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
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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