Procedural requirements for Leave Travel Concession simplified

The Department of Personnel and Training has eased the difficulties faced by the Government employees in application and settlement of the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) claims.  

 

The Department has decided to make the procedure for processing of LTC claims time bound. A time limit of 5 days each is set for sanctioning of leave, sanctioning of LTC advance, time taken by DDO and PAO and also a time limit of 10 days is set for verification of LTC claim before settlement, with an additional 2 days in case the place of posting of the Government employees is away from their Headquarters.

The Leave Sanctioning Authority to obtain a self-certification from the employee regarding the proposed LTC journey. Earlier, the employees were required to inform their Controlling Officer before the journey on LTC to be undertaken.

A copy of guidelines, that needs to be followed while availing LTC, is to be provided for the Government servant while applying for LTC.  

 

Global Crude oil price of Indian Basket was US$ 28.73 per bbl on 11.01.2016

The international crude oil price of Indian Basket as computed/published today by Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was US$ 28.73 per barrel (bbl) on 11.01.2016. This was lower than the price of US$ 30.02 per bbl on previous publishing day of 08.01.2016.

In rupee terms, the price of Indian Basket decreased to Rs 1918.89 per bbl on 11.01.2016 as compared to Rs 2001.28 per bbl on 08.01.2016. Rupee closed weaker at Rs 66.79 per US$ on 11.01.2016 as against Rs 66.67 per US$ on 08.01.2016. The table below gives details in this regard:

 

Particulars	Unit	Price on January 11, 2016 (Previous trading day i.e. 08.01.2016)	Pricing Fortnight for 01.01.2016 (Dec 12 to Dec 29, 2015)
Crude Oil (Indian Basket)	($/bbl)	28.73             (30.02)	33.58
	(Rs/bbl	1918.89         (2001.28)	2234.08
Exchange Rate	(Rs/$)	66.79             (66.67)	66.53

 

Visit of External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj to Palestine (January 17, 2016)

Visit of External Affairs Minister to Palestine (January 17, 2016)

The External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj will visit the State of Palestine on 17 January 2016. EAM will be accompanied by Secretary (East) and other officials from MEA. This is the first visit of EAM to West Asia region and Palestine is the first destination in the region which in itself reflects the importance India holds for Palestine in its engagement with the countries of the region. The visit also comes after the state visit of President of India to Palestine in October 2015.

Handloom Items registered under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection), Act, 1999.

48 important and traditional handloom products are registered under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection), Act, 1999.

The authorized officers of the central and state governments are instructed from time to time to pay special attention to the complaints on faking of G.I. registered handlooms products.

Visit of External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj to Israel (January 17- 18, 2016)

Visit of External Affairs Minister to Israel (January 17- 18, 2016)

The External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj will pay an official visit to Israel from 17-18 January 2016. She will be accompanied by Secretary (East) and other officials from MEA. This is the first visit of EAM to Israel and comes after the State visit of The President of India to Israel in the month of October 2015. India and Israel share close and multifaceted relationship.

During the visit EAM will hold discussions with the Israeli leadership and review entire gamut of India Israel bilateral relations. The two sides share firm belief in the values of democracy and free market economy. India and Israel also share close relation in the fields of agriculture, science & technology and education. EAM will also interact with the Indian community in Israel during her visit. The visit will augment India’s bilateral relations with Israel and further strengthen the linkages between the two sides.

India’s relations with Israel are part of its engagement with the broader West Asia region and are independent to its relations with any country in the region.

PM pays tributes to Swami Vivekananda, on his birth anniversary

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda, on his birth anniversary.

“I salute the venerable Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary. स्वामी विवेकानंद को उनकी जन्म जयंती पर शत् शत् नमन।,” the Prime Minister said.

South Korea says chief nuclear envoy to meet U.S., Japan, China counterparts

South Korea said on Monday its chief nuclear negotiator planned to meet his U.S. and Japanese counterparts on Wednesday and the next day, he would meet China's nuclear envoy in Beijing.
South Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement a scheduled meeting between South Korea, the United States and Japan was expected to involve deep discussion of various options to respond to North Korea's nuclear test last week.

China guides yuan higher, stocks tumble

China guided its yuan currency stronger for a second straight session on Monday, in a move that might calm concerns about how far Beijing would let the currency fall, but its stock markets tumbled again as doubts persisted over its policy intent.
Perceived mis-steps by China's authorities have stoked concerns in global markets that Beijing might lose its grip on economic policy, even as the country looks set to post its slowest growth in 25 years.
A 1.5 percent depreciation in the yuan since the start of 2016, following a 4.7 percent weakening in 2015, has raised alarm among some trade rivals that China was risking a "currency war" of competitive devaluations.
The yuan's steadier performance could help temper those fears, but it failed to stop investors selling Chinese shares.

BSE Sensex closes at over 1-1/2-year low

The BSE Sensex closed at its lowest level in over 1-1/2-year low on Monday on the back of continued worries about Chinese equities.
The Sensex ended 0.44 percent lower to mark its lowest close since June 4, 2014.

The Nifty ended 0.49 percent lower.

WPI Inflation index bond-buy back

The Government of India has announced the repurchase of “1.44 per cent Inflation Indexed Government Stock-2023” through reverse auction for an aggregate amount of Rs. 6,500 crore (face value). 
The repurchase by the Government of India will be undertaken to redeem the Government Stocks prematurely by utilizing surplus cash balances.