India Post Payment bank gives the facility for its customers especially in
rural areas to deposit or withdraw the money from their IPPB account without
going to the IPPB branch. The Postman will operate the accounts with help of
bio metric device at the door step of customers.
Monday, October 31, 2016
How does NREGA Payment work in IPPB using Biometric Device
The
workers’ remuneration will be credited to their respective Aadhaar lined IPPB
accounts. The beneficiary can withdraw the money using biometric device even
without filling a withdrawal form.
What is Voice Banking Service in India Post Payment Bank (IPPB)
India
Post Payment Bank (IPPB) gives the facility for its customers especially in
rural areas to deposit or withdraw the money from their IPPB account without
going to the IPPB branch. The Postman will operate the accounts with help of
bio metric device at the door step of customers. Watch the two videos below for
better understanding.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Post offices to go paperless in six months
ONGOLE,
October 29, 2016 : In
a customer-centric initiative, India Post will go paperless shortly
implementing Core System Integrator (CSI) Project across different channels,
levels and locations, according to its Vijayawada Region Postal Services
Director E. Veerabhadra Rao.
Addressing
the media here on Friday night, he said, “A pilot project is being implemented
in Machilipatnam in this region to lay down a robust IT infrastructure,
implement software applications. All services of the Postal Department will go
online in six months time.” Customer Interaction Channels would provide
services through call centre, web portal and mobile devices.
The
CSI also provided for IT-based mail operations with improved article tracking
and technology-driven logistics network. Finance & Accounts as also Human
Resources Management would be done online under CSI, he added.
“India
Post is fully geared up to offer banking services from new fiscal,” he said,
adding that the Reserve Bank of India had in principle agreed to
inter-portability of its Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) with those of PSU
banks. “Some ticklish issues like addressing the complaints of the customers of
each other are being looked into,” he added.
Source :
http://www.thehindu.com/
Railway Unions demand 3% DA hike
New
Delhi: Expressing “dissatisfaction” over over the announcement of 2 per cent
increase in dearness allowance by the government, railway unions have demanded
it be raised to 3 per cent.
We
have expressed dissatisfaction over the announcement of a meagre 2 per cent
rise in DA by the Central government from July 1, 2016, National Federation of
Indian Railwaymen M Raghavaiah said.
Ahead
of Diwali, the Centre has announced 2 per cent dearness allowance for Central
government employees effective from July.
“Central
government employees and pensioners have been waiting eagerly for the
announcement of DA since September 2016. But we are disappointed that the
government has announced only 2 per cent whereas the 12-month average of
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016,
works out to be 2.92 per cent,” Raghavaiah said and added “The Government ought
to have been considerate in announcing this half-yearly hike in DA and rounded
off to 3 per cent.”
All
India Railwaymen Federation General Secretary S Gopal Mishra said 2 per cent DA
is not satisfactory and it should be raised to 3 per cent.
PTI
What is Voice Banking Service in India Post Payment Bank (IPPB)
Voice
Banking Service is a mobile based banking service in which person can do
banking operation with the help automated voice system. A person can transfer
money between IPPB accounts through this system. The following video will show
you clearly What is Voice Banking Service in India Post Payment Bank (IPPB) and
how it works.
Call drops: Telecom minister to meet CEOs on Nov 1
New
Delhi, Oct 28 (PTI) Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha will meet CEOs of telecom
companies on November 1 to review the call drop issue and chalk out a road map
for future.
"The minister will meet CEOs on call drop issue...we have held one meeting already and this (upcoming) meeting will be for stocktaking and road map for the future," Telecom Secretary JS Deepak said.
He said that according to TRAI, there has been an improvement in the call drop situation.
Earlier this year, telcos had submitted a 100 day action plan on strategy to address call drop issue. They had committed to set up 60,000 base stations as part of this action plan.
"We will review the plan," Deepak added
DPC : AD (Recruitment) cadre from the staff of ROs/COs
After a long period, Directorate has convened DPC for promotion to the cadre of AD (Recruitment). There are total 4 posts in the entire country and these are filled up as per the inter-se-seniority from staff working in ROs/COs.
To view clear copy, please CLICK HERE.
After 
Friday, October 28, 2016
LANDMARK JUDGMENT BY SUPREME COURT FOR PAYMENT OF “EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK” TO THE DAILY WAGE EMPLOYEES, ADHOC APPOINTEES, EMPLOYEES APPOINTED ON CASUAL BASIS, CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES AND THE LIKE.
The
Hon’ble Supreme Court in its Historical 102 pages Judgment in Civil Appeal No.
2013 of 2013 dated 26.10.2016 has directed that Temporary Employees, Adhoc
Appointees, employees appointed on Casual basis, contractual employees and the
like, if the concerned employees are rendering similar duties and
responsibilities as were being discharged by regular employees holding the
same/corresponding posts are entitled “for equal pay for equal work” such
employees are entitled for draw wages at the minimum of the payscale extended
to regular employees holding the same posts. We will be representing to the
Govt. To implement this Judgment and issue a common order in this regard. Full
judgement is reproduced below:
DPC : PS Gr. B for the year 2016-17 ---- updates
Yesterday, Directorate has called for the vacancy position of PS Gr. B posts from all Circles. Many circles yet not responded to the Directorate.
All Circle Secretaries are directed to confirm the submission of correct vacancy position by their circles to Directorate for convening of DPC for promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B for the year 2016-17.
Data Base of IPs/ASPs of Tamil Nadu Circle
Tamil Nadu circle has prepared data base of all IPs and ASPs of their circle. Shri Babu G. Circle Secretary of Tamil Nadu Circle has requested his all members to verify their particulars and in case of any omission/updation, member should report the same to Shri K. Shivashankar on 9894214292.
To view data base of Tamil Nadu Circle, please CLICK HERE.
All Circle Secretaries are directed to prepare their circles data base for the information to all concerned and office record purpose.
Media Report : "Committee on allowance ready with report"
Government
employees might have an exciting new year as the Committee on Allowances under
the chairmanship Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa is ready with its reports.
Media
reports said that the committee is likely to submit the reports on revised
allowance to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley very soon.
Quoting
sources in the Finance Ministry, media reports said that the committee is
waiting to be called by Jaitley for submission of its reports.
Cabinet Announces 2% DA for Central Government Employees
The
Union government on Thursday approved 2 per cent dearness allowance and relief
benefiting about 50.68 lakh employees and 54.24 lakh pensioners.
The
decision to provide 2 per cent DA on basic pay was taken by the Cabinet and
will be effective from July 1, 2016.
The
2 per cent DA will result in annual burden of Rs. 5,622.10 crore, though for
period of eight months (July-February in 2016-17), it would be Rs. 3,748.06
crore.
The
central government had increased DA by 6 per cent to 125 per cent in March 2015.
DA was later merged with the basic pay following the implementation of the 7th
Pay Commission.
“The
Union Cabinet has given its approval to release an instalment of DA to Central
Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to Pensioners from July 1, 2016
representing an increase of 2 per cent of the revised Basic Pay/Pension, to
compensate for price rise,” a press statement said.
According
to the statement, the increase is in accordance with the accepted formula,
which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
The
combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and
Dearness Relief would be Rs. 5,622.10 crore per annum and in the Financial Year
2016-17 for the period of 8 months (i.e. from July 2016 to February 2017), it
would be Rs. 3,748.06 crore.
Women employees can now file harassment complaints online:Govt
Press
Trust of India | New Delhi October 26, 2016
The
women employees of the Central government will soon be able to file sexual
harassment complaints online.
The
decision was taken at a meeting called by Women and Child Development (WCD)
Minister Maneka Gandhi today after she received complaints from aggrieved women
employees from various ministries.
Officials
from Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Home Affairs
(MHA), Railway Ministry, Sports Ministry and Department of Financial Services
were present at the meeting.
The
e-platform for posting complaints will be hosted on the Women and Child
Development ministry's website, a senior official said, adding the complaints
will then be taken up with the respective ministries/departments.
An
inter-ministerial committee headed by a senior WCD official will be constituted
to review the status of the complaints. The forum will also ensure that all
Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) heads are imparted training on how to
resolve such complaints, he said.
It
has also been decided that the DoPT will issue instructions to ensure that
training programmes for all services include a module on Sexual Harassment of
Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 to
sensitise the government staff.
Additionally,
the WCD ministry will issue guidelines for dealing with sexual harassment
complaints. These will include a monthly as well as an annual report, to be
prepared by the Internal Complaints Committee of each ministry, on the status
of complaints received.
The
cadre controlling authority of a victim will be required to monitor her
progress for 5 years, in order to ensure that she is not further tormented for
complaining against a colleague, the official said.
A
similar exercise for the private sector is also on the anvil, he added.
The
move comes after several women employees wrote to the WCD ministry about delay
in getting their complaints about sexual harassment resolved.
Source
: http://www.business-standard.com
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Inauguration of Excess Baggage Assistance counter at Tiruchirappalli Airport
Excess
Baggage Assistance counter was opened at Tiruchirappalli Airport (Tamil Nadu) on
20.10.2016 by Shri J. T. Venkateshwarlu,
Postmaster General (BD & Mails), O/o the Chief PMG,Chennai in the
presence of Shri G. Natarajan, Director Postal Services, Central Region,
Tiruchirappalli. Shri K. Gunasekaran, Director, Tiruchirappalli International
Airport.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Commemorative Postage Stamp on 'National Unity Day' will be released on 31/10/2016
National
Unity Day celebrates the birthday of Patel because, during his term as Home Minister of India, he is credited for
the integration of over 550 independent princely states into India from
1947-49 by Independence Act (1947). He is known as the “Bismarck of
India”.
This
year Department of Posts has decided to release Commemorative Postage Stamp on 'National Unity Day' on 31/10/2016.
All
members and track in viewers are once again requested to open one Philately Deposit
Account (PDA) in any Head Post Office and get the philately stamps and
stationary items at door step.
Source : Wikepedia
Migrating residuary data left out during the previous migration
From: Deputy
Director (CEPT)
Sent: 14
September 2016 10:01
To: CPMG
Assam Circle; CPMG Andhra Pradesh Circle; CPMG Bihar Circle; CPMG Chattisgarh
Circle; CPMG Delhi Circle; CPMG Gujrat Circle; CPMG Himachal Pradesh Circle;
CPMG Haryana Circle; CPMG Jharkhand Circle; CPMG Jammu & Kashmir Circle;
CPMG Karnataka Circle; CPMG Kerala Circle; CPMG Maharashtra Circle; CPMG Madhya
Pradesh Circle; CPMG North East Circle; CPMG Orissa Circle; CPMG Punjab Circle;
CPMG Rajasthan Circle; CPMG Tamilnadu Circle; CPMG Uttar Pradesh Circle; CPMG
Uttarakhand Circle; CPMG West Bengal Circle
Cc: Director
(CBS); DDG (Financial Services); Saurabh Gupta; Gopinath S
Subject : Migrating residuary data left out during the previous migration - Important
communication - Time bound - Regarding::
Respected
Sir(s) / Madam (s),
This
is regarding re-migration of residuary (left out) data during the earlier
migration. Circles have come up with a request that few quantum of data
pertaining to various schemes were left out due to inaccurate digitization and
resulting in non-migration of certain accounts (data) during the previous
migration of offices.
Hence,
it is proposed to identify the quantum of scheme-wise data with SOL ID in the
following template and send us the details in the attached excel sheet for
further planning and scheduling migrations.
Yours
Sincerely,
(V
M Sakthivelu)
Deputy
Director CEPT
+919444227090
Inadequate implementation of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Government of India
Ministry of Women and Child Development
26-October-2016 18:15 IST
Smt.
Maneka Sanjay Gandhi expresses concern at the inadequate implementation of
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal)
Act, 2013.
WCD Ministry to set up Inter-Ministerial Committee and an e-platform for effective redressal of complaints of sexual harassment at workplace
The
Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi held a
review meeting on implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 in New Delhi today. Officials
from the WCD Ministry, DoPT, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Ministry
of Home Affairs, Ministry of Railways and Department of Financial Services were
present. Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi expressed her concern that the complaints of
sexual harassment are not being handled in a timely as well as sensitive
manner. She also expressed her concern that harassment often continues over a period
of time and it is only after it becomes unbearable that a woman comes out to
complain. In such situations, it is the duty of Internal Complaints Committee
to decide on the complaint in the shortest possible time. The Minister also
pointed out that the transfer of the aggressor can never be a solution to such
a complaint and there should be harsher punishments when the complaint is found
to be true.
2.
After extensive deliberations, the following decisions were taken:
(i)
The Ministry of WCD will set up an inter-ministerial committee headed by a
senior official of the WCD Ministry. This committee will review the progress of
disposal of complaints of sexual harassment, get a standardized training module
prepared in collaboration with ISTM, ensure that heads of Internal Complaints
Committee of all ministries/departments are given training on how to handle the
complaints.
(ii)
The ministry will be establishing a secure electronic platform for any woman
employee of the government to file a complaint under the Act directly to the
Ministry of WCD. These complaints will be then taken up with the respective
ministries/ departments. This will enable a monitorable and transparent system
of grievance redressal under the Act.
(iii)
All ministries/ departments will furnish a monthly report to WCD ministry on
the number of complaints received, disposed, pending and action taken etc.
(iv)
All ministries/ departments and attached offices will furnish the annual
statistics of complaints received and disposed under the Act in their Annual
Reports. It was also decided that the inter ministerial committee will create a
panel of resource persons from which ICCs can take the external members. In
another important decision taken at the meeting today, all the training programmes
of all services will have a module on the Act and DoPT will issue necessary
instructions for this.
(v)
It was also decided that the respective cadre controlling authority will keep
every complainant under observation for a period of five years so that she is
not subjected to any further administrative harassment as a result of her
having complained against a male superior.
(vi)
It was agreed that the Act, the rights of a woman official and the
responsibility of the ICC must be given adequate publicity through different
methods including the websites of the ministries/ departments/ attached
offices.
A 300 % Salary Hike Has Been Proposed For President Of India Pranab Mukherjee
In
the past days, the Modi government saw a lot of commotion amid the unhappy
central government employees with regard to the problems related to minimum
wages. The knotty issue has since remained a pressing agenda for many, until
today.
In
a move that almost looks too good to be true, the Modi government has proposed
an increase in the salary of President and the Vice President of India.
Right
now, the President withdraws Rs 1.50 lakh per month, the Vice-President Rs 1.25
lakh and the Governor of a state Rs 1.10 lakh.
After
the implementation of the 7th pay commission the Cabinet Secretary, who is the
topmost bureaucrat in the country, gets Rs 2.5 lakh per month and a Secretary
in the Union government draws Rs 2.25 lakh.
But
now, the President’s salary will be 5 lakh and the Vice President’s Rs. 3.5
lakh. The spouses of the Presidents will be receiving Rs 30,000 as
compensation.
According
to sources, the union ministry has already prepared a cabinet note on the
proposed salary and is about to present it to the finance committee for a final
nod.
Ever
since the 7th pay commission swooped in, the salary of the two highest
employees of Indian Government looked like peanuts. It increased the pay of the
cabinet secretary with more than Rs 1 lakh than that of the President.
The
pay commission doesn’t declare or decide the salaries of the President or the
Vice President and the prerogative to effect a change lies with Parliament and
the government.
The
last hike was given in the year 2010 when the salaries were increased by 300%.
The
President’s wages was increased to Rs 1.50 lakh per month from Rs 50,000, the
Vice-President's to Rs 1.25 lakh from Rs 40,000 and the Governor's salary o Rs
1.10 lakh from Rs 36,000.
Source
: http://www.indiatimes.com
Deputation to Bangkok for training...
Following officers are attending training programme on 'Express Mail Service" at Asian Pacific Postal College (APPC) Bangkok, Thailand from 14th November to 2nd December 2016.
1. Shri K. Ramesh, AD (Mails) o/o PMG, Vijayawada Region, Vijayawada (AP)
2. Shri Ajith Kurian, Manager (BD) o/o CPMG, Kerala Circle, Trivandrum (Kerala)
CHQ congratulate the officers for their selection for training on EMS.
1. Shri K. Ramesh, AD (Mails) o/o PMG, Vijayawada Region, Vijayawada (AP)
2. Shri Ajith Kurian, Manager (BD) o/o CPMG, Kerala Circle, Trivandrum (Kerala)
CHQ congratulate the officers for their selection for training on EMS.
DPC : PS Gr. B for the year 2018-17 ..... updates
Today,
a group of PS Gr. B officers working in Postal Directorate met Director (Staff)
Sri Brijesh Kumarji on the issue of delay in convening of PS Gr. B DPC for the
year 2016-17.
It
has been told by him that some reports from Rajasthan, Maharashtra and NE
circles are yet awaited. It was also told that clarification is sought from
DoPT regarding which bench mark is required for holding of DPC i.e. Good or
Very Good. The clarification is said to be awaited from DoPT.
Director
(Staff) Postal Directorate have already talked to DPS (HQ) of the concerned
circles for submission of required reports.
Circle
Secretaries and CHQ office bearers of Rajasthan, Maharashtra and NE circles are
directed to meet their circle administration today itself and request them to
send the required and requisite information/report immediately to Postal
Directorate.
Retirement in the month of October 2016
Following
PS Gr. ‘B’ Officers are retiring from Govt. Service on superannuation on
31/10/2016.
|
Sl. No.
|
Name of Officer
|
Designation
|
Circle
|
|
1
|
L S
N Murthy
|
SSP Cahittor Division
|
A.P.
|
|
2
|
S V
Siva Prasad
|
SSP Vijayawada Division
|
A.P.
|
|
3
|
Smt.
Kamlesh Rani
|
Sudpt. Faridkot Division
|
Punjab
|
|
4
|
V N
Dadmal
|
Supdt. PSD, Nagpur
|
Maharashtra
|
|
5
|
S N
Singh
|
SPOs, Bhojpur Division
|
Bihar
|
CHQ
wishes them a very happy, healthy and long retired life.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
7th CPC HRA – Allowance Committee Meeting Proposal for House Rent Allowance
Sources
said that the Allowance Committee Meeting has finalized a proposal on HRA. It
will be finalized in the Meeting held on 25th October 2016. It is said that the
proposed Meeting under the Chairmanship of DOPT Secretary (P) with the
Secretary Staff Side, NC (JCM) is to firm up the view on various allowances
pertaining to Department of Personnel & Training.
This
Meeting is conducted as per the decision of Allowance Committee Meeting held on
1-9-2016. The meeting to finalize the allowances pertaining to DOPT has been
scheduled to be held on 25th October 2016.
The
Reliable Sources said that the Official Side are in the view of increasing HRA
by 1 Stage to reach 30% , 20% and 10% .
The
pay Commission recommended HRA at the rates initially from 24%, 16%, and 8 %
and whenever DA reaches 50% it will be increased to 27%, 18% and 9% and Finally
after DA reaches 100% the HRA will be revised to 30% , 20% and 10% for X,Y and
Z cities respectively.
The
NCJCM has demanded in its Memorandum submitted to the 7th Pay Commission that
60%, 40% and 20% HRA to be recommended for X,Y and Z cities.
The
Pay Commission totally ignored this demand and recommended reduction of rates
from Sixth CPC. Since it is Co related with DA , it will be increased after two
stages to 30%, 20% and 10% after DA reaches 50% and 100%.
The
sources said that now it is proposed to start the HRA rates initially from 27%,
18% and 9% and after DA reaches 50% the House Rent Allowance will be revised to
30%, 20% and 10% for X,Y and Z cities respectively.
Source
: govtstaffnews.in
7th CPC Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula – Outcome of the meeting published by NC JCM Staff Side
Brief
of the meeting held today with Addl. Secretary (Exp.), Deptt. of Exp.,
MoF(Govt. of India) to discuss the recommendations of the 7th CPC
Shiva
Gopal Mishra
Secretary
Ph.: 23382286
National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultative Machinery
Central Government Employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi –
110001
E Mail : nc.jcm.np@gmail.com
No.NC/JCM/2016
Dated:
October 24, 2016
All
Constituents of NC/JCM
Dear
Comrades!
Sub: Brief of the meeting held today with Addl. Secretary (Exp.), Deptt. of Exp., MoF(Govt. of India) to discuss the recommendations of the 7th CPC
A
meeting was held today between the Addl. Secretary (Exp.), Deptt. of Exp.,
MoF(Govt. of India) and Staff Side, National Council(JCM), to discuss the
issues of Minimum Wage and Multiplying Factor.
The
Staff Side explained in detail about the amendments required in Minimum Wage
and Fitment Formula.
The
Official Side mentioned that, they are trying to find out some solution to
resolve the issues of Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula raised by the Staff
Side.
Comradely
yours,
sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary(Staff Side)
NC/JCM & Convener
Source:
http://ncjcmstaffside.com/
Release of Commemorative Postage Stamp on Varanasi City – 24th October 2016.
Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, unveiled several development schemes in
Varanasi on 24th October 2016 during his visit to Varanasi. He inaugurated new Varanasi Postal Region. Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Hon'ble Governor of Uttar
Pradesh Shri Ram Naik and Hon'ble MoS for Communications and Railways Shri Manoj Sinha
released commemorative stamp on Varanasi city at the function held at Varanasi
on 24th October 2016.
Now, get postcards and stamps at your doorstep
CHENNAI,
October 24, 2016 : Now,
customers don’t have to travel to post offices to buy stamps or postcards. The
postman would instead deliver it at their houses.
The
latest initiative of the Postal Department has postmen who are out to deliver
mails also to sell postal stationery. Postmen will carry postage stamp, revenue
stamps, envelopes, postcards and inland letters to be sold to the residents.
This is a pilot project launched in the Chennai city region.
The
postmen will also collect registered post and speed post from the residents.
Customers
can also affix stamps and hand over the mails to them instead of visiting the
post office or searching for a postbox.
The
postmen will carry a rate chart with them and will issue receipt for the speed
posts and registered articles either on the same day or next day. The
initiative will be particularly useful to commercial establishments and
residents in suburban areas, an official said.
There
are over 1,000 postmen in the city. Each will carry Rs. 350 worth postal
stationery whenever they step out for delivery. Nearly 50 per cent of the
stationery are sold everyday, the official added.
Welcoming
the move, residents said it would help senior citizens save the trips to post
offices. Consumer activist, T. Sadagopan, meanwhile, suggested that the postmen
also carry identity cards.
Source
: http://www.thehindu.com/
Premature repatriation of Shri S.K. Kamila, IPoS(86) from the post of CVO, Ordinance Factory Board (OFB), Kolkata.
Sad Demise......
Shri
Kishor Naitam, ASP, Gondia Sub Division (Nagpur Region, Maharashtra) who was admitted in
Care Hospital Nagpur for treatment of Dengue expired on 24.10.2016. He was admitted in the hospital on 23.10.2016 since then he was in critical condition. Shri Naitam left behind wife, son and daughter. His son Kumar Kshitij was also admitted in the hospital for treatment of Dengue two days before his death. Now, Kumar Kshitij was relieved from Hospital.
Shri Naitam was soft spoken and hard worker officer. Recently GS met him during the 42nd Biennial Circle Conference of Maharashtra Circle held at Pune on 17th and 18th September 2016.
CHQ
conveys its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pray Almighty to
rest his soul in peace and shower courage to the family to bear the unbearable loss.
Now, e-postal ballots for service voters
Members
of armed forces and some government employees posted in remote areas or abroad
will be able to use a system of electronic postal balloting to make it easier
and faster for them to cast their votes.
According to senior officials of the government, the legislative department of the law ministry on Friday issued a notification that brought into effect the process of e-postal ballots.
The
technical team of the Election Commission of India has developed a system
whereby a blank postal ballot could be electronically transmitted to the voter.
The voter would have to download the ballot, fill it in and send it back though
the postal service.
The
move is another step in the government’s Digital India project.
For
now, e-postal ballots will only be available to service voters, including
personnel of the armed forces, members of Indian supplementary reserve forces,
personnel serving outside the state where they are registered as voters and
government officials posted outside the country.
The
move dispenses with the existing system of two-way postal ballots, which caused
significant delays. It is also aimed at easing the difficulty faced by service
voters in casting their votes from remote locations. The new system will enable
voters to download a postal ballot, print the same, mark their vote and then
use the postal service to mail it to the returning officer. The two-way
electronic ballots were discouraged by the Election Commission for “security
and secrecy reasons”.
This
electronic voting system is being introduced on a pilot basis for service
voters, but could be later extended to others including special voters and
those in preventive detention.
Salaried taxpayers to get SMS alerts on TDS deductions
NEW
DELHI: As many as 2.5 crore salaried tax payers will now receive SMS alerts
from the Income Tax department regarding their quarterly TDS deductions.
Finance
Minister Arun Jaitley today launched the SMS alert service for Tax Deducted at
Source (TDS) for salaried class and the CBDT will soon offer this facility on a
monthly basis.
Briefing
reporters about the facility, Jaitley said salaried class cannot afford to pay
tax twice or indulge in litigations and hence they should be kept updated about
their TDS deductions.
"Hence
tax payers will benefit if they receive information through use of technology.
So they can match the office salary slip and the SMS and at the end of the
fiscal he will be clear about any possible tax dues," Jaitley said.
He
asked the CBDT to work towards making the grievance redressal system for TDS
mismatch online so that there is no interface between the tax payer and the tax
department.
Jaitley
said e-Nivaran is working well for tax payers and the CBDT is taking several
tax payer friendly initiatiave.
The
CBDT will soon extend this SMS facility to another 4.4 crore non-salaried tax
payers.
"The
frequency of SMS alerts will be increased, once the process for filing TDS
returns is stremlined to receive such information on a real time basis,"
the CBDT said.
CBDT
Chairperson Rani Singh Nair said the tax department is encouraging people to
register their mobile number on the e-filing website.
She
said tax payer will initially receive a welcome message from the CBDT informing
him about the facility and after that each assessee would be sent messages
informing them about their respective TDS deductions.
The
new step is an effort by the I-T department to directly communicate deposit of
tax deducted through SMS alerts to salaried tax payers. In case of a mismatch,
they can contact their deductor for necessary correction.
Besides,
SMS alerts will also be sent to deductors who have either failed to deposit
taxes deducted ot to e-file their TDS returns by the due date.
Source
: The Economic Times