Stamps as RTI Fee

The Government has constituted a committee consisting of representatives of Department of Personnel & Training, Central Information Commission, Department of Posts and Office of Controller of Accounts (Department of Personnel & Training) to examine whether postal stamps can be used for payment of RTI fees under the Right to Information Act, 2005. The Committee has given its report on 24.02.2015. The Committee has observed that the use of postage stamps as mode of payment for RTI fee/costs is neither legally feasible nor feasible from the accounting point of view. Moreover, it would not be in line with the Government initiatives towards Digital India. Hence, the Committee has recommended that postage stamps may not be used as mode of payment for RTI fee/costs. The report of the Committee has been accepted by the competent authority.

The Central Government has already launched RTI Online portal for online filing of RTI applications, including online payment of RTI fee/costs. Moreover, the facility of eIPO (electronic India Postal Order) has been launched for purchase of IPOs electronically by online payment.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in Prime Minister’s office Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Shri Dhananjay Mahadik, Shri Satav Rajeev, Dr. Heena Vijaykumar Gavit and Shri Mohite Patil Vijayasinh Shankarrao in the Lok Sabha today

source-Lok Sabha

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Age limit for pension under EPS 95

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1532

ANSWERED ON-11.03.2015

Age limit for pension under EPS 95

1532 . Dr. K.P. Ramalingam

(a)whether it is a fact that as per the valuer appointed by the Employees” Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), the net liability or deficit was Rs. 10,855 crore as on March 31, 2012, Rs. 6712.96 crores as on March 31, 2013 and Rs. 7832.74 crores as on March 31, 2014;

(b)whether it is also a fact that raising the age limit for pension under EPS 95 would reduce the deficit in pension fund and increase the pension benefits for members;

(c)whether it is also a fact that increasing the age limit would reduce the shortfall in the pension fund to the extent of Rs. 27,067 crore; and

(d)if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE(IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

(SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b) to (d): The reduction in deficit of the pension fund to the extent of Rs.27,067 crore on account of increase in age limit for pension under Employees’ Pension Fund, 1995 was estimated by the Actuary for the Expert Committee on Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 which was appointed by the Government in 2009. The estimation of the reduction in deficit by the Actuary, which was done in 2010, was based on data and conditions existing as on that date.

If the member continues to contribute during the period of enhanced age limit, the pension amount would increase proportionately.

source-RAJYA SABHA

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PM’s Statement to the media in Mauritius

Prime Minister Sir Aneerood Jugnauth, members of the media

I sincerely thank you for your warm welcome and the extraordinary hospitality. 

I am very grateful to you and the people of Mauritius for invitation as the Chief Guest of the National Day tomorrow. 

It is an honour for the 1.25 billion people of India. They deeply value this relationship. 

It flows from the depth of our hearts; and, from the deepest bonds of kinship. 

We always stand in solidarity and support for each other. It comes naturally to us from our friendship, our shared values, and our common regional and global interests. 

We are partners in our economic progress. 

We have built a relationship of matchless strength and character. 

It is no surprise that Prime Minister and I had an excellent meeting. The outcomes and decisions today are truly significant. 

We discussed our shared interests in a safe and secure Indian Ocean and a stable and prosperous Indian Ocean Region. We value the leadership by Mauritius in this area. 

Today, I was pleased to offer a concessional line of credit of 500 million U.S. dollars for civil infrastructure projects for Mauritius. 

We also intend to quickly build the petroleum storage and bunkering facility in Mauritius. This will not only benefit Mauritius, but also reinforce its role as a regional hub. 

A decade ago, India helped build the first cyber city in Mauritius. Its remarkable success reflects the strategic foresight of Mauritius in diversifying its economy. Today, we have offered support for construction of the second cyber city. 

Our agreement today on the development of Agalega Island is a major stride in our cooperation in infrastructure sector. It demonstrates the depth of our mutual confidence. 

Mauritius has shown great vision in the development of its Ocean Economy. 

Our agreement on cooperation in the Ocean Economy is an important step in our scientific and economic partnership. 

This will improve our understanding of marine ecology. 

It will help us to develop new areas of ocean economy and, at the same time, follow more sustainable practices in using our blue assets. 

Over the past few years, we have discussed revision of our Double Taxation Avoidance Convention. This is based on our shared objective of preventing abuse of the Convention, while enabling Mauritius to benefit fully from this arrangement. We have agreed to continue this discussion. 

However, I have assured Prime Minister that we will do nothing to harm this critical sector of one of our strongest strategic partners in the world. 

I also conveyed our deep appreciation for the support and cooperation offered by Mauritius on information exchange on taxation. 

We should resume our discussions on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. 

Prime Minister and I consider our security cooperation to be a cornerstone of our strategic partnership. 

This is not only because of our responsibility to each other, but also because of our shared vision for our maritime neighbourhood. 

I reiterated India's commitment to cooperate with Mauritius in its efforts to secure its vast Exclusive Economic Zone. 

We are also honoured to be the preferred partner for Mauritius in developing its security capabilities. Tomorrow, we will commission Barracuda into the service of the Coast Guard of Mauritius. 

I assured Prime Minister of timely support in all areas, including delivery of other ships and equipment that Mauritius has ordered from India. 

We agreed that broader regional cooperation will enhance peace and prosperity in our maritime region. 

In this context, I thanked Prime Minister for the leadership shown by Mauritius in the Indian Ocean Rim Association and for hosting its Secretariat. 

We are grateful for the support Mauritius has always given us in international forums. It gives India strength to speak on issues of common interests. 

The adoption of June 21 as International Day of Yoga by the United Nations General Assembly by record sponsorship in record time is a tribute to our shared heritage. 

We had strong meeting of minds on climate change. We are both committed to strong national action. We will also strengthen our bilateral cooperation and global partnership on addressing its challenges. 

People-to-people contacts constitute the very foundation of our relationship. 

We will continue to nurture it with highest level of priority. For Mauritius, we have decided to waive the fee or the Electronic Travel Authorisation. 

We have also decided to launch a multi-disciplinary youth forum. This will connect our youth more; and, it will sow the seeds of strong partnerships in the future. 

I am really grateful to Prime Minister Sir Jugnauth and his team for very productive and substantive meeting. 

I am excited about the National Day celebrations, the privilege of speaking to the National Assembly and other very special events tomorrow. 

To me, more than anything else, they reflect the richness of our relationship. 

Once again, thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. 

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The Auction of Spectrum in 2015 in 2100 MHz, 1800 MHz, 900 MHz And 800 MHz Bands Continues

 The Auction of Spectrum in 2100 MHz, 1800 MHz, 900 MHz and 800 MHz Bands re- commenced today at 09.00 A.M. and today 6 rounds of bidding were completed. Till now, 43 rounds of bidding has taken place.

          The bidding is taking place in all bands. Brisk bidding was seen on 7th day of bidding, with activity requirement set at 100%. There is aggressive bidding going on in 1800 MHz, 900 MHz and 800 MHz bands. At present, over 84% of the spectrum has been provisionally allocated to bidders at a value of approximately Rs. 96,000 crores. Majority of service areas are going at a premium over reserve price. The competitive bidding is expected to continue. There is still spectrum, which is yet to be sold. Bidding would recommence tomorrow i.e. 12-03-2015 at 9AM.

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CCTNS project to make landmark change to Internal Security scenario in the country: Kiren Rijiju

The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju has said the ongoing Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) project when completed will mark a revolutionary change to manage and monitor the Internal Security situation in the country. Addressing the 30th Raising Day function of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) here today, Shri Rijiju said it will see the dawn of new age projects including the e-courts, e-prisons and e-hospitals. He said the CCTNS project was conceived by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs as part of Police Modernization programme under the National e-Governance project. The CCTNS software application is being developed in consultation with various stakeholders particularly the States and UTs which can also make need-based alterations according to local requirements. 

Lauding the NCRB, Shri Rijiju said that despite acute staff crunch, the NCRB has contributed effectively and the information they provide acts as backbone of all law and order related departments. He said the world is becoming increasingly complicated by the day and the role of NCRB is going to be crucial in the scenario of security challenges to come. 

While giving welcome address, the Director General of NCRB, Shri R.R. Verma said under the CCTNS project police stations have already started generating online FIRs and a database of crime records and criminals is being prepared that will enable tracking of criminals anywhere at the press of a button. 

About 58 percent of Police Stations across the country are presently generating FIR through the CCTNS system. As on February 20, 2015, 88 percent of total sites are ready for CCTNS implementation, 59 percent of the ten years’ legacy data has been digitized and 76 percent of the total sites have been provided network connectivity. 

A Souvenir was released on the occasion of the Raising Day and the Indian Postal Department has released a Special Stamp to mark the occasion. 

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