IRDA to bring Common Service Centres for selling simple policies in rural areas

HYDERABAD: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) is roping in Common Service Centres as a platform for insurers to sell simple policies in rural areas. 

"We are bringing CSCs as insurance brokers to sell policies. In six months time it may come in full-fledged manner. We are going to make test market it in two to three months time," IRDA Chairman T S Vijayan said. 

Common Service Centres, a cornerstone of the National e-Governance Plan, offers web-enabled .. 

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Meeting on Cadre Restructuring

THE NEXT MEETING OF THE CADRE RESTRUCTURING COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD ON 9^TH JANUARY 2014 (THURSDAY) AT 3.00 PM AT DAK BHAWAN, NEWDELHI

== M.KRISHNAN

     SECRETARY GENERAL

     NFPE

Nomination of Appellate Authorities for all matters relating to Vigilance Petition (VP) and Departmental Examination (DE)

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Extracts from Year End Review-2013 of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.

SIMPLIFICATION OF PROCEDURE FOR PAYMENT OF FAMILY PENSION

 During the year 2013, passing of theLokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 release of documentary films on good governance initiatives, guidelines for suo motu disclosure, launching of internship scheme and simplification of procedure  for payment of family pension were some of the important highlights of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension. ........................

Simplification of Procedure for Payment of Family Pension:

The Government has decided that an employee/pensioner/family pensioner may at anytime make a request to the Appointing Authority for advance approval to the grant of family pension for life to a permanently disabled child/sibling or dependent parents. On the basis of this approval, authorisation shall be made in the original Pension Payment Order (PPO) at the time of retirement or by issuing a revised authority. The permanently disabled child/sibling/ dependent parents will receive family pension at the appropriate time, i.e., after the death of employee/pensioner and/or after the death/ineligibility of any other member in the family who was eligible to receive family pension prior to the disabled child/sibling/dependent parents. 

       Where there are other eligible prior claimants to family pension, the names of disabled child/children/dependent parents/permanently disabled sibling will be added to the PPO issued to the preceding eligible family pensioner. Family pension to these permanently disabled child/children/siblings/dependent parents will be payable after the death/ineligibility of the prior claimant, as the case maybe. 

Grant of Family Pension to the family of missing employee/pensioner   

            Family pension is payable to the family of a Government employee or pensioner after his death. Difficulties in payment arise when a Government Servant or pensioner goes missing. Clarificatory instructions were issued by the Central Government for payment of benefits in such cases. According to these instructions, the family must lodge a report with the concerned police station and obtain a report from the police, that the employee or pensioner or family pensioner has not been traced despite all efforts made by them.   The report may be a First Information Report or any other report such as a Daily Diary or General Diary Entry.

The family can apply for the grant of family pension, amount of salary due, leave encashment due and the amount of GPF and gratuity (whatever has not already been received) to the Head of Office of the organisation where the employee or pensioner had last served, six months after lodging of police report.  The amount of salary due, leave encashment due and the amount of GPF will be paid to the family in the first instance as per the nominations made by the employee or pensioner on filling of a police report and submission of an indemnity bond....................................

SOurce : PIB Release, 27 Dec, 2013

Handbook on Governance Enhancing Recommendations of FSLRC

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Consolidated Instructions on Forwarding of Applications of Government Servants for Outside Employment-regarding.

Click here to view DoP&T  O M No.28011/1/2013-Estt(C) , dated 23.12.2013

Minutes of the 7th CPC Seminar on Common Demands COC KARNATAKA

The seminar on 7th CPC common demands held at Income Tax office Bangalore on 18/12/13 which was presided over by Com S.Radhakrishna Working President COC Karnataka.

The seminar  was attended by following affiliates of COC Karnataka.

1) All India Postal Employees Union. 

2) Income Tax Employees Federation. 

3) Postal Accounts Employees Association.

4) RMS Employees Association.  

5) Central Ground Water Board Employees Association. 

6) Indian Audit & Accounts Employees Association 

7) Survey of India Employees Association. 

8) Census Employees Association. 

9) Atomic Energy (RMP Mysore) Employees Association. 

10) P& T Audit Employees Association. 

11) GPO Employees Association. 

12) Postal Admin Employees Association. 

13) Central Excise Employees Association. 

14) CGHS Employees Association. 

15) NAL Employees Association. 

16) IMD Employees Association. 

17) Civil Accounts Employees Association. 

Other invitees and others 5 members. Total 135 members.

Deliberation of the Seminar started at 11 AM  and concluded at 4.30PM.

Comrade R.Seethalaxshmi  Vice President COC Karnataka welcomed the chief Guest and Delegates for the seminar.

Com P.S.Prasad General Secretary COC Karnataka welcomed the Chief Guest and Delegates for the seminar.  He explained the background of conducting this seminar as the Central Government has decided to constitute the 7th CPC, hence this seminar will debate on the common issues of CG Employees to be presented in the 7th CPC. He further stated that the work paper has been circulated and it can be debated in this seminar, so that the COC view of Karnataka can be finalised.. At the same time he urged the affiliates to be prepared for struggle if the Government does not agree to the staff side demands of terms of reference. He assured the CHQ leaders Karnataka has always in the forefront of the CG movement.  He also thanked the ITEF leadership for making arrangements for this seminar including hall, printing of work paper, providing good food at subsidized rates etc.  

Com S.Radhakrishna Working President COC Karnataka in his speech explained to the members right from the first Central Pay Commission to sixth Central Pay Commission, the Central Pay Commission has done injustice to the Employees by not awarding the right pay scales and fitment formula. The concept of fair wages has been deprived to CG Employees. Usually pay commissions had adopted a multiplying factor of 3.2 to 3.6 to arrive at the new scales compared to earlier scales. But the VI CPC adopted conversion factor of about 2.6 at the lowest where as it was about 6 at the highest scale. By this method well established ration 1:12 between the lowest scale and highest scale was disturbed by the VI CPC.  He further elaborated how be struggle oriented approach the Confederation was able to get improvements in the recommendations of earlier pay commission reports.  He supported the decision of Confederation Hqrs to chalk out series of programmes to prepare the membership for strike.

Inaugural address by Comrade M.Krishnan Secretary General Confederation of Central Govt. Employees New Delhi.

Inaugurating and initiating discussion of seminar Secretary General  congratulated the COC Karnataka for organising this seminar on the common demands of CG Employees which is first of its kind in the country. He also thanked the COC Karnataka for participation in strikes and struggles launched by Confederation. He narrated the circumstances under which the earlier pay commissions had been constituted. Even in case of VII CPC Confederation was first to raise the demand and later adopted by all organisations. Government after seeing the mobilisation for strike ballot proposed to be held in November 2013  announced the constitution of VII CPC. which has put pressure on the Government in announcing the 7th CPC, He explained to the members about the terms of reference prepared by the staff side of JCM to the Central Government, He also informed that if the Central Government does not agree to our demands or the terms of reference prepared by the staff side of JCM  then the Confederation will  take up struggle path.  

  Comrade M.Krishnan deliberated on the work paper prepared by the COC Karnataka and each and every item was discussed by him. He expressed satisfaction on the this report and informed the delegates that while preparing the 7th CPC  memorandum by the Confederation the views of the COC Karnataka will be taken into account, he also assured that the members will be consulted before finalising the 7th CPC  memorandum as this will be displayed on the Confederation website.   

Presentation of work paper by Com P.S.Prasad General Secretary COC Karnataka, He presented the work paper which was approved by the members.

Com Kameshawari from IMD wanted the  IMD to be declared as scientific department . Com Ashok Kumar from Census wanted increase in tour TA/DA rates, Com R. Srinivas wanted filling up of vacant post.  

Concluding address by Comrade M.S.Raja Working President of Confederation of Central Govt. Employees  New Delhi

In his speech he explained how the C. G. Employees were denied the trade union rights, he urged members to be prepared for the struggles and he explained how the struggles from first CPC to sixth CPC has yielded results. He also agreed to the work paper on common demands of CG Employees prepared by COC Karnataka.

Comrade K.S.Madhusudhan Secretary General  AICGWBEA and General Secretary COC  Harayana State.

In his speech he agreed on the work paper on common demands of CG Employees prepared by COC Karnataka, He explained the need for filling up  vacant post and travelling allowance to be provided to field staff. He urged all persons to prepare their 7th CPC memorandum, He informed that for CGWB a committee has been formed in which Com P.S.Prasad has been made member of the committee.

Com S.Radhakrishna Working President COC Karnataka made his concluding remarks and assured the Apex leadership that State unit will implement the calls of Hqrs in letter and spirit.

Seminar concluded at 4.30 Pm with Vote of thanks by Com Ravindranth Joint Secretary of COC Karnataka.

Revised Delivery Norms for Speed Post

D.G. Posts No. 13-45/2008-D dated 10/11/.12.2013

The norms for delivery of Speed Post articles have in the past been revised from time to time and are also contained in the Citizen’s Charter of the Department. The existing delivery norms for Speed Post are follows:

(a)     Local (within municipal limits) : 2 days

(b)     Between one to another metro city (included the six metro cities i.e. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad) and limited to Municipal limits of these cities: 2 days

      (c)    Rest of the country: 4 to 6 days.

2.       The norms mentioned above are further qualified by stating that they exclude the day of posting, Sundays and Holidays that they denote maximum time and apply only to the articles booked before the cut-off time.

3.       The matter relating to revision of the existing norms for delivery of Speed Post articles was under consideration of this Directorate, and the following has been decided in this regard:

(a)      New delivery (transit) norms have been worked out on a city-to-city      basis for 87 cities where Speed Post Sorting Hubs are located (excluding 1  CBPO & 2 CBPO). The new delivery norms are being circulated to all concerned by e-mail along with this O.M. The same may be downloaded.

(b)      The new norms for a pair of cities have been prescribed in terms of a range. For example,  the delivery norms between Mumbai and Pune is “1 to 2 days, i.e. D+1 to D+2 where “D”  is the day of booking.

(c)      The new norms would be restricted to the municipal limits of a city       (covering only TD PIN codes) under reference.

4.       The new delivery norms for Speed Post would be subject to the conditions that:

*         They are limited to 87 cities, and municipal limit within these cities,

*         They do not apply to the articles booked after the cut-off time on a day(normally) taken as 3 or 4 pm for booking counters at post offices or as decided by the Circle concerned) and an extra day may be added in       such cases,

*         The delivery norms do not include Sundays and holidays,

*         Delay occurring due to curfew, bandh or strike in a particular city mayadversely affect delivery norms,

*         Delay occurring due to cancellation of flights/trains/buses/other means of transport for carriage of mail  or off-load / non-carriage of mail by the   carriers due to any reason is beyond the control of the Department, and therefore, the same may adversely affect delivery norms.

*         Beyond the cities mentioned under the delivery norms document, extra days may be required which would vary from place to place..

5.       Circles may give wide publicity to the new norms among the public and display the norms in the shape of a matrix of prominent/frequently-used destinations at the post office as display of entire matrix perhaps may not be possible.

6.       The new delivery norms would also be placed on India Post website in a user-friendly format so that a user could easily find delivery/transit norms between a pair of cities. In the interim, a PDF version of the document is being uploaded on the Departmental website.

7.       This O.M. supercedes all previous instructions on Speed Post Delivery Norms issued by this Directorate/Business Development Directorate.

About DoP Internet Banking

Following facilities are available for DOP e banking portal user:

My Profile:

1. Change 'Sign-on' and Transaction Password.

2. Set Preferences.

3. Update channel id.

4. View personnel details.

Accounts:

1. Accounts Summary.

2. Savings accounts details.

3. RD account details.

4. PPF accounts details.

5. TD accounts details.

6. NSC Account details.

7. Loan on RD details.

8. Loan on PPF details.

9. Tax deducted at source details.

Transactions:

1. Manage Payee.

2. Manage Billers.

3. Initiate funds Transfer with in DOP.

4. Funds transfer outside DOP.

5. PPF account withdrawal.

6. View scheduled transactions.

7. Pay PPF Account/Repay Loan on PPF.

8. View recurring instructions.

9. Pay RD account.

10. View All Transactions.

11. Repay Loan on RD.

General Services:

1. Mails.

2. Inquiry Facility.

3. Service Requests.

Terms and Conditions

1. Definitions:

In these Terms of Service (Terms & Conditions), unless the context indicates otherwise, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings indicated against them:

♦    The Department of Posts comes under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The Postal Service Board, the apex management body of the Department, comprises the Chairman and six Members. The six members of the Board hold portfolios of Personnel, Operations, Technology, Postal Life Insurance, Human Resources Development, Planning respectively. The Joint Secretary and Financial Advisor to the Department is a permanent invitee to the Board. The Board is assisted by a senior staff officer of the Directorate as Secretary to the Board. Deputy Directors General, Directors and Assistant Directors General provide the necessary functional support for the Board at the Headquarters.

♦    DoP refers to Department of Posts.

♦    The Site means   https://ebanking.indiapost.gov.in/

♦    Internet Banking Services are one of the services offered by Department of Posts which provide access to account information, products and other services (including Transaction of financial and non-financial in nature) as advised by the Department from time to time to the customers through the internet banking website.

♦    User refers to a customer of Department of Posts who is authorized to use Internet Banking Services.

♦    Confidential Information refers to the information obtained by the customer through the Department of Posts for availing various services through e-Banking.

♦    Personal Information refers to the information about the User obtained by the Department of Posts in connection with the Internet Banking Service.

♦    Account refers to the User's Savings and/or RD and/or or any other type of account so designated by the Department of Posts to be eligible account(s) for the operations through the use of Internet Banking.

♦    In the event of new accounts opened by the User under the same CIF in future, then the Terms of Service (Terms & Conditions) shall automatically apply to such further use of the Internet Banking by the User.

♦    In case of accounts opened for and on behalf of minors, the Internet Banking facility shall not be made available to the minor. The natural guardian of the minor shall be permitted to use Internet banking with only 'Limited Transaction' rights. The natural guardian shall undertake to give all instructions relating to the operation of the account and further undertake not to reveal the User ID and Password to the minor, which if done so, will be at the risk and consequences of the guardian and Department of Posts shall not be liable for any loss on that account in case the account is operated by the minor. In such an event the transaction will be deemed to have been undertaken by the guardian.

♦    Third party product refers to any product and/or service of third party which is offered by or through the intermediary of Department of Posts.

♦    Customer refers to Customer named in the Application Form and shall, where the context requires, include any authorized representative of the Customer.

♦    Internet Banking Services refers to a service offered by Department of Posts through which a registered Customer may conduct enquiries or perform transactions on the Internet banking website   https://ebanking.indiapost.gov.in/

♦    SMS Password refers to one time 8 digit pass code that would be sent to a customer's mobile number registered on the record of Department of Posts.

♦    Instruction means any request or instruction that is received from the customer by the Department of Posts through Internet Banking services.

2. Applicability of Terms & Conditions:

These Terms mentioned herein form the contract between the User using the Internet Banking services and Department of Posts. By applying for Internet Banking Services and accessing the service, the User acknowledges and accepts these Terms of Service (Terms & Conditions). Any conditions relating to the accounts of customer other than these Terms will continue to apply except that in the event of any conflict between these Terms and the account conditions, these Terms will continue to prevail. The agreement shall remain valid until it is replaced by another agreement or terminated by either party or account is closed, whichever is earlier.

3. Application of Internet Banking Services:

Department of Posts may offer Internet Banking services to selected customers at its discretion and has the right to accept or reject such application as may be submitted by the users. The Customer acknowledges that he/she possesses knowledge of the Internet usage and will have legal access to the Internet. Customers willing to utilize the e-Banking services may approach the Post Office, where their account is maintained or willing to open their account, in person for registering themselves. Department of Posts will advise from time to time regarding the Internet software such as Browsers, which are required for using Internet Banking services. There will be no obligation on the part of the DoP to support all the versions of this Internet software.

4. Internet Banking:

The information provided to the user through the Internet Banking is not updated continuously but at regular intervals. Consequently, any information supplied to the user through Internet Banking will pertain to the date and time when it was last updated and not as the date and time when it is supplied to the user. Department of Posts shall not be liable for any loss that the user may suffer by relying on or acting on such information. Department of Posts may keep its records of the transactions in any form it wishes. In the event of any dispute, the DoP records shall be binding as the conclusive evidence of the transactions carried out through Internet Banking in the absence of clear proof that the DoP's records are erroneous or incomplete. Any request for any service, which is offered as a part of Internet Banking, shall be binding on the user as and when the DoP receives such a request. If any request for a service is such that it cannot be given effect to unless it is followed up by requisite documentation on part of the user, the Department of Posts shall not be required to act on the request until it receives such documentation from the user. The USER understands that the DoP shall be bound by any circulars and directives issued by the Ministry of Finance/Reserve Bank of India with regard to the maintenance and operation of deposit accounts from time to time. The USER acknowledges and undertakes to be equally bound to comply therewith. The USER also hereby absolves and holds blameless the Department of Posts from any claim or damages in respect of any delay on the part of the DoP in carrying out any instructions given by the USER over the internet, where such delay is on account of technological failure, or other reasons beyond the control of the Department of Posts. In cases of technological failure, DoP shall endeavour to keep the downtime to the minimum.

5. Un-authorized Access:

The user shall take all necessary precautions to prevent unauthorized and illegal use of Internet Banking and unauthorized access to the Accounts provided by Department of Posts e-Banking services. DoP shall take all commercially reasonable care to, ensure the security of and to prevent unauthorised access to the Internet Banking using commercially reasonable technology available in India to the Department of Posts. The USER shall also be responsible for maintenance of the secrecy of the personal details of the ACCOUNTS at all times. If the USER fails to keep secret such personal details of the ACCOUNT, then, the Department of Posts shall stand absolved of all obligations under this AGREEMENT. The user shall ensure that e-Banking service offered by DoP or any related service is not used for any purpose which is illegal, improper or which is not authorised under these Terms. If any USER has any reason to believe that there is any unauthorized access of his or her ACCOUNT, the USER shall immediately intimate the DoP at the Post Office branch. The USER understands and recognizes that in matters of unauthorized access, time is of the essence, for speedy detection and prevention. Therefore, any failure on the part of the USER to speedily notify DoP, shall absolve the DoP of any further responsibility with respect to such unauthorized access.

6. Internet Banking access and Passwords:

The user would be allotted an Internet Banking user-id and user password & transaction password by Department of Posts in the first instance. The user will be required to change the password assigned on accessing Internet Banking for the first time. As a safety measure, the user shall change the password as frequently thereafter. In addition to user-id and password DoP may, the user may setup PAM (Personal Access Message) during the first time login. This message will be displayed during the user password entry screen to show the authenticity of the Internet banking site.

7. Joint Accounts:

The user desirous of using the POSB account should be either the account holder Or sole signatory or authorized to act independently in case of a joint account. For such joint account, one user-ID and password will be issued to each of the joint account holders when requested. The other joint account holders shall expressly agree with the arrangement and give their consent on the application form for use of the account. In case of joint accounts operated by more than one user, Department of Posts shall act on the instruction received first and any subsequent instruction shall be neglected. All correspondence will be addressed to the first named person only. All transactions arising from the use of the Internet Banking services in the joint account shall be binding on all the joint account holders, jointly and severally.

8. Service Charges:

Department of Posts reserves the right to charge and recover from the user service charges for providing the e-Banking services. Services charges may be changed periodically by the department. The user hereby authorizes Department of Posts to recover the service charges by debiting one of the Savings accounts of the user or by sending a bill to the user who will be liable to make the payment within the specified period. Failure to do so shall result in recovery of the service charges by department in a manner as the DoP may deem fit along with such interest, if any, and/or suspension of the facility of e-Banking services without any liability to the department.

9. Minimum Balance maintenance and Charges:

The USER shall maintain, at all times such minimum balance in account(s) as the Department of Posts may stipulate from time to time. DoP may, at its discretion, levy penal charges for non-maintenance of the minimum balance. In addition to the minimum balance stipulation, DoP may levy service charges for use of Internet Banking, which will be advised to the USER at the time of opening the account. Any further change in the fees shall be notified on the DoP Web site. The USER authorises DoP to recover all charges related to Internet Banking as determined by DOp from time to time by debiting one of the USER's accounts. However at present there are no charges levied. DoP may withdraw the Internet banking facility, if at any time the amount of deposit falls short of the required minimum as aforesaid and/or if the service charges remain unpaid, without giving any further notice to the USER and/or without incurring any liability or responsibility whatsoever by reason of such withdrawal. DoP shall not be obligated to intimate the withdrawal of such facility over the internet.

10. Transfer of Funds through DoP Internet Banking:

The User accepts that he will be responsible for keying in the correct account number for the fund transfer request. In no case, DoP will be held liable for any erroneous transactions incurred arising out of or relating to the customer entering wrong account numbers. The User shall not attempt to transfer funds without sufficient funds in the related Account. In case of insufficient funds, DoP is not responsible for non-execution /non-payment/breakage of Time deposit accounts of the Accounts linked to the subject Account or of any consequences thereof. DoP shall not be liable for any omission to make all or any of the payments or for late payments due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control. If the funds transfer is made available to the User, it may be used for transfer of funds from the subject Account to other accounts belonging to third parties maintained at DoP and/or at any other Bank which falls under the network of the Reserve Bank of India's Electronic Funds Transfer System. However RTGS/NEFT and other bank payments are not available with DoP Internet banking as of now and it will be established in the near future.

11. Personal Information disclosure:

The USER agrees that the Department of Posts or its vendors may hold and process his PERSONAL INFORMATION on system or otherwise in connection with Internet Banking services as well as for statistical analysis and credit scoring. The USER also agrees that DoP may disclose, in strict confidence, to other institutions, such "PERSONAL INFORMATION" as may be reasonably necessary for reasons inclusive of, but not limited to, the following:

♦    Participation in any telecommunication or electronic clearing network.

♦    In compliance with a legal directive.

♦    For credit rating by recognised credit scoring agencies.

♦    For fraud prevention purposes.

The USER shall also be liable, upon request by DoP in this regard to present himself or herself in person before the concerned Post Office, when any personal verification is found necessary by Department of Posts.

12. TDS:

Tax will be deducted at source, if the Customer's interest income in any financial year exceeds threshold amount prescribed. Interest income will be a summation of interest earned and accrued on all Time deposits in the Customer's name as the primary Account holder. DoP at its discretion shall be entitled to deduct Tax at source on interest payable to the Customer on accrual basis or on the basis of actual payment and interchange the same. The rate at which the tax will be deducted will be as per applicable/governing laws. In the event if the Customer requires that no tax is required to be deducted on the interest payable by DoP to him, Customer shall submit such Form as is prescribed by the Income Tax authorities or Income Tax Rules. If the Customer does not submit the prescribed Form for any one of the Time Deposit, DoP shall be entitled to deduct tax on interest on all the Time deposits.

13. Terms & Conditions changes:

Department of Posts has the absolute discretion to amend or supplement any of the terms at any time without notice. Changed terms and conditions shall be effective immediately on being circulated in Post offices/updated in website and the USER agrees and shall be deemed to have accepted the changed terms and conditions. DoP may also sub-contract and employ agents to carry out any of its obligations under this contract.

Source : https://ebanking.indiapost.gov.in

Central Administrative Tribunal quashes fresh proceedings against retired employee

CHENNAI: Can an employee be punished twice for the same offence? No, said the Chennai bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Wednesday quashing an order of the ministry of communications and IT to initiate fresh proceedings against a retired assistant postmaster who had undergone punishment for his supervisory lapses.

The matter pertains to V Muthukannu, sub-postmaster in Karur division, who was accused of irregular closure of a recurring deposit and non-account of deposits. In his submissions to the tribunal, Muthukannu said in March 2010, the superintendent of post offices ordered recovery of Rs 8,000 per month from his salary for the loss caused to the postal department. After seven months, it was increased to Rs 12,000. For his contributory negligence, he paid Rs 5.07 lakh to the department. Also, for a year, his salary was reduced and no increments were provided, said Muthukannu.

However, in April 2012, a month before his retirement, the member (personnel), department of posts, dropped the earlier concluded proceedings and initiated a fresh proceeding for the same lapses. He was also issued a memo stating his retirement benefits had been withheld. He asked the CAT to set aside the order for fresh proceedings.

In the counter, the department of post denied the averments and said Muthukannu was involved in a fraud to the tune of Rs 17.46 lakh at the Karur head post office. Fresh proceedings were initiated according to the rules and there was no question of "double jeopardy." Further, it was an exceptional case and had to be dealt with accordingly.

The bench comprising judicial member B Venkateshwara Rao and administrative member P Prabhakaran said, "Once the punishment imposed is undergone, no one can direct a fresh inquiry in the same set of charges." 

The bench quashed the order for fresh proceedings and directed the department to pay all retrial benefits to Muthukannu.

Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Change your behaviour to develop yourself as a leader

Developing yourself as a leader is not easy: behavioural change is hard, time consuming, and frustrating. However, removing the five most common roadblocks to change can make your path to self improvement better: 

1) Take ownership. If you don't think you can change, you can't. Believe in your ability to change and take ownership before getting started. 

2) Be patient. Positive, lasting results take time, usually 50% to 100% longer than most people initially think. 

3) Accept difficulties. Real change takes real work. When setting out, be prepared to face challenges you didn't anticipate. 

4) Refuse to be distracted. Something more important will inevitably come up. You need to make your development a priority and refuse to let distractions divert your path. 

5) Maintain. Once you've started to see traction, don't declare victory. Sustainable change requires maintenance over a lifetime. 

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/

Email Security Policy Coming Soon

THIRUVANANTHPURAM: Seeking to ensure cybersecurity and keep government documents away from hackers, the government is working on an email security policy. 

The policy will be announced shortly, Minister of State for Communications and IT Milind Deora said. All public sector employees in the country would be brought on the government domain of National Informatics Centre (NIC) as part of the policy, he told a press meet here. 

"Cybercrimes are linked not just to any particular institution, state or nation. We have to tackle it with institutional capacities and with the co-operation of local police and international agencies," Deora said. 

"As part of the National Cyber Security Policy, we are trying to create a new email policy for government employees. It will make them move away from foreign email services like Gmail and bring onto nic.in, the government's email domain managed by NIC," he said. 

Since the country had its own 'cloud', there was no reason for people to depend on foreign services, he said. 

Deora, who had a discussion with the officials of BSNL, Postal and C-Dac here, said the ministry was planning to allot three new post offices and a training centre for post office staff here. He said he would consult with the finance ministry whether the IT industry in the state could provide any additional incentives and tax reduction. 

If the state government was ready to provide land free of cost for IT projects, the Centre had no problem in supporting them as it would bring more business in the region, he said. 

Expanding IT business to tier-2 and tier-3 cities was good for the overall development of the sector, he added.

Source : http://www.indiatimes.com