Phone: 011-23743667
Email: postaljcm.staffside@gmail.com
JOINT CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY
Postal Departmental council
Staff Side
D-2 Telegraph Place, Bangla sahib Marg, New Delhi –110001
K.V.Sridharan GirirajSingh
Leader Secretary
No. JCM/DC/2010 Dated 27th January 2010
To
The Chairman
Postal Departmental Council JCM
Dak Bhawan
New Delhi – 110001
Sub: Subjects for discussion from the Staff Side in the meeting of Departmental Council JCM.
Ref: Your letter No. 6-2/2002-SR (Vol II) dt. 18.12.2009
Madam,
Kindly find the list of new subjects in triplicate submitted for discussion in the ensuing meeting of Postal Departmental Council Meeting of the Joint Consultative Machinery.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
[Giriraj Singh]
Secretary - Staff Side
Encl: List of subjects in triplicate.
SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSIONS IN THE ENSUING DC (JCM) MEETING
1. Cadre Restructuring for all Non-Gazetted Group B & C cadres:
The change of postal operations from merely the traditional mail handling and delivery to a modern commercial orient ted with multifarious operations including a lot of diversified non-traditional operations in both Postal and RMS justifies a cadre restructuring and cadre training to be placed in better scales of pay. More over no such cadre restructuring exercise was undertaken for a very long time even though such exercises were periodically undertaken and implemented for Group A and Gazetted Group B. Other Departments have taken action for restructuring their cadres after the 6th CPC. This issue was discussed in the meeting held by Secretary [P] on 13/01/2009 and was decided that the department would go into the whole issue on submission of full restructuring proposals from the Staff Side. The same were submitted by the Staff Side also but no further progress was made. The Staff Side urges for immediate finalisation of cadre review.
2. Creation of System Administrators Cadre.
The computerization of several postal operations has been carried out with the help of System Administrators without creation of such a cadre in the Department of Posts. The whole infrastructure of computerized network in the department has been laid in place by these System Administrators thus saving crores of rupees of expenditure. The role of Mysore PTC technology wing System Administrators in developing our own softwares for different operations of the department is also a marvel. The work of System Administrators is equal to Computer Engineers who attend to system faults; software installation; imparting training to staff supervisory and operative; attending to trouble shooting of all nature; installation of computers in offices; ensuring back up of all data; attending to networking in offices and several other operations for the smooth functioning of the system etc. The Staff Side urges for creation of a separate cadre ‘System Administrators’ with the nomenclature of “Computer System Assistant” in Pay Band 2 with Grade Pay of 4200/- and allow a walk over for the existing System Administrators into the new cadre as one-time measure. It can be referred that the All India Council for Technical Education which is a statutory body of Government of India has notified seeking volunteers on deputation basis to work as Computer System Assistants with the above Pay Band and Grade Pay.
3. Computation of proper norms for work allotment to existing System Administrators and grant of certain essential amenities.
The System Administrators are at present working without any standard work norms and work hours. There are no fixed responsibilities assigned to them. They have not been provided with several essential amenities and allowances commensurate to their work. Taking these into consideration the Staff Side proposes for introduction of the under mentioned facilities to System Administrators:
1. Special Allowance: - Notwithstanding with our demand of formation of separate cadre of Systems Administrators in the Department of Posts with separate pay scale till the augmentation, the existing incumbents may be granted special allowance to the extent of 10% Pay plus Grade pay as it is granted to care takers.
2. Issue of uniform duties & responsibilities: - There is no uniformity in the duties and responsibilities. This varies from circle to circle even regions with in the circle. A uniform viable duties & responsibilities may be circulated from the Directorate. Identify adequate number of systems Administrator’s post in each division/circles.
3. Providing Laptops: - The Systems Administrators find it difficult to download and test the given patches and software with the non availability of systems. One laptop may be provided for smooth facilitation of the process and for mobility purposes in attending computer related works in other stations.
4. Incentive for installation/upgradation: - Many software could be installed only after the closing hours and will end in the midnight. Incentive for installation/upgradation may be fixed and paid.
5. Training Allowance/honorarium: - For imparting training at WCTCS and for MSE, the Systems Administrators may be granted Training Allowance/honorarium.
6. Accidental insurance: - For travelling extensively through two wheelers to attend the technical problems, an accidental insurance coverage may be provided.
7. Grant of Special disability leave: - The S. A. of Delhi West Division met with a road accident after installing software in the night. No special disability leave was granted to the official. Provision of special disability leave on such happening should be ensured.
8. Grant of Excess Duty Allowance: - For keeping beyond 8 hours on any day for any work, they should be granted with ‘Excess Duty Allowance’ or OTA.
9. Provide cash imprest: - To meet out the immediate requirements while attending problems in computers, a separate cash imprest may be provided.
10. Grant of TA & Road Mileage Allowance: - Within urban cities, the road mileage allowance and out stations, TA may be granted for the journey performed for attending computers.
11. Mobile Phone & Recharge coupons: - Mobile phones may be supplied to the system administrators & a minimum of Rs.500/- may be allowed per month for recharging the coupon for the Mobile connection.
12. Providing kit box: - They should be provided with kit bag containing net driver set, CD bag, pen drive, handy vacuum cleaner etc.
13. Providing a seat in office: - They should be provided a seat at server. Now in many places, they have not been provided with separate seating facility.
14. Keeping Panel: - A panel should be maintained at Divisional level and the SAs should not be reverted back as Postal Assistant without any sound reasons.
15. Possession of SQL Password: - The possession of SQL Password may be conferred with the Head of the office after imparting training to overcome the problem of immediate solution of technical problems as this is now vested with the divisional heads.4. Grant of Officiating Pay with all consequential benefits for staff officiated in HSG-I vacancies:
On introduction of TBOP and BCR promotions to Postal Staff as per the decisions of the Postal Departmental Council JCM, TBOP officials were treated as LSG and BCR Officials were treated as HSG-II for all purposes. All the posts of LSG and HSG-II were manned by these officials and the holding of DPCs for filling up the posts of LSG/HSG-II was virtually abandoned. The senior BCR and TBOP officials were posted for officiating against HSG-I and HSG-2 vacancies. However the drawal of HSG-I and HSG-2 officiating pay and allowances to the Officials officiating against such vacancies was withdrawn all of a sudden without taking into account of the whole background. The intervention from the Staff Side was also negated. This situation had led to litigation that ended in favour of officials who officiated against HSG-I / HSG-II vacancies. In this background the Department instead of granting HSG-I / HSG-IIofficiating pay and allowances to all such officials has reportedly taken a stand to grant it only for those officials who have gone to Court. This is ethically an incorrect stand and the Staff Side urges upon for reconsideration of the stand to facilitate drawal of HSG-I and HSG-II officiating pay and allowances with all consequential retirement benefits to all the officials from whom the higher responsibilities of HSG-I or HSG-II were extracted through officiating arrangements.
5. Filling up of Residual Vacancies.
Despite clear orders to fill up the residual vacancies vide Department letter no. 60-5/2007-SPB-I dt. 15.05.07, this has not been implemented in many circles like Gujarat, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal etc. 858 Posts are still kept unfilled up in Tamilnadu Circle. In Maharashtra Circle also, this has not been filled up due to some threat of a political party. In short, all the circles are seeking Clarifications or approval from the Directorate resulting in unwarranted delay in filling up such vacant posts. An RTI filed in this regard has revealed that many circles have failed to fill up these residual vacancies. Action is required to initiate the process of recruitment against all the residual vacancies within a time frame.
6. Imparting training to non-matriculate Group D employees promoted to Postman / Mail Guard or PA/SA Cadres after 1.1.2006 – reg
The Non-Matriculate Group D employees promoted to Postmen / Mail Guard Cadre or PA/SA Cadre on or after 1.1.2006 but before the implementation of 6th CPC pay scales are being denied 1800/- GP from 1.1.2006 for the duration of their Group D employment on the grounds that they were not being imparted with the required training. No action is also being taken in such cases to impart the same training as like other non-matriculate Group D staff. The Staff Side urges for causing instructions to arrange for imparting the same training to such promoted non-matriculate officials also and grant 1800/- GP from 1.1.2006 to their date of promotion or else they may be deemed to have been imparted the said training on the strength of their passing the examination for a higher cadre.
7. Irregular mention of PB Slab for certain categories of Staff in the MACP Orders issued by the Department of Posts.
The MACP orders issued by the Department of Posts vide No.4-7/(MACPS)/2009-PCC Dated 18.09.2009 contains certain irregular mention of lower Pay Band Slab in respect of PA/SA and Postmen/Mail Guard even after their Grade Pay gets elevated to 4200/- which comes under PB-2. This irregularity is not committed while mentioning the Pay Band Slabs of other cadres like IPOs/ASPOs in the same orders. The Staff Side urges for setting right this irregularity through appropriate corrigendum since this irregularity will adversely affect the minimum pay entitlement of the concerned cadre as well as the fixation of minimum pension entitlement in future.
8. Restoration and improvement of ‘In Cadre Promotion’ to Postmen/ & Multi Skilled Employees cadre.
The whole structure of regular promotions for Postmen / Mail Guards and Group D in the same cadre stream like Sorting Postman, Head Postman, Head Mail Guard, Jamedar, Head Jamedar etc had disappeared consequent on introduction of TBOP and BCR promotion Scheme. Hundreds of promotional posts like Head Postman, Head Mail Guard, Jamedar etc were abolished. The unilateral shift in the status of TBOP/BCR from promotion to financial upgradation and the current change from TBOP/BCR system to MACP Scheme, the cadre of Postman, Mail Guards and Multi-Skilled Employees have no promotional avenue at all. Modified ACP is not a promotion but a financial upgradation where promotion to officials is not available on completion of 10,20 and 30 years of service. The financial upgradation schemes are only an addition to the regular promotion scheme and not a replacement. It can be seen that all other cadres in the Department of Posts excluding Postman, Mail Guards and Multi-Skilled Employees have their own in-cadre promotional system. It is therefore urged upon to re-introduce the regular promotional avenues to these cadres.
9. Enhancement of Double Duty and Holiday Duty Allowance for Postmen.
The 6th Pay Commission has recommended vide Para 4.2.81 of its Report for doubling of all allowances specific to different Ministries/Departments/Organisations but not covered in its Report. Accordingly the Double Duty Allowance and Holiday Duty Allowance which are specific to the Postal Department and applicable to Postman Cadre specifically requires to be doubled. The contention of the Official Side that these Allowances are linked with OTA and unless the rate of OTA is enhanced by the Government, these specific Allowances of Postmen also cannot be enhanced is incorrect. In fact even when the rate of OTA was not revised, these allowances of Postmen were enhanced in the year 2003 by the Department vide Orders No.10-7/2001-PE-II Dated 28.01.2003. Double Duty and Holiday Duty Allowances are not given as the hourly basis OTA given to other Cadres. Postmen double duty allowance is given for performing the entire duties of another postman for the whole day. Holiday Duty if any is also not like the Holiday OTA available for other categories of staff. The above cited Postman specific Allowances should therefore be revised in the back ground of the recommendation of the 6th CPC.
10. Replacement of Night Halt Allowance to Mail Overseers with TA/DA.
Night Halt is a condition arising out of a specific situation of attending for Inspection of Post Offices out of Headquarters of the inspecting officers. Therefore there cannot be a different yardstick applied to an inspecting Officer and a Mail Overseer required to perform similar function of inspection of offices outside their headquarters. The Staff Side urges upon for the replacement of Night Halt Allowance to the Mail Overseer officials with TA/DA as like other inspecting Officers.
11. Extraction of Data Entry Work from Postman and Multi-Skilled Employees.
Recently the Department has started extracting data entry work from the Postmen staff and Multi-Skilled Employees. The work of data entry is Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant specific who are placed under the Pay Band – 1 with Grade Pay 2400/- on par with the erstwhile 4000-6000 pay scales. The 6th CPC has recommended a uniform erstwhile 4000-6000 pay scales for the data entry operators in all departments and the same has been implemented by the Government also. In this situation, the extraction of the data entry work from other officials like Postman and Multi Skilled Employees who are placed in lower Grade Pay levels is unjustified. Either the work of data entry should be entrusted only to Postal Assistants / Sorting Assistants or else the Grade Pay of other Cadres from whom the work of data entry is extracted should also be enhanced on par with the level recommended by the 6th CPC.
12. Increasing the number of chances to appear LGO Examination and revision of LGO Exam syllabus.
The number of chances for sitting in the LGO Examination has been restricted from the earlier position of unlimited chances. It has been refixed as 6 chances subsequently. Inviting reference to the discussions held on 19.04.2007 on strike demands, the Staff Side urges for increasing the chances to at least 10 in order to motivate the officials who could not get through the LGO Examinations earlier as well as finalisation of revised syllabus in objective type as circulated earlier for the LGO Examination.
13. Irregular computation of working hours for Postman in field units.
In many divisions, the speed post articles handled by Postmen staff are not taken into account for establishment calculations of work load of delivery staff in the name of payment of incentives. This is irregular. The total number of speed post articles also shall be taken into account in spite of the incentive paid to Postmen for maintaining performance levels of delivery of speed post articles. The staff side urges for suitable instructions to all circles in this regard.
14. Revival cash handling allowance to Postmen.
The cash handling allowance which was earlier granted based on Arbitration Award had been withdrawn. The Staff Side urges for re-introduction of the said allowance.
15. Removal of minimum cyclable distance for grant of cycle maintenance allowance to Postmen / MSE.
At present a distance of above 16 K.Ms condition has been prescribed for grant of Cycle Maintenance Allowance to Postmen / MSE. This is unfair and unscientific. The Officials are using their own personal cycles for the use of departmental work. Therefore the condition of 16 K.Ms should be removed and all officials who use cycles should be paid said allowance.
16. Eligibility to appear LGO Examination.
As per the existing rules, either permanent or QPC is required to appear in the LGO Examination. After delinking of confirmation with permanent posts all officials are now treated as permanent on completion of 2 years of service and the system of QPC has been dispensed with. However in many divisions the officials who completed 2 years of regular service are not being allowed to sit for LGO Examination stating that they have not completed 3 years period which was meant only for QPC. The Staff Side urges for suitable instructions in this regard.
17. Counting of Special Allowance for pay fixation case of PO & RMS Accountants
The Special Allowance granted to JAO qualified official has been taken for pay fixation benefits `on ACP promotion. Similar application may be extended to PO & RMS qualified Accountants also.
18. Request for discontinuance of the practice of obtaining fidelity / security bond from the employees handling cash
The 5th CPC in its report vide para 62-13 recommended to discontinue the practice of obtaining fidelity / security bond from employees. In the present stage of handling huge cash, obtaining fidelity bond for Rs. 3000/- to Rs. 5000/- does not serve any purpose. A lot of manpower is being wasted in Accounts branch in maintaining these records. Similar is the position of inspecting officials also. Only in rare and exceptional cases, the guarantee money is received. The employees are unnecessarily crediting premium every year to obtain fidelity bond. It is requested to consider and discontinue the practice of security bonds which has no longer serving any purpose.
19. Non-Drawal of HRA to the officiating SPMs working at offices having attached quarters.
Despite clear instructions issued by the department in its letter no. 24/3/76/PAP dt. 20.8.79 also appeared in FR, SR Part IV in chapter X that HRA may be granted for the maximum period of three months when the official is posted to officiate in a post, to which rent free accommodation is attached but not provided, the due HRA for three months has not been drawn and paid to the officiating SPMs in many places. Even though the senior BCR officials were ordered to look after the charge of PM/SPM until regular posting, HRA has not been paid to the officials who are officiating against such vacancies resulting loss in emoluments.
Similarly, even though the power of de-quarterization of a post attached Quarters is now delegated to Heads of Circle vide Directorate letter no. 10-4/2003 - Bldg. dt. 6.5.03, the Circle heads are not according proper sanction for dequarterisation/suspension of Quarters for the periods of such officiating periods exceeding 90 days.
The officiating officials should not suffer a financial loss due to the administrative problem of non-posting of a regular incumbent to the vacant post within the stipulated period. Prolonged officiating arrangement is an ultimate loss to an officiating official for no fault on his side.
It is therefore requested to issue clarity instructions to all Circle heads to settle the pending issues accordingly.
20. Protection of pay of defunct scale of PO & RMS Accountants who opted for general line under Directorate letter No. 2-22/88 - PE I dt. 01.12.92.
A kind attention is invited to the reference cited above in which directorate letter, the case of late Natha Singh, Accountant Punjab Circle was decided. The decision taken in the said case was purely a policy decision and the contents of the said letter might have been applied to all other similar cases. Unfortunately, the said decision was not communicated to other circles which cause hardship to those defunct scale Accountants who switched over to general line.
It is most pertinent to mention that while deciding the cases of pay fixation of the officials working in SBCO/ Administrative offices under TBOP/BCR scheme vide Directorate letter no. 202/92 - PE I dt. 01.12.95, they were allowed direct fixation in the pay scale of TBOP/BCR. The Directorate letter dt. 28.05.02 is also based on the similar analogy but has not been applied in any other circle except to Punjab due to non-circulation of the contents.
It is therefore requested to cause necessary instructions to all Heads of Circles based on the letter dt. 28.05.02 of the Directorate to settle the problems if any prevailing similar to the case of Shri Natha Singh.
21. Enhancement of Savings Bank incentive to Postal Assistants working in Savings Bank branches.
Consequent upon the implementation of Fifth CPC recommendations with regard to all allowances, the S. B. incentive was enhanced from Rs.60/- to Rs.150/- per month in respect of staff fully engaged in savings bank work with effect from 08.10.2004. Similarly, a proposal for enhancement of S. B. incentive after the implementation of Sixth CPC, has to be forwarded to Ministry of Finance for approval of the same. It is therefore requested to expedite the proposal for enhancement of S. B. incentive and also to consider the same to all those imparted training in Sanchay Post Software training while handling transactions in computer.
22. Payment of honorarium/incentive for drawal of arrears on implementation of Sixth CPC and GDS Committee.
After 5th CPC, the Directorate has fixed honorarium for the work vide its letter no. 42-1/98-PAP dt. 05.06.98. The PA Admn. Branch had already fixed and communicated the honorarium for the work preferred 6th CPC for Postal Accounts staff. It is therefore requested to cause similar type of orders early of the payment of honorarium for the work relating to fixation of pay work as per RP Rules 2008 and for drawal of arrears as a result thereof. Similarly, honorarium may please be fixed for the work related to fixation of TRCA to GDS and drawal of arrears as a result of at the earliest.
23. Stepping up of pay of senior officials on par with juniors in case of anomaly arising out of fixation of pay on placement to TBOP/BCR Scales Clarification.
Please refer Directorate Letter No. 1-3/2007-PAP Dated 6.10.2009. It is rather dismayed to note that such a clarification at the time of coming out from the TBOP/BCR scheme will cause unnecessary doubts in the minds of Audit and DDOs.
Further, the TBOP/BCR schemes are the promotional schemes in lieu of regular promotions as per the JCM Departmental council agreement. Since there was no discussion or decision about the modification of the decision of the JCM agreement, this unwarranted clarification may lead to unwarranted queries and recoveries. Atleast the clarificatory orders would have been given effect from the date of issue of the order which is also silent in the contents.
It is therefore requested to rescind the orders or atleast may be given effect from the date of issue in order to not to open the past cases decided earlier.
24. Revision of Cash Allowance to the SPMs handling cash in the absence of treasurer.
The cash allowance drawn to the SPMs working in Triple/Four handed offices who are entrusted with the treasury work in the absence of treasurer has been stopped in many places after the implementation of Sixth CPC.
This is arbitrary, unjust and against the decisions arrived on the subject. Further the amount requires revision based on the increase after the Sixth CPC implementation.
25. Anomaly in fixation of Pay in respect of the officials promoted on 01.01.96 under BCR Scheme.
According to Biennial Cadre Review (BCR), the officials are to be placed in the higher pay scale w.e.f. 1st Jan or 1st July and had the option to get their pay fixed from date of promotion in the higher pay scale or from the date he earns his next increment in the lower pay scale.
According to Rule 5 of CCS (Revised Pay) rules, 1997 “Save as otherwise provided in these rules, a Government servant shall draw pay in the revised scale applicable to the post to which he is appointed.
Provided that a Government servant may elect to continue to draw pay in the existing scale until the date on which he earns his next increment or any subsequent increment in the existing scale or until he vacates his post or ceases to draw pay in that scale.”
According to Explanation 2 below Rule 5 of CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 1977: -
“The aforesaid option shall not be admissible to any person appointed to a post on or after the 1st day of January, 1996, whether for the first time in Government service, or by transfer or promotion from another post and he shall be allowed pay only to the revised scale.”
Consequent to this explanation, officials who were placed in BCR on 1.1.1996 could not get their promotion in the pre-revised pay scale which resulted in drop in their emoluments. Had these officials been allowed to get their promotion in the pre-revised pay scale on 1.1.1996, they were at the advantage.
Considering the above views, the Directorate vide its letter no. 1-28/2004-PCC dt.23.08.06 addressed all circles seeking the information about the no. of officials affected by the Explanation No. 2 below Rule 5 of CCS (RP) Rules 1997 and its financial implication.
Thereafter there is no improvement or action in this regard. The issue remains unsettled so far due to which such officials affected due to the explanation stated in pre-paras remained looser in the fixation of pay after the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations.
It is therefore requested to kindly expedite action and accord orders at the earliest.
26. Review of Short Duty Staff Scheme introduced w.e.f 14.08.2008- reg.
A kind attention is invited to the Dte. letter No.37-40/2007-SPB-I Dated 6.5.2009, in which it was stated that it has been decided to review the scheme after completion of one year and our suggestion would be considered then. Now one year is over in August 09 itself. As there is heavy shortage in the Post offices, the limits in engagements of SDS to six hours and restrictions in the number of days for engagement is not practically helpful to mitigate the sufferings. The ceiling may be lifted and the divisional heads may be authorized to decide the quantum of engagement based on the requirements at the offices in their jurisdiction.
27. Request to drop the Confirmation Examination – reg.
The Directorate had earlier agreed to drop the confirmation examination since it became irrelevant and it was assured to introduce the ‘certification’ by the Postal Training Centers itself in lieu of the existing confirmation examination. After the Government had issued orders delinking the confirmation for promotion etc, the existence of confirmation examination has no relevance and it should be dropped. It is therefore requested to kindly cause appropriate action and accord orders early.
28. Enhancing the limit of cash to be remitted through leather cash bags (LCB) & Special messengers.
According to Directorate letter No. 22-6/84 CI dt. 31.05.2000, the maximum limit of cash that can be sent through cash bags is Rs.20000/- in mechanized route and Rs.15000/- on foot and by cycle. This requires revision due to manifold increase in the monetary transactions at post offices. There are several practical difficulties experienced in arranging special remittances every day in post offices. It is therefore requested to consider and enhance the present maximum limit to Rs.50000 in cash bags and also to enhance the limit for cash remittance through special messenger.
29. Arbitrary and forcible allotment of Staff Quarters.
The officials posted as Sub Postmasters in Town Sub Offices are being forced to occupy the staff Quarters in the Postal colony despite they are having their own houses and other arrangements besides their unwillingness to occupy the staff quarters. The Quarters are not post attached one and the officials are losing the HRA due to non occupation of Quarters. The SPMs can be compelled only if they have been provided with the post attached Quarters as a service condition and they should not be compelled to occupy the quarters which were not occupied by any officials. It is therefore requested to cause instructions to the concerned to withdraw the arbitrary procedure prevailing in allotment of Quarters to the SPMs posted in town sub offices in the Postal Colony.
30. Non-posting of Women Employees where basic amenities are not available.
Percentage of women employees working in Post offices / RMS offices is more than 30%. It is a fact that quite a number of Post offices / RMS offices are not having all the basic amenities. The women staffs have their own problems and it is extremely difficult for them to work in such places which are lacking basic amenities. In order to ensure proper facilities to lady members of the staff, it is requested to issue strict instructions to the concerned to not to post women employees to such offices.
31. Upward revision of Conveyance Allowance to PRI (P)
Consequent upon the increase in oil prices, there is every justification to revise upwardly the quantum of conveyance allowance. It will also be proper to segregate some of the works of PRI (P) relating to marketing activities, verification of papers beyond 8 kms etc. and to bring them under TA / DA rules so that they will be compensated properly.
32. Non-Supply of Statement of Balance to the officials brought under New Pension scheme 2004.
Since the year of implementation (2004), no statement of balance as on 31st March from the years 2005 to 2009 has been furnished to the employees who are brought under the new pension scheme. The officials do not know their balance and the contribution made by the Govt. in the absence of non supply of these statements. This should have been compiled and circulated by the DA (P)s every year.It is requested to cause necessary instructions to compile and circulate the balance sheet as on 31.03.2009 immediately.
33. Conveyance of cash with police escort- Problems there on.
We have suggested considering the following to resolve the problems pertaining to cash conveyance.
1. The present cash limit should be enhanced up to one lakh per individual
2. Cash collection van should be arranged in all bigger towns and the officials should not be asked to take unwarranted risks in cash remittances.
3. Insuring the cash remittance amount shall be explored.
4. The officials shall not be penalized or brought under contributory factors for the case if any theft or loss taken place beyond the capacity of the officials who are engaged for such cash remittances.
The ADG (PO) vide his letter no 24-9/2007- P.O dt. 15.02.08 has informed that in order to further process the matter, all the Heads of Circles were requested to furnish their views and suggestions given by this union. Considering the present day requirements, provision of Armed Guard to HPO & major S. Os can also be considered to prevent major burglaries and thefts during day & night hours.
It is requested to expedite action and cause appropriate orders at the earliest.
34. Discontinuance of Medical facilities availed from Ispat General Hospital (IGH) Rourkela in Orissa Circle.
The Rourkela steel plant authorities had suddenly stopped the treatment facilities in IGH to the Postal staff and family members in Dec' 07. After the intervention of the Circle administration, the indoor facilities have been extended to our staff despite the requests for both indoor & outdoor treatments. It is also stated that the indoor facilities have been facilitated after they have accepted adhoc advance of one lakh rupees from the department.
The SSPOs, Sundargarh division has not yet carried out the decision arrived with Rourkela steel plant authorities for extension of both the medical facilities to the staff by issuing authorization cards. The staffs are being compelled to deposit money to avail medical facilities from the hospital at the time at urgency and due to no tangible action have so for been taken, there is a total resentment amidst staff who have no other medical facilities in that place. It is therefore requested to intervene immediately and ensure appropriate immediate action to issue identify/authorization cards to each postal employees on due consultation with IGH authorities for availing both indoor & outdoor treatment by the staff.
35. Fixing work norms to RPLI work at BOs/SOs - Request immediate orders.
The Chief General Manager, PLI Directorate has informed on 14.03.08 in the workshop meeting held with union representatives that she had submitted a proposal to Directorate Establishment section for fixing norms for RPLI work and counting the RPLI transactions towards income/cost of the Extra Departmental Branch Post Offices and Sub Post Offices. The proposal, as learnt, is pending at the Directorate. Since this is an area where the time factor has been requested for over a decade and also recommended by various earlier committees, it is requested to expedite action and cause orders duly fixing the time factor for RPLI work.
36. Fixing of Uniform rate of incentive for computerized work in POs.
The Chief PMG, West Bengal Circle has fixed Rs. 0.50 per S.B data entry work for creation of Accounts and Rs. 0.15 for the subsequent posting of deposit/withdrawal for the computerized work. This order did not contain the quantum of incentive to the supervisors. Different Circles are fixing different amount as incentive. The Staff Side urges for issue of centralized orders by the Directorate for uniform application in all places.
37. Officiating arrangement in Group B Posts earmarked for General line.
According to the existing orders, six percent Group B Posts are earmarked for General line and some of the Posts have not been filled up for a long time. The unfilled up Posts earmarked for General line, are being officiated by the IPO line officials and due chances to senior general line officials have not been offered in such cases. It is therefore requested to cause instructions to offer such officiating chances to General line officials only for the vacancies earmarked under 6% quota in PSS Group B
38. Introduction of new system of bag numbering.
After the introduction of the new system of bag numbering, it is becoming compulsory to post one hand for mail work since it has created more additional work. The following are few examples.
(i) The Mail Postal Assistant has to check in respect of each section / office and each class of bag with the entries of the previous day.
(ii) If the bags are not in regular and after some days, the Postal Assistant has to check the earlier date and verify the correctness of the consecutive serials of bag numbers.
(iii) When more than one bag is closed, the other bags have to be given subsequent numbers. So reference of the registers for each and every closing of bags becomes inevitable.
(iv) To tie one label to the bag and place another in loose inside the bag will render duplicate the existing work and writing two sets of labels become additional work on the Postal Assistants.
(v) While opening the bags, if all these checks prescribed are to be adhered, without assistance, it is impossible and it will cause delay in sorting and sending out for delivery.
(vi) It is not possible in respect of the bags opened for the offices received from other circles. It will be more difficult to deal the normal mails more than the insurance articles.
(vii) Due to dislocation of trains or other means, if some bags lie in transit and the bags closed thereafter received, it will become very difficult to dispose the mails.
(viii) It will increase only the paper works and may cause practical difficulties in numbering, maintaining, verifying the bags and may warrant unnecessary correspondences.
The earlier system of closing of bags is a time tested one. The provisions contained in the volumes and the procedures stated therein to monitor the mail arrangements are practical ones. Under the existing shortage, the new procedure has increased the workload to the existing staff.
Under the existing shortage of staff in Post Offices and mail branches and RMS Offices are being managed only with the cooperation of Group D & GDS staff, it is not possible to maintain the new system. The age old practice of due mail and sorting list be reintroduced once again in order to mitigate the hardships.
39. Non grant of Special Allowance to unqualified Accountants.
When TBOP / BCR Postal Assistants are ordered to officiate as Accountants in HPOs, in the absence of qualified hands, the due special allowance has not been drawn and paid since the DDOs are considering TBOP as LSG. This is incorrect. Necessary clarifications may please be issued for drawal of the allowance with retrospective effect. Further the Accountants who are granted with MACP shall also be paid the allowance if they are drafted to perform Accountant duties.
40. Incentive scheme for the Post offices retailing Mutual Funds and Bonds along with funds for marketing & publicity and suggested strategies.
In accordance with the Directorate letter No. 95-23/2000-SBC (P) (FS Division) dt. 28.11.03, the incentive for retailing Mutual Funds and Bonds granted to the Postal Assistant & Supervisor has been restricted to the individual employees to the extent of not exceeding 1/3 of his Basic pay plus DA in a year. Similarly in respect of individual employees, who mobilized more threshold will not be granted any incentive up to 1.5 lakh per year.
It is pertinent to note that the officials who possess AMFI certificate for dealing mutual funds and bonds are entitled for the commission to the extent of 25%. The above said two conditions are curtailing their due incentives which are one of the factors that demotivate the employees from procuring more business. It is noteworthy to mention that there is no such condition in existence in respect of PLI Development officers. They are entitled for full commission. As such restricting the due incentive by imposing such conditions may be dispensed with.
41. Ensuring the standard of residential accommodation to the SPMs provided with attached Quarters.
Many post attached quarters provided to the SPMs are either sub standard or lack many basic amenities. The schedule of accommodation as prescribed by the Department has not been observed while fixing PO building particularly for the post attached quarters.
In rural areas, the total rent payable to the landlord for the whole building housing the post office and Quarters does not exceed even to Rs.800/- per month. It is not uncommon to see that a token amount of Rs.50/- likewise is being charged for the post office and in all such cases, the Postmasters are compelled to stay in the accommodation which is unfit for inhabitation and also far below to the standards. There are many post attached quarters lacking the basic amenities of lavatories.
If the Department could not provide adequate accommodation for the Quarters as prescribed in the SOA, and arrange basic amenities, it should provide option to the SPMs to secure his own accommodation and in such cases the due HRA may be paid to him. The policy of providing post attached accommodation requires reconsideration after the services of Telegraph has totally with drawn from Post offices.
42. Enhancement of Financial powers of HSG I, HSG II & LSG Postmasters.
According to Directorate letter No. 18-7/92 CI dt. 2.07.93, the Financial Powers given to HSG & LSG Postmaster on each occasion has been revised to Rs.60/- & Rs.40/- respectively. The amount has been fixed seventeen years before prior to installation of computers and mostly the amount was prescribed to meet any urgent requirements for the office. The escalation of prices has made the existing financial limit meaningless. After the computerization, due to the shooting of many problems, the urgent needs could not be purchased with these financial powers and the Postmasters are facing problems in attending any computer related problems and also during the power shut down periods. Even minor electrical repairs could not be carried out with the present financial limit. It is therefore requested to consider revision of financial powers to the Postmasters working in the operative office’s considering the present day requirements.
43. Budgetary allotment for Computer Advance.
After the total computerization of the P.O. and its functioning, the officials who desire to purchase computers for their own should be encouraged which will motivate them further in the computer operations. There is a resentment prevailing amidst the officials due to poor allotment of funds under this head. It is therefore requested to allot more funds under this head and enable the officials to avail the advance for purchase of personal computers.
44. Fixing Norms/ Time Factors to Postal Stores Depot; Circle Stamp Depot & creation of establishment.
Since creation of Postal Stores Depot and Circle Stamp Depots, no norms have been fixed so far to justify the workload and staff strength. Merely the staffs from neighboring divisions are being drafted and the posts are maintained without any justified augmentation. Resultantly, the parent divisions are suffering with shortage of hand due to the prolonged deputations to PSD & CSD. It is therefore requested to fix work norms to the PSD & C.S.D and augment adequate posts at the earliest.
45. More Bonus in respect of PLI policies to the Departmental employees.
It is pertinent to mention that the LIC is offering low premium to its employees while comparing the tariff collected from the public for the policies taken by the staff. Similarly the Bank employees working in some nationalized banks & others are being offered more interest for their investment made in their banks than the general public for their investments. As such, similar concession may also be extended to the postal employees either by reduced premium or by granting more bonuses for the policies taken by them in PLI/RPLI. It will motivate them further and will have the satisfaction about the concern of the Department in the welfare of the staff.
46. Payment of Special Allowance to the staff working on MPCMs.
The letter No. 1-11/2008-PC dt. 30.10.08 withdrawing the payment of special Allowance to the staff working on MPCMs without verifying the previous decisions is causing a concern. After the Fifth CPC, the issue was discussed by the Staff side and it was agreed to continue the drawal of special allowance to the MPCM Counter Assistants considering their responsibilities and jobs and the Directorate has further clarified vide its letter No. 43/3/97-Tech. dt. 21.10.97 to grant the special Allowance only to the Counter PAs. As such, the withdrawal of the said allowance is arbitrary and unjust. Further the allowance is granted for the extraneous and hard work performed by the Counter PAs and not alone for the computer operations. It is therefore requested to withdraw the orders dt. 30.10.08 and allow the drawal of MPCM allowance to the officials deployed at the counter.
47. Grant of Tribal Area Allowance to the employees serving in Tribal area of Igadpuri and other places of Nasik District.
The payment of Tribal area allowance to the officials working in Nashik District was stopped from 31.03.02 due to the Maharashtra State Governments order in replacing the allowance by a revised scheme by its notification dated 06.08.2002. The state Government has declared that its employees working in such areas which are declared as Naxalite Threat areas and where the special compensatory allowance was paid earlier are entitled for the new allowance which was fixed at the rate of 15% of Pay subject to the Minimum of Rs. 200/- and Maximum of Rs. 1500/-
The same allowance has not been extended to the Postal employees working in the areas where the Tribal area allowance was drawn earlier. The nomenclature of the allowance has alone been revised by the State Government but the areas are still covered under the Tribal areas as notified earlier by the State Government. The Chief PMG, Maharastra Circle vide his letter no. Estt/4-1 (2)/HRA –CCA/2008 dt. 12-09-2008 has sought clarifications about extension of such allowances to our postal employees as per the State Government notifications changing the nomenclature of the allowance and continues the payment of Tribal Area Allowance. It is requested to accord sanction at the earliest.
48. Grant of Financial Assistance & relaxation of rules in granting Special disability leave to victims of terrorist / bomb blasts.
Postal Officials who became victims of terrorist action like bomb blast etc are not being granted financial assistance and not even the rules in granting special disability leave is relaxed in such cases. Such issues like the case of Bhubaneswar letter bomb blast victim were also tabled in the welfare meeting with the Communication Minister and though it was assured no settlement of such cases have taken place. It is requested that such officials who are the victim of terrorist activities through Postal bomb should be granted the above assistances early.
49. Grant of Road Mileage Allowance to the staff entrusted with the work of Clearance of cheques.
The work of clearance of cheques should not be brought under the net of Conveyance Allowance since every day the officials entrusted the work of Cheque clearance has to travel 40 to 45 Kms for local and other area. A minimum of Rs.50/- is being spent by the official for cost of petrol alone. In addition, he has to pay parking charges for his vehicles every month for attending clearance work. For Example, the payment of Rs. 2/- per kilometer to the postal Assistant who entrusted with cheque clearance work at Chandigarh HO by using his own vehicles in order to ensure same day clearance has been stopped by the Senior Postmaster and a sum of Rs. 320/- per month is being paid due to the objection of ICI party. It is therefore requested to grant Road Mileage Allowance instead of Conveyance Allowance to the staff entrusted with cheque clearance work besides granting some incentive as if available in banking sectors.
50. Unilateral decision to close down Foreign Post offices
(i) Consequent upon the withdrawal of booking of international parcels by surface mail and restricting the service only to Air Post, the volume of international outward parcel will be reduced leading to financial loss to the department.
(ii) In the name of improvement of Quality of international mail service, Government has decided to consolidate all incoming foreign parcels mails available in Chennai & Kolkata Foreign Post offices. We urges upon the department to withdraw such retrograde decision which will lead for closure of Foreign Post, Kolkata & Chennai.
(iii) The Department has unilaterally decides to discontinue the services of international surface letter mail both inward & outward at Chennai, Kolkata & Mumbai Foreign Post offices and has also decided to transfer the said services to Air Foreign offices in respective circles which will lead to shut down of Foreign Post offices.
(iv) The senior officials of Foreign Post, Delhi who were transferred along with the work to DIMC I & DMIC II unilaterally shall be brought back to Delhi Foreign Post.
51. Stop harassing staff on contributory factors for simple and flimsy reasons by misusing the provision of ‘unbecoming of Government Servant’ deviating the ruling contained in Volume III, FHB etc.
The Directorate guidelines issued vide letter No. 6/8/59-Disc dt. 9.7.1959, 25/49/60-Disc dt.30.11.60 and 15-9/74-1NV dt. 10.2.75, and subsequent orders are being violated and the officials being preceded under contributory negligence factor for flimsy reasons and awarded with huge recoveries. The provisions contained in Rule,106,107, 108 & 111 of Postal Volume III and the provision of honest errors can be condoned contained in Rule 204 A (1) vol II and the provision of Rule 58, Appendix 4 of F.H.B. volume I in dealing of recovery have been totally ignored and sidelined.
The main intention of the Government while deciding the degree of an officer’s pecuniary liability, it will be necessary to look not only to the circumstances of the case but also to the financial circumstances of the officer, since it should be recognized that the tendency should not be such as to impair his future efficiency. The Staff Side urges for proper guidelines in the matter of contributory negligence to protect the officials being harassed.
52. Recovery of alleged overpayment of pay and allowances to postman on account of fixation from the officials of Accounts branches of HPOs
The drawing & disbursing officers should not be made as scapegoats in this case. According to Rule 87 of P&T FHB Vol. I, any excess payment can be recovered at any time. The Apex Court also confirmed that any excess paid due to administrative mistake, there is no rule which prohibits such recovery (Udaysankaran Vs. Union of India JT 1996 (4) SC). The most pertinent point is that the Inspection Parties of ICI and Audit have approved and certified such drawal in many places. There was confusion in interpreting the orders then for which Group C officials are becoming the victims.
On 13.1.09 The Secretary (P) assured to reconsider the issue and ensure no recovery on part of APM Accounts & Accountants. The Secretary observed as unfortunate in the case of Rule 14 initiated charges on the date of superannuation of Sri. V. V. Nargida, APM, Accounts Pune city as he did not pay Rs.727671.61 towards contributory factor for excess drawal to postmen on implementation of 5th CPC orders. It is therefore requested to stop such recovery and drop action if initiated anywhere to recover the amount from the DDOs.
53. Enhancement of honorarium to RD premature closures
The rates fixed for RD PMC work a decade back needs revision. The norms were also revised. During 1996, the PMC was permitted without interest after one year. Now PMC is allowed only after three years with SB interest. Resultantly IBB has to be worked out for more than three years consuming more time. After RD decentralisation, it become very difficult and risky too.
It is requested to revise the honorarium upward at the following rates.
Sub Postmaster - Rs. 5.00 per account
Postal Assistant - Rs. 10 per account
54. Counting of Special Allowance for pay fixation – case of PO and RMS Accountants
A kind attention is invited to the letter No. 9 (1)/2004-PA Admn. I/501 to 504 dated 29-10-2006 from Shri T.K. Mitra, ADG (PA and Admn) of the Directorate wherein it is informed that the Special Pay which is now called as Special Allowance drawn in lieu of higher pay scale may be taken into account for fixing pay under ACP to the JAO examination qualified candidates on ACP promotion.
The above said instructions were issued in consultation with DOP&T and the same and similar analogy should be applied in the case of PO and RMS Accountants also and their Special Allowance should be taken for fixation of pay in the higher cadre on promotion.
Further, vide letter No. 8 (1)/2004-PA-Admn/1/54 to 76 dated 23-04-07, it was mentioned that this issue relates to operative offices, the matter may be taken up with Directorate through CPMG which exhibits lack of coordination among the branches in the Directorate.
It is, therefore, requested to cause immediate orders on the issue which is hanging over ten years. Further the orders applicable to JAO qualified official be applied to the similarly situated official working in the post offices on acquiring TBOP / BCR promotion.
55. DRAWAL OF PAY TO SENIOR BCR OFFICIALS IN HSG I POSTS AS THE PAY SCALES OF HSG II & BCR IS ONE AND THE SAME & SETTLEMENT OF EARLIER OFFICIATING CASES OF TAMILNADU, WEST BENGAL & OTHER CIRCLES AS ONE TIME MEASURE
(i) The provision of officiating in higher post and grant of higher pay for the officiating period beyond 14 days is very much in existence in the Department of posts. This was not practically termed as adhoc promotion. The officiating arrangements are being made for short term arrangements.
(ii) Further pay scale of HSG II & BCR is one and the same. BCR officials are holding the pay scale equal to HSG II and when they have been ordered to officiate in HSG I, they are entitled for officiating pay. The CAT Bangalore decision in OA No. 74/2008 dt. 18.08.09 categorically held that as the pay scales of BCR & HSG II are identical, the applicant is entitled to the salary of the HSG-I post. Further, Supreme court has also dismissed the SLP filed against writ petition No. 13527 of 2008 of A. P. High Court confirming the decision of entitlement of higher pay for the officiating arrangement in HSG I. The CAT Jabalpur in a similar case held that higher pay for officiating in higher post should not be denied.
(iii) In some circles, regular HSG II officials have been ordered to work in HSG I posts without any extra remuneration which is highly irregular.
(iv) In some circles like Tamilnadu, West Bengal, some senior officials have been ordered to officiate in HSG I posts of more than one year during 2002 to 2005 in the absence of clear cut clarifications and circle heads has already referred the cases to Directorate to regularize the arrangements beyond one year as one time measure which is pending over two years. The due officiating pay had neither drawn nor taken for retirement benefits.
1622 HSG I posts have been upgraded only on matching schemes by axing 680 PA posts and as such the denial of due benefits/higher pay is arbitrary, unjust and against to the canon of natural justice.
56. Tenure posting of officials in Single & Double Handed post offices – request to withdraw the conditions
The condition that the SPM / PA working in Single / Double handed offices should not be posted back to the same office during their entire service is against the statutory rules of P&T Manual Volume IV. The doubts about the integrity of all Postal Assistants / Sub Postmasters will mar the interests of the officials and it is requested to withdraw the conditions forthwith
57. Enhancement of honorarium for engaging the officials in departmental examinations
At present, the following rate of honorarium is being paid to the officials who are brought by the department while conducting the departmental examination as per the sent letter No. 18/16/98-E dt. 31.12.93.
(i) Supervisor -- Rs. 30/- per session.
(ii) Invigilators -- Rs. 20/- per session.
(iii) Clerk -- Rs. 25/- per day.
(iv) Group 'D' -- Rs. 15/- per day.
The remuneration is very meagre while comparing the strenuous job carried out by the officials. Despite there is justification, either to grant OTA or compensatory off, atleast the honorarium sanctioned shall reach atleast to the extent of satisfactions of those employees engaging for this purpose.
58. Restriction in posting of SPM due to minor penalties / CR entries
The Directorate has given instructions to all the Circle Heads from investigation section dated 06-11-2006 that if an official is awarded with anyone of the minor or major punishments or adverse entries in the CR, he should not be posted as SPM throughout his career.
The suggestion given by the Investigation wing as a preventive measure to minimise and eradicate the losses and frauds has been circulated for implementation not only in the RT 2007 but also in the existing cases.
The suggestion is practicable only if the department is having full staff strength and it is not feasible to implement when the shortage exceeds 30% in the Postal Assistant cadre. This will create hardship to the officials. That too reverting the existing SPMs from their SPM posts as Postal Assistant before completing their tenure is unjust and bad in law and against to the natural justice. This will spoil their reputations earned from the public by shifting them from SPMs post before completing their tenure.
The other suggestion given by the same section earlier that not to keep vacant in B & A class offices and fill up the Postal Assistant posts has not been implemented. As such this will create many hardships to all the officials who are unwilling to take position as Postmasters.
This is most pertinent to mention that after lapse of certain periods, the officials inflicted with punishments become eligible to write the promotional exams like IPO, JAO, Group B etc. As such, mere imposition of even a minor penalty will be the disqualification to be a SPM throughout his career is nothing but a farce and not maintainable.
If the suggestions implemented retrospectively, at one stage none will be available for the post of post of SPM due to prevailing shortage, a well senior official has to work as Postal Assistant under the supervision of his most senior which will also be a punishment not improvised in the CCS CCA Rules.
59. Allowing to appear in the Departmental Exam like IPOs – case of physically handicapped officials
The Directorate has clarified vide its letter No. 7-8/04-SPB dated 28-07-2005 that physically handicapped officials should not be allowed to appear in the IPO Examination as they are unable to perform the physically demanding nature of work.
This is unfortunate and total injustice to the physically handicapped officials who fulfil all the required qualifications, skills etc. and could perform the duties efficiently and effectively. There are many jobs in IPO cadre which did not require any outdoor duties. Even in the case of physically handicapped officials, they could also do the outdoor duties with the vehicle, advance equipments or with the assistance.
Their disability should not be construed or taken as a ruse to deny their justified right to appear in the examination which is against to the canon of natural justice. It is, therefore, requested to reconsider the decision and allow all physically handicapped officials to appear in the exam under relaxed terms or at least fix some reservation of the posts of IPOs which do not require any outdoor duties like circle, regional offices.
60. Fixed Conveyance Allowance to Marketing Executives
The nature of duties of Marketing Executives has no fixed working hours and they have to travel miles together to complete their assignments. In metro cities, the amount spent by them to cover vast areas by vehicles exceeds their capacity.
Taking into account of these, and indispensability of their services, a fixed sum of Rs. 1000/- p.m. may be paid as Conveyance Allowance.
61. Revision of FSC
The Fixed Stationery Charges fixed to office / officials does not commensurate with the expenses being incurred for the purpose due to spiral increase of commodities & inflation. The GDS are now getting ten times higher than the amount being paid to the Postal Assistants now. The present amount does not meet the 1/10th requirements and the SPM In-charges are incurring expenses at their own cost. It is requested to consider the same and revise the FSC with retrospective effect.
62. Enhancement of Split Duty Allowance
Even though the MOF vide its OM No. 09 (11) – E II B dt. 29.08.2008 has enhanced the rate of split duty Allowance to Rs. 200/- P. M, the same has not been communicated resulting non drawal of allowance in the enhance rate. It is requested to cause orders at once.
63. Transfer of all HSG I Posts to General line
After upgrading the status of the ASPOs into gazetted one, continuing their posting against non-gazetted HSG I posts is irregular. It is requested that all HSG I posts earmarked now for IPO line may be converted to General line Posts immediately. In addition intervention is required to effect payment of Split Duty Allowance in places like Punjab where arbitrarily the Circle Administration stopped payment of this allowance.
64. Denial of ROHSC claim for emergent treatment due to non circulation of Health Ministry OMS
The following two OMD issued by Dept of Health pertaining to relaxation of Power for granting medical on emergency have not been circulated so far.
(i) OM No. S 14025/7/2000 – MS dt. 28.03.2000
(ii) OM No. S 14025/46/92 – MS dt. 04.02.1993
Resultantly in many divisions, the ROHSC claims on emergent treatment have not been entertained.
It is requested to communicate the same. Similarly, the OM related to extension of CS (MA) rules to pensioner residing in areas not covered by CGHS vide No. S-14025/4/96-MS dt. 05.06.98 has also not been circulated yet resulting denial fo Medial treatment to pensioners.
65. Payment of honorarium to supervisors & Staff of Divisional offices for processing of PLI and RPLI proposals.
The CGM PLI Directorate in the meeting held on 01.10.2007 has agreed to revise the existing rate of honorarium and convert the same as incentive since the cap of Rs.4000/- per annum as total ceiling per officials has not been removed so far. However no orders have been issued so far. It is requested to revise the rate and brought it under incentive without any ceiling.
66. Providing administrative power to grant leave to staff by HSG-I Postmasters.
At present, the administrative powers to grant earned leave in the absence of casual leave are vested with the HSG I Postmasters IPO line. But the said provision is not available to General line Postmaster. This is a clear discrimination. The administrative powers provided to IPO line HSG-I Postmasters may be extended to general line HSG-I Postmasters also.
67. Grant of OTA/Excess Duty Allowance to the SPMs working in single/Double handed Post offices.
(i) In the absence of PA, the SPMs working in ‘B’ class offices may be granted minimum of 3 hours OTA to look after the duty of PA.
(ii) Similarly, in ‘C’ class offices, where the work load exceeds 8 hours and more, compensation in the shape of Excess Duty Allowance may please be considered.
68. Counting the training period for benefits of promotion under TBOP / BCR scheme
Despite the clear instructions contained in Directorate letter No. 44-47/98-SPB.II dated 31-07-2000 & 27-07-2001, that the period of induction training may also be counted as qualifying service for the benefit of TBOP / BCR promotions, this has not been implemented in many circles.
To cite an instance, the circle IFA, Tamil Nadu Circle has denied such kind of benefits to those recruited and deputed for training before 01-01-86. Based on the opinion, the Chief Postmaster General, Tamil Nadu Circle has issued instructions vide his letter No. STA/80-1/00/Rlgs dated 21-02-2003 in which it was stated that the period of Induction training can be taken for the benefit of promotion under TBOP / BCR only if the person selected was under training on 01-01-86 or deputed for training on or after 01-01-86, apart the fulfilment of other conditions such as obligatory nature of such training, immediate promotion on completion of such training.
Resultantly, the officials granted with BCR promotions based on the Directorate orders dated 31-07-2000 taking into account of their training period for promotion have faced recovery and re-fixation. The opinion of the circle IFA to cut short the benefits from 01-01-86 is wrong and arbitrary one. It is, therefore, requested to cause necessary instructions to all the circle heads to count the training period without any restriction and stop recovery immediately. Similarly, the induction training period of the promotes to LGOs may also be taken as service rendered in Postal Assistant cadre if opted for fixation and other benefits.
69. Granting Service benefits to erstwhile RTP candidates deputed to APS taking into account of their service rendered on RTP
Consequent upon the dismissal of civil appeal No. 5739 of 2005, the benefit was extended to the officials who approached court. Meanwhile, all circle heads were called for to collect the particulars of the similarly situated persons to extend the benefits. It is requested to cause appropriate orders to extend the benefits to the similarly situated persons.
70. Creating HSG-I Posts in MMS.
1622 HSG-I Posts were sanctioned during March 2001 by upgrading the HSG-II and LSG posts to HSG-I for operative offices. No HSG-I post was allotted to MMS divisions. Necessary steps may be taken to sanction atleast one HSG-I post in each MMS Division.
71. Removal of eligibility Ceiling of Pay of Rs.6800 [Pre-revised] for performing OT Duty.
Operative staff in RMS/POs whose basic pay was below Rs. 6800/- [pre-revised] only is made eligible to perform OT Duty and this ceiling is causing serious operational difficulties as there is heavy shortage of staff. In certain Units staff is not available with less pay range to perform OTA. In this situation mails subjected to detention for more than 24 hours. The Staff Side urges for removing such ceiling and bring all operative PA/SA officials, irrespective of their pay range, to be engaged for performing Over Time Duty to meet the operational requirements.
72. Waival of Recovery of paid OTA.
In Circles like Gujarat, UP, Maharashtra & Chhattisgarh, OT duty was ordered and OTA also was paid for some officials in pay level exceeding pre-revised pay Rs.6800/-. As directed vide DOP letter No. 10-16/2004 PE-II dated 31-5-2005, the responsibility was fixed on officers who ordered OTA to the officials in the above cases. This direction of Directorate has been grossly mis-interpreted and even the clerks prepared the OTA bills and or verified the bills etc at HRO/SRO are also held responsible and thus sheltering the SSRM who sanctioned the bills on his signature.
(i) The Department is not at loss as officials drawing even higher pay have not been allowed any higher rate.
(ii) Even granting of compensatory off would have cost more.
(iii) Majority of officials and officers have retired.
(iv) A huge sum of OTA paid, if recovered from concerned clerk is not justified.
In view of above the Staff Side urges that the above recovery be totally waived or else the recovery be ordered from the Officer who sanctioned the bills against the rules.
73. Removal of victimisation inflicted for refusal of OT Duty.
Officials are compelled to perform over time duties in RMS/MMS. They find it difficult to continuously perform over time duty. Further on some occasions due to health reasons they are forced to decline to perform OT duty. All such cases are construed as deliberate refusal to perform OT duty and action is taken and heavy penalty is being imposed. Human approach to the problem is called for. Necessary instructions may be issued to undo all sorts of victimizations in this regard.
74. NORMS IN CRC , SPC, EPP & LOGISTICS:-
Norms in CRC , SPC, EPP & Logistics are still not fixed. In Circles/Divisions the authorities are harassing the staff for Norms of 1000 articles in a day sets. It is not uniformly practicable to perform 1000 articles in 8 hrs duty. Authorities are of the view that the norms of 1000 in CRC/SPCs, EPP & logistics is fixed by the Directorate. So far no decision has been taken in consultation with the Staff Side in this regard. It was reported that Circle authorities have ordered reduction in staff strength in CRCs taking 1000 articles norms. Harassment to the staff by ordering Diesnon, issuing charge sheets and transfer of officials are reported from various Circles. Urgent steps may be taken to fix the norms in CRCs, SPSs, EPP & logistics on scientific basis in consultation with the Staff Side.
75. LONG DISTANCE SCHEDULES OF MMS :-
India post in recent past engaged private vehicles for conveying Mails/Parcels etc. to long distance places instead of utilizing MMS vehicles. Our MMS vehicles are not utilized for effective dispatch of mails to the long destinations. It would certainly improve efficiency for mail delivery if our System of Transport Services are utilized for long distance Schedules. Effective steps may be taken for engaging MMS Schedules for conveying mails/Parcels/logistics to long distance places instead of Private Vehicles.
76. DIVERSION OF MMS VEHICLES:
It is often reported that the vehicles allotted to MMS for operational purposes are diverted as inspection vehicles for SSPOs, and Circle /Regional offices. This adversely affects the efficiency of the Mail delivery. Effective steps may be taken to guard against the misuse/diversion of MMS Vehicles which are allotted for operational purpose.
77. HOLDING OF EXAMINATION FOR FILLING UP THE POSTS OF AMM IN MMS.:-
IMM & AMM grades in MMS were merged into AMM w.e.f. 1.1.1996 since then no examination for the posts of AMM has been held. Examination for the promotion to the pre-merged cadre was being held every year along with the examination for promotion to IPI/IRM. This is the only channel of promotion for the clerical staff of MMS. Most of the posts in AMM cadre are lying vacant. Examination for promotion to AMM cadre may be held at an early date.
78. HOLDING OF DPC FOR FILLING UP THE POSTS OF DEPUTY MANAGER MMS:-
There are four posts of Deputy Manager of MMS. DPC for promotion to the cadre has not been held since long. Officials who are eligible for promotion are retiring without getting promotion. DPC for Deputy Manager MMS may be held at early date.
79. Posting of outsiders in the Accountable branches.
Outsiders should not be posted in the accountable branches as it would be difficult to fix the responsibility in the case of loss of any accountable article.
80. On appointment to the grade of Supdt. Stg in RMS.
There are 4 posts of Supdt. Stg ( Gazetted Group-‘B’) in RMS to be filled by General Line officials of RMS on All India basis. But since years together these posts are being manned by ASP cadre (in officiating capacity as Gazetted Group –‘B’) or by regular Gazetted Group-‘B’ officials promoted from ASP cadre or through exam. This is irregular and snatches away even the most minimum promotional avenue available to the General Line Officials of RMS. The Staff Side urges for issuing necessary instructions against utilization of non-General Line officials against such employment of Group B vacancies earmarked for us.
Incidentally the feeder cadre of Supdt Stg is HSG-I (non-gazetted Group-‘B’) with Pay Band + Grade Pay of 9300-34800 + 4600. The same Pay scale has been shown for Supdt Stg vide DG Posts No. 4-4/2008-PCC dated 23.04.2009. It needs to be rectified and shown as 9300-34800 + 4800 & 5400 (after 4 years) as in the case of Postal Supdt. Similar treatment may also be given to AD(R).
Similarly out of 4 posts of AD Recruitment earmarked for the Postal Administrative Offices Employees in Group B Cadre three posts are kept vacant for years together. The Staff Side urges for immediate filling up of these posts.
81. Framing of new Recruitment Rules for the cadre of HSG-I
i) The Dte vide its No. 137-4/2006-SPB-II dtd 30.05.2006 has already amended the Recruitment Rules for both LSG and HSG-II posts in Post Offices and RMS offices for filling up the posts by 100 % promotion vide which 10 years service in PA/SA cadre will be the eligibility for LSG and 3 years service in LSG will be the eligibility for HSG-II
ii) But till date no new Recruitment Rules have been framed for HSG-I Posts in Post Offices and RMS Offices. Though this is always stated that the same is being done as written in every order of continuation of adhoc promotions made in the cadre of HSG-I (from 1st orders of 20.11.2006 till latest orders of 01.05.2009).
iii) As per Dte No. 137-10/96-SPB-II dtd 11.02.2002 regarding FTS, the eligibility for LSG through selection-cum-seniority (through DPC) was 16 years service in PA/SA cadre but through Departmental merit examination it was 10 years. Similarly for HSG-II, it was 10 years service in LSG for promotion through selection-cum-seniority (through DPC) and 8 years service in LSG for selection through Aptitude Test. But now as seen in para (i) above these have been reduced to 10 years from 16 years for LSG and to 3 years from 10 years for HSG-II.
iv) This will be quite appropriate that the new Recruitments Rules for HSG-I cadre, for both Post Offices and RMS Offices, may be framed in such a way, so as to reduce the present eligibility condition of 3 years regular service in HSG-II to 1 year, which is quite logical as done in the case of LSG and HSG-II as shown in para (iii) above.
v) As of to-day almost all the HSG-I posts are lying vacant. The above amendment can help to fill up these posts to some extent. Therefore, it is requested that new Recruitment Rules for HSG-I as suggested in para (iv) above may be framed and issued at the earliest.
82. Regarding regularization of adhoc promotions made in the cadre of HSG-I
i) Due to non-availability of eligible candidates for promotion to HSG-I cadre, efforts were made by the Dte. to relax the norms of eligibility of regular service of 3 years in HSG-II, first by giving notional promotions then reducing 3 years to 2 years and subsequently to 1 year and lastly with a condition that one should be in HSG-II (without prescription of any length of service) As such on each occasion some posts were filled but soon became vacant due to early retirements etc.
ii) To redress this problem, the Dte. Started giving adhoc promotions by its No. 4-16/2002-SPB-II dtd 20.11.2006 till latest orders of even No. dtd 01.05.2009. But due to these adhoc promotions HSG-II posts from which these are made, can not be treated as vacant. At the same time all the HSG-I posts against which adhoc promotions are made can only be termed as vacant.
iii) Therefore, it is suggested that till the new Recruitment Rules for HSG-I are framed, present adhoc promotes to the cadre of HSG-I who has completed say 1 year of adhoc promotion may be absorbed in the cadre of HSG-I on regular basis by regularizing their adhoc promotion from the date they joined HSG-I cadre on adhoc basis. This will help to fill up HSG-I vacancies to some extent and at the same time do away with issuing of extension orders at regular intervals. At the same time more HSG-II vacant posts will become available for LSG cadre.
iv) Further the ICIR and Audit objected the pensionary benefits to the Adhoc promotees in HSG-I and their last pay drawn was not taken into account for computation of their pension and other benefits. This is highly irregular.
83. Regarding acute shortage of ‘C’ bags :-
An acute shortage of ‘C’ bags is being faced in RMS/Post offices due to short supply of ‘C’ bags. Only low-quality polythene bags are being supplied having very short span of life. This hampers the work. Moreover sometimes NSPCs need bigger bags than C-1 size for its business which are not available. Therefore it is required that this problem of acute shortage of ‘C’ bags as well as availability of big size ‘C’ bags needs to be solved at the earliest.
84. Promotion of Lower Grade Officials to the cadre of PA/SA under the incentive scheme.
The incentive scheme for promotion of clerks ( PA/SAs) in accordance with Directorate letters No. 60/11/62- SPB –I dt 30-5-1963 and 62/24/63-SPB-I dt 9-4-1964 is not being implemented for the last 8 years and was last implemented in the year 1999. Due to non-implementation of the scheme many eligible officials are losing their chances of promotion. The Staff Side urges for necessary instructions to all concerned to take necessary action in this regard for facilitating early promotion under this Rule to eligible officials.
85. Change of nomenclature of cleaners in M.M.S.
The officials who are in the pay band 4860-20200 in the Mail Motor Service and who assist the Motor Mechanises in maintenance of vehicle are now being called cleaners/motor vehicle cleaners. In the background of changing social environment and improving economic conditions the nomenclature” cleaner/motor vehicle cleaner” given to them looks rather out of date and requires a change. our union requests kindly to examine the issue and change their nomenclature as Assistant Mechanic/ Helper.
86. Payment of interest accrued after 31-3-2004 on the delayed Refund of GPF contribution to temporary status casual labourers.
No payment of interest accrued after 31-3-2004 on the GPF Contribution quantum was made to the temporary status casual labourers in the Delhi and Uttar Pradesh circles even though the GPF Contributions were refunded to them much after 31-3-2004 on introduction of New pension scheme. The Staff Side urges for early orders for payment of interest for the period from 31.03.2004 to the date of actual payment.
87. Change of Recruitment Rules ensuring parity in recruitment to the posts of Postmen and Mailguards in the Department of Posts.
The prevalent discrimination in the matter of recruitment to the cadre of Postmen from among the GDS officials of the postal wing and to the posts Mailguards from among the GDS officials of RMS wing the desire that the same will be ended at the earliest. It is know that the cadre of postman and mailguard is identical. However there exists a discrimination between Postal and RMS wing in the matter of recruitment to the above posts from amongst the GDS staff while. the posts of postmen are reserved to the extent of 50% to the GDS officials in the Postal Side ( 25% seniority cum fitness 25% with examination) while 50% of Postmen vacancies only are reserved and allotted to Group’D’ staff in postal side, the 75% vacancies are allotted RMS Group ‘D’ and GDS 25% (only with examinations). This discrimination is causing discontentment among the GDS staff in RMS who found themselves stagnated for years without any real chance of absorption in the cadre of Mailguards. our union request for early removal of this existing discrimination in order to ensure parity between the GDS officials of Postal and RMS wings.
88. Non-filling up of GDS MM vacancies in RMS .
The GDS MM vacancies in all circles are not being filled for the last ten years even though some instructions from Directorate for filling up GDS MM Vacancies in RMS. The GDS MM vacancies which are available in good numbers in RMS all circles are not being filled up. In this case the eligible paid substitutes/casual labourers are deprived of the chance of regularization. this situation is not only causing a heart-burn in the prospective beneficiaries but also unjustly keeping then away from accumulating much valuable service benefit. our union request kindly to instruct the concerned to fill the vacancies without any further loss of time.
89. Revision of OSA ( Out Station Allowance) to RMS sectional staff.
The 6th CPC recommended for doubling of all Allowances in all Department / Ministry / Organisation in specific vide Para No. 4.2.81 of its Report. Outstation Allowance to RMS Section Staff is a Postal Department specific Allowance but till date no orders for enhancing the quantum of this Allowance is issued. The Staff Side urges for early issue of orders.
90. Revision of OT A Rates.
Postal Department is an operative Department like Railways. It is known that the employees of Railways are having their own unique OTA Rates for the OT Duty performed by its staff and they are not bracketed with the rest of the Government Employees. Therefore the non-increase of rate viz., Rs. 15.85 per hour has no adverse effect on the employees of Railways. The Staff Side urges for computation of a separate OT Rate as applicable to Postal Employees which is also an operative department like Railways.
91. Supply of Government Orders from all sections to Recognized service unions.
Despite the Staff Side taking up several times and the Official Side responding to issue instructions in this regard, again and again it is found that several important orders are not reaching the recognized Federations and Unions. It is requested that the mailing list of latest addresses of all Federations and Unions be updated suitably for ensuring correct posting of letters. The Staff Side also requests for consideration of sending a copy of all orders through electronic mails to the E-Mail IDs of Federations and Unions as an added measure to ensure quick receipt of all orders by the Service Unions / Associations.
92. Non- Conduction of examination for filling up of vacant Mailguard Posts in several Circles .
It is known that the Mailguard posts will be filled by conducting an examination at Divisional level . The 50% vacancies would be earmarked for DP quota meant for Mailmen and the remaining 50% vacancies would be earmarked for the promotion of GDS employees which comes under DR. Due to delay in release of ADR since 2006 to 2008 the DR vacancies could not be filled up. There is no objection to fill up the vacancies earmarked for DP quota among Mail Man. Several Circles complained to the CHQ that the examinations for filling up of vacant Mailguard posts (earmarked for DP quota) since 2006 have not been conducted which is creating unrest among the Mail Man. Now the Screening Committee had also cleared ADR for 2006 to 2008. Therefore it is requested to issue instructions to all Circles for conduction of examinations for filling up of vacant Mailguard Posts without further delay.
93. Recruitment in the cadre of erstwhile Group D upgraded as Multi Skilled Employee in the Department of Posts
The Posts of Group D are used to be filled up form amongst the GDS and Temporary Status and Casual Labourers with a 75%, 25% ratio. The upgradation of posts of Group D into Group C shall not in any way to stop the process of recruitment from amongst the GDS and Temporary Status Casual Labourers. As otherwise the Temporary Status Casual Labourers Scheme implemented by the Government will lose its purpose and meaning and hundreds of TS Casual Labourers placed in the pay scale with 1800/- Grade Pay will have to retire without absorption and without any retirement benefits. Similarly there are more than 3 lakhs GDS whose absorption chances will be drastically reduced if recruitment do not continue to the upgraded posts of Group D from amongst them.
The continued recruitment to the post of upgraded Group C [MSE] is fully justified because of the fact that already the posts of Postmen which are already in Group C and bearing a higher scale of pay than the upgraded Group C [MSE] are being filled up from amongst the eligible GDS through seniority-cum-fitness and through competitive examination on 50:50 basis. Therefore when already Group C posts are being filled up from amongst the GDS in the Department of Posts for so many years, the recently upgraded posts of Group D into Multi-Skilled Employees shall also continue to be filled up. If necessary the same training offered to non-matriculate Group D before upgradation can be imparted to the GDS also who are non-matriculates before absorption. The Staff Side therefore urges to cause orders for the continued recruitment against the vacancies of Multi Skilled Employees from amongst the GDS and Temporary Status Casual Labourers as before.
94. Request for exemption of Group’D’ posts from the purview of screening committee While filling up of the posts from 2000-2008.
All posts in different cadres will have D.R. and D.P. quota for filling up of posts except in the cadre of Group 'D' for which all the posts are being filled up from among the GDS and Casual Labourers in the ratio of 75% and 25% respectively by treating them as outsiders (D.R). A reference to the Action Taken Report circulated by the Department of Posts in the high level meeting held by the Secretary [P] with the Staff Side on 13/01/2009 mentions categorically that Group D posts are not covered under Screening Committee. However it can be seen that while filling up of Group 'D' during the period from 2000 to 2008, invariably 2/3rd posts were abolished and either 1/3rd vacancies alone were filed up or even that were not filled up on many years. In fact the vacancies of Group 'D' are filled without examination as per seniority cum fitness through DPCs and hence they come under promotional quota (D.P) only. A reference to the judgment of Honourable High Court of Kerala No. 3618 & 4956 of 2006(S) dt 22-3-2007; OA 33162 of 2009 (S) dated 23.12.2009 as well as the decision of the Honourable Ernakulam CAT No. 346/2005 dt 2-11-2007 would highlight this aspect. The Staff Side therefore urges for release of all the vacancies wrongly abolished during the years 2000-2008 for filling up from amongst the GDS and TS Casual Labourers.
95. Stopping further attempt of decentralization of Claim Cases relating to PLI/RPLI and give due importance to the role of C.O.s , R.O.s and office of the DPLI , Kolkata.
All the initiatives were taken for decentralization of PLI /RPLI through Postal Directorate’s order of 9.5.2003 , the same was rolled back due the lack of manpower , Hardware and with the apprehension of deterioration of “After sale service” and the said order was issued on 20.9.2006 . Even then attempt is being made to decentralize the PLI/RPLI works including claim settlement without taking the experience of the past.
Since the introduction of PLI on 12th February, 1884, the Insurance fund is being managed most efficiently through the Centralized system of functioning of C.O.s and R.O.s and through the Central accounting system of the office of the DPLI, Kolkata. Within the span of almost 126 years of Insurance Business , the business increased many fold . In 1992-93 PLI had 19,00,580 Policies with an aggregate sum assured value of Rs. 3,621. 33 crores and now according to latest information, number of Active Policies force as on 31.3.2008, stands at 3550084 with an aggregate sum assured of Rs. 314690052164 i.e. more than 31000/- crores of Rupees. Another insurance product, Rural Postal Like Insurance which was introduced only in March’1995, without augmentation of Staff and without any infrastructural development , is now having an aggregate sum assured value of Rupees 33865,65,73000 i.e. nearly Rs.34000 crores . Premium Income in PLI during the last year was Rs. 268 crores ( 1.4.2007 to 31.3.2008). and for RPLI was more than Rs. 64 crores during the same period .
Thus, huge increase in business was possible through the “Check valves” of Centralized structure of C.O.s and R.O.s and through the Central Accounting System of DPLI office Kolkata but now ,through overlapping of certain items of works , the role of “Check valves” like C.O.s , R.O.s and DPLI are being ignored . But the reason is not known and to combat with shortage of staff, Department’s and Insurant’s interests cannot be compromised .
In the wake of technological developments and to face the competitive environment in these days of alarmingly increasing scams and frauds , the check valves like COs , R.O.s and the office of the DPLI should be strengthened at all costs . When many new schemes like “Micro Insurance” etc. are launched the role of Circle Offices , Regional Offices and the DPLI should not be lightened so that the existing glory of huge increase in business and interests of the Insurants are fully protected ensuring brighter future for the Department of Posts.
96. Liberalization of syllabus for the LGO Examination for PACO Cadre in Circle Administrative Office including the O/o the DPLI Kolkata
Syllabus reflecting workable knowledge soothing to the needs of Circle Administrative Offices require prompt attention and implementation as Question papers of LGO Examination for Circle Administrative Office in some Circle are often becoming of higher standard . An uniform pattern of question through a centralized system may be effective . PLI matters should be included in the syllabus.
97. Creation of more LSG/HSG-II/HSG-I Posts for Circle Administrative Offices including DPLI.
Circle Administrative Office have not been properly provided with sufficient number of LSG/HSG-II and HSG-I Posts. As a result while many officials are being deprived in COs/ROs and DPLI, their counterparts in Postal & RMS operative offices are getting promotion much earlier causing the feelings of discrimination .
98. Huge shortage of Staff in Circle Administrative Office in PACO Cadre
There was no employment in Circle Administrative Offices since long. Implementation of TBOP/BCR for Circle Administrative Office w.e.f 26.6.93 at the cost of 10% of reduction of staff, started gradual implementation only w.e.f 2000 & in the mean time the concept of Screening Committee was imposed creating a lot of difficulties. During the last 10-12 yrs, staff strength in Circle Administrative offices has drastically been reduced . Many new schemes including “Project Arrow” are being implemented. PLI /RPLI business is also increasing many fold , but huge shortage of staff in Circle Administrative Office is not being properly felt.
While the concept of reduction of volume of Mails cannot be treated as true for the operative offices, as although letter Mails are decreasing , Business Mails are increasing , the work of Circle Administrative offices does not at all depend on the Volume of Mails .
Vast areas of Postal Operations with so many new premium products including successful implementation of project arrow, service conditions of the Postal staff of a Circle as a whole, Disciplinary proceedings, specialized knowledge of Control and functioning of Savings Bank affairs and roaring growth of PLI /RPLI business require more and more staff for Circle Administrative Offices and reduction in Mail Volume and Lesser traffic, have no bearing with staff requirement of Circle Administrative Offices. But this basic truth is not being recognized by the Postal Directorate. While the order of re-introduction of short duty staff scheme has been issued on 14.8.2008 “to cope with they acute shortage in Post Offices and RMS Offices, the aspect of shortage staff of Circle Administrative Office has not been considered whereas the situation deserves so.
99. Future of Director PLI office Kolkata
Since long past the staff of Director PLI office Kolkata have been used to listen that the office would be computerized which have not been proved true up to this date. In recent past it was informed by CGM, PLI Dte. New Delhi through the meetings held on 14-3-2008 and 28-8-2009 that the role of the said office will be reworked and this office can work as a back up office for P.L.I. Even on one meeting with the local authority and staff side Member (PLI) also remarked as above though neither clear picture nor any information has come to light so far. So the staff side is very much eager to know about the aim of the Department of Posts regarding Director PLI Office, Kolkata.
100. Providing additional hand to single handed offices due to decentralization of RD Work etc.
Based on the sub committee constituted under the scheme of JCM and compulsory arbitration to deal with the items, it was approved to take action immediately. The Secretary (P) and chairperson vide note No. 6-2/2006-SR dt. 23.7.06 ordered to frame norms for all items of work handled in the smaller offices so that proper redeployment of staff can be made to needy offices. But even after 3½ years no action has been initiated . Immediate action is requested.
101. Implementation of recommendations of the 5th CPC with regard to payment of cash
handling allowance to treasurers and Asstt. Treasurers in Post Offices.
In the last departmental council Meeting vide item No.27 in file No.6-1/2002-PAP it was agreed to take up with the sixth CPC and the item was closed with the reply that the matter stands referred to Ministry of Finance. Immediate action is requested.
102. Withdrawal of orders fixing responsibility on DDOs and APM Accounts and Accountants for the overpayment of Pay and allowances to Postmen on account of
fixation under Revised pay rules after 5th CPC.
As per the FR and SR there are distinct rules to recover the overpayments made to the officials while paying the arrears. But misinterpreting the CAT orders the drawing officials are humiliated leaving the entire hierarchy. Therefore, it is urged to withdraw this order immediately.
103. Relaxing minimum qualifying service of 3 years for HSG-II promotions
Consequent on promotion of HSG-II officials to HSG-I as one time measure, in many Circles the posts of HSG-II are vacant as there are no LSG officials available having 3 years of service. The relaxation may be extended to LSG officials also as one time measure so as to enable to fill up the chain vacancies.
104. Allotment of separate code to all officials including GDS for procuring RPLI business and payment of incentive on the spot.
As there is no code to the officials the incentive is paid to some other officials. To improve the business separate codes may be allotted to each individual official.
105. Removal of ceiling of 60 hours for engaging pensioners as SDPAs.
Now the pensioners are allowed to engage as SDPA only for 60 hours in a month due to acute shortage of staff and as a stop gap arrangement. The ceiling may be removed so as to engage the pensioners for full month.
106. Third party risk covers insurance for MMS Vehicles.
The issue was discussed in the last Departmental Council Meeting. The then Chairman agreed with staff side to re examine the issue in consultation with nodal ministries. Several reminders on the issue were sent to the Directorate. But no action has been taken in this regard.
107. Payment of OSA and other benefits to MMS Staff on par with RMS Staff:
Of late, MMS has introduced long distance schedules in c/w Logistics Service. The drivers are denied OSA and other benefits as in this case of RMS Staff. It is requested to grant of OSA to MMS Driers who work in the Logistics Service.
108. Providing adequate man power in all RMS units.
68 RMS Divisions in the Country are functioning with 40% to 60% shortage of Staff. This has resulted in poor quality of sorting and lack supervision in Mail offices. Steps may be taken by the Department to fill up all the vacancies.
109. Regularization of RTP Services and ending the discrimination between APS RTP and
Other RTPs
(i) As per the Directorate letter dated 19.4.96, the implementation of the Ernakulam CAT judgment granting the past RTP service as regular service for all purposes was restricted only to the applicants of the O.A. This is against to the decisions of the various judicial pronouncements that the benefits should be extended to the similarly situated persons.
(ii) During 1970 to 1974, even the pre training services of certain officials engaged as postal clerk were regularized. The RTPs were trained and utilized full time in the clerical posts to manage all the works of the post office.
(iii) The CAT, Chennai held that the services rendered by the ex RTPs at APS shall be counted as qualifying services for all purposes. The Chennai High Court, on appeal by the department has upheld the decision of the CAT in WP no 37117 to 37119 of 2002 and directed the department to extend the benefits. Based on this the service redered by RTP was regularized for several APS RTPs.
(iv) In another case, the Apex court under Civil Appeal No.5739 of2005 filed by Sri M. Mathivanan, Postal Asst, Cuddalore division upheld the decision of extending the benefits and dismissed the appeal filed by the department with costs. Several APS RTPS were regularized based on this also.
(v) The Directorate has directed the Circle Heads to collect, compile and furnish details of ex-RTPs deputed to APS to consider for extending the benefits to all similarly situated persons. There after there is no action in this regard.
(vi) The RTPs working in APS could thus get their period of RTP Service regularised. The same yardstick is denied to those RTPS who were employed in Post offices and RMS all over India. This causes a grave discrimination between the RTPs employed in one place to another. The Staff side requesst for ending this discrimination by ordering regularisation of RTP service for all.
This demand is pending over decades and there should not be any discrimination between two equals. It is requested to consider the case and cause appropriate orders for counting the past services of the RTP for all benefits.
110. Allot 19% Group B vacancies for General line and permit all Group C officials in Postal, RMS, Admn and Postal A/Cs with minimum 20 years of service to appear the exam by dispensing with present reservation of posts to RMS & Admn staff.
The Staff Side had submitted its proposal as far back as in February 2008 referring the pending item in the Postal Departmental Council JCM and communicating the opinions of the internal staff side discussions.
In 1993, the staff side was asked to surrender 1/3rd of IPO vacancies for direct recruitment to facilitate higher scales of pay to IPO/ASPOs and during the course of discussions it was indicated that in lieu of this the share of General Line in Group B might be improved. Though the share of PA/SA cadre in IPO was reduced by 1/3rd as stated above, the re-apportionment of Group B did not take place.
a) Our proposal is that 62% of Group B vacancies on seniority-cum-fitness and 19% on merit exam basis amongst the IPO line;
b) Remaining 19% of Group B should be for General Line [Postal, RMS, Admn and Postal A/Cs] on competitive examination basis for the officials with 20 years of service. Since it is a tough competitive examination there need not be any restriction that only from LSG and above would be permitted. This condition require to be reconsidered for liberalisation for the following reasons also.
After The fifth commission, the department, unmindful of the amendment of the recruitment rules by due notification with the approval of nodal ministries, has plunged into action to the controversial decision in permitting only those officials holding standard LSG post on regular basis, blocking out all TBOP /BCR officials. Earlier bunch of TBOP, BCR officials passed the Group B examination. As such a sudden switch over to standard LSG criteria has caused a concern.
It is therefore requested to permit all the officials having 20 years of clerical service irrespective of the fact whether they are LSG or TBOP to write the Group B exam.
Justification for including Postal A/Cs in the Group B examination by increasing the percentage to 19% is that the JAO examination meant for Accounts wing had been opened to all officials in the DOP. At present, from JAO to JTS/STS cadres more than 70% posts are enjoyed by DOP officials belonging to other wings (including IPOs/ASPs), than Postal Account and thus the promotional avenue/opportunity of PAO officials has considerably shrunk. Under these circumstances, keeping the PSS Group B examination limited to Postal Assistants and IPOs is highly unjustified and must be opened to all officials of DOP; also reallocation and redistribution of PSS Group B posts to IPOs/ASPs on one hand and to others from DOP on the other hand must be done so that brighter elements shall have better opportunity for the the well being of the Department also.
111. ACP Scheme to wiremen and electrical staff.
The Staff Side contention is that there is no justification whatsoever to leave out the categories of wiremen and electrical staff from the purview of ACP, since they are not covered under any other scheme of financial upgradation. As in the case of non-test category Group D for whom the TBOP/BCR was not applicable, the Department extended the scheme of ACP earlier. Similarly these categories also should have been covered under ACP Scheme and non-grant of ACP is an anomaly that has to be settled. The Staff Side urges at least apply the MACP Scheme to these sections of employees.
Further the discrimination between the workmen and wireman in pay band should be removed since both of them are performing the similar type of duties in post offices.
112. Streamlining the work of Cash Certificates and causing uniform work procedure.
Expediting the Work Study in r/o Cash Certificate and fixing reasonable out-turn for various works in computer has become a necessity in the DAP Offices. More over causing uniform procedure to be followed in all PAOs in r/o these works so that the habit of issuing oral instructions at various levels can be avoided and PAO officials can be safe- guarded from penalty. The Staff Side also urges to stop moves of outsourcing of C.C. Works in PAOs and fixing of Supervisory responsibility to PAO officials for those works already outsourced.
113. Instructions to stop Irregular Rule – 37 Transfers.
Many Officers in different circles wrongly award Rule-37 Transfer to some officials by way of disciplinary action. More over the application of Rule-37 has been clearly defined under the said Rules. Rule-37 cannot be used for reasons beyond that are specified in the Rule-37. The Staff Side urges for issue of suitable general instructions to all concerned to be cautious in this matter to avoid violations.
114. Cause full-fledged functioning of newly opened PAOs.
The three newly formed PAOs of Raipur (from Bhopal) Ranchi (from Patna) and Dehra Dun (from Lucknow) which were notified 5 years back have became fully functional. Therefore the Staff Side urges for settling the issue of sending man power as in the following order of preference and not to send anybody against his will to avoid unrest:
1. Volunteers from parent PAO,
2. Volunteers from other PAOs,
3. Volunteers from other wings of the Dept of Posts, and further:
4. Transfer vacant posts to newly formed PAOs and recruit through SSC, and
5. Until such time officials from parent office be sent on Deputation for 180 days.
Ensure fully functional the erstwhile formed PAOs, like Jammu, Guwahati, Shillong, Sundar Nagar etc with their full sanctioned strength, giving preference to volunteers if any or with Direct Recruitment.
115. Extending /expanding modernization in PAOs.
Extending /expanding the modernization and allowing due share of structural betterment/face-lift to PAOs on a/c of Project Arrow is proposed by the Staff Side.
116. Implement Pay protection under FR-15-A (Rule 38 transfer)
Implement Pay protection under FR-15-A (Rule 38 transfer) as decided in the National JCM and consequential orders issued by DO P& T. Rectify the erroneous interpretation and safeguard the spirit of the order.
117. RELAX MINIMUM-QUALIFYING SERVICE FOR HSG II PROMOTION
(i) It was assured during the talks held on 19.4.07 to relax minimum qualifying service for HSG II promotion in order to fill up the HSG II posts in the absence of eligible LSG officials.
(ii) Further DOPT vide its OM No, 28036/01/2007-Estt (D) dt 14.11.08 delegated the power of relaxation to concerned Ministries/Department in respect of Group C & D posts. Hence this may please be considered.
118. IRREGULAR APPLICATION OF BENCH MARK OF CURRENT PERIOD FOR NOTIONAL PROMOTIONS.
The instructions of DOPT dt. 16.6.2000, that only CRS for the year immediately preceding the years of vacancy/Panel should be considered if DPC are held later then the schedule prescribed in model calendar” has not been taken note in many circles and current bench marks were applied wrongly for the notional promotions. A clarificatory orders may be issued to rectify the mistakes. Further in some circles, the bench mark was applied for TBOP/BCR promotion, despite the existence of clear cut orders from the Directorate that Bench mark should not be applied for BCR promotions. Moreover, it is requested to waive the application of Bench marks up to 2008 since the seriousness was not felt in the dept and the CRS were written by the divisional heads in a casual manner.
119. GRANT OF MODIFICATION OF LSG AS ONE TIME MEASURE FOR THOSE AGGRIEVED DUE TO DEARTH OF LSG VACANCIES/RULE 38 TRANSFERS
(i) Since the LSG notional promotion was granted on notional basis, in some divisions due to more number of LSG posts in existence, the juniors got their LSG promotions. In other divisions due to dearth of LSG Posts, the seniors are deprived of notional promotion
(ii) Similarly, Rule 38 transferees could not get their LSG notional promotion due to application of divisional Gradation list.
In order to mitigate the genuine grievances of the above said officials in promotional aspects, modification of LSG by granting notional promotion may be explored since the anomaly is prevailing due to various changes made in the procedure of LSG/HSG II recruitment rules.
120. ANOMALY IN THE PREPARATION OF PA GRADATION LIST. DATE OF CONFIRMATION SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN NOW AND DATE OF APPOINTMENT BE TAKEN FOR CONSTRUING SENIORITY. FIXING SENIORITY BASED ON THE DATE OF CONFIRMATION IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND DISCRIMINATORY & DROPPING OF CONFIRMATION EXAMINATION
In many divisions, the confirmation was not exercised for many years after the introduction of TBOP, and only Divisional Gradation list was maintained. When a new Circle gradation list is now prepared, it should be on the basis of present rulings and since the confirmation was delinked from seniority, this should not be insisted. It is requested to reconsider the issue once again based on the Apex court judgment and the recent pronouncement of the CAT, Bangalore.
121. CLARIFICATION IN RESPECT OF FIXATION OF PAY ON PROMOTION AFTER 1.1.2006 REQUESTED
Despite crystal clear orders in the R.P. Rules 2008 under Rule 13 (i) that if the pay in the pay band after adding the increment is less than the minimum of the higher pay band to which promotion is taking place, pay in the pay band will be stepped to such minimum, this has not been implemented in many circles in respect of promotees in Postal Assistant cadre and also in the case of HSG-I promotions. Similarly under Rule 7 1(A) (ii) while detailing the fixation of initial pay in the revised structure, it was stated that if the minimum of the revised pay band/pay scale is more than the amount arrived at as per (i) above, the pay shall be fixed at the minimum of the revised pay band/pay scale. The initial fixation has not been granted in many places with the wrong notion that the initial pay is pertaining only to the direct recruitments and not for others. Suitable clarificatory orders may please be issued to rectify the mistakes in the pay fixation.
122. IRREGULAR OBJECTIONS RAISED BY ICIR IN THE DATE OF INCREMENT AND ORDERING RECOVERIES
The ICIR party in many places had raised an objection about the grant of increment on 01.07.2006 stating that one did not completed the Qualifying service of six months in between 01.01.2006 to 30.06.2006 he is not entitled for increment on 01.07.2006 even though he had completed six months service from the date of last increment he drawn in 2005 and revised his date of next increment to 01.07.2007 This is highly irregular.
According to RP Rule 10, one period of six months should be taken from the date of his last increment to 30.06.2006 and not for the six monthly period from Jan’06 to June’06.
Suitable clarifications set aside the irregular objections being raised by the ICIR party.
123. FILL UP ALL VACANCIES INCLUDING BACKLOG VACANCIES IN ALL CADRES
Ensure proportionate share of posts to PAOs in the ADR Plans 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008 corresponding to retirements therein.
Engage Short Duty clerks (engaging retired Sr. Accountants in PAOs) until regular recruitment takes place.
Initiate compassionate appointments in PAOs.
Speed up the process of filling all the existing and anticipated vacancies through SSC (STAFF SELECTION COMMISSION).
124. SET RIGHT ANOMALIES/DISCRIMINATIONS ARISING OUT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF ACP SCHEME 1999 AND IMPLEMENTATION OF MACP SCHEME.
Grant benefits of I & II ACP up gradations under the scheme 1999, and I, II & III under MACP Scheme to DE passed promotee officials on par with DR officials.
125. STRENGTHEN PA WING ENSURING ITS AUTONOMY
Strengthen PA Wing ensuring its autonomy and broadening the scope of its Accounting & Internal Auditing (with up dated questionnaire) in the DOP.
Impart induction training of 3 months duration to JA/SA and AAO covering the entirety of our functions including the basics of Accrual based Accounting system.
Restore the Member (Finance) post in the Postal Services Board and integrate all accounting streams of DOP under Member (Finance).
126. PROVIDE DEPARTMENTAL BUILDING TO PAOS
Provide Departmental building to PAOs like Ahemdabad; provide adequate /additional area in r/o PAOs like Hyderabad, Patna and Trivandrum.
127. ENSURE SPEEDY VERIFICATION OF CASTE
Ensure speedy verification of caste at Govt level and settle/deal it as done in other Central Govt. Depts. situated in Nagpur/Maharastra, and not to target PAO officials belonging to or originating from Nagpur alone.
128. RECLASSIFY THE CADRES IN PAO
Reclassify the cadres in PAO and enable this Association to represent all the cadres (up to AAO) included in the PB-1 and PB-2 for their representation in Departmental /National JCM.
129. UP GRADED GROUP-D AND SORTER CADRES
Rectify the anomaly due to promotion of Group-D officials straight to LDC cadre, in PAOs while senior Group-D promotees remain in Sorter cadre.
Grant special pay/allowance to D.E passed Group-D/Sorter awaiting promotion.
Allow ACP benefit in the scale of Sorter to those Group-D officials who had passed D.E prior to the year 2000 but denied promotion.
Count T/S service for ACP benefits as in the case of their pension benefit.
130. JA CADRE:
Restore residency period of 3 years from JA to SA retrospectively from13-12-2006.
131. DEOS OF CHENNAI PAO
Implement the recommendations of Re-structuring Committee ‘1998 in r/o DEOs
Chennai, PAO;
Grant the same scale of pay to DEOs of Chennai PAO as in the case of DEOs working in other Departments under Central Government
132. CANTEEN EMPLOYEES
Fill up all vacant posts in all the Departmental canteens in PAOs.
Allow the D.E passed canteen employees their promotion as onetime relaxation in r/o Kolkata PAO.
133. APPLICATION OF MACP CONDITIONS PROSPECTIVELY
1. Past declination of any promotion to LSG or HSG-II by officials should be ignored and the condition in the MACP orders that declining promotion would delay the grant of MACP until the acceptance of the declined promotion should be applied only prospectively. This is to benefit the officials who declined their promotion for certain reasons before introduction of MACP Scheme.
2. The benchmark ‘good’ stipulated for upgradation to Grade Pay 4200/- and above under MACP Scheme also should be waived for the years prior to introduction of MACP Scheme. This is so because there is a blind of giving ‘average’ without understanding its adverse effect on officials while writing CRs in the Department of Posts and also the absence of statutory automatic review of CRS of officials by higher authorities as in other CG Departments. Until introduction of this system of automatic revision of CRs to undo any blind CR writing, the benchmark ‘good’ may kindly be not insisted for grant of upgradations under MACP.
These two concessions would protect thousands of Postal Employees from deprivation of their Modified ACP upgradations in the background of switching over from TBOP/BCR Scheme to MACP Scheme.
134. MERGER OF DESPATCH RIDERS WITH THE DRIVERS
As the Recruitment Rules for the Drivers and Despatch riders are one and the same, the benefits applicable to Drivers shall be extended to Despatch riders duly amalgamating both the cadres.
135. ALLOWING LIFT OPERATORS TO SIT THE LGO EXAMINATION
The Department has written to Staff Side that the issue of allowing lift operators to sit in the LGO exam will be considered at the time of revising the recruitment rules of PA/SA cadre.
The Staff side urges early action.
Sd/-
(Giriraj Singh)
Secretary, Staff Side
