DRACONIAN RULE OF CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE - A DEMOCLE’S SWORD
DRACONIAN RULE OF CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE
A DEMOCLE’S SWORD
(By M.R.MEENAKSHISUNDARAM, Retired Supervisor, SBCO, Chennai GPO)
PREAMBLE
Department of Post is a very big organisation with multifarious functions and spread over the entire country. Due to the vast business turnover as well the huge size of the human resources employed in the day to day functioning, there will be some losses to the organisation at times. Any enterprise this size will have some unscrupulous and shady characters amidst the staff. There will be losses due to frauds, theft and burglary, excess payments and compensation to be paid in consumer cases. Even so the loss due to these aspects is negligible compared to the revenue accrued through business. In Nationalised Banks million and millions of money is written off as loss due to bad debts. But in our department not even a single paise is allowed to be written off as the Administration is very keen in recovering the loss from its employees whether the employee is directly responsible or not. In my 39 years of service in this Department, I came across almost all type of cases of recoveries towards pecuniary loss and dealt with them. It is my humble opinion that the bureaucracy usually acts in an inhuman way to recover the loss though they have powers to write off the loss. For instance the Director of Postal Services has power to write off any excess payments in Savings Accounts and there is no monitory limit. In my experience I was able to convince a DPS to accord sanction to write off some minus balances in Savings Accounts as they were pending more than 10 years and the Chief Postmaster was trying to recover the excess payments from the staff who has no part in the transactions. The problem with the present staff is that they don’t want to familiarise with necessary rules of the Branch where they work. In spite of their superior academic qualifications, the present staff’s knowledge in departmental ruling is dismal and so the Administration is able to capitalise on the lack of knowledge and impose punishment of recovery without much difficulty. With current level of shortage of staff in Post Offices and the unwanted decentralisation of Accounting system, there is bound to be a lot of frauds as well as short comings/lapses on the part of the operative staff due to heavy workload. If this state of affairs continues, almost all the staffs have a permanent column in their pay bill under recovery towards Audit Objections. The Rule of recovery is a draconian rule though the rule was introduced with good intentions and the Administration utilises this rule to impose recovery unilaterally to all employees without any sympathy. First of all we have to understand the implication of this rule and then try to tackle it. Here are some aspects of the Rule:
SAPOST Team Thanks to Mr M.R.MEENAKSHISUNDARAM, Retired Supervisor, SBCO, Chennai GPO for this Article.
Upper AgeLlimit for Govt jobs raised by 2 years
HYDERABAD: Govt of Andhra Pradesh has raised the upper age limit for government jobs by two years. A government order (GO) in this regard was issued by the general administration department (GAD). As per the order, the maximum limit for general candidates has been increased to 36 from the present 34 years. For SCs, STs and BCs, the upper age limit has been increased to 41 years from 39 and for physically handicapped candidates, from 44 to 46. However, the exemption would be only for this year and for all job notifications issued before December 31, 2013.
Pay Passport fee online from July 1
HYDERABAD: Henceforth, passport applicants can pay the necessary fee online at the time of booking appointment on the ministry of external affairs (MEA) portal: www.passportindia.gov.in.
Till now, applicants were paying fee in the form of cash at passport seva kendras (PSK) while verifying the documents to process the applications. The new online payment system would come into force from July 1 at six passport seva kendras (PSKs) - Begumpet, Ameerpet, Tolichowki, Nizamabad, Vijayawada and Tirupati. Online payment system would be applicable for taking appointments at six PSKs with effect from June 28.
The online payment system was earlier tested at Visakhapatnam PSK on pilot project basis. Based on theresponse, the facility has been extended to six remaining PSKs, Hyderabad regional passport officer (RPO) K Srikar Reddy said.
Speaking to the media at the RPO on Thursday, he said that the online payment system would be applicable for taking appointments at six PSKs with effect from June 28. Explaining about the online payment system, he said that passport-seekers could pay the fee (Rs 1,500) online using credit/debit card or internet banking of State Bank of India (SBI). The applicants could also use challan mode provided on the MEA portal. The applicant has to deposit money at any SBI branch after generating challan online.
In such cases, on confirmation of payment received by SBI in online system, applicants can take appointment. Further, instead of the applicant choosing the date and time slot of appointment, the system would automatically give the earliest available appointment. "The applicant is eligible to take three appointments in one month or else the fee, paid online, will be cancelled. No refund will be given to the applicant," the RPO said.
Explaining the rationale behind launching the online system, the RPO said, "Since the past year, we have observed that a large number of applicants were not turning up at PSKs despite having a valid appointment. This was causing denial of appointments for genuine applicants."
Regarding police verification, the official said that city police were clearing verification in 21 days, while in other districts they were clearing between three days and three weeks. "Andhra Pradesh has processed 7.31 lakh applications and stands third in the country followed by Kerala (9.21 lakh) and Tamil Nadu (7.82 lakh) for 2012-13. However, the RPO, Hyderabad, stands top in the country in processing passport applications with 5.93 passport applications cleared," Srikar Reddy said.
The RPO has launched a probe against a senior official (director cadre) working at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on issuing 50 letters on his official letterhead in a span of six months to passport applicants who had applied under the Tatkal scheme. "The staff found a forged letterhead of the IX additional metropolitan judge, Nampally, which was issued to an applicant. The issue of forgery came to light only after the judge replied that he had not recommended any passport applicant. A case was also booked against the applicant and is under investigation," the official added.
A control room was opened at the RPO to monitor CCTV footage from all seven PSKs. Any applicant could speak from any PSK with the control room in case he/she faces problem with the passport staff. Srikar Reddy has received a commendation certificate from the ministry of external affairs, Delhi, for significant improvements in delivering passport-related services during 2012-13 at a function in Delhi on June 24 on the occasion of Passport Seva Diwas.
TeamViewer for Remote Control software for Android mobile
TeamViewer is a quite familiar tools on Desktop which allow to connect remotely with other computer and perform remote assistance. Now TeamViewer app available for Android Devices as Remote Desktop Software. With the TeamViewer App for Android you are able to access remote computers from everywhere. It allows you to give spontaneous support as well as having permanent access to unattended computers.
- Support your clients and colleagues spontaneously.
- Access your office desktop with all of its documents and installed applications.
- Remotely administer unattended computers (e.g. servers).
- Free for non-commercial use: support family and friends or have remote access to your own computer.
Latest Current Affairs - June 2013
Latest Current Affairs- June 2013
Current Affairs June 2013 Questions and Answers for preparing Exams| RBI Assistant Exam|SSC | UPSC | Civil Services | Bank | RRB and all other Competitive Examinations.
Latest Current Affairs from 4th Week of June 2013 in PDF- useful for all competitive Examinations!!!!!
Q1. Which team lifted the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 on 23 June 2013?
Ans. India
Note: India beat England by 05 runs in the final. Final was held at at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England.
Man of the Match- Ravindra Jadeja
Man of the Series- Shikhar Dhawan
Q2. Who was sworn in as Australia’s new prime minister on 27 June 2013?
Ans. Kevin Rudd
Q3. Name the Secretary of State of the United States who completed his India visit on 25 June 2013?
Ans. John Kerry
Note: He was on three-day visit to India from 23 June 2013 to 25 June 2013.
Q4. Who was named the most powerful celebrity on 26 June 2013 by Forbes?
Ans. Oprah Winfrey
Note: Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist. She is best known for her multi-award-winning talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show which was the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011.
Q5. International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed recently. Identify the date on which it was observed?
Ans. 26 June
Note: The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in the year 1987. The objective of observing this day is to strengthen the action as well as cooperation in order to achieve the aim of a society free of drug abuse.
Q6. Union Cabinet of India on 28 June 2013 gave its approval to the proposal for the ....................... communication satellite project along with procurement of launch services and insurance. (Visit-http://currentaffairs4examz.blogspot.in/)
Ans. GSAT-15
Note: GSAT-15 is part of the Indian Research Organisation’s (ISRO`s) efforts towards in-orbit spare capacity to meet contingency and to protect the services of existing users.
Q7. Name the former Italian Prime Minister who was sentenced to 7 years Jail in Sex Trial and banned from public office for life?
Ans. Silvio Berlusconi
Q8. Which country became the first country in South Asia to end testing ofCosmetic product on animals in the month of June 2013?
Ans. India
Q9. Name the Walmart India Head who resigned on on 26 June 2013?
Ans. Raj Jain
Note: Ramnik Narsey was named as the interim head of India operations. Raj Jain served WalMart for six years. Ramnik Narsey, as of now, was the senior vice president for Walmart International.
Q10. 39th edition of the G8 Summit concluded on 18 June 2013. Where it was held?
Ans. Lough Erne in Northern Ireland
Q11. Name the country which maintained the top most position in ICC ODIrankings recently released?
Ans. India
Note: India has the rating points of 123 now and its nearest rivals, England as well as Australia have the ranking of 113 points. South Africa, on the other hand has rating of 111.
Q12. The I &B ministry in the Month of June 2013 has cancelled the license of 15 channels and suspended the license of seven others for 30 days. Name the reason for such a move by the ministry?(Visit-http://currentaffairs4examz.blogspot.in/)
Ans. They failed to abide by with licensing conditions.
Note: Most of channel whose license are cancelled are regional.
Q13. Who was on 28 June 2013 appointed as Secretary of Information & Broadcasting Ministry?
Ans. Bimal Julka
Note: Julka will succeed Uday Kumar Varma, who will retire from his office on 30 June 2013.
Q14. US Ambassador to India Nancy J Powell on 23 June 2013 announced that US would provide .................... US dollar through the United States Agency forInternational Development (USAID) to NGOs that are working for affected areas of Uttarakhand?
Ans. 150000
Q15. Name the marketplace located in Delhi which has been ranked fifth in the list of world’s most expensive office market due to its strong demand amid limited supply as per the CBRE report?
Ans. Connaught Place
Q16. International Olympic Day was celebrated across the world on 23 June 2013. What was the purpose of this day?
Ans. This day is celebrated for promotion of participation of people in the sports all across the world, irrespective of athletic, gender or age ability.
Q17. Largest as well as the brightest moon of the year 2013, called the Supermoon was observed on 23 June 2013. What was special about Super moon?
Ans. Supermoon is said to be that situation when the moon is closer to Earth inthe orbit than every other day.
Q18. Name the landmark bill passed by United States Senate on 27 June 2013?
Ans. Immigration Bill
Q19. Name the prestigious award which was received by Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on 28 June 2013 from UN for his mass contact programme initiative?(Visit-http://currentaffairs4examz.blogspot.in/)
Ans. United Nations Public Service Award
Q20. Muthoot Finance got in-principal approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for establishing as well as operating which type of ATMs recently?
Ans. White Label ATMs (WLAs)
Note: The White Label ATMs (WLAs) are the ones which are not owned and operated by the bank but by another non-bank entity. By paying a stipulated fee, anyone can use it for the purpose of financial transaction with any other bank branch.
Q21. Who was appointed as the coach of Australian Cricket team recently?
Ans. Darren Lehmann
Note: He was appointed replacing Mickey Arthur who was sacked two weeks before the Australia Ashes Tour which was set to start on 10 July 2013.
Q22. A book entitled Ziauddin Barni’s Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi was released on 28 June 2013. Who released the book?
Ans. Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari
Q23. Which Indian Port regained top position in Seafood Exports for second consecutive year recently?
Ans. Pipavav port
Note: It is the first private sector port of India located in Saurashtra, Gujarat, remained at the top most position for second year in a row in FY13 on the basis of quantity.
Q24. Which film won Golden Goblet on 23 June 2013 for best feature film at the 16th Shanghai International Film Festival?
Ans. The Major, a Russian film.
Q25. Computerworld Honors Laureate selected which India Govt. Project for 21st Century Achievement Award 2013 under the category Economic Development?
Ans. UIDAI
Q26. Who established the new world record on Federation Internationale de l'Automobile's (FIA) world electric land speed record when the lightweight electric powered car reached the top speed of 328.6 km per hour?
Ans. Drayson Racing Technologies
Q27. United Nations General Assembly designated which day of June as the UN Public Service Day in its resolution?(Visit-http://currentaffairs4examz.blogspot.in/)
Ans. 23 June
Note: This day is celebrated across the world to celebrate the virtue as well as value of public service to the community.
Q28. Who became First Man to Successfully Walk across Grand Canyon on Tightrope on 23 June 2013?
Ans. Nik Wallenda
Q29. Name the unique scheme for energy conservation launched by Rajasthan government on 27 June 2013?
Ans. Mukhyamantri Bijli Bachat Lamp Yojna
Q30. Who bagged a Silver medal for India at the 3rd China Open boxing tournament on 22 June 2013?
Ans. Manjeet Singh
Q31. The Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari released a book entitled Healing Memories: Civilizations in Dialogue on 24 June 2013. What was the issue being discussed in the book?
Ans. Dialogue among cultures and civilizations expressing circumvention of conflict and seeking solutions to problems on the norms of civilized behaviour.
Q32. Japan's highest Mountain and famous landmark Mount Fuji was in news recently. Why was it in news?
Ans. It was given world heritage status by the UNESCO World Heritage committee on 20 June 2013.
Q33. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on 26 June 2013 flagged off first train which connects Banihal in Jammu with Qazigund in Kashmir. The trainalso chugged through the 11-kilometer Pir Panchal railway tunnel. What is special about Pir Panchal railway tunnel?
Ans. It is the longest tunnel of India and is a part of 17.7 kilometer Qazigund-Banihal railway track.
Q34. Which drug firm on 25 June 2013 announced that it was given World Health Organisation (WHO) pre- qualification for the anti-malarial tablets which will be launched immediately?(Visit-http://currentaffairs4examz.blogspot.in/)
Ans. Strides Arcolab Pharma.
Note: These tablets are called Artemether and Lumifantrine (AL) tablets.
Q35. Japan got its First MOX Nuclear Shipment port since Fukushima incident on 28 June 2013. Name the country from which it was arrived?
Ans. France
Note: The Nuclear Shipment was arrived in order to restart their atomic reactors.
Q36. What was the minimum Support Price for Paddy fixed by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 28 June 2013?
Ans. 1310 Rupees per Quintal
Q37. Name the three major medicines banned by Government recently in wake of health risks associated with them?
Ans. Anti-diabetes drug pioglitazone, painkiller analgin and anti-depressant deanxit.
Q38. Union ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 23 June 2013 constituted a committee to review the rate revision of the newspaper advertisements. Who was the head of the committee?
Ans. JS Mathur
Note: JS Mathur is the Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Q39. Who dedicated the first Unit of ONGC’s Mega Power project in Tripura to the nation on 21 June 2013?
Ans. President of India, Pranab Mukherjee
Q40. Union government on 27 June 2013 increased by how many times the price at which natural gas is supposed to be sold to producers of power, fertilizer, minerals and steel?
Ans. Doubled
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