Extension of Banking Hours on Saturday, 30th March, 2013 and Opening of All Agency Banks Collecting Direct Taxes on Friday, 29th March and on Sunday, 31st March, 2013

In view of the ensuing holidays in several parts of the country and keeping in view the likely rush of taxpayers to deposit direct taxes in the last week of March, 2013, the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) has directed all the agency banks receiving direct taxes from public to keep the counters of their designated bank branches collecting direct taxes open for transactions (full day with extended hours) on all the three days viz. Friday, 29th March, Saturday, 30th March as well as on Sunday, 31st March, 2013. All concerned may take advantage of the extended banking hours. 

Source : PIB

Transfer-posting of SAG officers of IPoS, Group "A" in Delhi Circle

1.  Sh. Sanjay Sharan (1988), PMG (BD, Tech & Mktg), Delhi Circle posted as DDG (PG, QA & I), Postal Directorate vice Sh. Rajinder Kashyap transferred.
2. Sh. Rajinder Kashyap (1989), DDG (PG, QA & I), Postal Directorate posted as PMG (BD, Tech & Mktg), Delhi Circle vice Sh. Sanjay Sharan transferred.

Authority : Postal Directorate Order No. 1-3/2013-SPG dated 25.03.2013

Interest rates for post office savings schemes cut

Millions of small savers and PPF account holders would be earning less on their post office savings schemes, with the government deciding to reduce interest rates on them marginally by 0.10 per cent.

The interest rate of Public Provident Fund (PPF) has been lowered from 8.8 per cent to 8.7 per cent with effect from April 1, said a Finance Ministry statement. However, the rates on savings deposit schemes and fixed deposits up to one year operated by the post offices have been kept unchanged at 4 per cent and 8.2 per cent, respectively.

Further, Monthly Income Schemes (MIS) of 5-year maturity will earn an interest of 8.4 per cent.

The National Savings Certificates (NSC) having maturity of five and 10 years will now attract 8.5 per cent and 8.8 per cent interest respectively, down 0.10 per cent each. The interest rates would be applicable for the entire 2013-14 fiscal.

The rate for senior citizens savings scheme (SCSS) has been fixed at 9.2 per cent, down from 9.3 per cent.

The revision in interest rates follows a decision taken by government last year to link the small savings returns with the market rate. The new rates are required to be announced at the beginning of a financial year.

The decision was in line with the recommendations of Shyamala Gopinath Committee, which had suggested that returns should be in sync with market rates determined by the returns offered by other securities.

Revised table is as under :

Scheme	Rate of Interest w.e.f. 01.04.2012	Rate of Interest w.e.f. 01.04.2013
1	2	3
Savings Deposit	4.0	4.0
1 Year Time Deposit	8.2	8.2
2 Year Time Deposit	8.3	8.2
3 Year Time Deposit	8.4	8.3
5 Year Time Deposit	8.5	8.4
5 Year Recurring Deposit	8.4	8.3
5 Year SCSS	9.3	9.2
5 Year MIS	8.5	8.4
5 Year NSC	8.6	8.5
10 Year NSC	8.9	8.8
PPF	8.8	8.7

Keywords: small savings account holder, PPF, post office savings schemes

Transfers and postings of SAG officers of IPoS, Group "A"

To view Postal Directorate Order No. 1-3/2013-SPG dated 25.03.2013, please CLICK HERE

List of CGHS Dispensaries working 24 hours in Delhi

Six Wellness Centres / Dispensaries are working 24 hours under Central Government Health Scheme in Delhi. The detailed list of wellness centres with contact numbers are given below...

Dispensaries working 24 hours
1.	South Avenue Wellness Centre	153, South Avenue , New Delhi-11	Telephone No. 23013490
2.	North Avenue Wellness Centre	31, North Avenue, New Delhi-1,	Telephone No. 23094420
3.	Zakir Husain Road Wellness Centre	CGHS Building, Dr. Z.H. Road, New Dehli	Telephone No. 23383724
4.	Telegraph Lane Wellness Centre	18-E, Telegraph Lane, New Delhi	Telephone No. 23326601
5.	Kingsways Camp Wellness Centre	CGHS Disp, KWC No. 60, New Police Line, Kingsway  Camp, Delhi	Telephone No. 27459411
6.	Timarpur Wellness Centre	Lancer Road, Timarpur, Delhi.	Telephone No. 23813808

Transfers and postings of JAG officers of IPoS, Group "A"

To view Postal Directorate Order No. 2-8/2013-SPG (pt.) dated 22.03.2013, please CLICK HERE

RECOVERY OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY DUES FROM DCRG/PENSION-CLARIFICATION ISSUED BY HON’BLE MINISTER V.NARAYANASAMY IN RAJYASABHA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2693

ANSWERED ON-21.03.2013

Recovery of dues from a Government servant

2693 . CHAUDHARY MUNABBAR SALEEM

(a) whether Cooperative Societies dues can be recovered from the Death-cum-retirement Gratuity, pension and other retirement benefit of Government servant;

(b) if so, under which rules and conditions; and

(c) if not, the reasons there for?

ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)

(a) to (c): In accordance with CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972 “Government dues as ascertained and assessed by the Head of Office which remain outstanding till the date of the retirement of the Government servant, shall be adjusted against the amount of the retirement gratuity or death gratuity becoming payable”. The expression ‘Government dues’ including dues pertaining to Government accommodation, a balance of house building or conveyance or any other advance, overpayment of pay and allowance or leave salary and arrears of income tax-deductible at source under Income Tax Act, 1961. In CCS(Pension) Rules, there is no provision to recover Cooperative Societies dues from Death-cum-retirement Gratuity, pension and other retirement benefits of the Government servant.

Source : http://rajyasabha.nic.in

Launching of Electronic Indian Postal Order — e'IPO'.

No. 1/44/2009-lR
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi

Dated the 22th March, 2013

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Electronic Indian Postal Order — launching of.

On the initiative of Department of Personnel and Training, Department of Posts has launched a service called "elPO (Electronic Indian Postal Order) w.e.f. 22.03.2013. This is a facility to purchase an Indian Postal Order electronically by paying a fee on-line through e-Post Office Portal i.e. http://www.epostoffice.gov.in. It can also be accessed through India Post website www.indiapost.gov.in . As per RTI Rules, 2012, fees may be paid by electronic means, if facility for receiving fees through electronic means is available with the public authority.

2. At present, this facility is provided only for Indian Citizens abroad across the globe to facilitate them to seek information from the Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs) under the RTI Act, 2005, Debit and Credit cards can be used to purchase elPO.

3. The user needs to get himself registered at the website. He has to select the Ministry/Department from whom he desires to seek the information under the RTI Act and the elPO so generated can be used to seek information from that Ministry/Department only. A printout of the elPO is required to be attached with the RTI application. If the RTI application is being filed electronically, elPO is required to be attached as an attachment.

4. It may be noted that this facility is only for purchasing an Indian Postal Order electronically. All the requirements for filing an RTI application as well as other provisions regarding eligibility, time limit, exemptions etc., as provided in the RTI Act, 2005 will continue to apply.

5. An elPO so generated must be used only once with an RTI application. To check any multiple use of the same elPO, the CPIOs shall maintain a record of the elPOs so received from Indian Citizens abroad. In case of any doubt, the details of elPO can be verified from the above mentioned site/portal of India Post.

sd/-
(Sandeep Jain)

Deputy Secretary

Source: www.persmin.nic.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02rti/1_44_2009-IR-22032013.pdf]

Setting up of Executive Lounge by Railways

An Executive Lounge has been opened at New Delhi railway station through Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation recently. Setting up of similar Executive Lounges at Bilaspur, Visakhapatnam, Patna, Nagpur, Agra, Jaipur and Bengaluru has been announced in the Railway Budget 2013-14. As per Policy, Executive Lounges are to be set up through IRCTC and hence no expenditure is incurred by Indian Railway. Executive Lounges are likely to have facilities such as wi-fi internet, buffet services, wash and change, concierge services for pre-departure and post-arrival assistance to passengers as per demand.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today. 

Source : PIB

Filing of CAT case at Ernakulam Bench for upgradation of GP

All documentation work to file OA at Hon'ble CAT Ernakulam Bench for up-gradation of Grade Pay of Inspector Posts from Rs. 4200/- to Rs. 4600/- completed. The case is likely to be filed very soon. 

Source : CHQ Blog

Revocation of suspension of Sh. Rahul Kaushik

Suspension of Sh. Rahul Kaushik, IPoS, JTS cadre has been revoked by the competent authority and he has been posted as APMG (Marketing), Circle Office against upgraded post.

Opening of Offices during the Last Week of March, 2013.

Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has decided to keep open its field formation offices on 29th, 30th & 31st March 2013 as a trade facilitation measure and as part of revenue collection exercise. All the field formations have also been directed to issue trade notices for the information of the trade.

Department of Financial Services has also been requested to issue instructions to have the banks open for longer hours on 26th, 28th and 30th March 2013 and open for at least half day on 27th and 29th (Gazetted holidays) and on 31st March (Sunday) . 

Source : PIB

Creamy layer bar for OBCs raised to Rs 6 lakh

NEW DELHI: Members of other backward classes earning over Rs 6 lakh annually will not be eligible for reservations in jobs and education with a group of ministers on Friday deciding to raise the 'creamy layer' bar from Rs 4.50 lakh as part of the revision done every four years.

The increase, however, marks a setback for the 'backward lobby' of ministers that blocked the proposal for fixing creamy layer at Rs 6 lakh in the Cabinet last June, arguing it did not reflect inflation. 'Creamy layer' is the income limit beyond which OBCs are not eligible for quotas.

A group of ministers headed by P Chidambaram is learnt to have weighed in favour of retaining the income level suggested by the social justice ministry that ran into resistance in the Cabinet last year. It included HRD minister Pallam Raju, social justice minister Selja and MoS in PMO V Narayanasamy.

While there were murmurs that the bar be raised further, the finance minister argued that keeping the quota net too high would crowd out the genuinely poor and the needy among backwards.

The higher the income ceiling, more the people would qualify for reservations with a greater inclusion of affluent sections. It is seen to disadvantage the poor among OBCs.

While the creamy layer would be final only once approved by the Union Cabinet, Narayanasamy's presence in the GoM suggests a sense of finality.

Narayanasamy, along with petroleum minister Veerappa Moily and overseas Indian affairs minister Vayalar Ravi, had opposed the Rs 6 lakh proposal in the Cabinet, saying that it should be at least Rs 7 lakh. The resistance forced the prime minister to refer the issue for consultations.

The Chidambaram-led ministerial panel's move to keep a "uniform Rs 6 lakh salary bar" is way below the recommendation made by National Commission for Backward Classes that it should be Rs 12 lakh in urban areas and Rs 9 lakh in rural areas.

The social justice ministry is learnt to have rebuffed NCBC on various counts. It argued against dual creamy layer for rural and urban areas, and questioned the panel for not doing due diligence.

The income ceiling was introduced at Rs 1 lakh in 1993 and was revised to Rs 2.50 lakh in 2004 and Rs 4.50 lakh in 2008.

As against NCBC's suggestion of Rs 12 lakh that reflected Mandal satraps' long-held aversion for the concept of creamy layer, the Centre seems to have been deterred by the backlash of a huge hike.

While there can be a judicial challenge arguing that setting the bar too low is designed to neutralize the income ceiling, there are fears in the ruling dispensation that quota for rich OBCs would lead to demands from upper castes that their poor too be given reservations.

Source:-The Times of India

New ITR Filing Procedure

The Government proposes to introduce new procedures/forms for filing Income Tax returns. Every year government notifies forms for filing of income-tax returns after incorporating the changes brought out by the Finance Act of the previous year and the suggestions received from stakeholders. The new forms for filing of income tax returns for the assessment year 2013-14 are proposed to be notified by the end of March, 2013.

This was stated by Minister of State for Finance, Shri S.S.Palanimanickam, in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today. 


Source : PIB

Holding of PA / SA Direct Recritment for the vacancies of 2011 and 2012--Tentative Schedule.

Transfer and posting in Inspector, Posts Cadre

1. Sh. Satyawan, IPO (PG-I), New Delhi West Dn. has been posted as IPO IInd Sub Dn., New Delhi South West Dn.
2. Sh. Vivek Kumar, IPO IInd Sub Dn., New Delhi South West Dn. has been posted as IPO (PG-I), New Delhi West Dn. (Proforma transfer)

Authority : Circle Office Meno No. Staff/BB-5/I. Posts/Deptt/08 Dated 14.03.2013

Circle Secretary joined as Sr. PM, IPHO

Shri R. D. Sharma, Manager (CC&M), SPC, AMPC, New Delhi-110037 has joined as Sr. Postmaster, Indraprastha HO, New Delhi-110002 w.e.f. 12.03.2013 vice Shri Udai Singh reverted as ASP on his own request.

India Post readies plan to start Bank

NEW DELHI: The Reserve Bank of India having opened the window for new bank licences, the postal department is finalizing the blueprint to set up a bank of its own at yourneighbourhood post office, a move that will challenge the dominance of large public sector lenders in smaller towns and rural India.

While the department already has a balance sheet of Rs 6.18 lakh crore, which includes deposits of around 5.5 lakh crore, it is expected to set up a new entity that will function as the bank. Transferring the existing deposit base to the bank or converting the entity into a bank will entail an initial capital base of around Rs 55,000 crore to meet RBI's requirement, which the government will find difficult to provide. So, the proposed bank will start with the minimum capital requirement of Rs 500 crore, said a source familiar with the development.

"This will benefit rural areas enormously. There are nearly 1.55 lakh post offices and no capital cost of building is required. We are connecting post offices. As it is, we are offering savings bank in post offices and this is a natural progression. The matter is under discussion with the finance ministry and RBI," communications and IT minister Kapil Sibal told TOI.

The postal department has appointed Ernst & Young as consultant for the project and based on the detailed project report, it will approach the Union cabinet for a final go ahead.


A source said that the new entity will have its own board and guidelines that comply with RBI regulations. Although there are several examples of postal departments getting into banking — ranging from the German and Italian model, to those in South Africa and Japan — sources said the India model will be a lot different given the country's vast geographical spread and low level of banking penetration.


Among the various suitors, the postal department has one of the strongest cases to set up a bank given its massive reach across the country with 1.53 lakh post offices, almost all offering savings bank facilities. In all, there are 23.3 crore savings bank accounts with deposits adding up to Rs 3.8 lakh crore at the end of March 2012. "In a way it is already a savings bank. All that we want to do is make it a commercial bank," said a source.

The plan is to penetrate rural areas and smaller towns, which is also in line with the government's stated aim of offering banking facilities in the hinterland. Over a period of time, services such as investment banking will be added so that the bank becomes a full-fledged financial services entity.

The postal department has already initiated steps to connect post offices through an electronic network, which will be useful while setting up a bank. Connectivity ensures that customers can transact business through any branch in the country. It has also ordered the procurement of over 800 ATMs

But manpower issues are going to be a big challenge. "Getting direction is one thing, developing or procuring capability is another thing altogether. If the regulator is convinced, capability will follow," said Ashvin Parekh, partner and national leader for financial services at consulting firm E&Y. Parekh, however, refused to discuss the issue further as his firm is advising the postal department on its banking foray.

Source : Times of India 14 March 2013.

Changes in Opening Time of CGHS Dispensaries

The Minister of Health and Family Welfare clarified in the Parliament pertaining to the issue of opening time of CGHS dispensaries…

The opening time of CGHS dispensaries in Delhi & NCR has been changed to 9.00 AM except in case of six dispensaries which are working for 24 hours a day. Working hours of CGHS dispensaries have been revised with a view to ensure optimum utilization of scarce manpower resources of CGHS to improve the functioning of CGHS and also the satisfaction level of CGHS beneficiaries. Doctors can now devote more time towards patient care with extended working hours of 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM. It will also help Administration in implementing rotational transfer policy in CGHS.

The working hours of CGHS dispensaries have been revised keeping in view the larger interest of CGHS beneficiaries including serving employees and pensioners. With the computerization of all CGHS dispensaries and universal application and portability of CGHS cards, one can easily avail the CGHS facilities from any CGHS dispensary/First Aid Post near to his residence or place of work as per his/her convenience and there is no compulsion to go to his parent dispensary for medical consultation and medicines. The revised working hours will provide longer effective working hours for availing the facilities. They can access CGHS dispensary even during the lunch hours.

SEVENTH PAY COMMISSION MUST BE SET UP FORTHWITH -IRTSA

The recent statement of the Minister concerned in the Parliament, that the Govt does not propose to set up the seventh Pay Commission at this stage is most unjustified and frustrating for the Govt employees.

Fifth Pay Commission had recommended for a Pay Revision after every five years instead of the past practice to set it up after 10 to 13 years. But the Govt did not accept this recommendation.

The Fifth Pay Commission also recommended for Merger of DA after it crossed 50%. Govt accepted the same and belatedly implemented it from April 2004. But the Sixth Pay Commission did not favour even the Merger of DA after it crossed 50% and the Govt obvious followed suit and did not Merge the same when it crossed 50% in 1-1-2011 – in spite of the demand by all concerned.

As such, the existing Pay and Pension structure have lost all the relevance and is continuously eroding due to heavy inflation and defective system of compilation of Price Index – which itself is out dated due to the changed economic scenario and requirements of the Industrial Worker of the Country.

All this makes it essential that the Seventh Pay Commission be set up early to compensate for the erosion of real wages and to remove the serious Anomalies of Sixth CPC Report – which the Govt and the Anomalies Committee have failed to address as well as to bridge the vast gap of wages between the Government employees and those of the Corporate Sector etc. all which are having a very demoralising effect amongst the Govt employees and Pensioners.

Er. HARCHANDAN SINGH
General Secretary, IRTSA

Introduction of Barcode for Parcels: Specifications regarding

Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
Mail Business (Development & Operations) Division
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110001

No.30-49/2012-D                                                                                                                                                           Dated: 06.03.2013

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: - Introduction of Barcode for Parcels: Specifications regarding.

The matter regarding restricting of the existing network for parcel operation is currently under examination at this Directorate. It has been decided to provide track and trace feature for the three proposed parcel products, i.e., “Express Parcel”, “Business Express Parcel” and “Business Parcel” as well as for Registered Parcel. It has further been decided to introduce barcode on all categories of parcel articles and bags including ordinary parcels. However, track and trace feature would not be available for ordinary parcels.

2. A new application software for processing of parcels at Parcel Processing Centres (nomenclature yet to be decided for these mail offices) is being developed by CEPT Mysore. Provisions are also being made for computerized booking and printed barcode stickers shall also be used for posting/ acceptance of parcel in bulk at Centres to be created for this purpose.

3. The structure of the bar code for parcel articles will be the same as prescribed for Speed Post articles, i.e., Code 39 symbology with 13-character alpha numeric combination as per the UPU standards. The first two alpha characters would be in the range of “CA to CZ” for parcels. For example, a parcel booked in Maharashtra Circle will have a barcode as “CMxxxxxxxxxIN”, where “CM” reflects the bar code series allotted to Maharashtra Circle for parcels, the next 8 digits being in serial order and the 9th digit being the check digit and “IN” denoting “India”. The bar code series allocated to the Circles for the purpose of prcels is given in the Annexure 1. Same series of barcodes would be used for all categories of parcels. Further, the same series of bar code, as allotted to the Circles, will be used for both domestic and international parcels. Accordingly, this memo supersedes Directorate memo No.28-2/2003-CF dated 9.11.2004 and 13.12.2004 containing barcode series for international parcels. Specifications for barcodes to be used on parcel articles are given in Annexure 2.

4. All parcel bags would carry a bag label containing a barcode. The barcode series allocated to the Circles for parcel bags is given at Annexure 3. There would be two separate bags label for parcels bags- One for “Express Parcel” bag and the other for rest of the parcel bags. The design and specification for Express Parcel bags and other categories of parcel bags are given Annexure 4 and Annexure 5 respectively.

5. The new network for parcel operations, use of the new software and track and trace features are likely to be operationalzed in April 2013. Therefore, Circles may complete action on assessment of the quantity of barcode stickers (articles level) and bag labels required for booking and processing of parcels and place the orders for procurement of these items by 31st March 2013.

(Rishikesh)
Director (Mail Management)

All Heads of Circles
All Postmaster(s) General

First Phase locations identified for CBS & PLI

It is learnt from Directorate that following 7 Postal Circles have been identified for CBS and PLI as pilot Circles in phase I project. 

1. Assam    2. Delhi    3. Karnataka   4. Maharashtra   5. Rajsthan   6. Tamil Nadu   7. Uttar Pradesh 

CSB Project likely to be implemented in 110 HOs and 12 SOs. (i.e. 122 locations) 

PLI Project likely to be implemented in 8 HOs and 192 SOs. (i.e. 210 locations) 

 

Source : CHQ Blog

Promotion / Posting in PS Gr. B cadre

Postal Directorate has released a second list vide memo No.9-23/2012-SPG dated 05-03-2013 for the promotion of following 6 Senior ASPs to PS Gr. B cadre on regular basis against the vacancy for the year 2012-13. 

   

S.No	Name of the officer	Date of birth	Name of the Circle in which working	Circle to which allotted on promotion to PS Group ‘B’
1	Pranadh Kaul	03.03.1959	Jammu & Kashmir	Jammu & Kashmir
2	Satyanarain Singh	31.12.1956	Bihar	Bihar
3	Sunil Kumar Sinha	29.01.1957	Bihar	Bihar
4	K.R.N Murthy	27.11.1956	Karnataka	Directorate
5	K.Sri Kumar	14.08.1959	Andhra Pradesh	Directorate
6	Gaya Prasad (SC)	09.09.1953	Uttar Pradesh	Uttar Pradesh