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
