REPORT ON THE MEETING HELD AT POSTAL DIRECTORATE ON 03.11.2026
A meeting was held at the Department of Posts Directorate on 03.11.2026 to discuss the following important agenda items:Ship Packages
1. Rationalisation of Head Offices (HOs) and Sub Offices (SOs).
2. Merger of cadres – PA (CO/RO) and Sorting Assistant (SA) with PA (PO).
The meeting was chaired by the Member (Personnel) along with DDG (Establishment). The Secretary, Department of Posts, also joined the meeting towards the end.
On behalf of R-IV, NFPE, Comrades K. Mukthar Ahmed, General Secretary, R-IV; Kamal, Assistant General Secretary (AGS), R-IV; and Naveen Kumar, Assistant Circle Secretary (ACS), R-IV, Delhi Circle, participated in the meeting and strongly represented the views and concerns of the employees on the above agenda items.
1. Rationalisation of Head Offices and Sub Offices
The Department explained its proposal to rationalise the existing number of Head Offices and Sub Offices. The staff side strongly expressed its reservations and opposed any unnecessary reduction in the existing Head Offices.
Our representatives pointed out that:
There are 810 Head Offices against 746 districts in the country.- Even if the proposed criterion of "One District – One Head Post Office" is considered, the excess would work out to only 41 Head Offices.Ship Packages
- Further, if the norm of 25 Sub Offices per Head Office is applied and Sub Offices are distributed rationally, all the existing Head Offices can be retained.
- Therefore, there is no compelling justification for reducing the existing number of Head Offices.
The staff side also strongly objected to the argument that recurring work relating to the preparation of LPCs for transferring officials in Head Offices could be a reason for rationalisation. Such a minor administrative consideration cannot justify the closure or downgrading of important Head Offices.
2. Online Establishment Review
Regarding the proposed Online Establishment Review, our representatives pointed out that several manual activities and responsibilities performed by postal employees are not adequately captured in APT 2.0. Therefore, any establishment assessment based exclusively on the data available in APT 2.0 would not reflect the actual workload and manpower requirements of offices.
DDG (Establishment) advised that all associations should submit their detailed suggestions and objections in writing to the Directorate.
3. Closure of Sub Offices
The Department also explained its proposal to close Sub Offices based on the following criteria:
- Sub Offices not generating revenue.- Sub Offices located within a distance of 2 km in urban areas.
- Sub Offices located within a distance of 3 km in rural areas.
The staff side has serious concerns regarding this proposal, as the role of a Post Office cannot be assessed merely on the basis of revenue generation or geographical distance. Postal services are essential public services, particularly for rural and remote populations.Ship Packages
4. Merger of Cadres – PA (CO/RO), SA and PA (PO)
This was another major agenda item of the meeting. The staff side strongly objected to the proposed merger of the cadres of PA (CO/RO) and Sorting Assistant with PA (PO).
The primary justification put forward by the Department was that officials from the RMS side are reluctant to accept LSG and HSG promotions due to the fear of transfers.
Our representatives raised strong objections to this argument and expressed their concerns regarding the implications of the proposed cadre merger on the existing cadre structure, promotional avenues, service conditions and career progression of the employees.
The staff side made it clear that genuine issues relating to promotions and transfers should be addressed through appropriate administrative measures rather than resorting to cadre restructuring and merger.
5. Conclusion
The meeting concluded with the Member (Personnel) appealing to the staff-side representatives to submit their detailed suggestions and views on the above proposals to the Directorate.
CHQ R-IV, NFPE, reiterates its commitment to safeguarding the interests of postal employees. We shall continue to oppose any arbitrary rationalisation, unjustified closure of Post Offices and cadre merger proposals that adversely affect the service conditions, promotional avenues and career prospects of employees.PLI Insurance Solution
All Circle and Divisional Unions are requested to remain vigilant, discuss these issues at their respective levels and forward their valuable suggestions and inputs to CHQ for formulating a comprehensive response to the Directorate.
Unity and collective efforts are essential to protect the existing postal network, cadre structure and legitimate rights of postal employees.
