Tuesday, January 31, 2017

The following officer is retiring from Govt. service on 31.01.2017 on superannuation 

S.No. 
Name of officer S/Shri
Designation & Office
Circle
1
Sri. Sudhinra Rao K
ASP, RO Vijayawada
A.P

Association wishing him happy, healthy and peaceful retired life



.

Monday, January 30, 2017

Limits on Cash withdrawals from Bank accounts and ATMs - Restoration of status quo ante


RBI/2016-17/217
DCM (Plg) No. 2905/10.27.00/2016-17
January 30, 2017
The Chairman / Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer,
Public Sector Banks / Private Sector Banks / Foreign Banks,
Regional Rural Banks / Urban Co-operative Banks,
State Co-operative Banks / District Central Co-operative Banks
Dear Sir/Madam,
Limits on Cash withdrawals from Bank accounts and ATMs - Restoration of status quo ante
Please refer to our circular DCM (Plg) No.1226/10.27.00/2016-17 dated November 08, 2016 placing limits on Cash withdrawals from bank accounts and ATMs in the wake of withdrawal of Legal Tender Character of Specified Bank Notes (SBN) and subsequent circulars DCM (Plg) Nos.12561274131714372142 and 2559 dated November 11, 14, 21, 28, December 30, 2016 and January 16, 2017 respectively, providing for relief and relaxations therefrom.
2. On a review of the pace of remonitisation, it has been decided to partially restore status quo ante as under:
  1. Limits placed vide the circulars cited above on cash withdrawals from Current accounts/ Cash credit accounts/ Overdraft accounts stand withdrawn with immediate effect.
  2. The limits on Savings Bank accounts will continue for the present and are under consideration for withdrawal in the near future.
  3. Limits vide the circulars cited above placed on cash withdrawals from ATMs stand withdrawn from February 01, 2017. However, banks may, at their discretion, have their own operating limits as was the case before November 8, 2016, subject to 2 (ii) above.
3. Further, banks are urged to encourage their constituents to sustain the movement towards digitisation of payments and switching over of payments from cash mode to non-cash mode.
4. Please acknowledge receipt.
Yours faithfully,
(P Vijaya Kumar)
Chief General Manager

IPPB branches launched in Ranchi & Raipur

India Post Payments Bank will be a game changer for financial inclusion-Manoj Sinha 

Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley and Minister of Communications Shri Manoj Sinha launched the operations of the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) here today as two pilot branches at Raipur and Ranchi through video conferencing from Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Jaitley said that about 650 IPPB branches will be opened by September this year and that will have a multiplier impact as far as banking in India is concerned. He said with IPPB, banking at the doorstep will no longer remain a mere slogan, but will become a reality due to huge postal network in the country. He said that financial Inclusion is critical for the socio-economic development of the country, but there are significant gaps in this area and a large proportion of country’s population remain unbanked or underbanked. IPPB will effectively leverage the ubiquitous post office network with its pan-India physical presence, long experience in cash handling and savings mobilization, backed by the ongoing project of IT-enablement, to bridge this gap in Financial Inclusion.
In his address, Minister of Communications Shri Manoj Sinha has commended the hard work done by the Department of Posts in setting up the India Post Payments Bank and hoped that both organizations will work in tandem to take the benefits of government schemes and financial services that are not easily available in rural areas to customers across the country and to the marginalized population in urban and rural areas alike. He said, the objective of IPPB will be public service rather than promoting commercial interests.
Secretary, Department of Posts, Shri B.V.Sudhakar said that the IPPB is widely expected to be a game changer for financial inclusion in the country as the USP of this initiative is doorstep banking, particularly in the rural areas.
As mandated by the RBI, the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) would focus on providing basic financial services such as all kinds of payments; including social security payments, utility bill payments, person to person remittances (both domestic and cross-border), current and savings accounts up to a balance of Rs 1 lac, distribution of insurance, mutual funds, pension products and acting as business correspondent to other banks for credit products especially in rural areas and among the underserved segments of the society.
Set up us a 100% Government of India owned Public Limited Company under the Department of Posts, it will open around 650 branches in district HQ locations. All 1.55 lacs post offices including the 1.39 lac of the rural post offices will be mapped to the IPPB branch at the district headquarter and function as access points for IPPB. IPPB will usher in state of the art internet and mobile banking platforms, digital wallets and use innovative and emerging technologies to catalyse the shift from a cash dominant to a less cash economy.
While many other banks and financial institutions are working on the same theme, the USP of IPPB will be its ability to ease access and handhold the adoption of new age banking and payments instruments among citizen of all walks of life through the delivery by postmen and Grameen Dak sevaks, savings agents and other franchisees who will take banking to door steps. IPPB thus aspires to the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man with the motto - “No customer is too small, no transaction too insignificant, and no deposit too little”.
Given ‘in principle’ approval by the RBI along with 10 other aspirants on 19th Aug 2015, IPPB received the cabinet’s approval on 1st June, 2016 and was incorporated as on 17th Sept, 2106. Today it became the second payments bank to launch its operations. Having got its final banking license from the RBI on the 20th Jan 2017 it has commenced operations in record time of 10 days in partnership with the Punjab National Bank, after obtaining all necessary approvals and registrations from the RBI, NPCI etc.
A commemorative stamp and a logo of the new bank were also launched on the occasion.
source:PIB

Commemorative Postage Stamps on “Nature: India" released on 25.01.2017.

Promotion and postings of Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) officers of Indian Postal Service, Group 'A' to Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) of the Service and posting of an HAG officer of the Service 30-01-2017




Wednesday, January 25, 2017

GDS COMMITTEE REPORT - CHAPTERWISE AND ANNEXURE WISE DOWNLOAD LINK

Shri Kamalesh Chandra Committee submitted report on GDS system to the Department & Government on 24th November 2016.

The copy of the Report published in DoP website on 18-01-2017.

It contains 434 pages with 20 Chapters and 39 Annexures with some other pages. 

Downing loading of the Report Copy once at a time is more time taking and felt difficulty.





















ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (3 PAGES)

The following Annexures contains Statistical tables, data collection and etc.,

ANNEXURE : 01 - 10 (37 PAGES)

ANNEXURES : 11 - 15 (41 PAGES)

ANNEXURES : 16 - 25 (31 PAGES)

ANNEXURES : 26 -30 (25 PAGES)

ANNEXURES : 31 - 39 ( 30 PAGES)

After going through the GDS Committee Report, the Committee observations and comments on GDS system and on GDS beside on the part of Department and Govt are so impressive and courageous.

In brief, the comments are extracted here :

1. The GDSs working in the net work of GDS Post Offices are Ambassadors of Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications in the rural and remote areas of India……

2.  The Govt of India still holds the same position and has so far held that the Gramin Dak Sevaks are not departmental employees. They are outside the Civil Services of the Union and shall not claim to be at par with the Central Government Employees……

3.   Currently, a large number of well educated, talented and capable youths are joining GDS posts and strengthening the GDS system and this trend is likely to propel growth of the Department in the coming days……

4.   The Committee observed that in last several decades, the Department has not invested enough to strengthen the network of GDS Post Offices until recently……

5. The quality of life of GDSs and their family’s needs to be improved by  harmonizing their wages and other emoluments in tune with present day’s needs and aspirations of young GDSs joining the workforce….

6.   The Committee also noted that a large number of them are totally dependent upon the emoluments received from the Department and has no other means of livelihood to supplement their income…….

7.   The Committee views that the demand of regularization of their services is due to better emoluments, reliability and security of regular government service. The Committee noted that GDSs are exploited at the hands of their local supervisors because of existing wage structure and their legal status. The administrative powers such as “put off duty” are exercised on frivolous charges and frequently used for exploitation rather than as remedial measures.

8.   The Department recognizes the engagement of GDSs as contractual, but the present method of engagement and disciplinary proceedings, job contents, risks and responsibilities are getting closer to the regular employees of the department….

9.   that there is tendency to withhold the legitimate demands of GDSs which are due to them, based on the apprehension that they will get closer to regular employees and their claim for regularization will be strengthened in the Court of Law, if such demands are allowed. The Committee finds this as unreasonable and counter productive for the Department. It also deprives them of living a happy life in the changed situation where financial dependence on GDS position is increasing day by day because of shrinking alternate means of livelihood…….

10 The Department has lost its tag of having the largest network for providing financial services to the customers by decelerating expansion of network based on the assumption that GDS post offices are loss making and adding to the overall deficit of the Department….

11.  The Committee observed that the ‘Rationalization of Postal Network Scheme’ has also not worked on the expected line….. the Committee supports the demand for presence of postal facility in the headquarters of each of 2.50 lakhs Gram Panchayats and revamping of PSSK and FO Schemes my making it more remunerative as opening of regular or GDS Post Office in each of such location may not be feasible….

12.The GDS Post Offices, is around 45% of the total deficit (Net Expenditure –   Revenue) of Rs.6258.60 crores and around 15% of the total expenditure of Rs.17894.58 crores in the Financial year 2014-15………..the Committee found that total expenditure on GDS system is far less than deficit of the Department.

13.Future survival of the Department will largely depend on the successful       management of GDS Post Offices, which effectively for its “soul”.. It would be difficult for the Department to survive without the soul…..

14. Trust of GDS network which enables the Department to deliver trustworthy services in each and every village of the country that can not be quantified in terms of revenue…

15.The Committee observed that the Sub Post Masters of single handed Sub Post Offices do not encourage Branch Post Masters to increase their workload as it results into increase in the workload of Sub Post Offices which they are unable to handle properly due to lack of manpower……

16.Sub Post Office by utilizing the services of capable and willing GDSs in the single handed sub post offices…..

17.The India Post Payment Bank which is going to be rolled out shortly will use   the strengths of the GDS net work and experiences of more than 2.60 lakhs trustworthy Gramin Dak Sevaks serving in the Department of Posts….

18.  The GDS network can potentially wipe out the deficit (gap between the     expenditure and revenue) of the Department and emerge as rural digital hubs for delivery of DBT and other postal, financial, remittance, third party and several e-services to the rural population and forming an integral part of fulfilling SABKA SAATH  SABKA VIKAS agenda of the Central Government.

Friday, January 20, 2017

Digital Payments


STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR VARIOUS MODES OF PAYMENT:


To view please click here

Summary of GDS report 2016


1.   The minimum working hours of GDS Post Offices and GDS is increased to 4 hours from 3 hours. 

2.   The new working hours for GDS Post Offices will be 4 hours and 5 hours only.

3.   The Level 1 GDS Post Offices/GDSs will have 4 hours as working hours and Level – 2 will have 5 hours as working hours.

4.   The Point System for assessment of workload of BPMs has been abolished.

5.   The new wage payment system is linked to revenue generation of GDS Post Offices. Under the new system, there will be no increase in wagess of BPMs from Level-1 to Level-2 on the basis of workload but the same will be increased based on achievement of prescribed revenue norms which is fixed at 100% for normal areas and 50% for special areas which presently have 15% anticipated income norms.

6.   The GDS Post Offices not achieving the prescribed revenue norm within the given working hours will have to open GDS post offices for minimum of additional 30 minutes beyond the prescribed working hours.

7.   The GDSs BPMs will be paid Revenue Linked Allowance @10% beyond Level 2 wage scale if they will be successful in achieving revenue beyond prescribed norms

8.   The GDS Post Offices has been categorized into A,B,C and D categories based on the revenue generation norms. The GDS Post Office in A category will achieve 100% revenue. The Committee has recommended a set of actions for each category of GDS Post Offices.

9.   The six approved categories of GDS are subsumed into two categories only. One category will be Branch Post Master and all other 5 categories of GDSs are subsumed into one multi tasking category.

10.   The job profile of Multi Tasking GDS is expanded to include work such as Business Development and Marketing etc. Their jobs will no more be confined to their old designations. The Assistant BPM will assist BPMs for increasing revenue generation.

11. The GDSs working in the GDS Post Offices will be known as Assistant Branch Post Master (ABPMs) and those working in the Department Post Offices will be known as Dak Sevak (DS).

12. The minimum wage has been increased to Rs.10000/- per month and maximum to Rs.35,480/- per month.

13.   The rate of annual increase is recommended as 3%.

14. A composite Allowance comprising of support for hiring accommodation for GDS Post Offices as well as mandatory residence, office maintenance, mobile and electricity usage charges etc. has been introduced for the first time.

15. Children Education Allowance @ Rs.6,000/- per Child per annum has been introduced for GDS.

16. Risk & Hardship Allowance @ Rs.500/- per month for GDSs working in the special areas has also been introduced.

17. A Financial upgradation has been introduced at 12 Years, 24 years and 36 Years of services in form of two advance additional annual increases.

18.  The ceiling of ex-gratia gratuity has been increased from Rs.60,000 to Rs.5,00,000/-

19.The GDS contribution for service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS) should be enhanced maximum up to 10% and minimum up to 3% of the basic wage per month, whereas the Department should contribute a fixed contribution of 3% of the basic wage of the GDSs.

20. The coverage of GDS Group Insurance Scheme has been enhanced from Rs.50,000/0 to Rs.5,00,000/-.

21. The contribution of Department in Circle Welfare Fund (CWF) has been increased from Rs.100/- per annum to Rs.300/- per annum.

22. The Scope of CWF is extended to cover immediate family members such as spouse; daughters, sons and dependent daughters in law in the scheme.

23. The Committee also recommended 10% hike in the prescribed limits of financial grants and assistance in the Circle Welfare Fund.

24. The Committee has recommended addition of Rs.10,000/- for purchase of Tablet/Mobile from the Circle Welfare Fund in the head ” Financial Assistance from Fund by way of loans with lower rate of interest (5%)”.

25. Provision of 26 weeks of Maternity Leave for women GDSs has been recommended.

26. The wages for the entire period of Maternity Leave is recommended to be paid from salary head from where wages of GDSs are paid.

27.   The Committee has also recommended one week of Paternity Leave.

28. The Committee has recommended 5 days of emergency leave per annum
           Leave accumulation and encashment facility up to 180 days has been    
           introduced.

29. Online system of engagement has been recommended.

30. The maximum age limit of 50 years for Direct Recruitment of GDSs has been abolished.

31.Minimum one year of GDS service will now be required for GDSs for Direct Recruitment into Departmental cadres such as MTS/Postman/Mail Guard.

32.   Alternate livelihood condition for engagement of GDSs has been relaxed.

33.   Voluntary Discharge Scheme has been recommended.

34.   The Discharge age has been retained at 65 years.

35. The Limited Transfer Facility has been relaxed from 1 time to 3 Time for male GDSs. There will be no restriction on number of chances for transfer of women GDSs. The power for transfer has been delegated to the concerned Divisional head.

36. The ex-gratia payment during put off period should be revised to 35% from 25% of the wage and DA drawn immediately before put off.

37. The committee has recommended preferring transfer before put off duty.

38. The compassionate Engagement of GDS has been relaxed to give benefits to eligible dependents in all cases of death of GDS while in service.

GDS Committee Report 2016

To view GDS Committee Report 2016  Part  1 please  Click Here 

To view GDS Committee Report 2016  Part  2 please
 Click Here

To view GDS Committee Report 2016  Part  3 please  Click Here

To view GDS Committee Report  2016 Part  4 please  Click Here.







Grant of Transport Allowance at double the normal to deaf and dumb employees of Central Government – Finmin Orders

“Transport Allowance at double normal rates would be admissible to the ‘Hearing Impaired employees having loss of sixty decibels or more in the better ear in the conversation range of frequencies’ as per Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Fun Participation) Act, 1995”

No.20/2/2016-E-II(B)
Governmént of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 17.01.2017
OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Grant of Transport Allowance at double the normal to deaf and dumb    employees of Central Government

In supersession of this Department O.M.No.21(2)/2011-E-II(B) dated 19.02.2014 regarding admissibility of Transport Allowance at double the normal rates to employees who are deaf and dumb. the undersigned is directed to say that the matter has been re-examined and it has been decided with the approval of Competent Authority that Transport Allowance at double the normal rates is admissible to Hearing Impaired employees also in addition to employees who are both deaf and dumb.

2. Transport Allowance at double normal rates would be admissible to the ‘Hearing Impaired employees having loss of sixty decibels or more in the better ear in the conversation range of frequencies’ as per Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Fun Participation) Act, 1995.

3. The admissibility of Transport Allowance at double the normal rates to above categories of employees is subject to recommendation of the Head of ENT Department of a Government Civil Hospital and fulfillment of other conditions applicable in respect of other disabilities mentioned in D/o Expenditure’s O.M. No. 19029/1/78-E-lV (B) dated 31st August, 1978 read with dated 29.08.2008.

4. In so far as the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, this order issues in consultation with the Comptroller And Auditor General of India.

5. These orders would be effective from 19.02.2014.

6.  Hindi version is attached.

(Nirmala Dev)
Deputy Secretary (EG)

Seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations -amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules.

Seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations — revision of pay scales — amendment of Service Rules/Recruitment Rules.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

CCS(LTC) RULES-1988- Relaxation to travel by private airlines to visit Jannuu & Kashmir



Transfer policy for officers of Indian Postal Service(IPoS), Group 'A' (Junior Time Scale, Senior Time Scale, Junior Administrative Grade and Senior Administrative grade).



Enhancement of withdrawal limits from ATMs and Current Accounts

Enhancement of withdrawal limits from ATMs and Current Accounts
RBI/2016-17/213
DCM (Plg) No.2559/10.27.00/2016-17
January 16, 2017
The Chairman / Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer,
Public Sector Banks / Private Sector Banks / Foreign Banks /
Regional Rural Banks / Urban Co-operative Banks /
State Co-operative Banks/District Central Co-operative Banks
Dear Sir,
Enhancement of withdrawal limits from ATMs and Current Accounts
Please refer to our circulars DCM (Plg) No. 127413171437 and 2142/10.27.00/2016-17 dated November 14, 21 and 28 and December 30, 2016, respectively, on the above subject.
2. On a review of limits placed on withdrawals from ATMs and current accounts, it has been decided to enhance the same, with immediate effect as under:
(i) The limit on withdrawals from ATMs has been enhanced from the current limit of ₹ 4,500/- to ₹ 10,000/- per day per card (It will be operative within the existing overall weekly limit).
(ii) The limit on withdrawal from current accounts has been enhanced from the current limit of ₹ 50,000/- per week to ₹ 1,00,000/- per week and it extends to overdraft and cash credit accounts also.
3. There are no changes in the other conditions. The relaxations as provided in our circular dated November 28, 2016 will continue.
4. Please acknowledge receipt.
Yours faithfully,
(P Vijaya Kumar)
Chief General Manager