The meeting of the Postal Joint Council of Action (PJCA) comprising
Secretary General and General Secretaries of the National Federation of Postal
Employees (NFPE) and Federation of National Postal Organisations (FNPO) has
reviewed the situation prevailing in the Department of Posts, regarding
settlement of the following long pending demands of the staff side. The meeting
viewed with grave concern the inordinate delay in implementing the assurances
given to the staff side both during the discussion on strike charter of demands
and also in the JCM Departmental Council meetings, causing large scale
resentment among the Postal and RMS employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks and
casual, Part time and contingent employees.
As the new Secretary, Department of Posts, has taken over charge only
recently, the JCA decided to bring all the important/pending cases once again
to the notice of the Secretary, Posts for early settlement, before resorting to
agitational programmes. Accordingly we submit the following long pending cases
for your immediate intervention and early favorable action.
1.
Issues relating to Gramin Dak Sevaks
The Following specific assurances given by Secretary, Department of
Posts, are yet to be implemented.
(a)
Enhancement of Bonus ceiling – In the matter of enhancement of Bonus
ceiling to 3500/- of Gramin Dak Sevaks, it was assured that another attempt
will be made to get the approval of the Finance Ministry. It was informed that
the file has already been submitted to Finance Ministry with the favourable
recommendations of the Postal Board and Minster, Communications.
(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. Minster of States for Communications has also assured the
staff side that needful will be done in this case.
(c)
Ensuring no reduction of TRCA under any circumstances
It was assured by Minster of State for Communications that orders for
full protection of TRCA will be issued. But, in the orders issued by the
Directorate, protection is given for one year only and thereafter if workload
is not increased TRCA will be reduced without any protection. As per the
earlier orders protection was given up to the maximum of the lower TRCA even if
workload is reduced. As per the new order after one year there will be no
protection at all. When workload is reduced due to circumstances beyond the
Control of the GDS, reducing the TRCA is quite unjustified and inhuman.
(d) Removal of minimum 50 points conditions for GDS
compassionate appointment:
(e) Redeployment of mailman posts in new areas
(f) Review of cash conveyance allowance – Monthly
ceiling of Rs. 50/- to be removed.
(g) Introduction of Health Scheme.
(h) Norms for RPLI
(i) Providing norms for cash remittance from BO to
AO & Vice Versa
In the minutes dated 12.07.2010 it was informed that the issues of the
Health Scheme has been taken up with the nodal Ministries still it is pending.
2. Immediate finalization of Cadre
Restructuring:
After the marathon discussion on the problems put forth in the strike
charter on 10.01.2012 & 12.01.2012, Secretary, Department 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
fianalisation 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&FA 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
21.052012, it is further assured as follows:
“It was decided to formulate a proposal by 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 Modernisation project.
It was repeatedly assured that the 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.
3. Revision of wages of casual labourers
and their absorption
In the minutes of the discussion held with the staff side on 10.01.2012
& 123.01.2012, 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 labourers w.e.f 01.01.2006 has not taken place causing
inordinate delay in payment of minimum wages to those poor employees.
4. 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 items 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.
5. 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 Recruitment 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.
6. 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 basic 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
7.
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 Postmasters 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) Filing 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 issue was 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 Postmasters 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.
8.
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
Modernisation 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.
9.
Implementation of speed Post hubs and L1, L2 System
The High Power Committee appointed to discuss the issues under the
Chairpersonship of then Secretary, Department of Posts assured the following
before implementation of MNOP 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, eventhough 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 continuing 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.
10. MACP
Related issues
The implementation of the Jodhpur CAT Judgment; 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 promotees in the Department of Posts. This may kindly be
considered.
11. 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 II and HSG-I
(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 Accountants 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.
12. Filling up of all vacant posts
Even though Government of India has lifted ban on filling up of posts
from 2009 onwards, and the Directorate has given repeated instructions to fill
up all direct recruitment as well as promotional quota of vacancies up to 2012,
in many circles posts are remaining unfilled. Similarly in Postal Accounts much
delay in taking place in filling up of posts due to delay in finalization of
the Recruitment process by staff selection commission. Action may be taken to
fill up all vacant posts from 2009 onwards on top priority basis as the staff
are reeling under the pressure of workload which in turn affects the efficiency
of the services rendered by the Department of posts.
In conclusion, we hope that all the above issues will be given top most
priority and the Hon’ble Secretary, Department of Posts, shall come forward for
a negotiated settlement with the staff side in a time bound manner.
13. Non
settlement of agreed items placed in 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.
Awaiting early action
Yours faithfully,
SD/- SD/-
(D.Theagarajan) (M.
Krishnan)
Secretarya General,FNPO Secretarya General,
NFPE
Mob:
09444841440