“Forward ever, backward never: onwards with Breaking Through”
31/01/2016

Implementation of 7th CPC: 1st meeting of Nodal officers will be held on 02nd Feb 2016


Ministry of Finance
F. No.1-1/2016- IC
Government of India
Department of Expenditure
New Delhi, 29.1.2016
Meeting Notice

Subject: Meeting of Nodal officers of various Departments implementation of the recommendations of the 7th CPC- Issues on way ahead.

In order to process the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission, the Cabinet has approved setting up of an Empowered Committee of Secretaries chaired by the Cabinet Secretary. Accordingly, the ECOS has been set up as per this Ministry's OM No. 1-4/2015/EIII-A dt. 27.1.2016 (copy placed on the website of this Ministry, viz, www.finmin.nic.in).

2. As provided in the said OM dt. 271.2016, the Implementation Cell created in this Ministry shall work as the Secretariat for the ECOS.

3. This Ministry has already requested all the Ministries/Departments vide DO letter No. 1-4/2015/EIII.A dt. 21.11.2015 from JS(Pers) addressed to all the Secretaries to nominate a nodal officer at the level of a Joint Secretary to interact with the Implementation Cell during the curse of processing of the recommendations of the 7th CPC.

4. Accordingly, Joint Secretary (Implementation Cell) shall take a meeting of all the Nodal Officers of the Ministries/Departments on 2.2.2016 at 11.00 a.m. in Conference Hall (R. No. 72), North Block, New Delhi to discuss the relevant issues in connection with the processing of the recommendations of the 7th CPC and to concretise the points of action pertaining to all the Ministries/Departments in general and also in regard to specific issues concerning individual Ministries/ Departments with a view to enabling an effective, holistic and quicker processing of the recommendations of the 7th CPC and for submission of the matter before the ECOS.

5. As this is the first meeting of the Nodal Officers to formulate the action points on the way ahead on processing of the recommendations of the 7th CPC, it is requested that the concerned nodal officers may kindly make it convenient to attend the meeting.

(Amar Nath Singh)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
To
All the nodal officers of Ministries/ Departments, as per list attached.


nodal+officers+meeting
Source: www.finmin.nic.in


RECOMMENDATION OF THE SEVENTH PAY COMMISSION - COMMENTS SOUGHT FROM STAFF SIDE ON GAZETTED AND RESTRICTED HOLIDAY, MAY DAY ETC.



30/01/2016

February to be observed as ‘Sukanya Samriddhi’ month
The Department of Posts will observe February as “Selvamagal Semippu Thittam month” and a campaign for opening of Sukanya Samriddhi accounts will be conducted in all the 11 postal divisions in the central region.

About 2.9 lakh accounts have been opened in the post offices in Central Region so far under the scheme. There are more than 3,500 post offices in the central region.

Special counters would be set up in all 24 head post offices at Chidamabram, Cuddalore, Karur, Kulittalai, Kumbakonam, Melakaveri, Mayiladuturai, Sirkali, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Pattukkottai, Tiruthuraipundi, Pudukkottai, Perambalur, Srirangam, Thuraiyur, Mannargudi, Papanasam, Thanjavur, Lalgudi, Tiruchi, Kallakurichi, Tirukoyilur, and Vriddhachalam.

Institutions such as schools, banks, and government offices can open accounts in bulk and contact the respective Postal Division or call 9443847055 to get the accounts opened on their premises itself.
Under the scheme, accounts can be opened in the name of girls aged below 10 by crediting a minimum amount of Rs. 1,000. Subsequent deposits can be made in multiples of Rs. 100 and a minimum of Rs. 1,000 has to be deposited in the account every financial year.

The maximum amount for a financial year is Rs. 1,50,000, a Postal Department release said.

The interest rate which was 9.1 per cent for 2014-15 has been enhanced to 9.2 per cent for 2015-16, the release added.

Source : http://www.thehindu.com


Meeting of Nodal officers of various Departments - implementation of the recommendations of the 7th CPC
Implementation of the recommendations of the 7th CPC – Meeting of Nodal officers of various Departments will be held on 2.2.2016

Meeting of Nodal officers of various Departments – implementation of the recommendations of the 7th CPC – Issues on way ahead

F.No.1-1/2016- IC
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
New Delhi, 29.1.2016
Meeting Notice

Subject : Meeting of Nodal officers of various Departments – implementation of the recommendations of the 7th CPC – Issues on way ahead.

In order to process the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission, the Cabinet has approved setting up of an Empowered Committee of Secretaries chaired by the Cabinet Secretary. Accordingly, the ECOS has been set up as per this Ministry’s OM No.1-4/2015/EIII-A dt. 27.1.2016 (copy placed on the website of this Ministry, viz, www.finmin.nic.in).

2. As provided in the said OM dt. 27.1.2016, the Implementation Cell created in this Ministry shall work as the Secretariat for the ECOS.

3. This Ministry has already requested all the Ministries/Departments vide DO letter No.1-4/2015/EIII.A dt. 21.11.2015 from JS(Pers) addressed to all the Secretaries to nominate a nodal officer at the level of a Joint Secretary to interact with the Implementation Cell during the curse of processing of the recommendations of the 7th CPC.

4. Accordingly, Joint Secretary (Implementation Cell) shall take a meeting of all the Nodal Officers of the Ministries/Departments on 2.2.2016 at 11 .00 a.m. in Conference Hall (R. No. 72), North Block, New Delhi to discuss the relevant issues in connection with the processing of the recommendations of the 7th CPC and to concretise the points of action pertaining to all the Ministries/Departments in general and also in regard to specific issues concerning individual Ministries/Departments with a view to enabling an effective, holistic and quicker processing of the recommendations of the 7th CPC and for submission of the matter before the ECOS.

5. As this is the first meeting of the Nodal Officers to formulate the action points on the way ahead on processing of the recommendations of the 7th CPC, it is requested that the concerned nodal officers may kindly make it convenient to attend the meeting.

sd-
(Amar Nath Singh)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

To
All the nodal officers of Ministries/Departments, as per list attached.


Authority: www.finmin.nic.in

Postal department to handle Rs.1,500 crore COD by 2015-16

Providing a boost to the e-commerce industry in India, the post departments had handled cash on delivery (COD) orders worth Rs.500 crore up to March 2015 and is expected to reach about Rs.1,500 crore by end of 2015-16, Communications Minister said on Thursday.
Till December 2015, the COD value has crossed Rs.1,000 crore.
Speaking at the meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the communications & IT ministry, on the e-commerce initiatives of the department of posts, he said various steps taken by the department for gearing up its capabilities for handling e-commerce parcel business as well as introducing services such as COD have revolutionized the e-commerce business in India.
Prasad also said the government's initiative to digitalize functioning would help in making e-commerce reach every corner. He said the initiative would further enhance Posts' reach as national carrier.
The department of posts had set up 48 new parcel processing centers so far and nine more such centers are coming up during the current financial year, he said.
"These efforts in the last eighteen months have resulted in an overall revenue growth in the parcel segment by 45 percent during 2014-15 and more than 100 percent in the current financial year," Prasad said.
Source: http://www.business-standard.com/

What is Zika Virus? All you Wanted to Know


Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue and chikungunya.

index (Copy)The Zika virus is “is now spreading explosively” in the Americas, the head of the World Health Organization said Thursday, with another official estimating between 3 million to 4 million infections in the region over a 12-month period.


“The level of concern is high, as is the level of uncertainty,” Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO’s director-general, told her organization’s executive board members. “We need to get some answers quickly.”
The lack of any immunity to Zika and the fact that mosquitoes spreading the virus can be found most “everywhere” — explains the speed of its transmission, said Dr. Sylvain Aldighieri, an official with the WHO and Pan American Health Organization.
Some 80% of those infected with the Zika virus don’t even feel sick, and most who do have relatively mild symptoms such as a fever, rash, joint pain or pink eye. But there are major worries about the dangers pregnant women and their babies face.
Chan said that, where the virus has arrived, there’s been a corresponding “steep increase in the birth of babies with abnormally small heads and in cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome.” Having small heads can cause severe developmental issues and sometimes death. Guillain-Barre is a rare autoimmune disorder that can lead to life-threatening paralysis.
Health authorities began to suspect a connection between Zika and neurological ailments, especially in fetuses and newborns. Brazil alone has reported more than 4,000 cases of microcephaly — a neurological disorder resulting in the births of babies with small heads — in infants born to women infected with Zika while pregnant.
“We expect more countries to be affected,” she said.
U.S.-based researchers Daniel Lucey and Lawrence Gostin urged the WHO leader to “mobilize international resources to curb the rapid spread of Zika worldwide, including aggressive mosquito control, active surveillance, accelerated vaccine research and travel advisories for pregnant women.”
“It is far better,” said the Georgetown University public health expert, “to be overprepared than to wait until a Zika epidemic spins out of control.”

What is Zika virus infection?

Zika virus infection is caused by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, usually causing mild fever, rash, conjunctivitis, and muscle pain.
The virus was isolated for the first time in 1947 in the Zika forest in Uganda. Since then, it has remained mainly in Africa, with small and sporadic outbreaks in Asia. In 2007, a major epidemic was reported on the island of Yap (Micronesia), where nearly 75% of the population was infected.
In May 2015, the public health authorities of Brazil confirmed the transmission of Zika virus in the northeast of the country. Since October 2015, many other countries  have reported the presence of the virus.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptoms of Zika virus infection are mild fever and exanthema (skin rash), usually accompanied by conjunctivitis, muscle or joint pain, and general malaise that begins 2-7 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
One out of four infected people develops symptoms of the disease. Among those who do, the disease is usually mild and can last 2-7 days. Symptoms are similar to those of dengue or chikungunya, which are transmitted by the same type of mosquito. Neurological and autoimmune complications are infrequent, but have been described in the outbreaks in Polynesia and, more recently, in Brazil. As the virus spreads in the Americas, giving us more experience with its symptoms and complications, it will be possible to characterize the disease better.

How is Zika virus transmitted?

Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue and chikungunya.

What treatment is there?

There is no vaccine for Zika. Treatment consists of relieving pain, fever, and any other symptom that inconveniences the patient. To prevent dehydration, it is recommended to control the fever, rest, and drink plenty of water. There is no vaccine or specific drug for this virus.

Can it cause death?

It is a new virus that up until now has had a very limited geographical and demographic distribution, and there is no evidence that it can cause death. However, sporadic cases have been reported of more serious manifestations and complications in patients with preexisting diseases or conditions, causing death.

Who is at risk of Zika infection?

Anyone not previously exposed to the virus and who lives in an area where the mosquito is present, and where imported or local cases have been reported, may be infected. Since the Aedes mosquito is found throughout the world, it is likely that outbreaks will occur in other countries that have not yet reported any cases.

What is the difference between Zika, dengue, and chikungunya?

All these diseases present similar symptoms, but certain symptoms suggest one disease or another:
Dengue usually presents with higher fever and more severe muscle pain. There can be complications when the fever breaks: attention should be paid to warning signs such as bleeding.
Chikungunya presents with higher fever and more intense joint pain, affecting the hands, feet, knees, and back. It can disable people, bending them over so that they cannot walk or perform simple actions such as opening a water bottle.
Zika does not have clearly characteristic features, but most patients have skin rashes and some have conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye).

What causes rapid transmission of Zika virus?

There are two factors for rapid transmission – 1) Since this is a new virus to the world, the entire population is susceptible, lacking defenses to Zika virus 2) The Aedes mosquito is widespread in the world, given the climatic conditions, temperature, and humidity in tropical countries.

Is it advisable to travel to countries where Zika virus is circulating?

PAHO/WHO does not recommend any travel or international trade restrictions related to Zika virus outbreaks. Travelers are advised to take the suggested precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

What measures should be taken to prevent Zika virus infection?

Prevention involves reducing mosquito populations and avoiding bites, which occur mainly during the day. Eliminating and controlling Aedes aegypti mosquito breeding sites reduces the chances that Zika, chikungunya, and dengue will be transmitted. An integrated response is required, involving action in several areas, including health, education, and the environment.
To eliminate and control the mosquito, it is recommended to:
  • Avoid allowing standing water in outdoor containers (flower pots, bottles, and containers that collect water) so that they do not become mosquito breeding sites.
  • Cover domestic water tanks so that mosquitoes cannot get in.
  • Avoid accumulating garbage: Put it in closed plastic bags and keep it in closed containers.
  • Unblock drains that could accumulate standing water.
  • Use screens and mosquito nets in windows and doors to reduce contact between mosquitoes and people.
29/01/2016

Postal Department Has Been Continuously Earning Higher Revenue Every Year: Lok Sabha Q&A
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 2965
ANSWERED ON: 16.12.2015
Revenue and Market Share of India Post 
DEVENDRA (ALIAS) BHOLE SINGH SINGH
JAYADEV GALLA
KUNWAR SARVESH KUMAR
ASADUDDIN OWAISI

Will the Minister of
COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the revenue and market share of India post has been declining; 

(b) if so, the details of revenue generated separately from different segments such as parcel and speed and post expenditure incurred along with market share of India post during the last three years and the current year;

(c) whether Government proposes to introduce some scheme on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether India post is paying special focus on parcel segment and plan to establish 48 new set of parcel centres and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the other measures taken by the Government to improve the postal delivery system of India post and increasing its revenue?

ANSWER 
THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) No Madam, the Postal Department has been continuously earning higher revenue every year and its share of revenue has been increasing year after year. 

(b) Not applicable in view of reply at (a) above.

(c) No Madam.

(d) & (e) Yes Madam, 48 dedicated Parcel Centres have been established in 2014-15 and another 9 have been established this year. Department is laying special emphasis on the Parcel segment through upgradation of Parcel infrastructure, improving the delivery system and revamping parcel transmission modes and routes. Some measures taken to improve quality of parcel service are as follows:-

i. The Parcel transmission & delivery network is being continuously reviewed and monitored for checking and improving efficiencies and better service quality.

ii. The Department of Posts offers end-to-end track & trace for Speed Post, Registered and other parcels through its website (www.indiapost.gov.in). This track and trace facility is available to retail as well as bulk customers for tracking the consignments on a real time basis.

iii. Department is developing its Road Transport Network for fast and secure transmission of parcels on identified routes. 11 major routes have been started this year.

iv. Department has introduced Mechanized Nodal Delivery of parcels from identified delivery centres in certain cities.


v. GPS devices have been installed in mail vans and other security measures improved.

vi. As a result of the efforts towards improving the quality of its services, the revenues of the Department have been consistently growing in the last several years.

Trend of Revenue Growth (Rs. In crore)
Trend of Revenue Growth (Rs. in crore)
Item FY 2012-13 FY 2013-14 FY 2014-15
Total Revenue 9366,60
10730.42
11635.98
(vii) Parcel revenue registered 37% growth in 2014-15. 117% growth in parcel revenue till 31st October 2015 in the current financial year.

(viii) Rs. 970 Crore Cash On Delivery collection done by Department of Posts till November 2015.

(ix) Speed Post revenue growth in the current financial year is more than 16%. CAG report laid in Parliament on 8th May 2015 highlighted that Speed Post is far better than private couriers, in terms of reach, assured delivery and delivery time.

Government announces first batch of 20 Smart cities - Bhubaneswar tops the list
Press Information Bureau 
Government of India
Ministry of Urban Development

28-January-2016 17:58 IST

Government announces first batch of 20 smart cities from 11 States and Delhi 

Bhubaneswar tops the list; Bhopal at 20
 

23 States/UTs left out to participate in fast track competition
 

Selection through competition totally objective and transparent, says Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu
 

20 cities propose an investment of Rs.50,802 cr over five years ; All cities to resort to PPP
 

26,735 acres area in 20 cities identified for making them smart
 
            The Government today announced the 20 winners of the Smart City Challenge competition for financing during this financial year. Announcing the cities here today, Minister of Urban Development Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu said that the winners were from 11 States and the Union Territory of Delhi and the selection was totally objective and transparent based on standardized processes.
            Shri Naidu further said that Smart City Mission marks a paradigm shift towards urban development in the country since it is based on ‘bottom up’ approach with the involvement of citizens in formulation of city vision and smart city plans and the Urban Local Bodies and State Governments piloting the mission with little say for the Ministry of Urban Development. He also observed that it was for the first time in the country and even in the world that investments in urban sector are being made based on competition based selection of cities.
            Informing that 1.52 crore citizens participated in shaping smart city plans of 97 cities and towns in the first round of competition, Shri Naidu said that this enthusiastic participation of people is a major positive outcome.
            3 cities from Madhya Pradesh, two each from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan and one each from the remaining five made it to the winning list.
            The Minister informed that 23 States and UTs who could not make to the list of winners will be given an opportunity to participate in a ‘fast track competition’. Each top ranking city form these left out states can upgrade their smart city proposals and submit them by April 15, this year for inclusion in the mission.
            Shri Naidu informed that the 20 winning cities and towns have proposed a total investment of Rs.50,802 cr over five years with all the cities proposing Public-Private-Partnership as a major vehicle of resource mobilization. 10 of the 20 cities have proposed to mobilise Rs.8,521 cr under PPP model while others have also indicated this option. A total area of 26,735 acres has been identified by these cities for making them smart through necessary interventions.
            Elaborating on the advantages of Smart City Mission, Shri Venkaiah Naidu said that this leads to integrated urban planning by addressing the issue of infrastructure, land use planning, transport, urban design and architecture in a holistic manner unlike in the past. Stating that building a smart city is not a destination but a series of small steps in that direction, Shri Naidu said that the country has taken one such step today.
            The Minister said that urban local bodies are taking a quantum jump to improve their capabilities and have resorted to SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis of each city for coming out with city vision.
            The 20 smart cities announced by Shri Venkaiah Naidu were :
           
Rank
City
State
1
Bhubaneswar
Odisha
2
Pune
Maharashtra
3
Jaipur
Rajasthan
4.
Surat
Gujarat
5
Kochi
Kerala
6
Ahmedabad
Gujarat
7
Jabalpur
Madhya Pradesh
8
Visakhapatnam
Andhra Pradesh
9
|Solapur
Maharashtra
10
Davanagere
Karnataka
11
Indore
MP
12
New Delhi Municipal Council
Delhi
13
Combattore
Tamil Nadu
14
Kakinada
Andhra Pradesh
15
Belagavi
Karnataka
16
Udaipur
Rajasthan
17
Guwahati
Assam
18
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
19
Ludhiana
Punjab
20
Bhopal
MP

            Of these 20 cities accounting for a total population of 3.54 crore, 5 have  population below 5 lakhs each, 4 in the range of 5-10 lakhs, 6 in between 10-25 lakhs, 4 between 25 and 50 lakhs and only Ahmedabad has above 50 lakhs.
AAR