Online Filing of RTI Application: Facility extended to 37 Ministries/Departments

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post, the future home of postal e-services.

From UPU CLICK ABOVE LINK TO SEE VIDEO

Six years ago, the department had suggested its transformation into a bank, but that wasn’t cleared by the Reserve Bank of India. At the time, India was not looking to approve new banks. This time around, there’s been a warm reception, with newspaper editorials giving the proposal a thumbs-up, citing its national reach and emotional connect with the people. But is that sufficient to make for a viable bank?Click here to see the article

creation of a new RMS Division at Dehradun in Uttarakhand Circle.                                                                  Click here to see the memo

POSTING ORDER OF CPMG UP& MP                           Click here to see the order

Details / Pattern of Postal / Sorting Assistant (PA/SA) Phase 2 Exam 2013(Computer / Typing Test)

Friends...now as Postal Department started publishing the List of Shortlisted candidates for Paper-II based on the performance in Paper-I(Aptitude Test), its time now to understand the details of Paper-II (Computer Typing/Data Entry Test) & Practice it.

Results of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, North East, Odisha, West Bengal and Kerala Postal Circles already stands published in the official website.

Results of Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Panjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Bihar, Haryana, Himanchal Pradesh and Rajasthan Circles are expected soon.

Here is the list of number of candidates shortlisted from each Circle based on the results declared so far.

Name of Circle	No. of Shortlisted Candidates for Paper-II
Andhra Pradesh	2115
Gujarat	983
Karnataka	612
Maharashtra	1947
Tamil Nadu	1783
Assam	2114
Chhattisgarh	330
Jharkhand	640
Madhya Pradesh	1097
North East	153
Odisha	749
West Bengal	2023
Kerala	1000

Pattern of Paper-II(Computer/ Typing Test):

The Typing Test shall be for a duration of 30 minutes (15 minutes each for Typewriting and data entry) consisting of one passage of 450 words in English or 375 words in Hindi to be typed with a minimum speed of 30/25 words per minute respectively & Data entry of some figures and letters each carrying equal marks on Computers.

The typing test and test of data entry operations will be conducted on Computer key board but not on type writer.

Note: The final merit shall be prepared on the basis of the aggregate marks obtained by the Applicants in the Aptitude Test (Paper I) only subject to their qualifying in Computer/Typing test ( Paper II). ie, there will be no marks for Typing/Data entry test. You have to just qualify the minimum criteria in Paper-2 and final merit list shall be prepared on the basis of marks of Paper-I only.

In our next post we will be providing you the Typing Software and Data Entry Software for practice. 

1)Probation period of PA/SA Dangerous order against Recruitment Rules  Circle /Division /Branch secretaries are requested to go through Directorate order and send your views. click here to see the order

2) New user friendly Online Income Tax Return Filing tool by Income Tax Department – File ITR 1 for assessment year 2013-14 with ease clik here to view the details
3)First cadre review is not completed in Postal department butThird Cadre Review of the Central Secretariat Service (CSS)- suggestions/inputs of the Ministries/Departments/Organizations O.M issuedClick here to See OM
4) US/ BRITISH POSTAL WORKERS FIGHT AGAINST PRIVATISATION
CLICK HERE TO SEE DETAILS

Trade Union facilities – Immunity from transfer and Grant of Special Casual Leave

DG Post No. 137-41/2003-SPB-II dated 8-7-2004

Sub: Trade Union facilities – Immunity from transfer and Grant of Special Casual Leave

In the first ordinary meeting of the Departmental Council (JCM), Department of  Posts held on 18-11-2003, the Secretary, Staff Side, Departmental Council (JCM) had taken up two items relating to Trade Union Facilities viz, Immunity from transfer and Grant of Special Casual Leave as item Nos. 6(a) and 6(b) respectively.

2.         With regard to item 6(a) in the Departmental Council Meeting, the Official Side stated that this would be examined. According to the existing instructions, concession of immunity from transfer from the headquarters of recognized Service Association is applicable to their office bearers during 1^st year of their elections to the office of Chief Executive or General Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Financial Secretary or Treasurer of Group C and Group D Association whether they are All India, Circle or Divisional units, if the constitution and bye laws of the Central Service Association permit opening of such branches. If there are several office bearers with same designation, the concession applies during the first year of the office to only one of each category i.e. Chief Executive or General Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Financial Secretary (or Treasurer) as may be nominated by the Service Associations. In view of the change in periodicity of the election, it has now been decided that with mutual good will between the Service Association and the local office and subject to administrative e requirement, the office bearers elected to the above said offices of the Service Association may stay at the headquarters station for two years.

3.         In so far as the item No. 6(b) relating to grant of special casual leave is concerned, the instructions issued in letter No. 54-13/71-SPB-II dated 31-1-74 are relevant. As indicated therein, as for as possible the Divisional Executive Committee meetings of the Service Association will be held on holidays or outside office hours. The number of Members attending to the Committee meetings is to be in accordance with the Constitution. These instructions further envisage where there is reason to believe that more members are asking for special casual leave than is justified, the Constitution and the records of the Service Associations may be checked up to find out whether facilities have been asked for more Members than is admissible under the rules. In the DC meeting held on 18-11-03, the Staff Side stated that the provisions in these orders are being misinterpreted to the extent tht in certain Circles, the Unions are being asked to hold meetings only on holidays or outside office hours. The Staff Side also stated that the number of officials to be granted special casual leave is also being decided arbitrarily. It was explained by the Official Side that the existence of the Department depended upon better customer service and in pursuance thereof the Staff Side must extend its cooperation and try to hold meeting on holidays or outside office hours. In view of this position, it is reiterated that while considering the question for grant of special casual leave to the office bearers of the Service Associations, the spirit of the instructions contained in the letter dated 31-1-74 is to be kept in mind.

Sd/-

(R Srinivasan)

Assistant Director General (SPN)

Exemption from Filing ITR (Income Tax Return) not extended this Assessment Year 2013-14 – CBDT

  Income Tax Department issues press release to clarify that unlike previous year Salaried Employees with Total Income up to Rs.5 lakhs too have to file ITR (Income Tax Return) this year viz., Assessment year 2013-14.

       The full text of Press Release issued by CBDT (Cenral Board of Direct Tax) is as follows:

       The CBDT has, vide notification dated 1-05-2013, made E-filing of Return compulsory for Assessment Year 2013-14 for persons having total assessable income exceeding Five lakh rupees.

       The CBDT vide its earlier notifications had exempted salaried employees having total income up to Rs. 5 lakhs including income from other sources up to Rs. 10,000/- from the requirement of filing return of income for assessment year 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively. The exemption was available only for the assessment year 2011-12 and 2012-13. The exemption was giving considering ‘paper filing of returns’ and their ‘processing through manual entry’ on system.

          However, this year the facility for online filing of returns has been made user-friendly with the advantage of pre-filled return forms. These E-filed forms also get electronically processed at the central processing centre in a speedy manner. Hence, the exemption provided during the last two years is not being extended for assessment year 2013-14. Taxpayers are encouraged to file their returns electronically. E-filing is an easy, fast and secure method of filing of income tax return. Moreover, Digital signature is not mandatory for these taxpayers and they can transmit the data in the return electronically by downloading ITRs, or by online filing and thereafter submit the verification of the return in From ITR-V acknowledgement after signature to Central Processing Centre.

        The processing for E-filed returns is faster. From 25th July to 31st July 2013 (Except 27th and 28th July being holidays), Special Return Receipt Counters are opened in IT Offices  (FOR SALARIED TAX PAYERS) 

India Post celebrates the Bangalore city’s history

India Post employee H.S. Rajeshwari celebrated the introduction of the permanent pictorial cancellation and release of the special cover on the Kempe Gowda Tower at Lalbagh with a resplendent rangoli. Also seen are Hilda Abraham, Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Postal Circle; Veena Srinivas, Postmaster General (BD & Marketing); and Arundathy Ghosh, Postmaster General Karnataka. Photo: K Gopinathan

Philatelists snap up the series that represents the iconic Kempe Gowda Tower

Maybe you’re an inveterate communicator in cyberspace. But here’s the chance to really impress people by sending them a bit of the city’s history. For, India Post has introduced the latest pictorial cancellation (the seal on postcards/stamps) in its series: the Kempe Gowda tower in Lalbagh.

This is the 32 permanent pictorial cancellation and one of the few depicting Bangalore — the other notable one being the Vidhana Soudha. The other form of pictorial cancellation is the special one on specific occasions.

Hilda Abraham, Chief Postmaster-General, Karnataka Postal Circle, who unveiled the latest pictorial cancellation at the General Post Office (GPO) here on Tuesday, said the main aim of the cancellations was to make children aware of places of historical importance in the State. “It was decided after much deliberation, including discussions with philatelists, that the newest permanent pictorial cancellation will be the Kempe Gowda tower, as it represents an important part of history of the city,” she said.

Though the newest pictorial cancellation was brought out after over two years, Ms. Abraham said India Post was eager to bring out more.

The pictorial cancellation with the Kempe Gowda tower on Lalbagh rock also has geological significance, apart the historical importance attached to it as it was established by the founding father of the city to mark the boundaries of Bangalore, said Jagannath Mani, member of the Karnataka Philately Society. “The Lalbagh rock is called the pillow or bubble rock which was formed nearly 3,000 million years ago when a single bubble of lava settled there,” he explained.

Packing a punch

Simultaneously, a pictorial cancellation pack was also introduced with a collection of all 32 cancellations introduced so far, including the ones depicting Bandipur National Park, Nagarahole, Badami and Aihole. Thematic packs featuring bilateral issues, great personalities, and flora and fauna were also made available. In fact, no less than a 100 such packs were snapped up in an hour.

Philatelists and those who knew about the collection made a beeline. Prem Kumar, a retired engineer, was seen buying three different thematic packs for his doctor-son who is an ardent philatelist.

Government allots Rs 1,300crore to Post Bank

NEW DELHI: The expenditure department has decided to sanction Rs 1,300 crore to the proposed Post Bank of India to meet its capital requirements even as the department of financial services (DFS) - the wing in the finance ministry that deals with state-run banks and their poliiies – chose to stay away from the issue.

The proposal's backing by the expenditure finance commission and its subsequent green light by finance minister P Chidambaram is seen as the official go-ahead by the finance ministry, ignoring the DFS's stance. The DFS position is seen as the first instance of the agency not backing the Post Bank's plan, which officers in the department have privately mocked at.

"They think they can use the postal deposit model for their banking foray. Nothing in their plan seems to be clear. Banking isn't easy," said an officer, who did not wish to be identified. In fact, a strong Post Bank is seen to be the biggest challenge to existing public sector banks, including State Bank of India, which controls 70% of the banking business in the country. SBI, the largest lender, has a little less than 15,000 branches, while there are over 1.5 lakh post offices across the country.

Although Post Bank does not intend to open a bank branch in each post office, the plan is to use postmen to meet the financial inclusion goal. Secretary (posts) P Gopinath refused to speak to TOI despite several attempts.

According to the plan, Post Bank will have 50 branches in the first year, which will be increased to 150 by the fifth year. The branches will be located in select Head Post Offices in Tier-1-4 centres and select Sub-Post Offices in Tier-5-6 centres.

To meet RBI norms, the postal department proposes to set up a new entity - Post Bank of India - that will have an independent board and separate operations. Apart from independent directors, the board will have representatives from the finance ministry and the postal department. Separate recruitment has been planned to have specialist bankers.

While converting the entire postal network would have meant a capital requirement of over Rs 60,000 crore, by setting up a special entity, the fund requirement has been reduced. This, officers said, will also help create a more focused strategy.

CS Programme

21/07/13 to 28/07/13—N.Delhi

SILENT FUTURE OF DRAFT SCHEMES CIRCLE WELFARE FUND FOR GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS

This is regarding introduction of the Circle Welfare Fund for GDSs in all the Circles as part of the ‘one year initiatives of the department of Posts,’ under the guidance of Hon’ble Minister of Communications and information Technology. The draft Schemes of Circle Welfare Fund for GDSs has been prepared by Directorate and the silent features are as under:-

Click here to see the details

Top 8 Financial Products Offered By Indian Post Office

 Bangalore: The financial market has been persistently changing. With increased number of banks, financial institutions and online facilities, there have been ample options through which one can invest their money into.

However, the Indian Post Office has been such an institution since very long time. The savings scheme and other financial products are a favourite with investors. The telegram and postage stamps may have gone out of fashion, but the financial services offered by the Indian Post Office are still very much in demand. And if the India Post bags the banking license, it could be a financial powerhouse with its 1.55 lakh branches across the country.

1. Recurring Deposit

Tenure: 5 years

Interest rate: 8.3 Percent

The Recurring Deposit Account can be opened by cash/cheque and in case of cheque the date of deposit shall be date of presentation of cheque. On maturity, the term can be extended up to 5 years. Apart from these facilities the account holder can appoint a nominee at the time of opening and also after opening of an account. Account can be transferred from one post office to another and any number of accounts can be opened in any post office. Incase the account holder deposits 6 installments in advance, they are also entitled with a rebate. Investor is also given a flexible window of up to 15 days to deposit the sum.

2. Senior Citizens’ Saving Scheme

Tenure: 5 Years

Interest Rate: 9.2 Percent

An individual of the Age of 60 years or more may open the account. Individuals taking superannuation or VRS can also open an account, but the account should be opened within one month of receipt of retirement benefits.

The maturity period is 5 years and the account can be opened by cash for the amount below 1 lakh and above by cheque only. The depositor can operate more than one account in individual capacity or jointly with spouse (husband/wife). Interest can be drawn through auto credit into savings account standing at same post office, through PDCs or Money Order.

The maximum amount limit per individual is 15 lakh and the investments are eligible for deduction under Section 80C

3. Public Provident Fund

Tenure: 15 years

Interest rate: 8.7 Percent

An individual can open an account with minimum deposit of 500 in a financial year and maximum 1, 00,000 and account can be opened by cash or cheque. Deposits qualify for deduction from income tax under Sec. 80C of IT Act. The interest earned on the deposits is completely tax free. From the third financial year loan facility available but premature closure is not allowed before 15 years.

4. Money Transfer

The Money Transfer facility provides a fast and easy way of transferring personal payment from abroad to beneficiaries in India. The service is valid only for the purpose of remittances towards family maintenance and remittances favouring foreign tourists visiting India are permissible. No outward remittance from India is permissible under MTSS.

The collaboration between the Department of Posts, Government of India with the Western Union Financial Services and MoneyGram International facilitates instantaneous remittance of money from around 195 countries, 22 foreign currencies and territories to India.

5. Commercial Banking

The Department of Post submitted application before the Reserve Bank for a license to offer full-fledged banking services. The India postal network has 1,54,822 post offices in the country. Of these, 1,39,086 are in rural areas and 15,736 are in urban regions. There are around 90,000 bank branches in the country and provision of real-time banking services through postal network is estimated to triple the current banking network.

The Department of Post (DoP) has plans to start 50 bank branches in the first year and scale it to a total of 150 branched in 5 years, reported PTI. The Post Banks are proposed to be owned by DoP but with a completely independent board, governance structure and operations. It will have representation from Ministries of Finance and Communication & IT.

6. Mutual Funds

The Indian Post office launched the scheme for distribution of mutual funds on 22nd January 2001, in partnership with IDBI-Principal. An authorized mutual fund adviser is available at designated branches of the post office.

An investor can approach the designated post office counters or the concerned postmaster for application forms and literature on the types of fund schemes available through the post office.

Thereafter they can hand the application forms duly filled along with requisite amount in the form of a demand draft/cheque to the counter staff, no cash will be accepted.

7. NSCs

Tenure: 5 - 10 years

Interest rate: 8.5 - 8.8 Percent

The scheme is specially designed for government employees, businessmen and other salaried classes who are Income Tax assesses. There is no fixed limit of investment and no tax deduction at source. The certificates can also be used as collateral security to get loan from banks. Investment up to 1, 00,000 per annum qualifies for IT Rebate under section 80C of Income Tax Act. The rate of interest is 8.50 percent.

8. Life Insurance

Postal Life Insurance is a contract entered into by the Government to pay a given sum of money on the death of an individual to his nominee or himself, if he survives that period. The scheme is only for Government and Semi-Government employees and it is the only Insurer that offers low premium and high bonus.

The Insurants can deposit the premium by the Premium Receipt Book. Deposits of premium can be done in any departmental PO, and there is a facility of recovery from pay for all employees belonging to the Central Government.

Updation of service books anti its inspection by each employee

EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION

DATED 17th JUL 2013

Subject.: Updation of service books and its inspection by each employee.

Sir,

You are aware that under SR 199 every step in the career of an official / officer should be recorded in the service book and each entry is attested by the Head of the Office / officer so authorized to ensure accuracy in the entries.

2. Further, under SR 202 the updated service book is required to be shown to official / officer every year. The government servant after ensuring the accuracies of each entry affixes his / her signature.

3. In view of the above, it is requested to carry out an exercise towards updation of service book and its mandatory inspection by respective employees. The head of the offices maintaining the service books of employees must. give a certificate that Service hooks of all employees in his office has been updated and the signatures of respective employees have been obtained in the service book.

4. This exercise needs to be completed by 15.08.2013.

(This issues with the approval of .ACC(HR) ).

MACP – SHRI M.RAGHAVAIAH, GENERAL SECRETARY, NFIR advocates for implementation of Hon’ble Supreme Court Judgment on MACP

click here to see the details

Direct Recruitment PA/SA Examination - LATEST UPDATE UPDATE as on 17-JUL-2013

I.	Aptitude Test (Paper I) for all the postal circles is completed. The List of shortlisted  candidates for the Computer Typing / Data Entry (PAPER II) for Andhra Pradesh,  Gujrat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand,  Madhya Pradesh, North East, Odisha, West Bengal Postal Circles is given in the  link below:   SHORT LISTED CANDIDATES FOR PAPER II  The list in respect of the remaining Postal Circles will be published shortly.
II.	The above Short List has been prepared in accordance with the procedure published in the Notification No 60-9/2009 SPB1 dated 8-5-2012. The candidates who figure  in the above list have qualified for appearing in the Paper II based on marks in the  Paper I.
III	The list is in order of Roll Number.
IV.	Paper II is tentatively scheduled on 10th,11th,24th,25th,31th August 2013 and  1st September 2013
V.	Admit Card for Paper II will be dispatched shortly. Admit Card can also be generated on this website by the candidates

India Post deserves to get a bank licence

Let the postman turn banker: India Post deserves to get a bank licence

India Post wants to own a bank. This is a great idea. In one stroke, this can ensure that millions more will get access to formal credit, in one of the most under-banked countries of the world. 

The biggest advantage for India Post, among the most enduring institutions set up by the British, is its huge network and customer base. Compared to roughly 1,00,000 commercial and rural bank branches in India, there are 1,55,000 post offices, a majority in rural and semi-urban areas. As a collector of small savings, it has experience in taking deposits — about Rs 6 lakh crore at last count — but not in lending. A bank licence for only India Post would mean that the network of bank branches would more than double in one stroke.

India Post also fits the bill on other counts: a long track record of integrity and, most important — with one post office for every four villages — a massive presence in rural India, where the RBI wants 25 per cent of all branches to be located. Forget microfinance companies, even compared to government-owned banks, the postal bank's cost structure, if it assigns some banking duties to postmen, will be lower.

India Post wants the government to sanction around Rs 1,300 crore for capital adequacy and to hire more people. It should get the money. The RBI wants new banks to be set up through a wholly-owned non-operative financial holding company. So, the postal bank will need to be corporatised. It should run on sound commercial principles and at arm's length from political masters.

Post offices in countries like Germany and Japan have successfully offered banking services. There is no reason why it cannot be done here. Many post offices are already computerised. These machines should be upgraded with banking software. A bank, trusted by local communities, will also make it easier to implement the direct transfer scheme.

All that needs to be done is to give a mobile device, a micro ATM, to the postman who can double up as a banking correspondent. The RBI needs to think innovatively about inclusive banking and spreading the reach of formal credit where there is none, now.