Change Management Workshop in Odisha Circle

The Tier-2 Change Management Workshop (For Change Leaders) facilitated by Tata Consultancy Services Change Management Team and organized by Odisha Postal Circle conducted successfully today the 22nd July, 2013 at Conference Hall, Red Cross Society, Sachivalaya Marg, Bhubaneswar 751001. 

Besides the Divisional Heads and other Officers, Shri A.K. Singh, Director (BD & Technology) and Shri Sukhbir Singh, Director of Accounts(Postal) participated in the workshop.

The Tier-3 Change Management Workshop (For Change Agents) of Bhubaneswar HQ Region will be facilitated by Tata Consultancy Services Change Management Team tomorrow at the same venue. 

How to e-file your tax returns

If you have a taxable income of Rs 5 lakh and above, it is mandatory for you to e-file your tax return. An average taxpayer should take roughly 30-40 minutes to key in all the information and upload his return. Here's how to go about it.

Log on to the Income Tax Department's portal

Log on to the Income Tax Department's portal (incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in) meant for filing tax returns online.

Register yourself using your Permanent Account Number (PAN), which will be your user ID

Download ITR form

Under the 'Download' menu, click on Income Tax Return Forms and choose AY 2013-14 as the assessment year if you are filing your return for the financial year 2012-13.

Download the appropriate Income Tax Return (ITR) form.

Enter details using Form 16

Open the downloaded Return Preparation Software (Excel form), follow the instructions, and enter all the details using your Form 16.

If the form applicable to you is ITR 1 or ITR 4S, you can simply complete the process without downloading the Excel form by clicking the link 'Quick e-file ITR'.

Note that you will have to use Form ITR 2 if your tax exempt income exceeds Rs 5,000.

Calculate tax

Compute the tax payable by clicking the 'Calculate Tax' tab.

You may have to include other income, such as interest on bank deposits, NSCs, bonds and capital gains, in the calculation.

This information will not be available in Form 16. If there is some tax due, pay the amount, and enter the challan details as well as the BSR code of the bank, in the tax return.

Confirm details

Confirm the details entered by clicking the 'Validate' tab. Proceed to generate an XML file, which will be automatically saved on your computer.

The registration process (Step 1) can also be initiated at this stage.

Upload the XML file

Go to 'Upload Return' on the portal's left panel, and upload the XML file after selecting 'AY 2013-14' and the relevant form.

Option for digital signature

You will be asked if you want to digitally sign the file. If you have obtained a DS (digital signature), select 'Yes', otherwise choose 'No'.

ITR-Verification

Once the message regarding the successful e-filing is flashed on your screen, the process is complete.

The acknowledgement form, ITR-Verification (ITR-V), will be generated and you can download the same. It will also be mailed to your registered e-mail ID.

Speed post it

Take a printout of the form ITR-V, sign it in blue ink, and send it by ordinary or Speed post to the Income Tax Department-CPC, Post Bag No-1, Electronic City Post Office, Bangalore - 560 100, Karnataka, within 120 days of filing your e-return. 

Couriered documents will not be accepted.

E-mail acknowledgement

The I-T Department will send you the acknowledgement by e-mail, which is the final step in the process. If you do not receive it in due course, you can send the form ITR-V again.

Source:-The Economic Times

Salary earners upto Rs 5 lakh need to file I-T return: CBDT

Unlike the past two years, salaried persons earning up to Rs 5 lakh annually will have to file income tax returns,CBDT said today. 

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had exempted salaried employees having total income of upto Rs 5 lakh including income from other sources upto Rs 10,000 from the requirement of filing income tax return for assessment year 2011-12 and 2012-13, respectively. 

"The exemption was available only for the assessment years 2011-12 and 2012-13...the exemption provided during the last two years is not being extended for assessment year 2013-14," the CBDT said in a statement. 

Earlier in May, the CBDT had made E-filing of income tax return compulsory for assessment year 2013-14 for persons having total assessable income exceeding Rs 5 lakh. 

The CBDT said the exemption was given considering paper filing of returns and their processing through manual entry on system. 

It said the exemption has not been extended as the facility for online filing of returns has been made "user-friendly with the advantage of pre-filled return forms". 
These e-filed forms also get electronically processed at the central processing centre in a speedy manner, it said. 

"Taxpayers are encouraged to file their returns electronically. E-filing is an easy, fast and secure method of filing of income tax return. Moreover, digital signature is not mandatory for these taxpayers...," the Ministry added. 

For filing returns, an assessee can transmit the data in the return electronically by downloading ITRs, or by online filing. 

Thereafter the assessee had to submit the verification of the return from ITR-V for acknowledgement after signature to Central Processing Centre. 

The tax department will set up special return receipt counters for salaried tax payers from July 25 to 31 at Pratayakshar Bhawan, New Delhi. 

"As returns of income above Rs 5 lakh have to be e-filed online mandatorily, the same will not be received at any of these special counters. Only paper return of income upto Rs 5 lakhs can be filed at these counters," the Finance Ministry added. 

In the past, the special counters operated from Pragati Maidan and Mayur Bhavan.

The Economic Times

Government allots Rs 1,300cr to Post Bank

The expenditure department has decided to sanction Rs 1,300 crore to the proposed Post Bank of India to meet its capital requirements even as the department of financial services (DFS) - the wing in the finance ministry that deals with state-run banks and their policies - chose to stay away from the issue.

The proposal's backing by the expenditure finance commission and its subsequent green light byfinance minister P Chidambaram is seen as the official go-ahead by the finance ministry, ignoring the DFS's stance. The DFS position is seen as the first instance of the agency not backing the Post Bank's plan, which officers in the department have privately mocked at.

"They think they can use the postal deposit model for their banking foray. Nothing in their plan seems to be clear. Banking isn't easy," said an officer, who did not wish to be identified.

Source:-The Times of India

Special IT Return Receipt Counters for Salaried Tax Payers With Income Upto Rs. 5 Lakh

 The CBDT has, vide notification dated 1-05-2013, made E-filing of Return compulsory for Assessment Year 2013-14 for persons having total assessable income exceeding Five lakh rupees.  

            The CBDT vide its earlier notifications had exempted salaried employees having total income upto Rs. 5 lakhsincluding income from other sources upto Rs. 10,000/- from the requirement of filing return of income for assessment year 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively. The exemption was available only for the assessment year 2011-12 and 2012-13. The exemption was giving considering ‘paper filing of returns’ and their ‘processing through manual entry’ on system.  

            However, this year the facility for online filing of returns has been made user-friendly with the advantage of pre-filled return forms. These E-filed forms also get electronically processed at the central processing centre in a speedy manner. Hence, the exemption provided during the last two years is not being extended for assessment year 2013-14. Taxpayers are encouraged to file their returns electronically. E-filing is an easy, fast and secure method of filing of income tax return. Moreover, Digital signature is not mandatory for these taxpayers and they can transmit the data in the return electronically by downloading ITRs, or by online filing and thereafter submit the verification of the return in From ITR-V acknowledgement after signature to Central Processing Centre. The processing for E-filed returns is faster.  

            From 25^th July to 31^st July 2013 (Except 27^th and 28^th July being holidays), Special Return Receipt Counters (FOR SALARIED TAX PAYERS) will operate at Pratayakshar Bhawan, Civic Centre, Minto Road, New Delhi this year.(Instead of Pragati Maidan and Mayur Bhavan as were done in the past). 

            The special counters have been set up jurisdiction wise as follows:  

·         For CIT-XIV Charge (Govt. Salary) at ‘B’ Block, Ground Floor in Civil Centre,  

·         For CIV-XV Charge (PSUs/Schools/Colleges/Bank Salary) at ‘C’ Block, Ground Floor in Civic Centre,  

·         For CIT-XVI Charge (Private Salary) at ‘C’ Block, Ground Floor in Civil Centre, 

·         In addition special counters separately will function at ‘B’ and ‘C’ Block in Civic Centre for Senior Citizens and Differently abled persons.  

            As Returns of Income above Rs. 5 lakhs have to be e-filed online mandatorily, the same will not be received at any of these special counters. Only paper return of income upto 5 lakhs can be filed at these counters. Other facilities like Helpdesk, Tax Return Preparers (TRPs), UTI/NSDL counters, Bank, tax payment facility, PAN facilitation counter etc. Will be also available at Civic Centre, New Delhi during the same period.  

Source:-PIB

Austrian honour for Karunanidhi with a postage stamp for his 90th birthday

CHENNAI: Austrian government hashonoured DMK chief M Karunanidhi with a postage stamp for his 90th birthday, which was celebrated on June 3. 

The stamp on the DMK leader was based on requests from 'individuals' in Austria, who drew the attention of the Austrian postal service on the nonagenarian's contributions in the field of public life, cinema and literature.

The international postage stamp has the image of the DMK leader's face with the band of party flag, red and black and numeral 90, denoting his age as a backdrop.

Don Ashok, who has business interests in Austria, and who is one among the enthusiasts who made it possible, told TOI that it was the result of affectionate gestures of a few towards the party chief. "It is a result of love and affection, lakhs of partymen have for Karunanidhi," he said. The stamp, a limited version, comes at a cost of 90 euros.

Source:-The Times of India

Promotion and posting to the Grade of Member , Postal Services Board, Indian Postal Service, Group'A' : Member (Planning)

Ms. Kalpna Tewari (IPoS-1978), CGM BD&M, Directorate, New Delhi has been posted on promotion as Member (Planning), Postal Services Board against the vacant post. To view the order please Click Here.

Promotion and posting to the Grade of Member, Postal Services Board, Indian Postal Service, Group'A' :Member (HRD)

Shri Kamalesh Chandra(IPoS-1978), CPMG Uttar Pradesh Circle has been posted on promotion as Member(HRD), Postal Services Board, New Delhi against the post which will be restored on 01.08.2003 on Superannuating Retirement of Shri S.K. Chakrabarti, Principal Chief Postmaster General, Odisha Circle, Bhubaneswar on 31.07.2013(A/N). To view the order  please Click Here.

Now Book Railway Tickets on your Mobile without Internet Connection

H. C. Kunwar**

The user-friendly SMS based ticketing system which has already been effective since 28^th June 2013, is being introduced by the Indian Railways in order to further improve the customer convenience and empower the common man who does not have access to internet and cannot afford to buy smart phones. Since the mobile penetration in India has increased rapidly, this new system will be helpful in enabling booking of tickets by masses themselves. Ticket booking through non-internet based mobile, introduced as a pilot project by Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a Public Sector Undertaking of the Ministry of Railways, will also help Railways in overcoming the menace of touting whereby unsuspecting people are fleeced by such elements. This will particularly be useful for labourers and workers staying away from their home and who have to book tickets for travel to their native place.

Inconvenience in booking reserved railway tickets has been a cause of concern for all.  In order to facilitate easy access, Indian Railways have been making efforts by expanding the passenger reservation system counters network.  The online booking through IRCTC has now grown up to about 45% of total reserved tickets.  This has eased the rush at counters to a great extent. While internet access in India is only about 10%, mobiles are now in easy reach and more than 80% people in our country use mobile phones.

The key features of ticket booking on mobile are as follow:-

Railway e-ticket now on mobile

•     IRCTC introduces for the first time a non-internet based ticketing system that will empower masses even in remote areas to use the omnipresent mobile device to make reservations.

•     Millions of rail travellers can now use their mobile phones to book tickets in a simple, convenient and secured manner.

•     It uses simple SMS or menu-based USSD technology which works on all mobile phones and involves no internet and costs very little.

•     The services can be availed by IRCTC registered users only.

Advantages of booking IRCTC tickets via mobile

•     No need to stand in long queues or log onto the internet.

•     Simple, reliable and secured.

•     Accessible to any mobile user.

•     Very little charges for accessing the service.

•     Works on all handsets.

•     Simple user guided menu – book tickets, search for stations, trains, availability.

Book your ticket through USSD

USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) based booking for Airtel subscribers*

Registration

•     Register for Airtel money by dialing *400#.

•     Load cash on this or recharge from any Airtel money outlet.

Booking Flow

•     Dial *400# and select book tickets option.

•     Select Reservation.

•     Enter your IRCTC User ID.

•     Enter the details of ticket (station, train no. date of journey, class etc.).

•     Enter mPIN for authorizing payment.

•     Booking confirmation SMS is sent by IRCTC and same can be used during journey along with valid ID proof.

•     Fare & IRCTC service charges are debited from your Airtel money account.

•     Charges: No PG Charges.

•     Agent / IRCTC Service Charges: As applicable

Helpline No.: 121

Helpline Email : 121@airtelmoney.in

Book your ticket through SMS

1. SMS based booking through 139*

Registration

•     Register your mobile number with IRCTC as well as with your bank.

•     Bank provides MMID (Mobile Money Identifier) & OTP (one time password) for authorization of payment.  (More than 25 banks are providing this facility. For details, visit website:  http://www.npci.org.in/bankmember.aspx.)

Booking Flow

•     Send SMS, in the following syntax, to 139

      BOOK <TrainNo><FromStn.Code><ToStn.Code> <TravelDate (DDMM)><Class><Passenger-Name><Age><M/F>

•     You will receive Transaction ID alongwith other details.

•     Make payment through sending an SMS, in the following syntax, to 139

      PAY <Transaction ID as received><IMPS><Your MMID as received from the bank><OTP, your one time password received for this transaction><IRCTCUserID> and your ticket is booked.

•     Service is available to all mobile subscribers.

•     SMSes @ Rs 3/- per SMS (2 SMSes are required for each booking).

•     PG charges Rs 5/- for ticket amount <Rs 5000/ and Rs 10/- for ticket amount > Rs 5000/- (as applicable by bank).

•     Agent / IRCTC Service Charges: As applicable

Helpline No.: 139

Helpline Email : smsticket139@bharatbpo.in

2. SMS based booking through 5676714*

Registration

•     Register your mobile number with IRCTC as well as with m-wallet (http://www.zipcash.in/user/nlogin.aspx)

•     Send SMS, to 5676717, in the following syntax START <irctc user Id> for user authentication (first time only)

Booking Flow

•     Send an SMS to 5676714 to book a ticket in the following syntax:

      BOOK<From stn.code>,<to stn.code>, <DDMMYY>, <Trainno>,<Class>,

      <passenger name>,<age>,<M/F>

•     You will receive the Transaction number.

•     Send the 2nd SMS, for payment, in the following syntax.

1.   “PAY <transaction no>, MPAY, <m-PIN>” for authorizing payment through MPAY

or

2.   “PAY  <mobileno>,<mmid>,<amount>, <transaction Id>,<OTP>” for authorizing payment through IMPS.

•     After payment is made booking confirmation is sent to your mobile.

•     Charges: No PG Charges. Agent / IRCTC Service Charges: As applicable. SMSes @ Rs 3/- per SMS (2 SMSes are required for each booking).

Helpline No. : 8882001001

Helpline Email : support@saarthii.com

3. SMS based booking through BSNL*

User should have the following:

1.   BSNL SIM card installed.

2.   Java enabled mobile phone.

3.   Andhra Bank Prepaid card.

      This is a menu driven application where user has to enter the details asked for in simple step-by-step process to get the ticket.

Registration

•     Install the application.

•     Select the Register option to get the mPIN.

Booking

•     Click the icon BSNL Prepaid Card

•     Select Ticketing > Train (IRCTC)

•     Fill up the journey details such as From stn, To Stn, Train No, DOJ, Class, Quota, passenger details.

•     Enter the mPIN to get the ticket information.

•     Charges: No PG Charges. Agent / IRCTC Service Charges: As applicable. SMSes without charges.

Helpline No. : +91-8801298038

Helpline Email : bsnl.support@pyrogroup.com

*This service will not be available between 0800-1200 hrs. However, the ticket can still be booked using mobile through IRCTC main site www.irctc.co.in

Source:-PIB

**Deputy Director (Media & Communication), PIB, New Delhi.

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

Today, it is learnt from Directorate that, there is no progress in recasting of marks of LDCE for the promotion to PS Gr. B examination 2012 held on 3rd June 2012. In this week two more representations said to have been received at Directorate pointing out the irregularities in questions paper and answer keys. Department has not yet decided about holding of LDCE for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B examination for the year 2013. It is also learnt that Department is thinking to introduce new system / ruling for declaration of LDCE to avoid complaints, litigation etc.