CIRCLE NEWS

•  G.S. attended General Body meeting of Delhi Circle Branch on 22-10-2010 and addressed the same.  General Body of  Delhi Circle gave farewell to following members on their retirement on superannuation:-

1.     Shri L.R.Khurana ,Sr. PM, IPHO
2.     Shri K.L.Meena, Dy.Manager, MMS
3.   Shri K.S. Payal,ASP(HQ),ND South West Dn.

•  Visited Ranchi on 24-10-2010 .G.S. attended Circle Conference of Jharkhand Circle Branch along with Shri U.C. Prasad, Vice  President , CHQ. Shri S.K.Sinha, officiating ADM(PLI) and Shri Satyapir Mandal, Inspector, Posts(BD) were elected as Circle President and Circle Secretary respectively .
• Visited Patna on 25-10-2010 and addressed group meeting of IPs/ASPs of Bihar Circle arranged by the Circle Secretary, Bihar. G.S. also met with the CPMG/DPS (HQ), Bihar Circle as a courtesy call.

Central Working Committee Meeting

As intimated by Shri M.R Desai ,CS , Gujarat, venue for next CWC meeting will be AMBAJI (Gujarat) which is 30 Kms. from Abu Road R.S. Frequent bus service is available from Ahmedabad .

Deputation of ASPs and IPs to the Department.

Postal Directorate has called for applications for deputation of ASPs and IPs to the Department vide no. 4-1/2010-SPB-II dated 12-10-2010

Sub:- Deputation of  ASPs and IPs to the Department.

Services of ASPs and IPs are required in the Directorate. It is, therefore, requested that only such ASPs and IPs, who are willing to be deputed in the Directorate and have cleared their probation period and are not due for promotion with in the next two years, may submit their applications to their respective Circles for necessary action. An advance copy of the application may be sent to the Directorate by the applicants.

                                                                        -Sd-

                                                                   (SURAJ BHAN)

                                                                   Asstt. Director General(SPN)

Latest Position on Important Issues

Today, I along with Shri. Jayanth, IP Karanataka Circle visited Dak Bhawan and met with various officers to ascertain present position in respect of below mentioned issues.

1. Revision of Grade Pay for IP:

File is still pending in the Establishment Division of the Directorate. Recruitment Rules of Income Tax Officers in CBDT and Superintendents in CBEC are required for further processing the case. Members may please help the CHQ to procure the same so that it could be submitted to the Department.

2. Result of PS Group B exam :

It is likely to be announced by the end of November 2010 or first week of December 2010.

3. PS Group B DPC for the year 2010:

It is likely to be held in November 2010. Exact date of DPC is yet to be fixed.

4. Outsourcing of examinations:

It is likely to be finalized by January 2011. All examinations are likely to be conducted on objective type.

5. Revision of Honorarium of Invigilators for departmental examinations.

Case is under consideration by the department. Department is in the process of collecting information on amount being paid for invigilators by the SSC/UPSC. Information from the UPSC is awaited. Members may please help the CHQ to procure the rates being paid by SSC/UPSC so that it could be shared with the Department.

6. Revision of Fixed stationery charges for the Sub Division:

File is reported to be sent to Finance Ministry for concurrence.

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS MULLS MARKET PRICE FOR BIZ, SPEED POST

            PREMIUM, postal services, such as business mails, logistic post and speed post, will get expensive as the government looks for ways to bring down the deficit of the postal department, which is running into thousands of crores. The department of posts (DoP) is considering a market based pricing for many of its products that do not have a social dimension to them to reduce the government subsidy. The idea is to have a sustainable costing and pricing mechanism for postal products and services, even as services are kept affordable for the common man, "said government official in the department of telecommunications and information technology.

            The department plans to get the new tariff structure in place before the budget session of Parliament next year and has decided to commission a study by a private consultant to freeze the proposal quickly.

            Tariffs for products, such as post cards and inland letters that are used by the poor are not likely to be raised.

            Post cards cost 50 paisa each while an unregistered inland letter costs Rs.2.50, well below what it takes DoP to deliver them. According to estimates , India Posts tariff is 70% cheaper for domestic destinations and 30% cheaper for international destinations , when compared to the tariff charged by private courier agencies .As per estimates, the department is expected to generate revenues of Rs.6956 crore, way below its working expenses of more than Rs. 10552 crore.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, 05^th October, 2010.

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS WANTS IRDA TO REGULATE ITS INSURANCE PLANS

In a first significant step towards consolidating similar financial products under one regulator, the department of posts (DoP) is exploring the option of handing over the regulation of its insurance products to the sector regulator, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), a move prompted by the ugly spat between the insurance regulator and the stock market watchdog, Securities and Exchange Board Of India (SEBI), over the regulation of unit-linked insurance products (ULIPs).

The DoP has sought the law ministry's opinion on whether the insurance schemes run by it could be brought under the regulatory ambit of the IRDA. It has also proposed to create a corporate entity to handle the schemes.

The decision to refer the matter to the law ministry was taken after the IRDA expressed its inability to regulate financial activities of the government (the DoP), which controls the insurance business of India Post, a government official told ET.

The finance ministry has favoured setting up of a corporate-like identity to handle India Post's insurance business that can be regulated under IRDA norms, said the official, requesting anonymity. While the IRDA is not opposed to the idea, it wants greater clarity on the matter as it will require changes to the legal framework that govern the insurance policies of the postal department.

The opinion of the law ministry could pave the way for bringing the insurance business of the postal department under the IRDA's jurisdiction. The department, which sells policies under the postal life insurance and rural postal life insurance schemes, acts within the framework of the Insurance Act. The IRDA has also pointed out that with the premium calculations of the postal department not on an actuarial basis, the postal life insurance schemes could be notching up serious deficits.

The postal department feels that an IRDA-regulated framework will allow it to make the scheme more flexible. The DoP, which acts as an agent of the finance ministry for its insurance schemes, lacks autonomy required to introduce new schemes or even providing attractive discounts to lure customers.

"The department is required to seek direction from the finance ministry for all policy matters like extension of scope to cover other clients and introduction of new products," said an official with the ministry of telecommunications and IT.

Even as the debate on regulatory control of postal life insurance goes on, the department has also requested for greater autonomy to its insurance schemes as it looks to expand its financial services business. "Corporatisation of the life insurance business will enable the postal department to compete with private insurance players on a level playing field," said the postal department official.

Private players have welcomed the move. "The move will help bring consistency in norms and activity pertaining to life insurance business," said Kapil Mehta, MD & CEO of DLF Pramerica Life Insurance Company of India. He added that the proposal, when implemented, will provide the postal department a level playing field as regards right products and schemes into the rural segment, which has been the primary focus for private players as well.

Courtesy: - Economics Times, Dated – 07.10.2010

Promotion into STS of IPoS Group A cadre

Postal Directorate has issused list of JTS officers promoted into STS vide memo no. 4-5/2010-SPG dated 08-10-2010.Promotion list of STS

Effective No. of Candidates for GDS Recruitment

The Postal Directorte has issued instructions reg "Effective No. of Candidates" for GDS Recruitment vide  Memo No. 19-27 / 2010-GDS Dt. 07.10.10.

Modified instructions on Recruitment of GDS thro Employment Exchange - Clarification of term "Effective No. of Candidates"

Attention of all concerned is invited to Para 3 of this Dte Order No. 19-4 / 97-ED & Trg Dt 19.08.98 which provided that "in case the notification and public advertisement so issued fail to elicit any response within the stipulated date or if the effective number of candidates applied for the post is less than 3, the vacancies will be re-notified to the Employment Exchange & fresh advertisement issued calling for nominations etc within 15 days"

2. The term "effective No. of candidates / applications" has undergone judicial scrutiny by CAT, Hyderabad in OA No. 516 / 2009 in the mater of Shri.Chennuri Raju vs Union of India & relying on judgement of High Court of Madras in WP No. 22500 & 20422 / 1999 in similar case CAT, Hyderabad has held in its judgement on 15.06.10 that "three effective applications mean three applications should be received and even if one of the candidates amongst the three applicants is eligible, the selection should be finalized"

3. The issue has been considered in this Dte in the light of the aforesaid judgement and i am directed to convey that term "effective No. of Candidates" finding a mention in the order of this Dte ibid may be interpreted to mean that three applications from the different candidates should be received and even if one of the candidates amongst the three applicants is found eligible, the selection should be finalized in conformity with the interpretation as referred to in Para 2 above.

Result of Insepector, Posts Examination-2009

Result has been declared by the Department of Posts vide no. A-34013/01/2009-DE dated 05-10-2010  which can be downloaded from helpdeskwww.sahuliyat.com. The link can be accessed from www.indiapost.gov.in website.

Bonus for Postal Employees for 2009-10

BONUS FOR POSTAL EMPLOYEES FOR 2009-10
PRODUCTIVITY LINKED BONUS FOR POSTAL EMPLOYEES FOR 2009-10 WILL BE AGAIN 60 DAYS
Bonus orders have been issued to day by Department of Posts.
Bonus for Postal Employees will be 60 days this year also and the maximum ceiling will be Rs.3500 for regular employees, Rs.2500 for GDS employees and Rs.1200 for casual & temporary employees.

Results of Membership Verification-2010

                                               GOOD NEWS

Postal Directorate vide letter no. 13/01/2010-SR dated 22-09-2010 has declared results of verification process 2010 under Recognition of Service Associations under CCS( RSA) Rules-1993.

Our association i.e. ALL INDIA ASSOCIATION OF INSPECTORS & ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS POSTS has been recognized in the Department of Posts for a period of five years.

All India RMS Assistant Superintendents & Inspectors Association has failed to secure 15% membership and it has not been recognized by the Department of Posts.

All Members are congratulated on this occassion for showing their unity and support to our Association.
                                                                                        ( ROOP CHAND)
                                                                                        General Secretary

Payment of DA to Central Govt. employees w.e.f. 1/7/2010.

Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their memo No. 1(6) /2010-E-II (B) dated 22nd September, 2010 has issued orders for payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Govt. Employees .

Subject : Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Govt. Employees ... Revised effective from 1/7/2010.

              The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry's Office Memorandum No. 1 (3) /2009-E-II(B) dated 26th March, 2010 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the President  is pleased to decide that the Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 35% to 45% with effect from 1st July, 2010.

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

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

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

5.              In so far as the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Sd/-

(Anil Sharma)

Under Secretary to the Governemtn of India.

Sensitive posts in Department of Posts

10% hike in DA w.e.f 1.7.2010

The Union Cabinet today decided to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 1.7.2010. The DA shall be enhanced from the existing 35% to 45% representing an increase of 10%.

Appointment of new IPoS Officers in the Department of Posts.

Directorate vide memo No. 4-19/2010-SPG dated 3rd September, 2010 has issued orders of following probationer of Indian Postal Service Group "A" (2008 batch) to hold independent charge in the Junior Time Scale (Rs. 15600-39100) + Grade Pay Rs.5400/- of the services in the Circle indicated against his name, on completion of his probationary training.

Sl. No. Name of Officer(S/Sh.)                                 Circle of allottment
1           Aparjeet Pattanayak                                          Delhi
2           Pawan Kumar Dalmia                                       Gujarat
3           Dr. S. Shivaram                                                Maharashtra
4           Rahul Kaushik                                                  Delhi

Clarifications on MACPS issued by DOP&T

The following clarifications have been issued by Department of Personnel and Training vide Memo No 35034/3/2008-Estt (D) dated 9.9.2010:-

1	Whether the Pay Band would change in the hierarchy of Pay Bands & Grade Pay on grant of the benefits under MACPS'	Yes. The upgradations under MACP is to be granted in the next grade pay in the hierarchy of recommended revised pay band and grade pay as prescribed in the CCS (RP) Rules, 2008
2	Whether the benefits of MACPS would be allowed to the Government servants who have been later on inducted in the Organized Group "A" Service	No. The benefits under MACPS is not applicable to Group 'A' officer of Organized Group 'A' Services, as the officer under Organized Group 'A' Services have already been. allowed parity of two years on nonfunctional basis with the officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
3	How will the benefits of ACP be granted if due between 01.01.2006 and 31 08.2008?	The new MACPS has come into existence w e f 01.09.2008 However, the pay structure has been changed w e f 01.01.2006. Therefore the previous ACPS would be applicable in the new pay structure adopted w e f 01.01.2006. Para 6.1 of Annexure-l of MACPS is only for exercising option for coming over to the revised pay structure and not for grant of benefits under MACPS. The following illustrations would explain the position (A) In the case of isolated post: Date of appointment in entry Grade in the pre-revised pay scale of Rs.4000-6000: 01.10.1982 1st ACP granted on 09.08.1999 :Rs.4500-7000 (pre-revised) 2nd ACP due on 01.10.2006 :Rs.5000-8000 (pre-revised) [revised PB-2 Grade Pay of Rs.4200] 3rd financial upgradation under the MACPS would be due on 01.102012 (on completion of30 years of continuous regular service) in the immediate next higher grade pay in the hierarchy of recommended revised pay band and grade pay i e Grade Pay of Rs 4600 in PB 2. (B) In the case of normal promotional hierarchy: Date of appointment in entry Grade in the prerevised pay scale of Rs.5500-9000: 01.10.1982 1st ACP granted on 09.08.1999 :Rs.6500-10500 (pre-revised) 2nd ACP due on 01.10.2006 (as per the existing hierarchy) :Rs.10000-15200 (pre-revised). Therefore, 2nd ACP would be in PB-3 with Grade Pay of Rs.6600 (in terms of hierarchy available): 3rd financial upgradation under MACPS would be due on 01.10.2012 in the immediate next higher grade pay in the hierarchy of recommended revised pay band and grade pay of Rs.7600.
4	Whether the benefits of MACPS would be granted from the date of entry grade or from the date of the regular service approved service counted under various service rules.	The benefits under MACPS would be available from the date of actual joining of the post in the entry grade
5	In a case where a person is appointed to an ex-cadre post in higher scale on deputation followed by absorption, whether the period spent on deputation period would be counted as continuous service in the grade or not for the purpose of MACPS	(i) Where a person is appointed on direct recruitment/deputation basis from another post in the same grade, then past regular service as well as past promotions/ACP, in the earlier post, will be counted for computing regular service for the purpose of MACPS in the new hierarchy. (ii) However, where a person is appointed to an ex-cadre post in higher scale initially on deputation followed by absorption, while the service rendered in the earlier post, which was in a lower scale cannot be counted, there is no objection to the period spent initially on deputation in the ex-cadre post prior to absorption being counted towards regular service for the purposes of grant of financial upgradation under MACPS, as it is in the same Pay band/grade pay of the post
6	Whether the pay scale/grade pay of substantive post would be taken into account for appointment/selection to a higher post on deputation basis or the pay scale/grade pay carrying by a Government servant on account of financial upgradation(s) under ACP/MACP Scheme.	The pay scale/grade pay of substantive post would only be taken into account for deciding the eligibility for appointment/selection to a higher post on deputation basis.
7	In a case where 1st/2nd financial upgradations are postponed on account of the employees not found fit or due to departmental proceedings, etc, whether this would have consequential effect on 2nd /3rd financial upgradation or not.	Yes. If a financial upgradation has been deferred/postponed on account of the employee not found fit or due to departmental proceedings, etc., the 2nd /3rd financial upgradations under MACPs would have consequential effect. (Para 18 of annexure-I of MACPS referred).
8	In a case where the government servant have already earned three promotions and still stagnated in one grade for more than 10 years, whether he would be entitle for any further upgradation under MACPS	No. Since the government servant has already earned three promotions, he would not be entitled for any further financial upgradation under MACPS.
9	Whether the pre-revised pay scale of Rs 2750-4400 in respect of Group D non-matriculate employees, would also be taken as merged to grade pay of Rs 1800 for the purpose of MACPS in view of merger of Rs 2550-3200, Rs 2610-3540, Rs 2610-4000 and Rs 2650-4000, which have been upgraded and replaced by the revised pay structure of grade pay of Rs 1800 in the pay band PB-1	Yes.
10	If a government servant on deputation earns upgradation under MACPs in the present cadre, whether he would be entitled for deputation (duty) allowance on the pay and emoluments granted under the MACPS or not?	No. while eligibility of an employee for appointment against ex-cadre posts, in terms of the provisions of the RRs of the ex-cadre post will continue to be determined with reference to the post/pay scale of the post held in the parent cadre on regular basis (and not with reference to the higher scale granted under ACPS/MACPS). such an officer, in the event of his selection, may be allowed to opt to draw the pay in the higher scale under ACP/MACP Scheme without deputation allowance during the period of deputation, if it is more beneficial than the normal entitlements under the existing general order regulating pay on appointment on deputation basis.
11	Since the pay scales of Group D employees have been merged and placed in the Grade Pay of rs 1800, whether they are entitled for grant of increment @ 3% during pay fixation at every stage.	Yes. On the analogy of point 22 of Annexure-I of MACPS, the pay of such Group 'D' employees who have been placed in the Grade Pay of Rs 1800 w.e.f. 01.01.2006 shall be fixed successively in the next three immediate higher grade pays in the hierarchy of revised pay-bands and grade pays allowing the benefit of 3% pay fixation at every stage.

Child Care Leave-clarification

No. 13018 /1/2010-Estt. (Leave)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, P.G. and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)

New Delhi, the 7^th September, 2010

Office Memorandum

Sub: Child Care Leave in respect of Central Government employees as a result of Sixth Central Pay Commission recommendations - Clarification regarding

The undersigned is directed to say that this Department has been receiving representations from Government Servants through various quarters like the Public Grievances Cell/Associations etc requesting to review the decision to allow Child Care Leave (CCL) only if the employee has no E.L. at her credit.

2. This Department's O.M. No.13018/2/2008-Estt.(L) dated 11/09/2008 regarding introduction of Child Care Leave in respect of CentralGovernment employees and subsequent clarifications vide O.Ms. dated 29/9/2008, 18/11/2008 and 2/12/2008 were reviewed.

It has now been decided in consultation with Department of Expenditure, to delete the condition that CCL can be availed only if theemployee concerned has no Earned Leave at her credit, subject to the following conditions:-

(i) CCL may not be granted in more than 3 spells in a calendar year.

(ii) CCL may not be granted for less than 15 days.

(iii) CCL should not ordinarily be granted during the probation period except in case of certain extreme situations where the leave sanctioning authority is fully satisfied about the need of Child Care Leave to the probationer. It may also be ensured that the period for which this leave is sanctioned during probation is minimal.

3. It is reiterated that the leave is to be treated like Earned Leave and sanctioned as such.

4. These orders take effect from 1.9.2008. Earned Leave, if any, availed by women employees before availing CCL subsequent to the issue of the OM 13018/2/2008-Estt.(L) dated 18/11/2008 may be adjusted against CCL, if so requested by theemployee.

5. Hindi version will follow.

(Simmi R.Nakra)
Director