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
Mob: 09444841440 Mob:
09447068125
