Central Government Offices shall remain closed on the day of poll where general elections to the Lok Sabha are scheduled

MOST IMMEDIATE

P. NO. 12/7/2014-JCA 2
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)

North Block, New Delhi

Dated the 21st March,2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Closing of Central Government Offices in connection with general elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies and Bye Elections to Legislative Assemblies during 2014.

The undersigned is directed to say that in connection with the general elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha & Sikkim and Bye Elections to Legislative Assemblies of some States, scheduled to be held in 2014, the following guidelines, already issued by DOPT vide OM No. 12/14/99-JCA dated 10th October, 2001, have to be followed for closing of the Central Government Offices including Industrial Establishments in the States:-

(i) The relevant offices/organizations shall remain closed on the day of poll in the notified areas where general elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be conducted.

Extension of First day cancellation to 8 days - Modification to Philately Hand Book instructions

Copy of Postal Directorate OM F. No. 38-1/2014-Phil dated 14.03.2014.

ALL Departmental and Rented Buildings should conform to the "Project Arrow " colour scheme - Clarification

Directorate letter no 18-3/2014-Bldg dated 11.03.2014

Declaration of Holiday on 14th April, 2014 - Birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

To view DoPT Memo No. 12/4/2014-JCA-2 dated 12th March 2014, please CLICK HERE.

IT Modernisation Project Update - March 2014

DOP not allowed to take GDS issues by Federations and recognized unions

To view DOP memo No. 16-09/2014-SR dated 5th March 2014, please CLICK HERE.

Revision of Interest Rates for Small Savings Schemes w.e.f 01.04.2014

The interest rates on various small savings schemes for the  Year 2014-15 effective from 01.04.2014 are revised as follows with the approval of the finance Ministry.

 

Scheme	Rate of interest w.e.f.01.04.2013	Rate of Interest w.e.f. 01.04.2014
1.	2.	3.
Savings Deposit	4.0	4.0
1 Year Time Deposit	8.2	8.4
2 Year Time Deposit	8.2	8.4
3 Year Time Deposit	8.3	8.4
5 Year Time Deposit	8.4	8.5
5 Year Recurring Deposit	8.3	8.4
5 Year SCSS	9.2	9.2
5 Year MIS	8.4	8.4
5 Year NSC	8.5	8.5
10 Year NSC	8.8	8.8
PPF	8.7	8.7

      

India Post, IDFC likely to get new bank licences

India Post and IDFC have emerged as front runners to receive new banking licences on the back of their strong distribution networks and credible records.

The committee led by former Reserve Bank of India governor Bimal Jalan, which submitted its report to the central bank last week, is of the view that these two applicants are ready to foray into banking services, a source who did not wish to be identified said.

 

The report contains the names of all eligible applicants wishing to set up banks. The committee began assessing applications at its first meeting on November 1.

"While the report is yet to be looked into, there is a high chance of giving licences to India Post and IDFC due to their large existing network," the source said, without divulging details.

The central bank will hold a meeting with finance minister P Chidambaram in the next 10 days to discuss the issue. The final names are likely to be announced by month-end.

 

India Post, being a government body, technically needs Cabinet approval to set up a bank. The interim budget unveiled by finance minister P Chidambaram recently did not earmark any funds for the postal department or mention the proposal in the budget. However, in case its name gets cleared, the formal proposal can be sent to the Cabinet for approval at a later stage or to a new government taking office after elections expected in April-May.

 

A full budget expected to be presented by the new government in July-August is likely to contain a detailed provision to help India Post set up a bank.

India Post has a nationwide network of 155,000 post offices and already has experience in administering a savings bank scheme, selling tax-saving instruments and accepting PPF deposits.

 

IDFC has been involved in infrastructure funding, asset management (mutual fund) and private equity services, which are closely linked to banking.

National launch of the ATM facility of Post Office Savings Bank & the Core Banking – Postal Life Insurance Solutions

The Union Minister for Communications & Information Technology and Law & Justice, Shri Kapil Sibal addressing at the National launch of the ATM facility of Post Office Savings Bank & the Core Banking – Postal Life Insurance Solutions, in New Delhi on March 01, 2014. The Secretary, Department of Posts, Smt. Padmini Gopinath is also seen.

Merger of 50% DA with Basic Pay-Regarding

The Government has cleared the way for merger of 50% DA with Basic Pay by approving it among the terms of reference of the 7th Pay Commission. Now the Commission can suggest the merger in its interim report. 50% DA merger with basic pay will roughly increase the gross salaries of Central Govt Employees by around 30%. 

Source:-The Times of India