Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Launch of Kisan Vikas Patra by the Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley in the presence of Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Communication and IT on 18.11.2014

 
 The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley launched Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) in the presence of Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister of Communication and IT.
 The Secretary, Department of Posts Ms.Kavery Banerjee along with all seniors officers of the Department graced the occasion.
 Salient Features of re-launched Kisan Vikas Patra :
 Amount Invested doubles in 100 months ( 8 years & 4 months)
 Available in denominations of Rs 1,000, 5000, 10,000 and Rs 50,000.
 Minimum deposit Rs 1000/- and no maximum limit.
 Certificate can be purchased by an adult for himself or on behalf of a minor or by two adults.
 KVP can be purchased from any Departmental Post office..
 Facility of nomination is available.
 Certificate can be transferred from one person to another and from one post office to another.
 Certificate can be encashed after 2 & 1/2 years from the date of issue.
 The Department of Posts has issued SB Order No 12/2014 dated 17-11-2014 with notification issued by the Ministry of Finance.
 
 On the occasion the following officials of the Department were honored for their commendable job in promoting Small Saving Schemes.


 
Shri Om Prakash Branch Postmaster of Sakatpur Branch Office, in Fatehgarh Postal Division, Uttar Pradesh. He opened maximum SB accounts (12213) during 2013-14.
Shri Hari Chand Postmaster, Ballabgarh, Mukhya Dak Ghar (MDG) Sub Post office in Faridabad Postal Division of Haryana Circle. He opened maximum SB accounts (38592) during 2013-14.

Shri R. N. Maheswari, the then Sr. Postmaster, Rajkot HO now Superintendent of Post Offices of Amreli Division in Gujarat Circle. He opened maximum SB accounts (178278) during 2013-14.

Shri Kawal Jit Singh, Assistant Director in Financial Services Division of the Department of Posts. He has played a key role in managing various Financial Services of the Department and towards implementation of CBS in Post Offices

NFPE DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS AT DWARKA ON 23-11-2014


















CELEBRATE IN A BEFITTING MANNER ON 17-12-2014 AS

PENSIONERS DAY

SENIOR CITIZENS DAY

NAKARA’s CENTENARY BIRTH DAY CELEBRATION


Chief Justice Chandrachud who delivered the 17-12-1982 historical judgment

D.S.Nakara who fought heroically after his retirement for justice to all pensioners


Pensioners can never forget 17th December. It was on this day in the year 1982 that the historic judgment by the constitutional bench headed by the Chief Justice Chandrachud in the famous case filed by Nakara was delivered to up hold the fundamental right of pension by the Pensioners.

The judgment had categorically ruled that “ (i) that pension is neither a bounty nor a matter of grace depending upon the sweet will of the employer and that it create a vested right subject to 1972 rules which are statutory in character because they are enacted in exercise of powers conferred by the proviso to Art.309 and clause (5) of Art.148 of the constitution; (ii) that pension is not an ex-gratia payment but it is a payment for the past service rendered and (iii) it is a social welfare measure rendering socio-economic justice to those who in the heyday of their life ceaselessly toiled for the employer on an assurance that in their old age they would not be left in lurch ’’

Incidentally Shri.Nakara who was born in the year 1914 and entered in Government Service in the year 1937 and retired in the year 1972 went to court and fought heroically for ten long years to get the above historic judgment in the year 1982 had passed away in the year 2009 at his age of 96. This year being the centenary year of his birth, it is appropriate to celebrate his centenary of birth along with the Pensioners Day on 17-12-2014 as the Day of “ Pensioners Day – Senior Citizens Day – and Centenary year of Birth of Nakara”.

AIPRPA CHQ Calls upon all Postal Pensioners to forge unity with other Pensioners everywhere and celebrate 17-12-2014 in a befitting manner. If you have a District or Divisional Branch of AIPRPA or not, the CHQ calls upon the Postal Pensioners to observe the day and remember Nakara to take the pledge to fight continuously until the Government is forced to withdraw the PFRDA and uphold the right to pension to all  Pensioners of Central Government and other pensioners. Moreover let us stand for the grant of Universal Pension to all Senior Citizens in the world and in our country.

Observe 17-12-2014 as:
Pensioners Day
Senior Citizens Day

Centenary of Nakara’s Birth

INTRODUCTION OF AADHAAR ENABLED BIO-METRIC ATTENDANCE SYSTEM IN ALL CG OFFICES


Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) to Pensioners enhanced from Rs.300 to Rs.500 w.e.f. 19-11-2014

Govt plans to use India Post's postmen to educate people on schemes and policy - NEWS

New Delhi: The government is planning to use India Post's 1.55 lakh-strong branch network to reach out to citizens in far flung and backward areas and educate them about the various policies, schemes and incentives.


The ministry of information and broadcasting runs various awareness programmes for the citizens leveraging the Internet and the social media.

However, these initiatives are still out of the reach of many who live in backward and far flung areas there is no connectivity, sources said.

"This category of population is sizable and within the reach of post offices. I&B ministry can design programmes region-wise, which can then be used by the postman to go to these areas and educate the people," a source said.

The idea is to utilise the huge network of India Posts' post offices across the country, especially to reach out to people in areas not connected with the Internet, and educate them about the government's policies, schemes and incentives, the sources added.

With the world's largest postal network, India Post has about 1.55 lakh post offices spread across the country. On an average, a post office serves an area of 21.21 sq km and a population of 7,175 people.

Besides, postman can also be used for directly collecting feedback from the people in rural areas on various policies and schemes, sources added.

"Also digital boards and panels can be set up at the post offices across these areas to educate people on not just schemes and policies, but also on issues related to health and education," they said.

The Task Force set up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is already holding consultations in this regard with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Modi has set up the Task Force to leverage the postal network in India to enhance the role of India Posts in financial inclusion, among other services and it is expected to submit its report by year-end.

The Task Force includes the Department of Posts Secretary Kavery Banerjee, Telecom Secretary Rakesh Garg, Department of Electronics and IT Secretary R S Sharma, Rural Development Secretary L C Goyal and former SEBI Chairman G N Bajpai.

Former Cabinet Secretary TSR Subramanian is the Chairman of the Task Force.

PTI

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965 - Advice of the UPSC to be communicated to the delinquent Government servant - Amendment - regarding.

Central Civil Service (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965 - Instruction regarding timely review of suspension.

New Kisan Vikas Patras may fail to generate investors' interest

The new Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) has been launched with much fanfare but experts doubt if they will generate interest among urban investors. "There are many fixed-income products that offer higher returns compared to these new KVPs," says Delhi-basedtax consultant Surya Bhatia.


The Public Provident Fund (PPF), for instance, offers 8.7% tax-free returns. But the interest earned on KVPs is fully taxable, so the post-tax return for someone earning more than Rs 10 lakh a year gets pared down from 8.7% to a niggardly 6% (see table). The only difference is the Rs 1.5 lakh annual investment limit in the PPF. There is no upper limit for investments in the KVPs.

New Kisan Vikas Patras may fail to generate investors' interestBut bank deposits don't have investment limits as well. Small private banks such asLakshmi Vilas Bank and Karnataka Bank and a few PSU banks are offering up to 9% on fixed deposits of 8-10 years, making them a better proposition than KVPs.

Senior citizen investors should also stay away from these re-launched instruments. They can get 25-30 basis points higher interest on bank deposits. Besides, the Senior Citizens' Savings Scheme offers them 9.2% as well as tax benefits under Section 80C. The post-tax returns in the 30% bracket work out to 35 basis points higher than what KVPs offer. The only disadvantage is the Rs 15-lakh investment limit per individual in the Senior Citizens' Saving Scheme.

Financial planners say the new KVPs should appeal to the unbanked population in rural areas. Cheque books and bank accounts are not necessary and investments and the maturity amount can be in cash. "The rural population will find these products useful. But these KVPs are irrelevant for urban investors who have access to regular banking," says Pankaaj Maalde, head of financial planning, Apnapaisa.com.

However, the acceptance of cash doesn't mean these instruments can be used for money laundering. The government has clarified that investors will have to comply with KYC rules applicable to other small savings schemes of the post office.

KVPs can be transferred to another person any number of times. Though this will improve liquidity, financial planners fear that financially-illiterate investors might lose out if they miscalculate the accrued interest and sell the bonds at a discount.

PSU tax-free bonds traded in the secondary debt market offer a better deal to investors because the price factors in the interest accrued till that day. These tax-free bonds are offering a better posttax yield of about 7.2% right now. Besides, there is also the possibility of capital gains if interest rates are cut.

For more evolved investors, fixed maturity plans and debt funds can be the best way to invest in debt. The returns after indexation can be significantly higher than what these KVPs are offering.
Source:-The Economic Times

Hon'ble MoC&IT took a review meeting on e-Commerce with senior officers of the Department of Posts on 19th November 2014 at Dak Bhawan, New Delhi

Saturday, November 15, 2014

NFPE * FNPO * AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) * NUGDS
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES
FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANIZATIONS
ALL INDIA POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION GDS (NFPE)
NATIONAL UNION OF GRAMIN DAK SEWAKS (FNPO)
CENTRAL HEAD QUARTERS, NEW DELHI – 110001
 



Dated – 11.11.2014

POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION DECIDES TO GO FOR INDEFINITE STRIKE DURING THE THIRD WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2015. DATE OF STRIKE WILL BE DECLARED IN THE
2014 DECEMBER 4TH PARLIAMENT MARCH
Government and Postal board are totally negative and insensitive towards the demands of five lakhs Postal and RMS employees including Gramin Dak Sewaks and Casual, Part-Time Contingent employees.

EVERY DEMAND IS EITHER REJECTED OR INDEFINITELY DELAYED
1
Inclusion of Gramin Dak Sewaks under 7th Central Pay Commission and grant of civil servant status
Rejected. Government decided to appoint separate committee with the approval of recognised GDS union.
2
Casual Labour wage revision and regularistaion
Pending for the last six years. Revision of wages due from 01.01.2006. File still pending with Government. Poor employees are starving.
3
Cadre restructuring of Postal, RMS, MMS, Admin, Postal Accounts employees
Long pending in the Directorate. No improvement.
4
Merger of DA with Pay
Rejected by Government
5
Grant of Interim Relief
Rejected by Government
6
Date of effect of 7th CPC from 01.01.2014
Government not ready to give any direction to 7th CPC.
7
Scrap New Pension Scheme.
Rejected by Government
8
Remove 5% ceiling for compassionate appointments
Government not ready to remove the condition.
9
GDS Medical reimbursement scheme
Pending for last six years
10
MACP anomalies including promotees case
Rejected inspite of several CAT/Court Judgment
11
Postmaster Cadre related issues including permission to write IP/PS Group ‘B’ exam and parity with LSG, HSG-II regarding service length for promotion.
Still pending. Attitude of the Department is totally negative.
12
System Administration case
Rejected. Not ready to consider the demands on its merits.
13
RTP service regularization
Rejected. Inspite of CAT orders not ready to issue general order
14
SBCO related issues
Rejected on flimsy grounds.
15
Postmen related issues
No progress
16
Parity in cash handling allowance
Rejected.
17
Counting of Accountants special Allowance for pay fixation on promotion
Rejected.
18
Computer and Technology related several issues
No progress. Situation worsening day by day. Employees are suffering. Public agitated
19
Harassment of staff on account of CBS & CIS
Still continuing
20
Allotment of funds for sanctioning all pending Medical, TA, OTA and RPLI/PLI incentives
No progress. Bills pending for months together
21
Overtime allowance revision
Pending for 27years
22
Circle processing centers (CPO) of PLI/RPLI at CO/ROs and stop redeployment of posts
Rejected
23
Sunday, Holiday compulsory working
Still continuing in certain circles
24
Office Building and staff quarters cases
No progress. Situation worsening. Staff are suffering
25
MNOP related issues
Suggestion of staff side rejected
26
Quality of uniforms, Chapplas and kit-items
No improvement
27
Chennai Postal Accounts victimization
Still pending
28
Stop Postmen/MTS open market outside recruitment
Still pending. No progress
29
Filling up of all vacant posts including canteen employees
Slow progress
30
Creation of justified new posts
Total Ban imposed on creation of new posts
31
Prompt convening of Monthly meeting, Bi-monthly/four monthly meetings, JCM Regional Council meeting, JCM Departmental Council meeting, Formal meeting with Secretary (Posts)
Periodicity is not maintained. In many divisions. Circles no meeting is held for months together
32
Prompt holding of Departmental promotion committees (CPCs)
No progress


Dear Friends and Comrades,

Meeting of the Postal Joint Council of Action was held on 11.11.2014 at New Delhi. Shri D. Theagarajan, Secretary General, FNPO presided. Com. R. N. Parashar, Secretary General, NFPE presented agenda items for discussion. General Secretaries of affiliated Unions/Associations of NFPE & FNPO attended. Com. M. Krishnan, Ex-Secretary General of NFPE was also present in the meeting. PJCA reviewed the progress in settlement of 39 points charter of demands submitted to Secretary, Department of Posts on 28.08.2014. PJCA came to the unanimous conclusion that not even a single issue is settled by the Government and Department. Employees are suffering but authorities are turning a deaf year towards their genuine demands. Rome is burning but Neros are fiddling.

None of our demand is unjustified. Five lakhs Postal and RMS employees including Gramin Dak Sewaks and Casual, Part-time, contingent employees cannot remain as mute spectators. There is a limit for our patience. Government and Postal Board are treating our patience as our weakness.

Taking into consideration all the above aspects, the PJCA unanimously took the following decision.
1.      Entire five lakhs employees of the Department of Posts will go on indefinite strike from the third week of February 2015, if the demands are not settled before 31.12.2014.
2.      The date of the indefinite strike will be declared in the 4th December 2014 Parliament March.
3.      Every effort should be made by all All India/Circle/Divisional Unions to ensure maximum participation of employees in the Parliament March. Minimum 20000 employees should participate in the March. All should bring flags and banners.
4.      Laaders of INTUC, CITU, AITUC & JCM National Council staff side will be invited to address the Parliament March.
5.      Next PJCA meeting will be held on 03.12.2014 at 5 PM to decide the date of indefinite strike.

Let us march ahead with Determination and courage. This is time to show your sincerity towards the cause of five lakhs employees of the Department of Posts. Let us make the parliament March a Historic success. Let us unite together and make the indefinite strike a Thundering success. Let the Government and Postal Board understand that we are not Dumb-Driven cattle. We are workers and not beggars.

AWAKE! ARISE!! UNITE!!
Come in the Thousands to the Parliament March
Let us declare the indefinite strike in the presence of 20000 Postal Employees on 4th December 2014

Yours sincerely,


R. N. Parashar                                                                                     D. Theagarajan
Secretary General, NFPE                                                                     Secretary General, FNPO       


P. Pandurangarao                                                                                P. U. Muraleedharan
General Secretary                                                                               General Secretary
AIPEU-GDS (NFPE)                                                                               NUGDS (FNPO)