Thursday 30 October 2014

TRANSFER/POSTING IN INSPECTOR POSTS CADRE

The Competent Authority is pleased to order the following transfer/posting in Inspector Posts cadre with immediate effect in the interest of service.
1. Sh. Ved Prakash, IP {PG}, Delhi North Dn. is posted as IP, Palam TMO against vacant post.
2. Sh. Abhishek Sarkar, IP, Delhi Stg. Dn. attached with Delhi GPO is posted as IP {PG}, ND Central Dn. against Smt. Sushil Bharati transferred while on leave.
3. Smt. Sushil Bharati, IP {PG}, ND Central Dn. is posted as IP {PG}, Delhi East Dn. against vacant post.

Authority : C. O. Memo No. Staff/BB-5/IPs/Deptl/2013 dated 29.10.2014

LDCE for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr.B......updates!!!

It is learnt that there is no progress at Directorate for issue of notification for holding of LDCE for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B. Question bank on revised syllabus is said to be not ready. CHQ has already requested Directorate to hold PS Gr. B examination separately for the year 2013 and 2014. 

Source : CHQ Blog

Tuesday 28 October 2014

Bureaucrats asked not to act on oral orders from ministers

NEW DELHI: Ministers or their personal staff may no longer be able to get any work done by merely passing an 'oral' order as government officials have been advised not to go ahead with any decision unless written orders are issued by their immediate superiors.

The advisory, issued as part of an office memorandum at the behest of Prime Minister's Office (PMO) last week, will be applicable to staff across ministries where a junior official will carry out oral order of his/her senior only after getting written confirmation. Written confirmation of any oral order will be a must, irrespective of whether such instructions are in accordance with the rules or not.

In recent years, ministers have often been reluctant to record their observations and have instead instructed officials verbally. While some officers insist that orders be spelt out on file, in several cases, including some crucial ones, babus have gone ahead and complied with the ministers' wishes. By issue the latest missive, the PMO has also put ministers on alert. The instructions from the PMO are the latest in a series of advisories and orders on toning up the government and improving the overall decision-making process.

READ ALSO: Work without fear, I'll protect you, PM Modi tells senior bureaucrats

"If any officer receives oral instructions from the minister or from his personal staff and the orders are in accordance with the norms, rules, regulations or procedures, they should be brought to the notice of the secretary (or the head of department where the officer concerned is working in)", said the manual, referred to by the office memorandum (OM).

In case the orders are "not in accordance with the norms, rules, regulations or procedures", an official should approach the secretary "stating clearly that the oral instructions are not in accordance with the rules".



Though the government manual talks about certain exceptions during emergency/urgency or when a minister is on tour or sick, it still insists that the officer should obtain the order in writing from the minister's private secretary and get it confirmed when the minister returns.

The manual said, "In rare and urgent cases when the minister is on tour or is sick and his approval has to be taken on telephone, the decision of the minister shall be conveyed by his private secretary in writing. In such case, confirmation will be obtained on file when the minister returns to headquarters or rejoins."

READ ALSO: Modi issues revised code of conduct for bureaucrats

Besides spelling out such dos and don'ts for babus on oral order, the ministry of personnel through the OM also instructed all ministries to conduct a regular weekly training programme for junior officials.

Noting that the present training structures were largely meant for senior civil servants as part of their "induction training" and "mandatory mid-career training", the OM, issued on October 17, said, "Perhaps, there is no training being imparted at ministry/department level covering all its Group B and C employees on same subject."

It noted that such training is also important for officials, ranging from UDC to under secretary, in this "era of rapid transformation and heightened expectation of prompt and effective public service delivery".

"The effectiveness with which the new policies are implemented will largely be dependent on the quality of civil service administration and the ability of its members to operate effectively in the changed environment. This requires a continuous focus on training of employees," said the OM.

Accordingly, the ministry of personnel advised all central departments to hold "an hour in-house weekly training" for all employees on a regular basis without dislocating their work.
 

Conducting of LDCE for promotion to the cadre of Inspector Posts (66.66%) Departmental quota for the year 2014 and LGO Examination, 2014

Department of Posts (DE Section) Letter No.A-34012/04/2014-DE dated 17/10/2014.
LDCE for promotion to the cadre of Inspector Posts for the year 2014.

Date of Examination
Paper No.
22/11/2014 (Suturday)
Paper-I & II
23/11/2014 (Sunday)
Paper-III & IV
LDCE for promotion of LGOs to the cadre of Postal Assistants / Sorting Assistants for the year 2014.

Date of Examination
Paper No.
23/11/2014 (Sunday)
Paper-I & II

Medicines under CGHS can be issued for up to 3 months at a time in chronic diseases on the basis of a valid prescription and for up to 6 months for those beneficiaries who are going abroad.


F.No 2-2/2014/CGHS PPT/CGHS(P)
Government of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Department of Health & Family Welfare
Nirman Bhawan, Maulana Azad Road
New Delhi 110 108
Dated: the 21st October , 2014
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub- Issue of medicines / reimbursement of expenditure on investigations / treatment procedures / implants and other medical devices under CGHS- regarding
 
With reference to the above mentioned subject the undersigned is directed to draw attention to paragraph (c) and (d) of the Office Memorandum of even No dated the 25th August 2014 and to state that in response to the representations received from CGHS beneficiaries in this regard , it has now been‘decided by the competent authority to withdraw the provisions under para (c) and para (d) of the Office Memorandum No 2-2/2014/CGHS HQ/ PPT/CGHS(P) dated the 25th August , 2014 [view] and to restore the status existing prior to the issue of above stated OM dated the 25th August, 2014.

In other words medicines under CGHS can be issued for up to 3 months at a time in chronic diseases on the basis of a valid prescription and for up to 6 months for those beneficiaries who are going abroad, as was the case prior to issue of OM dated 25.8.2014.
sd/-
(RAVI KANT)
Under Secretary to Government of India
Source: http://msotransparent.nic.in/writereaddata/cghsdata/linkimages/4934498220.pdf

7CPC requested for appointment to discuss issues related to IP/ASP cadre

No. CHQ/AIAIASP/7CPC-Memorandum/2014             dated  : 28th Oct. 2014

To,
The Secretary,
7th Central Pay Commission, 
PO Box No – 4599
Hauz Khas Post Office,
New Delhi-110016

Sub:  Meeting with Hon’ble 7CPC at Mumbai to discuss Memorandum of All India Association of Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents Posts.  

Ref:  Commissions visit to Mumbai

Respected Sir,

        All India Association of Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents Posts is single recognized Association in the Department of Posts functioning for the cause of Inspectors, Posts and Assistant Superintendents, Posts & equally for the growth of the Nation.        

        This Association representing 4197  Group ‘B’ officers in the Department of Posts has already submitted its Memorandum to Hon’ble 7CPC under letter dated 1st July 2014 (copy enclosed) and same was acknowledged by Commission on 27-8-2014 (copy enclosed). 

        Inspector Posts and Assistant Superintendents Posts working in Department of Posts are middle level managers & responsible to implement all new schemes of the Department i.e Core Banking Solutions, Rural Information and Communication Tool Solutions, McCamish, Core System Integrator (handling all the Postal Operation), MGNREGA  & supervising over the entire staff working in the Department of Posts in the grade pay of Rs.1800/-, 1900/-, 2000/-, 2400/-, 2800/-, 4200/-, 4600/-.       

        It is requested that this Association may kindly be given an opportunity to appear before the Hon’ble  Commission in person during its visit to Mumbai to discuss its view in oral evidence on issues relating to the Inspectors, Posts and Assistant Superintendents, Posts and also other vital issues of common interests concerning the Postal Employees and Central Govt. Employees.       

Yours faithfully,

Encl : As above
Sd/-
(Vilas Ingale)
General Secretary

Delhi Postal Circle Men's Team won championship in 29th All India Postal Badminton Tournament 2014 held at Dharamshala (H.P.)

Delhi Postal Badminton Team participated in 29th All India Postal Badminton Tournament 2014-15 held at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh from 13th September 2014 to 17th September 2014 and won the Men's Team Championship by beating Kerala Circle in final team event match by 3-2. Delhi Postal Circle earlier won the championship in 2012. The following staff members represented Men’s Team. 

1.      Sh. Manmeet Singh, PA, Lodhi Road HPO
2.      Sh. Amit Sharma, SA, Air Mail Sorting Division
3.      Sh. Abhinav Prakash, SA, Delhi Sorting Division
4.     Sh. Rupender Kumar, ASP, AMPC, Air Mail Sorting Division
5.      Sh. V E Thomas, PA, Sarojini Nagar HPO
6.      Sh. Kumar Gaurav, PA, GM (Fin), PAO
7.      Sh. P K Bhan, Supervisor, N D Stg Dn. was Coach of the team

Saturday 25 October 2014

Transport Allowance and Travelling Allowance Rules at a glance

At first glance, both transport allowance and traveling allowance might look the same. But, the two are very different for Central Government employees. Recent spate of orders issued by the DOPT and Finance Ministry on TRAVELLING ALLOWANCE was the inspiration behind this write-up.
In its order last week, the DOPT said that senior officers who have to travel by air for official purposes may not have to submit the boarding passes while settlement of TA claims. They will have to henceforth submit the passes only when required. The very next day, the Finance Ministry issued an order that made it mandatory for senior officials to submit boarding passes alongwith TA bills for air journey performed on Government account.
The concept of Transport Allowance was introduced by the 5th CPC to defray the cost of commuting between residence and office. The 6th CPC while recommending CCA to be subsumed in Transport Allowance. Transport Allowance is given to the Central Government employees for their everyday commute to and from the workplace. Based on their Grade Pay or Band Pay, this could be anything between Rs. 400 to Rs. 3200 per month. It also depends on the population of the city or town where the office is located. Transport allowance is twice the normal amount for physically challenged employees.
Travelling allowance is given to employees who have to travel out of station for official work. There are a number of rules, guidelines and restrictions that control travelling allowance. DOPT and the Ministry of Finance issues amendment orders related to travelling allowances from time to time.
Traveling allowance differs based on the employee’s grade pay. The ‘Grade Pay’ for determing the TA/DA entitlement is as indicated in Central Civil Service(RP)Rules 2008. Depending on the grade pay, the employee has to opt for the appropriate class of accommodation while travelling via bus, train, ship or by aeroplane. The employee can refund only that amount that he is entitlement for. The Finance Ministry order published on 23.9.2008, OM explained the details of the Travelling allowance and entitlements for Government officials as per title given below…
Government officials on Tour: Travelling Allowance and Entitlements, Entitlement for journeys on tour and travel entitlements within the country, International Travel Entitlement, Mileage allowance for journeys by road, Daily Allowance, Travelling allowance on Transfer, Transfer Grant and Packing Allowance, Transportation of Personal Effects, Transportation of Conveyance, Travelling allowance Entitlement of Retiring employees, Lumpsum Transfer Grant and Packing Allowance
Daily Allowance : If the official tour on is of longer duration, then the employee is paid Daily Allowance to meet his boarding and lodging expenses. This too depends on the Grade pay of the employee. This is what is known as TA/DA.
While seeking the TA/DA claims, the employee has to present receipts and bills. In this regard, the notification, that senior officials are not required to submit the boarding passes while seeking reimbursement of their air travel expenses, was confusing. The order is not applicable to Group ‘C’ employees.
But some have misunderstood the order and have assumed that it was for the air travel facility that is available as part of the Leave Travel Concession.

Senior Postmaster CAT case : Punjab Circle

Although Directorate has directed to apprise Hon'ble CAT Bench Chandigarh on 21/10/2014 that the Revised Recruitment Rules of PS Gr. B which was submitted to DoPT for approval are returned back with certain objections. Therefore the amendment rules are under process and would likely take some time. Yet, no development took place in the last proceedings and matter was posted to 11/11/2014 without any arguments. 

As everybody knows that CHQ has already taken up issue with Directorate for release of revised Recruitment Rules of PS Gr. B cadre and series of reminders were also issued but there is no progress. CHQ has already appealed to all Circle Secretaries, CHQ Office Bearers and ASP (HQ)s of each division to intimate the details of PS Gr. B posts created after 1993 onwards. It is a fact that,  administration has to do it but it is also our prime duty to support administration and get the problem/s solved, as this issue is linked with examination and quota distribution matters. 

Source : CHQ Blog

RETIREMENT ON SUPERANNUATION

  Shri Parmod Kumar, Deputy Manager, Mail Motor Service, Naraina, New Delhi-110028 is retiring from service on 31.10.2014 on superannuation.

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

President of India Releases a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Anagarika Dharmapala

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee released a commemorative postage stamp on Anagarika Dharmapala at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. 

Speaking on the occasion, the President said release of the commemorative postage stamp on Anagarika Dharmapala will contribute towards further strengthening the bilateral ties between India and Sri Lanka and bring the two nations closer. He was confident that the relations between the two countries will continue to further strengthen in the coming years to the mutual benefit of our two peoples. 

The President said this stamp release on one of the apostles of Buddhism, once again reminds us to work relentlessly and collectively to ensure an era of peace, stability and friendly bilateral and multilateral ties in order to create an enabling environment for the rapid socio-economic development of the people. 

The President paid his humble homage to Anagarika Dharmapala on the occasion and congratulated the Department of Posts for bringing out the Commemorative Postage Stamp on Anagarika Dharmapala who worked selflessly all his life with a missionary zeal to propagate Buddhist ideals and to restore the glory of Buddhism.

Thursday 23 October 2014

HAPPY DEEPAWALI-2014

7 CP Commission’s visit to Mumbai

The commission has, in its first phase of interaction, been seeking the views of various stakeholders on its terms of reference. To this end, meetings have been held in Delhi with various organisations and heads of various agencies.

In its second phase of interaction, the Commission has started holding meetings in different parts of the country to facilitate stakeholders staying in various areas to present their views personally before the Commission and ensure larger representation. This exercise is being undertaken to enable the Commission to get a first-hand impression about the functioning and the condition of service prevailing in different parts of the country.

Accordingly, the Commission, headed by its Chairman, Justice Shri A. K. Mathur, proposes to visit Mumbai from 6th November, 2014 to 8th November, 2014. The Commission would like to invite various entities/associations/federations representing any/all categories of employees covered by the terms of Reference of the Commission to present their views.

Your request for a meeting with the Commission may be sent through e-mail to the Secretary, 7th Central Pay Commission at
secy-7cpc@nic.in. The memorandum already submitted by the requesting entity may also be sent as an attachment with this e-mail.  The last date for receiving request for meeting is 30th October, 2014 (1700 hours).

DPC for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B for the year 2014-15.....updates!!!

1) On 16/10/2014, Chhattisgarh, HP and Uttarakhand circles submitted required documents to Directorate. The representatives of  APS and Assam Circle did not turn up to Directorate to submit the documents on this due date. 

2) On 17/10/2014, only Delhi circle has submitted required documents to Directorate. The APMG (Staff)/AD (Staff) of Haryana, J&K, Odisha and Jharkhand Circle did not turn up to submit required documents on this due date. 

      If circles are not submitting the requisite documents on their allotted dates to Directorate, then automatically regular as well as supplementary DPC would be delayed. Therefore GS has already requested to all Circle Secretaries and CHQ Office Bearers be in touch with each and every officers who are in the zone of promotion and confirm the updation of their ACRs/APARs and submission to RO/CO. 

Submission of clarification on memorandum to 7CPC

No. CHQ/AIAIPASP/7CPC-Memorandum/2014               Dated :      15/10/2014
To,
Shri Jayant Sinha,
Joint Secretary,
Seventh  Central  Pay  Commission,
Chatrapathi Shivaji Bhawan,
Ist,   Floor, B-14/A,
Qutub Institutional  Area,
Delhi - 110014.
Subject : Submission of memorandum of All India Association of Inspectors and  Assistant Superintendents Posts to 7CPC….clarification regarding.
Ref.       : 7CPC Acknowledgement slip dated 27-8-2014 (copy enclosed)
Respected Sir,
                   Kindly recall  our  Association’s  interaction  with  your  majesty    at   ‘Kumara  Kripa’    during   your   visit   to  Banglore  on  25.08.2014  at  around  07.30 PM. As  per  the  discussions  and  instructions, the  copies  of  Recruitment  Rules [Annexure-1]  of  both  Inspector  of  Income  Tax/Central  Excise  and    Inspector  Posts  are  submitted  herewith  for  your    perusal  and  kind  consideration.
Further,  this  association  likes  to   bring  the  following   issues  haunting  our   cadre in  a  nutshell.
Point  -1 : Non  implementation  of  6 CPC  recommendations  regarding  upgradation  of  Grade  Pay  of    Inspector  Posts.
6th Central  Pay  Commission   vide  its   Para  7.6.14 [Annexure-2]  had  rightly  recommended  the  upgradation  of    scale  of   Inspector  Posts  from   5500-9000  to   6500-10500   and    equated  the   scale  of   Inspector  Posts  cadre  with  that  of  counterpart  that  is  Inspector  Of  Income Tax  / Central  Excise  and  Assistants  in  CSS and  put  them  in  the identical  pay  scales    considering  that  they  are all  analogous  posts.
But  unfortunately,  the  same  was  not  implemented  though  the   GP  of  Inspector  of   Income  Tax/Central  Excise  and  Assistants  in CSS  are  upgraded  subsequently  by  the  separate  order  of  Ministry  Of  Finance  vide   OM No. 1/1/2008-IC dated 13.11.2009 & 16.11.2009 [Annexure-2A & 2B].
It  is  pertinent  to  note  that  the  Honourable  CAT,  Ernakulam Bench  had   issued  verdict  to  consider  the  upgradation  of   Grade  Pay  of  IP  to  4600/-. [Annexure - 3]
This  Association  earnestly  requests  the  benevolent  to  kindly   reiterate and  recommend    the   decision  of   6th CPC.  
                  
Point -2 : Considering  of   Promotion  acquired through   LDCE  for  the   MACP  purpose.
Since  66.66  %  of  the  Inspector  cadre  posts  are  being  filled  up  through  the   Limited  Departmental  Competitive  Examination,  the  three  financial  upgradations  under  MACP  scheme  has  not  been  deriving  virtual   benefit  to  this  cadre. 
So  this  association  requests  to  delink  the  promotion  conferred  on  account  of  LDCE  with  MACP.
Point-3 : Conferment  of  similar  Grade  Pay  to  both  the  Supervisor  and  the  Supervised    violating   the  principle  of   Natural  Justice.  
Inspector  and  Assistant  Superintendent Posts  are the  supervisory  cadre  and  controlling   cadre  for   Postmasters,  Postal  Assistants,  Postmen,  MTS. We  have  to  carry out  annual   inspections,  surprise  visits  and  also  investigate  the  fraud  cases  during  which  the  statements  of  the  supervisory/operative  staff  has  to  be  recorded  and  office   records  to  be  seized. Further,  the  honorarium  bills,  establishment  statistics,  public  complaints   against  the  operative  staff  are to  be  verified  and  enquired  into  by  our  cadre. To  back,  IP/ASP  cadre  officers  are  being  nominated  as  Inquiry  Officer  and   Presenting  Officer  in  the   Departmental  Inquiries  of  Rule-14  of  CCS[CCA]  Rules  1965.
Such  being  the case,  this  cadre   could  not   enforce  required  command  and  control  over  the  subordinate  staff  in  the light  of  the  fact  that  they  remain  in  the same   Grade  Pay  by  virtue  of  MACP  and  merger  of  pre revised  scales  of  5  Pay  Commission  5000/-,  5500/-  and  6500/-  which  was  given  the  common  replacement  Grade  Pay  of  4200/-. Actually,  this  merger  of  three  scales   has  downgraded  the  pay  of  Inspectors  instead  of  upgrading. As  a  result,  the  Clerical/supervisory    staff  lie  with  the  identical  Grade  Pay  of  4200/-  thereby   dismantling  the  entire  fabric  of hierarchical  structure  of  the   operative  and  administrative  cadre.[Copy  of Hierarchy  is  enclosed-Annexure-4] 
So  this   association fervently   request  the  benevolent  to   consider this    anomaly  and    recommend  the  Pay  of  the  Administrative  Cadre  over  and  above  the   pay  of  supervisory  cadre.
Point-4 : Injustice  in   fixation  of  pay  as  on  01.01.2006  for  Inspector  Cadre.
Though Inspector  Posts   scale  was  upgraded  from  5500-9000  to  6500-10500,   while  fixing  the  pay  as  on  01.01.2006,  only  replacement  Grade  pay  of  4200  was  accorded  and  the  pay  was   fixed  with  the  pre revised  pay  of  5500  and  not  on  par  with  the  upgraded  pay  of  6500/-. The   minimum  pay  of   6500 X 1.86  was  not  allowed  and  thus   utterly    disgusting  and   depreciating  the  morale  of  the  cadre due  to  huge  financial  loss  which  will  have  cascading  effect  in  our  entire  career  including  pension. 
This  association  humbly   pray  the  benevolent  to  consider  all  the  above   aspects  and    make  appropriate  and  favorable  recommendations  and  resolve  all  our    predicaments.

With respectful regards,

Yours sincerely,

Sd/-
(Vilas Ingale)
General Secretary

India Post joins hand with Snapdeal.com, to introduce new-age technology at cost of Rs. 4909 crores

New Delhi: In a bid to enhance its electronic connectivity and capability across 1.5 lakh Post Offices in India, Department of Posts is in the process of inducting new-age technology through an enterprise wide IT Project. In this series, it has also signed Business MOU with snapdeal.com & shopclues.com. 
 
India Post is celebrating National Postal Week from 9th to 15th October, 2014 and on the occasion of Business Development Day on 14th Oct 2014 it decided to join hands with Snapdeal.com & shopclues.com.
 
Mr. Vijay Ajmera, Sr. Vice President (Finance) Snapdeal.com said that they are happy to choose Department of Post as their delivering partner and this partnership will provide their e-commerce business a wider reach and network. 
 
In tune with the emerging e-Commerce market, parcel product has been revamped & Cash on Delivery (CoD) facility has been introduced. State-of-the-art Parcel centres are also being set up across the country. Department is also developing exclusive Parcel Network to cater the needs of e-Commerce companies.

Department is also developing Parcel Network to cater to the needs of e-Commerce companies. Delivery of parcels and Express mail is also planned to be mechanised in bigger cities for efficient & quicker delivery.
 

Monday 13 October 2014

National Council JCM Staff Side meeting is going to take place tomorrow in New Delhi

Much Anticipated National Council JCM Staff Side Meeting Tomorrow
The National Council JCM Staff Side meeting is going to take place tomorrow in New Delhi. The meeting, to be attended by the representatives of all federations, will be chaired by the Staff Side Secretary, Shiva Gopal Mishra.
Important agendas of the meeting include demanding a change in the attitude of the Central Government towards the Central Government employees, merger of DA, granting interim relief and to hold discussions over the date of effect of the recommendations of the 7th CPC.
In the past, interim relief was granted before the recommendations of the new Pay Commissions were implemented. In the Fifth Pay Commission, it was recommended that whenever the DA crosses 50%, it should be added to the basic pay. The recommendation was accepted and in the year 2004, a 50% DA hike was added to the basic pay of all Central Government employees. Therefore, interim relief was not granted during the 6th Pay Commission.
There were also a number of confusions in the tenure of the Pay Commission, which had to be constituted once every ten years. One Pay Commission was almost lost, as a result. To make up for these errors, a demand has been presented to implement the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission from January 1, 2014 onwards.
Members of the National Council JCM Staff Side, including Mr, C. Srikumar, Mr. S.N. pathak, Mr. J.R. Bhonsale, Mr Raj Gopal and the association president, Mr. M Raghaviah, attended the meeting that was held on September 14, 2014 at AIRF office, under the leadership of Staff Side Secretary, Shiva Gopal Mishra, and presented their views. It was decided at the meeting that further debates will be conducted on important issues and decisions will be made on 12.10.2014.
Tomorrow’s meeting attains prominence due to the fact that representatives of all the employee associations are going to participate and debate over some of the most eagerly awaited issues.
Source : CGEN.in

Thursday 9 October 2014

Will the 7th Pay Commission Submit an Interim Report to the Government?

Is there any likelihood that the 7th Pay Commission will submit an interim report to the Central Government?
The Commission was formed and its Terms of Reference were given in February 2014. The Commission is supposed to submit an interim report if the Government asks for it. But, it is highly unlikely that the Government would.
The Commission can voluntarily submit an interim report to the Centre. But it also looks as if they wouldn’t. With only 18 months to submit its recommendations, the Commission has its hand full. That being the case, it is highly unlikely that it would volunteer to submit a report.
But, there is always a chance that the employee federations and unions could pressurize the 7th Pay Commission into submitting a report. With almost 8 months having passed since the Commission was constituted, there is a chance that the Commission could submit an interim report detailing its findings and suggestions.
Informed circles say that in issues were the Government cannot directly intervene, it could seek the Commission’s recommendations. There is a general expectation that the much anticipated DA Merger and interim relief could be granted.
Source: CG Staff News


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Need not submit Boarding Pass along with settlement of T.A. Claims – Dopt Circulars on 7.10.2014

F.No. G-14019/2/13-Cash
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated : 7th October, 2014
CIRCULAR
Subject : Non submission of Boarding Pass for settlement of T.A. Claims
Difficulties have been expressed by various quarters in production of original boarding passes along with T.A. Claims from time to time. The matter has been considered and it has been decided with the approval of the competent authority that in order to simplify the procedure of settlement of T.A. Claims, the condition of submission of Boarding Pass alongwith settlement of T.A. claim is dispensed with.
2. However, the officer concerned, preferring Travelling Allowance, will have to attach an undertaking along with T.A. claims that the journey, as mentioned therein, has actually been performed by him/her. Other requirements, as per the established procedures will continue to be followed.
3. Notwithstanding above, in case of extreme doubt, the controlling officer may be asked to verify the genuineness of the claim.
4. Air tickets should be purchased only from the authorized travel agent of this Deptt. i.e. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd and at the cheapest rates after comparing the available fare from the websites of travel agents of repute. If cheaper rates are available directly from Air India, the same can also be bought.
5. The frequent flyer reward points from Air India may only be redeemed for the official tours of the Deptt.
6. This issues with the approval of Secretary (P).
(Shri Prakash)
Director (Admn.)
Source:www.persmin.gov.in
(http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02adm/G-14019_2_13-Cash-07102014.pdf)

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Accept self-attested documents to open account: RBI to banks

The Reserve Bank today relaxed 'know your customer' norms by allowing self-certification of documents needed for opening bank accounts. 

"With a view to easing difficulties faced by common persons while opening bank accounts and during periodic updating, guidelines on KYC will be further simplified with immediate effect," the central bank said in its monetary policy statement. 

RBI has asked banks to "allow self-certification; accept a certified copy of the document by mail/post" for account opening. 

Banks have also been asked not to seek fresh documents if an existing KYC compliant customer of a bank desires to open another account in the bank. 

For periodic updating of KYC, the RBI told the banks not "insist on physical presence of the customer" and also not seek fresh proof of identity and address in case of no change in status for 'low risk' customers. 

The Reserve Bank further said there is a need for banks to complete KYC for all customers including long standing 'low risk' customers. 

"Banks should complete documentation, while minimising the effort on the part of the customer to what is strictly needed," it said. 

In the event that customers are unable to comply within a reasonable time period, 'partial freezing' may be introduced in respect of KYC non-compliant customers, RBI added. 

This means credits would be allowed in such accounts while debits would not be allowed, with an option to the account holder to close the account and take back the money in the account.

Source:-The Economic Times

India Post suited to be payment bank: Financial Services Secretary GS Sandhu

MUMBAI: Lack of credit disbursing experience makes the postal department with its vast network of offices around the country better suited to be run as a payment bank and not as a full-fledged universal bank, a top Finance Ministry official said here today. 

"The Department of Posts may be considered as a payment bank and they are working towards that. The problem with post offices is that they handle only one-side of banking, that is, the deposit side; but they don't handle the credit side," Financial Services Secretary GS Sandhu said at an event here. 

"So by making them (postal department) a payment bank, they will be able to work in that area they are best at. That may happen soon," Sandhu said. 

The Department of Posts with its network of more than 1.35 lakh post offices across the country had made concerted attempts to enter the banking sector by applying for a universal licence. 

While allotting licences in April this year, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) left it to the government to decide the fate of the Department of Posts' application. 

The Department of Posts has been collecting deposits, offering fixed as well as recurring deposits accounts to people for a long time now.

Source:-The Economic Times

Ravi Shankar Prasad pulls up officials after surprise check at 'unclean' post offices

New Delhi: After surprise checks at two post offices in New Delhi, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday pulled up officials of the Department of Posts for not keeping their premises and work space clean.

"Despite instructions from Prime Minister's Office, your premises are not clean. Take it as my direction that I want all post offices across country to be clean," he told senior DoP officials.

The Minister inspected work space at Gol Dak Khana and Lodhi Road post offices. Prasad inspected almirah and different rooms where he found dust on many files and racks.

He asked officials to keep the premises clean and make Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Mission a success.

Member, Postal Board, Anjali Devasher said that DoP started cleanliness drive and complete status report will be handed over to the minister in a month.

Senior officials at post offices said DoP had sought fund of about Rs 10 crore for civil work and cleanliness but it has been allocated only around Rs 3.5 crore which is too less.

"We have part time workers for cleaning work ... The structure of building are such that dust and dirt keep coming in to offices. We need funds to make buildings dust proof," an official said.

Ministry sources however said that Post Office staff have raised the issue of fund shortage only after minister's surprise visit.

Earlier in the day, Prasad ran cleanliness drive at Sanchar Bhawan where he found rubbish heaped at one place.

"I have announced that I will go to clean Patna Railway Station on 2 October. Union ministers will also go on cleanliness drive. Even Prime Minister himself will got to clean Valmiki basti near Birla Mandir. When the Prime Minister and Ministers can do this, you should not feel ashamed of it," Prasad said at Sanchar Bhawan.

He cited the example of cleanliness in metro and all government offices should be cleaned in a similar fashion.

"Below this place is metro station, where there is no dirt. The same people use it, the same is the Government. I feel that while travelling in metro, people themselves feel ashamed that it is so clean and how can we dirty it," Prasad said.

The Minister appealed government officials to change in their mind.

"You would have known that I am a strict Minister. I work and expect work from you all as well. I will make surprise visit to your offices as well," Prasad said at Sanchar Bhawan.
 
Source : PTI