FAQs on Bio-metric Attendance System (BAS)

Q.1 How does an organisation start Biometric Attendance System (BAS) for their employees?
Ans.Please submit details of the nodal officer and upload a signed request by the head of the department on attendance.gov.in portal. System would send OTP to the mobile number/email id of the nodal officer which needs to be entered again on the portal for verification. Back-end administrator would then check the details of the organisation submitted and make the organisation active by assigning it a unique sub-domain which will be the first name of the website. Nodal officer will then be sent an email by the system giving username (which will be the sub-domain name assigned to the organisation) and a password.

Q.2 Steps to be done by the nodal officer to start registration of employees

Ans.Nodal officer would need to login on attendance.gov.in with the user name and password sent on completion of step 1 and then create master list of locations of their offices, designation of their offices and divisions/units/groups within their organisation.

Q.3 How does employee start registering on the portal ?

Ans.After nodal officer completes step 1 & 2, employee can start registering on-line either at attendance.gov.in by submitting their details along with their Aadhaar number.

Q.4 What are steps of verification of employees?

Ans.Nodal Officer would need to verify details submitted by  the employee including whether Aadhaar number entered by the employee belongs to them. After completing of the above verifications, employee would be informed by SMS/Email that his registration process is completed on the attendance.gov.in is completed.

Q.5 Whether an employee will be able to mark his attendance on any Biometric Attendance System (BAS) terminal installed in any Government Building

Ans.Yes, this will be  possible as employee database for all central Government employees will be maintained centrally with a unique 6 digit id provided for every Government employee (based on the last 6 or first 6 digits of his/her Aadhaar number whichever is available in the system). The dashboard reports would be able show the location/building from where an employee has marked his attendance.

Q.6 How will an employee mark attendance if he/she is not having Aadhaar number ?

Ans.Aadhhar number is essential for registering an employee in BAS. Government employees who are not having Aadhaar number can enrol themselves for Aadhaar numbers in the special camps which are being held by UIDAI in various Government Buildings or permanent enrolment centres of UIDAI in Delhi as per details available at the link below as given:https://appointments.uidai.gov.in/easearch.aspx

Single point of contact for arranging Aadhaar enrollment facility at Bhawans is as per details given below.

Shri Suman Kumar,

ADG, Regional office, UIDAI, Delhi

Phone : 23481111

Email: suman[at]uidai[dot]net[dot]in

Q.7 Is network connectivity essential for marking attendance

Ans.Yes, as it is an online attendance system. Network connectivity will be essential for marking attendance. Therefore, two types of connectivity are being planned with each attendance terminal; one wi-fi connectivity on NICNET/broadband and other sim based GSM connectivity in the tablet.

At a high level the overall solution has two main components.

(i) Front End System (to be installed at client user end)

(ii) Back End System (attendance servers to be hosted in NIC data centre with connectivity to UIDAI for real-time bio-metric authentication)

The Front End System would be a hardware device like Android tablet or a Desktop PC having client application. Once the user ID (6 digit unique number assigned to an employee) is entered, the application would prompt user to provide the biometric data through finger print/Iris scanner which will be sent through the network connectivity to the backend system.

The Back End System (also called the attendance server) would have functionalities to receive data from the client terminals and send it for real-time Aadhaar authentication. It would also have features for organisation/employee registration and preparing real-time attendance reports in dashboard.

It would be possible to see dashboard reports of each organisation by using sub-domain assigned to an organisation e.g.nic.attendance.gov.in

Q.8 No of bio-metric terminals required 

Ans.Every employee will need to enter his 6 digit unique id on the touch screen of the tablet and then present his bio-metric (finger print/ iris) for authentication. This may initially take up to 30 seconds to 1 minute depending on number of attempts required. With some practice and training, the time  for giving bio-metric attendance by each employee may reduce to less than 10 seconds.Therefore one bio-metric terminal may be sufficient for about 30 to 40 employees during 30 minute peak load time. Assuming 50% to 70% employees will be coming to office during the peak timings, one bio-metric terminal can be planned for catering to every 50 employees in the department. Also, multiple machines will be put in the entry gate which can be commonly used by employees of different ministries/departments, waiting time in the queue will further reduce.

Q.9 Where to install tablet based terminals?

Ans.it is suggested to install multiple BAS terminals at the entry gates of the buildings where security is positioned round the clock.

Q.10 Where to install desktop based finger print devices?

Ans.it is suggested to install desktop finger print devices on Windows desktop PCs connected on LAN (NICNET) in the offices of JS and above and also with section officers for marking attendance of the employees working in the respective sections in order to avoid rush at the attendance terminals installed at the entry gates.

Q.11 Who would maintain the attendance terminals, connectivity and attendance software for desktop PCs?

Ans.It would be additional responsibility of FMS who are maintaining LAN/NICNET connectivity in the Bhawans under guidance and coordination of nicnet/network managers. Additional FMS are being proposed to be deployed at Bhawans under this project.

Q.12 Type of reports which will be available on dashboard

Ans.Some of the sample reports can be viewed at jharkhand.attendance.gov.in and deity.gov.in/attendance. Attendance software is being developed with assistance of UIDAI team. Please send your valuable feedback in improving the features and MIS reports of the attendance system software.

Q.13 Expected Role of NIC HoDs/Teams posted in Ministries/Departments

Ans.Deity/NIC/NICSI/UIDAI are the implementing agency for this project and the bio-metric attendance system will need to be made operational in every ministry/department as soon as attendance terminals are delivered which is expected soon.NIC HODs of the bhawan/ department/ministry or its attached/ subordinate office in consultation with nodal officer of that office will identify locations where attendance terminals are to be installed in the Bhawans.Since, NICNET connectivity is the primary connectivity for running the BAS. NIC Bhawan network coordinators are requested to help in getting the power supply extended at those locations with help of local CPWD offices. NIC Bhawan network coordinators along with network team at NIC hqrs will also be responsible for extending LAN/alternate connectivity at the entry gates and install WI-FI access points/Attendance terminals.NIC HODs posted in Ministries/Bhawans are requested to provide technical assistance to the Nodal officers in completing registration of all employees on the portal and provide handholding training/technical assistance in smooth installation/running of the attendance terminals. NIC HODs will also be keeping inventory of bio-metric terminals/devices installed in various locations in their Ministry/Department.

Q.14 Role of nodal officers in the ministries

Ans.Nodal officers will get the details of all employees entered on the portal and also organize special camps in their Bhawans with help of UIDAI regional office, Delhi for enrollment of employees not having Aadhaar numbers.Nodal officers would also be responsible for creating masters of location, designation and divisions/groups within their organization.Verification of employees data will also be done by the nodal officers of the department whereas QC team of UIDAI will be assisting in verification of Aadhhar data of employees.You are welcome to send feedback and suggestions in helpdesk-attendance[at]nic[dot]in

Training at Bangkok - 2015

Directorate has nominated the following officers for IMA and PBD training at APPC Bangkok from 16-2-2015 to 6-3-2015.

A) International Mail Accounting (IMA) : 

     Shri B. S. Patare, ADPS, Foreign Post, Mumbai. 

B) Postal Business Development (PBD) : 

     Smt. Megha K. Gudekar, ADPS (BD) o/o PMG, Mumbai Region, Mumbai.

This association congratulates the officer for  selection.

Transfers/postings in the Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) of the Indian Postal Service, Group 'A'

To view a copy of order issued by Directorate vide Memo No. 1-18/2014-SPG dated 5th February 2015, please   CLICK HERE

Sukanya Samriddhi Account / Yojana is a Small Savings Special deposit Scheme for girl child. This scheme is specially designed for girl’s higher education or marriage needs.

The Scheme launched for the welfare of the girl child, to save and educate the girl child.

Features of Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA):

·Who can open the account? – Sukanya Samriddhi Account (or Khata) can be opened on a girl child’s name by her natural (biological) parents or legal guardian.

·What is the Age limit? – SSA can be opened in the name of a girl child from the birth of the girl child till she attains the age of  10 years.  ( As per SB Order No. 2/2015 : The Girl child who is born on or after  02.12.2003 can open account )

.How many accounts can be opened? – A depositor may open and operate only one account in the name of same girl child under this scheme. The depositor (or) guardian can open only two SSA accounts. There is one exception to this rule. The natural or legal guardian can open two or three accounts if twin girls are born as second birth or triplets are born in the first birth itself.

·How to open a SSA account? Accounts in name of the girl child can be opened in post offices or in any branch of a commercial bank that is authorized by the Central Government to open an account under this scheme rules.

.What is the minimum deposit to open the account? – The account may be opened with an initial deposit of one thousand rupees. The minimum contribution in any financial year is Rs 1000. Thereafter the contributions can in multiples of one hundred rupees.

·What is the maximum deposit amount? – a minimum of one thousand rupees shall be deposited in a financial year but the total money deposited in an account on a single occasion or on multiple occasions shall not exceed Rs 1.5 Lakh in a financial year.

·Deposits in an account may be made till the child completes fourteen years, from the date of opening of the account.

·Is there any penalty? – If minimum (Rs 1000 pa) amount is not deposited, the account will be treated as an irregular account. This can be regularized/renewed on payment of Rs 50 per year as penalty. Along with this, the minimum specified subscription for the year (s) of default should be paid.

·What is the mode of deposit? – The deposits in Sukanya Samruddhi scheme can be made in the form of Cash or Demand Draft or Cheque. Where deposit is made by cheque or demand draft, the date of encashment of the cheque or demand draft shall be the date of credit to the account. The cheque or DD should be drawn in favour of the postmaster of the concerned post office or the Manager of the concerned bank. The depositor (parents or guardian) has to write the account holder’s name (child’s name) and the account number on the backside of the instrument.

·What is the Rate of Interest on Sukanya Samriddhi Account? – The applicable rate of interest on SSA for the financial year 2014-2015 is 9.1%. This is one of the highest rates of interest offered by Government on small savings scheme

·Is interest rate fixed or variable? – The rate of interest is not fixed and will be notified by the central government on a yearly basis.

·The account can be transferred anywhere in India if the girl shifts to a place other than the city or locality where the account stands.

·Is Premature withdrawal allowed? – 50 % (half of the fund) of the accumulated amount in SSA can be withdrawn for girl’s higher education and marriage after she attains 18 years of age. The account’s balance at the end of preceding financial year is used for the calculation.

·Can the girl child operate the account? On attaining age of ten years, the account holder that is the girl child may herself operate the account, however, deposit in the account may be made by the guardian or parents.

·Is premature closure allowed? In the event of death of the account holder, the account shall be closed immediately on production of death certificate. the balance at the credit of the account shall be paid along with interest till the month preceding the month of premature closure of the account , to the guardian of the account holder.

·The scheme would mature on completion of 21 years of the girl child, from the date of opening of the account, with an option of keeping the account till marriage.

.Can the girl child continue the account after her marriage? – The operation of the account shall not be permitted beyond the date of the girl’s marriage.

·What are the required documents to open Sukanya Samriddhi Account? – Birth certificate of the girl child has to be produced. The depositor (parents or guardian) has to submit his/her identity and address proofs.

·On opening an account, the depositor shall be given a pass book. It will have date of birth of the girl child, date of opening of account, account number, name and address of the account holder and the initial amount deposited. The depositor has to present the passbook to the post office or bank at the time of depositing/receiving the interest/on maturity.

http://sapost.blogspot.in/

Tax Benefits on Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme

The amount that is deposited under Sukanya Samriddhi Account will be eligible for income tax exemption under Section 80C of Income Tax Act, 1961.

At present, only the contribution of up to Rs 1.5 lakh toward Sukanya Samridhi Yojana is eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C. But discussions are on to also exempt the interest income and withdrawal amount. We can expect a formal announcement on this in the coming Union Budget 2015-16.

(Issue of making interest income and withdrawal exempt from taxation can be done by Department of Revenue (DoR) through legislative amendments. The matter is under examination of DoR)

Sukanya Samriddhi Account vs Public Provident Fund (PPF)

Both Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) and Public Provident Fund (PPF) aims to seed the savings habit but both schemes have their own pros and cons.

Stressing on the girls role in making the India competitive and prosperous nation, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has today launched a new small savings account for the girl child “Sukanya Samriddhi Account” as an integral part of the “Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao” campaign.

Sukanya Samriddhi Account was initially introduced by Shri Arun Jaitely in his maiden budget speech but has been officially launched today by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He has handed over bank account details to five girls under the “Sukanya Samridhi Yojna” (girl child prosperity scheme).

Sukanya Samridhi Yojna is a special deposit scheme for girl child only but one another popular scheme to benefit child (irrespective of girl or boy) is Public Provident Fund (PPF).

Let’s see the difference between Sukanya Samriddhi Account and Public Provident Fund (PPF)

Sukanya Samriddhi Account vs Public Provident Fund (PPF)

Points of Difference	Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA)	Public Provident Fund (PPF)
For whom	Only for Girl Child.	For every Indian Citizen.
Age Limit	From the birth till she attains age of 10 years.	No age limit.
By whom	By the girl child who has attained the age of 10 years or by the natural or legal guardian.	By the Individual but by the natural or legal guardian for the minor child.
Where to open	Post office and nationalized banks but not   private banks.	Post office and nationalized banks, including private banks.
Number of Account	One account for each girl child, maximum up to 2 or 3 accounts if twin girls are born in the second birth or triplets are born in the first birth.	Each Individual can hold only one account in   his name.
Minimum Contribution	Rs.1,000	Rs.500
Maximum Contribution	Rs.1.5 lakhs in all accounts.	Rs.1.5 lakhs in all accounts.
Interest Rate	9.1% per annum for fiscal year 2014-15.	8.70% per annum for fiscal year 2014-15.
Tax Benefit on the Contribution	Contributed Amount will be deductible u/s 80C.	Contributed Amount will be deductible u/s 80C.
Tax Benefit on the interest earned	At present no tax benefit is announced for the interest earned. A mere sum of Rs.1,5o0 will be deductible u/s 10(32) .	Interest Earned is tax free under PPF.
Time Period of contribution	Minimum tenure of contribution is 14 years from the date of opening of account.	Minimum 15 years and then in blocks of 5 years.
Maturity	21 years from the date of opening of account.	15 years from the fiscal year of opening of account.
Penalty	Rs.50 per year if minimum contribution is not made.	Rs.50 per year if minimum contribution is not made.
Mode of Deposit	Cash or Demand Draft or Cheque	Cash or Demand Draft or Cheque
Premature Withdrawal	Allowed up to 50% for the girl’s higher education and marriage after she attains 18 years of age	No premature withdrawal is allowed except in case of death of the account holder.
Loan	No loan can be taken on the SSA balance.	Loan can be taken from the third year of opening of account to the sixth year.
Taxation on Maturity	No tax will be levied on the maturity amount.	No tax will be levied on the maturity amount.

Note:

1.      Interest rate under both the schemes will be notified each year by the Government.

2.      Interest will be compounded yearly under both schemes.

3.      Loan on the PPF balance is restricted to 25% of the balance at the end of 2^nd year.

4.      At present interest earned on SSA account is taxable in the hands of guardian but it may get tax rebate in the upcoming budget.

5.       Contributed amount get deduction u/s 80c up to Rs.1.5 lakhs including all other eligible investments.

Obituary To Shri B. Dattamoorty

Shri. B Dattamoorty, retired Asstt.Postmaster General, GPO Mumbai & thereafter practicing as an Advocate expired on 01.02.2015 at night, due to prolonged illness.

He left behind his wife/widow Rajeshwari B. Dattamorty & elder brother Shri. B. Nagrajan ex. Senior Supdt. Mumbai & RMS 'F' Division Nagpur.

Contact No: 28384153/28390098
Mob No: 9820569904

Contact Address:

C- 303/C-503 Nirman Palace Vikas Nagar Pump House Andheri East, Opp Punjab National Bank, Mumbai.

Message received by: Mrs S.S. Karkera (Advocate) on 05.02.2015.

Transfer posting in JTS GR "A" cadre

MUMBAIPEX 2015- DISTRICT LEVEL PHILATELIC EXHIBITION

Allotment/Posting in ASP cadre

The competent authority has ordered the allotment/posting of the following officer in ASP cadre on discharge from APS on age/service limit with immediate effect in the interest of service.

Sr. No.	Name & designation of the officer	Present Unit	Allotment Unit	Remarks
1.	Shri M Y Nagdive	On deputation to APS C/O APO 56	Nagpur Region	On discharge from APS in the interest of service.