Obtain PAN or Form no 60 from account holders by Feb 28, 2017 - Income Tax Rules Amended

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

08-January-2017 18:17 IST

Income-tax Rules amended to provide that bank shall obtain and link PAN or Form No. 60 (where PAN is not available) in all existing bank accounts (other than BSBDA) by 28.02.2017.

Income-tax Rules have been amended to provide that bank shall obtain and link PAN or Form No. 60 (where PAN is not available) in all existing bank accounts (other than BSBDA) by 28.02.2017, if not already done. In this connection, it may be mentioned that RBI vide circular dated 15.12.2016 has mandated that no withdrawal shall be allowed from the accounts having substantial credit balance/deposits if PAN or Form No.60 is not provided in respect of such accounts. Therefore, persons who are having bank account but have not submitted PAN or Form No.60 are advised to submit the PAN or Form No. 60 to the bank by 28.2.2017.

Withdrawal of Legal Tender from SBNs: RBI cautions against Information received on Unsecured/Unofficial Channels

In the wake of withdrawal of legal tender character from the Specified Bank Notes (SBNs), the Reserve Bank of India has, from time to time, been issuing instructions to the banks which are sent directly to banks through an official mail. These are also placed on the Reserve Bank’s official website (https://www.rbi.org.in).

It has been reported that certain guidelines/instructions purported to be issued by the Reserve Bank are being circulated in the social media by some unscrupulous elements creating confusion in the minds of the public/bank personnel.

Indian Postal Service officer under scanner for fraudulent transactions

HYDERABAD: Indian Postal Service (IPoS) officer K Sudheer Babu reportedly made fraudulent cash exchange transactions at different post offices in Greater Hyderabad, according to investigators, in fresh revelations following raids at post offices.

On interrogating Babu, the senior superintendent of post offices, Hyderabad, CBI sleuths found that in addition to exchanging 36 lakh demonetised currency in a fraudulent manner at Himayatnagar sub-post office, in cahoots with his office assistant G Ravi Teja and Himayatnagar sub-postmaster G Revathi, the IPoS officer had also exchanged lakhs of rupees of demonetised currency at other post offices in his jurisdiction.

Cabinet moves in to tax post demonetisation deposits.

The Union Cabinet on Thursday night is believed to have discussed amending laws to levy close to 60 per cent income tax on unaccounted deposits in banks above a threshold post demonetisation of high-denomination currency notes.

The move comes amid banks reporting over Rs. 21,000 crore being deposited in zero-balance Jan Dhan accounts in two weeks after the Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes were banned, which authorities apprehend may be the laundered black money.

There was no official briefing on what transpired in the meeting that was called at short notice as Parliament is in session. Traditionally, there could no disclosures outside on any policy decision taken during the sitting of Parliament.

Minimum Balance in Savings Accounts

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) vide its circular dated August 10, 2012 on Financial Inclusion – Access to Banking Services – Basic Saving Bank Deposit Account, advised all Scheduled Commercial Banks to offer a ‘Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account’ which shall not have the requirement of any minimum balance. In terms of aforesaid circular, banks have been advised to offer Facility of ATM card or ATM-cum-Debit Card to all BSBD account holders without any charges.

Declaration of undisclosed Black Money

Declaration of undisclosed Black Money

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

22-November-2016 17:53 IST 

A total number of 64,275* declarants have made declaration of undisclosed income of Rs.65,250* crore under the Income Declaration Scheme, 2016. (*Provisional). Under the Income Declaration Scheme, 2016 the amount of tax, surcharge and penalty is payable in three instalments. The notified date for payment of first instalment is 30th November, 2016. Hence, the quantum of tax collected as part of the Scheme cannot be quantified at this stage.

Government has taken several measures, by way of policy initiatives and enforcement action, to curb black money. Such measures include –

PM invites views from the people, on decision taken regarding currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Prime Minister's Office

22-November-2016 13:33 IST 

PM invites views from the people, on decision taken regarding currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has invited views from the people, on the recent decision taken by the Union Government regarding currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000. 

People can submit their views through a survey consisting of 10 questions, which is available through the Narendra Modi App. Sharing the link to this survey, the Prime Minister tweeted today that he wants a first-hand view from the people, regarding this decision. 

Railway Unions demand 3% DA hike

New Delhi: Expressing “dissatisfaction” over over the announcement of 2 per cent increase in dearness allowance by the government, railway unions have demanded it be raised to 3 per cent.

We have expressed dissatisfaction over the announcement of a meagre 2 per cent rise in DA by the Central government from July 1, 2016, National Federation of Indian Railwaymen M Raghavaiah said.

Ahead of Diwali, the Centre has announced 2 per cent dearness allowance for Central government employees effective from July.

Post offices to go paperless in six months

ONGOLE, October 29, 2016 : In a customer-centric initiative, India Post will go paperless shortly implementing Core System Integrator (CSI) Project across different channels, levels and locations, according to its Vijayawada Region Postal Services Director E. Veerabhadra Rao.

Addressing the media here on Friday night, he said, “A pilot project is being implemented in Machilipatnam in this region to lay down a robust IT infrastructure, implement software applications. All services of the Postal Department will go online in six months time.” Customer Interaction Channels would provide services through call centre, web portal and mobile devices.

Call drops: Telecom minister to meet CEOs on Nov 1

New Delhi, Oct 28 (PTI) Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha will meet CEOs of telecom companies on November 1 to review the call drop issue and chalk out a road map for future.

"The minister will meet CEOs on call drop issue...we have held one meeting already and this (upcoming) meeting will be for stocktaking and road map for the future," Telecom Secretary JS Deepak said.

He said that according to TRAI, there has been an improvement in the call drop situation.

Earlier this year, telcos had submitted a 100 day action plan on strategy to address call drop issue. They had committed to set up 60,000 base stations as part of this action plan.

A.P. Postal, Telcom circles launched

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu at the inauguration of the A.P. Postal Circle and A.P. Telecom Circle, in Vijayawada on Tuesday. Minister of State for Communications (independent charge) and Railways Manoj Sinha is seen.— PHOTO: V. RAJU

STATE TO ALLOT FIVE ACRES OF LAND TO THE POSTAL DEPARTMENT IN AMARAVATI

A new era in postal and telegraph services began with the launch of A.P. Postal and Telecom Circles here on Tuesday.

The Central government also plans to launch 13 circles in all districts in the State. All these 13 circles would function under the main circle of the State.

While Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched the A.P. Postal Circle, Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu launched the telecom circle. The postal and telecom circles were launched close to two-and-half years after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

New Pension System – It’s No Pension Scheme

New Delhi:- Discontent is simmering among the government employees and teachers over the Contributory Pension Scheme also called the National Pension Scheme that was launched in 2003 by the then NDA government. The united Andhra Pradesh government and later the Telangana State governments have also adopted the scheme.

The existing employees in 2003 did not react much as it did not impact them. But, as the government recruitments continued after 2004, the ranks of government employees denied the defined benefit pension and brought under this contributory pension scheme started to swell. They are realising its ill-effects on them. There are about 1.15 lakh such employees in Telangana and another 1.56 lakh in Andhra Pradesh, who are affected by the New Pension Scheme.

Employees accused of sexual harassment can be transferred, says government

Department of Personnel and Training, government employees, Sexual harrasment Change against Government Employee, Government employee transfer policy, Government employee transfer, Transfer of Government employees, Indian government employees, latest news, India news, India To ensure fair inquiry in a sexual harassment case, ministries may also transfer the charged officer to another office to obviate any risk of the officer abusing authority of his office, said an order issued by the central government. (Source Thinkstock)

Employees accused of sexual harassment can be transferred to another office to prevent them from influencing victims and to ensure fair inquiry.

Postal complaints in the country will be solved within 24 hours- Sinha

Manoj Sinha launches India Post Help Centre and a Toll Free Number 1924 

Press Information Bureau 
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & Information Technology

12-September-2016 14:12 IST

Ministry of Communications today launched India Post Help Centre and a Toll Free Number 1924 to address the grievances of people in the Country related to Department of Posts. Inaugurating the Help Centre here, Minister of Communications, Shri Manoj Sinha said that the move comes in the wake of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation) review meetings, where he exhorts the Union Ministers to actively address the grievances of the common man by setting up and strengthening Public Redressal Grievances Mechanism.

Centre sets up committee to address pay related anomalies

New Delhi: Central government has finally set up a committee to look into various pay related anomalies arising out of the implementation of the Seventh Central Pay Commission's recommendations under immense pressure from the employees unions.

The committees is expected to examine individual, post and cadre-specific anomalies arising out of implementation of the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission.

Pledging PF to buy home may soon become a reality

NEW DELHI: Retirement fund body EPFO may soon introduce a scheme to allow its over 4 crore subscribers to pledge their provident fund to buy low-cost houses and use the account to pay equated monthly installments.

"We are working on a housing scheme for members of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Under it, members will be allowed to pledge their PF accumulations to buy homes," Labour Secretary Shankar Aggarwal told PTI. 

Amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Labour & Employment

10-August-2016 20:09 IST

Amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its ex-post facto approval for amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 by introducing the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in Parliament.

The maternity benefit Act 1961 protects the employment of women during the time of her maternity and entitles her of a 'maternity benefit' - i.e. full paid absence from work - to take care for her child. The act is applicable to all establishments employing 10 or more persons. The amendments will help 1.8 million (approx.) women workforce in organised sector.

Railway ticket reservation - closing of advance booking counters

Salem Railway Division has decided to close seven advance train ticket reservation centres (Postal PRS) functioning in the post offices in four districts coming under the division. 

A press release from the division on Wednesday said that these centres are located in post offices, but was falling below the minimum ticket booking norms of 25 tickets per day, fixed by the Railway Board.  Hence, the railways has decided to close the centres functioning in post offices at Pallipalayam, Tiruchengode, Mallasamudram and Rasipuram (sorting) post office, all in Namakkal district, Aravakurichi post office in Karur district, Edappadi post office in Salem district and Uthangal (sorting) post office in Krishnagiri District. Hence, the release asked the public to take note of it and approach their nearest railway reservation offices or facilities for booking their train tickets in advance.
Salem Railway Division has decided to close seven advance train ticket reservation centres (Postal PRS) functioning in the post offices in four districts coming under the division.

A press release from the division on Wednesday said that these centres are located in post offices, but was falling below the minimum ticket booking norms of 25 tickets per day, fixed by the Railway Board.

Press Note:Regarding Fake website for Recruitment in Department of Post

Reduction In Tatkal Quota in Indian Railway

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Railways

22-July-2016 17:28 IST

Reduction In Tatkal Quota in Indian Railway

Although Zonal Railways can earmark a maximum of 30% of available accommodation as Tatkal, yet Tatkal quota like all other reservation quotas is reviewed on a periodical basis so as to earmark it based on realistic demand pattern, by reducing it if required. In 2015-16, approximately 18.20% of the total accommodation has been earmarked as Tatkal quota (including Premium Tatkal). Moreover, adequate safeguards have been built in the scheme and various steps have been taken to avoid misuse of the Tatkal scheme, some of which are as under: