Arrangement for 1st class registered and unregistered mails should be introduced w.e.f 15th February 2012. Guideline for Post office

 All Post offices will close:-

1.  2 bags to its own mail office-one bag with TD( articles deliverable by the POs of the own mail office L-1 or L-2) and the other with NTD( all outgoing articles).

2.  2 registered bags closed for TD and NTD on the above lines. They should be included in the respective TD and NTD bags closed.

3.  Account bag to the HO should be included in the TD bag.

4 BOs should continue to send all mails to the account office as per the existing instructions in the account bag closed, subject to further orders.

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Airtel to Generate Detailed Bills for Pre-paid Customers

NEW DELHI: Telecom leader Bharti Airtel today launched India's first online self care service which will enable pre-paid customers to get itemised bills, manage their account and subscribe to value added services.

"Airtel prepaid mobile customers can visit the new self care website to receive and activate customised offers on 'my airtel, my offer' (MAMO), view tariff and top up options, request for the itemised bill and more," Bharti Airtel said in a statement.

Airtel is the first company to come up with this service after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on January 6 issued 'Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations, 2012', where it asked operators to provide itemised bills at a price not exceeding Rs 50.

So far, there was no regulatory binding on companies to provide itemised bill to pre-paid customers and they had no documentary records of their phone usage.

The Trai regulation also directed operators to provide details of tariff plans, available balance and details of the value added services activated on a connection any time, free of charge to their subscribers.

Customers will have to register on Airtel's website by submitting their pre-paid number and password that will be send to them on their mobiles.

Once the account opens on Airtel website, customer will have option to access services like check balance, validity, recharge history, handset details, itemised bill and recharge.

This kind of facility was earlier available for post-paid user only.

For getting itemised pre-paid bill, Airtel customer will have to pay Rs 50 to the company and can request for the same bill again without paying extra money.

Source : Economictimes

For Latest Updates Always Visit - http://sapost.blogspot.com/

Railways Advise Passengers to Use Current Reservation Counter Facility for short Notice Journeys

Posted: 13 Feb 2012 07:42 AM PST

The Ministry of Railways has advised the passengers travelling on the train on a short notice to use the facility of Current Reservation Counter situated at the train originating main stations. The Ministry has pointed out that vacant reserved seats available on train after preparation of reservation charts can be booked at the Current Counters of the train originating stations upto a specified time before departure of trains.

The Railways wishes to create further awareness among the passengers about this facility as due to lack of adequate awareness, it is misused by unscrupulous elements/intermediaries for providing confirmed accommodation to passengers at a premium by using the current counter facility.

It may be mentioned that a reserved ticket can be booked across the Passenger Reservation System counters all over the country as well as through internet only upto the time of preparation of reservation charts. After preparation of reservation charts, the berths/seats available, if any, can be booked at the current counter available at the major stations. The reservation charts are normally prepared 3 to 4 hours before he scheduled departure of the train. In case of trains leaving early morning, the charts are prepared on the previous night.

Source: PIB & sapost.blogspot.com/

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WITHDRAWAL /WITHHOLDING/RECOVERY OF PENSION/GRATUITY IN THE CASE OF MNOR PENALTY PROCEEDINGS.

D.G. Posts No. 14013/03/2010-VP dated 09.02.2012.

         I am directed to say that as per the DOP&T OM No. 110/9/2003-AVD-I dated 13.04.2009, the minor penalty proceedings cannot establish the grave misconduct or negligence leading to the withdrawal/withholding /recovery of pension/gratuity as a result of minor penalty proceedings instituted against a charged official during his service and which had continued after his retirement. The above instructions of the DOP&T were circulated to all concerned by the Pension Section of this office vide letter No. 4-4/09-Pension dated 4.6.2009 for information, guidance and taking necessary action.

2       However, some of the units have shown their unawareness of the above instructions of P&T. Therefore, the same are re-circulated to all units for information, guidance and taking necessary action.

Copy of DOPT O.M. No. 110-9/2003-AVD-I dated 13^th April, 2009.

WITHDRAWAL /WITHHOLDING/RECOVERY OF PENSION/GRATUITY IN THE CASE OF MINOR PENALTY PROCEEDINGS.

         The undersigned is directed to refer to this Departments OM No. 134/9/86-AVD-I dated 31^st July 1987 wherein it was clarified that the Central Government has the power to withhold or withdraw pension even as a result of minor penalty proceedings instituted against a charged officer during his service and which had continued after his retirement provided misconduct or negligence is established. The  underlying basis for this OM was that there can be circumstances wherein proceedings initiated or minor penalty could result in establishment of grave misconduct or negligence on conclusion of the proceedings warranting a cut or withholding  of pension or recovery of pecuniary loss. The OM of 31^st July 1987 was issued in cancellation of the earlier O.M. No. 134/10/80-AVD-I dated 28^th Feb, 1981 which interalia, stated that grave misconduct or negligence cannot be established as a result of minor penalty proceedings.

2.      The OM of 31.7.1987 came for scrutiny before the Central Administrative Tribunal(CAT), Principal Bench , Delhi in OA no 2068 of 2002 (RS Sagar, NOIDA, UP Vs. Union of India) pertaining to the Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation. The Hon'able Tribunal was considering an application against the order of withholding of gratuity of a charged officer who had retired from service. The Tribunal, while considering the said case set aside the said OM of 31^st July 1987 of this Department holding it ultra virus the CCS (Pension) Rules 1972. The ratio of the decision in this OA was applied to OA no. 142 of 2003 (I.K. Rastogi Vs Union of India) by Principal Bench, Delhi. This Department was neither a party nor impleaded in the said OAs at any stage.

3.      The implication of the judgement of Hon'ble CAT on this Division's O.M. of 31.7.87 was considered in consultation with Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare and Department of Legal Affairs and it was noted that the matter has attained legal; finality.

4.      In view of the above and in the light of said order of Ho'nble CAT Principal Bench setting aside the OM of 31^st July 1987 this Department's OM no. 134/10/80-AVD-I dated 28^th Feb 1981 resorted and the OM of 31^st July 1987 stands withdrawn.

Sd/-

(P.K. Ravi)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

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Income Tax deduction for housing loan may increase upto 3 Lakh...

Exempt income up to Rs 3 lakh from I-T: Parliamentary panel

The skewed personal income tax collection pattern of the government has prompted the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance to suggest moderately higher taxes for those who earn more and greater relief for small taxpayers. In fact, it has suggested that the tax should kick in only at annual income levels of Rs 3 lakh and more.

According to latest data collected by the Income Tax department, of the 300 million taxpayers in the country, just 1,85,000 individuals earn over Rs 20 lakh a year. But this small group pays Rs 53,170 crore in personal income tax. The broad categorisation of tax payers shows that individuals in Rs 0-10 lakh comprise almost 92 per cent of the total taxpayer base, but they contribute only Rs 21,094 crore, less than 40 per cent of the amount collected as taxes from the small group earning over Rs 20 lakh a year. The tax payers within the income slab of Rs 10-20 lakh per annum — 3.35 lakh tax payers — paid Rs 10,185 crore to the government, the data showed.

The stark contradiction has prompted the standing committee to suggest that the government should restructure the current tax regime, making it more progressive so that individual tax payers and corporate can be shielded from regressive effects of the present structure. Accordingly, the committee suggests that the tax slab attracting nil rate should be raised from Rs 2 lakh proposed in the Direct Tax Code to Rs 3 lakh so that the department can channelise its resources in minimising the compliance and transaction cost.

“The character of the tax regime should change and it should be made more progressive. This would entail greater relief for small tax payers—both individuals and corporate — and moderately higher rates for tax payers in the higher bracket,” the Parliamentary panel has said.

The panel, currently vetting the proposed DTC has questioned the rationale of the existing tax slabs pointing out that most taxpayers — 2.02 crore of the total 3 crore — fall under the income slab of Rs 0-2 lakh. The number of tax payers further falls to 56.73 lakh in the income slab of Rs 2-4 lakh, making it around 72 per cent in the lowest income bracket for tax purposes. The panel noted that the department should not “diffuse their energies and spread their resources thin over handling such a large number of tax payers with low income potential”.

Another anomaly, the committee has said, lies in the corporate tax structure.

The data shows that the tax collected in the income slab of Rs 0-100 crore is Rs 44,016 crore while that in the income slab of Rs 100-500 crore is Rs 23,421 crore, and Rs 54,558 crore in the above Rs 500 crore slab.

Greater relief

* Let those who earn more pay moderately higher taxes, Parliamentary panel tells government on DTC

* Suggests restructuring the current tax regime so that tax payers can be shielded from regressive effects of the present structure

* Committee says that tax slab attracting nil rate should be raised from Rs 2 lakh proposed in the Direct Tax Code to Rs 3 lakh

Source: Indian Express

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Railways Advise Passengers to Use Current Reservation Counter Facility for short Notice Journeys

The Ministry of Railways has advised the passengers travelling on the train on a short notice to use the facility of Current Reservation Counter situated at the train originating main stations. The Ministry has pointed out that vacant reserved seats available on train after preparation of reservation charts can be booked at the Current Counters of the train originating stations upto a specified time before departure of trains.

The Railways wishes to create further awareness among the passengers about this facility as due to lack of adequate awareness, it is misused by unscrupulous elements/intermediaries for providing confirmed accommodation to passengers at a premium by using the current counter facility.

It may be mentioned that a reserved ticket can be booked across the Passenger Reservation System counters all over the country as well as through internet only upto the time of preparation of reservation charts. After preparation of reservation charts, the berths/seats available, if any, can be booked at the current counter available at the major stations. The reservation charts are normally prepared 3 to 4 hours before he scheduled departure of the train. In case of trains leaving early morning, the charts are prepared on the previous night.

Source:pib

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Ways To Prevent SIM Card Misuse

Yesterday when I went to a BSNL Regional Office for replacement of a defective SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) I came across an incident where a Customer is complaining to block his SIM as a thief who has stolen his 20 thousand Rupees phone left away his phone and took away only the SIM with him.

Now the customer is worried what the misshapen might happen. Though the complaint has been taken and recorded I asked the CC if really the SIM will be blocked?

The answer is “They get hundreds of SIM lost cases daily and if they keep on blocking the SIMs it wastes them a lot of time and resources also some mischief people might falsely complain and try to block other people numbers incase if they know their details. So, we don’t usually”.

Imagine what will be the condition of the customer who lost his SIM, phone or both and the same SIM is found to be used in a Bomb blast, harassing a girl/boy or any illegal act? Who would the police suspect or responsible for this?

Although the police, SIM Vendors and the Telecom Companies are trying their part we want our TT readers never to face such problems and this Post is dedicated to every mobile user who is reading and we strongly encourage our readers to spread the word till every Indian Mobile user locks their SIM cards and keep safe.

To start off we need to know a few technical terms:

1. PIN or PIN1 (Both are same, shows up depending on your mobile -Personal Identification Number)

2. PIN2

3. PUK/PUK2 or PUC (Both are same)-PIN Unblocking Key/Code for PIN/PIN2

4. SIM Number – The SIM card’s Number comprising of 19 Digits or even Letters sometimes is your unique SIM number printed on backside of SIM card often required to give information for PUK enquiry/Theft/lost damaged purposes.

The Personal Unblocking Key (PUK/PUK2) code is an eight digit code specific to your SIM card (Not Mobile Number) and is required when the PIN/PIN2 code is entered incorrectly three times on your mobile.

You’re given 10 attempts to enter the PUK code once you finish your 10 attempts after the 3 PIN attempts your SIM card will be blocked permanently and become useless .You can no way use it thereafter.

A PIN is used to just lock/Unlock the SIM card whenever you switch on/off your device or change your Mobile, So that you can prevent unauthorized use of your Number. Only the person who knows the PIN number of your SIM can only unlock and use it.

So, we encourage all our readers to enable PIN Code request on feature in your devices so that you can stay peaceful whenever you lost your phone/SIM.

The default* PIN number for most of the operators will be 0000 or 1234.You can find the PIN code request feature in the device security settings. You need to change the default PIN numbers to your choice so that no one can unlock the SIM.

But most importantly, when changing your PIN codes make sure you remember because you are the one who changed it and expect no help from operators. They can only provide you with a PUK code in such cases as you changed its default Code.

If  you on/off your device regularly you might feel the pain in entering the PIN but it’s better to be on safe side before anything bad happens. I also warn you to inform about this Security feature if activated and in case if you are giving your mobile to your friends or relatives for temporary use so you can prevent their PIN wrong attempts.

Coming to PIN2 this is a feature which even the Customer care people of the Telecom Companies are not aware of. Using PIN2 you can restrict the Numbers to which you can make calls i.e. enabling FIXED DIALING. So that you can even give children a phone without being worried with whom they are talking by only enabling parent’s numbers in the FIXED DIALING option.

Unfortunately the Telecom Companies are not encouraging this wonderful feature. Don’t know if they are really not aware of or they don’t want users to use it.

Whenever I called and asked the CC representatives about PIN2 or PUK2 they say “Sorry Sir, there is No feature called PIN2 or PUK2 we have and can only provide PIN or PUK number for your simcard.”

As if I am a dumb person they also informed me that PIN2 or PUK2 is something related to Mobile Device Manufacturer and not to Telecom Operator and oh, thanks to their advice.

Now TT Readers I strongly say PIN/PIN2/PUK/PUK2 are all related to a sim card and only to Network Operator.

And oh I’m happy with my BSNL and AIRTEL (Not tried to risk with the rest as I already blocked my TD SIM PIN2) Numbers* as they have their PIN1and PIN2 default codes same so that I can use FIXED DIALING and at the same time lock my SIM when lost.

*Note: Dear Readers you SIM card (BSNL/AIRTEL) might not have the same PIN/PIN2 codes as I have mentioned my experience and try it at your own risk TelecomTalk will not take any responsibility for your wrong doing .

Check default PIN numbers with your operator.

Luckily even if your PIN2 blocks and you have not entered PUK2 nothing happens to your SIM services, you can still enjoy services on your SIM. The only disadvantage is you will not be able to use Fixed Dialing feature unless PUK2 is entered.

I hope at least now after reading this article Telecom Operators provide PUK/PIN2/PUK2 codes in their Self-care portals or services.

We now would like to know if anyone has tried the PIN/PIN2 features and what are your personal experiences do share your views via comments ?

Courtesy : http://telecomtalk.info/ & http://sapost.blogspot.in

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