1BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
Editorial
EVEN THE WORMS WILL TURN! WHY NOT WE?Look at the post offices at 8:00 p.m. in the night.
Though these offices were closed by 5:00 or 6:00 p.m.,
the postmasters, Postal Assistants are running here
and there to close the day's work! Perhaps not with
full satisfaction. Carring over the arrears is nither
possible nor permissible in the work spot so far in the
case of post office. A total inhuman and exploitation
of labour and they are how being dump driven as cattle.
No one to carry their sufferings.
The ban on creation is in continuance from 1983
onwards and no one at the helm of affairs bother
about the new works introduced without extra
manpower. 'Everyday - a new product or programme'
- the new concept of the postal department is with
no additional manpower or augmentation. Not even
a single post of officer's post brought under reduction.
Whereas the personnel implementing the various
new schemes at work spot faced reduction to the
extent of 19% in the last five years. More than 45000
posts were brought under reduction in the Group C
& D in the postal alone.
The sufferings of the postmasters, PostalAssistants at the post office are not the concerns of
the powers at the helm of affairs. No tangible action
has so far been taken by them to get exemption for
the postal from the purview of screening committee.
No pressure is exerted by them with the Government
to mitigate the sufferings. Rather indulged in
introducing various new projects without minding the
tears of its own employees.
The promotions to LSG, HSG.II brought (bought)
under matching savings by the postal unions had lost
its relevance. The staff cut to the extent of 20% in
supervisory and 6% in operative for TBOP & BCR
become the savings to the Government without
extending the fruits to the givers. Even the axing of
680 posts for upgradation of 1622 HSG.I posts become
meaningless as more than 80% of the HSG.I posts
are still kept vacant and seniors are retiring without
availing any benefits.
No circle head is bothering about the
implementation of the Directorate instructions on filling
up the posts of LSG, HSG.II & HSG.I. The process is
not completed even after 9 months from the issue of
revised Recruitment Rules. They are not concerned
with the promotions of Group C & D but will review
their expected promotion list every day. They did not
bother about filling up the residual vacancies kept
unfilled since 2000-01 onwards in their circles.
Approximately more than 10000 posts are being kept
unfilled by the circle heads due to their lethargy and
treating them as unconcern to them. The Directorate
is merely keeping silent over these and did not
intervene effectively to fill up these posts by all circle
heads.
The genuine and reasonable demand of GDS
union to constitute a Judicial Committee for
considering their demands has been denied and
diluted. The injustice caused to the exploited class
of GDS by reject ion of a l l posi t ive
recommendations of Justice Talwar Committee will
be authorised and approved by the proposed
bureaucratic committee. They may be no other
reason behind the rejection of the Judicial
Committee except this. We cannot shut our eyes
and remain as si lent spectators whi le the
exploitation of GDS comrades continues further.
The attacks on the postal service and its
employees by merger / by abolishing the post offices
/ divisions, opening private (franchise) post offices,
curtailment of delivery / letter box clearings closure of
RMS sections etc. cannot be ignored. There is no
compromise on this anti-service and anti-worker move.
Instead of creating adequate staff required for the
service, the department is unleashing various moves
to curtail the services as if cutting the legs to suit for
the shoes.
The amendment to Indian Post Office Act 1898,
ensuing the monopoly of articles upto 300 grams to
the postal department placed in the Parliament, as
learnt, is now diluted and it is ready for issuing licence
to couriers without any restriction of weight. The
lobby exerted by the business community had
succeeded. Without any autonomy to the Postal
Board and has to depend for any decision with the
nodal ministries, the Department of Posts could not
take any decision to protect the interest of its own
and also its employees.
We are in dolrooms. Many more are the
grievances stagnating without redressal. The
Government never obliges. The Government must be
made to yield. Our task is not defeating the
Government or scoring a point. We must make it yield
to the pressures that we can generate and exercise.
The writing on the wall "Even the worms will turn".
Why not Postal Employees?
2BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
GOVERNMENT ORDERSl G.I.,Dept of Posts,Lr.No.3(3)/99/PA-Admn.I/245 to
288. dated 7-7-2006
Local officiating arrangement in JAO cadre
The matter regarding simplifying the existing
instructions on making local officiating arrangement
in JAO cadre was under consideration of this office
.In supersession of all the existing instructions. It
has been decided that local officiating arrangements
in JAO cadre may be made in the following of
preference:-
1. Against vacancies arising under 90% quota:-
(a) From amongst JAO Part-II examination qualified
candidates, working whether in O/o. DA (P) or in other
offices of Department of Posts in that circle.
(b) In case of non-availability of the above category,
from amongst Sr. Accountants with minimum three
years of regular service in the grade, as per prescribed
procedure.
2. Against vacancies arising under 10% quota:-
From amongst Sr. Accountants with 3 years of
regular service in the grade as per prescribed
procedure.
Above procedure may be adopted while making
such arrangements against reserved vacancies also.
While locally officiating as JAO, both JAO Part -II
examination qualified candidates, as also Sr.
Accountants will be entitled for grade pay subject to
restrictions under FR 35. All other terms and
conditions, restriction and duration of vacancies
against which local officiating arrangements are made,
would continue to apply.
This will take effect from the date of issue of the
orders.
l D.G.(P) letter No. 10-1/2004-SR (Pt.), Dated:
6-9-2006.
Instructions issued by the Department from time
to time regarding 'Channel of Communication' available
to unions (also contained in compilation of instructions
on trade union facilities circulated vide letter No. 10-1/
2004-SR dated 25-06-2004) inter alia provides as
follows:
(i) As a rule no correspondence should be entered
into with any unrecognized union/Service
Association.
(ii) The Central Association and their branches
should correspond directly only with the
authorities in charge of the unit they represent
i.e. local level Service Association should
correspond directly only with the local authorities,
Divisional Association with Divisional Authority,
the circle level Service Associations with the
head of the Circle and the Central Unit of the
Service Associations with the Secretary (Posts)
or the Government through the Secretary
(Posts).
(iii) Representators from the Service Associations
are limited to the matters concerning the unit
they represent and for taking up the issues with
higher authorities, the procedure has been laid
down in Department's instructions circulated vide
letters No. 31-3/81-SR dated 17-8-81 and No.
10-3/84-SR dated 15-6-84.
(iv) No action is to be taken on direct references
from local Service Associations except where
specifically ordered by Minister/Minister of State/
Secretary (P)/Member of the Postal Services
Board.
2. From the perusal of instructions on the subject,
you will appreciate that as a matter of principle each
level of union/service association is required to take
up the issues with its accredited authority with the
exception as explained in the Department's letter
No. 16-2/65-SR dated 03-8-1966. But in spite of clear
and unambiguous instructions, good number of
references are being received from unions/service
associations in violation of the above instructions.
There are instances of Divisional/Branch union
writing direct to the Hon'ble MOC&IT/MOSC&IT.
3. I would also like to draw your attention to para
6(k) of CCS (RSA) Rules, 1993 which read as follows:
"The Service Association shall not do any act or
assist in the doing of any act which, if done by a
Government Servant, would contravene any of the
provisions of the Central Civil Services (Conduct
Rules), 1964".
4. The above provision makes it clear that each union/
service associations is required to behave like any
Government Servant except in circumstances indicated
in the Conduct Rules itself.
5. The trade union facility regarding 'Immunity from
Transfer' is another set of instructions which are
generally misinterpreted by the Unions/Service
Associations. The suitable guidelines in this regard
have been spelt out in the Department's letter No.
3BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
69-18/70-SPB-I dated 07-12-1970, No. 71-14/82-SPB-
I dated 22-05-82 and No. 71-20/83-SPB-I dated
16-09-1985 with a slight change in the recent past
revising the period of immunity from transfer from
1 year to 2 years, subject to the conditions laid
down in the above instructions inter alia including
mutual goodwill and administrative convenience.
But the unions generally misinterpret it to the
extent of infinity which has never been the intention
and in most of the cases, i t is not even
administratively feasible.
6. The very idea of reiterating all the above
departmental instructions to you is to ensure (i)
uniformity in dealing with the unions; and (ii) to be
precise and clear about the union's privileges up to a
particular stage beyond which it tantamount to violation
of guidelines, warranting suitable action. You may like
to give it circulation as you deem appropriate.
A BRIEF REPORT ON CIRCLE WORKING COMMITTEE MEETINGHELD AT BONGAIGAON ON 6TH & 7TH JANUARY 2007
The Circle Working Committee meeting of P-3, P-4 and GDS union was held at Bongaigaon on 6th and
7th January 2007.
On 6th January 2007 at 10:00 a.m. morning as beginning of the CWC meeting the National Flag and the
NFPE were hoisted very auspiciously by Sri Dinabandhu Basumatary and Com. B.R. Lahkar respectively
and thereafter the respective Subject Committee meetings were held separately.
The P-3 Subject Committee meeting was started under the Presidentship of Com. L.P. Saikia and the
session was inaugurated by Com. S.S. Mahadevaiah, General Secretary, GDS Union (CHQ). Com. K.V.
Sridharan, General Secretary, P-3 (CHQ) also greeted the house. In the Subject Committee, General
Secretary replied to all the queries raised by Divisional Secretaries which lasted for more than three hours.
A very useful interaction at grass root level leaders.
On 7th at 09:30 a.m. morning the open procession was organised. At 11:00 a.m the open session was
started under the presidium of Com. B.R. Lahkar, L.P. Saikia, Chakreswar Das and Com. B. Hazarika.
Dr. N. Vinod Kumar, DPS (HQ) Guwahati /Assam attended as Chief Guest, Com. K.V. Sridharan,
General Secretary, P-3; Com. S.S. Mahadevaiah, General Secretary, GDS Union; Com. Hareswar Das,
Secretary, CITU; Com. Swadhim Sikdar, Convenor, JCTU; Sri Kulen Choudhary, Principal, Birjhara H.S.
School were honoured as Guest. The Chief Guest and the guests were felicitated by the Reception Committee
with a "Fulam Gamosa" and one Diary.
The open session was inaugurated by Shri Dinanath Basumatary, Chairman, Reception Committee.
Com. B.D. Boro, Circle Secretary, P-3, Assam highlighted the Summary Report of the CWC meeting.
The "SOUVENIR" was inaugurated by Shri Kulen Chaudhary, Principal, Birjhara H.S. School and he
had been assisted by Com. Debabrata Boro, Editor.
The Chief Guest, Dr. N. Vinod Kumar, DPS (HQ), Guwahati (Assam) presented a valuable speech in respect
of present development of Postal Network and presented Economic and Political scenario of the country.
The CHQ records its appreciation to Reception Committee, Bongaigaon and Assam comrades for the
effective conduct of the Circle Working Committee meeting.
…………Com. L.P. Saikia, Org. General Secretary
You must have a hope to inspire you
You must have a path to pursue
You must have an object to work for a plan
and purpose in view
You must have a sense of direction or
you will go drifting along
You must have a faith that will guide you
When life holds no light and no song
You must have a stake in future
Though swiftly the years may depart
You will always have something to live for
If you have an ideology in your thoughts!
THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES
4BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
THE LATEST
Copy of CHQ letter addressed to Al CHQ Office
Bearers and All Circle Secretaries.
Sub.: LSG, HSG.II & HSG.I - Filling up of vacant
posts - reg.
Dear Comrades,
Please refer the CHQ circular dated 05-02-2007
despatched already and the information as called for
may please be sent by next post.
Today, (12/02/2007), I had detailed discussions
with the DDG (P) on the above subject and following
is the outcome.
i) As per the Volume IV, no benchmark should be
applied for promotions upto HSG.I posts. In some
circles like Tamilnadu, the benchmark was applied
for HSG.I promotion. In Karnataka, the same is
applied for LSG promotion also. The DDG (P)
agreed that these were wrong. No benchmark
should be applied even for HSG.I promotion.
ii) The general line officials have been posted as
HSG.II APM Accounts in Uttar Pradesh,
Uttarakhand etc. This is irregular. The DDG (P)
agreed that only Accounts qualified officials should
be posted as HSG.II APM Accounts.
iii) The promotion to notional LSG promotion from
1986 to PO and RMS qualified officials since 1986
onwards based on the PO and RMS Accountants
Gradation list and consequent promotion to HSG.II
has been insisted. It was assured to take a
decision at the earliest.
iv) In some circles like Orissa, the notional LSG
promotion was issued only to the retired officials.
As all the existing posts have to be filled up, the
notional LSG promotions should be issued to
subsequent serving officials and similar is the
position to HSG.II also. The DDG (P) agreed to
settle these cases also.
During the discussions, the DDG (P) stated
that he requires full details with documentary
evidences of each circle separately and will issue
necessary clarifications directly to each circle after
faxing our letter to the concerned circle heads. I
assured that I will provide all the particulars within
a week with the hope that you will fax the details
to CHQ at once. Then only we could settle this
problem once for all.
Please expedite your report by next mail / FAX.
Your cooperation in this regard is highly solicited.
The other news / developments relating to various
issues in the department are furnished hereunder for
your information.
1. The result of Inspector Post Exam will be released
within ten days. Anyhow before 28-02-2007.
2. The syllabus of LGOs Exams is under revision.
3. The Group B Exam is expected to be conducted
in September 2007 this year. The syllabus, as
learnt, is being modified probably many questions
may be answered without aid of books.
4. The Postal Accounts & DOT (Cell) will be
amalgamated shortly. This will benefit immediately
to more than 500 JAO qualified officials awaiting
for JAO promotion as more number of vacancies
are in existence in the JAO cadre at DOT at
present. Similarly in the Directorate, the P&T
Accounts officials will maintain finance hereafter.
5. The vacancies kept pending under residual
vacancies may be filled up by the respective circles
which will not be objected by the Directorate.
Circle Secretaries, please act swiftly.
6. The relaxation of rules and permitting plus two
qualified GDS officials to write the Postal Assistant
examination is yet to be approved by the Law
Ministry. Reminded.
7. The Cabinet Note with regard to exemption of
Postal Department from the purview of Screening
Committee & Ban on creation is still pending
approval of the Minister of Communications. The
Directorate contacted the PA to Hon'ble Minister
and expedited the file. Hope this will be moved
faster.
8. The file of treating special allowance as special
pay to PO and Accountants and taken into account
for fixation of pay on promotion at par with JAO
qualified officials has now been sent to the
Department of Personnel for approval.
9. During discussions with the Secretary Shri I.M.G.
Khan today, he consented to consider to take the
GDS services like atleast 3 years as 1 year as
qualifying service for the grant of pension. He
assured to send proposal.
10. Regarding the formation of Judicial Committee for
consideration of GDS demands, once again the
file was sent to the Minister of Communications
for decision.
With fraternal greetings,
5BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
MEMORANDUM ON PAY SCALE - PRINCIPLE PLEADEDMany comrades enquired over phone and in
person about the proposed pay scales and itsevaluation submitted by the staff side to the 6thPay Commission. Hence, we represented the
portion from the staff side memorandum aboutthe principles for determination of pay submittedto the sixth pay commission for the interest of
our readers.PRINCIPLES OF DETERMINATION OF PAYThe 6th Central Pay Commission has been asked
to examine the principles that should govern the
structure of pay and allowances and other facilities
and benefits, whether in cash or in kind, to the six
categories of employees enumerated in para 2(A) of
the notification dated 5-10-2006. In this chapter, we
shall deal with the broad principles that should govern
the determination of minimum wage and the pay
structure of Central Government employees. Before
we dwell upon the various principles enunciated by
the expert committees and Commissions and its
applicability in the present juncture we would like Pay
Commission to consider the following factors.
(a) The Central Government employees were in terms
of emoluments better placed than others in the
fiftees. This position started to slide down from
1958-59 onwards. Presently they are far behind
most of the public sectors workers. One important
reason for the emergence of such a phenomenon
was the frequency in which the wage settlement
was brought about in the Public Sector
undertakings through bilateral negotiations. Sans
the benefit of collective bargaining, the wage
revision in the case of Central Govt. employees
had been taking place after every 10/15 years
through the instrument of Pay Commission. The
ever widening gap even at the minimum wage level
has set in demoralization and a feeling of despair
among the Central Govt. employees.
(b) The elimination of such a sense of grievance, which
is real, should be considered to be the important
task before the Pay Commission. The wage structure
should be based on a sound principle; it should meet
the test of reason and relevance engendering a feeling
of "fairness" amongst the employees.
(c) The norms laid down by the 15th Indian Labour
Conference (Tripartite) for fixing the need based
minimum wage is relevant even today though it
could not have visualized the basic requirements
of the modern living conditions. The minimum wage,
the 6th CPC my determine, should not in any case
by less than the minimum wage computed as per
the norms laid down by the 15th ILC.
(d) The most important factor in the determination of
wages of civil servants all over the would is the
"fair comparison with outside rates." Due to the
non-availability and unreliability of the data
regarding wages in the private sector, such
comparison in the Indian context, in all fairness,
should be restricted to the wages in the public
sector, more specifically the Navartna companies
for the Public Sector is considered as part of the
Central Government in terms of Art. 14 and 16 of
the Constitution. Besides, it must be noted that
the wage agreement in these undertakings is
governed by the directives issued from time to time
by the Department of Public undertakings under
the Ministry of Industries.
MINIMUM WAGE AND PAY STRUCTURE
4.2 The two important methodologies that could be
adopted for the determination of the minimum wage in
the case of Govt. employees are :
(i) Fair comparison of the rates obtaining in the Public
Sector undertaking in respect of an unskilled worker.
(ii) Adopting the 15th ILC norms.
4.3 The minimum wage so determined, shall be the
premise on which pay scales could be constructed
taking into the existing or desirable relativities.
4.4 It would thus be pertinent to indicate briefly the
various conceptual formulations made by the
successive Pay Commissions in the matter of
minimum wage determination.
The Second Pay Commission considered the
recommendation of the 15th ILC regarding the need
based minimum wage. Their observation in this
regard is as under :-
"It is for the first time in this country - and for the
matter of that, in any other country of which we
have information - that the need which a minimum
wage should satisfy, have been defined in precise,
quantitative terms"....................... "We have
found on examination, that while the standard set
in the particular balance diet formula (adopted by
the 15th ILC) may be feasible in respect of cereals
and to a large extent in respect of pulses, they
are clearly impracticable in the case of other food
stuffs, fruits, milk, meat, fish and
eggs".................... "We, however, though that it
would be of some aid in our deliberations if a diet
capable of providing the requisite calories and other
essential nutrients was worked out within the limits
6BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
of the country's present output of foodstuff. A diet
suitable for an adult man engaged in moderate
activity was accordingly worked out and sent to
Dr. Patwardan for his opinion. We have considered
whether a minimum wage of the size implied in
the 15th Labour conference recommendation is
feasible economically and financially and we have
reached the conclusion that it is not."
4.5 The 3rd Pay Commission estimated the need
based minimum remuneration according to their own
concept adopting the vegetarian diet recommended
by the Indian Council of Medical Research and
quantifying the same on monetary terms by applying
the average of the rates of the articles obtaining in the
cities of Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi. They
thus worked out the same at Rs. 196, co-related to
the cost of living index at 200 [base 1960=100]. While
adopting the minimum wage so quantified, deviating
significantly form the 15th ILC norms, they also pointed
out emphatically that :-
"We see no reason why the Govt.; employees
should not in the fullness of time, the entitled to
the need based minimum wage according to the
norms laid down by the 15th ILC..............
4.6 The 4th Pay Commission examined in detail
the implication flowing from the amendment to the
preamble to our Constitution whereby the words
"Socialist and Secular" were prefixed to the word
"republic";
directive principles of State policy as enshrined in
art. 39;
living wage in article 43; etc.
and concluded that the directive given in Article 43
for securing a living wage was an endeavour the
State must make and the Commission be inspired
whenever and wherever the question of emoluments
for the workers arises for consideration.
4.7 Observing thus, the 4th Pay Commission, without
resort to any detailed computation, rather arbitrarily,
reached the conclusion that the salary at the lowest
level should be fixed at Rs. 750 per month at index
average of 608 (1960=100).
4.8 The 5th Central Pay Commission also referred to
Article 43 of the Constitution (living Wage), discussed
the 15th ILC norms, the recommendations of the ILO
1968, the minimum wage advisory board's
recommendations, the ILO 1992 norms etc. and
formulated a combination for the following approaches
in the determination of the minimum wage;
(i) Need based approach.
(ii) Capacity to pay approach
(iii) Relative parity approach
(iv) Job evaluation approach
(v) Productivity approach
(vi) Living wage approach
4.9 In fine, they adopted a modified version of the
Constant Relative Income Criterion [by applying a
compensation factor of 30.9 per cent representing the
increase in the per capita net national product during
the period between 1986 and 1995] to work out the
minimum wage at Rs. 2440/- at the Cost of Living index
at 315 points: Base 1982=100.
4.10 As there had been a factual error in the
computation of the percentage increase of NNP between
1986 and 1995, the minimum wage had to be raised
later to Rs. 2550 through bilateral negotiations.
4.11 It could be seen from the above that except
discussing various rationale and approaches, none of
these Commissions could stick to any consistent and
sound principle in the determination of minimum wage.
The criterion adopted by the 5th CPC i.e. linking the
wage to the percentage increase of the NNP over a
pre-determined period is fallacious in as much as the
wages of the Central Govt. employees are sought to
be co-related to a factor which has no relevance to
their living conditions or on the evolution of which they
have absolutely no control at all. This is amply borne
out of the following observation made by the Second
Central Pay Commission in this regard.
"We have already dealt with the general question
whether wages and salaries of Government
Servants can be linked with National Income
figures in any direct or precise manner, and have
reached the conclusion that they cannot be so
linked. We have also been cautioned about the
imperfections of the estimates of National Income;
and advised against making use of them except
in a broad, dimensional term".
4.12 It is therefore, our considered opinion, that the
basic norm propounded by the 15th ILC is the most
scientific and sound rationale in determining the
minimum wage as of date though it suffers immensely
of deficiencies related to present day living conditions.
In the context of the above analysis, we strongly
advocate that the minimum wage determined in the
case of Central Government employees should not in
any case be less than the minimum computed on the
basis of the 15th ILC norms. The difficulties faced by
the previous Pay Commissions particularly the second
and third in computing the minimum wage on the basis
of the 15th ILC norms is no longer being encountered
by the 6th Pay Commission as the fundamental of our
economy is considered to be very strong by the Govt.
itself. The cardinal principle of wage determination in
7BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
Item Per day PCU Per month 3CU Price per kg Total Cost
(In grams) (in Kg) (in Rs) (In Rs)
Rice/wheat 475 42.75 22.00 941
Dal (Toor/Urad/moong) 80 7.2 65.00 468
Raw Veg 100 9.00 28.00 252
Greenleaf Veg 125 11.25 24.00 370
Other Veg 75 6.75 26.00 176
Fruits 120 10.80 50.00 540
Milk 200 Ml 18 Ltd 2400 432
Sugar and Jageery 56 5.00 2400 120
Edible Oil 40 3.6 90.00 324
Fish 2.5 180.00 450
Meat 5.00 180.00 900
Egg 90 (no.) 2.50 225
Detergents, Cosmetics, etc. 300 P/m 300
Clothing 5.5 Mtr 80/Mtr 440
Total 5838
Misc@ 20%* 1167.60
Total 7005.60
Addl. Exp. @ 25%** 1751.40
Total 8757.00
Housing @ 10%*** 973.00
Grand Total 9730.00
Notes PSU = Per day consumption Unit. * 20% Miscellaneous charges towards fuel, electricity, water etc. **
Additional Expense at the rate of 25% includes Expenditure towards education, marriage etc. of children,
medical treatment, housing, recreation,festivals etc. as per the Supreme Court Decision in 1991. ***Housing at
the rate of 1/10 of total salary as per Rule 2A of the Income Tax Ruel read with section 10(13A)of the I.T.Act.
FIXATION OF MINIMUM WAGE AS PER THE NORMS OF 15 ILC NORMS
the case of Civil servants being "the fair comparison
with outside rates", we suggest that the Commission
determine the minimum wage on the basis of a fair
comparison of the wages obtaining in the Public Sector
undertakings, especially in the Navaratna companies.
4.13 Having stated that principles, we now deal with
the computation of Minimum wage at the entry level of
the unskilled worker. The wages of the most of the
PSUs are due for revision as on 1st January 2007. The
average of the minimum wage in the Navaratna
Companies among the PSUs without taking into
account the proposed revision hovers around Rs. 9450/
- including fringe benefits and ex-gratia payments. Acute
financial constraints deterred the 2nd & 3rd CPC in
recommending the minimum wage based on the 15th
ILC norms. With the turnaround of the economy, the
phenomenal growth in the tax revenue and other
receipts, (which is detailed in the succeeding Chapters),
the 6th CPC do not encounter the problems and
difficulties faced by the earlier Commission. The Public
Sector workers have now demanded the Minimum wage
at Rs. 11,000/- as on 1st January, 2007.
4.14 In the accompanying Annexure (A) we have
computed the minimum wage on the basis of the 15th
ILC norms. As per the said computation, the minimum
wage on the basis of the average of the prices of the
articles obtaining in the four Metro Cities i.e. Delhi,
Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata works out to Rs. 9730/
-. Even according to the formula enumerated by the
5th CPC, i.e., percentage increase of the per capita
NNP, over the years between 1995-96 and 2004-05 at
factor Cost at Current prices, the minimum wage
workout to Rs. 10,239/-. In Annexure-C to this
Memorandum, we have given the details of the total
emoluments of Central Govt. employees in various
Cadres both at the minimum and maximum of the
respective Scales of Pay, which is indicative of the
widening gap in emoluments at all levels between the
Govt. employees and those employed in the Public
Sector Undertakings. We, therefore, suggest that the
minimum wage in the cost of the Central Government
employees related to the All India Average Cost of
Living Index of 536 as on 1st January, 2006 (Base:
1982=100) may be fixed at Rs. 10,000/-.
8BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
FROM GENERAL SECRETARY'S DESK
HAPPY HOLI TO ALL!
u NEW SECRETARY (POSTS)
Consequent upon the superannuation of Smt.
Jyotsna Diesh on 31st December 2006, Shri I.M.G.
Khan, assumed charge as Secretary, Department of
Posts. We congratulate Shri I.M.G. Khan on his
assumption as the Head of the organisation.
A delegation of NFPE leaders led by Com. C.C.
Pillai, Secretary General, consisting of Com. K.V.
Sridharan, General Secretary, P-III; Com. Des Raj
Sharma, General Secretary, P-IV; Com. Giriraj Singh,
General Secretary, R-III; Com. P. Suresh, General
Secretary, R-IV; Com. S.S. Mahadevaiah, General
Secretary, GDS and Com. Somenath Mukherjee, Dy.
General Secretary, P-III met the new Secretary (Posts)
Shri I.M.G. Khan on 4th January 2007. Copies of the
memoranda submitted by the Federation and affiliated
unions were handed over and urged to consider them in
true spirit and recommend to remove the anomalies
prevailing in the TBOP /BCR since 5th CPC. The
delegation urged the Secretary, Department of Posts
for appointment of a judicial commission for GDS.
Matters relating to staff shortage, exempting the postal
department from the purview of Screening Committee
and fill up the vacant posts and other staff matters were
discussed. The Secretary assured to pursue the
problems confronting the staff with serious attention.
u ORAL EVIDENCE BEFORE SIXTH PAY
COMMISSION
After submitting the memorandum on behalf of the
NFPE and its affiliated unions on 02-01-2007 to the
Sixth CPC, our Federation has been invited by the
Chairman, 6th CPC on 23-01-2007 to tender oral
evidence before the commission. On behalf of NFPE,
Com. C.C. Pillai, Secretary General; Com. Des Raj
Sharma, Dy. Secretary General; Com. K.V. Sridharan,
General Secretary, P-III and Com. Giriraj Singh, General
Secretary, R-III participated the discussions which
lasted for one hour and ten minutes. The Chairman,
Justice Shri Krishna and all the members of the 6th
CPC attended the meeting besides the officers of
various departments. During the discussions, we
insisted for the consideration of all the demands put
forth in the memorandum. We had forcibly put forth
our arguments about justification of higher pay to various
posts, in particular about TBOP / BCR, System
Administrators, Counting of Past Services of RTP for
pension and promotion, the need to exempt the postal
department from the purview of Screening Committee
and ban on creation of justified posts, Postal Act
Amendment Bill, Various Allowances, the date of
implementation from 01-01-2006, the need of point to
point fixation and Master Scale (Running Scale) etc.
The delegation appraised the Pay Commission about
the GDS problems also and requested to consider
and recommend to pursue their cause also by the
proposed pay commissions in future. Within the
permissible time, we are consciously clear that we
did the job sincerely and effectively.
The 6th Pay Commission will call upon all the
unions separately during February 2007 to discuss again
about their memorandums. We are confident, that we
will utilise that occasion also to the best possible.
u FEDERAL SECRETARIAT MEETING
The Federal Secretariat meeting was held at 3:00
p.m. on 4th January 2007. All issues confronting the
staff were discussed. It was decided that a higher form
of agitational programme be launched with the
consultation of the FNPO during March 2006 and the
following shall be the demands for such programme.
i. Appointment of Judicial Committee for GDS.
ii. Exempt postal department from the purview of
reduction of establishment strength.
iii. Withdraw franchising postal outlets, closer of post
offices / RMS offices etc.
iv. Accord recognition of Federations and set up
Regional Council / Departmental Council etc.
v. Complete takeover if POSB and PLI by the
Department of Posts and accord all powers to
Postal Board as like Railway Board
u JCA MEETING
National level Postal JCA meeting was held on
24-01-2007 to finalise the agitational programmes and
to form the charter of demands.
After elaborate discussions about the attacks on
services and staff unleashed by abolition of post offices,
merger of divisions, closure of mail offices / sections,
curtailment of delivery and letter box clearances, non
filling up of vacant posts and extension of Screening
Committee and its application to postal department,
non formation of Judicial Committee for GDS, irregular
combination of duty and reduction of TRCA etc. to GDS,
vindictive actions and victimisations prevailing in circles
like Tamilnadu, Andhra, MP, Rajasthan, Karnataka etc.
9BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
the Postal JCA has unanimously decided to launch
phased programme of action culminating to an indefinite
strike during March 2007. The action programme
decided therein is as given below.
u 13-02-2007 to 22-02-2007 - Campaign & Demands Propaganda progamme
u 23-02-2007 - Dharna at Regional, Circle & Directorate
u 26-02-2007 to till the date - Campaign, Propaganda & Mobilisation of Support for the strike.
of Indefinite Strike
The date of indefinite strike will be announced on
the date of Dharna (i.e.) 23-02-2007 by the Postal JCA.
The copy of the Postal JCA Circular is annexed with
this News Bulletin. The charter of demands are
contained therein.
All Divisional / Branch / Circle Secretaries are
requested to ensure the implementation of
campaign programmes in their respective units
very effectively as decided by the JCA and
prepare for the indefinite strike in full vigour.
u TBOP / BCR COURT CASE
The court case relating to higher pay scale for TBOP
/ BCR came up for admission in the Delhi High Court on
29-01-2007. The General Secretary, Com. K.V.
Sridharan, personally witnessed the arguments. The case
was first time admitted by the High Court and next hearing
probably the final continuous hearings will be held on 09-
08-2007 and onwards. Our advocate during his argument,
has mentioned about the Dutta Committee report and
subsequent Inter Departmental Committee in which out
of seven members, only two are disagreed to implement
the higher pay scale recommendations of the Dutta
Committee. Let us hope for the best in the next hearing
to be held on 09-08-2007.
u PERIODICAL MEETING WITH DG POSTS
The next periodical meeting with the DG Posts
shall be held during February 2007. The subjects were
earlier notified for the meeting.
u JCM DEPARTMENTAL COUNCIL
The Department in its communication vide letter
No. 6-2/2002-SR (Vol.II) dated 18-01-2007 has
extended the period of the Council upto June 2007.
Unless the Federation is recognised, the problems in
reviving the RJCM Councils at Circle Levels, change
of nomination for RJCM etc. will not be settled. We
should evince serious efforts to get recognition of the
Federation to solve the present predicaments prevailing
in almost all the circles. The next Departmental
Council Meeting is expected to be held in March 2007.
u CONFEDERATION NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
The National Executive of the Confederation of
Central Government Employees and Workers is
scheduled to be held on 06-02-2007 at New Delhi.
The problems like delay in grant of interim relief,
shortage of staff, Judicial Committee for GDS will be
discussed in the meeting.
Meanwhile, the Confederation has rendered oral
evidence before 6th Pay Commission. Our Secretary
General, Com. C.C. Pillai has also attended the
meeting. The minimum wage and revision of pay as
per NNP and at par with Public Sector employees for
the Central Government employees have been forcibly
placed before the commission on the basis of formula
prescribed by the 5th CPC. The leaders also
demanded the 6th CPC to submit interim report on
interim relief to the Government. The commission has
assured a favourable decision in this regard.
u MEETING WITH SECRETARY (P) ON 01-02-2007
As the Postal JCA, Tamilnadu has given notice for
indefinite strike from 06-02-2007 demanding to drop
the moves like closures of post offices, merger of
divisions / sorting offices, curtailment of deliveries,
harassment oN GDS to procure PLI business, irregular
combination of duty etc, a delegation of NFPE under
the leadership of Com. C.C. Pillai, Secretary General
met the Secretary (Posts) on 01-02-2007 evening. The
Secretary (Posts) informed that he has already
instructed the Chief Postmaster General, Tamil Nadu
Circle to drop all such actions and have dialogue with
the circle leaders. He assured that he will cause
suitable instructions to settle the issues amicably in
Tamilnadu. The present tension prevailing at Madhya
Pradesh Circle was also discussed. It was assured
by the Secretary that he will intervene and set right
matters. The decision of the Postal JCA about the
indefinite strike and the need to settle the demands
forthwith was also discussed with him.
u ATTENTION OF CIRCLE SECRETARIES !!
i. Please intimate by next post whether notional LSG,
HSG.II promotions were accorded from 1983
onwards upto 2002 as per the check list in your
circles. If not accorded what is the reason? Who
is responsible?
ii. Whether the 1/3rd LSG vacancies upto 18-05-
2006 were filled up in LSG / HSG.II posts from
2002. If not, what is the reason?
10BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
iii. Please intimate whether the HSG.I promotions were
accorded as per the November 2006 Directorate
orders. If not, please inform the present position.
iv. What is the position about the LSG APM
Accounts in your circle? Whether any DPC is
convened for the promotion of Accounts line
officials. Please intimate the position.
v. In Karnataka circle it is brought to our notice that
the Bench Mark method has been applied for LSG
promotion. That should not be. What is prevailing
in your circle.
vi. Please intimate about the position of filling up of
residual vacancies from 2000-2001 to 2005-2006.
Whether all the posts earmarked for LGOs have
been filled up. If not please collect and inform the
number of vacancies unfilled up under the residual
vacancies in your circle.
Since we have notified these items as demands in
ensuing indefinite strike, we should have first hand
information during discussions. All Circle Secretaries
are requested to furnish the details by next post and
cooperate with the CHQ to settle the issues once for all.
u CONFEDERATION MEETING ON 06-02-2007
AND DISCUSSIONS THEREON
The National Executive Meeting of the
Confederation of Central Government Employees and
Workers has been held at New Delhi on 06-02-2007
at 11:00 A.M. After having a lengthy discussions on
various issues like submission of memorandum to 6th
Pay Commission, review of the 14th December 2006
strike, delay in grant of interim relief, non formation of
Judicial Committee to consider the problems of GDS
etc., it was unanimously resolved to hold Dharna on
20-03-2007 throughout the country and the prolonged
agitation (strike) programme in May 2007 preferably
in the third week.
DEMANDS
i. Grant of Interim Relief: Rs.1000. There is no
likelihood of this demand being got conceded
immediately. The Confederation while deposing
before the 6th CPC has forcefully argued for
making an immediate report by the Commission
to the Government as per the terms of reference.
However, the Commission has not indicated
anything positive in the matter. They have only
stated that they would be able to take a view only
after the Staff Side is heard on the subject. This
is likely to take place only in April, 2007.
ii. Mandate the 6th CPC to make the recommendation
effective from 01-01-2006. Despite the forceful
presentation of this matter, no assertive position
has been taken by the 6th CPC.
iii. Set up an independent judicial committee for GDS.
The Postal Board has already set up a
bureaucratic committee. The NFPE and FNPO
have already taken the stand that the bureaucratic
committee is not acceptable to them. Having set
up such a committee on the last occasion, there
is no sound reason for the rejection of this
demand. If the bureaucratic committee comes
into being without getting challenged, it would
become a fait accompli incapable of removing
the decision later.
iv. Remove the ceiling on compassionate
appointment. The DOPT is dilly-dallying the issue.
There is a discernible opposition to adhere to the
Cabinet Secretary's assurance in the matter when
the strike charter was discussed. This, if allowed,
will be an organisation set back. This attitude of
the DOPT should be fought back.
v. Lift the ban on recruitment. Instead of lifting the
ban, which ought to have come to an end in May,
2006, the Government has now extended it by
another three years, on the specious plea of
setting up the 6th CPC. It may be noted that the
6th CPC has been given time only 18 months,
whereas the extension is for three years. The
workload in many departments has become
unbearable due to the continuing ban on
recruitment. There had been no ban on the
recruitment of Gr. A Officers and in the case of
Gr. B the ban is inoperative.
vi. Withdrawal of the new pension scheme. The
Government is confabulating with the main
opposition in the Parliament to get the bill passed.
They have convened Chief Ministers' Conference
where they have already obtained a majority opinion
in favour of the new scheme. After the said
meeting, the Government has decided to invest
5% of the accumulated funds in the Stock market.
vii. Regularisation of the daily rated employees within
a course of three years and grant of equal pay to
them as is given to the regular employees
The Confederation has further decided to hold
demonstration on 23-02-2007 before all Central
Government Offices by extending solidarity support
to the Dharna Programme launched by the Postal JCA
and all the affiliates are instructed to issue telegrams
11BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
demanding immediate formation of Judicial Committee
to consider the problems of GDS.
On the question of Pension Fund Privatisation and
PFRDA bill, it was decided to discuss the same with
the leaders of AISGEF for having a day's programme
in the first / second week of March 2007. The date
and programme will be announced after consulting the
State Government Employees Federation leaders.
u ARBITRATION AWARDS
There was a meeting held on 05-02-2007 to
discuss about the pending arbitration awards and the
following is expressed by the leaders on the subject.
i. Grant of HRA arrears - The Government is not in a
mood to disburse arrears for 19 months from
01-01-96 to 31-07-97. The Staff Side requested
to disburse the arrears atleast from 01-01-97. No
decision arrived.
ii. Transport Allowance - The Government is unwilling
to implement the award and brought under Slab
System. Assured to implement the rate as per
the existing system without any retrospective effect.
iii. Grant of Conveyance Allowance @ Rs. 30 p.m. -
As huge expenditure is involved. Unwilling to
implement the award.
In short, there is no tangible results in settlement
of arbitration awards. The Government, in short,
decided not to implement the pending Sixteen
arbitration awards and dilute the decisions.
u DEARNESS ALLOWANCE
An increase of 6% Dearness Allowance is likely
from 29% to 35% w.e.from January 2007.
Let us meet in the next!
With seasons greetings,
K.V. Sridharan
General Secretary
BENEVOLENT FUND FOR GDS-A SCHEME LAUNCHEDIN TAMIL NADU CIRCLE
The Tamil Nadu Circle union placed a subject in
the Four Monthly Meeting with Chief Postmaster
General, Tamil Nadu Circle requesting to enhance
the grant of Welfare Assistance to GDS for major
surgery/ailment on 17-10-2006.
Based on the discussions, a Circle Benevolent
Fund for GDS has been introduced in Tamil Nadu.
The gist of the scheme is as follows :-
1. It consists the Chief Postmaster General as
President; All Regional PMGs are Vice Presidents,
DPSs as Executive Vice President, ADSR
(Welfare) as Secretary, Welfare Inspector & Circle
Secretary, AIPEDE Union as Joint Secretaries,
ASO (Budget) as Treasurer and all members of
Postal Welfare Board and three regional
representatives of AIPEDE Union as Members.
2. The scheme is effective from 01-12-2006 and
compulsory to all GDS officials.
3. Every year December, a sum of Rs. 60/- will be
recovered as annual subscription from GDS for
next year.
4. (i) Out of this Benevolent Fund, a sum of Rs.
10,000/- will be paid to the nominee of the
deceased official.
(ii) Major Surgical operations, Financial
assistance upto Rs. 7500/- will be paid for
sundry expenses.
5. The managing committee may mobilise finances
for this welfare scheme by raising donation, sale
of tickets of benefit shows, by issue of a souvenir
with paid advertisements and by any other means
approved for the purpose.
6. The managing committee will negotiate with
General Insurance Co. for obtaining Group
Personal Accident Policy initially for Rs. 20,000/-
subject to review and revision in next financial year.
An approved constitution for the Benevolent Fund
has been circulated and the scheme came into effect
from 01-12-2006, our appreciations to the circle union,
Tamil Nadu Circle and in particular to the ED union
Circle Secretary, Tamil Nadu Circle Com. R. John Britta
for the initiation of the scheme locally in his state.
A spate of money orders are being received towards the subscription of Bhartiya Post from Andhra,
Assam, Orissa and Tamilnadu Circles. We record our sincere thanks to the Circle Secretaries & Branch
Secretaries for their unstinted efforts to increase the subscription to our monthly journal. Let others be
come forward and involve to increase the number of Bhartiya Post readers.
ENCOURAGING
12BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
When an officer who exercised Judicial or Quasi-Judicial powers acting negligently orrecklessly could be proceeded against by way of disciplinary action
(2006) 5 Supreme Court Cases 680(Before Ruma Pal, C.K. Thakker and Markandey Katju, JJ.)
the fact that the disciplinary authority had complied
with all the necessary procedures for passing the
impugned order. However, the action of the
disciplinary authority was challenged before the
Central Administrative Tribunal on the ground that
no disciplinary proceedings would lie against an
officer discharging judicial / quasi-judicial functions
unless there was an element of moral turpitude.
The Central Administrative Tribunal upheld the
finding of the gross negligence on the part of the
respondent. But it was held, relying upon the
decision of this Court in Zunjarrao Bhikaji Nagarkar
v. Union of India that disciplinary proceedings
would not lie against the officer discharging quasi-
judicial functions unless it were established that
the officer concerned had obtained an undue
advantage thereby or in connection therewith.
3. The decision of the Tribunal was challenged by
the appellants before the High Court. The High
Court came to the conclusion that since no ulterior
motive was alleged against the respondent, the
Tribunal was correct in quashing the proceedings
against the respondent.
4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
appellants in impugning the order has submitted
that the decisions of the Tribunal and the High
Court have incorrectly proceeded on the law as it
now stands on the issue.
5. The law on the subject was considered in extenso
in the three-Judge Bench decision of Union of India
v. K.K. Dhawan wherein it was noted that the view
that no disciplinary action could be initiated
against an officer in respect of judicial or quasi-
judicial functions was wrong. It was further said
that the officer who exercises judicial or quasi-
judicial powers acting negligently or recklessly
could be proceeded against by way of disciplinary
action. The Court listed six instances when such
action could be taken: (SCC p. 67, para 28)
"28. (i) where the officer had acted in a manner as
would reflect on his reputation for integrity or good
faith or devotion to duty;
(ii) if there is prima facie material to show
recklessness or misconduct in the discharge of
his duty;
UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS ….. Appellants;
Versus
DULI CHAND …. Respondent.
Civil Appeal No. 2168 of 2006 decided on April21, 2006
Service Law - Departmental enquiry - Againstquasi-judicial exercise of power negligently -Permissibility - Initiation of disciplinaryproceedings for committing gross negligencewhile discharging quasi-judicial functions, held,nonetheless permissible - Hence, punishmentawarded consequent thereto, upheld
The respondent was punished by the disciplinary
authority on the ground that he had negligently allowed
claims for refund to an applicant on three different
occasions. The punishment imposed was stoppage of
two annual increments with cumulative effect. The
respondent successfully challenged the action of the
disciplinary authority before CAT on the ground that no
disciplinary proceedings would lie against an officer
discharging judicial / quasi-judicial functions unless there
was an element of moral turpitude. CAT upheld the finding
of gross negligence on the part of the respondent but
relying on the decision in Zunjarrao case, (1999) 7 SCC
409, quashed the proceedings against him. The High
Court upheld the decision. The Government then filed
the present appeal by special leave.
Before the Supreme Court the appellant
Government contended that the impugned decisions
were not consistent with the law as it stands at present.
ORDER1. Leave granted.
2. The issue in this appeal is whether disciplinary
action could be taken against the respondent
employee on the ground that the employee had
been found to be grossly negligent while
discharging quasi-judicial functions. We need not
go into the factual aspect of the dispute except to
record that the respondent had been punished by
the disciplinary authority on the ground that he
had negligently allowed claims for refund to an
applicant on three different occasions. The
punishment imposed was stoppage of two annual
increments with cumulative effect. It may also be
noticed at this stage that there is no challenge to
SUPREME COURT'S HISTORICAL JUDGEMENT
13BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
(iii) if he has acted in a manner which is unbecoming
of a government servant;
(iv) if he had acted negligently or that he omitted the
prescribed conditions which are essential for the
exercise of the statutory powers;
(v) if he had acted in order to unduly favour a party;
(vi) if he had been actuated by corrupt motive, however
small the bribe may be because Lord Coke said
long ago 'though the bribe may be small, yet the
fault is great.'
6. The court, however, made it clear that ultimately
the matter would have to depend upon the facts of
a particular case. The present case would fall
squarely within the fourth instance listed above.
7. The decision in K.K. Dhawan case was considered
by this Court and followed in Government of T.N. v.
K.N. Ramamurthy. In that case the Tribunal had
set aside the order imposing punishment on an
officer who had been discharging judicial functions.
The Court was of the view that the Tribunal's action
was contrary to the several judgments of this Court
and the settled law on the question.
8. In 1999 another Bench of two Judges in Zunjarrao
Bhikaji Nagarkar considered and referred to these
earlier decisions. However, the Court appears to
have reverted back to the earlier view of the matter
where disciplinary action could be taken against
an officer discharging judicial functions only
where there was an element of culpability
involved. Since in that particular case there was
no evidence whatsoever that the employee had
shown any favour to the assessee to whom
refund had been made, it was held that the
proceedings against him would not lie. In fact,
the Court set aside the disciplinary proceedings
at the stage of the issuance of charge-sheet to
the charged officer.
9. In our opinion, Nagarkar case was contrary to the
view expressed in K.K. Dhawan case. The
decision in K.K. Dhawan being that of a larger
Bench would prevail. The decision in Nagarkar
case therefore does not correctly represent the
law. Inasmuch as the impugned orders of the
Tribunal and the High Court were passed on the
law enunciated Nagarkar case this appeal must
be allowed. The impugned decisions are
accordingly set aside and the order of punishment
upheld. There will be no order as to costs.
APPRENTICSE CANNOT CLAIM RIGHT OFREGULARIZATION: SUPREME COURT
Says they are not workers and labour law provisions do not apply to them
An apprentice in an industrial establishment
cannot claim the right off regularization,
the Supreme Court has held.
While an apprentice was also treated to be a
workman for the purposes of the Industrial Disputes
Act, 1947, by virtue of Section 18 of the Apprentices
Act, 1961, it had been categorically provided that
apprentices were not workers and the provisions of
any law with respect to labour would not apply to or
in relation to such an apprentice, a Bench of Justices
A.R .Lakshmanan and Altamas Kabir said.
In the instant case, the National Small Industries
Corporation (NSIC) appointed Respondent
V.Lakshiminarayanan as an apprentice but his
services were not regularized.
He approached the Labour Court and it directed
has regularization. The Madras High Court confirmed
the order.
The present appeal by the NSIC was directed
against this judgment.
EXCEPTIONS
The Apex Court said that even assuming that
the Respondent was a workman within the meaning
of the ID Act, on account of his contractual nature,
his case would come within the exceptions provided
under the Act.
"In such a case also, the provisions of Section
25-F of the ID Act [relating to termination of
apprentices] would have no application to the
Respondent's case," the Bench said.
"The High Court appears to have been impressed
by the reasoning of the labour court with regard to
the finding that although designated as an apprentice,
the Respondent was not undergoing training but was
an employees doing full time work in the
establishment," the Bench said.
Materials on record did not support such a view,
the Bench said and set aside the impugned
judgment.
(Courtesy: The Hindu, Chennai dated 20-11-2006)
14BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
ARE WE DECEIVED?Com. B.G. Tamhankar, our Ex. President sought an information under RTI Act 2005 regarding Grant of
Bonus and the department has supplied the statement as to how the Bonus for 62 and 65 days for the year
2003-04 and 2004-05 were arrived in its letter No. 3-6/2006-CT G (P) / TR - 31232 dated 25-01-2007.
The most shocking news in the said letter is that the file for payment of 62 and 65 days bonus to the
employees of postal department for the year 2003-04 and 2004-05 respectively were sent to Ministry of Finance
for approval but only 60 days bonus was approved by the Ministry of Finance for payment.
So! Loss of 7 days Bonus for two years!
STATEMENT SHOWING THE TOTAL EQUIVALENT UNITS CONSIDEREDFOR THE PURPOSE OF PLB 2003-2004
S.No. PARTICUALRS FIGURES IN LAKHS1. Units for total inland registered and unregistered mails 145258
2. Units for Postal Life Insurance 1201
3. Units for all pension transactions 1133
4. Units for total foreign registered and unregistered mails 2193
5. Units for telephone bills handled 685
GRAND TOTAL 150471
PRODUCTIVITY LINKED BONUS FOR THE YEAR 2003-2004S.No. PARTICUALRS BASE YEAR 2003-2004
AVG. OF94-95 & 95-96
1. Total work laod inequivalent units (in lakhs) 126020 150471
2. Number of staff 404773 405722
3. Productivity per staff 31133 36986
4. Increase in % with reference to base year 18.80%
5. Add for other items 0.50%
6. The total percentage increase with reference to base year 19.33%
7. Entitlement for 100% productivity (days) w.r.t. base year 43
8. Productivity bonus for the year 2003-2004 indays 62.33
(1 day for each 1% increase over 100% productivity in the base year)
(fractions of 0.5 and above to be rounded off to next higher digit) say 62 days
STATEMENT SHOWING THE TOTAL EQUIVALENT UNITS CONSIDEREDFOR THE PURPOSE OF PLB 2004-2005
S.No. PARTICUALRS FIGURES IN LAKHS1. Units for total inland registered and unregistered mails 147650
2. Units for Postal Life Insurance 1682
3. Units for all pension transactions 1187
4. Units for total foreign registered and unregistered mails 1368
5. Units for telephone bills handled 694
GRAND TOTAL 152581
PRODUCTIVITY LINKED BONUS FOR THE YEAR 2003-2004
S.No. PARTICUALRS BASE YEARAVG. OF 2004-2005
94-95 & 95-961. Total work laod inequivalent units (in lakhs) 126020 1525812. Number of staff 404773 4017403. Productivity per staff 31133 379804. Increase in % with reference to base year 21.99%
15BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
5. Add for other items 0.50%6. The total percentage increase with reference to base year 22.49%7. Entitlement for 100% productivity (days) w.r.t. base year 438. Productivity bonus for the year 2003-2004 indays 65.49
(1 day for each 1% increase over 100% productivity in the base year)(fractions of 0.5 and above to be rounded off to next higher digit) say 65 days
Letter No. P/2-19/Chennai, Date: 27 January2007 addressed to Com. C.C. Pillai, SecretaryGeneral, National Federation of Postal Employees.u Problems of Electrical Staff and Pay Fixation
etc. - reg.Dear Comrade,
In Tamil Nadu Circle, the Postal CircleAdministration recruited Electrical Staff called aswireman & workman in the year 1983 & 1984 tomaintain the postal buildings and offices. Thequalification was fixed as matriculation with ITI coursein Electrical Grade (2 years course certificate).
The recruited staff are granted with the pay scaleof Group D and their pay scale now drawn is Rs.2550-55-2660-60-3200. Eventhough their duties aremost responsible and important than the duties ofGroup D cadre, they are treated as unskilled GroupDs. They have to attend the following works.(i) Wiring work;(ii) Cabling;(iii) LAN cable wiring for computerisation of POs;(iv) Maintenance of UPS;(v) Maintenance of Batteries;
(vi) Maintenance of generators;(vii) Maintenance of various types of motors;(viii) Pump operations;(ix) All kinds of repairs in electrical appliances like
fans, heaters etc.(x) Fixing / installation of Panel Board and
attending repairs.Further they have not granted ACP
promotions. The Railway Board in its letter No.PC-V/404 dated 31-03-2004, envisaged that 50%of temporary status CL service followed byregular absorption counted towards the minimumservice for the grant of ACP. This has also notbeen extended to these categories.
Since they are postal staff only and not coveredor controlled by the civil wing, it is requested to takeup their case with appropriate authorities and also6th CPC to consider higher pay at least in theexisting pay scale of Rs. 3200-85-4900.
It is requested further to take up this issue withthe department and see justice be rendered to theseexploited categories of Tamil Nadu Circle.
With greetings,
ACTUAL STAFF STRENGTH OF IMPORTANT CATEGORIES AS ON 31-03-2005NON-GAZETTED (Postal Wing)
Group "C" Nos. Group 'D' Nos.Asstt. Superintendent of Post Offices 1410 Packer 6649
Inspector of Post Offices 1474 Mail Peon 2434
Higher Selection Grade Letter Box Peon 1106
HSG - I 1624 Messenger 370
HSG - II 1624 Orderly 300
Lower Selection Grade 6904 Daftry 202
Postal Assistant (including Treasurers & Assistant Treasurers) 90194 Peon 771
Mail Overseer 2977 Sweeper 656
Cash Overseer 862 Farash 122
Head Postman 696 Waterman 270
Postman including Stamp Vendor 48682 Chowkidar 1080
Sorting Postman 2627 Jamadar 693
Overseer Postman 358
(Source - Book of Infromation 2004-05)
PROBLEMS OF ELECTRICAL STAFF & PAY FIXATIONCHQ WRITE TO SECRETARY GENERAL, NFPE
16BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
1. Total Number of Postal Circles 22
2. Total Number of Postal Regions 37
3. Total Number of Postal Divisions 441
4. Total Number of Circle Stamp Depots 19
5. Total Number of Postal Store Depots 46
6. Total Number of RMS Divisions 70
7. Total Number of Postal Training Centres 6
8. Total Number of Post Offices in the Country 155,516
9. Total Number of Post Offices in Rural Areas 139,120
10. Total Number of Post Offices in Urban Areas 16,396
11. Number of Head Post Offices 822
12. Number of Sub Post Offices 25,113
13. Number of ED Sub Post Offices 2,398
14. Number of ED Branch Post Offices 127,183
15. Number of Delivery Post Offices 144,900
16. Number of Post Offices with Telegraph Facility 19,512
17. Number of Night Post Offices 172
18. Speed Post Centres in the Country 157
19. Total Number of Countries covered under International Speed Post 73
(Merchandise & documents - both)
20. Number of Countries covered under International Speed Post (documents only) 24
21. Population served by a Post Office* 7,046
22. Population served by a Post Office (in Rural Area)* 5,617
23. Population served by a Post Office (in Urban Area)* 19,165
24. Area served by a Post Office (Sq. Km.) 21.10
25. Average distance to be travelled for Postal facilities (in Km.) 2.59
26. Total Number of GPO 17
POSTAL NETWORK AT A GLANCE
Projected population as on 01-03-2005 on the basis of population projections by technical group
constituted by National Commission on population. (Source - Book of Infromation 2004-05)
FORM-IV(See Rule 8)
BHARTIYA POST1. Place of Publication : New Delhi
2. Periodicity of its Publication : Monthly
3. Printer's Name : R.N. Chaudhary
(Whether citizen of India; if : Yes
foreigner state the country
of origin)
Address : Dada Ghosh
Bhawan 1, Patel Road,
New Delhi-110008
4. Publisher's Name : R.N. Chaudhary
(Whether citizen of India; if : Yes
foreigner state the country
of origin)
Address : Dada Ghosh
Bhawan 1, Patel Road,
New Delhi-110008
5. Editor's Name : K.V. Sridharan
(Whether citizen of India; if : Yes
foreigner state the country
of origin)
Address : Dada Ghosh
Bhawan 1, Patel Road,
New Delhi-110008
6. Name and addresses of : Wholly owned by
individuals who own the All India Postal
newspaper and partners Employees Union Cl.-III
or share-holders holding CHQ, New Delhi-8
more than one percent of
the total capital
I, K.V. Sridharan, hereby declare that the particulars
given above are true to the best of my knowledge and
belief. Sd/-
Dated : 15-02-2007 (K.V. Sridharan)General Secretary
17BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES1st Floor, Post Office Building, North Avenue P.O., New Delhi-110001
FEDERATION OF POSTAL ORGANIZATIONST-24, Atul Grove Road, New Delhi-110001
PF/Postal JCA/01/07 Dated: 29th January 2007
START FOOT JATHAS IN ALL DIVISIONSARRANAGE MEETINGS IN ALL TOWNS
ORGANISE WORKERS, POPULARISE DEMANDS.
UTILISE CHQ/CIRCLE OFFICE BEARERS.
To,
Shri I.M.G. Khan
Secretary,
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan,
New Delhi-110001.
Dismantling of Postal Services and staff-
Agitational Programme thereof.
Sir,
It has been brought to the notice of the above
Federations and its affiliated unions by the Circle
Unions that the Heads of Circles are ordering closure
of offices, merger of Divisions, outsourcing Postal
functions through franchisee Postal outlets etc. The
Heads of Circles are implementing all these
dismantling activities without discussing with the
staff side. This has generated serious resentment
among the entirety of Postal Employees.
The Postal Joint Council of Action comprising
NFPE and FNPO met at New Delhi on 24th January,
2007 and chalked out an agitational programme for
settlement of following charter of demands. If these
demands are not conceded the staff side has no other
alternative but to launch sustained nationwide struggle
action including indefinite strike during March, 2007.
CHARTER OF DEMANDS
1. Appointment of Judicial Committee/Commission
for G.D.S. and grant Status and Pension to GDS
employees.
2. Exempt Department of Posts from the purview of
reduction of staff strength and fill up all vacant
posts in all cadres in Postal/RMS/MMS/Circle/
Regional offices/Postal Accounts and GDS,
including residual vacancies.
3. Drop Franchising of Postal Outlets Scheme, Stop
closure of Post Offices/RMS Offices Transit
Sections/Relocation & merger of offices and
Divisions, Stop combination of beats of
Postmen/Stop Curtailment of Postal deliveries,
Outsourceing of PAO functions etc.
4. Ensure monopoly of collection, conveyance and
delivery of letter mail by the Department of Posts
as recommended by the Parliamentary standing
committee.
5. Regularise casual Labourers/Full Time/Part Time
Contingency paid.
6. Filling up of all Norms based LSG/HSG II, HSG-
I posts.
7. Encashment of all pending bills OTA/TA/Medical/
RPLI Commission etc.
8. Grant Compassionate appointments to eligible
candidates and absorb all approved candidates.
9. Complete take over of POSB and PLI by the
Postal Department and accord full Autonomy to
the Postal Board as in the case of Railway Board.
10. Recognition of Federations and setting up of
councils at all level.
We would urge upon you to cause appropriate steps
for early settlement of above demands so as to create
congenial atmosphere in the Department of Posts.
With regards.
Yours sincerely
Sd/- Sd/-
(C.C. Pillai) (D. Theagarajan)
Secretary General Secretary General
NFPE FNPO
18BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES1st Floor, Post Office Building, North Avenue P.O., New Delhi-110001
FEDERATION OF POSTAL ORGANIZTIONST-24, Atul Grove Road, New Delhi-110001
No. Postal JCA/01/07 Dated: 25th January 2007
Andhra, Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Madhya
Pradesh, Rajasthan etc. are received that the
Heads of the Circle are ordering closure of
offices, Transit Sections, merger of Divisions and
outsoursing M.O. and C.C. work of Postal Accts
etc. It is also noticed that the Heads of Circle are
dismantling existing infrastructure arbitrarily.
Agitating employees are victimized and vindictive
actions are taken against them.
All these issues confronting the entirety of
Postal employees have been discussed
threadbare and the Postal JCA had come to this
conclusion unanimously that we shall launch
sustained nation wide struggles culminating into
indefinite strike to stop dismantling of the
Department of Posts and its staff.
The following demands would besubmitted to the Department of Posts forimplementation.
CHARTER OF DEMANDS:1. Appointment of Judicial Committee/
Commission for G.D.S. and grant Status and
Pension to GDS employees.
2. Exempt Department of Posts from the purview
of reduction of staff strength and fill up all
vacant posts in all cadres in Postal/RMS/
MMS/Circle/Regional offices/Postal Accounts
and GDS, including residual vacancies.
3. Drop Franchising of Postal Outlets Scheme,
Stop closure of Post Offices/RMS Offices
Transit Sections/Relocation & merger of
offices and Divisions, Stop combination of
beats of Postmen/Stop Curtailment of Postal
To,
All Circle/Divisional/Branch Secretaries
of NFPE and FNPO unions,
STRUGGLE AGAINST ATTACKS ONPOSTAL SERVICES
Dear Comrades and Friends,
The Postal Joint Council of Action comprising
National Federation of Postal Employees and
Federation of National Postal Organization and
its affiliated unions met at NFPE office at 11 AM
on 24th January, 2007 to take stock of the
situation derived out of implementation of various
measures for abolition of Post Offices, RMS
Offices, Franchising Postal Outlets, merger of
Postal/RMS Divisions, Curtailment of Postal
deliveries, Reduction of staff strength etc. and to
decide future course of actions to halt all those
measures which are extremely detrimental to the
interest of the Department and its staff. The JCA
meeting was presided over by Shri D.
Theagarajan, Secretary General FNPO. All
General Secretaries of NFPE and FNPO
participated in the meeting.
Com. C.C.Pillai Secretary General, NFPE
elaborately reported the action initiated by the
Department of Posts with regard to downsizing
and outsourcing of Postal functions and closure
of Post Offices and RMS Offices. The entirety of
Postal Staff are facing extreme hardship due to
acute shortage of staff. The existing staff are not
in a position to carry out the day to day work in
Post Offices due to heavy increase in workload.
The staff could leave office only after three- four
hours after prescribed duty hours. The authorities
does not care to ameliorate the sufferings of the
staff by exempting Postal Department from the
purview of reduction of staff strength. The justified
demand of setting up of Judicial Committee for
GDS has not been conceded so far. A negative
approach is seen from the authorities concerned.
Reports from various circle unions like
The Day of Indefinite Strike will beanncounced during Dharna at Dak
Bhawan, New Delhi on 23-2-2007.Without Struggles, we will achieve
nothing.
INDEFINITE STRIKE
19BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
deliveries, Outsoursing of PAO functions etc.
4. Ensure monopoly of collection, conveyance
and delivery of letter mail by the Department
of Posts as recommended by the
Parliamentary standing committee.
5. Regularise casual Labourers/Full Time/Part
Time Contingency paid.
6. Filling up of all Norms based LSG/HSG II,
HSG-I posts.
7. Encashment of all pending bills OTA/TA/
Medical/RPLI Commission etc.
8. Grant Compassionate appointments to eligible
candidates and absorb all approved candidates.
9. Complete take over of POSB and PLI by the
Postal Department and accord full Autonomy
to the Postal Board as in the case of Railway
Board.
10. Recognition of Federations and setting up of
councils at all level.
For settlement of the above charter of
demands the Postal JCA had decided to launch
following action programme throughout the country
as given below:
CAMPAIGN & PROPAGANDA FROM13-02-2007 TO 22-02-2007
Nationwide campaign and propaganda
among employees and general public will
commence at all circles from 13th February, 2007.
Branch/Division and Circle unions to meet MLAs/
MPs/Local Bodies etc. and submit memorandum.
Hold general body meetings in offices and
mobilize staff. Hold Jeep/Cycle Jathas and Foot
Jathas in Divisions and Circles culminating into
a Public meeting at all towns.
DHARNA BEFORE REGIONAL/CIRCLE HEADS& DIRECTORATE ON 23-02-2007
Day long Dharna from 11 AM to 4 PM before
All Regional/Circles Heads and Postal Directorate
to be organized demanding settlement of 10 point
charter of demands. All Circle Unions should
depute their representatives to participate in the
Dharna before Directorate.
26-02-2006 CAMPAIGN & PROPAGANDACampaign & Propaganda shall continue
vigorously at all Circle/Division/Branch till we go
for indefinite strike.
INDEFINITE STRIKEThe date of indefinite strike will be announced
during Dharna on 23-02-2007 at New Delhi.
We call upon all Circle/Divisional/Branch
Secretaries of NFPE and FNPO to revive JCA at
all levels and conduct vigorous campaign in their
respective Circles and Divisions to launch
sustained struggles including indefinite strike
during March 2007.
All Circle Secretaries are to hold working
Committee/Council Meetings and launch all
programmes effectively. They are also requested
to report the activities decided by them to the
respective CHQs and Federations.
With fraternal Greetings
Sd/- Sd/-
(C.C. Pillai) (D. Theagrajan)
Secretary General, NFPE Secretary General, FNPO
Sd/- Sd/- Sd/- Sd/-
(K.V. Sridharan) (Des Raj Sharma) (D. Kishan Rao) (Giri Raj Sharma)
General Secretary General Secretary General Secretary General Secretary
AIPEU Gr. 'C' AIPEU Postmen & Gr. 'D' NUPE Gr. 'C' AIRMS & MMS EU Gr. 'C'
Sd/- Sd/- Sd/- Sd/-
(D. Theagarajan) (T.N. Rahate) (P. Suresh) (S.P. Muherjee)
General Secretary General Secretary General Secretary General Secretary
NURMS & MMS E Gr. 'C' NUPE Postmen & Gr. 'D' AIRMS & MMS EU AIPAOEU Group 'C' & 'D'
MGs & Gr. 'D'
Sd/- Sd/- Sd/- Sd/-
(S. Noor Ahamed) (S.S. Mahadevaiah) (P. Rajanayagam) (P.U. Muraleedharan)
General Secretary General Secretary General Secretary General Secretary
NURMS & MMS E AIPEDEU AIPAEA NUED Employees
MGs & Gr. 'D'
20BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
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bl fn'kk esa dM+h esgur djuh gksxh rkfd Hkkoh la?k"kZ lQy gksA
vljdkjh dk;Zokgh ds fy, dSMj fodflr djks^^,d fparu**
21BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
LETTERS TO DEPARTMENTLetter No. P/2-1/Gudur, Date: 01 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Tenure posting of officials in single handed
and double handed post offices - preventive
vigilance measure - reg.
Ref.: (i) Your letter No. 8-4/2005- INV dated 22-09-
2005
(ii) This union letter No. P/2-1/Gudur dated
17-10-2006
It is constrained to note that this union letter under
reference is neither acknowledged nor replied so far.
The officials should not be deprived to work in the
offices of their choice due to the rare cases of frauds
taken place for which this alone is not the only reason.
There are many areas and ways to prevent frauds in
such cases.
It is requested to consider and relax the conditions
immediately or before the ensuing rotational transfer.
Soliciting response,
Letter No. P/2-1/Secunderabad HO, Date: 02
February 2007 addressed to The Secretary, Department
of Posts.
n Provision of Generator at Secunderabad HPO
in Andhra Pradesh Circle - reg.
The provision of providing a high power generator
to Secunderabad HO which is having more than 300
employees and fully computerised is being protracted
on one pretext or the other over three years.
The minor repairs which were executed for the
existing two generators become futile and in the absence
of generator, the officials are facing lot of difficulties
during the frequent power failures. The circle union's
repeated requests have not been taken due note of.
It is requested to cause necessary instructions to
the Chief Postmaster General, Andhra Pradesh Circle
to provide high power generator to this HO before the
end of the current financial year.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
solicited.
Letter No. P/2-1/Guntakal, Date: 25 January 2007
addressed to Shri I.M.G. Khan, Secretary, Department
of Posts.
n Arbitrary and unjust merger of Guntakal Postal
Division - request status quo ante.
It is constrained to note that the Chief Postmaster
General, Andhra Pradesh Circle has caused orders
for the abolition of Guntakal Postal Division which was
in existence over decades.
It is most apt to mention that in the last RJCM
meeting, the Chief Postmaster General, Andhra
Pradesh Circle had replied that there was no proposal
to close down Guntakal Division. The Staff Side
demand to take fresh statistics has not been taken
into consideration and the division was abolished
arbitrarily without any prior notice. It disturbed the
seniority position of the officials and caused several
practical problems.
The staff unions are protesting the arbitrary move
and decided to launch series of trade union action in
case if status quo ante is not restored. There is a total
resentment over this arbitrary action of merging the good
old Guntakal Division with the defective statistics.
It is, therefore, requested to review the same
afresh and restore status quo ante by reforming the
Guntakal Division at the earliest.
Soliciting your immediate action,
Letter No. P/2-19/Chennai GPO, Date: 15 January
2007 addressed to Shri I.M.G. Khan, Secretary,
Department of Posts.
n Request for mitigating the problems faced by
officials of relocated Sowcarpet MDO at
Chennai GPO, Tamil Nadu Circle - reg.
Complaints are pouring into this union that the
above office has been shifted on 11-12-2006 in a hall
at Chennai GPO. This move has been carried out
without considering the sufferings of the staff in
particular and the customers in general.
The Chief Postmaster General, Tamil Nadu Circle
during her visit expressed her resentment for occupying
the hall by Sowcarpet MDO.
For shifting of the office the delivery staff are to cover
a vast area causing unavoidable delay in delivery work.
It may not be out of place to mention here that
suitable accommodations are available there which
have also been suggested by our circle union.
This union is of the considered opinion that when
we are planning to develop business activities, this
shifting will deprive our valued customers, as Sowcarpet
Area is well known for predominant business
community.
You are, therefore, requested kindly to issue
necessary order for shifting Sowcarpet MDO in a
suitable accommodation in the same area as
suggested by our circle union.
Awaiting your action,
Letter No. P/2-19/Dharmpuri, Date: 25 January
22BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
2007 addressed to Shri I.M.G. Khan, Secretary,
Department of Posts.
n Confirmation examination to appear with the
aid of the helper to the vision impaired
officials - case of Tamil Nadu Circle - reg.
It is brought to our notice that one Smt. V. Ananthi,
Postal Assistant in Dharmpuri Division could not clear
the confirmation examination even after writing the
same for six times since her vision is impaired and
could not write independently.
As a special case, she requested the Chief
Postmaster General to allow her to appear the
confirmation examination with the assistance of a
helper and the same was granted by the Chief
Postmaster General vide letter No. B2/8-6/SP/2002
dated 18-12-2002 whereas no examination is
conducted so far to this official.
There may be many officials who are in the said
category and could not pass the confirmation exam.
It is, therefore, requested to cause orders to exempt
the blind officials from appearing of the examination or
to allow assistance to write the confirmation
examination and complete the process at the earliest.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
appreciated.
Letter No. P/2-19/Cle, Date: 25 January 2007
addressed to Shri I.M.G. Khan, Secretary, Department
of Posts.
n Counting the training period for benefits of
promotion under TBOP / BCR scheme - reg.
Despite the clear instructions vide your office letter
No. 44-47/98-SPB.II dated 31-07-2000 & 27-07-2001,
that the period of induction training may also be counted
as qualifying service for the benefit of TBOP / BCR
promotions, this has not been implemented in many
circles.
To cite an instance, the circle IFA, Tamil Nadu
Circle has denied such kind of benefits to those
recruited and deputed for training before 01-01-86.
Based on the opinion, the Chief Postmaster General,
Tamil Nadu Circle has issued instructions vide his letter
No. STA/80-1/00/Rlgs dated 21-02-2003 in which it
was stated that the period of Induction training can be
taken for the benefit of promotion under TBOP / BCR
only if the person selected was under training on 01-
01-86 or deputed for training on or after 01-01-86, apart
the fulfilment of other conditions such as obligatory
nature of such training, immediate promotion on
completion of such training.
Resultantly, the officials granted with BCR
promotions based on the Directorate orders dated 31-
07-2000 taking into account of their training period for
promotion have faced recovery and re-fixation. The
opinion of the circle IFA to cut short the benefits from
01-01-86 is wrong and arbitrary one.
It is, therefore, requested to cause necessary
instructions to all the circle heads to count the training
period without any restriction and stop recovery
immediately.
Soliciting response,
Letter No. P/2-19/Salem East, Date: 25 January
2007 addressed to Shri A.K. Sharma, DDG
(Establishment), Department of Posts.
n Grant of HRA to the staff working at
Kannankurichi PO in Salem East Division in
Tamil Nadu Circle - reg.
It is brought to our notice that the proposal for the
grant of HRA to the officials working in the above said
PO at par with Salem has been forwarded to your office
vide PMG Western Region letter No. EST/82-128/2000
dated 31-07-2006. The same has not yet been decided
and ordered.
It is, therefore, requested to expedite orders to
draw the HRA to the eligible officials without any further
delay.
Soliciting immediate response,
Letter No. P/2-19/Cuddalore, Date: 25 January
2007 addressed to Shri I.M.G. Khan, Secretary,
Department of Posts.
n Collapse of congenial atmosphere at
Cuddalore division in Tamil Nadu Circle -
reg.
Ref.:(i) This union letter of even number dated
18-12-2006
(ii) Your No. 8-8/2006-SR dated 19-12-2006.
Apropos reference, it is constrained to note that
instead of improving the situation by arresting the anti-
worker attitude of the SPOs, Cuddalore, the position
is further deteriorating.
Since the Divisional Secretary, Cuddalore has
brought into light of the various inhuman activities of
the SPOs, Cuddalore, through Circle unions, he has
been chargesheeted under Rule 14 by the SPOs,
Cuddalore with fabricated and concocted charges. It
is most concern to say that even though the Divisional
Secretary, Cuddalore Shri M. Sundaramoorthy had
been reportedly promoted LSG APM Accounts line,
he has been ordered to work as Postal Assistant in
general branch, for which he has no authority.
The circle and regional administration, with closed
23BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
minds and in the interest to protect the cruel Group B
official has not taken any action to render justice in
this case so far. The unbridled activities of the SPOs,
Cuddalore has not been arrested resulting total
resentment in the minds of the officials working in the
Cuddalore Division.
The circle union have decided to launch series
programmes of action demanding immediate shifting
of the SPOs, Cuddalore. A cruel and sadist officer
has been protected by the Circle Administration for
the reasons known to them only.
It is, therefore, requested to intervene effectively
and cause instructions to shift the SPOs, Cuddalore
immediately and restore peace and amity in Tamil Nadu
Circle.
Soliciting immediate response,
Letter No. P/2-19/Cle, Date: 01 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Recognition of private hospitals for taking
treatment in central region - case of Tamil
Nadu Circle - reg.
At present there is no approved hospitals other
than the Government hospitals available in the entire
districts of Thanjavur, Nagappatinam, Tiruvarur in the
Central Region and the officials have to spent money
from their own for any medical urgent treatment.
The requests of the union to recognise the bigger
hospitals like Vinodagan Hospital, Rohini Hospital etc.
at Thanjavur for taking treatment have not been
considered so far. Due to non availability of Co-
ordination Committee of Central Government
employees in these areas, the proposal has not been
taken up so far.
It is requested to cause instructions to the Circle
Administration to consider the requests and coordinate
with other Central Government organisations for
submitting proposals to authorise private hospitals for
taking treatment by the postal employees.
Soliciting response,
Letter No. P/2-19/Cle, Date: 01 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Waival of penal interest on HBA as one time
measure - case of Tamil Nadu Circle - reg.
Ref.: This union letter No. P/2-15/TN cle dated
09-10-2006
It is constrained to note that neither the reference
is acknowledged nor replied so far. The imposition of
penal interest of 2 ½ % over and above the normal interest
on HBA for non filling of certain conditions is still affecting
the employees. Our letter under reference has contained
all the details and the justifications thereon to condone
these items as one time measures since there were
many omissions and commissions on the part of the
Circle Administration also in these cases.
It is requested to consider the above and allow
waival of penal interest as one time measure for the
fault of non renewal of policy for the loans sanctioned
upto 2002 from which the provisions are properly
incorporated in the sanction memo.
Soliciting immediate response,
Letter No. P/2-19/Cle, Date: 01 February 2007
addressed to Shri I.M.G. Khan, Secretary, Department
of Posts.
n Alarming atmosphere prevailing in Tamil
Nadu Circle due to closure of post offices,
merger / reorganisation of divisions,
abolition of posts, reduction of mail section
/ number of deliveries by the Circle
Administration, Tamil Nadu Circle - reg.
Ref.:(i) This union letter No. P/2-15/TN Cle dated
09-10-2006
(ii) Your letter No. 16-75/2006-SR dated 13-
10-2006
A kind attention is invited to the above said
references and as per the request contained in your
reference, this union requested the Circle Secretaries
to desist the agitational approach as you have given
assurance for the effective intervention.
But the situation is not improved but deteriorated
further. The circle unions of all the three federations
have issued strike notice for the indefinite strike
commencing on 06-02-20006, demanding to drop various
anti-worker stand taken by the Circle Administration.
It is most worth to mention that the Heads of
Circles of Southern States met at Calicut recently and
took the following decision to implement arbitrarily and
without consulting trade unions.
(i) Reduce the letterboxe clearances to the extent of
40%.
(ii) Reduce the number of post offices either by merger
or by abolition.
(iii) Reduce the number of town delivery post offices
in the Town / Cities.
(iv) Close more mail offices by creating HUB and attach
the RMS officials at HPOs for sorting work.
(v) Reorganise the divisions and reduce the number
of divisions.
(vi) Downgrade more number of Head Post Offices and
convert them as MDG SOs.
(vii) Reduce the number of GDS officials irrespective
24BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
of the workload and cause orders for the
combination of duties.
The Chief Postmaster General, Tamil Nadu Circle
caused instructions to all the Divisional Heads to bring
proposals for closure of post offices at least five of ten
per divisions on 14 & 15 February meeting. She
convened this meeting exclusively for this purpose.
Even the benefit making post offices are also now
subjected under this process. There is a total
apprehension prevailing amidst the officials about their
insecurity in the midst of unwarranted reforms.
The Chief Postmaster General has sent proposals
to reduce the RMS almost to the extent of 75% to the
Directorate and as a prelude is causing orders to close
sections in advance.
The Circle Administration proposed to close down
14 Head Post Offices in Tamil Nadu Circle and bring
them as MDG which is totally unwarranted and
unnecessary and cause many dislocations in the
existing arrangement and staff matters.
Similarly there is a proposal to close Salem West
Division by distributing the post offices into three
divisions. There is another proposal to close down
Srirangam, Vridhachalam, Arkonam divisons. The
PMG Chennai city region has proposed to reorganise
all the divisions according to district patterns and
desires to dismantle the existing set up in toto.
It is most appropriate to mention that the
department in its report to the 5th CPC has stated
that the reorganisation of divisions as pr the district
patterns has been dropped due to its unfeasibility and
eruption of practical problems. As such, the old theory
of "one district compulsorily one division" has been
taken as the principle by the PMG Chennai City Region
and desires to cause serious dislocations in the
Chennai City divisions, causing irreparable disturbance
in the seniority and staff matters.
The staff unions pointed out various irregularities
unleashed and also the sadist behaviour of the SPOs
Cuddalore and demanding action for his utterance about
the Father of the Nation, Mahatama Gandhiji as
"useless" in the staff meeting. Instead of taking
appropriate action against him by shifting, his misdeeds
are being patronised by the Circle Administration
despite more than 1420 officials of the Cuddalore
division represented against him. Now the SPOs
Cuddalore has issued a charge sheet to the Divisional
Secretary under Rule 14 on fabricated and concocted
reasons and by misusing his powers, he reverted him
from the regular LSG APM Accounts as Postal
Assistant in General branch for which the appeal
submitted by the official has not been disposed so far.
The Divisional Secretary is forced to remain on leave
due to non finalisation of appeal and request.
Adding fuel to fire, the Circle Administration has
issued two Rule 37 transfers to two officials in which
one official is transferred from Chennai to
Kanniyakumari which is about 650 kms for the simple
reason about non delivery of one article in which office
he was the SPM. Without any enquiry, by entertaining
the complaint of the public, the senior most official
was transferred under Rule 37. In another case, merely
for the complaint that the official has gone for lunch by
12:45 (15 minutes before 13:00 hrs), she has been
transferred under Rule 37 to an unpopular place having
a monetary loss to the extent of Rs. 3500/- per month.
The terror unleashed by invoking Rule 37 transfer for
flimsy reason has caused tension in the minds of all
the employees and they feel that they are in insecure
condition.
In nut shell, the entire Tamil Nadu is in tension
and the so-called unwarranted reforms which will only
disturb the officials and create many problems in their
service matters should be put into halt and the officials
be ensured to work in peaceful atmosphere.
It is, therefore, requested to intervene effectively
as if fire on the house and cause orders to keep
abeyance of all the moves forthwith.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
appreciated.
Letter No. P/2-19/Sirkali, Date: 01 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Preparation of HVMO lists at posts office and
RMS offices - Revision of value - reg.
Ref.: This union letter No. P/2-15/TN cle dated 03-
11-2006
A kind reference is invited to the above cited
reference. After the State Government, Tamil Nadu
had enhanced the old age pension value from Rs. 200/
- to Rs. 400/-, the preparation of HVMO lists over lakhs
of money orders become inevitable.
In the existing shortage of staff, it is more difficult
to prepare HVMO list for the money orders beyond
Rs. 400/- since almost all the money orders exceed
the value of Rs. 400/-.
It is, therefore, requested to enhance the value of
HVMO at least from Rs. 400/- to Rs. 1000/-.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
solicited.
Letter No. P/2-19/Thanjavur, Date: 01 February
25BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
2007 addressed to The Secretary, Department of
Posts.
n Construction of new building for Thanjavur
HPO and divisional office - reg.
It is brought to our notice that the Circle
Administration, Tamil Nadu Circle has forwarded a
proposal to the Directorate along with the plan approval
for the construction of new building for Thanjavur HO
and also the divisional office.
Due to non approval and also non allotment of
funds, the work could not be taken up so far.
It is therefore requested to expedite the sanction
and allotment of funds for the early construction of the
building.
Soliciting response,
Letter No. P/2-14/Cle, Date: 01 February 2007
addressed to Shri I.M.G. Khan, Secretary, Department
of Posts.
n Alarming and tense atmosphere prevailing
in Madhya Pradesh Circle - request
intervention.
It is brought to our notice that there is a total tense
atmosphere prevailing in Madhya Pradesh Circle and
the staff unions are continuously agitating and decided
to launch series of programmes culminating to
stoppage of work demanding the intervention of the
higher ups to check and rein the Head of the Circle.
Some of the Topsy Turvy orders circulated from
the circle head are the reasons for this alarming
situation. She directed the Bhopal Postal Dispensary
to disburse medicines to the patients only on three
days in a month (i.e.) 1st, 11th & 21st. Rest of the
days no one could get any medicine from the
dispensary. We don't know whether, she is having
such powers to restrict the human savings drugs
supply for three days only in a month.
As an act of vendetta, the Regional Secretary Shri
G.S. Joshi was chargesheeted under Rule 16, and
threatened to issue Rule 14 charges and also to accord
Rule 37 transfer. This has caused a serious concern.
The Chief Postmaster General, Madhya Pradesh
Circle is prohibiting even the peaceful demonstrations
and threatened the officials by issuing Dies Non, notice
for FR 17 (A) etc. for participation of peaceful
demonstrations.
There are many issues like bring the Circle Office
staff for six days to attend PLI work, denial of annual
supplies, deduction of TRCA to GDS and proposal to
merge the benefit run post offices like Heavy Electrical
PO etc. confronting the staff. The Chief Postmaster
General, Madhya Pradesh Circle is not in belief of
collective bargaining and regard the trade union
representatives as part of the organisation.
The situation is being deteriorated day-day-day
even though the Secretary has assured to intervene
and restore normalcy there during the discussions held
in the second week of January 2007.
It is, therefore, requested to intervene effectively
and ensure peaceful atmosphere by correcting the
situation with suitable action.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
appreciated.
Letter No. P/2-18/Bhilwara, Date: 27 January 2007
addressed to Shri I.M.G. Khan, Secretary, Department
of Posts.
n Atrocities & high handedness unleashed by
Shri R.K. Arya, SPOs, Bhilwara Division in
Rajasthan Circle - reg.
It is brought to our notice that a region of terror
and abrupt misrules is practised by the SPOs,
Bhilwara Division and functions as an unbridled horse.
Even for small lapses which are in extenuating
nature, he is awarding severe punishments. In some
cases, he violates the provisions of the CCS (CCA)
Rules 1965 with the single motive to terrorise the officials.
To cite an example, one Shri Bashi Lal Bairwa,
Postal Assistant, Bhilwara HO has been awarded with
the punishment of reduction to lower stage by three
stages for six months under Rule 16 vide his Memo
No. F4/Misc/B.L. Bairwa dated 31-10-2006.
According to the provisions prescribed for minor
penalties under Rule 16, 'Reduction to a lower stage
in the time scale of pay by one stage (Repeat) one
stage for not more than 3 years without cumulative
effect and not adversely effecting pension' can alone
be awarded. But in this case, he rewarded reduction
to the stage of three years and the official is likely to
be retired on 31-05-2007 affecting adversely in his
pension. This is in gross violation to the notification
issued by the Departmental of Personnel & Training
vide its No. 11012/5/2003-Estt. (A) dated 23-8-2004.
(ii) In another case, the SPOs awarded the
punishment of withholding one increment for the period
from 01-04-2007 to 31-03-2008 under Rule 16 in the
case of Shri M.K. Jain, SPM, Bhilwara R.S. vide his
memo dated 30-11-2006. The official is retiring from
service on 31-10-2008 and it will have direct adverse
effect in his pension which is not in consonance with
the Rule 16 provisions. Any adverse effect in pension
should have been dealt only under Rule 14.
26BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
Letter No. P/2-13/Cle, Date: 03 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Modification in closed holidays for 2007 - case
of Maharashtra Circle - reg.
While circulating the list of holidays for 2007 by
the Chief Postmaster General, Maharashtra Circle vide
her letter dated 15-12-2006, the name of Ganesh
Chaturthi did not find place in the said letter.
Ganesh Chaturthi festival is the most important
festival celebrated in Maharashtra and Goa States and
all celebrate it individually as well as universally. Being
the day comes under Saturday, the Coordination
Committee would have skipped the festival as if weekly
holiday without minding the operative section of the
postal department.
It is, therefore, requested to cause instructions to
declare the day as holiday (15-09-2007) only modifying
the other holiday.
Soliciting response,
Letter No. P/2-21/Chamoli, Date: 15 January 2007
addressed to Shri Harinder Singh,Member
(Personnel), Postal Services Board.
n PS Group 'B' examination 2001-2002 held on
23-24 September 2003-case of Uttaranchal
Circle - reg.
Kindly refer to this union letter No. P/19-1/PS
Group B dated 29th June 2005 on the subject mentioned
above (copy enclosed) but sorry to inform you that
neither it is acknowledged nor any action so far been
taken to settle the issue.
You are, therefore, requested kindly to look into
the matter and cause suitable action at your earliest.
Awaiting your action,
DA: as above
Letter No. P/2-21/Nainital, Date: 08 February 2007
addressed to Shri I.M.G. Khan, Secretary, Department
of Posts.
n Atrocities perpetrated on postal employees
by Sri Abhishek Singh, Senior
Superintendent of Post Offices, Nainital and
Udhamnagar - reg.
Further to our letter of even number dated 02-02-
2007, we hereby bring to your notice the short details
of the atrocities that have been perpetrated by Sri
Abhishek Singh, Senior Superintendent of Post
Offices, Nainital. The situation in the Division has
assumed a fluid proportion and the dissatisfaction
amongst the employees is snow balling and the
employees have been forced to the wall to demonstrate
their anger and dissatisfaction, and hence we approach
(iii) Similar kind of orders exceeding more than one
stage was ordered in the case of Shri M.L. Suthar,
Postmaster, Bhilwara HPO vide his memo dated 31-
10-2006.
All these charges were for the simple lapses of
the officials and the SPOs, Bhilwara by misusing the
disciplinary powers handicapped the employees who
are at the verge of retirements.
It is most apt to mention that due to obvious
reasons and extraneous considerations, the EDSPM
Purani Padasoli EDSO who defrauded the Government
money to the tune of Rs. 34500/- has been let off with
debarring from appearing in the departmental
examination. Similarly, in another case of shortage of
Rs. 26546.85 found during physical verification at
Daribas (Pur) BO and proved temporary
misappropriation, the delinquent was let off with the
punishment of debarring from appearing in the
departmental examination. Whereas for the said
charges, the SPM and Postal Assistant of Pur SO
were penalised with the penalty of withholding of one
increment for two years each on contributory factors
leaving the delinquent scat free.
There are several other cases in which the SPOs,
Bhilwara never followed the correct spirit of the disciplinary
rules. There is a doubt that about the involvement of
corrupt and malpractices indulged in these cases.
There is a total resentment prevailing amidst the
staff on the draconian rule purported by the said SPOs
and it is requested to intervene and arrest the
meanance by taking appropriate action.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
appreciated.
Letter No. P/2-15/Dharmanagar, Date: 15 January
2007 addressed to Shri I.M.G. Khan, Secretary,
Department of Posts.
n Non-payment of MIS incentive bill at
Dharmanagar, North East Circle - reg.
It has been brought to the notice of this union that
staff of Dharmanagar HO has been deprived of payment
of MIS incentive since the year 2002. The matter was
discussed several times in the periodical meeting with
Circle Administration, but no payment has so far been
made, reason best known to them.
The delay in payment of the incentive bills causes
serious resentment amongst the concerned officials.
It is therefore, requested kindly to cause
immediate instructions to the Circle Head to clear all
pending incentive bills without further delay.
Awaiting your action,
27BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
you for an instant remedy. We may submit that several
attempts by our divisional union and circle union have
not borne much results.
The said Senior Superintendent of Post Offices
functions as the monarch of all he surveys without
any eye to rules, compassion, human sentiments and
only believes in ruling with iron hands. The following
details speak for themselves:-
i. He insists that the targets set for branch offices in
respect of savings bank and PLI even if the BPM
has to spend from his pocket and in case of their
inability; he puts them off duty or withholds their
salaries. You will kindly agree, no rule permits
such action.
ii. He exploits the temporary Group 'D' officials and
extracts work beyond eight hours forcibly. This is
mere atrocity.
iii. Posts are being unjustifiably curtailed in an cadre
on unjustified grounds and employees are forced
to work extra hours in a very exploitive manner.
iv. Inflicting 'dies non' unjustifiedly against the rules.
Even period of casual leave are also being treated
as dies-non. Such action of awarding financial
punishments speak of his insentivity.
v. He transferred an elderly Group 'D' employee out
of his sub-division only for non wearing proper
uniform. Later he has proceeded against him
under Rule 14 of the CCS (CCA) Rules 1965 on
flimsy grounds.
vi. Treating the Group 'C' and Group 'D' employees
with contempt beyond anybody's dignity.
There are several acts of his highhandedness and
the above are only illustrative and not exhaustive.
We are of considered view that further continuance
of the said Sri Abhishek Singh at Nainital will worsen
the situation.
We do stand for peace and tranquillity and tact
that all that is possible should be done to save the
situation. In the present circumstances, the immediate
transfer of Sri Abhishek Singh from Nainital and a
through probe in his misdeeds will save the situation.
We, therefore, request you kindly to consider the
whole situation and take necessary action in interest
of peace.
Letter No. P/2-21/Pithoragarh, Date: 03 February
2007 addressed to The Secretary, Department of
Posts.
n Posting of unqualified officials as APM
Accounts - case of Uttarakhand Circle - reg.
It is rather dismayed to note that the Chief
Postmaster General, Uttarakhand Circle vide his letter
No. STA-1/2-8/2003 dated 29-12-2006 has posted
officials other then the PO and RMS Accountant
qualified officials as APM Accounts contravening to
the provisions of the Recruitment Rules and rulings
on the subject by misinterpreting the clarifications
issued on FTP rules under Sl. No. 10 in the Directorate
letter No. 137-10/96-SPB.II dated 28-91-2003.
There is no amendment to the LSG Accountants
Recruitment Rules 1976 and the Accounts line is a
separate entity. Recently the CAT Chennai has also
observed in its OA No. 201/2006 and directed the
department to convene DPC for APM Accounts posts
among the Accountants as per the Recruitment Rules.
It is, therefore, requested to cause immediate
instructions to the Chief Postmaster General,
Uttarakhand Circle to keep the orders under abeyance
and ensure to fill up the APM Accounts pots only with
the PO and RMS Accounts qualified officials.
Soliciting response,
Letter No. P/2-21/Nainital, Date: 02 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Atrocities & anti-worker attitude of SSPOs,
Nainital Division of Uttarakhand Circle -
request to rein in.
The Joint Memorandum submitted by all the unions
dated 21-01-2007 to the Chief Postmaster General,
Uttarakhand Circle which is exhaustive on the subject
is enclosed herewith for appropriate action.
The torture being unleashed by the SSPOs,
Nainital against the officials is causing concern. The
unwarranted transfers to the far off places and
imposing unrealistic target on business are the order
of the day.
The officials are being compelled to work on
Sundays and holidays without any compensation and
beyond working hours. The officials are being
threatened by issuing charge sheets on flimsy grounds.
The refusal of leave of any kind has also been
aggravated the situation. There is a total panic and
resentment is prevailing in the division.
It is, therefore, requested to enquire the
happenings and the complaints put forth in the
memorandum and rein in the SSPOs to restore peace,
amity and good working condition to the officials.
Soliciting response,
DA: As above
Letter No. P/2-22/WB Cle, Date: 01 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Clarification on 2/3rd quota of LSG promoted
28BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
and now kept under residual vacancies since the
formation of the circle.
Resultantly, hundreds of posts are being kept
unfilled aggregating the shortage further. The next
procedure by conducting exam among the GDS and
thereafter to fill up the vacancies by public notification
has not been taken so far despite the repeated
requests of the circle union.
It is, therefore, requested to accord suitable
instructions to the Chief Postmaster General,
Chhatisgarh Circle to cause immediate action to fill
up the residual vacancies without any further delay.
Soliciting response,
Letter No. P/4-1/Posts, Date: 01 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Filling up the post of APM Accounts LSG &
HSG.II posts - reg.
It is brought to our notice that in almost all the
circles, the notional promotion to APM (LSG) Accounts
cadre since 1986 has not been granted to the PO and
RMS Accounts qualified officials based on the
gradation list prepared with the date of qualifying in
the PO & RMS Accountants Examination.
In some circles, the FTP qualified officials
possessing accounts qualifications were considered
for the APM Accounts posts. They are of the
considered opinion that there is no discrimination
between General and Accounts line and Accounts line
lost its identity.
The CAT Chennai in its OA No. 201/2006 in the
case of Shri P. Ramadoss vs. The Principal Chief PMG,
Tamil Nadu Circle observed the separate identity of APM
Accounts cadre and directed to conduct the DPC for
Accounts line without any procrastination based on the
Recruitment Rules dated 13-09-76 and issue necessary
promotion orders to the eligible PO and RMS Accounts
line officials within a period of four weeks.
Since there is no amendment has given to the
LSG Accountants Rule 1976 and it will be most
appropriate to maintain a separate entity of the cadre,
it is requested to issue necessary clarificatory orders
to all the circles to issue notional and regular promotion
to LSG & HSG.II from 1986 onwards to the Accounts
line cadre.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
appreciated.
Letter No. P/4-1/RTP, Date: 25 January 2007
addressed to Shri I.M.G. Khan, Secretary, Department
of Posts.
n Request for granting service benefits to
under review - case of West Bengal
Circle - reg.
It is brought to our notice that the Chief Postmaster
General, West Bengal Circle has sought clarification
to the Revised Recruitment Rules of LSG issued vide
notification dated 18-05-2006 about the case of FTP
passed official after review result.
In this case, one official Shri Gouranga Dev Maity
on declaring qualified in FTP has to be posted in any
one of the LSG post of the division as there has no
vacancy in 2/3rd quota existed in his division.
The Chief Postmaster General has further reminded
the Directorate vide his letter dated 07-12-2006 seeking
earlier clarification for the settlement of the case cited
in para supra.
It is requested to cause necessary clarifications
in this regard at the earliest to give effect of the
promotion to the official.
Soliciting immediate action,
Letter No. P/2-3/WC, Date: 01 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Deduction of union subscription of
unrecognised unions / associations - reg.
According to the Directorate letter vide its no.
13-30/98-SR dated 30-06-2006 under para 3, it is
explicitly clear that the facilities being availed by other
service association / union which is not recognised
by the department stands withdrawn. The orders are
crystal clear.
However, in many divisions, the subscriptions for
unrecognised unions like BPEU & others are being
deducted from the pay bills. To cite an instance,
despite the objection raised by the divisional union of
Bettaiah HPO, the deduction is still being made.
Similar is the case in respect of supervisor association
in Tamil Nadu Circle.
It is, therefore, requested to issue clarificatory
orders to all the circle heads not to deduct
subscriptions from pay rolls for the unrecognised
unions / associations and follow strictly to the principles
of new recognition rules and recognition thereon.
Soliciting response,
Letter No. P/2-4/Cle, Date: 31 January 2007
addressed to Shri P.T.S. Kumar, DDG (P), Department
of Posts.
n Undue delay in filling up of the residual
vacancies - case of Chhatisgarh Circle - reg.
It is brought to our notice that the Chief Postmaster
General, Chhatisgarh Circle has not taken any action
to fill up the unfilled vacancies earmarked for LGOs
29BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
erstwhile RTP candidates taking into account
their service rendered as RTP (reserve
Trained Pool) - reg.
This union wishes to draw the kind attention of
the Directorate to the fact that as a new policy
introduced by our department, a section of direct recruit
employees in the cadre of Postal Assistants who were
provisionally appointed and trained were employed as
Reserve Trained Pool candidates in the vacancies of
the cadre in the early 1980s. Though, they were issued
with appointment orders, they were employed only as
RTP candidates on hourly rates without extending any
other benefit like leave, GPF etc. On the days on non-
engagement, they were not paid a penny. Though,
they were appointed before 25 years of age, their
services could be regularized only after 5 to 7 years of
service as RTP. As such, many of them could not
render maximum years of service for qualifying for
pension. Though, they did perform exactly the duties
of Postal Assistants, they were denied all the benefits
enjoyed by the employees of PA cadre.
The officials who rendered many years of service
as RTP are aggrieved lot as many of them are falling
short of qualifying pension service. Likewise, their
promotionaery avenues are also delayed. For
example, the promotions extended to the Postal
Assistants after 16 years (TBOP) and 26 years (BCR)
of service are also delayed in the case of erstwhile
RTP candidates as their service as RTP is not
included for promotionery benefits.
It is pertinent to note that despite our repeated
attempts to set right this anomaly, no fruitful solution
was in the offing. Hence, this union has exclusively
included a separate chapter in our memorandum
submitted to 6th CPC for mitigating the grievances of
such employees under chapter No. XIX with the heading
"Counting of Past Services of RTP (Reserve Trained
Pool)". This chapter includes exhaustive and
comprehensive details of the case justifying the demand.
In this connection, this union would like to state
that some of such candidates who also worked in the
Army Postal Service and hailing from Tamil Nadu Circle
had moved the CAT, Chennai and obtained favourable
verdict. A gist of the case pertains to the recovery
made under Audit Objection for the payment made
during their tenure at APS wide W.P. No. 37117,
37118,37119 of 2002, S/Shri D. Janannathan, A.
Muthiah, G. Vijayakumar and S.S. Shaju who are
working as Sorting Assistants in Chennai Sorting
division respectively were granted relief from the
recovery and the department was directed to extend
the benefits. Accordingly, the respondents were given
the monetary benefits vide the verdict given by the
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS dated
01-03-2006. (Copy enclosed) …… Annexure - I
In other case, wherein one Shri M. Mathivanan,
Postal Assistant, Cuddalore Division had successfully
moved court vide appeal (civil) No. 5739 of 2005 and
obtained favourable verdict. (Copy enclosed)
…………..Annexure -II
To extend benefits to similarly placed officials as
per Directorate instructions (RTP candidates who were
deputed to APS) the Tamil Nadu Circle Administration
vide its letter No. STA/80-99/04 dated 02-01-2007 had
addressed all the divisional and regional heads to
compile and forward the data pertaining to RTP
candidates deputed to APS while computing 16 years
of service for financial upgradation under TBOP (copy
enclosed) for extending the benefits as per CAT
judgement. …………… Annexure - III
Hence, this union requests that the benefits which
is deemed to be extended to the RTPs worked in APS in
consonance with the court verdict may kindly be
extended to all the RTPs so that their long pending justified
demand could be settled favourably at least now.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
appreciated.
DA: As above
Letter No. P/4-1/Transfer, Date: 02 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Restriction in posting of SPM due to minor
penalties / CR entries - reg.
It is brought to our notice that the Directorate has
given instructions to all the Circle Heads from
investigation section dated 06-11-2006, the copy of
which is not supplied to service unions that if an official
is awarded with anyone of the minor or major
punishments or adverse entries in the CR, he should
not be posted as SPM throughout his career.
The suggestion given by the Investigation wing as
a preventive measure to minimise and eradicate the
losses and frauds has been circulated for
implementation not only in the RT 2007 but also in the
existing cases.
The suggestion is practicable only if the
department is having full staff strength and it is not
feasible to implement when the shortage exceeds 30%
in the Postal Assistant cadre. This will create hardship
to the officials. That too reversing the existing SPMs
from their SPM posts as Postal Assistant before
30BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
completing their tenure is unjust and bad in law and
against to the natural justice. This will spoil their
reputations earned from the public by shifting them
from SPMs post before completing their tenure.
The other suggestion given by the same section
earlier that not to keep vacant B & A class offices and
fill up the Postal Assistant posts has not been
implemented. As such this will create many hardships
to all the officials who are unwilling to take position as
Postmasters.
This is most pertinent to mention that after lapse
of certain periods, the officials inflicted with
punishments become eligible to write the promotional
exams like IPO, JAO, Group B etc. As such, mere
imposition of even a minor penalty will be the
disqualification to be a SPM throughout his career is
nothing but a farce and not maintainable.
If the suggestions implemented retrospectively, at
one stage non will be available for the post of post of
SPM due to prevailing shortage, a well senior official
has to work as Postal Assistant under the supervision
of his most senior which will also be a punishment not
improvised in the CCS CCA Rules.
It is, therefore, requested to withdraw the
instructions at once and not to cause any hardships to
the officials which will certainly demoralise the existing
officials who are working very hard in the existing
shortage of staff and venturing in various new works.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
solicited.
Letter No. P/4-5/RPLI, Date: 25 January 2007
addressed to Shri I.M.G. Khan, Secretary, Department
of Posts.
n Spot payment of incentive amounts due to
BPM / SPMs for securing RPLI business- reg.
A kind attention is invited to various references
made by this union on the subject about prompt
payment of incentive amount to the officials for RPLI
business.
It is learnt that the Chief General Manager, PLI
vide his DO No. 35-15/87-LI (Part) dated 04-01-2006
intimated the Pr. Chief Postmaster General, Tamil Nadu
Circle that one proposal for delinking the payment of
incentive from allotment of funds has been sent to
Directorate for approval.
The fate of the proposal is not known yet. However,
the incentive bills are pending over the period of two
years and discouraging the officials to bestow their
efforts further.
It is, therefore, requested to cause necessary
orders delinking the payment of incentive with funds
besides arranging clearance of all the pending bills at
the earliest.
Soliciting immediate response,
Letter No. P/4-11/TUF, Date: 25 January 2007
addressed to Shri I.M.G. Khan, Secretary, Department
of Posts.
n Non receipt of important orders / instructions
- reg.
It is rather dismayed to note that despite several
assurances to mail the orders / instructions of the
department on service / staff matters, we did not receive
the same from many sections of the Directorate. The
following orders which we came to know only after
their publication in the 'SwamysnewS", which causes
a concern:-
(1) Letter No. 79-8/2004-FS (Vol.V) dated 11-10-2006
-Extension of post-dated cheque facility to Senior
Citizen Schemes
(2) Letter No. 671/2003-PCC dated 25-07-2006 - Pay
Fixation
(3) Letter No. 8 (1)/2004/PA.Admn/501 to 504 dated
29-09-2006-Spl. Pay granted to JAO examination
(4) Letter No. 4-8/06-Pen dated 22-09-2006-Timely
payment to Dearness relief to pensioners / family
pensioners
(5) Letter No. 79-8/2004-FS (Vol.II pt) dated 18-09-
2006 - Senior Citizen scheme
(6) Letter No. 2-2/1999-PA (Tech)/988-1067 dated 29-
09-2006-authorising LSG SPMs to issue cheque
(7) Letter No. 25-07/2006-D dated 15-11-2006
Apart from that we learnt that an order relating to
disciplinary rules pertaining to contributory factor has
been issued. All these orders have not been sent to
this union. This is against to the spirit of Directorate
orders and assurances.
It is therefore requested to ensure that all the orders
on staff and service matters may please be endorsed
to this union at least in the future without fail.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
solicited.
Letter No. P/4-3/Recruitement, Date: 02 February
2007 addressed to The Secretary, Department of
Posts.
n Suggestions to amend the Postal Assistant
Recruitment Rules 2002 - reg.
At present, the candidates possessing very higher
qualifications sometimes like engineering, etc. are
being selected for the post of Postal Assistants on
merits and they are leaving the department as soon
31BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
as they get a fair chance with better prospects. The
department has to accept their resignation and brought
the vacancy subjected for the Screening Committee
which is in existence.
Thus the very purpose of selection has been
defeated and further eroded the staff strength resulting
unbearable work brunt of the shoulders of the existing
employees.
It is, therefore, suggested to impose a condition to
remain in the department at least for five years on
selection by obtaining necessary bonds for the purpose.
Soliciting response,
Letter No. P/4-4/Incentive, Date: 01 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Non-payment of incentive to the staff for
procuring UTA & Oriental Insurance Business
-reg.
Ref.: This union letter No. P/58-2/Funds dated 09-
10-2006
Apropos reference, it is regretted to inform that
neither the letter cited above is acknowledged nor
replied so far.
The incentive offered in the Directorate letter No.
95-4/2005/FS dated 23-02-2006 for the UTI work has
not been paid to the officials in almost all the circles.
Similar is the position for IDBI bonds etc.
When the officials are being insisted to mobilise
the business for UTI & Oriental Insurance etc. it
should be the responsibility and duty of the
administration to pay the due incentive amount
immediately on procuring business. Non payment
of dues over years causes a concern.
It is, therefore, requested to cause instructions to
clear all the pending bills immediately besides ensuring
monthly payment of incentive bills to the officials in
further.
Soliciting immediate response,
Letter No. P/4-2/FRSR, Date: 01 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Irregular deferment of date of effect on
promotion by 14 days in consequent upon
the participation of December 2000 strike -
regarding.
Ref.: This union letter No. P/2-3 dated 05-10-2006.
Apropos reference, I wish to state that neither our
letter cited in the above reference is acknowledged
nor replied so far.
Due to treatment of 14 days strike period as "No
work' no pay" vide your letter No. 8-7/2001-SR dated
24-01-2001, the period of 14 days has been treated
as non qualifying service for the purpose of promotion
and pension.
The phrase of non qualifying service could be
applied in cases where the officials involved in some
misconduct and the same cannot be taken into account
in a generalised way for all purposes.
There are several promotee officials who are in
short of ten or 11 days lost pensionery benefits. There
are instances that the officials could not get BCR
promotion and in some cases of effecting
postponement of BCR promotion to the next half year
due to short of less than ten days.
As a good gesture, it is requested to cause
instructions as deems fit not to affect the promotion
and pension due to the 14 days strike and by duly
taking the period as qualifying service for all purposes.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
solicited.
Letter No. P/4-5/TMO, Date: 01 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Request discontinuance of Telegraph Money
Orders in post offices - reg.
Consequent upon the bifurcation of Telecom and
formation of Telegraph offices separately, the
telegraphic money orders booked at the counters of
the post offices have to be carried and booked at the
telegraph offices.
It consumes more time and services of the Group
D / is being wasted on many occasions to carry the
TMOs. Moreover the dealings about late receipts of
TMOs etc. are becoming laborious and the
responsibility is being fixed only at the post offices.
The surcharge for the TMO is very meagre and will not
in commensurate with the cost of service.
It is therefore requested to consider to discontinue
the TMO system at post offices and find alternate
means by popularising the Instance Money Order
Service or others.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
appreciated.
Letter No. P/4-5/PLI, Date: 01 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Calculation of Service Tax and Education
cess in respect of Postal Life Insurance - reg.
Ref.:This union letter No. P/55-12/ST dated 06-10-
2006.
It is constrained to note that this union letter cited
above in the reference has neither been acknowledged
nor replied so far.
The clarification which require about rounding to
32BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
the nearest rupee for the illustration contained in the
Directorate letter dated 13-06-2006 and 29-06-2006
vide No. 29-29/2004-LI has not been issued so far.
Similarly, the decision on the suggestion of this
union to inbuilt the Service Tax and Education Cess in
the premium itself in order to mitigate many practical
difficulties besides satisfying the customers has not
made known to this union so far.
It is requested to consider the above and a line in
reply about the action taken is highly solicited.
Letter No. P/4-5/BP, Date: 01 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Business Post - introduction of various services
- non providing adequate manpower or grant
incentive / honorarium - reg.
It is constrained to note that despite the fact that
various new services were introduced under Bill Post,
Direct Post etc., and also could not provide adequate
manpower, the officials ordered to carry out the new
works have not been paid with any incentive /
honorarium at least.
To cite an example, the Chief Postmaster General,
Chhatisgarh Circle has ordered to accept the Electricity
Bills across the counters at the post offices resulting
unbearable work in all the post offices. Similarly, the
sale of TNPC applications in Tamil Nadu Circle is so
laborious and the counter Postal Assistants are
making good of the loss they sustained at counters
during the sales due to mile long queues. No
honorarium / incentive has been granted so far. This
causes a concern.
Under the existing acute shortage of staff, no new
works be entrusted to the Postal Assistants unless
they are being remunerated for the excess work
performed amidst routine works.
It is, therefore, requested to cause instructions to
all the Circle Heads to fix incentive / honorarium to the
staff as and when they intend to introduce new
services at the post offices till the problem of shortage
of staff is mitigated.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
solicited.
Letter No. P/4-5/Mails, Date: 01 February 2007
addressed to The Secretary, Department of Posts.
n Introduction of new system of bag number in
mail system - reg.
Ref.: Your letter No. 25-07/2006-D dated 15-12-2006.
Apropos reference, it is constrained to note that
the new system of bag numbering is causing more
workload to the staff deployed in mail branches in the
post offices.
It is a matter of fact that due to the prevailing
shortage of staff in the Postal Assistant cadre, the
mail branches are not being properly posted with the
Postal Assistants and only with the cooperation of
Group D & GDS staff, it is being managed. There is
no manpower in any post offices to exclusive manage
the mail branch.
After the introduction of the new system of bag
numbering, it is becoming compulsory to post one
hand for mail work since it has created more additional
work. The following are few examples.
(i) The Mail Postal Assistant has to check in respect
of each section / office and each class of bag with
the entries of the previous day.
(ii) If the bags are not in regular and after some days,
the Postal Assistant has to check the earlier date
and verify the correctness of the consecutive serials
of bag numbers.
(iii) When more than one bag is closed, the other bags
have to be given subsequent numbers. So
reference of the registers for each and every
closing of bags become inevitable.
(iv) To tie one label to the bag and place another in
loose inside the bag will render duplicate the
existing work and writing two sets of labels
become additional work on the Postal Assistants.
(v) While opening the bags, if all these checks
prescribed are to be adhered, without assistance,
it is impossible and it will cause delay in sorting
and sending out for delivery.
(vi) It is not possible in respect of the bags opened for
the offices received from other circles. It will be
more difficult to deal the normal mails more than
the insurance articles.
(vii) Due to dislocation of trains or other means, if some
bags lie in transit and the bags closed thereafter
receive, it will become very difficult to dispose the
mails.
(viii) It will increase only the paper works and may
cause practical difficulties in numbering,
maintaining, verifying the bags and may warrant
unnecessary correspondences.
The existing system of the mail and sorting is a
time tested one. The provisions contained in the
volumes and the procedures stated therein to monitor
the mail arrangements are practical ones. Under the
existing shortage, the new procedure has increased
the workload to the existing staff.
It is, therefore, requested to review the entire things
33BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
based on the practical difficulties and restore status
quo ante.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
appreciated.
Letter No. P/2-20/Varanasi West, Date: 08
February 2007 addressed to The Secretary, Department
of Posts.
n Imposing of penalty in the shape of heavy
monetary recovery on contributory factor -
Case of Taliabag SO fraud case of Varanasi
West Division in Uttar Pradesh Circle - reg.
It is disheartening to note that the delinquents in
the 10 crore misappropriation / fraud taken place in
the single handed post office of Taliabagh in Varanasi
West Division have succeeded to avail bail from the
case and they are wandering freely in the Head Post
Office campus after taking the subsistence allowance
every month.
Whereas the innocents officials who are neither
contributed nor responsible as per the Rule 11 A of
the CCS CCA Rules have been penalised with huge
monetary recovery. The following officials were punished
on flimsy reasons by fixing responsibility on them
under contributory factors.
Sl. No. Name Place of Working Amount of Recovery Ordered
as punishment (In Rs.)
1. Sri Arvind Kumar Sharma Counter Clerk HO 1,00,000
2. Sri Manoj Kumar Singh Counter Clerk HO 1,00,000
3. Sri Shyam Bahadur Singh Counter Clerk HO 1,00,000
4. Sri Sunil Verma Counter Clerk HO 1,00,000
5. Sri Satish Kumar Counter Clerk HO 2,00,000
6. Sri Rak Dhani Ram Dy. PM (Sub a/c) HO 50,000
7. Sri Shyam Bali I.R. Clerk, Div. Office 25,000
8. Sri Ram Sharan O/A Div. Office (Dealt. PA 17 (a)) 25,000
It is most pertinent to note that the commutation
value of the pension in respect of the following retired
officials who worked as Deputy Postmasters of Varansi
Cantt HO has been withheld and not paid so far since
January 2005.
1. Sri Ram Murti Vishwakarma
2. Sri H.N. Singh Yadav
3. Sri Ram Nath Ram
4. Sri Janardan Chaubey
No charge-sheet has been issued so far. The
retired officials could not get their dues.
Further, no action has so far been initiated against
the SDI/CI/ASP/SP concerned numbering more than
30 officials who have inspected the office during 1995
to 2004 and they have not been brought under the
contributory negligence factor even though they
subscribed more in this episode. If they would have
been so vigilant and properly inspected the office, this
would have been detected in the bud itself.
In nutshell, the spirit behind the Directorate
instructions contained vide letter No. C-32016/07/2006-
VP dated 14-11-2006 has been totally defeated and
the main offender should be proceeded properly by
expediting action to confiscate the properties and the
innocents should not be penalised on flimsy reasons
which are in extenuating factors.
It is, therefore, requested to cause appropriate
instructions to the Chief Postmaster General, Uttar
Pradesh Circle and settle the pending cases
immediately by ensuring that innocents should not be
punished for minor lapses.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
solicited.
Letter No. P/2-21/Chamoli, Date : 02 February
2007 addressed to The Secretary, Department of
Posts.
n Memorandum presented against Shri
M.C.Pandey, SPOs, Chamoli Division in
Uttarakhand Circle- request enquiry and
action.
Ref.: (i) This Union letter of even number dated
19-12-2006.
(ii) Your letter No. 16-2/2007-SR dated 05-01-2007.
Apropos reference, it is brought to our notice that
instead of enquiring and taking appropriate action
against the SPOs, Chamoli Division, the Chief
Postmaster General, Uttarakhand Circle has send the
letter of this union to the SPOs calling for his report.
The SPOs is unleashing victimisation against the
office bearers and issuing Rule 16 charge sheets to
many of them on fabricated and concocted grounds.
If the allegations are not properly enquired and
34BHARTIYA POST MARCH, 2007
merely obtaining a report from the SPOs to dispose
the complaint against him, it will defeat the purpose of
directing the Chief Postmaster General to enquire into
this episode by the Directorate.
It is requested to cause appropriate instructions
to the Chief Postmaster General, Uttarakhand Circle
to enquire the case properly by deputing an officer
from the Circle Office and do take appropriate action.
Soliciting response.
Letter No. P/2-14/MP Cle, Dated: 06-02-2007
addressed to Shri I.M.G. Khan, Secretary, Department
of Posts.
n Alarming and tense situation prevailing in
Madhya Pradesh Circle-request for effective
intervention.
In inviting a reference to this union's letter of even
number dated 01-02-2007 on the above subject. We
have to mention that the fluid situation in Madhya
Pradesh Circle has assumed an epidemic form.
Madhya Pradesh Circle has the reputation of being a
very peaceful circle, but for some time past the circle
is in a turmoil and it is not difficult to find out the
reason. There is no denying the fact that there is
immediate need to improve the situation and something
more than merely seeking a report from the Chief
Postmaster General who is at the root of all this is
required to be done.
The Chief Postmaster General has issued a
Newsletter, January-March 2007 where she has used
the word "Ashist" for the union members. This word
literally means "uncivilised" or "ungentlemanly". You
will kindly agree that the use of such word does not
behave the officer of the rank of CPMG and are taken
an exception to it.
The purpose behind establishment of trade union
in any organisation is to ensure that employees
interest is protected and promoted and if a CPMG
desires that unions must function under his or her
thumb she / he deserves a bit too much. But the
Chief Postmaster General, Madhya Pradesh Circle
Smt. Madhu Narayanan is functioning in a bit
despotic manner and she is not ready to brook any
opposition to her whims. Charge-sheets to union
leaders and Circle Secretaries and their transfers
only indicate the intolerance of the said CPMG. We
hardly need to mention that the disciplinary
proceedings are quasi-judicial functions and have
to be used with care and where this functions are
discharged in a casual or whimsical manner, the
disciplinary action, as has been ruled by the Hon'ble
Supreme Court of India in judgement dated 21-04-2006
in civil appeal No. 2168 of 2007 - Union of India &
others vrs. Dulichand.
The list of grievances and items that face the
employees is long but are all such that can be sorted
out with mutual discussions and this in sort the
unions have asked for. If the discussion do not take
place and certain uncalled for and provocative
disciplinary proceedings are not withdrawn, the
things are not likely to improve. We are enclosing
herewith a copy of the joint charter of demands
submitted by the unions for settlement which are
self-explanatory.
We are ready and honestly interested in
restoration of normalcy and peace. For this we suggest
that a committee of the Official Side and Staff Side be
constituted to thoroughly look into the grievances,
complaints and other actions of either side and to
suggest proper ways to settle this issues.
If is further dismayed to note that the
developments taken place on 06-02-2007 that present
strict orders have been issued by the Chief Postmaster
General, Madhya Pradesh Circle not to grant leave
and nobody can have during lunch hours. Nobody
would be allowed to hold any kind of Dharna or
Demonstrations.
The Circle Secretary, Madhya Pradesh Circle is
transferred from PSD to Anand Nagar single handed
post office far from present office. Similarly Divisional
Secretary, Shri D.S. Rajput is also transferred to a
single handed post office, Shashtri Nagar, Bhopal just
to disturb the union functioning and also to create terror
amongst the staff.
A series of victimisation is now unleashed by the
Circle Administration and the central unions shall not
be the silent speactors and see the developments
unnoticed. If proper check is not entertained and the
menace is not arrested, this will further aggravate the
situation.
We, therefore, request you kindly to consider the
whole issue dispassionately and :-
i. Ask the CPMG, Madhya Pradesh Circle to initiate
discussion to sort out the problems by creating
congenial atmosphere by withdrawing the
provocative actions.
ii. Constitute a high power committee consisting of
representatives of the Staff Side and Official Side
to look into the entire things.
Recommended