Friday, March 27, 2009

GDS DA ORDERS ALSO ISSUED TODAY

 
TODAY POSTAL DIRECTORATE ISSUED ORDERS ENDORSING PAYMENT OF 10% DA TO GDS W.E.F. 1.1.2009. AS IN THE CASE OF REGULAR EMPLOYEES THIS DA INCREASE AND ARREARS WOULD BE PAID ON 1.4.2009. COPY OF ORDERS IS REPRODUCED BELOW:
 
Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

(Establishment Division)

Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg

 

 

 

No. 14-S-2009-PAP   Dated 27th March 2009

 

All Chief Postmasters General

 

All Postmasters General

 

All Directors/Dy. Director of Account (postal)

 

 

 

Subject:          Payment of Dearness Allowance to Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) at revised rates with effect from 01-01-2009.

 

Sir/Madam,

 

Consequent upon grant of another installment of dearness allowance w.e.f. 01-01-2009 to Central Government Employees, continuing to draw their pay in their pre-revised scales or to those whose pay and allowances have not been revised vide Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure New Delhi O.M. No. 1(3)/2008-E.1I (B) dt. 19-03-2009, the Gramin Dak Sevaks whose TRCA has not been revised have also become entitled to the payment of Dearness allowance at the revised rate with effect from 01-01-2009. It has therefore been decided that, the dearness allowance payable to the Gramin Dak Sevaks shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 104 % to 114% ( One Hundred and fourteen percent) on Time related Continuity allowance with effect from 01-01-2009.

 

2.                    The Additional   installment of dearness allowance payable under this order shall be paid in cash to all Gramin Dak Sevaks. The payment of arrears of dearness allowance for the months of January and February, 2009 shall not be made before the date of disbursement of TRCA of March 2009.

 

3.                  The expenditure is debatable to the Head of account" salaries" under the relevant head and should ,be met from the sanctioned grant.

 

4.                  This issues with the concurrence of Integrated Finance wing vide theirDiary no. 52/FA/09 /03 dt. 27.3.2009.

 

 

5.         Hindi version of this letter will follow.

 

 

 

Sd/-

(K. Rameswara Rao)

Asst. Director General (Estt) 27-03-09

 



--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

ORDERS ISSUED ON GROUP D FIXATION OF PAY AND SUBSTITUTES WAGES

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS TODAY ISSUES ORDERS FOR FIXATION OF REVISED PAY SCALES FOR NON-MATRICULATE UPGRADED GROUP 'D'
 
GROUP 'D' WILL BE HEREAFTER CALLED 'MULTI SKILLED EMPLOYEE' AND THEIR ADDITIONAL DUTIES INTIMATED IN THE SAME ORDER
 
GDS WORKING AS SUBSTITUTES IN POSTMEN / MAIL GUARDS / GROUP 'D' ALSO WILL GET REMUNERATION BASED ON THE REVISED WAGES W.E.F. 1.1.2006
 
Dear Comrades - Both the Orders issued by the Department of Posts today after getting the permission of the Ministry of Finance is reproduced below for the information of all comrades.
 

No.1-20/2008-PCC

Government of India

Ministry of Communication & IT

Department of Posts

(PC Cell)

 

 

Dated 27.03.2009

 

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

 

Subject: Placement of non matriculate Group 'D' employees in the Pay Band PB-1 with effect from 1.1.2006

 

Consequent upon the  acceptance of the recommendations of Sixth Central Pay Commission by the Government, non-matriculate Government servants who were in the pre-revised Group 'D' scales are to be granted the revised pay structure in the following manner:

 

(i)                   Placement of all such employees initially in the corresponding -1S pay scale of Rs.4440-7440 with appropriate grade pay Rs.1300, Rs.1400, Rs.1600, and Rs.1650 w.e.f. 1.1.2006.

(ii)                 Fixation of pay of those employees, who already possess the revised minimum qualification of Matriculation or its equivalent, in PB-1 with grade pay of Rs.1800 with effect from 1.1.2006.

(iii)                Those employees who do not possess the prescribed minimum qualification would need to be retrained before being placed in the PB-1 pay band with grade pay of Rs.1800.

 

2. The Sixth CPC, while recommending higher pay scale to non-matriculate Group 'D' in PB-1, has suggested that job description of Group 'D' posts shall also be revised and redefined with emphasis on multi-skilling so that a single employee is able to perform various jobs. As per Rule 151 of Postal Manual Volume VI Part –III the Group 'D' posts in the Department of Posts are of the nature of general assistance in the office who must be ready to give their help wherever required. The duties of Group 'D' have also  been defined in Rules 144 to 152 of Postal Manual Vol VI Part III, which include wide range of functions. Keeping in view the changed environment and need of the time, following additional duties shall be entrusted to the staff in the Post Offices, RMS Offices and Administrative Offices who were in the pre-revised Group 'D' scales in addition to their existing duties:-

 

(A). Post Offices:

 

i.                     Sorting Mail

ii.                   Preparation of Mail/Register/Parcel Lists (Other than Insured lists), Regd/Parcel delivery slips, VP Receipts, Delivery lists for Registered articles, Money Order issue/paid lists, ACquittance Rolls etc

iii.                  Sale of Postage Stamps and Stationery

iv.                 Booking of Registered/Parcel articles

v.                   Basic data entry on Computers

vi.                 Record keeping

vii.                Booking of Speed Post articles

viii.              Receipt and dispatch of mails

ix.                 Duties of Caretaker

x.                   Any other duty assigned by the office.

 

(B). RMS Offices:

 

i.                     Sorting Mail

ii.                   Preparation of Mail/Registered/Parcel Lists

iii.                  Sale of Postage Stamps and Stationery

iv.                 Booking of Registered/Parcel articles

v.                   Basic data entry on Computers

vi.                 Record keeping

vii.                Booking of Speed Post articles

viii.              Receipt and dispatch of mails

ix.                 Handling customer enquires

x.                   Duties of Caretaker

xi.                 Any other duty assigned by the office.

 

(C). Administrative/Other Offices including DA(P)s:

 

i.                     Maintenance of Diary/Dispatch/Movement Registers or making entries in the computer

ii.                   Linking of receipts in the files already opened

iii.                  Submission of periodical statements of routine nature like Absentee Statement etc

iv.                 Indenting and maintenance of Stationery in the Section/office

v.                   Record keeping

vi.                 Photocopying and preparation of sets

vii.                Duties of Caretaker

viii.              Basic date entry on Computers

ix.                 Any other duty assigned by the office

 

These employees will henceforth be known by the generic term of "Multi Skilled Employees". However, the specific designations like Mail Peon, Mail Man etc will continue and they will continue to perform the existing duties along with the assigned additional duties.

 

3. The issue was referred to Ministry of Finance for fixation of the pay scales of these employees of Department of Posts before completion of the training and that Ministry has concurred in the proposal subject to the conditions that necessary computer training may be provided to enhance their skill. Action may be initiated by the Heads of Circles to complete the required training on computer operations in consultation with the Training Division of the Directorate. Training Division of the Directorate will take necessary action to get the module developed to train all such non-matriculate employees in basic data entry and circulate to all Circles. The Divisional Superintendents/Controlling Authorities should ensure that the training is imparted and required certificate is issued about completion of the prescribed training and necessary entry recorded in the Service Book of each official.

 

4. (i) All the Multi Skilled Employees who were in the pre-revised Group 'D' pay scales will be placed in the revised pay bands as indicated below with effect from 1.1.2006:

 

Category

Pre-revised Pay Scale

Revised

Pay Band

Grade Pay

Postal & RMS Offices (Test Category)

Rs.2550-55-2660-60-3200

Rs.5200-20200

Rs.1800

 

Administrative Officers (Test Category)

Rs.2550-55-2660-60-3200

Rs.5200-20200

Rs.1800

 

Unskilled

Rs.2550-55-2660-60-3200

Rs.5200-20200

Rs.1800

 

Semi Skilled

Rs.2650-65-3300-70-4000

Rs.5200-20200

Rs.1800

 

All Non Test Category staff

Rs.2550-55-2660-60-3200

Rs.5200-20200

Rs.1800

 

 

(ii) Inter-se seniority of all the employees in erstwhile Group 'D' will be fully maintained with Group 'D' employee in a higher Fifth CPC pay scale being placed higher vis-à-vis an employee in a lower pay scale. Within the same pre-revised pay scale, the seniority will be fixed on the basis of date on which the person came to be placed in that pay scale.

 

5. Heads of Circles will please issue necessary instructions to all the concerned to take prompt  action to complete the entire process including training by 30.04.2009 and report compliance to the undersigned latest by 15.05.2009.

 

6. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, I.C. vide their U.O.No. 7.6/7/2009-IC dated 12.3.2009.

 

Sd/-

(A.K.Sharma)

DDG (Esttt)

 

To

All Chief Postmasters General

 

 

 

 

 

 

No.1-20/2008-PCC

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

 

Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi – 110001

Dated: 27.03.2009

 

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

 

Subject: Remuneration to be paid to the Gramin Dak Sevaks engaged as substitutes in short-term vacancies of Postmen/Mail Guards and Group 'D'

               

Consequent upon the implementation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission's recommendations, the matter regarding the rates of remuneration payable to Gramin Dak Sevaks engaged as substitutes in short term departmental vacancies of Postmen, Mail Guards & Group 'D' (Future Multi Skilled Employee) has been reviewed.

 

2. It has now been decided that the remuneration of the Gramin Dak Sevaks engaged as substitutes in short term departmental vacancies of Postmen, Mail Guards & Group 'D' (Future Multi Skilled Employee) may be calculated on the basis of the minimum of the pay in the respective revised pay band of the post plus grade pay concerned i.e. Posmen, Mail Guards Rs.5200 + Rs.2000 and Group 'D' Rs.5200 + Rs.1800 as the case may be as defined in the CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 plus admissible Dearness Allowance thereon only excluding House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance with effect from 1.1.2006.

 

3. In future, GDS who are willing to work as substitutes with the minimum pay of the revised pay band of the respective post plus admissible DA excluding House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance,, should be engaged as substitutes only after obtaining an undertaking in this regard.

 

4. The issue relating to grant of revised wages to casual labourers of Full time / part time contingent workers is under examination and orders will be issued separately.

 

5. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, I.C. vide their U.O. No.7.6/7/2009-IC dated 12.3.2009.

 

Sd/-

(A.K.Sharma)

Dy.Director General (PCC)



--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

GDS COMMITTEE IMPLEMENTATION MAY BE AFTER ELECTIONS ONLY

GDS COMMITTEE PROPOSALS OF THE DEPARTMENT AFTER APPROVAL BY THE HONOURABLE MOC & IT ARE REPORTEDLY SUBMITTED TO THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
 
THE WHOLE PROCESS IN THE MOF - DOPT - CABINET - AND THEN PROBABLY CONSENT FROM ELECTION COMMISSION - MIGHT TAKE TIME AND THEREFORE IMPLEMENTATION OF GDS COMMITTEE BEFORE GENERAL ELECTIONS IS HIGHLY REMOTE
 
IMPLEMENTATION MIGHT BE POSSIBLE ONLY AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTIONS
 
PROPOSAL FOR ADHOC PAYMENT OF 40% ARREARS OUT OF 20% ADHOC RAISE IN TRCA AS ON 1.1.2006 IS PENDING FOR APPROAVAL BY THE HONOURABLE MOC&IT - CHANCES OF ITS PAYMENT IS DEPENDING ON THE FILE GOING TO FINANCE AND APPROVAL GRANTED BY THE FINANCE ETC -
 
GROUP D FIXATION OF HIGHER WAGES IS STILL NOT CLEARED BY THE DEPARTMENT - PAID SUBSTITUTES WAGES ALSO NOT YET CLEARED THOUGH THE MOF CLEARANCE HAS BEEN REPORTEDLY OBTAINED -
 
PART TIME CONTINGENT ISSUE WILL TAKE SOME TIME - WE FEEL NOT BEFORE GENERAL ELECTIONS IT WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR PART TIME CONTINGENT
 
3 ACP ORDERS DEPENDS ON THE PERMISSION FROM THE ELECTION COMMISSION - LETTER FROM DOPT HAS GONE TO ELECTION COMMISSION JUST TWO DAYS BEFORE ONLY
 
NFPE MET MEMBER [P] TODAY AND REQUESTED FOR SANCTION OF FLOOD ADVANCE TO TAMILNADU POSTAL EMPLOYEES AFFECTED BY NISHA CYCLONE / FLOODS BASED ON SUCH PAYMENT BY INCOME TAX / AUDIT ETC
 
UPDATES / DEVELOPMENTS ON GDS AND ALSO ON ALL OTHER ISSUES WOULD BE MADE IN OUR WEBSITES AS AND WHEN THERE IS ANY POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT - COMRADES ARE REQUESTED TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
 
 

 

 


--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

Thursday, March 19, 2009

DA ORDERS ENDORSED BY DOP

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS ENDORSED 6% DA ORDERS ON 17.03.2009

PAYMENT ON 1.4.2009

CORRESPONDING ORDERS FOR GDS AFTER APPROVAL

DA INCREASE OF 6% FROM 1.1.2009 HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE DOP AS FOLLOWS:

Government of India
Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
Department of Posts
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi - 110001

No.8-1/2009-PAP Dated 17th March 2009

Sub: Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government Employees - Revised Rates effective from 1.1.2009.

Sir,

The undersigned is directed to forward herewith a copy of O.M.No.1(1)/2009-E.II (B) dated 13th March, 2009 received from Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure on the subject mentioned above, for information/guidance and necessary action.

Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(B.P.Sridevi)
Directior (T&E)

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

NEWS FLASH


It is realiably learnt that the Department is working out a proposal for effecting drawal of ad-hoc quantum of arrears to GDS on the following method.

20% of TRCA + DA as on 01.01.2006 X 38 months and payment of 40% of the calculations before 31.03.2009 towards arrears subject to adjustment of remaining amount after the implementation of GDS committee report.

The proposal is likely to be forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for approval after approval by the Honourable MOC&IT within a day or two. If approved by MOF, the Payment will be effected before 31.03.2009.
However as already pointed out in our web sites, the proposals of the Department of Posts on GDS Committee have been forwarded to the Honourable MOC&IT before submission to the Ministry of Finance.


--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

Monday, March 16, 2009

HIGHLIGHTS


हैलैट्स - GDS


GDS कमिटी शिपारिसों के ऊपर पोस्टल बोर्ड जो फैनालैस किया था उस फाइल में जे एस & ऍफ़ ऐ ने [डाक भवन में बैटथी हैं] अपना साइन पिछले FRIDAY को कर धिया है ! सेक्रेटरी डिपार्टमेन्ट ऑफ़ पोस्ट्स साइन करेंगे और अपनी मंत्री महोदय के साइन के लिए फाइल जानेवाला है ! मंत्री महोदय साइन करेंगे उसके बाद finance ministry को फाइल जाएगा! Finance और DOPT clearence के बाद फाइल Cabinet को जाएगा! अब तक डिपार्टमेन्ट का फैनल proposal हमको information नहीं है ! मगर हमने एह पता किया है की डिपार्टमेन्ट ने DCRG को 75000 तक enhance करने की लिए proposal किया है ! Pension बाद में फैनालैस किया जाएगा ! TRCA जैसे GOPINATH कमिटी ने recommend किया था वैसे किया जाएगा मगर Natarajamurti ने जो recommend किया था की BPM का scale पाँच tier रहेगा! GDS Mail Deliverer को दो Tier रहेगा मगर new recruitment लोगों को Three Tier किया जाएगा! OMA और FSC दोनों को merge किया जाएगा और 250 Rupees महीने में दिया जाएगा! वैसे ही Combined ड्यूटी Allowance हर combination के लिए 500 Rupees दिया जाएगा!


एह सब हमको डिपार्टमेन्ट ने नहीं बताया मगर अपनी कोई source से पता किया है ! आज या कल फाइल MOC&IT के पास जाएगा और उसके बाद Ministry ऑफ़ Finance को जाएगा!


इसलिए हमको ऐसा लगता है की जो modifications हमने GDS कमिटी recommendations के ऊपर demand किया उसको डिपार्टमेन्ट ने पुरी रूप से accept नहीं किया है ! इसलिए Elections के बाद Struggle करने की avasyaktha है! और अब जो elections समय है इसमें हमारी पुरी Campaign sabi political parties और लोगों के बीच में जाना चाहिए! Election के बाद उसका असर पड़ेगा! NFPE ने 16 -03 - 2009 से 30 - 03 - 2009 तक 'CAMPAIGN FORTNIGHT' करने की लिए programme call दिया है!

HIGHLIGHTS

 

GDS COMMITTEE PROPOSALS CLEARED BY THE JS&FA ON FRIDAY EVENING – FILE IS GOING TO THE MOC&IT BEFORE ITS ONWARD TRANSMISSION TO THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE.

 

GROUP D NON-MATRICULATE HIGHER PAY SCALE FIXATION  CLERED BY THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE – ORDERS WILL BE ISSUED SHORTLY FOR IMMEDIATE FIXATION  AND IMPARTING TRAINING LATER.

 

PAID SUBSTITUTTES AT THE MINIMUM OF GROUP D / POSTMEN WAGES + DEARNESS ALLOWANCE + GRADE PAY WITHOUT HRA– FILE CLEARED BY THE JS&FA – RELEASE OF ORDERS  SOON

 

PART TIME / CONTINGENT HIGHER WAGES IS NOT YET CLEARED BY JS&FA – NFPE IS WRITING A LETTER AGAIN ON THIS ISSUE

 

Dear Comrdes!

 

  1. File cleared by the JS &  FA on the GDS Committee recommendation on Friday evening. The file has gone to Secretary [P] for signature and is expected to go the Honourable Minister of Communications & IT for approval shortly. After the MOC signing, the file will go the Ministry of Finance. We are not aware of the final proposals going to the MOF but we learn that the Gratuity amount is further increased to Rs.75,000; TRCA kept as recommended by Gopinath Committee but for GDS BPM there will be 5 stages; For other GDS there will be 2 stages for the existing and 3 stages for future recruits; Pension related issue would be decided after further considerations; and Rate of increment will be 2%. It is also learnt that instead of OMA and FSC being paid separately, these two will be clubbed together and a sum of Rs.250/- will be paid per month; Combined Duty allowance is fixed as Rs.500/- per combination. If the above is the actual position, then the modifications suggested by the staff side stand not fully accepted. We feel that there should be a united movement in future after the new Government in position for necessary modifications in the implementation. However, it is time for the rank and file to launch a powerful campaign from 16th March 2009 and during the entire period of elections to attract the attention of all the political parties and leaders, which will be useful for effecting the staff side modifications after the new Parliament in position. Therefore as matters stand, the proposals of the Department as cleared by the JS&FA are going to MOF & DOPT after the signature of Secretary [P] and MOC&IT. Thereafter it will go the Cabinet for approval.

 

  1. The Ministry of Finance has cleared the file for fixing the higher pay scales for all Non-Matriculate Group D also with the provision that the necessary training would be imparted later. We learn the orders on this issue would be released soon by the Directorate.

 

  1. The fixation of higher pay scales for Paid Substitutes in the place of Group D and Postmen etc is reportedly cleared by the JS&FA. The minimum of Pay Band and Grade Pay and Dearness Allowance of the Group D or the Postmen will be taken into account for computing the daily wages of the Paid Substitutes working in places of Group D or Postman. Orders are expected very soon.

 

  1. There is some hurdle still for granting higher wages for Part Time Contingent workers. NFPE will be discussing the issue further with the Directorate on this issue. However the demand is already included in the Charter of Minimum Demands for launching the 'CAMPAIGN FORTNIGHT' from 16th March 2009 by the NFPE Federal Secretariat.

 

  1. NFPE requests the rank and file to effectively launch the CAMPAIGN FORTNIGHT from 16.03.2009 to 30.03.2009 to highlight the necessity of modifications in the GDS Committee; Higher Wages to the Part Time Contingent workers; Non-filling up of vacant posts; Non-exemption of Postal from the purview of Screening Committee; Quickening of Cadre Review etc. 


--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

Saturday, March 14, 2009

   HIGHLIGHTS FROM HEADQUARTERS

 
GDS FINAL PROPOSALS ARE STILL TO GO TO FINANCE MINISTRY – DEPARTMENT'S PROPOSALS ARE UNDERGOING JS&FA SCRUITINY STILL – ALL INDIA POSTAL JCA IS GIVING A LETTER ON MONDAY TO SECRETARY [P] FOR EXPEDITING IMPLEMENTATION

 

MINISTRY OF FINANCE ORDERS ON SANCTION OF 6% DA FROM 1.1.2009 HAS BEEN RELEASED – DEPARTMENT OF POSTS ENDORSEMENT ORDERS LIKELY ON MONDAY

 

3 ACP ORDERS – DOPT HAS SOUGHT ELECTION COMMISSION PERMISSION – REPLY FROM ELECTION COMMISSION AWAITED

 

NFPE DELEGATION MET MEMBER [P] AND URGED FOR ORDERS ON GROUP D FIXATION OF HIGHER PAY / TRAINING; CASUAL/PART TIME FIXATION OF HIGHER PAY ETC

 

NFPE ADDRESSED A LETTER TO SECRETARY FOR EXPEDITING IMPLEMENTATION OF MOC ORDERS ON 14 DAYS STRIKE LEAVE

 

TRANSFER OF INTERNATIONAL SURFACE MAILS FROM FOREIGN POST TO APSO OPPOSED BY NFPE

 

OUTSOURCING OF DELIVERY WORK IN SPEED POST PREMIUM CENTRES OPPOSED BY NFPE

 

ENTERTAINING THE WORK OF DATE COLLECTION FOR COMPUTING RURAL PRICE INDEX FOR CALCULATING RURAL DA FORMULA BY THE DEPARTMENT OF POSTS IS ALSO OPPOSED BY NFPE

 

NFPE CALLS UPON THE RANK AND FILE TO CARRY ON A POWERFUL CAMPAIGN FORTNIGHT AS DECIDED UPON BY THE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT FROM 16.03.2009 TO 30.03.2009 TO FOCUS ON THE URGENT CHARTER OF DEMANDS

 

Dear Comrades!

 

  1. The implementation of GDS Committee recommendations is still not happening. We were assured that before the election announcement the implementation would be done. The matter is still pending before the JS&FA in spite of the fact that the Department has finalised the proposals. The General Elections have been announced. We were earlier assured by the Secretary [P] that the code of conduct of elections would not affect our implementation of the GDS Committee Report. The three lakhs of GDS all over the country are frustrated. We are aware of their frustration. The matter was therefore consulted between the Postal JCA and a letter to Secretary [P] would be given seeking steps for immediate implementation. The letter to be handed over to Secretary [P] on Monday is as follows:

 

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

1ST Floor, North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi – 110001

 

FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANISATIONS

T-24, Atrul Grove Road, New Delhi - 110001

 

                                                      

 

 

Postal JCA/2009                                                                       Dated 14th March 2009

 

 

To

 

Ms. Radhika Doraiswamy

Secretary

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan

New Delhi – 110001

 

 

Sub: Implementation of GDS Committee recommendations – reg.

 

Madam,

 

The Staff Side conveys the anguish and disillusionment of three lakhs of Gramin Dak Sewaks over the non-implementation of GDS Committee recommendations. The Staff Side was assured many times that the GDS Committee recommendations would be implemented before the announcement of General Elections, which is yet to happen.

 

Both the Federations have learnt that the proposals of the Department are being studied by the JS&FA for the past three weeks. The election schedule has been announced. The entirety of the Gramin Dak Sewaks is justifiably restive. In short the 50% of work force of the Postal Department is unhappy and on the verge of total frustration. No doubt the efficiency of the rural postal services would be dented in the backdrop of total disillusionment amongst the rural postal employees.

 

Our Federations would like to seek your personal intervention in ensuring the quick processing of the issue at all levels for implementation at the earliest. We hope you would appreciate our concerns and would cause all necessary action for quick implementation.

 

Thanking you,

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

[D.Theagarajan]                                            [K.Ragavendran]

Secretary General                                         Secretary General

FNPO                                                              NFPE

 

 

 

  1. Ministry of Finance Orders on sanction of 6% DA from 1.1.2009 has been issued on 13.03.2009. The endorsement orders by the Department of Posts are likely on Monday. The order will be effective from the Pay of March 2009 and the arrears for January and February also is ordered not to be paid before the Pay Day for March 2009.

 

  1. According to our information the Director JCA has sent a letter to the Election Commission seeking permission for the release of the ACP Orders. The reply is not yet received from the Election Commission. We are watching the development eagerly. As soon as the Orders are issued we would place the highlight in our websites.

  

  1. NFPE Delegation consisting of Comrades K.Ragavendran [SG NFPE]; K.V.Sridharan [GS P3]; Ishwar Singh Dabas [GS P4]; Giriraj Singh [GS R3] met the Member [P] last week and discussed certain urgent problems. The issue of long pending OTA and personal claims in all circles was discussed in detail. Member [P] invited the DDG [PAF] and the Director [SR] also to our discussion and assured to seriously analyse the whole issue. On the issue of Group D fixation of higher pay on training, we pointed out that we were told earlier that fixation would be given first and training would be imparted later. Member [P] told that the matter is being addressed seriously and we can expect the results quickly. We also brought to his notice that the issue of revised wages to Casual and Part time contingent etc is pending before the JS&FA for long and the delay is causing hardship to all. He assured to look into the matter.

 

 5. Even though the Order for conversion of 14 days strike period as EL was issued by the Directorate at the behest of the Honourable Minister of Communications & IT and all employees are asked to submit their applications forms, actual fund allotment has not taken place yet. Letter written to the Secretary [P] urging early allocation of funds for facilitating conversion to the officials and pensioners by the NFPE is reproduced below:

 

 

PF- 12(c ) / 2009                                                                        Dated 12th March 2009

 

To

 

Ms. Radhika Doraiswamy

Secretary

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan

New Delhi – 110001

 

Sub: Early implementation of orders of Honourable MOC&IT for conversion of 14 days of year 2000 Indefinite Strike as eligible Earned Leave – reg.

 

Ref: DOP No.10-12/2007-SR Dated 27.10.2008.

 

Madam,

 

This Federation is surprised to find out that the orders under reference issued at the behest of the Honourable Minister of Communications & IT as a one-time measure for converting the 14 days strike period of Indefinite Strike of year 2000 into eligible EL are inordinately delayed implementation except for collecting information about the number of officials who want conversion to make the budgetary provision.

 

More over there are many cases wherein officials who retired from service without the minimum 9 years 9 months mandatory service for getting entitled to Pension. The implementation of the above orders would benefit many of such officials become entitled to pension. The representations from such officials with their requisition for conversion of strike period into EL are also kept pending to cause the families continued to suffer.

 

This Federation would therefore urge upon your personal intervention to cause immediate budgetary allocation for implementation of the orders for converting the period of 14 days strike into EL for all the eligible officials in general and to the retired officials in particular who are looking forward to the implementation of this order for obtaining entitlement for minimum pension.

 

An early action in this matter would receive high appreciation of all officials.

 

Thanking you,

 

 

Yours faithfully,

               

Sd/-

[K.Ragavendran]

Secretary General

 

 

  1. NFPE has opposed strongly the transfer of the work of processing of international surface mails at APSOs instead of Foreign Post offices. We have conveyed that the employees of Foreign Posts all over the country are agitated over the unilateral orders. The letter addressed to Secretary [P] by NFPE is as under:

 

PF-43/2009                                                                                Dated 9th March 2009

 

To

Ms.Radhika Doraiswamy

Secretary       

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan

New Delhi – 110001

              

 

Sub: Transfer of processing of international surface mails to APSOs and

          Cancellation of Surface Parcel Services– reg.

Ref: 1] DO letter No.10-1/2008-CF dated 16.02.2009 from Deputy Director

        General [IR];

       2] DOP No.28-1/2008-CF dated 15.12.2008

 

This Federation is astonished to find that a DO letter from the DDG [IR] dated 16.02.2009 had emanated to make sweeping changes in violation of Foreign Post Manual to transfer the work of processing of international surface mails from Foreign Post Offices to APSOs.

 

Similarly we find that an order from the Directorate has gone vide DOP No.28-1/2008-CF dated 15.12.2008 to the effect that we will no longer be providing a Surface Parcel Service for outward international parcels.

 

The international surface and SAL LC/AO mails are being processed by the Foreign Post Offices and the international Airmail is processed by the APSOs. In the name of streamlining the processing and optimizing the resources, the processing of international surface mails has been taken out of Foreign Post Offices despite the fact that the Foreign Post has the expertise the handle the international surface and SAL LC/AO Mails and that the contents of the DO letter has violated the Foreign Post Manual in this matter. Unnecessary redeployment of staff of foreign post to the RMS side is an off-shoot of this change that is adding to the woes of the staff.

 

The total cancellation of surface international parcel mails might affect our traffic since those members of public who could not afford to the Airmail Parcels will turn elsewhere for sending their parcels. We are unable to understand the rationale of withdrawal of an existing service to the public. In addition to the above this Federation is also constrained to oppose the decision of the Department to the effect the delivery of international Air / SAL parcels directly to the addressees from the entry TMO itself instead of through delivery post offices.

 

These orders in general and the order for transferring the processing of international surface mails from foreign post to APSOs in particular have caused greater unrest and resentment amongst the staff. Mass demonstrations etc are also reported. It is requested that the status-quo-ante be restored and the matter may kindly be subjected to our mutual discussions.

 

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

 

 

[K.Ragavendran]

Secretary General

 

 

  1. NFPE also opposed the outsourcing contemplated in the Speed Post Premium Centres. The letter issued in this behalf is as follows:

 

To

 

The Secretary 

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan

New Delhi – 110001

 

Sub: Outsourcing in the Offices of Speed Post Premium Delivery Centres and other connected issues in running of Premium Centres.

Ref: DOP Order No.15-16/2007-BD&MD [Pt.II] Dated 6.11.2008

 

Sir,

 

This Federation is aware of the importance of efficient handling of speed post articles for delivery but would like to stress its view points on the following matters for appropriate consideration:

 

  1. The work load of each Speed Post Premium Delivery Centre should be scientifically assessed based on the number of Speed Post articles received for delivery and the number of speed postmen should be at least on the ratio of 100 articles per Postman. The number shall be reduced wherever the distance of the Speed Post Beat is large. These are necessary to sustain the performance level above bench mark.

 

  1. On the basis of the work load necessary posts of Postmen for Speed Post Delivery work should be deployed but no outsider or contract agents should be employed for carrying out the delivery work. Only regular postmen staff should be deployed. No outsourcing of any type in delivery work is to be resorted to by the department.

 

  1. As redeployment of some Postmen staff from different offices could not be avoided to prevent outsourcing of delivery work in speed post premium delivery centres, the resultant vacant posts of postmen should be managed only through the GDS and paid substitutes until recruitment of regular postmen against the vacancies is made. No outsourcing of delivery work through private agents should be resorted to.

 

This Federation urges on issue of suitable instructions to all the Circles in modification of the Directorate orders dated 6th November 2008 that speaks about entrusting the delivery work on contractual basis to agents, since outsourcing is not the desired direction that the department should prefer in order to get the total cooperation of the employees.

 

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

 

Sd/-

[K.Ragavendran]

Secretary General

 

 

  1. NFPE is opposed to the computation of a separate Rural DA Formula decided upon by the Government. We have requested the JCM Staff Side and the Confederation to take appropriate action. Meanwhile as we learnt that the Department of Posts has expressed its consent to perform the permanent work of data collection on rural price index, we have opposed the decision on the grounds of staff shortage. The letter written by the NFPE is reproduced below:

 

PF- 51/2009                                                                                       Dated 4th March 2009

 

To

 

The Secretary

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan            

New Delhi – 110001

 

 

Sub: Additional man power and filling up of all vacant posts before undertaking the work of rural price data collection by Department of Posts – reg

 

Sir,

 

This Federation is constrained to raise the following few points in the backdrop of the information that the Department of Posts had consented to the proposal of the Central Statistical Organisation [CSO] to undertake the work of Market Survey and Regular Price Collection for compilation of Consumer Price Index [Rural].

 

1.                                    The Action Taken Report of the Technical Advisory Committee on Statistics of Prices and Cost of Living constituted by the Central Statistical Organisation [CSO] of Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation reveals that the Ministry of Labour did not agree to the suggestion of integrated market survey and regular price data collection and even some major States have expressed their inability to undertake the rural price data collection work due to shortage of manpower resources.

 

2.                                    The above Action Taken Report also reveals that the Department of Posts had agreed to the proposal of the CSO for undertaking the above work of Market Survey and Regular Price Collection.

 

3.                                    This Federation is surprised that as to how the Department of Posts can express consent to undertake such a meticulous and extensive work when our own Department is facing acute shortage of staff?

 

4.                                    The Department of Posts is consistently losing man power. According to the Book of Information released by the Department of Posts the total Group C and D staff as on 31.03.1990 was 2,86,822 but has gone down to 2,15,585 as on 31.03.2007. This Department is also suffering from acute man power shortage but we have accepted the work without able to get the exemption from the Screening Committee to fill up all the vacant posts. More over there is no permission from the DOPT to create justified new jobs for such new Projects. Therefore such moves to add newer and newer commodities in the postal basket without any matching recruitment of new man power will only further cause deterioration in the efficiency of the basic postal operations.

 

5.                                    Even if the idea of the Department of Posts is to depend upon the Gramin Dak Sewaks in rural areas to undertake this job, it is pertinent to note that such round the year work cannot be simply included to them without affecting the efficiency of the postal net work, since the GDS are supposed to work not full time as like regular employees and the Department has not accepted the recommendation of the Justice Talwar Committee for providing full time work for the Gramin Dak Sewaks is there is justification. More over there is heavy work load thrust on the GDS in the shape of RPLI and the burden is too much on them for some commission. Unless the policy of the Department of Posts is changed to allow the GDS to work full time wherever justified with appropriate full time wages, such responsible work cannot be entrusted to them as part time work or one more work on payment of some commission or incentive.

 

6.                                    It is not out of place to mention that the Department of Posts has already launched a very ambitious scheme called the 'Project Arrow' and because of the shortage of staff the Project Arrow Offices are suffering heavily and the staff working there are put into unbearable work load. Moreover to man the shortage of Project Arrow offices, many non-Project-Arrow offices are kept under staffed. While the Department is struggling to maintain its own basic postal operations with full efficiency, why should we accept additional responsibilities on behalf of Central Statistical Organisations?

 

7.                                    The Department of Posts is considering outsourcing of its own operations due to the rejection of our request for filling up all the vacant posts by excluding them from the ambit of the Screening Committee, which the Staff Side is opposed to. Already hundreds of Franchisees have been licensed to outsource the postal operations on the face of stiff opposition from the unions and staff. So when the department is unable to maintain its own operations and opts for outsourcing, what is the rationale in agreeing to undertake strenuous and meticulous work on behalf of organisations like Central Statistical Organisation which is not being accepted by even Ministry of Labour or the State Governments with more man power than us in rural areas?

 

Therefore, this Federation requests you to reconsider the stand taken in this matter and to take up this matter with the DOPT Secretary headed Committee for total exemption of Screening Committee to facilitate filling up all the 24000 vacant posts of regular employees and thousands of vacant GDS employees in rural areas as well as permission to create justified new posts to undertake all such new projects without affecting the efficiency of the basic postal operations.

 

This Federation is hopeful that the Department of Posts would agree with our view points and would opt to drop the idea of accepting any statistical collection work on behalf of the Central Statistical Organisation.

 

Thanking you,

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Sd/-

[K.Ragavendran]

Secretary General

 

 

  1. NFPE Federal Secretariat has already called upon the entire rank and file of NFPE Organisations to organise A CAMPAIGN FORTNIGHT focussing the urgent 6 Charter of Demands. The demand of Non-fixation of revised wages to Casual / Part Time Contingent also may be added to the Charter and the Campaign be unleashed powerfully. This is election time and every voice of the workers would be observed by all. Our campaign would help us settlement of our justified demands if the campaign is intensive and extensive. The Charter of Demands on which the CAMPAIGN FORTNIGHT should be launched is as follows:

 

CAMPAIGN FORNIGHT FROM 16.03.2009 – 30.03.2009

 

CHARTER OF URGENT DEMANDS:

 

n  Implement GDS Committee recommendations with the modifications sought by  staff side without any delay.

n  Issue orders for higher wages for Casual / Part Time Contingent immediately.

n  Seeking intervention of the Honourable MOC&IT and the MOSC&IT for getting exemption from the purview of the Screening Committee for filling up the existing 24000 direct recruitment vacancies of 2005-2006; 2006-2007; and 2007-2008.

n  Finalise Cadre Review for all cadres in department of posts.

n  Stop the creation of Postmasters' Cadre.

n  Supply full strength in Project Arrow Offices without creating shortage in other offices.

n  No outsourcing of Postal Operations.

 

 



--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE