Sale of Gold Coins through POs to end from 19/7/13

To view Directorate memo No. 36-43/2010-BD&MD dated 25.6.2013, please Click here

Notification for holding of Inspector Posts Examination on 7 & 8th September, 2013 issued by Directorate.

 Directorate vide memo No. A.34012/05/2013-DE dated 17/6/2013 has issued notification for holding Limited Departmental Competative Examination for the promotion to the cadre of Inspector Posts 66.66% Departmental Quota for the year 2013 on 7/9/2013 and 8/9/2013.  To view the original copy of Directorate memo, please Click here

Unfilled BPM Posts to be filled up immediately - Secretary (P)

To view Directorate Memo No. 17-103/2007-GDS dated 11/6/2013, please Click Here

Group B DPC for the year 2013-14- update

Today, General Secretary has discussed the issue of holding of DPC for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr.B for the year 2013-14 with the competant authority and it has been told that, Directorate will issue memo soon to all CPMsG to depute their office APMG (Staff) / ADPS (Staff) again to Directorate along with the original ACRs/APARs duly completed in all respect of all senior ASPs falling within the zone of promotion for holding of PS Gr. B DPC for the year 2013-14.

 

DPC for JTS Group A-update

  Directorate have already directed to all CPMsG to depute their office APMG (Staff) / ADPS (Staff) to Directorate along with the original ACRs/APARs duly completed in all respect of all PS Gr. B officers falling within the zone of consideration for period from 2004-2005 to 2011-12 irrespective of their date of retirement for holding of JTS Gr. A DPC for the year 2012-13 and 2013-14. It is learnt that SPG Division of Directorate is methodically scrutinizing the records in presence of officers deputed from each circle to confirm the accuracy of requisite documents required to be produce before UPSC for convening DPC. This work is said to be going on war-footing.

As we know, number of JTS Gr. A posts are vacant in each and every circle and senior PS Gr.B officer/s is/are working on ad-hoc basis since long. But nobody knows the exact vacancy position. It is therefore requested to all Circle Secretaries and office bearers of this Association to ascertain & intimate the exact number of vacancies of JTS Gr. A in their circle to General Secretary before 1/7/2013. Once DPC for promotion to JTS Gr. A cadre is over, we will definitely get more number of vacancies in PS Gr. B cadre for LDCE and DPC for 2013-14. 

GS writes to Secretary(P) on honorarium for Rule 10 enquiry

No. GS/AIAIASP/GDS-Hon/2013                                             dated :   22/6/2013

To,

Ms P. Gopinath,

Director General,

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:   DG memo No C-32016/03/2005-VP dated 23.08.2005

Respected Madam,   

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 details, minimum Rs 5000/- and Maximum 10000/- are required to be sanctioned if the enquiry is completed within stipulated time frame. 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
	Wef.23.08.2005	Wef. 04.07.2011	Wef. 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, DG 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.

 

Since the minimum rate of honorarium has been revised for departmental inquiries and the F.R 46 B stood amended (vide MOF, DOE I.CU.O.No.4.2/5/2008-IC dated 29.01.2009), the ceiling and the Financial Powers delegated for sanction of honorarium may also be revised suitably for all purposes.

          Hoping for early decision in the matter and line in reply.

Yours sincerely, 

 

Sd/

(Vilas Ingale)

General Secretary

And the World’s No. 1 Tourist Destination Is .......

People are packing their bags and heading to Thailand. The country’s capital — Bangkok — is now the most visited city in the world by international tourists, according to the third annual Global Destination Cities Index released by MasterCard. Bangkok beat London, last year’s No. 1 tourist destination, by less than 1%.

Part of the reason for Bangkok’s increase in visitors is that tourism in Southeast Asia has surged among the region’s upper-middle class, according to the Atlantic. Of the 12 cities with the fastest increase in air-travel connectivity — measured in terms of the scope of the city’s connections with other cities by air travel and the number of flights for each connection — 11 of them are “located east and south of Istanbul,” which as the Atlantic points out, reflects the growing wealth of Asia and its importance as a business destination.Bangkok’s rise to the top spot, with 15.98 million visitors projected for 2013, is the first time for an Asian city since the Global Destinations Cities Index launched in 2010. London is expected to have 15.96 million visitors in 2013, and Paris, in third, is forecasted to have 13.92 million.

While Bangkok claims the title of most visited city, halfway around the world in New York City, foreign visitors are shelling out more money than in any of the other 132 cities surveyed, despite expecting 4.46 million fewer tourists. Meanwhile, Tokyo remains the world’s most expensive city, as measured by total spending per tourist, with the average visitor spending nearly $2,200, according to the Atlantic. Just imagine how many trips to Bangkok you could take with that much money.

Source: The Economic Times

13-year-old from Bihar cracks IIT entrance exam

Satyam Kumar, a Bihar farmer's son who is just 13-years old, has cleared the fiercely competitive Indian Institute of Technology-Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) for which 150,000 candidates had appeared this year. 

Satyam, who passed his class 12 exam last year, secured an impressive all-India rank of 679. We are proud of him. He has done something special at this age," Satyam's father Sidhnath Singh, a farmer, told IANS. IIT-JEE (Advanced) results for admission into IITs were declared Friday. According to IIT-JEE website, Sahal Kaushik from Delhi was the youngest person to have cracked the exam in 2010 at the age of 14. But now this record is held by Satyam. "Now Satyam is the youngest to crack the IIT-JEE," an IIT official said. 

Satyam, who hails from Bakhorapur village in Bhojpur district, had last year qualified for admission into IIT at the age of 12-and-a-half years after he got a special permission from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). He had then secured an all-India rank of 8,137. Not satisfied with his low rank, he appeared for the IIT-JEE preliminary examination this year again and qualified. "Satyam has improved his rank by his hard work and determination," his father said. He appeared for the entrance examination in Kota, Rajasthan, where he had been studying. He was one of the 150,000 candidates who appeared for the examination this year. Earlier, Satyam Kumar had said he wanted to establish a software company on the lines of social networking website Facebook.

Source: The Economic Times

Income-tax department may allow filing of returns without digital signatures

 You may soon not need digital signatures to file income-tax returns. The income-tax department is looking at giving electronic pin (personal identification numbers) to taxpayers, which will make electronic return filing a hassle-free task.

The new system, which will benefit over two crore taxpayers in the country, would require a change in the Information Technology Act."The proposal is in advance stage... We are hopeful that it could begin from the second half of this year," said a senior income-tax department official said.The department expects changes in the Information Technology Act by September, the official said. However, individual taxpayers will not be able to benefit from this facility in the current year as their deadline for filing returns is July 31.At present taxpayers have to submit a paper verification form ITR V if they do not have digital signatures even if they have filed electronic return to validate their return.A return is considered filed and processed only after the verification form is received at theCentral Processing Centre in Bangalore. Taxpayers have 120 days to send their verification form but as many as 10% of taxpayers fail to do so. Moreover, sometimes forms also get lost in the transit.

Under the proposed system, the department will generate an EPIN as soon as income-tax return is filed by a taxpayer sans a digit signature. The EPIN generated will have to be communicated to the Central Processing Centre, which will then process the return.E-filing is mandatory for taxpayers having annual income of more than 5 lakh. Electronic filing has caught on with taxpayers and the department expects 2.75 crore returns this year. There are 3.4 crore income tax assesses in the country.In keeping with the growing popularity of e-filing, the department is also introducing a new feature in electronic returns that allow taxpayers to get details of tax deducted at source once they feed in their permanent account number. Moreover, the department would also validate private software available in the market to ensure that returns are filed in proper format to ensure speedy processing and faster refunds.

Source: The Economic Times

Prime Ministers Appeal

  Copy of the appeal made by our Prime Minister to contribute generously to help the people of Uttarakhand is reproduced below.


My Fellow Citizens,

You are all aware that there has been extensive devastation due to cloud burst and floods in the State of Uttarakhand. A large number of persons have died and property worth crores of rupees has been damaged. The Union Government is extending all cooperation and assistance to the State Government in rescue and relief operations.

2. At this moment, affected people need our help to tide over the calamity that has fallen upon them, to survive and to rebuild their lives. I request all citizens of India to stand with our distressed fellow countrymen, and actively participate in the national effort to support them at this difficult time.

3. I appeal to all citizens to donate generously to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund [PMNRF].

Payment may be made by cheque or draft in the name of the “Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund” and sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, South Block, New Delhi 110011. As per directions on the subject the nationalized banks are not to charge any commission on preparation of drafts favouring the PMNRF. Online contributions can also be made through the website of Prime Minister’s Office i.e. www.pmindia.nic.in.

Contributions can also be made directly in the account of Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund at the branches of the following banks: Allahabad Bank, Andhra Bank, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Citi Bank, Corporation Bank, Dena Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank Limited, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Punjab and Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, State Bank of India, Syndicate Bank, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, United Bank of India, Vijaya Bank, and Yes Bank Limited.

Contributions can also be sent through Money Order with no commission chargeable. Contributions to the PMNRF have been notified for 100% deduction from taxable income under section 80(G) of the Income Tax Act.
    .............................................................................................................................................................

   Our Association will be donating Rs 5000/- to the PMs relief fund. All the members are requested to make individual contributions as well for for helping the people in Uttarakhand who have been badly affected by  the nature's fury. Our Circle Secretary has inaugurated the venture by donating Rs 1000/- towards the PMs reliefs fund today. All the members are requested to follow this noble venture. 

Supplementary DPC for PS Group B - update

  46 officers have been promoted through supplementary DPC for PS Gr. B cadre and 8  officers request for repatriation to their parent circle  has also been considered. None from Kerala Circle has found a place in the said list. The detailed list is available in the CHQ blog. 

PSI TRADE UNION RIGHTS CAMPAIGN PLANNING WORKSHOP HELD AT CALICUT- An over view

A planning workshop on Trade Union Rights organized by the PSI  was held at Hotel West Way Calicut from 6^th to 9^th June wherein 6 of our members participated. Other service unions like All India Postal Stenographers Association, NAD Civilian Workers Union, Southern Mail Command Civilian Employees Union, Southern Naval Command Employees organization, National Life Insurance Employees Association also participated in the three way workshop which chalked out plans and strategies to promote trade union activities in Kerala during this year. Specific action plans were drawn both union wise and also collectively and a calendar of activities were made out by each of the participating unions. Sri. R.Kannan, Secretary, PSI South East Asia was the facilitator for the session.  

Participants from IP/ASP Assn: Kerala

As for the gist of the activities held, the workshop commenced with a key note address by Sri. Manoj Kumar Doshi, Secretary General, National Organization of Government Employees. In his address, Sri.Doshi emphasized the need for unity among the various service unions so as to ensure the welfare of the employees. Key note address was followed by a general introduction of all the participants. A detailed discussion on the various problems faced by the employees at work place followed. All the Unions were asked to identify five major problems their members faced and to suggest solutions. Our Association projected issues like transfer, CRs, disparity in pay, excess work load in Sub Divisions etc. Other prominent Unions came out with issues like Lack of recruitment, DPC, Gradation list, harassment of women employees, lack of training, lack of proper redressal forums like JCM etc. 

            On 8^th morning Sri. Kannan introduced the newly attending members to topics like International Labour Standards, collective bargaining Rights for Public employees etc. |The session was made interesting with group tasks and discussions and presentations in which all the Unions participated actively.  This was followed by a session on ‘Changes in Conduct Rules and Disciplinary Proceedings’. Sri. T.M.Krishnaswamy, Our President was the facilitator for this session which was deeply appreciated and enjoyed by one and all. The session stood out by the active participation of all the members and received appreciation from all quarters. There after a discussion was held on the need for a TUR project in India. Various macro and micro issues like recognition, victimization, non-ratification of ILO Conventions, collective bargaining, unacceptable working conditions, lack of respect for workers rights, sexual harassment etc were discussed threadbare. 

Sri. T.M.Krishnaswamy handling a session on '|Changes in Conduct Rules'

On the final day, a hectic planning session was held wherein a programme chart was drawn by all the unions individually and also collectively detailing the steps they would take this year to promote TUR in India. Details of activities to be conducted, its purpose, tentative date, number of expected participants, budget etc were presented by all the Unions/Associations. Our Association proposed to conduct the following activities during this year.

v  Blog level campaign (June)	Details of the planning session held at Calicut to be put in the blog
v  One day workshop on TUR-(July) at Trivandrum	Create awareness among our members about Trade Unions Rights and also about the ILO and its complaint mechanism by which issues can be taken up with ILO directly
v  Blog voting on Review of Conduct Rules(September)	To ascertain the opinion of our members on change in conduct rules and CCA Rules
v  Seminar on harassment of women at work place followed by a workshop on amendment of conduct Rules at Kochi (October- combined programme of all the Unions)	Eminent personalities and women activists will be invited for the seminar. Suggestions of all on amendment of conduct rules will be codified and a proposal submitted to the PSI
v  Printing  & Distribution of leaflets on TUR (November)	To promote awareness among the members about TURs
v  SMS Campaign	,,

Our members with Sri. R.Kannan

             

The meeting concluded with a small cultural session wherein all the members chipped in with songs and other variety entertainments.

Seniority list of Inspectors- update

Directorate vide memo No. 9-9/2011-SPG dated 20/2/2013 has circulated draft Seniority List of Inspector Posts in respect of the examination conducted for the year 1998, 1999 and 2000 to all Heads of Circles for confirming the accuracy of the entries from the service record of the officer and requested to point out any mistakes found therein to Directorate before 20/3/2013. 

It is learnt from Directorate that, the requisite information is still awaited from 2 to 3 circles. It is therefore once again requested to all the Circle Secretaries and Office Bearers to confirm the submission of information of their cirlce to Directoate. Final Seniority List will be circulated after getting reports from all Circles.

OTA case dismissed by CAT Chennai

   One of the Service Association has filed CAT case in Madras Bench in connection with the revision of Overtime Allowance.

  The Hon’ble CAT Madras Bench in their judgement dated 9th April 2013 stated that ''prior to 5^th CPC, all Non-Gazetted employees in receipt of monthly basic pay of upto Rs. 2200/- were entitled to OTA for performing duties beyond the designated working hours. The 5^th CPC had recommended abolition of OTA for all categories except the Staff Car Driver, Operational Staff and Industrial employees. But, it recommended that the staff deployed on weekly off days should be given a compensatory leave rather than any cash compensation in the form of OTA or otherwise. However, the said recommendations were not accepted and status-quo was maintained as per the recommendations of the 4^th CPC. It is also seen that the rate of OTA fixed and the ceiling by the Nodal Ministry viz. Department of Personnel and Training, consequent on the recommendation of 4^thCPC have not been revised by the said Ministry. As rightly contended by the respondents, unless the said Nodal Ministry approves the proposal sent by the Department of Posts for revision of OTA rate, they are not in position to revise the OTA rates on its own and it is a policy decision of the Government. In other words, the Department Posts cannot take an independent decision on the issue raised by the respondents".

Inspector Posts Examination-2013

   

Inspector Posts Examination for the year 2013 is likely to be held on 7th and 8th September, 2013. Notification is being issued by the Directorate soon. 

PS Group B Examination-update

As there is no progress in the recasting of marks of 2012 Examination, it has been ascertained that PS Group B Examination for the year 2013 is likely to be delayed. 

Logistics Posts Air Service launched by India Post

India Post has started “Logistics Post Air Service in Association with Air India on identified sectors amontst 15 linking airports, Agartala, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Nagpur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Imphal, Guwahati, Patna, Lucknow & Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). The main features of this service include. 
 

(i) First Category: Airport. Customer to deposit the consignment at the postal facility available at the airport premises at Logistics Post Air Booking Centre, Palam TMO, New Delhi – 110037 and the delivery will be effected to the customer at the post office facility at the destination airport. 
 

(ii) Second Category: City to City (on payment of additional charges). On payment of City to City charges, the consignment will be booked at Logistics Post Air Booking Centre, RMS Bhawan, Delhi - 110006 and the delivery will be effected at the Logistics Post Delivery Centres in the Destination city. (Minimum additional charges Rs 50 per consignment @ Rs. 1/-kg). 
 

(iii) Third Category: Door to Door (on payment of additional charges). Pick up from the premises or delivery at the permises of the consignment (Minimum additional charges Rs. 100 per consignment @ Rs. 2/-per kg). 
 

Charges shall be as per volumetric weight rates to be followed in accordance with IATA standards (6000 cubic cm = 1 kg for the purpose). There will be four types of rates for Logistics Post Air Service viz.
 

(i) Standard rate - For consignment upto 49 kgs.

(ii) Bulk Rate (BA) - for 50 kgs to 99 kgs.

(iii) Bulk Rate (BB) - For 100 kgs to 249 kgs.

(iv) Bulk Rate (BC) - For 250 kgs & above

GS writes to Secretary(P) on grant of GP of Rs 5400 to ASPs on completion of 4 years in GP 4800

No. CHQ/IPASP/GP/MACP/2013 Dated : 15/6/2013.

To,
Ms P. Gopinath,
Director General,
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi 110 001.

Sub: Request for grant of Grade Pay of Rs 5400/- to the ASPs after completion of 4 years of regular service in G.P. of Rs. 4800/- earned under MACP Scheme

Respected Madam,

Association wishes to bring to your kind notice following provisions requiring in-depth analysis, favouring for grant of GP of Rs. 5400/- to those entire ASPs cadre officials, after immediate completion of their regular service in GP of Rs.4800/- earned under MACP. It is hoped that these would certainly find in line and would be taken into consideration before arriving at a just and favourable decision.

It is brought to your kind notice that as per Government of India’s Resolution No. M.F No. 1/1/2008-1C, Dt. 29.08.2008,clause (x) (e), “Group-B officers of Departments of Posts, Revenue, etc. will be granted Grade Pay of Rs, 5,400/- in PB-2 on non –functional basis after 4 years of regular service in the grade pay of Rs,4,800/- in PB-2”. As per this clause all the group “B” officers of Department of post, Revenue etc will be granted grade pay of Rs. 5,400/- in PB- 2 on non functional basis after 4 years of regular service in the grade pay of the 4800 in PB-2.

Further, as per Para 9 of the Annexure I to DoPT O.M. dated 19.05.2009 issued from F.No. 35034/3/2008-Estt.(D):“Regular Service for the purpose of the MACPS shall commence from the date of joining of a post in direct entry grade on a regular basis either on direct recruitment basis or on absorption / re-employment basis…...past continuous regular service in another Government Department in a post carrying same grade pay prior to regular appointment in a new Department, without a break, shall also be counted towards qualifying regular service for the purpose of MACPS….’’.

As per Para 2 of DoP&T OM No 5034/3/2008-Estt(D)(Vol.II) dated 01.11.2010: “….financial upgradation under the MACPS shall be allowed in the immediate next higher grade pay in the hierarchy of revised pay bands as given in SSC (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008”.

The 1^st schedule of CCS(RP) Rules, 2008 as mentioned in Rule 3 & 4 above, pay band & grade pay on the pay scale as applicable for every post/grade shall be specified. Para 7.6.14 of the report of Pay commission would make it clear that a Group“B” officer in PB-2 with a Grade pay of Rs. 4800/- will get the Grade Pay of Rs. 5400/- after completing 4 years of regular service on non – functional basis. The enhancement of grade pay is not dependent on the post, but on regular service of 4 years in Grade Pay of Rs. 4,800/- in PB-2 (Rs.7,500- 12000 pre-revised).As is evident from DOP&T letter No. 10/02/2011.E.III/A dated 7-1.2013 the pay of Govt. Employees on promotion to a post carrying higher duties and responsibility but carrying the same grade pay is to be fixed by way of addition of one increment of 3% of the sum of pay band of the existing grade pay. As such on assuming higher responsibility from the date of promotion of ASPs to Group “B” no financial benefit is given. Apparently the GP of Rs.4800/- earned by ASPs by virtue of length of service after 30 years is treated as final GP for all purpose. Had this not be the position the pay of ASP on assuming higher responsibility must be fixed under FR 22 1(a) 1. As such claim for grant of Grade Pay of Rs, 5,400/- in PB-2 from the date of financial upgradation in GP of Rs.4800/- on non – functional basis vehemently uphold.

However, Grade Pay of 5400/- is not being granted to the ASP who got 3^rd Financial Upgradation under MACP Scheme and completed 4 years regular service in Grade Pay of 4800/- on the pretext that non-functional up-gradation to the Grade Pay of Rs 5400 in the PB-2 can be given on completion of 4 years of regular service in Grade Pay of Rs 4800/- in PB-2 (pre-revised pay scale of Rs 7500-12000) after regular promotion and not on account of financial up-gradation due to MACP. On the other hand no pay on so called regular promotion is fixed under FR 22 1(a) 1. In this context, it is pertinent to mention here that as per GOI resolution 1/1/2008 IC dated 29.8.08 does not make a categorization within Group B cadres viz ASP/ Supdt. in Departments of Post for the purpose of grant of Grade Pay of Rs 5400/- as both cadre are in Group B and enjoying gazetted status. In terms of MACP scheme notified by the DoPT vide OM No 35034/1/97- Estt(D) dated 9.8.1999, the financial up-gradation under the scheme should be granted to the pay scale of the next hierarchical cadre. It is not out of place to mention here that on plain reading of DOP&T memorandum No. 10/02/2011.E.III/A dated 7.1.2013 leads to the conclusion that either pay of the officer on assuming higher responsibility should be fixed under FR 22 1(a) 1 in the same GP treating regular service on promotion in the relevant GP or financial upgradation under MACP or otherwise should be considered a regular service in that GP. Two separate interpretations on one issue are bad in the eyes of law and are considered mischievous, far fetched, hyper technical and illegal.

In the light of above submissions, it is most humbly prayed that Non Functional Grade Pay of 5400/- may please be granted to all the IP/ASP/PS Group B officers effective from the date they have completed 4 years regular service in Grade Pay of 4800/-.

With profound regards.

Yours Sincerely

Sd/-

(Vilas Ingale)

General Secretary

GS writes to Secretary(P) on filling up of vacant IPO line HSG-1 posts

To,

Ms P. Gopinath,

Secretary,

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi 110 001.

Subject : Filling up of vacant posts of HSG-I (IP Line) cadre.

Respected Madam,

               The Department has issued orders vide Memo No. 04-44/2012-SPB.II dated 18^th April, 2013 permitting circles to fill up the vacant posts of HSG-I in Post Offices and RMS Offices on the basis of existing recruitment rules, as amendments of revised Rules of HSG-I have not been approved by DOP&T and UPSC. It is seen from the above memo that department has overlooked the fact that there exist HSG-I in IP line as well. No orders have been issued to fill the vacancies in HSG-I held by IP line officials thereby further eroding the promotional prospects of Inspectors causing frustration amongst the Inspectors cadre.

The Department has no any concrete steps to implant the accepted recommendations of the Second Cadre Review Committee also even after more than two decades. It is therefore in the interests of this cadre that the present cadre strength should be maintained and any attempt to reduce the cadre strength at HSG-I level without taking into account the declining promotional avenues of the Inspectors cadre would be detrimental to the interests of this cadre. It is apparent from the return of file by DOP&T that the proposed creation of separate cadre of Postmasters and that too by amalgamating the share of Inspectors cadre and General line had disturbed the subtle equation between the General line and Inspectors line and creates more problems to the administration than respite that could be visualized at present.

This Association is of the view that there is no need to seek any further clarification from DOP&T to fill the IP line vacancies of HSG-I particularly when these are to be filled on old recruitment rules which are otherwise common for that purpose and sanctioned posts. There should also be no mention about referring the matter to DOP&T in the said memo rather Circle should be given clear instructions to fill the vacant post of IP line too simultaneously but unfortunately this has not taken place.   

 It is therefore requested to kindly issue instructions to all Circles to fill all the vacant post of HSG-I (IP Line) on the same analogy as given in the case of HSG-I General line. If any change is still felt to be necessary in the interest of better efficiency, it would be only fit and proper that association may be consulted before revising the recruitment rules and resubmitting file to DOP&T. 

           

           Hoping for an early action in the matter and line in reply.

          With warm regards,

Yours sincerely,

(Vilas Ingale)

General Secretary

CAT case update

OA No. 289/13 filed by the Association came up before the Registrar's Court of CAT EKM today. As the Department did not file reply statement, the case has been posted to 4.7.13 for filing reply by the respondents. It has been ascertained that detailed comments on the OA have been furnished by Directorate and the reply will be filed shortly by Chief PMG Kerala. 

PSI TUR Work Shop at Calicut

Our President Sri T.M.Krishnaswamy, taking a class on CCS Conduct Rules and need for a change at PSI-TUR Work shop being held at Calicut

DPS(HQ) Kerala relieved

 Sri. A.Govindarajan DPS(HQ) Kerala under orders of transfer as DPS(HQ) Chennai has been relieved today. A send off function was held at Circle Office Trivandrum  at 15.15 hrs today. Our Circle Secretary, who spoke on the occasion conveyed our gratitude and appreciation for all the support and help rendered by the officer. Sri. Govindarajan will assume charge of the new post at  Chennai tomorrow. Association wishes sir all the very best in his new venture..... 

Political Parties to come under the ambit of the RTI ACT

     Setting a new bench mark in transparency in politics, the Central Information Commission today held political parties are answerable under the Right to Information Act.

  A Full Bench of the Commission comprising Chief Information Commissioner Satyananda Mishra and Information Commissioner M L Sharma and Annapurna Dixit held six parties--Congress, BJP, CPI-M, CPI, NCP and BSP--to whom RTI queries were directed, fulfill the criteria of being public authorities under the Right to Information Act.

Retirement age of Central Govt. Employees likely to be raised- Financial Express

The government is planning to extend the retirement age of all central government employees by two years — from the current 60 to 62 years. Sources said that an in-principle decision has been taken in this regard and the department of personnel and training (DoPT) has begun the work to implement the same. A formal announcement to this effect is expected this year itself.

However, no decision or announcement has been made after the cabinet meeting held on  04.06.2013.

Post offices set for major revamp

   The Centre is focusing onmodernization of post offices in the country to mprove service delivery and enable them to compete with courier companies, Union minister of state for communications and information technologyKilliKruparani said today.

    The Department of Posts has sanctioned Rs 4,700 crore for modernization of 1.55 lakh post offices, she said here.Under the project, a provision of Rs 1,500 crore has been made to install computers in rural post offices, Kruparani said.To overcome the delay in providing services, the Union government has embarked on a massive drive to upgrade postal infrastructure, Kruparani said.She said all the post offices in the country will be soon providing online services.

   The Minister was speaking after inaugurating the first all-women post office (Mahila Dak Ghar) in Andhra Pradesh which has come up in this port city."In the coming days, their will be more such post offices across the country for the convenience of women. The Centre intends to open Mahila Dak Ghars in every metropolitan city and big towns, especially where there is sizeable population of working women, Kruparani said.

source:Times of India.

GS writes to Secretary (P) for issuing All India Seniority List of Inspector Posts

No. CHQ/IPASP/MMS/2013                                        Dated :  31/5/2013.

To,                                                                                           

Ms P. Gopinath,
Secretary,
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi 110 001. 

Subject : Issue of combined All India Seniority List of Inspectors, Posts from the year 1999…reg.

Ref.       : Directorate file No. 9-9/2011-SPG dated 20^th February, 2013 and this Associations letters of even number dated 22/3/12, 21/8/12 & 20/9/12.

Respected Madam,   

          The IP/ASP Association intends to bring to your kind notice that, combined All India Seniority List of Inspectors from the year 1999 onwards was not prepared, released and also not placed on India Post website. This issue was importunately pushed by this Association since last several years but to no action. Directorate vide memo No. 9-9/2011-SPG dated 20^th February 2013 has circulated draft seniority list of Inspector Posts for the year 1998, 1999 and 2000 to all circles for rectification of mistakes if any but final outcome is still awaited. 

          Madam, this issue was also discussed with your honour on 6/2/2013 and you have assured us that, the seniority list would be made available soon. But despite lapse of considerable period the final seniority list is neither circulated nor published on India Post website by the Department. 

          It is therefore once again requested to look into the matter personally and arrange to issue suitable instructions to SPG Division of Directorate to release the seniority list of Inspector Posts without loss of time and also made available on website of India Post.  

          Hoping for a positive action and line in reply.  

          With warm regards,

                                                                             Yours sincerely,

Sd/-

(Vilas Ingale)

General Secretary