Shri Rabindra Kumar Singh (IP Batch 1989), Oftg Supdt, PSD, Bhubaneswar retired on 31.05.2012 A/N on superannuation. Odisha Branch of AIAIASP wishes Shri Singh a happy and healthy retired life.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
New Telecom policy approved: Roaming charges to go, one-nation-one-number cleared
The Cabinet on Thursday approved a new telecom policy that proposes to abolish roaming charges on mobile phones and allow users to retain the same number across the country.
The Cabinet approved the National Telecom Policy (NTP) 2012, a senior minister told reporters after the meeting of the Cabinet.
The NTP 2012 aims to provide free roaming to telecom users and allow them to retain the mobile number even outside their circles without having to pay any extra charge.
At present, users have to pay extra when they receive or make a call in a circle outside their home network, called roaming charges.
Also mobile number portability is not permitted outside circle.
The new policy aims to provide on demand broadband for all citizens and increase rural teledensity to 100% by 2020.
The country overhauled its telecom rules after the once-booming sector was hit by a massive scandal over telecom's licence grants in 2008, which a state auditor estimated to have cost New Delhi as much as $34 billion in lost revenue.
The new policy, which will separate licences and airwaves and will allow sharing of airwaves among carriers, also seeks to facilitate consolidation in the crowded market.
Pricing of airwaves is, however, not part of the telecom policy, and will be set through an open auction process.
Under NTP 2012, it has been proposed to de-link spectrum from licences, reduce number of different licences, give industry liberal mergers and acquisition norms and remove roaming charges burden from consumers. They will also be allowed to retain same number across country.
Source:- The Economic Times
Expenditure Management-Economy Measures and Rationalization of Expenditure
To view the Ministry of Finance ( Department of Expenditure) OM dated 31st May, 2012 please Click here.
Children Education Allowance-Hostel Subsidy - Clarification
To view the DOPT OM dated 31st May, 2012 please Click here.
Vacancy Position for PS Group-B Examination to be held on 3-6-2012
IP Line
UR-14, SC-01, ST-Nil Total-15
General Line
UR-06, SC-Nil, ST-01 Total-7
Transfer and Posting in IP Cadre-HQ Region
Shri U.K. Sahu, Offtg. ASP(I/C), Baripada is reverted to the
cadre of IP and posted as IP, Karanjia Sub-Division, Karanjia at his own request vide
C.O. Memo No.ST/24-15(3)/2008 dated 31/5/2012.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Adhoc Arrangement in PS Group 'B'
The following ASPOs are promoted
purely on temporary and adhoc basis to the cadre of PS Group-B and posted in
the posts as mentioned against each below vide C.O. Memo
No.ST/2-4(3)/2011/Ch.II dated 30th May, 2012.
|
Sl. No.
|
Name
S/Shri
|
Present Place of
Posting
|
Posting on ad-hoc
promotion
|
|
1.
|
Shri Bhagabat Sethi
|
ASP(I/C), Khurda Sub
Divn
|
Supdt., PSD,
Bhubaneswar-751007 vice Shri R.K. Singh retiring on 31/5/2012(A/N) on
superannuation.
|
|
2.
|
Shri Chaturbhuj
Meher
|
Postmaster,
Sambalpur HO
|
Supdt., CSD,
Bhubaneswar-751007
|
Region Allotment of Direct Recruit in IP Cadre
Shri Utpal Kumar Purkait, Direct Recruit, is allotted to Sambalpur
Region for appointment in IP Cadre vide C.O. Memo No.ST/20-10/2011/Ch.I dated 29/5/2012.
All India Association of Inspectors
and Asst. Supdt. Of Posts of Odisha Circle Branch welcomes him as a member of
the Association.
Submission of Annual Property Returns by Group A Officers
To view the Department of Posts letter No.20-8/2008-SPG dated 24/5/2012 regarding Submission of Annual Property Returns by Group A and clarification thereof please Click here.
Offline bit in online income tax filing to end
The one major irritant in online filing of income tax returns may be eliminated this year. This is the offline process at the end of the online one, where you need to take a printout of what is called the ITR-V form, sign it, and mail it to the I-T department's centralized processing centre (CPC) in Bangalore .
Krishna Rao, who has just taken over as the I-T commissioner of the CPC, said the law and information technology ministries were examining the matter, and he was hopeful a solution would emerge soon. It's still not clear though if the new system would be in place by June-July , when the bulk of individual filings happen.
The I-T authorities need to be absolutely certain about the identity of the person filing the form, which is why it currently mandates a physical signature. A digital signature is an option, but you need to pay to obtain a digital signature for yourself and that is not something everyone would want to do. So the I-T department is looking at the option of what is called an electronic signature, where your identity is verified online through different ways, including a PIN that could be sent to one of your previously specified devices and which you can use to authenticate yourself. Online filing has seen a surge ever since the CPC was established in 2009. The initiative is a collaboration of the I-T department with Infosys Technologies and TCS. TCS handles the front end e-filing process, while Infosys handles the backend processing.
Online's popularity is a result of the faster processing and refunds that the CPC has enabled, and the elimination of bribes to obtain refunds. Sanjai Kumar Verma, who was in charge of the CPC from its inception and who is now I-T commissioner in the TDS division in Bangalore, said the average processing time, which used to be a couple of years some time ago, was down to 151 days in 2010-11 , to 59 days last year, and is now further down at 40-50 days.
The efficiency that e-filing and the CPC brings are expected to free much of the I-T department's resources to do the things the department should actually be doing, which is to track black money and conduct investigations into tax frauds.
There have been hiccups along the way. An effort recently to upload previous years' paper filings by I-T offices around the country led to certain tax payments not being reflected properly. The result was that many assessees wrongly received arrear notices. "This is not a problem of the online process. Assessees can get in touch with the local administrative offices and have the issue resolved ," Rao said.
Source:-The Economic Times
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Suggestion of Odisha Circle Branch on “Organizational Restructuring in the Department of Posts”.
No.AIAIASP/Odisha-Corr-3/2012
Dated 29.05.2012
To
Shri V.S. Ingale
General Secretary, CHQ
All India Association of Inspectors
and Asst Supts of Posts
Sub:- Suggestion of Odisha Circle Branch on “Organizational
Restructuring in the Department
of Posts”.
Dear
Shri Ingale Ji,
This has a kind reference to the Director
(Estt. & DE) & Member Secretary of the Committee for organizational
Restructuring in the Department Letter No. 23-1/2012-PE-II dated 10th
May, 2012.
In this connection, the suggestion of
Odisha Circle branch is as follows:-
·
In
each Revenue District, there must be at least one Postal Division. Further, in
any Postal Division, there should not be more than 40 Departmental Post Offices
irrespective of status to increase the management level. Accordingly, new
Postal Divisions should be created by bi-furcating the existing Divisions. In
each Postal Division, one additional post of PS Group-B should be created to
look after BD & Marketing in the line it is existing in the cadre of
JAG/SAG[DPS/PMG(BD& Mktg)]. Class-II Divisions may be considered for
up-gradation to Class-I Division to the maximum extent possible. In class-I
Divisions the posts of ASP(HQ) and ASP(OD) be upgraded to PS Group-B. Similarly,
the ASP Posts in ROs and COs be upgraded to PS Group-B depending upon the
status of the Group Officer.
·
With
the enormous increase of work pressure on the Postal Sub-Divisional Heads,
provision of two posts of PA in the Sub-Division should be there for clerical work.
In any Postal Sub-Division, there must not be more than 5 Departmental Post
Offices and 50 Branch Post Offices to increase the management level.
Accordingly, new Postal Sub-Divisions should be created bi-furcating the
existing Sub-Divisions. The number of inspection days for BOs and single handed
SOs should at least be 2 days given the increase in work load of PLI &
RPLI.
·
The
IPs be promoted to ASPs on completion of required probation period in IP cadre
delinking from the present system of promotion on availability of vacancy in
ASP Cadre or
the ratio between the posts of IPs and ASPs should be fixed in such a way (say
at the ratio of 40:60 in the pattern that was prevalent in erstwhile JAO &
AAO Cadres) in each Circle so that the time taken by an IP to get promotion to
ASP cadre becomes uniform throughout the country.
·
The
required number of ASP posts should be upgraded to PS Group-B Posts so that the
promotion of IPs to PS Group-B will be possible within a span of 8 to 10 years
of service from IP cadre.
·
The posts of IPs in CO/RO should be
increased by new creation in view of increased work load on account of
introduction of a variety of new services.
·
There
should be provision of MTS by sanction of post or by outsourcing on
sanction of a fixed allowance for taking care of the nature of work with
Sub-Divisional Office which are meant to be done by the erstwhile Group-D
staff.
·
The
Sub-Divisional Heads should be vested with financial powers up-to Rs.10,000/- in
one occasion.
·
All
HSG-II and HSG-I Head Post Offices should be up-graded to Group-B Head Post
Office and be headed by Sr. Postmaster.
·
After
decentralization of PLI/RPLI work to Divisions, there should be a separate
establishment with required number of Postal Assistants and Supervisor for
effective after sales service.
With
best regards,
Sincerely
yours,
(Pitabasa
Jena)
Circle
Secretary, AIAIASP
Odisha
Circle Branch
Re-allotment/Transfer/Promotion of the JTS/STS Officers
To view the Department of Posts Orders No.4-5/2011-SPG dated 25th May, 2012 Click here.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Posting of Direct Recruit in IP Cadre in Sambalpur Region
1.Shri Samir Kumar Dutta (redeployed surplus Staff), who was
under orders of Posting as IP (PG), Sundargarh Division, is now posted as IP
(PG), Keonjhar Division vide RO, Sambalpur Memo No.ST/RO-150-6(B)/2011 dated
21/5/2012.
2.Shri Shashi Bhusan, Direct Recruit,
is posted as IP (PG), Sundargarh Division vide RO, Sambalpur Memo
No.ST/RO-150-6(B)/2011 dated 21/5/2012.
CHQ News-PS Gr. 'B' Examination update.
It is learnt from concerned section of Postal Directorate that, PS Gr. B Examination for the year 2012 will be held at scheduled date and time. The vacancy position will also be declared within one or two days.
(Vilas Ingale)
General Secretary
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Public Procurement Bill 2012 to check corruption
In order to check corruption and ensure transparency in public procurement, the Government on 14/5/2012 introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha under which a public servant can be imprisoned for up to five years for accepting bribe and vitiating the bidding process.
The Public Procurement Bill 2012, introduced by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, seeks to regulate award of government contracts of over Rs 50 lakh with the object of ensuring "transparency, accountability and probity".
To view the Public Procurement Bill 2012 introduced in the Parliament Click here.
CHQ News:-List of selected officers in DPC for promotion to JTS Gr. A cadre.
To view the list please Click here.
Friday, May 25, 2012
IPOs/ASPOs not completing 5 yrs as on 1.1.2011 are permitted to appear for Exam. to the cadre of P.S, Group B to be held on 03.06.2012.....
No. 9-19/2012-SPG
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & IT
DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
DAK BHAWAN, SANSAD MARG,
NEW DELHI-110 OO1
Dated : 16..05.2012
To
All Chief Postmasters GeneralAll Postmasters General
Sub: Permission to appear in the Limited Depadmental Competitive examination for promotion to the cadre of P.S, Group B scheduled to be held on 03,06.2012.
Madam/Sir,
I arn directed to refer to.the above mentioned subject and to convey the approval of the Competent Authority to allow ASPOS, who have not completed the prescribed five years as on 01.01.2011 in the
feeder cadre, to appear in the Limited Departmental Competitive examination for promotion to the cadre of P.S. Group B scheduled to be held on 03.06.2012 provided that their juniors, wherever working, are permitted to appear in the same examination.
Yours faithfully,
( B.P. Pant )
ASSISTANT DIRECIOR GENEML (SGP)
To view the letter Click here.
Clarification:-
Clarification:-
No. 9-19/2012-SPG
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & IT
DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
DAK BHAWAN, SANSAD MARG,
NEW DELHI-110 OO1
Dated : 18..05.2012
To
All Chief Postmasters General
All Postmasters General
Sub: Permission to appear in the Limited Depadmental Competitive examination for promotion to the cadre of P.S, Group B scheduled to be held on 03,06.2012.
Madam/Sir,
I arn directed to refer this office letter even dated 16/5/2012 on.the above mentioned subject and to state that the line "to allow ASPOS" may be read as "to allow IPOs/ASPOs".
This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
Yours faithfully,
( B.P. Pant )
ASSISTANT DIRECIOR GENEML (SGP)
Transfer and postings in Junior Administrative Grade (JAG) of Indian Postal Service, Group 'A'
1.Shri Lalitendu Pradhan (1993 Batch), DPS, Sambalpur Region, Odisha Circle has been transferred and posted as DPS, South Bengal Region, West Bengal Circle vide Directorate Memo No.2-8/2011-SPG dated 24th May, 2012.
2.Shri Pawan Ku. Singh(2000 Batch), DPS(HQ), Assam Circle, Guwahati has been transferred and posted as DPS(BD, Technology & Mktg), Bhubaneswar, Odisha Circle vide Directorate Memo No.2-8/2011-SPG dated 24th May, 2012.
CAT Case [Chandigarh Bench] on Sr. Postmaster- Update
Sr. Postmaster CAT case came up for hearing on 24/5/2012 but no hearing took place. Next date of hearing has been fixed as 30-05-2012.
Source:-IP/ASP Blog, Punjab
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Government hikes interest rate on Special Deposit Scheme to 8.8 pc for 2012-13
The government has increased interest rates on Special Deposit Scheme (SDS) and State Provident Funds for the year 2012-13 to 8.8 per cent from 8.6 per cent currently.
The new rate will be applicable from April, 1, 2012, an official statement said. "Government has revised the interest rates for the financial year 2012-13 in respect of State Provident Funds and Special Deposit Schemes (SDS) for non-government provident, superannuation and gratuity funds from 8.6 per cent to 8.8 per cent with effect from April, 1, 2012", it said.
SDS is a scheme in which the non-government provident funds like Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) invest. At present, EPFO funds to the tune of Rs 55,000 crore are parked in the SDS. The government has also hiked the interest rate on General Provident Fund from 8.6 to 8.8 per cent.
The revised interest rate on government provident funds will benefit the subscribers of General Provident Fund ( Central Services), Contributory Provident Fund (India), All India Services Provident Fund, State Railway Provident Fund and General Provident Fund (Defence Services).
Among others, Indian Ordnance Department Provident Fund, Indian Ordnance Factories Workmen's Provident Fund, Indian Naval Dockyard Workmen's Provident Fund, Defence Services Officers Provident Fund, and Defence Services Officers Provident Fund will also be getting 0.2 per cent more interest, the statement said.
Source:-The Economic Times
CHQ News-IP Cadre re-structuring issue.
Our cadre re-structuring issue may come up for discussion with Secretary (Posts) any time. I have already requested all Circle Secretaries and office bearers to send their valuable views on the subject, but except Odisha Circle nobody has come forward till this date. During AIC Bangaluru this issue was discussed and it was decided that, Circle Secretaries will send their Circle's view to General Secretary.
It is once again requested to all Circle Secretaries and Officer Bearers to study this issue thoroughly and send their views / report /suggestions etc. to General Secretary by post. We have to keep our information handly to present in the meeting before the Hon'ble Secretary (Posts) and other Committee Members.
General Secretary
Source:-CHQ Blog
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
CHQ News-DPC for JTS Group 'A' cadre.
DPC for promotion to the JTS Group 'A' cadre was held on 17th May 2012. The list of the selected officers will be declared / announced by Postal Directorate soon.
Resolution - General Provident Fund interest rate raised to 8.8% for 2012-13
In a move which will benefit millions of employees, the government has hiked
interest rate on contributions to General Provident Fund (GPF) and other
similar funds to 8.8 per cent for 2012-13.
The interest rate on such
funds was 8.6 per cent during December 2011-March 2012 period, while it was 8
per cent for April-November 2011.
"It is announced ... that during the
year 2012-13, accumulations at the credit of subscribers to the General
Provident Fund and other similar funds shall carry interest at the rate of 8.8
per cent per annum," the Finance Ministry
said.
The benefit of increased interest rate will be available to
subscribers of Contributory Provident Fund (India), All India Services Provident
Fund, State Railway Provident Fund and General Provident Fund (Defence
Services).
Contributors to Indian Ordnance
Department Provident Fund, Indian Ordnance Factories Workmen's Provident
Fund, Indian Naval Dockyard Workmen's Provident Fund, Defence Services Officers
Provident Fund and Armed Forces Personnel Provident Fund will also benefit from
the move.
Rate of interest on GPF is generally
fixed after taking into consideration the average secondary market yields on
government securities of similar maturity.
Source:-The Economic Times.
To view the Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) Resolution dated 22nd May, 2012 Click here.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
‘Stamp of the Past: Indian Heritage in Philately’
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was established in 1861. Maintenance of monuments and sites of national importance is its prime concern and includes structural and chemical preservation of monuments and their ambience. Added to this is the task of archaeological exploration and excavation and disseminations of knowledge about such heritage among the public. ASI works closely with several departments of the Govt. of India and the States to fulfill its mandate. Among these it has a unique connection with the Department of Posts manifested in the issue of postal stamps.
Postal stamps mirror the rich and many-splendored aspects of this land, spanning history, geography, arts and crafts, industry and communication, agriculture, science and technology, events and personalities and act as significant carriers of the public message reaching the entire nation as well as its international diaspora.
Click here to see details of the backgrounder.
Source:-PIB
Deputation of Shri B. V. Sudhakar (IPoS-1981), PMG (BD, Tech & Mktg) West Bengal Circle to Government of Andhra Pradesh
To view the Department of Posts deputation order dated 18th May, 2012 Click here.
Transfer and postings in Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) of Indian Postal Service, Group 'A'
To view the Department of Posts (Personnel Division) order dated 17th May, 2012 Click here.
CAT Ernakulam passes interim order in PS Group B Examination case
The Hon'ble CAT Ernakulam Bench passed an interim order today in favour of the applicants in OA No. 380/12 filed by Sri. M.P.Ramesh and Smt. V.Sarada. The applicants had approached the Tribunal aggrieved by the stand taken by the Department that the IP induction training period cannot be taken into account for determining the length of service required for the PS Group B Examination. When the said OA came up for admission today (21.5.12), the Hon'ble Tribunal passed an interim order directing the respondents to admit the applicants provisionally for the PS Group B examination scheduled to be held on 3.6.12 and also to issue OMR applications to the applicants.
Source : IP/ASP Kerala Blog
Monday, May 21, 2012
Automatic increase by 25% does not apply to Pre-Revised (5th CPC) DA rates-Clarification
To view the Department of Posts clarification dated 14th May, 2012 Click here.
Circulars for Basketball/Cricket/Football Coaching for the children of Government employees
1.To View the DOPT (CCS Cultural & Sports Board) Circular for Basketball Coaching for the children of Government employees Click here.
2.To View the DOPT (CCS Cultural & Sports Board) Circular for Cricket Coaching for the children of Government employees Click here.
3.To View the DOPT (CCS Cultural & Sports Board) Circular for Football Coaching for the children of Government employees Click here.
2.To View the DOPT (CCS Cultural & Sports Board) Circular for Cricket Coaching for the children of Government employees Click here.
3.To View the DOPT (CCS Cultural & Sports Board) Circular for Football Coaching for the children of Government employees Click here.
Govt. Employees take Pledge on Anti-Terrorism
Anti Terrorism Day is being observed throughout the country
today. Employees in Govt. offices, Public Sector Undertakings and other public
institutions in the country took a pledge this morning to oppose all forms of terrorism &
violence.
The Day is observed to generate awareness in the country among
all sections of people, about the danger of terrorism, violence and its
dangerous effect on the people, the society and the country as a whole.
`The objective behind the observance of Anti-Terrorism Day is to wean
away the youth from the terrorist/violence cult by highlighting the suffering of
the common people and showing how it is prejudicial to the national interest.
These objectives are aimed to be achieved by organizing debates/discussions in
schools, colleges and universities; holding of symposia/seminars, lectures, etc.
on the dangers of terrorism & violence and a determined and sustained drive
to bring about a mass awakening against terrorism and violence.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
UPU News-New mailing rule to allow transport of lithium batteries
Posts worldwide will be able to carry packages containing equipment with limited quantities of lithium batteries and cells as of 1 January 2013, according to new international mailing rules.
If their Post adopts the rule, customers will be able to send some equipment with lithium batteries by international mail in 2013.
The Universal Postal Union and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have worked together to harmonize their respective technical instructions to admit the air transportation of postal items containing lithium batteries that are properly packed.
Posts wanting to apply the new rule as of 1 January 2013 have to coordinate training initiatives for postal staff with their national civil aviation authority.
Posts will then be able to accept international mail items containing equipment with up to four lithium cells or two lithium batteries already installed in the equipment being sent by post.
Currently, in accordance with ICAO rules, lithium cells and batteries are considered dangerous goods prohibited from travelling by air in the international mail stream.
UPU member countries requested changes to this rule in view of the growth in e-commerce and to be able to better meet customers’ delivery needs.
Postal security
UPU News-Asian Posts praised for high quality of service
Members of the Asian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU) are on the right track in advancing quality of service and postal financial services in their region, says UPU Director General, Edouard Dayan.
“Asia-Pacific is at the cutting edge of postal development, innovation and diversification,” he said in a speech before the APPU’s Executive Council meeting this week.
The APPU is a UPU restricted union, which facilitates and improves postal relations between 32 member countries in the Asia-Pacific region. During the work cycle 2009-2012, its primary focus was increasing quality of service.
“Quality of service in the Asia-Pacific region is progressing very well, both in terms of actual results, and the use of quality testing and enhancement solutions,” Dayan said.
The UPU’s data shows the region is progressing very well on several key quality of service indicators. More Posts are tracking all classes of mail, including registered letters and parcels, and using the UPU’s systems to exchange electronic data interchange messages and better manage their mail flows. In 2008, only 15 countries had active track and trace on parcels; now there are 36. The region is also performing well with the delivery of EMS items. On-time deliveries of such items remained steady at 90.8 per cent last December, and the region has an impressive 98.9 per cent rate for on-time customer service response.
Facilitating trade
Not to be forgotten is the rise of e-commerce, a market that Asia-Pacific dominates. He advised Posts to focus on trade facilitation and the export market to thrive in this area. “Customers know no borders and are increasingly demanding integrated and secure international postal services,” he said.
But Posts can look to the UPU for a helping hand, he assured. “[The UPU] will support you in your efforts to put in place such strategies [for facilitating] postal export programmes … ,” Dayan said.
The .post initiative will be one way the UPU can help countries “bridge the gap between the physical and electronic dimensions of the postal network” as Posts move online, he added.
As the UPU looks onwards to Congress and its goals for 2013-2016, the director general said the UPU will continue to work closely with the APPU to tackle its designated priorities after Congress: improved quality of service and remuneration systems.
“It is only through this kind of exemplary cooperation, based on mutual trust and a willingness to move forward together, that we can continue to foster the development of the postal sector,” Dayan said.
Quality of service
Quality of service
New Health Insurance Scheme for Government Employees under Consideration
There is a proposal for introduction of a health insurance scheme for the central government employees and pensioners on pan-India basis, with special focus on pensioners living in non-CGHS areas. The proposal is to make this scheme voluntary cum contributory for serving employees & pensioners. However, it is proposed to be made compulsory for the new entrants in Government service.
The salient features of the proposed Health Insurance Scheme are as under;
· Optional for serving Central Government employees and pensioners including future pensioners,
· Compulsory for new recruits,
· Covers all the members of family as per CGHS norms,
· Sum insured – Rs. 5 lakh per year on a family floater basis,
· Corporate buffer of Rs 25 Crore to take care of cases exceeding Rs. 5 lakh,
· All pre existing diseases covered from the day one,
· Pre and post hospitalisation benefits available,
· Domiciliary Hospitalisation benefit,
· Maternity benefit upto two living children,
· OPD not covered however OPD consultations will be free,
· Payment of FMA for meeting OPD needs,
· Cashless treatment facility,
· Govt. to subsidise significantly the payment of premium,
· Employees / pensioners to contribute 20 to 30 percent of the premium,
· Identification of beneficiaries through a Smart Card.
The proposed scheme will be an alternative to the CGHS and it will provide an option to the serving employees and pensioners to choose a scheme as per his/her convenience.
The Scheme will have special focus on the pensioners living in non-CGHS areas who are getting Fixed Medical Allowance at the rate of Rs.300/- only per month to take care of their medical needs and have been demanding extension of CGHS or CS (MA) Rules to cover their OPD and Inpatient medical needs which is not feasible due to resource constraints. The Health Insurance Scheme seems to be a viable alternative. It will have additional implications, due to coverage of pensioners living in non-CGHS areas and not covered under any Government Scheme.
The proposal for inclusion of the Health Insurance Scheme for the Central Government employees and pensioners in the 12th Plan has been moved by the Ministry for consideration of the Steering Committee on Health in the Planning Commission. On receipt of approval of Planning Commission, the proposal would be placed before the Expenditure Finance Committee and finally before the Cabinet for approval of the scheme. No strict time frame can be given in this regard.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad in reply to a Starred question in Lok Sabha on 18/5/2012.
Source:-PIB
Friday, May 18, 2012
New Pension Schemes
The Government has implemented the New Pension System (NPS) for
Government employees who join Central Government (except armed forces) on or
after 1st January, 2004.
The NPS and the old defined benefit (DB)
pension system are two different pension systems. Therefore, there can not be
any comparison between the two in so far as the benefits to employees are
concerned. The Pension benefits under the DB system are defined, however, under
NPS the amount of pension would depend on the investment returns, the
accumulation upto the age of retirement and level of annuitisation and type of
annuity chosen.
Some representations of Employees’ Associations have
been received by the Government. The major reasons for its opposition by the
Employees’ Associations are minimum pension, safety and returns on investment.
Many measures have been taken to protect the interests of the NPS subscribers,
like prescribing a flexible investment pattern, establishing a regulator in the
form of the Interim Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority and
creating the modern institutional architecture of NPS, which is low cost.
There is no proposal from the Government to reconsider the NPS.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri
Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
Source:-PIB
Effect of Mobile Phones on Humans
The Minister of State for Communications & Information
Technology Shri Milind Deora informed the Rajya Sabha today in a written reply
that the Indian Council of Medical research (ICMR) has initiated a study in
Delhi & NCR to study the adverse effects of radio frequency radiation
emitted from Cell Phones.
Under this study, efforts are going on to
examine whether use of cell phone creates risk of neurological, cardio-logical,
cancer, ENT and reproductive disorders. The efforts are also going on to measure
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), power density wavelength and frequency of Radio
Frequency Radiation emitted from various types of cell phones & cell phone
towers under study.
ICMR had supported an animal study (2005-08) titled
“Microwave radiations effects on reproductive systems of male rats” under Prof.
J. Behari, School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New
Delhi.
Source:-PIB
Registration of Yatris for Amarnath Yatra 2012 through Post Offices
For the benefit of intending Yatris for Amarnath Yatra 2012,
India Post and Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding for registration of yatris through select Post Offices. Presently,
102 Post Offices across 8 States – Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir,
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have been identified for
this purpose.
The Shrine Board has allotted a quota of 10 Yatris per
Post Office for each day of yatra on each route. The Application Form (Form A),
Compulsory Health Certificate (Form B) and Yatra Permit Forms have been made
available at the post offices concerned. The Yatris may walk into any of these
102 Post Offices and get themselves registered by paying Rs.20/- as registration
fee and fulfilling the required formalities.
To view the list of Post Offices
where this facility is being extended to the public please Click here.
Identification of Post Offices for installation of ATMs
Under Core Banking Project, the Department of Posts has planned for installation of 1000 ATMs. It has been
decided to install ATMs in 192 Sub Post Offices apart from the HOs already planned. Directorate has now asked the Circles to identify the Sub Post Offices based on the following
criteria:
1.
Project
Arrow Office
2.
Offices in Departmental building (for providing for an ATM room of 80 sq feet
space) and located at a distance from the identified Head Office ATM and if
feasible has space for parking.
3.
Office
with large number of SB accounts and likely to be frequented by large number of
POSB customers irrespective of where they hold their accounts.
Odisha Circle is to identify 9 Sub Post Offices for installation of ATMs apart from the HOs.
Sale of New Products through Post Offices
The Central and State Governments have taken various measures from time to time
to promote and popularize small savings schemes through print and electronic
media by way of holding seminars, meetings and providing training to various
agencies involved in mobilizing deposits under the schemes.
Further, with a view to
sustaining investor’s interest in the small savings schemes, the features of the
schemes are reviewed from time to time and various improvements and amendments
in the schemes are introduced.
·
With
effect from 1.12.2011, interest on Post Office Savings Account has been
increased from 3.5% to 4% per annum.
·
Maturity
period of Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) and National Savings Certificate (NSC-VIII
Issue) reduced
from 6 years to 5.
·
New NSC
(IX-Issue) instrument, with maturity period of 10 years,
introduced.
·
Annual
ceiling on investment under Public Provident Fund (PPF) Scheme increased to
Rs. 1 Lakh.
·
Liquidity
of Post Office Time Deposit (POTD)-1, 2, 3 & 5 years improved by allowing
premature withdrawal at the rate 1% less than the time deposits of comparable
maturity.
·
For premature withdrawal between 6-12 months
of investment, Post Office Savings Account(POSA) rate
of interest will be paid.
The Postal Department has
entered into agreements with the following organisations including financial institutions to sell their
products through the post offices in the country
:
Sl.
No.
|
Name
of Company/Financial Institutions
|
Description
of product/service
|
1
|
Western
Union Financial Services Inc.
|
International
Money Transfer to India
|
2
|
MoneyGram
Payment Systems Inc.
|
International
Money Transfer to India
|
3
|
UTI
Mutual Funds
|
Sale
of UTI Mutual Funds through post offices
|
4
|
Pension
Regulatory & Development Authority
|
Point
of Presence for National Pension Scheme accounts.
|
5
|
India
Post SBI tie-up
|
Department
sells assets and liability products of SBI through identified postal
outlets.
|
6
|
Ministry
of Railways
|
Booking/cancellation
of Railway Reserved Tickets under Passenger Reservation System
|
7
|
Reliance
Money Infrastructure Limited.
|
Sale
of Gold Coins.
|
8
|
Bharat
Sanchar Nigam
Ltd.
|
Sale
of Recharge Coupons, Sancharnet Cards etc.
|
******
This information was given by
the Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology Shri Sachin Pilot in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on 17/5/2012.
Source:-PIB
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