Passport Seva goes rural.

Services to be shortly launched in pilot mode at 15 select CSC in UP and Jharkhand...

The Ministry of External Affairs (MoEA) plans to reach Passport Seva to rural areas.

Getting a passport will be more easier through PSK

The MoEA, along with Common Services Centers (CSCs) will offer Passport related services through the vast network of over one lakh CSCs across rural hinterland.

The services would be shortly launched in pilot mode at 15 select CSC locations in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand in the second week of March 2014. The full roll out across the country is expected to conclude by end of March 2014.

Under the Passport Seva, the MoEA has made it mandatory to complete the entire form filing process on-line, including payment of applicable fee and scheduling of appointment for seeking Passport related services. The CSCs would facilitate filling and uploading of Passport application form, payment of applicable fee and scheduling of appointment for the visit to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) at nominal charge not exceeding US$1.63. As per the appointment schedule, an applicant will have to visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) for completion of application submission process. The services through CSCs would be available throughout the week, including during the weekend.

The CSC Scheme was approved by the Indian government in September 2006 for setting up of 100,000+ Internet enabled centers in rural areas under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP). The CSCs are the delivery points for the government, private and social sector services in the areas of agriculture, health, education, banking, insurance, pension, utility bill payments, entertainment, etc. to rural citizens of India at their doorstep. The passport related services are being added as part of their bouquet of services.

AirAsia India could launch in May – CEO

Likely to get flying permit in three weeks

AirAsia India could launch its first flights in May 2014, according to its CEO.

Speaking to Indian newspaper The Hindu, Mittu Chandilya said he hopes to see progress within the coming weeks.

“We may get the air operator permit in about three weeks. Thereafter, we may commence operations in two months from Chennai,” Chandilya said in an interview in Chennai.

AirAsia India is a joint venture between Malaysia’s AirAsia and India’s Tata Group. It will operate both domestic and international flights from its base at Chennai, using a fleet of Airbus A320s.

किंगफिशर 'क्रैश': एयरलाइंस का लाइसेंस सस्पेंड

नई दिल्ली।। एविएशन रेग्युलेटर डीजीसीए ने किंगफिशर एयरलाइंस का लाइसेंस अगले आदेश तक सस्पेंड कर दिया है। डीजीसीए का कहना है कि रिवाइवल प्लान सौंपने तक किंगफिशर की फ्लाइट्स उड़ानें नहीं भर पाएंगी। डीजीसीए ने कारण बताओ नोटिस भेजकर जवाब मांगा था लेकिन किंगफिशर इसका संतोषजनक जवाब नहीं दे पाई। इसके अलावा किंगफिशर ने लॉकआउट भी 23 अक्टूबर तक बढ़ा दिया था। इन सब कारणों से डीजीसीए अगले आदेश तक एयरलाइंस का लाइसेंस सस्पेंड करने का फैसला किया है।

वेतन न मिलने की वजह से किंगफिशर एयरलाइंस के पायलट और इंजिनियर हड़ताल पर चले गए थे और इसके बाद एयरलाइंस को अपनी उड़ानें रद्द करनी पड़ी थीं। एयरलाइंस ने तालाबंदी का भी ऐलान कर दिया था। डीजीसीए ने 5 अक्टूबर को नोटिस जारी करके पूछा था कि क्यों न किंगफिशर का लाइसेंस ही रद्द कर दिया जाए। किंगफिशर एयरलाइंस को जवाब देने के लिए 15 दिन का वक्त दिया गया था, जो आज खत्म हो रहा था। किंगफिशर एयरलाइंस के सूत्रों ने जवाब दाखिल करने के बाद कहा था कि अगर डीजीसीए उन्हें फिर से उड़ान के लिए अनुमति देती है तो नवंबर से उड़ानें शुरू की जा सकती हैं।

IRDA restricts IGE, J&K Bank from subscribing to MetLife issue

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has restricted International General Electric Corporation (IGE) and J&K Bank from subscribing to a fresh issue of shares by MetLife India.
Issuing fresh shares is a part of process of inducting state-run Punjab National Bank into the life insurance company. The regulator has cleared the proposal, but with riders. IGE holds a 20.3% stake in the life insurance joint venture while Jammu & Kashmir Bank holds 11.26%.
After performing an exhaustive study, the regulator found that certain regulatory issues do not allow some of the existing shareholders to subscribe to the fresh issue and asked them not to subscribe to it.
The regulator in a circular said, "This constraint (of some existing shareholders to subscribe to new shares) was impacting the solvency position of the insurer and limiting its ability to grow.”
The deal will be cleared after some of the existing shareholders reduce their stake. As per the law, Insurance companies are mandated to maintain a 1.5% solvency margin.
After the induction of Punjab National Bank with 30% stake in the joint venture, the stake of MetLife will drop to 18%. If industry sources are to be believed, Jammu & Kashmir Bank is all set to sell its shares to MetLife. As per the current law, a foreign insurer cannot own more than 26% stake in India.
Industry sources indicate that Punjab National Bank (PNB) is picking up 30% stake in the joint venture life insurance, MetLife India for free. The insurer has already paid an upfront commission of over 500 crore to the bank. The transaction will mark PNB's entry into the life insurance space and will give MetLife a wider reach through bancassurance.
MetLife India is a joint venture between Jammu & Kashmir Bank, the US-based MetLife International (26%) and private investors, including Elpro International (13%) and M Pallonji Group (26.1%).

About STS

Travel has always captured the spirit of adventure. Today people travel frequently across countries, even continents as they once used to between provinces. Whether your journey takes you to New Delhi or New York, Bombay or Beijing, Calcutta or Copenhagen, it is likely to be quick, comfortable and convenient, especially if you have an efficient and experienced Travel Agent to take care of all your travel needs. Shiza Travel Services is a trusted & experienced name in Lucknow, UP in the field of Passenger Air Transportation since the last 13 years.  Shiza Travel Services has the finest credentials of any Travel Agency in Lucknow to take care of your air travel needs. It is founded by widely experienced travel professional who have himself traveled many times of KSA and other parts of the world.

Shiza Travel Services is known as a Premier Travel company of Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh. The firm was formed in the year 1998.

The hallmark of quality is evident in Shiza Travel Services's personnel and its service standard, just as mush as it is reflected in its luxurious, well maintained fleet, earning the unflinching loyalty of its patrons. Its service is also extended to many prestigious organisations worldwide. STS basic service is providing Umrah and Haj Services. Whether you are on business or pleasure, we at STS are here to assist you, to make your trip as hassle free, as safe and comfortable as possible. At Shiza Travel Services we set a high standard for competitors to follow. We respond to the client's needs with efficiency that is unrivalled in the region. The first brush with Shiza Travel Services will undoubtedly be with our friendly personnel, who work at making the Customer's journey an extremely pleasant experience.