Indian Postal Department and 2011

A budget of Rs. 1800 cores has been earmarked for the project which is to be completed by the year end of 2013.

In this era of fast developing Information and Communication Technology, large scale induction and assimilation of modern means of communication has become vital for sustenance and growth of India Post.

In this era of fast developing Information and Communication Technology, large scale induction and assimilation of modern means of communication has become vital for sustenance and growth of India Post

Having created a base of more than 12000 computerised Post offices in the country and a pool of trained human resource, India Post is in the process of implementing mass scale computerization and networking of all Departmental Post offices and Branch Post offices on a single integrated and modular platform connected to a National Data Center.

This National infrastructure, so created will enable India Post to provide state-of-the-art ICT services including Mobile remittance and Banking on a core banking platform and provide inclusive banking to rural, remote and hitherto unbanked areas.

Computerised and connected network of Post office on a single integrated platform will also help India Post to retail products and services of other service providers viz. Banks, Government & Non Government financial institutions, Government Agencies and Mutual Fund houses in the rural and remote areas. India Post has already taken initiative for re-engineering processes and making it compatible to suite the new ICT solutions and customer requirements

The Services of the newly recruited 15000 Postal Assistants will also be utilized to the maximum extent. The Branch Post offices will not be provided with computers, instead they will be provided with modern-technology oriented hand devices

1800 ATMs will be established after the introduction of Core banking. Call centers to collection of logistics, MO etc will be formed. Track & trace facilities will be implemented for all services.

1. ATM 2. Modernization of class III and Branch Office. 3. Core Banking 4. Creation of National Data Center.

Creation various cadre including Postmaster’s Cadre

WELCOME TO 2011

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Replacement of Rule-87 of POSB Manual Vol-I and Rule 50 of POSB MAnual Vol-II-New Procedure for POSB Claims settlement to be followed from 01/01/2011

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SB ORDER NO 25/2010 No 113-7/2008 SB dated 23.12.2010 Main Points Form of preferring claim has been revised. New claim form has been devised.

There will be only one claim form for all the three types of claims ie (a) with nomination (b) with legal evidence SB- 84 claim form will be discontinued . In case of no nomination /legal evidence , the claimant has to produce three documents ie (a ) Affidavit (b) letter of indemnity and (c) Letter of disclaimer on Affidavit as prescribed in SCSS-2004 by MOF (DEA).

No Separate sanction memo will be issued and no account closure form will be required after sanction as both these options are available in the claim form itself

Proof of death is to be given by the claimant in original after which no further enquiry is required to be done by the sanctioning authority.

Claimant has to give two witnesses on the claim form and his /her ID as well as Address proof along with claim form. After acceptance of witnesses by BPM/SPM/PM or SR PM on the claim form no further enquiry will be required to be done about genuiness of claimant by the sanctioning authority

Every Post office where the claim will be preferred has to forward the claim to the post office where the account stands by service insured post on the very day of its receipt .

The post office where the account stands , on receipt of the claim either directly or by insured Post will issue acknowledgement to the claimant on the same day and settle financial powers or forward the same to the sanctioning authority by service insured post on the day of its receipt.

Every administrative office will dispose off the claim case within 7 working days of the receipt of the same .

Responsibility will be fixed for delay in settlement beyond 7 working days

Taking a proof of death in original. Two witnesses , ID and address proof of the claimant and three legal documents ie (a) affidavit (b) Letter of indemnity and (c) Letter of disclaimer on Affidavit will be the safe procedure to absolve the post office from any legal responsibility.

All payments of deceased claim cases will be made by crossed cheque only.

SAVINGS CERTIFICATE Present claim forms in case of Nomination and legel evidence have been retained

SB- 84 has been discontinued and in case of no nomination or legal evidence , the claimant has to submit the new prescribed form along with three legal documents as prescribed in case of SB accounts

All other features will be same as of POSB accounts

This new procedure will be applicable from 01.01.2011 or from the date of receipt of this order.

INDIAN POSTAL DEPARTMENT AND SERVICES

Project Arrow The Department has launched “Project Arrow”, to lay the foundation for a comprehensive, long term transformation of India Post. Project Arrow aims at comprehensive improvement of the core operations of the post office as well as the ambience in which postal transactions are undertaken. The response of the general public and the staff of the Department to the initiative has been overwhelmingly positive and Project arrow offices have shown significant increase in revenue earnings. The initiative Project Arrow- Transforming India Post has also won the Prime Minister’s award for Excellence in Public Administration for the year 2008-09. So far 1530 Post Offices have been covered under this project.

Mail Operations In order to streamline the processes relating to processing, transmission and delivery of mail and to improve the quality of service of mail products used by the public, the Department of Posts has undertaken a number of new initiatives. Mail Network Optimization Project has been launched to optimize the existing mail network of Department of Posts and streamline core mail operations. It also seeks to bring in greater standardization and improvement in the operational processes relating to mail processing, transmission and delivery. The Department has undertaken a project to set up Automated Mail Processing Centers (AMPCs) in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad with a view to automate mail sorting. These automated systems would be used for sorting of mail, which would help the Department in increasing the productivity at Mail Offices in these cities. The Department has inducted a dedicated cargo aircraft for carriage of mail, parcels and logistics to the North East Region in order to bring in consistency in mail transmission. The India Post aircraft operates on Kolkata-Guwahati-Imphal-Agartala-Kolkata route on a regular basis. This initiative has provided a vital communication link for the NE region in terms of its linkages with the rest of the country and helped the Department e-solve the problems associated with mail transmission to and from this region. The Department has also undertaken an initiative to put in place a National Address Database Management System with an objective to effectively manage the address database of public/customers, update the addresses online, and helping the customers in locating correct addresses. The Department has also mechanized the mail delivery processes in the North-East Region of the country with a view to expedite the mail delivery process in hilly and difficult terrains of the Region. GPS device has been provided in all Mail Motor Vehicles in NE region for better and safe monitoring of mail movement in the region.

Computerization and Networking of Post Offices Under the plan project of computerization and networking of Post Offices, Department of Posts has supplied computer hardware, peripherals and power back up equipments to 14324 Post Offices till date. Under XI Plan Scheme, upgraded computer hardware viz. servers, desktops peripherals etc and power backup equipments like UPS and gensets have been supplied to 1939 Post Offices computerized during earlier five year plans. 1308 sites/ locations have been connected under Wide Area Network (WAN). All Head Post Offices, Administrative Offices, Major Speed Post Centres and Accounts Offices have been connected under WAN. 10530 Offices have been provided with broadband facilities. The IT Modernization Project Phase II of India Post under XI plan envisages computerization of all the non-computerized Post Offices in the country (Departmental single handed Post Offices) and all GDS Post Offices phased over the financial years 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13. Extensive computerization of the post offices have allowed the introduction of many e-enabled services such as:

iMO An on-line domestic money transmission service called iMO was launched in January 2006 which enables the customer to receive money in minutes from any of the post offices providing this service. Under this service, a person can send amount from Rs.1000/- up to Rs.50,000/- in one transaction. It is already functional in 9250 Post Offices across the country

e-Money Order (eMO) The electronic money order, which has been launched in October 2008, facilitates transmission of ordinary money orders through electronic media. eMO have the same tariff structure as the existing money order service. India Post has also signed bilateral agreement for exchange of electronic international money order service with Emirates posts, UAE.

e-Payment e-Payment is a ‘Many to One’ service through which bills (telephone, electricity, municipal dues, taxes etc.) are paid by customers in Post Offices which are then electronically consolidated and paid to the service provider. The service is presently available in more than 8,000 Post Offices across the country and will soon be extended to all computerized Post Offices.

FINANCIAL SERVICES India Post is pursuing the objective of financial inclusion through its 1,39,182 post offices in rural areas and 15,797 post offices in urban areas. The total number of accounts with post office has increased from ` 14.23 crore in 2003-04 to 24.10 crore in 2009-10. The outstanding balance in Post Office Savings Bank accounts in 2009-10 was ` 5,83,789 crore. India Post has already computerised its Savings bank operations in 11,000 post offices. Some of the new initiatives in provision of Financial Services are

Postal Finance Mart Postal Finance Mart (PFM) offer all the financial products and services under one roof “One Stop Shop for Financial Services” in a fully computerized office supported by technology, at par with reputed banking institutions. During 10th Five Year Plan, a total of 313 postal finance Marts have been set up across the country. A target for setting up of 500 postal Finance Marts has been fixed for the 11th Five Year Plan, out which 122 have already been set up.

Core Banking solution for Post Office Small Savings Scheme customers Any-where, Any-time and Any branch banking i.e. Core Banking Solutions (CBS) is included in the X1 Five Year Plan with a financial outlay of Rs. 106 crores for development of CBS software, Customer Relations Management, Training Project Management Unit, Centrallized Bank Office, etc. which support Post Office Savings Bank and Saving Certificates business with improved operational efficiency with delivery channels like ATM, internet, phone and mobile banking services to Small Savings Scheme customers.

PLI/RPLI. The post offices also provide insurance services to Government and semi-government employees and to the rural populace under the banner of POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE (PLI) and RURAL POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE (RPLI). The number of Rural Postal Life Insurance policies has increased from 26.66 lakhs in 2003-04 to more than 70 lakhs in 2008-09 and more than 99 lakhs in 2009-10. Postal Life Insurance policies were more than 44 lakhs as on 31.3.2010

PREMIUM SERVICES Premium services such as Speed Post, Bill Mail Service, Business Post, Express Parcel Post, Logistics Post, Media Post and retail Post etc. are being provided through the postal Network across India. The revenue from premium products has been growing consistently. During the year 2009-10 revenue through these services was 1625 crore, an increase of 13.24% over the revenue of 1435 crore accrued during the year 2008-09.

A new cadre for the Postmasters has been created so as to bring in professionalism in management of the post offices. This cadre will play a critical role in making post offices vibrant and user friendly organizations as well as in successful implementation of the flag ship project India post 2012 for induction of IT and modernization.

International Remittance Services The contribution of international remittances to the country’s GDP has been gaining increasing recognition in recent years. According to World Bank estimates, India would be receiving US $ 55 billion in remittances from abroad during 2010, which is much more than any other country. The Post Office is widely considered the friendliest and safest channel for remittances. India Post has recognised the significance of this business segment, and is offering a portfolio of remittance services to customers. This ranges from instant money transfer on the Western Union platform , to electronic money orders on the International Financial System, the latter being a collaborative platform among postal operators. India Post has recently launched the MO Videsh international money order service on the Euro Giro platform. India Post is also actively supporting the efforts of the Universal Postal Union to set up worldwide systems for money remittances and payments, that are accessible and affordable to the common people.

GDS COMPASSIONATE APPOINTMENT ON MERIT GROUNDS - DIRECTORATE ORDER

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts (GDS Section)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg.

New Delhi-110116

No. 17-17/2010-GDS Dated: 14 Dec. 2010

Chief Postmaster General

Postmasters General

General Managers (Finance)

Director of Accounts (Postal).

Subject:- SCHEME FOR ENGAGEMENT OF GDS ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS-MERIT POINTS AND PROCEDURE FOR SELECTION.

Sir/Madam,

To objective of the Scheme for engagement of Gramin Dak Sevaks on compassionate grounds is to engage dependent family member of a Gramin Dak Sevak dying in harness, thereby leaving his family in penury and without adequate means of livelihood.

2. Keeping in view the objective of the Scheme, the existing instructions relating to compassionate engagement have time and again been reviewed/modified/simplified so that the system finally derived at shall be more transparent, efficient and uniform in nature.

3. Currently, there is no laid down transparent criteria for adjudging degree of indigence of the GDS family while considering their cases for compassionate engagement. Therefore, a need is felt to lay down transparent criteria for considering a request for engagement on compassionate grounds by a Committee. A balanced and objective assessment of the financial condition of the family has to be made taking into consideration of his/her assets and liabilities, and all other relevant factors such as presence of an earning member, size of the family and the essential needs of the family including social obligations, etc. in order to assess the degree of indigence of all the applicants to be considered for compassionate engagement. The Department of Personnel & Training has provided for limiting compassionate appointment of wards of departmental employees to 5% of the total vacancies and no such stipulation has been made for this purpose in respect of GDS. This, however, does not mean that all applicants are to be engaged as GDS on compassionate grounds in relaxation of normal and only the exceptional and deserving cases are to be considered for compassionate engagement as the scheme stipulates that compassionate engagement is to be given only in indigent and deserving cases.

4. The existing procedure has been reviewed in this Directorate and it has been decided by the competent authority that to achieve the objective of the scheme of the compassionate engagement and to ensure complete transparency, merits of the cases can be conveniently indicated by allocating points to the applicants based on various attributes. Accordingly, the Department has worked out a system of allocation of points to various attributes based on a hundred point scale as indicated in the tables below:-

1. NO. OF DEPENDANTS:

Ser	Points	Proposed slabs for GDS Dependants
1	10	3 & above
2	7	2
3	3	1

2. OUTSTANDING LIABILTIS FOR EDUCATON/MARRIAGE OF DEPENDANT CHILDREN:

Ser	Points	Criteria
1	10	For Education of minor children
2	15	For Marriage of daughters

3. LEFT OVER SERVICE FOR DICHARGE

Ser	Points	Proposed slabs for left over service in context to maximum age for discharge
1	10	Over 20 years
2	8	Over 15 & up to 20 years
3	6	Over 10 & up to 15 years
4	4	Over 5 & up to 10 years
5	2	0-5 years

4. OWN AGRICULATURAL LAND AND HOUSE

Ser	Points	Criteria
1	10	No house and land
2	5	Own house only or land
3	0	Own house and land

5. FAMILY EARNINGS OF MEMBERS OF FAMILY PER MONTH

Ser	Points	Proposed slabs for family earning
1	10	No Income
2	8	2500 or less per month
3	6	2501 to 3500 per month
4	4	3501 to 4500 per month
5	2	4501 to 5500 per month
6	0	5501 & above per month

6. DICHARGE BENEFITS i.e. EX-GRATIA GRATUITY, SERVERANCE AMOUNT, SERVICE DISHCARGE BENEFITS UNDER NPS LITE AND GROUP INSURANCE BENEFITS RECEIVED BY FAMILY.

Ser	Points	Proposed slabs for benefits on discharge
1	10	Below Rs. 25000
2	8	25000 to 50000
3	6	50001 to 75000
4	4	75001 to 10000
5	0	Above 10000

7. EDUCTATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF APPLICANT:

Ser	Points	Proposed slab on education of applicant
1	25	Graduate
2	20	10+2
3	2	Below 10+2

5. The above system of weightage not only brings more objectivity to the method but also ensures complete transparency and uniformity in the selection process. The above method is being introduced for considering cases of compassionate engagement to the dependents of the GDS in the event of death of the bread winner. The cases which are more than five years old or having an earning members (s) in the family shall continue to be referred to this Directorate as hitherto before.

6. Shri RS Nataraja Murti Committee had recommended in Para 17.20.2 as under:- "Keeping the spirit of compassionate appointments as enunciated by the Nodal Ministry and also the ruling of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, there is need to provide compassionate appointment to the dependents of GDS in hard and deserving cases. The purpose would be served if the engagement of GDS on the division in a year. The vacancies may be computed separately for GDS BPM and other categories. The period of consideration of deserving cases may be kept as three years. While considering the cases there need not be any relaxation in educational qualification for the post of BPM. In hard and deserving cases requiring relaxations of educational qualification, the engagement may be offered in other categories of GDS subject to the condition that the incumbent can satisfactorily discharge the duties assigned". While the intention behind the scheme of engagement of GDS on compassionate grounds is to allow engagement of GDS on compassionate ground in hard and deserving cases only and not in all cases, the recommended percentage is twice the percentage prescribed for regular Government employees. The above recommendations have been examined in this Directorate and it has been decided to accept the same. However, in view of the Department's plan to computerize the Branch Offices and to use hand held devices etc. besides the requirement of combination of duties in various circumstance, it all categories of Gramin Dak Sevaks including GDS BPM.

7. The number of vacancies and ceiling of 10% now being proposed may be calculated in the following manner:-

(a) The vacancies occurring in a calendar year age to be computed separately for the GDS BPM and other categories of GDS by their appointing authorities for each division well in advance. The appointing authorities while calculating the same shall take into account the vacancies that are likely to occur due to discharge of Gramin Dak Sevaks on attaining the age of 65 years for this purpose during the ensuing calendar year. However, the vacancies arisen due to absorption of Gramin Dak Sevaks in regular departmental posts and due to death occurring during the currency of the calendar year will be added to the vacancies occurring in the next calendar year for computation. The requisite information therefore needs to be compiled at all levels and finally sent to the Head of the Circle concerned by 30^th Nov in advance along with cases complete in all respect.

(b) Circle Relaxation Committee shall consider all cases and approve the same subject to guidelines on the subject and ceiling of 10% of the vacancies calculated separately for GDS BPM and other categories of GDS strictly on application of the Point System for determining the indigence. Cases prescribed to be sent to the Directorate more than 5 years old and cases in which one or more member is earning shall continue to be recommended as per existing provisions subject to this overall 10% limit to be applied on divisional basis.

(c) In units where on application of the ceiling percentage, the number of vacancies for consideration of cases for compassionate engagement works out less than 1 (not zero), one vacancy may be earmarked in that division/unit for compassionate engagement.

(d) This percentage of 10% shall only apply to cover cases of wards of deceased GDS and not to GDS acquiring disability during service defined in the persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. Section 47 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 provides that no establishment shall dispense with or reduce in rank an employee who acquires a disability during his service as also no promotion shall be denied to a person merely on the ground of his disability. In case a GDS acquires a disability during his service and is considered to be unsuitable for the GDS post he was holding, could be shifted to some other post with the same TRCA.

(e) Period of consideration of deserving cases is prescribed as three years i.e. in case where it is not possible to offer engagement of GDS on compassionate grounds due to the application of prescribed ceiling, the case may be considered by the CRC in the subsequent CRC meetings of the next two years to the maximum.

(f) No relaxation in educational qualification for the post of GDS BPM or any other category of GDS would be permissible.

The above instructions will be applicable for all the compassionate engagement case to be considered on or after 01.01.2011. These issues with the approval of Secretary Posts.

These instructions may be communicated to all concerned.

Yours faithfully,

(Surender Kumar)

Asst. Director General (GDS)