Features of MACPS (Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme)
REFERENCE: 1. DOPT OM No: 35034/3/2008- Estt(d) dated 19/05/09.
2. RBE No: 101/2009 (no.pc-v/2009/acp/2) dated 10/06/09.
3. PBC No: 112/2009 (no. p(pc)524-pc/voliv) dated 18/06/09.
(Railway Board has sought for clarifications to DOPT – elucidation awaited)
The scheme would be operational from 01.09.08. In other words, financial upgradations as per old ACP of October 1999 would be granted till 31.08.08. (Para 8) A Screening Committee would be constituted and follow a time schedule to meet twice in a financial year preferably in the month of January (April to September) and of July (October to March).( (Para 6).
Financial upgradation under MACPS is purely personal to the employee and staff shall have no relevance to his seniority position. As such no stepping up of pay in the PB & GP would be admissible with regard to junior getting more pay than the senior on account of pay fixation under MACPS.(Para 9 & 20).
No past cases would be reopened. The differences in pay scales on account of grant of financialupgradations under old ACP and new MACP within the same cadre shall not be construed as anomaly (Para 10).
There shall be three financial upgradations under MACPS counted from the direct entry grade on completion of 10, 20 and 30 years. (Para 1 of Annexure).
All cadres including Group A (excluding organized Gr.A services) are eligible for grant of MACP. (Para 3).
The financial upgradation under the MACPS would be admissible up to the highest grade pay of 12,000 in PB-4. (Para 3 of Annexure).
The pay shall be raised by 3% of the total pay in the pay band and the grade pay drawn before such upgradation. There shall be no further fixation at the time of regular promotion if it is the same grade pay as granted under MACPS. Financial up gradation will be in next higher grade pay in the hierarchy of Grade Pay and not in the promotional hierarchy (as it was earlier). (Para 4).
An employee who completes 10 years of service in a particular grade will qualify for grant of MACP. Service rendered in a lower grade will not be counted for grant of MACP after completion of total qualifying service of 10 years. For example if an employee gets regular promotion to the next grade after completion of 5 years of service in a particular grade, he will have to wait till the completion of 15 years of regular service for 2nd MACP. Likewise 3rd MACP for him will be given after completion of 25 years of regular service (Illustration 1 Para 28 (i) and (ii)). However, after 1st regular promotion or 1st MACP, completion of 10 years of regular service in a grade or total qualifying service of 20 years or30 years whichever falls earlier will be the milestone for grant of next MACP (Illustration 3 Para 28 B).
The service rendered by the existing employees prior to implementation of the MACPS viz., prior to 1.9.2008, will also be taken in to account for calculating the 10, 20 and 30 year milestones for granting MACP.(Para 9 of Annexure).
Similarly, employees who were granted financial upgradation under previous ACP scheme i.e., prior to the introduction of MACPS with effect from 1.9.2008, will be eligible for financial upgradation under MACPS after completion of 20 years and 30 years of service, irrespective of regular promotion given to them if any, between their 10 to 20 years of service or between 20 years and 30 years of service. For example if an employee was given 1st ACP under old ACP Scheme after completion of 12years of service and a regular promotion after completion of 18 years of service, he will be eligible for 2nd MACP after completion of 20 years of service. (Para 9 of Annexure and Illustrations in Para 5 and Para 28).
Promotions earned /upgrading granted under the ACP scheme in the past to those grades which now carry the same grade pay due to merger of pay scales /upgradations of posts recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission shall be ignored for the purpose of granting upgradation under MACPS.(Para 5 of Annexure).
Financial benefit an employee gets as a result of pay fixation during MACP will be 3% of basic pay (pay in pay band plus the grade pay before MACP) and the difference in Grade pay before MACP and grade pay after MACP.Option for fixation of pay is also available. (Para 4 and 7 of Annexure).
If an employee gets a regular promotion to a grade which carries same grade pay which he is receiving now after grant of MACP, no further pay fixation will be allowed at the time of said regular promotion. If an employee gets a regular promotion to a grade which carries higher grade pay thanthe grade pay he is receiving now after grant of MACP, no further pay fixation will be allowed on account of the fact that his pay would have been fixed at the time of grant of MACP itself. However, difference in the grade pay he is getting now and the next grade pay in the hierarchy will be allowed as monetary benefit at the time of promotion. (Para 4 of Annexure).
In the case of employees who have been either promoted or given ACP prior to 6CPC implementation from a grade to another grade, pay scales of which have been merged now after 6CPC implementation, the said promotion or ACP shall be ignored and those emplyees are to be considered for financial upgradations equivalent to the number of milestones they have completed viz., 10 years , 20 years and 30 years milestones as the case may be prescribed in the MACPS for financialupgradations. (Para 5 and illustration thereof).
In cases where ACP was granted as per previous ACP scheme, but whereas after 6CPC implementation the next higher post which the employee got through ACP has been upgraded with higher grade pay, the pay of such employees in the revised pay structure will be fixed with reference to the higher grade pay granted to the post. To illustrate, in the case of an employee, who was granted 1st ACP in old ACP scheme to the grade which carried the pre-revised scale of Rs.6500-10500 corresponding to the revised grade pay of Rs.4200 in the pay band PB-2, he would now be granted grade pay of Rs.4600 in the pay band PB-2 consequent upon upgradation of the post to the grade pay of Rs.4600 in PB-2. However, from the date of implementation of the MACPS viz., from 1.9.2008, all the financial upgradations under the Scheme should be done strictly in accordance with the hierarchy of grade pays in pay bands as notified. (Para 6.2 of Annexure).
Grade Pay of Rs.5400 in PB-2 and Grade pay of Rs.5400 in PB-3 are two different Grade Pay for the purpose of MACP (Para 8.1 of Annexure1 to MACP Order dated 19.05.09.)
Bench Mark (CCR/ACR Gradings) is “Good” up to GP 6600 thereafter is should be “Very Good”. (Para 17 of Annexure1 to MACP Order dated 19.05.09). ‘Regular Service’ for the purpose of MACPS shall commence from the date of joining of a post in regular basis either on direct recruitment or on absorption / reemployment basis. (Para 9 of Annexure1 to MACP Order dated 19.05.09). If financialupgradations will not be allowed under MACPS after 10years due to DAR proceedings, this would have consequential effect on the subsequent financial upgradations. (Para 15 of Annexure1 to MACP Order dated 19.05.09). On grant of financial upgradations under MACPS, there shall be no change in designation, classification or higher status. (Para 16 of Annexure1 to MACP Order dated 19.05.09).
If a regular promotion has been denied by the employee before becoming entitlement of financialupgradation, no financial upgradation shall be allowed. However financial upgradation will be allowed due to stagnation and subsequently refuses the promotion. (Para 25 of Annexure1 to MACP Order dated 19.05.09).
SO FAR VISITED
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Need for revising CGEGIS (Group Insurance)?!
It came into force from 1st January,1982, and provides employees either the life insurance cover in the case of death during service or a maturity amount in the case of retirement from service.
A portion of the subscription is credited to Insurance Fund and the other portion to theSavings Fund in the ratio of 3:7. The Savings Fund will earn interest at the prescribed rate to be compounded quarterly.
Monthly subscription, life insurance sum assured and Maturity amount applicable for different cadres are as follows
Employee Cadre Contribution per Month (Rs.) Insurance cover (Rs.) A 120 1,20,000 B 60 60,000 C 30 30,000 D 15 15,000
Features of this Scheme:
- On Resignation/Retirement :- Amount of subscription credited to the Savings Fundalong with interest thereon will be paid to the employee.
- On Death : Amount of insurance cover of the group to which he belongs on the date of death and the accumulation in Savings Fund will be paid to his nominee/heirs.
- If an employee dies before he was enrolled as a member (i.e. between the date of his joining service and the following Ist January), only the insurance amount will be paid to the nominee/heirs.
- Employee can assign the insurance cover and accumulation in the savings fund to a recognized financial institution, for obtaining housing loans. However, no loans/advance or withdrawals are permitted from Insurance Fund/Savings Fund.
- The amount of subscription is eligible for Income Tax Rebate u/s 88 of IT Act.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
DISBURSEMENT OF SALARY TO CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES ON ACCOUNT OF ONAM FESTIVAL ON 20TH August .
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Disbursement of salary/wages to the Central Government Employees in the State of Kerala for the month of August, 2010 on account of ONAM festival.
In view of the 'ONAM' festival, the Government have decided that the salary of all Central Government Employees in the State of Kerala for the month of August, 2010 may be drawn and disbursed by the Central Government offices (including Defence, Posts & Telecommunications) on 20th August, 2010.
2. The wages for August, 2010 of the industrial employees of Central Government serving in the State of Kerala may also be disbursed in advance on 20th August, 2010.
3.The salary/wages so disbursed are to be treated as advance payments and will be subject to adjustment after the full month's salary/wages of each employee is determined. The adjustment, if any, will be made without exception from the salary/wages as the case may be from the month of September, 2010.
4.The concerned Ministries/Departments are requested to bring these instructions to the notice of their offices located in the State of Kerala for necessary action immediately.
Friday, August 6, 2010
മൊബൈല് ഫോണുകള് ഉപയോഗിക്കുമ്പോള്
മൊബൈല് ഫോണ് കൈയില് പിടിക്കുകയോ ബാഗില് കൊണ്ടുനടക്കുകയോ ആണ് ഏറ്റവും ആരോഗ്യകരം
ഏപ്രില് മൂന്ന് 1973. അമേരിക്കയില് മോട്ടോറോള കമ്പനിയിലെ
ഡോ.മാര്ട്ടിന് കൂപ്പര് ന്യൂയോര്ക്കിലെ തെരുവിലൂടെ നടക്കുന്നു.
അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ പക്കല് ഒരു കൊച്ചുയന്ത്രമുണ്ട്. ക്ഷണിച്ചു വരുത്തിയ
മാധ്യമറിപ്പോര്ട്ടര്മാര് നോക്കിനില്ക്കെ അദ്ദേഹം ആ യന്ത്രത്തില്
ഡയല് ചെയ്ത് ഒരു സുഹൃത്തിനെ വിളിച്ചു. മോട്ടോറോളയുടെ ബദ്ധവൈരികളായ ബെല്
ലാബ്സിലെ ഡേ.ജോയലിനെ. മൊബൈല് ഫോണിന്റെ പിറവി ലോകത്തിനു മുന്നില്
പ്രഖ്യാപിക്കുകയായിരുന്നു മാര്ട്ടിന് കൂപ്പര്. പിന്നെയും ഏറെക്കാലം
പതുക്കെ മുന്നേറിയ മൊബൈല് ഫോണ് സംവിധാനം 1990 ആയതോടെ ശരിക്കും ഒരു
സാങ്കേതികവിദ്യാസ്ഫോടനമായി. ഇപ്പോള്, ലോകത്തിലേറ്റവും ആളുകള് നേരിട്ടു
പ്രവര്ത്തിക്കുന്ന യന്ത്രസംവിധാനമാണ് മൊബൈല് ഫോണ്. ലോകജനസംഖ്യയുടെ
പകുതിയിലധികമായിരിക്കുന്നു മൊബൈല്ഫോണുകളുടെ എണ്ണം.
മൊബൈല്ഫോണുകളും മൊബൈല് ടവറുകളും ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്ന
റേഡിയേഷനുകളെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള ചര്ച്ചകള് അന്നുമുതല് ലോകമെമ്പാടും
നടക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. മൊബൈല് റേഡിയേഷനുകള് തലച്ചോറിനെ എങ്ങനെ ബാധിക്കും
എന്നതിനെക്കുറിച്ച് കൃത്യമായ ശാസ്ത്രീയ നിഗമനങ്ങളൊന്നും ഇതുവരെ
ഉണ്ടായിട്ടില്ല. ഇത്തരം വൈദ്യുത കാന്തിക തരംഗങ്ങള് തലച്ചോറിനെ
ഹാനികരമായി ബാധിക്കില്ല എന്നാണ് ഇപ്പോഴും ഔദ്യോഗിക വിലയിരുത്തല്.
അതേസമയം, ഈ റേഡിയേഷനുകള് തലച്ചോറിനെ ദോഷകരമായി ബാധിക്കുമെന്ന് പറയുന്ന
ഗവേഷകരും കുറവല്ല.
മൊബൈല്ഫോണ് റേഡിയേഷനുകള് എങ്ങനെയാണ് തലച്ചോറിനെ ബാധിക്കുന്നത് എന്നു
കണ്ടെത്താനുള്ള ഗവേഷണങ്ങള് ലോകമെമ്പാടും നടക്കുകയാണ്. ലോകത്തിലെ
പകുതിയോളം മനുഷ്യര് സ്വന്തം തലച്ചോറിലേക്ക് ആ റേഡിയേഷനുകള്
കടത്തിവിട്ട് മനുഷ്യരില് നേരിട്ടു പരീക്ഷണം
നടത്തിക്കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുകയാണെന്നാണ് സ്വീഡനില് ലുണ്ട് യൂണിവേഴ്സിറ്റിയിലെ
മുതിര്ന്ന ഗവേഷകന് ലെയ്ഫ് സാന്ഫോഡിന്റെ അഭിപ്രായം. ലോകത്തില് ഇതുവരെ
നടന്നിട്ടുള്ളതില് വെച്ച് ഏറ്റവും വലിയ ഹ്യൂമന്ട്രയലാണിത്.
* മൊബൈല് ഫോണ് ആവശ്യത്തിനുമാത്രം ഉപയോഗിക്കുക എന്നതാണ് ഏറ്റവും
പ്രധാനം. രണ്ടുമിനിറ്റിലധികം തുടര്ച്ചയായി മൊബൈല്ഫോണ്
ഉപയോഗിക്കാതിരിക്കുന്നതാണ് നല്ലത്. കൂടുതല് നേരം മൊബൈല്
ഉപയോഗിക്കുമ്പോളുണ്ടാകുന്ന അമിതറേഡിയേഷന് തലച്ചോറിലെ സ്വാഭാവിക
ജൈവവൈദ്യുതപ്രവര്ത്തനങ്ങളെ ബാധിക്കാനിടയുണ്ട്.
* കൂടുതല് നേരം മൊബൈല്ചെവിയോടു ചേര്ത്തു പിടിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരുന്നാല്
ഫോണും ചെവിയും ചൂടാവുന്നത് അറിയാനാവും. ഇങ്ങനെ ചെവി പൊള്ളുംവരെ ഫോണും
പിടിച്ചിരുന്നാല് തലവേദനയും ചെവിവേദനയുമുണ്ടാവും. കൂടുതല് നേരം
സംസാരിക്കണമെങ്കില് ലാന്ഡ്ഫോണ് ഉപയോഗിക്കുക. ലാന്ഡ് ഫോണ് എത്ര നേരം
ചെവിയില് വെച്ചിരുന്നാലും ചൂടാവാറില്ല.
* കൂടുതല് നേരം ഫോണ് ഉപയോഗിക്കണമെങ്കില് ലൗഡ്സ്പീക്കര് വെച്ച് സംസാരിക്കുക.
* ചെറിയ കുട്ടികള്ക്ക് മൊബൈല്ഫോണ് നല്കരുത്. അവരുടെ തലയോട്ടി
മൃദുവാണ്. തലച്ചോറ് വളരുന്നതേയുള്ളൂ. അതിലേക്ക് അനാവശ്യമായി
റേഡിയേഷനുകള് ഏല്പിക്കുന്നത് പലപ്പോഴും ദോഷകരമായിത്തീര്ന്നേക്കാം.
* കുട്ടികള് മൊബൈല്ഫോണ് ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നതിന് പലേടത്തും വിലക്കുകളുണ്ട്.
ഫ്രാന്സില് ഇതിന് നിയമവുമുണ്ട്. കാനഡയിലാകട്ടെ, കുട്ടികള്ക്കും
കുട്ടികളുള്ള അച്ഛനമ്മമാര്ക്കുമായി റേഡിയേഷന് കുറഞ്ഞ പ്രത്യേകമൊബൈല്
ഫോണുകള് തന്നെ മാര്ക്കറ്റിലുണ്ട്.
* വയര്ഹെഡ്ഫോണുകള് കൂടുതല് നേരം വെച്ചു കൊണ്ടിരിക്കരുത്. വയര്
ഹെഡ്ഫോണുകള് പലപ്പോഴും ആന്റിന പോലെ പ്രവര്ത്തിച്ച് കൂടുതല്
റേഡിയേഷനുകളെ ആഗിരണം ചെയ്യാനിടയുണ്ട്. ബ്ലൂടൂത്ത് ഹെഡ്ഫോണുകള്
താരതമ്യേന ഭേദമാണ്.
* ഹെഡ്ഫോണുണ്ടെങ്കിലും മൊബൈല് കൈയിലെടുത്തു പിടിച്ചുകൊണ്ടേ
സംസാരിക്കാവൂ. സംസാരിക്കുന്ന സമയത്ത് കൂടുതല് റേഡിയേഷനുകളുണ്ടാവും. ഇത്
ശരീരകോശങ്ങളെ ദോഷകരമായി ബാധിച്ചേക്കാം.
* ലിഫ്റ്റുകളിലും അത്തരത്തിലുള്ള ചെറിയ
കുടുസ്സുകളിലുമൊക്കെയായിരിക്കുമ്പോള് മൊബൈല് ഫോണുകള് കഴിവതും
ഉപയോഗിക്കാതിരിക്കുക. വാഹനങ്ങള് തുടങ്ങിയ ലോഹമുറികളില് വെച്ച് മൊബൈല്
ഉപയോഗിക്കുമ്പോള് കണക്്ഷന് നിലനിര്ത്താന് വളരെയധികം ഊര്ജം
വിനിയോഗിക്കേണ്ടിവരും. ട്രെയിനില് വെച്ച് കൂടുതല് നേരം മൊബൈല്
ഉപയോഗിച്ചാല് അമിതറേഡിയേഷനുണ്ടാവുകയും ചിലപ്പോള് ഉപകരണത്തിനു തന്നെ
കേടുപാടുകളുണ്ടാവുകയും ചെയ്യാം.
* ഇലക്ട്രോണിക് ഉപകരണങ്ങള്, കമ്പ്യൂട്ടര് സെര്വറുകള് തുടങ്ങിയവയുടെ
അടുത്തു നിന്ന് മൊബൈല് ഉപയോഗിക്കരുത്.
* ഫോണ് ഏതു പോക്കറ്റിലിടണം എന്നത് വലിയ പ്രശ്നമാണ്. കൈയില്ത്തന്നെ
പിടിക്കുന്നതാണ് നല്ലത്. ഷര്ട്ടിന്റെ പോക്കറ്റിലിടുമ്പോള് ഹൃദയഭാഗത്ത്
റേഡിയേഷനടിക്കാം. പേസ്മേക്കര് പോലുള്ള ഉപകരണങ്ങള്
ഘടിപ്പിച്ചിട്ടുള്ളവര് മൊബൈല്, ഷര്ട്ടിന്റെ പോക്കറ്റിലിടരുതെന്ന്
പ്രത്യേകം നിര്ദേശിക്കാറുണ്ട്.
* പാന്റ്സിന്റെ പോക്കറ്റിലിടാമെന്നു കരുതിയാലോ! പാന്റ്സിന്റെ
പോക്കറ്റില് മൊബൈല് സൂക്ഷിക്കുന്നത് ബീജോത്പാദനത്തെ ബാധിക്കുമെന്ന് ചില
ഗവേഷകര് പറയുന്നു. ബീജസംഖ്യ 30 ശതമാനം വരെ കുറയാന് ഇതു
കാരണമാകാമെന്നാണ് ചില ഗവേഷകര് പറയുന്നത്. പാന്റ്സിന്റെ പോക്കറ്റില്
മൊബൈല് വെച്ച് ഹെഡ്ഫോണിലൂടെ സംസാരിക്കുന്നത് തീര്ത്തും അപകടമാണ്.
ശരീരത്തിന്റെ കീഴ്ഭാഗങ്ങളാണ് മുകള് ഭാഗങ്ങളേക്കാള്കൂടുതലായി
റേഡിയേഷനുകളെ ആഗിരണം ചെയ്യുന്നതത്രെ. പ്രത്യേക മൊബൈല് പൗച്ചിലിട്ട്
കൈയില് പിടിക്കുന്നതു തന്നെ നല്ലത്. സ്ത്രീകളില് ഭൂരിപക്ഷവും പേഴ്സിലോ
പൗച്ചിലോ ആണ് മൊബൈല് വെക്കുന്നത്. അതുതന്നെ നല്ലരീതി.
* ഫോണ് കണക്റ്റു ചെയ്ത് റിങ് കിട്ടിയ ശേഷം മാത്രമേ ചെവിയുടെ അടുത്തേക്കു
കൊണ്ടുപോകാവൂ. കണക്റ്റു ചെയ്തുകൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്ന സമയങ്ങളിലാണ് ഏറ്റവുമധികം
റേഡിയേഷന് വരുന്നത്.
* നല്ലതുപോലെ സിഗ്നലുള്ളിടത്തു നിന്നു മാത്രം മൊബൈല് ഉപയോഗിക്കുക.
ദുര്ബലസിഗ്നലുകളുള്ളിടത്തു നിന്നു വിളിക്കുമ്പോള് വളരെക്കൂടുതല്
റേഡിയേഷനുണ്ടാകും.
* ബാറ്ററിചാര്ജ് കുറവായിരിക്കുമ്പോഴും മൊബൈല് ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നത്
ഒഴിവാക്കണം. ഫോണ് എപ്പോഴും ചാര്ജ് ചെയ്തിരിക്കാന് ശ്രദ്ധിക്കുക.
* സ്പെസിഫിക് അബ്സോര്പ്ഷന് റേറ്റ് (എസ്.എ.ആര്) ഏറ്റവും കുറഞ്ഞ ഫോണ്
വാങ്ങുക. ഫോണിനൊപ്പമുള്ള ഇന്സ്ട്രക്്ഷന് മാനുവലില് എസ്എആര്
എത്രയെന്ന് പറയാറുണ്ട്. ശരീരത്തിലേക്ക് ആഗിരണം ചെയ്യാനിടയുള്ള റേഡിയോ
ഫ്രീക്വന്സി എനര്ജി എത്രയാണെന്നുള്ള സൂചകമാണ് എസ്എആര്. ഇത്
കുറയുന്നതനുസരിച്ച് റേഡിയേഷന് കുറയും.
മൊബൈല് ഫോണ് കൈയില് പിടിക്കുകയോ ബാഗില് കൊണ്ടുനടക്കുകയോ ആണ് ഏറ്റവും ആരോഗ്യകരം
ഏപ്രില് മൂന്ന് 1973. അമേരിക്കയില് മോട്ടോറോള കമ്പനിയിലെ
ഡോ.മാര്ട്ടിന് കൂപ്പര് ന്യൂയോര്ക്കിലെ തെരുവിലൂടെ നടക്കുന്നു.
അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ പക്കല് ഒരു കൊച്ചുയന്ത്രമുണ്ട്. ക്ഷണിച്ചു വരുത്തിയ
മാധ്യമറിപ്പോര്ട്ടര്മാര് നോക്കിനില്ക്കെ അദ്ദേഹം ആ യന്ത്രത്തില്
ഡയല് ചെയ്ത് ഒരു സുഹൃത്തിനെ വിളിച്ചു. മോട്ടോറോളയുടെ ബദ്ധവൈരികളായ ബെല്
ലാബ്സിലെ ഡേ.ജോയലിനെ. മൊബൈല് ഫോണിന്റെ പിറവി ലോകത്തിനു മുന്നില്
പ്രഖ്യാപിക്കുകയായിരുന്നു മാര്ട്ടിന് കൂപ്പര്. പിന്നെയും ഏറെക്കാലം
പതുക്കെ മുന്നേറിയ മൊബൈല് ഫോണ് സംവിധാനം 1990 ആയതോടെ ശരിക്കും ഒരു
സാങ്കേതികവിദ്യാസ്ഫോടനമായി. ഇപ്പോള്, ലോകത്തിലേറ്റവും ആളുകള് നേരിട്ടു
പ്രവര്ത്തിക്കുന്ന യന്ത്രസംവിധാനമാണ് മൊബൈല് ഫോണ്. ലോകജനസംഖ്യയുടെ
പകുതിയിലധികമായിരിക്കുന്നു മൊബൈല്ഫോണുകളുടെ എണ്ണം.
മൊബൈല്ഫോണുകളും മൊബൈല് ടവറുകളും ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്ന
റേഡിയേഷനുകളെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള ചര്ച്ചകള് അന്നുമുതല് ലോകമെമ്പാടും
നടക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. മൊബൈല് റേഡിയേഷനുകള് തലച്ചോറിനെ എങ്ങനെ ബാധിക്കും
എന്നതിനെക്കുറിച്ച് കൃത്യമായ ശാസ്ത്രീയ നിഗമനങ്ങളൊന്നും ഇതുവരെ
ഉണ്ടായിട്ടില്ല. ഇത്തരം വൈദ്യുത കാന്തിക തരംഗങ്ങള് തലച്ചോറിനെ
ഹാനികരമായി ബാധിക്കില്ല എന്നാണ് ഇപ്പോഴും ഔദ്യോഗിക വിലയിരുത്തല്.
അതേസമയം, ഈ റേഡിയേഷനുകള് തലച്ചോറിനെ ദോഷകരമായി ബാധിക്കുമെന്ന് പറയുന്ന
ഗവേഷകരും കുറവല്ല.
മൊബൈല്ഫോണ് റേഡിയേഷനുകള് എങ്ങനെയാണ് തലച്ചോറിനെ ബാധിക്കുന്നത് എന്നു
കണ്ടെത്താനുള്ള ഗവേഷണങ്ങള് ലോകമെമ്പാടും നടക്കുകയാണ്. ലോകത്തിലെ
പകുതിയോളം മനുഷ്യര് സ്വന്തം തലച്ചോറിലേക്ക് ആ റേഡിയേഷനുകള്
കടത്തിവിട്ട് മനുഷ്യരില് നേരിട്ടു പരീക്ഷണം
നടത്തിക്കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുകയാണെന്നാ
മുതിര്ന്ന ഗവേഷകന് ലെയ്ഫ് സാന്ഫോഡിന്റെ അഭിപ്രായം. ലോകത്തില് ഇതുവരെ
നടന്നിട്ടുള്ളതില് വെച്ച് ഏറ്റവും വലിയ ഹ്യൂമന്ട്രയലാണിത്.
* മൊബൈല് ഫോണ് ആവശ്യത്തിനുമാത്രം ഉപയോഗിക്കുക എന്നതാണ് ഏറ്റവും
പ്രധാനം. രണ്ടുമിനിറ്റിലധികം തുടര്ച്ചയായി മൊബൈല്ഫോണ്
ഉപയോഗിക്കാതിരിക്കുന്നതാണ് നല്ലത്. കൂടുതല് നേരം മൊബൈല്
ഉപയോഗിക്കുമ്പോളുണ്ടാകുന്ന അമിതറേഡിയേഷന് തലച്ചോറിലെ സ്വാഭാവിക
ജൈവവൈദ്യുതപ്രവര്ത്തനങ്ങളെ ബാധിക്കാനിടയുണ്ട്.
* കൂടുതല് നേരം മൊബൈല്ചെവിയോടു ചേര്ത്തു പിടിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരുന്നാല്
ഫോണും ചെവിയും ചൂടാവുന്നത് അറിയാനാവും. ഇങ്ങനെ ചെവി പൊള്ളുംവരെ ഫോണും
പിടിച്ചിരുന്നാല് തലവേദനയും ചെവിവേദനയുമുണ്ടാവും. കൂടുതല് നേരം
സംസാരിക്കണമെങ്കില് ലാന്ഡ്ഫോണ് ഉപയോഗിക്കുക. ലാന്ഡ് ഫോണ് എത്ര നേരം
ചെവിയില് വെച്ചിരുന്നാലും ചൂടാവാറില്ല.
* കൂടുതല് നേരം ഫോണ് ഉപയോഗിക്കണമെങ്കില് ലൗഡ്സ്പീക്കര് വെച്ച് സംസാരിക്കുക.
* ചെറിയ കുട്ടികള്ക്ക് മൊബൈല്ഫോണ് നല്കരുത്. അവരുടെ തലയോട്ടി
മൃദുവാണ്. തലച്ചോറ് വളരുന്നതേയുള്ളൂ. അതിലേക്ക് അനാവശ്യമായി
റേഡിയേഷനുകള് ഏല്പിക്കുന്നത് പലപ്പോഴും ദോഷകരമായിത്തീര്ന്നേക്കാം.
* കുട്ടികള് മൊബൈല്ഫോണ് ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നതിന് പലേടത്തും വിലക്കുകളുണ്ട്.
ഫ്രാന്സില് ഇതിന് നിയമവുമുണ്ട്. കാനഡയിലാകട്ടെ, കുട്ടികള്ക്കും
കുട്ടികളുള്ള അച്ഛനമ്മമാര്ക്കുമായി റേഡിയേഷന് കുറഞ്ഞ പ്രത്യേകമൊബൈല്
ഫോണുകള് തന്നെ മാര്ക്കറ്റിലുണ്ട്.
* വയര്ഹെഡ്ഫോണുകള് കൂടുതല് നേരം വെച്ചു കൊണ്ടിരിക്കരുത്. വയര്
ഹെഡ്ഫോണുകള് പലപ്പോഴും ആന്റിന പോലെ പ്രവര്ത്തിച്ച് കൂടുതല്
റേഡിയേഷനുകളെ ആഗിരണം ചെയ്യാനിടയുണ്ട്. ബ്ലൂടൂത്ത് ഹെഡ്ഫോണുകള്
താരതമ്യേന ഭേദമാണ്.
* ഹെഡ്ഫോണുണ്ടെങ്കിലും മൊബൈല് കൈയിലെടുത്തു പിടിച്ചുകൊണ്ടേ
സംസാരിക്കാവൂ. സംസാരിക്കുന്ന സമയത്ത് കൂടുതല് റേഡിയേഷനുകളുണ്ടാവും. ഇത്
ശരീരകോശങ്ങളെ ദോഷകരമായി ബാധിച്ചേക്കാം.
* ലിഫ്റ്റുകളിലും അത്തരത്തിലുള്ള ചെറിയ
കുടുസ്സുകളിലുമൊക്കെയായിരിക്കു
ഉപയോഗിക്കാതിരിക്കുക. വാഹനങ്ങള് തുടങ്ങിയ ലോഹമുറികളില് വെച്ച് മൊബൈല്
ഉപയോഗിക്കുമ്പോള് കണക്്ഷന് നിലനിര്ത്താന് വളരെയധികം ഊര്ജം
വിനിയോഗിക്കേണ്ടിവരും. ട്രെയിനില് വെച്ച് കൂടുതല് നേരം മൊബൈല്
ഉപയോഗിച്ചാല് അമിതറേഡിയേഷനുണ്ടാവുകയും ചിലപ്പോള് ഉപകരണത്തിനു തന്നെ
കേടുപാടുകളുണ്ടാവുകയും ചെയ്യാം.
* ഇലക്ട്രോണിക് ഉപകരണങ്ങള്, കമ്പ്യൂട്ടര് സെര്വറുകള് തുടങ്ങിയവയുടെ
അടുത്തു നിന്ന് മൊബൈല് ഉപയോഗിക്കരുത്.
* ഫോണ് ഏതു പോക്കറ്റിലിടണം എന്നത് വലിയ പ്രശ്നമാണ്. കൈയില്ത്തന്നെ
പിടിക്കുന്നതാണ് നല്ലത്. ഷര്ട്ടിന്റെ പോക്കറ്റിലിടുമ്പോള് ഹൃദയഭാഗത്ത്
റേഡിയേഷനടിക്കാം. പേസ്മേക്കര് പോലുള്ള ഉപകരണങ്ങള്
ഘടിപ്പിച്ചിട്ടുള്ളവര് മൊബൈല്, ഷര്ട്ടിന്റെ പോക്കറ്റിലിടരുതെന്ന്
പ്രത്യേകം നിര്ദേശിക്കാറുണ്ട്.
* പാന്റ്സിന്റെ പോക്കറ്റിലിടാമെന്നു കരുതിയാലോ! പാന്റ്സിന്റെ
പോക്കറ്റില് മൊബൈല് സൂക്ഷിക്കുന്നത് ബീജോത്പാദനത്തെ ബാധിക്കുമെന്ന് ചില
ഗവേഷകര് പറയുന്നു. ബീജസംഖ്യ 30 ശതമാനം വരെ കുറയാന് ഇതു
കാരണമാകാമെന്നാണ് ചില ഗവേഷകര് പറയുന്നത്. പാന്റ്സിന്റെ പോക്കറ്റില്
മൊബൈല് വെച്ച് ഹെഡ്ഫോണിലൂടെ സംസാരിക്കുന്നത് തീര്ത്തും അപകടമാണ്.
ശരീരത്തിന്റെ കീഴ്ഭാഗങ്ങളാണ് മുകള് ഭാഗങ്ങളേക്കാള്കൂടുതലായി
റേഡിയേഷനുകളെ ആഗിരണം ചെയ്യുന്നതത്രെ. പ്രത്യേക മൊബൈല് പൗച്ചിലിട്ട്
കൈയില് പിടിക്കുന്നതു തന്നെ നല്ലത്. സ്ത്രീകളില് ഭൂരിപക്ഷവും പേഴ്സിലോ
പൗച്ചിലോ ആണ് മൊബൈല് വെക്കുന്നത്. അതുതന്നെ നല്ലരീതി.
* ഫോണ് കണക്റ്റു ചെയ്ത് റിങ് കിട്ടിയ ശേഷം മാത്രമേ ചെവിയുടെ അടുത്തേക്കു
കൊണ്ടുപോകാവൂ. കണക്റ്റു ചെയ്തുകൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്ന സമയങ്ങളിലാണ് ഏറ്റവുമധികം
റേഡിയേഷന് വരുന്നത്.
* നല്ലതുപോലെ സിഗ്നലുള്ളിടത്തു നിന്നു മാത്രം മൊബൈല് ഉപയോഗിക്കുക.
ദുര്ബലസിഗ്നലുകളുള്ളിടത്തു നിന്നു വിളിക്കുമ്പോള് വളരെക്കൂടുതല്
റേഡിയേഷനുണ്ടാകും.
* ബാറ്ററിചാര്ജ് കുറവായിരിക്കുമ്പോഴും മൊബൈല് ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നത്
ഒഴിവാക്കണം. ഫോണ് എപ്പോഴും ചാര്ജ് ചെയ്തിരിക്കാന് ശ്രദ്ധിക്കുക.
* സ്പെസിഫിക് അബ്സോര്പ്ഷന് റേറ്റ് (എസ്.എ.ആര്) ഏറ്റവും കുറഞ്ഞ ഫോണ്
വാങ്ങുക. ഫോണിനൊപ്പമുള്ള ഇന്സ്ട്രക്്ഷന് മാനുവലില് എസ്എആര്
എത്രയെന്ന് പറയാറുണ്ട്. ശരീരത്തിലേക്ക് ആഗിരണം ചെയ്യാനിടയുള്ള റേഡിയോ
ഫ്രീക്വന്സി എനര്ജി എത്രയാണെന്നുള്ള സൂചകമാണ് എസ്എആര്. ഇത്
കുറയുന്നതനുസരിച്ച് റേഡിയേഷന് കുറയും.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Vanuatu Post’s Underwater Post Office, found just off Hideaway Island near Port Vila, has quickly become one of the busiest post offices for postcards in the world! Visitors from around the world have literally donned their mask and snorkels, postcards in hand to experience the world’s first underwater post office.
And they have not been disappointed. The Post Office is only 50 metres offshore and at just three metres below the surface, is very accessible to the young and young at heart. Thousands of visitors have posted one of the special waterproof postcards available in Vanuatu; these cards are collected regularly by one of Vanuatu Post’s four trained scuba divers and “cancelled” underwater with an embossing cachet. Mail that requires a normal Underwater Post Office date stamp is cancelled in the Main Post Office. Since opening in 2003, the underwater post office has received an estimated 100,000 visitors. The underwater branch is manned daily for usually about an hour, longer on cruise ship days or with demand. “I love working at the underwater branch,” says VPL’s Samuel Robert. “It’s great fun and really pleasing to see so many visitors each day who cannot believe their eyes!” Vanuatu Post has released two stamp issues commemorating the world’s first underwater post office.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Clarifications regarding pay fixation of existing Group ‘D’ Employees in the revised pay structure.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Clarifications regarding pay fixation of existing Group ‘D’ Employees in the revised pay structure.
Reference is invited to this Department’s Office Memorandum No. 1/1/2008-IC dated 24th December, 2008 wherein clarifications were provided regarding various aspects of placement of the existing Group ‘D’ employees in the revised pay structure.
2. As per the clarification at Sl. No. 1, those Group ‘D’ employees who did not possess the minimumqualification and who have retired/ died in harness between 1.1.2006 and date of notification of Revised Pay Rules will be granted pay band -1S and the grade pay corresponding to their pre-revisedpay scale as notified in CCS (RP) Rules, 2008.
3. The aforesaid issue was raised in the 46th Ordinary Meeting of the National Council (JCM) held on 15th May, 2010 and the Staff Side had requested that the cases relating to the non-matriculate class IV employees who retired or died between January 2006 and August 2008 without any re-training be re-considered and such employees should be granted the benefit by re-fixing their pension/ family pension at par with those employees who were retrained and whose pay was fixed in PB-1 with a grade pay of Rs.1800/-.
4. The request of Staff Side on the subject has been considered and it has been decided that the Group ‘D’ non-matriculate employees who died in harness or have retired between 1.1.2006 and the date of notification of CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 from those Ministries/Departments which have since re-trained all the eligible serving non-matriculate Group ‘D’ employees and have placed them in PB-1 with grade pay of Rs.1800, would be placed in with grade pay of Rs.1800 with effect from the same date that the retrained eligible employees were placed in this pay band and grade pay.
Govt may bank on post offices for financial inclusion
NEW DELHI: The neighbourhood post office may soon become a full-fledged bank as the government could facilitate a bank licence for India Post as part of a multi-pronged strategy to achieve greater financial inclusion.
The Reserve Bank of India is expected to soon come out with draft guidelines on licences to new banks.
“India Post is a strong contender for banking license given its spread across the country,” said a finance ministry official.
The postal department already works as a quasi bank, providing a host of savings products, postal life insurance, pension payments and money transfer services through its 1.55 lakh branches, more than any other bank.
It, however, does not provide credit, the most important bit of financial inclusion. A banking licence will help fill that gap enabling the delivery of modern banking facilities in areas lacking access to financial products, credit and savings.
The department is expected to soon seek the required clearances from the Postal Services Board to expedite the process.
The Department of Post has already hired international consultancy firm Accenture to modernise the post offices across the country, which will also help create infrastructure for banking services.
“Once the infrastructure in place, we will able to assess if we need to rope in another player or not and accordingly get clearances from the RBI,” said an official with the Department of Post, adding that a Cabinet approval will also be required before commencing operations.
The idea of the Department of Post evolving into a bank has been around for a while. In 2006, India Post had even decided to appoint consultants to chalk out a regime for the transformation.
“There was a proposal to set up a bank with an initial capital of Rs 1,000 crore. The bank was to be set up as a subsidiary with the postal department holding a 51% stake in it,” said the finance ministry official.
More recently, the idea of a banking licence for India post was discussed in the inter-ministerial committee for financial inclusion, said an official of the Postal Services Board adding that the organisation was keen to provide banking services.
It is already working on core banking solution (CBS) for nearly 4,000 of its branches, which will allow customers to operate their accounts from any of the networked branches. The department has provided for Rs 106 crore towards development of CBS software.
Both the government and RBI have indicated that financial inclusion will be major criteria for giving new banking licences. “The final decision on granting a new licence will be taken by RBI. It will be a consultative decision as India Post is a government arm,” the official said.
A government committee on financial inclusion had also recommended that “India Post, with its ubiquitous reach should actively position itself to offer a low-cost, light-weight bank account to anyone enrolling for a Unique Identity Number.”
As per the committee report, nearly 16 crore people use India Post to save Rs 3,23,781 crore as on March 31, 2007. Out of this, deposits in savings bank account alone is Rs 16,789 crore, which makes a strong case for India Post to deepen the level of financial transactions and offer banking services to the rural population.
The Thirteenth Finance Commission has even proposed a budget of Rs 3,000 crore to be used for delivering an incentive of Rs 100 into the bank account of each BPL resident who enrolls for the UID Project.
(UIDAI).
The Reserve Bank of India is expected to soon come out with draft guidelines on licences to new banks.
“India Post is a strong contender for banking license given its spread across the country,” said a finance ministry official.
The postal department already works as a quasi bank, providing a host of savings products, postal life insurance, pension payments and money transfer services through its 1.55 lakh branches, more than any other bank.
It, however, does not provide credit, the most important bit of financial inclusion. A banking licence will help fill that gap enabling the delivery of modern banking facilities in areas lacking access to financial products, credit and savings.
The department is expected to soon seek the required clearances from the Postal Services Board to expedite the process.
The Department of Post has already hired international consultancy firm Accenture to modernise the post offices across the country, which will also help create infrastructure for banking services.
“Once the infrastructure in place, we will able to assess if we need to rope in another player or not and accordingly get clearances from the RBI,” said an official with the Department of Post, adding that a Cabinet approval will also be required before commencing operations.
The idea of the Department of Post evolving into a bank has been around for a while. In 2006, India Post had even decided to appoint consultants to chalk out a regime for the transformation.
“There was a proposal to set up a bank with an initial capital of Rs 1,000 crore. The bank was to be set up as a subsidiary with the postal department holding a 51% stake in it,” said the finance ministry official.
More recently, the idea of a banking licence for India post was discussed in the inter-ministerial committee for financial inclusion, said an official of the Postal Services Board adding that the organisation was keen to provide banking services.
It is already working on core banking solution (CBS) for nearly 4,000 of its branches, which will allow customers to operate their accounts from any of the networked branches. The department has provided for Rs 106 crore towards development of CBS software.
Both the government and RBI have indicated that financial inclusion will be major criteria for giving new banking licences. “The final decision on granting a new licence will be taken by RBI. It will be a consultative decision as India Post is a government arm,” the official said.
A government committee on financial inclusion had also recommended that “India Post, with its ubiquitous reach should actively position itself to offer a low-cost, light-weight bank account to anyone enrolling for a Unique Identity Number.”
As per the committee report, nearly 16 crore people use India Post to save Rs 3,23,781 crore as on March 31, 2007. Out of this, deposits in savings bank account alone is Rs 16,789 crore, which makes a strong case for India Post to deepen the level of financial transactions and offer banking services to the rural population.
The Thirteenth Finance Commission has even proposed a budget of Rs 3,000 crore to be used for delivering an incentive of Rs 100 into the bank account of each BPL resident who enrolls for the UID Project.
(UIDAI).
Sunday, August 1, 2010
10 % increase in DA Calculation based on the consumer price index of June 2010 (174 Points)
Increase with effect from July 2010 is 10 %
The All India Consumer Price Index number for (Industrial Workers) (Base 2001=100) for the month of June 2010 is 174 as announced by Statistics Department, Labour, Government of India.
Based on this index, there is an increase of 10% in the DA . Present DA rate from 1.1.2010 is 35%.
Based on this index, there is an increase of 10% in the DA . Present DA rate from 1.1.2010 is 35%.
| Month | All India Index | % of increase |
| Nov 2008 | 148 | 21.44 |
| Dec 2008 | 147 | 22.38 |
| Jan 2009 | 148 | 23.39 |
| Feb 2009 | 148 | 24.32 |
| Mar 2009 | 148 | 25.12 |
| Apr 2009 | 150 | 25.98 |
| May 2009 | 151 | 26.84 |
| Jun 2009 | 153 | 27.78 |
| Jul 2009 | 160 | 29.00 |
| Aug 2009 | 162 | 30.23 |
| Sep 2009 | 163 | 31.45 |
| Oct 2009 | 165 | 32.67 |
| Nov 2009 | 168 | 34.11 |
| Dec 2009 | 169 | 35.70 |
| Jan 2010 | 172 | 37.43 |
| Feb 2010 | 170 | 39.01 |
| Mar 2010 | 170 | 40.59 |
| Apr 2010 | 170 | 42.03 |
| May 2010 | 172 | 43.54 |
| Jun 2010 | 174 | 45.06 |
Thursday, July 29, 2010
PA/SA Recruitment
PA/SA Recruitment
Last date for
• Issuing advertisement thro news paper 20.08.2010
• Recipt of application 05.10.2010
• Written exam 14.11.2010
• Declaration of Final Result 16.12.2010
Department issued orders vide memo no 60-9/2010 SPB dated 22.07.2010 for filling up the posts of PA/SA for the vacancies arising during 2009 and 2010 and directed all the circles to finalize the entire list on or before 16.12.2010
Last date for
• Issuing advertisement thro news paper 20.08.2010
• Recipt of application 05.10.2010
• Written exam 14.11.2010
• Declaration of Final Result 16.12.2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The proposal for the introduction of Annuity scheme in lieu of pension for the GDS employees
The proposal for the introduction of Annuity scheme in lieu of pension for the GDS employees has been cleared by the Ministry of Finance on 15.7.2010. The Postal Board has also approved the same. The next process for the implementation of the scheme is to get approval from PFRDA. Thereafter the scheme should be notified. Option will be called for among the existing GDS comrades whether he is willing to switch over to the new Annuity scheme or to continue in the present severance amount scheme.
The modalities and the real benefits of the proposed annuity scheme are not made known to us. We should also study the scheme and see the advantages before severing the severance amount scheme. As per the present position, the normal process for the implementation of the scheme will take another three to four months minimum.
The modalities and the real benefits of the proposed annuity scheme are not made known to us. We should also study the scheme and see the advantages before severing the severance amount scheme. As per the present position, the normal process for the implementation of the scheme will take another three to four months minimum.
Monday, July 19, 2010
The government is considering to deregulate interest rates on small savings
The government is considering to deregulate interest rates on small savings schemes like public provident fund (PPF) and post office deposits, linking them to the prevailing interest rates in the markets.
The move will reduce returns on such schemes. At present, the interest rates on small savings schemes are fixed by the government, which are normally higher than the prevailing interest rates in the market. For example, the interest rate on PPF is 8%, which is tax-free, while that on the other similar instruments like bank deposits are lower.
The post-tax return on bank deposits is around 5.5% for those who fall in the highest tax bracket of 30%.
Towards this end, the government has set up a committee under the Reserve Bank of India deputy governor Shyamla Gopinath — to suggest the ways and means — for deregulating interest rates on small savings schemes. Small savings schemes mobilise huge amount of funds as they offer higher interest rates.
According to the Budget estimate, in 2010-11, these schemes may fetch Rs 50,300 crore, taking the total mobilisation to Rs 7,57,000 crore.
Funds mobilised under small savings schemes are disbursed to the central and state governments as debt. As the cost of the small savings funds are high, state governments pay higher interest rates (9.5%-10%) on the loans taken from these schemes compared to other sources in the market.
The 13th Finance Commission headed by former finance secretary Vijay Kelkar had suggested to bring down the interest rates on outstanding loans to 9% by the end of 2009-10.
But for this, the interest rates on small savings should also be brought down.
At the same time, according to the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, states cannot borrow from open market beyond 4% of their fiscal deficits. Therefore, states are not able to benefit from prevailing lower interest rates in the market and take higher-interest loans from small savings.
The committee will also examine the new investment opportunities for the funds mobilized under small savings schemes. At present, the funds could be invested only in the central and state governments special securities. Committee will also review the administrative arrangement including the cost of operation.
The move will reduce returns on such schemes. At present, the interest rates on small savings schemes are fixed by the government, which are normally higher than the prevailing interest rates in the market. For example, the interest rate on PPF is 8%, which is tax-free, while that on the other similar instruments like bank deposits are lower.
The post-tax return on bank deposits is around 5.5% for those who fall in the highest tax bracket of 30%.
Towards this end, the government has set up a committee under the Reserve Bank of India deputy governor Shyamla Gopinath — to suggest the ways and means — for deregulating interest rates on small savings schemes. Small savings schemes mobilise huge amount of funds as they offer higher interest rates.
According to the Budget estimate, in 2010-11, these schemes may fetch Rs 50,300 crore, taking the total mobilisation to Rs 7,57,000 crore.
Funds mobilised under small savings schemes are disbursed to the central and state governments as debt. As the cost of the small savings funds are high, state governments pay higher interest rates (9.5%-10%) on the loans taken from these schemes compared to other sources in the market.
The 13th Finance Commission headed by former finance secretary Vijay Kelkar had suggested to bring down the interest rates on outstanding loans to 9% by the end of 2009-10.
But for this, the interest rates on small savings should also be brought down.
At the same time, according to the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, states cannot borrow from open market beyond 4% of their fiscal deficits. Therefore, states are not able to benefit from prevailing lower interest rates in the market and take higher-interest loans from small savings.
The committee will also examine the new investment opportunities for the funds mobilized under small savings schemes. At present, the funds could be invested only in the central and state governments special securities. Committee will also review the administrative arrangement including the cost of operation.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Global money transfer and banking operations of the country's postal department are being scanned by the Enforcement Directorate
NEW DELHI: Global money transfer and banking operations of the country's postal department are being scanned by the Enforcement Directorate and other agencies for suspected terror-financing and Hawala-like transactions. At present, there are no other official channels, besides the pure banking route, to transfer or receive money from abroad. The Department of Posts had started this service in association with US-based Western Union Financial Services in April 2001 and customers can send or receive money from 205 countries. According to top Finance Ministry sources, the ED and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) -- an agency to monitor suspect financing in Indian financial channels -- have initiated steps to check the remittances and transactions on the wires on a "real time basis". In 2008-09, the 'India Post' had delivered remittances to the tune of more than Rs 7,649 crore. While the ED has asked 'India Post' to keep a check on all "kinds of transactions" and inform it of suspect transactions, the FIU has asked the service provider to strictly comply with the reporting norms. Under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), all banking entities or financial intermediaries who facilitate telegraphic or wire transfers or electronic remittances have to report the nature and value of the transactions to the FIU. "Also, the banking operations conducted by the India Post have been largely unregulated. There are many small accounts with a lot of money. The enforcement agencies are now tracking the remittances and withdrawals," a source said. The international money transfer service is currently available from 8,511 post offices. Enforcement agencies believe that this step to monitor India Post network would help them track down suspect financial transactions and further share it with internatioanl agencies to combat money laundering and financing of terror. |
Monday, July 12, 2010
postal delivery vehicle ‘Soleckshaw’
As a Pilot Project, Soleckshaw will be introduced soon in the Project Arrow post offices in a city of Rajasthan. Shri Pilot mentioned that the Ministry would evaluate the performance of the vehicle within few months and will explore the possibility of its expansion on larger scale.
Soleckshaw is a solar-power assisted, pedal-operated cycle rickshaw developed by CSIR. It reduces the rickshaw puller’s effort by providing battery assistance. It is still a zero carbon emission vehicle. The batteries are charged by solar power at charging stations. Technology has been transferred to multiple entrepreneurs and Soleckshaws are currently plying at Delhi (Chandni Chowk), Chandigarh, Jaipur, Durgapur, Ranchi, Kolkata and Ahmadabad.
Recently, M/s Kinetic Motors in association with CMERI (CSIR) has re-designed and developed a modified version of Soleckshaw specifically suitable as a light delivery vehicle, particularly useful for delivery of post, parcels and other postal services both in urban and rural areas.
Some of the features of the vehicle are as follows: Soleckshaw has potential for use as a light delivery vehicle for distribution of dak etc, Emergence of electronic means of communication is changing the profile of post offices and postmen.
A Postman is likely to carry more parcels for delivery than ordinary mails. A survey in Pune found that each postman covers an area of around 40-45 kms and carries an average weight of 10-15 kgs per day.
The Soleckshaw is the ideal vehicle to enable transportation of such parcels with a minimum of effort.
This is expected to improve speed and efficiency of postal delivery, increase ability to carry more load; distribute other value-added products in rural areas and provide charging facilities for mobile phones in remote areas etc.
Proposed indefinite strike from 13.07.2010 deferred
Proposed indefinite strike from 13.07.2010 deferred
The Secretary, Posts had taken a meeting with staff side on 12.07.2010 to discuss the charter of demands at 11 am and the following are the outcome on the charter of demands.
1. There will be no closure of single handed post offices.
2. The demand of the staff side that the annual increments to the erstwhile GDS SPMs should be continued will be considered positively.
3. There is no policy decision of the department to outsource any of the postal services.
4. A separate meeting will be held on 15.07.2010 to discuss about the Mckinsey and the object of restructuring the services.
5. Another separate meeting with the staff side will be held about the technology proposals shortly to discuss the future expansion of technology.
6. There will be no violation of earlier agreement on status quo of RMS & MMS with 10000 mails. Any violation if brought to the Directorate’s notice it will be set aside.
7. The Departmental council & periodical meetings will be held regularly hereafter. Next meeting will be held in next month August 2010.
8. The demand of higher pay to TBOP &BCR for the earlier period will be considered along with the cadre review proposals.
9. There will be no harassment in Project Arrow offices. Furnishing wrong data’s and showing as delivered or redirected will not be allowed hereafter.
10. The demand of the staff side to assess the vacancies as per establishment strength and actual strength in all cadres will be considered and all Chief PMGs will be addressed and appraised to fill up all the vacant posts forthwith during video conferences personally by the Secretary (P).
11. A committee consisting four staff side representatives with DDG(P) & DDG (Est) will be constituted and the process of the proposals of cadre review for all cadres will be completed before the end of 2010.
12. Separate discussions will be made on the proposal of creation of Postmasters cadre also.
13. The welfare schemes to GDS like grant of pension, medical, the proposals were already cleared by the Postal Board and submitted to nodal ministries for approval. It will be expedited.
14. It was assured to reconsider the norms for cash handling to BPMs and also fix fresh norms to RPLI and NREGIS scheme shortly.
15. The proposal for higher pay to Driver with Grade pay of 2400 has been sent to the Ministry of Finance.
16. The revision of O.S.A rates will be made within one month.
17. Technology training to workshop staff will be provided.
18. The proposals for the grant of minimum pay as per the Sixth CPC to casual labourers have been submitted to Ministry of Finance for approval. It will be expedited. The demand of the staff side to grant revised GDS pay to GDS substitutes will be considered.
19. The issues related to postmen norms, delivery, beat etc will be discussed shortly and final decision will be taken before the end of October 2010. One committee will be constituted to sort out the issues.
20. The plea of the staff side to ignore benchmark for MACP has been accepted and the Secretary told the DDG to cause orders today itself. Another request to ignore the earlier declining of LSG promotions prior to the receipt of MACP orders will also be considered.
21. The proposal of the staff side to create System assistant instead of System administrator will be considered along with the cadre review proposals. The orders relating to road mileage allowance will be released shortly. The distribution of work & responsibility etc will be looked into along with the cadre review proposals.
22. The Recruitment Rules for Multi tasked staff will be finalized shortly. Our request to finalise the rules with no educational qualifications as if available to erstwhile Group D has been accepted.
23 The issues relating to Postal accounts like filling up of posts, amalgamation of Group C etc will be discussed further with DDG (PAF).
24. The suggestions of the Admin union about centralization of PLI claim at RO & CO will be considered. Further a separate meeting will be organized with their union to discuss about their issues.
25. Clarificatory orders will be issued soon providing officiating pay to the officials holding higher posts like HSG II & HSG I.
26. The issues of the postal Civil wing will be discussed separately.
After the meeting, the JCA met and decided to defer the proposed strike duly considering the positive approach of the Secretary in settlement of our genuine demands.
The Secretary, Posts had taken a meeting with staff side on 12.07.2010 to discuss the charter of demands at 11 am and the following are the outcome on the charter of demands.
1. There will be no closure of single handed post offices.
2. The demand of the staff side that the annual increments to the erstwhile GDS SPMs should be continued will be considered positively.
3. There is no policy decision of the department to outsource any of the postal services.
4. A separate meeting will be held on 15.07.2010 to discuss about the Mckinsey and the object of restructuring the services.
5. Another separate meeting with the staff side will be held about the technology proposals shortly to discuss the future expansion of technology.
6. There will be no violation of earlier agreement on status quo of RMS & MMS with 10000 mails. Any violation if brought to the Directorate’s notice it will be set aside.
7. The Departmental council & periodical meetings will be held regularly hereafter. Next meeting will be held in next month August 2010.
8. The demand of higher pay to TBOP &BCR for the earlier period will be considered along with the cadre review proposals.
9. There will be no harassment in Project Arrow offices. Furnishing wrong data’s and showing as delivered or redirected will not be allowed hereafter.
10. The demand of the staff side to assess the vacancies as per establishment strength and actual strength in all cadres will be considered and all Chief PMGs will be addressed and appraised to fill up all the vacant posts forthwith during video conferences personally by the Secretary (P).
11. A committee consisting four staff side representatives with DDG(P) & DDG (Est) will be constituted and the process of the proposals of cadre review for all cadres will be completed before the end of 2010.
12. Separate discussions will be made on the proposal of creation of Postmasters cadre also.
13. The welfare schemes to GDS like grant of pension, medical, the proposals were already cleared by the Postal Board and submitted to nodal ministries for approval. It will be expedited.
14. It was assured to reconsider the norms for cash handling to BPMs and also fix fresh norms to RPLI and NREGIS scheme shortly.
15. The proposal for higher pay to Driver with Grade pay of 2400 has been sent to the Ministry of Finance.
16. The revision of O.S.A rates will be made within one month.
17. Technology training to workshop staff will be provided.
18. The proposals for the grant of minimum pay as per the Sixth CPC to casual labourers have been submitted to Ministry of Finance for approval. It will be expedited. The demand of the staff side to grant revised GDS pay to GDS substitutes will be considered.
19. The issues related to postmen norms, delivery, beat etc will be discussed shortly and final decision will be taken before the end of October 2010. One committee will be constituted to sort out the issues.
20. The plea of the staff side to ignore benchmark for MACP has been accepted and the Secretary told the DDG to cause orders today itself. Another request to ignore the earlier declining of LSG promotions prior to the receipt of MACP orders will also be considered.
21. The proposal of the staff side to create System assistant instead of System administrator will be considered along with the cadre review proposals. The orders relating to road mileage allowance will be released shortly. The distribution of work & responsibility etc will be looked into along with the cadre review proposals.
22. The Recruitment Rules for Multi tasked staff will be finalized shortly. Our request to finalise the rules with no educational qualifications as if available to erstwhile Group D has been accepted.
23 The issues relating to Postal accounts like filling up of posts, amalgamation of Group C etc will be discussed further with DDG (PAF).
24. The suggestions of the Admin union about centralization of PLI claim at RO & CO will be considered. Further a separate meeting will be organized with their union to discuss about their issues.
25. Clarificatory orders will be issued soon providing officiating pay to the officials holding higher posts like HSG II & HSG I.
26. The issues of the postal Civil wing will be discussed separately.
After the meeting, the JCA met and decided to defer the proposed strike duly considering the positive approach of the Secretary in settlement of our genuine demands.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Prepare for the massive strike from 13th July 2010 – Our tasks
Prepare for the massive strike from 13th July 2010 – Our tasks
1. Contact each and every worker in your office and convince him about the inevitability of the struggle.
2. Hold gate meetings, lunch hour meetings, meetings of active workers, General body meetings, joint meetings to explain in detail about the charter of demands and that every possible attempt was made to parley to reach an amicable settlement but resulted in vain.
3. Filling up of the vacant posts, shortage of staff, consideration of cadre review proposals, full fledged staff to project arrow offices revival of negotiations forums are the basic demands in which no compromise could be arrived. There will be no compromise on policy issues to save postal and RMS.
4. Maximum mobilization and massive action alone can compel the Govt to concede our basic demands.
THIRTEENTH JULY 2010 WILL DAWN WITH THICKNESS IN THE AIRAND WARMTH IN THE EARTH.THE SPIRIT OF DEFIANCE, DETERMINATION AND THE DEPTH OF THE FEELINGS OF THE WORKERS WILL UNLEASH ITSELF WITH FORCE AND FIRMNESS AND IN FULL STRENGTH.
LET ALL REFUSE OUR LABOUR TO THE EMPLOYER TILL OUR GENUINE DEMANDS ARE MITIGATED
BE PREPARED. MOBILSE ONE AND ALL. MAKE THE GOVT TO COME DOWN AND SETTLE OUR DEMANDS.
The remuneration of Gramin Dak Sewaks engaged as substitutes in short term departmental vacancies of Postman, Mail Guards & Group D(future multi-skilled employees) is to be calculated on the basis of minimum of the pay in the respective revised pay band of the post plus grade pay concerned excluding HRA and Transport Allowance from 01.01.2006.
(Auth: Department of Posts letter No. 1-20/2008-PCC dated 27.03.2009)
All non-matriculate Group D will be granted the revised pay structure in the following manner:-(i) Placement of all such employees initially in the corresponding -1S pay scale of Rs. 4440-7440 with appropriate grade pay Rs. 1300, Rs. 1400, Rs. 1600 and Rs. 1650 w.e.f. 01.01.2006. (ii) Fixation of those employees, who already possess the revised minimum qualification of Matriculation or its equivalent, in PB-1 with grade pay of Rs. 1800 with effect from 01.01.2006. (iii) Those employees who do not possess the prescribed minimum qualification would also be given the PB-1 with grade pay of Rs. 1800 after being given computer training to enhance their skill for which training division in Directorate would develop a module in basic data entry and circulate to Circles. Divisional Superintendents/Controlling authorities are required to ensure imparting of training and issue of certificate about completion of prescribed training and getting recorded the same in the service book of the officials. All multi-skilled employees in pre-revised Group D Scales (PO &RMS Test Category, Administrative Offices Test Category, Unskilled, Semi-skilled & all non test category staff) in various pre-revised pay scales will be allowed Pay Band of Rs. 5200-20200 with grade pay of Rs. 1800 with effect from 01.01.2006. Group D employees have been given additions to their duties as specified in the order apart from their existing duties laid down in Rules 144 to 152 of Postal Manual Volume VI Part III.
(Auth: Department of Posts letter No. 1-20/2008-PCC dated 27.03.2009 read with Note 1 below Rule 7(1)(D) of CCS (RP) Rules, 2008)
The All India Consumer Price Index number
The All India Consumer Price Index number for (Industrial Workers) (Base 2001=100) for the month of April 2010 is 170 as announced by Statistics Department, Labour, Government of India.
Based on this index, DA calculation is as under. Present DA rate from 1.1.2010 is 35%. So far there is an increase of 7%. If the index remains 170 there will be an increase of 9%.
| Month | All India Index | % of increase |
| Nov 2008 | 148 | 21.44 |
| Dec 2008 | 147 | 22.38 |
| Jan 2009 | 148 | 23.39 |
| Feb 2009 | 148 | 24.32 |
| Mar 2009 | 148 | 25.12 |
| Apr 2009 | 150 | 25.98 |
| May 2009 | 151 | 26.84 |
| Jun 2009 | 153 | 27.78 |
| Jul 2009 | 160 | 29.00 |
| Aug 2009 | 162 | 30.23 |
| Sep 2009 | 163 | 31.45 |
| Oct 2009 | 165 | 32.67 |
| Nov 2009 | 168 | 34.11 |
| Dec 2009 | 169 | 35.70 |
| Jan 2010 | 172 | 37.43 |
| Feb 2010 | 170 | 39.01 |
| Mar 2010 | 170 | 40.59 |
| Apr 2010 | 170 | 42.03 |
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