107th International Women’s Day – An overview
Smt. Nandita Mohanty
Chairman, Women Sub-Committee
AIPEU, Gr.-C, Bhubaneswar Division
Women has the power to multiply, to intensify and to glorify. If you give her a smile, she will give you her heart.
Today we are celebrating 107th International Women’s Day all over the world. International Women’s day is celebrated on 8th March every year. In different parts of the World it is celebrated separately. In some regions of the World it is celebrated to show respect, appreciation love towards women. In some it is celebrated as the social, economic and political achievement of women. And now a days in some countries it is celebrated by men to show their love and respect to women like the “Mother’s Day” and “Valentine’s Day”.
The earliest Women’s Day was observed on 28th February 1909 in New York by the Socialist Party in America in remembrance of 1908 strike of Women Workers. The International Women’s Day is also popularly known as International Working Women’s Day. Before twentieth century life of women in society was very miserable. They don’t have right to education, right to work, right to acquire property and even right to vote. Suffragettes campaigned for women's right to vote. The word 'Suffragette' is derived from the word "suffrage" meaning “ the right to vote”. International Women's Day honours the work of the Suffragettes, celebrates women's success and reminds of inequities still to be redressed.
The International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8th March every year throughout the world since 1911 to glorify the economic, social and political achievement of women’s past, present and future .In some countries like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria it is observed as National Holiday. Thousands of events occur to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Organizations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women's groups, corporations and the media celebrate the day. Various organizations identify their own International Women's Day theme, specific to their local context and interests. Many charities, NGOs and Governments also adopt a relevant theme or campaign to mark the day. For example, organizations like the UN, Oxfam, Women for Women, Care International, Plan, World Association of Girl Guides & Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and more - run exciting and powerful campaigns that raise awareness and encourage donations for good causes. The UN has been declaring an annual equality theme for many years.
The earliest Women’s Day observance was held on February 28, 1909, in New York; it was organized by the Socialist Party of America in remembrance of the 1908 strike of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. In August 1910, an International Women's Conference was organized to precede the general meeting of the Socialist Second International in Copenhagen, Denmark. Inspired in part by the American socialists, German Socialist Loose Zietz proposed the establishment of an annual 'International Women’s Day and was seconded by fellow socialist and later communist leader Clara, although no date was specified at that conference, delegates (100 women from 17 countries) agreed with the idea as a strategy to promote equal rights, including suffrage, for women. The following year, on March 19, 1911, International Women’s Day was marked for the first time, by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. In the Austro-Hungarian Empire alone, there were 300 demonstrations. In Vienna, women paraded on the Ringstrasse and carried banners honouring the martyrs of the Paris Commune. Women demanded that women be given the right to vote and to hold public office. They also protested against employment sex discrimination. Americans continued to celebrate National Women's Day on the last Sunday in February.
In the West, International Women's Day was first observed as a popular event after 1977 when the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women's rights and world peace.
All around the world, International Women's Day represents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while calling for greater equality. This year the theme of International Women’s Day is MAKE IT HAPPEN .Make It Happen is the 2015 theme for our internationalwomensday.com global hub encouraging effective action for advancing and recognizing women.
Gandhiji said, ‘Intellectually, mentally, and spiritually, woman is equivalent to a male and she can participate in every activity."From Sita in Ramayana to Kannagi in Silapatkaram to Rani Jhansi are not only celebrated women but also their contribution to social change and awareness had been immense. Even Ramakrishna Parmahamsa is said to have worshipped his wife. Gender is western concept. India is the original home of the Mother Goddess. Only in India Woman is worshipped as Sakti [Strength], Saraswati [Knowledge] and Lakshmi [Prosperity]. No other country or religion in the world worships women-hood in the way India does. In Hindu Mythology women is said to have been given absolutely 50% of Mental, Spiritual and physical space in the life of a man, when Shiva is illustrated to have done this inArdhanareeswar form. India is fortunate to have many great women in ancient Vedic Days like Gargi, Maitreyi, Biswambhara and in Modern India Annie Besent, Sister Nevedita, Vijayalakshmi Pandit, Mother Teresa, Sarojini Naidu to Indira Gandhi, Kalpana Chawla, Indra Nooyi to Pratibha Singh Patil and many more in the Indian Corporate sector who have proved to be more than a match . Their contributions to Society in whole and to Women in Particular is invaluable.
According to a feminist writer woman is all powerful. She has the power to multiply, to intensify and to glorify. If you give a sperm to her she will give you a baby .If you give her a house she will give you a home. If you give her the groceries she will give you the meal. If you give her a smile she will give you her heart. She multiplies and glorifies whatever you will give to her.
In Modern Indian society women are playing stellar role, even challenging the males in Politics. More importantly their role in family building, society development is stupendous. Indian woman is emerging out of their conventional role, realizing their unlimited potential and have begun to take major role in all walks of life.
We are really fortunate to be the proud members of All India Postal Employees Union, Group-C which provides such a nice platform in the name of Women Sub-Committee to honour the talents and troubles of the women employees in India Post. Bhubaneswar Division is the only Division in Odisha Circle to have such a Sub-Committee. Feeling extremely proud while celebrating this historic day on behalf of the Women Sub-Committee of AIPEU, Group-C, Bhubaneswar Division, I would like to sincerely appeal all to join hand in hand and heart with heart to make it happen for advancing and recognizing women.
Woman Unity Long Live.
AIPEU Long Live.
N F P E Long Live
India Post Long Live.
Posting of Physically handicapped candidates - DOPT Order
Engagement of consultants and outsourcing of services
Press Information Bureau
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & PensionsGovernment of India
04-March-2015 17:21 IST
Outsourcing Policy
The fundamental principles applicable to all Ministries/Departments regarding engagement of consultants and outsourcing of services are provided in General Financial Rules, 2005. As per GFR, 2005, the Ministries/Departments may hire external professionals, consultancy firms or consultants for a specific job which is well defined in terms of content and time frame for its completion or outsource certain services in the interest of economy and efficiency.
The vacant posts of permanent employees in the Central Government are to be filled up as per the provisions of the Recruitment Rules.
The term of the existing contract to engage outsourced persons in the Central Information Commission has already expired. However, the existing engagement of outsourced persons has been allowed to continue for the smooth functioning of the Commission, till the fresh contract is awarded. The Government has decided that fresh tender may be invited at the earliest, following due procedure and the Government has not given any directions to reduce the pay of the existing outsourced persons to the minimum wages.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in Prime Minister’s office Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Shri Ravindra Kumar Pandey in the Lok Sabha today.
Is NPS better than EPF? - The Hindu
Is NPS better than EPF?
The NPS is more complicated than EPF, but it may ensure a sufficient retirement kitty
If there’s one investment option that has received generous tax breaks in the Budget, it is the National Pension System (NPS). In a watershed move, the Finance Minister has also announced that employees in the organised sector will now be able to opt out of contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and invest in the NPS instead. So, if given this choice, what should you do? Here’s how they compare.
Contributions
EPF contributions are mandatory for employees earning up to ₹15,000 a month in the organized sector. Many employers however insist on EPF contributions for all their employees. The contribution is pegged at 12 per cent of your pay (basic plus dearness allowance). Your statutory EPF contributions are matched by your employer. If you are an employee who usually struggles to save, the EPF is a good option for you as it forces you to save at least 12 per cent of your pay.
But if you are targeting a comfortable retirement, note that EPF alone won’t be enough as it is pegged only to your basic pay. The NPS is a voluntary account; you can contribute anything starting from ₹500 a month (₹6,000 a year).
To avail of the tax breaks on the investment, the maximum limit is ₹2 lakh a year. Unlike the EPF, the NPS allows you to skip contributions for a few months if you can’t afford it (investing once a year is mandatory).
So, the NPS scores over the EPF on two counts — you can save much more and do it with greater flexibility. But currently all your EPF contributions are matched by your employer. Not so for the NPS.
Portfolio
The money you pay into EPF is invested in ultra-safe options — Central and State Government securities, bonds and deposits from PSUs and a special deposit scheme from the Government. Last we know, G-Secs made up 40 per cent of the portfolio, PSU debt 32 per cent, with the deposit making up the rest of the EPF kitty. The EPF doesn’t actively manage its portfolio — it mostly buys and holds till maturity. This makes for low but predictable returns.
The key differentiator with the NPS is that it allows you to add an equity component to your retirement kitty. You also get to flexibly allocate your money between equities (up to 50 per cent), liquid funds/bonds and Government Securities (G-Sec) in any proportion you like.
You also have the choice of deciding who, among the six pension fund managers, will manage your money. Their individual track records are available on their websites.
You can rejig allocations once a year and also change your fund manager. Both the equity and the debt portions of the NPS have delivered double-digit returns in the last one year. But because they are invested in market instruments, your returns will fluctuate from year to year.
The G-Sec portion, for instance, delivered negative returns during the rising rate scenario, but is faring well with falling rates. Given that you are looking at the NPS as a long-term option, you need not worry too much about shorter term losses in the debt portfolio. Due to its portfolio structure, the NPS is likely to earn higher returns but with greater variability.
Returns
The interest you earn on your EPF account is decided by the EPF trustees who announce the rate every year. In the last four years, interest rates have been 9.5, 8.25, 8.5 and 8.75 per cent, respectively.
The returns on NPS depend on your asset allocation as well as choice of fund manager. If you choose a 30-50 per cent equity component, returns are likely to be in the double-digits, even assuming equities manage only 15 per cent a year and debt securities 8 per cent.
Disclosures
The EPF’s portfolio is not made public. But it is a government-backed scheme and the presumption is that it will not default on any payments. Returns are also announced and well-publicised.
With the NPS, you know exactly where it invests, with all the managers regularly disclosing their portfolios. But unlike the EPF, gauging NPS returns is not easy. Returns earned by different plans/managers are not available at one location. You need to compile them individually from the historical NAVs put out by the different fund managers.
So, the EPS is your best bet if you like to know exactly what you’re earning. The NPS works if you don’t mind leaving it to market forces.
Liquidity
The EPF allows you to withdraw your money before retirement if you resign from one job and take up another, after a gap. You can also draw money from it for constructing/buying a home, illness, marriage or education of children. You can use the sums withdrawn for these purposes.
In the NPS, if you withdraw before the age of 60, you need to compulsorily use 80 per cent of the proceeds to buy an annuity plan from an insurer. Even withdrawals after the age of 60 require you to use 40 per cent to buy an annuity. Only 60 per cent will be available to you to deploy as you please.
The EPF is certainly more flexible than NPS on early withdrawals. But withdrawing too much or too often can leave you short of a retirement kitty when you most need it.
Taxability
Contributions to the EPF are tax-free under Section 80C. Interest earned and withdrawals aren’t taxed either, unless you do so within five years of starting the account.
Investments in the NPS, up to ₹2 lakh are tax-free. But the sums you withdraw at retirement are taxable at the prevailing income tax rates.
Read at: The Hindu Business Line
Central Government Employees to Protest outside the Parliament on April 28; Plan for Indefinite Strike
Central Government Employees to Protest outside the Parliament on April 28; Plan for Indefinite Strike
Central government employees have announced that they are going to protest outside the Parliament on April 28 against the Government’s decision to not hike the income tax slab. There are plans to launch an indefinite strike in July.
Protests were held at the Income Tax office in Nungambakkam on behalf of the Central Government Employees Federation, against the Government’s decision to not hike the minimum tax levels this time. The protests were led by the federation’s general secretary, M. Duraipandian. Union leaders like J. Ramamurthy and S. Sundaramurthy presided over the protests.
In a media interview during the protests, Duraipandian said –
Fund allocation deficits – “The Central Government budget submitted on February 28 brought no relief to the poor and the middle class. It was entirely in favour of the rich and the wealthy. Even though the prices of crude oil fell all over the world, the Government ensured that it remained the same in India. With an increase in excise taxes, the prices of petroleum and diesel actually increased in the country.
“The Government reduced corporate taxes from 30% to 25, but failed to increase the tax slab for the salaried class. How can the government then call it the budget of the masses? Allocations to social welfare, health and education were also very minimal.
“The BJP, that came to power by promising to curb inflation and increasing prices, is now involved in activities that lead to the very same things. Therefore, minimum income tax slab should be immediately raised to Rs.5 lakhs. Also, the Government must allocate funds to declare interim relief for the 7th Pay Commission.
“We are going to protest outside the Parliament on April 28, to present these demands. More than 10 lakh employees from departments like Railways, insurance and postal services are going to participate in it. We also have plans to launch an indefinite strike in the month of July. Our aim is to get the Government to agree to our demands. Strike is our last resort. If the Government is ready to grant our demands, we are willing to reconsider our decision to conduct a strike.”
Source: www.cgstaffportal.in
Clarification regarding list of hospitals / laboratories for conducting special medical examinations consequent on enhancement of sum assured limit in r/o PLI
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
Directorate of Postal Life Insurance
25-3/2003-LI (Vol II) Dated 25 February 2015
Subject: Clarification regarding list of hospitals/laboratories for conducting special medical examinations consequent on enhancement of sum assured limit in r/o PLI
This has reference to para 4 & 14 of this Directorate letter of even number dated 12.01.2015 regarding ‘Enhancement of sum assured to 50 lakhs in r/o PLI.
2. The Circles are raising doubts regarding process of conducting special medical examination of proponent opting for higher sum assured policies i.e. more than Rs. 20 lacs and authorised medical doctors, hospitals and dispensaries for special medical examination of these proponents. In this regard, it is clarified that special medical examinations may be conducted at any hospital/laboratory approved by CGHS, Central/State Government or at any specialized hospital at CGHS rate.
3. Status of Medical Officer conducting medical examination of proposer(s) based on special medical reports should be as under:-
i) Civil Surgeon, Medical Officers in the employment of Government enjoying the status not lower than that of a Civil Surgeon or Chief Medical Officer, nearest to the place of duty of the proponent. CMO Grade I/Specialist Grade II shall also be considered as equivalent to the rank of Civil Surgeon.
ii) Medical Officer (Allopathic) equivalent to Civil Surgeon employed in Central and State Government, Public Sector undertaking both State and Centre with at least 10 years experience, nearest to the place of duty of the proponent.
iii) Retired Civil Surgeon, CMO Grade I and Specialist Grade II.
4. Revised LI-24 (Proposal Form) for PLI proposals exceeding sum assured limit of Rs. 20 lac is being revised and will follow.
5. This has approval of CGM (PLI).
Sd/-
(Shipra Sharma)
Addl. General Manager (B&I)
TDS on recurring deposits from June 1 force investors to close down deposits prematurely
TDS on recurring deposits from June 1 force investors to close down deposits prematurely
NEW DELHI: Days after the Budget announced that tax deducted at source (TDS) will also apply to recurring deposits, banks are witnessing a rush of investors closing down their deposits prematurely.
Though it is fully taxable, the interest from recurring deposits is exempt from TDS. This only applies to interest from fixed deposits if the income exceeds Rs 10,000 in a year. The new rule is proposed to come into force from June 1, so investors are rushing to close their recurring deposits before the taxman gets whiff of their wealth.
"Premature closure of my recurring deposit will fetch me a lower interest rate. But at least there won't be a tax deduction," said an investor at a public sector bank branch in Delhi. Banks may see more premature closures of deposits as more investors become aware of the new rule.
It is not difficult to see why investors are panicky. Since the TDS is credited to the permanent account number of the investor, not mentioning the income in the tax return can lead to problems. The computer-aided scrutiny system of the tax department could pick up the mismatch in the tax credit and income declared by the assessee, which can lead to a detailed scrutiny by the tax authorities. If tax has been deducted at source but returns have not been filed, the tax department may want to know why.
"The new rules on TDS will help nail tax evasion and improve tax collections," declares Sudhir Kaushik, co-founder and CFO, Taxspanner.
TDS rules for fixed deposits are also being changed. Till now, this deduction kicked in only if the income from fixed deposits made in a particular bank branch exceeded the threshold of Rs 10,000 in a financial year. It was common for investors to open fixed deposits at multiple branches of their bank to avoid TDS. The budget has proposed that TDS should be levied if the combined interest income from FDs in all branches of a bank exceeds Rs 10,000 in a year.
The third major change is that co-operative bank deposits will also be subject to TDS. This was more or less expected.
Read more at: Economic Times
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