Indefinite strike from 17.01.2012

Indefinite strike from 17.01.2012

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

1.(a) Drop the Mail Network Optimisation Project (MNOP) and reject the Mckinsey Consultancy’s disastrous recommendations. Inspite of the opposition and disagreement expressed by the staff side in the MNOP Committee, the Department is going ahead with the implementation of L1, L2 (hub system for first class mails). Further the request for additional intra-circle speed post hubs proposed by the staff side is not yet fully implemented. Change of administrative jurisdiction of speed post hubs from Postal side to RMS side is also not considered favourably.

(b) Stop closure/merger of Post offices including Branch Post offices. Even though it was assured by the Secretary (Posts) in the minutes of the discussion held on 01.07.2011, that there will be no closure/merger of Post offices, except simultaneous relocation, instructions in this regard are yet to be communicated to the Circle/Regional heads. Even now some Regional heads are closing Post offices indiscriminately.

(c) Drop the proposed move to introduce delivery hubs for delivery of articles by withdrawing delivery from all town sub post offices in the urban areas. Orders for rotation of the Sorting Postmen work among Beat Postman may be withdrawn.

(d) Review CRC, EPP and logistics norms.

2. Grant status as Central Government Civil Servants to Gramin Dak Sevaks employees for all purposes including service matters, pay scale, increment, allowances, pension, promotion, leave, bonus, trade unions rights and other terminal benefits. Scrap the new Recruitment rules for appointment of postmen by 25% outside recruitment which curtails the promotional avenues of GDS and restore the previous Recruitment rules. Enhance the bonus ceiling of GDS to 3500/- at par with regular employees. Withdraw the tightened norms for cash handling, stamp sale, and other norms for assessing the workload of BPMs, stop reduction of TRCA in case of reduction in workload. Modify the orders restricting compassionate appointment of GDS. Scrap the newly notified “GDS Conduct & Engagement Rules” and restore the previous “GDS Conduct and Employment Rules”. Fill up all GDS Mailmen Posts in RMS. Providing norms for NREGS. Inspite of assurances to reconsider the orders, no favourable orders have been issued so far.

3. Revise the wages of casual labourers including part-time and contingent employees w.e.f. 1.1.2006 as per Supreme Court orders based on the minimum pay implemented as per Sixth CPC recommendations. Stop outsourcing the work of casual labourers and contingent employees. Grant temporary Status to all full time casual labourers. Convert part-time into full-time by combination of duties. Absorb all part-time casual and contingent employees creating GDS posts. Inspite of favourable assurances during discussion no orders have been issued so far.

4. Immediate revision of OTA rates and stop recovery of OTA paid to officials who are engaged compulsorily on OTA overlooking the pay-ceiling.

5. Implement the assurances made on 12.07.2010 strike settlement and also in the JCM Departmental Council Meeting held on 23.08.2010. Ensure prompt holding of Departmental Council Meetings. Inspite of assurance that next JCM meeting will be held within one month, no meeting has been notified so far.

6. Immediate finalization of Cadre Restructuring proposals including Postal Accounts as assured by the Secretary Department of Posts and its implementation. Inspite of the assurance that the proposals will be finalized within one month, the process is still in the initial stage.

7. Stop decentralization of Postal Accounts, PLI and RPLI and ensure status-quo. Save DPLI office, Kolkata and ensure job security to the staff of DPLI. Certain items of work relating to PLI has been decentralized unilaterally.

8. Expedite the process of filling of all vacant posts in all wings including GDS. Create additional new post wherever workload is heavy. 2/3 posts for the period up to 2008 kept in skeleton may be redeployed to offices where additional post is justified.

9. Ensure 100% filling up of LSG, HSG-II, HSG-I promotional posts before implementation of Postmasters Cadre, remove the retrograde eligibility conditions for appearing the examination of Grade I and PSS Group B and allow Account line officials also.

10. Create the System Administrators posts as assured with specified norms and other works and make it a separate cadre as a promotional cadre to PA/SA.

11. Stop combination of beats /double duty, stop harassment of staff insisting 100% impracticable condition for delivery under Project Arrow. Settle the demands raised in the Postmen Committee such as distance factor, number of articles, Grant of Cycle allowance without distance condition, cash payment for uniform and kit items, Supply of good quality uniforms, Revision of norms. Stop imposing unmanageable workload on staff in the name of verification of applications and delivery of Adhar cards to public. Settle the items already submitted by Postmen Unions.

12. Fixing norms for newly assigned works of Multi Tasking Staff. Allow to decline postman promotion for MTS under seniority quota without loosing MACP promotions and review the recruitment rules of MTS to Postmen / Mail Guards.

13. Grant promotions to Drivers / Artisans at par with other C.G. organizations like Railways/Defence. Higher Pay Scales to charge hand & Drivers.

14. Declare SBCO Staff as Divisional cadre, Stop harassment of SBCO officials under contributory factors. Complete the Ledger Agreement Work and update the SBCO before launching Core Banking.

15. Fill up all Postal Civil Wing and Electrical Wing posts as per CPWD norms. Creation of one Civil Circle and Electrical and Architectural Division in every Circle. Expedite the Restructuring of Civil Wing Cadres. Restrict the transfer of non-gazetted staff within the concerned Postal Circle only. Retain Head clerk designation instead of Assistant and declare Head clerk as supervisory posts.

16. Ensure full fledge functioning of newly formed Postal Accounts Offices by providing adequate Staff strength and accommodation. Rectify the anomaly/discrimination caused due to the promotion of Gr.D officials under SCF quota to the cadre of LDC after 2006 ignoring the seniors in the Sorting cadre. Grant MACP to those joined in Sorter cadre treating LDC as entry grade as the Sorter grade has been defunct since 2000. Grant Gr.B non-Gezetted status to Senior Accountants as declared by the DOP. Stop recovery from the DEOs of Chennai PAO. Expedite the process of filling up of vacant posts in the Postal Accounts Wing.”.

17. Counting of past services rendered by erstwhile RTPs for promotions and MACP.

18. Implement Apex Court Judgment in case of RRR Candidates in true sprit and extend to all approved RRR Candidates awaiting for absorption.

19. Stop Harassing and victimization of innocent officials under contributory negligence factors. Implement the true spirit of Govt. orders and Volumes and no recovery should be made if the concerned is not directly responsible for the loss sustained to the department.

20. Stop discrimination towards PO & RMS Accounts Cadre, Create separate cadre and earmark percentage of posts for norm based promotions in the same cadre, Count Special Allowance for fixation on promotion, Withdraw the recovery imposed on Postman Pay fixation and drawal of bonus to GDS. Restore the date of passing the Accountant examination for according LSG promotions instead date of entry in PA cadre.

21. Enhance the LR strength on all cadres to the extent of 20% and fill up all vacant LR posts.

22. Ensure prompt grant of Child Care Leave as per the liberalized orders, unnecessary hurdles put forth should be dropped.

23. Review the MACP clarificatory orders and rectify the issues like, non drawal of special allowance on acquiring MACP, wrong interpretation of IIIrd MACP to departmental promotes only after 30 years, Counting as double promotions as Group D & Postmen even in the case of promotion to Postman on GDS quota, non counting of training period for MACP, ignore promotions acquired on deptl. exam for MACP, ignore all uncommunicated average bench marks for MACP as per Judicial verdict. Ensure prompt holding of DPCs at Circle and Divisional level as per DOP&T latest instructions. Grant of Grad pay 1900, 2000 with effect from 01.01.2006 to those Group D (MTS) who were given TBOP/BCR before 1.01.2006 with pay fixation benefits at every stage.

24. Vacate victimization and condone/drop FR-17A in Maharashtra Circle .Stop attack on Union office bearers by misusing Rule 37 transfers and Rule 9 of CCS (CCA) Rules. Dispose all Rule 9 (Pension rules) disciplinary cases and review petition cases pending at Directorate years together.

25. Denying the legitimate right of employees to avail holidays & Sundays by compelling them to attend frequent meetings/Melas arranged by the department. Inspite of the instructions issued by Directorate, some of the lower authorities are still compelling the staff to attend melas and meetings on Sundays and holidays

PO interest rate hiked

Rationalisation of Schemes

 (i) The maturity period for Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) and National Savings Certificate (NSC) will be reduced from 6 years to 5 years.

(ii) A new NSC instrument, with maturity period of 10 years, would be introduced.

(iii) Kisan Vikas Patras (KVPs) will be discontinued.

(iv) The annual ceiling on investment under Public Provident Fund (PPF) Scheme will be increased from Rs.70,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

(v) Interest on loans obtained from PPF will be increased to 2% p.a. from existing 1% p.a.

(vi) Liquidity of Post Office Time Deposit (POTD) – 1, 2, 3 & 5 years – will be improved by allowing pre-mature withdrawal at a rate of interest 1% less than the time deposits of comparable maturity. For pre-mature withdrawals between 6-12 months of investment, Post Office Savings Account (POSA) rate of interest will be paid.

 Interest Rates on Small Savings Instruments

 (i) The rate of interest paid under Post Office Savings Account (POSA) will be increased from 3.5% to 4% p.a.

(ii) The rate of interest on small savings schemes will be aligned with G-Sec rates of similar maturity, with a spread of 25 basis points (bps) with two exceptions. The spread on 10 year NSC (new instrument) will be 50 bps and on Senior Citizens Savings Scheme 100 bps. The interest rates for every financial year will be notified before 1st April of that year.

(iii) Assuming the date of implementation of the recommendations of the Committee as 1st December, 2011, the rate of interest on various small savings schemes for current financial year on the basis of the interest compounding/payment built in the schemes, will be as given below:-

Instrument                 Current Rate (%)       Proposed Rate (%)

Savings Deposit                                3.50                                       4.0

1 year Time Deposit                        6.25                                       7.7

2 year Time Deposit                        6.50                                       7.8

3 year Time Deposit                        7.25                                        8.0

5 year Time Deposit                        7.50                                        8.3

5 year Recurring Deposit               7.50                                        8.0

5-year SCSS                                        9.00                                       9.0

5 year MIS                                           8.00 (6 year MIS)              8.2

5 year NSC                                          8.00 (6 year NSC)              8.4

10 year NSC New Instrument                                                     8.7

PPF                                                        8.00                                        8.6

(iv) Payment of 5% bonus on maturity of MIS will be discontinued.

 Commission to Agents

 (i) Payment of commission on PPF schemes (1%) and Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (0.5%) will be discontinued.

(ii) Agency commission under all other schemes (except MPKBY agents) will be reduced from existing 1% to 0.5%.

(iii) Commission at existing rate of 4% will continue for Mahila Pradhan Kshetriya Bachat Yojana (MPKBY) agents.

(iv) Incentives, if any, paid by the State/UT Governments will be reduced from the commission paid by the Central Government.

Investments from NSSF

(i) The minimum share of States in net small savings collections in a year, for investment in State Governments Securities, will be reduced from 80% to 50%. The remaining amount will be invested in Central Government securities or lent to other willing States or in securities issued by infrastructure companies/agencies, wholly owned by Central Government.

(ii) Yearly repayment of NSSF loans made by Centre and States, will be reinvested in Central and State Government securities in the ratio of 50:50.

(iii) The period of repayment of NSSF loans by Centre and States will be reduced to 10 years, with no moratorium.

(iv) For the current financial year the prevailing interest rate of 9.5% will continue. From 1st April, 2012 revised interest rate will be notified.

(v) Half yearly payment of interest by the Centre and the States will be introduced.

(vi) Interest rate on existing investments from NSSF in Central Government securities till 2006-07 will be re-set at 9% and on those from 2007-08 till 2010-11 will be re-set at 9.5%.

Postings

CONGRATULATIONS :
Sri.K.Raveendran SSRM, T Division posted to Directorate on regular basis  and reallotted to Tamil Nadu Circle.

HIGHLIGHTS OF DRAFT PO BILL 2011

Highlights of draft Post Office Bill 2011

1. Opening of market by reducing the exclusive privilege of Central Government:

Gradual opening of the market by phase wise removal of the monopoly proposed. Exclusive privilege reduced upto 150 gm. In case of letters and upto 50 gm. in case of express mail. Couriers can carry letters even within 150 gm and 50 gm ( the reserve area) subject to them charging twice the postal rates for letters and twice the rates for express service.

 2. Sunset clause:

A 15 years SUNSET clause for complete removal of exclusive privilege in express  service and Parliamentary Review of exclusive privilege in case of letters is proposed.

 3. Universal Service Obligation of the Central Government:

As proposed, USO is defined as the obligation of the Central Government to provide, through the Department of Posts, basic postal services at reasonable access, affordable price and with specified service parameters throughout the country. Commitment to provide postal service, delivery and access to post office 6 days of the week except holidays.

4. Definitions:

Definitions of certain ‘terms’ are proposed keeping in view the definition adopted by different countries, as also the requirement of customers i.e.

 a) “postal services” means services provided by the Central Government or on its behalf

and includes services related to

 (i) handling of addressed letters,

(ii) handling of addressed parcels and packages,

(iii) handling of addressed press products,

(iv) handling of these articles as registered or insured mail,

(v) express services for these articles,

(vi) handling of unaddressed articles,

(vii) Value Payable Post,

(viii) money remittance

(ix) Post Office Counter Services

(x) services on behalf of any Ministry or Department of the Central or State  Governments, or services on behalf of any other organization

(xi) other services not specified elsewhere;

 b) “courier services” means services related to the handling of articles of mail i.e. collection, sorting, dispatch, conveyance and delivery including

 (i) handling of addressed letters subject to provisions in Section 4,

(ii) handling of addressed parcels and packages,

(iii) handling of addressed press products,

(iv) express services for these articles subject to provision in Section 4

(v) handling of unaddressed articles,

 c) “express services” means postal / courier services related to handling of articles of mail and expedited delivery within a clearly specified and declared time limit with confirmation of receipt and with or without end‐to‐end integration to ensure track and trace and a record of delivery ;

 d) “Registered Courier” means any person registered as such under Section ‐‐‐ and includes his employee or agent or assignee;

 e) “Licensee” means a Registered Courier who has been given license under Section ‐‐;

5. Registration and Licensing:

 The Central Government may grant registration to any person undertaking the provision of any courier service in India, who shall be called a Registered Courier. The Central Government may also grant license to any Registered Courier, who shall be called a licensee, for providing certain specific services. There is no registration fee or license fee. Licensing conditions involve adherence to quality, guarantee relief to customers in case of any deficiency in service and commitment to ensure confidentiality and security of letter. All operators will require registration for providing any type of courier service in India. But license will be required only for reserve area, USO and letter mail.

 6. Registering Authority:

 It is proposed that Central Government shall appoint Registering Authority, in such manner and to perform such functions, as may be prescribed.

 7. Appellate Authority:

 An Appellate Authority is proposed for redressal of grievances of any person aggrieved by an order of Registration Authority.

 8. Setting up Extra Territorial Offices of Exchange (ETOE) and International mail Processing Centers (IMPC) abroad:

 Central Govt. may establish ETOEs/IMPCs in other countries for providing international Mail Services including express and parcel services subject to arrangements with such Postal Administrations regarding terms and conditions.

(Source: Indiapost.gov.in)

Posting of husband and wife at the same station

F.NO.28034/9/2009-Estt.(A)

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

(Department of Personnel and Training)

North Block, New Delhi,

Dated the 30^th September, 2009.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

 
Subject: Posting of husband and wife at the same station.

*******

 

In view of the utmost importance attached to the enhancement of women’s status in all walks of life and to enable them to lead a normal family life as also to ensure the education and welfare of the children, guidelines were issued by DOP&T in O.M No. 28034/7/86-Estt.(A) dated 3.4.86 and No.28034/2/97-Estt.(A) dated 12.6.97 for posting of husband and wife who are in Government service, at the same station. Department had on 23.8.2004 issued instructions to all Mins. / Deptts. to follow the above guidelines in letter and spirit.
 
2. In the context of the need to make concerted efforts to increase representation of women in Central Government jobs, these guidelines have been reviewed to see whether the instructions could be made mandatory. It has been decided that when both spouses are in same Central Service or working in same Deptt. and if posts are available, they may mandatorily be posted at the same station. It is also necessary to make the provisions at Paras 3(iv) and (vi) of the O.M. dated 3.4.86 stronger as it is not always necessary that the service to which the spouse with longer service belongs has adequate number of posts and posting to the nearest station by either of the Department may become necessary.
 
3. On the basis of the 6th CPC Report, Govt. servants have already been allowed the facility of Child Care Leave which is admissible till the children attain 18 years of age. On similar lines, provisions of O.M. dated 12.6.97 have been amended.
 
4. The onsolidated guidelines will now be as follows:
 
(i) Where the spouses belong to the same All India Service or two of the All India Services, namely lAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service (Group ‘A’);
        The spouse may be transferred to the same cadre by providing for a cadre transfer of one spouse to the Cadre of the other spouse, on the request of the member of service subject to the member of service not being posted under this process to his/her home cadre. Postings within the Cadre will, of course, fall within the purview of the State Govt.
 
(ii) Where one spouse belongs to one of the All India Services and the other spouse belongs’ to one of the Central Services:-
        The cadre controlling authority of the Central Service may post the officer to the station or if there is no post in that station, to the State where the other spouse belonging to the All India service is posted.
 
(iii) Where the spouses belong to the same Central Service:
        The Cadre controlling authority may post the spouses to the same station.
 
(iv) Where the spouse belongs to one Central Service and the other spouse belongs to another Central Service:-
        The spouse with the longer service at a station may apply to his/her appropriate cadre controlling authority and the said authority may post the said officer to the station or if there is no post in that station to the nearest station where the post exists. In case that authority, after consideration of the request, is not in a position to accede to the request, on the basis of non-availability of vacant post, the spouse with lesser service may apply to the appropriate cadre authority accordingly, and that authority will consider such requests for posting the said officer to the station or if there is no post in that station to the nearest station where the post exists.
 
(v) Where one spouse belongs to an All India Service and the other spouse belongs to a Public Sector Undertaking:
        The spouse employed under the Public Sector Undertaking may apply to the competent authority and said authority may post the said officer to the station, or if there is no post under the PSU in that station, to the State where the other spouse is posted.
 
(vi) Where one spouse belongs to a Central Service and the other spouse belongs to a PSU:-
        The spouse employed under the PSU ‘may apply to the competent authority and the said authority may post the officer to the station or if there is no post under the PSU in that station, to the station nearest to the station where the other spouse is posted. If, however, the request cannot be granted because the PSU has no post in the said station, then the spouse belonging to the Central Service may apply to the appropriate cadre controlling authority and the said authority may post the said officer to the station or if there is no post in that station, to the station nearest to the station where the spouse employed under PSU is posted.
 
(vii) Where one spouse is employed under the Central Govt. and the other spouse is employed under the state Govt.:-
        The spouse employed under the Central Govt. may apply to the competent authority and the competent authority may post the said officer to the station or if there is no post in that station to the State where the other spouse is posted.
 
(viii)         ”The husband & wife, if working in the same Department and if the required level of post is available, should invariably be posted together in order to enable them to lead a normal family life and look after the welfare of their children especially till the children attain 18 years of age. This will not apply on appointment under the central Staffing Scheme. Where only wife is a Govt. servant, the above concessions would be applicable to the Govt. servant.
 
5.         Complaints are sometimes received that even if posts are available in the station of posting of the spouse, the administrative authorities do not accommodate the employees citing administrative reasons. In all such cases, the cadre controlling authority should strive to post the employee at the station of the spouse and in case of inability to do so, specific reasons, therefor, may be communicated to the employee.
 
6.         Although, normal channels of representations/complaints redressal mechanism exist in the Min. / Deptts., added safeguards to prevent noncompliance may be provided by ensuring that the complaints against nonadherence to the instructions are be decided by the authorities at least one level above the authorities which took the original decision when they are below the level of secretary to the Govt. of India/Head of the PSU concerned and all such representations are considered and disposed off in time bound manner.
 
7.         Hindi version will follow.

 

(C.B.Paliwal)

Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India

IP SURPLUS QUALIFIED SCHEME

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub:   Inspector of Posts Examination - allotment of Surplus Qualified             Candidates

            The Competent Authority has decided that the Surplus Qualified Inspectors scheme which was introduced vide this office letter of even number dated 13.04.2007 and dated 20.04.2007 is hereby dropped.

2. The above order is effective from the Inspector of Posts Examination 2011 which will be held on 3rd and 4th September 2011.

              Sd......
              (L.Mohan Rao)
              Assistant Director General (DE)

Revision of OSA - for RMS staff

OUTSTATION ALLOWANCE (OSA) FOR RMS STAFF- REVISION OF RATES THEREOF

No. D.G. Posts No. 28.2/2010-D dated 19.7.2011

            The outstation allowance payable to the RMS Staff was last revised vide Directorate Memo no. 50-1/98-D dated 08.03.1999 and was under consideration at this Directorate  for further revision in the wake of revised DA rates recommended by the 6th Central Pay Commission.

2.         It has been decided to revise upwards the Outstation Allowance payable to the RMS Staff for a period of absence on duty from their headquarters exceeding six hours at the following rates:

i)          Multi task Staff (Gr. D)  Rs. 27.50
ii)         Mail Guard                   Rs.27.50
iii)        Head Mail Guard          Rs.29.70
iv)        Sorting Assistants        Rs.29.70
v)         LSG SA                        Rs.31.50

FOR EVERY SIX HOURS OR PART THEREOF

3.         The revised Outstation allowance rates would be applicable with restrospective effect from 01.09.2008.

4.         This issues with the concurrence of IFW vide Diary No. 64/FA/11/CS dated 15.07.2011 and approval of Secretary (Posts)