HMT opens Shop at Mysore PostOffice

New venture:The HMT sales outlet at the Mysore Head Post Office is the second such counter in the State.— Photo: M. A. SRIRAM

Hindustan Machine Tools Ltd., or HMT, as it is popularly known, which branded itself as the ‘Timekeepers to the nation' till it lost ground to stiff competition from private players, is trying to make a comeback and opening sales counters at post offices.

The second such counter in the State was opened at the Mysore Head Post office at Lashkar Mohalla, Ashoka Road, where all the models of the watch company are up for sale.

The sales point was inaugurated by K.M. Raghavendra, JGM, Business Planning, HMT. S.V. Balasubramanya, Senior Postmaster, Mysore Head Post Office, S. Rajashekara, Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Mysore division, and Eshwar Nayak, AGM, Sales, HMT, were present.

HMT's marketing tie-ups with post offices is a new initiative in brand building and regaining the market share, Mr. Raghavendra said, adding that they had obtained permission from the Postal Department for opening such counters in different parts of the country.

He said such a counter was inaugurated at the Bangalore GPO last year and had since been expanded to Chennai, Madurai and now Mysore. The Hubli head post office will have a sales outlet in due course and the initiative would be expanded to major post offices in West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh in due course.

Ever since the HMT has tied up with the Postal Department, the company registered brisk sales and each sales point was doing a business of Rs.1.5 lakh to Rs.2 lakh per month and the company was optimistic of boosting its revenue and sales further in the days ahead.

HMT has numerous watch models ranging from Rs.400 to Rs.5000 and more and all of them will be on sale at the post office counters.

The company would ensure steady supply to meet the demands for specific models and the old classic Pilot watches were in tremendous demand at most of the counters, Mr. Raghavendra said. The month on month sales have improved and after covering major cities and towns, the concept of sales counter in the districts and rural areas will also be taken up.

Year End Review, 2011 Department of Posts

Year End Review of Achievements and Initiatives of Department of Information Technology 
Draft National Policies on Electronics-2011 and Information Technology-2011 Released 
Steps taken to Make India Hub for Electronic Hardware Manufacturing 
Four New Mission mode Projects (MMPs) Added under NeGP 
Electronic Delivery of Services Bill Introduced in Parliament

Draft National Policy on Electronics – 2011

The Draft National Policy on Electronics, 2011 (NPE 2011) was released on 3.10.2011. The draft Policy envisions creating a globally competitive Electronics Systems and Design Manufacturing (ESDM) industry including nano-electronics to meet the country's needs and serve the international market. One of the important objectives of the Policy is to achieve a turnover of about USD 400 Billion by 2020 involving investment of about USD 100 Billion and employment to around 28 million by 2020. This includes achieving a turnover of USD 55 Billion of chip design and embedded software industry and USD 80 Billion of exports in the sector. Another important objective of the Policy is to significantly upscale high-end human resource creation to 2500 PhDs annually by 2020. The Policy also proposes setting up of over 200 Electronic Manufacturing clusters in the country.

Draft National Policy on Information Technology, 2011

Draft National Policy on Information Technology, 2011 (NPIT 2011) wasreleased on 7.10.2011. The Policy aims to maximally leverage the power of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to help address economic and developmental challenges of the country. The focus of the IT policy is on deployment of ICT in all sectors of the economy and on providing IT solutions to the world. The Policy focuses on application of technology-enabled approaches to overcome developmental challenges in education, health, skill development, financial inclusion, employment generation, governance etc., to greatly enhance efficiency across the board in the economy. The Policy seeks to achieve the twin goals of bringing the full power of ICT within the reach of the whole of India and harnessing the capability and human resources of the whole of India to enable India to emerge as the Global Hub and Destination for IT-ITeS Services by 2020. It is rooted in the conviction that ICT has the power to transform India and improve the lives of all Indians.

E-Governance

Mission Mode Projects (MMP)- 4 New MMPs (Education, Health, PDS and Posts) have been added under NeGP taking the total number of MMPs under NeGP to Thirty One (31). Posts has been added as a Central MMP while the remaining three (3) MMPs (Education, Health and PDS) have been added as State MMPs.

A major initiative of the Government for ushering in e-Governance on national scale, called National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) was approved on 16^thMay 2006. NeGP consists of Mission Mode Projects (MMPs) and program support components which aim at creating the right governance and institutional mechanisms, core infrastructure, policies & standards and the necessary legal framework for adoption of e-Governance in the country. It is implemented at the Central, State and Local Government levels. Significant achievements in this area are as under:

Electronic Delivery of Services (EDS) Bill provisioning mandatory delivery of all public services in e-mode in next five years has been approved by the Union Cabinet on 20.12.2011 and introduced in Lok Sabha on 27.12.2011.

Common Service Centres - As on 30^th November, 2011, a total of 97,439 Common Service Centres (CSCs) have been rolled out in thirty three States and UTs. 100% CSCs have been rolled out in 13 States. A proposal to set up additional 1.5 lakh Bharat Nirman Common Service Centres so as to have one CSC in each Panchayat in whole of rural India has been prepared.

State Wide Area Networks - The State Wide Area Networks (SWANs) are already operational in 29 States.

State Data Centres - The State Data Centres have been made operational in 16 States.

e-District - e-District Pilot project has gone live in 12 States. Scheme for National Rollout of e-District MMP has been approved. Guidelines for National Rollout of e-District MMP has been finalized. 

Capacity Building (CB) - Under the CB Scheme, State e-Mission Teams (SeMTs) have been setup in 32 States and UTs. Over 1000 Government officials have been trained under Specialized Training for e-Governance Programme (STeP). The first Chief Information Officer (CIO) training for officers of Central and State & UT officials has started on 7th November, 2011.

Standards – To ensure sharing of information and seamless interoperability of data and e-Governance applications, Policy on Open Standards, Biometric standards, Metadata and Data Standards, Localization and Language Technology standards, Network and Information Security, Digital Signature, Quality Assurance, Website Design Guidelines have been notified by DIT.

Mobile Governance - A Draft Policy on Mobile Governance has been formulated.

Awareness and Communication - 11 Workshops have been held across the country. The 14^th National Conference was held in  February 2011.

Citizen Engagement and Social Media Framework - For wider and deeper participation and engagement with all stakeholders especially public at large, a Citizen Engagement Framework for e-Governance Projects has been developed.

Electronics Hardware Manufacturing (EHM)

The Government has attached high priority to electronics hardware manufacturing. It is keen to develop an ecosystem, which will make India a global destination for electronics system design and manufacturing. The significant achievements during the course of the year are as follows:

Setting up of Semiconductor Wafer Fabs: An Empowered Committee (EC) for identifying technology and investors for setting up Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication (Fab) Manufacturing facilities in the country was constituted.  The EC after interacting with the potential investors will crystallize the nature and quantum of Government support in physical/financial terms and recommend to the Government the course of action to attract investments in the sector.

Roadmap for promoting growth of semiconductor design and services industry: India Semiconductor Association (ISA) has carried out a “Study on semiconductor design, embedded software and services industry” with the support of Department of Information Technology (DIT). The report covers Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) design, Embedded software design and Hardware/board design. A roadmap has been prepared to enable semiconductor design and services industry to move up the value chain and maintain growth rate of revenue of over 17% p.a.

Roadmap for promoting growth of electronic components industry:Electronic Industries Association of India (ELCINA) has carried out a Study entitled “ELCOMOS - Electronic Components, Hardware Market and Manufacturing Output Study including related Assemblies and Value Chain in India” with DIT’s support. A roadmap has been prepared for promoting growth of electronic components industry.

Communications and Brand Building Campaign for promotion of ESDM sector in India: The Campaign has been launched with the objective to build “Made in India” as leading global brand in ESDM and increasing awareness regarding initiatives taken by Government to promote investments in ESDM sector.

Mandatory compliance of safety standards for electronic items: A draft Order in respect of safety standards for 16 selected electronic items has been prepared and consultations are underway with the Department of Consumer Affairs and Bureau of Indian Standards to notify mandatory compliance. 

National Informatics Centre (NIC)

National Informatics Centre (NIC) is the premier S&T organization under the aegis of the Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications and IT. It is the principal e-Governance solution provider. During last one year, it has implemented several e-Governance applications and services in addition to strengthening the computing and data communication infrastructure in the country. Notable achievements of the year are:

Augmentation of NICNET: During last one year, NIC has established three National Data Centres in the country to support large e-Governance applications.  NIC is also facilitating the hosting of more than 7000 websites/portals of various Government Departments.

e-Procurement: GePNIC is developed as a generic e-Procurement System by which manual tendering activity is carried out in a secure environment. GePNIC has been implemented in 13 State and UTs 35,146 tenders worth over Rs 45,218.10 Crores, have been processed successfully during current financial year till 30th Nov 2011. Department of Commerce has decided adoption of NIC’s e-Procurement System in Government departments of 23 states as a part of MMP on e-Procurement.

e-Court: It is a project of great importance aimed at creating ICT infrastructure for various levels of judiciary from Supreme Courts to sub-district courts, resulting in improved level of disposal of cases at various levels. The ICT infrastructure has been set up in more than 450 court complexes during the current financial year.

e-Counseling for admissions to professional courses: e-Counseling System of NIC has helped crores of students in the admission process for various professional and technical courses of more than 20 State Boards of Technical Education resulting in considerable saving of time and money on the part of admission aspirants as well as the State boards.

e-Office: e-Office enables working in the Government leading to greater transparency and efficiency. This application has been implemented in more than dozen Central Government departments and some of the State Govt. Secretariat ushering into an electronic age of management of Government files.

MGNREGASoft: This application is a centrally hosted service being used by the Department of Rural Development, Government of India and various State Governments in the management of the whole work flow of the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act right from registration to finalization of wages of workers of one of the largest social sector schemes in the world.

National Knowledge Network (NKN)

The Government’s decision to set up National Knowledge Network was announced in the Budget Speech of Union Budget for 2008-09. In March 2010 the Government approved the establishment of the National Knowledge Network (NKN) over a period of 10 years. The objective of the National Knowledge Network is to interconnect institutions of higher learning with a high speed data communication network. Network will consist of an ultra-high speed Core (multiples of 10Gbps and upwards), and over 1500 nodes. It is scalable to higher speed and more nodes also. The Core shall be complemented with a distribution layer at appropriate speeds. The participating institutions can directly or through distribution layer connect to the NKN at speeds of 100 Mbps /1 Gbps. The application areas envisaged under the NKN cover: Agriculture, Education, Health, e-governance, Grid Computing (High Performance Computing). As on 30^th November, 2011, a total of 450 Institutions are connected to NKN, and 43 virtual classrooms have been setup.

Nanotechnology

                Department of Information Technology (DIT) started Nanotechnology Development Programme during the 10^th Plan with the objective to create infrastructure for research in nanoelectronics and nanometrology at the national level and also to fund small and medium level research projects in specific areas such as nanomaterials, nanodevices, Carbon Nano Tubes (CNT), nanosystems etc. Two major nanoelectronics centres  have been set up in the country. These centres have become Centres of Excellence in Nanoelectronics (CEN) and are being recognized nationally and internationally and attracting young talent. The facilities of these centres are being made available to all other users in the country as well as abroad through Indian Nanoelectronics Users Programme (INUP) funded by DIT. More than 110 R&D projects from more than 100 external organizations across the country have been taken up so far under INUP. About 1150 manpower from more than 350 organizations across India have been trained through INUP.

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Source : PIB dtd 28/12/2011

Indiapost Released Srinivasa Ramanujam Stamp on 26.12.2011

India Post released New stamp for Srinivasa Ramanujam in his 125th birth anniversary. Stamp Released by our honorable Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in Chennai also declared December 22, the birthday of Ramanujan, as ‘National Mathematics Day.’ 

Srinivasa Iyengar Ramanujan ( 22 December 1887 – 26 April 1920 ) was an Indian mathematician, Born in Erode, Tamil Nadu, India, to a poor Brahmin family, Ramanujan first encountered formal mathematics at age10. He demonstrated a natural ability, and was given books on advanced trigonometry written by S. L. Loney. He mastered them by age 12, and even discovered theorems of his own, including independently re-discovering Euler's identity. He demonstrated unusual mathematical skills at school, winning accolades and awards. By 17, Ramanujan conducted his own mathematical research on Bernoulli numbers and the Euler–Mascheroni constant. He received a scholarship to study at Government College in Kumbakonam, but lost it when he failed his non-mathematical coursework. 

He joined another college to pursue independent mathematical research, working as a clerk in the Accountant-General's office at the Madras Port Trust Office to support himself. In 1912–1913, he sent samples of his theorems to three academics at the University of Cambridge. Only Hardy recognised the brilliance of his work, subsequently inviting Ramanujan to visit and work with him at Cambridge. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society and a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, dying of illness, malnutrition and possibly liver infection in 1920 at the age of 32.

During his short lifetime, Ramanujan independently compiled nearly 3900 results (mostly identities and equations).Although a small number of these results were actually false and some were already known, most of his claims have now been proven correct. He stated results that were both original and highly unconventional, such as the Ramanujan prime and the Ramanujan theta function, and these have inspired a vast amount of further research. However, the mathematical mainstream has been rather slow in absorbing some of his major discoveries. The Ramanujan Journal, an international publication, was launched to publish work in all areas of mathematics influenced by his work.

2012 to be ‘National Mathematical Year’ in Honour of Ramanujan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has declared 2012 ‘national mathematics year’ in honor of maths wizard Srinivasa Ramanujan’s 150th birth anniversary. The Prime Minister who made the declaration at a function honoring Ramanujan in Chennai, also said Ramanujan overcame formidable difficulties to reach the pinnacle of greatness, illustrating the inadequacy of the university evaluation system in the early decades of the last century, while at the same time showing that the system displayed enough flexibility to take care of mavericks like him.

He said the country was proud of Ramanujan and Tamil Nadu has a special claim on him for he was a Tamilian.

“Along with CV Raman and Subramanyam Chandrashekhar (both Nobel laureates), he is among the three great men of science and mathematics that Tamil Nadu and India have given to the world of modern times”, he said.

Singh also said that the perception that the pursuit of mathematics does not lead to attractive career possibilities must change. “It is a matter of concern that for a country of our size, the number of competent mathematicians we have is badly inadequate”, he said. Singh also said that this had resulted in a situation where the quality od mathematics teachers at schools and colleges has declined.

The Prime Minister said the mathematical community has a duty to find out “ways and means” to address the shortage of top quality mathematicians and reach out to the public, especially in the modern context, where mathematics has tremendous influence on every kind of human endeavour.

Noting that the Central government has pursued a policy of encouraging scientific activities of diverse kinds, the Prime Minister said, “Given our traditions, we naturally attach special importance to mathematics…in many ways, mathematics can be regarded as the mother science”.

“A genius like Ramanujan would shine bright even in the most adverse of circumstances, but we should be geared to encourage and nurture good talent which may not be of the same calibre as that of Ramanujan”, Singh said.

Honouring Professor Robert Kanigel, who has written a biography of Ramanujan, Singh said this book has made Ramanujan well known to the public at large all over the world.

PTI

India Post 2012 Calendar Based on Sculptural Heritage of India Released Calendar on Sale at Philatelic Bureaux in the Country

Department of Posts has released India Post 2012 Calendar based on the theme of sculptural heritage of India. This is in continuation of DoP’s initiative in 2010 calendar which was brought out on the set of its highly popular `Dasavatar` stamps based on Jayadev`s 12th century epic `Geetagovinda` and on the theme of ‘Buddha’ in 2011.

India has produced some of the most intricate and unrivalled sculptures in the world. India Post has celebrated the sculptural heritage of India by issue of a number of postage stamps from time to time. India Post 2012 Calendar is inspired by these postage stamps and includes images drawn from the vast trove of Indian sculptural heritage. 

The history of Indian sculpture dates back to the Indus Valley civilization. Tiny tera-cotta seals and bust of the Priest - King in limestone discovered from the Valley show a high level sophistication and artistry. With changing times, the style and forms of Indian sculpture evolved and acquired new dimensions. Entwined with the plurality of religion, culture and social mores of society, Indian sculpture was deeply influenced with its art, dance, drama and literature. This synthesis produced a huge body of sculptural work which was eclectic and inspirational and was an important and integral part of the life of the common man. 

India Post 2012 Calendar is available at various Philatelic Bureaux in the country at the price of Rs. 200 each.

Source : PIB dtd 23/12/2011

Postmaster's Cadre - Clarification on filling up of Short term vacancies

Significant Events of Department of Posts for the month of October, 2011 The Postal Staff College of India, Ghaziabad Renamed as “Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy

A report on significant events of department of posts for the month of October, 2011 says that Department of Posts disbursed wages to 5.04crore MGNREGS account holders across the country. Through Post Offices Rs. 878 crores have been disbursed as wages to MGNREGS account holders during September, 2011 excluding Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka Circles.

Two stamps one on ‘Chitrapur Math’ and other on ‘The Punjab Regiment Para (SF)(Punjab)’were issued during the month of October, 2011. 



A Special Cover on “Endangered Grizzled squirrel” and “Maritime Heritage of Tamilnadu” was released in Chennai during SIPEX-11, a State Level Philatelic Exhibition organized at Chennai from 7.10.2011 to 9.10.2011. 

The Postal Staff College of India, C.G.O.Complex, and Ghaziabad has been renamed as “Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy (RAKNPA)” C.G.O.Complex, Ghaziabad-201 002. 

National Postal week was celebrated throughout the country from 09-10-2011 to 14.10.2011. 


Source : PIB dtd 21/12/2011

Conversion of Post Offices into Banks

Shri Sachin Pilot, the Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology informed Rajya Sabha today in a written reply that the Department of Posts has a proposal to look into the feasibility of setting up a post bank to provide full fledged banking facilities to the rural as well as urban masses in the country, which is still at a conceptual state. The reply further informed that 12,202 Department Post Offices have been provided with internet connectivity. 

Source : PIB dtd 09/12/2011

Amendment in Indian Post Office Act

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Shri Sachin Pilot today informed the Rajya Sabha that Government is not proposing to amend the Indian Post Office Act 1898. It is proposed to replace the existing Act and a Draft Post Office Bill is under consideration of the Government.

Replying to a written question the minister said the highlights of changes proposed to be brought through the new legislation are as follows: 

1. Opening of market by reducing the exclusive privilege of Central Government: 

Gradual opening of the market by phase wise removal of the monopoly proposed. Exclusive privilege reduced upto 150 gm. in case of letters and upto 50 gm. in case of express mail. Couriers can carry letters even within 150 gm and 50 gm (the reserve area) subject to them charging twice the postal rates for letters and twice the rates for express service. 

2. Sunset clause: 

A 15 years SUNSET clause for complete removal of exclusive privilege in express service and Parliamentary Review of exclusive privilege in case of letters is proposed. 

3. Universal Service Obligation of the Central Government: 

As proposed, USO is defined as the obligation of the Central Government to provide, through the Department of Posts, basic postal services at reasonable access, affordable price and with specified service parameters throughout the country. Commitment to provide postal service, delivery and access to post office 6 days of the week except holidays. 

4. Definitions: 

Definitions of certain ‘terms’ are proposed keeping in view the definition adopted by different countries, as also the requirement of customers i.e. 
(a)“Postal services” means services provided by the Central Government or on its behalf and includes services related to
(i) handling of addressed letters, 
(ii) handling of addressed parcels and packages, 
(iii) handling of addressed press products, 
(iv) handling of these articles as registered or insured mail, 
(v) express services for these articles, 
(vi) handling of unaddressed articles, 
(vii) Value Payable Post, 
(viii) money remittance 
(ix) Post Office Counter Services 
(x) services on behalf of any Ministry or Department of the Central or State Governments, or services on behalf any other organization 
(xi) other services not specified elsewhere; 

b) “courier services” means services related to the handling of articles of mail i.e. collection, sorting, dispactch, conveyance and delivery including 

(i) handling of addressed letters subject to provisions in Section 4, 
(ii) handling of addressed parcels and packages, 
(iii) handling of addressed press products, 
(iv) express services for these articles subject to provision in Section 4 
(v) handling of unaddressed articles, 

(c) “express services” means postal / courier services related to handling of articles of mail and expedited delivery within a clearly specified and declared time limit with confirmation of receipt and with or without end-to-end integration to ensure track and trace and a record of delivery; 

(d) “Registered Courier” means any person registered as such under Section --- and includes his employee or agent or assignee; 

(e) “Licensee” means a Registered Courier who has been given licence under Section --;

5. Registration and Licensing: 

The Central Government may grant registration to any person undertaking the provision of any courier service in India, who shall be called a Registered Courier. T he Central Government may also grant license to any Registered Courier, who shall be called a licensee, for providing certain specific services. There is no registration fee or licences fee. Licensing conditions involve adherence to quality, guarantee relief to customers in case of any deficiency in service and commitment to ensure confidentiality and security of letter. All operators will require registration for providing any type of courier service in India. But license will be required only for reserve area, USO and letter mail. 

6. Registering Authority: 

It is propose that Central Government shall appoint Registering Authority, in such manner and to perform such functions, as may be prescribed. 

7. Appellate Authority: 

An Appellate Authority is proposed for redressal of grievances of any person aggrieved by an order of Registration Authority. 

8. Setting up Extra Territorial Offices of Exchange (ETOE) and International mail Processing Centers (IMPC) abroad: 

Central Govt. may establish ETOEs/IMPCs in other countries for providing international Mail Services including express and parcel services subject to arrangements with such Postal Administrations regarding terms and conditions. 



Source : PIB dtd 09/12/2011

Chennai Corporation to use Postal staff service (TN)

To verify addresses of property tax assessees

The Chennai Corporation is planning to use the services of the Department of Posts to verify addresses of over 6.41 lakh property tax assessees.

This is part of the measures of the civic body to improve property tax collection.

It has started discussions for making optimum use of the services of the Department of Posts in the days ahead when the challenges pertaining to collection of property tax are likely to mount.

With elections round the corner, the Corporation would have to use tax collectors for election duty. So, the services of the postal employees are likely to be used to create awareness and improve tax collection, said officials of the Corporation.

Address verification by the postal staff would also help the civic body verify the genuineness of the assessees during the city expansion phase.

A few months ago, the Corporation had initiated a process of sending e-post to remind the assessees. Though the property tax collection improved because of the initiative, some of the addresses of assessees were not correct.

The civic body has also planned to ask the assessees to make use of the counters in the zonal and division offices for payment of tax during the period of civic body elections.

After the expansion of the city and local body elections, the Revenue Department would face a challenge in the form of change in zone number of the existing assessees.

The Postal Department's schemes such as e-post would be continued to be used to remind the assessees of the property tax payment even after the elections.

Over 10 per cent of the property tax assessees pay taxes of high value, official said. Even though the civic body focuses more on this segment, the assessees who pay very low value property tax would also be given awareness messages through the postal system.

A major portion of the 5.29 lakh residential property tax assessees in the 10 zones of the city have a property tax demand of low value. Address verification of such assessees may be easier with the help of the extensive network of post offices, according to an official of the civic body.

Collection of property tax from over 1.12 lakh commercial properties in the city is likely to be better with the assistance of the postal network.

Courtesy : Hindu 4.9.2011

Over Ninety Percent Departmental Post Offices Computerised :

Shri Sachin Pilot, the Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology informed Rajya Sabha today in written reply to a question that 24015 (94 per cent) Departmental Post Offices out of 25538 Departmental Post Offices have been supplied with computer hardware. Remaining Departmental Post Offices along with Branch Post Offices will be computerized under the Department’s IT Modernisation Project 2012 to be completed by 2012-13 subject to availability of funds and resources. 

The reply further stated that there is no project proposal of the State Government of Madhya Pradesh pending before the Ministry for computerization of Post Offices. 

Source: PIB Release, September 2, 2011 

Post Offices to Provide Visa Related Services In Remote Areas

India Post Signs MOU with M/S VFS Global to this Effect

India Post has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with M/s VFS Global to provide visa related services for different countries through Post Offices. Memorandum of Understanding between India Post and M/s VFS Global was signed here on 30.08.2011 in the presence of Secretary, Department of Posts and senior officers from Department of Posts and VFS Global. The MOU sets out broad understandings and intentions of both the parties to provide visa related services at places where they are not currently available.

Post Office counters will be used for fee collections, providing visa applications forms, dissemination of visa information, biometric enrollment and other visa application process related services. India Post and VFS are also planning to cooperate in utilizing India Post’s courier service, Speed Post for movements of passports to VFS offices and concerned embassies, and their delivery back to the applicants. Both the parties will also explore to provide any other service that India Post may want to provide through VFS global network on mutually accepted terms. 

M/s VFS Global is in the business of visa application services and is working with 35 governments across the world with over 450 offices in 50 countries. India Post and VFS realize that there are many areas of mutual interest and synergy between India Post and VFS would benefit the public at large.

Currently visa related services are largely available in metros only and the people from smaller cities and rural areas have to travel long distances in order to avail these services. Lack of information is also a major area of concern as this allows unscrupulous elements to cheat unsuspecting and vulnerable people. Engagement of India Post towards provision of visa related services is expected to address this situation to a large extent.

AT

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(Release ID :75449)


Source : http://www.pib.nic.in/ ,September 2, 2011

Central and State Governments take various Measures to Popularize Small Saving Schemes

Central and State Governments take various measures from time to time to promote and popularize small saving schemes through print and electronic media as well as holding seminars, meetings and providing training to the various agencies involved in mobilising deposits under these schemes. 

A website of the National Savings Institute under Government on India, Ministry of Finance has also been launched to facilitate interface with the public through wider investors grievances. The website address is nsiindia.gov.in. 

The Committee on National Small Savings Fund has observed that 4% commission under Mahila Pradhan Kshetriya Bachat Yojna (MPKBY) is very high and is affecting the viability of National Small Savings Fund (NSSF). The committee has recognized that the Recurring Deposit Scheme requires considerable effort on part of agents in mobilising monthly deposits. However, 4% commission is distortionary and expensive. The Committee has recommended that it should be brought down to 1% in a phased manner in a period of three years with a 1% reduction every year.

Recommendations of the committee have been referred to State Governments and concerned Ministries/Departments of Central Government for their comments. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to an Unstarred Question in Lok Sabha today. 

DSM/ SS/PM
(Release ID :75479)


Source :  http://www.pib.nic.in/ ,September 2, 2011

India Post wins Today’s Traveller award for Best Customer Service Organization 2011

       The fifth edition of ‘Today’s Traveller’ award function to recognize and honour outstanding performers in the corporate, travel & tourism sector was held on 23rd August 2011 at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi.

The awards were presented by Mr. Subodh Kant Sahai, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism.

Department of Posts has won the‘Today’s Traveller Award’ for Best Customer Service Organization for the year 2011. Shri Alok Sharma, General Manager, Department of Posts accepted the award on behalf of Department of Posts. 

The award citation says "Department of Posts has done a commendable job in reaching every citizen of India with its path-breaking innovations. There has been a major transformation in Department of Posts’ manpower development, whereby both the front and back office staff and the entire personnel make sincere efforts to understand and address customer's needs, respond to their inquiries/complaints and provide efficient and reliable services with a good degree of enthusiasm."

Courtesy : http://aipeup3bbsr.blogspot.com/

PROHIBITION ON CARRYING RICE IN BAGGAGE TO U S A

Railway Mail Service

The Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology, Shri Sachin Pilot today informed Lok Sabha in written reply to a question that the Department has a well-established procedure and mechanism for settlement of the grievances of its employees. Personal grievances of the employees are addressed by the administrative units concerned on the basis of receipt of such representations. There is a system of regular meetings with the service unions at Divisional, Regional and Circle Levels for redressal of operational grievances. Periodic meetings also take place at the Directorate level with the national representatives of the Unions to discuss operational issues. 

The department takes requisite action with respect to employees grievances based on the representations and through the regular meetings. 

The Department of Posts does not issue Railway Pass for RMS employees/families. Department of Posts provides a metal token to the RMS employees traveling in the trains for the purpose of carriage of mail as a proof of identity. 

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SP/AT
(Release ID :74987)


Source : http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=74998