Some of the IPs/ASPs of Tamilnadu Circle filed a case in CAT Chennai recently and prayed interim stay as the IPs/ASPs were deleted from the list. CAT Chennai accepted the OA and refused to order for interim stay. As per the orders issued by the Court today, the IPs/ASPs should represent to the Department within 4 weeks and the Department should dispose off the representation within 6 weeks.
No hinderance to join the Post.
Congratulations to all concerned
January 28, 2010
January 26, 2010
Woman has duped the postal department of Rs 3.74 lakh
AHMEDABAD: A woman has duped the postal department of Rs 3.74 lakh. In a complaint by Abdul Ghani Vora, Assistant Superintendent of North division, Sangeeta Sharma, a resident of Muktanand Park, CTM, had an account with the post office at New Cloth Market.
She had withdrawn all her money on the due date and closed the account. However, she applied for a duplicate passbook on April 11 last year and withdrew Rs 3.74 lakh again on April 18.
Source : Times of India AhmedabadDept to launch 'videsh money order' scheme soon
LUDHIANA: In what might be good news for students studying abroad, the postal department will start ‘videsh money order scheme’ in city post offices soon, allowing parents to send cash at less rates.
According to sources, the service will offer international cash to cash and cash to account transfers with special remittances for students studying abroad. Customers will be able to send remittance to their beneficiaries in cash, by cheque as well as crediting the payment into the account of beneficiaries.
Payment up to Rs 50,000 could be received in cash and payments above Rs 50,000 will be paid through cheque or credited in amount of the payee and the maximum limit is up to Rs 1 lakh. An employee of the postal department said two employees have already received training and the service will be started soon.
Gurmeet, a city resident, said the service would be very helpful for her, but the only thing that would be required is good service. Rekha Sethi, officiating supervisor at the city head post office, said the department has already received the nod for starting the service but no specific date has been decided.
Times of India LudhianaSachin Pilot dedicates Lodi Road Post Office to public
Sh Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Communication and Information and Technology along with Sh. Ajay Makan ,the MoS for Home Affairs dedicated the Lodi Road Head Post Office to the people of the area. Speaking on the occasion Sh. Sachin Pilot said that all efforts are being made to provide world class services to the people of country through renovated post offices under Project Arrow. One thousand Post Offices in 500 districts of the country have been modernized under the Project while another 727 Post Offices are proposed to be transformed at a cost of Rs. 100 crores in the next financial year, the Minister added. This is the 6th Post office to be dedicated, of the 36 post offices of Delhi Circle fully renovated in the 3rd phase of Project Arrow.
Chief PMG, Delhi Circle Sh. P.K Gopinath and his Deputy Sh. L.N Sharma were also present on the occasion besides other senior officials of Postal Department.
Lodi Road Head Post Office established in June, 1949 as Sub Post Office was upgraded as HPO on 01.05.1979. Having 29 postman beats, the Lodi Road HPO serves about 12 lacs population besides many Government and private offices. Constructed on a plot of 47321.38 Sq. feet in 1979,the Lodhi Road HPO offers services like WUMT, IMO, Foreign Exchange, World Net Express, Mutual Funds and Reliance Gold Coins besides handling mail and 2,75,621 accounts under various schemes.
January 25, 2010
Tamilnadu Circle circulated the DOT offer of appointment in the grade of AAO in IP & T.AFS Group 'B' for officials otherthan IPs/ASPs
Tamilnadu Circle has circulated the DOT offer dated 13.1.2010 for appointment in the Grade of AAO vide letter dated 22.1.2010 to All Postmaster Generals and other offices concerned. The officials qualified in the JAO examination should forward the acceptance or otherwise on or before 28.01.2010.
Congratulations to the officials selected!!! Most of them can retire as Group 'A' officer which is not at all possible if they continue in the Postal Department.
Note : Poor IPs/ASPs are deprived.
January 23, 2010
ICICI Pru to market plans via post offices
Prudential Life Insurance has entered into a strategic alliance with India Post in Tamil Nadu to market its new services across the state. The move is part of ICICI Prudential Life's overall growth strategy to strengthen its footprint in association with post offices in various states. The company has already tied up with post offices in Gujarat, Karnataka and West Bengal for marketing products.
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance senior vice-president & head (sales) Anup Rau sales, said, "We have partnered with India Post to provide one-stop solution for all long-term saving needs. Through the extensive network of India Post, we will have the opportunity to offer our products such as wealth creation, children's education, pensions, protection and health."
Through this arrangement, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance is aiming to increase its penetration in Tamil Nadu. The move will allow consumers to buy products at any of the 12,179 post offices in the state. Moreover, existing policyholders can pay at any one of the 1129 e-payment enabled post office across the state.
According to SK Chakrabarti, chief postmaster general, Tamil Nadu circle, India Post, the extensive network of post offices in Tamil Nadu would help the insurance major to penetrate further, where the need for life insurance is growing.
Source : Yahoo Finance725 modernised post offices to be opened, says Pilot
Kishangarh (Raj), Jan 22 (PTI) - Over 700 modernised post offices will be opened in the country in the next fiscal under the arrow project, Minister of State for Communication Sachin Pilot said here today.
At a ceremony to dedicate a modernised city post office here, Pilot said a total of 725 modernised post offices will be opened, out of which 23 would be in Ajmer district alone.
One thousand post offices in the country have been earmarked for modernisation under the Arrow projects to be completed in three phases, Pilot said.
The Arrow project was launched to provide qualitative postal services.
Source : PTI NewsJanuary 21, 2010
All the existing EDSOs will be downgraded as BOs before 28.2.2010 as there is no much distinction between the functioning of the EDSOs and BOs
Directorate has issued orders vide letter dated 14.1.2010 to take action for downgrading all EDSOs as BOs before 28.2.2010 after considering the recommendations given by the One-man committee chaired by Shri R.S. Nataraja Murti.
Present incumbents holding the post of GDS SPM wil be given protection in the TRCA scale of Rs 4575-85-7125 corresponding to 5 hrs/125 Points. The downgraded EDSO will function with the establishment of GDS SPM, GDS MD/MC depending on the justification for such a post.
It has also been ordered that if there is justification for upgradation into Departmental Sub Office, it can be upgraded by utilizing any surplus post of PA.
Post offices to print and deliver business emails
Just as many may not have written a letter in ages, an equally large population — larger, in all probability — may not have ever used email. Into this breach steps the Department of Posts (DoP), with ‘ePost Corporate’.
The new scheme, which has been available to individuals for some time, is about to be thrown open to small and big companies, which will be able to send business emails through the internet across the country. These email will be printed and delivered by the postal department.
The companies would need to open a business account with the postal department free of cost. The payment for all the business done could be made at the end of the month, DoP General Manager (Business Development) John Samuel told Business Standard.
The postal department would charge Rs 6 per page of email. It soft-launched the service in Kerala on January 1, and would extend it to the rest of the country.
DoP would also offer a complete solution for business mails — from printing, packaging, post printing and delivery. It has set up two printing facilities in Delhi and Kolkata.
The companies would need to provide data for their business mails. The postal department would do the programming and prepare the layout, print, package and deliver the product.
The mails could include credit card statements, mobile phone bills and other marketing related information.
“We are working on the details of the service. It will be introduced across India in the next one month,” said Samuel, adding the company having the account with the postal department can decide how the mails need to be sent — through standard letters or speed post.
“We have already started receiving orders for the service. It would reduce the workload of companies, besides helping them to cut costs,” he said, declining to reveal the size of the orders. The department expects huge growth after the introduction of the services. Samuel refused to share the revenue expectations.
For individual customers, the postal department is already running its ‘ePost’ service at Rs 10 per page.
“Internet and email have revolutionised the world of communications, but its accessibility continues to be a problem for many people, especially in the rural areas. Aiming to bridge the digital divide, we have introduced ePost,” said Samuel.
“Through ePost, customers can send their messages to any location in India in combination of electronic transmission and physical delivery through a network of over 155,000 post offices,” he said.
Source : Business StandardIncome Tax Department has released consolidated instructions for income tax deduction from salaries for the financial year 2009-10.
The Income tax Department has issued notification on 11.01.2010, consolidating all orders/instructions/procedures for income tax deduction from salaries under Section 192 of the Income tax 1961 for the financial year 2009-10. There is no major deviation from the tax proposals announced by the Government in the recent buget.
This circular could be taken as consolidation of all the earlier instructions issued by the Income tax department for the estimation of Income tax in respect of salaried class for the financial year 2009-10.
Click here to download the Circuar NO.1/2010 F.No.275/192/2009IT(B)] dated 11.1.2010 of Income Tax Department.The National Council of the JCM scheduled on 16th was postponed
The National Council of the JCM which was scheduled to meet on 16th January, 2010 was postponed without fixing the next date. It was expected that in the meeting the anomalies in the 6th Pay Commission would also be discussed.
Annual Performance Assesment Report (APAR) is not a mere tool to control or discipline, but is to optimise the achievement of Government policies and programmes.
Writing of Annual Confidential reports and keeping it confidentially was in practice till the nomenclature was changed as APAR. The remarks made in the ACR will be known to the official only if any promotion is withheld to a Government Servant because of remarks made in the report by the reporting officer. This was used by the reporting officers to maintain discipline only and not to improve the quality of service. From the year 2008-09, the nomenclature has been changed as Annual Performance Assesment Report and a copy should be given Government Servant to improve his performance.
Department of personnel and training has released one brouchure on this last month and the highligts of the brouchure are as below:-
Ultimate goal of APAR
(a) is to optimise the achievement of Government policies and programmes. (b) It should lead to the optimization of the performance of the concerned Government servants. (c) The main focus of the Reporting Officer should be developmental rather than judgemental. (d)The APAR should be a true indicator of the achievement of the Government servant. (e)It should not be a mere tool to control or discipline him.
Two principal objectives of APAR
(a) The first and foremost is to improve the performance of the subordinate in his present job. (b) The second objective is to assess the potentialities of the subordinate and prepare him through appropriate feed back and guidance for future possible opportunities in service. To a great extent, the second objective is dependent on the achievement of the first.Quantitative/physical targets should be fixed at the beginning of the year.
The Reporting Officer, at the beginning of the year has to set quantitative/physical targets in consultation with each of the Government servants, whose reports he is required to write. Performance appraisal is meant to be a joint exercise between the Government servant reported upon and the Reporting Officer. While fixing the targets, priority should be assigned item-wise taking into consideration the nature and the area of the work. The APAR is initiated by the Government servant to be reported upon himself, who gives a brief description of his duties, specifies the targets set for him wherever applicable, achievements against each targets, the shortfalls, if any, constraints encountered and areas where the achievements have been greater.
Click here to download the brochureJanuary 20, 2010
Sh. Sachin Pilot dedicates Saraswati Vihar Post Office to people
Presently there are around 2000 SB accounts, 2450 RD accounts 5300 MIS accounts, 800 SCSS accounts, 1800 TDA accounts and 15000 cash certificate holders availing service of this post office. There is average booking of 60 Speed Post Articles, 50 Regd. Articles and collection of 30 DJB/MTNL bills & PLI deposits per day. This Post Office is providing postal service to more than 50000 population of the surrounding area.
In near future, the delivery of mails of entire Delhi-34 as well as clearance of 42 letter boxes will be made from this post office with the proposed upgraded establishment having staff over 70. (1SPM (HSG-II), 2 ASPM (LSG), 13 PA, 48 PM, 3 Stg. PM and 9 Group ‘D’ (including letter box peon and chowkidar)).
Opened on 1.8.1980 at D-715 Saraswati Vihar Post Office, shifted to ‘C’ Block market on 15th June, 2002. This Post Office was upgraded to into LSG Post Office w.e.f. 2.4.2003. On a plot (391.11 sq.mt. area) purchased in 1997, the construction of present building was completed on 4.12.2009 and fully computerized post office started functioning in its new building w.e.f 5.12.2009.
January 19, 2010
Short film on small savings scheme
Tamilnadu State Small Savings Department has decided to make short film for 30 minutes duration to disseminate the message of small savings to people said C.Uma Shankar, Commissioner for small savings here on Monday.
He told presspersons that the films will have a general theme with a story and in between will carry information about three small savings schemes for a minute. “This is an easy way of spreading the message of small savings to people," Mr. Uma Shankar said.
He pointed out that eight per cent interest rate given by Post offices under the small savings scheme is permanent and people can earn much profit by depositing in post office instead of other schemes.
January 17, 2010
National Anomaly Committee meeting held on 16th Jan,2010
Anomaly Committee meeting was held on 16.1.2010 and only five subjects came for discussions. One was that of the increment for those increment was on 01/02/06 to 30/06/2006 and the other four with regard to pensioners. Details are awaited.
Performance of our Department during 2009
INDIA POSTS 2009 – KEEPING PACE WITH TIME
India Post is the largest postal network in the world. It provides postal facilities within reach of every citizen in the country through its vast network at affordable prices. From 23,344 post offices at the time of independence to 1,55,035 post offices as on 31.3.2008 (1,39,173 Post Offices are in rural areas and 15,862 Post Offices in urban areas), India Post has made a long journey. It is credited with the largest postal network in the world with one post office serving 7174 people and covering an area of approximately 21.2 sq. kms.
I. PROJECT ARROW
Department of Posts has launched a pilot project ‘Project Arrow’ to lay the foundation for a comprehensive, long‐term transformation of India Post. The project ensures at providing a fast, reliable and efficient postal services to the customers. The ultimate test of success of this scheme is to provide a better experience to the customers, both in terms of the ambience of the post office and quality services to the customers. 1000 post offices have already been covered and proposed to extend the project to another 4500 post offices.
II. NEW MAIL PARADIGM
With rapid economic growth and technological advancement, the mail profile in India Post in terms of volume has shifted to Business‐to‐Customer (B2C) and Business‐to‐Business (B2B) segments. To be in line with this transformation, India Post has leased three dedicated freighter aircraft for carriage of mail, parcel and logistics to and from the North Eastern region operating six days a week on Kolkata‐Guwahati‐Imphal‐ Agartala‐Kolkata and the metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore with Nagpur serving as the mail exchange hub. India Post has also set up 162 Mail Business Centres.
III. IT INDUCTION
Out of a total of 25531 departmental post offices, 12604 POs including those in the rural areas have been computerised. 1304 Post Offices have been networked through leased lines so far with the National Data Centre. Further 5170 Post Offices have been networked through broad band. The strong IT‐ base has made it possible to offer a range of e‐enabled services to our customers as shown below:
iMO
An on‐line web‐based domestic money transmission service called iMO was launched in January 2006 which enables the customer to receive money in minutes from any of the post offices providing this service. Under this service, a person can send amount from Rs.1000/‐ up to Rs.50, 000/‐ in one transaction instantly. The service is functional in 2175 locations across the country.
eMoney Order (eMO)
The electronic money order, which has been launched in October 2008, facilitates transmission of ordinary money orders through electronic media without any extra charge. At present 8003 post offices are offering this service.
e‐Payment
e‐Payment is a ‘Many to One’ service through which bills (telephone, electricity, municipal dues, taxes etc.) are paid by customers in Post Offices which are then electronically consolidated and paid to the service provider. The service is presently available in about 8457 Post Offices across the country and will soon be extended to all 12604 computerized Post Offices.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic affairs has approved, a Project management Unit in the Department to conceptualize, plan, implement and monitor the plan schemes for computerisation and networking of all the post offices in the country. The Department has engaged an IT consultant to assist in preparing the roadmap and strategy for the same.
IV. FINANCIAL SERVICES
Postal Finance Mart
Postal Finance Mart (PFM) offer all the financial products and services under one roof “One Stop Shop for Financial Services” in a fully computerized office supported by technology, at par with reputed banking institutions.
Core Banking solution for Post Office Small Savings Scheme customers
Any‐where, Any‐time and Any branch banking i.e. Core Banking Solutions (CBS) is included in the 11th Five Year Plan with a financial outlay of Rs. 106 crores for development of CBS software and other related activities. This will support Post Office Savings Bank and Saving Certificates business with improved operational efficiency, to Small Savings Scheme customers from 4,000 post offices.
V. PREMIUM SERVICES
The revenue from premium products such as Speed Post, Bill Mail Service and Business Post has been growing consistently per annum. From Rs. 425.74 crores revenue booked in 2003‐04, it achieved Rs.1435 crores in 2008‐09. One of the premium products, Speed Post, which is covering more than 1200 towns is now having a market share of 27% in the courier segment.
VI. LEVERAGING OF THE POSTAL NETWORK
National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS)
The Department of Posts is discharging the responsibility to disburse the wages to NREGS beneficiaries through Post Office Savings Bank account. Currently operational in 19 Postal Circles comprising of 21 States, the scheme is operational through 90,000 post offices (including HOs/SOs/BOs). Nearly 4 crore NREGS accounts opened up to November 2009, disbursed approximately Rs.4900 crores in this financial year alone.
PTie‐Up With SBI:
India Post has tied up with State Bank of India to sell its assets and liability products through identified post offices. Initially, started in five states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Jharkhand, the scheme is extended to 23 States and UT. The total liability products sold so far amounts to Rs. 37 crores and total asset products sold amounted to Rs.12.98 crores. The scheme is proposed to be implemented in 5300 post offices throughout the country.
Tie‐up with NABARD
The Department of Posts in collaboration with NABARD is providing the facility of micro‐credit to Self Help Groups (SHGs) through identified post offices on agency basis. The corpus fund for implementing this project is given by NABARD in appropriate instalments. The pilot is in operation in five districts involving seven divisions of Tamil Nadu Circle. So far, 800 SHGs have been provided with a loan of more than Rs 1.9 crores.
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance
Department of Posts has signed an Agreement on 17.9.08 with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd. to retail their Pension Products through select Post Offices on Referral Model. The company will train the postal staff at selected locations and will provide requisite materials such as application forms, literature related to products, ready reckoners, etc., to the identified Post Offices. Upto now about 817 Head Offices across the country have started distributing these pension products of ICICI Prudential.
Sale of Gold Coins
As a tie‐up with Reliance Money Limited sale of gold coins has been launched on 15th October, 2008 as part of retail post in selected post offices. Under the Scheme available in 468 Post Offices in 16 Circles, the Department has sold 331 kgs of gold since its inception earning a commission of Rs 2.25 crores.
Old age pension
Old Age Pension is being paid through 20 lacs Post Office Savings accounts in Bihar, Delhi, Jharkhand and North East, and through Money Order in J&K, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
On Line Acceptance of RTI Applications
The Department of Posts has been assisting other public authorities under the Central Government in implementing the RTI Act by providing services of its designated Central Assistant Public Information Officers (CAPIOs). For this, Sub Post Masters at Tehsil level act as the Central Assistant public Information officer (CAPIO) for accepting RTI requests and appeals from all central Government Departments. The Department has designated 4000 Post offices as receipt and forwarding points for applications under RTI.
Railway Ticket Reservation
In keeping with policy of leveraging the postal network for greater public good, an MOU was signed between India Post and Ministry of Railways for sale of railway tickets through the post offices. The scheme is presently operative at 78 locations, and will be extended to rural areas also. The Department has earned revenue of Rs. 78 lakhs up to Oct, 2009.
Collection of Rural Price Index Data
Ministry of Statistics and program implementation (MOSP) has entrusted the job of collecting statistics for ascertaining the Rural Price Index from 1183 post offices across the country with effect from Oct 2009. The data so collected would be electronically transmitted to MOSP which will help them in arriving at Rural cost Price Index.
VI. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
To improve quality of international mail processing, all Foreign Post Offices and Sub Foreign Post Offices have been computerised. International Parcel Post Hubs have also been established at Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi for specialised handling of parcels. India Post is in the process of replacing paper based international money order service with Electronic International Money Order Service through IFS software of Universal Postal Union. Exchange of Electronic International Money Order and the service launched with effect from 26th April, 2008, the service is being offered from UAE to India through all head post offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and State of Kerala covering 97 head post offices. Launch of World Net Express: A bilateral agreement has been signed between India Post and Deutsche Post AG on 27th November 2008 for providing new services to domestic and international customers. The article would be booked by selected post offices for delivery in about 200 countries around the world using the DHL network. A new international remittance service eMO Videsh was launched on 24th Oct 2009. With its launch India Post now offers its customers an opportunity to send money in cash to a recipient abroad payable in cash or in his account. This service is in tie‐up with the EURO GIRO for both outward and inward international remittance. Compared to the banks that can send outward remittances , only from account to account, India Post‐Euro Giro network provide the facility of outward cash remittances payable in cash to the beneficiary.
VII. GLOBAL BUSINESS
To meet the demands of its customers and to fuel its own ambitions of growth, it has become imperative for India Post to look at business beyond the national boundaries. A Global Business Division has been set up in the Department of Posts to provide focus to its international operations and help India Post emerge as an organisation with worldwide capabilities.
VIII. ESTATES MANAGEMENT
Construction work of 12 Post Office buildings, 4 Administrative office buildings, 28 staff quarters has been completed in 2009
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE R. S. NATARAJA MURTHY COMMISSION ON SERVICE CONDITIONS OF GDS
India Post has implemented certain recommendations of the Nataraja Murthy committee that had been accepted by the Government which include substantial enhancement of emoluments of all categories of Gramin Dak Sevaks(GDS) and enhancement of various allowances. Women GDS have been provided maternity grant equivalent to three months TRCA+DA for the birth of up to two children. This has to a very large extent addressed the long standing demands of the GDS.
January 15, 2010
IPs/ASPs are not eligible for promotion to AAOs - Directorate deleted their names from the selected list.
The long waiting IPs/ASPs who have passed JAO examination prior to their appointments to Inspector Cadre were offered by the DOT for promotion to Asst. Accounts Officers cadre alongwith other departmental officials. The Department did not want to spare their services to other Department eventhough the Grade Pay of AAO is Rs 4800/-
Directorate has deleted their names from the list and compelled them to continue in the present cadre.
Revision of GP of IP/ASP to Rs 4600/Rs 4800 or not is known only to the Department. Poor IPs/ASPs
New Building for Perambalur Head Post Office, Tamilnadu would be built soon at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore, Union Minister for Communication and IT
PERAMBALUR: A new building for the Perambalur Head Post Office would be built soon at an estimated cost of Rs.1 crore, Union Minister for Communication and Information Technology A.Raja has said.
Speaking at a function to mark the foundation laying for a new office building for the Perambalur Municipality on Saturday, Mr.Raja also disclosed that the foundation stones for the new government medical college and government polytechnic college at Perambalur would be laid by the Deputy Chief Minister M.K.Stalin on February 4.
Mr.Stalin would also inaugurate development works worth Rs.150 crores including the Samathuvapuram at Karai, the Primary Health Centre at Velur and the new buildings for the government industrial training institute in the district during the tour, Mr.Raja said.
The Minister said that 3G service would be available in Perambalur district by February.
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment D.Napoleon, who inaugurated an exhibition of products of self-help groups on the occasion, hoped that the Perambalur Municipality would soon be upgraded as a Corporation.
The opening of the new medical college and polytechnic in Perambalur would help the rural students. He commended the repayment record of self help groups and said that SHGs in Tamil Nadu were role models in this aspect in the country.
Collector M.Vijayakumar said that the new building for the Perambalur Municipality, currently functioning in a temporary building, would be built at a cost of Rs.85 lakhs. The municipality was one of the fast growing urban local bodies in the State.
M.Rajkumar and S.S.Shivashankar, MLAs, Kodiyarasi Duraisamy, Chairperson, District Panchayat, M.N.Raja, Municipal Chairman, K.Palanisamy, District Revenue Officer, Deivanayaki, Project Officer, Mahalir Thittam, Ashok Kumar, Commissioner, Perambalur Municipality, and other officials spoke.
January 14, 2010
January 12, 2010
Delhi Postal Circle Signs an MoU with Thomas Cook to provide travel services through select Post Offices
All travel related services will now be available under one roof to the people of Delhi. Delhi Postal Circle Signed here today a MoU with Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., a company engaged in the business of organizing travel arrangements, to provide all travel related services through Select Post Offices. The MoU was signed by Chief Post Master General, Delhi, Shri Gopinath and Managing Director of Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. Shri Madhavan Menon. Dedicating the five Travel and Foreign Exchange Bureaux to the people of Delhi, the Union Minister for Communication and Information Technology Shri A.Raja said that the launch of these services in Post Offices is a path-breaking initiative taken by Delhi Circle. The Minister said, this enterprise brings together the strengths of India Post, the largest postal network in the world and Thomas Cook, one of the most recognized and internationally known Companies in the travel and foreign exchange sector, the world over. This would be a meaningful value- addition to the portfolio of services offered by the Department of Post as it is based on the perception and recognition of a felt need for provision of this kind of service. On the other hand, it would enable Thomas Cook to widen their reach by leveraging the India Post network, the Minister added.
In the first phase, five dedicated post offices for these services are Connaught Place’ A’ Block, Karol Bagh Post Office, Greater Kailash Part-II Post Office, Chanakya Puri Post Office and Vasant Vihar Post Office. The services to be provided by Thomas Cook at these Post Offices include: Sale & Purchase of Foreign Exchange in all major currencies, Travelers’ Cheques, Foreign Currency Drafts, Wire Transfers, Cash advances against International Credit Cards, Leisure travel packages for both inbound and outbound travel, Travel Insurance, VISA, Passport service and Domestic and International Air Tickets.
The era of globalization and liberalization has brought about extensive travel opportunities requiring an integrated travel and forex solution. Delhi being one of the most prominent commercial and tourist hubs of the country is particularly well-suited for the launch of this service. With the Commonwealth games being hosted by Delhi in October this year, a huge influx of tourists from all parts of the world is expected and this tie up will cater to the needs of the floating population in a befitting manner.
Congratulating the Chief Postmaster General Delhi Circle and his team for putting together this collaboration and Thomas Cook India Ltd for recognizing the tremendous potential therein, the Minister said that if the model worked out by Delhi Circle as parts of this venture succeed then the same can perhaps be rolled out in other parts of the country. Secretary Department of Post Smt. Radhika Doraiswami and Chairman Thomas Cook India Heinrich Ludger Hemberg were also present on the occasion.
Source : Press Information Bureau
Women SHG manning a branch post office
Tiruvannamalai: The death of post master in a village branch post office near Vandavasi triggered the imagination of the postal officials to try something new, the result, handing over of the post office operations to women self-help group on experimental basis.
In a first of its kind attempt in the country, Bharathiyar Women SHG based at Salukkai village near Vandavasi has gained this reputation.
Instead of appointing another post master, the department entered into an agreement with R. Geetha of the SHG and entrusted the total operations of the branch to this group on January 19, 2009.
Since then, R. Geetha along with two other members of the group R. Lakshmi and P. Prema is managing all operations of the post office. They sell postal articles, clear the post boxes on time, pack the mails appropriately, deliver incoming mails at the door steps, handle money orders, carry out savings bank activities and canvas postal insurance products.
“We serve four more villages namely Karam, Kosappattu, Uzhappakkam and Thazhampallam, that comes under the jurisdiction of the post office. These villages are situated in about 10 km radius. For deliveries and clearances we go to these villages by cycle. Each of us will carry the delivery work for ten days a month on turn basis,” Geetha said. V. Thangavelu, Superintendent of Posts, Tiruvannamalai division, told The Hindu that they are satisfied with the service rendered by the SHG.
“As the one year stipulated period for this experiment is nearing its end I have recommended for extension. Though the compensation is minimal there are avenues for them to earn more commission by focusing on savings bank activities and insurance promotion. However they could not show progress in this count. If they can, there are possibilities that we could increase remuneration too,” he said.
Source : The Hindu dated 12.01.2010January 9, 2010
Overall Grading in ACRs prior to 2008-09 should be decided by DPC in the cases where the authority has upgraded/downgraded the overall grading without sufficient reasons
Department of Personnel and Training Memorandum No NO. 2101 1/1/2005-Estt.(A) dated 6.1.2010
Sub : Effect on modification/expunction of adverse remarks in the ACRs and upgradationldown-gradation of the overall grading in the ACRs prior to the period 2008-2009.
The undersigned is directed to say that instructions were issued vide O.M. of even number dated 14'M~ ay, 2009 by which the complete APAR (previously known as ACR) including the overall grading and assessment of integrity shall be communicated to the concerned officer for representation if any, with effect from the reporting period 2008-09 which was to be initiated from 1.4.2008. Prior to that only adverse remarks in the ACR were required to be communicated for representation, if any. The then existing instructions further provided that the overall grading in the ACR should remain unchanged even after modification or expunction of the entire adverse remarks. It was left to the DPC to re-determine the overall grading if it considered that the expunction of such adverse remarks had so altered the quality of the ACR. The matter has been further considered and it has been decided that in those cases where the reckonable ACRs prior to the reporting period 2008-09 are to be considered in a future DPC on which the adverse remarks of Reporting I Reviewing / Accepting Authorities have been expunged or modified by the Competent Authority, the "overall grading" in the ACR be kept blank for appropriate re-grading by the DPCs. The existing grading shall be blocked in such cases. It has also been decided that where the authority has upgraded / downgraded the overall grading without giving sufficient reasons, the DPC shall treat such an exercise as non-estlinvalid. General terms, such as "I agree or disagree with the Reporting Officer / Reviewing Officer" used by the Reviewing I Accepting Authority shall not be construed as sufficient reason for upgrading / downgrading the overall grading given by the Reporting Authority 1 Reviewing Authority. The proposals for the DPC where ACRs upto the reporting period 2007-08 will be taken into account should specifically bring out these guidelines.
2. It is also made clear that past cases already decided will not be re-opened.
Department of Personnel and Training Memo dated 6.1.2010GPS to be installed in mail vans in North-East
To ensure smoother movement of mails and emergency aid to drivers, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) will be installed to track the movement of mail motor vehicles in the hilly and difficult terrains of North-East.
The Department of Posts has decided to make the system operational by March this year, officials said. For the purpose, 75 mail motor vehicles will be fitted with GPS devices at a total cost of Rs 12 lakh.
"This will help overcome the tough challenges posed by the hilly and thickly-forested routes in the North-East and ensure smooth and timely movement of mail and parcels across the region," they said.
Installation of GPS devices will help the department to track location of vehicles along the pre-defined locations. The position of vehicles will be displayed on a detailed digital map which would indicate date, time, speed, distance and the nearest post office, they said.
January 6, 2010
SC to examine whether ACRs can be downgraded without prior notice
The Supreme Court today decided to examine the question whether the authorities can downgrade the Annual Confidential Reports of an employee without prior notice or assigning reasons to the aggrieved person.
A bench of Justices V S Sirpurkar and Mukundakam Sharma decided to examine the validity of such procedures on a special leave petition filed by an army man challenging the government's decision to downgrade his ACR.
The apex court granted four weeks to the Chief of the Army Staff and Defence Ministry to explain their position on the issue on a petition filed by Ashok Kumar through counsel Varinder Kumar Sharma.
The petition has alleged that before downgrading his ACRs, no notice was issued to him nor was any reason assigned for the same.
Source : PTI NewsJanuary 4, 2010
Employee can retract from VRS offer before release: CAT
CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
OA No. 1991/2009
New Delhi, this the 23rd day of December, 2009
HONBLE MR. L.K. JOSHI, VICE CHAIRMAN (A)
HONBLE MRS. MEERA CHHIBBER, MEMBER (J)
Chander Pal Arora,
S/o Late Sh. Tulsi Das Arora,
R/o 833, Type-II, Sector-III,
R.K. Puram, New Delhi-22. . Applicant
(By Advocate: Sh. Ajesh Luthra)
Versus
1. Commissioner of Police,
PHQ, M.S.O. Building,
I.P. Estate, New Delhi.
2. The Joint Commissioner of Police,
Southern range,
PHQ, M.S.O. Building,
I.P. Estate, New Delhi.
3. Deputy Commissioner of Police,
South West District,
P.S. Vasant Vihar, New Delhi.
4. Dy. Commissioner of Police,
Headquarters
PHQ, M.S.O. Building,
I.P. Estate, New Delhi.
Respondents
(By Advocate: Sh. R.N. Singh)
O R D E R
Honble Mrs. Meera Chhibber, Member (J)
Applicant has challenged order dated 15.05.2009 whereby notice of voluntary retirement have been accepted w.e.f. 02.07.2009 (Page 10). It is submitted by the applicant that while working as Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police, he had given notice for voluntary retirement on 23.02.2009 due to some personal reasons requesting the authorities that he may be permitted to proceed on retirement w.e.f. 02.07.2009. However, since his family problems were sorted out, he submitted his request for withdrawing the notice for voluntary retirement on 27.04.2009 (Page 16). Yet ignoring his request for withdrawal, the authorities accepted his voluntary retirement vide order dated 15.05.2009 by stating that he would have been due to retire w.e.f. 02.07.2009.
2. Applicant has challenged the above order on the ground that his withdrawal could not have been ignored or rejected by the respondents as the law is that before the intended date of seeking retirement, if a person withdraws his notice that has to be taken into consideration. Before the intended date of voluntary retirement, i.e. 02.07.2009, applicant was well within his right to withdraw notice of his voluntary retirement.
3. Respondents, on the other hand, have stated that applicant had tendered the notice for voluntary retirement at his own sweet will without any pressure and stress and duress, therefore, his case was processed at the time of tendering voluntary retirement. Applicant has also applied 90 days half pay leave which was duly granted w.e.f. 02.03.2009 to 30.05.2009 in spite of having acute shortage of Ministerial staff in the District. As the intention for holding of general elections to the Lok Sabha was already made known by the Govt. which were of National importance and were required to be conducted in a peaceful manner, accordingly, District had constituted election cell to deal with all the references/correspondences related to the General Lok Sabha Elections, 2009. Despite knowing the importance of general elections, the applicant insisted for grant of 90 days half pay leave and tendered his notice for voluntary retirement. In the circumstances, his request to withdraw his notice of voluntary retirement is rightly rejected. The applicant already stands retired w.e.f. 02.07.2009, as such authority has no power to revoke the order of retirement. They have, thus, prayed that the OA may be dismissed with cost as averred by the counsel for the respondents as well.
4. We have heard both the counsel and perused the records.
5. Law on this point is well settled and that it is no longer res integra. In J N Srivastava Vs. Union of India and another reported in 1998 (9) SCC 599, Balram Gupta Vs. Union of India and another reported in 1987 (Supp.) SCC 228 and Shambhu Murari Sinha V/s Project and Development India Limited and another reported in AIR 2002 SC 1341, it has been held that once an employee has sent a letter withdrawing his voluntary retirement before a date of his actual release from the service which is the effective date, the withdrawal of resignation is valid and a person must be deemed to be entitled to continue in service till the age of superannuation.
6. In J N Srivastava Vs. Union of India & another reported in 1998 (9) SCC 559, it was held that even if the voluntary retirement notice is moved by an employee and get accepted by the authority within the time fixed, before the date of retirement is reached, the employee has locus poenitentiae to withdraw the proposal for voluntary retirement.
7. In the instant case, applicant had given notice for voluntary retirement on 20.03.2009. The intended date of retirement has been given as 02.07.2009, but within about two months applicant had given his request for withdrawing notice for voluntary retirement. Once the notice was withdrawn by the applicant, it could not have been accepted by the respondents on 15.05.2009, therefore, order dated 15.05.2009 is not sustainable and it is, therefore, quashed and set aside. Applicant is deemed to be in service w.e.f. 02.07.2009 and would be entitled to all the wages as he had wrongly been retired w.e.f. 02.07.2009 by the respondents. These directions may be complied with within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
8. The O.A. stands disposed of with the above directions. No costs.
(MRS. MEERA CHHIBBER) (L.K. JOSHI)
Member (J) Vice Chairman (A)
January 3, 2010
Address Proof Card issued by Post offices in Tamilnadu Circle taken as valid document by various State government departments such as the Police Department, Election Commission of Tamil Nadu and the Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection department.
In view of the good response to the scheme, it has been decided by the Chennai City Postal Region that from January 1 all the 128 delivery post offices in Chennai city would sell the application forms and issue the cards.
This card is accepted as a valid document by various State government departments such as the Police Department, Election Commission of Tamil Nadu and the Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection department. Residents could use the card to get driving licence, ration card and for opening bank accounts.
The cards are issued after due verification by the staff of our department hence, it is expected that the card would be accepted for the purpose of getting a passport and domestic LPG connections.
Nearly 27,000 postal address proof cards have been issued in the Chennai city divisions, including Tambaram, between April 2009 and November 2009.
The card priced at Rs.250 each, which includes the cost of the application too, is valid for three years. Applications for the cards are also available online on www.tamilnadupost.nic.in and www.chennaipost.gov.in
January 1, 2010
Dearness Allowance Calculation based on the CPI for the month of November 2009 released on 31.12.2009.
The All India Consumer Price index for industrial workers is released by the Labour Bureau Government of India on the last working day of the succeeding month. Consumer Price index number for the month of November 2009 released on 31.12.2009 is 168. Based on this index, the DA due upto November 2009 is calculated and given below. The increase is 34.11%. (Present DA rate from 1.7.2009 is 27%).
| Month | All India Index | % of increase |
| Nov 2008 | 148 | 21.44 |
| Dec 2008 | 147 | 22.38 |
| Jan 2009 | 148 | 23.39 |
| Feb 2009 | 148 | 24.32 |
| Mar 2009 | 148 | 25.12 |
| Apr 2009 | 150 | 25.98 |
| May 2009 | 151 | 26.84 |
| Jun 2009 | 153 | 27.78 |
| Jul 2009 | 160 | 29.00 |
| Aug 2009 | 162 | 30.23 |
| Sep 2009 | 163 | 31.45 |
| Oct 2009 | 165 | 32.67 |
| Nov 2009 | 168 | 34.11 |
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