Revision in raising limit in HVMO reg-

Constitution of Transfer and Placement Committees in the Department of Posts for recommending transfers/postings of the officers/officials of the Department

To view Department of Posts (Personnel Division) letter No.4-0912011-SPG (Pt) dated 10th January, 2014 please Click Here.

FNPO and its affiliated unions decided to call the strike on 12 & 13th Feb 2014, but not under the banner of Postal JCA.

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

1.      Accept the terms of reference of 7^th CPC, submitted by the staff side, National Council JCM.

(a)      To examine the existing structure of pay, allowances and other benefits/facilities, retirement benefits like Pension, Gratuity, other terminal benefits of various categories of Central Government Employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of Postal Department.

(b)      To work out the comprehensive revised pay packet for the categories of Central Government employees including GDS as on 1.1.2014.

(c)       The Commission shall determine the pay structure, benefits, facilities, retirement benefits etc. taking into account the need to provide minimum wage with reference to the recommendation of the 15th Indian Labour Conference (1957) and the subsequent judicial pronouncement of the honorable Supreme Court there-on, as on 1.1.2014.

(d)      To determine the Interim Relief needed to be sanctioned immediately to the Central Government employees including GDS.

(e)       To determine the percentage of Dearness allowance/Dearness Relief immediately to be merged with Pay and pension including GDS.

(f)        To settle the anomalies raised in various fora of JCM.                                                     

(g)      To work out the improvements needed to the existing  retirement benefits, like pension, death cum retirement gratuity, family  pension and other terminal or recurring  benefits maintaining parity amongst past, present and future pensioners and family pensioners including those who entered service on or after 1.1.2004.

(h)      To recommend methods for providing cashless/hassle-free Medicare facilities to the employees and Pensioners including Postal pensioners.

2.      Ensure every five year revision of wages of Central Government Employees in future.

3.      (a) Regularization of Gramin Dak Sevaks of the Postal Department and grant of Civil Servant status, statutory pension and all other benefits at par with regular employees.

(b) Regularization and revision of wages of casual and contract workers.

4.      Compassionate appointment – removal of restrictions imposed by Government.

5.      JCM and Anomaly Committee Functioning.

6.      Fill up all vacant posts and creation of new posts wherever justified.

7.      Stop downsizing, outsourcing, contractorisation and privatization of Government functions.

8.      Stop the move to introduce performance related Pay (PRP) system, Extend PLB Bonus for all, removing bonus ceiling.

9.      Revise OTA and Night Duty Allowance rates and clothing rates.

10.  Implement arbitration awards.

11.  Five promotions to all.

12.  Rescind the PFRDA Act. Ensure statutory Pension for all.

13.  Settle MACP Anomalies.

14.  Stop trade Union victimization. Ensure Right to strike.

POSTAL DEMANDS.

1. Grand Recognition to GDS Union as per Sri.P.S.Natarajamurthy committee
        recommendation.

2.  Finalize cadre restructuring of Postal, RMS, C.O, SBCO, SystemAdministrator, ME and
       Civil&Electrical wing.

3.   Implement MMS cadre restructuring proposal

4.   Settle PO & RMS Accountants issue. 

Merger of 50 percent DA may soon be considered by Central Government –Sources

Sources close to the Central Government Employees Federations told that Merger of 50% DA will soon be considered by Central Government before the budget session of Parliament in February 2014. According to the sources, the central government is likely to consider the central government employees demand for merging of 50 % DA, for the reason that the DA will be crossing 100% level after January 2014.

The rate of dearness allowance to be paid to govt servants has been increasing consistently due to the rise in the prices of essential commodities for the past two years. In 2011 the rate of DA was at 50 % level. Since then all the Federation demanded the central government to merge the 50 Percent DA with basic Pay. But the government did not accept this demand to merge the DA with basis pay, as it was not recommended by sixth CPC.

The demand would be considered in view of parliament elections

But federations kept on demanding the government that raising dearness allowance alone will not help to compensate the alarming rate of price rice. So they urged the government to consider their demand favorably. It is believed that after the defeat in the election of four state legislative councils, the UPA government has decided to reconsider about its decision on the issues which directly affects the common public. The high command of the ruling party thought that the reason for their defeat in the state election is mainly because of their government failed to contain the price rise. The gap between common public and UPA government has been considerably increased. To correct these failures the UPA government decides to do something to attract the voters.

After announcing the government’s proposal to constitute the 7th pay commission, the community of central government employees has been convinced to have soft view on this government. Further the 50 lakh central government employees would be made happy if the 50% DA is merged with Basic Pay. It is told that , as the central government staff association and federations demanding it very seriously, in case the government decides go with this demand, there will be around one crore voters will be in favour of UPA government. So the government may consider the demand of merging of 50% DA with basic Pay in view of forthcoming Parliament elections.

Allowances will have no impact on merging DA with basic Pay

The sources, associated with National Council JCM, said that the government initially was not willing to consider this demand as some allowance and advances have been raised by 25% whenever the DA crosses 50% level as per the sixth CPC recommendation. But federations insisted that the allowances, which are raised to 25 % level when DA crosses 50%, will have no impact on merging DA with basic pay. The only allowance will have an increase when Basic Pay increases are HRA. No other allowances will be increased and other entitlement of the respective Grade Pay will not be revised as the 50% DA to be merged will be kept under separate component like it was treated in 5CPC as Dearness Pay. “There is no need to worry about financial implications, as the 50% DA will be paid by just changing its nomenclature as Dearness Pay”, said sources.

50% DA merger to be decalered before DA crosses 100%

Further, it has been informed that it is good enough for the government to announce its decision before declaring the next additional installment of DA. Because the AICPIN for Industrial workers for the Month of December 2013 is awaited to determine the rate of dearness allowance to be paid from January 2014.The result of last 11 months AICPIN shows that DA will definitely be raised by 10 % from existing 90% level. So the rate of DA will be 100% with effect from 1st January 2014. After the DA increased to 100%, the demand for 50% DA merger will have to change its avatar. Probably the demand would be for 100% DA merger. So the federations expect the government may consider 50% DA merger soon.

India Post 2014 Calendar – Wild Flowers of India

Department of Posts has released India Post 2014 Calendar based on the theme of ‘Wild Flowers of India’ 
India has a rich and varied heritage of plant diversity exhibiting a wide spectrum from tropical rainforests to alpine vegetation and from temperate forests to the coastal wetlands. The flora of India is one of the richest in the world due to its diverse climatic regimes and topology. There is virtually no area in our country without a particular treasure or species of special beauty or interest. 

India Post had issued a sheetlet of stamps and three miniature sheets as a tribute to the pristine beauty of twelve of its rare and beautiful wild flowers. India Post 2014 Calendar is inspired by these postage stamps. 

India Post 2014 Calendar is available at various Philatelic Bureaux in the country at the price of Rs. 250/- each.

Cash management system in Central Government - modified exchequer control based expenditure management and restrictions on expenditure during the last quarter of the financial year. O.M. Dated 10th January, 2014

To view please Click Here.

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.