“USE "MICR" CODE TO GET EARLY REFUND” plus 1 more

USE "MICR" CODE TO GET EARLY REFUND

I have come to know from sources that dept. will sent refund order through UPC instead of registered post earlier,and you can forecast yourself how many refund order will be lost in transit,and how much difficult to get refund order from income tax deptt. second time ???.so what we should do ????
1. Send a request to FINANCE MINISTER to send refund order by REGT POST !!!!!!!?????
2. Fill your bank branch MICR code in INcome Tax Return & get the refund directly in bank account.
I think 99% people opts for 2nd choice.if you are with mass ,than you whould like to know what is micr code???.
WHAT IS MICR CODE
Full text of MICR code is :
MAGNETIC INK CHARACTER RECOGNITION (MICR)
In MICR technology the information is printed on the instrument with a special type of ink which is made up of magnetic material. On insertion of the instrument in the machine, the printed information is read by the machine. MICR system is beneficial as it minimizes chances of error, clearing of cheques becomes easy and transfer of funds becomes faster in order to facilitate operations.
MICR code consist of 9 digit
First three digit denotes city and are same/identical first three digit of your pin code
for example for New Delhi =110 so first three digit of MICR code of all the bank branches located in NEW delhi irrespective of bank or bank branches will be110.
4-6 digit denotes for Bank
each bank has given a three digit code,4-6 digit is= bank code eg. SBI code is "002"so 4-6 digit of MICR CODE all the the branches of SBI is "002" irrespective of location in the india.
(7-9)Last three digit denotes branch code,it is in serial wise ,means if delhi has only one branch of sbi and its MICR code will be
110(FOR CITY)
002(FOR BANK)
001(FOR BRANCH)
"110002001"
so if you are located in delhi & your client has given you a Micr code of the bank located in New Delhi ,does't begin with "110",you can easily tell him your Micr code is wrong.
HOW CAN I KNOW MY BANK BRANCH MICR CODE
1. From your bank branch
2. from your cheque book ??
3. excel work book link is given below for Micr code for allmost all the branches located in India.
from cheque book ????yes ,if your bank branch has a Micr code than it is also printed on your cheque book,check your cheque book if there is a nine digit code and first three digit of the code=first three digit of your pin code than you can have got your MICR code.
so please fill MICR code to get the income tax refund directly into bank account.
WHETHER ALL THE BRANCHES IN INDIA HAVE MICR CODE?????
NO.
Is there any benefit for MICR code OTHER than ITR.
yes , now a days it is used by many organistions to send directly funds in customer account.
1. by mutual fund for sending sale receipt of the units to customer account
2.Refund of application money in shares .
3. Refund of taxes by other deptt also.
4. Refund of application money for real state/plot by govt/private organistion.
its use will increase only
MICR CODES OF BANK BRACHES IN INDIA(3.01MB)EXCEL
Micr Code in ZIP FILE(731 kb)updated 16/07/2008
other related term:

1. What is Inter Bank Transfer?
   Inter Bank Transfer is a special service that allows you to transfer funds electronically to accounts in other banks in India through:
   • NEFT - The acronym “NEFT” stands for National Electronic Funds Transfer. Funds are transferred to the credit account with the other participating Bank using RBI's NEFT service. RBI acts as the service provider and transfers the credit to the other bank's account.
   • RTGS –The acronym “RTGS” stands for Real Time Gross Settlement. The RTGS system facilitates transfer of funds from accounts in one bank to another on a “real time” and on “gross settlement” basis. The RTGS system is the fastest possible inter bank money transfer facility available through secure banking channels in India.
2. What is the minimum / maximum amount for RTGS /NEFT transactions?

Type	Minimum	Maximum
RTGS	Rs. 1 Lakh	No Limit
NEFT	No Limit	No Limit

1. When does the beneficiary get the credit for a RTGS payment?Under normal circumstances the beneficiary bank’s branch receives the funds in real time as soon as funds are transferred by the remitting bank.
2. When does the beneficiary get the credit for a NEFT payment?
   The funds will be sent to the RBI within three hours of the transaction. The actual time taken to credit the beneficiary depends on the time taken by the beneficiary bank to process the payment.
3. If an RTGS transaction is not credited to a beneficiary account, does the Remitter get back the money?
   Yes. If it is unable to credit the amount of the remittance to the account of the beneficiary for any reason, the beneficiary’s bank has to return the money to the remitting bank within 2 hours. Once this amount is received back by the remitting bank, the amount is credited to the Remitter's account by the remitting bank branch.
4. If an NEFT transaction is not credited to a beneficiary account, does the Remitter get back the money?
   Yes. If the money cannot be credited for any reason, the beneficiary’s bank has to return the money to the remitting bank . Once this amount is received back by the remitting bank, the amount is credited to the Remitter's account by the remitting bank branch.
5. At what time during the day /week is the RTGS & NEFT service is available?
   Presently, NEFT is settled in six batches at 09:30 A.M., 10:30 A.M., 12:00 P.M., 1:00 P.M., 3:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. hours on weekdays and 09:30 A.M., 10:30 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. hours on Saturdays in RBI. OnlineSBP sends the transaction requests upto 3:30 P.M. on weekdays and upto 11:30 A.M. on Saturdays.
   RTGS transaction requests will be sent to RBI upto 2:30 PM. on weekdays and upto 11:30 AM on Saturdays.
6. Timing given as on date of publishing , it may be change in future 
7. What is the mandatory information required to make an RTGS & NEFT payment?The Remitter has to provide the following details:
   • Amount to be remitted
   • Account number which is to be debited
   • Name of the beneficiary bank
   • Name of the beneficiary
   • Account number of the beneficiary
   • Remarks or description, if any
   • The IFSC code of the beneficiary branch
8. How to find the IFSC code of the beneficiary branch?Based on simple search option- Location, Bank & Branch. The IFSC code will automatically be updated or if you know the IFSC code of the beneficiary bank, you can provide it directly.
9. Do all bank branches in India provide RTGS & NEFT service?No. RTGS facility is enabled only in specific bank branches across India. You can view a list of these branches in the RBI website: www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/Bs_viewRTGS.aspx. NEFT is enabled only in specific bank branches across India. You can view a list of these branches in the RBI website: http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/neft.aspx.
10. How do I go about using this service?
    1. You should be an active Internet Banking user with transaction rights.
    2. Log on to www.onlinesbp.com by using your SBP Internet Banking ID and Password.
    3. Click on the ‘Manage Interbank Payee’ link in the ‘Profile’ tab.
    4. Select the ‘Add’ option and provide the Beneficiary Name, Beneficiary Account Number, Beneficiary Bank and transfer limit to register the Beneficiary.
    5. IFSC code of the Beneficiary’s bank can be keyed in by two ways:
       1. Click the IFSC Code option and a textbox is displayed where you can enter the 11 digit IFSC Code of the Beneficiary Bank.
       2. Click the Location option, the following are retrieved and displayed.
    6. Beneficiary Bank Name – Dropdown Menu
    7. Location - Dropdown Menu
    8. Branch - Dropdown Menu
    9. The confirm button will be enabled only after clicking the accept button in the terms and conditions window.
    10. After providing all the details, the beneficiary will be added. It will be shown whether the added beneficiary bank is RTGS or NEFT enabled.
    11. After adding the Beneficiary you will receive a high security password in your mobile number. This is done basically to double check your identity. Provide the password to authorize the Beneficiary. After a Beneficiary is authorized you can start transferring funds.
    12. You can proceed to make payments by clicking the ‘Inter bank Transfer’ link in the ‘Payments/Transfers’ tab.
    13. According to the transaction type selected (RTGS/NEFT), the credit account details will be displayed depending on whether the branch is RTGS or NEFT enabled or both.
    14. Select the Beneficiary from the list of registered Beneficiaries.
    15. You can either confirm or cancel the transaction.
11. What are the service charges applicable for RTGS/NEFT transactions?
    Commission charges of Rs 25/- is applicable for all RTGS transactions, irrespective of the transaction amount. You can make NEFT transactions up to Rs. 50,000/- WITHOUT ANY COMMISSION CHARGES. For NEFT transactions above Rs. 50,000/- the charges are as listed in the following table:

    Scheme	Amount	Rate	Minimum Charge	Maximum Charge
    RTGS	RS.ONE LAKH AND ABOVE	Rs.25/- per transaction	Rs.25/-	Rs.25/-
    NEFT	Upto Rs.50,000	Nil	Nil	Nil
    	Above Rs.50,000/-	Rs.25/-	Rs.25/-	Rs.25/-

    
    NOTE:THESE RATES ARE OF STATE BANK OF PATIALA . RATE OF OTHER BANK MAY BE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT.
    
    

FULL DETAIL ABOUT NEFT


LIST OF BANK BRANCHES HAVING NEFT (2.9 mb)



FULL DETAIL OF RTGS

FAQ ON RTGS

Considering that more than 26,000 branches at more than 3,000 cities/ towns.COMPLETE LIST OF BANK BRANCHES IS of 2 GB ??????,SO LINK IS NOT PROVIDED ,CONTACT YOUR BRANCH .

List of BSR Codes

List of BSR codes of branches authorised to collect direct taxes (as informed by respective banks)(source :TIn-nsdl)

Allahabad Bank
Andhra Bank
Bank of Baroda
Bank of India
Bank of Maharashtra
Canara Bank
Central Bank
Corporation Bank
Dena Bank
HDFC Bank
ICICI Bank
IDBI Limited

Indian Bank
Indian Overseas Bank
Oriental Bank of Commerce
Punjab & Sindh Bank
Punjab National Bank
Reserve Bank of India
State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur
State Bank of Hyderabad
State Bank of India
State Bank of Indore
State Bank of Mysore
State Bank of Patiala
State Bank of Travancore
State Bank of Saurashta
Syndicate Bank
The Jammu and Kashmir Bank
UCO Bank
Union Bank of India
United Bank of India
UTI Bank
Vijaya Bank
bsr code of bank branch remain same in indirect taxes but some of bank braches are not authorised to deposit indirect taxes though authorised to receive Direct taxes.

 

Document Identification Number by Income Tax department

I have seen that CBDT or tax authority always  makes rules for tax payers but this time they have come up with rules which is applicable for themselves .It is self regulation measure which is help full in curb the Inspector raj in income tax department and further reduce the role of middle man and create a transparent atmosphere.
what is this step/rule.???
The rule is that Income tax department will  Allot of Document Identification Number(DIN) on each communication made within or with the assesse(taxpayer)both incoming and outgoing letter .DIN will be generated/alloted through computer.
The new Section 282B of the Income Tax Act reads as,

(1) Every income-tax authority shall allot a computer generated Document Identification Number in respect of every notice, order, letter or any correspondence issued by him to any other income-tax authority or assessee or any other person and such number shall be quoted thereon.

(2) Where the notice, order, letter or any correspondence, issued by any income-tax authority, does not bear a Document Identification Number referred to in sub-section (1), such notice, order, letter or any correspondence shall be treated as invalid and shall be deemed never to have been issued.

(3) Every document, letter or any correspondence, received by an income-tax authority or on behalf of such authority, shall be accepted only after allotting and quoting of a computer generated Document Identification Number.

(4) Where the document, letter or any correspondence received by any income-tax authority or on behalf of such authority does not bear the Document Identification Number referred to in subsection (3), such document, letter or any correspondence shall be treated as invalid and shall be deemed never to have been received.”

After application of this section the Income tax dept will allot DIN(document identification Number) on each incoming or outgoing letter/Notice.so after this either of the party can not deny existence of the letter/memo/notice.This system will be beneficial for most of Honest tax payers .
The entire office administration will automatically improve if you have control over the inward and outward correspondence. And the government seems to be serious – that's why they have inserted these provisions in the Act – instead of issuing circulars which are anyway going to be flouted with impunity.

FILE YOUR IT RETURN WITHOUT DIGITAL SIGNATURE FOR 199(rate reduced from 250 earlier) RS INCLUSIVE OF ALL TAXES

LIFE COVER of Rs 1 Cr FOR JUST Rs. 15000

LIFE COVER OF Rs 1 CRORE FOR JUST Rs. 15000

There is a quiet rate war raging among insurers that has brought down the cost of Rs 1 crore cover to Rs 15,000 from over Rs 50,000 per annum a decade ago. A big chunk of the reduction has happened in recent months. Without much publicity life insurance companies have drastically reduced premium rates on high-value term insurance policies of Rs 1cr and above.
As against a premium of over Rs 50,000 for a Rs 1 cr cover for a 30-year old woman charged by Life Insurance Corporation a decade ago, private life insurer Birla Sun Life are offering a similar cover for an annual premium of around Rs 15,000.
Other private life insurers, such as ICICI Prudential life and HDFC Standard Life, have also reduced their term insurance rates. The term rates for LIC policies, too, have come down drastically as compared to 10 years ago.
Today, one can avail of a LIC term policy with a sum assured of Rs 1cr for an annual premium of nearly Rs 25,700-32 ,000. But unlike LIC whose rates are available to most buyers, Birla Sun Life has stringent underwriting norms and the rates are available to only those in the best of health.
Term insurance is a cover where the only benefit is a payment if the insured dies during the term of the policy is the most basic form of life insurance. The cover is now almost a commodity with web-based aggregators offering quotes from all insurance for term protection.
ICICI Prudential Life appointed actuary Avijit Chatterjee said the decline can be attributed to better mortality experience in the recent past.
This is another factor, industry-watchers feel, that has worked in favour of the rich. Since such policyholders have access to quality healthcare and lead a relatively superior lifestyle, their life expectancy is high, and this translates into lower rates.
“Term insurance premium rates have started seeing a downward trend since the last three years. Over the last couple of years, they have dropped by nearly 30%," said Rahul Aggarwal, CEO, Optima Insurance Brokers. One of the reasons for this, he explained, is the increasing demand, mainly from the high net worth segment, which has inflated the volumes. "Increasing volumes are driving the rates down and lower rates, in turn, are stimulating the demand for term insurance," he added
"Over the last six months, some insurers have reduced the term insurance rates. The price reduction is limited mainly to high value policies targeted at the HNI segment, that is, people earning over Rs 1 lakh per month, who seek policies entailing a sum assured of more than Rs 25 lakh," said a senior executive with a private life insurance company.
HDFC Standard Life Insurance, for instance, has reduced the premium rates of its term plan by around 25% across different premium and age bands.

Child Adoption Leave Enhanced to 180 days

Enhancement of Child Adoption Leave from 135 days to 180 days and extension of the facility of Paternity Leave to adoptive fathers

 

No. 13018/1/2009-Estt.(L)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
(Department of Pension & Pensioners'Welfare)

Lok Nayak Bhawan,New Delhi-110003
dated the 22nd July, 2009

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Enhancement of Child Adoption Leave from 135 days to 180 days and extension of the facility of Paternity Leave to adoptive fathers.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. No.13018/4/2004-Estt.(L) dated 31st March, 2006 regarding grant of Child Adoption Leave for 135 days to female Government servant on adoption of a child upto the age of one year, on the lines of maternity leave admissible to natural mothers. After implementation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission recommendations, the period of maternity leave was enhanced from 135 days to 180 days. Subsequently, this Department has received representations requesting for enhancement of the period of Child Adoption Leave from 135 days to 180 days in line with the maternity leave. The matter has been examined in this Department and it has been decided to enhance the period of Child Adoption Leave from 135 days to 180 days.

2. A female Government servant in whose case the period of 135 days of Child Adoption Leave has not expired on the date of issue of these orders shall also be eligible for Child Adoption Leave of 180 days.

3. It has also been decided that a male Government servant (including an apprentice) with less than two surviving children, on valid adoption of a child below the age of one year, may be sanctioned Paternity Leave for a period of 15 days within a period of six months from the date of valid adoption.

4. These orders shall take effect from the date of issue.

5. In so far as persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are conceded, these orders issue in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

SMS BASED SERVICE FOR CHALLAN STATUS

SMS BASED SERVICE FOR CHALLAN STATUS

Tax Information Network (TIN) hosted by National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) on behalf of Income Tax Department (ITD) gives you a facility to verify whether the banks have correctly uploaded the details of your tax deposit to ITD through SMS.

SMS based verification

The procedure for availing this facility is as under:

1. Send an SMS to 575758 with a message containing the word CSI followed by a space and CIN provided by the respective Bank at the time of making the Direct tax payment and the amount.

2. Challan Identification Number (CIN) consists of BSR Code of Collecting Branch (seven digit), Challan Tender Date (DDMMYYYY) and Challan Serial No (length less than or equal to 5 digit).

3. The amount is an optional field. If you provide the amount in the SMS you would get the confirmation whether the amount uploaded by bank matches with the amount paid by you.

4. Each of BSR code, Tender date, the challan serial number and amount should be separated by commas

For e.g., if the tax payer input “CSI 0510001,11032009,5,5000” where in

“0510001” is the BSR code of the collecting branch,

“11032009” is the Challan tender date,

“5” is the Challan serial number and

“5000” is the amount paid by the taxpayer.

The tax payer will get the information against which TAN/PAN the payment has been accounted with the confirmation whether amount entered is matched or not. 

(This is an illustrative CIN, actual CIN should be provided in the SMS).

There will be special charges for these SMS. These charges may vary from one mobile service-provider to another. The charge structure can be obtained from the concerned service-provider.

Online Challan Status Inquiry

You can also get the status of your CIN from www.tin-nsdl.com under the section Challan Status Inquiry.

This is a system Generated Mail and should not be replied to.

नवरा आणि बायकोच्या भांडणाचे dialogs -Funny quarrel dialogs

नवरा आणि बायकोच्या भांडणाचे dialogs -Funny quarrel dialogs

वेगवेगळ्या क्षेत्रातील पुरुषांच्या बायका नवरयाबरोबर भांडताना, काय उदगार काढतील..?
पायलटची बायको ... " गेलास उडत..."
मंत्र्याची बायको ... " पुरे झाली तुमची आश्वासनं."
शिक्षकाची बायको ... " मला नका शिकवू..."
रंगारयाची बायको ... " थोबाड रंगवीन."
धोब्याची बायको ... " चांगली धुलाइ करीन."
सुताराची बायको ... " ठोकुन सरळ करीन."
तेल विक्रेत्याची बायको ... " गेलात तेल लावत."
न्हाव्याची बायको ... " केसाने गळा काप्लात की हो माझा."
डेंटिसची बायको ... " दात तोडुन हातात देइन."
शिंप्याची बायको ... " मल शिवलंस तर याद राख."
अभिनेत्याची बायको ... " कशाला नाटक करता?"
वाण्याची बायको ... " नुसत्या पुड्या सोडु नका "
रेल्वे ड्रायव्हरची बायको.... " आली का गाडी रुळावर/लायनीवर ?"
संगणक अभियंत्याची बायको..... " तुला डिलीट करून टाकीन

funny marathi joke

मुलगा मुलीच्या घरी तिला 'पाहायला' गेला आहे. आजकालच्या प्रथेप्रमाणे वडीलधारे त्या दोघांना 'एकटे' सोडतात.)
मुलगी : तुम्ही काय करता?
मुलगा (मिष्कील स्वरात) : आंघोळ!!!! (आता प्रश्ान् विचारण्याची त्याची पाळी. तो विचारतो...) तुम्हाला काय येतं?
मुलगी (मिष्कीलपणे) : घाम!!!!
मुलगा (चपापतो, सावरतो) : अं, ते जाऊ दे. तुम्हाला गाता येते का?
मुलगी : हो....
मुलगा : मग गाऊन दाखवा ना!
मुलगी : बाहेर वाळत घातलाय!!!!!
मुलगा (आता पुरता फ्लॅट होऊन, कसाबसा) : वाळू दे, वाळू दे!
( मुलगी आत जाऊन मूठभर वाळू आणून त्याच्या हातात देते आणि तो बेशुद्ध पडतो....)

रेल बजट से कंपनियां खुश

रेल बजट से कंपनियां खुश
नयी दिल्ली : रेलमंत्री ममता बनर्जी के रेल बजट में घोषित की गई पब्लिक-प्राइवेट-पार्टनरशिप (पीपीपी) योजना से वैगन और कोच बनाने वाली कंपनियां काफी खुश हो गई हैं, क्योंकि उन्हें इस योजना के तहत अपने लिए असीम व्यावसायिक संभवानों नजर आ रही हैं। बमबार्डियर, टीटागढ़ वैगन्स, जीसॅप और टेक्समेको जैसी निजी क्षेत्र की बड़ी कंपनियां रेल बजट में घोषित डबल डेकर इंटरसिटी एसी कोचों को लाने और 18000 नये वैगनों के चालू वर्ष 2009-10 के दौरान रेलवे द्वारा खरीदे जाने की योजना से अत्यंत उत्साहित हो गई हैं और इसमें से ज्यादा से ज्यादा हिस्सा मिलने की उम्मीद कर रही है.
इस बारे में बमबार्डियर ट्रांसपोर्ट इंडिया के प्रबंध निर्देशक श्री राजीव ज्योति का कहना है कि विश्व स्तर पर हमारी कंपनी डबल डेकर कोच बनाने में अग्रणी है और जब भारत में डबल डेकर कोचों की यह प्रक्रिया शुरू होगी, हम इसके साथ ही खानपान सेवाओं में भी रेलवे की जरूरतों के मुताबिक अवश्य रुचि लेना चाहेंगे. उन्होंने बताया कि बमबार्डियर की निर्माण इकाई (फैक्टरी) बड़ोदरा, गुजरात में स्थापित है, जहां मेट्रो ट्रेनों के लिए कोचों का निर्माण किया जाता है. यदि भा. रे. से कंपनी को डबल डेकर कोचों का ऑर्डर मिलता है, तो यह कोच भी वड़ोदरा में बनाये जा सकेंगे, क्योंकि हमारे पास इसकी पर्याप्त सुविधा और ढांचा मौजूद है.
टीटागढ़ा वैगन्स के प्रबंध निर्देशक श्री उमेश चौधरी का कहना है कि वैगनों का ज्यादा से ज्यादा सप्लाई ऑर्डर पाने के साथ ही हमारी योजना रेलवे की पीपीपी योजनाओं में भी बड़े पैमाने पर भागीदारी करने की है. उन्होंने बताया कि इसके अलावा हमारी कंपनी ने ईएमयू एवं अन्य यात्री कोच बनाने शुरू कर दिए हैं तथा इस क्षेत्र में ज्यादा से ज्यादा प्रगति पर हम अपना ध्यान केंद्रित कर रहे हैं. उन्होंने बताया कि हमारी कंपनी टीटागढ़ वैगन्स, काचरापाड़ा, कोलकाता में स्थापित होने जा रही रेलवे कोच फैक्टरी में रेलवे के साथ संयुक्त उपक्रम के तहत यात्री कोचों के निर्माण सुविधा स्थापित करने के लिए प्रयास करेगी. उन्होंने बताया कि हम डंकुनी में लोकोमोटिव कमपोनेंट्स पार्क स्थापित करने तथा रेलवे की विश्वस्तरीय स्टेशन निर्माण योजनाओं में भी भागीदारी करने के प्रति अत्यंत उत्सुक हैं.
के.के. बिड़ला ग्रुप की कंपनी टेक्समेको, जो कि रेलवे के लिए विभिन्न प्रकार की मशीनों और फ्रेटकारों का निर्माण करती है, को भी रेलवे से अतिरिक्त बिजनेस मिलने की उम्मीद है. कंपनी के मुख्य कार्यकारी अधिकारी (सीईओ) श्री रमेश महेश्वरी को पूरी उम्मीद है कि रेलवे के विश्वस्तरीय स्टेशन प्रोजेक्ट में से काफी व्यवसायिक हिस्सा उनकी कंपनी को अवश्य मिलेगा. उन्होंने अपने इस विश्वास का आधार यह बताया कि उनकी कंपनी द्वारा पहले से ही दिल्ली स्टेशन के आधुनिकीकरण की योजना में काम किया जा रहा है और हम अब अन्य स्टेशनों के लिए भी बोली लगायेंगे. श्री महेश्वरी ने बताया कि हम काचरापाडा़ रेल प्रोजेक्ट के लिए अपनी ज्वाइंट वेंचर पार्टनर ऑस्ट्रेलिया की यूनाइटेड रेल की विशेषज्ञता को यात्री कोचों के निर्माण की इस महती योजना के लिए उपयोग में लायेंगे.
रुइया समूह की जीसॉप कंपनी के चेयरमैन श्री पी.के.रुइया ने कहा कि उनकी कंपनी वर्षों से रेलवे के लिए ईएमयू कोचों का निर्माण कर रही है. इसलिए उनकी कंपनी अपने दीर्घ अनुभव के बल पर इस क्षेत्र में अपना बिजनेस शेयर अवश्य हासिल करेगी. ज्ञातव्य है कि जीसॉप वैगन और कोच निर्माण क्षेत्र की एक पुरानी स्थापित एवं जानी मानी कंपनी है.

Railways in talks with EMD

Railways in talks with EMD for technology transfer

Kolkata : The Railways is negotiating with Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) of US, an erstwhile arm of US automaker General Motors, for technology transfer in manufacturing state-of-the-art diesel locomotives as part of a plan to add more horsepower (HP) to its engines. The strategy underlines the aggressive growth plans of Railways in the years ahead as it strives to fulfil the needs of one of the fastest growing global economies.
“Railways is in talks with EMD for advance technology to induct new locomotives which will have higher horsepower in the future,” an official Railways said.
EMD, one of the world’s largest builders of railway locomotives in terms of overall sales, was recently hived off as a separate company from its parent, the US automobile giant General Motors. Railways earlier had a 10-year technology agreement, which got over in 2006. In the aftermath of the US recession, the company is increasingly looking at India and the railways to scout for new business.
The Railways has been manufacturing diesel locomotives of 4,000 HP based on EMD design at the Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW), its dedicated facility for such engines in Varanasi. More recently, however, Railways has started manufacturing locos of 4,500 HP. By the end of 2009-10, DLW is likely to completely switch over to manufacturing such locos. The road ahead is to introduce locos of 5,000 or higher HP, for which the Railways is keen to source the best technology.
Last year, DLW produced its best-ever output of some 257 locos, including 80 EMD type. A majority of DLW’s production caters to the Railways with corporate, including power and steel companies, accounting for the rest. In addition to this, Diesel Loco Modernisation Works at Patiala has also been regularly taking up the job of upgrading older 2,600 HP locos into 3,100 HP ones.
The target is to upgrade a substantial part of the 5,000 locos in operation. At the same time, these locos are also being retro-fitted with advanced micro-processors.

Surplus 90000 cr OR 8000 cr Profit...?

Surplus 90000 cr
OR
8000 cr Profit...?

Parmeet Ghosh an irfca member says...
With Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav declaring that railway had a surplus of 90000crores but Mrs Mamta Banerjee had declared that Railway has just 8000crores. With now Railway ready to bring white paper on it let see whether Management guru was worth or not. If not IIM A student should be given a case study called Mr fraud on Lalu.
N.Prakash Prasad an irfca member says...
Lalu was heard saying that 90000 crore was the total revenue that railways earned and this figure excludes all expenditure.Hence if expenditure was deducted then may be we come to the figures that mamtaji has given
Roy S Karia an irfca member says....
Actually neither of them are lying: its the story of 5 blind men and the elephant all over again! Each person is "seeing" one side of the story and interpreting it to mean the whole.
When laloo quotes a figure of 90000 crores it is actually the sum of the surplus earned in the years he was railway minister. Mamta's figures of 8000 crore are what is left of the surplus right now!
The surplus - what is left of revenue after meeting operational and capital expenses - of every year is not really being transferred to the Consolidated Fund of India. The railways use this to meet their expenditure and earmark for new projects as well. And these kind of expenses don't remain the same every year: some expenses, like after the 6th pay commission implementation could inflate expense accounts for a year.
Either ways: 90K or 8K: there is no denying that the Railways is in a much better position now than it was in after the low of 2003.
Rajendra Saxena an senior railway official says...
There is nothing wrong in budget figures. It is English language which can distort the picture . see following extract from rail minister speech
new minister has not question the profit . she has said that current balance with railway is 8361 cr . what laluji has said that he has generated 90000 cr surplus in last five year

Extract of MR speech 3rd july Performance in 2008-09
50. Madam, despite the economic slowdown in the last financial year, the Railways loaded 833 MT of freight cargo which is a 5% growth over the previous year. Traffic Receipts grew by 11.4% to reach Rs 79862 cr. Even after having disbursed Rs. 13,600 cr. towards implementation of 6th Pay Commission recommendations the Railways were successful in generating a cash surplus before dividend of Rs. 17,400 cr. and after fulfilling their full dividend liability of Rs 4,717 cr were able to maintain internal generation for investment at Rs. 12,681 cr.
it is clear from above that gross revenue of Rs 79862 cr against the gross expenditure of Rs 48000 cr generating a surplus of Rs 31000 cr in 2008-9 .even after paying the pay commission arrear & dividends , surplus remains Rs 12 ,681 cr .if pay commission would not have been there (which was not there in last 5 yr) surplus would have been Rs 25000 cr after paying full dividend liability
now you add the surplus of last 5 year & total will be Rs 90,000 cr or so
2.extract of Laluji speech in feb 2009
Performance Review of 2007-08
11. Sir, I would now like to present in brief the operating results
for the previous fiscal2007-08. . Freight and passenger earnings
grew at 14 and 15 percent respectively. Total traffic earnings also
increased by 15 percent to reach Rs 71,645 cr. The cash surplus before dividend increased from the 2006-07 level of Rs 20,338 cr to Rs 25,006 cr
Now where is that surplus . naturally it is not in fixed deposit . only 8361 cr at present are with RBI in Railway account & balance has been invested in various planned & development project .earlier railway was borrowing from market & central govt for its developmental projects but now a days majority was funded with railway own surplus. RailSamachar

TVC : Train accident averted

Thiruvananthapuram : The passengers of the Rajdhani Express bound for New Delhi had a providential escape with timely action by the railway authorities following an information that the track was damaged as sand and metals under it were washed away due to the incessant rains. According to information available, the railway authorities received information at about 0010 hours that about 50 metres of the track was damaged due to flood waters which forced them to detain the superfast train at Kurukutty to avoid any mishap.
Following the incident, the Southern Railway cancelled many long distance trains, besides rescheduling many trains, official sources said.
The sources said the repairing of railway track was progressing on a war-footage and it was expected that the train traffic would resume normally by evening.
While the Kannur-Ernakulam Express and the Guruvayoor-Ernakulam Passenger trains were cancelled, the Thiruvananthapuram-Shoranur and Ernakulam-Shoranur passenger were cancelled partially, a release said here.
The SR had also rescheduled six express trains, including the Ernakulam-Bangalore inter-city Express, Enrakulam-Nizamuddin Mangal Express, Trivandrum-Chennai Mail, Kochuveli-Bangalore Express and Ernakulam Nizamuddin Express.

RPF, RPSF urging Centre for more powers :DGP

RPF, RPSF urging Centre for more powers :DGP
Tiruchirapalli : Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) were continuously urging the Centre to give them more powers, including investigative powers, in order to enhance the security measures to the properties of the Indian Railways as well the travelling public, Director General of Police (DGP), RPF/RPSF, Ranjit Sinha said.
Addressing 'Dikshant' parade of 81st batch of RPF/RPSF recruits here today, Mr Sinha hoped that they would get adequate powers soon.
He said thanks to the sixth Pay Commission recommendations, the members of RPF/RPSF force were going to benefit to a larger extent which would enhance the efficiency of these two forces.
Later, addressing a press conference, Mr Sinha said after the recent terrorist attack in Mumbai on November 26 last, security measures had been enhanced further inside and outside the railway network areas.
Stating that Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee also was very keen to enhance the security measures of the Indian Railway system, he said it was planned to introduce Integrated Security Scheme (ISS) in all the Indian Railway stations for which the railway stations had been divided into three categories.
Under first category, ISS would be introduced at important railway stations in the four metropolitan cities besides cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad.
In category two, the ISS would be introduced at important railway stations in tier two cities and remaining railway stations would be covered under ISS in third category, he added. He said the Centre had earmarked a sum of Rs 350 crore to introduce ISS in 140 important railway stations at all the metros and the important cities of the country for the current year. The works under ISS had already commenced by ordering the equipment like Luggage Scanner, Bomb Detection
Device and Close Circuit Television, he added.

5% Dearness Allowance is expected for Central Govt. Employees w.e.f. 1st July 2009

5% Dearness Allowance is expected for Central Govt. Employees w.e.f. 1st July 2009

Central Govt. employees and pensioners may expect a hefty rise of 5% in D.A. with effect from today, the 1st July 2009. According to the statistics of Labour Bureau, Govt. of India, All India Consumer Price Index No. has climbed up to 151 points in May 2009 in comparison to 147 in December 2008. [See the chart below.] 
With this expected rise, the total Dearness Allowance will be 27% w.e.f. 01.07.2009. It may be mentioned that the rise in Dearness Allowance effects Transport Allowance also as per the Sixth Pay Commission for the Central Govt. Employees. 
Calculation is based on All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Worker based on [Base Year 2001 = 100] 

Month	Year	Base Year  2001=100	Total	Average	App. DA	DA
May	2008	139	1613	--	--	--
June	2008	140	1623	135.25	16.84	16
July	2008	143	1634	--	--	--
August	2008	143	1634	--	--	--
Sep	2008	146	1659	--	--	--
Oct	2008	148	1673	--	--	--
Nov	2008	148	1687	--	--	--
Dec	2008	147	1700	141.67	22.38	22
Jan	2009	148	1714	--	--	--
Feb	2009	149	1728	--	--	--
Mar	2009	148	1739	--	--	--
Apr	2009	150	1751	--	--	--
May	2009	151	1763	--	--	--
June	2009	--	--	--	--	27

5% Dearness Allowance is expected for Central Govt. Employees w.e.f. 1st July 2009

ADVANCE TAX LIMIT HIKED-BUDGET 2009

ADVANCE TAX LIMIT HIKED-BUDGET 2009

This financial year (FY 2009-10)onwards, you won’t have to pay advance tax if your tax liability is less than Rs 10,000 annually. The finance minister has rationalised the advance tax limit in the Union Budget. According to the Budget memorandum, the threshold for this tax has been doubled from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. The limit has been hiked “with a view to providing for inflation adjustment”, says the memorandum. The Rs 5,000 limit has been in existence for the past 13 years. It was fixed in the 1996 Budget.

• Advance tax applies to individuals whose incomes are not subject to tax deduction at source (TDS).
• This directly impacts the self-employed in the lower tax slab. This tax is also payable on income on account of interest, tuition fee, rent, trading of securities and consultancy work. 
• Advance tax is paid every quarter.
• If not paid on time, it attracts a penalty at an annualised rate of 13 per cent. 

Let’s look at what is the difference the hike, included under the existing provisions of Section 208 the Income-Tax Act, has made to individuals. Considering the earlier exemption of Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh deductions,U/S 80C a person was liable to pay advance tax if he was earning a salary of more than Rs 2.75 lakh. This year onwards, advance tax has to be paid by people earning over Rs 3.10 lakh. The salary level increases as the exemption limit is now Rs 1.6 lakh. “This move impacts individuals in the lower income group. For those in the high income slab, this is immaterial.

SERVICE TAX: RLY GOODS TRANSPORT WILL BE TAXABLE

SERVICE TAX CHANGES IN BUDGET 2009

Amendments proposed by Finance Bill, 2009 SERVICE TAX

(A) Following New Services are brought under Service Tax Net,

(i) Transport of goods by rail,

Transport of Goods through Rail

Presently, transportation of goods in containers by rail, by other than Government railways is taxable under Section 65(105)(zzzp) of the Finance Act, 1994 (‘the Finance Act') since 2006. It is now proposed to impose service tax on goods transported by railways, whether in containers or otherwise.After application of this clause the Freight on all good through railway will be cost more .

(ii) Transport of,

· Coastal goods; or

· Goods through national waterway; or

· Goods through Inland water

(iii) Service in relation to Cosmetic surgery or Plastic surgery

This service proposes to cover cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery undertaken to preserve or enhance physical appearance or beauty. However, any surgery undertaken to restore or reconstruct one's anatomy or bodily functions affected due to congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, degenerative diseases, injury or trauma is outside the scope of this service.

(iv) Services in relation to Advice, Consultancy or assistance in any branch of law, provided by any business entity not being an individual

Service provided in the field of law except in case where service provider or service recipient is an individual. Thus tax would be limited to services provided by a business entity to another business entity and services provided by an individual advocate either to an individual or even to a business entity and by a corporate legal firm to an individual would be outside the purview of taxable service. Further service of appearance before any court of law or any statutory authority is also outside this levy.

Proposed clause is

“(zzzzm) to a business entity, by any other business entity, in relation to advice, consultancy or assistance in any branch of law, in any manner:

Provided that any service provided by way of appearance before any court, tribunal or authority shall not amount to taxable service.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-clause, “business entity” includes an association of persons, body of individuals, company or firm, but does not include an individual;”

The date of effect of the above new services will be Notified in the notification.(not known yet)

(B) Following amendments have been proposed in relation to existing service

• (i) The definition of stock-broker has been amended so as to exclude the sub-broker from its net. Hence, sub-broker shall not be liable to service tax anymore.

The words ‘sub-broker' has been deleted from charging provisions of the Finance Act, which defines ‘stock broker' .  This has been necessitated as in terms of the amended provisions of SEBI Rules, sub-broker has no independent role as he is not authorized to raise any bill on the clients.

• (ii) The definition of “Information Technology Software Services” has been amended to replace the word ‘acquiring’ with ‘providing’. This amendment is being given retrospective effect,

Exclusion clause in this service has been modified to provide that it would apply only if the activity results in manufacture of ‘excisable goods'. The impact of this change would be that even if a process of manufacture is undertaken for the customer, but the resultant product does not fall under the category of excisable goods, such as alcoholic beverages, service tax would be attracted.

• (iii) The definition of “Business Auxiliary Services” has been amended so as to provide that only those processes which result in the manufacture of excisable goods, are excluded from the purview of Business Auxiliary Services

Exclusion clause in this service has been modified to provide that it would apply only if the activity results in manufacture of ‘excisable goods'. The impact of this change would be that even if a process of manufacture is undertaken for the customer, but the resultant product does not fall under the category of excisable goods, such as alcoholic beverages, service tax would be attracted.

(C) The following amendments has been proposed in the rules and notifications

(1) Rule 6(3) of Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004 has been amended to prescribe that the provider of both taxable and exempted services, and who does not maintain separate books of accounts relating to inputs, shall pay an amount equal to 6% of the value of exempted services instead of 8%.

(2) Rule 3(5B) of Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004, is being amended to provide that a service provider shall pay back the amount of credit taken on inputs/capital goods fully written off.

(3) Explanation provided in the Works Contract Rules, 2007 is being modified so as to allow the benefit of optional composition only to such works contracts where the tax payer declares the entire value of goods (whether supplied under any other contract for a consideration or otherwise) and services used in the execution of works contracts as the ‘gross value charged’ for the works contracts. This restriction shall not be applicable to current works contracts where either the execution has commenced or any payment has been made on or before 07.07.2009.

23/2009 - Service Tax, dated 07-07-2009

Amends the Works Contract (Composition Scheme for Payment of Service Tax) Rules, 2007.

(D) The following other important amendments have been proposed :
Exemption Scheme
(1) To simplify the Scheme of Zero-rate export and refund of service tax paid after clearance of exportable goods from the factory, Following major changes have been proposed;

• (i) Services received by exporters from goods transport agents and commission agents, where the liability to pay service tax is ab initio on the exporter, would be exempted from service tax. Thus, there would be no need for the exporter to first pay the tax and later claim refund.

• (ii) For other services received by exporters, the exemption would be operated through the existing refund mechanism based on self-certification of the documents where such refund is below 0.25 per cent of fob (free on board) value, and certification of documents by a Chartered Accountant for value of refund exceeding the above limit.

(2) Exemption from levy of service tax on the membership and other fees colleted by Export Promotion Councils and Federation of Indian Export Organization (FIEO) till 31st March, 2010

16/2009 - Service Tax, dated 07-07-2009

Exempts the taxable service, referred to in sub-clause (zzze) of clause (105) of section 65 of the Finance Act, provided or to be provided by the certain associations, from the whole of the service tax leviable thereon under section 66 of the said Finance Act.

(3) Exemption from levy of service tax to the passenger vehicle run by private undertakings: In order to bring uniformity with the vehicles having “Stage Carriage Permit” and run by State Government, which are exempted from service tax, the vehicle having “Contact Carriage Permits” and run by private undertakings are also being exempted from service tax.

20/2009 - Service Tax, dated 07-07-2009

Exempts the taxable service referred to in sub-clause (n) of clause (105) of section 65 of the Finance Act.

Download Budget Related Notification

23/2009 - Service Tax, dated 07-07-2009

Amends the Works Contract (Composition Scheme for Payment of Service Tax) Rules, 2007.

22/2009 - Service Tax, dated 07-07-2009

Amends the Taxation of Services (Provided from outside India and Received in India) Rules, 2006.

21/2009 - Service Tax, dated 07-07-2009

Amendments in Notification No. 1/2002 – Service Tax, dated the 1st March, 2002.

20/2009 - Service Tax, dated 07-07-2009

Exempts the taxable service referred to in sub-clause (n) of clause (105) of section 65 of the Finance Act.

19/2009 - Service Tax, dated 07-07-2009

Exempts the taxable service, referred to in sub-clause (zm) or (zzk)  of clause (105) of section 65 of the Finance Act.

18/2009 - Service Tax, dated 07-07-2009

Exempts the taxable service  pertaining to sub-clause  (zzb) and (zzp) of clause (105) of section 65 of the Finance Act.

17/2009 - Service Tax, dated 07-07-2009

Supersedes notification No.41/2007- Service Tax, dated the 6th October, 2007.

16/2009 - Service Tax, dated 07-07-2009

Exempts the taxable service, referred to in sub-clause (zzze) of clause (105) of section 65 of the Finance Act, provided or to be provided by the certain associations, from the whole of the service tax leviable thereon under section 66 of the said Finance Act.

Detection of a fraud in issuing of UTS suburban tickets

Detection of a fraud in issuing of UTS suburban tickets

A team of Western Railway officials has uncovered a fraud in the issue of UTS season tickets. A modus operandi adopted by the booking clerks involved into fraud is as under,

1) A high value season ticket is generated on the UTS system but not printed on which it is supposed to be printed but printing the same on stationery after leaving two blank tickets.

2) Thereafter the first of the two tickets which have been left blank is marked as a non-issued ticket and on the second blank ticket, the non-issued ticket particulars are printed.

3) Thereafter the booking clerk generates a low value ticket and gives a printing command without really printing it on the ticket stationery.

4) In this manner the booking clerks pockets the difference of the high value ticket and the low value tickets.

5) In Railway records, the high value ticket has been made as NIT (Non-Issued Ticket) and only low value ticket is accounted for.

This being the fraud, could be detected due to the alertness exhibited by the Supervisor and the investigating team under the supervision of Shri Ajay Prakash, ACM (Mktg) at Churchgate.

The main sequence of the event is given as below,

"On 27/05/2009, information was received in UTS console that while renewing a Season Ticket on ATVM, the system was not accepting the UTS number B02R9FT0C3 bearing stock No. F19177137 for renewal of Season Ticket. The above matter was investigated in detail, wherein, finally the CRIS Engineers after verifications from Database informed that the subject ticket has been made Non-issue in the system on 26.02.2009 at 16.45 hrs. This gave a suspicion of a major fraud of high value tickets being made Non-issued in the system and subsequently mismatched ticket of the same value is issued to the passenger having mismatch numbers.

On the basis of above information, the modus-operandi of the suspect i.e Shri Rohit Kadam, ACC-Borivali was studied and a detailed data log of high value tickets issued by staff of Borivali was generated and studied thoroughly. Simultaneously a Query was generated with the help of CRIS which gave details of high value tickets made NIT and subsequently not issuing the same Season Ticket on subsequent tickets. By this process HQ team could find 11 employees having issued such type of mismatched tickets.

Further, a close watch of the functioning of such staff was through UTS Console by watching online transactions done by these staff for approximately three weeks. Meanwhile a list of such suspected tickets was generated and CRIS was asked to disable renewal through system. The list was also given to the Division there by giving instructions for collecting the mismatched Season Tickets.

On 25.05.2009 one such ticket No. F42199988 was seized by Shri Sanjay Sharma, Hd. TTE/ VR. On examination it was revealed that as per records the ticekt bearing stock number F42199988 is shown as Non-issued but actually the ticket was in possession of passenger. By this the team established the modus operandi of booking clerk and further online watch was kept on the working of Shri Devendra Shelar, Sr. ACC/ Nalla Sopara who issued the above ticket. On 26.06.2009, the employee was working on Window No. 1 at Nalla Sopara in evening shift. The employee was kept under surveillance by deploying few members of the team outside Booking office Nalla Sopara. At 19.24 the booking clerk made such transaction which was monitored online and immediately the message was passed to confiscate the ticket from the passenger. The ticket was confiscated there after the cash was tallied with DTC and an excess of Rs. 1387 was found in the Railway cash in presence of on duty Dy. SS and CBC in-charge.

Shri Rohit Kadam and Shri Devendra Shelar were called for enquiry where they have confessed to have committed this fraud. The surveillance of remaining 9 suspected staff is on and efforts are being made to collect the fraudulent mismatch ticket so that remaining 9 staff can also be taken-up.

The above operation was carried out by the team consisting of

Shri Rajesh Mathuria, DCMI/UTS, Shri Hansraj Joshi, ARS/UTS, Shri Vilas Dusane, PI/ATVM, Shri Sanjay Sharma, Hd. TTE/VR, Shri U S Mani, Sr. TTE/BA and Shri Parvez Khan, PI/ATVM under active supervision of Shri Ajay Prakash, ACM(PM)." To ensure that such frauds do not recur following steps have been initiated by Western Railway,

1) The list of suspected high value season tickets probably bearing the mismatch of stock number and computer generated ticket number has been circulated to all the Booking Offices and all the ticket checking squads to keep a close eye on such tickets.

2) Non-issue of high value ticket more than Rs. 100/- is now being done with the intervention of supervisor and they are being treated as special cancellations.

3) NIT of season tickets can only be done with supervisor ID.

4) Transaction details of the operator are to be verified by shift supervisor also personally. This way there will be two way checks, a check by the shift supervisor and verification of ROPD statement.

5) Two Booking clerks, Shri Devendra Shelar, Sr. Booking clerk at Nalla Sopara and Shri Rohit Kadam, booking clerk at Borivali have been placed under suspension.

6) Commuters are requested to tally the last four digits of the pre-printed ticket number of journey/ season ticket with four digit computer generated ticket number printed on the right hand side top corner of the ticket. If any difference is noticed in both these numbers, the same should be immediately brought to the notice of the Chief Booking Supervisor at the Booking Office or UTS console on e-mail id : wrutscentre@rediffmail.com.

7) They are also requested that in case while renewing the season tickets, Automatic Vending Machine, if the system gives the message "invalid UTS No. / please enter the correct UTS No.", the Chief Booking Supervisor at the Booking Office should be contacted.

आरपीएफ को मिलेंगी एके-47 और मशीनगन

आरपीएफ को मिलेंगी एके-47 और मशीनगन

नयी दिल्ली : ट्रेनों पर बढ़ रहे नक्सली और आतंकी हमलों को देखते हुए रेलवे बोर्ड ने अत्याधुनिक हथियार सुरक्षा उपकरण तथा वाहन आदि खरीदने के लिए 81 करोड़ रुपए स्वीकृत किए हैं. इन हथियारों और उपकरणों के आने के बाद रेलवे सुरक्षा बल (आरपीएफ) की मारक क्षमता काफी बढ़ जाएगी.

रेल मंत्रालय के एक वरिष्ठ अधिकारी के अनुसार 67 करोड़ रुपए हथियारों और उपकरणों के लिए स्वीकृत किए गए हैं. इनसे 3000 एके-47 राइफलें, एक हजार इन्सास राइफलें, 100 लाइट मशीनगन तथा सुरक्षा संबंधी अन्य उपकरण खरीदे जाएंगे, जबकि 14 करोड़ 26 लाख रुपए आरपीएफ अफसरों एवं जवानों के लिए वाहन खरीदने के लिए स्वीकृत किए गए हैं.

उक्त अधिकारी के अनुसार देश के 100 प्रमुख एवं संवेदनशील रेलवे स्टेश्नों पर बम निरोधक दस्ता तैनात करने पर भी विचार चल रहा है. इन स्टेशनों पर क्लोज सर्किट कैमरे एक्सरे मशीनें एवं अन्य आवश्यक उपकरण तो लगाए ही जाएंगे. पहले चरण में महानगरों के स्टेशनों को लिया जाएगा. दूसरे चरण में देश के अन्य प्रमुख स्टेशन लिए जाएंगे. यह 81 करोड़ रुपए की राशि उस 400 करोड़ की राशि से अलग है जो 'एकीकृत सुरक्षा प्रणाली' के लिए स्वीकृत की गई है. इस योजना के तहत वर्तमान निगरानी व्यवस्था को मजबूत किया जा रहा है. उल्लेखनीय है कि आरपीएफ में 25 हजार जवानों की भर्ती की घोषणा भी हो चुकी है.

रेलवे और टकराव

रेलवे और टकराव

ममता बनर्जी की ख्याति हठी, संघर्षशील और 'एकला चलो रे' मिजाज वाली राजनेता की है. इसीलिए खास तौर पर पश्चिम बंगाल की जनता को उनसे काफी उम्मीदें हैं और कई विश£ेषकों का मानना है कि इस लोकसभा चुनाव की सफलता को अगले विधानभा चुनाव में दोहरा कर वे राज्य में चिर-प्रतीक्षित सत्ता परिवर्तन को आकार दे सकती हैं. जाहिर है कि अगले दो साल उनके राजनीतिक भविष्य के लिए निर्णायक महत्व के हैं. इस बीच बतौर राजनेता उनसे कहीं ज्यादा संतुलन और दूरदर्शिता की अपेक्षा की जाती है. रेल मंत्री बनने के बाद ममता बनर्जी किसी न किसी रेलवे संबंधी निर्णय की वजह से लगातार चर्चा में हैं, लेकिन दुर्भाग्यवश, इनमें से कुछ ऐसे भी हैं जिनमें पिछले रेल मंत्री से खुन्नस निकालने का भाव नजर आता है. रोजाना 100 किलोमीटर तक की यात्रा करने वाले अत्यंत गरीब रेलयात्रियों के लिए 20 रुपए महीने का रेलवे पास पिछले रेल मंत्री लालू यादव की तमाम गरीब समर्थक योजनाओं की अगली कड़ी माना जा सकता है. लेकिन रेलवे की जमीन का अतिक्रमण हटाने गए अधिकारियों का ममता के निजी आदेश पर तबादला, रेलवे को मुनाफे में लाने के उपायों को वाणिज्यिक हितों से संचालित बताकर इनका संतुलन जनहितकारी योजनाओं से बिठाने की बात कहना और पूर्व रेल मंत्रियों और उनके सहायकों के लिए आजीवन पास जारी करने संबधी लालू यादव के अंतिम फैसले को पलटने का इरादा जाहिर करना यही बताता है कि ममता बनर्जी के सबक सिखाऊ एजेंडे पर सीपीएम के अलावा लालू यादव भी हैं. इसकी कई वजहें हो सकती हैं. बतौर रेल मंत्री लालू यादव के कुछ फैसले ममता बनर्जी को काफी नागवार गुजरे थे और उन पर पश्चिम बंगाल में उन्होंने बड़े आंदोलन भी किए थे. लेकिन समय बीतने के साथ पुरानी कटुताएं भुला देने की कला ममता बनर्जी अब नहीं तो आखिर कब सीखेंगी? भारतीय रेल देश का सबसे बड़ा सार्वजनिक उपक्रम है. करोड़ों लोगों, अरबों टन सामानों के यातायात के अलावा लाखों परिवारों की रोजी-रोटी भी इससे चलती है. इतने बड़े संस्थान के संचालन में अगर नए और पुराने रेलमंत्रियों के अहं का टकराव थोड़ी भी भूमिका निभाने लगा तो इससे देश का बहुत बड़ा नुकसान हो सकता है. ममता बनर्जी को यह भी समझना होगा कि उनकी सरकार पिछली यूपीए सरकार का ही जारी रूप है और जनता ने इसकी पिछली नीतियों पर सहमति की मुहर लगाकर ही इसे पहले से बड़ा जनादेश दिया है. ऐसे में उन्हें बतौर रेलमंत्री अपनी छाप पिछली सफल नीतियों का खंडन करके नहीं बल्कि उनके बेहतर क्रियान्वयन के जरिए छोडऩी चाहिए.

अब यात्रियों को मिलेगा 'यूज एंड थ्रो' लिनन

अब यात्रियों को मिलेगा 'यूज एंड थ्रो' लिनन

त्रिचुरापल्ली (तमिलनाडु) : दक्षिण रेलवे जल्दी ही यात्रियों को जैविक रूप से अपघटनीय बिस्तर उपलब्ध कराएगा. दक्षिण रेलवे के प्रमुख मैकेनिकल इंजीनियर वी. कार्मेलस ने बताया कि परीक्षण के तौर पर शुरुआत में ऐसे बिस्तर चेन्नई-मदुरै पांडियन एक्सप्रेस ट्रेन के वातानुकूलित कोच के यात्रियों को दिए जाएंगे, जो जैविक रूप से अपघटनीय और आसानी से नष्ट करने योग्य होंगे.

उन्होंने बताया कि शुरुआत में दो चादरें और एक तकिया देने की योजना है. यात्रियों से मिलने उनके अनुभवों के आधार पर योजना को दूसरी ट्रेनों में लागू किया जाएगा. प्रस्ताव के अनुसार बिस्तर एक थैले में लिपटे होंगे, जिन पर लिखा होगा, कृपया इसे घर ले जाएं अथवा नष्ट कर दें. उन्होंने बताया कि वर्तमान में आपूर्ति किए जाने वाले लगभग 20 फीसदी बिस्तर वापस नहीं मिलते. कार्मेलस ने बताया कि नई योजना से उन यात्रियों की शिकायत भी दूर हो जाएगी, जो रेलवे द्वारा दिए गए बिस्तर उपयोग नहीं करना चाहते. रेलवे को विश्वास है कि नई योजना यात्रियों के बीच लोकप्रिय होगी, हालांकि इससे रेलवे पर अतिरिक्त आर्थिक भार पड़ेगा.

सुरक्षित और प्रभावी होगी चालक प्रबंधन प्रणाली

सुरक्षित और प्रभावी होगी चालक प्रबंधन प्रणाली

नयी दिल्ली : ट्रेन के चालकों एवं गार्ड समेत चालक दल के अन्य सदस्यों के ड्यूटी कक्ष (क्रू लॉबी) को अत्याधुनिक कम्प्यूटरीकृत प्रणाली से लैस किया जा रहा है ताकि ट्रेनों का सुगम परिचालन और सुरक्षित यात्रा सुनिश्चित की जा सके. ट्रेन के चालकों और गार्डों की कार्यक्षमता में वृद्धि के लिए 300 ड्यूटी कक्षों को चालक प्रबंधन प्रणाली (सीएमएस) से लैस करने का प्रस्ताव किया गया है. रेल मंत्रालय के एक वरिष्ठ अधिकारी ने कहा कि अभी 288 ड्यूटी कक्षों के तहत 88,000 चालक दल के सदस्य आते हैं और हमें उम्मीद है कि संपूर्ण प्रक्रिया जल्द ही पूरी कर ली जाएगी.

उल्लेखनीय है कि क्रू लॉबी (ड्यूटी कक्ष) एक ऐसा स्थान है जहां चालकों को ड्यूटी का आवंटन किया जाता है तथा उनके रोस्टर के ब्यौरे और काम के घंटे को व्यवस्थित रूप से रखा जाता है.

सीएमएस से काम के घंटों के नियमन में मदद मिलेगी तथा उनकी थकान की शिकायतें दूर की जा सकेंगी. उन्होंने कहा कि चालकों की कार्यक्षमता में वृद्धि से ट्रेन परिचालन क्षमता और यात्रियों की सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित की जा सकेगी.

चालक दल को बायोमेट्रिक प्रणाली से लैस किया जा रहा है ताकि ड्यूटी पर रिपोर्ट करने में किसी प्रकार की गलती को रोका जा सके. रेल मंत्रालय के एक अन्य वरिष्ठ अधिकारी ने बताया कि इसका अर्थ यह है कि जिस चालक का नाम ड्यूटी चार्ट पर अंकित है, उसके अलावा कोई दूसरा ट्रेन नहीं चला सकेगा जैसा कि कुछ महीने पहले नई दिल्ली और कानपुर के बीच सुपरफास्ट ट्रेन के परिचालन में देखने को मिला था. उल्लेखनीय है कि चालक प्रबंधन प्रणाली (सीएमएस) को लागू करने की मंजूरी 2006 में ही दी गई थी.

IRPOF की AGM में घमासान होने के आसार

आईआरपीओएफ की एजीएम में घमासान होने के आसार

मुंबई : इंडियन रेलवे प्रमोटी ऑफीसर्स फेडरेशन (आईआरपीओएफ) की चुनावी सर्वसाधारण वार्षिक बैठक (एजीएम) म.रे. मुंबई, में 16-17 जुलाई को होने जा रही है. इस बैठक का एजेंडा, संविधान संशोधन को पारित करना और आम सभा यदि चाहे तो चुनाव करवाये जा सकते हैं, ही सिर्फ है. जैसा कि बताया गया है उसके अनुसार संविधान संशोधन पर वाराणसी बैठक सहित उसके बाद हुई विभिन्न बैठकों में इस पर बहस या चर्चा पूरी हो चुकी है इस बैठक में सिर्फ उसे पारित किया जाना है. परंतु पदाधिकारियों, खासतौर पर वर्तमान महासचिव के कार्यकाल को लेकर अत्यंत उत्तेजना फैली हुई है.

प्राप्त जानकारी के अनुसार पुराना संविधान संशोधन वर्ष 1995 में अप्रूव किया गया था जो कि अंतिम तौर पर वर्ष 1998-99 में पारित हुआ था. इस संशोधन के अनुसार फेडरेशन के पदाधिकारियों का कार्यकाल तीन टर्म या कुल 6 साल से ज्यादा नहीं होगा. पूर्व अध्यक्ष श्री एस. के. बंसल के अनुसार यह संशोधन तब पारित हुआ था, जब पूर्व महासचिव श्री के. हसन फेडरेशन के महासचिव थे. उस समय इसे दो टर्म यानी 4 साल के लिए प्रस्तावित किया गया था, जिसे श्री हसन के सुझाव पर तीन टर्म किया गया था. श्री बंसल ने बताया कि इस संशोधन से श्री हसन का कार्यकाल प्रभावित नहीं हुआ था. क्योंकि इसके पारित होने के दूसरे टर्म में ही श्री हसन सेवानिवृत्त हो गए थे. श्री बंसल के अनुसार तत्पश्चात के तीन टर्म बाद यह संशोधन लागू होता है.

इस संबंध में श्री हसन ने भी श्री बंसल की बात का समर्थन करते हुए कहा कि संविधान संशोधन तो तुरंत प्रभाव से लागू हो गया था, परंतु जब यह संशोधन पारित हुआ था, तब के बाद से उनके सिर्फ दो कार्यकाल ही हुए थे और वह रिटायर हो गए थे. संविधान लागू न होने के प्रति तो कोई आशंका ही नहीं है. श्री हसन वर्तमान महासचिव के पूर्व पदाधिकारियों के प्रति नजरिये से काफी आहत थे. उनका कहना था कि बुजुर्गों और फेडरेशन के पूर्व सम्मानित पदाधिकारियों के योगदान को कभी कोई नकार नहीं सकता. परंतु वर्तमान पदाधिकारियों और खास तौर पर महासचिव के बर्ताव से सभी पूर्व पदाधिकारी आहत महसूस कर रहे हैं.

इस संबंध में फेडरेशन के वर्तमान महासचिव श्री जितेंद्र सिंह का कहना है कि इस तथाकथित संविधान संशोधन को कुछ गिने-चुने लोग सिर्फ उन्हें ध्यान में रखकर उठा रहे हैं, जबकि इसकी कोई प्रामाणिकता (वैलीडिटी) नहीं है, क्योंकि इस पर किसी भी पदाधिकारी के हस्ताक्षर नहीं हैं. उन्होंने बताया कि यह संशोधन तुरंत प्रभाव से लागू माने जाने की बात की जा रही है तो फिर इसके अनुसार हसन साहब भी वर्ष 1998-99 में आगे के लिए पदाधिकारी (महासचिव) नहीं बन सकते थे क्योंकि तब तक उनके 10-11 साल लगातार इस पद पर हो चुके थे.

उन्होंने बताया कि वर्ष 1998-99 में हुए इस संशोधन की कोई सूचना रे.बो. को तत्काल नहीं दी गई थी. उन्होंने कहा कि बोर्ड को इसकी जानकारी वर्ष 2003 में हसन साहब ने अपने रिटायरमेंट से कुछ समय पहले दी थी. उनका कहना था कि फेडरेशन के संविधान में कई विसंगतियां हैं, जो कि वास्तव में कानून सम्मत नहीं हैं. उन्होंने बताया कि अब इस पर कानूनी विशेषज्ञों से सलाह-मशवरा करके पर्याप्त सुधार किया जा रहा है, जिससे न सिर्फ पिछली सारी विसंगतियां समाप्त हो जाएंगी बल्कि भविष्य के लिए कोई गलतफहमी भी नहीं रह जाएगी.

श्री जितेंद्र सिंह का कहना था कि रेलवे के अन्य किसी भी फेडरेशन में ऐसा कोई प्रतिबंध लागू नहीं है. उनका मानना है कि हसन साहब बेहतर ढंग से फेडरेशन का काम इसलिए कर सके थे क्योंकि वह लगातार 14 साल तक फेडरेशन के महासचिव पद पर रहे थे और इसी वजह से उनके गहरे संबंध और अच्छी समझबूझ बोर्ड के साथ बन पाई थी. उनका कहना था कि उन्हें चुनाव करवाने से कोई ऐतराज नहीं है. उन्होंने तो इस बैठक में भी यह निर्णय आम सभा पर डाला है. यही एजेंडा भी है. तो उनकी कार्यप्रणाली में विसंगति कहां है? ऐसा उनका सवाल है.

उन्होंने कहा कि प्रमोटी ऑफीसर्स फेडरेशन कोई ट्रेड यूनियन नहीं है. यह एक वेलफेयर आर्गेनाइजेशन है और इसकी मान्यता रेलवे बोर्ड पर निर्भर करती है. इसलिए इसका जो भी संविधान हो वह इसी के अनुरूप होना चाहिए. वह सिर्फ यही प्रयास कर रहे हैं. उन्होंने बताया कि इस संशोधन पर गठित एस.पी. सिंह समिति ने अपनी सिफारिश में इसे रद्द करने का सुझाव दिया था. उनका कहना था कि वह सिर्फ समिति की सिफारिश पर अमल करने जा रहे हैं, क्योंकि यह समिति सिर्फ उनके प्रस्ताव पर नहीं बनी थी.

उन्होंने बताया कि इस बार के संविधान संशोधन में फेडरेशन के कुल पदाधिकारी तो उतने ही रहेंगे मगर उपाध्यक्ष के पद समाप्त करके और संयुक्त सचिव के कुछ पद कम करके संगठन सचिवों के पद बढ़ाए जा रहे हैं, जिससे सभी रेलों को फेडरेशन में प्रतिनिधित्व दिया जा सकेगा. उनके अनुसार अब अध्यक्ष, कार्याध्यक्ष, महासचिव, वित्त सचिव और कार्यालय सचिव के एक-एक पद तथा संयुक्त सचिव के दो पद एवं संगठन सचिव के 17 पद होंगे. उन्होंने कहा कि सात नई रेलें बनाने के बाद बोर्ड ने डेलीगेट्स की संख्या प्रत्येक जोन से 5 से घटाकर 4 कर दी है. कुछ लोग इसका भी विरोध कर रहे हैं, जबकि उनका मानना है कि बोर्ड का निर्णय उचित है और एक डेलीगेट कम करने के बावजूद हमारे कुल डेलीगेट की संख्या तब भी बढ़ जाती है. उन्होंने बताया कि पहले 9 रेलों से 5 के हिसाब से कुल 45 डेलीगेट्स होते थे जो कि अब 4 के हिसाब से 64 हो रहे हैं. उनका कहना था कि बोर्ड तो यह संख्या 5 से घटाकर ध करने जा रहा था. यदि यह भी होता तब भी हमारे डेलीगेट्स की संख्या पहले की अपेक्षा 3 ज्यादा होती थी, मगर हमारे अनुरोध पर बोर्ड ने 3 के बजाय 4 डेलीगेट्स प्रति रेल मान लिया जबकि उत्पादन इकाइयों के डेलीगेट्स की संख्या में बोर्ड ने कोई कटौती नहीं की है. उनका साफ कहना था कि बोर्ड से किसी प्रकार का पंगा लेकर फेडरेशन का काम नहीं चल सकता. इस बात को फेडरेशन के सभी सदस्यों को ध्यान में रखना चाहिए.

उन्होंने बताया कि इस बार यह भी व्यवस्था की जा रही है कि एक विशेषाधिकार समिति (अपील कमेटी) बनाई जाएगी, जो कि किसी मत वैभिन्नता पर अपनी राय देगी. इसे स्पष्ट करते हुए उन्होंने आगे कहा कि जो भी सदस्य कार्यकारिणी अथवा आम सभा के निर्णयों से असहमत होगा, उसे सर्वप्रथम इस कमेटी में अपील करनी होगी. इसके निर्णय के बाद ही उक्त सदस्य कोर्ट में जाने अथवा अन्य कोई कानूनी कार्रवाई करने के लिए स्वतंत्र होगा. उनका कहना था कि पहले कमेटी के पास अपील किए बिना अन्य कोई भी कार्रवाई गैरकाूननी मानी जाएगी.

श्री सिंह का कहना था कि सभी रेलों को एजीएम का एजेंडा और संबंधित संविधान परिवर्तन प्रस्ताव पहले ही भेजे जा चुके हैं, जिन्हें नहीं मिले हैं, इसकी शिकायत मिलने पर उन्हें कूरियर से पुन: भेजे गए हैं. इसके अलावा ई-मेल भी किया गया है. उन्होंने बताया कि इस एजीएम में हम अपने सभी पूर्व पदाधिकारियों को बुलाने जा रहे हैं. इसके लिए हम उन्हें बकायदा पत्र लिख रहे हैं.

उन्होंने कहा कि टर्म संबंधी प्रस्ताव पर वाराणसी बैठक और उसके बाद की बैठकों में पर्याप्त चर्चाएं हो चुकी हैं. इसी बैठक में श्री शशिरंजन, वित्त सचिव, ने यह सुझाव दिया था कि संशोधन पत्र पर अध्यक्ष और महासचिव के हस्ताक्षर होने चाहिए. यदि यह हस्ताक्षर नहीं हैं तो वह संशोधन मान्य या लागू नहीं माना जा सकता है. इस लिए आगे ऐसी व्यवस्था की भी गई है.

उन्होंने कहा कि संविधान में यह कहीं नहीं लिखा है कि 1998-99 में हुआ संशोधन कब से लागू होगा या लागू माना जाएगा. तो जब यह उस समय लागू नहीं माना गया था तो अब क्यों इस पर बहस की जा रही है? यदि इसे तुरंत प्रभाव से लागू होने की बात कही जा रही है तो फिर हसन साहब को बाद में भी पद पर क्यों बनाये रखा गया था और इसकी जानकारी 4-5 साल बाद बोर्ड को क्यों दी गई थी? उनका कहना था कि यह कुछ लोग हैं जो उक्त तथाकथित संशोधन की बात उठाकर सिर्फ उन्हें टारगेट करना चाहते हैं. क्योंकि एक रेलवे विशेष के यह सिर्फ कुछ लोग हैं जो सिर्फ उनसे नाराज हैं, बाकी किसी रेलवे से विरोध की कोई बात नहीं है, क्योंकि सब इस परिवर्तन पर पूर्व बैठकों में शामिल रहे हैं और जो भी निर्णय लिया गया है, उसमें सबकी सहभागिता और सर्वानुमति रही है.

हो गया 62 साल का निर्णय?

हो गया 62 साल का निर्णय?

नयी दिल्ली : केंद्र सरकार ने केंद्रीय सरकारी कर्मचारियों की सेवानिवृत्ति आयु 62 साल करने का निर्णय कर लिया है. यह जानकारी पीएमओ के विश्वसनीय सूत्रों ने दी है. सूत्रों का कहना है कि इसका निर्णय लगभग फाइनल हो चुका है, परंतु इसकी घोषणा अगस्त के अंतिम सप्ताह या सितंबर में की जाएगी. परंतु सूत्रों का यह भी कहना है कि जब देश पर किसी प्रकार का कोई गंभीर आर्थिक संकट नहीं है तब सरकार के इस निर्णय से सिर्फ उच्च नौकरशाही को ही फायदा मिलेगा, जबकि सरकार के इस निर्णय से देश के करीब 35 करोड़ बेरोजगार युवाओं को भारी निराशा हो सकती है.

It's official: Railway surplus is Rs 8,361 cr and not Lalu's claim of Rs 90,000 cr

It's official: Railway surplus is Rs 8,361 cr and not Lalu's claim of Rs 90,000 cr - India - The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Mamata Banerjee on Thursday rubbed in the fact that railway surplus stood at Rs 8,361 crore as against her predecessor Lalu Prasad's claim of Rs 90,000 crore as the tiff between the current and previous occupant of Rail Bhavan simmered as Lok Sabha passed the budget on Thursday.

our comments:

Railways numbers dance to their tunes always.
there is no guarantee for any of their words.

She also took note of populist pitches over railway exams leading to anger against "outsiders" from time to time and promised a review of Railway Recruitment Board procedures, with a possible 50% quota for locals. She backed "regional aspirations", suggesting exams could be held in regional languages.
A combative railway minister rubbished the criticism of `Duronto' (high speed) and `world class stations' as lip service, saying that two of the new non-stop trains would begin within a month while double-decker trains would materialise in a year.
Banerjee asserted that she would ensure that budget commitments were fulfilled in the budget year. In Rajya Sabha, she was categorical about not privatising railways nor uprooting illegal occupants of railway land. "Why were they not stopped when they occupied the land," she asked.
Without naming CPM, but making a political point, Mamata said she had no intention of evicting people. Her unabashed populism in giving up claim to encroached land -- which is government property -- was of a piece with more concessions on tickets to police medal awardees and cultural artistes.
In her typical manner, she pointed out that she could not satisfy all demands as there was a shortage of coaches and rakes. Dwelling on the economic slowdown, she said, "In the good times there is money, in the bad times it is not there."
In Rajya Sabha she said, "Let agriculture and industry smile" as CPM leaders Sitaram Yechury and Brinda Karat sat through quietly. After an exhaustive debate, marked by BJP's focus on Banerjee stepping into non-core sectors and JD(U)'s spotlight on `white paper' to "expose" Lalu Prasad, a confident Mamata said she was not targetting any former minister but only stating the factual position that railways was left with only Rs 8,361 crore after paying the pay commission burden and dividend to finance ministry. She was quick to point to an anxious RJD chief to say, "Laluji I did not speak against you."
Conveying that she intended to bring in focussed improvement on all fronts, Banerjee announced that monitoring committees headed by Member (traffic) of Railway Board would look after improvement of services like punctuality, amenities and safety.
Banerjee said the department will carry out catering in Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains and no outsourcing would be allowed.
She included several more stations in the list of those to be developed as model and world class ones, responding to demands by MPs from all parties who criticised her for focussing on West Bengal.
Banerjee announced setting up of an expert panel, headed by FICCI secretary general Amit Mitra to prepare a business plan for toning up the railways. It will have representatives of chambers besides member (traffic) and member (engineering).
Banerjee referred to sale of burgers at many stations, which poor people cannot afford and said that `janta khana' would be served by railways.
Making a strong case for public private partnership, Mamata said it was the only way out. She said global tenders would be floated for development of select stations as world class. She said funds available with railways were not enough as they would be used to improve amenities.
On criticism by BJP on her decision on optic fibre cabling, Banerjee said she had initiated the project while she was minister in the NDA government. "You did not oppose it then," she said.

Garib Rath likely to be renamed

The Times of India

Garib Rath likely to be renamed

PATNA: Will former railway minister Lalu Prasad's dream train, Garib Rath, be rechristened? If sources are to be believed, senior railway
officials are holding parleys with railway minister Mamata Banerjee in this connection. The Railway Board will take any decision about it only after getting go ahead from her.
Mamata's silence over the issue of running more Garib Raths, as announced earlier by Lalu, seems to have dropped enough hint that she was not going to announce any more Garib Rath on different routes. Lalu had promised to run Garib Rath on Sitamarhi-Delhi and Darbhanga-Jammu Tawi routes to cater to the needs of the common passengers from Bihar.
A board official, however, denied any such move right now. He said the Garib Rath has cent per cent occupancy rate yielding impressive revenue to the railways.
According to sources, the fully air conditioned Garib Rath, which was introduced on different routes under East Central Railway (ECR), has been generating a record earning for the railways. It was first introduced on the Saharsa-Amritsar route on October 4, 2006, followed by its run on Patna-Delhi, Patna-Kolkata, Jainagar-Delhi via Patna and Bapudham Motihari-Varanasi. However, contrary to its nomenclature, it was mostly elite passengers who benefited from the Garib Rath, sources said.
The Garib Rath, which was introduced with definite objectives, has the capacity to earn about Rs 10 to 14 lakh on each single journey, particularly on the Patna-Delhi route. Lalu, accordingly, introduced more Garib Rath trains on the Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Chennai, Delhi-Ahmedabad and many other routes.
During his tenure, about 20 odd Garib Rath trains were introduced across the country, sources said.
A journey by this train from Patna to Delhi costs about Rs 578 in AC-3 to a passenger as against Rs 900 by other trains. But, how many poor people (garibs) are travelling by Garib Rath, asked a passenger. He claimed that the Jansadhran Express, which was introduced by Nitish Kumar as the railway minister, is popular among poor passengers.

Mamata: 1.7 lakh vacancies in railways will be filled soon

1.7 lakh vacancies in railways, says Mamata

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways has over 1.7 lakh vacancies which will be filled after the current recruitment process is reviewed, Railway Minister
Mamata Banerjee informed the Rajya Sabha.
Replying to questions, she said the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) is being reviewed. "We have to examine (the recruitment process) and address lacunae. We will come back once we have done the review."
She said there were issues of regional aspirations and problems in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Guwahati over RRB exams. "We are reviewing the entire process."
Of the total sanctioned strength of 15,66,964 employees, there were 1,72,444 vacancies, she said. Most of the vacancies were in Group 'C' at 1,12,566, followed by Group 'D' at 58,329. There are 1,549 vacancies in A and B, she said.
"Any large organisation like the Railways will have certain vacancies at any point of time. Arising of and filling up of vacancies is a continuous process," she said. "Vacancies arise due to normal retirement, voluntary retirements, deaths, promotions or creation of posts. Vacancies are filled primarily through open market recruitment and promotions."
To a separate question, she said there was a backlog of 1,814 vacancies of SCs in Group 'C' service of the Railways and 1,688 for STs. There is no backlog of vacancies of SC and ST in recruitment for Group A and B.

Mamata: 1.7 lakh vacancies in railways will be filled soon

1.7 lakh vacancies in railways, says Mamata

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways has over 1.7 lakh vacancies which will be filled after the current recruitment process is reviewed, Railway Minister
Mamata Banerjee informed the Rajya Sabha.
Replying to questions, she said the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) is being reviewed. "We have to examine (the recruitment process) and address lacunae. We will come back once we have done the review."
She said there were issues of regional aspirations and problems in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Guwahati over RRB exams. "We are reviewing the entire process."
Of the total sanctioned strength of 15,66,964 employees, there were 1,72,444 vacancies, she said. Most of the vacancies were in Group 'C' at 1,12,566, followed by Group 'D' at 58,329. There are 1,549 vacancies in A and B, she said.
"Any large organisation like the Railways will have certain vacancies at any point of time. Arising of and filling up of vacancies is a continuous process," she said. "Vacancies arise due to normal retirement, voluntary retirements, deaths, promotions or creation of posts. Vacancies are filled primarily through open market recruitment and promotions."
To a separate question, she said there was a backlog of 1,814 vacancies of SCs in Group 'C' service of the Railways and 1,688 for STs. There is no backlog of vacancies of SC and ST in recruitment for Group A and B.

Bengal softens stand on land for railway projects

Bengal softens stand on land for railway projects

The Left Front government in West Bengal will go extra miles to make land available for new railway projects in the state. Abdur Rezzak Molla, the minister in charge of land and land reforms, said in the state Assembly today that if the railways sought land for the projects the government would ‘organise’ the same on a priority basis.
It is significant that Molla has avoided using the term ‘acquisition’, and instead said the government would ‘organise’ land. Partha Chatterjee, the Opposition leader in the House, welcomed the announcement made by Rezzak Molla.
Later, Molla hinted that if needed the government might go for outright purchase of land for railway and other development projects.
In the recent Railway Budget, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee announced many new projects for West Bengal. Though she had claimed that the railways would not acquire land from the farmers and that most of the projects would be carried out using the surplus railway land, the railways might need some additional land. More importantly, the additional land will be needed for the freight corridor, which would be extended up to Dankuni from Bihar, and the proposed 1,000 Mw thermal power project in Purulia.
By offering an olive branch on making land available for the proposed projects, the Left Front government also wanted to show that it would not be outmanoeuvred by Banerjee on the issue of the state’s development.
After burning its fingers in Singur and Nandigram, the state government is now averse to any move which involves acquisition of farmland. Replying to the debate on his department’s budget, Molla today assured that while his department was responsible for creating a land bank for the future investment in the state, he would take no steps which hurt farmers’ interests.
The Department of Land and Land Reforms has already taken up the task of creating a land bank for possible use by the investors in setting up new industry there. For that a satellite mapping process has been started in 72 blocks consisting of districts like West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura, and part of Burdwan and Birbhum.
Unlike wetlands of Singur and Nandigram, which usually have multi-crop farming, this time the government is trying to identify land for industry in relatively arid zones. The minister said priority would be given to fallow land, and if necessary single crop land. But the government would surely take farmers’ consent before going for land procurement.
The investors, who would like to set up industry in the state, will be offered to buy land from this land bank. The mechanism of buying land from the state will be administered through the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation.
With an oblique reference to how Tatas were offered land in Singur for their Nano car unit, Molla cautioned that no investor would have the freedom to demand land in highly congested and fertile areas.

A woman member is to be included in further selection boards

A woman member is to be included in further selection boards

NEW DELHI - Union Government has made it mandatory to include at least one-woman member in the panel of selection boards and committees during the recruitment process.
In a circular issued by the Department of Personnel (DoPT) asked all Ministries, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and Service Selection Commission (SSC) to ensure that a woman member is in the selection committees and boards.
Earlier, the Union Government had issued guidelines for committees and boards concerned with selection of Group-C and D posts but the new circular is applicable to all posts.
The DoPT has asked all the departments to submit a consolidated report on total number of posts and employees group wise and gender wise as on March 31, so that it can monitor the trend in recruitment of women.
The circular also made it clear that in future, all departments must furnish consolidated annual position by May 31 of the same year.
A wide publicity should be given to all appointments in government and advertisements should be issued in the languages spoken by large number of people of states and union territories apart from Hindi and English, the circular said. (ANI)