BANKING SERVICES IN POST OFFICES -- RAJYA SABHA Q & A

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.533

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27th FEBRUARY, 2015

BANKING SERVICES IN POST OFFICES

†533. SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV:                                                        

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a)       whether Government proposes to entrust banking related services to the Department of Posts;

(b)       whether all post offices in the country would also function as a bank; and

(c)        if so, by when this work is likely to be completed?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a)       Yes Sir. The Department of Posts applied to the Reserve Bank of India for issuance of license for setting up of Payments Bank on 30.01.2015.

(b)       No Sir. The Government does not propose to convert all post offices in the country to function as a bank. However, Department of Posts applied for license for setting up a Payments Bank on 30.01.2015, which may utilize a part of existing resources /infrastructure of the Department.

(c)        Date of completion of the above work will be depended on the decision of the Reserve Bank of India.

************

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.547

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27th FEBRUARY, 2015

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS ENTERING INTO BANKING SERVICES

†547. SHRI RAM NATH THAKUR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state?

(a)       whether Government plans to establish Post Bank of India by converting the wide network of post offices spread across the country into commercial banks, if so, the details thereof;

(b)       whether the Department of Posts had expressed its intention before the Government of entering into banking services in the rural areas during a discussion on the suggestions of a task force constituted on India Post; and

(c)        if so, the details thereof and the action plan made by Government in this regard?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a)      The Government does not propose to convert the wide network of post  offices spread across the country into commercial banks. The proposed Post Bank of India is envisaged as an independent entity.

(b)     During the discussions on the suggestions put forward by task force constituted for leveraging the Post Office Network, the Department of Posts expressed the view that it is ready to enter into the banking space with focus on rural areas.

(c)    Based on a consideration of all relevant aspects, the Department of Posts has submitted an application to Reserve Bank of India seeking License for setting up a Payments Bank as an independent entity.

Meeting in different Divisions

              As per decision of the Circle Unions, Joint Working Committee Meetings (Gr. “C”/Postman & MTS/GDS (NFPE) and Postal Workers Union have already started. Main agenda of these meeting are --- i) Ensuing All India Indefinite Postal Strike from 6^th May 2015 at the call of Central  Postal JCA, ii) March to Parliament on 28^th April 2015 at the call of National JCA of Railway/Defence/Confederation.  iii) Membership Verification of Departmental Employees / GDS , iv) Implementation of Dte. Order dated 22.01.2015 regarding payment of arrear to Part-time workers etc.

Contai Division

                 Joint Working Committee Meeting of AIPEU, Gr. “C” / Postman & MTS / GDS (NFPE)  & Postal Workers Union of Contai Division took place at K. G. Bose Bhawn, on 1^st March 2015.

                 Members of Presidium were Com. Bikash Chanda, Com. Swapan Sheet  & Com. Narayan Pradhan. Nearly 80 comrades were present in the meeting. Com. Ashis Dutta, Secretary,  GDS (NFPE) and Com. Ajit Rana, Secretary, Gr. “C” initiated the meeting.  Com. Lakshmi kanta Jana, Com. Gokul Maity, Com. Tapas Das, Com. Subodh Bera, Com. Debesh Nayak, Com. Tapan Giri, Com. Kalipada Bera, Com. Sudhanshu Dolui, Com. Joydev Dhali, Com. Dulal Das, Com. Harisadhan Barik, Com. Ashis Mailty and Com. Manmoth Routh  took part in discussion.

    On behalf of Circle Unions, Com. Manoj Shaw, Financial Secretary addressed the meeting enlightening on the above issues, present situation & our tasks.

Birbhum Division

                  Joint Working Committee Meeting of AIPEU, Gr. “C” / Postman & MTS / GDS (NFPE) & Postal Workers Union of Birbhumi Division held on 1^st March’2015 at Saithia MDG. Member of the Presidum were Com. Uttam Ghosh, Com. Sanat Das, Com. Abdul Bari and Com. Soumen Roy. Nearly 100 comrades were presented in the meeting. Com. Pravat Pal, Secretary, Gr. “C”, initiated the meeting. On behalf of Circle Unions Com. Com. Annwesha Biswas, Com. Sanatan Das addressed the meeting.

                   Apart from 13 comrades from 16 Zones, Com. Kartik Roy, Secretary, P-IV, Sukumar Ghosh, Secretary, GDS (NFPE), Com. Ashraf Begam and Joydev Pramanik, Joint Convenor, 12^th July Committee took part on discussion.

     Comrades are determined to achieve success in all the ensuing program including Circle conference.

Burdwan Division

                   Joint Working Committee Meeting of AIPEU, Gr. “C” / Postman & MTS / GDS (NFPE) & Postal Workers Union of Burdwan Division held on 1^st March’2015 at Burwan HO. Presidium comprising Com. Mrinal Kanti Dey, Com. Ajoy Dasgupta, Com. Adideb Chakraborty and Com. Ananda Chatterjee presided over the meeting. Total attendance was nearly 80.

                 Com. Ashoke Chatterjee, Com. Mohammad Moniruddin, Com. Ashis Halder and Com. Shibsankar Das delivered their speech. Then from different Zones, Some comrades took part in discussion. Com. Janardan Majumdar, Circle Secretary, Gr. “C”, was present in the meeting and addressed. Apart from all India programs, specific divisional level programs have been taken.

REPORT  OF  THE  GENERAL  BODY  MEETING  OF  THE  POSTMASTER  CADRE  SUB-COMMITTEE  OF  WEST  BENGAL  GROUP-C  CIRCLE  UNION 

    The general body meeting of the Postmaster Cadre Sub-Committee of the Group-C Circle Union has been held on 22.02.2015 at Tarapada Memorial Hall, 37, Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Kolkata-13. The meeting was a much-awaited one, and as committed, Com. R.N.Parashar, Secretary General, NFPE, was present in the meeting.

      The meeting started at about 12 P.M., after hoisting of Red Flag of the organisation by Com. Parashar followed by garlanding the martyr's column. Meeting was presided over the presidium of Comrades Munshi Sirajul Islam, Somnath Goswami and Kajal Mukherjee. At the outset, Com. Janardan Majumder, Circle Secretary Group-C, settled the aim and objective of the meeting through his initial speech. Com. Asit Bangabas, Asstt. C.S., placed the draft report focussing on the demands of the Postmaster Cadre, present indifferent attitude of the administration, organisational reality and roles of All India Union/Federation and Circle Union.

     Our organisational stand on separate union of Postmaster cadre was made crystal clear in the draft report, which was again elaborated by Com. Parashar in his speech later.

      Representatives from the assembled comrades spoke supporting the draft report and pointed out the problems being faced by the comrades belonging to the Postmaster cadre, like ---

• Daily problems/hazards while functioning of office.
• negative and reluctant approach of the administration.

• Resentments regarding non-settlement of financial demands including deprivation from HRA despite uninhabitable condition of post-attached quarters etc.
• Issues related to transfer-postings including tenure transfer guideline.

        They also requested Circle Union/Federation leadership to discuss regarding ----

• Actions taken by CHQ/Federation so far on the above demands.
• Development regarding the proposal of Circle Union placed in the last All India Group-C conference to form Postmaster Cadre Sub-Committee under All India Union at national level.
• The fact which is taking place at Directorate level behind the surfacing rumour of recognising a separate union of Postmaster cadre.
• A proposal for filing court case against department in West Bengal circle for the suffering of officials of Postmaster cadre due to non-issuance of general line promotional memo since 2005 in this circle, for which Grade-II Postmasters are stagnated.

      Secretary General Com. Parashar covered all these issues in details in his deliberation ----

• All India Union and Federation are well aware of the issues of this cadre and continuously pursuing them with the Dte. But the attitude of the department is disappointing.
• During discussion, Directorate has verbally assured that the examinations for Inspector Posts and PSS Gr-B will be opened for Postmaster cadre officials, but no order has so far been issued. Federation is hopeful.
• There is an intentional propaganda that NFPE was not in favour of formation of Postmaster cadre and still does not support it. But in reality, even before formation of this cadre, NFPE demanded formation of a separate Supervisory cadre in the memorandum for comprehensive cadre restructuring.
• The proposal for formation of such Sub-Committee at national level has been thought of, but due to different realities in different circles, it could not be finalised. This will be discussed further in the ensuing All India Conference of Group-C.       
• There is no such move in the Dte., so far known to the Federation, to announce this cadre a distinct category or recognise as a separate cadre union now.  But it is to be remembered that administration always wants to divide unity and break union into small parts. It does not always for the interest of the staff, but rather to satisfy interest of the administration by weakening larger unity.
•  If situation demands so for staff interest, NFPE would happily form a separate union as another affiliate under the banner of NFPE. Thus, there may be separate union, but no separation from our beloved and mighty NFPE.

           The Circle Union replied to the proposal for filing court case that it would be discussed inside Circle Working Committee meeting of Group-C Union on 03.03.2015. Regarding tenure transfer guideline, it has been ascertained verbally that general transfer guideline for P.A. cadre will also be followed for Postmaster cadre. However, the matter will be further discussed with DPS(HQ) on her return from leave.

 

      The Sub-Committee has been reconstituted having Comrade Sanat Das, Postmaster Gr-I, Bishnupur S.O. (South Presidency Divn) and Comrade Asit Bangabas, Asstt. C.S., Gr-C, as Joint Convenors. 

        The meeting concluded with the firm resolve that the comrades of Postmaster cadre in West Bengal Circle remained and would always remain with the beloved NFPE forever, and would fight all odds along with comrades of all other sections jointly, hand-in-hand, to carry on the legacy of Postal Trade Union Movement.    

LETTER ISSUED BY CIRCLE SECRETARIES FOR CHANGING OF HOLIDAY ON OCCASION OF DOLYATRA ON 5-2-15

Union Budget 2015: Postal Department to use its vast network for proposed Payment Bank

 

NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said the Postal Department will utilise the services  of its vast network for the proposed Payment Bank.

"Government proposes  to utilise vast postal network with nearly 1.55 lakh points of presence across  villages of the country.

"I hope postal department will bring the  proposed Payment Bank venture successfully so that it can contribute in Pradhan  Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana," Jaitley said while presenting the Budget for 2015 in Parliament.

The postal offices will function as payment banks, he  added.

The government has applied to RBI for a Payment Bank licence for  the Postal Department.

Payment Banks would be allowed payments and  remittance services through various channels.

However, such lenders  cannot issue credit cards or undertake lending activities.

Post Office has 1,54,000 rural branches,  while all other banks put together have about 35,000 rural banks, most of which are not in rural panchayat towns.

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/

Protest Demonstration on 3rd March, 2015 against pro-corporate & anti-central govt. employees budget-2015

Confederation National Secretariat calls upon all affiliates to hold Protest Demonstration at all important centres and in front of offices on 3^rd March 2015 against the Pro-Corporate , Anti -Worker, Anti- People and Anti- Central Government Employees  UNION BUDGET  of Modi Government.

M.Krishnan

Secretary General 

Confederation

PRESS STATEMENT of CCGEW on BUDGET 2015

ONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS

1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi – 110001

Website: www.confederationhq.blogspot.com

Email: confederationhq@gmail.com

 President                                                                                  Secretary General

 K. K. N. Kutty                                                                                 M. Krishnan09811048303                                                                              09447068125

 Dated: 28^th Feb. 2015.

PRESS STATEMENT.

Budget 2015-16.

The Budget of Modi Government for the year 2015-16 presented today to the Parliament by the Finance Minister, Shri. Arun Jaitley belied all expectations of the poor people who placed their faith in the BJP in the last general elections.   It is without doubt an anti-poor and pro-rich Budget.  The Corporate Tax has been slashed to please the giant multinational Corporate houses, who really are the rulers in most of the Countries of the world, including ours.  The Government has foregone about 8300 crores of direct tax revenue.  The burden has been put on to the shoulders of the common working people in the form of indirect taxes to the extent of more than 23000 crores mostly coming from the increased service tax kitty. 

Except raising the transport allowance exemption from Rs. 800 to Rs. 1600 p.m which only benefits the higher segment of tax payers among the salaried class, no concession or tax reduction has been given to the wage earners. 

 

By not raising the non-taxable maximum which was needed in view of the high level of inflation, Modi Government has not only squeezed the middle class but also amassed more tax revenue from those class of wage earners, who get dearness compensation.  In the process Government continue to ignore several judgements to exempt DA from taxation as DA is considered as a receipt, compensatory in nature. The salaried class of tax payers was constantly demanding the re- introduction of deduction under section 16(1) of the I.T. Act which was in vogue years back.  While retaining such concessession and deduction to all other segment of tax payers, the Government continue to penalise wage earners who are really the honest tax payers. 

Allocation for every social welfare schemes which targets the deprived section of the society has been reduced in percentage terms, the largest reduction being in the ICDS programme.  The tax concessions to the rich and corporate houses are of the order of 5.89 lakh crores. This apart, the wealth tax has been fully abolished.

 

The Budget 2015-16 has unambiguously declared the intention of the Modi Government to pursue the neo- liberal economic policies vigorously.  

K.K.N.Kutty

President.

Memorandum to be submitted to District Collectors on 2nd March 2015

Memorandum to be submitted to District Collectors on 2nd March 2015

CLICK HERE for Covering Letter in word. format

CLICK HERE for Covering Letter in pdf.format

CLICK HERE for the Declaration  of NATIONAL CONVENTION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES’ORGANISATIONS PARTICIPATING IN JCM on 11TH DECEMBER 2014 at

NEW DELHI

Employee can't be kept under suspension for over 3 months: Supreme Court   17.2.2015 

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court has prescribed that a government employee cannot be kept under suspension for over 90 days in the absence of a charge sheet against him as such persons "suffer the ignominy of insinuations, the scorn of society and the derision of their Department".
Observing that "protracted period of suspension of delinquent government employee has become a norm", a bench of Justices Vikramajit Sen and C Nagappan said suspension, specially preceding formulation of charges, was essentially transitory or temporary in nature and must be of short duration.
"If it is for an indeterminate period or if its renewal is not based on sound reasoning contemporaneously available on the record, this would render it punitive in nature," it said. 

Dwelling on the issue, the bench observed that "the suspended person suffering the ignominy of insinuations, the scorn of society and the derision  of his Department, has to endure this excruciation even before he is formally charged with some misdemeanor, indiscretion or offence. 

"His torment is his knowledge that if and when charged, it will inexorably take an inordinate time for the inquisition or inquiry to come to its culmination, that is to determine his innocence or iniquity.
"Much too often this has now become an accompaniment to retirement. Indubitably the sophist will nimbly counter that our Constitution does not explicitly guarantee either the right to a speedy trial even to the incarcerated, or assume the presumption of innocence to the accused," the bench said.
Accordingly, it directed that "the currency of a suspension order should not extend beyond three months if within this period the Memorandum of Charges/ Charge sheet is not served on delinquent officer/employee; if Memorandum of Charges/Charge sheet is served a reasoned order must be passed for the extension of the suspension." 

The apex court's judgement came on a petition by defence estate officer Ajay Kumar Choudhary, who was suspended in 2011 for allegedly issuing wrong no-objection certificates for the use of approximately four acres of land in Kashmir.
Based on the findings given in the verdict, it said the officer can challenge his continued suspension. 

"So far as the facts of the present case are concerned, the Appellant has now been served with a Charge sheet and therefore, these directions may not be relevant to him any longer.
"However, if the Appellant is so advised he may challenge his continued suspension in any manner known to law, and this action of the Respondents will be subject to judicial review," the bench said.