Monday 30 April 2018
How the humble postman will bring banking to your doorstep
The khaki-clad, now largely forgotten, ‘dakia’ is drafted in as a key player in the scheme of things to drive Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet initiatives of Digital India and financial inclusion.
Internet illiteracy in rural India where millions still use mobile phones for only voice communication is a major impediment to take Digital India to the grassroots. That is also hampering the government’s efforts towards financial inclusion and make the direct subsidy transfer scheme more effective.
Officials believe this problem can be addressed by leveraging the postal department, with its vast network and workforce that are increasingly unused in an era when dirtcheap telephone services have reduced letter writing into a hobby of the nostalgia-struck.
India Post Payment Bank (IPPB), the postal department’s payments bank division, will utilise the services of the postman to offer doorstep — or assisted — banking in rural areas.
Armed with a smartphone, the postman will assist people to make banking transactions from their homes. They can also use his services to receive subsidy payments through Aadhaar Pay or BHIM. The trust of people that post offices and postmen enjoy, the department hopes, will help IPPB make its presence felt at the ground level and bring individuals and small business into the formal financial system.
IPPB, which currently has a branch each in Raipur and Ranchi, will later this month expand the operations to 650 post officers at district headquarters and about 3,000 access points.
Internet illiteracy in rural India where millions still use mobile phones for only voice communication is a major impediment to take Digital India to the grassroots. That is also hampering the government’s efforts towards financial inclusion and make the direct subsidy transfer scheme more effective.
Officials believe this problem can be addressed by leveraging the postal department, with its vast network and workforce that are increasingly unused in an era when dirtcheap telephone services have reduced letter writing into a hobby of the nostalgia-struck.
India Post Payment Bank (IPPB), the postal department’s payments bank division, will utilise the services of the postman to offer doorstep — or assisted — banking in rural areas.
Armed with a smartphone, the postman will assist people to make banking transactions from their homes. They can also use his services to receive subsidy payments through Aadhaar Pay or BHIM. The trust of people that post offices and postmen enjoy, the department hopes, will help IPPB make its presence felt at the ground level and bring individuals and small business into the formal financial system.
IPPB, which currently has a branch each in Raipur and Ranchi, will later this month expand the operations to 650 post officers at district headquarters and about 3,000 access points.
Communication Minister Manoj Sinha said IPPB would be a game-changer in taking digital services to rural India. These initiatives, he told ET, “serve PM Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India”.
The government is keen to take IPPB’s services to every corner of the country before parliamentary elections a year from now, sources in the Department of Posts (DoP) said. IPPB’s role would be politically significant in view of its direct connectivity with rural people, particularly social sector beneficiaries and migrant labourers.
“Initially, about 40,000 postmen will be available for IPPB,” a source at the DoP said. Eventually, that number could increase to about 1.50 lakh postmen, including Gramin Dak Sewaks.
The DoP is currently providing smartphones to the first batch of postmen who will act as IPPB’s agents.
While IPPB will help process payments from central schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the National Security Assistance Programme, it is in touch also with state governments to play a bigger part in the direct benefit transfer scheme for subsidies they offer.
IPPB’s presence in rural areas may increase access of common people to the formal financial system, the DoP source said.
Payments banks such as IPPB are meant to take banking to rural locations where infrastructure is lacking. They aren’t allowed to lend to customers, but can take deposits, convey remittances and dispense payments to recipients.
Postal department sources said while IPPB cannot provide loans, it can still facilitate third parties to offer loans to villagers.
The postman personally knows the villagers of his area, and that will be useful in evaluating their financial position, a source said.
“We can assess the financial position of villagers who require small loans for the purpose of purchasing cattle, fertiliser or opening shops. Third parties may consider them for such loans on the basis of our assessment.”
If villagers get loans through formal channels, it may also put a check on unscrupulous moneylenders in rural areas, he said.
The DoP is currently providing smartphones to the first batch of postmen who will act as IPPB’s agents.
While IPPB will help process payments from central schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the National Security Assistance Programme, it is in touch also with state governments to play a bigger part in the direct benefit transfer scheme for subsidies they offer.
IPPB’s presence in rural areas may increase access of common people to the formal financial system, the DoP source said.
Payments banks such as IPPB are meant to take banking to rural locations where infrastructure is lacking. They aren’t allowed to lend to customers, but can take deposits, convey remittances and dispense payments to recipients.
Postal department sources said while IPPB cannot provide loans, it can still facilitate third parties to offer loans to villagers.
The postman personally knows the villagers of his area, and that will be useful in evaluating their financial position, a source said.
“We can assess the financial position of villagers who require small loans for the purpose of purchasing cattle, fertiliser or opening shops. Third parties may consider them for such loans on the basis of our assessment.”
If villagers get loans through formal channels, it may also put a check on unscrupulous moneylenders in rural areas, he said.
Source:-The Economic Times
Tuesday 24 April 2018
PAYMENT OF DEARNESS ALLOWANCE TO GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS (GDS) EFFECTIVE 01.01.2018
No. 14-3l2016-PAP
Government of India
Ministry of Communication
Department of Posts
(Establishment Division)/P.A.P. Section
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi - 110 001
Dated:24th April,2018
To,
All Chief Postmaster General
All G.Ms. (PAF)/Directors of Accounts (Posts).
Subject: Payment of Dearness Allowance to Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) effective 01.01.2018 onwards -reg.
Consequent upon grant of another instalment of Dearness Allowance with effect from 1st January,2018 to the Central Government Employees vide Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure's O.M. No. 1/1/2OL8-E-II (B) dated 15.03.2018, duly endorsed vide this Department's letters No. 8-1/2016-PAP dated 19.03.2018 and Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure OM No.1/3/2008-E.ll(B) dated 28.03.2018, the Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) have also become entitled to the payment of Dearness Allowances on basic TRCA at the same rates as applicable to Central Government Employees with effect from 01.01.2018. lt has, therefore, been decided that the Dearness Allowance payable to the Gramin Dak Sevaks shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 139% to !42% on the basic Time Related Continuity Allowance, with effect from the 1st January, 2018.
2. The Dearness Allowance payable under this order shall be paid in cash to all Gramin Dak Sevaks.
3. The expenditure on this account shall be debited to the Head "Salaries" under the relevant head of account and should be met from the sanctioned grant.
4. This issues with the concurrence of Integrated Finance Wing vide their Diary No 05 /A/2018/CS dated 24.04.2018.
Sd/-
R L Patel
Assistant Director General (E stt.)
Thursday 19 April 2018
3rd Day relay hunger fast
3rd day relay hunger fast Dharana program of AIPEU - GDS union, in front of the CPMG office, BBSR and inaugurated on behalf of the CCGE&W Odisha state committee and AIPRPA, Odisha state committee and Former Leader Staff side of RJCM, Odisha Circle Branch. Com. Bruhaspati Samal, Chairman of the NFPE CoC, Odisha Circle presided over the Dharana. Amongst other leaders Com. Bamadeb Mishra, Convenor of BBSR city CoC, Com. Jagadish Jena from AOBEFI, Com. Harihar Acharya from BEFI attended and addressed also. Many GDS Comrades from many Dvns attended. Com. Jogesh ch Sahoo, working President of AIPEU - GDS union Chq attended and addressed. Com. Nirmal Singh and Com. Here Krushna Sahoo Circle Secretary and President of the Circle Union managed the today's program very nicely. I convey my red Salute to all comrades .
Wednesday 18 April 2018
2nd Day Dharna Programme of NFPE, Odisha in front of Chief PMG Office, Bhubaneswar demanding immediate implementation of Kamalesh Chandra Committee Report on Garmin Dak Sewak and completion of membership verification process for GDS Cadre. Response was good. Thanks to all the participating members for making the 2nd day successful.
Ref: Confdn/Genl/2016-19 Dated – 14.03.2018
“DEFEAT THE DISASTROUS NEO-LIBERAL POLICIES
DEFEAT THE ANTI-LABOUR RULING CLASS POLITICS BEHIND IT”
10th JUNE 2018-HYDERABAD
STRIKE DECLARATION NATIONAL CONVENTION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
Venue : SUNDARAIYYA VIGNANA KENDRAM, BAGALINGAMPALLY, HYDERABAD
Time : 10 AM to 5 PM
Dear Comrades,
Attack on the working class and peasants as a whole and Central Government Employees in particular are mounting day by day. The entire working class and peasantry are on struggle path. The farmers long march in Maharashtra is the latest mass struggle. None of the 7th CPC related demands of Central Government Employees are settled. The assurance given by the Group of Ministers to the NJCA leaders regarding increase in Minimum Pay and Fitment formula is in paper even after a lapse of 20 months. Now the Finance Minister has replied in Parliament that “no change in Minimum Pay and Fitment formula is at present under consideration”. Employees who joined service after 01.01.2004 are retiring with a megre pension of 1000 to 2000 rupees only under the NPS Scheme. In effect, New Pension System has become No Pension System. Six lakhs posts are lying vacant for the last many years and now Govt. has issued orders to abolish all posts lying vacant for more than five years. HRA arrears, MACP Bench mark, Option-I for pensioners – Govt. is not ready to reconsider their stand. Three lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks of the Postal department are waiting for two years for their legitimate wage revision. Exploitation of Casual and contract workers continue and equal pay for equal work is denied to them. Large scale outsourcing and privatization has become the order of the day. Privatisation of Railways and outsourcing of the work done by Defence employees are in full swing. 12 out of 17 Govt. of India Printing Presses are ordered to be closed. Same is the fate with other departmental printing presses including Railway printing presses. Autonomous body employees and pensioners are denied their rightful wage revision and pension revision due to the stringent conditions imposed by the Finance Ministry. Compassionate appointments have become a mirage.
Trade Union rights are denied. Orders banning dharna and demonstrations are issued. The draconian FR 56 (j) and Pension Rules 48 are misused as a short-cut to punish and victimize employees. JCM forums have become mere talking shops without any positive results. Recognition under CCS (RSA) Rules are delayed and Departmental Councils have become dead in many departments. Govt. sponsored unions are given undue patronage. Recognition of fighting organisations are withdrawn on flimsy grounds and trade union facilities are denied to the Chief Executives of recognised Associations.
It is in this background the National Secretariat of Confederation of Central Government employees & Workers has decided to fight back these retrograde policies by mobilizing the entire Central Government employees by unleashing intensive campaign throughout the country culminating in strike. To declare the compaign programme and the strike, a “National Convention of Central Government Employees” will be held at Hyderabad on 10thJune 2018 Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Eminent trade Union leaders will attend the Convention. Venue of the National Convention is Sundaraiyya Vigmana Kendra, Bagalingampally, Hyderabad. About 1000 delegates from all states will attend the Convention.
The following quota is fixed for affiliates and COCs outside Andhra and Telangana. C-O-C Andhra & Telangana shall mobilise 500 delegate.
Sl.
Name of affiliate/COC
No. of delegates – quota fixed
1.
National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE)
150
2.
Income Tax Employees Federation (ITEF)
50
3.
All India Audit & Accounts Association20
4.
All India Civil Accounts Employees Association30
5.
National Federation of Atomic Energy Employees 10
6.
All India Ground Water Board Employees Association 10
7.
Geological Survey of India Employees Association 10
8.
All other affiliated organisations
5 each
9.
C-O-C Delhi
5
10.
C-O-C Utter Pradesh
5
11.
C-O-C West Bengal
10
12.
C-O-C Kerala
10
13.
C-O-C Tamilnadu
10
14.
All other C-O-Cs
5 each
15.
Andhra & Telangana C-O-C
500
All affiliates and COCs are requested to issue separate circulars fixing quota to each organisation/units.
All delegates may be instructed to book their up and down travel tickets immediately as train tickets reservation commences four months before. Food and Accommodation to delegates will be arranged by the C-O-C Andhra & Telangana, Hyderabad. Delegate fee is fixed as Rs.500/- (Rs. Five hundred only) per head. For other details C-O-Cs and affiliates are requested to contact the following.
1. Com. Azeez, GS, C-O-C - 09848082697
2. Com. V. Nageswara Rao, Presidnet, COC - 09912348233
3. Com. Usha Boneppalli, ITEF - 08985971009
4. Com. Balakrishna, ITEF - 08985970999
As Hyderabad is a Famous tourist centre, those delegates who want to go for sightseeing should arrange it on 9th or 11th June. Everybody should attend the convention on 10.06.2018 from 10 AM to 5 PM without fail.
CHARTER OF DEMANDS
1. Settle 7th CPC related issues including increase in Minimum Pay and Fitment Formula, HRA arrears, MACP Bench Mark, Option-I for pensioners etc.
2. Withdraw contributory Pension Scheme (NPS). Ensure defined pension under CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 to all employees appointed on or after 01.01.2004.
3. Fill up all vacant posts. Withdraw the orders to abolish all vacant posts lying vacant for five eyars. Create justified posts for excess work. Evolve proper mechanism for Regional recruitment. Stop engagement of retired persons.
4. (a) Regularise Gramin Dak Sevaks and grant Civil Servant status. Implement positive recommendations of Kamalesh Chandra Committee report.
(b) Regularise all casual and contract workers. Evolve a new scheme for regularization of Casual and Contract Workers.
5. Ensure equal pay for equal work as per Supreme Court judgment and grant parity in wages and pay scales.
6. Stop closure of Govt. establishments. Withdraw closure orders of Govt. of India Presses. Stop outsourcing and privatization of Government functions.
7. Avoid abnormal delay in extending benefits of 7th CPC to Autonomous body employees and pensioners.
8. Remove 5% condition imposed on compassionate appointments. Grant appointment in all deserving cases.
9. Grant five time-bound promotions to all employees on completion of 8, 7, 6, 5 & 4 years of service.
10. (a) stop attack on Trade Union rights. Avoid delay in conducting verification of Membership under CCS (RSA) Rules 1993. Declare results and grant recognition in a time-bound manner. Ensure prompt functioning of various negotiating forums under JCM scheme at all levels.
(b) Withdraw the draconian FR 56(j) and Rule 48 of CCS (Pension) Rules 1972 which is misused as a short-cut to punish and victimize employees.
NATIONAL SECRETARIAT MEETING ON 9THJUNE 2018-3 PM
National Secretariat meeting of the Confederation will be held on 09.06.2018 at Hyderabad at 3 PM to finalise the campaign programme and strike. All National Secretariat members are requested to attend the meeting WITHOUT FAIL. Please book your travel tickets accordingly.
STOP CLOSURE OF GOVT. OF INDIA PRINTING PRESSES
MASS PROTEST DHARNA
NEW DELHI – 27.04.2018 – 10 AM
National Federation of Printing, Stationery & Publications Employees (NFPSPE) and Confederation Delhi State Committee will jointly organize a mass protest Dharna at New Delhi (Venue will be decided later) on 27th April 2018 at 10 AM. Available National Secretariat Members at New Delhi shall also attend the Dharna programme. It is also decided to have another round of discussion with authorities through JCM (NC) staff side at the earliest.
ALL INDIA WOMEN’S TRADE UNION WORKSHOP
C-O-C Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow) will decide the Venue and dates of the workshop in consultation with CHQ. Details will be informed later.
Fraternally your’s
(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General
Mob: 09447068125
Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com
R. N. Parashar, General Secretary at 2:22 PM
Tuesday 17 April 2018
3 Days dharna Programme of NFPE, Odisha started on 17.04.2018 in front of Chief PMG Office, Bhubaneswar demanding immediate implementation of Kamalesh Chandra Committee Report on Garmin Dak Sewak and completion of membership verification process for GDS Cadre. Response was good. Thanks to all the participating members for making the 1st day successful.
Sunday 15 April 2018
Attending the joint Biennial Dvl Conference of Dhenkanal Postal Dvn as the Guest of honour at Nalco Auditorium, Angul as the state General Secretary of CCGE&W and the state General Secretary of AIPRPA, Odisha state committee. Amongst other leaders Com. R. C Mishra, former Circle Secretary of P 3 inaugurated, Com. Bruhaspati Samal, Circle Secretary of P - 3 attended as Chief Guest, Com. Debabrata Mohanty, General Secretary of P-4 CHQ attended as chief speaker, Com. Nirmal Ch. Singh, Circle Secretary of AIPEU - GDS, Com. P K Sahoo, Dvl Secretary - senior leader of Dkl Dn, Com. C S Singh, Circle Vice president of P-3 and the Dvl Secys of SambalPur Dn and Puri Dn attended. Com. Aditya Prasad Panda Presided over the open session. I convey my warm greetings to the organizers of Dkl Postal Dn for their love and affection to me and by inviting to their conference in open session.
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