Grant of Honorarium to Inquiry Officers (IO)l Presenting Officers (PO)-clarification.

Please find the copy of memo NO. 142/15/2010-AVD.1  dated 23rd June-2014 ,Government of India ,Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions department of Personnel & Training on the above subject. 

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM of even number dated 31.7.2012 laying down the rates of honorarium payable to Inquiry OfficerIPresenting Officer for holding departmental proceedings. 

2. It has been brought to the notice of this Department that the condition mentioned in para 2.1 of the said OM, was in conflict with the provisions of FR 46 B which limits the maximum amount payable as honorarium to an individual in a financial year to Rs. 5,0001- creating confusion whether the same was within the 
delegated powers of the Ministry. 

3. The matter has been considered and it is clarified that the honorarium payable to IOIPresenting Officer for conducting inquiry in departmental proceedings would be outside the purview of the general delegation under FR 46 B. 

4. This issues with the concurrence of Department of Expenditure vide their I.D. No. 141412009-E.II(B) dated 16.5.2014. 

                                                                              Under Secretary to the Government of India 

Sri S. Samuel Ex-GS retiring on 30/6/2014

Sri S. Samuel Ex-GS retiring on 30/6/2014

Our senior colleague and Ex-General Secretary Sri S. Samuel is going to retire from Govt. service on superannuation on 30/6/2014. He hold the post of General Secretary from 2005 to 2010. During the two terms he did his best to discharge the duties cast upon him without fear of reprisal. During his tenure following specific achievements were taken place (i) Conferment of gazetted status to the post of ASP, (ii) Free supply of newspaper at the residence of ASP (iii) Reimbursement of mobile phone recharge coupon/residential telephone bill (iv) Allotment of willing surplus qualified Inspector Posts candidates to other Circles, (v) Re-allotment of women Inspector Posts to respective home Circle under spouse category without waiting to complete mandatory waiting period etc. (vi) Supply of Laptop to all Sub Divisions. For his grand and successful service to this Association, we have to salute him. His mobile No. is 09444144764

AP Circle Association wishes Sri Samuel Sir, a happy, healthy and peaceful retirement life. 

PSS Gr "B" EXAM- UPDATES.

LDCE for promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B for the year 2013.

It is learnt that there is no progress in respect of issue of notification to conduct LDCE for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B for the year 2013 and also for 2014. Aspirants should not get discouraged instead they can better prepare for the exam since sufficient time found for preparation and review.

PLI AWARDS FUNCTION HELD AT HYDERABAD.

Postal Life Insurance to Sell Policies Online

 

Postal Services Board member (PLI) Anjali Devasher presenting postal life insurance award to Maj. R Subramani in Hyderabad on Thursday. Chief postmaster-general BV Sudhakar in the middle. | A SURESH KUMAR

 

HYDERABAD: Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance(RPLI) will soon allow its users to purchase and view policies status online and even pay the premium.

 

Completing 130 years, Postal Life Insurance, the oldest Life Insurance scheme in the country, is all set to roll out Core Insurance Solutions (CIS) across all its 812 head post offices/CPCs and sub post offices as its second phase of technology upgradation, said Faiz-ur-Rahman, chief general manager, PLI. The CIS is set to be fully operational in the next six months and has been operating in over 100 head post offices across the country as a pilot project.

 

During an interaction in the backdrop of an award ceremony to felicitate the outstanding business performers in PLI and RPLI, the CGM said that they have set a target premium of `9,500 crore to be raised in 2014-15. It had raised `7,500 crore in 2013-14 and `5,200 crore in 2012-13. ‘’We are unique in the sense that we assure highest return from our products. When no other company has declared any bonus, we have and we can,’’ he said. Speaking about the scenario in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, BV Sudhakar, chief post master general, AP circle, stated that the circle has set a target Rs 700 crore premium to be raised in 2014-15.

 

‘’PLI for us means prosperity, longevity and integrity. When the industry is growing at about 16 per cent, we in AP circle are growing at 25 to 30 percent,” he said. 

 

Further, explaining how PLI is able to offer highest returns with lowest premiums, he said that since the sale, service and redressal of complaints are all done through the network of department of posts, the operation costs remain very low compared to other insurance providers, and the surplus thus generated is passed on to insurants in the form of higher bonus. 

At present, the number of live policies in PLI and Rural PLI is almost 28 million. The corpus size is nearly `50,000 crore and the total sum assured for all policies put together come to `1.99 lakh crore, he said.

 

Source : http://www.newindianexpress.com/

Four monthly meeting with the CPMG- Request for items.

Four monthly meetings with Chief PMG are proposed to be conducted  in the month of  September-2014 as per the CO letter no. U/10-149/FMM/2014 dt. 11.06.2014. All the office bearers and members of the association are requested to send items to be discussed in the four monthly meetings, before 03.07.2014 through office bearers.  Utmost priority may please be attached to this  item.

Prasadrao C/S.

Group "B" Adhoc promotions in the circle.

The following senior willing ASPs have been promoted to the PS Group cadre.

1. Sri M.Chandraskhar - Visakhapatnam Region.

2. Sri K.Prakasarao - Hyderabad Region.

3.Sri A. Padmanabhasetty - Hyderabad City Region.

Association conveys best wishes to the above officers.

Honorarium to part time IO/PO- G/S addressed to Secretary (P).

No. GS/AIAIASP/GDS-Hon/2013                                      dated :    21/6/2014

To,

Ms Kavery Banerjee,

Secretary (Posts),

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi 110 001.

Sub:  Grant of honorarium to part time Inquiry Officers/ Presenting Officers for conducting inquiries under Rule-10 of GDS (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2011 and revision of financial powers delegated to CPMG for sanction of the Honorarium.

Ref:   Directorate memo No C-32016/03/2005-VP dated 23.08.2005.

Respected Madam,

  

          We would like to invite your kind attention to this Association’s letter of even number dated 22/6/2013 followed by reminders dated 13/9/2013 and 11/11/2013, 1/2/2014 and 25/4/2014 whereby it was brought to the notice that, Directorate vide memo No 32016/12/2011-VP dated 04.07.2011 on the basis of notification issued by DOP&T has revised honorarium rates for Inquiry Officers/ Presenting Officers engaged for conducting departmental enquiries which was further revised on 8.1.2013. Under the existing structure, minimum Rs 5000/- and Maximum 10000/- are required to be sanctioned as honorarium if the enquiry is completed within stipulated time frame. But no such revision whatsoever has been made for IO/PO for conducting GDS inquiries, perhaps this was not part of DOP&T memo as no such cadre exists in any other department except DOP.

          Although the responsibilities of IO/PO are predefined and similar in nature both for Departmental and GDS employees, yet the honorarium rate is not in parity as is apparent from the below noted table, that also needs upward revision at par with departmental inquiries.  

Details	GDS inquiries	Departmental inquiries
	w.e.f.23.08.2005	w.e.f. 04.07.2011	w.e.f. 31.07.2012
Inquiry Officer (IO) Part time	Minimum Rs    400/- Maximum Rs 1600/-	Minimum Rs  1500/- Maximum Rs 3000/-	Minimum Rs    5000/- Maximum Rs 10000/-
Presenting Officer (PO) Part time	Minimum Rs    250/- Maximum Rs   500/-	Minimum Rs    750/- Maximum Rs 1500/-	Minimum Rs    5000/- Maximum Rs 10000/-

         

          Furthermore, the annual ceiling of Rs 4000/- per IO/PO per year bestowed to the Head of the Circle since long is still in vogue and no action to revise this limit has been taken concomitantly leaving aside benefit granted above. However, Secretary (Posts) has the power to sanction honorarium up to Rs 5000/-, means all the cases will have to be referred to Directorate for sanction. In such cases, either the beneficiary will be deprived of his/her right or will have to wait for long to get the desired relief.

          It is further bring to your kind notice that the minimum rate of honorarium have already been revised for departmental inquiries and the FR 46 B also stood amended (vide MOF, DOE I.CU.O.No.4.2/5/2008-IC dated 29.01.2009). The issue in question was discussed at length with your predecessor and OSD to Secretary (Posts) in the informal meeting held on 23/9/2013. During the course of dialogue, both the officers apprehending the position, assured that Department will re-look into the matter and shall accordingly convey the approval, but till date nothing is heard from Directorate despite issue of series of reminders.

          It is therefore once again requested to put on place orders to resolve this vital issue at the earliest.   

Yours sincerely, 

Sd/- 

(Vilas Ingale)

General Secretary

Copy forwarded for information and necessary action to :

The OSD to Secretary (Posts), Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110001.

ASP Promotion- updates.

ASPs promotion process is under progress and likely to be completed by next week. Re-allotments will also be issued simultaneously. Adhoc group "B" promotions is likely to be decided shortly.

S.Prasad Rao C/S.

Transfers/Postings in the Junior Administrative Grade (JAG) of Indian Postal Service Group'A'.

 The Dte.Vide memo no.No.2-212O14-SPG  dt. 19.06.14  issued the following transfers (JAG Cadre)

(i) Shri Akash Deep Chakravarti (lPoS-199a) DPS, Tripura, North East Circle, Agartala (designate) DPS, North Region, Bihar Circle, Muzaffarpur Against vacant post

(ii) Ms. Sumitha Ayodhya (lPoS-2002) Returning from Deputation to Govt. of Andhra Pradesh DPS, Pune Region, Maharashtra Circle Against vacant post.

Association conveys best wishes to the officers.

Pass ports 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/

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.

Logistics from Hyderabad to distance places launched.

Chief PMG  AP Circle Andhra Pradesh Circle Sri BV Sudhakar has inaugurated the launch of daily logistic services from Hyderabad to  Chennai, Bangalore and Adilabad on 16.06.2014.   Let us hope the department will increase its share in transportation of goods services. 

DA Merger proposal.

Demand for 50% DA Merger presented to the new government

It looks as if this time all the Central Government Employees Federations are seriously committed to getting 50% Dearness Allowance added to their basic pay!

All the CG employees federations have strongly made this demand to the newly formed Government at the Centre. They have all explained the reasons and submitted the justification, why they have made this demand and have requested that it be implemented.

The demand was first put forth in the middle of last year. It was hoped that the demand would be implemented before the general elections. Everybody expected an announcement in this regard at the end of the last cabinet meeting that was held on February 28, 2014. The disappointment they felt wouldn’t be easy to forget.

In order to renew this demand and present it to the newly formed government, all the federations have presented memoranda. Mr. Shiva Gopal Mishra, Secretary of National Council JCM Staff Side, has sent a detailed letter to the Government explaining this demand.

One will have to wait and watch if the newly formed government, under the leadership of Modi, accepts this demand of more than 50 lakh employees.

Source: CGEN.in

Reply by GS to Dte. in c/w merge of ASP with Group "B" cadre.

No. GS /AIAIASP/Merger ASP/2013                                 Dated:    14/6/2014

To,

The Director General,

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi 110 001.

Subject : Merger of ASP cadre in to PS Gr. B cadre…..Proposal regarding

Ref.       : Directorate No. 25-35/2011-PE-I dated 19.05.2014

                As desired comments of this Association on the observations raised by Directorate vide above captioned letter is furnished herein under:

Observations	Reply
It was intimated in the proposal that there is a matching saving for the proposal as there would be an additional expenditure of Rs. 66,86,100/- per annum against the saving of Rs. 69,25,100/- per annum. This means a net saving of Rs. 2,39,700/- per annum. However, while this may be true in the long run, at present there would be no matching saving, as pay will have to be protected for the 679 ASPs till they get promoted to PS Gr. B Grade, while additional expenditure of Rs. 66,86,100/- would start immediately Savings will start accruing only after the 679 ASPs working on the ASP posts downgraded to IPs get promoted to PS Gr. B Grade which will take a very long time. Thus, it is not correct to say that the case has matching savings.	Nomenclature of Residual 679 number of ASPs would be changed as Inspector Posts. Status quo could be maintained to them in view of Gazetted status, Grade Pay and nomenclature till the time they are absorbed in PSS Gr B cadre. Within the existing sanctioned strength, 200 numbers of ASPs get promotion to PS Gr B cadre annually on an average. After merger of posts of 1311 ASP into PS Gr B, the accrual of annual vacancies gets accelerated. Average number of promotions would automatically increase and within a period of 1-2 years residual ASPs would be absorbed in PS Gr B cadre.  Therefore, need of protection of pay in the case of remaining 679 ASPs would no longer be required.  If shortage of few lakhs of Rupees in the figures persists even thereafter, the DoP can request Finance Ministry to bear the same as the proposal would be benefitting approximately 2000 middle level managers of the Department. Further, this cadre merger will one way serve as a cadre restructure of the IPs/ASPs of the Department which was agreed to by the Government and a Presidential order were issued long back in 1990 and was not implemented. This can be construed as the second cadre restructure of the IPs/ASPs since independence whereas 6th cadre restructure of other cadres in the same department is on the anvil. Secondly, when 1311 ASPs are upgraded into PS Gr B, there will not be an additional expenditure of Rs.66,86,100/-.  While comparing the additional expenditure, component of 3rd MACP is not taken into consideration.  As on today these 1311 ASPs are already placed in GP 4800/- on account of 3rd MACP in hierarchy.  Therefore, it can very well be construed that additional expenditure would be dismal if not nil and there will be no resultant effect.
The proposed down gradation of 679 ASPs (Sub Division) to IP (Sub Division) would create technical problems as ASPs cannot be posted on IPs Posts. Otherwise, they would have to be reverted which is not permissible. The proposal, thus, would only be beneficial for the senior 1311 ASPs and at the same time detrimental to the remaining 679 ASPs who may suffer reversion. Further, on up gradation of the ASPs Posts to PS Gr. B there would be two or more Gr. B officers in Gr. B Divisions. Then, there would be a problem / issue of reporting and also that who amongst them would head the Division. This would ultimately create complicated situation and may not, thus, be administratively viable.	There can be two ways, (i)    Senior Most/eligible PS Gr B officer may be posted as Divisional Head, (the present system of promotion of senior officers to PSS group ‘B’ may be continued on All India Seniority list and those officers come under the All India list of PSS group B will only head the divisions) while the junior will positioned next to Divisional Head viz, Dy Supdt  (HQ), Dy Supdt (Divn). There would be no problem and is also administratively viable. At present two PS Gr. B officers are working in the RMS divisions without any problems for last several years (viz. Mumbai Stg. Division, Mumbai Central Sorting Division and Kolkata RMS). Reporting officer for writing ACRs of all the PSS Group B officers rest with Regional Director as usually being done now.  In the present scenario, Regional Directors are actively involved in day to day affairs of the divisions in one or other way. So they can easily and effectively evaluate performances of Dy Supdt. (HQ) Dy. Supdt. (Division) falling under their jurisdiction.  As regards Appointing and Disciplinary authority of PSS Gr B officers, no change would be required as the Appointing and Disciplinary powers of ASPs are still with Chief PMsG only that will continue after merger also. (ii)   Since most of the PS Gr B officers are already drawing GP of Rs 5400/- due to Non functional basic grant on account of 4 years of service in PS Gr B Cadre, thus, it would also be administrative viable to consider up gradation of PS Gr B posts of Divisional Head to JTS Gr A. In that event, additional expenditure would be minimal.

          With profound regards,

Yours faithfully

Sd/- 

                                                                                      (Vilas Ingale)

                                                                    General Secretary

PRIME MINISTER RELEASE STAMP ON FIFA WORLD CUP.

Hon'ble PM releases commemorative postage stamps on 2014 FIFA World Cup

SHRI GURAV ABHIJIT DILIP- Selected to civil services.

Today, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared final result of Civil Service (Main) Examination 2013. Total 1122 candidates have been recommended for appointment to Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service, and Central Civil Services, Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’.

SHRI GURAV ABHIJIT DILIP S/o Shri Dilip Gurav, Branch Postmaster, Gopalpur B.O. (Pune Region, Maharashtra Circle) has declared successful in the said examination. He appeared under Roll No. 053189 and secured 672 Rank.

 AP Circle Association branch congratulates  the candidate and wish him BEST OF LUCK for his future

CAT case in Hyderabad CAT on 5400- GP. Up dates.

It is learnt that CAT case no. 296/2014 filed in Hyderabad CATon grant of GP Rs. 5400- to those officers who have completed 4 years of service in the GP Rs. 4800-, the dept has asked 60 days more time to submit reply statement.  Mean while it is ascertained that the Dept of posts has referred the matter to the MINISTRY OF FINANCE with recommendations in favour of granting GP Rs. 5400-.  Let us hope for the best in coming days. 

Transfers and Postings in ASP Cadre in Vijayawada Region

PMG, Vijayawada has ordered the following Transfers and Postings in ASP Cadre vide memo no ST-i/ASP/RT/2014 dated 13.06.2014.

IP/ASP association conveys best wishes to the officers.

Items taken up with CPMG..

REPLIES RECEIVED FROM THE CPMG VIDE LETTER NO. U/3-8/06 DATED 11.06.2014 ON THE ASSOCOATION LETTER DATED 29.05.2014.

Point no. 1: - supply of brief cases to IP/ASPs in AP circle.

Reply: - The said letter was circulated to Regions/City units in HCR vide CO letter no. SDC/26(CO)/2009-10 dated 10.06.2014 for taking necessary action.

Point no. 4: - Delay in payment of PLI/RPLI incentives and IO/PO honorarium to IP/ASPs

Reply: - Instructions have been issued to Regions/City units in HCR vide CO letter no. PLI/Genl/Union/2010 dated 09.06.2014 to cause to clear the long pending PLI/RPLI incentives bills immediately on receipt of funds.

Hence all the members of the association requested to respond on point no. 1 .  Only after intervention of our association, the issue has been moved by the CO. Further action may please be awaited point no. 4. Reply is awaited on point no. 2&3. 

Supplementary group "B" list

Nominations were called for by the Dte.  before 20th June-2014 for the supplementary DPC for Group "B" post. 47 general candidates and 29 reserved candidates names were included all over the country. The following names from AP Circle found in the list. Association  conveys best wishes to  the officers.

1. Sri N. Subbarao (SC) 1991 batch,
2. Sri P.Anandarao (SC) 1992 batch.

Draft Reply to 7th CPC Questionnaire- submitted by the AP Circle.

Dear Friends. 
AS per the instructions of the GS, draft questionnaire on 7th pay commission is kept.  You may please go through the details.  Final and consiolidated questionirre is to be submitted by the Chq shortly.  Association conveys special thanks to our members who have actively participated, contributed in  finalizing the draft.
 Click here

Promotion to JTS cadre.

Department of Posts (Personnel Division) Order No.4-512013-SPG dated 5-6-2014 issued orders for promotion to19 officers of Postal Services Group B  to the  cadre of Junior Time Scale (JTS) of Indian Postal Service, Group'A'on regular basis in the pay Band-3 (Rs. 15600-39100 + Grade pay of Rs. 5400) with effect from the date of assumption of charge and until further orders.

NEW DG FROM JUNE-2014

The government today approved Ms Kavery Banerjee as Secretary of Department of Posts following retirement of Ms 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 P 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.

The challenges before Banerjee includes completion of CBS project and modernising about 1.3 lakh out of 1.55 lakh post offices across country and look at revenue streams to curb loss at India Posts which was last reported around Rs 6,300 crores.

Around 25,000 department of Post offices have been computerised under UPA regime

Revised transfers & Postings in IP cadre issued.

Name of official	Region/place  to which previously allotted	New place of new posing	Memo number.
Sri G.Satyendra Krishna IP PSD Hyderabad	Visakhapatnam	Hyderabad Region posted as IP(PG) Sangareddy Dn	PMG(H)/ST/6-5/IP/2014 dated 27.05.14 of RO Hyderabad.
Sri B.Manigandan IP Godavarikhani sub division	Hyderabad	Kurnool Region. Posted as IP Puttur sub-dn	PMG(H)/ST/6-5/IP/2014 dated 27.05.14 of RO Hyderabad.
Sri K.Arumugam IP Puttur sub-dn	IP Proddatur sub dn	IP(PG) Tirupathi Dn	ST-1/RT/IPs/2013 dated 23.05.14 of RO Kurnool.

DPC : Promotion to JTS Gr. A cadre for the vacancy year 2012-13

DPC : Promotion to JTS Gr. A cadre for the vacancy year 2012-13

It is learnt that list of selected officers is likely to be released soon. The requests of few Gr. A officers for transfer to their home / choice circles are also likely to be considered. 

DETAILS OF SANCTIONED POSTS IN INDIAN POSTAL SERVICE GROUP ‘A’

S. No.	Cadre	No. of Posts
1	Member, Postal Services Board (HAG+)	06
2	Sr.DDG/CPMG (HAG)	26
3	Senior Administrative Grade (Including NFSG)	73
4	Junior Administrative Grade (Including NFSG)	105
5	Senior Time Scale	198
6	Junior Time Scale	67
7	Reserves
	a)   Deputation Reserve	51
	b)   Training Reserve	30
	c)   Leave Reserve	05
	Total	561

It is learnt that in 6^th Cadre Review of IPoS, some posts of STS are likely to be downgraded to JTS and some posts of SAGs are likely to be upgraded to HAG.

It is also learnt that few new JAG posts are likely to be created for Mail Management and in NE Region