All India Postal Employee Union, Gr-C is the major constituent of National Federation of Postal Employees - The biggest Federation of the Largest Postal Network of the World highlighting the principles of unity and struggle for the advancement of postal workers
Tuesday, 30 March 2021
Monday, 29 March 2021
Sunday, 28 March 2021
Saturday, 27 March 2021
Friday, 26 March 2021
Thursday, 25 March 2021
UPU’s Customs Declaration System improves data quality and reduces labour
The UPU’s Customs Declaration System (CDS), developed by the Postal Technology Centre (PTC), facilitates the capture of electronic customs declarations made by the customers of posts, and exchanges of electronic data interchange (EDI) messages between designated operators and between designated operators and customs authorities.
The customs declarations stored in CDS are converted into EDI messages (ITMATT) and sent from the sending designated operator to the destination designated operator.
Each operator forwards, through EDI messages, the declarations to their customs authority for risk and fiscal assessment. CDS includes the latest version of the EDI messages developed by the UPU and World Customs Organization (WCO).
Stéphane Herrmann, technical account manager, UPU, says, “The first version of CDS was released in 2012 when Canada Post requested the PTC to develop a solution for the exchange of ITMATT messages with other designated operators. They wanted a software that could integrate with their other applications in a new fully automated office of exchange. Today CDS is used in production by 88 designated operators.”
Over the years, the PTC has regularly enriched the application following operator feedback. “This includes enhancements of functionalities to adapt with national or regional rules. Demand for the CDS accelerated in 2019/2020, as sending ITMATT messages became mandatory from January 1, 2021,” Herrmann adds.
CDS is easy to implement and interfaces with the International Postal System (IPS) mail management software developed by the PTC and used by more than 180 designated operators. “CDS can also interface with any mail management application used by designated operators or application used by customs authorities,” Herrmann adds.
CDS can be deployed in three types of architecture – as a software solution, a web version, or a cloud-based solution. In order to facilitate the capture of customs declarations, the PTC has developed the ‘Kiosk’ – a webpage that contains a customs declaration form, and the Electronic Advance Data Customs Declarations application for Android and iOS. The customs declarations captured through the Kiosk and the mobile applications are stored in the CDS.
According to feedback from operators and customs, CDS has helped achieve fewer inspections and faster customs clearance, improved data quality and reduced manual work. “Having one application such as CDS for posts and customs allows real time information sharing,” Herrmann adds. “We are currently about to release the next version of the system, CDS 2021. This will include two additional UPU EDI messages: ITMREF and REFRSP.”
Raising of Maximum Age Limit for Job Aspirants
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Raising of Maximum Age Limit for Job Aspirants
Posted On: 25 MAR 2021 12:29PM by PIB Delhi
For recruitment to Central Government posts, the recruiting agencies, such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), have been making necessary arrangements for conduct of examinations in a safe manner considering the COVID-19 Pandemic safety protocols. While conducting Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination-2020 on 04.10.2020, the UPSC also gave an option to the candidates to change the centre for Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination-2020 so that candidates who had moved to a different location before/during the COVID-19 pandemic could also appear in the Examination. As such, the need for increasing the maximum age limit for recruitment to various categories of posts under the Central Government, due to the pandemic and lockdown in the country, does not arise. Insofar as the increase in maximum age limit by two years for all the eligible unemployed youths, who are seeking State Government jobs is concerned, it is for the concerned State Governments to decide.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to questions in Rajya Sabha today.
Wednesday, 24 March 2021
Life Certificate to Elderly Pension Holders
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Life Certificate to Elderly Pension Holders
Posted On: 24 MAR 2021 4:42PM by PIB Delhi
The Government has taken many technical and managerial measures for providing Life Certificate easily to elderly pension holders by concerned institutions/banks. The details are as under:-
- Keeping in view the difficulties faced by very senior citizens aged 80 years and above, an exclusive window from 1st October onwards, has been provided to them to avoid the general rush from 1st November onwards.
- Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare started a Pilot Programme “DLC from home campaign” in 2018 in 7 cities through Pensioners’ Associations. The objective of the campaign was to extend support to aged and infirm pensioners in submission of Life Certificate digitally from home. In 2019, this project was expanded to cover 24 cities and this has continued up to 2021 as well, with the help of Registered Pensioners’ Associations
- Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare roped in the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) and utilized its huge network of Postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks in providing doorstep home facility to pensioners for submission of life certificate digitally. As a result a huge number of pensioners across the country shall be able to avail doorstep home service through Postmen/ Gramin Dak Sevak by paying a nominal amount, without queuing up at bank branches.
In some cases due to fading bio-metrics, aged pensioners' finger bio-metrics are not captured by the bio-metric devices. Keeping in view such difficulties, IRIS enabled devices have been provided by this department to Pensioners’ Associations which is more effective and convenient. Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare is also instrumental in roping in an Alliance comprising 12 Public Sector Banks which does “Doorstep Banking” for its customers in 100 major cities of the country under Ease of banking reforms. As a result, Public Sector Banks (PSB) Alliance has introduced the service for collection of Life Certificates under the umbrella of Doorstep Banking. This Department also issued instructions, whereby the Banks were directed to resort to Video based Customer Identification Process for obtaining a Life Certificate within the guidelines of RBI which will obviate the need to resort to a bio-metric enabled device.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to questions in Lok Sabha today.
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Social Security Schemes for Organised and Unorganised Sector
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Social Security Schemes for Organised and Unorganised Sector
Posted On: 24 MAR 2021 3:23PM by PIB Delhi
As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) carried out by the National Sample Survey Organisation of the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, in the year 2017-18, the total employment in both organized and unorganised sector in the country was around 47 crores. Out of this, around 9 crores are engaged in the organized sector and the balance of 38 crores are in the unorganized sector.
The categories of the workers have been divided into three categories i.e.
- Establishments with 10 or more workers;
- Establishments with 20 or more workers;
- Workers engaged in unorganised sector
The ESI Act, 1948 is Social Security legislation applicable to all factories & notified establishments employing ten or more persons, which are located in ESI notified areas and as such it does not apply to the unorganised sector. Employees earning wages up to Rs 21,000 per month (Rs 25,000/- in the case of persons with disability) are coverable under ESI Scheme and are entitled to all benefits available under ESI Act, 1948. At present the ESI Scheme stands extended to 575 districts in 35 States/ Union territories. The total number of Insured Persons covered under ESI Scheme as on 31.03.2020 are 3.41 crore and the total beneficiaries are 13.24 crore. ESI contributions @ 4% are paid by employers, of which the employees or workers contribute to the extent of 0.75% of their wages and the employers contribute to the extent of 3.25% of their wages. Such contributions entitle them to all benefits available under the ESI Act.
The benefits of social security to the workers employed in organised sector establishments with 20 or more workers under the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 are extended through following three schemes:
- The Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, 1952;
- The Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995;
- The Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 1976.
The Employer and Employee both contribute @ 12% of wages towards provident fund. Out of this, 8.33% is diverted towards pension Fund. Employer also contributes to EDLI Scheme @ 0.5 % of wages. During the year 2019-20, 4.89 crores members contributed under the Scheme.
For the workers engaged in the Unorganised sector, social security benefits are being addressed through the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008. The Act empowers the Central Government to provide Social Security benefits to unorganised sector workers by formulating suitable welfare schemes on matters relating to (i) life and disability cover, (ii) health and maternity benefits, (iii) old age protection and (iv) any other benefit as may be determined by the Central Government. The State Governments are also empowered to formulate suitable welfare schemes on the matters regarding housing, provident funds, educational schemes, skill upgradation, old age homes etc.
Life and disability cover is provided through Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Surksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). Benefits under the schemes are for Rs.2 lakh on death due to any cause & permanent disability , Rs.1.0 Lakh on partial disability and Rs.4 lakh on death due to accident to the unorganised workers at the annual premium of Rs.342/- (Rs.330/- for PMJJBY + Rs.12/- for PMSBY) depending upon their eligibility.
The eligible Unorganised Workers can avail the scheme from their respective banks at annual premium of Rs. 342/-. As on 30.12.2020, 9.70 and 21.87 crore people have been enrolled under PMJJBY and PMSBY respectively.
The health and maternity benefits are addressed through Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) which is a universal health scheme administrated by the National Health Authority. The number of eligible beneficiaries under Social Economic Caste Census (SECC) of 2011 on the basis of select deprivation and occupational criteria across rural and urban areas is 10.74 Crore families (50 crore people). The Scheme gives flexibility to States/UTs to run their own health protection scheme in alliance with AB-PMJAY. The States/UTs implementing AB-PMJAY have further expanded the coverage of the scheme to include 13.13 crore families (65 crore people).
For old age protection to unorganised sector workers including traders, shopkeepers and self- employed persons, the Government has launched two flagship schemes namely Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-DhanYojana (PM-SYM) and National Pension Scheme for Traders, Shopkeeper and Self-Employed Persons (NPS- Traders). Under the schemes, beneficiaries are entitled to receive minimum monthly assured pension of Rs.3000/- after attaining the age of 60 years. The workers in the age group of 18-40 years whose monthly income is below Rs.15000/- can join the PM-SYM scheme and Traders, shop keepers and self-employed persons whose annual turnover is not exceeding Rs.1.5 crore can join NPS – Traders scheme. These are voluntary and contributory pension schemes and monthly contribution ranges from Rs.55 to Rs.200 depending upon the entry age of the beneficiary. Under both the schemes, 50% monthly contribution is payable by the beneficiary and equal matching contribution is paid by the Central Government. Both the schemes are being implemented in all the States/UTs of India. The details of numbers of beneficiaries as on 28.02.2021 under PMSYM and NPS Traders, 44.90 Lakh and 43,700 respectively.
This information was given by Minister of State (I/C) for Labour & Employment Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Tuesday, 23 March 2021
MHA Guidelines for effective control of COVID-19
Ministry of Home Affairs
MHA Guidelines for effective control of COVID-19
States/ UTs mandated to strictly enforce Test-Track-Treat protocol, Containment measures, COVID-Appropriate behavior and SOPs on various activities
Posted On: 23 MAR 2021 4:53PM by PIB Delhi
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an Order today with Guidelines for effective control of COVID-19, which will be effective from April 1, 2021, and remain in force up to April 30, 2021.
- The main focus of the Guidelines is to consolidate the substantial gains achieved in containing the spread of COVID-19, which was visible in the sustained decline in the number of active cases, continuously for about 5 months.
- Keeping in view a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases, which is being witnessed in some parts of the country, the guidelines mandate the State/ UT Governments to strictly enforce the Test- Track-Treat protocol in all parts of the country; ensure observance of COVID appropriate behaviour by everyone; and, to scale up the vaccination drive, to cover all the target groups.
- It is also emphasised that in order to ensure that the resumption of activities is successful and to fully overcome the pandemic, there is need to strictly follow the prescribed containment strategy, and strictly observe the guidelines/ SOPs issued by MHA and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW) and other Ministries/ Departments of the Central Government and State/ UT Governments.
Test- Track-Treat protocol
- States and UTs, where the proportion of RT-PCR tests is less, should rapidly increase it, to reach the prescribed level of 70 percent or more.
- The new positive cases, detected as a result of intensive testing, need to be isolated/ quarantined at the earliest and provided timely treatment.
- Further as per the protocol, their contacts have to be traced at the earliest, and similarly isolated/ quarantined.
- Based on the positive cases and tracking of their contacts, Containment Zones shall be carefully demarcated by the district authorities, at the micro level, taking into consideration the guidelines prescribed by the MoHFW in this regard.
- The list of Containment Zones will be notified on the websites by the respective District Collectors and by the States/ UTs. This list will also be shared with MoHFW on a regular basis.
- Within the demarcated Containment Zones, containment measures, as prescribed by MoHFW, shall be scrupulously followed, which include strict perimeter control, intensive house-to-house surveillance, contact tracing, surveillance for ILI/ SARI cases etc.
- Local district, police and municipal authorities shall be responsible to ensure that the prescribed Containment measures are strictly followed and State/ UT Governments shall ensure the accountability of the officers concerned in this regard.
COVID appropriate behavior
- State/ UT Governments shall take all necessary measures to promote COVID-19 appropriate behaviour in work places and in public, especially in crowded places.
- For strict enforcement of wearing of face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing, States and UTs may consider administrative actions, including imposition of appropriate fines.
- National Directives for COVID-19 Management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, so as to enforce COVID-19 appropriate behavior.
Local restrictions
- States and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions, at district/ sub-district and city/ ward level, with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19.
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 including those for cross land-border trade under Treaties with neighbouring countries. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements.
Strict adherence to the prescribed SOPs
- All activities have been permitted outside Containment Zones and SOPs have been prescribed for various activities. These include: movement by passenger trains; air travel; metro trains; schools; higher educational institutions; hotels and restaurants; shopping malls, multiplexes and entertainment parks; yoga centres and gymnasiums; exhibitions, assemblies and congregations, etc.
- The SOPs, as updated from time to time, shall be strictly enforced by the authorities concerned, who shall be responsible for their strict observance.
Vaccination
- Government of India has launched the world’s largest vaccination drive against COVID-19.
- While the vaccination drive is proceeding smoothly, the pace is uneven across different States and UTs; and, the slow pace of vaccination in some States/ UTs is a matter of concern. Vaccination against COVID-19, in the present scenario, is critical to break the chain of transmission.
- Therefore, all State/ UT Governments should rapidly step up the pace of vaccination, to cover all priority groups in an expeditious manner.
Commemorative Postage Stamp on 100 Years of First Visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Odisha
Ministry of Communications
MoS Shri Sanjay Dhotre releases Commemorative Postage Stamp on 100 Years of First Visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Odisha
Posted On: 23 MAR 2021 5:45PM by PIB Delhi
Shri Sanjay Dhotre,Minister of State for Education, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology digitally released a Commemorative Postage Stamp on 100 Years of First Visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Odisha. Public Function in this regard was organised at Swaraj Ashram, Cuttack, Odisha. Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Member of Parliament, Cuttack, Odisha, Shri Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, Minister, Odia Language, Tourism & Culture, Government of Odisha and Senior Officers of Department of Posts attended the function.
This Commemorative Postage Stamp celebrates an important event of Indian History which is the first visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Odisha on 23rd March, 1921. It energized the Non-Cooperation movement and strengthened the cause of freedom struggle. During the visit of Mahatma Gandhi, large section of youth participated in the movement and women folk regularly spun Charkha and propagated the use of Khadi. Clothes of foreign origin were abandoned. Such was the magical presence of Mahatma Gandhi that Odisha woke up from slumber and plunged itself in the national movement.
Shri Sanjay Dhotre, Minister of State for Education, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology while addressing the gathering said that today India is celebrating “Ázaadi ka Amrut Mahotsava”. A Postage Stamp to commemorate the important event of celebrating 100 Years of first Visit of Mahatma Gandhi to Odisha is a part of this celebration. In days to come, Department of Posts will commemorate more such significant events of India’s freedom struggle.
Shri Dhotre also spoke about the significance of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ initiativewhich was launched under visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He said that through this initiative, various states and UTs are paired with each other like Maharashtra & Odisha, Goa & Jharkhand, Delhi & Sikkim and so on. This is done so that they can exchange, learn and appreciate each other’s culture, language, literature, dance art and many other aspects. This will ultimately strengthen the bond of India as a nation. And today’s function will definitely a step in this direction.
The stamp issued today is an inspiration to youth, women, intelligentsia and common folk. The society of today may not be able to comprehend the challenges that the society had faced a hundred years ago in the colonial rule.
The First Day Cover of the Commemorative Postage Stamp portrays the Swaraj Ashram at Cuttack, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his first visit to Odisha on 23rd March, 1921.
The Commemorative Postage Stamp, First Day Cover (FDC) and Information Brochure would be available for sale at 76 Philatelic Bureaux situated in every corner of the country as well as can be ordered online via e-post office (Visit : https://www.epostoffice.gov.in/).
Monday, 22 March 2021
Labour Codes
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Labour Codes
Posted On: 22 MAR 2021 3:38PM by PIB Delhi
India, being a founding member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has deep respect for its principles and objectives. The Government of India has always upheld the basic tenets of tripartism. ILO has not commented about India’s lack of compliance with ILO Convention -144 on Tripartite Consultations in implementing the four Labour Codes. The four Codes, namely, the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 and the Code on Social Security, 2020 have been notified in Gazette of India. Prior to that the Government had done extensive consultations inviting all Central Trade Unions, Employers’ Associations and State Governments. The Government had undertaken nine tripartite consultations on all the four Codes on 10.03.2015, 13.04.2015, 06.05.2015, 14.07.2015, 06.10.2015, 04.10.2017, 22.11.2018, 27.11.2018 and 05.11.2019 inviting all Central Trade Unions, Employers’ Associations and State Governments. All these Codes were also placed on the website for inviting comments from all stakeholders including general public.
Further, all the Codes were referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour for examination. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, in the process of examination of the Codes, had invited the views/suggestions from Trade Unions/ Organizations/Individuals/Stakeholders and also took oral evidence of the representatives of Central Trade Unions and various other Associations/Organisations/Stakeholders. The reports of the Committee were taken into account before these Labour Codes were considered and passed by the Parliament.
As a step towards implementation of four Labour Codes and to discuss the draft Rules on four labour Codes, tripartite meetings inviting representatives of all Central Trade Unions and Employers Associations were convened through Video Conferencing on 24th December, 2020 and 12th January, 2021. Third tripartite meeting was held on 20th January, 2021 in physical mode.
However, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 reduces the requirement of minimum continuous service in case of fixed term employees from five years to one year.
This information was given by Minister of State (I/C) for Labour & Employment Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Direct Marketing retains its relevance during COVID-19 pandemic, new UPU study finds
“As shown by a study led by Royal Mail, with more people at home, direct mail matters more and is driving online transactions more than ever,” the UPU Direct Marketing Advisory Board (DMAB) wrote in its new report titled, “COVID-19, Posts and Direct Marketing.”
The DMAB is comprised of postal operators, private-sector companies and industry associations.
Building on exclusive insights from direct marketing markets players, including among the biggest postal stakeholders in the world (The United States Postal Service and China Post) and leading industry associations, the UPU report provides an in-depth analysis, the way forward and highlights opportunities for direct marketing during and after the pandemic.
Similar to global mail volumes, direct marketing saw a downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, as with the 2008 financial crisis, posts may help revive direct marketing as economies recover, according to the report.The report shows that physical direct mail remains a core business for Posts (80 per cent of designated Operators provide the service), while the current pandemic and the growth of E-commerce have accelerated the need for Posts to position themselves as the consolidators of physical and digital services in the direct marketing space.
Direct marketing declined in most markets. In the United States, 2020 second-calendar quarter volume dropped by 36.4 per cent compared with the same period in 2019. Despite increased or maintained volumes in the insurance and non-profit markets and political mailings, the retail, entertainment, travel and financial sectors all cut their programs significantly.
Similar declines were seen during the 2008 crisis when real estate, mortgage and credit cards essentially halted all marketing. Once those industries recovered, direct marketing programmes resumed.
As businesses regain momentum after the pandemic, they will continue to need a platform to build brand recognition and engage customer audiences, the report stressed.
Posts and suppliers must help customers make a compelling business argument for their investment in direct marketing competitive media channels, such as advanced TV, will challenge direct mail as a platform for driving new customer acquisition. Still, consumers have rallied behind posts as a means of national and global communication, equality and interconnectedness, the report said.
More than ever, “innovation, integration of offline and online channels and data will be key components in the post-covid-19 direct marketing reality” where direct marketing will be promoted again as “a winning tool that will expedite the much-expected recovery”, the report stressed.
UPU launches new Address Verification API
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) has launched a new Address Verification Application Programme Interface (API) developed specifically for the postal industry and its stakeholders to ensure address data quality for trusted deliveries.
It is an easy and ready-to-incorporate solution to acquire address data at the point-of-address input and to check address data against the UPU’s worldwide POST*CODE DataBase.
The API is the result of the hard work of the UPU’s Postal Operations Directorate’s Addressing Solutions department. “In addition to checking address components against the POST*CODE DataBase, it also checks against derivative databases, such as postal addressing systems, the standardized address format description and knowledge center information, such as postcode length and postcode format,” explains Luc Hauss, Addressing Solutions manager.
The POST*CODE DataBase, which includes information from 192 member countries and 38 territories, is updated quarterly and updates are dispatched to the UPU’s licensees via a file transfer protocol platform.
The Address Verification API complements the UPU’s existing application programming interfaces, which are currently available for international address input and international address verification at postcode and locality level or both. “Twenty years of expertise have gone into developing UPU’s APIs, which incorporate the comprehensive ‘must have’ postal address file reference data,” Hauss adds.
The API uses the knowledge acquired through the development of the UPU’s S42 international postal address components and templates standard (the ISO 19160-4). “S42, which was developed with experts from the Postal Operations Council and its Addressing Group, comprises a generic list of address elements used in the UPU member countries, and a package of country-specific templates telling users how to transform address elements into an accurately formatted address,” explains Piotr Piotrowski, manager of Addressing Standards, IT and Data Products, UPU.
“In other words, a country defining its S42 templates provides precise information about its address elements and formats. This can then be incorporated into software programs to manage addresses,” Piotrowski adds.
According to Hauss, the development of the new API is a prime example of the continuation of the UPU’s Addressing Solutions activities to serve the postal sector, customers and all postal partners. “With the UPU’s current postal reference data, our users – the top 1,000 businesses worldwide, including leading software providers – will find a ready-to-use complementary solution to enhance their current services. They can access our new API or incorporate our existing API tools as a library. Furthermore, our one-stop address postcode@upu.int also remains at their service,” he explains.
SINGLE WINDOW SYSTEM IN DOPT FOR RECEIVING PROPOSALS FOR INITIATION OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AND SANCTION FOR PROSECUTION UNDER THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT, 1988
(CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW THE ORDERS)
https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D2/D02ser/16032021yN2ds.pdf
No. 142/20/2017-AVD.I/D (Pt.l)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated 15th March, 2021
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Introduction of Single Window System in Department of Personnel & Training for receiving proposals for initiation of disciplinary proceedings and sanction for prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against the Group A officers of Central Secretariat Services (CSS & CSSS)- reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. No. 142/18/2013-AVD-I dated 24.02.2014 (copy enclosed) and letter No. 142/4/2012- AVD.I dated 28.07.2014 (copy enclosed), vide which this Department has introduced the Single Window System for receiving proposals for initiation of Disciplinary proceedings and sanction for prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, respectively
2. It has been noticed that even when there is a Single Window System available, majority of the Ministries/ Departments are still forwarding their proposals through DAK, which should be avoided.
3. All Ministries/Departments are therefore once again requested to take note of the Single Window System that was introduced in the DOP&T w.e.f 01.03.2014 and bring the same to the notice of all concerned. It may also be ensured that the Check List is countersigned by an officer not below the level of Joint Secretary of the administrative Ministry/Department concerned. Further, it may be noted that this Department shall not be responsible for any legal issues arising out of the delay in processing or not processing of the matter that are not received through the proper channel.
Encl.: As above.
(Mahesh Chandra)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
VERIFICATION OF CAST CERTIFICATE
No. 41034/4/2020-Estt (Res-I)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance & Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 19th March, 2021
The Chief Secretaries of all States & Union Territories
Subject : Timely verification of Caste/Community Certificates – regarding.
Sir,
I am directed to say that instances have come to the notice where the pensionary benefits of employees belonging to ST category, who were working in various offices and organizations under Central Government in the State of Tamil Nadu, have been withheld on the ground that their caste verification is pending from the State Government. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Welfare of the Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes (SC&ST) have taken a serious view of this, and has directed this Department to issue necessary guidelines to all the concerned for ensuring timely verification of the Caste Certificate of the employees belonging to the reserved category.
2. It is stated that the responsibility for the issue and verification of Caste Certificate lies with the concerned State/UT Government. The Hon’ble Supreme Court, vide its Order dated 2.9.1994 in the matter of in the matter of Kumari Madhuri Patil vs Addl. Commissioner, has laid down the detailed guidelines for effective verification of the Caste Certificates of the employees, so that no person, on the basis of fake caste certificate, may secure employment wrongfully in the Government.
3. DoP&T has issued various guidelines from time to time for streamlining the process of verification of Caste Certificate of the employees, and has requested the State/UT Governments for timely verification of the same. However, as mentioned above, instances have come to notice that the appointing authority has taken an unduly long time in getting the caste status of an employee verified through the concerned State authorities which is totally in contravention of the existing instructions. In this regard, attention is invited towards the following instructions of DoPT in the matter:
(i) DoPT OM No. 36019/7/1975-Estt (SCT) dated 31.10.1975 (copy at Annexure-I) provides that the candidates belonging to the SC/ST category have to produce a Certificate in the prescribed form issued by one of the prescribed authorities in support of their claim of belonging to a SC/ST. Where such a candidate is unable to produce a Certificate from any of the prescribed authorities, he may he appointed provisionally on the basis of whatever prima facie proof he is able to produce in support of his claim subject to his furnishing the prescribed Certificate within a reasonable time, and if there 1s genuine difficulty in his obtaining a Certificate, the appointing authority should itself verify his claims through the District Magistrate concerned.
(ii) DoPT OM No. 36011/16/80-Estt (SCT) dated 27.2.1981 (copy at Annexure-II) provides that the verification of caste status at every important upturn of employee’s career is necessary, as an SC candidate may lose his status of SC if he embraces a religion other than Hinduism and Sikhism (DoPT OM No. 36011/3/2005-Estt (Res) dated 9.9.2005 provides that an SC candidate loses his SC status if he embraces a religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism).
(iii) DoPT, vide letter No. 36022/1/2007-Estt (Res) dated 20.3.2007 (copy at Annexure-III), have requested the State/UT Governments to issue instructions to the District Magistrates/ District Collectors/Deputy Commissioners of the districts to the effect that they should ensure at their own level that veracity of the Caste/Community certificate referred to the district authorities is verified and reported to the appointing authority within one month of receipt of request from such authority. The State/UT Governments were also requested to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the officers who default in timely verification of Caste Status.
(iv) DoPT, vide letter No. 41034/3/2012 – Estt (Res) dated 11.4.2012 (copy at Annexure-IV), have reiterated the above instructions dated 20.3.2007 requesting the State/UT Governments to issue instructions to the concerned district authorities to ensure veracity of the Caste/Community Certificate referred to them and report the same to the appointing authority within one month of receipt of request from such authority. This letter also conveys the directions of the Parliamentary Committee at that time on the Welfare of SCs and STs that the State/UT Governments may constitute a District-Level Committee in each District which may hold regular meetings to ensure timely verification of Caste Certificates.
Also Read : Streamlining the procedure for verification of claims of candidates belonging to SC, ST and OBC
(v) DoPT OM No. 36011/1/2012-Estt (SCT) dated 8.10.2015 (copy at Annexure-V) reiterates the earlier instructions on timely and effective verification of the Caste Certificate so that the benefit of reservation and other scheme of concessions etc. go only to the rightful claimants.
(vi) DoPT letter No. 36011/1/2012-Estt (SCT) dated 14.3.2016 (copy at Annexure-VI) addressed to all State/UT Government again reiterates the earlier instructions on verification of Caste Certificate within a reasonable time.
4. In view of the above, all State/UT Governments are again requested that the above-mentioned instructions may be brought to the notice of all the concerned officers, and it may be ensured that the process of caste verification is completed within a reasonable time, and the concerned appointing authorities are informed about the veracity of the Caste Certificate of the candidates/employees within one month of the receipt of such request from the concerned appointing authority.
5. This issues with the approval of Secretary (P).
Yours faithfully,
( Sandeep Saxena)
Deputy Secretary
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