Finmin to be launched fully secured Government e-payment system

Finmin to be launched fully secured Government e-payment system
ECS payment facility to all Central and State Government employees :
Ministry of Finance has decided to launch a fully secured Government e-payment system on Monday. Government e-payment Gateway (GePG) is portal which enables the successful delivery of payment services from Pay & Accounts Offices (PAOs) for online payment into beneficiaries’ accounts in a seamless manner under a secured environment.
The ECS (Electronic Clearing System) payment facility is already available in few ministries, tie up with some Nationalised and Private banks to provide payment and pension to respective employees accounts. This facility extend to all Central Government employees and Pensioners by April, 2012.

The traditional system of Central Government are using cheque, cash and DD for payments to Vendors or Contractors. In the past few years RTGS and NET faculties provided by RBI are also being utilized for Central Government payments in various ministries through the banking channel.

Source : cgstaffnews.com

Highlights of draft Post Office Bill 2011

1. Opening of market by reducing the exclusive privilege of Central Government:
Gradual opening of the market by phase wise removal of the monopoly proposed.
Exclusive privilege reduced upto 150 gm. In case of letters and upto 50 gm. in case of
express mail. Couriers can carry letters even within 150 gm and 50 gm ( the reserve
area) subject to them charging twice the postal rates for letters and twice the rates for
express service.
2. Sunset clause:
A 15 years SUNSET clause for complete removal of exclusive privilege in express
service and Parliamentary Review of exclusive privilege in case of letters is proposed.
3. Universal Service Obligation of the Central Government:
As proposed, USO is defined as the obligation of the Central Government to provide,
through the Department of Posts, basic postal services at reasonable access, affordable
price and with specified service parameters throughout the country. Commitment to
provide postal service, delivery and access to post office 6 days of the week except
holidays.
4. Definitions:
Definitions of certain ‘terms’ are proposed keeping in view the definition adopted by
different countries, as also the requirement of customers i.e.
a) “postal services” means services provided by the Central Government or on its behalf
and includes services related to
(i) handling of addressed letters,
(ii) handling of addressed parcels and packages,
(iii) handling of addressed press products,
(iv) handling of these articles as registered or insured mail,
(v) express services for these articles,
(vi) handling of unaddressed articles,
(vii) Value Payable Post,
(viii) money remittance
(ix) Post Office Counter Services
(x) services on behalf of any Ministry or Department of the Central or State
Governments, or services on behalf of any other organization
(xi) other services not specified elsewhere;
b) “courier services” means services related to the handling of articles of mail i.e.
collection, sorting, dispatch, conveyance and delivery including
(i) handling of addressed letters subject to provisions in Section 4,
(ii) handling of addressed parcels and packages,
(iii) handling of addressed press products,
(iv) express services for these articles subject to provision in Section 4
(v) handling of unaddressed articles,

c) “express services” means postal / courier services related to handling of articles of mail
and expedited delivery within a clearly specified and declared time limit with
confirmation of receipt and with or without end‐to‐end integration to ensure track and
trace and a record of delivery ;
d) “Registered Courier” means any person registered as such under Section ‐‐‐ and
includes his employee or agent or assignee;
e) “Licensee” means a Registered Courier who has been given license under Section ‐‐;
5. Registration and Licensing:
The Central Government may grant registration to any person undertaking the provision
of any courier service in India, who shall be called a Registered Courier. The Central
Government may also grant license to any Registered Courier, who shall be called a
licensee, for providing certain specific services. There is no registration fee or license
fee. Licensing conditions involve adherence to quality, guarantee relief to customers in
case of any deficiency in service and commitment to ensure confidentiality and security
of letter. All operators will require registration for providing any type of courier service
in India. But license will be required only for reserve area, USO and letter mail.
6. Registering Authority:
It is proposed that Central Government shall appoint Registering Authority, in such
manner and to perform such functions, as may be prescribed.
7. Appellate Authority:
An Appellate Authority is proposed for redressal of grievances of any person aggrieved
by an order of Registration Authority.
8. Setting up Extra Territorial Offices of Exchange (ETOE) and International mail
Processing Centers (IMPC) abroad:
Central Govt. may establish ETOEs/IMPCs in other countries for providing international
Mail Services including express and parcel services subject to arrangements with such
Postal Administrations regarding terms and conditions.

Source : indiapost.gov.in

Ms. Radhika Doraiswamy, Secretary (Posts) retires from service

Postal Directorate Memo No. 13-2/2011-SPG dated 31.10.2011 is reproduced below :-

   Ms. Radhika Doraiswamy (IPoS-1974), Secretary (Posts)/Chairperson,PSB/DG (Posts) Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi is retiring on superannuation from Government service wef 31.10.2011. Afternoon.
                                                                                                                                       -Sd-
                                                                                                                               (Raj Kumar)
                                                                                                                              Director (Staff)

PS GROUP "B" DPC FOR THE YEAR 2011

DPC for promotion in to PS Group "B" cadre for the year 2011 has been held on 28.10.2011. Allotment orders are likely to be issued very shortly.

Government E-Payment System to be Inaugurated; will Bring Transparency; Facilitate Paperless Transaction and Reduce Overall Transaction Cost

Ministry of Finance - PIB News

Government E-Payment System to be Inaugurated; will Bring Transparency; Facilitate Paperless Transaction and Reduce Overall Transaction Cost

The Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance has developed a fully secured Government e-payment system for direct credit of dues from the Government of India into the account of beneficiaries using digitally signed electronic advice (e-advice) through the ‘Government e-Payment Gateway’ (GePG). The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the Government e-Payment System on Monday. Government e-Payment Gateway (GePG) is a portal which enables the successful delivery of payment services from Pay & Accounts Offices (PAOs) for online payment into beneficiaries’ accounts in a seamless manner under a secured environment. GePG serves as middleware between COMPACT (Computerized Payment and Accounts) application at Pay & Accounts Offices and the Core Banking Solution (CBS) of the agency banks/RBI to facilitate paperless transaction, reducing overall transaction cost and promoting green banking.

This system will bring transparency and expedite direct payments from central paying units relating to subsidies to the users and consumers of fertilizer, kerosene and cooking gas which is already a declared objective of the government. This will increase the adoption of other e-services due to its efficiency and ease-of-use for all Central Government Ministries and Departments for online payment transactions. The digitally signed e-advices uploaded by the PAOs on GePG portal is downloaded by the concerned banks to credit the beneficiaries’ accounts through CBS/NEFT/RTGS as applicable. The e-payment system will save time and efforts in effecting payments and will facilitate elimination of physical cheques and their manual processing. Further the constraints of manual deposit of cheque by the payees into their bank account would also be eliminated. The system will also have online reconciliation of transactions and efficient compilation of payment accounts.

Under the traditional system of government payments, paying units in central government are using cheque, cash, DD or in few ministries ECS for payments to employees and vendors. In the past few years RTGS and NET faculties provided by RBI are also being utilized for central government payments in various ministries through the banking channel.

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF SPEED POST CENTRES/SORTING HUBS

Copy of Postal Directorate No.  6-5/2011-D Dated 20-10-2011 is reproduced below :-

Sub: Administrative Control over Speed Post Centres/Sorting Hubs.

The matter relating to the administrative control over Speed Post Centres/Sorting Hubs falling under existing Postal or RMS division was raised by the staff side and was under consideration of this Directorate.

It has been decided that the issues of administrative control over Speed Post Centres/Sorting Hubs in terms of placing under the administrative jurisdiction of Senior Superintendent/Superintendent of a Postal or RMS Division of a Postal or RMS Division may be decided by the CPMG concerned taking into account local needs, administrative convenience and effective monitoring.

HAPPY DIWALI 2011

ALL INDIA ASSOCIATION OF IPs/ASPs WISHES ALL OF ITS MEMBERS & VIEWERS A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS DIWALI

Reservation in promotion Treatment of SC/ST candidates promoted on their own merit

                                           No.36012/45/2005-Estt. (Res.)
                                                Government of India
                                   Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
                                             Department of Personnel and Training

                                                                                                                         North Block
                                                                                                                        New Delhi- 110001.
                                                                                                                   Dated the 10th August,2010.

                                                          OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Reservation in promotion Treatment of SC/ST candidates promoted on their own merit.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Departments O.M.No.36028/17/2001-Estt. (Res.) dated 11th July, 2002 which clarified that SC/ST candidates appointed by promotion on their own merit and not owing to reservation or relaxation of qualifications will be adjusted against un-reserved points of the reservation roster and not against reserved points. It was subsequently clarified by this Department’s O.M. No.36028/17/2001-Estt. (Res.) dated 31.1 .2005 that the above referred O.M. took effect from 11.07.2002 and that concept of own merit did not apply to the promotions made by non-selection method.

2. Central Administration Tribunal, Madras Bench in O.A. No.900/2005 [S. KaÌugasalamoorthy v/s. Union of India & Others] has set aside the O.M. No.36028/17/2001-Estt. (Res.) dated 31.1.2005 and held that when a person is selected on the basis of his own seniority, the scope of considering and counting him against quota reserved for SCs does not arise. The High Court of judicature at Madras in the matter of UO1 v/s.S. Kalugasalamoorthy [WP No.15926/2007) has upheld the decision of the Central Administrative Tribunal.

3. The matter has been examined in the light of the above referred judgments and it has been decided to with draw O.M. No. 36028/17/2001-Estt. (Res.) dated 31.1.2005 referred to above. It s clarified that SC/ST candidates appointed by promotion on their own merit and seniority and not owing to reservation or relaxation of qualifications will be adjusted against unreserved points of reservation roster, irrespective of the fact whether the promotion is made by selection method or non-selection method. These orders will take effect from 2.7.1997. the date on which post based reservation was introduced.

4. These instructions may he brought to the notice of all concerned.

sd/-
(K.G. Verma)
Director

Source: www.persmin.nic.in

Commuted Leave to a Government Servant who has opted out of CGHS facilities and is availing the medical facility provided by the employer of his / her spouse - clarification

No.13015/1/2011-Estt. ( Leave)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel. P.O. and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)

New Delhi. the 19th October, 2011

Office Memorandum

Sub: Commuted Leave to a Government Servant who has opted out of CGHS facilities and is availing the medical facility provided by the employer of his / her spouse - clarification.
This Department has been receiving references from various Ministries Departments seeking clarification regarding admissibility of Commuted Leave on the basis of medical certificates issued by Hospitals/Medical Practitioners approved by the employer of the spouse in cases where the concerned employee has been allowed to avail such facilities from the employer of the spouse. The matter has been considered in the light of clarification given by the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare.
It is clarified that leave on medical grounds may be allowed on the basis of certificates issued by Hospitals / Medical Practitioners approved by the employer of the spouse in such cases.
Hindi version will follow.

sd/-
(Zoya C.B.)
Under Secretary to Government of India

Source: www.persmin.nic.in

PS GROUP "B" DPC FOR THE YEAR 2011

Today, I visited Postal Directorate and it came to notice that all below bench mark cases have been received back from Circles after review. Now, work relating to grading of ACRs / APARs is under progress in SPG Division. No date for conducting the DPC has been fixed so far. Same is likely to be conducted shortly.


  (Roop Chand)
General Secretary

Railways Take Measures to Prevent Misuse of ‘Tatkal’ Scheme

                                                  Ministry of Railways

Railways Take Measures to Prevent Misuse of ‘Tatkal’ Scheme

In order to prevent misuse of ‘Tatkal’ Scheme of reserving train tickets, Indian Railways have taken following measures:-

 With a view to reduce the chances of misuse of e-ticketing facility by IRCTC agent, Indian Railways has decided to stop Quick Book Option and cash card booking between 8 AM to 9 AM. Further, individual users are permitted to book only two tickets between 8 AM to 9 AM.

 Access to ‘Tatkal’ booking to the agents booking through internet has been denied during the opening hours of reservation in the morning between 8 AM to 9 AM.

 The provision of carrying one of the eight prescribed identity cards by any one of the passengers booked on ‘Tatkal’ ticket, introduced from 11th February 2011 to prevent transfer of ‘Tatkal’ tickets.

 Facility of change of name is not permissible on ‘Tatkal’ tickets.

 Regular checks are conducted by senior officials at Reservation Offices particularly during opening hours in the morning to check the activities of touts and other unscrupulous elements.

 The load of IRCTC’s server has been augmented to ensure easy accessibility to passengers booking tickets through internet.

 Refund rules have been made stringent to discourage frivolous and proxy bookings.

Source: PIB

Orders of Hon'ble CAT, Ernakulam Bench in OA No.381/2010

  Extract of the orders (in para 33 to 35 ) dated 19.10.2011 of the Hon'ble CAT, Ernakulam Bench in OA No.381/2010 is reproduced below for information of all concerned.

33.  Thus, within the parameters prescribed by the Apex Court in respect of the powers of the Tribunal in dealing with the fixation of Pay scale the case has been considered and the Tribunal is of the considered view that there is no justification in denying the Inspector(Posts) the higher Grade Pay of Rs 4600 when the same is admissible to Inspectors of other Departments with whom parity has been established by the very Sixth Pay Commission vide its report at para 7.6.14 extracted above. The Department of Post also equally recommends the same and as such, at appropriate level, the Ministry of Finance has to have a re-look in the matter dispassionately and keeping in view the aforesaid discussion. The ASPOs, as a result can be granted a grade pay of Rs.4800/- and the Superintendents grade pay of Rs.5400, as in the case of Superintendents of Central Excise & Customs.

34.     In view of the above, the OA is allowed to the extent that keeping in tune with the observations of the Sixth Pay Commission, coupled with the strong recommendations of the Department of Post and also in the light of our discussion as above, first respondent, i.e. the Ministry of Finance shall have a re-look in the matter at the level of Secretary and consider the case of the Inspector (Posts) for upgradation of their grade pay at par with that of the Inspector of income tax, of CBDT and CBEC. This will make the grade pay of Inspector (Posts) at par with that of the promotional post of Assistant Superintendents of Post Offices, it is expedient to consider and upward revision of the grade pay of ASPs as well. All the necessary details and statistics as required by the Ministry of Finance shall be made available by the second Respondent i.e. the Director General of Posts. It is expected that within a reasonable time, the respondents shall arrive at a judicious decision and implement the same.

35.     No costs.

       

        K NOORJEHAN                                               Dr K.B.S.RAJAN

ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBER                                JUDICIAL MEMBER

Cadre restructuring/promotional aspects conerning Inspectors & Asst. Supdts.

Copy of the Postal Directorate letter No.25-35/2011-PE-I dated 20.102011 is reproduced below:




Sir/Madam,

Sub: Cadre restructuring/promotional aspects conerning Inspectors & Asst. Supdts.


Consequent to a meeting held under the Chairpersonship of Secretary(P), a Committee has been constituted to examine the issues concerning Cadre Restructuring and to examine the promotional aspects of Inspectors and Asst. Superintendents  of Posts.
2. In the Committee meeting held on 18.10.2011, Member(P) has desired to collect certain information from all Circles urgently for examination and to facilitate further deliberations in the matter.  In view of the above, you are requested to kinldy furnish the detailed information in the enclosed proforma by return FAX.


-sd-
(Kalpana Rajsinghot)
Director(Estt. & DE)

All Circle Secretaries are requested to kinldy have liasion with their Circle Offices and ensure submission of the relevant information by FAX to the Postal Directorate and apprise the CHQ.

(ROOPCHAND)

GENERAL SECRETARY

LDCE for promotion to the cadre of Sr. Postmasters(Gazetted)

Today, I along with  Shri. Jayanth Kumar, AD(PMU) visited the Postal Directorate and met with the DDG(P) and discussed the matter of eligiblility criteria in the Sr. PM examination.  He informed us that he will examine the issue and necessary clarification will be issued shortly.

(ROOPCHAND)

GENERAL SECRETARY

DECLARATION OF REVEIW RESULT OF FAILED SC/ST CANDIDATES OF WB,KERALA,AP,MAHARASHTRA CIRCLES IN RESPECT OF IP EXAMINATION FOR THE YEAR 2006,2009 AND 2010

List of review result of SC/ST candidates of W. B., Kerala, A. P. & Maharashtra Circles in respect of Inspector, Posts Examination for the year 2006, 2009 & 2010 is given below : -


WEST BENGAL CIRCLE
Name of the candidates (Mr/Ms) Roll No. SC/ST Year of Exam.

BIBHA RANI MURMU          WB-83/IPO/Exam/09 ST 2009

Authority : Dte. No. A-34013/01/2010-DE (Pt.I) dated 18-10-2011

KERALA CIRCLE

Saji C John                            K/IPO-71/06 ST 2006


Authority : Dte. No. A-34013/06/2006-DE (Pt.I) dated 26.09.2011


AP CIRCLE
G V Ramana Rao                AP/IP/05/2010 ST 2010
D Aruna Kumari                  AP/IP/94/2010 SC2010
L Saida Naik                       AP/IP/156/2010 ST2010
E Bhomaiah                        AP/IP/142/2010   SC2010
I Kameswara Rao               AP/IP/54/2010    ST2010

Authority : Dte. No. A-34013/01/2010-DE (Pt) dated 01.09.2011

MAHARASHTRA CIRCLE

Madhukar K Gawari         MH/14/IP/2009 ST2009

Authority : Dte. No. A-34013/01/2010-DE (Pt) dated 25.08.2011

Re-allotment /Transfer/Positng in the JTS/STS officers of Indian Postal Services Group 'A

(Re-allotment /Transfer/Positng in the JTS/STS officers of Indian Postal Services Group 'A' vide Directorate order No.4-8/2009-SPG dated 19-10-2011


Sl NO. Name of the officer Presently posted Posting on Transfer


1 M. B. Gajabhye                    MH                   ADG(MO), Directorate

2 O Vijaya Kumar                  MH                                  AP

3 Jose Kollanoor                   MH                                  AP

4 V Kanagarajan                  WB                                  TN

5 Sanna Naik                       WB                                 KTK

6 N Ramar                          WB                                 TN

7 Rabi N Pradhan               WB                              Orissa

8 V Ramasamy                   NE                                TN

9 V S Patel                        MP                               Guj

Promotion into JTS of IPoS Group "A"

(Posting on promotion in JTS of Indian Posatal Service Group 'A'(Pay Band-3: Rs.15600-39100+GP5400/-)   vide Directorate order No.4-8/2009-SPG dated 19-10-2011
Sl NO.	Name of the officer	Original Circle	Circle to which Posted on Promotion	Remarks
1	Mazhar Basha	AP	AP
2	Subhash Chand Barik	Orissa	Orissa
3	B K Mehta	Gujarath	Gujarath
4	Binod Bihari Sharan	Bihar	Bihar
5	P Jayadevan	Kerala	Kerala
6	A K Firoze Mohideen	TN	TN
7	V Sampath	TN	TN
8	Smt. V Mallika	Mah	Mah
9	R P Chitradevi	TN	ADG(RB) Directorate
10	M Niranjala Devi	TN	DD(PMU) Directorate
11	N Prakash	KTK	WB
12	T Neelakrishnan	TN	ADG(PO) Directorate
13	S N Dave	Rajasthan	Rajasthan
14	K K Jayasankara	Kerala	Kerala
15	S Ranganathan	TN	ADG(Tech) Directorate
16	K Raveendran	TN	ADG(BS) Directorate
17	J F Shekar	KTK	Rajasthan
18	Aditya Kumar NayaK	Orissa	Orissa
19	R Laxmaiah	AP	AP	Retiring within one year
20	Abdul Haneef	UP	UP
21	R Selvarani	PTC Mysore	PTC Mysore
22	Leeladhar Joshi	UTKH	UTKH
23	V S N Murthy	AP	Assam
24	B S Pachal	Gujarath	Gujarath
25	K Kuruvilla Veghese	Kerala	Kerala	Retiring within one year
26	Jeeban Sahu	Orissa	Chattisgarah
27	Dibakar Patnaik	Orissa	WB
28	Lokanath Sahani	Orissa	Orissa	Retiring within one year
29	Y E Honkan(SC)	KTK	Punjab
30	N R Lonare(SC)	Mah	MP
31	R Pandi(SC)	AP	North East
32	Nannu Singh	MP	MP
33	A N Dighore	Mah	Mah	Retiring within one year

Promotion in the grade of JTS of IPoS, Group "A"

Today, Postal Directorate has released a list of 33 PS Group "B" officers for promotion in the grade of JTS of IPos, Group "A". Complete list will be published tomorrow.

OA No. 381/2010 regarding Grade Pay of Inspector Posts has been allowed by the Tribunal

Case regarding Grade Pay of Inspector Posts ( OA No. 381/2010) was allowed by the Hon'ble CAT Ernakulam Bench today with a direction to the Secretary (Ministry of Finance) (1st respondent) to take necessary action to upgrade the Grade Pay of Inspector Posts to Rs. 4600/- at par with Inspectors in CBDT/CBEC, as per the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission. The Hon'ble Tribunal also observed that this would make the GP of IPs at par with the present GP of ASPs and hence it would be desirable to upgrade the GP of ASPs as well accordingly.

Copy of the judgement is likely to be received shortly.

Source : Postal Inspectrs Blog for Grade Pay Hike

Meeting of the committee for looking in promotional prospects of IPOs/ASPOs

As notified by the Department, I alongwith Shri Hari Mohan, Circle Secretary, Punjab Circle Branch attended the meeting of the committee for looking in promotional prospects of IPOs/ASPOs. The meeting was held under the chairpersonship of the Member(P) in cordial atmosphere.

At the outset, we demanded for upgradation of GP of Rs.4200/- to Rs.4600/- for IP and merger of the post of the ASP with the post of PS Group 'B' in order to remove anomoly in the hiechary of IPOs/ASPOs cadre. The chairperson informed that it is not possible in view of the observations of the Secretary (Posts) in the meeting held on 11.08.2011. Proposal submitted by the Association to the Department on 27.09.2011 will not be acceptable to the DOPT/MOF. Hence, it is not possible to consider the same at this stage.

It was suggested by the official side that in order to upgrade  the GP of IP from Rs.4200/- to Rs. 4600/- and to   increase promotional prosepcts of IPOs/ASPOs, all posts of ASP (HQ)/OS in JTS/STS Divisions in Postal/RMS will be upgraded as Dy. Supdt. in P.S. Group 'B' with GP Rs.4800/- alongwith upgradation of some posts of ASP/IP in PTC/R.O./C.O./ Speed Post Centres in to P.S.Group 'B'. Remaining posts of ASPOs will be merged with the posts of IPOs with GP of Rs.4600/- to remove the problem of hiechary and to make it comparable with the Inspectors in CBDT/ CBEC. Necessary data in this regard will be collected by the Establishment Division of the  Postal Directorate from all Circles and the matter will be discussed in the next meeting to be held on 03.11.2011.

(ROOP CHAND)

GENERAL SECRETARY

Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for promotion to the cadre of Senior Postmasters (Gazetted)

No. CHQ/IPASP/Sr. Postmaster/2011                                                       Dated: 18.10.2011

To

           The Director General (Posts)

            Department of Posts
            Dak Bhawan,
            New Delhi- 110 001

Sub: Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for promotion to the cadre of Senior Postmasters (Gazetted)

Ref: Postal Directorate No. A-34012/6/2011-DE dated 03.10.2011 & 4-17/2008-SPB-II dated 22.11.2010

Respected Madam,

             This Association begs to bring the following few lines for kind consideration and positive action please:-

1.    That the Department has issued notification vide No. A-34012/6/2011-DE dated 03.10.2011 scheduling Senior Postmaster Examination to be held on 31.12.2011 without notifying the number of vacancies and other pre-requisites for conducting the examination to keep this notification under the ambit of set rules.

2.    The Association would like to recall that at present PS Group ‘B’ Recruitment (Amendment) Rules, 1993 issued vide No. 9-36/92-SPG dated 29.06.1994 are still in force leaving aside the Postmaster Recruitment Rules, 2010 that too run contrary to earlier rules.
3.    That as per Department of Posts, Postal Superintendent/ Postmasters Group ‘B’ Recruitment Rules, 1987 issued on 09.04.1988, all Group ‘B’ Posts were to be filled up by promotion in the manner given below:-

                      i.        94% from amongst officers holding the post of Inspector, Post Offices or Inspector, Railway Mails through DPC.

                     ii.        6% from amongst General Line officials by means of a Departmental Competitive Examination.

4.     That in the year 1994, on the demand of this Association, Recruitment Rules mentioned at Sl No. 3 above were amended and the quota of 94% was further bifurcated in the manner given below:-

                      i.        75% of the total posts shall be filled up by promotion from amongst Inspectors of Post offices and Inspectors of Railway Mail Service (Pay Scale Rs. 1400-2300/-) with 8 years regular service in the grade.

                     ii.        19% of the total posts shall be filled on the basis of a Departmental Competitive Examination from amongst Inspectors of Post offices and Inspectors of Railway Mail Service (Pay Scale Rs 1400-2300/-) with five years regular service in the grade.

5.    That as per para 6 of the Postmaster Recruitment Rules, 2010, 116 posts of Senior Postmaster have been earmarked in the following manner:-

Total No. of Posts	116
75% Posts to IP Line out of 116 through LDCE	87
25% Posts to General Line out 116 through DPC	29

These 116 Posts of Senior Postmaster have been carved out of existing posts in PS Group ‘B’ cadre without any suitable amendment in PS Group ‘B’ Recruitment (Amendment) Rules 1993 and without any discussions with our Association.
6.    That your kind attention is also invited to our letter no. CHQ /PS Gr ‘B’/2011 dated 04.07.2011(copy enclosed) wherein detailed proposal regarding distribution of quota under each category was submitted to the Department for consideration and implementation in the interest of both IP Line and General Line officials but nothing has been done by the Department in this regard so far.
 7.    That is also pointed out here that 19% Posts of IP Line (165 Posts) under examination quota in PS Group ‘B’ are already filled up and there is no vacancy to be filled up through LDCE.
8.    That as per Department of Posts, Senior Postmaster(Group B Gazetted), Postmaster (Grade III and II- Group B Non-Gazetted) and Postmaster (Grade I-Group C Non-Gazetted) Recruitment Rules 2010 issued on 09.09.2010 only Inspector of Posts in PB-2 of Rs.9300-34800 and Grade Pay of Rs.4200 with six years regular service in the grade is eligible to appear in LDCE for Senior Postmaster. It is not understood why ASP having six years regular service in IP cadre is not eligible to write the examination as both Posts relates to one and same cadre i.e. IP cadre.

In view of above facts it is requested to kindly postpone examination process of Senior Postmaster and the examination should only be conducted as and when a vacancy arises under the respective quota and making eligible ASP to appear in the examination. 

It is also requested to kindly consider and implement the proposal submitted to the Department in our letter dated 04.07.2011 in order to dispense justice to IP cadre.

It is also not out of place to mention here that this Association will be forced to take legal recourse in this regard if the matter is not settled amicably within reasonable time.

Yours sincerely,
(Roop Chand)
General Secretary

SB/SC deceased claim cases - clarification on attestation of Annexure II & III

                                                                                                                                                           SB ORDER NO. 21/2011

No. F.No.113-07/2008-SB

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi-110001, Dated: 12.10.2011

To

All Heads of Circles/Regions

Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi.

Subject:- Attestation of Annexure-II (Affidavit) and Annexure-III (Disclaimer on Affidavit) in case of deceased claim case preferred where there is no nomination- a clarification regarding.

Sir / Madam,

The undersigned is directed to say that after issue of new procedure for payment of amount of Savings Bank/Certificates in the name of deceased depositor/holders circulated vide SB Order No.25/2010 dated 24.12.2010, this office was receiving many references from the field units regarding attestation of Annexure-II and III by the Notary Public. The matter was referred to Min..of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs for clarification.

2.             Min. of Finance (DEA) has now clarified that the matter was referred to Min. of Law and Justice who opined that Annexure-II and III may be attested either by Oath Commissioner or by Notary Public. Therefore, it is requested that necessary amendment may be made in these forms accordingly. Amendment to the forms notified by Min. of Finance in respect of PPF and Sr. Citizen Savings Scheme will be made by the ministry shortly.

3.             It is requested that this clarification may be circulated to all all field units and all deceased claim cases kept pending for this reason should be settled urgently.

4.             This issues with the approval of DDG(FS).

Yours faithfully,

(Kawal Jit Singh)

Assistant Director (SB)

India Post's ATM plans hit RBI hurdle

India Post's plan to set up automated teller machines (ATMs) in its post offices may fail to impress the banking regulator.

India Post is in talks with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to set up ATMs. However, since according to norms, only banks are allowed to set up ATMs, the central bank is not in favour of allowing India Post to set up ATMs. According to sources in the banking industry, if India Post set up ATMs, they should fall under the RBI's purview for regulation purposes.

India Post has proposed to set up a subsidiary, Post Bank of India, for providing banking facilities. It has also identified nearly 1,000 post offices, out of its 1.5 lakh post offices, where the ATMs would be initially set up.

The sources said though RBI is uncomfortable with the idea of India Post setting up ATMs, it is yet to formally communicate its apprehensions to the department of post.

To increase efficiency and profitability, the department of post had planned to introduce banking solutions and set up ATMs and debit cards for its customers. It also plans to introduce core banking solution by 2012, and has initiated the process of modernising information technology (IT) during the current financial year. The cost of the IT modernisation project is estimated at around Rs 2,000 crore, which includes an integrated, modular software solution, covering postal operations, banking and insurance services.

The department of post also has plans to tie up with banks to help its customers use their India Post debit cards at ATM machines. It has also submitted a plan to the finance ministry for approval. The department aims to offer banking services through India Post in unbanked rural areas that lack formal financing facilities.

India Post already offers financial services, including post office savings schemes, postal life insurance, pension payments and money transfer services.

Source : Business Standard, October 14, 2011

Closing of Central Government Offices in connection with elections to Lok Sabha / State Assembly / Panchayat / Municipalities / Corporation or other Local Bodies -regarding

No. 12/14/99-JCA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG. & PENSIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)
NORTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI

NEW DELHI, THE 10th OCTOBER, 2001

OFFICE MEMORNDUM

Sub : Closing of Central Government Offices in connection with elections to Lok Sabha / State Assembly / Panchayat / Municipalities / Corporation or other Local Bodies -regarding

        In modification of these instructions contained in this Department’s OM No.12/4/86-JCA dated 9th March, 1987, the undersigned is directed to say that the following guidelines are prescribed for future for closing of Central Government Offices including industrial establishments in connection with the elections indicated above.

(i) The relevant organizations shall remain closed in the notified areas where general elections to Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be conducted.

(ii) In connection with bye-election to Lok Sabha / State Assembly, only such of the employees who are bona-fide voters in the relevant constituency should be granted special casual leave on the day of polling Special Casual leave may also be granted to an employee who is ordinarily a resident of a constituency and registered as a voter but employed in any Central Government Organization / Industrial Establishment locate outside the constituency having a general / bye-election.

(iii) In connection with local body elections, viz., Panchayat/Corporation / Municipality, the Government employees who are bona-fide voters and desire to exercise their franchise should be offered reasonable facility, subject to normal exigencies of services, either by coming late to office or being allowed to leave office early or a short absence on that day.

2. The employees detailed on election duty may also be permitted to remain away from their normal duties on polling day (s) as also on the days required for performing journeys which might be undertaken in order to perform such election duty.

The above instructions may be brought to the notice of all concerned.

sd/-
(Ranbir Singh)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source: www.persmin.nic.in

Dispensing with second stage consultation with the CVC in disciplinary cases

No.372/19/2011-AVD-III(Pt.I)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

New Delhi the 26th September, 2011.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Dispensing with second stage consultation with the CVC in disciplinary cases.
          The Government had constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM), on 6th January, 2011 with the approval of the Prime Minister to consider measures that can be taken by the Government to tackle corruption. One of the terms of reference (ToR) of the GoM was to consider and advise on “Fast tracking of all cases of public servants accused of corruption ‘. The GoM, while considering this (T0R) also considered certain important recommendations of the Hota Committee (Committee of Experts to review the procedure of Disciplinary/Vigilance Inquiries and recommended measures for their expeditious disposal) and decided that second stage consultation with CVC in disciplinary matters may be dispensed with. However, in those cases where consultation with UPSC is not required as per extant rules/instructions, the second stage consultation with CVC should continue.
The above recommendation of the GoM has been accepted by the Government with the approval of the Prime Minister. All Ministries/Departments are, therefore, advised to strictly adhere to the new procedure with immediate effect.
The Central Vigilance Commission has been separately requested to amend its Vigilance Manual and other relevant instructions accordingly.

sd/-
(V.M. Rathnam)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Source: www.persmin.nic.in

Appointment of Inquiry Officers (IOs) and Presenting Officer (POs) in disciplinary cases

No.372/19/2011-AVD-III(Pt.I)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

New Delhi the 26th September, 2011.

Subject: Appointment of Inquiry Officers (IOs) and Presenting Officer (POs) in disciplinary cases.

            The Government had constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) on 6th January, 2011 with the approval of the Prime Minister to consider measures that can be taken by the Government to tackle corruption. One of the terms of reference (ToR) of the GoM was to consider and advise on ‘Fast tracking of all cases of public servants accused of corruption “. The GoM, while considering this ToR also considered certain important recommendations of the Hota Committee (Committee of Experts to review ¡he procedure of Disciplinary/Vigilance Inquiries and recommend measures for their expeditious disposal) and recommended that Departments/Ministries should primarily use serving officers as IOs & POs and that in important cases, they may request CVC to appoint their CDI as IO. The GoM has also recommended that the CVC may also maintain a panel of IOs/POs from amongst retired officers, whose services can also be utilized by various Ministries/Departments.

           The above recommendations of the OM have been accepted by the Government and accordingly all Ministries/Departments are advised to use serving officers as IOs & POs and in important cases, request the CVC to appoint their CDI as IO. They may also, in appropriate cases, utilize the services of IOs/POs who would be available on the panel to be maintained by CVC, in consultation with CVC.

sd/-
(V.M.Rathnam)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Source: www.persmin.nic.in