To view Department of Personnel & Training OM No.11013/8/2015--Estt.A-III dated 29-06-2015 please Click Here.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Retirement on Superannuation
Shri Muralidhar Sethi, Manager, Postal Printing Press, Bhubaneswar and Shri J.K. Jena, Superintendent of Post Offices, Bolangir Division, Bolangir are retiring today the 30th June, 2015 (A/N) on superannuation.
On the occasion of their retirement from Govt. Service, All India Association of Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents of Posts , Odisha Circle Branch bids them a respectful farewell and wishes them a good-health and peaceful life in their post-retirement days.
Government chalks out Rs 951 crore budget to link NPR data with Aadhaar numbers by March 2016
The Centre will begin a mammoth exercise next month to revisit 25 crore households across the country to seed Aadhaar numbers into the National Population Register (NPR) database and update the NPR data. The Rs 951 crore exercise is expected to finally link the NPR with Aadhaar data and will be completed by March 2016, a seniorhome ministry official told ET.
As per present data, 28.89 crore people have given their biometrics for NPR. Of these, Aadhaar numbers have been generated for nearly 21 crore persons. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which issues Aadhaar numbers, has captured biometrics of nearly 82 crore persons.
"By going door-to-door for the NPR updation exercise with pre-printed booklets, the details given by persons during the 2011 census will be crosschecked to see if the same person still lives at the address. Also, in case the person has an Aadhaar number, the same will be recorded and seeded into the existing NPR data," said the official. This is not an exercise to determine citizenship but to update NPR record of the usual residents of the country, the official said. "In scale, at a cost of Rs 951 crore, this is virtually a repeat of the Census exercise," he said.
The Centre aims to avoid duplication in collection of biometric details in the future through this exercise. After the house-to-house check, it will know how many people still do not have an Aadhaar number and are yet to provide their biometrics to either NPR or UIDAI.
The home ministry has approved this exercise although there is no Cabinet approval to its Resident Identity Card (RIC) project - the final step in the NPR process. The Centre aimed to issue RIC to 82 crore persons above 18 years of age, complete with the Aadhaar number, upon completion of NPR and UIDAI enrolments.
However, a parliamentary standing committee in April questioned the utility of RICs, pointing out that Election Identity Cards (EIC) are already issued to residents in the same age group. "Linking of Aadhaar numbers with EIC is underway and therefore EIC will also have biometric details. In view of the committee, this arrangement seems sufficient," the committee said in its report.
The committee said all possible steps should be taken to avoid the duplication of efforts between different agencies of the government as well as avoidable expenditure from public exchequer. The home ministry's NPR project had lost the turf to the UIDAI project. While NPR was to be done by the Centre all over India, later on the states were divided between the RGI and UIDAI. However, UIDAI was allocated as many as 24 states for collection of biometric details of residents.
As per present data, 28.89 crore people have given their biometrics for NPR. Of these, Aadhaar numbers have been generated for nearly 21 crore persons. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which issues Aadhaar numbers, has captured biometrics of nearly 82 crore persons.
"By going door-to-door for the NPR updation exercise with pre-printed booklets, the details given by persons during the 2011 census will be crosschecked to see if the same person still lives at the address. Also, in case the person has an Aadhaar number, the same will be recorded and seeded into the existing NPR data," said the official. This is not an exercise to determine citizenship but to update NPR record of the usual residents of the country, the official said. "In scale, at a cost of Rs 951 crore, this is virtually a repeat of the Census exercise," he said.
The Centre aims to avoid duplication in collection of biometric details in the future through this exercise. After the house-to-house check, it will know how many people still do not have an Aadhaar number and are yet to provide their biometrics to either NPR or UIDAI.
The home ministry has approved this exercise although there is no Cabinet approval to its Resident Identity Card (RIC) project - the final step in the NPR process. The Centre aimed to issue RIC to 82 crore persons above 18 years of age, complete with the Aadhaar number, upon completion of NPR and UIDAI enrolments.
However, a parliamentary standing committee in April questioned the utility of RICs, pointing out that Election Identity Cards (EIC) are already issued to residents in the same age group. "Linking of Aadhaar numbers with EIC is underway and therefore EIC will also have biometric details. In view of the committee, this arrangement seems sufficient," the committee said in its report.
The committee said all possible steps should be taken to avoid the duplication of efforts between different agencies of the government as well as avoidable expenditure from public exchequer. The home ministry's NPR project had lost the turf to the UIDAI project. While NPR was to be done by the Centre all over India, later on the states were divided between the RGI and UIDAI. However, UIDAI was allocated as many as 24 states for collection of biometric details of residents.
Source:-The Economic Times
Monday, June 29, 2015
E-filing: I-T dept to send 24-hr valid password to taxpayers
New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) In order to end the trouble of sending paper-based acknowledgement of e-filed Income Tax Returns (ITRs), the CBDT is planning to send a one-time password (OTP) on taxpayers' mobile phones which will be valid for 24-hours after getting verified from the Aadhaar database.
The department, a senior official said, has decided to usher these new protocols very soon as the new ITRs for the assessment year 2015-16 have recently been notified, heralding the onset of the tax filing season.
The deadline for filing ITRs is August 31.
A senior official involved in the processes told PTI that the new ITRs will capture the Aadhaar number of an individual and after doing a "back end" matching of the Aadhaar number with the mobile number and other vital personal data of the individual, an OTP will be generated and sent for validating and final submission of the return.
"The department will do the matching with the Aadhaar database where the biometrics and particulars of an individual are hosted. If the Aadhaar number and relevant details like PAN number and mobile number get kind of matched, then an OTP will be sent on the mobile which will be valid for 24 hours.
So, once you have uploaded your return (ITR), there will be an icon showing validate your return and with that OTP you can do that," the official explained.
The official said the department was currently thinking of having an OTP that will be "alive or valid" for 24 hours so that a filer has time at hand to process the return at his or her end.
"There could be an option to generate a second OTP too but that is being worked out. After putting the OTP, you then don't need to send the ITR-V (paper acknowledgement). The problem of ITR-V will get resolved," the official said.
The department, a senior official said, has decided to usher these new protocols very soon as the new ITRs for the assessment year 2015-16 have recently been notified, heralding the onset of the tax filing season.
The deadline for filing ITRs is August 31.
A senior official involved in the processes told PTI that the new ITRs will capture the Aadhaar number of an individual and after doing a "back end" matching of the Aadhaar number with the mobile number and other vital personal data of the individual, an OTP will be generated and sent for validating and final submission of the return.
"The department will do the matching with the Aadhaar database where the biometrics and particulars of an individual are hosted. If the Aadhaar number and relevant details like PAN number and mobile number get kind of matched, then an OTP will be sent on the mobile which will be valid for 24 hours.
So, once you have uploaded your return (ITR), there will be an icon showing validate your return and with that OTP you can do that," the official explained.
The official said the department was currently thinking of having an OTP that will be "alive or valid" for 24 hours so that a filer has time at hand to process the return at his or her end.
"There could be an option to generate a second OTP too but that is being worked out. After putting the OTP, you then don't need to send the ITR-V (paper acknowledgement). The problem of ITR-V will get resolved," the official said.
Yoga made compulsory for 10-lakh central forces
New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) The 10 lakh-strong paramilitary forces of the country have been asked by the Centre to include Yoga in their daily physical drills.
The Union Home Ministry has asked the forces to implement these directions on a "priority" and ensure Yoga is practised even at active duty areas like border posts and those in the Left Wing Extremism affected states of the country.
"Physical exercises are the part of daily routine of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles personnel in various field formations like battalions, Group Centres, border out posts etc. Keeping in view the importance Yoga has gained in recent time, it would be prudent to include it as part of daily physical exercise of the forces in various field establishments," a directive from the Home Ministry said.
The directives have been issued to the six CAPFs like Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, National Security Guard and the Assam Rifles which work under the command of the Union Home Ministry.
The order has asked the Directors General (DsG) of the forces to issue appropriate instructions to their field formations spread across the country and also submit an action taken report in this regard.
"Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition and it is the responsibility of everyone to preserve it by adopting it as a part of daily activity. Accordingly, it would be appropriate to incorporate Yoga as part of daily routine of force personnel," the order said. .
The Union Home Ministry has asked the forces to implement these directions on a "priority" and ensure Yoga is practised even at active duty areas like border posts and those in the Left Wing Extremism affected states of the country.
"Physical exercises are the part of daily routine of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles personnel in various field formations like battalions, Group Centres, border out posts etc. Keeping in view the importance Yoga has gained in recent time, it would be prudent to include it as part of daily physical exercise of the forces in various field establishments," a directive from the Home Ministry said.
The directives have been issued to the six CAPFs like Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, National Security Guard and the Assam Rifles which work under the command of the Union Home Ministry.
The order has asked the Directors General (DsG) of the forces to issue appropriate instructions to their field formations spread across the country and also submit an action taken report in this regard.
"Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition and it is the responsibility of everyone to preserve it by adopting it as a part of daily activity. Accordingly, it would be appropriate to incorporate Yoga as part of daily routine of force personnel," the order said. .
Update on CAT Case No. 289/13 regarding Grade Pay of Inspector Posts
Dear Friends,
As ascertained from the counsel, our case No. 289/13 at CAT Ernakulam, regarding Grade Pay of Inspector Posts has been posted for 21st July, 2015 for hearing.
Thanks.
Permanand.
As ascertained from the counsel, our case No. 289/13 at CAT Ernakulam, regarding Grade Pay of Inspector Posts has been posted for 21st July, 2015 for hearing.
Thanks.
Permanand.
Use online tax calculator to file ITR for assessment year 2015-16
With the new Income Tax Return (ITR) forms being recently notified for assessment year 2015-16, filers can do an easy check of their annual tax liability on a new computer-based 'calculator' launched by the CBDT.
The 'tax calculator' is an online computer-based programme hosted on the official website of the I-T department and is meant to help the taxpayer assess their due tax, in a general fashion, as notified for an assessment year by the government.
The CBDT had notified the new forms early this week ushering in the ITR filing season which ends on August 31.
Officials said the 'calculator' has been updated and calibrated by the Central Board of Direct Taxes, the apex policy making body of the department, according to the new announcements made by the Finance Minister in respect to tax rates in his last Budget speech.
The facility can be used by any taxpayer whether individual, corporate or any other entity, to compute the liability. However, it comes with a word of caution from the tax department that filers should not solely rely on it as complicated cases of ITR have different requirements which may not be addressed by the 'calculator'.
"The calculator is only to enable public to have a quick and an easy access to basic tax calculation and does not purport to give correct tax calculation in all circumstances. It is advised that for filing of returns the exact calculation may be made as per the provisions contained in the relevant Acts, Rules etc," a disclaimer by the department says.
A senior official said the facility has been hosted on the website of the department-- www.incometaxindia.gov.in--, for the ease of all taxpayers who either do an e-filing or manual filing of ITR.
The 'calculator' has been calibrated to compute the total tax liability of an individual or any other category of taxpayer under various heads like income from house property, capital gains, profits and gains of business or profession and agricultural income among others.
After it faced criticism, the Finance Ministry simplified the ITR forms excluding columns seeking additional details like the filers' foreign travel history and dormant bank accounts.
The 'tax calculator' is an online computer-based programme hosted on the official website of the I-T department and is meant to help the taxpayer assess their due tax, in a general fashion, as notified for an assessment year by the government.
The CBDT had notified the new forms early this week ushering in the ITR filing season which ends on August 31.
Officials said the 'calculator' has been updated and calibrated by the Central Board of Direct Taxes, the apex policy making body of the department, according to the new announcements made by the Finance Minister in respect to tax rates in his last Budget speech.
The facility can be used by any taxpayer whether individual, corporate or any other entity, to compute the liability. However, it comes with a word of caution from the tax department that filers should not solely rely on it as complicated cases of ITR have different requirements which may not be addressed by the 'calculator'.
"The calculator is only to enable public to have a quick and an easy access to basic tax calculation and does not purport to give correct tax calculation in all circumstances. It is advised that for filing of returns the exact calculation may be made as per the provisions contained in the relevant Acts, Rules etc," a disclaimer by the department says.
A senior official said the facility has been hosted on the website of the department-- www.incometaxindia.gov.in--, for the ease of all taxpayers who either do an e-filing or manual filing of ITR.
The 'calculator' has been calibrated to compute the total tax liability of an individual or any other category of taxpayer under various heads like income from house property, capital gains, profits and gains of business or profession and agricultural income among others.
After it faced criticism, the Finance Ministry simplified the ITR forms excluding columns seeking additional details like the filers' foreign travel history and dormant bank accounts.
Source:-The Economic Times
Transfer and Poting in ASP Cadre in Sambalpur Region
The following Officer in ASP Cadre is transferred and
posted as mentioned below vide RO, Sambalpur Memo No. ST/RO/150-6(A)/2015 dated
24-06-2015.
|
Sl No
|
Name
of Officer
S/Shri
|
Present place of working
|
Place of Posting
on Transfer
|
|
1.
|
S.
Baliarsingh
|
ASP(OD),
Sundargarh Division
|
ASP(I/C),
Dhenkanal Division, Dhenkanal
|
Adhoc Promotion to ASP Cadre and posting in Sambalpur Region
The following IPs promoted to ASP cadre on temporary
and ad hoc basis from the date of assumption of charge and allotted to Sambalpur
Region vide C.O. Memo No. ST/24-15(3)/2015 dated 18/06/2015 are posted
against the posts as mentioned each below vide RO, Sambalpur Memo No. ST/RO/150-6(A)/2015 dated
24-06-2015.
|
Sl No
|
Name
of Officer
S/Shri
|
Present place of posting
|
Posted on adhoc
Promotion
|
|
1
|
Tikan
Ku. Debata
|
IP, Angul West
Sub-Division under orders of posting as IP, Rourkela West Sub-Division
|
ASRM(HQ), RMS ‘K’ Division, Jharsuguda
|
|
2
|
Sambhu
Ku. Singh
|
IP, on deputation
at PTC, Darbhanga
|
ASP(I/C),
Rourkela-East Sub-Division, Rourkela
|
|
3
|
Brajendra
Hembram
|
IP, Jaleswar East
Sub-Division
|
ASP(OD),
Sundargarh Division
|
|
4
|
Bijaya
Ku. Sahoo
|
IP, Balugaon
Division
|
ASP(HQ),
Sundargarh Division, Sundargarh
|
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Prosenjit Choudhury's film Dakbaksho a psychological thriller
Debutante director Prosenjit Choudhury's film Dakbaksho, a psychological thriller, revolves around an abandoned dakbaksho (mail box), in which someone suddenly starts posting suspicious letters.
Telegrams are history and even postal services are waiting for the death knell. In fact, communications have transformed drastically in recent years and so has the mindset of people. Debutante director Prosenjit Choudhury's film Dakbaksho hinges on this transformation. "Modes of communication have grown diverse in recent times, but I've always felt that people don't really communicate any longer," Prosenjit said, while revealing the plot of his film. A psychological thriller, the film revolves around an abandoned dakbaksho (mail box), in which someone suddenly starts posting letters.The content of these letters is suspicious, reeking of a murder conspiracy . The film will also see debutants Supriti Choudhury and Satrajit Sarkar in the lead. "The character I play is complex and I had to work really hard to bring out her various shades. I hope people like the film," Supriti said.
Telegrams are history and even postal services are waiting for the death knell. In fact, communications have transformed drastically in recent years and so has the mindset of people. Debutante director Prosenjit Choudhury's film Dakbaksho hinges on this transformation. "Modes of communication have grown diverse in recent times, but I've always felt that people don't really communicate any longer," Prosenjit said, while revealing the plot of his film. A psychological thriller, the film revolves around an abandoned dakbaksho (mail box), in which someone suddenly starts posting letters.The content of these letters is suspicious, reeking of a murder conspiracy . The film will also see debutants Supriti Choudhury and Satrajit Sarkar in the lead. "The character I play is complex and I had to work really hard to bring out her various shades. I hope people like the film," Supriti said.
Source:-The Times of India
Public asked not to give tip to postal employees
The postmaster general of Chennai city region has appealed to the public not to pay cash to postal employees as a tip for receiving services from the department.
CHENNAI: The postmaster general of Chennai city region has appealed to the public not to pay cash to postal employees as a tip for receiving services from the department.
This practice is reportedly common among senior citizens when they receive their old age pension money orders.
"Please refrain from paying baksheesh. If postal department employees adopt a practice of deducting some money and then paying you, do not accept," said a release issued by postmaster general (Chennai region) Mervin Alexander.
Source:-The Times of India
Net neutrality report to be out soon: Ravi Shankar Prasad
Telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said that the government will soon come out with its report on the controversial issue of net neutrality, and the telecom department is waiting for the report from sectoral regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).
"Report of net neutrality will be out very soon but we are waiting for Trai report on the issue," telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters.
The telecom department, which had set up a panel to look into the net neutrality issue, submitted its report to Prasad earlier this month.
Net neutrality implies equal treatment be accorded to all internet traffic and no priority should be given to any person or entity or company based on payment, which is seen as discriminatory.
Apart from the six-member committee appointed in January this year by DoT, Trai had also invited stakeholders comments on issues such as net neutrality and regulation of OTT services like WhatsApp and Skype.
The regulatory received over 10 lakh comments.
In the meantime tenure of the then Trai chairman Rahul Khullar ended and the new head is yet to be appointed.
"Announcement (of new Trai chairman) will be made very soon," Prasad said.
Net neutrality, a widely debated issue globally, has in the past few months caught India's attention with politicians, corporate leaders and film stars taking to social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook to debate on the issue.
The issue gained national attention after internet activists and experts flagged telecom giant Bharti Airtel's 'Airtel Zero' platform to be in violation of the principle.
Airtel Zero is an open marketing platform that allows customers to access a variety of mobile applications for free, with the data charges being paid by startups and large firms.
Also over the last few months, operators like Reliance Communications and Uninor have tied up with players like Facebook, WhatsApp and Wikipedia to offer free usage to consumers.
"Report of net neutrality will be out very soon but we are waiting for Trai report on the issue," telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters.
The telecom department, which had set up a panel to look into the net neutrality issue, submitted its report to Prasad earlier this month.
Net neutrality implies equal treatment be accorded to all internet traffic and no priority should be given to any person or entity or company based on payment, which is seen as discriminatory.
Apart from the six-member committee appointed in January this year by DoT, Trai had also invited stakeholders comments on issues such as net neutrality and regulation of OTT services like WhatsApp and Skype.
The regulatory received over 10 lakh comments.
In the meantime tenure of the then Trai chairman Rahul Khullar ended and the new head is yet to be appointed.
"Announcement (of new Trai chairman) will be made very soon," Prasad said.
Net neutrality, a widely debated issue globally, has in the past few months caught India's attention with politicians, corporate leaders and film stars taking to social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook to debate on the issue.
The issue gained national attention after internet activists and experts flagged telecom giant Bharti Airtel's 'Airtel Zero' platform to be in violation of the principle.
Airtel Zero is an open marketing platform that allows customers to access a variety of mobile applications for free, with the data charges being paid by startups and large firms.
Also over the last few months, operators like Reliance Communications and Uninor have tied up with players like Facebook, WhatsApp and Wikipedia to offer free usage to consumers.
Source:-The Times of India
RBI may give payment bank licence to postal department in August: Ravi Shankar Prasad
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today said he expects Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to grant payment licence to the proposed Post Bank of India by August.
This will enable the network of 1,54,000 post offices (including 1,30,000 rural post offices) to offer banking services to the masses in the country.
"We expect RBI to give payment bank licence to post (department) in August," Minister of Communications and IT Prasad said.
In last one year, the Department of Post (DoP) has networked 27,215 post offices into one national unit through computers.
The DoP, which has applied for a payment bank licence, has a hybrid model in mind to operate Post Bank of India.
As per RBI guidelines, payment 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 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.
According to a source, 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," a post bank 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 the server of PBI.
The Department expects revenue of over Rs 550 crore from PBI in first five years.
This will enable the network of 1,54,000 post offices (including 1,30,000 rural post offices) to offer banking services to the masses in the country.
"We expect RBI to give payment bank licence to post (department) in August," Minister of Communications and IT Prasad said.
In last one year, the Department of Post (DoP) has networked 27,215 post offices into one national unit through computers.
The DoP, which has applied for a payment bank licence, has a hybrid model in mind to operate Post Bank of India.
As per RBI guidelines, payment 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 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.
According to a source, 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," a post bank 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 the server of PBI.
The Department expects revenue of over Rs 550 crore from PBI in first five years.
Source:-The Economic Times
No charging for check-in baggage, for now: Government to airlines
A move by budget carriers to charge for check-in baggage was today rejected by the government which was not in favour of putting this burden on the passengers and it wanted the present system to continue.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma said the airlines concerned had approached the aviation regulator Director General of Civil Aviation(DGCA) for its nod for their proposal but the government has not accepted the request.
"We have got the proposal from low-cost flights to charge for check-in baggage. We have rejected it and there will be no consideration at the Aviation Ministry level. We will not want to put this burden on passengers," Sharma said.
Sharma said the proposal, if accepted, will be a "dampener" in air traffic growth in India.
"Such a move, if allowed to go ahead will be a dampener in air traffic growth in India. I have asked the DGCA not to consider the proposal at this stage.
"Air Travel in India is likely to see a growth as more middle class Indians are expected to take to air travel. And if they have to shell out even for one kg of check-in, it will discourage them," Sharma told PTI.
"I want the airline to continue with the present system (of allowing upto 15 Kg free check-in baggage) and at the same time provide incentives to those flyers who travel light."
Sharma said that his ministry has asked the airlines to send a detailed proposal on the issue and if it is found in the interest of the passengers, it may consider it.
DGCA is looking into a proposal made by three Indian carriers by which travellers will have to shell out for every kilogram of the checked luggage. The proposal, at the same time, envisages providing incentives for passengers who travel light.
A senior DGCA official said yesterday that SpiceJet, Indigo and AirAsia have approached the regulator with the idea of 'zero baggage fare', whereby passengers having no check in luggage would be given a discount on the ticket.
When contacted, a SpiceJet official today said the March 2015 circular of the DGCA allows airlines to unbundle services.
An AirAsia India official said he was not aware of the government stand while an IndiGo spokesperson could not immediately be contacted for his response.
Other airlines, including full-service carriers, are also reported to be in favour of 'zero baggage fare'.
Such a system would do away with the current practice of passengers being allowed to carry up to 15 kg of check-in luggage free of cost.
In April this year, DGCA had allowed domestic carriers to unbundle their services and charge separately for facilities such as preferred seats, meals on board and use of lounges.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma said the airlines concerned had approached the aviation regulator Director General of Civil Aviation(DGCA) for its nod for their proposal but the government has not accepted the request.
"We have got the proposal from low-cost flights to charge for check-in baggage. We have rejected it and there will be no consideration at the Aviation Ministry level. We will not want to put this burden on passengers," Sharma said.
Sharma said the proposal, if accepted, will be a "dampener" in air traffic growth in India.
"Such a move, if allowed to go ahead will be a dampener in air traffic growth in India. I have asked the DGCA not to consider the proposal at this stage.
"Air Travel in India is likely to see a growth as more middle class Indians are expected to take to air travel. And if they have to shell out even for one kg of check-in, it will discourage them," Sharma told PTI.
"I want the airline to continue with the present system (of allowing upto 15 Kg free check-in baggage) and at the same time provide incentives to those flyers who travel light."
Sharma said that his ministry has asked the airlines to send a detailed proposal on the issue and if it is found in the interest of the passengers, it may consider it.
DGCA is looking into a proposal made by three Indian carriers by which travellers will have to shell out for every kilogram of the checked luggage. The proposal, at the same time, envisages providing incentives for passengers who travel light.
A senior DGCA official said yesterday that SpiceJet, Indigo and AirAsia have approached the regulator with the idea of 'zero baggage fare', whereby passengers having no check in luggage would be given a discount on the ticket.
When contacted, a SpiceJet official today said the March 2015 circular of the DGCA allows airlines to unbundle services.
An AirAsia India official said he was not aware of the government stand while an IndiGo spokesperson could not immediately be contacted for his response.
Other airlines, including full-service carriers, are also reported to be in favour of 'zero baggage fare'.
Such a system would do away with the current practice of passengers being allowed to carry up to 15 kg of check-in luggage free of cost.
In April this year, DGCA had allowed domestic carriers to unbundle their services and charge separately for facilities such as preferred seats, meals on board and use of lounges.
Source:-The Economic Times
The Nabakalebar festival to be promoted through Incredible India campaign
The Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma held a meeting with the Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas (Independent Charge) , Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi today to discuss the preparations for the upcoming festival of Nabakalebar in Odisha.
Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that the Union Tourism Ministry will promote the Nabakalebar festival under the Incredible India Campaign for its international branding. The Government of India will release Rs 50 crore for providing infrastructure and facilities for the Nabakalebar festival. The Union Culture Ministry will release a postal stamp & coin to mark the festival, Dr Mahesh Sharma declared.
. Dr Mahesh Sharma also revealed that the Government of India is making all efforts to start the first International flight from the Bhubaneswar International festival on this auspicious occasion. This first flight is likely to be for Abu Dhabi, he added. The state of Odisha has been demanding an international flight from the Bhubaneswar International airport.
Nabakalebar festival will be celebrated on 10th July, 2015 after a gap of 19 years.
Secretary, Tourism, Dr Lalit Panwar and other senior officers of the Ministry of Tourism were present at the meeting.
NB/AK
(Release ID :122838)
Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that the Union Tourism Ministry will promote the Nabakalebar festival under the Incredible India Campaign for its international branding. The Government of India will release Rs 50 crore for providing infrastructure and facilities for the Nabakalebar festival. The Union Culture Ministry will release a postal stamp & coin to mark the festival, Dr Mahesh Sharma declared.
. Dr Mahesh Sharma also revealed that the Government of India is making all efforts to start the first International flight from the Bhubaneswar International festival on this auspicious occasion. This first flight is likely to be for Abu Dhabi, he added. The state of Odisha has been demanding an international flight from the Bhubaneswar International airport.
Nabakalebar festival will be celebrated on 10th July, 2015 after a gap of 19 years.
Secretary, Tourism, Dr Lalit Panwar and other senior officers of the Ministry of Tourism were present at the meeting.
NB/AK
(Release ID :122838)
Source:-PIB
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)-Part 3
To view the PIB Feature please Click Here.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Deadline for Exchanging Your Pre-2005 Currency Notes Extended
The deadline to exchange pre-2005 currency notes, including those of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations at banks, has been extended to December 31, 2015. The earlier deadline was June 30.
This is the second time the RBI has extended the deadline.
Seeking cooperation for withdrawing pre-2005 currency notes from circulation, the RBI had asked the public to deposit the old design notes in their bank accounts or exchange them at a bank branch convenient to them.
A previous deadline of January 1 had earlier been extended.
All pre-2005 notes continue to remain a legal tender. These notes can be exchanged for their full value at the bank branches.
It is easy to identify pre-2005 notes as they do not have the year of printing mentioned on their reverse side. In notes issued post 2005, the year of printing is visible at the bottom.
The RBI has said it wants to remove these notes from the market because they have fewer security features compared to bank notes printed after 2005.
Post-2005 notes have added security features and help in curbing the menace of fake currency.
It is standard international practice to withdraw old series notes.
Source:-MSN
RBI gives Rs 100 note a makeover, check out the new security features here
In its uphill battle to fight fake currency notes, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has one more trick up its sleeve. RBI on Thursday announced that they have given the Rs 100 a makeover. Well, almost. As per the apex bank's notification, RBI has issued Rs 100 denomination banknotes in Mahatama Gandhi series-2005 with a new numbering pattern.
What's new: The notification on the bank's website says, "The numerals in both the number panels of these banknotes will be in ascending size from left to right, while the first three alphanumeric characters (prefix) will remain constant in size."
Such a move will enhance the security of the banknote, as general public can easily see this new security feature, and hence distinguish a fake note from a real one.
Other features of the makeover note, are same as the current design of Rs 100 banknotes in MG series-2005. Hence, the new will also have the ?" symbol on the obverse and the reverse, an inset letter 'R' in both the numbering panels, The note will also have the signature of RBI Governor, Raghuram Rajan along with the year of printing 2015.
Keep in mind: Though the new has come, that does not mean the old has gone. All banknotes in the denomination of Rs 100 issues in the past continue to give bang for the buck. In due time other denomination notes will also get this visible security feature makeover.
What's new: The notification on the bank's website says, "The numerals in both the number panels of these banknotes will be in ascending size from left to right, while the first three alphanumeric characters (prefix) will remain constant in size."
Such a move will enhance the security of the banknote, as general public can easily see this new security feature, and hence distinguish a fake note from a real one.
Other features of the makeover note, are same as the current design of Rs 100 banknotes in MG series-2005. Hence, the new will also have the ?" symbol on the obverse and the reverse, an inset letter 'R' in both the numbering panels, The note will also have the signature of RBI Governor, Raghuram Rajan along with the year of printing 2015.
Keep in mind: Though the new has come, that does not mean the old has gone. All banknotes in the denomination of Rs 100 issues in the past continue to give bang for the buck. In due time other denomination notes will also get this visible security feature makeover.
Sourcee:-MSN
Are you an 'e-Social' addict? Here are the signs to look out for
By Saliha Nasline
Imagine spending hours and hours on social media every single day , scrolling through your Facebook wall or chatting on WhatsApp or wading through the latest tweets. Meera (name changed) is among a growing number of people who do so, with the result that they find little time for anything else, a phenomenon that is detrimental to their lives and careers but can be reversed with professional counselling.
Imagine spending hours and hours on social media every single day , scrolling through your Facebook wall or chatting on WhatsApp or wading through the latest tweets. Meera (name changed) is among a growing number of people who do so, with the result that they find little time for anything else, a phenomenon that is detrimental to their lives and careers but can be reversed with professional counselling.
"I am a social media addict," admitted Meera, a college student, who is working on a project at a leading financial institution in Bengaluru. "I check my Facebook account through my phone every 10 minutes. Even when I have nothing to post on my wall or nothing particular to check, I will be scrolling through the news feed. I rarely get time to do college assignments" Meera's self-realisation, according to experts, could well be her first step towards rehabilitation.
A 27-year-old executive from a wellknown firm decided to seek help as he had lost control over the time he was spending on social media. He was getting in touch with complete strangers and discussing his most intimate details. He was threatened, scolded, but he carried on. His addiction to look for new members each time for a chat of this kind was keeping him away from his family and made his work atmosphere a suffering. He was concerned that he might get caught as one of his colleagues was fired, in an overseas office branch, for internet surfing.
With counselling, though, he came back to his normal life, said Reena Yadav, researcher and proprietrix at It's a Deserving Life (IADLife), Bengaluru.
"Social media addiction is quite common nowadays. The phenomenon is something new and, in psychiatry, no one has given a title for it," said Dr MJ Thomas, consultant psychiatrist, drmjthomas.com, Bengaluru.
Dr Thomas, who has been practising for nearly four decades, said, "It is learnt that people who are spending more time online show more depression and anxiety symptoms. If other people are posting happy life accomplishments, then the user feels miserable about his inability to post some thing similar. It leads to depression in some people." Besides, an increasing number of people are reporting marital problems, he said."When you get to the root cause, it will usually be social media. In India, no one comes complaining of internet addiction because there is less awareness about the condition," he said.
Social media helps people stay in touch with each other but some of its features also cause stress to many , said Yadav. The first thing to do, according to her, is to find out whether a person is addicted. "He should not be hard on himself, but should see if he can engage in other activities like playing with kids or a pet, cooking or walking to the coffee machine or water station while in office. Gradually , his habit of addiction to phones or social networking sites reduces," said Yadav .
Secondly , the person should write down affirmations and keep it where he can read it as many times as possible. Affirmations such as "I can do this, I have the will power" and "Day-by-day I am getting better and better" lift the will power to change.
If all these tips don't work, a trained counsellor can help gradually reduce the time spent on social media, she said. In most of the cases the root cause is the desire for attention or someone's approval, according to her.
Have you ever been caught by your boss while chatting on Facebook or online shopping at workplace? Not only does this result in productivity loss, but also it could put some companies in legal trouble.
"We all know that social media is an integral part of almost all organisations. Nowadays, social media is widely used from recruitments to marketing," said Supradee p Rajkhowa, lead HR of a leading IT company.
However, many employees seem to be using social media more for leisure than for office use, he said."Employees are always keen on updating statuses, commenting on pictures, `stalking' friends and they manage to do all these things during office hours...Organisations can't really ban the use of social media, even if the employees are blocked from using such URLs, because they all have smartphones. But a company can promote its healthy use," he said.
Blocking sites is not the answer, said Mitin Paul, co-founder of By the Riverside, a startup that makes home decor products out of reclaimed materials. "All we can do is encourage people not to use social media platforms during work hours," he said.
According to Dr Prajakta Deshpande, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist at Manasvin, Pune, it is mostly people above 40 who seek an appointment with doctors to deal with suspected social media addiction. In case of children, she said, the parents should block unwanted sites and curtail internet time.
Source:-The Economic Times
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