MINUTES OF
THE MEETING HELD ON 02/08/2013 IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM, DAK BHAVAN UNDER THE
CHAIRPERSONSHIP OF SECRETARY (POSTS) TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES RAISED BY THE PJC.
No. 8/4/2013-SR
Government of India
Ministry
of Communications & I.T.
Department
of Posts
(SR
Section)
Dak
Bhavan, Sansad Marg
New
Delhi, dated the 16th September, 2013
Minutes of
the meeting held on 02/08/2013 in the Committee Room, Dak
Bhavan
under the chairpersonship of Secretary (Posts) to discuss the
issues
raised by the PJCA.
Kindly find enclosed the minutes of
the meeting held on 02/08/2013 in the Committee Room, Dak Bhavan under the
chairpersonship of Secretary (Posts) to discuss the issues raised by the PJCA,
for necessary action at your end. Action
Taken Report may be sent to this office at the earliest.
(Arun
Malik)
Director
(SR)
Official Side:-
1.Shri S.K. Sinha,
CGM (MB&O) 2. Ms. Saroj
Punhani, JS & FA
3.Shri Alok Saxena,
Secretary (PSB) 4. Shri Vasumitra, DDG
(PO)
5.Shri V.K. Tiwary,
DDG (R&P) 6. Shri Anil Kumar, DDG
(Estt) 7.Shri V.P. Singh, DDG(P) 8. Shri
Rajneesh Kumar, DDG (PAF) 9.Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director (Estt) 10. Shri Aman Sharma, OSD to Secretary
(Posts) 11. Shri Raj Kumar, Director
(Staff) 12.Shri V.C. Kajla, Consultant
Staff Side:-
1.
Shri
M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE 2. Shri D. Theagarajan, Secretary General,
FNPO2. 2. Shri Giri Raj Singh, General Secretary, All India RMS & MMS
Employees Union. 3.Shri I.S. Dabas, General Secretary, A.I. Postal Emp. Union,
Mailguards & Gr. D / MTS.4. Shri P. Suresh, General Secretary, A.I. RMS
& MMS Emp. Union, Mailguards and Grade ‘D’ / MTS.5.Shri T. Satyanarayana,
Gen. Secy. A.I. Postal Accounts Emp. Association.6. Shri T.N. Rahate, Gen.
Secy. National Union of Postal Employees, Post & Gr. D / MTS CHQ.7. Shri P.
Panduranga Rao. 8. Shri Pranab Bhattarcharjee, Gen. Secy. All India Postal
Administrative Offices Emp. Union Gr. C & D.9. Shri R. Siva Narayan.10. Shri
G.P. Muthu Krishnan. 11. Shri O.P. Khanna, Gen. Secretary, A.I. Postal
Administrative Office Association.
12. Shri P.K. Gupta. 13. Shri Devender Kumar.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 02/08/2013 IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM, DAK
BHAVAN UNDER THE CHAIRPERSONSHIP OF SECRETARY (POSTS) TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES
RAISED BY THE PJC.
No. 8/4/2013-SR
Government of India
Ministry
of Communications & I.T.
Department
of Posts
(SR
Section)
Dak
Bhavan, Sansad Marg
New
Delhi, Dated the 16th September, 2013
A
meeting was held on 02/08/2013 in the Committee Room, Dak Bhavan under the
chairpersonship of Secretary (Posts) to discuss the issues raised by the PJCA
in the Memorandum submitted by them on 01/04/2013. A list of participants is annexed.
Secretary (PSB) welcomed the
participants and thereafter the discussions on the agenda items commenced. After deliberations the following decisions
were taken:
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S.
No.
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Agenda Item
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Decision taken
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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 recommendations
of the Postal Board and Minister, Communications.
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The proposal
has been approved by Department of Expenditure on 21/08/2013. The matter is now being placed before the
Cabinet for approval.
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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 State for communications has
also assured the staff side that needful will be done in this case.
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Data is being
collected from all circles regarding financial implications in case the cash
handling norms are revised. Circles
are being addressed to expedite response.
The proposal will be examined after the requisite data is collected.
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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 if 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
remuneration of the GDS and the policy relating to the same is reviewed every
ten years in consonance with the Pay Commission by a committee and accepted
by the
Finance
Ministry and Cabinet for implementation.
The policy governing remuneration of GDS is related to work load. If work load increases TRCA is
enhanced. On a similar analogy if work
load reduces, there is an impact on TRCA. Protection provided for GDS / BPMs
for a period of one year is a welfare oriented instruction guiding GDS to
increase his work load during the one year period. A fresh establishment review will be done
for such post offices at the end of this one year period, which will end in
October this year and a number of such offices identified and a decision will
be taken.
Secretary
(Posts) urged the staff side to convince GDS to make efforts to increase the
business which in turn will enhance the workload with consequent rise in TRCA
or maintenance of TRCA at the same level.
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d. Removal of
minimum 50 points conditions for GDS Compassionate appointment
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The
data reveals that present norms have yielded
compassionate engagement to an extent around 30% - 35% of the cases
which is much more than the regular departmental employees who are getting
only 5% as per DOPT guidelines based on the Hon’ble Supreme Court judgement,
which have restricted compassionate appointment to a maximum of 5% of the
total appointment in Government service.
The point system cannot be relaxed further to enhance the
compassionate appointment cases as it is presently much more than the Supreme
Court judgement norms.
Item
closed.
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e. Redeployment of GDS mailman posts in new
areas
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The PJCA has
accepted that this is a dying cadre.
Therefore, the work that was hitherto being performed by GDS MM will
be reflected in the future Establishment of Mail as per justification.
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f. Review of cash conveyance allowance –
Monthly ceiling of Rs.50/- to be
removed.
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Details will
be ascertained from circles to know the average expenditure incurred every
month by GDS / BPMs. Proposal will be
reviewed thereafter, so as to ensure that they are adequately compensated to
cover cost.
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g. Introduction of Health Scheme
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The proposal
for GDS health insurance scheme is under active consideration by Ministry of
Finance, Department of Expenditure.
On 21/08/2013
Secretary (Posts) has demi officially addressed Secretary (Expenditure) to
expedite the approval.
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h. Norms for RPLI
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GDS BPMs are
already being given incentive on RPLI @ 10% of the first year premium towards
RPLI policies and 2.5% of the renewal premium income collected by RPLI. No further revision is necessary at this
stage.
Item closed.
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t
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i. Providing norms for cash remittance from
BO to AO & Vice Versa
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The reply
sent by Director (SR) vide letter No.8-4/2013-SR dated 22/04/2013 stands
withdrawn.
A committee
has been formed to look into this issue.
The proposal “norms for cash remittance from BO to AO – vice-versa”-
will be examined on receipt of report of the committee.
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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 the cadre restructuring will not be linked with the IT Modernization
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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The Cadre
Restructuring Committee is being reconstituted.
Current Status /
Postscript
The Cadre
Restructuring Committee has been reconstituted under the Chairmanship of DDG
(P).
Sandhya
Rani Committee report on organizational restructure of MMS is under
consideration.
The
report of “cadre restructuring of Postal Accounts” has been approved by FA
and has been referred to Ministry of Finance.
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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
of field officers under the chairmanship of Shri Vishvapavan Pati, PMG,
Hyderabad Region has been constituted to suggest the manner in which the
report of the Monojit Kumar Committee can be implemented. On receipt of findings of this committee,
final view will be taken in consultation with nodal 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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A
separate meeting has been convened on 02/08/2013 under the chairmanship of Member (P), with
Secretaries General of NFPE & FNPO and General Secretaries of Postmen
unions and separate minutes issued.
All
Circles have initiated action for announcing vacancy of postmen and action
for filling up the posts is ongoing.
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5.
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Abnormal delay in
notifying HSG-I Recruitment 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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In view of
the observations of UPSC, file regarding RRs for HSG I has been referred back
to DOPT. The vacancies are being
filled by the circles as per provisions of the existing Rules by convening
DPC meetings.
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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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Meeting
will be convened under the chairmanship of Member (P) to examine individual
cases of non-filling of vacant posts.
The matter will be taken up with respective CPMGs for immediate
action.
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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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Meeting will be convened under the
chairmanship of Member (P) to consider these proposals and minutes will be
issued separately.
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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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After
deliberations, the PJCA agreed to drop this item.
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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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Meeting will
be convened with PJCA under the chairpersonship of Member (Operations) and
minutes will be issued separately.
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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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This item
will be discussed in a meeting to be convened under the chairmanship of
Member (P) and the minutes will be issued separately.
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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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This item
will be discussed in a meeting to be convened under the chairmanship of
Member (P) and the minutes will be issued separately.
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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 staff 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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Postal
Directorate has taken action to fill up DR Postal Assistant posts for years
2009 and 2010. 11,738 PAs / SAs DR
quota vacancies have been filled up.
Examination
for 4841 vacancies for the years 2011
and 2012 for PA / SA DR quota, has recently been held and result has been
declared. The selected candidates will
join their position on completion of pre-appointment formalities.
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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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Pending items
will be discussed in the JCM (Standing Committee meeting).
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14.
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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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A Committee
has been constituted under the chairmanship of DDG (R&P) to examine the
contents of Question Papers with reference to prescribed syllabus and submit
a report on the standard vis-a-vis the post for which examination is being
conducted and post which is appearing for the examination. .
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