0 Validity of Cheques reduced from 6 months to 3 months wef 01.04.2012

Bankers' cheques and other monetary instruments will have only a three-month validity beginning April 1, 2012, instead of the existing six months, a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) communique has said.
The change is a consequence of an RBI notification on November 4, 2011.

Cheques, drafts and pay orders will have a validity for three months from the date they've been drawn. Those having cheques and other monetary instruments with six-month validity before April 1 will have to remit them before this date, when the expiry of the validity will be reduced to three months.
After April 1, these instruments will be valid subject to their adherence to the new 3-month rule.

Source: Times of India

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0 Union cabinet approved release of 7% DA from 1.1.2012

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 1.1.2012 representing an increase of 7% over the existing rate of 58% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise.

The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission. The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both dearness allowance and dearness relief would be of the order of Rs.7474.53 crore per annum and Rs.8720.32 crore in the financial year 2012-13 (i.e. for a period of 14 months from January, 2012 to February, 2013).

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0 Ministry of finance issued orders granting one Increment on 1.1.2006 to those Employees whose date of increment was between February and June 2006

Ministry of finance issued orders granting one time measure Increment on 01.01.2006 for all officials whose Increment fell due between February and June 2006. All Govt Employees as on duty on 1.1.2006 and whose date of increment was between February and June 2006 would be now given an increment in the pre revised scale of pay as "one time measure" and then again another increment on 1.7.2006. All such officials whose pay will be refixed wef 1.1.2006 will get arrears and officials who retired after 1.1.2006 will get their pension revised with all consequential retirement benifits.

Click here to view the original order of Ministry of Finance.

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0 Government revises GPF Interest Rate to 8.6% from 1.12.2011

(PUBLISHED IN PART I SECTION 1 OF GAZETTE OF INDIA)

F.NO. 5(1)-B(PD)/2011

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

(Department of Economic Affairs)

New Delhi, the 19th March, 2012

RESOLUTION

It is announced for general information that during the year 2011-2012, accumulations at the credit of subscribers to the General Provident Fund and other similar funds shall carry interest at the rate of 8% (Eight per cent) for the period from 1.4.2011 to 30.11.2011  and 8.6% (eight point six percent) with effect from 1.12.2011.

The funds concerned are:—

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0 Postal services including Speed Post will not attract service tax - Proposed in Union Budget 2012-13

While proposing  increase of  service tax from the present 10% to 12% in the Union Budget 2012-13, the Finance Minister has proposed exemption of some services from levying of service Tax. The details of such services exempted from levying of  12% increased service Tax are included in the Negative list of Services. At present, the service tax is levied on the basis of a positive list, meaning that the tax is levied on the specified services only. 

According to the negative list, postal services, including Speed Post provided by the Department of Post, will not attract service tax. 

Other important services, which will not attract the tax, include funeral, burial, mutate services and transport of deceased, Metered taxis, entry to amusement facilities, second-class rail travel,  betting, gambling, lottery, travel by radio taxis and auto rickshaw, Distribution of electricity, trading of goods, agriculture extension and support services, road tolls, renting of residential properties and services relating to bank deposits and sanction of loans.

As regards education, the service tax will not be levied on school, university education and approved vocational courses.The coaching classes and training institutions, however, will continue to be subject to the service tax.As regards sale and purchase of foreign currency, it has been clarified that such activity among the banks and dealers will be kept out of the service tax net. However, by implication, the sale of foreign currency by dealers to individuals will attract the levy.
 

In order to bring as many services as possible in the net, the government has come out with a wide definition of service. With some exception, it has been defined service as “any activity carried out by a person for consideration.''. In addition to the existing services, which are subject to the service tax, the negative list clarified that the tax will be levied on travel by first class and in air-conditioned rail coaches, transport of goods by a transportation and courier agencies.

The date for operation of the negative list, according to the budget papers, will be notified later.

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0 Payment of Speed Post Delivery incentive to postmen

Copy of Business Development & Marketing Directorate letter No. 57-01/2005-BDD&MD dated 12^th March, 2012 is reproduced below.

This is regarding payment of Speed Post Delivery incentive to postmen in the Circles.

2. It has been brought to the notice of this office that there is huge Pendency in the payment of Speed Post Delivery incentive bills pertaining to Postmen in Circles. In this regard, a kind reference is invited to BD&M Directorate letter No. 57-01/2005-BDD dated 17.06.2005 wherein clear instructions/clarifications have been reiterated to effect payment of incentive to delivery staff.

3. In view of the above, it is requested that immediate action may be taken to effect all the payments of speed post delivery incentive bills pertaining to postmen before 31^st March, 2012 after following existing instructions strictly.

4. A compliance report in this regard is expected on or before 15.04.2012.

Sd/-

(Smit Kumar)

General Manager (SP&M)

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0 Rule -38 Transfers in PA cadre of Vijayawada Region

The following transfers under Rule-38 of Postal Manual Volume-IV  in the cadre of Postal Assistants (under DR quota) are ordered by the Competent Authority with immediate effect vide PMG Vijayawada memo no No.ST-I/Rule-38/PA/DR(S)/2011    dated 16-03-2012.

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0 2012-13 వార్షిక బడ్జెట్‌లోని ముఖ్యాంశాలు

కేంద్ర విత్తమంత్రి ప్రణబ్ ముఖర్జీ శుక్రవారం 2012-13 సంవత్సరానికి గాను వార్షిక బడ్జెట్‌ను ప్రవేశపెట్టారు. ఇందులో 2012-13 బడ్జెట్ మొత్తం వ్యయం అంచనారూ.14,19,925 కోట్లుగా ప్రకటించారు. ఇందులో 2012-13 ప్రణాళిక వ్యయంగా రూ.5,21,025 కోట్లు, ప్రణాళికేతర వ్యయం రూ.9,69,900 కోట్లు, 2012-13 సంవత్సరానికి ద్రవ్యలోటు అంచనా 1,85,752 కోట్లుగా అంచనా వేశారు. అయితే పన్ను వసూళ్లలో రూ.32వేల కోట్ల తగ్గుదల కనిపించనుంది. ఈ బడ్జెట్‌లో ద్రవ్యలోటు 5.9 శాతంగా ఉండగా, 2011-12 వృద్ధి రేటు 6.9 శాతం నమోదైనట్టు ఆయన తెలిపారు. ఈ బడ్జెట్‌లో కీలక రంగాలకు కేటాయించిన వివరాలు ఇలా ఉన్నాయి.

* రక్షణ శాఖకు రూ.1,93,407 కోట్లు
* ఆక్వా రంగానికి రూ.5000 కోట్లు
* చేనేత రుణ మాఫీ రూ.3,884 కోట్లు
* బలహీన వర్గాలకు రూ.8,400 కోట్లు
* ఏఐడిపి కార్యక్రమానికి రూ.14 వేల కోట్లు
* మధ్యాహ్న భోజనానికి రూ.11,930 కోట్లు
* సర్వ శిక్షా అభియాన్‌కు రూ.25,555 కోట్లు
* హరిత విప్లవ పథకానికి రూ.1000 కోట్లు
* విద్యుత్ రంగానికి రూ.10 వేల కోట్లు
* కృషి వికాస్ యోజనకు రూ.7860 కోట్లు
* దేశంలో కొత్తగా 7 మెడికల్ కాలేజీలు
* తాగునీరు, పారిశుద్ధ్యం రంగానికి రూ.14 వేల కోట్లు
* తక్కువ ఖర్చుతో ఇళ్ల నిర్మాణానికి అనుమతి
* ప్రధానమంత్రి సడక్ యోజనకు రూ.24 వేల కోట్లు
* చిన్న, మధ్య తరహా పరిశ్రమల కోసం రూ.5 వేల కోట్లు
* జాతీయ గ్రామీణ ఆరోగ్య మిషన్‌కు రూ.20,822 కోట్లు
* వెనుక బడిన ప్రాంతాల అభివృద్ధికి రూ.12,040 కోట్లు
* నీటి పారుదల రంగం బలోపేతానికి రూ.300 కోట్లు
* వ్యవసాయ రుణ లక్ష్యం రూ.5.75 లక్షల కోట్లు
* కేరళ వ్యవసాయ విద్యాలయానికి రూ.100 కోట్లు
* ఆనంద్ రూరల్ మేనేజ్ మెంట్ సంస్థకు 25 వేల కోట్లు
* నేషనల్ స్కిల్ డెవలప్‌మెంట్ కార్పోరేషన్ కు రూ.1000 కోట్లు
* హైదరాబాద్ ఎన్‌జి.రంగా వ్యవసాయ వర్సిటీకి రూ.వంద కోట్ల నిధి
* పరిశ్రమలకు పన్ను మినహాయింపు కోసం టర్నోవర్ రూ.కోటికి పెంపు
* ఎల్‌సిడి, ఎల్‌ఈడి దిగుమతి సుంకం తగ్గింపు, ధరలు తగ్గే అవకాశం
* వితంతు పింఛన్లు రూ.200 నుంచి రూ.300కు పెంపు
* నాబార్డ్, ఇతర వ్యవసాయ బ్యాంకులకు రూ.15,888 కోట్లు
* 1000 మంది జనాభా ఉన్న పల్లెలకు కూడా స్వాభిమాన్ పథకం
* గుంటూరు, ప్రకాశం జిల్లాలో హ్యాండ్లూమ్ క్లస్టర్ల ఏర్పాటు
* రైతులకు స్వల్పకాలిక రుణాలకై నాబార్డ్ ద్వారా రూ.10 వేల కోట్లు
* కుటుంబ లబ్ధి పథకం కింద రూ.10 వేల నుండి రూ.20 వేలకు పెంపు
* 12వ ప్రణాలికలో పారిశ్రామిక మౌలిక వసతుల కోసం రూ.50 లక్షల కోట్లు
* జాతీయ రహదారుల సంస్థకు బాండ్ల ద్వారా 10 వేల కోట్లు సమకూరుస్తాం
* కొత్తగా రాజీవ్ గాంధీ ఈక్విటీ స్కీం, రూ.50 వేలు ఆదాయ పన్ను రాయితీ
* జాతీయ రహదారుల అభివృద్ధి పథకంలో 8,800 కి.మీ. జాతీయ రహదారులు.
* మార్కెట్ ధరకే ఎల్ పీజీ గ్యాస్ అమ్మకం, తొలిదశలో మైసూర్ లో అమలు.

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0 Income Tax exemption limit raised to Rs 2 lakh.

The exemption limit for the general category of individual taxpayers has been enhanced to Rs. 2,00,000 from Rs. 1,80,000 in the General Budget 2012-13, presented by the Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in the LokSabha here today. This measure will provide tax relief uptoRs. 2,000 to every taxpayer in this category.

 The Finance Minister, Shri Mukherjee introduced the DTC (Direct Taxes Code) rates for personal income tax, marking progress in the direction of movement towards DTC and GST (Goods and Services Tax).

                It has also been proposed to raise the upper limit of 20 per cent tax slab from Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh. The proposed personal income tax slabs are:

Income uptoRs. 2 lakh	Nil
Income above Rs. 2 lakh and uptoRs. 5 lakh	10 per cent
Income above Rs. 5 lakh and upto Rs.10 lakh	20 per cent
Income above Rs. 10 lakh	30 per cent

                In another relief to the individual taxpayers, a deduction of uptoRs. 10,000 has been proposed for interest from savings bank accounts. This would help a large number of small taxpayers with salary incomes uptoRs. 5 lakh and interest from savings bank accounts uptoRs. 10,000 as they would not be required to file income tax returns.

                It has also been proposed to allow deduction of Rs. 5,000 for preventive health check up.

                For senior citizens not having income from business, it has been proposed to exempt them from payment of advance tax.

Source : PIB

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0 Surplus Qualified LGO Candidates - Allotment of Divisions

 Circle Office, Hyderabad has issued allotments to the following surplus qualified candidates of LGO Examination held on 16-10-2011 vide Memo.No.RE/2-2/2011 dated 15-03-2012.

                                   .

Sl.No.	Name of the candidate S/Shri	Division to which belongs.	Division to which allotted.
1.	G.N. Koti Reddy	Guntur	Narasaraopet
2.	S.V. Ramana	Vizianagaram	Parvathipuram
3.	Shaik Chand Basha	Kurnool	Wanaparthy
4.	A. Sanjeeva Reddy	Guntur	Narasaraopet
5.	G. Yadagiri	Nalgonda	Hyderabad GPO
6.	U. Gajendra Reddy	Kurnool	Wanaparthy
7.	Moka Venkatesulu	Kurnool	Hyderabad GPO
8.	G. Bose Babu	Gudivada	Narasaraopet
9.	K. Satyanarayana	Eluru	Tadepalligudem
10.	H. Gareeb Basha	Kurnool	Mahaboobnagar
11.	B. Satyanarayana	Eluru	Rajahmundry
12.	N.S. Nagamalleswara Rao	Guntur	Suryapet
13.	I. Srinivas	Adilabad	Karimnagar
14.	M. Satyam	Pedapalli	Karimnagar
15.	V. Raghupathi	Pedapalli	Hyderabad GPO
16.	K.V.S.R.S. Murthy	Bhimavaram	Rajahmundry
17.	P. Baby Padmaja	Tenali	Vijayawada
18.	B. Govardhana Reddy	Warangal	Suryapet
19.	K. Subba Rayudu	Cadapa	Nellore
20.	B. Abdul Gani	Ananthapur	Secunderabad
21.	N. Krishna Murthy	Bhimavaram	Kakinada
22.	S.V.H. Bapanna Sastry	Bhimavaram	Suryapet
23.	K. Penchalaiah	Gudur	Sangareddy
24.	S. Pandurangaiah	Chittoor	Sangareddy
25.	P. Lakshminarayana	Visakhapatnam	Anakapalli
26.	G. Narayanappa  8375568M	Chittoor	Medak
PART-B (Physically Handicapped)
1.	B. Chandramohan	Hanamakonda	Hyderabad City
2.	Shaik Shabjal	Visakhapatnam	Srikakulam

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0 Employees' Provident Fund rate lowered to 8.25% for 2011-12

The Finance Ministry has given its nod for the Labour and Employment Ministry to fix the rate of interest payable to Employees Provident Fund subscribers at 8.25 per cent for 2011-12, instead of at 9.5 per cent paid in 2010-11.

The decision was taken in keeping with the finances of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation, which manages the PF fund, a senior official said.

“They are paying from the interest they get from what they invested two or three years ago in financial institutions. So what is reflected now to the PF subscribers relates to the investment made earlier and the rate of interest that prevailed then in the market.”

The Board of Trustees of the EPFO, which includes representatives of labour unions too, approved the proposal to leave the financial decision on the interest rate to the Labour and Finance Ministries, the official said.

The Board, at its meeting on December 23 last, empowered the Labour Ministry to take the decision in view of the plea for reducing the interest this year (2011-12) to 8.25 per cent.

In 2010-11, the rate was fixed at 9.5 per cent, thanks to availability of a surplus fund of Rs. 1,731 crore.

Later, the Labour Ministry prepared a note mentioning that the rate for 2011-12 could be fixed at 8.25 per cent, to benefit about five crore PF subscribers. This is to ensure that the rate matched the interest rate being offered to Public Provident Fund scheme customers in scheduled banks.

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0 Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) for Central Govt Employees

The Sixth Central Pay Commission has recommended the introduction of new performance based pecuniary benefit, over and above the regular salary, for Government employees. The benefit will be called Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) and will be payable taking into account the performance of the employees during the period under consideration. The recommendation has been accepted by the Government. Guidelines are being worked out through inter-departmental consultation. This was stated by the Minister of State for Ministry of Personnel, Public Gruievances and Pensions and the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Shri V. Narayanasamy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha ON 15.03.2012. Source : PIB

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0 Minutes of the meeting of Committee on Cadre Restructuring of MMS Staff

A committee comprising of following members constituted by Secretary Post vide Directorate letter No. 01/01/2011 –SR dated 20.01.2012 on the Cadre Restructuring of MMS Staff met on 12.03.2012 and 13.03.2012 in the office of the Chief Post Master General, A.P. Circle, Hyderabad.

1. Ms. K. Sandhya Rani, PMG (BD) - Chairperson

2. Director (MV) -Member-Official Side

3. Sri Giri Raj Singh - Member Staff Side

4. Sri D. Theagarajan -Member –Staff Side

1. Chairperson welcomed the Committee members. It was agreed to conduct the Committees proceedings/discussions keeping in perspective the VI CPC framework and address the genuine concern/grievances of different MMS cadre to the best and reasonably possible extent.

2. The Committee Co-opted Shri L. Arshad Khan, Manager MMS, Hyderabad as member of the Committee. A presentation on the current MMS organizing structure of different cadres and related Recruitment Rules and existing promotional avenues of each cadre was made by him. Staff Side committee members placed their views on the above cadres to the Committee.

3. The Committee was apprised of brief history and the functioning of MMS, MMS Units are having the following categories of staff.

I Technical Staff- Artisans and MTS(Cleaners,

Semi Skilled Artisans.

II Non Technical Staff.

(i)Traffic Staff – Drivers

(ii)Administrative Staff-Postal Assistants &

MTS(Peon, Gatemen, Pumpmen, Duftry,

Safai Karmachary, Caretaker,Chowkidar,

Wiremen,Orderly,Store peon).

III Supervisors:

(i)Non Technical: Assistant Manager, Store Officers

(ii)Technical Supervisors.

(IV) Officers- Deputy Manager(Group ‘B’)

(V) Head of the Division-Managers (Technical Group A)

4. The Committee members discussed the promotional avenues of different MMS Staff cadres and possible ways for restructuring so as to improve the functioning of MMS efficiency and to motivate the staff.

5. The Committee discussed and agreed that there is a need to intake qualified Artisans and Drivers. In view of up-gradation of Technology in the Automobile field, it has become mandatory to the Artisans /Drivers to have the knowledge of computer and operation of Electronic gadgets to be used to diagnose the defects of the vehicles and to repair them. In view of the above the Committee feels that existing Essential Qualifications for different cadres need revised and enhanced.

6. The Committee discussed in detail cadre issues relating to the following cadres:

1. Multi Tasking Staff (Group-C)

(2) Drivers/Dispatch Riders

(3) Artisans (4) Charge hand

7. It was agreed to discuss issues relating to other cadres in the next meeting of the Committee to be held from 3^rd April to 4^th April 2012 at 11.00 a.m.

8. The meeting ended with vote of thanks.

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0 Mechanism to Lodge on line Complaints

For on-line lodging of grievances in general by members of public, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances has set up a web-based portal called Centralised Public Grievances Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), enabling citizens for lodging grievances from any geographical location and also viewing the status of redressal of the grievances. The Public Grievances portal can be accessed at http://pgportal.gov.in

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0 Secheme for Engagement of GDS on Compassionate grounds-Merit points and Revised selection procedure

Copy of D.G. Posts letter no No. 17-17/2000-GDS dated 09Mar 2012on the above subject matter is reproduced below.

A reference is invited in this Directorate letters of even number dated 14 Dec 2010 and 01 Aug 2011 vide which the scheme for engagement of GDS on compassionate grounds with merit points & procedure for selection as modified was circulated and made effective for all the compassionate engagement cases to be considered on or after 01.01.2011.

2. The scheme has recently been reviewed in this Directorate and in partial modification in the existing provisions of the Scheme, the following provisions are hereby ordered to be substituted with the approval of the competent authority:

(a) The attribute of assessing indigence appearing at Ser 7- Educational Qualification of Applicant on Page 3 of this Directorate letter No. 17-17/2010-GDSdated 14.12.2010 is deleted.

(b) The attribute of assessing indigence appearing at Ser 2- Outstanding liabilities for Education/Marriage of dependent children on Page-2 of this Directorate letter No. 17-17/2010-GDSdated 14.12.2010 is substituted as under:

Ser	Points	Criteria
1	20 for two or more dependent children	For education of children
	15 for one dependent child
2	20 for two or more dependent daughter	For marriage of daughters
	15 for one dependent daughter

(c) The attribute of assessing indigence appearing at Ser 6-Discharge Benefits i.e Ex-gratia gratuity ,Severance Amount, Service Discharge benefits under NPS Lite and Group Insurance Benefits received by family on Page 3 of this Directorate letter No. 17-17/2010-GDSdated 14.12.2010 is substituted as under:

Ser	Points	Slabs for benefits on discharge
1	20	Rs. 75000 & below
2	15	Below Rs. 150000 but above Rs. 75000
3	10	Rs. 150000 & above.

(d) The word “Proposed” appearing under Criteria 1,3,5,& 6 on page 2&3 of this Directorate letter No. 17-17/2010-GDSdated 14.12.2010 may be taken as deleted.

(e) Apart from the above cases where the wife of the deceased GDS has applied for compassionate engagement for her, she shall get 15 additional points as grace points. This is the line with the general principle that the widow needs to be give preference for compassionate engagement. Such grace points shall not be permissible in the widower applicant.

3. All other provisions contained in the Scheme dated 14.12.2010as further modified under letter of even number dated 01.08.2011 shall continue to apply as already prescribed and all compassionate engagement shall be approved with in the ambit of the prescribed Scheme only. It is reiterated that the existing criteria of 50 Points and above for adjudging hard and deserving cases stands.

4. The above changes shall take effect from the date of application of the original Scheme. All cases which were considered & rejected by the CRC based on the earlier provisions of the new Scheme may be reconsidered afresh based on application of the revised criteria within the time frame allowed under Para7 (e) of the Directorate’s letter No. 17-17/2010-GDSdated 14.12.2010 as fresh cases subject to availability of vacancies in the division concerned in view of removal of ceiling of 10% already without further reference to this Directorate.

5. Pursuant to the provisions now revised where the widow now applies for the compassionate engagement following rejection of the case of one of her child case may also be taken as a fresh case to be considered as per the new Scheme as modified. Thus before the already rejected cases are reconsidered the widow may be given an option to be exercised in writing within one month of date of receipt of the communication to be issued by the Circle treating the application of her child as withdrawn & consideration of her application afresh to follow in due course . Where such as option is exercised, the already rejected application of her child may be considered and her fresh application may be got processed expeditiously.

Sd/

(Surender Kumar)

Assistant Director General (GDS)

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0 List of officials promoted to the cadre of APM Accounts (LSG) - orders isuued by the Circle Office

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2 Announcement of Inspector Posts exam Result

It is ascertained that Directorate will  take some more time to announce the result of Inspector Posts Examination 2011. Though everything is ready to announce the result, it could not be announced because of allowing of Postmaster Grade I cadre officials to write the examination erroneously by some of the circles and the Directorate is examining the various options to avoid the possible CAT / Court cases before announcement of the result.

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0 Revised recruitment rules for HSG I & HSG I adhoc arrangements

UPSC has approved revised recruitment rules for HSG I. after several rounds of discussions with the  officers of India Post. The Department of Posts has fulfilled the requirements of the UPSC. Now the file may go to Law Ministry .After that our Department will issue gazette notification notifying the revised recruitment rules for HSG I.

Department of Posts has approached DOPT for approval of adhoc arrangements for HSG I. Approval is expected with in a week and formal orders likely to be issued shortly.

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0 Proposed new postal security standards for International Mail

The UPU’s official bodies, the Council of Administration and the Postal Operations Council, last week endorsed a proposed resolution on minimum security standards for international mail.

The proposal will be put forth for formal adoption by UPU member countries at the 25th Universal Postal Union Congress in Doha, Qatar, in September/October 2012.

 

If approved, the proposed standards would force Posts worldwide to apply measures to better screen international mail and take custody of it. Posts would have to apply minimum security standards to critical facilities in their network, such as international offices of mail exchanges, which process arriving and departing international mail.

According to UPU Postal Security Expert David Bowers, the standards would establish a security baseline to the global postal network, thus reassuring civil aviation and customs organizations that international mail has gone through minimum screening measures. “Our goal is to harmonize our international standards with the ones developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization to guide air transportation of mail,” explains Bowers.

International effort

The new proposed standards are the result of two years of work by the UPU’s inter-committee on security group. It includes representatives from UPU member countries and major international organizations, such as the International Air Transport Association, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the World Customs Organization and the United States Transport Security Agency, among others.

The UPU set up the group to tighten security standards for the global postal supply chain after rigorous TSA screening measures were unilaterally applied to international mail travelling to the United States in late 2010 after two packages containing bombs were found on private courier flights destined for the United States. The packages, sent from Yemen, were intercepted in Dubai and the United Kingdom.

The UPU launched a concerted effort among all relevant parties to come up with standardized security standards for the global postal supply chain to increase the security of mail travelling by air.

Member countries had adopted recommended security standards at the last Universal Postal Congress in Geneva in 2008, but there was no obligation to implement them.

Source: Universal Postal Union News

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0 120 days Advance Rail reservation from 10.03.2012

You can book your rail ticket 120 days in advance from Saturday i.e.10.03.2012. The Ministry of Railways has decided to increase the reservation period for train tickets from the existing 90 days to 120.

On Saturday, reservation opened for all trains starting from July 8. It is expected that the four-month advance reservation period will help the commuters who travel during festivals or summer vacation period. To ensure transparency in the Tatkal booking period, recently the railway has reduced the Tatkal booking period from 48 hours to 24 hours to prevent misuse of the facility.

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