Ex-servicemen re-employed in Banks to get Military Service Pay – Earlier clarification of Department of Financial Services dated 23.12.2012 has been withdrawn

Ministry of Finance , Department of Financial Services letter No. 4/1/2010-SCI (B) dated 23.03.2012 for denying Military Service Pay (MSP) for Ex-servicemen re-employed in Banks has been withdrawn. Hence, all the Retired Defence Personnel who are no re-employed in Banks will be eligible for MSP (Military Service Pay)

In fact, the original DOPT Office Memorandum O.M. NO. 3/19/2009-ESTT. PAY II DATED 8.11.2010 provides for grant of MSP to retired Ex-Servicemen re-employed in Banks while their pay is refixed.

 

 

O.M. NO. 3/19/2009-ESTT. PAY II DATED 8.11.2010.

SUB:   FIXATION OF PAY OF RE-EMPLOYED PENSIONERS-TREATMENT OF                      MILITARY SERVICE PAY.

 

The undersigned is directed to refer to the orders issued vide O.M. dated 5.4.2010 on fixation of pay of re-employed pensioners. These orders inter-alia lay down that on re-employment in civilian organizations, Military Service Pay shall not be admissible. However, the benefit of MSP given to all retired Defence Forces officers/personnel by reckoning it at the time of calculation of their pension (notionally in the case of pre-1.1.2006 pensioners) should not be withdrawn. Accordingly while the pension of such re-employed pensioners will include the element of MSP, they will not be granted MSP while working in civilian organizations.

 

In the instructions issued by the Ministry of Defence vide their letter No. 1/69/2008/D (Pay/Service) dated 24th July 2009, Pre-retirement pay has been defined as under:

(i)            In respect of re-employment  taking place on/or 1.1.2006 pre-retirement pay for those who retired after 1.1.2006 means the pay in the pay band plus grade pay but inclusive of Non-Practicing Allowance(NPA) if any, last drawn before retirement.

(ii)          In case of officers who retired before1.1.2006 and also those who retired after 1.1.2006 in the pre-revisedpay scales without opting for the revised pay scales promulgated on or after 1.1.2006 the pay will be basic pay including stagnating increment and Rank pay plus the Dearness pay and 
Dearness allowance drawn at the time of retirement.

As per these orders, for pre-2006 retirees rank pay is included as a part of pay but for post-2006 retirees, the MSP is not reckoned in the pre-retirement pay for the purposes of pay fixation on re-employment. However, for pension purposes the reckonable emoluments are- basic pay + grade pay + MSP + NPA wherever admissible. Therefore, while MSP is not taken into consideration for the purpose of pay fixation on re-employment, the element of MSP in pension is deducted.

It has been decided in consultation with the Department of Expenditure, that since the element of MSP is not reckoned in the pay fixation on re-employment, it need not be reduced from the pension either. Hence, in respect of all those Defence Officers/personnel, whose pension contains an element of MSP that need not be deducted from the pay fixed on re-employment.

Sd/-

(Mukesh Chaturvedi)

Deputy Secretary

Moral Booster to one & all of us.

An old man lived alone in an American town.
His only son was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son
Dear Son,
... I am feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won’t be able to plant
my potato garden this year. I’m just getting too old to be
digging up a garden plot. If you were here, all my troubles would be over. I know you would dig the plot for me, if you weren’t in prison.
Love,
Dad
Shortly, the old man received this telegram:
‘For Heaven’s sake, Dad,
don’t dig up the garden !! That’s where I buried the GUNS !!’
At 4 a.m. the next morning, a dozen FBI agents and local police officers showed up and dug up the entire garden without finding any guns.
Confused, the old man wrote another note to his son telling him what had happened, and asked him what to do next.
His son’s reply was: ‘Go ahead and plant your potatoes, Dad. It’s the
best I could do for you, from here.’
MORAL: NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN THE WORLD, IF YOU HAVE DECIDED TO DO
SOMETHING DEEP FROM YOUR HEART, YOU CAN DO IT. IT IS THE THOUGHT THAT
MATTERS, NOT WHERE YOU ARE OR WHERE THE PERSON IS.....

CPWD Orders 2013 : Implementation of Rain Water Harvesting systems in the existing Government offices and residential complexes.

CPWD Orders 2013 : Implementation of Rain Water Harvesting systems in the existing Government offices and residential complexes.

F.No.18/31/2012-WI (DG) 

Government of India 

Directorate  General 

Central Public Works Department 

New Delhi.

Dated the 4th July, 2013 

Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi

Office Memorandum

Sub : Implementation of Rain Water Harvesting systems in the existing Government offices and residential complexes.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban Development in its report dated 17/4/2013 on Demands for Grants (2013-14) of MoUD has stated in Para 10 of Chapter 24 that the possibility of incorporating rain water harvesting system in the existing Central and state government offices and in residential areas should be explored and implemented in a time bound manner. Further, the committee desired that data base should be maintained regarding government buildings which have implemented rain water harvesting system.

All Chief Engineers are requested to send information on above directions of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban Development in the proforma enclosed herewith by 15th July, 2013. The information may be e-mailed to dirpwacpwd2008@gmail.com and eepwacpwd@gmail.com. No hard copy be sent please.

Encl : Proforma Annexure-’A’

sd/- 

(Nirmal Goel) 

Director (P&WA)

Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir retires on 18.07.2013

Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir retires on Thursday (18.07.2013) after a brief term of nine months. He was appointed a Supreme Court Judge on September 9, 2005. A stickler for discipline, procedures and rules, Justice Kabir had endeared himself to members of the Bar and the Bench with his humility. Like his predecessor S.H. Kapadia, he was reticent; throughout his tenure as Chief Justice, he avoided meeting journalists. Justice Kabir rendered several landmark judgments in the Supreme Court, especially those relating to human rights and election laws.

Justice P. Sathasivam, seniormost judge of the Supreme Court, will be the next and the 40th Chief Justice of India.

Revision in ceiling on annual family income for eligibility under the Central Sector Scholarship Scheme of ‘Top Class Education’ for Scheduled Tribe students

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval to increase the total family income ceiling under the central sector scholarship scheme of “Top Class Education” for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students” from the existing Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 4.50lakh per annum, with effect from the selection year 2013-14.

The enhancement of the ceiling of the annual total family income from all sources will enable larger number of ST students avail benefits of the scheme. This will also act as a major incentive for ST students pursuing higher and technical education.

The decision does not entail any additional burden. The expenditure on account of revision of the scheme would be met under the existing budget allocation for each year.

Background :

The Central Sector scholarship scheme of “Top Class Education” for ST students’ was approved by the Cabinet in its meeting held in May 2007 and came into force with effect from 2007-08. The objective of the scheme is to provide adequate financial support to ST students for pursuing professional education in selected premier institutions of the country

Renaming of Bengaluru International Airport as “Kempegowda International Airport”

The Union Cabinet on 17-07-2013 gave its approval for renaming Bengaluru International Airport as "Kempegowda International Airport" to fulfil the long pending demand of the people of Karnataka, as well as the State Government of Karnataka.

Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) is the premiere Greenfield Airport in South India. It was commissioned and became operational on 24^th May, 2008.  It is owned and operated by Bengaluru International Airport Pvt. Limited (BIAL). in which KSSIDC (an entity of the Government of Karnataka), the Airports Authority of India, GVK Group, Siemens and Zurich Airport are shareholders. BIA is the fifth busiest airport in the country, built over an area of 4,000 acres.

        The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous  resolution on 10.12.2012 and the Legislative Council also passed a similar resolution two days later to rename Bengaluru International Airport as "Kempegowda International Airport".

Background

                       

         Hiriya Kempegowda, known as Kempegowda was a ruler under the Vijayanagar Empire, who ruled most parts of Karnataka during the sixteenth century.  He had the vision of building a large futuristic city and is widely accepted as being the founder of Bengaluru.  Kempegowda built Bengaluru Fort and moved his capital from Yelahanka to the new Bengaluru.

Source: PIB.

South Malabar Gramin Bank Notified Recruitment to 256 Various Posts 2013

South Malabar Gramin Bank (SMG Bank) issued recruitment notification for filling up of the 256 vacancies of Officer Middle Management Scale-II (Managers), Officer Junior Management Scale-I (Assistant Managers) and Office Assistant (Multipurpose) posts. Only those candidates who have appeared at the Common Written Examination for RRBs conducted by IBPS in September 2012 and were declared qualified are eligible to apply for this post. Eligible and Interested candidates Can apply through via Online mode of Application from 11th July, 2014 to 27th July, 2013.

Details of South Malabar Gramin Bank Recruitment 2013 :

Number of Post: 256

1) Officer Middle Management Scale-II (Managers) (General Banking Officer)- 05

2) Officer Junior Management Scale-I(Assistant Managers)- 85

3) Office Assistant (Multipurpose)- 166

Important Date

Opening Date for Registration: 11 July 2013

Closing Date for Registration: 27 July 2013

Click below for more details and detailed advertisement

Courtesy : http://currentaffairs4examz.blogspot.in/

CONFEDERATION OF 24TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE, COM. M. KRISHNAN ELECTED AS NEW SECRETARY GENERAL

The 24th National Conference of the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers held at Kolkata from 4th to 6th has elected following as main office bearers. 

Com. S. K. Vyas (Advisor),

Com. K. K. N. Kutty (President),

Com. M. S. Raja (Working President),

Com. M. Krishnan (Secretary General),

Com. K. P. Rajagopal (Secretary),

Com. Vrighu Bhattacharjee (Finance Secretary), 

13 lakhs Central Government employees of 106 affiliated organisation are members of Confederation

Comrades of Karimnagar Division congratulates all the newly elected office bearers of the Central Govt. Employees Confederation.

CONFEDERATION OF 24TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE, COM. M. KRISHNAN ELECTED AS NEW SECRETARY GENERAL

The 24th National Conference of the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers held at Kolkata from 4th to 6th has elected following as main office bearers. 

Com. S. K. Vyas (Advisor),

Com. K. K. N. Kutty (President),

Com. M. S. Raja (Working President),

Com. M. Krishnan (Secretary General),

Com. K. P. Rajagopal (Secretary),

Com. Vrighu Bhattacharjee (Finance Secretary), 

13 lakhs Central Government employees of 106 affiliated organisation are members of Confederation

Comrades of Karimnagar Division congratulates all the newly elected office bearers of the Central Govt. Employees Confederation.

No loan against Gold coins weighing above 50 grams, proposes RBI

NEW DELHI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed that banks restrict the facility of advancing loan against gold coins to a maximum weight of 50 grams. This move, implemented would imply that a customer cannot avail loans against gold coins that weigh more than 50 grams.

As per extant instructions, banks are currently permitted to grant advances against gold ornaments and other jewellery and against specially minted gold coins sold by banks. However, no advances can be granted by banks for purchase of gold in any form, including primary gold, gold bullion, gold jewellery, gold coins, units of goldexchange traded funds and units of gold mutual funds.

"While there may not be any objection to grant of advances against specially minted gold coins sold by banks, there is a risk that some of these coins would be weighing much more, thereby circumventing the Reserve Bank's guidelines regarding restrictions on grant of advance against gold bullion," the bank said.

Accordingly the bank has proposed to restrict the facility of advances against the security of gold coins per customer to gold coins weighing up to 50 grams.

The detailed guidelines for the same will be issued by end-May 2013.

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

No LPG to houses with multiple-connections from June 1

NEW DELHI: Cooking gas or LPG supplies to households having unverified multiple connections will stop from June 1, state-owned oil firms announced today. 

The three state-owned fuel retailers have been "directed to stop supplies of LPG refills to households having multiple- connections for which no KYC (Know Your Customer) details have been received, with effect from June 1," a statement issued by Indian Oil Corp, the nation's largest oil firm, said. 

No transactions, including delivery of non-subsidised cylinders, will be permitted in such cases once such connections have been blocked. IOCBSE 0.63 % said all multiple LPG connection holders have been identified and intimated. All three firms, IOC, Hindustan PetroleumBSE 1.96 % ( HPCLBSE 1.96 %) and Bharat Petroleum (BPCLBSE 1.41 %) are sharing data on LPG customers. 

Customers whose name figure on the list of multiple connection holders need to submit their KYC details along with proof of identity and proof of address immediately to their LPG distributors to continue receiving uninterrupted quota of subsidised cylinders, IOC said. 

Other customers whose names do not appear in the list need not submit their KYC details as of now. 

"The oil companies are advising all multiple-connection holders to submit their KYC details, pertaining to the LPG connection they wish to retain, immediately to their LPG distributors," the statement said adding customers have been advised to surrender excess or multiple connections. 

Though the deadline for submission of KYC was December 31, 2012, KYCs are being accepted and LPG connections are being regularised for supply of subsidised cylinders till date, it added. 

Source : Economictimes.com

Five tips to ensure you buy the right insurance cover

Though saving tax is not the primary purpose of insurance, it is still bought for this benefit. Find out the questions you should ask in order to buy the appropriate cover.

1) Do you understand the plan?

Before you purchase an insurance plan, be very clear about the benefits it offers. Tax deduction under Section 80C should not be the only reason for buying it because you can achieve this through other tax-saving investments as well. Go for it only if you understand the features of the plan, including the tenure, payouts, premium amount and surrender rules, and how it fits in with your needs. Don't buy if the plan is too complicated for you.

Agents usually want to push you into buying the scheme at the first meeting. Take your time and compare the product with others in the market before buying it.

2) How much is the cover?

The premium paid for a life insurance policy is eligible for deduction under Section 80C and any income accruing from the scheme is tax-free under Section 10 (10D). However, last year's Budget altered the rules significantly.

To be eligible for these tax benefits, a life insurance policy must offer a cover of at least 10 times the annual premium. If the cover is not big enough, there will be no tax deduction under Section 80C and the maturity amount will also be taxable. There is no need to panic if your existing policy does not make the cut. This applies only to regular premium policies issued after 1 April 2012.

3) What is the tenure?

The tenure of the policy is almost as important as the cover. An insurance policy will not be able to generate meaningful returns if the tenure is less than 10 years. Even if the market does well, a Ulip will barely break even in 3-4 years.

In traditional policies, a 15-year term will hardly yield 4-5% returns. If you are looking for a higher return, buy for at least 20-25 years. This will also ensure that you have an insurance coverin your middle age, when the need for life cover is at its peak. However, keep in mind that traditional insurance plans don't give adequate cover. Ideally, one should have a cover that is at least 5-6 times one's annual income.

 4) What are the risks?

A Ulip is a market-linked instrument and the equity option carries the same risk as any equity mutual fund. Investing a large amount at one go through a Ulip is risky, especially if you are buying a single premium policy.

It is best to invest through monthly or quarterly premium options, but this option may not be open if you are planning to invest before 31 March. What you can do is put your money in the debt option instead of the equity fund. You can then shift small amounts to the equity option every month or so. Most insurance firms allow 10-12 switches free of charge in a year. This strategy of gradually shifting to equity can also be used if you already have a Ulip.

5) Do benefits match needs?

Insurance plans offer a wide range of benefits. Some give periodic payouts, others give a lump sum on maturity; some allow equity exposure, while others give a dual insurance cover. Not all benefits are suitable for all investors. For instance, a young person with a steady job and rising income will not benefit much from a money-back plan that gives periodic payouts.

A child plan will not be of much help if your son is already in his teens and you need money for his college education 4-5 years later. Similarly, a low-yield endowment plan that offers minimal cover may not suit a person who needs to insure himself for a sizeable amount. 

Income limit of 'Creamy Layer' for OBCs increased to Rs. 6 lakh

Union Cabinet yesterday approved to increase the limit of 'Creamy layer' bar for OBCs from Rs.4.50 lakh to Rs.6 lakh.

Revision of Income Criterion to exclude Socially Advanced Persons/ Sections (Creamy Layer) from list of other Backward Classes (OBCs)

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for increase in the present income criterion of Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum for applying the Creamy Layer restriction throughout the country, for excluding Socially Advanced Persons/Sections (Creamy Layer) from the purview of reservation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

The new income criterion will be Rs. 6 lakh per annum. The increase in the income limit to exclude the Creamy Layer is in keeping with the increase in the Consumer Price Index and would enable more persons to take advantage of reservation benefits extended to OBCs in government services and admission to central educational institutions.

This would bring about equity and greater inclusiveness in society. The Department of Personnel and Training and the Ministry of Human Resource Development would issue necessary orders to this effect.

Source: PIB

Guidelines for Expeditious disposal of Disciplinary Proceedings

Guidelines for Expeditious disposal of Disciplinary Proceedings

1. D.O. letter No. 134/2/83-AVD.I dated 2-4-1985 of Secretary,
Department of Personnel & Training Secretary (Personnel)
Delay in the disposal of disciplinary cases is neither in the interest of
the Government nor in that of the Government servant. Undue delay in the
disposal of the disciplinary cases also affects the morale of the Government
servant. In order to ensure that disciplinary cases are disposed of quickly,
it has been decided that the following measures should be adopted:-

(i) Wherever the allegations are investigated by the CBI and the CVC is
required to be consulted about the action to be taken on the
investigation report, the Department should furnish their comments
to the CVC within a month of the receipt of the investigation report.
In case of disagreement with the advice of the CVC, the matter should
be referred to the CVC for reconsideration of its advice only once.
(It has come to our notice that sometimes Departments make more
than one reference to CVC for reconsideration of its advice. There
should be only one such reference to CVC for reconsideration.

(ii) In cases investigated by the CBI as well as in other cases, the charge
sheet should be issued within 1 month of the receipt of the CVC’s
advice. If this time-limit and that in Item (i) are strictly adhered to, it
should be possible for the Department to issue the charge sheet
within 3 months of the receipt of an investigation report, including the
time taken in consulting the CVC.
(iii) Wherever the CVC is not required to be consulted, the charge sheet
should be issued within 2 months of the receipt of the investigation
report. Where there is no preliminary investigation report, a charge
sheet should be issued within 1 month of taking a decision in the
matter.

(iii) Whenever the CVC is not required to be consulted, the charge sheet
should be issued within 2 months of the receipt of the investigation
report. Where there is no preliminary investigation report, a charge
sheet should be issued within 1 month of taking a decision in the
matter.

(iv) A properly drafted charge sheet is the sheet – anchors of a disciplinary
case. Therefore, the charge sheet should be drafted with utmost
accuracy and precision based on the facts revealed during the
investigation or otherwise and the misconduct involved. It should be
ensured that no relevant material is left out and at the same time no
irrelevant material or witnesses are included.

(v) With a view to reducing the time taken by the Government servant
for inspection of documents before submission of his written
statement of defence in reply to the charge sheet, copies of all the
documents relied upon and the statements of witnesses cited on
behalf of the Disciplinary Authority should be supplied to the
Government servant along with the charge sheet, wherever possible.

(vi) In all cases which are presently pending for appointment of Inquiry
Officer and Presenting Officer, such appointment should be made
within 1 month. In all other cases, the Inquiry Officer and the
Presenting Officer should be appointed, wherever necessary,
immediately after the receipt of the Government servant’s written
statement of defence denying the charges.

(vii) Wherever a large number of oral inquiries are pending, the
Department should earmark some officers on a full time basis to
complete these inquiries within a specified time limit to be indicated
by the Disciplinary Authority. The time limit shall be indicated as
an administrative instructions, having regard to the nature of the
charges and the evidence involved. Similarly, where part time
inquiry officers are appointed, the Disciplinary Authority could,
having regard to the nature of the charges and the evidence involved,
specify time limits for the completion of the inquiry as an
administrative instructions.

(viii) The oral inquiry, including the submission of the Inquiry Officer’s
report, should normally be completed within a period of 6 months
from the date of appointment of the Inquiry officer. In the
preliminary inquiry, in the beginning, requiring the first appearance
of the charged Government servant and the Presenting Officer, the
Inquiry Officer should lay down a definite time bound programme for
inspection of the listed documents before the regular hearing is taken up. The regular hearing, once started, should be conducted on dayto-day basis until completed and adjournment should not be granted
on frivolous grounds.

(ix) After the receipt of the Inquiry Officer’s report and obtaining the
advice of the CVC wherever required, the final decision in the matter
should be taken by the Departments within a period of 2 months
except in cases where the UPSC is required to be consulted.
Wherever the reconsideration of the advice of the CVC is sought,
such reference should be once only at this stage. In cases in which
UPSC is to be consulted, the final decision in the matter should be
taken within 1 month of the receipt of their advice.

(x) The statutory rules lay down certain time limits or require the
Disciplinary Authority to specify time limits for some stages of the
disciplinary proceedings. These time limits should be adhered to
strictly. If ever some extension of time is granted, it should be done
keeping in view the need for expeditious conclusion of the
proceedings ann to discourage the dilatory tactics sometimes adopted
by Government servants.

Transfer to lower post under FR 15(a).

Dopt orders regarding transfer to lower post under FR 15(a)

Dopt has issued one more clarification order pertaining to that the fixation of pay in case of employees who seek transfer to a lower post under FR 15(a) today on its official website...

16/4/2012-Pay-I

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training 

New Delhi, 5th Nov, 2012

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Transfer to lower post under FR 15(a).

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Deparment’s OM No.16/6/2001-Estt (Pay-I) dated the 14th February, 2006, read with OM of even number dated the 4th Januanry, 2007, which clarified that on transfer to the lower post/scale under FR 15(a), the pay of a Government servant holding a post on regular basis will be fixed at a stage equal to the pay drawn by him in the higher grade. If no such stage is available, the pay will be fixed at the stage next below the pay drawn by him in the higher post and the difference may be granted as personal pay to be absorbed in future increments. If the maximum of the pay scale of the lower post is less than the pay drawn by him in the higher post, his pay may be restricted to the maximum under FR

22(1)(a)(3).

2. Further, it was clarified vide the OM No. No.13/9/2009-Estt (Pay-I) dated the 21st October, 2009 that consequent upon implementation of the revised pay structure comprising grade pays and running Pay Bands, w.e.f. 1.1.2006 in cases of appointment of Government servants to posts carrying lower Grade Pay under FR 15(a) on their own request, the pay in the pay band of the Government servant will be fixed at a stage equal to the pay in the pay band drawn by him prior to his appointment against the lower post. However, he will be granted grade pay of lower post. Further, in all cases, he will continue to draw his increments based on his pay in the pay band + grade pay (lower).

3. The above office Memorandum also provides that in case the transfer to a lower post was made subject to certain terms and conditions then the pay may be fixed according to such terms and conditions.

4. All Ministries/Departments are requested to revise the Terms/Conditions of

 such transfers in line with the para 2 above

sd/-

(Mukesh Chaturvedi)

Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Source : www.persmin.nic.in

LPG subsidy directly in bank accounts from October 1, 2013

LPG subsidy directly in bank accounts from October 1, 2013.

NEW DELHI: The government plans to provide subsidy to 14 crore LPG subscribers directly in their bank accounts from October 1, using the Aadhaar payment platform.

The government, official sources said, has decided to launch "direct benefit transfer (DBT) for LPG throughout the country tentatively from October 1".

"This (transfer of LPG subsidy) would require a much larger number of beneficiaries to be covered for opening of bank accounts and linked to Aadhaar and banks have been asked to get ready for the launch," said one official.

A consumer will have to get his or her bank account seeded with Aadhaar number for getting the LPG subsidy. The annual subsidy per consumer is estimated at Rs 4,000. The supply of subsidised LPG cylinder has been capped at 9 cylinders per year for a consumer.

While about 32 crore Aadhaar cards have been issued by UIDAI, only 80 lakh bank accounts have linked to the unique identity numbers so far.

Under a pilot project for LPG subsidy transfer, 20 districts in the country will be covered by May 15.

While the exact procedure to transfer the subsidy is being worked out, sources said subscribers will have to buy the LPG bottle at prevailing market price (currently Rs 901.50 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi) and subsequently the subsidy amount will be transfered to the bank account.

The Finance Ministry has asked the public sector banks to speed up the process of linking accounts with Aadhaar.

The government expects that the DBT will eliminate all ghost LPG connections and diversion of cylinders.

Under the DBT scheme, subsidies and other benefits are transfered directly into the Aadhaar linked bank account of the beneficiary.

Meanwhile, finance minister Chidambaram, planning commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, petroleum minister Veerappa Moily and rural development minister Jairam Ramesh would review the DBT scheme with state officials on Monday (29/4/13).

Advance Railway Reservation time limit reduced from 120 days to 60 days from 1st May, 2013

Ministry of Railways 25-April, 2013 

Advance Reservation Period for Booking Reserved Train Tickets Reduced to 60 Days from Existing 120 Days from 1st May 2013 

The Ministry of Railways has decided that the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for booking reservedtrain tickets will be reduced from existing 120 days to 60 days (excluding the date of journey) w.e.f. 1st May 2013. The details are as below:-

I. With effect from 01.05.2013, the ARP will be of 60 days (excluding the day of journey) and booking will be done accordingly. However, all the bookings done upto 30.4.2013 under the ARP of 120 days will remain intact.

II. Cancellation of the booking made beyond the ARP of 60 days will, however, be permitted.

III. There will be no change in the case of certain day time express trains like Taj Express, Gomti Express etc. where lower time limits for advance reservations are at present in force.

IV. There will also be no change in the case of limit of 360 days for foreign tourists.


PIB
(Release ID :95064)

Glory of Indian Railway at a Glance

1831-33 : A thought to create railway development for the transportation between Madras and Bangalore cropped up.

1844 : R. S. Stephenson thought of creating East India Railway.

1845-46  : Survey work for new rail line for Calcutta–Delhi.

1848-49  : Construction of Howrah and Raniganj rail line.

1850 : Construction of Indian Peninsular Railway company for rail line between Bombay thane and Calcutta–Mirzapur rail line began.

1853 : Inauguration of Indian Railway on 16 April, 1853 by running train between Boribundar (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) and Thane.

1854 : 24 miles railway line EIR, between Howrah Hoogely opened on 15 August.

1856 : Madras Railway company opened Madras Arkonam for passenger transportation.

1857 : Northern Railway began its first train between Allahabad and Kanpur on March.

1860 : Morse Telegraph Telecommunication started by Indian Railway.

1860-68 : Immediate Guarantee System began  East Indian Railway Great India Peninsula Bombay Baroda and Central India Railway and Madras states Railway participated in it.

1869-81 : Under new system state government were authorised to lay rail lines.

1890 : Indian Railway Act passed.

1905 : Formation of Railway Board.

1922 : Re organisation of Railway and more right were given.

1924 : Rail Budget was separated from General Budget.

1925 : E.I.R and GIPR were given separate place and right in railway management.

1925 : First rail electrification of Harbour branch of Bombay with 1500 volt DC.

1928 : Electrification of Bombay Suburban Section of  B.B. & C.I.R.

1931 : Electrification of Madras suburban section.

1937 : India got 3200 km long rail line on separation of Burma from India.

1939-42 : Security material for world war produced in railway workshops.

1942 : War transport established.

1947 : 11,200 km long rail line to Pakistan.

1950 : First steam engine manufactured by Chitranjan  locomotive.

1950 : Nationalization of Indian  Railway.

1953 : Railway centenary celebrated throughout the country.

1955 : First diesel locomotive plied on metre gauge in Neville and Gandhidham section.

1955 : Coach factory established in Perambur.

1957 : Bombay Madras rail line from 25 KVAC inaugurated, Railway security Force Act passed.

1958 : Electrification of Howrah–Vardhman section.

1961 : First electric engine Lokmanya was manufactured by Chitranjan Locomotive.

1962 : First electric train ran between Bombay and Pune.

1964 : Kunjaru Committee organised to bring reforms in Rail administration.

1964 : Production started in Diesel Locomotive works Varanasi.

1970 : First combined planning of Railway (1970-85) started.

1972 : Manufacturing of steam engines stopped in Chitranjan Rail Engine Factory from 5 February, Jammu appeared on Indian railway map.

1974 : Third class in railway banished.

1976 : IRCON established in April.

1977 : Railway Time Table ‘Train At a Glance’ launched.

1979 : Central organisation for modernisation of workshop established.

1978 : Double Decker train service ‘Panchvati Express’ began between Bombay–Pune on 12 April.

1982 : Palace on Wheel started.

1984 : Metro train inaugurated in Calcutta.

1985 : Nation's first computerised reservation center began in New Delhi on 15 November, 1985, second combined planning (1985–2000) began.

1986 : Indian Railway Finance Corporation established.

1987 : Center for Railway Information Service established in New Delhi.

1988 : Indian Rail Electricity Institute established in Nasik optical fiber Communication Service started between Churchgate–Virat in 1988. India’s first Shatabdi Express New Delhi–Jhansi) launched.

1989 : Formation of Railway Time Committee and Railway Dhaba Authority.

1990 : Goods passengers train service began between India and Bangladesh.

1991 : First train service in Mizoram from Bhai Rabi station began on 6 March ‘Palace on Wheels’ started with new decore.

1992 : RFFC established. ‘Apna Wagon’ scheme began. For the first time in the world first women special Train between Churchgate–Borivallie on 5 May started.

1993 : Sleeper class began on 1st April. Formation of Ojha Committee to solve the problems of Konkan railway

1994 : Rail passengers Insurance Scheme launched. First Rail Bus service began between Medata road and Medata city of Northern Railway.

1995 : Metro rail began between Tollyganj and Damdam on 27 September. 1995 was celebrated as ‘Rail Consumer year’.

1996 : 6 new regional rails formed in Hubali, Hajipur, Jaipur, Bhuvneshwar, Allahabad and Jabalpur. Formation of Delhi Metro Rail corporation Ltd. On 4 March, the name Mumbai VT changed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

1997 : Telephone service based on satellite started in August Kranti Express on 15 April.

1998 : Konkan railway fully in operation from 26 January. On 1 May Prime Minister dedicated to the nation. Walky–Talky communication between guards and drivers began. 3 phase Electric engines of 6000 HP began to be manufactured indigenously. ‘Fairy Queen’ got place in Guinness Book for having the oldest Steam engine in working condition.

1999 : At  Delhi railway station, worlds, biggest route relay interlinking began. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway declared world heritage by UNESCO. Nilgiri Mountain Railway celebrated its centenary.

2000 : Online rail information system started first time at the Church gate head office on 29 April. On 17 December at Kota station of western railway first time automatic charting system inaugurated.

2001 : 22-28 January. BNR Hotel, Puri celebrated its platinum jubilee. On 24 February, at Chennai station first time Internet Trade Center was opened. On 5 November, Western railway celebrated its golden jubilee

2002 : On the beginning of 150th year of Indian Railway on 15 April, in a special programme. Mascot Bholuguard and special monogram launched.

2003 : On 5 January Western Railway celebrated golden jubilee of its Electric Rail Service. On 15 February the name of ‘Wheel and Axil factory’ changed as Rail wheel factory. On 1 May for the first time RailTel began broadband in the moving train in the world.

2004 : UNESCO declared Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus as world heritage.

2005 : Nilgiri Mountain Rail was declared world heritage by UNESCO. E-ticketing began in all the trains.

2006 : ‘Anumati Yojna’ began to run passenger train from 26 January. A.C. facility for general public at lower prices began.

2007 : Throughout the country with 139 Telephones Extensive Railway Enquiry began.

2008 : First train service started in Kashmir Valley on 11, October.

2009 : Construction of Rail Coach factory started in Raibareilly. Capital of Tripura, Agartala joined with rail line. In March 40 years of Rajhani Express completed, Non–stop Duranto ran–first train ran between Sialdah and New Delhi on 18 September. Yuva Express trains began to run between Howrah and New Delhi.

2010 : Super Luxury Maharaja Express trains plied between Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Kolkata, civil Engineering Project Award of ACECC was given to Delhi Metro Rail corporation on 13 July. On the birth centenary of Mother Teressa, an exhibition train named ‘Mother Express’ started from Sialdah station. New system of train numbers began with 5 numerals on 20 December, first ladies special train ran between Kacheguda to Mehboob Nagar on 27 September. On 29 December Calcutta Metro became 17th Rail Division.

2011 : ID became essential for ‘Tatkal’ ticket–service from 11 February. On 11 April, Indore–Jammutawi, Malva Express proudly became the first train with bio toilets. Delhi metro was given carbon credit, the first in the world. First A.C. Double Decker ran between Howrah to Dhanbad, The longest tunnel opened in Kashmir on 14 October, RealTrain information system implemented in selected trains from 19 October, country’s third Metro rail service started in Bangluru (Namma), Vivek Express the longest rail service (Dibrugarh to kanyakumari) inaugrated, Law pertaining to Tatkal ticket (to be had a day before the journey) implemented on 21 November.

2012 : Third phase of Red Ribbon express to create awareness regarding HIV and AID, started on 12 January, ID proof made compulsory in A.C. classes from 15 February. Kakodar committee formed to provide better security submitted its report to Rail Minister on 17 February. For the modernisation of railway, Sam Pitroda Committee submitted its report or 27 February. From 3 March passengers could use their laptops, tablets and smartphone, through wi–fi facility available free of cost at station itself, This facility started only in Bangluru, Electronic Token system for reservation started simultaneously in Bhopal and Habibganj stations, from 1 April, from 1 May, the passengers could know the position of vacant seats without reaching at the counter. The facility first started at New Delhi station, Double Decker train ran between Delhi and Jaipur.

Courtesy : http://allexamguru.blogspot.in