Best Practices/New Initiatives introduced by the Department of Personnel and Training to boost morale and effective functioning of the employees of the Department

Click here to view DOPT OM dated 18.06.2014 on the above subject matter.

SECRETARY POSTS ADDRESSED CIRCLE HEADS FOR EFFECTIVE SERVICES

Now apply for passports from post offices

Come July, the city’s residents can apply for passports online from post offices. The Department of Posts, in association with the Regional Passport Office, Chennai, is working out modalities to help customers register passport applications online and is identifying post offices to offer the facility.

Officials of the department said customers could get a printout of the application from the postal employees. Once the applicants submit filled-in forms, the staff will upload the data online. “It is better for applicants to bring necessary documents such as proof of age and residential address. The employees have also been trained to assist applicants in filling up the forms,” said an official.

Once registered, customers would be provided acknowledgment receipt generated with appointment date for personal interview at the Passport Seva Kendras.

Initially, the service will be launched in 25 post offices in the Chennai City Region (CCR), including some in Vellore and Puducherry.

Of this, a minimum of 10 post offices in Chennai will be identified and the service will be extended to more offices depending on the patronage. Applicants will have to pay Rs.100 for the online service.

At present, customers have the option of paying the fee through internet or State Bank of India. Mervin Alexander, Postmaster General, CCR, said: “We are also working out modalities for using our e-payment service for paying passport fee. However, the employees will not be involved in verification of the documents of applicants.”

The department is also seeking a unique user name ID to facilitate its employees to register multiple applications.

Source : http://www.thehindu.com/

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).