.”

Some pointers on salt intake

WHO recommends limiting sodium to less than 2,000 mg/day.

American Heart Association recommends 1,500 mg/day. (One teaspoon of salt has 2,325 mg of sodium.)

Hence, keep intake of processed and tinned items to a minimum.

Avoid pickles.

Eat wholesome items like fruits, vegetables, lean meats and beans to satisfy your craving for salt.

Minimize the use of added salt in curd and salad. Remove the salt shaker from your dining table.

JAYAm........... JAYAm............

Best wishes to all our members, well wishers and viewers - Happy Telugu Jayanama vastaram.  Let all lifes be filled with joy and light during the year. 

The Hindu

Coupon re-set of Postal Life Insurance, Govt of India special floating rate security-2022.

Government of India 
Ministry of Finance 
Department of Economic Affairs 
(Budget Division) 

New Delhi, the March 25, 2014 
NOTIFICATION 

Coupon Re-set of Postal Life Insurance Government of India Special Floating Rate Security, 2022 

 F. No 5 (12)-PD/2001: Government of India Postal Life Insurance Special Floating Rate 
Bonds, 2022 will bear interest at the rate of 8.14 per cent per annum for the financial year 
2014-15. Interest rate on these bonds is in line with daily average yield of 10 years 
Government Securities in the preceding calendar year i.e. January-December 2013. Interest 
will be payable half yearly on September 30 and March 30. 

                              By Order of the President of India 

                                        (Dr. Rajat Bhargava ) 
                Joint Secretary to the Government of India 

Directorate Letter no. 02-03/2012 INV dated 24.03.2014 has revised the the monetary limits for handling of Loss/fraud for conducting investigation w.e.f 01.04.2014.

Cadre	Present limit	Revised limit
Inspector/Asst.Supdt	20,000-	50,000-
Supdt/Sr.Supdt/Chief PM/Dy.Director Mumbai/Kolkata GPOs	20001 to 50,000-	50001 to 100000-
Asst.director/APMG in C.O	50001 to 100000-	100001 to 200000-
DPS Kolkata/Mumbai/New Delhi GPOs, Any other Director/PMG/CPMG	>100000-	> 200000-

Revision of HVMO Value.

The Dte. Vide letter no. 6-2/2013-PO dated 15.01.2014 has revised the value of HVMO from existing value Rs. 400- to 1000-.  Rule 87 of Postal Manual Volume VI part-II.

Dear friends, 

1. Association bags along with declaration forms are kept ready for dispatch.  Due to some reasons the same was delayed.  How ever declaration forms were  supplied to Hyderabad City division and Hyderabad Region and rest will be supplied soon.  All the concerned are requested to ensure that declarations are obtained from new IPs and handed over to the DDOs concerned.

2. As regards  committee on pay commission, Sri NSS Ramakrishna ASP RO Hyderabad is  right on job to collect information relating to pay commission no. 2 to 5. Rest of committee member may please have contact with each other so that report may be prepared and submitted to Chq.

S.Prasad Rao C/S. 

Mindfulness-based meditation could lessen cancer symptoms among teens.

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Washington: Researchers at the University of Montreal, have suggested that mindfulness-based meditation could lessen some symptoms associated with cancer in teens.

Catherine Malboeuf-Hurtubise of the university’s Department of Psychology and her team asked 13 adolescents with cancer to complete questionnaires covering mood (positive and negative emotions, anxiety and depression), sleep and quality of life.

The group was divided in two: a first group of eight adolescents were offered eight mindfulness-based meditation sessions and the remaining five adolescents in the control group were put on a wait-list. The eight sessions were 90 minutes long and took place weekly.

After the last meditation session, patients from both groups filled out the same questionnaires a second time. Differences between both groups were not large enough for the researchers to impute observed benefits solely to the mindfulness component of the sessions.

“The social support provided to the adolescents in the mindfulness group could possibly explain observed benefits on mood and sleep,” Malboeuf-Hurtubise said. “Nonetheless, mindfulness-based interventions for teenagers with cancer appear as a promising option to lighten psychological inconveniences of living with cancer.”

The researchers intend to offer members of the control group an opportunity to undertake the meditation sessions.ANI | 

March 25, 2014, 10.03 am IST

PAGES

wonderful... department of posts-India.
 

Now a notification is published by the Department of Posts, Government of India in connection with candidates are called for the post of POSTAL ASSISTANTS for the vacancies of 2013-2014. After their selection for the post of POSTAL ASSISTANTS they will be appointed in the scale of pay in Pay Band 5200-20200 with Grade Pay 2400.
 
Let us know How much of Gross pay as on 01.01.2014 will be drawn by the newly appointed Postal Assistant.

(A) If appointed in the rural areas,

Basic pay - Rs.7510

Grade Pay - Rs.2400

Dearness Allowance @ 100% - Rs.9910.00

House Rent Allowance @ 10% (BP+GP) - Rs.991.00

Transport Allowance (Rs.800+100%) - Rs.1600.00

Gross - Rs.22411.00

(B) If appointed in the A1 cities like CHENNAI, CALCUTTA, MUMBAI & DELHI

Basic Pay - Rs. 7510.00

Grade Pay - - Rs. 2400.00

Dearness Allowance @ 100% - Rs. 9910.00

House Rent Allowance @ 30% (BP+GP) - Rs.2973.00

Transport Allowance (Rs.1600+100%) Rs. 3200.00

Gross - Rs.25993.00

(C) If appointed in the B1 cities (list of B1 cities issued by the Central Government)

Basic Pay - Rs. 7510.00

Grade Pay - Rs. 2400.00

Dearness Allowance @ 100% - Rs. 9910.00

House Rent Allowance @ 30% (BP+GP) - Rs .1982.00

Transport Allowance (Rs.800+100%) - Rs.1600.00

Gross - Rs.23402.00

Apart from this you can draw hill station allowance if you are posted in the hill stations.

 

CAT case filed at Madras Bench i/c/w to grant GP of Rs.5400/- after completion of 4 years in GP of Rs. 4800/-

Shri M. Mohanarangam, Ex-GS of All India Association of ASRM and IRM and now Superintendent (Stg.) RMS Ó’ Division Lucknow has already filed OA in Hon’ble CAT Madras Bench in connection with to grant (MACP) financial up-gradation to applicant in the GP of Rs. 5400/- in PB-2 on non-functional basis, on completion of 4 years of regular service in the GP of Rs. 4800/- w.e.f. 1/9/2008, with all attendant benefits is listed for filing of reply by respondent i.e. Department on 27/3/2014.

The applicant in his OA No. 1273/2013 stated that 6CPC introduced Modified Assured Career Progression Schemes (MACPs) and the commission recommended that a Gr. B officer in PB-2 with GP of Rs. 4800/- will get the GP of Rs. 5400/- after completing 4 years of regular service on non-functional basis. The recommendations of the 6CPC was accepted by the Government vide GOI, Ministry of Finance’s Resolution dated 29/8/2008.  

The applicant has further stated in his OA that when a Gr. B officer completes four years of regular service in the GP of Rs. 4800/- is eligible to get GP of Rs.5400/-. While so, the applicant is holding Gr. B gazette post (ASP cadre) and completed 4 years of regular service in the GP of Rs. 4800/- and he is now eligible for financial upgradation in the GP of Rs. 5400/- w.e.f.1/9/2012. The applicant while working as ASP (Gr. B) was granted financial upgradation in the GP of Rs. 4800/- in the pay band of Rs. 9300-34800 in PB-2 w.e.f. 1/9/2008.

The copies of OA No. 1273/2013 (Madras Bench) and OA No. 269/2014 (Hyderabad bench) will be made available on this blog very soon for the information of members.

It is requested to all members who are getting GP Rs. 4800/- since last four years, but not drawing GP Rs. 5400/- may file CAT cases jointly at their headquarters.

 Hyderabad CAT case filed by 15 Group "B" officers/ASPs for grant  Rs.5400 grade pay. 


Hyderabad  CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL has admitted  grade pay case vide OA No. 296 of 2014 on 17.03.2014  filed by 15 Group "B" officers/ASPs who have completed 4 years service in grade pay of Rs. 4800-. The case is posted after four weeks, for filing reply statement by the department. 

                                            DIABETES- 15 TIPS TO CONTROL.

Control is governed by following the right diabetic diet. What to eat and what not to eat is important for diabetes control and diabetes cure or diabetes reversal. These are the top 15 diabetes diet tips from diabetologists and nutritionists. Even if you are pre-diabetic or borderline diabetic, or diabetes is part of your family, it is important to follow a diabetic diet to prevent diabetes.

Diabetologist, Dr. Sanjiv Bhambani with Moolchand Medcity suggests, “A diabetes diet should be high on fibre, must contain milk without cream, buttermilk, fresh seasonal fruits, green vegetables, etc.” But remember to consume these components in moderation.

Diabetes diet for Indians should have the ratio of 60:20:20 for carbs, fats and proteins. The doctor explains, “Per day calorie intake should be between 1,500-1,800 calories with a proportion of 60:20:20 between carbohydrates, fats and proteins, respectively.” He adds that a diabetes diet should “have at least two seasonal fruits and three vegetables in a diet plan.”

Though dry fruits may seem like a healthy snack, it is not a good option for diabetics, as the fructose can spike your sugar level. Go for fresh fruits rather than dry fruits for diabetes

Control (but there are some restrictions... we’ll come to it). But you can still opt for nuts as a healthy snack.

The doctor shares his recipe for diabetes diet for Indians:

- One teaspoon of methi seeds soaked overnight in 100 ml of water is very effective in controlling diabetes.
- Drink tomato juice with salt and pepper every morning on an empty stomach.
- Intake of 6 almonds (soaked overnight) is also helpful in keeping a check on diabetes.

Rekha Sharma, President and Director of Indian Dietetic Association, shares some major diabetes diet pointers that one should follow at home or at a restaurant.

Whole grains, oats, channa atta, millets and other high fibre foods should be included in the meals. If one feels like consuming pasta or noodles, it should always be accompanied with vegetable/sprouts.

Milk is the right combination of carbohydrates and proteins and helps control blood sugar levels. Two servings of milk in a daily diet is a good option.

High fibre vegetables such as peas, beans, broccoli and spinach /leafy vegetables should be included in one’s diet. Also, pulses with husk and sprouts are a healthy option and should be part of the diet.

Pulses are important in the diet as their effect on blood glucose is less than that of most other carbohydrate containing foods. Vegetables rich in fibre help lowering down the blood sugar

levels and thus are healthy.

Good fats such as Omega-3 and monounsaturated fats (MUFA) should be consumed as they are good for the body. Natural sources for these are canola oil, flax seed oil, fatty fish and nuts. These are also low in cholesterol and are trans fat free.

Fruits high in fibre such as papaya, apple, orange, pear and guava should be consumed. Mangoes, bananas, and grapes contain high sugar; therefore these fruits should be consumed lesser than the others.

A large meal gives rise to higher blood sugar in one’s body, therefore it is essential to take small frequent meals to prevent both higher and very low blood sugar values and keep them constant. Small in between snacks can be dhokla, fruit, high fibre cookies, butter milk, yogurt, upma/poha with vegetables etc.

A person with diabetes should follow a diet

which is low in carbohydrates, high in fibre and contains adequate amounts of proteins, vitamins and minerals; and avoid fatty foods and sweets. He/she should also take frequent small meals (5 meals pattern).

What not to do:

• Artificial sweeteners can be used in cakes and sweets for diabetic people (in moderation).
• Have lots of fluid.
• Limit intake of alcohol.

Should you have non-veg?
In non-vegetarian diet, seafood and chicken can be taken rather than red meat as red meat contains higher amount of saturated fats. Also, patients with high cholesterol should avoid egg yolk and red meat.

The diabetes diet for Indians includes carbohydrates, proteins and fats. As always, a balanced and planned diet can build and improve personal health. A controlled diabetes diet may seem like a drag and bore, but a good cook can add life to a diet. Time to call up mom and experiment with diabetes

diets!

Source : TOI

Credit to CGHS benficiaries in em panelled private hospitals to continue.

PRESS NOTE

There have been reports in the Media that private hospitals on the panel of CGHS are denying credit facilities to the eligible CGHS beneficiaries for delay in settlement of hospitals bills. Lower package rates and inadmissible deductions etc. have also been reported to be the other reasons for withdrawal of agreed cashless /credit facilities.

24 out of 407 Private hospitals empanelled under CGHS decided unilaterally to discontinue credit facility to the eligible categories of CGHS beneficiaries. Show Cause Notices stand issued to these Hospitals and the empanelment of five Hospitals has been suspended for a period of six months or till further orders, whichever is earlier.

In this regard, the CGHS beneficiaries are advised not to be guided by misleading information as most of the private hospitals are continuing to extend the cashless facilities to the CGHS beneficiaries. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will ensure that the CGHS empanelled private hospitals continue to extend cashless /credit facilities to the eligible CGHS beneficiaries in compliance with the terms and conditions as laid down in the Memorandum of Agreement signed by them with CGHS. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has already taken special steps for clearance of pending hospital bills on a priority basis and the pendency of bills is almost cleared.

CGHS has already invited bids for revision of package rates through a transparent tender process, where the last date for submission of bids was 16th March, 2014. Steps are underway to conclude the tender process early.

IPs/ASPs  Requests registered in the Circle as on 18.03.2014.

IPs:    
Hyd City Region - 1,
Kurnool Region-1,

ASPs:

Hyd.City Region- 8,
Vijayawada Region-2,
Visakhapatnam Region-6.

ERNAKULAM CAT CASE... UPDATE.


It has been reported by CS Kerala Circle that, our upgradation of GP case (OA No. 289/13) came up before the Hon'ble CAT Ernakulam Bench  on 12/3/2014 for disposal / orders. Considering the submission of our Counsel, the case has been adjourned to 7/4/2014 for filing rejoinder. As per the decision taken in AIC Ahmedabad we have already forwarded the draft rejoinder to Counsel for preparation of final draft and submission. 

LIST OF PRIVATE HOSPITALS IN AP

Recognised under CS (MA) Rules 1944

           Central Government Employees and Pensioners belonging to Non-CGHS places are covered by Central Services Medical Attendance Rules 1944 as far as reimbursement of medical expenses Out-Patient and In-Patient treatment are concerned. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has approved following private hospitals under CS(MA) Rules, for reimbursing package rates when Central Government Employees and Pensioners taking medical treatment in these hospitals.

No	Name of the State	Name of recognised Hospital and Address
1.	Andhra Pradesh	1. CITI, Cardiac Centre, Vijay Wada. 2. Swatantra Hospital, Rajahmundary, A.P. 3. Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad.

Source : http://msotransparent.nic.in/writereaddata/cghsdata/mainlinkfile/File433.pdf

Current Affairs - March 2014

To view, please CLICK HERE. 

Healthy fruit list for diabetics

To read the details about fruits and its benefits, please CLICK HERE

 Personal care...

How to manage your cholesterol-preventive medicine

  

Excess bad cholesterol can lead to heart disease or stroke, so take into account a few steps to manage your cholesterol levels.

Nutritionist Lovisa Nilsson has shared her top tips on how to keep your cholesterol levels in control, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

* Superfruits: Following recent nutritional studies, several fruits have been labelled ‘superfoods’ due to their ability to combat harmful fats and reduce bad cholesterol. For instance, it was recently revealed that strawberries have the ability to reduce LDL (low-density lipoprotein), the harmful form of cholesterol, by nearly 14 per cent, according to research carried out by Universita Politecnica Delle Marche in Italy.

* Unsaturated fats: Consuming omega-3 essential fatty acids, found in unsaturated fats, will help to lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. Unsaturated fats include oily fish, nuts and seeds, ground flax seeds, olive oil and certain vegetables and fruits such as avocado.

* Fibre: Beans, pulses, vegetables, cereal and whole grain breads all have a high fermentable fibre content and are therefore difficult for the gut to digest so they attach to bad cholesterol and then remove it from the body via waste.

Dear friends,

On 11.03.2014 newly elected body of our association met the Chief PMG Sri BV Sudhakar Sir.  The Chief PMG conveyed best wishes and greeted the new body and association. 

We request the team who appointed to work out the modalities on pay commission to speed up action.  Suggestions on the subject also had from the senior officers of the department. Hence the team members may call for copies of pay commission reports from 2^nd to 5^th so that we can present compared details. 

SOME MORE PICTURES OF OUR CONFERENCE

Office space prescribed by ministry of Urban Development vide memo no. 11015/98-Pol.l dated 20.02.2014.

Subject:- Revised scales of office space for various categories of officers and staff and special requirements of Central Secretariat excluding those serving in the Income Tax, Central Excise and Customs Departments.

The undersigned is directed to refer to the then Ministry of Work & Housing & Urban Development OM No, 11015(2)/75-Pol.IV dated 24.11.76, this Ministry OM dated 20.10.87 and OM of even number dated 07.08.98 on the above subject and to say that consequent upon revision of pay scales of the Central Government employees on the recommendation of the 6th Pay Commission as notified vide CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008, it has been decided to prescribe revised scales of office space for various categories of officers and staff and special requirement5 as under, with immediate effect:-

Table A : Revised scales of office space for officers and staff

Sl. No.	Proposed Category	Existing Category	Entitlement of Office space in (sq ft./ sq. mt.)
1.	2.	3.	4.
1.	--	Officers drawing Gr. Pay of Rs.10000/- in PB-4 and above	360 sq. ft ( 33 sq. mt.)
2.	Officers drawing pay Rs.15200/- and above Per month	Officers drawing Gr. Pay of Rs 7600/- in PB-3 and above but less than the Gr. Pay of Rs.10000/‑	240 sq. ft. (22 sq. mt.)
3.	Officers drawing Rs.10000/- and above but less than Rs.15200/- per month	Officers drawing Gr. Pay of Rs.6600/- in P8-3 and above but less than the Gr. Pay of Rs.7600/-	120 sq. ft. (11 sq. mt. )
4.	Gazetted Officers drawing Pay less than Rs. 10000/- Per month/ Section Officers in the Secretariat/ Attached Offices	Officers drawing Gr. Pay of Rs. 4800/- in PB 2 and above/ Section Officers in the Secretariat/Attached Offices but less than the Gr.Pay of Rs.6600/-	60 sq.ft. (5.5 sq.mt.)
5.	Technical Staff such as Draughtsman, Tracers, Estimators, etc;	Technical Staff such as Draughtsman, Tracers, Estimators, etc;	60 sq. ft. (5.5 sq. mt.)
6.	Ministerial Staff such as Superintendents, Head Clerks, Assistants, Clerks, Daftries, etc;	Ministerial Staff such as Superintendents, Head Clerks, Assistant, Clerks, Multi Task Staff (MTS)	40 sq. ft. (3.5 sq. mt.)
7.	Ministerial Staff of Audit Offices	Ministerial Staff of Audit Offices	40 sq. ft. (3.5 sq. mt.)

Table B : Revised scales of office space for special requirement.

Sl. No.	Particular	Prescribed entitlement of office space
1.	Conference Room	Conference Room should be subject to the requirement of the Ministry/Department concerned with minimum space of 237 sq.ft. (22 sq.mt) and maximum 474 sq.ft. (44 sq.mt.)
2.	Visitors Room	Visitors Room should be according to the requirement of a Ministry/Department but it should not be more than 474 sq.ft. (44 sq.mt.) Visitor room of the size of 86 sq.ft. (8 sq.mt.) will be provided to the officers of the rank of Joint Secretary & above within the ceiling of 474 sq.ft
3.	Receptionist	120 sq. ft. (11 sq. meters)
4.	Security Room at every entrance	120 sq. ft. (11 sq. meters)
5.	Canteen	One sq. ft. (0.09 sq. mt.) per person in an office including the space for dining hall, kitchen, etc.
6.	Dining/Tiffin Room (for Lunch)	400 sq. ft. (36 sq. meters)
7.	Ladies Common Room	120 sq. ft.(11.00 sq. meters)
8.	Class Room	According to the requirement of Department but should not be more than 474 sq. ft. (44 sq. meters)
9.	Library	One sq. ft. for 25 books or one sq meter for 275 books.
10.	Old Records	One sq. ft. for 20 recorded files or one sq. meter for 220 recorded files.
11.	Care taker Room	120 sq. sq. meter
12.	CPWD Maintenance Staff Room	400 sq. ft.(36.00 sq. meter )
13.	Stores	As per requirement of each office but should not be more than 400 sq. ft.(36.00 sq. meter)
14.	Drivers Room	120 sq. ft.(11 sq. meter)

2. The total screened requirement of office accommodation determined on the basis of revised scales will be subject to the following austerity cuts:-

Entitlement	Percentage of cut
Up to 30,000 sq.	10%
More than 30,000 sq. ft.	15%

3. The question of quantum of provision for future expansion of an office to be accommodated in a new building, whether in the general pool or in a departmental pool, has been under consideration. It has now been decided that provision for additional space should be limited to 10% of total requirement of an office for further expansion and that if a Ministry/Department wants more than 10% of the total requirement as additional space for expansion, they may do so with the approval of their integrated Finance Division, keeping in view the need for maximum economy.

4. For assessment of prescribed revised scales, the total requirement for office space of the Ministry/Department and its Attached/Subordinate offices located in Delhi/New Delhi has to be given in the enclosed schedule I to IV.

sd/-

(Munish Kumar Garg)

Director of Estates

Source/View/Download : Schedule I to IV