Fixation of pay in case of employees who seek transfer to a lower post under FR 15(a) - clarification regarding.

Copy of Dept of Personnel and Training Memo No F.No. 13/9/2009-Estt(Pay-I) dated 21.10.2009

The undersigned is directed to refer to instructions issued vide this Department's OM NO. 16/6/2001-Estt(Pay-I) dated 14.2.2006 on the above subject. It was clarified therein that on transfer to the lower post/scale under FR 15(a), the pay of a Government servant holding a post on regular basis will be fixed at a stage equal to the pay drawn by him in the higher grade. If no such stage is available, the pay will be fixed at the stage next below the pay drawn by him in the higher post and the difference may be granted as personal pay to be absorbed in future increments. If the maximum of the pay sc~le of the lower post is less than the pay drawn by him in the higher post, his pay may be restricted to the maximum under FR 22(a)(a)(3).

2. Consequent upon implementation of the revised pay structure comprising grade pays and running Pay Bands, w.e.f. 1.1.2006 in cases of appointment of Government servants to posts carrying lower Grade Pay under FR 15(a) on their own request, the pay in the pay band of the Government servant will be fixed at a stage equal to the pay in the pay band drawn by him prior to his appointment against the lower post. However, he will be granted grade pay of lower post. Further, in all cases, he will continue to draw his increments based on his pay in the pay band +grade pay (lower).

3. Where transfer to a lower post is made subject to certain terms and conditions then the pay may be fixed according to such terms and conditions.

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

4. This order takes effect from 1.1.2006.

For details click here to see the OM dated 21.10.2009

GRANT OF DEARNESS RELIEF TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONERS W.E.F. 1.7.2009 WHO ARE IN RECEIPT OF PROVISIONAL PENSION

Dept of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare Memo No F. No. 42/12/2009-P*PW(G) dated 22.10.2009

In the above mentioned OM , the Dearness Relief to those Central Government Pensioners who are in receipt of provisional pension or pension in the pre-revised scales of 5th CPC at the rate of 54% w.e.f. 1.7.2008 is encreased to @ 64% w.e.f. 1.1.2009.

For Details click here to see the Memo dated 22.10.2009

YET ANOTHER REMITTANCE FACILITY TO/FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES (EUROGIRO)

The India Post being a largest network providing various services for the people in the country. We have remittance facilities by various modes viz Money Order, eMoney Order and iMO (instant Money Order) within our country. For remittance from foreign countries we have Western Union Money Transfer and IFS. Now with tie-up with Eurogiro, Our Department proposed launch the service from 24.10.2009 for remittance from/to foreign countries.

Newsitem published in the Eurogiro is reproduced below for information:-

India Post joins the Eurogiro community

Please welcome India Post as a member in the Eurogiro community, and an expansion of the Eurogiro payment gateway into the country of India.

India Post plans to launch its remittance service via the Eurogiro network in October 2009. Across its vast network of post office branches, the Post will provide its customers with cash and account transfers for both incoming and outgoing payments.

Indians working abroad will now be able to send payments for either cash pickup at a postal branch, or request to send cash directly to their relatives at their doorstep. India Post will provide account-to-account international payments like the banks in India, and they also plan to provide an outbound payment service with Eurogiro members for cash receipt.

India Post is a 100% government-owned postal and financial institution, established over 150 years ago to promote postal services and small savings development in India. The strength of India Post lies in its vast network and the end-to-end rural reach it provides in retail and cash management.

The Post has a vast network of 155,035 post offices (as on 31st March 2008), and is the largest postal organisation in the world. As a result it has become a popular mechanism for last mile delivery of both private commercial and governmental services.

India Post as a retail outlet has been increasing in popularity. The rapidly changing Indian economic scenario - liberalization, globalization, and a widespread technological revolution –has given rise to the need for efficient delivery of a variety of services. The Post provides not only universal postal services, but it also serves as a useful channel for other socially significant schemes like small savings, payment of Pension, Postal Life Insurance, especially for rural India.

The Post Office Savings Bank is the oldest and largest banking institution in India. It has over 200 million savings accounts and provides deposit facilities at over 154,000 branches spread out throughout India. In addition to its current deposit based activities, it also distributes a number of investment options including mutual funds, pension funds and non-life insurance.

The country of India is the largest receiver of international remittances. The World Bank estimates that US $45 billion of remittances were received by India in 2008, compared to $27 billion in 2007. In its annual report of 2008-09, the RBI said the global economic downturn had not dampened the flow of remittances to India, owing to many factors such as depreciation of the rupee, hike in interest rate ceilings on NRI deposits and uncertainties in oil prices.

MICRO POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE WITHOUT HEALTH CHECK UP FOR RURAL PEOPLE

People living in rural parts of the country will soon be able to avail insurance cover without being subject to mandatory health check-ups as is the norm for life insurance policies.

The department of posts is set to launch a major micro life insurance policy which will no more require the insurees to disclose their present health condition or diseases at the time of buying the policy, a move aimed at expanding the coverage in rural India.

The proposed insurance scheme, which can be availed by economically weaker sections (EWS) of the society and particularly women, will provide a risk cover up to Rs 25,000, said an official in the ministry of communication and information technology. The aim is to cover around one-tenth of Indians and become one of the potent players in the Indian insurance sector by easing out the procedural formalities that precedes purchase of any life insurance scheme.

While the new scheme has been made customer friendly, the postal department will put in place system and process to address the issue of fake claims. To ensure that relaxation over disclosing the insuree’s health condition does not lead to wrong claims, the claimant has to file a death certificate issued by a government doctor on the deceased’s cause of death, the official said. If the medical report says that the insuree was suffering from any ailment that existed prior to the purchase of the insurance policy, the postal department has an option not to honour the insurance claim. The policy premium will vary according to the age of the insuree and the duration of the policy.

India Post expects to cover around 100 million Indians by the end of 2011 under the scheme, this policy is assumed to play a major role in attaining this objective. The move is a part of the initiative taken by India post to put a major thrust on its insurance services and have a strong presence in the insurance sector specially in rural areas,” the official added.

Eight million lives and a sum of Rs 40,000 crore have been insured, since the launch of rural postal life insurance scheme launched in 1995, under various policies offered by India Post under the rural postal life insurance. The department also plans to align its investment norms for life insurance policies to pump in part of its daily collections in revenue-generating instruments including stocks, a move which is likely to start from October 1, 2009.

With a huge presence in the country with around 1.55 lakh post offices, the postal department is slowly developing itself as a centre for distributing diversified services like National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), life insurance and financial solutions to its customers apart from its mail delivery system

Source : Economic Times

Department of Post Selected Accenture to Design and Develop New Information Technology Architecture and System

The Department of Post (DoP) has awarded a 45-month information technology (IT) modernization contract to Accenture (NYSE: ACN) to design a new enterprise IT architecture and migrate the DoP to a more efficient, reliable and user-friendly IT system.
Accenture also will advise DoP on the development of a wide-area network environment that helps connect all post offices on which various online services can run, and will study the feasibility of implementing an enterprise solution for the department’s core banking and advanced financial services.
“The technology enablers will help DoP transform itself by increasing operational performance and achieving efficiencies through “last mile” connectivity,” said Krishna G.V. Giri, who leads Accenture's Management Consulting practice within its Health & Public Service operating group in the Asia Pacific region. “Armed with greater speed, efficiency, and flexibility at DoP, the government will be much better positioned to share various social schemes, such as the Mahatma National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, with even the most remote citizens.”
Accenture’s work began in September with a business process re-engineering (BPR) exercise across key departments and core operations, such as mail operations, banking and advanced financial systems. Following the BPR exercise, Accenture will help select and monitor a vendor to enable the DoP to consolidate its technology infrastructure and applications.
The project is designed to help the DoP drive greater revenue and regain market share in different services and products, including bill payment, e-posts, life insurance, money transfer and banking.
According to Giri, DoP expects that the technology upgrade also will benefit citizens via speedier and more efficient banking and insurance services, track and trace abilities, and retail services. In addition, DoP will be able to compete effectively against local and international courier companies and increase revenue in the mail and logistics business.

About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With approximately 177,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$21.58 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2009. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

SMS TRACKER FOR EMO AND SPEED POST

Department has introduced facility to track the eMO and Speed Post Articles through SMS from 1.10.2009. The message format is given below for information:-

For EMO

EMO space eMOPNR_No or MO space eMOPNR_No to 55352

For Speed Post Artcle

SP space SpeedPostArticleNo or EMOS space SpeedPostArticleNo to 55352

For other details visit http://indiapost.gov.in

ORDERS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF GDS COMMITTEE RELEASED!!!

Directorate has issued orders for implementation of GDS Committee vide Memo No 6-1/2009-PE-III dated 9.10.2009 the memo is available in sahuliyat.com

HIGH LIGHTS OF GDS IMPLEMENTATION ORDERS

1.Fixation of TRCA in the revised TRCA

Basic TRCA as on 1.1.2006 + 5% increase as on 1.4.2004 multiplied by a factor of 1.74 and then adding 40% fitment as arrived at the 20th stage of pre-revised TRCA and fixation at next above the stage in the revised slab of Time Related Continuity Allowance.

TRCA to GDS engaged on or after 1.1.2006 shall be fixed at the minimum of the revised TRCA

2.Fitment table to GDS working as on 31.12.2005 is as below:-

Sl No	Category of GDS	Pre-revised TRCA	Revised TRCA	40% Fitment to be allowed
1.	GDS SPM	Rs 2125-50-3125	Rs 4575-85-7125	Rs 1250
2.	GDS BPM (75 points workload)	Rs 1280-35-1980	Rs 2745-50-4245	Rs 792
3.	GDS BPM (More than 75 points workload)	Rs 1600-40-2400	Rs 3660-70-5760	Rs 960
4.	GDS MD/SV (Workload upto 3 hrs 45 mts)	Rs 1375-25-2125	Rs 3330-60-5130	Rs 750
5.	GDS MD/SV (Workload more than 3 hrs 45 mts)	Rs 1740-30-2640	Rs 4220-75-6470	Rs 936
6.	GDS MC/Pkr/MM (Workload upto 3 hrs 45 Mts)	Rs 1220-20-1600	Rs 2870-50-4370	Rs 640
7.	GDS MC/Pkr-MM (workload more than 3 hrs 45 mts	Rs 1545-25-2020	Rs 3635-65-5585	Rs 808

3.    Annual Increase (Increment)

The fixation of TRCA will be done on 1.1.2006 and the next increase will be allowed after 12 months only.  Hence, the increment in the revised TRCA would be on 1.1.2007, 1.1.2008, 1.1.2009 and so on for all.

4. DA Rate

Same as for Central Government servants (Rate of DA from 1.7.2009 - 27%)

5. Revised rate of other allowances (effect from 9.10.2009)

Nature of Allowance	Existing allowance	Revised allowance
OMA for GDS SPM/BPM	Rs 50 p.m	Rs 100 p.m
FSC	Rs 10 for GDS SPM/BPM and Rs 5 for other GDS	Rs 25 for GDS SPM and Rs 10 for other GDS
Boat Allowance	Rs 10 per month	Actual charges subject to maximum of Rs 50 per month
Cash Conveyance Allowance	Rs 10 per occasion plus bus	Rs 50 per month
Cycle Maintenance Allowance	Rs 30 per month	Rs 60 per month (condition for minimum distance of 10 Kms withdrawn)
Combined duty Allowance for BPM	Rs 100 per month	Rs 500 p.m for each item of work separately. Rs 250 if the delivery is made at BO village only.  Rs 250 for exchanging of mails at Bus stand or at Railway Station
Allowances for combinationof dutyes of MD/Mail conveyance	Rs 75 per month	Rs 25 per day subject to maximum of Rs 625 per month
Compensation to MC who are detailed for excnage of mails	Rs 3 per hour subject to maximum of Rs 6 per day.	Rs 6 per hour subject to a maximum of Rs 12 per day.

6. Discharge Benefits.

Nature of Benefit	Present Benefits	Revised Benefits
Ex-Gratia Gratuity	Rs 18000 or 16.5 times of basic TRCA - Minimum service - 15 years	Rs 60,000 (existing conditions remain same)
Severance amount	Rs 30000 if completed 20 years of service. Rs 20,000 for  15 to 20 years of service	Rs 1500 for every completed year subject to maximum of Rs 60,000 (minimum eligiblity reduced to 10 years)

7.  Maternity Grant : Woman GDS will be provided Maternity Grant equivalent to 3 months TRCA with DA for the birth of two children out of the welfare fund of the Department.  (This will take effect from 9.10.2009)

8. Bonus Limit - Not revised.  The existing ceiling of Rs 2500 will be continued.

9. Insurance - Present EDGIS rate enhanced to Rs 50 per month with insurance cover of Rs 50,000.  (The revised subscription will be effectrive from the TRCA payable for January 2010)

10.Payment of arrears

The arrears will be paid in two instalments.  40% will be paid during this financial year and 60% will be paid in the next financial year.  The first instalment of arrears should be paid before 31.10.2009. Responsibility of fixation of TRCA in the new slab rests with Divisional Superintendent of Post Office/RMS Units. In other independent units like gazetted HOs, the fixation shall be done by the Sr PM/Chief PM.  The authorities should send the statement of fixation of TRCA all GDS to the drawal and disbursing officers. 

GRANT OF DEARNESS RELIEF TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS W.E.F. 1.7.2009

Extract of Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare Memo No 42/12/2009_P&PW(G) dated 23.3.2009

The dearness relief payable to Central Government pensioners and family pensioners is enhanced from the existing rate of 22% to 27% w.e.f. 1.7.2009.

For details click here to see OM dated 23.9.2009

CHQ NEWS LETTER DATED 17.9.2009

1. DPC for promotion to PS Group B is held up for want of few more CRs from Maharashtra, Tamilnadu and U.P Circles. Circle Secretaries may please contact Circle offices and arrange to send the remaining CRs early.
2. GDS Committee Report is coming for discussion before the Cabinet Committee today (17.9.2009) and the Committee is likely to nod its approval for implementation. Implementation orders may be issued any time within a week.
3. Central Working Committee Meeting under the Chairmanship of Shri.S.B.Mahapatra, our President was successfully held at Pushkar, Rajasthan on 01 & 02.8.09. A large number of members from 15 Circles participated in the deliberation. Minutes of the CWC is being issued separately. We submit our sincere thanks to Shri. Hari Prasad Sharma outgoing Circle Secretary Rajasthan (now promoted to Gr B) and Shir. Atma Ram ASP for their hard work and hospitality during CWC.
4. Circle Conference of Rajasthan also was held side by side at Pushkar on 02.8.09. Shri. Atma Ram ASP Ajmer R.O and Bhupendra Parashar IP(C) C.O Jaipur have been elected as Circle President and Circle Secretary respectively. We congratulate them for a successful tenure.
5. Delhi Circle will hold the next All India Conference at New Delhi during first week of April 2010. Exact dates of the Conference will be announced very soon. Reception Committee under the leadership of Shri. Roop Chand AGS, Shri. R.D.Sharma CS Delhi Circle and Shri. D.C.Sharma Secretary Reception Committee, 36th All India Conference is making elaborate arrangements for the successful conduct of the conference. Donation tickets are being despatched to all Circle Secretaries and CHQ Office bearers. All are requested to extend their full support and co-operation in raising fund the conference.
6. A new and peculiar problem has arisen in Maharashtra Circle. ASPs in Goa Region have been issued with Rotational Transfer order on completion of their normal tenure. The order was issued during May 2009. But till date the ASPs are not relieved to join their new posts on the plea that they have not achieved the BD target. Where ever we go, whether it is old post or new post targets are kept ready and waiting for us. It has become our bounden duty to achieve the target. But not relieving an IP or ASP on transfer on this ground is too much. Target can be achieved when the staff are happy. We depend on GDS to achieve any target. We cannot do business without their co-operation in the rural area. While pay and perks of regular employees have been enhanced, the poor GDS are left in lurch. Their long pending grievances regarding revision of their allowances are yet to be settled by the government. General Secretary called on DG Posts on 16.9.09 and brought this matter to the notice of DG. DG Posts was requested to settle the GDS problem first and also help to relieve the ASPs in Goa Region. DG assured to issue positive instructions to chief PMG.
7. Grade Pay of IP/ASP/PS Gr B is still pending with the Department. Some quarries have been raised by IFA. It is yet to be cleared by concerned Section. GS discussed the matter with DG Posts and Madam is in favour of our demand. GS will pursue further and exert pressure on this issue.
8. Circle Working Committee meeting of Tamil Nadu Circle will be held at Pollachi on 24th September 2009.
9. Circle Working Committee Meeting of Madhya Pradesh Circle will be held on 02 October 2009 at Hoshangabad.
10. A general body meeting has been arranged by Kerala Circle at Calicut on 03 October 2009. General Secretary will participate in the meeting.
11. Public Services International organized Workshop on “Trade Union Rights and use of ILO mechanism” at Ooty, Madurai & Thanjavur for the benefit of various trade unions of different public services in the state of Tamilnadu. From our Association 20 members participated.
12. Even after 20 years the Second Cadre Review was not implemented by the Department. A decision was taken in the CWC Pushkar to file two different Writ Petitions before Hon’ble High Court of Madras and Hon’ble High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh by the respective Circle Branch of our Association. It is under preparation. Shri. P.R.Satyanarayanan our former President will help us.
S.Samuel General Secretary

IPO EXAMINATION 2008 RESULT - AN ANALYSIS

Directorate declared results on 18.9.2009 vide Memo No. A-34O1 3/Ol /2OO9-DE. The examination was held on 5th, 6th and 7th November 2008 and the result declared after 10 months.

As per the result, out of 207 vacancies, only 93 candidates came successful in the merit list. 114 vacancies are still available (in other Circles) and only 108 candidates are qualified in the examination.

Summary of IPO candidates selected and surplus qualified:-

Name of the Circle	No of Vacancies				No. Filled				Surplus candidates				Surplus Vacancies
	OC	SC	ST	Total	OC	SC	ST	Total	OC	SC	ST	Total	OC	SC	ST	Total
Andhra Pradesh	12	3	1	16	12	1	-	13	4	-	-	4	-	2	1	3
Assam	8	1	1	10	4	-	-	04	-	-	-	-	4	1	1	6
Bihar	16	3	1	20	5	-	1	06	-	-	-	-	11	3	-	14
Chattisgarh	5	-	-	5	-	-	-	0					5	-	-	5
Delhi	2	-	-	2	2	-	-	02	6	4	-	10	-	-	-	-
Gujarath	8	5	4	17	3	-	-	3	-	-	-	-	5	5	4	14
Haryana	5	-	-	5	5	-	-	5	6	3	-	9	-	-	-	-
Himachal Pradesh	4	1	-	5	1	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	3	1	-	4
Jammu & kashmir	3	-	-	3	1	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	2
Jharkhand	4	-	2	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	-	2	6
Karnataka	4	-	2	6	1	-	1	2	1	4	-	5	3	-	1	4
Kerala	6	2	2	10	6	2	-	8	31	4	-	35	-	-	2	2
Madhya Pradesh	10	-	-	10	6	-	-	6	-	-	-	-	4	-	-	4
Maharashtra	3	-	2	5	3	-	1	4	-	1	-	1	-	-	1	1
North East	1	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	1
Orissa	2	1	-	3	2	-	-	2	8	1	-	9	-	1	-	1
Punjab	4	2	1	7	4	-	-	4	3	-	-	3	-	2	1	3
Rajasthan	10	2	1	13	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	10	2	1	13
Tamilnadu	17	5	3	25	17	5	1	23	19	10	-	29	-	-	2	2
Uttarkhand	8	-	1	9	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	1	8	-	1	9
Uttar Pradesh	10	-	2	12	3	-	-	3	-	2	-	2	7	-	2	9
West Bengal	15	1	1	17	5	1	-	6	-	-	-	-	10	-	1	11
Total	157	26	24	207	80	9	4	93	78	30	0	108	77	17	20	114

PAYMENT OF DA TO CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES W.E.F 1.7.2009

Sub : Payment of DA to Central Government employees - Revised rates effective from 1.7.2009

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry's Office Memorandum No 1(1)/(2009)-E-II (B) dated 13.3.2009, on the subject mentioned above and to state that the President is pleased to decide that the DA payable to Central Government employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 22% to 27% w.e.f 1.7.2009.

2. The provisions contained in paras 3,4 and 5 of this Ministry;s OM No 1(3)/2008 -E-II (B) dated 29.8.2008, shall continued to be applicable while regulating DA under these orders.

3. The addtional installment of DA paybale under these orders shall be paid in cash to all Central Government employees.

4. These orders shall also apply to all the Civilian employees paid from Defence Service Estimates and the expenditure will be chargeable to the relevant head of the Defence Service Estimates. In regard to Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry 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 CAG of India.

Sd/. (R. Prem Anand), Under Secretary to the Government of India

ARREARS ON PAY UPGRADATION UNDER MACPS - READY RECKONER

If you have completed 10/20/30 years of service on 1.9.2008, you can calculate your arrears from the following blog. http://postalstaffcorner.blogspot.com/

MACPS ORDERS ISSUED ON 18.9.2009

Copy of Department of Posts Memo No 4-7/(MACPS)/2009-PCC dated 18.9.2009

Sub : Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) for the Central Government Civilian Employees.

The Sixth Central Pay Commission vide Para 6.1.15 of its report has recommended Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS). The Government has considered the recommendatations of the Sixth Central Payh Commission on the Assured Career Progression and accepted the same with further modification to grant three financial upgradations under the revised Scheme at intervals of 10,20 and 30 years of continuous regular service and issued orders vide Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel & Training) OM No 35034/3/2008-Estt. (D) dated 19.5.2009. The Scheme is known as "MODIFIED ASSURED CAREER PROGRESSION SCHEME (MACPS) FOR THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES" and which has come into operation w.e.f. 01-09-2008.

2. This scheme is in supersession of previous ACP Scheme and clarifications issued there under. The scheme shall be applicable to all regularly appointed Group "A", "B", "C" Central Government Civilian Employees except officers of the Organised Group "A" service. The status of Group D employees cease and be treated as Group C. Multi-Skilled employees on their completion of prescribed training. Casual employees, including those granted 'temporary status' and employees appointed in the Central Government only on adhoc or contract basis shall not qualify for benefits under the aforesaid Scheme.

3. Department of Posts has its own scheme of Time Bound One Promotion (TBOP)/Biennial Cadre Review (BCR) for its employees. . Time Bound One Promotion was introduced w.e.f. 30.11.1983 vide letter No 31-26/83-PE.I dated 17/12/1983. Biennial Cadre Review was introduced w.e.f. 01.10.1991 vide Directorate Memo No 22-1/89-PE-1 dated 11.10.1991. The scheme was further extended to certain other categories of employees from different dates.

4. The scheme of TBOP introduced w.e.f 30.11.1983 and the BCR introduced w.e.f. 01.10.1991 and extended to other categories of staff on subsequent dates shall stand withdrawn w.e.f. 01-09-2008.

5. The postal Federations have given their consent for switching over to the MACPS. As regards drivers, they are governed by a structured promotion scheme & as the scheme is considered beneficial to this category of staff, the Postal Federations have requested to retain the existing structured scheme. It has been decided to continue to the existing structured promotion scheme for drivers.

6. On grant of financial upgradation under the scheme, there shall be no change in the designation, classification or higher status. However, financial and certain other benefits which are linked to the pay drawn by an employee such as HBA, Allotment of Government Accommodation shall be permitted.

7. The salient features of the MACP are given in Annexure- 1.

8. Before initiating action for placing the eligible employees under the MACPS, action may be taken to finalise all TBOP/BCR placements due for the period till 31.08.2008 by conducting meetings of Screening Committee and issuing necessary orders.

9. Screening Committees shall be constituted in each Division/Region/Circle to consider the cases of different levels for grant of financial upgradations under the MACP Scheme. The Screening Committees shall consist of Chairperson and two members. The members of the Committee shall comprise officers holding posts which are at least one level above the grade in which the MACP is to be considered and not below the rank of Under Secretary or equivalent in PB-3 with GP of Rs 6600/-. The Chairperson should generally be of a grade above the members of Committee. The Screening Committees should keep in view of the benchmark prescribed for financial upgradations.

10. The recommendations of the Screening Committee shall be placed before the DPS/Director Accounts Postal/Head of the Region/Circle or Organisation/competent authority as the case may be for approval.

11. In order to prevent undue strain on the administrative machinery, the Screening Committee shall follow a time-schedule and meet twice in a financial year - preferably in the first week of Januay and first week of July of a year for advance processing of the cases maturing in that half. Accordingly, cases meturing during the fist-half (April-September) of a particular financial year shall be taken up for consideration of the Screening Committee meeting in the first week of January. Similarly, the Screening Committee meeting in the first week of July of the financial year shall process the cases that would be maturing during the second-half (October-March) of the same finanancial year.

12. Any interpretation/clarification or doubt as to the scope and mearning of the provisions of MACPS given by the Dept of Personnel and Training (Est-D) will be further communicated by the Establishment Division of the Directorate. The Scheme would be operational w.e.f. 01.09.2008 and financial upgradations as per the provisions of the earlier ACP Scheme (of August, 1999)/TBOP/BCR Schemes of the Department of Posts would be granted till 31.08.2008

13. No stepping up of pay in the pay band or GP would be admissible with regard to junior getting more pay than the senior on account of pay fixation under MACP Scheme.

14. It is clarified that no past cases would be re-opened. Further, while implementng the MACP Scheme, the differences in pay scales on account of grant of financial upgradsation under the old ACP Scheme (of August 1999)/TBOP/BCR Schemes of Department of Posts and under the MACP Scheme within the same cadre shall not be construed as an anomoly.

15. It is requested that the OM may be circulated to all concerned and immediate action may be taken to complete the entire process as indicated in the OM.

16. This issues with concurrence of Integrated Finance Wing vie their Dy. No 205/FA/09/CS dated 18.09.2009

Sd/. (A.K. Sharma), DDG (Establishment)

AIR TRAVEL ON LTC RESTRICTED TO ECONOMY CLASS IRRESPECTIVE OF ENTITLEMENT

Copy of Dept of Personnel and Training Memo No.3101112/2006-Estt.(A) dated 9.9.2009

Subject:- Regulation of Journey by air while availing Leave Travel Concession - clarification regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's a.M. of even No. dated 27.7.2009 on the above subject and to say that consequent to issue of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure O.M.No. 7(1) E.Coord/2009 dated 7/9/2009 on expenditure management the reimbursement of the expenses on air travel while availing of the Leave Travel Concession by Government servants will be restricted to the cost of travel by the economy class, irrespective of entitlement, with immediate effect.

Click here to see DOPT memo dated 9.9.2009

Expenditure Management - Economy Measures and Rationalization of Expenditure

Ministry of Finance, in OM No No. 7(1) E.Coord/2009 dated 7.9.2009 has issued following guidelines on expenditure management :-

10% Cut imposed in the non - plan expenditure under the following heads:-

(a) Domestic and Foreign Travel expenses. (b) Publications (c) Professional Services (d) Advertising and Publicity (e) Office expenses (f) POL (except for security related requirement) (g) Other administrative expenses

Remaining portin of non-plan expenditure will be subjected to a mandatory 5% cut excluding interest payments, repayment of debt, Defence Capital, Salaries, Pension and the Finance commission grants to the States.

For details click here to see Finance Ministry OM dated 27.9.2009

PAYMENT OF HONORARIUM TO INQUIRY/PRESENTING OFFICERS

Copy of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions No. 142/20/2008- AVD I dated 25.7.2009

Subject: Grant of Honorarium to Inquiry Officers/ Presenting Officers

The undersigned is directed to refer to this department's OM no 134/4/99-AVD I dated 29th June 2001 and 7th  April 2003 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the rates of honorarium payable to the IO//PO in the case of departmental inquiries were last revised vide OM dated 29th June 2001 in the case of serving Government Servants functioning as part time IO/PO and vide OM dated 7th April 2003 in the case of retired Govt Servants functioning as IO.

2. The existing rates of honorarium as prescribed in the aforesaid OM was reviewed in consultation with the Ministry of Finance. As a result of review, it has been decided to revise the existing rates of the honorarium, payable, to 10/PO. The rates of honorarium as revised are indicated in the table below:-

Particulars	Revised Rates ( per inquiry)
a) Inquiry Officer (Part time Serving Govt Servants)	Rs. 3000/-Maximum Rs 1500/- Minimum
b) Presenting Officer (Part time serving Govt. Servants)	Rs 1500/- Maximum Rs 750/- Minimum
c) Retired Government servants	Rs 9750 (lumpsum) plus Rs 1500 for every additional Charged officer

3 The grant of revised rates of honorarium as above will be subject to the same conditions stipulated vide para 4 of this Department's OM No134/4/99-AVD-I dated 29th June 2001.

4, These orders will take effect from the date of issu~ and will also apply ro inquiries in progress.

5. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of 'Finance, Department of Expenditure, vide their ID no 14(4)!2009-EII(B) 14,7.2009.

CONFER GAZETTED STATUS TO ALL SUB DIVISIONAL HEADS - REMINDER FOR POSTCARD CAMPAIGN

Dear friends,

I reproduce my email dated 03.8.09.

In the CWC held at Pushkar, Rajasthan on 01st & 2nd August 2009, it was decided to organise postcard campaign requesting the DG, Posts to confer gazetted status to all sub divisional heads with adequate adminsitrative and financial powers.

Accordingly, all IPs and ASPs are requested to write the following text in a postcard addressed to DG Posts and send it in one cover by each division to the Circle Secretary for onward despatch to Postal Directorate in one lot.

.................................................................

To:

Director General Posts Dak Bhawan, New Delhi -110116.

" We all IPs & ASPs demand Gazetted status to all Sub Divsional Heads with Adequate Administrative and Fianancial Powers"

Signature Name: Designation:

.............................................................

The deadline for depatching postcards is 31.8.09.All Circle Secretaries and officer bearers are requested to collect the postcards and despatch to DG(Posts) in one lot.

Sincerely yours,

S.Samuel, General Secretary

Payment of second instalment of arrears on account of Sixth Central Pay Commission Recommendataions.

Copy of Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure Implementation Cell Memo No F.No.l/l/2008-IC

Sub : Payment of second instalment of arrears on account of Sixth Central Pay Commission Recommendataions.

As communicated vide this Department's Resolution No.l/l/2008-IC dated 29th August, 2008, the Government had decided that the arrears on account of implementation of Sixth Central Pay Commission's recommendations will be paid in cash in two instalments - first instalment of 40% during the year 2008-09 and the remaining 60% in the financial year 2009-10. The first instalment bas already been paid in 2008-09. It has now been decided that the remaining 60% of arrears may now be paid to the concerned Government servants.

2. Further, as already stipulated vide this Department's O.M. No 1 (2)/ EV/2008 dated 17th August, 2009, in the case of post-Ol.01.2004 entrants into the Central Government, the second instalment of arrears may be released only after individual application forms for registration to the New Pension Scheme have been obtained by the DDO/PAO from the concerned Government servant.

3. As in the case of the first instalment of arrears, Government servants will be permitted to deposit their arrears in their GPF Accounts. Though not mandated, Government servants are encouraged to deposit their arrears in their GPF accounts.

Source : Ministry of Finance, Pay Commission implementation cell memo dated 25.8.2009

DOCUMENTS FOR DATE OF BIRTH FOR PENSIONERS - CLARIFICATION ISSUED BY DEPT OF PENSION

Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare, OM No 38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 11.8.2009

Sub : Implementation of Government's decision on the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission - Revision of Pension of pre-2006 pensioners/family pensioners etc

The undersigned is directed to say that in this Departments' OM of even Number dated 21.5.2009, it was provided that the following documents would be accepted as proof of date of birth/age for payment of additional pension/family pension on completion of 80 years and above:

(i) Pan Card

(ii) Matriculation certificate (containing the information regarding date of birth )

(iii) Passport

(iv) CGHS Card

(v) Driving licence (if contains date of birth)

2. The matter has been examined further. Considering the difficulay in producting any of the above mentioned documents as proof of age by the old pensioners, particularly those in the rural areas, it has been decided that the Voters' ID may also be accepted as proof of date of birth/age for payment of additonal pension/family pension on completion of 80 years and above subject to the following conditions:

3. The other conditions for acceptance of the documents,as mentioned in the OM dated 21.5.2009, will remain the same.

4. Some doubts have been expressed regarding the date from which the additional pension is to be made effective. In this connection, attention is invited to the clarifications issued vide this Department's OM of even No dated 3.10.2008. It is re-iterated that the additional quantum of pension/family pension, would be admissible from the 1st day of the month in which the date of birth falls, only on completion of the age of 80 years, 85 years, etc (and not in the beginning of the 80th year, 85th year, etc). All references/representations received in this respect stand disposed off accordingly.

Illustration : If a pensioner/family pensioner's date of birth is 26.1.1930, then he/she will be entitled to the additional quantum of pension on completion of 80 years of age w.e.f. 1.1.2010.

For details click here to see the memorandum

BIG TAX CUT COMING YOUR WAY

Times of India News Dated 13.8.2009 :

NEW DELHI: Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday unveiled a roadmap for reforms in direct taxes that promises to drastically cut the tax liability of most individuals by considerably raising tax slabs. The new direct taxes code, proposed to be implemented from April 2011, aims to moderate effective tax rates in the hope that this will encourage more people to pay up.

The most significant changes proposed are in personal income tax, which could lead to tax savings of up to Rs 2.67 lakh each year. The 10% tax rate, currently applicable for incomes between Rs 1.6 lakh and Rs 3 lakh, will apply to incomes between Rs 1.6 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, which means those with incomes between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 10 lakh could save up to Rs 1.17 lakh from their annual tax liability.

The next slab of 20% would be applicable for incomes between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 25 lakh instead of — as is currently — between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh and the 30% slab would be for incomes exceeding Rs 25 lakh, which now kicks in at Rs 5 lakh. The benefits to taxpayers with annual incomes of Rs 25 lakh or more as a result of these changes would be about Rs 2.67 lakh per annum.

As the icing on the cake, the new code proposes to allow for exemptions on savings up to Rs 3 lakh rather than the Rs 1 lakh now allowed under Section 80C of the I-T Act. There is a catch, though. There is no mention of any exemption for housing loans, though the exemption for higher educational loans will stay.

The exemption limit at which taxes kick in will continue to be higher for women and senior citizens. For women, their tax meter will start ticking when their income exceeds Rs 1.9 lakh per annum, whereas senior citizens will have to pay tax only if they earn more than Rs 2.4 lakh a year.

A change that could be problematic for many individuals is in the treatment of post-retirement benefits like provident fund. The adoption of the EET (exempt-exempt-tax) method will mean that any withdrawal of money from your PF account, for whatever reason, will attract a tax since the amount withdrawn will be treated as part of your income for that year. This will, however, apply only to amounts that accrue April 2011 onwards.

Like personal taxes, the corporate tax rate too is to be cut from the existing 30% (excluding cesses and surcharges) for domestic firms to 25%. Also, companies can carry forward losses for as long as they like, while earlier, a loss in a year could be set off against profits only within the next eight years.

In the case of foreign companies, however, in addition to this 25% tax, there will be a 15% tax on ``branch profits''. Branch profits, the code explains, are defined as total income minus corporate tax. This seems to suggest that the effective tax rate for foreign firms could actually be slightly higher than the current 35%.

Another big change is inclusion of financial assets — like shares and deposits — in the calculation of wealth tax. The whammy is sought to be offset by a reduction in the wealth tax rate from 1% to 0.25% and an increase in the threshold limit to Rs 50 crore. It's also proposed to do away with the securities transaction tax, and change the manner in which tax holidays for infrastructure industries is given.

Explaining the rationale behind these changes, the FM said: ``The aim of the direct tax code is better compliance and better realization with likely expansion in the tax base.'' He added, ``All direct tax laws have been brought under one umbrella and laid down in a manner that it will eliminate the scope of litigation.

Former FM and union home minister P Chidambaram who had begun the process of rewriting the tax laws after Budget 2005-06 said: ``It underlines the philosophy of the government, that is, a regulated free market system... The new direct tax code will promote economic activity and entrepreneurship.

The code has been put up on the finance ministry's website and the government has invited suggestions. It plans to introduce a draft bill to enact the new code in Parliament in the Winter Session.

Source : Times of India