Bi-monthly meeting in Hyderabad & Visakhapatnam Regions

Bi-monthly meeting with PMsG in Hyderabad & Visakhapatnam Regions are scheduled to be held in the month of September, 2012. The agenda for discussion in the meeting is to be submitted latest by 03/09/2012. 

Office bearers and members fof both the Regions are requested to intimate the items, if any, to be taken up in the meeting for discussion with PMsG by 02/09/2012.

Clarification on admissibility of HRA during Chile Care Leave

DoPT issued a clarification on admissibility of HRA during child care leave (CCL) vide OM No. 2(9)/2012-E.II(b) dated 27/08/2012.

CLICK HERE to view the OM.

CMC & RJCM meetings held at Nagarjunasagar

RJCM & CMC meetings were held at Nagarjunasagar (Nalgonda District) on 28/08/2012 and 29/08/2012 respectively. All the PMsG and DPS' of all Regions attended the meetings.

Allotments in PS Gr 'B' Cadre

9 officers from AP circle who came out successful in the PS Gr 'B' Examination 2012 held on 03/06/2012 were allotted to Andhra Pradesh Circle.

Shri Vineet Pandey PMG SK Region to hold additional charge of GM CEPT, Mysore

Shri Vineet Pandey (I.Po.S.-1986) PMG, SK Region, Karnataka Circle will hold additional charge of GM (CEPT), Mysore until further orders as per Directorate Order No. 1-10/2009-SPG dated 16/08/2012.

Happy 66th Independence Day wishes to all members, viewers & well wishers

The circle branch of the association wishes a happy 66th INDEPENDENCE DAY to all members, viewers and well wishers.

Gold Coins in Post Offices in Delhi - Independence Day Discount of 6.5%

For this Independence Day & Pushya Nakshtra, India Post has announced a special discount of 6.5% on purchase of Gold coins.

On 13th, 14th & 16th August 2012 any customer who buys gold from identified Post Offices in Delhi will get a special 6.5% discount of the day’s retail price on all denominations.

This offer is available in all 31 Post Offices of Delhi indentified for the sale of Gold coins.

These gold coins bear unique logo of India Post and are available in denominations of 0.5 gms, 1gms, 5gms, 8gms, 10gms, 20gms & 50gms for sale across counters at select Post Offices. These coins are having purity rating of 24 karat 99.99% from Valcambi, under Swiss certification and are available in tamper-proof packaging having benefits like internationally recognized certification, low risk of duplication, quality packaging, product standardization and numbering with assayer certification.

Allotment of IPoS probationers in regular JTS Gr-A cadre

Directorate issued orders of posting to I.Po.S. probationers to JTS Gr-A cadre on regular basis.

CLICK HERE to view the order

Revision of rates of honorarium to IOs/POs for departmental inquiries

DoPT has released consolidated orders on rates of honorarium to IOs/POs for departmental inquiries on 31/07/2012. The revised rates are : IOs (Serving)  -  Min. Rs 5000  Max  Rs. 10,000,  POs(Serving)  -  Min Rs. 5000  & Max - Rs. 10,000 and are effective from 31/07/2012 applicable to the inquiries in progress also.  The payment is subject to terms and conditions laid down.

The number of disciplinary cases are to be restricted to 10 in a year and not not more than 2 at a time.

CLICK HERE to view the order in full and also to view the terms and conditions involved in payment of honorarium.

Expenditure measures in Central Government Offices

With a view to containing non-developmental expenditure and thereby releasing additional resources for meeting the objectives of the priority schemes, Ministry of Finance has been issuing guidelines on austerity measures in the government.  Stringent economy measures to reduce the non plan expenditure and curbs on funding meetings./conferences/foreign visits etc. have been introduced.  Besides, strict guidelines for spending in Budget Estimates in a proper manner have also been put in force. All the Financial Advisories of Ministries/Departments have been directed for assisting in implementation of these measures and also to send quarterly report on action taken form implementation.

Complete text of OM No. No.7(1)/E.Coord/2012 dated 31.05.2012 is reproduced below :

No.7(1)/E.Coord/2012

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

New Delhi dated: 31st May, 2012

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

              Subject: Expenditure Management-Economy measures and rationalization of
                            expenditure

 

Background:

With a view to containing non-developmental expenditure and thereby releasing additional resources for meeting the objectives of the priority schemes, Ministry of Finance has been issuing guidelines on austerity measures in the government from time to time.

 

2.  Economy Measures

In the context of the current fiscal situation where there is a tremendous pressure on government’s resources, there is an urgent need for rationalization of expenditure and optimization of available resources with a view to improve the macroeconomic environment.  With this objective, the following measures for fiscal prudence and economy will come into force with immediate effect :-

2.1 Cut in Non Plan expenditure

For the year 2012-13, every Ministry/Department shall effect a mandatory 10 % cut in non-Plan expenditure excluding Interest payment, repayment of debt, Defence capital, salaries, pension and the Finance Commission grants to the States.  No re-appropriation of funds to augment the non-Plan heads of expenditure on which cuts have been imposed, shall be allowed during the current fiscal year.

2.2  Seminars and Conferences
i) utmost economy shall be observed in organizing conferences/Seminars/Workshops.  Only such conferences, workshops, seminars etc. which are absolutely essential, should be held and even there a 10 % cut on budgetary allocations for seminars/conferences shall be effected.

ii) Holding fo exhibitions/seminars/conferences abroad is strongly discouraged except in the case of exhibitions for trade promotion.

iii) There will be a ban on holding of meetings and conferences at five star hotels.

2.3  Purchase of vehicles
i)  Purchase of vehicles is banned until further orders, including against condemned vehicles.

2.4 Foreign travel

i)  It would be responsibility of the Secretary of each Ministry/Department to ensure that foreign travel is restricted to most necessary and unavoidable Official engagements based on functional necessity and extant instructions, including on the number of visits, are strictly followed.

ii) where travel is unavoidable, it will be ensured that officers of the appropriate level dealing with the subject are sponsored instead of those at higher levels.  The size of the delegation and duration of visit will be kept to the absolute minimum.

iii) proposals for participation in study tours, workshops/ conferences/ seminars/ presentation of papers abroad at government cost will not be entertained except those that are fully funded by sponsoring agencies.

iv) Foreign visits should be so regulated as to ensure that each ministry remains within the allocated budget (after 10 % cut) for the same.  Re-appropriation proposals on this account would not be approved.

2.5 Creation of posts

There will be a total ban on creation of Plan and Non-Plan posts.

3. Observance of discipline in fiscal transfers to states, Public Sector Undertakings and Autonomous Bodies at Central / State/Local level.

3.1  No amount shall be released to any entity (including state Governments), which has defaulted in furnishing Utilisation Certificates for grants-in-aid released by the Central Government without prior approval of the Ministry of Finance.

3.2 Ministries/Departments shall not transfer funds under any Plan schemes in relaxation of conditionalities attached to such transfers (such as matching funding).

3.3. The State Governments are required to furnish monthly returns of Plan expenditure – Central, Centrally sponsored or State Plan – to respective Ministries/Departments along with a report on amounts outstanding in their Public account in respect of Central and Centrally sponsored Schemes.  This requirement may be scrupulously enforced.

3.4  The following specific steps may be adopted :
a) The unspent balances available with the states and implementation agencies must be taken into account before further releases are made.

b) The sanction for payment must clearly specify either that the payee has no utilization certifications as ‘due for rendition” under the Rules under the Scheme in question or that the payment has been authorised by Department of Expenditure.

c) for any deviation from the above, the case should be referred to the Department of Expenditure.

d) The Chief Controller of Accounts must ensure compliance with the above as part of pre-payment scrutiny.

4. Balanced Pace of Expenditure

4.1 Rush of expenditure towards the end of the financial year continues to be an area of concern.  As per the extant instructions, not more than one-third (33%) of the budget estimates may be spent in the last quarter of the financial year.  Besides the stipulation that during the month of March the expenditure should be limited to 15 % of the Budget Estimates, is reiterated.

Ministries/Departments which are covered by the Monthly Expenditure Plan (MEP) may ensure that the MEP is folowed strictly.

4.2  It is also considered desirable that in the last month of the year payments may be made only for the goods and services actually procured and for reimbursement of expenditure already incurred. Hence, no amount should be released in advance (in the last month) with the exception of the following :

i) Advance payments to contractors under terms of duly executed contracts so that Government would not renege on its legal or contractual obligations.

ii) Any loans or advances to Government servants etc. or private individuals as a measure of relief and rehabilitation as per service conditions or on compassionate grounds.

iii) Any other exceptional case with the approval of the Financial Advisor.  However, a list of such cases may be sent by the FA to the Department of Expenditure by 30th April of the following year for information.

4.3  Rush of expenditure on procurement should be avoided during the last quarter of the fiscal year and, in particular, the last month of the year, so as to ensure that all procedures are complied with and there is no infructuous or wasteful expenditure.  FA’s are advised to specially monitor this aspect during their reviews.

5.      No fresh financial commitments should be made on items which are not provided for in the budget approved by Parliament.

Secretaries of the Ministries/Departments being the Chief Accounting authorities as per Rule 64 of GFR shall be fully charged with the responsibility of ensuring compliance of the measures outlined above. Financial Advisors shall assist the respective Departments in securing compliance with these measures and also submit an overall report to the Minister-in-Charge and to the Ministry of Finance on a quarterly basis regarding various actions taken on these measures/guidelines.

(Sumit Bose)
Secretary( Expenditure )

Shri Alok Saxena continues as Secretary, Postal Services Board

Shri Alok Saxema (I.Po.S. -1989) DDG Establishment, Postal Directorate continues as Secretary, Postal Services, Board.

MACP promotions to ASPs

Circle Office has released orders of financial upgradation to the following ASPs to the Grade Pay of Rs 4800/-.

1. Shri P.Shiva Shankaraiah, Jt Manager EPPC/PSO Hyderabad Sorting Division.
2. Shri A.Padmanabha Shetty, ASRM, Kazipet RMS.
3. Shri S.Shabbir, AD (Adhoc), RO, Hyderabad.
4. Shri C.Jayarami Redy, ASRM TP Dn., Tirupati.
5. Shri T V V Satyanarayana, ASP, CO, Hyderabad.
6. Shri Y S Narsinga Rao, ASP (R), Srikakulam.
7. Shri G.Shanmukheswara Rao, SP (Adhoc), Parvatipuram.
8. Shri A.Eswar Rao, ASP, Parvatipuram.
9. Shri K V S L Narsimha Rao, ASP, Amalapuram.
10. Shri P.Ananda Rao, ASP, Parvatipuram.
11. Shri M.Sheshagiri Rao, ASP (Hqrs), Hanamkonda.
12. Shri B V Ramana, SAS, CO, Hyderabad.
13. Shri M.Manmadha Rao, ASP, Hyderabad Sorting Division.
14. Shri I.R.K. Naidu, ASP (R), Nellore.

Congrats to the officers.

DA from 01/07/2012 expected to be 72%

As per the AICPI(W) released for June 2012, the new DA from 01/07/2012 is expected to be 72%. The Government likely to officially announce new DA in September/October, 2012.

Convening of DPCs for promotion to PS Gr 'B'

GS writes to Secretary Posts on convening of DPCs for promotion to PS Gr 'B'. The text of the letter is reproduced for the information of members.

No. CHQ/IPASP/DPC/2012                                             Dated :        25/7/2012.

 

 

To,

Smt. Manjula Prasher,

Director General,

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhavan, New Delhi 110 001.

 

 

          Sub:     Convening of regular DPC for promotion to PS Group ‘B’.

 

 

Respected Madam,

 

 

Kindly refer to this Associations letter of even number dated 7/5/2012 regarding convening of regular and supplementary DPC for the promotion to PS Gr. B cadre.  

 

 

There are set rules and procedure to convene DPCs at regular intervals to draw up panels which could be utilized for effecting promotions/against vacancies occurring during the course of a given year. As such, department should by now initiate action to fill up the existing as well as anticipated vacancies in the respective quota as per the instructions contained in DOP&T OM No. 22011/5/86-Estt.D dated 10/4/1986. By not adhering to the standing instructions of DOPT, the department is unnecessarily dragging the members of the Association into litigation.  

 

 

It is pertinent to mention here that there remain 22 to 23 vacancies from the last DPC under 75% quota for the vacancy year 2011, so supplementary DPC for the vacancy year 2011 was required to be conducted as it is done every year before any promotion through LDCE (25% quota). But contrary to this, the department has declared the result of LDCE for PS Group “B” that too in a haste ignoring the right of Senior ASPs waiting their elevation for the last 23 to 24 years. Now, the department cannot blame members of the Association for any litigation that could arise owing to fixation of seniority for not convening supplementary DPC for the vacancies year 2011.

 

 

It is therefore once again requested that suitable orders may kindly be passed to put in place immediately for calling ACRs/APARs of eligible officers for holding DPC for the left out vacancies for the year 2011, and also for vacancy year 2012.

 

 

A positive action will be highly appreciated.

            

With regards,

  Yours sincerely,

sd/- 

(Vilas Ingale)

General Secretary

Adhoc promotions of IPs to ASP cadre

11 IPs of the circle are promoted to the cadre of ASPs on adhoc basis vide CO letter No. ST/92-Adhoc/2012 dated 19/07/2012.

CLICK HERE to view the CO order in full.

Letter to CPMG on non payment of PLI/RPLI commission to IPs/ASPs

A letter was addressed to CPMG regarding non payment of PLI/RPLI commission to IPs/ASPs. The text of the letter is reproduced hereunder for the information of the members.

To

The Chief Postmaster General,

Andhra Pradesh Circle, Hyderabad – 500 001.

Lr No. AIAIPASP/Misc/10/2012                                           Dated : 24/07/2012

Madam,

          Sub:- Non payment of commission for procuring PLI business by IPs/ASPs 

as Marketing Officers (PLI) & non payment of commission for RPLI on

business procured by rural BPMs/SPMs – reg.

*  *  *

1.       This relates to non payment of commission for procuring PLI business by IPs & ASPs as Marketing Officers (PLI) and non payment of commission for RPLI on business procured by rural BPMs/SPMs. The circle branch of the association brings it to the notice of the Chief Postmaster General that the IPs & ASPs are very actively involved in procuring PLI business every year and most of them even have surpassed the targets allotted to them in PLI business.  This active involvement of IPs/ASPs also helped in increase of revenue for the Department also.

2.       But, it is very disappointing and disheartening to bring it to the notice of the Chief Postmaster General that the IPs/ASPs actively involved in procuring PLI business are not being paid their due commission for business procured and many hurdles and many objections are raised for release of commission.

3.       There was a system of payment of 1^st instalment of  90% of commission due immediately after the policy was accepted and the remaining 10% of commission due was released as 2^nd instalment only after ascertaining that 6 minimum required credits are available in a policy. But, now this is not being followed and 100% of commission is paid only after 6 months credits are available in a policy which is quite disappointing.

4.       At this juncture, it is to submit that PLI operations are fully computerized now. Even after computerization, the Marketing Officers (PLI) are being asked to prefer a commission bill enclosing a copy of advance premium receipt issued to the insurant which is not required as the commission is being paid only for the accepted policies and the business procured by a Marketing Officer (PLI) is clearly available policy wise & agent wise in the PLI web site. The circle branch of the association finds no reason to ask the Marketing Officers (PLI) to prefer their commission bill and instead the commission can straightaway be released without waiting for commission bill from any Marketing Officer (PLI).

5.       Further, the Marketing Officers (PLI) are also being asked to certify 6 credits in a policy which is quite embarrassing as PLI premium can be paid at any Post Office in the circle. As PLI is available only for salaried employees of Central/State Govt, PSUs and autonomous bodies, for whom transfers are inevitable, insurants pay their premium at different Post Offices of the circle. The Marketing Officer (PLI) is not in a position to obtain 6 credits from such insurants who were transferred from the place where policy was procured by the Marketing Officer (PLI).

6.       In this connection, the circle association brings it to the notice of the Chief Postmaster General that many IPs/ASPs got demoralized & demotivated for non payment of their due commission earned by them after a lot of struggle for business procurement and stopped procurement of PLI business which ultimately brings down the PLI business of the circle.

7.      The circle branch of the association requests the Chief Postmaster General kindly to intervene in the matter and arrange to get the commission released for procurement of PLI business by the Marketing Officers (PLI) @ 90% immediately after the policy is accepted and remaining 10% after ensuring 6 credits are available in the policy. The Chief Postmaster General is also requested to arrange to release the commission without waiting for commission bill claims from Marketing Officers (PLI).

8.       The circle branch of the association also brings it to the notice of the Chief Postmaster General that commission to IPs/ASPs for RPLI business procured in the Sub Division is not paid in many Divisions on the ground that the commission is stopped after new system of payment of RPLI commission was introduced from 01/09/2009. The association is of the information that even after introduction of new system of commission structure, the Sub Divisional heads also do have a share of commission for them for RPLI premium payment. The circle branch of the association requests the Chief Postmaster General to arrange to provide clarity on the issue and arrange to issue instructions to all concerned regarding payment of commission to IPs/ASPs on RPLI premium paid in their respective Sub Divisions.

9.       Kindly acknowledge the receipt of the letter and a reply on these issues is requested.

                                                                                              Yours faithfully,

                                                                                             CIRCLE SECRETARY

Government plans to separate functions of India Post

The government is planning to separate the functions of policy making, regulations and operations of the over 150 year-old Department of Post (DoP).

Sources in Ministry of Communications and IT said Kapil Sibal has asked for setting up a body to oversee the unbundling of DoP's functions.

An independent body named Postal Development Board (PDB) will be responsible for the overall development and governance of the postal sector, they added. The PDB will also draw a road-map for unbundling of postal department functions.

"The idea is to develop Indian postal sector as a full-fledged market, bring in more service providers to enhance employment and contribution to nation's GDP," a senior ministry official said.

A recent review meeting of the entire sector, chaired by Sibal, found that in some European countries' the sector contributes between 0.6-0.9 per cent of their GDP.

However, the contribution of the estimated Rs 15,000-crore Indian Postal sector is much lower. Private players have been demanding unbundling of the department's functions for a level-playing field and growth of the sector.

At present, DoP -- which has around 5 lakh employees -- is the sole body responsible for policy making, regulations and providing postal service.

The over 100-year old Indian Post Office Act, which governs the sector, bars any individual or entity from delivering letter for commercial purpose.

The business of private courier companies is built around delivering documents, parcels and others items which do not fall under the category of 'letter'.

Sibal has asked DoP to create a framework to support small and medium postal operators and new models to encourage entrepreneurship in the sector.

The minister has also instructed DoP to constitute a Postal Advisory Board (PAB) which should have representation from government, industry players, academics and other stakeholders.

The role of PAB will be to provide inputs to PDB on policy matters. PDB will be set up under Secretary (Posts) and will include Secretaries of Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Department of Commerce and two members from Postal Services Board.

Source : http://www.deccanchronicle.com

Revised Selected list of PS Gr 'B' Examination held on 03/06/2012

The Directorate has released the revised list of selected candidates in PS Gr 'B' Examination 2012 held on 03/06/2012.

CLICK HERE to view the Directorate order in full

Congrats to selected IPs/ASPs in PS Gr 'B' Examination 2012

The circle association congrats the following IPs/ASPs who came out successful in the PS Gr 'B' Examination, 2012 held on 03/06/2012

S/Shri
1. K.Hari Krishna Prasad,  Kurnool Region
2. Syeda Tanweer, Kurnool Region
3. Syed Ansar, Vijayawada Region
4. Y.Rama Krishna, Vijayawada Region
5. W.U.Nagaditya Kumar, Hyderabad Region
6. A.Sreenivasa Rao, Kurnool Region

Central Government employee's wife death at CGHS hospital - Apex court orders compensation

The Union government has been ordered by the country’s apex consumer panel to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation to one of his employees, whose wife had died of excess bleeding in a CGHS hospital soon after giving birth to a child through cesarean section over 13 years ago.

 

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) ordered the government to pay the compensation, as the woman died of excess bleeding after surgery with no blood available in blood bank of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) maternity hospital.

The government ordered compensation for the victim’s husband Arvind Pandey holding the union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the CGHS director general, the hospital and its doctor who performed the surgery, jointly liable for damages. The NCDRC held the doctor concerned, Dr Saran and the CGHS maternity hospital at R K Puram liable to pay damages saying they “failed to exercise due care on their part” leading to the death of Pandey’s wife. “The concerned doctor and the hospital had failed to anticipate problems arising out of the complications and to take precautionary measures, such as arranging for the blood or keeping an ambulance ready for shifting the patient,” the NCDRC bench presided by Justice R C Jain said.

The NCDRC’s verdict came on Pandey’s complaint alleging his wife had died right after the delivery through cesarean section due to negligence of the CGHS maternity hospital and the doctors who were present during the surgery. The CGHS hospital and the doctors had contended in their defence that the best possible treatment was given to Pandey’s wife, who was a high-risk patient, and that he was informed before hand to arrange blood or blood donors.

Source: IBN Live