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NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL
EMPLOYEES
1st Floor, North Avenue Post office, Building, New Delhi –
110001
FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL
ORGANISATIONS
1-24, Atul Grove Road, New Delhi – 110001
No. JCA/7th
CPC/Modification/2015 Dated – 08.12.2015
To
The
Secretary
Department
of Posts
Dak Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001
Madam,
Sub: - Process
to examine the recommendations made in the report of 7th CPC report –
Modifications sought for –
Ref: - Your No.
7-1/2015-PCC dated 26.11.2015.
With reference to your letter No. cited above, we are
submitting a note requesting modifications in the recommendations of the 7th
CPC regarding the demands placed by the staff Side (NFPE & FNPO) in the
Joint Memorandum submitted to the Chairman 7th CPC. A copy of the
Joint memorandum submitted by NFPE & FNPO is enclosed herewith for your
ready reference.
It is requested that the Department may suggest the
empowered committee headed by cabinet Secretary, to accept the modification
suggested by us.
Regarding the issues which are common to all Central
Government Employees, the JCM National Council, Staff Side, will be submitting
a detailed letter to Government seeking modifications. As we are part of the
JCM National Council Staff Side, we fully endorse the view points of the JCM
(NC) staff side on issues which are common to all Central Government employees
including Postal.
Yours faithfully,
(R. N. Parashar) (D.
Theagarajan)
Secretary General Secretary General
NFPE FNPO
(R.
N. Parashar) (D.
Kishan Rao)
General
Secretary General Secretary
AIPEU Group ‘C’ NAPE
Group ‘C’
(R.
Seethalakshmi) (T.
N. Rahate)
General Secretary General
Secretary
AIPEU Postmen, MTS/Group ‘D’ NAPE
Postmen, MTS & Group ‘D’
(Giriraj
Singh) (D.
Theagarajan)
General
Secretary General Secretary
AIRMS
& MMS EU Group ‘C’ R3
-FNPO
Sd/-
(P.
Suresh) (N. Ramappa)
General Secretary General
Secretary
AIRMS & MMS EU MTS & MTS/Group ‘D’ R4 - FNPO
(Pranab
Bhattacharjee) (O.
P. Khanna)
General Secretary General
Secretary
AIPAOEU (Admin Union) AIPAOA
(FNPO)
Sd/-
(T.
Satyanaryana) (G.P. Parate)
General Secretary General Secretary
AIPAEA (Postal Accounts)
AIPAOA
(Virendra
Tewary)
General Secretary -------------------
AIPSBCOEA
(S. A.
Rahim) (K. Sivadasan)
Gel
Secretary General Secretary
AICWEA (Civil
Wing) NUCWEA
(P. Pandurangarao) (P. U. Muralidharan)
General Secretary General
Secretary
AIPEU-GDS
(NFPE) NUGDS
MODIFICATIONS SOUGHT FOR ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 7TH CPC
ON VARIOUS CADRES/ISSUES RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
I.
PAY STRUCTURE
1. Postal Assistants and Sorting Assistants
Please
refer to Chapter VI & VII of our memorandum submitted to 7th CPC
(Copy enclosed). We have explained in detail the job evaluation of PA/SA and
has demanded enhancement of existing grade pay of 2400 to 4200 and minimum
qualification for direct recruits from class XII to Graduation. Commission has
recommended that there is no justification for the upgrade sought (Para
II.8.24)
Modification sought for: - As the department is implementing the IT Modernisation project
including Core Banking Solution and Core Insurance Solution, the nature of work
of PA/SA cadre has become highly complicated and high-tech. In addition there
are other duties performed by PA/SA cadre which we have elaborately explained
in Chapter VI and VII of our memorandum. As there is enough justification for upgradation
of Grade pay of PA/SA from 2400 to 4200, we demand the Department to take up
the case with Government to grant the enhanced pay scale, modifying the
recommendations of the Pay Commission.
2. Lower Selection Grade (LSG), Higher Selection Grade-II
(HSG-II) and Higher Selection Grade-I (HSG-I)
Chapter VIII and IX of the memorandum may please be referred. Consequent
on our demand to upgrade PA/SA grade pay from 2400 to 4200, the grade pay of
LSG, HSG-II and HSG-I may be upgraded to 4600, 4800 and 5400. Seventh CPC has
rejected our demand with the remark – “There is no justification for the
upgrade sought.” (para 11.8.24).
Modification sough for: - Taking into consideration, the ardous nature of supervisory
duties performed by the LSG, HSG-II and HSG-I officials as explained in chapter
VIII and IX of our memorandum the upgraded pay scale corresponding to grade pay
4600, 4800 and 5400 may be granted to officials promoted to the above
supervisory posts.
3. Postmaster Cadre:
7th CPC has not considered our demand for upgradation of grade
pay of Postmaster Grade-I, Grade-II and Grade-III to GP 4600, 4800 and 5400
respectively. The Commission has given the following favourable recommendations
regarding the promotional opportunities of Postmaster Grade officials.
Para -11.8.18- “Accordingly the commission recommends that while 25% of the
posts of Senior Postmasters may continue to be filled up from Postmaster Grade
–III through seniority based promotions, eligible officers from the Postmaster
cadre (Postmaster Grade II and Postmaster Grade III) may also be permitted to
appear for LDCE alongwith Inspector (Posts) for the balance 75 percent of the
Senior Postmasters posts.”
The above recommendation of
the 7th CPC may be accepted and implemented.
At the same time it may be pointed out that our demand for permitting
Postmaster Grade officials to write Inspector (Posts) and PS Group-B
Examination is not considered by the Pay Commission.
In view of the above, it is requested that the following legitimate
demands of the Postmaster Grade officials may be considered favourably while
implementing the 7th CPC recommendations.
(i)
The Pay scales of Postmasters Grade-I, grade-II and Grade-III
may be upgraded to the pay scales corresponding to the grade pay 4600, 4800 and
5400 respectively. Chapter X of our memorandum may be referred.
(ii)
The recommendation of the pay commission to allow Postmaster
Grade-II and Grade-III officials to write LDCE of Senior Postmaster Post
against the 75% quota vacancies may be accepted.
(iii)
The Postmaster Cadre officials may be permitted to write
Inspector (Posts) and PS Group B examination also.
4. PO & RMS Accountants
Our demand for placing the PO & RMS Accountants at par with Organised
Accounts cadre is rejected by the 7th CPC (Para 11.8.30) stating
that the proposal is in the nature of cadre restructuring, which is not in its
ambit (Para 11.8.31).
Notwithstanding our claim to treat PO & RMS Accountants at par with
organised Accounts cadre, we have requested the 7th CPC that PO
& RMS Accountants be declared equal to LSG and their pay scale be fixed to
the proposed grade pay of 4600/-. Further promotion to the Accountant may be
under the ratio 50:30:20 in higher grades and granted pay scales equivalent to
grade pay 4800 and 5400. (HSG-II and HSG-I). A separate channel of promotion
for advancement of their carrier should be considered. (Chapter XI Para 11.7.4
of our memorandum)
Further we have demanded the 7th CPC that the special
allowance granted to PO & RMS Accountants may be counted towards fixation
of pay on promotion with effect from 01.01.1996 and set aside the anomaly
existing (Chapter XI-Para 11.7.5 (i) of our memorandum).
Unfortunately both the above demands has not been considered at all by
the 7th CPC. In view of the above we request that the following
demands of the PO & RMS accountants may be considered favourably by the
Government while implementing the 7th CPC recommendations.
(i) PO & RMS Accountants may
be granted LSG pay scale and separate promotional channel at the ration of
50:30:20 (LSG, HSG-II & HSG-I).
(ii) The Special allowance drawn
by the PO & RMS Accountants may be counted for pay fixation at the time of
promotion.
PO & RMS Accountants Special Allowance stands abolished
by 7th CPC
Your kind attention is drawn
to para 8.2.5 of 7th CPC report under chapter “Allownaces”, which
reads as follows:
Para 8.2.5 – “Any allowance
not included here (and hence not reported to the commission) shall cease to
exist immediately. In case
there is any demand or requirement for continuance of an existing allowance
which has not been deliberated upon or covered in this report, it should be
re-notified by the Ministry concerned after obtaining due approval of the
Ministry of Finance and should be put in the public domain.”
We have gone through the
entire chapter “Allowances” of 7th CPC. There is no mention about
the “PO & RMS Accountants Special allowance” in this chapter and hence 7th
CPC has not deliberated upon it and no recommendation for enhancement is given.
It means that Department of Posts has not reported this allowances to 7th
CPC. Hence as per the recommendation of the Pay Commission the PO & RMS
Accountants Special allowance will stand abolished immediately. This should not
happen under any circumstances. Due to an omission on the part of the
Department of Posts, the PO & RMS Accountants should not be made to suffer,
Hence we request that the Department should convince the government that PO
& RMS Accountant special allowance is to be continued and also enhanced as
per the 7th CPC formula.
5. System Administrators:
The recommendations of the 7th CPC on System Administrators
demands is reproduced below:
Para 11.8.52 – the 5th & 6th CPC have also
dealt with this issue and have not recommended separate cadres. The Commission
also see no rational for creation of a separate cadre”.
We have given full justification for our demand for a separate cadre in
Chapter XII of our memorandum submitted to 7th CPC. Hence it is once
again requested to accept the following demands of the System Administrators:
(i) All system Administrators
may be placed in the grade pay of 4600 considering ardous nature of their job
and requirement of higher skill and knowledge in Technology.
(ii) A separate cadre with
nomenclature of “System Assistant” may be created.
(iii) Their promotional avenues
may be fixed in the ration of 40:40:20. These higher posts at the ratio of
40:40:20 may be decided considering the number of systems as well as
responsibilities they handled during the course of the day.
6. Marketing executives
The recommendation of the 7th CPC is same as that of System
Administrators (Para 11.8.52).
We
request the Department to consider our demand for higher pay scale of GP 4600
to Marketing Executives. Justification for our demand is explained in Chapter
XIII of our memorandum submitted to 7th CPC (copy enclosed).
7. Postmen:
Recommendations of 7th
CPC regarding the demand of Postmen cadre is reproduced below:
Para 11.8.28 – They have demanded that the grade pay of Postman
may be enhanced from GP 2000 to GP 2800.
Para 11.8.29 – The Commission noted that the VI CPC has
consciously recommended upgradation of Postman in the Department of Posts and
the analogous post of Mailguard in Railway Mail Service to their present level.
The Commission noted the entry level qualification prescribed (Class X or ITI
for MTS) and also the work content, and is of the view that there is no
justification for further raising the entry grade pay of Postman.
In Chapter XIV of our
memorandum submitted to 7th CPC we have explained in detail the
justification for our demand for upgradation of pay scale of Postmen.
Unfortunately the Pay commission has not considered it but simply rejected the
demand stating that 6th CPC has already enhanced the pay scale.
We request the department to
consider our justified demand and grant higher pay scale to Postmen staff.
8. Mail Guard:
The request made by us with
regard to Postmen may please be made applicable to Mail Guard in RMS also as
they are treated as analogous posts. Higher pay scale may be granted to Mail
guard also. Please refer to Chapter XIX of our memorandum submitted to 7th
CPC
9. Sorting/Head Postmen and Mail/Cash overseers:
Please refer to Chpater XV
of our memorandum submitted to 7th CPC. The 7th CPC has
not at all examined our demand for higher pay scale of GP 4200 to Sorting/Head
Postmen and Mail/Cash overseers, keeping in view the supervisory duties
performed by them, unlike Postmen staff. At present they are placed in GP 2000,
just like Postmen.
We request the Department to
consider our demand for higher pay scale for the above categories of staff.
10. Multi Tasking staff (MTS):
The recommendation of the 7th Pay Commission
regarding the MTS of Postal Department is furnished below: -
Para 11.8.36 – They have demanded higher
GP 2000 for MTS-domestic posts and GP 2400 for MTS Foreign Posts, stating that
the job profiles require greater skill as compared to MTS of other departments.
Higher educational qualification for entry into MTS-Foreign Posts has also been
proposed.
Para 11.8.37 – The Commission is of the view that given the
minimum entry level qualification of class X and the job content of
MTS-domestic posts, the existing GP 1800 appears to be appropriate. In so far
as MTS-Foreign Posts are concerned, it is noted that they have, as packers of
Foreign posts, been treated as skilled workers and accordingly, in the wake of
judgment of High Court of Delhi, they are provided GP 1900. No upgrade is
considered necessary for either MTS-domestic or MTS Foreign Posts.
We have explained the justification for higher pay scale for MTS domestic
and Foreign Posts in our memorandum submitted to 7th CPC, in Chapter
XVI. We request the Department to consider the demand favourably and necessary
modification may be sought for.
11. Postal Assistant (SBCO) Cadre:
The following is the
recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission relating to the demands of
PA (SBCO) cadre.
Para 11.8.26 – They have demanded an increase in the entry grade pay
of PA(SBCO) from GP 2400 to GP 4200, on the grounds that their duties are such
that they can not be equated with Postal Assistant in Postal Circles but more
particularly with Audit staff. They have also demanded 10% of grade pay as cash
handling allowance.
Para 11.8.27 – the Commission has noted that the stipulated entry
level qualification and recruitment process of Postal Assistant (SBCO) is
similar to that of direct recruit Postal Assistant in the Postal Assistant
cadre and their promotional channel, is identical. The Commission is therefore
of the view that no upgradation is warranted.
As regards grant of cash
handling allowance the commission is of the view that the spread of banking and
internet based payments coming into vogue, there is no merit in granting and
allowance for handling cash.
In Chapter XVII of our
memorandum submitted to 7th Pay Commission we has clearly given full
justification for our demand to treat the PA (SBCO) cadre at par with Audit
staff and grant higher entry pay scale of GP 4200. We reiterate our demand and request
the Department to consider it favourably for modifications. It may be noted
that the Recruitment Rules are not
identical as PA(SBCO) Cadre there is
100% direct recruitment and also promotional avenues are restricted to SBCO
staff only.
We have not demanded any
cash handling allowance for PA (SBCO) cadre.
12. Mail Motor Service (MMS):
(a)
MMS Drivers – In Chapter XVIII para 5 of
our memorandum submitted to 7th CPC, we have requested that MMS
Drivers shall not be equated with staff car drivers as MMS drivers are driving
heavy duty vehicles in most of the cases. Further they are exchanging valuable
mails such as mail bag, Parcel bag, Cash bag, stamps bag, Speed Post bags etc.
from post offices and handing over the same to RMS under acquitance. They are
responsible for transportation of mail between RMS offices and post offices.
Hence we have demanded upgradation of pay scale of MMS Drivers with GP 2800.
Unfortunately, the 7th
CPC has not examined our demand. Hence we request the Department to consider
the demand favourably.
(b)
Despatch Riders (MMS) – The Recommendation of the 7th
CPC is furnish below:
Para 11.8.34 - A demand has
been made for merger of the post of Despatch Riders with MMS Drivers as the
nature of their work is similar.
Para 11.8.35 – The
Commission is of the view that this is and administrative matter and it is for
the department to take a view.
As 7th CPC has
clearly stated that Postal department can take a decision regarding merger of
Despatch Riders (MMS) with Drivers (MMS), we request the department to accept
our demand and issue orders accordingly.
(C) Artisans: The recommendations of the 7th CPC
is furnished below:
Para 11.8.42 – A demand has been made to
upgrade the levels of Artisans at par with those in Railways and Defence. In
their memorandum the staff side has pointed out that the 5th CPC had clubbed both pay scales of Artisan
Grade-I (1320-2040) and feeder posts of Artisan Grade-II (1200-1800) into one
pay scale of 4000-6000. This anomaly, as the staff side pointed out was
rectified in respect of Artisan staff of Railways and Defence whereby Artisan
Grade-II were placed in the pay scale of 4000-6000 and Artisan Grade-I were
placed in the pay scale of 4500-7000.
Accordingly the staff side has urged that the pay scales as
implemented for Artisans of Railways and Defence be given to Grade-I and
Grade-II Artisans of MMS of Department of Posts.
Para 11.8.43 – The Commission has observed that the 6th
CPC has upgraded the post of Artisan Grade-I to GP 2800 as a consequence of
which the anomaly in the heirarchial structure of artisans in the Department of
Posts had got resolved. The Commission is of the view that no anomaly exists in
the present pay structure of these posts. The cadre of artisans in the
Department of Posts shall accordingly be extended only corresponding
replacement level of pay.
Notwithstanding the recommendations of the 7th CPC,
We request the department to consider and implement the agreed proposals of the
Cadre Review Committee in respect of Artisans of MMS.
(d)
Technical supervisors: The recommendations of the 7th CPC
are furnished below:
Para 11.8.46 – A demand has been submitted to grant higher grade pay
to the isolated post of Technical Supervisors of Mail Motor Service (MMS) to
which the entry is presently GP 4200 with minimum qualification of diploma in
Mechanical/Automobile Engineering with two years of experience.
Para 11.8.47- The commission notes that the existing level of Technical
Supervisors in MMS is in line with the 6th CPC recommendations that
posts carrying minimum qualification of Diploma in Engineering should be placed
in GP 4200. Hence they are placed at the appropriate level and no upgrade
recommended.
Notwithstanding the
recommendations of 7th CPC we request the Department to implement
the agreed proposal of Cadre Review Committee in respect of Technical
Supervisors in MMS.
(e)
Eventhough we have explained and submitted our demand
regarding the following categories of MMS staff also to the 7th CPC
in Chapter XVIII of our memorandum, the pay Commission has not examined our
demand.
1.
Cleaner 6. Store Officer
2.
Charge hand 7.
Foreman
3.
Inspector 8.
Head Clerks
4.
Asst. Manager 9.
Manager
5.
Office Assistant 10.
Postal Machine Assistants (PMA)
(f) Superintendent
Sorting (Gazetted) –There are 4 Posts of Superintendent Sorting (Gazetted) in
the Grade Pay of Rs.4600/- . This is a promotional post from HSG-I which is also in the
Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/-
(Non-Gazetted) Promotion to
Gazetted Cadre from non- Gazetted cadre is in
identical Pay Scale. This is an
anomaly. Grade Pay of Superintendent sorting may be upgraded to Rs. 4800/-.
We reiterate our demand and
request department to consider it favourably.
13. Postal Administrative office Staff
Eventhough we has elaborately explained in Chapter XXI of our memorandum
to 7th CPC the demands of the staff working in the Postal
Administrative offices, the 7th Pay Commission has not examined
their grievances. We request the department to examine their demands and make
favourable recommendations to the Government. It may be noted that they are
having separate recruitment rules with 75% direct recruit and 25% by promotion
14. Postal Civil and Electrical Wing
Eventhough we have explained
in detail in Chapter XXII of our memorandum to 7th CPC, our demands
relating to various cadres of staff working in the Postal Civil and Electrical
Wing, the 7th CPC has not examined any of their demands. We request
the department to examine their demands and make favourable recommendations to
Government.
15. Foreign Post Administration, Returned Letter offices (RLO)
Postal Stores Deport (PSD) and Stamp Depots
In Chapter XXIV, XXV and XXVI of the memorandum submitted to
7th CPC we have explained and placed the demands of the Staff
working in Foreign Post Administration, RLO, PSD and CSDs. But the 7th
CPC has not analysed or examined any of their demands. We request the
department to consider their demands favourably and recommend to the government
accordingly.
16. Postal Accounts Staff
Cadres
Core
Accounting Cadres: These
cadres are akin to the cadres in the organized accounts Departments like
IA&AD, Railway Accounts, Civil Accounts, Defence Accounts and are deployed
on the core activities of the Postal Accounts Organization.
1. Junior
Accountants:
The V CPC distinguished the UDCs
(designated as Senior Clerks) in the Ministerial cadre of Railways and assigned
higher Pay Scale of 4500-7000 (pre-revised Pay Scale of 1400-2300) on the
consideration that in the cadre of Senior Clerks there was an induction (direct
entry) of 1/3rd by the graduates where as UDCs of CSS & other
offices were promotees from LDCs who were matriculates only. The said
Commission however did not recommend the Pay Scale of 4500-7000 for
Auditors/Accountants in which cadre there was induction of graduates to the
extent of 50% to 80%.
Government of India took note of
this omission of V CPC and upgraded the Pay Scale of Auditors/Accountants to
4500-7000 only notionally with effect from 01.01.1996 and actually with effect
from 19.02.2003. In Para 7.56 of their Report for other posts in IA&AD, the
VI CPC had recommended that,
“The Commission has separately recommended
Parity between Secretariat and Non Secretariat Organizations in Chapter 3.1` of
the Report which will also extend to other posts in IA&AD.”
The VI CPC, conceding the principle parity
between Field and Secretariat office, had given the following existing and
revised pay structure in Field Organizations vide Table below Para 3.1.14 of VI
CPC Report:
Post
|
Present Pay Scale Recommended Pay Scale
|
Recommended
Pay Band Grade Pay
|
Head Clerk/Assistant
Steno Gr II &
Equivalent
|
4500-7000 6500-10500
5000-8000
|
PB-2 4200
|
The
term “Equivalent” invariably meant inclusion of Auditors/Accountants in the field
offices of IA&AD and Organized Accounts. This is very lucidly implied from
that fact the nowhere else the VI CPC had recommended the revised Pay Band and
Grade Pay for Auditors/Accountants.
In the light of these,
Auditors/Accountants should have been granted the Grade Pay of 4200 in PB-2 and
not Grade Pay of 2800 in PB-1 by the Government. But it was overlooked.
But the 7CPC has rejected the demand
for GP 4200, PB2 to Auditor/Accountant by inventing a new baseless and
irrational ground that, applicants who are appointed as Accountant and Auditor
in the CGLE examination which conducts the written examination and interview
for recruitments in the grade pay of 4600, 4200 and 2800 appear only written
examination and not interview. This proposition of 7 CPC was not only
irrelevant but also totally wrong. There was no decision of this nature and the
pay scales of Accountant was never determined on this basis more over, the 7CPC
had not also taken into account the fact that continuation and further promotion
in the post of Accountant/ Auditor by the even after their regular appointment
is dependent on the clearing of Departmental Confirmatory Examination within a
period of two years and in four chances. 7CPC seems to be unaware of the fact
that increments shall be available to the Accountants/Auditors only after
qualifying in the Departmental Confirmatory Examination. The C&AG of India
also recommended in its Memorandum submitted to the 7th CPC the same
higher scale for replacement to the cadre of Junior Accountant cadre. This
being the position obtaining in the Organized Accounts Departments, it is requested that the Department of Posts
strongly recommend to the Government for grant of the replacement pay scale of
PB 2 GP 4200 i.e. level 6 pay scale of
Table 5 in Pay Matrix to the Junior Accountants.
2.
Senior Accountants:
7th CPC has
examined the parity of Pay scales with Assistance of CSS elaborately in the
Chapter relating to Ministry of Defence under Organised Accounts Staff heading
In para 11.12.134, 135, 136 and 137. The Commission simply observed that,
“The
Commission, in Chapter 7.1, has already taken a view with regard to pay, level of Assistants of CSS. The
recommendation there in settles the parities as have been sought to be established.”
But in the Para 11.62.17 the 7CPC
contradicted itself by stating that posts belonging to two different services
performing distinct functions cannot be treated at per merely for the reason of
being in identical pay scales at some point of time and therefore, recommended
normal replacement levels for the Senior Auditors/Accountants.
The 7CPC has adopted
the most unscientific method to deal with the pay parity issue with the
Assistants of Central Secretariat. Assistants of Central Secretariat have been
brought down to level 6 in the Pay Matrix and thus settling the parity claims
of others. At the same time the Pay protection is allowed to the Assistants
already in the G.P. of Rs.4600. This method adopted to negate the claims of pay
parity is not rational. Disparity is allowed to continue further by way of Pay
Protection. The Senior Accountants/Auditors are claiming higher-grade pay on
scientific / historical ground. C&AG also recommended the higher Grade Pay
in his Memorandum to 7th CPC. Appreciating all these facts the
Senior Accountants/Auditors / Account Assistants (Railways) should be granted
level 7 in the Pay Matrix by treating the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600 as replacement.
Besides this position
obtaining in the Organized Accounts Departments, it is brought to your kind
notice that the 7th CPC has not paid any attention to the internal
vertical pay relativities in the Department of Posts. IPOs and the Senior
Accountants all along are drawing the grade pay of Rs.4200. But disturbing that
relativity the 7th CPC has recommended higher replacement Grade Pay
of Rs.4600 for IPOs. Hence, there is a need and justification to grant upgraded
replacement for Senior Accountants.
We
therefore, request that the Senior Accountants may kindly be placed in the
replacement pay scale of PB 2 GP 4600 i.e. level 7 pay scale of Table 5.Pay Matrix. The Department is requested to pursue
this issue with the Implementation Cell and render justice to the Senior
Accountant cadre.
3.
Assistant Accounts Officers:
The 7 CPC
vide Para No.11.12.140 made the following recommendations:
“The Commission is therefore of the
view that there is no justification for excluding officers in the Organized
Accounting Departments who are at GP 4800 from this dispensation. It therefore
recommends that all officers in Organized Accounts cadres (in Indian Audit and
Accounts Department, Defence Accounts Department, Indian Civil Accounts
Organization, Railways, Post and Telecommunication) who are in GP4800 should be
upgraded, on completion of four years’ service to GP 5400(PB-2), viz, Pay level
9, in the pay matrix”.
We
therefore, request that this recommendation may kindly be implemented in the
Department of Posts too.
4.
Accounts/Audit/Senior Accounts/Audit Officer:
It does not appear from the
recommendations that the 7 CPC has examined the submissions of the Joint Action
Committee of Accounts and Audit Employees and Officers Organizations to which
this Association is an affiliate, as well as the submissions of the Accounts/
Audit /Sr. Accounts/ Audit Officers organizations. Instead it has expressed its
constraint of granting appropriate pay scales to these officers on the plea
that they shall occupy the space of feeder grades of Group A level, which is
untenable.
This
Association requests therefore to propose to the Implementation Cell that the
Accounts /Sr. Accounts Officers may kindly be placed in the following higher
replacement pay scales
1.
Accounts Officer Gr I GP 6600P B3 level 11
pay scale of Table 5.Pay Matrix
2.
Sr. Accounts Officer GP 7600 PB 3 level 12 pay scale of Table 5.Pay Matrix
Qualification
Pay
The 7 CPC vide Para 8.9.45 recommended
following in respect of Qualification Pay while discussing the Qualification
pay granted to the Railway accounts Staff in
Paras 8.9.43 & 44 respectively :
“Since
the allowance is not indexed to DA, it is recommended to raise it by a factor
of 2.25. The amount will further rise by 25 percent each time DA crosses 50
percent. The nomenclature should be changed to Railway Accounts Examination
Allowance”
This isolated recommendation of clearly
conveys that the 7CPC did not study the memorandums submitted by different
employees Associations of Accounts and audit organizations thoroughly and this
has resulted giving piecemeal recommendations or contradictory recommendations.
Postal Accounts employees also are presently
receiving Qualification Pay on passing the Departmental examination for
promotion from LDC to JA and Direct Recruitment Candidates who passed the
confirmation examination. JAO Part-II exam passed candidates awaiting for
promotion are also eligible for such Qualification Pay. Hence, the above said
recommendation of the 7th CPC should be made applicable in respect
of Postal Accounts also. Hence, it is requested to take up this issue with the
Implementation Cell.
Common
Cadres
1. Multi
Tasking Staff:
This cadre is a common cadre. The minimum pay
proposed by the JCM Staff Side is Rs.26000/-. The 7th CPC has
depressed the minimum pay to Rs. 18000/-. This minimum has to be raised to Rs.
26000. The Staff Side JCM has very clearly brought out the calculations in this
regard. Unless the minimum pay is raised the benefit out of this Pay Commission
will not last long. Hence, it is requested to support the Staff Side views in this
regard and suggest the pay of Rs.26000 at starting level for MTS.
2. Sorter,
LDC and DEO cadres:
This cadre in the Postal Accounts is a dying
cadre. Promotion to this cadre is stopped. This Association has proposed merger
of Sorter, LDC and DEOs in Chennai Office and re-designating the same as
Accounts Assistant. The Grade Pay proposed for such a re-designated cadre is
Rs. 2400/-. The 7th CPC is requested to suggest the replacement for
the said Grade Pay. The proposal in this regard has also been accepted by the
Department of Post. It is worth mentioning that the C&AG in his Memorandum
to the 7th CPC also mooted a similar proposal. Hence, it requested to strongly
propose to the implementation cell to give a replacement pay level of 4 in the
new Pay Matrix to these cadres.
17. Various Posts in Postal Dispensaries:
In Chapter XXXX of our
memorandum submitted to the 7th C PC we have demanded as follows:
Para 40.1.7 – The conditions
of service, nature of duties etc. of the staff working in the P&T
Dispensaries including para-medical staff are identical to those of the CGHS
staff. Hence the avenues of promotions, special pay, patient care allowance
etc. which are now available to CGHS staff should be extended to P&T
Dispensaries staff also.
The 7th CPC has made the following recommendations
in respect of various posts in Postal Dispensaries.
Para 11.8.40 – Higher levels of pay have been sought for staff
Nurses and Para medical staff at par with similar categories of posts in other
departments including CGHS.
Para 11.8.41 – The
Commission is in agreement with the views of the 6th CPC and
recommends MMEDIATE MERGER of
the remaining 33 Postal Dispensaries in 10 Postal Circles with CGHS so that the
Postal Dispensary employees get the benefit of CGHS posts. Merging of Postal
Dispensaries with CGHS will also help in better use of infrastructure. The
Commission has separately discussed the issue regarding extension of the
benefit under CGHS to retired Postal employees in Chapter 9.5.
As the 7th CPC
has unambiguously recommended immediate merger of the remaining Postal
Dispensaries with CGHS to facilitate the extension of benefits of CGHS staff to
Postal dispensary staff also, we request the department to implement the above
recommendations without any further delay.
18. Public Relations inspector (PRI (P)), Caretaker, Gestetner
Operator, Development officer (PLI), Welfare Inspector and Hindi Translator:
Eventhought we have
presented the nature of job and demands of the above categories of staff before
the 7th CPC in Chapter XXX of our memorandum, the 7th CPC
has not examined their case. We request the department to consider their case
favourably and make recommendations accordingly.
19. Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS)
Eventhough the Government
repeatedly refused to include the Gramin Dak Sevaks under the purview of 7th
CPC, the 7th CPC suo-moto reviewed the case of Gramin Dak Sevaks
(GDS) and made the following most damaging and retrograde recommendations
regarding Gramin Dak Sevaks.
Para 11.8.50 - Government of India has so far held that the GDS is
outside the civil services of the Union and shall not claim to be at par with
the Central Government employees. The Supreme Court Judgment also states that
GDS are only holders of civil posts but not civilian employees. The Commission
endorses this view and therefore has no recommnedations with regard to GDS.
We strongly disagree with
the above observations of the 7th CPC. In Chapter XXXVIII of our
memorandum submitted to 7th CPC, we have explained all the legal
points regarding grant of Civil Servant status to GDS.
We furnish below, the
observation made in the fourth CPC Report by Hon’ble Justice (Retd.) Supreme
Court, Shri. P. N. Singhal, who was the Chairman of the fourth Central Pay
Commission, regarding the status of GDS:
“A letter was received from
the Ministry of Communications (P&T Board) for exclusion of the Extra
Departmental Employees (Now called GDS), numbering about three lakhs, from the
purview of our inquiry. It was stated that the system of Extra-Departmental
Agents was peculiar to the P&T organsation and was designed to extend
postal facilities in rural and backward areas where opening of regular
departmental post offices was not justified due to inadequate workload. The
remuneration and conditions of service of Extra Departmental Agents were also
different from those of regular employees. The third pay commission accepted
the view that the Extra-Departmental agents were not holders of civil posts and decided to exclude them
from its purview. The matter is, however, beyond controversy after the decision
of the Supreme Court in Gokulnandas’ case where it has been declared that the
Extra Departmental Agents is not a casual workers, but “holds” a post under the
administrative control of the state” and that while such a post is outside the
regular civil services, there is no doubt that it a post under the “state”. In view of this pronouncement, we are
unable to accept the contention that Extra- Departmental employees were outside
the purview of the terms of our commission” From the above observation
it is clear that fourth CPC was in conclusion that the ED Agents (now GDS) are
Civil Servants and therefore they are to be brought under the purview of Pay
Commission.
Now the recommendations made
by Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur, Chairman 7th CPC, who is also a
Retired Justice of the Supreme Court is quite contradictory to the observation
made by Justice (Retd) Supreme Court Shri P. N. Singhal, chairman, Fourth CPC.
Further Justice Charanjit
Talwar Committee headed by Retired Justice Shri Charanjit Talwar of Delhi High
Court, who was the Chairman of the One-man Committee which examined the wages
and Service Conditions of Gramin Dak Sevaks (then EDAs) has made the following
recommendations in its report submitted to Government.
“Extra Departmental Agents
have to be included within the overall class of Civil Servants being holders of
civil posts. They can be grouped as “additional” to the departmental employees,
but they cannot be classified as a class apart from the Civil Servants. At any
rate they cannot be classified with the sole object of not granting them
benefits which accrue to departmental employee………………………………. The plea taken by
the Department before the second and third Pay Commissions and also before
various learned Tribunals that ED Agents are a class apart is entirely
misconceived. It is violative of Article 14 and 16 of the constitution…………. They have been held by the Supreme Court
to be Civil Servants. Therefore, these employees are required in future to be
included within the purview of the Pay Commission…………. It is therefore
recommended that whenever it is required to review the service conditions and
wage structure of the employees of the Department of Posts, ED Agents be
bracketed along with the departmental employees. There is no need to set up a
separate committee or commission for ED Agents.”
Here again the
recommendations made by Chairman 7th CPC is contradictory to the recommendations
of another Judge Shri. Charanjit Talwar.
Thus it can be safely
concluded that the 7th CPC has not examined the case of GDS in a
fair and judicial manner, but simply repeated the often – repeated arguments of
the Postal Board and Government of India to deny Justice to the three lakhs
Gramin Dak Sevaks.
We urge upon the Government
of India and Departmental of Post to reject the retrograde recommendations of
the 7th CPC relating to GDS and treat the GDS as Civil Servants and
extend all the benefits of the departmental employees on pro-rata basis to
Gramin Dak Sevaks also.
20. Implement Cadre restructuring Agreement of Group ‘C’
employees of Department of Posts before the implementation of 7th
CPC Recommendations.
The 7th Pay
Commission made the following observation regarding Cadre Review.
Para 1.26 – A serious
grievance has been made by all services that Cadre Review have not been taken
place for years together, which has resulted in great anguish and frustration
among the services. Though it is essentially an administrative matter, it has
serious impact on the status and emoluments of employees. On account of delay
in Cadre Reviews, many Central Services lag behind and that give rise to
frustration and ultimately affects governance.”
The above observations are
cent percent true in the case of Group ‘C’ employees of the Department of
Posts. Not even a single cadre review has been conducted in the Department of
Posts in respect of Group ‘C’ employees. Finally, after much pressure from the
staff side and after giving notice for an Indefinite strike, a Cadre
Restructuring Committee for Group ‘C’ was constituted in the year 2010. The
Committee after protracted negotiations, finally signed an agreed proposal in
the month of April 2013. Before that three separate Cadre Restructuring
Committees constituted for Mail Motor Service (MMS) , Postal Accounts and Civil
wing have also concluded their business and agreement was signed by both
Department and staff side. Eventhough two years are over after signing the
agreement (four years after constituting the committees) till this day the Cadre
Restructuring Committees proposal are not implemented, thereby delaying and
denying the Group C employees their legitimate career improvement.
We strongly protest the undue
delay in implementing the Cadre Restructuring agreements and demand the
Department to take immediate necessary action to implement the proposals before
implementation of 7th CPC recommendations.
21. Filling up of Vacant Posts.
The 7th CPC has made the following shocking
revelations in its report regarding unfilled posts remaining vacant in the
Postal Department.
Para 11.8.3 – In the Postal Department there are 59817 vacant
posts (Group A-131, Group B-3029 and Group C – 56657)
It may be seen that out of 59817 posts 56657 posts are lying vacant in
Group ‘C’ cadre. That means about 30% posts are vacant and the existing
employees are compelled to shoulder the additional work of this 30% vacant
posts also. Not only that, the efficiency of the Postal Department including
delivery work and counter work are badly affected due to non-filing up of
vacant posts.
As there is no ban on
filling up of vacant posts from 2010 onwards, the Postal Board cannot absolve
itself from its failure to fill up the vacant posts.
We urge upon the Postal
Board to take immediate action, on war-footing, to fill up all the posts lying
vacant in the Postal Department.
(Please refer Chapter XXVIII of our memorandum submitted to 7th
CPC also.)
22. Modified Assured Progression Scheme (MACP)
Referring our demand for five Assured Carreer Progression the
7th CPC has made the following recommendations relating to MACP.
Para 5.1.44 – There is no justification for increasing the
frequency of MACP and it will continue to be administered as 10,20,30 years as
before. In the new pay matrix, the employee will move to the immediate next
level in the hierarchy. Fixation of pay will follow the same principle as that
for a regular promotion in the pay matrix.
In addition the commission
has made the following retrograde recommendations also:
Para 5.1.45 – The commission recommends
that the bench mark in the interest of improving performance level, be enhanced
from “good” to “very good”. In addition introduction of more stringent criteria
such as clearing of departmental examination or mandatory training before grant
of MACP can also be considered.
We strongly oppose the above two conditions (i.e. “very good”
benchmark and Examination) proposed by the 7th CPC. We request the
Department and Government of India to reject the above two retrograde
conditions recommended by 7th CPC.
Further the following
demands submitted by us to the 7th CPC in Chapter XX of our
memorandum has not been considered by the 7th CPC. We request the
department to consider the demands and recommend to the Government for
acceptance.
(a)
As there is only limited chance for regular promotions in
Postal Department, there should be five financial upgradaiton on completion of
8 years, 7 years, 6 years, 5 years and four years. (during a span of 30 years
of service) in the departmental promotional hierarchy (and not the next pay
scale in the hierarchy.)
(b)
The period of service worked as “Reserved Trained Pool” (RTP)
candidate and also 50% of the Temporary Status/Casual labourers service and
pre-appointment Training period may be counted as regular service for grant of
MACP
(c)
Whenever Departmental Examination oriented promotions are
granted, the service rendered by such employees in the lower post must be
ignored and such promotion shall be treated as first (fresh appointment in that
cadre and fresh MACP promotion shall commence from the date of such promotion.
The CAT Jodhpur Bench and Rajasthan High Court has upheld the above position.
Hence it is requested that the promotion earned through departmental
examination should not be counted towards MACP and all promotees may be granted
eligible 3rd MACP.
(d)
Stepping up of pay with that of junior may be permitted in
MACP also.
(e)
Bench marks should be abolished.
(f)
If regular promotion and the MACP upgradation are in the
identical pay two increment fixation benefit should be granted.
23. Special
Pay, Allowances and incentives:
Please refer to chapter XXXI
and XXXII of our memorandum submitted to 7th CPC. The following
allowances may be retained and enhanced as demanded by us in the memorandum
(a)
Cash handling allowance to Treasurers/Cashiers – Also Same
amount may be granted to Treasures and Cashier.
(b)
Cash handling allowance to SPMs in A class post offices.
(c)
Cash handling allowance to single/double handed post offices.
(d)
Split duty allowance.
(e)
Outstation Allowance.
(f)
Fixed Monetary Compensation and double duty allowance to
Postmen in lieu of OTA. If the recommendations of pay Commission is accepted
the existing compensation will be reduced.
(g)
Savings Bank Allowance.
(h)
Incentive to Staff working on AMPC.
(i)
Overtime allowance to be granted with reference to the
revised pay.
(j) Family Planning Allowance may be retained and
enhanced.
(k) Dress allowance- the
higher slab of 10000/- may be granted and
Postal Department’s name may also be included in the list of departments
eligible for dress allowance.
(l) Incentives for sports persons may be
retained.
The recommendation of the 7th
CPC to abolish Cash handling allowance, Savings Bank Allowance, Overtime
Allowance etc. may be rejected and continued grant of such allowances at
enhanced rate may be ensured.
24. Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) to Postal Employees.
Please refer to chapter XXXXI of our memorandum submitted to 7th
CPC. The artificial cap of 60 days imposed by Finance Ministry on PLB to Postal
employees may be removed and maximum eligible Bonus as per PLB formula may be
granted.
25. Counting of Past Services of RTP
Please refer to chapter XXVII of our memorandum submitted to 7th
CPC. We once again request to render justice to the deserving genuine case of
Erst-while Reserved Trained Pool (RTP) official of the Postal department
atleast by counting their RTP services as qualifying service for all purposes
including MACP promotion and pensionary benefits.
26. Women Employees
(a)
Child Care Leave: The recommendation of the 7th
CPC to restrict the Pay and allowances for the 2nd year of child
care leave to 80% may be rejected and status-quo may be maintained. Chapter
XXXIX of our memorandum submitted to 7th CPC may be referred and our
deamands in respect of women employees may be considered favourably and
recommended for acceptance of the Government.
27. Leave Reserve
Our demand to increase leave reserve percentage of Postal Assistant,
Sorting Assistant and Postmen to 20% may be considered favourably. Refer
chapter XXXIII of our memorandum. Similarly various issues which merit
consideration submitted by us to 7th CPC in chapter XXXIV of our
memorandum may be considered favourably.
28. Charge Allowance to Postmasters
Our demand for grant of charge allowance to Postmaster (see chapter XXXV
of our memorandum may be considered favourably.
29. Holidays, Casual Leave
The following demands may be considered favourably
(a)
Closure of all RMS offices on sundays and holidays.
(b)
Enhance casual leave to 15 days.
(c)
Grant Holiday for May Day (1st May).
30. Casual, Part-Time, Contingent Employees
Please refer to chapter
XXXXII of our memorandum submitted to 7th CPC. Following demands may
be considered favourbaly for implementation.
(a)
Department should evolve a scheme by which all casual,
contingent and daily-rated workers are regularized with all the concomitant
benefit available for regular Government employees.
(b)
Pending finalistaion of such a scheme for regularization, the
non-regular employees (Part Time, Casual and Contingent employees) must be paid
pro-rata wages at par with the similarly placed regular employees on the
principle of equal pay for equal work.
31. Stenographers
(a) We demand that parity with CSSS pay
scales may be granted to the Stenographers working in Postal
Department also as they are also selected through Staff Selection Commission.
(b) Cadre Restructuring Proposals in
respect of Stenographers of the Postal department may be implemented before
implementation of 7th CPC recommendations.
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