Tuesday 22 July 2014

Scholarships to College and University Students

Under the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students, students who are above 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant stream from a particular Board of Examination, in class XII of 10+2 pattern or equivalent, having parental income of less than Rs.6.00 lakh per annum and pursuing regular courses (not correspondence or distance mode) from recognized educational institutions and not availing of any other scholarship scheme, are eligible for consideration of award of scholarship. 
The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students is implemented through the State Education Boards and Central Board of Secondary Education who disseminate the information about the Scheme. 
The Government also facilitates award of scholarships offered by the foreign governments for Indian students to pursue higher studies in the respective countries. The selection of candidates for such awards is done strictly on the basis of merit. 
This information was given by the Union Minister of HRD, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha question today.

REF:http://sapost.blogspot.in/2014/07/scholarships-to-college-and-university.html

Gramin Dak Sevaks are not regular Govt. Employees not eligible for PF, Pension Gratuity

Gramin Dak Sevaks are not regular Govt. Employees not eligible for PF, Pension Gratuity: Govt said in Lok Sabha in reply of undermentioned Lok Unstarred Question:-

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 490
ANSWERED ON 14.07.2014
GRAMIN DAK SEWAKS
490 . Shri RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY
Will the 
Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Gramin Dak Sewaks are not eligible for normal facilities like 
Provident Fund, Pension, Gratuity etc. like the other postmen in the country;

(b) if so, 
the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(c) the corrective steps taken/being taken by 
the Government in this regard?

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

(a) No, Madam, They are not eligible.


(b) Gramin Dak Sevaks are not regular govt. employees. They are part time workers and are governed by a separate set of Conduct and Engagement Rules. They do not form part of the regular civil service. They are engaged for only 3-5 hours daily work. It is mandatory for them to have an independent source of livelihood before being engaged as Gramin Dak Sewak. Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Union of India and Others vs. Kameshwar Prasad 1998 SCC (L&S) page 447 held that P&T Extra Departmental Agent (C&S) Rules, 1964 are a complete code governing service, conduct and disciplinary proceedings against Extra Departmental Agents [now called Gramin Dak Sevaks]. On discharge from service on attaining the age of 65 years or on death, Gramin Dak Sevaks [GDS] are paid Ex-Gratia Gratuity and Severance Amount as approved for them by the Cabinet.
The Ex-gratia Gratuity is paid at the rate of half months basic Time Related Continuity Allowance [TRCA] drawn immediately before discharge of service for each completed year of service subject to a maximum of Rs. 60000 or 16.5 months basic TRCA last drawn whichever is less. The minimum service prescribed for this is 10 years. In addition, Severance Amount is paid at the rate of Rs. 1500 for every completed year of service subject to a maximum of Rs. 60000. The Government has already introduced Service Discharge Benefit Scheme in lieu of severance amount scheme effective from 01.04.2011 for the benefit of Gramin Dak Sevaks on the basis of the New Pension Scheme (NPS), specifically NPS Lite Scheme launched by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). Under this scheme, the Government as well as Gramin Dak Sevaks concerned now contributes @ Rs. 200/- per month.

(c) Does not arise in view of reply to (b) above.

Saturday 12 July 2014

Some excerpts from Union Budget 2014-15 related to POST OFFICE

Kissan Vikas Patra

27.
Kissan Vikas Patra (KVP) was a very popular instrument among small savers. I plan to reintroduce the instrument to encourage people, who may have banked and unbanked savings to invest in this instrument. 
Small Savings
136.
To address the concerns of decline in savings rate and improving returns for small savers, I propose to revitalize small savings.
137.
My Government attaches utmost importance to the welfare of Girl Child. A special small savings instrument to cater to the requirements of educating and marriage of the Girl Child will be introduced. A National Savings Certificate with insurance cover will also be launched to provide additional benefits for the small saver.
138.
In the PPF Scheme, annual ceiling will be enhanced to Rs 1.5 lakh p.a. From Rs 1 lakh at present.

Highlights of Union Budget 2014

Here are the highlights of Union Budget 2014 tabled by finance minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday:
* ​Indian Custom Single Window Project to be taken up for facilitating trade. 
* Clean energy cess increased from Rs 50/ tonne to Rs 100/tonne. 

Additional 5% excise tax to be levied on aerated drinks with added sugar (cold drinks). Tobacco products also to get costly as excise duty hiked to 72%

Government announces reduction in excise duty for specified food package industry from 10% to 6%.

*​ Excise duty on footwear reduced from 12% to 6%

* Basic custom duty on LED panel below 19 inch made nil.

Government announces measures to encourage manufacture of LCD/LED panels of TVs. 

Housing loan rebate to raised from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.

* Net effect of direct tax proposals is revenue loss of Rs 22,200 crore.

Government proposes to increase investment limit under Section 80C from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh. 

Tax exemption limit for small and marginal, and senior tax payers changed from Rs 2.0 to Rs 2.5 lakh. For senior citizens, no tax for income up to Rs 3 lakh per annum. 

No changes in tax rate. 

PPF limit to be raised to Rs 1.5 lakh: Jaitley




* Rs 100 crore for training of sportspersons for upcoming Asian Games.

* Government announces Rs 150 crore for communication needs of Andaman and Nicobar islands.

* Government announces Arun Prabha channel for northeastern region; will be 24/7 channel.

Rs 1000 crore provided for rail connectivity in northeastern region.

* Programme for displaced Kashmiri migrants with Rs 500 crore to be started.

* Rs 100 crore set aside for project to link rivers.

* Government announces Rs 100 crore for development of Archaeological sites. Gaya to be developed as world class tourism spot.

* Rs 5000 crore set aside for defence outlay over and above amount provided under interim budget.

National Police Memorial to be set up. Rs 50 crore set aside for this purpose.

* Rs 100 crore set aside for development of Technology Development Fund.

Rs 100 crore War Memorial at Princess Park, India Gate. 

Policy of One Rank One Pension to be adopted for defence personnel.

* RBI will create framework for licenses of small banks.

* Government aims to provide all households with banking facilities to empower the weaker sections; there should be atleast 2 bank a/cs in each household.

* Urgent need to converge current Indian standard with international accounting standards: Jaitley

* Rs 37, 800 crore allotted for National Highways.

* Revision of rate of royalty on minerals to be taken up on request from the states.





In order to complete gas grid, 15000 km of additional pipeline to be developed through PPP mode.

* ​New and renewable energy deserves high priority; ultra modern power projects to be taken up in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Ladakh with Rs 500 crore.

Rs 4200 crore set aside for Jal Marg Vikas project on river Ganga connecting Allahabad to Haldia , over 1620 km.

* Scheme for development of new airports at tier II and III cities through PPP mode.

* Rs 200 crore set aside for 6 more textile clusters in Rae Bareily, Lucknow, Surat, Bhagalpur. Rs 50 crore set aside for Pashmina Production program in J&K.

* MSMEs are the backbone of the economy; to be revived through a Committee to examine and report in three months.

* 6 more textile clusters to be set up.

* Industrial Smart Cities to come up at 7 cities.

* All govt departments and ministries to be integrated through E-platform by 31 December this year.

Rs 100 crore set aside for Kisan Television to provide real time information on various farming and agriculture issues. (Read story here)

* National Industrial Corridor to be set up. Rs 1000 crore set aside for this.

* Rs 5000 crore short time rural credit refinance fund for 2014-15.

* Rs 50 core set aside for indigenous cattle breed and blue revolution for inland fisheries.

* Propose to provide finance to 5 lakh landless farmers through NABARD.

* Govt will initiate scheme to provide a soil health card; Rs 100 crore set aside. Rs 56 crore for soil testing labs across the country.

* Agriculture University in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, and Horticulture University in Haryana, Telangana; Rs. 200 cr set aside by the government.

* Slum development to be included in Corporate Social Responsibility activities.

Govt announces Rs 100 crore for modernization of madrassas.

* Govt announces development of Metro rails in PPP mode; Rs 100 crore set aside for metro scheme in Ahmedabad and Lucknow.

Rs 100 crore set aside for Community Radio Centres; 600 new and existing ones will be supported.

* National Rural Internet and Technology Mission; Rs 500 crore set aside.

* Govt proposes to set up Center of Excellence in MP named after Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan.

5 more IITs and 5 IIMs to be set up .

* Propose to set up four more AIIMS; Rs. 500 crore set aside for this. Six new AIIMS started recently have become functional. Four new AIIMS will be set up in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Vidarbha and Purvanchal. (Read story here)

* Govt proposes National Housing Banking programme; sets aside Rs 8000 crore for this program.




* Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana has a massive impact on rural development; Govt sets aside Rs 14,389 crore for this scheme.

* Crisis Management Center for women at Delhi; money to be provided from Nirbhaya fund.

* Govt announces Beti Padhao, Beti Badhao Yojana; sets aside Rs 100 crore for this. (Read story here)

* Safety of women of prime importance.

* EPFO will launch a unified account scheme for portability of Provident Fund accounts.

* Schemes for disabled persons in the country. 15 new Brail presses to be established and revival of 10 existing.

* Rs 50,548 crore proposed for Schedule Caste development.

​* Govt committed to providing 24/7 power supply to all homes. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojna for electricity supply to rural areas.

* Rs 200 crore for 'Statue of Unity' of Sardar Vallabh Patel.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichayin Yojana to be started for irrigation.

* We will examine proposal to give additional autonomy to banks and make them more responsible: Jaitley

E-visas to be introduced at nine airports in India in phased manner. (Read storyhere)

FDI in insurance to be increased to 49%

* FM announces FDI in defence up from 26 to 49 % with Indian management and control

* Transfer pricing is major area for litigation; proposes changes in transfer pricing regulation: Jaitley

* I propose to strengthen authority for advance ruling in tax: Jaitley

* Aim to achieve 7-8 per cent economic growth rate in next 3-4 years.

* We wish to provide an investment friendly taxation system: Jaitley

* This govt will not ordinarily change policies retrospectively which creates a fresh liability.

* GST will streamline tax administration and result in higher tax collection for center and states. (Read story here.)

* A new urea policy would be formulated.

* Considering that we had two years of low GDP growth, a large subsidy burden, target of 4.1% fiscal burden is daunting: Jaitley

* We must address the problem of black money: Jaitley

* Iraq crisis leading behind an impact. Inflation has remained at elevated level: Jaitley

* We have taken up the challenge in the right ernest; will create a vibrant and strong India: Jaitley.



* The task before me is very challenging. We need to introduce fiscal prudence. there is an urgent need for more reforms.
* The steps I will announce are only the beginning of the journey we wish to take for macro economic stabilization: Jaitley
*People below poverty line anxious to free themselves: Jaitley
* Green shoots of recovery seen in world economy.
*​ We look forward to lower inflation: Jaitley

Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Grant of increased rate of washing allowance to the Canteen Employees

A new Holiday Home at Tirupati in Andhrapradesh(AP) for Central Government Employees...
New Holiday Home at Tirupathi –  Advance Booking started  for Rooms / Suits
      The holy place of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage spots in India and now, a new Holiday Home at Tirupati in Andhrapradesh (AP) to stay for Central Government Employees with their family members. Directorate of Estates under Ministry of Urban Development has announced that the Holiday Home at Tirupati construction work has been completed and it comes for booking with immediate effect.


The contact numbers of the concerned officials at Tirupati Holiday Home are mentioned below. 

D. No. 4-7-29/2, 
TUDA Apartments Complex, Near I.S. 
Mahal Threater, 
Nrisimha Teertham Road, 
Tirupati-517507 


Contact Telephone/Telefax number 
0877  2262211 

Rates of booking will be charged as per existing categories, holiday home at Tirupati comes under Category ‘C’ and accordingly
. 
FOR CATEGORY ‘C’ 
Room / Suite
Member of Parliament (For their own stay)
Category of applicants / Visitors


1
2
3


Central Govt. employee (serving/retired)
Employees of State Govt./UTs/Central or State PSU/Autonomous Bodies/Others (serving/Retired)
Private Persons accompanying as guests ofMPs/Govt. employees
VIP
Rs. 150
Rs. 450
Rs. 900
Rs. 1,350
Double/Three bedded AC
Rs. 150
Rs. 180
Rs. 330
Rs. 480
Double/Three bedded
Non-AC
Rs. 150
Rs. 150
Rs. 300
Rs. 450
Four bedded AC
Rs. 150
Rs. 230
Rs. 430
Rs. 630
Four bedded Non-AC
Rs. 150
Rs. 200
Rs. 400
Rs. 600
Dormitory
(per bed)
Rs. 150
Rs. 50
Rs. 100
Rs. 100


Download OM issued by Directorate of Estates as follows...
Source: CGEN.in 
[http://centralgovernmentemployeesnews.in/2014/07/holiday-home-at-tirupati-in-ap-for-central-govt-employees/]

PLI - To become the first choice insurer in India.



e-Postal Life Insurance Some of the key process changes that will take place are mentioned below:


 Policy service requests can now be submitted through multiple channels like online, Post Office, CPCs and customer call center  Every Head Office will have an attached Circle Processing Center. (CPCs) wherein all types of functions relating to servicing of policies will take place. Around 809 Central Processing Centers (CPCs) would be set up
 Introduction of a system which will help in identifying potential customers.  Introduction of a system which will help in managing all the agents like disbursement of their commissions, performance tracking etc.
 Hand held device will be an interaction channel for customers for transactions such as payment of premiums, query, grievance, policy service request, request for an agent etc. Any type of customer related query can be resolved by calling at the call center 
 PLI/RPLI implementation seeks to meet the following objectives:  Become the first choice insurer for all the eligible customers in the country  Develop a fully integrated life insurance platform to enable efficient and cost effective service to existing and new customers  Enhanced quality of service being offered to the customers  Provide Insurance cover to large rural population, while minimizing the cost of operations
 PLI/RPLI will provide the following benefits:  Enable DoP employees to do all work relating to PLI/ RPLI like ‐ issue of policy documents, collection of premium, disbursement of loan, payment of claims etc. through one integrated software.  Process streamlining and faster application processing will increase efficiency in operations.  Provide robust data driven decision making, as MIS can be extracted from anywhere
 Better customer service / Lesser grievance. Automated claims management and renewal notices
 Better manpower utilization.  Employees satisfaction due to simpler and automated processes
For further details visit:
https://www.postallifeinsuarance.gov.in
https://www.indiapost.gov.in
Email us at:connect.indiapost.cm@gmail.com