Trade unions to decide on strike on Feb. 3

 

VIJAYAWADA, January 31, 2015

 

Railway, Postal, Income Tax and other Central trade unions will meet at the Railway Institute here on February 3 to discuss their future course of action vis-à-vis the proposal to go on an indefinite strike to press for their demands.

 

Leaders of the Joint Action Committee B.V. Chalapathi Rao stated in a press release that the Centre’s decision to introduce 100 per cent FDI in Railways and 49 per cent in Defence production and DRDO and to convert Defence and Postal Departments into corporate entities would eventually help foreign and domestic companies in acquiring controlling stakes in the public sector units/ departments, thereby relegate the government to the fringes of power.

 

“If the government does not take remedial action, the National Joint Council of Action will call for an indefinite strike to force the government to withdraw the anti-workers policies, the JAC warned.

Trade unions flay privatisation drive of the Centre and outsourcing of the employees

 

Special postal cover on Eknath Ranade

 

Anjali Devasher (second from left), Chairperson, Investment Board and Postal Service Board, releasing a special postal cover on Eknath Ranade to mark his centenary celebrations at a function in Vivekananda Kendra in Kanyakumari on Friday.

A special postal cover brought out by the Department of Posts to mark the centenary celebrations of Ekanath Ranade, founder of Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Vivekananda Kendra, was released here on Friday.

 

Anjali Devasher, Chairperson, Investment Board and Postal Service Board, released the special cover at a function held in Vivekananda Kendra Auditorium.

 

Ms. Anjali Devasher said that the special postal cover on Eknath Ranade was released to honour a great leader by the Department of Posts.

 

My Stamp was released by T. Murthy, Chief Postmaster General, Tamil Nadu Circle.

 

D. Bhanudas, general secretary, Vivekananda Kendra, received the special postal cover and My Stamp. A. Balakrishnan, vice-president, Vivekananda Kendra, presided. J. Charukesi, Postmaster General, South Zone, and office-bearers of Vivekananda Kendra attended the function.

 

Prior to the release of special postal cover and stamp, a short film on Eknath Ranade was screened at the auditorium.

 

P. Krishnaswami, Administrative Officer, welcomed the gathering and M. Hanumantarao, treasurer, proposed a vote of thanks.

Source : http://www.thehindu.com/

Directorate's reply to CHQ on delayed credit of NPS contribution in Employees Account

R.K. Laxman should be face of RTI stamps, say activists

 

  MUMBAI, January 30, 2015

 

In view of a recent Central Government circular seeking people's views on inclusion of postal stamps for paying RTI fees, activists have demanded that such stamps should bear the face of legendary cartoonist R K Laxman who passed away this week.

 

"There should be separate RTI stamps issued by the postal department, to facilitate payment of RTI fees," Subhash Chandra Agarwal, noted RTI activist who first proposed the idea before the Chief Information Commission, told The Hindu.

 

"It is a lovely idea to have R K Laxman's face on those stamps. It will be a nation's homage to somebody who took the common man's issues to a new height. Mr. Laxman turned the common man into a hero," former Chief Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi said.

 

Mr. Subhash Chandra said there were many parallels between the common man and the RTI Act. "The RTI Act is meant for the common man and R K Laxman's cartoons raised the voice of the common man," he said.

 

Separate RTI stamps

 

A few activists from western Maharashtra led by Vihar Durve recently wrote to the Department of Personnel and Training and the Prime Minister seeking issuance of separate RTI stamps in the name of Mr. Laxman who passed away this week.

 

At present, people filing RTI queries can make payment by four modes -- IPO, Demand Draft, Bankers Cheque and Cash against receipt. But the Central Information Commission, in its recent order passed last month, again recommended the use of ordinary postal stamps for paying RTI fees.

 

But the government apprehends that use of ordinary postal stamps may lead to many problems including accounting error for the postal department, misuse of ordinary stamps.

 

According to a circular issued by the Department of Personnel and Training on January 14, the government has formed a committee to look into these issues and to decide if postal stamps should be introduced as RTI fees. The circular seeks suggestions from the citizens.

 

The RTI activists have suggested that the government (postal department) issue separate RTI stamps for the purpose. "Firstly, it will be very easy for the citizens as these stamps will be freely available at all post offices," Mr Gandhi said.

 

"Also, these will be the most economical modes of paying RTI fees. If beautiful RTI stamps are issued, they will propagate the use of RTI. The people will be convenienced as many RTI petitioners face quite a few hurdles in paying fees," Mr Subhash Chandra said.

 

Difficulty

 

But Mr Gandhi pointed out a practical difficulty in implementing the measure. "At present, the revenue from the RTI fees goes to the States. But if postal stamps are introduced, the revenue will go to the Central government. Though Rs 10 crore annual revenue isn't much, the Centre will still have to convince all the States and get them on-board to implement this step," he said.

 

Commemorative postage Stamps and Miniature sheet on Swachh Bharat Campaign(Clean India Campaign)

Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications & IT has come out with a set of Commemorative Postage Stamps on the theme Swachh Bharat.

 

Commemorative Postage stamps on Swachh Bharat were released by the Minister of Communications &IT, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad.

 

Speaking on the occasion, the MOC&IT said that cleanliness was close to the heart of Mahatma Gandhi and to realise his cherished ideal there is a strong need to observe Swachhagraha just as Gandhiji had launched Satyagraha. He also exhorted all citizens to participate whole heartedly in the Clean India campaign and to work strenuously to develop the culture of cleanliness and hygiene.

Swachh Bharat cess may be imposed by way of a Service Tax amendment

Rupee down 7 paise against dollar in early tradeNew Delhi: A Swachh Bharat cess is likely to be imposed by way of a Service Tax amendment in the forthcoming Annual Budget.

According to sources, The Finance Ministry proposes Swachh Bharat cess seeking Rs 1 lakh crore for Swachh Bharat Mission.

The government hopes to mop up Rs 1 lakh crore in five years. Service Tax amendment is likely to take place in the Budget Session.

 

The Swachh Bharat cess may range between 0.02 to 0.05 per cent. The cess is likely to be levied on telecom SVCs and spectrum sale.

The government mulls imposing cess on all services under service tax regime. It will be levied for a specific purpose for procuring machinery.

The cess may be used for cleanliness and infrastructure development also. It is likely to be added to Swachh Bharat Kosh and the collection will be disbursed to the states, the sources said.

Source : http://ibnlive.in.com/

Commemorative Postage Stamp on Swachh Bharat

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & Information Technology

30-January-2015 15:18 IST

Commemorative Postage Stamp on Swachh Bharat

The Minister for Communications & Information Technology, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad along with the Minister for Urban Development & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Venkaiah Naidu and the Minister for Rural Development Shri Chaudhary Birender Singh released Commemorative Postage stamps on the theme of Swachh Bharat to mark the Martyrdom Day of Mahatma Gandhi today.

Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad speaking on the occasion said the Government intends to make cleanliness a part culture of this country under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi . He pointed out that the design for the stamps were selected through a competition among the children on the theme. The Minister for Urban Development Shri Venkaiah Naidu also appreciating the idea said that if the practice of cleanliness catches with our children, it would spread as a mass movement in the country. He hoped that Swachhatha will become a Jan Andholan. Shri Chaudhary Birender Singh said the release of the stamps on the Martyrdom Day on this subject of cleanliness, which is very close to the heart of the Father of the Nation, is an apt tribute to him.

The Department of Posts, at a function this morning issued a set of these three Commemorative Postage Stamps on the theme of Swachh Bharat.

Swachh Bharat Mission was launched by the Prime Minister on the 2nd October, 2014 on the occasion of Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This all encompassing Mission covering our surroundings seeks to achieve “Clean India” and aims to provide access to toilets to all households in the country, and making adequate arrangements for Solid and Liquid Waste Management.

Release of a set of three stamps and a miniature sheet on the theme Swachh Bharat is a part of this effort to achieve the vision of Clean and Healthy India. 

GPF and Pension Benefits to Casual Labour with temporary status regularised after 1.1.2004 - regarding.

Click here to view

 

VISAKHAPATNAM, January 30, 2015

 

From February, the Postal Department will distribute welfare pensions to 50,000 beneficiaries in the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation area.

 

For effective disbursement of the pensions in the city 85 postal field staff have been identified across all the post offices and trained for disbursement through Point of Transaction Devices from February 2, according to Senior Superintendent of Post Offices K.V.L.N. Murthy.

 

A campaign for identification of finger prints would be taken up for three days from Friday in the post offices.

 

The beneficiaries should produce the ration card/Aadhar card/Post Office Pass Book or EPIC card for his or her identification.

 

EDITORIAL-- DAK JAGRITI- FEB 2015

railways, defence  and  postal  for  sale

 

we  shall  prevent  it  at  any  cost

              NDA Government which came to power at Centre seven months back, has proved that it is a Govt. of the Corporates, by the Corporates and for the Corporates.  In the Central Govt. employees sector none of the issues pertaining to the employees are settled - DA merger, Interim Relief, Inclusion of GDS under 7th CPC, Scrapping of New Pension Scheme, Casual Labourers issue, Cadre Restructuring in Postal, all are pending.  Over and above this, the Modi Government is moving fast ahead with privatisation and large scale outsourcing of the core functions of the Central Government departments.  The very existence of Government-run Central Government departments are under threat.

              On 22nd August 2014, the Modi Govt. amended the 1991 Govt. of India’s Policy resolution, replacing the words “Railway Transport” as “Railway Operations”.  Simultaneously, they also announced the induction of 100% FDI in Railways including operation, construction, design and maintenance.  Induction of FDI and consequent privatisation of Railways will endanger the job security of lakhs of Railway employees.

              The Defence production sector went in for partial privatisation when the UPA Government allowed FDI to the extent of 26% whereby the foreign arms manufacturers were permitted access to the vital defence sector, disregarding the national security perspective.  What is now decided by the present NDA Government is to allow 49% FDI in defence production.  The Government has decided to set up a Corporation to carry out the functions of 41 ordnance factories under the Ministry of Defence which is a big move to privatise defence production sector.  Eventually this will lead to closure of department - controlled defence production units, unable to face the unscrupulous competition from the Transnational Corporations, driving thousands of Defence employees and workers to unemployment and poverty.

              The Task Force set up by the Government under the Chairmanship of Shri. T.S.R. Subramanian, former Cabinet Secretary to the Govt. of India, has recommended to convert the core functions of the Postal Department into a Corporation called “India Post (Financial and other services) Corporation”.  Under this holding company five more subsidiary corporations will be formed, on the lines the Telecom was made into BSN, VSNL and MTNL.  The entire social obligations will be thrust upon the Postal Department while private players will eventually take the creamy part of Postal department such as Savings Bank, PLI/RPLI, Parcels, Packets and Logistics etc.  In the longer run, the public sector company so formed would be made to incur losses and ultimate closure, as is happening in the case of BSNL. Lakhs of Postal employees will be forced to go on VRS or will become jobless.

              Thus it is very clear that Modi Government has thrown a challenge to the Central Government employees in general and to Railway, Defence and Postal Workers in particular. We must accept the challenge and defeat the nefarious design of the Modi Government, with determination and with a do or die attitude.  We must not entertain any doubt of our ultimate victory in this battle.

CHQ writes the Secy(Posts) to issue Departmental Identity Cards to all staff including GDS

CHQ writes to the Secy(Posts) on reverification of membership

Cancellation of training programme at PTC, Darbhanga - Case of P As of Bhubaneswar Division

Department of Posts, India

Office of the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices

Bhubaneswar Division, Bhubaneswar-751009

 

Memo No: B.12-32(Trg)/2003/Ch-I                         Dated at Bhubaneswar the 28.01.2015

 

In pursuance of the instructions contained in Chief Postmaster General, Odisha Circle, Bhubaneswar-751001 letter No.RE/34-1/14 dated 28.01.2015, the following Postal Assts. of this Division  who have been directed to undergo Assistant Development Programme for Postal Assistants as per the programme detailed below at Postal Training Centre, Darbhanga-846005 is hereby cancelled.

 

1. Assistant Development Programme for Postal Assistants

 

Sl. No.	Name & designation of the Official nominated to undergo training	Period of training
1	Sri K.L.D Patra, PA,BBSR Sectt. SO	16.2.15 to 28.2.15
2	Ms Pragya Paramita Sarangi, PA, BBSR GPO	16.2.15 to28.02.15
3	Ms Sujata Sahoo, PA, Utkal University MDG	16.2.15 to28.02.15
4	Sri Prakash Ku Nayak,PA, Ashoknagar MDG	2.3.15 to 13.03.15
5	Sri Malaya Ranjan Pati,PA, Bhubaneswar GPO	2.3.15 to 13.03.15
6	Sri Tapan Ku Swain, PA, BBSR GPO	16.3.15 to 28.3.15
7	Sri Jitendra Ku Mohanty, PA, SERP Complex SO	16.3.15 to 28.3.15

 

Copy forwarded for information and necessary action to:

1.       The Asst. Director (Staff), O/o the Chief P.M.G. (Odisha), Bhubaneswar-751001 for information w.r.t. C.O. letter no. RE/34-1/14 dated 28.01.2015.

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

3.       The Senior Postmaster, Bhubaneswar GPO, Bhubaneswar-751001.

4.       The Sub Postmasters concerned.

5.       The officials concerned.

6.       PF of the officials.

7.       The Accountant Divisional Office, Bhubaneswar.

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

9.     Office copy.

 

 Sr. Supdt. of Post Offices

Bhubaneswar Division

Bhubaneswar-751009

Training programme of End Users for CBS. in WTC, Bhubaneswar

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS: INDIA

O/O THE CHIEF POSTMASTER GENERAL, ODISHA CIRCLE

BHUBANESWAR-751001 

To

      

The SSPOs/SPOs, Odisha Circle

 

 No: PMU/1-2/2011                                                      Dated at Bhubaneswar the 28.01.2015

 

Sub: Training programme of End Users for CBS.

                 In accordance with Directorate e-mail dated 23.01.2015, I am directed to forward the training schedule of CBS end users training to held at WTC, Circle Office, Bhubaneswar for the month of Feburary-2015 from 16.02.2015 onwards as per the plan below. The training will be imparted by Sri Manas Naik & Sri Purushotham Bhat of FSI SI(M/S Infosys). They will be assisted by Sri Manoj Ku. Mahala & Sri B.B. Mohapatra ,Trainers ,WTC ,CO. You are requested to depute the officials having adequate computer knowledge, capable of doing counter works and keeping in view the readiness with their priority of CBS rollout. Officials already trained need not be deputed.

SL No	Name of the Division	Name of the  Office	Period of Training     Batch-A        Batch-B		No. Of Trainees(PA & Supervisor) per Batch	Total in Each Batch
1	Bhubaneswar	SOs	16.02.2015 to 21.02.2015	23.02.2015 to 28.02.2015	2	23
2	Cuttack City	SOs			2
3	Cuttack North	SOs			1
4	Cuttack South	SOs			1
5	Mayurbhanj	SOs			1
6	Balasore	SOs			1
7	Bhadrak	SOs			1
8	Puri	SOs			1
9	Sambalpur	SOs			2
10	Sundargarh	SOs			2
11	Bolangir	SOs			1
12	Keonjhar	SOs			1
13	Dhenkanal	SOs			1
14	Kalahandi	SOs			2
15	Phulbani	SOs			1
16	Berhampur	SOs			1
17	Aska	SOs			1
18	Koraput	SOs			1

   

Asst. Director (PMU)

O/O the CPMG

Orissa Circle, Bhubaneswar – 751001

India Post to launch e-commerce portal

Directly stepping into the cyberworld, India post is going to launch its own e-commerce portal in the shape of those like Amazon or eBay soon. The aggressive step of India Post, world's largest postal service, is a part of its massive IT based modernization initiative worth Rs 5,000 crore.

"At planning and designing phase now, the final rollover of the dedicated postal e-commerce portal may take another 6 months. But we are excited about this new avatar in our service basket," Mr. John Samuel, member of Postal Services Board told ET.

As he describes, the portal will be like popular e-commerce entities like Amazon or eBay. A conduit between buyers and sellers. But, it is not going to be entirely open for any item to be traded by anyone. Rather a moderated and scrutinized list will be followed. Local specialties like Tea from Darjeeling, Mango from Malda in West Bengal or Saffron from Kashmir will have emphasize in that.

India Post is tying up with different controlling authorities like Spices Board, Tea Board, or cashew Board to ensure 'quality trading of quality items only'-- as Mr. Samuel puts it.

In addition to the physical products, services of different public sector are also being planned to be included into the tradable items of the portal.

"Wide and fast growing coverage of internet through computer and mobile phones are bringing more and more people from even remote corners to the doorsteps of e-commerce. There lies our new opportunity. Moreover delivery of the items is a major issue for all e-commerce authorities. Here also India post excel's with its 1.5 lakh establishments and time tested connectivity network," he said.

In one hand we have Rs 4909 crore worth IT related infrastructure modernization plan and on the other hand, we are spending another Rs 2000 crore to have new vehicles to ensure faster delivery.

Indeed it is a new step to a new world that can give new life to financially crunched Indiapost. But, "We need to bring change in our own attitude at certain corners to churn out the best out of this initiative," accepted Mr. Samuel.

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

Circle Postal JCA comprising NFPE, FNPO, AIPEU GDS(NFPE) & NUGDS formed with unanimous resolution for bringing thundering success to the proposed nation-wide Indefinite Strike commencing 6th May, 2015

Divisional Union writes to Circle Union on arbitrary and excess deputation of P As of Bhubaneswar Division to Circle Office

No. UN-BN/AIPEU-Gr.-C/ 05–01/2015

Dated at Bhubaneswar the 29^th   January, 2015

To
Com. R C Mishra
Circle Secretary, AIPEU, Group-C, Odisha Circle branch
At- Postal Stores Depot, Bhubaneswar – 751 007 

Sub:-   Arbitrary and excess deputation of P As of Bhubaneswar Division to Circle Office 

Ref.-    Circle Union letter No. UN/AIPEU, Gr-C / Odisha /05 – 2014,  Dated 21.05.2014 addressed to the Chief PMG / DPS (HQ), Odisha Circle 

Dear Comrade,

This has a reference to this Divisional Union’s letter No. UN-BN/AIPEU-Gr.-C/ 01 – 04/2014, dated 4^th April, 2014 on the above subject basing on which the Circle Union, expressing its concern has already protested against the mass scale deputation orders of P As from Bhubaneswar division to work in Circle Office vide its letter under reference with request both to the Chief PMG and DPS(HQ), Odisha Circle for their kind intervention and cancellation of such orders issued already.

But as witnessed, the above letter of the Circle Union has no impact on the Circle administration which is compelling Bhubaneswar Division continuously for deputation of additional hands to Circle Office. 

In this context, this is to inform you that out of 241 sanctioned strength of P As in Bhubaneswar Division, the working strength available as on date is 219 only and out of those 219,  the following 12 officials are on deputation at present to C O/other establishments. 

Sl.	Name of the P A	Section where working
1	Bibhuti Bhusan Mohapatra, S A	WCTC
2	Manoj Kumar Mahala, S A	WCTC
3	Pravakar Satpathy, P A	Project Arrow Cell
4	Archana Mishra, P A	Investigation
5	Rabi Narayan Sahoo-II, P A	B D Cell
6	Lal Mohan Mohapatra, P A	Budget
7	Puspanjali Satpathy, P A	PLI
8	Kshyamanidhi Routray	PLI
9	Somanath Sabar	PLI
10	Banita Tripathy	Investigation
11	Lingaraj Sahoo	CPC
12	Gadadhar Rath, P A	Deputed to DoT

In addition, 2 P As are on deputation to APS, 2 P As are under suspension and 8 P As are working against LSG supervisor vacant posts in Bhubaneswar GPO due to non-availability of approved LSG officials. Thus, actually 195 P As [219 – ( 12+2+2+8)] are available against the sanctioned strength of 241 with shortage of 46 P As. 

This is not the end of the problem. Long absence of women employees availing Child Care Leave on office arrangements also adds to the problem. In addition, frequent temporary vacancies are there due to availing of C L / E L / LTC etc by the officials. As a result, the staff members of Bhubaneswar Division are facing a lot of problems and are frequently debarred of due leaves at the time of need. Even the Division Office has failed on several occasions to make a suitable relieving arrangement against C L to allow its officials to attend important social responsibilities including self-medical treatment. 

It is needless to reiterate that the operative offices including the divisional office are already over loaded with works after introduction of various new products and services and implementation of several schemes along with decentralization of PLI/ RPLI works. So, further reduction of staff  strength from divisional level in the name of deputation is not at all justified and appreciable. 

Thus, this union while strongly protests such arbitrary deputation of P As of Bhubaneswar Division to Circle Office requests you to discuss the matter immediately once again with the Chief PMG / DPS (HQ), Odisha Circle in person for immediate return of all staff of Bhubaneswar Division now under deputation to Circle Office for smooth management of the Division. 

Further, it is also requested to appraise the Circle administration for bringing P As on deputation to C O, if at all required from other Divisions where interested officials are frequently opting for the purpose and stop issuing such orders to Bhubaneswar Division hence forth. 

This may be given priority. 

A line of reply on the action taken is sincerely requested. 

With greetings.

Yours comradely, 

( B. SAMAL)

Secretary

Copy through eMail to : 

1.     The Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Bhubaneswar Division, Bhubaneswar – 751 009 with request not to relieve officials of Bhubaneswar Division on deputation to Circle Office/other establishments. Since the Division is already running short of 46 P As and the staff members are suffering like anything even to avail a single day C L to discharge their social responsibilities, Circle Office may kindly be appraised of the situation with denial of further deputation to C O from Bhubaneswar Division. In addition, C O may kindly be requested also to return the P As already on deputation.

 

2.     The Director Postal Services ( HQ), O / o the Chief PMG, Odisha Circle, Bhubaneswar with humble request for cancellation of C O order issued to SSPOs, Bhubaneswar Division for deputation of officials to CO.