Tuesday 30 June 2015

Expected DA July 2015 - AICPIN for the month of May 2015



Expected DA July 2015 - AICPIN for the month of May 2015





Index of CPI(IW) BY2001=100 for the month of May 2015





According to the press release of Labour Bureau, the All-India CPI-IW for May, 2015 increased by 2 points and pegged at 258 (two hundred and fifty eight).





G.I., Min. of Lab. & Emp., Labour Bureau, P.R.No. 5/1/2015- CPI, dated 30.6.2015





Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) - May, 2015





The All-India CPI-1W for May, 2015 increased by 2 points and pegged at 258 (two hundred and fifty eight). On l-month percentage change, it increased by 0.78 per cent between April, 2015 and May, 2015 when compared with the increase of (+) 0.83 per cent between the same two months a year ago. 



Click here to read continue...

Continuation of ad-hoc appointment in the grade Of UDCs of CSCS – Dopt Orders



Continuation of ad-hoc appointment in the grade Of UDCs of CSCS – Dopt Orders





G.I., Dept. of Per. & Trg., O.M.No.3/2/2010-CS.II (B), dated 30.6.2015





Subject: Continuation of ad-hoc appointment in the grade Of UDCs of CSCS -reg.





The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M of even number dated 9th January, 2015 on the subject mentioned above, vide which Cadre Units were permitted to continue ad-hoc appointments in the grade of UDCs up to 30/06/2015. Further continuance of these appointments has been reviewed in this Department and it has been decided that the period of the ad-hoc appointment of those LDCs of CSCS who are working as UDCs of CSCS on ad-hoc basis may be extended upto 31.122015 or till they are appointed on regular basis, whichever is earlier.



Click here to read continue...

Requirement of taking prior permission for leaving station / headquarters from going abroad while on leave – Dopt


Requirement of taking prior permission for leaving station / headquarters from going abroad while on leave – Dopt




G.I., Dept. of Per. & Trg., O.M.F.No.11013/8/2015-Estt.A-III, dated 29.6.2015



Subject: Requirement of taking prior permission for leaving station/ headquarters from going abroad while on leave.



Undersigned is directed to say that a need for further streamlining the procedure for grant of permission for going abroad on private visit has been felt. A draft of instructions and the formats for grant of permission are attached. Comments/ views, if any, in this regard may be sent to the e-mail address mp.ramarao@nic.in latest by 10th July, 2015.



Click here to read continue...

7th CPC likely to recommend Jan 1, July 1 as Annual Increment days



7th Pay Commission likely to recommend Jan 1, July 1 as Annual Increment issuing days





“On July 1 of each year, annual increments are given for all the Central Government employees. So, tomorrow is the “Increment Day” for all.”





The 6th Pay Commission had introduced the practice of granting annual increment for all on the same day. Until then, increments were implemented for the employees based either on their date of joining or on their promotion dates.





In order to reduce the monthly work burden and for administrative expediency, suggestions from the various departments were presented to the 6th Pay Commission to recommend a single day as increment date. The 6th Pay Commission had recommend 1st July of earch year as increment day. From 01.01.2006 onwards, July 1 was made the day of implementation of annual increments to all CG staff.



Click here to read continue...

‘Expected DA July 2015’ to be finalized – May 2015 AICPIN to be announced today



‘Expected DA July 2015’ to be finalized – May 2015 AICPIN to be announced today





‘DA from July 2015’ will most likely be finalized today; DA calculation stands at nearly 6%, as of now.





The price of petrol and diesel is one of the most important factors that influence the prices of general commodities. Petrol and diesel prices had increased by 10 to 15% in the month of May. Experts believe that it will have a huge impact on the prices of essential commodities too.



Click here to read continue...

Monday 29 June 2015

Grant of age concession to the Persons with Disabilities for direct recruitment to civil posts/services under the Central Government – Dopt Orders



Grant of age concession to the Persons with Disabilities for direct recruitment to civil posts/services under the Central Government – Dopt Orders





G.I., Dept. of Per. & Trg., O.M.F.No15012/1/2003-Estt.(D), dated 29.6.2015





Subject: Grant of age concession to the Persons with Disabilities suffering from (a) blindness or ow vision, (b) hearing impairment and (c) locomotor disability or cerebral palsy for direct recruitment to civil posts/services under the Central Government.





The undersigned is directed to say that the following age concessions have been provided to physically handicapped persons for recruitment under the Central Government:

Click here to read continue...

AICPIN points for the month of May to be announced Tomorrow



AICPIN points for the month of May to be announced Tomorrow





“The Ministry of Labour will announce the ‘All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers’ for the month of May, tomorrow; AICPIN indicates the rise and fall of prices of essential commodities across important towns and cities in the country”.





After significant changes in the Agricultural and Rural AICPIN points in the month of May, there is tremendous curiosity regarding the AICPIN points for the industrial workers. The index of Agricultural and Rural AICPIN had increased by 6 and 7 points to 811 and 816 respectively.





CPI (IW) BY 2001=100 points indicate the fluctuation of prices of essential commodities. If the CPI (IW) points increase, it leads to an increase in the percentage of additional Dearness Allowance for Central Government employees and Pensioners.



Click here to read continue...

Govt mulls increasing eligibility limit of bonus from 10000 to 21000


Govt mulls increasing eligibility limit of bonus from 10000 to 21000



Central Government is considering to increase the eligibility limit of bonus from 10000 to 21000.



According to media source, the Central is going to give a green signal to the much awaited decision to raise eligibility limit of bonus from Rs.10000 to 21000. And the calculation ceiling also hike from Rs.3,500 to Rs.7,000



The payment of Bonus (Amendment) ordinance 2007 according to which section 12 of the payment of Bonus Act 1965 had been amended raising the ceiling for calculation purpose from salary of 2500/- P.M. to Rs.3500/-P.M. w.e.f. 01.04.2006. And also amended the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 to raise the eligibility limit for payment of bonus from the salary or wage of Rs. 3500/- per month to Rs. 10000/- per month.

Click here to read continue...

Additional list of hospitals under CGHS Delhi & NCR



Additional list of hospitals under CGHS Delhi & NCR





Department of Health and Family Welfare issued lot of amendment orders from time to time(12.11.2014 & 10.02.2015, 24.02.2015, 12.05.2015 and 24.6.2015) regarding the empanelment of hospitals under CGHS. In continuation of this Department OM dated 1.10.2014, an additional list of hospitals (including dental clinics & eye centres) have also been empanelled under CGHS in Delhi & NCR w.e.f. 24.06.2015.



Click here to read continue...

Tatkal booking likely to get easier – IRCTC



Tatkal booking likely to get easier – IRCTC





“Attempts are being made to simplify the extremely popular Tatkal reservation system.”





Tatkal booking is a blessing in disguise for train travelers who urgently need tickets, but the process of booking tickets on this system could be a constant source of irritation. Though plenty of reasons are attributed to it, the main grouse is the slow server connectivity and the IRCTC website’s inability to handle multiple user load.





Addressing this issue, Sandeep Dutta, the Chief Public Relation Officer of IRCTC, which is a sister concern of the Indian Railways, said, “All over the country, more than ten lakh tickets are reserved everyday, of which about 50% is booked through IRCTC.



Click here to read continue...

Employment News Weekly Report – Recruitment in Railways and RBI



Employment News Weekly Report – Recruitment in Railways and RBI





Employment News has uploaded another fresh list of vacancies in Central Govt Sector for Indian job seekers. This time Railway Board and Reserve Bank of India. More than 2000 vacancies in Railways and 500 vacancies in RBI…





1. Railway Recruitment Board


Name of Post –unior Engineer, Depot Material Superintendent, Chemical & Metallurgical Assistant, Sr. Section Engineer and Chief Depot Material Superintendent.


No. of Vacancies – Over 2000


Last Date – 26.07.2015





2. Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai


Name of Post – Professor cum Principal, Assistant Professor, Technical Officer, Officer-in-charge etc.


No. of Vacancies – 22


Last Date – 03.07.2015



Click here to read continue...

Saturday 27 June 2015

Hvalfjörður

Lupin love to pose : )

This photo doesn't really need explanation, does it? 

If you've been visiting Iceland Eyes for a while, you'll know that I love taking intimate, macro photos of plants and flowers, and getting up close and personal with this lupin bloom paid off well.

Óðinn and I drove Hvalfjörður on our way back into town from our awesome trip to Arnarstapi and Snæfellsnes last weekend, something I don't do often enough. On the north side of the fjord we stopped at an abandoned liparite quarry and poked around  (liparít as it's known in Icelandic is actually rhyolite, the kind of rock that makes the landscape at Landmannalaugar famously colorful. For the curious, there's also a cool ghost town of the same name in the Nevada part of Death Valley.) 

The abandoned rhyolite quarry. You can see the helpful gull at the top.

Stopping at the quarry was of course my idea. 9 year old Óðinn had his nose in a Donald Duck comic, and was ready to just stay in the car until we got back into town. But I made him get out, and as soon as he realized what was on offer, he was stoked. There were two rusty yellow Caterpillars, a digger and a bulldozer, just sitting there.

A big yellow machine! 

He immediately climbed onto the bulldozer, tried its doors, and whooped when one opened. In he went, jiggling all the gears and testing out every possible lever or button to see if they worked. I had one of those glorious moments where I knew everything was totally fine: the place was totally empty (so no one was there to judge me for Bad Parenting for letting my son do what any boy and most girls would want - no, need - to do!), the Cat machines weren't going anywhere, and the worst that could happen was maybe a bite from an irritated spider or a scratch if he wasn't careful with his movements. But my son is so agile (like my daughter has always been) and has had it drummed into him to be a reasonable, intelligent and responsible Adventurer, so I felt happy that he was getting a chance to explore this huge machine like he wanted to. (I just knocked on wood, adding the Icelandic sjö, níu, þrettán, or seven, nine, thirteen while knocking, just so that I don't jinx him with that last sentence!)


The tractor we were warned away from by the gull.

When we went over to the other Cat, some kind of gull-ish flying creature came zooming in to the quarry, literally yelling at us almost hysterically. Of course my first thought was that she had a nest there, but there was something about her voice, and how totally urgent it sounded that made me know that she was warning us to move away from that unit, and that inner edge of the site. We had Kría, or Arctic Terns, dive-bombing and screeching at us at Arnarstapi, but I've rarely heard gulls make such a fuss, and in such a weird location, otherwise totally devoid of birdlife. She perched on a cliff shoulder about fifteen feet away, and kept on squawking in this strange, almost human voice. So I called calmly up to her that we weren't any danger, wouldn't be doing any harm. She responded with another loud cry. Then I thanked her for what I considered was a warning for us, and told her we'd heed it, takk, takk. She squawked one more light squawk, stayed for a few more moments, then flew away. 

Óðinn rock collecting at river by the quarry.

At the western end of the quarry is a river, so we had to go there and rock hunt. We've now got a fine collection of rhyolite in our kitchen, to one day be added to the rockery we're going to create (Óðinn actually wants to get me a house with an entire room just for rocks : ) I also got a few macro shots of flora from the rocky riverbank, as well as one of a nice spider who was just in the process of wrapping up her bug meal when we found her. 

Spider wrapping her dinner.

It was a great hour we spent. I love being able to give my kids the chance to explore the world the way my father let my sister and I explore - it was fully instilled in to us that we had to play smart, and use our wits, and to never assume that nothing's going to happen, to Be Prepared, but to take some exciting risks anyway. That's harder to do now, and nearly impossible in the States, where helicopter/over-parenting is epidemic (I guess I'm doing what's now termed Free Range parenting!) I'm glad I listened to the gull, though, because of course any abandoned site, with rusty metal and potentially loose rock and such, could get scary all too quickly...

After leaving the quarry, we rounded the bottom of the fjord (absolutely gorgeous region, btw) and, on the southern side, stopped at a cute little waterfall at Fossá (here's a pic of my Valentina standing under it  from 2008) with a 700,000-tree forest planted by the Forestry Association of Kópavogur, part of the larger national association. There's also a bunch of lupin, hence the top photo.

Fossá by the forest. You can see an ancient stacked-stone sheep-herding pen at center right. 

We played around there, got our feet wet and climbed to the top of the falls, then, happy, called our adventure a day, and headed back into big city life once more...

~.~

Friday 26 June 2015

Yoga made compulsory in Central Government Schools


Yoga made compulsory in Central Government Schools



Smriti Irani, the Minister for Human Resource Development has announced that all over the country, yoga has been made compulsory in all the Central Government run schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.



CBSE board, with over 18,000 schools, is planning a strategy on how to implement the order.



After releasing the handbook and syllabus for yoga sessions in New Delhi, Smriti Irani said, “80 marks will be given for practical yoga. Therefore, this will not become an additional burden on the students.”



Click here to read continue...

We want One Rank One Pension too: Paramilitary Forces



We want One Rank One Pension too: Paramilitary Forces





We want OROP too: Paramilitary Forces





Even as the Centre struggles in implementing the One Rank One Pension (OROP) system for former defence personnel, members of the paramilitary forces have now presented a demand to be included in the pension scheme.





More than the armed forces, we are the ones who are at the warfronts. We are being discriminated against when it comes to pension schemes. We want the OROP scheme to be implemented for us too, they say.



Click here to read continue...

Review of instructions on appointment to Non Functional Selection Grade – Dopt Orders on 25.6.2015



Review of instructions on appointment to Non Functional Selection Grade – Dopt Orders on 25.6.2015





G.I., Dept. of Per. & Trg., O.M.No.22038/1/2015-Est (D), dated 25.6.2015





Subject: Review of instructions on appointment to Non Functional Selection Grade of Organized Group ‘A’ Central Services-regarding.





Reference is invited to the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) Office Memorandum (OM) No. 28038/1/88-Estt.(D) dated 09.10.1989 & OM No. 28038/1/88- Estt.(D) dated 22.11.1990 regulating appointment to Non Functional Selection Grade (NFSG) of organized Group ‘A’ Central Services and DPC Guidelines issued by this Department vide OM Nd1 22611/5/86-Estt.(D) dated 10.04.1989.



Click here to read continue...

Thursday 25 June 2015

Strapping Young Collies

The collie duo are growing up!  They are now 7 months old (Hector) and 6 months old (Florian) and have finally lost all their milk teeth.  They therefore have a beautiful pearly white set of adult teeth each and amazingly my furniture has survived the teething process.  I found that catfish skin chews and puppy sized antlers were perfect when they need something to gnaw on.

Taken this week.  Snuggled up close, as usual.
Since my last post on 12 April they're looking more and more like proper young dogs, rather than puppies.  Hector in particular is huge and is weighing in at just under 17kg.  That's practically elephant sized for a young collie boy of his age: a grown adult male is normally around 22kg.  Florian, by contrast, is 14kg at a month younger, but is catching up fast in terms of height at least.

Hector, looking very much like a young dog, rather than a puppy


Individual Update: Hector

Hector's mottled colouring and amazing fur never fails to take my breath away.  It's so unusual (only 45 blue merle rough collie boys were registered in the whole of the UK last year) and so striking.  He has the most enormous bushy tail and his white mane is starting to grow out.  By Christmas he'll have his first adult winter coat and should look even more stunning. 

Handsome Hector

Hector is a hooligan.  He's got such a naughty streak in him, is incredibly clever, and just a little mischief maker.  He's less confident than Florian, more skittish, and less able to come forward for spontaneous cuddles.  I therefore try to snuggle him as much as possible, precisely because of his reserve.  Whereas Oscar used to sing to me in the mornings, Hector tends to make the most horrendous dinosaur type noises.  It's a kind of "Hello Daddy, BLURGHHHHH" dry-retch noise.  He's a Colliesaurus Rex.

Stick in mouth, up to his mischief!

Individual Update: Florian

Florian on the other hand is, and always will be, my little Golden Boy.  He can't do anything wrong, and when he does we blame it on his big "brother" anyway.  Florian is such a Daddy's boy.   He looks like a little teddy lion collie and is always smiling and wagging his tail.  He's nowhere near as bright as Hooligan, but is the happiest soul on earth. 

Golden Boy Florian

And he's ADORABLE... I mean look at him, asleep cuddling his teddy for heaven's sake!


It's actually a giant teddy mouse, not a bear, but hey
The one time recently when I caught him being naughty (the little sods had stolen a sandal of mine and were playing tug of war with it in the garden) I raised my voice to him.  The look of devastation of his little face would have been appropriate if he'd just seen me beating his mother to death with an iron bar in front of his eyes.  Move over RSPCA adverts, you have nothing on Florian's expression on the rare occasion when he's just been told off.

Growing Up

It's ridiculous how rapidly they've grown, and you can see from the photos below.  The first one was taken on 1 February, the day after I collected Hector.  I remember thinking, gosh I could easily fit 9 collie babies in that vast boot. 

"I feel a bit lost"
Now look at the two big lumps.  The plan still is eventually to get a third one, a tricolour called Leopold (possibly Florian's son, in a couple of years' time).  I'm not sure where we'd put him though, given my Mercedes E-Class is one of the biggest estate cars on the market in the UK! 


"My, we've grown"
By the way, yes as you can see, Florian wears a little polka-dot red harness and has a matching polka-dot lead.  His name means "flower" after all, and it suits him!  Hector has a red harness and a red leaded with little silver bones on it.

Walkies and Leads

The boys adore each other.   They seem to be joined by an invisible elastic band that extends a maximum of five metres when they're out on walks.  Every sniff has to be examined together, every path explored in tandem, and they keep exactly the same pace.  One always seems to keep a little button eye on Daddy to see where he is, and they will drop behind me as they get up to their doggy things, but they never leave each other's side.


"Ooooh a sniff, let's explore it together"

They're both walking perfectly off the lead by the way, when we're out in the countryside.  They come beautifully when called, even to be put back on the lead.  2 years competition dog training when I was 16 has paid off with lessons for life in how to bring up a dog!  Having spent 5 months now with Hector, and 4 months with Florian, I feel they are losing their "L" plates and are really starting to behave how they've been taught without constant reinforcement.  That's such a joy: you put in the time and effort at the start and you have beautifully behaved dogs for life.

Two puppies, one finger

I literally walk them with the leads round one finger on my left hand.  Hector will only pull if he's startled by traffic (remember, he's far more skittish) - Golden Boy of course never pulls and is the one who walks closest next to me.  I don't know how they worked out that order, but it's always the same.  Me, then Florian, then Hector on the outside.  Walking all three next to each other.

Oscar virtually never wore a lead - I suspect these two will get to that stage within a year or so.  For now, I want them on leads anywhere there is a road close by, just in case.

Little Brothers

Even though they're technically distant cousins, they behave completely like little brothers.  They play fight, knock each other about, get up to mischief, and then snuggle together in the evening.  They love, love, love each other.  I never realised just how much two puppies can give each other: even if I played hours on end with one of them, I couldn't replicate the fun they have together.

Young tearaways up to fun and games

They of course have a big box of toys at home, which they empty every evening and never tidy up at bedtime.  The cheek!  Florian is excellent at making toys squeak, whereas Hector is the expert at "fetch".  Florian is generally far too lazy for that type of thing, and prefers to sunbathe, and wait for his next food.  That is VERY important to him.  Fat little fluffy bastard. 

A *very* rare sight. Florian actually in motion.

They also have a box of toys kept at their Granny's for their visits, as well as a basket and bowl each kept in the conservatory. Here's a cute photo of them having a Mexican Standoff with their veggie burger squeaky toys at their Granny's.

"My veggie burger toy is squeakier than yours"

Bathtime

I've never been a believer in bathing collies: their natural oils do the job of keeping their fur clean, and in any case they hate mud and water and tend to be cat like in their personal hygiene.  They get a good 10 minute brushing every day which keeps them looking great.  Still, Ste convinced me that Hector really did need a shower, and I'm basically scared of Ste, so in he went. 

COLLIE TORTURE

Hector was actually remarkably good, didn't struggle, took it all in his stride, and it did do a nice job of making him extra-fluffy.  Personally I'm amazed he's still talking to Ste, but he is.

I'd have bitten him, Hector

And my Golden Boy? No, he will NOT be subjected to this evil.  Not on my watch! 

Here is a lovely shot of all the boys together: Hector, Florian, Ste and Bruin (aka, Boggles) who is Ste's family's Boston Terrier.  Yes he's really ugly.  But absolutely gorgeous with his boggly little eyes and cuddly, adorable, soft manner!

Who is the prettiest? GOLDEN BOY, of course!

Fooooooood 

They have stopped squabbling about food and eat from bowls right next to one another.  I used to put a guard between them so they'd feel secure the other one wasn't going to steal theirs, but so they could see and hear the other eating.  One day I just stopped doing it, and now presumably they're confident that food isn't a scarce resource and they'll get their fill.

And WOW do they eat.  They're on 350g each a day of Lily's Kitchen food and it disappears in seconds.  I can't recommend the range more highly.   The key word to look for in dog food is "meat (or animal) derivatives or by-products" - if it has them in, that means the boiled up skin, bones, offal, crushed heads, hooves and all the other cheap crap that isn't fit for human consumption.  It could be from any animal: your guess is as good as mine.  Derivatives and by-products are the basis of all three of the big dog food producers in the UK, as well as most snacks.  Plenty of dog food has as low as 2% actual meat in it.  The rest is filler and potentially harmful rubbish.  Just look at what Pedigree Dentastix have in them, for example.


Check out the ingredients of what the boys are on, by contrast.  It's 50% real, organic meat with a load of organic vegetables (which are so good for dogs) and a combination of herbs to keep their skin, kidneys, liver, immune system etc in good shape.  No meat derivatives. No animal by-products.  No additives, no preservatives, no fillers, and it's completely grain-free.  It's healthy and delicious, it keeps their coats looking stunning, their breath clean smelling, their poo firm, their skin perfect and they seem in the best of health.  As you can tell, I'm quite evangelical about it!

Hector's Champion Daddy

Congratulations are very quickly due to Hector's birth daddy, Ch Beldones Black Illusion (aka, "Boris"), who was awarded his "Champion" title in May.  He came second at Crufts this year, and in won his third certificate in a championship competition, which means he now bears the title as part of his pedigree name.  I've never seen a dog who looks more like my late, great Oscar - which is no great surprise as Oscar was his great uncle.

Hector's birth daddy, Boris

Florian is incensed, as his birth daddy is also a Champion, and that means the two are now equal.  His mummy is just missing one more challenge certificate, at which point she also will become a Champion.  He's desperate for this to happen as he will then be said to be "Bred in the Purple", a term reserved for those very few dogs whose parents both carry the Champion title.  He has vowed to trade in his red polka-dot ensembles, to replace them with purple, and to wear them round the house to lord it over Hector when this happens!

#1 On Florian's Christmas List

And finally....

Hector recently started sporadically cocking his leg up when he goes for a wee.  That usually happens around puberty, at about a year old.  He was typically advanced (he's SO big for his age) and did it just past 6 month old.  He doesn't do it every time and he seems to lose his balance some times, but it is very cute.  I've yet to get a snap.  Florian is still weeing like a little girl in the squatting position.


My little boy is growing up!!

That's all for now.  It's such a joy having these two little furry scamps in my life.  I look forward literally every day to coming down and greeting them, to spending my day with them, having them at work with me, and seeing them asleep at my feet in the evenings.   They fill my days in the most wonderful way possible and it's a pleasure to share my enjoyment of them with you.  Thank you for reading :-) x



"ENOUGH TYPING, DADDY, WE NEED A WALK NOW."












Kirkjufell



Kirkjufell on a sunny Sunday : )

I mentioned recently on my facebook page that I don't have a fancy camera, just a 14mp pink compact Lumix and my iPhone 5.

Well, the iPhone, which I'd been using more often for conveniences'-sake, has been absconded by house-elves (in Icelandic búálfar - like in that movie The Borrowers) so on our recent trip to Snæfellsnes I only had my Lumix.

I have to say, though, that after all the HDR and ultra-saturation, all the sharpen and define and added contrast available via basic photo apps these
days, it's refreshing to see the soft, easy glow from a simpler camera, albeit one with fairly high pixel count for its time (I think mine is a 2011 model). Still not at all like real film, but closer. And sometimes, what you see with your true eyes isn't crazy sharp, ultra vivid landscapes and scenes, but a more gentle overall atmosphere, an ambiance, that crispy images can't describe. I guess it's why the filter craze took hold a few years back - people were trying to give a normal, clearly defined and too-true-color image some feeling, some heart. It was us pre-80's kids trying to go back to the film era, where you had to wait a few long days (before same-day developing) to see what you'd managed to get with your instamatic. And for the younger set, like my daughter who was born in '97, filters added that old-timey retro feel of the photos found in shoeboxes in attics and garages, blurred maybe, fading, images that would be deleted today, but were maybe the only decent ones from a certain moment in time, or of a person otherwise long gone.

So my Lumix gives a certain relaxed feel to the photos it takes (with my help) and in this instance, actually registers the fact that there was a very gentle haze in the air, the remnants of the morning fog that literally shrouded all of Kirkjufell until burning off into wispy clouds just as we got up close enough to take this photo.

I'm bummed about my missing phone - poor lost thing! - but I'm happy that I've rediscovered my other camera, and am getting images like this one, almost totally unretouched. As an added bonus, I'm spending much less time poking at a gadget when I have a few free minutes (and even when I actually really don't) and am looking up instead of looking down, and I'm witnessing the sky and the sights and the passers-by, in true color, less than vivid, almost as if I'm in a very realistic dream.

7th Pay Commission expected to submit its report to the Centre in September



7th Pay Commission expected to submit its report to the Centre in September





“The 7th Pay Commission’s status quo explanation on its report has created a huge buzz”





According to reliable sources of information, the 7th Pay Commission is expected to submit its final report including the revised pay and pension structure for Central Government employees and pensioners to the Central Government on in the first week of September.





As confirmation of the news, the 7th Pay Commission, on its official website had published an announcement yesterday. It said, “Pay and Pension proposals, expectations in facilities & benefits, and valuable suggestions were received from Central Government employee unions, associations, members of the Defence services and NC JCM Staff Side. All these will be considered. Personal interactions shall not be held anymore. All the demands and suggestions have been examined and the task of preparing the final recommendation report has almost ended. In addition to this, the report containing all the recommendations will be prepared within the stipulated time that was allocated.”



Click here to read continue...

Wednesday 24 June 2015

7th Pay Commission completes its task in the time frame and finalization of the report is underway



7th Pay Commission completes its task in the time frame of 18 months and finalization of the report is underway





The 7th Central Pay Commission has published a report on its official portal yesterday in order to know all stake holders regarding their meetings and its report. 





It ensured that the 7th CPC report will be completed within the time frame of 18 months and it will not entertain any further meetings. 7th Pay Commission Report including revised Pay and Allowances for Central Government Employees, is on final stage.





The official report published by 7th CPC as follows...

Click here to read continue...

CSD Purchase Entitlement for Car, Bike, TV, WM and Refrigerator for all categories



CSD Purchase Entitlement for Car, Bike, TV, WM and Refrigerator for all categories





Entitlement for AFD-I items such as Refrigerator, TV, Washing Machine and Two wheelers, for all categories after every three years.





GUIDELINES FOR PURCHASE OF FOUR / TWO WHEELERS & OTHER AFD-I ITEMS





ENTITLEMENT FOR FOUR WHEELERS:








Click here to read continue...

Tuesday 23 June 2015

Strict disciplinary action shall be taken against regular latecomers – Dopt Orders



Strict disciplinary action shall be taken against regular latecomers – Dopt Orders





DoPT Orders Disciplinary Action on Regular Latecomers





“Fingerprint-based biometric devices have been installed to accurately record the time of entry and exit of employees. This system greatly reduces chances of error.”





The Department of Personnel & Training is the coordinating agency of the Central Government, has issued an order yesterday which suggests that disciplinary action be taken against Central Government employees who are regularly late to work.





All Central Government employees should adhere to the time guideline. A number of employees have made it a habit to report late to work. Strict disciplinary action shall be taken against such employees.



Click here to read continue...

Demand of staff side to increase the subscription and the insurance coverage – NC JCM



Demand of staff side to increase the subscription and the insurance coverage – NC JCM





“The Staff Side recalled the assurance held out by the Commission earlier to have the actuarial assessed by an expert agency to accede to the demand of the staff side to increase the subscription and the insurance coverage. The Staff Side was of the opinion that their suggestion to share the subscription in the ratio of 3:7 was reasonable but in the absence of an expert study, the Government might not accept the same. The commission said that they would explore the possibility of such an assessment by the LIC before finalization of the report.”



Click here to read continue...

Monday 22 June 2015

Merger of DA with Pay and Interim Relief – National JCA Meeting held on 8.6.2015



Merger of DA with Pay and Interim Relief – National JCA Meeting held on 8.6.2015





NATIONAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION


4, State Entry Road New Delhi–110055





No.NJCA/2015


Dated: June 15, 2015


All the Members of the NJCA,





Dear Comrades,





Sub: National JCA Meeting held on 8th June





The National JCA, which met at the Staff Side Office on 8th June, 2015, took note of the fact that quite a few states are yet to hold the State Level Conventions. The meeting also noted that the strike decision taken on 28th April, 2015 has not been percolated down to the rank and file of the workers. 



Click here to read continue...

Supplementary Memorandum to 7th Central Pay Commission – IRTSA



Supplementary Memorandum to 7th Central Pay Commission – IRTSA





Pros and Cons of Pay Band and Grade Pay System





Indian Railways Technical Supervisors Association already submitted a complete memorandum to 7th Pay Commission on 26.5.2014 and Oral evidence and Power Point Presentation also by IRTSA on 12.12.2014. Now, an another supplementary Memorandum submitted to 7th Central Pay Commission on 17.6.2015. The rejoinder memorandum insists on the demands of Higher Grade Pay and Classification of posts of Technical Supervisors in Railways. (Click to read all memorandums submitted to 7th CPC)



Click here to read continue...

Observance of punctuality in Government Offices - Dopt orders on 22.6.2015



Observance of punctuality in Government Offices - Dopt orders on 22.6.2015





G.I., Dept. of Per.& Trg., O.M.No.11013/9/2014-Estt.A-III, dated 22.6.2015





Subject: Observance of punctuality in Government Offices.





Instructions have been issued from time to time with regard to the need to observe punctuality by Government servants. Responsibility for ensuring punctuality in respect of their employees rests within Ministries/ Departments/ Offices.



Click here to read continue...

Finance Ministry approved 10th Bipartite Settlement Wage Revision for Bank employees



Finance Ministry approved 10th Bipartite Settlement Wage Revision for Bank employees for period 1.11.2012 to 31.10.2017





Salary Revision for Officer Employees of Public Sector Banks governed by Officer’s Service Regulation – 10th Bipartite Settlement for period 1.11.2012 to 31.10.2017





Government of India


Ministry of Finance


Department of Financial Services


Jeevan Deep. IIIrd Floor,


Parliament Street, New Delhi,


Dated the June 19, 2015


To


Sh. M.V.Tanksale,


Chief Executive,


Indian Banks’ Association,


Mumbai.





Subject: Salary Revision for Officer Employees of Public Sector Banks governed by Officer’s Service Regulation – 10th Bipartite Settlement for period 1.11.2012 to 31.10.2017





Sir. I am directed to refer to your letter No. HR&IR/KSC/GOVT/665 dated 25th May, 2015 on the above subject and to say that Government has ‘No objection‘ to IBA authorizing the Banks to pay revised salary and arrears of pay and allowances to serving officers and revised pension and arrears to existing pension optees retired w.e.f. on or after 1.11.2012 as per the provisions at the Joint Note pending amendments to the Officer’s Service Regulations/Pension Regulations subject to the provisions made by the respective banks in the particular year.



Click here to read continue...

One Rank One Pension – Central Government Ignores Week-long Protests



One Rank One Pension – Central Government Ignores Week-long Protests





“The protests that began in New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar last Monday, demanding immediate implementation of the OROP continues even as the government chooses to turn a blind eye towards it”





Ex-servicemen have been protesting now for a week at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding the immediate implementation of the OROP scheme. Similar protests are also on at 20 important cities in the country to put pressure on the government to act.





The series of protests is jointly organized by 30 ex-servicemen welfare organizations, under the leadership of Chairman of IESM, Maj. Gen. Satbir Singh. Speaking to the media, Satbir Singh said, “Until now the Government has not tried to negotiate with us. If there are no results for the protests, we will shift our protests to Bihar.”



Click here to read continue...

Sunday 21 June 2015

Homosexuals Crossing

Apologies for the absence..  I've been busy with work, the puppies, and a couple of trips abroad. I therefore think one of my usual ramblings is more than overdue, so here we go.

Caution: Homosexuals Crossing


Homosexuals holding hands. In public!! :o

I'm just back from Vienna, a city I visit a good 3 or 4 times a year.  Hitler had hated Vienna, because when he was there in the 1920s, it was far too Jewish, Slavic, cosmopolitan, and socialist.  By contrast, he declared "Finally, a German City!" when he moved to Munich.  The 20 July 1944 conspirators who tried to assassinate him dreamed of a free democratic European union, with its capital in Vienna, rather than Brussels.  It was the natural heart of Europe, straddling East and West, and the former capital of the great multi-ethnic Habsburg empire.

Instead, Vienna was divided in 1945, in a similar way that Berlin was.  When the Iron Curtain descended on Europe, from "Stettin in the North, to Trieste in the South" to quote Churchill, the effects on Vienna were profound.  No longer a crossroads, you effectively went to Vienna only to visit Vienna because just a few miles past the city you reached a mined, armed, dead-end.  I disliked the place intensely on my first few visits: stifling, Catholic, conservative.  A place where people in their 30s and 40s actually wore fur coats and hats without an sense of irony.  A backwater.

Then everything changed.  Since November 1989 I've watched the city slowly develop back into the type of place the Nazis loathed.  The road signs point once again to Bratislava, to Budapest and to Prague.  Unlike in the rest of Austria, the (mainly ultra orthodox) Jewish community is flourishing.  It's constantly ranked in the top three cities worldwide for quality of life.  And there's a big, visible, gay community.

Literally every time I see a Vienna tram I smile

I've been used to seeing the city trams flying rainbow flags (apparently by order of the mayor) all around the city, not just for LGBT Pride, but many of them all year round.  But this year there's something new.  It's that many of the pedestrian crossings in the centre of town have been changed to same-sex couples... with love hearts.  They are a mixture of male/male and female/female - as well as male/female couples (nice inclusive measure to bisexuals and straights!)

Here is a female couple dutifully showing you to wait for the green light at the entrance to the main shopping street, Kärtnerstrasse, close to the Vienna State Opera House:

Lesbians say DON'T WALK

Symbolism

A needless, silly bit of symbolism?  The Far Right Freedom Party certainly thinks so, and is sufficiently wound up they've threatened court action over the lights.  But here I am, a 44 year old, out, self-confident gay man, who had heard about the pedestrian lights and who felt a genuine pique of excitement and happiness to see that they actually existed.

When I was a kid growing up in Germany I loved Playmobil.  In about 1980 they suddenly started randomly including Turkish figures (that is brown faced, ordinary people, rather than historic characters dressed in a fez).  They've moved on to a whole range of ethnicities now, such as the black family below.
Playmobil rocks



I guess that unless you belong to a group that isn't in the majority, it isn't very easy to put yourself in the shoes of another group and realise what public invisibility feels like.  Same-sex couples aren't by any means invisible in tv programmes, movies etc in the way they were in say the 1980 or even 1990s, but this little thing (and the rainbow flags on the trams, which I adore) costs very little, will be ignored by many people, but will really matter to some.  

It's so easy to dismiss, but then you think of the unsure gay teenager who sees that someone very senior in the city administration has made this gesture of inclusiveness.  Or you smile at the thought of little child asking their parent why these street signs are different to the ones they normally see, and hope it's a lead in to a "different couples and families" exist type conversation. 

The Times They Are A Changin'

And if you have any sense of history you start reflecting on the place this is happening.   Yes, Vienna was traditionally a "red" city, but it's also the place where tens of thousands of cheering citizens poured out onto the Heldenplatz on 15 March 1938 to cheer Hitler's triumphant arrival in the city.  The sporadic outbursts of violence against the city's Jews in the 2. district led an embarrassed Berlin to radio through orders to tone down the aggression (there were lots of international journalists in town).  Nazism grew in extremely fertile ground in Catholic, right wing Austria, even in its capital.

Hitler addresses Vienna from the Hofburg Palace





Now that same square, just one year ago, was the place for another gathering of a different type.  It was at the far end of the picture and involved some 10,000 cheering Viennese.  This time they were there to greet home triumphantly a different one of their own: a certain bearded drag queen called Conchita.  Look behind the crowd with the rainbow flags to the pale grey building in the distance.  That is the Hofburg, and a keen eye will spot the exact balcony that Hitler had stood on, well within living memory.  And OMG I just noticed that there's one of those hat-wearing Austrians in the front row.  He must be lost.  The woman to his right doesn't look too happy either.  Oh well :P

WE LOVE YOU CONCHITA!

But seriously, do you get what a massive change this is?  At the incredibly serious, and wonderful, Haus der Musik, which is devoted to the Great Composers, the Theory of Sound etc. there is a Conchita exhibit right there as the first thing you see.  Vienna has gone through 180 degrees, and it's not just since 1938.  It's more like since 1989.

Conchita's Dress and Portrait, Haus der Musik. 26" waist. Amazing!

Just like Ireland, which recently gave a massive two fingers to a long history of the Church's attempts to control, manipulate, oppress and repress people's private lives and morality, this is about so much more than just LGBT rights.  The popular referendum in the Republic of Ireland was about accepting that all sorts of people don't "fit the mould" (whatever illusory thing that mould was).  It was about sending a huge signal of acceptance.  It was about saying that we want a modern society, where people are more than tolerated: they are welcomed.  In both Ireland and Vienna's cases that is probably as much a domestic message as one intended for an international audience.  It's about how people outside view those places today.  And it's a message that genuinely fills me with happiness and hope.

An outstanding, inspiring result in the Irish SSM referendum


Now, most importantly... the next blog will contain puppy updates, I promise!





Saturday 20 June 2015

Relief for Muslim Employees observing fast during Ramzan month & traveling long distances for IFTAR



Relief for Muslim Employees observing fast during Ramzan month & traveling long distances for IFTAR





GOVERNMENT OF INDIA


MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS


(RAILWAY BOARD)





No.2015/G/35/1


Dated : 15.06.2015


CIRCULAR





During the Holy month of Ramzan, the time of Iftar coincides with setting of the sun, which takes place quite early.



Click here to read continue...

Friday 19 June 2015

Early closure of CG offices on 20.6.2015 (Saturday) in connection with Mass Yoga Demonstration



Early closure of CG offices on 20.6.2015 (Saturday) in connection with Mass Yoga Demonstration





Mass Yoga Demonstration on 21.06.2015 (Sunday) at Rajpath New Delhi





Early closure of offices on 20th June, 2015 (Saturday) at 13.00 Hrs. in connection with Mass Yoga Demonstration at Rajpath on 21.06.2015 (Sunday).





G.I., Dept. of Per. & Trg., O.M.No.12/2/2015 -JCA-II, dated 19.6.2015





Sub:- Early closure of offices on 20th June, 2015 (Saturday) at 13:00 Hrs. in connection with ‘Mass Yoga Demonstration’ at Rajpath on 21.06.2015 (Sunday).



Click here to read continue...

One time permission for change over from CPF to GPF Scheme for teaching and non-teaching staff of KVS



One time permission for change over from CPF to GPF Scheme for teaching and non-teaching staff of KVS





KENDRIYA VIDVAlAYA SANGATHAN


18-INSTITUTIONAL AREA,


SHAHEED JEET SINGH MARG,


NEW DELHI -110016





F.No. 110125/2015/KVS/CPF to GPF /GR.KVS/928


Dated: 15/6/15


Shri M. Krishnan,


Secretary General,


Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers,


1st Floor, North Avenue, P.O. Building ,


New Delhi – 110001.





Subject: Conversion from CPF to GPF.





Sir,


I am to refer to your letter no. KVS/2013-2015 dated 29.04.2015 addressed to the Secretary, MHRD on the captioned subject and to inform you that the matter regarding one time permission for change over from CPF to GPF Scheme for teaching and non-teaching staff of KVS was considered by MHRD in consultation with Department of Expenditure. The Ministry of HRD vide their letter No. F.3-14/2012-UT-2 dated 7th April, 2015 has informed that the Department of Expenditure after examining the proposal has inter-alia observed as under:



Click here to read continue...

Write ups regarding experience submitted by a few retiring CG employees and uploaded in the Anbhav portal



Write ups regarding experience submitted by a few retiring CG employees and uploaded in the Anbhav portal





G.I., Dept. of Per. & Trg., O.M.No.21/13/2015-CS.I (P), dated 19.6.2015





Subject: – “Anubhav”- showcasing outstanding work done during service – submission of details by the retiring employees regarding.





The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM. of number dated 19th March 2015 and 13th April, 2015 on the subject mentioned above.





2. Write ups regarding experience/outstanding contribution submitted by a few retiring employees of CSS/CSSS uploaded in the “Anubhav” portal are still to be published. HoO and HoD of the Ministries/Departments concerned are requested to kindly scrutinize the pending write-ups for acceptance/publication at the earliest.





Authority : www.persmin.gov.in