The Reserve Bank of India has given permission to the Department of Posts (DoP) to launch its prepaid debit card, in partnership with Master Card

 

 

The Reserve Bank of India has given permission to the Department of Posts (DoP) to launch its prepaid debit card, in partnership with Master Card, which will allow customers to purchase products from all major retail outlets across the country.

 

The prepaid debit card by India Post would have a minimum value of Rs 1,000 and a maximum of Rs 50,000, a senior official from the department told Business Standard. Subsequently, the cards will be topped up with the required value.

 

The customers would also be able to withdraw money from ATMs using the new card from DoP. It could also be used for making online transactions, for mobile commerce and to facilitate electronic money transfer.

 

"The department has already received all the requisite approvals from RBI for the launch of the card and we expect to commercially announce it within a few months," the official said. DoP might also rope in a bank as partner in the venture, the official added, refusing to divulge further details.

 

The nature of the card would be in line with debit card offered by different banks. The software for the solution would be offered by one or more banks, while the required infrastructure and staff would be provided by the postal department.

 

According to the request for proposal issued by the department earlier this year, "the card (magnetic stripe-based) could be operated at merchant establishments or ATMs, where Master Card is acceptable, and in various post offices. Up to four add-on cards are proposed to be issued to one customer, along with the primary card."

 

The debit card would be issued to customers by major post offices, after a payment of activation fees and the amount to be loaded on to the card.

 

The official said such cards could also be used by organisations for giving allowances and other benefits to their employees.

 

Business Standard

Mansi Taneja / New Delhi September 17, 2010

--
M.Krishnan
Secretary General NFPE

IndiaPost gets IRDA nod to sell insurance policies

India’s largest distribution network with 1.55 lakh offices has been thrown open to the insurance industry with the industry regulator allowing IndiaPost to sell policies of multiple insurance companies.

This opens a new distribution channel for insurers who have been desperately trying to poach bank distributors from rivals to increase their reach.

Insurers now expect a battle for prime circles, given that the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has limited the number of companies that each postal circle can tie up with.

The revised guidelines allow each of the 22 circles of Indiapost to act as a corporate agent of two non-life insurers, two life insurance companies, one agricultural insurance company and one stand alone health insurance company. The regulator has however barred IndiaPost from selling customer data to insurance companies under some referral arrangement.

In its revised guidelines released last week, IRDA said, “Each circle of India post should be treated as a separate unit in order to grant independent corporate agent licence with various insurers.

However the Head of ‘Circle’ may approach IRDA for prior approval of further division in the ‘Circle’ as separate units, in the case of metropolitan areas, to obtain licence to act as corporate agent, in view of the large population under the circle,” said IRDA in its circular.

IRDA has said that the head of the circle would be deemed to be the corporate insurance executive (CIE) — the key executive responsible for all insurance agency dealings.

“Also, all the permanent employees of the India Post having an educational qualification of 10+2 or equivalent shall be deemed to be complying with the relevant provisions regarding requirements of minimum educational qualification, training and examinations prescribed for ‘Specified Persons’.

In this regard, India Post shall take necessary steps to impart required training to its permanent employees to be designated as ‘Specified Persons’ within a period of one year from commencement of corporate agency, IRDA said.
Corporate agency guidelines prevent banks from selling products of two competing firms.

Given the limited number of banks, insurance companies have been struggling to find low-cost institutional distributors with a pan-India reach.

The dispensation will also give the department of posts a new revenue stream. The postal department which had ambitions of becoming major distributors of financial products stopped selling mutual funds of most companies after a ban on front-loads resulted in commissions disappearing. (Economic Times dated 18-10-2010)

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

1^st Floor, North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi - 110001

 

Circular No. 3                                                                                                                        Dated – 16.10.2010

 

To,

 

All General Secretaries, CHQ Office Bearers.

Circle/Divisional/Branch Secretaries of

All affiliated union.

 

Dear Comrades,

 

The Federal Secretariat of NFPE met at New Delhi on 14.10.2010. Com. Ishwar Singh Dabas, Deputy Secretary General & GS P-4 presided. Com. M. Krishnan (SG) Com. R. N. Parashar (Asst. Secretary General) Com. K. V. Sridharan (General Secretary P-3) Com. Giriraj Singh (General Secretary R-3) Com. P. Suresh (General Secretary R-4), Com. V. P. Chauhan (AIPAEA Vice President) were present. Com. S. S. Mahadevaiaha, (General Secretary, AIPEDEU,) also attended the meeting.

 

The following agenda items were discussed and decision taken.

 

1.      Review of the 7^th September 2010 strike:

Federal Secretariat came to the conclusion that in the coming days, serious effort shall be made to further improve the participation of Postal & RMS employees in the common struggle of the working class against anti-people, anti-labour policies of the Central Government. An indepth review of the 7^th September strike will be made in the next Federal Executive meeting.

 

2.      Verification of Membership and Recognition of Unions:

The Federal Secretariat expressed satisfaction over the result of the membership verification. All NFPE affiliates have got recognition with an impressive percentage of membership. The Secretariat congratulated all the employees for endorsing their faith in NFPE. The fact that the All India Postal SBCO Employees Association and All India Postal Civil Wing Employees Association which have been formed under the guidance and leadership of NFPE, have also got recognition this time and made our victory more proud. The meeting viewed with grave concern over the delay in grant of recognition to Administrative Employees Union and the GDS Union. The Federal Secretariat urged the authorities to declare the result without and further delay.

 

3.      1^st All India Conference of AIPSBCOEA & AIPCWEA:

The Federal Secretariat decided to extend all help for conducting the 1^st All India Conference of the newly recognized AIPSBCOEA and AIPCWEA at Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh). The AIC of SBCO Employees Association will be held on 11.12.2010 (KG Bose Day) and the AIC of Civil Wing Employees Association will be held on 12.12.2010. Delegate Fee will be decided later. Detailed circular will be issued later.

 

4.      Federal Executive Meeting of NFPE:

The Federal Secretariat decided to convene the Federal Executive Meeting of NFPE at Hyderabad on 10.12.2010.

 

5.      2010 July 13^th deferred strike

The Federal Secretariat reviewed the progress in settlement of the demands. While appreciating the prompt action taken by the Department in settling certain major items such as filling up of posts, constitution of cadre restructuring committee, convening of the JCM Departmental Council etc, the meeting expressed concern over the delay in implementing the assurances given in some of the items. The meeting decided to vigorously pursue the cases with the Directorate for result-oriented action.

 

6.      JCM Departmental Council

The Federal Secretariat decided that the JCM staffside shall request the Secretary, Department of Posts to convene the next meeting of the JCM Departmental council at an early date, not later than December 2010 to discuss the remaining items of the Agenda of the last meeting and also new items to be given by the staff side.

 

7.      Cadre Restructuring

Federal Secretariat decided to explore the possibility of submitting a joint proposal by the staff side to the cadre restructuring committee. A joint meeting of the General Secretaries and Secretary Generals of NFPE and FNPO will be held on 25.10.2010 to discuss the issues relating to cadre restructuring and to arrive at a consensus.

 

8.      Committee on Postman Related issues

The Federal Secretariat is of the considered opinion that in addition to the General Secretaries of P4 unions (NFPE & FNPO) the Secretary Generals of both the Federations shall also to be included as staff side representatives of the committee on postman related issues. The General Secretaries of P4 NFPE & FNPO may write to the Department in this regard.

 

9.      GDS Issues:

It is decided that NFPE and GDS union shall move together for settling the remaining issues of GDS.

 

10.  Presentation on Technological Developments in the Department of Posts.

All available General Secretaries/Secretary General and the Circle Secretaries P-3 unions will be attending the presentation on Technological Developments in Department of Posts at Postal Staff College, Ghaziabad on 23.10.2010 in the presence of Secretary, Department of Posts. Our view points will be communicated to the Department after knowing the full details. Directorate has now postponed the meeting. Next date will be intimated later.

 

11.  Revision of wages of Casual Labourers and Part-time contingent staff:

The Federal Secretariat viewed with grave concern about the abnormal delay in revising the wages of the casual labourers and part-time contingent employees of the Postal department. Whatever may be the reason, there is no justification for this much delay. The Staff Selection commission, which is under the Department of Personnel & Training has issued orders for payment of pro-rate wages to the casual labourers (other than temporary status casual labourers) as per the minimum of the Group D scale of 6^th CPC orders with effect from 1.1.2006. The Federal Secretariat is decided to discuss the issue with Secretary, Department of posts. If the issue still remains unsettled it is decided to organize agitational programmes.

 

12.  Functioning of Regional JCM:

Cases of Tamilnadu and Delhi Circles were discussed.

(a)   Tamilnadu Circle: It is decided that the General Secretary, P-4 Union, may give a written directive to the Tamilnadu P-4 circle union to cooperate with other Circle unions on the issue of election of Leader and Secretary staff side RJCM and also to form the NFPE Circle coordinating committee in Tamilnadu Circle.

(b)   Delhi Circle: It is decided to convene a joint meeting of all the Circle Secretaries (NFPE) of Delhi circle and also General Secretaries (NFPE) on 26.10.2010 at NFPE office for arriving at an agreed formula for electing the Leader and Secretary Staff side.

13.  All India Study Camp:

It is decided that the All India Study Camp of NFPE will be held in the month of February 2011 in Kerala at Thekkady (near Munnar High Range, Idukki Division) which is also one of the famous tourist destination. The camp will be held on 13.02.2011 & 14.02.2011. The Camp is mainly intended to impart training to the leaders for better and efficient functioning at organizational level. All Circle Secretaries of the unions affiliated to NFPE and General Secretaries/Presidents (CHQ) and All India office bearers shall attend the All India Study camp without fail. General Secretary, AIPEDEU, has been requested to join the camp with Circle Secretaries of GDS Union.

 

14.  Foreign Delegation to Royal Mail, Landon

The delegation will be leaving India on 17.10.2010 and returning on 24.10.2010. Com. M. Krishnan (Secretary General) Com. K. V. Sridharan (General Secretary P3) Com. Ishwar Singh Dabas (General Secretary P4) Com. Giriraj Singh (General Secretary R3) and Com. P. Suresh (General Secretary R4) are the staff side members of NFPE in the ten member delegation. The delegation is visiting London to attend the training programme of Royal Mails, the National Postal Service of United Kingdom.

 

15.  Remittance of Quota and other dues to NFPE

All Circle/Divisional/Branch Secretaries are requested to remit the Quota and other dues of NFPE to the following address.

 

Financial Secretary

NFPE

1^st Floor, North Avenue Post office

New Delhi – 110001

 

With greetings,

 

Fraternally yours,

 

 

(M. Krishnan)

Secretary General

Technology Meeting on 23.10.2010 Deferred

 

Government of India

Ministry of Communication & IT

Department of Posts

(SR Section)

 

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi, Dated the 15^th October, 2010

 

No. 1/5/2010-SR

 

To,

 

All Heads of Postal Circles

 

Subject: Technological developments in Department of Posts – Presentation to the Staff Side on 23.10.2010 in Postal Staff College of India, Ghaziabad – Cancellation regarding.

 

Sir,

 

            I am directed to refer to the Department's letter of even number dated 22.09.2010 on the above mentioned subject and to inform that the Presentation scheduled for 23.10.2010 has now been cancelled for the present. The revised date of Presentation will be communicated in due course.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Sd/-

(Subhash Chander)

Director (SR & Legal)

 

Copy to

1.      Director, Postal Staff College India, Ghaziabad

2.      PS To Secretary (P)/PPS to Member (T)/PA to Member (P)

3.      DDG (PMU)/DDG (Tech)/DDG (PO & CP)

4.      General Secretary, NFPE/FNPO

5.      General Secretaries of all recognized Unions/Associations in the Department of Posts.

Technology Meeting on 23.10.2010 Deferred

 

Government of India

Ministry of Communication & IT

Department of Posts

(SR Section)

 

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi, Dated the 15^th October, 2010

 

No. 1/5/2010-SR

 

To,

 

All Heads of Postal Circles

 

Subject: Technological developments in Department of Posts – Presentation to the Staff Side on 23.10.2010 in Postal Staff College of India, Ghaziabad – Cancellation regarding.

 

Sir,

 

            I am directed to refer to the Department's letter of even number dated 22.09.2010 on the above mentioned subject and to inform that the Presentation scheduled for 23.10.2010 has now been cancelled for the present. The revised date of Presentation will be communicated in due course.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Sd/-

(Subhash Chander)

Director (SR & Legal)

 

Copy to

1.      Director, Postal Staff College India, Ghaziabad

2.      PS To Secretary (P)/PPS to Member (T)/PA to Member (P)

3.      DDG (PMU)/DDG (Tech)/DDG (PO & CP)

4.      General Secretary, NFPE/FNPO

5.      General Secretaries of all recognized Unions/Associations in the Department of Posts.

 

ATTENTION – ALL CIRCLE SECRETARIES – P3   DIRECTORATE HAS INFORMED THAT THE PRESENTATION TO THE STAFF SIDE ON TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON 23.10.2010 AT POSTAL STAFF COLLEGE GHAZIABAD STANDS POSTPONED. THE REVISED DATE OF PRESENTATION WILL BE COMMUNICATED LATER (Vide Dept. of Post (SR Section) No. 1/5/2010-SR Dated 15.10.2010)

 

Verification of Membership/Percentage with Polled Votes
Sl.	Category	Name of the Service Association	Total No. of declaration given	No. of declaration in favour	Percentage
1.	Group – C (Postal)	AIPEU Group – C (NFPE)	72412	51077	70.54%
		NAPE Group – C (FNPO)		18116	25.01%
		BPEU Group – C (BPEF)		3219	4.45%
2.	Group – C (RMS including MMS)	AIRMS & MMSEU Group – C (NFPE)	15089	10089	66.86%
		NURMS & MMSE Group – C (FNPO)		4396	29.14%
		BRMS & MMSEU Group – C (BPEF)		604	4.00%
3.	Group- D Postal including Postman	AIPEU Postmen & Group D (NFPE)	55639	38105	68.49%
		NUPE Postmen & Group D (FNPO)		15626	28.09%
		BPEU Postmen & Group D (BPEF)		1906	3.42%
		AIP Group D EU (non affiliated)		2	0.00%
4.	Group D (RMS & MMS) including Mailguards	AIRMS & MMSEU MG & Group D (NFPE)	11296	7278	64.43%
		NURMS & MMSE MG & Group D (FNPO)		3464	30.67%
		BRMS & MMSEU MG & Group D (BPEF)		554	4.90%
5.	Circle Office Administrative Staff (Group C &D)	AIPAOEU Group C & D (NFPE)	3394 (Result not yet announced)	2681	78.99%
		AIPAOA (FNPO)		504	14.85%
		BPAOEU (BPEF)		159	4.68%
		AIPAOA (non affiliated)		50	1.48%
6.	Postal Civil Wing (Group C & D) including Junior Engineers	NUPCW Non-Gazetted employees (FNPO)	327	166	50.76%
		BPCW Non-Gazetted employees union (BPEF)		71	21.72%
		AIPCWEA (NFPE)		90	27.52%
7.	Postal Accounts Employees (Gr' C &D) including Junior Accounts officer	AIPAEA (NFPE)	4774	3587	75.15%
		BPAOEA (BPEF		834	17.45%
		AIPADA (FNPO)		353	7.40%
8.	SBCO	AIPSBCOEA (NFPE)	2573	514	19.98%
		AISBCOEU (Non-affiliated		2014	78.27%
		IPSBCO staff Association		45	1.75%