Re-launch of Special Recruitment Drive for filling up backlog reserved vacancies of the Persons with Disability :

No. 36038/2/2008-Estt (Res)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training

********

North Block, New Delhi

Dated 28^th July 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:                 Re-launch of Special Recruitment Drive for filling up backlog reserved vacancies of the Persons with Disability

A Special Recruitment Drive was launched in November 2009 to fill up the backlog reserved vacancies of persons with disabilities as existing on 15.11.2009. While launching the Drive, it was stipulated that all the backlog vacancies will be filled by 15.7.2010. It was, however, noted that progress of the Drive till that date was not satisfactory. Therefore, the period of the Drive was last extended up to 30th June 2011.

2. On expiry of 30th June, 2011, the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions reviewed the achievements of the Drive once again and found that a large number of backlog vacancies were still to be filled up. He desired that the Drive should be re-launched to fill up the remaining backlog vacancies by the end of this financial year. It has, therefore, been decided to re-launch the Drive to fill up the backlog reserved vacancies of persons with disability which have not been filled up till now.

3. All the Ministries / Departments are requested to make concerted efforts to ensure that the remaining backlog reserved vacancies of persons with disabilities are filled up by 31^st  March 2012. Meanwhile progress report of the Drive as on 30.6.201 may be sent to this Department immediately so that the Cabinet may be informed of the present status of achievement of the Drive.

Sd/-

(Sharad Kumar Srivastava)

Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Tele fax: 23092110

India's Guaranteed Joblessness :

A welfare scheme is wrecking the national labor

New Delhi has made its share of economic mistakes in recent years, but its marquee employment program is in a league by itself. The scheme, which began in 2005 to offer social security to millions of rural poor, is instead shunting those people into expensive underemployment while real employers struggle to find workers. It's such a disaster that one branch of the government this month asked another temporarily to stop enforcing the law.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, as the jobs scheme is now called, promises 100 days of work per year to the unemployed at a minimum daily wage currently around 120 rupees ($2.70). Since this is higher than the lowest pre-existing private-sector daily wages in many areas, the program has encouraged workers to shift from private employment to the public dole.

Critics of this welfare program always worried about the fiscal strain, and sure enough the program's annual outlay is now $9 billion. It is fast becoming the largest entitlement in India. But now other unintended consequences are coming into focus, a severe labor shortage worst of all.

The minimum wage the program sets is hurting employers who can't afford to match it, while forcing those who can to pay more for labor. This vise is especially squeezing farmers in fertile Punjab state in the north who can't find field hands. That's why the Agriculture Ministry has asked the Rural Development Ministry, which administers the program, to halt it during peak farming seasons like the current sowing one. Local media reported last week that Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh had said no to this request.

That means the scheme's distortions will become more widespread. Rural wages in some states are climbing faster than India's 9% inflation rate. An agricultural commission noted this year that these labor costs are contributing to the rise in food prices—a problem currently fixating the ruling Congress Party, though the government's solution, predictably, is to expand welfare. The construction industry, which absorbs unskilled laborers, is seeing its costs multiply too—costs that are being passed on to home buyers.

Other facets of the employment scheme are hindering the development of India's labor market. The program offers hardly any worker training that might boost participants' productivity and prepare them to one day command a higher wage from the private sector. As a result, workers are literally digging and refilling ditches instead of gaining marketable skills.

The scheme also is arresting labor mobility. Market forces would normally encourage workers to flee poor states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in favor of prosperous farms in Punjab or, more importantly, the cities—places where workers could naturally move up the productivity and wage ladders. The employment program makes it easier for workers in backward areas to stay where they are and scrape by on the government dole.

Most policy makers never saw these effects coming. The scheme was billed as a form of unemployment insurance, the Congress Party's sop to those afflicted by cyclical joblessness. But by offering a legal entitlement anybody could claim, the government has slowed down job creation. If workers never manage to gain new skills, cyclical unemployment could become structural.

The irony is that unemployment and underemployment in India truly are problems the government needs to tackle. Unemployment is difficult to quantify, but a government survey released last year pegged 9.4% of the work force as jobless for more than six months.

But New Delhi completely misunderstood the solution. Many parts of India actually suffer a dearth of formal employment opportunities, because India's socialist-era labor regulations discourage employers from hiring and firing people easily. This has pushed more than 90% of workers into the illegal, informal sector, which formerly could pay below mandated minimum wages, only to now find itself hit by the government's jobs scheme. The solution is to deregulate the labor market, not offer another handout that further calcifies that market.

Delaying this deregulation delays India from reaping its demographic dividend. India may not be the only country to disrupt its labor market with bad policies, but it bears higher costs for its mistakes. The country's labor force numbers 500 million, and is set to add 110 million in the next decade—an advantage Asian economies like Japan and even China envy. The right reform could help Indians capitalize on this advantage.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, July 27, 2011

General Secretary , R-III suggests Secretary ( Posts ) on eligibility criteria for Speed Post BNPL facility :

No: R-III/25/SPS/2011                         Dated 28^th July, 2011         

To,

Secretary, Department of Posts

 Dak Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001

Sub: - Eligibility criteria for Speed Post BNPL facility.

Ref: - Directorate order No. 57-02/2010-BD & MD dated 12.05.2011

Respected Madam,

                                You kind attention is drawn to Directorate order dated 12.05.2011 on the above subject, wherein it is directed that “No credit facility will be provided to any customer, whose monthly speed post business is less than Rs.10000/- per month”.

                In this connection we like to put the following suggestions for your immediate consideration, to extend the credit facility to those customers also whose monthly speed post Business is less than Rs.10000/- per month.

i.              The Central and state Government Organizations may be allowed to continue to enjoy the facilities.

ii.             The facility may be allowed to be continued for BSNL and organizations like BSNL and others.

                                We believe that these sectors are very much interested to continue their business with our Department. If the above organizations are exempted from the purview of the above Rs. 10000/- condition, the revenue received from those customers will remain with us.

                                It is requested to cause issue of positive orders on top priority basis as the above orders are to come into effect from 1^st August 2011.

Awaiting early action,

Yours sincerely,

(Giri Raj Singh)

General Secretary

Courtesy : http://r3chq.blogspot.com/

Regional Office, Sambalpur ( Orissa ) issued posting orders in favour of the Grade - I Postmasters alloted to the Region :

Department of Posts: India

Office of the Postmaster General

Sambalpur Region, Sambalpur-768001

Memo No-ST / RO / 150 – 22 / 2011

Dated at Sambalpur  the 25 July 2011

In pursuance of Chief Postmaster General, Orissa Circle Memo No.ST/26-26/2010 dated 15.07.2011 the Competent authority has been pleased to order posting of the following PAs promoted to Grade-I Postmaster on their allotment to Sambalpur Region who have qualified in the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for promotion to the cadre of Postmaster Gr-I held on 12.06.2011communicated vide Directorate letter No.A-34012/03/2011-DE dated 30.06.2011 in the scale of pay of Rs.5200/-to Rs.20200/- with Grade Pay of Rs.2800/-(PB-I) with immediate effect.

Sl. No     Name of the official                                            Division                Name of the Grade-I P.O.

 to which posted

1              Shri Niranjan Narayan Sathpathy                    Balangir                                                 SPM, Kantabanji

2.             Shri Subash Sadangi                                         Balangir                                                 SPM, Rajborasambar

3.             Shri Manoj Kumar Panda                                                 Sundargarh                          SPM,Rourkela-3

4.             Shri Basant Kumar Patel                                  Sundargarh                          SPM, Kansbahal

5.             Shri Satish Kumar Patel                                     Sundargarh                          SPM, Rourkela-4

6.             Shri Amresh Patel                                               Sundargarh                          SPM, Rourkela-8

7.             Shri Manoj Kumar Kar                                        Sambalpur                            SPM, Budharaja

8.             Shri Dinabandhu Sa                                          Balangir                                                 SPM, Birmitrapur

9.             Shri Sanjeev Kumar Purohit                            Balangir                                                 SPM, Rourkela-7

10.          Shri Phul Kumar Ekka                                        Dhenkanal                            SPM, Athamallik

11.          Shri Trilochan Nayak                         Dhenkanal                            SPM, Kamakshynagar

12.          Shri Pravash Kumar Sahoo                             Sambalpur                            SPM, Barpali

13           Shri Duryodhan Sethi                                         Keonjhar                               SPM, Joda

14           Shri Ashok Kumar Mirdha                                                Sambalpur                            SPM, Bonaigarh

15           Shri Pratap Bhoi                                                                 Sambalpur                            SPM, Belpahar

Part-II

The competent authority is pleased to order transfer and posting of the following officials as noted against his name to have immediate effect.

Sl. No     Name Present place of posting                                                        Place of posting on transfer

1              Shri R.K.Mohapatra                                            APM, Balangir HO against the retirement vacancy

SPM, Kantabanji SO                                      of Sri P.N.Nanda who will retire on 31.7.11.      

                                                                                               

2              Shri Sambaru Kanthia SPM, Birmitrapur SO                                APM-I, Bargarh HO

3              Shri Rasananda Naik SPM, Bonaigarh                           APM-II, Bargarh HO

4              Shri C.K.Janka SPM, Joda                                               APM(SB),Keonjhar HO

The official may exercise their option choosing the date of fixation of their pay under FR-22(1)(a)(i) within a month from the date of promotion. The official already given financial up gradation under MACPs Scheme are not eligible for benefit of fixation of pay by virtue of their promotion.

Before the officials are appointed to the post it should be ensured that no disciplinary/vigilance case is pending or current against them. Ineligible officials under the relevant recruitment rules should not be relieved/appointed.

Relevant charge report may be sent to all concerned.

Sd/-

(D.Rana)

Asst. Director Postal Services,

O/o the Postmaster General,

Samabalpur Region, Sambalpur

Cabinet approves the Lokpal Bill, 2011 :

The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal for the enactment of a new legislation in the form of the Lokpal Bill, 2011. The Bill provides for the establishment of the institution of Lokpal to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

The Bill envisages setting up the institution of Lokpal consisting of Chairperson and eight Members with the stipulation that half of the Members shall be Judicial Members. It will have its own Investigation Wing and Prosecution Wing with such officers and staff as are necessary to carry out its functions.

The Lokpal shall inquire into allegations of corruption made in respect of Prime Minister, after he has demitted office; a Minister of the Union; a Member of Parliament; any Group 'A' officer or equivalent; Chairperson or member or officer equivalent to Group 'A' in any body/ Board/ corporation/ authority/ company/ society/ trust/ autonomous body established by an Act of Parliament or wholly or partly financed or controlled by the Central Government; any director, manager, secretary or other officer of a society or association of persons or trust wholly or partly financed or aided by the Government or in receipt of any donations from the public and whose annual income exceeds such amount as the Central Government may by notification specify. However, the organisations created for religious purposes and receiving public donations would be outside the purview of Lokpal.

The Lokpal shall not require sanction or approval under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 or Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in cases where prosecution is proposed. The Lokpal will also have powers to attach the property of corrupt public servants acquired through corrupt means

Source: PIB Release, July 28, 2011

Constitution of National Social Security Fund for Unorganized Sector Workers :

The Union Cabinet has approved the constitution and operation of a National Social Security Fund for unorganized workers with an initial allocation of Rs.1000 crore to support schemes for weavers, toddy tappers, rickshaw pullers, beedi workers etc.

                This follows the announcement made by the Finance Minister in his budget speech for 2010-11.

This Fund will support social security schemes for various segments of unorganised workers as most of these workers (around 433 million) do not have any social security cover in the form of life and disability insurance, health care and pensions. This would facilitate formulation of social security schemes for unorganized workers. The Fund will also facilitate evolution and funding of schemes by various Departments which are currently involved in the welfare of these segments of workers.

The Ministry of Labour & Employment will be the nodal Ministry for the operation of the Fund.

Background:

               More than 94% of the workforce is in the unorganized sector. Recognizing the need for providing social security to these workers and as a follow up to the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008, the Finance Minister in his Budget Speech for 2010-2011, announced setting up a National Social Security Fund for unorganized workers.

Source: PIB Release, July 28, 2011

Implementation of Revised MMS Schedule in Bhubaneswar Division from 01.08.2011 :

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS, INDIA

Office of the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices

Bhubaneswar Division, Bhubaneswar-751 009

Memo No.             G-49                                                                  Dated at Bhubaneswar the 27.07.2011

ORDER

Sub:        Implementation of Revised MMS Schedule.

                As per instruction of Circle Office for ensuring dispatch of both Speed Post and general Mails by 10.00 hrs to all Post Offices under Bhubaneswar town delivery, an exercise was made at this end in consultation with Senior Postmaster, Bhubaneswar GPO / Manager, NSPC, Bhubaneswar GPO / ASRM, Bhubaneswar RMS / SAS, CO, Bhubaneswar and accordingly a revised Schedule was prepared for all the four MMS vehicles attached to this Division taking best effort to make all type of Mails available to most of the Post Offices by 10.00 hours.

                Now, it is decided to implement the revised Schedule w.e.f. 01.08.2011 (Monday).

                Therefore, all concerned are instructed to make arrangement for receipt and dispatch of Mails at their end strictly adhering to the time of receipt and dispatch of Mails as per revised Schedule, without causing any dislocation from 01.08.2011.

                Copy of revised schedule in _____ folios is enclosed for information and guidance, Post Office which do not figure in the Schedule will continue to receive and dispatch of Mails as usual.  

Encl- As above.

(A.K.Nayak)

Sr. Supdt. of Post offices

Bhubaneswar Division

Bhubaneswar-751 009

Copy to:

1.The Senior Postmaster, Bhubaneswar GPO, Bhubaneswar – 751001.

2-5.The Postmasters, Sahidnagar MDG / Ashoknagar MDG / Bhubaneswar-2 MDG / Utkal University MDG.

6-21The Sub-Postmasters, Budheswari Colony/ VSS Nagar/ Bhoinagar/ Nayapalli/ Baramunda Colony/ RRL/ Sainik School/ M.R.Colony/ KIIT/ Saileshreevihar/ Chandrasekharpur/ SERly Colony/ Suryanagar/ Rasulgarh/ GGP / BJB Nagar SO.

22-24. The Sub-Postmasters, Dumu Duma Housing Board Colony/ Khandagiri/ CRP Line for information. They will send all outward Mails with Mail List through their respective GDS Pkr-cum MC to IRC Village SO as to hand over the Mails to MMS at 14.10 hours.

25.   The Sub-Postmaster, IRC Village for information.

26.    The Manager, NSPC, Bhubaneswar GPO, Bhubaneswar for information and necessary action. He should personally supervise the receipt and dispatch of Mails without dislocation.

27.   The ASRM, Bhubaneswar RMS for information and necessary action. He should personally supervise each receipt and dispatch of Mails without any dislocation and to report if any amendment is needed.

28.   The HRO, Bhubaneswar RMS for information and necessary action.

29.   The SSRM, RMS “N” Division, Cuttack-1 for information.

30.   The Asst. Director (Mails), O/o the Chief PMG, Orissa Circle,  Bhubaneswar – 751001 for information and necessary action.

31.   The ASPOs I/c, Bhubaneswar North Sub Division / IPOs, Bhubaneswar South Sub Division for information. They will issue suitable instruction to the offices under their control for causing receipt and dispatch of Mails as per the enclosed Schedule. They will remain present at the Hqrs on 01.08.2011 i.e. on the day of implementation and monitor smooth functioning of MMS without any dislocation of Mails and report this office on any changes to be made.

32-35. Concerned MMS Drivers.

36.   Office copy.

Sr. Supdt. of Post offices

Bhubaneswar Division

Bhubaneswar-751 009

M.M.S Schedule No.I                                          (Log Sheet)   w.e.f.   

Vehicle No:OR-02A-0963                         K.M.Reading ( Ending)      ....................

                                                                                       K.M.Reading (Starting)        ..................

Date            :                                                                      K.M.Covered                       .................

Destination	Schedule Time		Actual Time		Remark
	Arrival	Departure	Arrival	Departure
Garage		05.00
BBSR RMS	0505	05.25			To receive SP mail for NSH and Genl mail for BBR GPO, Ashok Nagar, Budheswari Colony, Rasulgarh,GGP,Bhoinagar, Utkal university
BBSR GPO	05.30	05.40			To hand over the SP bags to NSH and Genl. MBs to GPO.
Ashok Nager	05.45	05.55			To hand over the Genl MBs to Ashok Nagar
Budheswari Colony	06.05	06.10			To hand over Genl MBs to Budheswari Colony
VSSNagar	06.45	06.50			To hand over the Genl MBs of Rasulgarh and GGP.
Sahid Nagar	07.00	07.05			To hand over the genl MBs to Sahidnagar
Bhoinagar	07.15	07.20			To hand over the genl MBs to Bhoinagar
Utkal University	07.25	07.30			To hand over genl MBs for Utkal University
BBSR RMS	07.45	08.00			To receive SP mail for NSH and genl mail for Nayapalli, Barmunda Colony, ,Khandagiri, Dumduma,CRP sqr, IRC village,RRL,Sainik School,MR Colony, ,KIIT, SailashreeVihar, CSPur,SERly Proj,
BBR GPO	08.05	08.35			To hand over SP mail to NSPC and receive SP mail from NSPC  & A/for Nayapalli, Bermunda colony,Khandagiri,Dumduma,CRP,IRC, A/C bag  from GPO for Nayapalli, Bermunda colony,Khandagiri,Dumduma,CRP,IRC ,RRL, Sainik School, M R Colony, KIIT,S.Vihar,CS Pur, S E Rly Project.
Nayapalli	08.50	08.55			To hand over the genl & SP mail & A/c Bag to Nayapalli
Baramunda Colony	09.00	09.05			To hand over Genl , SP mail&A/C bag
Khandagiri	09.15	09.20			Do
Dumduma HBC	09.25	09.30			Do
CRP Square	09.35	09.40			Do
IRC Village	09.45	09.50			Do
RRL SO	09.55	10.00			To handover Genl mail and a/c bag
Sainik School SO	10.05	10.10			Do
MR Colony SO	10.15	10.20			Do
KIIT	10.25	10.30			Do
Sailashree Vihar	10.35	10.40			Do
C S Pur HBC	10.45	10.50			Do
SERly Project	10.55	11.00			do
BBSR RMS	11.20	11.40			To receive genl mail and left out SPmail if any for GPO and NSH
BBSR GPO	11.45	11.55			To hand over Genl mail to GPO and left out Sp mail to NSH
Garrage	12.00

Name of Driver.....................................                               Signature .................................

M.M.S Schedule No.II                                (Log Sheet)

Vehicle No:           OR-02A-0964                      K.M.Reading ( Ending)     ….................

Date           :                                                          K.M.Reading (Starting)       …...............

                                                                                K.M.Covered …...............

Destination	Schedule Time		Actual Time		Remark
	Arrival	Departure	Arrival	Departure
Garrage		14.00
IRC Village	14.10	14.15			Collect SP,Genl Mail & A/C bag from marginally noted offices
Baramunda	14.20	14.25			Do
Surya Nagar	14.30	14.35			Do
Nayapalli	14.40	14.45			Do
SERPC	15.00	15.05			Do
C S Pur HBC	15.15	15.20			Do
Sailashree Vihar	15.30	15.35			Do
KIIT	15.40	15.45			Do
MRC	15.50	15.55			Do
Sainik School	16.00	16.05			Do
RRL	16.10	16.15			Do
Bhoinagar	16.20	16.25			Do
Utkal University	16.30	16.35			do
CSO	16.40	16.45			Genl Mail
Sahidnagar	16.50	16.55			Collect SP,Genl Mail & A/C bag from marginally noted offices
Rasulgarh	17.00	17.05			do
B S Colony	17.10	Mails Exchanged at Road Point			do
BJB Nagar	17.15	17.20			Do
Ashok Nagar	17.25	17.30			Do
BBSR RMS	17.40	17.55			Hand over all genl mails to RMS
SPC,BBSR (GPO)	18.10	18.25			Hand over all SP mail to NSH and A/c bags to GPO and collect Genl mail / SP mail from GPO/NSH
BBSR RMS	18.35	18.50			Deliver Genl/SP mail to RMS
BBSR GPO (NPO)	19.00	19.35			Collect Genl  & SPmail from GPO/NSH
BBSR RMS	19.40	19.55			Deliver Genl /SP mail at RMS
Garrage	20.00

Dum Duma, Khandagiri & CRP line PO will send their Mails with Mail List through their respective GDS Pkr-cum-MC to IRC Village PO so as to hand over the mail to MMS at at 14.10 hrs.

M.M.S Schedule No.III                   (Log Sheet)  w.e.f.

Vehicle No:           WB-03A-8454                    K.M.Reading (Ending)  ...................

Date           :                                                                  K.M.Reading (Starting)  ..................

                                                                                       K.M.Covered                ..................

Destination	Schedule Time		Actual Time		Remark
	Arrival	Departure	Arrival	Departure
Garage		07.00
BBSR RMS	07.05	07.25			Receive SP Mails and AIR Mail for Hyderabad
NSH BBR GPO	07.35	07.45			DVD SP Mail at NSH
AIR PORT	07.55	08.05			DVD AIR MAIL at Air Port
BBSR RMS	08.15	08.25			Receive genl mail fpor GPO/CPMG Office and SP mail for NSH & Gel mail for BBSR-2, Aerodrome Area, BJB Nagar, BBC.
BBSR GPO/SPC/ CPMG	08.30	08.45			Delivery of Genl mail at GPO/CPMG Office & SP mail at NSH. Receive SP mail /A/C bag for BBSR-2,Aero Area,BJB Nagar, BBC from NSH /GPO.
BBSR-2	09.00	09.05			Dvd genl /SPmail & A/C bag.
Aerodrome Area	09.15	09.20			do
B.J.B. Nagar	09.30	09.35			Do
BBC	09.40	09.45			do
BBSR GPO	09.55	13.00	CASH DUTY
	13.00	15.00			Off
BBSR GPO	15.00	17.40	CASH DUTY		To receive genl mail from GPO
BBSR RMS	17.40	17.50			Deliver genl mail at RMS
Garrage	18.00

Name of Driver.................................Signature ..................................

MMS schedule No. IV      Log Sheet w.e.f._____________

Vehicle no- WB-03-A-8453.

Name of Offices	Schedule Arrival	Actual Arrival	Schedule Departure	Actual Departure	Remark
Garage			08.50
RMS	08.55		09.00		Receive SP/genl mail for SPC/GPO/CPMG(O)
GPO/CPMG(o)/NSH	09.10		09.15		Dvd SP/genl mail at NSH/GPO/CPMG(O)
RMS	09.20		10.00		To receive AIR mail for Indigo flight and genl mail/SP mail for GPO/NSH
AIR PORT	10.15		10.40		To deliver Indigo mail
GPO	10.55		11.05		To deliver Genl/SP mail at GPO/NSH
RMS	11.10		11.30		To receive Genl&SP mail for GPO/NSH & AIR mail for ND/MB/Chen/Beng.
GPO	11.35		11.45		To deliver Genl & SP mail at GPO/NSH
AIR PORT	12.00		12.15		To deliver AIR mail
RMS	12.25		12.45		To receive AIR mail & mail for PSD/CSD/RLO
PSD/CSD/RLO	12.55		13.10		To deliver mail for PSD/CSD/RLO
Air Port	13.30		13.45		To deliver Air Mail
BBSR GPO	14.00		14.05		To receive Genl/SP mail from GPO/NSH
RMS	14.10		14.30		Dvd Genl/SP mail at RMS & receive AIR Mail for IC877,169 KF
Air Port	14.45		15.10		DVd Air Mail
BBSR GPO	15.25		15.35		Receive Genl/SP mail from GPO/NSH
RMS	15.40		15.50		Dvd  Genl & SP mail
PSD/CSD	16.00		16.20		Receipt of mail from PSD/CSD/RLO
RMS	16.30
	16.30		18.00		Break
GPO	18.10		18.20		Receipt of Genl mail from CPMG(O)/GPO/MBC
RMS	18.25		19.00		Delivered at RMS
BBSR GPO	19.05		20.30		Receipt of Genl/SP mail from GPO/NSH
RMS	20.35		20.40		Delivered at RMS
Garage	20.50

               

 Name of Driver.....................................Signature ..................................