HOLDING OF NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL (JCM) (STAFF SIDE).
UPU News : FORUM ON THE INTERNET OF POSTAL THINGS
The development of the Internet of Things — sensor technologies that enable physical objects to collect and communicate data via the Internet in real-time — is the latest in a series of technology revolutions that have the potential to radically change how postal organizations drive innovation, efficiencies and customer satisfaction.
By 2020, there could be as many as 80 billion internet-connected devices continuously collecting and communicating data helping organizations increase productivity, cut costs and develop new products. Postal operators, with their unparalleled physical presence and interconnected global network, are ideally positioned to benefit from the opportunities offered by the Internet of Things. In the future, the possibility of equipping the postal infrastructure with low-cost sensors – The Internet of Postal Things – will exponentially expand the capability of postal operators to collect valuable data able to improve operational, business, and strategic decision-making. During this forum, experts, postal organizations and industry representatives will define the Internet of Things and discuss what opportunities it presents for global postal operators.
Observance of Vigilance Awareness Week from October 27 to November 01, 2014
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
27-October-2014
Observance of Vigilance Awareness Week from October 27 to November 01, 2014
This year’s theme is ‘Combating Corruption – Technology as an enabler’
This year’s theme is ‘Combating Corruption – Technology as an enabler’
The Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed this year from October 27, 2014 to November 01, 2014 and this year’s theme is “Combating Corruption – Technology as an enabler”. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) as the apex integrity institution of the country has been thriving to promote transparency, probity and integrity in public life. One of the outreach measures to promote these values in various Central Government offices and public sector undertakings is the observance of Vigilance Awareness Week every year wherein all the stakeholders are encouraged to fight corruption. The CVC believes that efficiency and objectivity in governance hold the key to eradication of corruption from public life and for this purpose it has to be ensured that transparent and fool proof systems and procedures are put in place which provide for appropriate accountability at every level of hierarchy in public administration.
Leveraging of technology in functioning of the Government and its organisations can address the challenges of corruption to a large extent. The adoption of technology initiatives can mitigate various factors which lead to corruption like lack of transparency, cumbersome procedures and delays in decision making. By re-engineering government processes, limiting discretion and enhancing accountability, departments / organisations can effectively bring about transparency and efficiency in the service delivery system which effects ordinary citizen the most. By using information technology, the process can become faster and to that extent, the scope of corruption can be reduced. The Commission has therefore, been advocating leveraging of technology by organisations to combat corruption.
On the occasion of Vigilance Awareness Week the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee in his message observed - “Corruption is a complex problem that needs multi-faceted action. One of them is the use of technology that can help promote, openness and transparency. Use of modern technologies can play an important role in eliminating human interface in service delivery systems. It is the collective responsibility of citizens as well as government departments to adopt technology initiatives in combating corruption to maximize benefits”.
The Vice-President of India, Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari in his message noted “Eradication of corruption from our society is not only a legal obligation but also a moral duty of every Indian. Towards attainment of this goal, observance of Vigilance Awareness Week plays an important role in promoting integrity through greater efficiency, transparency and accountability in government”.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in his message on the occasion conveyed “It is needless to point out that integrity of public servants and transparency in public offices is utmost necessary in making transparent and efficient administration free of corruption. I appreciate the CVC’s outreach initiatives and endeavours to combat corruption with optimum use of technology. I call all government employees for making Vigilance Awareness Week a success and congratulate CVC on this occasion”.
Vigilance Awareness Week commenced in the CVC and all Ministries / Departments of the Central Govt., public sector undertakings, public sector banks, insurance companies, autonomous bodies and local authorities across the country today with a pledge by officers and employees at 1100 hrs. All officers and employees of the Government affirmed that they shall continuously strive to bring about integrity and transparency in all spheres of activities, work unstintingly for eradication of corruption, remain vigilant and work towards the growth and reputation of the organisation, and do their duty conscientiously and act without fear or favour.
Ministries / Departments / PSUs / Banks / and other Organisations would be conducting various outreach activities involving all stake holders during the week through seminars, workshops and lectures by prominent persons. In the schools and colleges across the country, debates, lectures, quiz competitions and such other activities for creation of awareness on corruption as well as anti-corruption measures to fight corruption are being organised during the week.
Government employees to take pledge on Patel's birth anniversary
New Delhi, Oct 24 : Employees of government offices, public sector undertakings and other institutions will pledge to maintain the unity and integrity of the country Oct 31, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel which is being observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day).
The pledge will also be administered in schools and colleges. The Central Board of Secondary Education has issued a notice asking schools to administer the pledge.
An official statement said the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas will "provide an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of our country".
All the ministries and departments of the central, state governments and union territories have been requested to organise appropriate programmes on the occasion in a befitting manner, including the pledge-taking ceremony, it said.
A 'Run for Unity' involving people from all sections of the society, a march past in the evening by police, the Central Armed Police Forces and other organisations like the National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme, Scouts and Guides, and Home Guards will also be held.
The CBSE has appointed 250 centre coordinators in schools across India to organise the event.
In each centre, 400-500 students from the neighbourhood schools will come together on Oct 31 for other mass activities.
"In every centre the activities will focus on collectively making posters, jingles, paintings, collage, team debates, etc. on such topics which will involve joint planning and completion. Centre coordinators may also organise indigenous team games," a CBSE notice said.
"Activities will also involve collaborative effort to convey the message of importance of unity in sustaining any work such as keeping public places clean," it added.
Labour Minister Sh Narendra Singh Tomar calls for ‘balanced approach’ towards labourers
The Union Minister of Labour & Employment, Steel and Mines, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar called upon industry and trade unions to strike a balance in dealing with labour issues. Chairing a tripartite consultation meeting on Amendment to the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 here today, he said that there is a need to maintain a balanced approach towards the welfare of labourers.
Shri Tomar said that the Government is committed to protect the interests of labourers so that they remain at the heart of country’s growth story. In his address, the Minister said, “We want to increase the purchasing power of the labourer. When production from industrial units increase, the purchasing power of the labourer also increases”.
The Minister informed that eligibility limit and calculation ceiling under Sections 2(13) and 12 of the Act, were last revised from Rs. 3500/- to Rs. 10000/- p.m. and Rs 2500/- to Rs. 3500/- respectively in the year 2007 and made effective w.e.f 1.4.2006. He said, “I am aware that a long time has passed since then and these ceilings have lost their relevance presently”.
Shri Tomar said that the present system of two wage ceiling for reckoning entitlement should be suitably enhanced from time to time. In view of changing scenario and price rise, the Minister asked the participants to deliberate upon the Ministry’s proposal to amend the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, by enhancing the eligibility ceiling under section 2(13) of the Act form Rs. 10,000/- per month to Rs. 18,000/- per month and calculation ceiling under section 12 from Rs. 3500/- per month to Rs. 6000/- per month. He said that this was recommended by the Standing Committee on Labour in its 46th Session held on 31st January 2014.
The Payment of Bonus Act was enacted in the year 1965 (25th September, 1965) to provide for the payment of bonus to persons engaged in certain establishments on the basis of profits or on the basis of production and for matters connected therewith. The Act is applicable to whole of India.
The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 provides for payment of bonus to the employees of ‘factories’ and ‘establishments’ employing 20 or more persons, excluding some categories of employees in Life Insurance Corporation, Seamen, Dock Workers, University employees, as per section 8 of the Act, every employee shall be entitled to be paid by his employer in accounting year, bonus, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, provided he has worked in establishment for not less than thirty working days in that year.
Present on the occasion were Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Smt. Gauri Kumar, senior officials of various central ministries, representatives of the State Governments, SCOPE, Industries and central trade unions.
