Post offices to offer core banking solution by next year:

In a major exercise to boost its profitability, the Department of Posts (DoP) plans to introduce core banking solution besides setting up India Post ATMs and debit cards for its customers.

"We have set target of bringing in core banking solution by 2012. It will ensure smooth online transactions. We are giving some e-payment services, but they are fragmented," a top offical from Department of Post said.

He added that the work for setting up 1,000 India Post ATMs was in advanced stage and DoP had already held parleys with vendors on this front. "We will also issue debit cards to our existing savings account-holders," the source added.

The DoP is tying up with banks so that customers can use their India Post debit card at any ATM machine pan-India. With a network reach of over 1.44 lakh post offices, DoP hopes to transform itself into a post bank.

"Yes, this is very much possible. We are offering three-fourth of a bank's services and have the widest reach. The infrastructure is almost ready. In fact, we have given this proposal to the Ministry of Finance and are waiting for its comments," he added.

The lack of modern banking facilities in rural areas and dependence of villagers on informal sector for their credit requirements prompted government to establish a post bank. "The aim of establishing a post bank is to provide banking services to the rural poor who still do not have modern banking facilities and still have to depend on informal sector for their credit requirements," he said.

The Planning Commission had allocated Rs 5 crore during the 11th Plan period towards this purpose under the head of 'studies and miscellaneous expenditure relating to setting up of Post Bank of India'. The DoP with its huge network already provides various financial services, including a post office savings bank, postal life insurance, pension payments and money transfer services.

Source: moneycontrol.com. July 4, 2011

India Post Partner with Fabindia to benefit Customers

 India Post Introduces Retail Counter at Fabindia Store With the opening of first postal retail extension counter at Fabindia’s flagship store, India Post and Fabindia partner to benefit customers in a first of its kind Public- Private Partnership. The counter was jointly inaugurated here today by smt. Radhika Doraiswamy – Secretary (Post) to Government of India, Director General Department of Posts and the Chairman of the Postal Services Board and Mr. William Bissell - Managing Director, Fabindia Overseas Private Limited.

Delhi Postal Circle in collaboration with Fabindia Overseas Private Limited - India’s private retail platform for craft based products, opened its counter at Fabindia’s flagship store at 14, N Block Market, Greater Kailash-1, New Delhi.

As a part of the joint endeavour to enhance customer experience, India post will now offer customers hassle free postal retail service which would enable the customers to buy, pack and dispatch Fabindia products not only within India but also to international destinations. To help the customers in booking consignments, Delhi Postal Circle staff will be deployed at Fabindia store.

While this comes as an expansion of the existing postal retail service earlier introduced at the Jawahar Vyapar Bhawan (Cottage Emporium), New Delhi-1, where customers can avail Speed Post Services & Registered Parcel booking within the premises of the shopping complex, this is the first partnership with a private player.

With 140 stores across 58 cities in India and four international stores, Fabindia Overseas Private Limited is India’s largest retail platform for a wide range of products produced by artisans living largely in rural areas.

The POST OFFICE counter at the Fabindia outlet will offer the following domestic and international services from 1100 Hours till 1900 Hours (on all working days):

Flat Rate Parcel Service (Domestic) – Air Express Service, High Quality Boxes as a part of postage charges, One India One Rate

Flat Rate Parcel Service (International) – Any destination, anywhere in the world. Total composite Rates are applicable

EMS Speed Post Service (Domestic & International) – Fast, reliable, guaranteed Service

 http://centralgovernmentemployeesportal.blogspot.com/

SMS status reporting for Speed Post & eMO

We are happy to launch SMS tracking facility as an initiative to provide better service to our customers. Initially, the service is available for Speed Post and eMO (electronic money order).
The steps involved:
1) You need to send SMS to 55352 in the following format:
	For Speed Post:
		SP<space>Speed Post number                                                        OR EMS<space>Speed Post number
	For eMO:
		MO<space>eMO PNR No                                      OR EMO<space>eMO PNR No
2) 'IN' at the end of Speed Post number need not be given. Eg. if the Speed Post number is EK123456789in; you need to send the message as: SP EK123456789                    The service is not case sensitive - you may use capitals or lower case or a mix of both.
3) Speed Post data is available from 19 September 2009 onwards.      eMO data is available from 23 September 2009 onwards.
4) The data will be retained upto 3 months from the date of booking for the purpose of SMS tracking.
5) The service is available across all service providers in the country. Rates charged by the service provider are applicable.

ACTION SEEMS ON DEPARTMENTAL COUNCIL MEETING SUBJECTS

NO. 5-4/2011-PAP

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND IT

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

(ESTABLISHMENT DIVISION)

DAK BHAWAN, SANSAD MARG, NEW DELHI – 110001

The 28^th April, 2011

To,

All Heads of Circles

Subject: - (i) DC – JCM item No. 49 regarding grant of Road Millage to the staff entrusted the work of Cheque clearance, etc.,

(ii) DC-JCM item No. 60-regarding grant of Fixed conveyance allowance to Marketing Executives.

Sir/Madam,

I am directed to say that in the meeting of the Departmental Council of JCM, held on 27.08.2011, the staff side has inter alia raised the following two issues for consideration and taking appropriate decision.

(i) DC-JCM item No. 49: regarding grant of Road Millage to the staff entrusted the work of Cheque clearance, etc.,

<!--[if !supportLists]-->(ii) <!--[endif]-->DC-JCM item No. 60-regarding grant of Fixed conveyance allowance to Marketing Executive.

2.0 Item 49: - The staff side stated that the work of clearance of cheques should not be brought under the ambit of conveyance Allowance as the officials entrusted the work pertaining to clearance of cheques, have to travel 40-45 KMs. a day and used to incur an expenditure of minimum Rs.50/- every day. Besides, they have also to pay parking charges for their vehicles. The present rate(s) is/are not sufficient to meet the requirements.

2.1 Item: 60: - In this item, the Staff side has contended for payment of a fixed conveyance allowance of Rs.1000/- per month to the Marketing Executive, which in their views would meet the expenditure being incurred by them during their extensive travels with in the areas, while performing their duties.

3. The matter have been considered at Directorate level. As both the matters pertain to various Circles, having different kinds of situations and circumstances in accordance with their ground realities, it has been desired to have both the issues examined in detail by the Heads of Circles in the first instance, and have their detailed reports, the practice followed in their circles, applicability of various rules and instructions on the subject, any representations, etc., from the concerned staff comments and recommendations of the HOC as well as estimated/ additional financial implications, if any, alongwith the views of their CIFAs; in order to examine the matters further at Directorate level.

4. It is, therefore, requested that both the matters may kindly be examined in detail at Circle Level and comprehensive reports may kindly be sent to this Directorate at the earliest.

Yours faithfully,

(S. V. RAO)

ASSTT. DIRECTOR GENERAL (ESTT.)

TELE: 011-2309 6030 / 2303 6726

FAX: 011-2309 6007 / 2309 6036

Flat Rate Parcel Boxes

INDIA POST OFFERS HIGH QUALITY CORRUGATED BOXES UNDER FLAT RATE PARCEL SERVICE.  FLAT RATE PARCEL SERVICE ENSURES SAFE AND SECURE DELIVERY OF CONSIGNMENTS FOR ANY DESTINATION IN INDIA.  TAKING ALL THE EFFORTS AND WORRY AWAY FROM THE CUSTOMERS, FLAT RATE PARCEL DELIVERS CONVENIENCE AND TRUSTWORTHINESS.  THE SERVICE IS SUITABLE FOR DOMESTIC AND BUSINESS NEEDS.  FLAT RATE PARCELS ARE TRANSMITTED BY AIR TO PROVIDE FASTER AND EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF PARCELS.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS/PIB NEWS

Various Circulars issued by the Recruitment Division of Postal Directorate on the new Examination System

CLICK HERE FOR VIEW

CLOSURE OF POST OFFICES

Kasargod, Apr 23:

 It is gathered, that the central government has given initiation to a scheme of pruning down the number of post offices in the country. As per the new policy of the government, it believes that a post office every five kms will be sufficient to serve the people. If this policy is implemented, 9,797 post offices will face imminent closure, it is learnt

Some post office employees’ organizations have alleged that the government is planning to privatize post offices in rural places, by entrusting their operation to private parties on commission basis. Political parties claim that the ‘Postal and Courier Service Bill-2010’ proposed to be moved in the next session of the parliament, is an effort to privatize postal services in the country

Left parties have charged the central government of aiming at providing help to capitalists and mega courier companies through the said measures. They fear that once the above procedures are through, postal services will hit a new low, and thousands of employees of postal department will lose their jobs

LGO EXAMINATION SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON 01.05.2011 IS POSTPONED TO 29.05.201

INDIA POST'S PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WILL BE THE CUSTOMER'S FIRST CHOICE

CLICKHEREVIEW

REVISION OF STITCHING CHARGES

F.No. 141 1/2010-JCA2

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

(Department of Personnel 86 Training)

North Block, New Delhi

          Dated the 18" April, 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Revision of Stitching Charges.

            The undersigned is directed to say that based on a demand raised by the Staff Side, in National Council (JCM), the question of revising the Stitching Charges of Uniforms, supplied to Common Categories of employees (Multi-Tasking Staff - erstwhile Group 'D' posts of Peon, Daftry, Jamadar, Junior Gestetner Operator, Frash, Chowkidar, Safaiwala, Mali etc. and Staff Car Drivers, Dispatch Riders etc.) in the Central Secretariat and its Attached and Subordinate Offices, has been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Finance. Consequently, it has been decided to enhance the rates of stitching charges, with effect from 1^st April, 2011

thereby modifying the earlier instructions issued vide this Ministry's O.M. No. 14/3/2006-JCA dated 28" September, 2006.

2. The revised rates of stitching charges, with effect from lst  April, 2011, will be as under:-

            Winter

            (1) Buttoned-up-coat and pant                  -Rs. 750

            (2) Over Coat for Staff Car Drivers            - Rs. 600

            (3) Ladies half-coat                                      -Rs. 600

            Summer

            (4) Pant (Terricot)                                         - Rs.135

            (5) Bush Shirt (Polyvastra)                         -Rs.  60

            (6) Blouse                                                      -Rs. 45

            (7) Petticoat                                                   -Rs.  30

            (8) Salwar Kameez                                      - Rs. 90

            Protective clothing [for Malis/ Bhistiesl

            (9)  Pyjama                                                    -Rs. 24

            (10) Short (Half-Pant)                                  -Rs .60

            (11) Shirt (Cotton)                                        -Rs. 45

3. It may please be noted that the reimbursement of Stitching Charges at the-prescribed rates should be done only after the stitched uniforms are produced and are duly stamped, with indelible ink, at an appropriate place on the wrong side of the stitched dress, for identification. A proper record and procedure should be evolved to ensure that the employees produce the stitched uniforms within a reasonable period (say one month) after the cloth is supplied to them.

4. This issues with the concurrence of Department of Expenditure vide ID No. 5(1)/E.I1 (A)/2009 dated 08.04.201 1.

Hindi version will follow.

                                                      Sd/-

(Dinesh Kapila)

Director (JCA

IT MODERNIZATION PROJECT

The project has following components:

i. Development of integrated modular scalable applications for mail, banking, Postal Life Insurance advanced financial services and ERP solutions for accounts and HR Operations of the Department.

ii. Provision of ICT devices in rural post offices with required applications for performing postal, banking, insurance, retail operations.

iii. Establishment of IT infrastructure of Data Centre and Disaster Recovery Centre and networking of all Post Offices including Branch Post Offices in the rural areas.

iv. Provision for training, change management, capacity building of the employees of the department along with setting up of the Project Management units of Department, Circle, region and Division levels for smooth and timely implementation of the project

(a) 100 Days Agenda finalized on January 01, 2011 included selection of vendors for the following solutions:-

1. Customer Interaction Management Solution

2. Mail Operation Solution

3. Human Resource Management Solution and Finance and Accounts Solution

4. Banking and Postal Life Insurance Solution

5. Change Management

6. Establishment of Data Centre

7. Rural ICT Service Integrator

8. Network Integrator

(b) Status of compliance

(i) Customer Interaction Management Solution

Objectives:

To enable 24x7 transactions for customers through web portal, call centres and ATMs.

Status:

Vendors have been shortlisted. RFP will be issued on April 15, 2011.

(ii) Mail Operations Solution

Objectives:

a) This will provide full article visibility across the supply of chain – from booking to delivery

b) It will help improve revenue generation through new services/products e.g., Logistics Post.

c) The solution will increase number of delivery channels for services/products, e.g. web portal and call centre.

Status:

Vendors have been shortlisted. RFP will be issued on April 15, 2011.

(iii) Enterprise-wide Human Resource Management Solution and Finance & Accounts Solution

Objective:

a) The solution would enable one single source of data across Department of Posts by online data capture and real time reconciliation

b) The solution would enable centralized payroll processing.

c) The solution would help the Department of Posts move from cash based to accrual based accounting system.

d) The Department Recruitment process would be streamlined.

Status:

Vendors have been shortlisted. RFP will be issued by April 15, 2011

(iv) Banking and Postal Life Insurance Solution:

Banking Solutions objectives

It will lead to Centralized processing of transactions/data, ATMs, Mobile Banking and Real time Banking. This will also enable e-commerce and web channels for customers.

Postal Life Insurance Solution objectives

a) It enables the complete insurance solution by eliminating delays and errors.

b) This will enable the interaction through multiple channels,

c) The solution would also enable safer and faster transactions including premium collection and disbursement.

Status:

RFP has been issued. Technical evaluation of Banking Solution will be completed by April 30, 2011.

(v) Change Management

Objective

Change Management for the India Post 2012 program will focus on effective management of change in technology and business process as a result of introduction of the IT solutions.

(vi) Establishment of Data Centre

Objective

Networking of all 1.55 lakh post offices

Status

RFP has been issued. Process of evaluation of bids is going on.

(vii) Rural ICT Service Integrator

Objective

To provide ICT services of Postal, Banking and Insurance in rural post offices

Status

RFP has been issued. Technical evaluation of bids will be completed by April 30, 2011.

(viii) Network Integrator

Status

RFP has been issued on April 06, 2011

II. COMPUTERIZATION OF 9,600 POST OFFICES

Orders have been placed for supply of computers to 9,600 post offices. Supply has commenced.

III. WHITE LABEL PRE-PAID CARDS

The Department is going to introduce White Label Pre paid cards in collaboration with banks.

Objective

The objective of launching this card is to leverage cash handling expertise and the network of India Post in order to facilitate non-cash based transactions for purchase of products and services at retail outlets across the country and to earn revenue through value added service.

This card will be magnetic strip based loaded with pre-determined amount in rupees and could be operated at merchant locations, ATMs and designated post offices.

Status

Department of Posts has got approval from the RBI. Partner banks are awaiting the approval from RBI.

IV. FLAT RATE BOXES

100 days agenda to introduce Pre-paid parcel boxes for domestic parcels for 1 Kg, 2.5 Kg and 5 Kg. The boxes will be sold through more than 800 post offices across the country.

V. PASSENGER RESERVATION SYSTEM (PRS) - 100 days Agenda

Railway Passenger Reservation System (PRS) to be provided through 71 more post offices (in addition to the existing 120 post offices) by March 31, 2011 to benefit people who are living away from Railway Booking Counters.

Status

Railway Passenger Reservation System has been provided to 12 more post offices.

VI. UP-GRADATION OF SPEED POST CENTERS - 100 days Agenda

17 more Speed Post centers to be equipped with handheld scanners and bar code readers to provide better track and trace facility to the customers.

Status

All 17 Speed Post centers have been up-graded.

VII. MICRO-INSURANCE POLICY – 100 days Agenda

To underwrite 45 lakh Micro-Insurance policies in Rural Areas.

Status

46.62 Lakh Micro-insurance policies have been underwritten in rural areas as on March 31, 2011.

SP/AS

Source : Press Information Beaurea

COMPUTERISATION OF BRANCH POST OFFICES

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION STRUCTURE:

The IT Modernization Project of India Post has been designed to be implemented in eight contracts, Contract-I relates to Branch Post Offices.

CONTRACT-I RURAL ICT HARDWARE FOR BRANCH POST OFFICES:

The Vendor will supply and install Rural ICT Hardware devices and provide for network connectivity – to approximately 1.30 lakh GDS Branch Post Offices which will enable Branch Post Offices to perform all transactions electronically.

RURAL ICT AND GDS EMPLOYEES:

Rural ICT Solutions aims to significantly improve the day to day operations performed at Branch Post Offices in the following ways.

1. All the Postal, Savings Bank and RPLI functions would be performed through the devices;

     thus manual record keeping would be reduced.

2. The BO Daily Accounts and B.O. Summary would be automatically generated and     

     electronically sent to the Accounts Office and Central Server.

3. Specimen Signature Book would be replaced by an advanced biometric method of

    authentication.

4. All new PLI applications forms will be processed through the devices thus resulting in faster

    issue of Polices.

5. Improved disbursement of money orders at the Branch Post Offices as a result of enhanced

    cash management systems.

6. Utility bills like telephone, electricity, water etc can be accepted online through the device in

     the future and electronic receipts can be given to the consumers.

7. MGNRES payments shall be done using the Rural ICT devices allowing the GDS Post Office

    to validate the identity of an individual through biometric data, thus reducing verification time

    and avoiding unauthorized users