Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Acceptance Speech by Shri Pranab Mukherjee on his Assumption of office as President of India
Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil,
Shri Hamid Ansari,
Smt. Meira Kumar,
Shri Justice S.H. Kapadia,
Members of Parliament,
Your
Excellencies, Friends and fellow citizens,
I am deeply moved by the high honour you have
accorded to me. Such honour exalts the occupant of this office, even as it
demands that he rises above personal or partisan interests in the service of
the national good.
The principal responsibility of this office
is to function as the guardian of our Constitution. I will strive, as I said on
oath, to preserve, protect and defend our Constitution not just in word but
also in spirit. We are all, across the divide of party and region, partners at
the altar of our motherland. Our federal Constitution embodies the idea of
modern India: it defines not only India but also modernity. A modern nation is
built on some basic fundamentals: democracy, or equal rights for every citizen;
secularism, or equal freedom to every faith; equality of every region and
language; gender equality and, perhaps most important of all, economic equity.
For our development to be real the poorest of our land must feel that they are
part of the narrative of rising India.
I have seen vast, perhaps unbelievable,
changes during the journey that has brought me from the flicker of a lamp in a
small Bengal village to the chandeliers of Delhi. I was a boy when Bengal was
savaged by a famine that killed millions; the misery and sorrow is still not
lost on me. We have achieved much in the field of agriculture, industry and
social infrastructure; but that is nothing compared to what India, led by the
coming generations, will create in the decades ahead.
Our national mission must continue to be what
it was when the generation of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Rajendra Prasad, Ambedkar and Maulana Azad offered
us a tryst with destiny: to eliminate the curse of poverty, and create such
opportunities for the young that they can take our India forward by quantum
leaps. There is no humiliation more abusive than hunger. Trickle-down theories
do not address the legitimate aspirations of the poor. We must lift those at
the bottom so that poverty is erased from the dictionary of modern India.
What has brought us thus far, will take us
further ahead. India`s true story is the partnership of the people. Our wealth
has been created by farmers and workers, industrialists and service-providers,
soldiers and civilians. Our social harmony is the sublime co-existence of
temple, mosque, church, gurudwara and synagogue; they
are symbols of our unity in diversity.
Peace is the first ingredient of prosperity.
History has often been written in the red of blood; but development and
progress are the luminous rewards of a peace dividend, not a war trophy. The
two halves of the 20th Century tell their own story. Europe, and indeed the
world, reinvented itself after the end of the Second World War and the collapse
of colonization, leading to the rise of great institutions like the United
Nations. Leaders who ordered great armies into the field, and then understood
that war was more barbarism than glory, transformed the world by changing its
mindset. Gandhiji taught by example, and gave us the
supreme strength of non-violence. India`s philosophy is not an abstract in
textbooks. It flourishes in the day-to-day life of our people, who value the
humane above all else. Violence is external to our nature; when, as human
beings, we do err, we exorcise our sins with penitence and accountability.
But the visible rewards of peace have also
obscured the fact that the age of war is not over. We are in the midst of a
fourth world war; the third was the Cold War, but it was very warm in Asia,
Africa and Latin America till it ended in the early 1990s. The war against
terrorism is the fourth; and it is a world war because it can raise its evil
head anywhere in the world. India has been on the frontlines of this war long
before many other recognized its vicious depth or poisonous consequences. I am
proud of the valour and conviction and steely determination of our Armed Forces
as they have fought this menace on our borders; of our brave police forces as
they have met the enemy within; and of our people, who have defeated the
terrorist trap by remaining calm in the face of extraordinary provocation. The
people of India have been a beacon of maturity through the trauma of whiplash
wounds. Those who instigate violence and perpetuate hatred need to understand
one truth. Few minutes of peace will achieve far more than many years of war.
India is content with itself, and driven by the will to sit on the high table
of prosperity. It will not be deflected in its mission by noxious practitioners
of terror.
As Indians, we must of course learn from the
past; but we must remain focused on the future. In my view, education is the
alchemy that can bring India its next golden age. Our oldest scriptures laid
the framework of society around the pillars of knowledge; our challenge is to
convert knowledge into a democratic force by taking it into every corner of our
country. Our motto is unambiguous: All for knowledge, and knowledge for all.
The weight of office sometimes becomes a
burden on dreams. The news is not always cheerful. Corruption is an evil that
can depress the nation`s mood and sap its progress. We cannot allow our
progress to be hijacked by the greed of a few.
I envisage an India where unity of purpose
propels the common good; where Centre and State are driven by the single vision
of good governance; where every revolution is green; where democracy is not
merely the right to vote once in five years but to speak always in the
citizen`s interest; where knowledge becomes wisdom; where the young pour their
phenomenal energy and talent into the collective cause. As tyranny dwindles
across the world; as democracy gets fresh life in regions once considered
inhospitable; India becomes the model of modernity.
As Swami Vivekananda in his soaring metaphor
said, India will be raised, not with the power of flesh but with the power of
the spirit, not with the flag of destruction, but with the flag of peace and
love. Bring all the forces of good together. Do not care what be your
colour-green, blue or red, but mix all the colours up and produce that intense
glow of white, the colour of love. Ours is to work, the results will take care
of themselves.
There is no greater reward for a public
servant than to be elected the first citizen of our Republic. Jai Hindi.”
Source : PIB, July 25, 2012
For the First Time A Commemorative Postage Stamp and Coffee Table Book on Customs to be Released Tomorrow to Mark 50 Years of Achievements under the Customs Act 1962
The Union Minister of Communication & Information
Technology Shri Kapil Sibal will release tomorrow a commemorative
Postage Stamp on Indian Customs to commemorate 50 years of achievements
under the Customs Act, 1962. Shri S.S. Palanimanickam, Minister of State
for Finance (Revenue and Disinvestment) will be the Guest of Honour and
release a Coffee Table Book on Indian Customs on this occasion. This is
for the first time in the history of Indian Customs that a Postage
Stamp and a Coffee Table book on Indian Customs are going to be
released. The function will be held at Vigyan Bhawan on 26th July, 2012.
The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) is celebrating 2012 as
the Golden Jubilee year to commemorate 50 years of the Customs Act,
1962. The Postage Stamp and the Coffee Table book have to be released as
a part of these celebrations and to recognize the all round
contribution of the Customs Department to nation building.
The origins of the present day Customs Act, 1962 can be traced back to the Sea Customs Act, 1878, the Inland Bonded Warehouses Act, 1896, the Land Customs Act, 1924 and the Aircraft Act, 1934. Post independence, the need was felt to consolidate the provisions of the Sea Customs Act and the Land Customs Act in a common customs statute. This consolidation took place in 1962 in the form of the present day Customs Act, 1962 which was notified on 23rd January, 1963. It came into force on 1st February, 1963, 50 years ago. Indian Customs is the guardian of the nation`s economic frontiers. It has the challenging task of guarding over 22000 kms of country’s land borders and coast line.
The origins of the present day Customs Act, 1962 can be traced back to the Sea Customs Act, 1878, the Inland Bonded Warehouses Act, 1896, the Land Customs Act, 1924 and the Aircraft Act, 1934. Post independence, the need was felt to consolidate the provisions of the Sea Customs Act and the Land Customs Act in a common customs statute. This consolidation took place in 1962 in the form of the present day Customs Act, 1962 which was notified on 23rd January, 1963. It came into force on 1st February, 1963, 50 years ago. Indian Customs is the guardian of the nation`s economic frontiers. It has the challenging task of guarding over 22000 kms of country’s land borders and coast line.
Source : PIB, July 25, 2012
Commemorative Postage Stamps Released on Eve of London Olympics
In keeping with
its tradition of issuing postage stamps on Olympics since 1968, India Post
released a set of four commemorative postage stamps and a souvenir sheet in New
Delhi today. The stamps are a stylized portrayal of sportsmen engaged in
Volleyball, Rowing, Sailing and Badminton (Picture of the stamps are given
below). The stamps will be available in Philatelic Bureaus across the country.
London 2012
Olympic Games begin on 27th July 2012 with the theme slogan ‘Inspire
a Generation’. The Olympic Games celebrate the eternal quest for excellence,
and the capability of sports persons from different nations, cultures and
background to come together and compete fairly and honestly to promote peace
and harmony.
India Post has
been commemorating national and international events by releasing commemorative
and special postage stamps.
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Revised Pension for Pre-2006 Pensioners and Family Pensioners
Background:
When
Sixth Pay Commission was implemented by Government with effect from 1st
January 2006 in respect of Central Government Employees and pensioners
who got retired after 01.01.2006, Pension payable to Central Government
Pensioners and Family Pensioners entitled to pension as on 31.12.2005
(popularly called as Pre-2006 Pensioners) was also revised. The Pension /
family Pension of Pre-2006 Pensioners as on 31.12.2005 was revised by
adding together:-
1. The Pension or Family Pension as on 31.12.2005.
2. Dearness Pension received by pensioners or family pensioners as on 31.12.2005
3. Dearness relief of 24% of Basic Pension/family pension + Dearness Pension/dearness family pension
4. Fitment weightage of at the rate of 40% of pension or family pension as on 31.12.2005.
If
the revised pension as calculated above is less than Rs.3500, the same
should be stepped up to Pension / family pension of Rs.3500 with effect
from 1.1.2006.
The
above mentioned procedures for fixation of revised pension was laid out
in the Office Memorandum F.No: 38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 01.09.2008. (Click here to download this Office Memorandum dated 01.09.2008)
Minimum Pension/Family Pension guaranteed based on pre-revised scale of pay:
Apart from the minimum pension of Rs.3500/-, O.M F.No: 38/37/08-P&PW(A).pt.1 dated 03.10.2008 (Click here to download),
also provides for minimum pension calculated at 50% of minimum of pay
in the pay band plus grade pay at the minimum of the pay in the pay band
(irrespective of the pre-revised scale of pay) plus the grade pay
corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale.
The
revised pension out of 6CPC revision shall not be less than this
Minimum pension. As far as Family pensioners are concerned, the same OM
dated 03.10.2008, stipulates that the revised family pension in no case
shall be lower than thirty percent (30%) of the sum of the minimum of
the pay in the pay band and the grade pay thereon corresponding to the
pre-revised pay scale in which the deceased government employee last
worked.
In these lines, the Office Memorandum F.No: 38/37/08-P&PW(A).pt.1 dated 14.10.2008 (Click here to read),
provides a table (Annexure 1 to OM dated 14.10.2008) in which
pre-revised scales of pay applicable with effect from 1.1.1986 and with
effect from 01.01.1996, and corresponding 6th CPC pay band/scales and
grade pay have been given.
Using
this table for the minimum basic pension and family pension applicable
to Pensioner / Family pensioner covered under each pre-revised pay
scales with effect from 1.1.85 and 1.1.96 could be determined. To
illustrate, if the deceased spouse’s last pay drawing scale was
Rs.2000-60-2120 with effect from 1986, the minimum pension of a family
pensioner will be Rs. Rs.4050 (Sl.No: 12 of the table).
So,
to fix the minimum pension/family pension in this case, the pre-revised
pay scale in which retired/deceased employee received his/her last pay,
should be known. However, Banks which were given powers to revise the
pension based on 6CPC revision, did not know pre-revised pay scale of
retired/deceased employee in many cases as Pension Payment Order
originally issued by Central Pension authorities did not contain the
details of the same. Consequently, banks revised the pension only based
on the OM dated 01.09.2008 (existing pension+DP+24%DA+40% fitment
weightage)
This
resulted in payment of reduced pension than the entitled one for
pensioners/family pensioners whose minimum pension/family pension based
on last pre-revised pay scale is more than the pension calculated as as
per 6CPC revision.
To
sanction minimum pension based on last pay scale Banks required the
revision of Pension Payment Order (PPO) by Central Government.
However,
the process of issuing revised PPO, has taken momentum only from the
year 2011. CPAO, New Delhi who authorizes Central Civil Pension,
Department of Pension and pensioner’s welfare etc are taking steps now
for issuing revised PPO. Series of meetings have been held in this
connection.Click here to read the Minutes of Meeting held by Department of Pension and pensioner’s welfare on 3rd November 2011 at
New Delhi with representatives from various Ministries. As per the
minutes of meeting dated 3rd November 2011, in respect of cases in which
records relating to deceased/retired employees are not available,
advertisements have been given for submission of details by pensioners
themselves (Read this office memorandum dated 16.12.2011).
We
hope this exercise of revising PPO of all Pre-2006 Pensioners and
Family Pensioners would be completed soon. Once revised PPO issued for
the pensioner concerned, the bank will be in position to pay the revised
pension and arrears amount for the past period.
Source : Gconnect.in
NPS delivers average returns of 9.33%, beats PFs
More than 16 lakh central and state government employees have almost Rs 8,500 crore invested in the NPS. This money is managed by three pension fund managers - SBI Pension Funds, LIC Pension Fund and UTI Retirement Solutions. Each of the three funds manages roughly one-third of the NPS corpus.
Though three years is a very short time to judge long-term instruments such as pension funds, the impressive performance is likely to silence the criticism that NPS is not allocating enough to growth assets. Central and state government NPS funds can invest a maximum of 15% in equities. Even in NPS for the general public, where investors can choose their own asset allocation, a maximum of 50% can be put in equities.
The Pension Funds
Regulatory and Development Authority has defended this conservative
allocation saying that pension funds should not have a large exposure to
risky assets.
The past few years have proved it right. Equity markets have floundered in the past one year, with the Nifty falling 6.5%. In the past three years, it has delivered an annual average growth of 4.95%. But government securities and other debt instruments have rallied in recent months following rate cuts by the RBI. After a lacklustre two years between 2009 and 2011, gilts shot up in 2012 as benchmark yields tumbled. The gilt funds managed by the six fund managers of the NPS for the general public have risen by almost 9.95% in the past one year. This has helped shore up the overall returns from the NPS funds.
The past few years have proved it right. Equity markets have floundered in the past one year, with the Nifty falling 6.5%. In the past three years, it has delivered an annual average growth of 4.95%. But government securities and other debt instruments have rallied in recent months following rate cuts by the RBI. After a lacklustre two years between 2009 and 2011, gilts shot up in 2012 as benchmark yields tumbled. The gilt funds managed by the six fund managers of the NPS for the general public have risen by almost 9.95% in the past one year. This has helped shore up the overall returns from the NPS funds.
Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
Government Favours Training of Officials to Ensure Better Efficiency: V Narayansamy
Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances
& Pensions and Prime Minister’s Office, Shri, V. Narayansamy
inaugurated the newly renovated library and new administration block
complex of Institute of Secretariat Training & Management (ISTM) in
New Delhi today. (Photograph of inauguration available on PIB website).
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Narayansamy said that the Government is
planning to expand its training facilities as training is instrumental
in keeping officers/officials updated and increasing efficiency.
Training equips them for better service delivery. The Minister said that
training curriculum should be designed as to make it more interesting
and participative. He assured all support to Institute of Secretariat
Training & Management in broad-basing its training base and
facilities to meet current as well as future challenges.
Director, ISTM, K.G. Verma, in his remarks, said that the Institute had conducted 297 courses and trained 7841 personnel of various levels in 2011-12. He further said that ISTM is working towards capacity building for National Training Policy 2012 and operationalisation of Master e-Governance Training Plan. Setting up of Centre for Transparency for more effective implementation of RTI Act and making training available online were other priority areas, he said.
Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Shri P.K. Mishra and senior officers of DoPT were present on the occasion.
The Institute of Secretarial Training & Management is a government Centre of excellence in the area of Secretariat Training Management in India. It is an attached office of Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India.
Established in the year 1948, it stands for ideals of “Efficiency and the Public Good”. The Institute imparts training various grades of officers in the Central Secretariat and Allied Services. During the last 64 years, the activities of the institute have expanded manifold and it is the leading Training Institute in the country imparting training to officials the Central and State government, Public Sector Undertakings and Autonomous Bodies, in a number of specialized areas. The Institute is expected to play a key role in the Central Secretariat Service and the Central Secretariat Stenographers Service in implementation of competency based training approach. The Institute is planning to setup a Learning Resource Centre as envisaged in the National Training Policy
Director, ISTM, K.G. Verma, in his remarks, said that the Institute had conducted 297 courses and trained 7841 personnel of various levels in 2011-12. He further said that ISTM is working towards capacity building for National Training Policy 2012 and operationalisation of Master e-Governance Training Plan. Setting up of Centre for Transparency for more effective implementation of RTI Act and making training available online were other priority areas, he said.
Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Shri P.K. Mishra and senior officers of DoPT were present on the occasion.
The Institute of Secretarial Training & Management is a government Centre of excellence in the area of Secretariat Training Management in India. It is an attached office of Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India.
Established in the year 1948, it stands for ideals of “Efficiency and the Public Good”. The Institute imparts training various grades of officers in the Central Secretariat and Allied Services. During the last 64 years, the activities of the institute have expanded manifold and it is the leading Training Institute in the country imparting training to officials the Central and State government, Public Sector Undertakings and Autonomous Bodies, in a number of specialized areas. The Institute is expected to play a key role in the Central Secretariat Service and the Central Secretariat Stenographers Service in implementation of competency based training approach. The Institute is planning to setup a Learning Resource Centre as envisaged in the National Training Policy
Source: PIB, July 24, 2012
Model question for IPO Examination - Paper III
1 The members
of the Rajya Sabha are elected by
Elected members of
the legislative assembly
|
2 The power to
decide an election petition is vested in the
High Courts
|
3 The preamble
says that the state in India will assure the dignity of the individual. The
constitution seeks to achieve this object by guaranteeing
Equal fundamental rights to each citizen
|
4 The minimum
age of the voter in India is
18 Years
|
5 The
president addresses both the Houses of Parliament assembled together
First session after each general election and the first session of
each year
|
6 . The president can dissolve the Lok
Sabha on
Advice of the prime minister
|
7
. The oath of office is administered to the Governor by the
Chief justice of high court
|
8.
The parliament can legislate on the subject in the state list
If the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by two-third of its to
legislate on a state matter in the national interest
|
9
The president can expend out of the Contingency Fund of India
Without the approval of the Parliament
|
10
The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a term
Six years
|
11
The Objectives Resolution was unanimously adopted by the Constituent Assembly
on
22nd January 1947
|
12
The name of a candidate for the office of president of India may be proposed
by
Any ten members of the Electoral College
|
13
The minimum number of members that must be present to hold the meeting of the
Lok Sabha is
One-tenth of the total membership of the Houses
|
14
The preamble to our constitution provided that India is
a
sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic
|
15
The minimum age required to become the prime minister of India is
25 years
|
16 The president can be removed from his
office before the expiry of his normal term only on the recommendation of
The two Houses of Parliament
|
17
The oath of office is conducted to the president by
The chief justice of India
|
18 The phrase 'procedure established by the
law' means
The judges in India cannot question the fairness or validity of a law,
provided it is within the limits of the constitution
|
19
The Parliament of India can make use of the
residuary powers
At all times
|
20 The power to
prorogue the Lok Sabha rests with
The president
|
Please visit
http://nfpemavelikaradivision.blogspot.com
|
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