Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Don't kill the RTI - The Times of India


Editorial of  Times Of India October 27

Ajit Prakash Shah Oct 27, 2012, 12.00AM IST
Unjustified judicial intervention could compromise the good the right to information is doing
Perhaps the biggest contribution of our Parliament towards promoting greater accountability in independent India is the enactment of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. If, as they say, information is power, then the RTI Act has been a veritable 'Brahmastra' in the hands of the Indian public. It has been extremely successful in empowering people with information held by public authorities.

The Indian RTI experiment has proved that right to information is a powerful tool that serves to bridge the democratic deficit created by increasing inequality and differences in access to opportunities. Countless Indians are now able to check the status of their ration cards, below poverty line (BPL) cards, passports, application for public schemes etc. The RTI has made the state machinery more accessible and easier to manage, especially for the poor and vulnerable sections of society. An important reason why this has been so is because the Act has an effective and reasonably efficient implementation machinery consisting of the state and central chief information commissioners (CICs) who have the power to give effect to the provisions of this Act.
This success story of the RTI Act has, however, encountered a significant reversal in the recent judgment of the Supreme Court in Namit Sharma's case. In this case, a public interest litigation was filed challenging the constitutionality of Ss 12 and 15 of the RTI Act, 2005, dealing with appointment of the information commissioners. In a single stroke, the court completely upset the established RTI machinery with disastrous consequences for the public at large.
The court held that the commission is a "judicial tribunal" having the "trappings of a court". Given this, it reached some surprising conclusions. It held that the information commissioners "shall henceforth work in benches of two each...one of them being a 'judicial member', while the other being an 'expert member'." The appointment authorities were directed to "prefer a person who is or has been a judge of the high court" for appointment as information commissioners. It was also held that the CICs "shall only be a person who is or has been a chief justice of the high court or a judge of the Supreme Court of India".
There are a number of flaws in the reasoning. First, equating the information commissions with a "judicial tribunal" is clearly erroneous. The only issue to be decided before the commission is whether information, which is already available with the autho-rities, should be disclosed or not. The commission does not therefore dispense justice (like a court), it merely deals with disclosure of information.
Second, the Act already provides certain qualifications for appointments to the post of information commissioners ("persons of eminence" and "knowledge and experience" in particular fields). However, the court has completely rewritten the provisions of the Act by insisting on qualifications that go beyond what has been prescribed by the Act, and further, by specifically laying down the requirement of two-person benches, having at least one judicial member. This is a clear case of judicial overreach where the court has virtually legislated provisions of law.
More importantly, there are important practical concerns that flow from this judgment, and which the court has unfortunately glossed over. A huge fallout by way of immediate effect of this judgment would be the cessation of the acti-vities of all the information commissions until members with judicial background are appointed. The position of the current incumbents to the post of CICs becomes precarious as they cannot continue to work as per the SC decision. It is completely unclear whether they would resign or be removed — and if so, under what provision?

CHANGE OF SCHEDULE ON POSTMAN/MAIL GUARD EXAM



POSTMAN/MAIL GUARD & MTS EXAMINATION. THE SCHEDULE GIVEN BY DE SECTION IS NO MORE OPERATIVE AND THE INSTRUCTIONS DATED 8-10-2012 IS WITHDRAWN WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT..
                                       
No. A-34012/01/2012-DE
Government of India
Ministry of Communications &IT
Department of Posts,
(DE Section)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg. 
New Delhi-110116           
Dated 19th   October, 2012      

 1.       All Chief Postmasters General,      
 2.       All Postmasters General,      

SUB:     HOLDING OF LIMITED DEPARTMENTAL COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION FOR DILLING THE POSTS OF POSTMEN/MAIL GUARDS AND MULTI TASKING STAFF AS PER REVISED RECRUITMENT RULES.    
  
Sir/Madam,      

           I am directed to invite a kind reference  to the letter of even number dated 8-10-2012 wherein a detailed schedule was  prescribed for holding of LDCE for Postmen/Mail guard and MTS      

 2.     Subsequently, the nodal branch staff  section vide letter no. no. 45-2/2011-SPB.1 dated 18-10-2012 issued detailed  instructions to the circles for filling the vacancies by holding separate examinations  for each year vacancies and given specific schedule and to complete the process  by 30th  June 2013.      


 3. In view of this revised position, the schedule given by DE section has no more operative and the instructions dated 8-10-2012 is withdrawn with immediate effect. The circles are requested to follow the guidelines issued by SPB.1 section letter no. 45-2/2011-SPB.1 dated 18-10-2012 scrupulously.      


 4.   This issues with the approval of Competent Authority.      


     Yours faithfully,      
            Sd/- 
 (K.Rameswara Rao)      
Assistant Director General (DE)      

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

SUBJECTS FOR BI-MONTHLY MEETING WITH PMG, CR


No. P3/BMM/CR                                                                                                     dt. 30.10.2012

To
The Postmaster General,
Central Region,
Trichirappalli 620 001.

Sir,
                               Sub:  Subjects for bi-monthly meeting  with the PMG, CR  - Reg.
                                                                                                                  ….

The following item of  subjects  are  proposed to be taken up  for discussions with the  PMG, CR  during  the  ensuing bi-monthly meeting.  The same  may kindly be entertained.

1.Generator, UPS, battery, Hardware problems :- 
i)Supply of 5 KVA generators  to   all  ‘A’ and ‘B’ class offices throughout  the  Region, where  there is no supply  made till time,  since  most of the UPS/Batteries  supplied (Rasi Batteries)  are not  in working condition  and the public  services could not be  carried out  satisfactorily in the  8 hour  power cut scenario in the  State. Eg. Peralam, Vaithiswarankoil, Koranad, Mayiladuturai South Pos   in Mayiladuturai Division.
ii)The  Generators supplied in various offices are also under continuous disrepairs. For eg. Kollumangudi, Sembanarkoil and Porayar SOs under Mayiladuturai Dn.
iii) In most of the  PM Gr. I offices at MYL Dn, servers are utilized as nodes. Hence  fresh supply is requested.
iv) Repairs to 10 KVA UPS  and  replacement of two  servers  at Tiruthuraipundi HO since under disrepairs/beyond repairable condition.

2.  Disturbance of the  Time Scale Accountants in various Divisions under Central Region, (which is a divisional cadre  post carrying special  allowance, as in the case of  SB qualified officials)  who were already posted in the  clear vacant posts  applying the  usual formalities and under Rule 276 of Postal Manual Volume IV.  Request to  stop  calling for  fresh volunteers.

3.  Undue hardship and problems reported  in  closing of  Mail bags,  mail exchange  with  MMS, MMS operations  etc. due to the extension of  business hours  and change in working hours  from 09.00 to 05.00 .  Thorough  review  is  requested to set right things.

The undermentioned office bearers will be attending   the   meeting. Necessary arrangements  may kindly be made for granting  special CL and  relief  to them.

1. Sri. J. Ramamurthy, Circle Secretary, AIPEU GR. C, TN  at  Tiruvallikeni SO, Chennai 600 005.
2. Sri. A. Manoharan, Regional Secretary, AIPEU GR.C , CR at Vriddhachalam HO 606 001.

With regards,

Sd/-
(J. RAMAMURTHY)
CIRCLE SECRETARY.



FILLING UP OF POSTMAN/MAIL GUARD VACANCIES



HIGHER RATE OF HRA CASES OF CHENNAI CITY SOUTH DN PURSUED


Monday, October 29, 2012

PLI/RPLI monthly premium will now be paid automatically from SB A/c.



Copy of PLI Directorate letter No. 29-08/2009-LI (Pt)          dated 25.10.2012 


To,
All Heads of Circles
Addl. DG (APS)

Sub: Introduction of facility of automatic credit of PLI/ RPLI monthly premium from savings account of insured persons.

     In the last few years, there has been massive expansion of Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI). However, it has been noticed that a number of policies particularly in RPLI lapse after a while. One of the reasons for lapsation is absence of convenient ways of depositing premia of the policy(ies). As such, it was under consideration of the Department to provide facility of automatic deduction of premia from Savings Account so that (i) the policy holder(s) need not have to visit Post Office every month for depositing premia of his PLI/ RPLI policy and (ii) lapsation of PLI/ RPLI policies gets reduced.

2. The competent authority has now approved the proposal for providing the facility to the policy holder of PLI and RPLI to get premium deposited/ credited by deduction of the same directly from his Savings Account standing in Post Offices. However, this facility can be opted by only those policy holders of PLI and RPLI whose Savings Accounts are maintained in the Departmental Post Offices (GPOs, HOs, MDGs or SOs).

3. It is requested to kindly take necessary action for implementation of aforesaid scheme and wide publicity may also be given for this scheme through various publicity channels.

4. Accounting and operating procedure for automatic transfer of premium of PLI/ RPLI from Savings Accounts of the policy holder is enclosed for information and action accordingly.

5. It is further informed that till the provisions are made in the software, automatic credit of PLI/ RPLI monthly premium by deduction from savings account of the policy holder will have to be done manually.
 Sd/-
(A.K. Poddar)
General Manager (O)

MEETING WITH THE CPMG, TN ON STAFF MATTERS

அன்புத் தோழர்களே ! வணக்கம்.!

இன்று நமது CPMG, TN  அவர்களை நேரில் சந்தித்து  சில பிரச்சினைகள் குறித்து NFPE/FNPO  மாநிலச்  செயலர்கள் தோழர். J.R.,  G.P . முத்துகிருஷ்ணன் K  சங்கரன் , P . குமார்   ஆகியோர்  சந்தித்துப் பேசினோம்  அவை விபரம் கீழே :-

1.  12.11.2012 முதல் துவங்கவுள்ள MCDP  பயிற்சி வகுப்பு , தீபாவளி  பண்டிகையை முன்னிட்டு  மாற்றியமைக்க கோரினோம்.  அது குறித்து அளித்த கடித நகல் கீழே பார்க்கவும்.  பயிற்சி நாட்களை குறுக்க முடியாததாலும் , TRAINING CLASS க்கு விடுமுறை விட முடியாததாலும் , பயிற்சி தொடங்கும் தேதியை  12 க்கு பதிலாக 14 .11.2012 என மாற்றியமைக்க CPMG  அவர்கள் ஒப்புதல் அளித்தார்கள். 

2 . MACP  வழங்குவது குறித்து   நமது சம்மேளனம் எழுப்பிய  பிரச்சினையில் DOPT  அளித்த விளக்க ஆணை ,  தமிழகத்தில் தவறுதலாக நிர்வாக உத்திரவாக  வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ளது  என்பதை விளக்கினோம்.  அதாவது 1.9.2008 க்கு முன்னரும்  பதவி உயர்வு வேண்டாம் என்று  மறுத்தவர்களுக்கும் MACP  வழங்கத் தேவையில்லை என்று நமது  மாநிலத்தில் விளக்க ஆணை வெளியிடப் பட்டுள்ளது.  இது  தவறு என்று நாம் சுட்டிக் காட்டினோம். இப்படிச் செய்வதால் ஏற்கனவே MACP  அளிக்கப் பட்ட பல தோழர்களுக்கு RECOVERY  வரும். 

MACP  என்ற திட்டம் நம் இலாக்காவில்  அறிமுகப் படுத்தப் பட்டதே 1.9.2008 முதல் தான் என்பதாலும் , இதற்கு முன்னர் நமது இலாக்காவில் TBOP /BCR  முறையே இருந்தது என்பதாலும் , DOPT  இன் விளக்க ஆணை  1.9.2008 முதல் மட்டுமே  நமது இலாக்காவில் அமலுக்கு வரும் என்றும் , இதற்கு முன்னர் ACP I /ACP II  திட்டம் இருந்த  பகுதிக்கே  இந்த விளக்க  ஆணை   1.9.2008 க்கு முன்னர் நடைமுறைக்கு வரும் என்றும் நாம் சுட்டிக் காட்டினோம். இதனை ஏற்ற நமது CPMG , இது குறித்து  DIRECTORATE க்கு விளக்கம் கேட்டு எழுதுவதாகவும் அது வரை  இதன் மீது எந்தவொரு  நடவடிக்கையும் எடுக்கப் படாதென்றும்   உறுதியளித்தார்.  இது குறித்து நமது அகில இந்தியச் சங்கத்தின் மேல் நடவடிக்கை  கோரப்பட்டுள்ளது. 

3. நீண்ட காலமாக தேங்கிக் கிடக்கும் LSG  பதவி உயர்வுப் பட்டியல் , மேலும் காலதாமதமின்றி  உடன் வெளியிட வேண்டினோம்.  சில நிர்வாக காரணங்களால்  இது  தாமதப் படுவதாகவும் , உடன்  வெளியிட நடவடிக்கை  மேற்கொள்ளப் படுமென்றும்  CPMG  உறுதியளித்தார். 

4. இது தவிர  சந்தோஷ் கொரியர்  குழு  பரிந்துரைப்படி ACCOUNTANT  களுக்கு வழங்கப்படும்  SPECIAL  ALLOWANCE  என்பது 1.9.2012 முதல் வழங்குவதாக  தமிழகத்தின் பல கோட்டங்களில்  புரிந்து கொள்ளப் பட்டுள்ளது . இது தவறு என்றும் MACP  என்பது பதவி உயர்வு அல்ல என்பதால் , இந்த ALLOWANCE  நிறுத்தப்பட்ட நாள் முதலே  ARREARS  உடன்  வழங்கப் பட வேண்டும் என்பதையும்  சுட்டிக் காட்டி நாம் கடிதம் அளித்துள்ளோம். இந்த  உத்திரவில் 'IMMEDIATE  EFFECT ' என்று போடப்பட்டுள்ளதால் , இந்த உத்திரவு அளிக்கப் பட்ட  தேதியான 30.8.2012/1.9.2012 தேதியில்  இருந்து அமல் படுத்தப் பட  நமது CPMG  அலுவகத்தில் இருந்து உத்திரவு இடப்பட்டுள்ளது.  எனவே இதனை மாற்றிட  இலாக்காவின் விளக்க ஆணையும் கோரப்பட்டுள்ளது .  இது குறித்து மேல் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க நமது  அகில இந்திய சங்கத்திற்கு நாம் புகார் அனுப்பியுள்ளோம். 

An appeal to Divisional/Branch Secretaries



Dear Comrades,

            It is proposed to release “Hand Book 2013”, in the second week of December 2012 with updating all the material including the address of all Divisional Secretaries, Mobile Numbers and E-mail IDs. It is therefore requested to kindly furnish following information immediately by next post or through E-mail.

With greetings,


(R. Sivannaryana)
General Secretary


LETTER TO SECRETARY POSTS BY CHQ ON DPS, MADURAI


Thursday, October 25, 2012

FRAGMENTED STRIKES WILL WEAKEN THE EMPLOYEES- GDS STRIKE - A LESSON


Thousand lies can never become a truth nobody can break the unity of postal workers
* lessons of the fragmented strike *
             
  The GDS strike of Mahadeviah group ended on 22.10.2012.  In fact it was fizzled out.  Eventhough from 16.10.2012 onwards the leaders claimed 100% participation in all circles, the truth was entirely different.  Out of 22 circles, in 10 circles it was less than 5% and 6 circles only less than 10% of the Gramin Dak Sevaks went on strike.  In the remaining six circles it varied from 12% to 27% of the GDS. All India average of the strike is 18.1% of the total GDS.  This is the real picture of the strike.  All other claims are false and naked lies.  The percentage came down day-by-day and on 22  nd the All India average was only 5% of the total of about three lakhs GDS.  Thus the strike fizzled out without any settlement.  (Those who have doubt about the figures can get it under RTI from all Circles and verify the truth).  Senior officers of the Department including Secretary, Department of Posts, Member (Personnel) and Minister Communications and Minister of State for Communications also rejected the request of the leaders for a last minute face-saving settlement.

               NFPE has not made any adverse comment or statement against the strike or against the false claim of the leaders regarding All India Strike percentage, eventhough the Mahadevaiah group spread canards against NFPE and its leaders before the strike and also during the strike.  If NFPE had put it in its website the actual percentage of the strike in each circle, the strike would have fizzled out in the second day itself.  But NFPE never wants to break any strike, whether percentage is less or large.  Breaking the strike is not the tradition of NFPE.  So we tolerated every malicious attack against NFPE and its leaders till the strike is over.  Even now, while exposing the lies and hidden agenda of the Mahadevaiah group, we respect the sentiments of the GDS who participated in the strike without knowing the evil designs of the leadership.  We hope that those GDS who are misguided by the leaders, shall join the united struggle of the Central Govt. Employees on  12th December 2012 and also join the united movement of the Postal Employees led by National Federation of Postal Employees.

               Everybody knows that the attack against the Postal Employees, whether it is GDS regularization or New Postal Policy 2012, is due to the neo-liberal economic policies pursued by the Central Government.  To fight against these policies, the largest unity of the employees and workers is the need of the hour.  Other than united struggle there is no shortcut.  When NFPE is trying to build up such a united struggle, unfortunately everytime the Mahadevaiah group is trying to break the unity at any cost.  During 2008 when NFPE and all its affiliated unions decided to go on indefinite strike from 06.01.2009, against the retrograde recommendations of the Natarajamurthy Committee, Mahadevaiah gave a call for indefinite strike from 17.12.2008, i.e.,  20 days ahead of the joint strike of NFPE.  Now again, due to our efforts when all the employees unitedly decided to go on strike on 12th December 2012, in which GDS demand is also one of the main demands, Mahadevaiah gave another sudden indefinite strike call from 16.10.2012.  He is playing in the hands of the ruling class and deliberately trying to break the unity among the departmental employees and Gramin Dak Sevaks.  The leader is behaving as an agent of the Government and poor GDS are the victims.  GDS are not going to be benefited by such sectarian strike.  Realising this majority of the GDS refused to join the ill-motivated strike this time.

 On 10.05.2012, Sri. Mahadevaiah made following comments in his signed circular, copy of which is available with us:-  “The AIPEDEU is the single largest Postal Union, larger than all other Postal organisations, including NFPE......  They are afraid of AIPEDEU” (!!!).  When somebody claims that I am bigger than everyone else and all are afraid of me, we can imagine the mindset of such a person.  NFPE leaders will never make such egoistic statements.  Again in another circular which was circulated among the GDS throughout the country without putting name, the following derogatory and insulting comments are made against the legendary leader of the Postal Trade Union movement Late Com: K.Adinarayana - “Nobody including the great person repeatedly mentioned as the messiah of Postal workers including EDAs could even stir.  What was he doing?”  Thus it is very clear that the intention of Mahadevaiah is to project himself above all the leaders of the Postal Trade Union movement right from Tarapada to Adinarayana.  In fact he was elected in the year 1999 and became the General Secretary of the only recognised Union with the help of Com. Adinarayana and NFPE.  But after 1999, there was no gain for GDS, eventhose benefits achieved by NFPE through several years of struggle upto 1999, was taken away by the Government during the tenure of Mahadevaiah.  He continued his attack against NFPE.  His number one enemy is NFPE.  This time the leader thought he can score through making it a fragmented game.  He want to avoid larger unity of entire Postal employees (Departmental and GDS) and also he want to avoid NFPE as he thought that if he join the joint struggle with NFPE he cannot become the hero.  He wanted to play one-upmanship over NFPE.

               Naturally those who loved NFPE said “goodbye” to such a leader who is undemocratic, anti-NFPE, egoistic and decided to form separate GDS Union called AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) declaring themselves that they will work under the banner of NFPE and will be a part and parcel of NFPE.  NFPE decided to give associate membership to the new GDS Union led by Com. Panduranga Rao.  After formation of the new NFPE GDS Union Gramin Dak Sevaks of majority of the Circles joined the new union enbloc.  Remaining circles also GDS stated deserting Mahadevaiah group in a big way and joined NFPE GDS Union.  The very existence of the so-called recognised union was challenged due to the mass-scale exodus of the GDS.  Even in Karnataka which is the home-circle of the leader, 60% of the GDS joined the new union.  (Anybody can collect the strike percentage of Karnataka Circle under RTI and verify the fact).  It is at this moment the leader decided to declare a sudden strike from 16.10.2012 for his own existence and to prevent remaining GDS from deserting him.  But majority of the GDS realised his hidden agenda and refused to join the ill-motivated strike.  That is why the strike fizzled out and ended without any settlement.

               NFPE calls upon the entire Postal Employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks to draw lessons from this fragmented strike and guard against those elements who are trying to break the unity of Postal employees again and again by spreading hatred among Departmental employees and Gramin Dak Sevaks.  Let us defeat such forces of destruction and unite together under the banner of our great organisation, National Federation of Postal Employees.  Let us strengthen the new GDS Union, AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) and ensure cent per cent unity among all Postal employees.  Let us work unitedly to make the historic strike of 12 December 2012 a grand success.

               Remember, we are fighting against the anti-people, anti-working class policies of the Central Government.  Only a class oriented militant trade union like NFPE can alone build the unity of the entire Postal Workers and lead such a struggle in the Postal department.  Fragmented strike will create disunity and disappointment and will weaken the striking potential of the Postal employees and  ultimately the Govt. will take advantage of it.  Our enemy is the ruling class and all the toiling masses are our comrades-in-arms in the struggle against the imperialist neo-liberal globalization policies of the ruling class.  Let us not allow anybody to break this unity.
                               
25.10.2012                       M. KRISHNAN, SECRETARY GENERAL  NFPE

CONFEDERATION CIRCULAR ON 12.12.2012 STRIKE

Dear Comrades,
As per the decision of the National Executive as conveyed by our circular letter dated 29th July, 2012, we are to conclude our first phase of campaign programme by September and to commence the second phase in October, 2012. In order to undertake a review of the implementation of this decision, we require a brief report at the CHQ.  The following National Sectt. members were entrusted with the State level campaigns.
Coms. S.K. Vyas, K. Raghavendran, Mani Achary, K.V. Sridharan, M. Krishnan, K.P. Rajagopal, Somayya, Doraipanbdian, K.K.N. Kutty, Narasimhan, Giriraj Singh, Vrigu Bhattacharya, M.S. Raja, Ashok Kanojia, Ashok Salunkhe and Jayaraj, Pijush Roy and Nageswara Rao. 
The Sectt.  members are requested to kindly send in a brief report of the tour undertaken and the campaign conducted immediately on receipt of this letter to enable us to undertake a review of the progress in the matter.
We reproduce the relevant portion from our circular letter dated 29th July, 2012 about the action programme decided upon for the month of November, 2012.
1   19th November, 2012.  Serving Strike notice to all Heads of Departments/offices.
2.       20th to 23rd Evening Dharna between 17 to 21 hours.
3.       Organise vehicle jathas in District capitals.
The following comrades will undertake a brief review meeting in each State Capitals with the participation of the State Committee members and active workers during the 3rd and 4th week of November, 2012.  The Comrades may fix the date in consultation with the State Committees.
Com. S. K. Vyas: Delhi, Shimla and Chandigarh.
Com. Narasimhan. Hyderabad
Com. K. P. Rajagopal: Bhubanbeswar, Ranchi and Jaipur
Com. K. K. N. Kutty. Agarthala, Raipur, Nagpur, Dehradun, Lucknow and Chennai
Com. M. S. Raja.  Mumbai. Guwahati, Ahamedbad, Shillong, and Bhopal.
Com. M. Krishnan, Trivandrum and Bangalore.
Com. Pijush Roy. Kolkata and Patna.
Since only a month and half is left, the State Committees are requested to intensify the campaign programme and send periodical reports over phone to the undersigned.
With greetings,
Yours fraternally,
K.K.N. Kutty
Secretary General

Saturday, October 20, 2012

MINUTES OF THE BI-MONTHLY MEETING WITH THE PMG, CR





MINUTES OF THE BI-MONTHLY MEETING WITH PMG, WR




MINUTES OF THE BI-MONTHLY MEETING WITH PMG, CCR


MACP TRAINING DATES RESCHEDULED AS ASSURED


TRAINING DATES CONFUSED BY PTC - JCA INTERVENED AND SETTLED 


Based on the minutes supplied by the  CPMG, TN  to the JCA on 16.10.12,  the MACP training, originally marked on 15.10.12 and subsequently changed  to 22.10.12 was agreed to  be shifted to a later date.

But some of the  Divisions reported on 19 th that, this was not done in  the revised schedule released by the PTC, Madurai.

The Circle  JCA intervened in this matter with the DPS HQRS.  This was assured to be set right as  recorded. 

As per his assurances,  the revised date to the  training originally scheduled  on 15.10.12 will be notified later.  The training  batch  originally notified on 29.10.12 and changed  on 05.11.12 , will be  rescheduled to  the original date viz. 29.10.12, in order to avoid any  hurdles in booking of  fresh train tickets etc. 

Please  inform all.



Thursday, October 18, 2012

BONUS ORDERS FOR REGULAR EMPLOYEES/GDS/CASUAL LABOURERS


















BONUS FILE CLEARED BY FINANCE-ORDERS TODAY

BONUS FILE CLEARED BY FINANCE.  SIXTY DAYS.
ORDERS WILL BE ISSUED TODAY.

= M. KRISHNAN, SECRETARY GENERAL, NFPE.

INCOME TAX CALCULATIONS FOR THE FIN. YR.2012-13


Income Tax Department issues this year’s (financial year 2012-13 and Assessment year 2013-14)Circular for envisaging the procedure for Income Tax calculation in respect of salaried class and deduction of tax from salary by the concerned DDO.( Circular No: 08/2012 dated 05.10.2012 F.NO. 275/192/2012-IT(B) issued by the Income tax Department)

A summary of the procedures for calculation of income tax for salaried class as envisaged in the Circular No 8/2012 is as follows.
As per the Finance Act, 2012, income-tax is required to be deducted under Section 192 of the Income-tax Act 1961 from income chargeable under the head “Salaries” for the financial year 2012-13 (i.e. Assessment Year 2013-14) at the following rates:
Rates of tax
Normal Rates of tax:
Sl. No.
Total Income
Rate of tax
1
Where the total income does not exceed Rs. 2,00,000/-.
Nil
2
Where the total income exceeds Rs. 2,00,000 but does not exceed Rs. 5,00,000/-.
10 per cent of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs. 2,00,000/-
3
Where the total income exceeds Rs. 5,00,000/- but does not exceed Rs. 10,00,000/-.
Rs. 30,000/- plus 20 per cent of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs. 5,00,000/-.
4
Where the total income exceeds Rs. 10,00,000/-.
Rs. 1,30,000/- plus 30 per cent of the amount by which the total income exceeds Rs. 10,00,000/-

Surcharge on Income tax:
There will be no surcharge on income tax payments by individual taxpayers during FY 2012-13 (AY 2013-14).
Education Cess on Income tax:
The amount of income-tax shall be increased by Education Cess on Income Tax at the rate of two per cent of the income-tax.
Secondary and Higher Education Cess on Income-tax:
From Financial Year 2007-08 onwards, an additional surcharge is chargeable at the rate of one per cent of income-tax (not including the Education Cess on income-tax).
Education Cess, and Secondary and Higher Education Cess are payable by both resident and nonresident assessees.
Income chargeable under the head “Salaries”:
(1) The following income shall be chargeable to income-tax under the head “Salaries” :
(a)  any salary due from an employer or a former employer to an assessee in the previous year, whether paid or not;
(b)  any salary paid or allowed to him in the previous year by or on behalf of an employer or a former employer though not due or before it became due to him.
(c)  any arrears of salary paid or allowed to him in the previous year by or on behalf of an employer or a former employer, if not charged to income-tax for any earlier previous year.
(2) For the removal of doubts, it is clarified that where any salary paid in advance is included in the total income of any person for any previous year it shall not be included again in the total income of the person when the salary becomes due.
Any salary, bonus, commission or remuneration, by whatever name called, due to, or received by, a partner of a firm from the firm shall not be regarded as “Salary”.

Deductions Allowed:
Entertainment Allowance [Section 16(ii)]:
A deduction is also allowed under section 16(ii) in respect of any allowance in the nature of an entertainment allowance specifically granted by an employer to the assessee, who is in receipt of a salary from the Government, a sum equal to one-fifth of his salary(exclusive of any allowance, benefit or other perquisite) or five thousand rupees whichever is less. No deduction on account of entertainment allowance is available to non-government employees.
Tax on Employment [Section 16(iii)]:
The tax on employment (Professional Tax) within the meaning of Article 276(2) of the Constitution of India, leviable by or under any law, shall also be allowed as a deduction in computing the income under the head “Salaries”.
It may be clarified that “Standard Deduction” from gross salary income, which was being allowed up to financial year 2004-05 is not allowable from financial year 2005-06 onwards.

Deductions under Chapter VI-A of the Act
In computing the taxable income of the employee, the following deductions under Chapter VI-A of the Act are to be allowed from his gross total income:
Deduction in respect of Life insurance premia, deferred annuity, contributions to provident fund, subscription to certain equity shares or debentures, etc. (section 80C)
Section 80C, entitles an employee to deductions for the whole of amounts paid or deposited in the current financial year in the following schemes, subject to a limit of Rs. 1,00,000/-:
(1)  Payment of insurance premium to effect or to keep in force an insurance on the life of the individual, the spouse or any child of the individual.
(2)  Any payment made to effect or to keep in force a contract for a deferred annuity, not being an annuity plan as is referred to in item (7) herein below on the life of the individual, the spouse or any child of the individual, provided that such contract does not contain a provision for the exercise by the insured of an option to receive a cash payment in lieu of the payment of the annuity;
(3)  Any sum deducted from the salary payable by, or, on behalf of the Government to any individual, being a sum deducted in accordance with the conditions of his service for the purpose of securing to him a deferred annuity or making provision for his spouse or children, in so far as the sum deducted does not exceed 1/5th of the salary;
(4)  Any contribution made :
 (a by an individual to any Provident Fund to which the Provident Fund Act, 1925 applies;
 (b)  to any provident fund set up by the Central Government, and notified by it in this behalf in the Official Gazette, where such contribution is to an account standing in the name of an individual, or spouse or children;
 (c)  by an employee to a Recognized Provident Fund;
 (d)  by an employee to an approved superannuation fund;
It may be noted that “contribution” to any Fund shall not include any sums in repayment of loan;
(5) Any subscription :-
(a)  to any such security of the Central Government or any such deposit scheme as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf;
(b)  to any such saving certificates as defined under section 2(c) of the Government Saving Certificate Act, 1959 as the Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf.
(6) Any sum paid as contribution in the case of an individual, for himself, spouse or any child,
 a.  for participation in the Unit Linked Insurance Plan, 1971 of the Unit Trust of India;
 b.  for participation in any unit-linked insurance plan of the LIC Mutual Fund referred to section 10 (23D) and as notified by the Central Government.
(7) Any subscription made to effect or keep in force a contract for such annuity plan of the Life Insurance Corporation or any other insurer as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify;
(8) Any subscription made to any units of any Mutual Fund, of section 10(23D), or from the Administrator or the specified company referred to in Unit Trust of India (Transfer of Undertaking & Repeal) Act, 2002 under any plan formulated in accordance with any scheme as the Central Government, may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf;
The investments made after 1-4-2006 in plans formulated in accordance with Equity Linked Saving Scheme, 1992 or Equity Linked Saving Scheme, 1998 shall also qualify for deduction under section 80C.
(9) Any contribution made by an individual to any pension fund set up by any Mutual Fund referred to in section 10(23D), or, by the Administrator or the specified company referred to in Unit Trust of India (Transfer of Undertaking & Repeal) Act, 2002, as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf;
(10) Any subscription made to any such deposit scheme of, or, any contribution made to any such pension fund set up by, the National Housing Bank, as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf;
(11) Any subscription made to any such deposit scheme, as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify for the purpose of being floated by (a) public sector companies engaged in providing long-term finance for construction or purchase of houses in India for residential purposes, or, (b) any authority constituted in India by, or, under any law, enacted either for the purpose of dealing with and satisfying the need for housing accommodation or for the purpose of planning, development or improvement of cities, towns and villages, or for both.
(12) Any sums paid by an assessee for the purpose of purchase or construction of a residential house property, the income from which is chargeable to tax under the head “Income from house property” (or which would, if it has not been used for assessee’s own residence, have been chargeable to tax under that head) where such payments are made towards or by way of any instalment or part payment of the amount due under any self-financing or other scheme of any Development Authority, Housing Board etc.
(13) Tuition fees, whether at the time of admission or thereafter, paid to any university, college, school or other educational institution situated in India, for the purpose of full-time education of any two children of the employee.
Full-time education includes any educational course offered by any university, college, school or other educational institution to a student who is enrolled full-time for the said course. It is also clarified that full-time education includes play-school activities, pre-nursery and nursery classes.
It is clarified that the amount allowable as tuition fees shall include any payment of fee to any university, college, school or other educational institution in India except the amount representing payment in the nature of development fees or donation or capitation fees or payment of similar nature.
(14) Subscription to equity shares or debentures forming part of any eligible issue of capital made by a public company, which is approved by the Board or by any public finance institution.
(15) Subscription to any units of any mutual fund referred to in clause (23D) of Section 10 and approved by the Board, if the amount of subscription to such units is subscribed only in eligible issue of capital of any company.
(16) Investment as a term deposit for a fixed period of not less than five years with a scheduled bank, which is in accordance with a scheme framed and notified by the Central Government, in the Official Gazette for these purposes.
(17) Subscription to such bonds issued by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, as the Central Government may, by such notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf.
(18) Any investment in an account under the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme Rules, 2004.
(19) Any investment as five year time deposit in an account under the Post Office Time Deposit Rules, 1981.
Deduction in respect of contribution to certain pension funds (Section 80CCC)
Section 80CCC allows an employee deduction of an amount paid or deposited out of his income chargeable to tax to effect or keep in force a contract for any annuity plan of Life Insurance Corporation of India or any other insurer for receiving pension from the Fund referred to in section 10(23AAB). However, the deduction shall exclude interest or bonus accrued or credited to the employee’s account, if any and shall not exceed Rs. 1 lakh.
However, if any amount is standing to the credit of the employee in the fund referred above and deduction has been allowed as stated above and the employee or his nominee receives this amount together with the interest or bonus accrued or credited to this account due to the reason of :
(i)  Due to surrender annuity plan whether in whole or part
(ii)  Pension received from the annuity plan
then the amount so received during the Financial Years shall be the income to the employee or his nominee for that Financial Year and accordingly will be charged to tax.
Where any amount paid or deposited by the employee has been taken into account for the purposes of this section, a deduction with reference to such amount shall not be allowed under section 80C.
Deduction in respect of contribution to pension scheme of Central Government (Section 80CCD):
Section 80CCD allows an employee, being an individual employed by the Central Government or any other employer, on or after the 1-1-2004, a deduction of an amount paid or deposited out of his income chargeable to tax under a pension scheme as notified or as may be notifed by the Central Government, vide Notification F. N. 5/7/2003- ECB&PR, dated 22-12-2003. However, the deduction shall not exceed an amount equal to 10% of his salary (includes Dearness Allowance but excludes all other allowance and perquisites).
Further where in the case of an employee receives any contribution in the said pension scheme from the Central Government or any other employer then the employee shall be allowed a deduction from his total income of the whole amount contributed by the Central Government or any other employer subject to limit of 10% of his salary of the previous year.
However, if any amount is standing to the credit of the employee in the pension scheme referred above and deduction has been allowed as stated above and the employee or his nominee receives this amount together with the amount accrued thereon, due to the reason of
(i)  Closure or opting out of the pension scheme or
(ii)  Pension received from the annuity plan purchased and taken on such closure or opting out
then the amount so received during the FYs shall be the income of the employee or his nominee for that Financial Year and accordingly will be charged to tax.
Where any amount paid or deposited by the employee has been taken into account for the purposes of this section, a deduction with reference to such amount shall not be allowed under section 80C.
Further it has been specified that w.r.e.f 1-4-2009 any amount received by the employee from the new pension scheme shall be deemed not to have received in the previous year if such amount is used for purchasing an annuity plan in the previous year.
It is emphasized that as per the section 80CCE the aggregate amount of deduction under sections 80C, 80CCC and Section 80CCD(1) shall not exceed Rs. 1,00,000/-. However the contribution made by the Central Government or any other employee to a pension scheme u/s 80CCD(2) shall be excluded from the limit of Rs.1,00,000/- provided under this Section.
Deduction in respect of subscription to Long Term Infrastructure Bonds:
Section 80CCF has been withdrawn from FY 2012-13. Hence no deduction is allowable under this section for the current FY onwards.
Deduction in respect of investment made under an equity savings savings (Section 80 CCG):
Newly inserted Section 80CCG provides deduction w.e.f. assessment year 2013-14 in respect of investment made under notified equity saving scheme. The deduction under this section is available if following conditions are satisfied:
(a)  The assessee is a resident individual (may be ordinarily resident or not ordinarily resident)
(b)  His gross total income does not exceed Rs. 10 lakhs;
(c)  He has acquired listed shares in accordance with a notified scheme;
(d)  The assessee is a new retail investor as specified in the above notified scheme;
(e)  The investment is locked-in for a period of 3 years from the date of acquisition in accordance with the above scheme;
(f)  The assessee satisfies any other condition as may be prescribed.
Amount of deduction -The amount of deduction is at 50% of amount invested in equity shares. However, the amount of deduction under this provision cannot exceed Rs. 25,000. If any deduction is claimed by a taxpayer under this section in any year, he shall not be entitled to any deduction under this section for any subsequent year.
Withdrawal of deduction – If the assessee, after claiming the aforesaid deduction, fails to satisfy the above conditions, the deduction originally allowed shall be deemed to be the income of the assessee of the year in which default is committed.
A scheme named “Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme (RGESS)” is being notified for the purpose of this deduction.
Deduction in respect of for health insurance premia paid, etc. (Section 80D)
Section 80D provides for deduction available for health insurance premia paid, etc. which is calculated as under:
Sl. No.
Persons for whom payment made
Nature of payment
Mode of payment
Allowable Deduction (in Rs.)
1
 Employee or his family
    the whole of the amount paid to effect or to keep in force an insurance on the health of the employee or his family or  any contribution made to the CGHS or
  any payment on account of preventive health check-up of the employee or family, [restricted to Rs. 5000/-; cash payment allowed here]
any mode other than cash
Aggregate allowable is Rs. 15,000/{For Senior Citizens it is Rs. 20000/-}.
2
 Parent or Parents of employee
    the whole of the amount paid to effect or keep in force an insurance on the health of the parent or parents of the employee or  any payment made on account of preventive health check-up of the parent or parents of the employee [restricted to Rs. 5000/-; cash payment allowed here]
any mode other than cash
 Aggregate allowable is Rs. 15,000/ than {For Senior cash Citizens it is Rs. 20000/-}
Here
(i) “family” means the spouse and dependent children of the employee.
(ii) Senior citizen” means an individual resident in India who is of the age of sixty years {For AY 2013-14 onwards] or more at any time during the relevant previous year.
Deductions in respect of maintenance including medical treatment of a dependent who is a person with disability (section 80DD):
Under section 80DD, where an employee, who is a resident in India, has, during the previous year-
 (a) incurred any expenditure for the medical treatment (including nursing), training and rehabilitation of a dependant, being a person with disability; or
 (b) paid or deposited any amount under a scheme framed in this behalf by the Life Insurance Corporation or any other insurer or the Administrator or the specified company subject to the conditions specified in this regard and approved by the Board in this behalf for the maintenance of a dependant, being a person with disability, the employee shall be allowed a deduction of a sum of fifty thousand rupees from his gross total income of that year.
However, where such dependant is a person with severe disability, an amount of one hundred thousand rupees shall be allowed as deduction subject to the specified conditions.
The deduction under (b) above shall be allowed only if the following conditions are fulfilled:-
  (i) the scheme referred to in (b) above provides for payment of annuity or lump sum amount for the benefit of a dependant, being a person with disability, in the event of the death of the individual in whose name subscription to the scheme has been made;
 (ii) the employee nominates either the dependant, being a person with disability, or any other person or a trust to receive the payment on his behalf, for the benefit of the dependant, being a person with disability.
However, if the dependant, being a person with disability, predeceases the employee, an amount equal to the amount paid or deposited under sub-para (b) above shall be deemed to be the income of the employee of the previous year in which such amount is received by the employee and shall accordingly be chargeable to tax as the income of that previous year.
Deductions in respect of a person with disability (section 80U):
Under section 80U, in computing the total income of an individual, being a resident, who, at any time during the previous year, is certified by the medical authority to be a person with disability, there shall be allowed a deduction of a sum of fifty thousand rupees. However, where such individual is a person with severe disability, a higher deduction of one lakh rupees shall be allowable.
Deduction in respect of medical treatment, etc. (Section 80DDB):
Section 80DDB allows a deduction in case of employee, who is resident in India, during the previous year, actually paid any amount for the medical treatment of such disease or ailment as may be specified in the rules HDD (1) (see Annexure) for himself or a dependant. The deduction allowed is equal to the amount actually paid or Rs. 40,000 whichever is less. Further the amount paid should also be reduced by the amount received if any under insurance from an insurerer or reimbursed by an employer. In case of a senior citizen (an individual resident in India who is of the age of sixty years or more at any time during the relevant previous year) the amount of deduction allowed is Rs. 60,000/-.
DDO must ensure that the employee furnishes a certificate in Form 10-I from a neurologist, an oncologist, a urologist, nephrologist, a haematologist, an immunologist or such other specialist, as mentioned in proviso rule 11(2) of the Rules.
For the purpose of this section in the case of an employee “dependant” means individual, the spouse, children, parents, brothers and sisters of the individual or any of them,
Deduction in respect of interest on loan taken for higher education (Section 80E):
Section 80E allows deduction in respect of repayment of interest on loan taken from any financial institution or any approved charitable institution for higher education for the purpose of pursuing his higher education or for the purpose of higher education of his spouse or his children or the student for whom he is the legal guardian.
The deduction shall be allowed in computing the total income for the Financial year in which the employee starts repaying the interest on the loan was taken and immediately succeeding seven Financial years or until the Financial year the interest is paid in full by the taxpayer, whichever is earlier.
For the purpose of this section -
(a)  “approved charitable institution” means an institution established for charitable purposes and approved by the prescribed authority section 10(23C), or an institution referred to in Section 80G(2)(a);
(b)  “financial institution” means a banking company to which the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949) applies (including any bank or banking institution referred to in section 51 of that Act); or any other financial institution which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf;
(c)  “higher education” means any course of study pursued after passing the Senior Secondary Examination or its equivalent from any school, board or university recognized by the Central Government or State Government or local authority or by any other authority authorized by the Central Government or State Government or local authority to do so;
Deductions on respect of donations to certain funds, charitable institutions, etc. (Section 80G):
Section 80G provides for deductions on account of donation made to various funds , charitable organizations etc. In cases where employees make donations to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund or the Lieutenant Governor’s Relief Fund through their respective employers, it is not possible for such funds to issue separate certificate to every such employee in respect of donations made to such funds as contributions made to these funds are in the form of a consolidated cheque. An employee who makes donations towards these funds is eligible to claim deduction under section 80G. It is, hereby, clarified that the claim in respect of such donations as indicated above will be admissible under section 80G on the basis of the certificate issued by the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO)/Employer in this behalf- Circular No. 2/2005, dated 12-1-2005.
No deduction under this section is allowable in case of amount of donation if exceeds Rs. 10000/- unless the amount is paid by any mode other than cash.
Deductions is respect of rents paid (Section 80GG):
Section 80GG allows the employee to a deduction in respect of house rent paid by him for his own residence. Such deduction is permissible subject to the following conditions :-
(a)  the employee has not been in receipt of any House Rent Allowance specifically granted to him which qualifies for exemption under section 10(13A) of the Act;
(b)  the employee files the declaration in Form No. 10BA. (Annexure VIII)
(c)  He will be entitled to a deduction in respect of house rent paid by him in excess of 10% of his total income, subject to a ceiling of 25% thereof or Rs. 2,000/- per month, whichever is less. The total income for working out these percentages will be computed before making any deduction under section 80GG.
(d)  The employee does not own:
 (i)  any residential accommodation himself or by his spouse or minor child or where such employee is a member of a Hindu Undivided Family, by such family, at the place where he ordinarily resides or performs duties of his office or carries on his business or profession; or
(ii)  at any other place, any residential accommodation being accommodation in the occupation of the employee, the value of which is to be determined under Section 23(2)(a) or Section 23(4)(a) as the case may be.
The Drawing and Disbursing Authorities should satisfy themselves that all the conditions mentioned above are satisfied before such deduction is allowed by them to the employee. They should also satisfy themselves in this regard by insisting on production of evidence of actual payment of rent.

Deduction in respect of interest on deposits in savings account (Section 80TTA)
:
Section 80TTA has been introduced from this Financial Year [2012-13] and it allows to an employee from his gross total income if it includes any income by way of interest on deposits (not being time deposits) in a savings account a deduction amounting to :
(i)  in a case where the amount of such income does not exceed in the aggregate ten thousand rupees, the whole of such amount; and
(ii)  in any other case, ten thousand rupees.
If such savings account is maintained in a
(a)  banking company to which the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949), applies (including any bank or banking institution referred to in section 51 of that Act);
(b)  co-operative society engaged in carrying on the business of banking (including a cooperative land mortgage bank or a co-operative land development bank); or
(c)  Post Office as defined in clause (k) of section 2 of the Indian Post Office Act, 1898 (6 of 1898),
For this section, “time deposits” means the deposits repayable on expiry of fixed periods.

Income from house property
While taking into account the loss from House Property, the DDO shall ensure that the employee files the declaration referred to above and encloses therewith a computation of such loss from House Property. Following details shall be obtained and kept by the employer in respect of loss claimed under the head “Income from house property” separately for each house property:
(a)  Gross annual rent/value
(b)  Municipal Taxes paid, if any
(c)  Deduction claimed for interest paid, if any
(d)  Other deductions claimed
(e)  Address of the property
(f)  Amount of loan, if any; and
(g)  Name and address of the lender (loan provider)
Conditions for Claim of Deduction of Interest on Borrowed Capital for Computation of Income From House Property Section 24(b):
Section 24(b) of the Act allows deduction from income from house property on interest on borrowed capital as under:-
(i)  the deduction is allowed only in case of house property which is owned and in the occupation of the employee for his own residence. However, if it is not actually occupied by the employee in view of his place of the employment being at other place, his residence in that other place should not be in a building belonging to him.
(ii)  The quantum of deduction allowed as per table below:
Sl. No
Purpose of borrowing capital
Date of borrowing capital
Maximum Deduction allowable
1
Repair or renewal or reconstruction of the house
Any time
Rs. 30,000/-
2
Acquisition or construction of the house
Before 01.04.1999
Rs. 30,000/-
3
Acquisition or construction of the house
On or after 01.04.1999
Rs. 1,50,000/-
In case of Serial No. 3 above
(a)  The house so acquired or constructed should be completed within3 years from the end of the FY in which the capital was borrowed. Hence it is necessary for the DDO to have the completion certificate of the house property against which deduction is claimed either from the builder or through self-declaration from the employee.
(b)  Further any prior period interest for the FYs up to the FY in which the property was acquired and constructed shall be deducted in equal instalments for the FY in question and subsequent four FYs.
(c)  The employee has to furnish before the DDO a certificate from the person to whom any interest is payable on the borrowed capital specifying the amount of interest payable. In case a new loan is taken to repay the earlier loan, then the certificate should also show the comprehensive picture of Principal and Interest of the loan so repaid.
TDS on Income from Pension:
In the case of pensioners who receive their pension from a nationalized bank, the instructions contained in this circular shall apply in the same manner as they apply to salary-income. The deductions from the amount of pension under section 80C on account of contribution to Life Insurance, Provident Fund, NSC etc., if the pensioner furnishes the relevant details to the banks, may be allowed. Necessary instructions in this regard were issued by the Reserve Bank of India to the State Bank of India and other nationalized Banks vide RBI’s Pension Circular(Central Series) No.7/C.D.R./1992 (Ref. CO: DGBA: GA (NBS) No.60/GA.64(11 CVL)-/92), dated the 27th April, 1992, and, these instructions should be followed by all the branches of the Banks, which have been entrusted with the task of payment of pensions. Further all branches of the banks are bound u/s 203 to issue certificate of tax deducted in Form 16 to the pensioners also vide CBDT circular no. 761, dated 13-1-1998.