Welcome to the official website of All India Postal Employees Union Group 'C'- अखिल भारतीय डाक कर्मचारी संघ वर्ग 'सी' की आधिकारिक वेबसाइट में आपका स्वागत है

Friday, August 31, 2012


DIRECTORATE OF POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE
Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications &
Information Technology, Government of India
Chanakyapuri Post Office Complex, New Delhi – 110023

No. 25-1/2011-LI                                                                                                         Dated 24.02.2012

To,

All Head of Circles
Addl. Director General (APS)

Sub: -  Clarification in respect of Post Office Life Insurance Rules – 2011

Recently references have received from some Circles raising doubts on following points for clarification thereon. The same have been examined and clarified as under: -

Sl. No.
Doubt Raised
Clarification
1
Whether limit of Rs. 5 lakh prescribed for sanctioned of maturity value of PLI/RPLI by Division Head includes total maturity value payable or sum assured?
The limit of Rs. 5 lakh is for Sum Assured Bonus payable is not included in the aforesaid limit.
2
Whether persons working in Govt. organizations, Nationalized Banks, PSUs etc. on contract basis are eligible for taking policy of PLI?
No. Since their services can be terminated anytime. If their specified requirement is over in that organization.


It is requested to kindly circulate it among all concerned for their information and action accordingly.

This has the approval of Chief General Manager (PLI).


SD/-
(Vipin Malhotra)
Dy. Divisional Manager (PLI)

Now, get driving licence through registered post


Come September 1 and transport department will deliver the driving licenses through registered post, just like passports or other identity documents, instead of giving it directly to the applicants. This has been done to check the rising number of fake driving licenses and the role of touts.

This was among the decisions taken by state transport minister Raja Mahendra Aridaman Singh in a meeting with the officials of the department here on Thursday. The meeting also discussed preparations for the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation ( UPSRTC) will run 4,500 buses in the state for Kumbh pilgrims. Besides, it will keep at least 500 buses in reserve for emergency.

The minister, however, told the officials that running of buses for Mahakumbh should not cause any inconvenience to local passengers.

The corporation could also run private vehicles on contract basis, said the minister. Trained drivers and conductors will be deployed on the Kumbh buses. Transport commissioner Alok Kumar said for the easy movement of devotees during Kumbh, five additional bus stations will be set up in Allahabad. The main mela bus station will be set up at Jhunsi. Acting on the directions of the minister, Kumar has directed the department to tackle the problem of fake driving licenses with an iron hand and cut down the role of touts. He has issued orders to all the officers in the department and RTOs to ensure that documents of DL applicants are thoroughly checked. The officers and employees checking the DL documents will have to write "checked" on every document. Besides, the officers and employees checking the documents will have to put the stamp of their names and designations on the documents.

The officers have also been instructed to take an envelope with a postal stamp from every applicant who applies for learning/permanent or for renewal of DL. The address on the envelope should be same as mentioned on the DL application form.

The officers will also have to ensure that DL is not directly given to the applicants or to any other person but delivered through registered post to the address of the applicant. The department will have to maintain the record of driving licenses. The transport minister also directed for the transfer of employees who have been posted for three years in one section of the department to another section.

Source : The Times of India, Aug 31, 2012

Government proposes performance based initiative to employees


The Government has proposed to give performance-based initiatives to its employees to boost their efficiency and productivity

"Government of India has accepted in principle the recommendation of the Sixth Pay Commission for introduction of a Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) in the form of pecuniary benefit over and above regular salary, based on the targeted performance and performance parameters, out of the Non-Plan budgetary savings, for the Central Government employees," Minister of State for Personnel V Narayanasamy told Lok Sabha in a written reply. 

He said successive pay commissions, starting from Fourth Pay Commission, have recommended rewarding better performance and some form of performance-related reward. 

"Separately, a Performance Related Incentive Scheme has also been recommended for all Central Government employees," he added. 

Source : The Economic Times, August 30, 2012

WELFARE SCHEMES FOR WOMEN
MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT 16-AUGUST, 2012
 
        Many welfare schemes for women are implemented by Government of India, State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The details of major schemes under implementation by Ministry of Women and Child Development for the welfare of women are as under:

i. RAJIV GANDHI NATIONAL CRECHE SCHEME FOR THE CHILDREN OF WORKING MOTHERS (RGNCS) provides day care facilities to the children in the age group 0-6 years from families with monthly income of less than 12000/-. In addition to being a safe space for the children, the crèches provide services such as supplementary nutrition, pre-school education and emergency health care, etc.
ii. CENTRAL SOCIAL WELFARE BOARD: The main women welfare related schemes and programmes being implemented by CSWB are family counselling centres, awareness generation programme and condensed courses of education for women.
iii. NATIONAL MISSION FOR EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN (NMEW) is an initiative of the Government of India for empowering women holistically. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme sanctioned in April 2011 and acts as an umbrella Mission with a mandate to strengthen inter-sectoral convergence.
iv. WORKING WOMEN’S HOSTEL (WWH) Scheme envisages provision of safe and affordable hostel accommodation to working women, single working women, women working at places away from their home-towns and for women being trained for employment.
v. SUPPORT TO TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME (STEP) for Women was launched as a Central Sector Scheme during 1986-87. It aims at making a significant impact on women by upgrading skills for self and wage employment. The target group includes the marginalized assetless rural women and urban poor.
vi. RASHTRIYA MAHILA KOSH (RMK) with a corpus of Rs.100 crore extends micro-finance services to bring about the socio-economic upliftment of poor women.
vii. INDIRA GANDHI MATRITVA SAHYOG YOJANA (IGMSY) is a Conditional Cash Transfer scheme for pregnant and lactating (P&L) women introduced in the October 2010 to contribute to better enabling environment by providing cash incentives for improved health and nutrition to pregnant and nursing mothers.
viii. SWADHAR SCHEME: The Ministry of Women and Child Development had been administering Swadhar scheme since 2001 for Women in difficult circumstances. Under the Scheme, temporary accommodation, maintenance and rehabilitative services are provided to women and girls rendered homeless due to family discord, crime, violence, mental stress, social ostracism. Another scheme with similar objectives/target groups namely Short Stay Home (SSH) is being implemented by Central Social Welfare Board.
ix. UJJAWALA is a comprehensive scheme for prevention of trafficking and rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.
This was stated by Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.

Enhancement of Pension to Workers


A proposal of the Pension Implementation Committee (PIC), a Sub-Committee of the Central Board of Trustees, Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) to enhance the minimum pension under Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 to Rs. 1,000 is under consideration of the Government. 

The Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge gave this information in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Promotion of IPO/IRM/ General Line Official to Postal Service Group 'B'

Revision of medical fee payable to Medical officer for conducting medical examination of PLI/RPLI promotion


Sibal for separating regulatory services functions of DoP


Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal has called for restructuring of 150-year-old Department of Post by separating its regulatory and services functions to meet challenges of technological age.

“The postal department should also restructure itself to meet challenges of 21st century. The Department of Post (DoP) should look into prospect of bifurcating the Ministry from the regulator and the operator, just as was done in the telecom sector,” Sibal told PTI.

He said that the DoP should explore possibility of having different entities namely policy making, regulator and service provider.

“No decision has been taken yet. It is all a matter of debate and dialogue at the moment,” Sibal said.

DoP, which has around 5 lakh employees, is responsible for policy making, regulation and providing postal services, at present.

The over 100-year old Indian Post Office Act bars any individual or entity from delivering letters for commercial purpose. The business of private courier companies is built around delivering documents, parcels and others items which do not fall under the category of ‘letter’.
Sources in the Ministry said that Sibal held a meeting with DoP officials early this week on the issue of finanlisation of the National Postal Policy 2012 and asked them to prepare roadmap for restructuring as well.

They said that next meeting on the issue is expected to take place in 15 days.

They said that the Minister, in June, had asked DoP to set up a body to oversee the unbundling of its functions.

An independent body named Postal Development Board (PDB) will be responsible for the overall development and governance of the postal sector, they added. The PDB will also draw a road-map for unbundling of postal department functions.

The Minister had also instructed DoP to constitute a Postal Advisory Board (PAB), in line with Telecom Commission, which should have representation from Government, industry players, academics and other stakeholders, they said. The role of PAB will be to provide inputs to PDB on policy matters.

The government in 1997 created the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to regulate the sector. Under New Telecom Policy 1999, Government further restructured DoT by separating service providing function from it.
Source :  http://www.thehindubusinessline.com

CLARIFICATION ON THE ADMISSIBILITY OF HOUSE RENT ALLOWANCE (HRA) DURING THE CHILD CARE LEAVE (CCL) – REG


No. 2(9)12012-E.II(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
New Delhi, 27th August 2012

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject-    Clarification on the admissibility of House Rent Allowance (HRA) during the Child Care Leave (CCL) – Reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Para 6(a)(i) of this Ministry’s O.M.No.2(37)-E.II(B)/64 dated 27.11.1965, as amended from time to time, on regulation of House Rent Allowance during Leave which stipulates that a Government servant is entitled to draw HRA…..during total leave of all kinds not exceeding 180 days and the first 180 days of the leave if the actual duration of leave exceeds that period, but does not  include terminal leave, ….. It has also been stipulated, there under, that drawal of the allowance (HRA) during the period of leave in excess of first 180 day availed of on grounds other than medical grounds mentioned in sub-para (ii), shall be subject to furnishing of the certificate prescribed in Para 8(d) of the O.M. ibid.

2. This Ministry has been receiving representations from the female employees that certain Central Government Ministries / Department / Establishments are not allowing HRA during the Child Care Leave (CCL), especially when taken in continuation of Maternity Leave of 180 days. The reason for their reluctance may be the fact that CCL has been first introduced on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission, though the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), vide their O.M .No 13018/1/2010-Estt.(Leave) dated 07.09.2010 inter-alia, reiterated that the leave (CCL) is to be treated like Earned Leave and sanctioned as such.

3. It is, therefore, clarified that the ‘total leave of all kinds’ as referred to in Para 6(a) of this Ministry’s OM dated 27.1.65 ibid, will include Child Care Leave for regulating grant of HRA during leave, subject to fulfilment of all other conditions stipulated there under, from time to time. It is also clarified that drawal of HRA during leave (including CCL) in excess of first 180 days, if otherwise admissible, shall be subject to furnishing of the certificate prescribed in Para 8(d).

4. These orders take effect from 01.09.2008. HRA during CCL, if not paid to women employees who are entitled to it as per this clarification, may be reconsidered, if so requested by the concerned employee.

5. Hindi version is also attached.

sd/-
(Anil Sharma)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

RESERVATION FOR SC/ST EMPLOYEES IN PROMOTIONS – GOVERNMENT POSTPONED THE AMENDMENT BILL WHICH WAS TO BE TABLED ON 22ND AUGUST 2012


In view of Supreme Court’s decision against following reservation policy for Promotion in employment, Government is cautious now and postponed its plan to bring an amendment bill to provide Constitutional Validity to Reservation in Promotions for SC and ST Employees.

An All party meeting was conducted by Prime Minister Shri.Manmohan Singh in this connection. Prime Minister said in the meeting that the Government is in favour of allowing reservation for Promotion and that Government would review the bill again for examining the legal aspects before bringing theamendment bill again.
The leaders of other parties have also adviced that before this bill is tabled it has to be examined properly so that the enacted bill is legally valid in all aspects.

Earlier, in the month of April 2012, Apex Court had decided against the Uttar Pradesh Government’s order to follow reservation policy for SC and ST employees in Government posts.

Source: Zee News
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) ON MODIFIED ASSURED CAREER PROGRESSION SCHEME (MACPS)
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment D Section

Doubts
Clarification
Whether the benefits of ACPS would be allowed in respect of isolated cases due between 01.01.2006 and 31.08.2008 where the pre-revised pay scales of Rs.5000-8000 & Rs.5500-9000 and Rs.6500-10500 & Rs.7450-11500 have been merged into single grade pay of Rs.4200 and Rs.4600 respectively w.e.f. 01.01.2006?
Yes. Since the pre-revised Rs.5000-8000 & Rs.5500-9000 and Rs.6500-10500 & Rs.7450-11500 (isolated cases) have been merged into single grade pay of Rs.4200 and Rs.4600 respectively w.e.f. 01.01.2006, the benefits of 1st and 2nd financial upgradations under the ACPS should be considered/allowed in the grade pays of Rs.4600 and Rs.4800 in PB-2, as the case may be, due between 01.01.2006 and 31.08.2008 in respect of isolated cases in terms of para 5 of Annexure-I of MACPS dated 19.05.2009.
In a hypothetical situation cadre hierarchy was as follows:
Rs.5000-8000 (revised GP 4200)
Rs.5500-9000 (revised GP 4200)
Rs.6500-10500 (revised GP 4600)
Rs.7450-11500 (revised GP 4600)
Rs.10000-15200 (revised GP 6600)
(i) What would be the 1 st financial upgradation under the ACPS for a Government employee recruited in pre-revised pay scale of Rs.5000- 8000, who has completed his 12 years of regular service on 12.04.2007 (between 1.1.2006 and 31.8.2008);(ii) What would be 2nd financial upgradation for employee recruited in 5000-8000, who has completed 24 years of regular service on 12.04.2007 (between 1.1.2006 and 31.8.2008)
In terms of clarification given on point of doubt no.3 issued vide DOPT’s O.M. No.35034/3/2008-Estt.(D) dated 9.9.2010, the benefits of ACPS would be applicable in the new pay structure adopted w.e.f. 1.1.2006 in the promotional hierarchy.
(i): Since the pre-revised pay scales Rs.5000-8000 & Rs.5500-9000 have been merged and placed in PB-2 with grade pay of Rs.4200, 1st financial upgradation would be allowed in the grade pays of Rs.4600, subject to fulfillment of promotional norms as stipulated in condition no.6 of Annexure-I ACPS dated 9.8.1999, in terms of clarification given on point of doubt no.1 of ACPS dated 10.02.2000.Since the pre-revised pay scales Rs.6500- 10500 & Rs.7450-11500 have been merged and placed in PB-2 with grade pay of Rs.4600, 2nd financial upgradation would be allowed in the grade pay of Rs.6600, subject to fulfillment of promotional norms (after framing of RRs post merger) as stipulated in condition no.6 of Annexure-I ACPS dated 9.8.1999, in terms of clarification given on point of doubt no.1 of ACPS dated 10.02.2000.
(iii) If a Government servant recruited in the pre-revisedpay scale of Rs.5000-8000 has been promoted in the promotional hierarchy in the pre- revised pay scale of Rs.5500-9000 prior to 1.1.2006 (and he has put in 14 years of regular service)then would there be any claim for financial upgradation under ACPS.
(iii): The pre-revised pay scales Rs.5000-8000 & Rs.5500-9000 have been merged and placed in PB-2 with grade pays of Rs.4200 w.e.f. 1.1.2006. Hence, the promotion would be ignored as he has completed his 12 years of regular service and the benefit of 1 st ACP would accordingly be allowed in the promotional hierarchy i.e. in the grade pay of Rs.4600 w.e.f. 01.01.2006.
(iv) If the above Government servant had put in 22 years as on 31.08.2008, then what would be the entitlement in MACP.
(iv): As given above, the 1 st ACP would be in PB-2 grade pay of Rs.4600 after ignoring the previous promotion. Thereafter, since employee has completed more than 20 years of regular service on 01.09.2008, he would be entitled for 2nd financial upgradation under the MACPS in the immediate next higher grade pay of Rs.4800 in PB-2 subject to fulfillment of condition as stipulated in para 17 of Annexure-I of MACPS dated 19.05.2009.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

DOPT PUBLISHED SOME IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS AND STANDING ORDERS THROUGH AN ORDER REGARDING MACP SCHEME AS FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ON MODIFIED ASSURED CAREER PROGRESSION SCHEME

1. What is Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS)?
The MACP Scheme for Central Civilian Government Employees is in supersession of earlier ACP Scheme. Under the MACP Scheme three financial Up-gradations are allowed on completion of 10,20,30 years of regular service, counted from the direct entry grade. The MACPS envisages merely placement in the immediate next higher grade pay as given in Section I, Part-A of the first schedule of the CCS (Revised Pay) Rules 2008, in case no promotion has been earned by the employee during this period.
2. From which date the MACPS is effective?
The MACPS is effective w.e.f. 01.09.2008 or on completion of 10, 20 & 30 years of continuous regular service, whichever is later. Financial upgradation will also be admissible whenever a person has spent 10 years continuously in the same grade pay. (Para 9 of OM dated 19/5/2009)
3. Who are entitled for financial under the MACPS?
The MACPS is applicable to all Central Government Civilian Employees.
4. What norms are required to be fulfilled while granting the benefits under MACPS?
The financial upgradation would be on non-functional basis subject to fitness in the hierarchy of pay band and grade pay within PB- 1. Thereafter, only the benchmark of ‘Good’ would be applicable till the grade pay of Rs.6600 In PB-3. The benchmark will be ‘Very Good’ for Financial upgradation to the grade pay of Rs.7600 and above. However, where the Financial upgradation under the MACPS also happen to be in the promotional grade and benchmark for promotion is lower than the benchmark for granting the benefits under MACPS as mentioned in para 17 of the Scheme, the benchmark for promotion shall apply to MACP also.
O.M.N0.5034/3/2008-Estt(D) dated 01/11/2010
5. Whether Pay Band would be changed at the time of grant of financial upgradation under MACPS?
Yes. OM.N0.35034/3/2008-Estt.(D) dated 09/09/2010
6. Whether the promotions in same grade would be counted for the purpose of MACPS?
The financial up-gradation under the MACPS is in the immediate next higher grade pay in the hierarchy of recommended revised pay bands and grade pay as given in CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008. However if the promotional hierarchy as per recruitment rules is such that promotions are earned in the same grade pay, then the same shall be counted for the purpose of MACPS.

7. How will the benefits of ACP be granted if due between 01 .01.2006 and 31.08.2008?
The revised pay structure has been changed w.e.f. 01.01.2006 and the benefits of ACPS have been allowed till 31.08.2008. Hence, the benefits of revised pay structure would be allowed for the purpose of ACPS.
(OM No.35034/3/2008-Estt. dated 9.9.2010)
8. Whether adhoc appointment would be counted towards qualifying service for MACPS?
No. Only continuous regular service is counted towards qualifying service for the purpose of MACPS. The regular service shall commence from the date of joining of a post in direct entry grade on a regular basis. (Para 9 of the MACPS)



9. Whether State Government service shall be reckoned for the purpose of MACPS?
No. Only regular service rendered in the Central Government’s Department/Office is to be counted for the purpose of MACPS, as the Scheme is applicable to the Central Government Civilian Employees only. ( MACPS , Para 10)
10. What are the periods included in the regular service?
All period spent on deputation/foreign service, study leave and all other kind of leave, duly sanctioned by the competent authority shall be included in the regular service. (Para 11. MACPS)
11. How is the MACPS to be extended to the employees of Autonomous and Statutory Bodies?
Procedure prescribed in OM No.35034/3/2010- Estt(D),Dated 03/08/2010 would be followed by the administrative Ministries/Departments concerned for extension of the MACPS to the employees of Autonomous and Statutory Bodies under their control.
12. Whether the cases of grant of financial upgradation allowed under the ACPS between 01.09.2008 and 19.05.2009, the date of issue of the Scheme are be reviewed?
Yes. Since the benefits of ACPS have been discontinued w.e.f. 01.09.2008, the cases settled between 01.09.2008 and 19.05.2009, in terms of previous ACP Scheme shall be reviewed.
13. Whether the past continuous regular service in another Govt. Deptt. in a post carrying same grade pay prior to regular appointment in a new Deptt. without a break shall be counted towards qualifying regular service for the purpose of MACPS?
Yes. ( Para 9, MACPS)
14. Upto what grade pay the benefits under the / MACPS is allowed?
The benefits of MACPS are being up-to HAG scale of Rs. 67000 – 79000/- (DOPT’s O.M.No.35034/3/2008-Estt.(D) dated 24.12.2010)
15. How the cases of pre-revised pay scales (Rs.5000-8000 & Rs.5500-9000 and Rs.6500-10500 & Rs.7450-11500) merged w.e.f. 01.01.2006 are to be decided under MACPS?
The cases would be regulated in accordance with para 5 of Annexure-I of MACPS. The Ministries/Departments are expected to re-organise cadres and frame common RRs for the post in merged scales.
16. Whether ‘Non-functional Scale’ of Rs.8000-13500 (revised to grade pay of Rs.5400 in PB-3) would be viewed as one financial upgradation for the purpose of MACPS?
Yes, in terms of para 8.1 of Annexure-I 01 MACPS dated 19.05.2009.
17. Whether time bound promotion’ scheme including ‘in-situ promotion’ scheme can run concurrently with MACPS?
No. ( Para 13 of MACPS)
18. Whether Staff Car Drive Scheme can run concurrently with MACPS?
DOPT vide O.M.No.35011/03/2008-Estt.(D),30/07/2010 has extended the benefits of MACPS to Staff Car Drivers as a fall back option
19. Whether the placement of erstwhile Gr. D employees as Staff Car Driver, ordinary grade would count as a promotion?
No. The model RRs for Staff Car Drivers provide deputation/absorption as a method of appointment for erstwhile Gr. D employees . The placement as staff Car Driver is not in the hierarchy hence the same would not be counted as promotion under MACPS. The regular service for the MACPS would be from the date of appointment as Staff Car Driver.
20. Whether designation classification or higher status would change on account of financial upgradation under MACPS?
There shall be no change in the designation classification or higher status on grant of financial upgradation under MACPS, as the upgradation under the Scheme is purely personal and merely placement in the nexl higher grade pay. (Para 16 of Annexure-l of MACPS refers)

21. If a financial upgradation under the MACPS is deferred due to the reason of the employees being ‘unfit’ or due to departmental proceedings, etc, whether this would have consequential effect on the subsequent financial upgradation?
Yes, this would have consequential effect on the subsequent financial upgradation, which would also get deferred to the extent of delay in grant of financial upgradation. ( MACPS, Para 15)
22. Whether the stepping up of pay would be admissible if a junior is getting more pay than the senior on account of grant of financial upgradation under MACPS?
No stepping up of pay in the band or grade pay would be admissible with regard to junior getting more pay than the senior on account of pay fixation under MACPS. Para 10 of OM dated 19/5/2009

23. Whether the regular service rendered by an employee if declared surplus in his/her organisation and appointed in the same grade pay or lower grade pay shall be counted towards the regular service in a new organization for the purpose of MACPS?
Yes. (refer para 23 of Annexure-l of MACPS)
24. In case of transfer including unilateral transfer own request, whether regular service rendered in previous organisation/office shall be counted alongwith the regular service in the new organization for the purpose of MACPS?
Yes. OM No.35034/3/2008-Estt(D) dated 01/11/2010
25. If a regular promotion has been offered but was refused by the employees before becoming entitled to a financial upgradation under the MACPS, whether financial upgradation shall be allowed to such a Government servant?
If a regular promotion has been offered but was refused by the Government employee before becoming entitled to a financial upgradation, no financial upgradation shall be allowed and as such an employee has not been stagnated due to lack of opportunities. If, however, financial upgradation has been allowed due to stagnation and the employees subsequently refuse the promotion, it shall not be a ground to withdraw the financial upgradation. He shall, however, not be eligible to be considered for further financial upgradation till he agrees to be considered for promotion again and the next financial upgradation shall also be deferred to the extent of period of debarment due to the refusal. (Para 25 of MACPS)

Source: www.persmin.nic.in

GOVERNMENT HAS UNDERTAKEN SEVERAL STEPS TO IMPROVE THE FUNCTIONING OF CGHS-MINISTER REPLIED IN LOK SABHA

Health & Family Welfare Minister Shri. Ghulam Nabi Azad replied in Lok Sabha on 17.8.2012 to the question of 'what action taken by the Government, whether complaints have been received about the dissatisfaction of a large number of Central Government Employees with the services provided by the Government under the Central Government Health Scheme'.

PERFORMANCE OF CGHS
        While CGHS endeavors to provide best possible health care facilities to the large number of beneficiaries consulting / visiting CGHS Wellness Centres (approx. 1.2 Crore during the last one year), some complaints are received about unsatisfactory services. 

        The dissatisfaction relates to shortage of doctors and other manpower resulting in waiting period before consulting doctors, issue of medicines, delay in settlement of medical claims of pensioners, issue of medicines of specific brand, reimbursement at CGHS rates for the treatment taken from unrecognized hospitals, overcharging by empanelled hospitals, opening of new dispensaries, etc. 

        Government has been receiving increased budgetary support over the last few years to take care of CGHS beneficiaries. 

        Government has undertaken several steps to improve the functioning of CGHS. These include: 
·         Computerization to improve better inventory management and availability of medicines at CGHS Wellness Centres. Based on computer data, 272 commonly indented medicines are procured from manufacturers at discounted rates and make them available at Wellness Centres. 
·         Portability of CGHS cards at any dispensary all over the country. 
·         Issue of medicines for three months in cases of chronic illnesses. 
·         Appointment of Medical officers on contract basis as an interim measure to tide over shortage of doctors. 
·         Receipt of medical claims of pensioners at Dispensary level and proper verification of documents by CMO i/c to ensure that all required documents are submitted. 
·         Enhancement of financial powers of Addl. Directors upto Rs.5 Lakhs for speedy settlement of medical claims of pensioners. 
·         Regular meetings undertaken by Addl. Directors with CMOs i/c to ensure smooth functioning of Wellness Centres for better delivery of services. 
·         Reimbursement from two sources – i.e., from CGHS as well as medical insurance in respect of beneficiaries holding mediclaim policies. 
·         Formation of Standing Technical Committees for examination of requests for full reimbursement. 
·         Settlement of hospital bills of empanelled hospitals and diagnostic centres through UTI-ITSL for early settlement of claims to ensure that the empanelled hospitals provide credit facility to pensioners , etc., 
Pensioner CGHS beneficiaries residing in non-CGHS areas are permitted to avail IPD and follow up treatment from CS (MA)/ ECHS empanelled hospitals with prior permission from CGHS. 

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

HAPPY ONAM


Monday, August 27, 2012

COMPUTERS AND INTERNET FACILITIES IN POST OFFICES

As on date, 24,969 Departmental Post Offices have been computerised. Out of 24,969 computerised Departmental Post Offices 22,177 Post offices are having internet connectivity.

In Rajasthan Circle, 1320 Departmental Post Offices have been computerized and out of these 1320 computerized Post offices 1299 have internet facility.

The Government has approved IT Modernization Project of Department of Posts. It involves computerization and networking of all Post Offices through network integrator of the project including Branch Post Offices in the rural area. The roll out of the Project is expected in the year 2013-14 subject to finalization of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Rural Hardware, timely implementation of the project and availability of funds.

This was stated by Shri Sachin Pilot, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in response to a written question in Rajya Sabha today.
(PIB 24 Aug-2012)

CORRUPTION CASES AGAINST TOP OFFICIALS


As per the information provided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), it has registered 97 cases [71 Regular Cases (RCs) and 26 Preliminary Enquiries (PEs)] involving 129 officers of the rank of Joint Secretary and above during the last 3 years i.e. 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012 (upto 31.7.2012). 15 officers are involved in more than one case.

As on 31.07.2012, out of the aforesaid 71 RCs, Charge sheets have been filed in 30 cases against 31 officers of the rank of Joint Secretary and above.

As on 31.7.2012 sanctions for prosecution are pending in 14 CBI cases with respective Central Ministries/Departments against 14 officers of the rank of Joint Secretary & above. 02 officers are common in 02 cases each.

Further, permission under section 6A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, for conducting enquiry/investigation, are pending in respect of 23 officers of the rank of Joint Secretary and above.

The Supreme Court of India, vide its judgment dated 18th December, 1997 in the case of Vineet Narain Vs. Union of India, directed that “time limit of three months for grant of sanction for prosecution must be strictly adhered to. However, additional time of one month may be allowed where consultation is required with the Attorney General (AG) or any Law Officer in the AG’s office”.

It is sometime not possible to adhere to this time-limit. The delay which occurs in the sanctioning of prosecution is mostly on account of detailed scrutiny and analysis of voluminous case records and evidence, consultation with Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), State Governments and other agencies, and sometimes non-availability of relevant documentary evidence.

However, in order to check delays in grant of sanction for prosecution, the Department of Personnel & Training has issued guidelines vide its OM No.399/33/2006-AVD-III dated 6th November, 2006 followed by another OM dated 20th December, 2006, providing for a definite time frame at each stage for handling of requests from CBI for prosecution of public servants.

The Group of Ministers on tackling corruption, in its First Report, had also given certain recommendations for speedy disposal of sanction of prosecution cases, which included-taking decision on such cases within 3 months; monitoring of such cases at the level of Secretary of the Ministry/ Department and submission of report to the Cabinet Secretary; and in cases of refusal to accord sanction, submission of a report to the next higher authority within 7 days for information (where competent authority is Minister such report is to be submitted to the Prime Minister). The said recommendation of the GoM has been accepted by Government and instructions have been issued by the Government on 03.05.2012.

As regards permission under section 6A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, the Group of Ministers on tackling corruption in its First Report has recommended that the competent authority shall decide the matter within three months with speaking orders and in the event a decision is taken to refuse permission the reasons thereof shall be submitted to the next higher authority within one week for information (where competent authority is Minister, such report is to be submitted to the Prime Minister). This recommendation was accepted by the Government and instructions issued on 26.09.2011.

This was stated by Shri V. Narayanasamy, Minister of State of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension and Prime Minister Office in written reply to a question by Sh. Shadi Lal Batra in the Rajya Sabha today.
Source: PIB, August 23, 2012

Waiting for the postman to ring twice

The Department of Posts is hard at work on a turnaround plan. But is the pace and mode of change enough? Will it succeed anytime soon in re-engineering services to become competitive and increase revenues?

THRUST ON TURNAROUND
 The main post office in Mysore, renovated under Project Arrow. The government is adopting multiple strategies to revive the Department of Posts

India has the largest postal network in the world. However, in recent years, growing access to inexpensive telephone systems, and options such as e-mail, have reduced popular dependence on the system — and sent the Department of Posts into the red.

Total volumes, both domestic and international, of letters in physical form and parcels, have grown manifold. But much of it has gone to private operators. The DoP’s market share has fallen significantly.

Ranging from exploiting the vast potential of the post office network in rural areas to using information technology and changing the service and product profile, many measures have been adopted to make a turnaround and to bring it out of the red. Indeed, the results have started showing: in the last fiscal, the DoP recorded the sharpest fall in losses in the last decade. Its revenue surged by 13.62 per cent to Rs. 7,910.51 crore, while the expenditure stood at Rs. 13,705.4 crore. Still, the deficit was Rs. 5,794.89 crore.

The government is seeking to achieve the turnaround through a multi-pronged approach. The seven-fold growth in the number of post offices from 23,344 at the time of Independence to 1,54,866 (as on March 31, 2011) is proving to be an asset.

Most of these post offices, 1,39,040 of them (89.78 per cent), are in rural areas, with the remaining 15,826 in urban areas. The network is being used to increase the reach of various social and financial schemes.

The expansion, especially in rural areas, has also been brought about by opening part-time extra-departmental post offices. Post offices now offer mail, retailing, savings bank, life insurance and remittance services, in addition to delivery of social security benefits such as pensions and wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. As many as 5.59 crore MGNREGS accounts were opened in post offices, and wages amounting to Rs. 7,860 crore was disbursed to beneficiaries during 2011-12 through 98,491 post offices.

On an average, a post office in India serves an area of 21.23 sq km, and a population of 7,814 people. The 5.6 lakh-strong workforce enjoys a special bond with the masses, especially in the interiors.

Financial models are being altered to lower operational costs. In urban areas, franchisee outlets are being opened where it is not possible to open a regular post office.

The DoP launched Project Arrow “to achieve a big increase in both customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction with India Post.” The project seeks to cover 2,500 post offices by March 2012 and 7,500 post offices during the 12th Plan period. It envisages a pan-India network that is flexible enough to support future applications that will ensure greater accountability and productivity through the use of technology and improve working conditions.

The Mail Lighthouse Project was the second major initiative to be undertaken. It seeks to optimise the mail network. The three-year programme was launched in 2010 to optimise the postal network from collection to delivery; standardise processes with focus on significant quality improvement and reduction in network complexity; and to establish a performance culture using key performance indicators and regular reviews. It also aimed to modernise “the look and feel’’ of the postal services and infrastructure.

To streamline its bread-and-butter area of mail operations and improve the quality of mail-related services, the Mail Network Optimisation Project was initiated in March 2010. This involves the standardisation of processes and development of a performance monitoring system.

The operational network for Speed Post and other categories of mail has been restructured.

The DoP intends to computerise all departmental post offices, mail offices, administrative and other offices and establishments, under its Information Technology Modernisation Programme. This also envisages provision of connectivity through Rural ICT solutions to enable electronic networking of nearly 1,29,500 extra-departmental branch post offices.

With 99.26 per cent of the 25,154 departmental post offices having been computerised by March 31, 2012, the DoP is looking to capitalise on this by making post offices the focal point of delivery of social security schemes.

Its revenue share falling in the core area of mail distribution due to the proliferation of courier companies that took away a large part of the business, and the arrival of cheaper and faster communication options of phones and e-mails that have reduced dependence on paper-based communication, the DoP has also taken to the use of technology to face the challenges.

Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal wants the DoP to address the twin challenges of technological modernisation and diversification. He also observed that while GIS mapping, tracking of mails, automation of sorting services and standardisation of parcels is being worked upon, there is a need to re-engineer the postal service to keep it competitive and increase its sources of revenues. The DoP is using technology to reach out to people, Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Information and Communications, asserts.

The DoP’s road map for the 12th Plan period indicates that the transformation process for making India Post a pivotal player in the area of communications, logistic and governance has started. But the challenge is to make the best of the enviable network of post offices that has been built up and utilise the personnel who know their turf well and who often have a special bond with the people they serve.

But it is bound to be a long haul, and the challenges before the government are quite steep. 
Source : The Hindu, August 26, 2012