Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Custom-Circular No. 31/2011 Dated 26th July,2011

Circular No.31/ 2011-Customs

F.No.521/64/2010-STO (TU)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Excise & Customs

229A, North Block, New Delhi-110001
Dated   26th, July, 2011

To,
All Chief Commissioners of Customs / Customs (Prev.).
All Chief Commissioners of Customs & Central Excise.
All Commissioners of Customs / Customs (Prev.).
All Commissioners of Customs & Central Excise.
All Director Generals under CBEC.


Subject: - Classification of Palm Stearin –Reg.


Sir / Madam,

 Attention is invited to Board Circular No. 81/2002-Customs dated 03.12 2002, which clarifies that ‘‘Crude Palm Stearin” should be assessed keeping in view the chemical examination of the product whether they are glycerides (ester) of fatty acid or a mixture of fatty acids. Accordingly, the good merits classification or assessment either under CTH 1511(in case of glycerides of fatty acids) or CTH 3823 (in case of a mixture of fatty acids), as the case may be.

2.         Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in Civil Appeal No. 6979-6982 of 2009 in case of C.C.E.C. & S.T., Visakhapatnam Vs. JOCIL India, vide Order dated 15.12.2010 has held that ‘Palm Stearin’ is specifically mentioned under CTH 3823 11 and is further differentiated as “Crude”, “RBD” in sub-heading 3823 11 11 and 3823 11 12 respectively. The Explanatory Notes are categorical in affirming the accepted practice that Rule 3(b) of ‘General Rules for the Interpretation’ shall be used only if classification under Rule 3(a) fails. The Hon’ble Court has opined that the issue of the essential character of the subject matter in question may be resorted to only if identification under Rule 3(a) is impossible.

3.         Accordingly, it is clarified that the goods declared as “Crude Palm Stearin” shall be assessed under CTH 3823 11 11 of Customs Tariff Act, 1975. All pending cases should be finalized accordingly.

4.         The Board Circular No. 81/2002-Customs dated 03.12.2002 stands withdrawn.  

5.         Difficulty, if any, faced in implementation may be brought to the notice of the Board. 


Yours faithfully,


(Alok Agarwal)
OSD (Customs)

Excel Based Calculators (Completely Free)

Friends
Now excel based free calculators are available for registered readers. Enter your email id in below box and check your inbox or spam emails.  There is link of Feed Burner to accept the registration.

New/Latest Release of ITR Forms

Friends,  Latest releases of Income Tax Return Preparation Utilities (RPU) have been updated for Assessment Year 2011-12 or Financial Year 2010-11 which are given as under :-

  • ITR-1   Version 1 Release 6
  • ITR-2   Version 1 Release 9
  • ITR-3   Version 1 Release 8
  • ITR-4   Version 1 Release 10
  • ITR-4S Version 1 Release 8
  • ITR-5   Version 1 Release 6
  • ITR-6   Version 1 Release 4
Before submitting any Income Tax Return, everyone should check its release that whether it is latest or new or not.  
Download New/Latest RPU ITR (Income Tax Return) Click Here 
Click Here to know Due Date for Filling of Income Tax Return

Use excel as a canvas to show your artistic talent

MS Excel, as you know this is a spread sheet application provided by Microsoft as part of Microsoft Office. This is one of most powerful and very easy to use applications in the world as of now. Statistics says there are around 500 million excel users world wide (obviously official statistics would have left out users installed with pirated excel, the count of which may be more than the official one).
Right from usage for normal office document processing to advanced data management system, MS Excel caters to all class users for the past 15 years.
Those who are lovers of Excel have also started using Excel for purposes which are totally differennt from excel's actual utility. Have you heard about people making beautiful paintings using Excel? Yes.
Artists such as Danielle Aubert, who has made quite a name for herself with this innovative application, have turned Excel into a drawing tool.
Computer geeks who were inspired by this art work in excel wanted a software to do this art work in excel. One such software is excelArt that converts any image into an excel file which contains the image. Same image but in your favourite excel cells. Interesting. Is't not?
The following excel file that is totally handmade! (I mean no use of software such as ExcelArt!) was an inspiration for many like Jalaj P.Jha who later developed a utility software to convert an image in to an excel file that contains excel art. See his website using the following link to know how he was inspired by an excel file called Village.xls
And finally, the very famous Village Art in Excel. To enjoy this amazing painting you have to download the following excel file names as Village.xls

How to get the feel of the art from Village.xls?

1. After downloading the Village.xls excel file double click the same to open it.
2. Left click on any of the cells and then press Control alongwith A to select all cells.
3. Go to Format on the top and set the row height as 15.33.
4. Go to Format and set the column width as 2.4.
Now see the magic!!
Mr.Padmanabhan Vijayaraghavan, a GConnect member provided this village excel, which was an inspiration for writing this article.  Thank you Mr.Vijayaraghavan

Extension of Risk Allowance till 31.12.2011

DOPT OM No.21012/01/2008-Estt.(AL) dated 25.01.2011 vide which payment of Risk Allowance was extended till 30.6.2011.
Extension of Risk Allowance for a further period of six months beyond 30.6.2011 has been considered and it has been decided that Risk Allowance may be continued for a further period of six months upto 31.12.2011 or till such time Risk Insurance Scheme is implemented, whichever is earlier.

Revision of Compulsory retirement pension-Clarification

As per Department of Pension's O.M. No. 38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 1.9.2008, the revised pension of pre-2006 pensioners shall, in no case, be lower than fifty percent of the minimum of the pay in the pay band plus the grade pay corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale from which the pensioner had retired. In the case of HAG+ and above scales, this will be fifty percent of the minimum of the revised pay scale.  Further in the case of Family pensioners this will be thirty percent of the minimum of the pay in the pand plus grade pay corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale from which the pension had retired.
Now, in response to doubts raised from various quarters in regard to the applicability of the above provision in the case of revision of pension/family pension in respect of the pensioners who were in receipt of compulsory retirement pension and compassionate allowance under Rules 40 and 41 of CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972. The matter has been examined in the light of the instructions/orders issued after Fifth Central Pay Commission for revision of pension/family pension in such cases.
It was clarified in this Department's O.M. No.45/86/97-P&PW(A) dated 25.3.2004 that the provisions of O.M. dated 17.12.1998 relating to stepping up of pension to 50% of the minimum of the revised scale of pay as on 1.1.96 of the post held by the pensioner at the time of retirement shall not be applicable in case of compulsory retirement pension and compassionate allowance.

Central Government Pension and Family Pension-Uncommon Areas

These are certain uncommon areas in Central Government Pension and Family Pension Matters.
Child adopted even after retirement is entitled to get family pension
Q A retired employee due to demise of his wife and son legally adopted one of his grand sons after his retirement. He submitted the adoption deed to the Pension Sanctioning Authority with the request to add the name of his legally adopted son in the list of his family members so that he could receive family pension in case of his death. Whether the same is permissible as per law.
Also kindly clarify as to whether the children of post-retiral spouse born to the retired employee are eligible for family pension.
A The stipulation that adoption should be "before retirement" has been deleted vride Notification No.1(66) P & PW/89-E, dated 18-1-1993. Hence as per Rule 54 (14)(b)(ii) of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, son/daughter legally adopted after retirement and children of post-retiral spouse are eligible for the grant of family pension vide Rule 54 (14) of CCS(Pension) Rules and GIDs (18) to (20) thereunder in Swamy's Pension Compilation.
No family pension to the parents, if the deceased employee had left behind a widow or a child.
Q Consequent of demise of one employee family pension to his widow was sanctioned. Later on, the widow of the deceased has got re-married with other person. As the widow of the deceased has no children, family pension was stopped from the date of re-marriage. Whether the mother/father of the deceased is entitled to family pension.
A As per Para 7.2 of the OM, dated 27-10-1997, parents are eligible for Family Pension only if the deceased employee had left behind neither a widow nor a child. Hence, in the case referred to by you, the parents are not entitled to Family Pension.
Pension cannot be stopped, even though pensioner acquires foreign citizenship
Q A retired Central Govt. Employee who is in receipt of pension emigrated to Canada with Non-Resident Indian status. He was getting his pension continuously when he was a NRI. But now he opts to take the citizenship of that country and as such it may be clarified whether he may continue to get his monthly pension as usual or will it be stopped after his acquiring citizenship of a foreign country.
A There is no provision in the Rules, viz., CCS(Pension) Rules, Central Treasury Rules for the stoppage of pension drawn by a Govt. pensioner on his acquiring the citizenship of a foreign country. As such the retireed employee will continue to get his monthly pension as usual even after his getting foreign citizenship.
Fresh application not required for payment of arrears of commutation due to revision of pension.
Q An employee after his reirement got all the retirement benefits including 1/3rd commuted value of pension. Subsequently he expired. After his demise pay commission recommendation was implemented and his pay was retrospectively revised. His wife who is a family pensioner received the arrears of pay, pension, gratuity, etc. But the arrears of the additional commuted value of pension which has become due based on the quantum of 1/3rd revised pension was not paid to her on the grounds that the concerned employee need to apply afresh for such payment. Since the employee had applied for 1/3rd commutation of pension while he was alive whether his origianl application would cover any revision which may become due subsequent to his death
A As per Rule 10 of CCS(Commutation of Pension) Rules, 1981, the said family pensioner is entitled to the difference between the commutation amount received by her husband for the original pension and the commutation amount admissible on the revised increased pension. For this purpose, no fresh application is necessary.

Extension of Risk Allowance till 31.12.2011

No.21012/01/2008-Estt.(Allowance)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG. & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
*****

New Delhi, dated 19th July, 2011.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Extension of Risk Allowance till 31.12.2011.

             The undersigned is directed to refer this Department’s OM No.21012/0l/2008-Estt.(AL) dated 25-01-2011 vide which payment of Risk Allowance was extended till 30-06-2011. Extension of Risk Allowance for a further period of six months beyond 30-06-2011 has been considered and it has been decided that Risk Allowance may be continued for a further period of six months upto 31-12-2011 or till such time Risk Insurance Scheme is implemented, whichever is earlier. All the Ministries/Departments are requested to ensure implementation of Risk Insurance Scheme before 31-12-2011.

sd/-
(Zoya C.B.)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source: http://www.persmin.nic.in/dopt.asp
[http://persmin.gov.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/21012_01_2008-Estt.-Allowance-19072011.pdf]
Click here to get the OM No.21012/0l/2008-Estt.(AL) dated 25-01-2011

Dopt orders

Financial upgradation under Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) Scheme to Departmental Canteen Employees of AFHQ/1SOs on completion of 10/20 years of regular service in the grade…

IMNIEDIATE/BY HAND
No.A/43021/MACP/Canteen/Clerk & Others/CAO/P-2

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
(Office of the JS(Trg) & CAO)

Subject: First/Second Financial upgradation under Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) Scheme to Departmental Canteen Employees of AFHQ/1SOs on completion of 10/20 years of regular service in the grade.

In terms of instructions issued by DOP&T vide O.M. No.35034/3/2008-Estt.(D) dated 19 May 2009 and further clarifications dated 16 Nov. 09 & 09 Sep. 2010 on the subject mentioned above, the Competent Authority has approved the grant of
First & Second Financial Upqradation(s) (as the case may be) to Departmental Canteen employees from the Grade Pay of Rs.1800/- in PB-I to the Grade Pays of Rs.1900!- & Rs.2000/- respectively in PB-I. as the case may be. with effect from the date shown against the officials mentioned at Annexure ‘A’ to this note.

2. The above financial upgradation shall be purely personal to the official and shall have no relevance to his Seniority position. As such, there shall be no additional financial upgradation for the senior official on the ground that the junior official in the  grade has got higher pay/grade pay under the MACP Scheme.

3. The pay of the officials concerned shall be fixed under the provision of FR22(I)a(1). They can exercise their option for pay fixation either from date of financial upgradation or from next annual increment viz. 1 July of the year. The pay and the date of increment would be fixed in accordance with clarification No.2 of the Department of Expenditure G.M. 1/1/2008-IC, dated 13/09/08. Further, the benefit of pay fixation available at the time of regular promotion shall also be allowed at the time   of financial upgradation under the Scheme. Therefore, the pay shall be raised by 3% of the total pay in the pay band and grade pay drawn before such upgradation. There shall, however, be no further fixation of pay at the time of regular promotion if it is in the same grade pay as granted under MACPS. However, at the time of actual promotion if it happens to be in a post carrying higher grade pay than that is available under MACPS, no pay fixation would be available and only difference of grade pay would be made available.

4. If a regular promotion has been offered but was refused by the employee before becoming entitled to a financial upgradation, no financial upgradation shall be allowed, since an employee is not deemed to have stagnated due to lack of opportunities. If, however, financial upgradation has been allowed due to stagnation and the employees subsequently refuse the promotion, it shall not be a ground to disallow the financial upgradation. He will, however, not be eligible to be considered for further financial upgradatlon till he agrees to be considered for promotion again and the next financial upgradation shall also be deferred to the extent of period of debarment due to refusal for promotion.
5. The above up-gradations will be further subject to the terms and conditions issued by DOP&T OM from time to time on the subject of Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme.

Sd/-
(Rajesh Tiwan)
SAO, CAOIP-2
19th Aprl 2011
Click here to continue the Annexure 'A'
Source file from http://caomod.nic.in/
[http://caomod.nic.in/00/Promotions/Canteen.pdf]

CENTRE ISSUES DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR PROCUREMENT OF AYURVEDIC MEDICINES FOR CGHS

CENTRE ISSUES DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR PROCUREMENT OF AYURVEDIC MEDICINES FOR CGHS
            The Central government has issued a set of draft guidelines for procurement of ayurvedic medicines for the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). The procurement shall be done through rate contract (RC) and normal validity of RC will be for a period of two years, which may be extended for a period of six months in one instance and upto a period of one more year on the discretion of the ministry.
The procurement of medicines will be recommended by a provisioning committee and shall be approved by the ministry. A panel of medical inspection committee shall be constituted, comprising of three members each for two years with two months tenure will be prepared and approval for the same will be obtained from the director CGHS to compare the bulk supply of medicines in two phase.
According to the draft the ayurvedic medicines that are manufactured by Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL) may be procured without inviting tender or rate enquiry at rates finalised by the cost and account branch of Department of Expenditure/Ministry of Finance. However this is applicable only if IMPCL provides barcode for their list of manufacturing medicines from next financial year.
Apart from getting ayurvedic medicines from IMPCL, CGHS will also procure medicines from open market through tendering process by following two bid procedure. These medicines would be generic medicines that are not in the list of medicines being produced by IMPCL or medicines which are certified by the IMPCL having not produced for the period and proprietary medicines as per approved CGHS formulary under disease category.
The draft mentions that the procurement of the medicines shall also be done through approved local chemists if a formulary medicine is not available in the store dispensaries, units or hospitals and even the medicines of equal therapeutic value is is not available in the existing formulary.
It has been notified that the medicines shall be procured only from the firm that has a manufacturing unit with an average annual turnover of rupees 50 lakh per year for three years. Interested firm should be able to pay Rs 25,000 and performance security of Rs 50,000 EMD for a period of four to five months and performance security for a period of three years. The firm should possess for the last three years the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate issued under Schedule T of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 rules there under in force. The draft specifies that all the firms catering should be able to provide barcode system for the selected medicines on the label and packaging unit.
“Procurement of ayurvedic medicines for CGHS, Delhi will be made as per annual provisioning worked out on the pattern of daily patients attendance rate (DPAR) formula and annual demand submitted by the hospitals. The provisioning of classical and patent proprietary medicines of IMPCL and other firms will be made on the assumption of the last three years,” the draft states.
It states that the first preference for the procurement of the medicines shall go to IMPCL. However the draft clarifies that CGHS may procure medicines which are not supplied by the IMPCL from state government or co-operative pharmacies provided they are willing to supply medicines on CGHS rate contract. It states that the ratio of 60:40 in terms of value in classical and propriety medicines will be maintained in the CGHS procurement.

ACR dossiers of Private Secretaries of reserved category of CSSS of Select List Year 2005 - reg.

MOST IMMEDIATE
TIME BOUND

No.3/1/2011-CS-ll(A)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market,
New Delhi — 110 003.
Dated the 22nd July, 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: - ACR dossiers of Private Secretaries of reserved category of CSSS of Select List Year 2005 - reg.

            The undersigned is directed to say that in connection with ad hoc promotion to the grade of PPS, the ACR dossiers (containing APARs upto 2009-2010) of Private Secretaries of reserved category of CSSS for the Select List Year 2005 are required urgently. The cadre units are, therefore, requested to send the complete ACR dossiers of the such PSs, their vigilance clearance and major/minor penalty report for the last 10 years.

2.         The Cadre units are also requested to examine/complete the ACRs of the above-mentioned CSSS officers in terms of the procedure laid down in this Department’s OM No. 21011/1/2010-Estt. (A) dated 13.4.2010 (copy enclosed) with regard to below benchmark ACRs and forward the ACR dossiers after ensuring they are complete in all respect and to send these ACRs only through the dealing hands so that the same can be verified for any inaccuracy.

sd/-
(Kiran Vasudeva)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source document from : http://persmin.gov.in/DOPT.asp
[http://persmin.gov.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02csd/PAreserve.pdf]
More order

Encashment of Leave on Average Pay (LAP) while availing Privilege Pass/ PTO in Railways - Clarification

PC VI No.266
RBE No.95/2011

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD
No. F(E)III/2008/LE1/1
New Delhi, dated: 22-06-2011.

The General Managers/FA&CAOs,
All Zonal Railways/Production Units
(As per Mailing List).

Subject: Encashment of Leave on Average Pay (LAP) while availing Privilege Pass/ PTO - Clarification regarding.
+ + ++ +

References have been received in this office from some quarters seeking clarification as to whether Railway employees can avail encashment of leave in terms of Rule 540-A/R-I, 1985 Edition while proceeding on leave other than on LAP and Casual Leave.

2. The matter has been examined in consultation with the Department of Personnel & Training the nodal department of the Government in the matter, and it is clarified that in order to claim encashment of LAP while availing Privilege Pass/PTO, in terms of the provisions contained in Rule 540-A/R-l, 1985 Edition and as modified/clarified from time to time, Railway employees are required to avail leave, including casual leave. Holidays including Restricted Holidays, do not come within the ambit of the definition of leave for the aforesaid purpose.

3. Please acknowledge receipt.
sd/-
(Sunil Bhardwaj)
Deputy Director Finance (Estt)III
Railway Board.

Source document from: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/
[http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance/downloads/2011/RBE%2095%20pf%202011.pdf]

Mobility of pensionable personnel between Central Government / Central Autonomous Bodies and State Government — clarification

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. F(E)III/2005/PN1/35
New Delhi, dated: 07-07-2011

The GMs/FA&CAOs,
All Zonal Railways & Production Units.
(As per mailing list)

Subject: Mobility of pensionable personnel between Central Government / Central Autonomous Bodies and State Government — clarification regarding.

In terms of the instructions contained in para (iii) of this office letter of even number dated 26-9-2005, which is based on Department of Pension &
Pensioners’ Welfare (DOP&PW)s O.M. No.28/30/2004-P&PW(B) dated 26.7.2005, all the employees who entered in to Railway service / Central
Government service or the service of an Autonomous Body set up by Central Government on or before 31-12-2003 and who were governed by the old pension scheme under the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993/Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules,1972 and who submit technical resignation on or after 1.1.2004, to take up a new appointment under State Government, will be eligible for grant of pro-rata pensionary benefits for the period of Railway/Central Government or Central Autonomous Body service, on the lines as provided in Rule 53 of the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993 or Rule 37 of Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules,1972, as the case may be, and related orders.

2. Subsequently, DOP&PW, vide their O.M. No 28/30/2004-P&PW(B) dated 28-10-2009, circulated vide this office letter of even number dated 4-11-2009, modified their earlier instructions dated 26-7-2005. inter-alia, allowing the continuance of mobility of Government servants/Autonomous Body employees appointed on or before 31-12-2003 and who were governed by the old non-contributory Pension scheme of their respective Governments/organizations in order to provide for the continuance of pensionary benefits based on combined service in accordance with CCS (Pension) Rules,. 1972/Railway Services(Pension) Rules, 1993, between State and Central Government provided the employees were appointed in the State Govt(s) on or before 31-12-2003 and covered under the old pension scheme, similar to CCS(Pension)Rules, 1972.

3. Arising out of the modified provisions as stated in para 2 above, a question has been raised as to whether the provisions of continuance of mobility of employees for the purpose of pensionary benefits based on combined services also applicable in the case of pensionable Central Government employees/pensionable railway employees governed by the old pension scheme under the CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972/Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993, who join State Governments on or after 1.1.2004 after submitting technical resignation from Central Government/Railway service. The matter has been examined in consultation with the DOP&PW, who have clarified that the instructions contained in their O.M. dated 28-10-2009 (circulated vide this office letter of even number dated 4-11-2009) do not specifically cover the Central Government employees leaving the Central Government service and joining the State Government for the purpose of benefits of combined service for pensionary benefits under the State Government. In terms of DOP&PW’s further clarification, in case the provision for giving the benefit of combined service has been made by the State Governments in their rules, such pensionable railway employees may become eligible for combined service benefits for pension purposes. However, a permanent Railway Servant governed by the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993, joining the State Governments free to seek pension/pensionary benefits as per the provision contained in this office letter of even number dated 26-9-2005, as explained in para Iabove.

4. Please acknowledge receipt.

sd/-
(SUNIL BHARDWAJ)
Deputy Director Finance(Estt..)III,
Railway Board.
Source : http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/
http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance/downloads/2011/RBE%20103%20of%202011.pdf

Emoluments reckoned for calculating retirement / death benefits of staff working in the Construction Organisations — Railway Board order

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. F(E)III/2007/PN/I4
New Delhi, dated: 09.06.2011.

The GMs/FA&CAOs,
All Zonal Railways &Production Units.,
(As per mailing list)

Subject: Emoluments reckoned for calculating retirement / death benefits of staff working in the Construction Organisations — PNM/NFIR Item No.3/2008 and PNM/AIRF Item No.7/2009.

The Staff side, in the PNM forum has requested for withdrawal of the instructions contained in this office letter of even number dated 19.8.2010 regarding reckoning of emoluments for calculating retirement/death benefits of staff working in the Construction Organisations.

2. The matter has been reconsidered in detail by the Board and it has now been held that the instructions contained in para 1 of this office letter No.E(NG)/70 SR 6/43 dated 13.3.1972, which provide that the benefit of one grade higher shall not be taken into consideration for any purpose Including eligibility for selection to Class II posts, is limited in its scope for selection to Class Il posts, seniority benefits etc., and does not have applicability to reckoning of emoluments for calculating retirement/death benefits of staff working in the Construction Organisations. As such, it has been decided by the Board that the basic pay drawn by an employee on adhoc promotion in the Construction Organisations shall be reckoned as pay in terms of clause (i) of Rule 1303 [(F.R.9)(21)(a)(i)] of Indian Railways Establishment Code Vol.-II/1987 Edition for the purpose of reckoning of emoluments In terms of Rule 49 of the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993. Consequently, the instructions contained in this office letter of even number dated 19.8.2010 may be treated as withdrawn. Cases decided prior to 19.8.2010 need not be reopened.

3. Please acknowledge receipt.

sd/-
(S.SREERM)
Joint Director Finance(Estt.),
Railway Board.

Source: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/
[http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/finance/downloads/2011/RBE%2085%20of%202011.pdf]

Monday, July 25, 2011

CPI a better indicator of inflation than WPI: Subbarao

CPI a better indicator of inflation than WPI: Subbarao
Press Trust of India, July 5, 2011, (Mumbai)
           Reserve Bank of India Governor D Subbarao today said consumer price index (CPI) works better than  wholesale price index (WPI) in capturing market dynamics and arriving at a more realistic inflation forecast.
"Conceptually, the CPI is a better indicator of demand side pressures than the WPI and there is no denying that  consumer prices better reflect demand side pressures than wholesale prices," Subbarao said at the RBI's 5th Statistical  day celebrations at the Mint Road office.     
Elaborating it, the Governor said a sustained rise in wholesale prices either results in an eventual increase in  prices by retailers or a squeeze in their margins.
But if the demand is strong, retailers may exercise  pricing power and pass on the increase in wholesale prices to consumers. In case demand is weak, retailers will be forced to  partly absorb the increase in wholesale prices in their margins, he said.
However, defending the WPI usage in the apex bank's  inflation forecast, Subbarao said, "Given the limited efficacy of monetary policy to deal with food and fuel inflation, and the limits on using core CPI inflation measures, we have  focussed our attention on non-food manufactured products  inflation as an indicator of demand-side pressures in the economy."
He admitted that there was some merit in the criticism of RBI's inflation forecasts, which has been going off the  mark, but pointed out that the bank has "opted for WPI over CPI as a second best choice for a number of reasons, first and  most importantly, we do not have a single CPI that is  representative of the whole country.     
"Until recently we had four, and currently we have three CPIs representing different segments of the population," he  said, pointing out that while WPI is computed on an all-India  basis, while CPIs are constructed for specific centres and then aggregated to an all-India index.      
"Secondly, WPI is available with a shorter lag than the CPIs. Third, WPI has a broader coverage than the CPIs in terms of the number of commodities, quotations, inclusion of non-agricultural products and tradeable items," he said.
Noting that Wholesale Price inflation has been revised  upwards, sometimes sharply, in last many months, he said the RBI accordingly revised upwards many a times its inflation  forecasts during the fiscal ended March 31, 2011.     
While it is true that commodity prices influence the  non-food manufactured products component of WPI, it is also  true that the pass-through effect from higher commodity prices  to WPI depends critically upon underlying demand conditions in  the economy, he argued.      
"For inflation assessment, RBI looks at all the measures of inflation, both overall and disaggregated components, in  conjunction with other economic and financial indicators. In  the context of monetary policy formulation, it is important to have a robust primary measure of inflation at the national  level," he said.
In this direction, the compilation and dissemination of  CPI (urban), CPI (rural) and CPI for the country by CSO is an  important step forward, but the long time series data, especially for the back period are not available for these new  indices making them unsuitable for policy analysis, he said.      
Stating the RBI has been left to double-guess inflation  numbers, he said sharp variance in the data supply had led to a systematic under-prediction of inflation numbers by the apex bank last year. He called for a need to make efforts to  ensure the quantum and frequency of revisions reduced.
Blaming the sharp rise in oil and commodity prices,  lower-than-expected decline in food prices despite a normal  monsoon, erroneous signals from IIP data, and the more than  expected upward revisions to the past inflation data, as the factors that led to the inflation miscalculation, Subbarao admitted that generally, private inflation forecasts came much  closer to what was ultimately reported for last fiscal year.
Noting that the revision of the basket for CPI series lags that of the WPI series, he said though last year when the WPI series was revised to the base of 2004-05, the existing  CPIs continue with the old base-- for CPI-RL (rural labourers)   (1986-87), CPI-AL (agri labourers )(1986-87) and CPI-IW  (industrial workers) (2001), making them ill-equipped to  capture the price behaviour caused by the rapid structural changes in the economy. 
Pointing out that the changes in the weights for manufactured products are not substantial even in the revised  WPI base year, he said there is a tilt in the weights towards non-food manufactured products reflecting changes in the   production pattern over the decade.
Some key economic data widely used elsewhere, such as  regular retail sales data, as well as those on employment and  housing sales, are not regularly compiled in the country, leading the inflation numbers half baked or non-representative  of the actual demand and price movements in the economy.
Pointing out that the more critical data on WPI inflation  also have been subject to large revisions, he said, "the initial estimates of WPI inflation were 8.2 percent for  January '11 and 8.3 percent for February'11. (But) both these  numbers were substantially revised upwards by 120 bps each.
"Often, it is not clear if the revisions are occasioned  by one-off factors or systemic factors. Nevertheless, each  time we have to make an assessment of the inflation situation,  we are left to double-guessing how the provisional number might be revised," Subbarao said.
"But if the provisional data that we feed into the  econometric model is off-track and does not exhibit any systematic pattern, our projections of inflation too gets off-track," he concluded.

Read more at: http://profit.ndtv.com/news/show/cpi-a-better-indicator-of-inflation-than-wpi-subbarao-163001?cp

Custom-Tariff Notification No. 65/2011 Dated 21 July, 2011

TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA, EXTRAORDINARY, PART II, SECTION 3, SUB-SECTION (i)] 
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE)

New Delhi, the 21st July, 2011 
Notification  No. 65/2011-Customs
         G.S.R.    (E).- In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 25 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), the Central Government, on being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby makes the following further amendments in the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) No. 21/2002- Customs, dated the 1st March, 2002, which was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i) vide number G.S.R. 118(E), dated the 1st March, 2002, namely:-

                  In the said notification, in the ANNEXURE, in Condition No. 86, after clause (a), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:-

“(aa)   In case of imports for a project for which the certificate regarding Mega Power Project status issued by an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Power is provisional, the importer furnishes a security in the form of a Fixed Deposit Receipt from any Scheduled Bank for a term of thirty six months or more in the name of the President of India for an amount equal to the duty of customs payable on such imports but for this exemption, to the Deputy Commissioner of Customs or Assistant Commissioner of Customs, as the case may be, at the time of importation and if the importer fails to furnish the final Mega Power status certificate within a period of thirty six months from the date of importation, the said security shall be appropriated towards duty of customs payable on such imports but for this exemption.”.
 [F.No. 354/94/2011-TRU]


(Sanjeev Kumar Singh)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Note:   The principal notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i) vide number G.S.R. 118(E), dated the 1st March, 2002 and was last amended by notification No. 63/2011 -Customs, dated the 19thJuly, 2011 which was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary vide number G.S.R. 549(E), dated the 19th July, 2011.

Excel :- Automatic Options

I do not know that Excel Automatic Calculation  problem has been faced by you or not.   But i have faced this problem in Microsoft Excel which i want to share with you.  This problem arise when you have fixed formula's in Excel for your fast or accurate working and Calculation of formula does not work.   In below picture, a calculation has been shown for 15 x 3 = 45 (right) and 15x 15 = 45 (wrong).  These all depends upon the setting of Advanced Options  as shown in below picture in Microsoft Excel 2007.  Due to any reason, if you have selected Manual of Advanced Options, Excel stops automatic calculations. 













(care is required while working in Excel)

Google+ attracts more users

Search giant Google's new social networking site has drawn 20 million users around the world, figures have revealed.
Earlier it was announced that Google+ had signed up its 10 millionth member, during the company's quarter 2 results call.
Now, new figures from online measurement company Comscore, revealed that approximately 870,000 people in the UK have signed up to the invitation-only service so far, and the service has added around 10 million new users in a week.
The number of users rose to 19.93 million during June 29 and July 19, the Telegraph reports.
Despite some criticisms, Google's social network has been well received since its launch a few weeks ago.
Google+, however, remains some way behind its social networking rivals.
Twitter has more than 300 million users and Facebook announced two weeks ago that it has 750 million users.

NPS- Not contributed properly by Government

While Government has implemented strict laws against private sector employers who fail to contribute for the employees in the provident fund, it is alleged by a panel report headed by Chief of SEBI Mr.G.N.Bajpai that Government itself is not contributing fully for its all newly recruited employees.
In other words, Government might have left some of the employees who have joined Government Service after 1.1.2004, from the New Pension Scheme and thereby not contributing 10% of their salary as an employer.
The report is more concerned about Government employees whose contributions remain un-ivested. The report further says that the number of Government employees kept out of NPS could be growing steadily every year which will become a threat in the future as it would become a financial trouble for the Government.
As of now 12 lakh Government employees have been included in New Pension System, which according to report did not match with the recruitment made after 1.1.2004.

More good news from CM for differently-abled

More good news from CM for differently-abled
Tamilnadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today said differently-abled people in the State Transport Corporations would be given special casual leave with pay on 3 December, which was being observed as International Day for Disabled.
An official release here said such facility was being extended to the differently-abled people in government and government- aided institutions.
On coming to know that those in the State Transport Corporations were not covered, Jayalalithaa today announced the extending of the benefit to them also.
This is not the first time for the AIADMK government led by Jayalalithaa to come to the help of the differently-abled in the State.
Only recently, Jayalalithaa has ordered enhancing the monthly assistance from Rs 500 to Rs 1000 to over 76,000 differently abled persons in Tamilnadu.
The announcement was aimed at reaching out the beneficiaries covered under different schemes, including persons with severe disability and muscular dystropy
She also announced the inclusion of differently-abled persons in the free gold and marriage assistance scheme launched by as soon as assuming the power after winning the Assembly elections.
Under the scheme, which was one of the populist poll promises made by the AIADMK , the beneficiaries would get four gram of gold for making 'Thaali' (Thirumangalyam) and financial assistance of Rs 25,000.
An official press release here said the Chief Minister wanted the differently-abled to be included in the scheme to enable them to get the benefits.  The release said the State government would incur an additional expenditure of Rs one crore in view of this.
Jayalalithaa also doubled the assistance given to women who had studied upto Under Graduate or Diploma from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 and also announced free four gm gold coin for their marriage.

Source: Newstodaynet

CGHS approved hospitals in Chennai

Latest list of CGHS hospitals in Chennai :-
S. No.
Name of the Hospital
Approved for
Whether accredited by NABH
Whether already on the panel of CGHS
1 Sugam Hospital,
349, Thiruvotriyur High Road, Thiruvotriyur, Chennai 600 019[Tel: 044 – 2573 3830 / 2573 3296]
w.e.f. 12th November 2010
General Purpose incl. Joint Replacement No Yes
General purpose and  (Laparoscopic surgery, IOL Implant and Joint replacement)
2 Miot Hospitals,
4/112, Mount Poonamalee Road, Manapakkam, Chennai 600 089 [Tel: 044 – 2249 2288]
w.e.f. 12th November  2010
 
General Purpose incl.Cardiology & Cardiothoracic Surgery  and  Joint Replacement No Yes
General purpose, and Cardiological investigation, cardiothoracic surgery, lithotripsy / TURP, IOL implant, laparoscopic surgery and Joint replacement
3 Sri Devi Hospitals,
1620 A, 16th Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai 600 040[Tel: 044 – 2616 2000 / 2616 2900]
w.e.f. 12th November 2010
General  Purpose Hospital No Yes
General purpose , laparoscopic surgery and IOL implant,
SPECIALITY (SELECTIVE) HOSPITALS
S. No.
Name of the Hospital
Approved for
Whether accredited by NABH
Whether already on the panel of CGHS
1 Soundarapandian Bone & Joint Hospital & Research Institute Pvt. Ltd.,
AA – 16, 3rd Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai 600 040[Tel: 044 – 26211026/42066667]
w.e.f. 12 th November , 2010
Orthopaedics No Yes
Orthopaedic surgery including Arthroscopy and Joint Replacement
SUPER SPECIALITY (HOSPITALS)
 
Nil
     
CANCER HOSPITAL
 
NIL
     
EYE CARE CENTRES
1 * Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital Ltd., No 19, Cathedral road, Chennai-86. [044-28112811, 044-28112592 ,044-28113704, fax : 28115871]
w.e.f. 12th November 2010
Eye Care NO No
2 Prem’s Eye Clinic,
120 A, Bazaar Road, Saidapet, Chennai-600 015 [044-43400000] w.e.f. 12th November 2010
Eye Care NO Yes
Eye Care [Cataract / Glaucoma, Retinal –  & Vitreoretinal surgery, strabismus, Occuloplasty & Adnexa & other specialised treatment
3* Vasan Eye Care Hospital ,
No 77, 3rd avenue, Anna Nagar, Chennai-600 102 [044-43400310] w.e.f. 12th November 2010
Eye Care NO No

 
* - Empanelment of these eye care centres is provisional and is subject to the recommendation of Quality Council of India after inspection of these eye care centres.
DENTAL CLINIC
1* Sriram Dental Clinic,
No 5/4, 29thstreet, Nanganallur, Chennai-61, [044-22248102]
w.e.f. 12th November 2010
Dental Care No No

 
* - Empanelment of these dental clinics is provisional and is subject to the recommendation of Quality Council of India after inspection of these dental clinics.
In view of inadequate number of new hospitals in Chennai, existing hospitals in Chennai have been allowed to continue at Old rates.
 
[CHENNAI EXISTING HOSPITALS AT OLD RATES (2007)]
1. Bharathiraajaa Hospital & Research Centre Pvt. Ltd.,
No: 11 Madley Road, T. Nagar, Chennai 600 017
Lab services (Clinical Pathology and Clinical Biochemistry), X – Ray and Bone Densitometry.
2. Beach-Chennai Hospital,
4 LIG Colony, Cross Road, New Washermenpet, Chennai 600 081 [Tel: 044 – 2591 3351 / 2591 1793]
Lab services (Clinical Pathology and Clinical Biochemistry), X – Ray and Bone Densitometry.
3. Billroth Hospitals.
43 Lakshmi Talkies Road, Shenoy Nagar, Chennai 600 030 [Tel: 044 – 2644 1777 / 2644 0020]
General purpose, Specialised purposed (TURP, Laparoscopic surgery, IOL implant and Joint Replacement) and diagnostic Centre (Laboratory services, CT Scan, USG / Colour Doppler and X – Ray).
4. National Hospital,
12 Jaffar Serang, Street  I, Beach Line, Chennai 600 001 [Tel: 044 – 2524 0130 / 2424 0131]
General purpose, specialised purpose for laparoscopic surgery, IOL implant and Joint Replacement, Diagnostic centre (Laboratory services, CT Scan, USG / Colour Doppler).
5.   Frontier Lifeline Pvt. Ltd.,
R 30 C, Ambattur Industrial Estate Road, Chennai 600 101 [ Tel: 044 – 4201 7575 / 2656 7200]
Specialised purpose (Cardiological investigation and Cardio-thoracic surgery) and Laboratory services
6. C. S. I. Rainy Multi Speciality Hospital,
45 G. A. Road, Chennai 600 021 [Tel: 044 – 2595 1204 / 2595 3232]
General purpose and Specialised purpose (Laparoscopic surgery, IOL implant, and Joint Replacement) and Diagnostic Centre (Lab services, Mammography, USG / Colour Doppler and Conventional Radiology).
7. Chennai Kaliappa Hospital,
52 Second Main Road, Raja Annamalai Puram, Chennai 600  028 [Tel: 044 – 2464 1111]
General purpose, Specialised purpose (Renal Transplantation, Haemodialysis, TURP, IOL Implant and Joint Replacement) and  Diagnostic Centre (Laboratory services, USG / Colour Doppler and Conventional Radiology).
8. J. V. Hospitals,
31 Railway Border Road, Kodambakkam, Chennai 600 024 [Tel: 044 – 2483 3998 / 2472 5582]
Lab services (Clinical Pathology and Clinical Bio-chemistry).
9.   CSI Kalyani General Hospital,
15 Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, Chennai 600 004.  (Tel. 044 28475101/28476433)
  General Purposes, specialized purpose for laparoscopic surgery, IOL implant, USG/Colour Doppler and Joint Replacement.  
10  KKR ENT Hospital & Research Institute Pvt. Ltd.,
No: 274 (827), Poonamalee High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai
ENT including specialised surgeries
11 Srushti Hospital,
No: 1, Padmavathy Street, Thirumalai Nagar, Ramapuram, Chennai 600 089 [Tel:044 2486 1144]
General purpose only
12 Durgabai Deshmukh General Hospital & Research Centre, Andhra Mahila Centre,
No: 11 & 12, Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh Road, R. A. Puram, Chennai 600 028
Obstetrics & Gynaecology only
13 Udhi Eye Hospital,
9 Murrays Gate Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 600 018
Super-speciality Eye Care [Cataract / Glaucoma, Retinal – Medical & Vitreo – retinal surgery, Strabismus, Occuloplasty & Adnexa, etc.]
 
this is a test message

F & Qs About Nuclear Power


F & Qs About Nuclear Power

Backgrounder

Can a Chernobyl type accident take place in Indian Nuclear Power Plants?
Nuclear power has a very good safety record for a period spanning more than three decades. The Three Mile Island (TMI) accident in March, 1979 and the Chernobyl accident in April, 1986, Have raised apprehensions in the minds of the public all over the world. In the case of TMI, no radiation injury had occured to any member of the Public. In fact all the safety systems had worked as designed and no radioactivity was released to the atmosphere. At chernobyl, 31 people died and they are all plant personnel. However, it must be recognised that the Chernobyl accident occured due to the negligence of operaters who violated the safety procedures. Besides, the Chernobyl reactor is a totally different type. It employed Graphite as a moderator. Graphite is a form of carbon and its combustible property contributed to explosion in the reactor core. Such a sequence of events in the Nuclear plants is not possible and explosion in the core is ruled out as it is cooled and moderated by heavy water. Adequate safety features in the plant are provided to ensure  its safe operation. Paramount importance is given in setting up of nuclear power installations, to the safety of operating staff, public and environment. Safety experts and regulatory personnel are associated at all --- missioning and operation of nuclear power plants. Thus Chernobyl type accident is ruled out in Indian Nuclear Power Plants.

What is India’s 3-Phase Nuclear Power Programme?
In view of the limited fossil fuel availability with the country, the relevance of Nuclear Power in meeting the short and long term needs of our energy was recognised right at the initial stage. From the very beginning, as a long term strategy, the Nuclear Power Programme formulated by Dr. Homi Bhabha embarked on the three stage nuclear power programme, linking the fuel cycle of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) and Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) for Judicious utilisation  of our limited reserves of Uranium and vast Thorium reserves. The emphasis of the programme was self-reliance and thorium utilisation as a long term objective. The PHWR was chosen due to extensive research and development facilities covering diverse areas for supporting technology absorption.
The 3-stage of our Nuclear Power Programme are :
·         Stage-I : envisages, construction of Natural Uranium, Heavy Water Moderated and Cooled Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). Spent fuel from these reactors is reprocessed to obtain Plutonium.
·         Stage-II : evisages, construction of Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) fuelled by Plutonium produced in stage-I. These reactors would also breed U-233 from Thorium.
·         Stage-III : would comprise power reactors using U-233 / Thorium as fuel.

What are India’s available energy resources?
India's available energy resources are shown in the following table :
Identified Energy Reserves
Coal
186
billion tonnes
Lignite
5,060
million tonnes
Crude Oil
728
million tonnes
Natural Gas
686
billion Cu-m
Uranium
78,000
tonnes
Thorium
3,63,000
tonnes
Hydro
84,000
MW at 60 % PLF
Renewables
Biomass
6000
MWe
Wind, Solar etc.
20,000
MWe


How is environment surrounding Nuclear Plant is monitored?
This is done by the Environmental Survey Laboratory (ESL) set up well before starting the operation of the plant. The ESL collects data on forest, flora and fauna, marine products, food and air etc., to set up base level data on their quality prior to commencement of the operation of the plant. Samples are drawn and regularly analysed to ascertain the status on a continuos basis. The ESL functions independent of plant authorities and the data collected is checked by the regulatory authorities for control purposes.


Source : PIB