Centre to test incentives for government staff in naxal-hit areas

NEW DELHI: The Centre will soon put to test a bouquet of sops, including sponsored foreign education and free insurance cover, aimed at incentivising government service in areas affected by Left-wing extremism. Large swathes of forestland in central and eastern India have remained disconnected from social welfare schemes largely because of Left-wing extremism. The fear of attacks by Maoist rebels has also pushed up the vacancy level in government jobs there. 

Under a plan chalked out by the National Advisory Council, government employees willing to serve for at least three years in such areas will be offered the chance to pursue higher studies either in Cambridge or Oxford, besides incentives like free education for children, health insurance cover and higher salary. 

"There is a need to incentivise people to go and work in sensitive areas. However, differential pay alone is not the best way and we feel that the government should also consider giving them additional facilities, like educating their children, providing them with health insurance as well as life insurance and providing them with accommodation for the extra risk that they are taking to go to areas which are otherwise underserviced," said Mihir Shah, head of the working group on reforms in governance at NAC. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi heads the NAC. 

The proposal, which follows the Maoist rebels' attack on Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh in May, will kick-start on pilot basis in 900 blocks, across nine states, that are affected by Left-wing extremism. 

So far, the government's success in loosening the stranglehold of Maoist rebels in these areas has been limited, which in turn has discouraged government employees from taking up postings there. As per rough estimates, average vacancy in government jobs in these areas is about 50%, with the figure rising to 80% in some pockets. 

"We can also look at giving them at least 33% higher salary than their peers in non-tribal areas as has been done in the past," NAC member NC Saxena said, adding that non-monetary incentive could also inlcude sponsoring higher education abroad. 

The central India tribal belt stretches from Gujarat in the west to Assam in the east, and cuts across the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Tamil Naduand Karnataka. Over 90% of the belt's tribal population practices some primitive form of agriculture. Shah is of the view that the economic backwardness of these districts can be removed only by strengthening democracy there. The Centre has earmarked Rs 11,500 crore this fiscal for tribal social welfare schemes across India.

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

Plan panel objects to govt funding for India Post bank

The panel opines Rs 500 crore needed as initial paid up capital for launching Post Banks might not be feasible at present

Hopes of the Department of Posts (DoP) to launch full-fledged banking operations seem to have hit a roadblock, with the Planning Commission opposing government funding to start the project.

The DoP has moved a Cabinet note for the government to provide Rs 500 crore as initial capital to India Post towards starting a bank. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s norms for applying for a new banking licence, an entity needs paid-up capital of at least Rs 500 crore.

Officials said the commission felt providing the Rs 500 crore needed as initial paid-up capital for launching the bank might not be feasible, owing to the tight fiscal conditions. “Though in principle, the commission does support the proposal, the current weak financial conditions are acting as a hindrance,” said a senior official.

Overall, the department needs about Rs 1,900 crore to run full-fledged banking operations. Financial help from the government is required, as India Post recorded a deficit of Rs 5,806 crore in 2011-12, 8.5 per cent lower than the Rs 7,899-crore deficit the previous year.  An official said India Post planned to start banking operations across 50 branches. However, a section within the Planning Commission felt converting a part of post offices into full-fledged banks would hamper the core functioning of these entities, another official said. For the government, India Post’s banking operations would be beneficial in expanding the ambit of its ambitious Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) programme.  This is because there are about 1,50,000 post offices across the country, much higher than the number of all public sector bank branches combined. The banking correspondent model, as envisaged in DBT, would be accounted for by postmen. For every new deposit, a postman would get an additional commission of 0.07 per cent.The official said moves were also afoot to link all post office branches with core banking solutions. To launch banking operations, India Post would have to restructure its shareholding, as according to RBI norms, promoter companies of entities seeking to set up banks should have at least 51 per cent public shareholding. Currently, India Post is wholly owned by the Union government.

A few years ago, India Post’s proposal to start banking operations was opposed by the finance ministry, as the DoP  didn’t have expertise in areas such as handling credit.

The DoP has a few savings instruments such as the post office savings scheme, as well as a life insurance scheme — Postal Life Insurance. It also acts as a distributor for mutual fund companies.

Source : http://www.business-standard.com

Commemorative Postage Stamp on 100 years of Indian Cinema will be available for sale at the Philatelic Bureaux in third week of August,2013

Notification for Commemorative Postage Stamp on 100 Years of Indian Cinema

In continuation of notification dated 06.05.2013 placed on website, it is further notified that  Commemorative Postage Stamp on 100 years of Indian Cinema will be available for sale at the Philatelic Bureaux in third week of August,2013

Source : Indiapost.gov.in

Award of Scholarship to the children of Non-Statutory Departmental Canteen Employees from the Discretionary fund of Director of Canteens- Invitation of applications from Canteen employees for the year 2013-2014

Click here to view details 

Children Education Allowance - Reimbursement of Examination Fee

Click here to view details

Review of Forms for Pensionary/retirement benefits and Nominations under various Rules of the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare.

Click here to view details

JCM STANDING COMMITTING (DEPARTMENTAL) ON 23-08-2013

UOI SLP against Pre-2006 Pensioners dismissed by Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has dismissed the SLP (Civil) 23055/2013 filed by Union of India against Delhi High Court judgement in pre-2006 pensioners casein WP 1535/2012 upholding the CAT PB judgement and Delhi High Court judgement. The above SLP came up for hearing on 29/7/2013 and the apex court dismissed the SLP on the same day.

Pensioners will now get arrears w.e.f. 1/1/2006 if their revised pension was fixed at less than 50% percent of the minimum of the pay in the pay band including grade pay thereon in the revised scale corresponding  to the pre-revised pay scale from which the pensioner has retired.

JUDGEMENT :

UPON hearing counsel the Court made the following order :

“We are not inclined to interfere with the order passed by the High Court. Consequently, the special leave petitions are dismissed. However, the petitioners are at liberty to raise all points before the Tribunal as and when the appeal”.

Courtesy : confederationhq.blogspot.in

Monitoring of timely attendance of staff of delivery branches to improve the delivery of mails from the post offices - regarding

Regarding issue of unique Speed Post bar codes series for booking of Speed Post articles containing passports

Listing of PLI files on outsourcing basis - Calling for willingness

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS , INDIA

O/O Principal CPMG, Odisha Circle

Bhubaneswar-751001

To

All Group Officers, CO, Bhubaneswar

All Divisional Heads of HQ Region including RMS ‘N’ Divn.

Sr. Postmaster, Bhubaneswar GPO

No- LI/File Transfer/2013                                                    Dated at Bhubaneswar the 29.7.2013

Sub:- Listing of PLI files on outsourcing basis                 

                This is regarding listing of PLI policy files in Computer in PLI Section, CO.. Willingness of officials ( PA/ SA/ Postman / MTS )  in e-Mail is called for within two days  for the purpose on Compensatory Off basis or on OTA basis in the following proforma dully recommended . The work will be carried out on Saturdays and Sundays and started from 03.8.2013 onwards. The incumbents  will be informed through e-Mail on Friday (02-8-2013). The outstation candidates are entitled for TA/ DA as usual, besides suitable off  / remuneration for duty performed  on Sun days and holidays .

                 This may be widely circulated among all concerned and at least three willing names may  be communicated to the undersigned  in e-Mail , ‘ddmplior@gmail.com’ by  tomorrow evening  , for calling them to the section in batch wise.

                                                                                                                               

Dy. Divisional Manager(PLI)

                                                                                                                          

O/o CPMG, Odisha Circle

                                                                                                                            

Bhubaneswar-751001

                                                                                Proforma

1.       Name and Designation                                        :

2.        Office in which working                                     :

3.       DOB                                                                        :

4.       Educational Qualification                                    :

5.       Whether having computer knowledge or not                :

Signature of the applicant

Recommended / Not Recommended                 :

                                                                                                   Sign. of recommending Authority

Sri S K Chakrabarti, Principal Chief PMG, Odisha Circle retired on superannuation

Attaining the age of superannuation, Shri Sarit Ku. Chakrabarti, Principal Chief Postmaster General, Odisha Circle, Bhubaneswar retired from Govt. Service on 31.07.2013 afternoon.

The members of AIPEU, Group-C, Bhubaneswar Division wish him a peaceful and healthy retired life.

Beware! Your KYC papers may be misused

MUMBAI: Leaving your 'know your customer' (KYC) documents floating around can be dangerous for your financial well-being. Banks have discovered several cases of identity theft where fraudsters have created a new third-party identity using misappropriated KYC documents, such as copies of phone bills and PAN card, to avail of credit cards or loans.

Some weeks ago, a Mumbai resident found that his identity had been stolen and a fraudster had been using a credit card obtained by misappropriating his KYC documents. Besides this, there are several cases where identity theft attempts have been made, but have been nipped in the bud by banks using fraud detection software. 

In another case, a fraud attempt was detected after two applicants for a primary and add-on card provided details that differed from what was provided by identical applicants in another application. The fraud was detected because the bank used a fraud detection service called Hunter provided by Experian.

"Typically, the fraudster will provide most of the details of the fake identity but will change either the mobile phone or email to keep contact with the bank. Our software matches details provided by the individual in other applications and flags it as suspicious if there are too many discrepancies," said Mohan Jayaraman, MD, Experian Credit Information Company. Because it is a credit information company, Experian by law can retain information of borrowers on its database. 

According to Jayaraman, credit companies in the UK provide a service whereby borrowers can sign up and receive alerts every time a bank inquires about his credit history. Such credit checks are made at the time of granting loans or cards and an individual is immediately alerted if his identity is being misused. "Consumers need to be alert in disposing of their statements and should not dispose KYC documents to the 'raddi-walla'," he said. 

The other solution that financial advisers are recommending is that every time photocopies are issued for KYC purposes, the borrower should mention on the copy the purpose for which the documents are being issued. 

"Obtaining a credit profile from the credit bureau will give you an idea if your identity has been used by someone," said Rajiv Raj, founder of Creditvidya, a credit counseling firm. "A change in address should be immediately updated with all service providers. Otherwise this gives an opportunity for mail to be intercepted and misused."

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

When and how can you withdraw from your EPF?

Almost all salaried people contribute a certain percentage of their salary towards their Employee Provident Fund (EPF) account every month. While most of us know that EPF is an effective tool that helps generate a corpus for life post retirement, many of us are unaware that you can make a withdrawal from your EPF account for urgent cash requirements.

However, an EPF account cannot be treated like any other saving bank account implying that there are certain specified criteria under which withdrawal is permitted from an EPF account. An individual needs to furnish all relevant documents and satisfy the necessary requirements in order to be eligible for premature withdrawal of EPF.

Here are the categories and other details with respect to premature withdrawal from EPF.

Reason	Requirement	Amount allowed	No. of times permitted
Education or marriage	> The employee should have completed at least 7 years of employment or service. > Withdrawal allowed for self, sibling(s) or children's marriage. > Withdrawal permitted for self or children's education only. > Proof of the education or wedding required to be submitted, such as a valid copy or a bonafide certificate of the payable fees or the wedding invitation. > In case of education, the individual needs to apply in Form 31 through his/her employer.	50% of the total corpus amount till date	Permitted thrice only during a person's total service tenure
Medical treatment	> Withdrawal permitted for medical treatment of self, spouse, parents and children. > There is no restriction regarding the number of years of service.  > The proof of hospitalization for a month or more along with an approved leave certificate from the employer for the corresponding period needs to be produced. > The member needs to obtain and deposit a certificate from the employer or ESI stating that ESI facility is not accessible or available to him/her. > A certified proof or document of the disease should be submitted in Form 31 while applying for withdrawal.	6 times the monthly salary of an individual or the total corpus amount, whichever is lesser	Anytime
Purchase of a plot	> Should have completed at least 5 years of service. > The plot or property should be registered in the person's or his/her spouse's name or should be owned jointly.  > The plot should not be entangled in any legal issues and the agreement registered under the Indian Registration Act with the Flat Promoter needs to be submitted along with the application form.	Up to 24 times the salary of the individual	Once during entire service tenure
Construction or purchase of a flat, house or plot	> Should have completed at least 5 years of service. > The house should be registered in the person's or his/her spouse's name or should be owned jointly.	36 times the monthly salary of the individual	Once during entire service tenure
Repayment of Home Loan	> Should have completed at least 10 years of employment. > The house should be registered in the person's or his/her spouse's name or should be owned jointly.	36 times the monthly salary of the individual	Once during entire service tenure
Alteration or Renovation of house	> Should have completed at least 5 years of service. > The house should be registered in the person's or his/her spouse's name or should be owned jointly.	Up to 12 times the individual's monthly salary	Once during entire service tenure
Pre-retirement	> The individual must be at least 54 years old.	90% of the total corpus amount	Once during entire service tenure

Withdrawal from EPF after leaving an Organization

On switching jobs, an employee can apply for transfer of money from the EPF account through a form which is filled by the employee and attested by the designated authority at the employer.

Withdrawal of money from the account in between two jobs is illegal and is permissible only under the following two circumstances:

>When a member is in between two jobs >If the member has been unable to find another job for over two months

Grievance related to withdrawal from EPF:

There is a mechanism to address grievances of EPF members which comes under the Consumer Protection Act. To report a grievance, a member needs to:

>Log on to the website www.epfigms.gov.in >Click Register Grievance >Enter the details and information in the specified field.

All grievances related to the following subjects can be addressed to the grievance cell:

>Withdrawal or final settlement of EPF >Scheme certificate >Transfer of accumulated PF amount >Issuance of PF balance or slip >Return or misplacement of cheque >Payment ofinsurance benefit

EPF is the corpus that helps build financial stability post retirement. It is, therefore, advisable to leave the amount undisturbed during employment tenure unless the circumstances are unavoidable.

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

Water resistant designer envelopes by India post for Rakhi

In order to ensure safe delivery of Rakhis, India Post has designed water resistant and attractive Rakhi envelopes. 

These specially designed Rakhi envelopes, which are available in attractive designs and have an elegant surface finish, are resistant to water and wear and tear for providing higher protection to Rakhis placed inside, especially from rains, officials said here today. 

The envelopes also have a special peel for easy seal and are available at all Post Offices In Punjab and Chandigarh. 

The cost of the envelope is Rs seven apart from normal postage charges. 

Also, in order to ensure speedy delivery of Rakhis, India Post has made special arrangements for collection of the envelopes through special collection boxes at important Head Post Offices, they said. 

Exclusive arrangements for sorting and transmission of Rakhi envelopes have also been made in the mail sorting offices, sources said.

Source : http://www.business-standard.com