CAT Case : Upgradation of GP of Inspector Posts....updates!!!

Today, OA No. 289/13 filed by Association was listed before the Hon'ble CAT Ernakulam Bench for final hearing, but the case is adjourned by Hon'ble bench itself and posted to 29/10/2014 for final hearing.

Source : CHQ Blog

DPC for promotion to PS Gr. B cadre for the vacancy year 2014-15

DPC for promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B for the vacancy year 2014-15 is already over due and CHQ is vigorously pursuing it with Directorate. It is learnt that the list of officers in the zone of consideration is likely to be released by Directorate in this week. Therefore CHQ has decided to keep the information of vacancies in PS Gr. B cadre as on 1/12/2014 handy to confirm the same with the vacancies likely to be declared by Directorate. 

Therefore, it is requested to all Circle Secretaries and CHQ Office Bearers to intimate the vacancy position of their circle in PS Gr. B cadre as on 1/12/2014 to GS and if it is readily not available with them, then the same may please be obtained through RTI. This is very important to get maximum officers to covered in DPC. 

 

Source : CHQ Blog

No Holiday on October 2 for Central Government Employees This Time

Cabinet Secretary Ajith Seth has asked the Central Government employees to come to office on October 2, which happens to be the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, and a national holiday, and tidy up the office premises. A circular to this effect will be sent to all the Central Government offices soon.

As part of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Swachh Bharat’ (Clean India) mission, all Central Government employees have been asked to report on duty on October 2, and take a pledge of cleanliness. The circular has already been sent to the secretaries of various departments.

Cabinet Secretary Ajith Seth explained, “During his Independence Day speech on August 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the ‘Swachh Bharat’ mission. He is all set to begin the campaign on October 2.

As part of the campaign, all Central Government employees are to attend the office on October 2 to take the pledge of cleanliness. Prior to the campaign, all concerned Central Government officials have been intimated to clean up the office premises.

Seth has said that all the Central Government departments will have to participate without fail in the ‘Swachh Bharat’ mission.

Source: CG Staff News

Relaxation to travel by air to visit J&K, NER and A&N for further two years on LTC – DOPT Order

No. 31011/3/2014-Estt.(A-IV)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training

North Block, New Delhi-110 001

Dated: 26th September, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 — Relaxation to travel by air to visit NER and A&N.

The undersigned is directed to say that in relaxation to CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988, it has been decided by the Government to permit Government servants to travel by air to North East Region (NER) , Jammu and Kashmir and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N) as per the following scheme.

(i) All eligible Government servants may avail LTC to visit any place in NER/ A&N against the conversion of one block of their Home Town LTC. Fresh Recruits are also eligible for this benefit against conversion of one of the three Home Towns in a block of four years applicable to them.

(ii) Government servants entitled to travel by air can avail this LTC from their Headquarters in Economy class.

(iii) Government servants not entitled to travel by air may be permitted to travel by air in Economy class in the following sectors:

a. Between Kolkata/ Guwahati and any place in NER

b. Between Kolkata/ Chennai/ Bhubaneswar and Port Blair.

c. Between Delhi / Amritsar and any place in J&K

Journey for these non-entitled employees from their Headquarters up to Kolkata/ Guwahati/ Chennai/ Bhubaneswar / Delhi / Amritsar will have to be undertaken as per their entitlement.

(iv) Air travel is to be performed by Air India in Economy Class only and at LTC-80 fare or less.

(v) Air travel by non-entitled officers on the sectors mentioned in item (iii) above may be permitted while availing LTC to any place in India (4 year Block) also.

(vi) Air Tickets to be purchased directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the service of Authorized Travel Agents viz. ‘M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company’, ‘M/s Ashok Travels & Tours’ and ‘IRCTC’ (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT’s O.M. No. 31011/6/2002-Estt.(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey. Booking of tickets through other agencies is not permitted.

2. These orders shall be in operation for a period of two years from the date of issue of this O.M.

3. All the Ministries/ Departments are advised to bring it to the notice of all their employees that any misuse of LTC will be viewed seriously and the employees will be liable for appropriate action under the rules. In order to keep a check on any kind of misuse of LTC, Ministries/ Departments are advised to randomly get some of the air tickets submitted by the officials verified from the Airlines concerned with regard to the actual cost of air travel vis-a-vis the cost indicated on the air tickets submitted by the officials.

4. In their application to the staff serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

sd/-

(B. Bandyopadhyay)

Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source: www.persmin.nic.in

[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/31011_3_2014-Estt.A-IV-26092014.pdf]

Hon'ble PM's Message on Swachh Bharat

Following is the text of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s message on Swachh Bharat. 

“Dear Friends, 

I am sure you have heard time and again that cleanliness is next to Godliness. Alas, things are often different when it comes to putting this into practice. 

On 2nd October we are launching Swachh Bharat Mission, a massive mass movement, that seeks to create a Clean India. Cleanliness was very close to Mahatma Gandhi's heart. A clean India is the best tribute we can pay to Bapu when we celebrate his 150th birth anniversary in 2019. Mahatma Gandhi devoted his life so that India attains 'Swarajya'. Now the time has come to devote ourselves towards 'Swachchhata' (cleanliness) of our motherland. 

I urge every one of you to devote at least hundred hours every year, that is two hours every week towards cleanliness. We can't let India remain unclean any longer. On 2nd October I myself will set out with a broom and contribute towards this pious task. 

Today, I appeal to everyone, particularly political and religious leadership, mayors, sarpanchs and captains of industry to plan and wholeheartedly engage in the task of cleaning your homes, work places, villages, cities and surroundings. I request your active support and participation in our collective quest to make a Swachh Bharat.” 

Source : PIB

Reimbursement when Pensioners take treatment immediately after Retirement before getting CGHS Cards

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has now decided to clarify the matter as follows :-

(i) The treatment taken and expenditure Incurred thereon within the grace period of three months from the date of retirement will be allowed and expenditure reimbursable

subject to the condition that the beneficiary has either obtained or applied for CGHS pensioner card with all documents and requisite CGHS subscription within one month of expiry of the grace period of three months.

(ii) It is further clarified that the expenditure on treatment taken after the grace period of three months from date of retirement will not be reimbursable unless the beneficiary has obtained a valid CGHS card or has applied for CGHS pensioner card with all documents and requisite CGHS subscription prior to taking such treatment.

FAQs on How to Mark your Attendance (BAS)

How to mark Attendance using the common biometric attendance system on wall mounted terminals

To get your Attendance ID, register online at attendance.gov.in. The Attendance ID will be generated from you Aadhaar number, the 6 digit number will be generated based on the last 6 or first 6 digits of your Aadhaar number. The attendance ID will only be active to mark attendance only when your Aadhaar information is verified by UIDAI and activated by you Nodal officer.

Attendance ID has been sent by SMS to your registered Mobile Number.

Enter your 6-digit Attendance ID on Screen

A Red light will start to glow on Finger Print Scanner

Now put any one of your fingers on the Finger Print Scanner

DO NOT move your finger on scanner otherwise finger prints will not be properly scanned

DO NOT Press very hard on Finger Print Scanner

Once the screen shows “Authenticating, Please Wait”. Remove your finger from the scanner

A pop-up screen will show your Photo and Attendance Type as “Opening” for the first time you mark the attendance for that day

If Attendance Type is “Closing” then it will be counted as OUT Time. However, OUT time would be the LAST “Closing” time marked by you. Any “Closing” time in-between “Opening” time and Last “Closing” time would be ignored

If, you see a CROSS instead of your photo, then some ERROR has occurred while marking attendance.

You will be able to mark your attendance in any bio-metric terminal installed in various Central Government buildings

You can also mark your attendance in any of finger print devices, which have been connected on Windows 7 or Windows OS. Presently client attendance software is not available for MAC OS

If you are having difficulty in marking attendance-using fingerprints scanning devices, please try marking your attendance through Iris Device, which may be available with NIC In-charge in your organization

Source : www.attendance.gov.in

Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC- Clarification issued by DOPT

No.31011/5/2014-Estt.(A-IV)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training

North Block, New Delhi-110001

Dated: 24th September, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Procedure for booking of air-tickets on LTC- Clarification reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to the conditions laid down by this Department’s O.M. No. 31011/4/2014-Estt.(A.lV) dated 19th June, 2014, as per which the Government employees are required to book the air tickets directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the service of Authorized Travel Agents viz. ‘M/S Balmer Lawrie & Company’, ‘M/s Ashok Travels & Tours’ and ‘IRCTC’ (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT O.M. No. 310111612002-Estt.(A) dated 02.12.2009) while undertaking LTC journey(s).

2. The matter has further been reviewed and it is clarified that the web-portal of authorized travel agents, namely M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Ltd., M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC will also be treated as an acceptable mode for purchase of air tickets on LTC. However, booking of air tickets through web-portals of these authorized agents would also be governed by the provisions of Department of Expenditure’s O.M. No. 19024/1/2012-E-IV dated 5th September, 2014 which are as under:

(i) No feel service charges (by whatever nomenclature), which are not included in the ‘tariff’ charged by Air-India/airlines, are required to be paid to the aforementioned authorised travel agents.

(ii) As far as possible, air tickets on Government account may be obtained directly from the Air India/Airlines (booking counters/offices/websites) and if obtaining tickets directly from Air India/Airlines is not possible, should the services of authorised travel agents be availed of.

3. All Ministries/Departments are advised to bring these guidelines to the notice of all their employees.

sd/-

(B. Bandopadhyay)

Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source: www.persmin.nic.in

[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/31011_5_2014-Estt-A-IV.pdf]

LDCE for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B for the vacancy year 2013

There is no progress in the matter at Postal Directorate. 

Source : CHQ Blog

60 Days Bonus for Postal Employees – Orders issued by Department of Posts

F.No.26-04/2014-PAP

Government of India

Ministry of Communication & Information Technology

Department of Posts,

(Establishment Division)

Dak Bhawan, Sensed Marg, 

New Delhi – 110001

Dated: 19th September, 2014

1. All Chief Postmasters General

2. All Postmasters General

3. Deputy Director General (PAP), Department of Posts

4. All General Managers (Finance)

5. Directors/Deputy Directors of Accounts (Postal)

6. Director, RAKNPA/Directors of All PTCs

SUB: Productivity Linked Bonus for the Accounting year 2013-14.

Sir/Madam,

The undersigned is directed to convey the sanction of the President of India to the payment of Productivity Linked Bonus for the accounting year 2013-14 equivalent of emoluments of 60 (sixty) Days to the employees of Department of Posts in Group `D/MTS, Group ‘C’ and non-gazetted Group ‘B’. Ex-Gratia payment of bonus to Gramin Dak Sevaks who are regularly appointed after observing all appointment formalities, and Ad-hoc payment of bonus to Casual labourers who have been conferred Temporary Status are also to be paid equivalent to allowances / wages respectively for 60 (sixty) Days for the same period.

1.1 The calculation for the purpose of payment of bonus under each category will be done as indicated below.

2, REGULAR EMPLOYEES

2.1 Bonus will be calculated on the basis of the following formula: –

Average emoluments X Number of days of bonus

—————————————-

30.4 (average no of days in a month)

Merger of ASP cadre in to PS Gr.B cadre/cadre restructuring ......Meeting at Directorate

It is to inform to all members that, as on date CHQ has not received any fresh proposal from anybody. Therefore in the ensuing meeting, CHQ will persue/discuss the proposal which was submitted to Directorate on 20/11/2013.

Source : CHQ Blog

Views of Karnataka Circle on merger of ASP cadre in to PS Gr. B cadre

Karnataka Circle informed that the proposal for merger of ASP to PSS Gr "B" officer as proposed by the GS is agreed.

Simultaneously in the course of discussion the following points may be discussed in detail.

1]    Each Circle should post the Senior Most Gr B Officer as the Head of the Division. To facilitate this while ordering for transfer/posting , a panel of Gr B Officers to be formed who can be posted as the Head of the Divisions based on their seniority in the Gradation List after ascertaining the available number of Gr B Divisional Head Posts in that particular circle/unit.

2]   Cadre Restructuring Committee for Gr C Cadre appointed by the Department had submitted the Report wherein it was recommended to accord the non functional upgradation of GP of HSG II from 4200 to 4600 after completion of 2 years of service. Hitherto, the GP of both HSG II and IP is identical. If the said recommendations are considered, there will be anomaly between the pay of IP Cadre and HSG II cadre if the similar benefits were not accorded to IP Cadre lest which will adversely affect discharging of administrative powers of the IP cadre in the light of the fact that the Inspector Posts being the Sub Divisional Heads have to carry out verification of Establishment Statistics, Incentive bills, Public complaints, seize the records in case of fraud and also record the statements of the Sub Postmasters including HSG-1 and HSG –II Postmasters in time of exigencies and investigation of Loss and Fraud Cases.

If the GP of the Supervisory cadre that is HSG–II is conferred with the non functional GP of 4600 after completion of two years of service without implementing the cadre restructuring of the IP/ASP cadre will disturb the entire mechanism of Sub Divisional Administration in the light of assigning multifarious duties and responsibilities to the Inspectors/ASPs in the changing scenario.

If the due care was not initiated to restructure the cadre of IP/ASP before implementing the cadre restructure of Gr C cadre, will have far reaching consequences wherein a situation could arise in which the so called Sub Divisional Heads will be called as Sub Divisional Heads for the name sake without enforcing desperately required command and control over the offices in his own sub division.

3]   Already Sixth Central Pay Commission, CAT, Ernakulam Bench vide OA 381/2010 had given its recommendation/verdict that the Inspector Posts deserves the GP of 4600 as they lie in the analogous with their counterpart Inspectors of Income Tax and Central Excise after meticulously studying the job profile of Inspector Post cadre.

Though Department Of Posts submitted the proposal for Upgradation of GP of IP cadre to Ministry of Finance, the same was rejected with frivolous reasons.

Aggrieved by the apathy of the Govt in not implementing the Hon CAT, Ernakulam Judgment, this Association had filed another OA (289/13) in the same bench and whose Final Judgment is expected in the next month and which will be naturally in the favour of this cadre and the Department/Govt has to implement the up gradation of IP to 4600.

4]    Presently, the All India Seniority List of Inspectors are prepared on the basis of their date of entry to the cadre on which basis the Gr B promotion is being conferred through Seniority cum fitness basis.

In the contrary, the next promotion that is ASP promotion is being accorded to the IP as per the seniority in the IP cadre within the Circle which is against the principle of natural justice due to the following glaring anomalies.

A] As IP in one circle gets the ASP promotion soon after completing three years for example in Kerala Circle. If the same ASP is transferred to some other circle on Rule 38 Transfer, he will continue as ASP in that circle though he remains junior in the All India Seniority List of IPs. Besides the IPs who are working in the transferred circle though they are senior in the IP cadre have to work under the ASP who is junior to him.

Further if the same ASP is promoted in the LDCE for Gr B exam, he will get the benefit of fixation whereas the IPs who are senior as per the seniority list is promoted in the LDCE for Gr B Exam will get lesser fixation of pay comparably.

To add, it also affects our cadre as there is an element of Direct Recruitment in the cadre and the Direct Recruit IP’s will be able to get 6600 GP in their MACP III whereas the promote Inspectors cannot reach the 6600 GP and they will get retired at the 5400 GP.

5]    Though the element of Direct Recruitment was introduced to improve the quality and efficiency of the Cadre, many of the Directly recruited Inspectors are deserting the Department after working for some months due to heavy work load, extensive rural tour involved in the duties and also due to the fact that they are getting 4200 GP and minimum pay of 13500 whereas their batch mates who appeared in the same exam and who are allotted to Income Tax and Central Excise Dept are given 4600 GP and minimum pay of Rs 17140.

As such, there is brain drain in the cadre as they think that the Post of Inspector Posts is less attractive both in terms of pay and job profile.

To overcome from all the above, anomalies the only solution left is the Merger of ASP with Gr “B”

6]     There are 116 posts of ASP postmaster posts which are identified for Grade-3 postmaster may be upgraded and redeployed to DO/RO/CO/Dte for BD/TGY activities.

Source : Karnataka Blog

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

It is learnt that Directorate is likely to call for ACRs/APARs of officers in the ZoC for holding of DPC for promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B in the vacancy year 2014-15 in this week. 

     It is therefore requested to all Circle Secretaries and CHQ office bearers to ask the controlling officers of the IPs of 1990 to 1992 batch to keep ACRs/APARs ready in all respect for dispatch to concerned circle office. As everybody knows that unless ACRs/APARs are ready, DPC can't be held on time. Attested copies of ACRs/APARs for five years prior to 2013-14 (i.e. 2012-13 and previous years) may likely to called for, hence everybody needs to take active part for submission of requisite information to their circle office for timely convening  of DPC. 

     It is also requested to all officers who are in the zone of consideration (OC- 1990 to 1992 batch, SC/ST-1992 & 1993 batch) to ensure completion of their ACRs/APARs in all respect by their controlling authority in this week only. 

Source : CHQ Blog

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

IP Examination, 2014

LGO Examination 2014

FILE No. A-34012/04/2014-DE

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

(DE Section)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi – 110 001

Dated :  23^rd  September,  2014

1.      All Heads of Circles

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

Sir/Madam,

  I am directed to refer this office letter of even number dated 09-09-2014 wherein the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for promotion of LGO to the cadre of PA/SA for the year 2014 to be held on 21^st September, 2014 and LDCE for promotion to the cadre of Inspector posts for the year 2014  on 20^th and 21^st September, 2014 were postponed due to devastating flood situation in J & K State.

2.         Now, it has been decided to hold the above mentioned Examination either on 15^th and 16^th November, 2014 or 22^nd and 23^rd November, 2014.  The exact schedule will be communicated shortly after fixing the venues for conducting the IP and LGO Examinations by the Outsourced Agency. 

3.         This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority. 

Yours faithfully,

(M. C. Pandey)

Assistant Director General (DE)

Copy to

1.         F. No. A-34012/03/2014-DE (Main file of conducting of LGO Examination, 2014)

(M. C. Pandey)

Assistant Director General (DE)

.   

Merger of ASP cadre in to PS Gr. B cadre....Meeting at Directorate

CHQ is trying to get an appointment of senior officers of Directorate to discuss the issue of merger of ASP cadre in to PS Gr. B cadre.

 

Source : CHQ Blog

Transfer/posting of officers of PS Group "B" cadre

Shri N.V. Murali, Asstt. Director (PG), Circle Office has been transferred to his parent Circle i.e. Tamilnadu Circle as he is retiring within one year. He will retire on 31.05.2015.

Authority : Postal Dte. Order No. 9-07/2014-SPG dated 19.09.2014

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees – Revised Rates effective from 01.07.2014

F.No.1/2/2014-E.II (B)

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi

Dated: 18th September, 2014.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees – Revised Rates effective from 01.07.2014.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s Office Memorandum No.1/1/2014-E.II(B) dated 27th March, 2014 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the President is pleased to decide that the Deamess Allowance payable to Central Government employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 100% to 107% with effect from 1st July, 2014.

2. The provisions contained in paras 3, 4 and 5 of this Ministry’s O.M. No. 1(3)/2008-E.II(B) dated 29th August, 2008 shall continue to be applicable while regulating Dearness Allowance under these orders.

3. The additional installment of Dearness Allowance payable under these orders shall be paid in cash to all Central Government employees.

4. These orders shall also apply to the civilian employees paid from the Defence Services Estimates and the expenditure will be chargeable to the relevant head of the Defence Services Estimates. In regard to Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees, separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways, respectively.

5. In so far as the employees working in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued with the concurrence of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

sd/-

(A. Bhattacharya)

Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source: www.finmin.nic.in

[http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_expenditure/notification/da/da01072014.pdf]

Merger of ASP cadre in to PS Gr.B cadre/cadre restructuring ......Meeting at Directorate

As everybody aware that DOP has already finalized cadre restructuring of Group 'C' cadre on 28/4/2014. CHQ has constantly reminded to Directorate for holding of meeting with the representatives of our Association in connection with cadre restructuring of IP/ASP cadre. 

CHQ has already submitted a proposal of merger of ASP cadre in to PS Gr. B cadre to Directorate on 20/11/2013. The queries raised by Directorate letter under No. 25-35/2011-PE-I dated 19/5/2014 was also quickly replied on 14/6/2014. Now, meeting is likely to be scheduled in the next week for cadre restructuring of IP/ASP cadre. CHQ has already linked up the merger issue with cadre restructuring subject, as the result of 2nd cadre review was not implemented by DOP even though presidential sanction was issued in 1990 for up-gradation of 245 posts to PS Gr. B. Senior members know this issue very well. We have to discuss the workable proposal at Directorate and for the benefit of the cadre.

It is therefore requested to each Circle Branch to submit their fresh proposal if any to GS immediately, or permit CHQ to take decision at their own for the benefit of the cadre and not at individual level. 

 

Source : CHQ Blog

"Donate generously to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund"

"Donate generously to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund"
PM appeals to fellow countrymen to stand in solidarity with distressed flood affected people in Jammu and Kashmir
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a fervent appeal to all the citizens to donate generously to the Prime Minister`s National Relief Fund today. He made an appeal to all fellow countrymen to stand in solidarity with distressed flood-affected people in Jammu and Kashmir and be part of the national effort to support them in this hour of crisis.

The full text of the appeal is as under:-

"My Fellow Citizens, You are all aware that unprecedented floods have caused havoc in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. A large number of persons have died or have been temporarily displaced. Property and infrastructure worth crores of rupees have been damaged. Our fellow countrymen in Jammu and Kashmir need our help at this critical hour to tide over the calamity and to rebuild their lives.

The Central Government is extending full cooperation to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in the measures for rescue, relief and rehabilitation besides, direct assistance to the affected people. I request all fellow countrymen to stand shoulder to shoulder with our distressed brothers and sisters in Jammu and Kashmir and be part of the national effort to support them in this hour of crisis.

I appeal to all citizens to donate generously to the Prime Minister`s National Relief Fund."

Payment Details:

Payment may be made by cheque/draft/cash in the name of "Prime Minister`s National Relief Fund" and sent to the Prime Minister`s Office, South Block, New Delhi-110011. As per directions on the subject the nationalized banks will not charge any commission on preparation of drafts favouring the PMNRF.

Online Contributions can be made through the website of Prime Minister`s Office i.e. https://pmnrf.gov.in/payform.php

Contributions can also be made directly in the account of Prime Minister`s National Relief Fund at any of the branches of the following banks:

Allahabad Bank, Andhra Bank, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Citi Bank, Cooperation Bank, Dena Bank, HDFC bank, ICICI bank, IDBI Bank Limited, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Punjab and Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, State Bank of India, Syndicate Bank, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, United Bank of India, Vijaya Bank and Yes Bank Limited.

Contributions can also be sent through Money Orders with no commission chargeable. Contributions to the PMNRF have been notified for 100% deduction from taxable income under Section 80(G) of the Income Tax Act.

Source : PIB

Declaration of assets and liabilities by Govt. Employees – exhibiting the details of movable assets in the website – regarding.

NO. CONF/GENL/2014          DATED 11.09.2014

To

The Cabinet Secretary

Government of India

Cabinet Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhawan,

New Delhi – 110001

Sub: Declaration of assets and liabilities by Govt. Employees – exhibiting the details of movable assets in the website – regarding.

Sir,

All the Central Govt. employees, as per the latest order of the Department of Personnel & Training (DOP&T) have to declare their assets and liabilities, both movable and immovable, as well as their spouses and dependents latest by 15th December 2014. All these informations would be then be put up by the respective ministries on their website accessible to everyone.

A large number of Central Govt. Employees have expressed their fear that putting up details of movable assets such as jewellery and cash in hand and bank would pose a security threat to them and their dependents, leave their children vulnerable to kidnapping and ransom demands.

There are various sources the Government employees would have accumulated wealth such as gift from parents, grandparents property, self-earning, wife-side property, or children’s contribution etc. Putting this information in the public domain would leave them and their family members vulnerable.

It is therefore requested that necessary action may be taken in this regard, so that all such information as stated above shall not be displayed on public domain.

Yours faithfully,

(M. Krishnan)

Secretary General

Mob: 09447068125

                                                 e-mail: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

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

Merger of ASP cadre in to PS Gr. B cadre : Meeting postponed.

No. 25-35/2011-PE-I

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

(PE-I Section)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi – 110 001

Dated:12th September, 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 this office letter of even number dated 28.08.2014, on the subject mentioned above, wherein the Association was requested to attend a meeting with Director (Estt.) on 16th September, 2014 at 11:00 am to come up with a viable proposal for restructuring of IP and ASP cadres. However, this is to inform that due to some unavoidable circumstances the meeting has been postponed. The next date of meeting will be intimated shortly.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(Tarun Mittal)

Assistant Director General (PE-I)

Tele: 011-2303 6239

Lokpal rule on declaration of assets of babus' wives stayed

NEW DELHI: In Lokpal Act's first brush with courts, the Delhi high court on Tuesday stayed one of its rules on public declaration of assets of spouses and dependent children of government employees.

A bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Vipin Sanghi directed that information on asset liabilities of spouses or dependent children will not be revealed to the public by government departments. It said such information will only be furnished to respective departments in a sealed cover.

Till its further orders in November, the court made it clear the sealed envelopes reaching all departments shouldn't be opened.

The court order comes as a huge relief to harried civil servants and central government employees forced under the Lokpal Act to file declarations of their assets and liabilities and those of their spouses and dependent children. HC granted conditional stay on the Lokpal rules on a petition by the wife of a central government employee who termed the government dictate a violation of her "fundamental rights of equality, life, personal liberty and privacy as flowing from Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India."

Vinita Singla, through her lawyer Manish Jain, questioned the government's decision to seek her assets with the intention to display the information on its website.

"Even otherwise the constitutional and legal rights, privileges and liberties of the Petitioner cannot be jeopardized and/or affected, just because of the reason that the Petitioner is married to a public servant.

"The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, which is inter-alia unreasonable, arbitrary, unjustified and unconstitutional, as the same is seeking declaration in the form of information from the public servant even for the assets of the spouse and dependent children, which has not been generated from the income and/or contribution of the public servant in any manner whatsoever and that the said information is further directed to be published on the website of such ministry or department, which will make the said information visible to the public at large, which inter-alia may be detrimental and cause prejudice to the said spouse and/or children of the public servant," Singla argued in HC.

 

Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Set of 4 Picture Postcards issued by India Post

India Post has introduced a set of four picture postcards having following designs. Picture Postcards are priced at Rs.10/- each and available at philatelic bureaux for sale. Photographs on Picture Postcards are taken by Gautam Pandey and Mike Pandey.

1. Western Tragopan, Himachal Pradesh
2. Chandra Tal, Himachal Pradesh
3. Langza Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
4. Tiger Cubs, Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Date extended for furnishing annual property statement of Government employees

A sign of relief for the Central Government Employees, at least for the time being. All Group A, B & C employees of Central Government were required to file Declaration of Assets and Liabilities under Lokpal Act within 15.09.2014 in the prescribed format.

                                      Now, the date has been extended to 31.12.2014.

Postal Department doesn't have manpower to execute RTI Act

Nearly 13 months after Central Information Commission (CIC) directed to issue Right to Information (RTI) stamps instead of Indian Postal Orders and bank drafts or cheques to seek information from government departments, the Department of Posts has said printing presses don't have papers to print stamp papers.

The reply, which the Department of Posts has given for non-compliance to the RTI filed by Delhi-based civil activist Subhash Chandra Agarwal, says: "Both the security printing presses at Nasik and Hyderabad do not have paper to print RTI stamps!'' To this reply, Agarwal took a dig at the postal department saying, "these two presses have sufficient paper to print postal stamps for some foreign countries, apart from adequately equipped for printing commemorative and definitive-series stamps regularly with some stamps like on Sachin Tendulkar printed within a few days of decision-taken, but not for RTI, clearly a discrimination against the game-changer Act and disrespect to the CIC direction.''

On August 27, 2013, the CIC had clearly directed Secretary, Department of Posts, that "RTI applications be accepted in all its 25,000-odd post offices across the country and the RTI stamp of the denomination of Rs.10 be used instead of postal orders and this would be time and cost-effective step.'' But the postal department has its own set of reasons for not issuing the RTI stamps so far.

"The issue of RTI stamps is under examination. A committee has been set up by the Secretary (Posts). All stamps are printed by India Security Press at Nasik and Hyderabad. But currently, both presses are out of stamp papers and the printing of postal stamps has been adversely affected by this. Hence, the matter be raised by the DOP&T with the CMD of Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India (SPMCI) Limited and the Finance Secretary under whose charge SPMCI Ltd operates,'' says the RTI reply by Postal Department.

It also hinted at logistics hurdles as opening nearly 25,000 postal offices for this purpose would demand "dedicated manpower and official infrastructure, including computers, which requires cost. In fact, Department of Posts admitted that it has got "no manpower and extra remuneration even to execute RTI Act by accepting those applications and issuing postal orders for the same through its 4,700 designated post offices.'' The onus thus clearly falls on the government to give mandate, manpower and money to execute CIC direction in its right spirit.

Source : http://indiatoday.intoday.in/

Merger of ASP cadre in to PS Gr. B cadre- Proposal regarding.

No.AIAIASP/Odisha-Corr-2-2/2014

Dated 09/09/2014

To

          Shri Vilas Ingale   

          General Secretary, CHQ

          All India Association of Inspectors and Asst Supts of Posts

Sub:- Merger of ASP cadre in to PS Gr. B cadre- Proposal regarding.

Dear Shri Ingale Ji,

          Kindly refer to Odisha Circle Branch letter dated 29/05/2014 in this regard.

          Recently on 07/09/2014, the Circle Working Committee of Odisha Circle Branch discussed the issue and unanimously resolved to urge the CHQ not to forget the fact that there is inter- Circle anomaly in promotion of IPs to the post of ASPs, and the promotion to the 75% posts of PS Group-B cadre is from amongst the Inspector Posts on All India seniority basis not from ASPs and, therefore, if the merger is accepted by the Directorate then it should be from the All India seniority in Inspector of Posts Cadre only.

In case the Directorate will not agree to the proposal for merger of ASP cadre in to PS Gr. B cadre then we may reconsider the merger of Inspector Posts and Assistant Superintendent of Posts cadre into one cadre with Head of the Circle as appointing authority for merged cadre to get the Grade Pay of Rs.4600/- for Inspector Posts as proposed vide Directorate’s Letter No.137-89/2013-SPB-II dated 11^th Ocober, 2013, and to place the demands for up-gradation of IP/ASP posts to PS Group-B Posts creation of new Postal Sub-Divisions and new Postal Divisions for better promotional avenues of IPs.

 

With best regards,     

Sincerely yours,

Sd/-

 Pitabasa Jena

Circle Secretary, AIAIASP

Odisha Circle Branch

 

 Source : IP ASP Blog, Odhisha Circle Branch

Task Force On Leveraging The Post Office Network

Task Force On Leveraging The Post Office Network

The Government of India has decided to set up a Task Force on Leveraging the Post Office Network.

The objective behind setting up of the Task Force is to transform the Post Office Network in keeping with changing market trends and competition.

This will include rationalization of the network with focus on mail/parcel services, particularly in rural areas, upgradation of infrastructure/ technology, incorporating global best practices, introducing new services and participation of multiple players.

The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Task Force are as under:

• To provide efficient postal network and points of presence (particularly in rural areas and small towns) to Central Government Ministries / Departments, State Goverments (including Local Self Government) and private sector players for delivering various citizen-centric services, schemes, products to the people.
• To further the role of Post Office in Financial Inclusion, including Insurance products;
• The infrastructure requirements of the post offices and the Postal Network; and
• To make the Post Office financially viable

The Task Force will devise its own mechanism / modalities to examine the issues mentioned in the ToRs and submit its Report within three months from the date of constitution.

The composition of Task Force is as follows:

          

       Shri T.S.R. Subramanian

( Retired Cabinet Secretary )  Chairman

TSR Subramanian is a former cabinet secretary of the India. He is a 1961 batch Indian Administrative Service officer from Uttar Pradesh Cadre.

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Shri T.V Mohandas Pai ( Bangalore ) Member

T.V. Mohandas Pai is the Chairman of Manipal Global Education. He used to be a Member of the Board of Directors of Infosys, and Head Administration, Education and Research, Financial, Human Resources, and Infosys Leadership Institute.

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 Shri G.N. Bajpai ( Mumbai, Former Chairman, SEBI ) Member

Shri Ghyanendra Nath Bajpai is a distinguished leader in Indian business, was the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Mr. Bajpai is known for his visionary leadership and exemplary integrity. He has served/serves as non-executive chairman and a director on corporate boards in India and other countries, received awards for contribution to business, and authored several books.

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Dr. Ravindra H. Dholakia ( IIM, Ahmedabad ) Member

Prof. Dholakia is on the faculty of Economics Area at IIM Ahmedabad since 1985. He has about 37 years of experience of teaching Economics to different groups like students, executives, policy makers and senior government officers.

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Shri R.S. Sharma ( Secretary (E & IT), Government of India ) -  Member

R. S. Sharma joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1978. In 1986, he wrote a program in DBASE, a programming language that would keep a record of all stolen firearms in the crime-prone district.

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Shri L. C. Goyal ( Secretary, Department of Rural Development, Government of India ) Member

Shri L. C. Goyal, a 1979 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre, is presently working as Secretary in Department of Rural Development.

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         Shri Rakesh Garg ( Secretary, Department of Telecom, Government of India ) Member

Shri Rakesh Garg is currently working as Secretary in Department of Telecom

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         Ms. Kavery Banerjee ( Secretary, Department of Posts, Government of India ) Member

Ms. Kavery Banerjee, IPoS 78, is presently working as Secretary, Department of Posts

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         Shri Kamleshwar Prasad ( Member (o), Department of Posts ) Member

Shri Kamleshwar Prasad, is a retired Member, Postal Services Board, Department of Posts

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Shri Vasumitra ( CPMG, Delhi Circle, Department of Posts ) Member

Shri Vasumitra is presently working as Chief Postmaster General, Delhi Circle

                         Individuals, Groups and potential stake holders can give their feedback and suggestions  on website (www.indiapost-taskforce.in), e-mail (taskforce.indiapost@gmail.com), (tsrsubramanian.taskforce@gmail.com) or by post to Member Secretary, Task Force on Leveraging the Post Office Network, 3^rdFloor, Meghdoot Bhawan, Jhandewalan, New Delhi-110001.