Tuesday, May 10, 2011
hOW tO cREATE a sTRONG pASSWORD?
A secret series of characters that enables a user to access a file, computer, or program is Password. On multi-user systems, each user must enter his or her password before the computer will respond to commands. The password helps ensure that unauthorized users do not access the computer. In addition, data files and programs may require a password.
Ideally, the password should be something that nobody could guess. In practice, most people choose a password that is easy to remember, such as their name or their initials. This is one reason it is relatively easy to break into most computer systems. Here are 10 tips for creating strong password.
1. Use a strong password. A strong password contains a combination of six or more uppercase and lowercase letters, plus punctuation and numbers. Using all four types ofcharacters works the best. For example instead of using welcome use W3Lc0mE^9.
2. Passwords should be eight or more characters in length. The longer the password, the harder it is to crack.
3. Never use the same password twice. If, for example, your eBay account were hacked and your password obtained, the hacker would have instant access to your PayPal account if you use the same password.
4. Do not use common information in your password, such as birthdates, your phone number, or other information directly related to you.
5. Passwords comprised of characters rather than proper words are more secure.
6. Refrain from writing passwords down and do not login to accounts via a public computer (e.g., at the library or Internet cafe) and save the password details in the browser.
7. Never click an e-mail link and log into a secure site from an e-mail. Even if the e-mail looks legitimate, always type the URL into a browser yourself, then log in to your account. This will help you avoid phishing attacks.
8. Do not allow applications to store your passwords online, and remember to clear your browser cache, history and clear passwords frequently.
9. Remember to change your passwords frequently. The more important the account, the more frequently the password should be changed.
10. Never communicate a password to anyone, especially via e-mail or instant messenger. Passwords should always be kept private.
Courtesy: http://doputtur.blogspot.com/
Friday, May 6, 2011
Extension of scope of Family Pension to widowed/divorced/unmarried daughter and dependent disabled siblings of Central Government servants/pensioners
No.1/13/09-P&PW(E)
New Delhi, the 28th April, 2011
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Extension of scope of Family Pension to widowed/divorced/unmarried daughter and dependent disabled siblings of Central Government servants/pensioners – Clarifications – reg.
The undersigned is directed to state that as per the existing provisions of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 as amended from time to time, the son/daughter of a Government servant/Pensioner is eligible for family pension upto the date of his/her marriage/remarriage or till he/she starts earning or till the age of 25 years, whichever is earlier. Further, a disabled son/daughter of a Government servant/Pensioner suffering from any disorder or disability of mind, including mentally retarded, or who is physically crippled or disabled, is eligible for family pension for life subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions. Subsequently, orders were issued vide this Department’s O.M. No.45/86/97-P&PW(A) dt. 27.10.97 and No.1/19/03-P&PW(E) dt. 30.8.2004 making divorced/widowed daughters eligible for family pension even after attaining the age limit of 25 years subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions. It was subsequently clarified vide this Department’s O.M. No.1/19/03-P&PW(E) dt. 11.10.2006 that family pension to widowed/divorced daughters is admissible irrespective of the fact that the divorce/widowhood takes place after attaining the age of 25 years or before.
2. Further, orders have been issued vide this Department’s O.M. No.1/19/03-P&PW(E) dt. 6th September, 2007, whereby an unmarried daughter of a Government servant/Pensioner beyond 25 years of age, has been made eligible for family pension at par with the widowed/divorced daughter subject to fulfilment of certain conditions. However, family pension to the widowed/divorced/unmarried daughters shall be payable in order of their date of birth and the younger of them shall not be eligible for family pension unless the next above has become ineligible for grant of family pension. Further, the family pension to widowed/divorced/unmarried daughters above the age of 25 years, shall be payable only after the other eligible children below the age of 25 years have ceased to be eligible to receive family pension and that there is no disabled child to receive the family pension.
3. Subsequently, orders have been issued vide this Department’s O.M. No.1/15/2008-P&PW(E) dt. 17.8.2009 whereby dependent disabled siblings of a Government servant/pensioner have been made eligible for family pension for life subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions.
4. Representations have been received in this Department from various quarters (i.e. Pensioners’ Associations, etc.) to the effect that the claims for family pension of widowed/divorced/unmarried daughters and dependent disabled siblings are not being entertained by certain Ministries/Departments on the plea that their names do not appear in the details of family members submitted by the Government servant/Pension to the Head of Office from where he/she had retired. Besides, in cases where a Government servant/Pensioner had expired prior to the issue of above referred orders by this Department, the claims of widowed/divorced/unmarried daughters, etc. for family pension are not being entertained by Ministries/Departments on the plea that they were not eligible for family pension at the time of retirement/death of the Government servant or death of the Pensioner. This Department has been requested for issue of appropriate clarificatory orders in the matter so as to settle the family pension claims of the aggrieved widowed/divorced/unmarried daughters, etc., of the Government servants/Pensioners.
5. The matter has been considered in this Department in consultation with Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. It is hereby clarified that subject to fulfilment of other conditions laid down therein, the widowed/divorced/unmarried daughter of a Government servant/Pensioner, will be eligible for family pension with effect from the date of issue of respective orders irrespective of the date of death of the Government servant/Pensioner. Consequently, financial benefits in such cases will accrue from the date of issue of respective orders. The cases of dependent disabled siblings of the Government servants/Pensioners would also be covered on the above lines.
6. All Ministries/Departments are requested kindly to settle the family pension claims of widowed/divorced/unmarried daughters and dependent disabled siblings accordingly on priority. They are also requested to bring these orders to the notice of their attached/subordinate organizations for compliance.
7. This issues with the concurrence of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their U.O. No.97/EV/201 1 dated 06.04.2011.
8. In so far as their applicability to the personnel of Indian Audit and Accounts Department is concerned, these orders are being issued in consultation with the C&AG of India vide their U.O. No.65-Audit (Rules)/14-2010 dt. 26.4.2011.
9. Hindi version will follow.
(K.S.Chibb)
Director
Thursday, May 5, 2011
WHAT IS NATIONAL PENSION SCHEME (NPS)?
About National Pension Scheme
NPS is available to all citizens of India with effect from May 1, 2009, other than Government employees already covered under NPS with the motive to promote old age income security
Under NPS following two types of accounts will be available to you:
Tier-I account: You shall contribute your savings for retirement into this non-withdrawable account.
Tier-II account: This is a voluntary savings facility. You will be free to withdraw your savings from this account whenever you wish.
While Tier-I account is available from May 1, 2009, the facility of Tier II account is offered from December 1, 2009 to all citizens of India including Government employees mandatorily covered by NPS.
1. The facility of Tier II account is available from December 1, 2009 to all citizens of India including Government employees mandatorily covered by NPS, who hold a Tier I account.
2. Unlike Tier I which is a non-withdrawable pension account, Tier II is a withdrawable account with an aim to provide a window of liquidity to NPS subscribers. Both Tier I (Pension Account) and Tier II (Savings Account) will be pure retirement savings products, the only distinction being that Tier- I is a non- withdrawable account while Tier-II is a withdrawable account to meet financial contingencies.
3. The Tier-II would enable the existing Permanent Retirement Account (PRA) holders to build savings over and above the investments in the Tier I pension account. An active Tier I account is a pre-requisite for opening a Tier II account.
Enrollment to NPS: To enroll in the NPS, one needs to submit the Composite Registration Form (UOS-S1) to the POPSP of your choice. The list of POP – SPs is available on the PFRDA website www.pfrda.org.in, on the CRA website www.npscra.nsdl.co.in and on the website of the concerned POP.
For Tier-I account:
Ø You are required to make your first contribution at the time of applying for registration at any POP – SP.
Ø You are required to make contributions subject to the following conditions:
Ø Minimum amount per contribution – Rs 500
Ø Minimum contribution per year – Rs 6,000
Ø Minimum number of contributions -01 per year
The NPS offers you two approaches to invest your money:
Ø Active choice – Individual Funds (Asset Class E, Asset Class C, and Asset Class G )Ø Auto choice – Lifecycle Fund
Active Choice
Under NPS you will have the option to actively decide as to how your NPS pension wealth is to be invested in the following three options:
Asset Class E – investments in predominantly equity market instruments.
Asset Class C- investments in fixed income instruments other than Government securities.
Asset Class G – investments in Government securities. Asset class E (equity market instruments) – The investment by an NPS participant in this asset class would be subject to a cap of 50%. This asset class will be invested in index funds that replicate the portfolio of either BSE Sensitive index or NSE Nifty 50 index. Index Fund Schemes invest in securities in the same weight age comprising of an index. The PF will have to choose which index they intend to track in advance on a yearly basis. The permitted cap, as mentioned above, is expected to be maintained at that level at all points in time. However, the amount of funds invested in that asset class can differ from the specified cap by no more than 5% for purposes of portfolio balancing.
Benchmark – the performance of the scheme will be measured by reference to the total performance (dividends reinvested) of either BSE Sensex or NSE Nifty 50 Index, as chosen by the PF. The PF will have to choose which index they intend to track in advance.
Performance objective – the investment objective is to optimize returns while investing in the chosen index over a rolling annual basis
Asset class G (Government Securities) – This asset class will be invested in central government bonds and state government bonds
Performance objective – the investment objective is to optimize returns.
Risk – It is expected that the PF will be able to identify and justify the additional risks relative to the return, while managing the portfolio on an absolute return basis
Asset class C (credit risk bearing fixed income instruments) – This asset class contains bonds issued by any entity other than Central and State Government. This asset class will be invested in liquid funds of Mutual Funds, credit rated debt securities. This includes rated bonds/securities of Public Financial Institutions and Public sector companies, rated municipal bodies/infrastructure bonds and bonds of all firms (including PSU/PSE) , subject to restrictions outlined in section 2 below.
Performance objective – the investment objective is to optimize returns.
Risk – It is expected that the PF will be able to identify and justify the additional risks relative to the return, while managing the portfolio on an absolute return basis.
While exercising an Active Choice, remember that your investment allocation is one of the most important factors affecting the growth of your pension wealth. If you prefer this “hands-on” approach, keep the following points in mind:
Ø Consider both risk and return. The E Asset class has higher potential returns than the G asset class, but it also carries the risk of investment losses. Investing entirely in the G asset class may not give you high returns but is a safer option.
Ø You can reduce your overall risk by diversifying your investment. The three individual asset classes offer a broad range of investment options, it is good not to put “all your eggs in one basket.”
Ø The amount of risk you can sustain depends upon your investment time horizon. The more time you have before you need to withdraw from your account, the more is the risk you can take. (This is because early losses can be offset by later gains.)
Ø Periodically review your investment choices. Check the distribution of your account balance among the funds to make sure that the mix you chose is still appropriate for your situation. If not, rebalance your account to get the allocation you want.
Auto Choice
Allocation of funds across asset class for “Auto choice”
The methodology for allocating funds in the three asset classes under ‘Auto Choice’ are outlined below:
NPS offers an easy option for those participants who do not have the required knowledge to manage their NPS investments. In case you are unable/unwilling to exercise any choice as regards asset allocation, your funds will be invested in accordance with the Auto Choice option. You will, however, be required to indicate your choice of PFM. In case you do not do so, your form shall not be accepted by the POP-SP.
In this option, the investments will be made in a life-cycle fund. Here, the fraction of funds invested across three asset classes will be determined by a pre-defined portfolio. At the lowest age of entry (18 years), the auto choice will entail investment of 50% of pension wealth in “E” Class, 30% in “C” Class and 20% in “G” Class. These ratios of investment will remain fixed for all contributions until the participant reaches the age of 36. From age 36 onwards, the weight in “E” and “C” asset class will decrease annually and the weight in “G” class will increase annually till it reaches 10% in “E”, 10% in “C” and 80% in “G” class at age.
Like the active choice, you must choose one PFM under the auto choice.
The table below illustrates the allocation of each asset class for “Auto Choice” option based on age of the investor.| Age | Asset Class E | Asset Class C | Asset Class G |
| Up to 35 years | 50% | 30% | 20% |
| 36 years | 48% | 29% | 23% |
| 37 years | 46% | 28% | 26% |
| 38 years | 44% | 27% | 29% |
| 39 years | 42% | 26% | 32% |
| 40 years | 40% | 25% | 35% |
| 41 years | 38% | 24% | 38% |
| 42 years | 36% | 23% | 41% |
| 43 years | 34% | 22% | 44% |
| 44 years | 32% | 21% | 47% |
| 45 years | 30% | 20% | 50% |
| 46 years | 28% | 19% | 53% |
| 47 years | 26% | 18% | 56% |
| 48 years | 24% | 17% | 59% |
| 49 years | 22% | 16% | 62% |
| 50 years | 20% | 15% | 65% |
| 51 years | 18% | 14% | 68% |
| 52 years | 16% | 13% | 71% |
| 53 years | 14% | 12% | 74% |
| 54 years | 12% | 11% | 77% |
| 55 years | 10% | 10% | 80% |
THE PENSION FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER NPS (in alphabetical order)
Ø ICICI Prudential Pension Funds Management Company LimitedØ IDFC Pension Fund Management Company Limited
Ø Kotak Mahindra Pension Fund Limited
Ø Reliance Capital Pension Fund Limited
Ø SBI Pension Funds Private Limited
Ø UTI Retirement Solutions Limited
What are the benefits of joining the NPS?
Ø It is voluntary- NPS is open to every Indian citizen. You can choose the amount you want to set aside and save every year.
Ø It is simple- all you have to do is to open an account with any one of the POPs and get a PRAN.
Ø It is flexible- You can choose your own investment option and Pension Fund Manager and see your money grow.
Ø It is portable- You can operate your account from anywhere in the country, even if you change your city, job or your pension fund manager.
Ø It is regulated- NPS is regulated by PFRDA, with transparent investment norms and regular monitoring and performance review of fund managers by NPS Trust.
Withdrawal in NPSOn attaining the Normal Retirement Age (NRA) of 60 years – You will be required to compulsorily
Ø annuitize at least 40% of your pension wealth and the remaining 60% can be withdrawn as a lump
Ø sum or in a phased manner; in case, you opt for a phased withdrawal:
Ø Minimum 10% of the pension wealth should be withdrawn every year.
Ø Any amount lying to the credit at the age 70 should be compulsorily withdrawn in lump sum.
Withdraw any time before 60 years of age– In such case; you will have to compulsorily annuitize 80% of your accumulated pension wealth. The remaining 20% can be withdrawn as a lump sum.
| Vesting Criteria | Benefit |
| At any point in time before 60 years of age | You would be required to invest at least 80% of the pension wealth to purchase a life annuity from any IRDA – regulated life insurance company. Rest 20% of the pension wealth may be withdrawn as lump sum. |
| On attaining the Age of 60 years and upto 70 years of age | At exit you would be required to invest minimum 40 percent of your accumulated savings (pension wealth) to purchase a life annuity from any IRDA-regulated life insurance company. You may choose to purchase an annuity for an amount greater than 40 percent. The remaining pension wealth can either be withdrawn in a lump sum on attaining the age of 60 or in a phased manner, between age 60 and 70, at the option of the subscriber. |
| Death due to any cause | In such an unfortunate event, option will be available to the nominee to receive 100% of the NPS pension wealth in lump sum. However, if the nominee wishes to continue with the NPS, he/she shall have to subscribe to NPS individually afterfollowing due KYC procedure. |
NPS offers Indian citizens a low cost option for planning their retirement. A 0.0009%* fee (based on assets under management) for managing your wealth, makes pension funds under NPS perhaps the world’s lowest cost money managers.
What is Swavalamban Scheme?Under the scheme, Government will contribute Rs. 1000 per year to each NPS account opened in the year 2010-11 and for the next three years, that is, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14. The benefit will be available only to persons who join the NPS with a minimum contribution of Rs. 1,000 and maximum contribution of Rs. 12,000 per annum.
How to become a CROREPATI?....Employee Provident Fund (EPF) : Retire as a Crorepati
We normally hate any kind of deductions in our monthly salary slips – either its income tax deduction , professional tax deduction or even an EPF deduction.Very few of us really know that this small EPF deduction each year can in reality make you a crorepati by the time you retire. Encouraging fact is that this statement is applicable to even with those having modest salaries. There’s many if’s and but’s to achieve that , most notably being resisting the temptation to withdraw money till retirement.
12% of your basic salary that gets deducted as part of EPF account every month has a potential to make you a crorepati by the time you retire. Most of us are of view that investment is so small and interest rate offered is nothing special. Power of compounding clubbed with a matching contribution from your employer every month can do wonders for you.
Encouraging stats : 8.5% interest earned on the EPF can help a person with a basic salary of 25,000 a month accumulate a mammoth 2.4 crore in 35 years. Sounds unbelievable.
Good news is that the initial draft of Direct Tax Code has proposed that new contribution to EPF be taxed on withdrawal. However , the revised draft has made EPF fully tax exempt making it once again one of the best debt option available in the market.
Try not to touch your EPF account till you hang your boots. You may have to use it during acute emergencies but other than that avoid poking into this account while you are working. Its not uncommon of people to withdraw their PF at the stage. Government discourages you to withdraw money as withdrawals from EPF within five years of joining are taxable. Early withdrawal don’t allow power of compounding to come to play.
Lesson for everyone - Do not withdraw money from EPF while switching jobs , one should transfer the balance to the new account with the new employer. Remember , this do not happen automatically. You need to fill a ‘Form 13' and deposit it with the EPFO. Make this one of your first TODO’s things at new workplace as with course of time you will loose track of it and also get pre-occupied at new job.
EPFO in addition is coming up with a software enabling online transfer of money from old account to new account. This will reduce both the paperwork and time taken for transaction.
Positives of EPF :
Guaranteed returns :EPF is one of the safest debt instruments. Safety of principal and interest earned is very much there. Besides bring discipline in investing , it serves well to accumulate a corpus for retirement.
Interest rate fixed by government – The rate of interest on PF account is fixed eveny year during start of financial year by the government of India. The interest is for sure guaranteed and risk – free. The interest is credited to the members account on monthly running balance with effect from the last day in each year. The rate of interest is 9.5% for the year 2010-11 as notified by the Government. Out of 12% (or 10% as the case may be) of the employer’s share of contribution, 8.33% is to be remitted towards pension fund.
VPF option : In addition if you fund your debt portion lagging in your portfolio , you can add more through voluntary increases in your contribution (VPF).
Do not Forget Loans Options against EPF -Your EPF balance can be used as a security for getting loans and thus makes your case strong for sanction of loan. Of course , it can also be utilized during acute emergency.
What if you do not withdraw and do not transfer ? – Earlier keeping money in old EPF account was not much of a disadvantage as the amount continued to earn interest till time of withdrawal. But from April 2011 , accounts which are inactive for more than 3 years will stop earning interest. So there’s a distinct disadvantage here apart from the fact that keeping multiple accounts can be a big pain. If accounts are located in different cities , it makes process more cumbersome. Also a single account gives you a better idea of your current corpus.
Once social security number which is currently being worked upon comes into picture , EPF accounts will be portable. So in such a scenario there will be no need to switch funds. The new employer will make all contribution to this account and completely independent of workplace.
Central Government employees’ retirement age to be extended by 2 years to 62
New Delhi: 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.
The last time the government extended the retirement age of central government employees was in 1998. It was also a two-year extension from 58. This was preceded by the implementation of the 5th Pay Commission, which had put severe strain on government’s finances. Subsequently, all state governments followed the Centre’s policy by extending the retirement age by two years. Public sector undertakings followed suit too.
The decision to extend the retirement age is well-timed both politically and economically.
The UPA government reckons the move would be a masterstroke. At a time when it is buffeted by several corruption cases, it is felt that the extension of the retirement age will go down well with the middle classes. Economically also, the move makes sense because by deferring payment of lump sum retirement benefits for a large number of employees by two years, the government would be able to manage its finances better. “An in-principle decision has been taken to increase the retirement age by two years within this year itself. This would reduce the burden on the fisc from one-time payment of retirement benefits for employees including defence and railways personnel,” an official involved in the discussion said. With the fiscal consolidation high on the government's agenda, this deferment would come handy.
There’s some flip side too if the retirement age is extended by two years. Those officials empanelled as secretaries and joint secretaries would have to wait longer to actually get the posts. And of course, there is the issue of average age profile of the civil servants being turning north.
It is also felt that any extension is not being fair with a bulk of people who still look for jobs in the government.
However, officials point out that at least it prevents an influential section of the bureaucracy to hanker for post-retirement jobs with the government like chairmanship of regulatory bodies or tribunals.
“As it is, a sizeable section of senior civil servants work for three to five years after the retirement in some capacity or the other in the government,” said a senior government official. The retirement age of college teachers and judges are also beyond 60.
As per a study, the future pension outgo for the existing Central and State government employees is estimated at a staggering R1,735,527 crore or 55.88% of GDP at market prices of 2004-05.
Source: The Financial Express
CHALLENGES TO BE MET – BULLDOZE THEM WITH UNITY
The postal workers have to meet the challenges posed and defeat the moves to undermine their interests and also to save the Postal as the Government department to serve the nation and the people. The Postal Directorate, without minding the service and consequences, has directed all the circle heads to complete the process of closure / merger / relocation of about 9797 post offices which constitutes around 40% of the departmental post offices in existence and at present are functioning in urban areas on the plea that they do not conform with the distance condition prescribed by the department for opening of new post offices. When all the roots are proposed to cut where is the question of growth in postal services?
When all private couriers and private companies are enlarging their branches to compete with our service in urban areas and opening more outlets, where is the need for such rationalization, optimization, or whatever name it was given? Will it not lead to cutting the roots while sitting on the top of the tree? Is the courier lobby penetrated into postal bureaucracy too in the name of optimization, rationalization in order to dismantle the present set up to pave way for their growth in the sector after amending the Postal Act and legalized their existence in the name of competition and efficiency?
When the private couriers are providing two to three times delivery daily in urban areas, our planners decided to curtail the number of deliveries and made it as one time delivery even in metro cities. Will it improve the delivery efficiency or lead to transfer the traffic to private couriers who are ensuring more number of deliveries in urban? Is it not the bare truth that after the creation of Speed Post Hub, more than 20% traffic fell down due to the delay in delivery of articles over 48 hours while comparing the previous system? The faith imposed on public about Speed Post delivery is totally eroded due to creation of this Hub.
Mckensy, the foreign consultancy is now dictating the terms and dictums’ to all Circle Heads for merger of sorting offices, creating delivery hubs etc. Many Circle heads are also expressing their inabilities to say the adverse effect of such moves to any one at higher echelon since no one incline to hear the views of field levels. Merger of Hyderabad and Secundrabad sorting offices is the glaring example for the topsy turvy decisions which was implemented without realizing the realities. There is a proposal to close down 108 sorting offices further in the days to come. There is no discussion with staff side and it has been sidelined.
When centralization is taking place in all finance sectors, the department is now proposing to decentralize the PLI and RPLI functions without minding the consequences as if witnessed after the decentralization of RD and MIS at SO levels. Induction of technology and providing on line facilities will always lead for centralization; whereas it is proposed to decentralize the postal accounts also.
Many issues discussed during July 2010 charters and also the agreed items in the JCM Departmental council are still remaining unsettled. There is no periodical meeting over nine months. The issue of cadre review though stated to be finalized before Dec 2010 is remaining static and we don’t know what the final proposal of the department is.
The revision of wages of the casual, contingent and part time employees as per the minimum of 6th CPC Pay is delayed over three years on one pre text or the other; whereas many of their services were indiscriminately outsourced and a large section of poor and downtrodden were sent out from the department mercilessly. Many facilities and privileges hitherto available for GDS were frozen and their long pending demands like status etc are still remaining as mirage. All this are making the poor and low paid employees more miserable.
We have to meet the challenges posed against us. It is the fight against the policy offensives of the Postal department under the principles of globalization. If the organization does not exist there is no question of employees and service unions. When there is a conspiracy to deviate and divert the postal from the Government department and attacks are coming one after another, we cannot remain as mute spectators and allow things to go as it is.
The postal workers possess the potential power, a reservoir of resources which can meet the challenges. The need is to bring to the surface the latent potentialities, to tap the resources. This and much more has to be done and that should be done immediately to resist the onslaughts.
The Postal JCA has given the Clarian call to march with various programme of action culminating to industrial action from 5.7.2011.It is we to don to mantle the battle dress and the front runner in the war. The unifying of all postal workers, organize them into well knit bands of soldiers, raise their morale to meet the challenges, strength derived by the unification of all forces, mobilization at all levels, preparation for the confrontation through phased programmes and ensuring the participation of entire postal workers are the forms and manner of meeting the challenges thrown on the postal workers.
by: aipeup3chq
Clarification on increase in certain allowances by 25% as a result of enhancement of Dearness Allowances w.e.f. 1 1.2011
New Delhi, May 4, 2011
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject : Clarification on increase in certain allowances by 25% as a result of enhancement of Dearness Allowances w.e.f. 1 1.2011 -
On the above mentioned subject, it is stated that consequent upon enhancement of Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees @ 51% w e.f. 1st January, 2011 vide Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure O.M No 1(2)2011-E-II (B) dated 24th March, 2011, the following points are clarified :
a) The annual ceiling limit for reimbursement of Children Education Allowance shall be Rs.15,000/- per child. Accordingly, the quarterly claim could be more than Rs.3750/- in one quarter and less than Rs.3750/- in another quarter subject to the annual ceiling of Rs 15,000/- per child and Hostel Subsidy shall be Rs.3750/- per month per child ;
b) The rates of Special Allowance for Child Care to women with disabilities stands revised to Rs. 1250/- per month, and
C) The annual ceiling for reimbursement of education allowance for disabled children of Government employees shall be treated as revised to Rs. 30,000/- per annum per child and the rates of Hostel Subsidy for disabled children of Government employees shall be treated as revised from Rs.6000/- per child per month to Rs.7500/- per child per month.
2 These revisions are applicable with effect from 1st January, 2011.
3 These revisions shall be subject to other terms and conditions mentioned in this Department’s O.M. No 12011/03/2008-Estt (Allowance) dated 2.9.2008 and O.M. No 12011/04/2008 dated 11.9 2008.
(Vibha Govil Mishra)
Deputy Secretary
Source : persmin gov in
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Revision of flat rates of licence fee for Central Govt. Residential Accommodation throughout the country
Directorate of Estates
Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi,
Dated: 28th April, 2011
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Revision of flat rates of licence fee for Central Govt. Residential Accommodation throughout the country.
In terms of SR-324(4). the Government has decided to revise the flat rates of licence fee recoverable (or the residential accommodation available in General pool and also in Departmental Pools of Ministries/Departments of the Government of India throughout the country (except in respect of substandard/unclassified accommodation of Ministry of Defence, accommodation for service personnel of the Ministry of Defence and accommodation under the control of Ministry of Railways), as shown in the Annexure.
2. The revised rates of licence fee would be effective from 1st July. 2010. All Ministries/Departments are requested to take action to recover the revised licence fee in accordance with these orders in respect of accommodation under their control all over the country.
3. This issues with the concurrence of integrated Finance Wing of the Ministry of Urban Development under its Diary No 545/Dir. (F)FD/10 dated 15.11.2010 & dated 03.01.2011.
4. In so far as persons serving in the Indian Audit & Accounts Departments are concerned, orders would be issued separately.
(R.N.Yadav)
Deputy Director of Estates Policy)
Revised flat rates of licence fee applicable for Central Government residential accommodation throughout the country w.e.f. 01.07.2010…
Various Jobs Highlights in Employment News…
1. Into-Tibetan Border Police Force requires Inspectors (Hindi Translator).
2. Railway Protection Force requires Sub Inspectors.
3. Delhi Transport Corporation requires Managers.
4. Sports Authority of India, New Delhi requires assistant Directors.
5. Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, Dehradun invites applications for the post of Stenographers.
6. Border Security Force, New Delhi requires Specialist Medical Officers and Medical Officers.
7. Central Warehousing Corporation, New Delhi needs General Manager and Stenographers.
8. Air India Air Transport Services Limited needs Trainee Security Agents.
9. PGDAV College, New Delhi requires Assistant Professors/Lecturers.
10.Indian Ordnance Factories, Yeddumailaram invites applications for various Semi-Skilled Grade posts.
11.All India Institute of Medical Sciences invites applications for various faculty posts.
12. Sashatra Seema Bal requires Constables (Driver).
For more details visit: http://www.employmentnews.gov.in/
Sanction for Travel by Private Airlines for official purposes due to the ongoing Strike of Air India Pilots
Office of the Controller General of Defence Accounts
Ulan Batar Road, Palam, Delhi Cantt - 110010
Important Circular
No.AN/XIV/14162/TA/DA/LTC/DeviationDated : 03/05/2011
To, All PCsDA/ CsDA
Sub: Sanction for Travel by Private Airlines for official purposes due to the ongoing Strike of Air India Pilots.
As you may be aware that the Air India Pilots have gone on an indefinite Strike, due to which majority of the Air India Flights have been cancelled.
2. This HQrs. office had taken up one such case with the Ministry of Civil Aviation for according permission to an officer to Travel by Private Airlines since the Air India Flights are not operating due to strike by Air India Pilots.
3. Ministry of Civil Aviation has accorded approval for Travel by Private Airlines on Official Purposes till the ongoing Strike by Air India Pilots is called off.
4. It is therefore advised that all claims for travel by Private Airlines in respect of entitled officers on Official Purposes during this period may please be dealt with accordingly.
sd/-
(R.K. Bhatt)
For CGDA
Comrades, Be donning the battle dress. Keep our gun powder dry to meet the eventualities
Dear Comrades,
Indefinite Strike from 05.07.2011
You would have received Bhartiya Post May 2011 issue by this time wherein we published all the JCA Circulars including the Charter of demands and programme of action. The current circular of JCA dt. 28.04.2011 is also enclosed herewith for appropriate action.
Responsibilities & Duties before You
1. Form JCA if not in existence in your division earlier. Approach other sister unions for such formation and in case of any problem in formation of JCA, please intimate the General Secretary through your Circle Secretary who has been nominated as in charge of your circle and send copy to the CHQ.
2. Please shed down all differences whatever it may be at grass root levels since it is the time and dire need to unite for a successful massive action against the policy offensives of the Postal department.
3. Organize state level conventions as the dates mentioned and ensure full participation of all divisional/branch Secretaries and Circle office bearers of all unions for working out plan and strategy for 100% participation of postal workers duly strengthening the movement.
4. Ensure your participation in the All India Convention of Postal JCA scheduled to be held at Chennai on 19.06.2011. Before that, Please conduct a massive Dharna in front of Divisional offices on 25.05.2011 in effective manner. Meet the members’ office wise and organize them. Further meet the people’s representatives, intellectuals and important personalities and convey the dangers we are facing due to the foreign consultants leading to privatization of postal services and seek their intervention. Pl translate the JCA circulars in state language for wide circulation among the members.
5. Apart from the conduct of State convention, the Circle Secretaries may invite the incharge office bearers nominated for the circle to attend meetings at other work spots and take their fullest assistance in organizing the comrades for massive action. All circle secretaries shall arrange tour programme division wise and important office wise and depute its office bearers for organizing all the postal workers irrespective of the union affiliation explaining the importance of the demands and the programme of action now proposed.
All of us should not forget that our proposed struggle from 05.07.2011 is mainly nothing but to save the Postal department and keep it as Government Service. The proposals collected through Mckinsey & Accenture either for corporatization or privatization and to dismantle the existing Department’s structure shall not be allowed at any cost. The proposals for introduction of Public, Private Partnership will lead either to corporatization or privatization of service at last and the proposed core banking is nothing but of that basis as per the recommendations of the expert committee. A very dangerous situation is before us and if we allow, we don’t know what will be our position after some time.
We have to resist the attacks now unleashed against the Govt. postal service and we have to save the department. Financial demands are not given top priority this time since we have to ensure our service as Govt. service. Telecom is the glaring example and after the corporatization BSNL is now almost shrinking. All of you are requested to take serious action for organizing the workers for the indefinite strike from 05.07.2011.
The Clarion call was given by Postal JCA. Organize the workers very effectively for the indefinite strike from 05.07.2011. Time is very short. Pl act swiftly from now onwards. Pl send the copies of bulletins issued at branch levels for our notice and also report about the meetings of public personalities requesting their effective intervention along with photos for publication in the journal. Shall I seek all your response comrades?
GDS (Conduct & Engagement) Rules 2011
The Department vide its letter No. 21-8/2010-GDS dt. 18.04.2011 has amended the existing GDS (Conduct & Employment) Rules 2001 as GDS (Conduct & Engagement) Rules 2011 as per the recommendations of Nataraja Murti Committee.
The main crux of the amendment is nothing but to modify the ‘Employment’ into ‘Engagement’ so that the GDs employment may further be treated as an engagement like contingent, part time etc. The following are the other major revisions.
Recruiting Authority means an authority to engage GDS on the basis of GDS (Conduct & Engagement) Rule 2011. ( Note hereafter it is only engagement and employment)
A Sevak shall not claim to be at par with the Central Government employees. (Earlier in was as ‘Servant of the Government’ Now they are no more Government employees. They are being engaged in the postal service as if contract)
Residence in Post village/delivery jurisdiction of the Post office within one month after selection but before engagement shall be mandatory. (The new provision for the modified rules is as follows)
“Failure to reside in place of duty for GDS BPM & within delivery jurisdiction of the Post office for other categories of Gramin Dak Sevaks after engagement shall be treated as violative of condition of engagement and liable for disciplinary action under Rule 10 of the Conduct Rules, requiring removal/dismissal.”
Earlier in all paras, it was mentioned as ‘Appointing Authorities’. Now it is modified as ‘Recruiting Authorities’. Employment has been modified as service in the midst of the rulings.
New Rules as 5.A: - “The GDS shall be entitled to Payment of Time Related continuity Allowance and other allowances as may be prescribed by the Government on the basis of workload as per the standards of assessment decided by the Department from time to time.
A new note has been prescribed under Rule 9 – “Penalty of Recovery under Rule 9 (iv) can be enforced fully without any restriction.
In nutshell, the GDS once declared as ‘Extraneous Departmental Employees’ but later after 1963 called as ‘Extra Departmental Employees’ are now being equated as if contingent, casual and contract workers by freezing all their rights as Government employees. GDS Unions must act swiftly instead of mudsling the others as the escape route.
Other news:
The Dept has sought report from the circle heads on the two issues ie. Grant of road mileage allowance to the staff engaged for cheque clearance and grant of fixed conveyance allowance to Marketing executives as per our subjects in DC (JCM).
LGO Exam is now postponed to 04.09.2011. The exam will be conducted with Objective type questions. The exam will be conducted by the private company called M/S CMC Limited.
Group B Exam has been postponed to 29.05.2011. We record our strong objection about reduction of vacancies brought forward since Postmasters cadre is a separate cadre and 6% reservation to general line should be applied for Group B vacancies other than the Postmasters cadre.
We sought follow up action on MACP anomalies like promotes, recoveries ordered on BCR for PAs promoted from Group D, and Postmen as per the minutes of National MACP anomaly committee meeting minutes dt 15.03.2011.
Dept. sought opinions from Heads of circles to rename the Franchisee Outlet as Post shopee since the former name is not familiar among the public.
Everyone should know about McKinsey
The Department of Posts has engaged MCKinsey, the multinational Consultancy for recommending the structural reorganization of the Dept of Posts and the McKinsey is issuing dictums to the Circle heads who themselves say helpless and many unwarranted changes are taking place in the post offices, RMS offices. The creation of speed post hub and the proposal for delivery hub for first class mails are the glaring examples of unsuitability of the consultants for our India Post which had its own adverse effect in the department. Let us know short about this concern so that one can understand why we are protesting and launching struggles to save postal department as Government service.
Mckinsey & co was founded in Chicago in 1926 by James O. Mckinsey. No doubt it is only of the leading Management consultancy which suits the countries adopting capitalism, globalization policies. It advocates the method of Privatization, Public Private Partnership, Globalization polices etc. There are many big concerns collapsed after they were engaging it as their consultants. ‘Enron’ was one of the biggest firms and collapsed after engaging it as consultants. The CEO, Enron Sri. Jeff Skilling was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison. ‘Swiss air’ was another which entered bankruptcy after the Mckinsey recommended the ‘The Hunter strategy’. ‘Railtrack’, the British railway company also collapsed after following Mckinsey’s advice to reduce spending on infrastructure and return cash to share holders instead, after which there was a number of fatal accidents. There are cellular phone companies worst hit due its consults.
Mckinsey is a named defendant in Hurricane Katrina litigation for the advice to insure to stop premium leakage by undervaluing claims using the tactics of ‘deny, delay and defend.”
Several civil suits have been filed against home insurance and vehicle insurance companies after the insurers were advised by Mckinsey and allegedly paid the insurance parties significantly less than the actual value of the damage, Mckinsey was cited in a February 2007 CNN article with developing controversial car insurance practices used by State Farm and All state in the mid 1990s to avoid paying claims involving Soft tissue injury. The List will become tail like General Electronic CO, Minnaepolis Public Schools etc. There are many books and articles written by various eminent economist and others about the series of blunders and disasters alleged to have been Mckinsey’s consultant’s fault.
Mckinsey & Postal
If you go through industry insight of Mckinsey, you can find the following which will alone exhibits its recommendations to be made for India Posts on privatization and dismantle the existing Government Service.
“Postal, Express, and Parcel Services”
“In addition to new technologies and systems, globalizations, deregulation, and privatization have been the key drivers of change in the post and express world over the past two decades.
Numerous postal companies have successfully navigated the path of privatization from state monopolies to become listed companies. Others are poised to being this journey. The challenges are huge.
A clear strategy, supported by strong management, detailed planning, and transparent processes, is vital to a corporate transformation. We help our clients identify and pursue growth opportunities in all relevant market segments, both domestically and abroad. We support them as they position themselves to meet regulatory requirements and accompany them on the road to successful privatization. We support them in developing strategies to optimize value-add operations and processes and in implementing performance-management and staff-development systems.”
No Exaggeration. The above were only the experts from the web site of Mckinsey
Mckinsey & U. S. Postal Service
The Mckinsey who was the consulting agency for U. S. Postal Service, has suggested to change a law requiring charges in delivery six days a week to three days and closure of post offices. It suggested trimming delivery by one day, to five days a week which was resisted by law makers in March 2010.
Originally, it proposed that ‘the U. S. Postal Service, facing $ 238 billion budget deficit by 2020, should consider cutting delivery to as few as three days a week. It said that in Jan 2010, it reviewed 162 Post offices, stations and branches for possible closing in current year.
Both the Unions in U. S. Postal Service objected strongly about the elimination of Saturday delivery. William Burns, the President of American Postal workers union referring to the erosion of customer confidence has commented that “it will be the beginning of the demise of the Postal Service. They have already made a lot of cost savings, a lot on the backs on my union, which we understand. But what’s the next step? Do you go to four days a week, three days? Once you establish the financial problems, it is never ending.”
The following is the extracts from one of the Journal ‘Postal Trend watch’ about the recommendations of consultancy agency on US Postal Service.
“The report also proposed reducing postal wages and benefits as a means of cutting costs. Although the Postal Service is required to maintain compensation comparable to the private sector, decades of economic research suggest that unionized Postal Workers are paid about third more than analogous private sector workers. With benefits, the compensation premium for Postal workers can exceed 40 percent.”
From the above, we can very well understand the policies of such consultant companies.
About India Post
“Studies by Kckinsey and others have pointed out that, in the future, India Post will be great vehicle for public-private partnerships. Following models of liberalization undertaken in other countries, some planes look to debundling the owner, operator, and regulator functions of India Post.
India Post’s huge distribution network – the largest in the world – may be its most significant asset in any future partnership with either private-sector concerns or with other government agencies.
The national Postal Policy statement on India Post’s Web site explains that “The new economy and modern markets require [the postal service] to become more financially autonomous and commercially flexible in order to deliver its core functions and other services.” To that end, India Post has continued to look for new revenue-producing projects and the volume of traditional letter and parcel mail shrinks.”
The Mckinsey & Co recommended expanded partnership with Private industry, like retail location and kiosks, Mckinsey commented about the required law changes that “actions in any one area will not be enough to close the gap.” Among other recommendations in the report would be ending doorstep delivery of mail and a shift to clustered mail boxes in residential areas, creating new products and services to increase revenue, and developing hybrid mail products that integrate electronic mail with Postal service Products and services.
From the above, one can very well understand the consultancy service to whom our India Post engaged. The continuous struggles of AP circles and the recent three days strike in Chennai GPO and the chaos conditions proposed in Bangalore GPO are sufficient to know about the consultancy.
Are we going to remain silent and allow things as mute spectator? Or resist the move with our unity and save the postal service as Govt. service. This is the million dollar question before us.
Okay comrades. Be donning the battle dress. Keep our gun powder dry to meet the eventualities.
Let us meet in our next
With Struggle greetings,
(K. V. Sridharan)
General Secretary
Dated - 01.05.2011
Source: AIPEUP3CHQ
Sunday, May 1, 2011
MAY DAY GREETINGS
The workers who rose in revolt were plunged in Blood bath on May, 1886 at Chicago (America)
August spies – Fredrick Engels – Fishchr – Parsons were sent to the gallous on 11th November 1887.
“There will come a time when our silence will be more eloquent than our words”
The Flag of the working class was soaked in the blood of the worker martyr.
‘Salute the Red Flag’ Observe the May Day.
Remember and honour the martyrs who died to make the lives of their fellowmen better and free from Exploitation
Let every worker contribute his/her mite to advance the cause interest of the worker
Courtesy: AIPEUP3CHQ
MAY DAY GREETINGS
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