Supplementary Result of IP Examination-2011 - MP Circle

To view the Supplementary Result of IP Examination-2011 - MP Circle Click here.

Ms. Saroj Punhani, IA&AS (1984) has assumed charge as JS & FA

To view the Department of Posts Notification Click here.

Government to decide on moving SC on promotion quota

The government today informed the Lok Sabha that it would soon take a decision on whether to intervene in the Supreme Court on the issue providing reservation benefits to SCs, STs and OBCs in promotions.

Responding to concerns expressed by members during Zero Hour, Minister of State in PMO V Narayanasamy said discussions were being carried out between the Ministries of Law and Justice, and Social Justice and Empowerment and the government "will take immediate decision" in the matter.

Raising the issue, P L Punia (Cong) referred to the recent Supreme Court judgment which termed the move to grant reservation in promotions as "unconstitutional" and asked the government to seek a clarification from the apex court by moving a writ petition on the M Nagaraj case.

He said the recent Supreme Court verdict has "created certain confusion" in regard to grant of reservation in promotions to higher government posts. Punia received support from several members in the House from various parties.

Narayanasamy said the government, which had twice earlier brought amendments to the law, had referred the issue to the Law and Justice Ministry.

"Discussions are going on and we will decide on what further course of action" needs to be taken on the matter," he said, adding that the suggestion given by Punia would also be considered.

Terming the move as unconstitutional, the Supreme Court last week quashed Uttar Pradesh government's decision to provide reservation benefits for SCs, STs and OBCs in promotions in jobs saying it was done without sufficient data.

Source:-The Economic Times

Radiation Tags for Cell Phones

All cell-phones would soon be carrying radiation tags. All the indigenous manufacturers have been instructed to display Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value on the mobile handsets on or before 1st September 2012.

Giving details in Rajya Sabha on Friday, the Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Sh Milind Deora said the Department of Telecommunications has adopted SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) level for mobile handsets as 1.6 Watt/Kg, averaged over a mass of 1 gram of human tissue. On 25th January 2012, all the indigenous manufacturers have been instructed to make necessary changes in the design, software and packaging in compliance with these instructions by 01.09.2012.

Shri Deora said, to regulate indigenous as well as imported mobile phones, Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) has been requested to frame standards for all mobile phones under the BIS Act 1986. All cell phone handsets sold in the marked in India will comply with relevant Bureau of Indian Standard’s (BIS) benchmark.


(Source: PIB-Release ID :82777)

CHQ News on Grade Pay issue of IPs

It is learnt that Postal Directorate has cleared the up-gradation of Grade Pay of Inspector (Posts) file and submitted to Ministry of Finance with positive note.

CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988 - Relaxation for travel by air to visit NER.

To view the DOPT OM Click hare.

Grant of Honorarium for setting Question papers, valuation & conducting Limited Departmental competitive Examinations-Revision of Rates...

To view Department of Posts DE Section letter Click here.

Up-to-date Draft Gradation List of ASPs/IPs of Odisha Circle (Subject to correction as on 01.07.2012)

To view the draft gradation list of ASPs/IPs of Odisha Circle as on 24/4/2012 circulated vide C.O. Letter No.ST/20-29/2008  dated 27^th April, 2012  Click here.

 Corrections, if any, required relating to service particulars viz. Com, DOB, DOE in Govt. Service, DOE in IP/ASP Cadre etc or position of seniority in the Gradation List then the  representations may be forwarded to the AD(Staff), O/o the CPMG, Odisha Circle, Bhubaneswar-751001 through proper channel within a month.

If the information is also shared with the Circle Secretary, it will be helpful for making correction.

 

The final gradation list corrected as on 01/07/2012, after considering the representations, if any received,   is proposed to be circulated after 01/07/2012.

Better picture of postal carbon footprint emerges

The UPU continues to refine its data collection on the environmental impact of postal activities, thanks to expanded surveys and better cooperation with member countries and international organizations.

Annually, hundreds of thousands of postal workers make their rounds on foot or on some 730,000 bicycles, covering 6 billion kilometres with no carbon footprint (Photo: Deutsche Post DHL)

According to its third global inventory on greenhouse-gas emissions, Posts around the world generated an estimated 56.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2010. This represents 0.15 per cent of the 38 billion tonnes of CO2 generated annually worldwide.

As a comparison, the maritime sector produces 3.3 per cent of total global emissions or 1.02 billion tonnes of CO2. The aviation sector produces 2.2 per cent of total emissions or 705 million tonnes.

Postal picture

Posts in North, South and Central America, Western Europe, South Asia and Oceania account for 95.5 per cent of the greenhouse gases produced by UPU member countries. Posts in Africa, Eastern Europe and North Asia, account for only 4.5 per cent of the sector’s emissions.

The latest global inventory collected data from 133 member countries and the International Post Corporation, a private-industry association, and PostEurop, a UPU restricted union.

For the first time, the 2010 inventory took into account emissions from rail and sea transport. Individual results were communicated confidentially to each country to encourage postal operators to reduce their emissions.

Alternative vehicles

Much of the postal sector’s carbon footprint is generated by its fleet of over one million vehicles. However, the use of electric and hybrid vehicles is on the rise among Posts, particularly in Europe and North America.

Others, such as Mauritius Post, have focused on streamlining their delivery routes to minimise environmental impact.

In Mauritius’s case, this was in response to the calculation of its carbon emissions in the first UPU inventory. It reduced the number of route circuits from 22 to 16, grouping together a number of offices in one large distribution centre.
The Post also decreased the number of delivery offices from 90 to 47. “A reduction in the mileage and fuel consumption of our postal vehicles led to a 25 per cent drop in CO2 emissions generated by our fleet,” said Giandev Moteea, Mauritius Post’s CEO.

For the next inventory on 2011, the UPU is cooperating with the International Civil Aviation Organization to gain a view of emissions stemming from airmail.

Environment [UPU News]

Field Training of IPs of Odisha Circle now undergoing Induction Training at PTC, Vadodara

The following IPs (Departmental) of Odisha Circle who are now undergoing induction training at PTC, Vadodara from 30.01.2012 are to undergo field training as noted against each below vide CO No.ST/20-9/2001-Trg. dated 26/04/2012 in continuation and immediately on completion of their induction training at PTC, Vadodara on 28.04.2012.

Sl.No.	Name and Designation S/Shri/Smt.	Officer and Office to which attached
01.	Shri Ramesh Ch. Sahoo, IP, Jatni Sub Dn.	ASP I/C, Puri
02.	Sanjeet Ku.Satpathy, IP, Cuttack Central	ASP I/C, Cuttack East
03.	Ms.Neeta Saremseti,IP, RMS N 1st	ASP I/C, Cuttack East
04.	Soumya Priyadarshi Panigrahi, IP, Udala Sub Dn.	ASP I/C, Baripada Central
05.	Khirod Ku. Das, IP, Nimapara Sub Dn.	ASP I/C, Bhubaneswar North
06.	Debasis Satpathy, IP, Pattamundai Sub Dn.	ASP I/C, Kendrapara
07.	Sapan Ku. Panigrahi, IP, Rairangpur Sub Dn.	ASP I/C, Baripada Central
08.	Manas Ranjan Parida,IP, Talcher Sub Dn.	ASP I/C, Dhenkanal
09.	Shiba Prasad Behera, IP, Soro Sub Dn.	ASP I/C, Balasore Sub Dn.
10.	Pranab Ku. Mishra,IP, Angul (East)	ASP I/C, Dhenkanal
11.	M.Sanjay Ku. Dora,IP, Kesinga Sub Dn.	ASP, I/C, Bhawanipatna
12.	Sanjeeb Ku. Bhuyan, IP, K 1st , Jharsuguda	ASP, I/C, Sambalpur East
13.	Jyotirmayee Mallick, IP, Dharmasala	ASP, I/C, Jajpur
14.	Jagat Ram Tajan, IP, Patnagarh	ASP,I/C, Bolangir
15.	Manoj Ku. Thakur, IP, Sundargarh (North)	ASP, I/C, Rourkela East
16.	Sanjay Kumar, IP, Titilagarh Sub Dn.	ASP, I/C, Bolangir
17.	Parma Nand Kanth, IP, Sambalpur (West)	ASP,I/C, Sambalpur East
18.	Mithilesh Kumar, IP, Kuchinda	ASP,I/C, Sambalpur East
19.	A.Palanisamy,IP, Paralakhemundi (East)	ASP, I/C, Berhampur North
20.	Rajinder Singh Indora, IP, Jeypore (K)	ASP, I/C, Koraput

Booking of LPG by SMS and IVRS Introduced in 18 States Covering 4.36 Crore LPG Custmers

With a view to provide better services to the customers and to reduce the scope for irregularities, Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies, OMCs namely, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have introduced the facility of refill booking through Short Messaging Service (SMS) and Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) in 18 States. These States are, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry and UT of Chandigarh, covering, 2965 LPG distributorships and about 4.36 crore LPG customers. Giving this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, the Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri R.P.N. Singh stated that under this system, there is a facility for confirmation of the refill booking and the time of the booking to the customers along with information on the likely date when the refill would be supplied.

Further, he added, OMCs have planned to expand the facility further in remaining areas with objective to cover 63 lakh customers through 490 LPG distributorships.

The Minister also informed that in most of the cities, more than 80% of the customers are using the system successfully whereas, it is more than 90% in some cities. No specific survey on customer satisfaction on this initiative has been undertaken so far, he added.

Shri Singh stressed that the OMCs have prescribed a norm to their LPG distributors to effect the delivery of the refill LPG cylinder ordinarily within two working ways of the booking. However, due to factors such as product supply constraints, strikes, road breaches, floods, unplanned shutdown, natural calamities along with huge growth of demand, it has been seen that the distributors take some more time to deliver the refill LPG cylinder.

He underlined that whenever OMCs receive complaints on deliberate delay in refill supplies, these are investigated. If the complaint is established, action is taken against the erring LPG distributor in accordance with the provisions of the Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDG).

***

(Source:-PIB, Release ID :82629)

Selection for the post of Assistant Director (Training) at Postal Training Centre, Mysore...

To view the PTC, Mysore letter to CPMsG please Click here.

3.86 crore Aadhaar cards in process of being delivered: Government

The government today said as many as 3.86 crore Aadhaar letters are in the process of being dispatched while 6.46 lakh cards could not be delivered by the postal department due to various reasons such as incomplete address.
As on April 20, 2012 a total of 17 crore Aadhaar numbers had been generated and 10.44 crore have been dispatched, Minister of State for Planning Ashwani Kumar said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

"Out of these (10.44 crore letters), 6.58 crore Aadhaar letters have been delivered as reported by India Post and the remaining 3.86 crore letters are in transit," Kumar, who is also Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Science said.

He further said that as per the portal of the Department of Posts, the total returned letters as on April 20, 2012, stood at 6.46 lakh. This is 0.98 per cent of total Aadhaar letters delivered.

"There are five reasons for returned letters -- refused, deceased, insufficient address, addressee cannot be located and unclaimed," he said adding there was no bogus Aadhaar registrations.

"The letter being returned are having clear remarks of the concerned postman of the area and they are one of the five mentioned reasons...," he said.

Mandate of UIDAI is to issue Aadhaar numbers to all residents of India.

Aadhaar aims to provide a identity infrastructure which can be used to improve delivery of public services.

Source:-The Economic Times

Modernisation of Post Offices

The Government plans to set up 1000 Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and carry out computerization of Post Offices in the country as part of its ongoing modernization and upgradation drive.

The Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Shri Sachin Pilot informed the Lok Sabha today that the Department of Posts proposes to set up 1000 ATMs. 820 Head Post Offices have been identified for setting up ATMs across the country. Shri Pilot said that remaining 180 Post Offices will be identified during implementation phase. Of these a maximum 100 ATMs would be set up in Andhra Pradesh.

The Minister said nearly 25000 Departmental Post Offices have been computerized. The Department offers a number of premium services like Speed Post, Express Parcel Post, Logistics Post etc. to generate additional revenue for the Department, he added.

Source: PIB

Soft Skills Development: An Integral Component of Human Resources Development

The present job scenario in the country places a great demand for value added skills. This is true as much in the case of technical subjects like engineering and scientific subjects like medicine as in the case of humanities subjects like languages or subjects like sociology or history.

From another related point of view, the development of communication is part of a larger set of skills known as soft skills set. It includes the behavior of the individual in a social set up, his body language, way of dressing, attitude towards work, willingness to take on responsibility etc.

Soft Skills Set

Soft skills is a sociological term relating to a person's EQ (Emotional Quotient) - the cluster of personality traits, social graces, communication, language, personal habits, friendliness, and optimism that characterize relationships with other people. Soft skills complement hard skills that form an important element of the occupational requirements of a job as well as many other activities.

Soft skills are personal attributes that enhance an individual's interactions, job performance and career prospects. Unlike hard skills, which are about a person's skills and ability to perform a certain type of task or activity, soft skills relate to a person's ability to interact effectively with coworkers and customers and are broadly applicable both in and outside the workplace.

A person's soft skill set is an important part of their individual contribution to the success of an organization. Particularly those organizations dealing with customers face-to-face are generally more successful, if they train their staff to use these skills. Screening or training for personal habits or traits such as dependability and conscientiousness can yield significant return on investment for an organization. For this reason, soft skills are increasingly sought out by employers in addition to standard qualifications.

The importance of soft skills is best understood from the following review made by the World Sociology Association Study Group on Interpersonal Skills. The report of the Association points out that in a number of professions, soft skills may be more important over the long term than occupational skills. The legal profession is one example where the ability to deal with people effectively and politely, more than their mere occupational skills, can determine the professional success of a lawyer.

Soft Skills are also known as Interpersonal Skills. In this sense they include proficiencies such as communication skills, conflict resolution and negotiation, personal effectiveness, creative problem solving, strategic thinking, team building, influencing skills and selling skills etc.

Human Resources Development in Government

Various reports have been submitted to the Government of India that stresses on the vital nature of the Soft Skill component of general and technical education. Accordingly, the Planning Commission in its authoritative report submitted in 2009 has pointed out that Soft Skills development should be a part and parcel of every professional course – be they at the degree level or the diploma level. Thus soft skills set development is slowly becoming an integral part of technical courses at ITIs, polytechnics as well as regular engineering colleges.

Author:-Dr. K. Parameswaran, Assistant Director, PIB, Madurai.

Source:-PIB

May the Akshaya Trutiya bring you prosperity and joy

“Akshaya” stands for something which never diminishes and “Trutiya” stands for third day. Akshaya Trutiya falls on the third day of the Vaisakh, the first month in the Hindu calendar. On this day the Sun and the Moon are at the height of their brightness.
Akshaya Trutiya is popularly known as Akshya Thiritiya, Akshaya Tritiya,  Akshaya Trithi and also called Akha Teej. The day is believed to bring good luck, eternal prosperity and success. Any activity, which commences on this day, is regarded to be very auspicious in every form.

How you will file your Tax Returns

You will soon get the Form 16 with details of your income and taxes paid from your employer. Then you have a couple of months to file your tax returns. However, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued a notification which has made it mandatory for individuals earning an annual income in excess of Rs 10 lakh to file their returns online from the current financial year. Until now, an individual with income above 10 lakh had the choice of filing income-tax returns either online or through an auditor/chartered accountant.

Individuals earning over Rs 10 lakh salaried income

"It is now mandatory for individuals with total income above Rs 10 lakh to file their personal tax returns online through the income-tax website," says Vineet Agarwal, director, KPMG. This new notification is applicable to individuals and Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) taxpayers as well.

Online tax filing definitely comes with certain advantages. You can e-file the returns from home or office anytime. Moreover, it is easier to track refunds which will be either transferred electronically to the bank account or will be sent by cheque.

But don't wait till the last week of July to e-file your returns. Send signed ITR V form to the Centralised Processing Centre, Bangalore, as soon as possible and resend the same if you do not receive a confirmation for the one sent earlier. The income-tax department's e-filing website becomes almost inaccessible (due to server overload) during the last few days of July. In such cases you have the option of filing your e-return through other private tax filing portals.

"Further, resident individuals having assets abroad (including authority to sign a bank account held abroad) are compulsorily required to file their returns electronically for AY 2012-13 and for subsequent assessment years as well," says Vaibhav Sankla, director-business development and tax training, H&R Block India.

Individuals earning up to Rs 5 lakh annual income

As per the Notification, only individuals who satisfy the following conditions are eligible for exemption from furnishing returns for tax year 2011-12:

a) Total income does not exceed Rs 500,000.

b) Total income consists only of income under the following heads:

- 'Salaries'

- 'Income from other sources' by way of interest, not exceeding Rs 10,000, from a savings bank account

"Apart from the above conditions, ensure that you report your Permanent Account Number (PAN), savings bank account interest income to your employer and the employer should withhold tax on such interest income," says Amarpal Chadha, tax partner at Ernst & Young.

Also, the employer should provide the tax withholding certificate (Form 16) to the employee which mentions the PAN, details of income and taxes withheld. "Moreover, there should be no further tax payable by employee by way of advance tax or self-assessment tax, no refund claim for the relevant tax year and the employee should receive salary from only one employer for the tax year," says Chadha.

Individuals in Rs 5-10 lakh bracket

There has not been any change in tax filing for individuals falling in this income category. They have the option of filing returns either manually or electronically.

Compared to offline filing, e-filing is the indeed hassle free. Firstly, the Sahaj form has too many specifications. The logic behind introducing such specifications is to facilitate easier processing of forms for the I-T department, given the sheer increase in the volume of tax payers in the country.

Just to quote one example, the form has some colour specifications which mean the tax payer has to find a colour printer to take a printout of the form prior to submission. Under such circumstances, it only benefits the tax payer to opt for e-filing. "However, beware of emails that feature a link to the income-tax office website. These should be carefully evaluated as it may be intended to steal your sensitive personal information like credit card/bank details," cautions Vineet Agarwal of KPMG.

For Self-employed Professionals

The notification with regard to exemption from furnishing returns for tax year 2011-12 is applicable to those individuals where total income consists only of incomes under the following heads: 'Salaries'. Also, it mentioned 'Income from other sources' by way of interest, not exceeding Rs 10,000, from a savings bank account. This automatically rules out self-employed professionals. "However, the notification with regard to mandatory e-filing is applicable to an individual or HUF having total income exceeding Rs 10 lakh. Hence, self-employed individuals will also be covered under this notification," says Vaibhav Sankla.

Source:-The Economic Times

Revision in Interest Rates of Small Savings Schemes w.e.f 1st April 2012.

SB Order No.05/2012

No.113-01/2011-SB

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi-110001.

Date: 19.04.2012

To

All Heads of Circles/Regions

Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi.

Subject:- Revision in Interest Rates of Small Savings Schemes w.e.f 1st April 2012.

Sir / Madam,

The undersigned is directed to refer to this office SB Order No.4/2012 vide which it was conveyed that

MOF(DEA) vide its OM No. 6-1/2011-NS-II (Pt.) dated 26.03.2012, has revised interest rates of Small Savings

Schemes from 1st of April 2012. Revise interest rates were also conveyed.

2. It is further informed that maturity value of a 5 Years RD account opened on or after 1.4.2012 with

monthly deposit of Rs.10/- shall be Rs.746.51 and in case of 5 Years NSC VIII-Issue, maturity value of a

certificate of Rs.100/- purchased on or after 1.4.2012 shall be Rs. 152.35 after 5 years. In case of 10 Years NSCIX-Issue, maturity value of a certificate of Rs.100/- purchased on or after 1.4.2012 shall be Rs.238.87.

3. This is for information of the field staff as well as general public and Notifications will be circulated as and when received from MOF(DEA).

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

Yours faithfully,

(Kawal Jit Singh)

Assistant Director (SB)

Manner of delivery of Speed Post Articles containing passports...

To view Department of Posts, Business Development & Marketing Directorate OM Click here.

Review of Speed Post discount Structure and operational mechanism...

To view Department of Posts, Business Development & Marketing Directorate OM Click here.

Service Tax - Action to be taken in respect of Premium Products...

To view Department of Posts, Business Development & Marketing Directorate letter to CPMsG Click here.

Modification in posting order in IP Cadre in HQ Region

In partial modification of C.O. Memo No.ST/20-13/2011/Ch.II dated 04.04.2012, Shri Sambhu Ku. Singh, OS, Mayurbhanj Divn, who was earlier posted as IP, Karanjia Sub-Division therein, is now posted as IP, Baripada West Sub-Division vide C.O. Memo No.ST/20-13/2011/Ch.II dated 23.04.2012.

CS writes to GS on repatriation of surplus IPs of 2008 and 2009 batches

ALL INDIA ASSOCIATION OF INSPECTORS & ASST. SUPERINTENDENTS OF POSTS ODISHA CIRCLE BRANCH, BHUBANESWAR 751001 e-Mail: aiaipasp.ors@gmail.com

Sk. Md Noman President 9437377430

Sri Pitabasa Jena Circle Secretary 9437630182

Sri Bibhudatta Behera Treasurer 9437194138

No.AIAIASP/Odisha-Corr-2/2012

Dated 23.04.2012

To
          Shri V.S. Ingale   
          General Secretary, CHQ
          All India Association of Inspectors and Asst Supts of Posts

Sub:-  Repatriation of surplus IPs of 2008 and 2009 batches.

 Dear Shri Ingale Ji,

     

          This has a reference to our telephonically discussion on 22.04.2012. The details of surplus IPs working in other Circles to be repatriated to Odisha Circle and surplus IPs from other Circles working in Odisha Circle are as below.

 A)   Surplus IPs of Odisha Circle working in other Circles.

Sl. No.	Name S/Shri	Batch	Circle in which working	Whether applied for repatriation
1.	Ganeswar Sahoo	2008	West Bengal	Yes
2.	Rajendranath Giri	2008	West Bengal	Yes
3.	Minaketan Pradhan	2008	West Bengal	Yes
4.	Ranjan Nayak	2008	West Bengal	Yes
5.	Girish Ch Sahoo	2008	Chhatisgarh	Yes

 B)   Surplus IPs of other Circle working in Odisha Circle

Sl. No.	Name S/Shri	Batch	Home Circle	Whether applied for repatriation
1.	M.K. Thakur	2009	Bihar
2.	Sanjay Kumar	2009	Bihar
3.	Parama Nand Kanth	2009	Bihar
4.	Mithilesh Kumar	2009	Bihar	Yes
5.	Rajinder Sing Indora	2009	Haryana
6.	A.Palanisamy	2009	Tamilnadu

                 At present, 6 surplus IPs of 2009 batch from other Circles are working Odisha Circle while  5 surplus IPs of Odisha Circle belonging to 2008 batch are working in other Circles as mentioned above.

                Odisha Circle has already requested to Directorate for re-allotment of the surplus IPs of Odisha Circle working in West Bengal and Chhatisgarh Circles vide CO letter No. ST/20-9/2011-Trg dated 04/11/2011 and reminder dated 06/01/2012.

                 I would like to request you to take up the cases of above surplus IPs for their repatriation to the Home Circle.

          With regards.      

Sincerely yours,

 Pitabasa Jena

Circle Secretary, AIAIASP

Odisha Circle Branch