08/01/2016
List of new office bearers of Federation of National Postal Organisations - Department approved

No.17-06/2015-SR

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

(SR Section)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi- 110001

Dated the 06th January, 2016

To,

1. All Heads of Postal Circle.

2. All Postmasters General.

3. Director of Postal Staff College, Ghaziabad (UP).

4. CGM, PLI Directorate, Chankyapuri PO, New Delhi.

5. CGM, (BD&M) Directorate, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi.

6. Postmaster General, Foreign Mails, Mumbai.

7. All Directors, Postal Training Centres.

8. Directors Foreign Mails, Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi.

9. All Directors/Dy. Directors of Accounts (Postal).

Subject: List of new office bearers of Federation of National Postal Organisations elected in 10^th Federal Congress held at Kolkata from 03.11.2015 to 06.11.2015.

Madam/Sir,

I am directed to state that fresh election of Federation of National Postal Organisations has been conducted and a list of new office bearers elected in 10^th Federal Congress held at Kolkata from 03.11.2015 to 06.11.2015 is as under:-

Designation	Name of the Office Bearer (Shri/Smt.)
President	1. T. N. Rahate (Maharashtra)
Working President	1. Rajat S. Das (West Bengal)
Vice Presidents	1. Ghulam Rabbani (Andhra Pradesh) 2. R. S. Yadav, Uttar Pradesh 3. T. K. Govindarajan (Tamil Nadu) 4. Ranjit P. Gohil (Gujarat)
Secretary General	1. D. Theagarajan (Tamil Nadu)
Deputy Secretary General	1. D. Kishan Rao (Andhra Pradesh)
Asst. Secretary Generals	1. N. N. Majawar (Maharashtra) 2. B. Shivakumar (Karnataka) 3. A. K. Solanki (Gujarat) 4. Rabindranath Biswas (West Bengal) 5. R. H. Gupta (Maharashtra)
Finance Secretary	1. Brij Mohan (Delhi Circle)
Asst. Finance Secretary	1. Jagdish Sharma (Delhi Circle)

2. This is for information and taking necessary action as per existing instructions on the subject.

Yours faithfully,

-sd-

(Arun Malik)

Director (SR & Legal)

Copy to:-

1. Secretary General, Federation of National Postal Organisations, T-24, Atul Grove Road, New Delhi- 110 001.

2. All Sections in the Department of Posts.

-sd-

(Arun Malik)

Director (SR & Legal)

Postal dept's Postinfo, RICT services, a crowd puller

Mysuru, Jan 08, 2016, DHNS

Visitors to ‘Pride of India’, particularly students, were excited to witness a variety of initiatives and services of Postal department. Recent initiatives such as Rural Information and Communication Technology (RICT) and Postinfo, a mobile application.

H P Vinayak, a class nine student, said, he was unaware about a variety of services that the Postal department offered. “I have never visited a post office and did not know much about the facilities available. It offers a wide range of services,” he said.

Like him, a majority of the students were unaware about the services and facilities available in the department. A majority of visitors to the stall were students, with not much knowledge about the department. But, they were keen to know about it, said G Kanchana, Assistant Manager, Centre for Excellence in Postal Technology (CEPT), Mysuru.

Indian Posts, Mysuru division, has displayed a variety of services with recent upgrading. Of them, Postinfo and RICT were attracting the crowds.

With the help of Postinfo, developed by the CEPT, one can easily locate a post office, track containers and calculate insurance premium and interest provided by the department to its customers. Besides, customers can track their mail such as Speed Post, Registered Letter, Registered Parcel, Insured Parcel, Business Parcel, Express Parcel and Electronic Money Order.

Customers need to enter the article number to get the status of the service. The app also provides the interest rate for different savings schemes like National Savings Certificate, Kisan Vikas Patra and others. At present 70,000 customers across the country are using the app. It can be downloaded from Google App store for free.

In a move to computerise all the post offices and to offer services at the customers’ door steps, the department has introduced the RICT. The concept offers a wide range of services and facilities, particularly for rural citizens, including financial services, and disbursement of social security schemes.

Through the RICT, the department also aims to generate more revenue, by offering new services to rural customers like collection of electricity and telephone bills, booking of train tickets, etc. The RICT provides higher self-esteem for Gramin Dak Sevaks, says Kanchana.

Through the hand-held device, postal personnel are able to transact for core banking, insurance and mail operations at the customers’ door steps. Regional language support on the device and provision of solar panels for battery charging has made the device unique, she added.

Today Bank Strike – The union is against imposition of SBI’s service conditions and career progression rules in associate banks.

All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) has called for a one-day nation-wide strike on January 8 to protest against the “unfair” policies adopted by SBI with respect to its five associate banks.
The country’s largest lender has five subsidiaries — State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Hyderabad and State Bank of Patiala.
“The agitation is because of the continued unfair labour practises of the SBI management who are trying to force SBI service conditions on the associate banks,” AIBEA said in a statement.
The union is against imposition of SBI’s service conditions and career progression rules in associate banks.
They have also demanded de-linking the associate banks from SBI.
AIBEA had earlier planned for a similar strike in associate banks on December 1 and 2.
However, the strike was deferred subsequent to a conciliation meeting on November 23, 2015, wherein SBI management agreed to defer the implementation of the career progression scheme and hold bilateral discussions with the unions.
“The bilateral meeting that was subsequently held with the union was futile and the management continued with their adamant stand on the issues. Hence, we are going on with the strike,” it added.
However, the proposed one day strike on the 8th of January, will deprive the customers of any banking service consecutively for three days, as the 8th January’s strike on Friday is followed by second Saturday of the month, then its Sunday.
Source: Economic Times

India to remain bright spot of global economy: World Bank

Washington, Jan 7:

India will continue to be the bright spot of the global economy and is projected to grow at a robust 7.8 per cent in fiscal 2016-17, more than a percentage point higher than China’s, according to the World Bank.

In its latest Global Economic Prospect report — which is released every six months — the World Bank marginally reduced India’s growth rate — 0.2 per cent in 2015 and 0.1 per cent in both 2016 and 2017.

However, India continues to be the bright spot of the global economy as Chinese growth is projected to slow further.

India, the dominant economy in Asia, is projected to grow by a robust 7.8 per cent this year and 7.9 per cent in the next two years.

The World Bank estimates that China grew at an estimated 6.9 per cent in 2015 (0.3 per cent less than its June projection).

According to the report, China is estimated to grow at 6.7 per cent in 2016 and 6.5 per cent each in 2017 and 2018.

The growth rate projections are 0.3 per cent in 2016 and 0.4 per cent in 2017. Russia and Brazil are expected to remain in recession in 2016.

“In contrast to other major developing countries, growth in India remained robust, buoyed by strong investor sentiment and the positive effect on real incomes of the recent fall in oil prices,” the World Bank said.

India’s currency and stock markets were largely resilient over the past year, even during bouts of volatility in global financial markets, the report said.

Reserve Bank of India, it said, has rebuilt reserves while net FDI flows have remained positive.

Ongoing fiscal consolidation in India has reduced the Centre’s fiscal deficit to close to 4 per cent of GDP (on a 12-month rolling basis), down from a peak of 7.6 per cent in 2009.

In the report, South Asia is projected to be a bright spot in the outlook for emerging and developing economies, with growth speeding up to 7.3 per cent in 2016 from 7 per cent in the year just ended.

The region has smaller trade links with China than other regions, and is a net importer of oil and will benefit from lower global energy prices.

Pakistan (on a factor cost basis) is expected to accelerate to 4.5 per cent, the report said.

The Hindu BusinessLine

07/01/2016

1)Proposal for amendment of Recruitment Rules for the post of Jr.Draughtsman (Civil) in the Civil Wing of the Department of Posts

2) Modi government decides to shut 3 HMT units, offer VRS to employees Economic Times.

Click the above links to read more.

06/01/2016

Transfer/Posting in the HAG/SAG of the Indian Postal Service Group-A

1)Problems related to Core Banking Solutions –Reg.
2)Problems faced by the staff in rolling out finacle and CSI software – Request for immediate remedial measures – Reg. Click here to view letters
Our Federation sent letter to Sri B.V.Sudhakur,Member Technology,Postal Services Board,Dak Bhavan,NEW DELHI – 110001.

India Post serves notice to Birla MF over radio The department has demanded an apology and wants the advertisement - which it claims disparages 'registered post' and 'speed post' services -

MUMBAI: The Department of Posts served a notice this week to Aditya Birla Group and Big FM Radio Channel over a radio advertisement for Birla Sun Life Mutual Funds. The department has demanded an apology and wants the advertisement - which it claims disparages 'registered post' and 'speed post' services - to be taken off air.

The Hindi radio ad in question begins with a boss asking an employee to urgently send a mail. The employee responds by asking whether he should choose 'registered post' or 'speed post'. The voice on the radio goes on to describe the services as 'sust' (lethargic) methods which do not help in reaching your destination in time. It then goads listeners to choose mutual funds which are effective investment tools. Although the intention of the advertisement appears to be aimed at comparing electronic mail with physical mail, it does not expressly say so. Also, the description of 'registered post' and 'speed post' as lethargic has rankled the department.

According to sources, The department is upset because it feels that the ad perpetuates a misconception about 'registered post' and 'speed post' services, which have been audited by the CAG and certified to be superior to private courier services. When queried about the notice, P N Ranjit Kumar, postmaster general (Mumbai), said, "Department of Posts will not take kindly to attempts to malign its products and we will do whatever is required to protect the value of its brands."

The advertisement comes at a time when IndiaPost is seeking to revise its profile as an efficient logistics and financial services provider. The department is one of the recipients of an in-principle approval for a payments bank licence. Incidentally, the Aditya Birla Group has also received an in-principle approval for a payments bank from the Reserve Bank of India.

05/01/2015

Gazette Notification for increasing Bonus Calculation Ceiling is Published

The Gazette of India
EXTRAORDINARY
PART II — Section 1

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

No. 6] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016/PAUSHA 11, 1937 (SAKA)

Separate paging is given to this Part in order that it may be filed as a separate compilation.

MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
(Legislative Department)

New Delhi, the 1st January, 2016/Pausha 11, 1937 (Saka)

THE PAYMENT OF BONUS (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2015
NO. 6 OF 2016

[31st December, 2015.]

An Act further to amend the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—1. (1) This Act may be called the Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 2015.
(2) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 1st day of April, 2014.

2. In section 2 of the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), in clause (13), for the words ‘‘ten thousand rupees’’, the words ‘‘twenty-one thousand rupees’’ shall be substituted.

3. In section 12 of the principal Act,—(i) for the words ‘‘three thousand and five hundred rupees’’ at both the places where they occur, the words ‘‘seven thousand rupees or the minimum wage for the scheduled employment, as fixed by the appropriate Government, whichever is higher’’ shall respectively be substituted;
(ii) the following Explanation shall be inserted at the end, namely:—

‘Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, the expression ‘‘scheduled employment’’ shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (g) of section 2 of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.’.

4. In section 38 of the principal Act, for sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:—
‘‘(1) The Central Government may, subject to the condition of previous publication, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act.’’.

DR. G. NARAYANA RAJU,
Secretary to the Govt. of India.

Posting of Government employees who have abled dependents Dopt order Dt 05/01/2016

04/01/2015

7th Pay Commission Gross Pay vs Net Pay : Grade wise comparison by NFIR

Sub: Impact of the recommendations of 7th CPC- reg.

Ref: AM(B) note No. 2015-B-265 dated 23/12/2015 addressed to GS/NFIR.With reference to the note received from AM(B) dated 23/12/2015 on the subject relating to the implementation of the recommendations of 7th CPC on Railways, the Federation at the outset conveys as follows:-
During discussions with the Hon’ble MR and the Board (CRB, FC, MS) on 23rd December 2015, the NFIR General Secretary has expressed that there is all-round unhappiness on 7th CPC recommendations as in many cases the ‘Take Home Pay’ is either very marginal or less than what is received by the employee now. The Federation also disputed the estimated financial implications (Rs.28,500 crores) and said that the estimated expenditure has been exaggerated. It was also brought to the notice of the MR the retrograde recommendations of 7th CPC, while the case of Railway employees of various categories was not dealt adequately and the Railway Ministry has unfortunately not apprised the inadequacies of Grades Pay and Pay Band of 6th CPC to the Chairman, 7th CPC.

2. As desired vide note dated 23/12/2015, the Federation furnishes the followins details as Annexures to this letter.

(a) Table -I gives the position of 6th CPC minimum pay in Pay Band & Grade pay (PB-1 to PB-3) as on 01/01/2016.

(b) Table -I (a) explains the 7th CPC minimum pay from Level-l to Level-12 of the Pay Matrix.

[A comparison of Table-I with Table-I(a) reveals that the net benefit is marginal at Level-1, minus at Level-2. However, there may be substantial increase from Level-7 and above. If Income Tax deduction takes place, the increase will fall.]

(c) Table-II indicates 6th CPC minimum pay in GP + Pay Band without HRA.

Table-II (a) gives 7th CPC minimum pay without HRA (staff in occupation of Railway quarters are not entitled for HRA).

[A comparison of Table-II with Table-II (a) shows minus ‘Take Home Pay’ for employees of Level-I to Level-6 of Pay Matrix and equally marginal increase to those in Level-7, 8 & 9 of pay Matrix. Again in Level-10 the ‘Take Home Pay’ will be less than the present amount’. Overall position will be either “minus” or “marginal increase”. The Income Tax deduction would further worsen.]

(d) Table-III shows the approximate 6th CPC pay of employees after drawal of 10 annual increments.

Table III(a) provides information pertaining to 7th CPC Pay (approx) for staff in Level-1 to Level-12 (Pay Matrix).

[A comparison between Table-III and Table-III(a) reveals that there will be marginal increase to those in Level-1 to Level-6. Although there will be an increase of more than 2400 to those in Level-7 to Level-12, the Income Tax deduction would reduce their ‘Net Take Home Pay.’

(e) Table-IV gives position of 6th CPC Pay of staff (without HRA + 10 annual increments – approx) as on 01/01/2016

Table-IV(a) explains 7th CPC Pay without HRA as on 01/01/2016.

[A comparison of Table-IV with Table-IV (a) reveals that those in 7th CPC Pay Matrix Level-1 to Level-12 will draw minus salary. With Income Tax deduction, the position may be more worse.]

Note: (i) In the case of employees living in Railway Quarters (nearly 40%) the financial

(ii) The unfilled vacancies are approximately over two lakhs since the last two years. The implications of HRA will be Zero. The costs of these posts have already been saved by the Indian Railways.

Encls: Annexure I to Annexure IV
Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretar