| MINUTES OF THE 21ST MEETING OF THE POSTAL SPORTS BOARD HELD ON 05.06.2012 AT HYDERABAD UNDER THE CHAIRPERSONSHIP OF SECRETARY (POSTS) |
D.G. Posts No. 2-10/2012-WL/Sports Dated 18.06.2012.
The meeting started with introductory remarks of Secretary (Posts). In her address, Secretary (Posts) apprised of the Postal Sports Board about the sports activities being organized by the Department as also its budgetary provisions. Shri M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE and Shri D. Theagarajan, Secretary General, FNPO thanked the Chairperson for taking follow up action on the decisions taken during in the wake of 20th Meeting of the Postal Sports Board and convening the 21st meeting of the Postal Sports Board. Thereafter, the Chairperson allowed discussions on the agenda items and the following decisions were taken.
Confirmation of the minutes of the 20th Meeting of the Postal Sports Board held on 5th July, 2010.
Confirmation of the action taken statement on the minutes of the meeting. Thereafter agenda items of the current meeting were taken up for discussion and the gist of discussions is as follows.
Agenda items for 21st Meeting of the Postal Sports Board.
1. Women Team in Chess event needs to be introduced. The number of women is increasing due to new recruitment and new entrants are showing interest in this game.
The Board agreed to the proposal of introducing women team in Chess event subject to the stipulation that nomination of players will be made on merit and only those players will be nominated who have the skill of competing at the all India level. For this purpose it would be desirable to have scrutiny of players by professionals.
2. All the players representing circle teams in All India Postal events may be allowed to travel in AC-III/AC-II Tier class irrespective of their posts as it will be boost their morale.
The members of the Postal Sports Board were apprised that the proposal has financial implications to the tune of Rs. 40 lakhs (approximately) and it may not be feasible to meet this extra expenditure out of the present budgetary allocation. The possibility of effecting saving in the overall sports activities, in order to meet the expenditure on this proposal was also discussed but without any conclusion. On the suggestion of the staff side, it was agreed to take up the matter with the Railways for providing concession to the players travelling by train to participate in All India Postal Meets. The matter will be reviewed in the light of response received from the Railways.
3. Provision of economic class Airfare for the winning team.
No comments in view of item No. 2.
4. Holding of all 14 selected events at Circle/Regional level.
The proposal was discussed in details could not be agreed to. No action.
5. Enhancement of TA/DA and Refreshment allowance.
The members of the Board were explained that in the light of prevailing rate of TA/DA in case of officials on tour, it may not be possible to revise the existing rate of daily allowance being paid to the players at the rate of Rs. 150/- per day (Rs. 75/- per day in case local participants) . However the Board agreed to enhance the rate of refreshment allowance from the existing Rs. 60/- per day to Rs. 75/- per day even in case of All India Postal Meets so as to bring it on par with the refreshment allowance being paid in case of National tournaments.
6. Players participating in the All India Postal meets who are paid sleeper class fare may also be paid local conveyance from home to Railway station and back.
The board agreed to the proposal. The expenditure will be met out of the sports funds.
7. As per the current FIFA rules, the strength of the Football team should be 11+7. Changes may be made in our rules to raise the strength of our circle teams for All India Postal Meets from the present 11+4 to 11+7(Eighteen).
He Board agreed to the proposal of raising the strength of Football team to 11+7 in place of the existing 11+4, so as to bring it in line with the rules being followed by Football Federation of India.
8. Reallocation of posts of Sports Development Officer and Sports Coach to the Circles which send the maximum number of teams for All India Tournaments, as per existing guidelines.
The proposal was agreed to in principle. The following decisions were taken in this regard.
(i) The posts of Sports Development Officer and Sports Coach will be relocated in a manner that no Circle will have more than one post.
(ii) The relocation of posts which are lying unmanned as on date will be done immediately, to provide relief to the Circles which are actively participating in sports. There will be no disturbance to the existing incumbents till such time they compete their normal/extended tenure or retire on superannuation, whichever is earlier.
9. Sanctioning and filling up the posts of Sports Inspectors in Uttarakhand for proper handling the sports activities.
The creation of post of Sports Development Officer did not find favour with the Postal Sports Board. However the Circle will be asked to entrust the work to a responsible official, as per existing instructions.
10. Increase in the number of players in Table Tennis Women and Veteran (Men) Teams to 4 and 2 respectively.
The Board agreed to increase the number of Table Tennis Women players to 4. However there will be no change in so far as participation of Vereran (Men) in the tournament is concerned.
11. Guidelines or Circle teams to participate in local league matches/tournament.
The members of the Board were informed that the Department never issued any instructions which would disallow the team to participate in the local league matches/tournaments. As per discussions, it was decided to issue suitable instructions to Heads of Circles.
12. Affiliation of all Postal Teams in National Federation.
The Board Members were informed that the Department is not averse to the ides of affiliation if the Department has really competitive teams. The members of the Board were also apprised of the inability expressed by Kabaddi Federation to affiliate the team of Department of Posts. The Board decided to make another attempt with the Kabaddi Federation of India. It was also decided to try to get the Volleyball teams affiliated to the National Federation.
13. Arranging for practice matches during the coaching camp before start of the All India Postal meets.
The item was agreed to; to the extent it is possible and practicable.
14. Grant of practice time for the players and treating the period of tournament/coaching camp etc. as duty.
The members of the Board were informed that instructions of the Department of Posts were based on the general instructions issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT) which is the nodal department in this regard. It was decided to reiterate the standing instructions on the subject.
15. Nominations of NIS Coaches duly approved by Sports Authority of India to be sent with Postal teams participating in national tournaments and All India Postal meets.
The proposal was agreed to in principle.
16. Revision of rate of increment for showing excellence in sports.
The Board was informed that the new rate of increment in the wake of implementation of recommendations of 6th Central Pay Commission, in regard to persons showing excellence in sports have yet to be issued by the DOPT. Necessary action will be taken immediately after the instructions have been issued by the DOPT.
17. Players should be sent for participation in all State/National sports events so that they can improve their skill and bring laurels to the Department.
The Board was informed that the Department is quite liberal in sending players for participation in States/National sports events, provided the proposal is received in time and the Department has a team which can be nominated for participation at that level.
18. Extend the tenure period of Sports Development Officer and Sports Coaches to 6 years instead of existing 3 years.
It was decided to examine the proposal in the light of existing instructions of DoP&T and take a final view with the approval of Chairperson Postal Sports Board.
18(ii) The official recruited under the sports quota should be exempted from deputation and tenure transfer as it adversely affects the performance of the players.
.The proposal was not agreed to. However, the Board was apprised of the instructions issued by the Department in the matter of giving due opportunity to the players recruited under sports quota so as to improve their performance.
19. Outstanding sports persons recruited against sports quota in different circles may be allowed to undergo their training locally instead of at Postal Training Centre.
The Chairperson explained that the officials appointed against sports quota basically belong to Department of Posts and it is the responsibility of the Department to make their work foundation strong. It is in this background that training in the Postal Training Centre is imparted for all, including sports persons.
20. Recruitment of sports quota so as to enable the Circle to form its own team.
The above item was taken up with particular reference to the Circles which are small and where the recruitment under sports quota does not enable them to form its own team. In this context, the possibility of clubbing the Circle with some other Circle for the purpose in participation in All India Postal sports meet was discussed. The Chairperson decided to deal with the issue and issue suitable instructions at the Department level.
21. Provision of sports club, gym, common room in all the Circles.
Members of the Board were advised to teke up the matter at the Circle level.
22. Provision of auditorium in the vacant land of Postal colonies.
The item did not find favour with the vacant land Sports Board.
23. Provision of medical facilities to players during plays/practice.
The proposal was agreed to. Suitable instructions will be issued to all concerned.
24. Increase in Kit allowance for All India Postal Tournaments.
It was agreed to increase the Kit allowance in case of players participating in the National Tournaments from the existing Rs. 750/- to Rs. 1500/-.
25. Supply of good quality sports track suit with Departmental Logo from the Postal Sports Board centrally.
The proposal did not find favour with the Postal Sports Board.
26. Nomination of Coaches for Circle Team.
The proposal is to give preference to international players of the particular discipline in the matter of nomination of coaches and was agreed to.
27.(a) Rolling Trophies.
In the interest of uniformity the proposal is that in case of All India tournaments Trophies may be supplied by the Directorate.
The Board did not approve the proposal.
27(b) Institution of Rolling Trophies for the Winners and Runner up teams instead of shields, in all India Postal Tournaments.
The proposal was agreed to.
28. Promotion of GDS to Group ‘D’ and ‘C’.
The members of the Board were informed that there was no provision for promotion of GDSs to Group ‘D’ and ‘C’ under sports quota, GDSs have to compete with the outsiders in the form of open competition.
29. Formation of India Post Team in disciplines like Volleyball, Hockey, Football and Carrom.
This will be examined keeping in view the strength of the players working in various Circles in the Department of Posts. For this purpose, required input will be asked for from the Circles.
30. Recruitment under sports quota in the discipline of Hockey and Football.
The Board felt that in the matter of recruitment under sports quota in various disciplines, it is for the Circles to take a final view.
31. Introduction of Women Veterans in All India Postal Badminton and Table Tennis tournaments.
The proposal did not find favour with the Postal Sports Board.
32. Payment of Kit Allowance to Artists participating in All India Postal Cultural Meet.
The Board decided to grant Kit Allowance of Rs. 500/- to the artists participating in the cultural events. This allowance is to meet expenditure on costumes etc.which the artists are required to wear during performance.
33. Grant of prize money to players and artists securing first, second and third positions in the Postal meets.
The Board opined that the issue falls within the purview of Circles and may be taken up at that level. However, there is no scope to release any grant for the purpose, out of the Central Sports Fund.
34. Treat the players as on duty for participation in All India Postal Tournaments as well as in camp.
The proposal was agreed to as it is as per existing instructions issued by the DOP&T.
35. Uniformity in awarding prizes to the winners/runners of All India Events.
The subject matter falls within the purview of Circle office and, therefore, the Board decided not to intervene in the matter.
36. Action may be taken for filling up of the vacant post of Sports Coach/Sports Inspector in Odisha Circle.
Necessary action will be taken in the light of action that becomes due in regard to the proposal at serial number 8.
37. Funds under Sports head may be allotted much earlier for proper utilization of money in time.
Members of the Board were informed that any delay in allotment of funds occurs due to late receipt of audited accounts of previous year from the Circles, which is mandatory for release of funds for the subsequent year. In order to avoid hardship to the Circles which send the audited accounts in time, it has been decided to process their cases in the first phase so as to release funds to these Circles by mid July. The issue of release of funds to Circles which are late in submission of audit accounts will be taken up separately.
38. All teams irrespective of events may be allowed to participate in All India Tournament/Meet without fail.
The proposal did not find favour with the Members of the Board as it is very important that the team participating in the All India event has adequate level of performance.
39. The Circles organizing All India Meet may also make arrangements for site-seeing and get-together program.
Does not merit any consideration. However get-together programme is generally there. No further action is required.
40. Instructions may be reiterated to the Circles to ensure that good accommodation as per the guidelines circulated by Directorate is provided for Manager/Coach and teams during the All India events, with special attention to the safety of women, children participants.
It was decided to reiterate the instructions.
41. Circulation of booklet of guideline and update ruling in c/w All India Postal Tournaments /events.
Needful has been done. The participants were supplied copy of the compendium containing guidelines of welfare and sports.
42. Streamline of Sports Quota vacancies. Request for circulation of guidelines for filling up of sports quota vacancies.
The instructions are available on DOP&T website www.persmin.nic.in. No further action is required.
43. The strength of the shuttle team is at present only 4. Now the Veterans doubles are conducted by forming teams from different circles. In order to enable better team participation in singles and doubles the strength of the team be increased to 5 members with provision for two Veterans.
The proposal did not find favour with the Members of the Board.
44. ‘Mohiniattam’ a dance form for Kerala may also be included in the all India Cultural meet in future.
The proposal did not find favour with the Members of the Board, as no State is having more than one Dance form in All India Postal Cultural Meets.
45. The national records with Departmental records and current achievements of sports events may be consolidated at National level and circulated with an intention that it reaches every sportsman and sports lover at grass root level. This will help our sportspersons for self assessment and become more aware of their position and to strive harder to scale up.
The Members of the Board were informed that the Departmental records will be circulated and will also be displayed on the Department’s web-site. National records may be seen on the inter net.
46. Provision of 15 days coaching camps and 2 hours daily off to be strictly observed so that players get adequate time for practice.
The Board was apprised that instructions regarding 2 hours off to players who actually practice are issued from time to time and the last reiteration of the instructions was done on 25.07.2011. The Chairperson directed to reiterate the instructions was done on 25.07.2011. The Chairperson directed to reiterate the instructions once more. As regards 15 days coaching time, the Board was informed that this item was earlier considered in 2008 and it was decided to maintain the coaching period of 7 days for participation in the National Tournaments.
47. Appointments under Sports Quota.
Issue of suitable instructions to the Circles to have field trials for making appointment against sports quota.
The Board was informed that the existing instructions on the subject issued by the DOPT are silent on the subject of conducting trials, though the instructions issued by Indian Audit and Accounts Department provide for it. It was decided to have detailed examination of the matter before taking a final view.
The meeting ended with a Vote of thanks to the Chair.
