Dopt Clarification on LTC - Eligibility of Home Town Concession- Frequently Asked Questions

G.I., Dept. of Per. & Trg., O.M.No. 31011/4/2007-Estt.(A-IV), dated 18.5.2015

Subject: Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988- Clarification regarding eligibility of Home Town Concession- Frequently Asked Questions.

The undersigned is directed to say that this Department receives a number of references from Government servants/ various Ministries/Departments seeking clarifications regarding the eligibility of Government employees in respect of Home Town LTC. The point of doubts raised and their clarifications are as under :-

1. Whether the employees whose Headquarters/ Place of posting and Home Town are same, are eligible for Home Town LTC?

No. Government employees whose headquarters/place of posting and Home Town are one and the same are not eligible for Home Town LTC.

2. Whether the employees who are not eligible for Home Town LTC may avail the Special Concession scheme of conversion of Home Town LTC to travel to North East Region, allowed by DoPT's 31011/3/2014-Estt.A-IV 26.09.2014?

No. Employees whose Home Town & Headquarters are same are not eligible for Home town LTC and hence, the question of conversion of Home Town LTC to travel to these places under special concession scheme does not arise.

3. Whether the employees residing in cities / towns outside Delhi which fall under other states of National Capital Region (NCR) are eligible for Home Town Concession?

Yes, Cities/Towns which outside Delhi and fall in other states of NCR are not to be treated as Delhi Headquarters. Hence, the Government employees whose headquarters are Delhi and reside in cities/towns outside Delhi falling in other states of NCR, are eligible for Jammu & Kashmir & Andaman & Nicobar Islands as eligible for Home Town Concession.

Source : www.persmin.gov.in

Speed post faster, more reliable than private couriers: CAG

Should we depend on private courier services? A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) study has found private couriers deliver only 90% of letters compared to 99% by speed post.

In major cities, the performance of speed post is faster and more reliable. The postal service delivers 99% of letters through speed post within 1-9 days as compared to 92% by private courier services that take up to 10 days.

At the local level, the delivery by speed post is 98% compared to 93% by courier services. While the time taken by speed post is 1-11 days at local level, it is 1-12 days in case of private couriers.

In a report on department of posts, tabled in Parliament recently, the official auditor has said the performance of speed post has been better not only at local level and in major cities, but it is the only reliable service at the tehsil and village level.

To compare the performance and quality of speed post with private courier agencies for delivery of mails, a test check was conducted by CAG in eight postal circles -- Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Checks were conducted by posting hundreds of letters.

At the tehsil level only speed post could reach 100% addressees that too within 1-7 days while private couriers could deliver only 83% letters and time ranged from 1-23 days.

"Based on the results, it could be concluded that the speed post service of the department of posts (DoP) was better than the services provided by the private couriers," the auditor said.

Speed post was introduced in 1986 to provide a faster and time-bound mail delivery service in major cities. However, due to late delivery of mails people had stopped relying on the department. But the auditor says the perception is wrong and speed post still remains most reliable and account for more than 10% of the total revenue of the DoP.

In the test check, the auditor had posted 284 letters by speed post and 287 by different private couriers. The performance was judged based on the number of letters sent, letters actually delivered, and time taken for delivery of test letters.

Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Speed-post-faster-more-reliable-than-private-couriers-CAG/articleshow/47349880.cms

Sri. A.N.Nanda joins as CPMG, Kerala

Sri. A.N.Nanda joins as CPMG, Kerala

Sri. A.N.Nanda has taken over charge as CPMG, Kerala on 13.4.2015.  He had previously held charge as PMG Northern Region in our Circle.  Postal Officers Association, Kerala extends a warm welcome to him to our Circle

Sri. A.N.Nanda joins as CPMG, Kerala

Sri. A.N.Nanda joins as CPMG, Kerala

Sri. A.N.Nanda has taken over charge as CPMG, Kerala on 13.4.2015.  He had previously held charge as PMG Northern Region in our Circle.  Postal Officers Association, Kerala extends a warm welcome to him to our Circle

Seventh Pay Commission: Infact Central Employees will richer or....

Seventh Pay Commission: Infact Central Employees will richer or....

New Delhi: Nowadays, the table of expected pay scales in 7th pay commission comparing with the 6th pay commission is sharing in huge on social networking sites. 

According to the said table the expected pay of the lowest category of employees (Peon/Khalasi/Mali/Chowkidar) will be enhanced from Rs.7,000 to Rs.21,000 at the time of entry in service.   

Similarly the entry pay of clerk will enhance from current Rs.11,360 to Rs.34,080.  The entry pay of the Director level officers in Ministry will enhance from currently Rs.46,100 to 1,38,300.  

And what about the Secretaries in Ministry, currently they are getting fixed pay of Rs.80,000, which may be increased to Rs.2,40,000.  Similarly the pay of Cabinet Secretaries will be enhanced from Rs. 90,000 to 2,70,000.  

However, while an officer of finance ministry was asked upon this, then he stood this misleading. According to him the seventh pay commission was constituted on 28th February, 2014 and the commission has the 18 months time to give its report.  Presently commission is on work.  No any interim report has been given by the commission like this.   

The coming time will tell us that whether it is right or only speculations.  And it is also to see that employees will richer or ...... 

The above article is the translation of following hindi news:-

सातवाँ वेतन आयोग - वया सही में केंद्गीय कर्मचारी होंगे मालामाल या फिर ....

नयी दिल्ली: - इस समय सोशल साइटों पर सातवें वेतन आयोग के संभावित वेतनमान से संबंधित एक टेबल भी खूब शेयर किया जा रहे है जिसमें छठे वेतन आयोग का वेतनमान सातवें वेतन आयोग के संभावित वेतनमान की तुलना है। इस टेबल में जो संभावित वेतनमान दर्शाया जा रहा है, उसके मुताबिक सरकार में सबसे निचले वर्ग के कर्मचारियों (चपरासी/खलासी/माली/चौकीदार आदि) का नौकरी में प्रवेश करते वक्त वेतन अभी के 7000 रुपये से बढ़ कर 21000 रुपये हो जाएगा।  

इसी तरह किरानी का इंट्री वेतन अभीके 11360 रुपये से बढ़ कर 34080 रुपये हो जाएगा मंत्रालय में निदेशक स्तर के अधिकारियों का इंट्री वेतन तो वर्तमान के 46100 रुपये से बढ़ कर सीधे 138300 रुपये पर पहुंच जाएगा। मंत्रालय में सचिव की तो बात ही मत पूछिए। अभी उनका फिक्स वेतन 80000 रुपये होता है जो बढ़ कर 2,40,000 रुपये पर पहुँच जाएगा।  इसी तरह केबिनेट सचिव का वेतन वर्तमान 90,000 रुपये से बढ़ कर 2,70.000 रुपये पर पहुंच जाएगा।  

हालांकि वित्त मंतातय के एक अधिकारी से जब इस पर बात की गई तो उन्होंने इसे भ्रामक करार दिया।  उनके मुताबिक 28 फरवरी 2014 को तो सातवें वेतन आयोग का गठन ही हुआ है और इसे 18 महीने का वक्त दिया गया है।  अभी तो आयोग अपना काम कर ही रहा है । इस तरह की अभी कोई अंतरिम रिपोर्ट नहीं आई है। अब यह क्यासे ही है या सही यह तो आने वाला वक्त ही बताएगा और देखने वाली बात होगी की कर्मी मालामाल होते है या फिर.....

Image Source: http://www.govemployees.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ya-phir.jpg

What is net neutrality and why it is important?

If you like the current state of the internet, you should know about net neutrality. If you are not aware of it, don't worry.

Internet is built around the idea of openness. It allows people to connect and exchange information freely, if the information or service is not illegal. Much of this is because of the idea of net neutrality. If you like the current state of the internet, you should know about net neutrality. Many web users are aware of it. But if you are not, don't worry. We explain it here:


What is net neutrality?

Net neutrality is an idea derived from how telephone lines have worked since the beginning of the 20th century. In case of a telephone line, you can dial any number and connect to it. It does not matter if you are calling from operator A to operator B. It doesn't matter if you are calling a restaurant or a drug dealer. The operators neither block the access to a number nor deliberately delay connection to a particular number, unless forced by the law. Most of the countries have rules that ask telecom operators to provide an unfiltered and unrestricted phone service.

When the internet started to take off in 1980s and 1990s, there were no specific rules that asked that internet service providers (ISPs) should follow the same principle. But, mostly because telecom operators were also ISPs, they adhered to the same principle. This principle is known as net neutrality. An ISP does not control the traffic that passes its servers. When a web user connects to a website or web service, he or she gets the same speed. Data rate for Youtube videos and Facebook photos is theoretically same. Users can access any legal website or web service without any interference from an ISP.

Some countries have rules that enforce net neutrality but most don't. Instead, the principle is followed because that is how it has always been. It is more of a norm than a law.


How did net neutrality shape the internet?

Net neutrality has shaped the internet in two fundamental ways.

One, web users are free to connect to whatever website or service they want. ISPs do not bother with what kind of content is flowing from their servers. This has allowed the internet to grow into a truly global network and has allowed people to freely express themselves. For example, you can criticize your ISP on a blog post and the ISP will not restrict access to that post for its other subscribers even though the post may harm its business.

But more importantly, net neutrality has enabled a level playing field on the internet. To start a website, you don't need lot of money or connections. Just host your website and you are good to go. If your service is good, it will find favour with web users. Unlike the cable TV where you have to forge alliances with cable connection providers to make sure that your channel reaches viewers, on internet you don't have to talk to ISPs to put your website online.

This has led to creation Google, Facebook, Twitter and countless other services. All of these services had very humble beginnings. They started as a basic websites with modest resources. But they succeeded because net neutrality allowed web users to access these websites in an easy and unhindered way.


What will happen if there is no net neutrality?

If there is no net neutrality, ISPs will have the power (and inclination) to shape internet traffic so that they can derive extra benefit from it. For example, several ISPs believe that they should be allowed to charge companies for services like YouTube and Netflix because these services consume more bandwidth compared to a normal website. Basically, these ISPs want a share in the money that YouTube or Netflix make.

Without net neutrality, the internet as we know it will not exist. Instead of free access, there could be "package plans" for consumers. For example, if you pay Rs 500, you will only be able to access websites based in India. To access international websites, you may have to pay a more. Or maybe there can be different connection speed for different type of content, depending on how much you are paying for the service and what "add-on package" you have bought.

Lack of net neutrality, will also spell doom for innovation on the web. It is possible that ISPs will charge web companies to enable faster access to their websites. Those who don't pay may see that their websites will open slowly. This means bigger companies like Google will be able to pay more to make access to Youtube or Google+ faster for web users but a startup that wants to create a different and better video hosting site may not be able to do that.

Instead of an open and free internet, without net neutrality we are likely to get a web that has silos in it and to enter each silo, you will have to pay some "tax" to ISPs.


What is the state of net neutrality in India?

Legally, the concept of net neutrality doesn't exist in India. Sunil Abraham, director of Centre for internet and Society in Bangalore, says that Trai, which regulates the telecom industry, has tried to come up with some rules regarding net neutrality several times. For example it invited comments on the concept of net neutrality from industry bodies and stakeholders in 2006. But no formal rules have been formed to uphold and enforce net neutrality.

However, despite lack of formal rules, ISPs in India mostly adhere to the principal of net neutrality. There have been some incidents where Indian ISPs have ignored net neutrality but these are few and far between.

Will the concept of net neutrality survive?

Net neutrality is sort of gentlemen's agreement. It has survived so far because few people realized the potential of internet when it took off around 30 years ago. But now when the internet is an integral part of the society and incredibly important, ISPs across the world are trying to get the power to shape and control the traffic. But there are ways to keep net neutrality alive.

Consumers should demand that ISPs continue their hands-off approach from the internet traffic. If consumers see a violation of net neutrality, they ought to take a proactive approach and register their displeasure with the ISP. They should also reward ISPs that uphold the net neutrality.

At the same time, as Abraham says, Trai needs to come out with a set of clear and precise rules that protect the net neutrality. "We have started seeing ISPs trying to take control of the traffic that flows from their servers but Trai can regulate them. It can keep the internet open and consumer-friendly by forming rules that protect net neutrality. These are early days so it is easy to do. If ISPs manage to change the system, it may become too late," he says.

Source :  The Times of India

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LOKPAL RETURN TIME EXTENDED UP TO 15TH OCTOBER 2015 FROM 30TH APR 2015

Department of Posts : ATM Card

Department of Posts : ATM Card

New Request Form for POSB ATM Card for existing customers migrated to CBS

Soon, use any bank’s card at postal ATM

CHENNAI, April 24, 2015

Soon, Chennai residents can use postal ATMs to withdraw money not only from their postal savings account, but from any bank account.

This will be possible once the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) accepts the proposal to have postal Automated Teller Machines (ATM) interoperable where postal customers could use debit cards of other banks. Earlier this week, the Department of Posts opened two more ATMs at St. Thomas Mount and Mylapore post offices. The first postal ATM was opened in T. Nagar post office last year.

Anna Road head post office and Tambaram post office will also have ATM facilities . In three months, the department plans to expand its ATM services to over 17 post offices, including those in Park Town, Avadi and Ambattur.

Officials of the Postal Department said once the ATMs are operational for a few months, RBI is expected to approve the proposal to allow postal account holders to use debit cards of other banks as well and vice versa.

As of now, only 50 postal account holders have debit cards. “With more ATMs being added, we are speeding up the process to issue personalised debit cards. At present, customers can get insta cards that will allow them to use ATMs till they get their debit cards,” said Mervin Alexander, Postmaster General (Chennai city region).

It takes about 3-4 weeks to get a postal debit card. The department plans to distribute about 2,500 cards soon, particularly to pensioners. While applications are being accepted for obtaining debit cards, customers can immediately get insta cards to carry out transactions.

Nearly 31.22 lakh postal saving account holders of Chennai city region would be able to use postal debit cards in any of the post offices networked with core banking solutions. Customers could soon avoid visits to post offices to carry out savings account transactions as e-post office and mobile banking facility are on the anvil.

Source : http://www.thehindu.com/

LTC entitlements of unmarried Government servants – Conversion of Home Town LTC facility

LTC entitlements of unmarried Government servants – Conversion of Home Town LTC facility into travel to different parts of the country permissible under the special dispensation scheme

Dopt issued clarification orders on the subject of conversion of home town LTC facility as follows

“facility of conversion of Home Town LTC to allow travel to different parts of the country, under the special dispensation scheme, will also apply to an unmarried Central Government servant, who is eligible to avail the benefit of LTC to visit Home Town every year. This facility may be availed by converting one occasion of Home Town LTC out of the four Home Town LTC occasions available in a block of four years.”

G.I., Dept. of Pers. & Trg., O.M.F.No.31011/1/2013-Estt (A.IV), dated 21.04.2015

Subject:- Leave Travel Concession (LTC) entitlements of unmarried Government servants – Conversion of Home Town LTC facility into travel to different parts of the country permissible under the special dispensation scheme – Clarification — regarding.

In relaxation to the Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988, special dispensation is allowed to the Government servants from time to time. Presently, one such dispensation in operation is the relaxation to the Government servants to travel by air to visit North-East Region or to Jammu & Kashmir or to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands by converting one block of Home Town LTC available to them.

2. Vide this Department’s Office Memorandum No. 31011/17/85-Estt.(A) dated 03.04.1986, unmarried Central Government employees, who have left their wholly dependent parents/sisters/minor brothers at their home town are allowed the benefit of LTC to visit their home town every year. This concession is in lieu of all other LTC facilities admissible to the Government servant himself and to his/her parents/sisters/minor brothers.

3. This Department is in receipt of references seeking clarification on the admissibility of conversion of Home Town LTC facility into travel to different parts of the country, which is permissible under special dispensation, to such unmarried Government servants.

4. The matter has been examined in consultation with Ministry of Finance. It has been decided that the facility of conversion of Home Town LTC to allow travel to different parts of the country, under the special dispensation scheme, will also apply to an unmarried Central Government servant, who is eligible to avail the benefit of LTC to visit Home Town every year. This facility may be availed by converting one occasion of Home Town LTC out of the four Home Town LTC occasions available in a block of four years.

Source : www.persmin.gov.in