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.

Indiapost Started Internet Banking.

India Post started Internet Banking in selected locations in continuation of migration to the CBS FINACLE, Core Banking Solution from Infosys.  In Tamil Nadu Circle Greams Road Post Office of Chennai City Central Division has been rolled out for CBS on 16.12.2013 for the first time and all other identified offices in pilot Circles will be migrated in coming days. The India Post Internet banking site can be accessed through URL   https://ebanking.indiapost.gov.in/

India Post draws up Rs 4,900-crore ATM network plan

In what could intensify competition in the banking arena, India Post has drawn up an ambitious Rs 4,900-crore plan to swamp the country with 2,800 automated teller machines (ATMs) in major centres and handheld micro-ATMs in 1.3 lakh rural branches by 2015.

Though the division under the ministry of communication has applied for a banking licence with the Reserve Bank of India, it has started the process of tying up with banks, Mastercard and Visa for rolling out its ATM services.

If the plans are implemented on time, India Post will have an outreach far superior than any single bank and would be in a better position to meet the government's financial inclusion plan.

"Irrespective of whether we get a banking licence or not, the expansion and modernisation drive will continue. We will have more than 2,800 ATMs by 2015 in major centres. In case of villages, we are planning hand-held micro ATMs in 1.3 lakh villages," an official told FE.

India Post will call a tender through request for proposal (RFP) for the micro-ATMs next month.

Last week, India Post rolled out a pilot project with core banking solutions in three post offices in Chennai. "All the three POs have migrated to CBS. We will keep rolling out similar facilities in other centres and by end of 2014, the entire country will be connected through CBS," the official said.

The entire expansion and modernization drive entails an investment of Rs 4,900 crore for which cabinet approval has already been taken. The funds will come from budgetary provisions.

Cabinet proposal soon to constitute 7th Pay Commission

The central government is likely to constitute the 7th Pay Commission for revising the salaries of its over 50 lakh employees before the start of process of next general elections due in May, 2014. 

"The Finance Ministry is working out a Cabinet proposal for constitution of the 7th Pay Commission which could be taken up for consideration in the next couple of weeks," a source said. 

According to information available, the government's intention to constitute 7th Pay Commission before going for polls is clear as it has made provision of Rs 3.5 crore in the second supplementary demands for grants in this regard which was approved by Parliament in the just concluded Winter Session. 

Earlier in September this year, Finance Minister P Chidambaram had announced that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has approved setting up of the 7th Pay Commission. 

According to the announcement, the Commission will be mandated to submit its report in two years time and its recommendations would be implemented from January 1, 2016. 

However, after that announcement, no formal proposal was put up before the Union Cabinet for constitution of the Commission. 

As per the practice, the Commission is headed by a former Supreme Court Judge and its other members would include experts and officials. 

Meanwhile, the government is also believed to have approved fixing minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month under the Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 (EPS-95) run by retirement fund body Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). 

The government is also understood to have cleared maximum basic wage ceiling of Rs 15,000 per month for deduction of Provident Fund from existing Rs 6,500 per month for private sector workers, in general, covered under schemes run by EPFO. (MORE) PTI KKS CS TVS12191547 NNNN.

An official said, "Both the decisions-- enhancing wage ceiling for PF deduction and fixing minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month would increase the burden on exchequer as government would have to contribute more towards pension subsidy under EPS-95." 

The employers contribute 8.33 per cent of the basic wages including basic pay and dearness allowance towards the EPS-95 whereas Central Government contributes 1.16 per cent of basic wages from its budget. 

Sri. A.Thomas Lourduraj, IPOs Group A (JAG-Adhoc)- New DPS(HQ),Kerala Circle

                                                                  
Sri. A.Thomas Lourduraj, IPOs Group A (JAG-Adhoc) has been posted as Director of Postal Services (HQ), Kerala and he has taken charge on 16.12.13.

CGHS - All empanelled private hospitals are required to provide credit facilities to the CGHS beneficiaries in case of emergency

CGHS is basically providing the dispensary services through its Wellness Centres manned by the General Duty Medical Officers. However, CGHS also provides the services of medical specialists through the Polyclinics and Central Government hospitals. In addition, the CGHS medical specialists also visit designated dispensaries on stipulated days in each week to provide medical consultation to the beneficiaries. Due to shortage of specialists in CGHS it is practically not feasible and financially viable to provide Specialist facilities in each CGHS Wellness Centre. Moreover, CGHS is also engaging contractual specialists against the vacant posts of specialists to provide the medical consultation services to its beneficiaries. CGHS has a dedicated wing of specialists at the Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi for its beneficiaries. The CGHS beneficiaries are also allowed to consult specialists at Dr. RML Hospital and other Government hospitals in NCR in respective specialties. In addition, CGHS has empanelled a large number of private hospitals to provide inpatient medical care to its beneficiaries on the advice of Government specialists.

Also, as per the Terms & Conditions for empanelment under CGHS, all empanelled private hospitals are required to provide credit facilities to the CGHS beneficiaries in case of emergency. Pensioners and other specified category of beneficiaries are entitled for credit facilities under normal circumstances also. Non-compliance of the said provision attracts penalty as per the Memorandum of Agreement signed by them.

This was stated by Sh Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today.

Vacancies in Central Government Services

Group-wise estimated number of vacant posts of regular Central Government Civilian Employees as on 01.03.2012 is as follows:-

Group	Number of Vacant posts
A	12909
B(Gazetted)	10116
B (Non-Gazetted)	30977
C (Non Gazetted)*	546011
Total	600013

 

Erstwhile Group D posts have been categorized as Group C after implementation of 6^thCPC. 

No such decision has been taken by the Government to reduce certain percentage of posts annually. As per the Office Memorandum issued by the Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) on 18.09.2013 on‘Expenditure Management – Economy measures and rationalization of Expenditure’,posts that have remained vacant for more than a year are not to be revived except under very rare and unavoidable circumstances and after seeking clearance of Department of Expenditure. Individual Ministries/Departments have to take necessary action to fill up vacant posts in their Departments.

7th CPC News - Process to Constitute the 7th Central Pay Commission...

7th CPC News - Process to Constitute the 7th Central Pay Commission Along with Finalization of Its Terms of Reference, The Composition and Time frame Initiated 

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Finance 

06-December-2013 16:09 IST

Process to Constitute the 7th Central Pay Commission Along with Finalization of Its Terms of Reference, The Composition and Time frame Initiated 

The Government has initiated the process to constitute the 7th Central Pay Commission along with finalization of its Terms of Reference, the composition and the possible timeframe for submission of its Report. The date of effect thereof will be known once the Report is available. 

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

Department of Posts launched ‘Express Parcel’ and ‘Business Parcel' Services

Department of Posts on 2 December 2013 launched an Express Parcel service and Business Parcel Services for speedy delivery of parcels across the country.The services were launched by Smt. P. Gopinath, Secretary, Department of Posts, at a function organized at New Delhi G.P.O.

About the Parcel Services

Express Parcel is a premium parcel service for retail as well as bulk customers. It offered time bound, safe and secure home delivery of parcels. To have minimal transit time these parcels will be given airlift wherever needed.

Bulk customers would also have an economical option of surface transported ‘Business Parcel’.

These two new parcel services aim to promote the e-commerce market in India by offering reliable and cost efficient delivery solutions. Whereas ‘Express Parcel’ is an air mail service providing guaranteed time bound delivery of parcels, ‘Business Parcel’ will provide fast, secure and cost efficient transmission of parcels through surface. These services will have ‘Cash on Delivery’ facility which has become a pre-requisite today for e-commerce parcels.

Though ‘Business Parcels’ will have a nationwide coverage, the ‘Express Parcel’ service will initially be available between 20 identified cities: Agra, Banglore, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Delhi (NCR), Patna, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indoor, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Pune, Parwanoo, Shillong, Surat and Thiruvanthapuram. This service will be expanded nationwide in phased manner.

Redesignation of posts of PMG/DPS(BD,Tech & Mktg) in the circles as PMG/DPS(Mails & BD)

Click here to view the Directorate letter no 43-58/2012-PE-II dated 28.11.2013