“Say No To Tobacco” - PM’s message on 'World No Tobacco Day'

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has appealed to the people of India to “Say No To Tobacco”.

The Prime Minister tweeted:

“On World No Tobacco Day, lets pledge to spread awareness on the risks of tobacco consumption & work to reduce tobacco consumption in India.

Tobacco not only affects those consuming it, but also people around. By saying no to tobacco, let us lay the foundation of a healthier India.”

Source : PIB News

LAST DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF MEMORANDUM TO 7TH CPC EXTENDED

As per the request of the JCM National Council Staff side, 7th Central Pay Commission has granted extension of time upto 15.07.2014 (15th July 2014) for submission of memorandum by individual organizations other than JCM staff side. The following is the revised time schedule (Last date).

1.  JCM National Council Staff side                :  30.06.2014 

2.  All other Federations/Unions/Associations  :  15.07.2014

JCM National Council Staff side will be submitting a common memorandum before 30.06.2014 on the common demands of the Central Government Employees. The Copy of the JCM Staff side memorandum will be placed in the website.

All affiliated organizations of the Confederation are requested to prepare their sectional memorandum well in advance and be ready to submit it before 15.07.2014 to the 7th CPC. New Pay scales demanded by the JCM Staff side will be available in the common memorandum of the JCM Staff side.

Confederation National Secretariat meeting will be held on 31.05.2014 at ITEF Head Quarters (Rajouri Garden) at 2 PM as already notified to finalise the common memorandum. (Please note the time change from 11 AM to 2 PM). All National Secretariat members are requested to attend the meeting.

(M. Krishnan) 

Secretary General 

Confederation

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

Merger of Dearness Allowance with Pay-reg.

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

3, Chelmsford Road, New Delhi-110 055

Affiliated to :

IndIan National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)

International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

No.1/5(A)/Pt.I 

Dated: 28/05/2014

Sh. Arun Jaitley

Hon’ble Minister for Finance,

Government of India,

North Block

New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Merger of Dearness Allowance with Pay-reg.

While enclosing copy of Federation’s letter No. 1/5(A) dated 27/09/2013, NFIR desires to bring to your kind notice, the following facts for consideration.

2. In the Standing Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of the Secretary DoP&T, on 7th May 2014, the agenda item pertaining to merger of D.A. with pay was discussed by the JCM/Staff Side representatives. There has, however, been no positive response from the Official Side on the issue probably the VII CPC has started working on the terms of reference.

3. Now that the D.A. has become 100% of pay w.e.f. 01/01/2014 and another instalment of D.A. @ 6% of pay is likely to be granted by the Government w.e.f. 01/07/2014 as per the figures of Consumer Price Index, continuing D.A., without merger, is highly unjustified. In the past i.e. during the year 2004, the Government of India had merged 50% DA with pay for all purposes. Similar decision has, unfortunately, not been taken by the previous Government.

4. Seventh Central Pay Commission has already sent communications to JCM constituent organisations etc.. to submit Memorandums. At this juncture, it would be proper to convey to the Chairman, 7th CPC to consider the JCM (Staff Side) demand for merger of DA with pay with retrospective effect and send interim report to the Government for consideration.

NFIR, therefore, requests you to kindly consider our request and see that the Government makes reference to 7th CPC to consider DA merger with pay and to send its interim report to the Government for favourable consideration.

Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,

sd/-

(M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary

Source: NFIR

DOPT Orders on revision of format for OBC Caste Certificate

Revision of format for OBC Caste Certificate

No.36036/2/2013- Estt.(Res.)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Personnel & Training

North Block, New Delhi

Dated: 30th May. 2014

To,

The Chief Secretaries of all the State Governments/Union Territories

Subject: Revision of format for OBC Caste Certificate

Madam/Sir,

The Government of India had issued instructions on 8th September, 1993 vide DoPT OM. No. 36012/22/93-Estt.(SCT) providing for reservation to Other Backward Classes in the services and posts under the Government of India. The format of the Caste Certificate was prescribed vide Annexure A of the O.M. No. 36012/22/93-Estt.(SCT) dated 15th November 1993. In the said format, the then Ministry of Welfare’s Resolution No. 12011/68/93-BCC(C) dated 10th September 1993 was mentioned, which contained the list of castes and communities treated as OBC’s till that time. Since then, a large number of castes and communities have been added to the Central List of OBCs through various resolutions of the Ministry of Social Jusiice and Empowerment. The details of the resolutions subsequent to the Resolution dated 10th September 1993 do not find mention in the existing format. The said format also prescribes that the certificate issuing authority should certify that the candidate does not belong to the persons/sections (Creamy Layer) mentioned in Column 3 of the Schedule to the aforesaid OM. dated 8.9.1993.

2. Representations have been received in this Department wherein candidates belonging to OBC Communities have reportedly faced difficulty in getting the benefits of reservation. This is because of the fact that in the caste certificate issued by the concerned district authorities, although the name of the caste/community is mentioned in the certificate, the specific resolution by which the said caste/community has been included in the Central Listof OBCs is not indicated.

3. Keeping in view such problems faced by the candidates, this issue was examined in consultation with the National Commission for Backward Classes and it has been decided to revise the existing format of OBC Caste Certificate. A copy of the revised format is enclosed(Anuexure). All the certificate issuing authorities are requested to invariably mention the details of the Resolution (Number and Date) by which the castec/community of the candidate has been included in the Central List of OBCs and also to ensure that he/she does not belong to the persons/sections (Creamy Layer) mentioned in Column 3 of the Schedule to the aforesaid O.M. dated 8.9.1993 as amended from time to time.

4. I am to request that the revised format of the Certificate may please be brought to the notice of authorities under the State Governments/Union Territories who are empowered to issue the Caste Certificate.

Yours faithfully,

sd/-

(Sandeep Mukherjee)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Annexure

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE PRODUCED BY OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES 

APPLYING FOR APPOINTMENT TO POSTS UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

This is to certify that Shri/Smt./Kurnari_______________son/daughter of _______________________of village/town in District/Division __________________________in the State/Union Territory____________________belongs to the __________________community which is recognised as a backward class under the Government of India, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s Resolution No. _________________dated____________________*. Shri/Smt./Kumari ____ ______________ and/or his/her family ordinarily reside(s) in the ____________________________ District/Division of the__________________________ State/Union Territory. This is also to certify that he/she does not belong to the persons/sections (Creamy Layer) mentioned in Column 3 of the Schedule to the Government of India, Department of Personnel & Training O.M. No. 36012/22/93 - Estt.(SCT)dated 8.9.1993.**

District Magistrate

Deputy Commissioner etc.

Dated:

Seal

* - The authority issuing the certificate may have to mention the details of Resolution of

 Government of India, in which the caste of the candidate is mentioned as OBC.

** - As amended from time to time.

Note:- The term “Ordinarily” used here will have the same meaning as in Section 20 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. 

Source: www.persmin.gov.in

[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02adm/36036_2_2013-Estt-Res_30052014.pdf]

Transfer-posting in JTS Group "A" cadre

The Competent Authority orders transfer-posting of the following officers of JTS Group "A" cadre with immediate effect :-
1. Sh. B. N. Vishwakarma, SSRM, Delhi Stg. Dn. is posted as SSPOs, New Delhi South Dn. vice Sh. Devendra Mani retiring on superannuation on 31.05.2014.
2. Ms Disha Pannu, SSPOs, Delhi East Dn. is posted as APMG (BD), Circle Office vice Sh. Yudhishtra Sharma transferred.
3. Sh. Vickey Kumar, SSPOs, Delhi North Dn. is posted as SSPOs, Delhi East Dn. vice Ms Disha Pannu transferred.
4. Sh. Yudhishtra Sharma, APMG (BD), Circle Office is posted as SSPOs, Delhi North Dn. vice Sh. Vickey Kumar transferred.

Authority : CO Memo No. Staff/50-2/XVIII dated 30.05.2014

PROMOTION/POSTING IN JTS GROUP "A" CADRE ON ADHOC BASIS

Sh. Kailash Chand, Sr. Postmaster, Lodhi Road HO has been promoted in JTS Group "A" cadre on adhoc and temporary basis with immediate effect in PB-3 Rs. 15600-39100 with GP of Rs. 5400/- and posted as SSRM, Delhi Stg. Dn. vice Sh. B. N. Vishwakarma transferred.

Authority : CO Memo No. Staff/50-2/XVIII dated 30.05.2014

Transfer and posting in Inspector, Posts cadre

The Competent Authority orders the following transfer and posting in Inspector, Posts cadre with immediate effect in the interest of service :-
1. Ms Chanchal, IP (PG), Circle Office is posted as Inspector, Posts, PSD, Delhi-54 against vacant post.
2. Ms Manjit, Stg. Inspector, MO Section, Circle Office is posted as Inspector, Posts, Delhi Stg. Dn. vice Ms Shivani Katoch transferred.
3. Ms Shivani Katoch, Inspector, Posts, Delhi Stg. Dn. is posted as Stg. Inspector, MO Section, Circle Office vice Ms Manjit transferred.

Authority : Circle Office Memo No. Staff/BB-5/I.Posts/Deptt/2013 dated 29.05.2014

Directorate raised queries on merger proposal

No. 25-35/2011-PE-I

Government of India

Ministry of Communications and IT

Department of Posts

***********

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi 110001

Date : 19^th May 2014

To,

The General Secretary,

All India Association of Inspectors and

Assistant Superintendents, Posts,

CHQ Qtr. No. 12, P&T Colony,

Khurshid Square, Civil Lines, Delhi – 110 054.

Subject : Merger of ASP cadre in to PS Gr. B cadre – Proposal regarding.

Sir,

          Kindly refer to your letter No. GS/AIAIASP/Merger ASP/2013 dated 20.11.2013 and 21.04.2014 on the subject mentioned above.

2.       In this regard, this is to inform that the proposal submitted by your Association has been examined in detail with the following observations:

(i)          It was intimated in the proposal that there is a matching saving for the proposal as there would be an additional expenditure of Rs. 66,86,100/- per annum against the saving of Rs. 69,25,100/- per annum. This means a net saving of Rs. 2,39,700/- per annum. However, while this may be true in the long run, at present there would be no matching saving, as pay will have to be protected for the 679 ASPs till they get promoted to PS Gr. B Grade, while additional expenditure of Rs. 66,86,100/- would start immediately Savings will start accruing only after the 679 ASPs working on the ASP posts downgraded to IPs get promoted to PS Gr. B Grade which will take a very long time. Thus, it is not correct to say that the case has matching savings.

(ii)         The proposed down gradation of 679 ASPs (Sub Division) to IP (Sub Division) would create technical problems as ASPs cannot be posted on IPs Posts. Otherwise, they would have to be reverted which is not permissible. The proposal, thus, would only be beneficial for the senior 1311 ASPs and at the same time detrimental to the remaining 679 ASPs who may suffer reversion. Further, on upgradation of the ASPs Posts to PS Gr. B there would be two or more Gr. B officers in Gr. B Divisions. Then, there would be a problem / issue of reporting and also that who amongst them would head the Division.  This would ultimately create complicated situation and may not, thus, be administratively viable.

(Note :- the number of ASP Sub Divisions has been ascertained from the Circles and the matching savings have been re-calculated on the basis of information received from the Circles)

3.       Therefore, it is requested to furnish your comments / clarifications on the above mentioned observations for further examination of the proposal at the earliest.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(Tarun Mittal)

Assistant Director General (PE-I)

PS : All Circle Branch Office Bearers and Members are requested to submit their comments in detail to the Circle Secretary by email/SMS/Phone.

Two more attempts for Civil Services aspirants from this year

NEW DELHI: Civil Services aspirants will get two more additional attempts from this year onwards to write the prestigious exam but there will be no change in its format and syllabi, theUnion Public Service Commission (UPSC) said today. 

"The aspirants should note that the government has decided to allow two additional attempts with consequential age relaxations to all categories of candidates with effect from Civil Service Examination, 2014. "There are no other changes in the format and syllabi of papers contained in the Civil Services Examination," the UPSC said in a short notice. 

A candidate is permitted a maximum of four attempts for the examination. However, there is no restriction on number of attempts by a candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). As many as seven attempts are permissible to an aspirant belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs). 

The Civil Service Examinations is conducted by the UPSC to select Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers among others. The examination is conducted in three stages-- preliminary, mains and interview.The Civil Services Examination (Preliminary), 2014 is scheduled to be held on August 24, this year. 

A candidate who has attained the age of 21 years but not attained 30 years may apply for the Civil Services Examination, as per eligibility mentioned in the notification. The upper age limit is relaxable up to a maximum of five years for candidates belonging to SCs or STs categories and up to a maximum of three years for candidates of OBC category among others. 

The upper age limit is also relaxable up to a maximum of five years if a candidate had ordinarily been domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir during January 1, 1980 to December 31, 1989. 

It can also be relaxed up to a maximum of three years in the case of defence services personnel disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof. There is also a relaxation in upper age up to a maximum of 10 years in the case of blind, deaf-mute and orthopaedically handicapped candidates. 

The detailed examination notice for this year's Civil Services Examination will be published in Employment News or Rozgar Samachar on May 31, the UPSC said.

Source:-The Economic Times

Constitution of Special Investigation Team in compliance with the judgement of Hon’ble Supreme Court

The Union Cabinet today approved constitution of Special Investigating Team (SIT) to implement the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court on large amounts of money stashed abroad by evading taxes or generated through unlawful activities.

The SIT will be headed by Hon’ble Mr. Justice M.B. Shah, former Judge of the Supreme Court as Chairman and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arijit Pasayat, former Judge as Vice Chairman.

The Members of the High Level Committee will comprise:

i. Secretary, Department of Revenue

ii. Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India,

iii. Director (IB),

iv. Director, Enforcement

v. Director, CBI

vi. Chairman, CBDT,

vii. Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau

viii. Director General, Revenue Intelligence

ix. Director, Financial Intelligence Unit

x. Director, Research and Analysis Wing and

xi. Joint Secretary (FT&IR-1), CBDT

The SIT has been charged with the responsibility and duties of investigation, initiation of proceedings and prosecution in cases of Hasan Ali and other matters involving unaccounted money. SIT shall have jurisdiction in the cases where investigations have already commenced or are pending or awaiting to be initiated or have been completed. SIT will prepare a comprehensive action plan including creation of necessary institutional structure that could enable the country to fight the battle against unaccounted money. The SIT should report to the court the status of work from time to time.

Source : PIB News

President appoints Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State (Independent Charge) and Ministers of State

President appoints Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State (Independent Charge) and Ministers of State

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

President's Secretariat 

26-May-2014 22:20 IST

President appoints Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State (Independent Charge) and Ministers of State

The President of India has appointed Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi as the Prime Minister of India. Further, as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has appointed the following as members of the Council of Ministers.

(Updated news...)

PRESS COMMUNIQUE

The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has directed the allocation of portfolios among the following members of the Union Council of Ministers :-

1

Shri Narendra Modi  Prime Minister

Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, All important policy issues and all other portfolios not allocated to any Minister

CABINET MINISTERS

1	Shri Raj Nath Singh	Home Affairs
2	Smt. Sushma Swaraj	External Affairs, Overseas Indian Affairs
3	Shri Arun Jaitley	Finance, Corporate Affairs,  Defence
4	Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu	Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Parliamentary Affairs
5	Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari	Road Transport and Highways, Shipping
6	Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda	Railways
7	Sushri Uma Bharati	Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
8	Dr. Najma A. Heptulla	Minority Affairs
9	Shri Gopinathrao Munde	Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation
10	Shri Ramvilas Paswan	Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
11	Shri Kalraj Mishra	Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
12	Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi	Women and Child Development
13	Shri Ananthkumar	Chemicals and Fertilizers
14	Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad	Communications and Information Technology, Law and Justice
15	Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati	Civil Aviation
16	Shri Anant Geete	Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises
17	Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal	Food Processing Industries
18	Shri Narendra Singh Tomar	Mines, Steel, Labour and Employment
19	Shri Jual Oram	Tribal Affairs
20	Shri Radha Mohan Singh	Agriculture
21	Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot	Social Justice and Empowerment
22	Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani	Human Resource Development
23	Dr. Harsh Vardhan	Health and Family Welfare

MINISTERS OF STATE

1	General V.K. Singh	Development of North Eastern Region (Independent Charge) External Affairs, Overseas Indian Affairs
2	Shri Inderjit Singh Rao	Planning (Independent Charge), Statistics and Programme Implementation (Independent Charge), Defence
3	Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar	Textiles (Independent Charge) Parliamentary Affairs, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
4	Shri Shripad Yesso Naik	Culture (Independent Charge), Tourism (Independent Charge)
5	Shri Dharmendra Pradhan	Petroleum and Natural Gas (Independent Charge)
6	Shri Sarbananda Sonowal	Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, Youth Affairs and Sports (Independent Charge)
7	Shri Prakash Javadekar	Information and Broadcasting (Independent Charge) Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Independent Charge), Parliamentary Affairs
8	Shri Piyush Goyal	Power (Independent  Charge) Coal (Independent Charge) New and Renewable Energy (Independent Charge)
9.	Dr. Jitendra Singh	Science and Technology (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences (Independent Charge) Prime Minister Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space
10	Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman	Commerce and Industry (Independent Charge) Finance Corporate Affairs
11	Shri G.M. Siddeshwara	Civil Aviation
13	Shri Nihalchand	Chemicals and Fertilizers
14	Shri Upendra Kushwaha	Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation
15	Shri Radhakrishnan P	Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises
16	Shri Kiren Rijiju	Home Affairs
17	Shri Krishan Pal	Road Transport and Highways, Shipping
18	Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan	Agriculture Food Processing Industries
19	Shri Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava	Tribal Affairs
20	Shri Raosaheb Dadarao Danve	Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
21	Shri Vishnu Deo Sai	Mines Steel Labour and Employment
22	Shri Sudarshan Bhagat	Social Justice and Empowerment

Source: PIB News

Instructions for Accessing Your Indiapost mails

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FIRST LOG IN TO THE NEW MAIL BOX

Step 1: Obtain your new password. The password has been sent through SMS to you. If you have not received Please call any one of the following number.

Mail id doptcs.wave1support@tcs.com

Phone number-

011- 66076729;

011-66076730;

011-66076755,

011-66076756

Step 2: Visit https://webmail.indiapost.gov.in

Step 3: Log in using your email ID and new password supplied to you.

Step 4: You will be prompted to change your default log-in password. You have to compulsorily change the password,

For the first time the user name should be entered as follows

indiapost\<your e mail id>

Example if your user name is cpmg_chh@indiapost.gov.in then the user name should be entered as follows

indiapost\cpmg_chh@indiapost.gov.in

Step 5: Your password must be at least 9 characters in length and have a combination of the following.

• English uppercase characters (A through Z).

• English lowercase characters (a through z).

• Base-10 digits (0 through 9).

• Special Characters (for example! $, #, %). Extended ASCII, symbolic, or linguistic characters.

Step 6: You are now ready to use your mail box with new email id and changed password.

If you have issues Pl send a mail to or call any one of the following number

Mail id doptcs.wave1support@tcs.com

Phone number

011- 66076729 011-66076730 011-66076755 011-66076756

India Post needs to apply afresh to Reserve Bank of India for bank licence

NEW DELHI: India Post will have to apply afresh to the Reserve Bank under differential licence guidelines if it wishes to start banking operations. According to sources, aspirants, including the Department of Post, will have to apply once again after guidelines on differential bank licences are issued in the next few months. 

India Post was one among the 25 unsuccessful contenders for new bank licences. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) last month granted licences only to IDFC and Bandhan Financial Services Pvt Ltd. 

The applicants also included state-run IFCI and private sector Anil Ambani group and Aditya Birla group, Bajaj Finance, Muthoot Finance, Religare Enterprises and Shriram Capital. Recently, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan had said it is committed to freeing entry in banking. 

"We just announced two new commercial bank licences after a rigorous vetting process. We are examining this experience, and after making appropriate changes, will announce a more regular process of giving licences - what has been termed licenses on tap," he had said At present, there are 27 public sector banks and 22 private sector lenders in the country. 

"The RBI can take more of a chance with new players if they get the licence to open only a small bank or to conduct only one segment of banking business. Such differentiated licences - licences with restrictions on the geographical reach or the products offered by a new bank - can generate more organisational variety and efficiency," Rajan had said. 

Small banks tend to be better at catering to local needs, including needs of small and medium businesses, he had said. A payments bank, which will take deposits and offer payment and remittance services but be constrained to invest all its funds in safe instruments such as government securities, could be very synergistic with other existing services, he had said. 

"For example, the proposed Post Bank could start as a payment bank, making use of post office outlets to raise deposits and make payments," he had said. New bank licences were issued by RBI in April to IDFC and Bandhan after a decade. Before this, the central bank had awarded licences to Kotak Mahindra Bank and Yes Bank in 2003-04.

Source:-The Economic Times

Multiple bank accounts may just be more pain than gain

How many savings accounts does a person actually need? Many financial advisors are busy answering this question these days, as they try to educate their clients after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) abolished the penalty for not maintaining a minimum balance in inoperative savings bank accounts.

Individuals end up with more accounts than needed when they switch jobs or opt for feature-rich accounts, without closing their existing ones. Experts say that the abolition of penalty should not be an excuse to hold on to accounts that one doesn't use regularly.

"Ideally, one should maintain one or, at best, two savings bank accounts," says VN Kulkarni, chief credit counsellor with the Bank of India-backed Abhay Credit Counselling Centre. "Both should be joint accounts with the spouse or any close relative. If you do not want to have a joint account, ensure that that a nomination is made. If you are dealing in shares or any other business activity on an individual basis, you can maintain an overdraft account. In case of regular business activities, a current account is required to be opened," adds Kulkarni.

Case Against Multiple Accounts Experts feel that there are many reasons for limiting the accounts to a minimum of one or two. Maintaining multiple accounts would mean one has to constantly monitor all of them. Most individuals are not adept at this task. "It is important that customers close their accounts if they do not intend to use them at all, else they expose the account to potential fraud," says Japjit Bedi, director, deposits and wealth management, private and business clients, Deutsche Bank India. 

It could be a serious threat if you do not inform your bank about any change in your contact details. The bank would communicate to your old address or phone number, and you may not come to know about fraudulent activity. The RBI has issued instructions to banks for contacting account holders of dormant accounts. They may contact the introducers or accountholder's employers, in case accounthold er's contact details are not available. 

However, you need to be careful too. "Frauds can occur, at times, in collusion with insiders, as they know that the account holder has either forgotten about the account or has shifted and is not likely to return. So, fraudsters initially with start by making a small withdrawal; keep a watch for some time and thereafter withdraw the entire balance. Despite various systems that are in place, frauds do take place in inoperative or dormant accounts," says Kulkarni. It is in the interest of customers to approach the bank, submit required documents and get the account closed or reactivated. 

Closing or Reactivating Accounts If you are convinced on not keeping innumerableaccounts, go ahead and close them. You just need to follow a few simple steps for the purpose. "All banks have standard forms for closing an account. This form should be signed by the accountholders depending on the mode of operation and all unused cheques or debit card will have to be either returned to the bank with the form or destroyed by the customer," says Bedi. If your account shows some balance, you will have to specify the mode of payment — funds transfer, demand draft or banker's cheque — for transferring this amount to your operative account. 

"Do note that some banks levy a charge for closing accounts before expiry of a specified period of time," points out Bedi. If you want to reactivate any account after reviewing your holdings, ensure your bank gives you your due. "After the account is activated, you must ascertain whether interest has been credited," adds Kulkarni.

As per RBI instructions, interest on savings bank accounts should be credited on regular basis, irrespective of whether the account is operative or not. "For example, if a fixed deposit receipt matures and proceeds are unpaid, the amount left unclaimed with the bank will attract savings bank rate of interest," he says.

Source:-The Economic Times

India Post e-Mail server is down-Migration in progress

India Post e-Mail server is down due to migration is in progress, e-mail services will start working on May 26,2014.

Url to access Mail will be changed – New mail url is – “https://webmail.indiapost.gov.in/owa from the current https://mail.gov.in”.


 Please contact “doptcs.wave1support@tcs.com “ / 011- 66076729; 011-66076730” for any issue/detail.”

President administers oath of office to Chief Information Commissioner

At a ceremony held today (May 22, 2014) at 1130 hrs at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Shri Rajiv Mathur was administered the Oath of Office of Chief Information Commissioner by the President. 

Source : PIB

RETIREMENT ON SUPERANNUATION

  Shri Devendra Mani, Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, New Delhi South Division, New Delhi-110019 is retiring from service on 31.05.2014 on superannuation.

IP/ASP Association, Delhi Postal Circle Branch wishes him happy, healthy and peaceful retired life.

DPC for the promotion to the cadre of JTS Gr. A for the year 2012-13

It is learnt that DPC for promotion to the cadre of JTS Gr. A for the year 2012-13 is held today. 

 

Source : CHQ Blog

 

TOI News- India Post to get bank licence soon?

The following press clip is from 'The Times of India' Mumbai edition dated 22/5/2014    

Employees to get pension payment order soon after retirement

NEW DELHI: In order to check delay in disbursal of pension, the Centre has decided to give Pension Payment Order (PPO) to all central government employees at the time of retirement along with their other dues. 

At present, the scheme for payment of pensions to central government civil pensioners through authorised banks, issued by the central pension accounting office provides for an undertaking to be submitted by the retiring government servant or pensioner to the pension disbursing bank before commencement of pension. 

"It has been found that the first payment of pension after retirement gets delayed mainly due to two reasons. 

"One, the delay in receipt of intimation by the pensioner that pension papers have reached the bank and two, delay on part of the pensioner in approaching the bank for submission of undertaking," the Ministry of Personnel said. 

The pensioner would no longer be required to visit the bank to activate the first payment of pension, it said in a recent order. 

"Therefore, after ascertaining that the bank's copy has been dispatched by the central pension accounting office, the pensioner's copy of the Pension Payment Order (PPO) may be handed over to him at the time of retirement along with other retirement dues. 

"This should be feasible in all cases where the government servant had submitted pension papers within the time-limits," the Personnel Ministry said. 

An employee posted at a location away from the office of the Head of Office or who for any other reasons feels that it would be more convenient to him to obtain his copy of PPO from the bank, may inform the Head of Office of his option in writing while submitting his pension papers, it said. 

The Ministry of Personnel has asked Office of Controller General of Accounts to instruct all Pay and Accounts Offices and all pension disbursing banks to follow its directives. 

There are about 30 lakh Central government pensioners. The Ministry has also issued a proforma of an undertaking to be filled by a pensioner and submitted to pension disbursing bank agreeing "to refund or make good any amount to which he is not entitled to".

Source:-The Economic Times

7th Pay Commission Ready for Online Survey

7th Pay Commission Ready for Online Survey

Intends to Gather Suggestions via Web Survey: The 7th Pay Commission is all set to utilize the power of the internet. The decision, to not confine itself to just the opinions of the Central Government officials and various employees federations and instead gather feedback from all employees, is a very appreciable one.

The Central Government appointed the 7th Central Pay Commission on February 28, 2014, comprising Justice Shri Ashok Kumar Mathur as Chairman, Shri Vivek Rae as full time Member, Dr. Ratin Roy as part time Member and Smt. Meena Agarwal as Secretary and enumerated a list of tasks for the Commission. To examine various issues relating to emoluments’ structure, retirement benefits and other service conditions of Central Government employees and to make recommendations on the changes required. 

The 4-member Commission acted promptly and, as first step, prepared a 42-points questionnaire covering 15 different topics. The questionnaire was then sent to the Secretaries of all Departments of Indian Government and to the various Central Govt Employees Federations, with a request that the completed questionnaire should be returned before the month of June.

On behalf of the JCM National Council staff, the completed questionnaire, with the approval of all the staff side members of National Council, was sent to the 7th CPC as early as May 8. While the 7th CPC awaits the responses of other departments and federations, it decided to launch an online survey to seek the views from all stakeholders including members of the general public. The individuals should give some personal information for registration and participate in the online survey on an easy-to-use webpage created especially for this. The invitation to participate in the survey has been extended to various organizations, groups and associations too.

The 42 questions have been given with separate space for each answer. The user can choose the format he/she is comfortable with to answer these questions. Also, there is an option to express one’s opinion in written format, until June 15.

Despite the fact that federations reflect the general opinion of employees, it is not clear why the CPC has sought for opinion of the general public. It is not an easy task for a Government employee to answer all these 42 questions. They would be able to give clear answers to only some of the questions asked in the questionnaire. That’s precisely what the CPC is looking for!

It is a well known fact that the Pay Commission cannot simply draft its recommendations based solely on these suggestions and answers. Yet, this is a welcome start. The responses will clearly indicate the topics that should be high-priority issues. 

The online survey would be very effective and serve its purpose if all the Central Government employees participate in it. Each Central Government department has its own issues and expectations. It would be unreasonable to expect solutions to problems that the Pay Commission isn’t even aware of. The employees can choose to only reply to the questions they know the answers to. Each question has a separate space for answers. The webpage has been designed with instructions on how these answers have to be written.

It is necessary for all the Central Government employees to participate in this online survey. Take some time to prepare your replies to the questions and then attempt the survey. Those who don’t know English can have their answers translated.

In addition to these, each federation will make a list of the complaints and suggestions for each department and present them to the 7th Pay Commission. On behalf of the JCM National Council staff side, a request was made to extend the deadline to submit these lists, to July 30.

It is becoming obvious that the 7th CPC is getting ready to present its recommendations well within the 18 months time given to it.

Appointment and Submission of Report Dates of all Pay Commissions…

The official website of Seventh Central Pay Commission has published the details of all Central Pay Commission’s appointment date and report submission date recently…

Seventh Central Pay Commission

In a resolution dated 28th February, 2014, Government of India has appointed the Seventh Central Pay Commission comprising Justice Shri Ashok Kumar Mathur as Chairman, Shri Vivek Rae as full time Member, Dr. Ratin Roy as part time Member and Smt. Meena Agarwal as Secretary. The Commission is headquartered in Delhi and has been given 18 months from date of its constitution to make its recommendations. To this end the Commission will set up its team of Officers, Advisers, Institutional Consultants and Experts and call for required information and documents from Ministries and Departments of Government of India and various Service associations.

The dates of appointment and submission of recommendations of the previous six central pay commissions are as under :-

Central Pay Commissions	Date of Appointment	Date of Submission of Report
First Pay Commission	May, 1946	May, 1947
Second Pay Commission	August, 1957	August, 1959
Third Pay Commission	April, 1970	March, 1973
Fourth Pay Commission	June, 1983	Three Reports submitted in June, 1986; December, 1986 and May, 1987 respectively
Fifth Pay Commission	April, 1994	January, 1997
Sixth Pay Commission	October, 2006	March, 2008

Source: www.7cpc.india.gov.in
[http://7cpc.india.gov.in/about_us.html]

Filing tax returns? Ways to avoid errors or invite a tax notice

The government may be set to change, but the Income Tax Department's drive for increased compliance continues unabated. The new tax forms notified by the department last month are aimed at seeking more details about your income, exemptions and expenses. Here are some of the changes that you should be aware of.
Details of exempt income
Until last year, taxpayers were required to declare their exempt income in the returns, but only had to enter a consolidated figure for the tax-free allowance they received during the year. This time, however, they will have to provide the details as well. "The new ITR-2 form requires taxpayers to give a detailed break-up of tax-exempt allowance in schedule S (for salary income)," says Vaibhav Sankla, director of tax consulting firm, H&R Block. Many employees get house rent allowance (HRA), leave travel assistance (LTA) and travel allowance as part of their salaries. These allowances are exempt if certain conditions are met.
Till now, the taxman had no issues if you mentioned a consolidated figure in your return, but now he wants to know how much you received under different heads. "You will have to separately mention the figures for, say, HRA and LTA," says Kuldip Kumar, executive director, tax and regulatory services, PwC. The tax exemptions are increasingly being put under the scanner by the CBDT. In October last year, it had declared that the salaried taxpayers who claim HRA exemption will have to report their landlord's PAN if the total rent in a year exceeded Rs 1 lakh.
"In case the landlord does not have a PAN, the employee will have to submit a declaration to this effect from the landlord, along with his name and address," said the circular issued by the CBDT. Earlier, you were not required to submit the landlord's PAN details if the total rent paid was less than Rs 15,000 a month. The new rule effectively reduced this limit to Rs 8,333 a month. Though this was meant to plug tax evasion by salaried professionals who submitted fake rent receipts to maximise their HRA exemption, even honest taxpayers had to suffer the collateral damage. The new rule created problems for many employees because landlords are generally reluctant to provide PAN on rent receipt to tenants.
Break-up of capital gains
The taxman is not stopping at the exempted income. He also wants you to provide a detailed break-up of the capital gains made during the year. The new ITR-2 asks for information on capital gains under several categories.
Capital gains are taxed at different rates depending on the nature of asset and the holding period. Gains from equity funds and listed sharesare tax-free after a year, but taxed at 15% if the holding period is less than 365 days. Gains from debtoriented funds, gold ETFs and unlisted shares are treated as long-term gains after a year and taxed at 10% flat or 20% after indexation.
In case of property and bullion, the holding period must be at least three years before these are treated as long-term gains. Since you will be required to mention the gains separately, a broad estimate will no longer work. According to Sankla, the new categories added to the capital gains section will ensure accurate tax calculation on capital gains.
Capital gains from property
Property investments are also under scrutiny. If you sell property after three years, any profit made is treated as long-term capital gain and taxed at 20% (with indexation benefit).
However, you can avoid paying this if it is reinvested in another property or bonds issued by the NHAI or REC under Section 54. From this year onwards, the ITR-2 seeks details of such transactions as well. "The taxpayers will have to mention the cost of the property or the amount invested in bonds, the date of purchase and investment, as well as the amount deposited in the capital gains saving account scheme," says Sankla.
First-time home buyers
Serial investors are not the only ones to be asked for such details. Even first-time home buyers are now in the tax net. If you have purchased your first house in the previous financial year with a loan, you will be eligible for an additional deduction of Rs 1 lakh on the interest under Section 80EE. This will be over and above the Rs 1.5 lakh deduction of home loan interest under Section 24(b). "This new provision has now made its way into the ITR forms, which was expected. The new form includes a box for deduction of interest on housing loans taken by first-time home buyers," says Vineet Agarwal, director, KPMG India.
However, there is no change in the classification of tax filing forms that are to be used by various categories of taxpayers. If you have an income from salary or pension, own no more than one house and the only other sources of income is interest, you can use form ITR-1 (Sahaj). If you own more than one house or if your earnings include capital gains and other sources, including the winnings from lottery and horse racing, you will have to use ITR-2.

Source:-The Economic Times