India Post opens 2 ATMs in Delhi; 2800 more pan-India by Mar'15

New Delhi: Postal bank savings account holders in Delhi can now avail of ATM services as India Post on Saturday launched automated teller machines at two locations here.

The department will open 2,800 more such ATMs by March 2015 which is part of its core banking system (CBS) project.

The initiative is part of modernisation project under which around 1.6 lakh post offices will be equipped with core banking system by 2015, Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal said while launching ATM at ITO post office. The other ATM has been opened at Kashmere Gate PO.

Source : http://zeenews.india.com/

Finance Minister P Chidambaram inaugurated the first ATM of India Post network in Chennai on Thursday.

"Its not a short journey. It will take time but we have started this journey. There will be about 2,800 ATMs installed by March 2015," Sibal said.

"Some people only talk about common man but we are among those who work for common man without making noise. This ATM is for 'Aam Aadmi' at a common man's post officer. This is a gift for Aam Aadmi and I congratulate Aam Aadmi," he said.

The department is issuing ATM cards to postal savings bank account holders through which they can withdraw money.

"The ATM will serve only Post Office customers for first 6-8 months. After that we will link it with ATMs of other banks. Thereafter customers of any bank will be able to withdraw money and our customer will be able to use other ATM," Delhi Circle Chief Post Master General Vasumitra said.

Delhi will get 86 more ATMs by the end of this month and around 600 by 2015.

India Post has connected about 64 lakh savings accounts across seven states - Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam and Andhra Pradesh -- in select branches with CBS.

The department has also applied for banking licence.

"I am trying that Post Office should get a banking licence to serve common man in rural area. I will keep by struggle on for banking licence," Sibal said.

India Posts also announced linking of Postal Life Insurance service which has corpus of close to Rs 40,000 crore with CBS that will enable people to pay premium online, check status of their policy.

India Posts has plan to roll out core insurance solution like CBS at pan-India level under which it will integrate 810 insurance processing centres for faster claim settlement and after sales service.

Under the insurance project, 11,000 post offices will be migrated to new technology by September 2014 and about 14,000 post offices by March 2015.

The government has earmarked about Rs 5,000 crore for modernisation of post offices which also includes equipping all branches with real time banking facility using service of private companies. 

Sachin Tendulkar stamps during farewell series breached postal rules: RTI

In a reply to an RTI, the postal department has said that postal rules were breached while issuing commemorative postage stamps in Sachin Tendulkar's honour during his farewell series in November 2013.

NDTVCricket  | Last updated on Wednesday, 05 February 2014 16:29

During Sachin Tendulkar's farewell series against the West Indies in November 2013, the Mumbai Cricket Association paid numerous tributes to the master blaster, one of which was to issue a commemorative postage stamp in legend's honour. Three months after the event, an RTI has exposed that the postal department broke its rules to produce the stamp in a hurry.

In an RTI filed by activist Subhash Aggarwal, it has been revealed that the commemorative stamp on Tendulkar, that was issued on November 14, 2013 was rushed through bypassing the postal rules. Aggarwal filed the RTI on December 24, 2013. According to rules, it takes more than 20 days to issue commemorative stamps and these kind of stamps are issued only 10 years after the death of the personality or in honour of head of nations, in exceptions. According to a report in the Times of India, both these rules were breached when Union minister and MCA president Sharad Pawar got the stamps issued within 20 days of the request sent by him.

"The desired date of release of this proposed stamp was November 14, 2013 which was merely 20 days away and pre-production formalities of a stamp require a longer time for printing of a good quality stamp and its distribution nationwide on the date of release," said Rashi Sharma, director (Philately) & First Appellate Authority department, in reply to the RTI.

"It would be relevant to mention here that as per the rule 13 of 'Rules for issue of Commemorative Postage Stamps,' no stamp will be issued on a living personality. The personalities on whom commemorative postage stamp may be issued should be of national or international importance. The occasion to be commemorated must be the birth centenary or 10th, 25th, and I00th death anniversary. Stamps can be issued no sooner than 10 years after an individual's death," she added.

Tendulkar had made his Test debut in 1989 against Pakistan in a Test that went on from November 15-20 and co-incidentally played his final Test -- his 200th-- against the West Indies during the same period between November 14-16. At the start of his 200th Test, the MCA got two stamps issued on November 14, one each with a picture of Tendulkar from the first and final Test of his career.

Source : http://sports.ndtv.com/

Delhi-Gurgaon Speed Post service now at local charges

GURGAON: The department of posts has finally removed the anomaly in the Speed Post service from Gurgaon to Delhi. All Speed Post mails to and from GurgaonFaridabadNoida and Delhi will now be treated as localwhich means a mail to the capital from the city will cost Rs 17.

Earlier sending a Speed Post mail from Gurgaon to Delhi would cost Rs 39 though those in Delhi would be charged just Rs 17 for the same service.

This discrepancy was first highlighted by Palam Vihar resident Aseem Takyarwho had filed a PIL in the Punjab and Haryana high court in September 2013. Acting on the PILthe court had asked the department to rectify the anomaly. When it was not donethe court issued a contempt notice.

In a notification issued on February 20the department said the National Capital Region is being developed by the government as one industrial and economic hub in order to promote integration of the entire region."In view of thisthe competent authority has decided that Speed Post articles booked in and destined for the Delhi urban agglomerationwhich includes Delhi NCTNoida townshipGurgaonGhaziabad and Faridabad municipal areas of the national capital regionwould be treated as 'local' for determining Speed Post tariff," the notification said.

Takyar welcomed the movesaying it was a victory for the common man. . Now that the corrective measure has been takenI want the department to refund the crores of rupees it has charged fraudulently from Gurgaon residents.

"I can't understand why city residents were being forced to cough up Rs 22 more to use the same Speed Post service. I am glad that better sense has prevailed," he said.

Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

Mid Career Training for Postal Assistants

Department of Posts, India

Office of the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices

Bhubaneswar Division, Bhubaneswar-751009

 Memo No: B.12-32(Trg)/2003/Ch-I,                                     Dated at Bhubaneswar the 05.03.2014

In pursuance of the instructions contained in Chief Postmaster General, Odisha Circle, Bhubaneswar-751001 letter No.RE/34-1/12 dated 03.03.2014, the following Postal Assts. of this Division are hereby directed to undergo Mid Career Training for Postal Assistants(MACP-I)/(MACP-II)/(MACP-III) at Postal Training Centre, Darbhanga-846005 as per the programme detailed below.

1. Mid Career Training for Postal Assistants (MACP-I)

Sl. No.	Name & designation of the Official nominated to undergo training	Period of training	Relieving arrangement
1.	Kailash Ch.Sahoo PA,Nayapalli SO	19.03.2014 to 02.04.2014	The official will be relieved on office arrangement

2. Mid Career Training for Postal Assistants(MACP-II)

Sl. No.	Name & designation of the Official nominated to undergo training	Period of training	Relieving arrangement
1.	Dolo Gobinda Nayak PA,Rasulgarh SO	19.03.2014 to 02.04.2014	The official will be relieved on office arrangement

3. Mid Career Training for Postal Assistants (MACP-III)

Sl. No.	Name & designation of the Official nominated to undergo training		Period of training		Relieving arrangement
5.	Durgabati Bihari OA,CSD,Bhubaneswar	19.03.2014 to 02.04.2014		The official will be relieved on office arrangement

The officials so directed to undergo the training should attend the training positively. Full utilization of the seat should be ensured.

                                                                            (S.C.Barik)                                                 Sr. Supdt. of Post Offices

Bhubaneswar Division

 Bhubaneswar-751009

Copy forwarded for information and necessary action to:

1.       The Asst. Director (Staff), O/o the Chief P.M.G. (Odisha), Bhubaneswar-751001 for information w.r.t. C.O. letter no. RE/34-1/12 dated 03.03.2014.

 2.      The Director/Asst.Director (Admin), Postal Training Centre, Darbhanga-846005.

3.       The Senior Postmaster, Bhubaneswar GPO, Bhubaneswar-751001. T.A Expenditure on this account may be booked under head 3201.02.003.02.02.11(TE) Plan.

5.       The Supdt.CSD, Bhubaneswar-751007.

4.       The Sub Postmasters concerned.

5.       The officials concerned. They are directed to undergo the above training without fail. Copy of General Instructions for trainees (Annexure-II) to undergo training at Postal Training Centre, Darbhanga-846005 is enclosed.

6.       Staff-II Branch, Divisional Office, BBSR for information and to ensure timely relief of the officials.

7.       PF of the officials.

8.       The Accountant Divisional Office, Bhubaneswar.T.A  Expenditure on this account may be booked under head 3201.02.003.02.02.11(TE) Plan.

9.       Divnl.Office, BBSR File Mark: B-32/2002

10.     Office copy.

Sr. Supdt. of Post Offices

Bhubaneswar Division

Bhubaneswar-751009

Resolution - accumulations at the credit of subscribers to the GPF and other similar funds - 2014-2015

RESOLUTION

It is announced for general information that during the year 2014-2015, accumulations  at the credit of subscribers to the General Provident Fund and other similar funds shall carry interest at the rate of 8.7% (Eight point seven per cent) per annum. This rate will be in force during the financial year beginning on 1.4.2014. The funds concerned are:—

1. The General Provident Fund (Central Services).

2. The Contributory Provident Fund (India).

3. The All India Services Provident Fund.

4. The State Railway Provident Fund.

5. The General Provident Fund (Defence Services).

6. The Indian Ordnance Department Provident Fund.

7. The Indian Ordnance Factories Workmen’s Provident Fund.

8. The Indian Naval Dockyard Workmen’s Provident Fund.

9. The Defence Services Officers Provident Fund.

10. The Armed Forces Personnel Provident Fund.

Click here to view Finance Ministry Resolution No. F.NO. 5(1)-B(PD)/2014, dated 4th March, 2014

General Elections - 2014 Schedule of Elections

General Elections to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim.

 Click here to See Schedule:

 

Shifting of Bhubaneswar North Sub Division to PSD Building

The office of the Assistant Superintendent of Posts, Bhubaneswar North Sub-Division which was functioning in the 1st  floor of Bhubaneswar GPO has been  shifted to its new location, i.e 3rd floor,  PSD Building, Satyanagar, Bhubaneswar-751007 since 01.03.2014.

Inter se seniority of direct recruits and promotees - instructions thereof

Click here to view OM No. 20011/1/2012-Estt. (D) , dated 4th March, 2014 issued by Department of Personnel & Training

India Post, IDFC likely to get new bank licences

India Post and IDFC have emerged as front runners to receive new banking licences  on the back of their strong distribution networks and credible records.

The committee led by former Reserve Bank of India governor Bimal Jalan, which submitted its report to the central bank last week, is of the view that these two applicants are ready to foray into banking services, a source who did not wish to be identified said.

The report contains the names of all eligible applicants wishing to set up banks. The committee began assessing applications at its first meeting on November 1.

"While the report is yet to be looked into, there is a high chance of giving licences to India Post and IDFC due to their large existing network," the source said, without divulging details.

The central bank will hold a meeting with finance minister P Chidambaram in the next 10 days to discuss the issue. The final names are likely to be announced by month-end.

India Post, being a government body, technically needs Cabinet approval to set up a bank. The interim budget unveiled by finance minister P Chidambaram recently did not earmark any funds for the postal department or mention the proposal in the budget. However, in case its name gets cleared, the formal proposal can be sent to the Cabinet for approval at a later stage or to a new government taking office afterelections expected in April-May.

A full budget expected to be presented by the new government in July-August is likely to contain  a detailed provision to help India Post set up a bank.

India Post has a nationwide network of 155,000 post offices and already has experience in administering a savings bank scheme, selling tax-saving instruments and accepting PPF deposits.

IDFC has been involved in infrastructure funding, asset management (mutual fund) and private equity services, which are closely linked to banking.

"I am trying that Post Office should get a banking licence to serve the common man in rural areas. I will keep by struggle on for banking licence," communications minister Kapil Sibal had said recently.

The RBI received as many as 27 applications but Tata Sons Ltd and Videocon Group's Value Industries Ltd later withdrew themselves from the race.

Besides India Post and IDFC, IFCI, Anil Ambani's Reliance Group, Aditya Birla Group, L&T Finance Holdings and Muthoot Finance, are also in the race to set up new banks.

Source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/

Revision of Interest Rates for Small Savings Schemes for the Financial Year 2014-15 Announced

Various decisions taken by the Government of India on the recommendations of the Shyamala Gopinath Committee for Comprehensive Review of National Small Savings Fund (NSSF), were communicated to all concerned by the Government through its Office Memorandum dated 11^th November, 2011.

            One of the decisions of the Government based on the recommendations of the Committee relates to revision of interest rates every financial year, to be notified before 1^st April of that year.  Accordingly with the approval of the Finance Minister, the rates of interest on various small savings schemes for the Financial Year 2014-15 effective from 01.04.2014, on the basis of the interest compounding/payment built-in in the schemes, shall be as under :

  

Scheme	Rate of interest w.e.f. 01.04.2013	Rate of Interest w.e.f. 01.04.2014
1.	2.	3.
Savings Deposit	4.0	4.0
1 Year Time Deposit	8.2	8.4
2 Year Time Deposit	8.2	8.4
3 Year Time Deposit	8.3	8.4
5 Year Time Deposit	8.4	8.5
5 Year Recurring Deposit	8.3	8.4
5 Year SCSS	9.2	9.2
5 Year MIS	8.4	8.4
5 Year NSC	8.5	8.5
10 Year NSC	8.8	8.8
PPF	8.7	8.7

       The necessary notifications will be notified separately in this regard in due course. 

Source : PIB Release, 4th March, 2014

Amendment to CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 - Notification Regarding

Click here to view the Gazette Notification dated 3rd March, 2014 issued by Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare,  Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

EVM - Electronic Voting Machine

 Free and fair elections are central to the democratic ethos of any country. This includes fair, accurate, and transparent electoral process with outcomes that can be independently verified. Conventional voting accomplishes many of these goals. However, electoral malpractices like bogus voting and booth capturing pose a serious threat to spirit of electoral democracy. It has, thus, been the endeavour of the Election Commission of India to make reforms in the electoral process to ensure free and fair elections. EVMs, devised and designed by Election Commission of India in collaboration with two Public Sector undertakings viz., Bharat Electronics Limited, Bangalore and Electronics Corporation of India Limited, Hyderabad, is a major step in this direction.

Electronic Voting Machines ("EVM") are being used in Indian General and State Elections to implement electronic voting in part from 1999 elections and in total since 2004 elections. The EVMs reduce the time in both casting a vote and declaring the results compared to the old paper ballot system. Bogus voting and booth capturing can be greatly reduced by the use of EVMs. Illiterate people find EVMs easier than ballot paper system. They are easier to transport the EVMs compared to ballot boxes.

EVM has become the leitmotif of the world's largest democratic exercise and gets smarter with each avatar. Here is an attempt to briefly trace the evolution of the EVM and its use in the world’s largest democracy.

Chronological development of EVM

v  EVMs were first used in 50 polling stations of Parur Assembly Constituency of Kerala in May 1982.

v  These machines could not be used after 1983 after a Supreme Court ruling that necessitated legal backing for the use of Voting machines in elections. The law was amended by Parliament in December, 1988 and a new section 61A was inserted in the Representation of the People Act, 1951 empowering the Commission to use voting machines.  The amended provision comes into force w.e.f. 15th March, 1989.

v  The matter regarding use of EVMs was referred by the Government of India to Electoral Reforms Committee, appointed by the Central Government in February, 1990 consisting of representatives of several recognized National and State parties.

v  An Expert Committee was constituted by the Govt. of India, consisting of Prof. S. Sampath, then Chairman RAC, Defence Research and Development Organization, with Prof. P.V. Indiresan, then with IIT, Delhi and Dr C. Rao Kasarabada, the Director Electronics Research and Development Centre, Trivandrum. In its report, the committee concluded that these machines are tamper-proof.

v  On 24th March, 1992, necessary amendment to the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 was notified by the Government in the Ministry of Law and Justice.

v  The Commission again constituted Technical Expert Committee in December, 2005 comprising Prof. P.V. Indiresan, Prof. D.T. Shahani of IIT Delhi and Prof. A.K. Agarwala of IIT Delhi to get the new version EVMs evaluated before finally accepting these machines for actual use in elections.

v  Subsequently, the Commission has been consulting a group of technical experts comprising Prof. (Late) P.V. Indiresan (member of the earlier committee), Prof. D.T. Shahani and Prof. A.K. Agarwala of IIT Delhi, on all EVM related technical issues. In November, 2010, the Commission has expanded its Technical Expert Committee by including two more experts, namely, Prof D.K. Sharma from Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT of Mumbai and Prof. Rajat Moona from Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT of Kanpur (now Director General, C-DAC).

v  Since, November 1998, EVMs have been using in each and every general/bye elections to Parliamentary and Assembly Constituency. India turned into an e-democracy in General Elections 2004 when 10.75 lakh EVMs were used across all polling Stations in the country. Since then, all elections were conducted by  EVMs .

 Salient Features of EVMs:

v  It is tamper proof & simple to operate

v  Program which controls the functioning of the control unit is burnt into a micro chip on a “one time programmable basis”. Once burnt it cannot be read, copied out or altered.

v  Eliminates the possibility of invalid votes, makes the counting process faster and reduces the cost of printing.

v  An EVM can be used in areas without electricity as it runs on alkaline batteries.

v  Elections can be conducted through EVMs if the number of candidates does not exceed 64.

v  An EVM can record a maximum number of 3840 votes.

(PIB Features) 

TIME FACTOR FOR DATA ENTRY WORK DONE BY POSTMEN