GIST OF DISCUSSION WITH SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF POSTS ON 21-05-2012
Secretary, Department of Posts, Mrs. Manjula Prashar held discussions with the leaders of NFPE and FNPO on 21.05.2012. Ms. Yasodhara Menon, Member (Personnel), Sri. Salim Haque, DDG (P), Sri. V. P. Singh, DDG (Estt) and Sri. Subhash Chander, Director (SR) were also present. The staff side was represented by Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General NFPE, Sri. T. N. Rahate, President, FNPO, Com. K. V. Sridharan, General Secretary, P3 & Leader, Staff Side Departmental Council JCM, Com. Giriraj Singh, General Secretary, R3 & Secretary, Staff Side, Com. Iswar Singh Dabas, General Secretary, P4, Com. Pranab Bhattacharjee, General Secretary, Admin. Union, Com. T. Satyanarayana, General Secretary, AIPAEA, Sri. H. N. Siddiqui, General Secretary, R4 (FNPO). Item wise discussion was held and following decisions arrived at.
1. Separate orders communicating the decision that no mail office will be closed for next three years and no dislocations of staff to places outside headquarters.
Instructions issued vide letter no. 28-8/2011-D dated 14.05.2012 (copy already given). Staff side pointed out that the meeting with Member (Operations) to discuss the issues arising out of implementation of L1, L2 has not been taken place, inspite of the clear orders given by Secretary, Posts. It is assured that the meeting with Member (O) will be arranged on 29.05.2012 after noon.
2. Orders communicating the decision about no closure/merger of post offices if no simultaneous relocation is possible.
Instructions issued vide letter No. 40-6/2011-Plg (Pt)f dated 21.02.2012. Copy of the orders will be supplied to the staff side.
3. Revision of wages to Casual labourers and absorption
At present, the draft memo placed to the Postal service Board is at the approval stage. It may require two more weeks after outcome of the decision of the Postal Services Board on the issues of revision of wages and absorption.
4. Revised recruitment Rules for Group D and Postmen as agreed upon and syllabus for Group D examination.
Clearance from DOP&T has already been received. Files bearing NOs 37 - 33 / 2009 - SPB - I concerned with the subject matter is already under submission to Ministry of Law for vetting the draft for amendment in Recruitment Rules of Postmen/MTS. On Receipt of the same from M.O Law, the RRs will be sent to Government press for necessary Gazette notification. Action for filling up the vacancies of Postmen and MTS for the year 2011 and 2012 will be taken after that.
5. Revision of cash handling norms to GDS and ensuring no reduction of TRCA under any circumstances and enhancing the Bonus ceiling to 3500/- and revise the cash allowance to BPM-at the rate of Rs. 50/- per trip instead of a month.
Protection of allowance (TRCA) and cash handling - order will be issued shortly as assured by the Minister of States, Communications. Regarding the enhancing of Bonus ceiling to Rs. 3500/- a proposal has been submitted to Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure for approval on 22.03.2011.
Regarding the issue of cash allowance to GDS for remittance of cash, the case is under process.
6. Orders revising the instructions liberalizing the powers to the Divisional heads instead of Circle heads in case of tenure posting to C and B class offices.
Orders under issue.
7. Reiteration of the earlier instructions on the grant of special pay to unqualified Accountants & counting of Special allowance for pay fixation without filing SLP against Bangalore High Court Judgement.
Regarding unqualified Accountants special allowance orders are under issue. Regarding counting of special allowance for pay fixation CPMG Karnataka Circle has been asked to file SLP, in the Apex Court on the advise of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure.
8. Circulation of clarification given to Punjab Circle to the remaining circles also in respect of protection of pay of defunct PO & RMS Accountants.
Integrated Finance wing has sought some further inputs on the issue and action is being taken thereon.
9. Orders on forcible allotment of staff quarters to the town SOs Sub Postmasters as post attached quarters.
Instructions issued vide memo no. 18-9/2010-Bldg dtd. 10.05.2012.
10. Non supply of balance statement of NPS to the officials as on 31.03.2011
The statement of transactions (SOTs) of the subscribers of Central Govt. for the period 1.4.10 to 30.06.2011 have already been dispatched to the subscribers in the format approved by PFRDA by NSDL Mumbai vide letter dated 19.9.11. All the Directors of Accounts (Postal) have been informed about the dispatch of SOT vide letter No. 6-5/PA Book-I/NPS Procedure/2011-12/1960-89 dated 018.11.11.
The staff side reported that the required balance statement is still not circulated to the concerned. It is assured that this aspect will be examined and further action will be taken.
11. Enhancement of Financial powers of LSG, HSG II and HSG-I
This is under examination.
12. Enhancing the honorarium for invigilators engaged in departmental examinations.
Orders issued vide No. A.34020/17/2008-De dated 26.04.2012.
13. Allowing physically handicapped officials for appearing IPO Examinations.
Under active consideration in consultation with Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
14. Orders on drawal of cash handling allowance to Treasurers, Accountants irrespective of their position in the MACP.
A reference has been made to the DOPT in this regard. The argument of the staff side that it should be decided in the department itself will be considered and decided shortly.
15. Finalisation of the cadre Review proposals:
It is assured that the proposals of the committee will be finalised before 30.06.2012. The next sitting of the committee will be held on 29.05.2012 forenoon.
16. Payment of incentive instead of honorarium for attending the PLI/RPLI work at Divisional offices after decentralization.
Case has already been processed and is in pipeline.
17. Orders for repatriation of officials deputed for PLI/RPLI work to CO/RO to their home divisions
All officials deputed for PLI/RPLI work to RO/CO from Divisional have been asked to be repatriated vide letter No. 30-1/2010/LI dated 27.01.2012.
18. Allowing Postmaster cadre officials to appear for IPO/PSS Group B examination.
The proposal has been examined and as observed, it does not fall in line with the existing instructions as these are two different streams and the postmaster cadre Recruitment Rules clearly says that these officials will not have any claim in the promotional channel of General line officials. The staff side insisted that postmaster cadre officials should not be deprived of the promotional chances of their counterpart in the general line against IPO/PSS Group B posts. Further they demanded that 100% of Senior Postmasters Posts should be reserved for the Postmasters cadre alone. It was agreed to have a relook into the entire issue.
19. Orders permitting postmaster cadre officials to officiate in HSG-I vacancies.
The matter has been examined. Not found feasible as per Recruitment Rules. On insistence of the staff side it is agreed to have a relook in to the matter.
20. DO letter from Member (P) to all Circles heads to fill up all posts of Sorting Postmen, Mail overseers, cash overseer and Head Postmen
Orders issued vide No. 37-4/2012-SPB-I dated 19.04.2012
21. Allowing MTS to decline promotion to postmen cadre under seniority quota without loosing MACP promotion.
Orders will be issued shortly.
22. Reiteration of the instructions for rotational transfer for SBCO staff by notifying clusture of divisions.
Orders issued vide No. 141-91/2012-SPB-II dated 02.04.2012
23. Issue instructions to all for ensuring filling up of all sanctioned LR Posts.
Orders will be issued shortly.
24. Prompt grant of child care leave – Issue instructions
Instructions reiterated vide letter No. 51-3/2011-SPB-II dated 10.05.2012.
25. Clarifications to be issued on MACP as agreed upon on the following.
(i) MACP will not be deferred on the ground of contemplated disciplinary/Vigilence proceedings.
Orders under issue.
(ii) Instructions on review of ACRs/APArs by Scrutiny committee.
Orders issued to complete the process before 30.06.2012, if not already done vide memo No. 4-7/(MACP)/2009-PCC (Part) Dt. 15.05.2012.
(iii) Recovery orders by DA(P) in the matter of pay fixation of MACP in case of MTS.
This will be sorted out early.
(iv) Cases relating to declining promotion prior to the issue of MACP orders (Prior to 2009)
Orders under issue.
26. Issuing clear instructions to all Chief PMGs that in the city areas where RO/Cos are situated decentralization of RPLI/PLI should not be done to city postal divisions, instead the work will be done by RO/CO staff as done before.
Agreed to issue detailed instructions to all Chief PMGs/PMGs in additional to the instructions already issued on 27.01.2012.
27. Issue orders on the terms finalized by the Postmen Committee and also follow up action on the certain items to be referred to work study unit.
The recommendations of the committee are under process. Orders will be issued on all the agreed items.
28. Cadre restructuring and settlement of Group – D and sorter issue relating to Postal Accounts.
Cadre restructuring proposal sent to Integrated Finance wing for their concurrence is at present with Postal Estt Branch. It is assured to expedite case.
Group D & Sorter anomaly: The information has been called for from all circle postal accounts offices. On receipt of the same the case will be examined further.
29. Follow up action on Civil Wing issues.
The R/Rules are presently pending with M/o Law & Justice. Will be notified immediately after it is cleared and further action will be taken.
30 Examination of CRC & EPF norms
Logistics Posts: Committee formed to work out the handling norms of Logistics Post has submitted its report. In view of observation of IFA(BD), DDG(Estt) has been addressed to provide extant provision for formulation of handling norms for new/existing service so that recommendations of committee can be further examined. Reply is awaited from DDG(Estt).
EPP: a Committee has been formed to work out the handling norms for EPP. The Committee has carried out preliminary exercise in its first meeting. Recommendations of the meeting are awaited.
The staff side raised the following issues also and position is explained as under:
(i) PA/SA Recruitment for 2011 and 2012- Orders issued. Time line will be fixed for calling for applications, examination etc.
(ii) Postmen, MTS posts filling – orders will be issued alter notifying the revised recruitment rules removing 25% outside recruitment in Postmen cadre and related changes in MTS RRS.
(iii) System administrators TA case – will be reexamined, Staff side may submit a detailed note.
(iv) HSG-I Recruitment Rules – Pursuing vigorously with DOPT, UPSC etc. It is in the final stage.
(v) Station tenure orders of Group – C employees – Clarificatory orders are under issue.
(vi) Revision of OTA rates – case already taken up with Finance Ministry Staff Side is requested to submit fresh proposals.
(vii) JCM standing committee minutes – Copy of Action Taken report supplied to staff side.
Subjects will be called for the next periodical meeting.
MEETING WITH HON'BLE MINISTER BY SECRETARY AIPEU GDS(NFPE)
DEPARTMENTALIZATION OF GDS - VIABLE
Com. P. Pandurangarao, General Secretary, AIPEU GDS (NFPE) presented a Memorandum to Hon’ble Minster of Communications Sri. Sachin Pilot, on 16.05.2012, demanding Departmentalization of GDS
The full contents of the memorandum is reproduced here under for the consumption of all viewers.
MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED TO HON’BLE STATE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
With due respects and regards, We the All India Postal Employees Union – GDS (NFPE) is submitting the following issues for your kind and sympathetic consideration and favourable decision in mitigating the genuine demands the downtrodden and poor GDS employees working in the Department of Posts.
1. DEPARTMENTALISATION OF RURAL POST OFFICES AND ALSO GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS:
The Supreme Court in its judgement delivered on 22.07.1977 held that the ED employee is not an agent, not a casual labourer, and not a part time worker but he is the holder of civil post outside the regular civil service and therefore declared that Article 311(2) of the constitution of India is attracted.Except conduct and service and application of disciplinary provisions, no other benefits available to the Departmental employees are extended to the ED employees. The question of departmentalisation of ED agents remains pending for long and is denied continuously on one pretext or the other.
In the present set up of the social - economic structure of rural areas, the daily wage for an agricultural labourer has been fixed much above the daily rate of an ED agent. Resultantly, the ED employees are not able to meet the family expenses and have one square meal a day.
The declaration of Justice Talwar that “95.70% joined the Postal Department as ED agents hoping to get full time absorption and only 4.08% took it as a side occupation is the real fact still prevailing and they are solely depending upon their wages for their livelihood”. In rural areas, still many of them are underpaid and lesser in the standard of living while comparing the NREGS beneficiaries.
With the hope of departmentalization at one day, they are prolonging their life with more expectation of their future. Their hopes can be considered by introducing various new services in the rural areas with the cooperation's of the Human resource ministry and other developmental activities.
The Post office alone has such a vast network and infrastructure and it can be fully utilized by providing various new services to rural public through post offices by its own saving bank scheme to distribute the Govt welfare measures as if we are doing under the NREGIS Scheme.
We may attempt with the following to provide more services to public as well as departmentalise all the existing BOs.
1. The works like pension payment, sale of certificates, direct booking of money orders, SB operations with maintenance of independent ledgers may be assigned to the departmentalized branch office so that the existing branch postmasters will be with entrusted more work.
2. If the proposal of full computerization of BOs is materialised in the ensuing year as proposed, there is every possibility for introducing all kinds of bill works like acceptance of Electricity bills, land revenue, panchayat taxes etc., under the business activities of the Postal department or tie up with such governmental organizations.
3. Large scale expansion of telecom can be explored through the branch offices and acceptance of all telephone bills, mobile bills may be entrusted. The Department of Posts may also consider in taking licences for running telecom services in rural areas with subsidiary rates to cater the requirement of rural public as if in vogue in many foreign countries.
4. Since all the BOs are proposed to be provided with computers and decided to introduce various new services, it is possible to maintain the following works also in the BOs very efficiently with the manpower available in abundance.
a) Collection, maintenance and modifications of any of the work related to census in rural areas.
b) Maintenance, Verification and preservation of records pertaining to the Citizens identity card issued by the Govt of India directly by the Dept of post.
c) Extension of MG NREGS work through post offices by providing work norms for the work instead of incentive as at present extended.
d) Enhance the working hours for eight hours and introduce various new works at village level with the cooperation of other Govt and public sector organizations.
e) Ensuring that all various new schemes introduced by the Govt as policies will be reached to the village level through our network spread over the nation.
It is pertinent to mention that there are more than 10% of the existing BOS having the work load for more than five hours. In accordance with Marathe time test under para 93 (iv) and para 114 (i) if a single handed post office is having 11 hours’ workload, the second PA can be augmented. On the similar analogy such BOs having more than five hours workload can be straight away departmentalized. Further whenever any vacancy arises in the GDS cadre, the duties can be merged for making the office as a departmental office. The recommendations of the Justice Talwar Committee to freeze the GDS system in order to departmentalize all the existing GDS should be given a due consideration.
In order to departmentalize the GDS, the department should consider for fixing the norms for the following works immediately.
1. Work related to NREGIS payment.
2. Work related to verification of Electrol& Election work.
3. Work related to collecting statistics for census etc.
4. Work related to verification of mobile phone connections of BSNL & others.
5. Work related to acceptance of Electricity bills, water bills & telephone bills.
6. Work related to business activities, social security schemes introduced in various circles.
If time factors for all the work performed by the GDS is formulated, certainly it will pave way for the regularization of many GDS who are actually working for more than six hours but not availed the benefits of departmentalization. We don't want any incentives or perks denying our regularization.
The Honble Minister of Communications & IT Sri Kapil Sibil has sought the department about the feasibility of regularization of all the GDS and to departmentalise all the BOs for which the department has furnished that it will cost some exorbitant amount. We sincerely place our abundant thanks and respects on record to the Minister's desire to departmentalize the GDS and his initiatives but as usual the blocks were placed without really considering the realities and the position existed at field level.
If all the GDS are departmentalized by scrapping the existing GDS system with eight hours work and each official is assigned with various new works to improve the functioning of rural post offices in order to make it more remunerative, that will overcome the financial problem. This vast infrastructure will really be an invaluable asset to the department in this era of e-commerce and e-governance and not at all a liability. If post offices are kept open for more hours by introducing more new items of work, there is every possibility of increasing the workload.
We further express our sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Minister for the positive steps being initiated by the department with regard to (i) full protection of TRCA (ii) revising the cash handling norms (iii) with drawl of 25% outside recruitment condition in Postman cadre (iv) relaxing the conditions for compassionate appointment (v) parity in bonus ceiling. We hope that positive orders will be issued in all the issues raised by us earlier.
It is humbly requested to kindly consider the above and cause action to departmentalise the rural post offices and improve the rural postal network.
Dated – 16.05.2012
Place – New Delhi
(P.PANDURANGARAO)
GENERAL SECRETARYComrade Nani Banerjee Passes Away
COM. NANI DA NO MORE
VERY SAD NEWS
OUR GREAT VETERAN LEADER OF P&T TRADE UNION MOVEMENT COM. NANI BANERJEE, AGED 82 YEARS , EX. TREASURER AND EX. DY. GENERAL SECRETARY AIPEU GROUP ‘C’ CHQ EXPIRED TODAY DATED 21ST MAY, 2012, MORNING AT KOLKATA AFTER PROLONG ILLNESS.
HE WAS VERY DEVOTED AND COMMITTED LEADER OF WORKING CLASS MOVEMENT FOR FIVE DECADES. THIS IS AN IRREPARABLE LOSS TO THE TRADE UNION MOVEMENT NFPE CONVEYS HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES AND DIPS ITS BANNER IN HIS HONOUR AND MEMORY. RED SALUTES TO COM. NANI DA.
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