No Change in the Rate of Personal Income Tax and The Rate of Tax for Companies on Income in Financial Year 2015-16

Surcharge @12% Levied on Individuals, HUFs, AOPs, BOIs, Artificial Juridical Persons, Firms, Cooperative Societies and Local Authorities Having Income Exceeding Rs 1 Crore.

The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley in his Budget Speech in Lok Sabha today proposed no change in the rate of personal Income-tax. He announced the tax proposals with no change in the rate of tax for companies in respect of the income earned in the financial year 2015-16, assessable in the assessment year 2016-17.

However, Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley proposed to levy a surcharge at the rate of 12% on individuals, HUFs, AOPs, BOIs, artificial juridical persons, firms, cooperative societies and local authorities having income exceeding Rs 1 crore. Surcharge in the case of domestic companies having income exceeding Rs 1 crore and upto Rs 10 crore is proposed to be levied @ 7% and surcharge @ 12% is proposed to be levied on domestic companies having income exceeding Rs 10 crore.

Shri Jaitley further proposed that in the case of foreign companies the surcharge will continue to be levied @ 2% if the income exceeds Rs 1 crore and is upto Rs 10 crore, and @ 5% if the income exceeds Rs 10 crore.

It is also proposed to levy a surcharge @ 12% as against current rate of 10% on additional income-tax payable by companies on distribution of dividends and buyback of shares, or by mutual funds and securitization trusts on distribution of income.

The education cess on income-tax @ 2% for fulfillment of the commitment of the Government to provide and finance universalized quality based education and 1% of additional surcharge called ‘Secondary and Higher Education Cess’ on tax and surcharge is proposed to be continued for the financial year 2015-16 for all taxpayers.

Source: PIB News

Promotion and posting in Postal Service Group "B" cadre

Total 141 IP Line officials have been promoted in Postal Service Group "B" cadre vide Order No. 9-25/2014-SPG dated 20.02.2015 issued by tha Postal Directorate. Following five IP Line officials from other Circles have been allotted to Delhi Circle :-
1. Sh. Ram Prasad Kushwaha, Rajasthan Circle
2. Sh. R. N. Tavakari, Karnataka Circle
3. Sh. Umesh Shettigar B, Karnataka Circle
4. Sh. S. Linga Setty, Karnataka Circle
5. Sh. Kajod Mal Meena, Rajasthan Circle

Transfer/posting of officers of Postal Service Group "B" cadre

18 officers working in different Circles have been transferred to their Home Circles vide Order No. 9-04/2015-SPG dated 20.02.2015 issued by the Postal Directorate. Following two officers from Delhi Circle have been transferred to their Home Circles :-
1. Sh. B. Mallikarjuna Sarma, Supdt. Delhi RMS to Andhra Pradesh Circle
2. Sh. Rajaram R Bhat, Supdt. AMPC to Karnataka Circle

Validity of Self Attested Documents

It is a constant endeavour of the Government to simplify procedures by introduction of self certification. For this, all Central Ministries / Departments as well as State Government / UTs have been requested to review the existing requirement in this regard and make provision for self certification, wherever possible. Response from 25 States / UTs has been received indicating action taken by them.

Different organizations prescribe different criteria for attestation, subject to statutory and legal provisions. As per its mandate, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances has been requesting them to adopt self-certification, wherever possible, as a measure of administrative reform.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in Prime Minister’s office Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Shri Narendra Kumar Kashyap in the Rajya Sabha today. 

Source : PIB

Highlights of Rail Budget-2015-16

No hike in Railway Passenger Fares

Plan Outlay proposed Rs. 1,00,011 crore, increased by 52%

Allocation for passenger amenities up by 67%

Railways to become prime mover of Indian Economy, Five years action plan proposed

Rail Budget seeks resource mobilization for higher investment

Thrust on measurable and sustainable improvement in passenger experience and to make Rail a safer means of travel

Hot buttons, coin vending machines for railway tickets within 5 minutes, e-catering to select meals from an array of choices

200 more stations to come under Adarsh Station scheme; Wi - Fi to be provided at B category stations

24X7 helplines for attending passenger problems and security related complaints

For the safety of women passengers surveillance cameras in suburban coaches

More General class coaches will be added in identified trains.

The speed of nine railway corridors will be increased to 160 and 200 kmph

Train Protection Warning System and Train Collision Avoidance System to be installed on select routes

77 new projects covering 9,400 km of doubling/tripling/quadrupling works proposed

A new department for keeping stations and trains clean under Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Source : PIB

Promotion and allotment of Postal Service, Group 'B' officers to Junior Time Scale (JTS) of Indian Postal Service, Group 'A'

It is intimated that 39 PS Group "B" officers have been promoted to JTS cadre of IPoS Group "A". One officer from Chhattisgarh Circle i.e. Shri B. L. Jangde has been allotted to Delhi Circle.

  Source : Directorate memo No.4-2/2014-SPG dated 26th February 2015

Now, India Post to sell biscuits, photo frames and mugs

CHENNAI: After introducing auxiliary mail services in an attempt to salvage its sinking fortunes, India Post will now sell biscuits, photo frames and mugs. After opening in Bengaluru and Mysore, Chennai's first Post Shoppe will come up at the head post office on Anna Salai next month.

Postmaster General Shri Merwin Alexander said the store would also sell pens, markers, gum, books and souvenirs with the India Post logo.

It will be located next to the multiple counters for postal and banking operations, so that customers can pick up stationery, and more.

"Post Shoppe is aimed at bringing various items of selected utility on sale under one roof. There will also be greeting cards," said Alexander. "Despite the internet, there are still many takers for greeting cards as it makes a difference to the receiver who would cherish it and keep it as a fond memory from a loved one," said Alexander. There was also a plan to have coffee vending machines at the shop, he added.

The postmaster general said the facility would augment the needs of the customer and also add value to the place. "If a customer walks in and finds that he is not carrying a pen, he can quickly get it from the Post Shoppe. And then there are other things he can buy. It is all about customer delight," said Alexander. "In short, it is expected to be a shelf of aesthetics and utility."

After seeing the response in Chennai, India Post will decide whether to replicate the store in tier two cities. Customers are welcome to send in suggestions on the content and feel of Post Shoppe, said an official.

Against the onslaught of email and instant communication using computers and smart phones, India Post has been trying to reinvent itself through a variety of improvised communication services such as e-post, e-money order and e-tracking.

DPC for promotion to PS Group "B" cadre

Last OC : Shri Ramesh Kumar Agarwal (Madhya Pradesh-1991 batch)
Last SC : Shri L. R. Parihar (APS-Rajasthan - 1992 batch) 
Last ST : Shri V. N. Dadmal (Maharashtra - 1993 batch) 

Budget 2015: Government may relax LTC norms to boost tourism

In order to give boost to the tourism sector, the Budget for 2015-16 is likely to expand the scope of LTA and LTC by including hotel and other expenses besides travel for the purpose of tax benefit. 

The Ministry, sources said, it is also considering a proposal to allow employees to availLeave Travel Concession (LTC)/ Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) every year as against the current practice of two times in a block of four years. 

At present, LTA or LTC covers only economy class air travel or first class (AC I Class) rail fare. An announcement in this regard is likely to be made in the Budget to be presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on February 28. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier expressed his keenness to promote tourism. Experts are of the view that encouragement to the tourism sector will promote development of different regions and create employment opportunities. 

"To boost domestic tourism and also provide some tax relief to the individuals, the Leave Travel Concession benefit should be increased to one visit for every financial year," KPMG (India) Partner Vikas Vasal said. 

He further suggested that tax concessions should also be made available for stay in hotel may also be covered to help families avail of a holistic benefit. 

The LTC/LTA is available to the individual and his family including spouse, two children, parents, brothers and sisters, who are wholly dependent on the assessee. 

"There is a huge scope for developing the tourism industry in India which provides direct and indirect employment to millions of people. Therefore, an enhanced tax relief to individuals on LTC will benefit the overall economy," Vasal said.

Source:-The Economic Times

Supreme Court sets bar on suspension of Govt employees

A government employee can't be kept suspended for more than three months if not formally informed about the charges, the Supreme Court said Monday.

Based on the principle of human dignity and the right to speedy trial, the landmark verdict is expected to affect lakhs of government employees across India, many of whom are under suspension for years pending departmental proceedings.

"Suspension, specially preceding the formulation of charges, is essentially transitory or temporary in nature, and must perforce be of short duration," a bench headed by justice Vikramjit Sen said.

If the charge sheet or memorandum of charges was served within three month, the suspension could be extended, it ruled.

"If it (suspension) is for an indeterminate period or if its renewal is not based on sound reasoning…, this would render it punitive in nature," the court said.

It agreed with petitioner's senior counsel Nidhesh Gupta that a suspension order can't continue for an unreasonably long period.

Protracted periods of suspension had become the norm and not the exception that they ought to be, the court said. It drew a parallel with criminal investigation wherein a person accused of heinous crime is released from jail after the expiry of 90 days if police fail to file the charge sheet.

The suspended persons suffers even before being charged and "his torment is his knowledge that if and when charged, it will inexorably take an inordinate time for the inquisition or inquiry to come to its culmination". "Much too often this has now become an accompaniment to retirement," the court said, setting aside a direction of the central vigilance commission that required departmental proceedings to be kept in abeyance pending a criminal investigation.

The government, however, was free to transfer the officer concerned to any department in any of its offices to ensure the employee did not misuse contacts for obstructing the probe, the court said.

The order came on a petition filed by defence estate officer Ajay Kumar Choudhary, who was suspended in September 2011 for allegedly issuing wrong no-objection certificates for the use of a four-acre land parcel in Kashmir. After failing to get relief from the Delhi high court, Choudhary had moved the top court in 2013.

Since a charge sheet had already been served on Choudhary, these directions would not apply to his case, the court said.

Source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-sets-bar-on-suspension-of-govt-employees/article1-1317561.aspx

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.

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.

Encashment earned leave alongwith LTC - clarification

No.14028/2/2012-Estl(L)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, PG and Pensions

(Department of Personnel and Training)

*****

New Delhi, dated the 9th February, 2015.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Encashment earned leave alongwith LTC- clarification.

The undersigned is directed to refer to DoPT's O.M. No. 31011/4/2008-Estt.(A), dated 23s September, 2008 allowing encashment of earned leave along with LTC and to say that references have been received with regard to the  number of times that a Government servant can avail of the encashment within the same block.

2. It is clarified that the Government servants governed by the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 and entitled to avail LTC may encash earned leave upto 10 days at the time of availing both types of LTCs, i.e. `Hometown' and 'anywhere in India'. However, when the one and the same LTC is being availed of by the Government servant and his family members separately in a block year, encashment of leave would be restricted to one occasion only.

3. Hindi version will follow. 

Sd/-

(Mukul Ratra )

Director

Tele: 26164314

To

All Ministries/ Department of Government of India (As per standard mailing list)

Age limit of Retirement in Central Government Services – What says FR56..?

“All Government servants are to retire on the last day of the month in which they attain the age of 60 years, subject to the exceptions mentioned therein”.

The DoPT Minister informed in the Parliament as a written reply to a question to the subject above mentioned as follows…

As per Rule 56 of Fundamental Rules all Government servants are to retire on the last day of the month in which they attain the age of 60 years, subject to the exceptions mentioned therein. A copy of the relevant rule is annexed. Different age of retirement for certain categories has been fixed on functional requirements.

Employees of the Supreme Court retire on attaining the age of 60 years. The employees of Central Universities are not Central Government employees. However, the retirement age of the employees are as under:-

(i) Vice Chancellor – 70 years

(ii) Teachers – 65 years

(iii) Registrar – 62 years

(iv) Finance Officer – 62 years

(v) Controller of Examination – 62 years Different age of retirement is prescribed on functional requirements.

Extracts of Provisions in FR 56

F.R. 56(a) Except as otherwise provided in this rule, every Government servant shall retire from service on the afternoon of the last day of the month in which he attains the age of sixty years.

Provided that a Government servant whose date of birth is the first of a month shall retire from service on the afternoon of the last day of the preceding month on attaining the age of sixty years. Provided further that a Government servant who has attained the age of fifty-eight years on or before the first day of May, 1998 and is on extension in service, shall retire from the service on expiry of his extended period of service. Or on the expiry of any further extension in service granted by the Central Government in public interest, provided that no such extension in service shall be granted beyond the age of 60 years.

(b) A workman who is governed by these rules shall retire from service on the afternoon of the last day of the month in which he attains the age of sixty years.

(bb) The age of superannuation in respect of specialists included in the Teaching, Non-Teaching and Public Health Sub-cadres of Central Health Service shall be 62 years. “Provided that for the specialist included in the Teaching sub-cadres of the Central Health Service who are engaged only in teaching activities and not occupying administrative positions, the age of superannuation shall be sixty-five years: provided further that such specialist of the Teaching Sub-cadres of Central Health Service who are occupying administrative positions shall have the option of seeking appointment to the teaching positions in case they wish to continue in service up to sixty-five years.”

(bbb) The age of superannuation in respect of nursing teaching faculty with M.Sc in Nursing in the Central Government Nursing Institutions shall be 65 years subject to the condition that they continue to function as faculty members after the age of 60 years.

Election Holidays – Grant of Paid Holiday to CG Employees on the day of Poll – Orders Issued by Election Commission

Election Commission has issued orders on General Election to the State Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi 2015, grant of paid holiday to employees on the day of poll under section 135B of Representation of the People Act 1951. The order is reproduced and given below for your ready reference…

ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

No.78/2015/EPS

Dated: 20th January, 2015

To

1. The Chief Secretary to the Government of NCT of Delhi,Delhi.

2. The Chief Electoral Officer,Delhi.

3. The Secretary to the Govt, of India, M/o Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training, North Block, New Delhi.

Subject:- General Election to the State Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi, 2015 – Grant of paid holiday to employees on the day of poll – Regarding.

Sir,

I am directed to invite your attention to Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 which provides for the grant of paid holiday to the employees on the day of poll. The Section 135B is reproduced below:-

“135B. Grant of paid holiday to employees on the day of poll.

(1) Every person employed in any business trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment and entitled to vote at election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of a State shall, on the day of poll, be granted a holiday.

(2) No deduction or abatement of the wages of any such person shall be made on account of a holiday having been granted in accordance with sub-section (I) and if such person is employed on the basis that he would not ordinarily receive wages for such a day, he shall nonetheless be paid for such day the wages he would have drawn had not a holiday been granted to him on that day.

(3) If an employer contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), then such employer shall be punishable with fine, which may extend to five hundred rupees.

(4) This section shall not apply to any elector whose absence may cause danger or substantial loss in respect of the employment in which he is engaged.”

2. The above provisions require that all the electors who are employees of establishments and shops including those who work on shift basis shall be granted a paid holiday on the day of poll in the Constituency where a general election is to be held. Further, there may be cases where a person is ordinarily resident of the Constituency and registered as an elector, may be serving/employed in an industrial undertaking or an establishment located outside the Constituency having a general election. It is clarified that in such a situation, even those electors including casual workers working outside the constituency concerned would be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday extended under Section 135B(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951,

3. The daily wage/casual workers are also entitled for a holiday and wages on poll day as provided in Section 135B of the R.P. Act, 1951

4. The Commission desires that suitable instructions should be issued to all concerned and a copy thereof be endorsed to the Commission for its information and record.

5. The receipt of this letter may please be acknowledged.

Yours faithfully

sd/-

(Sumit Mukerjee)

Secretary

Authority: www.eci.nic.in

Travel by Premium Trains on LTC- Clarification orders issued by DoPT on 27.1.2015

"Travel by Premium Trains is not permissible on LTC. Hence, the fare charged by the Indian Railways for the journey(s) performed by Premium trains shall not be reimbursable for the purpose of LTC."

G.I., Dep.of Per. & Trg., O.M. No.31011/2/2015-Estt.(A-IV), dated 27.1.2015

Subject: Travel by Premium Trains on LTC- Clarification reg.

The undersigned is directed to say that several references are received by this Department from various Ministry / Departments seeking clarification regarding admissibility of travel by Premium Trains run by Indian Railways while availing of LTC.

2. The matter has been examined in consultation with Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance and it has been decided that travel by Premium Trains is not permissible on LTC. Hence, the fare charged by the Indian Railways for the journey(s) performed by Premium trains shall not be reimbursable for the purpose of LTC. Cases where LTC travel in such Premium Trains has already been undertaken by the Central Government Employees, the train fare may be reimbursed restricting it to the admissible normal fare for the entitled class of train travel or the actual fare paid, whichever is less.

Authority : www.persmin.gov.in

GPF & Pension Benefits to Casual Labour with temporary status regularised after 1.1.2004 – Dopt orders

G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., O.M.No.49014/2/2014-Estt(C), dated 29.1.2015

Subject: GPF & Pension Benefits to Casual Labour with temporary status regularised after 1.1.2004 —regarding.

The undersigned is directed to say that following the issue of this Department’s O.M. No. Dated 26.04.2004, the status of admissibility of pensionary benefits to CL-TS regularised after 1.1.2004 has been a subject of litigation in a number of court cases being contested by various Ministries/Department.

2. In order to take a view on the above issue and in view of the court rulings, it is requested that all Ministries/Departments may furnish the details of Casual Labour with temporary status (CL-TS) regularised after 1.1.2004 in the enclosed proforma latest by 07.02.2015.

3. The particulars of CL-TS yet to be regularised called for vide this Department’s O.M No. Dated 16.10.2014 may also be sent urgently, if not already sent.

Authority: www.persmin.gov.in

Questions related to Sukanya Samridhi Yojana

As you are aware Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 January 2015 launched a small deposit scheme Sukanya Samridhi Yojana for girl child under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign. In this post we are bringing you some probable questions that can be asked related to this Yojana in the upcoming exams.

1) Who can open account in the name of Girld Child under Sukanya Samridhi Yojana? - Guardian/Natural Guardian

2) A Guardian can open how many accounts under SSY? - Only one account in the name of one girl child and maximum two accounts in the name of two different girl children.

3) An account under SSY can be opened up to the age of ___ years only from the date of birth? - 10 Years

4) Whether nomination facility is available for accounts under SSY? - No

5) Minimum amount for opening of SSY Account? - Rs.1000 (Subsequent deposit should be in multiple of Rs.100/-)

6) Maximum amount that can be deposited in a financial year in this account? - Rs.1,50,000

7) Whether there is any limit on the number of deposits? - No

8) What is the interest rate for the financial year 2014-15 under Sukanya Samridhi Yojana account? - 9.1%

9) Partial withdrawal, maximum upto 50% of the balance standing at the end of the preceding financial year can be taken after Account holder is attaining age of ___ years? - 18 Years

10) Sukanya Samridhi Account can be closed after completion of ___ years? - 21

11) If account is not closed after maturity, balance will continue to earn interest as specified for the scheme from time to time. State whether the statement is correct? - Yes

12) Normal premature closure will be allowed after completion of 18 years provided which condition? - Girl is married

Cadre restructuring of cadre of Assistant Managers MMS

Information in respect of Delhi Circle on the above subject is as under :

No. of Sr. Managers MMS sanctioned posts  in circle	1
No. of Sr. Managers MMS posts vacant	Nil
No. of Manager MMS sanctioned posts in circle	Nil
No. of Manager MMS posts vacant	Nil
No. of Dy. Manager MMS sanctioned posts in circle	1
No. of Dy. Manager MMS posts vacant	1
No. of Assistant Manager sanctioned posts in circle	10
No. of Assistant Manager posts vacant	9
Whether copy of Recruitment Rules of Inspector MMS (old cadre) is available in the circle office.	No
Whether circle seniority list (gradation list) is available or otherwise	No

LTC to neighboring countries : Ministry of Civil Aviation nods

The civil aviation ministry has given its nod to a proposal to provide leave travel concession for government employees to Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka to boost tourism in the region.

A senior official in the ministry confirming the development said, “The move is intended to boost tourism within SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries. Pakistan and Bangladesh has been left out for now because of security issues.”

The approval from the ministry of civil aviation was required so that the LTC can be availed of on national carrier Air India while flying to these countries.

Source : Financial Express

Inspector Posts & PS Group "B" Examination durng 2015

1. Inspector Posts Examination : 19th and 20th September 2015

2. PS Group B Examination for the year 2013 : 21-6-2015 (Sunday)

3. PS Group B Examination for the year 2014 : 18-10-2015 (Sunday)

Introduction of Sukanya Samriddhi Account from 22.01.2015.

SB Order No.2/2015 has been released regarding Introduction of Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) by Ministry Of Finance (DEA). This scheme is being launched by Hon'ble Prime Minister on 22nd January 2015 afternoon. 

Patch from Sanchay Post will be available in DMCC website by end of day today which needs to be downloaded and deployed in all Sanchay Post offices. Solution for post offices on CBS platform is being tested and will be deployed by Tomorrow.

If any customer comes to any post office for opening of account under SSA will be attended to by the Post Offices from tomorrow onward, Account will be opened with Rs.1000/- and Passbook will be given to him/her. Birth certificate of the Girl child will be obtained from the Guardian alongwith Account Opening Form and Identity as well as Address Proof of the Guardian.  

Department of Posts may set up separate entity for e-commerce by next year - 2016

NEW DELHI: The Department of Posts (DoP) may set up a separate entity for handling e-commerce services by next year to cash in on the burgeoning demand for delivery and logistics.

According to sources, during a recent meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, DoP said it aims to conduct a financial feasibility study for setting up a separate entity for e-commerce by October this year and start the operations by next year.

Sources said DoP may appoint an on-board consultant for development and operationalisation of business and marketing strategy for commerce market by July this year.

Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had earlier said India Post with the world's largest postal network is best suited to offer delivery services to e-commerce firms.

India Post has over 1.55 lakh post offices of which around 1.40 lakh are in the rural areas. On an average, a post office serves an area of 21.21 sq. km and a population of 7,175 people.

Sources said DoP would strengthen e-commerce vertical in terms of resources and infrastructure by April and set up parcel processing hubs, dedicated transmission and mechanised delivery system by July this year.

The Department already has a tie-up with domestic e-commerce players such as Flipkart, Snapdeal, Amazon and Shopclues among others and for international e-commerce, the Department has entered into agreements with e-Bay and Japan Post.

Modi had set up the Task Force in 2014 to leverage the postal network in India and to enhance the role of India Post in financial inclusion, among other services like delivery of goods for eCommerce firms.

In December last year, the Task Force had submitted its report to Prasad. It noted that with India Posts overseeing Rs 6 lakh crore in deposits, it is second only to the country's largest bank SBI.

The report suggested that the government should set up a holding company under the DoP for immediate roll out of banking, insurance and e-commerce services.

The holding company should have five different verticals, and three of them -- banking, insurance and e-commerce -- can start working immediately.

Source : http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/

One more cadidate declared successful in PS Gr. B Examination 2003-06

Directorate vide Memo No. A.34018/27/2009-DE dated 15th January 2015 has declared result of one candidate of PS Gr. B examination 2003-06 held from 16th to 17th February, 2008. 

 

In compliance of the order dated 8/10/2013 pronounced by the  Hon'ble High Court of Judicature of Andhra Pradesh of Hyderabad in WP No. 21345/2008 filed by Shri P. Balasubrahmanyam, ASP, Visakhapatnam Region in OA No. 1012/2008 of Hon'ble CAT Hyderabad Bench, the competent authority has ordered to declare the result of Shri P. Balasubrahmanyam, ASP Visakhapatnam Region as selected for PS Gr. B cadre in PS Gr. B Examination 2003-06 and to include his name in the selected list of PS Gr. B Examination 2003-06.

 

He is to be accommodated against existing / future OC vacancy in IP Line of PS Gr. B Examination 2003-06 held on 16th and 17th February 2008 and he will get the seniority after the last candidate who has been appointed in PS Gr. B cadre on regular basis as of now. He shall not be entitiled to be paid any back wages.

 

The orders of the High Court of Judicature of Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad is specific to this case and will not be applicable to any other case.

 

Benefits of drinking water early morning

Drinking water in empty stomach in the morning can be

immensely beneficial for the body  We tend to complicate things when it comes to taking care of our health. A few simple steps can go a long way in taking care of our health, and one easy way of ensuring it is by drinking sufficient water in empty stomach first thing in the morning. Not only does it clear your stomach, it goes a long way in reducing the risk of a number of diseases.

Firstly, it purifies the colon and it improves the stomach's chances to absorb nutrients properly. A better digestive system automatically takes care of a lot of other things. It is also one of the secrets behind a glowing skin, as water removes the toxins from the blood. Drinking water also improves the creation of new blood cells as well as muscle cells, and helps you in losing weight.
 

Also, make sure not to eat anything for a while after you drink water in the morning. This water treatment therapy has no side effects and boosts your metabolism greatly. About four glasses of water (one litre) on an average daily would be great. If it feels too much in the beginning, you can start off slowly and then gradually increase the intake.

POSB ATM Card/e-Banking/Mobile Banking request Form & Customer Information Updation Form for existing customers

 

 

Government mulls legislative route for setting up Postal Bank

NEW DELHI: The government is looking at taking the legislative route, by next  month, to finalise the setting up of Postal Bank of India and will soon approach  RBI to consider the postal department's application for banking licence.

In a recent meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Department of Posts (DoP)  said that it is ready to move into the banking space by becoming a universal  bank, sources said.

According to a presentation given to the Prime Minister, DoP, in consultation  with the government, may approach RBI this month to consider its original  application for a universal bank, the source said.

"Simultaneously,  modalities for the alternative of taking the legislative route to set up Postal
Bank of India (PBI) would be worked out in February," the source said.

The meeting, which was also attended by Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, discussed the proposals of the 'Task Force on Leveraging the Post Office  Network' and the way forward to implement the recommendations.

The  Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in August last year said that the Union government  has to take a final call on application for banking licence by DoP.

The  sources said to begin with, DoP proposes to have Post Office Savings Bank (POSB)  to run parallel to the PBI, which can eventually become part of the PBI as  suggested by the Task Force.

The source said post offices as front of PBI shall offer full  banking services to the customers whereas PBI branches shall only handle the  back office operations such as processing of loan applications, credit  worthiness and risk assessment, investment operations etc.

"PBI will  also offer the facility of opening institutional accounts, like for panchayats,  micro credit agencies, along with new schemes and market linked rates," the  source added.

Modi had set up the Task Force in 2014 to leverage the postal network in India  and to enhance the role of India Post in financial inclusion, among other  services like delivery of goods for eCommerce firms.

In December last  year, the Task Force had submitted its rport to Prasad. It noted that with its  Rs 6 lakh crore in deposits, India Post is second only to the country's largest  bank SBI.

The  report suggested that the government should set up a holding company under the DoP for immediate roll out of banking, insurance and e-commerce  services.

The holding company should have five different verticals, and  three of them -- banking, insurance and e-commerce -- can start working  immediately.

The panel had suggested establishing PBI as a separate  entity with a branch in each district in the first three years with initial  capital of Rs 500 crore to be funded by the government.

PBI and Prime  Minister's Jan  Dhan Yojanacan compliment each other for financial inclusion, former Cabinet Secretary TSR  Subramanian, who headed the task force, had said.

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com