Consumer price index numbers for industrial workers (CPI-IW) March 2013

According to a press release issued today by the Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour & Employment the All-India CPI-IW for March, 2013 rose by 1 point and pegged at 224 (two hundred and twentyfour). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 0.45 per cent between February and March compared with 1.01 per cent between the same two months a year ago.

The largest upward contribution to the change in current index came from Food group which increased by 0.84 per cent, contributing 0.82 percentage points to the total change. This was followed by Miscellaneous group with 0.53 per cent increase contributing 0.26 percentage points to the change. At item level, largest upward pressure came from Rice, Wheat & Wheat Atta, Fish Fresh, Goat Meat, Vegetable Green & non-Leafy, Apple, Tea (Readymade), Firewood, Medicine (Allopathic), Private Tuition Fee, Bus Fare, Petrol, etc. However, this was compensated by Mustard Oil, Eggs (Hen), Poultry (Chicken), Onion, Potato and Sugar putting downward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 11.44 per cent for February, 2013 as compared to 12.06 per cent for the previous month and 8.65 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 13.21 per cent against 14.98 per cent of the previous month and 8.16 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Salem recorded the largest increase of 7 points followed by Sholapur and Quilon (6 points each). Among others, 5 points rise was registered in 4 centres, 4 points in 2 centres, 3 points in 4 centres, 2 points in 12 centres and 1 point in 18 centres. On the contrary, a decline of 2 points was reported in Jharia, Chennai, Siliguri, Mariani-Jorhat, Asansol and Kodarma and 1 point in 10 centres. Rest of the 19 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 34 centres are above All-India Index and other 43 centres’ indices are below national average. The index of Ajmer centre remained at par with all-India index. The next index of CPI-IW for the month of April, 2013 will be released on Friday, 31 May, 2013. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureau.gov.in. 

Source : PIB

Application forms and prospectus for the post of PA/SA/Postman/Mail Guard/MTS under sport recruitment quota in Gujarat Postal circle

Click here to view details.

Advance Reservation Period for Booking Reserved Train Tickets Reduced to 60 Days from Existing 120 Days from Tomorrow i.e. 1ST May 2013

The Ministry of Railways has decided that the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for booking reserved train tickets will be reduced from existing 120 days to 60 days (excluding the date of journey) from tomorrow i.e. 1st May 2013. The details are as below:-

I. With effect from 01.05.2013, the ARP will be of 60 days (excluding the day of journey) and booking will be done accordingly. However, all the bookings done upto 30.4.2013 under the ARP of 120 days will remain intact.

II. Cancellation of the booking made beyond the ARP of 60 days will, however, be permitted.

III. There will be no change in the case of certain day time express trains like Taj Express, Gomti Express etc. where lower time limits for advance reservations are at present in force.

IV. There will also be no change in the case of limit of 360 days for foreign tourists. 

Source : PIB

EDITORIAL POSTAL CRUSADER MAY 2013

9th FEDERAL COUNCIL AND OUR TASK AHEAD

Ninth Federal Council of NFPE, which is the highest policy decision making body, is being held at Hyderabad from 9^th to 12^th June, 2013. National Federation of Postal Employees is a class-oriented militant organization representing about five lakh postal employees.

The P &T Trade Union movement in India has inherited a history of struggle and sacrifices right from the days of British Raj. In 1905, when there was no freedom to form unions, Babu Tarapada Mukherjee started this organization in the name of Recreation Club at Kolkata GPO. Tarapada was dismissed from service by the British Govt. in the year 1921 for delivering speech at Lahore All India Conference. During the last one hundred years many great leaders of this organization has been tortured, arrested and put under jail and even murdered, both by British and the Indian Govt. Com. Dada Gosh, the first Secretary General of NFPTE was arrested, jailed and suspended from service. Com. K. G. Bose, who electrified the P&T trade union movement and who led the 1946 historic P&T strike was also dismissed from service. Com.N.J.Iyer, former All India President of NFPE was arrested and put under jail for 18 months for delivering a speech against the “emergency” in 1975. Com. K. Adinarayana, the Ex-Secretary General of NFPE was in jail for three years for participating the Telangana struggle against Nizams. Com. Om Prakash Gupta who was the Secretary General of NFPTE for many years and Com. K. L. Moza, Ex-Secretary General were also jailed and punished. Many other legendary leaders who led this movement has sacrificed their entire life for the postal employees and the working class as a whole.

The 25 days historic 1946 P&T strike gone to the annals of the history of India’s freedom movement as one of the most militant struggle launched by the P&T employees against the British Raj. 1960 five days strike of Central Govt. employees, 1968 September 19^th strike for ‘need based minimum wage’ in this 17 employees has been brutally murdered by the Govt. by resorting to firing and lathi charge, 1974 Bonus strike in solidarity with the striking Railway employees, 1984 September, 19^th strike for the emancipation of three lakh Extra Departmental employees, 1993 five days postal strike, 1996 eight days strike for removal of bonus ceiling, 1998 eight days postal strike, 2000 December 14 days Postal strike all are lead by the National Federation of Postal Employees under the banner of Confederation of  Central Govt. Employees & Workers and also jointly with FNPO under the banner of Joint Council of Action. The one day strike of the Central Govt. Employees conducted on 12^th December 2012 is another mile stone in the history of the Postal Trade Union movement. It is in this back ground the leaders of the postal movement are meeting in the Federal Council at Hyderabad.

NFPE has been participating in all the nationwide General Strikes conducted by the Central Trade Unions, right from 1991 onwards including the two days strike of 2013 February 20 & 21, against the neo-liberal imperialist globalization policies pursued by the Central Govt. The Hyderabad Federal Council shall review the participation of the Postal employees in the General Strikes and also workout remedial measures for ensuing cent percent participation of employees in all the programmes including strike against the neo-liberal policies of the Central Govt., NFPE conducted innumerable struggles for realization of the legitimate demands of the Postal & RMS employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks and Part-time/Casual, contingent employees. Many demands are settled but still many demands are pending. During this period, the Govt., has tried to close or merge many post offices and RMS offices. Further attempt is also made to abolish justified posts. Due to the continued struggle carried out by NFPE & JCA we could halt many policy offensives of the Govt., though these measures are not withdrawn completely. Many sectional issues like Cadre Restructuring, Postmen issues, MNOP, Project Arrow, Postmaster cadre, PO & RMS Accountants, System Administrators, GDS problems, PLI/RPLI related issues, problems of the Postal Accounts, SBCO and Civil wing Cases, Casual Labourer’s problems, RTP issues etc., to be settled. This 9^th Federal Council shall deliberate all these issues and shall chalk out agitational programme   for realization of the sectional demands of the Postal employees.

          Due to the neo-liberal policies implemented by the Central Govt., during the last two decades, the Central Services including Postal department is facing great threat against its existence. Ban on creation of new posts, non-filling up of vacant posts, outsourcing, downsizing, controctorization, contributory pension scheme, non-regularization of the services of Gramin Dak Sevaks and Casual Labourers, restrictions on compassionate appointments, bonus discrimination, all are the off-shoots of this policy. Due to the unprecedented price rise the real wages of the employees and workers has eroded like anything. The Central Govt. employees are on continuous struggle demanding appointment of Seventh Pay Commission, 50% merger of DA, Regularization of Gramin Dak Sevaks and Casual Labourers, grant of five promotions etc, we have to intensify and carry forward the struggle. The  Hyderabad Federal Council shall take appropriate decisions for ensuing largest unity of all Central Govt. Employees and to prepare for an indefinite strike, if the demands of the Central Govt. Employees  including appointment of 7^th CPC, DA merger, scrapping PFRDA bill are not accepted by the Govt,.

In short, the ninth Federal Council of NFPE shall deliberate all the issues agitating the minds of postal employees and shall take decision to protect the postal services and also for realization of demands of the postal employees. The decisions of the Federal Council shall have far-reaching implications in shaping the future and destiny of the entire postal employees.

EASTERN ZONE STUDY CAMP – GUWAHATI

NFPE Eastern Zone study camp was held at Guwahati from 27^th to 28^th April, 2013. The programme commenced with flag hoisting. Com.M.Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE hoisted the National Flag. After that floral tributes was paid to the Martyrs. Com.S.Rahaman, General Secretary, Reception Committee, Assam welcomed all the leaders and delegates on behalf of Reception Committee.

          Com.M.Krishnan delivered the inaugural speech and also addressed the Seminar organized on “National Postal Policy – 2012”. He elaborately described all the issues related to policy and its impact on Department of Posts and postal employees.

          Class - I on the subject “Importance of Joint Trade Union Movement with reference to North Eastern Region” was taken by Com.Satanjib Das, Joint Convener of Joint Council of Action of Trade Unions, Assam.

         All National leaders viz., Com.M.Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE, Com.K.V.Sridharan, Ex-General Secretary, P-III, Com.I.S.Dabas, General Secretary, P-IV., Com.Giriraj Singh, General Secretary, R-III, Pranab Bhattacharjee, General Secretary, AIP AOEU, Com.T.Satyanarayana, General Secretary, AIPAEA, Com. P.Pandurangarao, General Secretary, AIPEU-GDS(NFPE), Com.R.Sivannarayana, President, AIPEU Gr.C(CHQ), Com.S.K.Bardan, President, R-III(CHQ) and Com.R.N.Parashar, Asst. Secretary General, NFPE, Com.S.P.Mukherjee, vice President, NFPE were present on the dais.

           The session was presided by Com.S.P.Mukherjee, Vice President, NFPE.

           Class - II was taken by Com.Tapan Sen, Hon’ble Member of Parliament and General Secretary, CITU, on the subject “Significance of 20^th & 21 Feb, 2013 strike and future course of action”. He elaborately described the whole issues related to neo-liberal  economic policies and its impact on working class and common people of India. He stressed the need of united struggle to resist these policies and he also intimated the importance of unity which has been formed recently that all the central unions have come on same platform. He appealed to all to intensify the struggles by creating class consciousness.

           The session was presided by Com.L.P.Saikia, Chairman, Reception Committee & Circle Secretary, Gr.C, Assam and vote of thanks presented by Com.R.N.Parashar, ASG, NFPE.

          Class - III was taken by Com.K.K.N.Kutty, Secretary General, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers on the subject “Role of Confederation in the C.G Employees Movement”. He elaborately described the role of Confederation since its formation in 1956 and up to last 20-21 Feb 2013 two days strike.

          The session was presided by Com.T.Satyanarayana, General Secretary, AIPAEA and vote of thanks presented by Com.D.K.Debnath, R-III, Reception Committee.

          On 28-04-2013 (2^nd day) the session began at 10.30 am.

          Class - IV taken by Com.M.Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE on the subject “History of Postal Trade Union Movement and our present day task”. He spoke at length on the subject and described the history of Postal Trade Union Movement since its formation as postal club in 1905 at Kolkata to till date in a very detailed manner. He appraised all the delegates about the sacrifice rendered by the founder leaders viz., Babu Tarapada Mukherjee, Dada Gosh, K.G.Bose, N.J.Iyer and K.Adinarayana in building such a strong movement. He elaborately described the achievement gained through continuous struggles under the banner of NFPTE and NFPE. He described in detail the impact of neo-liberal economic policies on working class as a whole and postal dept particularly. He told that Govt. is planning to corporatize the dept of posts for which National Postal Policy 2012 has been prepared. He stressed the need of united struggle to resist the onslaughts unleashed by the Govt. for which militancy and knowledge is required.

         The session was presided by com.S.K.Bardan, President, R-III.

          Class - V taken by Com.K.V.Sridharan, Ex-General Secretary, Gr.C on the subject “ Service Rules and Role of Unionists” which he presented in a very good manner to the maximum benefit of employees. He also described the good qualities to be adopted by the unionists for the welfare and protection of interests of employees.

          All the leaders viz., Com.I.S.Dabas, Com.Girirajsingh, Com.Pranab Bhattacharya, Com.T.Satyanarayana, Com.P.Pandurangarao, Com.R.Sivannarayana, Com.S.K.Bardan, Com.S.P.Mukherjee also addressed the study camp and gave very valuable suggestions for the efficient functioning of union leaders and active workers.

        The session was presided by Com.R.Sivannarayana, President, Gr.C(CHQ).

          On behalf of NFPE, Com.R.N.Parashar, Asst. Secretary General extended revolutionary greetings and heartiest thanks to all the leaders and members of Reception Committee particularly Com.S.Rahaman, Com.G.Talukdar, Com.L.P.Saikia, Com.Moinulla Huq, D.K.Debnath and others who played very important role in organizing this study camp. He appealed all the delegates to extend such type of study camps from Circle to divisional level.

 

Central government employees’ stir today

By Express News Service - HYDERABAD

29th April 2013 10:07 AM

Demanding the Centre to constitute the 7th Pay Commission, several Union Government employees and pensioners’ Associations are going to stage a protest on Monday at the Indira Park in Hyderabad as part of their nationwide protest.
According to a press release from the All India DRDO Technical Officers’ Association, due to unprecedented inflation and spiraling prices of essential commodities, wages determined by the 6th Central Pay Commissioner have now been eroded by 100 per cent.
While the government permits wage negotiations and revision in the fully owned Public Sector Undertakings every five years, officers’ association president Krishna Mohan said the refusal of the Centre to revise wages of Central government employees and officers despite such large-scale erosion in the real value of wages was absolutely unjustified. He called upon all the central government employees to participate in the protest.
The associations like DRDO scientists’ associations, administrative officers’ association, DRDO officers’ federation, confederation of central government gazetted officers’ organisation, all pensioners and retired employees’ association, railway, defense and postal employees’ association are going to participate in the protest.

Source : The New Indian Express

What type of taxpayer are you?

Your attitude towards tax depends on your understanding of tax rules. find out which of these categories you fall into.

INNOCENT OFFENDERS

Their understanding of tax rules is based on poor knowledge and half-baked assumptions. They think TDS ends their tax liability, and that the interest on tax-saving infrastructure bonds is tax-free. Some assume that last year's budget exempted up to Rs 10,000 interest on bank FDs. The exemption is only for savings bank interest.

SUPER HONEST

A rare species, these taxpayers are honest to a fault. They take keen interest in financial matters and keep their books up to date. Every single rupee earned is accounted for. All taxes are duly paid and returns are filed well on time. Such people will dutifully pay the tax even on the interest they receive on a delayed refund from the Tax Department. It's mostly the senior citizens who fall in this category.

OPPORTUNIST AVOIDER

This type of taxpayer is clued in to tax rules and new developments. They claim all possible exemptions and deductions and invest in taxefficient avenues to minimise the tax outgo. These are mostly individuals with a high net worth-top-level salaried employees or businessmen. They tend to hire tax professionals for managing their financial affairs, but also know that it is money well spent.

 OVERTAXED IGNORANTS

Also fairly common, they don't even know the basic tax rules and have little interest in financial affairs. They will do nothing to avoid the TDS on their deposits, or try and get back the excess tax paid by filing returns. They think nothing of foregoing their right to adjust stock losses against other gains. It's an attitude rooted in laziness and nourished by fear of the taxman. Most of the people who fall in this category do not file returns.

HONEST BY DEFAULT

These taxpayers are honest because they have no option. Their sources of income are such that tax is deducted at source or these sources are known to the Tax Department through other channels. Any attempt to evade tax will be easily detected, so honesty becomes the best policy. They are also forced to file returns in order to reclaim the excess TDS.

COMPULSIVE EVADER

They under-report income, inflate business expenses, conceal assets and investments, transact in unaccounted for money and claim deductions using fake documents. They are the pillars of the black economy. No matter how low the tax rate, these compulsive evaders will tread the crooked path. However, they need to be lucky all the time; the taxman has to be lucky just once.

Source :  http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

Facilities to Sanitation Workers

Public health and sanitation is a State Subject and it is the responsibility of the State Governments and Urban Local Bodies to plan, design, implement, operate and maintain waste management system. Some of the Urban Local Bodies are engaging private contractors/ private sectors in some of the activities of collection, segregation, street sweeping, transportation and treatment of waste.

Under the provision of Minimum Wages Act, 1948, both Central and State Governments are appropriate Governments to fix, review and revise the minimum wages for different categories of workers employed in the scheduled employment under their respective jurisdictions. In Central Sphere the area-wise rates of minimum wages fixed for sweeping and cleaning work with effect from 01.04.2013 are Rs.297/- in Area A, Rs.246/- in Area B and Rs.198/- in Area C.

It is the responsibility of the State Governments to take action for violation of labour laws relating to non-payment of salary and wages against agencies/employers falling in State Sphere. In Central Sphere the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) Organization enforces the provision of various labour laws and takes appropriate action for violation of labour laws.

The Central Government has enacted the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008 for social security of unorganized workers which includes sanitation workers. The Act provides for formulation of schemes by the Central Government for different sections of unorganised workers on matters relating to life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits and old age protection. The Act also provides for formulation of schemes by State Governments relating to provident fund, employment injury benefits, housing, educational schemes for children, skill upgradation etc.

This information was given by Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shri Kodikunnil Suresh in the Lok Sabha today in reply to a written question. 

Source : PIB Release, 29 April, 2013

Better integration of products and processes key

29.04.2013 - The UPU’s Postal Operations Council and Council of Administration concluded their sessions Thursday 25 April after three weeks of intense meetings at UPU headquarters in Berne, Switzerland.

Some 800 delegates attended the UPU sessions in Berne, Switzerland

Integration of international products and services and better streamlining of the supply chain were central themes during the POC, the body dealing with operational issues.

Over the next four-year cycle, the UPU will work on getting mail to move across borders more efficiently by improving customs processes and transportation.

This is important as Posts increasingly position themselves as key players in e-commerce for the physical delivery of goods to counter dwindling physical letter-post volumes.

At the same time, there was much talk about the importance of simplifying rules for letter-post, parcels and express mail at the UPU level to better meet customers’ expectations and needs.

Chris Powell, chair of the POC’s product strategy and integration group, says the organization must improve the way it works to offer a sustainable product range in the face of growing competition. “We need to change our approach,” says Powell. “We are not the only game in town, we are the biggest one by far, but we are not the only ones.”

Focus on trade and financial inclusion

Trade facilitation and financial inclusion will also take on new dimensions at the UPU after the CA created new groups to work on these issues.

The groups will help Posts strengthen their role as facilitators of cross-border exchanges and lift people out of poverty by giving them access to financial services.

Brazil will chair the trade facilitation group. The country launched a successful programme years ago to enable small and medium-sized businesses to export their goods abroad more easily and it has quickly expanded to other Latin American countries. The UPU and the Brazilian government in January renewed their commitment to work together to help member countries implement similar programmes elsewhere in the world.

For its part, the new financial inclusion group will work on policy issues and best practices and hold an annual forum to stimulate dialogue between postal operators, governments, central banks and other market players.

“We will have to raise awareness among all stakeholders, especially governments and central banks, to the idea of selling basic financial products through the postal network to improve citizens’ lives,” said Amin Benjelloun Touimi, director general of the Moroccan Post, who chairs the new financial inclusion group.

One billion people are banked through the postal network, but it remains underused in terms of financial inclusion, according to a recent UPU report.

The next POC and CA session will take place from 28 October to 15 November 2013.

Source: http://news.upu.int

Trade Unions Fight Walmart in Mexico

MEXICO CITY, Apr 24 (IPS)  - Trade unions in Canada, the United States and Mexico are preparing protests and legal action against the Mexican subsidiary of Walmart, the world's largest retailer, which is accused of paying bribes and breaching labour rights.Unions in the three North American countries want the company to be penalised by the Mexican authorities, and are calling for a ban on opening more stores on artistic or natural heritage sites.

"What is needed is action in Mexico. We are somewhat out of step with the investigations in the United States," said Héctor de la Cueva, the coordinator of the Centro de Investigación Laboral y Asesoría Sindical (CILAS), a Mexican trade union research centre. "That's why we're going to explore avenues to initiate legal action against the company and then evaluate using international courts," he told IPS.

The Walmart scandal erupted on Apr. 21, 2012 when the New York Times reported that the firm had paid 24 million dollars in bribes to Mexican officials between 2002 and 2005 to expedite the opening of new stores, a possible violation of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

In the United States, Walmart has been under investigation since December 2011 by the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission in a process that has already cost the company millions of dollars and will cost it considerably more yet.

Walmart is now Mexico's largest private employer, with over 240,000 workers, who are not allowed to form trade unions or demand labour rights on pain of dismissal. Nearly 20 percent of the over 10,000 Walmart stores worldwide are located in Mexico.

"We are deeply concerned about this scandal and aware that Walmart has not even applied its own code of ethics," said Eduardo Pérez de San Román, the regional director for the Americas of UNI Global Union, based in the Swiss city of Nyon.

"We are experiencing great difficulties in promoting union freedoms and collective bargaining in the company," the leader of the federation of trade unions representing some 20 million workers in 1,000 organisations in 150 countries, in the retail trade, finances, telecommunications and postal services, told IPS.

UNI Global Union is carrying out a campaign to denounce Walmart's practices, and has formed a global network against the company. It has already presented a complaint with Walmart's Global Ethics Office for breaches of its own code.

The Mexican investigation into the alleged payoffs has made slow progress and there are few results, even though over a year has passed since the scandal first broke.

The now defunct ministry of public administration announced on Nov. 21 that the early investigations found no irregularities requiring any penalties against senior Walmart executives in Mexico.

“Walmart should not be allowed to harm cultural heritage sites or labour rights,” Luis Gálvez, a leader of the workers' union of the state National Institute of Anthropology and History, complained to IPS. “It should be regulated by the state, or expelled from the country,"

In 2003 and 2004, Gálvez took part in the failed struggle against the opening of a Walmart superstore on a plot next to the archaeological zone of Teotihuacán, one of the country's emblematic pre-Columbian sites some 50 kilometres northeast of Mexico City, in Mexico state.

The store is one of those where bribes are alleged to have been paid to allow it to operate. At the time the governor of Mexico state was Enrique Peña Nieto, who became president of Mexico on Dec. 1.

Things turned out very differently in the small indigenous town of Cuetzalan in the southern state of Puebla, where protests managed to block construction of a Walmart branch in 2012, on the argument that it was a threat to local employment, organic agriculture, and local customs.

Encouraged by this precedent, activists are waging a similar battle in the cities of Xalapa and Orizaba, both in the southeastern state of Veracruz, where Walmart wants to build two stores. In Xalapa, the store would threaten a forested area rich in flora and fauna, and in Orizaba it would endanger a retirement home built in the 1930s that is listed as of special artistic interest.

In both cases, civil society organisations have asked the municipal authorities to deny permission for building and operating the stores.

"The expansion of Walmart has been at the expense of the most basic workers' rights. Workers have been prevented from organising freely, and the Mexican authorities have permitted this to happen. If the labour ministry wants to act, it has every means at its disposal to do so," said CILAS's De la Cueva.

In Gálvez's view, the Walmart store in Teotihuacán must be closed down. "It is one more reason in our argument that this store should not be in the archaeological zone. It must be removed, because it is an offence against Mexico," he said.

Source :  http://www.international.to

Core banking solutions in six post offices of Nagpur Region from June

NAGPUR: Six post offices of Nagpur region are among the 124 offices in the country where India Post will be first implementing core banking solutions (CBS). This initiative is part of postal department efforts towards modernization of its services.

In the pilot phase, eight postal circles have been selected. They include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. The six offices from Nagpur Region are Nagpur City head office (HO), Nagpur GPO; Gondia HO, Khamgaon HO, Wardha HO and Yavatmal HO. Offices coming under these HOs will be also covered under the project.

"In CBS, the small saving scheme customers would be able to conduct transactions of their accounts from any other post office which is also covered under the system. Other offices will be covered under CBS in another two more phases," post master general of Nagpur Region ME Haq said.

In Nagpur Region, the CBS is scheduled to become operational by June. According to the department officials, everything is on track. "We hope to implement the system as per schedule unless there is some glitch. The National Institute for Smart Government (NISG) is helping us in this process while TCS is conducting training of our employees," said Haq.

The CBC process might also prove to be the groundwork for the entry of the postal department into banking services as it has already got approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). "Definitely, this is a part of the foundation work. Among all the central government departments we have the biggest network in the country and deepest penetration in rural areas. So, we have a ready-made infrastructure for such an endeavour. But no other directive has come to us from the top in this regard," Haq said.

There are also plans to introduce ATMs, about 1000 of them, in all HOs, said Haq adding, "ATM reduces the cost of transaction for the postal department. While each counter transaction costs about Rs25, ATM transaction costs Rs10-14 per transaction."

Source : The Times of India, 28 April, 2013

10 Treatments for depression

Depression, you're either going through it or you may know someone who is going through depression.

Sadly, you are in-charge of your emotions and even though friends and family may try their best to brighten up your mood, but eventually you are the boss of yourself. Getting into depression is far easier than getting out of depression. But even though depression is a serious issue, there are solutions available and today we have listen 10 treatments for depression.

Food for happiness

 
When depressed people tend to eat or lose their appetite. But eating the right food is the way to go. Try having nuts, berries, dark chocolates, tomatoes, spinach, coconut, honey, whole grains, etc to pep up your mood. These foods can increase your endorphin levels which can make you happy.

Quit smoking

 
A 2008 study that surveyed 3,000 people found that while smokers had a 6.6 per cent risk of developing lifetime frequency of major depression; it was 2.9 per cent for non-smokers. The Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) survey revealed that about 70% of male habitual smokers and 80% of female habitual smokers had major depression.

The study also established that 30% of smokers show some symptoms of depression.

The root cause behind it is Nicotine! Acting as a stimulant it affects the release of neurotransmitters in the brain; consequently, the brain becomes so addicted to the drug that it no longer functions normally without it. After 20-30 minutes of smoking the last cigarette, nicotine withdrawal begins and this leads to anxiety, which is very closely related to depression.

Exercise

 
Researchers found patients who exercised an hour and a half to two hours per week had slightly lower depression scores, which in turn were tied to a reduced risk of re-hospitalizations and deaths related to heart problems.

Avoid junk food

 
Studies have shown that people whose diets include fried foods, processed meats, desserts and high-fat dairy have a higher chance of showing signs of depression. Besides bringing depression, junk food also makes you irritable and aggressive.

But the study does not mean that you need to cut out junk food completely from your life. Depression, irritation and aggression creep in when you live off junk food very often. Eat junk food in moderation and strict portion control, coupled with a healthy overall eating plan, and you should be okay.

Avoid late night and TV sessions

 
Sitting in front of a computer or TV screen late into the night or leaving it on when you fall asleep could increase your chances of becoming depressed, according to a study by U.S. scientists.

"The good news is that people who stay up late in front of the television and computer may be able to undo some of the harmful effects just by going back to a regular light-dark cycle and minimizing their exposure to artificial light at night," said researcher Bedrosian.

Go outdoors

 
Want to increase your happiness? Then make sure your serotonin levels are normal and sunlight does exactly that. If you are feeling low ore depressed go outdoors and brighten up.

Surround yourself with positive people

 
Isolating yourself can only make your gloominess a lot worse. Enjoy the company of positive, energetic people as this will make you feel better. Don't know anyone who fits the bill? Join a club. Exercise clubs or hobby groups are the best influencers here.

Tune out from negative thinking

 
Depression can make you to a world of too much negativity. It's hard to stay off it, but try and replace it with more balanced thoughts, which can make you happy. You'll find that surrounding yourself with positive people, good habits, and a clean environment will work wonders in helping you achieve this.

Avoid sad songs

 
When you are depressed, it is a normal tendency to listen to sad songs.

Avoid it. This will just make it hard for you to forget what wrong happened to you, because when we are upset we don't enjoy the music we tend to evaluate the lyrics. More often the lyrics just match our lives, which make us burst into tears. Listen to happier music and you'll find your day's getting brighter.

Avoid alcohol and drugs

 
You may be tempted to drink or take a drug to escape the misery. But know this - all relief from substance abuse is short lived and has drastic fallouts in the long run. Since alcohol is a depressant, it will only make the situation worse. Alcohol can increase suicidal thoughts and leave you addicted to it later in life.

Source :http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Project Arrow Check List to avoid Red Zone

 

Thanks to

Mr. MANISH SHETH,
Dnl. System Administrator
JAMNAGAR HO-361001

Courtesy :  http://sapost.blogspot.in

PSU, govt jobs most preferred by B-school graduates: Survey

MUMBAI: Sense of career stability is winning over faster growth prospects in private sector as more and more B-school graduates are preferring jobs in public sector undertakings (PSUs) and central government, says a survey by industry body Assocham.

A majority of students (about 88 per cent) are getting into PSUs and central government jobs, said a pan-India survey conducted by the Assocham in February and March this year.

The survey, 'PSUs or Central Government job seekers', was conducted in cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Ahemdabad, Cochin, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Indore, Patna, Pune, Chandigarh and Dehradun.

Aspirants from Delhi ranked first with job preference for PSUs and central government, followed by Mumbai, Ahemdabad, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai.

A majority of students, who gave their views on the subject, revealed that their first choice would be to join organisations like ONGC, IOCBSE -0.94 %, NTPCBSE -0.23 %, HPCLBSE -0.39 %, BPCLBSE -0.67 %, SAIL, banks and firms in manufacturing sector that provide good growth prospects with maximum stability.

The study revealed that a majority of students from management institutes felt that in PSUs and central government agencies give assignments that are exciting and provide challenges, opportunities and stability.

The survey highlighted that many PSUs are giving a generous allowance apart from car maintenance and insurance that adds up to about 20 per cent of basic salary. Apart from salaries, a number of special allowances and residential quarters are provided to the officers.

Only 4 per cent of the respondents in metros like Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Ahemdabad felt that leading private corporates give them a challenging culture and exposure.

They felt that in private sector, the boards and management are completely autonomous. Most of the times, their decisions are neither influenced by external factors nor do they have Government nominees on their boards other than the those of financial institutions.

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

UPU News : Mail services could soon resume in Somalia

26.04.2013 - After 23 years with no postal services, Somalia could soon start receiving mail again, thanks to talks facilitated by the Universal Postal Union.

Somali Minister Abdullahi E. Hersi (r.) calls for help to rebuild his country's postal sector with UPU DG Bishar A. Hussein present

Under a memorandum of undestanding, the parties committed to negotiating the details of an agreement that would see Dubai act as a hub for handling mail destined for Somalia in future.

Abdullahi E. Hersi, Somali minister of information, posts, telecommunication and transports, and Emirates Post president, Fahad al Hosani, signed the memorandum on April 22 with the UPU director general, Bishar A. Hussein, present.

“It is time for our government to provide postal services,” said Minister Hersi, who added that communication is a human right. “People may have the internet and phones, but these will never replace the benefit of receiving mail from a distance,” he said.

UPU Director General Hussein said the agreement signaled an important step toward launching mail services again in Somalia, but it is just the beginning, he said.

The postal network is practically non-existent in Somalia, which covers more than 637,000 square kilometres and has a population of 9.9 million people. In 1991, the country had some 100 post offices and a postal staff of 2,165. Today, there is one general post office in the capital and some 25 staff.

During the signing ceremony, Hersi appealed to the postal community to help rebuild the Post in his country. “We ask for all means of assistance as we have to start from ground zero,” he said.

The current Somali government came into power in September 2012 after years of civil war, chaos and a number of transitional governments. Some two million Somalis live abroad. 

Source :  http://news.upu.int

Department of Posts endorses revised D A order effective from 01.01.2013 issued by Finance Ministry

New Operational Network of Parcels

 

 

Separate Reservation Counters for Women and Physically Challenged

Separate reservation counters are earmarked for ladies, senior citizens, former Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assembly, physically handicapped, accredited journalists, freedom fighters, if the ticket demand per shift is not less than 120 tickets. In case, there is no justification for earmarking of exclusive counter for any of these categories of persons including ladies/physically challenged persons, one or two counters depending upon total demands are earmarked for dealing with the reservation requests of all these categories of persons.

Instructions are also there that at those reservation offices which have not been computerized and where separate counters are not in existence for ladies, female passengers should not be compelled to join the general queues and be attended to separately at the same counter as for general passengers.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today. 

Source : PIB

No Restrictions on Issue of Number of Cheques

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a Master Circular dated 02.07.2012 on ‘Customer Service in Banks’ which, inter-alia, provides that banks may issue cheque books with larger number of leaves (20 or 25) if a customer demands the same and also ensure that adequate stocks of such cheque books (20/25 leaves) are maintained with all the branches to meet the requirements of the customers.

RBI has informed that there is no such proposal to levy charges on cash withdrawal deposits by cheque.

This was stated by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena, in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today. Source : PIB

Amendment in Money Laundering Act

The Government has recently amended the Money Laundering Act.

The objectives of recent amendment in Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 is to strengthen the legislative and administrative framework of the country to prevent money laundering and countering financing of terrorism and capabling to handle the new evolving threats.

Bullion traders have expressed that Germs and jewellery sector be kept out of the purview of Prevention of Money-laundering Act. The Act imposes reporting obligations on “person carrying on designated business and profession”, which would include “dealer” in precious metals, precious stones and other high value goods as and when notified by the Central Government. At present they have not been notified.

This was stated by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena, in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today. 

Source : PIB

Active Post Offices and Letter Boxes in the Country

The year-wise number of post offices and letter boxes operational in the country from 2003- 2004 to 2011-12  are given in the table below.

Number of Post Offices and Letter Boxes in the Country from 2003-04 to 2011-12
Year	No. of Post Offices(*)	No. of Letter Boxes (*)
2003-04	1,55,669	5,97,149
2004-05	1,55,516	5,84,006
2005-06	1,55,333	6,01,319
2006-07	1,55,204	5,89,666
2007-08	1,55,035	5,91,054
2008-09	1,55,015	5,85,087
2009-10	1,54,979	5,79,595
2010-11	1,54,866	5,73,749
2011-12	1,54,822	5,62,075
(*) Numbers  as on 31st March

28,877 letter boxes were removed in the last nine years.

 Complaints were received in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala Circles and those complaints were settled with restoration of letter boxes  wherever justified as per  prescribed norms.

Government has decided to install 66,666 new letter boxes in rural areas under the Plan Scheme –“Rural Business & Acess to Postal Network” in the current Plan subject to availability of plan funds.

This information was given by Dr. (Smt.) Killi Kruparani, Minister of State for C&IT in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

Source : PIB Release, 26 April, 2013