No.8-04/2013-SR
Government of
India
Ministry of
Communication & IT
Department of
Posts
(SR Section)
Dak
Bhavan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi
– 110 001.
Dated the 7th
May, 2013
To
Shri D.Theagrajan,
Secretary General
(FNPO),
Shri M.Krishnanan,
Secretary General (NFPE),
SUB:-Memorandum submitted to Secretary,
Department of Posts by Postal Joint Council of Action.
Sir,
Status Report on the Memorandum submitted to Secretary (Posts) by PJCA on
01.04.2013, is enclosed.
Yours
faithfully,
Sd/-
(Arun Malik)
Director (SR
& Legal)
Government of
India
Ministry
of Communications & I.T.
Department
of Posts
(SR
Section)
Dak
Bhavan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi
– 110 001.
No.
8/4/2013-SR
Dated: 22.04.2013
Sub:-
Memorandum submitted to Secretary, Deptt. of Posts by PJCA on 01.04.2013.
Action Taken Report
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S.
No.
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Issues Raised
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Action Taken Report
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1.
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Issues relating to Gramin Dak
Sevaks
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a. Enhancement of Bonus
ceiling –
In the matter of enhancement of
Bonus ceiling to 3500/- of Gramin Dak Sevaks, it was assured that another
attempt will be made to get the approval of the Finance Ministry. It
was informed that the file has already been submitted to Finance Ministry
with the favourable re commendations of the Postal Board and Minister, Communications.
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Case file has since been submitted
to Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure on 30/01/2013 along with
study report conducted by the Study Group formed by the Department as per
directives of Finance Ministry.
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b. Revision of Cash handling norms-
On the issue of withdrawal of
upward change in cash handling norms etc., it was assured that the entire
issue will be re-examined. A DDG level committee was also
constituted. Minister of States for communications has also assured the
staff side that needful will be done in this case.
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The issue was examined in
consultation with Integrated Finance Wing. Inputs have been sought from
all Circles to ascertain the actual financial implication in the event of
revision of norms. Except Uttarkhand & Kerala Circles, the inputs
are awaited from all other Circles for which they are being reminded.
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c. Ensuring no reduction of
TRCA under any circumstances –
It was assured by Minister of
State for communications that orders for full protection of TRCA will be
issued. But, in the orders issued by the Directorate, protection is
given for one year only and thereafter it workload is not increased TRCA will
be reduced without any protection. As per the earlier orders protection
was given up to the maximum of the lower TRCA even if workload is
reduced. As per the new order after one year there will be no
protection at all. When workload is reduced due to circumstances beyond
the Control of the GDS, reducing the TRCA is quite unjustified and inhuman.
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The issue was examined and
protection has already been provided for GDS BPMs for a period of one year
only.
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d. Removal of minimum 50 points
conditions for GDS Compassionate appointment
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The existing compassionate
Engagement Scheme for Gramin Dak Sevaks was reviewed in the light of the
recommendations made by one man Committee in Para 17.20.2. Though the
earlier scheme did not provide any ceiling with regard to percentage of
vacancies against which compassionate appointment was being considered, the
provisions prescribe that the compassionate engagement is to be given in hard
and deserving cases only. On consideration of the recommendation made
by the Committee and in particular the introduction of a transparent criteria
of adjudging degree of indigence for the
regular Government
employees, the Department introduced a Scheme for engagement of GDS on
compassionate grounds laying down merit points for each attribute and ceiling
of 10% of the vacancies was prescribed. The said Scheme was
subsequently reviewed in August, 2011 and on review, the ceiling of 10% was
removed and it was prescribed that the hard and deserving cases would mean
cases over and above 50 points. The Scheme was subsequently reviewed in
March, 2012 removing attribute like ‘outstanding liabilities for education /
marriage of children’ and ‘discharge benefits’. In case of widow, a
provision was made for grace points of 15. The various references made
by branch unions reveal that the Scheme in present form is allowing compassionate
engagement to around 40-60% of the cases. There is no justification for
review of the ceiling.
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e. Redeployment of mailman
posts in new areas
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Following consideration of one man
Committee recommendations, the category of GDS Mailmen was declared as a wasting
group and it was also decided that a work study will be conducted by IWSU for
laying down the standards for various operations / work done by Mailmen in
Mail Offices / Transit Mail Offices / Mail Agency. However, with the
abandoning of IWSU, no work study was conducted. Redeployment of GDS
Mailmen posts in new areas will tantamount to creation of new posts on which
there is a ban of Finance Ministry.
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f. Review of cash conveyance
allowance – Monthly ceiling of Rs.50/- to be removed.
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The cash conveyance allowance for
GDS BPMs was revised from Rs.10/- plus actual bus fare per occasion to
Rs.50/- per month following approval of the Cabinet.
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g. Introduction of Health
Scheme
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The proposal has been submitted
for consideration by Finance Ministry after its examination by Integrated
Finance Wing on 26/04/2013.
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h. Norms for RPLI
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Norms for assessment of workload
of GDS BPM already provide for 1 Point for every 10 transactions.
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i. Providing norms for cash
remittance from BO to AO & Vice Versa
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The limits for remittance by
various modes of conveyance are fixed as per guidelines under Rule 9 of
Volume VI part – III. These limits were last revised vide this office
letter of even number dated 29/9/2008.
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2.
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Immediate finalization of Cadre
Restructuring:
After the narration discussion on
the problems put forth in the strike charter on 10.01.2012 & 12.01.2012,
Secretary, Deptt. of Posts, has assured both orally and also in the minutes,
Inter alia;
“As recorded in the minutes of the
meeting held on 27.12.2011, the proposal is under consideration of a
committee under the Chairpersonship of DDG(P). The Staff side expressed
their concern about the undue delay in finalization of the proposal on which
the Secretary Posts, desired finalization of this process by 31st
March, 2012. It was assured that the timelines would be adhered to”.
As regards restructuring of Postal Accounts officials, it was informed that
the proposal was cleared by the JS&FS and stands referred to the
Secretary (Posts). It was also decided to have a separate Committee
under the Chairpersonship of Ms. Sandhya Rani, PMG (BD) Andhra Pradesh Circle
to consider Cadre Restructuring of MMS Staff. The Committee will submit
its report within three months from the date of formation.”
Again in the Minutes of the
discussion held with the staff side on 21.05.2012, it is further assured as
follows:
“It was decided to formulate a
proposal of 30th June 2012 for further examination in consultation
with the nodal Ministries. Regarding cadre restricting of Postal
Accounts it was assured that the matter will be pursued further with Postal
Accounts wing and Establishment Division and the PJCA will be kept appraised
of the progress in the regard.”
Again during the JCM, Departmental
Council standing Committee meeting held on 18.12.2012 and JCM(DC) Meeting
held on 28.12.2012 it was assured as follows:
“It was informed that the report
of the committee is under consideration. Proposal will be formulated by
the Department. However, one round of talks with JCM Members will be
held before the proposal is firmed up.”
At one stage, the staff side has
made it clear that if the Department goes on dragging the cadre restructuring
issue indefinitely, the staff side will be forced to non-cooperate with the
IT Modernization project.
It was repeatedly assured that eh
cadre restructuring will not be linked with the IT Modernisation
Project. But still the proposals are not finalized. No meeting of
the Cadre Restructuring Committee by the Postal Board was held during the
last one year. The undue and unwarranted delay is causing concern and
also strong resentment among the employees.
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(a) Vide letter 25.04.2012 PE-I
dated 25.05.2012 a Cadre Restructuring Committee for Group ‘C’ Employee
was constituted by Secretary (Posts) under the Chairmanship of Shri Salim Haq
DDG(P) whose report has not been received in the Branch. On telephonic
enquiry the than DDG(P) informed that he has already submitted the report on 6th
Nov., 2012 to the DDG(Estt.) and a soft copy has been forwarded without any
enclosures and signatures. The chairman of the Committee Shri Salim Haq has
been requested to submit full report with enclosures duly signed by committee
members.
(b) A committee had been set up
vide Directorate letter No.Dop/01 /2011-SR dated 20.01.2012 under the
Chairmanship of Ms. Sandhya Rani, PMG, (BD) , AP Circle to consider Cadre
Restructuring of Mail Motors Service which has submitted a report and the
recommendations of the committee is under examination.
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3.
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Revision of wages of casual
labourers and their absorption:
In the minutes of the discussion
held with the staff side on 10.01.2012 & 12.01.2012, the Secretary
(Posts) has assured as follows:
“The Staff side was appraised that
a Committee had been constituted under the Chairpersonship of CPMG Assam
circle to look into the issues pertaining to Casual Labourers and it is
likely to submit its report shortly. The Staff side expressed its concern
over the delay in the decision. Regarding the union’s request for
revised minimum wages w.e.f. 01.01.2006, the matter will be examined on
priority.”
Again in the minutes of the
discussion held on 21.05.2012, it was further assured that_________
“A Comprehensive proposal on the
matter of Casual labourers will be formulated by 30th June, 2012”.
In spite of these repeated
assurances the payment of pro-rate wages to the law-paid casual laborers
w.e.f. 01.01.2006 has not taken place causing inordinate delay in payment of
minimum wages to those poor employees.
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The Committee has submitted its
Report. The issue is under examination in consultation with Nodal
Ministries / Departments.
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4.
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Issuing orders on the items
finalized by the Postmen Committee and also follow up action on certain items
to be referred to work study unit.
a. Follow up action on certain in
item of the Postmen Committee constituted by the Postal Board is yet to be
completed, i.e.: maximum beat length, unscientific resorting to single
Postmen beats, Double duty, correction in the definition of the Congested
area etc.
b. In spite of clear orders issued
by the Directorate for filling up of Postmen & MTS Vacancies for the year
2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012, in certain circles (Eg. Andhra Pradesh) the
examination for promotion to Postmen and MTS is not yet completed.
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Orders stand issued on the
recommendation of the Postmen Committee with the approval of the Competent
Authority vide No.9-1/2005-WS1/PE.I dated 19/07/12 (copy enclosed – Annexure
V). As far as few extra items which have been raised by the union, the
Committee has to examine it afresh and submit its report.
In the month of February, 2013, AP
Circle has approached the Directorate with the request to furnish certain
clarifications with regard to filling up of the vacancies of the Postman/Mail
Guard of 2011 and 2012. The requisite clarifications have already been
issued by the Directorate vide letter No.45-2/2011-SPB.1 dated 04.04.2012
(copy enclosed – Annexure I). AP Circle might have initiated action to
fill up of the vacancies in the light of the clarifications of the Directorate.
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5.
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Abnormal delay in notifying HSG-I
Rectt. Rules
The finalization of revised HSG-I
Recruitment rules is being delayed on one pretext or the other. This is
pending over five years. 100% of HSG I Posts are lying vacant and are
being managed by officiating arrangements without any financial
benefits. Due to the delay in finalizing HSG I Recruitment Rules,
Carving out of Postmaster Grade III is also delayed. It is most
unfortunate that orders have been issued by the Directorate not to fill up the
HSG I Vacancies as per the old r3ecruitment rules. At least this would
have been caused to fill up the vacancies.
It has defeated the very purpose
of matching savings offered to the extent of 680 PA Posts for availing HSG I
Promotion and it is highly deplorable. Necessary action may please be
taken to finalise the HSG-I Recruitment Rules or at least to fill all the
vacant posts forthwith besides carving out of Postmaster Grade III Posts as
per the existing HSG I Recruitment Rules.
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Finalization of Recruitment Rules
for HSG.I in PO & RMS offices is under active consideration. UPSC
has made certain observations as per which the file has been referred back to
DoPT. In the meanwhile, the Department has also proposed to DoPT to
permit filling up the vacancies in HSG.I by promotion of HSG.II officials as
per the existing Recruitment Rules, which has since been approved.
Directorate vide letter No.4-44/2012-SPB.II dated 18.04.2012 has issued
instructions to all Circles to fill up the vacancies in HSG.I in PO & RMS
Offices as per the provisions of existing Recruitment Rules by convening DPC
Meetings by 30.04.2013 and issue the promotion orders by 06.05.2013.
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6.
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Abnormal delay in filling up of
vacant LSG, HSG II and HSG-I vacancies due to non-holding of DPCs in many
circles.
In many circles, the regular DPC
to LSG has not been convened. Many LSG Posts are being kept vacant
resultantly causing a heavy shortage in PA Cadre due to their
officiating. Further the delay caused non-filling up of HSG-II Post due
to inadequacies in the eligible candidates in LSG Cadre. In many
circles, HSG-II DPC has also not been convened and many of the HSG-II Posts
could not be filled up on a regular basis due to the officiating of the
incumbents in the vacant HSG I Posts.
In nutshell all the higher posts
are being managed only with the officiating or adhoc arrangements causing non
filling up of basis PA Posts and denying and depriving the due promotional
chances to the eligible candidates.
It is therefore requested to cause
appropriate orders to convene DPC and fill up all the vacant LSG & HSG II
posts immediately by prescribing time schedule.
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Instructions are issued from time
to time to hold DPC meetings as per the schedule prescribed by the Department
of Personnel & Trg. As regards filling up of the vacancies in
HSG.1, a proposal has been referred to DoP&T to fill up the vacancies in
HSG.1 as per the provisions of existing Recruitment Rules till finalization
of amendment to the existing Recruitment Rules. DoP&T has approved
the proposal. Directorate vide letter No.4-44/2012/SPB.II dated
18.04.2012 has issued instructions to all Circles to fill up the vacancies in
HSG.I in PO & RMS Offices as per the provisions of existing Recruitment
Rules by convening DPC Meetings by 30.04.2013 and issue the promotion orders
by 06.05.2013
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7.
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Problems of Postmaster Cadre
Officials
(i) Allowing Postmaster Cadre
officials to appear for IP and PSS Group B Examination.
(ii) Orders permitting the
Postmaster Cadre official to officiate in HSG-I vacancies and earmarked
Postmaster Grade III Posts.
(iii) Allow PO & RMS Accounts
cadre official to opt for Postmaster cadre.
(iv) Filling up the Postmaster
Grade-III posts by granting promotion to Grade-II officials and also by option
from HSG-I officials after filling up all HSG-I Posts.
(v) Filling up of all vacant
Grade-II and Grade III posts promoting the Postmaster cadre official relaxing
the minimum service condition.
(vi) Filling up 100% Senior
Postmaster/Chief Postmaster posts which are earmarked for Postmaster cadre by
Postmaster Cadre officials alone declaring it as a hierarchical promotion
cadre of Postmaster Cadre.
(vii) Delay in holding LSG, HSG II
and HSG – I DPCs and thereby denying the chance for giving option to
Postmaster Grade – I, II & III to eligible officials.
(viii) Maintenance of up to date
separate gradation list for PM Cadre officials.
In the minutes of the discussion
held on 21.05.2012 the Secretary (Posts) has assured as follows:
“The issues were discussed at
length and it was decided to review it after sometime keeping in view the
merits and demerits of the proposal as well as the response of the officials
for Postmaster Cadre”.
The minutes did not reflect the
real spirit of discussion as it was assured to consider favourably the above
items after long discussion. However, it is high time to review the
above cases and settle favourably. The entire Postmaster Cadre officials
are totally frustrated and disappointed due to the negative attitude of the
administration towards them.
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The existing Recruitment Rules for
IP and PS Group do not permit officials appointed to the Post of Postmaster
Grade -1.
The Postmaster cadre and HSG.1 are
two different and separate cadres. The Recruitment Rules of HSG.1 do
not permit officials of Postmaster cadre to officiate in HSG.1 posts.
The Directorate has asked the Circles to fill up the HSG.1 vacancies in PO
& RMS offices on regular basis from amongst HSG.11 officials in PO &
RMS offices by 30.04.2013 and issue promotion orders by 06.05.2013.
The posts of Postmasters has been
created by carving the same out of the posts in LSG/HSG.II /HSG.I in General
line where only the officials in LSG/HSG.II/HSG.I are eligible to opt for
this cadre.
PM Grade-III Cadre has been carved
out of existing HSG.I Cadre in Post Offices. The post in PM Grade-III
are required to be filled up under initial constitution clause by calling
options from the regular HSG.I officials in Pos, as per the provisions of the
Recruitment Rules. Thereafter, the posts which remained vacant are
required to be filled up from PM Grade-II officials as per the provisions of
the Recruitment Rules. As the Circles have been asked to fill up the
vacancies in HSG.I in POs by 30.04.2013, the PM Grade-III will be made
operational soon, after a review of the position.
As per the existing instructions,
the posts in Postmaster cadre will be made functional from the date they are
filled up. Till the posts are filled up under initial
constitution clause of the Recruitment Rules, the posts will be manned by
officials in General line. The posts which remained vacant after
filling up the posts under initial constitution clause will have to be filled
up as per the provisions of the Recruitment Rules. As the PM Grade-III
has not yet become functional under initial constitution clause, the question
of filling the posts by promoting the Postmaster Grade-II officials does not
arise. The posts which remained vacant in PM Grade-II after the
cadre is constituted will be filled up from PM Grade-I officials who have
requisite qualifying service of six years.
According to the Recruitment
Rules, 75% of the vacancies in the Grade of Senior Postmaster are required to
be filled up by Inspector of Posts (IPOs) with six years of regular service
in the grade by promotion through Limited Departmental Competitive
Examination and 25% of vacancies by promotion from amongst the officers
holding the post of Postmaster Grade-III with two years regular service
(including regular service in HSG.I, if any). The Sr. Postmaster cadre
has not yet been constituted under initial constitution clause as per options
from officers holding the post of PS Group ‘B’.
The purpose of lateral induction
of IPOs is to induct young blood who due to their inspection duty is already
familiar with the relevant rules, regulations, procedures and operations in
the Post Offices and duties of Chief Postmasters.
PM Grade-I & II has already
been constituted by calling options from eligible LSG/HSG.II officials, as
per the provisions of the existing Recruitment Rules for this cadre.
The Circles have been asked to
fill up the vacancies in HSG.I in Pos as per the existing Recruitment Rules,
by 30/04/2013 by convening DPC meetings. The posts in PM Grade-III are
required to be filled up under initial constitution clause by calling options
from the regular HSG.I officials in Pos, as per the provisions of the
Recruitment Rules. The PM Grade-III will be made operational soon after
a review of position.
The PM Grade-I and II has already
been constituted and, therefore, Circles have to maintain gradation list of
these cadres. PM Grade-III and Sr. Postmaster has not been constituted yet
and, therefore, maintenance of separate gradation list of officials of this
cadre does not arise.
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8.
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Problems of System Administrators
In the minutes of the Departmental
Council JCM Standing Committee dated 02.02.2012 (communicated in letter dated
06.06.2012) for the 15 items pertaining to system Administrators including
creation of separate cadre, it is furnished as follows:
“The issue is under the
consideration of the cadre Restructuring Committee constituted under the
chairmanship of DDG(P) vide Department’s office memo no.01/04/2010-SR dated
05.05.2011”
Finalization of the proposal by
the Cadre Restructuring Committee is being delayed indefinitely.
Recently, during the demonstration of IT Modernization Project, the staff
side has repeatedly requested the Member (Technology) to create a separate
cadre and absorb all the existing SAs as a onetime measure in the new
cadre. Unfortunately no commitment was given regarding the creation of
new cadre, except the assurance that the services of the existing system
Administrators will be utilized in future also. It is high time to end
the present uncertainty by creating a separate cadre for system
Administrators.
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The issues relating to the Systems
Administrators were examined by a Committee constituted for considering the organizational
restructuring in the Department of Posts under the Chairmanship of CPMG, M.P.
Circle. The recommendations of the Committee were further submitted to
another Committee formed for implementing the recommendations. The
report of the Committee is awaited.
Creation of a new cadre will be
justified only if promotional avenues are made available. Further the current
system administrator, in order to create a new cadre, would not have the
educational qualification required by similar cadres in other Ministries like
NIC.
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9.
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Implementation of speed Post hubs
and L1, L2 Systems
The High Power Committee appointed
to discuss the issues under the Chairpersonship of then Secretary, Department
of Posts assured the following before implementation of MNJOP proposals.
(i) There will be no shifting of
staff from L1 office to L2 office vice versa for three years.
(ii) Irregular or wrong
identification of L1 office will be changed after discussion with the staff
side.
But to our dismay both the
promises were not kept. There is a complete violation and deviation of
assurances. Further, even though directorate has issued instruction to
the Chief PMGs regarding change of administrative jurisdiction of speed post
hubs, certain Chief PMGs have not yet implemented it and still some of the
speed post hubs are co0ntinuing under the administrative jurisdiction of
postal superintendent.
Further, CRC & Speed post
norms have been finalized without any consultation with staff side. The
impracticable norms have been imposed upon violating the earlier decision and
agreements on the subject.
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In the matter relating to transfer
of officials from L2 offices to L1 offices, suitable instruction have been
issued to all Circles vide O.M. NO.28-8/2011-D dated 14/05/2012. These
instructions are as below:
“Level 2 (L2) mail offices will
not be closed for the next three years starting from January, 2012.
However, in some extra-ordinary or unforeseen circumstances, if it becomes
necessary to close or merge a L2 mail office, this issue would be discussed
with the staff side. Accordingly, in ordinary circumstances, the
officials working in a mail office may not be transferred out to another city
/ town unless they have given willingness to this effect. However,
transfers of officials relating to rotational transfer in normal course, or
ordered in administrative interest will continue to be carried out as per
relevant extant rules / instructions. This memo will have no bearing in
such cases, and would apply only in case of closure / merger of a mail
office.
The present status of L2 mail
offices in metro cities (other than those in Delhi and Kolkata) will not
change for the next two years starting January, 2012. When APMCs will
be installed in these cities, the matter relating to consolidation of mail
offices will be discussed with the staff side.”
As regards to matter relating to
transfer of officials from HRO Vadodara to Surat RAS, suitable reply has been
given to the service union vide letter No.28-09/2010-D dated
18/01/2013. A copy of the same is enclosed (Annexure-II).
There is no irregular or wrong
identification of L-1 office. Service unions have already been informed
that classification of mail offices in terms of L-1 and L-2 offices under the
redesigned network for first and second class mail was done on the basis of
volume of mail handled in a city, mail generating potential of a city / town,
connectivity through air, rail and road, distance from post offices and other
mail offices and need to expedite mail processing and transmission between
major / big cities. Copies of reply given to service unions are
enclosed (Annexure-III and IV).
Instructions have been issued to
all Circles in connection with administrative control over Speed Post,
Sorting Hubs vide OM No. 6-5/2011-D dated 20/10/2012. These
instructions are reproduced as under:-
“It has been decided that the
issue of administrative control over Speed Post Centres / Sorting Hubs in
terms of placing under the administrative control of Senior Superintendent /
Superintendent of a Postal or RMS Division may be decided by the CPMG
concerned taking into account local needs, administrative convenience and
effective monitoring.
Revised norms for operational
activities in SP Sorting Hub, IC Hub and CRC were approved on the basis of
work study carried out by the Work Study Team of the Directorate.
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10.
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MACP Related issues
The implementation of the Jodhpur
CAT Judgement, i.e. non-counting of promotions acquired from one cadre to
other through examination for MACP, Granting of MACP counting the total
service rendered in each cadre etc has not been implemented resulting
deprival of dues to the senior most promotes in the Department of
Posts. This may kindly be considered.
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The issue of implementation of CAT
Jodhpur bench judgement for non-counting of promotions acquired through
Departmental examination was referred to DOP Vide ID Note No.2-33/2011-PCC
dated 04.10.2012 and opined that the views taken by CAT Jodhpur in common
judgement dated 22.05.2012 in the said three OAs runs counter to the MACP
Scheme and statutory recruitment rules and directed by the Department to file
a Writ Petition before High Court by challenging the judgement. Thus,
the issue is under consideration with High Court Jhodpur.
There is no provision for counting
of total service rendered in each cadre in MACP Scheme accepted by the
Department of Posts on orders issued by DOPT OM No.35034/3/2008-Estt.(D)
dated 19th May, 2009 which states in Para-1 of Annexaure-1 that
“There shall be three financial upgradations under MACPs, counted from the
direct entry grade on completion of 10, 20 and 30 years’ service
respectively. Financial up gradation under the scheme will be
admissible whenever a person has spent 10 years continuously in the same
grade pay.
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11.
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Problems of APM
Accounts/Accountants
The following demands in respect
of PO & RMS Accountants have not been considered yet causing resentment
and displeasure amidst the qualified hands.
(i)
Proportionate distribution of APM
Accounts posts among LSG, HSG 11 and HSG-1
(ii)
Counting special allowance for pay
fixation benefits to PO & RMS Accountants on promotion.
Implementation of Karnataka High Court order not only for a specific period
but also till the withdrawal of the TBOP/BCR Schemes in true spirit.
The special allowance should be taken for pay fixation up to 31.08.2008 for
TBOP/BCR officials.
(iii)
Date of passing Accounts exam may
be taken as the criteria for counting seniority for promotion, since no
amendment has so far been issued to the statutory rules. Further the
earlier passing of examination will have no relevance in future.
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More details along with background
note are required to be furnished by the staff side for consideration by the
Department.
Necessary action on this item has
since been completed and suitable instructions : “to count the special
allowance in respect of the persons, who were promoted after completing three
years of service as PO & RMS Accountants before 22/04/1998 and in whose
cases the special pay was Rs.90/- at the time of promotion”, have since been
issued vide this Directorate letter No.2-19/2011-PAP dated 10/01/2013 to all
Chief Postmasters General.
The existing Recruitment Rules of
1976 for the Lower Selection Grade (LSG) in Accounts line in respect of Posts
Offices and Railway Mail Services (POs and RMS) offices stipulates that these
posts will be filled by the clerks (Postal Assistants (PAs)/ Sorting
Assistants (SAs) with 10 years regular services in the grade who have passed
the Pos and RMS Accountants Examination.
Therefore, for filling up of the
posts of LSG (A/cs) in PO & RMS offices, the eligibility of the officials
for consideration has to be decided as on the crucial date on the basis of
their seniority in the feeder grade subject to the fulfillment of educational
qualifications etc., if any, prescribed in the Recruitment Rules,
irrespective of the date/year when the prescribed qualification was acquired
in the past. Therefore while considering promotions to LSG (A/cs), the
eligibility list of such Pas/SAs who have passed the Accountant’s examination
by the crucial date prescribed for assessing the eligibility will have to be
prepared based on their seniority in the PA/SA Grade.
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12.
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Filling up of all vacant posts
Even though Government of India
has lifted ban on filling up of posts from 2009 onwards, and the Directorate
has given repeated instructions to fill up all direct recruitment as well as
promotional quota of vacancies up to 2012, in many circles posts are
remaining unfilled. Similarly in Postal Accounts much delay in taking
place in filling up of posts due to delay in finalization of the Recruitment
process by staff selection commission? Action may be taken to fill up
all vacant posts from 2009 onwards on top priority basis as the staffs are
reeling under the pressure of workload which in turn affects the efficiency
of the services rendered by the Department of Posts.
In conclusion, we hope that all
the above issues will be given top most priority and the Hon’ble Secretary,
Department of Posts, shall come forward for a negotiated settlement with the
staff side in a time bound manner.
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In respect of Postal
Assistant/Sorting Assistant it is stated that Recruitment rules have already
been notified and also been circulated to all Circles to initiate action for
filling up the vacant posts. The DE Branch is going to conduct the exam
for about 5408 posts of PA/SA in April/May, 2013. The said exam will be
held in about seventy cities all over India and the responsibility to
undertake the recruitment process from the year 2011 has already been
entrusted by the DE Branch to M/s. CMC Ltd., Sector 63, NOIDA -201301.
With regard to Postman/Mail Guard
it may be stated that RRs in respect of these posts have already been
notified and all the Circles have already been requested to initiate action
to fill up the vacancies by 30.06.2013. Revised Pattern and Syllabus
for holding the Examination to fill up the posts of Postman/Mail Guard and
Multi Tasking Force have already been circulated to all Circles vide
Directorate’s letters dated 31.07.2012. Detailed instructions have also
been issued to all Circles for filling up of the vacancies of the last three
years. Clarifications received from the Circles with regard to filling
up of vacancies are replied to from time to time. Directorate is
continuously monitoring the issue of filling of the vacant posts in Circles.
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13.
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Non settlement of agreed items
placed the Departmental Council (JCM)
Most of the issues agreed in the
last Departmental Council meeting held on 28.12.2012 have not been processed
further. Many of them remain as it is. There is no serious action
taken in mitigating the issues put forth in the departmental council meeting.
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Action Taken Report received from
some of the Divisions is enclosed. Any specific item remaining
unaddressed may kindly be brought to the notice of this office.
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Additional item submitted by
PJCA:-
While conducting promotional cum
competitive exams from GDS to MTS, GDS and MTS to Postman cadre we are in
receipt of several complaints from the examinees that the examination papers
for the relevant examinations were very tough. We tried to convince the
Administration to set examination paper in liberal comprehensive manner with
the intention that since the aspiring examinees are already in touch in the
routine work and they are not required to face with complicated and
extraneous nature of work and also to cut down the delay in recruitment
process. However, the Directorate has stuck up to its own
decision that the above mentioned examinations are competitive and not
promotional, liberalization could not be considered. Due to the said
decision by the Directorate it will be difficult to Department to hardly get
2 to 5% employees to fill up the vacancies earmarked from GDS to MTS for the
designated job and the volume of vacancies will remain unfilled every
year. It is once again requested to simplify the questions.
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In the past, the pattern of
examination to fill up the posts of Multi Tasking Staff and Postman / Mail
Guard was subjective type. The subjective type of papers required lot
of time for evaluation of the answer scripts. Since the evaluation was
done manually by various examiners it was not possible to ensure cent percent
uniformity in the evaluation, which invited criticism. Moreover,
representations were being received with regard to under assessment while
granting of marks on the basis of evaluation. In the case of Postman
examination, the earlier pattern prescribes for ‘dictation’ for which unions
complained that the candidates were not performing well due to wrong
pronunciation and variation of dictated speed while dictating. In view
of this, the earlier subjective type paper setting was done away with for
both the cadres. The revised patterns and syllabi for examination to
fill up the posts of Multi Tasking Staff and Postman / Mail Guard provide for
objective type papers with multiple-choice questions.
Staff Branch issued directions to
all the Heads of the Circles specifying that the candidates shall be
subjected to an objective type Aptitude Test of the level of 10th
class / matriculation covering the subjects / topics. The individual
Postal Circles are responsible for setting of question of papers.
Hence, their setting in liberal or comprehensive manner rests with the
individual Postal Circles.
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