1-Mar-2023: Spices Board celebrates 36th Anniversary
On its 36th Foundation Day, Spices Board organised a nation-wide campaign on ‘Clean and Safe Spices’ covering more than 20 states/UT to spread the message and awareness on food safety and quality of spices for producing surplus quality spices.
Spices Board (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India), the flagship organization for the development and worldwide promotion of Indian spices, was constituted on 26th February 1987 with the merger of erstwhile Cardamom Board and Spices Export Promotion Council. The Board functions an international link between the Indian exporters and the importers abroad and it has been involved in various activities which touch upon every segment of the spices sector.
11-Jan-2023: Mines Ministry Approves Rs. 154.84 crores To National Mineral Exploration Trust for Exploration & Enhancing Capabilities
Projects of mineral exploration and enhancing institutional capabilities in exploration worth Rs.154.84 crores were approved during the Executive Committee (EC) meeting of National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET), Ministry of Mines.
The mineral exploration project includes Graphite, Iron, Coal, Zinc & associated minerals, Bauxite, Base-metal (Pb, Zn & Cu), Phosphorite/Glauconitic sandstone, PGE & associated minerals (Chromium, Nickel, Cobalt), Tin & associated minerals, Manganese and Limestone to boost the mineral exploration in the country.
Financial assistance for enhancing mineral exploration and institutional capabilities of Geological Survey of India (GSI), Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and State DGMs/DMGs was also approved.
These mineral exploration projects and financial assistance to the exploration agencies will provide auctionable mineral blocks to the nation and will help in realizing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat in mining sector.
28-Dec-2022: Department of Posts launches an ‘Online request Transfer Portal’ for Gramin Dak Sevaks
The Department of Posts under Ministry of Communications has launched an ‘Online request Transfer Portal’ for Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS), today. Shri Alok Sharma, Director General Postal Services launched the portal through Video Conference in the virtual presence of Chief Postmaster Generals of 23 Postal Circles and Senior Officers of the Department. While launching the portal he informed that the entire transfer process, from the stage of seeking applications from GDS to the stage of approval and issuing transfer orders, has now been made paperless and simple through the above portal.
The Department of Posts has the largest network of Post Offices in the world consisting of more than 1,56,000 Post Offices across India, out of which more than 1,31,000 Branch Post Offices (BOs) are in rural areas, where the Postal facilities are rendered through Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS).
The launch of online request transfer portal is a huge step in bringing transparency and accountability in the governance processes by leveraging technology. The online process would also result in saving of the time and resources. Transfer of more than 5000 GDS has been approved through the online portal in one go on the day of launch.
18-May-2022: Department of Posts enters into partnership with GeM and CSC
Department of Posts has signed an Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Government e-Marketplace [GeM] and CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd. [CSC-SPV] for the advocacy, outreach, mobilization and capacity-building of last-mile Government buyers, sellers and service providers in public procurement. The MoU was signed by Shri PK Singh, CEO, GeM, Shri Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, CEO, CSC-SPV and Shri Ajay Kumar Roy, Chief General Manager, Parcel Directorate, Department of Posts in New Delhi on 18th May 2022.
The MoU was conceived after the successful integration of GeM and India Post on 05th May 2022. With this integration, it is now possible for all Government buyers, sellers and service-providers to avail the logistics services and facilities over GeM through the India Post offices located in the remotest parts of India. In addition, more than 1.3 lakh CSC outlets of DoP would facilitate onboarding of sellers on the GeM.
This tie-up between Department of Posts and GeM will enable sellers to opt for DoP services of pickup, booking, transmission and delivery from their profile page on GeM portal. Department of Posts has deployed seamless data exchange with all its customers through Application Programme Interface (API). The partnership between GeM and DoP involves integration of DoP and GeM system for seller registration in DoP system, Pincode validation, tariff calculation, pickup, booking, barcode generation, Label generation, Cancellation of in-transit shipments and Tracking.
DoP will also guide and train 6000+ CSCs with regard to various postal products and services that are offered and packaging of consignments as per Department of Posts Shipment Packaging Policy.
Speaking at the ceremony Shri Alok Sharma, Director General, Postal Services said that “the new partnership with GeM and CSC-SPV will propel India Post as the preferred logistics service provider for sellers on GeM portal thereby ensuring a high-quality of service and faster delivery of e-commerce benefits through last-mile physical connectivity, across 1.5 lakh+ India Post Offices.”
The MoU will spur local value-chains through “Vocal for Local” and “Make in India” initiatives of the Government, thereby furthering the aim of ensuring a self-reliant “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
28-Apr-2022: Department of Posts starts providing NPS services through online mode
Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications (DoP) has been providing the National Pension Scheme (NPS-All Citizen Model Scheme), a voluntary Pension Scheme of Government of India managed by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority(PFRDA) through its designated Post Offices since 2010 through physical process system.
Department of Posts is now pleased to start providing NPS (All Citizen Model) through online mode w.e.f. 26.04.2022
Any Citizen of India in the age group of 18-70 years of age group can avail this online facility by visiting the official website of the Department of Posts (www.indiapost.gov.in) under the menu head "National Pension System -Online Services"
The specific link is https://www.indiapost.gov.in/Financial/Pages/Content/NPS.aspx
Facilities like new registration, initial/ subsequent contribution and SIP options under NPS Online are available to the customers at minimum charges for all services. NPS service charge of the Department is amongst the lowest. The subscriber are also eligible for tax deduction in NPS as per declaration made by Ministry of Finance time to time under sec. 80CCD 1(B).
This online facility may be availed by all eligible persons for NPS without physically visiting any post office and to enjoy the hassle free experience at minimum fee structure. NPS Online facility will go a long way in promoting National Pension Scheme (All Citizen Model) and will ensure a secured and dignified life of people in the country in their old age.