Memorandum submitted to Secretary, Department of Posts, by Postal Joint
Council of Action (PJCA) on 01.04.2013
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)
Secretary
General,
FNPO Secretary General, NFPE
