Thursday 27 February 2014

DREAM COMES TRUE-FINALLY WE TOO GOT ATM SERVICE

BE PROUD ....THAT OUR DEPARTMENT MAKING MARK IN THE MAP OF INDIA BANKING INDUSTRY--- OUR BEST WISHES TO PROVE OUR STRENGTH IN THE FUTURE .

WE ARE REALIZING OUR DREAMS PRACTICALLY NOW.


SOURCE: http://sapost.blogspot.in/2014/02/countrys-first-post-office-savings-bank.html



Country's First Post Office Savings Bank ATM  inaugurated by Shri P. Chidambaram, Hon'ble Union Finance Minister, Govt. of India on Thursday the 27th February 2014 at Thyagaraya Nagar Head Post Office, Shivagnanam Road, T'Nagar, Chennai,  Tamilnadu - 600017. 

In order to meet the requirements and needs of the I.T modernization project, Infosys Core banking Solution (CBS) will be implemented across India covering all the Post offices.

        Core Banking Solution (CBS) - FINACLE is networking all the Post offices which enable customers to operate their accounts and avail Account related services from any Post offices on CBS network regardless of where he/she maintains his/her account. The customer is no more the customer of a particular Post office. He becomes the Post office Savings Bank (POSB) customer. Thus CBS is a step towards enhancing customer convenience through “Anywhere and Anytime Banking”. As Finacle is integrated to all the banks in course of time, the customer can access any bank account through post office.

        Around Rs.700 crore is earmarked for this Project. Core Banking Solution(CBS) for Post office Savings Bank is being implemented throughout India. As on date, 57 Head Post offices and 11 Sub Post offices have migrated covering 64 lakh accounts.  By 31.03.2014, 700 more Post offices will be covered. All the 26,840 Post offices would be functional in CBS by 2016. About 2 billion US$ have also been migrated.


        As part of this, the Post office Savings Bank ATM at Thyagarayanagar HPO is being inaugurated on 27.02.2014 by Shri. P.Chidambaram, Hon’ble Minister of Finance, Govt. of India. This is the first ATM opened and dedicated for the nation. Four more ATMs are ready for operation. The ATMs were installed by Infosys.





Wednesday 19 February 2014

India Post to seek labour secretary help as IT firms refuse mail delivery


CHENNAI: India Post plans to approach the state labour secretary to convene a meeting with heads of information technology companies in the city who are refusing to allow postmen to deliver mail at their offices.

Mervin Alexander, post master general (Tamil Nadu), told TOI that appeals to the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) to intervene in the matter were in vain and hundreds of letters were being returned daily as IT firms were refusing to cooperate with postal authorities.

"Several parents of IT company employees who live in rural areas without internet connection write letters to their children which are not allowed to be delivered to them," Alexander said. A Nasscom official said they were trying to sort out the problem. "We've called administration managers for a meeting of IT company heads to ensure employees do not miss mail," the official said. 

 

Earlier, hundreds of 'rakhis', letters and articles sent by Speed Post to IT companies in Sholinganallur, Perungudi and Thoraipakkam were returned to India Post offices with the companies saying they did not have the men or machinery to distribute the items. India Post officials said more than 5,000 letters and parcels, many with credit and debit cards, Aadhaar cards and more than 1,500 rakhis, were lying in the Sholinganallur, Perungudi and Thoraipakkam post offices.

Alexander said this was a "gross violation of human rights". "How can companies stop their employees from receiving letters and rakhis?"  


SOURCE:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/India-Post-to-seek-labour-secretary-help-as-IT-firms-refuse-mail-delivery/articleshow/30539363.cms

Life is a gift – Live it, Enjoy it, Celebrate it, and Fulfill it.

There was a blind girl who hated herself just because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could see everything, including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, “now that you can see the world, will you marry me?”

The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind too, and refused to marry him. Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her saying:

“Just take care of my eyes dear.”

This is how human brain changes when the status changed. Only few remember what life was before, and who’s always been there even in the most painful situations.

Life Is A Gift

Today before you think of saying an unkind word–
think of someone who can’t speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food–
think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife–
think of someone who is crying out to God for a companion.

Today before you complain about life–
think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children–
think of someone who desires children but they’re barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house, someone didn’t clean or sweep–
think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive–
think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job–
think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another–
remember that not one of us are without sin and we all answer to one maker.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down–
put a smile on your face and thank God you’re alive and still around.
 
SOURCE:http://sapost.blogspot.in/2014/02/life-is-gift-live-it-enjoy-it-celebrate.html

Concessions to Senior Citizens by BSNL & MTNL



GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 3442
ANSWERED ON 12.02.2014
CONCESSIONS TO SENIOR CITIZENS

3442 . Shri SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL

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

(a) the details of concessions in rent bills of landline telephones, etc. which are provided to senior citizens by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL);
(b) whether some concessions provided by MTNL to senior citizens are not being provided by BSNL in their service areas;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the justification for this discrimination when both telephone companies are Government undertakings; and
(d) the action taken by the Government to remove the discrimination?



ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. (SMT.) KILLI KRUPARANI)
 

(a) to (d) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) are distinct, independent, commercial entities operating in mutually exclusive geographical areas. These Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have their own commercial policies for providing various concessions to senior citizens.
In BSNL, senior citizens of the age of 65 years and above are entitled for registration of telephone on priority under Non-OYT Special category. They are exempted from payment of registration charges.
In MTNL, senior citizens of the age of 65 years and above are being given concession of 25% towards installation charges and monthly service charges for landlines connections under MTNL’s Plan-250.
The Government does not intend to intervene in the commercial decisions of the two PSUs.

New banking code may keep your online transactions secure

You don't have to worry anymore about someone trying to access the confidential information every time you use internet to carry out banking transactions. According to the Banking Codes and Standards Board of India's (BCSBI) revised code of commitment to customers that came into force from January, banks will have to take a lot more responsibility for any "unauthorised" transactions. 

"If a customer incurs any direct loss due to a security breach of the Internet banking system that is not contributed or caused by the customer, the bank will bear the loss," says AC Mahajan, chairman, BCSBI, a quasi-regulatory body in charge of framing guidelines — or codes of commitment. Banks will have to either prove the customer has compromised sensitive information, or compensate him or her for the loss. 

Similarly, banks have been asked to desist from upgrading accounts without the consent of the customer. "There were many complaints that accounts were upgraded without their consent and banks started levying charges for non-maintenance of minimum balance," says VN Kulkarni, chief credit counsellor with Bank of India-backed Abhay Credit Counselling Centre. Banks cannot continue the current practice of sending an SMS, informing about the upgrade anymore. It has to get a written consent of the customer before initiating such measures. 

No More Arm-twisting? 

Many banks ask customers to open fixed deposits for availing of safelocker facilities. Some banks also ask customers to buy an insurance policy. The new code tries to put an end to it - albeit with a catch. 

Though banks can't insist on an FD, they can still ask for an FD to cover the rent for the locker facility. "Banks can obtain a fixed deposit which would cover three years' rent and charges for breaking open the locker in case of an eventuality," says Kulkarni. But it is still a better deal for customers. For example, if a bank insisted on Rs 25,000-fixed deposit for a locker facility, now it can ask only for an FD of, say Rs 3,000 — or equal to the rent for the locker for three years. However, selling life insurance policies on a quid pro quo basis seems definitely out. 

Banking from Home 

The new code wants banks to service you at your home. This will benefit differently-abled customers and senior citizens. "This could include a pick-up of cash/instruments for credit to the account or delivery of cash/demand drafts against issue of cheque/ requisition in writing. Such services will be provided in special circumstances like ill health, inability to come to the branch, etc," adds Kulkarni. 

But don't celebrate yet. "In fact, the practice of providing doorstep facilities already exists. However, it is not mandatory. Banks' decisions will depend on the feasibility," a senior industry official said. 

Outdated Credit Reports? 

The new code can have an adverse impact on your credit score, as it takes an ambiguous stand on banks sending repayment data to credit information companies (CIC). Earlier, banks used to send the data to CIC on a monthly basis, but the new code allows them to do it "periodically". 

"This should not open a window for banks to report data to credit information companies over longertime cycles, resulting in data not being current," says Satish Mehta, co-founder of credit counselling firm CredExpert. If the credit reports are outdated, it could affect the credit scores of individuals. 

Finally, you can file a complaint with your bank's grievance redressal officer. If the bank fails to resolve it, you can approach the bank's nodal officer. If the nodal officer also fails to address your concerns, you can approach banking ombudsman.

You don’t have to worry anymore about someone trying to access the confidential information every time you use internet to carry out banking transactions. 
Source:-The Economic Times

WHY SHRI MAHADEVAIAH IS AGAIN AND AGAIN ABUSING SECRETARY GENERAL, NFPE

அன்புத் தோழர்களுக்கு வணக்கம் ! கீழே உள்ள  நமது  மாபொதுச் செயலரின் கடிதத்தை  நன்கு படிக்கவும் . போராடும் எந்த தொழிற் சங்கத்திற்கும் அல்லது தொழிலாளிக்கும் நாம் விரோதியல்ல ! 

ஆனால் மிகுந்த சிரமங்களுக்கிடையே  அனைத்து பகுதி தொழிலா ளர்களையும் ஒருங்கிணைத்து  நாம் வேலை நிறுத்த அறிவிப்பை செய்து அரசுக்கு எதிராகப் போராடும்  போது அதற்கு எதிர்மறையாக , வேறு ஒரு நாளில் காலவரையற்ற வேலை நிறுத்தம் என்று அறிவித்து   தனி  மனிதனை மாபெரும் சக்தியாக சித்தரித்துக் கொள்ள  முயலும் தோழர். மகாதேவையாவின்  முதிர்வில்லாத  செயல்பாடுகள் , போராடும் ஊழியர்களுக்கு மிகப் பெரும் பாதிப்பை ஏற்படுத்தும் என்பதும், ஊழியர்கள் மத்தியில் மிகப் பெரும் பிளவை நிரந்தரமாக ஏற்படுத்த முயலும் தவறான எண்ணத்தின் வெளிப்பாடு என்பதும்  நிச்சயம் அனுபவம் உள்ள தோழர்களுக்குப் புரியும் .

கருத்து வேறுபாடுகள் எவ்வளவு இருந்த போதிலும் FNPO சம்மேளனம் தனியே வேலை நிறுத்தம் அறிவித்தபோதிலும் நம்மோடு இணைந்தே அதே தேதியில்  இந்த வேலை நிறுத்தத்தை நடத்திய விதத்தை நீங்கள் கவனிக்கலாம் . ஏனெனில்  ஊழியர் நலன் மட்டுமே தொழிற் சங்கத்தின் பார்வையாக இருக்கவேண்டும் என்ற எண்ணத்தின் 
வெளிப்பாடே  இந்த நிலைப்பாடு .

ஆனால் 17.12.2008, 18.12.2008 வேலை நிறுத்தம் , எப்படி  அவர் அறிவித்தார்  என்பதையும் , 2012 இல்  காலவரையற்ற வேலை நிறுத்தம் எப்படி அவர் அறிவித்தார் என்பதையும் நாம் கணக்கில் கொண்டால்  அவரது சுய உருவம்  உங்களுக்குப்   புரியும் . 

இது போலத்தான் இன்று அவர் நடத்தும் வேலை நிறுத்தமும்.  இதில் ஊழியர்கள்தான்  பலிகடா ஆகிறார்களே தவிர வேறு  பலன் எதுவும் இல்லை என்பதும்  நீங்கள் உணரலாம் .  இருந்துவிட்டுப் போகட்டும் .. கால ஓட்டத்தில்  நிச்சயம்  ஊழியர்கள் இதனை உணர்வார்கள் என்று  நாம் நினைத்தாலும் , அவரது தரந்தாழ்ந்த  விமரிசனங்கள் , அவரது தகுதி என்ன என்பதை  உலகத்துக்கு  இன்று வெளிச்சமிட்டுக் காட்டுகிறது . இதுவரை  நமது தொழிற்சங்க இயக்கத்தில் இவ்வளவு  அசிங்கமான வார்த்தைகளை  வேறு எந்த  தலைவரும் , எந்த காலத்திலும் எவருக்கு எதிராகவும்  பயன்படுத்த  வில்லை என்பது முற்றிலுமான உண்மையே !

இந்த  தரந்தாழ்ந்த மனிதரை நாம்   வன்மையாகக் கண்டிக்க வேண்டும் ! ஆனால் அதைவிட  சிறந்த வழி , அவரை முற்றிலுமாக நாம் புறக் கணிப்பதே ! 

அந்த திசை நோக்கி நமது இயக்கத்தை நாம் எடுத்துச் செல்வோம்.! ஆரோக்கியமான தொழிற்சங்க இயக்கத்தை  நிலை நிறுத்துவோம் !
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“EMPTY VESSELS MAKE MUCH NOISE”
WHY SHRI MAHADEVAIAH HAS LOST HIS MENTAL BALANCE AND USING FILTHY AND UNPARLIAMENTARY WORDS AGAINST SECRETARY GENERAL, NFPE?
“GDS COMRADES REJECTED THE WORDS OF BARKING DOG KRISHNAN……………… SHAMELESS,  MORALLESS, MEAN, WORST AND PARASITE CREATURE KRISHNAN AGAIN STARTED TO MAKE FALSE, PROPAGANDA AGAINST AIGDSU …………… WE DON’T KNOW WHY THIS NARROW MINDED KRISHNAN GOT FEAR ABOUT AIGDSU. EVERY BODY KNOWS HE IS A BARKING DOG…………. WHO CARES ABOUT THE BARKING OF THIS DOG.”
The above are the words of Shri. Mahadevaiah, General Secretary of the so-called recognised (!!) GDS Union exhibited in his website on 18.02.2014. He is calling Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE & Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers and General Secretary, AIPEU Group ‘C’ (CHQ) as “BARKING DOG”. Never in the history of Postal Trade Union movement a General Secretary of a union has used such filthy and unparliamentary words against any other leader.
Why Shri Mahadevaiah has lost his mental balance?
1.      This Leader thought that he can continue his anti-NFPE propaganda and remain as the leader of three lakhs GDS forever.
2.      Those who love NFPE tolerated his anti-NFPE propaganda for more than 12 years and in the Amravathi All India Conference of GDS their protest and anger burst out and formed a new union called AIPEU-GDS (NFPE). Corruption was one of the main issue focused by the delegates who formed the new union.
3.      NFPE gave “Associated membership” to the new GDS Union. The decision was ratified by the Hyderabad Federal Council of NFPE, the highest decision making body of NFPE.
4.      Within a short span of two years the new GDS union formed Divisional Branches and Circle Branches in 80% of the Circles and Divisions. In many circles including Kerala, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal etc. more than 90% to 100% GDS joined the new GDS Union. In other Circles 60 to 80% GDS joined the NFPE GDS Union.
5.      When the base of the so-called recognised (!!) Union and its leader started eroding very fast, they started malicious propaganda against Secretary General, NFPE. Com. M. Krishnan and then General Secretary of AIPEU Group ‘C’ (CHQ) Com. K. V. Sridharan.
6.      Till the new GDS Union was formed all the GDS used to follow the directions of Shri Mahadevaiah eventhough they were well aware of the hidden agenda of the leader and his anti-NFPE lobby as they have no alternative at that time.
7.      The newly formed GDS Union (AIPEU-GDS NFPE) started organizing agitational programmes jointly with NFPE and its affiliated unions. Regular employees and GDS employees again started organizing joint programmes under the banner of NFPE. The new Union organised phased programme of action on 36 points charter of demands including departmentalisation and civil servant status to GDS and decided to organize a massive parliament march exclusively on GDS demands on 11th December 2013. More than 10000 GDS from all Circles participated in the historic parliament march.
8.      Much worried about the decision of NFPE GDS Union’s Parliament march Shri. Mahadevaiah suddenly announced that he will also conduct Parliament March on 12th December 2013. Actually on 12th December 2013, all the Central Trade Unions together has conducted a massive Parliament march in which about more than three lakhs workers belonging to INTUC, BMS, CITU, AITUC HMS etc participated. NFPE, AIPEU GDS-NFPE & Confederation also participated in the Central Trade Union’s Parliament March. On that day no other Parliament March was possible as the entire streets of Delhi was filled with Central TU workers and that is why NFPE. GDS Union conducted Parliament March on 11th December. Shri. Mahadevaiah’s GDS Union put one big banner at the side of the Central Trade Union Parliament March and look photos and claimed that more than 10000 GDS participated. (!!!) Only 300 GDS participated. But in the photos other workers of Central Trade Unions are shown behind the banner. Eventhough NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) has witnessed the actual number of GDS behind the banner of Shri. Mahadeviah, we have not exposed him at that time. Similarly everybody in Delhi Knows that the Agarwal Dharmshala, Model Town where Shri. Mahadevaiah conducted his National convention on 13.12.2013, has a maximum capacity of 400 only. The hall cannot accommodate more than that. But Shri. Mahadevaiah propagated that more than 10000 GDS participated in the convention. Those who participated know the correct figure which is less than 500.
Everytime Shri. Mahadevaiah conducted this type of Goebelsian false propaganda and many innocent GDS who are not witnessing these programmes used to believe it.
9.      Confederation and NFPE decided to conduct one day’s All India strike on 12th December 2012 on 15 point charter of demands in which GDS demands including Bonus-ceiling raising are included as main demands. Shri. Mahadevaiah’s GDS Union has not joined this strike. He has not given strike notice also. Again Confederation and NFPE declared two days strike on 12th & 13th February 2014. Departmentalisation and grant of Civil Servant status, Inclusion of GDS under the terms of reference of 7th Central Pay Commission are the main demands of February 12th & 13th strike. The strike was a marvelous success. More than 80% of the Departmental and GDS employees went on strike on two days. Shri Mahadevaiah has refused to join this two days strike also and has not given any strike notice.
10.  Thus the “Divide and Rule” policy and hidden agenda of Shri Mahadevaiah was exposed and defeated by the Departmental employees and GDS employees. Even the figures available with the Department proved beyond doubt that in all the 22 circle majority of the GDS participated in the two days strike on 12th & 13th Feb 2014. In some circles the participation of GDS was 100%. Thus the hollowness of the claim of Shri Mahadevaiah that he is the biggest union has been exposed even before the Government and the department.
11.  As a face-saving exercise Shri Mhadevaiah called for indefinite strike from 18th Feb 2014. Again he want to split the GDS and Regular employees. After the emergence of new GDS Union (AIPE-GDS NFPE), the base of Shri Mahadevaiah has started eroding day-by day and during and after the two days strike of NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) it reached its peak. By that time majority of GDS has already joined AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) and everybody including the Government and Department knew that the so called recognised (?) GDS Union of Shri. Mahadevaiah is a dead horse.
12.  The first day of Shri Mahadevaiah’s strike on 18.02.2014 proved the above facts beyond and iota of doubt. In majority of circles the strike is below 20% In Kerala and West Bengal there is no strike at all. In Uttar Pradesh the strike percentage is 1%. As we know very well from our past experience narrated above, that if NFPE keep quiet and do not tell the truth to the employees, Shri Mahadevaiah will go on propagating “100% strike 100% strike everywhere” and innocent GDS may believe it. So we decided to put an end to this Goebelsion tactics and placed the strike percentage received from Circles in our website to put the records straight.
13.  To show how false propaganda is made by Shri Mahadevaiah through his journal we will give one example. (We can give many such examples). In his journal’ Rural Postal Employees” (Feb 2014) Shri Mahadevaiah published an article in Hindi written by his Guru and Mentor Shri Govind Singh Asiwal (G. S. Asiwal). In the article the following lines are written.
“Recently in West Bengal and Kerala Circle 6 + 5 Thousand GDS has joined Mahadevaiah’s GDS Union.” (translation).”
Meaning “due to the effort of Shri Mahadevaiah 6000 GDS in West Bengal and 5000 GDS in kerala joined his GDS Union.”
What is the real fact:
In Kerala and West Bengal all the GDS were in Mahadevaiah’s GDS Union. After formation of the new AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) union 100% GDS left the Mahadevaiah union and joined NFPE GDS Union.
Shri Mahadevaiah formed his GDS Union in Kerala with the help of less than 20 GDS who resigned from other GDS Unions due to their internal problems. Not even a single NFPE GDS member has joined Mahadevaiah. Any GDS employee or anybody from Mahadevaiah Union can ask under RTI to Chief PMG Kerala and verify it. We challenge Shri Asiwal and Shri. Mahadevaiah to prove their claim of 5000. Same is the case with West Bengal also. The very fact that no GDs went on strike on 18th Feb or 19th Feb in West Bengal & Kerala itself proves that there is no Mahadevaiah GDS Union in West Bengal and Kerala. This is the model of false propaganda of Shri Mahadevaiah and his group.
14.  This time NFPE decided to expose their false claim as otherwise innocent GDS will be misguided and we did it. Shri Mahadeviah has never expected this. He thought this time also he can continue his lies and fool the GDS without conducting any serious strike at grass root level. In his own Karnataka circle about 50% GDS rejected his strike call. And in Madhya Pradesh, his Guru’s Circle only less than 20% went on strike. Thus the “paper castles built by lies” started collapsing one by one and it is total panicky in Mahadevaiah’s camp.
15.  In the coming days Shri Mahadevaiah is going to face his “Waterloo”
We are confident that in the next membership verification the newly formed GDS Union of NFPE (AIPEU-GDS NFPE) will become the number one union and the Mahadevaiah union is going to face its “Waterloo”. Confederation and NFPE has already declared indefinite strike in the month of June 2014 immediately after the formation of new Government, whichever party’s Government may come to power, demanding settlement of 15 point charter of demands in which GDS Departmentalisation and civil servant status is one of the main demand. NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) have declared the biggest mass protest of 50000 (Fifty thousand) GDS in front of Parliament in the month of September 2014. Before that an All India “GDS liberation March” lead by NFPE & AIPEU GDS (NFPE) leaders covering all the 22 circles will be organised.
16.  We are fighting both legally and organizationally.
As all of you are aware first time in the history of GDS NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) has filed writ petition in the Hon’ble Supreme Court (Writ Petition No. WP (Civil) No. 1003 of 2013) requesting implementation of the 1977 Supreme Court judgment and grant of Civil Servant status and all other benefits of departmental employees to 2.76 lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks. The Hon’ble Supreme Court have pleased to direct the Delhi High Court to hear the writ petition and decide the case on behalf of three lakhs GDS. Accordingly the writ petition stands transferred to Delhi High Court and registered under WP (Civil) No. 168 of 2014. The First hearing of the case was held on 13.12.2013 and the Hon’ble High Court directed to issue notice to the Government and Department of Posts. The next hearing of the case is on 07.05.2014. We believe that the judgment in this case will be a turning point in the history of the GDS. Eventhough Shri. Mahadevaiah is the General Secretary of the so called recognised (?) GDS Union from 1999 onwards (15 years) he could not file a writ petition in the Supreme Court requesting implementation of 1977 Judgment. He spent the entire money and period carrying out anti NFPE propaganda. The new GDS Union of NFPE has done it, within two years of its formation eventhough they have no money.
17.  First time the Government was compelled to include GDS issues in the agenda for discussion of JCM National council.
Due to the effort made by NFPE & AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) through Com. S. K. Vyas, the legendary leader of Central Government Employees & Advisor Confederation, first time in the history of JCM, the Government (DOP&T) was compelled to admit the GDS items in the agenda of the items to be discussed in the JCM National Council.
18.  And now, as an impact of the two day’s strike of February 12th & 13th of 80 to 100% employees (both Departmental & GDS) the Postal Board has referred the demand of NFPE & FNPO and the GDS Union of NFPE/FNPO for inclusion of GDS under the terms of reference of 7th CPC, to the Departmental of personnel & Training (DOP&T) for decision. Secretary, Department of Posts has written a letter to Secretary General NFPE & FNPO communicating the above decision.
19.  AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) obtained stay order from CAT against abolition of posts and Department issued order keeping in abeyance the abolition of more than 5000 Postmen and MTS Posts, which are promotional Posts of GDS.
As per the orders of the DOP&T Postal Departmental issued orders for abolition of about 5000 Postmen and MTS posts for the period from 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008 thus affecting the promotional chances of 5000 GDS. The new GDS Union AIPEU GDS (NFPE) filed a case in the CAT principal Bench Delhi along with the P4 Unions of NFPE and FNPO and got stay orders. The department dragged the implementation of CAT order and AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) filed contempt petition with P4 against the department. Finally Department (Directorate) issued orders not to abolish any Postmen/MTS posts and to keep the abolition order in abeyance. Mahadevaiah GDS Union has not done anything when thousands of posts are abolished from 2001 onwards. Now also they are sleeping and NFPE GDS union which is formed just two years back has done it.
20.  AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) and NFPE conducted one day strike on 12th December 2012 in which the raising of bonus ceiling of GDS to 3500 was main demand. Secretary General of NFPE & FNPO met the Minister Communications and the Minister assured to recommend the case and sent the file to Finance. Secretary, Department of Posts also took a favourable stand. Knowing very well that the Minister has agreed to recommend the case, due to the effort made by Secretary Generals of NFPE & FNPO, Mahadevaiah GDS Union conducted a fragmented strike and unconditionally withdrawn the strike even without any discussion with Postal Board. Due to the effort and follow up action taken by NFPE & FNPO, the Bonus ceiling was raised. Mahadevaiah group tried their best to claim the credit for it, but majority GDS who understood the truth did not believe it.
21.  Time and again, history has proved that all those who cheated the NFPE and tried to break the unity of departmental employees and GDS, after getting elevated to the General Secretary posts with the help of NFPE, are thrown to the dustbin of history. Shri Mahadevaiah was made as General Secretary of the GDS Union by Com. Adinarayana and other top leaders of NFPE. After reaching Delhi, he started joining hands with the anti-NFPE lobby and hijacked the GDS Union to anti NFPE camp and made it his “Private Limited company”. But history has its own rule and that is how new GDS Union (AIPEU-GDS NFPE) has emerged upholding the truth and the tradition of our great and glorious organisation NFPE. The days of those “anti-NFPE slogan walas” are counted and the new GDS Union of NFPE shall lead the entire GDS in future. No force on earth can prevent it. And no filthy language or unparliamentary words can deter NFPE and AIPEU-GDs (NFPE) from its onward march for the liberation of 2.76 lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks.
“Let Empty Vessels Make Much Noise, But NFPE and AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) leadership will not be provoked by such slanderous write ups and we will always keep the decency and decorum which is the hallmark of NFPE leadership right from Com. Tarapada Mukherjee to Com. Dada Ghosh to Com. K. G. Bose to Com. Adinarayana and N. J. Iyer and other leaders who lead the Great Postal Trade Union movement.
(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General
National Federation of Postal Employees
Mob: 09447068025
E-mail: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

Monday 17 February 2014

Interim Budget: All post offices to start working on new tech by 2015



Interim Budget: All post offices to start working on new tech by 2015: FM "The IT modernisation project of the Department of Posts with outlay of Rs 4,909 crore will be operational by 2015 in all 1.55 locations," the finance minister said. The IT modernisation project with this outlay was approved by Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs in November 2012.

All 1.55 lakh post offices will starting working using modern technology by next year, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said today. "The IT modernisation project of the Department of Posts with outlay of Rs 4,909 crore will be operational by 2015 in all 1.55 locations," the finance minister said. The IT modernisation project with this outlay was approved by Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs in November 2012. It has to be implemented through eight projects which include core banking system technology, IT based management at post offices, business intelligence system to analyse and project new business opportunity.

The project aims at increasing efficiency, quickening transactions and enhancing transparency at all 1.55 lakh post offices in the country. Under the project all rural post offices are to be provided with 1,30,000 handheld devices which will come with smart card reader for financial transactions, solar panel for charging it, biometric reader for immediate identification and thermal printer for immediate printing of receipt. The device will enable post offices to deliver services at the door step of the customer. The postal department has almost computerised about 25,000 of its departmental post offices but rural post offices will be provided handheld devices for digitalising records.

SOURCE: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/interim-budget-all-post-offices-to-start-workingnew-tech-by-2015-fm_1044295.html

The nuts and bolts of Interim Budget


The nuts and bolts of Interim Budget

The fiscal deficit for 2013-14 will be contained at 4.6% of GDP, well below the red line drawn last year.


The fiscal deficit for 2013-14 will be contained at 4.6% of , well below the red line drawn last year. The Current Account Deficit, which threatened to exceed last year’s CAD of $88 billion, will be contained at $45 billion, and about $15 billion is expected to be added to the foreign exchange reserves by the end of FY14. Analysts and rating agencies no longer speak about a downgrade.

Both WPI and core fall

Wholesale Price Index (WPI) headline inflation stood and core inflation declined from 7.3% and 4.2% respectively on Budget Day 2013 to 5.05% and three% at the end of January 2014. However, there is still some distance to go. Food inflation is still the main worry, although it has declined sharply from a high of 13.6% to 6.2%.

GDP growth 4.6%

Foodgrain production in 2012-13 was 255.36 million tonnes and the estimate for the current year is 263 million tonnes. Agricultural GDP growth is estimated at 4.6%. Estimates of the output of sugarcane, cotton, pulses, oilseeds and quality seeds point to new records. Agricultural GDP growth increased to 3.1% during the five years of UPA-I and further to four% in the first four years of UPA-II.


No steep decline in investment rate

The savings rate was 31.3% in 2011-12 and 30.1% in 2012-13. The corresponding investment rate was 35.5% and 34.8%, respectively, indicating there was no steep decline in investment, except in mining and manufacturing. The Cabinet Committee on Investment cleared a number of stalled projects, and by the end of January, 2014, the way was cleared for completing 296 projects with an estimated project cost of '660,000 crore.

Exports on the uptrend

Merchandise exports were $300.4 billion in 2012-13 – a fall of 1.8% over the previous year. The year 2013-14 is expected to end with estimated merchandise exports of $326 billion, indicating a growth rate of 6.3%. However, imports are down, and this does not augur well for either manufacturing or domestic trade.

8 NIMZs along DMIC approved

Eight National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZ) have been announced along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and nine projects have been approved by the DMIC Trust. Five NIMZs outside DMIC have also been given in-principle approval. Three more corridors connecting Chennai and Bengaluru, Bengaluru and Mumbai, and Amritsar and Kolkata are under different stages of preparatory work.

Infrastructure gets big push

Infrastructure and capacity addition in infrastructure industries have received a big push. In 2012-13 and in the first nine months of 2013-14, we have added 29,350 Mw of power capacity; 3,928 km of national highways; 39,144 km of rural roads under PMGSY, 3,343 km of new railway track, and 217.5 million tonnes of capacity per annum in the ports. Besides, 19 oil and gas blocks were given out for exploration and seven new airports are under construction.

GDP growth to recover in FY14

In nine quarters, the GDP growth rate declined from 7.5% in Q1 of 2011-12 to 4.4% in Q1 of 2013-14. However, growth in Q2 of 2013-14 is 4.8% and growth for the whole year has been estimated at 4.9%. Thus, growth in the third and fourth quarters of 2013-14 will be at least 5.2%.

All growth parameters up under UPA

Under ten years of UPA, foodgrain output is up from from 213 million tonnes to 263 million tonnes of food grains; installed power capacity rose from 112,700 Mw; to 234,600 Mw; coal production rose from 361 million tonnes per year to 554 million tonnes; rural roads went up from 51,511 km to 389,578 km; Central government expenditure on education rose from '10,145 crore to '79,451 crore; and spending on health rose from '7,248 crore to '36,322 crore.

UPA delivers 7.5% average growth

Over a period of 33 years, the trend growth rate in India has been 6.2%. Average annual GDP growth during the period 1999-2004 was 5.9%, or below the trend rate. In 2004-2009 it was 8.4% and, in the period 2009-2014, the CSO has estimated it to be 6.6%. UPA-I and UPA-II have delivered above the trend growth rate.

12.8 land titles distributed

As many as 12.8 lakh land titles covering 18.80 lakh hectares were distributed under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act.

Land Acquisition Act notified

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act was notified on 1.1.2014, finally putting to rest an oppressive colonial law of 1894.

Food security law passed

The National Food Security Act was passed during the current financial year, assuring foodgrain to 67% of the population.
New Companies Act comes into being. Parliament enacted a new Companies Act, which replaced a law of 1956 vintage.

NPS given statutory basis

The PFRDA Act was passed placing the New Pension System on a statutory basis and establishing a statutory regulator.
Centrally sponsored schemes restructured.

Centrally Sponsored Schemes were restructured into 66 programmes for greater synergy. Funds under these programmes will be released as Central assistance to state plans, thus giving states greater authority and responsibility. As a result, Central assistance to plans of states and Union Territories will rise from '136,254 crore in 2013-14 to '338,562 crore in 2014-15.

PSUs to set record in capex

Public sector enterprises will achieve a new record in capital expenditure of '257,641 crore in 2013-14.
50,000 Mw capacity being created.

About 50,000 Mw of thermal and hydel power capacity is under construction after receiving all clearances and approvals. About 78,000 MW of power capacity has been assured coal supply.

FDI policy was liberalised

The FDI policy was liberalised to attract larger investments in telecommunication, pharmaceuticals, civil aviation, power trading exchanges and multi-brand retail.

2 semi-conductor units approved 

Approval was granted to establish two semi-conductor wafer fabrication units, which will be the bedrock of the electronics hardware industry.

DoP IT upgrade to be ready in 2015

The IT modernisation project of the Department of Posts, with an outlay of '4,909 crore, will be operational by 2015 in all 155,000 locations.

Seven new nuclear reactors by end of Twelfth Plan

Seven nuclear power reactors are under construction, with the aim of achieving an installed capacity of 10,080 Mw by the end of the Twelfth Plan. The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Unit I achieved criticality and is generating 180 million units of power. The 500 Mw prototype fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam is nearing completion.

Thrust on solar power

Four ultra mega solar power projects each with a capacity of over 500 MW are proposed to be taken up in 2014-15.After exceeding the target and achieving 1,684 Mw of grid-connected solar power, the National Solar Mission entered the second phase on April 1, 2013.

New fund to support grassroots innovations

The Ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) will create the ‘India Inclusive Innovation Fund’ to promote grassroots innovations with social returns to support enterprises in the MSME sector. An initial contribution of Rs100 crore has been made to the corpus of the Fund.

Boost for SC entrepreneurship

In order to promote entrepreneurship among the scheduled castes and to provide concessional finance to them, IFCI will set up a Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes, with initial capital of Rs 200 crore.

Push for agro forestry

The government has approved the National Agro-Forestry Policy 2014, which has multiple objectives, including employment, productivity, conservation and adaptation. A mechanism for marketing minor forest produce has been introduced, with a budget allocation of Rs 444.59 crore, to continue the scheme in 2014-15.

Scheme to encourage community radio stations

A new plan scheme with an allocation of Rs 100 crore has been approved to promote community radio stations.
Mars Orbiter Mission launched.

India joined a handful of countries when it launched the Mars Orbiter Mission. India now has capabilities in launch vehicle technology, cryogenics, and navigation, meteorological and communication satellites, and is largely self-reliant. Several flight tests, navigational satellites and space missions are planned for 2014-15.

Money for Nirbhaya Fund

In order to make it clear that the Nirbhaya Fund is a permanent one, government proposes to declare the grant of Rs 1000 crore as non-lapsable. And in order to support more proposals, it will contribute to the Fund another sum of Rs 1000 crore next year. So far, the government has approved two proposals that will receive support from the Fund.

More money for skill development programme

Rs 1000 crore allocated to the National Skill Monetary Reward Scheme will be transferred to the NSD Trust and another sum of Rs 1,000 crore will be given next year to enable the Trust to scale up the programme of NSDC rapidly. The National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme was launched in August 2013. At last count, 204 job roles had been finalised, 168,043 youth had enrolled and 77,710 have completed their training.

Taking care of gender and child budget

Rs 48,638 crore has been proposed to be allocated to the scheduled caste sub-plan and Rs 30,726 crore to the tribal sub-plan. The gender budget has Rs 97,533 crore and the child budget has Rs 81,024 crore.
‘One rank, one pension’ in the defence services

The government has accepted the principle of ‘one rank, one pension’ for the defence forces. This decision will be implemented prospectively from 2014-15. The requirement for 2014-15 is estimated at Rs 500 crore and the government will transfer a sum of Rs 500 crore to the Defence Pension Account in the current financial year itself.

Funds for the central armed police forces

A modernisation plan at a cost of Rs 11,009 crore has been approved to strengthen the capacity of the Central Armed Police Forces and to provide them state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Funds have been provided in the current financial year and for next year.

Credit expansion for minority communities

The number of bank accounts held by the minorities, in 121 districts of India where there is a concentration of minorities, increased from 14,15,000 ten years ago to 43,52,000 at the end of March 2013, and the volume of lending jumped from Rs 4,000 crore to Rs 66,500 crore. Loans to minority communities in the whole country stood at Rs 211,451 crore at the end of December 2013. The number of women’s Self-Help Groups provided credit by banks increased from 971,182 ten years ago, to 4,116,000 at the end of December 2013.

Bonanza for students with loans

A moratorium period has been proposed for for all education loans taken up to March 31, 2009 and outstanding on December 31, 2013. The government will take over the liability for outstanding interest as on December 31, 2013, but the borrower will have to pay interest for the period after January 1, 2014. It is estimated that nearly nine lakh student-borrowers will benefit to the tune of approximately Rs 2,600 crore.

Public Debt Management Agency on the anvil

Following the announcement in the Budget speech of 2011-12, the government is ready with the Public Debt Management Agency Bill. Following precedent, it is proposed to establish a non-statutory PDMA that can begin work in 2014-15.

Funding scientific research

The government proposes to set up a Research Funding Organisation that will fund research projects selected through a competitive process. Contributions to the organisation will be eligible for tax benefits. This will require legislative changes which will need to be introduced at the time of the regular Budget. Currently the Income-tax Act allows deductions for expenditure on scientific research, but it is limited to direct funding.

Action on tax evasion on off-shore accounts

The Government has succeeded in obtaining information in 67 cases of tax evasion on off-shore accounts, and action is underway to determine the tax liability as well as impose penalty. Prosecutions for wilful tax evasion have been launched in 17 other cases. More enquiries have been initiated into accounts reportedly held by Indian entities in no-tax or low-tax jurisdictions.

Cord blood banks exempt from service tax

The government proposes to exempt loading, unloading, packing, storage and warehousing of rice from service tax. A ministry of health and family welfare request that services provided by cord blood banks are also healthcare services and should be exempt from service tax has been accepted.

SOURCE:http://www.business-standard.com/article/interim-budget-2014/the-nuts-and-bolts-of-interim-budget-114021701076_1.html