The income tax department has provided an easy to use platform for users to pay taxes Step-wise filing of ITR & all the links you need

It is time to start work on your income tax return. Although the last date to file for individuals is July 31, it helps to start early so that one is not rushed at the last minute. Here are all the links you need to help you e-file your tax return on your own and also a step by step guide on how to do it. 

The income tax department has provided an easy to use platform for users to pay taxes, file ITRs, cross-check TDS through TRACES, download forms, claim refunds, check status of dues, refunds, challans etc. However, a technically-challenged tax-payer may find it difficult to use these services. Below are quick links for: Registering for e-filing, viewing your form 26AS, Income tax calculator, e-payment of taxes, checking your dues, e-filing the income tax return (ITR), downloading ITR forms and other relevant forms, checking refund status, rectification of return, e-verification of return etc. 

Steps in filing your Income Tax Return

1. Collect your TDS certificates, which have to be mandatorily in TRACES format, from all deductors. In case of digitally signed TDS certificates ensure that there is a check mark on the digital signature indicating it has been verified. Non-verified certificates will have a question mark over the digital signature. Cross check the TDS figure on the certificate with that shown as deducted from your income e.g. TDS figure on salary slip with the figure on the TDS certificate. Check whether deductor has deducted and deposited the tax with the government. TDS certificates are in Form 16 for salaried employees and Form 16A for other deductors.

2. Download your tax credit statement (Form 26AS) from TRACES and cross-check the amount of tax deducted with that mentioned in TDS certificates. You should be getting certificates for all TDS reflecting in your Form26AS and all the TDS from your income should reflect in Form26AS. You need to log into your e-filing account on the income tax e-filing website to download your Form26AS. You can also download it via net-banking wherever the bank provides for this.

3. In case of any difference in the TDS amount shown in Form 26AS and TDS certificates, take up the matter with the deductor (employer, or others, as the case may be) and request for rectification.

4. Now compute your total income for the relevant financial year by adding income under all 5 heads and claiming all the relevant deductions, rebates and setting-off the current year and brought forward losses. Make sure that you don't miss any income in computing your total income is chargeable to tax.

5. Compute your tax liability by applying the applicable tax rates in force for the financial year for which you are calculating the tax - FY2015-16 for most filers. 

6. Next compute your final tax dues payable or refund of taxes. This is done by deducting the taxes that you have already paid for the year by way of - TDS, TCS, and Advance Tax from the tax liability computed above and adding interest payable under sections 234A, 234B, 234C, if any. Finally pay the final tax dues, if any. Tax can be paid physically via cheque or online using challan ITNS 280. Income tax payments made after 15th March of the financial year for which return is to be filed are cal ..

7. Once you have paid your taxes, file the return. The deadline for filing individual tax returns ( except for those whose accounts are required to be audited as per section 44AB or those who are required to furnish the Transfer pricing report) is normally July 31 of the year immediately after the financial year for which the return is being filed.

8. To e-file the return, log in to income tax department's e-filing website with User ID, Password, Date of Birth and enter the Captcha Code. Once you login, you will see different tabs like "dashboard", "my Account" etc.

9. In case of new user - Register yourself with income tax site first. You need to choose your status (individual, chartered accountant, tax deductor etc.) and fill in your basic details like address, DOB, PAN to get registered. Only then you can log in to e-filing.

10. After signing in, choose the form applicable to you for the purpose of filing return.

11. In case Form ITR-1 or ITR-4S is applicable to you, then you can simply file your return electronically without any need to download and upload the ITR forms.

12. In case of other forms like ITR-2A, ITR-2, ITR-3 and ITR4, you need to download the relevant form from the website (either in excel utility or Java utility).

13. Once you have downloaded the relevant form, you need to fill in your personal details, income details and other details required in the form. After filling the form completely, the same is to be uploaded to the website and the return will be filed.

14. Filing of return (whether directly or after uploading the ITR-forms) is not valid without its verification. Return once filed has to be verified by the user.

15. Verification of return can be done by any one of two modes i.e. e- verifications of ITR and Physical verification of ITR.

E-verification can be done by: (i)) Making use of internet Banking, (ii) or by using the OTP sent on your mobile number after you have linked your aadhar with your account on the e-filing portal of the Income tax department or by generating the EVC. (iii) Another method for verification of your ITR is through bank account-based validation system if you don't have Aadhaar number or internet banking facility. (iv) Bank account-based validation

On the other hand ITR can be verified physically as well. An acknowledgement or ITR-V is generated by the e-filing website immediately after you file/upload your return. To verify your return physically, you need to take a print-out of this acknowledgement, check and sign it and send it to the address mentioned on this acknowledgement. 16. Once you have received the acknowledgement of your e-verification filing of your return is complete. You should receive an email confirming that your ITR-V has been received by the IT department i.e. your return stands e-verified. The email will be sent to the email you have registered in your e-filing account on the income tax department's e-filing website. 
source.-The Economic Times

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Any danger in 7th Pay Commission? Find out here.

The implementation of the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations will have no impact on the fiscal deficit in the current fiscal, as budgetary provisions are enough to meet the estimated outgo of Rs 60,400 crore in FY17, a senior official said.With the government broadly accepting the pay- and pension-related recommendations of the Pay panel, over one crore central government staffers and pensioners will get an additional Rs 84,933 crore as recompense in FY17.A finance ministry official on condition of anonymity said that while Budget FY17 did not provide any explicit provision for the Pay panel, some Rs 53,500 crore was built into the allocations to various ministries and Rs 20,500 crore in the rail budget.“Most of the outgo related to general budget has been provided for in the Budget. Only a small amount (Rs 6,900 crore) will be required, which would be met from savings during the year from budget allocations (for various departments),” the official said. He, however, did not specify if these savings meant cuts in capital spending.Every year, the government makes some savings due to the inability of many departments to spend their allocated budget. These savings are often reallocated to needy departments. The total spending budget for FY17 is Rs 19.78 lakh croreThe Centre has set a target to bring down fiscal deficit to 3.5% of GDP in FY17, from 3.9% in FY16. Sources indicated that the tax revenue increase due to Pay panel award had been factored in when the Budget was made.Separately, the railways will have to find another Rs 4,000 crore to meet the gap in budget provision for pay and salary revisions in FY17. It has provided for Rs 20,500 crore in this year’s rail budget for salary hike.The total impact on account of revision in pay, allowances and pension would have been more, had the Centre accepted the recommendations related to allowances along with pay and pension in one go.The Pay Commission’s recommendation for a 63% rise in allowances (which would have inflated the Centre’s and railways’ outgo by Rs 29,300 crore) has been put on hold until a finance secretary-led committee reviews this along with the commission’s suggestions for an overhaul of the 196-odd such benefits.The committee will submit its report in four months (by October). Officials don’t anticipate any significant additional outgo on account of allowances this year as the revised benefits are likely to be paid prospectively from next year.Of the Rs 84,933-crore hit on the exchequer this year, a recurring expenditure of Rs 72,800 crore is due to pay and pension while Rs 12,133 crore is earmarked to pay arrears from last financial year (the panel’s award will take effect from January 2016).On June 29, the Cabinet accepted the Pay Commission’s recommendations on pay and pension.The minimum pay for the lowest level staff will now be Rs 18,000 per month (Rs 7,000 earlier); while the real increase pay/pension is 14.3%.

Source: Financial Express

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Combined All India Gradation List of Postmaster Grade III

Dear Viewers,

          As per the relevant recruitment rules, to promote the Grade III officials who have completed 2 years regular service in Grade III to the Senior Postmaster Cadre, the combined All India Gradation list of PM Grade III is released from the directorate today. The combined All India Gradation List of PM Gr III is posted below.

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Comparing pension amount (Family Pension or NPS annuity) by Government Nodal Office before processing Family Pension cases on Death/disability of subscriber

This is with reference to Regulation 6 (e) of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Exits and Withdrawal from National Pension System) Regulation 2015, providing for the treatment of additional benefits provided by the government like Family Pension.   In this regard, the Authority has provided guidelines for adjustment/transfer of· accumulated pension wealth in the subscribers’ account to the government nodal office in the event of the government providing an additional benefit in the nature of family pension to the family members/subscriber upon their request. However, in order to ensure that such claimants take an informed decision on availing such family pension vis-a-vis the benefits available to them under National Pension System (NPS), it has been decided that the concerned nodal office shall obtain from CRA registered under NPS the information about the likely monthly annuity amount with the accumulated pension wealth in the subscribers account and inform the claimants along with the family pension they are eligible to get.   This is to ensure that the claimants/ family members of the subscriber/subscriber takes an informed decision in the matter of availing the benefits available to him.The Authority is undertaking steps to provide for an annuity quote calculator on the website of CRA registered under NPS for facilitating the same and, in the interim, such nodal offices can write to CRA atnpsclaimassist@nsdl.co.in to provide the approximate pension per month that can be derived from the purchase of an annuity for the accumulated pension wealth in the subscribers account by  giving  the PRA  number  and  other  details.    Upon  receipt  of the information  from  CRA  the  nodal  office  can  guide  the claimants appropriately based  on  the annuity  available  under NPS and the monthly  pension that is available  under  the additional relief by way of family  pension being  offered  to them.
Regulation  6(e) is to be read in conjunction with Regulation  3  (b) and 3  (c) of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development  Authority   (Exits  and Withdrawal  from National Pension System) Regulation  201 Sand is applicable  only  if the concerned Central  or State  Government is offering such  additional relief  by way  of family pension  to  its employee.   It may also  be noted  that  the grant  of additional  relief  by way  of family  pension etc.,    is the sole prerogative   of the concerned Central  or State Government  entity and the Authority  has no role to play in this regard.The clarificatory  guidelines  for  removal  of difficulty  are being  issued  by the Authority  in exercise of its powers  under  Section  14 of the  Pension  Fund Regulatory and Development  Authority  Act, 2013  read  with  Regulation 39 of  the  PFRDA (Exits and Withdrawals from National Pension System) Regulations, 2015.

(Venkateswarlu Peri)

General Mana

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7th CPC கேட்டதும் கிடைத்ததும் (?)

7th CPC Issues : 

1) THREE DIFFERENT VIEWS PROJECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF POST. 

2) Our letter to Chairperson Postal Board.

Click the above link to read the letters.

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India Post plans separate firm to sell collectible stamps.

It proposes to set up an independent public limited company to boost revenue.India Post plans separate firm to sell collectible 

The Department of Post is planning to set up an independent company for its philately business with an aim to boost revenues from the sale of collectible stamps.

India Post Philately Company is proposed as a public limited company, fully owned by the government, with an authorised capital of Rs. 100 crore.

“The proposed company will be a service-based one, which will not only sell its products to existing customers —collectors and philatelists — but will also try to attract new ones. It will focus on promotion of philately, mainly among the younger generation,” a senior official told The Hindu.

The proposal would soon be sent to the Cabinet.

Philately in textooks
As part of the strategy to spread the interest in philately among the younger generation, S.K. Sinha, Secretary, Posts, wrote to the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Human Resources Development last month, seeking that a chapter on philately be included in the textbooks for Class V, VI, or VII.

India Post is eyeing a jump of Rs. 100 crore, or over 250 per cent, in turnover from the philately segment to Rs. 141 crore in the current fiscal.

The earnings from this segment stood at Rs. 39.88 crore during 2015-16 and Rs. 32.85 crore during 2014-15.

This does not include revenues from the sale of stamps meant for daily use.

As per the proposal, the new firm will have a corporate office and four zonal offices. The board of directors will have seven officials. While the Secretary, Department of Posts, will be the non-executive chairman, India Post officials of the rank of Joint Secretary will be appointed as chairman and managing director on deputation. The board will have three persons from the department and four outsiders.

The Department of Company Affairs will also be represented on the board. Inter-ministerial consultations will be held with the Departments of Expenditure and Legal and Company Affairs, and their views would be incorporated in the Cabinet note.

In the six months from January to June this year, the Department has issued 14 commemorative stamps.

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7 CPC - Addl. increment for every 2 stages bunched due to fixation

Dear Viewers

         Many of our fellow govt. employees may not be aware that the 7 CPC has given a pay fixaton rule beneficial for the seniors whose pay is going to be bunched after multiplying with fitment factor with a junior in the same cadre. Earlier due to MACP or other reasons if a junior is drawing more pay no stepping up is allowed. Now by this formula/rule hope the seniors may get benefitted. Please read the Para's 5.1.36 and 5.1.37 of 

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Fixation of Pension for Pre-2016 Pensioners

7th Pay Commission recommendations on Fixation of Pension for Pre-2016 Pensioners to maintain parity between Pensioners who retired before the effective date of implementation of 7th Pay Commission and Post-2016 Pensioners

All the civilian personnel including CAPF who retired prior to 01.01.2016 (expected date of implementation of the Seventh CPC recommendations) shall first be fixed in the Pay Matrix being recommended by this Commission, on the basis of the Pay Band and Grade Pay at which they retired, at the minimum of the corresponding level in the matrix.

(i) This amount shall be raised, to arrive at the notional pay of the retiree, by adding the number of increments he/she had earned in that level while in service, at the rate of three percent. Fifty
percent of the total amount so arrived at shall be the revised pension.

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ஆகஸ்டு மாதம் புதிய சம்பளம்.

நாம் ஏற்கனவே சொன்னது கீழே உள்ள பதிவில் பார்க்கலாம் : 
இந்த வாரம் 7th CPC முறையான Cabinet Approved Notification வெளிவரும்.  
புதிய சம்பளம் கணக்கிடபட்டு ஆகஸ்டு மாதம் பெறலாம்.
அரியர்ஸ் - நான்கு மாதங்கள் கழித்து High Level Committee அறிக்கைக்கு பிறகு கிடைக்கும்

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Union leaders assured "Pay hike not Deferred" - Finance Ministry notification soon

7th Pay Commission – Unions to put forth its demands strongly – NJCA leader’s Interview of India TV on formation of 7th CPC High Level Committee by Govt

7th Pay Commission -  Shri. Shiva Gopal Mishra on India 24x7 ...

Click the above link to view

 

Amid confusion among Govt. employees regarding pay hike as per 7th CPC, Confederation of Central Govt. Employee and Workers clarified certain things, most importantly the possibility of deferment of pay hike. Salient features of the clarification are listed below.

WHETHER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CABINET DECISIONON 7TH CPC RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE DELAYEDFURTHER FOR FOUR MONTHS

The question of keeping in abeyance the implementation of the Cabinet decision on 29th June 2016 regarding 7thCPC recommendations, till the High Level Committee submits its report to Govt, was discussed in the NJCA meeting. It is decided that NJCA should not demand it, as the employees may be put to hardship, especially those who are in the verge of retirement. Com Shiv Gopal Misra, Convenor, NJCA has confirmed from the Finance Ministry that Govt notification on 7th CPC recommendations is under process and it will be issued shortly, payment may be made from August salary.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EMPOWERED COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED EARLIER AND THE NEW HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE?

The new High Level Committee is the product of the discussion held by Group of Ministers including Home Minister, Finance Minister and Railway Minister with NJCA leaders after announcement of the Cabinet decision, in the wake of an impending indefinite strike. Govt is compelled to appoint the new Committee, as the decision taken by the Govt on the proposals submitted by the Empowered Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary (details of proposals of ECoS is not known to staff side) is not acceptable to the NJCA. Hence the new Committee shall be to reconsider the decision of the Govt. especially regarding minimum wage and fitment formula. Inspite of the assurance of the Groups of Ministers that the Committee is being constituted to reconsider the Govt. decision, if the Govt. again reject our demand, the NJCA have to reconsider its stand and deferred strike shall be revived.

POSITION REGARDING ALLOWANCES

All allowances including HRA, transport allowance, fixed medical allowance to pensioners etc. are referred to a committee headed by Finance Secretary. Committee shall submit its report within four months. Pending final decision based on the report of the Committee, all existing allowances to be paid as per the existing rates in existing pay structure. Govt. may try to deny arrears of revised rate of allowances by implementing it from prospective date as in the past. This issue will be further discussed by the NJCA with the proposed Committee.

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LTC யா - உஷார் தோழர்களே

Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession Guidelines to be followed
No.31011/3/2013-Estt (A.IV)

Government Of India

Ministry Of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department Of Personnel and Training

Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi – 110 001                                        Dated July 12, 2016                      OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Irregularities and misuse in availing Leave Travel Concession Guidelines to be followed.

The undersigned is directed to enclose a copy of draft O.M.on the subject noted above for comments within 15 days to the undersigned (email address:jha.sn@nic.in)

sd/-
(Surya Narayan Jha)
Under secretary to the Government of India

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Revised Citizen’s Charter of Department of Posts.

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Let us remember the Red Letter Day of 11th July 1960

During the year 1960, Central Government employees organized a nation-wide strike against the meager increase of pay of 14.2%. The role played in the above strike by our founder leader KR and others is given below. KR issued an appeal to all workers exhorting them to be prepared for all sacrifices and sufferings to secure a better tomorrow. KR was arrested on the mid night of 11thJuly 1960 and interned in Tihar Jail in Delhi. The strike was called off unconditionally after 5 days on 16-7-1960. 45,945 employees who took part in the strike were proceeded against under departmental proceedings. 27,098 were suspended. 17,771 were proceeded against in courts of law and more than 800 were dismissed or removed due to court convictions. 976 were dismissed due to departmental proceedings. 11 were compulsorily retired. 2137 were discharged from service. Termination notices were issued to 7589 officials. It is a pity that KR was handcuffed chained both arms and legs and brought to court. 

Let us remember the sacrifices of our old leaders and take pledge to follow their foot-steps in the coming days.  

Our  sincere salute to the sacrificed leaders of the past.

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7th CPC: Gazette to be issued early this week.

government employees' unions are trying to douse all speculation and rumours whether the 7th Pay Commission will be implemented or not, saying that notification towards implementation of the Pay Commission will be issued early this week.

The government's flip flop in accepting the employees demand and further setting up a high level committee to look into their demands, has created confusion among central government employees whether or not the 7th Pay Commission will be implemented soon.

“There should not be any doubt that salary for the month of July onward will be based on 7th CPC recommendations approved by the government on 29th June, 2016 with only change that, all the allowances, as admissible at present, will continue till report of various committees set up for different purposes are finalized. Gazette Notification for the same is expected today or early next week", said Shiv Gopal Mishra, Convenor, of National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) in his official blog.

National Joint Council of Action is an umbrella body of 33 lakh central government employees including Railways, Defence, and other central government unions.

Mishra had earlier said that NJCA will put forth its demands to government very strongly and hopes positive outcome from the negotiations.

He reiterated that the minimum wages recommended by 7th Pay Commission were not acceptable to the government employees and hopes that the high level committee, which government will set up to look into raising minimum salary, would do the needful in this regard in stipulated time frame i.e. four months.

Source : Zee News

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Bank strike: Deferred temporarily, announces AIBEA

New Delhi: Banks will be open and operations normal on Tuesday and Wednesday after a section of the public sector bank employees on Monday deferred their proposed two-day nationwide strike following the intervention of the Delhi High Court.

The nationwide strike, in protest against the proposed merger of SBI associates and privatisation of IDBI Bank, was scheduled for July 12 and 13.

However, with the interference of the Delhi High Court, the proposed strike has been deferred.

"In view of Delhi High Court restrain order our strike on July 12 and 13 stands deferred," All India Bank Employees' Association General Secretary C H Venkatachalam said.

Earlier, the employee union had announced to go on strike to protest against the proposed merger of SBI associates and privatisation of IDBI Bank.

All India Bank Officers' Association and State Sector Bank Employees' Association had also announced their support to the strike.

The high court in its order on a plea of State Bank of Patiala and four other subsidiary banks of SBI restrained State Sector Bank Employees Association (SSBEA) and All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) from proceeding ahead with the two-day strike till the next date of hearing.

The HC listed the matter for further hearing on July 20.

The five associate lenders of SBI are State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Hyderabad.

With PTI Inputs

 

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ஆகஸ்டு மாதம் புதிய சம்பளம்.

இந்த வாரம் 7th CPC முறையான Cabinet Approved Notification வெளிவரும்.  
புதிய சம்பளம் கணக்கிடபட்டு ஆகஸ்டு மாதம் பெறலாம்.
அரியர்ஸ் - நான்கு மாதங்கள் கழித்து High Level Committee அறிக்கைக்கு பிறகு கிடைக்கும். 

 -----------------------------

Doubts & Clarifications

We are receiving mails &telephonic calls from various levels about 7^th CPC . Our federation clarifies the doubts after consulting top NJCA leader.
1)When Government issued 7^th CPC implementation notification?
It is clarified that  the Gazette  notification will be issued by the Government by the 2nd week of July , 2016 & Central Government employees will get 7^th Cpc  Salary in  the month of August,2016   
2)What is the recommendation of empowered committee Chaired by Cabinet secretary?
Committee recommendation is not disclosed with NJCA leaders. But it is visible report is not accepted by the NDA Government
3)What is the present High level committee?
The present committee consists of  Group of Ministers which includes Finance Minster; Home Minster& Railway   Minister this committee submits its opinion within 4 months.
4)If the New committee rejected our Demand what is the stand of NJCA?
It is clarified by the NJCA that deferred indefinite strike will revive  
5)What is rate of HRA & other allowances?

According to announcement the HRA will be paid in the ratio of 30% 20%10% for another 4 months & allowances will be paid in the rates in existing Pay structure. High level committee will take final assessment with in time frame of 4months.

6)Whether better settlement is possible if we go on strike on the proposed date of July 11 2016 ?
We cannot presume things on assumption basis but it is sure Government will abide by when    only Railway men go on strike. We are only minority partners. We cannot do any major role in the NJCA.
7)What about the pension in regard to parity?
The Finance Minister categorically assured that the Govt. has accepted the recommendations in toto and the Pension Department has  been asked to sort out the difficulties in implementation
8)What is the fate of GDS demand ?
Postal unions demand proportionate scales for GDS employees, hence the minimum wage is important to fix salary to GDS.
In the Kamlesh Chandra committee FNPO&NUGDS demand regularization of GDS employees by giving with full justification. FNPO will continue its efforts to get status to GDS like earlier we will not talk much about GDS  but FNPO will do everything as in the case of past.  -S.G.FNPO.

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The nostalgic coming-of-age story of India Post

We all are tuned to cope up with the delays and defaults of government services. Yes, in India, approaching a government office is generally perceived as “the job of the jobless;” and if anyone dares to do that, he/she should be prepared to buy “ thousand pairs of sandals” before getting the task done (Courtesy: a commercial from a footwear company). For the same reason I had developed an aversion towards India Post services when I was living in metros, far away from my family in Kerala. The indefinite wait for receiving a registered post or a letter from my family had often made me vent my anger on the lifeless bricks of my house. It was when I fell prey to the ‘lightning speed’ promises of the private courier companies. .

Surprisingly, the story has a different twist now. India Post has evolved to a tech-savvy, people friendly service; on the other side, the courier mafia has grown arrogant and unapproachable. I am totally unhappy with the way private courier companies are handling the service; and trust me, now I am in deep love with India Post speed post service! Yes, India Post has transformed a lot; they are no more the slowpoke, but are the people-friendly mail delivery service of the new-age Indian.

The process is simple, but highly professional. I book the post at a post office at a minimum price; it costs less than half of private courier service. My mobile number is attached to the packet. The moment the party receives the packet, I get an SMS. In case someone sends me a packet where my number is mentioned I get the message as soon as it reaches my post office. What’s more impressive is that you can track the packet, bit by bit – done in a superb way – much more professional than the so-called professional couriers! (See the image below).

See the image below).

Have you ever approached a private courier helpline and have you ever succeeded in getting a satisfactory answer from them? If yes, you are lucky! I have had enough bad experience from them. The numbers given in the website never get on their way. In case I succeed in connecting one of them, the executives play smarter by re-directing our calls to the next agent or asking us to contact the next branch office, and so on. Frustrated, I have also filed a legal case against a courier firm that failed to deliver a cheque to my old mother. They asked her to travel a long 25 km to collect the packet. The reason: they don’t have the service in that remote village.

Yes, here’s the success of our own India Post that has 154,866 post offices, (89.8% of which belong to rural India). Hats off to the visionaries of this postal system; now we are able to connect anyone in any corner of India- even in places where telephone, cable TV and electricity are distant dreams. I was sad when the Department of Posts announced the “demise” of Telegram services a few years ago. I feared the same will happen to the Inland letter, post card, post cover and those sticky stamps, all of which still sleep in the treasure box of my romantic days! Indeed, they arouse the nostalgic at the same time exciting memories of those days when I eagerly waited for the postman carrying the letter/ greetings from my boyfriend!

Memories will fade away, so are the materials on earth that build those memories. In this age of e-mail, Whatsapp and 123greetings.com, there is no point in worrying about the fate of inland, post cards, and the like; but I still feel we should preserve our postal network without any damage to it, and uphold its integrity of serving the people in a democratic way. I am optimistic seeing the evolution of our age-old post-office to a banking center, a pension/PF shelter for elderly, an e-commerce collection center, and much more in offing.

Yes, there is no substitute for India Post. It’s the heart of the country, circulating its pulses across the borders and within. We should never let it die

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