Friday, November 29, 2013

“ASEERVACHANAM “ -  SCHEME TO BE EXTENDED TO MAJOR TEMPLES IN A.P :-
HYDERABAD: Encouraged by the good response to the scheme, the postal department has decided to extend its facility of delivering prasadam to devotees who send contributions to temples via money order from the existing TTD-run temples to many more in the state. At present, devotees who send their monetary contributions to Tirumala through money order receive small packets containing 'Akshatahlu' (turmeric-mixed rice grains), pasupu (turmeric), kumkum and a photograph of the deity. The prasadam is kept at the Tirumala post office from where it is dispatched to the address of the devotees who send the contributions through the money order in what is called the 'Aseervachanam' scheme. The delivery of the prasadam takes place in about a week after the money order is sent. This scheme was launched in August this year and has seen about 30,000 money orders delivered to Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala so far.  Now, the scheme is to be extended to many more temples. "We have received a tremendous response to the 'Aseervachanam' scheme from devotees in AP and Karnataka. We approached the endowments department to implement the scheme in other major temples and the latter issued specific orders to top officers of various temples to implement the scheme in coordination with India Post," chief postmaster general, A P circle, B V Sudhakar told TOI. The scheme will be extended to other temples from December 1, he said.

The major temples where the 'Aseervachanam' scheme is to be implemented include Durga Malleswara temple (Vijayawada), Varaha Narasimha temple (Simhachalam), Bramarambha Mallikarjuna temple (Srisailam), Veera Venkata Satyanarayana (Annavaram), Seetha Ramachandra (Bhadrachalam), Vinayaka (Kanipakam), Lakshmi Narasimham swamy (Yadagirigutta), Suryadeva (Arasavilli), Sri Kurmam (Srikakulam), Kaleswara swamy (Karimnagar), Narasimha swamy (Ahobilam) and others., Shiva temple (Mahanandi), Bheemeswara (Draksharamam), Ksheera Ramalingeswara swamy (Palkol), Raja Rajeswari temple (Vemulawada), Narasimha temple (Kadiri), Veera Brahmendra swamy (Yaganti) and Venkateswara swamy (Dwaraka Tirumala).// times of india//

 

Introduction of Express Parcel and Business Parcel :: Indian Post office 3rd Amendment Rules,2013. 

Click to view Gazettee Notification

IRREGULAR FILLING UP OF  HSG-I (IP LINE) POSTS :


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Tata withdraws application for bank licence 


Tata Sons TATAS.UL has withdrawn its application for an Indian banking licence, but said it will look to enter the sector in future.  India is expected in January to announce the successful applicants to set up the country's first new banks in a decade.  "Tata Sons has reached a conclusion that the group's current financial services operating model best supports the current needs of the Tata group's domestic and overseas strategy," the country's biggest business house said in a statement.   Rules for new bank licences include a requirement that 25 percent of a new bank's branches be located in rural areas.

మీకు  ఉత్తరం  వచ్చింది :

MEEKU VUTTARAM VACHINDI:-  ( Your letter has come )  


This is the new idea being implemented by the India Post first time in A.P called meeku vuttaram vachindi ( Your Letter has come ) . SMS alert is sent to the  addressee before 1 hour or some time earlier to go for delivery by postman.  After delivery of item ‘your article delivered” alert will be sent to the sender. Sender and receivers mobile numbers are required for this service. This was announced by the CPMG of A.P circle.//times of india//

10.5 % service tax on PLI policies imposed by JK government:-


Jammu, Nov 25: The Jammu and Kashmir government’s move to impose a uniform 10.5 percent service tax on the insurance policies has evoked strong resentment among the policy holders of Postal department terming it as cutting on their hard earned savings.
 Sources said that state Commercial Tax Department has imposed a uniform service tax of 10.55 per cent on the insurance policies offered by all insurance companies including the Indian Postal Department Insurance schemes.
 In this regard the department of Posts India has recently issued a notification to inform the public that every insurance service, including Postal Life Insurance and Rural Postal Life Insurance have been brought under sales tax net with effect from April 2007 vide under Jammu and Kashmir Government SRO No 117 dated March 2007.
 The Posts India Department notification further says that all the existing and prospective Postal Life Insurance and Rural Postal Life Insurance insurants shall be charged 10.5 percent tax on the premium amount w.e.f from Nov 2013 payable to the state Government.
 Sources said that around two lakh policy holders of Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) in the State have been affected by the new tax regime. 
 They said the imposition of such high rates of service tax would nibble at PLI and RPLI holders’ savings and benefits, adding that it would not affect much to the insurance policy holders of other companies which offer huge returns and high premium and long drawn Life Insurance policies and were already charging service and other taxes by including these in the premium itself.
 Pertinently, only 1 to 3 percent tax has been imposed in other states after Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) issued a directive in this regard in June this year.
 “It is highly illogical to impose service tax on the Postal Department Insurance schemes which offer a very low return of seven percent on small premium policies.
 It means that if a PLI policy holder pays 10.55 percent service tax on the premium it is losing the seven percent returns and also paying 3.50 percent from his own pocket”, an Indian Postal Service official said on condition of anonymity.
 Astonishingly, while the IRDA has asked the state governments to impose up to 3 percent service tax, Jammu and Kashmir has imposed 10.55 percent much to the dismay of the policy holders, particularly those having policies of Indian Postal Service Insurance schemes.
 “Indian Postal department offers PLI only to employees of central and state government departments, nationalised banks, officers and staff of the defence services besides RPIL to the poor people of backward areas where they don’t have other options of saving, on very marginal interest, which is even less than the amount they are being forced to pay as service tax,” the official said.
 He termed the imposition of service tax on the premium of PLI and RPLI as a dig at the policy holder who are government servants and pay every tax in one way or other.
 “The department made several requests to state government for exempting PLI and RPLI from the new tax policy but they paid no heed,” the official said.
 He claimed that the Postal department also requested for reducing the tax rate from 10.55 per cent to 1 or 2 per cent like other states but that was also declined by finance department, adding “after getting disappointed by the attitude of state government India Post take up the matter with higher ups in Union Government.”
 When contacted, Chandera Parkesh, Chief Post Master General J&K said, “Service tax on PLI and RPLI is the decision of state government. After receiving complaints from the customers regarding sudden increase in premium amount we have sent a representation to state finance department seeking waive off.”
 He said the Directorate of Postal Service is also in touch with state government on the issue.
 However, a senior officer in state finance department, on condition of anonymity, told Greater Kashmir that concerned minister is not in town and on his return the Postal department representation will be tabled for discussion.  Source:
http://www.greaterkashmir.com

Stamp on  “satya sai”  

the GO(O)D man  :  


Simple eight-word slogan to summarize his teachings: 

 "Love all, serve all;       

 help ever, hurt never."

Union Minister of State for Communications and Technology Ms. Killi Kruparani released the commemorative stamp of the Sri Sathya Sai on his 88th Birth anniversary celebrated at Puttaparthi on 23.11.2013.



Friday, November 22, 2013

IRCTC launches e-wallet scheme for booking tickets

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has launched e-wallet, a user-friendly scheme aimed at making purchase of e-tickets easier.  The e-wallet is a rolling deposit scheme wherein the customers will have an account with the IRCTC and deposit money to be used in future for booking e-tickets from its website (irctc.co.in), said a senior IRCTC official involved with the project.

Currently, one has to make the payment for the fare of the ticket, while booking e-ticket, through credit card, debit card or net banking. The process is a bit longer as the customer is transferred to the bank's server, from IRCTC's server, for making the payment and thereafter he is once again taken back into the IRCTC site which takes considerable time for booking a ticket, he said.

There have been instances when customer's login, in the IRCTC site, expires during this process and money is deducted from his bank account but he fails to get the ticket. The problem is being addressed with the launching of e-wallet scheme, he said.

Since the customer's money is already deposited with the IRCTC, he is not transferred to the bank's server for payment. This way precious time is saved and the chances of money deduction and not getting ticket are also nullified.

Only PAN card verified users can register this scheme and in case of ticket cancellation, the due refund will be credited to the e-wallet account next day.


 

 USPS  Results Are In for fiscal year - 2013

USPS financial results are in for fiscal year 2013. Here’s a brief look at the highlights from the report as well as an income and expense comparison to the same period last year:

Dollars in million

FY 2013 in $

FY 2012 in $

Revenue :

 

 

First-  class mail

28152

28856

Standard Mail

16915

16428

Shipping & packages

12515

11592

International

3015

2816

Periodicals

1658

1731

Other

3747

3800

TOTAL INCOME

67342

65248

TOTAL EXPENSES

72319

81154

Net Loss

4977

15906


a) Includes interest and investment income.
b) Includes additional 2011 accrued payment of $5.5 billion for prefunding Postal Service Retiree Health Benefit Fund.
Financial Highlights
§               Shipping and packages revenue increased $923 million, or 8.0 percent, on a volume increase of 210 million pieces, or 6.0 percent, compared to the same period last year. Higher consumer spending, higher e-commerce retail sales and increased marketing efforts drove much of the growth in shipping and packages revenue and volume during 2013.
§               Even with the acceleration in shipping and packages revenue, First-Class Mail and Standard Mail continue to represent 67 percent of total USPS revenue.
§               Total Factor Productivity (TFP) increased 1.9 percent in 2013 compared to 2012. Since 1972, TFP has increased by 24.4 percent, demonstrating a continued, overall improvement in productivity over time.
§               Work hours in 2013 decreased by 12 million, or 1.1 percent, despite an increase of approximately 774,000 delivery points during 2013.

To view the 10-k financial report in its entirety, go to: http://about.usps.com/who-we-are/financials/.

Grant of incentive for acquiring higher qualifications: Review of the listed qualifications

No.1/3/2008-Estt.(Pay-I) (Vol.II)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
North Block, New Delhi
dated the 22nd November 2013

OFFICE MEMORANDUM 
Subject: Grant of incentive for acquiring higher qualifications - Inclusion of additionalqualifications / Review of the qualifications listed in the Annexure to this Department’s OM No 1/2/89-Estt.(Pay-I) dated 9/4/1999 -reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer this Department’s OM of even number dated 28.4.2009 and subsequentreminders of even number dated 17.6.2009, 20.8.2009, 30.10.2009, 7.1.2010 and 23.3.2010 calling for suggestions regarding addition / deletion of qualifications listed in the Annexure to this Department’s OM dated 9.4.1999.

2. Even after lapse of considerable time, no inputs in this regard have been received from Ministries / Departments, except Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

3. All the Ministries / Departments are, therefore, requested to furnish their suggestions in this regard to thisDepartment within 30 days from the date of issuance of this OM, before a final decision is taken in the matter. This OM may please be given wide publicity.


sd/-
(Mukesh Chaturvedi)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Source: www.persmin.nic.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/1_3_2008-Estt.Pay-I-Vol.II-22112013.pdf]

 

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

NEWS FOR KIDS :-  Harry Potter stamps  for sale



The Harry Potter films brought J.K. Rowling’s magical world to the screen, giving physical shape to the characters, creatures, and places that had lived in readers’ imaginations since publication of the first book. The U.S. Postal Service celebrates that magic with a 20-stamp souvenir booklet featuring stills from the award-winning Warner Bros. movies.  The stamp set comes in a five page booklet featuring photographs of a few of the brave heroes, fearsome villains, and extraordinary creatures that Harry Potter encounters throughout his adventures.   The booklet is available for sale today at USPS.com

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Finmin Orders - Advances to Central Government Employees —- Rate of interest for purchase of conveyances during 2013-2014.

Advances to Government servants — Rate of interest for purchase of conveyances during 2013-2014.
F.No. 5(2)-B(PD)/2013 
Government of India 
Ministry of Finance 
Department of Economic Affairs

New Delhi, the 12th November, 2013
OFFICE MEMORANDUM


Subject : Advances to Government servants — Rate of interest for purchase of conveyances during 2013-2014.

The undersigned is directed to state that the rates of interest for advances sanctioned to the Government servants for purchase of conveyances during 2013-2014 i.e. from 1st April, 2013 to 31st March, 2014 are revised as under:


Rate of interest per annum
(i)
Advance for purchase of conveyance other than motor car (viz. motor cycle, scooter etc.)
9%
(ii)
Advance for purchase of motor car
11.5%


(A.K. Bhatnagar) 
Under Secretary (Budget)

Source : www.finmin.nic.in 


Monday, November 18, 2013

C.O. – Hyderabad News:-  

POSTMASTER'S CADRE ASSOCIATION (A.P) informal Meeting with CPMG on  19.11.2013  is Postponed . The future date will be informed as told by Secretary of the Association Sri DSK Prasad at Hyderabad today.  

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Bharat Ratna for Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar will become the first sportsperson to be conferred the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. The Prime Minister's Office made the announcement hours after Tendulkar brought down the curtains on a 24-year international career.
"Sachin Tendulkar is undoubtedly an outstanding cricketer - a living legend who has inspired millions across the globe," a PMO release said. "During the last 24 years, since the young age of 16 years, Tendulkar has played cricket across the world and won laurels for our country. He has been a true ambassador of India in the world of sports. His achievements in cricket are unparalleled, the records set by him unmatched, and the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by him exemplary. That he has been honoured with several awards is testimony to his extraordinary brilliance as a sportsman."

Friday, November 15, 2013

"Old is not always Gold"

OLD is GOLD  that is an  Old thing nothing to know new.  But in todays drastic communication changing environment doing old business with out new ideas is definitely a  age old technique.  Regarding Postal communications world wide the quantum of  Physical Mail is in      alarming situation.  Many countries are  switched  over to concentrating on electronic mail rather than physical mail.   Hard working is  replaced by Smart working now.  The business or anything will sustain if any one catch the changes in the proper way.   Read this story …….

   
You must have heard this story from your friends and family members :-
Once upon a time there lived a man who made caps and sold them as he travelled from town to town. On one such tiring day as he was moving to the next town, he decided to take rest under a big banyan tree. He spread out his wares and soon fell asleep. What he failed to notice was the large number of monkeys on the tree. All the monkeys picked up the caps and donned them on their heads as the vendor was sleeping happily. The man woke up after sometime and found that all his caps were missing. He had heard that monkeys do whatever you do. So he picked up a cap, put it on his head and then removed and threw it away. All the monkeys on the tree also removed and threw them down. The vendor picked them up and happily proceeded to the next town.
 The Modern Version of this Story:-
 The cap-vendor became old and handed over his business to his son. His son also became old and he also handed over his business to his son. The new generation cap-vendor also moved from town to town and on one such trip, by sheer coincidence, he stopped to take rest under the same banyaan tree where his grandfather had stopped decades back. The new generation monkeys till he fell asleep and took away all the caps like their ancestors.  The new generation trader-had heard the story from his grandfather about how he retrieved his caps from the monkeys. So he took one cap that was left behind, put it on and then threw it away and waited for the monkeys to remove all caps and throw them away. The smart monkeys of the present generation laughed loudly, looked at trader with contempt and said:,"You think only your grandfather tells you stories!"
The moral of the story is that what was good some years back may not work today. The new generation has changed completely and you cannot react to it like that what our forefathers did, new generation people and animals knows how to get his work cleverly from others. There is a need to continually think differently. "Old is not always gold."   " In Todays  world, it is not enough to know how to play the game properly. Sometimes, a win is possible only if you can change the rules of the game."   

SACHIN TENDULKAR   POSTAGE STAMP RELEASED :-



Sachin Ramesh  Tendulkar and Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal with a stamp released on his name by Department of Posts ahead of his 200th and the last test match at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Nov.14, 2013.  The master blaster is the only Indian living person after Mother Teresa to receive this honour.                             


Thursday, November 14, 2013

COUNTING TRAINING PERIOD FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREMENT DRAWAL – CLARIFICATION  

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

C.O  - Hyderabad - News :-  
New RD accounts  opening Fever :-    As per the Targets fixed on the officers some of the offices  are opening fictitious  RD  new accounts of  denomination Rs.10/- each. Aggrieved on this issue and some of the customers lodged complaints/ representations to C.O.  And  C.O asked the sub offices under city for submission of  information on those who opened  RD accounts of denomination Rs.10/- .

HAPPY CHILDREN’S DAY  : - 
Universally Children’s Day is celebrated on 20th November, every year. However in India this day has been preponed to 14th November, the date the marks the birth anniversary of independent India’s First Prime Minister – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The reason is because of his love and passion for children.
                                                 

 He always regarded all children with affection and love., and was well know for being likeable to children.  Children also loved him very much and called him “Chacha Nehru” ( In Hindi Language -  Chacha – Means – Uncle ( Younger brother of father).

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Very interesting … We must  know about this....

Australia Post introduces QR code 'video stamps'

How  a Stamp can record video and display  read this ……..
Australia Post has introduced a "video stamp" which when used with a mobile application lets senders record a 15-second video for a recipient.   The postal service has printed more than 3 million of the stamps for the holiday season, which can be affixed to domestic Express Post or Express Courier International packages.
The QR code  stamps cost no more than regular ones but could eventually turn into a revenue source.   "We will wait and see how this trial period goes," a spokeswoman for Australia Post said.   Senders scan the QR code with the "Video Stamp" application for Apple or Android devices and record a video. The recipient can either play it back through Video Stamp or enter an eight-digit code assigned to the QR code to play it on Australia Post's website.  The video stamp is the electronic equivalent of a post card, however: users are advised that anyone who has access to the QR Code can view the message, the spokeswoman said.   Like many postal services around the world, Australia Post has faced financial challenges with falling letter volumes and increased competition from courier services but has looked to reinvent itself in the internet age.    Last year, it launched the Digital Mailbox, a Web-based application for receiving and paying bills and a storage "vault" for important items such as tax documents and passport copies

Amazon.com to offer Sunday delivery through US Postal Service Amazon.com is getting the U.S. Postal Service to deliver packages on Sundays to its customers, adding an additional facility to help it compete in the Internet retail market.    The Sunday delivery will start in Los Angeles and New York, with plans to roll out the service to "a large portion" of the U.S. population by 2014, Amazon said Monday. Sunday delivery will come to Houston, Dallas, New Orleans and Phoenix among other places, the company said. The service is free for Amazon's Prime members, who pay $79 per year for unlimited two-day shipping and other facilities, Amazon said. Customers will see the Sunday delivery option at checkout when available, it added. Not all products will be eligible for Sunday delivery, but the service already covers millions of items, Amazon said.  Financial details about the deal with the U.S. Postal Service were not disclosed. Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.To get items to customers quicker, Amazon has expanded its delivery before. In 2009, for instance, it started a same-day delivery service dubbed Local Express Delivery for seven U.S. cities and has expanded that service to four more areas since then.   The service is available in New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, Washington D.C. and other locations.    Other companies followed. Same-day delivery was introduced by eBay in 2012. The company currently offers delivery in about an hour from certain local stores in Chicago, New York and San Francisco areas.   Google is also interested in offering same-day delivery to its customers. In March, the search giant started a pilot called Google Shopping Express to serve San Francisco Bay Area residents. //IDG News service 11.11.13//