Thursday, September 27, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
100 mn people will die by 2030 if world fails to act on climate: report
More than 100 million
people will die and global economic growth will be cut by 3.2% of gross
domestic product (GDP) by 2030 if the world fails to tackle climate change, a
report commissioned by 20 governments said on Wednesday. As global average
temperatures rise due to greenhouse gas emissions, the effects
on the planet, such as melting ice caps, extreme weather, drought and rising
sea levels, will threaten populations and livelihoods, said the report
conducted by humanitarian organisation DARA.
It calculated that
five million deaths occur each year from air pollution, hunger and disease as a
result of climate change and carbon-intensive economies, and that toll would
likely rise to six million a year by 2030 if current patterns of fossil fuel
use continue.
More than 90% of those
deaths will occur in developing countries, said the report that calculated the
human and economic impact of climate change on 184 countries in 2010 and 2030.
It was commissioned by the Climate Vulnerable Forum, a partnership of 20
developing countries threatened by climate change.
"A combined climate-carbon crisis is
estimated to claim 100 million lives between now and the end of the next
decade," the report said.
It said the effects of
climate change had lowered global output by 1.6 percent of world GDP, or by
about $1.2 trillion a year, and losses could double to 3.2% of global GDP by
2030 if global temperatures are allowed to rise, surpassing 10 percent before
2100.
It estimated the cost
of moving the world to a low-carbon economy at about 0.5% of GDP this decade.
COUNTING THE COST
British economist Nicholas Stern told Reuters earlier this year investment equivalent to 2% of global GDP was needed to limit, prevent and adapt to climate change. His report on the economics of climate change in 2006 said an average global temperature rise of 2-3 degrees Celsius in the next 50 years could reduce global consumption per head by up to 20%.
Temperatures have
already risen by about 0.8 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times. Almost
200 nations agreed in 2010 to limit the global average temperature rise to
below 2C (3.6 Fahrenheit) to avoid dangerous impacts from climate change.
But climate scientists
have warned that the chance of limiting the rise to below 2C is getting smaller
as global greenhouse gas emissions rise due to burning fossil fuels.
The world's poorest
nations are the most vulnerable as they face increased risk of drought, water
shortages, crop failure, poverty and disease. On average, they could see an 11%
loss in GDP by 2030 due to climate change, DARA said.
"One degree
Celsius rise in temperature is associated with 10% productivity loss in
farming. For us, it means losing about 4 million metric tonnes of food grain,
amounting to about $2.5 billion. That is about 2 percent of our GDP,"
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in response to the report.
"Adding up the
damages to property and other losses, we are faced with a total loss of about
3-4% of GDP."
Even the biggest and
most rapidly developing economies will not escape unscathed. The United States
and China could see a 2.1 percent reduction in their respective GDPs by 2030,
while India could experience a more than 5% loss.
The full report is
available at: http://daraint.org/
Courtesy: http://www.hindustantimes.com
Social Partners Should Work for Creating a Work Environment Conducive to Achieving a High Rate of Economic Growth With due Regard to Protecting and Safeguarding the Interests of the Working Class - Mallikarjun Kharge
Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri
Mallikarjun kharge today called on social partners to work together
with Government to create a work environment conducive to achieving a
high rate of economic growth with due regard to protecting and
safeguarding the interests of the working class in general and those of
the vulnerable sections of the society in particular. Shri Kharge was
delivering the key note address during the Opening ceremony of the two
day long Asia-Pacific Event organized by the Building and Wood Workers
International (BWI) Federation here in New Delhi today.
The Minister said India is the founder member of ILO and tripartism is the soul of our decision making process. We are guided by the ethos of consensus and any matter relating to the welfare of the working classes is taken after tripartite consultations. Consultation with trade unions keeps us rooted to the real economy. Social partners should work together with Government to create a work environment conducive to achieving a high rate of economic growth with due regard to protecting and safeguarding the interests of the working class in general and those of the vulnerable sections of the society in particular.
Government of India has been undertaking various pro-active measures to improve the working conditions of our workforce which are in line with norms and standards set by International Labour Organization. Very recently, the Union Cabinet has already given approval to the proposed Amendment to the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986. The Amendment will make the Child Labour Act to align with ILO Convention No.138 concerning Minimum Age and No.182 concerning Worst Forms of Labour. We are also actively engaging in consultation process for ratification of ILO Conventions No.98 concerning Protection of the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining and No.155 concerning Occupational Safety & Health.
Shri Kharge said his ministry has undertaken a series of measures for the welfare of the working class. A number of amendments in various labour laws have been made to facilitate better implementation of the statutory provisions. Further, a number of schemes are under implementation by the Centre both directly and through the States with a view to helping the working class. Similarly in the States Sphere, various State/Union Territory Governments have also taken significant steps for better enforcement of the labour laws and implementation of a number of welfare measures to improve the condition of labour.
The construction industry covers a vast field of activities in the engineering, mechanical and civil processes and has great role to play in all the developmental activities. As per the estimates of National Sample Survey (2009-10), there are more than 4.46 crore building and other construction workers in India. Labour engaged in construction activity is basically unskilled, migrant, socially backward and uneducated with low bargaining power. Their work is of temporary nature and involves inherent risk to the life and limb of the workers. Though the provisions of the various labour laws like Employees Compensation Act, Minimum Wages Act, Contract Labour Act and Inter State Migrant Workmen Act were applicable to these building and other construction workers, a need was felt for a comprehensive Central Legislation for this category of workers. Eventually in order to regulate the wages, working conditions, safety and health and welfare measures of these Workers, the Government enacted in 1996 the Building and Other Construction Workers Act and the Building and other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act.
The minster said there are number of laudable provisions in the Building and Other Construction Workers Act. The Act applies to every establishment which employs 10 or more construction workers. Under the Act, the State Governments have been mandated to frame and notify rules, constitute advisory committees/expert committees and appoint various authorities for registration of workers, cess collection and inspection. The States have to constitute Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Boards and the Boards are mandated to perform various functions such as providing immediate assistance to a beneficiary in case of accident, making payment of pension to the beneficiaries who have completed age of 60 years, sanctioning of loans and advances, paying premium for group insurance schemes, providing financial assistance for education of children, meeting medical expenses for treatment of major ailments, making payment of maternity benefit etc. The major source of the fund of the Welfare Board is collection of cess levied @ 1% of the cost of construction incurred by the employer under the Act.
He said turing the last five years, we have moved forward in implementing of these Acts. As of now, 34 States/Union Territories have notified Rules under the Act, 33 have constituted Welfare Boards, 32 have notified cess collecting authorities, 28 have constituted State Advisory Committees and 25 have formulated the welfare schemes. However, I must confess that in the context of the implementation of the Acts, a lot needs to be done by the States. He also hoped for a meaningful discussion during the event.
The other speakers included Shri Rama Chandra Khuntia, MP and Vice-President, BWI Asia Pacific Region and Member, ESICMr. Luc Van Dessel, Deputy President, BWI,Mr. Ambet Yuson, General Secretary, BWI,Mr. Apolinar Z. Tolentino, Jr. Regional Representative, BWI Asia Pacific Region,Mr. Felix Schmidt, Resident Representative, EFE India and Dr. Rajeev Sharma, Regional Policy Officer, South Asia Project Office.
The two day event organized by the BWI is in the backdrop of the Global Financial Crisis, infrastructure and development projects in Asia have continued to grow. Increased government spending to stimulate national economies has been matched with the need to meet the needs of the population through improving vital infrastructure for health, education, transport and energy. Across the region, broadly, infrastructure projects are focusing on the energy, water treatment and transport sectors to meet the growing needs of our growing communities. Only the tip of the iceberg of these projects has been tapped in realizing their potential for trade unions to extend protection to the workers on site and build membership.
The regional seminar is being considered as “monitoring and re-planning workshops”. This means that it is both an information-evaluation seminar and a planning workshop to facilitate the directions, actions and policies of the regions relative to the BWI organized MNCs-IFAs- basing the discussions of the plans and commitment of the unions in 2011 and earlier in 2012. Important here is that the regional leaders and the affiliates have a frank and objective assessment of their work. From this knowledge and contextualization, the seminar will facilitate re-planning by the participants, redefine assistance of the BWI Secretariat and also Asia-Pacific region contributes in shaping the overall BWI strategy for the next congress period. Its objective include Honing of affiliate’ organizing campaign on MNCs and Public Infrastructure Projects (PIPs); Forest and Wood Companies; and Migrant Workers and Harnessing 2012-2015 Regional Action Plan as input to BWI Congress Strategy Paper and Harnessing 2012-2015 Regional Action Plan as input to BWI Congress Strategy Paper.
The Minister said India is the founder member of ILO and tripartism is the soul of our decision making process. We are guided by the ethos of consensus and any matter relating to the welfare of the working classes is taken after tripartite consultations. Consultation with trade unions keeps us rooted to the real economy. Social partners should work together with Government to create a work environment conducive to achieving a high rate of economic growth with due regard to protecting and safeguarding the interests of the working class in general and those of the vulnerable sections of the society in particular.
Government of India has been undertaking various pro-active measures to improve the working conditions of our workforce which are in line with norms and standards set by International Labour Organization. Very recently, the Union Cabinet has already given approval to the proposed Amendment to the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986. The Amendment will make the Child Labour Act to align with ILO Convention No.138 concerning Minimum Age and No.182 concerning Worst Forms of Labour. We are also actively engaging in consultation process for ratification of ILO Conventions No.98 concerning Protection of the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining and No.155 concerning Occupational Safety & Health.
Shri Kharge said his ministry has undertaken a series of measures for the welfare of the working class. A number of amendments in various labour laws have been made to facilitate better implementation of the statutory provisions. Further, a number of schemes are under implementation by the Centre both directly and through the States with a view to helping the working class. Similarly in the States Sphere, various State/Union Territory Governments have also taken significant steps for better enforcement of the labour laws and implementation of a number of welfare measures to improve the condition of labour.
The construction industry covers a vast field of activities in the engineering, mechanical and civil processes and has great role to play in all the developmental activities. As per the estimates of National Sample Survey (2009-10), there are more than 4.46 crore building and other construction workers in India. Labour engaged in construction activity is basically unskilled, migrant, socially backward and uneducated with low bargaining power. Their work is of temporary nature and involves inherent risk to the life and limb of the workers. Though the provisions of the various labour laws like Employees Compensation Act, Minimum Wages Act, Contract Labour Act and Inter State Migrant Workmen Act were applicable to these building and other construction workers, a need was felt for a comprehensive Central Legislation for this category of workers. Eventually in order to regulate the wages, working conditions, safety and health and welfare measures of these Workers, the Government enacted in 1996 the Building and Other Construction Workers Act and the Building and other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act.
The minster said there are number of laudable provisions in the Building and Other Construction Workers Act. The Act applies to every establishment which employs 10 or more construction workers. Under the Act, the State Governments have been mandated to frame and notify rules, constitute advisory committees/expert committees and appoint various authorities for registration of workers, cess collection and inspection. The States have to constitute Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Boards and the Boards are mandated to perform various functions such as providing immediate assistance to a beneficiary in case of accident, making payment of pension to the beneficiaries who have completed age of 60 years, sanctioning of loans and advances, paying premium for group insurance schemes, providing financial assistance for education of children, meeting medical expenses for treatment of major ailments, making payment of maternity benefit etc. The major source of the fund of the Welfare Board is collection of cess levied @ 1% of the cost of construction incurred by the employer under the Act.
He said turing the last five years, we have moved forward in implementing of these Acts. As of now, 34 States/Union Territories have notified Rules under the Act, 33 have constituted Welfare Boards, 32 have notified cess collecting authorities, 28 have constituted State Advisory Committees and 25 have formulated the welfare schemes. However, I must confess that in the context of the implementation of the Acts, a lot needs to be done by the States. He also hoped for a meaningful discussion during the event.
The other speakers included Shri Rama Chandra Khuntia, MP and Vice-President, BWI Asia Pacific Region and Member, ESICMr. Luc Van Dessel, Deputy President, BWI,Mr. Ambet Yuson, General Secretary, BWI,Mr. Apolinar Z. Tolentino, Jr. Regional Representative, BWI Asia Pacific Region,Mr. Felix Schmidt, Resident Representative, EFE India and Dr. Rajeev Sharma, Regional Policy Officer, South Asia Project Office.
The two day event organized by the BWI is in the backdrop of the Global Financial Crisis, infrastructure and development projects in Asia have continued to grow. Increased government spending to stimulate national economies has been matched with the need to meet the needs of the population through improving vital infrastructure for health, education, transport and energy. Across the region, broadly, infrastructure projects are focusing on the energy, water treatment and transport sectors to meet the growing needs of our growing communities. Only the tip of the iceberg of these projects has been tapped in realizing their potential for trade unions to extend protection to the workers on site and build membership.
The regional seminar is being considered as “monitoring and re-planning workshops”. This means that it is both an information-evaluation seminar and a planning workshop to facilitate the directions, actions and policies of the regions relative to the BWI organized MNCs-IFAs- basing the discussions of the plans and commitment of the unions in 2011 and earlier in 2012. Important here is that the regional leaders and the affiliates have a frank and objective assessment of their work. From this knowledge and contextualization, the seminar will facilitate re-planning by the participants, redefine assistance of the BWI Secretariat and also Asia-Pacific region contributes in shaping the overall BWI strategy for the next congress period. Its objective include Honing of affiliate’ organizing campaign on MNCs and Public Infrastructure Projects (PIPs); Forest and Wood Companies; and Migrant Workers and Harnessing 2012-2015 Regional Action Plan as input to BWI Congress Strategy Paper and Harnessing 2012-2015 Regional Action Plan as input to BWI Congress Strategy Paper.
Source : PIB
Long-term investments up to 50k in insurance may get tax break
MUMBAI: The government is mulling over tax sops for long-term investments of up to Rs 50,000 in insurance, two persons with knowledge of the development told ET.
The finance ministry has circulated a note seeking comments on creating a special window for investments up to Rs 50,000 with premium-paying terms of 15-20 years, they said.
People with knowledge of the matter said the tax break proposal may be taken up for discussion on Wednesday when Finance Minister P Chidambaram meets the sector regulator to firm up proposals for the ailing insurance industry. Ahead of the meeting, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) chairman J Hari Narayan said tax measures would benefit the industry.
"There is a list of issues that will be further discussed in another meeting with the finance minister on Wednesday, such as income tax and service tax," Narayan said. If the tax proposal goes through, the sector will see longterm capital flows.
The industry has been pressing for allowing deduction under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, on policies with terms of 10 years or more, besides a separate deduction limit of Rs 1 lakh for life insurance policies excluding pension policies. Executives of large insurance companies said that while the government may not bring bigticket reforms, it would take steps to lift the mood of the industry.
The proposals to increase foreign direct investment and increase the limit on equity exposure to a single company are also unlikely to be accepted in a hurry. "Change in equity exposure to single company can happen only after the amendment of the Insurance Act," the Irda chief said. "We are asking for a separate window because investments under section 80C include expenditures like tuition fees, mutual funds, bank deposits, with the share of investments in insurance, which is long term, falling to a large extent," said a senior executive of a large insurance company.
In a letter to the ministry, the industry has said that there is little incentive for investors to park money in longterm products, as the overall limit of Rs 1 lakh covers savings of longterm and short-term investments without any sectoral cap, and investors prefer short-term products.
The finance ministry has circulated a note seeking comments on creating a special window for investments up to Rs 50,000 with premium-paying terms of 15-20 years, they said.
People with knowledge of the matter said the tax break proposal may be taken up for discussion on Wednesday when Finance Minister P Chidambaram meets the sector regulator to firm up proposals for the ailing insurance industry. Ahead of the meeting, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) chairman J Hari Narayan said tax measures would benefit the industry.
"There is a list of issues that will be further discussed in another meeting with the finance minister on Wednesday, such as income tax and service tax," Narayan said. If the tax proposal goes through, the sector will see longterm capital flows.
The industry has been pressing for allowing deduction under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, on policies with terms of 10 years or more, besides a separate deduction limit of Rs 1 lakh for life insurance policies excluding pension policies. Executives of large insurance companies said that while the government may not bring bigticket reforms, it would take steps to lift the mood of the industry.
The proposals to increase foreign direct investment and increase the limit on equity exposure to a single company are also unlikely to be accepted in a hurry. "Change in equity exposure to single company can happen only after the amendment of the Insurance Act," the Irda chief said. "We are asking for a separate window because investments under section 80C include expenditures like tuition fees, mutual funds, bank deposits, with the share of investments in insurance, which is long term, falling to a large extent," said a senior executive of a large insurance company.
In a letter to the ministry, the industry has said that there is little incentive for investors to park money in longterm products, as the overall limit of Rs 1 lakh covers savings of longterm and short-term investments without any sectoral cap, and investors prefer short-term products.
Source : The Economic Times, Sept 26, 2012
Finance ministry for zero charges on e-transfer of funds up to Rs 1 lakh
NEW DELHI: To promote cashless transactions, the finance ministry has asked public sector banks to take steps to reduce the fee to zero for electronic transfer of funds up to Rs one lakh.
Currently, most banks charge a maximum fee of Rs 5 per transfer of funds up to Rs 1 lakh from one account to another through National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) system.
Transfer of funds up to Rs 10,000 through NEFT system attract a maximum charge of Rs 2.50 per transaction.
Currently, most banks charge a maximum fee of Rs 5 per transfer of funds up to Rs 1 lakh from one account to another through National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) system.
Transfer of funds up to Rs 10,000 through NEFT system attract a maximum charge of Rs 2.50 per transaction.
In
a recent communication to the state-owned banks, the ministry had asked
them to "take action" to reduce the NEFT charges to zero for value up
to Rs 1 lakh.
However, some banks are yet to intimate the ministry about the action taken by them to reduce the charges, sources said.
RBI has, however, retained maximum charges of Rs 15 per transaction for electronic transfer of funds beyond Rs 1 lakh to less than Rs 2 lakh,
The government has been asking banks to encourage transactions through e-payment channels so as to reduce the number of transactions through cheques and other expensive modes of transactions.
The public sector banks have also been asked to identify top 20 per cent branches in respect of business volumes to bring down the number of cheque based transactions by at least one-fifth in the current financial year.
The banks have also been asked to ensure that all payments and disbursements by them, except sundry payments, are made only electronically.
The RBI had recently said that it is "desirable" that the benefits accruing on account of increasing volume of transactions are passed on to the customers so as to incentivise greater use of the electronic payment system.
However, some banks are yet to intimate the ministry about the action taken by them to reduce the charges, sources said.
RBI has, however, retained maximum charges of Rs 15 per transaction for electronic transfer of funds beyond Rs 1 lakh to less than Rs 2 lakh,
The government has been asking banks to encourage transactions through e-payment channels so as to reduce the number of transactions through cheques and other expensive modes of transactions.
The public sector banks have also been asked to identify top 20 per cent branches in respect of business volumes to bring down the number of cheque based transactions by at least one-fifth in the current financial year.
The banks have also been asked to ensure that all payments and disbursements by them, except sundry payments, are made only electronically.
The RBI had recently said that it is "desirable" that the benefits accruing on account of increasing volume of transactions are passed on to the customers so as to incentivise greater use of the electronic payment system.
Source : The Times of India, Sept 25, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Motilal Nehru
A Special Function was organized by the Union
Ministry of Culture here today to commemorate the 150th Birth
Anniversary of Motilal Nehru. The President of India Shri Pranab
Mukherjee was the Chief Guest and Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson,
National Advisory Council and UPA graced the occasion in the presence of
Minister of Defence Shri A.K. Antony, Minister of Finance Shri P.
Chidambaram, Minister of HRD and Communications & IT Shri Kapil
Sibal, Minister of Culture and HUPA Kumari Selja and Chairman of the
National Implementation Committee Dr. Karan Singh.
The Finance Minister Shri P. Chidambaram released the Commemorative Coins on the occasion. A Commemorative Stamp on Shri Motilal Nehru was also released by the Communications & IT Minister Shri Kapil Sibal during the Function. President Shri Pranab Mukherjee received the first set of coins and postal stamps released at the function.
The President Shri Pranab Mukherjee in his speech recalled the role of Pt. Motilal Nehru in the national movement of India. Paying rich tributes to the great leader, he listed his achievements like his role in evolving of Public Accounts Committee.
The Chairman of the National Advisory Council and UPA Smt. Sonia Gandhi in her speech said that Pt. Motilal Nehru was committed to communal harmony and secularism and always worked above cast, sect and community. He believed that country is above the community or sect. Referring to his contribution in the national movement of India, Smt. Sonia Gandhi said that his most important achievement was ‘Nehru Report’ in 1928 where among other things Pt. Motilal Nehru talked about equal rights for men and women in the country.
The Culture Minister Kumari Selja has said that Pt. Motilal Nehru became one of the wealthiest persons of his times through his hard work. However, he soon abandoned the flourishing career to get actively involved with the national movement. She said, there were several trysts and travails in his political life starting from the Home Rule, starting the Swaraj Party and returning to the fold of Indian National Congress. He rose to head the Indian National Congress twice, at very critical junctures of the freedom struggle.
Defence Minister Shri A.K. Antony also remembered the contribution of Pt. Motilal Nehru in the National Movement.
Govt. of India has decided to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Shri Motilal Nehru. A National Committee (NC) has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to consider policies and lay down guidelines for the appropriate commemoration and to decide on the time frame for the Commemoration-related activities. A meeting of the NC was held on 08th June, 2012, wherein various suggestions were given by the Member for the commemoration activities.
A National Implementation Committee (NIC) has also been constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr. Karan Singh, Member of Parliament to implement the decisions of the National Committee.
The first meeting of the National Implementation Committee was held on 6th August, 2012, New Delhi, in which the suggestions of the National Committee held on 8th June, 2012 were considered by the NIC. The NIC has approved proposals for programmes and projects to ensure a befitting commemoration of the multifaceted genius and his contribution in different fields who was a stalwart of the freedom struggle in more ways than one. As draftsman of the Nehru Report of 1928 he laid the foundation stone for a democratic system with adult suffrage, cultural and religious rights for all. In celebrating his memory we also rededicate ourselves to a common legacy created through a selfless public life. Various programmes and projects will be undertaken during the period 2012-13 such as digitisation of the selected works of Shri Motilal Nehru, re-publication of Nehru Report, organizing special lectures and conferences on the theme “Motilal Nehru and the making of modern India”, setting up of a Motilal Nehru Chair in the Allahabad University etc. These programmes will be implemented in association with Central Ministries, State Government and Universities / Institutions.
The Finance Minister Shri P. Chidambaram released the Commemorative Coins on the occasion. A Commemorative Stamp on Shri Motilal Nehru was also released by the Communications & IT Minister Shri Kapil Sibal during the Function. President Shri Pranab Mukherjee received the first set of coins and postal stamps released at the function.
The President Shri Pranab Mukherjee in his speech recalled the role of Pt. Motilal Nehru in the national movement of India. Paying rich tributes to the great leader, he listed his achievements like his role in evolving of Public Accounts Committee.
The Chairman of the National Advisory Council and UPA Smt. Sonia Gandhi in her speech said that Pt. Motilal Nehru was committed to communal harmony and secularism and always worked above cast, sect and community. He believed that country is above the community or sect. Referring to his contribution in the national movement of India, Smt. Sonia Gandhi said that his most important achievement was ‘Nehru Report’ in 1928 where among other things Pt. Motilal Nehru talked about equal rights for men and women in the country.
The Culture Minister Kumari Selja has said that Pt. Motilal Nehru became one of the wealthiest persons of his times through his hard work. However, he soon abandoned the flourishing career to get actively involved with the national movement. She said, there were several trysts and travails in his political life starting from the Home Rule, starting the Swaraj Party and returning to the fold of Indian National Congress. He rose to head the Indian National Congress twice, at very critical junctures of the freedom struggle.
Defence Minister Shri A.K. Antony also remembered the contribution of Pt. Motilal Nehru in the National Movement.
Govt. of India has decided to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Shri Motilal Nehru. A National Committee (NC) has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to consider policies and lay down guidelines for the appropriate commemoration and to decide on the time frame for the Commemoration-related activities. A meeting of the NC was held on 08th June, 2012, wherein various suggestions were given by the Member for the commemoration activities.
A National Implementation Committee (NIC) has also been constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr. Karan Singh, Member of Parliament to implement the decisions of the National Committee.
The first meeting of the National Implementation Committee was held on 6th August, 2012, New Delhi, in which the suggestions of the National Committee held on 8th June, 2012 were considered by the NIC. The NIC has approved proposals for programmes and projects to ensure a befitting commemoration of the multifaceted genius and his contribution in different fields who was a stalwart of the freedom struggle in more ways than one. As draftsman of the Nehru Report of 1928 he laid the foundation stone for a democratic system with adult suffrage, cultural and religious rights for all. In celebrating his memory we also rededicate ourselves to a common legacy created through a selfless public life. Various programmes and projects will be undertaken during the period 2012-13 such as digitisation of the selected works of Shri Motilal Nehru, re-publication of Nehru Report, organizing special lectures and conferences on the theme “Motilal Nehru and the making of modern India”, setting up of a Motilal Nehru Chair in the Allahabad University etc. These programmes will be implemented in association with Central Ministries, State Government and Universities / Institutions.
Source : PIB, Sept 25, 2012
Family Pension - List of documents to be submitted by a claimant member of family (other than spouse) along with Form 14, PPO and death certificate in respect of the deceased pensioner/family pensioner - regarding.
No. '1/16/2011-
P&PW (E)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel,
Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Pension
& Pensioners' Welfare
(Desk 'E')
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak
Bhavan,
New Delhi, the 20th
September, 2012
Office Memorandum
Sub: Family Pension - List of documents to be
submitted by a claimant member of family (other than spouse) along with Form
14, PPO and death certificate in respect of the deceased pensioner/family
pensioner - regarding.
The undersigned is
directed to refer to Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare O.M. of
even number, dated 8th December,
2011 on the above subject (copy enclosed).
From the
representations received in this Department, it appears that some offices ask
the applicant family pensioners for the documents not indicated in the office
memorandum indicated above.
All the Ministries / Departments
are requested to instruct their attached / subordinate / field offices to
follow the instructions contained in the O.M., dated 8.12.2011 strictly to
avoid any hardships to the family pensioners. They may also be advised to go
through the other office memoranda issued during the last two years as
contained in the Circulars on Family Pension on this Department's website and
also on pensionersportal.gov.in.
Sd/-
(D.K. Solanki)
Under Secretary
Ph: 24644632
To view all the Orders attached to above OM ,
please click on the following link:
25th Universal Postal Congress officially opens
24.09.2012 - The 25th Universal Postal
Congress officially opened in Doha, Qatar, today, marking the beginning of the
three-week meeting, which gathers postal leaders and stakeholders from the
UPU’s 192 member countries to decide on the global postal sector’s future every
four years.
(Congress is expected
to adopt the Doha Postal Strategy, the UPU's future roadmap)
A number of crises
have characterized the last four years, bringing new, unprecedented challenges
for the postal sector and the UPU, said Edouard Dayan, director general of the
Universal Postal Union, during the opening plenary session. “These new
realities have known no borders and have extended to all postal operators
worldwide, regardless of their level of development. The Congress that opens
today must champion the values of our organization: universality, solidarity
and communication among peoples,” Dayan said. “This Congress embraces the
values of the postal community, but also heralds the future, that of a
modernized, efficient and solid organization, and of global postal services at
the heart of the economy, trade and the information society,” he added.
Held under the theme
“New world, new strategy”, the 25th Universal Postal Congress hopes
to adopt the Doha Postal Strategy, the UPU’s strategic document for the future.
It underlines the postal network’s three dimensions – physical, electronic and
financial – as well as interconnection, governance and development as key axes
to strengthen postal services worldwide.
Over the next three
weeks, more than 2,200 registered delegates will examine many proposals to
modify the rules and regulations governing the exchange of international mail
as well as major documents recommending the way forward in areas such as postal
financial services, quality of service, postal security, e-commerce and trade
facilitation.
During the opening
plenary, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recognized the role of
the global postal network in social and economic development in a message to
Congress. “Postal services are universal. They connect people throughout the
world,” he said. The UPU is a specialized agency of the United Nations for
postal services.
Abdul Rahman Ali
Al-Aqaily, chairman of the General Postal Corporation of Qatar, was also
officially designated as Congress chairman during the opening plenary.
Opening ceremony
Earlier in the day,
His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Heir Apparent, attended the
morning’s opening ceremony organized by the State of Qatar, alongside Qatar’s
minister of culture, arts and heritage, Dr Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Bin Ali Al
Kuwari, the UPU’s Edouard Dayan, and Saudi Arabia’s minister of
telecommunications and information technology, Mohammed Jamil Bin Ahmed Mulla,
and other dignitaries.
As host of the
Congress, Qatar will also automatically assume the chairmanship of the UPU’s
Council of Administration for 2013-2016. Countries will be elected to the UPU’s
official bodies, the Council of Administration and the Council of Postal
Operations, on 10 October, following the election of a new director general and
deputy director general for the UPU whose mandate will run for four years
starting in January 2013.
Source : http://news.upu.int
Holding of PA/SA Direct Recruitment for 2011 & 2012 through approved Outsourced Agency
PA/SA DR Examination
MOST URGENT.
No. A-34012/5/2011-DE
Government of India
Ministry of
Communications & IT
Department of Posts
(DE Section)
*****
Dak Bhawan, Sansad
Marg,
New Delhi – 110 001
Dated: 25th September,
2012
All Chief Postmasters
General
Subject : Holding of PA/SA Direct Recruitment
for 2011 & 2012 through approved Outsourced Agency
Sir/Madam,
I am directed to
invite kind attention to the Directorate’s letters of even number dated 13-7-2012
and 31-08-2012 regarding conducting of PA/SA Direct Recruitment Examination for
filling up vacancies of Postal Assistants, Sorting Assistants, PA MMS, PA SBCO,
PA RLO and PA Foreign Post for the years 2011 & 2012.
2.
The last date fixed for sale of application forms was prescribed as 25-09-2012.
Consequent on introduction of online downloading of application form, the last date for online
registration of applications was also prescribed as 25-09-2012.
3.
In the instruction letter dated 13-07-2012, it was provided in Para 6 that “the
issue of ACG-67/UCR Receipt towards payment of examination fee for Rs. 200 will
also be stopped along with the last date fixed for sale of OMR AFK. In no
circumstances, the issue of receipt towards payment of examination fee and sale
of OMR will be permitted after 25-9-2012.
4.
The Competent Authority has now ordered to dispense with sale of application
forms and also online registration of Applications upto 20:00 Hours on
25-09-2012. However, in order to benefit the candidates who have registered
their online applications till 20:00 Hours of 25-09-2012, the Agency will
provide the applications to their e-mail IDs. As such candidates may be
permitted to pay their application fee and examination fee in the form of ACG-67/UCR
upto the last date prescribed for receipt of application i.e. 01-10-2012.
5.
Suitable instructions may kindly be issued to all concerned post office in your
Circle to accept payments towards Application fee and examination fee from the
candidates till 01-10- 2012. There is no change in the last date fixed for
receipt of applications for normal areas and for remote areas.
6.
This issues with the approval of Competent Authority.
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(K. Rameswara Rao)
Asst. Director General
(DE)
Copy forwarded to:
1. Shri Sanjeev Dham, Deputy General
Manager, M/s CMC Ltd. Noida. He is requested to ensure sending of applications
to all the candidates who have registered online upto 20:00 Hours on
25-09-2012.
2. Shri Satish Kumar Dhingra, Regional
Head-ITES, M/s CMC Ltd. Noida for kind information and ensuring uploading of
applications to all the candidates who have registered online.
3. Shri K. Ravi Babu, Deputy Director,
CEPT, Mysore. He is requested to delink online registration of applications
from 20:00 Hours of 25-09-2012 from Indiapost website.
Sd/-
(K. Rameswara Rao)
Asst. Director
General (DE)
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