LTC by air extended by 2 years

JAMMU, June 17: The Union Ministry for Tourism today extended by another two years a proposal to grant Leave Travel Concession (LTC) to Jammu and Kashmir and North East by air. The package was due to expire today (18/6/2014).The extension in package by another two years will allow all categories of Central Government employees to travel to Jammu and Kashmir by air, using either Air India or private airlines by Economy class only, irrespective of their entitlement. The proposal would not only provide the Central Government employees an additional facility as an incentive but also give boost to tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said.

Central Government is planning to raise the Income Tax exemption slab to Rs. 5 Lakhs

According to information from the Finance Ministry, the Government is giving serious thoughts about raising the income tax exemption slab from the current Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 5 lakhs. The information adds that Modi is planning to make the raising of income tax exemption slab from Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 5 lakhs as one of the achievements of his Government’s tenure. The Finance Ministry has, it seems, sought a report regarding this from the Income Tax department. A number of other financial incentives are also likely to be announced by the Modi Government.

The Government has also planned to raise the tax exemption on housing loans. According to sources from the Finance Ministry, there are also plans to increase the tax exemption on medical insurance premium.

The reports add that Modi is trying to impress as many people as possible with the very first budget that his government is going to present. The demand for raising income tax exemption level to Rs. 5 lakhs has been a long-standing one. 

Economists

  and experts suggest that the slab be fixed in accordance to the current price and inflation levels.

The long-standing demand of the middle and salaried classes, to raise the income tax exemption slab to Rs. 5 lakhs from 2 lakhs, is being seriously considered by the government led by Prime Minister Modi.

Based on sources from New Delhi, the first budget of the newly formed Government is likely to be presented on the 11th of July. These sources say that the Finance Ministry has sought a report from the Income tax department. The sources also add that the Government is also planning to increase exemptions granted to housing loans and medical insurance premium. If all these suggestions get implemented, then it would come as a huge relief to the salaried and middle-class folks. Previously, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was considering raising the income tax exemption slab to Rs. 3 lakhs.

Kavery Banerjee(IPoS-1978) is new Secretary-Department of Posts

The government today approved Kavery Banerjee as Secretary of Department of Posts following retirement of P Gopinath on May 31. 

"The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Ms Kavery Banerjee, IPoS (Indian Postal Services) 78, as Secretary, Department of Posts, Chairperson, Postal Services Board and Director General, Postal Services," an official statement said. 

Banerjee was serving as Member (Technology) in Postal Services Board before being elevated to the new post. 

Her predecessor Gopinath, too, was elevated to the position of Secretary from Member (Technology) of PSB. 

Gopinath during her tenure played key role on project of Post Banks concepts floated by former telecom minister Kapil Sibal. 

Though DoP failed to get banking licence, it will have the opportunity to apply again when Reserve Bank of India again opens up application for new licences. 

The future of Post Banks now depends largely on view of new government if it would like Department of Posts to enter in to full time banking operations. 

India Post has already set up ATMs at few locations and about 2,800 more ATMs are expected to be in place by March 2015 as part of its core banking system project. 

FNPO-25th Circle Conference held at Pathanamthitta-on MAY 4,5 & 6

The 25^th Kerala circle conferences of National Unions affiliated to FNPO started at O.T.Bhaskaran nagar, Aban Auditorium, Pathanamthitta on 4^th May 2014.The Flag hoisting was done  at 0900 AM and the INTUC flag was hosted by Sri A.Shamsudeen, District President, INTUC and FNPO flag by Sri Johnson D Avokkaran, FNPO convenor. 

The Grand Open session started at 1000 AM inaugurated by Sri Ramesh Chennithala, H'ble Home Minister, Kerala by lighting the lamp.Welcome speech for the inauguration was given by General Convenor Sri.Johny Joesph(Div Secretary,FNPO,Pathanamthitta). The key note address was delivered by Sri Anto Anthony, Honourable MP, Pathanamthitta.

The prominent speakers who addressed the open session were S/S A.Shamshuddin, President INTUC, D.Theagarajan, SG,FNPO, D.Kishan Rao General Secretary, NAPEC, P.U.Muralidharan, GS,NUGDS, K.Sivadasn General Secretary, Civil wing, Johnson Avokkaran CS, NAPEC, D.ChristuDas, N.V.Vinod Circle secretaries, K.J.Raphy, CGE&W congress, Kerala. Vote of thanks by Sri Sam Daniel, Ex secretary NUPEC.

Transfer and Postings/Adhoc promotions in PS Group B cadre

Chief PMG has issued the following orders in PSGroup B cadre:

1.Sri. Mohanan Achary, SP PSD TVM to be Asst. Director (PMU) CO TVM

2.Sri. A.R.Reghunathan, AD(PMU) to be Asst. Director (BD), CO TVM

3.Sri. A.Anwarjan. PM, Alappuzha HO promoted to the cadre of PS Group B on adhoc basis and posted as SP PSD TVM 

4. Sri. V.V.Raman,ASP(OD) Kottayam promoted on adhoc basis to the cadre of PS Group B and allotted to CR.

Transfer & Postings in JTS Group A

Chief PMG has vide letter No. ST/1/1/4/14 dated 13.5 14 issued the following orders in Group A:

1. Sri. L.K.Gangadharan, DDM(PLI), CO is tranferred and posted as SSPOS, Trivandrum North Dn. 

2.Sri. Joseph Rahul, SSP EKM Dn is transferred and posted as DDM (PLI) vice (1) above.

3. Sri. V.T.Lenin, SP, Ottappalam promoted on adhoc basis to JTS Group A and posted as SSPOs, Ernakulam Division vice (2) above.

Transfer & Postings in IP cadre

Chief PMG vide letter No. ST/4-2/2014 datd 13.5.14 has issued the following orders of transfer in the cadre of Inspector Posts:

1.S/Sri/.G.Gopakumar, IP(CCC), CO TVM transferred and posted as IP Kollam North (vacant post)

2.S/Smt. K.R.Lysha, IP Kottarakkara posted as IP(PG), Trivandrum South (vacant post)

3.P.Sivakumar, IP TVM RMS/2 to be IP TVM RMS/1 (vacant post)

4.R.Ajeeth, IP Mavelikkara to be IP(CCC), CO TVM vice (1) above.

5. B.Bindu, IP, Guruvayur to be IP, Adoor vice Smt. Deepa Murali promoted on adhoc basis.

6. G.S.Bindu, IP, Kanjirappally to be IP(PG), TVM(N) Dn (vacant post)

7.S.Bhagyaraj, IP Kattappana reallotted to SR and posted as IP Chengannur vice Smt. Beena promoted on adhoc basis.

8.P.R.Sheela, IP, Nileswar reallotted to SR and posted as IP, Kottarakkara vice (2) above.

9.S.Biju, IP Alathur reallotted to SR and posted as IP, Karunagappally (vacant post).

Clarification on increase in certain allowances by further 25 percent as a result of enhancement of Dearness Allowances w.e.f. 1.1.2014 -

No.A-27012/1/2014-Estt. (Allowance)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension

Department of Personnel & Training

Block-IV, Old JNU Campus

New Delhi, 28th April, 2014.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Clarification on increase in certain allowances by further 25% as a result of enhancement of Dearness Allowances w.e.f. 1.1.2014

The undersigned is directed to refer to para 1(j) of this Department’s 0M. No.12011/03/2008-Estt. (Allowance) dated 2.9.2008. This provides that the limits ofChildren Education Allowance would be automatically raised by 25% every time the Dearness Allowance on the revised pay structure goes up by 50%. References are being received from various quarters with regard to the amount of Children Education Allowance admissible consequent upon enhancement of Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees @ 100% w.e.f. 1 January, 2014 announced vide Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure O.M. No.1/l/2014-E-1I (B) dated 27th March, 2014.

2. In accordance with the above, the following shall be the revised limits:

a) The annual ceiling limit for reimbursement of Children Education Allowance shall be Rs.18,000/- per child.Accordingly, the quarterly claim could be more than Rs.4500/- in one quarter. The Hostel Subsidy shall be Rs.4500/- per month per child;

b) The rates of Special Allowance for Child Care to women with disabilities stands revised to Rs. 1500/- per month; and

c) The annual ceiling for reimbursement of Children Education Allowance for disabled children of Government employees shall be treated as revised to Rs.36,000/- per annum per childand the rates of Hostel Subsidy for disabled children of Government employees shall be treated as revised to Rs.9000/- per child per month.

3. These revisions are applicable with effect from 1st January, 2014.

4. These revisions shall be subject to other terms and conditions mentioned in this Department’s O.M. No.12011/03/2008-Estt (Allowance) dated 2.9.2008, O.M. No.12011/04/2008 dated 11.9.2008 and 12011/07(i)12011-Estt.(AL) dated 21.2.2012.

sd/

(Mukul Ratra)

Director

Transfer & Adhoc promotion orders in ASP Cadre-Kerala Circle

Chief Postmaster General,Kerala Circle  has ordered the following transfer & adhoc promotion  in the ASP cadre:

No.ST/3-2/2014   dated 23.4.2014

                                                             Part-A (Tranfer)

1. Smt. M.Bindu, ASP(HQ) Kollam posted as PM Kollam HO vice Sri. R.Venunathan Pillai promoted on adhoc basis to PS Group B

                                  Part-B (Adhoc promotions and allotments in ASP cadre )

     Allotment to Northern Region 

1.S/Smt. B Gowri Sangeetha, IP, Quilandy 
2.Sheeba Prabhakaran, IP Kottakkal 
3.S.Seena, IP Attingal 
4.T.V.Kavitha,IP Kozhikode(N) 
5.S/Sri. K.P.Manojan, IP, Kunnamangalam
6.N.Anilkumar,IP,Kanhangad
7.N.Unnikrishnan, IP, Palakkad(N) 
8.C.I.Joymon, IP(Tgy) RO Kochi


                                                             Allotment to Central Region

1.S/Smt. Deepa Murali, IP Adoor
2.A.P.Rumila, IP,EK 1st
3.P.R.Sathy, IP, Mallapally
4.M.Saleena, IP Kayamkulam
5.Smitha Sagar, IP(PG), Changanassery

                                                              Allotment to Southern Region

1. N.Beena, IP Chengannur- posted as ASP(HQ) Kollam Vice Smt. Bindu transferred as PM Kollam. 

Commemorative Stamp on National Council of Churches in India - 25th April 2014.

The National Council of Churches in India is the united expression of the Protestant and Orthodox churches in India. It is a common platform for thought and action by bringing together the Churches and other Christian organizations for mutual consultation, assistance and action in all matters related to life and witness.

It represents Christian community through out the country. It is an Inter confessional autonomous Council which embraces, promotes and coordinates the various forms of the church's ministry for the people including the churches and Christian organizations such as National Council of YMCAs, YWCA of India, Henry Martyn Institute, International Centre for Research, Interfaith Relations and Reconciliation, Churches Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), Student Christian Movement of India (SCMI), Bible Society of India (BSI).

To mark the centenary of National Council of Churches in India, India Post issued a commemorative stamp. The stamp was released by Shri Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India at the function held in New Delhi 5:00 pm on 25th April 2014.