March to Parliament on 12.12.2013

March to Parliament on 12.12.2013

Source : www.aipeup3chq.com

CONFEDERATION ALL INDIA TRADE UNION EDUCATION CAMP

Confederation of Central Government

Employees & Workers, Mumbai

(CCGEW)

C/o Office of All India Audit & Accounts Association, Audit Department,

Old CGO Building, Maharshi Karve Road,

Marine Lines, Mumbai 400 020

03.11.2013

Dear Comrade,

Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers (CCGEW), Mumbai have immense pleasure to announce that an All India Trade Union Workshop is slated to hold on 15^th & 16^thNovember 2013 at Mumbai.

In the workshop prominent trade union leaders, scholars, advocates, etc are taking classes on various subjects to educate the leaders of central government employees of the country. The two day workshop is arranged in the intention to update the understanding the information & tasks on various aspects. Therefore we hope this will be a good opportunity for the entire leadership of Central Government Employees movement. The venue of the programme is given below:

CLI Auditorium

Central Labour Institute

Sion Chunnabatti Road

Sion, Mumbai 400 022

You are kindly invited to attend the two day TU workshop for Central Government Employees.Please let us know if your organization attending the workshop or not by 11.11.2013. You are also requested to send the number of delegates likely to participate in the two days workshop. You are further requested to confirm the necessity of accommodation during the workshop.

You are requested to communicate either by SMS or Email to Com. M. Krishnan Secretary General, Confederation of CG Employees & Workers in the following Mobile Number & Email ID:

Mobile No: 09447068125

Email ID: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

Detailed programme is attached herewith. We look forward to your participation.

With fraternal Greetings

Comradely yours

(P.M.Worlikar)      (R.P.Singh)

 President               Secretary

09869424436              9969080996

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES & WORKERS (CCGEW)

TRADE UNION WORKSHOP 2013

15^th & 16^th NOVEMEBER 2013

CLI AUDITORIUM

SION, MUMBAI

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

15.11.2013

9.30am to 11.30am                                                         Inauguration & Class I

Subject:

Two decades of Globalisation Policies &

The task of the Trade Unions                    : Com.Tapan Sen MP,

  Gen. Sec CITU

11.30 to 11.45 – Tea Break

11.45 am to 1.15pm                                                                                Class II

Subject:

Need of unity in TU movement in the

Present scenario                                        : Com. A.D. Golandaz,

Vice President AITUC Maharashtra

& Jt. Convener, Trade Union Joint

Action Committee, Maharashtra

1.15pm to 2.00 pm – Lunch Break

2.00 pm to 3.30pm                                                                                 Class III

Subject:

The impact of Contracturisation               : Com. Vivek Monterio,

                                                                      Secretary CITU, Maharashtra & Central

                                                                     Advisory Board for Contract Labours

3.30pm to 3.45pm – Tea Break

3.45 pm to 5.45pm                                                                                  Class IV

Subject:

Alternate Policy to the Present Crisis       : Dr Ashok Dhawale,

  Social Scientist

                                                                              

 CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES & WORKERS (CCGEW)

TRADE UNION WORKSHOP 2013

15^th & 16^th NOVEMEBER 2013

CLI AUDITORIUM

SION, MUMBAI

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

16.11.2013

9.00am to 10.15am                                                                                  Class V

Subject:

Joint Consultative Machinery and the

Pay Commissions                                                : Com. S.K Vyas,

   Adviser, CCGEW

10.15am to 11.45am                                                                              Class VI

Subject:

The impact of Globalisation on labour

and Service Laws                                      : Dr. A Raghu Kumar PhD,

  Advocate, Hyderabad

11.45am to 12.00 noon – Tea Break

12.00 noon to 1.30pm                                                                            Class VII

Subject:

History of Central Government Employees

Movement                                                  : Com. KKN Kutty,

   President CCGEW

1.30pm to 2.15pm – Lunch Break

2.15pm to 3.30pm                                                                               Class VIII

Subject:

Building up of the organization &

Our Future Tasks                                                 : Com. M. Krishnan,

  Sec. Gen CCGEW

 Confederation of Central Government

Employees & Workers, Mumbai

(CCGEW)

C/o Office of All India Audit & Accounts Association, Audit Department,

Old CGO Building, Maharshi Karve Road,

Marine Lines, Mumbai 400 020

03.11.2013

To

All Affiliates

CCGEW

Dear Comrades,

Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers (CCGEW) decided to conduct two days TU Workshop on 15^th & 16^th November 2013 at Mumbai. Accordingly the CCGEW Mumbai Committee took the responsibility of the host organization and making all arrangements to conduct the two days workshop. A formal invitation by the President  & Secretary of CCGEW Mumbai Committee along with programme is attached along with this letter.

 Venue: -         CLI Auditorium

                        Central Labour Institute

                        Sion – Chunnabatti Road

                        Sion, Mumbai – 400022

Nearest Sub – Urban Railway Station – SION

Distance from Mumbai CST Railway Station to CLI            :        12Km

Distance from Dadar Railway Station to CLI                      :        5 Km

Distance from Mumbai Central to CLI                               :        15 Km

Distance from Bandra Terminal to CLI                               :        5 Km

Distance from Kurla Terminals to CLI                                :        3 Km

Distance from Mumbai Airport to CLI                                :        12 Km

          All affiliates & State Committees are requested to communicate their arrival at Mumbai to the Confederation Head Quarters or Mumbai Committee well in advance.

          With Warm Greetings

Comradely yours

(Jayaraj. KV)

Assistant Secretary

CCGEW

09869501189

09594911189

Res: 022 27464704

Off: 022 25596519

Email: jrajkv@yahoo.com

jrajkv@gmail.com

KARNATAKA CIRCLE, SHIMOGA POSTAL DIVISION  _  ENTIRE EMPLOYEES ON STRIKE FROM 7^TH  NOVEMBER.

Entire Postal Employees of Shimoga Division under the banner of NFPE went on indefinite strike from 7^th November 2013 protesting against the autocratic misbehavior and anti union, anti employee activities of the Divisional Superintendent. Strike is total and entered second day. NFPE extends its full support and solidarity and congratulates the fighting comrades of SHIMOGA.

(M. Krishnan)

Secretary General

List of Newly elected Office Bearers of AIPSA - CHQ

ALL INDIA POSTAL STENOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION

          

            The VIII ALL INDIA CONFERENCE of All India Postal Stenographers Association, (CHQ) held at Vivekandanda Kendra, Kanyakumari on 26.10.2013 has elected the following as its office bearers for 2013-2015.

Sl.	POST	Designation and Post        S/Shri.
1.	President	J.J. Singh, Sr. P.S. to Chief PMG, Ambala  133 001, Haryana, Haryana  Circle.
2.	Vice-President	1. N.S.Subramanya, Steno to APMG (BD & TAOS), O/o Chief PMG, Karnataka Circle. 2. K.S. Krishnamurthy, Steno to SSPOs, Hyderabad City Dn.,  A. P. Circle. 3. N.K. Nath, P.S. to PMG (MM), O/o Chief PMG., W.B. Circle. 4. R.K. Pillai, Steno to SSPOs, Mumbai City North Dn., Mumbai, Maharashtra Circle.
3.	General Secretary	E. Murugadas, Steno to SSRM, RMS ‘MA’ Dn., Madurai   625 001- Tamil Nadu Circle.
4.	Asst. General  Secretaries	1.M.Harisuthan, Steno  to SSPOs, Kollam Dn., Kollam, Kerala Circle.  2. Sheela Singh, Steno  to A.D. (P.O.) O/o Chief PMG, Delhi Circle. 3. K. Suresh Kumar, Steno  to Dy. Divl. Manager, (PLI), O/o Chief PMG, Chennai - Tamil Nadu Circle. 4. Amit Datta, P.A.  to DPS (M & SP), O/o Chief PMG, Kolkata,      W. B.  Circle.
5.	Treasurer	Anil  Kumar Singh, Steno to A.D. (P), O/o Chief PMG, Patna – 800 001 -  Bihar  Circle.
6.	Organizing Secretary	1.M.V. Ramana Murthy, P.A. to PMG, O/o PMG, Hyderabad Region, A.P. Circle. 2. A. Pathak, Steno to A.D. (P & SR), O/o Chief PMG, Kolkata,      W. B. Circle. 3. Nitesh Kumar, Steno  to Supdt. of POs., Bhagalpur Dn., Bihar Circle. 4. Ms. Anitha Sood, Steno  to A.D. (Staff), O/o Chief PMG, Delhi Circle.
Shri. S. Venkatesh, P.A. to DPS, Central Region, Kochi -Kerala Circle is nominated as Auditor.

                                                                                                                                               

Eye spy…

A silent thief of the precious gift of sight, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness world-wide. Yet, timely detection can help protect your vision, says Kamala Thiagarajan

Our eyes are our windows to the world. And yet, we remain unaware of potential threats that can rob us of our vision.

Glaucoma refers to several diseases that ravage the optic nerve of the eye, first causing a loss of peripheral vision. If left to progress unchecked, it has the potential to blind you completely. And the statistics are staggering. While 11 million Indians above the age of 40 currently suffer from glaucoma, (according to estimates gleaned from the Chennai Glaucoma Study, conducted by Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai), in almost 10 million of these cases, the disease rages on undetected. Today, it is believed that 1 in 9 Indians (an estimated 40 million people) are at risk and may not even know that they are in imminent danger of losing their eyesight.

Glaucoma: Understanding the disease: "The front part of the eye is filled with a clear liquid called the aqueous humor," says Dr Ronnie George, Senior Consultant, Glaucoma Services, Sankara Nethralaya. "This clear liquid is produced where the iris (the colored part of the eyeball) meets the eye. It circulates through the eye, nourishing it. Normally, the fluid should drain away from the eye through regular channels or pathways. However, some conditions can prevent the proper draining away of this fluid. This causes excessive pressure to build up within the eye, creating a problem we call glaucoma."

A majority of sufferers have primary open-angled glaucoma--a condition in which there is a slow clogging of drainage channels, usually because of a structural defect of the eye that you are born with. This creates a silent build-up of pressure over a period of time. "This glaucoma has no symptoms, so the sufferer can be completely unaware of the condition, until activities that require peripheral vision, such as driving, become difficult," says Dr Ronnie George. "However, if caught early, it responds well to medication, so while it cannot be cured, eyesight can be saved." Primary open angled glaucoma is a chronic disease, one that requires life-long medication (with medicated eyedrops) and frequent follow-up check-ups, but it can be controlled and managed.

In angle closure glaucoma however, the pressure within the eye builds up dangerously and at a rapid pace because the fluid from the eye is suddenly prevented from draining away since the angle between the iris and the cornea is narrowed or closed. You will experience redness, swelling and pain and this is a medical emergency.

Co-genital glaucoma can develop at birth or usually during the first few years of life. "In children, one eye is usually larger than the other in such cases," says Dr Ronnie George.

Secondary glaucoma however, is caused by a sudden injury to the eye or can even be triggered by a bad lifestyle. "Just as in the heart, blood vessels in the eye too can be blocked because of excessive smoking, alcohol consumption and fat intake, leading to glaucoma at a later stage," says Dr N. Kasinathan, senior consultant ophthalmologist, Chennai. "Poorly controlled diabetes is a risk factor, especially if you've been a diabetic for over ten years. If you experience a frequent change in power (eye glass prescriptions), every three months instead of the usual one or two years, then it can be a warning signal for glaucoma. Any vague sensation of discomfort around the eyes, extreme sensitivity to light, frequent headaches should be investigated. Long term use of steroid drugs and steroid creams can put you at risk as well."

Families ties & treatment: "Glaucoma does run in families, so if any family member is diagnosed, it increases your risk three-fold," says Dr Ronnie George. "Regular and comprehensive eye evaluations are absolutely essential in such cases," says Dr Kasinathan. "Every six months, a dilated retina evaluation for those with a family history is recommended." For others above the age of forty, annual check-ups are required.

Glaucoma, though a chronic condition, can be managed through life-long use of medicated eyedrops. However, sufferers may experience several side-effects while using medication. Laser surgery is often an option in some cases, but frequent follow-up with your ophthalmologist is required as the results are often unpredictable and will last only a few years. Regular and timely evaluation is crucial in managing glaucoma. Remember, protecting your eyesight will go a long way towards ensuring the quality of your life, especially during those golden years.

Source : http://www.thehindu.com

DPS PROMOTIONS AND POSTINGS

Today, Directorate released  ad hoc promotion of the following STS offices to officiate purely on temporary & ad hoc basis in JAG cadre for a period not exceeding 11 months.

Sl.	Name S/s	Present	Posting on promotion
1.	M.Ramalingam	Karnataka	Director (Mails & SP), TN Circle
2.	Narain jha	Bihar	DPS (BD, Tech & Mktg), Bihar Circle
3.	MA Patel 1	Gujarat	DPS, Sambalpur Region, Odisha
4.	E.Veerabhadra Rao	Andhra	Director (Mails & BD), Maharashtra Circle
5.	M.Poornachandra Rao	Andhra	DPS (HQ), Chattisgarh Circle
6.	Harendra Singh	Bihar	Director (Estt), Dte
7.	Dwipendra Nath Sarma	Assam	DPS, Arunachal Pradesh
8	K.Somasundaram	Tamilnadu	DPS,  Vijayawada Region, Andhra
9	K.Ravi Babu	DD, CEPT, Mysore	Director, CEPT, Mysore
10	BL Bhati	Rajasthan	DPS, Gorakhpur Region
11	Naharu Ram Meena	Rajasthan	DPS, Dibrugarh, Assam Circle
12	A.Thomas Lourduraj	Tamilnadu	Director, Kolkatta GPO
13	V.Santhanaraman	Tamilnadu	Director (VP & DE), Dte
14	RS Mishra	UP	DPS (HQ), Himachal Pradesh Circle
15	Virendra Kumar Singh	ADG (Phil), Dte	DPS HQ, Uttarakhand Circle
16	S.Ramamurthy	Tamilnadu	DPS HQ, Jharkhand Circle
17	AD Patel	Gujarat	Director (Mails & SP), WB Circle
18	S.Kandasamy	Tamilnadu	DPS, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
19	VV. Sathyanarayana Reddy	Andhra	Director, Mumbai GPO
20	Sashi Kumar	Maharashtra	DPS, Pune Region
21	Bhupal Ram	Uttarakhand	DPS, Sikkim, WB Circle
22	M.Mariappan	Tamilnadu	DPS, NK Region, Karnataka
23	MB Gajabhiye	ADG (MO, Dte	Director (MB), Dte
24	Supiyo Ghosh	ADG (IR), Dte	Director (PMU II), Dte
25	Manoj Kumar	West Bengal	DPS, Tripura
26	Atul Kumar Srivastava	ADG (PMU), Dte	Director (PMU III), Dte
27	A.Saravanan	Tamilnadu	DPS HQ, Kerala Circle

Following transfers in DPS Cadre.

Sl.	Name S/s	Present	Posting on promotion
1.	Ms.Harjot Kaur, 1992	DPS, Sambalpur Region	DPS, Bareilly Region
2.	Ashok Kumar, 1997	DPS HQ, Rajasthan	Director, New Delhi GPO
3.	Ms.Rajul Bhatt, 2000	Director (PMU II), Dte	DPS, Gurgaon
4.	Dushyant Mudgal, 2003	Director (PMU (III), Dte	DPS HQ, Rajasthan Circle
5.	Vinod Kumar, 2003	Director (MB), Dte	DPS, Agra Region

Congrats to all the Officers.

Dte Memo No. 2-8 / 2013- SPG Dt. 7.11.2013

Source : http://tnipasp.blogspot.in/

What is Android ?

• Android is a mobile operating system created by Google that has the capability of being edited by any open-source developer.
• Think of it as the underlying software that instructs your device what to do, much like how the Windows operating system powers laptop and desktop computers.

• However , Android is not just for mobile phones: it is an embedded operating system suitable for any device with a display. Typical applications include medical equipment, test equipment and multimedia consumer devices. 

• Unlike closed systems that depend on one company for innovative new ideas, Android is “open to the public” – people can edit, add, and personalize Android, and Android takes on popular, useful ideas in future versions.
• Android is created with various layers, including Linux Kernel, the Android native libraries, the Android runtime, the Application Framework layer, and the Applications layer.
• Android code is written internally in C/C++, but developers can access them through Java interfaces.
• Developers most often add or edit Android code in the Applications layer.

• Android is an open source operating system — a large community of companies and developers maintain it and contribute toward developing newer versions of it. 
• This all takes place under the auspices of Google, which bought the company (Android, Inc.) that first developed the Android OS.

• Unlike Apple’s iOS operating system for mobile devices, the Android operating system’s ongoing development isn’t hidden behind lock and key.

• In fact, about 80 companies are members of the group — the Open Handset Alliance — that contribute towards the further development of the Android operating system.
• All of this openness allows for innovation from many different sources. 
• This also allows for many different Android devices in all shapes and sizes, which creates a compatibility problem for the app developers. 
• The compatibility issue with Android devices has even got a name: fragmentation.
• Manufacturers can modify the Android operating system as they see fit for their devices. 
• This allows them a way to differentiate their devices from their competitors’ devices, by adding unique features. 
• This also results in different customized versions of Android running on different devices.

An example of this is that mobile phone maker HTC inserts its own HTC Sense user interface into many of its Android phones, whereas Samsung puts its own TouchWiz user interface into its Android devices. 

The following figure shows a couple of screens from the Samsung Epic 4G Android phone.

The Samsung Epic 4G Android phone’s home page (left) and one of the app pages (right).

*********************************************************************************

Architecture of Android

In order to understand how Android works, take a look at given below Figure, which shows the various layers that make up the Android operating system (OS).

The Android OS has four to five layers !

➤ Linux kernel            

• ·       This is the kernel on which Android is based.
• ·       This layer contains all the low-level device drivers for the various hardware components of an Android device.

➤ Libraries                  

• ·       These contain all the code that provides the main features of an Android OS.
• ·       For example, the SQLite library provides database support so that an application can use it for data storage.
• ·       The WebKit library provides functionalities for web browsing.

➤ Android runtime          —

• ·       At the same layer as the libraries, the Android runtime provides a set of corelibraries that enable developers to write Android apps using the Java programming language.
• ·       The Android runtime also includes the Dalvik virtual machine, which enables every Android application to run in its own process, with its own instance of the Dalvik virtual machine (Android applications are compiled into the Dalvik executables).
• ·       Dalvik is a specialized virtual machine designed specifically for Android and optimized for battery-powered mobile devices with limited memory and CPU.

➤Application framework  

• ·       Exposes the various capabilities of the Android OS to application developers so that they can make use of them in their applications.

➤ Applications                    

• ·       At this top layer, you will find applications that ship with the Android device (such as Phone, Contacts, Browser, etc.), as well as applications that you download and install from the Android Market.
• ·       Any applications that you write are located at this layer.

Courtesy : http://akulapraveen.blogspot.in/

Commemorative Stamp on Indian Academy of Pediatrics released on 8/11/2013

The Indian Academy of Pediatrics was formed after amalgamating the Association of Pediatricians in India based at Mumbai and the Indian Pediatric Society based at Calcutta during its joint meeting at Hyderabad in 1963. The IAP Secretariat is situated at Mumbai. Today, the IAP has around 19,000 members with 140 branches which work for the furtherance of IAP's objectives and work independently as per IAP's constitution. India Post issued a commemorative stamp to commemorate 50 years of Indian Academy of Pediatrics on 8th November 2013.

Post Offices should become the Front Offices of the Government of India - Cabinet Secretary

Shri Ajit Seth, Union Cabinet Secretary, has said that Post Offices should become the Front Offices of the Government of India, enlarging their role in communication, distribution and financial services. Quoting models from other countries, he said that the post office plays a significant role in the development of the nation. Shri Seth said this here today while interacting with senior officers of the Department of Posts as part of off-campus talks on ‘Good Governance’ organized by the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy. 

“With a large network of 1, 55,000 Post Offices spread across the country, the Post Office touches the life of everyone. There is a joy in visiting the Post Office”, the Cabinet Secretary said. He expressed his satisfaction on the implementation of the IT modernization project of the Department. With a large outlay of Rs 4,900 crore, the IT project of India Post will bring substantial benefits to the citizens of India. Shri Seth wanted the Department to be prepared to manage the massive changes that would arise on introduction of the IT modernization project. He felt that with this kind of technology initiative, the Post Office will be in a position to become the front office of the Government to the citizens. 

Source : PIB

Things you must know about ISRO Mars mission

The important move by India is being watched by the world. Here are some of the highlights of the Mars mission of India:

• Distance to Mars: 400 million km
• Duration of journey: 300 days
• Launch time: 23 minutes as the rocket will be visible to ISRO through its own ground for this period.
• Mars orbit insertion date: September 12, 2014
• Next major date: November 30, when the aircraft will begin its journey to Mars. Before this date, it will continue to revolve around Earth

Cost of mission: Rs 450 crore

MISSION'S OBJECTIVES

# Orbit manoeuvres to ensure final capture into Martian orbit

# Development of force models and algorithms for orbit and attitude computations and analyses

# Maintain the probe in all phases of the mission, meeting power, communications, thermal and payload operation requirements

# Look for methane on Mars, for detection of life on the planet

EYE ON THE SKY

# During the launch, the Mangalyaan Mission was tracked by two specially equippeed Shipping Corporation of India ships--Yamuna and Nalanda, positioned in the South Pacific Ocean.

# During its journey from Earth to Mars, the Mars Orbiter will be tracked using the Indian Deep Space Network at Baylalu on the outskirts of Bangalore and sea-borne S-band terminals.

# At the time of the Mars capture in September 2014, tracking and communication with the satelite will be done using the 70-metre antenna of NASA's deep space network at Canberra in Australia.

The Team

• S K Shivakumar: The Director of the ISRO Satellite Centre, which built the Mars Orbiter and spacecraft. An engineer from the Indian Institute of Science, he was earlier the head of ISRO's telemetry, tracking and command network, ISTRAC.

• Dr Mylswamy Annnadurai: The Programme Director of IRS & SSS (Indian Remote Sensing & Small, Science and Student Satellites) at ISRO, he was the project director of the Moon Mission and is overseeing the one to Mars as well.

• P Kunhikrishnan: He is the Mission Director for the launcher. From the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kunhikrishnan has seven successful PSLV launches under his belt since 2009.

• S Arunan: The Project Director for the Mars Orbiter. For the senior scientist with the ISRO Satellite Centre, the Mars Mission is a maiden venture as Project Director. His team created the Mars Orbiter for ISRO in 12 months and is now bracing for sleepless nights as the mission approaches countdown.

• Dr V Kesavaraju: The Mission Director for the post-launch operations. A team led by Dr Kesavaraju of the ISRO Satellite Centre will monitor the Mars Mission following its launch, including tracking it in outer space.

Courtesy : http://akulapraveen.blogspot.in/

Commemorative Stamp on 75 Years of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan released on 7/11/2013

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan an educational trust was founded on 7th November 1938 by Dr. K. M. Munshi, with the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi. The trust operates a number of primary and secondary institutes in India and abroad. It organizes and runs 100 private schools in India. The schools are known as Bharatiya Vidya Mandir, Bhavan's Vidya Mandir, or Bhavan's Vidyalaya. India Post issued a commemorative stamp to mark 75 years of foundation of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on 7th November 2013.

The tale of 0% EMI schemes --->> RBI's embargo -- >> An Analysis !

In April, Anita Singh, a 50-year-old housewife, purchased a microwave worth Rs 10,100 from a large retailer in Mumbai. The retailer lured her into a six-month easy payment scheme at zero per cent interest rate on her bank's credit card and told that all she was required to pay was an additional processing fee of Rs 500. Even though she had her savings to pay for it, she went ahead with the deal. A careful look into the scheme now shows that while the bank converted her payments into six EMIs, she had to pay the initial two EMIs in the first month. So, effectively, it was six EMIs in five months and Rs 500 extra on the purchase of a microwave worth Rs 10,100. A simple calculation shows that the processing fee she paid works out to be an effective interest rate of 11.9 per cent for her purchase and that too upfront. "I feel cheated. I thought I was being offered the product at zero interest rate but the processing fee is amounting to this high rate of interest," said Anita, who is a hard bargainer and always looks to get some extra discount on any product she purchases.

• Often, what we perceive as economical always has tremendous economics behind it. Otherwise why would the seller be interested in selling something that which is fairly cheap to you? 

The 0% interest Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs) was one of the few attractive schemes which had received strong acceptance, is a case in the point. Recently, Reserve Bank of India asked banks to stop 0% interest charging schemes that allowed consumers to buy goods on equated monthly instalments. Banks used to offer these special schemes to consumers to buy anything and everything from kitchen appliances such as induction cookers to even high end electronic gadgets such as smart phones, tablets and LED television sets.

In financial parlance, you should never borrow to consume and worse if you are splurging on some electronic gadgets just to catch up with peers. The basic tenets of financial planning suggest that you should not borrow to splurge. It can overburden and may limit any scope to borrow for something essential. However, things are changing and sometimes people prefer to buy things by borrowing if they increase their efficiency or save their time. For example, working women want to own a microwave oven and a sales executive want to own a smart phone. And banks sensed an opportunity in this.

• They introduced dedicated schemes to sell these products to customers who can borrow. 
• The only glitch here is that they are wrongly called 0% EMI schemes, where the consumers get the impression that they are not paying any interest. 
• Banks were making consumers either pay down payments and service charges that would take care of the interest due on the money paid to product manufacturers or they were negotiating discounts deals with product manufactures, wherein the discounts were not passed on to the customers. 

In both cases, RBI feels that customer interests are compromised. Hence the regulator asked the bank to stop these deals immediately.

What RBI says ...!!

• The RBI has, argued that under the subvention scheme it is banks' responsibility to make consumers fully aware of the bargain that they would get from the manufacturer or retailer and also pass on those benefits fully and indiscriminately.
• "Thus in principle, banks should not resort to any practice that would distort the interest rate structure of a product as this vitiates the transparency in pricing mechanism which is very important for the customer to take informed decision," said the RBI.
• RBI has also instructed banks to put a curb on the practice where merchant establishments levy fee as a percentage of the transaction value as charges on customers while they make payments for purchase through debit cards. "Such fee are not justifiable," said RBI adding that this calls for termination of relationship of bank with such establishments.

What do people unhappy with this decision say ?

• Card issuers are also looking to approach the RBI to let them continue with the subvention schemes as its benefits everyone and they will on their part make full disclosure to consumers that interest payment for their purchase is being taken case either by merchant or the manufacturer.
• "While only 25 per cent of consumer durable secondary sale is through consumer finance, 75 - 80 per cent of automobile secondary sale is through consumer finance. Hence, impact is more on automobiles not durables. Also, consumer durable finance is primarily through NBFCs, not banks, while automobile finance is routed majorly through banks," said Deba Ghoshal, marketing head, unitary product business group, Voltas.
• Naturally, consumer goods companies are crying foul. They were banking on such schemes to drive their festival sales and with the RBI notification, cautious customers are likely to be stay away, they feel. 
• According to a report in the Business Standard, about 20-30 percent of consumer goods sales happen via such zero percent EMI schemes. Such schemes are usually offered for premium products. Nilesh Gupta, CEO of Mumbai-based consumer durable goods retailer Vijay Sales, has been quoted as saying that the size of transactions will come down by 15-20 percent. Future group CEO has termed the move as anti-consumption.

What it means for economy ?

• True. It is likely to bring down the sales overall. 
• But in the long run it augurs well as consumers take informed decision. 
• Such schemes result in sentiment-driven purchases. 
• They inflate demand. 
• This is not good in a low-growth, high-inflation scenario, which is prevalent in India now. 
• Moreover, it is important that people know that in an economy where inflation is high, cash too comes at a higher price. 
• This will help restrict demand and in turn control inflation at least to an extent. 
• After all, the interest rate in the economy is trending upwards. 
• Zero interest rate schemes—especially when it is just name sake—will only distort the real picture. 
• The RBI is setting this anomaly right.

It's a move simply to discourage customers from purchasing consumer goods as RBI wants to decrease CAD and make inflows of dollars and maintain the foreign reserve. as we all know that all the electronics and consumer goods are imported to our country and paid in dollars. In long run it should be beneficial for our economy.

Conclusion !!! (what i feel)

Nothing is free in this world or any other world. Its a welcome move by RBI to save vulnerable customers(who don't apply their mind). Let the govt take some hint from this and ban (or atleast put some restriction) such schemes on retail products. (Like cosmetics companies offering 1 cream free with another or 10% free like offers, offering conditioners along with shampoo). Same should be done to all other retail product manufacturers who hide behind the mask of generosity but in reality lure costumers to buy unnecessary products.

Courtesy : http://akulapraveen.blogspot.in/

The Power of Words

A group of frogs were travelling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. 

When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs they would never get out.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit.

The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and simply gave up. He fell down and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and suffering and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. 

When he got out, the other frogs asked him, "Why did you continue jumping? Didn't you hear us?"

The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

This story holds two lessons:

1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path.

The power of words... it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times.

7th CPC News - Suggestions of Staff Side on Terms of Reference of the 7th Pay Commission - BPMS writes to DOPT

7th CPC News - Suggestions of Staff Side on Terms of Reference of the 7th Pay Commission - BPMS writes to DOPT

 BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH

(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS) 

(AN INDUSTRIAL UNIT OF B.M.S.) 

(RECOGNISED BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT. OF INDIA) 

REF: BPMS / DoP&T / 7th CPC / 250 (6/1/M)

Dated: 31.10.2013 

To,

The Secretary (JCA),

Govt of India, Min of Pers, PG & Pensions,

Department of Personnel & Training,

North Block, New Delhi – 110001

Subject: Terms of Reference of the 7th Pay Commission Reference: Your letter No. 16/15/2012-JCA, dated 30.09.2013

Respected Sir,

With due regards, your attention is invited to the letter cited under reference whereby suggestions of the Staff Side on the subject matter have asked for. Hence, according to this federation the terms of reference of the 7th CPC should be as under:-  

A. To examine the principles that should govern the structure of pay, allowances and other facilities/benefits whether in cash or in kqind to the following categories of employees:- 

1. Central Government employees – industrial and non-industrial. 

2. Personnel belonging to the All India Services. 

3. Personnel belonging to the Defence Forces. 

4. Personnel of the Union Territories. 

5. Officers and employees of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department; and 

6. Members of the regulatory bodies (excluding the RBI) set up under Acts of Parliament. 

B. To define and implement the concept of a “Living Wage” to cover all categories of employees in Central Government Organisations. 

C. To examine, define and rationalise the concept of minimum and maximum pay amongst categories of employees. 

D. To work out a comprehensive pay package for the categories of Central Government employees mentioned at (A) above that is suitably linked to promoting efficiency, productivity and economy through rationalization of structures, organizations, systems and processes within the Government, with a view to leveraging economy, accountability, responsibility, transparency, assimilation of technology and discipline. 

E. To harmonize the functioning of the Central Government Organisations with the demands of the emerging global economic scenario. 

F. To examine the effects of deployment of “Contract workers” across board viz-a-viz integrity, loyalty and overall impact of delivery of services. 

G.To examine the principles which should govern the structure of pension, death-cum-retirement gratuity, family pension and other terminal or recurring benefits having financial implications to the present and former Central Government employees appointed before January 1, 2004.  

H. To re-examine the applicability of the New Pension Scheme to all Categories of Central Government Employees. 

I. To make recommendations with respect to the general principles, financial parameters and conditions which should govern payment of bonus and the desirability and feasibility of introducing Productivity Linked Incentive Scheme in place of the existing ad hoc bonus scheme in various Departments and to recommend specific formulae for determining the productivity index and other related parameters. 

J. To examine the feasibility of extending the scheme for payment of Productivity Linked Bonus, Night Duty Allowance, Over-time (where ever applicable) and such other allowances to all categories of employees including Group “A” Organised Services.  

K. To examine desirability and the need to sanction any interim relief/merge DA with Pay till the time the recommendations of the Commission are made and accepted by the Government.  

L. To evaluate the existing system of Joint Consultation & Complusory Arbitration (JCM Scheme) with reference to ‘Directive Principles of State Policy’ under Article 43A of the ‘Constitution of India’ on ‘Participation of workers in management of industries’ for promoting harmonious relations and securing the greatest measure of cooperation between the Government, in its capacity as employer, and the general body of its employees in matters of common concern and increasing the efficiency of the public service 

Further, it is requested to achieve a reasonable, balanced and implementable report, while taking into consideration the various constraints at present and the past experience in implementation of the 6th CPC report and the various anomalies which cropped up therein, it is suggested that one representative each from the top 5 Central Trade Unions should be made a member of the 7th CPC and It is also demanded that the report of the 7th CPC be finalised and submitted on or before 01-06-2015 so that it can be further examined and finally implemented w.e.f. 01-01-2016. 

 Thanking you.

Sincerely yours 

sd/-

(M. P. SINGH) 

General Secretary 

 Source: www.bpms.org.in

[http://bpms.org.in/documents/7th-cpc-qw4z.pdf]

6th CPC: Revised Pay and Allowances of Non-statutory Departmental Canteen Employees consequent upon the recommendations of the sixth Central Pay Commission

6th CPC: Revised Pay and Allowances of Non-statutory Departmental Canteen Employees consequent upon the recommendations of the sixth Central Pay Commission

Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
Pay  Commission Cell

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg.
New Delhi-110 001

No.4-4/ 2008-PCC

Dated 17 Sep 2013

To
All the Heads of Circles.

Subject:- Revised Pay & Allowances of Non-statutory Departmental Canteen Employees consequent upon the recommendations of the sixth Central Pay commission.

I am directed to re-circulate the following order on the subject mentioned above for information and further necessary action.

Office Memorandum

To view Directorate's memo No. 4-4/2008-PCC dated 17th September 2013, pleaseCLICK HERE.
http://www.indiapost.gov.in/DOP/Pdf/Circulars/4_4_2008-PCCdtd17sep2013.PDF

Source: http://www.indiapost.gov.in

Post Offices should become the Front Offices of the Government of India - Cabinet Secretary

Shri Ajit Seth, Union Cabinet Secretary, has said that Post Offices should become the Front Offices of the Government of India, enlarging their role in communication, distribution and financial services. Quoting models from other countries, he said that the post office plays a significant role in the development of the nation. Shri Seth said this here today while interacting with senior officers of the Department of Posts as part of off-campus talks on ‘Good Governance’ organized by the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy. 

“With a large network of 1, 55,000 Post Offices spread across the country, the Post Office touches the life of everyone. There is a joy in visiting the Post Office”, the Cabinet Secretary said. He expressed his satisfaction on the implementation of the IT modernization project of the Department. With a large outlay of Rs 4,900 crore, the IT project of India Post will bring substantial benefits to the citizens of India. Shri Seth wanted the Department to be prepared to manage the massive changes that would arise on introduction of the IT modernization project. He felt that with this kind of technology initiative, the Post Office will be in a position to become the front office of the Government to the citizens. 

Source : PIB