Address by the Hon'ble President of India to Parliament.

Today, Budget Session starts with Hon'ble President's address to Parliament. In his an hour-long address to joint sitting of Parliament he said that the government is also considering amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act to punish the guilty and protect the honest public servants "more effectively". He further stated that, The Department of Posts is rolling out a rural ICT programme, through which all post offices will be connected electronically. Computers will be provided to 1,30,000 post offices, which would facilitate both postal and banking services at post offices.

To view the full text of Hon'ble President Pranab Mukherjee's address to Parliament, please CLICK HERE. 

Source : NDTV

Five common health mistakes.

1. Using the mobile before bed

Why it's bad: Radiation from cellphones can cause insomnia and headaches, according to Swedish scientists. They found people who used their mobiles before bed took longer to reach the deep-sleep stages, essential for cell rejuvenation and repair.

Simple solution: Use your landline for bedtime calls and don't keep your mobile on your bedside table, advises Dr Chris Idzikowski, director of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre. 

2. Brushing teeth after meals 

Why it's bad: "While you should brush teeth twice a day for two minutes, you shouldn't brush after meals," says Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation. "The sugar in food reacts with plaque to create acid, which softens tooth enamel — so brushing straight after meals can actually do more harm than good."

Simple solution: "Wait an hour after eating and brush your teeth before you have breakfast as this will prevent dental erosion by coating the teeth with fluoride," advises Dr Carter. Chew sugar-free gum to freshen your breath after meals. 

3. Worrying about your weight 

Why it's bad: It's good to keep your weight at a healthy level, but obsessing about a few kilos won't do you any good. "Body mass index doesn't take into account the amount of muscle or where the fat is," says Dr David Haslam, the National Obesity Forum's clinical director. "Many athletes are classed as overweight when in fact they have a low amount of body fat. Some people may have a healthy BMI but have a lot of abdominal fat and be at serious risk of health problems."

Simple solution: Concentrate on waist measurement instead and aim to keep it below 80cm, advises Dr Haslam. This reduces risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. 

4. Carrying a heavy handbag 

Why it's bad: Big bags are bad news. "Carrying a heavy load on one side causes an imbalance in the muscular structure, triggering neck, shoulder and back problems," warns Danny Williams, council member of the British Osteopathic Association.

Simple solution: "Distribute weight across the body with a cross-body shoulder bag rather than carrying it on one shoulder," says Williams. Buy small bags. 

5. Starting the day with warm water and lemon 

Why it's bad: It may be a great detox but dentists say it's a mistake. "Hot water and lemon is corrosive to your teeth," warns Dr Mervyn Druian from The London Centre for Cosmetic Surgery.

Simple solution: "It's better to drink peppermint tea as it works to strengthen tooth enamel," says Dr Druian.

Source : TOI

The Administrative Tribunals (Procedure for investigation of misbehaviour or incapacity of Chairman and other Members) Amendment Rules, 2013.

To view the copy of Gazette Notification, please CLICK HERE. 

Grant of Honorarium to Observers appointed for Limited Deptl Competitive Examinations

Postal Directorate, vide Memo No.  A.34020/17/2008 - DE dated 13.02.2013, has prescribed the following rates of Honorarium for performing the duties of Observers for conducting LDCE by approved outsourced Agency.

Sl. No.	Category of officers	Rate of Honorarium
1	Junior Administrative Cadre	Rs 600/- per session and Rs 800/- per day.
2	STS/JTS  and Other officers	Rs 400/- per session and Rs 600/- per day.

Filing of CAT case at Ernakulam Bench.

General Secretary has already signed 'VAKALATNAMA' on 6th February 2013 and personally handed over to Mr. Permanand, ASP (PMU) Postal Directorate New Delhi and in turn he has immediately despatched to our counsel on same day through speed post for filing of CAT case at Ernakulam Bench. General Secretary / President are also in touch with Circle Secretary IP/ASP Association Kerala Circle and all concerned. Required funds have already been transferred to Kerala Circle by CHQ. The further developments in the matter will be placed time to time on blog. 

Withholding of 10 Percent Gratuity From The Retiring Government Servants. Clarification Regarding.

To view the details, please CLICK HERE.

Budget 2013: Tax amendments you can expect in rent allowance, LTA & gift tax

The government has been trying to make the tax laws simpler every year; however, there are numerous amendments required in the tax laws. The union budget for the FY 2013-14 will be presented before the Parliament on 28th February 2013 and the finance minister has promised many reforms expected to combat inflation along with stable tax rates.

There may also be some changes in the tax slabs to provide some relief from the ever-growing inflation. Here are a handful of the number of amendments expected and predicted by analysts in the Union Budget for 2013-2014.

Rent Allowance :

All those people who do not have their own house and stay in a rented accommodation or employees who do not get accommodation or house rent allowance from their employer enjoy a special tax deduction on the rent paid by them. This deduction is allowed under section 80GG of the Income Tax Act in which an individual can avail 25% deduction on the rent amount. However, the limit is restricted to Rs 2000 per month and has not changed for many years, which is now expected to change this year.

Moreover, under the Income Tax Act 1961, there exist 2 dissimilar sets of tax treatments with reference to rent free lodging provided by the employer. While a Government employee only pays the license fee, non government sector employees who get rent-free lodging from their employees are taxed heavily at 7.5-15% of the salary. There is a necessity to maintain uniformity in taxes and a new system needs to be introduced offering equal rights to employees without discrimination.

Standard exemption should continue as in the past and should be given to all employees who are salaried, while the transport allowance deduction should increase.Capital Gain Scheme : 

To save capital gain, an individual can invest in capital gain bonds according to section 54EC of the Income Tax Act. The upper investment limit under this section is Rs. 50 lakh. In the past, there was no such cap and all transactions related to property were done with white money. With the government making changes to this law few years ago and placing a limit, people have been resorting to unwanted ways to save tax. This cap, hence, is expected to be removed in the forthcoming budget.

Source : Economictimes

All India Strike on 20/2/2013 & 21/2/2013.

All India Association of Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents, Posts has decided not to take part in proposed strike on 20th and 21st February, 2013. 

Advertisement for filling up of remaining vacancies of various categories in the Center for Excellence in Postal Technology, Mysore, Karnataka, Department of Posts

To view details, please CLICK HERE. 

Proforma promotion in the Senior Administrative Grade of Indian Postal Service, Group A

To view details, please CLICK HERE. 

Various forms of protest action on two days Nationwide General strike on 20th and 21st February,2013.

To view the coapy of DO letter No. 33012/1(s)/2013-Estt.B dated 15th February, 2013 issued by Joint Secretary (AT & Admn) DOPT, please CLICK HERE. 

Prime Minister's Appeal to Central Trade Unions (STRIKE ON FEBRUARY 20 & 21)

I appeal to the Central Trade Unions to withdraw their call for a countrywide General Strike on 20 and 21 February, 2013. Such a strike would lead to avoidable loss to our economy and inconvenience to the public through disruption of services. While some of the issues raised by the Trade Unions are already being acted upon and others are at various stages of consideration, I have requested my senior Cabinet colleagues Shri A K Antony, Shri Sharad Pawar, Shri P Chidambaram and Shri Mallikarjun Kharge to together hold discussions with the leaders of the Trade Unions. I am confident that these discussions would result in a course of action that is acceptable both to the Trade Unions and the Government.

Source:pib

MNC submits memorandums to PM, Union Finance Minister

National Mazdoor Conference (NMC) submitted the memorandums of demands to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Ms Sonia Gandhi and Finance Minister Sri P Chidamabaram in New Delhi.

Demands projecting by NMC Chief Subash Shastri in the memorandums including constitution of 7th pay commission, immediate merger of 50 percent DA into basic pay/pension, grant of 20 percent interim relief to the salaried class across the country till the implementation of the recommendations new pay commission, raising income tax exemption limit to Rs five lakh, and enhancing the monthly wages of daily rated workers to Rs ten thousand.

In the memorandums Shastri stressed Union Finance Minister to raise the income Tax exemption limit From Rs two Lakh to Rs 5 Lakh and total exemption of DA from income tax limit, the salaried class feel that this gesture will increase purchasing power and stimulate demands.

Other demands emphasized in the memorandums mentioned included granting B-1 status to Jammu and Srinagar cities.

Shastri said that the demands highlighted in the memorandums would be major issue during the forthcoming election of Lok Sabha as these pertain to crore of Central and state government, employees and pensioners and their families which constitute a large chunk of voters.

Source:http://www.kashmirtimes.com/newsdet.aspx?q=12489

Broccoli is a power-packed vegetable.

From optimal brain function to muscle growth, broccoli is a power-packed vegetable.

Broccoli contains a high amount of potassium, which helps maintain a healthy nervous system and optimal brain function, as well as promotes regular muscle growth. Along with a high amount of potassium, Broccoli also contains magnesium and calcium that help regulate blood pressure.

One cup of broccoli contains the RDA of vitamin C, an antioxidant necessary for fighting against free radicals. Moreover, vitamin C is an effective antihistamine for easing the discomfort of the common cold.

Broccoli contains high levels of both calcium and vitamin K, both of which are important for bone health and prevention of osteoporosis. This wonder vegetable is also helpful in repairing skin damage thanks to the glucoraphanin it contains which helps the skin to detoxify and repair itself. In fact, one cup of broccoli bolsters the immune system with a large dose of beta-carotene. Trace minerals, such as zinc and selenium, further act to strengthen immune defense actions.

reagan.rasquinha@timesgroup.com

15 Simple Ways To Add Ayurveda In Everyday Life.

When we hear Ayurveda, we quickly associate Ayurveda with herbs and ‘jaddi-puddi’, don’t we? But it isn’t all true. In fact, the truth about Ayurveda is that it is governed by the fact of what we eat, how we live, in which environment we live, and the state of our mental health. Ayurveda tells us of the framework in which we can modify our lifestyles to optimize our bodily functions. Ayurveda teaches us how to age with dignity and grace as Ayurveda emphasizes the role of mental health in maintaining physical health. Today, we share 15 simple and easy Ayurveda principles which you can add in your daily routine to help you feel fitter, healthier and happier.

Tip  1: Wake up early

To enjoy the benefits of Ayurveda make sure you rise up before dawn, say at around 4.30-5.00 am. This is the most fresh and pure time of the day. Grasp this freshness that is present in the air, so that you spend your rest of the day with positive vibes and energy.

Tip 2: Include Ayurveda Eating

If you want to stay ‘disease-free’ then have a close look at what you eat. Emphasize more on fresh, seasonal, organic fruits and vegetables. Stay away from oily-junk food, as far as possible. If you include ayurveda eating in your diet, then your body will start developing energy and help to clear toxics.

Tip 3: Start your day with sweetness

Start your day with “honey water” using a teaspoonful of good quality honey in half a pint of still water. This is the best step, to kill all toxics from your body. Besides, it also possesses various bacteria-killing properties.

Tip  4: Restful sleep is important

Our body needs time to rejuvenate and to detoxify, and the best time for this process is sleeping. When we get good sleep, our inner cells work in harmony to strengthen our immune system and circulate vibrant energy throughout our body. To get good sleep, try taking a warm bath before bed and use essential oils such as lavender or sandalwood to calm you down. Complement this with slow and deep breathing.

Tip  5: Walk for better life

Go for a morning walk or just walk to take a break from a very stressful day at work. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. It provides mental, physical and emotional peace without straining your body.

Tip 6: Make a schedule

Construct a schedule of all the things that you will be doing throughout the day and stick to it. Sticking to a planned schedule will help to avoid disturbance and will create a mental, physical and emotional balance in your body.

Tip 7: Eliminate your toxins

As soon as you get up, try to clear your bodily toxins in the form of urine or poop. If you delay your excretion process, then indirectly you will be poisoning yourself which can further create chronic problems later in life. So maintain a schedule to get rid of dirt from your body.

Tip  8: Healthy herbs is important

Start using healthy herbs and spices like fresh ginger, turmeric, garlic, cumin seeds and black pepper in your cooking as far as possible.  All these herbs have properties to reduce bad cholesterol, protect vital organs and trigger the body’s metabolism.

Tip 9: Hydrate yourself well

Drink sufficient amount of water every day. Water is the best source to flush out toxins from the body and to ensure smooth running of the digestion system.

Tip 10: Oil massage

Try oil massage every morning to safeguard yourself from wrinkles and other aging damage. Oil massage in the morning will prevent drying out of the tissues and nurtures your mind and body. Besides, it also gives a healthy looking complexion to your skin.

Tip 11: Exercise is essential

Include exercises like cycling, yoga or any other aerobic exercise in your daily regime. A good 30 minutes of exercise will help to keep disease away, maintain your weight and will enhance your body’s blood circulation.

Tip 12: Meditate

Just disconnect yourself from the outer world by taking a break. Just sit down and close your eyes for few minutes. This technique will help to give you inner peace and you will feel healed after the session.

Tip 13: Do the milk therapy

If you frustrated because you are tirelessly shifting position because you are not getting sleep, in spite of a tiring day, then drink a glass of warm milk.  This technique will help you to fall asleep quickly. Milk should be organic and free of additives, and boiled with a pinch of cardamom before it is drunk in order to make it easier to digest.

Tip  14: Make your own skin pack

Instead of using artificial skin products, opt in for totally naturally products on your skin. The best way to nourish your skin is by making your skin-packs by yourself. Make your skin-packs using those ingredients which are totally safe to eat like honey, rose water, cucumber, almonds, milk and yoghurt to moisturize your skin.

Tip 15: Bond with nature

When you have a break, instead of spending time with your gadget spend time with flowers and trees. If you give up your gadgets for a day and surrender yourself to the nature, then the sense of connection with Mother Nature will soothe you and make you forget all your worries, problems and stress.


Source : TOI

President opens Mughal Gardens “Udyanotsav” of Rashtrapati Bhavan

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee opened the annual “Udyanotsav” of the Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan today (February 15). Addressing the large media contingent which had gathered, the President said he enjoyed morning walks every day in the Gardens. He welcomed the public to come and see the Mughal Gardens in large numbers and enjoy seeing the flowers in full-bloom. He expressed the hope that the future of the country would be as bright and vibrant as the flowers in the Mughal Gardens.

The gardens will remain open for public till March 17, 2013 (except on Mondays which are maintenance days) between 1000 hrs to 1600 hrs. The entry and exit into the Gardens for the general public will be from Gate No. 35 of the President’s Estate, which is located at the extreme end of the Church Road, 300 meters West of Cathedral Church and close to where North Avenue meets Rashtrapati Bhavan.
 

Visitors are requested not to bring any water bottles, briefcases, handbags/ladies purses, cameras, radios/transistors, cell phones, umbrellas, eatables, etc. Such articles, if any, will not be allowed to be carried into the Mughal Gardens and will have to be deposited at the entry point at the owner’s risk.

HOUSE BUILDING ADVANCE. RATES OF INTEREST FOR CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES TO PURCHASE OR CONSTRUCT HOUSES

No.1-17011/2(6)/2013-H.III

Ministry of Urban Development

(Housing-III Section)

*******

 Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi.

 Dated:- the 17th January, 2013

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

 Subject:- Rates of interest on advances and loans to Govt. employees, for construction/purchase of houses/flats.

 The undersigned is directed to enclose herewith a copy of Ministry of Finance, Deptt. of Expenditure's O.M. No. 5(3)-B(PD)/2012 dated the 3rd January 2013 intimating the rates of interest on advances and loans given to Government employees for construction/purchase of houses/flats during 2012-13 i.e. 1st April, 2012 to 31St March, 2013 and until further orders, for information and compliance.

 Sd/-

 (S.K.Ram)

 Dy. Financial Adviser

No.5(3)-B(PD)/2012

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Economic Affairs

(Budget Division)

 Room No. 263-B, North Block,

 New Delhi dated the 3rd January, 2013.

Office Memorandum

        The undersigned is directed to state that the rates of interest on advances and loans given to Government employees for construction/purchase of houses/flats during 2012-13 i.e. 1st April, 2012 to 31st March, 2013 and until further orders will be as under:-

Slab                                       Interest Rate  percent per annum

 Advance upto Rs. 50,000/-        6.00

 Advance uto Rs. 1,50,000/-       7.50

 Advance upto  Rs. 500,000/-      9.00

 Advance upto  Rs. 7,50,000/-     9.50

          Ministry of Urban Development is requested to issue separate O.M. at their level on the above issue.

 This issues with the approval of Flon'bie Finance Minister.

 Sd/-

 (A.K. Bhatnagar)

 Under Secretary (Budget)

 Source:http://urbanindia.nic.in/writereaddata/office%20orders/568.pdf

Revision of Pension of pre-2006 Pensioners.

To view the memo dated 13/2/2013 issued by Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare, please CLICK HERE.

Inter-Ministry/Inter-Colony Powerlifting & Inter-Ministry Bench Press Championship 2012-13

To view details, please CLICK HERE. 

Awareness Programme under Pensioner’s portal at Jammu

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare in the Ministry of DOPT has been implementing a web based Mission Mode Project on Pension “Pensioner’s Portal” under the National e-governance Plan since March, 2007. Under the same, the Department has Centralized Pension Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS). This Plan has been introduced to facilitate redressal of Pensioners’ Grievances and also to provide information and guidance to Pensioners on various pensions and retirement related matters. Now, the Department is going to organize awareness programme for Pensioners in and around Jammu on 15.2.2013.

The mobilization of the pensioners will be organized in tandem with Central Government Pensioners’ Association, Jammu. The programme is slated for inauguration by Shri V.Narayanasamy, MOS(Personnel &PMO).