SB Order 01/2012 : Action Plan to "identify potential areas of corruption related to Departmental activities/functions and develop actionplan to mitigate them" - implementation of the action plan regarding.

Minutes of 37th All India Conference held at Bangaluru on 28th & 29th January 2012

The 37th All India Biennial Conference of our Association was held at Bangaluru on 28th and 29th January, 2012. Out of 22 circles, 234 delegates from 19 circles attended and actively participated in the deliberations. There was no representation from Assam, J & K and Himachal Pradesh circle branches. 

Deliberations on following issues have been taken place and approved by the august house.

1. Confirmation of the minutes of Biennial Conference of the Association held at New Delhi on 3rd and 4th April 2010.

Shri Roop Chand, General Secretary read out the minutes of the 36th AIC held at New Delhi on 3rd and 4th April, 2010 and it was unanimously approved by the august body.

2. Approval of Biennial report of CHQ for the period from 02/04/2010 to 26/01/2012. 

General Secretary read out the report and it was unanimously adopted and approved by the house.

3. Approval of Audited accounts of CHQ for the period from 02/04/2010 to 26/01/2012.

Shri Jeetram, CHQ Treasurer presented the accounts for the period from 02.4.2010 to 26.1.2012. The Treasurer answered/clarified to queries raised by members satisfactorily and accounts were finally passed by the house.

4. (a) Upgradation of grade pay of Inspector Posts from Rs. 4200/- to Rs. 4600/- w. e. f. 01/01/2006.

General Secretary explained that determination of the pay structure is the job of experts sitting in Pay Commissions entrusted with the specific job and the Government cannot attempt selective revisions without addressing its impact on analogous cadres. Having restored parity by virtue of the recommendations of Fifth Pay Commission, the Government can not try to undo the same and create a blatant discrimination between analogous cadres. Strange it is to find that the Ministry of Finance, having disturbed the relativities are trying to find new logic to deny the well merited parity to the cadre of Inspectors and Assistant Superintendent Posts.

The consistent attempts by this Association to bring into focus all these facts to the Department and to the Government have fallen into deaf ears. Instead the Department has been toying with the idea of abolishing the cadre of Assistant Superintendent Posts and merging the two posts into one without any specific assurance to enhance the career progression of this cadre. The posts of Assistant Superintendents exist in the Department from the inception of the cadre of Inspector of Post Offices and the Assistant Superintendents are the second level officers in the Postal Division and in reality the de facto administrators of the Postal Division. Assistant Superintendent Posts were conferred with ‘Gazetted status’ in the year 2005 as the Government was convinced that the nature of duties performed by them are higher and the responsibilities shared by them are unique to the Department and therefore deserve a higher level of recognition and now just to remove the man-made anomaly which has caused undue discrimination to the cadre of Inspectors, neither the Department of Posts nor the Government can demand our passive and unconditional acceptance to the merger of the Inspector and Assistant Superintendent Posts which have different degrees of responsibilities. While the Department has rightly recognized the need to place the Inspector Posts in higher pedestal on par with Inspectors of CBDT/CBEC and accordingly recommended to the Ministry of Finance also, the same Department cannot now demand unconditional acceptance from our Association to accept an unified single cadre of Inspectors or unilaterally alter the cadre structure for the simple reason that the MOF does not accept the proposal from the Department to restore parity without any valid reason and such a step would definitely be retrograde in nature.

The Hon’ble CAT, Ernakulam Bench has dealt at length the background of our claim seeking parity and has rightly appreciated our earnest efforts to secure parity with the Inspectors of CBDT/CBEC and has therefore allowed the OA with further directions to the Ministry of Finance to have a re-look in the matter at the level of Secretary and consider the case of the Inspector (Posts) for upgradation of their grade pay at par with that of the Inspector of Income Tax, CBDT and CBEC and to consider upward revision of the grade pay of ASPs as well.

Opinion of all Circle branches was obtained. Shri.S.Samuel ex-General Secretary, Shri.G.P.Lahiri ex CHQ President and Shri.P.R.Satyanarayanan ex CHQ President spoke in length about the circumstances under which the post of ASP was sanctioned and how gazetted status was obtained after a long struggle. While all other cadres in the central government are expanding their cadre strength and number of posts, why this cadre alone is asked to surrender the promotional avenues and go backward. Finally, the house decided to oppose merger and passed the following resolution:

“ We are against the merger of Inspector Posts and Assistant Superintendents Posts Cadre. Inspector Posts should be granted grade pay of Rs. 4600/- w. e. f. 01/01/2006 at par with the Inspectors CBDT/CBEC in tune with the direction of the Hon. CAT Ernakulam Bench”.

(b) Restructuring of Inspector Posts cadre and Second CRC. 

The Second Cadre Review took place in the year 1986. The Committee recommended upgrading 245 posts of ASP to PS Group B. A Presidential order was also issued in this regard but till date it was not implemented by the department. Here also the Department Expenditure created a mess of it. Now the department is talking about another CRC after rendering injustice to this cadre by its failure to implement the earlier one. The department has constituted a Committee under the chairmanship of Shri. Ashutosh Tripathi, Chief PMG, M.P Circle. The terms of reference to the committee are as under:

(1) To revisit the norms for creation of new Postal Division and Regions as well as upgradation of Class II Divisions into Class I Divisions.
(2) To study the feasibility of organizational restricting of fields formations (Circle and below) keeping in view the emerging needs for India Post in new socio-economic environment.
(3) Review of norms for upgradation of Post Offices.
(4) To study the feasibility of strengthening / creation of Postal Assistants/ Sorting Assistants posts in view of increased need of System Administrators.
(5) Any other relevant issue as may be assigned by the Competent Authority later.
(6) The time period of this Committee to submit its recommendations is three months.

Here also the department is planning to upgrade Class II divisions into class I divisions which will mostly beneficial to IPoS officers only. Many of the Class II divisions in which promoted officers are working are likely to lose promotional prospects. The house decided to deal with the subject separately without linking it with up-gradation Grade Pay to IPs.

(c) CAT Ernakulam Judgement dated 19/10/2011 in OA No. 381/2010. 

General Secretary informed that Directorate would be submitting the required information in this regard to MoF. The house requested the General Secretary to pursue the case at appropriate level and see that the orders of Hon’ble CAT is implemented.

(d) Regular promotion to PS Group B cadre.

General Secretary elaborated the issue and informed the house that two DPCs had already been convened, one on 27/11/2011 & the second on 17/11/2011. Total 344 members have been promoted to PS Group B cadre and supplementary DPC is also likely to be convened soon.

(e) PS Group ‘B’ and Sr. Postmaster Examination.

General Secretary informed that the examination for the promotion to the cadre of Sr. PM was notified by the Department to be conducted on 31st December 2011. Department took a decision not to allow ASPs for the examination. This order was challenged before the CAT Chandigarh and Hyderabad. Finally, Department postponed the examination until further orders. Both the cases are still pending before the Honourable CATs. Department has notified the date of PS Group B examination on 27th May 2012 and Sr. PM Examination in November 2012 without waiting for the final decision of Honourable CATs.

The representatives of Maharashtra, Kerala & Odisha participated in the discussion effectively and pointed out that ASPs & adhoc PS Group B officers should also be made eligible for Sr. Postmaster examination. It was finally decided that the CHQ will take up the matter with Directorate.

(f) & (g) Provision of infrastructure to Sub Division / Re-organisation of sub divisions.

Many of the sub-divisional offices are functioning from sub-standard accommodation. The venture into new area of business development, Rural PLI etc. has increased the work load and public contact in many folds. Hence, the house requested the department to provide proper justified accommodation to all Sub Divisions.

(h) Supply of Laptops / computers with broad band connection for all Inspector Posts / ASP except Sub Divisional Heads.

Secretary Posts, in her address in the last AIC New Delhi assured to supply Laptop not only to Sub Divisions but also to all IPs/ASPs working in other offices. Supply of Laptops has commenced to all Sub Divisions but yet to reach to few more Sub Divisions. Representatives of Karnataka Circle informed the house that none of the Sub Divisions in their Circle has been supplied with Laptop. Circle Secretaries of Rajasthan & Punjab also took part in the discussion and it was unanimously decided that CHQ will take up the case with Directorate for supply of Laptops to all IPs & ASPs including pending sub divisions. Though Lap top have been supplied partially, broad band connections are yet to be provided.

Issue of combined All India Seniority List of IPs from the year 1999.

It has been decided that CHQ will get the information through RTI.

(j) Revision of rates of remuneration for Invigilator duty. 

GS informed to the house that, the case has already been taken up with the Directorate and it is under consideration.

(k) MACP scheme.

GS appraised the house that, DOPT has already framed rules and regulations and therefore our Department could not make any changes therein.

(l) Decentralization of PLI / RPLI work to divisions.

Delegates from circles participated in the discussion and it has been decided that, separate set-up with full fledged manpower consisting of MTS, PAs, IPs, ASPs & AAOs should be provided in all divisions for smooth functioning of PLI/RPLI work. CHQ will take up the case with Directorate.

(m) Women and Youth participation in the activities of the Association.

GS made an appeal to all circles to motivate and increase the participation of women & youth members Circle and CHQ level activities. Women and youth members should be encouraged for effective participation in Association activities. They must be roped in for organizational work by electing them to Circle/CHQ body. Smt.T.V.Sundari, AGS-I commended the excellent work done by women members of our Association particularly women IP/ASP from Karnataka Circle in the successful conduct of the All India Conference.

(n) Activities in the Association with PSI.

Shri. Dinesh Khare, President, Smt. T.V.Sundari AGS-I and Shri.Manjunatha Huballi informed the house various work place campaigns, seminars/workshops organized in Tamilnadu/Karnataka Circles in co-ordination with Public Services International (PSI). The President stated that Karnataka Circle was always associated with PSI and its affiliates in the state of Karnataka and he desired that CHQ might continue the Trade Union activities in co-ordination with PSI.

(o) Any other item with the permission of the chair.

Many circles participated in various issues effectively and placed the following demandeds:

i. Rule 38 cases to be considered quickly.

ii. The cases of surplus qualified candidates should also be considered quickly.

iii. Clerical assistance to the sub divisional head.

iv. Delay in MACP cases in MP circle

v. Negative Valuation in all examinations.

vi. Cases of up-gradation of ASPs in the scale of Rs. 7450/- as per Fifth Pay Commission.

vii. Non-payment of RPLI incentives since 2009 to sub divisional heads in Karnataka Circle.

CHQ will take up these cases with the Directorate.

5. Organisational review.

The august body took review of organization functioning. GS informed that CHQ took efforts and revived the defunct Branch of Jharkhand Circle. But despite such efforts in J&K, the defunct Branch in that circle remains defunct.

6. Financial review.

The financial position of CHQ is not so sound. GS informed the house that Circle Branches are not prompt in remitting 40% due quota to CHQ as required vide Article 39 of our Association’s Constitution. He appealed to all Circle Secretaries to remit the CHQ quota in full and in time so that the CHQ could function effectively.

7. Merger of Postal Officers’ Association, India with All India Association of Inspectors & ASP.

Members mooted the idea of merger of our Association with Postal Officers’ Association India. After a detailed discussion it was decided not to go with merger proposal.

8. Postal Inspector / CHQ blog.

GS explained the house that due to want of fund/support from circles, the mouth piece of our Association could not be brought out monthly. “Postal Inspector” can be published every month or at least on quarterly basis if all members subscribe to it. Circles can also extend support by placing a constant demand for certain number of copies by remitting subscription in advance.

9 & 10. Approval for draft resolutions / Amendment to Constitution.

In all, 7 resolutions are adopted unanimously by the august house.

i) To amend Article 38 of the Constitution; this stipulates a monthly subscription of Rs. 30/- from every member increasing the same to Rs. 50/- p. m.

ii) To amend Note 2 below Article 44 (a) inserting the word “or Assistant Circle Secretary” after the word ‘Organising Secretary’.

iii) To provide separate establishment at Divisional Level for carrying out works related to PLI / RPLI consequent upon decentralization. The work relates to verification of policies and sanctioning claims to be got verified by a separate Accounts Officer or divisional accountant rather than by the ASP (HQ). The Association also resolved to request the Department to issue clear cut orders with respect to payment of incentives and to clear all pending incentive bills of IP / ASP at the earliest.

iv) To conduct DPC for PS Gr. B in time. Instructions issued by DOPT to prepare an extended panel should be followed scrupulously and the department should into consideration vacancies that arise out of unforeseen circumstances including cases of unwillingness. This will reduce the increasing number of adhoc promotion given in PS Gr. B cadre in the Circles.

v) To urge the Secretary (Posts) to give direction immediately to Chief PMG Tamil Nadu to withdraw the cluster transfer policy being adopted in that circle for IPs/ ASPs; this is causing much resentment among the members of Tamil Nadu.

vi) To urge the Department to clearly lay down the roll of the Sub Divisional Head while handling loss and fraud cases which exceeds the limit of Rs. 20000/-. While monetary limits are fixed for officers at various level including DPS and PMsG, responsibilities of SDIs are not clarified with clear guidelines which should be put in place.

vii) We are against the merger of Inspector Posts and Assistant Superintendents Posts Cadre. The grade pay of Inspector Posts should be upgraded to Rs. 4600/- w. e. f. 01/01/2006 at par with the Inspectors CBDT/CBEC and analogous cadres in other Central Government ministries/departments in tune with the direction of the Hon. CAT Ernakulam Bench.

11. Election of Office bearers for the next term.

The following members have been elected as CHQ office bearers and CWC members for the next two years term.

Sr.No. Post Name Designation & Office Circle
01 President Shri Suresh Kumar Sharma Offg. SRM “I” Dn. Jalandhar Punjab
02 Vice President-I Shri Navin Chandar ASP Bantvel Sub Division Karnataka
03 Vice President-II Shri B.B. Mohanty Offg. ADPS (Rectt.) CO, Bhubaneshwar Odisha
04 General Secretary Shri Vilas S. Ingale ASP, New Mumbai Sub Division, Vashi 400703 Maharashtra
05 Asst. General Secretary-I Shri Ram Vinay Sharma ASP West Sub Dn Muzaffarpur Bihar
06 Asst. General Secretary-II Shri T.M. Krishnaswami ASP (Vig.) o/o CPMG, Trivandrum Kerala
07 Asst. General Secretary-III Sri Y. Venkateswarulu ASP, Siddipet Sub Division A.P.
08 Asst. General Secretary-IV Ms. Usha K.R. ASP (HQ) Belgaum Div., Belgaum Karnataka
09 Org. General Secretary-I Shri P. Jagatselvan Postmaster, St. Thomas Mount HO, Chennai 600016 T.N.
10 Org. General Secretary-II Shri Nirmalya Mitra ASP Sundarban Sub Division W.B.
11 Org. General Secretary-III Shri N.K. Soni ASP, o/o CPMG, Bhopal M.P.
12 Org. General Secretary-IV Shri Atma Ram ASP (BD) o/o PMG, Ajmer. Rajasthan
12 Org. General Secretary-IV Shri Sharvendu Sekhar Srivastava ASP (SB), o/o CPMG,
Lucknow. U.P.
13 Treasurer Shri Santosh S. Kulkarni ASP (Philately) o/o CPMG Mumbai-1 Maharashtra
14 Asst. Treasurer-I Shri L.N. Mahato ASP Gariaband Sub Division-493889 Chattisgarh
15 Asst. Treasurer-II Ms. Fideles Khonbri ASP (HQ), Meghalaya Dn. Shillong N.E.
16 Auditor Shri M.D. Shukla ASP (HQ) Bharuch Gujarat
17 Asst. Auditor-I Shri Rohtas Singh ASP Sub Div. Faridabad Haryana
18 Asst. Auditor-II Shri Lalit Joshi ASP (Mails/Logistics) C.O., Dehradun. Uttaranchal

12. Next Biennial All India Conference/ CWC meeting 

Circle Secretary of Bihar Circle has volunteered to hold 38th All India Conference of our Association in their circle.

Circle Secretary of M. P. Circle has come forward to hold next CWC meeting in their circle.

Banking on India Post

The Communications Minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, wants the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to grant a banking license to India Post. The proposal makes eminent sense, especially at a time when financial inclusion has become a pervasive buzzword. With 1.55 lakh post offices in the country, of which 1.39 lakh are in rural areas, India Post's reach is bigger than the 75,000 branches (just 22,000 rural) of all scheduled commercial banks put together. Moreover, it is already in the business of banking in a sense: The various savings schemes operated by post office across India have outstanding balances of some Rs 600,000 crore. There is no reason for not extending this function to the next stage — channelising depositors' money for lending out to others and providing cheque facilities. The best example of why it is not an outlandish idea is provided by Japan's post office, which, as the largest holder of personal savings in the world, offers banking and life insurance services, apart from selling stamps and delivering letters. Allowing India Post to undertake regular banking functions would serve two objectives. First, it would make the institution more viable than it is at present on account of its being restricted to loss-making postal operations. Second, its unique outreach would equip it to serve social objectives.

India Post has a clear advantage over banks as a vehicle for promoting financial inclusion. The use of mobile banking and banking correspondents, for all their undeniable promise, can hardly bridge the gap in rural outreach. Besides, the usurious excesses of micro-finance have robbed it of some of its sheen. With less than 40 per cent of the rural households covered by institutional lending, the potential of the post office to address the crisis of credit in rural India can hardly be over emphasised. Its financial inclusion potential has already come to the fore in the context of implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, where 46.7 million accounts had been opened and wages amounting to over Rs 18,000 crore had been distributed as on October 31 last year. It is also proving useful as the nodal agency for distribution of UIDAI cards.

While India Post runs up an annual loss of some Rs 7,000 crore, its long-term deposit bias would, however, give it a cost advantage in the lending business. It can make micro-loans and plug into the self-help group network. India Post is also serious about promoting electronic and phone banking solutions for its customers. If, apart from offering banking services, India Post were to encourage the private sector to ride piggyback on its network to promote its products, its deficit might prove to be less of a burden. In the final analysis, a postman doubling up as banker may well turn out to be the best inclusive banking solution of all.

Source: 

Coming soon - Indian Postal stamps with your picture on it !

Mumbai, Feb 3: In an effort to make Indian Postal service more attractive and up-to-date with present times, the popular Postal department has decided to offer postal stamps printed with a person's picture on it. 

Assistant Post Master General Shriniwas Vyavahare has been quoted as saying to agencies, "The offering, on first come first serve basis, will be launched in Mumbai during the Kalaghoda Cultural Festival starting Feb 4. Till Feb 11, Mumbaikars can choose from over 17 template designs for printing the stamps with their pictures that can be even used as an official one."

He added, "We had introduced this offering in a New Delhi exhibition last year. Looking at its popularity we organised a similar initiative in Pune last month and are now organising it in Mumbai."

Speaking on the unique idea, Vyavahare said that the stamps can be used for gifting purposes and can have headshots of friends, relatives and family members on the stamps. The 12-stamp sheet can be purchased from the India Post stall at the festival for Rs 300. 

source: 

India Post to start mobile money orders

India Post under the ministry of communications and IT is expected to come up with pan-India roll out of mobile money order service. The pilot program for this project is currently under way in Bihar and Punjab.

Manjula Prasher, secretary (Posts), chairman of the postal services Board and director general, India Post, on the sidelines of National Postal Policy 2012 roundtable in New Delhi informed that they chose two states-- Bihar and Punjab-- where a lot of immigrant workers remit money to their states.

“The mobile money orders will be a good initiative to facilitate people,” she added.

The government has tied up with state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for this initiative, though the service would remain operator-neutral. The individuals, who want to opt for mobile money order, need to furnish basic information to the designated post office.

The subscribers would get an SMS containing the details of remittance that would allow customers to collect cash from local post offices. The government didn’t disclose timeline for pan-India rollout, but said it’s a part of department’s modernization roadmap.

Source: 

CHQ News : Message from Shri Vilas Ingale newly elected General Secretary.

The 37th All India Biennial Conference of our Association was held successfully in the City of Gardens Bangaluru on 28th and 29th January, 2012. Total 234 delegates from 19 Circles attended the conference and good number of them actively participated in the deliberations held during the course of the conference. I am extremely thankful to every one of you for having me elected for the coveted post of General Secretary of our Association. I am overwhelmed by the affection all of you have shown to me. Our Association is currently passing through a crucial phase. I will surely make efforts to rise to the occasion and try to execute my duties as General Secretary to the fullest of my capacity. As you know, to run this Association is a team work and without your collective support it may not be possible for any GS to lead the Association from the front. In any case, I will require support from all of you and then only I will be able to carry out the legacy set by my predecessors. We will work together with all our office bearers and CWC members of CHQ as well as Circle Secretaries of all Circle branches, this is what I want to commit on this occasion from my side as a Torch Bearer of the Association.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to Shri Roop Chandji, the outgoing General Secretary for the hard and sincere work put up by him during his tenure. I shall be failing in my duty if I forget to mention the names of Shri S. Samuel our Ex-GS, Shri P. R. Satyanaran Ex-President, Shri G. P. Lahiry Ex-President and Shri Dinesh Khareji the outgoing President for conferring faith on me. The list will not be complete without including the name of Shri. P.M. Shirsat, Ex-CS/ Ex-President, Maharashtra Circle and Shri P. R. Parodhi Ex-VP CHQ and Ex-President Maharashtra Circle. All of these bigwigs together with their work continue to inspire me till now.

During this tenure of General Secretary of the Association, I shall remain approachable to all members through the following means on which all members are most welcome to convey their opinions and suggestions :-

1. Mobile No. : 09869417961

2. Email ID : vilasingle01@gmail.com

3. Office Address : ASP, New Mumbai Sub Division, Vashi (Maharashtra) PIN - 400 703.

4. Office Tele. No.:             022/27657041      

DOP has applied to the RBI for a banking licence

The Postal Department has applied to the Reserve Bank of India for a banking licence, the Communications Minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, said here on Wednesday.

Mr Sibal said he had written to the Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, to expedite the granting of licence.

Speaking on the sidelines of the postal policy round table organised by FICCI, Mr Sibal said, “A national postal policy targeting expansion and modernisation of the postal network would be announced during this year. The Government does not intend to issue licences to courier service companies, but would make it mandatory for them to register.”

Aimed at modernising postal services, the policy is expected to make the department adopt a more financially viable revenue model. It would also provide affordable services at all points in the country as part of its Universal Service Obligation, the Minister said.

The Department is also expecting large-scale private sector participation in providing value added services and extending its product range beyond the current core functions.

“There are tremendous opportunities for the private corporate sector to use its ingenuity to create innovative products and delivery mechanisms through the Indian postal network,” Mr Sibal said.

India currently has 1.55 lakh post offices, 95 per cent of which are located in rural areas.

Source: 

Accepting SMS Sent by IRCTC on Par with Electronic Reservation Slip (ERS)

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Railways

Accepting SMS Sent by IRCTC on Par With Electronic Reservation Slip (ERS) for Undertaking Train Journey on E-Tickets

In a move to further make Train Reservation Ticketing System passenger friendly, the Ministry of Railways has decided to permit Short Messaging Service (SMS) sent by its PSU, Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) containing vital details as an instrument on par with the Electronic Reservation Slip (ERS). This has come into effect from 1st February, 2012.

The mandatory features of the authorized SMS are (a) SMS sent by IRCTC/Railways will be considered for this purpose and (b) The SMS would contain all the vital ticket details like PNR, Train Number, Date of Journey, Class, Name & Number of Passengers, Coach & Seat Number and Fare paid. (c) Also if feasible, the SMS will accommodate the names of all passengers booked on the e-ticket, otherwise maximum number of passengers.

Earlier the Railways has decided to treat the screen shot of the e-ticket displayed through laptops/palmtops/mobile phones referred to as virtual reservation Message (VRM) and the Mobile Reservation Message (MRM) for tickets booked on mobile phones combined with valid photo-id in original, as an instrument on par with the Electronic Reservation Slip (ERS), even for tickets booked through the IRCTC website. Now the SMS sent by IRCTC will also be accepted.

The authorized SMS containing all the aforementioned vital details when displayed through laptops/palmtops/mobile phones combined with valid photo-id in original shall be treated as an instrument on par with the ERS.

The ERS/SMS/VRM/MRM along with (i) confirmed/RAC reservation, (ii) Valid ID-proof and (iii) Appearance of name of the passengers on the chart, will be the components of a valid authority to travel.

The list of valid proofs of identity to be produced in original during the course of on-board and off-board checking are as under:

 Voter Photo identity card issued by Election Commission of India.

 Passport

 PAN card issued by Income Tax Department

 Driving Licence issued by RTO

 Photo identity card having serial number issued by Central/State Government.

 Student Identity Card with photograph issued by recognized School/College for their students.

 Nationalized Bank Passbook with photograph

 Credit Cards issued by Banks with laminated photograph

 Unique Identification Card “Aadhaar”

The SMS will also have to be displayed during the course of On-board/Off-board checking. If the passenger fails to produce/display this SMS due to any eventuality (loss, discharged mobile/laptop etc.) but has the prescribed proof of identity, a penalty of Rs. 50/- per ticket as applicable to such cases will be levied. The ticket checking staff On board/Off board will give EFT for the same. 

India Post to take on couriers, enter banking

Plans to make it an efficient, cost-effective provider of services: Sibal

Union Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal, who also holds the charge of Department of Posts, has now turned his focus on expanding the scope of India Post to take on the growing challenge from private courier business and diversify into banking.

“We have started the process of formulating the National Postal Policy with a two-pronged approach — to develop services that assist, facilitate, enhance and quicken the process of development aimed at inclusive growth, and reposition India Post to make it a self-sufficient, efficient and cost-effective provider of these services,” Mr. Sibal said at a meeting organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Wednesday.

Acknowledging the challenge being posed by private courier firms to India Post, Mr. Sibal said the government would soon start registering these entities as under the present rules and regulations they were not allowed to do business. “This will give courier service-providers legal recognition…we are suggesting registration, not licensing. We have no intention of licensing the courier industry and will only register them to know the size and status of the industry,” he said.

VAST REACH

Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot said: “With over 1.55-lakh post offices, 95 per cent of which are located in rural areas, we are well placed to provide all kinds of services to people across India, particularly those living in villages and remote locations. We are assisting various government development programmes, while through banking facilities we can assist the Centre's initiative of providing financial inclusion to every citizen.”

Notably, the Department of Posts has already applied for a banking licence from the Reserve Bank of India, while Mr. Sibal has recently written to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to expedite the matter.

Mr. Pilot also pointed out that India Post had undertaken a massive drive to modernise its post offices to offer global standards of service to customers. “We need to create viable revenue models and adopt latest technologies for improving service delivery. India Post is gearing up to face future challenges… we will adopt various measures to transform the Postal Department in tune with the changing nature of services,” he added.

Source: 

NEW CHQ OFFICE BEARERS

37th Biennial All India Conference of AIAIP&ASP was held at Bengaluru on 28 & 29th of January 2012 and following office bearers are unanimously elected.

Sr.No.	Post	Name	Desgn. & Office	Circle
01	President	Shri Suresh Kumar Sharma	Offg. SRM “I” Dn. Jalandhar	Punjab
02	Vice President-I	Shri Navin Chandar	ASP Bantvel Sub Division	Karnataka
03	Vice President-II	Shri B.B. Mohanty	Offg. ADPS (Rectt.) CO, Bhubaneshwar	Odisha
04	Gen. Secretary	Shri Vilas S. Ingale	ASP, New Mumbai Sub Division, Vashi 400703	Maharashtra
05	Asst. Gen. Secretary-I	Shri Ram Vinay Sharma	ASP West Sub Dn Muzaffarpur	Bihar
06	Asst. Gen. Secretary-II	Shri T.M. Krishnaswami	ASP (Vig.) CO, Trivandrum	Kerala
07	Asst. Gen. Secretary-III	Shri Y. Venkateswarulu	ASP, Siddipet Sub Division	A.P.
08	Asst. Gen. Secretary-IV	Ms. Usha K.R.	ASP (HQ) Belgaum	Karnataka
09	Org. Gen. Secretary-I	Shri P. Jagatselvan	PM, St. Thomas Mount HO, Chennai 600016	T.N.
10	Org. Gen. Secretary-II	Shri Nirmalya Mitra	ASP Sundarban Sub Division	W.B.
11	Org. Gen. Secretary-III	Shri N.K. Soni	ASP, CO, Bhopal	M.P.
12	Org. Gen. Secretary-IV	Shri Sharvenda Srivastava	ASP	U.P.
13	Treasurer	Shri Santosh S. Kulkarni	ASP (Philately) CO, Mumbai-1	Maharashtra
14	Asst. Treasurer-I	Shri L.N. Mahato	ASP Gariaband Sub Division.	Chattisgarh
15	Asst. Treasurer-II	Ms. Fideles Khonbri	ASP (HQ), Meghalaya Dn. Shillong	N.E.
16	Auditor	Shri M.D. Shukla	ASP (HQ) Bharuch	Gujarat
17	Asst. Auditor-I	Shri Rohtas Singh	ASP	Haryana
18	Asst. Auditor-II	Shri Lalit Joshi	ASP	Uttaranchal