Protest for not allowing paragraph writing in Hindi in LDCE for promotion to the cadre of P.S. Group “B” 2011 held on 29th May 2011

No. CHQ/ Exam /2011 Dated 31.05.2011

To
Ms. Radhika Doraiswamy
Secretary (Posts)
Dak Bhavan, N Delhi-110001

Sub: LDCE for promotion to the cadre of P.S. Group “B” 2011 held on 29th May 2011.
Ref: Directorate letter no. A-34012/1/2011-DE dated 27th May 2011.

Respected Madam,

The above examination has been conducted by the Department through outsourcing for the first time as per the revised syllabus contained in Directorate memo no. 9-59/2010-SPG dated 08.03.2011. It was not mentioned in the revised syllabus that paragraph writing will be in English and not bi-lingual (Hindi & English).

It has come to the notice of the Association that candidates were not allowed to write paragraph in Hindi by the staff of CMC Ltd. at Delhi Centre whereas staff of CMC Ltd. allowed candidates to write paragraph in Hindi at Dehradun Centre. In UP Circle, staff of CMC Ltd. allowed the candidates initially to write paragraph in Hindi and later on disallowed and instructed the candidates to write paragraph in English only.

All examinations under Central Government are conducted bi-lingual and previously all the Departmental Examinations have been conducted by the Department bi-lingually (Hindi & English). AS such it is not understood how the above irregularity has been done by the outsourcing agency. Hence it will be appropriate if evaluation in respect of Paper I is carried out for 250 marks ignoring the 50 marks allocated for paragraph writing.

 It is therefore requested to kindly intervene and arrange for issue of suitable instructions to the outsourcing agency in this regard.

We hope that an early positive action will be taken by the Department in the interest of natural justice to all the candidates.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

(Roop Chand)
General Secretary

Request for grant of personal interview to the Association to discuss long pending issues

No. CHQ/ GP & Exam /2011 Dated 31.05.2011

To
Ms. Radhika Doraiswamy
Secretary (Posts)
Dak Bhavan, N Delhi-110001

Subject: Request for grant of personal interview to the Association to discuss long pending
issues – reg.

Respected Madam,
We would like to discuss following long pending issues agitating the minds of our members with your good self.
i) Up-gradation of Grade Pay from Rs. 4200/- to Rs. 4600/- for Inspector, Posts.

ii) Promotional and examination quota for IP Line officials in PS Gr. “B” cadre as well as Senior Postmaster grade.

It is requested to kindly look into the matter personally and arrange for personal interview to the Association to solve the above long pending issues as these issues are very crucial for our cadre.

Hoping for positive response.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

(Roop Chand)
General Secretary

Orders of Hon’ble CAT, Chandigarh Bench dt. 26.05.2011

Orders dt. 26th May 2011 in O.A. No. 399/PB/11 of Hon’ble CAT, Chandigarh Bench


1. Documentation “Calculation of Posts as per the DOP&T order dated 19.1.2007” presented today by the Respondents is taken on record.

2. Likewise, documentation dated 24.11.2010, issued by the Government of India , Ministry of Communications and IT, Department of Posts, is also taken on record.

3. The learned Sr. CGSC, under instructions from Sh. Raj Kumar, Director (Estt.), Postal Directorate, Delhi who is present in Court, states at the Bar that the vacancy position shall be worked out qua the total sanctioned strength and not the number of vacancies at a given point of time.

4. He is further under instructions from the Officer present to state at the Bar the quota prescribed (75% for promotion under non-Examination Quota & 19% for promotion under Examination Quota), qua which the prayer is relatable, shall not be exceeded.

5. The learned Sr. CGSC further states that the available vacancy position shall be re-visited in the light of the factual position and if it is been found that no vacancy is made available, the relevant Notification shall be withdrawn.

6. The undertaking given by the learned counsel under instructions from the Officer,is accepted by the learned counsel for the applicant who states that the OA may be disposed in the light thereof.

7. Disposed of accordingly.

8. Dasti.

LDCE for promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. "B", 2011 to be held on 29.05.2011

Postal Directorate no. A-34012/1/2011-DE dt. 27.05.2011 is reproduced below for information of members.

In partial modification of this office letter of even no. dt. 06.04.2011, para of the said letter i.e., the category-wise break-up of vacancies to be filled through the PS Gr. "B" examination 2011 is amended as under in compliance to the order of the Hon'ble CAT, Chandigarh Bench:

Examination for                                                                 Category-wise break up of vacancies 
                                                                                            OC              SC            ST            Total

Inpector Posts Line officials (19%)                                  02                 01            Nil              03
General Line Officials (6%)                                             21                 02              02              25

2.          The PS Gr. "B" examination will be held as per schedule i.e., on 29.05.2011 for the re-assessed vacancies as mentioned above.
3.           The result will be subject to the outcome of the judgements of various CAT Benches /Courts relating to previous examinations.
4.           It is requested to bring the contents of this letter to the notice of all concerned.

                                                        

CAT Case regarding PS Group "B" examination & Postmaster cadre

MORAL WIN



Today, the case was heard before Hon'ble CAT, Chandigarh. Arguments started at 10:50 Hours and ended at 11:20 Hours. The officers from Postal Directorate were present in the Bench to explain their position. Finally, our stand has been vindicated and we have come out with flying colours. Hon'ble Court has allowed the OA with the directions to the Department of Posts to recalculate, re-examine the vacancies as per respective quota in each category out of the total posts. If, still there is any vacancy, only then the Department can conduct PS Gr B examination scheduled to be held on 29.05.2011. It is hoped that atleast now the Department would realize the pain of Inspector, Posts cadre and certainly improve its mathematics. A major win has boosted the moral of our members. We are highly greatful and thankful for all the moral support extended by our fellow members.

CAT Case regarding PS Group "B" examination & Postmaster Cadre

CAT CASE UPDATE


Yesterday and again today, our case was heard in detail in CAT, Chandigarh. The Hon’ble CAT asked the respondents to explain the methodology adopted for calculation of  vacancies for PS Group "B" examination on 29.05.2011. Department could not explain its position as their own reply is contradictory and they sought time. Thereafter, two calls were given by the CAT to argue the case and explain their position. Department evaded their presence and sought adjournment by sending their proxy counsel. Hon’ble court has adjourned the case for 26.05.2011. Now, there is move that an officer from Postal Directorate will appear in person tomorrow to defend the case.
 
Central Headquarters is in constant touch with Punjab Circle branch and providing them necessary guidance & all type of support.

TRANSFER&POSTINGS IN SAG OF IPoS GROUP "A"

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Government trashes Proposal to increase Babus' Retirement Age

Govt trashes proposal to increase babus’ retirement age

A government committee has rejected a proposal to increase the retirement age of government servants from 60 to 62. The decision is likely to impact over one lakh central government employees and 50,000 defence personnel on the verge of retirement. The proposal — which could have meant saving Rs4,000 crore in this fiscal — was rejected as the government wants a younger bureaucracy.

The fraud complaint

The HRD ministry and sections of the academic community were temporarily preoccupied with a complaint the government received from a body claiming to represent SC/ST employees at the University Grants Commission (UGC) , alleging discrimination by Commission chairman Ved Prakash. But the complaint, it has now been discovered, was fake. The body that sent it doesn’t exist, the UGC’s SC/ST employees’ association has certified. The sender also refused to divulge his identity to the government. A case of attempted malice against the Chairman?

Academics compete with netas for that ‘one more chance’

Politicians, it appears, aren’t alone in keeping their ambitions intact with age. IIT Directors, too, love second terms — even though some believe that a proper reading of the IIT Act — that governs the Institutes — does not allow repeats. After MS Ananth (second term at IIT Madras), Sanjay Dhande (second term at IIT Kanpur) and Gautam Barua (second term at IIT Guwahati), it is the turn of IIT Delhi Director Surendra Prasad to pitch for a second term. The qualification requirements for the post state that applicants should preferably be aged below 60. Prasad — caretaker director at present — is over 60. But that has not stopped him from applying for a second term.

The case of the missing file 

After a file on the Cabinet decision of 1991 — regarding government accounts — went missing, neither the Cabinet Secretariat nor the Finance Ministry — which mooted the proposal — had any clue. Eventually, the Central Information Commission had to intervene and ask the government to locate the file and provide the requisite information to the RTI applicant.

Source: Hindustan Times

Maintenance and preparation of APAR- communication of all entries for fairness & transparency in public administration

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

LDCE for promotion to the cadre of PS Group B to be held on 29.05.2011

PS Group B Exam- Down loading of Hall permits/Admit Cards

 Applicants mayCLICK HERE to open the concerned web page in Indiapost web site and on opening the web page, click on the "Track your application". Applicants have to keep ready the application number to enter and download the hall permit/Admit card.
Candidates can send their enquiries related to the application on the e-mail examenquiry2011@gmail.com. The queries will be responded by the CMC helpdesk staff within 72 hours and all information related to the individual enquires will be appended and made available to the candidate which they can view by logging in to the web site using their application form number.

TRANSFER&POSTINGS IN SAG OF IPoS GROUP "A"

Ms. Aruna Jain (1981), DDG(Trg.), Postal Dte. has been posted as PMG, Jodhpur (WR), Rajasthan vice Sh. Kulbir Singh transferred vide Postal Directorate Memo No.1-2/2009-SPG dated 16.05.2011.

Central Staff seek Seventh Pay Commission

Central staff seek seventh Pay Commission
Hyderabad, May 16: Stating that Central Government employees were not happy with the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission, SK Vyas, President of the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers (CCGEW), demanded constitution of 7th Pay Commission to resolve problems of employees. He was speaking at a state-level convention of CCGEW here on Sunday.
KKN Kutti, Secretary General of CCGEW was also present.

Source: siasat

LDCE for promotion to the cadre of PS Group B to be held on 29.05.2011

  Today, I visited Postal Directorate and met with senior officers. It came to notice that there will be no chance for further postponement of above examination. There will be six topics for "PARAGRAPH WRITING" in Paper-I and a candidate can write paragraph on any two topics. Both Papers will be evaluated by the CMC and paragraph writing will not be evaluated by the IPoS officers of the Department. Result of the examination will be announced with in 15-20 days from the date of holding of the examination.
                                                   General Secretary

Expected DA from July-2011

Expected Dearness Allowance from July, 2011

Dearness Allowance has turned out to make great impact among Central Government employees..!

As of now, it cannot be ruled out that the Dearness Allowance is making great impact on central and state government employees in large numbers.

We know that promotion, increment and allowances and its increases depends upon the individuals, as far as Dearness Allowance is concerned, it gives financial benefit to all grade of employees at the same time.

In March 2011, the Central Government announced an increase of 6% Dearness Allowance from Jan 2011. Now everybody keenly watch for the increase of Dearness Allowance from July, 2011.

As all are aware that, Dearness Allowance is calculated as per the All India Consumer Price Index Numbers(AICPIN). The Government has released the price index for the last three months.

Jan-11 188 2127 177.25 61.49 53.12 53 Feb-11 185 2142 178.50 62.74 54.20 54 Mar-11 185 2157 179.75 63.99 55.28 55

As per this, an increase from 51% to 55% is expected. It may be increased as we wait for the next three months calculation on Index prices. If it continues to be this, the Dearness Allowance may be 56% to 57%.

If the Government successfully maintained the price increase and the AICPIN falls, the Dearness Allowance may be restricted to 54% or 55%.

If the prices of petrol and diesel increases, automatically the price index also increase, in this condition the Dearness Allowance may be increased upto 57% to 58%.

Finally, we cannot come to a conclusion depending upon predictions. Everybody wants the Government makes strict actions to maintain the prices of essential commodities rather than increasing Dearness Allowance which in no way helps anyone.

Courtesy : www.cgen.in

CAT to Railways : Pay Family Pension, Death Gratuity

CAT to Railways:Pay family pension, death gratuity
Chennai, Apr 30 (PTI) The Central Administrative Tribunal has given an interim order directing the Railways to pay gratuity and family pension to the families of those employees who died after joining service on or after January 1, 2004.
It also directed payment of extraordinary pension or invalid pension to all employees who joined service on or after that date.
The Madras Bench of the CAT, comprising members K Elango and R Satapathy, gave the order following applications filed by Dakshin Railway Employees Union and a Southern Railway employee challenging the new pension scheme which has withdrawn the defined pension, family pension, invalid pension, gratuity and PF hitherto available to all Railway employees.
The Union represents Group C and D employees of Southern Railway Under the Ministry of Railways.

Source: PTI

No Recovery for Co-op Society Dues from DCRG

No recovery for Co-op Society Dues from DCRG
CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, ERNAKULAM BENCH
Original Application No. 457 of 2009 Tuesday, this the 05th day of April, 2011
CORAM: Hon'ble Mr. K. George Joseph,
Administrative Member M. Nagammal, aged 65 years, W/o. Maran, Door No. 579, Jeevanadham Road, Kallukkadai Medu, Pudumai Colony, Erode-638 001. .....
Applicant (By Advocate - Mr. T.C.G. Swamy) Versus
1. Union of India, represented by the General Manager, Southern Railway, Headquarters Office, Park Town, Chennai-3.
2. The Senior Divisional Personnel Officer, Southern Railway, Palghat Division, Palghat. .....
Respondents (By Advocate - Mr. Sunil Jacob Jose)
This application having been heard on 16.03.2011, the Tribunal on 05.04.11 delivered the following:
ORDER
Hon'ble Mr. K. George Joseph, Administrative Member
The applicant is a widow, the only person eligible to receive all the death benefits of her son, late Jaganathan, who died on 05.11.2005 in an accident while working in the Railway service. She was issued with a pension calculation sheet dated 18.04.2006 as at Annexure A-5 showing the amount of DCRG as Rs. 1,15,479/-.
But she was paid only about Rs. 50,000/-. Aggrieved, she has filed this O.A for the following reliefs :
(a) Direct the respondents to pay the death Gratuity as sanctioned in Annexure A-5 and all other death benefits liable to be paid to the applicant consequent upon the demise of her son late Jaganathan with interest calculated at the rate of 12% per annum from 01.06.2006 till the date of full and final settlement of the same;
(b) Award costs and incidental to this application;
(c) Pass such other orders or directions as deemed just, fit and necessary in the facts and circumstances of the case.
2. The applicant contended that the respondents are bound to pay the entire DCRG amount as indicated in A-5 and other death benefits. Non- feasance on the part of the respondents to pay the same is arbitrary and contrary to law. 3. The respondents contested the O.A. In their reply, they submitted that late Jaganathan was a habitual absentee who was removed from service twice in his career for unauthorised absence, but later reinstated in service treating the intervening period as Extra Ordinary leave. On innumerable occasions, he was on unauthorised absence. Even though his span of service extended from 1983 to 2005, his actual qualifying service after deducting the Extra Ordinary Leave for unauthorised absence which are counted as non-qualifying service, comes to 16 years only, based on which the DCRG amount is Rs. 65988/- only. From the above amount, a sum of Rs. 13255/- is to be recovered towards Railway dues which consists of funeral advance, electrical energy, rent and overpayment of pay and further an amount of Rs. 25758/- is to be recovered towards dues to Southern Railway Employees Co-Operative Credit Society, Trichy. Thus, the total amount to be recovered comes to Rs. 39013/-. Afterdeducting the same, the net amount payable towards DCRG comes to Rs.26975/- and the same was paid alongwith other settlement dues amounting to Rs. 26356/-. Based on a wrong notion that the late employee had got qualifying service of 21 years, his DCRG was assessed as Rs. 1,15,479/-. On verification, the qualifying service was found to be only 16 years. Accordingly, his DCRG was estimated as Rs. 65988/-. By an oversight the earlier proposed amount of Rs. 1,15,479/- towards DCRG was left out to be deleted in Annexure A-5. The applicant has no right to claim any additional amount other than what is legally due to her. The O.A is liable to be dismissed.
3. In the rejoinder filed by the applicant, it was submitted that the applicant is not responsible for the mistake alleged to have been committed by the respondents. The period of service not specifically shown as non qualifying in the service records with the acknowledgement of the railway servant concerned cannot be treated as non-qualifying service. The respondents have not shown how they can make the recovery in respect of electrical energy, rent, overpayment of pay and dues towards the Southern Railway Employees Co-Operative Credit Society in the absence of statutory empowerment of respondents to do so.
4. In the reply to the rejoinder, the respondents submitted that the inadvertent omission on the part of the respondents in making necessary corrections in Annexure A-5 will not give the applicant any added advantage for claiming additional benefits other than what is legally due to her. Rule 15 of the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993, authorizes recovery of dues from DCRG.
5. In the additional rejoinder filed by the applicant, it was submitted that arbitrarily reducing the qualifying service as ascertained in Annexure A-5 without giving due notice is unsustainable. In Para 1234 of the Indian Railway Administration and Finance, it is stipulated that the signature of the employees governed by Pension Rules is to be obtained in the service book in token of their having inspected the service books. The recovery as stated by the respondents is impermissible in the absence of any statutory provision.
6. I have heard Mr. T.C. Govindaswamy, the learned counsel for the applicant and Mr. Sunil Jacob Jose, the learned SCGSC, appearing for the respondents and perused the records.
7. Late Jaganathan was an employee governed by the Pension Rules. As per Para 1234 of the Indian Railway Administration and Finance, it is the duty of every Head of Office to initiate action to show the service book to the railway servants governed by pension rules under his administrative control every year and to obtain their signatures therein in token of their having inspected the service books. As per the say of the respondents, late Jaganathan was a habitual absentee. He was removed from service twice in his career for unauthorised absence. Afterwards, considering his appeal he was reinstated in service duly treating the intervening period as Extra Ordinary Leave. Other than Extra Ordinary Leave granted on medical certificates, the appointing authority at the time of granting Extra Ordinary Leave may allow the period of that leave to count as qualifying service if such leave is granted to a Railway servant due to his inability to join or rejoin duty on account of civil commotion or for prosecuting higher scientific or technical studies as per Rule 36 of Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993. Therefore, in the case of late Jaganathan, the respondents are justified in not counting his Extra Ordinary Leave for the purpose of pensionary benefits. It is true that his service book does not contain the signature of late Jaganathan in token of his having inspected it. This is a technical infirmity. The respondents have been magnanimous in reinstating a habitual absentee in service on two occasions. If the service book was not inspected by the employee, the blame should be shared by the employee also. The technical infirmity of not having employee's signature in the service book cannot legitimize counting of unauthorised absence as qualifying service for the purpose of pensionary benefits. The respondents have every right to correct an inadvertent error in calculating the qualifying service of late Jaganathan. The initial error on the part of the respondents will not confer an enforceable right on the applicant to claim additional benefits other than what is legally due to her.
8. The relevant part of Rules 15(2) and 15(4)(ii) of Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993, read as follows : "15(2) : The railway or Government dues as ascertained and assessed, which remain outstanding till the date of retirement or death of the railway servant, shall be adjusted against the amount of the retirement gratuity or death gratuity or terminal gratuity and recovery of the dues against the retiring railway servant shall be regulated in accordance with the provisions of sub-rule (4)." "15(4) (ii) : .......It is permissible to make recovery of Government dues from the retirement, death, terminal or service gratuity even without obtaining his consent, or without obtaining the consent of the members of his family in the case of a deceased railway servant."
9. As per the above rules, any advance, overpayment of pay and allowance, house rent, dues pertaining to Railway accommodation etc. can be recovered from the DCRG of the employee concerned without obtaining his consent. Therefore, the respondents are justified in making recovery of Rs. 13255/- from the DCRG amount of Rs. 65988/-. However, as per 15(3)(c) of the Pension Rules, the amounts payable by a railway servant to Consumer Co-Operative Societies, Consumer Credit Societies and the autonomous organisation may be recovered from the retirement gratuity which has become payable to the retiring railway servant provided he gives his consent for doing so in writing to the administration. In the instant case, the respondents have no case that late Jaganathan had given his consent for recovering the amount payable by him to Southern Railway Employees Co-Operative Credit Society, Trichy. There is no justification or legal basis for recovering the amount of Rs. 25758/- from the DCRG amount of late Jaganathan. The amount unauthorisedly recovered by the respondents towards dues to Southern Railway Employees Co-Operative Credit Society, Trichy, is to be refunded to the applicant. Accordingly, the O.A. is allowed to the extent indicated below.
10. The respondents are directed to pay the applicant an amount of Rs. 25758/- which was recovered unauthorisedly towards dues to Southern Railway Employees Co-Operative Credit Society, Trichy, within a period of 60 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
11. No order as to costs.
(Dated, the 05th April, 2011)
(K. GEORGE JOSEPH) ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBER

Source: Postalinfo

CCS (Conduct) Amendment Rules,2011

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

CAT CASE AGAINST PS GROUP "B " EXAMINATION & POSTMASTER CADRE

CAT case filed in Chandigarh bench was listed for today. The case has been adjourned to 24.05.2011 after having assurance from the Department that they will file written reply before the next date of hearing. If Department failed to do so, we will request Hon’ble Court to provide interim relief . In case the department filed the reply ,the case will be heard on merit.

I am receiving number of calls from my esteemed members to know the nature of case we have filed, whether it is against the PS Group “B” examination or Postmaster cadre. It is for the information of members that the case is neither against any examination nor Postmaster cadre. We are fighting for correct calculation of vacancies under each quota and promote the IP/ASP in their respective quota of vacancies. You will agree that there are 866 posts of PS Group B, out of which 649 (75% of total strength) posts have been earmarked for the promotion through seniority cum fitness from IP Line officials, 165(19%) posts through Limited Departmental Competitive Examination from IP Line and 52(6%) posts from General Line officials through examination. Now, since Postmaster cadre has been carved out by creating 116 posts from General Line ,(see Notification) then why and how the LDCE is being conducted for 6% General Line officials. As far as 19% quota is concerned ,the roster for this quota is already full. At present , 162 out of 165 posts are filled, how 32 vacancies have been calculated by the Department. Finally, we have demanded that there should not be any effect on 649 posts earmarked for promotion through seniority of IP Line officials. Examination should be held if there is any vacancy in their respective quota and distribution of vacancies for Examination should only be within 25% without effecting 75% quota. 

SOURCE: Punjab Circle IP/ASP Association Blog

Will the Retirement Age of Central Govt. Employees go up from 60 to 62 ?

Retirement age stays 60, pensioners disappointed
But some say it’s a good decision
Many city pensioners’ associations awaiting a decision on extension of retirement age of central government employees were disappointed on Monday when the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) decided to keep it at 60 instead of 62.
A senior member from the establishment department of the DoPT told Newsline, “It has not been discussed and we have not issued any orders or have taken any ‘in-principle decision’ on the same.’’
“Though there was no official announcement, the news of the extension of retirement age was widely circulated among the departments,’’ said M Naik, associated with the central government.
B J Piwal, a member of the central government employees for national confederation, said he was disappointed with no extension in the age. “Though we had no news or order from the seniors in the department, news which appeared on the Net about the extension gave us some hope. Two more years would have good,’’ he said.
P K K Unni, a member of the central government association, said one has to think about the unemployed youth who are hoping to get government jobs. “The government is justified in not increasing the age as it will affect youngsters,’’ he said.
The last time the government extended the retirement age of central government employees was in 1998. It was also a two-year extension from 58. This was preceded by the implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission, which had put severe strain on government finances. Subsequently, all the state governments followed the Centre’s policy by extending the retirement age by two years. Public sector undertakings too followed suit.
A certain section of the employees serving in various government establishments feel that the news of the extension was more political with the government facing lot of corruption cases.
P K Raje, another central government employee, said, “The rumour was earlier circulated last year as well. However, even if the government is not extending the age limit, it should recruit more people.’’ He said IMD Pune’s mechanical wing has many vacancies but there has been no news of filling up the posts.
 

Source: Indian Express

CHANGE IN DESIGNATION OF SORTING POSTMAN

No.25-20/2008-P.E.I

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & Information Technology

Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg

New Delhi-110016

Dated 04.05.2011

To

            All Heads of Circles/Regions

Subject:- Change in designation of Sorting Postman.

            Consequent upon acceptance of the Recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission, the Postman and Sorting Postman of Department of Posts have been placed in the Pay Band –I (Rs. 5200-20200) with the Grade Pay of Rs.2000. In view of this recommendation, it has been decided to redesignate the post of Sorting Postman as Postman with immediate effect. Postman and Sorting Postman will be given common generic designation of Postman.

2.         Consequent on the redesignation of the Sorting Postman, all the Postman shall be required to perform the duty of the Beat Sorting.

3.         In so far as the deployment of postmen for the Beat Sorting is concerned, it is left to the concerned Divisional Head or Senior Postmaster to work out the exact requirement of delivery postmen required for Beat Sorting on the basis of the total number of un-registered mail received for delivery as per the existing norms.

                                                                     Sd/-

(Prabhudas Xalxo)

Asstt. Director General (Estt.)

CENTRAL CIVIL SERVICES (CONDUCT) AMENDMENT RULES, 2011

(To be published in Part II, Section 3, Sub-section(i) of the Gazette of India,

Extraordinary)

Government of India

Ministry Of Personnel, Public Grievances And Pensions

(Department of Personnel and Training)

New Delhi, the 9^th May, 201 1

NOTIFICATION

G.S.R ... ... (E).- In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 and clause (5) of article 148 of the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India -in relation to persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, the president here by makes the following rules further to amend the Central Civil Services (Conduct)Rules,1964, namely :-

1.         (1) These rules may be called the Central Civil Services (Conduct)      Amendment Rules, 2011.

          (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official   Gazette.

2.         In the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, in rule 18, -

(a)     for sub-rule (3), the following shall be substituted, namely:

          "(3) Where a Government servant enters Into a transaction in respect of movable property either in hi own name or in the name of the member of his family, he shall, within one month from the date of such transaction, report the same to theprescribed authority, if the value of such property exceeds two months' basic pay of the Government servant:

          Provided that the previous sanction of the prescribed authority shall be obtained by the Government servant if any such transaction is with a person having official dealings with him.

.

(b) in Explanation I, in clause (I), in sub-clause (a), for the letters, figures  and words

"Rs 10,000, or one-sixth of the total annual emoluments received from Government,

whichever is less", the words 'two months' basic pay of the Government servant, shall be substituted .

[F. No. 11013/8/2011-Estt. (A)

                                                       Sd/-

Mamta Kundra,Joint Secretary(E)

--

Sachin Pilot- Postal Department can help bring about Financial Inclusion

With 800 million Indians using mobile phones, Internet services and new forms of technologies, the traditional volume and revenue streams of the department are on a steady decline, says Sachin Pilot, junior minister for communications and information technology

Liz Mathew

           New Delhi: As junior minister for communications and information technology, Sachin Pilot is closely involved with telecom policy, besides overseeing the 150-year postal department. In an interview, the 33-year-old Congress parliamentarian from Ajmer spoke about the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's plan for the postal department, and its new telecom policy that will allow for mergers and acquisitions in the sector and for sharing and trading in air waves. Edited excerpts:

            How is the postal department making use of the progress in communication technology for services beyond delivering letters, such as for money transfers?

            The department of post is a very old department, a very crucial part of our cultural heritage, our nationalism. As of today, we have 155,000 post offices, and a majority of these post offices, in fact 90% of them, are in rural areas.

            With 800 million Indians using mobile phones, Internet services and new forms of technologies, the traditional volume and revenue streams of the department are on a steady decline. We need to re-innovate, explore new avenues for our earnings.

            The network is crucial. We are trying to computerize it. We are also offering services —insurance services and financial services. We are trying to make sure that utility bills can be paid from there, railway tickets can be issued from there, to increase its foothold. The idea is to make it a strong, economically dynamic organization. We are working on re-training the skills of the people in post offices.

            How do you see the postal department playing a role in the UPA government's goal of achieving financial inclusion?

            Initiating changes: Pilot says the new telecom policy will allow for mergers and acquisitions in the sector. Ramesh Pathania/Mint

            India is a country that has grown in the last decade at 9% GDP (gross domestic product) and the need of the hour is financial inclusion. It's probably not practical for all the banks to have branches in the 650,000 villages we have today for equitable distribution of financial goods and services.

            Post offices have a physical presence in every nook and corner of the country. We are trying to synergize between the financial services sector and the trust and the faith and the sanctity the department carries... So the department of post, with its presence and skilled employees, can become the agent of change to bring about financial inclusion. So, financial inclusion, expanding the scope of these institutions to have banking systems inculcated in our services, is the objective of the department.

            Ten years down the line, what do you see as the role of the postal department, given the advances in communication technology?

            We will probably be doing more services in a digitized format. India has 22 official languages. In my ministry, information technology, we have encouraged people to have the local content, local language and those software applications can be used to deliver these services—financial banking, postal services, etc. The department of post is very well placed to reap the benefits of the culmination happening in ICT (information and communication technology).

            As the presence of the postal department is so wide, we can use them not just for NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) payment, which currently happens through post offices in some villages, for other social sector schemes, too.

            There is a growing anger against politicians, especially among youngsters. What role can a politician like you play here?

            The perception about politicians certainly needs to change. We will have to encourage people who are upright, honest and who are working with some conviction (in politics). I believe as politicians, we will have to live as examples. We have to inculcate faith in the political system. Younger people taking up that role helps in establishing that faith...

            I don't think there is anything wrong in having a transparent system. If it brings out the not-so-good side of our system, so be it. Let's not be in denial. Let's fight it (corruption), let's confront it and uproot it. That's the message we want to convey. As far as the government is concerned, it's been our policy that if anyone is found in any wrong conduct, misconduct or omission, he or she would be taken to task.

            The telecom ministry is in the news for the wrong reasons (controversies over the irregularities in second-generation spectrum allocation). What are the other initiatives the ministry has taken in the recent past?

            What we have been able to do is to provide the cheapest call rate on the planet. What we have been able to do is to add 18 million subscribers every month. What we have been able to do is create the world's second largest telecom market. What we want to do and we will do is to have a new telecom policy... The new telecom policy will come out in a few months. We have been making sure that all the stakeholders are brought for discussion.

            The government must realize reasonable revenues for its resources, which is spectrum. Very soon, we will decide on a mechanism to price it. We must also ensure robust growth for the industry. We don't want to kill the industry with our new policy. The third and most important aspect is that our people should have the best quality of services at the cheapest price. These three will form the pillars of the telecom policy.

            It will be transparent, above board and will have everyone's interests in mind. We are going to allow mergers and acquisitions to take place. But we have mandated that each circle should have at least six players to operate to allow good competition. We have talked about spectrum sharing, spectrum trading, uniform spectrum charges. We will soon take a decision.

Courtesy: liz.m@livemint.com

TRANSFER AND POSTINGS IN SAG OF IPoS GROUP "A"

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

Tranfer-Posting in the Sr. DDG/CPMG grade of IPoS, Group " A"

Ms. Kavery Banerjee (1978) Chairperson, WPE has been posted as CPMG, Bihar Circle, Patna vide Postal Directorate No. 1-1/2009-SPG datad 29.04.2011.

Revision of flat rates of licence fee for Central Govt. Residential Accommodation throughout the country

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

Clarification on increase in certain allowances by 25% as a result of enhancement of Dearness Allowance wef 01.01.2011

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

Will the Retirement Age of Central Govt. Employees go up from 60 to 62 ?

Central Government employees’ retirement age to be extended by 2 years to 62

New Delhi: The Government is planning to extend the retirement age of all Central Government Employees by two years — from the current 60 to 62 years. Sources said that an in-principle decision has been taken in this regard and the Department of Personnel  & Training (DOPT) has begun the work to implement the same. A formal announcement to this effect is expected this year itself.

The last time the Government extended the retirement age of Central Government employees was in 1998. It was also a two-year extension from 58. This was preceded by the implementation of the 5th Pay Commission, which had put severe strain on Government’s finances. Subsequently, all State Governments followed the Centre’s policy by extending the retirement age by two years. Public Sector Undertakings followed suit too.

The decision to extend the retirement age is well-timed both politically and economically.

The UPA Government reckons the move would be a masterstroke. At a time when it is buffeted by several corruption cases, it is felt that the extension of the retirement age will go down well with the middle classes. Economically also, the move makes sense because by deferring payment of lump sum retirement benefits for a large number of employees by two years, the Government would be able to manage its finances better. “An in-principle decision has been taken to increase the retirement age by two years within this year itself. This would reduce the burden on the fiscal from one-time payment of retirement benefits for employees including Defence and Railways personnel,” an official involved in the discussion said. With the fiscal consolidation high on the Government's agenda, this deferment would come handy.

There’s some flip side too if the retirement age is extended by two years. Those officials empanelled as secretaries and joint secretaries would have to wait longer to actually get the posts. And of course, there is the issue of average age profile of the civil servants being turning north.
It is also felt that any extension is not being fair with a bulk of people who still look for jobs in the Government.

However, officials point out that at least it prevents an influential section of the bureaucracy to hanker for post-retirement jobs with the Government like chairmanship of regulatory bodies or tribunals.

“As it is, a sizeable section of senior civil servants work for three to five years after the retirement in some capacity or the other in the Government,” said a senior Government official. The retirement age of college teachers and judges are also beyond 60.

As per a study, the future pension outgo for the existing Central and State government employees is estimated at a staggering R1,735,527 crore or 55.88% of GDP at market prices of 2004-05.

Source: The Financial Express

'No Income Tax filing of returns’ scheme for salaried class employees

‘No Filing of returns’ scheme for salaried class earning less than Rs. 5 Lakh to be notified by June, 2011
The PTI Press Release intimates that the New Policy reg. ‘No Filing of returns’ scheme for salaried class earning less than Rs. 5 Lakh will be notified by June, 2011
‘No return’ scheme for salaried class earning less than Rs. 5 Lakh to be notified by June The Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes ( CBDT), Sudhir Chandra, today said the scheme to exempt salaried people earning up to Rs 5 lakh annually from filing income tax returns will be notified in the first week of June. The scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2011‐12 by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
“A category of small‐salaried tax payers whose net salaried income is not above Rs 5 lakh and whose tax is deducted at source by the employer who files return, will be exempted from filing returns,” Chandra told reporters here.
“The scheme for this category will be notified in the first week of June,” he said. “But if the taxpayer is claiming a refund from the I‐T department, then he will have to file the return.”
The scheme will provide relief to about 70 to 80 lakh people from filing I‐T returns.
“We are also trying to exempt small bank‐interest income, the tax on which has been deducted at source, under this scheme,” he said.
“A new facility has been introduced on filing of electronic returns. At the click of the mouse, a portal will open…on which you can view every month how much money your employer has deducted, and whether it has been deposited in the government kitty,” Chandra said.

Source : PTI

CAT CASE AGAINST PS GROUP "B " EXAMINATION & POSTMASTER CADRE

In consultations with CHQ, Punjab Circle Branch through its Circle Secretary has filed an  application in Hon’ble CAT, Chandigarh  against the following orders to get  the appropriate reliefs:-

(1)                           Application is made against the Postal Directorate letter dated 06.04.2011 by which the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for promotion to the cadre of Postal Services Group ‘B’ 2011 has been  ordered to be held on 15.05.2011 which is against the  Department of Posts, Postal Superintendents / Postmasters Group B Recruitment Rules, 1987 as amended from time to time and  consider the case of the applicants  under these rules  in their quota for promotion from due date with all the consequential benefits and it be declared that the bifurcation of quota now carried out by the respondents is illegal, arbitrary and bereft of any discernible principle.

(2)                           Against the Department of Posts, Senior Postmaster (Gazetted Group B) ,Postmaster (Non-Gazetted Group B Grade-III & Grade-II) and Postmaster (Non-Gazetted Group C Grade-I) Recruitment Rules, 2010 i.e Postmaster Cadre Rules, 2010 run contrary to the Postal Services Postmaster Group B Rules, 1987 as amended from time to time, as the quota of the Inspector Line, has also been reduced from 19% and 75% by carving out the posts whereas these are to be carved out from General Line as per original notification. 

The case was listed for hearing on 29-04-2011. After hearing our counsel, the Hon’ble CAT sent a motion notice to the Department of Posts for 11.05.2011.