S B Order No. 20/2011 - Removal of ceiling of maximum balance to be retained in a post office savings account- amendment to Rule-4 of the Post Office

SB ORDER NO. 20/2011

No. F.No.113-23/2005-SB

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi-110001, Dated: 27.09.2011

To

All Heads of Circles/Regions

Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi.

Subject:- Removal of ceiling of maximum balance to be retained in a post office savings account- amendment to Rule-4 of the Post Office Savings Account Rules 1981 regarding.

Sir / Madam,

The undersigned is directed to say that issue of removal of ceiling of Rs.1 lac in single savings account and Rs.2 Lac in Joint Savings Account fixed in the year 2000 was under consideration in the Min. of Finance (DEA). This issue was linked to the benefit of exemption in Income Tax on the interest earned in Post Office Savings Account under Section10(15) (i) of Income Tax Act, 1961 by the CBDT and Min. of Finance (DEA). After sustained efforts on the part of this Directorate, Min. of Finance (DEA) has now amended Rule-4 of the Post Office Savings Account Rules 1981 vide G.S.R.681(E) F.No.2/5/2006-NS-II dated 15.9.2011 (copy enclosed). Some major benefits of this amendment are given below:-

(i) From 1.10.2011, there will be no limit for retaining balance in single as well as joint savings account.

(ii) A depositor or depositor(s) can deposit any amount into single as well as joint savings account.

(iii) Maturity value of any savings instrument can be credited into savings account of the depositor standing in the same post office irrespective of the balance in the account.

(i) Any cheque either issued by Postmaster or any other authority irrespective of any amount can be credited into post office savings account irrespective of the balance in the account.

(ii) From the Financial year 2011-12, Interest income of Rs.3500/- in the case of single account and Rs.7000/- in case of Joint account will be exempted from Income Tax. (Section 10(15) (i) of Income Tax Act, 1961 amended vide Notification No. 32/2010 {F.No. 173/13/2011-IT A.I}/S.O.1296(E) dated 03.06.2011)

(iii) It is the duty of the depositor(s) to show the interest income earned from Post Office Savings Account(s) beyond the limit prescribed above in the Income Tax return and pay due Income Tax.

2. It is requested that all field units may be directed to give wide publicity to these changes in the shape of Public Notice and printing of leaflets.

3. This issues with the approval of DDG(FS).

Yours faithfully,

(Kawal Jit Singh)

Assistant Director (SB)

An appeal :

Dear friend,

You are aware that some time ago we had started one website “postmastersodisha.blogspot.com” to analyze and discuss the issues relating to the postmaster cadre. We were also doing. But due to reasons beyond control and excessive work pressure, we could not maintain it regularly and there was no posting for more than six months.

However, now we are determined to continue the same for which you help is barely needed. We require the problems of your office as well as staff which will be discussed and highlighted in this platform for bringing to the notice of the administration.

We know that the problems faced by your office and staff might have been brought to the notice of the administration for necessary solution either individually / officially or through respective service unions. But still, as we feel there are many other important issues which need to be highlighted properly to expedite solution.

Please do a favour to us in writing your problems in detail with case history and present status. We assure you to discuss the same in this platform and try our best to find out ways and means for early solution apart from writing / discussing on all general issues pertaining to postmasters.

This will cost you nothing but sparing some time only for which we are sure that you will not hesitate to give us an opportunity to work for you.

Now start writing to postmastersodisha@gmail.com and visit regularly postmastersodisha.blogspot.com

With greetings.

For and on behalf of

Postmastersodisha.

Declining promotion to Postmaster Grade-I

Copy of D.G. Posts No. 4-24/2011-SPB-II dated 26 Sep, 2011.

I am directed to refer to Directorate's letter of even number dated 9.8.2011 on the above subject and to say that in the aforesaid letter the Circles were advised that declination of appointment by the candidate to the post of Postmaster Grade-I after passing the Departmental examination, but before his appointment ,may be accepted.

2. References are being received seeking clarification with regard to acceptance of declination of appointment by the candidate to the post of Postmaster Grade-I after issue of order of appointment but before joining by the candidate to the post of Postmaster Grade-I.

3. The Directorate's letter of even number dated 9.8.2011 is very clear. Declination of appointment by the officials can be accepted by the Circles only if the same is received before issue of order of appointment. No deviation is permissible in the matter.

SB ORDER NO. 19/2011 - Implementation of AML/CFT norms in Small Savings Schemes- an external inspection of selected post offices by Min. of Finance -

SB ORDER NO. 19/2011

No. F.No.25-04/2009-FS (Vol-I)

(Part-AML/CFT inspection)

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi-110001, Dated: 14.09.2011

To

All Heads of Circles/Regions

Addl. Director General, APS, New Delhi.

Subject:- Implementation of AML/CFT norms in Small Savings Schemes- an external inspection of selected post offices by Min. of Finance - regarding.

Sir / Madam,

The undersigned is directed to refer to this office SB Order No.4/2011 dated 01.04.2011 vide which inspection questionnaire on AML/CFT norms in Small savings Schemes and manner of reporting was circulated.

2. Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs, Budget Division being regulator for implementation of AML/CFT norms in Small savings Schemes has decided that National Savings Institute (NSI) will act as Inspection Wing of Budget Division for the purpose of AML/CFT norms in Small savings Schemes and their Regional Directors in the respective States will carry out external inspection of selected post offices.

3. It is requested that necessary action may be taken immediately to inform the field units to be prepared for the external inspections and raise the level of Implementation of AML/CFT norms including reporting of Cash and Suspected Transactions and record keeping to 100%. All inspecting authorities may also see the level of implementation of these norms during their visit to all post offices including EDBOs.

4. This issues with the approval of Member (Tech.)

Yours faithfully,

(Kawal Jit Singh)

Assistant Director (SB)

Further clarifications issued for filling up of the posts in the cadre of Postmaster:

Highlights of the recent clarifications of Postmaster Cadre:
1. Postmaster Grade – I is a circle cadre. However, movement may be within the Division to the extent possible.
2. In case of reversion due to unsatisfactory performance during the probation period, the officials are entitled to original seniority in the grade / post from which they proceeded to Postmaster Grade – I and II
3. Only regular LSG, HSG – II and HSG-I ( General Line ) officials are eligible for appointment to Postmaster Grade – 1, II & III respectively.
4. Officials promoted to HSG.II and HSG.I cadres on ad-hoc basis and are working in the said cadres are not eligible for exercising option for the Postmaster Grade-II and Postmaster Grade-III.
5. If for certain number of posts, the General line officials do not apply, those SOs / HOs would continue to be manned by General line officials till the posts are filled up by promotion from the lower grade of Postmasters.
6. Official appointed as APM (Accounts) on regular basis is not eligible for appointment in Postmaster Cadres.
7. The Recruitment Rules of HSG.I in Post Offices which have since become redundant are being reviewed and till such time the Recruitment Rules are notified, no DPC meeting should be held for HSG.1.
8. No probation for Postmaster grade – III and Senior Postmaster.
9. Necessary action is being initiated by the Staff Branch in the Directorate to collect options from existing P S Group-B Officers for initial constitution of Sr. Postmaster.
10. Separate rosters for each mode of promotion will have to be maintained and operated.
11. A fair proportion of such posts are to be filled by employees belonging to Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribes, subject of course, to availability from the feeder categories of qualified persons belonging to these communities.

Last date for exercising option and appointment to Postmaster Cadre extended:

The Directorate vide its letter No.4-17/2008-SPB.II, dated 7/8.02.2011 has directed all Circle Heads as follows:
1. Intimation to Directorate regarding number of applications received for appointment to Postmaster Cadre by 20.02.2011.
2. To convene the DPC meeting year-wise for promotion to LSG / HSG-II and finalize the said exercise by 28.02.2011
3. To give another opportunity to the officials to furnish their options for consideration of appointment as Postmaster Grade – I and II
4. Issue appointment orders by 29.04.2011.
5. Not to fill up the Posts in Postmaster Grade – III until further review by and direction from the Directorate.
The scanned copy of the above Directorate’s letter is reproduced below for information of the viewers.