Sunday, 31 December 2017
Release of Commemorative Postage Stamp on Padmashri Dajisaheb Patwardhan on 28/12/2017
A commemorative postage
stamp on Padmashri Dajisaheb Patwardhan was released by Shri H. C.
Agarwal Chief Postmaster General Maharashtra Circle at Tapovan (Dist.
Amravati, Maharashtra) on 28/12/2017.
IP/ASP team met Secretary (Posts) in connection with fixation of pay of Inspector Posts w.e.f.1/1/2006.
It has been
reported by Shri P. Ajit Kumar AGS-I acting as General Secretary that a
delegation of Circle Secretaries from Bihar, Harayana, Himachal
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Utttar Pradesh
has met Secretary (Posts), DDG (Esttt) and ADG (Estt) today in
connection with fixation of pay of Inspector Posts cadre w.e.f.
1/1/2006. Team explained them the anomaly in fixation of pay on
upgradation of GP of Inspector Posts from Rs. 4200/- to Rs. 4600/- with
effect from 1/1/2006. The officers have patiently heard the issues
raised by team and assured that a clarification order will be issued at
the earliest. The meeting was held in co-ordinal atmosphere.
Source: Chq
Monday, 25 December 2017
Rural Post offices in a Modern form – Darpan (Digital Advancement of Rural Post Office for A New India)
The Minister of Communications Shri Manoj Sinha today launched DARPAN – “Digital Advancement of Rural Post Office for A New India” Project to improve the quality of service, add value to services and achieve “financial inclusion” of un-banked rural population. He said, the goal of the IT modernization project with an outlay of Rs. 1400 Crore is to provide a low power technology solution to each Branch Postmaster (BPM) which will enable each of approximately 1.29 Lakhs Branch Post Offices (BOs) to improve the level of services being offered to rural customers across all the states. Shri Sinha said that as on date, 43,171 Branch Post Offices have migrated under the “DARPAN”projectwith the aim of financial inclusion to rural population and it is targeted to complete the project by March, 2018.
The Project shall increase the rural reach of the Department of Posts and enable BOs to increase traffic of all financial remittances, savings accounts, Rural Postal Life Insurance, and Cash Certificates; improve mail operations processes by allowing for automated booking and delivery of accountable article; increase revenue using retail post business; provide third party applications; and make disbursements for social security schemes such as MGNREGS.
As part of IT modernization project, the Department of Posts (DoP) has carried out business process reengineering across various functional areas and has created To-Be processes that will enable it to achieve these objectives. As an achievement, Department of Posts has established 991 ATMs across the country, which are interoperable with other banks and the common people has directly benefited with the wide network of Department of Posts especially in rural areas. Till now, 1,12,85,217 transactions have been carried out on the DOP’s ATMs out of which 70,24,214 transactions have been done by the non-DOP customers. Department of Posts is the only Government player in this space.
For more than 150 years, the Department of Posts (DoP) has been the backbone of the country’s communication and has played a crucial role in the country’s socio-economic development. It touches the lives of Indian citizens in many ways: delivering mails, accepting deposits under Small Savings Schemes, providing life insurance cover under Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) and providing retail services like bill collection, sale of forms, etc. The Department of Posts also acts as an agent for Government of India in discharging other services for citizens such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) wage disbursement and old age pension payments. With 1.5 lakh Post Offices (approximately), the Department of Posts has the most widely distributed postal network in the world.
Trends such as urbanization, increased demand for financial services, increased funding by the government for the weaker sections and the rural sector, have opened up new opportunities for the Department of Posts,which in turn has necessitated development of new processes and supporting technology. The Department of Posts is also faced with twin challenges of increasing competition and continuing advances in communication technology, especially in mobile telephony and the Internet. In order to provide the best-in-class customer service, deliver new services and improve operational efficiencies,the Department of Posts has undertaken an end to end IT modernization project to equip itself with requisite modern tools and technologies. The IT modernization project intends to achieve the following:
Wider reach to the Indian populace through more customer interaction channels
Better customer service
III. Growth through new lines of business
IT enablement of business processes and support functions
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Read more at : https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/Pages/News/Darpan.pdf
Tuesday, 19 December 2017
All Circle Secretaries and CHQ office bearers are directed to down load the copies and submit to their circle administration. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
Letter to Secretary (Posts) i/c/w up-gradation of GP of Inspector Posts from 4200/- to 4600/-.
No. CHQ/AIAPASP/Upgradation/GP/2017 dated : 18/12/2017
To,
Shri A. N. Nanda,
Secretary (Posts)
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi 110 001.
Subject : Non implementation of orders of Directorate
by which the Grade pay of Inspector of Posts has been upgraded to Rs. 4600/-
(PB-2) w.e.f. 01.01.2006 in the 6th CPC structure in pursuance of Para 7.6.14
of its report.
Ref. : 1. Directorate letter No. 2-12/2013-PCC
dated 24.10.2017
2. CAT Ernakulam judgement Dated 16.10.2015
3. Contempt petition no. C.P/180/00137/2016 in OA No. 180/00289/2013
Respected Sir,
On behalf
of Association of Inspector Posts and Asstt Supdt Posts, it is respectfully
submitted that aggrieved of the anomalous situation occurred vide MOF OM dated
13.11.2009 & 16.11.2009 due to grant of Grade Pay of Rs.4600/- in the Pay
Band PB-2 corresponding the pre-revised scale of Rs. 7450-11500 with effect
from 01-01-2006 to the Inspector of CBDT/CBEC and Assistants in CSS, this
Association filed litigation vide OA 289/2013 before Hon’ble CAT Ernakulam
Bench, contesting that Inspector Posts were conveniently omitted from the above
upgradation and consequential benefits. It was categorically mentioned that
Inspector Posts were holders of pay scale of Rs.9300-34800 (Pre-revised pay
scale of Rs.6500-10500) in the light of recommendation of 6th CPC in
para 7.6.14 placing Inspector Posts at par with Assistants and Inspectors of
CBDT/CBEC and as such they are entitled to the revised grade pay of Rs.4600/-
on par with Inspectors CBDT/CBEC and Assistants. Needless to mention, para
7.6.14 was accepted by the Government of India as per Resolution No.
1/1/2008-I.C. dated 29.08.2008.
After
much deliberations, Learned Bench decided the case in favour of respondent
association vide decision dated 16.10.2015, after recording certain observations. In
compliance thereto, Department considered issue of up gradation of Grade Pay of
Inspector Posts afresh in consultation with Ministry of Finance, Department of
Expenditure and pleased to grant Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/- (PB-2) to Inspector
Posts from 01.01.2006 in the 6th CPC structure in pursuance of Para
7.6.14 of its report. Accordingly orders for implementation has been issued
vide OM No. 2-12/2013-PCC dated 24.10.2017.
Our Association is very much grateful to
Secretary (Posts) and officers at Directorate for recommendation of upgradation
of GP of Rs. 4600/- (PB-2) w.e.f. 01.01.2006 in the 6th
CPC structure in pursuance of Para 7.6.14 of its report and issuance
of orders thereof. At the same time, it is constrained to note that the orders
are not being implemented in letter and spirit. Accounts line officials are
misinterpreting the provisions, ignoring the importance/essence of the issue.
Attempts are being made by them to de-link Grade Pay with Pre-revised scale,
and leading to an anomalous situation once again. There appears no consensus
amongst Accounts line officials all over the country. In order to bring
uniformity in respect of pay fixation, a line of action/instructions are necessarily required from Directorate.
It is imperative to cite relevant rules in this
regard, a few of which are as under:
a) It is
pertinent to mention that Directorate vide letter no. 17-10/2008-Admn dated
21.04.2010 has fixed the pay of 28
Assistants in the revised pay structure of 7450-225-11500 corresponding to the
Grade pay of Rs.4600/-. The said pay fixture is most relevant, similar and
identical to the instant case.
b) Revised Pay structure for the Grade Pay of Rs.4600
(PB-2) corresponding to the Pre-Revised scale i.e. 7450-225-11500 (S-13) as
defined under Section I of Part-A of the First Schedule of the CCS (RP) Rules,
2008 annexed with notification under GSR 622 (E) dated 29.08.2008.
Revised Pay Structure
|
Earlier Pay Structure
|
|||
Corresponding
Grade Pay
|
Name of Pay
Band / Scale
|
Corresponding Pay
Bands / Scales
|
Post
/ Grade
|
Present Scale
|
4600/-
|
PB-2
|
9300-34800
|
S-13
|
7450-225-11500
|
c) As per Note 2A under Rule 7 of CCS (RP)
Rules 2008, where a post has been
upgraded as a result of recommendation of
the Sixth CPC as
indicated in Part
B or Part
C of the
First Schedule to
these rules, the fixation of pay in the applicable pay
band will be done in the manner prescribed in accordance with clause (A)
(i) and (ii) of Rule
7 by multiplying the existing
basic pay as
on 01.01.2006 by
a factor of
1.86 and rounding the resultant figure
to the next
multiple of ten.
The grade pay corresponding to
the upgraded scale as indicated
in Column 6 of Part B or C will be payable in addition.
Illustration 4A in this regard is in the Explanatory memorandum to the
rules.
d) Illustration 4A
under Explanatory Memorandum in
the Second Schedule of CCS(RP)
Rules provides fixation of pay
on up gradation of GP of Rs.1900/-
to the GP
Rs.2000/- with benefit
of bunching in
the pre revised scale of
pay. In the instant case, GP of Rs.4200/- originally
granted to IP was up graded to GP of Rs.4600/- as on 01.01.2006.
e) In
the Illustration 4A of
ibid rules as stated
in (b) above, under
Serial 7 of illustration, bunching benefit was prescribed. The method of bunching has been explained
below rule 7 A of CCS (RP) Rules 2008.
f) As per Rule 5 of CCS(RP) Rules 2008,
option provision is available
for the employees between
those promoted or
whose pay have
been upgraded to a
higher scale on
or after 01.01.2006
to the date of notification i.e. 29.08.2008.
g) As per Rule 4 of CCS(RP) Rules 2008, Column
5 & 6 of Section I of Part A of THE FIRST SCHEDULE OF 6th
CPC Gazette making REVISED PAY STRUCTURE
as well as showing pay band and grade pay OR
Pay scale, as applicable, of every post/grade.
f) The
IPs who have been promoted to ASP Cadre are entitled to earn increment and re-fixation
as per FR 22 (a) on the date of promotion as the post of
ASP carries higher duty & responsibilities as contained in OM No. 43-27/2007-
PE II dated 30-08-2007, though ASP cadre has been left
out with the same Grade Pay of Rs.4600/- as of IP.
In view
the above rule provisions, Fitment Table to OM of MOF 1- 1/2008-IC dated
30.08.2008 relevant to the above was referred. The fitment table
corresponding to pre
revised scale of
Rs.7450-225-11500 (S13) with
Revised PB+GP of PB2 Rs.9300-34800+GP Rs.4600/-
is relevant for fixing the minimum pay of IPs as per Rule 7(A) (ii) of
CCS (RP) Rules 2008. This is applicable
for those who are already in the IP Cadre before 01.01.2006 and for those who
are promoted to IP cadre between 01.01.2006 to 28.08.2008 (i.e. the date of Gazette
Notification of CCS (RP) Rules 2008). In respect of officials promoted after
the notification of CCS (RP) Rules 2008, Rule 13 of CCS (RP) Rules is
applicable.
Therefore,
it is crystal clear that CCS (RP) Rules 2008 has inbuilt rule provisions to implement
the orders of up-gradation of Grade Pay to IP cadre.
I would
therefore humbly request your kind honour to issue suitable instructions/orders
to all concerned to implement the orders of the Directorate based on the rules
cited above & as per CCS (RP) Rules 2008 immediately.
Thanking
you,
Yours
faithfully,
Sd/-
(Vilas
Ingale)
General
Secretary
Monday, 11 December 2017
Sunday, 10 December 2017
Monday, 4 December 2017
10 Income Tax rules you need to know
House rent allowance, commonly known as HRA, is a major chunk of a salaried individual's total pay. Under Section 10 (13A) of the Income Tax Act, you can save tax on the rent you pay to your landlord. However, you get partial tax benefit on the rent you pay. The amount that is allowed for exemption under HRA is calculated as the minimum of:
i) Rent paid annually minus 10 per cent of basic salary plus dearness allowance
ii) Actual HRA received
iii) 40 per cent of basic and dearness allowance (50 per cent in case of metro cities).
Your HRA allowance will be taxable if you are not paying any rent or you stay in your own house. But those who stay with their parents can also claim HRA benefits by paying rent to their parents.
2. Deductions under Section 80C
One can claim tax benefit on investments up to Rs 1.5 lakh under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. If you fall in the highest tax slab (30 per cent), by investing Rs 1.5 lakh you can save tax for up to Rs 46,350 (including cess charges.) per year. Investments that qualify for tax benefit under this section are Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), Public Provident Fund (PPF), Sukanya Samriddhi Account, National Savings Certificate and tax-saving fixed deposits. The premium paid for life insurance plans, National Pension Scheme (NPS) and tax-saving mutual funds (ELSS) also qualify for deduction under Section 80C.
One can also claim tuition fees paid for up to two children, principal repayment on home loan, stamp duty and registration cost on the house bought as a deduction under Section 80C.
Read: Save income tax through mutual fund investment. All you need to know
3. Deductions under Section 80CCD(1B)
This section was introduced in Budget 2015-16. Under this section, one can get tax benefits on investments up to Rs 50,000 in NPS tier 1 account. This is over and above the Rs 1.5 lakh limit under Section 80C. An individual in highest tax bracket can save Rs. 15,450 by investing Rs. 50,000 in NPS under Section 80CCD(1B).
4. Deduction under Section 80E
If you have taken an education loan for yourself, spouse or children, then the interest paid on the loan qualify for tax benefit under Section 80E. The best thing here is that there is no upper limit on the amount of deduction. But the criteria is that the loan must have been taken from a financial institution or approved charitable institution and for full-time higher education.
5. Deduction of interest on housing loan (Section 24B)
If you have taken a housing loan to buy a house, then the interest you pay on your housing loan qualify for tax benefit under Section 24B. Interest paid up to Rs 2 lakh in a financial year on housing loan is allowed as deduction from your income. If you have taken a home improvement loan, then interest up to Rs 30,000 will be allowed as deduction under this section.
6. Deduction under Section 80EE
Re-introduced in Union Budget 2016, an additional deduction of Rs. 50,000 is available under this section, which is over and above the limit of Section 24B on interest paid on home loans if a person is buying a house for the first time. But there is a condition to avail this benefit. The cost of the property must be below Rs 50 lakh and the loan amount must be less than equal to Rs 35 lakh.Also, the property must be bought after April 1, 2016.
7. Deduction under Section 80D
Premiums paid for health insurance for self, spouse, children, and parents qualify for deduction under Section 80D. One can claim deduction of Rs. 25,000, if he is below 60 years of age, and Rs. 30,000 if he is above 60 years of age, towards medical insurance premium paid for self, spouse and children. Under this section, additional deduction of Rs. 25,000 is available if one buys medical insurance for his parents. This deduction can go up to Rs. 30,000 per year if parents are above the age of 60 years. So the total deduction you get under Section 80D is up to Rs 60,000.
8. Deduction under Section 80DD
If a tax payer has dependent parents, spouse, children or siblings who are differently-abled, then he can claim deductions up to Rs. 75,000 for expenses on their maintenance and medical treatment under this section. If the disability is severe in nature, then the deduction can increase to Rs 1.25 lakh.
9. Deduction under Section 80DDB
Under this section, one can claim deduction of Rs. 40,000 for medical treatment of specified disease or ailment for self and dependents. The deduction can go up to Rs. 60,000 if the tax payer is above 60 years of age and if he is above 80 years of age, then the deduction amount is up to Rs. 80,000. The diseases have been specified in Rule 11DD. To claim this benefit a certificate in form 10 I is to be furnished by the taxpayer from any registered doctor.
Also Read: Mutual fund: Should you opt for regular plan or direct plan for wealth creation
10. Tax benefit under Section 80TTA
Under this section, interest income up to Rs 10,000 per annum from savings account is allowed as deduction from taxable income. However, interest earned from fixed deposits, term deposits does not qualify for deduction under this.
source: CHQ
Wednesday, 29 November 2017
Sunday, 26 November 2017
No Proposal Under Consideration to Withdraw Bank Chequebook Facility
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
23-November-2017 20:20 IST
No Proposal Under Consideration to
Withdraw Bank Chequebook Facility
In
a section of the media, it has appeared that there is a possibility that the
Central Government may withdraw bank cheque book facility in the near future,
with an intent to encourage digital transactions. It is denied that there is
any proposal under consideration of the Government to withdraw bank cheque book
facility.
In
this regard, it is emphasized that while the Government is committed to
transform India into a less cash economy and promote digital and electronic
transactions through multi-pronged initiatives, cheques are an integral part of
the payments landscape, and form the backbone of trade and commerce, by being
negotiable instruments, which often serve as the security for underlying trade
transactions.
Instructions to be followd during issue of ATM Card
• Below
issues at CIF will lead to non activation of cards:
Ø Last
name column in CIF should not exceed 35 Characters
Ø Last
Name column in CIF should not contain special and numeric characters
Ø Address
line at CIF level should not exceed 35 characters and special character s
like (<, >, ?)
Ø Name
at account level should be as mentioned in the CIF
• Wrong
issuance of Instant Cards
• SOLs
are dispatching Instant ATM card duly linked to the account by post which may
lead to mis-appropriation as both PIN and card will be available in the same
envelope.
• SOLs
are placing New card request after hot listing /personalized card request /
Replacement /closure which will lead to non-activation of new card request and
that kit/card cannot be used further and reflects in inactive cards.
• Issuing
of new kit for the CIF which was already issued with another Kit number.
• WRONG
ATM PIN REQUEST
• SOLs
are placing ATM PIN request multiple times with out waiting for the receipt of
PIN from National ATM Unit.
• Many
SOLs are just sending mails for duplicate PIN with out placing request in CCMM
menu
• Closure
of ATM Card
• SOLs
are closing the accounts with out closing the ATM cards. Such cards will be in
active status and cannot be closed in later stage.
• Few
SOLs have closed the existing cards and again placed new card request, which
will not get activated.
• CIF
merger of ATM issued accounts
• Once
the ATM cards are issued to any of the SB accounts, such CIFs should not be
merged to any other CIF.
• After
merging the CIF, one more card is being issued to the new CIF of the same
account. In such a case both the cards will be active and lead to fraudulent
transactions.
• Eligibility
criteria Issuing of ATM cards
• Cards
should be issued only to SB General and Pension accounts.
• In
case of Joint, should be issued only to Joint “B”
• ATM
cards should not be issued to Minor, Illiterate, Joint “A”, SBBAS, BO accounts
and Lunatic accounts.
• Only
one card per customer should be issued. In case of multiple accounts, linking
should be done after activation of card with the primary account.
Procedure
for issue of duplicate ATM cards in case of missing of the original one :
Under
CCMM menu use Modify function and enter CIF id and in the next screen select
Action as "hotlist and replace or Replacement in case already hotlisted.
Then select Card type as Personalized and again click on Instant. Then enter
the Instant kit number which is to be issued to the customer and card will get
activated after 24 hours.
source: Chq
GDS recruitment
To view
details of GDS recruitment revised vacancies of AP, Jharkhand, Odisha
and Telangana Circles on INDIA POST website, please CLICK HERE.
To online apply for GDS Posts in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh circle, please CLICK HERE.
Saturday, 18 November 2017
Monday, 13 November 2017
40th All India Conference at Rajgir (Bihar) in February 2018
It has been in informed by Shri Rajiv Kumar, Circle Secretary, All India Association of Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents Posts, Bihar Circle Branch that, 40th All India Conference will be held at Rajgir. The details are given below:
Date : 9th and 10th February 2018
Venue : Conventional Hall, Rajgir (Bihar)
Accommodation : Rajgir Residency Hotel
Shri Rajiv Kumar has already distributed/handed over donations coupons to all Circle Secretaries at the time of CWC Meeting held at Shimla (Himachal Pradesh). It is therefore requested to all Circle Secretaries to start the collection of donations from members and remit to CS Bihar Circle at the earliest. Bank details will be intimated soon.
Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation provides travel facility from state capital Patna to visit Bodh circuit (Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali, Kesaria, Lumbini, Kushinagar, Sarnath), Jain Circuit (Rajgir, Pawapuri) and Sikh circuit in Bihar.
Air: The nearest is Gaya International Airport, Gaya which is 78 km which is connected to International Destinations like Bangkok, Columbo, etc. Another airport is at Patna 101 km. Air India, Indigo, Jet Airways and Go Air connect Patna to Kolkata, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Ranchi and Lucknow.
Rail: Rajgir railway station connects the city to other parts of country yet the nearest convenient railhead is at Gaya Junction railway station 78 km. The Bakhtiyarpur-Gaya line provides improved rail connectivity to many places.
Road: Rajgir is connected by road to Patna - 110 km, Nalanda - 12 km, Gaya - 78 km, Pawapuri - 38 km, Bihar Sharif - 25 km, etc.
Bus: Regular buses are available from all the above said points to Rajgir.
Local Transport: Taxis and Buses and Tongas are available.
Rajgir (originally known as Girivraj) is a city and a notified area in Nalanda district in the Indian state of Bihar. The city of Rajgir (ancient Rājagṛha; Pali: Rājagaha; Hindi: राजगृह) was the first capital of the kingdom of Magadha, a state that would eventually evolve into the Mauryan Empire. Its date of origin is unknown, although ceramics dating to about 1000 BC have been found in the city. This area is also notable in Jainism and Buddhism[3] as one of the favorite places for Lord Mahavira and Gautama Buddha and the well known "Atanatiya" conference was held at Vulture's Peak mountain.
Rajgir is connected to Patna via Bakhtiarpur by rail and road. Bakhtiarpur lies midway between Patna and Mokameh. Road access is by NH 30A to Bakhtiarpur and NH 31 towards south to reach Bihar Sharif. From Mokameh NH 31 to Bihar Sharif. From there, NH 82 will leads to Rajgir. Rajgir is around 100 KM from both Patna and Mokameh. It is located in a green valley surrounded by rocky hills, Rajgir hills. A daily Indian Railways train Shramjeevi Express connects Rajgir with the Indian capital New Delhi. The city was in a valley surrounded by seven hills: Vaibhara, Ratna, Saila, Sona, Udaya, Chhatha, and Vipula.
Rajgir has also developed as a health and winter resort due to its warm water ponds. These baths are said to contain some medicinal properties that help in the cure of many skin diseases. .Another attraction of the region is the ropeway that leads uphill to the Vishwa Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), Makhdoom Kund and monasteries built by Japanese devotees of the Buddha on top of the Ratnagiri Hills.
Temperature: maximum 44 °C, minimum 20 °C. Winter: maximum 28 °C, minimum 6 °C
Rainfall: 1,860 mm (mid-June to mid-September)
Dry/warm season: October to March
History of Rajgir :
The name Rajgir came from Rājagṛiha 'house of the king' or "royal house", or the word rajgir might have its origin in its plain literal meaning, "royal mountain". It was the ancient capital city of the Magadha kings until the 5th century BC when Udayin(460-440 BC), son of Ajatshatru, moved the capital to Pataliputra.[4] In those days, it was called Rajgrih, which translates as 'the home of Royalty'. Shishunaga founded Shishunaga dynasty in 413 BCE with Rajgir as its initial capital before it was moved to Pataliputra.
Rajgir is also famous for its association with Mauryan dynasty Kings Bimbisara and Ajatashatru. Ajatashatru kept his father Bimbsara in captivity here. The sources do not agree which of the Buddha's royal contemporaries, Bimbisara and Ajatashatru, was responsible for its construction. Ajatashatru is also credited with moving the capital to Pataliputra (modern Patna).
The epic Mahabharata calls it Girivraja and recount the story of its king, Jarasandha, and his battle with the Pandava brothers and their allies Krishna. Jarasandha who hailed from this place, had been defeated by Krishna 17 times. The 18th time Krishna left the battlefield without fighting.[5] Because of this Krishna is also called 'ranachorh' (one who has left the battlefield).[6] Mahabharata recounts a wrestling match between Bhima (one of the Pandavas) and Jarasandha, the then king of Magadha. Jarasandha was invincible as his body could rejoin any dismembered limbs. According to the legend, Bhim split Jarasandha into two and threw the two halves facing opposite to each other so that they could not join. There is a famous Jarasandha's Akhara (place where martial arts are practiced). It is also mentioned in Jain and Buddhist scriptures, which give a series of place-names, but without geographical context. The attempt to locate these places is based largely on reference to them and to other locations in the works of Chinese Buddhist pilgrims, particularly Faxian and Xuanzang. It is on the basis of Xuanzang in particular that the site is divided into Old and New Rajgir. The former lies within a valley and is surrounded by low-lying hills, Rajgir hills. It is defined by an earthen embankment (the Inner Fortification), with which is associated the Outer Fortification, a complex of cyclopean walls that runs (with large breaks) along the crest of the hills. New Rajgir is defined by another, larger, embankment outside the northern entrance of the valley and next to the modern town. It was here that Gautama Buddha spent several months meditating, and preaching at Gridhra-kuta, ('Hill of the Vultures'). He also delivered some of his famous sermons and initiated king Bimbisara of Magadha and countless others to Buddhism. On one of the hills is the Saptparni cave where the First Buddhist Council was held under the leadership of Maha Kassapa.
Son Bhandar Jain cave, Rajgir
It is sacred to the memory of the founders of both the religions: Jainism and Buddhism and associated with both the historical Mahavira and Buddha. Lord Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara spent fourteen years of his life at Rajgir and Nalanda, spending Chaturmas (i.e. 4 months of the rainy season) at a single place in Rajgir (Rajgruhi) and the rest in the places in the vicinity. It was the capital of one of his Shravaks(follower) King Shrenik. Thus Rajgir is a very important religious place for Jains.The twentieth Jain tirthankara, Munisuvratais supposed to have been born here.An ancient temple(about 1200 years old) dedicated to Munisuvrat bhagwan is also present here along with many other jain temples.This temple is also a place for four Kalyanakas of Bhagwan Munisuvratnath.
source:CHQ
source:CHQ
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