Direct Recruitment to the cadre of Postal Assistants- Revised Procedure

Entire earlier procedure has been changed

Now OC Candidates with 60% OBC Candidates with 55% SC/ST Candidates with 45% can write the examination

*****************FLASH**************

It is learnt that the Directorate has given clearance to Andhra Circle for filling up of direct recruitment vacancies in PA cadre for the year 2011.Please await for further details

GDS DEMANDS - INFORMATION FROM P3 CHQ BY ITS GENERAL SECRETARY

GDS DEMANDS - INFORMATION FROM P3 CHQ BY ITS GENERAL SECRETARY

GDS Demands

(i)        A D.O. letter has been written by our Secretary to Secretary MOF for consideration of revising Bonus ceiling of Rs. 3500/- to GDS by citing the Cabinet Secretary’s assurance during the strike period and Minister’s assurance. The expected additional expenses have been workout to 52 crores.

(ii)      The Committee constituted for consideration of GDS demands has recommended cash handling as Rs. 10000/- per point instead of Rs. 20000/-. One of the Finance Ministry official was also the member and visited Assam to know the ground level realities. The file has been put up for approval.

(iii)    The Committee has further recommended to include the cash remittance transactions for commutation of workload. The file has been put up to DG for approval.

(iv)     Protection of TRCA – in case of reduction of workload, the BPM will be issued notice to improve the work within one year. In case if not improved, then only the reduction will be effected. Thus, protection of the same TRCA drawn earlier will be provided up to one year. The file has been put up to DG for approval.

(v)       At the time of initial appointment the minimum of TRCA shall be fixed as per the workload existing in the BO and not the minimum slab of TRCA. This was agreed and the file is placed to DG for approval.

(vi)     25% outside recruitment in postman cadre has been dropped. The revised recruitment rules for Postman is under issue.

It is pertinent to note that all the above six items were properly focused and effectively presented and convinced the administration during the conciliation talks held in June 2011 & Jan 2012 by Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General and Com. K. V. Sridharan, Leader staff side.

POSTAL SERVICES STAFF WELFARE BOARD MEETING - 16-05-2012

11 వ  పోస్టల్ సర్వీసెస్ స్టాఫ్ వెల్ఫేర్ బోర్డ్ మీటింగ్16-05-2012 తేదిన న్యు ఢిల్లీ నందు కమ్యూని కేషన్ మంత్రి గారిఅధ్యక్షతనజరుగనున్నది. 

ఈసమావేశమునకుమొదటి సారిగా జి.డి.ఎస్ ప్రతినిధికి అవకాశము కల్పించడము  జరిగినది.అదికూడాఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్ సర్కిల్ నుండే నామినేట్ చేయవలసినదిగా  దైరేక్తో రేట్ తెలిపియున్నది.గత సంవత్సరములో జరుగ వలసినసమావేశము  పై తేదిన జరుగనున్నది. 

ఈ సమావేశమునకు జి.డి.ఎస్ ప్రతినిధిగా P.Pandurangarao, BPM, Akkagaripet BO, Pellakur SO, Gudur(NL) Division, (General Secretary, AIPEU-GDS(NFPE) హాజరగు చున్నారు. 

NOTICE FOR FEDERAL SECRETARIAT

No. PF-01(c)/2012                Dated 09^th May, 2012

NOTICE

          It is hereby notified that the Federal Secretariat of NFPE will be held at NFPE Office, 1^st Floor North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi 110001 on 21.05.2012 at 05.00 P.M.

          All General Secretaries and All India Office Bearers of NFPE available at Delhi HQ are requested to attend the same as per schedule.

         The Agenda of the Federal Secretariat is mentioned below:

AGENDA

1.      Implementation of Confederation decisions.-26^th July, 2012 Parliament March.

2.    Consideration of the application for the grant of Associate membership to newly   

       formed GDS Union.-AIPEU GDS(NFPE).

3.    Review of JCA agitation – regarding.

4.    Any other item with the permission of Chair.

Yours Comradely,

Sd/-

{M. Krishnan}

Secretary General

NFPE CIRCULAR

No. PF-1(e)/02/2012                                                                        Dated: 09^th May 2012

CIRCULAR

To

            All General Secretaries/NFPE Office Bearers.

            All Circle Secretaries of NFPE Unions.

Sub:    ONE DAY HUNGER FAST ON 21^st MAY, 2012.

           

Dear Comrades,

            It has been decided by the JCA of NFPE and FNPO that all the General Secretaries and available All India Office Bearers of both the Federations will sit on hunger fast in front of Dak Bhawan, New Delhi on 21^st May 2012. (Monday) from 10.00 A.M. to 05.00 P.M. against non-settlement of agreed items of strike charter of demands.

            Similarly all the Circle Secretaries will sit on hunger fast on the same day i.e. 21.05.2012 in front of all Chief PMG Offices. (Copies of both the letters addressed to Secretary Department of Posts in this regard are enclosed.)

            With revolutionary greetings.

Yours Comradely,

 {M. Krishnan}

Secretary General

THE MAIN CAUSES OF LIVER DAMAGE ARE.....

THE MAIN CAUSES OF LIVER DAMAGE ARE.....

The main causes of liver damage are

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.
2. Not urinating in the morning.
3. Too much eating.
4. Skipping breakfast.
5. Consuming too much medication.
6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.
7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if thebody is very fit.
8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver.
Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to 'schedule.'

India Post Celeberates 25 Years of Speed Post Service

India Post Celeberates 25 Years of Speed Post Service 

Shri Kapil Sibal gives away Awards to Top Postal Circles 

 Shri Kapil Sibal ,Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology today inaugurated the two day annual conference of Heads of Circle of the Department of Posts. A special cover to mark 25 years of Speed Post was also released by the Minister on the occasion. The Minister gave away prizes to top three Postal Circles for generating highest rate of revenue growth in Speed Post during 2010-11, on the occasion.

While Karnataka Circle walked away with the first prize and DG Post’s Rolling Trophy, Jammu and Kashmir Circle and Jharkhand Circle secured the second and third position respectively. Speed Post is the premium Express Mail Service of India Post. It was launched in August, 1986 to meet the “felt-need” of the developing Indian economy. It offers a time-bound and assured delivery of letters, documents and parcels up to 35kg across the nation and around the world.

The Speed Post network is the largest Express Service Network in India. It covers all major towns & cities. Web-based Track and Trace service is provided for Speed Post articles on the India Post website (www.indiapost.gov.in). Insurance facility is also available for sending valuable items under Speed Post, Regular customers enjoy free pick up, credit facility under Book Now Pay Later Scheme and attractive volume based discounts.

Over the past 25 years, Speed Post has steadily continued to grow in terms of volumes with monthly volumes exceeding 2.5 crore articles in 2011-12. The Department of Posts set-up a Business Development Directorate in 1996 which was re-organized as Business Development & Marketing Directorate in 2005, to provide impetus to business activitie4s concerning Speed Post and a number of other business products.

The last 25 years have been a journey of success for Speed Post with economical rates, safety and reliability as the hallmarks of the service. 

Secretary Dept of Posts visit to Hyderabad on 05.06.2012

Secretary Dept of Posts visit to Hyderabad on 05.06.2012 

It was decided byCircle office Hyderabad to conduct a function at Jubli Hall  Hyderabad on 05.06.2012 to  present Dak Seva Awards and PLI/RPLI Awards for the best performers( for the year 2011-12). Secretary, Dept of Posts will attend the function as Chief Guest and give away Awards to the winners.

It was also decided to conduct Circle level Divisional Heads conference on 06.06.2012 to review the performance of Divisions during the year 2011-12 and the improvements to be undertaken for the current financial year. CPMG will conduct the proposed DHC.

CMC & RJCM Meetings at Vizag on 17 & 18.05.2012

CMC & RJCM Meetings at Vizag on 17 & 18.05.2012 

The schedule of CMC and RJCM meetings announced by Circle office Hyderabad  is as follows :

1. RJCM : 17.05.2012

2. CMC  : 18.05.2012

VENUE : VISAKHAPATNAM

Send off function to Com. I. Sudheer Babu Postman Vidyanaga, who passed LGO Examination and allotted to Gudur Division 

INFORMATION ON DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED AS ON 30-04-12 IN ANDHRA CIRCLE IN GDS CADRE

INFORMATION ON DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED AS ON 30-04-12 IN ANDHRA CIRCLE IN GDS CADRE

As per the information from branch / divisions the submission of 'letter of authorization' forms (for withdrawl of membership from AIPEDEU) as detailed here under:- (approximate figures)

SRIKAKULAM-700

VIZIANAGARAM-410

VISAKHAPATHAM-190

ANAKAPALLI- 315

NARSIPATNAM-240

RAJAHMUNDRY-255

BHIMAVARAM-170

TANUKU-70

PALAKOL-70

TADEPALLIGUDEM-200

KOVVURU-200

GUNTURU-234

TENALI-50

NARASARAOPET-125

ONGOLE-630

KAVALI-204

NELLORE-181

GUDURU-441

TIRUPATI-700

KADAPA-90

RAJAMPET-294

PRODDATUR-220

MAHABOOBNAGAR-196

GADWAL-200

SANGAREDDY50-

MEDAK-150

MANCHERIYAL-400

KARIMNAGAR-225

JAGITYAL-250

PEDDAPALLI-200

HUZURABAD-200

HANMAKONDA-250

NALGONDA-300

SURYAPET-250

HYD. SOUTH EAST-100

SECUNDERABAD-225

HYD. STG.DN.-40

HYD.'Z' DN.-24

సుమారుగా 9,000 పైగా జి.డి.ఎస్  ఉద్యోగులు ఎ.ఐ.పీ.యి.డి. యూనియన్  నుండి సభ్యత్వ విరమణ  (30-04-12)ఫారములు అందజేసినట్లు ఆయా బ్రాంచ్  డివిజన్ల  నుండి తెలియజేయబడినది. ఈ  నెలలో సుమారు మరో 2000 - 3000 వరకు అందజేయగలరని సమాచారము. 

ఇప్పటివరకు (20 రోజులలోనే) ఏంతో శ్రమించి కృషి చేసిన  ప్రతి బ్రాంచ్  డివిజన్  కార్యదర్శి , పి -3, పీ-4 సంఘాల  నాయకులు, కార్యకర్తలు , శ్రేయోభిలాషులు  అందరికి పేరు పేరునా AIPEU-GDS(NFPE) తరపున ధన్యవాదములు , అభినందనలు తెలియజేస్తున్నాము. 

కొన్ని డివిజన్  బ్రాంచ్  సభ్యులు , నాయకులు కొంత  డైలమా లో వుండటం మూలముగా వెనుకబడి వుండటం  జరిగినది. కొన్ని చోట్ల  స్థానిక  నాయకత్వాల  లోపము మూలముగా  సభ్యులకు  విషయము  వివరముగా  తెలియజేయ  బడలేదు.  త్వరలో వీటన్నింటిని  సరిదిద్ది  పరిస్థితిని చక్క దిద్ద  వలసియున్నది. 

మన  మాతృ  సంస్థ  అయిన   NFPE తో కలసి పని చేయడానికి ఎవరూ వెనుకాడబోరు. కాని  కొన్ని వ్యక్తిగత  నిర్ణయాల  వలన , అవగాహన  లోపము  వలన  ప్రస్తుత  పరిస్థితిని స్వీకరించ దానికి కొంత  సమయము అవసర మవుతుందని  అబిప్రాయపడుచున్నాము.   

ఒంటరి పోరాటము పోరాటమే గాని సత్ఫలితాల నివ్వడం అరుదు.  ఐక్య పోరాటాల ద్వారానే యిప్పటి వరకు ఎన్నో, ఎంతో సాధించు కోగాలిగాము. పలు మార్లు సత్ఫలితాలను పొంద గలిగాము. 

అదే బాటలో పయనించదానికి సన్నద్ద మవుదాము.

Latest NFPE membership position in Gudur Division

AIPEU Group 'C' - 81 (11 increased)

AIPEU PM/Gr 'D' - 36 (No Change)

AIPEU GDS (NFPE) - 473 

Heartiest Congrats! from Andhra Postal Employees

One good news

Selvi S. ArunaDevi, a GDS BPM Uralpatti BO A/W Komaralingam SO Under Udamalpet HPO has come out successful in all forms of IAS Examination ( Preliminary,Main and Interview ) in a single attempt.

 

She did her school studies in a rural school and college studies in a private College at Udamalpet. She is brought up in  a poor family background. She prepared for the IAS on her own without any coaching. A very poor GDS from a rural background, studied not in reputed city institutions and without any coaching, coming out successful in IAS is a great achievement. Please Congratulate her.

Her Cell NO : 09659490913

21.05.2012 one day fast by JCA leaders in front of Postal Directorate New Delhi for solvation of the following important demands


1. New wages to contingent staff with arrears w.e.f. 01.01.2006
2. 20 thousand cash norms, Bonus as per 3500 ceiling, TRCA protection to GDS
3. Immediate release of Postmen/Gr 'D' examination notification
4. Finalisation of cadre restructuring
5. Filling up of all vacant LR Posts in all cadres

March to Parliament Program on 26.07.2012

National Executive of Confederation of Central Government Employees met at Culcutta on 27.04.2012 has decided to organise March to Parliament Program on 26.07.2012 to get pressure on the Govt. of India to consider the following demands.

1. Wage revision to all CG Employees w.e.f. 01.01.2011 

2. Merger of DA of 50% into Basic Pay etc.

Hence all are requested to get ready to attend the historic program by availing the LTC facility

Corruption by Civil Servants

As per information provided by the CBI, during the last fieve years, i.e. 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 (upto 31.3.2012), it has registered 110 cases against 122 officers of the rank of Joint Secretary and above.  Certain accused officers are common in more than one case.  The allegations against these officers mainly relate to either criminal misconduct or disproportionate assets or criminal conspiracy or trap cases, etc. 

The following steps have been taken by the Central Government to strengthen the legislative framework against corruption:-

i)              Enactment of Right to Information Act, 2005;

ii)             Issue of Whistle Blowers Resolution, 2004 and introduction of the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection to Persons Making the Disclosure Bill, 2010 in the Lok Sabha on 26^th August, 2010. (Passed by the Lok Sabha on 27^th Decemer, 2011 as the Whistle Blowers Protection Bill, 2011);

iii)            Introduction of the Lokpal & Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 in the Parliament;

iv)           Introduction of the Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Officials and Officials of Public International Organizations Bills, 2011 in the Lok Sabha;

v)            Introduction of the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010 in the Parliament (passed by the Lok Sabha on 29.3.2012);

vi)           Introduction of the Right of Citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill, 2011 in the Lok Sabha on 20.12.2011.

This was stated by Shri V. Narayanasamy, Minister of State of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension and Prime Minister Office in written reply to a  question in the Lok Sabha today.

***

Undue delay in settlement of agreed items on the Charter of Demands.

NFPE & FNPO DECIDES TO CONDUCT ONE DAY FAST IN FRONT OF DAK BHAWAN AND ALL CHIEF PMG OFFICES ON 21.05.2012

DEMANDING ORDERS ON PENDING AGREED ITEMS OF CHARTER OF DEMANDS

MAKE THE PROGRAMME A GRAND SUCCESS

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANIZATIONS

NEW DELHI

Ref: JCA/AGTN/2012                                                                          Dated 02.05.2012

To,

Mrs. Manjula Prashar

Secretary

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001

Madam,

Sub: -  Undue delay in settlement of agreed items of the strike charter of Demands.

Ref: -   Our letter even no. dated 22.03.2012

Kindly refer to our letter dated 22.03.2012 on the above subject (copy enclosed for ready reference) where in we have brought to your notice the undue delay taking place in settling the already agreed items of the charter of Demands. It is regretted to inform you that evenafter a lapse of one month no remarkable improvement has taken place and more or less the position remains almost the same.

In view of the above, notice is hereby given that the secretary Generals of NFPE & FNPO and also all other General Secretaries shall be sitting on one day hunger fast in front of the Dak Bhawan and also in front of all Chief PMG offices on 21st May 2012, Monday from 10.00 AM to 05.00 PM demanding settlement of the agreed items without any further delay. We hope that the administration shall come forward to settle the issues amicably as we do no intent to precipitate the issues further to a stage of confrontation and direct action.

Awaiting favourable response,

Yours faithfully,

                                                                                                                                    

     (M. Krishnan)                                                                           D. Theagaraj

Secretary General, NFPE                                                        Secretary General, FNPO                                                      

                                    NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANISATIONS

Ref: JCA/AGTN/2012                                                                       Dated – 22.03.2012

To,

Mrs. Manjula Prashar

Secretary,

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001

Madam,

Sub: - Undue delay in settlement of agreed items on the Charter of Demands.

A kind attention is invited to the discussions we had during strike Charter of demands and also further assurances to us that unlike in the past whatever assured during discussions will be implemented without any delay.

But to our dismay, many of the assured items are still not disposed of favourably and even the clarifications assured to be issued are still pending. Further it is learnt that the Internal Finance is rejecting the assurances given by Minister for state for communication and also the Secretary, Department of Posts. which causes a serious concern.  The following are the few items in which categorical assurance had been ensured in the minutes of the meeting and also during discussions.

1.      Separate orders communicating the decision that no mail office will be closed for next three years and no dislocation of staff to places outside headquarters.

2.      Orders communicating the decisions about no closure/merger of Post offices if no simultaneous relocation is possible.

3.      Revision of wages to casual labourers & absorption.

4.      Revised recruitment Rules for Group D & Postman as agreed and syllabus for Group ‘D’ examination (25% from GDS) & Postmen/Mailguard.

5.      Revision of cash handling norms to GDS & ensuring no reduction of TRCA under any circumstances and enhancing the Bonus ceiling to 3500/- & revise the cash allowance to BPM at the rate of Rs.50/- per trip instead of month.

6.      Orders revising the instructions liberalizing the powers to the divisional heads instead of circle heads in case of tenure posting to C and B Class offices.

7.      Reiteration of earlier instructions on the Grant of Special pay to unqualified Accountants & Counting of Special Allowance for pay fixation without filling SLP against Bangalore High Court judgment.

8.      Circulation of clarification given to Punjab circle to the remaining circles also in respect of protection of pay of defunct PO & RMS Accountants.

9.      Orders on forcible allotment of staff quarters to the town SOs SPMs as post attached quarters.

10.  Non supply of balance statement of NPS to the official as on 31.03.2011.

11.  Enhancement of financial powers to LSG, HSG II & HSG I.

12.  Enhancing the honorarium for invigilators engaged in departmental examinations.

13.  Allowing the physically handicapped candidates for appearing IPO examinations.

14.  Orders on drawal of Cash handling allowance to Treasurers, Accountants irrespective of their position in MACP.

15.  Finalisation of cadre review proposals before 31.3.2012.

16.  Payment of incentive instead of honorarium for attending the PLI/RPLI work at divisional offices after decentralization.

17.  Orders for repatriation of officials deputed for PLI/RPLI work to CO/RO to their home divisions.

18.  Allowing the Postmaster’s cadre officials to appear for IPO/PSS Group B examination.

19.  Orders permitting the Postmaster Cadre officials to officiate in HSG I vacancies.

20.  DO letter from Member (P) to all circle heads to fill up all posts of Sorting Postmen, Mail overseer, cash overseer & Head Postmen.

21.  Allowing MTS to decline promotion to postmen cadre under seniority quota without loosing MACP promotion.

22.  Reiteration of instructions for rotational transfer for SBCO staff by notifying cluster of divisions.

23.  Issue instructions to all for ensuring filling up of all sanctioned LR posts.

24.  Prompt grant of child care leave – Issue of instructions.

25.  Clarifications to be issued on MACP as agreed upon on the following:

(i)     MACP will not be deferred on the ground at contemplated disciplinary/vigilance proceedings.

(ii)   Instructions on review of ACRs/APARs by scruitiny committees.

(iii) Recovery orders by DAP in the matter of pay fixation on MACP in case of MTS

(iv)  Cases relating to declining promotion prior to issue of MACP order (Prior to 2009)

26.  Issuing clear instructions to all Chief PMGs that in the city areas where RO/Cos are situated decentralisation of RPLI/PLI should not be done to city Postal Divisions, instead the work will be done by RO/CO staff as done before.

27.  Issuing orders on the items finalized by the Postmen committee and also follow up action on certain items to be referred to work study unit.

28.  Cadre-restructuring and settlement of Group D and sorter anomaly issues relating to Postal Accounts.

29.  Follow up action on civil wing employees issues.

30.  Examination of CRC & EPP norms.

Apart from the above, the minutes of the standing committee (JCM) and also the reply to the items already discussed in the strike charter but included on JCM items are yet to be issued.

It is constrained to inform that in the event of non settlement of the above items within one month we have decided to observe one day token fast in front of Directorate by all the General Secretaries.

We trust that your will effectively intervene and maintain tranquility in service.

With profound regards,

          

D. Theagarajan                                                                                   M. Krishnan

Secretary General                                                                               Secretary General

FNPO                                                                                                   NFPE

VIEW OF MAYDAY MEETING ORGANIZED IN FRONT OF GUDUR HO

11^th MEETING OF THE POSTAL SERVICES STAFF WELFARE BOARD WILL BE HELD IN SHRI G.P. ROY COMMITTEE ROOM OF DAK BHAWAN, NEW DELHI ON 16.05.2012 UNDER THE CHAIRPERSONSHIP OF HO`NBLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS & IT

The Editorial published greeting the formation of AIPEU GDS (NFPE) Union in the Postal Life APRIL 2012 is reproduced here under for the consumption of our viewers.

Our Sincere thanks to our Com. I. S. Dabas, General Secretary, AIPEU Postmen & MSE/Group ‘D’ and also requesting all P3 & P4 Divisional Secretaries to kindly assist the CHQ in formation of branches in respect of all divisions at the earliest.

DAWN OF A NEW GDS ORGANISATION

The P&T Trade Union movement right from its inception had taken up the cause of the downtrodden Extra Departmental employees in the Postal. The NFPTE leadership led by Dada Ghosh stood firm and not relented by declining to withdraw the call of the indefinite strike until the then Government conceded the demand for constitution of the ED Pay Committee called the Rajan Committee in 1957. Step by step improvements and in between snatching away of the hard won rights of this lowest strata of the postal workers by the authorities is the life storey of EDAs who are currently called as the GDS. NFPTE was denied the right to form a separate union as its affiliate in 1954 by the Government on the grounds that they are not regular employees. Even the latest New Recognition Rules follows the footsteps of the earlier policy and that is the background of the NFPE recognised without GDS Union affiliation.

However the NFPE succeeded in forming a strong union of GDS in 1999 because of the great role played by the then Secretary General NFPE Comrade K. Adinarayana. Despite his word was ‘gospel’ amongst the lakhs of GDS at that time and despite the situation that anyone named by him could win hands down as the General Secretary of the newly constituted AIPEDEU, he chose to accept the proposal of others and unanimous panel was elected at Kaiwara foundation conference of AIPEDEU. The magnanimity of Comrade Adinarayana was notonly not reciprocated by the leadership but step by step anti-NFPE platform became the bulwark of the AIPEDEU leadership. Trade Union democracy was butchered in its subsequent AICs to prevent any democratic forces capture the leadership.

The achievements if any gained by the EDAs or the GDS are purely because of the joint movement built up by the NFPE. But attacking the NFPE and its leadership at every available opportunity has become the basic strategy of AIPEDEU leadership. NFPE has been blamed for any failures on the part of the leadership of AIPEDEU. United movement and joint struggle have been the fundamental policy of the NFPTE and NFPE. But adventurist and individual action to undermine the NFPE and joint action in order to get cheap popularity had become the fundamental direction of AIPEDEU. All the efforts taken by the NFPE including measures to normalize the relation with the AIPEDEU to build a common movement in the interest of all postal employees both regular and GDS are always been nullified by the strategic ambition of the leadership of AIPEDEU to tarnish the Federation. Democratic traditions have been buried and major decisions including indefinite strikes and anti-NFPE actions have been taken without even convening the managing bodies like the CWC. The net result of the above course of action has resulted in huge losses to the three lakhs of GDS. The GDS became the target point of attack by the Authorities and Government due to the disunity created by the whole approach of the AIPEDEU. The mass of GDS are under attack but the AIPEDEU leadership has no answer except to blame the NFPE for all ills caused by its own failures.

The suffocation of large masses of GDS who always cherished the united movement under the banner of the NFPTE and NFPE have raised the above questions in the latest AIC of AIPEDEU in Mozri Conference and they have also raised so many questions about the mismanagement of the finances of union collected from the poor GDS all over the country. The leadership has no answer to the pointed questions of the delegates except to deny them their democratic opportunity to speak. At the height of the undemocratic attitude of the leadership, the delegates from several circles including many major circles condemned the leadership and came to the conclusion that any continuance under this undemocratic leadership will result in further huge losses to the GDS interests and a new organisation for the GDS has become the urgent requirement for launching united movement in advancing the cause of the downtrodden GDS masses. They came forward to form such a new organisation with the title “All India Postal Employees Union – GDS[NFPE]” there itself and elected an Adhoc Office Bearer body to form the union from grass roots to the apex level within a time frame of six months. Hundreds of delegates from several circles and hundreds of visitors attending the AIC have then walked out of the AIC and their huge and long procession ended in another accommodation ‘Shiv Mandir’ where they have conducted the first ever meeting of the new born organisation AIPEU-GDS[NFPE] and resolved to build the organisation and strive for united movement under the able guidance of the NFPE federation.

NFPE formed its first ED Union in 1999 to build a powerful joint movement but the effort was thwarted by the leadership with its own selfish goals and designs. Now a new organisation with the declared policy of united functioning under the guidance of NFPE and its affiliated regular employees’ organisations is born on 7^th April, 2012. The P4 CHQ extends its warm congratulations to the leadership of the AIPEU-GDS[NFPE] and assures total cooperation at all levels from the CHQ to branch levels. The P4 organisation will stand shoulder to shoulder with the new formation and will fight to its potential as was the tradition created by our organisation under the leadership of Comrades V. G. Dalvi and K. Adinarayana. We hail the dawn of this new GDS organisation and wish it gains strength from strength organisationally and ideologically and emerge as the real champion of three lakhs of GDS masses.

EDUCATION LOANS TO MNORITIES

New Delhi, April 24, 2012(PIB): India Banks’ Association (IBA) has circulated revised Model Educational Loan Scheme to its member banks. Banks can adopt the scheme with discretion to make changes as deemed fit. The scheme is for all students including students from minority communities. 

Indian Nationals who have secured admission to professional/technical courses in India or abroad through an entrance test/merit based selection process are eligible for educational loans under the scheme. 

Complaints received from various channels regarding non-sanction, non-disbursal, delay in sanction, disbursal of education loans are taken up with the concerned banks for immediate corrective measures. 

The performance of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) under educational loan scheme is reviewed on an ongoing basis. The banks have been advised to ensure that the Educational Loan Scheme is implemented in letter and spirit and that loan applications are disposed of within the prescribed time limit. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha toda

India post's gold offer on Akshya tritiya

For those who are eager to bring wealth and prosperity to one’s doorstep, going by the new-found aura of Akshaya Tritiya, India Post is all set to create avenues for investment in gold coins. And to make the option really attractive for customers, a six per cent discount is being offered on purchases.

On Akshaya Tritiya, which falls on April 24, buying gold is an important part of the worship of Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. India Post is offering the special discount on gold coins of any denomination purchased through post offices during the period from April 1, 2012, to June 30, 2012. The coins are manufactured by the world-renowned Valcambi SA, Switzerland.

Trai says one paisa per second plan mandatory

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked all service providers to ensure that they offer their customers atariff plan of one paisa per second along with other offerings. 

The regulator in a tariff amendment order said it had become "mandatory" for service providers to offer in each service area at least one tariff plan each for both postpaid and prepaid subscriber with a uniform pulse rate of 'one second'.

"The service providers will be at liberty to offer alternative tariff plans with any pulse rate within the overall ceiling of 25 tariff plans," TRAI said in a statement.

The rates for premium rate services currently levied by service providers are substantially higher as compared to the normal tariff applicable for a two-way communication due to the fact that the charges levied also include the price for content.

Keeping in view the fact that calls and SMS made for participating in competition and voting hardly contain any content, TRAI's Telecommunication Tariff (Fifty First Amendment) Order 2012 also mandated that tariff for such calls and SMS shall not exceed four times of the applicable local call or SMS charges.

The amendment also provides flexibility to service providers to applyrevision in international long distance tariff uniformly for new as well as existing subscribers.

TRAI had issued a consultation paper in October last year on "Certain issues relating to Telecom Tariff" seeking views of stakeholders.

Most of the operators opposed when asked if one standard plan for all service providers particularly for a prepaid subscriber would be relevant in the present scenario of Indian telecom market.

The regulator has also retained the existing cap of 25 tariff plans that can be offered by access service providers including post-paid and pre-paid.

Prime Minister’s Speech on Civil Services Day, 2012

The following is the text of the speech of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on the occasion of the Civil Services Day Today: 

“On this occasion of the seventh Civil Services Day I warmly greet all members of our civil services. This annual event provides our civil services an opportunity to reaffirm their collective commitment to serve our country and our people to the best of their ability. It is also an occasion for the civil servants to introspect and reflect on their role and performance, and how these can be made more effective, more meaningful.

I have seen the three themes for today's deliberations. They all cover issues that are important for the country and of immediate relevance to the functioning of our civil servants. I am sure that you will have productive discussions during the course of the day. But I also believe that the significance of today’s event lies equally in sending out a message that we are all determined to make our civil services more competent, more professional, and alive to the requirements of the twenty first century and capable of facilitating rapid social and economic progress in our country.

I have always believed that there is no dearth of talent in our civil services. Many of our civil servants would rank among the best in the world. They have done excellent work. They have delivered results in the face of adversity. Several civil servants have been shining examples of probity and integrity, working selflessly for the public good. Indeed, we have just been introduced to the work of some outstanding civil servants. I congratulate today’s award winners and wish them even more success in the future.

As I said earlier, the Civil Services Day should also be an occasion for introspection. Even as we celebrate our successes, we should also be honest in admitting our failures and our deficiencies. I would like to take today's opportunity to flag some issues about the civil services which I believe agitate the public mind.

There is a growing perception, right or wrong, that the moral fiber of our civil servants and public servants in general, is not as strong as it used to be some decades back and that our civil servants are now more likely to succumb to extraneous pressures in their work. These perceptions might be exaggerated but I do think that there is a grain of truth in them.

The decisions that the civil servants take must be fair and objective in nature, based on sound evidence and deep analysis and designed to serve the best interests of our country. Their judgment and advice should not be affected by the nature and color of the political leadership. If this does not happen, the impartiality and fairness of the decision making processes in public administration would get compromised and the quality of our output would be sub-optimal. I think, therefore, this is a vigil that the civil servants must maintain constantly. I also believe that there is a growing perception in the public that over the years the attributes of objectivity in work has been diluted. I leave it to the civil servants to ponder to what extent this perception is true and what they can collectively do to remove it from the public mind.

This brings me to yet another issue that I would like to flag today. We live in times of great change. Our society and our economy are undergoing rapid transformation. Every day we are exposed to new technology and to new ways of doing things. Not only this, technology has made the world smaller and best practices now get disseminated much faster than ever before. We should therefore ask ourselves the question whether, in our ways of doing things, we are keeping pace with the changes taking place all around us. I think it is generally felt that the civil services have somewhat lagged behind in this area. I am aware that it is not very easy to change systems, procedures and processes in the public sector. But this should be taken as a challenge and our civil servants should redouble their efforts to adopt more modern methods and practices.

In my last Civil Services Day address on April 21, 2011 I had outlined the measures that our government had taken or was contemplating to tackle the menace of corruption in public life. I believe that since then we have made substantial progress towards strengthening the legislative framework and revamping our administrative practices to enable us to fight corruption better. Even as our government moves forward in these efforts, which I don't want to list in detail today, it should be our endeavor that there is no witch hunting in the name of fighting corruption. It is our government's commitment to put in place a system and create an environment in which our civil servants are encouraged to be decisive, and no one is harassed for bonafide mistakes of errors of judgment. We stand committed to protecting honest and well meaning civil servants who might have made genuine errors in their work. And I sincerely hope that these intentions of our government are shared by the state governments too.

On their part, the civil servants in our country should fight the tendency of not taking decisions because of the fear that things might go wrong and they might be penalised for that. We cannot have a bureaucracy which is hundred percent risk averse. In fact we should encourage boldness in decision making, provided that the decisions are well considered and as per the law of the land. A civil servant who does not take decisions might always be safe, but at the end of the day he or she would have contributed nothing to our society and to our country. Source : PIB

Let me also very briefly comment on the topics that will be deliberated upon today. The first theme "Security for the Marginalized: Vision for a Caring India" particularly relevant to all of us in the context of our commitment and efforts towards inclusion towards the integration of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and religious minorities in the national mainstream. As we enter the Twelfth Plan period we should redouble our efforts for building a society and country in which the fruits of development are shared by each and every citizen. Our growth would not have much meaning if we fail in building a truly inclusive society and country. Indeed, without inclusion, social and economic, the very sustainability of our growth processes comes under question. The other two themes relate to making our civil services corruption free and more transparent and accountable, and also to enable them to improve service delivery to our citizens. These issues are of abiding relevance to all of us. I once again wish you very productive discussions on all these issues.

Let me end by stating that we have full faith in our civil services. They have served our country well. Our civil servants have made a very substantial contribution to our country's progress. I congratulate them for their achievements. I wish them all the best for the future. But I also hope that they would constantly endeavor to improve, upgrade and modernize the systems and processes they adopt and operate in the best interests of our country.”