Today's Special:

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Postman Exam: Training Class on 01-08-2010.

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Coaching Class to all applicants of next Postman Exam will be held at Ottapalam HPO premises on 01-08-2010 (Sunday) from 0930 hrs. All applicants are requested to attend the coaching class without fail.

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20% SUPERVISORY POSTS & 6% OPERATIVE POSTS SURRENDERED FOR TBOP/BCR ARE RESTORED

The Department of Post has now clarified that reduction of staff earlier implemented as matching savings for implementation of TBOP/BCR promotions stands withdrawn from 01.09.2008. (Copy of letter No. 25-5/2010-PE.I dated 19.07.2010 of Department of Posts)
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10% D.A FROM 01.07.2010

All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) on base 2001=100 value has been released by Labour Bureau. The value of the index stands at 174 level. As such, the Dearness Allowance for Central Government Employees will be raised 10% and total of 45% (35% + 10%). All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) on base 2001=100 for the month of June, 2010 has been increased by 2 points and stood at 174 (one hundred and seventy four).

Posted By: Abdul Rahiman T.P, Secretary, PIII.

POSTAL BILL LIKELY TO BE PLACED FOR ADOPTION IN PARLIAMENT

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New Delhi: A new regulator on the cards for India Post and private courier firms would fix the tariffs for their services. The government has comprehensively re-drafted an earlier Bill on postal regulation with a view to bringing the entire communication industry under a regulatory regime similar to the one for the telecom sector.

As per the re-drafted Bill —the Post Office and Courier Services Bill, 2010—which was reviewed by FE, the courier firms would need to register themselves with the regulator—Postal Regulatory Authority of India (PRAI)— and adhere to a set of guidelines for quality of services framed by it. The firms will also have to contribute to a Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) to enable delivery of postal services to financially unviable areas at affordable rates.

However, the government has dropped the controversial provision in the original (2006) draft of the Bill which sought to bar private courier firms from carrying packets weighing below 500 gm. Also, in a departure from the original draft, which specified the fee structure for the players, the new Bill has left such matters for the regulator to decide.

The size of the Indian courier industry is over Rs 4,000 crore with major players being DHL, FedEx India and DTDC.

As per the latest proposal, PRAI will have functions similar to that of telecom regulator TRAI. It can suo motto recommend to the government policy measures on the entire gamut of the postal sector. On its part, the government can seek its recommendations on issues of importance.

Once PRAI is constituted, all existing courier firms would have to register themselves with it for a 10-year period on payment of a fee. The registration, of course, can be renewed once it expires.

The regulator would set eligibility criteria for those wanting to enter the sector in the new regulated regime. It would have powers to recommend to the government revocation of licences of any firm which fails to meet the criteria set out by it.

The government (read the department of post and a reinforced Postal Board) would retain the powers to make policies and provide licences.

A Postal Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal would be set up to arbitrate on disputes between the industry and the regulator, the regulator and the government, industry and the government; and between industry players.

Financial Express 26.07.2010

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Small Savings Interest may reduce - Government considereing to link with prevailing market rate.

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The government is considering to deregulate interest rates on small savings schemes like public provident fund (PPF) and post office deposits, linking them to the prevailing interest rates in the markets.

The move will reduce returns on such schemes. At present, the interest rates on small savings schemes are fixed by the government, which are normally higher than the prevailing interest rates in the market. For example, the interest rate on PPF is 8%, which is tax-free, while that on the other similar instruments like bank deposits are lower.

The post-tax return on bank deposits is around 5.5% for those who fall in the highest tax bracket of 30%.

Towards this end, the government has set up a committee under the Reserve Bank of India deputy governor Shyamla Gopinath — to suggest the ways and means — for deregulating interest rates on small savings schemes. Small savings schemes mobilise huge amount of funds as they offer higher interest rates.

According to the Budget estimate, in 2010-11, these schemes may fetch Rs 50,300 crore, taking the total mobilisation to Rs 7,57,000 crore.

Funds mobilised under small savings schemes are disbursed to the central and state governments as debt. As the cost of the small savings funds are high, state governments pay higher interest rates (9.5%-10%) on the loans taken from these schemes compared to other sources in the market.

The 13th Finance Commission headed by former finance secretary Vijay Kelkar had suggested to bring down the interest rates on outstanding loans to 9% by the end of 2009-10.

But for this, the interest rates on small savings should also be brought down.

At the same time, according to the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, states cannot borrow from open market beyond 4% of their fiscal deficits. Therefore, states are not able to benefit from prevailing lower interest rates in the market and take higher-interest loans from small savings.

The committee will also examine the new investment opportunities for the funds mobilized under small savings schemes. At present, the funds could be invested only in the central and state governments special securities. Committee will also review the administrative arrangement including the cost of operation.

Source : Times of India

Posted By: Abdul Rahiman T.P, Secretary, PIII.

Secretary Department of Posts issued orders to all CPMGs to take immediate action to fill up all the Direct Recruitment Vacancies of PA/SA for the years 2009 and 2010 (including the anticipated vacancies up to 31-12-2010). Select list should be published before16-12-2010.

This is one of our Major Demand in the proposed July-10 strike.

Copy of the orders issued is given below:

FLASH NEWS:

GDS Pension Proposal (Annuity Scheme recommended by Natarajamurthy Committee)

cleared by Finance Ministry. It will take some more time to get permission from PFRDA. After that option will be called for from all GDS whether willing to remain in the Severance Amount Scheme or the NEW ANNUITY SCHEME. It is likely t o be implemented from 01-01-2011. NFPE is making all out efforts to get the Scheme implemented soon.

Posted by: Abdul Rahiman T.P, Secretary ,PIII.

PROGRESS OF GROUP D COURT CASE:

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The Court has further directed the Department to fill up all vacancies up to 2009, including abolished posts from 2002 to 2009 and allowed time up to 20th August 2010 to complete the process. According to this we have given a letter as given below to the SPOs, Ottapalam Division with a request to fill up all the remaining vacancies up to 2009, early. The letter is reproduced below:

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EDU/Court/2010 17-07-2010

To

The Superintendent of Post Offices,

Ottapalam Division,

Ottapalam-679101.

Sub:- Filling up of vacant Group D posts of Ottapalam Division in the light of

Court Orders dated 16-04-2010-reg

Sir,

Ref:. This Union letter No. EDU/Court/2010 Dated: 01-07-2010

Kindly refer to the letter cited above,in which the details of Group D post occurred vacant during the years from 2002 to 2009, were intimated. In that letter we had clearly mentioned that there are 13 (Thirteen) clear vacancies of Group D in our Division for the period from 2002 to 2009.Directions of the Hon’ble CAT and the Hon’ble High Court is that the abolition of Group D post under the pretext of screening is irregular and all the posts (including abolished posts) should be filled up. But in our Division, it is learnt that only 7 (Seven) vacancies are filled up against 13 actual number of vacancies, vide SP, Ottapalam Memo No. B2/4/Gr.D/Rectt dt 16-07-2010. This is against the directions and spirit of Court orders. It is requested to fill up the above remaining 6 (six) vacancies also without any further delay.

Immediate action in the matter is requested.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

M.C.Velayudhan M. Aravindakshan Abdul Rahiman T.P

Secretary GDS Secretary PIV Secretary PIII

Posted By : Abdul Rahiman T.P, Secretary, PIII.

Today's News:

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1): Mckinsy & CO Meeting : As promised in the strike agreement , on 15-07-2010 Mckinsy & CO arranged a Meeting . The Secretary Posts chaired the Meeting Sri Reshikesh Director(MM) made a power point presentation about the future plan of Dept on Mail network processing . Federations and RMS & MMS Unions registered its protest over the appointment of Mckinsy as consultant for this project. According to the presentation there is nothing new expect some colorful words here and there. However Unions appreciated the Secretary Posts for taking Interest in the core business.

2): LTC 80 Scheme – Clarification on Air ticket charges paid on the date of booking

F.No. 19046/1/2008-E.IV

Ministry of Finance

Ministry of Expenditure

E-IV Branch

New Delhi, the 15thJuly, 2010

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Clarification regarding re-imbursement of LTC-80 fare.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM No.7(1)/E.Coord/2008 dated 4-12-2008 wherein Air India's LTC 80 scheme was introduced from 1st December, 2008, for LTC travelers entitled to travel by Air. A number of references from different Government Departments/offices have been received in this Ministry seeking clarification whether the prevailing fare on the date of booking of LTC 80 tickets is to be reimbursed or claim is to be restricted to Air India's LTC 80 fare as on 1 December, 2008.

2. The matter has been considered in this Ministry and it is clarified that the fare paid on the date of booking of ticket under LTC 80 scheme of Air India may be reimbursed.

(Karan Singh)

Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

3) : Ex-gratia lump sum compensation ceiling is removed to the families of deceased Central Government Employees

There is no ceiling for grant of ex-gratia lump sum compensation to the families of deceased Central Government Employees. The restriction of ceiling for the compensation of Rs.20 lakhs (each individual) is removed.

No.45/7/2008-P&PW (F)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare
3rd, Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,

Khan Market, New Delhi-II0 003

Dated the 12thJuly, 2010

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Implementation of the Government's decision on the recommendation of the Sixth CPC-Revision of provisions regulating special benefits in the cases of Death and Disability in service - payment of ex-gratia lump sum compensation to families of central Govt.employees - modification - regarding -
The undersigned is directed to say that in this Department's Office Memorandum of even number dated 16thMarch, 2009, it was provided that ex-gratia lump sum compensation to the families of deceased Government servants including from sundry Government sources, such as the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, Chief Minister's Relief Fund, etc. should not exceed the aggregate of Rs. 20 lakhs in each individual case. Para 12 of Annexe to this Department's OM 45/55/97-P&PW(C) dated 11thSeptember, 1998 was modified to that extent.

2. The matter has been further reviewed and it has now been decided that there will be no ceiling for grant of ex-gratia lump sum compensation in terms of Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare's OM No. OM 45/55/97-P&PW(C) dated 11thSeptember, 1998 read with OM NO.38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 2nd September, 2008and OM No.45/7/2008-P&PW (F) dated 16th March, 2009.
3. The above revised provision will be effective from 1.1.2006.
4. All other terms and conditions in the O.M. dated 11th September, 1998 shall remain unchanged.5. This issues with the concurrence of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure U.O. No. 361/EV/2010 dated 4thJune, 20106. In so far as persons serving in the Indian Audit & Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.

(Tripti P Ghosh)Director(PP)

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GROUP D CASE

In the light of court direction the administration has made the following Group D postings with senior GDS, in our Division today.

Sl..No	Name	Designation	Posted as	Remarks
1	P A Bhaskaran	BPM SRK Nagar	Group D Ottapalam HO
2	K Unnikrishnan	GDS MD Akalur	Group D Ottapalam HO	Case
3	Mohanan	P/T sweeper Kannur	Group D Ottapalam HO	Senior P/T sweeper vacancy
4	K Pariyani	GDS MD Kanjirapuzha	Group D Pattambi	Case
5	Narayanan	GDS MD Peringod	Group D Kumaranellur	Case
6	Sedhumadhavan	GDS MD Munnurkode	Group D Cherpelessery
7	Murukan	GDS MD Mattathukad	Group D Mannarkad	ST vacancy

Congratulations to all.......

Divisional Secretaries

Posted by Abdul rahiman T P , Secretary P III