Highlights of Group C cadre restructure review committee report dated 10.11.17

Cadre restructure should be completed by 31.01.18 at all circles. Our all demands are accepted including non divisionalisation of LSG cadre which may create severe seniority issues.

Date of promotion would be 27.5.16 to all to maintain the uniformity at all circles.

No upgradation of ME/System admin posts but any LSG/HSG II/HSG I officials can be posted in those posts.

As per the office status and work load LSG posts can be identified and posted irrespective of 5PAs:1 LSG concept.

Here after LSG posts means not only for supervisor posts, as per the mdw they have to work operative work also.

In Tamilnadu circle, LSG Trr posts will be again downgraded to PA cadre and those officials have to be work as LSG in PM Grade II /HSG II above offices with PA and supervisory works as per that post MDW.

LSG officials posted at A class /PM Grade I offices shall be transferred to other offices.

 NOTICE FOR FEDERAL EXECUTIVE OF NFPE

          National Federation of Postal Employees

1^st Floor North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi-110 001

Phone: 011.23092771                                        e-mail: nfpehq@gmail.com

       Mob: 9868819295/9810853981            website: http://www.nfpe.blogspot.com

     No.PF-01(b)/2017                                                           Dated: 14^th November, 2017

To

            All Office Bearers of NFPE

            All General Secretaries of NFPE Unions.

NOTICE

It is hereby notified in accordance with Article 12 of the Constitution of NFPE that the meeting of the Federal Executive of National Federation of Postal Employees shall be held at NFPE Office, 1^st Floor North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi-110 001 on 11.02.2018 at 10 A.M. for considering the following agenda:

AGENDA

1.         Organizational Review.

2.        Review and discussion on all Postal Sectional problems and future course of   action.

3. (a) Review of 23^rd August-2017 Strike and other programmes on call of Confederation and Central Trade Unions.

      (b) Review of preparations of 5 days Dharna at New Delhi and future programme of action.

4.         Policy offensives and our role.

5.         Results of Regular Membership Verification.

6.         GDS Committee Report and GDS Membership Verification.

7.         Nomination from NFPE to Standing Committee NC (JCM).

8.        Filling up of Post of Dy. Secretary General, NFPE after retirement. of                               Com. R. Seethalakshmi.

9.         Any other items with permission of the chair.

    

(R.N. Parashar)

Secretary General

Copy to:

1.         The Secretary Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110 001

2.         The D.G. Posts, Dak  Bhawan, New Delhi-110116

3.         All the Office Bearers of NFPE and all General Secretaries.

4.        All Chief Postmaster General’s:  for information and kind action for grant of                        necessary special Casual Lave to the Office Bearers of the Federation and All                        the General Secretaries for the duration of the meeting and the journey time                         involved.  

5.     File.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

(R.N. Parashar)

Secretary General

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SEVENTH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION - IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISION RELATING TO THE GRANT OF CHILDREN EDUCATION ALLOWANCE (Click the link below to view order of Department of Posts)

http://utilities.cept.gov.in/dop/pdfbind.ashx?id=2607

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: Important watchouts before you invest

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is targeted towards a girl child and her financial needs such as education and marriage. However, as the exact age at which she would require the funds is uncertain, the scheme tries to be flexible. The investors, on the other hand, need to keep in mind five important years or time spans before taking the plunge in SSY. Consider, for instance, the girl child's age, and the time left for her education and marriage.

Opening an account (0-10 years)

An SSY account can only be opened in the name of a girl child (beneficiary) below 10 years, as on the date of the opening of the account. The date of birth proof is, therefore, essential. The rules allow for the opening of a maximum of two accounts for two girls in a family. One can't open two accounts for one girl. The girl child's age is very important to find out the duration of the scheme. Here's why:

5 years

The request for the first premature closure of an SSY account can be put forward after the completion of five years of the account opening. That too, as per the rules, on extreme compassionate grounds such as medical support in life-threatening diseases. Still, if the account has to be closed for another reason, it will be allowed, but the entire deposit will only get interest of a Post Office Savings Bank account.

10 years

When the beneficiary, i.e., the girl child crosses the age of 10, she can operate the account on her own. She can make any future contributions to her own account. The parents, too, can continue to deposit in the same account.

15 years

To open an SSY account, a minimum initial deposit of Rs 1,000 is required. Thereafter, a minimum of Rs 1,000 up to a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh can be deposited in the account annually. To keep the account active, deposits need to be made only for the initial 15 years. For a 9-year-old, deposits have to continue till the child turns 24. Between ages 24 and 30 (when the account matures), the account keeps earning interest on the balance.

SSY is a long-term investment scheme. The partial and full withdrawal window is sacrosanct subject to applications made to foreclose the account prematurely.

18 years

The next window for withdrawals is allowed when the girl turns 18. And the rules make it clear that the funds are for her needs and not used for any other purpose. A maximum of 50 per cent of the account balance of the preceding year may be withdrawn for the purpose of higher education of the girl.

For this, not just a written application, but a documentary proof in the form of a confirmed admission offer in an educational institution or a fee slip from such institution clarifying such financial requirement is required. Further, the withdrawal amount will be restricted to the actual demand of fee and other charges required at the time of admission as shown in the offer of admission or the relevant fee slip issued by the institution.

21 years

Irrespective of the age, the SSY account will run for 21 years from the date of its opening. So if the girl child's age is 9, the scheme will mature when she turns 30. The rules, however, permit final closure anytime before 21 years if the parent files an application for such premature closure for the purpose of her marriage and confirms through an affidavit that the applicant is not below 18 years on the date of marriage. At times, this could be a roadblock as the closure is subject to conditions as seen above.

The attractiveness

SSY carries the highest tax-free return with sovereign guarantee and comes with the exempt-exempt-exempt (EEE) status. The annual deposit (contributions) qualifies for Section 80C benefit and the maturity benefits are non-taxable. SSY can be opened in a post office or a bank. One can also make deposits through electronic means, i.e., e-transfer to the concerned post office or bank if either has access to the core banking facility.

Alternative investments

SSY is a dedicated scheme for a girl child's needs. Public Provident Fund (PPF), a 15-year scheme that also comes with loan and partial withdrawals facilities, can be an alternative. Although a PPF account can be extended in block of five years after the initial 15 years, the possibility of funds being used for other purposes exists.

As per the rules, at any point of time, the interest rate of SSY will always be higher than that of PPF. For both schemes, the government fixes the interest rate on quarterly basis based on the G-sec yields.The interest rate and spread that SSY enjoys over the G-sec rate of comparable maturity is 75 basis points compared to PPF's 25.

Currently, the interest rate of SSY is 8.5 per cent per annum compounded annually, while it is 8 per cent per annum for PPF. Mark the date in SSY as there will not be any interest on the amount deposited after the 10th for that specific month. Even when compared to traditional life insurance plans, SSY scores higher, especially when combined with a term insurance plan.

Conclusion

Estimate how much inflated-adjusted funds would be needed for the education and marriage of the girl child. SSY is a debt investment, therefore, for a long-term need, relying more on equities helps. One may use it to invest a portion of the funds earmarked for the girl child's needs and not entirely depend on it.

This could apply even to those who have exhausted their annual Section 80C limit of Rs 1.5 lakh. Simultaneously, buy a pure term insurance to provide adequate life cover to the financial dependents. Understandably, for younger kids, the time duration for accumulating funds would be more compared to those nearing 10 years, but still SSY can be a part of one's portfolio

Source : The Economic Times

Circle Union writes to the Chief PMG / CHQ on problems arising out of CSI roll out in Odisha Circle

No. P3NFPE – Odisha / 01 – 11 / 2017

Dated at Bhubaneswar the 2nd November, 2017

To

Dr. S K Kamila, IPoS

Chief Postmaster General, Odisha Circle

Bhubaneswar – 751 001

Sub: - Problems arising out of CSI rollout – Case of Odisha Circle

Respected Sir,

Inviting a kind reference to this Union’s letter No. P3NFPE – Odisha / 03 – 10 / 2017, dated 10.10.2017 (wrongly typed as 04.10.2017) sent through eMail on 10.10.2017, this is to intimate that experiencing the concern of our staff members of Cuttack City Division on CSI rollout and realizing the genuine issues confronted by them, this Circle Union conducted a Special Working Committee Meeting on 29.10.2017 here in Bhubaneswar.

We collected several information based on theoretical aspects from our Trainers and S As and real problems practically faced by our staff members now working under CSI environment and thus could be able to summarize the following additional operational issues after CSI rollout apart from Training, Hardware and Connectivity issues which have already been brought to your kind notice.

A list of the issues is attached here with for kind reference. However, these are not exhaustive.

As such, we would like to request you to kindly arrange for definite solution of the issues at an early date and till then, it is requested to kindly defer further rollout of POs to CSI.

Expecting your kind response Sir.

With regards.

Yours faithfully,

Attached : As above

(B SAMAL)

Circle Secretary

Copy to Com. R N Parashar, General Secretary, AIPEU, Group-C, CHQ, Dada Ghosh Bhawan, New Delhi – 110 008. The Training, Hardware and Connectivity issues already raised by Tamilnadu Circle are quite familiar with that of Odisha Circle. Here we have pointed out some operational issues under CSI environment apart from the above issues. The Postal Directorate needs to be appraised of these issues in continuation of CHQ letter No. P/4-5/CSI, dated 28.10.2017. This has a reference to this Circle Union letter No. P3NFPE – Odisha / 15 – 10 / 2017, dated 27.10.2017

List of Problems arising out of CSI Rollout in Odisha Circle

	Current Issues	Brief of the Issues	Suggested Solution
1	Server Slowness	The systems are found to be running very slow than required due to low Bandwidth, absence of antivirus, pirated software, low signal strength etc.	This is to be solved by the Vendor only increasing the present bandwidth, uploading Anti-virus and checking the availability of signal strength if dongle is used and likewise.
2	Non-fetching of PLI / RPLI figures to Treasury	This is said that user mismatch of McCamish and CSI. Even in user-matched cases also, the problem is continuing. There is a provision for temporary solution with regard to legacy adjustments at POS. For, one or two occasions, the legacy adjustment is ok. But the operation of Legacy adjustments regularly for daily PLI / RPLI collections is not correct. This is inconvenient both to the PLI customers as well as to the staff members  and may lead to fraud also. For mismatching of McCamish figures in some Post offices  the figures are not reflected to POS and thus The TCB figures do not match with that of the Daily Account.	Alternate method to legacy adjustment needs to be developed by the Vendor and action may be taken for proper fetching of McCamish figures.
3	Jumping of POS figures	The POS (Point of Sale) figures are Jumping (plus and minus) due to net work issues resulting wrong figures in TCB which is now being solved by using Transaction Code ‘F-02’. Case(i) : If POS balance is taken wrong by system as  double entry or more etc.  This has to be adjusted  using T-Code  F-02.   Document Type :  SK   40 (Debit Entry):  DOP 486710010   50 (Credit Entry) : POS  486710011 Case(ii): If POS balance is less T code: F-02 Doc: type :SK 40 POS   486710011 50 DOP  486710010	The process needs to be simplified to avoid jumping.
4	Invalid license  in POS	Licenses are registered according the number of systems available in an office. But as it is experienced, the POS and  Back Office are not opening giving error message even if licenses are equivalent to the number of systems available. Presently our SAs are solving the above issue using command : C:\ Postal POS_BO run licsvc.bat.	This has to be permanently solved by TCS.

5	Mismatch in Opening/Closing Balance	This is being done temporarily by our SAs as explained in the Remark Column under Para – 3 above	This has to be permanently solved by TCS.
6	Difficulty is registering Bulk-Mailers	The procedure now available in the present software for registration of bulk mailers, pre-paid bulk booking with bulk booking option and allotment of Regn. No. is not familiar to staff.	The software needs to be simplified
7	Acknowledgement Check-up	At the POS Counter, the present software has made Acknowledgement Check-up system mandatory for each and every Regd. letter to be booked which is not all required. This is increasing the transaction time unnecessarily.	It has to be modified with option to undertake wherever necessary to reduce the transaction time for rendering prompt service.
8	Absence of separate branch for each category of article	There is no separate branch for each category of article like Regd, Speed, Parcel etc. Only Batch-1 , Batch-2 etc. are developed by TCS. But in post offices there is a branch for every service / product, viz. Regd, Speed, Parcel. When articles are invoiced in Batch 1, all articles irrespective of category are to be taken in the batch which may create problem at the time of taking Postman returns. .   Due to such single batch invoicing system, a single user working in a particular batch in DPMS may invoice RL,SP, RP coming to all users under same batch for which all items can be printed in  a consolidated manner or can be printed separately for RL, SP, RP etc.  i.e one user data is accessible to other  to take return (or) modify. Illustratively, the user working for Regn. Only can also take the return for Speed Post and Parcels without the knowledge of the user performing Speed Post and Parcel separately which may give wrong message in delivery /return and the respective abstracts will certainly mismatch. Rather than BATCH, USER BASED data access is required. i.e other user cannot access one users entries.  (those who invoice is responsible to take returns also) This is not fit to the present scenario of branches operated by separate users in Post Offices.	Batch Number needs to be identified / created with each particular job, e.g, separately for each category of article for smooth Invoicing and Return.
9	Delivery to Bulk-Mailers	The present software has no provision for delivering to bulk-mailers under DPMS. This provision is highly required since staff members are facing problem while delivering articles to  bulk mailers.	A provision is to be developed in the present software.

10	No provision for  Customs Duty	The present software has no provision for receiving Customs Duty from letter or parcel or from ordinary mail in cash which is required under Treasury like Miscellaneous receipts head. Even if it is received somehow, such amount is not reflected in TCB resulting mismatch of cash amount.	It needs to be created / developed in the software and mismatch of  data flow problem should be rectified
11	Problems for mis-sent and Returned articles	The present procedure available for flow from SAP to POS back office in case of returned and mis-sent articles is inconvenient to staff since the present procedure is compelling to close more bags instead of closing a single bag in DPMS.	The software needs to be modified to the convenience of the staff.
12	Problems in printing the TCB	T-code ‘Zfbl3n’  is not compatible for taking printout of TCB.	The Vendor needs to make the same compatible to ease printing out of TCB.
13	Rebooking of VPMO	There is no provision in the present software for rebooking of VPMO after delivery which confuses the staff members.	A clarification is required if the VPMO rebooking is necessary or the Z-vpmo upload is enough.
14	Cancellation provision for eMO booked / VPMO rebooked	There is no provision for cancellation in the present software except correction of entries.	The software needs to carry a provision in this regard.
15	Submission of Transaction Reports	In the present system, the Transaction Reports for eMOs booking, telephone bills acceptance, eMO paid etc are regularly sent to HO for records and verification along with the Daily Account. Staff members are confused if the same are required to be sent to HO since the transactions are now made online.	A clarification may be circulated in this regard.
16	Provision of UCR	There is no provision for UCR in the present software where as this head is barely necessary for crediting excess cash found in the counter, sale of old records, crediting renewal fees for Registered Newspapers, Pledge / Release fee for Cash Certificates and such other items.	A head may be developed in the present software or suitable clarification may be circulated how to accept such receipts.
17	Provision for UCP	There is no provision for UCP in the present software where as this head is barely necessary for refund of tender fee, EMD, erroneous/excess  receipts from customers etc.	A head may be developed in the present software or suitable clarification may be circulated how to refund such payments.
18	Incorrect SSL	As experienced, the S S L (Staff Scheduling System)  of all the employees are not correctly attached to their offices which is creating problems for smooth management of the office and assigning duties to the available staff especially during leave, deputation, training etc. Raising of tickets to TCS will not at all solve the issues	Correct Staff Scheduling System is required before CSI rollout and the names of all the employees in a Divisions need to be appeared under SSL in SAP

19	Wrong data entry in Employees Portal	Due to wrong data entries of DOB, DOE, DOR, Leave credits, the employees are not in a position to apply for leave through this portal. As experienced up to 80% data under this portal are found with incomplete / wrong entries. Most unfortunately, there is no provision for addition / alteration at Divisional / Circle level. Now it is solely controlled by TCS.	There should be a provision for modification / correction of wrong data in the software and it needs to decentralized to CO / DO level for arriving at instant solution.
20	Power to draw Cheques	Though as per rules, LSG postmasters and above are authorized to draw Cheques, the said provision is not available in the present software.	The vendor should provide such a facility.
21	Complex procedure for Cheque Requisition	More than 30 steps are to be followed for placing requisition of a single Cheque by the SPMs from the HO/GPO. When the number of Cheque Requisition will be more, the entire time of a single/double handed SPM will be spent of placing such requisition.	The procedure needs to be simplified minimizing the steps to be followed for the purpose.
22	Lengthy process for receiving / indenting stamp and cash	The procedure provided in the present software for indenting stamp and cash from HO, remittance of surplus cash to HO etc. is too lengthy and thus consuming more time than actually required.	The procedure needs to be simplified minimizing the steps to be followed for the purpose.
23	Use of unsuitable terminology	Different terminologies used for  different heads of transactions / accounts in the present software do not suit to the postal operation and thus are not understandable.	Simple terminologies which will suit the postal operations need to be substituted in the software.
24	Unacceptable PIN Codes	At Point of Sale, PIN Codes of some offices are not accepted by the present software. Error message is displayed as the sender’s  city name and  PIN code are mismatched and there by not allowing to book the article under PoS .	The error needs to be addressed.
25	Synchronization of data	In CSI environment the synchronization of data is very essential for reflection of data in TCB and daily account. But all most on all the days since CSI rollout in Cuttack City Division, it is experienced that the daily sync and high sync are being failed continuously and hence the POS data and POS cash are not reflected properly in TCB. Sometimes the POS cash appears twice in TCB. Thus, difference in POS cash balance and Daily report or daily account balance has been a regular feature.	The issue needs to be addressed promptly.

26	CTS Cheque clearing & transit adjustment	No training has been imparted to the officials with respect to accounting of for the inward and outward CTS cheque clearings in CSI environment and transit adjustment.	The issue need to be addressed
27	Unusual concept of F & A	The F & A module of SAP is having a total different concept with double entry book keeping method using different T-Codes and posting every transaction in general ledger heads of 10 digit codes which is found to be tedious and time consuming action resulting more transaction time and inviting public resentment.	The process needs to be simplified to consume less time for effecting timely service delivery.
28	Pay Roll Data	At present, the data for payroll and HR particulars are prepared through an excel sheet since there is no exclusive provision in the CSI Software. Any error in preparation will lead to non-drawal of pay and allowances of the official(s).	There should be a provision to fetch payrolldata and HR particulars from Meghdoot package available at each HO/RO/CO/DAP instead of preparation through excel sheet as it is time consuming.

 (B SAMAL)

Circle Secretary

 Source : http://aipeugroupcodisha.blogspot.in/

Rule 38 Transfers under Vijayawada Region : Andhra Pradesh Circle

IMPLEMENTATION OF REVISION OF PENSION OF PRE 01.01.2016 PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS IN PURSUANCE TO DP&PW OM 38/37/2016 –P&PW (A) DATED 12^TH MAY 2017 AND MINISTRY (DEPTT. OF EXPENDITURE) OM NO. 1(13).EV/2017 DATED 23^RD MAY, 2017

Click the link to view

CLARIFICATION ON REVISION OF SERVICE CHARGES TO POPS UNDER NPS (ALL CITIZEN AND CORPORATE MODEL)

Click the link to view

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SEVENTH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION – GRANT OF VARIOUS ALLOWANCES OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.

Click the link to view

MAXIMUM AGE OF JOINING NATIONAL PENSION SYSTEM (NPS) INCREASED FROM THE EXISTING 60 YEARS TO 65 YEARS UNDER NPS- PRIVATE SECTOR

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Finance

01-November-2017 17:08 IST

Maximum age of joining National Pension System (NPS) increased from the existing 60 years to 65 years under NPS- Private Sector. 

In continuance of the several initiatives under taken by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) during the last few years to increase the pension coverage in the country, PFRDA has now increased the maximum age of joining under NPS-Private Sector (i.e. All Citizen and Corporate Model) from the existing 60 years to 65 years of age.

         Now, any Indian Citizen, resident or non-resident, between the age of 60- 65 years, can also join NPS and continue up to the age of 70 years in NPS. With this increase of joining age, the subscribers who are willing to join NPS at the later stage of life will be able to avail the benefits of NPS.

         NPS provides a very robust platform to the subscriber to save for his/her old age income security. Due to the better healthcare facilities and increased fitness, along with the opportunities and avenues available in the private sector as well as in the capacity of self-employment, more and more people in their late 50s or 60s are now living an active life allowing them to be employed productively.

         The subscriber joining NPS beyond the age of 60 years will have the same choice of the Pension Fund as well as the investment choice as is available under the NPS for subscribers joining NPS before the age of 60 years.

         Subscriber joining NPS after the age of 60 years will have an option of normal exit from NPS after completion of 3 years in NPS. In this case, the subscriber will be required to utilize at least 40% of the corpus for purchase of annuity and the remaining amount can be withdrawn in lump-sum.

         In case of such subscriber willing to exit from NPS before completion of 3 years in the NPS, he/she will be allowed to do so, but in such case, the subscriber will have to utilize at-least 80% of the corpus for purchase of annuity and the remaining can be withdrawn in lumpsum.

         In case of unfortunate death of the subscriber during his stay in NPS, the entire corpus will be paid to the nominee of the subscriber.

         The increase in joining age will provide the options to the subscribers who are at the fag-end of the employment and expecting lump-sum amount at the time of retirement, but willing to defer their retirement planning for future, to open the NPS account and contribute the lump-sum corpus to NPS for better fund management by Professional Fund Manager to fetch better returns and plan for the regular income after some time. The Annuity rates available in the older age fetch better annuities than that at the age of 60 or less age.

This initiative will allow a larger segment of the society particularly senior citizens to reap the benefits of NPS and plan for their regular income.

Rule 38 Transfers under Vijayawada Region : Andhra Pradesh Circle