Draft Post Office Bill 2011

Following are some of the highlight of post office bill 2011

1. Opening of market by reducing the exclusive privilege of Central Government:

Gradual opening of the market by phase wise removal of the monopoly proposed. Exclusive privilege reduced up to150 gm. In case of letters and up to 50 gm. in case of express mail. Couriers can carry letters even within 150 gm and 50 gm ( thereserve area) subject to them charging twice the postal rates for letters and twice the rates for express service.

2. Sunset clause:

A 15 years SUNSET clause for complete removal of exclusive privilege in express service and Parliamentary Reviewof exclusive privilege in case of letters is proposed.

3. Universal Service Obligation of the Central Government:

As proposed, USO is defined as the obligation of the Central Government to provide, through the Department of Posts, basic postal services at reasonable access, affordable price and with specified service parameters throughout the country. Commitment to provide postal service, delivery and access to post office 6 days of the week except holidays.

4. Definitions:

Definitions of certain ‘terms’ are proposed keeping in view the definition adopted by different countries, as also the requirement of customers i.e.

(i) handling of addressed letters,

(ii) handling of addressed parcels and packages,

(iii) handling of addressed press products,

(iv) handling of these articles as registered or insured mail,

(v) express services for these articles,

(vi) handling of unaddressed articles,

(vii) Value Payable Post,

(viii) money remittance

(ix) Post Office Counter Services

(xi) other services not specified elsewhere;

b) “courier services” means services related to the handling of articles of mail i.e. collection, sorting, dispatch, conveyance and delivery including

(i) handling of addressed letters subject to provisions in Section 4,

(ii) handling of addressed parcels and packages,

(iii) handling of addressed press products,

(iv) express services for these articles subject to provision in Section 4

(v) handling of unaddressed articles,

c) “express services” means postal / courier services related to handling of articles of mail and expedited delivery within a clearly specified and declared time limit with confirmation of receipt andwith or without end ‐ to ‐ end integration to ensure track and trace and a record of delivery ;

d) “Registered Courier” means any person registered as such under Section ‐‐‐ and includes his employee or agent or assignee;

e) “Licensee” means a Registered Courier who has been given license under Section ‐‐ ;

5. Registration and Licensing:

The Central Government may grant registration to any person undertaking the provision of any courier service in India, who shall be called a Registered Courier. The Central Government may also grant license to any Registered Courier, who shall be called alicensee, for providing certain specific services. There is no registration fee or license fee. Licensing conditions involve adherence to quality, guarantee relief to customers in case of any deficiency in service and commitment to ensure confidentiality and security of letter. All operators will require registration for providing any type of courier service in India. But license will be required only for reserve area,USO and letter mail.

6. Registering Authority:

It is proposed that Central Government shall appoint Registering Authority, in such manner and to perform such functions, as may be prescribed.

7. Appellate Authority:

An Appellate Authority is proposed for redressal of grievances of anyperson aggrieved by an order of Registration Authority.

8. Setting up Extra Territorial Offices of Exchange (ETOE) and International mail Processing Centers (IMPC) abroad:

Central Govt. may establish ETOEs/IMPCs in other countries for providing international Mail Services including express and parcel services subject to arrangements with such Postal Administrations regarding terms and conditions.

Ms Radhika Doraiswamy retiring on superannuation.

Ms. Radhika Doraiswamy (IPoS-1974), Secretary (Posts)/Chairperson,PSB/DG (Posts) Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi is retiring on superannuation from Government service wef 31.10.2011. Afternoon.

Transfer policy for Physically Challenged Government Employees

A suggestion has been made that physically handicapped candidates appointed under the Government should preferably be posted in their native places or at least in their native district. The matter has been examined carefully by DOPT and following decision was taken vide Office Memorandum NO. A-B 14017/41/90-Estt (RR) dated 10.05.1990
It may not be possible or desirable to lay down that physically handicapped employees belonging to Group-A or Group-B who have all India transfer liability should be posted near their native places. However, in the case of holders of Group-C or Group-D posts who have been recruited on regional basis and who are physically handicapped, such persons may be given posting, as far as possible, subject to administrative constraints, near their native places within the region.
Requests from physically handicapped employees for transfer to or near their native places may also be given preference.
However, the representations made by various Group A and Group B Officers were later considered by Government and it wasdecided the same benefit extended to Group C and Group D physically challenged employees will also be applicable to Group A and Group B officers.

This decision was communicated by DOPT in the office memorandum No: AB 14017/16/2002-Estt.(RR) 13.03.2002. The decision is as follows
It is further clarified that the guideline contained in para 2 of this Department’s O.M. dated 10.5.1990 that requests from physically handicapped employees for transfer to or near their native places mayalso be given preference, covers physically handicapped employees in Groups A, B, C and D.

After gold coins, it's HMT watches for sale at post offices

As part of providing more diversified services to the public, the Department of Posts has entered into a pact with watch manufacturer HMT for retailing its watches through its post offices.

As per the agreement, around 50 watch models between the price tag of Rs 395 and Rs 3,300 would be available.
An inaugural offer of 10-25% discount on select models had also been announced.
The service would currently be available at Anna Road Head Post Office and at Chennai GPO.

Exam study materials :-Census 2011 & Female Foeticide in India

Even as India has witnessed unprecedented economic growth in the last decade the condition of millions of Indian women and girl children continue to be deplorable, with the government unable to properly implement the laws against female foeticide.

According to census 2011 which pegged population of India at 1.21 billion, up 17.4% from 2001, the over sex ratio has improved from 932.91 females per 1000 male in 2001 to 940.27 in 2011, the highest recorded sex ratio since the 1971 census.
This can be explained by the greater natural longevity of women and improvements in health care over the years. But the deeply disturbing part of thestatistics is that 914.23 girls were born for every 1,000 boys in the age group 0-6, compared with 927.31 for every 1,000 boys in the 2001 census.
This is the worst child sex ratio in the history of the country since independence. This steep decrease in the child sex ratio has rung alarm bell across the country. Thistrend and scale of decline in rising India is shocking.
It can only be explained by the deadly application of the ‘son preference' on a growing scale — through the instrumentality of sex-selective abortion, or female foeticide. Female infanticide is also to blame for this decline.
In parts of India, sons are traditionally viewed as the main breadwinners who willtake care of the family, continue the familyname, and perform the last rites of the parents - an important ritual in many faiths.
But daughters are often seen as a burden - not just because of the worry of having to pay a substantial dowry to get them married off, but also due to the need to protect their virginity, which often brings disrepute to the family if lost before marriage.
Attempts to tackle female foeticide through bans on sex-determination tests imposed by the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act have been largely ineffective, with the number of cases registered nationwide reaching just 123 in 2009 according to the National Crime Records Bureau.

Sale of UPSC application forms through Post Offices has been discontinued

Department of Posts, India
Office of the Chief Postmaster General,
Orissa Circle, Bhubaneswar-751001
No. BD/27-2/2010 Dated at Bhubaneswar, the 24.10.2011
To
The Postmaster General,
Berhampur(GM) / Sambalpur Region.
All SSPOs/SPOs in Head Quarter Region.

Sub:- Sale of UPSC Application through designated Post Offices:- Regarding
Ref:- BD & Marketing Directorate’s OM No.36-22/2010-BD&MD dtd.11.10.2011.
A copy of the Directorate Office Memorandum bearing No.36-22/2010- BD&MD dtd.11.10.2011 on the above subject is sent herewith for information, guidance and taking further necessary action at your end in respect of your Unit/Division.

I am directed to request you to issue suitable instructions to all concerned staff of designated post offices to follow the guidelines contained in the referred letter on the subject and make necessary to stop selling UPSC application forms with immediate effect and arrange to return unsold stock of UPSC application forms. The unsold stock shall be immediately returnedto UPSC by EPP.
It is also requested to send the details of EPP charges for dispatch of old application forms to UPSC for enabling this office to send a consolidated statement on expenditure to CPMG, Delhi Circle to claim the same from UPSC.
A detailed report on compliance of this referred letter may be sent to this office by 28th October-2011.
Encl: As above
Asst. Director (BD & Mktg.)
For Chief PMG, Orissa Circle
Bhubaneswar-751 001
Copy for information and necessary action to:
The General Manager, BD & Marketing Directorate New Delhi-1 w.r.t Directorate’s OM No.36-22/2010-BD&MD dtd.11.10.2011.
Asst. Director (BD & Mktg.)
For Chief PMG, Orissa Circle
Bhubaneswar-751 001
No. 36-22/2010-BD&MD
Department of Posts
Business Development & Marketing Directorate
Dak Bhawan, New Delhi- 110 001
Dated 11th Oct 2011
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Sale of UPSC Application through designated Post Offices
This is regarding sale of UPSC Application forms through Post Offices. UPSC has decided to receive applications only through online mode for all future examinations (scheduled to be held from January 2012). Sale of application forms through Post Offices has been discontinued. UPSC has already communicated to all designated Post Offices vide their letter no. 2/3/2011-FSMC dated 05.09.2011 (copy enclosed). In view of this, Circles are requested to take necessary action as given below:
i. All designated Post Offices will stop selling UPSC application forms with immediate effect. The unsold stock shall beimmediately returned to UPSC by EPP. Dispatch of unsold stock from all designated Post Offices should be completed by 20th October 2011.
ii. Circles will intimate Delhi Circle about details of EPP charges for return of application forms to UPSC by all designatedPost Offices under their control latest by 31stOctober 2011. Delhi Circle will raise consolidated bill to UPSC for EPP charges by7th November 2011 with copy to BD&MD.
2. A detailed report on compliance of this OM may be sent by 21st November 2011.
Encl: As above
(Alka Jha)
General Manager (BP)
All Heads of Circles
Copy to:
1. Shri Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Additional Secretary, UPSC, Dholpur House, Shahjehan Road, New Delhi 110069 w.r.t. his DO letter no. 2/1/2011/FSMC.
2. Shri V.P.Singh, Joint Secretary, UPSC,Dholpur House, Shahjehan Road, New Delhi 110069.
3. Shri Y. Sharma, Assistant Director (BD), Delhi Circle, Meghdoot Bhawan, New Delhi – for action on para 1 (ii).

Notice for Departmental Examination in 40 days only.

Directorate vide Memo No. A-34020/12/2011.DE dated 04/03/2011

Subject : Amendment in Rule 2 of AppendixNo. 37 – Rules relating to Departmental Examinations, Part-I-General-Postal ManualVolume IV.

Note below Rule 2 of Appendix 37 of P & T Manual Vol. IV may be read as under:-
“The advance notice of a minimum period of 40 days should ordinarily be given for every departmental examination”.

Sd/-
(L. Mohan Rao)
ADG (DE)

EXPECTED DEARNESS ALLOWANCE (DA) FROM JAN 2012

EARLY INDICATION IS FOR AGAIN 6-7% HIKE IN DA WEF JAN 2012

All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) on base 2001=100 for the month of August, 2011 increased by 1 point and stood at 194 (one hundred & ninety four) .

With data of CPI now available for AUG 2011rush for DA details wef from JAN 2012 will start , four more months details of AICPIN data is due and DA details will be updated every month when AICIPN data is available from Govt.

Observance of Vigilance Awareness Week as “Grievance Redressal Week”

Please refer to CVC Circular No. 09/07/11 dated 12.09.2011 and accordingly the Department would be celebrating Vigilance Awareness Week from 31 st October to 5 th November, 2011 this year on theme of “Participative Vigilance”.

Gunupur S.O. burnt partially

Gunupur S.O. Burnt Partially
During observance of Dipavali on 26.10.2011 at Gunupur by general public, some sort of firework get into the GunupurSub Post Office which is situated on the first floor of the building. Some of the places and old documents caught fire and the SO started burning. The fire could only be stopped with the help of local people, staff and fire fighting staff and a disaster was avoided.

Source:AIPEU KORAPUT BLOG

Aligning returns on Small Savings Schems with market interest rates - Decision likely by March 2012

With declining small savings collection, the Finance Ministry is likely to decide by the end of this fiscal on aligning returns on such schemes with market interest rates, as recommended bya government panel.
"We are looking into the recommendations of the Shyamala Gopinath Committee and a decision will be taken by March end," said a senior Finance Ministry official.
Small savings schemes run by post-office, which are a major source of government's borrowings, are loosing sheen as interest rates offered on bank deposits are more attractive. Rates offeredby banks are on rise ever since the RBI has been increasing its key policy rates.
The Gopinath Committee has suggested various measures to make the schemes popular, including aligning the interest rates to market and bringing interest rate on post-office deposits up to par with a saving bank account.
"Benchmarking of interest rates on small saving schemes deposits to rates of Government securities (G-secs) is being actively looked into," the official added.
He said the thinking in the government was to have a floating rate of interest on such savings. "We are looking at combining some of the schemes into oneand the rates will be revised every year," he said.
The returns on small savings, like post office time deposit schemes and Monthly Income Scheme, vary between 6.25- 8 per cent. While savings banks accounts fetch a interest rate of 4 per cent calculated on daily basis, a Post office savings account gives an interest rate of 3.5 per cent annually.
Aligning these rates to market rates or Government securities will take the returns to over 8 per cent.
The government had to increase its market borrowing programme to make up for the shortfall in collections from the National Small Saving Fund (NSSF).
The Centre had initially estimated that NSSF would yield around Rs 24,000 crore, but there was net outflow of Rs 35,000 crore from the corpus during April-September.
Reforms in the small savings schemes is long due as the government hasnot acted on similar recommendations of Y V Reddy Committee report submitted in 2001.
Besides other recommendations, the Gopinath Committee had suggested that interest rate for one-year small deposit scheme should go up to 6.8 per cent from 6.25 per cent and introduction of 10-year National Saving Certificate scheme.
The official also said the issue regarding taxing returns on the small savings schemes, would be considered by the government while firming up the Direct Taxes Code (DTC), which seeks to replace the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Source : The Economic Times, October 23, 2011

What is 2G scam all about?

In 2007-08, when the government issued 122new telecom licences, several rules were violated and bribes were paid to favour certain firms. Several licences were issued to firms with no prior experience in the telecom sector or were ineligible or hadsuppressed relevant facts, CAG report said

The violations cost the exchequer $39 billion in lost revenue, the auditor said, equivalent to India's defence budget.
The telecom ministry's process of issuing licences "lacked transparency and was undertaken in an arbitrary, unfair and inequitable manner," the auditor said.
Police have accused Andimuthu Raja, the then-telecom minister, of having taken bribes from two firms which are now the local joint venture partners of Telenor and Etisalat .
What was the fallout?
The report sparked political outrage and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Partyall-but-shut an entire session of parliament demanding a special parliamentary probe.
Raja was forced to resign and was arrested over the report. The telecom ministry is considering whether to cancel some 85 licences which the audit report says were issued to firms which were ineligible for them.
Many of India's biggest business names have been questioned, including billionairesAnil Ambani, chairman of Reliance ADA group, and Prashant Ruia, chief executive ofEssar Group.
A parliamentary panel probing the scandal questioned Ratan Tata as well as Anil Ambani.
What does it mean for politics?
Singh and the ruling coalition have been weakened by the events, and the BJP is seen as having regained political momentum it had lost after defeat in the 2009 federal elections.
The Supreme Court criticised Singh for not acting quickly enough against Raja, a rare censure that was picked up by the BJP to accuse the government of shielding corruptofficials.
The attacks have nearly paralysed the government but it is not in danger of collapsing as its slim majority is not expected to see defections by coalition partners and no one, including the BJP, wants a federal election now.
The scandal has also touched Raja's regionalDMK party, a leading ally of the ruling Congress party. Police say some of the bribes were routed through the DMK's television channel, controlled by the wife and daughter of the DMK party chief.
DMK rules the large southern Tamil Nadu state, which goes to polls in April. The corruption cases could affect the electoral performance of the DMK-Congress coalition there.
What does this mean for investment in India?
While corruption itself has been largely shrugged off by investors, the regulatory uncertainty from the review of past government decisions is a source of concern to investors.
The benchmark Mumbai stock index ended the March quarter as the world's worst performer, weighed down in part by worries over fallout from a spate of scandals.
If the telecom ministry does decide to cancel some or all of the 85 licences it is scrutinising, questions will be raised on whether foreign investors can trust Indian government contracts.
The licences under review include those now held by Telenor and Etisalat's local ventures.
It is too early to know whether licences will be cancelled, but pressure will be on the government not to do so because operatorshave invested millions of dollars in rolling out networks and cancelling them will inconvenience subscribers.
The telecom ministry is also mulling imposing charges for spectrum it granted to telecom firms in the past and has levied fines on newer firms for not rolling out networks quickly enough.
For years, India gave operators spectrum beyond contracted levels free of cost as they added subscribers.
If the spectrum charges are imposed, market leaders Bharti Airtel and Vodafone would have to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in back-charges. For newer entrants,hefty fines could strain their finances and force them to exit.

Money lying idle in savings accounts to fetch more now :- ‘Savings rate deregulation by RBI'

The money lying idle in your bank account will now fetch you more returns, with the Reserve Bank of India completely deregulating interest rates on Tuesday. Thesavings or the SB account, which fetched account holders a measly 4%, was the last bastion of administered pricing imposed by the banking regulator and sets the stage for competition among banks to attract more deposits by offering attractive interest rates to consumers.
The new system comes into effect immediately and would replace the existing one, which has been in place since 1978.
Within hours of the policy, private sector player, Yes Bank, increased the return on itsSB accounts to 6%. Other banks with a relatively lower share of retail deposits such as IDBI Bank and Kotak Bank may follow suit in a bid to poach customers fromrivals. Although the small banks lack the distribution network, they are likely to playthe upstart by targeting salary accounts with the larger banks.
Banks may have 2 sets of deposit rates
Larger banks will not be able to respond selectively to Reserve Bank of India's complete deregulation of interest rates on Tuesday as the central bank has made it clear that the savings rate has to be uniform across customers. However, banks can have two set of rates - one for deposits below Rs 1 lakh and another for those with larger deposits.
"We have not set any parameters for the savings deregulation as we wanted banks to devise their own schemes and compete in the best interest of the customers and the country," said D Subbarao, governor, RBI. The governor admitted that deregulating the savings rate would help RBI in its fight against inflation as higher rates would be passed to customers who would be encouraged to save more and spend less.
Although banks with a low retail base are celebrating, the larger banks have been strongly opposed to the move. Most of the large banks had responded to RBI's discussion paper.
On deregulation by stating that the current environment of rising interest rates was aninopportune time to deregulate. "We are not in a hurry to raise savings deposit rates.We would rather see how it plays out...eventoday depositors have the advantage of getting higher returns through sweep accounts. Unless there are competing pressures we are not looking at raising rates now." Pratip Chaudhuri, chairman, State Bank of India, said.
Deregulation will put pressure on bank margins with average interest rates on savings account expected to go up by 50 to 100 basis points (a basis point is a hundredth of a percentage point). RBI's action has taken banks by surprise and their stocks lost considerably in a rather buoyant market. In their meeting with RBI governor D Subbarao chairmen of large banks had questioned why the deregulation was not done in a phased manner.
In reality, as pointed out by the large banks,depositors already have several options for getting a better returns on their savings. For instance, any depositor with a significant balance in a new generation bank can open a 'sweep account' which is nothing but a unitized fixed deposit accountwhere the deposit can be broken in parts and the amount credited to the customers account whenever he needs them.
There are also liquid funds where funds can be deployed and withdrawn at will. However, there continues to be a large section of customers who are either not sophisticated enough or not active or simply too conservative to try a higher yielding option. These borrowers will be themain gainers.

Reservation in promotion - Treatment of SC/ST candidates promoted on their own merit.

No.36012/45/2005-Estt. (Res.)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training North Block
New Delhi- 110001.
Dated the 10th August, 2010
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Reservation in promotion Treatment of SC/ST candidates promoted on their own merit.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Departments O.M.No.36028/17/2001-Estt. (Res.) dated 11th July, 2002 which clarified that SC/ST candidates appointed by promotion on their own merit and not owing to reservation or relaxation of qualifications will be adjusted against un-reserved points of the reservation roster and not against reserved points. It was subsequently clarified by this Department’s O.M. No.36028/17/2001-Estt. (Res.) dated 31.1 .2005 that the above referred O.M. took effect from 11.07.2002 and that concept of own merit did not apply to the promotions made by non-selection method.
2. Central Administration Tribunal, Madras Bench in O.A. No.900/2005 [S. KaÌugasalamoorthy v/s. Union of India & Others] has set aside the O.M. No.36028/17/2001-Estt. (Res.) dated 31.1.2005 and held that when a person is selected on the basis of his own seniority, the scope of considering and counting him against quota reserved for SCs does not arise. The High Court of judicature at Madras in the matter of UO1 v/s.S. Kalugasalamoorthy [WP No.15926/2007) has upheld the decision of the Central Administrative Tribunal.
3. The matter has been examined in the light of the above referred judgments and it has been decided to with draw O.M. No. 36028/17/2001-Estt. (Res.) dated 31.1.2005referred to above. It s clarified that SC/ST candidates appointed by promotion on their own merit and seniority and not owing to reservation or relaxation of qualifications will be adjusted against unreserved points of reservation roster, irrespective of the fact whether the promotion is made by selection method or non-selection method. These orders will take effect from 2.7.1997. the date on which post based reservation was introduced.
4. These instructions may he brought to thenotice of all concerned.
sd/-
(K.G. Verma)
Director

Bihar youth wins R s. 5 crore jackpot on 'Kaun Banega Crorepati 5'

The fifth season of Kaun Banega Crorepati got its first crorepati winner on Tuesday when Sushil Kumar from Motihari, Bihar, won the bumper prize of R s. 5 crore on the show.
Sushil, 28, is a modest computer operator drawing a monthly salary of R s. 6,000. He also gives computer lessons at a local institute in Motihari. "I never thought in my wildest of dreams I could do this," he said, after winning the prize. The episode, shot inMumbai, got everyone on the sets in a jubilant mood as Sushil started inching towards the jackpot. He steadily and intelligently answered most of the questions and saved his lifelines for the end.

Sushil was doubtful about the answer so he made use of two of his lifelines - Phone a Friend and Double Dip - and came up with the answer that won him the dream amount. As a youngster, Sushil wanted to take the civil services exams. He wanted to come to Delhi and prepare for the exams. However, he could not do so as he was unable to afford the expensive coaching classes in the Capital. Now, after having won the bounty, Sushil plans to enroll himself at a prominent coaching institute inDelhi and start preparing for his dream job

Enhancement of monthly mobile reimbursement for the SAs

SC dismisses plea against post office

Dhandayudhapaniswamy Thirukkoil at Palani in Tamil Nadu is an ancient temple. The temple trust is managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The temple trust had deposited Rs 1.4 crore with the Palani Post Office under the 'Post Office Time Deposit Scheme' for a period of five years from May 5, 1995.
In December 1995, the post master sent a letter to the trust saying that the scheme had been discontinued since April 1, 1995. Hence, the amount deposited would be refunded without interest. The amount was actually refunded on January 3, 1996.
The trust sent a notice demanding Rs 9,13,951 as interest at 12% per annum. When the postal authorities did not respond, the trust filed a complaint before the Tamil Nadu State Commission, but the complaint was dismissed. The trust appealed to the National Commission, which too dismissed it. The temple trust then approached the Supreme Court.
To ascertain whether there was any deficiency in service, the Supreme Court considered the provisions of the Post OfficeSavings Bank General Rules, 1981, which are applicable to savings accounts, time deposit accounts and recurring deposit accounts. These are framed under the Government Savings Banks Act, 1873. Rule 17 states that an account that is opened in contravention of rule can be closed at any time and the deposit refunded without interest.
The Supreme Court observed that the notification stipulating that no time deposits shall be made or accepted on behalf of any institution with effect from April 4, 1995, was issued under the rules. The investment by the temple trust was made subsequently. So the apex court heldthat refusal to pay interest was justified and in accordance with the provisions of Rule 17. Hence, this could not be termed deficiency in service, the court observed.
The apex court also relied on earlier precedents. Where contracts or investments were made in contravention of any notification, it had been held that these were unlawful and void, and hence not binding. In such circumstances, the government would not be liable to pay interest.
The trust wanted the post master to be held liable and compensate for the loss. The court agreed that the trust had lost substantial interest because of the ignorance of the post master about the notification. Yet it refused to hold the post master liable for payment of any compensation as it would be against the rules.
While dismissing the trust's appeal, the Supreme Court suggested guidelines to avoid such incidents.
Officials dealing with public money or those in charge of accepting deposits must be conversant with all the details relating to types of deposits, period, rate of interest, eligibility criteria, etc applicable to the schemes. Details governing various schemes may also be exhibited in vernacular language at a conspicuous location.
When the government issues any notification or instruction, such decision must be immediately communicated to all the authorities concerned by using the latest technology-by fax, email, etc, to keep the officials updated of the latest developments. This information must also be communicated to the subordinate staff so that correct procedures are followed.
Impact: Ignorance of the law is no excuse. But what is unfortunate is that when both, the government servant dealing with the scheme as well as the citizen are ignorant, it is the citizen who is made to suffer.

Detailed Project Report For Postal Bank to be Finalized in Next Six Months

Shri Kapil Sibal, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology informed the Economic Editor’sConference here today . Following is the text of opening remarks of the Minister:


“One organization and sector which is rarely talked in public but which is equally important for empowering the common man is Postal Department. With its network of 1.55 lakh post offices and wide range of financial, mailing and insurance, post offices in India have the enormous potential to join and ride on the ICTE agenda. To enable post offices to servethe 21 st century Indians, reform agenda is underway
“One, Indian Post Office Bill 2011. To reformand open the Indian Postal Market, which will ultimately result in a vibrant industry and satisfied customers. The bills aims to open the Indian postal market with 50 gm privilege to India Post for a maximum of 15 years, registration of couriers by an independent registration authority and USO of postal sector to be borne wholly by the government. Discussions with stakeholders ( couriers, industry bodies and government agencies) is underway and bill will shortly introduced in the Parliament for approval.
“Two, IT Modernization Project. It has been approved by the Cabinet and essentially involves
· Computerization and networking of 1.55 lakh post offices.
· Core banking solution for Anytime Anywhere Banking through Post Offices with ATM facility
· Delivery of banking, insurance and mailing services in rural areas through hand held device.
· Postal Network to deliver a host of retail ( banking, financial and e-com services) with technology enabled solutions
· Post Offices to become hub of social security payment through digital network
“Three, setting up of Postal Bank of India – Detailed Project Report will be finalized in next six months. This will enable India Post to extend micro credit and other loans through vast network of 1.55 lakh post offices. Coupled with other financial services like micro remittance, micro insurance and micro pensions, postal bank of India will help to achieve the goal of financial inclusion in India
“Four, Commercialization of Postal Network in India , to ensure that a large number of financial, insurance and physicalgoods and services are delivered to the common man though India Post.

Everybody in the Department should know - HOW TO IMPLEMENT SEVOTTAM THROUGH POST FORUM

What is Post Forum?
• A system to foster better relationship with clients and to create a ready responsiveness to public needs. The Post Forum was introduced on 10.09.90. Post Forum is a representative body of users of a post office to advise the post office on matters of its service in public interest conceived in the widest sense. It shall consist of not more than 7 (seven) Members. They shall be users of the Post Offices. It will meet once every three months. However, in the initial phase, it would be appropriate to conduct meeting once in two months and after initial three to four meetings, the periodicity of meeting may be once in three months. To keep the focus on the relevant issues, it is most important that the Post Forum shall discuss the issues relating to the Post Office for which it was formed.
• It is a body set up by the Divisional Head in a Post Office consisting of Postmaster, Customer groups and post office supervisors.
• The Postmaster is the head of the Post Forum.
• It is a platform for both Post Office and customers to know each other closely.
• It is a forum to know customer needs.
• It is a Forum to tell our .expectation from the customers.
• It is a platform to tell about ourselves to customers.
• It is a collective effort to identify the problems.
• It is a collective platform to recommend changes.
• It is a forum to bring people closer to the post offices.
• It is a change agent to bring improvement in the Services and work culture.
• It builds bond of cooperation and mutual respect.
How Post Forum Functions?
Through Facilitator, Process and Decision taking Teams.
Who is a Facilitator?
• An employee working in Post Office and identified by Postmaster to implement theCharter is named as Facilitator.
Roles of Facilitator:
• To understand the theme of Citizen Charter.
• To assist Postmaster in organizing and running of Post Forum
• To train and educate other staff in the Post Office.
• To analyze performance with standards.
• To publish results of performance compare to set standards.
• To oversee implementation of Citizen Charter.
• To maintain proper records of proceedings of the Post Forum and action taken to act upon the recommendation.
Process Teams:
• To assist Postmaster and Process Team Leader in evoking proforma for monitoringperformance against the fixed standards.
• Teams constituted for branches of Post Offices
• Deputy Postmaster/Assistant Postmaster/Supervisor is head and all employees in branch are Members.
• Discuss the problems and suggest corrective actions, record the proceedings.
• Evolve monitory performance to measure the performance against the set standards.
• Implement those suggestions where no outside assistance is required.
• Meet once in 15 days and review progress.
• Records to be kept of issues deliberated upon.
Decision Taking Team:
• Postmaster as head and all Deputy Postmaster /Asst. Postmaster/Supervisors of Post Office as member of this team.
• The supervisors will bring only those points where Postmaster’s assistance required.
• Postmaster to discuss and take decision. Minutes to be prepared.
• Prescribing measurement tools and formats.
• Measuring the performance with set standards.
• Meet once in a month for discussing new issues and Monitoring progress of earlier decisions.
• Disseminate information on new schemes and initiatives of Department to all Members.
• Attend Post Forum meetings.
Courtesy : http://aipeup3bbsr.blogspot.com

UPSC has declared the dates of the Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS) Examination for year 2012

IMPORTANT DATES:
*. Date of Notification: 4th February, 2012
*. Last Date for Applying: 5th March, 2012 (may change)
*. Date of Civil Services Preliminary Exam, 2012: 20th May 2012 (1 Day)
*. Date of Civil Services Mains Exam, 2012: 5th October 2012 onwards (21 Days)
Disclaimer: Above dates can be changed bythe UPSC, for final dates see official notification on Feb 2012.

PAN (PERMANENT ACCOUNT NUMBER)

PAN (PERMANENT ACCOUNT NUMBER)
1 What is PAN
Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a ten-digit alphanumeric number allotted by Income Tax Department. Normally it is, issued in the form of a laminated card, by the IT Department.
2 Is it necessary to obtain PAN
It is mandatory w.e.f.1 January 2005 to quote PAN on challans for any payments due to Income Tax Department. Moreover, now it is mandatory to quote PAN on returnof income, all correspondence with any income tax authority.
3 For which type of transactions it it necessary to quote PAN
In all documents pertaining to financial transactions notified from time-to-time by the Central Board of Direct Taxes.it is necessary to quote PAN. Some of the transactions where it is compulsory to quote PAN are as follows-
Sale and purchase of immovable property or motor vehicle;
Payments in cash, of amounts exceeding Rs.25,000/-to hotels and restaurants;
In connection with travel to any foreign country.
For obtaining a telephone or cellular telephone connection.
For making a time deposit exceeding Rs. 50,000/- with a Bank Post Office;
depositing cash of Rs. 50,000/- or more in a Bank.
4 Who must have PAN
(a) All existing assesses or taxpayers or persons who are required to furnish a return of income, even on behalf of others, must obtain PAN.
(b) Any person, who intends to enter into financial transaction where quoting PAN is mandatory, must also obtain PAN.
(c) The Assessing Officer may allot PAN to any person either on his own or on a specific request from such person.
5. How to apply for PAN?
PAN application has to be made on Form 49A. It can be downloaded from website. Income Tax department has authorized UTI Investor Services Ltd (UTIISL) to set up and manage IT PAN Service Centers in all cities or towns where there is an Income Tax office and National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) to dispense PAN services from TIN Facilitation Centers. For convenience of PAN applicants in big cities, UTIISL has set up more than one IT PAN Service Center and likewise there are more than one TIN Facilitation Centers.
To obtain PAN fast, one can also make application for fresh allotment of PAN through Internet pay througha 'nominated' credit card. In such cases the PAN is allotted on priority and communicated through email.
6 What are the documents to be submitted alongwith the Form 49A (application for PAN)
a. Individual applicants will have to affix one recent, coloured photograph (Stamp Size: 3.5 cms x 2.5 cms) on Form 49A; (A photograph is compulsory only in case of 'Individual' applicants')
b. Any one document listed in Rule 114 mustbe supplied as proof of 'Identity' and 'Address'; and
c. Designation and code of the concerned Assessing Officer of Income Tax departmentwill have to be mentioned in Form 49A.
7 What type of documents are accepted as proof of address?
For Individuals: Following are some of the documents that are accepted as proof of address: (a) copy of electricity bill; or (b) telephone bill or (c) depository account or (d) credit card or (e) bank account or (f) ration card or (g) employer certificate or (h)passport or (i) voter identity card or (j) property tax assessment order or (k) driving license or (l) rent receipt or (m) certificate of address signed by a MP/ MLA/Municipal Councilor / a Gazetted Officer;
In case the PAN applicant is a minor, any of above documents of any of the parents or guardian of such minor shall serve as proof of Address;
For HUF: In case PAN application is made on behalf of a HUF, any of above documents in respect of Karta of the HUF will serve as proof of Address.
For Others e.g. Partnerships / Companies etc.: Copy of Certificate of Registration issued by the Registrar of Companies or Copy of Certificate of Registration issued by the Registrar of Firms or Copy of Partnership Deed or Copy of Trust deed or Copy of Certificate of Registration Number issued by Charity Commissioner or Copy of Agreement or Copy of Certificate of Registration Number issued by Charity Commissioner or Registrar of Co-operative Society or any other Competent Authority or any other document originating from any Central or State Government Department establishing Identity and Address of such person.

Solved Question Paper of IPO Examination 2011

Q1 Second appeal Under RTI Can lie within
90 days
Q2 The Consumer protection act 1986 was extends to
Answer : Whole India except the state of J& K
Q3 A complaint under the consumer protection act 1986 means
Answer D ( All of these)
Q4 Each district forum shall consist of
Answer President and two members
Q5 Subject to other provision of consumer protection act the district forum shall have jurisdiction
To entertain complaints where the value ofthe goods or services and the compensation if any claimed “ does not exceeds rupees
Answer 20 Lacs
Q6 Any person aggrieved by an order made by the district forum may prefer an appeal against such order to the state commission within a period of
Answer 30 Days
Q7 The national consumer commission shall consists of
Answer : president and not less than four members
Q8 Where a request is received under RTI isreceived which relates to or has been supplied by a third party , the CPIO or SPIO will give a notice to that third party and make submission to party regarding the request within
Answer : Five Days
Q9 The numbers of central information commissioners in central information commission shall
Answer : Not Exceed Ten
Q10 Application seeking information underRTI should be RTI should be
Answer D any of them
Q11 The state commission of consumer forum have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of goods or services and compensation claimed
Exceeds Rupees Twenty Lakh but not exceeds One Core
Q12 Any Person aggrieved by an order made by the state commission of consumer forum may prefer an appeal against such order
Answer : 30 Days
Q13 Section 20 of CPC does not apply to
Answer : Arbitration Proceedings
Q14 A stipulation for increased interest from the date of default is known as
Answer : Compensation
Q15 In case the suit has been instituted in a court having no jurisdiction , territorial orpecuniary , the plaint is liable to be
Answer :
Q16 Caveat filed under the provisions of the civil procedure code shall not remain inforce after the expiry of
Answer : 90 Days
Q17 In case where the defendant sets up counter claim the suit of plaintiff is stayed ,discontinued , or dismissed the counter –claim
Answer Shall be stayed
Q18 All the money payable under a decree shall be paid
Answer D all of these
Q19 A garnishee is
Answer None of these
Q20 The main purpose of a temporary injection granted under O 39 R 1 of the code of civil procedure 1908 is
Answer : To Preserve the subject matter ofsuit in the status quo
Q21 Section 89 of the code of civil procedure 1908 provides for
Answer : Settlement of disputes outside the court
Q22 A Vakalatnama remains in force until
Answer : All proceedings in the suit have ended
Q23 Every pledging must defense
Answer :
Q24 Under section 80 of civil procedure code a notice of how many days is required to be delivered before institution of suit against the government
Answer : Two Months
Q25 The petition under Article 32 of constitution
Answer D None of these
Q26 When supreme court sits to determineany question involving a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the constitution or for tendering its advice, the minimum number of judges to constitute the bench should be
Answer : Five
Q27 The power of judicial review is enjoyed by
Answer : Supreme Court Only
Q28 Which one of the following writs can be issued against a private individual by high court
Mandamus Habeas Corpus , Quo warranto None of these
Answer : Habeas Corpus
Q29 Double Jeopardy means
Answer : Putting the same person on trial twice for the same offence
Q30 The article 227 of the Indian Constitution deals with
Answer : High court power of superintendence
Q31 The constitution amendment bills are initiated in
Answer Lok Sabha
Q32 Which article of Indian Constitution deals with the government contracts
Answer : Article 299
Q33 The supreme court of India enunciatedthe doctrine “Basic Structure of constitution in
Answer : Keshavananda Bharati case in 1973
Q34 Delay in filling the suit
Answer :
Q35 Under the Indian Evidence act 1872 presumption
Answer D All of these
Q36 The doctrine of estoppel is a
Answer : Rule of equity
Q37 Warrant case means a case
Answer : Relating to an offence punishable with death imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term exceeding two years
Q38 This is proceeding whereby the court enquires into the legality of the claim which a party asserts
To a public office and to oust him from its enjoyment if the claim be not be well founded
Answer : Writ of Quo Warranto
Q39 What is issued by the supreme court or a high court to an inferior court forbidding the latter to continue proceedings there in excess of its jurisdiction or to usurp a jurisdiction with which it is not legally vested
Answer : Suo Motto Order
Q40 Point out incorrect statement
Part III
Q41 No Citizen shall , on grounds only of religion , race , caste sex , descent ,place of birth residence or any of them be ineligiblefor , discriminated against in respect of any employment or office under the state .This right is guaranteed by the constitutionof India under
Article 16
Q42 A Member of parliament has to right refuse to appear before a court for giving evidence in a court of law . This privilege is enjoyed by the member
Answer : When a parliament is in session
Q43 Under order 41 rule 27 CPC additional evidence can be laid in the appellate court on
Answer :
Q44 The chief central information commissioner and information commissioners shall be appointed by
Answer : By the president of India on recommendation of a committee consisting of prime minister Leader of opposition and union cabinet minister nominated by prime minister
Q45 Supreme court has laid down new concept of equality which aims at
Answer : Effective enforcement of fundamental rights
Q46 The concept of secularism as inserted by 42nd amendment which was implicit in the constitution
In the following words
Answer : Liberty of belief faith and worship
Q47 The legal maxim ubi jus ibi remedium means
Answer : Where there is a right there is a remedy
Q48 Ram a police officer has a warrant of arrest for vinod He asks ravi as to the identity of vinod .
Ravi knowingly tells Ram and identifies subhas as vinod and consequently ram arrests subhas
Answer : Ravi is guilty of abetment by falserepresentation
Q49 Keshavnand Bharti which overrules Golak Nath lays down
Answer
Q50 Point out the incorrect statement
Answer
Quorum of either house (Lok Sabbha and Rajya Sabha ) shall be one fifth of the total number of members of the house
Q51 Articles 2 of the Indian Constitution provides to admit or establish new states by
Answer Parliament by law on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.
Q52 Which of the following articles confer power on the supreme court to issue appropriate orders or writs
Article 226 , article 137, article 32 article 140
Answer Article 137
Q53 When a person is holding a public for which he is not legally entitled , which of the following Writ can be issued
Answer Writ of Quo Warranto
Q54 After 44 th Amendment of Indian Constitution proclamation of emergency may remain into force for
Two months in the first instance and if approved by parliament shall remain in force for six months
Q55 The doctrine of Res IPSA LOQUITUR means
Answer : A thing speaks for itself for its tells its own story
Q56 The legal term quid pro quo means
Answer : What for what
Q57 The period of limitation for instituting a summary suit is ---- from the date on which the debt becomes due
Answer : One Year
Q58 Sec 114 Evidence act 1872 deals with
Answer : Legal Presumption
Q59 The evidence act 1872 applies to
Answer D None of these
Q60 Confession made while in custody of police are
Answer : In admissible
Q61 Opinion of experts is relevant under
Answer C Both of above ( section 45 and section 46)
Q62 The test identification parade u/s -9 of evidence act should be taken whom
Answer :
Q63 Accused statement U/S 313 Cr P C is to be recorded on oath
Answer
Q64 For summoning an accused u/s 319 of CRPC
Answer : Statement u/s 161 CRPC is relevant
Q65 Ordinary place of trial is
Answer : Where the offence has been committed
Q66 Statement u/s 161 of CRPC can be used to
Answer : Corroborate and contradiction statement in court
Q67 Enquiry is conducted by magistrate with a view to
Answer :
Q68 For proving an offence u/s 307 of IPC
Answer intention to commit murder has toproved
Q69 Preparation to commit murder is
Answer : Not punishable
Q70 Preparation to commit docoity is a
Answer : Punishable offence
Q71 An offense of cheating intention to cheat should be present
Answer : From the very beginning
Q72 Which sec of IPC has been declared unconstitutional and (violate) violatve of art 14 and 21 Indian constitution
Answer Sec 306
Q73 Inherent powers of courts are mentioned under which sec or order of CPC
Answer Sec -151
Q74 CPC includes
Answer :
Q75 Temporary injection relief is mentioned under which section of CPC
Answer : Order -39
Q76 CPC enforced in
Answer : 1974
Q77 How many kinds of decree are
Answer : Preliminary and final
Q78 Consumer dispute redressal forum known as
Answer : District Forum
Q79 The pecuniary jurisdiction of state consumer commission is
Answer : 20 Lakh
Q80 Consumer mentioned u/s 2 includes
Answer : C Both of them
Q81 Supreme court includes medical services in the case of
Answer : Indian Medical Association v V P Shantha
Q82 Information word includes
Answer C Both of them ( record and documents)
Q83 Under RTI act the language of an application may be
Answer : D All of these
Q84 The chief justice and judges of the high courts in India are appointed by the
Answer : President of India
Q85 The subject matter of theft
Answer : Can be movable property
Q86 Dishonest misappropriation of property has been defined
Under section 403 of IPC
Q87 in criminal breach of trust the initial possession of property
Answer : is Innocent

Bill for revamping India Post soon: Sibal

A bill for revamping the postal department, which includes opening up some segments to private players, will be introduced in parliament soon, Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal said Thursday.
The bill also aims at registration of couriersby an independent registration authority, Sibal said while addressing the Economic Editors Conference here.
The minister added that a detailed project report on the setting up of a Postal Bank of India will be finalised in the next six months.
'This will enable India Post to extend micro credit and other loans through vast network of 1.55 lakh post offices, coupled with other financial services like micro-remittance, micro-insurance and micro-pensions,' he said.
The revamped postal network will boast ofover 1.55 lakh computerised post offices, banking services through post offices with ATM facility and delivery of banking, insurance and mailing services in rural areas through hand-held devices.

GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS (GDS) DA ORDERS ISSUED

No.14-01/2011-PAP
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
(Establishment Division)
Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110001
Dated 18 th October, 2011
To
All Chief Postmaster General
All GMs (PAF) Director of Accounts (Postal)
Subject: Payment of Dearness Allowance toGramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) at revised rates w.e.f. 01.07.2011 onwards-reg.
Consequent upon grant of another installment of Dearness allowance , with effect from 1 st July, 2011 to the Central Government Employees vide Government of India , Ministry of Finance , Department of Expenditure, OM No. 1(14)/2011-E-II(B) dated 3 rd October,2011, the Gramin Dak Sevaks(GSD) have also become entitled to the payment of dearness allowance on basic TRCA at the revised rate with effect from 01.07.2011. It has, therefore, been decided that the dearness allowance payable to the Gramin Dak Sevaks shall be enhances from the existing rate 51% to 58% on the basic Time Related Continuity Allowance with effect from the 1 st July, 2011.
2. The additional installment of dearness allowance payable under this order, shall be paid in cash to all Gramin Dak Sevaks. The payment of arrears of dearness allowance for the months of July to September, 2011, shall not be made beforethe date of disbursement of TRCA for the month of September, 2011.
3. The expenditure on this account shall be debited to the Head" Salaries" the relevanthead of account and should be met from the sanctioned grant.
4. This issues with the concurrence of Integrated Wing vide their Dairy No. 123/FA/II/CS dated 18 th October, 2011.
Sd/-
(Kalpana Rajsinghot)
Director (Estt.)
Tele o11-23096036

Supreme Court Judgement :- No govt jobs to those person having criminal record

A person facing criminal cases cannot be considered suitable for appointment in government service unless acquitted of the charges, the Supreme Courthas held.

Quashing the appointment of constable SK Nazrul Islam, the apex court said, "Surely, the authorities entrusted with the responsibility of appointing constables were under duty to verify the antecedents of a candidate to find out whether he is suitable for the post of constable." And so long as the candidate has not been acquitted in the criminal case of the charges he cannot possibly be held to be suitable for appointment to the post of constable.

A bench of justices R V Raveendran and A K Patnaik passed the judgement while upholding the West Bengal government's appeal challenging the high court's direction to appoint Islam despite the fact that he was facing criminal charges. Islam who was provisionally recruited in 2007 butduring verification, it came to light that he was on bail and facing criminal charges under several IPC sections. The government soon terminated his appointment.

He then approached the Administrative Tribunal which dismissed his plea, following which he appealed in the high court. The court, however, directed his appointment subject to the final outcome of the criminal trial pending against him. The state appealed in the apex court.

Upholding the appeal, the bench said, "We fail to appreciate how when a criminal case under IPC sections 148, 323, 380, 427 against the respondent was pending in the court of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Uluberia, Howrah, any mandamus could have been issued by the high court to the authorities to appoint the respondent as a constable." Accordingly it quashed the high court order.

SB ORDER NO. 21/2011

SB ORDER NO. 21/2011

No. F.No.113-07/2008-SB

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi-110001, Dated: 12.10.2011

To

All Heads of Circles/Regions

Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi.

Subject:- Attestation of Annexure-II (Affidavit) and Annexure-III (Disclaimer on Affidavit) in case of deceased claim casepreferred where there is no nomination- a clarification regarding.

Sir / Madam,

The undersigned is directed to saythat after issue of new procedure for payment of amount of Savings Bank/Certificates in the name of deceased depositor/holders circulated vide SB Order No.25/2010 dated 24.12.2010, this office was receiving many references from the field units regarding attestation of Annexure-II and III by the Notary Public. The matter was referred to Min..of Finance,Department of Economic Affairs for clarification.

2. Min. of Finance (DEA) has now clarified that the matter was referred to Min. of Law and Justice who opined that Annexure-II and III may be attested either by Oath Commissioner or by Notary Public. Therefore, it is requested that necessary amendment may be made in these forms accordingly. Amendment to the forms notified by Min. of Finance in respect of PPFand Sr. Citizen Savings Scheme will be made by the ministry shortly.

3. It is requested that this clarification maybe circulated to all all field units and all deceased claim cases kept pending for this reason should be settled urgently.

4. This issues with the approval of DDG(FS).

                                                                Yours faithfully,

                                                              ( Kawal Jit Singh)

                                                           Assistant Director (SB)

LGO selected candidates need not wait for induction training!

They will be imparted a brief in house – training of two weeks and posted as Postal Assistant

The Department has issued orders vide its letter No. 1-19/2010-Trg dt. 28.09.2011 that the PA/SA LGO candidates will be imparted two weeks in house training and posted as Postal Assistant. They need not wait for induction training and remaining as Postman/MTS after their selection in LGO examination.

Instructions regarding posting of officials in charge of Single-handed and B-Class offices

Circle Office kerela has issued instructions regarding p osting of officials in charge of Single-handed and B-Class offices. The order is posted below:

                                                     DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

                                                 Office of the Chief Postmaster General,

                                             Kerala Circle, Thiruvananthapuram – 695033

To,

The SSPOs, Tvm North/ Kollam

The SPOs, Tvm South/ Pathanamthitta/ Tiruvalla

No: ST/ 9-2/ SR/ 2011 Dated: 25.08.2011

Sub: Posting of officials in charge of Single-handed and B-Class offices.

It is brought to the notice of this office thatthe newly recruited Postal Assistants in the year 2009 and 2010 have been posted as SPMs in sigle handed and B-class offices in some of the Postal Divisions in Southern Region. This is fraught with risk as the newly recruited officials do not have the experience to manage the functioning of single handed and B-class offices. Further they have been trained to handle computerized facilities and the new value added and e-services, many of which are yet to be provided in B & C class offices. In fact ‘C’ class offices are yet to be computerized and sending these new recruits to such offices is a waste of resources. Secretary (P) has directed time and again that these recruits should be used at the counters of major post offices in order to improve the quality of services to customers and this had been communicated in the past. Yet these instructions have not been complied with and they have been put in charge of Post Offices while their senior counterparts have been spared such onerous responsibilities.

2. Now a days Postmasters of all categories upto single-handed offices are also allotted with specific revenue targets in SB, RPLI etc. The induction training imparted can only give a brief idea about the various administrative duties and responsibilities including coordination withdelivery staff. They can acquire sound knowledge of these aspects only by working in larger offices in different branches at least for a minimum period of ten years. The Divisional Heads have not sought any clarification before posting these junior most officials as in-charge of sub offices. This is not acceptable, in the face of directions available from the Directorate.

3. Prior to the introduction of MACP scheme, as per the then existing instructions, when posting of SPMs other than norm-based posts is to be made, officials working in BCR and TBOP are to be considered and for single-handed and B-class offices, if there is no willing official belonging to the above categories, the junior most TBOP should be posted. After the introduction of MACP scheme, when such contingency as mentioned, officials in MACP-3 and MACP-2 are to be considered when postings are made. Therefore, the following instructions may be followed hereafter:

4. While following the above instructions, the hierarchy to be followed isto post willing MACP-3 officials, followed by MACP-2 and MACP-1 officials. However, it may be ensured that MACP-3 and MACP-2 officials are not posted against single-handed, B-class and also at A-class and LSG Offices, keeping the HSG-I and HSG-II posts vacant or manned by MACP-2 and MACP-1 officials in respectively. There is no dearth for MACP-3, MACP-2 and MACP-1 officials in any postal division. Hence there is no justification in posting newly recruited officials as SPMs in single-handed and B-class offices. It is reiterated that, time-scale PAs should not be posted as SPMs of any post officesunder any circumstances.

5. In this matter, a review may be undertaken immediately and action taken to shift such junior most officials by filling up the posts as mentioned above. Details of such arrangements presently made mayalso be intimated within 3 days for the information of CPMG.

Sd/-
C R Ramakrishnan
APMG (Staff & Vigilance)
Copy to: AD (staff), Office of PMG, Kochi/ Kozhikode – for similar action at his end.
APMG (Staff)

Holidays to be observed in Central Government Offices during the year 2012.

MOST IMMEDIATE
F.No.12/3/2011-JCA-2
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 27th June, 2011
Subject: Holidays to be observed In Central Government Offices during the year 2012.
It has been decided that the holidays as specified in the Annexure —I to this O.M. will be observed in all the Administrative Offices of the Central Government located at Delhi/New Delhi during the year 2012. Inaddition, each employee will also be allowed to avail himself/herself of any twoholidays to be chosen by him/her out of the list of Restricted Holidays in Annexure — II.
2. Central Government Administrative Offices located outside Delhi / New Delhi shall observe the following holidays compulsorily in addition to three holidays as per para 3.1 below:
1. REPUBLIC DAY
2. INDEPENDENCE DAY
3. MAHATMA GANDHI’S BIRTHDAY
4. BUDHA PURNIMA
5. CHRISTMAS DAY
6. DUSSEHRA (VLJAY DASHMI)
7. DIWALI (DEEPAVALI)
8. GOOD FRIDAY
9. GURU NANAK’S BIRTHDAY
10. IDU’L FITR
11. IDU’L ZUHA
12. MAHAVIR JAYANTI
13. MUHARRAM
14. PROPHET MOHAMMAD’S BIRTHDAY (ID-E-MILAD)
3.1. In addition to the above 14 Compulsoryholidays mentioned in para 2, three holidays shall be decided from the list indicated below by the Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committee in the State Capitals, if necessary, in consultation with Coordination Committees at other places inthe State. The finai list applicable uniformlyto all Central Government offices within the concerned State shall be notified after seeking prior approval of this Ministry and no change can be carried out thereafter. It is also clarified that no change is permissible in regard to festivals and datesas indicated.
1. AN ADDITIONAL DAY FOR DUSSEHRA
2. HOLI
3. JANAMASHTAMI (VAISHNAVI)
4. RAM NAVAMI
5. MAHA SHWRATRI
6. GANESH CHATURTHI / VINAYAK CHATURTHI
7. MAKAR SANKARANTI
8. RATH YATRA
9. ONAM
10. PONGAL
11. SRI PANCHAMI / BASANTA PANCHAMI
12. VISHU / VAISAKHI / VAISAKHADI / BHAG BIHU / MASHADI UGADI / CHAITRA SAKLADI / CHETI CHAND / GUDI PADA 1st NAVRATRA / NAURAJ/CHHATH POOJA/KARVA CHAUTH.
3.2 No substitute holiday should be allowedif any of the festival holidays initially declared subsequently happens to fall on a weekly off or any other non working day or in the event of more than one festivals falling on the same day.
4. The list of Restricted Holidays appended to this O.M. is meant for Central Government Offices located in Delhi / New Delhi. The Coordination Committees at the State Capitals may draw up separate list ofRestricted Holidays keeping in view the occasions of local importance but the 9 occasions left over, after choosing the 3 variable holidays in para 3.1 above, are to be included in the list of restricted holidays.
5.1 For offices in Delhi / New Delhi, any change in the date of holidays in respect ofIdu’l Fitr, Edu’l Zuha, Muharram and Id-e-Milad, if necessary, depending upon sighting of the Moon, would be declared by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievancesand Pensions after ascertaining the position from the Govt. of NCT of Delhi.
5.2 For offices outside Delhi / New Delhi, the Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committees at the State Capitals are authorised to change thedate of holiday, if necessary, based on the decision of the concerned State Governments / Union Territories, in respectof ldu’l Fitr, Idu’l Zuha, Muharram and ld-e-Milad.
5.3 It may happen that the change of date of the above occasions has to be declared at a very short notice. In such a situation, announcement could be made through T.V. / A.I.R. / Newspapers and the Heads of Department / Offices of the Central Government may take action according to such an announcement without waiting fora formal order, about the change of date.
6. During 2012, Diwali (Deepavali) falls on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 (Kartika 22). In certain States, the practice is to celebrate the occasion a day in advance, i.e., on ‘Narakachaturdasi Day”. In view of this, there is no objection if holiday on account of Deepavali is observed on"Naraka Chaturdasi Day (in place of Deepavali Day) for the Central GovernmentOffices in a State if in that State that day alone is declared as a compulsory holiday for Diwali for the offices of the State Government.
7. Central Government Organisations whichinclude industrial, commercial and trading establishments would observe upto 16 holidays in a year including three national holidays viz. Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, as compulsory holidays. The remaining holidays / occasions may be determined by such establishments / organisations themselves for the year 2012, subject to para 3.2 above.
8. Union Territory Administrations shall decide the list of holidays in terms of Ministry of Home Affairs letter No.14046/27/83- GP-I dated 15.2.1984 by which they would observe a total of 16 holidays including the three National Holidays Viz. Republic Day, Independence Day & Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday.
9. in respect of Indian Missions abroad, the number of holidays may be notified in accordance with the instructions containedin this Department’s O.M. No.12/5/2002-JCAdated 17th December, 2002. In other words; they will have the option to select 10(Ten) holidays of their own only after including in the list, three National Holidaysand Milad-un-Nabi or Id-E-Milad, Buddha Purnima, Idu’l Zuha (Bakrid) and Muharram included in the list of compulsory holidays and falling on days of weekly off.
10. In respect of Banks, the holidays shall be regulated in terms of the extant instructions issued by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance.
11. Hindi version will follow.
sd/-
(DINESH KAPILA)
Director (JCA)

Election Leave Circular

Closing of Central Government Offices in connection with elections to Lok Sabha / State Assembly / Panchayat / Municipalities / Corporation or other Local Bodies -regarding
No. 12/14/99-JCA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, P.G. & PENSIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)
NORTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI
NEW DELHI, THE 10th OCTOBER, 2011
OFFICE MEMORNDUM
Sub : Closing of Central Government Offices in connection with elections to Lok Sabha / State Assembly / Panchayat / Municipalities / Corporation or other Local Bodies -regarding
In modification of these instructions contained in this Department’s OM No.12/4/86-JCA dated 9th March, 1987, the undersigned is directed to say that the following guidelines are prescribed for future for closing of Central Government Offices including industrial establishments in connection with the elections indicated above.
(i) The relevant organizations shall remain closed in the notified areas where general elections to Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be conducted.
(ii) In connection with bye-election to LokSabha / State Assembly, only such of the employees who are bona-fide voters in therelevant constituency should be granted special casual leave on the day of polling Special Casual leave may also be granted to an employee who is ordinarily a resident of a constituency and registered as a voter but employed in any Central Government Organization / Industrial Establishment locate outside the constituency having a general / bye-election.
(iii) In connection with local body elections, viz., Panchayat/Corporation / Municipality, the Government employees who are bona-fide voters and desire to exercise their franchise should be offered reasonable facility, subject to normal exigencies of services, either by coming late to office or being allowed to leave office early or a short absence on that day.
2. The employees detailed on election duty may also be permitted to remain away from their normal duties on polling day (s) as also on the days required for performing journeys which might be undertaken in order to perform such election duty.
The above instructions may be brought to the notice of all concerned.
sd/-
(Ranbir Singh)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Source: circulars.nic.in

India's Plan Panel OKs Post BankScheme with ATM facility to promote inclusive growth

Post offices in remote parts of India will soon start serving as banks and provide automated teller machine (ATM) facility, following the Planning Commission of India giving an approval to the proposal of the Department of Postal Services to install ATMs in post offices, the Hindustan Times reported.

The Department of Postal Services had proposed the Post Bank scheme, suggesting to use the vast network of post offices for promoting inclusive growth and guaranteeing that people living in unbanked areas benefit from government's welfare schemes, Minister of State for Telecom Sachin Pilot told the paper.

More than 850 post offices have beenidentified for installing the ATMs, which will also be connected with other public sector banks. The department already offers financial services, including post office savingsbank, postal life insurance, pension payments and money transfer services.

“Their (post office) saving account will be just like any other bank account,” a senior government official familiar with the matter said.

The Planning Commission will also sanction funds for installing ATMs in each post office in the 12th five-year plan, beginning April 1, 2012. The plan panel had authorized Rs 50 million in the 11th five-year plan to conduct study on setting up Post Bank of India on the lines of the ones in New Zealand and Japan.

The decision of the plan panel is directed at making post offices an important tool to improve delivery ofwelfare schemes, for which the Central government has allotted over Rs 1.8 trillion in the 2011-12 budget.

Indian postal department has a network of 1.44 lakh post offices pan-India with Rs 5.6 trillion worth of deposits.

D.A. ORDERS ISSUED BY MINISTRY OF FINANCE ( From July - 2011)

GANDHI JAYANTI

National Postal Week commencing from 9th Oct 2011

India Post is celebrating the NationalPostal Week starting w.e.f. 9 th Oct 2011. Let us too celebrate it in everymanner and bring more pride and honour to our Department.

9 th Oct 2011: World Postal Day

11 th Oct 2011: Savings Bank Day

12 th Oct 2011: Mail Day

13 th Oct 2011: Philatelic Day

14 th Oct 2011: Business Development Day

15 th Oct 2011: PLI Day

Every year 9th October World Postal Day is being celebrated.

As a member of Universal Postal Union, India Post is celebrating National Postal Week.