MEMORANDUM
(Part
III)
ON
SECTIONAL
DEMANDS
SUBMITTED
TO
VII CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION
JULY — 2014.
Giri Raj Singh
General Secretary
|
All India RMS & MMS Employees Union
Group –C
( Affiliated to National Federation of
Postal Employees)
|
D. Theagarajan
General Secretary
|
National Union of RMS & MMS Employees Group –C
(
Affiliated to Federation of National Postal Organisations)
|
MEMORANDUM
RELATING TO RMS AND MMS EMPLOYEES
GROUP-C
SUBMITTED TO
SEVENTH PAY COMMISSION
PREFACE
1.
We represent the
Group-C employees in Railway Mail Service and Mail Motor Service organizations
of the Department of Posts. The Unions
are affiliated to the “National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE) and
Federation of National Postal Organization (FNPO)”.
2.
The Memorandum
comprises of two Parts:
Part-III Service
and Working conditions in RMS& MMS;
The
Major federations in the National Council (JCM) have submitted to the Seventh
Pay Commission for consideration, a detailed Memorandum on :
(A)
Merger of DA& Interim relief
(B)
Basic Issues
(C)
Pensional Benefits
The above may be treated as
Part-I.
The above named two Postal Federations have jointly
submitted another Memorandum on the common issues of Postal Employees which may
be treated as Part-II.
3.
The Railway Mail
service is playing a vital role in carrying, transmitting, sorting and exchange
of mails to the delivery point and due its continuous exhibition of efficiency,
the letter mails and other articles are delivered in time. The employees
working thereon are most dedicated and hard working.
4.
During the period
between 2006 and 2014, RMS faced severe attack due to the Topsy Turvy policies
preached and practiced by the private consultants and the wrong policies
adopted by the Postal Department.
For example: The Department redesigned our RMS mail
network operation in respect of First class, Second class mails and Speed Posts
. In this connection Department
appointed M/s Mckinsey& Co by paying Rs.12.66 crores. Based on the
recommendations of the said company, 354 offices were redesigned as 89 Level-I
offices and 265 Level-II offices.
5.
We had mentioned
elsewhere in the memorandum about the withdrawal of sorting work from 283
sorting sections which functioned in the trains. The Postal Board subsequently introduced several
measures aimed at staff reduction like abolition of checking work papers and
closure of sorting offices in the name of reorginaisation.
6.
Based on the M/s
Mckinsey& Co report, after redesigning the mail offices, the staff rendered
surplus and public mails were subjected to undue delay badly caused detention
of articles at all level. However after
the several rounds of discussions with the Department by the staff side, the
Department atleast, agreed to dilute the M/s Mckinsey& Co recommendations.
This has paved the way for the speedy disposal of public mails and put an end
to unorganized Couriers in the intra-circles. The above policies are directly
responsible for the deterioration in efficiency of the service.
7.
The RMS
employees, therefore, look to the Seventh Pay Commission for improving and
humanizing the working and service conditions.
We urge upon the Commission to agree to pay a visit to a few mail
offices and travelling sections to realise the actual position and grasp the
feeling of the workers.
MAIL
MOTOR SERVICES
8.
P & T Mail
Motor Service came into existence in the year 1944 in Kolkatta. It was expanded gradually from the year 1947
and started functioning at Mumbai,
Chennai, Delhi and Nagpur. The Motor
service was made a departmental wing in the year 1948.
9.
After the
bifurcation of the P & T Department in the year 1986, the P&T Motor
Service has been renamed as Mail Motor Service.
We have 1223 Mail Motor vehicles and 486 Staff cars in 98 stations. 226
CNG vehicles (environment friendly) are plying in Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
10.
The following
units are controlled by the Senior Manager – Chennai – Mumbai - Delhi and
Kolkatta. The units controlled by the Managers are – Ahmedabad, Bangalore,
Ernakulam, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Nagpur, Pune, Madurai, Coimbatore,
Chandigarh and Bhopal. The remaining MMS Units are under the control of
respective SSPOs/SPs of the Divisions where MMS units are located.
MEMORANDUM DEALING WITH SERVICE CONDITIONS OF NON GAZETTED GROUP ‘B’
& GROUP ‘C’PAY SCALES ETC.OF THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICEPERSONNEL
IN THE DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
CHAPTER-I
AN INTRODUCTION
1:1 INDIA POST – AN INTRODUCTION
The Department of Posts is an
organization socially committed connecting individuals and business and an easy
reach for everyone with its vast infrastructure and network spreading over the
Nation providing basic Postal facilities besides various social welfare and
business activities. Extensive Postal facilities are available throughout the
country in terms of regular delivery of Mails at the doorsteps of every
customer, collection of letters from letter boxes and selling of
stamps/stationery is provided in every village irrespective of the terrain
through delivery agents while on their regular visit to their respective beats.
Besides, there are ancillary
activities such as Banking, Insurance, collection of Custom Duty and
various business and ‘e’bill services etc.
1:1:1 While tracing out the History of Indian
Post, a regular Postal Service in India was established by the East India
Company in 1766. It was, however, run by
Private Agencies. The East India Company, by an Act No. XVII of 1837,
nationalized the Postal Services and brought it under the monopoly of the
Government. Thereafter, in 1854, the separate Postal Department was established
and the First Postage Stamp was introduced. The First Railway Mail Service was
established in 1863. The Post Office
Savings Bank was introduced in the year 1882. Booking of parcels and its
transmission was introduced in 1854. The Value payable service was established
in 1878. First Sorting Section was created between Allahabad and Kanpur. During
1927, the RMS was amalgamated with the Postal wing. The Posts and Telegraphs,
which were integrated in 1914 were subsequently bifurcated w.e.f. 01.01.1985
and the Department of Posts was created.
1:1:2 Thus, the Postal Department is one of the
oldest departmentally run Public Service departments of the Government of
India. Its’ legislative basis is the
Indian Post Office Act, 1898. The
Department of Posts is committed to fulfilling the Universal Service Obligation
in terms of providing basic postal services throughout
the country, irrespective of terrain at an affordable price.
1:1:3 India has the largest number of Post
Offices in the world. At the time of
Independence, the number of post offices was 23,344. Now the number of post offices has been
expanded to 1,54,822 as on 31-03-2012 of which 1,39,086 are in rural areas and
as an average, a post office serves an area of 21.23 sq. km and a population of
7817. Mail processing, transmission and
delivery are the core activities. Mail
is collected from 5,62,075 letter boxes in the country. This is processed by a
network of 390 RMS officesand 522 transit sections.During 2011-2012 the Department
of Posts handled 637.18 Crores articles, including 19.11 Crores registered
articles. It also handled 698.65 lakhs
of money orders amounting to Rs. 10201.49 Crores. The Speed Post and registered
letters have been computerizedand the ‘CRCs’ have been formed exclusively to
deal the registered articles.
1:1:4 The trend of actual growth in mail volume
(2004-05 to 2007-08) together with projections for the period from 2008-09 to
2013-14 as mentioned in the Department of Posts report is as follows
(In Crores)
Years
|
2004-05
|
2005-06
|
2006-07
|
2007-08
|
2008-09
|
2009-10
|
2010-11
|
2011-12
|
2012-13
|
2013-14
|
Unregistered Mail
|
714.61
|
649.21
|
645.98
|
649.21
|
652.46
|
685.08
|
787.84
|
906.02
|
1000
|
1100
|
Registered Mail
|
21.42
|
20.85
|
21.73
|
21.95
|
22.17
|
22.83
|
25.57
|
28.64
|
29.25
|
30
|
Speed Post
|
9.59
|
10.86
|
12.86
|
14.79
|
17.75
|
21.30
|
26.62
|
33.27
|
37.00
|
40
|
Total Mail
Traffic
|
745.62
|
680.92
|
680.57
|
685.95
|
692.38
|
729.21
|
840.03
|
967.93
|
1066.25
|
1170
|
1:1:5 The Department of Posts, introduced the
Speed Post service which carried 10,89,000 articles and earned a revenue of Rs.
3.17 crore in 1987-88 has grown many fold times with 40.2 crores articles
during 2011-12. At present, the Speed Post ensuing 100% and time bound delivery
with Track & Trace facilities received a tremendous response by the common
and business societies. The Speed Post revenue has shown a growth of 20.15% in
2011.12 over the previous years.
1:1:6 The value added postal services now
offered by the India Post in recent years include Speed Post, Business Post,
Express Parcel Post, Greetings Post, Data Post, Speed Post Passport Service,
Bill Mail Post, E-Post, Logistic and E-Bill Post etc.. Besides these, the India Post has ventured
into various financial services which include International Money Transfer,
Electronic Fund Transfer, Electronic Clearance Services, MO Videsh, e-MO,
Mobile Money Transfer, EVPP, COD, AadharEnrolment, Warrant Payment, Sale of
Mutual Funds and Bonds etc. There are
services like Direct Post, Express Parcel Post, Media Post, Meghdoot Post Card,
Logistics Post, Retail Post, Bill Mail Services introduced by the Business
Directorate. Thus the India Post has diversified the postal operations into
different areas through the business development. The work related to serving
summons of the court are also being entrusted to PO by the High Courts.
1:1:7 As on 31-03-99, the department had
2,92,672 full time regular employees and 3,09,915 Extra Departmental Employees
and this has been shrunk to the extent of 211107 & 263467 as on 31.03.2012
respectively in both the categories. The postal and RMS employees are being
overburdened and facing untold miseries every day due to this unscientific
drastic cut in the establishment. The manpower provided in the RMS is
inadequate, which causes untold miseries to the existing staff. At present
there are about 16500 Sorting Assistants, 1053 LSG supervisors, 415 HSG II
& 415 HSG I officials maintaining the service very efficiently.
1:1:8 The Postal Department is headed by a
Secretary who is also the Chairman of the Postal Services Board and also the
Director General of Postal Services. There are 22 postal circles headed by
Chief Postmaster General or Principal Chief Postmaster General as the case may
be. Each circle is co-terminus with a
state except Gujarat circle which includes Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar
Haveli; Kerala Circle includes the Union Territory of Lakshadweep; Maharashtra
Circle includes Goa; North Eastern Circle consists of Arunachal, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura; Punjab Circle includes the union
territory of Chandigarh; Tamil Nadu Circle includes Pondicherry; West Bengal
Circle includes Sikkim & the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar
Islands.
1:1:9 Each circle is divided into regions
comprising groups of field units, called divisions (Postal / RMS
Divisions). Each region is headed by a
Postmaster General and assisted by a Director of Postal Services. Each division
is headed by Senior Superintendent of Post Offices / Sr. Supdt of RMS / Superintendent
of Post Offices /Supdt of RMS.
1:1:10 The Vision & Mission of the India Post
has been declared and defined as under
Vision
India Post's products and services will be the customer's first
choice.
Mission
·
To sustain its position as the largest postal
network in the world, touching the lives of every citizen in the country.
·
To provide mail parcel, money transfer, banking,
insurance and retail services with speed and reliability.
·
To provide services to the customers on
value-for-money basis.
·
To ensure that the employees are proud to be its
main strength and serve its customers with a human touch.
·
To continue to deliver social security services
and to enable last mile connectivity as a Government of India platform.
We will
maintain our iconic status as a unique and trusted national institution by:
·
Always providing the human touch in all our
interactions with society
·
Being responsive and reliable
·
Demonstrating the highest order of integrity,
honesty, transparency and professionalism
·
Discharging
our responsibilities towards the society in an environment of deep trust,
mutual respect and a culture of service before self
·
Achieve
the long term goal of financial self-sufficiency by generating surpluses from
services (existing & new) outside our universal service obligation
·
Develop, implement and operate a system of
standards with accountability for performance
·
Develop a scalable and flexible technology
infrastructure to support our operations
·
Be the preferred, trusted and reliable service
partner for all customers
·
Ensure that India Post acquires all required
people capabilities to deliver its chosen services portfolio
·
Be the interface between citizens and the
government
1:1:11 Based
on the above vision and mission, there is a sea change taken place in the
Department of Posts and various new activities have been launched. At
this juncture, it is pertinent to mention that all these new services were
introduced with the existing staff and in particular, all of them are being
carried out very efficiently and effectively by the Group 'C' staff even though
there are inadequacy in the training and retraining. The skills and
capabilities of the existing Postal Assistants are being extracted to the
maximum extent without granting any higher pay for such technical work or granting
any incentive / honorarium for the extra work being performed by them.
1-2 RAILWAY
MAIL SERVICE
1:2:1 The
RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE (R.M.S.) was aptly
described by Shri Geofray Clarke, Director General in his book “Post office and
its System” as the “main artery of the Postal Body Politic through which the
postal life blood flows.”
1:2:2 The RMS is the main nerve of the system which carry, transmit and
ensure the correct reach of articles in time. From the point the mails received
by the post office which are transferred to Railway Mail Services (RMS), to the
point of delivery of mails to the post office at the destination, it is the
R.M.S which does the functions of:
1. Collecting all the mails
from the post offices;
2. Conveying to the R.M.S.
Mail offices: which are called stationary offices;
3. Receiving the mails in
closed bags by the R.M.S sections directly from the post offices and R.M.S
offices;
4. Opening the mail bags
addressed to the office, sorting them according to the directions of trains,
plane services, bus routes and according to class of articles etc. to near and
far off places;
5. Sale of Stamps, Booking
of Speed Post & Registered Articles late night.
6. Dealing with Speed post
and EMS mails.
7. Express Parcel Service
(E.P.P.)
8. Bulk Mail Service
9. Bill Mail Service
10. Logistic Posts
11. Business Mails
12 Business Parcel Services
1:2:3 That is, the R.M.S
does the miracle of collecting, sorting and safely handing over to the
destination post offices from where it is delivered by the postal staff to the
public at the other end. The R.M.S does not come under the public gaze and few
alone know its inside working occasionally the members of the public see some
red coated vans in some trains. But what is going on inside the van is not
known not only to the members of the public, but also to many in the Postal
Department. In short, the RMS functioning inside is leading the service for
quick and effective delivery of articles in time to the common public and
business commodities.
1:2:4 The Computerized
Registration channels were established in metro cities since 1994 and other
important places from 1996. Now it is well recognized in all the mail offices
and the software used for this is R. Net. Similarly the parcels are dealing
with Parcel Net software. Speed Post articles are handled with speed net
software. Major TMOs are handled with Sankaraman software, most of the HROs and
SROs are being handled the EMS articles (International Mails) with IPS
software. Thus the computerization in the RMS offices is also in the half way
and there is a proposal to modernize the entire RMS before the end of 12th
Five year plan period.
1:3 BRIEF HISTORY
1:3:1 The R.MS branch of the
postal services was first created in 1870 and was placed under the charge of
‘Superintendent’. In 1880, he was designated as ‘Inspector General of the
R.M.S.’, but he also functioned as Assistant Director General till 1890. Again
in 1905, the organization underwent a slender modification. Due to further
expansion and for rendering efficient service, it was placed under three Deputy
Postmasters General with headquarters inAmbala, Calcutta and Poona. In the year
1921, in pursuance of the Ryan Committee, it was entrusted to the Heads of
Circles. In the year 1934, the Postal Enquiry Committee, known as Pasricha
Committee’, enquired into the working of the Postal and RMS wings.
1:3:2 In the year 1948, on
the basis of the recommendation of the First Pay Commission, an Expert
Committee was appointed to study into
the question of working hours, weekly holidays, overtime and out-station
allowance, etc. But various of its valuable recommendations have not been
considered and implemented.
1:3:3 In the year 1957-58,
another Committee headed by Shri R.V. Marathe, the then Deputy Director General
(Staff) as Chairman was appointed to evaluate into the functioning of the R.M.S
and inattention of its problems. One of its recommendations was that the R.M.S
administration should be put under the exclusive charge of Heads of Circles and
be separated from the Postal side. As the recommendation was not implemented in
full, the very first step taken in this regard proved to be a miserable
failure. Consequently, the scheme was scrapped in the year 1967.
1:3:4 ‘All Up Scheme’ was introduced in the Railway Mail Service in
order to complete the work on the same day and all the mails were sorted out
and sent by air. The running RMS sections were performing the duties of sorting
of lakhs of letters in the running train and this was abolished in the year 1984.
The department has given up the ‘All Up scheme’ resulting in piling of unsorted
letters in the RMS offices. The sorting office, thereafter introduced, could
not cater to the requirement to the extent of earlier schemes.
1:3:5 The Department, as a part of modernization, appointed McKensey
Consultancy for the improvement of the mail, sorting and delivery system; not
only for the consultation, but also to implement its decisions under the guise
of Mail Network Optimization which has resulted in further deterioration of
service in the recent past in the functioning of the RMS and the sorting
offices. The Mail Network Optimization project introduced after their
consultations came to stay with many modifications. In between there were more
abolition of sorting offices which were protested by the service unions and
after sometime it was halted to some extent. But the damages caused to the
service were not retrieved.Meanwhile, the Department experienced with the
engagement of air freight carriers as a part of MNOP which was dropped
subsequently due to the delay of mails and causing heavy loss to the Government
exchequer.
1:3:6 The main object of briefing thisbackground is that the administration underwent several changes and
efforts were made to tone up its efficiency and improve the structure of the
administration, butdesired improvement is yet to come.
1:4:1 Despite the fact that
the Airlines are operating their services between distant cities and towns,
instead of utilizing such services, still the mails are being routed through
the railways. The conversion of all sorting sections into transit sections and
abolition of sorting in the running trains &back routing of mails caused
heavy impairment to the service.
1:4:2 As the representatives
of Major organizations, we are having a concern with the developments, butvery
optimistic, in the days to come, the organization will rise up to the occasion
and clamp the service a better and efficient one.
CHAPTER-II
JOB EVALUATION – SORTING ASSISTANT
JUSTIFICATION
FOR HIGHER PAY TO SORTING ASSISTANTS
2:1 Accepted Principle
2:1:1 The Department has ventured various new
mail services and there is a sea change taken place in its functioning. The
Government’s initiation under the ‘Mail Network Optimization Project’ has
changed the working condition of the RMS. Many of its branches were already
modernized and role and responsibilities are in increase.
2:1:2 At the outset, in general, the Pay &
Allowances of the Sorting Assistants are being equated with that of the Postal
Assistants working in the Postal Department. They are also supposed to have a
thorough knowledge of all the rules and regulations as mentioned for the postal
assistants and are performing more technically skilled and unique job of
sorting, transmitting and carry the mails from the post offices to the
destination office at delivery point. This is the fair comparison and we desire
the same to be continued. Whatever the pay prescribed for Postal Assistants,
this may please be made applicable to the sorting assistant also.
2:2 Job
Profile& Service Conditions
2:2:1 The category called ‘sorting assistant’
exists only in R.M.S. There is no such similar post in any other department or
industry inside the country. There is, therefore, difficulty of evaluation with
any such similar category of posts elsewhere.
2:2:2 The job of Sorting Assistants is skilled
operative-cum clerical category. They have to perform manual operations in the
course of performance of the job. They are constantly in motion and have to be mobile
as well. Their nature of work cannot be clubbed or treated as performing a
sedentary nature of the job..
2;2:3 Postal and RMS Divisions are spread over
a vast area. As a matter of rule, the Postal and RMS employees are required,
periodically, to be transferred not only from one branch /section to another in
the same office or at the same station, but two different stations in the
Division and Circle. The transfer liability in the Department of Posts is very
severe and dislocates the stability of the family including education of
children.
2:2:4 There are no set duty hours for the
Postal and RMS employees and the duty runs round the clock. Most of the duties
are in two spells. Some of the duties start early at 4 AM and some duties
terminate as late as 1 PM. Railway Mail Service duties mostly run round the
clock.
2:2:5 Most of the RMS offices is such that even
basic facilities and amenities like drinking water and toilet are not
available. The space in such buildings is short and ventilation facilities are
totally wanting. In the majority of offices/units, the facilities of recreation
club, subsidized canteens and rest rooms are not available.
2:2:7 The postal work is discharged under a set
of numerous rules spread over in eight volumes, apart from the guidelines given
in the Postal Guide. The accounting work is discharged under the provisions of
the Financial Hand Book and Fundamental and Supplementary Rules. Since any
postal employee may be required to work in any section (department) of the
Postal service, he is required to have a thorough knowledge of the rules. He
has to have a thorough knowledge in all these volumes & rules.
2:2:8 Time factors have been prescribed for
discharge of each item of the Postal and Railway Mail Service. According to
these factors, immediate relief is not possible. Shri RV Marathe, who evolved
the Time Test for Postal and RMS operative jobs, has himself observed.
“Before entering into a detailed
discussion of the time allowance, now proposed, it is necessary to emphasize on
the inherent limitation of the time test itself. The time test is merely an
arithmetical formula and like all other formulae its application could only
yield results approximately correct, particularly in relation to a human
organization like the post office. It cannot obviously serve like a magic wand,
which could give out finished staff figures as soon as raw material in the
shape of traffic statistics is put into it. The peculiarities of the traffic
and conditions of workers are not of a set pattern.
It is, therefore, necessary,
where a review of establishment is undertaken to supplement the application of
time test by an independent enquiry and personal observation of the working
conditions by responsible officers.”
2:2:9 The Fair wages Committee applied the
following criteria for higher wage differentials:
(a) Degree of skill
(b) The strain of work
(c) The experience involved
(d) The training required
(e) The responsibility undertaken
(f) The mental and Physical requirements
(g) The disagreeableness of the work
(h) The hazard attendant to the work, and
(j) The fatigue involved.
2:2:10It
will be more appropriate that on the above criteria, comparison shall be made
with similar categories of clerks and allied employees. Our contention is that
there is variation in the nature of job content on the above criteria between
operative worker inside the postal and outside. We shall give below the various
job contents to indicate the arduous and hazardous nature of work justifying
enhanced pay and allowances to these categories of employees.
2:3 THE DEGREE OF SKILL
2:3:1 The
recruitment to the cadre of Sorting Assistants is done from amongst the
candidates securing the highest number of marks in the higher secondary/+ 2
Examination and by the conduct of tough public examination in which the
selected candidates on merit will alone be offered the appointment of sorting
assistant. Actually candidates having higher first Division or Graduates and
double Graduates, are recruited. Thus the department takes the best of the
qualified candidates from the market. Computer knowledge is essential for the
recruitment. During the last recruitments made since 2009, 90% of the Sorting
Assistants are Graduates, Post Graduates and possessing engineering graduation.
2.4 THE STRAIN OF WORK
2:4:1 A
Sorting Assistant has to perform multifarious jobs, unlike other clerks and
office-assistants in other departments. The major part of the job, has to be
done while standing and this physical and mental exercise drive on for eight hours
continuously. This is too strenuous and fatiguing. He cannot rest or pause and
he gets completely exhausted.
2:4:2 Computerization of Sorting offices has
taken place. In respect of CRC, Speed Net, Parcel Net, etc., the officials are
being posted in Computer Operations sitting before computers continuously for
eight hours or more. They are working on different modules and screens and the
job is very arduous.
2:4:3 Now-a-days, women are also being
recruited in large numbers and they are also required to stand and keep moving
to do the hard job of sorting as well as sitting before the computers for
continuous eight hours at a stretch.
2:4:4 The sorting of letters in a standard size
of sorting table of minimum of 88 pigeon holes or more requires constant and
regular motion of his hands and eyes. On one hand, he has to hold a bunch of
letters while the other hand drives on doing the work of sorting for a full 8
hours. This also is too exacting and exhausting an exercise, both physically
and mentally.
2:4:5 The Sorting Assistants shall have full
geographical knowledge of the country and complete knowledge of sorting
pattern. In the course of sorting, he has to come across different patterns of
writings and has to carefully decipher.
2:4:6 While working in the Registration and
Parcel branches, he has to lift hundreds of heavy bags to take out registered
and parcel articles. He is responsible for the safe custody of the Insured and
valuable articles. Even after safely dispatching the articles, if there are any
complaints from the destination office about the difference in weight of
Insured articles or non-receipt of registered bag or insured article, he is
hauled up and also will be proceeded under the CCS Conduct &CCS (CCA)
Rules.
2:4:7 Similarly, in the Mail Department, the
work is full of risk and exhaustion. Whether, while exchanging mails with
running sections on the platforms or at the mail office, he has to check the
seals, cards, labels and condition of all bags. Here too, he is hauled up even
for the slightest mistake.
2:4:8 Computerization has been introduced in
registration branch, Mail branch, parcel branch and accounts branch. Track and
trace system is also introduced in speed post and express parcel service.
2:5 SUPERVISION AND GENERAL WORK IN THE OFFICES
2:5:1 The Sorting Assistant also works as Head
Sorting Assistant Supervising other’s work in addition to his portion of the
work.
2:5:2 He is required to work as a Sub Record
Officer in charge of the unit in an office, as OA in Record and Head Record
Offices, as Accounts Assistants in Head Record Offices and as OA in the office
of the Divisional Superintendent.
2:5:3 He is required to work in RMS booking
counters to book regd., speed and Parcel articles.
2:5:4 There is no separate set of staff recruited
for office. The sorting assistants alone are required to work on rotation.
2:6 WORK HOURS
2:6:1 He has to work for eight hours a day and
equivalent to 8 hours in the night. He is working round the clock, i.e.
morning, day and whole night. He is cut off from all social life. In running
sections, he has to perform long hours of duty. He remains continuously engaged
in work all over the beat. The Sorting Assistant has no Saturday off and he
works all the days except the weekly offs in lieu of Sundays and holidays. In
fact, they are working more than 300 hours per year viz. 52 days extra work as
enumerated in Chapter VI under para 6-5
without any extra remuneration or higher pay while comparing the other categories.
Thus, they are supposed to perform more working hours rather than other Central
Govt. Employees which itself justify the higher pay scale to them.
2:7 EXPERIENCE,
TRAINING AND RESPONSIBILITY
2:7:1 No
candidate is recruited and posted straightway on the job. If he is a direct
recruit, he has to undergo training. If he is a departmental employee, he must
have put in five years of service and then pass a competitive examination. He
too has to undergo training for three months to become a Sorting Assistant.
2:7:2 In the course of training, he has to
obligate to memory Head Offices all over India, Sub offices of the Circle he is
posted and also Sub-offices of neighbouring circles and branch offices of the
region served by the office. Thus, he has to commit to memory the names of
thousands of post offices and has to accurately know by memory under what Head
or Sub Office these branch offices are located. He has to study and acquire the
knowledge of operational rules of the department, which are contained in Postal
Manuals Volume V, VII, Postal Guide, and the Foreign Post Manual. He has to learn by memory the sorting and due
mail bag lists. He has to study the routes of Air Mails as well as Rail and
Road routes. Only after passing this rigorous examination, he is being offered
the job.
2:7:3 Of late, the sorting pattern has been changed
and the sorting assistants have to sort letters district-wise using pin code.
It has rather created more confusion and delay. The sorting is linked to the
nearest available mail line or the route to reach the destination
expeditiously. The frequent bifurcation of the existing revenue districts has
also undone the scheme of District pattern of sorting.
2:8 JOB CONTENT SKILL AND RESPONSIBILITY
2:8:1 The
skill and knowledge that a sorting assistant should possess has been aptly
described by a Senior Member (Posts) in the following words in an article
appearing in all daily newspapers during the P& T week published on
12.11.1967. Shri M. Dayal, retired Senior Member (Posts) said:
“In the good old days, a sorter
(now called sorting assistant) was only required to possess a fair knowledge of
hinterland arid of the connecting rail and road services for the efficient
disposal of mails”.
“To put it in postal parlance
sorting was done on a directional basis. As a direct consequence of the
carriage of mails by Air, the P & T Department had to evolve new techniques
and procedure for the sorting of mails, some of which have to be transmitted by
Air while others have to be forwarded by surface route.”
“No longer is it sufficient for
a sorter to merely know the geographical locations of the post towns, but he
has to master the circulation arrangements so that mails are forwarded in the
right direction either by air or surface. This has given rise to a number of
problems.
“For example, a sorter working
in a running section on the Frontier Mail from Mathura to Delhi would during
the good old days send a letter for the south to a section working in the
opposite direction. Now he has to forward it to the Delhi Airport Sorting
Office, even though it may be intended for Bhuj in Gujarat or Thanjavur in
Madras. So that it can be dispatched by air. Further, since sorting cannot, for
obvious reason, be done in aircraft direct bags have necessarily to be
exchanged between various air centers.
“In consequence a sorter is now
required to possess a detailed knowledge of sorting patterns of places hundreds
of miles away. Needless to say, all this requires a highly specialized staff
with not only ‘good knowledge of geography but of the sorting patterns of
distant air centers”
2:8:2 The above observations clearly bring out the
fact that a Sorting Assistant has to acquire highly technical skill in routing
and sorting of letters not only within India but also should have a broad outline of world map so as to enable
him to sort out and route mails for foreign countries both sea and air mail.
2:9 RESPONSIBILITY
2:9:1 A sorting assistant has to deal with bags
containing valuable articles. If any bag is received with mutilated seals or
bag with wrongly addressed labels, etc., he is held liable for the loss of bags
containing valuables. Inside the Registration and Parcel branches, he deals
with insured articles and an article which he has handled is later found to
have been tampered or found to be of less weight though the outward condition
may be good, he is held liable for any loss of articles.
2:9:2 Hundreds of cases occur and not a day passes
without some case or other. In such cases he has to pay to the tune of
thousands of rupees under the contributory negligence factors as prescribed in
the disciplinary rules.
2:9:3 The working condition is so bad that sorters
have to work in extremely congested areas. The Mail Bags containing valuable
articles are stacked outside for want of accommodation and no wonder theft or
loss occurs and the officials are constructively responsible, huge recoveries
are made. Similarly, in mail van, lights get dim or no light exists. Many a
sections are working in 2nd class compartments instead of regular
accommodation. In such circumstances, the officials are not able to work as per
the rules and any mishap occurs, he is to pay through his nose. He has to
follow meticulously the rules and even though he may not be committing any
crime, but on the ground that he did not implicitly follow the rules, hundreds
and thousands of rupees are being recovered from his pay for the alleged loss
of articles. Thus the job of a sorting is onerous and of high responsibility.
2:10 DISAGREEABLENESS, FATIGUE AND OTHER FACTORS
2:10.1 The
disagreeableness of the work will be evident from the following.
i. The RMS work has to be performed by
standing or squatting on the floor. The work is to be carried on in posthaste
for fear of misconnection of mails subjecting to detention for long hours. He
has to work under such a nervous state. Similarly the present state of computer
works is too laborious and arduous.
ii. The duty entails leaving hearth and family
members as a regular measure causing neglect of their wards and domestic work
necessitating service of private tutors and attendants involving extra taxation
on his purse.
iii. The nature of work in mail offices and mail
vans is such that they have to work in the midst of dust, dirt and the pungent
smell of molten wax. This affects the lungs of workers and naturally the
incidence of T. B and other fatal diseases are greater in R.M.S which can be
verified from the frequency of sick reports in the RMS Divisions throughout
India.
iv. The sectional staff (working in running trains)
is exposed to the vagaries of climate of different stations and different
states at all hours of the night and day and they have to work with the doors
and windows closed. In the summer, the van becomes a furnace.
v. The RMS operative work differs from office
to office and section to section. A
Sorting Assistant has to be a learner throughout his service. Even at the end
of his service when normally his memory fails, he has to cram classified lists
and sorting lists and commit to memory changes in connection with the sorting
arrangements and has to maintain a maximum standard of physical fitness to
stand the strain of his arduous work.
2:11 Comparison with other clerks
2:11:1 The Sorting Assistants are performing more volume of work as
compared to the other Government Administrative Offices. The comparative
figures between other Government Administrative Offices and Post and RMS
Offices will prove that both should not be equated with the volume of work done
qualitatively and quantitatively.
Operative Staff
in Post Offices
|
Other Government
Administrative Offices
|
|
Holidays (effective)
|
18 days
|
18 days
|
Casual Leave
& RH
|
10 days
|
10 days
|
Closed Saturdays
|
0
|
52 days
|
Weekly Off /
Sundays
|
52 days
|
52 days
|
Total in a year
|
80 days
|
132 days
|
Working days in a
year
|
285 days
|
233 days
|
One year
|
365 days
|
365 days
|
2:11:2 Conversion of working hours.
Working hours
converted into hours for Sorting Assistants
|
285 X 8 hours
|
= 2280 hours
|
Working days
converted into hours for Assistants working in the Administrative Offices
|
233 X 8 ½ hours
|
= 1980.5 hours
|
Excess of work
hours for Sorting Assistant
|
2280-1980.5
|
= 299.5 (i.e.)
300 hours
|
2:11:3 Thus, it could be seen that the Sorting Assistant working in
post offices is doing 300 hours extra work in a year for that additional work
he has not been properly compensated.
2:11:4 The working condition of the postal service is entirely
different from the employees of the other Central Government Services.
(i)
The
postal and RMS staff is subjected to
prolonged over inconvenient hours of attendance. They could leave the office only after the
works of the day completed. Sometimes they are involving attendance in split
duty barring them to attend their homely needs and other social obligations;
(ii)
They
have to shoulder heavy monetary and financial responsibility;
(iii)
They
are required to perform duties of a very arduous nature;
(iv) The postal officials are required to put in long
hours of duty, i.e. 48 hours weekly duty instead of 42 hours in other Central
Government departments;
(v)
Such
a laborious and multifarious variety of works are not available in any other
department other than Postal.
2:12 SELECTION/RECRUITMENT
PROCEDURE AND PRE-APPOINTMENT TRAINING
2:12:1 The selection for
the posts of Sorting assistants is made through a highly competitive
examination more or less to the standard of examinations conducted by the Staff
Selection Commission. Only the candidates who possess high talent and computer
skills can come through the competitive examination. Out of those qualified a short
list is prepared and they are again subjected to further tests relating to
computer operations. After the selection they are imparting intensive training
both theoretical and practical training for 75 days at the renowned postal
training centers by the professionals.
2:12:2 In the last recruitments made for about 8000
vacancies, there were more than 32 lakhs applications were received and the
majority of the candidates is possessing post graduates and engineering
degrees, etc. The selection was made with tough examination and among the
participants around 32 lakhs, around 35% vacancies have not been filled up for
want of successful candidates. This will exhibit the standard of the
examination and the selection.
2:13 JUSTIFICATION OF HIGHER PAY SCALES
AND WE DEMAND,
2:13:1 The facts enumerated above will
conclusively indicate that the sorting assistants in the Railway Mail Service
have to undertake comparatively more skilled and physical job with strains,
risks, responsibility and disagreeableness than a clerk in Bank, Insurance or
for that matter, any sedentary worker in other departments.
2:13:2 In the bulk recruitment made since 2009, more
than 90% of the Sorting Assistants are Engineering Graduates, Post Graduates
and Graduates. As such, we are also of the firm opinion that the minimum
educational qualification for the Sorting Assistant shall be enhanced as the
Graduation and they may be equated with the Executive Assistants with the Grade
Pay of Rs.4200.
2:13:3 The Sorting Assistant shall be granted
with ‘Qualification Pay’ as recommended earlier by the Department to Fifth Pay
Commission to promote the skills, talents, etc. This must be equal to the
extent of 10% of the Pay and the Grade Pay.
2:13:4 We
plead that this process should be considered on each factor of arduousness,
fatigue, risk, responsibility, strain, day and night duty, denial of holidays,
being away from hearth and home, coupled with skill and training, all these
factors should find reflection in his pay.
2:13:5 Considering the arduous nature of jobs,
skills and responsibilities, the Sorting Assistant shall be fixed with higher
pay with the existing Grade Pay of Rs.4200 which is equivalent to the basic pay
of Rs56000 as demanded by the Staff Side (JCM). The fair comparison hitherto
has been maintained with that of the Postal Assistants of the same Postal
department shall be upheld and the pay scales of the Sorting Assistants may be
fixed at par with the Postal Assistants.
CHAPTER - III
TBOP BCR
NOT FINANCIAL UPGRADATION ONLY PROMOTION
3:1 FINANCIAL
UPGRADATION – TBOP, BCR & ACP
3:1:1 The Department of Posts introduced a
promotional scheme called ‘Time Bound one promotion scheme’ in the year 1983
after reaching an agreement in the JCM held on 19.12.83 and the TBOP has been
equated with the LSG almost in all the references made subsequently by the
Department. Similarly w.e.f 1.11.1991, the Department introduced BCR Scheme,
which was also equated with HSG II and the officials acquired BCR were granted
HSG I promotion. These promotions were granted to the officials after reducing
the staff strength to the extent of 20% in Supervisory and 6% in Operative
Cadres as matching savings as per the agreement made with the Staff Side in the
JCM Departmental Council. They were introduced only as next promotion with time
frame and not as a financial upgradation.
3:1:2 Meanwhile, the 5th Pay
Commission recommended Assured Career Progression scheme (ACP) for all Central
Government employees guaranteeing two promotions to Group ‘C’ employees on
completion of 10 and 20 years of service without any matching cost and the same
has been accepted by the Government after 12 and 24 years of service
retrospectively for 1st and 2nd ACP financial up
gradation. The ACP scheme was introduced as financialupgradation and not as a
promotion. The difference between the schemes existed in Postal (TBOP, BCR) and
others (ACP) are two distinct.
3:1:3 Thereafter the 5th Pay
Commission under Para 62-11, did not recommend any pay scale for TBOP/LSG and
BCR/HSG.II in the Postal department but suggested as interalia: -
“We have recommended the implementation of the
Assured Career Progression Scheme which is in tune with the present two
time-bound promotions. The schemes of One Time Bound Promotion (OTBP) and Biennial
Cadre Review (BCR) will accordingly be replaced by this scheme in its general
applicability. We therefore do not recommend any change in the scales of pay
for the time-bound promotions. The scale of pay of Rs. 1400-2300 will be the
first ACP scale and Rs. 1600-2660 the second.”
3:2
ANOMALY ARISEN AFTER 5TH CPC
3:2:1 There
was a glaring anomaly that has been rising after the department has extended
only ACP pay scales to TBOP & BCR in the new pay scales on the following
reasons:-
(i)
ACP I and II are Assured Career Progression on completion of 12 and 24
years respectively. Whereas TBOP & BCR are LSG & HSG.II respectively,
which are the Supervisory posts required more skill for effective supervision;
(ii)
ACP I and II are granted to officials
on completion of 12 and 24 year as financialupgradations, whereas the TBOP
(LSG) is accorded on completion of 16 years as promotions and BCR after 26
years. As such this cannot be equated
with;
(iii)
ACP has been granted without any Matching Savings. Whereas for the grant of TBOP (LSG) & BCR
(HSG.II), the staff cut of 20% in Supervisory and 6% in Operative in the total
establishment had been implemented as Matching Savings;
(iv)
The 5th Pay Commission had not dealt about LSG, HSG.II
posts which are carrying higher responsibilities and the importance of its
functions in post offices& RMS Offices.
3:2:2 The
recommendations of the 5th Pay Commission have seriously disturbed
the long existing relativities, both horizontally and vertically, leading to
grave dissatisfaction, despondency lowering the morale of the LSG and HSG.II
and HSG.I officials. The anomaly arisen
after the 5th CPC has not yet been resolved and the anomaly was
unfortunately not considered by the Sixth CPC and it was silent on this in its
recommendations.
3:3 Time
Bound promotions &Financialupgradations – Not one and the same.
3:03:1 The concept of
financial upgradation is a misnomer for TBOP and BCR schemes which amount of
promotion and not a simple financial upgradation as in the case of ACP. TBOP / BCR schemes are not substituted /
alternative schemes for ACP. Whereas the concept of financial upgradation and
ACP is a novel concept introduced in the 5th Pay Commission, the
schemes of TBOP / BCR are unique obtained on matching savings basis. Though these schemes (TBOP / BCR) were not
reasonably discussed simply advising to opt for ACP by the 5th Pay
Commission, the issues are not properly addressed by the nodal department and
Department of Expenditure. When they
considered these schemes are unique once compared to other departments, then
there is every justification to treat them uniquely. Rather, it is very paradoxical to note that
promotion orders are issued to BCR officials
to a lower pay scale of LSG.
3:4 WE
DEMAND
The TBOP & BCR were not financial upgradations and they were
promotions by matching savings. All those officials who are now in TBOP/BCR
shall be treated as LSG & HSG II. The benefits available in those
supervisory posts shall be extended to those officials also thus ending the
discrimination created by the wrong interpretation of this scheme at a later
date by the Postal Department.
CHAPTER - IV
LSG, HSG II & HSG I SUPERVISORS
4:1 JUSTIFICATION
FOR HIGHER PAY TO LSG, HSG II & HSG I
The LSG, HSG II
& HSG I are the hierarchical promotions provided in the Department of Posts
for Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistants. Even though it
is termed as hierarchical promotions, the officials who completed 30 years of
service and acquired MACP III drawing 4600 Grade Pay shall alone be offered LSG
promotion with Grade Pay of Rs. 2800/- which is nothing but a farce and in
effect it is a demotion. These cadres are not met justice since the Fourth Pay
Commission and the details are furnished in the ensuing paras. The duties of
supervisors headed by LSG, HSG II & HSG I cannot be compared with any posts
of the Central Government organizations and are unique with higher
responsibilities and risks.
4:1:1 However, the number of LSG Supervisory Posts
in RMS is far below to the extent 8% of the total number of Sorting Assistants.
When the Department is having 16500 Sorting Assistant, there are only 1053 LSG
supervisors, 415 HSG II & 415 HSG I Posts available for their promotion. No
one who completes 30 years of service already acquired MACP III is getting LSG
promotion and now it stands as demotion despite the higher responsibilities,
they are shouldering. The following is the justification for granting of higher
pay to norm based LSG, & HSG II Posts.
4:1:2 The incumbents in the LSG and HSG.II Posts are the supervisors, group
leaders, guides and motivators at the ground level with added responsibility,
risks and skill with assumption of higher grades i.e. from LSG to HSG.II.The
responsibilities and skills are being equal to that of Group 'B' class, except
the number of staff in roll in such bigger offices.
4:1:3 The LSG, HSG.II and HSG.I are the practical
leadership in the execution of various schemes and functions and working as Sub
Record Officer, Head Record officer and Head Sorting Assistants in mail
offices. They are unparalleled in maintenance of public relations. They have
the maximum accountability to the public and experts in personnel management
and better utilisation of staff.
4:1:4 These cadres come forward to implement the
various new schemes in Speed Post, metro Mails, Hybrid Mails, ‘e’ Mos, Express
Parcel Service, Corporate Money transfer Business Mails & other Business
activities, etc. The success of new schemes could only be feasible due to
proper motivation, leadership and guidance provided by the ground level
supervisors of LSG, HSG.II and HSG.I officials
by upgrading their skills & experience.
4:1:5 Functional responsibilities, on the spot
supervision, personal utilisation, accounting liabilities, day-to-day
supervisions in functions and accounts of subordinate offices, quality control
and utilisation, public complaints and on the spot settlement by the
supervisors are supremeand incomparable..
No other official works
at any level with such liabilities, risks and responsibilities.
4:1:6 The duties, responsibilities, skills,
leadership, motivation and supervision exercised by LSG are of higher caliber
and more arduous than those of IPOs / IRMs and of HSG.II staff are higher than
those of ASPOs / ASRMs and of HSG.I is equal to those of officers in PSS Group
'B' who are in the administrative side whereas the supervisors must perform all
the works apart from the administration of his office.
4:2 Vertical & Horizontal Relatives
& unsettled anomaly
Apart from the above, the
following horizontal and vertical relativities were maintained by the different Central Pay
Commissions.
4:2:1 The 1st and the 4th
Central Pay Commission recommended the same scale of pay for the LSG officials
in general line and the IPOs / IRMs.
However, the 2nd and the 3rd Central Pay Commission
recommended a slightly higher maximum for IPOs / IRMs than the LSG.
4:2:2 The Varadhachariar Commission has
recommended that the IPOs / IRMs should continue to be graded with LSG in the
general line and the recommendation had been accepted by the Government. (Para
46, Page 302.Vol. II of the report of the 2nd Pay Commission.)
4:2:3 The following relativities were maintained
by the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th
Central Pay Commissions
INCREASE OVER THE PAY SCALES
|
1ST CPC
|
2ND CPC
|
3RD CPC
|
4TH CPC
|
LSG over Postal Assistants / Sorting Assistants
|
166.66%
|
90.90%
|
63.46%
|
43.58%
|
IPO / IRM over Postal Assistants / Sorting
Assistants
|
-do-
|
-do-
|
-do-
|
-do-
|
HSG over LSG
|
56.00
|
59.52
|
HSG cadre reorganised as HSG.II and HSG.I
|
-----
|
HSG over IPOs / IRMs
|
-do-
|
-do-
|
-----
|
------
|
ASPOs / ASRMs over HSG
|
Same Scale
|
Same Scale
|
------
|
------
|
3rd CPC
|
4th CPC
|
||
HSG.II over LSG /
IPOs / IRMs
|
HSG.II and HSG.I
were created by the 3rd CPC
|
-----
|
14.28%
|
ASPOs / ASRM over
HSG.II
|
were in the scale of
Pay with same minimum
|
same minimum
|
2.5%
|
HSG.I over HSG.II
|
HSG.II and HSG.I
were created by 3rd CPC
|
27.27%
|
25%
|
HSG.I over ASPOs /
ASRMs
|
----------------------
|
27.27%
|
22%
|
4:2:4 The 5th Central Pay
Commission's recommendations seriously disturbed the above relativities
horizontally and vertically as detailed below:-
Between LSG & PA
/ SAs
|
(+)
|
12.5%
|
|
IPOs /IRMs & PAs
/SAs
|
(+)
|
37.5%
|
|
LSG / IRMs & PAs
/ SAs
|
(-)
|
22.00%
|
|
HSG.II & LSG
|
(+)
|
11.11%
|
|
HSG.II & IPO /
IRMs
|
(-)
|
10%
|
HSG had all along been above the IPOs / IRMs and
till late 70s had been promotion scale for IPOs.
|
ASPOs & HSG.II
|
(+)
|
30%
|
|
HSG.I & HSG.II
|
(+)
|
30%
|
|
HSG.I & ASPOs /
ASRMs
|
Same Scale
|
HSG.I is the promotional cadre for ASPOs / ASRMs
& HSG.II.
|
4:2:5 A definition of anomaly was arrived in
the Group of Minister and JCM (Staff Side) meeting held on 6,7,9 and 10th
September 1997 and as per Department of Personnel and Training OM No.
19/1/97-JCA dated 06-02-98, the Anomaly Committee should have been constituted
since the vertical / horizontal relativities have been disturbed as a result of
the 5th Central Pay Commission report. The Departmental Anomaly Committee has not
been set up in the Department of Posts.
4:2:6 The final observation of the Committee’s
report headed by Sri. S. C. Dutta vide OM No. 23-108/98-PE I/PCC dated 17.09.98
& 05.08.1998 is reproduced below as this is most pertinent to decide the
merits and justification in this case.
"The staff
representatives maintained that with the introduction of technology and
modernization the supervisory responsibilities of LSG / TBOP & HSG.II / BCR
are enhanced proportionately. They
reiterated that the LSG / HSG.II officials
actually discharge real managerial responsibilities at the grass root level by
proper regulation of the personnel / utilisation and the functions to match the
requirement of the public with an eye on the proper financial management of the
office and SOs or BOs under them along with treasury liabilities of the office
which an IPOs / IRMs or ASPOs / ASRM is not required to do. They reiterated that though the promotions
under TBOP / BCR schemes were time bound, these were on matching cost by
surrender of posts in the entry and supervisory cadres – the entry grade posts
which would have been in the scale of Rs. 4000-6000 if not abolished. They maintained that it was on this count
that the pre—5th Pay Commission scales of entry grade LSG (TBOP):
HSG.II (BCR) stood at Rs. 975-1400-1600 which roughly works out to
1:1.43:1.64. With the entry scale now
being Rs. 4000-6000 the TBOP and BCR scales justify the scales Rs. 5500-9000
and Rs. 6500-10500.
Recognizing
that pay scales are matters for consideration, by pay commission and the
percentage difference between respective scales getting reduced as a result of
exercise carried out by the 5th Pay Commission, which may operate adversely in
the successive higher scales in TBOP / BCR scheme, the committee is of the view
that the following scales for LSG & HSG.II have merit for recommending.
LSG ---- 5500-8650
HSG.II
--- 6500-9500
HSG.I – The
next level of promotion for BCR / HSG.II officials
and ASPOS is HSG.I. With identical
scales for HSG.I and ASP and considering the functional responsibilities of
HSG.I there is complete justification for upgradation of the scale of HSG.I
cadre. The Committee, therefore, feels
the scale of Rs. 7450-11500 for this cadre has merits for
recommending."
4:2:7 However, the recommendations of
the Dutta Committee had not been implemented by the department despite strong
persuasions by the staff side as well as the agreement made thereafter due to
the rejection by the Finance Ministry. It is unfortunate that the Sixth Pay
Commission did not deal in its report despite our plea and submissions in oral
evidences.
4:2:8 The Sixth CPC did not make any
distinction between the supervisors and the supervised. The MACP-I & LSG
were granted in the same grade pay and similar is the case of MACP II & HSG
II. The reintroduction of graded supervisory allowance for LSG, HSG II &
HSG I which were snatched at the time of introduction of TBOP & BCR becomes
warranted.
4:2:9 The Sixth CPC has recommended 10%
Pay and Grade Pay to the care takers vide para 03.08.08 of its report. Similar
quantum of supervisory Allowance would have been introduced to all LSG/HSG
II/HSG I supervisors duly appreciating their responsibilities and the most
arduous nature of duties.
4:2:10 It
is pertinent to mention that "Unique" means being the only one of its
kind, having no like or equal or parallel.
The demand of upgradation of the pay scale to LSG/HSG II is also unique
to the jobs performed by the LSG and HSG.II officials.
4:3 Denied
Justice by Two Pay Commissions
4:3:1 It is nothing but a farce and
also a fate that the genuine demand of upgraded pay scale to LSG, and HSG.II
which are unique to the Department of Posts in the scale of pay of Rs.
5500-9000 and 6500-10500 in the erstwhile pay scale as per 5th CPC
respectively has been denied repeatedly till date either on one pretext or the
other.
4:3:2 It is most pertinent to place
before the commission that the proportion of pay between the entry scale and
two promotional scales (i.e.) LSG&HSG II prior to the implementation of 5th
Pay Commission was 142% and 164% respectively.
ENTRY SCALE - 975-1660
LSG - 1400-2300 (142%)
HSG II - 1600-2660 (164%)
4:3:3 The 5th Pay
Commission did not cater any recommendations for LSG&HSG II, but mentioned
the pay scales for two ACP promotions in which the proportion was 112.5% and
125% respectively.
ENTRY SCALE - 4000-6000
I ACP - 4500-7000 (112.5%)
II ACP - 5000-8000 (125%)
4:3:4 The Fifth Pay Commission did not
mention about LSG, HSG II, HSG-I hierarchical Promotions and it simply observed
that” we do not recommend any change in the scales of Pay for the time bound
promotions. The scale of Pay of Rs. 1400-2300 will be the first ACP scale and
Rs. 1600-2660, the second, thus it applied the TBOP & BCR at par with ACP I
& II and there is no mention about the existence of regular LSG, HSG II
promotion as they were equated with TBOP & BCR at that time. Sixth CPC did nothing and the gap has been
widened further, due to introduction of Pay band system with Grade Pay.
4:3:5 The above proposition did not
reflect or respond to the matching savings offered by staff surrendering 6%
operative & 20% supervisory posts to avail TBOP (LSG) /BCR (HSG-II)
promotions which require a longer service than prescribed for ACP (i.e) 16/26
years instead of 12/24 years. The
injustice caused shall be undone which is our main prayer before the Seventh
Pay Commission.
4:4 PROMOTION
SHALL BE THE REWARD
4:4:1 It is most pertinent to submit
that the National Labour Commission has rightly observed as follows:-
"Promotion means the movement of a worker in a
position of higher responsibility and consequential improvement in the
emoluments. It is rewarding of his hard
work and an incentive to give of his best to the employer. It also serves to maintain the requisite
morale among the workers. The promotion
provides a stimulus to the employees to cultivate, the qualities that are
necessary for advancing in life. While
such encouragement is important in all employments, it acquires a special
significance in the public sector where management finds for reasons explained
elsewhere that it cannot reward a worker in other ways."
4:4:2 In the service carrier, it is a
legitimate aspiration for the employees to expect promotion to a higher grade
at reasonable intervals and if such avenues for promotion are not provided, but
the employees are made to retire in the same grade at their entry, naturally
they lose interest therein. While
considering this aspect, the Second Pay Commission made the following
observations:-
"Where there is an adequate promotional
outlet that would provide the necessary incentive; and so also would be
provision of selection grade. But where
there is neither, the employee may feel frustrated and become apathetic."
4:4:3 The Sixth CPC has recommended 10% Pay and
Grade Pay to the care takers vide para 03.08.08 of its report. Similar quantum
of supervisory Allowance would have been introduced to all LSG/HSG II/HSG I
supervisors duly appreciating their responsibilities and the most arduous
nature of duties.
4:5 WE DEMAND
4:5:1 Under these circumstances, we respectfully
request to consider the entire matters and decide on the following demands of
our organization.
The Pay Scale of the two
supervisory cadre may be fixed as follows:-
1.
The nomenclature of LSG may be termed as Supervisor or
Manager and the HSG II may be designated as Senior Supervisor / Deputy
Postmasters or Seminar Manager/Deputy Manager if he works under the Postmaster.
If he is the Postmaster, he may be termed as Postmaster, Grade.II / Grade. I
likewise;
2.
There is no need to keep the existing two nomenclatures like
LSG, & HSG.II as in existence today; only two designations with Supervisor
& Senior Supervisor will be sufficient.
Notwithstanding the Staff Side
claim to delete the Grade Pay System, we propose to fix the pay scale of LSG (
Supervisor/manager) to the existing Grade pay of Rs.4600 which ia equivalent to
the proposed Staff side minimum pay of Rs 66000/- and for the present HSG II (
Senior Supervisor/ Senior Manager) to the existing Grade pay of Rs.4800 which
is equivalent to the staff side proposal of Rs.74000/.
CHAPTER – V
HIGHER SELECTION GRADE - I
5:00 The
Higher Selection Grade officials have
under their control up to 74 Sorting Assistants, 10 Lower Selection Grade
Supervisors besides scores of MTS, GraminDakSevaks and casual and contingent
employees.
5:01
CONTROL OVER STAFF
5:01:1 He has to exercise full administrative
control over the staff in his office. He
is expected to posses the management technique and supervisory skill in
conducting the affairs of his office. As
Head of Office he has to look after the management of staff, attend to
enquiries by members of the public, guide the supervisory staff working under
him and perform all the personal duties for himself. It is a common sight to see the officials in
the Higher Selection Grade working late in the office checking mails and
insured articles in the safe custody.
5:01:2 This Higher Selection Grade-I is recruited from the HSG.II / LSG
Grade officials only when they
have a handful of years of service for superannuation from the department. Some even declines this promotion because
they are liable to transfer to any station outside and the remuneration is not
sufficient enough to cover two establishments one at the former headquarters
and the other at the station to which they are posted. The arduous responsibilities shouldered by
this cadre did not receive a fair and just dispensation so far in previous pay
commissions.
5:02 DISTURBING
RELATIVITIES
5:02:1 The following table brings out how the relativity
has been very much eroded by the 5th CPC from the earlier CPCs.
1st CPC
|
2nd CPC
|
3rd CPC
|
4th CPC
|
5th CPC
|
|
Clerks (PA)
|
60-170
|
110-240
|
260-480
|
975-1660
|
4000-6000
|
HSG.II
|
---------
|
---------
|
550-750
|
1600-2660
|
5000-8000
|
HSG.I
|
250-325
|
335-425
|
700-900
|
2000-3200
|
6500-10500
|
(i) After the 1st Pay Commission, the
ratio between the initial pay of the Postal Assistant with the basic pay of
HSG.I in the minimum scale of pay 1:4.5 (Rs. 60/- &Rs. 250/-)
(ii) Whereas in the 2nd Pay Commission
it was 1:3 (Rs. 110 &Rs. 335)
(iii) In the 3rd Pay Commission, the
relativity was maintained at the ratio of 1:2.6 (Rs. 260 &Rs. 700)
(iv) The relativity in the 4th Pay
Commission was in the ratio of 1:2.05 (Rs. 975 &Rs. 2000/-)
(i)
After the Sixth CPC
the difference between HSG II & HSG I is just Rs. 400/- in Grade Pay.
(vi) The ending of ratio since first to fourth pay
commission has further been eroded to the worst since 1:1.6 (Rs. 4000 &Rs.
6500)
5:3: WE DEMAND
5:3:1
At least, the average relativity
maintained by the earlier pay commissions brings some solace to the much
affected officials in the selection grades.
5.3:2 Since the functional difference between
HSG.I post and ASP has been taken away from upgrading scale of ASP (from
1640-2000 to 2000-3200 pre-revised), they are made interchangeable with no
fixation benefit, all such HSG.I posts may be earmarked for general line
officials.
5:3:3 Thus the Pay scale of HSG-I shall be
determined in the Gazetted Group ‘B’ with the existing Grade Pay of Rs.
5400/- (Gazetted) in the Pay Band III,
which is equivalent to the proposed minimum pay of Rs.78000 as demanded by the
Staff Side (JCM). They shall have the nomenclature of Chief Postmaster if
holding Post of Postmaster or Chief Supervisor/Manager while holding the supervisory
posts in RMS offices.
CHAPTER - VI
PO & RMS ACCOUNTANTS
6:1:1 In a nutshell, the accounts branch in the
RMS functions as a drawing, disbursing, accounting and auditing unit of the RMS
branches. The PO and RMS Accountants are the main pillars upon whom the entire
structure of Postal Accounting System rests.
They play pivotal roles in management of postal finances from the micro
level to the top level by incorporating monetary transactions with proper
classifications, apart from maintaining accounts of revenue receipts and
expenditures and also monitoring the overall state of financial health of the
departmental offices. There are many
more items of work performed by the accounts branch.
6:1:2 The Accountants and HRO Accounts are the in charge of the
Accounts branch and they are solely responsible for the accounting works,
returns, and also the settlement of personal claims like pay, allowance, leave,
pension etc. of the officials. They are the basic advisors on the matter of
postal finances and the architects of the preparation of budgetary proposals of
the department.
6:1:3 The Accountants posts were also created for the Divisional
offices since 1st April 1967 to manage the Budget section. The very important work of scrutinising and
passing of TA bills, OTA bills, CEA, OSA bills, Night Halt Allowance bills,
medical bills, contingent bills, etc., checking of memo of disbursement of pay
and allowances received, preparation of revised and budget estimates,
anticipated final grants, statements showing the variations between the budget
grant and expenditure etc. is being performed by the Accountant of the
divisional office besides the other work of routine nature assigned to him.
6:1:4 The special officer appointed to go into the question of
"duties and standards' for the accounts branch in the Head Offices and
Head Record offices in the RMS has rightly observed in his report as follows:-
"Accounts branches dealing as they do with the pay and allowances
of the staff are subjected to great disturbance in their work by enquiries from
officials regarding leave due, drawal of increments, arrears etc. Though not officially the Accountant and his
staff are also disturbed on various matters regarding rules and their interpretation
even though their branch may not be concerned. It is due to the fact that these
officials are better informed in rules and procedures."
6:2 DUTIES & STANDARDS OF PO & RMS
ACCOUNTANTS
6:2:1 The Postal Assistants / Sorting Assistants
who qualify in an examination of the tough nature in Accounting duties and
functions are alone posted as accountants in the respective HPO / HRO. Their duties are of a very high order. Nevertheless, they have so far received a raw
deal and placed them in the doldrums with a bundle of transactions.
6:2:2 The syllabus for the PO and RMS
Accountants Exam is so tough rather than IPO and other departmental
examination. The syllabus broadly
comprises:-
(i)
Fundamental Rules;
(ii)
Supplementary Rules;
(iii)
Leave Rules;
(iv)
Pension Rules;
(v)
Rules relating to Pay & Allowances;
(vi)
Budget Estimates and Control (P & T Manual Vol. II)
(vii)
P&T Manual Volume IV.
(viii)
Sub Account and Accounts in Sub Post Offices (P&T Manual vol.
VI-Part III)
(ix)
P&T Financial Hand Book – Vol. I
(x)
P&T Financial Hand Book – Vol. II and
(xi)
All other Accounting rules issued from time to time.
6:2:3 After the computerization of the works
and changing environment, these officials upgraded their skill to the
requirement for the accounting work due to various business activities, etc.
and work as a leader and guide to the Sorting Assistants working in Accounts
Branch.
6.3 Justification for
higher pay
6:3:1 The Department, after discussions with
the Staff Side, granted an upgraded new pay scale to the PO and RMS Accountants
in the scale of Rs. 380-12-440-EB-15-560-EB-20-620 w. e. from 01-11-1978
without any special pay.
6:3:2 This new pay scale become defunct after
the introduction of Time Bound One Promotion (LSG) scheme w.e. from 30-11-83
and most of the Accountants opted to Time Scale in order to avail the LSG
promotion (TBOP) on completion of 16 years service in the basic cadre.
6:3:3 The Comparative Pay structure of
Accountant Posts in different Department / Ministry / organised sector are
detailed below for perusal.
Name of the Department Designation / Existing pay scale after 5th
CPC/ Revised pay scale
Indian Audit &
Accounts (a)Auditor/Accountant 4500-125-7000
Department subsequently
revised to 5000-150-8000
(b)
Sr Auditor/ Accountant 5500-175-900
(Para 7.56.4 6th
CPC) (c) Section
Officer 6500-200-10500
Railway Department (a) Accountants
Assistants 5000-150-8000
(Para 7.56.6 6th
CPC) (b)
Divisional Accountant 5500-175-9000
Ministry of Consumer
Affairs (a) Accountant cum
cashier 5000-150-8000
Food & Public Dn (b) on promotion 5500-175-9000
(Para 7.1.14 6th
CPC) (c) -DO- 6500-200-10500
The Survey of India
Land & (a) Accountant 5000-150-8000
Development Office (b) On Promotion 5500-175-9000
(Para 7.46.41 6th
CPC) (c) -DO- 6500-200-10500
Indian Tourism Office (a) Accountant 4500-125-7000
(Para 7.44.7 6th
CPC)
Postal A/Cs &
Finance a) Auditor /
Accountant 5000-150-8000
(Para 7.56 6th
CPC) (b) Sr.
Auditor/Accountant 5500-175-9000
(c)
Section Officer 6500-200-10500
6:3:4 When the PO & RMS Accountants are performing similar
duties to that of organised accounts, there is every justification for the
grant of equal pay.
6:3:5 At this juncture, this union desires to submit that the
accountants performing similar duties in Railways, Audit and Accounts and
Postal Accounts were granted higher scale of pay with effect from 01-01-96 vide
Government of India OM No. F. NO. 6/82/E.III (B) /91 of Ministry of Finance
& Company Affairs dated 28-02-2003.
However, the said order has not been implemented in the case of
Accountants working in Head Post Offices and Divisional Offices in the
Department of Posts.
6:3:6 It will be most apt to mention that the following works
performed by the post/RMS office / Divisional office Accountants are one and
the similar of the works performed by the Junior / Senior Accountants working
in other departments including Postal Accounts and Audit and accounts:-
1)
Maintenance
of Service book and service rolls;
2)
Maintenance
of Leave Accounts;
3)
Preparation
of Increment Certificate & Absentee Statements;
4)
Maintenance
of cash book and cash abstracts;
5)
Issuing
Last Pay certificates;
6)
Assessment
of income tax and submission of income tax returns;
7)
Maintenance
of security bond register;
8)
Processing
of Pension in respect of Group 'C' and Group 'D' officials;
9)
Maintenance
of GPF ledger, calculation of interest and final settlement of GPF accounts in
respect of Group 'D' officials;
10)Scrutiny of NPC bills, acquittance rolls, memorandum
of pay and allowance;
11)Drawal of pension to those who have opted for
payment at HO and subordinate offices;
12)Processing of all personal claims such as TA, LTC
and medical for submission to Divisional Superintendents for further disposal;
13)Verification of service with pay bills;
14)Work related to GDS SDBS Scheme, Group insurance,
Severance amount, Gratuity etc. & GDS related issues.
15)Maintenance of registers of drawings from bank and
remittance to the bank and watching the receipt of bank scrolls;
16)Maintenance of establishment registers;
17)Preparation of budget estimates and revised
estimates and control over expenditure under various heads; Quarterly Statement
of expenditure for budgets.
18)Attending ICIR / audit paras;
19)Processing of RTF claims, leave encashment cases,
CGEGIS cases, ex gratia and severance amount payment to GDS;
20)Preparation of statement for payment of P&T
pension, Railway pension, and Telecom pension;
21)Deals with Audit objections and submit replies to
DAo/OTDAo objections.
22)Fixation of pay on promotion under TBOP /
BCR/LSG/HSG.II and HSG.I etc.;
23)Preparation of pay fixation memo consequent on
implementation of pay commission report and drawal of arrears thereafter;
24)Transfer of pension payment order from one office to
another within circle and outside circle;
25)Preparation of cash account;
26)Submission of audit returns to accounts office;
27)Preparation of compliance report, monthly
statements, Quarterly statements to GM (Finance), Bonus statement, Returns on
NDC Bills etc.
28)Dealing with ICIR Para and submission of replies to
Audit and corresponding statements.
6:3:7 After the introduction of deduction of Income Tax at source,
and also the deduction of Income Tax from the officials, the following
additional works have been assigned to the PO & RMS Accountants.
(i)
Assessment
of Income Tax and submission of Income Tax Returns includes the following
steps.
(ii) To calculate Estimated income for next financial
year in the month of February, so that income tax can be deducted monthly and
correctly.
(iii)
Maintenance
of record of monthly recovery of Income tax
(iv)
Obtain
PAN No. of employees and ensure correct submission of PAN no. while e-filing.
(v) E-filing of quarterly returns through the authorized
agency/CA.
(vi)
Obtain
Form 27 A from CA and submission to CA
(vii)
To
issue sanction of bill of e-filing and effect payment.
(viii)
Obtain
Acknowledgement & keeping records up to date.
(ix)
The
final calculation of IT is to be done in the last quarter and IT should be
deducted correctly in last quarters. As most of the incentives and claims are
sanctioned in the month of March to ensure proper and full utilization of
Funds, IT have to be deducted from other bills also.
(x) Gathering the information of IT deducted from all
the bills against each employee and prepare data for Form-16.
(xi)
Supply
of collected data to CA/agent for e-filing.
(xii)
Download
Form-16 from IT website.
(xiii)
Sort
all Form-16 office wise, supply them under proper acknowledgement.
(xiv)
If
found incorrect file revised returns repeating all the procedure of e-filing.
(xv)
Give
reply to the Income Tax Department against their notice.
(xvi)
Submission
of monthly statement of 24 G to DA (P) and obtain BIN details from DA (P)
quarterly before e-filing.
6:3:8 PRIMARY DUTIES OF SERVICE TAX: The Union Government has focused on revenue
received different service areas through taxes.
The service means the act of helping or doing work for another or for a
community. The amount charged for such service is the remuneration of the
person rendering such service. As per the Act the collected service tax shall
be promptly paid/ book adjusted to concerned ministries regularly.
a. Statutory Provisions: The Finance Act,
1994[Chapter V] read with the Service Tax Rules, 1994 provides the statutory
scheme for levy and collection of service Tax.
b. Registration: Every
person/institution/offices gets registered from the Local Service tax
authorities and hence all the Head Post Office in the country gets registered
as per instruction of the department vide No.PA/BOOK/-I/SERVICE TAX/2006-07/73
TO 174 DATED 29/05/2006. This is required to file e-filing of quarterly/half
yearly returns to the concerned and which is tallied to Circle book adjustment
figures furnished by PAO. The entire work has now been entrusted with the
accounts branch and the Accountants and APM Accounts are solely responsible for
the deduction of service tax and its prompt remittance.
If any delay after the due returns date, a
sum of Rs.200/- per day is levied by the Central Excise Department as late fee
which is statutory power of the union government and can’t be waived. Non filing of returns will attract legal
penalties.
c. The following type of service tax
activities done by the department are as OM PA/BOOK-I/06- 07 DATED 02/06/2006.
i. Courier services [Speed Post]
ii. Banking and financial services
iii. Business Auxiliary services
iv. Life insurance services
v. Sale of time or space for advertising
services.
All these major works are being performed by
these Accountants apart from their other routine works.
6:3:9 PRIMARY DUTIES OF CENVAT: Basic principle is that Cenvat credit is
available only when excise duty is payable on the final product or service tax
is payable on output services [Rule 6(1) of Cenvat Credit Rules]. The Cenvat
available could be utilized for payment of any duty of excise on any product or
service tax on the output service subject to the certain conditions. It is a
revenue to the department and strictly accounting and deduct while making
payment/ book adjustment. The following type of service tax activities done by
the department are as OM 56-4/2007-08-PA [TECH-I dated 15/11/2010.
i. Purchase of Capital goods
ii. Office telephone bills
iii. Annual maintenance charges of computers,
peripheral, printers, and other electronic equipment of the department.
iv. Purchase of stationeries.
Preparing of
e-filing returns statement is a very unique job and in other Departments, this
job is being done by Accounts Officers or Chartered Accountants, whereas the
same is maintained by these Accountants without any reasonable salary or perks
for such arduous and responsible works.
6:3:10 Apart from the above, the following additional works and responsibilities
have been laid down on them with regard to deduction of service tax,
professional Tax etc.
1.
Service
Tax
(i)
Prepare monthly statement called CENVAT and
submit to DA (P) along with the
returns.
(ii)
Maintain a monthly register
(iii)
e-filing
through (A) half yearly.
(iv)
Issue
sanction and effect payment.
(v)
Correspondence if any, with Central Excise
Department.
2.
Professional
Tax
(vi)
Ensure
monthly correct deduction.
(vii)
Credit
amount of PT to bank through Challan.
(viii)
E-filing
of PT through CA by supplying information &Challan monthly.
(ix)
Issue
sanction & effect payment.
6:3:11 In addition to the above, the following additional works have
been performed by the Accountants.
(i)
Submission
of Accounts Returns twice in a month on 1st and 16th of
every month along with ‘A’ statement, BD/Non BD and CENVAT credit statement.
(ii)
Submission
of Cash Expenditure and other due instalments monthly.
(iii)
Submission
of pension cases to D. O. along with LPC, Leave Encashment, Government Dues,
Annexure ‘C’ in r/o CGEGIS 1980, VCF certificate.
(iv)
Prepare
advance schedule in respect of NPS/SDBS before 15th of each month.
(v)
Tally
the recovery of NPS/SDBS made from bills with Advance Schedule.
(vi)
Additional
charge of HRO Accounts when he is on leave/retired.
(vii)
Supply
of Income certificate if demanded by the employee.
(viii) Cases of Financial implications in respect of court
cases, also handled by the Accountant.
(ix)
Calculation
of interest on HBA/Scooter Advance & submission to DA (P) for correctness.
6:3:12 NEW PENSION SCHEME [01/01/2004]: New pension System or Scheme came into effect
from 01/01/2004. The official appointed
after 01/01/2004 are compulsorily brought under this scheme and they are not
governed by Pension Rules 1972. The
following activities are done in respect of the scheme:
i. Obtaining
registration from the official in S1 form
ii Monthly
recovery of official contribution
iii.
Preparation of Government contribution
iv.
Submission of monthly statement to audit and their accounting.
v.
Miscellaneous correspondence in r/o the scheme.
vi. Collection and submission of discharge
scheme benefits.
6:3:13 MEMBER of LOCAL PURCHASE COMMITTEE:
PO & RMS Accountants and APM accounts are made as the member of Local
purchasing committees regularly. The
committee is headed by the SPOs consisting ASPOs and accountant / APM
Accounts. The following activities are
done in local committees.
I. Purchase Computers
ii. Purchase of Computer peripherals
iii. Purchase of Stationeries.
iv. Purchase of furniture’s
v. Purchase of bulk mail bag to MBC/BPC
vi. Auction for sale of old items
6:4 DENIED JUSTICE SINCE FOURTH CPC
6:4:1 The DG, P&T vide his letter No. 9/4/80-SPB.II dated
21-01-80 had categorically mentioned that since examination for the appointment
of PO & RMS Accountant is competitive, merit list should be prepared only
against the actual vacancies notified in each division. Now this order has been sidelined and
ignored. The PO and RMS Accountants are
totally denied of their dues.
6:4:2 The 5th Central Pay Commission had dealt a body
blow to the PO and RMS Accountants. It
had eclipsed all the concessions, though at nominal rates, given by earlier pay
commissions to this cadre. The
commission had altered the nomenclature of special pay as special allowance of
Rs. 180/-. It viewed the PO and RMS Accountants only as a little elevated PA
and failed to recognize and acknowledge the services, which are at par with the
accountants working in other departments and also in the postal accounts..
6:4:3 One of the fallouts of these negative recommendations was that
many officials had deserted the accounts line and opted to general line at the
time of TBOP (LSG) promotion. Now the department could not find suitable hands
to man the posts throughout the country.
Fresh candidates are not appearing in the PO and RMS Accountants exam as
it has lost its identity. Resultantly,
the department is now recalling the officials who had opted out from the
accounts line and deploying them compulsorily as Accountants. All these had resulted in the demoralisation
of the staff working in the accounts branch which in turn had affected the
quality of the accounting work.
6:4:4 LDCs working in the postal accounts and audits and accounts
departments with the Grade Pay of Rs.2000 when posted as a Junior Accountant on
their passing the qualifying examinations which is similar to the examination
prescribed for this cadre are placed in the Grade pay of Rs.2800 which is
equivalent to the LSG scale in the Department of Posts.
6:4:5 Whereas the Sorting Assistant drawing in the Grade of pay of
Rs. 2400/-, after passing the Accountant examination has given only Rs. 360/-
extra as special allowance and no enhanced pay is provided. They have to satisfy with the Rs. 360/- for
qualifying such a tough examination and adoring more responsible duties and on
promotion, the same is not taken in consideration for the fixation of pay. This is a clear injustice met out to the PO
and RMS Accountants. The PO and RMS
Accountants had clear justification to place them in the Grade Pay of Rs.
4200/-.
6:5 DENIAL OF FIXATION
BENEFITS FOR SPECIAL ALLOWANCE ON PROMOTION
6:5:1 While enhancing the Special Allowance by 5th CPC,
the Government issued orders in which it is stated that the special pay would
henceforth be termed as special allowance as recommended by the V CPC in Para
109.5 of the report and would be granted hitherto fore subject to the same
conditions as are stipulated in FR 9 (25)”.
6:5:2 As per Para (d) it is clear that “The special pay would
henceforth be termed as special allowance as recommended by the V CPC in Para
109.5 of the report and would be granted hitherto fore subject to the same
conditions as are stipulated in FR 9 (25) (i.e) special pay (including the one
granted to PO & RMS Accountants which was granted prior to V CPC) has only
been termed as special allowance. But, the conditions for granting the same or
taking it for fixation of pay have not been changed.
6:5:3 Rule FR 9 defines the terms which are used in the FRs &
SRs-Rule FR 9 (25) defines special pay as addition to pay of the emoluments of
a post or Government servant in consideration of
(a)
Specially arduous nature of duties
Or
(b)
A separate addition to the work or
responsibilities.
6:5:4 The special allowance granted to PO & RMS Accountants when
called as special pay with the same conditions & definitions was taken into
account for fixation of pay on promotion & protected under FR 22 (c) now FR
22 1 a (1) vide G. I. MF. OM No. 6 (1) – E II/B DT 8/01/1968.
6:5:5 Neither FR 9 (25) nor the G. I. has been deleted from Fundamental
rules. In turn, they have given a decision that ‘ the special allowance enjoys
the same position as the special pay had earlier prior to issue of
Directorate’s order dated 04.05.1998 and that the special allowance granted to
PO & RMS Accountants shall be under the same conditions as laid down under
FR 9 (25). Under the above pretext, the order of the Government itself, being
very clear that the special pay has only been termed as special allowance, but
enjoys the same position & conditions as laid down under FR 9 (25).
6:5:6 Whereas it is pertinent to mention that the special allowance
granted to JAO qualified officials has now been taken into account for pay
fixation on promotion vide Department of Posts letter No. 8 (1)
2004/PA-Admn/501 to 544dated 29-10-2006. This order was issued by the
Department after getting concurrence from the Department of Personnel and
Training and to our dismay the case of the PO and RMS Accountants is still
hanging and not disposed so far.
6:5:7 At this juncture, this union desires to submit that the
accountants performing similar duties in Railways, Audit and Accounts and
Postal Accounts were granted higher scale of pay with effect from 01-01-96 vide
Government of India OM No. F. NO. 6/82/E.III (B) /91 of Ministry of Finance
& Company Affairs dated 28-02-2003.
However, the said order has not been implemented in the case of
Accountants working in Head Post Offices and Divisional Offices in the
Department of Posts.
6:5:8 The Department of Post while submitting a proposal to Sixth CPC
vide its D. O. Letter No. 4-3/2006-PCC dated 27.04.2007, explained the view to
take Special Allowance for fixation of pay on promotion which is furnished inter alia: -
“PO & RMS Accountant: - PO & RMS Accountants
who are qualified Accountants were entitled to Special pay of Rs.180/- PM in
lieu of higher pay scales and in accordance with Rule 15 of Appx-8 of FR &
SR this special pay was being taken into account for fixation of pay on
promotion to the higher post. w.e.f 01.08.1997 special pay has been termed as
Special Allowance due to which, it is not being taken into account for fixation
of pay on promotion/placement in higher pay scale under Departmental are
effecting reduction in their emoluments. No special Allowance is attached to
the promotional post. Their Special Allowance is recommended to be taken into
Account on regular promotion to a higher grade as well as on placement in
higher pay scale under Departmental Time Bound promotion.
But the Sixth Pay Commission
did not have any mention of the subject in its report.
6:5:9 In the meantime, the CAT Bangalore, held its OA No. 296/2002 that
the Pay fixation made by taking special Allowance as per G10 28 a (ii) appendix
8 of FR General Rule taking into the consideration of Special Pay drawn in the
lower post continuously for a minimum period of three years on the date of
promotion treating the Special Pay (Special Allowance after 1996) as part of
basic pay was correct and ordered to stop recovery of over payments. The order
of Hon’ble CAT was challenged in the Hon’ble High Court by filing a writ
petition. The Hon’ble High Court Bangalore has dismissed the W.P. on merit.
Even though the CGSC in High Court has opined that it is not a fit case to file
any appeal, the Department went on appeal against the High Court WP no.
7593/2003 in the Supreme Court of India by filing SLP No. CC 10080/2012. The
same was dismissed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
6:5:10After the dismissal of the SLP,
the Department has caused orders to allow the fixation on promotion in cases
where the special pay/Allowance of Rs. 90/- has drawn continuously for three
years before 22.04.1998 for the periods from 01.08.1997 but before 22.04.1998.When the special allowance is being taken for pay
fixation as per FR 9 (25), the same shall be extended to all the cases from
23.04.1998 also. It cannot be restricted. The injustice caused to these
categories may be undone and parity in treatment of Special Allowance shall be
ensured.
6:6 THEREFORE,
WE DEMAND
6:6:1 It is our firm opinion that the Accounts line in the Postal and
RMS Offices should be declared as a separate cadre and the total number of such
posts will not be more than 6000 throughout the post and RMS offices in the
country. They should be given a fair
deal. The Accountants should be placed
at par with the Junior Accountants working in the Postal Accounts / Audit and
Accounts of the department and the APM Accounts should be treated at par with
the Section Officers.
6:6:2 With similar designations as Jr. / Sr. Accountants as available
in the organized accounts, the minimum academic qualifications as graduation,
suggested for Postal / Sorting Assistants will meet the basic condition of
Recruitment Rules. There is every justification to declare the PO & RMS
Accountants at par with an organized cadre of Accountants.
6:6:3 Multifarious financial activities recently introduced and
proposed to be introduced requiring skills for more object classification and
control and HRO as a primary accounting unit can be managed by highly skilled
resource personnel like Accountants. Now electronic disbursement of pay and
allowances and other services, etc. require more and more modern skilful
knowledge not only on written manuals but also on computer unit softwares.
6:6:4 Notwithstanding with our claim to treat the PO & RMS
Accountants at par with organised accounts cadre and equated with the Senior
Accountant in the Postal Accounts, the PO and RMS Accountants should be
declared equal to LSG and their pay scales be fixed to the present Grade Pay
Rs.4600/ which is equivalent to Rs.66000 as demanded by the Staff Side as
minimum basic pay- Similarly, further promotion to the Accountants can be under
the ratio of 50:30:20 in three grades and granted the scale of pay applied to
HSG.II and HSG.I and Group 'B' depending upon the nature of the charge held by
the Accountants. A separate channel for
the advancement of their carrier should be considered and opened.
6:6:5 Notwithstanding our claim to open separate channels of promotion
for accountants, the injustice rendered to this cadre in the past after the 5th
Central Pay Commission should be set right.
(i)
The
Special Allowance granted to the PO and RMS Accountants may be taken as Special
Pay and counted towards fixation of pay on promotion with effect from 01-01-96
and set aside the anomalies existing;
CHAPTER – VII
SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATORS
7:01:1 The face of the postal department has been vastly changed
with the introduction of new technology and computerization of postal
operations. The department has computerized all the Head Post Offices and also
Sub Post Offices as well as most of the RMS sorting offices since 2000 and full
I. T. Modernization project is under progress.
7:01:2 Even though the computerization has been made in most of the post and
RMS offices, the required posts for the persons for handling the software and
hardware problems have not been created so far in the Department of Posts. The existing Postal/ Sorting Assistants of
the post/RMS offices who know very well about the systems operations were
designated as System Administrators and are being entrusted with a lot of
responsibilities and duties for which no extra remuneration is paid so far.
7:1:3 The
designation of System Administrator has been devised and created unofficially
and came into existence by the multi-national companies for the person who
takes care of the hardware, operating systems and software problems etc. of
their organisations.
7:1:4 The
same nomenclature has been christened to the Postal/ Sorting Assistants who are
deploying for the same purpose in the post offices, but with less quantum of
such operations without any extra remuneration.
It could be seen from various circulars / orders, the department has
prescribed that each division should have one Dy. Systems Manager and each HO
at least two Systems Administrators. The
Systems Managers main concentrations are:-
(i)
Overall techno supervision of the
division;
(ii)
Warranty / AMC details with stock of
every electronic peripherals
(iii)
Getting periodical backups and to
keep them in secured places
(iv)
Local purchase of electronic items
within the powers of the divisional Head
(v)
Assisting inspectorial officers with
regard to electronic transactions;
7:2 JOB PROFILE AND NATURE OF
DUTIES
7:2:1 The
sphere of duty also tends to expand in proportion to the expansion of
electronic functions of the department.
Whereas the Systems Administrators main sphere of duty is time to time
attending faults arising during the operational work mass generation obtaining
electronic files from computerized by
way of CD / floppies attending smaller rectifiable faults at computerized
Sorting offices. At regional / circle level
System Managers are there to control over all the general activities
like:-
I.
Procurement of peripherals
II.
Getting a preservation of periodical
backups
III.
Maintenance of stock
IV.
Follow up warranty and AMC work
V.
Centralised purchase of consumables
and spares
VI.
Coordination among Dy. System
Managers and Systems Administrators
7:2:2 The
broad description of duties as performed by the Systems Administrators are
enumerated below:-
(i)
They are maintaining the particulars
of AMC and its records. After having AMC, the System Administrators need to do
the job first AID work of Hardware and then only call the AMC to carry out
checks.
(ii)
They are in charge of all operating
system problems which require a high level skill set in the server operating
systems (e.g. Windows server 2000, windows server 2003, 2007 etc.) & client
operating systems (e.g. Windows 2000 professional, windows XP, 2007, Windows 7,
8 etc.) The problems require detailed troubleshooting and in turn require in
depth knowledge in both the operating systems.
(iii)
They are in charge of all the
software used in the department. There are 11 modules used in the Meghdoot
Millennium Software, Sanchay Post for SB LAN, SBCO Software, MIS for divisional
offices, HOTPS Software for RPLI, 'E' Payment Software, Speed Net, etc. Under
different platforms such as Windows based, DOS based Fox Pro, Oracle, etc.
Approximately, there are around 50 software modules being used in the
department and the Systems Administrator should have an in-depth knowledge in
all these software. Every software has
separate modules for supervisors and operators, but the Systems Administrators
need to have a thorough knowledge of both the modules in each and every
software. There are hundreds of patches issued so far for the software &
they are being maintained by these system administrators.
(iv)
They are also functioning the duties
of TESTERS. The software released after a thorough testing by the developers
has to put into on site testing where the tester is present at the point of
implementation for a week or so to check the performance of the software using
live and real data. The software,
thereafter will be put into use. As the
above process could not be adhered due to practical difficulties and installed
directly, all the problems being faced / expected to be faced by the testers
are now being tackled by the System Administrators with the added
responsibility of securing the live data as well.
(v)
They are also in charge of
maintaining all the databases in the office. The responsibility of the System
Administrators includes backup, shrinking and the total maintenance of all the
above said databases. This requires in
depth knowledge of RDBMS (Microsoft SQL Server) used in the systems. Many times it is required to write small
programmes in the form of stored procedures and queries in the back-end i.e.
server in the occurrence of errors. This
is the exact job of a DBA (Data Base Administrator) which is a separate job
profile.
They are in charge of all
the network problems encountered in offices which requires a thorough knowledge
in the networking, which is also a separate job profile which includes
maintaining physical connectivity devices such as switch, cables, patch cords,
etc., and software, networking parts such as configuring Internet Protocol
Addresses (address given for identifying a computer on the network) installing
protocols etc., and enabling and ensuring network securities. The above said job profile comes under the
designation as Network Administrator.
(vi)
They are maintaining the security of
the network in the office by providing adequate passwords to the operating
system, to the databases and enabling tracking tools for any mischievous
activities in the offices which will have an adverse and serious impact on the
carrier of System Administrator.
(vii)
They are in charge of all the
installations. This includes
installation of operating systems, RDBMS packages and all the required
prerequisites and of course all the departmental software. This is also a separate job profile known as
Installation Engineer.
(viii)
They are also in charge of imparting
training in computers as well as the departmental software. This again may be split into two where the
training is imparted in the workplace training centers in the regions and on
site training in the offices while implementation.
(ix)
The CBS Finacle the user champion
training is being imparted by S.A. He becomes a user champion over the end user
which is allotted to PA in the counter. The work of EOD is also allotted to PM
with the assistance of System administrators.
(x)
They also need to engage themselves
in the so-called ergonomics of the working environment such as installation of
Modular Counters, fixing UPS and other electrical points for computers, etc.
7:2:3 From the above, it could be
apparent that the job profile of the Systems Administrators of the postal
department includes the job profiles of Hardware Engineer, Systems Administrator,
Database Administrator, Network Administrator, Installation Engineer,
Programmers to small extent etc.
7:2:4 The
Systems Administrator Job is highly responsible consisting of operating system
maintenance, departmental software maintenance, RDBMS packages and the
networking tools, etc. They have to clear all the doubts of the officials over
the phone even while on leave with the lost privacy.
7:2:5 At
present, in almost all places, the Systems Administrators are maintaining the
stock of the computers; maintain history sheets even though there are no
specific instructions on the subject. Besides, they have to maintain records of
warranty AMCs for all systems and peripherals including gensets, UPS as the
Postmasters are not having or expected to have adequate technological know
how. As any query relating to
technology from the higher ups are being straightway referred to these Systems
Administrators. Similarly, they are
forced to send proposals on technology and obtain quotations for the peripherals. They are ordered to attest all the quotations
and bills pertaining to all related to technology.
7:2:6 There
is no working hours prescribed so far and the Systems Administrators are
working more than ten to twelve hours daily.
7:2:7 If
any installation process with regard to upgradation begins, that could be done
only after office hours and end in the midnight. No honorarium or no compensation has so far
been granted for such work. No
compensation has so far been granted for the excess work, they are shouldering
all along.
7:2:8 Above
all, the System Administrator has to travel a lot, which has become part of his
job for which no conveyance allowance as entitled has been granted. These officials have not been provided with
phone facilities like mobile and they are incurring more expenses personally
while attending their work.
7:3 NONTRAVERSING OF JUSTICE
7:3:1 As
we submitted our Memorandum to the Sixth Pay Commission mistakenly due to the
nomenclature christened to these cadres in the Department of Post and still in
existence in creation for System Administrator Posts, the Sixth CPC has made
the observation that there is no justification for creation of System
Administrator Posts in the Department of Posts which carries the Grade Pay of
Rs. 4800/- in the starting stage.
7:3:2 Whereas
in many departments, they are having the Posts called as System Assistant in
the Grade Pay of Rs. 4200/- and framed recruitment rules for them. Similarly,
such type of System Assistant Post is the need of the hour. It is pertinent to
mention that the System Assistants are now imparting training in Systems in
Workplace Computer Training Centre etc. and they are the pillars now to
maintain the systems and the computerisation programmes & Training other officials
to meet the present day requirements of Computer operations.
7:4 WE DEMAND
7:4:1 In a nutshell, the Systems
Administrators in the Department of Posts are the exploited employees amidst
Postal Assistants. Therefore, this union
submits to consider their plights based on the facts furnished above and
request to cause recommendation on the following:-
(i)
Augment a new establishment with a nomenclature of
'Systems Assistant'; with grade pay of Rs. 4600/- which is equivalent to the
staff side proposal of Rs.66000 minimum pay and further promotions ensured or
the posts may be declared as LSG Posts considering the nature of supervision in
computers.
(ii)
100% posts should be filled by conducting a
competitive trade test among the qualified officials working as Postal
Assistants and declared as a promotional cadre to Postal Assistant.
(iii)
The Educational Qualification may be fixed according
to job like Graduation with Computer Applications. However, the existing System Administrators
may be declared as Ex. Cadre posts taking into account the practical knowledge,
they may be considered 3 years of field experience of doing away with any trade
test. Training for periodical
upgradation of skills may be explored.
(iv)
They may please be placed in the existing Grade pay
of Rs. 4600/- as if demanded by the Staff Side to the minimum pay of Rs. 66,000
considering their arduous nature of the job and qualification.
(v)
Their promotional avenues may be fixed in the ratio
of 40:40:20.
These higher
posts at the ratio of 40, 40 and 20% may be decided considering the number of
systems as well as the responsibilities they handled during the course of the
day.
CHAPTER-VIII
COUNTING
OF PAST SERVICES OF RTP
(RESERVED
TRAINED POOL)
8:1:1 With
a view to meeting the shortage of staff due to absentees and other causes and
also to manage the increased flow of traffic and also to curtail expenditure on
overtime, the P&T Department has introduced the RTP (Reserved Trained Pool)
Scheme vide its No.60-36/80-SPB dated 30.10.1980.
8:1:2
The Main criteria & condition of the scheme was as follows:
-
"At
the time of each recruitment, after the select list is drawn up, an additional
list of candidates know as Part 'B' or Part II is prepared for each recruiting
Unit. The Part 'B" or Part II list is meant for filling the dropouts in
the main selection list'. In addition, a further list of candidates up to 50%
of the number of candidates in the main list, is to be drawn up which is which
is called Reserved Trained Pool.
8:1:3 All
these candidates will be imparted 'training and after training, they will be
utilized for maximum of 8 hours per day on daily wages (on an hourly basis).
Their eventual absorption as regular staff will, however, be in the order of
merit and they will be absorbed in regular vacancies after the absorption of
the select candidates at the 'main list' of the batch. The RTPs will
be given priority of absorption
against vacancies for next recruitment. Thus, the main select list
subsequent recruitment will be listed below the 'RTP's of the previous
recruitment.
8:1:4 The
P&T Department has subsequently caused orders restricting the RTP selection
vide its letter No.60-31/81-SPB I dated 13.6.82 in which the additional
list of RTPs to be drawn was restricted
to 15% of clerical sanctioned strength of the Division.
8:1:5 Later
this 'scheme' was extended to LDC and Postman cadres in August '82 and March
'85 respectively. Ultimately the 'RTP' scheme was discontinued in March 1986
vide DG P&T No.60-31/91-SPB-I dated 4.3.1986.
8:1:6 Thus
the P&T Dept. stood to gain by utilizing the RTP services at a cheaper cost
though they were full-fledged trained staff and performing their duties and
responsibilities on par with regular Postal Assistants / Sorting Assistants but
without any other normal benefits, as for regular staff.
8:1:7 They
were paid at the hourly rate for not exceeding 8 hours duly per day on a
monthly basis. Between 1980 and 1983, there were six half yearly
recruitment. In 1983, the department has
taken one policy decision of granting one Time Bound Promotion to the operative
cadres resulting in a reduction of 5% in the total strength of clerical and 15%
in the supervisory cadre with immediate effect, vide its order No.
31-26/83-PE.I dated 17-12-83.
8:1:8 Similarly,
the department has started abolition of running RMS sections and also
concentration of mail handling in Stationary Mail / Sorting Offices by
Day-sets, almost eliminating Night Sorting Offices in 1983, in the same year
resulting surplus staff in the RMS. This
resulted in reduction of posts of Sorting Assistants in great numbers. The
sudden implementation of these two decisions by Government and consequent ban
on recruitment, non-filling of vacancies including existing, future, retirement
and promotional adversely affected the prospect of regular absorption of the
RTPs for a long time. But they were
utilized as a Short Duty Staff continuously. Virtually affecting the absorption
of RTPs as SAs in RMS Divisions.
8:1:9 The
position of permanent absorption caused to some extent in 1986 and they could
be absorbed as Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistants in small numbers and final
batch of about 2900 RTPs were absorbed in January 1990 on the directions of the
Supreme Court.
8:1:10 In
effect, such RTPs had become the victim.
Most of them had become over aged and the orders of the competent
authority viz. DG (P) were obtained for relaxation of age limit for their
appointment.
8:1:11 A
random check of the Service record of the erstwhile RTPs thus appointed as Postal
Assistants / Sorting Assistants will show that about 50% of them would be
ineligible for Full Pensionary benefits like DCRG as their qualifying service
would be less than 33 years at the time of their superannuation.
8:1:12 Therefore
the staff side places the demand time and again and in all the Periodical
Meeting to count the past services of RTP for the limited purposes of promotion
and pensionary benefits which would not be detrimental to the interest of any
other staff.
8:1:13 The
said demand is being rejected on the following grounds regularly.
(i)
In the
meeting held with Minister on 23-10-2001, Member (P) informed that the demand
could not be accepted since the RTP Recruitments were made outside the
Recruitment Rules.
(ii) The Directorate in its letter NO.
10-7/2003/SR dated 04-11-2003, while communicating the state of progress of
various demands, it is informed that the demand of the union being contrary to
the judgment of the Apex Court (S.C. Judgment dated 01-08-1997 in OA Nos 30-123
of 1996) is not acceptable and the case closed.
(iii) In the periodical meeting of JCM
(Departmental Council) held on 18-11-2003, while discussing this issue under
item No. 9, the similar reply citing S.C. Judgment was given to the staff side.
8:1:14 The
department has closed its mind on this issue without minding various
developments taken place after the issue of Supreme Court judgment on 01-08-97.
8:1:15 The
Supreme Court judgment pertains mainly to the absorption of all erstwhile RTPs
and against various pronouncements in CATs in favour to RTP Personnel.
8:1:16 In
the said judgment the remark passed on the counting of past services is
restricted to appear in the departmental examination only. There was no mention for Promotion &
Pension benefits. The extract portion is
furnished interalia:-
"In
C.A. Nos. 127-130 of 1996, the RTPs who have been regularly absorbed in the
year 1988 have been given the benefit of counting their services as RTPs for
the purpose of their eligibility to appear for the departmental examination. The relevant rules provides that the
candidates must have put in at least 5 years continuous satisfactory service in
one or more eligible cadres before they can appear for the examination.
8:1:17 The
eligibility is related to five years service in the cadre. Any service which was, rendered prior to
regular appointment in the cadre cannot count for the purpose of these rules
because it cannot be considered as a service in the eligible cadre. The
Tribunal was therefore wrong in granting RTPs the benefit of service rendered
by them prior to their regular appointment, for the purpose of their
eligibility to appear for the departmental promotion examination".
8:2 JUSTIFICATION
8:2:1 It
is pertinent to place before the Seventh Central Pay Commission about the
correct position and justification of our demand for kind consideration.
8:2:2 The
RTP candidates were recruited only on observing the recruitment procedures
outlined in DG P&T letter No. 60/36/30-SPB.I dated 30-10-1980, as
applicable to regular employees and utilised as Short Duty Staff and ultimately
given appointment as Postal Assistants/Sorting Assistants.
8:2:3 The
Apex Court's judgment in the O.A. Nos. 80-123/1996 etc. is quite different
except the above observation stated in para supra and mainly dealt with the
claim of all privileges as was extended to casual labourer. The above was the casual mention and not
relation to main O.A.
8:2:4 Under
Article 368 of CSRs (Rule 14 of CCS (Pension) Rules 1972), periods of service
paid from contingencies do not count as qualifying service for pension. In some
cases, employees paid from contingencies are employed in the types of work
requiring the services of a whole time worker and are paid on monthly rates of
pay or daily rates computed and paid on a monthly basis and on being found fit,
brought on to regular establishment. In pursuance of the recommendations of the
council, it has been decided that half the service paid from contingencies will
be allowed to count towards pension at the time of absorption in regular employment.
8:2:5 Such
being the case for contingent staff, the RTPs utilized as 'SDC' performed all
the duties and responsibilities as Postal Assistants / Sorting Assistants with
their duty period extended upto 8 hours per day and wages on prorata to PA cadre
for the period of duty computed and paid on monthly basis, are therefore, on a
much worse footing than the contingent staff, and extending the benefit of the
period spent by them as 'SDC' to count for 'Qualifying Service' would be fair,
reasonable and justified.
8:2:6 Similarly
extending the benefit of their duty as RTP towards qualifying service also
deserves consideration on the analogy of
(i) Rule 22 of CCS (Pen) Rules 1972
|
Period spent on training
|
3 months
|
(ii) Rule 48-B of CCS (Pen) Rule 1972
|
On voluntary retirement
|
Up to 5 years
|
(iii) Rule 21 of CCS (Pen) Rules 1972
|
EOL on MC
|
Maximum at a time 5 years
|
(A
period of shortfall in maximum qualifying service of 33 years, subject to a
maximum of 5 years)
8:2:7 When
Rules 48B & 21 provide periods not covered by actual performance of duty as
a qualifying period for pension, etc., non-extending similar concessions to RTP
who actually performed the work of the department is against natural justice.
8:2:8 During
1960s, officials with the designation as "Learner' were recruited and
subsequently regularized as Postal Clerks. Their past service as Learner were
taken as Qualifying service in the department.
The similar analogy may be applied to this RTP personnel also.
8:2:9 The
S.C. Judgment pronounced in R.K. Pande& Others Vs. Steel Authority of India
& Others (1994-4. Sec. 304) may be applied to the RTPS also by regularising
their services from the date of joining.
8:2:10 Hon'ble
Principal Bench of CAT ordered to extend service, pensionary benefits to the
Non-Statutory Departmental Canteen employees in OA Nos. 572/96 &
2136/98. Resultantly the benefits of
entire past service prior to the declaration of Departmental Canteen employees
(as Government servants) for counting towards pensionary benefits have been
given to them vide the Do P&T in its OM No. 12/9/2000-Dir (C) dated
08-11-2000.
8:2:11 Such
being the case, the service rendered in private canteens were taken as
qualifying service, why not the service rendered as RTP when similar to Postal
Assistant be extended to them for Pensionary& other benefits.
8:2:12 Hon'ble
CAT, Ernakulam Bench adjudged in the OA No. 1410 of 1995 in favour of RTPs to
count the period of service as Qualifying service for promotion, Pension and
Back wages.
8:2:13 Even
after the Supreme Court casual observation in the OA No. 127-130 on 01-08-1997
the CAT, Hyderabad pronounced a judgment ordering to count the past services of
RTP for all purposes in its OA No. 798/97 & RA No. 83/98.
8:2:14 All
the postal federation in order to mitigate this issue which is prolonged over
one decade, has included the demand as one of the item in the charter of
demands in the proposed strike w.e.f. 15-03-2005. During the conciliation meeting, the
Secretary, Department of Posts agreed to re-examine the issue as per rules and
also keeping in view the judgment of the Apex Court in such cases.
8:2:15 The
Secretary has agreed to review their plight only in consonance with the Apex
Court judgment pronounced in the favour of P & T Canteen employees and their
past service in private employment has now been taken for the calculation of
the pensionary benefits.
8:2:16 Based
on the same, the Secretary, Department of Posts has referred this matter and
recommended to the Department of Personnel and it was once again rejected by
the Department of Personnel.
8:2:17 The
extract portion of the JCM Departmental Council Meeting for the meeting held in
2004.
Item
No. 9:Treating the services rendered as RTP
Reply:The
matter was taken up with the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare,
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions requesting to examine the
matter regarding the counting of the service rendered as RTP at least for
Pensionary Purpose. The Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare, Ministry
of Personnel and Public Grievances and Pensions has informed that it is evident
that the RTP was a standing pool of trained reserve candidates for the Post and
RMS offices to meet short term recruitment needs relating to shortage of staff
due to absenteeism and other reasons.
They were engaged, according to the needs subject to a maximum of eight
hours per day and were to be paid wages at hourly rates fixed from time to
time. They were given priority against
the vacancies for subsequent recruitment.
In view of above, it is very clear that RTP was a pool to keep a list of
candidates for short-term needs and who were paid on an hourly basis. Service
rendered on hourly basis cannot be equated with regular or even adhoc
service. Further, these employees have
already agitated their case up to the highest court of the country and there
does not seem to be any case to agree to their demand, which is totally against
the laid down rules, which are applicable uniformly to all employees of the
Government of India. (F.No.
37-19/2003-SPB.I)
8:2:18 The
Department of Personnel while disposing the recommendation of department at
least to include the service for pensionary purpose has not considered the various
precedences, court verdicts etc. and only with the closed mind, it disposed the
life of the 50% employees who could not get full pension due to want of
qualifying service.
8:2:19 All
the attempts through the Department Council (JCM) and other discussion forums
in particular from 2009 to 2013 become futile and the Department of Posts
arbitrarily rejected our plea without any consideration of the points referred
above.
8:2:20 Having
rendered service almost identical to regular Postal Assistants / Sorting
Assistants but on daily wages only and ultimate lesser pensionary benefits
because of such a long prolongation for their actual absorption, their cause is
reasonable and justified deserving for consideration as one time
settlement.There were several judicial pronouncements in CAT and High Court to
take their service for pension, promotion including the grant of MACP
promotion.
8:3 We demand
8:3:1 We
request the 7th Central Pay Commission to consider and render
justice to the deserving genuine case of RTPs only taking their past RTP
services as Qualifying services for all purposes.
CHAPTER – IX
PROMOTIONS
9:1 Cadre Review
9:1:1 Promotional avenues in the Sorting
Assistant cadre in the Department of Posts is not attractive as in the case of
other Central Government departments like Railway, Central Excise & Income
Tax, Customs etc. The Department is having the establishment of about 16500
Sorting Assistants and promotional Posts are available is less than 10% (LSG
1053, HSG II 415 & HSG I 415). There was no proper cadre review exercised
in the post by the Department of Posts to enhance the Promotional Posts for the
RMS employees and motivate the employees in their career.
The Fourth Pay Commission in
its report video Para 10.47 observed that” we feel that instead of a piecemeal
and fragmented approach, cadre restructuring should be comprehensive to take
care of all relevant aspects and safeguard, as far as possible, the career
interests of those who are already working in these cadres, in respect of their
prospects of promotion etc.
9:1:2 At
the best, a Sorting Assistant begins his career with the existing Grade pay of
Rs. 2400/- could get his first promotion after 10 years of service in the Grade
pay of Rs. 2800/- and second promotion after completion of 20 years of
service in the Grade pay ofRs. 4200/-
and on completion of 30 years, he will get Rs. 4600/- Grade pay. Only a few officials could be elevated to the
third promotion of HSG.I.
9:1:3 The
issue has been discussed in a separate meeting held for Cadre review and the
following decision have been arrived on 28.04.2014.
(a) The post of SPMs in Single Handed Post Offices
and Double Handed Post Offices will be placed in the Grade Pay of Rs. 2800/- in
the Pay Band PB-I.
(b) The post of Sub Postmasters in Triple Handed Post
Offices and all other existing norms based LSG Posts in Post offices will be
placed in the Grade Pay of Rs. 4200/- in the Pay Band PB-II.
(c) All existing posts in HSG-II will be placed in
the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/- in the Pay Band PB-II along with the existing HSG-I
Posts.
(d) After the implementation of the above
restructuring, the officials in the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/- who have completed
2 years of regular service, will be granted the Grade Pay of Rs. 4800/- in the
Pay Band-II on non-functional basis after following the usual procedure of
non-functional upgradation(s).
(e) Cadre ratio as per the agreed position mentioned
at (a) to (d) above, will be worked out and the ratio so worked out will be
replicated to the SA cadre of RMS, PA cadre of Circle & Administrative
offices as also to the PA cadre of SBCO.
(f) In respect of Postmaster Grade I, Grade II and
Grade III Posts, once the recommendations of this Committee are implemented;
the matter will be examined in the light of the same.
(g) In the light of the peculiar situation of
Postman/Mail Guard cadre where the work for the bulk of the cadre continues to
remain the same; as a special case the Committee recommends the ratios as
worked out in pursuance of (e) above may be considered for implementation for
these cadres as well and that the cadre so restructured may concurrently get
the benefit of MACP also.
(h) MTS being a common cadre in all Central
Government Ministries/Department will be extended the same benefits as commonly
decided for them.
9:1:4 If
the above agreement on Cadre review is cleared, there will be some promotional
avenues provided on functional justification to these cadre. However, the
plight of PO & RMS Accountant cadre and have not been considered as
mentioned in the respective chapter. Similarly the creation of System
Administrator Posts have also not been agreed but continuing the System
Administrators posts officially without any creation by christening the name of
Sorting Assistants as System Administrators is nothing but a farce and sheer
exploitation.
Thus, the Sorting Assistants have not been
provided adequate promotional avenues even after the said agreement.
9:2 GROUP
‘B’ PROMOTION
9:2:1 Before
the 4th CPC, for general line official
promotion to the PS Group ' B' (Gazetted) was available. With the implementation of 4th
CPC, these promotions to Group B has been made examination oriented and 6% of
the Group 'B' of superintendents were earmarked. Later on, the IPO & IRMs have also been
allotted 19% of examination oriented promotion to Group B. Till 2003, a considerable number of general
line officials in TBOP / BCR
were able to get promoted by duly qualifying in the Group B examination. The Department of Posts, all of a sudden
without any rhyme and reason has stipulated that TBOP & BCR officials are not eligible to sit for
Group B examination.
9:2:2 The Staff Side had submitted its
proposal as far back as in February 2008 referring the pending item in the
Postal Departmental Council JCM and communicating the opinions of the internal
staff side for discussions. But, thereafter there was no discussion taken
place. The following was the staff side's proposal.
9:2:3 In 1993, the Staff side was asked to
surrender 1/3rd of IPO/IRM vacancies from the general line promotional
quota at the time of consideration of cadre review to IP/ASPOs and introduce
direct recruitment to facilitate higher scales of pay to IPO/ASPOs and during
the course of discussions it was assured that in lieu of this, the share of
General Line in Group B might be improved. Though the share of PA/SA cadre in
the IPO was reduced by 1/3rd as stated above, the re-apportionment
of the Group ‘B’ did not take place.
9:2:4 We
demand
a)
Our proposal is that 62% of PS Group B vacancies
shall remain on seniority-cum-fitness to the IP Cadre and 19% on merit exam
basis amongst the IPO line;
b)
Remaining 19% of PS Group B should be for all
clerical line officials (Postal, RMS, SBCO, and Admn. The existing four posts
of Gazetted earmarked to RMS may be merged with the general pool and the
Sorting assistants shall be permitted to appear the Group B examination along
with the Postal assistants.
c)
Since PS Group ‘B’ tough competitive
examination, there need not be any restriction that only from LSG and above
would be permitted. This condition required to be reconsidered for
liberalization for the following reasons also. After the fifth Pay commission,
the department, unmindful of the amendment of the recruitment rules by due
notification with the approval of nodal ministries, has plunged into action to
the controversial decision in permitting only those officials holding standard
LSG post on a regular basis. As such a sudden switch over to standard LSG
criteria has caused a concern. It is therefore requested to permit all the Sorting
Assistantshaving 10 years (Ten Years) of clerical service irrespective of the
fact whether they are LSG or MACP to write the PS Group B exam.
9:2:5 The Department has neither considered nor decided the
proposals. There is a strong frustration among the new entrants possessing with
Post Graduate Qualifications and above to deny their chances to write
competitive examinations in Group B Posts. This may please be considered and
recommended as above mentioned.
9:3 AAO PROMOTION
9:3:1 In
respect of promotion to AAO cadres, the same has been frozen to the Postal/
Sorting Assistants and it is restricted only to the Postal Accounts causing a
great injustice to the general line officials. There may be chances for many
more examination oriented promotions. In
this way, to some extent we can meet the aspirations of the younger
generations.
9:3:2 In
short, the promotional avenues available are very meager and the youth now
joined the Postal Department in abundant with Post Graduate qualifications are
becoming frustrated due to the non provision of adequate higher promotional
avenues. The skills and zeal among such Postal/Sorting Assistant shall be
utilized properly by providing more promotional opportunities for them.
(i) Rule 22 of CCS (Pen) Rules 1972
|
Period spent on training
|
3 months
|
(ii) Rule 48-B of CCS (Pen) Rule 1972
|
On voluntary retirement
|
Up to 5 years
|
(iii) Rule 21 of CCS (Pen) Rules 1972
|
EOL on MC
|
Maximum at a time 5 years
|
(A
period of shortfall in maximum qualifying service of 33 years, subject to a
maximum of 5 years)
8:2:7 When
Rules 48B & 21 provide periods not covered by actual performance of duty as
a qualifying period for pension, etc., non-extending similar concessions to RTP
who actually performed the work of the department is against natural justice.
8:2:8 During
1960s, officials with the designation as "Learner' were recruited and
subsequently regularized as Postal Clerks. Their past service as Learner were
taken as Qualifying service in the department.
The similar analogy may be applied to this RTP personnel also.
8:2:9 The
S.C. Judgment pronounced in R.K. Pande& Others Vs. Steel Authority of India
& Others (1994-4. Sec. 304) may be applied to the RTPS also by regularising
their services from the date of joining.
8:2:10 Hon'ble
Principal Bench of CAT ordered to extend service, pensionary benefits to the
Non-Statutory Departmental Canteen employees in OA Nos. 572/96 &
2136/98. Resultantly the benefits of
entire past service prior to the declaration of Departmental Canteen employees
(as Government servants) for counting towards pensionary benefits have been
given to them vide the Do P&T in its OM No. 12/9/2000-Dir (C) dated
08-11-2000.
8:2:11 Such
being the case, the service rendered in private canteens were taken as
qualifying service, why not the service rendered as RTP when similar to Postal
Assistant be extended to them for Pensionary& other benefits.
8:2:12 Hon'ble
CAT, Ernakulam Bench adjudged in the OA No. 1410 of 1995 in favour of RTPs to
count the period of service as Qualifying service for promotion, Pension and
Back wages.
8:2:13 Even
after the Supreme Court casual observation in the OA No. 127-130 on 01-08-1997
the CAT, Hyderabad pronounced a judgment ordering to count the past services of
RTP for all purposes in its OA No. 798/97 & RA No. 83/98.
8:2:14 All
the postal federation in order to mitigate this issue which is prolonged over
one decade, has included the demand as one of the item in the charter of
demands in the proposed strike w.e.f. 15-03-2005. During the conciliation meeting, the
Secretary, Department of Posts agreed to re-examine the issue as per rules and
also keeping in view the judgment of the Apex Court in such cases.
8:2:15 The
Secretary has agreed to review their plight only in consonance with the Apex
Court judgment pronounced in the favour of P & T Canteen employees and their
past service in private employment has now been taken for the calculation of
the pensionary benefits.
8:2:16 Based
on the same, the Secretary, Department of Posts has referred this matter and
recommended to the Department of Personnel and it was once again rejected by
the Department of Personnel.
8:2:17 The
extract portion of the JCM Departmental Council Meeting for the meeting held in
2004.
Item
No. 9:Treating the services rendered as RTP
Reply:The
matter was taken up with the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare,
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions requesting to examine the
matter regarding the counting of the service rendered as RTP at least for
Pensionary Purpose. The Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare, Ministry
of Personnel and Public Grievances and Pensions has informed that it is evident
that the RTP was a standing pool of trained reserve candidates for the Post and
RMS offices to meet short term recruitment needs relating to shortage of staff
due to absenteeism and other reasons.
They were engaged, according to the needs subject to a maximum of eight
hours per day and were to be paid wages at hourly rates fixed from time to
time. They were given priority against
the vacancies for subsequent recruitment.
In view of above, it is very clear that RTP was a pool to keep a list of
candidates for short-term needs and who were paid on an hourly basis. Service
rendered on hourly basis cannot be equated with regular or even adhoc
service. Further, these employees have
already agitated their case up to the highest court of the country and there
does not seem to be any case to agree to their demand, which is totally against
the laid down rules, which are applicable uniformly to all employees of the
Government of India. (F.No.
37-19/2003-SPB.I)
8:2:18 The
Department of Personnel while disposing the recommendation of department at
least to include the service for pensionary purpose has not considered the various
precedences, court verdicts etc. and only with the closed mind, it disposed the
life of the 50% employees who could not get full pension due to want of
qualifying service.
8:2:19 All
the attempts through the Department Council (JCM) and other discussion forums
in particular from 2009 to 2013 become futile and the Department of Posts
arbitrarily rejected our plea without any consideration of the points referred
above.
8:2:20 Having
rendered service almost identical to regular Postal Assistants / Sorting
Assistants but on daily wages only and ultimate lesser pensionary benefits
because of such a long prolongation for their actual absorption, their cause is
reasonable and justified deserving for consideration as one time
settlement.There were several judicial pronouncements in CAT and High Court to
take their service for pension, promotion including the grant of MACP
promotion.
8:3 We demand
8:3:1 We
request the 7th Central Pay Commission to consider and render
justice to the deserving genuine case of RTPs only taking their past RTP
services as Qualifying services for all purposes.
CHAPTER – IX
PROMOTIONS
9:1 Cadre Review
9:1:1 Promotional avenues in the Sorting
Assistant cadre in the Department of Posts is not attractive as in the case of
other Central Government departments like Railway, Central Excise & Income
Tax, Customs etc. The Department is having the establishment of about 16500
Sorting Assistants and promotional Posts are available is less than 10% (LSG
1053, HSG II 415 & HSG I 415). There was no proper cadre review exercised
in the post by the Department of Posts to enhance the Promotional Posts for the
RMS employees and motivate the employees in their career.
The Fourth Pay Commission in
its report video Para 10.47 observed that” we feel that instead of a piecemeal
and fragmented approach, cadre restructuring should be comprehensive to take
care of all relevant aspects and safeguard, as far as possible, the career
interests of those who are already working in these cadres, in respect of their
prospects of promotion etc.
9:1:2 At
the best, a Sorting Assistant begins his career with the existing Grade pay of
Rs. 2400/- could get his first promotion after 10 years of service in the Grade
pay of Rs. 2800/- and second promotion after completion of 20 years of
service in the Grade pay ofRs. 4200/-
and on completion of 30 years, he will get Rs. 4600/- Grade pay. Only a few officials could be elevated to the
third promotion of HSG.I.
9:1:3 The
issue has been discussed in a separate meeting held for Cadre review and the
following decision have been arrived on 28.04.2014.
(a) The post of SPMs in Single Handed Post Offices
and Double Handed Post Offices will be placed in the Grade Pay of Rs. 2800/- in
the Pay Band PB-I.
(b) The post of Sub Postmasters in Triple Handed Post
Offices and all other existing norms based LSG Posts in Post offices will be
placed in the Grade Pay of Rs. 4200/- in the Pay Band PB-II.
(c) All existing posts in HSG-II will be placed in
the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/- in the Pay Band PB-II along with the existing HSG-I
Posts.
(d) After the implementation of the above
restructuring, the officials in the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/- who have completed
2 years of regular service, will be granted the Grade Pay of Rs. 4800/- in the
Pay Band-II on non-functional basis after following the usual procedure of
non-functional upgradation(s).
(e) Cadre ratio as per the agreed position mentioned
at (a) to (d) above, will be worked out and the ratio so worked out will be
replicated to the SA cadre of RMS, PA cadre of Circle & Administrative
offices as also to the PA cadre of SBCO.
(f) In respect of Postmaster Grade I, Grade II and
Grade III Posts, once the recommendations of this Committee are implemented;
the matter will be examined in the light of the same.
(g) In the light of the peculiar situation of
Postman/Mail Guard cadre where the work for the bulk of the cadre continues to
remain the same; as a special case the Committee recommends the ratios as
worked out in pursuance of (e) above may be considered for implementation for
these cadres as well and that the cadre so restructured may concurrently get
the benefit of MACP also.
(h) MTS being a common cadre in all Central
Government Ministries/Department will be extended the same benefits as commonly
decided for them.
9:1:4 If
the above agreement on Cadre review is cleared, there will be some promotional
avenues provided on functional justification to these cadre. However, the
plight of PO & RMS Accountant cadre and have not been considered as
mentioned in the respective chapter. Similarly the creation of System
Administrator Posts have also not been agreed but continuing the System
Administrators posts officially without any creation by christening the name of
Sorting Assistants as System Administrators is nothing but a farce and sheer
exploitation.
Thus, the Sorting Assistants have not been
provided adequate promotional avenues even after the said agreement.
9:2 GROUP
‘B’ PROMOTION
9:2:1 Before
the 4th CPC, for general line official
promotion to the PS Group ' B' (Gazetted) was available. With the implementation of 4th
CPC, these promotions to Group B has been made examination oriented and 6% of
the Group 'B' of superintendents were earmarked. Later on, the IPO & IRMs have also been
allotted 19% of examination oriented promotion to Group B. Till 2003, a considerable number of general
line officials in TBOP / BCR
were able to get promoted by duly qualifying in the Group B examination. The Department of Posts, all of a sudden
without any rhyme and reason has stipulated that TBOP & BCR officials are not eligible to sit for
Group B examination.
9:2:2 The Staff Side had submitted its
proposal as far back as in February 2008 referring the pending item in the
Postal Departmental Council JCM and communicating the opinions of the internal
staff side for discussions. But, thereafter there was no discussion taken
place. The following was the staff side's proposal.
9:2:3 In 1993, the Staff side was asked to
surrender 1/3rd of IPO/IRM vacancies from the general line promotional
quota at the time of consideration of cadre review to IP/ASPOs and introduce
direct recruitment to facilitate higher scales of pay to IPO/ASPOs and during
the course of discussions it was assured that in lieu of this, the share of
General Line in Group B might be improved. Though the share of PA/SA cadre in
the IPO was reduced by 1/3rd as stated above, the re-apportionment
of the Group ‘B’ did not take place.
9:2:4 We
demand
a)
Our proposal is that 62% of PS Group B vacancies
shall remain on seniority-cum-fitness to the IP Cadre and 19% on merit exam
basis amongst the IPO line;
b)
Remaining 19% of PS Group B should be for all
clerical line officials (Postal, RMS, SBCO, and Admn. The existing four posts
of Gazetted earmarked to RMS may be merged with the general pool and the
Sorting assistants shall be permitted to appear the Group B examination along
with the Postal assistants.
c)
Since PS Group ‘B’ tough competitive
examination, there need not be any restriction that only from LSG and above
would be permitted. This condition required to be reconsidered for
liberalization for the following reasons also. After the fifth Pay commission,
the department, unmindful of the amendment of the recruitment rules by due
notification with the approval of nodal ministries, has plunged into action to
the controversial decision in permitting only those officials holding standard
LSG post on a regular basis. As such a sudden switch over to standard LSG
criteria has caused a concern. It is therefore requested to permit all the Sorting
Assistantshaving 10 years (Ten Years) of clerical service irrespective of the
fact whether they are LSG or MACP to write the PS Group B exam.
9:2:5 The Department has neither considered nor decided the
proposals. There is a strong frustration among the new entrants possessing with
Post Graduate Qualifications and above to deny their chances to write
competitive examinations in Group B Posts. This may please be considered and
recommended as above mentioned.
9:3 AAO PROMOTION
9:3:1 In
respect of promotion to AAO cadres, the same has been frozen to the Postal/
Sorting Assistants and it is restricted only to the Postal Accounts causing a
great injustice to the general line officials. There may be chances for many
more examination oriented promotions. In
this way, to some extent we can meet the aspirations of the younger
generations.
9:3:2 In
short, the promotional avenues available are very meager and the youth now
joined the Postal Department in abundant with Post Graduate qualifications are
becoming frustrated due to the non provision of adequate higher promotional
avenues. The skills and zeal among such Postal/Sorting Assistant shall be
utilized properly by providing more promotional opportunities for them.
CHAPTER
— X
OUT
STATION ALLOWANCE
10:1:1 The
R.M.S. Staff working in traveling Sections are granted Out Station Allowance to
meet the expenses on food, snacks, conveyance, transport of personal effects
etc., when they leave their residence for duty to work in the R.M.S. sections and
till they return home. The trips per month may range from 1 to 5 and in rare cases four in a month.
10:1:2 Whenever there was an
abnormal rise in the cost of living, resulting in heavy expenses at the
out-station, staff unions has demanded revision of rates of Out station allowance to the extent of
Overtime allowance which has not been considered.
10:1:3 This allowance is based
on the period of absence from headquarter calculated in the units of 6 hours
and the last revision was effected on an agreement arrived at the Joint
Consultative Committee (Departmental Council).
10:1:4 The OSA should be
linked to the daily allowance granted to the touring officials. It is therefore
urged the OSA be revised upward, once in 3 years,commensurate with the increase
in cost of living index on the same percentage of D.A. increase.
CHAPTER-XI
OVER TIME ALLOWANCE
11:1:1 OTA
is being granted in the following cases in the Sorting & Mail Offices in
Particular to manage the absenteeism of the staff and shortage.
1. Substitutes in vacant posts in the sanctioned strength.
2. Heavy receipt of mails due to dislocation of trains / Air Services.
3. Manning
the office on holidays.
11:1:2 The
term of OTA is a misnomer. It is paid only in the vacancies of sanctioned
department's strength to the officials who are detained beyond the working
hours as in another.The expenditure on over time is inevitable since the work
cannot be managed without substitute and postpone for the next day.
11:1:3 It is most unfortunate that the Over Time
Allowance (OTA) is being paid only at the rate prescribed by the Fourth Pay
Commission in the Department of Posts (i.e) 15.85 per hour which is far below
the hourly salary. In Railways & other Departments, they have changed the
name of OTA and enhanced the amount. The Postal, which is the operative
department where work could not be postponed is still exploiting the employees
at the rate of OTA. Adding fuel to fire, if a SortingAssistant expresses his
unwillingness to be on OTA, he is being charge sheeted. A clear type of
exploitation of labour is in force despite formal instructions from the
Directorate not to proceed the staff who expresses unwillingness to work on
OTA.
11:1:4 After extracting the work for 8 hours, the
official is being paid with less than Rs.119/- which cannot be equatedeven to
the ¼thsalary in the minimum wage of a SortingAssistant.
11:1:5 Not only because of the understaffing
but also because of situations of sudden pressures of work, absenteeism and
inadequacy of the percentage of leave reserve, which was reduced from 17
percent of the establishment structure to 10 percent, some expenditure on
overtime is inevitable. Overtime cannot be avoided in such operational
departments in which the work could not be postponed to the next day.
11:1:6 The
existing restrictions in the matter of overtime duty and drawal of overtime
allowance should be removed so that the officials may not be deprived of their
legitimate claim.
11:1:7 It is, further, requested to consider
that the overtime rates after enforcement atleast by 1½ times of
appropriate pay during the normal
days should be double the average hourly emoluments of the employees and on
weekly off, Sundays or holidays, it should be doubled to the ordinary OTA
rates.
The spirit of the arbitration
award in enhancing the rates shall be honored. The Postal shall also be treated
as an industry and the revisions exercised in Railways and Defence shall be
exercised, as the postal department is also the operative offices of Government
of India.
CHAPTER — XII
HOLIDAYS
12:1:1 The
RMS & MMS employees are at present entitled to:
1. Weekly off
2. 16 Holidays + 2 Restricted Holidays
3. Other holidays declared as Public
Holidays in special circumstances.
12:1:2 The RMS office work round the clock on all the days. Offices
are functioning on holidays. The staff are brought on duty on Holidays and
compensated by O.T. payment.
12:1:3 It is our experience that adequate staff commensurate with the
workload are not arranged on Holidays with a view to restrict overtime
expenditure. The staff is unable to bear the workload. Further, the payment for
the duty performed is made after months and, in some cases after a year.
12:1:4 In the circumstances, we urge upon the Commission to recommend
closure of all RMS offices, like Post Offices, on all Holidays and Sundays to
enable the staff to avail of the holidays to spend their time with their
families.
12:1:5 As already stated, RMS employees are given 16 holidays and 2
restricted holidays. But they are denied 5-day week as prevalent in Postal
Administrative Offices, This discrimination is quite unjust. The RMS employees
shall also avail Sundays and holidays like other employees. We, therefore, urge that all RMS employees
should be given holiday on all Saturdays as well.
CHAPTER -XIII
INCENTIVE
13:1:1 At time of
introduction of AMPC in Mumbai there was an agreement that the staff working in
AMPC will get two increments in their grade.The officials drawing a rate of
Increment of Rs.100 in Grade pay of Rs.2400 was paid Rs.200 per month. But when
he was promoted to the Grade pay of
2800 there is an anomaly where he is entitled to get Rs.200 not 250. It is
urged that two increments in the grades as and when they were promoted should
be granted.
13:1:2 There is no
Incentive for the staff working in Computerized Registration Channel and Speed
Post concentration Centre. Their working conditions are similar to AMPC. The
CRC staff, SPCC staff should also be granted to the extent of 10% of pay plus
Grade pay. It is urged that all the RMS staff working on the computer should be
granted machine allowance.
CHAPTER
- XIV
LEAVE
RESERVE
14:01:1 The existing sanctioned strength of
Leave Reserve Clerks for post offices to the extent of 11% is found to be quite
inadequate. Consequently the
inconvenience caused to the operative staff to manage the shortage of staff
prevailing to the extent of more than 30% and in the matter of timely relief
whenever they need leave on any kinds for even emergencies and also to the
administration in arranging relief are indescribable. This has been further
aggravated after the grant of Child Care Leave for the women employees after
the Sixth CPC and many of them could not avail CCL due to the inadequacy in LR
Strength.
14:01:4 More and more influx of women employees
in the department demands with more and more social obligations with a better
environment. Availment of leave with or
without pay is on the increase. With the
heavy shortage of staff, it is impossible to go for combination of duties to
carry out the absentees' work. Hence
there is a clear justification for increase of leave reserve to 20%.
14:01:5 It
is most pertinent to mention that the Fifth Pay Commission in its recommendations
stated that 'all the ministries having a higher concentration of women
employees may consider to provide for higher leave reserve'. But this has not
been carried in the Department of Posts.
14:01:6 The percentage of leave reserve in post
offices was fixed many decades ago.
With the expansion of postal services and ventured various business activities
and works, it is not possible to cope up with the increased workload.
14:01:7 It is therefore suggested that the
percentage of the Leave Reserve Postal Assistants in the post offices should be
raised atleast to 20 percent.
CHAPTER –XV
PROBLEMS OF WOMEN EMPLOYEES
15:1:1 As
per the census of Central Government Employees, 7.53% of total Central
Government Employees are women. In respect of Postal, it is 12.20%. Based on international Labour Conference decisions of 1919, the Govt.
of India reviewed the problems in depth and suggested its opinion before ILC in
1921.
15:1:2 Pursuant to the
decision of Royal Commission Recommendations of 1930, Maternity Benefits Act
was promulgated in our country. Thereafter the Govt. Of India extended certain
benefits to working women employees. Nowadays, the percentage of women
employees have increased steadily in Govt departments by virtue of their merits
and qualifications.
15:1:3 The following
recommendations of the Fifth CPC providing special facilities to women
employees were not so far been considered by the Government so far.
(a) "Introduction of a
voluntary system of option for serving women employees to work half time for a
maximum period of six years in a career when the children are young and family
commitments are of the maximum. This
half time working may be accompanied with half of the Pay and Allowances, but
not detract from other benefits like housing, LTC, Pensionary entitlements,
etc. The Government should work out the
scheme in detail."
(b) "The Government has set up
day-care centers and crèches in some places, but their number is far below the
requirement. The Government should consider setting up more day-care centers on
Government land, construction of buildings being financed by Government Welfare
Funds. More crèches in offices or major
residential areas may be set up by the Government.
(a) "The age of recruitment for women employees may be enhanced to 35
years."
(b) "Government may earmark funds separately for construction of more
single women's hostel. There should also be some scheme to assure housing for
married women employees."
(c) "Arranging charted 'ladies-special' buses in bigger cities."
(d) "Where husband and wife are both Government employees the
creation of an earned leave bank to be availed of by either spouse may be
considered only for the period needed for rearing very young children (such
period not exceeding six years in all), provided the women employee has
exhausted the earned leave at her credit and there is earned leave to the
credit of her husband"
(e) "The ministries having a higher concentration of women employees
may consider to provide for higher leave reserve."
Most of the above-said recommendations are not implemented. We request to examine and reiterate the
recommendations for implementation.
15:2 CHILD CARE LEAVE
15:2:1 Even though every
women employee is entitled to avail 730 days Child Care Leave during their
entire service, in practical, it is not being granted owing to shortage and
reluctance to undertake additional work and other reasons. Unless the LR
strength is enhanced, this cannot be settled. Women employees should exercise
their privilege as they require without any hurdle. The restrictions imposed by
DOPT in availing the CCL shall be removed.
15:3 CRÈCHES:
15:3:1 The Department has
issued orders to subordinate offices to provide Crèches under certain
condition. There require liberalization. However the number of employees is
small, the Department may on payment, enter into arrangement with crèche houses
opened by other Department like Telecom etc. to enable the Postal Women
employees to leave their Children under the care of trained matrons when they
proceed to work.
15:4 TRANSFERS
15.4:1 Though Government have
issued orders that women employees should be transferred to the stations where
their husbands are serving etc., at field level, there appears to be much delay
to concede their request. This should be avoided.
15.4:2 The women employees
should not be posted where basic facilities are lacking. On promotion, the
women employees are to be accommodated nearer to their native place.
15.4:3 It is further
requested to entertain transfer cases to their native places as requested in
respect of unmarried women employees and to the places where their husbands are
working in respect of married employees without putting any restrictions,
reservations or rejections.
15.5 HOSTELS:
15.5:1 The Fourth CPC
recommended under Para 25.5 that “the Government should construct single
working women’s hostel in all major centers of employment. Priority may be
given to women in allotment of residential accommodations. Similarly, it
recommended vide para 25.06 that special transport facilities including aborted
buses on payment wherever possible may be provided to women employees. This has
not been implemented in major urban cities so far.
Keeping in view
that women employees, both married and unmarried have to serve away from
home-stations due to circumstance beyond their control, the following are suggested.
1.
That women hostels may be constructed
if the number of women employees is large and
2.
Rooms may be reserved for women
employees in hostels which may be constructed in other Department of
Government.
3.
Allotting staff quarters earmarking
for women employees who are working in those places out of their native places.
15.6 GRANT OF SPECIAL LEAVE:
15.6:1 A large number of the women employees are facing problems like removal
of uteruses, etc.after attaining age of 40 or more which requires special
rest. The women employees may be granted
one month special leave in case of the removal of uteruses etc.The above suggestions on the working women Postal Assistants may
please be considered and recommended accordingly.
In RMS, many
women employees are being working on night duties where as no protection has
been ensured like transportation, security in return etc.The women employees
shall not be brought in night sets. In the event of emergency, they shall be
provided security and transportation facilities from their residences.
15:7 FORMATION
OF WOMEN WELFARE COMMITTEE
15:7:1 Itis suggested that in order to protect the
interest of women employees, women welfare committee shall be formed. This may
be formed irrespective of the members of women employees. Facilities extended through women welfare
committee shall be well defined
CHAPTER - XVI
MATTER MERITS CONSIDERATION
16:1 INADEQUATE ACCOMMODATION:
16:1:1 Adequate Accommodation
should be provided for R.M.S. Offices and sections, according to the standards
laid down by the Department and prescribed in Rule 588 (A) of P&T Manual
Volume II. The adequate accommodations have not been provided resulting in
health Hazards in the midst of dust and unhygienic conditions. This is the
position of many RMS offices. This has to be ensured by providing good tidy
accommodation to RMS offices.
16:2 BUILDING
16:2:1 Most of mail offices
are situated in Railway Premises. Basic amenities are lacking.
Railways is not being persuaded to construct new buildings as per the
standards resulting the staff to work in inadequate and unsuitable buildings
forcibly.
16:3 DEPOSIT SCHEME.
16:3:1 The RMS staff are
working in lack of basic facilities, no separate toilets for women employees
provided in many places. There are no proper tiffin rooms available for the
officials. There is no privacy for women employees as there is no rest room
etc.
16:3:2 We are of the firm
opinion that the department should have better own building or shifted to good
building with good environment.
16:3:3 Similarly Mail offices
should be modernized by duly providing lift, hoist and the way across the Railway Line for ensuring
safety and security to the officials.
16:4 R.M.S. REST ROOMS
16:4:1 The department should
review the existing Rest Houses and Rest Rooms to see whether they are located
in Railway premises or nearby and ensure maintenance of the rest houses
regarding lights, fan, Utensils, furniture cots, mattresses, pillows and
mosquito nets etc. This has not been taken care in many places and the RMS
officials are forced to stay in unhygienic conditions in the absence of natural
facilities like latrine, water etc.
16:5 BAG
CLEANING
16:5:1 The department should
ensure regular cleaning of bags. Provision of dust absorber and out lets for
exit of fumes of wax Heater. This will alone extend the longevity of the RMS
employees as many of them are suffering with Asthama, TB etc. at the backend of
their carrier.
16:6 DUTY
HOURS
16:6:1 The
Commencement/termination of night duty at odd hours should be eliminated. The
duty should commence before 22:00 hours and terminate at 0600 hours. This
suggestion is utmost importance taking in to the availability of transport
facilities etc.
16:7 SPLIT
DUTY
16:7:1 Despite clear
Government orders that no official shall be brought on split duty more than the
spread of 12 hours, the RMS officials are being brought on duty to split duty
and the spread over period exceeds 12 fours. This should be stopped with.
16:7:2
Even though the Sixth CPC has doubled
the existing rate of Split Duty Allowance to Rs. 200/- P.M, this has not been
implemented in case of Postal employees as it was not approved but rejected by
the Ministry of Finance. Still a sum of Rs. 100/- is being paid to Postal
employees. Even the 25% increase on reaching 50% DA twice have not been
implemented in their case. A clear discrimination is prevailing in respect of
Split Duty Allowance being paid to Postal employees.
CHAPTER
XVII
MODIFIED
A.C.P SCHEME & FIVE PROMOTIONS
17:1:1 Systematic career advancement with a
pre- determined residency period in each cadre is what every employee aspires
to. Vacancy based promotions had been
the system prevailing in almost all Government departments until the Railways
introduced the periodical cadre review.
17:1:2 Even though the 4th CPC recommended to
have the scheme adopted by all the departments, this was not heeded to. The
Postal department introduced a time bound promotion scheme in 1983 in which the
first promotion was offered after 16 years and the second after 26 years. The scheme had the distinct advantage of
having promotion without the prerequisite of a vacancy in the higher cadre. Subsequently,
it is also termed of Financialupgradation and discontinued the scheme and
brought its employees under the MACP scheme after the Sixth CPC.
17:1:3 The ACP promotions was replaced with
Modified ACP scheme after the Sixth Pay Commission in which three financial
upgradations viz. 10, 20 & 30 years has been provided. There are bundles of
anomalies which were discussed in the anomaly committee and nothing was sorted
out. The following are the issues remaining pending.
17:2:1 The earlier ACP which was in vogue till
the advent of MACP had been on promotional hierarchy, the Government cannot
unilaterally change it, especially when employees do not consider it as
advantageous. Even the suggestion of the staff side to provide an option for
each individual employee to choose either the ACP or MACP whichever is
beneficial to him has not been acceded to.
17:2:2 Even though it was agreed to examine to
count 50% of service of Temporary status/casual labourers for the purpose of
the MACP, the Government did not issue any orders so far. Many workmen and
wiremen in the Department of posts have not been accorded the MACP promotion
due to non count of half of the service they rendered as temporary status
casual labourers. This is the same in the case of MTS who have been regularized
from the temporary status.
17:2:3 The plea of the Staff side that wherever
examination oriented promotions, the service rendered by such employee in lower
post must be ignored and such promotion shall be treated as the first
appointment in the cadre and fresh MACP promotion shall commence from the date
of such promotion. The CAT Jodhpur vides its Judgment confirmed the request of
the staff side by citing various Supreme Court judgments which has been
appealed in the higher courts. The Court has ruled that an appointment on promotion
to a higher post after passing an examination should be treated as fresh
appointment and the service for the grant of MACP shall be counted from the
date of such promotion. The above position was maintained in the grant of
earlier financial upgradation (TBOP & BCR) existed in the department.
17:2:4 The provision of stepping up of pay of
the senior incumbent with the junior as a consequence of ACP/MACP has not been
considered and the seniors are deprived due to this position of denial of
stepping up to pay. If two employees working on identical posts and same cadre
and juniors are drawing higher pay in MACP more than the seniors is nothing but
against to the principles of natural justice.
17:2:5 MACP shall be accorded only on seniority
cum fitness and there is no requirement at least up to Pay Band-II levels to
apply benchmarks. The Government’s orders not to apply the benchmark provision
to the seniority cum fitness promotion shall be extended to all promotions on
selection basis also upto the level of Pay Band-II.
17:3:1 If the regular promotion and the
financial up gradations are in identical grade pay, one increment shall be
granted on regular promotion in such cases. This has been partially implemented
only for those merged in the pay scales as per the Fifth and Sixth Pay
Commissions. As this is the general demand, it shall be considered to grant on
increment at the time of regular promotion even though the official draws the
Grade Pay as applicable to the promoted post.
17:3:2 MACP to the extent of five shall be
granted to the C. G. employees due to heavy stagnation. Due to lack of
promotional posts, many would get their first promotions on completion of 20
years of service or more. The existing principle of cadre review once in five
years has not been implemented in many C. G. Departments. In the absence of
regular/periodical promotions, there should be five financial upgradations on
completion of 8 years, 7 years, 6 years, 5 years and 4 years (during a span of
30 years service) in the departmental promotional hierarchy instead of Grade
Pay hierarchy.The present systems of next grade pay shall be dropped and
modified.
17:3:3 MACP shall be granted on promotional
hierarchy. The Supreme Court dismissed the SLP No. 7467/2013 filed by the
Government against the CAT order which was upheld by the High Court, Chandigarh
in CWP No. 19387/2011 that MACP, the financial upgradation shall be granted in
the promotional hierarchy. This has been implemented by the Government only in
respect of the individuals approached legally and not applied to the similarly
situated employees vide DOPT order dt 04.04.2014 which is nothing but a farce
and tantamount to the denial of implementation of the spirit of the orders.
17:3:4 The training period of the Government
employees has been taken as qualifying service for drawl of increments. The
present condition of not counting the Training period, adhoc promotion
etc. for MACP is unfair and this provision shall be deleted. All the training
period, officiating arrangements, adhoc promotion etc shall be taken for
calculation of the qualifying period for the grant of MACP promotion.
17:4 ANOMALY IN MACP IN POSTAL
17:4:1 The DOPT vide its OM No.
35034/3/2008-Estt (D) Dated 09.08.2010 clarified under para 11 inter alia: -
“Since the pay scales of Group
D employees have been merged and placed in the Grade Pay of Rs.1800/- Whether
they are entitled to grant of increment @ 3% during pay fixation at every
stage.
Clarification:-
“Yes, on the analogy of point 22 of Annexure I of MACPs the pay of such Group D
employees who have been placed in the Grade Pay of Rs.1800/- w.e.f. 1.1.2006
shall be fixed successively in the next three immediate higher Grade Pay in the
hierarchy of the revised Pay Band and Grade Pay allowing the benefit of 3% Pay
fixation of every stage.”
17:4:2 While clarifying MACP provisions vide
Directorate letter No. 1-20/2008-PCC (Pt) Dt.
18.2.2011 under para 4, it is mentioned about the grant of Grade Pay,
but did not clarify about the fixation of 3% for every stage as stated in the
OM in para supra.
17:4:3 On receipt of orders from DoPT, the pay
fixation for MACP has been refixed by allowing 3% for every stage, which has
been irregularly objected by the Audit in respect of West Bengal Circle and
Andhra Pradesh Circle. Huge recovery is being ordered which is against the
orders of the DoPT. The anomaly has not been settled so far.
17:5:1 The pay increase in MACP is by
virtue of holding the same grade pay for more than 10 years. It is an alternate
measure providing respite whois starved for career progression for want of
promotional avenues. This is ubiquitous
for all employees irrespective of the post, they work against. But when the senior officials are promoted
against the post (under the seniority cum fitness) carrying higher
responsibility is deprived any benefit and are equated with even the junior
most who got the most recent up gradation under MACP. The worst part of this
scheme is they are doomed to forgo the next MACP once they decline the
promotion with no monetary benefit. But however their immediate juniors who
could getthe chance of promotion can continue with next MACP.
17:5:2 The question of identifying the post
with similar grade pay was found to be amiss in the department ever since such
a condition was imposed as late as in the year 2010.With a net result even wire
man in GP of 2400 on his promotion to PA cadre is deprived of the fixation for
the reason that both the wire man and postal assistant carry the same grade pay
in the same pay band. The irony is that the work natures of the both posts are
entirely different – the former is blue collared while the latter is white
collared
17:5:3 This Federations are endorsing all the
views and prayers submitted by the Staff Side in their memorandum on this subject
and in order to place the importance of the same, we have also submitted those
items in the preparas and we pray that this may please be considered with top
priority.
PART
II
MEMORANDUM
ON MAIL MOTOR SERVICES
CHAPTER -XVIII
18:1 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SERVICES
18:1:1 The Mail Motor service is the nerve line of the Postal services. It is
responsible for transportation of mails between the offices of Railway Mail
Service and Post offices. The transportation of mails depends upon the functioning
of the Mail Motor Service. Apart from this, the maintenance, repairs of the
Motor vehicles of the MMS and other vehicles in use in the Department of Posts
including the staff car and inspection vans. The Postal Mail Motor Service, (MMS)
which was functioning in Calcutta, was expanded from the year 1947. It started
functioning in Bombay, Nagpur, Madras and Delhi. It was departmentalized in
1948.
18:1:2 Starting from a modest beginning, the
Services grew enormously during the last 66 years and today it covers over 98
cities in the country. The Mail Motor Services have grown to enormous. Now it
is having a fleet of 1283 vehicles of all standards, heavy vehicles by 3 to 5
tonnes, 1 to 1.5 tonnes, motorcycles, jeeps, three wheeler, scooters, light vehicles
and so on. The staff includes operative, clerical, technical and traffic
cadres. Besides, there is also maintenance staff in the workshops with
supervising, clerical and ancillary staff
18:2 FUNCTIONING OF THE M.M.S.AND JOB
PROFILE
18:2:1 The Mail Motor Service is operating
generally within the limits of these towns and cities and its main function is
to carry mail from Post Offices for RMS Mail Sorting Offices and vice versa or
to Airports where from mails are exchanged from and to the places served by the
planes. It also carries mails and cash from post offices to post offices. The
street letter boxes are also cleared in big towns
18:2:2 In these 65 years, the traffic has
increased in all these towns and cities nearly tenfold. The work, therefore, has
enormously increased. The speed Post service has also been introduced with
additional vehicles.
18:2:3 The Mail Motor Service has, however,
not been expanded as it should have been. In many places, mails are still being
carried by Private Contractors. In some places, three-wheeler scooters, cycle-
rickshaws and horse-carts are still in use. Yet at some places mails are
carried in hand-trucks to the State Transport Bus Stations.
18:2:4 It is, therefore, desirable that an
independent Transport Wing of Mail Service (M.M.S.) at the Centre under a
Deputy Director General should be formed to develop the Mail Motor Services.
18:2:5 Mail Motor Services (MMS) is the main
organization that manages transport service to the Department of Posts. This
organization is functioning timely deployment of MMS vehicles for transmission
of mails, cash and other valuable articles etc. between various Post offices.
18:2:6 It has the workshop where thorough
repair/maintenance works of Mail Vans, Cash vans and Inspections vehicles are
being done on a regular basis. These workshops may be well-equipped to
undertake body-building of chassis, machines for boring of pistons etc., so
that the need to go to private workshops is done away with.
18:2:7 Technical Supervisor/Charge hand is the
in charges of the Workshop who is responsible for all types of maintenance work
of vehicles with the help of Skilled Artisans (mechanics, Electricians,
Welders, Tyreman, Painters, Black smiths, Tinsmiths, Upholsters etc.)
18:2:8 There are 474 posts are available in
Mail Motor Services throughout the country. This Artisans cadre is badly
neglected from their legitimate pay scale/PB since from IV CPC. The enhancement
of pay as if granted to the similarly situated artisans working in other CG
departments on the basis of settlement of the anomaly and award of the Board of
Arbitration has not been extended to the artisans of the Mail Motor Service in
the Department of Posts. There are 1573 operative MMS Driver posts are
available across the country. Drivers are the backbone of the MMS organizations
and they are about 50% of the total staff of MMS. Duties of driver are
hazardous with comparison to other Government drivers.
18:2:9 The present system of purchases of
stores and spare-parts from the local market, running into several lakhs of
rupees, could also be done away with if these items are purchased directly from
standard firms and stocked at the centralized workshops. It will pluck the
loopholes in the system and ensure better and efficient service in the maintenance
of the vehicles.
18:2:10 Though the Service is being run for the
last 65 years, yet no well-regulated rules or compendium prescribing the duties
and responsibilities of the staff has been framed.
18:2:11 Now the department has introduced long distance
schedules Like Delhi to Jaipur, Chennai to Bangalore; Hyderabad to Vijayawada
and vice versa, without providing adequate personnel and arrangements. In all
these places the drivers are regularly compelled to perform continuous OTA
duties which are not practically possible to drive such heavy vehicles in long
distances.
18:2:12 Logistic post can also be entrusted to MMS.
As all the major cities in the country have MMS Units, Logistic post centers
can be formed wherever MMS Units are available. Logistic post chain/ Grid can
be formed in the country to develop EPP/Speed Post/ Logistic Post Grid. This
definitely will fetch huge revenue to the Department. By developing interstate
road transport short distance mails can be handled effectively.
18:2:13 These
kinds of MMS Garages and facilities are not available with any other Central
Govt. Organization. MMS can also be made approved workshops for maintenance and
repairs of other Central Government Vehicles.
18:3 PAY SCALES AND NATURE OF JOB
18:3:1 In the Mail Motor Services, the
following categories of staff are working and their scales of pay are as
under:-
S. No.
|
CATEGORY
|
PAY SCALE
|
PAY BAND
|
GRADE PAY
|
1.
|
Cleaner
|
4440-7440
|
Is
|
1300
|
2.
|
Semi-Skilled
|
4440-7440
|
Is
|
1650
|
3.
|
Skilled
Artisan Gr.III
|
5200-20200
|
PB-I
|
1900
|
4.
|
Skilled
Artisan Gr.II
|
5200-20200
|
PB-I
|
2400
|
5.
|
Skilled
Artisan Gr.I
|
5200-20200
|
PB-I
|
2800
|
6.
|
ChargeHand
|
5200-20200
|
PB-I
|
2800
|
7
|
Technical
Supervisor
|
9300-34800
|
PB-2
|
4200
|
8.
|
Inspector
|
9300-34800
|
PB-2
|
4200
|
9.
|
Asstt.
Manager
|
9300-34800
|
PB-2
|
4200
|
10.
|
Driver
Gr.III
|
5200-20200
|
PB-I
|
1900
|
11.
|
Driver
Gr.II
|
5200-20200
|
PB-I
|
2400
|
12
|
Driver
Gr.I
|
5200-20200
|
PB-I
|
2800
|
13.
|
Special
Gr.Driver
|
9300-34800
|
PB-2
|
4200
|
14.
|
Dispatch
Rider
|
5200-20200
|
PB-I
|
1900
|
15.
|
Office
Asstt.
|
5200-20200
|
PB-I
|
2400
|
16.
|
Store Officer
|
9300-34800
|
PB-2
|
4200
|
17.
18
|
Group `D`
Group D
|
4440-7440
4440-7440
|
Is
Is
|
1300
1650
|
18:3:2 As far as clerical and allied staff are
concerned; they are akin to any clerical staff working in postal Organization.
18:3:3 Then there is workshop staff. Amongst
them, one of the most important cadres is the Motor Mechanics. They are
required to possess a minimum qualification of 8th passed and should possess a
diploma in Motor Vehicle Mechanism or ITI Certificate with heavy vehicles
driving license. The diploma course is of 3 years, including upto-date designs
and make. They are recruited only on passing a trade test before appointment.
Their job is to attend to all repairs, open the machines and overhaul them. In
short, they should know the full mechanism of the vehicle and anything found
wrong, they are held responsible.
18:3:4 The biggest problem and worry for these
mechanics is that in the Department, vehicles are run even after they are
condemned (i.e. when the vehicle has run its full life) and therefore, there
are frequent breakdowns. Whenever there is a break-down, these mechanics have
to go out and repair the vehicles on the road. Inside the workshops, they have
to attend to these worn-out vehicles and maintain the services. He works round
the clock also.
18:4 FAIR COMPARISONS
18:4:1 In other Departments of the Government of
India, the motor vehicle mechanics get more pay than drivers. It would,
therefore, be seen that in Postal, Motor Vehicle Mechanic is discriminated
against and he is very much low paid. We, therefore, request the Commission to
appreciate this aspect and the following minimum pay as requested by the Staff
side is prayed for.
Sl.No.
|
CATEGORY
|
PAY SCALE
|
GRADE PAY
|
PROPOSED
PAY
|
1.
|
Cleaner
|
4440-7440
|
1300
|
26000
|
2.
|
Semi-Skilled
|
4440-7440
|
1650
|
26000
|
3.
|
Skilled
Artisan Gr.III
|
5200-20200
|
1900
|
46000
|
4.
|
Skilled
Artisan Gr.II
|
5200-20200
|
2400
|
51000
|
5.
|
Skilled
Artisan Gr.I
|
5200-20200
|
2800
|
56000
|
6.
|
Charge
Hand
|
5200-20200
|
2800
|
66000
|
7
|
Technical
Supervisor
|
9300-34800
|
4200
|
74000
|
8.
|
Inspector
|
9300-34800
|
4200
|
74000
|
9.
|
Asstt.
Manager
|
9300-34800
|
4200
|
74000
|
10.
|
Driver
Gr.III
|
5200-20200
|
1900
|
46000
|
11.
|
Driver
Gr.II
|
5200-20200
|
2400
|
51000
|
12
|
Driver
Gr.I
|
5200-20200
|
2800
|
56000
|
13.
|
Special
Gr. Driver
|
9300-34800
|
4200
|
74000
|
14.
|
Dispatch
Rider
|
5200-20200
|
1900
|
46000
|
15.
|
Office
Asstt.
|
5200-20200
|
2400
|
56000
|
16.
|
Store
Officer
|
9300-34800
|
4200
|
74000
|
17.
|
Group `D`
|
4440-7440
|
1300
|
26000
|
18.
|
Group `D`
|
4440-7440
|
1650
|
26000
|
18:4:2 Proposal regarding change of
qualification in Recruitment Rule
EXISTING
QUALIFICATION
|
PROPOSED
QUALIFICATION
|
Middle
School Standard
|
10 + ITI
Pass from recognized Institute by Govt. + Sound Computer Knowledge from
recognized Institution.
|
18:4:3 Reason behind the proposal
(a)
As per existing recruitment rules of MTS Group ‘C’ the minimum
educational qualification is Class X pass/ITI and entry Grade Pay of this cadre
is Rs. 1800/- However entry Grade Pay of the Skilled Artisan is Rs. 1900/- with
below qualification, though they are performing the duties of higher
responsibilities. So, the minimum qualification of Skilled Artisans must be
higher than MTS Group ‘C’.
(b)
Due to fast growing technological changes in the automobile
Industry, adoption of electronic control system, electronic sensor, diagnosis
electronic instruments, gadgets and maintenance of electro mechanical engines,
etc, the Skilled Artisan is expected to have sound technical knowledge and
qualification. As the detection of defects of new models of vehicles is sensor
based and through LAPTOP the Skilled Artisans are also expected to have sound
computer knowledge.
18:4:4 ThelVth CPC pay scale for skilled Artisans
Grade-lI was Rs.1200- 1800 and Grade-I pay scale was 1320-2040. Vth CPC clubbed
both scales of pay of Artisans Grade I and Grade-IL in to one Pay Scale of
Rs.4000-6000.
18:4:5 Since, it was a promotional post for Artisan
Staff Amalgamation of both the scales of pay was not justified. This anomaly
was rectified in respect of Artisans staff of Railways and Defense with
Rs.4000-6000 for Grade-II and Rs.4500-7000 for Grade-I w.e.f. 01.01.1996
itself. Artisans’ staffs of MMS numbing about 168 are discriminated against,
still they are placed in a combined pay scale of Rs.4000-6000. They have
experience huge financial loss. We would therefore urge upon the 7th CPC to
extend the pay scales already implemented for Railways / Defense for
Grade-lI& Grade-I Artisans of MMS of the Department of Post from 1 January,
1996.
18:4:6 It is reported that in Railways and Defense
Departments, the Semi-Skilled tradesmen promotion to higher GP is allowed.
Staff side requested that similar model may be adopted in the Department of
Posts for the MTS (Technical) cadres. This would entail an increase of GP
at the entry level. As this would affect the VI CPC GP hierarchy of
Artisans & Drivers, the Committee did not agree to this
suggestion.
18:4:7 We pray the Seventh Pay Commission to
consider all these facts and render justice to these aggrieved categories,
treating them at par with the similarly situated persons in the other
departments in such categories.
18:5 MMS DRIVERS SHALL NOT BE EQUATED WITH
STAFF CAR DRIVERS:
18:5:1 The MMS Drivers are driving heavy duty
vehicles in most of the cases. Further, they are exchanging valuable mails such
as Mail bag, Parcel bag, Cash bag, Stamps bag, Speed Post bags, BPM and BPC
from post offices and having over the same to RMS under acquittance. MMS
drivers are responsible for transportation of mails between the offices of RMS
and Post Offices.
18:5:2 In many cases, no Mail Peons are arranged
for the receipt and delivery and the MMS drivers are responsible for the same.
The variable and horizontal probabilities in carrying their job with that of
postmen have been disturbed in the last two pay commissions. The finalization
of anomaly in the departmental committee for granting them at par with Postmen
with Grade pay of Rs.2, 000 has been simply turned down. A clear injustice had
been met out and they shall be equated in the Grade Pay of Rs.2400 considering
their arduous and laborious duties and the responsibilities.
18:5:3 Proposal regarding change of
qualification in Recruitment Rule
EXISTING QUALIFICATION
|
PROPOSED
QUALIFICATION
|
a.
Class VIII Standard Pass desirable.
b. Age:21-28
years as on 1st July of Recruitment year for DR quota
|
a. H. S. Pass
+ Heavy Motor Vehicle License.
b. Age: 22-30
years as on 1st July of Recruitment year for DR quota
|
18:5:4 REASONS BEHIND THE PROPOSAL
i) As per
existing recruitment rules of MTS Group ‘C’ the minimum educational
qualification is Class X Pass/ITI and entry Grade Pay of this cadre is Rs.
1800/- entry Grade Pay of the Skilled Artisan is Rs. 1900/- with below
qualification, though they are performing the duties of higher
responsibilities. So, the minimum qualification of MMS Drivers must be higher
than MTS Group ‘C’.
ii) Nomenclature
of MMS Driver may be changed as MAIL PILOT
iii) Duties of
driver are hazardous with comparison to other Government drivers.
i) MMS drivers
(HMV) drive on an average 100-120 kilometers per day carrying heavy load of
mails in busy traffic throughout his working hours. They have to receive and
deliver the mail bags to Post Offices, to the customers/Public. With the
introduction of logistics service, Drivers are required to undertake long
distance driving for 2-3 days.
ii) As the
driving license by the MV Department (RTA) not before the age of 18 years
eligibility criteria of 4 years driving experience (3yrs LMV + 1yr HMV) will be
achieved by the candidate after 21 years.
18:5:5 A clear injustice has been met out to
drivers and they can be equated with Rs.2400/- existing Grade pay considering
their arduous and laborious duties and responsibilities. We pray the Commission
to render justice to this exploited category.
18:6 PROMOTIONAL AVENUES
18:6:1 In the Mail Motor Service, there are no
well-defined and regulated promotional avenues with the result that a large
number of officials are stagnating at the maximum. In some cadres, the
promotional posts are almost nil.
18:6:2 The scheme of Two Promotions introduced in
the Postal has not been extended to the staff of the Mail Motor Service, except
for the clerical cadre. This has been denied to them as they have been
bracketed with “Common Categories”. Now they are entitled for MACP which is the
only promotion available to these categories of staff.
18:6:3 The duties and responsibilities of none of
the categories of staff are similar to those of the staff in other Departments.
Moreover, the pay and allowances and other benefits applicable to the staff of
other Departments have not been extended to the staff of the Mail Motor
Service.
18:6:4 The Postal Department vide its
order dated 3.6.2014, merged the posts of charge hands with the Artisan Grade I
. The merger took place as per the Sixth CPC recommendations keeping the
position prevailing in the Railways and Defence. The same cannot be applied in
practical in the MMS as the numbers of such posts are very meager.
18:6:5 In Railways and Defence, as there are many promotional avenues
for Artisans such as Master Craft men, Charge men, Technical Supervisor and
Charge hand for them, the merger will not have any impact. But in MMS, where we
have one Technical Supervisor and have four to five charge hands on the basis
of functional need, it is not possible in the Postal service practically.
Therefore we demand that the posts of Foremen, Charge men and Master Craftsmen
shall be provided as promotional posts to Artisan in the Mail Motor Service
18:6:6 Even for promotion to the post of
Chargehand, officials are selected through a trade test. We plead that the post
of chargehand should be filled by seniority cum fitness and all direct
recruitment to the post of Chargehand should be stopped.
18:7 DISPATCH RIDERS
18:7:1 There are about 25 Dispatch Riders at Delhi
and Nagpur MMS. They are driving Auto Rikhsa. They possess the qualification
for Recruitment of Drivers. Pay scales of Dispatch Riders are also on par with
Drivers. Moreover, they are utilized for plying Mail Motor vans and other heavy
vehicle. We would propose to merge them with the cadres of Drivers in MMS and
dispense with the cadre of Dispatch Rider.
18:8 FOREMAN
18:8:1 In the Workshop, where there is no officer
in charge, the Chargehands are supervisory official in charge of their
sections. Above them is the Manager. We feel that to look after the Workshop
exclusively, there should be a post designated ‘FOREMAN” in the scale of Higher
Selection Grade. The promotion to this post should be made from the
Chargehands.
18:8:2 The Traffic side is supervised by the
Traffic Supervisors who are promoted from Clerks arid other grades by an
examination. Since their work has been increased a great deal with aid to
executive and administrative work, we feel the portion of work relating to
booking the officials for duties, their attendance, attending to preliminary
enquiries concerning accidents, breakdowns etc., should be entrusted to general
line staff from amongst the drivers category. At present the drivers have one
channel of promotion namely selection grade drivers posts but they have to do
the driving job till the date of retirement, Therefore the senior amongst them
should get the posts of Traffic Supervisors, at least 50% of them, to manage
the affairs of internal traffic arrangements.
18:9 HEAD CLERKS IN THE OFFICE OF
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER AND MANAGER MMS
18:9:1 At present in some smaller offices, the
post of Head Clerks are not created on the plea of lack of justification. The
result is that the clerks who are working in Postal Mail Motor Service offices
have no promotional avenues at all. The only channel that has been opened is
the Inspector MMS by examination. Even for this, possession of Driving licence
for three years is being insisted.
18:9:2 We suggest that there should be selection grade posts of Head
Clerks so that a channel of promotion by seniority is opened to the clerks.
Regarding insisting on holding of driving license for three years for
eligibility to appear in the Inspector, Mail Motor Services examination, we
plead it should not be insisted as a pre-condition However, on being selected,
the Department should permit him to learn and acquire the license within one
year.
18:10 POSTAL MACHINE REPAIR ORGANIZATION.
Revision of
pay scale/grade pay of Postal Machine Assistants (now redesignated as Technical
Postal Assistants)
18:10:1 Most of them
are now working to coordinate in computer systems of post offices as well as
servicing & repairing of Franking machines and Stamp cancellation machines.
18:10:2 PMA (TPA) Grade-I
As the minimum recruitment qualification of
PMA Grade-I is Diploma in engineering (similar to the Technical Supervisor of
MMS), it should have been revised to the pay scale of Rs5000-8000/- as per
general recommendation of the 5TH CPC.But neither the post of T.S.
nor the PMA Grade-I was considered by the Department after 5TH CPC
and they were deprived since then. The 6TH CPC had corrected this
anomaly and revised the pay scale/Grade pay of Tech. Supervisors only as there
was no representation from PMAs/TPAs. This injustice should be corrected by
revising the grade pay of PMA Grade-I from Rs2400/- to Rs4200/-.The revision of
pay scale/grade pay should be implemented retrospectively from 1/1/1996 at
least for the purpose of fixation of pay as like recommendation of 6TH
CPC in para 7.39.22.
18:10:3 PMA(TPA) Grade-II
As the job of PMA Grade-II, is highly skilled
in nature, the recruitment qualification is Matric + 2yrs post matric I.T.I.
course in instrumentation/mechanical and desirable qualification Diploma in
engineering. Now with the option of desirable qualification, the Department had
recruited diploma engineers in PMA(TPA) Grade-II, with lower pay scale
depriving them the pay scale of Rs5000-8000/-,which is again created a massive
injustice and exploitation. More over at par qualification of 10+2yrs I.T.I.,
atleast it should have been revised to the pay scale of Rs4000-6000/- after 5TH
CPC as per general recommendation of 5TH CPC in para 50.37(i) that
there should be identical pay scales with identical recruitment qualification
and as such 5TH CPC had revised pay scale of postal assistants in
para 62.11 for raising rectt. qualification of P A from 10th to
10+2,by the Department of Posts. The pay scale for 10+2 qualification also
reflects in para 50.37 (v), 51.34 of 5TH CPC report.
18:10:4 Again artisan Grade-II and driver Grade-II
of MMS are in the grade pay of Rs2400/-, whereas incumbents of PMA Grade II,
with diploma in engineering are placed in the grade pay of Rs1900/-only, which
is below the status of postman.
18:10:5 Now as the PMA Grade I & II are working
identical work, these two grades should be merged and revised to the grade pay
of Rs4200/-,considering the recruitments of diploma engineers in both the
grades and to remove anomalies as they have been deprived so far from their
legitimate right. The revision of pay scale /grade pay should be implemented
retrospectively from 1/1/1996,at least for the purposes of fixation of pay as
like recommendation of 6TH CPC in para 7.39.22.
18:11 MMS CADRE REVIEW COMMITTEE:-
18:11:1 A committee
comprising the following was constituted to consider the Cadre Review of MMS
Staff by the Department vide letter No. 01/01/2011-SR dated 20th Jasnuary,2012:-
1.
MsSandhya Rani PMG (BD) AP Circle - Chairperson
2.
Director (MV) -- Member Official Side
3.
Sh. Giri Raj Singh -- Member Staff Side
4.
Sh. D. Theagarajan -- Member Staff Side
18:11:2 The Committee meetings were held on 12th&
13th March, 2012, 3rd to 4th April, 2012, 11th
to 12th June,2012, 13th to 14th August, 2012
and 4th September, 2012. The Committee discussed in detail about the
cadre issues relating to the Technical and Non-Technical cadres:- MTS,
Artisans, T.S., TPA, Drivers, Dispatch Riders, P.A., Store Officers and
Assistant Manager.
18:11:3 The said Committee has submitted its
report to the Secretary Posts for consideration. Some consolidated
recommendations which were submitted by
Ms. Sandyha Rani PMG (BD) & Chairperson
of Cadre Review Committee are as under:-
18:11:4 Consolidated Recommendations relating to
Technical Cadres
1. Cadre: MULTI – TASKING STAFF
(TECHNICAL)
Recommendations of the committee in case of
Recruitment:
MULTI
TASKING STAFF (TECHNICAL)DIRECT RECRUITMENT QUOTA
|
||
CATEGORY
|
EXISTING
RULES
|
RECOMMENDED
RULES
|
Education
|
Middle
School Pass
|
1O+ITI
PASS
|
Age
|
18-25
YEARS FOR DR
50 YEARS
FOR GDS&TSCL
|
21-30
YEARS FOR DR
40 YEARS
FOR GDS&TSCL
|
Scale of
pay & GP(Rs.)
|
5200-20200
& 1800
|
5200-20200
& 1800
|
Quota
under DP & DR
|
As per the
Gazette of India extraordinary Part-II Section-3 Sub section(i) dated
0-12-2010 and directorate letter no 45-2/011 SPB-I dated 27th Jan
2011.
|
100% Under
DR.
|
Mode of
recruitment
|
By Selection
|
By
Selection
|
1. Existing
MACP applicable.
2. MTS
(Technical) are eligible for posts of DRIVERS and ARTISANS under DP Quota as
per R.R.
2.ARTISANS:
DEPARTMENT QUOTA
The
following are the recommendations of the committee in case of Recruitment:
CATOGARY
|
EXISTING
RULES
|
RECOMMENDED
RULES
|
Education
|
Qualify
the test Equal to Middle School Standard.
|
10+ITI in
respective trade
|
Age
|
No age
limit
|
No age
limit for department candidates
|
Scale of
pay & GP (RS)
|
Rs.5200-20200(PB-I)
& 1900
|
Rs.5200-20200
(PB-I) & 1900
|
Departmental
Quota
|
100% recruitment
under DP failing which by DR.
|
50% for
DP Quota.
|
Experience
|
4 years
experience as MV Cleaner OR 1 Year as Semi-Skilled.
|
Min. 3
Years experience as MTS (Technical)
|
For
Mechanics additional requirement
|
Possession
of Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) License
|
Possession
of Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) License
|
RECOMMENDATIONS - ARTISANS-DIRECT RECRUITMENT:
|
||
CATEGORY
|
EXISTING
RULES
|
RECOMMENDED
RULES
|
Education
|
A
certificate in the respective Trade from any Technical institution,
recognized by the Govt. or 8th Std.
|
10+ITI
Pass recognized by Govt.
|
Age
|
18-30
Years as on 1STJuly of the Recruiting year.
|
21-30
Years as on the Recruiting year.
|
Scale of
pay & GP (RS)
|
Rs.5200-20200(PB-I)
& 1900
|
Rs.5200-20200(PB-I)
& 1900
|
Experience
|
One year
experience in the respective trade in a reputed organization if does not
possess ITI.
|
Min. 3
years experience in the respective trade in a reputed organization.
|
For
Mechanic Trade additional requirement.
|
Possession
of Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) License
|
Possession
of Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) License
|
Recommended
promotional avenues in the cadre of Artisans:
CATEGORY
|
EXISTING
PAY BAND AND GP
|
RECOMMENDED
PAY BAND AND GP
|
PERCENTAGE
|
||
Existing
|
Proposed
|
||||
1
|
Skilled
Artisan Grade-III
|
PB-1 with
GP Rs1900/=
|
PB-1
with GP Rs.1900/=
|
70%
|
30%
|
2.
|
Skilled
Artisan Grade-II
|
PB-1 with
GP Rs.2400/=
|
PB-1 with GP
RS.2400/=
|
15%
|
30%
|
3.
|
Skilled
Artisan Grade-I
|
PB-1 with
GP Rs.2800/=
|
PB-1 with
GP Rs.2800/=
|
15%
|
25%
|
4.
|
Master
Craftsman
|
PB-2 with
GP Rs.4200/=
|
PB-2 with
GP Rs.4200/=
|
--
|
15%
|
Skilled
Artisan Grade –III should have completed minimum 9 years of regular Service in
the Ordinary grade to get the eligibility for Skilled Artisan Grade-II.
Skilled
Artisan Grade-II should have completed minimum 6 years of regular Service in
the Grade II or a combined service of 15 years in Grade II and ordinary grade
put together to get the eligibility for Skilled Artisan Grade-I.
Skilled
Artisan Grade-I should have completed minimum 3 years of regular Service to get
the eligibility for Master Craftsman.
Promotions
for Grade-III, II and I will be on the basis of prescribed test and for
the Master Craftsman on the basis of Seniority cum fitness.
Artisans may
be allowed to appear in the PAs examination subject to fulfillment of eligible
criteria as per Recruitment rule
3. CHARGEHAND: RECOMMENDATIONS
|
||
CATEGORY
|
EXISTING
RULES
|
RECOMMENDATION
|
Education
|
Pass in
Middle School
|
The
Chargehand Post is proposed to be upgraded to Master Craftsman post with
matching savings
|
Age
|
No age
limit
|
|
Department
quota(DP)
|
100% under
DP*
|
|
Scale of
pay & GP(RS)
|
PB1
5200-20200 &2800
|
|
Experience
|
One year
experience in the grade.
|
*33.33% by
seniority cum fitness amongst Skilled Tradesmen who have put in not less
than five years’ service in the grade on the 1st of July
of the year of recruitment in the unit concerned.66.67 % by selection from
skilled Tradesmen of the unit concerned who possess the requisite qualification
failing which by direct recruitment. If no suitable candidate is available,
then recruitment should be made directly.
CHARGEHAND - DIRECT RECRUITMENT RULE
|
||
CATEGORY
|
EXISTING
RULES
|
RECOMMENDATION
|
Education
|
Pass in
matriculation or an equivalent examination.
|
The
Chargehand Post is proposed to be upgraded to Master Craftsman post with
matching savings
|
Age
|
18-30
Years as on 1st July of the Recruiting year.
|
|
DR quota
|
If no
suitable candidate available, then only recruitment should be made under DR
Quota.
|
|
Experience
|
One year
experience in the grade
|
By taking the above facts into consideration,
the committee recommends to upgrade Charge hand posts in lieu of creating some
Technical Supervisors in the units. The Basis for creation of the Technical
Supervisor Post is one Technical Supervisor for every 15-30 Vehicles in the
Unit in accordance with Directorate letter No.50-10/82-PE.I dt.19.08.1985. The
creation of additional posts of Technical Supervisor Posts is further subject
to matching saving in surrendering the Charge hand posts.
4.
Technical Supervisor: DEPARTMENT QUOTA
RECOMMENDATIONS
OF THE COMMITTEE IN CASE OF RECRUITEMENT
RECOMMENDATION - Technical Supervisor: DEPARTMENT QUOTA
|
||
CATEGORY
|
EXISTING
RULES
|
RECOMMENDED
RULES
|
Education
|
Matriculation
Pass.
|
10+ITI.
|
Age
|
No age
limit for Departmental candidates.
|
No age
limit for Departmental candidates.
|
Scale of
pay & GP (RS)
|
Rs.9300-34800(PB-II)
&4200.
|
Rs.9300-34800(PB-II)
&4600.
|
Department
Quota
|
33%
|
33% DP
Quota.
|
Experience
|
5 years
departmental service.
|
At least 5
years experience in HSA-I or 7 years of experience in HSA–II or 20 Years of
experience in HAS Grade III for Master Craftsman.
|
Mode of Recruitment
|
By
Selection
|
By
Selection
|
Technical
Supervisor: DIRECT QUOTA.
|
||
CATEGORY
|
EXISTING
RECRUITMENT RULES
|
RECOMMENDE
RULES
|
Education
|
A Degree
or Diploma in Mechanical, Automobile Engineering from any recognized
institution or Passed Matriculation with practical experience of at least 5
years.
|
A Degree
or Diploma in Mechanical, Automobile Engineering from any recognized
institution.
|
Age
|
22-30
Years
|
21-30
years
|
Scale of
pay & GP(RS)
|
9300-34800
&4200
|
9300-34800
&4600
|
DR quota
|
100%
|
67%
|
Experience
|
At least 2
years experience in an automobile firm or repute or Govt. workshop
|
At least 2
years experience in an automobile firm or repute or Govt. workshop
|
Mode of
Recruitment
|
By
Selection.
|
By
Selection.
|
RECOMMENDATION
OF THE COMMITTEE IN CASE OF PROMOTIONS:
Technical Supervisor may be granted one
promotion in PB-2 with GP. 4800/=after completion of 6 years’ service and in
PB-2 with GP RS.5400/= after completion of 4 years regular of service.
5.
Technical Postal Assistants (TPA):
Committee
recommends merging TPA posts in PA Cadre of MMS.
6.
Consolidated Recommendations relating to Non Technical Cadres
MTS (NON-TECHNICAL):
MTS non
technical may be allowed to appear for the recruitment of PA, Driver and
Artisan posts under DP quota
The above
issues and grievances raised by the staff side may be forwarded by MV
Section of Postal Directorate to the CRC, for further examination
7.
DISPATCH RIDERS:
The Committee
recommends merger of Dispatch Riders post with the Driver post. There is no
additional expenditure to merge Dispatch rider post with Driver post.
8.
DRIVERS:
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE
IN CASE OF RECRUITMENT (DEPARTMENT QUOTA):
MMS Drivers may be allowed to appear for
PA/SA examination subject to fulfillment of eligible criteria as per
Recruitment rule
EXISTING
RULES
|
RECOMMENDED
RULES
|
|
Education
|
VII Std
pass desirable
|
10th class
Pass as per MV act.
|
Age
|
No age
limit
|
No age
limit
|
DP Quota
|
50%
|
50%
|
Experience
|
3 Years
exp for Group D
|
Min 3
Years experience as MTS (Technical).
|
Driving
license
|
Should
possess light and Heavy vehicle license.
|
Should
possess Heavy Motor Vehicle driving license.
|
Mode of
selection
|
By
Selection
|
By
Selection.
|
DRIVERS:
DIRECT RECRUITMET
EXISTING
RULES
|
RECOMMENDED
RULES
|
|
Education
|
VIII Std
Pass desirable
|
10th Pass
mandatory.
|
Age
|
21-28
Years as on 1st July of Recruiting year
|
21-30
Years as on 1st July of Recruiting year
|
DR Quota
|
50%
|
50%
|
Experience
|
At least 4
Years in driving light and heavy vehicles provided they should have at least
one year experience of driving heavy vehicle and must possess valid driving
license to that effect
|
At least 4
Years in driving light and heavy vehicles provided they should have at least
one year experience of driving heavy vehicle and must possess valid driving
license to that effect
|
Mode of
recruitment
|
By
selection
|
By
selection.
|
RECOMMENDATIONS
IN CASE OF PROMOTIONS:
CATEGORY
|
EXISTING
PAY BAND & GP(Rs.)
|
RECOMMENDED
PB & GP
|
PERCENTAGE
|
||
Existing
|
Proposed
|
||||
1.
|
Driver Grade-III
|
PB-1 with
GP 1900/=
|
PB-1 with
GP 1900/=
|
30%
|
30%
|
2.
|
Driver Grade-II
|
PB-1 with
GP 2400/=
|
PB-1 with
GP 2400/=
|
30%
|
30%
|
3.
|
Driver Grade-I
|
PB-1 with
GP 2800/=
|
PB-1 with
GP 2800
|
35%
|
25%
|
4.
|
Special Grade
|
PB-2 with
GP 4200/=
|
PB-2 with
GP 4200/=
|
5%
|
15%
|
·
Driver in Grade-III should have completed 9 years of regular
service in Ordinary Grade to get the eligibility for Grade-II.
·
Driver in Grade-II should have completed 6 years of regular
service in Grade-II or a combined service of 15 years in Grade II or Ordinary
Grade put together to get the eligibility for Grade-I.
·
Driver in Grade-I should have completed 3 years of Service in
Grade-I to get the eligibility for Special Grade.