1. Post boxes get a new address in Kerala

KOCHI: Snail mail like steam locomotives may have only vintage value. But the postal department, one of the last redoubts of an era when lost-in-transit had life threatening implications, is busy reinventing itself.

Concerned that many of its quaint red post boxes are in an unused and derelict state, the department is planning to relocate boxes with little or no intake of daily mail to areas where they might still serve a purpose.

According to the rationalisation plan, one-third of the over 35,000 post boxes attached to 12,000-odd post offices in the state will be relocated.

"There are boxes which have only one or two letters dropped a day. At the same time in many places residential associations and flat dwellers have been approaching the department to install post boxes. So we are relocating post boxes with less than 10 letters to those areas and it is being done after considering actual number of letters in various boxes," an official said.

Sources in the postal department admitted that in many places people are no longer willing to drop letters in boxes, preferring instead boxes located near main post offices in towns and cities. This is because these boxes are not regularly cleared by postmen.

Moreover, it is a common sight to see advertisement notices stuck all over post boxes at busy junctions while in by-lanes and tucked away streets various political parties and trade unions use the boxes to spread their own messages.

The decision to rationalise post boxes was taken a while back, but post office officials dismiss rumours that there are plans to do away with the system itself.

"No instructions were issued to do away with post boxes where only a few letters are dropped every day. Normally post boxes are kept in the same place even if letter droppings are low because of the change in the character of mail. But sometimes they are relocated," explained Shobha Koshy, chief post master general, Kerala Circle. She added that the department is very scruplous about ensuring that boxes are opened every day and maintained properly.

Source : The Timnes of India

PRODUCTIVITY LINKED BONUS FOR THE ACCOUNTING YEAR 2011-2012

File No. 26-05/2012-PAP

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

(Establishment Division)

Dak Bhawan,Sansad Marg,

New Delhi-110 001

Dated :18.10. 2012

To      

All Chief Postmasters General,

Postmasters General

 General Managers (Finance)

/Deputy Directors of Accounts (Postal)

Subject: - Productivity Linked Bonus for the Accounting year 2011-2012

Sir/Madam,

                        I am directed to convey the approval of the President of India for payment of Productivity Linked Bonus for the accounting year 2011-2012 equivalent of emoluments of 60 (Sixty) days to the employees of Department of Posts in Group `D`,Group `C` and non Gazetted Group `B`. Ex-gratia payment of Bonus to Gramin Dak Sevaks who are regularly appointed after observing all appointment formalities and Ad-hoc payment of Bonus to Casual labourers who have been conferred Temporary Status are also to be paid equivalent to allowance/wages respectively for 60 (sixty) Days for the same period/year.

1.1      The calculation for the purpose of payment of Bonus under each category will be done as indicated below.

2.         REGULAR EMPLOYEES:

 2.1      Bonus will be calculated on the basis of the following formula:-

Average emoluments X Number of days of Bonus

30.4 (Average no. of days in a month)

2.2. The term “Emoluments” for regular Departmental Employees includes basic Pay in the pay Band plus Grade Pay, Dearness Pay, Personal Pay, Special Pay (Allowance), S.B.Allowance, Deputation (Duty ) Allowance, Dearness Allowance and Training Allowance given to Faculty Members in Training Institutes. In case of drawl of salary exceeding Rs.3500/- (Rs. Three Thousand Five hundred only) in any month during the accounting year 2011-12 the Emoluments shall be restricted to Rs.3500/- (Rs. Three Thousand Five hundred only) per month only.

         

2.3. “ Average Emoluments” for regular Employees is arrived at by dividing by twelve ,the total salary drawn during the year 2011-12 for the period from 1.4.2011 to 31.3.2012, by restricting each month’s salary to Rs.3500/- (Rs. Three Thousand Five hundred only) per month. However, for the periods of EOL and Dies-Non in a given month, proportionate deduction is required to be made from the ceiling limit of  Rs.3500/- (Rs. Three Thousand Five hundred only)

         

2.4.  In case of those regular employees who were under suspension, or on whom dies-   non was imposed ,or both, during the accounting year, the clarificatory orders issued vide Paras 1 & 3 respectively of this office order No. 26-8/80-PAP (Pt-I) dated 11.6.81 and No. 26-4/87-PAP (Pt.II) dated 8.2.88 will apply.

2.5. Those employees who resigned, retired, left service or proceeded on deputation within the Department of Posts or those who have proceeded on deputation outside the Department of Posts on or after 1.4.2011 will also be entitled to Bonus. In case of all such employees, the Bonus admissible will be as per provisions of Para 2.1 to 2.3 above.

3.      GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS (GDS)

3.1  In respect of Gramin Dak Sevaks who were on duty throughout the year during 2011-2012, Average monthly Time Related Continuity Allowance will be calculated taking into account the Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) plus corresponding Dearness Allowance drawn by them for the period from 1.4.2011 to 31.3.2012 divided by 12 (Twelve). However, where the Time Related Continuity Allowance exceeds Rs 2500/- (Rs.Two Thousand Five hundred only) in any month during this period., the allowances will be restricted to  Rs 2500/- (Rs.Two Thousand Five hundred only) per month. Ex-gratia payment of Bonus may be calculated by applying the Bonus formula as mentioned below:-

Average TRCA  X  Number of days of Bonus

30.4 (Average no. of days in a month)

3.2       The allowances drawn by a substitute will not be counted towards Bonus calculation for either the substitute or the incumbent Gramin  Dak Sevaks. In respect of those Gramin Dak Sevaks who were appointed in short term vacancies in Postman/Group `D` Cadre, the clarificatory orders issued vide Directorate letter No. 26-6/89-PAP dated 6.2.1990 and No.  26-7/90-PAP dated 4.7.91 will apply.

3.3       If a Gramin Dak Sevak has been on duty for a part or the year by way of a fresh appointment, or for having been put off duty, or for having left service,he will be paid proportionate ex-gratia Bonus calculated by applying the procedure prescribed in Para 3.1 .

3.4.      Those Gramin Dak Sevaks who have resigned, discharged or left service on or after 1.4.2010 will also be entitled to proportionate ex-gratia Bonus. In case of all such Gramin Dak Sevaks, the Ex-gratia Bonus admissible will be as per provisions of Para 3.1 above.

3.5.      In case of those Gramin Dak Sevaks who were under put off duty or on whom dies non was imposed, or both during the accounting year ,the clarificatory orders issued vide Para 1 & 3 respectively of this office order No. 26-8/80-PAP (Pt I) dated 11.6.81 and No. 26-4/87-PAP (Pt II) will apply.

4.    FULL TIME CASUAL LABOURERS INCLUDING TEMPORARY STATUS CASUAL LABOURERS)

4.1            Full Time Casual Labourers (including Temporary Status Casual Labourers ) who worked for 8 hours a day, for at least 240 days in a year for three consecutive years or more (206 days in each year for three years or more in case of offices observing 5 days a week) as on 31.3.2012 will be paid ad-hoc Bonus on notional monthly wages of Rs.1200/- (Rupees Twelve Hundred only)
 

                              The maximum ad-hoc Bonus will be calculated as below:-

                        (Notional monthly wages of Rs.1200) X (Number of days of Bonus)

                                                30.4 (average no. of days in a month)

            Accordingly, the rate of Bonus per day will work out as indicated below:_

                                                Maximum ad-hoc Bonus for the year

                                                                          365

            The above rate of Bonus per day may be applied to the number of days for which the services of such casual labourers had been utilized during the period from 1.4.2011 to 31.3.2012. In case where the actual wages in any month fall below Rs. 1200/-during the period 1.4.2011 to 31.3.2012 the actual monthly wages drawn should be taken into account to arrive at the actual ad-hoc Bonus due in such cases.

5.         The amount of Bonus /Ex gratia payment /Adhoc Bonus payable under this order will be rounded to the nearest rupee. The payment of Productivity Linked Bonus as well as the ex-gratia payment and ad-hoc payment will be chargeable to the Head `Salaries` under the relevant Sub –Head of account to which the pay and allowances of the staff are debited. The payment will be met from the sanctioned grant for the year 2012-2013.

6.         After payment, the total expenditure incurred and the number of employees paid  may be ascertained from all units by Circle  and consolidated figures be intimated to the Budget Section of the Department of Posts. The Budget Section will furnish consolidated information to PAP Section about the total amount of Bonus paid and the total number of employees (category-wise) to whom it was distributed for the Department as a whole.

7.            These issues with the concurrence of Integrated Finance Wing vide their diary No. 262/FA/12/Cs dated 18.12.2012.

8.            Receipt of this letter may be acknowledged

(L.K. GANGADHARAN)

Assistant Director General (Estt)

        

DON'T GO FOR THE INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 16TH OCT CALLED BY SRI S.S. MAHADEVAIH

1. News on World Post Day and National Postal Week observed by Divisions / Circles

World Postal Week kicks off

To remind people about the existence and variety of services given in this era of technological advancements, the Jharkhand Circle of the Indian Postal Department is celebrating World Postal Week.

At a Press meet on Tuesday, Chief Postmaster General KK Sinha said, “We celebrate World Postal Week from October 9 every year. It marks the establishment of Universal Postal Union (1874). In 1969, a conference was organised in Tokyo where UPU Congress decided to celebrate World Postal Week.”

“At present, there 1.55 lakh post offices across the country, of which more than 80 per cent are in rural areas. Different kinds of programmes will be organised on each day of the week,” he added. “October 10 will be celebrated as Saving Bank Day, in which information about saving schemes of postal departments will be disseminated. Likewise, October 11 will be celebrated as Mail Day, October 12 as Philately Day, October 13 as Business Development Day and October 15 will be celebrated as Postal Life Insurance Day,” Sinha said.

Customer meets will be organised on October 13 in division offices in the State. School children will be made aware about the channel through which a mail passes.    

Source : http://www.dailypioneer.com

World Postal Day celebrations in Vijayawada

A week-long programme will be organised to mark the World Postal Day from October 9, said Vijayawada Director of Postal Services D.S.V.R. Murthy.

A philately workshop, customer meets, visit of school children to postal and mail offices etc. will be part of the celebrations, said Mr. Murthy. All these events were planned to mark the formation of Universal Postal Union on October 9 in 1874, which is celebrated as ‘National Postal Week’ also, he said.

The Department of Postal Services, for the past 156 years, had been catering to the needs of people in mail transfer services, savings bank services and insurance, said Mr. Murthy. Giving details of performance of Vijayawada Region in business development, savings bank, and core banking solutions, he said 2.90 lakh savings bank accounts operations were registered last year.

The department earned Rs.32.36 crore from business services in 2011-12. The services, included speed post, express parcel post, retail post, sale of stamps, commission of money orders etc., he said. In the current fiscal year as of August 12 it had earned Rs.15.83 crore from this sector, he said. The Core Banking Solution was introduced to ensure quick money transfer services to public, said Mr. Murthy. It will help us in providing world class services to customers at reduced cost and time, he said

Source : http://www.thehindu.com

World postal week organized

KANPUR:World postal week was organised on the occasion of World postal day today at Head post office Bada chauraha kanpur.A mobile van which will spread the message of postal department have been shown green flag by postmaster General Sukhdev Raj.This mobile van will will visit HBTI,Vikas bhavan,Labour office Indian pulse institute,University campus,Police line,Kesa house and other areas of the city.People will be awared about the different schemes and services of postal department like post office saving account,speed post,business post,EPP,money order etc.During postal week World postal day,saving bank day,mail day,philitely day business development day will be celebrated.On this occasion Chief postmaster Narsingh rao,Assistant director S.R Pal and others were present.

Source : http://advocatesindia.org

World Post Day observed

KOLKATA, 9 OCT:  The West Bengal circle of the Department of posts has taken up several initiatives, including awareness campaign, about the extended services of the department to celebrate the World Post Day.
As a part of their week-long celebration of national postal week, the department is organising a philatelic exhibition on 12 October at Kolkata GPO. Roadshows will also be organised at various places in Kolkata to make people aware of various postal services.

                Thousands of villagers who work under NREGA projects get their wages through the postal department within a very short time. “The wage seekers get their payments within two days through rural post offices. It has been made possible because of the extended services of the department and the dedicated services of the employees,” said Ms Sharda Sampat, post master general, Kolkata. She also said that last year the postal department delivered the question papers of Madhymik and Higher Secondary examination to the examination centres in the remote areas. The revenue of the department has been increased in the West Bengal Circle this year by 26 crore which shows that the department is on the right path of growth, Ms Sampat said. Last year the department had a revenue generation of Rs 536.19 crore in the West Bengal Circle. As a part of its celebration of World Post Day, the department is also planning to organise workshops on postal life insurance in rural areas and important post offices on 15 October.  Sns

Source : http://www.thestatesman.net

1. GRAMIN DAK SEVAK -- DEARNESS ALLOWANCE (7%) -- ORDERS ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT

POSTMAN/MAIL GUARD & MTS EXAMINATION -- DATES DECLARED

POSTMAN/MAIL GUARD & MTS EXAMINATION -- DATES DECLARED

The Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for the vacant posts of Postman/MailGuard & MTS for the years 2011 & 2012 as per scheduled given in the Directorate letter dated 8th October 2012.

Further it is  ordered by the Competent Authority that the vacancies for the year 2013 may also be included while notifying the Examination and also notifying the vacancies in the same letter.

 

 

1. Postal sector strong in face of change

09.10.2012 - The postal sector plays a decisive role in providing social and economic cohesion, confirmed ministers and other dignitaries at the UPU’s ministerial conference.

 Sachin Pilot, Indian minister for communications and information technology

A government can use the postal network to deliver services that a decade ago may have been impossible, said Sachin Pilot, the Indian minister for communications and information technology, at the UPU’s ministerial conference, held yesterday.

India has the world’s largest postal network with 155,000 post offices across the country, 95 per cent of which are in rural areas. More than 25 million Indians also live outside the country, sending back remittances that amounted to 64 billion USD last year, said Pilot. The Post plays a pivotal role in helping people transfer money from abroad to India. Technology is helping this become seamless, transparent and secure, he added.

While the challenges facing the developing world differ from those of industrialized nations, all countries are vulnerable to economic and technological changes. 

“Conditions and capacities are not the same everywhere,” Harsha Singh, deputy director general of the World Trade Organization said. It can be difficult to implement the most appropriate policies but building cooperative and interactive frameworks should be a key concept of postal services, he advised.

As for the sector’s sustainable growth, this required sustainable infrastructure. “The postal business matters,” said Philip Jennings, UNI Global’s general secretary, representing almost five million postal workers. The infrastructure should connect all citizens, all consumers, all businesses, Jennings added.

In the United States, the continuing shift of communication to the internet has had a serious impact on the finances of the postal industry, said Patrick Donahoe, the US Postal Service’s postmaster general. In the last 10 years, first class mail decreased by half - from 50 billion units to 25 billion – resulting in a loss of 11 billion USD. As mail volume falls, fewer postal employees and facilities are needed, “but the sole purposes of the postal service is to meet the needs of the customers” - an objective that has not changed, Donahoe said.

In China, the opposite trend can be seen. The Post is experiencing growth due to reforms and the introduction of competition, said Ma Junsheng, director general of the State Post Bureau. The market size has increased from 10 billion to 40 billion USD. “We need to establish a postal system adapted to national conditions,” Ma said. “One size does not fit all.”

Edouard Dayan, UPU director general, closed the ministerial meeting noting that the world has changed but the UPU is still playing its role at the vanguard. “The best technology must be available to member countries so that all nations may become protagonists in this revolution,” Dayan said.

Source : news.upu.in