Booking of LPG by SMS and IVRS Introduced in 18 States Covering 4.36 Corre LPG Custmers

Booking of LPG by SMS and IVRS Introduced in 18 States Covering 4.36 Corre LPG Custmers

With a view to provide better services to the customers and to reduce the scope for irregularities, Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies, OMCs namely, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have introduced the facility of refill booking through Short Messaging Service (SMS) and Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) in 18 States. These States are, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry and UT of Chandigarh, covering, 2965 LPG distributorships and about 4.36 crore LPG customers. Giving this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, the Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri R.P.N. Singh stated that under this system, there is a facility for confirmation of the refill booking and the time of the booking to the customers along with information on the likely date when the refill would be supplied.

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Train Fare Concession to Patients Suffering from Sickle Cell Anaemia/ Aplastic Anaemia.

Train Fare Concession to Patients Suffering from Sickle Cell Anaemia/ Aplastic Anaemia.

As announced by the Minister of Railways in the Railway Budget Speech for 2012-13, the Ministry of Railways has decided to grant concession in train fares to patients suffering' from Sickle Cell Anaemia/Aplastic Anaemia, when travelling for treatment/periodical check-up to the Government recognised hospitals, and return after treatment/periodical check-up. The element of concession will be 50 per cent in the basic fares of Sleeper, AC Chair Car, AC 3-tier and AC 2-tier classes.

The concession will not be admissible in Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi/Duronto/Garib Rath trains. The decision will come into effect on tickets issued from June 1, 2012.

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Hacking of Websites

Hacking of Websites

                 Preliminary discussions have been held on establishment of a multi stakeholder Cyber Coordination Centre which will detect malicious cyber activities in the Indian Cyber space and issue early warning alerts.

            The Minister of State For Communications  and Information Technology ,Shri Sachin Pilot informed the Lok Sabha yesterday that such alerts will facilitate mitigation of cyber attacks with coordinated efforts of all stakeholders in Government, academia and Industry.

           Shri Pilot said,  according to  the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), 133 Government websites were hacked during January to March this year.   A total of  92, 204  and 248 Government websites were hacked  in 2009,2010 and 2011 respectively.  

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Reduction of Interest Rate on EPF

Reduction of Interest Rate on EPF

The Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge has informed the Rajya Sabha that as per para 60(1) of the Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, 1952, rate of interest on the Employees Provident Fund is determined by the Central Government in consultation with the Central Board of Trustees, Employees Provident Fund. Central Government declared 8.25% rate of interest on EPF accumulation for the year 2011-12 based on the earnings of the Fund during the year. 

Replying to a written question the Minister said however, requests from various Central Trade Unions have been received to maintain the existing rate of interest. 

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PM congratulates ISRO scientists on successful launch of RISAT

PM congratulates ISRO scientists on successful launch of RISAT

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has congratulated the scientists of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), for the successful launch of PSLV-C19 carrying the Radar Imaging Satellite RISAT-1. Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s message: 

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Children Education Allowance/Hostel Subsidy- clarifications thereon

Government of India 

Ministry of Railways 

Railway Board

No. E(W)2012/ED-2/1

New Delhi , Dated 11/04/2012

The General Manager,
All Indian Railways & Production Units.

Sub: Children Education Allowance/Hostel Subsidy- clarifications thereon.

In terms of Railway Board’s letter No. E(W)/2008/ED-2/4 dated 01-10-2008 revised instructions were issued on Grant of Children Education Allowance to Railway employees based on the recommendations of Sixth Central Pay Commission. These instructions provide that Children Education Allowance shall be admissible to Railway servants up to a maximum of two children at the maximum rate of Rs.12,000 (since revised to Rs.15,000/-) per annum per child to cover expenses on education of children under various heads of fee as mentioned in the said letter. In respect of aforesaid policy it was further clarified under Board’s letter No. E(W)2008/ED-2/4 dated 10/06/2009 based on the advice received from Department of Personnel and Training and adopted by Railway Board, that reimbursement of Children Education Allowance is admissible for eldest two surviving children studying in schools affiliated to Board of Education.

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