No.08/11/2013-SR
Government
of India
Ministry
of Communications & IT
Department
of Posts
(S.R.
Section)
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg
New
Delhi dated the 16th August, 2013
Subject: Minutes of the Meeting with PJCA Members held
on 02/08/2013 under the chairmanship of Member (P) to discuss one of the issues
viz., postmen committee recommendations.
Kind find enclosed the minutes
of the above meeting for information and necessary action at your end.
(Arun
Malik)
Director
(SR & Legal)
Official
Side:
1. Shri S.K. Sinha, CGM (MB&O)
2. Shri Anil Kumar, DDG (Estt)
3. Shri V.P. Singh, DDG (P)
4. Shri V.K. Tiwary, DDG ( R& P)
5. Shri V.C. Kajla, Consultant.
Staff
Side:
1. Shri M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE
2. Shri D. Theagarajan, Secretary General,
FNPO
3. Shri I. S. Dabas, General Secretary, AIPEU
Postmen & MTS / Group ‘D’
4. Shri T.N. Rahate, General Secretary, NUPE
Postmen & MTS
Copy
for information to:-
PPS to
Member (P)
Minutes Of The Meeting with PJCA Members held
on 02/08/2013
under the chairmanship of Member (P) to
discuss one of
the issues viz., postmen committee
recommendations
The above meeting was held on 02/08/2013 in the Committee
Room, Dak Bhavan at 1430 hrs. under the chairmanship of Member (P) to consider
the memorandum dated 07/06/2013, submitted by the All India Postal Employees
Union Postmen & MTS / Group ‘D’ and National Union of Postal Employees
Postmen and MTS.
Following were present:-
Official Side:
1. Shri S. Sarkar, Member (P) -
in Chair
2. Shri S.K. Sinha, CGM (MB&O)
3. Shri Anil Kumar, DDG (Estt)
4. Shri V.P. Singh, DDG (P)
5. Shri V.K. Tiwary, DDG ( R& P)
6. Shri Arun Malik, Director (SR)
7. Shri V.C. Kajla, Consultant.
Staff Side:
1. Shri M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE
2. Shri D. Theagarajan, Secretary General, FNPO
3. Shri I. S. Dabas, General Secretary, AIPEU Postmen & MTS
/ Group ‘D’
4. Shri T.N. Rahate, General Secretary, NUPE Postmen & MTS
After deliberations following agreements were arrived
at:-
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Sl. No.
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Agenda Item
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Decisions taken
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1.
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Postmen
Committee Recommendation not Implemented
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(a)
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Extraction
of data entry work from Postman: Suitable instructions / Orders to all the
Circles are to be issued by 30/04/2012; nothing has been done so far. An early issue of orders is required to
implement them.
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Heads of Circles have been requested
to impart training to the postmen who are unable to perform data entry work
on computers. It has been agreed to
accord time factor for data entry work using same norms presently used for
calculating work- load of Postal Assistant, in case work is being done by
postman.
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(b)
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Revision
of postmen norms: Postmen
norms issued by the Department are very old.
The decision taken in the committee are not convincing. As such it is suggested that formation of
fresh Internal Work Study Unit with one / two staff side members to review
all work performed by postmen staff with door to door measurement of beats
was requested. Internal Work Study
Unit for this job is to be ordered by the Directorate as the same does not
come under the jurisdiction of the Committee.
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The norms were formulated after
intensive scientific work study by the IWSU of the Department in 2008. Since five years have already elapsed, a study by departmental officials
or by a third party may be conducted to review the postmen’s norms keeping in
view that IWS Unit no longer exists.
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(c)
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Change
in procedure for payment of Speed Post delivery incentive: At present the
procedure for payment of incentive is very lengthy. Nobody prepares bills. In case the bills are prepared they remain
under verification of PRI/SDI/ASP then go to sanction to the Divisional Head. After sanction of bills from Divisional
Head to DDOs for payment. Then bills
are to be prepared DDOs for payment office wise. It is suggested that module for payment of
Speed Post Incentive in the computer software be installed and give powers of
payment to the concerned postmaster on weekly/ monthly. After payment the concerned vouchers be
sent to the DDOs for accounting purpose.
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The software for generation of
Postman incentive bills is being developed by the CSI partner under the IT
Project. Meanwhile it has been decided to issue instructions to all circles
that incentive bills may be cleared on monthly basis till the software is
developed.
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(d)
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Combination
of beat: It was decided in the above meeting that
limit of combination of beat in the post office having 4+ strength will be
removed since it adversely affects the delivery efficiency. But orders on this item are yet to be
issued by the Directorate. This needs
to be done at the earliest.
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Staff side was informed that orders
have already been issued in this regard.
A photocopy of the order No.10-7/2001-P.E.II dated 02/09/2006 is
enclosed for needful.
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(e)
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Delivery
of Heavy parcels and EPP articles: It was pointed out by the staff side that
Postman faces difficulty in delivery of registered parcels weighing more than
5 Kgs each and EPP articles of which the maximum weight of 35 Kgms., per
articles has been fixed. It was
highlighted that either some reasonable rate and mode of conveyance for
delivery EPP articles should be fixed or the rates of coolie charges fixed in
the past should be revised for efficient delivery of the registered
parcel. It was decided that the
Directorate will consider reiterating the instructions on coolie charges to
all the Circles so that the delivery of heavy parcels is not adversely
affected. Whether coolie charges
pertaining to heavy parcels have been enhances due to high prices. As regards EPP parcels, whether mode of
conveyance with rate of each mode have been decided by the Directorate.
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Staff side was
informed that New Parcel Division is examining this issue. The proposal to revise the coolie charges
will also be examined by the Parcel Division.
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(f)
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Corrigendum
on density of population: The
staff side drew attention of the committee to the note of Sl.8 in the
Directorate letter No.9-1/2005-WSI/PE.I dated 05/02/2010 which stipulates
that area having a density of population 2500 per Sq. KM may be taken as
congested area “and pointed out that the same has incorrectly been printed as
it should refer to 2500 per sq. Mile instead of 2500 per sq. kilometer. They quoted a clarification received from
PTC, Mytore which has cited Directorate letter dated 19/02/1976 indicating
establishment norms for Postmen and defining congested area or having a
density of population of 2500 sq. per Mile.
After discussion it was agreed that Directorate would examine and
issue suitable amendment / corrigendum to the Note 8 of the revised norms of
postmen establishment.
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The staff side was informed that
there is no typographical error. The definition of the congested area as
2500 per square kms. is correct.
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(g)
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Creating
of justified additional posts: In
this connection while implementing the system for delivery work and allowing
postmen to write correct remarks for non-delivery. The staff side drew attention to item No.
25 minutes of the last JCM meeting issued on 01/03/2012 wherein it is
mentioned that the issue is under examination by the Postman Committee being
chaired by CGM (PLI). After
discussion, the view emerged that this item is not part of Committee’s
mandate and the issue pertains to creation / re-deployment of Posts which is
basically a policy issue. However, the
staff side mentioned that Postmen were not able to write correct remarks for
non-delivery of article due to heavy work in the project Arrow Offices, it
was, therefore, decided that the experience gathered after implementation of Project
Arrow in various Post Offices could be examined. Result on examination has not been
communicated so far in this regard.
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Circles have been requested to
review the Post Office Establishments.
On receipt of reports from all the Circles, the justification, if any,
of the additional posts will be examined in consultation with Ministry of
Finance.
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2.
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Cadre
Restructuring of Postman an MTS: The first and foremost issue on which a
bias against the Postman is clearly visible is that of cadre restructuring
for this cadre. The Department through
conceded to form a Cadre Restructuring Committee during the strike
negotiations with the Postal Joint Council of Action had issued orders
omitting the cadre of Postman and MTS from the ambit of cadre
restructuring. This shows the mind-set
of the Department on the important issue of cadre restructuring of Postman and
MTS cadre. The stand of the Postal Directorate
was against the direction of the Official Side in the National Anomaly
Committee that every department shall go into the issue of cadre
restructuring for boosting the promotional avenues of employees rather than
depending too much on the MACP Scheme for that purpose. It is a known fact that the cadres of
Postman and MTS have no in-situ promotion in their cadre except the promotion
to the cadre of Postal Assistant through a competitive examination. Every other cadre other than the cadres of
Postman and MTS have their own hierarchical promotions in their own cadre and
this discrimination cannot be ended without a proper cadre restructuring in
place for the Postman and MTS cadre.
Even the flimsy promotion for the cadre of Postman earlier to the introduction
of TBOP / BCR like Head Postman, sorting Postman etc., have disappeared from
the scene and as on date no promotion in the cadre is available to both these
cadres. Unfortunately, the Department
of Posts not only not in a position to
appreciate our contention as well as the proposal for cadre restructuring
based on percentage basis as available to all cadres in the Department of
Railways but no inclined to consider any cadre restructuring proposal to
these cadres. The absence of any
promotion to them in their own cadre leaves them total frustrated and takes
away any incentive to perform better to the services. This has to be properly appreciated and
attended to by the Postal Directorate in the absence of Cadre Restructuring
Committee failed to find out any alternate proposals to ‘our proposal based
on percentage.’
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Cadre Restructuring Committee headed
by the then DDG (P), Shri Salim Haque had been given this mandate and issue
will be decided after finalization of the Committee report.
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3.
(A)
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Door to Door Scientific Measurement of
Beats: (A) – At present the door to door beat measurement
system adopted by the department is not only unsatisfactory but also
incorrect one as neither scientific device like foot meter nor cyclo meter is
used to assess the actual length of beat.
The measurement of beats is generally done while sitting on the table
by guess work only. Moreover the
workload of mail delivery and number of houses to be visited during duty of
eight hours has no where been laid down causing extreme harassment to postmen staff.
It is demanded that the number of houses to be visited and number of
articles to be delivered should be laid down in the interest of delivery
efficiency and rationalization of workload of postmen staff as well.
The Directorate ordered for rationalizing of
Postman beats after hearing our complaints that Postman beats are constructed
unscientifically with long distances humanly impossible to cover on a
day. Many examples like more than 70
kilometers beats were brought to the notice of the Postman Committee to
substantiate our complaints. Based on
the discussions the Directorate agreed to issue orders for measuring the
beats and rationalizing them appropriately.
Unfortunately the CHQs of our Unions are receiving complaints from our
Circles that re-measuring of beats is being done most unscientifically
without using either the cyclo-meters or foot-meters but applying their
imaginary calculations. This has
complicated the problem more and there is wide spread resentment among the
Postman staff. Both our unions urge
upon you to issue strict instructions to measure all Postman beats only by
using cyclo-meters or foot-meters for the purpose of rationalizing the beats.
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Same as 1 (b) above.
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(B)
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To fix the meeting
of Committee for Modification in Order No. 31-38/79-PE-I dt. 22-5-1979:- The Committee
Constituted for examination of Modification in Departmental Order No.
31-38/79-PE-I dt. 23-5-1979 in R/O footwork of the Postman from door to door
walk in R/O Item DO 4 of Periodical Meeting held on 29-11-2012 and
Departmental Council Meeting on 28-12-2012.
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As in 1 (b) above.
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4.
(A)
(B)
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Revision of Syllabus to Departmental Examinations
Request to
conduct special examination for recruitment to the Postman & MTS
cadres for the years 2009, 2010, 2011
and 2012 : To
avoid recurring vacancies due to leaving of qualified employees of high
standard in the background of
submission made above, it is requested that –
1. To fill up the
vacancies for the years 2009 to 2013 in the Postman and MTS cadre a special
examination only for GDS/MTS employees may be conducted.
2. The question
paper may be set on the basis of practical and relevant work routinely
done by the regular MTS and Postman employees.
3. The work of setting
question paper may be got done by a promotee officer who is having
practical knowledge of the nature of work being done by the MTS and Postman
employees.
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A committee has been
constituted under chairmanship of DDG (R&P) to examine the contents of
question papers set by various circles with reference to syllabus prescribed
and submit a detailed report.
.
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(C)
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Filling up vacant posts with Residual
vacancies:-
All vacant post of Postmen & Group D/MTS should be filled in within 30th
June 2013 as directed by Directorate. There is no chance to fill up vacant
posts in due time as no notification has been issued in many circles like
A.P. and Assam Circle etc.
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Necessary action has
been initiated in circles. It was
decided that the orders to fill up the vacant posts will be reiterated to the
circles.
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5.
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Improving the
Quality of Uniforms and timely supply of all kit items:-The Postman and MTS
are called the uniformed staff in the Department of Posts. Unfortunately
these cadres who are actually moving among the members of public pose a poor
picture to the image of the Department because of the inferior quality of the
uniform cloth. Despite the agreement with the All India Unions by the
Department that facilitated inclusion of staff side member from the Unions in
the purchase committee of uniform cloth to ensure purchase of better quality
of cloth,, the problem persists. This cannot be sorted out unless the cost
price permitted by the DOPT is enhanced on the face of escalating prices of
all commodities including the textiles. The cost price permitted by the DOPT
cannot ensure better quality uniform cloth from the market. Added to this are
the violations here and there in Circles where the Administration is not
sincerely ensuring inclusion of staff side members in the purchase committee
and no protection against ensuring supply of the selected quality of cloth
only to the staff. These have to be addressed immediately.
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This item will be discussed in the JCM Standing Committee meeting to be
held on 23/08/2013.
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6.
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Stop Unscientific
Measurement of Postmen Beats:
The
Directorate ordered for rationalizing of Postman beats after hearing our
complaints that Postman beats are constructed unscientifically with long
distances humanly impossible to cover on a day. Many examples like more than
70 Kilometres beats were brought to the notice of the Postman Committee to
substantiate our complaints. Based on the discussions the Directorate agreed
to issue orders for measuring the beats and rationalizing them appropriately.
Unfortunately the CHQs of our Unions are receiving complaints from our
Circles that re-measuring of beats is being done most unscientifically
without using either the cyclo-meters or foot-meters but applying their
imaginary calculations. This has complicated the problem more and there is
widespread resentment among the Postman staff. Both our Unions urge upon you
to issue strict instructions to measure all Postman beats only by using
cyclo-meters or foot-meters for the purpose of rationalizing the beats.
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Same as 1 (b) above.
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7.
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Cycle Maintenance
Allowance to MTS:-The
Cycle Maintenance Allowance is paid to all Postman staff without any
conditions whereas the MTS Staff who are engaged in letter box clearing or
other outside office work excluded
from the ambit of CMA. This is unjustified. The MTS Staff also are to be paid
CMA without any conditions as like Postman staff. Both our Unions urge upon
you to issue necessary orders to pay CMA to all MTS without any conditions.
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The Postman’s duty involves daily
visit to deliver letters in his beat
and hence if he is using cycle the allowance is admissible. Since different persons, depending on
availability of persons, are used for letter box clearances, the allowance cannot
be given to any specific official.
Further, in many Post Offices one or two bicycles are generally
kept. That can be used for clearing
Letter Boxes. The proposal that MTS staff be paid CMA without any condition
like Postman staff is thus not acceptable.
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(a)
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Revision of Fixed Monetary Compensation (FMC):-This has
reference to your office letter No
10-7/2003.P.E.II dated 24th Nov 2010 wherein existing rate on revision has been enhanced for each category except Multi
Tasking staff whose rate of remuneration has been reduced @ Rs 60/- per holiday for 4 hours whereas MTS
staff was getting @ Rs 63.45
per holiday for 3 hrs on hourly basis @ Rs 21.15 per hour. Protracted
correspondence made proved in fructuous. This need to be reviewed for proper
justice to the MTS staff.
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The staff side was informed that the
matter is under examination in consultation with IFW.
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8.
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Abolition of Nodal
Delivery Centers at all metro cities:-All Nodal delivery centers should be
abolished throughout the Country immediately to avoid complication in
day-to-day delivery system. (Example–West Bengal Circle, Karnataka Circle, Bangalore,
Maharashtra Circle Mumbai GPO).
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The staff side was
asked to furnish the specific cases with details of the complications due to
creation of Nodal Delivery Centres.
Department’s view is that Nodal Delivery is functioning smoothly in
such centres.
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9.
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To Stop harassment:-The postman staff being tortured for
100% delivery and in various cases by asking them to work beyond duty hours
and many other ways harassment is there it must be stopped.
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Staff side was asked
to furnish specific cases so that this could be taken up with respective
circles.
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10.
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Promotional posts of Postmen Cadre: The posts of Mail
Overseer, Cash Overseer, Head Postman and Sorting Postman should be
considered as promotional posts for Postmen cadre and an additional increment
or some allowance should be granted for performance duties on such posts.
Seniority criteria of postmen should be taken in view while deploying on
these posts.
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This item will be discussed in a
meeting decided to be held under the chairmanship of Member (P).
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At the end, Director (SR)
appealed to the unions to withdraw the proposed Dharana on 20/08/2013 and
indefinite strike from 16th September, 2013.
Meeting ended with vote of thanks to
the chair.
*****
