0 CHQ News

General Secretary has taken up the issues of 1)"Revised pattern and syllabus of PS group-B/Sr PM exam" ,2) "Quota of General Line in PS Group “B” Examination " and 3)"Holding of DPC for regular promotion to PS Group-B cadre" with Directorate. Copies of the letters sent to D.G are reproduced below.

Revised pattern and syllabus for Sr. Postmaster and PS Group “B” examination

No. CHQ/Exam./2011 Dated 28.03.2011
To

The Director General
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, N Delhi 110001

Sub: Revised pattern and syllabus for Sr. Postmaster and PS Group “B” examination –reg.

Ref: Directorate memo No. 9-59/2010-SPG dated 8/3/2011

Respected Madam,
At the outset, we thank the Department for revising the pattern and syllabus of P.S. Group “B” examination. However, our Association would like to put the following points for clarification in the interest of members as well as the Department.
i) (a) In revised Paper I , it is not clear that whichc Acts / Departmental books should be consulted for preparation relating to Inland & Foreign Posts, Mail Operations, Money Remittances, Savings bank Schemes & Certificates, RPLI / PLI.
(b) It is also not clear which books/materials are to be consulted for preparation regarding Organization of Department, Office Procedure & Material management for optimum utilization of network, Establishment & Administrative matters.
ii) In respect of revised Paper II the syllabus is clear in respect of all items except “Accounts”. Normally accounts is covered under FRs & SRs and FHBs. In addition to FRs & SRs and FHBs, it is not understood why “ Accounts” has been mentioned separately.
iii) As per CCS (CCA) Rules 1965, an official placed under suspension is eligible to appear in Departmental examination. As such, condition as mentioned in the Directorate’s memo cited above that “No adverse entry in the APAR / ACR in the last five years” is contradictory to the instructions contained in CCS (CCA) Rules 1965.
iv) The number of vacancies identified for Sr. P.M. and PS Group" B” for the year 2011 has not been notified.
v) Since the revised pattern of the examination is new to the candidates, the Association requests the Department to circulate a model question paper in respect of Paper I & II of Sr. P.M. and PS Group “B” for the benefit of the officials.
It is therefore, requested to kindly issue necessary clarifications on the points mentioned above immediately before conduct of P.S. Group “B” examination scheduled to be held on 15.05.2011.

Yours sincerely,

(Roop Chand)
General Secretary

Quota of General Line in PS Group "B" Examination

No. CHQ/PS Gr B - GL/2011 Dated 28.03.2011


To

The Director General
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, N Delhi 110001

Sub: Quota of General Line in PS Group “B” Examination – reg.

Ref: Postal Directorate Memo No. A-34012/02/2010-DE dated 16.03.2011

Respected Madam,

The present Recruitment Rules of PS Group “B” provides 6% of posts to General Line officials to be filled up through LDCE. Now, on introduction of Postmaster cadre carved out from General Line, 25% posts in Sr. P.M. cadre have been earmarked for HSG I General Line officials through promotion. Hence, out of 116 posts of Senior Postmaster, 29 posts have been given to General Line with out reducing their share in PS Group “B” cadre. This has adversely affected the promotional avenues of IP Line officers.
In view of above fats, it is requested to kindly reduce 6% share of General Line officials to 3% in order to compensate IP Line before notifying the vacancies for the ensuing PS Group “B examination scheduled to be held on 15.05.2011.
A positive action will be highly appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
(Roop Chand)
General Secretary

Holding of DPC for regular promotion in PS Group "B" cadre

No. CHQ/PS Gr “B”/2011 Dated 28.03.2011

The Director General
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, N Delhi 110001

Sub: Holding of DPC for regular promotion in PS Group “B” cadre – reg.

Ref: Directorate letter No. 9-1/2011-SPG dated 12.01.2011

Respected Madam,

Postal Directorate has called for ACRs/APARs and vigilance clearance reports from all Circles for the year 2011 vide reference above. As per Model Calendar for DPCs vide DOP&T O.M. No. 22011/9/98-Estt.(D) dt. 08.09.1998 and latest instructions issued vide No. 22011/1/2011-Estt(D) dt. 11.03.2011 and No. 22011/3/2011-Estt(D) dt. 24.03.2011, the approved select panel for the vacancies of 2011 should have been ready by 31.12.2010. By this time in March 2011, the process of documentation for 2012 should have been on the verge of completion for holding DPC by 31.08.2011.
It is evident from the above that the process of DPC is not at all undertaken as per the prescribed guidelines of DOP&T (Nodal Department). Due to delay in holding of DPC, Circles are resorting to adhoc promotions in PS Group “B” cadre and many senior ASPs are retiring from service with out getting promotion into PS Group “B”.
It is therefore, urged upon that action may be initiated to hold DPC for the year 2011 and 2012 and to get approved select panel ready in time for the above years so that there remains no need for circles to resort to adhoc promotions in PS Group “B” cadre.

Yours sincerely,

(Roop Chand)
General Secretary

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0 CHQ News

General Secretary has taken up the issues of 1)"Revised pattern and syllabus of PS group-B/Sr PM exam" ,2) "Quota of General Line in PS Group “B” Examination " and 3)"Holding of DPC for regular promotion to PS Group-B cadre" with Directorate. Copies of the letters sent to D.G are reproduced below.

Revised pattern and syllabus for Sr. Postmaster and PS Group “B” examination

No. CHQ/Exam./2011 Dated 28.03.2011
To

The Director General
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, N Delhi 110001

Sub: Revised pattern and syllabus for Sr. Postmaster and PS Group “B” examination –reg.

Ref: Directorate memo No. 9-59/2010-SPG dated 8/3/2011

Respected Madam,
At the outset, we thank the Department for revising the pattern and syllabus of P.S. Group “B” examination. However, our Association would like to put the following points for clarification in the interest of members as well as the Department.
i) (a) In revised Paper I , it is not clear that whichc Acts / Departmental books should be consulted for preparation relating to Inland & Foreign Posts, Mail Operations, Money Remittances, Savings bank Schemes & Certificates, RPLI / PLI.
(b) It is also not clear which books/materials are to be consulted for preparation regarding Organization of Department, Office Procedure & Material management for optimum utilization of network, Establishment & Administrative matters.
ii) In respect of revised Paper II the syllabus is clear in respect of all items except “Accounts”. Normally accounts is covered under FRs & SRs and FHBs. In addition to FRs & SRs and FHBs, it is not understood why “ Accounts” has been mentioned separately.
iii) As per CCS (CCA) Rules 1965, an official placed under suspension is eligible to appear in Departmental examination. As such, condition as mentioned in the Directorate’s memo cited above that “No adverse entry in the APAR / ACR in the last five years” is contradictory to the instructions contained in CCS (CCA) Rules 1965.
iv) The number of vacancies identified for Sr. P.M. and PS Group" B” for the year 2011 has not been notified.
v) Since the revised pattern of the examination is new to the candidates, the Association requests the Department to circulate a model question paper in respect of Paper I & II of Sr. P.M. and PS Group “B” for the benefit of the officials.
It is therefore, requested to kindly issue necessary clarifications on the points mentioned above immediately before conduct of P.S. Group “B” examination scheduled to be held on 15.05.2011.

Yours sincerely,

(Roop Chand)
General Secretary

Quota of General Line in PS Group "B" Examination

No. CHQ/PS Gr B - GL/2011 Dated 28.03.2011


To

The Director General
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, N Delhi 110001

Sub: Quota of General Line in PS Group “B” Examination – reg.

Ref: Postal Directorate Memo No. A-34012/02/2010-DE dated 16.03.2011

Respected Madam,

The present Recruitment Rules of PS Group “B” provides 6% of posts to General Line officials to be filled up through LDCE. Now, on introduction of Postmaster cadre carved out from General Line, 25% posts in Sr. P.M. cadre have been earmarked for HSG I General Line officials through promotion. Hence, out of 116 posts of Senior Postmaster, 29 posts have been given to General Line with out reducing their share in PS Group “B” cadre. This has adversely affected the promotional avenues of IP Line officers.
In view of above fats, it is requested to kindly reduce 6% share of General Line officials to 3% in order to compensate IP Line before notifying the vacancies for the ensuing PS Group “B examination scheduled to be held on 15.05.2011.
A positive action will be highly appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
(Roop Chand)
General Secretary

Holding of DPC for regular promotion in PS Group "B" cadre

No. CHQ/PS Gr “B”/2011 Dated 28.03.2011

The Director General
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, N Delhi 110001

Sub: Holding of DPC for regular promotion in PS Group “B” cadre – reg.

Ref: Directorate letter No. 9-1/2011-SPG dated 12.01.2011

Respected Madam,

Postal Directorate has called for ACRs/APARs and vigilance clearance reports from all Circles for the year 2011 vide reference above. As per Model Calendar for DPCs vide DOP&T O.M. No. 22011/9/98-Estt.(D) dt. 08.09.1998 and latest instructions issued vide No. 22011/1/2011-Estt(D) dt. 11.03.2011 and No. 22011/3/2011-Estt(D) dt. 24.03.2011, the approved select panel for the vacancies of 2011 should have been ready by 31.12.2010. By this time in March 2011, the process of documentation for 2012 should have been on the verge of completion for holding DPC by 31.08.2011.
It is evident from the above that the process of DPC is not at all undertaken as per the prescribed guidelines of DOP&T (Nodal Department). Due to delay in holding of DPC, Circles are resorting to adhoc promotions in PS Group “B” cadre and many senior ASPs are retiring from service with out getting promotion into PS Group “B”.
It is therefore, urged upon that action may be initiated to hold DPC for the year 2011 and 2012 and to get approved select panel ready in time for the above years so that there remains no need for circles to resort to adhoc promotions in PS Group “B” cadre.

Yours sincerely,

(Roop Chand)
General Secretary

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0 CAT case no 381/2010 0n IP grade pay issue

The OA no 381/2010 at Ernakulam Bench was not heard on 25.03.2011 also. The counsel of the respondents was not present in the CAT and had submitted M. C. in support of his absence. Next date of hearing has not been fixed.

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0 CAT case no 381/2010 0n IP grade pay issue

The OA no 381/2010 at Ernakulam Bench was not heard on 25.03.2011 also. The counsel of the respondents was not present in the CAT and had submitted M. C. in support of his absence. Next date of hearing has not been fixed.

Read More

0 Grant of Maternity Leave to Women GDS from Welfare Fund

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

(Establishment Division)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg.

New Delhi-110001

No.17-9/2011-GDS Dated the 21-Mar 2011

To

All Chief Postmaster General,

Subject: MATERNITY GRANT TO WOMEN GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS OUT OF WELFATE FUND OF THE DEPARTMENT- INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING

Sir/Madam,

Reference is invited to this Directorate letter No.6-1/2009. PE.II dated 09 October 2009 providing for Maternity Grant to the women GDS.

2. One man Committee under Shri RS Nataraja Murti constituted under Resolution No. 6-1/2007-PE II dated 23^rd July 2007 examined the system of Extra Departmental Post Offices and wage structure of Gramin Dak Sevak & submitted its report on 29^th October 2008. After approval of Cabinet, the Department issued orders under No. 6-1/2009 PE II dated 09 October 2009. It was prescribed under Para 9 of the ibid that "women GDS will be provided Maternity Grant equivalent to three months TRCA with DA for the birth date of issue of the order".

3. The recommendations made by the One man Committee in Para 16.10.1have been examined further and it has been decided that Maternity Grant equal to three month's TRCA with DA out of welfare fund will be payable from the welfare fund at the disposal of the Circles effective from 09 October 2009 on fulfillment of the following conditions;-

(a) Maternity Grant will be payable to a woman GDS for each child up to the birth of maximum of two children limited to a maximum of two confinements resulting into birth of first two children only during the entire engagement of the following of a woman GDS.

(b) The women GDS must have rendered a minimum of one year service of becoming eligible for grant under the provision.

(c) No Financial Grant will be admissible for medical termination of pregnancy (abortion). Miscarriage and still births.

4. The scheme of allowing Maternity Grant is like any other ongoing welfare scheme paid out of welfare fund. Funds will be allocated for this scheme by welfare section of this Directorate to the Circles. Heads of the Division will be competent to sanction Maternity Grant to the women GDS out of welfare fund placed at their disposal by the Circle concerned.

5. Woman Gramin Dak Sevaks like Mil Deliverer and Mail Carrier may also be considered for lighter duties wherever possible during the pre and post confinement period for a maximum period of six months.

6. Woman GDS shall be granted Maternity Leave not exceeding six months covering the pre and post confinement period. For the period of Maternity Leave, Woman GDS will be paid Maternity Grant for three months and leave for another three months may be granted without allowances.

7. Existing powers of Divisional Heads for grant of leave beyond 180 days leave without allowances availed by GDS to work against in Group D and Postman vacancies would also cover period of three month Maternity Leave with allowances (Maternity Grant) and another period of leave for three months without allowances if availed by Woman GDS.

8. The contents may be brought to the knowledge of all concerned. This has the approval of the competent authority.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(Surender Kumar)

Assistant Director General (GDS/PCC)

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0 Grant of Maternity Leave to Women GDS from Welfare Fund

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

(Establishment Division)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg.

New Delhi-110001

No.17-9/2011-GDS Dated the 21-Mar 2011

To

All Chief Postmaster General,

Subject: MATERNITY GRANT TO WOMEN GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS OUT OF WELFATE FUND OF THE DEPARTMENT- INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING

Sir/Madam,

Reference is invited to this Directorate letter No.6-1/2009. PE.II dated 09 October 2009 providing for Maternity Grant to the women GDS.

2. One man Committee under Shri RS Nataraja Murti constituted under Resolution No. 6-1/2007-PE II dated 23^rd July 2007 examined the system of Extra Departmental Post Offices and wage structure of Gramin Dak Sevak & submitted its report on 29^th October 2008. After approval of Cabinet, the Department issued orders under No. 6-1/2009 PE II dated 09 October 2009. It was prescribed under Para 9 of the ibid that "women GDS will be provided Maternity Grant equivalent to three months TRCA with DA for the birth date of issue of the order".

3. The recommendations made by the One man Committee in Para 16.10.1have been examined further and it has been decided that Maternity Grant equal to three month's TRCA with DA out of welfare fund will be payable from the welfare fund at the disposal of the Circles effective from 09 October 2009 on fulfillment of the following conditions;-

(a) Maternity Grant will be payable to a woman GDS for each child up to the birth of maximum of two children limited to a maximum of two confinements resulting into birth of first two children only during the entire engagement of the following of a woman GDS.

(b) The women GDS must have rendered a minimum of one year service of becoming eligible for grant under the provision.

(c) No Financial Grant will be admissible for medical termination of pregnancy (abortion). Miscarriage and still births.

4. The scheme of allowing Maternity Grant is like any other ongoing welfare scheme paid out of welfare fund. Funds will be allocated for this scheme by welfare section of this Directorate to the Circles. Heads of the Division will be competent to sanction Maternity Grant to the women GDS out of welfare fund placed at their disposal by the Circle concerned.

5. Woman Gramin Dak Sevaks like Mil Deliverer and Mail Carrier may also be considered for lighter duties wherever possible during the pre and post confinement period for a maximum period of six months.

6. Woman GDS shall be granted Maternity Leave not exceeding six months covering the pre and post confinement period. For the period of Maternity Leave, Woman GDS will be paid Maternity Grant for three months and leave for another three months may be granted without allowances.

7. Existing powers of Divisional Heads for grant of leave beyond 180 days leave without allowances availed by GDS to work against in Group D and Postman vacancies would also cover period of three month Maternity Leave with allowances (Maternity Grant) and another period of leave for three months without allowances if availed by Woman GDS.

8. The contents may be brought to the knowledge of all concerned. This has the approval of the competent authority.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(Surender Kumar)

Assistant Director General (GDS/PCC)

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0 CABINET APPROVED 6% DA TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

Union cabinet has approved payment of additional Dearness Allowance of 6% to Central Government Employees from 01-01-2011.

The Central Government has declared Additional Dearness Allowance to Central Government Employees and Pensioners after the Union Cabinet meeting held on 22-03-2011. More than 50 lakh Central Government Serving Employees and 38 lakh Central Pensioners are expecting this decision to compensate the price hike. Presently, the DA is paid at 45% of the basic pay, hence the Central Staff and Pensioners will be paid total of 51% DA or DR from 1.1.2011.The revised rates of Dearness Allowance from 1.1.2011 to 28.2.2011 may be paid in cash as arrears and for the month of March may be disbursed with the salary

There is no recommondations in 6th CPC that Dearness Allowance crosses 50% would merge with baisc pay. But the following allowances and advances will be increased by 25% on crossing of Dearness Allowance by 50% as per accepted recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission:
TA / DA Rates on Tour :
1.Daily allowance on tour
2.Mileage allowance for journeys performed by taxi / autorickshaw/scooter/cycle (as per eligibility)
TA Rates on transfer :
1. For journeys performed by taxi/auto-rickshaw/scooter/cycle (as per eligibility)
2. Rates of transportation of house-holds on transfer

Others :
1. National Holiday Allowance
2. Nursing Allowance, Uniform Allowance, Kit Maintenance Allowance & Washing Allowance
3. Project allowance and Compensatory (construction/Survey) allowance.
4. Natural Calamity Advance.
5. Bi-Cycle, Warm Clothing & Table fan advance
6. Festival advance
7. Night Patrolling Allowance.
8. Special Allowance for child care for women with disabilities and Education
9.Allowance for disabled children
10. Conveyance Allowance
11. Children Education Assistance and Reimbursement of Tuition fee.

Read More

0 CABINET APPROVED 6% DA TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

Union cabinet has approved payment of additional Dearness Allowance of 6% to Central Government Employees from 01-01-2011.

The Central Government has declared Additional Dearness Allowance to Central Government Employees and Pensioners after the Union Cabinet meeting held on 22-03-2011. More than 50 lakh Central Government Serving Employees and 38 lakh Central Pensioners are expecting this decision to compensate the price hike. Presently, the DA is paid at 45% of the basic pay, hence the Central Staff and Pensioners will be paid total of 51% DA or DR from 1.1.2011.The revised rates of Dearness Allowance from 1.1.2011 to 28.2.2011 may be paid in cash as arrears and for the month of March may be disbursed with the salary

There is no recommondations in 6th CPC that Dearness Allowance crosses 50% would merge with baisc pay. But the following allowances and advances will be increased by 25% on crossing of Dearness Allowance by 50% as per accepted recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission:
TA / DA Rates on Tour :
1.Daily allowance on tour
2.Mileage allowance for journeys performed by taxi / autorickshaw/scooter/cycle (as per eligibility)
TA Rates on transfer :
1. For journeys performed by taxi/auto-rickshaw/scooter/cycle (as per eligibility)
2. Rates of transportation of house-holds on transfer

Others :
1. National Holiday Allowance
2. Nursing Allowance, Uniform Allowance, Kit Maintenance Allowance & Washing Allowance
3. Project allowance and Compensatory (construction/Survey) allowance.
4. Natural Calamity Advance.
5. Bi-Cycle, Warm Clothing & Table fan advance
6. Festival advance
7. Night Patrolling Allowance.
8. Special Allowance for child care for women with disabilities and Education
9.Allowance for disabled children
10. Conveyance Allowance
11. Children Education Assistance and Reimbursement of Tuition fee.

Read More

0 Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) for all Central government employees

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has finally decided to implement the Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission for all Central government employees. An announcement is expected in the next couple of days, government sources told The Hindu. Those government employees who make the cut will start earning their incentives in 2012.

A Committee of Secretaries (COS) chaired by Cabinet Secretary K. M. Chandrasekhar approved the broad contours of the PRIS on March 8, and asked the Department of Expenditure and Performance Management Division, Cabinet Secretariat, to work out guidelines to implement the scheme. Members of the COS included Finance Secretary Sushma Nath, who was also member-secretary of the Commission.

Any department, to qualify for financial incentives, will have to get a performance rating of 70 per cent or more on its Results-Framework Document (RFD) and implement a bio-metric access control system in its offices. As suggested by the Commission, the incentives will be initially paid out of cost savings made by the department in that fiscal year and hence there will be no additional burden on the exchequer for implementing the PRIS, government sources said. Initially, for every rupee saved by the department, it will allow to distribute up to 15 paise depending on its performance.

The PRIS will cover all employees of the department. While incentives paid to the Secretaries will depend entirely on departmental performance reflected in the RFD, incentives paid to Joint Secretaries will depend on a weighted average of their division's performance and departmental performance. Incentives for junior employees will depend primarily on their individual performance.

However, all employees will need to go through a rigorous performance appraisal system consistent with the RFD evaluation methodology.

Indeed, incentives will start rolling out only after a department has prepared two rounds of robust RFDs, so as to truly capture departmental performance. Given that 2010-11 was the first year for implementation of 12-month RFDs, performance incentives will be paid from 2012-13 to employees who make the cut.

The decision to implement the PRIS comes in the wake of the Prime Minister's Performance Monitoring and Evaluation System (PMES) for government departments that was approved in September 2009.

Interestingly, of the departments that have gone through the exercise, there have been some notable exceptions including the Ministries of Home, Finance, Defence, External Affairs, and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Objections

This has led to objections from officials of other Ministries: the feeling is that these key ministries and departments influence the work of other departments, and unless they, too, are brought under the scanner, the RFD will be redundant and unproductive.

The view from the Cabinet Secretariat is that the Prime Minister did not keep any department out of the ambit of the evaluation process, but it was felt that it would be better to implement it in phases for practical, operational reasons.

The original idea was to cover all 84 ministries and departments - it started with 59 departments in the last quarter of 2009-10, and currently covers 62 departments.

Source:The Hindu ,New Delhi, March 21, 2011

Read More

0 Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) for all Central government employees

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has finally decided to implement the Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission for all Central government employees. An announcement is expected in the next couple of days, government sources told The Hindu. Those government employees who make the cut will start earning their incentives in 2012.

A Committee of Secretaries (COS) chaired by Cabinet Secretary K. M. Chandrasekhar approved the broad contours of the PRIS on March 8, and asked the Department of Expenditure and Performance Management Division, Cabinet Secretariat, to work out guidelines to implement the scheme. Members of the COS included Finance Secretary Sushma Nath, who was also member-secretary of the Commission.

Any department, to qualify for financial incentives, will have to get a performance rating of 70 per cent or more on its Results-Framework Document (RFD) and implement a bio-metric access control system in its offices. As suggested by the Commission, the incentives will be initially paid out of cost savings made by the department in that fiscal year and hence there will be no additional burden on the exchequer for implementing the PRIS, government sources said. Initially, for every rupee saved by the department, it will allow to distribute up to 15 paise depending on its performance.

The PRIS will cover all employees of the department. While incentives paid to the Secretaries will depend entirely on departmental performance reflected in the RFD, incentives paid to Joint Secretaries will depend on a weighted average of their division's performance and departmental performance. Incentives for junior employees will depend primarily on their individual performance.

However, all employees will need to go through a rigorous performance appraisal system consistent with the RFD evaluation methodology.

Indeed, incentives will start rolling out only after a department has prepared two rounds of robust RFDs, so as to truly capture departmental performance. Given that 2010-11 was the first year for implementation of 12-month RFDs, performance incentives will be paid from 2012-13 to employees who make the cut.

The decision to implement the PRIS comes in the wake of the Prime Minister's Performance Monitoring and Evaluation System (PMES) for government departments that was approved in September 2009.

Interestingly, of the departments that have gone through the exercise, there have been some notable exceptions including the Ministries of Home, Finance, Defence, External Affairs, and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Objections

This has led to objections from officials of other Ministries: the feeling is that these key ministries and departments influence the work of other departments, and unless they, too, are brought under the scanner, the RFD will be redundant and unproductive.

The view from the Cabinet Secretariat is that the Prime Minister did not keep any department out of the ambit of the evaluation process, but it was felt that it would be better to implement it in phases for practical, operational reasons.

The original idea was to cover all 84 ministries and departments - it started with 59 departments in the last quarter of 2009-10, and currently covers 62 departments.

Source:The Hindu ,New Delhi, March 21, 2011

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