bhartiya post feb 2008
TRANSCRIPT
1BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
ALL INDIA POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION - GROUP 'C'
NATIONAL UNION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES - GROUP 'C'CENTRAL HEAD QUARTERS, NEW DELHI
Ref. No.:P3/JCA/01/2008 Dated : 09-01-2008
PROGRAMME OF ACTION18.01.08 - Demonstration
04.02.08 - DharnaDear Comrades/Colleagues
The postal Group C employees are mounted
under severe attacks one after another ignoring the
sufferings we are having in Post Offices due to under
staffing over six years. Adding salt to injury various
new business activities without any norms, ethics or
incentives are being launched. Our genuine demands
are not properly taken care of.
The problems confronting us are multifying. On
such vital issues like LSG, HSG II, HSG I promotions,
the Circle Heads are lethargic and the department is
unable to pull them to implement its own orders. There
are more than ten thousand PA posts remains unfilled
in many circles even after issue of orders simply by
raising unwarranted clarifications. Even they are not
attended by the Department and persuing them in a
casual manner.
The Department on its own and without any
talks or discussions is issuing various retrograde orders
in the past like Declining LSG Promotion causes
postponement of BCR, preventing second posting in
same single handed Post offices, discrimination
between regular and FTP LSG, sarcastic orders on
the System Administrators etc. Our sincere, persistent
endeavours to settle the issue have proved to be in
fructuous.
We have been pushed to the wall to resist such
onslaughts purported against the Group C employees.
We have no other alternate except to launch series of
agitational programmes against the wrong decisions,
orders and lethargy in mitigating the agreed demands.
Therefore, we have decided to launch immediate
following programmes with full determination for the
Group C comrades who have been continuously
exploited since 1999.
18.01.08 - Demonstration in front of all HOS/
Divl offices/R.O/ Circle offices & sending Savigrams/
Fax/ Postcard compaign.
05.02.08 - Dharna in front of D.O/R.O/C.O
(Further Programme will be decided later)
Text Of The Savingram/ Fax/ Postcard Compaign
"Withdraw all unilateral and arbitary orders mentioned
in the 20 point charter of demands immediately AAA.
Settle all agreed demands placed in April 2007 strike
AAA Ensure peace and amity and avoid further
confrontation AAA."
Addressed to:-
1. Thiru A. Raja, Hon'ble Minister of
communications & I.T. New Delhi - 110003.
2. Sri I,.M.G. Khan, Secretary, Department of
Posts, New Delhi - 110001
3. Respective CHQ & Circle Unions.
The programme of action has been drawn based
on the consultation of Federations which will endorse
our call and further course of programme beginning
with 'Non cooperation & Work to rule to indefinite strike
will be decided with the consultations of Federations
and other Unions.
It is therefore requested to that an impressive
and effective Demonstration/ Dharna must be staged
in front of the HO/D.O/R.O/C.O on 18.01.08 & 05.02.08
respectively and ensure maximum mobilisation. The
task of campaigning, conducting the programme
effectively and making it a success is the responsibility
of the Circle/Divisional/Branch Secretaries and
activists at the grass root level.
Let us prepare for the programme with
seriousness and sincerity and stead fast efforts to
ensure the programme a grand success to wrest the
demands.
With struggle greetings,
(D. Kishan Rao) (K V Sridharan)
General Secretary General Secretary
NUPE GROUP 'C' AIPEU Group 'C'
2BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
CHARTER OF DEMANDS1. Filling up of LSG, HSG II & HSG I Posts
(i) Recast the notional promotions since 1982/1983
onwards and fill up all vacant posts of LSG\, HSG
II & HSG I.
(ii) Fill up 2/3rd unfilled LSG vacancies notionally
from 7.2.02 to 18.5.06.
(iii) Relax minimum qualifying service for HSG II
promotion.
(iv) Irregular application of bench mark of current
period for notional promotions.
(v) Date of LSG Promotion be calculated from the
date of issue of orders and not form the date of
joining.
(vi) Grant of Modification of LSG as one time measure
for those aggrieved due to dearth of LSG
vacancies/ Rule 38 transfers.
(vii) Drawal of pay to senior BCR officials in HSG I
posts as the pay scales of HSG II & BCR is one
and the same & settlement of earlier officiating
cases of Tamilnadu, West Bengal & other Circles
as one time measure.
(viii) Anomaly in the preparation of PA Gradation list.
Date of confirmation should not be taken now
and Date of appointment be taken for construing
seniority. Fixing seniority based on the date of
confirmation is unconstitutional and
discriminatory.
2 Withdraw the draconian orders contained in
Directorate letter No. 22-5/95-PE I dt 21.5.07 denying
BCR benefits to those declining LSG Promotion.
Several officials were arbitrarily, unjustified denied the
due BCR promotion.
3 Filling up the APM Accounts LSG, HSG II
posts as per 1976 LSG Accountant recruitment
Rules.
4 Filling up Residual vacancies since 1999-2000
onwards without any further delay.
5 Immediate withdrawal of orders discriminating
regular and FTP LSG and posting them in Delivery
offices in the middle of the tenure.
6 Withdraw the Directorate letter dt. 22.10.07 on
Systems Administrators and form uniform & correct
norms & guidelines first before passing sarcastic
comments.
7 Withdraw the orders fixing responsibility on
D.D.Os/APM Accounts for the over payment of Pay
& Allowances to Postman on account of Fixation
under R.P. Rules.
8 Counting of special Allowance for pay fixation
case of PO & RMS
Accountants.
9 Counting of Past services of erstwhile R.T.P
for promotion & pension as per the Supreme Court
direction.
10 Withdraw the condition in tenure posting of
Single & Double handed offices & restriction in
posting of SPM due to minor penalties/ CR entries
which are in violation of provisions of statutory rules
of volume IV.
11 Allowing all TBOP officials to appear for Group
B exam to be held in Feb'08. as per original orders &
various judicial pronouncements. The cut off date
should be extended for the current exam as
01.01.2008. The exam should be conducted after
completing the process of notional promotions to LSG
in all circles.
12 Counting of Training period for increment and
promotion to the departmental candidates also.
13 Revision of FSC to Post offices & Enhancement
of honorarium for RD PMC work in Sub Offices,
Department Exam invigilation work etc.
14 Implement the assurance made on 19.4.07 in
fixing incentive to RPLI, IMT Pass port applications,
NRGEIS, other business activities etc., Grant of OTA
to operative staff to manage the shortage,
Engagement of SDPA to manage the Shortage,
Dispensation of Confirmation Exam etc.
15 Creation of Systems Manager/Administrators
Posts & Marketing Executives. Grant of SPL pay
and grant of Road mileage Allowance without
restrictions. Trainers Allowance for imparting training
Norms be fixed for Systems Administrators uniformly
to all Circles; providing mobile phones, Fixing duties
& responsibilities.
16 Allotment of adequate funds to clear all
pending personal claims like OTA, TA medical etc.
pending since 2002-03.
17 Spot payment of incentive to SPM/BPM for
procuring RPLI business. Grant of incentive for
schedule work in accounts branch.
18 Drawal of SB Allowances to all working in SB
branches on computers.
19 Refund of Fee for appearing AMFI (Association
of Mutual Fund industry) Exam to all candidates.
20 Revision of Bonus Formula & removal of 60
days cap.
(D. Kishan Rao) (K V Sridharan)
General Secretary General Secretary
NUPE Group 'C' AIPEU Group 'C'
3BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
ALL INDIA POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION - GROUP 'C'
NATIONAL UNION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES - GROUP 'C'CENTRAL HEAD QUARTERS, NEW DELHI
Ref. No.:P3/JCA/01/2008 Dated : 09-01-2008To,
Shri I.M.G. Khan
Secretary, Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110001
Sir,
Sub: Indifferent attitude in settling the serious and
burning demands of Postal Group 'C' employees.
It in constrained to note that despite our
repeated requests and demands to settle the burning
problems concerning the Group 'C' employees through
various correspondences and also in person, the
genuine problems are not addressed so far.
Adding fuel to fire, the Directorate has caused
instructions to all the Circle heads to disturb the FTP
qualified officials from their present position and post
them in delivery offices thereby causing unwarranted
disturbances and placements in the middle of the
tenure. The discrimination with in the LSG as if regular
and FTP is deplorable. This instruction is violative to
the principles of R.T, request transfer and connected
statutory rules.
When we are pleading to set right the
irregularities in the notional promotion in LSG cadre
and accord HSG II/HSG I promotion with retrospective
effect since April 2007 as assured, it is still in initial
stage in many circles. The affected seniors are retiring
from service without availing due promotions. The
irregularities in the notional promotion accorded in
Orissa Circle has not been rectified so far.
The assurances given in resolving the shortage
problem like allowing retired personnel to work in
absentism, grant of incentive to WMT, RPLI, PLI work
etc, liberal grant of OTA to operative staff and allotment
of sufficient funds for clearance of pending bills have
not been implemented in true spirit.
The serious and sensitive problem related to
fill ing up of residual vacancies has not been
implemented in many circles despite repeated
assurances and the officials become victim of shortage.
The assurance in withdrawing the retrograde orders of
postponing the BCR promotion to those declined LSG
promotion has also not been implemented. There are
hump teen number of discussions we had on this issue.
Similarly, the assurances given in withdrawing
the orders banning posting of Group 'C' official in single
handed offices only once in the whole service has not
been brought in to action. The plight of the PO & RMS
Accounts qualified officials is still in doldrums and
despite various judicial pronouncements to adhere the
LSG Accountant Recruitment Rules 1976 and accord
APM Accounts promotion, this has not been taken
any note of. We have been frustrated to put forth the
case many times resulted in futile.
In spite of non creation of Systems
Administrators Posts and non providing better perks
and pay scales based on the job nature but treated
them just as the Postal Assistants and utilised them
optimumly in implementation of computerisation in the
Post Offices, the sarcastic and insanity remarks
contained in Directorate letter No. 44-05/2004 - Tech -
KW dt. 22.10.07 that 'the permission to System
Administrator to access databases is dangerous'
causes serious wound. The impracticable order without
any field knowledge causes irreparable hurt to the
exploited categories of Systems Administrators
working hard for computerisation in Post offices over
a decade.
Therefore, we have decided to launch series of
Trade Union programmes culminating to stoppage of
work if our genuine demands are not immediately
resolved besides withdrawing the retrograde orders
issues on LSG postings, and Systems Administrators.
The twenty points charter of demands is enclosed
herewith.
It is requested to sort out the issues, implement
the assurances and withdraw the arbitary, unilateral
anti worker orders affecting the morale, hard work and
honesty and ensure peace.
Soliciting immediate response
Yours faithfully,
(D. Kishan Rao) (K V Sridharan)General Secretary General Secretary
NUPE Group 'C' AIPEU Group 'C'
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4BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
GENERAL SECRETARY'S DESKDear Comrades,
CHARTERS OF DEMANDS
The Federal Executive held on 01.12.07 has
decided to launch Trade Union Programmes focussing
the sectional demands. Accordingly, the Charter of
demands of our Union have been framed and a copy
there of has been furnished and circulated to the
Branch Unions for expressing their consent and
opoinion.
You may singly and collectively but through the
Divisional/Branch/Circle Union, communicate your
views to the CHQ so as to reach, the CHQ not letter
than 31.01.08 for incorporation in the final 'Charter of
Demands' to be prepared and placed in the programme
of action to be decided and declared by the JCA.
I seek all your assistance to make our charter
containing all the problems confronting the Postal
Group C comrades.
1. Filling up of LSG, HSG II & HSG I Posts
(i) Recast the notional promotions since 1982/
1983 onwards and fill up all vacant posts of LSG\,
HSG II & HSG I.
(ii) Fill up 2/3rd unfilled LSG vacancies notionally
from 7.2.02 to 18.5.06.
(iii) Relax minimum qualifying service for HSG II
promotion.
(iv) Irregular application of bench mark of current
period for notional promotions.
(v) Date of LSG Promotion be calculated from the
date of issue of orders and not form the date of joining.
(vi) Grant of Modification of LSG as one time
measure for those aggrieved due to dearth of LSG
vacancies/ Rule 38 transfers.
(vii) Drawal of pay to senior BCR officials in HSG I
posts as the pay scales of HSG II & BCR is one and
the same & settlement of earlier officiating cases of
Tamilnadu, West Bengal & other Circles as one time
measure.
(viii) Anomaly in the preparation of PA Gradation list.
Date of confirmation should not be taken now and Date
of appointment be taken for construing seniority. Fixing
seniority based on the date of confirmation is
unconstitutional and discriminatory.
2. Withdraw the draconian orders contained in
Directorate letter No. 22-5/95-PE I dt 21.5.07 denying
BCR benefits to those declining LSG Promotion.
Several officials were arbitrarily, unjustified denied the
due BCR promotion.
3. Filling up the APM Accounts LSG, HSG II posts
as per 1976 LSG Accountant recruitment Rules.
4. Filling up Residual vacancies since 1999-2000
onwards without any further delay.
5. Immediate withdrawal of orders discriminating
regular and FTP LSG and posting them in Delivery
offices in the middle of the tenure.
6. Withdraw the Directorate letter dt. 22.10.07 on
Systems Administrators and form uniform & correct
norms & guidelines first before passing sarcastic
comments.
7. Withdraw the orders fixing responsibility on
D.D.Os/APM Accounts for the over payment of Pay &
Allowances to Postman on account of Fixation under
R.P. Rules.
8. Counting of special Allowance for pay fixation
case of PO & RMS
Accountants.
9. Counting of Past services of erstwhile R.T.P for
promotion & pension as per the Supreme Court
direction.
10 Withdraw the condition in tenure posting of
Single & Double handed offices & restriction in posting
of SPM due to minor penalties/ CR entries which are
in violation of provisions of statutory rules of volume
IV.
11. Allowing all TBOP officials to appear for Group
B exam to be held in Feb'08. as per original orders &
various judicial pronouncements. The cut off date
should be extended for the current exam as
01.01.2008. The exam should be conducted after
completing the process of notional promotions to LSG
in all circles.
12. Counting of Training period for increment and
promotion to the departmental candidates also.
13. Revision of FSC to Post offices & Enhancement
of honorarium for RD PMC work in Sub Offices,
Department Exam invigilation work etc.
14. Implement the assurance made on 19.4.07 in
fixing incentive to RPLI, IMT Pass port applications,
NRGEIS, other business activities etc., Grant of OTA
to operative staff to manage the shortage, Engagement
of SDPA to manage the Shortage, Dispensation of
Confirmation Exam etc.
15. Creation of Systems Manager/Administrators
Posts & Marketing Executives. Grant of SPL pay and
grant of Road mileage Allowance without restrictions.
Trainers Allowance for imparting training Norms be
fixed for Systems Administrators uniformly to all
Circles; providing mobile phones, Fixing duties &
responsibilities.
16 Allotment of adequate funds to clear all pending
personal claims like OTA, TA medical etc. pending
since 2002-03.
5BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
17 Spot payment of incentive to SPM/BPM for
procuring RPLI business. Grant of incentive for
schedule work in accounts branch.
18. Drawal of SB Allowances to all working in SB
branches on computers.
19. Refund of Fee for appearing AMFI (Association
of Mutual Fund industry) Exam to all candidates.
20. Revision of Bonus Formula & removal of 60 days
cap.
NEW YEAR GREETINGS:
The CHQ is in receipt of too many greetings from various
Branches and individual members and thankfully
acknowledging them with a cheer and hope that with
such blessings, the Central Union will be to Himalayan
heights of glory and power in the New Year 2008.
BIHAR CIRCLE CONFERENCE:
The 28th the Circle conference was held at Bapa Dham
Motihari from 06.01.08 to 08.01.08 under the
Presidentship of Com. S.K. Roy Circle President. After
a big rally in the streets of Motihari, the open session
was held at 1300 hours on 06.01.08. The Chairman of
the receiption committee Dr. Parvej, also a
philanthropist delivered his welcome address
containing various suggestive, innovative thoughts.
Com. K.V. Sridharan, General Secretary inaugurated
the conference. The other prominent speakers in the
open session were Sri Pramod Kumar, MLA, Motihari,
com. S.S. Mahadevaiah, General Secretary GDS,
Com. Jagannath Singh, Circle Secretary, R3, Com.
B. Upadhayay Circle Secretary R4, Com. Baleshwar
Upadhyay, Circle Secretary P4, Com. Gagan Rawat,
Circle Secretary, R4, Com. Arjun Sahu, Circle
President GDS, Com. Subhash Sahu, Vice President,
CHQ GDS, Com. R.P. Singh, Circle and Secretary,
GDS Union. An interaction with General Secretary was
organised on 07.01.08 in the morning and purposeful
debates, discussions were held. Com. S.K. Roy, com.
U.K. Tewary & Com. Vivekanand Sharma were duly
elected as Circle President, Circle Secretary and Circle
Treasurer respectively. Com. Ashok Kumar, Divisional
Secretary, Motihari and his team deserve all
appreciations for the excellent arrangements they
made for the stayal & food for the delegates and
conduct of the circle conference in a befitting manner.
Our hearty congratulations to the newly elected office
bearers.
MEETING WITH SECRETARY:
NFPE met the Secretary [P] on 28.12.2007 and
discussed certain issues like LSG Notional
Promotions, Recognition of Federations, Vindictive
attitude of DA [P] Patna and SSPOs Meerut Division,
Formation of Mumbai Region, Decentralization of PLI/
RPLI, Improvement in Check-Off procedure, Funds for
OTA, TA Bills, Curtailment of Delivery etc. The
delegation comprised of Comrades K.Ragavendran
[SG NFPE]; K.V.Sridharan [GS P3]; Ishwar Singh
Dabas [GS P4]; Giriraj Singh [GS R3]; and Subash
Mishra [AGS P3 CHQ]. Secretary [P] assured to issue
fresh instructions against curtailment of delivery and
enquire into the vindictive attitude of Officers. Informed
that formation of Mumbai Region is only in proposal
stage. Agreed to look into the issue of decentralization
of PLI/RPLI in the background of higher technology
introduction and suggested for discussion between the
Member [I&F] and the Staff Side. On notional
promotions etc the Staff Side is to discuss with the
Member [P]. Secretary [P] was requested to expedite
recognition of federations and he assured to look into
the suggestion of NFPE on improvement in check-off
procedure.
R-3- ALL INDIA CONFERENCE:
27TH All India Conference of All India RMS & MMS
Employees Union - Group 'C' will be held in Nasik
[Maharashtra] from 18th to 21st January 2008. The
Reception Committee is making elaborate
arrangements for holding of the Inaugural session,
Seminar, Women convention and Open Session in
the AIC. Our General Secretary is attending the
conference.
CHATTISGARH CWC MEETING:
The General Secretary will attend Raipur on 02.02.08
& 03.02.08 and Participate the Circle working
committee meeting and also the divisional conference
of Raipur division.
NFPE TOUR PROGRAMME:
The circle Secretaries are requested to confirm the
arrangements about the conduct of conventions on
the scheduled dates. They may hold circle council
and discuss all our issues including charter of demands
and suggest the CHQ furher.
MEMBERSHIP VERIFICATION:
The Departmental will notify the verification of
membership during the current year at any time. All
Branch/Divisional secretaries are requested to conduct
more meetings, gatherings at work spot, organise the
comrades to our fold. Meet each and every individual
and take all out efforts to enrol more membership in
their divisions/Branches.
With fraternal greetings,
Comradely yours,
(K V Sridharan)
General Secretary
6BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
READER'S FORUM
vvvvv Attitude of VIth Central Pay Commission -
Apprehensions and suggestions.
Presently, the entirety of Central Government
employees is looking forward, inter alia, for a
magnificent pay hike as submitted to the VIth CPC
through respective unions/associations. But as per the
recent information given by different publications and
our CHQ website, the attitude of the CPC is not shining
good.
The Debate on Pay posted on-line on October
01, 2007 by Com. KKN Kutty, Secretary General,
CoCGE&W, while stresses on a need-based minimum
wage basing on the theory of fair comparison as the
primary principle of wage determination, inter alia,
expresses concern that while the country's economy
has registered a growth rate of 8-9 % in recent years,
the wage bill as a percentage of tax revenue has come
down to 9% today from 21% in 1997-98. Thus,
according to him, growth has made pay parity possible.
Contradictorily, Shri A.N. Sharma, Director, Institute
of Human Development, New Delhi opposes high salary
to Govt. employees considering the hidden benefits
like job security, pension, perks etc.
In our opinion, perhaps, Shri Sharma has not
studied properly the plight of the Govt. servants in lower
establishments, particularly in the cadre of Group-C
and Group-D with regard to miserable pay structure
and he has no knowledge about current issues like
Screening Committee, PFRDA Bill and other anti-
welfare policies since adopted by the Govt. of India on
one hand and report of the 15th Indian Labour
Conference, other favourable recommendations of
previous Pay Commissions and Five-Year Plans in
the context of wage revision on the other. Further, the
discussions made by the Deccan Herald News on Pay
Commission can't be ignored totally which emphasizes
an alarming disparity in the pay scales of Group-C/D
and that of Group - A. As shown by them when the VI
CPC will submit its final report to the Government
preferably within March - 2008, the proposed hike may
be limited to 2.5 times instead of justified 3.9 times
as per price rise which is certainly shocking and thus
needs to be discussed and analyzed in detail at this
point of time well in advance in order to find out possible
ways and means for protecting the interest of all the
Central Govt. employees.
Concentrating our discussions to the
Department of Posts, it is apprehended that even after
a decade, the postal employees may be forced once
again to suffer if the case of TBOP and BCR officials
in particular is not settled at this point of time. In this
context, your attention is drawn towards the
Memorandum on pay scales of the Postal Group-C
employees submitted to VIth CPC on 30.12.2006. As
you are aware, the genuine demand of upgraded pay
scale to TBOP/LSG, BCR/HSG-II and HSG-I which
are unique to the Department of Posts in the scale of
pay of Rs. 5500-9000, 6500-10500 and 7450-11500
respectively has been denied repeatedly till date either
on one pretext or the other (para:4:07). Though our
contention in Para:4:08:17 is very clear, the attitude
of the CPC, as per the above information, seems to
be dictated by the UPA Government for a lower and
unsatisfactory pay structure.
We have crossed a decade in the mean time
and are experiencing the fate of different court cases
pertaining to the cadre and scales of TBOP/LSG and
BCR/HSG-II. We are just groaning and waiting for the
next date. Adding salt to the injury, the so called Fast
Track Promotion Scheme also betrayed the senior most
PAs due to our belated protest. Further, the fate of the
Gramin Dak Sevaks has been unpredictable. Waiting
for the unethical and inequitable pay structure
recommendation by the CPC first and after its release,
taking a decision either to proceed to court or to adopt
trade union activities, as we have already realized, may
not perhaps be considered appropriate and fruitful. We
have to think in advance with continuous touch and
direct negotiations with the Commission. We have to
achieve our demanded pay scales by hook or by crook
this time since there may not be any guarantee for the
VIIth CPC if the rising trend in liberalization, privatization
and globalization is considered in true sense.
And in my opinion, that will be perhaps the best
contribution to employees welfare at this point of time
when the emaciated, pale, lifeless and gloomy
employees bearing an indelible stamp of misery in his
face dreams for offering technical education to his
children, wants to live in a status and to enjoy great
prestige in the society, desires to exist for a higher end
i.e. to perfect the self and bring it into the harmony with
the Universe and its Author with a mind free from anxiety
and sufficient leisure for the development of his higher
nature which can be made possible only if his income
becomes adequate to make the life worth living.
Thus, we cannot, therefore, rest satisfied unless
the scale of pay is made commensurate with the
present day needs.
B. SAMAL, Divisional Secy.
Bhubaneswar
7BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
vvvvv First of all let me congratulate you for two things.
One is for the excellent endeavor book VENTURE. It is
unique, useful and never brought by anybody.
We are best availing ourselve the book. And the second
one for unanimously electing com.KR for the topmost
post of SG. It is a nice thing and he is the fittest comrade.
I would like to congratulate com.Goutam Roy
Assistant Secretary Kolkatta GPO for iniating
discussion on Medical Reimbursement Rules
published in Bharatiya Post of Aug. 07.
After reading it, I arrived at the conclution that
according permission for treatment out side the state
or district for self or the family members of the
Govt.official is vested with the divisional head vide
Ministry of Health, GOI, OM NO.S14025/7/2000/MS
Dt.28.3.2000.
It is administratative. But as far as the procedure
of attesting of the AMA`s recommadation by the head
of the district of the Health, say DMHO holds good as
per the rules mentioned by Com. Goutam Roy. In the
Health Ministry`s OM there is no mention of removing
the procedure of countersigning of AMA`s
recommandations for treatment out side state or
district. Hence, I presume that the cases need not be
reffered by the Divisional Head to the regional PMG,
straight away he can accord permission provided that
the AMA`s recommandation are countersigned by the
Chief Medical Officer of the district.
J.RAMA SUBBAIAH, Branch Secretary
Kavali-524 201.
vvvvv Understanding the Union
The NFPE alone observed the one day strike
on 14th December, 2006 for 16 point Charter of
demands. The NFPE and FNPO jointly observed the
one day strike on 30th October, 2007 in association
with the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and
Workers for 12 point Charter of Demands. But the
entirety postal workers in true sense from ED to AD
are yet to be assembled in a common platform. Before
accusing others, I would like to ask the non-striking/
non-participating employees/associations of our
Department a question - Aren't they affected with price
rise? Aren't they worried on imbalanced public
distribution system? Aren't they aware of the
dangerous consequence of the PFRDA Bill? Won't
they accept the awards of the Board of Arbitration,
the revised pay and Interim Relief from 01.01.2006, if
acceded to? Won't be they happy if interest rates on
GPF and small saving are increased?- Casual labourers
are regularized? Downsizing, closure/ merger are
stopped? If yes, then why they are still slipping and
not joining with the mainstream? Is there any thing
not understandable? For such comrades, I have the
following few words to say.
When Maharishi Vyas completed the Eighteen
Mahapuranas comprising of one lac chants, the
common man could not follow exactly what he had
intended to tell. Thus, Vyas explained the gist just in
two lines for understanding of the common man:
"ASTADASA PURANESU VYASASYA BACHAN
DOYAM, PAROPAKARAYA, SORGAYA, NARKAYA
PARAPIDANAM". Thus, if we clearly understand the
meaning and importance of these two thing -
PAROPAKARAYA SORGAYA and NARKAYA
PARAPIDANAM, We need not have to go through the
Eighteen Mahapuranas. Similarly, we need not have
to digest the entire SRIMAD BHAGWAT GITA, but
just to understand the first and last word of it. What is
the first word? - "DHARMAKHETRE KURUKHETRE
SAMABETAH YUJUSTUVAH, MAAMAKAAH
PANDAVAASCHAIBA KIMKURBATA SANJAY". So
the first world is Dharma. What is the last word then?
- "JATRA JOGESWARAH KRISHNO JATRA PARTHO
DHANURDHARAH, TATRA SRIRVIJAYO
VUTIRDHRUBA NITIRMATIRMAMA " . So the last
word of Gita is Mama. Thus, "Dhrmam Mama" means
we have just to realize our Dharma and the entire Gita
is finished.
Comrades! What is our Dharma then? It has
a very broader concept. It is not reading Gita, Bible,
Quran ,etc. but discharging one's duties and
responsibilities according to his capability with
sincerity and honesty which has been categorically
emphasized in the "KARMAYOG" of the holly Srimad
Bhagwat Gita and many other holly books of
different religions. The duties and responsibilities
as a true human being - may be as a member of the
union, as an employee of any organization, as a
father / mother, as a brother / sister, as a son /
daughter in the family and above all as a responsible
citizen of the nation.
Being in a service union / association, our
Dharma is nothing but to serve and to be united. So to
have a clear understanding of the entire union, the
very concepts of Service and Union are to be
understood. We have to serve united and we have to
be united to serve. Service is the motto of the union.
Only two words and two aspects. The theory is very
simple. It is required only to think in a positive
affirmation with cultivation of personal life which
depends of rectification of the mind. Being affected by
wrath, fear, fondness or worries and anxieties to any
extent and beholden to personal desires with complete
8BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
attachment to individual interest, we fail to serve whole
heartedly.
Thus, in the interest of common cause, let us
forget our individual differences keeping aside our
personal desires and try to gather in a common
platform irrespective of cadre and wing since our goal
is one. And perhaps, this is quite inevitable and is the
need of the time and the situation when the working
class in general is being seriously ill treated by the
bureaucracy in the Department supported with the anti
workers policy of the Government. Any Government,
may be NDA, may be UPA should learn a lesson that
in spite of our individual differences, we are united for
common cause and we can go to any extent when
our existence is questioned. Comrades, this is not
the end but the begining only. So, get yourself ready
to fight against the draconian policies of the Govt.
adopted in the name of liberalization, privatization and
globalization and going against the interest of the
working class as a whole. Nothing will happen by just
giving the slogan, "United we stand, Divided we fall"
but to implement it in letter and spirit with solemn
swearing.
-B.Samel, Divl. Secretary, Bhubaneswar.
vvvvv Dear Sri Sridharan,
This is to congratulate you and the team of
AIPEU CHQ. in bringing out a compendium entitled
"VENTURE" for the benefit of staff members. This will
also be handy and beneficial to all concerned. Such a
compilation is long over due and your efforts in this
regard are laudable.
I came across this booklet recently and hence
this communication. Wish you success in your new
assignment as General Secretary of AIPEU Gr. 'C'.
(T.S. BASHYAM, I.P.S.)
Retd. A.P.M.G. Chennai
vvvvv Reference to your Bhartiya Post Dec. 07 issue
which was received promptly. Thanks for the information
regarding the strength of strike on 30.10.07
Always the P&T Trade Union movement was
the forerunner of Indian Trade Union movement. The
supremacy and the solidarity exhibited to the world in
1960 strike, the colour of Greatest Democrat Pt.
Jawahar Lal Nehru was exposed. It was planned,
premeditated to spoil the unity after derecognition of
the NFPTE and FNPTO was the product of the anti
union activists beyond P&T.
From the information, you have furnished. I am
glad to know that united action of NFPE and FNPO
has raised the glory of Postal solidarity and again we
gained the leadership in the Indian Trade Union
movement.
In 1960, a Research student of Oxford university
prepared papers about Indian Trade union movement
and in that papers she remarked "P&T union is the
philosopher and guide for the struggles in Trade Union
movements in India". This for your information.
M.Pechimuthu,
Retd. Chief Postmaster, Anna Road.
VENTUREv A compliation of Staff Welfare orders
v A companian to Postal Comrades/Activists
v Containing various staff matters like Tenure,
Transfer, Promotion, Welfare, Recruitment
etc.
v The first kind of such activity by CHQ
v Available for sale. 'No profit, No Loss' Basis
v Limited copies are available in hand.
v Rush your indent. Cost Rs. 70/- + Postage
charges.
Ms. Benezir Bhutto AssassinatedMs. Benezir Bhutto, a
strong believer of Democracy
and tolerant Pakistan met a
violent death and it shattered
the hopes of returen of
Democracy in Pakistan. Ms.
Bhutto become the first woman
Prime Minister of a Muslim
country like Pakistan in 1988.
Her assassinatin is the major
loss for the Pakistani's and its return to Democratic
Pakistan. We strongly condemn the brutality and
pay our respectful homage to teh departed leader of
Pakistan.
9BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
LETTERS TO DEPARTMENTLetter No.: P/2-21/UK Circle Dated : 31.10.2007
addressed to Sri Kamlesh Chandra, DDG (P)
Department of Post, New Delhi- 110001
lllll Filling up of residual vacancies - case of
Uttarkhand Circle.
It is constrained to note that despite the
assurances given by the Secretary to direct all circle
heads to fill up all the residual vacancies without any
further clarifications at once, necessary instructions
have not been reached the circle heads.
Resultantly, the position remains the same and
in particular, no action seems in Uttarkhand Circle to
fill up such posts till now. It causes a concern.
It is therefore requested to cause necessary
instructions to all Circle Heads to fill up the posts
immediately without any further delay.
Soliciting response
Letter No.:P/2-20/Meerut Dated : 28-12-2007
addressed to the Secretary, Department of Posts, Dak
Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001
lllll Atrocities and mal-administration of SSPOs,
Meerut Division in U.P. Circle
The SSPOs, Meerut Division Shri H.P. Singh
is unleashing all kind of atrocities towards staff since
his joining in the Division on 2.8.07 and also indulged
in many corrupt practices. The following are few
examples:
i) Since his joining in the Division on 2.8.07, he
issued nine transfer order memos up to 3.11.07 and
almost all of them were on obvious considerations.
After the intervention of the PMG Bareilly, he has
controlled to some extent.
ii) Thereafter on transfer of PMG Bareilly, he
resorted same type of issuing transfer memos and
minted money like any thing. This has caused
dislocations and disturbances to 61 officials in eleven
transfer memos in the middle of the tenure, which is
quite against to the departmental guidelines. The
copies of memos are enclosed.
iii) Almost all transfer orders were issued in the
name of interest of service. The officials under clouds
charge sheeted in fraud cases, in the midst of currency
of punishments were favoured and posted as SPMs
and as PAs in other sensitive monetary handling posts.
iv) There is a total deviation of pending requests
and all the transfers were issued absolutely on
favoritism and corruption.
v) The LSG officials are being posted in single-
handed /double handed offices as SPMs instead of
posting them in LSG post. It is a paradoxical to note
that the Postal Assistants are being posted in LSG
norm based supervisory posts. In case of Sardhana
PO, the norm based LSG official has been posted as
PA under the supervision of one TBOP official as SPM.
Similar is the position of Sheshpal, where the norm
based LSG Official was posted as PA and a Time
Scale PA is working as SPM. This is nothing but
humiliation to the senior LSG officials.
vi) The instructions of the Directorate preventing
repeated postings as SPMs in the same office have
been violated while favouring some officials on
extraneous consideration. The posting of SPM
Sardhana is the text example that he had worked in
the same post over fifteen years out of 25 years of his
service. It is most pertinent to note that the said official
has involved in bogus MO issue fraud held in the said
office.
If a thorough probe is ordered on the transfers
he issued during this short period, may more hidden
skeletons rolling in the Cup Board will come out which
will also brought to light his scientific corruptions..
It is most apt to mention that the said officer
wherever he hold the incharge of Division indulged in
many corruptive actions.
i) When he was working as SPOs, Etawah ,
Bulandshahar, Jhansi, Aligarh etc, he was transferred
in midst of his tenure due to various complaints on his
corrupt activities. He has been barred in providing
independent charge in any division.
ii) When he was holding charge of Bulandshahar,
the eight BPM appointments were cancelled by R.O.
Agra and he was transferred. However, he managed
to drop all the cases against him on his joining as AD,
Agra.
iii) The advance taken by him to the tune of
Rs.1,00,000/- from H.O. Treasury of Jhansi H.O and
Rs. 82,000/- from Lalitpur H.O. on 28.2.05 have been
settled only on 22.9.05 after seven months after the
strict instructions of the R.O.. He could manage
vouchers only for Rs.50,400/- and rest of the amount
was credited by him under UCR. This is a speaking
example of his attitude in misappropriation of Govt.
money.
iv) He involved in the bogus cash conveyance and
charged Rs.1000/- per day for Cash Conveyance.
Despite the report of the C.L.I. to proceed action
against him, the same has managed to avert such
proceedings. Since the case was brought to the notice
by the Divisional Secretary, he dismissed the Divisional
10BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
Secretary on flimsy reasons by misusing the
disciplinary powers which has been set aside on
appeal. However the official is facing Rule-9 case since
he was retired from service.
vi) Due to abusal and threatening with
unparliamentary words, a criminal case was lodged
against him and he got stay from High Court to prevent
arrest. He is notorious in all kinds of misuse of his
official powers.
vii) Since the Divisional Secretary, Jhansi reported
about his corrupt activities to the Circle administration,
like misappropriation of Govt. money to the extent of
Rs. 83,000/- at Lalitpur H.O. and sale of unserviceable
materials costing Rs. 15 lakhs etc, he took revenge
and dismissed the Divisional Secretary in a fake prepaid
case .
viii) When he was SSPOs, Azamgarh, he indulged
in the misuse of money at BOs , irregular transfer
memos etc resulting a criminal case which is pending
in the District Court there.
From the above, it is evident that whatever he
held the charge of the division, he misused his powers
abruptly and indulged in various corruptive activities.
He also unleashed terror by issuing charge sheets to
the activists of this Union. The dismissal of P3 divisional
secretaries of Bulandshahar and Jhansi were the
testing examples of the repressive actions. Now he
threatened the Divisional Secretary, Meerut that since
he complained about the irregularities in the transfer
memos, he will face similar consequences as in the
case of Bulandshahar and Jhansi.
Despite the assurances given by the PMG
Bareilly in the Bi-monthly meeting that he will take
appropriate action, nothing has been seen tangible so
far. This has given further strength to continue his anti-
worker actions and corrupt practices.
Under these circumstances, it is requested that
a thorough probe from the Directorate may please be
ordered immediately on his misuse of powers in Meerut
Division besides other issues and he may be shifted
from the Division immediately and initiate action.
Action may please be taken as if fire on the
house to ensure smooth and peaceful function in
Meerut Division.
Soliciting immediate response.
Letter No.: P/2-20/Jhansi Dated : 29.12.2007
addressed to the Secretary, Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001
lllll Classification of Jhansi as B2 city for
purpose of drawal of HRA/CCA.
The U.P State Government vide its Gazette
notification has upgraded the Jhansi city as Nagar
Nigam and thus become eligible as B2 class city.
The copy of the Gazette notification is enclosed.
However, no action has so far been initiated to
declare the Jhansi as B2 Class city by the Central
Govt. for the purpose of drawal of HRA & CCA.
It is therefore requested to cause appropriate
action for the early declaration of the city as B2 city
for the purpose of drawal of HRA/CCA.
Soliciting response.
Letter No.: P/2-11/Mysore Dated : 29.12.2007
addressed to the Smt. Shanthi Nair, Post Master
General, South Karnata region, Bangalore 560001
lllll Highhandedness, Harassment and
atrocities unleashed against staff by Postmaster,
Saraswathipuram HPO. - reg.
The copy of the memorandum addressed to
PMG submitted by all the service unions of Mysore
division about the atrocities and highhandedness of
the Postmaster, Sarasawathipuram HO is enclosed
herewith for appropriate action.
The memorandum itself is self explanatory and
exhaustive. If any enquiry is ordered on the allegations
as contained in the memorandum, the sufferings of all
cadres will come in to light. The incumbent Postmaster
should be reined or transferred for maintaining peace
and tranquility in the division.
It is requested to kindly enquire the allegations
and cause appropriate actions to end the atrocities
duly ensuring peaceful atmosphere at the HO.
May I request your response, madam.
Letter No.: P/2-19/Salem East Dated- 29.12.2007
addressed to the Secretary, Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001
lllll Continuous grant of HRA to the Postal staff
working at kannnankurichi in Salem East Division,
Tamilnadu Circle.
Ref: (i) This Union letter of even no. dt. 25.01.07.
(ii) Yr. Letter No. 4/45/97 PAP 7.2.07 a/t PMG
Coimbatore
Apropos reference, it is learnt that the fresh
Dependency Certificate has been obtained and
forwarded to the Directorate by the PMG, western
region vide his letter No. EST/82-128/2000 on
25.10.07.
it is requested to expedite action and accord
sanction at the earliest.
Letter No.: P/2-1/Medak Dated : 29.12.2007 addressed
to the Secretary, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan
New Delhi - 110001
Non drawal of S.B. Allowance to Postal
11BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
Assistants working in SB Branch - Case of Medak
division, AP Circle - reg.
Ref: This Union letter of even no. dt. 12.03.07.
Apropos reference, it is constrained to note that
this sensitive and serious issue has not been resolved
even after being brought to your notice.
The due SB Allowance has been denied to the
officials posted in the SB branch second time even
though they qualified in SB aptitude test in Medak
division. The SPOs sought unwarranted clarifications
to deny and deprive the officials of their dues. This
causes a concern.
It is requested to expedite action and ensure
drawal of SB allowance to all the S.B Aptiture test
Qualified officials posted in SB branch retrospectively
from the date of their posting.
Immediate action is highly solicited.
Letter No.: P/2-13/Parbhani Dated- 29.12.2007
addressed to the Secretary, Department of Posts, Dak
Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001
lllll Alleged burglary at Hingoli MDG PO -
Murdering Night watchman, Sri B.G. Mathpathi -
non settlement of dues - reg.
Ref: (i) This Union letter of even no dt. 04.04.07.
(ii) Yr. Letter no. 16-40/2007 - SR dt. 30.07.07
Apropos reference, it is constrained to note that
the ex gratia lumpsum compensation as per the
provisions of CCS (pension) Rules 1972 has not been
disbursed so far ever after sixteen months after his
murder at the Post office.
It is told that due attention has not been taken
at local level for expediting the case and effect
immediate payment to the deceased family.
It is requested to cause necessary instructions
to expedite the sanction and arrange payment at the
earliest.
Letter No.: P/2-19/Atur Dated : 29.12.2007 addressed
to the Secretary, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan
New Delhi - 110001
lllll Renewal sanction for grant of peripheral
HRA to the staff working at Narasingapuram in
Salem East division. (Tamilnadu Circle)
The HRA drawn at the C class rate to the SPM
working at Narasingapuram PO which is adjacent and
dependent to Atur has been stopped from 01.06.05
due to non issue of renewal sanction for the period
from 01.06.06 to 36.05.08.
The required dependency certificate was
obtained from the competent authority and forwarded
to Directorate earlier. The delay causes a concern.
It is requested to expedite action and accord
sanction at the earliest.
Letter No.: P/2-13/Satara Dated : 29.12.2007
addressed to the Secretary, Department of Posts, Dak
Bhawan, New Delhi- 110001
lllll Continous drawal of peripheral HRA - C/o
TSOs in Satara Division, Maharastra Circle.
The HRA at the C Class rate (ie) 7.5% which
was drawn up to December' 04 to the staff working in
Vidyanagar, Malakapur, Ogalevadi (Kerald HO) and
MIDC and Sangamnagar in Satara has not been drawn
since Jan'05 due to pending renewal sanction of the
Directorate.
The required dependency certificate has been
submitted by the SSPOs, Satara on 27.7.05 itself and
the delay in according renewal sanction is causing
concern. The next periodical sanction also become
due from Jan' 08.
It is therefore requested to cause immediate
action to accord renewal sanction for the period from
01.01.2005 and also expedite action for the further
period commencing from 01.01.2008.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
solicited.
Letter No. P/2-13/Satara Dated : 29.12.2007 addressed
to the Secretary, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan
New Delhi- 110001
lllll Non Drawal of HRA to the officiating SPMs
working at offices having attached quarters.
It is brought to our notice that despite clear
instructions issued by the department in its letter no.
24/3/76/PAP dt. 20.8.79 also appeared in FR, SR Part
IV in chapter X that HRA may be granted for the
maximum period of three months when the official is
posted to officiate in a post to which rent free
accommodation is attached but not provided, the due
HRA for three months has not been drawn & paid to
the officiating SPMs in many places.
There are several instances in Satara division
in Maharastra Circle and Bhatinda in Punjab Circle.
Even though the senior BCR officials were ordered to
look after the charge of PM/SPM until regular posting,
HRA has not been paid to the officials who are officiating
such vacancies resulting loss in emoluments due to
officiating in higher posts.
Similarly, even though the power of
dequarterisation of a post attached Quarters is now
delegated to Heads of Circle vide Directorate letter
no. 10-4/2003 - Bldg. dt. 6.5.03. the Circle heads are
not according proper sanction for Dequarterisation/
Suspension of Quarters for the periods of such
officiating periods exceeding 90 days.
12BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
The officiating officials should not suffer a
financial loss due to the administrative problem of non-
posting of a regular incumbent to the vacant post with
in the stipulated period. Prolonged officiating
arrangements is an ultimate loss to an officiating official
for no fault on his side.
It is therefore requested to issue clarity
instructions to all Circle heads to settle the pending
issues accordingly and the copy of the same may be
forwarded to union.
Soliciting response.
Letter No.: P/4-1/Staff Dated : 29.12.2007 addressed
to the Ms. Radhika Doraisamy, Member (P)
Department of Posts, New Delhi - 110001
lllll Disturbance in the Middle of the tenure -
case of FTP Qualified officials.
Consequent upon the instructions given to all
Circle Heads, the FTP qualified officials have been
disturbed from their present positions and posted to
the delivery offices causing serious disturbances in
the middle of the tenure.
This is arbitary, unjust, and against to the canon
of all orders on the subject. Further, the differences
within the LSG as if regular and FTP and treating the
FTP as if above to regular is nothing but a farce and
bad before law. This affects the sentiments of the senior
officials and also demoralise the supervisiory cadres.
If the administration feels that the supervisioary
work at delivery offices is not at the expected level,
the present incumbents should be given appropriate
professional training and elevate their standard. As
such, this kind of division among LSG officials is
unacceptable. The instructions has caused a lot of
inconvenience to the incumbents working in delivery
offices.
It is therefore requested to review the decision
once again and cause orders to keep the instructions
in abeyance at once.
Soliciting your response.
Letter No.: P/2-16/Orissa Dated : 31.12.2007
addressed to the Sri Kamlesh Chandra, DDG (P)
Department of Posts, New Delhi - 110001
lllll Irregular adhoc HSG II promotion ordered
by R.O. Sambalpur in Orissa Circle.
It is constrained to note that despite our
repeated requests, the chaos and confusions prevailing
in LSG, HSG II & HSG I Promotions in Orissa Circle
has not been sorted out.
Adding full to fire, the PMG Sambalpur has
issued adhoc HSG II promotion orders for the official
of his region in the absence of corrected LSG Gradation
list for the entire circle. In fact, as HSG II is the Circle
cadre, there is no jurisdiction to the R.O. for issuing
adhoc promotions to the officials working in its region.
If the anomolies are not sorted out at once, it
will further create more problems and all this should
be sorted out and settled as per rules at the earliest.
It is requested to expedite action to settle the
promotion issues in the circle besides causing orders
to cancel the irregular adhoc promotions ordered by
the R.O. Sambalpur.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
solicited.
Letter No.: P/2-2/Cachar Dated- 31.12.2007 addressed
to the Secretary, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan
New Delhi - 110001
Arbitary downgradation of Cachar division
in Assam Circle.
Ref: This Union letter of even no. dt. 2.11.07
Apropos reference, it is reliably learnt that a
fresh proposal has been sent from Assam Circle office
for upgradation of the Cachar division and the Sr.
Postmaster to the Directorate by diverting one class I
and class II posts from the Circle office to Cachar
division. The proposal was sent by the Chief PMG
after assessing the work and the need to keep Cachar
division with class I status.
It is requested to expedite consideration and
accord orders at the earliest.
Letter No.: P/2-20/Varanasi West Dated : 31.12.2007
addressed to the Secretary, Department of Posts, Dak
Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001
lllll Imposing penalty in the shape of heavy
monetary recovery on contributory factor - C/o
Taliabag so in Varanasi West division (UP Circle)
Ref: (i) This Union letters of even no dt. 08.02.07
& 06.06.07.
(ii) Your letter No. 16-54/2007 - SR. dt.
27.09.07
Apropos reference, I wish to state that the main
offender who is possessing wealth has not been
prosecuted and proceeded for confiscation of his
property to made good the loss sustained to the
department and the innocent officials have been charge
sheeted and ordered for recovery. Thus the spirit behind
the Directorate guidelines contained vide letter C -
32016/07/2006-VP dt. 14.11.06 has been totally
defeated.
The main offender Sri. Ishwari Narain Singh is
possessing property to the worth of near about twenty
crores. He is having three petrol pump stations so if
deterent action is ensured through state revenue
13BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
authorities, the amount may be recovered in full.
It is therefore requested to cause serious action
to recover the amount from the main offender and
innocent official may please be relieved from the
clutches of contributory negligence.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
solicited.
Letter No.: P/2-16/Sundargarh Dated : 31.12.2007
addressed to the Sri Kamalesh Chandra, DDG (P)
Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan New Delhi - 110001
lllll Non-consideration of HSG II promotion - C/o
Sri Sibanrayan Sahoo, senior most LSG official
Sundargarh division - reg.
In the recently held DPC for HSG II promotion
in Orissa Circle the case of above said senior most
official has not been considered and approved due to
the incorrect information furnished by the SSPOs,
Sundargarh division.
The Circle Union has taken the case with the
Circle administration on 10.10.07 and the injustice
caused to the senior official has not been set aside.
It is therefore requested to cause necessary
action to render justice to the aggrieved official.
Soliciting response.
Letter No.: P/2-11/Ankola Dated : 31.12.2007
addresses to the Sri. Kamalesh Chandra, DDG (P)
Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan New Delhi - 110001
lllll Arbitary denial of LSG Promotion - C/o Sri
Uday S. Shet, Postmaster, Ankola MDG in
Karnataka Circle.
The regular LSG promotion has not been
accorded to the official and the official has been
informed that the 'Review DPC held on 06.09.07 has
not recommended his promotion due to non - fulfilment
of benchmark all the years (vide PMG, N K region
letter dated 29.10.07).
While pursuing records, he got two average and
since 2004-05 to 2006-07, he secured Good in his CR
and out of five last entries, he secured three good
entries.
Further, the official has served for number of
years as single handed SPMs, B Class & A class
SPMs. He was holding independent charge over twenty
years and got many appreciations from the higher ups.
Some of them are enclosed herewith for your notice.
There was no disciplinary case contemplated against
him and he is holding the HSG II post for a long time.
As such the denial of LSG promotion is causing
a serious concern. The instruction contained in your
letter no 33-1/2001 PE II (pt) 23.07.07 that the DPC
should be realistic and objective in their assessment
in order to avoid unnecessary staff grievances and
depriving the due claims of the staff for promotion has
not been applied properly in this case.
It is therefore requested to cause necessary
instructions to consider his case for LSG promotion
and render justice to the aggrieved official.
Soliciting response.
Letter No.: P/2-17/Bathinda Dated : 31.12.2007
addressed to the Sri. Kamlesh Chandra, DDG (P)
Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan New Delhi - 110001
lllll Irregularities in officiating arrangements -
case of Bathinda division in Punjab Circle.
One Sri. S.K. Bhardwaj officiating as SPM
Bathinda City (HSG I) has refused to accept his adhoc
promotion in HSG I cadre as postmaster, Bathinda in
the same station and declined his promotion.
When the official has declined his HSG I
promotion, as per rules, he should not be continued
to officiate in other HSG I post. The official should
have been rejoined to his original post as APM SBSo,
(HSG II), Bhatinda HO. Accordingly, the Circle office
has relieved him from the post and directed him to join
his parent post on 08.09.07. The official proceeded on
leave since then.
Now the SSPOs Bhatinda vide his letter dt.
20.12.07 has reposted the official as SPM Bhatinda
city without extra remuneration which he conveyed as
per the orders of the PMG Punjab region dt. 20.12.07.
This is arbitary, unjust and against to the orders on
promotion. When the official declined his promotion,
the posting should be ordered to the next eligible official
and the phrase 'without extra remuneration' has no
place in the statuary rules which prevent the next official
who entitle and eligible for such promotion.
It is therefore requested to cause necessary
orders and set aside the irregular orders issued in this
case.
Soliciting response.
Letter No.:P/4-1/Staff Dated : 31.12.2007 addressed
to the Sri Kamalesh Chandra, DDG (P), Department
of Posts, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001
lllll Non consideration for HSG II/HSG I
promotion - C/o Sri K.C. pattanayak, non working
as APM Accounts Baragarh HO - reg.
The Circle Union, Orissa has taken up the case
of irregularities in non according HSG II& HSGI
promotion to the abovesaid official in oct' 07 but remains
with no result.
The said official was accorded with LSG (Accts)
notional promotion w.e.f. 30.05.01 vide CO memo no
ST/ 26-16/2003 dated 17.06.2004 and accordingly
14BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
posted as APM Accounts Samhalpur HO vide SPOs
Sambalpur division memo no B/G - 18/2002/Ch-VI
dated 20.07.2004. Due to personal problems the official
had declined the promotion, which would have been
taken as one year time period or till the constitution of
next DPC. But surprisingly his name was not submitted
before the subsequent LSG DPCs, which is against
all the rules in this connection. It is total deprivation to
the official's promotion, to his seniority, who was given
with notional LSG promotion w.e.f 30.05.01.
Besides above, after introduction of FTP
Scheme in 2002, Accounts line is no more regarded
as a separate cadre and his working in general line
LSG posts after notional LSG promotion has created
no difference. On the other hand the official's name
could have been placed in the subsequent LSG DPCs,
giving him further scope for posting in APM Accounts
post in latter years to become eligible for promotion to
HSG -II & HSG - I post.
Further, it is to mention here that his name has
not been included in the LSG gradation list, corrected
up to 01.07.07, published vide CO letter ST/26-11/2007
dated 24.08.07, which is not with conformity of rules.
Moreover, the official has joined as APM Accounts,
Baragardh HO on 01-06-07 as per instructions vide
SPOs Sambalpur division memo number B/G-18/Ch
VIII dated 13.04.07 duly approved by RO Sambalpur.
The Performa report called for by the circle office from
Baragarh HO through SPOs Sambalpur division with
reference to service book has already submitted by
PM Baragarh HO to SPOs Sambalpur division vide
his letter number A/C-37/2007-2008 Dated 22.08.07.
The reports so submitted might have been kept pending
either at the end of RO Sambalpur at Circle office for
the reasons best known to those authorities.
Under the circumstances, it is requested for
kind intervention in the particular case to kindly cause
inclusion of the name of the official in LSG gradation
list and also consideration of his case in HSG - II DPC.
with retrospective effect.
Soliciting response.
Letter No.:P/2-16/Orissa Circle Dated : 31.12.2007
addressed to the Secretary, Department of Posts, Dak
Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001
lllll Review of LGO Examination 2006 for
promotion to PA/SA cadre - case of Orissa Circle.
Ref: This Union letter of even no. dt. 04.04.2007
Apropos reference, it is constrained to note that
the review has not been exercised so far and the
reference made by the Chief PMG, Orissa Circle vide
her letter dt. 04.08.06 requesting to review the result,
as they were many candidates lost their promotions
just for 1 or 2 marks has not been replied so far.
Similarly the review for SC/ST Candidates has
also not been carried out so far. If the review is
conducted immediately, many eligible candidates may
get their promotions besides filling up the vacant posts
kept under residual vacancies.
It is onceagain requested to cause necessary
orders to Orissa Circle to carry out the review of the
LGO examination.
Soliciting response,
Letter No.: P/2-14/M.P. Cle Dated : 01.01.2008
addressed to the Secretary, Department of Posts, Dak
Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001
lllll Non declaration of Holding for Holi in M.P.
Circle.
It is brought to our notice that in the list of
holidays released by the Chief PMG, M.P. Circle, no
holiday has been declared on 22.03.07 Saturday for
the Holi Festival.
As Holi is an important festival and also the
officials could not travel in the midst of colour throwing,
it is most essential to declare holiday on the day.
It is requested to cause appropriate instructions
to the Circle Head at the earliest.
Soliciting response.
Letter No.: P/2-16/Bhubaneswar Dated : 02.01.2008
addressed to the DDG (E & PM), Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001
lllll Provision of construction of 228 numbers
of cycle scooter shed at P & T colony, unit IV,
Bhubaneswar.
Ref: (i) This Union leter of even no. dt. 21.09.07
(ii) Yr. Letter no. 6286/SR/07 dt. 26.09.07
Apropos reference, it is constrained to note that
adequate funds and sanction has not get beenaccorded so far to the Chief PMG Orissa Circle for theproportionate share to Telecom to the tune of Rs.32,55,417/- for the proposed construction.
It is requested to expedite the approval and allotfunds at the earliest so that the above work could becompleted in the current financial year.
Soliciting response.
Letter No.:P/4-4/ Broad Band Dated : 02.01.2008
addressed to the DDG (Tech) Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001
lllll Arrangment of Broad Band connection in
all computerised offices.
Ref: (i) This Union letter of even no. dt. 09.05.07
(ii) Yr. Letter no. 6/69/SR/07 dt. 11.05.07
Apropos reference, it is constrained to note that
15BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
this vital issue has not so far been considered and the
problems in handling internet at Post offices have not
been resolved.
The problem of internal connectivity through
modem is at rise and in many occasions, the date
could not be sent to the site. Further due to slow
functioning of modem, the transfer of date takes more
time.
It is requested to provide Broad Band
connection to all the computerised officials to avoid
the present problems in the work spot.
Soliciting response.
Letter No.: P/4-4/Honararium Dated : 02.01.2008
addressed to the DDG (FS) Department of Posts, Dak
Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001
lllll Non Payment of compensation for the work
done by staff in connection with enrolment of
new voters and selection in the voters list - reg.
Ref: (i) This Union letter of even no. dt. 24.07.07
(ii) Yr. letter No. 6230/SR/07 dt. 30.07.07
Anent reference, I wish to state that no standing
orders has been issued to delink the payment of
incentive for the said work performed by the-postal
officials from the amount received from the Election
Commission. That should be dealt separately by the
department.
Having extracted the work, by utilising the staff
overburdenly, the dues shall be paid to the staff in
time.
It is requested to cause necessary orders to all
the Circle Heads to release the payment of incentive
which is pending over two years.
Soliciting response.
Letter No.:P/4-2/CA Dated : 02.01.2008 addressed to
the DDG (FS), Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan New
Delhi - 110001
lllll Request for fixed conveyance Allowance
to PRI (P)s & Marketing Executives.
Ref: This Union letter of even no. dt. 14.05.07
Apropos reference, it is constrained to note thatno action has so far been taken to mitigate the financialloss being met by the PRI (P)s and marketingexecutives.
Apart from regular duties of the inspection work,supervision of delivery staff and addressing publicgrievances, these officials are now entrusted with thenew products launched under the aegis of BusinessDevelopment Directorate and convening for the variousschemes introduced by the department.
Taking in to account the plight of these officials
and the indispensability of their services, a fixed sum
of Rs. 1000/- may please be fixed as Fixed
Conveyance Allowance per month.
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
solicited.
Letter No.: P/2-21/Dehradun Dated : 02.01.2008
addressed to the Secretary, Department of Posts, Dak
Bhawan New Delhi - 110001
lllll Non Payment of MPCM allowance to
Counter Postal Assts in Dehradun Division in
Uttaranchal Circle.
Ref: This Union letter of even no dt. 25.07.07
It is constrained to note that the issue has not
yet been resolved and the Counter Assistant working
at MPCM counter are not being paid the due MPCM
Allowance of Rs. 100/- per month as entitled vide
Directorate order dt. 17.01.97.
It is requested to expedite action and ensure
payment of the allowance to the counter assts with
retrospective effect.
Letter No.:P/4-5/SB Dated : 02.01.2008 addressed to
the DDG (FS), Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan New
Delhi - 110001
lllll Acceptance of Cheque issued in favour of
the depositor or in turn in favour of postmaster -
clarification sought for.
Ref: (i) This Union letter of even no. dt. 22.11.06
& 20.03.07
(ii) Yr. Letter no. 6/34/SR/07 dt. 26.03.07
Apropos reference, it is constrained to note that
necessary clarification on the subject has not been
issued so far.
The following doubts raised from the SB order
No. 20/2006 & 22/2006 may be clarified at the earliest.
i) There is no clarification for the basic point of
objection viz. acceptance of cross cheque (Account
Payee) in favour of individual and in favour of any
Postmaster for the investment is regular or not;
ii) In the order dated 04-09-2006, it is observedwhile substituting Rule 11 (3) of POSB Manual Vol. II,the endorsement to be made by the applicant whenthe cheque is drawn in favour of Postmaster and alsoabout the cheque drawn in favour of applicant vice-versa and was given effect from 15-09-2006. However,the portion of cheque drawn in favour of applicant andendorsement to be made by the applicant had beenomitted in the subsequent order dated 20-09-2006which was given effect from 30-09-2006.
Soliciting immediate action.
Letter No.: P/4-4/Honorarium Dated : 02.01.2008
addressed to the DDG (FS) Department of Posts, Dak
Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001
16BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
lllll Clarification on grant of honorarium for
calculation of interest for RD premature closures
- reg.
Ref: (i) This Union letter of even no. dt 28.04.07.
(ii) Yr. Letter No. 6172.dt. 17.05.07.
Apropos reference, it is rather dismayed to note
that the clarification about the application of rates
prescribed in Dte. Letter no. 113-1/2000 - SB. Dt.
12.01.07 for the single handed SPMs who is performing
both the work of clerk and supervision has not been
issued so far.
Further, the rates fixed for the RD PMC work
a decade back needs revision since the norms were
revised. During 1996, the PMC was permitted without
interest after one year. Now PMC is allowed only
after three years with SB interest. Resultantly, the
officials have to work out the IBB for more than three
years which is consuming more time. After
decentralisation of RD at S.O. level, it becomes a
very arduous & risky one.
It is thereafter requested to consider and revise
the honorarium upward at the following rates.
Sub Postmaster - Rs. 5.00 per account
Postal Asst - Rs. 10.00 per account
A line in reply about the action taken is highly
solicited.
Letter No.:P/4-4/Honorarium Dated : 02.01.2008
addressed to the DDG (FS), Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001
lllll Enhancement of honorarium for engaging
the officials in departmental examinations - reg.
Ref: This Union letter of even no. dt 30.11.06 &
10.05.07
Anent reference, it is constrained to note that
we did not receive any reply in mitigating this genuine
demand.
The present honorarium of Rs. 25/- per day for
the clerk and Rs 30/- per session to the supervisors
was fixed some decades ago and this is not in
consonance with the present strenuous job carried
out by the officials. It requires revision.
It is requested to expedite consider and accord order
at the earliest.
Department of posts-SBI tie-up helps rural banking expansion
The Union government's aim of extending
banking facilities in the rural hinterland is now being
achieved by the Department of Posts, thanks to its
tie-up with the country's leading banker-State Bank of
India-to provide latter's products and services through
its wide network of post offices spread across the
country.
"As a pilot project, we started in July this year
from villages in five States - Karnataka, Andhra
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Jharkhand -
extending facilities being offered by the state Bank of
India to its customers through our posts offfices.
Various transactions
Any SBI account holder can carry out various
transactions like depositing money or its withdrawal
from our designated post offices," Department of Posts
Secretary IMG Khan told the Hindu.
"Now, we have started these services in
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala also,
gradually covering all our rural post offices. Smart
cards are being issued to account holders having
all their information and banking details that are
acceptable at our post offices. Our rural post offices
are being electronically connected to nearest SBI
branches, making i t a unique model of rural
banking.
"From simple transactions like depositing and
withdrawing money, the plan is to gradually offer all
the SBI products and services to rural people, including
various types of loans; ATM, debit and credit cards;
and savings products like bonds, recurring and fixed
deposits. Soon, villagers would also be able to deposit
gold to get short-term loans on very marginal rate of
interest," said Mr. Khan.
According to the DoP Secretary, the experiment
has so far been very successful as more and more
villagers are now coming to post offices for their
banking-related work.
In fact, we are now planning to launch a
comprehensive drive to open new accounts in rural
areas and inform people about this unique initiative.
"We have a wide network of over 1.5 lakh post
offices spread across the country, out of which almost
1 lakh post offices are located in rural areas. We are
planning a national rollout of this venture and hope to
offer this service in all our rural post offices within the
next couple of years. Keeping in mind our vast reach,
this venutre will definitely show some interesting
results, besides help Reserve Bank of India in achieving
its goal of offering banking service in rural areas as
well," Mr. Khan added.
(The Hindu : 30-12-07)
17BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
Gist of discussions in the Standing CommitteeMeeting held on 14.12.2007
The meeting of the Standing Committee of the
JCM of National Council was held today. Secretary
(Personel) presided. On behalf of the Confederation,
Com. S.K. Vyas President and Com. KKN Kutty,
Secretary General attended the meeting. All agenda
items could not be discussed as the meeting had to
be ended at 3.00 P.M. The next meeting will take place
within three months. Decsions taken on each of the
agenda items discussed will be circulated shortly.
The following were the prominent issues that
came up for discussion today :
(a) Bonus : Official side informed that the Cabinet
had excluded the Central Govt. employees from the
purview of the recent amendment to Bonus Act,
whereby the ceiling limit for calculation of bonus had
been raised from Rs. 2500 to Rs. 3500. The Staff Side
reacted sharply to this statement and informed the
Secretary Personnel that they would be left with no
alternative but to withdraw from the discussion forum
and resort to action programmes if the Govt. persists
with its untenable decision. The Secretary (Personnel)
assured the Staff Side that he would convey their
strong resentment over this issue to the Cabinet
Secretary and will convey the Government's position.
The Staff side has decided to meet in the first week of
January, 2008 and consider the outcome of efforts of
the Secretary Personnel in this regard and take
appropriate decision.
(b) Interim Relief and the CPC Report : The Staff
Side SEcretary conveyed in his initial remarks that the
employees are concerned over the delay in the
submission of the report by the 6th CPC due to the various
references being made by the Govt. at the last minute.
He also informed the Secretary Personnel that most of
the Public Sector undertaking employees have been
granted interim relief ranging from Rs. 20000 to Rs.
60000 while the Central Govt. employees are denied
despite specific terms of reference to the 6th CPC. He
urged the Secretary Personnel to appreciate the injustice
caused to the Central Govt. employees in this regard.
(c) Arbitrary reduction of CGHS rates for
hospitralization and pathological tests inrecognized hospitals: The Stand of the Health
Ministry officials was that the rates had been revised
on the basis of the tender and naturally the recognized
hospitals were not entitled to object to it. The Staff
Side pointed out that none of the recognized hospitals
had entered into an MOU with the Govt. on the reduced
rates and the beneficiaries ar denied the treatment in
all places. After some discussions it was decided that
(i) The Health Ministry officials will interact
with the CGE organizations in all Cities and towns
where the scheme is in vogue and report as to which
hospitals are providing treatment on the basis of the
reduced rates and which of them were refusing to take
corrective steps;
(ii) The calendar of such meetings pertaining
to various CGHS centres would be prepared by the
Health Minstry and would be submitted to the
Secretary (Per) within 10 days.
(d) Arbitration awards: It was indicated that
discussions on all items had been completed and the
matter is being considered at the level of the Cabinet
Secretary as to the next course of action.
(e) New Pension scheme : Both the Sides
reiterated their position. The denial of family pension
and other retirement benefits in respect of the
employees recruited after 1.4.2004 and the remedial
actions were stated to be under consideration of the
Govt. In respect of those employees who were given
the temporary status prior to 1.4.2004 and in whose
cases, 50% of the services rendered as casual/
contingent/daily rated workers are to be counted for
the purpose of pension, the Secretary Pension informed
the staff side that the question of treating them as having
been recruited prior to 1.4.2004 would be considered.
(f) Compassionate appointments: The Official
side has gone back on their earlier assurance and
has now stated that no further relaxation would be
available in this regard further to what had been already
announced. The Staff side contested the position taken
by the Department of Personnel in the matter and
reminded them of the promise held by the Cabinet
Secretary when the issue was discussed with him as
part of the strike charter. The continuing discrimination
in the matter of compassionate appointment between
the employees of the Railways and other Central Govt.
employees was also brought home. After discussion,
it was decided that the Joint Secretary (E) in the
Department of Personnel will discuss the issue once
again with the staff Side to prepare a note to the Cabinet
Secretary incorporating the views of the staff side
properly for his reconsideration.
(g) At the end of the meeting Staff Side Secretary
enquired whether there was any proposal to raise the
retirement age from 60 to 62 to which the Secretary
Personnel clarified that to the best of his knowledge
and information that neither the Department of Personnel
nor the Finance has officially mooted any such proposal.
(Confederation Circular Dated : 14.12.07)
18BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
The following issues concerning Pensioners
were discussed on 11.12.2007 with the Director
Department of Pension. The gist of these discussions
is given against each item:-
I. Exgratia payment to SRPF retirees who
retired voluntary or on medical invalidation .
The department of Expenditure has advised that
the matter may be referred to VI CPC .The Staff Side
pointed out that there is decision of CAT which had
been sent to Deptt. of Pension and JS(Per) as per
decision in the last meeting and wanted to know
whether the staff side decision was considered. The
official side agreed to reconsider the matter.
This issue of grant of exgratia to widow of SRPF
retirees sanctioned after VI CPC has not been
sanctioned to widows whose husband had voluntary
retired or were Medically invalidated. The Director
said that it would be looked into.
II. Commutation of Pension to those who arefacing disciplinary proceedings under Rule 9 of
CCS(Pension) Rules.Rule 4 of CCS (Commutation of Pension)
Rules,81 provides that a retired employee against
whom proceedings under Rule 9 of the pension rule is
pending shall not be eligible to commute 40% of
Pension. Present provision is too harsh because if
these proceedings are decided to say after long time,
and then communication is allowed, its restoration is
also deferred beyond an age by which the pensioner
may not even survive. The Staff Side proposed that
this provision may be amended and such employee
made eligible to commute 40% of provisional pension.
In case a penalty of cut in pension is imposed, the
commuted value to the extent of cut may be adjusted
in lumpsum from the withheld amount of DCRG. After
discussion the official side indicated that a revised
proposal would be finalized in a month's time which
could then be discussed.
III. Family pension to family of kidnappedGovt. servant.
The Staff Side proposed that family pension may
be granted after obtaining an indemnity bond for refund/
adjustment if the kidnapped Govt. servant is brough
back and joins service. If this is not done the family is
left without any means to live. Once a FIR has been
filed and the police fails to trace him, family pension
may be granted by the Head of the Deptt. instead of
referring each case to Deptt. of pension/Deptt.of
Expenditure. The Staff Side agreed to consider the
above subject.
IV. Anomaly in Revision of Pension.
News from Confederation
DRAFT MINUTES ON MEETING WITH AS(P) HELD ON 11.12.2007There are Govt. employees who are drawing
higher amount of pension but in lower pre revised pay
scales than others who are in higher pre revised scales
but were drawing lower pension as on 1.1.96
In respect of pre 1996 retirees it was provided
that pension fixed as per the fitment formula will be
hiked to 50% of the revised pay scales. Obviously the
pension of an employee who was fixed at lower pension
starts getting higher pension being 50% of revised pay
scales where as the other employee getting higher
pension in lower pay scale start getting 50% of the
revised (lower) pay scale which is lower than the
former.
V. Extension of benefit of upgraded pay scales
in organized Accounts & Audit cadres to pre 1986retirees.
All pre 1986 retires have first been fixed
notionally in the revised pay scales as on 1.1.86. Their
notional pension determined on the basis of said
notional pay has been revised according to the fitment
formula as on 1.1.96. Thereafter the pay scales of
Accounts and Audit cadres have been upgraded with
effect from 1.1.96 and post 1996 retirees have been
granted the revised pension on the basis of their
notional pay. It was therefore demanded by the staff
Side that pre 1996 retirees including pre 1986 retirees
of the Account & audit cadres may also be extended
the benifit of upgraded pay notionally including hiking
their revised pension to 50% of minimum of the revised
pay scales.
The official Side cited O.M.No 38/36.03
P&PW(P)Pt. dated 5.9.2007 according to which the
benefit has been withdrawn to pensioners who retired
during the period from 1.1.96 to 18.2.2003 in
pursuance of Supreme Court judgment dated
23.11.2006 in Sh. K.S Krishna Murthy & others Vs.
UOI in CA No.3174/2006.
The staff side pointed out that the said
judgment had only upheld that the revision of pay on
1.1.96 would be in the corresponding revised pay scale
and not the upgraded pay scale of the post. Hence
this judgment was not to be made applicable to
Accounts & Audit Cadres whose corresponding
pay scale was revised and upgraded notionally from
1.1.96 and actually from 19.2.2003.
Further Staff side also pointed out
provisions of Rule 70 of CCS(Pension) Rules according
to which the pension already fixed on the basis of
notional pay in upgraded pay scales of the Account &
audit cadres in respect of retired between 1.1.96 to
18.2.2003.
19BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
The Staff Side requested that the issue
raised by them may be reconsidered in the light of the
aforementioned submissions.
VI. New Pension Scheme.
Since this matter is still being discussed in the
Standing Committee and the Department of Economic
Affairs have given certain clarifications, it was not discussed.
VII. Raising quantum of Exgratia to SRPF
retirees.
The Staff Side pointed out that revised orders
raising quantum of Exgratia to SRPF retirees have
been issued only by Railway Ministry. Similar order
may also issued by the Department of Pension in
respect of CPF retirees of other Establishment. The
Official Side indicated that the matter is under
consideration.
VIII. Payment of DCRG to pre 1986 retireestaking D.A. into Account.
Supreme Court have decided the matter in favour
of the Government. Copy of orders issued by the
Department of Pension shall be furnished to the staff
Side.
IX. Grant family pension to Smt. N. Lalitha, W/o
G. Natarajan of ordnance Factory, AvadiThe Official Side stated that at the time Shri.
Natarajan had been absorbed in the Ordnance Factory,
Avadi ( a Corporation) he was not confirmed and as
per extant rules no prorate pension was admissible to
him or his wife. The Staff Side pointed out that Shri.
Natarajan was Quasi permanent when he was
absorbed and therefore carried all attributes of
permanency. This case should be considered. The
Official Side agreed to look into.
X. Grant of 50% minimum pension of revisedpay scale of the post.
The Official Side gave the order of the Supreme
Court as also copy of the order issued by the Deptt. of
Pension. The item was closed.
XI. Revision of family pension in respect of
spouses of persons retired on compulsoryretirement.
Clarificatory order issued on 25.3.2004
(F.No.45/86/97 P&PW(A) pt.V) was furnished to Staff
Side. The matter was closed.
XII. Recovery of Fixed Medical Allowance fromTelecom retirees of Raipur.
The telecom retirees of Raipur were granted fixed
Medical allowance of Rs.100 / p.m. for 29 months after
obtaining from them option etc. Later on it was decided
that they should get their treatment in the postal
dispensary after paying the contribution of Rs,2900/-
paid to them and it was also recovered from them.
This was illegal recovery on because of the department
sanctioned this allowance to them and during that
period they had not obtained any OPD treatment from
Postal Dispensary.
The Official Side agreed to refer this case
( Staff Side letter dated 25.8,2003) to the Deptt. of
Telecommunications.
XIII. Anomaly in the Pension of BSNL
employees who retired during the period1.10.2000 to 31.8.2001.
The Staff Side had suggested that the anomaly
in question should be removed in the same way as
was done in the case of Govt. employees retiring during
the period 1.1.96 to 30.9.96. The Department of
Telecommunication had already furnished two cases
of anomaly to Deptt. of pension through the file No.40-
3/2004(Pen -B) and as such this matter was pending
with Deptt. of pension(Staff Side letter dated … )
again to Deptt. of Telecommunications.
XIV. Inclusion of Non Practicing Allowance in
emoluments of Railway Medical Officers forrevising their pension w.e.f. 1.1.96.
The Official Side pointed out that Supreme Court
in another case of Defence Doctors have upheld the
order not to allow NPA in their emoluments for purpose
of fixing revised pension w.e.f.1.1.96.
The Staff side pointed out that in earlier case
filed by Railway Medical Officers (Retd) the above order
was set aside. A Railway Doctor who had intervened
in this case was allowed the benefit of judgment of
Delhi High Court and therefore this benefit may also
extended to Railway Doctors of Jaipur who had also
intervened in this case. The Official Side stated that
there was no record to show that they had intervened.
The Staff Side stated that the necessary
documents showing that the Railway Doctors of Jaipur
had intervened would be furnished. The Official Side
agreed to reconsider the matter in the light of the record
and keeping in view the latest judgement of the
Supreme Court.
XV. Representation to NCCP on SCOVA.
Request was made on 29.5.2002 by the Staff
Side, Secretary/Chairman NCCP that its representation
may also be nominated on SCOVA as they represent
pensioners at National level through its State
Coordination Committees. Shri R.K. Chandra the then
Additional Secretary (Pension) in his D.O. letter No.
41/5/2002-P&PW(G) dated 14.6.2002 stated that this
proposal would be considered in 2003 when SCOVA
were not in favour of expanding SCOVA.
The Staff Side pointed out that the manner in
which SCOVA is constituted is quite defective as it
did not take into account the representative character
of the Pensioners Organizations.
The Official Side stated that they have now with
them in the membership strength of various pensioners
20BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
organizations and they would nominate SCOVA
member keeping in view of their membership strength.
They agreed to nominate NCCP representatives when
new SCOVA constituted after 31.3.2008.
The Staff Side also pointed out that no meeting
of SCOVA constituted in October,2001 and again in
2003/2005 etc. including the extend terms up to
31.3.2008 had at all been held. The Official Side
assured that meeting of SCOVA would be soon held.
XVI. Fixed Medical Allowance to Pensioners of
Coffee Board.
The Official Side informed that this matter is
subjudice and therefore decision will be taken only
after the issue decided by the court.
XVII. Fresh option for pension to Non-Statutory
canteen employees.
The matter is still in the Courts. Hence the
decision by the Court would be awaited.
XVIII. Action Taken Statements.The Staff Side pointed out that Action taken
statement have not been circulated in respect of minutes
of any of the previous meeting with the result that further
decision on the issues discused in those meeting have
not been held. In the previous meeting a statement
showing the date of meeting, letter forwarding minutes
of meeting was furnished in respect of which Action
taken Statement in respect of these meeting.
Even for the last meeting held on 22.11.2006
no Action taken Statement has been furnished though
issue have been discussed again in the basis of verbal
intimation of the status given in the meeting
The official side agreed to hold next meeting
within next three moths after circulating the action Taken
Statement in respect of previous and this meeting.
XIX. Supply of copies of orders on pension to
Staff Side members
The Official Side reiterated that now they would
furnish copies of all orders issued by Deptt. to all
Staff Side members of National council and also to
Secretary, .Staff Side National council.
XX. Response letters from Staff Side Members.
The Staff side pointed out that no reply is given to
letters sent by them and therefore in every meeting these
letters have to be discussed. In most cases it is reported
that the letters sent by them are missing. In several cases
photo copies of those letters are again furnished.
The official Side indicated that the letters
sent by Staff side would be promptly responded to in
future and future discussion thereon may take place
in next meeting.
Unsafe Savings : Rs. 153 cr vanishes from post officesFor tens of thousands of Indians who've squirrelled
away their life's savings in neighbourhood post offices,
reassured that it's safe, here's some shocking news.
TOI has learnt that the post office savings bin is
leaking. In three years Indians across the country have
lost a mind-boggling Rs
153,22,06,773.25. That's over Rs
153 crore. In most cases the
fraud appears to have been
perpetrated by agents acting
hand-in-glove with PO officials.
The agents take money from
would-be depositers and
channel it elsewhere. They then
obtain fake receipts from the
officials and give them to the
unsuspecting depositors.
A Union post and telecom ministry document in
the possession of TOI shows that leading the pack of
corrupt post offices in the states are the ones in West
Bengal with Rs. 97 crore of lost public money, followed
by UP (Rs 18 crore) and Bihar (Rs. 10 crore).
The scam came to light when Avinash Rai
Khanna, MP from Hoshiarpur, put in a question in
Parliment regarding money lost from Punjab's post
offices. Subsequent inquiries by TOI revealed that 3,188
cases had been registered against varius POs and 5,346
officials of the department had already been found guilty
of financial bungling.
A crime of such enormous proportions couldn't have
happened without the complicity of senior post office officials.
ML Kalia, Director, Punjab circle, conceded as much. "We
have been getting such complaints
from various districts," he said. "We
have adopted ways to stem the rot
and are helping police investigate
such cases. Besides, teams of
officials from our department
conduct surprise raids to nail such
fraudsters."
A senior functionary in the
office of chief post master general,
Haryana, said,"Most of this (the
fraud) happens at the hands of agents who are not
confirmed employees. The state government keeps them
mainly to increase savings so that it can ask for large
loans from the Central government on low interest rates."
Post offices are now doing their bit to tackle the
situation. Any case that involves funds of more than Rs.
4,000 is handed over to the police. Frauds of Rs. 1 lakh
and above are investigated by a director-level oficial in
the department. "The big cases," said the Haryana official,
"go to the CBI".
(Sunday Times : Delhi-30.12.07)
WORST CASESWORST CASESWORST CASESWORST CASESWORST CASESState No.of Missing Guilty
Cases Amount Persons
W.Bengal 99 97 Cr. 132
UP 254 18 Cr. 659
Bihar 34 10 Cr. 677
Karnatka 500 3 Cr. 517
Andhra 332 3 Cr. 552
Delhi 21 2 Cr. 135
21BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
The 26th All India Conference of the All IndiaPostal Administrative Offices Employees Union -Group C and D was held in Thiruvanantha Puram(Kerala) from 18.12.07 to 20.12.07. Com. G.Sudhakaran, Honble Minister of Co-operation andDevaswom, Government of Kerala inaugurated theConference. Doctor K.N.Girilal, Member, Kerala StatePlanning Board and Faculty, Centre for DevelopmentStudies presented the key note address on 'ServiceSector in the Era of globalization'. The AIC wasaddressed by Comrades K.Rajendran [GS Federationof State Govt. Employees and TeachersOrganisations]; C.C.Pillai [Working PresidentConfederation]; K.Ragavendran [SG NFPE];K.V.Sridharan [GS P3]; P.Rajanayagam [GS PostalAccounts]; K.Mohanan [C/S BSNLEU];S.P.Mukherjee [GS Admn Union] and M.Krishnan [AllIndia President of P3 and General Convener ReceptionCommittee]. A captivating cultural dance programmeby the girls of an Orphanage Home was alsoorganised at the close of the inaugural session.
The Conference unanimously elected a list ofOffice Bearers headed by comrades T.Ramesh [AllIndia President]; S.P.Mukherjee [General Secretary]and Maya Ram [Finance Secretary].
The Reception Committee with Comrade JayanBabu the Honourable Mayor of ThiruvananthapuramCorporation as the Chairman and ComradeM.Krishnan the All India President of P3 CHQ asGeneral Convener has made nice arrangements forthe successful holding of the AIC.
26TH AIC OF ADMINISTRATIVE UNIONNEWLY ELECTED CHQ OFFICE BEARERS
OF AIPAOEU GROUP C & D IN THE 26TH AIC AT
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
President : Com. T.Ramesh - Andhra
Vice President : 1.Com. D.Mukherjee - W e s t
Bengal
2.Com. M.Z.Khan -Jharkhand
General Secretary : Com. S.P.Mukherjee - West
Bengal
Asst.Gen.Secretary : 1Com. Pranab Bhattacharjee
- West Bengal
2.Com. S.C.John - Gujarat
3.Com. M.Jagadeesh -
Karnataka
4.Com. Bhag Singh - Punjab
Finance Secretary : Com. Maya Ram - Haryana
Organising Secretary: 1.Com. K.Ramachandram -
Andhra
2.Com. R.Aravindan -
Tamilnadu
3.Com. M.U.Khan -
Madhyapradesh
4.Com. B.C.Deka - Assam
5.Com. P.Satheesh Kumar -
Kerala
6.Com. S.S.Samanta - Orissa
Our heartiest congratulations to the newly
elected office bearers of P3 unions.
BONUS ON POST OFFICE SAVINGSThe Government on Friday restored bonus
on the once-popular Monthly Investment Scheme
(MIS) of post office and extended income tax rebate
on two other small savings schemes. While in the
past it paid a bonus of 10 per cent on maturity, it
would now offer only 5 per cent on the maturity of
MIS, applicable to new accounts from tomorrow. A
Finance Ministry statement said income tax rebate
would be extended to investments under Senior
Citizens Savings Scheme, Five - Year Office Time
Deposits.
Hindu : 7.12.07
TARAPADA BHAWANAny visiting comrades who desire to stay at
union rest room at Tarapada Bhawan may apply in
advance through Division/Circle Secretaries to CHQ
and avail the benefits.
Sunday Time : 30.12.07
22BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
The Widow of a deceased GDS official namelySri Ram Murti has recorded a great victory in the Courtof law, which has a significant, and far reaching positiveimpact on the question of payment of Gratuity to theentirety of Gramin Dak Sevaks in the Department ofPosts. It is more or less identical to 1977 Rajammascase as if the ED employees are holders of civil post.
On the death of her husband who was workingas a GDS in Hoshiarpur Division in Punjab Circle,Smt.Sham Dulari filed a case before the ControllingAuthority appointed under the Payment of Gratuity Act,1972 claimed a sum of Rs.57,692/- as gratuity for theperiod of service rendered by her husband (18 years 9months and 25 days), which was far greater than theamount being paid to the GDS by the Department ofPosts at present under the Gramin Dak Sewak(Conduct and Employment) Rules, 2001.
The Department negated the claim that theGDS are covered by the EDA Rules 1964, which arenow known as Gramin Dak Sewak (Conduct andEmployment) Rules, 2001 that regulate the paymentof gratuity to them and, the Gratuity Act 1972 wouldnot be applicable to them. Under the above Rules theretired GDS official has already been paid the gratuityamounting to Rs.16,520/- and as such no furthergratuity is payable as the provisions of the GratuityAct which do not apply to the instant case.
The Controlling Authority cum Asst. Labourcommissioner (C) Chandigarh rejected the argumentof the Department of Posts and ordered payment ofanother Rs.12,286/- with interest @ 10% w.e.f.25.12.2001to the widow over and above the gratuityamount paid to her by the Department of Posts.
The Department of Posts appealed against theorder to the Appellate Authority of Gratuity Act. TheAppellate Authority cum Regional Labourcommissioner also held and confirmed the decisionof the earlier orders with the following:
OrderIn view of the above findings, this Appellate Authorityafter affording the opportunities to the parties herebyconfirmed the decision dated 21.8.2003 of the ld.Controlling Authority-cum-Asstt. LabourCommissioner (C) Chandigarh."
Mr M.S.Guglani, learned counsel for thepetitioner has submitted that an employee has beendefined in Section 2(e) of the Gratuity Act and it doesnot cover any such person who is governed by someother rules of the department. According to the learnedcounsel, the EDA Rules 1964 which are now known
A Historical, Landmark Judgment
GDS are covered under Gratuity ACT, 1972
as Gramin Dak Sewak (Conduct and Employment)Rules, 2001 regulate the payment of gratuity to theworkman and, the Gratuity Act would not beapplicable. Accordingly, gratuity has to be paid to themin accordance with the EDA Rules. Therefore, the viewtaken by the Controlling Authority or the AppellateAuthority accepting the workman respondent as anemployee under the Act is absolutely incorrect.Learned counsel has further submitted that under theEDA Rules, the workman respondent has already beenpaid the gratuity amounting to Rs.16,520/- and nofurther gratuity is payable as the provisions of theGratuity Act do not apply to the instant case.
We have thoughtfully considered thesubmissions made by learned counsel for thepetitioner- department and regret our inability to acceptthe same because the definition of expression'employee' in Section 2 (e) has to be read with Section5 and 14 of the Gratuity Act. The aforementionedprovisions of Section 2 (e), 5 and 14 are extractedbelow for faclity of reference: -"2 Definitions.- In this Act unless the context otherwiserequires, (e) "employee" means any person (otherthan an apprentice) employed on wages, (* * *) in anyestablishment, factory, mine, oilfield, plantation, port,railway, company or shop, to do any skilled, semi-skilled, or unskilled, manual, supervisory, technicalor clerical work, whether the terms of such employmentare express or implied, (and whether or not such personis employed in a managerial or administrative capacity,but does not include any such person who holds apost under the Central Government or a StateGovernment and is governed by any other Act or byany rules providing for payment of gratuity.5. Power to exempt.- [(1)] The appropriateGovernment may, by notification, and subject to suchconditions as may, be specified in the notification,exempt any establishment, factory, mine, oilfield,plantation, port, railway company or shop to whichthis Act applies from the operation of the provisions ofthis Act if, in the opinion of the appropriate Government,the employees in such establishment, factory, mine,oilfield, plantation, port, railway company or shop arein receipt of gratuity or pensionary benefits not lessfavourable than the benefits conferred under this Act.](2) The appropriate Government may, by notificationand subject to such conditions as may be specified inthe notification, exempt any employee or class ofemployees employed in any establishment, factory,mine, oilfield, plantation, port, railway company or shop
23BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
to which this Act applies from the operation of theprovisions of this Act, if, in the opinion of the appropriateGovernment, such employee or class of employees arein receipt of gratuity or pensionary benefits nor lessfavourable than the benefits conferred under this Act.][(3) A notification issued under sub section (1) orsub section (2) may be issued retrospectively a datenot earlier than the date of commencement of thisAct, but no such notification shall be issued so as toprejudicially affect the interest of any person.]14. Act to override other enactments, etc.- Theprovisions of this Act or any rule made thereunder shallhave effect notwithstanding anything inconsistenttherewith contained in any enactment other than thisAct or in any instrument or contract having effect byvirtue of any enactment other than this Act."
According to the definition of expressionemployee, any person who is employed on wages inany establishment, factory, mine etc., who may beperforming the duty of a skilled, semi-skilled, orunskilled, supervisory, technical or duties of clericalnature, has been included in the expression'employee'. However, the expression 'employee' is notto /include a person who holds a post under the CentralGovernment or State Government and is governed byany other Act or by any Rules providing for paymentof gratuity. The respondent- workman is not governedby Central Civl Services (Classification, Control andAppeal) Rules, 1965, as has been expressly held byHon'ble Supreme Court in para 3 of the judgment inKameshwar Parshad's case (supra). It has further beenheld that the Extra Departmental Agent are entitled tothe protection of Article 311 (2) of the Constitutionand they are governed by separate set of Rules,namely, the EDA Rules. Therefore, it does not followthat the Extra Departmental Agent hold a post underthe Central Government for the purposes of pensionand gratuity. In other words, within the meaning ofSection 2 (e) of the Gratuity Act, the respondent-workman cannot held to have held a post under theCentral Government for the purposes of pension andgratuity. Para 3 and 4of the judgment is extractedbelow for the facility of reference:"3. The Extra Departmental Agents are governmentservants holding a civil post and are entitled to theprotection of Article 311(2) of the Constitution (See:Supdt. of Post Offices v. P.K. Rajamma).They aregoverned by separate set of rules, viz., the Posts andTelegraphs Extra Departmental Agents (Conduct andService) Rules, 1964 (hereinafter referred to as "theRules").The Central Civil Services (Classification,Control and Appeal) Rules are not applicable to thiscategory of employees in view of the notification dated28.1.1957 issued by the Government of India underRule 3 (3) of the said Rules.
4. In Rule 4 of the Rules it is provided that theemployees shall not be entitled to any pension. . Rule5 relates to leave. Rule 6 deals with the termination ofservices. Rule 7 prescribes nature of penalties thatcan be imposed. Rule 8 prescribes the procedure forimposing a penalty. Rule 8-A specifies the cases inwhich the provisions of Rule 8 would not be applicable."
We are further of the view that the scheme ofthe Gratuity Act indicates that it is not applicable tocases where any other rule or statute is more beneficialthan the Gratuity Act. For the aforementionedproposition, reliance may be placed on a judgment ofthe Supreme Court in the case of E.I.D. Parry (I)Limited v. G. Onkar Murthy, (2001) 4 SCC 68. Theconverse would also be true that in cases where theGratuity Act is more beneficial than the Rules,Regulations or any statute then the Gratuity Act wouldapply. It is evident that Section 5 of the Gratuity Actexpressly requires an order of exemption in favour ofany organistion exempting it from the operation of theGratuity Act in respect of any establishment etc. towhich this Act applies. Section 5 further lays downthat the declaration is given in cases where the gratuityor pensionary benefits are not less favourable thenthe benefits conferred under this Act. A perusal ofSection 14 makes it obvious that the provisions of theAct and the Rules framed there under ought to havethe effect notwithstanding anything inconsistenttherewith contained in any enactment other than thisAct. This non-obstante clause also excludes theapplication of any other rules. The aforementioned viewis fully supported by a judgment of the Supreme Courtin the case of Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. DharamParkash Sharma and other, (1998) 7 SCC 221. Theshort question which was considered by their lordshipswas, whether an employee of the MunicipalCorporation, Delhi was entitled to payment of gratuityunder the Gratuity Act when the Corporation itself hadadopted the provisions of Central Civil Service (Pension)Rules, 1972, which provide both for payment of pensionas well as of gratuity. The Hon'ble Supreme Court rejectedthe argument of the Corporation, namely, that when theCentral Civil Service (Pension) Rules, 1972, provide apackage by itself, which has been applied to theemployees of the Corporation then the provisions ofGratuity Act were not applicable and held as under: -
"We have examined carefully the provisions ofthe Pension Rules as well as the provisions of thePayment of Gratuity Act. The Payment of GratuityAct being a special provision for payment of gratuity,unless there is any provision therein which excludesits applicability to an employee who is otherwisegoverned by the provisions of the Pension Rules, it isnot possible for us to hold that the respondent is notentitled to the gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity
24BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
Act. The only provision which was pointed out is thedefinition of "employee" in Section 2(e) which excludesthe employees of the Central Government and StateGovernments receiving pension and gratuity under thePension Rules but not an employee of the MCD. TheMCD employee, therefore, would be entitled to thepayment of gratuity provided for under the Payment ofGratuity Act. The mere fact that the gratuity is providedfor under the Pension Rules will not disentitle him toget the payment of gratuity under the Payment ofGratuity Act. In view of the overriding provisionscontained in Section 14 of the Payment of GratuityAct, the provision for gratuity under the Pension Ruleswill have no effect. Possibly for this reason, Section 5of the Payment of Gratuity Act has conferred authorityon the appropriate Government to exempt anyestablishment from the operation of the provisions ofthe Act, if in its opinion the employees of suchestablishment are in receipt of gratuity or pensionarybenefits not less favourable than the benefits conferredunder this Act. Admittedly, MCD has not taken anysteps to invoke the power of the Central Governmentunder Section 5 of the Payment of Gratuity Act. In theaforesaid premises, we are of the considered opinionthat the employees of the MCD would be entitled tothe payment of gratuity under the Payment of GratuityAct notwithstanding the fact that the provisions of thePension Rules have been made applicable to them forthe purpose of determining the pension. Needless tomention that the employees cannot claim gratuityavailable under the Pension Rules."
The aforementioned observation in fact squarely
apply to the facts of the present case. There is no
declaration under Section 5 exempting the application
of the Gratuity Act to Extra Departmental Agents.
Moreover, the EDA Rules, are not more beneficial than
the benefits which are available to the respondent-
workman under the Gratuity Act. Such a declaration
could not have been given by the competent authority
exempting the Extra Departmental Agents from the
operation of the provisions of the Gratuity Act.
Therefore, on principle as well as on precedents, we
have reached the conclusion that the view taken by
the Controlling Authority as well as Appellate Authority
are not open to any attack in law and it does not furnish
any opportunity to interfere with the same. Therefore,
we are inclined to uphold the order dated August 21,
2003 (P-3) passed by the Controlling Authority and
the order dated January 5, 2006 (P-6) passed by the
Appellate Authority.
The argument of the learned counsel that the
respondent workman is not covered by the definition
of expression 'employee' as used in Section 2 (e) of
the Gratuity Act does not require any detailed
consideration because of the view expressed by the
Hon'ble Supreme court in Dharam Parkash Sharma's
case (supra). In that case also Central Civil Service
(Pension) Rules, 1972 were adopted by the Municipal
Corporation, yet the Hon'ble Supreme Court held that
the Gratuity Act would apply in view of Section 5 read
with Section 14 of the Gratuity Act. Therefore, we have
no hesitation in rejecting the argument raised on behalf
of the petitioner- department.
For the reasons aforementioned, this petition
fails and the same is dismissed.
Accordingly, we direct that the respondent-
workman be paid her dues within a period of one month
from today, failing which the annum from the date, the
amount became due till the date of actual payment.
The office is directed to send a copy of 'this
order to the respondent- workman for information and
further necessary action.
The Department subsequently went on SLP in
the Supreme Court as usual. The Honorable Supreme
Court also dismissed the SLP on 7.12.2007.
Therefore the Government now has no other
alternate except to pay the gratuity to the widow of
the deceased GDS as per the Gratuity Act, 1972,
which states that Gratuity is a lump sum payment
made by the employer as a mark of recognition of the
service rendered by the employee when he retires or
leaves service. According to this Act the Gratuity is
payable @ 15 days wages for every year of completed
service or part thereof in excess of six months. In case
of seasonal establishment, gratuity is payable @ 7
days wages for each season. Wages will include basic
and D.A. The daily wages in respect of piece rated
employees are to be computed on the average of the
total wages received by an employee for a period of
three months. The maximum amount of Gratuity
payable is Rs. 3.5 lakhs.
This is a landmark Judgment and the three
lakhs of Gramin Dak Sevaks stand benefited
immensely.
The NFPE has immediately taken it up with
the Government of India by writing to the Honourable
Prime Minister of India for immediate extension of the
benefit of the Judgment to all Gramin Dak Sevaks
without any delay by making necessary changes in
the Rules, since the retiring GDS every day shall not
be losing the benefit. Similarly, it is hold that the GDS
Union (CHQ) has spent to money engage lawyer to
defend the case in supreme Court. Our hearty
congratulations.
Let us sincerely ensure all efforts to make the judgment
applicable to all the GDS officials. G/S
25BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
AN INTERACTION WITH SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS
A meeting of Postal System Adminisrators
organised by the Chennai City North Division System
Managers on 22.12.2007 was addressed by
Comrades K. Ragavendran [SG NFPE]; K. V.
Sridharan [GS P3]; Santosh Kumar [C/S Postal
Accounts]; P/ Mohan [D/S P3 Chennai North]; and
S. Ragupathy [Former D/S P3 Chennai North]. Com.
J. Srivenkatesh Circle Vice President P3 chaired the
meeting.
A detailed memorandum on many problems
faced by them including the basic issue of higher
pay scales handed over to the leaders after the same
was explained by Comrades Dinesh and Senthil
Kumar. System Administrators from several divisions
of Tamilnadu interacted with the leaders on many
issues connected to their problems.
The following issues were focussed and
discussed at length in the meeting.
1. Maintenance of a selection panel list at regional
level for System Managers and the whimsical
approach of officers either to add or delete should
be thwarted.
2. Augmenting more System Managers by fixing
suitable work norms based on the number of
systems handled.
3. Payment of Road Mileage Allowance without any
mileage restriction. Actual fuel expenses on
conveyance should be reimbursed while deputing
to other stations for attending fault.
4. Uniformity in payment of mobile phone recharge bills.
A minimum of Rs. 500/- talk value should be ensured.
5. Treating the System Manger as equal to field
officer and make it as a promotional cadre for
the postal Assistants. No specific attendance be
fixed and signing attendance at Head Quarters
and attend fault at other thereafter offices should
not be insisted.
6. Until, it is declared as promotional cadre, a sum
of Rs. 1000/- shall be granted as Spl Allowance/
incentive to Systems Managers.
7. Duties & Responsibilities should be properly
framed and it should be uniform in all Circles.
8. Trainers Allowance should be granted the
Systems Mangers who import training at various
levels.
9. Health insurance scheme to be introduced.
10. Providing Training in Advance Technology to the
Systems Managers.
In nutshell, the systems managers of Tamilnadu Circle
who met on 22.12.07 have given valuable suggestions
about their job and for their better service conditions.
Besides they dealt at length about the problems
confronting on computerisation. The General
Secretary and Secretary General, NFPE also
participated the discussions and interacted and
informed that the problems of Systems Managers has
already been included in the P3 charter of demands.
They have also explained that all efforts were taken
by them effectively in focusing the issues pertaining
to Systems Manager for providing higher pay scale
before the Six Pay Commission. They assured that
they will leave no stone unturned in mitigating the
genuine problems of the Systems Managers who are
part and parcel of P3 and its movement.
The organisers of the meeting Com. Dinesh &
Com. Senthil deserve all appreciations.
WELL DONE CHAUDHARY
The following is the excerpts from the letter
received from Com. A. C. Chaudhary, Divisional
Secretary, Bardoli Division in Gujarat Circle.
"Our Bardoli division has 132 members in
Group 'C ' cadre out of 157 staff. There are 94
subscribers to Bhartiya Post from our division which
the highest of any other division of Gujarat."
We record our sincere appreciation to Com.
Choudhary and his team. Let Bardoli division be an
example for others. I trust he will enhance the 132
members upto 150 in the ensuing verification and
reach 120 subscribers to Bhartiya Post.
Well done Comrade! You deserve all
appreciations.
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26BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
l Interest at 8% for 2007-08 for GPF/CPF/New
Pension System.
It is announced for general information that
during the year 2007-2008, accumulations at the credit
of subscribers to the General Provident Fund and other
similar funds shall continue to carry interest at the
rate of 8% (Eight per cent) per annum. This rate will
be in force during the financial year beginning on 1-4-
2007. The funds concerned are :
1. The General Provident Fund (Central Services).
2. The Contributory Provident Fund (India).
3. The All India Services Provident Fund.
4. The State Railway Provident Fund.
5. The General Provident Fund (Defence Services).
6. The Indian Ordance Department Provident Fund.
7. The Indian Ordance Factories Workmen's
Provident Fund.
8. The Indian Naval Dockyard Workmen's Provident
Fund.
9. The Defence Services Officers' Provident Fund.
10. The Armed Forces Personnel Provident Fund.
11. New Pension System (Defined Contribution
Pension Scheme).
2. Ordered that the Resolution be published in
Gazette of India.
G.I.,M.F., Resolution No. F.No. 5(1)-B(PD)2007, dated
17-10-2007
l Rate of interest for purchase ofconveyances during 2007-2008
The undersigned is directed to state that the
rates of interest for advances sanctioned to the
Government servants for purchase of conveyances
during 2007-2008 i.e., from 1st April, 2007 to 31st
March, 2008 will continue to be at the same level as
for 2006-2007, as under :
Rate of interest
per annum
(i) Advance for purchase of Bicycle 5.5%
(ii) Advance for purchase of conveyance 8%
other than motor car (viz. motor cycle,
scotter, etc.)
(iii) Advance for purchase of motor car 11.5%
G.I.,M.F., O.M. No. F.No. 5(2)-B(PD)2007, Dated 17-
10-2007
l 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
GOVERNMENT ORDERScadre may be made in the following order 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
proceedure.
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.
The receipt of this letter may please be
acknowledged.
No.3(3)/99/PA-Admn.I/245 to 288 Dated 07-07-2006
l Treatment of strike period in respect ofGramin Dak Sevaks.
This has reference to D.O. letter No. 8-27/97-
SR (Pt.) dated 23.06.1998 from Member (D) and letter
No.8-1/2001-SR dated 7-2-2001, from Director (SR)
whereby orders were issued that Rule 19 (now rule 23
of the GDS Rules, 2001) may be invoked for GDS
participating in the strike only in cases of incitement,
instances of violence and sabotage etc., on the
analogy of FR 17A for Departmental employees. It was
also mentioned that principle of 'no work no pay' is to
be followed and the strike period cannot be adjusted
by grant of leave. In this connection, it is further being
clarified that although the strike period cannot be
regularized by grant of leave.
It will not attract the following disabilities of any
GDS :-
(i) Unless, it is specifically ordered by the competent
authority after show cause notice on account of
incitement, violence and sobotage, the strike
period would not result in to break in service.
(ii) The strike period would not adversely affect the
counting of service for payment of severance
27BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
allowance at the time of discharge from
employment.
(iii) The strike period would not cause any delay for
their absorption against Group 'D' posts which is
done on the seniority basis.
(iv) The strike period would not adversely affect the
eligibility of GDS to take the exam to Group 'C'
Cadre (Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant).
2. This issues with the approval of competent
authority.
No.22-2/2004-GDS Dated 13.12.2007
l Renewal of licences for use of franking
machines which are more than 10 years old.
Franking machines on completion of 10 years
of life are required to be technically examined by
PMRO at the time of each renewal of licence as per
instructions contained in para 37 of 'The instructions
for licencing and use of franking machines' circulated
vide Dte's letter no. 41-13/95-PO dated 08-04-1996.
Some Circles have pointed out that technical
examination of more than 10 years old franking
machine by PMRO is not possible at the time of
renewal of licence in view of reorganization of PMRO
and entrusting the work of maintaining and operation
of hardware to postal machine assistants redesigned
as postal assistants to examine the electronic franking
machines.
The matter has been examined and it has been
decided to dispense with the requirement of technical
examination of more than 10 years old franking
machines and production of fitness certificate from
PMRO at the time of renewal of licences. However,
DY(PM)/SPM/PRI/PA etc. assigned with the
supervision of such machines may certify that the FM
is in proper working order or replacement of base or
anything else is required. Beside above, procedure
prescribed for renewal of licences will continue to be
followed. This may kindly be brought into the notice of
all concerned for necessary action.
Receipt of this letter may kindly be
acknowledged.
No.9-3/2007-PO Dated 31.12.2007
The CWC Meeting was started just at sharp 11
AM on dated 07-12-2007 at Youth Hostel Gopalpur.
All the CWC members participated and Com.
Sibananda Dash, Asst. Circle Secretary, Com.
Jaydeep Chakraborty Divisional Secretary made nice
arrangements for the accommodation staying of the
comrades there in Youth Hostel & Holiday Home at
Gopalpur. The arrangements of food for the comrades
were marvellous. Our General Secretary attended the
CWC meeting on 8th night and addressed the
deliberation till 4 'O' Clock, late night, discussing all
the problems relating to Group - C employees. The
interactions with the CWC members on various issues
by the General Secretary were quite remarkable.
The open Session of the CWC Meeting was
held at Berahampur HO premises on 09th Dec. 2007.
Com. Alli Pattanaik, sate CPI (M) leader, Sri Ramesh
Ch. Chayu Pattanaik, MLA , Berahampur, Sri A.N.
Nanda IPS, Chief PMG, Com. R.C. Mishra C/S AIPEU
Gr - C com. R.N. Dhal C/S AIRMS EU R-III, Com. D.B.
Mohanty C/S AIPEU postmen & Gr - D attended the
open session and addressed the gathering. Com. K.C.
Patnayak, President of the Circle Union presided over
the meeting. Com. Jaydeep Chakraborty, Secretary
Reception committee gave the vote of thanks.
All the CWC members, divisional secretaries
attended the Open Session and there was gathering
of around three hundred comrades in the above open
session.
-R.C. Mishra, Circle Secretary, Orissa.
ORISSA CWC MEETING
Government today denied that there is any poroposal
to increase the retirement of the Central Government
Employees.
Following is the text of the Press Statement
issued by the Department of Personnel & Training,
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and
Pensions on 01.01.08, to clarify that there is no
proposal before the Government regarding raising the
retirement age of Central Government employees
from 60 years to 62 years :
"Atention of the Government has been drawn to
reports appearing in some sections of the media
regarding raising the retirement age of Central
Government employees from 60 to 62 years. In order
to put at rest all such speculations, it is clarified
that there is no such proposal before the Government.
No increase in Retirement Age -Government
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28BHARTIYA POST FEBRUARY, 2008
LETTERS FROM DEPARTMENT TO CHQu Non drawal of due HRA to the officiatingpostmaster, Bhatinda H.O. in Punjab Circle-caseof Smt. Balwinder Kaur BCR PA.
I am directed to refer to this letter of even numberdated 05.03.2007 on the subject noted above. No replyhas so far been received from your office even afternine months. You are therefore requested to look intothe matter and furnish full facts and details of the caseof this Directorate urgently.Letter No. 4-16/2007-PAP Dated : 14-12-2007addressed to C.P.M.G. Punjab Circle copy to C.H.Q.u Irregular grant of Trade Union facilities toPostal Supervisors Association.
I am directed to enclose a copy of letters No. P/4-11/Trade Union dated 22.11.2007 received from AllIndia Postal Employees Union Group 'C' on the abovementioned subject. It is requested to send a detailedreport in the matter to the Department at the earliest.Letter No. 17-10/2006-SR(ii) Dated : 05-12-2007addressed to C.P.M.G. Punjab Circle copy to C.H.Q.u Treatment of Strike Period
I am directed to refer to your letter No. Ref. P/4-11/Strike Period dated 22.11.2007 on the abovementioned subject. The O.M. No. 41016/I(S)-Estt(B)dated 01.05.1991 is a part of the standing instructionsissued by the Department, to deal with the strikesituation etc. You are requested to advise your CircleUnion to take up the matter with the Circle Office.(Letter No. 17-10/2006-SR(iii) Dated : 05-12-2007addressed to C.H.Q.u Periodical meeting with PMG (FP&Mktg),Mumbai.
I am directed to refer to enclose a copy of letterNo. P/2-13/Maharastra Cle dated 22.11.07 receivedfrom All India Postal Employees Union Group 'C' onthe above mentioned subject. It is requested to senda detailed report in the matter to the Department atthe earliest.Letter No. 17-10/2006-SR(i) Dated : 05-12-2007addressed to C.P.M.G. Maharashtra Circle copy toC.H.Q.u Payment of salaries through Bank - case ofVijayawada Division in A.P. Circle - reg.
I am directed to refer to your letter No. P/2-1/Vijayawada dated 31.10.2007 on the above mentionedsubject.2. The matter has been examined in consultationwith the Circle Office. As reported, instructions regardingpayment of salaries through Bank in Vijaya wadaRegion were made applicable to those who gave theirconsent and furnished the Bank account details.Letter No. 16-100/2007-SR Dated : 17-12-2007
addressed to C.H.Q.u Joint memorandum by Circle Unionsagainst Sri Kushan Vashishat, then, SSPOs,Simla-reg.
This has reference to All India Postal EmployeesUnion Group 'C's letter No. P/2-8/HP Cle dated3.11.2007 on the above mentioned subject, a copy ofwhich is enclosed for taking action, as deemedappropriate.Letter No. 16-103/2007-SR Dated : 17-12-2007addressed to Director (Staff) Directorate copy to C.H.Q.u Alleged atrocities and maladministration ofSSPOs. Meerut Division in UP Circle-reg.
I am directed to enclose a copy of letters No. P/2-20/Meerut dated 28.12.2007 received from theGeneral Secretary, All India Postal Employees UnionGroup 'C', on the above mentioned subject. Veryserious allegations have been levelled in regard to thefunctioning of Shri H.P. Singh, SSPOs Meerut Division.2. It is requested to look into the matter and furnisha detailed report to this office by 11.01.2008 positively.Letter No. 16-117/2007-SR Dated : 03-01-2008addressed to CPMG UP Circle and copy to C.H.Q.u Delay in settlement of assured issues-caseof foreign Post, Kolkata in West Bengal Circle.
I am directed to to refer to your letter No. P/2-22/Kolkata FP dated 21.09.2007 on the abovementioned subject.2. The matter has been examined in consultationwith the Circle Office Compliance report ad-seriatimon the points raised by the Service Association is asunder :i) MDW in respect of Divisional Office was issued
on 12.09.2007.ii) Distribution of LR PA in Operative Section under
Foreign Post, Kolkata has been issued on5.11.2007.
iii) One PA from CED Section and another PA fromFMO Section has been redeployed to ForeignParcel Import Section.
iv) Superintendent, PSD, Kolkata is unable tosupply sufficient number of C-Bags to theForeign Post Office as per their requisition.However, C-Bags so supplied by the PSD,Kolkata are being sent to the operativeSections.
v) The work of publishing the revised GradationList is under process.
vi) Manuals are not available with the PSD, atpresent.
Letter No. 16-86/2007-SR Dated : 02-01-2008addressed to CHQ.