Indian Post Office Rules, 2020

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 PERIODIC REVIEW OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES FOR STRENGTHENING OF ADMINISTRATION UNDER FUNDAMENTAL RULE (FR) 56(J)/(I) AND RULE 48 OF CCS (PENSION) RULES, 1972  (CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW THE ORDER) http://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D2/D02est/PremRetK1ZLE.PDF

 

 MHA ORDER AND GUIDELINES FOR PHASED RE-OPENING (UNLOCK 4) DATED 29.8.2020 (CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW THE ORDER)         HTTPS://WWW.MHA.GOV.IN/SITES/DEFAULT/FILES/MHAORDER_UNLOCK4_29082020.PDF

 GUIDELINES ON SAFE OPHTHALMOLOGY PRACTICES IN COVID-19 SCENARIO

Dated 19^th August-2020

Government of India

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

GUIDELINES ON SAFE OPHTHALMOLOGY PRACTICES IN COVID-19 SCENARIO

1. Background

The examination & procedures related to ophthalmology involves close interactions with the patient. This document outlines the preventive and response measures to be observed to minimize and avoid the spread of COVID-19 in eye care facilities. Also Read - Diabetic retinopathy linked to higher stroke risk in diabetics Advertisement

2. Scope

These guidelines are aimed to minimize the spread of Covid-19 infection among Ophthalmologist, Ophthalmic assistants/technicians, nurses, support staff, patients and their attendants. Eye care facilities in containment zones shall remain closed. Only those outside containment zones will be allowed to open up.

3. Basic preventive measures

ersons above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years should be encouraged to stay at home, unless they are patients themselves. All eye care facilities may advise all visitors/staff/patients accordingly. The basic preventive measures include simple public health measures that are to be followed to reduce the risk of COVID-19. These measures need to be observed by all (patients, staff and visitors) in these places at all times. i. Physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed as far as feasible. ii. Use of face covers/masks to be made mandatory. iii. Practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20 seconds) can be made wherever feasible. Advertisement iv. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one's mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly. v. Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to state and district helpline.

4. All eye-care facilities shall also ensure the following:

 i. Tele-counselling and teleconsultation should be encouraged to lessen patient visits and/or appointment system can be followed to call patients needing examination/eye investigations/procedures Advertisement

ii. The screening of patients for Cataract and other eye diseases in outreach areas may be undertaken only after duly following social distancing, hand hygiene and personal protective measures. Remote consultations by the NGOs in vision centres is also to be encouraged. The identified patients may be called to the base hospital by appointment for cataract surgery, so that backlog of cataract does not build up.

iii. No eye ball retrieval from homes to be undertaken, only Hospital Cornea Retrieval Program can be continued in non-Covid-19 cadavers, for utilization of corneas for therapeutic purposes only.

 iv. Specific markings may be made with sufficient distance to manage the queue and ensure social distancing in the premises.

 v. Entrance to hospital/clinic to have mandatory hand hygiene and thermal screening provisions

vi. The staff manning these entry points should ensure appropriate personal protection as entailed in guidelines already issued. (available at:

vii. The patients should be queried about Covid-19 like symptoms and contact history.

viii. A daily list of all HCW, patients and their attendants & any hospital visitors with their mobile numbers and IDs should be maintained (for contact tracing if needed in future)

ix. For preliminary screening of patients, the flow chart as attached in Annexure-I should be followed and patient should be examined accordingly

x. Posters/standees/AV media on preventive measures about COVID-19 to be displayed prominently

xi. Any shops, stalls, cafeteria etc., outside and within the premises shall follow social distancing norms at all times.

xii. Number of people in the elevators should be restricted, duly maintaining social distancing norms.

xiii. For air-conditioning/ventilation, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which emphasizes that the temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30o C, relative humidity should be in the range of 40- 70%, intake of fresh air should be as much as possible and cross ventilation should be adequate. xiv. Effective and frequent sanitation within the premises shall be maintained with particular focus on lavatories, drinking and hand washing stations/areas.

xv. Proper disposal of face covers / masks / gloves left over by visitors and/or employees should be ensured in the premises, in accordance with the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules.

xvi. Encourage app-based mobile phone check in & payment along with digital prescription of glasses and medicines to prevent long queues

Protocols for OPD Services

i. Promote digital or app-based registration system.

ii. Triaging by an ophthalmologist/ trained ophthalmic personnel may be done either through telephonic conversation to determine the emergency/non-emergency nature of the eye problem and Covid-19 status of the patient and an appointment given accordingly to avoid rush of patients.

iii. Emergency cases as listed at Annexure-II should be given priority.

 iv. Only one Attendant is to be allowed with one patient.

 v. Social distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed at all times as far as feasible in the queue or in doctor's chamber.

vi. Modify process flow (like unidirectional flow of patients) in OPD to minimize people's movement inside the premises and also to reduce time spent during the hospital visit

vii. Seating arrangement to be made in such a way that social distancing is maintained.

viii. OPD premises should be disinfected with 1% hypochlorite frequently and after all the patients have been seen.

ix. Cleaning and regular disinfection (using 1% sodium hypochlorite) of frequently touched equipment such as Trial Frame, Trial Lenses, etc. used in the OPD must be ensured.

x. The chinrest/headrest/table top etc. of equipment must also be disinfected after each patient is seen.

xi. Equipment like slit lamp should have a Plexiglas/breath shield to avoid contact with droplets from patient's breath. This sheet should also be disinfected after seeing any patient.

xii. While performing any contact procedure like Tonometry, Gonioscopy, Keratometry, A- Scan, B-Scan, UBM, OCT, FFA etc., the instruments should be cleaned with 70% alcohol swab, before and after every new case.

 xiii. Eye drops should be put in the patient's eye by a nursing/paramedical staff with a no touch technique (ask the patient to pull down his/her lower lid or pull it down with a swab stick)

Protocols for Ward

i. Patients and attendants should be screened before entering the wards.

ii. Only one attendant per patient can be allowed.

ii. Patients to be kept in the ward duly maintaining adequate distancing.

 iv. Regular sanitization of ward (with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution) should be done frequently at least twice in a shift. Instrument sterilization after seeing each patient needs to be done as per the manufacturer's protocol.

 v. In case a Covid-19 patient with Eye condition is to be admitted, a separate room or an isolation ward should be used

Protocols for OT Services

i.         Pre-surgical Covid-19 test on patients is not mandatory, but a thorough history taking & examination must be done to ensure that patient has minimal probability of having COVID infection.

ii.            No routine procedure/surgery to be done in a Covid-19 suspect/confirmed case

iii.           Appropriate PPE as per MOHFW guideline should be worn by OT staff.

iv.           The OT tables, floor and equipment should be properly disinfected after each use.

Protocols for Hospital Staff

i. The duty roster of all HCWs including doctors, nurses and paramedical workers should ensure effective social distancing.

ii. Inform your immediate superior if you develop any symptoms/signs of COVID like infection.

5. In case of a suspect or confirmed case in the premises, the protocols for attending to suspect or confirmed case and disinfection available at:https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesonpreventivemeasurestocontainspreadofCOVID19inworkplacesettings.pdf shall be followed. These include:

 i. Place the ill person in a room or area where they are isolated from others.

ii. Provide a mask/face cover till such time he/she is examined by a doctor.

iii. Immediately inform on premise nodal officer and the state or district helpline.

iv. A risk assessment will be undertaken by the designated public health authority (district RRT/treating physician) and accordingly further action be initiated regarding management of case, his/her contacts and need for disinfection.

v. Disinfection of the premises to be taken up if the person is found positive.

Emergencies in Ophthalmology Practice

Urgency in eye cases is determined by the potential risk to vision, Eye & life and impact on the quality of life if left untreated. Based on these criteria the Ocular Emergencies are listed below:

• Injury to the eye (chemical, thermal, mechanical) • Sudden loss of vision

 • Acute pain in the eye

• Acute red eye

• Acute onset of eyelid lesions

 • Acute onset of double vision or sudden onset of drooping of the eyelid

 • Acute onset of coloured halos, photophobia, floaters or flashes of light

 • Acute onset of discharge from the eye/eyes

• Acute or subacute (days to weeks) onset of bulging of the eye

 • Retinal Detachment, Retinal Tear, Fresh CNVM, Viral Retinitis, intraocular Infection, Non traumatic perforation of Eyeball even in absence of vision loss.

CWC MEETING

 

CWC MEETING

No:-   R-III/52/52                                        Dated 24.08.2020

                                     CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING

                                                               NOTICE

The Central Working committee Meeting of All India RMS and MMS Employees Union Group C (CHQ) is hereby notified to be held on 06.09.2020 (Sunday) from 11.00 hrs through Video Conference considering the situation created by Covid-19.

All office bearers of CHQ and all Circle Secretaries, Mahila Sub Committee, Chairperson Convener and Joint Convener office bearers are requested to join the meeting on the date and time as notified through link of Google meet. Divisional Secretaries of MMS Divisions Delhi, Kolkotta, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Banglore and Ahmadabad are also requested to join the meeting as special invitees.
AGENDA
1.    President’s Opening address.
2.    Organizational review at all level
3.    Review of the situation in Covid-19.
4.    Review of agitational programmes on 1st May, 22nd May-2020 and 9 August-20 Save India day on call of NFPE and Confederation.
5.    Discussion on issues after implementation of CSI and PNOP in RMS.
6.    Modernization in RMS, MMS, Mail Net Work Optimization and New Postal policy.
7.    Repair and maintenance of RMS & MMS buildings. 
8.    Cadre Review of Group C and MMS employees.
9.    Filling up all vacant posts and removal of ban on creation of new posts.
10.    Merger, relocation, diversion and abolition of L2 Mail Offices to L-1 Mail Offices, abolition of RMS Sections.
11.    Discussion on the issue of Road Transport Network. Provide Department vehicles and sufficient regular staff instead of Contractual Mail Motor.
12.    P.O. RMS Accountant Special Allowances and issues related to 7th CPC.
13.    Problems of RMS/MMS, MBC, AMPC, Creation of NSPCS Hubs, L-1, L-2, First class & II class mail hubs, Parcel Hubs, CRC, Speed Post, EPP Norms and replacement of condemned vehicles, filling up of the posts of Manager and Assistant manager and postal Assistant, Driver, Artisans in MMS and other.
14.    Membership Verification.
15.    Administration attack on trade unions cadres.
16.    Any other item with the permission of the Chair.
Pradip U. Khadse
General Secretary 
Copy to:-
1.    Com P. V. Rajendran, AIRMS & MMS EU Gr C, CHQ
2.    All Members of Central working committee
3.    All Mahila Sub Committee members..
4.    The Divisional Secretaries of MMS Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Banglore and Ahmedabad.
5.    The Secretary, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110 001
6.    All chief PMG.
7.    The Secretary General NFPE, 1st Floor North Avenue PO, New Delhi-1
 

 PROMOTION TO THE GRADE OF DIRECTOR GENERAL POSTAL SERVICES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

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http://utilities.cept.gov.in/dop/pdfbind.ashx?id=4719

 

 

  COM.S.S.ROY

It is with great sadness, we received the message of  the sudden demise of Com. S.S. Roy, working President of NCCPA today the 13^th August, 2020.  He was afflicted with the deadly virus Covid 19 further saddened us.   He was taken to a Private Nursing home at Kolkata by his son due to acute abdominal pain  and cardiac difficulties  but could not be saved.  The end came at the small hours of the day. 

        Com.S.S. Roy was an astute leader of the Postal Employees and have led them in many capacities, both at the National and State levels.  Mostly he was stationed at Kolkata and was responsible to a great extent  in shaping the movement of the Central Govt. employees in the State of West Bengal.  If the COC of Central Government employees of West Bengal is the most united and militant organization and if it is today a class conscious organization,  a good amount of credit must go to him.  The untiring efforts, disciplined functioning and leadership qualities  of comrades like S.S. Roy had been instrumental in the present day stature of the COC West Bengal.   After his retirement from service, he did not choose to have a peaceful life away from the trials and tribulations of the working class movement. The advent of neo-liberal policies and the constant attack on the working class; the continous efforts of the successive governments to enslave   the country  once again; the ideological shift especially amongst the middle class employees; the communal polarization of the society, emergence of fundamentalism and religiosity ; eclipse of secularism as a way of  social life; sliding down the scientific temper in the contemporary society; all saddened him and made him active in the movement which he aspired to make it mighty.   He seems to have decided that he must be active in the movement as long as his physical ability permits which extended till his date of death.  He was the Working President of the National Co-ordination Committee of Pensioners Associations.  On 16^th July, 2020, he chaired the National Executive Committee meting of  NCCPA.  He was a very soft spoken person but at the same time firm and unflinching on certain ideals.   While he patiently hears all presentations at the meetings,  the views contrary to the working class interest is seldom considered by him.  He was clearly conscious of the requirement of discipline as the supreme pre-requisite for the well functioning of an organization.

        Born in Murshidabad, West Bengal, in 1941, Com.Roy had his primary education in his home town.  He took his graduation and entered the Government service in Postal Department and rose to become a Supervisor in SBCO wing.  He dedicated his whole life in the service of the Postal Employees.  The Postal employees are the backbone of the Central Government employees’ movement and have the presence in every nook and corner of the country. 

 In all the general strike actions, organized by the Central Trade Unions in the country against the  economic policies, the participation of the postal employees and the consequent closure of post offices even in small rural villages, had made the event a truly pan Indian matter.  Extensive travel to the rural areas  was a pre- requisite before every such action, which the leaders had undertaken. It is the determination and dedication of comrades like Com.S.S. Roy that made the Postal employees movement in West Bengal so strong and united today. 

         In 1999, Com.Roy was elected as the President of the COC. West Bengal. From 2002 to 2005, he worked as its General Secretary. For a long time, thereafter, he was the joint convenor of the united Committee of Teachers, workers and employees (popularly known as 12^th July Committee), which had been the joint platform for struggle especially of the middle class employees of West Bengal.  He had spent considerable time and energy in organizing the Central Government employees movement in West Bengal. 

        His departure is bound to orphan the young comrades who are presently in the forefront of Central Government employees’ movement in West Bengal.  They shall no doubt be able to overcome the void created by the departure of Com. S.S. Roy though  the absence of his physical presence and sanguine advice will be felt daunting for many more days to come.

       On behalf of the National Secretariat of the NCCPA and on my personal behalf, I convey my heartfelt condolences to all his colleagues and comrades, who had the occasion to work with him and importantly to the bereaved members of his family.

                                                                               Lal Salam Comrade;

Long live Com.SS. Roy’s memory

                                                                               K.K.N. Kutty,

                      Secretary General, NCCPA and Vice President,

                                           Confederation of CGE & Workers.

 

 PROCESSING OF DEATH CLAIMS REQUESTS UNDER ATAL PENSION YOJANA (APY) – EXTENSION OF TIME IN VIEW OF COVID 19 PANDEMIC: PFRDA CIRCULAR

PENSION FUND REGULATORY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

CIRCULAR

CIR No.: PFRDA/2020/33/SUP-POP/5

August 11, 2020

To

        A. Point of Presence (PoPs) under Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

        B. NSDL-CRA

Subject: Processing of death claims requests under Atal Pension Yojana (APY)- Extension of Time in view of Covid 19 pandemic – reg.

This has reference to Circular no. PFRDA/2020/24/ SUP-POP/3 dated June 16, 2020 ( Annexure , wherein, owing to the difficulties faced by Point of Presence under Atal Pension Yojana (hereinafter referred as PoP-APY’) in processing of death claim requests during the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Authority had eased the processing of death claim requests.

2. Considering the continuing disruption of normal activities and travel restrictions across various parts of the country owing to Covid-19 pandemic, following extensions have been granted: –

a. The timeline for processing of death claims requests under APY, based on scanned documents, has been extended till 30th September, 2020, and

b. Consequently, the deadline for submission of physical documents to CRA has been extended till 30th October, 2020.

3. All other terms and conditions of Circular no. PFRDA/2020/24/SUPPOP/3 dated 16th June, 2020 shall remain the same.

4. This circular is issued under Section 14 of PFRDA Act, 2013 and is available in Circulars section of Regulatory Framework at PFRDA’s website.

 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED TO EXAMINE ISSUE RELATED TO SPECIAL ALLOWANCE TO P O & RMS ACCOUNTANTS OF DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

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VERY SAD NEWS            Com.R.Seethalakshmi , Ex, General Secretary AIPE UNION Postmen &MTS and Ex, Deputy Secretary General, NFPE Expired today on 1st August 2020 evening at her residence at Bangalore.           She was a very devoted and Committed Trade Union leader.          She was very simple in living but principled in working.          She is the first women union activist who reached on highest position.           She was suffering from Cancer but it was detected only some days before. Doctors tried their best but could not survive her.           Today afternoon she was discharged from hospital .I was in constant touch with her family and Comrades of Karnataka, but it was not expected that she will leave all of us so early.           This is an irreparable loss to Trade Union movement.           We on behalf of AIPCPCCWF,CHQ Convey our heartfelt condolences to her bereaved family members and Comrades of Karnataka and P4.          We dip our banner in respect of her.         We pray eternal peace for departed soul.          Red Salute Com.Seethalakshmi.                                      Com.Seethalakshmi Amar Rahe.                                                                        ...............R.J.MADHUSUDHAN RAO                                                                                          CIRCLE SECRETARY