PROJECT ARROW

Project Arrow is an initiative to transform India Post into a vibrant and responsive organization and to make a visible and positive difference in postal operations to benefit the customers.  It has been launched with objective of modernizing the post and makes visible, tangible and noteworthy differences in the post office operations that matter to “Aam Aadmi”.

In specific terms, Project Arrow entails comprehensive improvement of the core operations of the Post Offices as well as the ambience in which postal transactions are undertaken.  Enhancing the quality of services in ‘core areas’ envisages focus on Mail Delivery, Remittances, Savings Bank and Office service Levels.  This is helping the Department of Posts to emerge as a one-stop shop for retail products and offer a single window facility for banking, money remittances and other financial products and services including social and civic initiatives.  At present Monitoring of performance ‘Core Operations’ is done in 15,584 Post Offices and ‘Look & Feel’ has been improved in 1,843 Post offices.

Project Arrow will benefits Customers through - Direct communication with the outside world and development benefits in rural areas; Simpler and faster Money transactions through instant money order; ‘Local Citizens’ Forums’ formed who decide the performance norms for the respective post offices; Online public grievance handling and Monitoring through Video Conferences ensured sustainability and higher performance.

The Project Arrow experience is a working model for ushering in an integrated and lasting improvement in the postal system and awarded with “Prime ministers’ award for Excellence in Public Administration for 2008-2009” in 2010.

In the future it is proposed to include 3,000 more computerized post offices for monitoring of ‘Core Operations’ under Project Arrow Phase-VI during 2012-13 and later complete all 24,000 computerized Post offices during 12th Plan.

‘Look & Feel’ activity is proposed to be undertaken in 400 more Post offices during the financial year 2012-13 and expand in 2,500 post offices during 12th Plan in addition to existing 1843 post offices. (PIB Features.)

IN ADDITION TO THE RELEASE OFMINUTES OF NOMALY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 17.07.2012 , DOPT HAS ALSO RELEASED THE SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS MADE IN THE MEETING FOR MACPS (MODIFIED ASSURED CAREER PROGRESSION SCHEME) HELD ON 27.07.2012. TEXT OF THE SAME IS REPRODUCED AS FOLLOWS:

Summary Record of discussions of the meeting held on 27th July, 2012 relating to Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS)

In the meeting of the National Anomaly Committee, held on 17/07/2012, it was decided that Joint Secretary (E), DOPT will hold a separate meeting with the Leaders of Staff Side to discuss the issues relating to MACP Scheme which formed Agenda Item No 42 of the National Anomaly Committee. Accordingly a meeting was held on 27/07/2012 in Room No. 190 at North Block, New Delhi. The list of participants of this meeting is at Annexure IV.

Joint Secretary (E) DoPT welcomed the participants and stated that the Joint Committee which was set up by the National Anomaly Committee to discuss the issues relating to Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) met thrice and based on the discussions in those meetings a Report of the Committee was prepared and was placed before the National Anomaly Committee in its meeting held on 5th January, 2012. However due to shortage of time this item could not be discussed fully. In the meeting of the National Anomaly Committee held on 17th July,  2012, the Chairman had desired that since the issues involved in MACP Scheme are complex, another round of consultation through a meeting with the Staff Side under Joint Secretary (E) DoPT may be held soon. This meeting was held in pursuance of that decision. Thereafter the report of the Joint Committee was taken up for discussion.

1. Grant of MACP in the promotional hierarchy:- 

The Staff Side stated that under ACP Scheme, financial upgradation was granted in promotional hierarchy and therefore it had become part of service condition of the employees. Under the MACPS, financial upgradations is permitted in Grade Pay hierarchy only, thereby adversely affecting the service conditions. Therefore, under MACPS also the financial upgradations should be granted in promotional hierarchy.

The Official Side stated that there was no such recommendation of the 6th CPC and in fact the Commission in its report, while discussing this issue, had mentioned that although the ACPS had, by and large, alleviated the problem of stagnation and also allowed higher rate of increments in the higher scale extended under it, it had, however, given rise to other problems. The financial upgradations in that scheme followed the then existing promotional hierarchy which gave rise to uneven benefit to employees falling in the same pay scale since several Organisations adopted different hierarchical pattern. Consequently, employees working in organizations having greater number of intermediate grades suffered because financial upgradation under ACPS placed them in a lower pay scale vis-a-vis similar]) placed employees in another organization that had lesser intermediary grades.

The 6th CPC therefore, recommended a systemic change in the existing scheme of ACPS whereby all employees, irrespective of the hierarchical structure as prevalent in their organization/cadre, would get the same benefit under it.

This was accepted by the Govt with further modification to grant three financial upgradations under the MACPS at intervals of 10, 20 and 30 years of continuous regular service in the immediate next higher grade pay in the hierarchy of the recommended revised pay bands and grade pay as given in Section 1, Part-A of the first schedule of the CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008. In fact while accepting the recommendations of the 6th CPC on this issue there was no such demand by the Staff Side.

The Staff Side stated that the employees who were in service prior to 1.1.2006 had the right to retain first two financial upgradations in the promotional hierarchy and the Government cannot alter the existing service conditions adversely. The Official Side however stated that since MACPS is in supersession of earlier ACP scheme, this cannot be agreed to.

The Staff Side insisted that at least option be given to individual employees in this regard to facilitate him/her to opt for either ACP or MACP for availing benefit of financial upgradation. The Staff Side was insistent that either MACPS should be in promotional hierarchy or individual options should be given to the employees.

The Official Side stated that it was not possible to agree to individual options and if they have any alternate suggestions, the Staff Side could come back with them. 

2. Date of effect of MACP Scheme: 

The Staff Side stated that those employees who retired during the period between  1.1.2006  and 31.8.2008 could not get the benefit of MACPS and therefore the MACPS should be made effective from 1.1.2006. It was pointed out by the Official Side that during the  5th  CPC also the ACPS was made effective from a later date.

The Staff Side suggested that in respect of those who had retired/died prior to 1.9.2008, the MACP scheme could be made effective from 1.1.2006. It was pointed out that there is also the issue of some of the employees, who got the benefit of ACPS during this intervening period, may be adversely affected because of this demand.

Thus the staff Side was advised to reconsider their demand for giving effect to the MACP Scheme w.e.f. 01.01.2006.

3. Counting of 50% of service rendered by Temporary Status Casual Labour for reckoning 10/20/30 years under MACP Scheme:

It was reiterated by the Official Side that as per para 5 (v) of Appendix pertaining to Casual Labourers (Grant of Temporary Status and Regularization) Scheme, 50% of the service rendered under temporary status is to be counted only for the purpose of retirement benefits after their regularization. Since under MACPS only continuous regular service is taken into account for allowing 1st, 2nd and 3rd financial upgradations on completion of 10, 20 & 30 years of continuous regular service respectively, the demand of the Staff Side cannot be accepted for MACPS.

It was decided that this issue may be taken up by the Staff Side in National Council separately.

4. Treatment of employees selected under LDCE/GDCE Scheme: 

It was decided that treatment of such cases would be on the lines as was under the ACP Scheme and Ministry of Railways would examine the matter accordingly

5. Promotion in the identical Grade Pay: 

The Official Side stated that they will issue instructions for granting one increment for fixation of Pay in cases of promotion to the same Grade Pay if they were granted such a benefit post 5th CPC also. Such a dispensation would then apply while considering financial upgradation under MACPS.

6. Financial Upgradation under MACPs, in the case of staff who joined another unit/organisation on request:

The Staff Side pointed out that OM dated 01/11/2010 should be suitably amplified/amended covering the staff that was transferred on request on reversion to the Unit/Organisation so that the total service rendered in the previous Unit/Organisation, ignoring the past promotion, may be counted for MACPs.

The Official Side agreed to issue necessary clarificatory instructions in this regard. The Staff Side also pointed out that in certain offices the promotion in the original Unit/Organisation from which an employee got reverted/transferred to the lower post, was also being counted against MACPS which is not warranted.

The Official Side agreed to look into this issue. 

7. Extension of benefit of MACPS to an employee appointed in Grade where direct recruitment element is there while ignoring service and promotion rendered prior to his appointment in that post: 

The Official Side reiterated that suitable clarifications bearing No.5 in OM dated 09/09/2012 have already been issued and matter stands resolved.

8. Stepping up of Pay of Senior incumbents at par with Junior incumbents as a consequence of ACP/MACPs 

It was stated by the Official Side that stepping up of pay in the pay band or grade pay with regard to junior getting more pay than the senior on account of pay fixation under the MACP Scheme can be considered as a special dispensation and suitable clarificatory instructions will be considered to deal with such situations.

The Staff Side also raised the issue of injustice being meted out particularly in the Accounts Department of Indian Railways wherein the incumbents who cleared the Appendix examination are drawing less pay as compared to those who could not qualify the said examination and got the benefit of MACPs. The Staff Side stated that this led to de-motivation among qualified staff and urged for rectifying such an anomaly.

It was agreed to examine this separately and Ministry of Railways was advised to send the proposal in question. 

9. Benchmark for MACP 

It was decided that suitable instructions will be issued to specifically clarify that wherever promotions are given on non-selection basis (ie seniority cum fitness), the prescribed benchmark, as mentioned in para 17 of Annexure I of MACPS dated 19.5.2009, will not be applicable and the benchmark for promotion will apply for the purpose of MACPS.

10. Grant of ACP benefit to Artisan Staff of Ministry of Defence:

The Staff Side insisted that based on Fast Track Committee recommendations, the then existing Highly Skilled grade (in the Pre revised pay scale of Rs 4000-6000) was split equally in the ratio of 50:50 and redesignated as Highly Skilled Grade II (GP 2400) and Highly Skilled Grade I (GP 2800) with effect from 1.1.2006.

The Staff Side stated that such placement of employees in Highly Skilled Grade I (GP 2800) with effect from 1.1.2006 to 14.6.2010 cannot be treated as promotion for the purpose of grant of financial upgradation under MACP Scheme.
The Official Side stated that on the issue of Artisan Staff of the Ministry of Defence, the matter has already been examined on file and Ministry of Defence has been advised accordingly.

The Staff Side insisted that this should be reconsidered so that placements in higher Grade may not be taken as promotion for the purpose of grant of financial upgradation under MACP.
The Official Side stated that this has repercussions on the employees working in Railways and therefore it is not amenable to acceptance.

(11).  The rest of the items of the Report of the Joint Committee, as indicated below, were closed as appropriate action had been taken with respect to the issues raised therein.

(1) Applicability of MACPS to Group D employees who have been placed in the grade pay of Rs.1800/- in PB-i.

(2) Grant of financial up gradation under old ACP Scheme between 1.1.2006 and 31.8.2008

(3) Counting of services rendered prior to re-appointment for the purpose of MACP.

(4) Accounting of services rendered before Removal/Dismissal from service and subsequent reinstatement in service for the purpose of MACP Scheme

(5) Counting of service rendered in State Govt/PSUs etc.

(6) Regulation of Probation period under MACPS

(7) Application of MACPS to the Surplus Staff Re-deployed to lower posts in other Cadres/Organisations.

(8) Entitlement of the privileges after financial upgradation under MACP Scheme

(9) Extension of ACP/MACP Scheme to Staff Car Drivers /Civilian Motor Drivers/MT Drivers/Fire Engine Drivers etc.

(10) Pay Fixation on promotion subsequent to grant Of MACPs

(11) Notional Classification for CGE1S consequent upon MACPs.

(12) The Staff Side raised the following issues though they were not part of the MACP Joint Committee Report.

Employees who got one pro motion prior to 01/09/2008 and completed over two decades of service without benefit of promotion and are denied third ACP under MACPs: 

The Staff Side raised this issue and insisted that in such cases, third MACP should be straight away given to staff from the date subsequent to the date of completion of two decades of service after promotion. After discussions, the Official Side while appreciating the position stated that this is a peculiar situation and agreed to consider this issue on the basis of a reference to be made by the Ministry of Railways in this regard.

Modification of recruitment rules particularly in Railways and upgradation granted by abolition of Pay Scale-Implementation of MACPs 

Though this was not a part of the MACP Report, the Staff Side raised this issue in the meeting and explained that in the Railways, the lower pay scales were abolished and posts were upgraded to higher pay scales with revision of recruitment qualification and designation. In such cases the Staff Side insisted that entry Grade Pay as a result of upgradation consequent upon abolition of lower Pay Scales should be taken into consideration for reckoning 10/20/30 years of service for granting MACP.

The Official Side decided that the Railway Board may send an appropriate proposal to the DoP&T in consultation with the Staff Side. 

13.  The Official Side reiterated that MACP Scheme is a fall-back option and the Ministries have to conduct Cadre Restructuring in right earnest for ensuring that promotional avenues are available to the staff within a reasonable time frame. It was agreed that Ministry of Finance would issue instructions to all Ministries/Departments/Cadre authorities to undertake Cadre restructuring of Group B & Group C formations in a time bound manner.

The Staff Side pointed out that the Ministry of Railways is citing the instructions of Ministry of Finance issued some years back that only one third of the Cadre could be disturbed, for revising the percentages for the purpose of Cadre restructuring, the Official Side stated that this would be examined and if required, necessary clarificatory instructions will be issued to the Ministry of Railways so that the Cadre Restructuring could be carried out.

AGENDA ITEMS FOR 21^st  MEETING OF SCOVA (CLICK LINK BELOW FOE DETAILS){http://circulars.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D3/D03ppw/Agenda_140912.pdf}

IN THE MEETING WITH SCOVA (STANDING COMMITTEE OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES) THE GOVERNMENT HAS INFORMED THAT THE PROPOSED MERGER OF NINETEEN P&T DISPENSARIES WITH CGHS IN TWELVE CITIES IS UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND WELFARE(SEE MINUTES PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE= M. KISHNAN , SECRETARY GENERAL

NFPE SOUTH ZONE STUDY CAMP AT CHENNAI VENUE ADDRESS: ALAMELU MANGA KALYANA MANDAPAM RADHAKRISHNAN STREET- CHENNAI-600 017

PROVISION OF ECHS FACILITIES TO EX-SERVICEMEN OF ARMY POSTAL SERVICE (APS) WHO WERE REPATRIATED TO THEIR PARENT DEPARTMENT OF POSTS AFTER COMPLETION OF AGE LIMIT/PENSIONABLE SERVICE/ON COMPLETION OF INITIAL TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT.

Tele: 23336735                                                                      Central Orgonisation ECHS

ASCON: 36735                                                                      Adjutant General’s Branch

                                                                                                Integrated HQ og MoD(Army)

                                                                                                Maude Lines

                                                                                                Delhi Cantt-10

                                                                                                                                   

B/49701-PR/AG/ECHS/                                                                                         20 Mar 2012

IHQ of MoD (Navy)/Dir ECHS (N)

Air HQ(VB)/DPS

HQ Southern Command (A/ECHS)

HQ Eastern Command (A/ECHS)

HQ Western Command (A/ECHS)

HQ Central Command (A/ECHS)

HQ Northern Command (A/ECHS)

HQ South Western Command (A/ECHS)

HQ Andman & Nicobar Command (A/ECHS)

All Regionnal Centres

PROVISION OF ECHS FACILITIES TO EX-SERVICEMEN OF ARMY POSTAL SERVICE (APS) WHO WERE REPATRIATED TO THEIR PARENT DEPARTMENT OF POST AFTER COMPLETION OF AGE LIMIT/PENSIONABLE SERVICE/ON COMPLETION OF INITIAL TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT.

1.         Ref Hon’ble Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), Regional Branch, Chandigarh Order dt.  26 Mar 2010 in TA No. 110 of 2009 (arising out of CWP No. 15237 of 2009, TA No. 52 of 2009 (arising of CWP No. 14112 of 2009 and GOI, MoD OM No. 1(a)/2010/D (Res-1) dt. 20/21 Jul 2011 (Copies enclosed)

2.         Ex-Servicemen status has been granted to personnel of Army Postal Service (APS) who were on deputation in Army for more than six months prior to 14 Apr 1987 vide GOI, MoD OM No under ref with all consequential  benefits. List of the affected personal is attached as APPX A. Consequent to AFT Orders and MoD OM the above personal can now approach various Stn. HQ / Regional Centres for grant of ECHS membership.

3.         All concerned are requested to scrutinize the  documents mutinously and accept applications for ECHS membership only from individuals who full fill the twin conditions of being an ex-servicemen and a Govt. pensioners.

(Gulshan Chadha}

                                                                                                         Lt. Col.

                                        Jt. Director(Pers)

                                                                                                                     For MD ECHS

Copy to :

Addl. Director General of APS   : for information please.

PIN-908700 C/O 56 APO

 GRANT OF EX-SERVICEMEN STATUS TO ARMY POSTAL SERVICE PERSONNEL.

1(9)2010/D(Res-I)

Governmen of India

Ministry of Defence

(Deptt. Of Ex-Servicemen Welfare)

New Delhi, the 20^th /21^st  July,2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Grant of Ex-servicemen status to Army Postal Service Personnel.

            The undersigned is desired to refer to this Ministry’s OM No. 523/1/2006/D (Res) dated 26.07.2006 on the above subject and to state that as per Order dated 26.03.2010 passed by Hon’ble AFT Chandigarh in connection with TA No. 110 of 2009 (arising out of CWP No 15237/2009) filed by JC-105931 Ex-Sub Atma Sngh & others Vs UOI & others, personnel who were on deputation in Army Postal Service for more than 6(Six) months prior to 14^th April 1987 would also be considered as Ex-servicemen with all consequential benefits.

2.         This is in supersession of the O.M. of even number dated 14.07.2011 issued in this regard. The said O.M. dated 14.07.2011 may be treated as cancelled/withdrawn.

3.         This has the approval of the competent authority.

     Sd/-

     (Supriyo Mukherjee)

     Under Secretary to the Government of India

To

1.         Director General Resettlement

2.         Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board.

3.         Addl. DG (postal Services) , Army HQ, RK Puram, New Delhi.

4.         Zonal Directors of Resettlement (through KSB)

 Copy to also for information to:

1.         Adjutant General, Army HQrs.

2.         A.O.A. , Air HQrs.

3.         C.O.P. Naval HQrs

4.         All Rajya Sainik  Board/Zila Sainik Board (through KSB)

5.         DOP&T (Estt. SCT) Division , North Block, New Delhi..

GRANT OF EX-SERVICEMEN STATUS TO ARMY POSTAL SERVICE PERSONNEL.

1(9)2010/D(Res-I)

Governmen of India

Ministry of Defence

(Deptt. Of Ex-Servicemen Welfare)

New Delhi, the 14^th July,2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Grant of Ex-servicemen status to Army Postal Service Personnel.

            The undersigned is desired to refer to this Ministry’s OM No. 523/1/2006/D (Res) dated 26.07.2006 on the above subject and to state that as per Order dated 26.03.2010 passed by Hon’ble AFT Chandigarh in connection with MA No. 66/2010 in TA No. 110 of 2009 (CWP No 15237/2009) filed by JC-105931 Ex-Sub Atma Sngh & others Vs UOI & others, APS personnel who retired prior to 19^th July 1989, after having served for  6(Six) months  with APS , whether from APS directly , or from their parent department (D/O Post & Telegraph)  would also be considered as Ex-servicemen.

2.         This has the approval of the competent authority.

         Sd/-

        (Supriyo Mukherjee)

     Under Secretary to the Government of India

“  With reference to Swamy's compilation on Re-Employment of pensioners (Civilians & Ex-servicemen). Page 7 Government of India Orders regarding Army Postal Service personnel:            Personnel who were on deputation in Army Postal Service for more than 6(six) months prior to 14th April 1987 are also Ex-servicemen vide Government of India Ministry of Defence ( Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare) OM No. 1(9)/2010/D(Res-1) dated 20/21 July , 2011. (Copy placed above).           In compliance of above orders ECHS facilities to above EX APS personnel have been extended by Central Organisation ECHS Adjutant General's Branch, Integrated HQ of MOD (Army), Maud Lines, Delhi Cantt-110010 letter No. B/49701-PR/AG/ECHS dated 20 Mar 2012. (Copy placed above)” (Note : For further queries please  contact : The General Secretary (Ex- Sub Atma Singh, Mobile No. 09813709401) of National Ex. Servicemen (Army Postal Service) Welfare Association , CHQ, 139, Dayal Bagh , Ambala Cantt-133001 (Haryana) (Registered under No. 217 of 2005).

REIMBURSE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES FOR PRIVATE TREATMENT

A central government servant is entitled for reimbursement even if he takes treatment in a private hospital under emergent situation, the TN Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal has held.

M Mohamed Salia, Deputy Chief Engineer, Southern Railway, while returning home, suffered a heart attack on November 20, 2008. Due to the urgency of the matter, his wife admitted him in the nearest private hospital Frontier Lifeline, as the Railway Hospital was 10 km away from her residence. After a by-pass surgery and necessary treatment, he was discharged on December 12, 2008. He paid Rs.3.10 lakh towards hospital bills.

When he applied for reimbursement of Rs.2 lakh to which he was entitled, the railway authorities rejected his claim on the ground that treatment in a non-recognised private hospital without referral by the railway authorised medical officer was not admissible. Hence, the present application.

Rejecting the contentions, CAT judicial member G Santhappa said that in this case, the applicant had produced the emergency certificate and that had not been considered by the railways. The Personnel Branches Circular (PBC) dated May 4, 1994 listed under what circumstances reimbursement of medical expenses could be made. It included that if a patient falls ill at a place where there was no government or railway hospital and that if transporting the patient to the nearest government hospital would result in loss of life, the servant could be admitted in a private hospital. The rejection was against the law laid down by the SC, the tribunal said, set aside the order and directed the railways to sanction the amount in a month.

Source : www.newindianexpress.com

CHANGE IN DATE OF BIRTH/AGE OF FAMILY PENSIONERS REGARDING

No.1/23/2012-P&PW( E)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,

Khan Market, New Delhi

Dated: 11th September, 2012

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Change in date of birth/age of family pensioners- regarding.

In accordance with the instructions issued vide this Departments OM No.38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 21.5.2009, 11.8.2009, 25.6.2010 & 28.9.2010 and OM No.1/19/11-P&PW(E) dated 3.8.2011, additional pension/family pension to old pensioners/family pensioners is allowed on the basis of the date of birth/age recorded in the Pension Payment Order (PPO) or other office records. Only in case the details regarding date of birth/age are not available in the PPO/office records, additional pension/family pension to old pensioners/family pensioners has been allowed on the basis of certain documents i.e. PAN Card, Matriculation certificate, Passport, CGHS Card, Driving licence, Voter’s ID Card and Aadhaar Number issued by UIDAI.

2. During his service and at the time of retirement, a Government servant is required to give details of his family, including date of birth of its members, in Form 3. Date of birth/age of the members of family mentioned by the Government servant in Form 3 was not mandatory to be verified by the Head of Office. It is felt that in some case, the date of birth/age of a family pensioner, as recorded in the PPO/office records might be incorrect.

3. Some representations have been received in this Department regarding the hardship being caused to old family pensioners in getting the additional pension on account of incorrect recording of the date of birth/age in the PPO. They have been requesting for allowing the change of date of birth in the PPO on the basis of the documents prescribed in the various OMs mentioned in Para I above.

4. The matter has been considered in this Department in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure and the following decisions have been made:

i. Since the date of birth of the Government servant is recorded in the PPO on the basis of the service records and the date of superannuation etc. also is determined on the basis of this date of birth, there is no question of allowing change in the date of birth of the retired/deceased pensioner in the PPO.

ii. The request for change of date of birth/age of the Family pensioner (parents and spouse) in the PPO may be submitted by a pensioner/family pensioner to the Head of the Department of the organisation where the Government servant had last served along with at least one of the documents mentioned in Para I above and a declaration on a non-judicial stamp paper regarding the correct date of birth of the family pensioner. The Head of the Department may allow the change in the date of birth of the family pensioner if he is satisfied that the conditions indicated in this Department’s OM No.38/37/08-P&PW (A) dated 21.5.2009 have been fulfilled and that a bona-fide mistake has been made in recording the date of birth in the PPO.

iii. No other document will be accepted for allowing the change in date birth/age of the family pensioner in the PPO.

iv. In order to avoid any possibility of recording an incorrect date of birth in the PPO, in future, the Government servant may be required to submit one of the documents indicated in Para I above as proof of date of birth of spouse or parents along with the details of family in Form 3. In the case of children certificate of birth from the Municipal authorities or from the local panchayat or from the head of a recognised school if the child is studying in such a school or from a Board of Education may be accepted.

5. As regards pensioners/family pensioners belonging to the Indian Audit and Accounts Departments, these Orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

6. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their ID. No 428/E.V/2012, dated 27/8/2012.

7. Hindi version will follow.

Sd/-

(Sujasha Choudhury)

Deputy Secretary

Source : www.pensionersportal.gov.in

GOVT CONSIDERING UNIQUE NUMBER FOR ALL PF ACCOUNT HOLDERS

The Government is considering a proposal to give unique numbers to all provident fund account holders with life-time validity, a Regional PF commissioner said today. Regional PF Commissioner-I, Bangalore, Kamma Narayana said the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation headquarters has recently sought feedback on the proposal from PF commissioners in the country.

"The proposal is under consideration," he told reporters on the sidelines of an interactive session hosted by the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) here.

The proposal, if implemented, would see an employee will have the same unique number despite changing jobs and having new employers.

"All through his life, that will be the permanent account number for him," Narayana said. Asked if he expected the proposal to be implemented from the current financial year, he said "hopefully" but added that it's only at the proposal stage now.

Source : The Financial Express, Sept 11, 2012

SOON, THE POSTMAN WILL KNOCK, TABLET IN HAND

Very soon, your friendly neighbourhood postman will bring along a tablet computer when he knocks at your door, to carry out all transactions related to delivery of cash, banking activities and a few more.

Infosys’ Vice-President and Head for India Business Raghu Cavale told Business Line that India Post is in talks with the IT major to source hardware and software for the next phase of its computerisation. This project will involve sourcing of low-cost 7-inch and 10-inch tablets and the development of apps for them. Infosys will also develop intellectual property (IP) out of its Bangalore office for these apps.

While the tablets will be used by the postman to enter data such as digital signatures and a delivery challan, the apps will be used by India Post to update its backend database in real time, helping it cut down on errors and fraud. India Post covers about 200 million customers across India and offers small savings schemes, postal life insurance, rural postal life insurance, pension payments and wage disbursements.

The postal department is looking at these solutions as a part of its modernisation drive and to increase operational effectiveness.

Growth forecast

On its part, Infosys sees its India business growing to about $1 billion in the next four years. It recently bagged a key IT outsourcing and consulting deal with India Post and another deal from the Income-Tax Department for its electronic TDS division.

At present, the India operations of Infosys contribute 2 per cent of its $7-billion revenues but the software major considers India one of its key emerging markets. This importance can be gauged from the fact that Infosys’ India business is one of the four verticals within Infosys that reports to the board directly.

The India Post project, which Infosys bagged recently, is worth Rs 700 crore. This project is aimed at spreading financial services across 1.5 lakh post offices in the country. As part of the project, Infosys will also install 1,000 ATMs for India Post to increase the effectiveness of its delivery channel.

The Hindu Business Line, Sept 12, 2012

'DAKIYA' BACK IN 'KHAKI'

Once the ubiquitous postman, whose uniform was changed from 'khaki' to blue to give him a corporate look, has been longing to go back to his original dress code. In fact, after the switch from 'khaki' uniform with a matching 'Netaji' cap, postmen feel that they had lost their 'friendly' image and wish to regain the image a 'dakiya' (popular name in Hindi for postman) through the 'khaki.'

There are 3,129 postmen in Madhya Pradesh who would now don back the khaki with the new India Post red logo. The team includes 119 women who would be supplied with khaki sarees replacing the existing blue ones. For men, the reverted khaki uniform, however, would not have the old Netaji cap.

It was in 2004 when the Union government changed the uniform of postmen from khaki to sky-blue shirts and deep-blue trousers. For women, the sky-blue sarees has a dark-blue border. The department of post personnel had been long demanding reverting the dress code.

"The blue uniform had not only nudged us out of market, but even made us look strangers," said president of postal employees association Prahlad Jaiswal, who has been spear-heading the fight to win back the almost lost-craze for the postman. "A crucial meeting on 'khaki uniform' with senior officials of the Madhya Pradesh circle will be held on September 13 at Bhopal, and we have been asking the Union government to reconsider our demand of going back to khaki," he said.

"The change from khaki to blue aimed to give a corporate touch from the drab-sounding and dull-looking khaki. However, no one realized that the change in uniform will make the postmen invisible," said the secretary of the association, Raju Yadav.

"The khaki uniform had given us the look of a government employee and made us look something different from run of the mill. Look at the uniform of forest officials and policemen, they are still the same and make them stand out from the rest of security agencies and other uniforms worn by the government employees," said Yadav.

"The decision to return back to khaki has already been taken," said a senior official of the postal department preferring anonymity. "It is a matter of time when postmen would be distributed the khaki uniform," he said.

Source : The Times of India, Sept 12, 2012

FIVE FOREIGN CONSULTANTS IN RACE FOR ‘POST BANK OF INDIA’ PROJECT

The Department of Posts has issued request for proposals (RFP) to five top notch foreign consultancy firms for the proposed Post Bank of India project.

The five short-listed firms are Accenture Services, Boston Consulting Group, Ernst & Young, KPMG Advisory Services and McKinsey & Co.

The Department of Posts (DoP) is looking to set up a bank — Post Bank of India (PBI) — to provide banking services with special focus on rural areas.

Besides providing a platform for financial inclusion, the Post Bank of India will provide means of additional revenue generation for the DoP.

The consultancy firms chosen, out of the five short-listed ones, will as part of the assignment focus on Detailed Project Report (DPR) on creation of PBI, financial viability of PBI, proposed organisational structure of PBI in the light of RBI regulations, and relationship between PBI and Post Office Savings Bank.

Source : http://www.thehindubusinessline.com