Enhancement of SB Allowances to PAs

Dte Memo No : 113-07 / 2010-SB
SB Order No. 10 / 2011.

Enhancement of SB Allowance to PAs working in Savings Bank Branches.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this office letter of No. 2-2/93-SB Dt. 08.10.2004 (SB Order No. 17/2004) vide which it was conveyed that Ministry of Finance (DEA) has conveyed its approval for increase in the SB Allowance from Rs.60 to Rs.150 & from Rs.30 to Rs.75 per month wef 08.10.04.

02. After implementation of 6th CPC, increase in teh SB Allowance was taken up with MoF (DEA), which has not vide its OM No. 17/1/2001-NS-II Dt. 10.06.11 has conveyed its approval for enhancement of SB Allowance as per the following rates wef 01.09.08.

01. Staff Fully engaged in SB / SC work - present Rs.150 - new rate from 01.09.08 Rs.300.
02. Staff Partially engaged in SB / SC work - present Rs.75 - new rate from 01.09.08 Rs.150.

03. All other conditions for grant of SB Allowances will remain unchanged.

Sd/-
S.Manik Lakra
ADG (FS)

Result of PS Gr.B Exam 2011

On 23.06.2011, Directorate has announced the result of PS Gr.B Exam 2011 which held on 29.05.2011. Details of results can be viewed in India Post Website (www.indiapost.gov.in) by down loading it from the following link.

http://emodeapply.com/indiapost/index1.asp

The following four candidates of Odisha Circle have come out successful.

All India Sl. No. of General Line Candidates	Name of the official	Present Designation	Roll No. in PS Gr.B Exam 2011	Total Marks secured (out of 600)
11	Basanta Kumar Panda	Dy. PM, Berhampur HO	262600054	349
13	Manoj Ku. Naik	PM, Jharsuguda HO	262600063	347
14	Ratikanta Swain	PM, Banki MDG	262600056	346
17	Trilochan Ray	Dy. PM, Sambalpur HO	262600064	339

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE THE SAVING BANK

               The post office saving bank shall not be:-

                     

-                              Responsible to a depositor for any fraudulent withdrawal by a person obtaining possession of the pass book or a cheque from the cheque book of the depositor.

-                               

-                               

-                              Liable if any fraud takes place due to failure of the depositor to ensure that the amount sought to be withdrawn is entered in the application for withdrawal before the same is presented at or sent duly signed by him to the post office saving bank for withdrawal.

-                               

-                               

-                              Responsible to a depositor, if he or in case the withdrawal form is presented by the agent, fails to ensure that the receipt for the payment is signed by him or the the agent, as the case may be, only at the time of presentation of the application for withdrawal.

                                 -- Ref. Post Office Saving Bank General Rules 1981

                                     ( Part One, page 69-70)

Interest earned on Post Office savings accounts to be taxed from current fiscal

Interest earned on Post Office savings accounts to be taxed from current fiscal

The government has decided tolevy tax on the interest obtained on Post Office savings schemes from the current financial year.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes ( CBDT )) has brought out a notification in this regard recently, which stipulates that any interest earned beyond Rs 3,500 (in case of individual accounts) and Rs 7,000 (in case of joint accounts) will be taxable from the running fiscal.

The CBDT-- which is the administrative authority of the Income Tax Department-- has issued the notification to all thetax collection ranges across the country for implementation.

Taxpayers will have to reflect this investment on their incometax returns.

"Taxpayers who now invest in the post office saving accounts schemes will now have to showthe interest earned on this scheme while filing their income tax returns. Interest upto Rs 3,500, in case of single accounts and and Rs 7,000 in case of joint accounts, is exempted," a senior I-T official said.

The Assessing Officer (AO) will compute the tax on the interestearned, beyond the exemption limit, accordingly, he said.

The current interest rates for Post Office savings deposits is 3.5 per cent per annum.

The minimum investment limit in this scheme is Rs 50 while themaximum limit is Rs one lakh for an individual account and Rs2 lakh in case of a joint account.

Source: Economic Times dated 16 th June, 2011

Infosys pips TCS to clinch postal contract

Infosys Technologies, India’s second-largest information technology (IT) services company, is understood to havebagged the first of the Department of Post’s IT modernisation contracts.

The Bangalore-based company pipped its bigger domestic rival,Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), to clinch India Post’s ‘rural information and communications technology (ICT) system integrator (SI)’ contract, worth about Rs 100 crore.

Infosys declined to comment, while the India Post official concerned could not be reached despite repeated attempts. India Post is embarking on a massive IT modernisation programme under the ‘India Post 2011’ plan. As part of this, the department has split the programme into eight projects.

According to highly-placed sources, the department has already issued requests for proposals for six contracts. The ‘rural ICT SI’ contract is said to be the first of the eight contracts. According to the terms of the contract, Infosys will be responsible for enabling the Gramin Dak Sewak post office to perform e-transactions.

The department has the largest postal network in the world, with 155,669 post offices. About89 per cent of these are in rural areas, according to its website. So far, only 12,604 head post offices and sub-post offices have been computerised.

Ever since Infosys established a separate business to focus on the domestic IT outsourcing market, it has been aggressivelyparticipating and winning government contracts. It is working with the income tax department in managing the centralised processing centre that processes all electronically-filed returns and a part of the paper filings.The project recently bagged the Gold awardin “excellence in government process re-engineering” at the 14th National e-Governance Conference. India contributes about two per cent to Infosys’ total revenue.

Meanwhile, the bidding process for India Post’s Rs 1,000-crore ‘core system integrator’ contractis on.

This is touted as the largest of the eight contracts. Capgemini, Accenture, IBM, HP, TCS, Infosys, HCL and Wipro are some companies believed to be participating in the contract, expected to be finalised in two months.

India Posts’ IT modernisation initiative is expected to create over Rs 5,000-crore opportunities for IT services andhardware companies.

Source : Business Standard June 14, 2011.

MODEL QUESTION PAPER FOR POSTAMASTER CADRE EXAM

Q1. Any SAS/MPKBY/PPF agent cannot act as an agent or messenger of a depositor for the purpose of withdrawal fromhis/her saving bank account.

The Above-mentioned statement is

a. True b. . False

Q2 A pensioner can now open pension account either individually or jointly

a. True b. False

Q3 Retired employee of any govt. department can draw pension throughpension account.

a. True b. False

Q4 MIS account in multiple of Rs.1500/- can be made instead of Rs. 1000/- MIS and the maximum limit of investment ina single account has been raisedfrom Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 4.5 lakh and in joint account opened by two or three adults; the maximum limit has been raised from Rs. 6 lakh to Rs. 9 Lakh.

Wef

a 1.8.2007 b. 12.5.2008 c.30.08.2009

Q5 . of admissibility of 5% bonus on maturity amount of MIS accounts opened on or after

a. 28.12.2008 b. 25.12.2007 c. 08.12.2007

Q6 With effect from------------------, all Single/Double handed Sub Post Offices, at the time of closure/premature closure of RD/MIS/SCSS accounts will collect closed passbook from thedepositor and attach the same with account closure form and send in a manner as prescribed for dispatch of vouchers and LOT to HO.

a. 15.2.2008 b, 11.06.2010 c. 23.06.2010

Q7. As per provisions of Section 269-T of Income Tax Act, amount of any repayment of deposit or loan together with interest made with Department of Posts if becomes Rs. 20,000/- or more, it can only be made by account payee cheque or account payee bank draft or by crediting into Savings Bank Account if standing at the same post office.

The above said statement is

a. True b. False

Q8.The reinvestment of matured certificates / deposits either in the same scheme or in any other schemes through the Post Office authorized Agents is admissible except in case of redeposit made in ----------account under Sub Rule (3) of Rule 6 of POTD Rules 1981 in which redeposit is made retrospectively from the date ofmaturity

a. TD b. MIS c. RD

Q9. NRIs cannot invest in any of the Small Savings Schemes and Power of Attorney cannot open any account in any of the Small Savings Schemes.

The above said statement is

a. True b. False

Q10 A blind/visually-impaired person can open and operate Savings, RD, MIS, TD, SCSS, PPF accounts and also purchase NSC VIIIth Issue or KVPs in his/her name independently.

the above said statement is

a. True b. False

Q11. NREG accounts will be ----------------------and also cannotbe converted into single or jointat a latter stage

a.. Non-transferable b. Transferable

Q12. From -------------, the transferring Head Post offices will dispatch Advice of Transfer (AT) by Service Insured Post for Rs.100/- duly sealed instead of Service Registered Post.

a. 16.03.2009 b. 12.06.2010 c.15.05.2008

Q13. present the Counter Assistant is authorized to receive deposits and allow withdrawals up to Rs.--------------/- in savings accounts only under his own power without showing the documents to the Ledger Assistant and the Supervisor.

a. 5000 b. 2000 c .4000

Q14 The date of credit of cheque in case of RD/PPF account will be the date of

.a. Date of Clearing b. Date of Presentation of the cheque

Q15 Postmaster includes Sub-Postmaster, Branch Postmaster, Dy. Postmaster, A.P.M and SPMs in charge of SB Branch should not act as an agent or messenger of a depositor for the purpose of withdrawal from a saving bank account standing open in his office

The above said statement is

a. True b. False

General Knowledge of Postal Activities

Q1,Maximum preservation period of SO Daily account

a. 1 year b. 2 year c.18 months

Q2. Claim application form for settlement of Savings Certificates of the deceased holder where no nomination is registered or no legal evidence is produced

a. NC14 b. NC15 c. NC16

2. Maxi,mum amount handed over to Postman to MO paymentis Rs --------------- For Urban Area.

a. 20000. b. 30000. c. 50000

Q3 Fee for Issue of Duplicate Passbook is Rs

a. 10 b. 15 c. 50

Q4 Physically handicapped persons can also eligible to take PLI policies for sum of Rs---------

a 100000 b 20000 c 300000

Q5 Certificates, Rules ---------1960 and Post Office Savings Bank Rules, _____________

a 1960, 1981 b 1981,1965 c 1963.1983

Q6 India Post provides various types of through its network of 1,55,516 post offices

A 155516 b 155515 c 150000

Q7 All complaints pending over 1 month will be brought to the notice of circle office for seeking guidance for their settlement.

The above said statement is

a. True b. False

Q8 Heads of the Grievance Cell is

a Deputy Director General (Public Grievances & Quality Assurance b Director (PublicGrievances and Work Study) c Postal Directorate

Q9 Post Forum was introduced on

A 12 03.1962 b 15.03 2000 c 10.9.90.

Q10 The Indian Post Office Act -------------

A 1885 b 1896 c 1898

Q11 The maximum value of stamps to be kept in stock will be fixed by Divisional Head for Non-Gazetted Postmasters.

The above said statement is

a. True b. FalseQ12 Unclassified receipts -----------------

A Form ACG.6 b Form ACG 6(a) c ACG

Q13 Prevention of Money Laundering (PML) Act -------------

A 2002 b 2007 c 2008

Q14 The entire country has beendivided into ==========circles

a 15 b 16 c 22

Q15 No registered articles of any kind will be delivered to the addressee unless and until he or his agent authorized in writing has signed a receipt for it, in the prescribed form which will be presented to him for signature by the postman who delivers the registered article

The above said statement is

a. True b. False

Based on conduct rules, Citizen chart .Consumer Fourm.Productsof Indian Postal Department

Q1 Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rule 1964

Q2 The CCC rules shall not apply to any extra departmental Agent in the Posts and Telegraphs Department who does not hold any other post in connection with the affairs of the Union.

Q3 Time frame for closure /premature of accounts at sub office

a. same Day b. within 2 workingday c within 3 working day

Q4 Time frame for Issue of duplicate passbook

a. same Day b. within 5 workingday c within 7 working day

Q5 There is three-tier system of consumer forum.

The above said statement is

a. True b. False

Q6 For complaints up to Rs.20 lakhs will be handled by

a. District Consumer Forum b. State commission c. National Commissio

Q7 Norms for Mail Delivery Standards in Inter State is

a. 2-3 days b Same day c. 3-5 days

Q8 . Citizen Charter includes -----------

a. Grievance Redress b. Details of customer . C. Charter of Duty

Q9. ------------ was the first commemorative post mark of Independent India

a. Jai Hind B. Jai javan C Jai Kisan

Q10. The First digit in Pin code denotes the ------------

a. District b . Circle c .Division

Q11 Direct Post means

a. Distribution of advertising materials directly to prospectivecustomers. b. sending parcels weighing up to 35 kg across thecountry. C. pre-mailing solutionsincluding collection/printing, inserting, and addressing

Q12 The postal service comes under the Department of Posts which is a part of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology .

The above said statement is

a. True b. False

Q13 . Ordinary post cards and competition post cards differ with respect to ________

.a. Colour and price b. Weight and price c. Size and price

Q14 i. Aerogram is used to send written message to __________. i.

a. Selected Foreign countries. B. Foreign countries c. Within India

Q15 Postal charges on ordinary inland parcels vary according to _______.

a Weight b. Size c. Content

Q16. The postage on Book Post mail is _______ than that on sealed envelopes.

a. more b. higher c. Less

Q17 . Inland letter cards should be used instead of post cards when the sender of a messagewants to convey any ________ message.

A Secret b. open c. urgent

Q18 . Speed post service is available in all post offices.

The above said statement is

a. True b. False

Q20 Advertisement of products and services can be done through post office by using thefacility of _____ post.

a. Business b. Media C. Direct

Q21 To ensure payment to the right person we can _________ the postal order

a. Cross b. Mark c. strike out

Q22 Post office offers Rural Post Life Insurance facility for the benefit of weaker sectionsof our society .The above said statement is

a. True b. False

Q23 Speed post service was introduced on

a. 1st August 1986 b. 2nd April 2002 c. 3rd April 1991

Q24 Allowing transfer of huge amount of money through

a. Bulk Money Order b Instant Money Order C. Corporate MoneyOrder

Q25 . A Government employee who is 52 years of age can insure his life at post office.The above said statement is

a. True b. False

Q1 India Post’s products and services will be the customer’s first choice.The above said statement is

a. True b. False

Q2 Minister of Communications and Information Technology

 a. Shri. Gurudas Kamat b. Shri Kapil Sibal C. Ms. Radhika Doraiswamy

Q3 The transaction not included in primary service of Indian Postal Department

a. Sale of stamps and Stationeryb. Western Union Money Transfer c. Booking Registered Article

Q4 The Post Office Savings bank Scheme is an -------- function performed by the Department of Posts on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, Governmentof India.

 a. Primary b. Secondary c. Agency

Q5 Interest rate of 3 Year TD Account

a. 7.25% b . 7.50 c. 6.25

Q6. Rate of interest ------% for Kisan Vikas Patra (compounded yearly)

a. 5.8 b. 8.2 c. 8.4

Q7 Electronic Money Order (eMO)launched on

 a. 10.10.2009 b. 10.10.2008 c.11.05.2009

Q8. Instant Money Order (iMO) introduced on

 a. 01.01.2010 b. 25.03.2011 c.20.01.2006

Q9 Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) scheme was also introduced in ----- for the benefit of the entire rural people

.a. 1986 b. 1985 c. 1995

Q10 The Department also provides the facility of online registration and response to complaints at its websitea. www.indiapost.gov.in.b www.indiapost.gov.comc. www.indiapost.orgQ11.Kerala Circle includes the Union Territory Pondicherry The abovesaid statement is

a. True b. False

Q12. Right to Information Act was formed

 a.2005 b .2006 c. 2007

13. The word CPIO relates with

a. RTI Act b . Customer Care C RPLI14.

An ACG-67 receipt should be issued for collecting fee of Rs 100 in connection with submission of RTI application .

The above said statement is

a. True b. False

15 Appeals against the decisionsof the Superintendent of Post for RTI Application is

a. Director Postal Services B. CPMG C Secretary,Department of Posts

Q1 The system was reorganized and the service opened to the general public by Warren Hastings first governor general of Bengal with supervisory powers overBombay and Madras, in ------------.

a. 1874 b . 1898 c. 1774

Q2 EMS means

 a. Express Mail Service b. Electronic Mail Service c. E enabled Mail Service

Q3 ------------------- service for sending parcels and large consignments across the nation and around the world.

a. Parcel b Media Post c . LogisticPost

Q4 . Money Order Videsh is a new offering of India Post to facilitate remittances to -----------

a. Foreign Countries b. within India c Both

Q5 The e-IOD service would be offered initially with ------

A Business Post b. Logistic Post c. Bill Mail Service

Q6 The bar code would contain 13 charactersThe above said statement is

a. True b. False

Q7 For transfer of accounts- the depositor should apply in the prescribed form---------------

a. SB10(b) b. SB3 c .SB10(c)

Q8. When there is no transaction in an SB account continuously for -- financial years, the account will be treated as silent account.

a. 3 b. 2 c. 4Q9

LSG/HSG offices can revive the accounts independently The above said statement is

a. True b. False

Q10 In case of bouncing of cheque INR. ----/- is charges as service charge

a. 25 b.35 c.50

Q11 Premature closure after -----year is allowed in SCSS

a. 1 b. 2. c. 5

Q12 India Post allows free transmission of blind literature packets up to ----- kilograms

a.8 b.7 c.9

Q13 Any parcel exceeding 4 kilograms in weight then registration is

a. Compulsory b . Not compulsory

Q14 All articles superscribed C/O POSTMASTER or in any other similar way are called ------------articles.

a. Postal b . poste restante c. priority

15 . The world’s first stamps were called the---------

a. Penny Blacks b Penny red c. Blacks Penny .

Model Question For Departmental Examination

Q1 Savings Bank Act -------------a.1874 b. 1888 c. 1873

Q2. Post office Savings Bank Mannuals – Volume I containing ----------------

a. Act and statutory rules b. procedural Rules on PO certificate c. Procedural Rules onPost office Savings bank

Q3 5 year Indira Vikas Patra Discontinued from-----------

 a. 15.07.99 b. 15.05.2010 c. 16.03.99

Q4. Certificate of all types and denominations are printed at the Government of India security Press ----------------

a. Goa b. Delhi c. Nasik

Q5 Work of stocking and supply of certificates entrusted with -------------------

a. Postal stores depot b. Circle Stamp Depot .b Circle office

Q6 In Post office working on SB (LAN) the stock of certificate will remain with Postmaster and no working stock will be issued to counter .The above said statement is

a. True �� b. False

Q7. Yearly Lists of Unsold certificates may be prepared on

a. 31st Dec of each year b. 31st March of each year c. 1st April ofeach year

Q8 A Minor can purchase the certificate through an adult ( any Person) or direct in his nameThe above said statement is

 a. True b. False

Q9 Fee for certificate of commission earned by agent

a. 5/- b. 10/- c. 1/-

Q10 The word “ negative List “ is related with

a. Time Deposit b. Certificates C. Saving Bank Account

New Series of Coins with the Rupee Symbol to be issued by Govt. of India

Recommendations of Technology advisory Group for Unique Projects (TAGUP) Accepted in Principle and new Series of Coins with the Rupee Symbol to be issued by Govt. of India.

Some additional measures for good governance have been proposed in the Union Budget 2011-12. While presenting the Union Budget the Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee said in Lok Sabha that Technology Advisory Group for Unique Projects (TAGUP) has submitted its report and its recommendations have been accepted in principle.

The Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee also informed the house that the government hasapproached Unicode Standards Authority for inclusion of the Indian Rupee Symbol in international standard. A new series of coins carrying this symbol will also be issued shortly.

Press Information Bureau  Government of India Ministry

25 paise coins to become history from June 30

The Reserve Bank of India will withdraw 25 paise coins and those of lower denomination from the market starting June 30. These coins will not be in circulation and can't be used as legal tender for payment.

RBI in a press statement said that those who have these coins can exchange them for their worth at 41 banks across the country. The banks where such coins can be exchanged are:

Allahabad Bank , Andhra Bank , Bank of Baroda , Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra , Canara Bank , Central Bank of India , Corporation Bank , Dena Bank , Indian Overseas Bank , Indian Bank , Oriental Bank of Commerce, Punjab and Sindh Bank, State Bank of India , Syndicate Bank , UCO Bank , Union Bank of India , United Bank of India , Vijaya Bank , State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Mysore , State Bank of Patiala, State Bank of Travancore, IDBI Bank Ltd , ICICIBank Ltd , Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd, Dhanlaxmi bank Ltd, The Federal Bank Ltd , The Catholic Syrian Bank Ltd, The HDFC Bank Ltd , The Jammu and Kashmir Bank Ltd, The Karur Vysya Bank Ltd , The Laxmi Vilas Bank Ltd, ING Vysya Bank Ltd , Standard Chartered Bank , City Union Bank , Axis Bank Ltd and Karnataka Bank Ltd.

source :-Economic Times NEWS

MEGHDOOT AWARD

Memo No : 101-1 / 2011-SPB-II Dt. 14.06.11

The following Officials / officers have been selected for Meghdoot Awards for the year 2009 & 2010.

Sl.	Category Name	For 2009	For 2010
01.	All GDSs	Sh.Ramesh Duarah, GDS BPM, Assam Circle	Sh.Yashmel Singh GDS BPM, Himachal Circle
02.	Gr D / MTS including Postman/Cash Overseers /Mail Overseers/  Mail  Guards / Mailmen etc	Smt.Swarna Devi, Postman J & K Circle	Sh.Yadati Murali Krishna  Prasad, Postman, Andhra Circle
03.	PA / SAs	Sh.Yoginder Singh Kanwar, PA, Himachal Circle	Sh.Ranjit Baishya, PA, Assam Circle
04.	General Line Supervisor upto HSG-1	Smt.N.Anuradha, SA, Karnataka Circle	Sh.Bishnupada Dash, SPM Orissa Circle
05.	IPs / ASPs	Sh.S.N.Dhoundiyal, ASP, Delhi Circle	Sh.Ravi Prakash Dewa, ASP, Gujarat
06.	Gr B & Gr A upto STS	Smt.R.P.Chitra Devi APMG BD, Chennai Tamilnadu Circle	None
07.	Technology Excellence (upto STS)	Sh.Amir Kharkongor PA, North East	Sh.Korrapati Ravi Bahu,  ADG,  Dte
08.	Best Women Employee (all upto Gr B)	Smt.S.Jeyarubah Ruth Ebenezer, PA Tamilnadu Circle	Smt.Chintapalli Radhakrishna Veni,  Mail Overseer Andhra

Recommendation of Shyamala Gopinath committee on NATIONAL SMALL SAVINGS FUND

A government panel, set up to review the small investment schemes of post offices and banks, has recommended discontinuation of the popular Kisan Vikas Patra, among other changes.

The committee has also proposed a 0.5% raise in the interest rate for post office savings account to 4%, reduction in the maturity periodof National Savings Certificates (NSCs) to five years from six, and raising the annual contribution limit in Public Provident Fund (PPF) toRs 1 lakh, from the current Rs 70,000.

The panel, headed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) deputy governor Shyamala Gopinath, submitted its report to the finance minister on Wednesday,a finance ministry statement said.

The proposals are in line with the suggestions made by experts, the RBI and commercialbanks to ensure transparency, have market-linked rates, and reform the small savings plans offered by the government.

If the proposals are accepted, it could lead to big changes in the way the National Small Savings Fund (NSSF) is managed and the returns it generates for investors.

The finance ministry had formed the panel after it accepted the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission to examine all aspects of the National Small Savings Fund.

To address the need for a long-term investment instrument, it has recommended introduction of a 10-year NSC scheme. The panel has also adviced benchmarking of interest rates on other small savings schemes to rates of government securities of similarmaturity with positive spread of 25 basis points with two exceptions.

The first is 100 basis points spread for senior citizens’ schemes, keeping in view its social objective, and the second is 50 basis points spread for the recommended 10-year NSC, keeping in view of its higher illiquidity.

These rates may be notified by the government afresh at the beginning of every financial year based on the average yields on government securities in the previous calendar year.

Bankers say the recommendations are in the right direction. “We will have tostudy them in detail, but it certainly looks like a first step inthe right direction,” said RK Bansal, executive director, IDBI Bank.

The committee has proposed that the mandatory component of investment of net small savings collections in state government securities be reduced to 50%. States can access up to 80% of NSSF for financing their annual expenditure.

The funds are given as a 25-yearloan carrying 9.5% interest, higher than rates at which states can borrow from the market.

The balance amount could either be invested in central government securities or could be on-lent to other states on basis of requirement or could belent for financing infrastructure projects requiring long-term finance, according to the panel.

It has been proposed that the tenure of these loans may be reduced from the current 25 years, including moratorium of 5 years, to 10 years.

Source:-The Economics Times

Expected Dearness Allowance from July, 2011

The Government has released the price index for the last three months.

Jan-11    188      2127          177.25        61.49       53.12 53

Feb-11    185     2142           178.50       62.74      54.20 54

Mar-11   185     2157           179.75        63.99      55.28 55

As per this, an increase from 51% to 55% is expected till March 2011. It may be increased as we wait for the next three months calculation on Index prices. If it continues to be this, the Dearness Allowance may be 56% to 57%.

If the Government successfully maintained the price increase and the AICPIN falls, the Dearness Allowance may be restricted to 54% or 55%.

On the price raise of petrol and diesel or cooking gas, automatically the price index also increase, in this condition the Dearness Allowance may be increased upto 57% to 58%.

Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for Postmaster Grade – I – Crucialdate for deciding the qualifying service for the Examination – regarding

No: 4-08/ 2011-SPB-II

Government of India

Ministry of Communications and IT

Department of Posts

Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg

New Delhi – 16, Dated 25.05.2011

To,

All Chief Postmasters General

Sub: Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for Postmaster Grade – I – Crucial date for deciding the qualifying service for the Examination – regarding

Sir/ Madam,

I am directed to refer to Directorate's letter No: A-34012/ 3/ 2011-DE, dated 13.04.2011 regarding conduct of Postmaster Grade I Examination, 2011 to be held on 12.06.2011 for the existing vacancies in Postmaster Grade-I.

2. Clarification has been sought by certain Circles regarding the crucial date for assessing the eligibility of Postal Assistants for appearing in the Postmaster Grade-I Examination, 2011 to be held on 12.06.2011.

3. The matter has been examined in the Directorate. As per the Directorate's order No. 13-2/2010-PE.1 dated 25.11.2010, the General line posts would be deemed to have been designated as Postmaster Grade-I, Postmaster Grade-II and Postmaster Grade-IIIwith effect from the dates those are filled up. Therefore it has been decided by the competent authority that the crucial date for assessing the eligibility of the candidates for the purpose of Postmaster Grade-1 Examination 2011, to be filled up on the basis of Limited Departmental Competitive Examination would be the closing date for dispatch of the applications by nodal officers to CMC, ie.18.05.2011. Such Circles, who have prescribed the crucial date other than 18.05.2011, are advised to issue another circular calling for the applications fromonly such officials, who have become eligible during the period 01.01.2011 to 18.05.2011, by asking them to apply by 2nd June, 2011. Due to paucity of time, the Circles on receipt of applications shall issue hall tickets to the eligible candidates to appear in the examination after consulting the CMC telephonically regarding the Roll Number(s) to be assigned and the venue for examination. It should be immediately followed by a written communication to CMC indicating the names, Roll Numbers so assigned alongwith a copy of the application submitted by the candidates. In case of any contingency, the Circles may contact DDG(RP) [Tel. No: 23096101]

4. Further, according to the Dept of Personnel & Training OM No: 22011/3/98-98-Estt. (I) dated 17.09.1998, the crucial date for determining eligibilityof officers for promotion in case of financial year-based vacancy year would fall on January 1st immediately preceding such vacancy year, the first ofthe vacancy year, ie. January 1st itself would be taken as the crucial date irrespective of whether the ACRs are written financial year wise or calendar year wise. As such, the crucial date for determining eligibility of Postal Assistants for appearing in the Postmaster Grade-1 Examination to be conducted in the subsequent years ie during the year 2012 and thereafter would be 1st January of the year, to whichthe vacancies pertain to.

Yours faithfully,

Sd. B P Sridevi

Director (Staff)

9 post offices to get ATMs soon in Tamilnadu

CHENNAI: The Department of Posts will soon set up automated teller machines (ATM) in Chennai GPO and eight head post offices in the city and surrounding areas for its savings bank customers.

Officials of the postal department said that steps are being taken to earmark sites measuring 80 sq. ft. at the post offices. The eight HPOs are: Anna Road, T.Nagar, Mylapore, St.Thomas Mount, Park Town, Ambattur, Avadi Camp and Tambaram.

Post Master General (Chennai City Region) M. S. Ramanujam said that measures are under way to computerise the transactions of the savings account as part of the department's move to provide core banking solutions. The civil work for establishing the ATMs would begin in about two months. Customers would be able to make use of the facilities by the endof the current fiscal.

Nearly 10 lakh account holders in the nine post offices are expected to benefit from the 24-hour ATM facilities. Once the facility is in place, customers need not spend time waiting at the counters to withdraw cash. With the postal banking services popular among senior citizens, the ATMs would be immenselybeneficial to them.

This would also help in cutting down the transaction cost for the department. The Department of Posts is in the process of floating tender seeking bids from ATM equipment suppliers as the facility is being introduced in various postal circles in many States.

Officials of the postal department said that the ATMs to be installed in the HPOs could also be eventually used by the customers who hold accounts with banks. The facilities would be governed by the guidelines prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India.

Such ATM facilities would be set up in the nearly 100 head post offices across the State. The department also plans to extend the service in other post offices across Tamil Nadu in a phased manner depending on the customer response, the officials added. Source: The Hindu

PAYMENT OF DEPOSITS/CERTIFICATES BELONG TO MINORS- A CLARIFICATION REGARDING.

SB ORDER NO. 8/2011

F.No.113-01/2011-SB

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi-110001, Dated: 25.05.2011

To

All Heads of Circles/Regions

Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi.

Subject: - Payment of deposits/certificates belong to minors- a clarification regarding .

Sir / Madam,

The undersigned is directed to say that this office is in receipt of complaints regarding insistence of issuing cheques of maturity/premature value of deposits/certificates in the name of minors instead of guardians by some post offices when at the time of payment, the minor not attained majority causing hardship to the depositors/certificate holders.

2. This issue has been examined in detail in this office and based on the provisions made in Section 10 of the Government Savings Bank Act 1873 and Section 5 of the Government Savings Certificate Act 1959, following clarification is being issued:-

In case of accounts:-

Payment of deposits to minor or guardian:-

(a) In case of Minor Account opened by guardian on behalf of minor where at the time of payment minornot attained majority, all payments should be made to the guardian after taking prescribed certificate. In case, minor attained majority before date of payment, prescribed procedure for conversion of account from the name of guardian to the name of minor who attained majority should be followed andpayment should not be made to the guardian.

(ii) In case of individual accounts opened by minors of the age of 10 years or above in Savings/RD/TD or MIS schemes, all payments should be made to the minor himself who made the deposits irrespective ofminor attained majority or not.

In case of certificates:-

Payment of certificates to minor or guardian:-

(i) In case of certificates purchased by guardian on behalf of minor, where at the time of payment, minor not attained majority, all payments should be made to the guardian after taking prescribed certificate. In case, minor attained majority before date of payment, prescribed procedure for conversion of certificate from the name of guardian to the name of minor who attained majority should be followed and payment should not be made to the guardian.

(ii) In case of certificates applied by minor and issuedin the name of minor, all payments should be made to the minor himself who applied for issue of certificates irrespective of minor attained majority ornot.

3. It is requested to bring this clarification to the notice all post offices for strict compliance.

4. This issues with the approval of DDG(FS).

Yours faithfully,

(Kawal Jit Singh)

Assistant Director (SB)

EXTENSION OF PPF SCHEME UP TO POST OFFICES WITH SANCTIONED STRENGTH OF 2+1 ('A' CLASS POST OFFICE) W.E.F 1.7.2011

SB ORDER NO. 7/2011

F.No.32-01/2011-SB

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi-110001, Dated: 25.05.2011

To

All Heads of Circles/Regions

Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi

.

Subject: - Extension of PPF Scheme up to Post Offices with sanctioned strength of 2+1 ('A' class post office) w.e.f 1.7.2011.

Sir / Madam,

The undersigned is directed to say that PPF Scheme was introduced by the Government through PPF Act 1968 and was initially made operational through designated bank branches. The Scheme was introduced up to Head Post Level w.e.f 1.1.1979 and further extended up to LSG Post Offices w.e.f 1.7.1988. A review has been undertaken in this officeto expand its operations to other Post Offices and it has been decided to expand the operation of this scheme up to 'A' class post offices i.e where one SPM and 2 PAs are sanctioned

2. The scheme will be made operational in such post offices w.e.f 1.7.2011. It is pertinent to mention that the scheme is a centralized one under which second set of data is to be maintained in SBSO at HPOs like savings account and all functions like Opening of account, registration of nomination, Interest Calculation, Sanction of Loan, Sanction of Withdrawal, Closure Sanction etc. are to be done at HPO level.

3. It is requested to circulate this letter to all Head Post Offices and 'A' Class post offices along with sufficient copies of all related forms/ledgers so that no one can find it difficult to make the scheme operational. It may also be ensured that working strength of such post offices may not become single handed at any point of time. Copy of PPF Rules framed by Min. of Finance under PPF Act 1968 and PPF operative rules given in POSB Manual Vol-I are enclosed for circulation to such post offices.

This issues with the approval of Secretary Posts.

Yours faithfully,

(Kawal Jit Singh)

Assistant Director (SB)

MOBILE MONEY TRANSFER

The Department of Posts (DoP) launched the Mobile based Money Transfer Service by the Post Offices in the country for quicker transfer of money from one city to another.

Launching the service, Union Minister of State for Communications, Information Technology and Home Gurudas Kamat said the aim of launching this service was to help those who were unable to avail banking services. The service will be operated by DoP with technological support from BSNL.

He said to begin with the service has been launched between Punjab and Bihar Postal Circles for transfer of money up to Rs 50,000. The complete roll out throughout the country would be completed in eight weeks, he added.

The minister launched the service by remitting Rs 1,000/- to Help Age India at Patna.

Kamat said the person intending to use the service would have to go to the Post Office which will provide them a unique PIN code after the transfer of money.

The sender would have to send the PIN to the recipient through a text message who would be home delivered the money after verification of the PIN on his mobile. The recipient could also go to the Post Office and collect the money, he said.

Kamat said India Post is the largest service network for transfer of money and annually about nine Crore money orders are being sent on the postal network.

He said that to speed up the money transfer the DoP had introduced Electronic MO and Internet MO and that the mobile MO was the third such service.

Secretary Posts Radhika Doraiswamy said that the DoP also proposes to interconnect all the 1, 55,000 Post Offices in the country to subsequently introduce Core Postal Service.

She said the department would also introduce the PO Savings Bank for which the mandatory clearances were being sought.

Referring to the high cost of sending money through MO, she said, "We need to reduce the Commission charges. We should be able to do this soon".

The charges for Mobile Money Transfer will be the same as it is on the traditional money order - five per cent of the remitted amount, a departmental spokesman said.

Director of BSNL R K Aggarwal said that the BSNL-PO joint venture will help the rural customers in availing of money transfer services. This will also revolutionise the financial inclusion programme of the government, he said.

He said in 1947 the tele-density in the country was 0.47 per cent which increased to 4.7 per cent in 1997 in fifty years. But after that within 14 years the tele-density has now reached 70 per cent.

The total number of mobile connections is 850 million presently and 15 million new connections are being activated in the country every month, he said.

HOLIDAY LIST

No.	HOLIDAY	DATE	DAY
1.	REPUBLIC DAY	26-01-2011	Wednesday
2.	PROPHET MOHAMMAD'S BIRTHDAY (ID-E-MILAD)	16-02-2011	Wednesday
3.	MAHAVIR JAYANTI	16-04-2011	Saturday
4.	GOOD FRIDAY	22-04-2011	Friday
5.	BUDDHA PURNIMA	17-05-2011	Tuesday
6.	INDEPENDENCE DAY	15-08-2011	Monday
7.	IDU-UL-FITR	31-08-2011	Wednesday
8.	MAHATMA GANDHI'S BIRTHDAY	02-10-2011	Sunday
9.	DUSSEHRA (VIJAYA DASHAMI)	06-10-2011	Thursday
10.	DIWALI (DEEPAVALI)	26-10-2011	Wednesday
11.	IDU-UL-ZUHA (BAKRID)	07-11-2011	Monday
12.	GURUNANAK'S BIRTHDAY	10-11-2011	Thursday
13.	MUHARRAM	06-12-2011	Tuesday
14.	CHRISTMAS	25-12-2011	Sunday