STATUS REPORT ON THE MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED TO
THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF POSTS BY POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION(PJCA).
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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