Solar-power assisted, pedal-operated cycle rickshaw named Soleckshaw developed by CSIR introduced at Rajasthan Circle

Shri Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology launched an environment-friendly postal delivery vehicle ‘Soleckshaw’ here today. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that it is the endeavour of the Ministry to use green technology for delivering services in efficient and eco-friendly manner. He said that this effort is a step forward towards the Government’s efforts to modernise and digitise the India Post Services under Project Arrow. Availability of this vehicle will add to the efficiency of postal agents and will also give them a sense of pride.
As a Pilot Project, Soleckshaw will be introduced soon in the Project Arrow post offices in a city of Rajasthan. Shri Pilot mentioned that the Ministry would evaluate the performance of the vehicle within few months and will explore the possibility of its expansion on larger scale.
Soleckshaw is a solar-power assisted, pedal-operated cycle rickshaw developed by CSIR. It reduces the rickshaw puller’s effort by providing battery assistance. It is still a zero carbon emission vehicle. The batteries are charged by solar power at charging stations. Technology has been transferred to multiple entrepreneurs and Soleckshaws are currently plying at Delhi (Chandni Chowk), Chandigarh, Jaipur, Durgapur, Ranchi, Kolkata and Ahmadabad.
Recently, M/s Kinetic Motors in association with CMERI (CSIR) has re-designed and developed a modified version of Soleckshaw specifically suitable as a light delivery vehicle, particularly useful for delivery of post, parcels and other postal services both in urban and rural areas.
Some of the features of the vehicle are as follows: Soleckshaw has potential for use as a light delivery vehicle for distribution of dak etc, Emergence of electronic means of communication is changing the profile of post offices and postmen.
A Postman is likely to carry more parcels for delivery than ordinary mails. A survey in Pune found that each postman covers an area of around 40-45 kms and carries an average weight of 10-15 kgs per day. The Soleckshaw is the ideal vehicle to enable transportation of such parcels with a minimum of effort. This is expected to improve speed and efficiency of postal delivery, increase ability to carry more load; distribute other value-added products in rural areas and provide charging facilities for mobile phones in remote areas etc.
- Courtesy: Postal Staff Corner

GUIDELINES FOR COMPUTER USERS
(TO ALL SUPERVISORS AND ALL POSTAL ASSISTANTS)
DO’s
1. All PAs and Supervisors should use their own password and periodically changed (at least once in a fortnight) and should not be shared with any one to prevent access to unauthorized persons.
2. Take necessary precautions against natural hazards like fire, rain, dust, etc. Users should clean the printer, keyboard and monitor externally once in a week. Cleaning brush will be provided in the lab.
3. Printer should be switched off whenever it is not in use.
4. Take enough precautions against computer viruses by not allowing any outside floppy, pen driver or Compact Disk or any e-mail attachments for use without scanning for the viruses.
5. Periodical change of Ribbons in the Printer should be carried out. Please ensure that impressions are bright and clear.
6. Rectification of faults and maintenance should be carried out under proper and close supervision and service report from the service engineer should be obtained.
7. In case the shift system is in vogue, there should be proper handing and taking over of charge between shift in-charges.
8. Concerned supervisor should allocate Job to the Postal Assistants whenever Postal Assistant in the Counter and also in other branches is changed. Whenever delivery staff is changes proper name of the delivery personnel to be used. Concerned Supervisor may ensure that Postal Assistants enters into the system with their name and password only.
9. At close of work in a day, System should be shut down systematically and switch off the power plug too.
10. Wherever Day begin and Day End is prescribed, Supervisors may ensure that this is done by them.
11. In the case of sub offices the Postmaster should ensure that Backup of sanchaya post is sent to Supervisor SBCO in the first week of every month without fail.
12. Telephone connection and power supply to modem should be removed in the evening (during rainy seasons) to avoid damage to modem and computer.
13. Systems identified for the backup purpose should be switched off only after the backup is over.
DON’Ts
1. Don’t let any unauthorized person use your computer system.
2. Don’t share your password with any one, not even with your colleagues.
3. Don’t reveal the password to any person.
4. Don’t connect the computer directly to the mains.
5. No heavy electric load drawing machines like plain paper copier, shredding machines, coolers, etc. should be connected to the source of constant voltage power supply to the computer.
6. Don’t connect your computer system storing classified data to INTERNET.
7. Don’t allow staff members to bring their own pendrives/floppies/re-writable CDs to run on the computer system of the department.
8. Don’t use pirates or gifted copies of software as these may contain virus and even facilitate intrusion into the system.
9. Don’t play computer games. These could be the main carriers of computer viruses and an unsuspecting easy medium for an intruder to break into your computer system.
10.Don’t allow eatable and water near the computer as these attract rats/pests and raise the dust and moisture level to the detriment of the computer system.
11.Don’t switch off the computer suddenly. Sudden power fluctuation/failure may leads to corruption/deletion of data.
12.Don’t rotate the printer cylinder while the printer is in ON position. Switch off the printer when not in use.
13.Don’t work on Server system without Postmaster’s permission.
14.Don't plug or unplug any devices like keyboard, mouse etc., to the system while it is on.
15.Don't keep ledgers/books etc on systems, keyboards, mouse, weighing scales etc.
16.Don't connect UPS to lights, fans etc. Use exclusively for computers.
*************
NOTE
To the maximum extent possible all the above guidelines may be followed strictly to avoid embarrassing situation later. Your doubts/difficulties, if any to implement the guidelines may be raised for taking assistance of the SA. These guidelines are intended to upgrade our working method and to safeguard the systems as well as Data

Introduction of new Franking Machine System by the department :-

Government of India
Ministry of Communications/IT
Department of Posts
Oak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi-110116.
No. 9-6/2007-PO
To
All Chief Postmasters General,
All Regional Postmasters General,
Director Postal Staff College, Ghaziabad,
Directorate General or APS,
Directors Postal Training Centers.
Dated 1 -7-201 0
Subject:-Introduction of 'Remotely Managed Franking System'.
1. It has been decided to introduce Remotely Managed Franking
Machines in place of Electronic Franking Machines with effect from
16.8.2010 based on new technology with security features like generation
of 2D barcode with frank impression and elimination of human
Intervention for uploading the credit in franking machines. While the
Standard Operating Procedure which contains a detailed set of
instructions is being circulated separately and should be carefully gone
through by all concerned, a few salient features of "Remotely Managed
Franking System" are as follows ;-
(i) Only India Specific models of Franking Machines with inkjet printing
technology approved by the Directorate will be used. Each franking
machine shall have a unique number in the format X123456 where 'X'
denotes the initials of the original Equipment Manufacturer i.e. ' F' for
Francotyp Postalia, 'N' for Neopost and 'P' for Pitney Bowes and six
numeric digits indicate serial number of the machine.
(ii) Funds are secured through a special device known as Postal
Security Device (PSD) which is not open to repair. There is no requirement
of mechanical seals on franking machines.
(iii) The amount for uploading the credit in the franking machines may
be deposited in any branch of State Bank of India through net banking or
at any post office having e-payment facility through cash/account payee
cheque/draft: Information of credits will be routed to the central server of
the Department of Posts daily.
(iv) Each manufacturer of franking machines will have its own centrally
located "Remotely Managed Franking Server" In India catering to the
network of all its franking machines installed throughout India. All RMFs
server will dial Department of Posts server three times every day
for exchanging information on funds deposited, funds downloaded and
uploading of reports etc in respect of their franking machines.
(v) The credit will be uploaded in Franking machine on its dialing to
RMFs sever for the purpose. Meters will be set/reset automatically
without any human intervention. The credit can be uploaded only if the
same is available with RJYlFS server.
(vi) Each machine have to necessarily dial its RMFS sever at least
once in thirty days even if no uploading of credit Is required otherwise
machines will be automatically blocked and will function only after
dialing RMFS sever.
(vii) licenses will be issued/renewed for a period of five years on
payment of the prescribed fee of Rs.375/-
(viii) Frank impression shall be in blue color and will indicate class of
article, pin code, authentication code, date of frank, mail item number,
license identifier number, frank value and 20 bar code.
(ix) 20 bar code will have important information encoded therein v iz
ascending and descending meter readings class of article, number of
items, pin code number value of frank and license identifier number. 20
bar code can be scanned to check the genuineness of the frank
impression.
(x) Facility for suspension/cancellation of license will be available and
machines will not be operational during this period.
(2) Operating procedure for Remotely Managed Franking Machine and
list of approved models of franking machines will be supplied separately
for necessary action.
(3) Migration plan for phasing out the electronic franking machines to be
replaced by Remotely Managed Franking System is as follows :-
(i) The Scheme will be introduced with effect from 16.8.2010.
(ii) Licenses of all Franking Machines which are older then 5 years will
not be renewed with immediate effect. However, such machines will be
allowed to be used till expiry of their current licenses.
iii» Licences of Electronic Franking Machines which are less than 5
years old may be renewed till completion of a period of 5 years from
the dates of issue of licenses first time or up to 30-6-2013, which ever is
earlier.
(iv) No application of License to new Electronic Franking Machines will
be entertained from the date of issue of this letter .
(v) No Electronic Franking Machine of old models shall be allowed to
operate after 30-6-2013. Articles franked by such machines shall not be
accepted after 30-6-2013 .
(~ No Electronic Franking Machines will be bought or hired by the
Department with immediate effect. Electronic Franking Machines hired
by the Department will be allowed to operate till expiry of their current
contracts.
4. This may be brought into the notice of all concerned for information
and necessary action.
This has been issued with the approval of Member (PlannLg)·
Please acknowledge the receipt
/'
(Niraj Kumar)
Director (PO&I)
Copy to;-
1.
2.
3.
~:
6.
Member (0), Member (P), Member (HRD),Member (Pig),
Member(Technology) and Member (PLI)
CGM (PLI), CGM (BD),CGM (MBa) All DDGs
EA to Secretary Posts.
All recognized unions/associations.
M/s.Pitney Bowes, M/s.Neopost.
Dy. General Manager, State Bank of India, Govt. Accounts
Department, National Banking Group, s" Floor, Global IT Centre,
Sector-II, CBD Belap8r, Navi Mumbai-400 614

Dear Comrades,

Strike from 13-07-2010 differred. Details of negotiations made with the DG are as under :

The Secretary, Posts had taken a meeting with staff side on 12.07.2010 to discuss the charter of demands at 11 am and the following are the outcome on the charter of demands.
1. There will be no closure of single handed post offices.
2. The demand of the staff side that the annual increments to the erstwhile GDS SPMs should be continued will be considered positively.
3. There is no policy decision of the department to outsource any of the postal services.
4. A separate meeting will be held on 15.07.2010 to discuss about the Mckinsey and the object of restructuring the services.
5. Another separate meeting with the staff side will be held about the technology proposals shortly to discuss the future expansion of technology.
6. There will be no violation of earlier agreement on status quo of RMS & MMS with 10000 mails. Any violation if brought to the Directorate’s notice it will be set aside.
7. The Departmental council & periodical meetings will be held regularly hereafter. Next meeting will be held in next month August 2010.
8. The demand of higher pay to TBOP &BCR for the earlier period will be considered along with the cadre review proposals.
9. There will be no harassment in Project Arrow offices. Furnishing wrong data’s and showing as delivered or redirected will not be allowed hereafter.
10. The demand of the staff side to assess the vacancies as per establishment strength and actual strength in all cadres will be considered and all Chief PMGs will be addressed and appraised to fill up all the vacant posts forthwith during video conferences personally by the Secretary (P).
11. A committee consisting four staff side representatives with DDG (P) & DDG (EST) will be constituted and the process of the proposals of cadre review for all cadres will be completed before the end of 2010.
12. Separate discussions will be made on the proposal of creation of Postmasters cadre also.
13. The welfare schemes to GDS like grant of pension, medical, the proposals were already cleared by the Postal Board and submitted to nodal ministries for approval. It will be expedited.
14. It was assured to reconsider the norms for cash handling to BPMs and also fix fresh norms to RPLI and NREGIS scheme shortly.
15. The proposal for higher pay to Driver with Grade pay of 2400 has been sent to the Ministry of Finance.
16. The revision of O.S.A rates will be made within one month.
17. Technology training to workshop staff will be provided.
18. The proposals for the grant of minimum pay as per the Sixth CPC to casual labourers have been submitted to Ministry of Finance for approval. It will be expedited. The demand of the staff side to grant revised GDS pay to GDS substitutes will be considered.
19. The issues related to postmen norms, delivery, beat etc will be discussed shortly and final decision will be taken before the end of October 2010. One committee will be constituted to sort out the issues.
20. The plea of the staff side to ignore benchmark for MACP has been accepted and the Secretary told the DDG to cause orders today itself. Another request to ignore the earlier declining of LSG promotions prior to the receipt of MACP orders will also be considered.
21. The proposal of the staff side to create System assistant instead of System administrator will be considered along with the cadre review proposals. The orders relating to road mileage allowance will be released shortly. The distribution of work & responsibility etc will be looked into along with the cadre review proposals.
22. The Recruitment Rules for Multi tasked staff will be finalized shortly. Our request to finalise the rules with no educational qualifications as if available to erstwhile Group D has been accepted.
23 The issues relating to Postal accounts like filling up of posts, amalgamation of Group C etc will be discussed further with DDG (PAF).
24. The suggestions of the Admin union about centralization of PLI claim at RO & CO will be considered. Further a separate meeting will be organized with their union to discuss about their issues.
25. Clarificatory orders will be issued soon providing officiating pay to the officials holding higher posts like HSG II & HSG I.
26. The issues of the postal Civil wing will be discussed separately.
After the meeting, the JCA met and decided to defer the proposed strike duly considering the positive approach of the Secretary in settlement of our genuine demands.