Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Raise income tax exemption limit to Rs 3 lakh: Survey
"In view of the unprecedented inflation particularly the food inflation, the government must increase the personal income tax exemption limit from the existing Rs 1.6 lakh to at least Rs 3 lakh to give adequate relief to the larger sections of the society, added the majority of the CEOs," the pre-Budget survey said.
The Budget 2011-12 would be unveiled by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on February 28. At present, income up to Rs 1.6 lakh is exempted from tax for individuals. For women and senior citizens, the limit is Rs 1.9 lakh and Rs 2.4 lakh, respectively.
However, under the the Direct Taxes Code (DTC) Bill which was introduced in Parliament last year, the I-T exemption limit is Rs 2 lakh. The DTC is expected to replace the 50-year old Income Tax Act from April, 2012.
The survey further said that due to continuous elevated inflation and high commodity prices across globe, there is a strong case for continuation of stimulus package so that the growth momentum is not spiked.
It was a pre-Budget expectations survey conducted under the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) with participation from its 1,000 CEOs. Inflation, particularly food inflation, has been a concern for both the government and the common man. For past the few months, food prices are at high levels.
The WPI inflation for December rose to 8.43 per cent, from 7.48 per cent in the previous month. Food inflation, based on wholesale prices, rose to 17.05 per cent for the week ended January 22, on account of escalating vegetable prices, particularly, onions. It was at 15.57 per cent in the previous week.
Around 84 per cent of the CEOs belonging to large, micro, small and medium enterprises polled in the survey held that stimulus package for textiles, gems & jewellery, construction and real estate, cement and steel, among others, should continue for the next fiscal.
Besides, majority of the CEOs also pressed for larger and faster disinvestment in public sector undertakings, proceeds of which should partly be to fund infrastructure augmentation in PPP projects to help India grow and achieve intended growth rate of close to 9 per cent in next 2-3 years.
Source: Economic Times
Thursday, February 24, 2011
MOST RETROGRADE ORDER FROM DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
9797 POST OFFICES IN URBAN AREAS ARE TO BE
CLOSED / MERGED OR RELOCATED
Subject: Rationalisation and consolidation of urban network.
D.G. Posts No. 40-06/2010Plg dated 25.01.2011.
Kindly refer to this office letter of even number dated 17.5.2010 on the subject mentioned above calling for views/suggestions from circles regarding need for rationalization and consolidation for urban network, road map to be followed and time frame within which the exercise should be completed,. Almost all the Circles have unanimously favoured the need for rationalization.
2. Due to historical reasons, a major portion of urban postal network lies in the inner city areas consisting of single/double handed non delivery Sub Offices which are not in conformity with the distance criteria of location of post offices. The outer and recently developed areas, however, suffer from lack of even the basic postal facilities in most of the towns/cities. There are also requests for providing postal services in various urban agglomerations, SEZ areas, professional colleges etc. which may also be a profitable activity of the Department .However, due to non-availability of resources, the Department is not able to meet such request.
3. While the entire rural network is subsidized, Post Offices in urban areas are expected to be initially self supporting, and should earn profit of at least 5% at the time of the First annual review , to be eligible for further retention. Despite this, as on 31.3.2010,as many as 5531 SOs in urban areas are reported to be incurring losses.
4. Further, as per the prescribed criteria, the minimum distance between two post offices should be 1.5 Km in cities with a population of 2 lakhs and above, and 2 Km in other urban Areas. No two delivery offices should however be closer than 5 Km from each other. Moreover, a delivery post office in urban area should have a minimum of 7 Postman beats. These norms have not been followed in many cases.
5. Our existing urban network consists of 15797 Post Offices comprising mainly of HOs and SOs.Urban expansion of the country is currently estimated to be 77370sq.kms. As per the prevalent distance norms, this area justifies only about 6000 Post Offices in urban area. This analysis suggests that we have 9797 Pos Offices in urban areas that do not conform to the prescribed norms. This situation warrants need for corrective measures.
6. Need for rationalization of urban network was appreciated by the Department as early as in the year 2003 which led to issuing elaborate instructions to Circles vide D.O. letter No. 40-4/2002-Plg dated 6.1.2003 for relocation/merger of single / double handed post offices. Resultantly, 1262 post offices have been merged/relocated throughout the country. It is however felt that the pace of relocation of post offices is not satisfactory and we are losing out on various business opportunities and the people in outer areas of urban settlements are deprived of the postal services. On the other hand, the Government is not allowing us to further expand our network by creation of new posts not only in urban areas but also in rural areas. Successive Plan Periods have witnessed opening of Post Office by redeployment of posts only without any new creation.
7. For rationalization of postal network in urban areas by way of relocation of Post Offices in new areas and creation of bigger Post Offices by merger of single /double handed Post Offices as per stipulated distance and other norms, the Circles should keep the following into consideration:
(i) There are some Post Offices which are loss making due to high rentals e.g. Post Offices at Railway Stations, important bus terminals, airports etc. We may however not relocate them due to their strategic importance, convenience they offer to the people and high number of footfalls they attract.
(ii) While assessing the need for postal facilities we should have close liaison with local bodies like Municipal Corporation/Municipal Committees, Town Area Committees etc. so that we can be aware of their future plans of expansion of cities and we can accordingly formulate our strategies and have a long-term plan for extending our network in such areas. Regular coordination meetings may be prescribed with such bodies at appropriate levels.
(iii) Post Offices which have been covered under Project Arrow/Post Offices functioning in departmental buildings should not be earmarked for relocation. If there are other Post offices in their vicinity the same may be considered for relocation.
(iv) Post Offices paying high rentals, having low volume of transactions and running in losses should be considered for relocation/temporary merger/permanent merger.
(v) Distance from the nearest post office and the business being transacted should be the main criteria for relocation. Merger of Post Offices.
(vi) In addition to relocating post offices from one area to another, we can also create bigger Post Offices, not below the rank of LSG Offices, by merger of several smaller scattered Post Offices. The bigger Post Offices will be well equipped to cater to the latest postal facilities like IMO,eMO,Videsh MO, IMTS etc. These newly created Post Offices will be manned by redeployment of staff/posts from the nearby post offices.
(vii) It may also be considered to reduce the number of delivery Post Offices, which may lead to obviating the need for the nodal delivery system for Speed Post articles as it is not providing to be cost effective. In any case there is a need to strictly follow the norms of the distance of at least 5 KMs between two delivery offices and also that of delivery Post Office in Urban area having a minimum of 7 Postman beats.
(viii) If opening of a post office is justified in an area, but it is not possible to open post office by relocation or under the Plan targets, opening of franchise outlets may be considered for such area.
8. In, view of the above, Circles are requested to take the following action:
(i) Identification of Post Offices which are at lesser distances than that prescribed under norms. In case, more than one Post Offices are not fulfilling the distance norms, Post Office (s) may be earmarked for relocation on the basis of :
(a) Condition of building
(b) Profitability of Post Office
(c) Business of Post Office
(ii) PMsG/CPMsG will interact with all the stakeholders and convince them that relocation and merger would help in providing postal facilities to public and it is in larger public interest.
(iii) Identity needy urban and rural areas where there is justification for new Post Offices.
(iv) Post Offices once indentified as per (i) above, will be relocated /merged This will outside the Plan targets.
9. Circles are requested to complete the exercise in respect of sub para (i),(ii)and (iii) {of para 8) by 31.03.2011 and in respect of sub para(iv){para 8} by 30.06.2011. Circles are also requested to send monthly progress reports of action taken, to this Directorate(proforma enclosed).
10. Since the need for opening of Post Offices in new locations seems to be ever increasing , Circles are also requested to open Post Offices by redeployment of posts/staff from the existing office(s), by curtailing staff strength of the existing offices even to less than the justified workload of the office/offices. This exercise would, however, be subject to Plan targets set by the Directorate. The powers for redeployment of Group 'C' and 'D' posts have already been vested with the HoCs vide Directorate letter No. 2-2/93-PE-I dated 7th of Sep, 1993.Under no circumstances should the surplus posts be abolished.
This issue wit h the approval of the competent authority.
Sd/-
(Anurag Priyadarshee)
Director (R.B)
9797 POST OFFICES IN URBAN AREAS ARE TO BE
CLOSED / MERGED OR RELOCATED
Subject: Rationalisation and consolidation of urban network.
D.G. Posts No. 40-06/2010Plg dated 25.01.2011.
Kindly refer to this office letter of even number dated 17.5.2010 on the subject mentioned above calling for views/suggestions from circles regarding need for rationalization and consolidation for urban network, road map to be followed and time frame within which the exercise should be completed,. Almost all the Circles have unanimously favoured the need for rationalization.
2. Due to historical reasons, a major portion of urban postal network lies in the inner city areas consisting of single/double handed non delivery Sub Offices which are not in conformity with the distance criteria of location of post offices. The outer and recently developed areas, however, suffer from lack of even the basic postal facilities in most of the towns/cities. There are also requests for providing postal services in various urban agglomerations, SEZ areas, professional colleges etc. which may also be a profitable activity of the Department .However, due to non-availability of resources, the Department is not able to meet such request.
3. While the entire rural network is subsidized, Post Offices in urban areas are expected to be initially self supporting, and should earn profit of at least 5% at the time of the First annual review , to be eligible for further retention. Despite this, as on 31.3.2010,as many as 5531 SOs in urban areas are reported to be incurring losses.
4. Further, as per the prescribed criteria, the minimum distance between two post offices should be 1.5 Km in cities with a population of 2 lakhs and above, and 2 Km in other urban Areas. No two delivery offices should however be closer than 5 Km from each other. Moreover, a delivery post office in urban area should have a minimum of 7 Postman beats. These norms have not been followed in many cases.
5. Our existing urban network consists of 15797 Post Offices comprising mainly of HOs and SOs.Urban expansion of the country is currently estimated to be 77370sq.kms. As per the prevalent distance norms, this area justifies only about 6000 Post Offices in urban area. This analysis suggests that we have 9797 Pos Offices in urban areas that do not conform to the prescribed norms. This situation warrants need for corrective measures.
6. Need for rationalization of urban network was appreciated by the Department as early as in the year 2003 which led to issuing elaborate instructions to Circles vide D.O. letter No. 40-4/2002-Plg dated 6.1.2003 for relocation/merger of single / double handed post offices. Resultantly, 1262 post offices have been merged/relocated throughout the country. It is however felt that the pace of relocation of post offices is not satisfactory and we are losing out on various business opportunities and the people in outer areas of urban settlements are deprived of the postal services. On the other hand, the Government is not allowing us to further expand our network by creation of new posts not only in urban areas but also in rural areas. Successive Plan Periods have witnessed opening of Post Office by redeployment of posts only without any new creation.
7. For rationalization of postal network in urban areas by way of relocation of Post Offices in new areas and creation of bigger Post Offices by merger of single /double handed Post Offices as per stipulated distance and other norms, the Circles should keep the following into consideration:
(i) There are some Post Offices which are loss making due to high rentals e.g. Post Offices at Railway Stations, important bus terminals, airports etc. We may however not relocate them due to their strategic importance, convenience they offer to the people and high number of footfalls they attract.
(ii) While assessing the need for postal facilities we should have close liaison with local bodies like Municipal Corporation/Municipal Committees, Town Area Committees etc. so that we can be aware of their future plans of expansion of cities and we can accordingly formulate our strategies and have a long-term plan for extending our network in such areas. Regular coordination meetings may be prescribed with such bodies at appropriate levels.
(iii) Post Offices which have been covered under Project Arrow/Post Offices functioning in departmental buildings should not be earmarked for relocation. If there are other Post offices in their vicinity the same may be considered for relocation.
(iv) Post Offices paying high rentals, having low volume of transactions and running in losses should be considered for relocation/temporary merger/permanent merger.
(v) Distance from the nearest post office and the business being transacted should be the main criteria for relocation. Merger of Post Offices.
(vi) In addition to relocating post offices from one area to another, we can also create bigger Post Offices, not below the rank of LSG Offices, by merger of several smaller scattered Post Offices. The bigger Post Offices will be well equipped to cater to the latest postal facilities like IMO,eMO,Videsh MO, IMTS etc. These newly created Post Offices will be manned by redeployment of staff/posts from the nearby post offices.
(vii) It may also be considered to reduce the number of delivery Post Offices, which may lead to obviating the need for the nodal delivery system for Speed Post articles as it is not providing to be cost effective. In any case there is a need to strictly follow the norms of the distance of at least 5 KMs between two delivery offices and also that of delivery Post Office in Urban area having a minimum of 7 Postman beats.
(viii) If opening of a post office is justified in an area, but it is not possible to open post office by relocation or under the Plan targets, opening of franchise outlets may be considered for such area.
8. In, view of the above, Circles are requested to take the following action:
(i) Identification of Post Offices which are at lesser distances than that prescribed under norms. In case, more than one Post Offices are not fulfilling the distance norms, Post Office (s) may be earmarked for relocation on the basis of :
(a) Condition of building
(b) Profitability of Post Office
(c) Business of Post Office
(ii) PMsG/CPMsG will interact with all the stakeholders and convince them that relocation and merger would help in providing postal facilities to public and it is in larger public interest.
(iii) Identity needy urban and rural areas where there is justification for new Post Offices.
(iv) Post Offices once indentified as per (i) above, will be relocated /merged This will outside the Plan targets.
9. Circles are requested to complete the exercise in respect of sub para (i),(ii)and (iii) {of para 8) by 31.03.2011 and in respect of sub para(iv){para 8} by 30.06.2011. Circles are also requested to send monthly progress reports of action taken, to this Directorate(proforma enclosed).
10. Since the need for opening of Post Offices in new locations seems to be ever increasing , Circles are also requested to open Post Offices by redeployment of posts/staff from the existing office(s), by curtailing staff strength of the existing offices even to less than the justified workload of the office/offices. This exercise would, however, be subject to Plan targets set by the Directorate. The powers for redeployment of Group 'C' and 'D' posts have already been vested with the HoCs vide Directorate letter No. 2-2/93-PE-I dated 7th of Sep, 1993.Under no circumstances should the surplus posts be abolished.
This issue wit h the approval of the competent authority.
Sd/-
(Anurag Priyadarshee)
Director (R.B)
KEY NOTE ADDRESS MADE BY SRI P.K.GOPINATH ,MEMBER (PERSONNEL) POSTAL SERVICES BOARD ,NEW DELHI AS CHIEF GUEST IN THE ALL INDIA SEMINAR ORGANIZED BY NFPE AT THEKKADY(KERALA) ON 14..2..2011
FUTURE OF THE INDIA POST-CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Dear Colleagues,
As you are aware, Department of Posts has embarked upon the ambitious IT Modernisation Programme- 'India Post 2012'with an objective of transforming the Department into a "Technology Enabled" Self Reliant Market Leader" The Programme envisages computerization and net working of all post offices across the country to facilitate prompt and increased service delivery levels.
For the last 150 years, India Post has been the backbone of India's communication and core of the country's socio-economic development, Significant trends such as liberalization and globalisation, urbarnisation, increased demand for financial services , increased funding by government for weaker sections and rural sector, now require India Post to develop new processes and supporting technology.
The Department, at the present juncture, also faces the twin challenges posed by increasing competition and continuing advances in communication technology, especially mobile technology and the World Wide Web. In order to equip itself with modern technology, providing best in class service delivery to customers, identification of new services and business areas and improving operational efficiency, India Post intends to engage in an end to end India Post 2012 project..
The Department has undertaken computerization of Post Offices under two phases in the current plan. Under the 1st Phase approval of Government was obtained in February, 2009 for computerization and networking of all post offices up to double handed level, up gradation of hardware in the post office which were supplied with computers in the 9th Plan, computerization of the administrative officers, setting up of project management unit for managing the IT project etc. So far more than 16000 Post Offices are computerized and provided with connectivity.
Under Phase-II of computerization, the need was felt to create comprehensive solutions for all products and solutions and to create IT infrastructure. The project "INDIA POST 2012' also envisages computerization of all the non-computerized Post Office in the country including GDS Post Offices phased over the financial years 2010-11,2011-12 and 2012-13.
The project has the following components:
● It will establish IT infrastructure of Data Centre and Disaster Recovery Centre and networking of all Post Offices including Branch Posts Offices in the rural area..
● The project envisages development of integrated modular scalable applications for mail, banking, postal life insurance and solutions for accounts and HR operations of the Department.
● The rural post offices will be provided with rural ICT devices with required applications for performing postal, banking, insurance, retail operations can connect to the central server in
on line/offline mode.
● Provision for training , changes management, capacity building of the employees of the department along with setting up of the Project Management Units at Department, Circle, Region and Division levels for smooth and timely implementation of the project.
Project management and implementation follows a 4-tier structure:
● Department Level PMU
● Circle Level PMU(22)
● Region Level PMU(37)
● Division Level PMU(511) (Including RMS Divisions)
The RFPs are under process to select the vendors who will help the Department in development of the software and establishing the IT infrastructure .All single handed Pos are proposed to be computerized this year.
This programme will deliver benefits across multiple dimensions like:
100% of our post offices will be computerized or connected
There will be a radical increase in access to financial protection in rural in rural area (e.g. Rural post life insurance).
There will be a significant enhancement in revenue growth.
Multitude of products will be improved and new products will be launched (e.g.egovernace, Rural ICT)
The rural customer experience shall be re-engineered.
Our service delivery levels will increase substantially.
This programme will benefit the employees of India Post in various ways too:
Employees will have an opportunity to learn, build and enhance new skills and expertise.
There will be a reduction in manual and enhanced productively level.
Employees will be able to deliver enhanced IT enabled services to their customers leading to a significant reduction in customer complaints.
This programme will help in improving employees engagement and empowerment.
Will give the employees and opportunity to work in an innovation based culture.
Lastly but not the least India Post employees will be proud to be part of a growing and vibrant organization.
As you are aware, India Post has a large employee base, spread across the country. The changes will impact all operational units of the network, in a number of operations and administrative units with new management system. The Circles, Regions, Divisions and Post Offices will be dealing with implementation of multiple solutions. Major and medium size post offices will be implementing a number of solutions. The accounting and administrative units will be involved in new management systems. The change leadership has to be very high across organization and levels to handle these multiple changessimpacting almost allmajor cadre of the organization. Therefore, it will be necessary to engage employees from all levels to induct the changes.
Following issues assume importance:
● Capacity building-Existing capacity redeployment and additional capacity building is an important component.
● The existing training infrastructure will need to be augmented to cope with the skilling and deskilling activities.
● Computer literacy at all levels will need to be ensured particularly the GDSs.
● Modernisation and Investment in Customer facing solutions will demand commutation, education and support services. In addition the customer facing workforce will need to be knowledgeable about products and should have very strong customer facing skills.
● Ongoing performance support and training.
The Department proposes to run a massive Change management plan to meet these challenges.
Your role is critical to the success of this Programme and we look forward to your fullest cooperation. We look forward to your continued support participation to make this a success.
Thank you.
FUTURE OF THE INDIA POST-CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Dear Colleagues,
As you are aware, Department of Posts has embarked upon the ambitious IT Modernisation Programme- 'India Post 2012'with an objective of transforming the Department into a "Technology Enabled" Self Reliant Market Leader" The Programme envisages computerization and net working of all post offices across the country to facilitate prompt and increased service delivery levels.
For the last 150 years, India Post has been the backbone of India's communication and core of the country's socio-economic development, Significant trends such as liberalization and globalisation, urbarnisation, increased demand for financial services , increased funding by government for weaker sections and rural sector, now require India Post to develop new processes and supporting technology.
The Department, at the present juncture, also faces the twin challenges posed by increasing competition and continuing advances in communication technology, especially mobile technology and the World Wide Web. In order to equip itself with modern technology, providing best in class service delivery to customers, identification of new services and business areas and improving operational efficiency, India Post intends to engage in an end to end India Post 2012 project..
The Department has undertaken computerization of Post Offices under two phases in the current plan. Under the 1st Phase approval of Government was obtained in February, 2009 for computerization and networking of all post offices up to double handed level, up gradation of hardware in the post office which were supplied with computers in the 9th Plan, computerization of the administrative officers, setting up of project management unit for managing the IT project etc. So far more than 16000 Post Offices are computerized and provided with connectivity.
Under Phase-II of computerization, the need was felt to create comprehensive solutions for all products and solutions and to create IT infrastructure. The project "INDIA POST 2012' also envisages computerization of all the non-computerized Post Office in the country including GDS Post Offices phased over the financial years 2010-11,2011-12 and 2012-13.
The project has the following components:
● It will establish IT infrastructure of Data Centre and Disaster Recovery Centre and networking of all Post Offices including Branch Posts Offices in the rural area..
● The project envisages development of integrated modular scalable applications for mail, banking, postal life insurance and solutions for accounts and HR operations of the Department.
● The rural post offices will be provided with rural ICT devices with required applications for performing postal, banking, insurance, retail operations can connect to the central server in
on line/offline mode.
● Provision for training , changes management, capacity building of the employees of the department along with setting up of the Project Management Units at Department, Circle, Region and Division levels for smooth and timely implementation of the project.
Project management and implementation follows a 4-tier structure:
● Department Level PMU
● Circle Level PMU(22)
● Region Level PMU(37)
● Division Level PMU(511) (Including RMS Divisions)
The RFPs are under process to select the vendors who will help the Department in development of the software and establishing the IT infrastructure .All single handed Pos are proposed to be computerized this year.
This programme will deliver benefits across multiple dimensions like:
100% of our post offices will be computerized or connected
There will be a radical increase in access to financial protection in rural in rural area (e.g. Rural post life insurance).
There will be a significant enhancement in revenue growth.
Multitude of products will be improved and new products will be launched (e.g.egovernace, Rural ICT)
The rural customer experience shall be re-engineered.
Our service delivery levels will increase substantially.
This programme will benefit the employees of India Post in various ways too:
Employees will have an opportunity to learn, build and enhance new skills and expertise.
There will be a reduction in manual and enhanced productively level.
Employees will be able to deliver enhanced IT enabled services to their customers leading to a significant reduction in customer complaints.
This programme will help in improving employees engagement and empowerment.
Will give the employees and opportunity to work in an innovation based culture.
Lastly but not the least India Post employees will be proud to be part of a growing and vibrant organization.
As you are aware, India Post has a large employee base, spread across the country. The changes will impact all operational units of the network, in a number of operations and administrative units with new management system. The Circles, Regions, Divisions and Post Offices will be dealing with implementation of multiple solutions. Major and medium size post offices will be implementing a number of solutions. The accounting and administrative units will be involved in new management systems. The change leadership has to be very high across organization and levels to handle these multiple changessimpacting almost allmajor cadre of the organization. Therefore, it will be necessary to engage employees from all levels to induct the changes.
Following issues assume importance:
● Capacity building-Existing capacity redeployment and additional capacity building is an important component.
● The existing training infrastructure will need to be augmented to cope with the skilling and deskilling activities.
● Computer literacy at all levels will need to be ensured particularly the GDSs.
● Modernisation and Investment in Customer facing solutions will demand commutation, education and support services. In addition the customer facing workforce will need to be knowledgeable about products and should have very strong customer facing skills.
● Ongoing performance support and training.
The Department proposes to run a massive Change management plan to meet these challenges.
Your role is critical to the success of this Programme and we look forward to your fullest cooperation. We look forward to your continued support participation to make this a success.
Thank you.
INFORMATION SOUGHT UNDER RTI ACT 2005 ON MAKING THE POSTMEN ENTRIES IN MS 27 IN CONNECTION ENSUING POSTMEN EXAMINATION TO BE HELD ON 06-03-2011
REPLY RECIEVED FROM PMG VIJAYWADA FORWORDING REPRESENTATION TO CIRCLE OFFICE HYDERABAD
MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED TO HON'BLE MINISTER NEW DELHI
To
Shri Kapil Sibal Jee,
Hon'ble Minister for Communications & IT
Government of India
Electronic Niketan, 6 CGO Complex,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110001
MEMORANDUM
Respected Sir,
Most respectfully we are submitting herewith a memorandum on most urgent and pressing problems of the Gramin Dak Sevak employees for your kind perusal.
The Department of Posts is the only department of the Government of India where there is a special category of employees working called Gramin Dak Sevaks. In fact the Gramin Dak Sevaks are the backbone of the postal department. The postal functions rendered at the nook and corner villages of the country covering 74% of population by the Gramin Dak Sevaks are of high order and quality. Almost every postal service i.e. M.N.R.E.G.S., Postal Life Insurance ( P.L.I/R.P.L.I) old age pension is provided in one or the other way at the Branch offices manned by the Gramin Dak Sevaks. The GDS officials are working more than ten hours a day to serve effectively to the villagers. But they are getting wages only for three to five hours work. Unfortunately, most of the facilities granted by the department to the departmental employees are denied to these low paid poor employees where as the duties, services, functions, risks and responsibilities of the G.D.S employees are similar and equal to those of departmental employees.
We, on behalf of the three lakhs of GDS employees urge your goodself to take necessary action to grant status/Regularisation as Government servant to GDS employees.
The Hon'ble supreme court of India in its land mark judgment dated 22-04-1977 has hold that the Extra Departmental agents (now Gramin Dak Sevaks) are holders of civil post.
ACP promotion or financial upgradation to GDS, Medical benefit, HRA for Urban GDS, All leave facilities, Grade pay, 3% increment at par with regular employees, Rs.3500/- ceiling as bonus, removal of tightening of norms for GDSBPMs, SDA and Uttarakhand allowance and all trade union facilities to GDS union may be kindly granted.
We once again respectfully crave your indulgence for judicious settlement of the issues.
Shri Kapil Sibal Jee,
Hon'ble Minister for Communications & IT
Government of India
Electronic Niketan, 6 CGO Complex,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110001
MEMORANDUM
Respected Sir,
Most respectfully we are submitting herewith a memorandum on most urgent and pressing problems of the Gramin Dak Sevak employees for your kind perusal.
The Department of Posts is the only department of the Government of India where there is a special category of employees working called Gramin Dak Sevaks. In fact the Gramin Dak Sevaks are the backbone of the postal department. The postal functions rendered at the nook and corner villages of the country covering 74% of population by the Gramin Dak Sevaks are of high order and quality. Almost every postal service i.e. M.N.R.E.G.S., Postal Life Insurance ( P.L.I/R.P.L.I) old age pension is provided in one or the other way at the Branch offices manned by the Gramin Dak Sevaks. The GDS officials are working more than ten hours a day to serve effectively to the villagers. But they are getting wages only for three to five hours work. Unfortunately, most of the facilities granted by the department to the departmental employees are denied to these low paid poor employees where as the duties, services, functions, risks and responsibilities of the G.D.S employees are similar and equal to those of departmental employees.
We, on behalf of the three lakhs of GDS employees urge your goodself to take necessary action to grant status/Regularisation as Government servant to GDS employees.
The Hon'ble supreme court of India in its land mark judgment dated 22-04-1977 has hold that the Extra Departmental agents (now Gramin Dak Sevaks) are holders of civil post.
ACP promotion or financial upgradation to GDS, Medical benefit, HRA for Urban GDS, All leave facilities, Grade pay, 3% increment at par with regular employees, Rs.3500/- ceiling as bonus, removal of tightening of norms for GDSBPMs, SDA and Uttarakhand allowance and all trade union facilities to GDS union may be kindly granted.
We once again respectfully crave your indulgence for judicious settlement of the issues.
MEMORANDUM SUBMITED TO HON'BLE SPEAKER (LOK SABHA)
GDS/CHQ/4/1/2011 Dated: 23.02.2011
To
Smt. Meera Kumar Jee,
Hon'ble Speaker (Lok Sabha)
Parliament House,
New Delhi-110001
MEMORANDUM
Respected Madam,
We venture to draw your benign attention and through you the kind attention of the parliament, the highest temple of democracy, towards the plight of the Gramin Dak Sevaks of the Department of posts, by way of this memorandum.
The Department of Posts is the only department of the Government of India where there is a special category of employees working called Gramin Dak Sevaks. In fact the Gramin Dak Sevaks are the backbone of the postal department. The postal functions rendered at the nook and corner villages of the country covering 74% of population by the Gramin Dak Sevaks are of high order and quality. Almost every postal service i.e. M.N.R.E.G.S., Postal Life Insurance (P.L.I/R.P.L.I), old age pension is provided in one or the other way at the Branch offices manned by the Gramin Dak Sevaks. The GDS officials are working more than ten hours a day to serve effectively to the villagers. But they are getting wages only for three to five hours work. Unfortunately, most of the facilities granted by the department to the departmental employees are denied to these low paid poor employees where as the duties, services, functions, risks and responsibilities of the G.D.S employees are similar and equal to those of departmental employees.
We, on behalf of the three lakhs of GDS employees urge your goodself to take necessary action to grant status/Regularisation as Government servant to GDS employees.
The Hon'ble supreme court of India in its land mark judgment dated 22-04-1977 has hold that the Extra Departmental agents (now Gramin Dak Sevaks) are holders of civil post.
ACP promotion or financial upgradation to GDS, Medical benefit, HRA for Urban GDS, All leave facilities, Grade pay, 3% increment at par with regular employees, Rs.3500/- ceiling as bonus, removal of tightening of norms for GDSBPMs, SDA and Uttarakhand allowance and all trade union facilities to GDS union may be kindly granted.
We, therefore, most respectfully solicit your kind intervention and advice to Government to accept our genuine demand.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Filling up of GDS Posts – Latest Faverouble Directerate Orders-No Need to refer HOC Recent guidelines
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
(GDS Section)
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi – 110001
No. 17-103/2007-GDS Dated – 17.02.2011
To,
All Chief Postmasters General
All Postmasters General
Subject: - Filling up of GDS posts in Branch Post Offices – review of guidelines regarding
Sir/Madam,
I am directed to invite attention to Directorate letters No. even dated 14th Jul 2009 and 29th Dec 2010 on the subject cited above.
2. Para 2 (ii) of this Directorate letter dated 14th July 2009 provided that the vacant posts of GDs in branch offices with two or more hands may be filled up on the basis of triennial review already carried out and in case the prescribed workload and financial parameters as prescribed for opening of a branch office are not fulfilled but the posts are required to be filled up for operational reasons then the approval of the Chief PMG will be required with concurrence of circle IFA. It was also provided in Para 2(i) of the said communication, that GDS vacant posts in BOs with a single establishment be filled up straight away and the permission was granted to the concerned Divisional head.
3. The above provisions were further reviewed and modified. It was prescribed vide this Directorate letter dated 29 Dec 2010 that the vacant posts of GD BPM may be filled up by adjusting the surplus GDS fulfilling the prescribed qualification and other prescribed conditions failing which action may be taken in advance to fill the vacant post of GDs BPM on a regular basis following the prescribed procedure and following other conditions prescribed under letter dated 4 Jul 2009.
4. Despite issue of above instructions, it has been brought to the notice of this office, that, the Posts of Branch Postmasters are not being filled up immediately, and they are allowed to be managed by additional charge or kept under combined duties, affecting the quality of service. The issue has been considered and competent Authority has decided that the vacant post of GDs BPMs, in Branch offices (irrespective of the number borne on establishment) be filled up by Head of the Division without reference to HOC immediately after its falling vacant initiating action in advance by adopting the following methods: -
(i) By appointment of surplus identified GDs fulfilling the conditions; failing which
(ii) By combination of the duties of GDS in the same BO, provide the combined work load does not exceed five hours: failing which
(iii) By recruitment of outsiders by observing the selection process.
However, the approval of the Head of the Circle shall continue to be obtained for filling up of other categories of GDS which are not justified by workload/financial parameter, but the post is to be filled dup for operational reasons.
4. These orders shall come into effect from the date of issue of the order. This issues with the approval of competent authority.
Yours faithfully,
(Surender Kumar)
Assistant Director General (GDS/PCC)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
chalo parliament
The following GDS officials from Gudur division have been left to New Delhi to participate in Historic march to parliament on 23-02-2011.
1. Com D.S.B.Purushotham, Divl Secretary
2.K.B.Narayana, Hon'ble President
3. K.Penchalaiah, Vice President
4. V.Madhavaiah, Supreme counsiler
5. M.Hussain Babu, Advisory board member
6. G.R.K.Murthy,Member
7. N.Penchalaiah, Member
1. Com D.S.B.Purushotham, Divl Secretary
2.K.B.Narayana, Hon'ble President
3. K.Penchalaiah, Vice President
4. V.Madhavaiah, Supreme counsiler
5. M.Hussain Babu, Advisory board member
6. G.R.K.Murthy,Member
7. N.Penchalaiah, Member
CENTRAL EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME
Central Government Employees and Pensioners Health Insurance Scheme The Central Government is contemplating introduction of a health insurance scheme for the central government employees and pensioners on pan – India basis, in consultation with other concerned Ministries/Departments. However, no time frame can be given at this stage for its introduction. This information was given by Minister of Health & Family Welfare Sh. Ghulam Nabi Azad in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
Source: PIB
Source: PIB
CIVIL SERVANTS TO GET INCENTIVES ON PERFORMANCE
New Delhi: Six weeks or so from now, civil servants in Central ministries and departments that signed on to the Results Framework Document (RFD), initiated by the Cabinet Secretariat, will, for the first time, begin receiving performance-related incentives, government sources indicated. These annual performance-related incentives will, of course, depend on whether the concerned civil servants have scored well over 70 per cent in the evaluation scheme, and there could be as much as 40 per cent increase of the basic pay for the top scorers, it is learnt. However, the payments will not require any additional financial allocations as they will come out of the savings made by the ministry or department itself.
When the scheme starts rolling later this year, it will be 22 years after the Fourth Pay Commission first made such a promise. The reason why it was not possible to implement this before, government sources said, was because there was no way to measure performance before the RFD scheme was designed. The RFD initially met with a great deal of resistance from the civil service as it would entail listing goals, then working towards achieving them and at the end of the year quantifying how those goals had been achieved through a weighted system evolved by the ministry or department concerned. Finally, the secretary of that department will have to justify the evaluation before a panel of experts before it is finalised.
Interestingly, when the government launches the scheme in the coming financial year, officials of some key ministries will be excluded from the possible benefits, because they have not as yet signed on to the RFD. These include the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministries of Finance, Home, Defence and External Affairs, among others. Government sources said they hoped that once the incentives began to be paid, these ministries and departments too would sign up.
The RFD's objective is to improve governance, increase efficiency, transparency and accountability — especially the last two, given the spate of financial scandals in the government recently — and the Performance Management Division of the Cabinet Secretariat will write to all ministries and departments to list three potential areas of corruption in the schemes they implement or areas they work in, as well as identify the discretionary powers that are enjoyed by the Minister or secretary concerned.
When the scheme starts rolling later this year, it will be 22 years after the Fourth Pay Commission first made such a promise. The reason why it was not possible to implement this before, government sources said, was because there was no way to measure performance before the RFD scheme was designed. The RFD initially met with a great deal of resistance from the civil service as it would entail listing goals, then working towards achieving them and at the end of the year quantifying how those goals had been achieved through a weighted system evolved by the ministry or department concerned. Finally, the secretary of that department will have to justify the evaluation before a panel of experts before it is finalised.
Interestingly, when the government launches the scheme in the coming financial year, officials of some key ministries will be excluded from the possible benefits, because they have not as yet signed on to the RFD. These include the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministries of Finance, Home, Defence and External Affairs, among others. Government sources said they hoped that once the incentives began to be paid, these ministries and departments too would sign up.
The RFD's objective is to improve governance, increase efficiency, transparency and accountability — especially the last two, given the spate of financial scandals in the government recently — and the Performance Management Division of the Cabinet Secretariat will write to all ministries and departments to list three potential areas of corruption in the schemes they implement or areas they work in, as well as identify the discretionary powers that are enjoyed by the Minister or secretary concerned.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Directorate letter on Service Discharge Benefit Scheme
File No.6-11/2009-PE-II Dated: 14-02-2011
Sub:Operationalisation of Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS) for Gramin Dak Sevaks.
Sir/Madam,
In continuation of this office letter of even no. dated 09-02-2011, it is intimated that the applications submitted by the Collection Centers for registration with the Central Record Keeping Agency of PFRDA were processed and submitted to National Security Depository Limited (NSDL), Mumbai for registration and assigning the number.
2. The NSDL has communicated the Registration Nos. of the Collection Centers for the Department. The number assigned to Collection Centers of the divisions in your Circle is furnished in the enclosure. The Registration Nos. may be communicated to the respective Collection Centers for record and further action for submission of application of GDS to Facilitation centers.
3. The NSDL has brought to the notice of this office that only 43000 applications have been received by them and many of the Collection Centers have retained the applications of Gramin Dak Sevaks who have opted to join the Scheme with their offices only as the Facilitation Centers did not accept the applications for want of Registration Nos. assigned to Collection Centers and Account Offices.
4. Consequent on the registration of Collection Centers as well as Account Offices, the Divisional Heads may be requested for scrutinizing the applications once again as per the check-list prescribed and re-submit the applications to the respective Facilitation Centers indicating the Collection Center Registration No. and Account Office Registration No. at the end of each every application and also attesting the particulars furnished by the applicant will signature and rubber stamp of the Divisional Head.
5. For registration of the beneficiaries with Central Record Keeping Agency, the know your customer procedure is very essential, however, the Department has clarified that since the particulars furnished by the beneficiaries (GDS) are attested by the Controlling Officers, no further KYC procedure is requires. This view has been confirmed by the PFRDA under whose guidance the scheme is being operationalised. Therefore, it is very essential that the Divisional Head representing the Collection Centers should certify the particulars at the end of the application with his dated signature and also impression of the rubber stamp. Furnishing the AO registration no. and CC registration no. is mandatory. The applications of the beneficiaries should be bundled in each set of 50 applications and sent to Facilitation Center with a covering letter.
6. The points of check to be observed while forwarding the applications of the beneficiaries is furnished in the enclosure for strict observance.
7. As the scheme is to be operationalised before 01-04-2011, the Circle is requested to ensure for submission of all the applications of GDS who opted to join the scheme to the Collection Centers for registration and generation of Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN).8. TOP PRIORITY may be accorded for this item of work.
Yours faithfully,
(A.K. Sharma)
Dy. Director General(Estt.)
Sub:Operationalisation of Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS) for Gramin Dak Sevaks.
Sir/Madam,
In continuation of this office letter of even no. dated 09-02-2011, it is intimated that the applications submitted by the Collection Centers for registration with the Central Record Keeping Agency of PFRDA were processed and submitted to National Security Depository Limited (NSDL), Mumbai for registration and assigning the number.
2. The NSDL has communicated the Registration Nos. of the Collection Centers for the Department. The number assigned to Collection Centers of the divisions in your Circle is furnished in the enclosure. The Registration Nos. may be communicated to the respective Collection Centers for record and further action for submission of application of GDS to Facilitation centers.
3. The NSDL has brought to the notice of this office that only 43000 applications have been received by them and many of the Collection Centers have retained the applications of Gramin Dak Sevaks who have opted to join the Scheme with their offices only as the Facilitation Centers did not accept the applications for want of Registration Nos. assigned to Collection Centers and Account Offices.
4. Consequent on the registration of Collection Centers as well as Account Offices, the Divisional Heads may be requested for scrutinizing the applications once again as per the check-list prescribed and re-submit the applications to the respective Facilitation Centers indicating the Collection Center Registration No. and Account Office Registration No. at the end of each every application and also attesting the particulars furnished by the applicant will signature and rubber stamp of the Divisional Head.
5. For registration of the beneficiaries with Central Record Keeping Agency, the know your customer procedure is very essential, however, the Department has clarified that since the particulars furnished by the beneficiaries (GDS) are attested by the Controlling Officers, no further KYC procedure is requires. This view has been confirmed by the PFRDA under whose guidance the scheme is being operationalised. Therefore, it is very essential that the Divisional Head representing the Collection Centers should certify the particulars at the end of the application with his dated signature and also impression of the rubber stamp. Furnishing the AO registration no. and CC registration no. is mandatory. The applications of the beneficiaries should be bundled in each set of 50 applications and sent to Facilitation Center with a covering letter.
6. The points of check to be observed while forwarding the applications of the beneficiaries is furnished in the enclosure for strict observance.
7. As the scheme is to be operationalised before 01-04-2011, the Circle is requested to ensure for submission of all the applications of GDS who opted to join the scheme to the Collection Centers for registration and generation of Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN).8. TOP PRIORITY may be accorded for this item of work.
Yours faithfully,
(A.K. Sharma)
Dy. Director General(Estt.)
Friday, February 18, 2011
ఆహాà°° à°§్à°¯ాà°¨్à°¯ాà°² ధరల à°ªై à°ª్à°°à°ªంà°š à°¬్à°¯ాంà°•ు à°µిà°¶్à°²ేà°·à°£ - à°µాà°°్à°¤
World Bank: Food prices at critical levels
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- World Bank President Robert Zoellick said food prices are reaching unprecedented levels around the globe and contributing to unrest in the Middle East.
"It's poor people who are now facing incredible pressure to feed themselves and their families," Zoellick said in a statement Tuesday, calling for nations to coordinate efforts to bring food prices down.
"The price hike is already pushing millions of people into poverty and putting stress on the most vulnerable, who spend more than half their income on food."
In the Middle East, food prices were "an aggravating factor," he said, contributing to recent unrest in Tunisia and Egypt.
Between June and January, global wheat prices have doubled, the World Bank said. Corn prices have surged 73 percent in the same period. Prices for sugar and edible oils also have risen "sharply," the bank said.
On the positive side, price increases for rice "have been moderate and the outlook for the rice market appears stable," the bank said.
In addition, "Good harvests in many African countries have kept prices stable especially for maize, a key staple," the bank said.
The World Bank said its Global Agriculture and Food Security Program had distributed $321 million in grants to eight countries -- Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Haiti, Mongolia, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Togo. Six countries and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation had pledged $925 million to the program.
The bank said it also was increasing its spending on agriculture from $4.1 billion in 2008 to $6 billion to $8 billion.
Forty impoverished nations are receiving agricultural assistance to help with funding for improved seeds, equipment and irrigation projects, the bank said.
ఆహాà°° à°§ాà°¨్à°¯ాà°² à°•ొà°°à°¤, ధరల à°ªెà°°ుà°—ుదలపై à°ª్à°°à°ªంà°š à°¬్à°¯ాంà°•ు à°†ంà°¦ోళన à°µ్యక్à°¤ం à°šేà°¸ినది. à°šాà°² à°¦ేà°¶ాలలో à°¦ీà°¨ి వలన à°ª్రజలలో à°¤ీà°µ్à°° à°…à°¸ంà°¤ృà°ª్à°¤ి à°µుà°¨్నట్à°²ు సమాà°šాà°°ం. ధరల à°ªెà°°ుà°—ుదల, à°•ొà°°à°¤ వలన à°šాà°²ా à°¦ేà°¶ాలలో à°ªేà°¦ à°ª్రజలు à°•ుà°Ÿుంà°¬ à°ªోà°·à°£ à°ాà°°à°®ైనది. à°•ోà°Ÿ్à°²ాà°¦ి à°®ంà°¦ి à°ªేదరిà°•ంà°²ోà°•ి à°¨ేà°Ÿ్టబడడమేà°•ాà°•ుంà°¡ా à°µాà°°ి ఆదాయముà°²ో సగం à°ªైà°—ా ఆహాà°°ాà°¨ిà°•ే à°µిà°¨ిà°¯ోà°—ింà°š వలసి వస్à°¤ుà°¨్నది. à°ˆ పరిà°¸్à°¤ిà°¤ులనుంà°¡ి బయట పడడాà°¨ిà°•ి à°•ోà°Ÿ్à°²ాà°¦ి à°°ూà°ªాయల à°ª్à°°à°£ాà°³ిà°•à°¤ో పలు à°¦ేà°¶ాలలో à°ª్à°°à°ªంà°š à°¬్à°¯ాంà°•ు తన à°•ాà°°్యక్à°°à°®ాà°²ు à°šేపడుà°¤ుà°¨్నది.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- World Bank President Robert Zoellick said food prices are reaching unprecedented levels around the globe and contributing to unrest in the Middle East.
"It's poor people who are now facing incredible pressure to feed themselves and their families," Zoellick said in a statement Tuesday, calling for nations to coordinate efforts to bring food prices down.
"The price hike is already pushing millions of people into poverty and putting stress on the most vulnerable, who spend more than half their income on food."
In the Middle East, food prices were "an aggravating factor," he said, contributing to recent unrest in Tunisia and Egypt.
Between June and January, global wheat prices have doubled, the World Bank said. Corn prices have surged 73 percent in the same period. Prices for sugar and edible oils also have risen "sharply," the bank said.
On the positive side, price increases for rice "have been moderate and the outlook for the rice market appears stable," the bank said.
In addition, "Good harvests in many African countries have kept prices stable especially for maize, a key staple," the bank said.
The World Bank said its Global Agriculture and Food Security Program had distributed $321 million in grants to eight countries -- Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Haiti, Mongolia, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Togo. Six countries and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation had pledged $925 million to the program.
The bank said it also was increasing its spending on agriculture from $4.1 billion in 2008 to $6 billion to $8 billion.
Forty impoverished nations are receiving agricultural assistance to help with funding for improved seeds, equipment and irrigation projects, the bank said.
ఆహాà°° à°§ాà°¨్à°¯ాà°² à°•ొà°°à°¤, ధరల à°ªెà°°ుà°—ుదలపై à°ª్à°°à°ªంà°š à°¬్à°¯ాంà°•ు à°†ంà°¦ోళన à°µ్యక్à°¤ం à°šేà°¸ినది. à°šాà°² à°¦ేà°¶ాలలో à°¦ీà°¨ి వలన à°ª్రజలలో à°¤ీà°µ్à°° à°…à°¸ంà°¤ృà°ª్à°¤ి à°µుà°¨్నట్à°²ు సమాà°šాà°°ం. ధరల à°ªెà°°ుà°—ుదల, à°•ొà°°à°¤ వలన à°šాà°²ా à°¦ేà°¶ాలలో à°ªేà°¦ à°ª్రజలు à°•ుà°Ÿుంà°¬ à°ªోà°·à°£ à°ాà°°à°®ైనది. à°•ోà°Ÿ్à°²ాà°¦ి à°®ంà°¦ి à°ªేదరిà°•ంà°²ోà°•ి à°¨ేà°Ÿ్టబడడమేà°•ాà°•ుంà°¡ా à°µాà°°ి ఆదాయముà°²ో సగం à°ªైà°—ా ఆహాà°°ాà°¨ిà°•ే à°µిà°¨ిà°¯ోà°—ింà°š వలసి వస్à°¤ుà°¨్నది. à°ˆ పరిà°¸్à°¤ిà°¤ులనుంà°¡ి బయట పడడాà°¨ిà°•ి à°•ోà°Ÿ్à°²ాà°¦ి à°°ూà°ªాయల à°ª్à°°à°£ాà°³ిà°•à°¤ో పలు à°¦ేà°¶ాలలో à°ª్à°°à°ªంà°š à°¬్à°¯ాంà°•ు తన à°•ాà°°్యక్à°°à°®ాà°²ు à°šేపడుà°¤ుà°¨్నది.
DOP,SBI TIE UP FOR BANKING SERVICES--NEWS
SBI TO SET UP POSTMEN AS BCS FOR RURAL PENETRATION
The largest lender of the country, State Bank of India and Indian Postal Department have joined hands in carrying forward the idea of taking banking to rural areas. As a result of the tie up, postmen will act as business correspondents (BCs) for SBI acting across 12000 villages.
Villagers in these areas have no experience in banking so far. BCs will act to offer small credit as well as remittance facilities to the villagers.
"To meet this intiative a tie-up with India Post will be a great advantage," a senior SBI official said. SBI aims to reach out to 12,492 villages by 2012.
Indian postal department has a network of more than 1.5 lakh branches. The extensive reach of the postal department was compelling the government since long to enter into tie ups of similar kind, said an official of the finance ministry.
"We have encouraged banks to explore similar tie-ups to speed up the financial inclusion agenda," he said.
A senior postal department official said, "India Post, or its employees, are undoubtedly the most reliable partners for any bank."
à°—్à°°ాà°® à°ª్à°°ాంà°¤ాలలో à°¬్à°¯ాంà°•ింà°—్ à°¸ేవలు à°µిà°¸్తరింà°ª à°œేà°¸ుà°•ోవడాà°¨ిà°•ి "à°¸్à°Ÿేà°Ÿ్ à°¬్à°¯ాంà°•ు ఆఫ్ à°‡ంà°¡ిà°¯ా " తపాà°² à°¶ాà°–à°¤ో à°’à°ª్à°ªంà°¦ం à°•ుà°¦ుà°°్à°šుà°•ోà°¨ుà°¨్నట్à°²ు à°µాà°°్à°¤. à°ªోà°¸్à°Ÿ్ à°®ాà°¨్ à°¬ిà°œిà°¨ెà°¸్ à°•à°°à°¸్à°ªాంà°¡ెంà°Ÿ్ à°—ా పని à°šేయవలసి à°µుంà°Ÿుంà°¦ి. à°¸ుà°®ాà°°ు 12,000 à°—్à°°ాà°®ాలలో à°ª్à°°à°•్à°°ిà°¯ à°ª్à°°ాà°°ంà°ింà°š బడుà°¤ుంà°¦ి. తపాà°² à°¨ెà°Ÿ్ వర్à°•్ à°¦్à°µాà°°ా à°Žà°Ÿుà°µంà°Ÿి à°¬్à°¯ాంà°•ింà°—్ à°•ాà°°్యకలాà°ªాà°² à°¨ైà°¨ా à°¨ిà°°్వర్à°¤ింà°š గలమని à°…à°§ిà°•ాà°°ుà°²ు à°¤ెà°²ియజేà°¶ాà°°ు.
The largest lender of the country, State Bank of India and Indian Postal Department have joined hands in carrying forward the idea of taking banking to rural areas. As a result of the tie up, postmen will act as business correspondents (BCs) for SBI acting across 12000 villages.
Villagers in these areas have no experience in banking so far. BCs will act to offer small credit as well as remittance facilities to the villagers.
"To meet this intiative a tie-up with India Post will be a great advantage," a senior SBI official said. SBI aims to reach out to 12,492 villages by 2012.
Indian postal department has a network of more than 1.5 lakh branches. The extensive reach of the postal department was compelling the government since long to enter into tie ups of similar kind, said an official of the finance ministry.
"We have encouraged banks to explore similar tie-ups to speed up the financial inclusion agenda," he said.
A senior postal department official said, "India Post, or its employees, are undoubtedly the most reliable partners for any bank."
à°—్à°°ాà°® à°ª్à°°ాంà°¤ాలలో à°¬్à°¯ాంà°•ింà°—్ à°¸ేవలు à°µిà°¸్తరింà°ª à°œేà°¸ుà°•ోవడాà°¨ిà°•ి "à°¸్à°Ÿేà°Ÿ్ à°¬్à°¯ాంà°•ు ఆఫ్ à°‡ంà°¡ిà°¯ా " తపాà°² à°¶ాà°–à°¤ో à°’à°ª్à°ªంà°¦ం à°•ుà°¦ుà°°్à°šుà°•ోà°¨ుà°¨్నట్à°²ు à°µాà°°్à°¤. à°ªోà°¸్à°Ÿ్ à°®ాà°¨్ à°¬ిà°œిà°¨ెà°¸్ à°•à°°à°¸్à°ªాంà°¡ెంà°Ÿ్ à°—ా పని à°šేయవలసి à°µుంà°Ÿుంà°¦ి. à°¸ుà°®ాà°°ు 12,000 à°—్à°°ాà°®ాలలో à°ª్à°°à°•్à°°ిà°¯ à°ª్à°°ాà°°ంà°ింà°š బడుà°¤ుంà°¦ి. తపాà°² à°¨ెà°Ÿ్ వర్à°•్ à°¦్à°µాà°°ా à°Žà°Ÿుà°µంà°Ÿి à°¬్à°¯ాంà°•ింà°—్ à°•ాà°°్యకలాà°ªాà°² à°¨ైà°¨ా à°¨ిà°°్వర్à°¤ింà°š గలమని à°…à°§ిà°•ాà°°ుà°²ు à°¤ెà°²ియజేà°¶ాà°°ు.
à°ªోà°¸్à°Ÿ్ à°®ాà°¸్à°Ÿà°°్ à°•ేà°¡ెà°°్ - à°¤ాà°œా సమాà°šాà°°ం
à°ªోà°¸్à°Ÿ్ à°®ాà°¸్à°Ÿà°°్ à°•ేà°¡à°°్ à°²ోà°¨ి à°–ాà°³ీà°²ు à°à°°్à°¤ీ à°šేయడాà°¨ిà°•ి à°¡ిà°ªాà°°్à°Ÿుà°®ెంà°Ÿు ఉత్తర్à°µుà°²ు à°œాà°°ి à°šేà°¸ినది.
à°ªూà°°్à°¤ి à°µివరాలకు :
> www.indiapost.gov.in<
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No.4- 17/2008-SPB-II, dated 7/8 February, 2011.
à°®ిà°—ిà°²ిà°¨ à°µివరాà°²ు à°¤్వరలో à°¤ెà°²ుà°—ుà°²ో à°…ందజేయగలము.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
THIRD MEETING OF NATIONAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 15-2-011
CONF/3/2011 Dated: 16.02.2011
Dear Comrade,
The third meeting of the National Anomaly Committee was held on 15/02/2011. The following items were taken up for discussion. No final decision on any item could be arrived at. It was more or less an exercise to understand the points of view of both sides on these items. We shall in our next communication indicate the outcome of discussion on each item.
Item Nos. 11, 12&13, 14, 20, 28,29&30, 31,37, 38,39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50 and 51.
During the discussion the Staff brought to the notice of the official side that the issues pertaining to the employees of Andaman and Nicobar islands, which were taken out of the agenda on the plea that the same would be discussed separately by a Committee to be set up by the Andaman Administration have not been settled. The NGO Association of A & N Islands have brought to the notice of the staff side that the A & N Administration has not taken any steps to resolve the problems even though similar issues pertaining to the employees of Pondicherry and Delhi were settled. The Official side has promised to take up the issue with the concerned in the Home Ministry to ensure that the issues are addressed expeditiously.
The official side has in the Action Taken State has indicated their inability to concede the demand raised by the Staff Side on the following two issues.
(a) Grant of increment in the case of employees whose increment falls between Feb and June. 2006.
(b) Fixing the pay of the promotees on par with the Direct recruits.
Though these issues were not discussed, the Staff Side has said that a resolution to them are urgently needed.
The official side has requested the Staff Side to indicate the items on which further discussions are needed; further details are required; and alternative suggestions could be made within 10 days so that the next and final meeting of the Committee could be convened before 31st March, 2011. It was also decided that the sub-committee of the MACP related issued will meet once again and their report submitted to the NAC.
Dear Comrade,
The third meeting of the National Anomaly Committee was held on 15/02/2011. The following items were taken up for discussion. No final decision on any item could be arrived at. It was more or less an exercise to understand the points of view of both sides on these items. We shall in our next communication indicate the outcome of discussion on each item.
Item Nos. 11, 12&13, 14, 20, 28,29&30, 31,37, 38,39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50 and 51.
During the discussion the Staff brought to the notice of the official side that the issues pertaining to the employees of Andaman and Nicobar islands, which were taken out of the agenda on the plea that the same would be discussed separately by a Committee to be set up by the Andaman Administration have not been settled. The NGO Association of A & N Islands have brought to the notice of the staff side that the A & N Administration has not taken any steps to resolve the problems even though similar issues pertaining to the employees of Pondicherry and Delhi were settled. The Official side has promised to take up the issue with the concerned in the Home Ministry to ensure that the issues are addressed expeditiously.
The official side has in the Action Taken State has indicated their inability to concede the demand raised by the Staff Side on the following two issues.
(a) Grant of increment in the case of employees whose increment falls between Feb and June. 2006.
(b) Fixing the pay of the promotees on par with the Direct recruits.
Though these issues were not discussed, the Staff Side has said that a resolution to them are urgently needed.
The official side has requested the Staff Side to indicate the items on which further discussions are needed; further details are required; and alternative suggestions could be made within 10 days so that the next and final meeting of the Committee could be convened before 31st March, 2011. It was also decided that the sub-committee of the MACP related issued will meet once again and their report submitted to the NAC.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
TAX EXEMPTION ON GRATUITY - NEWS
Tax exemption on gratuity
The government has hiked the limits of gratuity payment from Rs 3.5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs. This enhanced limit is applicable to employees who retire, become incapacitated before retirement, expire or whose services were terminated on or after May 24, 2010.
As per Section 10(10) of Income Tax Act, gratuity is paid when an employee completes five or more years of full-time service with the employer. In respect of government employees, any death-cum-retirement gratuity received under the pension rules or scheme of the central or state government, or regulations applicable to the members of defence services, is not taxable.
In case of gratuity received under the Gratuity Act, 1972, any gratuity received to the extent that it does not exceed an amount calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Gratuity Act is not taxable. For employees receiving gratuity other than under the government pension or gratuity scheme and also other than under the Payment of Gratuity Act, the computation mechanism in respect of exemption limits has been specified in the IT Act. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued a notification increasing the overall tax exemption to Rs 10 lakhs.
The gratuity received by an employee is not taxable if it is received on his retirement, his becoming incapacitated prior to such retirement, termination of employment or if such gratuity is received by his widow, children or dependants on his death. Further, such gratuity does not exceed one-half month’s salary for each year of completed service, calculated on the basis of the average salary for 10 months immediately preceding the month in which such retirement or death takes place, subject to the limits prescribed by the central government.
Salary for this purpose includes dearness allowance, but excludes all other allowances and perquisites. Also, as per some judicial precedents, completed service would mean a total period of service whether under one employer or more.
In case any such gratuities are received by an employee from more than one employer in the same financial year, the aggregate amount so exempt should not exceed the overall exemption limit. Similarly, if gratuities were received in one or more financial years, the exempt amount claimed earlier has to be taken into account while computing the exemption at present.
Read more : Economictimes
The government has hiked the limits of gratuity payment from Rs 3.5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs. This enhanced limit is applicable to employees who retire, become incapacitated before retirement, expire or whose services were terminated on or after May 24, 2010.
As per Section 10(10) of Income Tax Act, gratuity is paid when an employee completes five or more years of full-time service with the employer. In respect of government employees, any death-cum-retirement gratuity received under the pension rules or scheme of the central or state government, or regulations applicable to the members of defence services, is not taxable.
In case of gratuity received under the Gratuity Act, 1972, any gratuity received to the extent that it does not exceed an amount calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Gratuity Act is not taxable. For employees receiving gratuity other than under the government pension or gratuity scheme and also other than under the Payment of Gratuity Act, the computation mechanism in respect of exemption limits has been specified in the IT Act. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued a notification increasing the overall tax exemption to Rs 10 lakhs.
The gratuity received by an employee is not taxable if it is received on his retirement, his becoming incapacitated prior to such retirement, termination of employment or if such gratuity is received by his widow, children or dependants on his death. Further, such gratuity does not exceed one-half month’s salary for each year of completed service, calculated on the basis of the average salary for 10 months immediately preceding the month in which such retirement or death takes place, subject to the limits prescribed by the central government.
Salary for this purpose includes dearness allowance, but excludes all other allowances and perquisites. Also, as per some judicial precedents, completed service would mean a total period of service whether under one employer or more.
In case any such gratuities are received by an employee from more than one employer in the same financial year, the aggregate amount so exempt should not exceed the overall exemption limit. Similarly, if gratuities were received in one or more financial years, the exempt amount claimed earlier has to be taken into account while computing the exemption at present.
Read more : Economictimes
Monday, February 14, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
About EPF and PPF
1. What is the difference between EPF and PPF?
Where Employees Provident Fund (EPF) serves all salaried employees, the Public Provident Fund (PPF) serves everyone - the employed, the unemployed, even children and housewives.
The access to the fund is also quite easy as any post office and some State Bank of India branches can help you open the fund. The purpose of a provident fund is to provide individuals some form of savings for their retirement years. Naturally, the EPF and PPF are for long-term savings.
2. What kind of income can one expect from PPF?
The returns from the fund are in the form of interest paid. The interest rate currently is 8 per cent compounded annually.The interest, however, is not paid out but is compounded (like a bank recurring deposit) till the maturity or withdrawal.With the current levels of inflation, real and stated, the returns from the PPF fund could be low. This is a typical asset-class mismatch.
3. Is there any capital appreciation?
Being a typical debt investment, there is no capital appreciation for the investment.
4. What is the risk involved with this investment?
There is hardly any risk for the capital or the returns from the PPF deposit.The risk, however, is with inflation, which could possibly reduce the value of the returns in the long-term, and the other disadvantage is the long lock-in period of 15 years.
5. How about liquidity of the investment?
PPF gives very little liquidity, too. The fund, as mentioned earlier, is for a minimum of 15 years. This can be extended for a further period of 5 years each, indefinitely.
The liquidity is in the form of withdrawals, which can be made from the fund from 7-year onwards. The withdrawal value is, however, limited to a maximum of 50 per cent of the average of the last 3 years' fund values.
After 7 years, one withdrawal can be made every year, based on the same condition.
6. What happens in the case of the death of the account holder?
In case of death of the account holder before the maturity of the account, the fund will be paid to the nominee/ legal heir.
7. How is PPF treated for tax?
This is where the PPF scores very high. Currently, The PPF comes under the Exempt- Exempt- Exempt category. This means that the amount invested gets tax benefits, the interest is not taxed and this applies for the final maturity amount as well. The investment gets benefits under Section 80C of the IT Act. The investment, however, is limited to a maximum of Rs 70,000 per year per person. This limit of Rs 70,000 includes the deposits made in the name of any dependent children.
8. Are there any other specific benefits that I need to know?
Some other unique benefits from the fund are:
1. There is no wealth tax on the value of the fund.
2. In case of insolvency, the money in the fund will not be attached to the assets. So, only this investment is truly ours, come what may. (Except for education in a philosophical sense).
This feature can be very useful particularly for business people in high-risk industries / businesses. The fund cannot help anyone if there is tax evasion though.
9. How does it score on convenience?
The fund scores high on convenience. As a savings tool, it is incomparable in terms of the flexibility of payment and quantum. You can make up to 12 contributions per year.
Each contribution can be as low as Rs 100 subject to a minimum of only Rs 500 per year.
There has to be at least one contribution per year. In case no payment is done for a whole year, there is a charge of Rs 50 when the next investment is made.
The objective is to make savings as comfortable and convenient for the minimum possible investment.
A minor disadvantage is that the fund is yet to go online. So, we have to carry our passbook and also face a queue to make the payment every time.
In conclusion:
PPF is a typical savings tool but one has to invest for the long term. This means there is an asset-class mismatch.
But, on the convenience side, the fund scores pretty high for the flexibility that it offers.
There are additional unique advantages in the form of wealth tax and insolvency benefits from the Public Provident Fund.
On the flip side, the long-term (minimum 15 years) of the plan is a limitation.
***
Where Employees Provident Fund (EPF) serves all salaried employees, the Public Provident Fund (PPF) serves everyone - the employed, the unemployed, even children and housewives.
The access to the fund is also quite easy as any post office and some State Bank of India branches can help you open the fund. The purpose of a provident fund is to provide individuals some form of savings for their retirement years. Naturally, the EPF and PPF are for long-term savings.
2. What kind of income can one expect from PPF?
The returns from the fund are in the form of interest paid. The interest rate currently is 8 per cent compounded annually.The interest, however, is not paid out but is compounded (like a bank recurring deposit) till the maturity or withdrawal.With the current levels of inflation, real and stated, the returns from the PPF fund could be low. This is a typical asset-class mismatch.
3. Is there any capital appreciation?
Being a typical debt investment, there is no capital appreciation for the investment.
4. What is the risk involved with this investment?
There is hardly any risk for the capital or the returns from the PPF deposit.The risk, however, is with inflation, which could possibly reduce the value of the returns in the long-term, and the other disadvantage is the long lock-in period of 15 years.
5. How about liquidity of the investment?
PPF gives very little liquidity, too. The fund, as mentioned earlier, is for a minimum of 15 years. This can be extended for a further period of 5 years each, indefinitely.
The liquidity is in the form of withdrawals, which can be made from the fund from 7-year onwards. The withdrawal value is, however, limited to a maximum of 50 per cent of the average of the last 3 years' fund values.
After 7 years, one withdrawal can be made every year, based on the same condition.
6. What happens in the case of the death of the account holder?
In case of death of the account holder before the maturity of the account, the fund will be paid to the nominee/ legal heir.
7. How is PPF treated for tax?
This is where the PPF scores very high. Currently, The PPF comes under the Exempt- Exempt- Exempt category. This means that the amount invested gets tax benefits, the interest is not taxed and this applies for the final maturity amount as well. The investment gets benefits under Section 80C of the IT Act. The investment, however, is limited to a maximum of Rs 70,000 per year per person. This limit of Rs 70,000 includes the deposits made in the name of any dependent children.
8. Are there any other specific benefits that I need to know?
Some other unique benefits from the fund are:
1. There is no wealth tax on the value of the fund.
2. In case of insolvency, the money in the fund will not be attached to the assets. So, only this investment is truly ours, come what may. (Except for education in a philosophical sense).
This feature can be very useful particularly for business people in high-risk industries / businesses. The fund cannot help anyone if there is tax evasion though.
9. How does it score on convenience?
The fund scores high on convenience. As a savings tool, it is incomparable in terms of the flexibility of payment and quantum. You can make up to 12 contributions per year.
Each contribution can be as low as Rs 100 subject to a minimum of only Rs 500 per year.
There has to be at least one contribution per year. In case no payment is done for a whole year, there is a charge of Rs 50 when the next investment is made.
The objective is to make savings as comfortable and convenient for the minimum possible investment.
A minor disadvantage is that the fund is yet to go online. So, we have to carry our passbook and also face a queue to make the payment every time.
In conclusion:
PPF is a typical savings tool but one has to invest for the long term. This means there is an asset-class mismatch.
But, on the convenience side, the fund scores pretty high for the flexibility that it offers.
There are additional unique advantages in the form of wealth tax and insolvency benefits from the Public Provident Fund.
On the flip side, the long-term (minimum 15 years) of the plan is a limitation.
***
Friday, February 11, 2011
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