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Tuesday 31 December 2013
Monday 30 December 2013
13 new post offices to be opened in the State, including three in Vijayawada region
India Post will start extending ‘Mee Seva’ services through 2,437 post offices inAndhra Pradesh from February 2014. The project was successfully implemented on a pilot basis in 95 post offices across the State.
Citizens can avail of the entire gamut of 177 types of services which Mee Seva centers are currently rendering, through their neighbourhood post offices from the New Year, Chief Post Master General (A.P Circle) B.V. Sudhakar announced at a press conference here on Friday.
Another significant initiative is the opening of 13 new post offices in the State including three in Vijayawada region:
two in Krishna district with one at Tadigadapa and the other one in Umamaheswarapuram village in Bapulapadu mandal and at Perecherla in Guntur district.
Mr. Sudhakar said that Rs. 10,624 crore was disbursed to 1.50 crore beneficiaries of MGNREGS through their post office accounts since February 2006. Payment of wages under the Central government’s flagship scheme was being made under the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme in 14 districts in the State.
Pack post scheme
The Pack Post scheme is a facility through which customers can get their international parcels containing items as diverse as pickles and televisions, neatly packed in the post offices for charges ranging from Rs.50 to Rs.275. Professional packing of parcels has been necessitated by damages and other difficulties in delivering them. In Vijayawada region, this service is available only at Buckinghampet post office.
The Mobile Money Order Transfer and Instant Money Order services have drawn encouraging response from the customers. ‘Uttaram Vacchindi’ and ‘Meeru Meedabbu’ schemes under which customers can keep track of their transactions (both deposits and withdrawals) and business mail through mobile phones (numbers have to be registered through e-mail: appostsms@gmail.com) evoked tremendous response. These schemes are specific to Andhra Pradesh.
Director of Postal Services K. Somasundaram and Post Master General (Vijayawada region) M. Sampath were present.
Source : http://www.thehindu.com
Saturday 28 December 2013
Central Administrative Tribunal quashes fresh proceedings against retired employee
CHENNAI: Can an employee be punished twice for the same offence? No, said the Chennai bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Wednesday quashing an order of the ministry of communications and IT to initiate fresh proceedings against a retired assistant postmaster who had undergone punishment for his supervisory lapses.
The matter pertains to V Muthukannu, sub-postmaster in Karur division, who was accused of irregular closure of a recurring deposit and non-account of deposits. In his submissions to the tribunal, Muthukannu said in March 2010, the superintendent of post offices ordered recovery of Rs 8,000 per month from his salary for the loss caused to the postal department. After seven months, it was increased to Rs 12,000. For his contributory negligence, he paid Rs 5.07 lakh to the department. Also, for a year, his salary was reduced and no increments were provided, said Muthukannu.
However, in April 2012, a month before his retirement, the member (personnel), department of posts, dropped the earlier concluded proceedings and initiated a fresh proceeding for the same lapses. He was also issued a memo stating his retirement benefits had been withheld. He asked the CAT to set aside the order for fresh proceedings.
In the counter, the department of post denied the averments and said Muthukannu was involved in a fraud to the tune of Rs 17.46 lakh at the Karur head post office. Fresh proceedings were initiated according to the rules and there was no question of "double jeopardy." Further, it was an exceptional case and had to be dealt with accordingly.
The bench comprising judicial member B Venkateshwara Rao and administrative member P Prabhakaran said, "Once the punishment imposed is undergone, no one can direct a fresh inquiry in the same set of charges."
The bench quashed the order for fresh proceedings and directed the department to pay all retrial benefits to Muthukannu.
Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Revised Delivery Norms for Speed Post
D.G. Posts No. 13-45/2008-D dated 10/11/.12.2013
The norms for delivery of Speed Post articles have in the past been revised from time to time and are also contained in the Citizen’s Charter of the Department. The existing delivery norms for Speed Post are follows:
(a) Local (within municipal limits) : 2 days
(b) Between one to another metro city (included the six metro cities i.e. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad) and limited to Municipal limits of these cities: 2 days
(c) Rest of the country: 4 to 6 days.
2. The norms mentioned above are further qualified by stating that they exclude the day of posting, Sundays and Holidays that they denote maximum time and apply only to the articles booked before the cut-off time.
3. The matter relating to revision of the existing norms for delivery of Speed Post articles was under consideration of this Directorate, and the following has been decided in this regard:
(a) New delivery (transit) norms have been worked out on a city-to-city basis for 87 cities where Speed Post Sorting Hubs are located (excluding 1 CBPO & 2 CBPO). The new delivery norms are being circulated to all concerned by e-mail along with this O.M. The same may be downloaded.
(b) The new norms for a pair of cities have been prescribed in terms of a range. For example,
the delivery norms between Mumbai and Pune is “1 to 2 days, i.e. D+1 to D+2 where “D” is the day of booking.
(c) The new norms would be restricted to the municipal limits of a city (covering only TD PIN codes) under reference.
4. The new delivery norms for Speed Post would be subject to the conditions that:
* They are limited to 87 cities, and municipal limit within these cities,
* They do not apply to the articles booked after the cut-off time on a day(normally) taken as 3 or 4 pm for booking counters at post offices or as decided by the Circle concerned) and an extra day may be added in such cases,
* The delivery norms do not include Sundays and holidays,
* Delay occurring due to curfew, bandh or strike in a particular city mayadversely affect delivery norms,
* Delay occurring due to cancellation of flights/trains/buses/other means of transport for carriage of mail or off-load / non-carriage of mail by the carriers due to any reason is beyond the control of the Department, and therefore, the same may adversely affect delivery norms.
* Beyond the cities mentioned under the delivery norms document, extra days may be required which would vary from place to place..
5. Circles may give wide publicity to the new norms among the public and display the norms in the shape of a matrix of prominent/frequently-used destinations at the post office as display of entire matrix perhaps may not be possible.
6. The new delivery norms would also be placed on India Post website in a user-friendly format so that a user could easily find delivery/transit norms between a pair of cities. In the interim, a PDF version of the document is being uploaded on the Departmental website.
7. This O.M. supercedes all previous instructions on Speed Post Delivery Norms issued by this Directorate/Business Development Directorate.
Friday 27 December 2013
Posting in SAG of IPoS Group A - New PMG to Kurnool Region
Ms. Meera Ranjan Tshering (IPoS 1988) who is returning to India Post on completion of deputation with Govt .of Afghanistan is now posted as PMG, Kurnool Region vide Directorate memo no 1-3/2013-SPG dated 23.12.2013.
Thursday 26 December 2013
India Post draws up Rs 4,900-crore ATM network plan
In
what could intensify competition in the banking arena, India Post has drawn up
an ambitious Rs 4,900-crore plan to swamp the country with 2,800 automated
teller machines (ATMs) in major centres and handheld micro-ATMs in 1.3 lakh
rural branches by 2015.
Though
the division under the ministry of communication has applied for a banking
licence with the Reserve Bank of India, it has started the process of tying up
with banks, Mastercard and Visa for rolling out its ATM services.
If
the plans are implemented on time, India Post will have an outreach far
superior than any single bank and would be in a better position to meet the
government's financial inclusion plan.
"Irrespective
of whether we get a banking licence or not, the expansion and modernisation drive
will continue. We will have more than 2,800 ATMs by 2015 in major centres. In
case of villages, we are planning hand-held micro ATMs in 1.3 lakh
villages," an official told FE.
India
Post will call a tender through request for proposal (RFP) for the micro-ATMs
next month.
Last
week, India Post rolled out a pilot project
with core banking solutions in three post offices in Chennai. "All
the three POs have migrated to CBS. We will keep rolling out similar facilities
in other centres and by end of 2014, the entire country will be connected
through CBS," the official said.
The
entire expansion and modernisation drive entails an investment of Rs 4,900
crore for which cabinet approval has already been taken. The funds will come
from budgetary provisions.
Over
the 150 years of his existence, India Post has build the largest postal network
in the world with over 1.55 lakh post offices of which 90% are in the rural
areas. Apart from postal services, it has been a major outlet for small
savings, postal life insurance, money transfers, sale of mutual funds, foreign
exchange and even payment of pension and wages under the MGNREGA scheme.
It's
not just the reach as India Post is already one of the largest providers of
financial services with a deposit base of over Rs 5.53 lakh crore of around 22
crores investors. A major drawback in the way of its expansion plan is the
massive deficit that India Post is unable to wipe out.
During
2011-12, the deficit stood at Rs 5,800 crore, which was 8.5% lower than 6,346
crore in 2010-11.
Source : http://www.financialexpress.com
Wednesday 25 December 2013
India Post plans national ATM network
Mumbai: India Post is going ahead with the rollout of a nationwide network of automated teller machines (ATMs) and bringing all its branches on a single technology platform, notwithstanding the reservations of the finance ministry and the Planning Commission over its proposal to venture into commercial banking.
The state-run postal service is among the 25 applicants that have sought a banking licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). A four-member panel, headed by former RBI governorBimal Jalan, will scrutinize the applications to pave the way for the entry of a third set of private banks into India’s Rs.81 trillion banking sector in two decades.
India Post will use Infosys Ltd’s Finacle software to cover all post offices under the so-called core banking solution (CBS) over the next 14-18 months. It also plans to launch 1,000 ATMs nationwide in the next six months in the first phase, according to a senior official at the postal department who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to the media.
The CBS process, which would allow India Post customers to access their accounts and perform transactions from any branch of the postal network, has already begun with the Greams Road Post Office in Chennai on a pilot basis. “The idea is to cover all offices as soon as possible,” said the official.
India Post has also begun work to set up 5,000 ATMs in select post offices across the country in two phases. The first two ATMs will come up in T Nagar in Chennai and Gole Dak Khana in Delhi by March, the official said.
As of 31 March, commercial banks in India had an ATM network of 114,014 machines, led by State Bank of India (SBI) with 27,175 ATMs, followed by Axis Bank Ltd (11,245), HDFC Bank Ltd (10,743), ICICI Bank Ltd (10,481) and Punjab National Bank (6,312).
The plan is to issue ATM cards to all savings deposit holders at India Post. As on 31 March, the department was managing Rs.6.05 trillion of deposits, nearly half the deposit base of government-owned SBI, the country’s largest commercial bank, and double that of the largest private sector lender ICICI Bank. Of this, about Rs.2 trillion is under the savings scheme in 280 million accounts.
Out of the total 155,000 post offices, 139,040 are in rural areas. About 6,000 people are covered on average by a post office in rural areas and about 24,000 in urban areas, according to a 2011 estimate by the postal department. Once the ATMs are in place, the post office savings bank account customers will be able to access their deposits through ATMs.
“Like every other aspirant for the banking licence, India Post is building up their capacity for banking services," said Abizer Diwanji, a partner and head of financial services at the consulting firm EY, formerly known as Ernst and Young.
“Building a unified nationwide network for financial services makes sense for the department to develop their financial service offerings, even if they do not get the banking licence,” Diwanji said.
India Post’s plan to venture into commercial banking has been opposed by both the finance ministry and the Planning Commission, which have reservations about the postal service’s ability to take up the role of a bank. The proposal is yet to get funding clearances from the Expenditure Finance Committee. The finance ministry has been opposing the plan arguing that the postal service doesn’t have the expertise needed in relevant areas, such as handling credit.
The Expenditure Finance Committee’s approval is required for proposals involving spending of more than Rs.300 crore and the setting up of new autonomous organizations, regardless of the amount. A new bank needs to have equity of at least Rs.500 crore.
The Planning Commission, too, has reservations on the banking plan, though the panel hasn’t overtly and officially spelled out its stand.
According to people familiar with the development, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the Planning Commissions, said in an internal note recently that arguments raised against India Post’s banking plan were strong and the proposal could be a bad idea.
An email sent to Ahluwalia on 3 December did not receive any response.
“There is a strong feeling in RBI that India Post doesn’t have the expertise to manage a bank,” said a financial services expert with a consultancy firm, requesting anonymity.
“While technology and reach are positives for the postal department, their lack of experience in dealing with credit is a big negative,” the expert said.
India Post is keen to set up a commercial bank under the name Post Bank of India, arguing that it can significantly boost financial inclusion in Asia’s third largest economy through its nationwide network of post offices. This will also enable India Post, which posted a loss of Rs.6,346 crore in fiscal year 2012, to make up for business lost over the years to private couriers and email services.
Losses have significantly increased in recent years on account of higher expenses.
While India Post’s banking plan is nearly two-decades-old, the department stepped up efforts towards it in 2006, conducting internal viability studies and seeking the opinion of consultancy firms. The move gathered momentum when RBI unveiled its final licensing norms for new banks in February.
The postal department, which had appointed EY to advise it on the plan, wants to open 300-400 branches after starting the proposed bank, with each branch managing a specific number of postal outlets.
Source : http://www.livemint.
Monday 23 December 2013
Calendar of Departmental Examinations 2014.
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Sl No.
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Name of the Examination
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Proposed Schedule
tentatively
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(A) Centralised Examination
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1
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Inspector of Posts
Examination
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23rd and 24th August 2014
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|
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2
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Ps Gr ‘B’ Examination
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15-06-2014
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3
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Postmaster Grade – I Exam
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15-06-2014
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|
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4
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LGO Examination for PAs/SAs in Circle
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24th August 2014 Sunday
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5
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Junior Engineer(
C&E)Examination
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Will be notified after receipt of Question
Banks and syllabus revised . For the vacancies of previous years.
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|
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6
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Assistant Engineer (
C&E)Examination
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Same as Above
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7
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Sr. Postmaster
Examination
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Tentatively proposed to
be held on October 2014, by which time it is expected thatcourt verdicts
will be pronounced.
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8
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PAs/SAs Direct RecruitmentExamination
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March 2014 for 2013
vacancies. Another recruitment in November 2014 for 2014 vacancies.
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9
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Assistant Manager ( MMS)
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Will be notified after
receipt of revised Recruitment Rules /Question Banks and syllabusrevised.
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10
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Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO)
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As Above.
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Sl No.
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Name of the Examination
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Proposed Schedule
tentatively
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|
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(B) De-centralised
Examination
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|||
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1
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Confirmation Examination for
direct recruit Jr Accountants in PAO
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17th & 18th may 2014
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2
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LDCs to Junior Accountants
in PAOs
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14th &15th June 2014
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|
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3
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LGO Examination for
promotion to Assistants of other wings i.e. MMS , Foreign Post, RLO, Stores Depot and CO/RO
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20th July 2014
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4
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Postman Examination
Direct Recruitment to Multi taskingStaff
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To be held in October for
2014 vacancies.
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5
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PO&RMS Accountant
Examination
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25th May,2014
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|
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6
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Departmental Examination for
promotion to LDCs in PAOs fromSorters and
MTS.
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27.7.2014
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7
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Departmental Examination for
promotion to LDCs in PAOs from MTS qualified in matriculation
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17.08.2014
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Friday 13 December 2013
LIST OF HOLIDAYS DURING THE YEAR 2014 FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES/ OPERATIVE OFFICES OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT LOCATED IN ANDHRA PRADESH
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S.No.
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Holiday
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Date
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Saka Date
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Day
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1935 SAKA ERA
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||||
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1
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Milad-Un-Nabi
or Id-E-Milad ((Birthday of Prophet Mohammad)
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January
14
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Pausha 24
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Tuesday
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2
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Republic day
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January
26
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Magha 06
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Sunday
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3
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Holi
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March
17
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Phalguna
26
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Monday
|
|
1936 SAKA ERA
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||||
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4
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Ugadi
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March
31
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Chaitra
10
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Monday
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5
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Mahavir Jayanthi
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April
13
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Chaitra
23
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Sunday
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|
6
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Good Friday
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April
18
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Chaitra
28
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Friday
|
|
7
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Buddha Purnima
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May
14
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Vaisakha
24
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Wednesday
|
|
8
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Idul’Fitr
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July
29
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Sravana
07
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Tuesday
|
|
9
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Independence Day
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August
15
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Sravana
24
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Friday
|
|
10
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Vinaya Chaturthi
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August
29
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Bhadra 07
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Friday
|
|
11
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Mahatma Gandhi’s
Birthday
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October
02
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Asvina
10
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Thursday
|
|
12
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Dussehra
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October
03
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Asvina
11
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Friday
|
|
13
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Idu’l
Zuha(Bakrid)
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October
06
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Asvina
14
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Monday
|
|
14
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Diwali(Deepavali)
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October
23
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Kartika
01
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Thursday
|
|
15
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Muharram
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November
04
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Kartika
13
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Tuesday
|
|
16
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Guru Nanak’s Birthday
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November
06
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Kartika
15
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Thursday
|
|
17
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Chirstmas Day
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December
25
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Pausa
04
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Thursday
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