Saturday 29 August 2020

Periodic Review of Central Government Employees for strengthening of administration under Fundamental Rule (FR) 56 (J) / (l) and Rule 48 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972

Click Here to view the complete Office Memorandum of DoPT (10 Pages)

MHA issues new Guidelines - Unlock 4 opens up more activities outside Containment Zones


 
Ministry of Home Affairs

MHA issues new Guidelines
Unlock 4 opens up more activities outside Containment Zones

Strict enforcement of lockdown in Containment Zones till 30th September 2020

Posted On: 29 AUG 2020 8:05PM by PIB Delhi 
 
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new guidelines today for opening up of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones. In Unlock 4, which will come into effect from September 1, 2020, the process of phased re-opening of activities has been extended further. The new guidelines, issued today, are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments. 
Salient features of the new guidelines
  • Metro rail will be allowed to operate with effect from 7th September 2020 in a graded manner, by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA)/ Ministry of Railways (MOR), in consultation with MHA. In this regard, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by MOHUA.
  • Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions and other congregations will be permitted with a ceiling of 100 persons, with effect from 21st September 2020. However, such limited gatherings can be held with mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer.
  • Open air theatres will be permitted to open with effect from 21st September 2020.
  • After extensive consultation with States and UTs, it has been decided that Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed for students and regular class activity up to 30th September 2020. Online/distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged. However, following will be permitted, in areas outside the Containment Zones only, with effect from 21st September 2020 for which, SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW):
    1. States/ UTs may permit upto 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching/ tele- counselling and related work.
    2. Students of classes 9 to 12 may be permitted to visit their schools, in areas outside the Containment Zones only, on voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers. This will be subject to written consent of their parents/ guardians.
    3. Skill or Entrepreneurship training will be permitted in National Skill Training Institutes, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Short term training centres registered with National Skill Development Corporation or State Skill Development Missions or other Ministries of Government of India or State Governments.
National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) and their training providers will also be permitted.
  • Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D.) and post-graduate students of technical and professional programmes requiring laboratory/ experimental works. These will be permitted by the Department of Higher Education (DHE) in consultation with MHA, based on the assessment of the situation, and keeping in view incidence of COVID-19 in the States/ UTs.
  • All activities, except the following, shall be permitted outside containment zones: 
  1. Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres (excluding open air theatre) and similar places.
  2. International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.
  • Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 30th September, 2020.
  • Containment Zones shall be demarcated by the District authorities at micro level after taking into consideration the guidelines of MoHFW with the objective of effectively breaking the chain of transmission. Strict containment measures will be enforced in these containment zones and only essential activities will be allowed.
  • Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed. 
  • These Containment Zones will be notified on the websites of the respective District Collectors and by the States/ UTs and information will also be shared with MOHFW.
States not to impose any local lockdown outside Containment Zones
State/ UT Governments shall not impose any local lockdown (State/ District/ sub-division/City/ village level), outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government.

No restriction on Inter-State and intra-State movement
  • There shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements.
National Directives for COVID-19 management
  • National Directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, with a view to ensure social distancing.  Shops will need to maintain adequate physical distancing among customers. MHA will monitor the effective implementation of National Directives.
Protection for vulnerable persons
  • Vulnerable persons, i.e., persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, are advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.
Use of Aarogya Setu
  • The use of Aarogya Setu mobile application will continue to be encouraged.


*****

Closure of Departmental Canteens to contain spread of COVID-19


Review of Model Constitution and Rule and Regulations for the Central Govt. Employees Residents Welfare Association - regarding


Click Here to view the complete order.

TIME BOUND GRANT OF SPECIAL INCENTIVES TO OUTSTANDING SPORTS PERSONS IN DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

File No.20-13/2020-WL&Sports 
Government of India 
Ministry of Communications 
Department of Posts (Welfare & Sports Section) 

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg 
New Delhi-110001 
Dated 24 .08.2020 
To 

All Heads of Postal Circles 

Sub: Time bound grant of special incentives to outstanding sports persons- reg 
This is regarding time bound grant of below mentioned special incentives to outstanding sports persons/officials: 

a. Increment (Personal Pay): Reference is invited to DOPT letter No l4034 01/2013-Estt (D) dated 3rd Oct 2013, Para B (I). The grant of increment may be done at the earliest; suitably within same financial year. 

b. Out of Turn Promotion: Reference is invited to DOPT letter No 14034/01/2013- Estt (D) dated 3. Oct 2013, Para C. Wherein, it has been stated that: -The entitlement of a sportsperson for out of turn promotion may be processed within a period of three months from the date of occurrence of event which entitles him/her for out of turn promotion. It will be responsibility of the concerned administrative Ministry/Department to consider a sportsperson for out of turn promotion within the prescribed time limit". Accordingly, such cases may be processed within 3 months as per guidelines. 

c. Cash Awards: Reference is invited to this office letter no. 8-01/2014- WI&Sports dated 20.06.2017 (read with letter 11-8/87-WL&Sp dated 18.05.1993). In this regard, since sports fund is allotted annually and audit for the same is conducted at end of financial year, it is best suited that all necessary claims of cash awards may be settled within the same financial year. It would also help this office to make budget estimates for next year. 

2. This issues with approval of competent authority. 

(Daisy Barba)
 Director (W&S

S B Order No. 31 / 2020 : Amendment of Rule 60 of POSB (CBS) Manual and Rule 87 of POSB Manual Volume I and deletion of Rule 165 of POSB (CBS) Manual and Rule 50 of POSB Manual Volume I regarding payment of the amount if National (Small) Savings Schemes accounts / certificates (all schemes) in the name of deceased depositor.



Click Here to view the complete order along with amended Rule 60 of POSB (CBS) Manual  and Rule 87 of POSB Manual Volume - I (20 Pages)

S B Order No. 30 / 2020 : Regarding clarification on issuance of duplicate certificates (KVP / NSC)



Setting up of National Recruitment Agency (NRA) to conduct Common Eligibility Test for subordinate posts




Thursday 27 August 2020

UPU’s eCom API provides a cutting-edge IT solution to facilitate e-commerce

The UPU’s Doha Postal Strategy (2013-2016) and Istanbul Postal Strategy (2017-2020) have mandated the UPU to support the development of global e-commerce through its postal network.

The UPU encourages its member countries to participate in its different projects enhancing their driving role in inclusive e-commerce.

With this in mind, the Postal Technology Centre (PTC), the UPU’s cutting-edge technical arm, has been offering innovative Cloud services, as well as a large choice of logistics and payment-related solutions, to Posts. Examples include the International Postal System (IPS), the Customs Declaration System (CDS), the Domestic Postal System (DPS), and the International Financial System (IFS). In order to provide postal operators with easier access to this software and more flexible integration options, the PTC has created the eCom API, a package of application programming interfaces (APIs) that serves to build a comprehensive e-commerce solution.
 
How it works

 
“The eCom API can be helpful anywhere there is potential for e-commerce cooperation between two countries, involving their Posts and a merchant platform located in the country of origin,” says David Avsec, UPU’s Account Relations and Product Management Coordinator.

The solution ensures standard interfaces for the Posts’ and their commercial partners’ merchant virtual market places (VMPs) to automate order, payment, shipment, customs clearance, and delivery processes.

Currently a proof of concept, this solution offers a full online purchase and delivery scenario through the Post.

“Assuming a merchant platform or the Post can calculate all costs related to a postal item, such as its value, shipment, import duties, and handling, we can activate the corresponding payment with the eCom API,” explains Avsec.

“Therefore, the eCom API represents a ‘plumbing’ mechanism to link a VMP, powered by the Post or an e-commerce company, and the logistics and financial services offered by the Post.”
 
Advantages
 
The primary advantage of the eCom API is the easy technical integration between the IT systems of the Post, its e-commerce partner company, and the relevant UPU IT product. The solution provides for reduced deployment costs of these systems, harmonized compliance with the UPU’s regulatory and security requirements, and safe access to the UPU’s IT tools.

Moreover, its minimum set of APIs supports all business operations required for successful online purchases through a virtual marketplace, as well as delivery to the customer. The eCom API provides accurate, real-time information about the quality of service of a postal item. Its numerous functions also include track and trace.

Finally, with the help of the eCom API, the Post can quickly enrich its services portfolio for its customers.
 
Technical principles
 
With the eCom API, Posts can choose to integrate their e-commerce solutions based on a Software as a Service (SaaS) model. In this case, Posts do not purchase and install the solutions locally. They simply subscribe to the UPU’s software powering the API, which the UPU hosts on its postal Cloud.

Posts can also host the solutions themselves. For example, if the operator decides to host IPS locally, then it would also need to host the eCom API using IPS in the background.

It is also possible to mix both integration models, offering total flexibility to Posts. Moreover, the operators can always extend the existing functions of their eCom API by adding new services and data sources to it.

The eCom API follows the same deployment process as any other UPU product developed by the PTC. The UPU offers its rich expertise to its member countries and their external partners, helping them successfully connect their platforms to the eCom API and providing consultation on any issues.

“Further development of the eCom API is of the utmost importance for the PTC. Our primary goal is to continue enriching its current functions,” says Avsec.

“In the future, we would like the eCom API to encapsulate third party services to complement a varied spectrum of capabilities the UPU offers through its software. Therefore, whenever there is an opportunity to speak about this innovative solution, at forums or workgroup meetings, we try to engage everyone to test it and thus to contribute to its future advancement,” he adds.
 
Success story
 
The first and the most advanced user of the eCom API is Tunisia’s La Poste Tunisienne. Tunisia was the first country to come on board Ecom@Africa, the UPU’s initiative to facilitate the enhancement of e-commerce through African Posts and help them revive their business as they face declining letter-mail volumes and traditional postal services.

“Barriers to e-commerce in Africa are many and varied. We need one platform that can address all the challenges comprehensively. Ecom@Africa powered by the Post is the solution,” said UPU Director General Bishar A. Hussein at the Fifth Extraordinary Session of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) in Antananarivo, Madagascar, in July 2018.

In March 2017, Tunisia organized an Ecom@Africa onsite assessment, followed by signing a cooperation agreement with the UPU in July. The UPU has recommended that Tunisia Post install the Customs Declaration System and upgrade its IT tools. For this purpose, the operator is deploying the eCom API, thus giving local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises easier access to international markets through the Post.

Regarding approval for termination of wrongly migrated policies


Duties and Responsibilities of Members Postal Services Board in the Department of Posts



Gazette Notification No. CG-DL-E-25082020-221339 in r/o amendment of Rule (POLI) 55, 55.1, 55.2, 58(1) & 59(2) in consequence of changes in approver limit level

Click Here to view the complete Notification (7 Pages)

NFPE opposes unilateral merger of PSDs / CSDs


Rationalization / Merger of PSDs / CSDs





Friday 21 August 2020

Happy Shree Ganesh Chaturthi


Revision of approver limits of proposals & settlement of claims in respect of PLI / RPLI



ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରାୟତ ଶିଳ୍ପର ବିକଳ୍ପ ନାହିଁ।(No alternative to Public Sector)


Courtesy : The Prameya, 21.08.2020

Schedule for Online Training of officials, who have been selected for promotion to HSG-II & HSG-I cadre by PTC Saharanpur during the month of October, 2020

ISSUANCE OF ANNUAL STATEMENT OF GENERAL PROVIDENT FUND ACCOUNT: CGA, DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE ORDER

TA-3/1/2019-TA-III/cs=548/405
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
Office of Controller General of Accounts
Mahalekha Niyantrak Bhawan
E-Block, GPO Complex, INA,
New Delhi
Dated 20th August, 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Issuance of Annual Statement of General Provident Fund Account-reg

As per Rule 39 of GPF Rules 1960 an annual statement of GPF is to be provided to the subscriber at the end of Financial Year.
 .
2. The Annual Statement of GPF is to be maintained in Form 49 of CAM, which includes details of missing credit/debit and also provides for acknowledging the receipt of the statement. Immediate action should be taken by Pay and Accounts Office in case any variation in the GPF annual statement is reported. The statement is to be dispatched, invariably, to the subscribers latest by the 31st of July every year as per para 6.9.2 of CAM.

3. Despite the laid down guidelines/ provisions on the matter, DoP&PW has been receiving grievances from retired government servants regarding missing credits and delayed GPF settlement on their retirement, vide their OM No. No.3/7/2020-P&PW (Desk-F) E.6574 dated 17.07.2020.

4, All the Pr. CCAs/CCAs/CAS(IC) are , therefore, requested to ensure that codal provisions of GPF prescribed under GPF(CS)Rules 1960 and CAM are scrupulously complied with and annual signed statement of GPF is, invariably, issued to all the GPF subscribers.
Sd/-
(Sanjeev Shrivastava)
Joint Controller General of Accounts
All Pr. CCAs/CCAs/CAs with independent charge

Wednesday 19 August 2020

Cabinet approves proposal for leasing out three airports

Cabinet

Cabinet approves proposal for leasing out three airports - Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram - of Airports Authority of India through Public Private Partnership

Posted On: 19 AUG 2020 4:31PM by PIB Delhi 
 
The Union Cabinetchaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approvedthe proposal for leasing out three airports namely Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram airports of Airports Authority of India (AAI) through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

The Union Cabinet accorded its approval for leasing of three AAI airports namely, Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram for Operation, Management and Development to M/s Adani Enterprises Ltd, who is declared as the successful bidder in a Global Competitive Bidding conducted by the Airports Authority of India, for a period of fifty years.

These projects will bring efficiency in service delivery, expertise, enterprise and professionalism apart from harnessing the needed investments in the public sector.

Background:

Government had leased out the Airports Authority of India's airports at Delhi and Mumbai on Public Private Partnership for Operation, Management and Development about a decade ago.

While these PPP experiments have helped create world class airports and helped in delivery of efficient and quality services to the airport passengers, it has also helped AAI in enhancing its revenues and focusing on developing airports and Air Navigation infrastructure in the rest of the country. Revenue received by AAI from PPP partners enabled AAI to create infrastructure facilities in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and also to upgrade their airports to international standards. The PPP airports in India are consistently ranked among the top 5 in their respective categories by the Airports Council International (ACI) in terms of Airport Service Quality (ASQ).

Therefore, Government decided to lease out more airports of AAI for Operation, Management and Development under PPP through Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC). Government also constituted an Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) to decide on any issue falling beyond the scope of PPPAC.

PPPAC approved the transaction documents. The entire bidding process was carried out under the supervision and directions of EGoS which comprised of representatives of NITI Aayog, Department of Expenditure and Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) of Ministry of Finance (MoF).

Airports Authority of India released Request for Proposal on 14.12.2018 through global competitive bidding wherein per passenger fee is the bidding parameter. The technical bids were opened on 16.02.2019 and the financial bids of the qualified bidders were opened on 25.02.2019/ 26.02.2019. M/s Adani Enterprises Ltd. has won all the bids by quoting highest per passenger fee for all the three airports i.e. Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvanathapuram.

UPU NEWS - Regardless of the pandemic, we have kept working together: an interview with UPU's Julia Bazukina

Julia Bazukina joined the UPU in 2006, after working in the Russian Post’s EMS Department since the very first day the postal operator launched the express mail service (EMS).

She learned the ins and outs of EMS while establishing operations and agreements with other Posts, setting up a tracking system and a call center for customers, organizing training for staff – preparing her for her future role with the UPU.

“This was a very intense and fruitful time,” she says.

Upon joining the UPU, Bazukina was responsible for performance improvements in North America, the Caribbean, and Europe, later becoming an EMS Customer Service Expert for the EMS Cooperative. Bazukina felt grateful for the opportunity to share her experience with many Posts through preparing workshops, guiding them through performance reports and analysis, and helping them apply this knowledge to their work.

Bazukina now works as an EMS Standards and Measurement Manager. Over the past ten years, her team has been implementing different projects, such as EMS Standards and Procedures, an EMS Standard Agreement, the EMS Operational Guide, and the EMS Audit and Measurement Programme focused on the performance reporting and pay-for-performance accounting. The tools produced by her team facilitate the cooperation between postal operators exchanging EMS items.

“When EMS Cooperative members reach out to us and we can help them, it makes our work meaningful. I like this part of my job a lot, it is interesting and fulfilling.”
One of Bazukina’s recent projects has been the development of a modern EMS Operational Guide and an EMS Simple Monitoring and Reporting Tool (EMS SMART). It has been challenging to prepare specifications and requirements for such a complex reporting system based on tracking data, and to find individual solutions for EMS Cooperative members with different operational requirements. Now complete, EMS SMART gives EMS Cooperative members their own tailor-made reporting tool.


“It has been a tough couple of years, but they have been so rewarding. Members’ feedback means a lot to me,” says Bazukina.
Bazukina’s work also brings high responsibility. It has a financial impact on the postal operators who rely on the performance reports that her team regularly produces. She often feels under pressure, meeting strict deadlines and handling extraordinary situations and force majeure cases. Therefore, in her opinion, good teamwork is crucial, especially in an intercultural environment.


“I feel privileged to work with such intelligent people. In the UPU, everyone comes from a different cultural background and has an individual approach. However, when we work together on a project, it all comes together like a puzzle,” she says.

She also looks up to her teammates: “I got to know some outstanding, inspiring women that were combining intensive work with motherhood, which I learned was really challenging when I became a mother myself.”

Although the COVID-19 crisis has put pressure on the entire postal network and has created new challenges at the UPU, Bazukina says it has brought her team even closer together.
“Regardless of the pandemic, we have kept working together, and the postal world has become closer while overcoming its hardships. I am proud to be working for the UPU, helping to make the impossible possible, helping to unite the world.”

Appointment of Member PSB



STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP) FOR SETTLEMENT OF PLI / RPLI DEATH CLAIM CASES

CLICK HERE -- SOP (8 pages)
CLICK HERE - CLAIM APPLICATION FORM (4 pages) - Annexure - I

Confederation writes to Cabinet Secretary for treating the period of absence due to COVID-19 as “Special Casual Leave”

NFPE writes to Minister, Communications on COVID transmission / death of India Post employees due to opening of IPPB Account and Aadhaar Centres