Friday 17 April 2015

Shri V P Singh (IPoS-1988), DDG (Personnel) will hold the additional charge of Secretary, Postal Services Board

To view a copy of order, please CLICK HERE. 

India Post to setup hybrid model Post Bank with separate employees

The Department of Posts, which has applied for a payments bank licence, has a hybrid model in mind to operate Post Bank of India. Reserve Bank Governor Raghuram Rajan yesterday had said while the banking sector is set to undergo changes in the next few years, "we are going to possibly have postal bank".

According to a source, Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has approved hybrid model suggested by Ernst & Young which prepared detailed project report on Post Bank of India (PBI).

"E&Y has come out with three models but suggested preference to a hybrid model. Under which about 600 branches will be directly operated by PBI staff in post office premises and transactions in other parts of the country will be supported by India post staff," the official said.

Post Bank of India is proposed to have its own employees and IT infrastructure. The transaction handled by India Post employees will be entered in to computer server of PBI.

The Department expects revenue of over Rs 550 crore from PBI in first 5 years.

"India Post will earn from every transaction it will carry out for PBI and rents that it will get from its branches. India Post financial services like saving account, postal life insurance will continue as it is," the official said.

The Department of Posts (DoP) will soon seek Cabinet approval for Rs 240 crore for setting up Post Bank of India.

The DoP has plans to set up Post Bank of India under payments bank licence. The Reserve Bank of India has already issued licensing norms for niche banks -- payments banks and small banks.

As per RBI guidelines, payments banks would offer a limited range of products such as demand deposits and remittances. They will not be allowed to undertake lending activities and will be initially be restricted to holding a maximum balance of Rs 1 lakh per individual customer.

They will be allowed to issue ATM or debit cards as also other prepaid payment instruments, but not credit cards.


The DoP will evaluate its five year performance as payments bank and then it will take call of setting up full-fledged banking service.



1) Clarification regarding application of FR49-regarding.

2) Selection for the post of Assistant Director at PTC Saharanpur.CLICK HERE TO SEE DETAILS

3) Central Civil Services Rules 1964 and the Lokpal & Lokayktas Act 2013-Submission of declaration of assets and liabilities by the public Servants for each year-regarding.
CLICK HERE TO SEE DETAILS 

Department of Posts: I.T. Modernisation Project Survey - CBS / PLI Feedback

http://sapost.blogspot.in/
The link given below should be used to get the survey responses filled from the officers and staff:
http://sapost.blogspot.in/


        To monitor survey progress, CBS Management Team will be regularly sharing survey response status with you. We should strive to get maximum responses filled before the survey end date i.e. 15th April 2015.

Sunday 12 April 2015

Plan to strengthen Money Order service: Postal Dept.

Contrary to reports that Money Order service is being withdrawn, the Postal Department has said that plans are afoot to strengthen the facility using technology for the benefit of the people. The department averred that the time-tested money order service will not be terminated.

“Some reports are appearing in newspapers stating that the service will be withdrawn. It’s not correct. Such negative publicity is creating unnecessary apprehensions in the public domain,” said B.V. Sudhakar, Chief Postmaster General, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Using technology, services like Electronic Money Order, Instant Money Order and Mobile Money Order were brought into vogue and these services were found to be user-friendly.

Electronic Money Order is an electronic format of traditional MOs, which enables payment at doorstep, drastically cutting down physical transmission. The booking for these services can be done at any post office, according to another official. He said the service was one of the prominent modes of door-to-door money transfer since decades.

He said the department was implementing the facility in as many as 50 postal divisions covering 95 head post offices, sub-post offices in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Directorate of Post Offices in New Delhi, it is learnt, is trying to zero-in on those who are trying to mislead the people with incorrect information. “We advise people not to fall prey to the false information. The department will continue to implement the service effectively for the benefit of public,” he added.

Membership verification- Letter of Authorisation (Declaration Form)

The CIRCLE is receiving calls from the Divisional / Branch Secretaries, enquiring about letter of Authorization to be submitted for change of option in April-2015.The Process of verification started and unions have to submit application the last date being 31.03.2015 to get applicant status. After scrutiny the schedule for verification will start and it will take some time (at least one or two months)  For change of option in the April-2015, the old form will suffice.

Friday 10 April 2015

Message from Hon'ble Ravi Shankar Prasad, Communication and Information Technology minister


 Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana ( SSA ) scheme was launch by the hon'ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi on 22nd January 2015. In a short span of just over 2 months the Post Offices across the country have opened 27,72,309 Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana accounts upto 31st March 2015. A total of Rs 310 Crores has been deposited in these accounts for the welfare of the girl child. Authorised Banks have together managed to open over 1.8 lakh accounts under this scheme. Well done IndiaPost. Keep it up.

Save Girl Child 
Beti Bachao Beti Padaho 
Indias Daughter

Incentive to the Staff - Western Union and MoneyGram


LTC Claims -Need for observing prescribed procedures

F.No. 31011/3/2015-Estt(A-IV)
Ministry of Personnel, Pensions & Public Grievances
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment A-IV Desk
North Block, New Delhi
Dated April 1,2015
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- LTC Claims -. Need for observing prescribed procedures

This Department receives a large number of recommendations for relaxation of some or the other provision of the Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988, (hereinafter referred to as LTC Rules), in individual cases. It is seen that, in most cases the situation arises are due care had not been exercised by the Government servant and/or the administrative authority in claiming LTC or in examination.

2. The references mainly relate to:

a) Late submission of claims;

b) Booking of air tickets through an agency not authorised by the Government for this purpose;

c) Travel by private vehicles; and

d) Claims for wrong block of years.

3. In this connection it may please be noted that the primary responsibility’ for ensuring compliance with the rules is that of the Government servant. The of-repeated plea of ignorance of rules cannot be a valid ground for relaxation of rules. At the same time it has also been noticed that the administrative authorities have also shown laxity and due diligence on their part could have prevented such situations from arising.

4. Late Submission of Claim

4.1 In terms of Rules 14 and 15(vi) of LTC Rules, the time limit for submission of LTC claim is

i) Within three months of completion of return journey, if no advance is drawn;
ii) Within one month of “completion of returnjoumey, if advance is drawn.
Powers have been delegated, as under, to the Ministries/Departments to relax these limits with the concurrence of the Financial Advisor.

a) Upto 6 months, if no advance is drawri;

b) Upto 3 months if advance is drawn, provided the Government servant refunds the entire amount of advance (not merely the unutilised portion) within 45 days of completion of return journey.

4.2 As per Rule 12(a) of the ‘Compendium of Rules on Advances to Government Servants’, it is the responsibility of the Head of Office to effect recovery of advances and also to see that the conditions attached to each advance are fulfilled. The Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) is required to keep a watch on the advances and furnish monthly statements to the AP&AO. In addition, the DDO is also required to adjust all outstanding short term advances at the close of financial year.

5. Booking of air tickets through agents other than Government approved agents

5.1 Government servants travelling by air under LTC are required to book their tickets either directly from the airline or through the approved agencies viz: Mjs Balmer Lawrie Co. Ltd/ M/s Ashok Tours & Travels Ltd/IRCTC. Booking through any other agency is not permissible.

6. Travel by private vehicles.

6.1 As per LTC rules, a Government servant may travel only by vehicles operated by Central/State Government or local bodies or by any corporation in the public sector owned/controlled by Central/State Government. Journey on LTC by taxi, auto-rickshaw etc, are permissible only between places not connected by rail. This is further subject to the condition that these modes Operate on a regular basis from point to point with the specific approval of the State Govemments/transport authorities concerned and are authorised to ply as public carriers.

7. Claims for wrong block of years

7.1 Whenever a Government servant applies for LTC advance, the administrative authority is required to verify from the service book and certify the entitlement of the Government servant. Cases of the type mentioned in para 2(d) would not arise, if this is properly done.

8. LTC Rules also provide that a government servant who has been granted LTC Advance is required to submit copies of the tickets within 10 days of drawal of advance. The administrative authority can at this stage itself check the date of commencement of journey; whether ticket has been booked direct from airline or through approved agency etc. Any discrepancy can be brought to the notice of the government servant so that he can take remedial action, if needed.

9. Even in cases where advance is not drawn, the Government servant is required to give prior intimation of his intention to avail LTC. The administrative authority can check the details indicated especially w.r.t entitlement. A watch can also be kept to ensure timely submission of claims.

10. All Ministries/Departments are requested to bring the contents of this OM. to the notice of all concerned. It may also be noted that requests for relaxation of rules shall be considered by this Department only if it is established that the deviation is due to reasons beyond the control of the Government servant and there has been no laxity on the part of the administrative authorities concerned.
sd/-
(Sukesh C aturvedi)
Director (Establishment)

5. Grant  of incentive for acquiring higher qualifications- Inclusion of additional qualification / Review of the qualifications listed in the Annexure to this Departments OM No1/2/89Esst (Pay-1) dated 09/04/1999.
No.1/3/2008-Estt.(Pay-I)(Vol.11)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training

North BlocLNew Delhi

Dated the 1 April, 2015

OFFICE MEMORANCIUM



Sub: Grant of incentive for acquiring higher qualifications - Inclusion of additional

qualifications / Review of the qualifications listed in the Aonexure to this Department's OM No.1/2/89-Estt.(Pay-1) dated 9/4/1999 – reg



The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM of even number --dated 28.4.2009 and subsequent reminders of even number dated 11.8.2009,20.82009, 30.10.2009, 7.1.2010 and 22 11 2013 calling for suggestions regarding addition / deletion of qualifications listed in the Annexure to this Department's OM dated 9.4.1999.
2. Only few Ministries / Departments have sent in their suggestions on the subject. The meeting of the Centralized Committee for considering the inclusion of new qualifications for grant of lump sum incentives is going to be held shortly.

3. All the Ministries / Departments are once again requested to furnish their suggestions to this Department latest by 10 1h April, 2015, This may please be accorded priority.
-sd-
(k K. Jain)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
To
Tel.: 2309 3178
1. All the Secretaries to the Government of India

2. NIC, DoP&T, with a request to upload this OM on the Department's website under "What is new"

D.A. ORDER RELEASED BY FINANCE MINISTRY TODAY

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013- Submission of declaration of assets and liabilities by CSS officers for each year- regarding.

To view please Click Here.

Grant-in-aid for the provision of amenities or recreational or welfare facilities to the staff of the Central Government -regarding.

To view please Click Here.

VERIFICATION OF MEMBERSHIP FOR RECOGNITION OF SERVICE ASSOCIATION UNDER CCS (RSA) RULES, 1993-CALLING OF APPLICATIONS-REGARDING.

14th Finance Commission Directions to 7th CPC

Click  Here  for   14th Finance Commission report on 7th CPC 


Refer page no 240 to 250 of the report 



17.24 Technically, the recommendations of a Central Pay Commission are only for Central Government employees and States are not bound to follow suit. Indeed, up to the 1980s, States constituted their own Pay Commissions and prescribed their own pay scales, based upon their fiscal capacity. However, since the Fifth Central Pay Commission, salaries and allowances in States have tended to converge with those in the Union Government and since the Sixth Central Pay Commission, almost all States have adopted the Union pattern of pay scales, albeit with modifications.
17.27 Our concern is the likely impact on overall budgetary resources, particularly of the States, once the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission are announced and adopted by the Union Government. All States have asked us to provide a cushion for the pay revision likely during our award period. The Union Government's memorandum has built, in its forecast, the implications of a pay increase from 2016-17 onwardsrecommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission are likely to be made only by August 2015, and unlike the previous Finance Commissions, we would not have the benefit of having any material to base our assessments and projections and to specifically take the impact into account. We have, therefore, adopted the principle of overall sustainability based on past trends, which should realistically capture the overall fiscal needs of the States.


17.28 In our view, on matters that impact the finances of both the Union and States, policies ought to evolve through consultations between the States and the Union. This is especially relevant in the determination of pay and allowances, where a part of the government itself, in the form of the employees, is a stakeholder and influential in policy making. A national view, arrived at  through this process, will open avenues for the Union and States to make collective efforts to raise the extra resources required by their commitment to a pay revision. More importantly, it would enable the Union and States to ensure that there is a viable and justifiable relationship between the demands on fiscal resources on account of salaries and contributions to output by employees commensurate with expenditure incurred. In this regard, we reiterate the views of the FC-XI for a consultative mechanism between the Union and States, through a forum such as the Inter-State Council, to evolve a national policy for salaries and emoluments.

17.29 Further,we would like to draw attention to the importance of increasing the productivity of government employees as a part of improving outputs, outcomes and overall quality of services relatable to public expenditures. The Seventh Central Pay Commission, has, inter alia, been tasked with making recommendations on this aspect. Earlier Pay Commissions had also made several recommendations to enhance productivity and improve public administration. Productivity per employee can be raised through the application of technology in public service delivery and in public assets created. Raising the skills of employees through training and capacity building also has a positive impact on productivity. The use of appropriate technology and associated skill development require incentives for employees to raise their individual productivities. A Pay Commission's first task, therefore, would be to identify the right mix of technology and skills for different categories of employees. The next step would be to design suitable financial incentives linked to measurable performance. We recommend the linking of pay with productivity, with a simultaneous focus on technology, skills and incentives. Further, we recommend that Pay Commissions be designated as 'Pay and Productivity Commissions',with a clear mandate to recommend measures to improve 'productivity of an employee', in conjunction with pay revisions. We urge that, in future, additional remuneration be linked to increase in productivity.

Pensions
17.30 Pensions have been growing steadily, and the liability for pension payments is likely to cast a very heavy burden on budgets in the coming years. Some of the factors contributing to this growth are: (i) the rise in pensions recommended by successive Pay Commissions; (ii) removal of the distinction between people retiring at different points of time, so that all pensioners are treated alike in their pension rights; (iii) taking over the liability for pensions of retired employees of aided institutions and local bodies; and (iv) increasing longevity. The New Pension Scheme (NPS), a contribution-based scheme introduced by the Union Government in 2004 for all new recruits after the cut-off date, has now been adopted by all States, with the exception of West Bengal and Tripura. This scheme has the merit of transferring future liabilities to the New Pension Fund and factoring the current liability on a State's contribution from its current revenues. We urge States which have not adopted the New Pension Scheme so far to immediately consider doing so for their new recruits in order to reduce their future burden.

Conclusion: - The recommendations of 14th Finance Commission are important for 7th Pay Commission.  As the recommendations of 14th FC is applicable with effect from 01.04.2015 the impact of above mentioned recommendations will be the part of 7th CPC.  Need not to say that 7th CPC has the challenge to prepare the report in stipulated time including the views of 14th FC.