FAQ on Children Education Allowance, OTA/NDA, Honorarium/Fee, Leave.

G.I., Dep. of Pers. & Trg., O.M.No.I-11020/1/2014-Estt.(AL), dated 28.4.2015

Establishment (Allowance) Section

SI.No. Question Answer

Children Education Allowance

1. Whether reimbursement of Children Education Allowance is admissible for the:

(a) Nursery/LKG/UKG as there is no provision of recognition of these classes in most of the States/UTs;

Reimbursement is permissible only if the child is studying in a recognised educational institution.

(b) Third child if either of the first two children is disabled to the extent that he/she cannot go to school;

Reimbursement is allowed to only the two eldest surviving children of the Government servant except when the 2nd child birth results in multiple births or the 3`d child is born due to failure of sterilization operation.

(c) The children borne out of second marriage or the children of second wife/husband in additions to children from first marriage;

Reimbursement is allowed to only the two eldest surviving children of the Government servant.

(d)  Entitlement of number of Note Books.

Reimbursement is permissible for any number of note books as may be prescribed by the recognised educational institution.

OTA/NDA

2. The reasons for not enhancing rates of OTA/NDA

The 5th and the 6th Central pay Commission did not recommend enhancement of rates of OTA/NDA.

Honorarium/Fee

3.  Whether honorarium is payable to the Chairperson/Members of the DPC and also such other Departmental Committees, viz., Committee on Sexual Harassments at work place, etc.?

In terms of the provisions of FR 46 (b), the Central Government may grant or permit a Government servant to receive an honorarium as remuneration for work performed which is occasional or intermittent in character and either so laborious or of such special merit as to justify a special reward. Except when special reasons, which should be  recorded in writing, exist for a departure from this provision, sanction to the grant or acceptance of an honorarium should not be given unless the work has been undertaken with the prior consent of the Central Government and its account has been settled in advance.

Guidelines for payment of Honorarium under FR 46 (b) have already been laid down inter alia vide this Department’s OM No.17011/9/85- Estt. (AL), dated 23.12.1985 and OM No. 17020/1/91- Estt. (AL), dated 18.11 .1991. It has also been clarified that no honorarium should be granted for temporary increases in work.

4. Whether retention of “Fee” for delivering lectures in Government/private bodies is permissible? As per para 6 of DoP&T’s O.M.No. I 6013/1/79-Estt.(AL) dated 11th February, 1980, payments received by Government servants as income from books, articles, papers and lectures on literary, cultural, artistic, technological and scientific subjects including management sciences; will not be subject to crediting one-third of the amount to the general revenues.

Establishment (Leave) Section:

5. Whether male Government servant, who is single parent, can be allowed Child Care Leave? No. CCL can be granted to female employees only.

6.  Whether Bond on Study Leave can be transferred from Central Government to State Government?

No. Bond executed by the Government servant while proceeding on study leave cannot be transferred on his/her appointment in State Government/PSU/Autonomous bodies.

7.  What is the limit of leave encashment while availing LTC by dependents or spouse within the same block year?

The Government Servants governed by the CSS (Leave) Rules, 1972 and entitled to avail LTC may en-cash earned leave up to 10 days at the time of availing both types of LTCs., i.e., `Hometown’ and `Anywhere in India’. However, when the one and the same LTC is being availed of by the Government Servant and his family members separately in a block year, encashment of leave would be restricted to one occasion only.

Source : DOPT

[ http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/I-11020_1_2014-Estt.AL-28042015.pdf ]

In the e-age, Postman does new roles

It was a pleasant Bengaluru day in 1983, Sandalwood actress Jayanthi was still at the peak of her popularity, and unlike today, meetings with actors were not common. Social media and phones with cameras hadn't been born, which meant learning about the lives of celebrities was difficult. But it was a lucky day for A Mohan, just one year into his job as a postman. "I had watched almost all her films. But, I had never imagined that I would get to see her. That day, when I went to deliver a letter to a house, I saw her. Believe me, I had no idea it was her house till then," he recounted the dream meeting, as he sorted letters at his post office. That was over three decades ago. Since then, his work has changed a lot. "Almost like Bengaluru's weather, the changes have been too fast and sudden," said Mohan, now 58. "There have been many changes over the years, but the past five odd years have seen a sea change," he explained. However, that hasn't changed his daily routine. "I walk at least 12km a day. My legs hurt in the evening," he added. 

Far away in Shivamogga, Uduchalappa, a senior postman, went through his routine without much company last Tuesday. Having served for 25 years, and now attached to the Malnad City's main post office, he still has his bicycle, unlike Mohan, who makes deliveries by foot now. 

Recalling an incident in March, he said, "I parked my cycle on Nehru Road and went into a house to deliver a parcel. When I returned, it was missing... I had lost my consignment, I could not eat the whole day." A CCTV camera had captured a boy stealing the bicycle and about three days later, Uduchalappa's postal bag was found in a remote area around 4km away. "I delivered the letters to the addressees and apologized for the delay," Uduchalappa said. He has since then been served a notice for misplacing the consignment. There are several similar tales, but the quintessential postman is evolving to survive. And that can be gauged from the fact that last year, a staggering 1.3 lakh candidates had applied for 248 vacancies for postmen in the Karnataka circle. About 40,000 of these applicants were from the country's tech capital Bengaluru. One such new-age postman is Manjunath S, who joined the department in 2008. He still has to walk to deliver letters. "I've learnt from seniors that a lot has changed over the years, although I joined during the evolution. Some of the stories are fascinating." Besides, the postal department has had a considerable presence of women employees for a long time now. With the telegram dead, postcards and inland letters long forgotten, and a few still depending on money orders — thanks to the internet, all communication can be exchanged in a jiffy — the traditional work of the postman has changed. Seshadripuram post office postmaster Sundar Raj, who joined the department in 1982, said, "When we joined, we would see at least 10,000 registered posts every day and could never keep an exact count of the ordinary ones. Today, the total delivery in this post office per day is 6,000. Anyone can figure out that there is a change." And in Mysuru division, personal communication material forms only 10% of the deliveries they make. The situation is similar across the state. A decade ago, personal communication material like postcards and letters formed 90% of the daily consignment, but today, it has been replaced with business and education-related communication. Despite this change, the bond between postmen and the people to whom they once delivered letters hasn't changed much, the men in khaki said. For instance, people of Bhadravathi taluk in Shivamogga mourned the death of Chandra Shekar, affectionately called 'Post Chandru', in 2011.

"He delivered posts to old town residents and had long-standing relationships with residents. He met with an accident and died on the spot. Residents of the area gathered to offer their condolence," said a local. Elaborating on the connect, Mohan said, "That's because today, we are still doing things that affect people's life. If four decades ago, we only delivered a telegram with good or bad news, today, we sell life insurance policies that protect people's families. We open savings bank accounts for them; even collect their electricity bills." The department is continuing with blue inland letters and traditional postcards that cost 50 paise even when it spends Rs 7 on delivery. Also, services like delivering debit card PIN, driver's licence, passport, scholarship, study material and other education-related communication form the bulk of the consignment the postmen carry now. Among the many new roles that these men in khaki perform now is selling financial and retail services. "We even deliver valuables that are ordered from e-commerce sites such as Amazon and Flipkart," said Raj. O Virupakshappa, assistant superintendent of posts, Mysuru division, said, "Business-related letters have increased by three-fold now. On an average, we receive 50,000 letters and 90% of them are related to business." 

In Dharwad, nearly 150-200 articles are delivered some days under the cash on delivery (COD) scheme. Each postman carries nearly 300-350 posts a day. RK Bheemsena Rao said, "The workload remains the same even as the medium changes. A decade ago, we used to distribute 250-300 letters every day. Now, we distribute almost 200-250 items." To meet this target, the postmen are also turning tech savvy. Ask Geetha A, who joined as a Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) in 2008. "We have to know how to use computers, which a lot of our seniors did not. All of us, including senior postmen, get trained on a certain software today, as the department moves forward, in sync with today's world." F Rosemary of the 1987 batch agreed. "I had never seen a computer until the department introduced it," she said. Today, the postman may be less visible as compared to a decade ago, but they are not going anywhere — they are adapting to the new age. SS Hosamani, a postman in Hubballi, explained why. "We're always been ready for newer challenges. Carrying valuable things booked on Flipkart or Amazon isn't much of a problem, as over the decades, we had the practice of delivering VPPs (value payable posts). Since I joined in 1991, I've been trained in risk bearing while delivering valuable articles or money," he said. 

New roles of old men in khaki 

1) Financial Services 

Open post office savings account; 5-year post office recurring deposit account; Post office time deposit account; Post office monthly income account scheme; Senior citizen savings scheme; 15-year public provident fund account; National Savings Certificates (NSC); Sukanya Samriddhi Accounts 

2) Postal Life Insurance 

Sell whole life assurance (Suraksha); Convertible whole life assurance (Suvidha); Endowment assurance (Santosh); Aanticipated endowment assurance (Sumangal); Joint life assurance (Yugal Suraksha); Scheme for physically handicapped persons; Children Policy 

3) Rural postal life insurance 

Sell Whole life assurance (Grama Suraksha); Convertible whole life assurance (Grama Suvidha); Endowment assurance (Grama Santosh); Anticipated endowment assurance (Grama Sumangal); Gram Priya; Scheme for physically handicapped persons 

4) Retail Services 

Bill mail service; Direct post; Retail post; ePayment 

Postal numbers 

2: Bengaluru Cantonment and Mangaluru saw the first post offices in the state in the early 19th Century 

9,669 post offices in Karnataka 

9,124 delivery post offices among them 

58 postal head offices 

3,738 Sanctioned strength of postmen (Only those who deliver, those with other duties not included) 

5,250 Gramin Dak Sevaks 

1,55,61,285 live postal savings accounts 

5,09,408 Sukanya Samriddhi accounts 

6,31,610 postal life insurance polices (PLIs) 

Rs 9,184.3 crore: Sum assured under PLIs 

15,89,095 rural postal life insurance polices (RPLIs) 

Rs 7,675.40 cr: Sum assured under RPLIs 

(All figures as on March 31, 2015 | Source: Postal Department, Karnataka Circle) 

Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

RAJYA SABHA Q&A regarding Post Bank of India & Task force Recommendations on PBI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS     

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.163

                                        TO BE ANSWERED ON 24^TH APRIL, 2015

POSTAL BANKS

163. DR. PRADEEP KUMAR BALMUCHU:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a)       whether it is a fact that Government is urging the Department of Posts to come up with opening of Postal Banks in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(b)       whether the Subramanian Committee, to which the matter had been referred, has submitted its report and has made recommendations in this regard; and

(c)        if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a)       Sir, the Department of Posts has submitted an application to Reserve Bank of India on 30.1.2015 seeking license for setting up Post Bank of India under the rubric of “Payments Bank”. The Government is committed to increasing access of the people to the formal financial system and in this context, Government proposes to utilize the vast Postal network with nearly 1, 54,000 points of presence spread across the villages of the country.  The Government hopes that the Postal Department will make its proposed Payments Bank venture successful so that it contributes further to the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. The details of the proposed Post Bank would be finalized once the Reserve Bank of India takes a favourable decision on application submitted by Department of Posts. In the recent budget speech also the Finance Minister has appreciatingly talked about Post Bank.

(b) & (c )         The Task Force on Leveraging the Post Office Network under the Chairmanship of retired Cabinet Secretary Shri. T.S.R.Subramanian,  has submitted its report during November-2014. The said task force has recommended for setting up Post Bank of India. The details of the recommendations are reproduced in the Annexure- ‘A’ enclosed herewith.

Annexure-A

Recommendations of Task Force on Leveraging Post Office Network with respect to Setting up of Post Bank of India:-

(i)            The proposal is not to convert the PO Network into a Bank, but to set up a fully professional new Bank to further financial inclusion and meet the objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna, which specifically provides for the extension of credit to all Indians resident in every part of India, particularly in rural areas.

(ii)          This opportunity for achieving universal financial inclusion via technology and the institutional reach of the PO Network must not be lost. There is admittedly a risk involved, as there is in any new venture into uncharted waters. The risk involved can and must be managed in the interests of the overall larger national objectives.

(iii)         The PBI must be professionally managed and operated, with credit and other risks being handled by experienced experts hired from the market. In its own interest, its operations must be fully in line and compliant with RBI Guidelines.

(iv)         A new institution, to be called the Post Bank of India or by some other suitable name, should be set up as a commercial bank offering the full spectrum of financial and banking services.

(v)          As the owner of the proposed PBI, the Government of India may take decisions as appropriate on structural and organizational issues and other details, including the funding requirements.

(vi)         The Task Force is of the view that the PBI should be set up under an Act of Parliament and that establishing the PBI as a statutory institution and a Government Bank would enhance its credibility, insulate it from local pulls and greatly facilitate its operations.

(vii)        It is essential to structure the proposed PBI in such a manner as to pre-empt the possibility of outside interests influencing its day-to-day operations.

(viii)      The Task Force also recommends that the PBI should initially be set up as a Public Sector Bank wholly owned by the Government of India.

(ix)         The initial capital requirement, estimated at Rs. 500 crores as per RBI requirements would be fully funded by the Government.

(x)          After the Bank establishes itself in 3 to 5 years, the Board of Directors could take a view on floating an IPO to raise fresh capital.

(xi)         The PBI will focus on fulfilling the Government’s mandate of financial inclusion and on bringing the un-banked and under-banked segments of the population, particularly in rural, semi-rural and remote areas within the ambit of the formal monetized economy.

(xii)        A view needs to be taken on how best to seamlessly integrate the earlier banking operations into the proposed new structure, The best and seamless method would be to fully absorb the POSB in the new proposed Bank (PBI).

(xiii)      The PBI will offer services including credit, which are beyond the remit of the POSB.

(xiv)      The PBI will develop financial products and services which are specially tailored to the needs of the rural and urban unbanked population, if necessary in collaboration with other banks.

(xv)        The PBI will function as a commercially viable and self-sustaining entity without the need for continuing Government subsidies.

(xvi)      After the Initial gestation period, it should generate its own resources and sustain itself in the competitive market environment.

(xvii)     The PBI should price its services on a cost plus basis and revise these rates from time to time, so that its operations do not become a continuing and increasing burden on the Government exchequer.

(xviii)    The PBI will start with a Head Office Main Branch and will thereafter expand its operations by opening Branch offices in the Metro towns and State capitals, to be manned by banking professionals.

(xix)      The longer term objectives would be to establish a Branch Office of the PBI in each District Headquarter over a 3 to 5 year period, to be operated mostly by banking professionals.

(xx)        The 150,000-plus Departmental and Branch POs will act as Banking Correspondents for the PBI.

(xxi)      Careful consideration should be given to the various types, elements and levels of risk involved in the PBI’s operations.

(xxii)     Robust System Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures should be put in place to manage these risks effectively.

(xxiii)    The PBI should recruit/commission the services of banking experts to manage its credit, portfolio and market risks.

(xxiv)    Appropriate management capabilities should be mobilized from the market and robust systems and processes should be put in place to ensure that Non-Performing Assets are kept within acceptable limits.

(xxv)      It is neither necessary nor desirable to mandate a waiting period before the PBI enters into credit and lending operations.

(xxvi)    The PBI should be constituted and begin working as a credit and lending Bank immediately, without any trial/waiting/learning period.

(xxvii)  The PBI should be set up as an independent Statutory and corporate entity offering the full bouquet services, including credit, to its customers.

(xxviii) The PBI will primarily target currently unbanked and under-banked customers in rural, semi-rural and remote areas, with a focus on providing small and affordable loans and simple deposit products.

(xxix)    Customers will be provided with full-fledged Savings Accounts, which can be retained even with zero balances, as provided for in the PMJDY.

(xxx)     Credit risks will be managed by hiring professionals from the banking sector and by developing and implementing robust protocols for building checks and balances in the system. Market and robust systems and processes should be put in place to ensure that Non-Performing Assets are kept within acceptable limits.  

******************

Declaration of Assets and Liabilities--- Date Extended from 30.4.2015 to 15.10.2015

CLICK HERE 2015to view the DoPT Order

GO FOR INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 6th MAY 2015

POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION DECIDES TO GO FOR INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 6^thMAY 2015

*****

WE ARE DEMANDING INCLUSION OF GDS IN 7^thCPC

*****

WE ARE OPPOSING SEPARATE COMMITTEE FOR GDS

RECOMMENDATIONS OF JUSTICE CHARANJIT TALWAR COMMITTEE FOR GDS (REPORT SUBMITED TO GOVT ON 30-04-1997)

.......... in its Report Chapter-IX para-1.1 “It is therefore recommended that when ever it required to review the service conditions and wage structure of the employees of Department of Posts, ED Agents be bracketed along with departmental employees. There is no need to set up a separate Committee or Commission for the Extra Departmental Agents”

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FOURTH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN JUSTICE (RETD) SHRI SINGHAL OF SUPREME COURT OF INDIA –

“‘the matter is beyond controversy after the decision of Supreme Court of India in Gokulanda Das’s case where it has been declared that ‘an Extra Departmental Agent is not a casual worker but holds a post under the administrative control of the State and that while such a post is outside the regular civil service, there is no doubt that it is a post under the ‘State’. In view of this pronouncement we are unable to accept the contention that “extra departmental employees are outside the purview of the terms of reference of our Commission”

STAND TAKEN BY DEPARTMENT OF POSTS IN DO LETTER No.17-13/2014-GDS dated 17-02-2014 ADDRESSED TO DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING – 

“The demand for inclusion in 7^th CPC based on the definition of the expression ‘Central Govt. Employees adopted by 4^th Central Pay Commission in para 1.11 of the report “as all persons in the Civil Services of the Central Government or holding Civil Posts under the Government and paid out of the consolidated fund of India” and its observations in para 1.17 & 1.18  - besides Apex Court’s judgement dated 22-04-1977 in the matter of Superintendent of Post Offices Vs. P.K.Rajamma regarding Gramin Dak Sevak services (earlier called Extra Departmental Agents) as holders of the civil post outside the regular civil service”….. 4^th Central Pay Commission has categorically stated in para 1.10 that the expression ‘Central Govt Employees’ has not been defined in the Constitution or any other Law. It thus seems appropriate, if this term is duly defined based on which a final view over the inclusion of Gramin Dak Sevaks with in the purview of 7^th CPC becomes possible”

Now it is learnt that the ‘ inclusion of GDS in the purview of 7^th CPC’ rejected by MoF.

DoP Proposed to constitute a separate committee for GDS.

With this again we are going to face the dark age of another span of 10 years.

Besides --

Government and Postal board are totally negative and insensitive towards the demands of five lakhs Postal and RMS employees including Gramin Dak Sewaks and Casual, Part-Time Contingent employees.

EVERY DEMAND IS EITHER  REJECTED OR INDEFINITELY DELAYED
Inclusion of Gramin Dak Sewaks under 7thCentral Pay Commission and grant of civil servant status	Rejected. Government decided to appoint separate committee.
Casual Labour regularistaion	No progress
Cadre restructuring of Postal, RMS, MMS, Admin, Postal Accounts employees	Long pending in the Directorate. No improvement.
Merger of DA with Pay	Rejected by Government
Grant of Interim Relief	Rejected by Government
Date of effect of 7th CPC from 01.01.2014	Government not ready to give any direction to 7thCPC.
Scrap New Pension Scheme.	Rejected by Government
Remove 5% ceiling for compassionate appointments	Government not ready to remove the condition.
GDS Medical reimbursement scheme	Pending for last six years
MACP anomalies including promotees case	Rejected inspite of several CAT/Court Judgment
Postmaster Cadre related issues including permission to write IP/PS Group ‘B’ exam and parity with LSG, HSG-II regarding service length for promotion.	Still pending. Attitude of the Department is totally negative.
System Administration case	Rejected. Not ready to consider the demands on its merits.
RTP service regularization	Rejected. Inspite of CAT orders not ready to issue general order
SBCO related issues	Rejected on flimsy grounds.
Postmen related issues	No progress
Parity in cash handling allowance	Rejected.
Counting of Accountants special Allowance for pay fixation on promotion	Rejected.
Computer and Technology related several issues	No progress. Situation worsening day by day. Employees are suffering. Public agitated
Harassment of staff on account of CBS & CIS	Still continuing
Allotment of funds for sanctioning all pending Medical, TA, OTA and RPLI/PLI incentives	No progress. Bills pending for months together
Overtime allowance revision	Pending for 27years
Circle processing centers (CPO) of PLI/RPLI at CO/ROs and stop redeployment of posts	Rejected
Sunday, Holiday compulsory working	Still continuing in certain circles
Office Building and staff quarters cases	No progress. Situation worsening. Staff are suffering
MNOP related issues	Suggestion of staff side rejected
Quality of uniforms, Chapplas and kit-items	No improvement
Chennai Postal Accounts victimization	Still pending
Stop Postmen/MTS open market outside recruitment	Still pending. No progress
Filling up of all vacant posts including canteen employees	Slow progress
Creation of justified new posts	Total Ban imposed on creation of new posts
Prompt convening of Monthly meeting, Bi-monthly/four monthly meetings, JCM Regional Council meeting, JCM Departmental Council meeting, Formal meeting with Secretary (Posts)	Periodicity is not maintained. In many divisions. Circles no meeting is held for months together
Prompt holding of Departmental promotion committees (CPCs)	No progress

Let us fight for the right cause of GDS   … unitedly …. To erase the ambiguity over GDS by the Dept & Govt.