MODEL QUESTION FOR POSTAL ASSISTANT EXAM

Q1 Minimum Age prescribed for the election of the president of India is

35

Q2 The right to private property wasexcluded from the list of Fundamental rights by

44 th amendment

Q3 In which part of the constitution ,the fundamental duties are contained ?

Part IV A

Guidelines Regarding Operationof NPS accounts in PO

Initial Procedures:

Subscriber should submit the following forms with Appropriate documents.

For Tire I account opening :

1. UOS-S1 (If the subscriber requres one copy of this form, then he may fill another UOS-S1 form Or make a photostat copy of it and it should be attested by the post office and return back to the customer.)

2. The NCIS form should be properly Filled.

3. Customer should bring 2 set of KYC documents (ID proof and AddressProof).

4. While filling the UOS-S1 form page 3 and page 4 can be omitted.

5. Customer has to sign in page 5 of UOS-S1.

6. Post office has to fill the details like registration no, kyc compliance etc in page 5 & 6.

For Tire II Opening:

1. Bank details are mandatory.

2. Customer should submit a cancelled cheque of the Bank.

3. Can not use POSB account for Tier II Activation.

4. If already got the PRAN card, it should be brought for activating tire II account.

NEW PENSION SCHEME (NPS)

About New Pension Scheme

NPS is available to all citizens of India with effect from May 1, 2009, other than Government employees already covered under NPS with the motive to promote old age income security

Under NPS following two types of accounts will be available to you:

Tier-I account: You shall contribute your savings for retirement into thisnon-withdrawable account.

Tier-II account: This is a voluntary savings facility. You will be free to withdraw your savings from this account whenever you wish.

While Tier-I account is available fromMay 1, 2009, the facility of Tier II account is offered from December 1, 2009 to all citizens of India includingGovernment employees mandatorilycovered by NPS.

Selection for the post of Welfare Inspector, Circle Office, Bhubaneswar

Department of Posts: India

Office of the Chief Postmaster General,

Orissa Circle, Bhubaneswar-751001

No.ST/34-4/94 Dated at Bhubaneswar, the 26.08.2011

To

The PMG,Berhampur/Sambalpur Region

All SSPOs/SPOs in Orissa

The Manager,Postal Printing Press,Bhubaneswar

All SRMs in Orissa

The Supdt.PSD/CSD,Bhubaneswar

Sub: Selection for the post of WelfareInspector, Circle Office, Bhubaneswar

Declinations submitted by officials promoted to the cadre of Grade-I Postmaster accepted in Orissa Circle :

Department of Posts: India
Office of the Chief Postmaster General
Orissa Circle, Bhubaneswar – 751001
No. ST/26-26/2010/Gr.I PM Dated at Bhubaneswar, the 26.08.2011
The competent authority has been pleased to accept the declinations submitted by the following 6(six) officials promoted to the cadre of Grade-I Postmaster having been declared successful in the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for promotion to the cadre of Postmaster Grade-I held on 12 th June 2011 communicated vide Directorate letter No.A-34012/03/2011-DE dated 30.06.2011. This is in accordance with Directorate letterNo.4-24/2011-SPB-II dated 09.08.2011 on the condition that they have not yet joined in their new place of posting as Grade-I Postmaster.
Sl.No
Name of the official
Place where working
Name of the Grade-I P.O to which allotted vide C.O.Memo No.ST/26-26/2010 dated 15.07.2011and 19.07.2011
1
Manoj Kumar Panda
PA,Rourkela-6 S.O.
Sambalpur Region
2
Iswar Suryavanshi
SPM,Bhawanipatna Gandhichowk SO
Balichandrapur P.O.
3
Susanta Kumar Bishi
O.A. O/O SPOs,Bhawanipatna
Indupur P.O.
4
Gangadhar Behera
PA, Bhawanipatna H.O.
Dhamnagar P.O.
5
Kabi Sunani
PA, Bhawanipatna HO
Budheswari Colony P.O.
Bhubaneswar
6
Gopinath Tandi
SPM, Bhawanipatna Collectorate S.O.
Pipili P.O.
It should also be noted that they will not claim for their posting as Grade-I Postmaster in future.
(A.K.Panda) Asst.Director(Staff)
O/o Chief Postmaster General
Orissa Circle, Bhubaneswar – 751 001

Plastic Currency Notes Coming soon in India

There is a good news for all Indian asthe Government of India is going to introduce the plastic currency note which will not only make sure that itis harder for forge notes to circulate in India but also make sure your husband is not angry on you becauseyou missed checking his pocket for forgotten notes.

RBI asks banks to reimburse failed ATM transactions in 7 days

The Reserve Bank has directed banks to reimburse customers for amounts wrongfully debited from their accounts in failed ATM transactions within seven days of anaccount holder’s complaint or else pay a Rs 100 per day compensation.

LGO & IP Exams Postponed

A- 34012/02/2011-DE
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
(Recruitment Division)
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi – 110001
Dated 30.08.2011
To,
1. All Heads of Circles
Sub: - Holding of Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LGO) and Inspector of Postal Examination, 2011
Sir/Madam,
I am directed to refer to this office letters No. A-34012/02/2011-DE and No. A-34012/04/2011-DE dated 26.04.2011 wherein the dates of Examination were notified as 4 th September 2011 for LGO and 3 rd & 4 th September 2011 for Inspector of Posts.
2. It is informed that the above mentioned two Examinations have been postponed until further orders. The dates of both the Examinations will be intimated very soon. Please inform all concerned candidates.
3. Receipt of this letter may please be acknowledged.
Yours faithfully
Sd/-
(L. Mohan Rao)
Assistant Director General (DE)

RBI Issues Draft Guidelines For New Banking Licence

The Indian central bank has issued on Monday a set of draft guidelines for new banking licence in the private sector that bars promoter groups generating over tenth of revenues or have such assets from real estate or broking activities; calls for minimum capital commitment of Rs 500 crore; 49 per cent foreign investment ceiling (including FII/NRI and FDI) for the first five years and mandatory stock exchange listing within two years of receiving a banking license.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has sought views on the draft guidelines,to be sent by October 31, 2011, and the final guidelines will be issued andthe process of inviting applications for setting up of new banks in the private sector will be initiated thereafter, and after some amendments to Banking Regulation Act, 1949, are in place.

Here are the key highlights:

Post office Savings Schemes and its Main Features

Post office Savings Schemes and its Main Features

Scheme

Features

Savings Account

Type- Single/Minor/Joint of two or three/Pension/SANCHAIKA /NAREGS

First dep.- Cash, Min. 50/-Max. Single-100000/- Joint-200000/-

Cheque A/c-Min. - Rs. 500/-

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One A/c in One PO

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Closure- At any time

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Nomination facility

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Interest rate-3.5 P.A . From 1.3.2003

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Features of Senior Citizen Savings Accounts

Features of Senior Citizen Savings Accounts
1. Who has attained age of 60 years or above on the date of opening of the account?
2. Who has attained the age 55 years or more but less than 60 years and has retired under a Voluntary Retirement Scheme or a Special Voluntary Retirement Scheme on the date of opening of the account within three months from the date of retirement.
3. No age limit for the retired personnel of Defense services provided they fulfill other specified conditions.
4. The account may be opened in individual capacity or jointly with spouse. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) are not eligible to open an account.
5. The individual may open one or more account in the multiple of INR.1000/-, subject to a maximum limit of INR.15 lakh.
6. No withdrawal shall be permitted before the expiry of a period of five years from the date of opening of theaccount. The depositor may extend the account for a further period of 3 years.
7. Premature closure of account is permitted.
8. After one year but before 2 years on deduction of 1 ½ % of the deposit.
9. After 2 years but before date of maturity on deduction of 1% of the deposit.
10. In case of death of the depositor before maturity, the account shall be closed and deposit refunded without any deduction along with interest.
11. Interest @ 9% per annum from the date of deposit on quarterly basis. Interest can be automatically credited to savings account provided both the accounts stand in the same post office.
12. Interest rounded off to the nearest multiple of rupee one.
13. Post Maturity Interest at the rate applicable to the deposits under Post Office Savings Accounts from time to time is admissible for the period beyond maturity.
14. Nomination facility is available inthe Senior Citizens Savings Scheme.
15, The investment under this scheme qualify for the benefit of Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. [as per prevailing rules]

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS- SENIOR CITIZENS SAVINGS SCHEME
1. Can I open a Savings Scheme joint account?
Yes, a joint account can be opened only along with your spouse.
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2. What is the age requirement for the second applicant of the joint account?
In case of a joint account, the age of 1st applicant is the only factor to decide eligibility for investing under the scheme. There is no age limit for the second joint account holder.
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3. What is the share of the joint account holder in a joint deposit account?
Only the first applicant is eligible to make deposits under this scheme, so the question of a share for the joint account holder or spouse does not arise.
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4. If the depositor does not close the account on maturity and does not extend the account for a further three years, then how will interest be calculated?
After the date of maturity, the account shall be considered matured. The current post maturity interest rate applicable to deposits under the Post Office Savings Accounts will be permissible for the period after maturity. The amount of excess interest paid (at the higher rate applicable to deposits under SCSS) after maturity shall be deducted.
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5. Is there any Income Tax rebates orexemptions
No Income Tax rebate is permitted under the scheme. The existing Income Tax provisions will apply.
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6. Can 'A' open a joint account with his/her spouse 'B' with maximum admissible deposits of Rs.15 lakh andsimilarly 'B' open another account individually or jointly with 'A'?
Yes, both spouses can open individual or joint accounts with each other. The maximum deposit should be up to Rs.15 Lakh each.
7 Do I need to open a new savings account to get interest that is credited periodically?
No such requirement is specified. Youwill get the due interest credited to your existing savings account.
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8. Are multiple withdrawals permitted?
No. However, there is no limitation on opening multiple accounts within the overall ceiling limit of Rs.15 lakh.
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9. Is any fee charged for nomination and/or change or cancellation of nomination?
No such fee is charged.

Frequently Asked Question - Savings Bank Account

Frequently Asked Question - Savings Bank Account
Question
Answer
What is the current rate of interest on savings accounts ?
3.5 %
How many single Savings accounts may be opened by an adult in his own name in any post office ?
Only Once
How many adults may open a joint savings account?
2 or 3
Where is the minimum age for opening a single savings account by a minor himself in his name
10 year
How many savings accounts can be opened by a minor in his own name?
Only once
In which form the amount for opening a savings account can be presented whether by a cash or cheque or demand draft
By Cash
What is the fee for making nomination in a savings account first time ?
No Fee
What is the fee for getting the nomination altered in a savings account
One Rupee
In what manner the fee for getting the nomination cancelled in a savings account to be paid ?
A fee of Rs 1/- ( This will be paid in the shape of Postage Stamp and affixed on the application form)
How many times withdrawal can bemade from a savings account standing at a BO in a day ?
Only Once
How many time withdrawal can be made from a savings account standing at HO or SO
Any number of times
Up to what amount payment order for withdrawal from savings account may be sanctioned by a Branch Postmaster ?
Rs 5000/-
What minimum balance should remain in a savings
account without cheque book after withdrawal
Rs 50 /-
What minimum balance should remain in a savings account with cheque book facility after withdrawal ?
Rs 500/-
Whether nomination facility is available in savings account opened in the name of a minor by his guardian
No
Whether a minor can appoint a messenger for making withdrawal from the savings account opened byhim in his /her name ?
No, minor has to attend the post office personally to withdraw money from his/her account
Whether it is compulsory to present the pass book on the counter of the post office at the time of making withdrwal by cheque from a savingsaccount with cheque book facility ?
No
What minimum amount may be withdrwan by a cheque from a cheque from savings account
Rs 20/-
While calculating interest in a single savings account , what may be the maximum IBB in a calander month ?
Rs 100000/-
While calculating interest in a joint savings account , what may be the maximum IBB in a calander month ?
Rs 200000/-
By which post office annual interest is calculated in savings account ?
By HPO
After how many consecutive financial years without any trancsation a savings account is treated as silent account
3 years
Whether the amounts of annual interest affed in a savings account may be treated as transactions in that account ?
No
If in a savings account , the balance has reached prescribed maximum, whether it may be treated as silent account after no transaction having taken place during three consecutivefinancial year ?
No
What is the fee for issue of duplicate passbook of a savings account ?
Rs 10/-
Which office issues duplicate passbook of a savings account standing at department SO ?
Same SO where the accounts stands .
Whehter a pension savings account may be closed itself by LSG SO by calculating current year’s interest ?
No closure is to be permitted by HO
What is the fee for getting a savings account transferred from one post office to another PO
No Fee
Whether one of the depositors of a joint B savings account can get that account transferred from one post office to another by signing the application for transfer himself only?
No all the account holders are required to sign
Whether a savings account deceaseddepositor can be transferred from one post office to another
No
Whether a savings account which has been ordered to be closed , may be got transferred from one post office to another ?
NO

1.5 lakh post offices to be converted into banks

The humble post office is all set to undergo a radical change with a proposal to convert over 1.5 lakh post offices across the nation into fullfledged banks on the anvil.
Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal wants to reach out to the masses in the rural areas with modern banking facilities through the post offices. “We want to commercialise the department. We will seek a licence from the RBI toconvert all our post offices into banks,” Mr. Sibal told PTI.
The lack of modern banking facilities in rural areas and dependence of villagers on informal sector for their credit requirements has prompted the government to work on financial inclusion by way of setting up ‘postalbanks’.
“The State Bank of India can’t build branches all over India, but there are post offices across India. The branches are already there, so infrastructure expenditure is not required. So you can actually give banking facilities at relatively lower costs, which would be extremely beneficial to people,” he said.
The post offices currently offer financial services like savings bank, postal life insurance, pension payments and money transfer services. Its total corpus stood at Rs. 5,82,832.9 crore as on March 31, 2011.
DoP’s revenues grew 11 per cent to Rs. 6,954.09 crore in 2010-2011 fromRs. 6,266.70 crore in the previous fiscal.
However, negative growth rate in some circles has pushed the Department’s deficit to Rs. 6,625 crore in FY’11, almost equal to the annual revenue of the Department.

Post office agents pocket over Rs 2,000 cr annually

The government is paying over Rs 2,000 crore annually as commission to agents of the small savings schemes, adding to the schemes' overall cost, says an official report.
According to the report of Shyamala Gopinath committee on Small Savings, the revised estimate of such commission was at Rs 2,400 crore in 2010-11. For this fiscal, it is expected at Rs 2,200 crore, the committee saidquoting the Budget estimates.

There are over five lakh small agents in the country.
The committee on Comprehensive Review of National Small Savings Fund, headed by Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Shyamala Gopinath and which submitted its report earlier this week, has recommended sharp reduction on commissions for agents of post office schemes.
The committee noted that small savings schemes are agent -driven and suggested that the commission on them should be gradually reduced from four per cent to 1%.
There has been a steady rise in total commission paid to agents over the last few years; for 2005-06, it was at Rs 1,972 crore. The figure went up to Rs 1,983 crore and Rs 2,048 crore in 2006-07 and 2007-08, respectively.
However, there was a fall in the numbers to Rs 1,430 crore in 2008-09, which coincided with the global economic recession.
However, the next year, it jumped to Rs 2,180 crore, and Rs 2,400 in year 2010-11.
Small savings collections are mobilised through a wide network of agents. Basically, three type of agencies -- Standardised Agency System (SAS), Mahila Pradhan Kshetria Bachat Yojana (MPKBY) and Public Provident Fund Agents (PPFA) -- are in the market.
These agents are remunerated from the National Small Savings Fund (NSSF) on the basis of gross small savings collections.
Under the SAS -- which covers Kisan Vikas Patra, Post Office Monthly Income Scheme, Post Office Time Deposits, National Savings Certificates, National Savings Scheme and Senior Citizens Savings Scheme --the commission given by the central government is 0.5% or 1% of the collection.
In the case with PPFA, which covers the Public Provident Fund (PPF) the commission is also one per cent.
It is the highest for agents of the MPKBY who operate the Post Office Recurring Deposits Scheme. Such agents earn 4% commission.

All post offices in India to get internet connectivity by 2012-2013

The Government of India will provideinternet connectivity to all post offices in the country by the year 2012-2013 as part of the India Post Technology Project. "All the Departmental Post Offices (DPO) and Branch Post Offices (BPO) in the country would be provided with network connectivity by 2012-13 under the India Post Technology Project 2012," Minister for Communications and Information Technology Kapil Sibal informed the Lok Sabha.

Sibal said that 22,360 DPOs in the country have been provided computers, while 1308 DPOs have been provided with wide area network (WAN) connections and 10,530 DPOs have been provided with broadband facilities. The India Post Technology Project 2012 aims toupgrade the technological infrastructure across post offices in India.

Grant of leave to the staff working under HSG I Postmaster.

No 51-4/2011- SPB – 11
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi – 110001
Dated 01-08-2011
To,
1. All Chief Postmasters General
2. All Postmasters General
Sub: Grant of leave to the staffworking under HSG I Postmaster.
Sir / Madam,
It is observed that HSG I Postmaster is competent to grant only casual leave to the staff working under him/her. The applications for grant of other kind of leave to staff are forwarded by him/her to the Division office for approval. It has been brought to the notice of the Directorate that at times the said procedure takes time and if such officials who do not havecasual leave left in their accounts want to proceed on earned leave immediately to some unforeseen circumstances, they face problems inproceeding on leave at short notice.
2. The matter has been looked into. It has been decided by the competent authority in the Directorate that in such pressing circumstances, HSG I Postmasters while recommending earned leave may relieve the official of his duties in anticipation of grant of leave by the competent authority, provided :
I. The earned leave applied for by theindividual is not for more than the period of three days.
II. No substitute is required in case the official proceeds on leave.
III. The leave may be recommended by the HSG I Postmaster by recordingthat it is being recommended subject to the availability of leave in the credit of the applicant.
IV. The official may be relieved after duly following the procedure of handing/taking over of the charge.
V. If later on the sanctioning authority finds that the official does not have the leave applied for to his credit he should obtain the revised application from the individual for the kind of leave he/she is entitled to at the earliest.
VI. If the official needs earned leave for more than three days or wants to extend the earned leave beyond three days he should apply for same well in advance so that it is sanctioned as per the existing procedure.
Yours faithfully,
-Sd-
(B.P.Sridevi)
Director (Staff)

Suspension orders, charge sheets not personal information: CIC

New Delhi, Aug 21 Suspension orders and charge sheets issued to government officials should be disclosed under the RTI as these are not personal information, the Central Information Commission has held.
The transparency panel held that charge sheets and suspension orders are issued as part of public activity and cannot qualify as personal information, hence should be disclosed to RTI applicants.
The case relates to an RTI application filed by Jayalaxmi who sought to know the names of Syndicate Bank officials who are on suspension and those against whom charge sheets have been served.
The bank rejected the information saying that there is no public interestinvolved in the application, it is of third party information and further, it would impede the process of investigation and departmental enquiry.
During the appeal hearing, the CIC said all relationships usually have an element of trust, but all of them cannot be classified as fiduciary.
Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi said an important characteristic for the relationship to qualify as a fiduciary relationship is that the information provider gives the information for using it for the benefit of the one who is providing the information.
"The information like names, designation and branch of the employees/officers working in Karnataka state who are under suspension from the services of the bank and further who are issued with charge sheet as on date has not been provided by the officers to Syndicate Bank and hence it cannot be said to held in a fiduciary capacity,"Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi said.

Recommendations of Expert Committee on expedition the process involved in Disciplinary/Vigilance proceedings

The Government is considering a set of proposals to cut the time taken to penalise delinquent Government officials including sacking of officials found to be involved in corruption.
The Government had appointed a three member Committee of Experts to examine and suggest measures to expedite the process involved in Disciplinary/Vigilance Proceedings. The Committee has made a number of recommendationsaimed at reducing time taken in conducting and concluding disciplinary proceedings against government servants. In its Report, the Committee has recommended :
·Creation of panels of Inquiry Officers from amongst both serving and retired government servants and enhancement of remuneration for conducting inquiries;
·Prescribing a time limit of two months for completion of minor penalty disciplinary inquiries and 12 months for major penalty disciplinary inquiries;
·Dispensing with second stage consultation with CVC;
·Dispensing with consultation with UPSC in minor penalty disciplinary cases;
·Setting up of Vigilance Commissions with statutory status in the States;
·Introduction of Plea-Bargaining in major penalty disciplinary inquiries;
·Major penalty of compulsory retirement to include cut in pension/gratuity;
·Amendment of Article 311 of the Constitution to provide for dismissal from service on charges of corrupt practices after beginning of trial in a competent court;
The Report of Committee is under examination.

India Post bags Today's Traveller Award-2011

Department of Posts has won the Today`s Traveller Award for Best Customer Service Organisation for the year 2011. The award was presented by Shri Subodh Kant Sahai,Union Minister of Tourism here on 23rd August 2011.
The award citation says"Department of Posts has done a commendable job in reaching every citizen of India with its path-breaking innovations. There has been a major transformation in Department of Posts’ manpower development, whereby both the front and back office staff and the entire personnel make sincere efforts to understand and address customer`s needs, respond to their inquiries/complaints and provide efficient and reliable services with a good degree of enthusiasm."
Source : PIB

About kalahandi district

Geographical Areas 7920 Sq.KM
Area under Forest 2,538.01 Sq.KM (32 %)
Population(2001)Census 1335494 ( Male- 667526 , Female- 667968 )
( Rural - 1235275 , Urban - 100219 )
Scheduled Caste 236019 ( 17.67 )(Male-117344,Female-118675)
Scheduled Tribe 385273 ( 28.84% )(Male-188646,Female-193927)
Density of population 169 per sq.kms.
LITERATE 513383 ( 62.45% ) ( Male-349473 ,Female- 163910)
ILLITERATE 822111 (Male-318053 , Female - 504058 )
Total Numbers of House Holds 320624 ( Rural - 299942, Urban - 20682)
Total Numbers BPL House Holds ( 1997 ) 193054
Number of SC/ST House holds ( 1997 ) 111884
Percentage of BPL Family ( 1997) 62.71 %
* Percentage of BPL Family ( 1992 ) 85.77 %
Administration Set up
Number of Sub-Division 2
Number of Tehsils 9
Number of Municipality 1
Number of N.A.C. 2
Number of Blocks 13
Number of Police Station 12
Number of Gram Panchayat 273
No. of Inhabited Villages 2099
No. of Uninhabited Villages 137
Total Number of villages 2236

Handling BPL Accounts in SanchayPost

How do we open BPL Accounts in Sanchay Post Version 6.5-R2?
A workaround to handle BPL accounts till the introduction of the new CBS software, is to open such accounts using the already available NREGS Data Entry module .
Use separate block for NREGS and BPL accounts.
Ensure that the account blocks do not overlap.
Subsequent transacations in these accounts also need to be entered using the NREGS Data Entry module.
In place of Job Card Number, enter the ‘Letter no/Number/Sl. no,’ of the document proof obtained for opening the BPL account.
A separate LOT option for BPL is provided in DBAnalyzer >> Reports > Zero Balance Accounts LOT.
Source : http://www.tamilnadupost.nic.in/sdc/sblan.htm

Revised Instruction to open BPLAccounts in Sanchay Post

Henceforth, BPL accounts should be opened in the ONLINE MODULE only and the account number allotted willbe from the regular SB block. While opening BPL accounts, counter officials should enter the following details under the Introducer particulars:
a) Select ‘Others’ in the dropdown option for Scheme.
b) Enter ‘BPL’ in the introducer name, address, city and pincode.
This is mandatory for all BPL accounts, failing which the account cannot be classified as a BPL account.The counter officials should be suitably instructed without fail. The same procedure is to be adopted for opening of BPL accounts in the SOSB Online module.
For BPL accounts already opened in NREGS Data Entry Module:
a. Open Form No. 0459 in Initialisation Group
b. Add a new block
c. Enter the starting number and the last number of the accounts opened as BPL accounts.
c. In the 'Latest Number' field, enter the last BPL account number opened.
d. Click on 'Save'
The corresponding block should be deleted from the initialisation of NREGS Account Number Blocks.

Heads of Important Offices in India

Dr. Manmohan Singh: Chairman, Planning Commission.
Ms. Meira Kumar: Speaker, Lok Sabha.
Mohammad Hamid Ansari: Chairman, Rajya Sabha.
Mr. K. Rahman Khan: Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha.
Mr. Karia Munda: Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha.
Mrs. Sushma Swaraj : Leader of Opposition (Lok Sabha).
Mr. Arun Jaitley: Leader of Opposition (Rajya Sabha).
Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia: Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission.
Mr. S. Y. Quraishi: Chief Election Commissioner
Mr. V. S. Sampath : Election Commissioner.
Mr. Harishankar Brahma : Election Commissioner.
Mr. Vinod Rai : Comptroller and Auditor-General of India .
Mr. Justice K. G. Balakrishnan : Chairperson, National Human Right Commission (NHRC)
Mr. K. M. Chandrasekhar: Cabinet Secretary.
Mr. T. K. A. Nair : Principal Secretary to Prime Minister .
Mr. Justice M. N. Rao: Chairman, National Commission for Backward Classes.
Ms. Shanta Sinha: Chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
Dr. Buta Singh: Chairman, National Commission for Scheduled Castes
Ms. Urmila Singh: Chairman, NationalCommission for Scheduled Tribes.
Prof. D. P. Agrawal: Chairman, UPSC

List of World Presidents & Prime Ministers

● Afghanistan: President - Hamid Karzai; Capital - Kabul.
● Algeria: President - Abdelaziz Bouteflika; Prime Minister - Ahmed Ouyahia; Capital-
Algiers.
● Argentina: President- Ms. Cristina Fernandez Kirchner; Capital- Buenos Aires.
● Australia: Governor-General- Ms. Quentin Bryce; PRIME MINISTER- Kevin Rudd; Capital (Federal)- Canberra.
● Austria: President- Heinz Fischer; Chancellor-Werner Faymann, Capital-Vienna.
● Bahrain: King - Hamad ibn al-Khalifah; Prime Minister - Sheikh Khalifah Sulman al-Khalifah; Capital- Manama.
● Bangladesh: President - Zillur Rahman; PRIME MINISTER - Ms. Sheikh Hasina; Capital- Dhaka.
● Belarus: President- Alexander Lukashenko; Prime Minister - Sergei Sidorsky; Capital- Minsk.
● Belgium: King - Albert II; Prime Minister-Herman Van Rompuy; Capital- Brussels.
● Bhutan: King - Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk; Prime Minister-Jigmi Y. Thinley;
Capital – Thimphu
● Bolivia: President- Evo Morales; Capital – La Paz.
● Brazil: President- Ms. Dilma Rousseff; Capital - Brasilia.
● Bulgaria: President - Georgi Purvanov; Prime Minister - Boyko Borisov; Capital-
Sofia.
● Burkina Faso: President – Blaise Compaore; Prime Minister – Tertius Zongo; Capital-
Ouagadougou.

Jan Lokpal Bill, why it's important

The Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's ombudsman Bill) is a draft anti-corruption bill drawn up by prominent civil society activists seeking the appointment of a Jan Lokpal, an independent body that would investigate corruption cases, complete the investigation within a year and envisages trial in the case getting over in the next one year.
Drafted by Justice Santosh Hegde (former Supreme Court Judge and former Lokayukta of Karnataka), Prashant Bhushan (Supreme Court Lawyer) and Arvind Kejriwal (RTI activist), the draft Bill envisages a system where a corrupt person foundguilty would go to jail within two years of the complaint being made and his ill-gotten wealth being confiscated. It also seeks power to the Jan Lokpal to prosecute politicians and bureaucrats without government permission.
Retired IPS officer Kiran Bedi and other known people like Swami Agnivesh, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Anna Hazare and Mallika Sarabhai are also part of the movement, called India Against Corruption. Its website describes the movement as "an expression of collective anger of people of India against corruption. We have all come together to force/request/persuade/pressurize the Government to enact the Jan Lokpal Bill. We feel that if this Bill were enacted it would create an effective deterrence against corruption."
Anna Hazare, anti-corruption crusader, went on a fast-unto-death in April, demanding that this Bill, drafted by the civil society, be adopted. Four days into his fast, the government agreed to set up a joint committee with an equal number of members from the government and civil society side to draft the Lokpal Bill together. The two sides met several times but could not agree on fundamental elements like including the PM under the purview of the Lokpal. Eventually, both sides draftedtheir own version of the Bill.
The government has introduced its version in Parliament in this session. Team Anna is up in arms and calls thegovernment version the "Joke Pal Bill." Anna Hazare declared that he would begin another fast in Delhi on August 16. Hours before he was to begin his hunger strike, the Delhi Police detained and later arrested him. There are widespread protests all over the country against his arrest.
The website of the India Against Corruption movement calls the Lokpal Bill of the government an"eyewash" and has on it a critique of that government Bill.
A look at the salient features of Jan Lokpal Bill:
1. An institution called LOKPAL at the centre and LOKAYUKTA in each state will be set up
2. Like Supreme Court and Election Commission, they will be completely independent of the governments. No minister or bureaucrat will be able toinfluence their investigations.
3. Cases against corrupt people will not linger on for years anymore: Investigations in any case will have to be completed in one year. Trial should be completed in next one yearso that the corrupt politician, officer or judge is sent to jail within two years.
4. The loss that a corrupt person caused to the government will be recovered at the time of conviction.
5. How will it help a common citizen: If any work of any citizen is not donein prescribed time in any government office, Lokpal will impose financial penalty on guilty officers, which will be given as compensation to the complainant.
6. So, you could approach Lokpal if your ration card or passport or voter card is not being made or if police is not registering your case or any other work is not being done in prescribed time. Lokpal will have to get it done in a month's time. You could also report any case of corruption to Lokpal like ration beingsiphoned off, poor quality roads beenconstructed or panchayat funds beingsiphoned off. Lokpal will have to complete its investigations in a year, trial will be over in next one year andthe guilty will go to jail within two years.
7. But won't the government appointcorrupt and weak people as Lokpal members? That won't be possible because its members will be selected by judges, citizens and constitutional authorities and not by politicians, through a completely transparent and participatory process.
8. What if some officer in Lokpal becomes corrupt? The entire functioning of Lokpal/ Lokayukta willbe completely transparent. Any complaint against any officer of Lokpal shall be investigated and the officer dismissed within two months.
9. What will happen to existing anti-corruption agencies? CVC, departmental vigilance and anti-corruption branch of CBI will be merged into Lokpal. Lokpal will have complete powers and machinery to independently investigate and prosecute any officer, judge or politician.
10. It will be the duty of the Lokpal to provide protection to those who are being victimized for raising their voice against corruption.

Model question

Q1 clearance of letter boxes placed at Railway stations where there are Mail Offices should, as far as possible,be fixed by
Superintendents of RMS
Q2 Machine franked articles can be posted at not more than --------offices specified by the Head ofthe Division in the license
Two
Q3 Who is responsible for seeing that the franked articles have been franked in the prescribed manner and that systematic underpayment is not going on.?
The Postmaster of office of Posting
Q4 Machine-franked articles posted in letter-boxes should be treated as ---------
unpaid articles
Q5 The Indian Post Office Bill having been passed by the Legislature received its assent on
22nd March 1898.
Q6 In which offence the police officer may arrest without warrant
Cognizable offence
Q7 Compulsory Retirement is a ---------- penalty
Major
Q8 Withholding of increments of pay is a ------------penalty
Minor
Q9 If a government servant committed misconduct in earlier employment , then who will take action ?
The present disciplinary authority
Q10 Who is the appointing authority of presenting officer in a disciplinary case?
The Disciplinary authority
Q11 If a government servant is kept away from duty for certain period till an enquiry investigation is completed , then the action is called as -----------
Suspension
Q12 CCS CCA rules come in to force on the
1 st December 1965
Q13 From the ‘CCA ‘ the ‘ A’ denotes for --------------
Appeal
Q14 The civil services of the union shall be classified as four groups. Which is third one classification
Group C
Q15 In which article of Indian constitution of India specify about Central Civil Services (CCA) rules
Article 148
Q16 If a Government servant was taken into police custody and period exceeds forty Eight hours then this iscalled as --------
Deem Suspension
Q17 When a Government is under suspension the premium of PLI polices must be recovered from
Subsistence allowance
The above said statement is
False
Q18 If a government servants refused to work overtime then this mass action called as
Strike
Q19 Railway servant is not coming under CCS(temporary service ) Rules
The above said statement is
True
Q20 in what case or condition that the disciplinary case should come to an end?
Death of the alleged offender
Q21 An official who may have to appear as witness in case should not be appointed as the presenting officer or Inquiry officer
The above said statement is
True
Q22 As per term and condition for appointing retired officer as inquiry officers , what is age limit of retired officer
Not more than 70 years of age as on the first July of the year of his empanelment
Q23 What is mention in Rule 14 (5) of CCS (CCA) rules 1965 ?
The disciplinary authority may itself inquire into the charges against the accused government
Q24 Whether an informal warning may be considered as censure
No
Q25 Whether a Government servant under suspension can be transferred to another place
No

SB ORDER NO. 15/2011

SB ORDER NO. 15/2011
No.79-01/2011-SB
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi-110116.
Dated: 18.08.2011
To
All Heads of Circles/Regions
Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi .
Subject:- Settlement of deceased claim case in respect of Sr. Citizen’s Savings Scheme account- a clarification regarding.
Sir / Madam,
The undersigned is directed to say that a RTI query regarding settlement of deceased claim when deposit is payable to two or more nominees and either of them is deadwas referred to Min. of Finance (DEA)for clarification as there is no such provision in SCSS Rules 2004.
2. The Ministry of Finance (DEA) vide its O.M. No. 15/1/2009/NS-II dated 02.08.2011 has clarified that in such a case, the deposit shall be paid to the survivingnominee.
3. It is requested that this maybe circulated to all post offices for information and necessary guidance to deal with such claim cases.
4. This issues with the approval of DDG(FS).
Yours faithfully,
(Kawal Jit Singh)
Assistant Director (SB)

SB ORDER NO. 16/2011

SB ORDER NO. 16/2011
No.113-07/2010-SB
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi-110001, Dated: 23.08.2011
To
All Heads of Circles/Regions
Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi .
Subject:- Grant of Savings Bank Allowance to Postal Assistants working in Savings Bank / certificatebranches- holding of SB Aptitude Test regarding.
Sir / Madam,
The undersigned is directed to refer to this office SB Order No.26/89 issued vide letter No. 2- 3/86-SB dated 27.4.1989, SB Order No.43/89 dated 12.9.1989, SB Order No. 26/90 dated 4.05.1990, SB Order No. 17/2004 dated 8.10.2001, SB Order No. 5/2005 issued vide letter no. 113-1/2003- SB(APT) dated 28.3.2005, D.O. letter of even number dated 26.2.2010 from DDG(FS) to all Heads of circles and SB Order No. 10/2011 dated 21.6.2011 on the subject.
2. Based on the inputs received from the circles, it was observed that out of the staff working in the POSB/SC related branches in the post offices, the percentage of staff passed SB Aptitude test is very low and in some circles the test has either been not held from many years or not regularly held. In view of this, the pattern and syllabus of the aptitude test has been reviewed in this office and it has been decided to revise thewhole pattern as well as syllabus of this test which is very important from the operational point of view of the POSB/SC. Min. of Finance is also time and again pointing out the high percentage of irregularities being committed by the postal staff which is resulting in financial loss to the Government as well as in some cases to the customers and increase in court cases/public grievances.
3. Revised Syllabus, pattern, eligibility criteria, procedure for setting up of paper/venue and further reporting to this division are attached as enclosure. Test will be held twice in a calendar year i.e in the month of February and August and candidates who have completedone year service on 30 th June or 31st December of the year in which the test is conducted shall be eligibleto appear.
4. It is requested that necessary action may be taken immediately to circulate the new syllabus as well as eligibility criteria so that next SB Aptitude may be held in February 2012.
5. This issues with the approval of DDG(FS).
Yours faithfully,
(Kawal Jit Singh)
Assistant Director (SB)
Enclosure:- New Syllabus/Pattern/Eligibility Criteria etc.
Syllabus for Savings Bank Aptitude Test
Paper - I
Marks-100
Time-2 Hours
Total No. of Questions-50
Qualifying Marks:- 50%
Note:- The examination will be held with the aid of books approved by the department. All the questions will be objective type with four options. The candidate has to choosethe correct option as per his knowledge and quote the rule from the books approved for the examination to support his/her decision.
Syllabus:-
Acts
(1) Government Savings Bank Act 1873 (amended from time to time)
(2) Government Savings Certificates Act 1959 (amended from time to time)
(3) Public Provident Fund Act 1968 (amended from time to time)
Statutory Rules
(1) Post Office Savings Bank General Rules 1981 (amended from time to time).
(2) Post Office Savings Account Rules 1981 (amended from time to time).
(3) Post Office Recurring Deposit Rules 1981 (amended from time to time).
(4) Post Office Time Deposit Rules 1981 (amended from time to time).
(5) Post Office Monthly Income Account Rules 1987(amended from time to time).
(6) Public Provident Fund Scheme Rules 1968 (amended from time to time)
(7) National Savings Certificate (VIII Issue) Rules, 1989 (amended from time to time).
(8) Kisan Vikas Patras Rules, 1986 (amended from time to time).
Procedure
(1) All procedural rules of POSB Manual Vol-I and II.
(2) All SB Orders issued from 1.1.2007 onwards.
Approved Books
(1). POSB Manual Vol-I or Compilation of POSB Manual Vol-I
(2) POSB Manual Vol-II or Compilation of POSB Manual Vol-II
(3) POSB Manual Vol-III or Compilation of POSB Manual Vol-III or Handbook on Government Small Savings Schemes
Eligibility Criteria:- All Postal Assistants who have completed one year’s service on 30 th June or 31st December of the year in which test is conducted shall be eligible to appear. Test will be conducted twicein a calendar year i.e in the month ofFebruary and August. Candidates who have completed one year’s service as on 31st December shall be eligible for appearing in the test to be held in February and those who have completed one year’s service ason 30th June shall be eligible for appearing in the test to be held in August. There will be no restriction on number of times a candidate can appear.
Setting up of paper and venue:- Test will be conducted by the circle. Date, time and venue will be decided at circle level and circulated at least 30 days before the scheduled date. Setting up of paper will be done at the level of Postal Training Centre. Chief Postmaster General of the circleshall decide the name of Postal Training Centre from which the Paper will be got set. A blank line is required to be provided after 4 options in each question to mention the Rule in support of the answer. Evaluation of the papers shall also begot done from the same PTC. Result will be declared by the circle. Successful candidates shall be postedin the branches pertaining to POSB/SC in post offices/divisional offices/regional offices and circle office. If surplus candidates qualified,a list of such candidates may be prepared in the preference of marks obtained in the test and they shall beposted in the SB/SC branches as and when required.
Reporting:- All circles will send half yearly report to the FS Division of Directorate in the enclosed format.
Format of Half Yearly Report (to be sent in the month of April and October)
Name of Circle
No. of Fully
engaged
posts
eligible for
SB
Allowance
@Rs.300/-
No. of
Partially
engaged
posts
eligible for
SB
Allowance
@Rs.150/-
No. of SB
Allowance
eligible
candidates
working in
the circle
No. of SB
Allowance
ineligible
candidates
working in
the circle
Date
when
last
Aptitude
Test was
held.
No. of
candidates
appeared

INDIA POST ANNUAL REPORT

The huge cash outgo on implementation of the SixthPay Commission’s recommendations increased the Indian Postal Department’s deficit by 84.84 per cent to Rs 6,641.30 crore for the year ended 2009-10.

During the 2009-10 financial year, the deficit of thedepartment stood at Rs 6,641.30 crore, as against the previous year’s deficit of Rs 3,593 crore, translating into an 84.84 per cent increase.

This was due to a jumpin expenses on account of implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission’s report and a normal increase in Dearness Allowance, the Department of Post said in its annual report for 2010-11.

No proposal to increase the Retirement Age of Central Government Employees

The Central Government clarified that there is no proposal to extend the retirement age of Central Government Employees.

In Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena told that the total number of Central Government Employees as on March, 2010 was 32.24 Lakh and “at present we have no idea to increase the retirement age of Central Government Employees from 60 to 62”.

Model Question

If the depositor of Sr Citizen account is obtain Rs 10000/- as deposit in a financial year then what is the rate of TDS to be charged

If the depositor is resident of India then 10 % otherwise 20%

If in any case two SCSS accountsare found opened in the name of same depositor in same deposit office in one calendar month then what is the further corrective action to be taken from department .

The second account opened should be amalgamated with the first account subject to other terms and conditions of the scheme

R Net

R Net is mainly designed to deal with the Register Articles booked with the Barcode for the tracking like Speed Articles. R Net have two parts R Net Client (will be installed at RMS offices) and R Net Communication (at RMS andPost Offices). Both parts have separate configuration which needs to be done as per the installation site i.e. Post Office or Sorting Office.

Ms Devika Kumar new CPMG of Orissa

Ms Devika Kumar (IPoS-1981 batch) who so far was DDG (Philately) Postal Directorate has been posted as CPMG Orissa Circle.

CPMG WB Circle will hold additional charge of Orissa Circle till the new CPMG join.