MODERNIZATION & COMPUTERIZATION IN POs - NEWS

Under IT Modernization Project-2012, Branch Post Offices located in rural areas would be made high-tech and netbooks and hand-held devices would be provided to these offices. Not only this, branch post offices would get mobile thermal printer, smartcard reader, finger-print scanner, digital camera etc for signature/ document scanning and making transactions. Very soon Post offices would be linked under core banking solution, which would bring revolutionary changes in banking at rural level.

After implementation of CBS, customers of post offices would be able to avail services like net banking, mobile banking and ATMs. Regular monitoring of postal services is being undertaken under the 'Project Arrow', and the overall outlook of post offices was being changed under 'look and feel' scheme. In near future, all post offices would be brought under the Project Arrow scheme and would be made more high-tech through implementation of Core Banking Solutions.

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ACTION TAKEN REPORT ON THE MEMORANDUM 

SUBMITTED BY POSTAL JCA

STATUS REPORT ON THE MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF POSTS BY POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION(PJCA).

No.8-04/2013-SR

Government of India

Ministry of Communication & IT

Department of Posts (SR Section)

Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg

New Delhi – 110 001.

Dated the 7th May, 2013

To

Shri D.Theagrajan,

Secretary General (FNPO),

Shri M.Krishnanan,

Secretary General (NFPE),

SUB:-Memorandum submitted to Secretary, Department of Posts by Postal Joint Council of Action.

Sir,

Status Report on the Memorandum submitted to Secretary (Posts) by PJCA on 01.04.2013, is enclosed.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(Arun Malik)

Director (SR & Legal)

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.		Issues Raised	Action Taken Report
	1.		Issues relating to Gramin Dak Sevaks
			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.	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.
			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.	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.
			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.	The issue was examined and protection has already been provided for GDS BPMs for a period of one year only.
			d. Removal of minimum 50 points conditions for GDS Compassionate appointment	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.
			e.  Redeployment of mailman posts in new areas	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.
			f.  Review of cash conveyance allowance – Monthly ceiling of   Rs.50/- to be removed.	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.
			g.  Introduction of Health Scheme	The proposal has been submitted for consideration by Finance Ministry after its examination by Integrated Finance Wing on 26/04/2013.
			h.  Norms for RPLI	Norms for assessment of workload of GDS BPM already provide for 1 Point for every 10 transactions.
			i. Providing norms for cash remittance from BO to AO & Vice Versa	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.
	2.		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.	(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.
	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 & 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.	The Committee has submitted its Report.  The issue is under examination in consultation with Nodal Ministries / Departments.
	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 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.	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.
	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 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.	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.
	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 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.	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
	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 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.	The existing Recruitment Rules for IP and PS Group B 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.
	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 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.	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.
	9.		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.	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.
10.		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.		The issue of implementation of CAT Jodhpur bench judgment 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 judgment 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 judgment.  Thus, the issue is under consideration with High Court Jodhpur. 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 up gradations 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.
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 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.		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.
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 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.		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.
13.		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.		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.
		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.		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.