly onerous and evidently, it is on the basis of adequate justification that the successive Pay Commissions have appreciated the need to revise the pay scale of Inspector (Posts).”

4. It is very much clear from the grounds given by MOF that they were pre-determined not to allow Grade Pay of Rs.4600 to Inspector Posts in any case and they simply overlooked the full justification given by the Hon’ble CAT Ernakulam Bench and also the good viable proposal given by DoP. It can also be seen that the matter was disposed first time at the level of Jt. Secretary even after the clear instruction from Hon’ble CAT to re-look in the matter at the level of Secretary. It is also evident form the notings of the DoP at 28/N, which is reproduced below:
“Views taken by Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure contains neither any details of examination of the proposal made by this Department on 17/N nor reasoning based on which the proposal was admitted/rejected.”

5. Accordingly the file was re-referred to the Department of Expenditure, MOF. However, Department of Expenditure, MOF returned the file stating that:


“The matter has been examined in this Deptt. and AM is advised to issue a reasoned speaking order rejecting the claim of the applicants on the grounds indicated in U.O note dated 28.05.2012.
This issues with the approval of Finance (Secretary).”

6. Our case for upgradation of Grade pay of Inspector (Posts) to Rs.4600 under OA No. 381/2010, had already been considered by Hon’ble CAT Ernakulam Bench within the parameters prescribed by the Apex Court in respect of the powers of the Tribunal in dealing with the fixation of Pay scale and had viewd that :

(a) The decision of the Ministry of Finance does not appear to have taken into account the clear recommendation of the Sixth Pay Commission nor for that matter the full justifications given by the Department of Posts.

(b) The Tribunal is of the considered view that there is no justification in denying the Inspector (Posts) the higher Grade Pay of Rs 4600 when the same is admissible to Inspectors of other Departments with whom parity has been established by the very Sixth Pay Commission vide its report at para 7.6.14 extracted above. The Ministry of Finance has to have a re-look in the matter dispassionately at the level of Secretary keeping in view the aforesaid discussion.

7. From the documents received under RTI, the rejection of our demand of Grade pay of Rs.4600 for Inspector (Posts) has been disclosed. However, we may wait for the official rejection letter. Further, we wish to move to High Court at the earliest, to get Justice.

Views and comments are requested, so that we may move further.

Thanks.
Permanand

Change in Date of Birth/Age of Family Pensioners

 No. 1/23/2012-P&PW(E)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,

Khan Market, New Delhi

Dated: 13th September, 2012

Sub:        Change in Date of Birth/Age of Family Pensioners

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

In accordance with the instructions issued vide this Department's OM No.38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 21.5.2009, 11.8.2009,25.6.2010 & 28.9.2010 and OM No.1/19/11-P&PW(E) dated 3.8.2011, additional pension/family pension to old pensioners/family pensioners is allowed on the basis of the date of birth/age recorded in the Pension Payment Order (PPO) or other office records. Only in case the details regarding date of birth/age are not available in the PPO/office records, additional pension/family pension to old pensioners/family pensioners has been allowed on the basis of certain documents i.e. PAN Card, Matriculation certificate. Passport, CGHS Card, Driving Licence, Voter's ID Card and Aadhaar Number issued by VIDAL.

2.             During his service and at the time of retirement, a Government servant is required to give details of his family, including date of birth of its members, in Form 3. Date of birth/age of the members of family mentioned by the Government servant in Form 3 was not mandatory to be verified by the Head of Office. It is felt that in some case, the date of birth/age of a family pensioner, as recorded in the PPO/office records might be incorrect.

3.             Some representations have been received in this Department regarding the hardship being caused to old family pensioners in getting the additional pension on account of incorrect recording of the date of birth/age in the PPO. They have been requesting for allowing the change of date of birth in ~he PPO on the basis of the documents prescribed in the various OMs mentioned in Para I above.

4.             The matter has been considered in this Department in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure and the following decisions have· been made:

i.               Since the date of birth of the Government servant is recorded in the PPO on the basis of the service records and the date of superannuation etc. also is determined on the basis of this date of birth, there is no question of allowing change in the date of birth of the retired/deceased pensioner in the PPO.

ii.              The request for change of date of birth/age of the family pensioner (parents and spouse) in the PPO may be submitted by a pensioner/family pensioner to the Head of the Department of the organisation where the Government servant had last served along with at least one of the documents mentioned in Para 1 above and a declaration on a non-judicial stamp paper regarding the correct date of birth of the family pensioner. The Head of the Department may allow the change in the date of birth of the family pensioner if he is satisfied that the conditions indicated in this Department's OM No.38/37/08-P&PW (A) dated 21.5.2009 have been fulfilled and that a bona-fide mistake has been made in recording the date of birth in the PPO.

iii.             No other document will be accepted for allowing the change in date of birth/age of the family pensioner in the PPO.

iv.             In order to avoid any possibility of recording an incorrect date of birth in the PPO, in future, the Government servant may be required to submit one of the documents indicated in Para 1 above as proof of date of birth of spouse or parents along with the details of family in Form 3. In the case of children certificate of birth from the Municipal authorities or from the local panchayat or from the head of a recognised school if the child is studying in such a school or from a Board of Education may be accepted.

5.             As regards pensioners/family pensioners belonging to the Indian Audit and Accounts Departments, these Orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

6.             This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their J.D. No 428/E.V/2012, dated 27/8/2012.

7.             Hindi version will follow.

(Sujasha Choudhuy )

Deputy Secretary

Tel. No. 24635979

DOPT issued ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ (FAQ) on ‘Right to Information Act’ (RTI)

DOPT issued FAQ on RTI

Department of Personnel and Training has issued an another clarifications on Right to Information Act (RTI) as in the form of FAQ. Nearly seventeen questions and answers are compiled with simple and effective information. We reproduced the contents of the FAQ and given below for your reference…

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ON RTI (AS ON JANURARY 2012)

Q.1. What is Information?  

Information is any material in any form. It includes records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions,  advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data 

material held in any electronic form. It also includes information relating to any private body which can be accessed by the public authority under any law for the time being in force. 

Q.2 What is a Public Authority? 

A "public authority" is  any authority or body or institution of self government established or constituted by or under the Constitution; or by any other law made by the Parliament or a State Legislature; or by notification issued or order made by the Central Government or a State Government. The bodies owned, controlled or substantially financed by the Central Government or  a State Government and non-Government organisations substantially financed by the Central Government or a State Government also fall within the definition of public authority.  The financing of the body or the NGO by the Government may be direct or indirect.  

Q.3 What is a Public Information Officer? 

Public authorities have designated some of its officers as Public Information Officer.  They are responsible to give information to a person who seeks information under the RTI Act.

Q.4 What is an Assistant Public Information Officer? 

These are the officers at sub-divisional level to whom a person can give his RTI application or appeal.  These officers send the application or appeal to the Public Information Officer of the  public authority or the concerned appellate authority.  An Assistant Public  Information Officer is not responsible to supply the information. The Assistant Public Information  Officers appointed by the 

Department of Posts in various post offices are working as Assistant Public Information Officers for all the public authorities under the Government of India. 

Q.5. What is the Fee for Seeking Information from Central Government Public Authorities? 

A person who desires to seek  some information from a Central Government Public Authority is required to send, along with the application, a demand draft or a banker’s cheque or an Indian Postal Order of Rs.10/- (Rupees ten), payable to the Accounts Officer of the public authority as fee prescribed for seeking information.  The payment of fee can also be made by way of cash to the Accounts Officer of the public authority or to the Assistant Public Information Officer against proper receipt.  However, the RTI Fee and the mode of payment may  vary as under Section 27 and Section 28, of the RTI Act, 2005 the  appropriate Government and the competent authority, respectively, by notification  in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Q.6. What is the Fee for the BPL applicant for Seeking Information? 

If the applicant belongs to below poverty line (BPL) category, he is not required to pay any fee. However, he should submit a proof in support of his claim to belong to the below poverty line. 

Q.7. Is there any specific Format of Application? 

There is no prescribed format of application for seeking information. The application can be made on plain paper. The application should, however, have the name and complete postal address of the applicant. 

Q.8. Is it required to give any reason for seeking information? 

The information seeker is not required to give reasons for seeking information.

Q.9. Is there any provision for  exemption from Disclosure of Information? 

Sub-section (1) of section 8  and section 9 of the Act enumerate the types of information which is exempt from disclosure.  Sub-section (2) of section 8, however, provides that information exempted under sub-section (1) or exempted under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 can be disclosed if public interest in disclosure overweighs the harm to the protected interest.     

Q.10. Is there any assistance available to the Applicant for filing RTI application? 

If a person is unable to make a request in writing, he may seek the help of the Public Information  Officer to write his application and the Public Information Officer should render  him reasonable assistance.  Where a decision is taken to give access to a sensorily disabled person to any document, the Public Information Officer, shall provide such assistance to the person as may be appropriate for inspection.

Q.11. What is the Time Period for Supply of Information? 

In normal course, information to an applicant shall be supplied within 30 days from the receipt of application by the public authority.  If information sought concerns the life or liberty of a person, it shall be supplied within 48 hours.  In case the application is sent through the Assistant Public Information Officer or it is sent to a wrong public authority, five days shall be added to the period of thirty days or 48 hours, as the case may be.  

Q.12. Is there any provision of Appeal under the RTI Act? 

If an applicant is not supplied information within the prescribed time of thirty days or 48 hours,  as the case may be, or  is not satisfied with the information furnished to him,   he may prefer an appeal to the first appellate authority who is an officer senior in rank to the Public Information Officer.  Such an appeal, should be filed within a period of thirty days from the date on which the limit of 30 days of supply of information is expired or from the date on which the information or decision of the Public Information Officer is received. The appellate authority of the public authority shall dispose of the appeal within a period of thirty days or in exceptional cases within 45 days of the receipt of the appeal. 

Q.13. Is there any scope for second appeal under the RTI Act? 

If the first appellate authority fails to pass an order on the appeal within the prescribed period or if the appellant is not satisfied with the order of the first appellate authority, he may prefer a second appeal with the Central Information Commission within ninety  days from the date on which the decision should have been  made by the first appellate authority or was actually received by the appellant.

Q.14. Whether Complaints can be made under this Act? If yes, under what conditions? 

If any person is unable to submit a request to a  Public Information Officer either by reason that such an officer has not been appointed by the concerned public authority; or the Assistant Public Information Officer has refused to accept his or her application or appeal for forwarding the same to the Public Information Officer or the appellate authority, as the case may be;  or  he has been refused access to any information requested by him under the RTI Act; or he has not been given a response to a request for information within the time limit specified in the  Act; or he has been required to pay an amount of fee which he  considers unreasonable; or he believes that he has been given  incomplete, misleading or false information, he can make a complaint to the Information Commission. 

Q.15. What is Third Party Information? 

Third party in relation to the Act means a person  other than the citizen who has made request for information.  The definition of third party includes a public authority other than the public  authority to whom the request has been made.

Q.16. What is the Method of Seeking Information? 

A citizen who desires to obtain any information under the Act, should make an application to the Public Information Officer of the concerned public authority in writing in English or Hindi or in the official language of the area in which the application is made. The application should be precise and specific. He should  make payment of application fee at the time of submitting the application as prescribed in the Fee Rules. 

Q.17. Is there any organization(s) exempt from providing information under RTI Act? 

Yes, certain intelligence and security organisations  specified in the Second Schedule, are exempted from providing information excepting the information pertaining  to the allegations of corruption and human rights violations

BSNL Offer 3G Data Card Just For Rs.500 to Broadband Customers

In an endeavor to provide affordable and dedicated 3G Data service, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) today announced the launch of an exciting offer of plug-n-play 3G USB Dongle (3.6 Mbps 3G Data Card) at discounted price of just Rs.500 for its Broadband customer in Kolkata, Bangalore and Hydrabad.

Now BSNL’s existing Broadband in Kolkata, Bangalore and Hydrabad under Annual Payment Option or longer period commitment with any Broadband plan can get BSNL 3.6 Mbps 3G Data card worth Rs.1600 at payment of just Rs 500 (excluding 5% VAT).

While broadband customers BSNL Broadband (ADSL / VDSL)

customers with monthly rental of Rs. 600 or more can buy the same 3G Data Card for Rs 800 (excluding 5% VAT).

The above offer will be launched with effect from 15 September,2012 and valid up to 90 days from the date of launch. For more details visit BSNL Customer Care Center in Kolkata, Bangalore and Hydrabad.

BSNL 3G Data Card at Discounted Price for Broadband Customers in Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad
Broadband customers under Annual Payment Option or Longer Period Commitment with any plan	Rs.500
Broadband customers with Monthly Rental (FMC) of Rs.600 or more	Rs.800
Note: The above offer will be launched with effect from 15th September, 2012 and valid up to 90 days from the date of launch

Soon, the postman will knock, tablet in hand

Very soon, your friendly neighbourhood postman will bring along a tablet computer when he knocks at your door, to carry out all transactions related to delivery of cash, banking activities and a few more.

Infosys’ Vice-President and Head for India Business Raghu Cavale told Business Line that India Post is in talks with the IT major to source hardware and software for the next phase of its computerisation. This project will involve sourcing of low-cost 7-inch and 10-inch tablets and the development of apps for them. Infosys will also develop intellectual property (IP) out of its Bangalore office for these apps.

While the tablets will be used by the postman to enter data such as digital signatures and a delivery challan, the apps will be used by India Post to update its backend database in real time, helping it cut down on errors and fraud. India Post covers about 200 million customers across India and offers small savings schemes, postal life insurance, rural postal life insurance, pension payments and wage disbursements.

The postal department is looking at these solutions as a part of its modernisation drive and to increase operational effectiveness.

Growth forecast : 

On its part, Infosys sees its India business growing to about $1 billion in the next four years. It recently bagged a key IT outsourcing and consulting deal with India Post and another deal from the Income-Tax Department for its electronic TDS division.

At present, the India operations of Infosys contribute 2 per cent of its $7-billion revenues but the software major considers India one of its key emerging markets. This importance can be gauged from the fact that Infosys’ India business is one of the four verticals within Infosys that reports to the board directly.

The India Post project, which Infosys bagged recently, is worth Rs 700 crore. This project is aimed at spreading financial services across 1.5 lakh post offices in the country. As part of the project, Infosys will also install 1,000 ATMs for India Post to increase the effectiveness of its delivery channel.

                                              .....The Hindu Business Line, Sept 12, 2012

GS promoted to PS Gr. B cadre on adhoc basis.

General Secretary Shri Vilas S. Ingale has promoted to PS Gr. B cadre on adhoc basis. Today, he has taken over the charge of Superintendent (Stg.) APSO Inland, Mumbai 400 099. His office telephone no. is 022-26156662.

REAL PICTURE OF SAVING SCHEME IN POST OFFICES

he Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology ShSachin Pilot informed the Lok Sabha yesterday that the gross deposit of Small Savings Scheme in Post Offices  declined in the financial year 2011-12 as compared to the year 2010-11.                                                         

The decline of gross deposit in small savings schemes is, among other things, due to investor’s choice of alternative instruments for effecting savings. The Government has taken following measures to make the small saving schemes more attractive:-

 1.   The rate of interest on Post Office Savings Account (POSA) has been increased from 3.5% to 4%.  The ceiling of maximum balance in POSA 1lakh in single account and 2 lakh in joint account) has been removed.

 2.  The maturity period for Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) and National Savings Certificate (NSC) has been reduced from 6 years to 5 years.

 3.   A new NSC instrument, with maturity period of 10 years, has been introduced.

 4.  The annual ceiling on investment under Public Provident Fund (PPF) Scheme has been increased from ` 70,000 to ` 1 lakh.

 5.  Liquidity of Post Office Time Deposit (POTD) – 1, 2, 3 & 5 years – has been improved by allowing pre-mature withdrawal at a rate of interest 1% less than the time deposits of comparable maturity.  For pre-mature withdrawals between 6-12 months of investment,  Post Office Savings Account (POSA) rate of interest has been allowed.

 6.         Central and State Governments take various measures from time to time to promote and popularise small saving scheme through print and electronic media as well as by holding seminars, meetings and providing training to the various agencies involved in mobilising deposits under various small savings schemes. The rate of interest on Small Savings Schemes has been aligned with Government-Security rates of similar maturity with a spread of 25 basis points (bps) in all schemes except 10 Years National Savings Certificates (IX-Issue) and Sr. Citizens Savings Scheme where the spread of 50 bps and 100 bps has been given respectively (100 bps are equal to 1%).  Interest rate for every financial year will now be notified before 1^st April of that year.

There were 26,01,69,920   number of operational small savings accounts in the Post Offices as on 31.03.2012  and the amount deposited therein uptothe end of March 2012  was  Rs. 190732.73 crore .

2,84,10,593 accounts were closed by customers during financial year 2011-12. 

Inspector Posts Examination 2012 again postponed.

Inspectors Posts Examination 2012 scheduled to be held on 15th and 16th September, 2012 is postponed vide Directorate memo No. A-34012/07/2012-DE dated 6th September, 2012 till further order

Transfer and postings in the Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) of Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’

he following transfer / posting order in the Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) of Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’ has been communicated vide Department of Posts (Personnel Division) dated 31^st August, 2012.

  

Sl.No.	Name & Batch of Officer	Present Posting	Posting on transfer	Remarks
1	Ms. Kalpana Tiwari (IPoS-1978)	CGM(MB), Postal Dte, New Delhi	CGM( BD & M), BD&M Dte, New Delhi	Vice Sh. Y.P.S. Mohan transferred
2	Sh. S.K. Sinha (IPoS-1979)	CGM(PLI), PLI Directorate, New Delhi	CGM(MB), Postal Dte, New Delhi	Vice Ms. Kalpna Tiwari transferred
3	Sh. Y.P.S. Mohan (IPoS-1979)	CGM( BD & M), BD&M Dte, New Delhi	CPMG, Delhi Circle, New Delhi	Vice Ms. Rameshwari Handa retired on superannuation on 31-8-2012.
4	Sh. R.R.P Singh (IPoS-1980)	CPMG, Rajsthan Circle, Jaipur	CPMG, West Bengal Circle	Vice Ms. Humera Ahmed retired on superannuation on 31-8-2012.
5	Sh. Faiz Ur Rehman (IPoS-1979)	CPMG, Gujrat Circle, Ahmedabad	CGM(PLI), PLI Directorate, New Delhi	Vice Sh. S.K. Sinha transferred

TO FACILITATE CANDIDATES NOW ONLINE FORM FOR POSTAL ASSISTANT & SORTING ASSISTANT RECRUITMENT. APPLICATION FORM CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM WWW.INDIAPOST.GOV.IN WEBSITE.

Sale of forms for Postal Assistant sorting Assistant, Postal assistant for SBCO and mail motor is going on from 11th of August from identified Post Offices. Seeing the excessive crowd and demand of the form, India post has now decided to make these forms available online and can be downloaded from the India Post website www.indiapost.gov.in.It will facilitate the eligible candidates in getting the forms and save them from standing in queue as well as their time. For this purpose eligible candidates will send an email on the prescribed address and thus they will get the form in return on their own given email address.

A reference is invited to the notification dated 11.08.2012 of this wherein applications for recruitment to the cadre of Postal Assistants, Sorting Assistants, PA MMS,PA SBCO,PA RLO and PA foreign Post was issued inviting applications from the eligible candidates. The sale of Application forms through the identified Post Office counters has commenced from 11.08.2012. It is hereby informed that the Application forms for the above posts can also be downloaded from the India Post website (i.e. www.indiapost.gov.in) for enabling the applicants to download the same and for further submission within the stipulated date. The other terms and conditions issued in the original notification dated 11.08.2012 remain the same.

1. The applicants applying on the application form downloaded on line has to pay:

a) Rs. 50/- (Rs. Fifty) towards Application cost and Rs. 200/- (Rs. Two Hundred) towards examination fee. The fee for Application cost at Rs. 50 shall be paid by all the candidates. For Examination fee, Scheduled caste, Scheduled Tribes, Women, Physically Handicapped candidates are exempted.

b) Accordingly, the Unclassified Receipt/ ACG-67 receipt paid in any Post Office, for Rs.50 or Rs.250 as the same case may be, enclosed in original to the downloaded application form. The seven digit unique Registration number printed on downloaded Application form has to be noted on the backside of the fee receipt.

Revision of tariff for occupation of Inspection Quarters / Inspection Rooms in the Department of Posts.

This has a reference to Department of Posts(Estate Division) earlier Letter No. 6-2/2004-Bldg. dated 4-8-2005. As communicated vide Department of Posts (Estate Division) Letter No.6-5/2009-Bldg dated 27-08-2012 the rates for occupation of Inspection Quarters / Inspection Rooms is rationalized as follows:-

A)   Inspection Quarters / Inspection Rooms:

i)    For Officers of the Department of Posts while on duty / leave, retired officers of Department of Posts, other Government / PSU Officers on official visit and others for period of 10 days:

Sl. No.	Category of visitor in Inspection Quarters / Inspection Rooms	Rent per Day (More than six Hours)
		X Class Cities	Y & Z Class Cities
1.	Officers of Department of Posts on official visit	25/-	25/-
2.	Officers and dependent family members of Department of Posts on personal Visit	100/-	50/-
3.	Retired Officers of Department of Posts	100/-	50/-
4.	Other Government / PSU Officers on official visit and others	250/-	150/-

ii)       The charges for the use of :-

Air conditions        :-       20/- per day or a part thereof

Room Heaters                   :-          10/- per day or a part thereof

B)   Rates for officers for stay in Inspection Quarters/Inspection Rooms for periods exceeding 10 days:-

i)     For period exceeding 10 days and upto 60 days:-Same as in para (A) above {With permission of the Controlling Authority i.e. Head of the Circle}

ii)    For period beyond 60 days:- 10% of Basic pay (including special pay) [With permission of the DG Posts]

      The revised rates indicated above will take place with immediate effect.