Souvenir sheet on World Cup 2015 issued by New Zealand Post is available for sale on e-post office and at philately bureaus. The souvenir sheet has 14 cricket ball sized stamps with the national flags and colours of 14 participating nations.Souvenir sheet has been customised as per indian requirements and includes image of World Cup trophy with inscription ICC Cricket World Cup Champion 1983 &2011 INDIA.  Cricket fever  in 10 days.

R.K. Laxman should be face of RTI stamps, say activists

 

  MUMBAI, January 30, 2015

 

In view of a recent Central Government circular seeking people's views on inclusion of postal stamps for paying RTI fees, activists have demanded that such stamps should bear the face of legendary cartoonist R K Laxman who passed away this week.

 

"There should be separate RTI stamps issued by the postal department, to facilitate payment of RTI fees," Subhash Chandra Agarwal, noted RTI activist who first proposed the idea before the Chief Information Commission, told The Hindu.

 

"It is a lovely idea to have R K Laxman's face on those stamps. It will be a nation's homage to somebody who took the common man's issues to a new height. Mr. Laxman turned the common man into a hero," former Chief Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi said.

 

Mr. Subhash Chandra said there were many parallels between the common man and the RTI Act. "The RTI Act is meant for the common man and R K Laxman's cartoons raised the voice of the common man," he said.

 

Separate RTI stamps

 

A few activists from western Maharashtra led by Vihar Durve recently wrote to the Department of Personnel and Training and the Prime Minister seeking issuance of separate RTI stamps in the name of Mr. Laxman who passed away this week.

 

At present, people filing RTI queries can make payment by four modes -- IPO, Demand Draft, Bankers Cheque and Cash against receipt. But the Central Information Commission, in its recent order passed last month, again recommended the use of ordinary postal stamps for paying RTI fees.

 

But the government apprehends that use of ordinary postal stamps may lead to many problems including accounting error for the postal department, misuse of ordinary stamps.

 

According to a circular issued by the Department of Personnel and Training on January 14, the government has formed a committee to look into these issues and to decide if postal stamps should be introduced as RTI fees. The circular seeks suggestions from the citizens.

 

The RTI activists have suggested that the government (postal department) issue separate RTI stamps for the purpose. "Firstly, it will be very easy for the citizens as these stamps will be freely available at all post offices," Mr Gandhi said.

 

"Also, these will be the most economical modes of paying RTI fees. If beautiful RTI stamps are issued, they will propagate the use of RTI. The people will be convenienced as many RTI petitioners face quite a few hurdles in paying fees," Mr Subhash Chandra said.

 

Difficulty. 

But Mr Gandhi pointed out a practical difficulty in implementing the measure. "At present, the revenue from the RTI fees goes to the States. But if postal stamps are introduced, the revenue will go to the Central government. Though Rs 10 crore annual revenue isn't much, the Centre will still have to convince all the States and get them on-board to implement this step," he said.

Proposal for cadre restructuring of IP/ASP cadre and merger of ASP cadre to PS Gr. B cadre

All members and track in viewers are aware that General Secretary has already submitted cadre structuring of Inspector Posts and merger of ASP cadre in to PS Gr. B cadre proposal to Directorate under letter No. GS/AIAIASP/Merger-ASP/2013 dated 9/1/2015. Now, Establishment division of Directoratehas called for following information from all Circles to confirm the data mentioned in the proposal.  

Sanctioned strength of ASP posts in Class-I Postal Divisions	Sanctioned strength of ASP posts in Class-I RMS Divisions	Sanctioned strength of ASP posts in GPO having Class-I status	Sanctioned strength of ASP posts in HPOs having Class-I status	Sanctioned strength of ASP posts in Circle/ Regional Offices

To speed up the cadre structuring issue at Directorate, there is need of submission of requisite information as early as possible by each and every circle. It is therefore requested to all members, especially Circle Secretaries/ office bearers and IP/ASPs working in Circle Offices to ensure submission of information of their circles on or before 2^nd February 2015 itself to Directorate and give the details to GS by email.

It is learnt that Jharkhand Circle has submitted following information to Directorate.

Sanctioned strength of ASP posts in Class-I Postal Divisions	Sanctioned strength of ASP posts in Class-I RMS Divisions	Sanctioned strength of ASP posts in GPO having Class-I status	Sanctioned strength of ASP posts in HPOs having Class-I status	Sanctioned strength of ASP posts in Circle/ Regional Offices
16	Nil	Nil	Nil	6

Sukanya Samriddhi Account - Saving Scheme for Girl Child

 

Dopt Notification – Amendment of Rules on Imposing Penalty on Central Government Employees

 

G.I., Dep. of Per. & Trg., Notification, dated 22.1.2015.

G.S.R. 6(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 of the Constitution, the President hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Fundamental Rules, 1922, namely:-

1. (1) These rules may be called the Fundamental (Amendment) Rules, 2014.

(2) They shall be deemed to have come into force on the 27th October, 2013.

2. In the Fundamental Rules, 1922, in rule 29, for clause (2), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:—

 

“(2) If a Government servant is reduced as a measure of penalty to a lower service, grade or post or to a lower time-scale, the authority ordering the reduction shall specify,—

 

 

(a) the period for which the reduction shall be effective;

(b) whether, on restoration, the period of reduction shall operate to postpone future increments and, if so, to what extent; and

(c) whether the Government servant shall regain his original seniority in the higher service, grade or post or time-scale on his restoration to the service, grade or post or time-scale from which he was reduced.”

Authority: DoPT Website

Proposal for cadre restructuring of IP/ASP cadre and merger of ASP cadre to PS Gr. B cadre

It is learnt that Directorate is confirming the number of Class-I posts shown in our proposal from all Circles. 

It is therefore requested to all Circle Secretaries and CHQ Office Bearers to ensure submission of requisite information by their Circle to Directorate immediately. 

IP postings in Hyderabad Region.

Sri P.Sonelal Patel IP ( C&PG) Medak division Medak has been transferred as IP Bodhan  sub- division vide PMG Hyderabad memo no. PMG (H)/ST/6-5/IP/2014 dated 21.01.2015.

Republic day wishes to all the members and track viewers

 

Retirement in the month of January 2015

Following officers are retiring from Govt. Service on superannuation on 1/1/2015.

Sl. No.	Name of Officer	Designation	Circle
1	Shri Gabrial John Samuel	Member (O)	Directorate
2	Shri R. S. Mishtra	DPS (HQ) O/O CPMG, Shimla	HP
3	Shri Ramji Lal Meena	SSPOs, Hossar Division, Hossar	Punjab
4	Shri J. S. Patil	APMG (Rectt) o/o CPMG, Mumbai	Maharashtra
5	Shri Nityanand Pathak		Bihar
6	Shri M. Srirangan	SSPOs, Salem Div., Salem	Tamil Nadu
7	Shri Dharam Singh Rana	APMG (TG) o/o CPMG, Lucknow	Uttar Pradesh
8	Shri Banchanidhi Mishra	SSPOs Behrampur Div. Behrampur	Odisha
9	Shri Mahadev Basak	SSRM ‘WB’ Division, Howrah	West Bengal
10	Shri Vageesh Varora		Karnataka
11	Shri G. Suryanarayana	ADPS (Mkg) o/o CPMG, Hyderabad	Andhra Pradesh
12	Ms. Jhara Tokdar	Dy. Director o/o Director PLI Kolkatta	West Bengal
13	Shri P. V. Suryayaprakash Rao	SPOs, Amalapuram Div, Amlapuram.	Andhra Pradesh

AP Circle association wishes them a very happy, healthy and long retired life. 

India Post honours Mumbai's dabbawala

Mahesh Zagade, Transport Commissioner, Maharashtra, releases the Special Cover on “Mumbai's Dabbawalas” in the presence of Raghunath Medge, President , Mumbai Dabbawala Association at the GPO Mumbai on Friday. Dr. V. Vinodkumar, DPS (HQ) o/o CPMG Mumbai, shri  VVSN Reddy Director Mumbai GPO are also seen in picture.

RELEASES A COMMEMORATIVE SPECIAL COVER ON THEM

Maharashtra Postal Circle (India Post) released a special cover on Mumbai’s dabbawalas on Friday in recognition of their service — delivering fresh, home-cooked food to office-goers across Maximum City with precision. 

Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Shri Mahesh Zagade released the special cover at the Mumbai General Post Office here during a three-day philately exhibition, Mumbaipex 2015, which showcases shared heritage and culture.

Nearly 5,000 dabbawalas operate across Mumbai, delivering food to their customers on time using a unique identity code to sort the nearly two lakh lunchboxes.

Shri Zagade commended the dabbawalas for their service to society, and said the logistics of their operation was so sophisticated that it had become part of management studies in reputable institutions. The accurate delivery system was a case study at the Indian Institute of Management and Harvard Business School.

Shri Raghunath Medge, President, Mumbai Dabbawala Association, said the unique identification code developed by the dabbawalas was inspired by the pin code. Mumbaipex 2015 showcases rare collections of 25 philatelists

Bi-monthly meetings with PMsG

The following bi-monthly meetings were held with the PMG Kurnool and PMG Visakhapatnam

1 PMG Kurnool on 21-01-2015.

i. items taken up: Non-drawl of HRA to IP Dharmavaram sub division.
ii. In-sufficient accommodation to IP Piler, IP Madakasira & Rayachoti sub divisions.

iii. (Old items):IO/PO Incentives release & RPLI incentives:

Attended: S. Prasad Rao, C/S & P. Umamaheshwar IP Dharmavaram sub-division.  

2 PMG Visakhapatnam on 23-01-2015.

i. Items taken up: Provision of power inverters to sub divisional heads,
ii. supply of batteries to lap tops supplied long back,
iii. (Old items) IO/PO Incentives release & RPLI incentives:

Attended: S. Prasad Rao, C/S & K. Sriramulu ASP (R) Visakhapatnam division.

Both the PMsG have responded well and assured to settle the problems ventilated  Let us wait for written reply from the ROs.

Reallotments in the cadre of PS Group "B" in AP Circle

Circle Office, Hyderabad vide memo no ST/12-1/2013-14/II dated 23.01.2014 has ordered the following re-allotments in the cadre of PS Group"B" cadre.

1. Sri SMSSV Prasad, SPOs Rajahmundry is re-allotted to Vijayawada Region at request vice post vacant. The officer will be relieved to join in Vijayawada region only in the month of April 2015.

2. Sri K.Venkateswara Rao AD Vadodra region, Gujarat circle on re-allotment to AP Circle is allotted to Visakhapatnam region against the retirement vacancy of SPos Amalapuram which will arise on 31.01.2015 A/N.

AP circle is champion in All India Postal Cricket Tournament.

The 28^th All India Postal Cricket Tournament has come to an end with the final match held  between Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu at Port Stadium, Visakhapatnam.   

Andhra Pradesh Team batted first and scored 276 runs for 6 wickets in 40 overs, whereas Tamilnadu chased the score in 32.4 overs and scored 193 all out. Hence the Champions of 28^th All India Postal Cricket Tournment are ANDHRA PRADESH team. The runners are Tamilnadu and the third place has gone to West Bengal.

Valedictory function was held at 4.30 PM on 23.01.2015 at Golden Jubilee outdoor stadium (Port Stadium).  Sri M.T. Krishna Babu, I.A.S., Chairman, Visakhapatnam Port Trust has  graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Smt. Sharda Sampath, IPoS, Postmaster General, Visakhapatnam Region, Sri Lalitendu Pradhan, Postmaster General, Siluguri & North Bengal Region, Dr.Sri Vennam Upender, Director Postal Services, Visakhapatnam Region and Sri Pawankumar Singh, DPS(Hqrs), Odissa Circle were also present.

Score details are as follows: 

Man of the Final Match : Sri. S Kranthi Kumar (Scored 125 runs) of AP

Highest wicket taker in Final match: Sri. K Rajesh (2/54) of AP 

Best bowler of tournament : Ajay Kumar from AP                      

Best Batsmen : Sri Selva Ganapathi

All Rounder of the Tournment : Sohan Gosh (WB)

Man of the tournament : S Kranthi Kumar, AP

Discontinuance of CRF stamps

As per the Dte letter no 6-4/2006-PO(pt) dt -----01-2015, CRF stamps  of all denominations are to be discontinued with effect from 01-04-2015 (Except Rs 200- denomination) which will be discontinued from 31-12-2015)

MO forms (MO-8) to be discontinued

As per the directorate letter no 3-2/2014-PO dated ----01-2015, MO forms (MO-8) will be discontinued after 31-03-2015; Un-used MO forms are to be returned to account office by all the branch offices

Remuneration payable to full time CLs (Other than temporary status) PT CLs/workers engaged on contingency basis.

Vide Dte .Letter no. 2-53/2011/PCC dated 22.01.2015  the details on the subject is as follows.

i. The wages of full time CLs (Other than temporary status) would be calculated at the minimum of pay band -I (5200-20200 grade pay Rs. 1300- and DA.  In addition the benefit of merger of 50% of DA would also be admissible in terms of DoPT OM No. 49014/5/2004-estt(c) dated 31.05.2004.

ii.  So far as PT CLs are concerned, their wages would be calculated on pro-rata basis in terms of hours of duty put in with respect to the minimum of pay band-I (Rs.5200-20200) i.e Rs. 5200- plus a grade pay of Rs. 1300- and DA admissible from time to time. In ddition the benefit of merger of 50% of DA would also be admissible in terms of DoPT OM No. 49014/5/2004-estt(c) dated 31.05.2004.

iii.  The revision as afore said in sub paras i to ii will take effect from 01.01.2006.

Hyderabad CAT case- update.

OA No. 296/2014: CAT case relating to grade pay i.e grant of grade pay of Rs. 5400- to those who have drawn  Rs. 4800- for 4 years was listed on 20.01.15 and posted to 27.01.2015.  Reply statement is yet to be filed by the department.

7th Pay Commission – Estimated Pay Scales shows substantial increase in salary for CG Employees

New Delhi, There is a good news for Central Government employees that 7th Central Pay Commission’s report will be implemented with effect from 01.01.2016. Central Government employees are expecting merger of dearness allowance, increase in other allowances such as house rent, children education allowances etc. with the implementation of this report.

With the beginning of 2016, pay scales proposed by 7th pay commission will be implemented. Our reports suggests that expected pay structure would be similar that we have produced. If this happens then there would be three times jump in the salaries of central government employees.

7th pay commission has reiterated that ratio between the minimum and maximum pay scales proposed by 6th pay commission was 1:12. It has also reiterated that there are lots of anomalies left, after the implementation of 6th pay commission and those anomalies will certainly be taken care of. It is expected that ratio between the minimum and maximum pay would be 1:13. This will certainly be anoying factor for employees unions.

Employees unions are studying estimated pay scales and would certainly be registering its suggestions soon.

Till date central government has notified six pay commissions before notifying seventh in February 2014. First central pay commission was notified in 1946, second CPC in 11957, Third CPC in 1970, Fourth CPC in 1983, Fifth in 1994 and sixth in 2006.

Report of sixth pay commissoin was implemented w.e.f. 01.01.2016. Sixth pay commission had proposed many newthing such as children education allowance and transport allowance.

It further prposed increase in all allowances by 25% with the increase in dearness allowance to 50% to counter rising inflation. It had also proposed two year child care leave for women employees. These measures were widely welcomed by central government employees. These measures were widely welcomed by central government employees. 6th pay commission had also proposed to modify assured career progression scheme and introduced Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACP).

Now central government employees are expecting modification in allowances and schemes. Employees are expecting increase in house rent, children education allowance, transport allowance and other allowances. Employees are also expecting that currency of Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme will be reduced to five years from 10 years. Employees unions are demanding upgradation in grade pay after five years, if the employee doeno’t get the benefit promotion in five years time.

Central government employees are also expecting that 7th pay commission would recommend permanent solution to merger of dearness allowance with basci pay if it crosses 100% mark.

Employees are also expecting increase in annual increment from 3% to 5%. One bone of contention for central government employees is Grade pay Rs. 5400. This grade pay falls both in PB-2 and PB-3. Employees are expecting increase in grade pay Rs.5400 which falls in PB-3 so that on promotion employees get increase in grade pay along with increase in increment @5% (current increment is 3%).

City compensatory allowance was stopped by 6th pay commission. Employees’ unions wants that city compensatory allowance be restored according to the class of cities.

Expectations are very high let’s see how much 7th pay commission fulfills those. But it is certain that 7th pay commission will bring cheers to around 80 lakhs central government employees and pensioners.

Source: www.govemployees.in

28th All India Postal Cricket Tournament at Visakhapatnam from 19.01.2015 to 23.01.2015

The 28th All India Postal Cricket Tournament has been inaugurated at Port Stadium, Visakhapatnam on 19.01.2015. Prof. G.S.N. Raju, Vice Chancellor, Andhra University has graced the occasion as Chief Guest and Sri B.V. Sudhakar, Chief Postmaster General, Andhra Pradesh Circle has presided over the function. Smt. Sharda Sampath, Postmaster General Visakhapatnam Region, Sri M. Sampath, Postmaster General, Vijayawada Region, Dr.V. Upender, Director Postal Services, Visakhapatnam Region, Sri Pawankumar Singh, Director Postal Services(HQrs), Odissa Circle have also attended the inaugural function. 14 Circle teams are participating in the event. Inaugural match won by AP Circle beating Odisha circle 35 runs. 

One more cadidate declared successful in PS Gr. B Examination 2003-06

Directorate vide Memo No. A.34018/27/2009-DE dated 15th January 2015 has declared result of one candidate of PS Gr. B examination 2003-06 held from 16th to 17th February, 2008. 

 

In compliance of the order dated 8/10/2013 pronounced by the  Hon'ble High Court of Judicature of Andhra Pradesh of Hyderabad in WP No. 21345/2008 filed by Shri P. Balasubrahmanyam, ASP, Visakhapatnam Region in OA No. 1012/2008 of Hon'ble CAT Hyderabad Bench, the competent authority has ordered to declare the result of Shri P. Balasubrahmanyam, ASP Visakhapatnam Region as selected for PS Gr. B cadre in PS Gr. B Examination 2003-06 and to include his name in the selected list of PS Gr. B Examination 2003-06.

 

He is to be accommodated against existing / future OC vacancy in IP Line of PS Gr. B Examination 2003-06 held on 16th and 17th February 2008 and he will get the seniority after the last candidate who has been appointed in PS Gr. B cadre on regular basis as of now. He shall not be entitiled to be paid any back wages.

 

The orders of the High Court of Judicature of Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad is specific to this case and will not be applicable to any other case.