Celebration of National Postal Week-2016

Celebration of National Postal Week-2016 from 9th Oct’16 to 15th Oct’16. 

To view the details of circular and day to day celebration of postal week program, please CLICK HERE

 

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Final views sought for from Unions on Cadre Restructuring Implementation.

Final views sought for from Unions on Cadre Restructuring Implementation.

 

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Minutes of the Meeting on Cadre Restructuring

Minutes of the Meeting on Cadre Restructuring

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ENHANCEMENT OF CEILING OF BONUS TO GDS&OUR STEPS

Enhancement of ceiling of bonus order issued to our Departmental employees on 02.09.2016. 
On 03.09.2016 our NUGDS General Secretary sent letter to the Department of post to extent the enhancement of ceiling of bonus to GDS employees. There was no response from Department. On 15.09.2016 our Federation sent a letter to the Secretary demanding enhancement of ceiling of bonus to GDS. On 16.09.2016 Postal JCA sent letter to the Secretary on the same.

Meanwhile some of the colleagues post the news in their web site on 15.09.2016 stating that the enhancement of ceiling of bonus to GDS “File has been sent to JS&FA and after approval from him will be sent to Finance Ministry for sanction”, again now they are saying the file is referred to GDS committee, what happened in between 15.09.2016 to 23.09.2016 we do not know. Now they are announcing dharna programme , We don’t want comment more on this issue now.  FNPO representatives will meet concerned officers next week. Till such time we don’t want announce any agitation programme . GDS colleagues are requested to understand the situation. FNPO will not aggravate any issues under any circumstances, at the same time we will not compromise core issue at any cost. 

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Understanding Minimum Wages and Bonus

A minimum wage is the lowest remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers or it is the price floor below which workers may not sell their labour.

The concept of minimum wages first evolved with reference to remuneration of workers in those industries where the level of wages was substantially low as compared to the wages for similar types of labour in other industries. As far back as 1928, the International Labour Conference of International Labour Organization, at Geneva, adopted a draft convention on minimum wages requiring the member countries to create and maintain a machinery whereby minimum rates of wages can be fixed for workers employed in industries in which no arrangements exist for the effective regulation of wages and where wages are exceptionally low. Also, at the Preparatory Asian Regional Labour Conference of International Labour Organisation held at New Delhi in 1947 and then at the 3rd session of the Asian Regional Labour Conference, it was approved that every effort should be made to improve wage standards in industries and occupations in Asian Countries, where they are still low. Thus, the need of a legislation for fixation of minimum wages in India received an impetus after World War II, on account of the necessity of protecting the interest of demobilized personnel seeking employment in industries.

The justification for statutory fixation of minimum wage is obvious. Such provisions which exist in more advanced countries are even necessary in India, where workers’ organizations are yet poorly developed and the workers’ bargaining power is consequently poor.

To provide for machinery for fixing and revision of minimum wages a draft Bill was prepared and discussed at the 7th session of the Indian Labour Conference in November, 1945. Thereupon the Minimum Wages Bill was introduced in the Central Legislative Assembly. The Minimum Wages Bill having been passed by the Legislature received the assent on 15th March, 1948. It came on the Statute Book as the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.

The Act provides for fixation by the appropriate Governments of minimum wages for employments covered by Schedule to the Act. The Central Government is the appropriate Government in respect of 45 scheduled employments in the Central Sphere. The minimum wages fixed for Central sphere are applicable to the scheduled employments in the establishments under the authority of Central Government, railway administrations, mines, oil-fields, major ports or any corporation established by a Central Act. Employments other than the scheduled employment for Central Sphere come under the purview of the State Government and accordingly State Government wages are applicable in such employments. The minimum wages for Central Sphere are revised from time to time based on the increase in Consumer Price Index effective from April and October.

According to Section 3(1)(b) of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, “the appropriate government shall review at such intervals, as it may think fit, such intervals not exceeding five years, the minimum rates of wages so fixed and revise the minimum rates if necessary.

The norms recommended by the Indian Labour Conference, in 1957, fox fixing the minimum wages are: (a) consumption units for one wage earner; (b) minimum food requirements of 2700 calories per average Indian adult; (c) clothing requirements of 72 yards per annum per family; (d) rent corresponding to the minimum area provided for under Government’s Industrial Housing Scheme; and (e) fuel, lighting and other miscellaneous items of expenditure to constitute 20% of the total minimum wage.

In 1991, the Hon’ble Supreme Court delivered a historic judgement and directed that children’s education, medical requirement, minimum recreation including festivals/ceremonies, provision for old age, marriage etc. should further constitute 25% of the minimum wage and be used as a guide in fixation of minimum wage. The Act envisages appointment of an Advisory Board, by the appropriate Government, for the purpose of advising the appropriate Government in the matter of fixing and revising minimum rates of wages.

The Central Government revises the wages in the scheduled employments from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. Draft Notifications for all the Scheduled Employments in the Central Sphere were issued on 1st September, 2016 simultaneously, in fact for the first time. The basic rate of minimum wages for an unskilled worker in the scheduled employment other than agriculture has been proposed at Rs.350 in Area ‘C’ from the current minimum wage (basic wage + variable dearness allowance) of Rs.246 resulting in an increase of about 42%. The basic rate of minimum wages for an unskilled worker in the scheduled employment “agriculture” has been proposed at Rs.300 in Area ‘C’ from the current minimum wage (basic wage + variable dearness allowance) of Rs.211 resulting in an increase of about 42%.

The proposed revision in the rates of basic minimum wages would indeed provide much needed solace to the labour fraternity.

Bonus

Bonus payment is an extra payment given for doing one’s job well also known as performance-related pay or pay for performance.

The practice of paying bonus in India appears to have originated during First World War when certain textile mills granted 10% of wages as war bonus to their workers in 1917. In certain cases of industrial disputes demand for payment of bonus was also included. In 1950, the Full Bench of the Labour Appellate Tribunal evolved a formula for determination of bonus. A plea was made to raise that formula in 1959. At the second and third meetings of the eighteenth Session of Standing Labour Committee (G.O.I) held in New Delhi in March/ April 1960, it was agreed that a Commission be appointed to go into the question of bonus and evolve suitable norms. A Tripartite Commission was set up by the Government of India to consider in a comprehensive manner, the question of payment of bonus based on profits to employees employed in establishments and to make recommendations to the Government. The Government of India accepted the recommendations of the Commission subject to certain modifications. To implement these recommendations the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 was enacted, which came into force on 25-9-1965.

The objective of the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 is to provide for the payment of bonus to the persons employed in certain establishments on the basis of profits or on the basis of production or productivity and for matter connected therewith.

It applies to (i) Every Factory; and (ii) Every other establishment in which 20 or more persons are employed on any day during an accounting year subject to the exemptions under section 32. Every employee shall be entitled to be paid by his employer in an accounting year, bonus, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, provided he has worked in the establishment for not less than thirty working days in that year. While the minimum bonus is 8.33% of the salary or wage earned by the employee during the accounting year, the maximum bonus is 20% of such salary or wage.

Two ceilings are available under the said Act generally known as eligibility limit and calculation ceiling respectively. Clause 13 of Section 2 of Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 defines an employee based on salary or wage per mensem. This is usually taken as the “eligibility limit” for computation of bonus. Similarly, Section 12 of the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 provides for calculation of bonus of an employee based on salary or wage per mensem. This is known as “calculation ceiling”.

The two ceilings are revised from time to time to keep pace with the price rise and increase in the salary structure. At present, the calculation ceiling has been enhanced to Rs.7000 or the minimum wage for the scheduled employment, as fixed by the appropriate Government, whichever is higher and the eligibility limit has been enhanced to Rs.21,000/-.

Due to this revision, additional 55 lakh workers would be benefited. This would indeed, be a good gesture on the part of the Government towards the labour fraternity.

Source : PIB

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FNPO and NUGDS agitation programme

FNPO and NUGDS agitation programme on GDS issues will be intimated to the Circle/Division/Branch secretaries after meeting with Chairman GDS COMMISSION ON 30.09.2016

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Discontinuation of PPF Agency Scheme, Commission under PRSS

Discontinuation of Public Provident Fund (PPF) Agency Scheme, Commission under Pay Roll Savings Schemes (PRSS) and Sanchayika Scheme with effect from 01/10/2016 

 

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Meeting with GDS Pay Committee

Chairman GDS Pay Committee called Federations/ Unions for discussion on the GDS issues, post approval of Recommendation of the 7^th CPC.

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Railway budget scrapped, merged with general budget

NEW DELHI: There will be no separate railway budget from the next financial year.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod to merge the railway budget with the general budget from next year, putting an end to a practice that started in 1924.

"Rail budget and general budget will be amalgamated from now, there will only be one budget," finance minister Arun Jaitley said after the Cabinet meeting.

"However, the functional autonomy of railways will be maintained," Jaitley said.

The decision to merge the railway budget with the general budget is significant as in recent years, particularly since coalition governments post-1996, political heavyweights have used the railway budget to hand out goodies and for their own image building. With the railway portfolio often held by regional biggies, the budget reflected political priorities of the incumbent. The railway bureaucracy has also dug in its heels in the past.

Railway minister Suresh Prabhu's readiness to give up the limelight is a break from the past as BJP seems in a position to dump the railway budget as its solid majority in Lok Sabha enabled it to retain the portfolio rather than handing it to an ally.

The move to discard the British-era practice of a separate rail budget by the Modi government comes after a two-member committee comprising Niti Aayog member Bibek Debroy and Kishore Desai recommended the exercise be scrapped.

Budget session advanced

With a view to get all the legislative approvals for the annual spending and tax proposals before the beginning of the new financial year on April 1, the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved advancing date for presentation of the general budget by a month instead of present practice of unveiling it at the end of February.

To facilitate this, the budget session of Parliament will be called sometime before January 25, a month ahead of the current practice.


Accordingly, the beginning of budget preparation will be advanced to early October and GDP estimates made available on January 7 instead of February 7 now.

Till now budget was presented on the last day of February and it is not until mid-May that the Parliament approves it in two parts. And with the monsoon arriving in June, most of the schemes and spendings by states do not take off until October, leaving just half a year for their implementation.

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DA from July 2016 - 2% or 3% ?

DA from July 2016 in 7th pay Commission is 2% or 3% is yet to be confirmed 

 

 It seems that the DA from July 2016 in 7th Pay Commission is not yet finalized by Central Government. There is confusion persists on the rate of Dearness Allowance to be paid from 1st July 2016 in revised Pay . The AICPIN average for the year 2015 to be taken as Base Index for calculation of DA in 7th CPC as the DA has been neutralized to arrive the revised Pay.

 
The actual AICPIN Average for 2015 is 261.33. As per this AICPIN average, the DA to be paid at the rate of 2% from July 2016 in 7th CPC . But the NCJCM has contended that it should be paid at the rate of 3%.

The NCJCM staff side said that as per the practice of fraction is being ignored, 0.75 is ignored from actual DA 125.75 as on 1st January 2016. Since the 125% DA was merged to revise the 7th CPC pay, Accordingly, the AICPIN average of 2015 has to be revised to 260.46 from 261.33 to arrive the exact rate of DA of 125% .

It is obvious that the NCJCM Staff Sides claim has sufficient merits to be considered favorably by the Government. In that case, the DA to be paid from July 2016 will be 3%.

The NCJCM Staff Side should be appreciated for this timely intervention and effort.

The central Government need to take decision in this regard soon, as it has been passed third week of September. Usually the announcement of DA for July every year will be made in the first or second week of September.

Source: http://www.gservants.com/

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Allowance Committee could submit report soon.

7th Pay Commission: Panel appointed to examine allowances could submit report soon

A panel set up by the Central government to look into proposals pertaining to allowances of government employees, including defence personnel, made by the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) is likely to submit its report shortly, raising expectations for about 1 crore individuals.

The announcement of the panel to be headed by Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa was made on June 29, 2016 when the government accepted the salary hike rates as proposed by the pay commission.

An online platform called The Sen Times claimed that the committee has finalised its report and is likely to submit the same "this week", citing government sources. It also said that the quantum of allowances may not vary from those proposed by the CPC.

"The committee on allowances is likely to stick with the 7th Pay Commission's recommendations on allowances," The Sen Times quoted the sources as saying.

The 7th CPC had recommended scrapping 51 allowances and subsuming another 37 after examining the existing 196 allowances that are currently paid.

Given the significant changes in the existing provisions for allowances which may have wide ranging implications, the Cabinet had decided to constitute a committee headed by Finance Secretary for further examination of the recommendations of 7th CPC on Allowances.

"The Committee will complete its work in a time bound manner and submit its reports within a period of 4 months. Till a final decision, all existing Allowances will continue to be paid at the existing rates," an official statement issued by the finance ministry said.

The government has already released the salary and pension arrears for the period January to July 2016 and started paying salaries after factoring in the hike from August onwards. A decision on payments to the armed forces was taken recently.

The recommendations of the 7th CPC are applicable to 47 lakh central government employees and 53 lakh pensioners, of which 14 lakh employees and 18 lakh retirees are from the defence forces.

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Mark list of LDC Examination for promotion of LGOs to the cadre of PAs/SAs

Mark list of Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for promotion of Lower Grade Officials to the cadre of PAs/SAs for the vacancies of the year 2015-16 held on 31.07.2016 (Forenoon)

Click here to download the Mark list for Postal Assistants 

Click here to download the Mark list for Sorting Assistants

 

 

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is soon set to bring out final operational guidelines for payments banks

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is soon set to bring out final operational guidelines for payments banks, more than a year after the regulator granted in-principle approval to 11 players for setting up such banks.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is soon set to bring out final operational guidelines for payments banks, more than a year after the regulator granted in-principle approval to 11 players for setting up such banks.

This comes about close to two years after the final licencing guidelines had been issued in November 2014, which detailed the requirements and eligibility on the operational front.

Three people familiar with the development told Business Standard that the banking regulator has made it clear that the final guidelines on operations would be out soon. This was also communicated to the players at a closed-door conference in Pune about a week ago.

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World Postal Strategy.

Pending approval by member countries at Congress, the Istanbul World Postal Strategy is to be adopted as the UPU’s road map for the 2017-2020 work cycle. The strategy is centered on three goals:
Goal 1: Improve the interoperability of network infrastructure.
Goal 2: Ensure sustainable and modern products.
Goal 3: Foster effective market sector functioning.
These goals evolved from discussions involving almost 90 per cent of the UPU’s 192 member countries. Some of the debates took place at a series of seven regional conferences in 2015, revealing common priorities among countries worldwide. E-commerce development and strengthening operational efficiency emerged as top-level priorities in all regions.
The strategy is also accompanied by a draft business plan, which links work proposals to expected outcomes and benefits for member countries. Fifteen programmes of activity have been developed to implement the strategic goals.
Global forces
The draft strategy is based on lessons from the current work cycle. This new digital age is characterized by disparities in socio-economic conditions. In this context, the UPU can help provide solutions geared towards social inclusion.
The UPU is also well-positioned to promote integration throughout the global postal network. Current activities are already helping the postal sector carry out its role as an essential component in the global economy.
With the rise of digital technologies and e-commerce, customers expect postal operators to modernize their services and improve quality, making innovation a necessity.
Revision of rates of damages for unauthorized occupation of general pool residential accommodation and damages for subletting w.e.f. 01.07.2016

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Revision of rates of damages for unauthorized occupation of general pool residential accommodation and damages for subletting of general pool residential accommodation with effect from 1.7.2016 throughout the country - Partial modification

No.18011/1/2015-Pol.III

Government of India

Ministry of Urban Development

Directorate of Estates 

Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi - 110 108.

Dated the 7 September, 2016 g

OFFICE MEMORANDUM 

Sub: Revision of rates of damages for unauthorized occupation of general pool residential accommodation and damages for subletting of general pool residential accommodation with effect from 1.7.2016 throughout the country - Partial modification - Reg. 

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Cadre Restructuring meeting at CO

The First meeting on Cadre Restructuring of Tamilnadu Circle with all Union Representatives will be held at Circle office on 20.09.2016. 
Shri.Thirugnana Sampantham, convenor, P3 will attend in this meeting as NAPE P3 representative. 
Your Views  and Opinion may kindly be conveyed to Shri.Thirugnana Sampantham, convenor over Phone before 1700 Hrs today.

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DoP plans to recruit around 55,000 GDSs through online

DoP plans to recruit around 55,000 GDSs through online mode in November& Postal Department achieved business of Rs. 14, 900 crore as against planned target of Rs. 14, 600 crore: B.V Sudhakar

The Departments of Posts plans to recruit around 55,000 Grameen Dak Sevaks through online mode in November, B.V Sudhakar, Secretary, Department of Posts, said.

Addressing a Press Conference here on Friday, Sudhakar informed that the software required for online recruitment is at the testing stage and the online method will ensure transparency in this recruitment.

In order to address the grievances of the postal customers, the National Service Call Centre - 1924 - was launched on September 12, 2016. Customers can call from any network to this number and they will be given a unique 11-digit ticket ID to check the status of their complaint. Nearly 98 per cent grievances and complaints were resolved, he said in a statement.

Post Payment Bank

Explaining about the Post Payment Bank, he said the focus will be on Government to customer services by providing services like Direct Benefits Transfer, which could also be helpful in the financial inclusion. There will be no lending to the customers and deposits can be made up to Rs. 1 lakh.

Total 650 branches of post payment bank will be set up by May 2017 and nearly one lakh employees will work on this set up, he added.

Solar power 

Sudhakar also informed to harness solar power, 4000 Postal buildings across country will utilize solar power in the coming days. To start with Postal Department headquarters at New Delhi will install Solar Power panels which can save up to Rs. 17 lakh of monthly power bill.

The business across Postal services registered growth with 3.8% growth in unregistered postal traffic, 6% in registered posts, 7.3% in Speed Post, 6.8% in savings banks mobilization and 25% growth in Philately, during 2015-16 as against 2014-15, he said.

Postal Department achieved business of Rs. 14, 900 crore as against planned target of Rs. 14, 600 crore, he added.

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Video Presentation on GDS

Presentation 1 : ( CLICK HERE ).

 Presentation 2 :  ( CLICK HERE )

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TN Circle called Meeting on Rule 38 transfer cases.

Tamilnadu Circle office called Meeting on Assessing vacancy position in PA cadre by adjusting the Pending Rule 38 transfer cases.

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SOP for Internet/Mobile/SMS Banking

Standard Operating Procedure for Internet/Mobile/SMS Banking

1. Any Post Office Savings Account customer may apply for Internet/Mobile/SMS Banking facility. Savings Account must be standing at any CBS Post Office but not in Extra Departmental Branch Post Office in account with CBS Post Office.

2.Account Holder has to apply for Internet and/or Mobile and/or SMS Banking by filling ATM/eBanking/Mobile Banking Form. If Account holder has opened savings account after migration to CBS with proper KYC documents, there is no need for taking fresh KYC documents. If Account holder has opened Savings Account before migration, fresh Identity and Address proof as well as photograph has to be taken in Annexure-II of Account Opening Form(AOF) alongwith ATM/e-Banking/Mobile Banking Request Form.

3. This form has to be submitted only in the CBS Post Office where account was opened or where account is currently being operated after transfer. If a depositor of any account standing at any CBS post office wants to apply for E/M/SMS Banking at any other CBS Office, he/she has to first get his/her account transferred to the same CBS Post Office by following the already laid down procedure. In such cases CPA/SU should check the current SOL ID of the account which was transferred either in HACCDET or HACLI menu to confirm the same before enabling Internet/Mobile/SMS Banking.

4.Once Form alongwith required documents is submitted, Counter PA will go to IES menu of Finacle to verify signature of the applicant. If account is a Joint Account ‘B’ type, both the account holders have to sign the form and Joint Account ’A’ type of account holders cannot apply for these facilities.

5.Once customer’s signatures and other documents are verified, Counter PA has to see that all the required fields in the request form have been properly filled. Counter PA will go to CMRC menu and click on modify option. In CIF Modification menu, Counter PA has to click on Enable Internet banking and/or Enable Mobile Banking and/or enable SMS banking based on the options ticked by the applicant in request form. E Mail ID and Mobile Phone number are to be mandatorily filled by the Counter PA. See below screen shot:-

6.Supervisor has to verify the CIF modification in CMRC. After verification, Supervisor will make entry in a Register to be maintained in manuscript in CBS SO/HO showing following information:-

Date of apply- Date of delivery of PIN--Savings Account No.- Customer name-Mobile Number-E Mail ID- Signature of depositor- Initials of Supervisor. Depositor should be told to attend same CBS Post Office after 10 working days to get Internet Banking PIN. In case only Mobile banking facilities are applied, customer should be told to wait for 24 working hours and thereafter M PIN can be generated by the customer through the registered mobile number by downloading Mobile App. CIF ID will be the Login ID, both for Interest and Mobile Banking. In case of SMS banking, within 48 hours of applying, customer will get 4 digit PIN through SMS.

7. CPC Bangalore will print Internet banking PIN numbers and sent PINs to the respective CBS Post Office by service Insured Post. CPC Bangalore should keep sufficient stationary for PIN printing and dispatch. When any customer attend post office for getting PIN, Supervisor will enter date of delivery in the register and get deliver PIN mailer under signature in the register against the entry made on the day of accepting request form. Supervisor will initial against each entry. Customer should be told that CIF ID will be the Login ID and Login Password as well as Transaction Password should be changed after first login and should not be shared with anyone.

8.Facilities which can be availed by these account holders in Internet Banking, Mobile Banking and SMS Banking are attached. SMS Short Codes to be used by SMS Banking Account holders are also attached.

9.Every CBS Post Office has to paste this list of facilities and List Of Short Codes on the Public Notice Board.

10.LOTs and Consolidation of SB,RD,TD and PPF have been changed. A new selection criteria "Delivery Channel ID" has been added with default value as "BRN". When click on searcher, it shows following channels:-

BRN-Branch Transactions
BWY- E-Banking -M-Banking Chanel ID
SWT-ATM Channel ID

In BRN, all counter/system transactions done for a SOL will be shown. In BWY, all transactions done through Internet/Mobile Banking by Savings Account holders of a SOL will be shown. In SWT, all transactions done through ATM attached with the SOL will be shown. By default, BRN will be displayed in these LOTs and consolidation. Any CBS SO/HO should not account for transactions listed in BWY and SWT channel IDs. These offices can only see these reports in case of any complaint/grievance/inquiry.

11.Only Bangalore GPO will generate SB,RD,TD and PPF Consolidation by selecting BWY as channel ID and putting ALL as Set ID in the MIS server for the previous working day and account for total amount shown under different heads in the cash book showing amount as (Through E&M Banking). One deposit and one withdrawal voucher for the total amount (scheme-wise) has to be prepared by Bangalore GPO and transferred to SBCO alongwith printed copy of consolidation.

12.For any complaint regarding Internet/Mobile/SMS banking, customer has to either dial toll free number 1800-425-2440 or send an e-mail to postatm@indiapost.gov.in. If customer complains at any CBS Post Office, his/her complaint may be accepted and forwarded to this e-mail ID. CPC Bangalore will handle such complaints till further orders.

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