This blog is meant for use by members of the Association for news and views. Send comments / suggestions / views to e-mail Id: aiaipasp.ors@gmail.com

Monday, September 30, 2013

UPU News:- UN chief says postal services vital to global development

In a video message delivered ahead of World Post Day, celebrated annually on 9 October, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlights the role of postal services as “engines of trade, development and growth.”


Recalling the enduring value of the daily post in an increasingly digital age, Ban says postal services go beyond physical mail and are adapting and redefining themselves for a 21st-century communication landscape.
Indeed, Posts help bring people into the financial fold, says Ban, referring to the financial services being increasingly offered by them. Posts also foster commercial trade, especially with the increasing popularity of e-commerce and online shopping, he says.
“Postal services make an important contribution to our shared efforts to build a peaceful, sustainable and equitable future for all,” concludes the secretary-general.
World Post Day is celebrated annually on 9 October, the day the Universal Postal Union was created 139 years ago in Berne, Switzerland, by 22 founding countries.
One of the world’s oldest international organization, the UPU now has 192 member countries and has been a specialized agency of the United Nations since 1948.

UPU News:- Ban Ki-moon on the value of postal services

In a special video message delivered ahead of World Post Day, celebrated on 9 October, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says postal services are adapting and redefining themselves for a 21st-century communications landscape. "Postal services make an important contribution to our shared efforts to build a peaceful, sustainable and equitable future for all," he says. Listen to his message.

Grant of Non-productivity Linked Bonus (Ad-hoc bonus) to Central Government Employees for the year 2012-13

To view please Click Here.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Banks to pay for credit card frauds: RBI


The Reserve Bank of India has refused to extend the deadline for upgrading security on credit card swipe machines and has ordered banks to compensate cardholders in seven days if any fraud occurs on non-compliant terminals.

If the bank fails to refund the disputed amount in seven days, it has to compensate the cardholder with a penalty of Rs 100 per day until the date of payment. At present, dispute resolution is a cumbersome process and takes several weeks in case of credit card frauds.

Banks see the new directive as indicative of the central bank's seriousness on card security. After a rise in credit card frauds, the RBI had asked banks to add security features including an electronic chip and a secret PIN which the cardholder is required to punch in the terminal to authenticate payment. This feature was to come in force from July 1. But banks were behind schedule in both issuing chip cards and in upgrading terminals to meet the new security standards.

Since the entire industry was behind schedule, the RBI was forced to extend the deadline. Banks were required to get credit card swipe machines upgraded by September-end and have all the cards upgraded by November. But a few days ahead of the September deadline, banks have again said that they are not ready.

"Various banks have approached us, seeking further extension of the time line of September 30, 2013 for complying with the task of securing the technology infrastructure," the central bank said in a statement.

Pointing out that banks were told that there would be no further extensions, the RBI said, "It has been decided not to grant any further extension of time. Accordingly, banks not complying with the requirements shall compensate loss, if any, incurred by the cardholder using card at POS terminals not adhering to the mandated standards."

There are usually two banks in every credit card transaction. One that issued the credit card and the other that has installed the swipe machine. The RBI has said that the card issuing bank should ascertain in three days whether the fraud has taken in a non-compliant machine and within seven days refund the money to the cardholder. The card issuing bank will in turn recover the money from the bank which has installed the swipe machine.

Source:-The Economic Times

Updation of entries in the All lndia Negative List of Cash Certificates.

To view please Click Here.

Friday, September 27, 2013

UPU News:-Postal financial inclusion highlighted at UN inter-agency meeting

UPU Deputy Director General Pascal Clivaz told top UN officials and senior financial inclusion experts this week that Posts have a key role to play in improving financial inclusion.


“Given their widespread presence in rural and poor areas, post offices can play a leading role in advancing financial inclusion,” said Clivaz by video link to the United Nation’s second inter-agency meeting on inclusive finance, held on the sidelines of the UN general assembly in New York
“Post offices are relatively more likely than traditional financial institutions to provide accounts to individuals who are financially excluded such as the poor, less educated and those out of the labour force.”
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, the UN secretary-general's special advocate for inclusive finance for development, recognized the Post’s contributions to financial inclusion in her remarks. She stressed the importance of financial inclusion for social and economic development.
“Financial inclusion is not the ends, but a means to broader outcomes such as poverty reduction, health, women’s empowerment and more,” said Queen Máxima, who also spoke on the topic at the UPU Congress in Doha last year.
One billion people already use the postal sector for savings and deposit accounts, but the UPU says the global postal network, with more than 600,000 post offices, is underused for financial inclusion.
According to its research, postal operators and their postal financial subsidiaries are the world's second biggest contributor to financial inclusion after banks.
The UPU provides technical assistance, conducts research on postal financial inclusion and helps foster cooperation between countries thanks to support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Union also works with the International Fund for Agricultural Development to expand the global payment network and other financial services to rural areas, lowering costs for end users.
The UPU will hold a global forum on financial inclusion for development on 24-25 October in Geneva. The forum, organized with the Switzerland's department of foreign affairs and the International Organization of La Francophonie, will be a platform for dialogue between governments, postal operators, central banks, private sector players and international organizations.

Cabinet Note on Amendment to the RTI Act, 2005 in the light of the Decision of Central Information Commission dated 03.06.2013 in the case of political parties

To view please Click Here.

CHQ News:-CAT case for upgradation of GP of IPs at Ernakulam Bench....an update

Our CAT case No. 289/13 was listed for filing rejoinder before divisional bench on 26/9/2013. But it was told that there was no division bench on that day. There is possibility of Divisional Bench on 30/9/2013 and 1/10/2013.

CHQ News:-General Secretary visited Postal Directorate.

General Secretary, CHQ President, CHQ Treasurer, CHQ OGS-II and CS WB Circle visited Postal Directorate from 23rd September 2013 to 25th September 2013 and met with Member (Personnel), DDG (P), DDG (Estt), Secretary Postal Services Board, Director (Estt), Director (Staff), OSD to Secretary (Posts) and also to concerned ADGs/SOs. During the course of meetings, following pending issues were discussed in detail and present status is noted against each.  
 
Sl. No.
Issues discussed
Present status
1
DPC for the promotion to the PS Gr. B cadre for the vacancies of 2013-14 and repatriation of PS Gr. B officers to their home circle
DPC work was completed on 23/9/2013. 148 officers said to be promoted to PS Gr. B cadre. List of selected officers and their circle allotment is expected on 27/9/2013. It was told that as far as possible selected officers will be allotted to their home circle after considering the genuine repatriation cases. Excess officers will be allotted in neighboring circles only.  Department is deciding to introduce new policy on repatriation cases.
2
Issue of combined seniority list of Inspector Posts cadre.
The work of preparation of seniority list of Inspector Posts of 1998, 1999 and 2000 batches have almost completed and is likely to be circulated very soon.
3
Inter Circle Rule 38 transfer cases of Inspector Posts
CPMsG of concerned circles are competent to decide the cases on merit and against the vacancies.  
4
Clarification on merger of Inspector Posts and Assistant Superintendents Posts Cadre.
This issue was discussed in length with Member (P), Secretary PSB, DDG (Estt) and Director (Estt). Association told that decision taken in the last AIC was already been communicated to administration. All the representatives of the Association have taken active part in the discussion. It was told that Administration is not in favour to retain the Gazetted status if ASP is merged with IP, as in other department Inspectors are not Gazetted.  After long discussion administration has directed the Association to submit fresh proposal which will be examined once again to settle this long pending issue, as this is linked up with cadre re-structuring, submission of report to ensuing seventh pay commission etc.  
5
Merger/de-merger of IPO / IRM Cadre and minimum working experience about Postal / RMS Wing before promotion to ASP / Supdt. Cadre
Revised orders are likely to be issued very soon.
6
Non implementation of MACP Scheme for IPs / ASPs cadre in true spirit
Instructions will be reiterated to all concerned. 
7
Filling up of vacant posts of HSG-I (IP Line) cadre
Issue is being referred to DoPT.
8
Regarding non maintaining uniformity by Circles in making Adhoc Promotion of ASPs to PS Gr. B cadre.
Report is called for from concerned circle and instructions issued.
9
Identification of Posts of HSG-I(IP Line) for Postmaster Grade III in Karnataka Circle
Issue is under process and suitable instructions are likely to be issued early to Karnataka Circle.
10
Request for grant of GP Rs. 5400/- to the ASPs after completion of 4 years of regular service in GP of Rs. 4800/- earned under MACP Scheme
This issue is under examination at Directorate only. Association requested to take up with the appropriate authority for justice.
11
Quota of General Line in PS Gr. B Examination
Preparation of fresh Recruitment Rules stopped for want of few creation memos of PS Gr. B posts. It was told that at the time of framing new RRs only 3% quota will be given to General Line in PS Gr. B examination and some relaxation will be given in eligibility. Sr. PM examination will be not conducted due to CAT cases.
12
Recruitment Rules for the post of Assistant Manager in MMS
This is under preparation and will take some time, as information from few circles is awaited.  
13
Non convening of DPC for the promotion to Dy. Manager MMS
It will be held within 1 or 2 months.
14
Convening of DPC for promotion to JTS Gr. A cadre
It will take at least two months. First, DPC will be held only for the year 2012-13 and thereafter it will be held for the year 2013-14.
16
Revision of monetary ceiling of briefcase / ladies purse for official purpose
It is told that the issue will be looked into with positive views.
17
Minutes of meeting taken by Member (P) regarding restructuring of Inspector Posts cadre
Fresh proposal is called for from Association.
18
Recasting of marks of LDCE for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B examination for year 2012 held on 3/6/2012
As per the latest instructions issued by Directorate, in all 15 representations have been received with different feedbacks on keys displayed on departmental Web site. These representations are yet to be examined. The outcome of CAT cases is also awaited. One fresh OA is said to be received from AP Circle.
19
Holding LDCE for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B for the year 2013
It was told that there is no chance of holding the examination in this year. Association requested to hold the examination every year and while issuing notification sufficient time margin may be given.
It was learnt that department has finalised 6th cadre review of IPoS officers and kept ready for submission to nodal ministry with a suggestion of up-gradation / creation of few SAG, JAG post and down-gradation/aboliation of few STS/JTS posts. 

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Department of Posts Allots Country’s First Customized Pin Code to the Supreme Court of India

Country’s First ‘Locality Based Online Pin Code Search Directory’ also Launched
The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, here today allotted a ‘Customized Pin Code’ to the Supreme Court of India. This dedicated Pin Code of the Supreme Court is ‘110 201’. In a function organized in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of India, Shri Justice P. Sathasivam, received a blowup of this Customized Pin Code from Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Communications & Information Technology. The event took place on the occasion that marked the completion of 41 years of the introduction of Pin Code in the country.

Postal Index Number (PIN) or PIN Code is a 6 digit code of Post Office numbering used by India Post. The PIN was introduced in 1972 in the country. There are 9 PIN regions in the country. The first 8 are geographical regions and the digit 9 is reserved for the Army Postal Service. The first digit indicates one of the regions. The first 2 digits together indicate the sub region or one of the postal circles. The first 3 digits together indicate a sorting / revenue district. The last 3 digits refer to the delivery Post Office.

The Department of Posts also started a ‘Locality Based Online Pin Code Search Directory’ of Delhi on this occasion. Shri Sibal formally launched it by reading the Launch Message.

Source:-PIB

"Keep number of suspended officials at minimum"

An order of suspension against government employee should be made after considerable amount of care and the number of suspended officials is to be kept at the minimum, the Centre said in a fresh set of do''s and don''ts released today for carrying out disciplinary proceedings.

Source:-PTI

Government notifies implementation of GAAR rules from April 2016

The government has notified the controversial anti-avoidance tax rules, which will be implemented from April 2016 and apply to business arrangements with a tax benefit exceeding Rs 3 crore. 

The General Anti Avoidance Rules (GAAR) provisions will come into force from April 1, 2016, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in a notification dated September 23. 

The GAAR provisions were introduced in the 2012-13 Budget by then Finance MinisterPranab Mukherjee to check tax avoidance and were to have come into effect from April 1, 2014. The proposal generated controversy, with investors apprehensive about harassment by tax authorities. 

To soothe the nerves of jittery investors, Finance Minister P Chidambaram in January announced the postponement of the implementation of Chapter 10A of the Income-Tax Act (dealing with GAAR) by two years to April 1, 2016. 

According to the notification, GAAR would be applicable to foreign institutional investors that have not taken the benefit of an agreement under Section 90 or Section 90A of the I-T Act or Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). 

The GAAR provisions would not apply to business arrangements where the "tax benefit in the relevant assessment year arising, in aggregate, to all parties to the arrangement does not exceed a sum of Rs 3 crore." 

"Where a part of an arrangement is declared to be an impermissible avoidance arrangement, the consequences in relation to tax shall be determined with reference to such part only," the notification said. 

Besides, before invoking the GAAR provisions, the assessing officer has to "issue a notice in writing to the assessee seeking objections, if any, to the applicability of provisions of Chapter X-A."

Source:-The Economic Times

Result of MTS Examination of Odisha Circle held on 22/09/2013

To view please Click Here.

ISTM-HANDBOOK FOR INQUIRY OFFICERS AND DISCIPLINARY AUTHORITIES

To view the issued by INSTITUTE OF SECRETARIAT TRAINING AND MANAGEMENT (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING) MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL PUBLIC GRIEVANCES and PENSIONS HANDBOOK FOR INQUIRY OFFICERS AND DISCIPLINARY AUTHORITIES please Click Here

Supreme Court of India to be Allotted A Customized Pin Code

Department of Posts also to Launch Locality Based Online Pin Code Search Directory of Delhi
The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, will allot a ‘Customized Pin Code’ to the Supreme Court of India here tomorrow. This dedicated Pin Code of the Supreme Court will be ‘110 201’. Chief Justice of India, Shri Justice P. Sathasivam and Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Communications & Information Technology, will be present on the occasion at the Supreme Court of India. 

Postal Index Number (PIN) or PIN Code is a 6 digit code of Post Office numbering used by India Post. The PIN was introduced on August 15, 1972. There are 9 PIN regions in the country. The first 8 are geographical regions and the digit 9 is reserved for the Army Postal Service. The first digit indicates one of the regions. The first 2 digits together indicate the sub region or one of the postal circles. The first 3 digits together indicate a sorting / revenue district. The last 3 digits refer to the delivery Post Office. 

The Department of Posts will also launch ‘Locality Based Online Pin Code Search Directory’ of Delhi on this occasion today.

Source:-PIB

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Promotion and postings of Senior Administrative Grarle (SAG) officers of Indian Postal Service, Grorup 'A' to Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) of the Service and transfer/posting of a regular HAG officer of Indian Postal Service, Group 'A'.

To view Department of Posts (Personnel Division) No. 1-16/2013-5PG dated 25th September, 2013 please Click Here.

Promotion and postings of Junior Administrative Grade (NFSG) officers of Indian Postal Service, Group 'A' to Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) of the Service and transfers/postings of regular SAG officers of Indian Postal Service, Group 'A'.

To view Department of Posts (Personnel Division) No. 1-3/2013-SPG dated 25th September, 2013 please Click Here.

Transfer and Posting in PS Group “B” Cadre in Odisha Circle

The following transfer and posting has been ordered in PS Group “B” Cadre vide CO Memo No. ST/2-34(3)/2012 dated 25/09/2013. 

Sl. No.
Name of the Officer
Present Posting
Posting on Transfer
Remarks
1.
Shri Muralidhar Sethi
SSPOs, Puri
Dy. Manager, PPP, Bhubaneswar-10
On reversion to PS Group-B cadre
2.
Shri S.C. Shukla
Dy. Manager, PPP, Bhubaneswar -10
Asst. Manager (Admn), Postal Printing Press, Bhubaneswar-10
Vice Shri Sreekant Kar transferred

Adhoc promotion to JTS Group-A Cadre in Odisha Circle and posting thereof

Shri Sreekant Kar, Asst. Manager (Admn), Postal Printing Press, Bhubaneswar-10, a PS Gr-B officer has been promoted to JTS Gr-A cadre on temporary and ad hoc basis, allotted to Bhubaneswar (HQ) Region and posted as SSPOs, Puri Division, Puri vice Shri M.D. Sethi transferred, vide C.O. Memo No. ST/2-34(3)/2012 dated 25/09/2013. 

Ad-hoc Promotion to JTS Gr-A Cadre in Odisha Circle

Shri Daitari Rana, ADPS, R.O. Sambalpur, a PS Gr-B officer has been promoted to JTS Gr-A cadre on temporary and adhoc basis allotted to Berhampur Region vide C.O. Memo No. ST/2-34(3)/2012 dated 23/09/2013. 

The Officer is likely to be posted as SSPOs, Koraput Division, Jeypore (K).                                                        

Central Union welcomes 7th Pay Commission; seeks revision every 5 years

Trade union representing central government employees today welcomed the announcement to set up the 7th Pay Commission, but demanded that recommendation be implemented with retrospective effect from January 1, 2011. 

The government has announced constitution of the Seventh Pay Commission, which will look into the salaries, allowances and pensions of about 80 lakh of its employees and pensioners. 

"We welcome the government's move to set up the 7th Pay Commission but we have a reservation. It should be implemented with effect from January 1, 2011 as in the case of Central PSUs whose employee pay scales are revised every five years," Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers President K K N Kutty told PTI. 

Earlier in the day, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said in a statement that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has approved the constitution of the 7th Pay Commission and its recommendations are likely to be implemented with effect from January 1, 2016. 

Kutty said that during the discussion, the Confederation would press for merger of up to 50 per cent of dearness allowance with the basic pay, which is a prerequisite for setting up a pay commission. 

As per the practice, the dearness allowance is hiked twice in a year by the Central Government to provide relief from inflation to its employees. 

This is based on a set formula after factoring in the year-long average of all India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers. 

The merger of DA with basic pay helps central government employees as certain allowances are paid as proportion of the basic pay and hence merger results in higher allowances.

Source:-The Economic Times

FM: Prime Minister Approves the Constitution of Seventh Central Pay Commission

The Finance Minister Shri P.Chidambaram in a statement said today that the Prime Minister has approved the constitution of the Seventh Central Pay Commission.
 The fourth, fifth and sixth Central Pay Commissions’ recommendations were implemented as follows:

4th CPC                       1.1.1986
5th CPC                       1.1.1996
6th CPC                       1.1.2006

 The average time taken by a Pay Commission to submit its recommendations has been about two years. Accordingly, allowing about two years for the 7th CPC to submit its report, the recommendations are likely to be implemented with effect from 1.1.2016.

 The names of the Chairperson and members as well as the terms of reference (ToR) of the 7th Pay Commission will be finalised and announced shortly after consultation with major stakeholders.

Source:-PIB

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees - Revised Rates effective from 01.07.2013

To view Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure Order No. 1-8/2013-E-II (B) dated 25th September, 2013 please Click Here .

CHQ News:-DPC for promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. for the year 2013-14....an update

DPC has been convened for 148 posts. Repatriation cases also considered and memos are likely to be released  in this week only. Further details will be placed  on blog soon. 

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Bill in winter session to give legal status to Aadhaar: Government

The government will push for passage of a long-pending bill to provide statutory status to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in the winter session of Parliament. 

"We will bring the National Identification Authority of India Bill 2010 in Parliament during the forthcoming winter session for discussion and passage," Planning Minister Rajeev Shukla told PTI. 

The UIDAI, which issues 12-digit Aadhaar numbers to residents, currently operates through an executive order. 

The working of the UIDAI has come under scrutiny of the Supreme Court, which in an interim order yesterday, observed that Aadhaar can be issued only to Indian nationals and the identification number cannot be made mandatory for availing of benefits of the government's subsidy schemes. 

The bill to provide the authority legal backing was approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2010 and introduced in the Rajya Sabha in December that year. It was sent for scrutiny to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance headed by former finance minister and BJP leader Yashwant Sinha. 

"Now the bill has been sent back to the Planning Commission by the Standing Committee with some amendments. We will soon take it to the Cabinet and try to push the draft for passage in the winter session," Shukla said. 

The minister said the UIDAI has not made enrolment for Aadhaar number mandatory for residents and it was for the central departments, ministries and state governments to decide how to verify the identity of beneficiaries. 

"Aadhaar establishes the identity of a person and not the nationality. It also serves as proofof residence. Moreover, it is a voluntary facility and not mandatory," he said. 

According to an affidavit submitted by the Planning Commission in the Supreme Court, "Aadhaar is issued to residents on voluntary basis. The consent of the individual is sine qua non before issuing Aadhaar numbers...it cannot be said that collection of biometrics information of the subjects who volunteer to same amounts to breach of fundamental right." 

The UIDAI, constituted in January 2009, functions as an executive body under the Planning Commission. 

The authority has been mandated to enroll and collect biometric data of 60 crore residents across 18 states, while data of the remaining 61 crore population would be collected under the National Population Register (NPR) programme. 

The 12-digit unique identification number for the entire 121 crore population will be generated by the UIDAI. 

NPR and UIDAI will share the data collected so that multipurpose national identity cards with Aadhaar numbers printed on them can be issued to all residents in the country.

Source:-The Economic Times