Provisional Gradation List of IPs Issued by CO

Please see the link below . All the memebers are requested to go through the list
and comply with the orders communicated in the CO letter


http://www.sendspace.com/file/5e8d74
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Transfer and Posting in IP Cadre NR

1. Sri Manojan, IP Kunnamangalam Sub Dn to be IP(TGY), RO Calicut
2. Sri Bagyaraj on transfer from other circle to be IP Kunnamangalam

PS Group B Examination postponed

As communicated vide Directorate letter No.A.34012/01/2012-DE dated 9/3/2012, PS Group-B Examination scheduled to be held on 27.05.2012 (Sunday) has now been postponed to 03.06.2012 (Sunday).

CIRCLE CONFERENCE AT KUMARAKOM- TENTATIVE PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

The tentative programme schedule of our two day Circle Conference is furnished below for the information of all members and for scheduling their programme accordingly:

Venue: ROYAL RIVIERA HOTELS & RESORTS, KUMARAKOM

PROGRAMME

28.04.2012
10.00 - 11.00 Circle Working Committee Meeting
11.00 – 17.00 hrs- General body – Subject Committee meeting and election of new office bearers

29.04.2012
09.30: Open Session- Chief PMG and GS to be the Chief Guests
12.00- Group Photo
12.15: Lunch
13.00 - 17.00 hrs- House Boat Cruise

All the CWC members are expected to be present in the venue by 10.00 on 28.4.12. All the other members are requested to be present for the General Body by 11.00 hours. Accommodation for those members who are planning to stay at the venue on 28th will be provided. As the estimated budget for the whole programme is about one lakh, it is imperative that we have an idea about the exact number of participants for the said two days. So all the members are requested to confirm their participation in the two day conference immediately by contacting the following members:

Sri. Manoj (NR) : Mobile No. 9447515094
Sri. Padmakumar (CR): Mobile No. 9847397960
Sri. Gopakumar (SR): Mobile No. 9495076746

Those who would need accommodation at the venue on 28th may intimate the matter immediately to the above members to make necessary arrangements. It may be noted that it may not be possible to arrange accommodation at the venue itself for those who are planning to come for the conference along with their family. For all such members who are planning to come with their family, accommodation can be arranged in the nearby resorts/hotels at their own expense. Such members are requested to inform their programme sufficiently early to Sri. Anto.G.Manalil, IP, KTM(W)- Mobile No. 9446952471 for making necessary arrangements. It may also be ensured that the contribution of Rs 1000/- per member towards the Circle Conference is send to our Treasurer Sri. Manoj, ASP, Ottappalam Sub Dn (SBI Olavakkod Branch A/c No. 10281700675) without any further delay as advance payments have to be made for booking the venue. Co-operation and support of one and all is requested in this novel venture.

CS

Circle Conference-Notification

No. IP/ASP/ASSN Date: 20.03.2012

NOTIFICATION

Under the provisions of Article 25 of the Constitution of All India Association of Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents Posts, it is hereby notified that the 41st Biennial Circle Conference of the Association will be held at ‘ROYAL RIVIERA’ Kumarakom on 28.04.2012 & 29.04.2012.

Agenda

1. Confirmation of the Minutes of the 40th Circle Conference held at Palakkad on 08.05.2010.
2. Approval of the Biennial Report of the Circle Association for the period from 01.05.2010 to 31.03.2012.
3. Approval of audited accounts of the Circle Association for the period from 01.05.2010 to 31.03.2012.
4. All India Conference held at Bangaloru from 27.1.12 to 29.1.12
5. CAT verdict in the Grade Pay case
6. Cadre re-structuring Committee
7. Re-organization of Sub Divisions
8. PS Group B and Sr. Postmaster Examination
9. Reimbursement of Telephone/Broad band charges
10. Decentralization of PLI/RPLI
11. Kerala Circle Blog
12. PSI Activities
13. Organizational Review
14. Financial Review
15. Any other item with the permission of the Chair
16. Approval of draft resolutions
17. Election of new office bearers
18. Next Biennial Circle Conference

Yours sincerely

Ajith Kurian
Circle Secretary


Copy to

1. The Chief PMG, Kerala Circle ]
2. The PMG Central Region, Kochi ] for favour of information and n/a
3. The PMG Northern Region, Calicut ]
4. All Members
6. Office copy

CWC Notification

No. IP/ASP/ASSN Date: 20.03.2012

NOTIFICATION

Under the provisions of Article 30 of the Constitution of All India Association of Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents Posts, it is hereby notified that the pre-conference Circle Working Committee Meeting of the Association will be held at ‘ROYAL RIVIERA’ Kumarakom on 28.04.2012 at 10.00 hours.

Agenda

1. Confirmation of the Minutes of the last CWC held on 6.8.11 at Ernakulam.
2. Approval of the Biennial Report of the Circle Association for the period from 01.05.2010 to 31.03.2012.
3. Approval of audited accounts of the Circle Association for the period from 01.05.2010 to 31.03.2012.
4. All India Conference held at Bangaloru from 27.1.12 to 29.1.12
5. CAT verdict in the Grade Pay case
6. Cadre re-structuring Committee
7. Re-organization of Sub Divisions
8. PS Group B and Sr. Postmaster Examination
9. Organizational Review
10. Financial Review
11. Any other item with the permission of the Chair

Yours sincerely

Ajith Kurian
Circle Secretary

Copy to

1. The Chief PMG, Kerala Circle for favour of information. Instructions may kindly be issued to all Regions/ Divisions to relieve the CWC members to attend the meeting in time.
2. The PMG Central Region, Kochi for kind information and n/a.
3. The PMG Northern Region, Calicut for kind information and n/a.
4. All CWC Members
5. Office copy

Central Govt. set to implement Performance Related Incentive Scheme(PRIS)

Central Government has finally decided to implement the Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission for all Central government employees.

Minister of State for Personnel V.Narayanasamy told in Rajya Sabha in a written reply that the recommendation has been accepted by the Government and guidelines are being worked out through inter-departmental consultations.

Income Tax exemption limit raised to Rs 2 lakh.

The exemption limit for the general category of individual taxpayers has been enhanced to Rs. 2,00,000 from Rs. 1,80,000 in the General Budget 2012-13, presented by the Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in the LokSabha here today. This measure will provide tax relief uptoRs. 2,000 to every taxpayer in this category.

The Finance Minister, Shri Mukherjee introduced the DTC (Direct Taxes Code) rates for personal income tax, marking progress in the direction of movement towards DTC and GST (Goods and Services Tax). It has also been proposed to raise the upper limit of 20 per cent tax slab from Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh. The proposed personal income tax slabs are:

Income uptoRs. 2 lakh -Nil
Income above Rs. 2 lakh and uptoRs. 5 lakh -10 per cent
Income above Rs. 5 lakh and upto Rs.10 lakh- 20 per cent
Income above Rs. 10 lakh -30 per cent

In another relief to the individual taxpayers, a deduction of uptoRs. 10,000 has been proposed for interest from savings bank accounts. This would help a large number of small taxpayers with salary incomes uptoRs. 5 lakh and interest from savings bank accounts uptoRs. 10,000 as they would not be required to file income tax returns.It has also been proposed to allow deduction of Rs. 5,000 for preventive health check up. For senior citizens not having income from business, it has been proposed to exempt them from payment of advance tax.

Postal services including Speed Post will not attract service tax - Proposed in Union Budget 2012-13

While proposing increase of service tax from the present 10% to 12% in the Union Budget 2012-13, the Finance Minister has proposed exemption of some services from levying of service Tax. The details of such services exempted from levying of 12% increased service Tax are included in the Negative list of Services. At present, the service tax is levied on the basis of a positive list, meaning that the tax is levied on the specified services only.

According to the negative list, postal services, including Speed Post provided by the Department of Post, will not attract service tax. Other important services, which will not attract the tax, include funeral, burial, mutate services and transport of deceased, Metered taxis, entry to amusement facilities, second-class rail travel, betting, gambling, lottery, travel by radio taxis and auto rickshaw, Distribution of electricity, trading of goods, agriculture extension and support services, road tolls, renting of residential properties and services relating to bank deposits and sanction of loans. As regards education, the service tax will not be levied on school, university education and approved vocational courses.The coaching classes and training institutions, however, will continue to be subject to the service tax.As regards sale and purchase of foreign currency, it has been clarified that such activity among the banks and dealers will be kept out of the service tax net. However, by implication, the sale of foreign currency by dealers to individuals will attract the levy.

In order to bring as many services as possible in the net, the government has come out with a wide definition of service. With some exception, it has been defined service as “any activity carried out by a person for consideration.''. In addition to the existing services, which are subject to the service tax, the negative list clarified that the tax will be levied on travel by first class and in air-conditioned rail coaches, transport of goods by a transportation and courier agencies. The date for operation of the negative list, according to the budget papers, will be notified later.

Non-banking finance firm asked to pay Rs 47K to loan customer

Cholamandalam DBS Finance Ltd ( Chola) has been ordered by a Delhi consumer forum to pay Rs 25,000 as compensation to one of its customers for not issuing a no-dues certificate to him despite getting settled its loan to him and withdrawing over Rs 22000 instead from his bank.

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum also asked the non-banking financial firm to return over Rs 22,000 to the customer that it had withdrawn from his bank account, using his documents unauthorisedly. "The company received the settled amount as per the terms of settlement. Thereafter, it should have issued no-dues certificate to the complainant. The firm, instead, withdrew an amount of Rs 11,299 on two occasions from his bank account, much beyond the period of receipt of the settled sum.

"It should have also returned back all relevant documents to the complainant or should have given undertaking that it would not use those documents for any purpose," said the forum presided over by B B Chaudhary. Observing that "the act of the company cannot be approved by any stretch of imagination," it added, "The act of the company has caused deficiency in service. It has occurred due to severe negligence on the part of the company." Arora, in his plea, had said as per an agreement reached with the company for settlement of a loan of Rs 3.8 lakh that he had taken from it, he paid Rs 2.5 lakh to it. He alleged despite receiving the full and final amount for the loan settlement, the firm failed to issue a no-dues certificate to him and instead illegally withdrew Rs 11,299 twice from his account.

Urban Indians have low awareness for insurance products: Survey

Urban Indians are not very aware about insurance products and their investment planning is not aligned with their current needs, says a survey by private insurer HDFC Life. "Indian urban consumers' current sense of financial freedom is low," the survey said.

HDFC Life in association with ValueNotes, a market intelligence and research firm, today launched its inaugural Life Freedom Index report where over 1,600 respondents were interviewed across 11 Indian cities. "The Life Freedom Index will serve as the primary benchmark for indicating how financial free an Indian urban consumer is in terms of her financial awareness, planning, sufficiency and adequacy of planning," HDFC Life Executive Vice President and Head, Marketing and Direct Channel, Sanjay Tripathy told reporters here."The survey reaffirms that Indian urban consumers have realised the necessity of financial planning. They are already chalking out financial plans and are generally disciplined in adhering to them. However, on the flip side, these plans lack comprehensiveness and need to be realigned with their desired financial goals," ValueNotes Managing Director Arun Jethmalani said.

The survey indicates that while 35 per cent of urban consumers rely on their social network of friends and relatives for financial planning advice, only 27 per cent seek professional help, he said. Given the gaps in financial plans and low awareness levels, it appears that there exists a need for proper professional advice, which will help consumers in ironing out inconsistencies in financial planning and management, he added.

The urban consumers have a long way to go before achieving a complete state of financial freedom. Child education is their primary concern, the sense of financial liberty appears inflated given the inadequacy in their financial planning and awareness levels. But they have realised the necessity of financial planning, according to the survey.

IP Results likely to be delayed

It is learned that announcement of the results of the last years IP Examination is likely to be delayed as some Circles had allowed P.M.Grade-I officials to take the IP Examination and the file has been sent to the DDG (P) for clarification. Result will be announced only after clarification by the SPN Division of the Department.

Now, a device which can generate power from waste water!

In what may turn out to be a boon for developing countries, scientists claim to have created a device which can generate electricity from waste water. A team at Pennsylvania State University in the US says the technology would simultaneously treat the water and the process could be used to provide clean water and power for homes in developing nations, the 'Science' journal reported.

Researchers in the Netherlands have for some years been exploring the idea of generating renewable power along the country's coastline, where fresh water from rivers meets the salt water of the sea, using reverse electrodialysis (RED). In this process, fresh water and seawater are placed in intermittent chambers separated by membranes, and an electrochemical charge is created. The Penn State team says RED technology is problematic because of the large number of membranes required, and because power plants have to be located by the sea. They claim the number of membranes can be reduced and the power output boosted by combining the technology with what are called microbial fuel cells (MFCs). These use organic matter in solution to create an electric current, in this instance waste water.

The prototype technology also bypasses the need for salt water by using ammonium bicarbonate solution as a substitute, meaning the system could work in communities far from the sea. The ammonium bicarbonate solution will be constantly recycled, using waste heat from local industry. "If we treat waste water in just a microbial fuel cell, we don't create much power and it takes a long time. In our process, we have the MFC part which is treating waste water and creating energy, and we have the RED stack which is just boosting that process, it's making it happen efficiently," team leader Prof Bruce Logan told the 'BBC'. He says the process could potentially be used anywhere, but could provide both clean water and power to communities in developing countries.

"

Insurance portability has also arrived

If you are not satisfied with the services of your existing medical insurance provider, you can move to a different insurer. Health insurance companies often require a person who has been newly insured to undergo a waiting period before allowing pre-existing health conditions to be covered under the policy. However, when a policy is transferred, the waiting period completed with the existing insurer can also be transferred. If the new insurer has a longer waiting period, the policyholder will need to wait only for the additional time period with the new insurer after the plan is transferred. The continuity in policy will also be given on timebound exclusions. Many health policies exclude certain surgeries for a fixed period, and with portability, continuity would be considered for these conditions also.

IRDA has specified that the new insurance provider has to be approached at least 45 days prior to expiry date of the policy. You may have to begin the transfer process at least 2-3 months before your existing policy expires.

Process -You have to fill up the Irda prescribed portability form which is available on its website (www.irda.gov.in) as well as the proposal form once you decide to switch insurers.

Supporting documents -- Previous policies - Claim experience - Age proof - Positive declarations, if any (discharge card, investigation reports and clinical condition)

Confirmation -On receiving the application, the new insurance provider shall ask for the required information from your old insurance provider. If the new insurer is satisfied, it shall inform you of its decision in 15 days.

Points to note:

Depending on your new insurance provider, you can also increase your sum insured while switching to it.

You can go for portability only at the time of renewal and not during the term of the policy.

Cover sub-limits (limits on hospital room rents) or policy features (maternity coverage) of the new policy may differ from that of your old insurer as this is not subject to portability.

Government clears amendment to Motor Vehicle Act

The government is understood have cleared a proposal to amend the Motor Vehicle Act to deal sternly with violators of traffic rules. According to sources, a meeting of the Cabinet held today has approved the amendments to the Act for harsher punishments for offences like drunken driving and violation of traffic rules.

"The amendments are meant to deal the traffic offences seriously. Repeated violations will fetch very high fines and even may take the offenders to jail," a source said.The modifications are aimed at introducing stronger deterrents and inculcating greater respect for the laws, sources said. As per reports, the first offence of talking over mobile phones while driving can lead to a fine of Rs 500 and the subsequent violations can be as high as Rs 5,000. Jumping red lights or not using seat belts and helmets may attract fines between Rs 500 and Rs 1,500, reports said.

As per the new provision drunk driving would be dealt with high penality and even jail term. Drunk driving will be graded according to alcohol levels in the blood with a punishment that can go up to a two-year jail term and Rs 5,000 fine or both.

Budget 2012: Government likely to raise tax rates in Union Budget

India is likely to raise taxes on a number of manufactured items and expand the tax net in its Budget 2012 to rein in its deficit and give space for the central bank to cut interest rates to support growth, a top government economic adviser said on Friday. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has called on the government to cut its fiscal deficit to help fight inflation, while signalling its bias is towards beginning to cut interest rates.

India's fiscal deficit is expected to miss its target of 4.6 percent of GDP in the fiscal year ending this month by at least one percentage point. "One of the possibilities is full rollback of the stimulus, that is almost 1 percent of the GDP," Pronab Sen, principal adviser to India's Planning Commission, told Reuters on Friday. India implemented a stimulus package of about 1.86 trillion rupees ($37.6 billion) following the 2008 global financial crisis, mainly through tax cuts, which have only been partly rolled back. "There is space. The space is basically raising excise duties," Sen said

C Rangarajan, chairman of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council, has said the government should lift its tax to GDP ratio to 12 percent, where it was in the fiscal year that ended in March 2008, from its current level near 10.4 percent. The finance minister may also raise import duties on power equipment in the budget, Sen said. A proposal to increase factory gate duties on a number of items to 12 percent from 10 percent is also under consideration. "Unless you have a fiscal correction happening it will not create the space for the RBI to relax on monetary policy," he said.

Industrial groups are lobbying for a further cut in tax rates to support economic recovery. The RBI ended a 20-month interest rate tightening cycle in October. Economists expect it to cut its main policy rate by 100 basis points in 2012 from the current 8.5 percent. India's economic growth slowed to 6.1 percent in the three months to December, the weakest annual pace in almost three years, as high interest rates and rising raw material costs constrained investment and manufacturing. Even if the RBI starts cutting interest rates in March or April, the investment cycle will not pick up before the July-September quarter, Sen said. "It could be around 7 percent till the second quarter of next fiscal," he said.

Chief PMG and GS to be chief guests in the Kumarakom Circle Conference

Our Chief PMG, Smt. Shoba Koshy has consented to deliver the key note address in the Open Session of the 41st Circle Conference to be held at Kumarakom on 29.4.12. Our new General Secretary, Sri. Vilas Ingale will also be participating in the two day conference. All the members are requested to ensure their participation in the conference.

CS

Government goes for appeal in the Pension Case

The Government has filed an Appeal against the 1ST November 2011 judgment of the Principal Bench of Delhi Central Administrative Tribunal on modified parity in pension to the pensioners retired prior to 1.1.2006. The Principal Bench of Delhi CAT had directed implementation of OM dated 1.9.2008 based on the Government's Resolution dated 29.08.2008 accepting the recommendation of 6th CPC for modified parity of pension to pre 1.1.2006 pensioners by nullifying the clarificatory orders issued subsequently that denied the real content of the 6th CPC recommendation as accepted earlier by the Union Cabinet through its Resolution dated 29.08.2008. However now the Government has filed an Appeal against the judgment of the CAT.

Visit of GS to Directorate

Today, Sri. Vilas Ingale, our new GS along with Ex-GS Shri Roop Chand visited Directorate and met with the Member (P), various DDGs and other concerned officers. The details of various issues discussed and the present status in respect of the issues is furnished below for the information of all members.

1. Up-gradation of GP of IP from Rs. 4200/- to Rs. 4600/-.

File relating to implementation of Hon. CAT Ernakulam Bench judgement dated 19/10/2011 is still under examination in view of our letter dated 22/2/2012. File is likely to be sent to Ministry of Finance shortly.

2. Restructuring of Inspectors Posts Cadre.

Next Meeting of the committee constituted to look into promotional prospects of IPOs/ASPs is likely to be convened by the Department in near future in view of decision of AIC conveyed to the Member (P) on 22/2/2012.

3. Holding of supplementary DPC for promotion to PS Gr. B for the year 2011.

Decision has been taken by the Department to hold supplementary DPC. This process is likely to be completed within next 3-4 months.

4. Holding of DPC for the promotion to JTS, Group A.

File is under process, which is likely to be completed within 2-3 months.

5. Declaration of result of IP examination 2011.

Marksheet from CMC has been received by the Department which is under scrutiny. After scrutiny the result will be declared shortly.

6. Revision of rates of remuneration for performing duty as Invigilator in the examination.

File is still pending with Internal Finance.

7. Re-allotment of surplus IPs to their Home Circles.

The issue is not under consideration at Directorate. Surplus IPs can go to their Home Circle only after relieving by the concerned circle in which they are working.