C.W.C. PATNA POSTPONED

Due to some unforeseen circumstances and also the requests of some office bearers to postpone the CWC proposed to be held from 10.4.2012 to 11.4.2012 due to start of academic examinations, the CWC proposed to be held at Patna stands postponed.

FEDERAL EXECUTIVE MEETING

Federal Executive meeting of NFPE was held at NFPE Office 1^stFloor North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi on 21.03.2012. The meeting was presided by Com. D.K. Rahate, President NFPE. Meeting commenced with paying homage to the martyrs and Comrades particularly Com. M.K. Pandhe, Ex. President & General Secretary C.I.T.U. and A.K. Tiwari Ex. Circle Secretary AIPEDEU, Jharkhand Circle, who lost their lives during this period.

The Federal Executive meeting was inaugurated by Com. C.C. Pillai Ex. Secretary General NFPE who elaborately pointed out the working class problems being imposed by the Govt. in the form of globalization policies. Com. K. Ragavendran Ex. Secretary General NFPE and Com. Des Raj Sharma Ex. Dy. Secretary General NFPE also graced the occasion by their valuable speech.

A Draft Report was presented by Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General NFPE on the activities during the period. He elaborately discussed all the issues related to the Postal and RMS employees and described in detail the discussions and settlement of items of Charter of Demands. He also informed that NFPE has been granted recognition by the Govt. of India and Now NFPE nominees will play their role in standing Committee and National Council JCM and will be enable to settle the issues at Govt. of India level.

The General Secretaries of affiliated unions i.e. Coms. K.V. Sridharan (P-III), Giri Raj Singh(R-3), S.K. Humayun (Dep. G/S P-IV), P. Suresh (R-4) Pranab Bhattacharjee (Admn. Union) T. Satyanarayana (Postal accounts), S. Appan Raj (SBCO) and Y. Nagabhushanam Working President Casual Labourers Union expressed their views on report and item related to their section.

All Office Bearers present in the meeting Coms. K.K. Sharma (Vice President, NFPE), I.S. Dabas(Dy. S/G, NFPE) , R.N. Parashar, S. Raghupathy and Ms. Seetha Laxmi (All ASG) and Raj Kumar Financial Secretary participated in deliberation.

President Com. D.K. Rahate conducted the house very effectively and concluded the meeting by offering vote of thanks to all.

CABINET APPROVES 7% HIKE IN DEARNESS ALLOWANCE.

UNION CABINET HAS APPROVED 7% HIKE IN DEARNESS ALLOWANCE TO CG EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS

UNION CABINET APPROVED A PROPOSAL TO HIKE ADDITIONAL DEARNESSALLOWANCE BY 7% FOR CENTRAL STAFF AND CENTRAL PENSIONERS...

THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT ON FRIDAY APPROVED A SEVEN PER CENT HIKE IN DEARNESS ALLOWANCE TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS, THIS HIKE IS TO BE EFFECTIVE RETROSPECTIVELY FROM JAN 2012.

THE DEARNESS ALLOWANCE AND DEARNESS RELIEF FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT SERVING EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS WILL INCREASE FROM 58% PER CENT OF BASIC EMOLUMENTS TO 65% PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM 1.1.2012.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING (DOPT) NEW DELHI HAS ISSUED THE COMPREHENSIVE F.A.Q. (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS) ON THE RESERVATION POLICY FOR EX SERVICE MEN AS FOLLOWS

Question 1 : What is the policy of reservation for ex-servicemen ?

ANS : The policy of reservation for Ex-servicemen is governed by the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and posts) Rules, 1979. These rules apply to all the Central Civil Services and Posts, Group “C” and Group “D” and the posts of the level of Assistant Commandant in all para military forces.

Question 2 : What is the percentage of resrvation provided to the ex-servicemen ?

ANSWER : Ten percent of the vacancies in the psots of the level of Assistant Commandant in all para military forces, ten percentage of the vacancies in each of the categories of Group ‘C’ and of such posts in Group ‘C’ services, including permanent vacancies filled initially on a temporary basis and temporary vacancies which are likely to be made permanent or are likely to continue for three months and more, to be filled by direct recruitment in any year are reserved for ex-servicemen;

Provided the percentage of reservation so specified for ex-servicemen in a category of post shall be increased and decreased in any one recruitment year to the extent to which the total number of vacancies reserved for ex-servicemen, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (including the carried forward reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) and for any other cateogires taken together, falls short or is in excess, as the case may be, of fifty percent of the vacancies in that category of posts filled in that year;

Provided further that in case of an increae in the reservation for the exservicement under the preceding proviso, the additional vacancies so made available for them shall be utilised first for the appointment of disabled ex servicemen and if any such vacancies still remain unfilled thereafter the same shall then be made available to ther ex-servicemen.

Question 3 : What is vertical reservation and what is horizontal reservation ?

ANSWER : Reservation for backward classes of citizens (SCs, STs and OBCs) is called vertical reservation and the reservation for ex-servicemen is called horizontal reservation. Horizontal reservation cuts across vertical reservation (in what is called inter-locking reservation) and persons selected against the quota for persons with disabilities have to be placed in the appropriate category viz. SC/ST/OBC/General Candidates depending upon the category to which they belong in the roster meant for reservation of SC/ST/OBCs. To illustrate, if in a given year there are two vacancies reserved for ex-servicemen and out of two ex-servicemen appointed, one belongs to a Scheduled Caste and the other to general category then the disabled SC candidate shall be adjusted against the SC point in the reservation roster and the general candidate against unreserved point in the relevant reservation roster. IN case none of the vacancies falls on point reserved for the SCs, the ex-servicemen belonging to SC shall be adjusted in future against the next available vacancy reserved for SCs.

Since the ex-servicemen have to be placed in the appropriate category viz. SC/ST/OBC/General in the roster meant for reservation of SC/ST/OBCs, the application form for the post should require the candidates applying under the quota reserved for ex-servicemen to indicate whether they belong to SC/ST/OBC or General category.

Question 4 : What is the definition of Ex-serviceman ?

ANSWER : The Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and posts) Rules, 1979 as modified by the Gazette Notification dated 27th October, 1986, defines ex-serviceman as a person who has served in any rank whether as combatant or non combatant in a Regular Army, Navy and Air Force of the Indian union and

(i) Who retired from such service after earning his/her pension; or

(ii) Who has been released from such service on medical grounds attributable to military service or circumstances beyond his control and awarded medical or other disability pension; or

(iii) Who has been released, otherwise than on his own request, from such service as a result of reduction in establishment; or

(iv) Who has been released from such service after completing the specific period of engagements, otherwise than at his own request or by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency, and has been given a gratuity; and includes personnel of the Territorial Army of the following categories , namely :

(a) Pension holders for continuous embodies service

(b) Pensions with disability attributable to military service; and

(c) Gallantry award winners.

As per the clarification issued in the Notification No. 36034/5/85-Estt (SCT) dated 27.3.1987 any person who has been released upto 30th June, 1987 –

(A) At his own request after completing 5 years’ service in the Armed Forces of the Union; or

(B) After serving for a continuous period of six months after attestation, otherwise at his own request or by way of dismissal or discharge on account of mis conduct or inefficiency or has been transferred to the reserve pending such release;

Shall also deemed to be an ex-servicemen.

Question 5 : What are the relaxations/concessions available to the Ex-serviceman ?

ANSWER : For appointment to vacancies in any Group C or Group D Posts in Central Government, an ex-serviceman shall be allowed to deduct the period of actual military service from his actual age and if the resultant age does not exceed the maximum age limit prescribed for the post for which he is seeking appointment by more than three years, he shall be deemed to satisfy the condition regarding age limit.

The upper age limit shall be relaxed by the length of military service increased by three years in the cse of ex-servicemen and commissioned officers including ECOs/SSCOs for appointment to any vacancy in group A and Group B services/posts filled by direct recruitment otherwise than on the results of an open all India Competitive Examination held by the UPSC.

For appointment to any vacancy in group A and Group B services/posts filled by direct recruitment on the results of an All India Competitive Examination held by the UPSC ex-servicemen and commissioned officers including ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered at least 5 years military service and have been released (1) on completion of assignment (including those whose assignment is due to be completed within 1year) otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency, or (2) on account of physical disability attributable to military service or on invalidment, shall be allowed maximum relaxation of five years in the upper age limit.

Relaxation in educational Qualifications : For appointment to any reserved vacancy in group C Posts, the appointing authority may, at its discretion, relax the minimum educational qualification, where such qualification prescribed is a pass in the Middle School education or any lower examination, in favour of ex servicemen who have put in at least 3 years service in the Armed Forces of the Union and who are otherwise considered fit and suitable for appointment to such posts, in view of their experience and other qualifications.

For appointment to any reserved vacancy in Group C Posts, to be filled partly by direct recruitment and partly by promotion or transfer where the minimum qualification or technical qualification prescribed for appointment by direct recruitment is higher than that prescribed for promotes or transferees, an Ex-servicemen shall be deemed to satisfy the prescribed education or technical qualification if he;

(i) Satisfied the education or technical qualification prescribed for direct recruitment to the post from which promotion or transfer to the post in question is allowed, and

(ii) Has identical experience of work in a similar discipline and for the same number of years in the Armed Forces of the Union, as prescribed for promotes or transferees.

Question 6 : Is the benefit of reservation available to the ex-serviceman, who has already joined a civil appointment ?

ANSWER : An ex-servicemen who has already secured employment under the Central Government in Groups C and D will be permitted the benefit of age relaxation as prescribed for ex-servicemen for securing another employment in a higher grade or cadre in Group C and D under the Central Government. However, such candidate will not be eligible for the benefit of reservation for ex servicemen in the Central Government jobs.

Question 7: Can a vacancy reserved for ex-serviceman be filled by General candidate?

ANSWER : No Vacancy reserved for ex-servicemen in a post to be filled otherwise than on the results of an open competitive examination shall be filled by the appointing authority by any general candidate, until and unless that the said authority;

(i) Has obtained a “non availability Certificate” from the employment exchange (where a requisition is placed on an employment exchange)

(ii) Has verified the non availability of a suitable candidate by reference to the Director General Resettlement and recorded a certificate to that effect; and

(iii) has obtained approval of the Government.

In case of number of posts reserved fore ex-servicemen is not filled by candidates whoa re ex-servicemen the number of posts not so filled can be added to the number of posts falling to the share of ex-servicemen in the next year. However, addition will be subject to adjustments with the reservation available for the other categories in accordance with the general policy of the Government and also subject to the upper ceiling and 50 % of the total vacancies being reserved.

INCENTIVE TO MAILOVERSEERS FOR PROCURING RPLI BUSINESS. DIRECTORATE OF POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, Government of India Chanakyapuri Post Office Complex, New Delhi -110 021.

No.30-1/2010-LI Dated : 21-02-2012.

To

Ms. Karuna Pillai,

Chief Postmaster-General,

Andhra Pradesh Circle,

Hyderabad-500 001.

Madam,

This is regarding clarification on the following item proposed for discussion in the JCM.

Item : Incentive to Mailoverseers for procuring RPLI Business.

Clarification : Rule 5(22) of Post Office Insurance Rules, 2011 defines that “marketing staff” is an official or person who is authorized by the Postmaster-General or Head of Division to procure Postal Lie Insurance and Rural Postal Life Insurance business. The marketing staff includes IPOs, ASPOs, ASRMs, Ex.DO(PLI), PRI(P), Postmasters, Selected Postal Assistant, Postman, Retired GDS BPM, DO(PLI), Field Officer(PLI), SRM (Rural S.O), GDS staff and also includes Direct Agents such as Anganwadi worker, Mahila Mandal worker, Ex-Serviceman, Retired school teacher, SHGs, Gram Pradhkan & Member Gram Panchayat and any other official/persons as considered suitable by the Head of Postal Division. As such, if Mailoverseer is engaged- depending upon suitability in procuring RPLI business/policies, he also entitled for incentive as par with other Departmental officials.

Sd/-

(R. Santhakumar)

Dy.Divisinal Manager.

REVISION OF RATES AND GUIDELINES FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES ON PURCHASE OF HEARING AIDS UNDER CS (MA) RULES, 1944 AND CGHS

http://msotransparent.nic.in/writereaddata/cghsdata/mainlinkfile/File510.pdf

Previous year Question paper for PO and RMS accountants Examination 2003

Part II 5           (a)       What are the conditiona when government servant shall not be entitiled to  HRA ?  (Marks  5) (b)   Fill in the blanks in the following in respect of remote locality allowance Pay Range                    Areas included  in  Part A Part B Part C Part D ( Rate of remote  locality allowance  ( Rupee per month) Below Rs  3000 300 ------------- 150 ---------- Rs  3000 to  Rs  4499 ------- 400 ------ 80 Rs  4500 to Rs 5999 700 -------- 450 120 Rs 6000 to Rs  8999 ------ 800 ---- 160 Rs  9000 pm and above 1300 -------- 750 -----                                                                                                         ( Marks 9 )  ©  Fill  in the blanks  in the  following  table Date from which  payable Rate  of dearness allowance per  month From 01-01.1999 From 01.07.1999 From 01.01.2000 From 01.07 .2000 From  01.01.2001 From 01.07.2001

( Marks 6)

Q6 What is the procedure for payment of children educational allowance , reimbursement of tuition fees and hostel subsidy ?                                                                     (Marks 5 )

( b)     Fill  in the blanks in the following : (1)     Delivery  and  conveyance allowance to GDS BPMs/GDS SPMs who have been entrusted the additional work of conveyance of mails and delivery               ----------------  PM     ( Per Month) (2)     Cycle allowance to GDS mail deliverer , if the distance covered is more than  10 KMS                                                                                                   ------------------------ PM    (  (3)     Office maintenance allowance to GDS BPMs/ GDS SPMs----------- PM (4)    Fixed stationery  charges to GDS BPMs/GDS SPMs -----------------PM (5)    TRCA payable to GDS BPM having workload of  more than 3 hours -----------PM (6)    TRCA payable to GDS BPM having workload of  more than 3 hours -------- PM (7)    DA payable on combained duty allowance to GDS MCs ------------------  PM (8)    TRCA payable to GDS SPMs  ------- PM (9)    House rent to be paid to the house owner of GDS BO/GDS SO  premises when work is being looked after by line overseer in the same premises on accountant of superannuation / put off duty  of GDS BPM /GDS SPM---------  PM (10) Maximum period up to which house rent in (IX) above  can be paid--------                                                                                                      ( Marks 10 )

WE ARE CO OPERATIVE AND POSITIVE BUT THERE SHOULD BE NO FORCEFUL ATTENDANCE ON SUNDAYS/HOLIDAYS

It has been brought to the notice of the Circle Union just today by few members of Vadodara region that they are forced every saturday/sunday/holiday for attending office for one or other work. No C/Off is also granted in lieu of attendance on such days. Circle union will study the type of orders if any issued by the administration and then react in the matter. Details of any Email or order received by offices may please be informed immediately. We are positive, co operative and helping administration in each aspects of business development, achieving targets, technological upgradation and so on but; it is our clear openion that if any such decision for extrenious work/attendance is taken, unions should be taken into confidence. Force and Supression will cause hurdles in maintaining positive and constructive psychosis.   

It should also be kept in mind that there was a 'strike demand' regarding holding meetings/melas etc on saturday/sunday/holidays and Directorate has already issued instructions and reiterated the same.

This issue will become a matter of prime discussion in the next Circle Council Meeting to be held on sunday 25th at Matar.

Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 - Date of next increment in the revised pay structure under Rule 10 of the CCS(RP) Rules, 2008. MOST IMMEDIATE No.10/02/2011-E.III/A  Government of India  Ministry of Finance  Department of Expenditure New Delhi, the l9th March, 2012. OFFICE MEMORANDUM Subject:- Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 - Date of next increment in the revised pay structure under Rule 10 of the CCS(RP) Rules, 2008.    In accordance with the provisions contained in Rule 10 of the CCS (RP) Rules, 2008, there will be a uniform date of annual increment, viz, 1st July of every year. Employees completing 6 months and above in the revised pay structure as on 1st of July will be eligible to be granted the increment. The first increment after fixation of pay on 1.1.2006 in the revised pay structure will be granted on 1.7.2006 for those employees for whom the date of next increment was between 1st July, 2006 to 1st January, 2007.    2. The Staff Side has represented on this issue and has requested that those employees who were due to get their annual increment between February to June during 2006 may be granted one increment on 01 .01 .2006 in the pre-revised scale.    3. On further consideration and in exercise of the powers available under CCS(RP) Rules, 2008, the President is pleased to decide that in relaxation of stipulation under Rule 10 of these Rules, those central government employees who were due to get their annual increment between February to June during 2006 may be granted one increment on 1.1.2006 in the pre-revised pay scale as a one time measure and thereafter will get the next increment in the revised pay structure on 1.7.2006 as per Rule 10 of CCS(RP) Rules, 2008.The pay of the eligible employees may be re-fixed accordingly.    4. In so far as the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Account Department are concerned, these orders are issued in consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India. sd/-  (Renu Jain)  Director Source:www.finmin.nic.in

Exemption Limit for Individual Taxpayers Raised to Rs. 2 lakh

Upper Limit of 20 Per Cent Tax Slab Raised to Rs. 10 Lakh
Deduction up to Rs. 10,000 Proposed for Savings Bank Interest
Senior Citizens not Having Income from Business Exempted from Payment of Advance Tax

The exemption limit for the general category of individual taxpayers has been enhanced to Rs. 2,00,000 from Rs. 1,80,000 in the General Budget 2012-13, presented by the Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in the LokSabha here today. This measure will provide tax relief uptoRs. 2,000 to every taxpayer in this category.

The Finance Minister, Shri Mukherjee introduced the DTC (Direct Taxes Code) rates for personal income tax, marking progress in the direction of movement towards DTC and GST (Goods and Services Tax).

            It has also been proposed to raise the upper limit of 20 per cent tax slab from Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh. The proposed personal income tax slabs are:

Income uptoRs. 2 lakh                                           Nil

Income above Rs. 2 lakh and uptoRs. 5 lakh          10 per cent
      
Income above Rs. 5 lakh and upto Rs.10 lakh        20 per cent
     
Income above Rs. 10 lakh                                     30 per cent


            In another relief to the individual taxpayers, a deduction of uptoRs. 10,000 has been proposed for interest from savings bank accounts. This would help a large number of small taxpayers with salary incomes uptoRs. 5 lakh and interest from savings bank accounts uptoRs. 10,000 as they would not be required to file income tax returns.

            It has also been proposed to allow deduction of Rs. 5,000 for preventive health check up.

            For senior citizens not having income from business, it has been proposed to exempt them from payment of advance tax.
***
Source:pib

Union Budget 2012-13 Highlights ·         Budget identifies five objectives relating to  growth recovery, private investment, supply bottlenecks, malnutrition and governance matters ·         GDP growth to be 7.6 per cent (+ 0.25 percent) during 2012-13 ·         Amendment to the FRBM Act proposed  as part of Finance Bill.  New concepts of “Effective Revenue Deficit” and “Medium Term Expenditure Framework” introduced ·         Central subsidies to be kept under 2 per cent of GDP; to be further brought down to 1.75 per cent of GDP over the next 3 years. ·         Proposed: Mobile based fertilizer management system; LPG transparency portal; scaling up and rolling out of Aadhar enabled payment for government schemes in at least 50 districts. ·         Rs. 30,000 crore to be raised through disinvestment ·         Efforts to reach broadbased consensus on FDI in multi-brand retail ·         Rajiv Gandhi Equity Saving Scheme: to allow income tax deduction to retail investors on  investing in equities ·         Rs. 15,888 crore to be provided for capitalization of public sector banks and financial  institutions ·         A central  “Know Your Customer” depository to be developed ·         Swabhimaan: remaining habitations to be covered; to be extended to more habitations; ultra small branches to be set up in Swabhimaan habitations ·         Investment in 12th Plan in infrastructure to go uptoRs. 50,00,000 crore; half of this is expected from private sector ·         Tax Free Bonds of Rs. 60,000 crore to be allowed for financial infrastructure projects ·         Allocation of Road Transport and Highways Ministry enhanced by 14 per cent to Rs. 25,360 crore ·         Financial package of Rs. 3,884 crore for waiver of loans to handloom weavers and their cooperative societies; mega handloom clusters in Andhra, Jharkhand; weaver service centres in Mizoram, Nagaland and Jharkhand ; powerloom mega cluster in Maharashtra; Rs. 500 crore pilot schemes for geo-textiles in North-Eastern region ·         Rs. 5,000 crore India Opportunities Venture Fund to help small enterprises ·         Allocation to agriculture enhanced; RKVY gets Rs. 9,217 crore; BGREI gets Rs. 1,000 crore; Rs.2242 crore project to improve dairy productivity; Rs. 500 crore for coastal aquaculture ·         Various other agricultural activities merged into 5 missions ·         Target for agricultural credit raised to Rs. 5,75,000 crore ·         Interest subvention for short-term crop loans to farmers at 7 per cent interest continues; additional 3 per cent for prompt paying farmers ·         Rs. 200 crore for awards to incentivise agricultural research ·         Provisions under rural housing fund increased to Rs. 4,000 crore from Rs. 3,000 crore ·         Interest subvention of 1 percent on housing loans uptoRs. 15 lakh extended for one more year ·         AIBP allocation raised by 13 per cent to Rs. 14,242 crore ·         National Mission on Food Processing to be started in cooperation with State Governments ·         Scheduled Caste Sub Plan allocation increases by 18 per cent to Rs. 37,113 crore; Tribal Sub Plan by 17.6 per cent to Rs. 21,710 crore ·         Multi-sectoralprogramme to address maternal and child malnutrition in 200 high burden districts ·         58 per cent rise in allocation to ICDS, at Rs. 15,850 crore ·         Rural drinking water and sanitation gets 27 per cent rise in allocation to Rs. 14,000 crore; PMGSY gets 20 per cent rise to Rs. 24,000 crore ·         Projects covering length of 8800 km to be awarded under NHDP against 7,300 km during 2011-12 ·         RTE-SSA gets Rs. 25,555 crore allocation, showing an increase of 21 per cent; 6000 schools to be set up at block level as model schools in the 12th Plan; Credit Guarantee Fund to be set up for better flow of credit to students ·         National Urban Health Mission is being launched ·         34 per cent increase in allocation to National Rural Livelihood Mission, to Rs. 3915 crore ·         Rs. 1000 crore allocated for National Skill Development Fund ·         Bharat Livelihood Foundation to be established to support livelihood interventions particularly in  tribal areas ·         Widow pension and disability pension raised from Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 per month ·         Grant on death of primary breadwinner of a BPL family in the age group 18-64 years doubled to Rs. 20,000 ·         Defence services get Rs. 193407 crore; any further requirement to be met ·         4000 residential quarters to be constructed for Central Armed Police Forces ·         UID-Aadhar to get adequate funds for enrolment of 40 crore persons, in addition to the 20 crore persons already enrolled ·         White Paper on Black Money to be laid in the current session of Parliament ·         Tax proposals mark progress in the direction of movement towards DTC and GST ·         Income tax exemption limit raised from Rs.1,80,000 to Rs.2,00,000; upper limit of 20 per cent tax slab raised from Rs.8 lakh to Rs.10 lakh ·         Interest from savings bank accounts deductible upto Rs.10,000; deduction of upto Rs.5,000 for preventive health check-up ·         Senior citizens without business income exempt from advance tax ·         Investment linked deduction of capital expenditure enhanced for certain businesses; new sectors eligible for investment linked deduction ·         Turnover limit for compulsory tax audit for SMEs raised from Rs.60 lakh to Rs.1 crore ·         STT on cash delivery reduced by 20 per cent to 0.1% ·         General Anti Avoidance Rule being introduced to counter aggressive tax avoidance ·         A number of measures proposed to deter generation and use of unaccounted money ·         All services to attract service tax except those in the negative list ·         Central Excise and Service Tax being harmonized ·         Standard rate of excise duty raised from 10 per cent to 12 per cent; service tax rates raised from 10 per cent to 12 per cent; no change in peak customs duty of 10 per cent on non-agricultural goods ·         Relief in indirect taxes to sectors under stress; agriculture, infrastructure, mining, railways, roads, civil aviation, manufacturing, health and nutrition, and environment get duty relief ·         Certain cigarettes and bidis attract higher excise duty; large cars attract higher customs duty ·         Excise imposed on unbranded jewellery also; measures to minimize impact on small artisans  and goldsmiths; branded silver jewellery exempted from excise duty ·         Net gain of Rs.41,440 crore due to taxation proposals ·         Total expenditure budgeted at Rs. 14,90,925 crore; plan expenditure at Rs. 5,21,025 crore – 18 per cent higher than 2011-12 budget; non plan expenditure at Rs. 9,69,900 crore ·         Fiscal deficit targeted at 5.1 per cent of GDP, as against 5.9 per cent in revised estimates for 2011-12 ·         Central Government debt at 45.5 per cent of GDP as compared to Thirteenth Finance Commission target of 50.5 per cent ·         Medium-term Expenditure Framework Statement to be  introduced; will set forth 3-year rolling target for expenditure indicators  Source:pib