Sunday, August 30, 2009
Faq's on Digital Signature Certificate
Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) are the digital equivalent (that is electronic format) of physical or paper certificates. Examples of physical certificates are drivers' licenses, passports or membership cards. Certificates serve as proof of identity of an individual for a certain purpose; for example, a driver's license identifies someone who can legally drive in a particular country. Likewise, a digital certificate can be presented electronically to prove your identity, to access information or services on the Internet or to sign certain documents digitally.
Like physical documents are signed manually, electronic documents, for example e-forms are required to be signed digitally using a Digital Signature Certificate.
A licensed Certifying Authority (CA) issues the digital signature. Certifying Authority (CA) means a person who has been granted a license to issue a digital signature certificate under Section 24 of the Indian IT-Act 2000.
The different types of Digital Signature Certificates are: Class 2: Here, the identity of a person is verified against a trusted, pre-verified database.
Class 3: This is the highest level where the person needs to present himself or herself in front of a Registration Authority (RA) and prove his/ her identity.
Class 3: This is the highest level where the person needs to present himself or herself in front of a Registration Authority (RA) and prove his/ her identity.
The cost of obtaining a digital signature certificate may vary as there are many entities issuing DSCs and their charges may differ.
The time taken by CAs to issue a DSC may vary from three to seven days.
The Certifying Authorities are authorized to issue a Digital Signature Certificate with a validity of one or two years.
Digital Signatures are legally admissible in a Court of Law, as provided under the provisions of IT
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Reduction in tatkal charges from 1st October 2009
As announced by the Minister for Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee while presenting Railway Budget 2009-10 in the Parliament, the Ministry of Railways has decided to reduce the Tatkal Charges w.e.f. October 1, 2009.
The new Tatkal charges will be at the rate of 10 per cent of basic fare for second class and 30 per cent of basic fare for all other classes subject to minimum and maximum as given in the table below:
| Class of Travel | Minimum Tatkal Charges (in Rs.) | Maximum Tatkal Charges(in Rs.) |
| Second (sitting) | 10.00 | 15.00 |
| Sleeper | 75.00 | 150.00 |
| AC Chair Car | 75.00 | 150.00 |
| AC 3 Tier | 200.00 | 300.00 |
| AC 2 Tier | 200.00 | 300.00 |
| Executive | 200.00 | 300.00 |
The above charges will be levied uniformly both in peak period and non-peak periods. Tatkal tickets will be issued for actual distance of travel, instead of end-to-end, subject to the distance restriction applicable to the train. The same Tatkal berth/seat may be booked in multiple legs till preparation of charts. At the time of preparation of charts, unutilized portion may be released to the General RAC/Waiting list passengers.
Tatkal facility will be introduced in Executive Class of Shatabdi Express trains also, by earmarking 10 per cent of the accommodation available i.e. 5 seats per coach
The existing refund rules of tatkal tickets will remain unchanged.
Online Certificate Course on RTI by DoPT
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India (GoI) has launched an 'Online Certificate Course on RTI' for various stakeholders on, both, the demand and supply sides of the RTI implementation regime.
This Online Certificate Course on RTI is launched in association with the Centre for Good Governance, Hyderabad.
This Online Certificate Course is aimed at:
- Public Information Officers (PIOs)
- Assistant Public Information Officers (APIOs)
- Appellate Authorities
- Officials assisting the above designated officers or other public officials
- Citizens
- Representative of Civil Society Organisations (including Media Organisations)
- Any other person(s) who could be a direct / indirect stakeholder
Click here to register
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Payment of interest on accounts frozen by banks
RBI/2009-10/119
DBOD.No.Leg.BC.30 /09.07.005/2009-10
August 12, 2009
All Scheduled Commercial Banks
(Excluding RRBs)
Dear Sir,
Payment of interest on accounts frozen by banks
Please refer to paragraph 5.8.9 of our Master Circular DBOD.No.Leg.BC.9/ 09.07.006/ 2009-10 dated July 1, 2009 on Customer Service, wherein banks have been advised to follow the procedure laid down thereunder in respect of Term Deposit Accounts frozen by the enforcement authorities.
2. In terms of paragraph 5.8.9 (i), banks were advised to obtain a request letter from the customer for renewal for a term equal to the original term, on maturity. On a review, it is felt that instead of renewing it for a term equal to the original term, it would be appropriate if the depositor is given the option to choose the term for renewal of the deposit.
3. Banks may, therefore, while obtaining the request letter from the depositor for renewal, also advise him to indicate the term for which the deposit is to be renewed. In case the depositor does not exercise his option of choosing the term for renewal, banks may renew the same for a term equal to the original term.
Yours faithfully
(B.Mahapatra)
Chief General Manager
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Government mulls raising retirement age to 62 yrs
| Aditi Phadnis / New Delhi August 13, 2009, 0:56 IST |
Move aimed at easing strain on finances in a drought year.
The government is actively considering raising the retirement age of all central government employees, including those in the armed forces, from the present 60 to 62 years.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has submitted a report to the prime minister outlining all the pros and cons of the move, including the “cascading effects” on government employment and the huge savings, at least for two years, on account of retirement payouts.
If the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the prime minister find the arguments forwarded by the finance ministry credible and convincing, the announcement may come as early as August 15, as part of Manmohan Singh’s Independence Day speech.
The Cabinet may discuss the matter tomorrow.
Although the finance ministry is making a strong case for the move, the DoPT is taking time to make up its mind, possibly out of consideration for the 1979 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and other central services. Officers of the 1979 batch have been empanelled for promotion to the ranks of additional secretary and secretary but can take up their posts only after the present incumbents retire. If an announcement extending the retirement age comes before November, a batch of empanelled joint secretaries stand to lose their future ranks. In turn, this will also affect those who joined the central administrative services in 1980. The DoPT also says that the age profile of Indian bureaucrats, instead of becoming younger, will become older, out of tune with the rest of the world.
For the finance ministry, the gains from the move are clear. The pension payout of all armed forces personnel of the rank of Lieutenant General and equivalent who were to retire this year will be postponed by 24 months; the government will also defer by two years the liability of paying pension to more than 100,000 employees. While salaries will have to continue to be paid, this will be cheaper than paying upfront benefits like gratuity.
This is all the more important given the government’s other financial liabilities on account of stimulus spending and one drought, though the effects of the latter will kick in only in the next fiscal year. The fiscal deficit is 6.8 per cent of gross domestic product this year and a two-year lag in paying pensions will help in bridging this.
In 1998, the National Democratic Alliance government had raised the retirement age from 58 to 60, a move that benefitted 90,000 government servants and 50,000 defence personnel. At the time, the logic was: the retirement of 140,000 employees would have cost Rs 5,200 crore whereas paying salaries cost only Rs 1,493 crore.
That move came in the wake of the 5th Pay Commission report which had just been implemented by the then United Front government. In 2003, the government also right-sized the central government employee workforce by 30 per cent.
Every time the Centre announces an increase or concession on pay packages, both public-sector units and state governments follow suit. If the prime minister does decide to raise the retirement age, state governments and Public Sector Units (PSUs) will mirror this action. This has its own implications for many cash-strapped states like Punjab.
If the decision is finally taken, it will only be the third time the government will have raised the retirement age. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first prime minister to have increased the age of superannuation from 55 to 58 following the 1962 war with China. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee government did it a second time in 1998.
Courtesy: Business Standard
New Delhi, Aug 9 (PTI) The Central Administrative Tribunal has held that only a medical expert, not a departmental authority, is "competent" to certify if treatment administered on a government employee is an emergency case deserving medical reimbursement.
"Medical reimbursement cannot be claimed as a right in the context of financial burden on the government but when a laid down policy is there... then the authority, which is competent to certify an emergency, cannot be a departmental authority," the tribunal comprising members Shanker Raju and Veena Chhotray said.
"It is only an expert in the field, which is competent and has jurisdiction to certify whether the treatment incurred was in a state of emergency or not," the CAT said.
"Medical reimbursement cannot be claimed as a right in the context of financial burden on the government but when a laid down policy is there... then the authority, which is competent to certify an emergency, cannot be a departmental authority," the tribunal comprising members Shanker Raju and Veena Chhotray said.
"It is only an expert in the field, which is competent and has jurisdiction to certify whether the treatment incurred was in a state of emergency or not," the CAT said.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
CSIR - LEADERSHIP FOR INNOVATION AND FUTURE FRAMEWORK (CLIFF)
VISION :
An apolitical structure to act as a think-tank to delib
erate on new perspectives
on S&T policy, new initiatives and roadmaps
MISSION
1. RESPONSIVENESS- Anticipate, adapt to and address the changing needs
of the nation
2. ENTERPRISE- Evolve and strengthen CSIR
3. INNOVATION- Seek continual improvement in science, technology,
management, business and administration
4. EFFICACY- Ensure CSIR’S Viability in globally competitive environments
Saturday, August 8, 2009
No proposal to withhold DA: NER
LUCKNOW: The North Eastern Railway has refuted the news published in a section of the media that there is a proposal before the ministry of railways to stop payment of dearness allowance (DA), bonus and allowances payable to the railway employees.
Terming the news item as false and baseless, the NER release stated that there is no proposal before the ministry to withhold 60 per cent arrears of the sixth pay commission and the second instalment of bonus and DA payable to the railway employees. The payment would be made in time and the railway employees and their unions should not have any doubt or apprehensions in this regard, the release added.
Terming the news item as false and baseless, the NER release stated that there is no proposal before the ministry to withhold 60 per cent arrears of the sixth pay commission and the second instalment of bonus and DA payable to the railway employees. The payment would be made in time and the railway employees and their unions should not have any doubt or apprehensions in this regard, the release added.
Courtesy: ToI
Press Note - Subject- Electronic Voting Machines- regarding
The Election Commission had, in an extraordinary measure, invited those who have recently expressed reservations about the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to come and demonstrate the points made in their allegations from 3rd to 8th August 2009. Those invited included political parties, petitioners before various courts and some individuals who had been writing to the Commission on this issue. One hundred EVM samples were obtained on random basis from ten states namely, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. These were kept at the Commission’s office in readiness for scrutiny and for any application to establish its alleged fallibility. The EVMs were offered for such demonstration in the presence of a technical experts group as well as engineers representing the EVM manufacturers, BEL and ECIL. These engineers were especially called from Hyderabad and Bangalore and stationed in ECI’s office for a whole week for this specific purpose. The outcome of this exercise is that none of the persons, who were given the opportunity, could actually demonstrate any tamperability of the ECI-EVM, in any of the hundred machines put on display. They either failed or chose not to demonstrate.
The Election Commission would like to underline that it always had a firm conviction and complete satisfaction that EVMs could not be tampered with. Its faith on the machine has never wavered through the conduct of elections in the last many years including the nation-wide general elections in 2004 and 2009 and over 30 general elections to state assemblies during the last five years. In the past, no one has been able to actually demonstrate that EVMs used by the Election Commission can be tampered with or manipulated. What has been demonstrated or claimed to have been demonstrated is on a privately assembled “look-alike of ECI-EVMs” and not the actual ECI-EVM. However, the aforesaid extraordinary measure was undertaken by the Election Commission in fulfillment of its responsibility not to allow even a small shade of doubt about any aspect of its operation and in order to set at rest any misgiving anywhere. Today, the Commission once again completely reaffirms its faith in the infallibility of the EVMs. These are fully tamper-proof, as ever.
Dr. Kirit Somaiya, Vice-President, BJP, Maharashtra, accompanied by some others, visited the Commission on 7 August 2009 responding to the Commission’s invitation. He categorically stated that he was not opposed to the use of EVMs and he had never wanted to do any demonstration about the tamperability of EVMs. He however made certain suggestions for consideration of the Commission in line with his earlier correspondence with ECI. Ms. Veena Singh, a candidate in recent Parliamentary election in Madhya Pradesh also visited the Commission and made certain general points regarding physical handling of EVMs. It was explained to her that there are sufficient safeguards to take care of such problems. Shri Satinath Chaudhury, a petitioner in the Supreme Court in 2004 on the EVM issue, came on 8th August 2009 and after making some attempts, failed to demonstrate that the EVM could be tampered with.
Shri Omesh Saigal, who visited the Commission on the same day, accompanied by some others, refused to demonstrate the points earlier raised by him, using any of the 100 actual ECI-EVMs, he was offered to choose from. In a letter, addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner and handed over to EC officials, he in turn wanted certain arrangements for him and his team of hardware and software professionals from a private company before coming to demonstrate about the tamperability of the EVM. He also offered to show what he claimed as possibility of tampering using his personal computer and a ‘look alike’ of the ECI-EVM, that was privately manufactured, and is also seen on several TV channels. It was pointed out to Shri Saigal that the ECI-EVM was not at all comparable with what he had brought. Based on this, the EC officials declined to deal with, what appeared to be an imitation machine, so as to avoid creating any confusion in public mind. Shri Saigal made also a request to the Commission to consider pre-poll audit of the EVMs.
The Supreme Court of India, while disposing of a petition filed by Shri V. V. Rao and three others belonging to the Jan Chaitanya Vedika, raising questions about use of Electronic Voting Machines in the elections, on 27 July 2009 observed that the petitioners could approach the Election Commission in the matter. Similar petitions were filed before three High Courts in the country. These are the Madras High Court, the Bombay High Court and the High Court of Madhya Pradesh (Jabalpur bench). These petitions also raise allegations about the possibility of tampering with the EVMs. The Mumbai High Court has since dismissed the petition asking the petitioner to approach the Election Commission. The Election Commission has invited all these petitioners to come and demonstrate their points before the Commission. But none of them turned up for making a demonstration from 3rd August 2009 to 8th August 2009.
EVMs have served the country’s elections well. These were introduced after long ranging political, technical and administrative consultations since 1979. The use of machines has helped prevent several electoral malpractices and resulted in more efficient conduct of elections. Judgments from various courts have upheld the use of EVMs and technical experts have endorsed the machines from time to time. In fact, the Karnataka High Court has hailed the EVM as ‘a national pride’. Similarly, the Madras High Court, after elaborate consideration of the issue in a batch of petitions in 2001, rejected allegations that the EVMs could be tampered. The issues recently raised by petitioners in the Courts and by some others, broadly allege the possibility of tampering with the machine during the manufacturing process or while operating the machine. The following facts about ECI-EVMs conclusively rule out any such possibility.
Facts about EVMs used by ECI
i. ECI-EVMs are manufactured only by Electronics Corporation of India Limited (Department of Atomic Energy) and Bharat Electronics Limited (Ministry of Defence), both Central Public Sector Undertakings, which are entrusted with development of very high security product/equipment development.
ii. The ECI-EVMs cannot be reprogrammed.
iii. The software for this chip is developed in-house by a select group of engineers in the two PSUs independently from each other. A select software development group of 2-3 engineers designs the source code and this work is not sub-contracted.
iv. The source code is so designed that it allows a voter to cast the vote only once. The next vote can be recorded only after the Presiding Officer enables the ballot on the Control Unit. In between the machine becomes dead to any signal from outside (except from the Control Unit).
v. After completion of software design, testing and evaluation of the software is carried out by an independent testing group as per the software requirements specifications (SRS). This ensures that the software has really been written as per the requirements laid down for its intended use only.
vi. After successful completion of such evaluation, machine code of the source programme code known as hex-code (not the source code itself) is given to the micro controller manufacturer for fusing in the micro controllers. From this machine code, the source code cannot be read. Source code is never handed over to anyone outside the software group.
vii. Micro controller manufacturer initially provides engineering samples for evaluation. These samples are assembled into the EVM, evaluated and verified for functionality at great length. Bulk production clearance is given to micro controller manufacturer only after successful completion of this verification.
viii. The source code for the EVM is stored under controlled conditions at all times. Checks and balances are in place to ensure that it is accessible to authorized personnel only.
ix. During production, functional testing is done by production group as per the laid down quality plan and performance test procedures.
x. Samples of EVMs from production batches are regularly checked for functionality by Quality Assurance Group, which is an independent group within the organizations.
xi. Certain additional features were introduced in 2006 in ECI-EVMs such as dynamic coding between Ballot Unit and Control Unit, installation of real time clock, installation of full display system and date and time stamping of every key pressing in EVM. It is important to note that there was no modification of any type done at this stage in the basic functions of the machine.
Not comparable with EVMs Abroad
The Commission has come across some comparisons between ECI-EVM and EVMs used by foreign countries. Such comparisons are both misplaced and misguided. Most of the systems used in other countries are PC based and running on operating Systems. Hence, these could be vulnerable to hacking. The EVM in India on the other hand is a fully standalone machine without being part of any network and with no provision for any input. As already stated, the software in the EVM chip is one time programmable and is burnt into the chip at the time of manufacture. Nothing can be written on the chip after manufacture. Thus the ECI-EVMs are fundamentally different from the voting machines and processes adopted in various foreign countries. Any surmise based on foreign studies or operating system based EVMs used elsewhere would be completely erroneous. The ECI-EVMs cannot be compared with those EVMs.
Complete Procedural Security
The Commission has in place elaborate administrative measures and procedural checks-and-balances aimed at prevention of any possible misuse or procedural lapses. These measures include rigorous pre-election test and inspection of each EVM by the technicians, two level randomization with the involvement of candidates and their agents, for the random allotment of the EVMs to various constituencies and their subsequent dispatch to various polling stations. Preparation of the EVMs for elections is done in the presence of the candidates/their agents and sealing of the prepared EVMs is also done in candidate’s or their agent’s presence. Thread seal are fixed on the EVM where again, the candidates or their representatives put their own signature and seals. Paper seals guards against any unauthorized access to the EVMs after preparation. EVMs are then kept in sealed strong rooms with provision for the candidates to put their individual seals on the strong rooms. The EVMs are randomized twice over. The list of EVMs going to individual polling stations is given to the candidates for them to check, on the poll day the actual machine, that is used in that polling station. Furthermore a mock poll is conducted in the presence of polling agents, when the polling agents can verify, inter-alia, the EVM numbers. A mock poll certificate is taken before the commencement of poll. After the mock poll the machine is set back to zero and green paper seal printed at Government Security Press is put in, where once again every polling agent is allowed to put his/her signature. After the polls, the EVM are also sealed in such a manner that there is no physical access to any of the buttons on the EVMs. Indeed there is no access to the EVMs itself since the carrying case is sealed completely. The machines are put in the strong room again in presence of the candidates, observer of the commission under video camera surveillance. The strong room is allowed to be guarded by the supporters of the candidates besides the police protection provided to strong rooms. At every step, the EVM is very well protected and elaborate arrangements are in place for the same.
Election Commission of India
8th August , 2009,New Delhi
The Election Commission would like to underline that it always had a firm conviction and complete satisfaction that EVMs could not be tampered with. Its faith on the machine has never wavered through the conduct of elections in the last many years including the nation-wide general elections in 2004 and 2009 and over 30 general elections to state assemblies during the last five years. In the past, no one has been able to actually demonstrate that EVMs used by the Election Commission can be tampered with or manipulated. What has been demonstrated or claimed to have been demonstrated is on a privately assembled “look-alike of ECI-EVMs” and not the actual ECI-EVM. However, the aforesaid extraordinary measure was undertaken by the Election Commission in fulfillment of its responsibility not to allow even a small shade of doubt about any aspect of its operation and in order to set at rest any misgiving anywhere. Today, the Commission once again completely reaffirms its faith in the infallibility of the EVMs. These are fully tamper-proof, as ever.
Dr. Kirit Somaiya, Vice-President, BJP, Maharashtra, accompanied by some others, visited the Commission on 7 August 2009 responding to the Commission’s invitation. He categorically stated that he was not opposed to the use of EVMs and he had never wanted to do any demonstration about the tamperability of EVMs. He however made certain suggestions for consideration of the Commission in line with his earlier correspondence with ECI. Ms. Veena Singh, a candidate in recent Parliamentary election in Madhya Pradesh also visited the Commission and made certain general points regarding physical handling of EVMs. It was explained to her that there are sufficient safeguards to take care of such problems. Shri Satinath Chaudhury, a petitioner in the Supreme Court in 2004 on the EVM issue, came on 8th August 2009 and after making some attempts, failed to demonstrate that the EVM could be tampered with.
Shri Omesh Saigal, who visited the Commission on the same day, accompanied by some others, refused to demonstrate the points earlier raised by him, using any of the 100 actual ECI-EVMs, he was offered to choose from. In a letter, addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner and handed over to EC officials, he in turn wanted certain arrangements for him and his team of hardware and software professionals from a private company before coming to demonstrate about the tamperability of the EVM. He also offered to show what he claimed as possibility of tampering using his personal computer and a ‘look alike’ of the ECI-EVM, that was privately manufactured, and is also seen on several TV channels. It was pointed out to Shri Saigal that the ECI-EVM was not at all comparable with what he had brought. Based on this, the EC officials declined to deal with, what appeared to be an imitation machine, so as to avoid creating any confusion in public mind. Shri Saigal made also a request to the Commission to consider pre-poll audit of the EVMs.
The Supreme Court of India, while disposing of a petition filed by Shri V. V. Rao and three others belonging to the Jan Chaitanya Vedika, raising questions about use of Electronic Voting Machines in the elections, on 27 July 2009 observed that the petitioners could approach the Election Commission in the matter. Similar petitions were filed before three High Courts in the country. These are the Madras High Court, the Bombay High Court and the High Court of Madhya Pradesh (Jabalpur bench). These petitions also raise allegations about the possibility of tampering with the EVMs. The Mumbai High Court has since dismissed the petition asking the petitioner to approach the Election Commission. The Election Commission has invited all these petitioners to come and demonstrate their points before the Commission. But none of them turned up for making a demonstration from 3rd August 2009 to 8th August 2009.
EVMs have served the country’s elections well. These were introduced after long ranging political, technical and administrative consultations since 1979. The use of machines has helped prevent several electoral malpractices and resulted in more efficient conduct of elections. Judgments from various courts have upheld the use of EVMs and technical experts have endorsed the machines from time to time. In fact, the Karnataka High Court has hailed the EVM as ‘a national pride’. Similarly, the Madras High Court, after elaborate consideration of the issue in a batch of petitions in 2001, rejected allegations that the EVMs could be tampered. The issues recently raised by petitioners in the Courts and by some others, broadly allege the possibility of tampering with the machine during the manufacturing process or while operating the machine. The following facts about ECI-EVMs conclusively rule out any such possibility.
Facts about EVMs used by ECI
i. ECI-EVMs are manufactured only by Electronics Corporation of India Limited (Department of Atomic Energy) and Bharat Electronics Limited (Ministry of Defence), both Central Public Sector Undertakings, which are entrusted with development of very high security product/equipment development.
ii. The ECI-EVMs cannot be reprogrammed.
iii. The software for this chip is developed in-house by a select group of engineers in the two PSUs independently from each other. A select software development group of 2-3 engineers designs the source code and this work is not sub-contracted.
iv. The source code is so designed that it allows a voter to cast the vote only once. The next vote can be recorded only after the Presiding Officer enables the ballot on the Control Unit. In between the machine becomes dead to any signal from outside (except from the Control Unit).
v. After completion of software design, testing and evaluation of the software is carried out by an independent testing group as per the software requirements specifications (SRS). This ensures that the software has really been written as per the requirements laid down for its intended use only.
vi. After successful completion of such evaluation, machine code of the source programme code known as hex-code (not the source code itself) is given to the micro controller manufacturer for fusing in the micro controllers. From this machine code, the source code cannot be read. Source code is never handed over to anyone outside the software group.
vii. Micro controller manufacturer initially provides engineering samples for evaluation. These samples are assembled into the EVM, evaluated and verified for functionality at great length. Bulk production clearance is given to micro controller manufacturer only after successful completion of this verification.
viii. The source code for the EVM is stored under controlled conditions at all times. Checks and balances are in place to ensure that it is accessible to authorized personnel only.
ix. During production, functional testing is done by production group as per the laid down quality plan and performance test procedures.
x. Samples of EVMs from production batches are regularly checked for functionality by Quality Assurance Group, which is an independent group within the organizations.
xi. Certain additional features were introduced in 2006 in ECI-EVMs such as dynamic coding between Ballot Unit and Control Unit, installation of real time clock, installation of full display system and date and time stamping of every key pressing in EVM. It is important to note that there was no modification of any type done at this stage in the basic functions of the machine.
Not comparable with EVMs Abroad
The Commission has come across some comparisons between ECI-EVM and EVMs used by foreign countries. Such comparisons are both misplaced and misguided. Most of the systems used in other countries are PC based and running on operating Systems. Hence, these could be vulnerable to hacking. The EVM in India on the other hand is a fully standalone machine without being part of any network and with no provision for any input. As already stated, the software in the EVM chip is one time programmable and is burnt into the chip at the time of manufacture. Nothing can be written on the chip after manufacture. Thus the ECI-EVMs are fundamentally different from the voting machines and processes adopted in various foreign countries. Any surmise based on foreign studies or operating system based EVMs used elsewhere would be completely erroneous. The ECI-EVMs cannot be compared with those EVMs.
Complete Procedural Security
The Commission has in place elaborate administrative measures and procedural checks-and-balances aimed at prevention of any possible misuse or procedural lapses. These measures include rigorous pre-election test and inspection of each EVM by the technicians, two level randomization with the involvement of candidates and their agents, for the random allotment of the EVMs to various constituencies and their subsequent dispatch to various polling stations. Preparation of the EVMs for elections is done in the presence of the candidates/their agents and sealing of the prepared EVMs is also done in candidate’s or their agent’s presence. Thread seal are fixed on the EVM where again, the candidates or their representatives put their own signature and seals. Paper seals guards against any unauthorized access to the EVMs after preparation. EVMs are then kept in sealed strong rooms with provision for the candidates to put their individual seals on the strong rooms. The EVMs are randomized twice over. The list of EVMs going to individual polling stations is given to the candidates for them to check, on the poll day the actual machine, that is used in that polling station. Furthermore a mock poll is conducted in the presence of polling agents, when the polling agents can verify, inter-alia, the EVM numbers. A mock poll certificate is taken before the commencement of poll. After the mock poll the machine is set back to zero and green paper seal printed at Government Security Press is put in, where once again every polling agent is allowed to put his/her signature. After the polls, the EVM are also sealed in such a manner that there is no physical access to any of the buttons on the EVMs. Indeed there is no access to the EVMs itself since the carrying case is sealed completely. The machines are put in the strong room again in presence of the candidates, observer of the commission under video camera surveillance. The strong room is allowed to be guarded by the supporters of the candidates besides the police protection provided to strong rooms. At every step, the EVM is very well protected and elaborate arrangements are in place for the same.
Election Commission of India
8th August , 2009,New Delhi
Friday, August 7, 2009
Secure Online Shopping
To make online payments safer, the Reserve Bank of India has made it mandatory, for all online transactions to have an additional level of authentication from August 1, 2009 onwards. For Visa credit/debit cards, the additional level of security is the Verified by Visa password that you will have to enter after providing your credit/debit card details while making online bill payments through Visa Bill Pay.
You need to register with your issuing bank to obtain the Verified By Visa password. If you are not registered with your issuing bank, then your Visa card may be declined while making a payment through Visa Bill Pay, from August 1, 2009
What is "Verified by VISA" password?
Verified by Visa is a service that will let you create/use a personal password with your credit/debit card, giving you added assurance that only you can use your card to make purchases over the Internet
You need to register with your issuing bank to obtain the Verified By Visa password. If you are not registered with your issuing bank, then your Visa card may be declined while making a payment through Visa Bill Pay, from August 1, 2009
What is "Verified by VISA" password?
Verified by Visa is a service that will let you create/use a personal password with your credit/debit card, giving you added assurance that only you can use your card to make purchases over the Internet
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Thursday, August 6, 2009
CAT: cash rewards for IT officers unconstitutional : J. Venkatesan
NEW DELHI: The cash reward scheme for officers of the Investigating Wing of the Income Tax Department is bad in law and ultra vires the Constitution, the Kolkata Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal has held.
A Bench consisting of K.V. Sachidanandan, Vice-Chairman, and Champak Chatterjee, Administrative Member, quashed the scheme introduced by a Central Board of Direct Taxes Circular, dated November 6, 1985, to the officers per case of detection of tax evasion.
The Tribunal said: “Tax evasion is not a new phenomenon, and the propensity to evade payment or under-payment of tax is common all over the world. It has existed since the taxing system was introduced in our country long long ago. For detection of any unaccounted money which is commonly known as ‘black money,’ the Income Tax Department is equipped with competent officers, who undertake search and seizure operations either on their own initiative or on receipt of information or tip-offs from informers or sources.”
The Bench said: “Such government officials are performing their official duties, for which they are paid an appropriate pay and allowances as prescribed under the rules, and such duties are also conditions of their service. In such circumstances, payment of reward per case of detection of unlawful evasion of tax is wholly unwarranted and uncalled for.
“Payment of reward to outsiders who act as a source or informer can be understood, as they stand on a different pedestal, but it is not understood why payment of reward/commission is to be made to the government officials over and above their monthly salary for performing their prescribed statutory duties? That too without liability to pay income tax, though it is their income. Why this benevolence?”
In the instant case, Samir K. Ghosh, who retired as Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, Kolkata, claimed Rs.7,46,320 as a cash reward during 1992-96 with respect to six cases, as against Rs. 2,80,244 paid to him.
The Tribunal rejected the plea, saying it would be open to the government if it so desired to explore an alternative means of recognising commendable work done by officials.
Courtesy: The Hindu
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Kashmiri scientist named for CSIR award
Srinagar: A young scientist from central Kashmir district of Budgam has been nominated for CSIR Young Scientists award 2009.
Working with Indian Institute of Integrated Medicine Jammu, Dr. Fayaz Ahmad Malik of Soibugh Budgam is the first Kashmiri to get the award in the field of Biological cancer Research. There were 39 scientists from different states in the fray. The prime minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, will give the award to Dr. Malik at a function to be held in New Delhi on September 26. Dr. Malik received the communication to this effect from Prof. Samir-K-Brahmachari Director General CSIR.
Courtesy: Kashmir watch.com
Working with Indian Institute of Integrated Medicine Jammu, Dr. Fayaz Ahmad Malik of Soibugh Budgam is the first Kashmiri to get the award in the field of Biological cancer Research. There were 39 scientists from different states in the fray. The prime minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, will give the award to Dr. Malik at a function to be held in New Delhi on September 26. Dr. Malik received the communication to this effect from Prof. Samir-K-Brahmachari Director General CSIR.
Courtesy: Kashmir watch.com
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