No.08/11/2013-SR
Government
of India
Ministry
of Communications & IT
Department
of Posts
(S.R.
Section)
Dak
Bhavan, Sansad Marg
To
Shri I.S. Dabas
General Secretary
All
India Postal Employees Union Postmen & MSE Gr.’D’
17/3-D,
Type-III, P&T Quarters
Kali
Bari Marg
New
Delhi-110 001
Shri T.N.
Rahate
General Secretary & President FNPO
National
Union of Postal Employees Postmen Gr ‘.D’
Central
Head Quarters, Dalvi Sadan, Khurshid
Square
P&T
Colony, Civil Lines
Subject: Memorandum submitted to the
Secretary, Department of Posts on urgent issues of Postmen and MTS Staff.
Sir,
Reference your letter No. Memorandum/Postmen JCM/2013 dated 07/06/2013
(received in SR Section on 18/06/2013) on the above subject. The issues
raised in the memorandum have been examined in consultation with all officers
concerned in the meeting held under the chairpersonship of Secretary
(Posts). The decisions taken on the various issues, raised by the unions,
are enclosed.
It is reiterated that no purpose is served by agitations. On the
contrary, disruption of work undermines the prestige of the Department and
affects the business. You are, therefore, requested again to stay away
from such activities and call off the proposed Dharna / strike.
Yours
faithfully,
Encl: as above.
(Arun Malik)
Director (SR)
Decisions
taken in the meeting under the chairpersonship of Secretary (Posts) held on
24/06/2013 on memorandum submitted by Postmen & MTS Staff Unions
Sl. No.
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Agenda Item
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Decisions taken
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1.
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Postmen Committee Recommendation not
Implemented
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(a)
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Extraction of data entry work from
Postman:Suitable
instructions / Orders to all the Circles are to be issued by 30/04/2012;
nothing has been done so far. An early issue of orders is required to
implement them.
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It has been decided that circles will
make necessary arrangements at WCTC or DO/HO to impart training on
Saturdays/Sundays to all those Postmen who are unable to perform data entry
work to bring proficiency. It is essential for Postman to perform data
entry work as the Department is moving from a present computerized mode to
the CSI Software and Hand Held device for the Postman. Under MNOP data
entry of articles for delivery is a part of the delivery system. The Hand
Held device will be given to the heavier SP/Regd. Post delivery POs the data
of articles for delivery in a delivery
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(b)
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Revision of postmen norms: Postmen norms issued by the
Department are very old. The decision taken in the committee are not
convincing. As such it is suggested that formation of fresh Internal
Work Study Unit with one / two staff side members to review all work
performed by postmen staff with door to door measurement of beats was
requested. Internal Work Study Unit for this job is to be ordered by the
Directorate as the same does not come under the jurisdiction of the
Committee.
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The norms for Postmen were issued on
05/02/2010 after discussions with Postal Unions and were further revised on
19/07/2012. Therefore, the demand for constitution of a fresh committee
for revised norms is not justified.
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(c)
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Change in procedure for payment of
Speed Post delivery incentive: At present the procedure for payment of incentive is very
lengthy. Nobody prepares bills. In case the bills are prepared
they remain under verification of PRI/SDI/ASP then go to sanction to the
Divisional Head. After sanction of bills from Divisional Head to DDOs
for payment. Then bills are to be prepared DDOs for payment
office wise. It is suggested that module for payment of Speed Post
Incentive in the computer software be installed and give powers of payment to
the concerned postmaster on weekly/ monthly. After payment the
concerned vouchers be sent to the DDOs for accounting purpose.
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It was decided that software module
for generation of speed post incentive bills shall be developed for
installation in the Post Office. However, the sanction of the incentive
bill will continue to be done by Divisional Office.
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(d)
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Combination of beat: It was decided in the above
meeting that limit of combination of beat in the post office having 4+
strength will be removed since it adversely affects the delivery
efficiency. But orders on this item are yet to be issued by the
Directorate. This needs to be done at the earliest.
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It was decided that combination of
beats will continue wherever essential due to leave and other contingencies
so that delivery of mail which is the core business of Post Office is not
adversely affected.
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(e)
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Delivery of Heavy parcels and EPP
articles: It
was pointed out by the staff side that Postman faces difficulty in delivery
of registered parcels weighing more than 5 Kgs each and EPP articles of which
the maximum weight of 35 Kgms., per articles has been fixed. It was
highlighted that either some reasonable rate and mode of conveyance for
delivery EPP articles should be fixed or the rates of coolie charges fixed in
the past should be revised for efficient delivery of the registered
parcel. It was decided that the Directorate will consider reiterating
the instructions on coolie charges to all the Circles so that the delivery of
heavy parcels is not adversely affected. Whether coolie charges
pertaining to heavy parcels have been enhances due to high prices. As
regards EPP parcels, whether mode of conveyance with rate of each mode have
been decided by the Directorate.
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It was decided that the new Parcel
Division will examine the proposal keeping in view issues of the heavy parcel
and EPP articles.
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(f)
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Corrigendum on density of
population: The
staff side drew attention of the committee to the note of Sl.8 in the
Directorate letter No.9-1/2005-WSI/PE.I dated 05/02/2010 which stipulates
that area having a density of population 2500 per Sq. KM may be taken as
congested area “and pointed out that the same has incorrectly been printed as
it should refer to 2500 per sq. Mile instead of 2500 sq. meter. They
quoted a clarification received from PTC, Mytore which has cited Directorate
letter dated 19/02/1976 indicating establishment norms for Postmen and
defining congested area or having a density of population of 2500 sq. per
Mile. After discussion it was agreed that Directorate would examine and
issue suitable amendment / corrigendum to the Note 8 of the revised norms of
postmen establishment.
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Matter was examined and found that vide
letter NO.l9-1/2005-WS.I/PE.I dated 05/02/2010, norms for Postmen
Establishment were circulated in which under note 8 – density of population
mentioned 2500 per sq.km., and still holds good. The union is confusing
with earlier order issued in the year 1975.
PTC,
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(g)
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Creating of justified additional
posts: In
this connection while implementing the system for delivery work and allowing
postmen to write correct remarks for non-delivery. The staff side drew
attention to item No. 25 minutes of the last JCM meeting issued on 01/03/2012
wherein it is mentioned that the issue is under examination by the Postman
Committee being chaired by CGM (PLI). After discussion, the view
emerged that this item is not part of Committee’s mandate and the issue
pertains to creation / re-deployment of Posts which is basically a policy
issue. However, the staff side mentioned that Postmen were not able to
write correct remarks for non-delivery of article due to heavy work in the
project Arrow Offices, it was, therefore, decided that the experience
gathered after implementation of Project Arrow in various Post Offices could
be examined. Result on examination has not been communicated so far in
this regard.
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It was decided that the commitment
made in respect of Project Arrow implementation will be examined by Director
(Mail Management). Accordingly, the issue was examined. As per Postal
Manual (Vol. VI, Part 3), when an undelivered article or MO entered in the
Postman’s book (M 27) is brought back, a remark as to why it was not
delivered or paid should be written briefly but legibly by the Postmen.
Therefore, recording the reasons for non-delivery is part of Postmen’s job,
ever since Postal manuals were written.
As Hand Held device shall soon be
issued to Postmen of heavier SP/Regd. Post delivery offices and GDS – BPM and
delivery agents, the entry of reasons for delivery/non-delivery can be ticked
from the drop down option menu by Postmen at the time of effecting delivery
itself.
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2.
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Cadre Restructuring of Postman an
MTS: The first
and foremost issue on which a bias against the Postman is clearly visible is
that of cadre restructuring for this cadre. The Department through conceded
to form a Cadre Restructuring Committee during the strike negotiations with
the Postal Joint Council of Action had issued orders omitting the cadre of
Postman and MTS from the ambit of cadre restructuring. This shows the
mind-set of the Department on the important issue of cadre restructuring of
Postman and MTS cadre. The stand of the Postal Directorate was against
the direction of the Official Side in the National Anomaly Committee that
every department shall go into the issue of cadre restructuring for boosting
the promotional avenues of employees rather than depending too much on the
MACP Scheme for that purpose. It is a known fact that the cadres of
Postman and MTS have no in-situ promotion in their cadre except the promotion
to the cadre of Postal Assistant through a competitive examination.
Every other cadre other than the cadres of Postman and MTS have their own
hierarchical promotions in their own cadre and this discrimination cannot be
ended without a proper cadre restructuring in place for the Postman and MTS
cadre. Even the flimsy promotion for the cadre of Postman earlier to
the introduction of TBOP / BCR like Head Postman, sorting Postman etc., have
disappeared from the scene and as on date no promotion in the cadre is
available to both these cadres. Unfortunately, the Department of Posts
not only not in a position to appreciate our contention as well as the
proposal for cadre restructuring based on percentage basis as available to
all cadres in the Department of Railways but no inclined to consider any
cadre restructuring proposal to these cadres. The absence of any
promotion to them in their own cadre leaves them total frustrated and takes
away any incentive to perform better to the services. This has to be
properly appreciated and attended to by the Postal Directorate in the absence
of Cadre Restructuring Committee failed to find out any alternate proposals
to ‘our proposal based on percentage.’
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It was decided to ascertain as to how
many Postmen / GDS / MTS have passed the examination during the last five
years and how many Postmen vacancies were filled through direct recruitment.
Cadre restructuring for Group ‘C’
employees was not found justified.
There is only one cadre i.e. Postal
Asstt. after the Postman cadre. The functional requirement of PA Cadre
includes knowledge of computers. They are also recruited on examination
both from DR and promoted. Hence a chance for those who measure up is
already provided subject to fitness.
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3.
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Door to Door Scientific Measurement
of Beats: (A) – At
present the door to door beat measurement system adopted by the department is
not only unsatisfactory but also incorrect one as neither scientific device
like foot meter nor cyclo meter is used to assess the actual length of
beat. The measurement of beats is generally done while sitting on the
table by guess work only. Moreover the workload of mail delivery and
number of houses to be visited during duty of eight hours has no where been
laid down causing extreme harassment to postmen staff. It
is demanded that the number of houses to be visited and number of articles to
be delivered should be laid down in the interest of delivery efficiency and
rationalization of workload of postmen staff as well.
The Directorate ordered for
rationalizing of Postman beats after hearing our complaints that Postman
beats are constructed unscientifically with long distances humanly impossible
to cover on a day. Many examples like more than 70 kilometers beats
were brought to the notice of the Postman Committee to substantiate our
complaints. Based on the discussions the Directorate agreed to issue
orders for measuring the beats and rationalizing them appropriately.
Unfortunately the CHQs of our Unions are receiving complaints from our
Circles that re-measuring of beats is being done most unscientifically
without using either the cyclo-meters or foot-meters but applying their
imaginary calculations. This has complicated the problem more and there
is wide spread resentment among the Postman staff. Both our unions urge
upon you to issue strict instructions to measure all Postman beats only by
using cyclo-meters or foot-meters for the purpose of rationalizing the beats.
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The representative beats intimated by
staff side in
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(B)
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To fix the meeting of Committee for
Modification in Order No. 31-38/79-PE-I dt 22-5-1979:- The Committee Constituted for
examination of Modification in Departmental Order No. 31-38/79-PE-I dt.
23-5-1979 in R/O footwork of the Postman from door to door walk in R/O Item
DO 4 of Periodical Meeting held on 29-11-2012 and Departmental Council
Meeting on 28-12-2012.
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This issue was deliberated by the
committee constituted to examine the issues related to postmen under the
chairmanship of the then CGM (PLI) Shri Shekhar Sinha. The committee
was of view that the time factor for door-to-door distance travelled by foot
by the postmen is being taken care of in the time factor provided for
delivery of mail The committee further noted that this aspect has been duly
clarified in the note No. 11 of Directorate letter dated 5/2/2010 which is
reproduced below:
“Distance travelled means distance
covered on the main roads, lanes and bye-lanes. Distance travelled/covered
for entering various houses is included in the time factor for delivery of
articles.”
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4.
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Revision of Syllabus to Departmental Exams Modification:- (A) As narrated in the earlier paragraph the only avenue
open to the cadre of Postman / MTS for higher promotion is that Postal
Assistants through competitive examinations. The Department opted for
revision of syllabus and pattern of examinations and the Staff Side too
agreed to it. It was told to us that the revision of syllabus and pattern of
examinations would go a long way to help more candidates get through the
examination to avoid many vacancies go unfilled after every examination. It
took a long time for finalizing the syllabus and new method of examination
introduced for LGO exam. However it is found that contrary to what was told
by the Department the examinations of LGOs as well as the examinations from
GDS to Postman and MTS have become so tuff that it has become extremely
difficult to answer many questions. Many questions are of such a
standard that even IPS Officers may not be able to answer easily. This has
led to a situation wherein the candidates could not get through these
examinations and a large number of vacancies remain unfilled after the
examinations. Both of our unions urge upon you to set up a high level
committee of Officers with Staff Side Members in it to review the whole
syllabus for suitably modifying it.
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It was decided that the question
papers of the last three years will be examined by DDG(P) to see
whether any question was out of the syllabus and report submitted in 15
days. The question papers in respect of minimum three circles
will be examined for the report. Revision of syllabus is not
recommended as syllabus is linked to job content and should not be
compromised in these days of stiff competition from couriers and public
expectancy of service delivery.
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(B)
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Request to conduct special examination
for recruitment to the Postman & MTS cadres for the years 2009, 2010,
2011 and 2012 : To
avoid recurring vacancies due to leaving of qualified employees of high
standard in the background of submission made above, it is requested
that –
1. To fill up the vacancies for the
years 2009 to 2013 in the Postman and MTS cadre aspecial examination only
for GDS/MTS employees may be conducted.
2. The question paper may
be set on the basis of practical and relevant work routinely done by
the regular MTS and Postman employees.
3. The work of setting
question paper may be got done by a promotee officerwho
is having practical knowledge of the nature of work being done by the MTS and
Postman employees.
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The posts are to be filled as per the
provisions of the modified Recruitment Rules, which are statutory in
nature. However, no deviation from the RRs is permissible.
However, all circles will be addressed to hold the examination as per
prescribed periodicity. Circles will also be advised to hold training
classes on holidays in Divisions on a fee basis of competiting employees to
ensure that syllabus based training is imparted to upgrade knowledge and
skills. Divisional Supdt. will only be enablers for this process.
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(C)
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Filling up vacant posts with Residual
vacancies:-All
vacant post of Postmen & Group D/MTS should be filled in within 30th June
2013 as directed by Directorate. There is no chance to fill up vacant posts
in due time as no notification has been issued in many circles like A.P. and
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Status of vacancies will be reviewed
on receipt of feedback from the circles in the first / second week of July,
2013 which is the time limit given to Circles for this task.
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5.
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Improving the Quality of Uniforms and
timely supply of all kit items:-The Postman and MTS are called the uniformed staff in the
Department of Posts. Unfortunately these cadres who are actually moving among
the members of public pose a poor picture to the image of the Department
because of the inferior quality of the uniform cloth. Despite the agreement
with the All India Unions by the Department that facilitated inclusion of
staff side member from the Unions in the purchase committee of uniform cloth
to ensure purchase of better quality of cloth,, the problem persists. This
cannot be sorted out unless the cost price permitted by the DOPT is enhanced
on the face of escalating prices of all commodities including the textiles.
The cost price permitted by the DOPT cannot ensure better quality uniform
cloth from the market. Added to this are the violations here and there in
Circles where the Administration is not sincerely ensuring inclusion of staff
side members in the purchase committee and no protection against ensuring
supply of the selected quality of cloth only to the staff. These have to be
addressed immediately.
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This issue relates to purchase of
good quality of uniform and non inclusion of representatives of staff side in
the purchase committee was taken up with DOPT by this Department. DOPT
had furnished their comments for procurement of uniform which are as under:
“After coming into effect of GFR 2005
this Department has issued an
This advice of DOPT is being
circulated to all Circles for necessary action. Further, Circles will
be asked to comply with specifications circulated for uniform while making
supply.
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6.
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Stop Unscientific Measurement of
Postmen Beats:
The Directorate ordered for
rationalizing of Postman beats after hearing our complaints that Postman
beats are constructed unscientifically with long distances humanly impossible
to cover on a day. Many examples like more than 70 Kilometres beats were
brought to the notice of the Postman Committee to substantiate our
complaints. Based on the discussions the Directorate agreed to issue orders
for measuring the beats and rationalizing them appropriately. Unfortunately
the CHQs of our Unions are receiving complaints from our Circles that
re-measuring of beats is being done most unscientifically without using
either the cyclo-meters or foot-meters but applying their imaginary
calculations. This has complicated the problem more and there is widespread
resentment among the Postman staff. Both our Unions urge upon you to issue
strict instructions to measure all Postman beats only by using cyclo-meters
or foot-meters for the purpose of rationalizing the beats.
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The representative beats in
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7.
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Cycle Maintenance Allowance to MTS:-The Cycle Maintenance Allowance is
paid to all Postman staff without any conditions whereas the MTS Staff who
are engaged in letter box clearing or other outside office work
excluded from the ambit of CMA. This is unjustified. The MTS Staff also are
to be paid CMA without any conditions as like Postman staff. Both our Unions
urge upon you to issue necessary orders to pay CMA to all MTS without any
conditions.
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The Postman’s duty involves daily
visit to delivery letters in his beat and hence if using cycle the allowance
is admissible. Since different persons, depending on availability of
persons, are used for letter box clearance, the allowance is not
admissible. Further, the proposal that MTS staff be paid CMA without
any condition like Postman staff is not acceptable.
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(a)
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Revision of Fixed Monetary
Compensation (FMC):-This
has reference to your office letter No 10-7/2003.P.E.II dated 24th Nov
2010 wherein existing rate on revision
has been enhanced for each category except Multi Tasking staff
whose rate of remuneration has been reduced @ Rs 60/- per holiday for 4 hours whereas MTS staff was getting @
Rs63.45 per holiday for 3 hrs on hourly basis @ Rs 21.15 per hour.
Protracted correspondence made proved in fructuous. This need to be reviewed
for proper justice to the MTS staff.
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The matter will be examined as per
extant rules by DDG(Estt.) and put up in file within 15 days.
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8.
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Abolition of Nodal Delivery Centers
at all metro cities:-All
Nodal delivery centers should be abolished throughout the Country immediately
to avoid complication in day-to-day delivery system. (
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Mail delivery is the core business of
post and everything should be done to ensure that service to public is not
compromised particularly in view of stiff competition from the courier
industry. Nodal delivery is functioning smoothly at many places.
In their memorandum, service unions have not cited any specific reason as to
what complications arise out of nodal delivery and why Nodal delivery should
be abolished. In the absence of complete information, it is difficult
to examine the matter.
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9.
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To Stop harassment:-The postman staff being tortured for
100% delivery and in various cases by asking them to work beyond duty hours
and many other ways harassment is there it must be stopped.
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100% delivery is the duty of Post
Office and Postmen and hence there is no harassment in performing duty.
No specific instances have been brought to the notice of the Directorate by
the service unions. In case any specific instance of harassment is
brought to the notice of the Directorate by the service unions, the same will
be examined.
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10.
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Promotional posts of Postmen Cadre: The posts of Mail Overseer, Cash
Overseer, Head Postman and Sorting Postman should be considered as
promotional posts for Postmen cadre and an additional increment or some allowance
should be granted for performance duties on such posts. Seniority criteria of
postmen should be taken in view while deploying on these posts.
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There
is no separate Grade Pay between Rs. 2000 and 2400 in the hierarchy of the
Grade Pay recommended by 6th CPC. In case we treat
these cadres as promotional cadres of the postman then they will be losers as
1st financial upgradation will be admissible to them in the
same Grade Pay but with only one increment. For example a direct recruit
postman is presently allowed 1st financial upgradation to the
GP of Rs. 2400, 2ndfinancial upgradation to the GP of Rs. 2800 and
3rd financial upgradation to the GP of Rs. 4200. In the event
of treating these cadres as promotional cadres in the same GP but with
allowance, they will get 1st financial upgradation GP of Rs.
2000, 2ndfinancial upgradation of GP of Rs. 2400 and 3rd financial
upgradation to GP of Rs. 2800.
The special allowance provided after introduction of TBOP effective from
30/11/1983 was withdrawn on introduction of BCR effective from 01.10.1991.
Thus for the posts of Mail Overseer, Cash Overseer, Head Postman &
Sorting Postman, no special allowance is currently admissible.
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