No.08/11/2013-SR
Government
of India
Ministry
of Communications & IT
Department
of Posts
(S.R.
Section)
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg
New
Delhi dated the 8th July, 2013
To
Shri I.S.
Dabas
General Secretary
All
India Postal Employees Union Postmen & MSE Gr.’D’
17/3-D,
Type-III, P&T Quarters
Kali
Bari Marg
New
Delhi-110 001
Shri T.N.
Rahate
General Secretary & President FNPO
National
Union of Postal Employees Postmen Gr ‘.D’
Central
Head Quarters, Dalvi Sadan, Khurshid Square
P&T
Colony, Civil Lines
Delhi
– 110 054
Subject: Memorandum submitted to the Secretary,
Department of Posts on urgent issues of Postmen and MTS Staff
Sir,
Reference
your letter No. Memorandum/Postmen JCM/2013 dated 07/06/2013 (received in SR
Section on 18/06/2013) on the above subject.
The issues raised in the memorandum have been examined in consultation
with all officers concerned in the meeting held under the chairpersonship of
Secretary (Posts). The decisions taken
on the various issues, raised by the unions, are enclosed.
It
is reiterated that no purpose is served by agitations. On the contrary, disruption of work
undermines the prestige of the Department and affects the business. You are, therefore, requested again to stay
away from such activities and call off the proposed Dharna / strike.
Yours faithfully,
Encl: as above.
(Arun Malik)
Director (SR)
Decisions
taken in the meeting under the chairpersonship of Secretary (Posts) held on
24/06/2013 on memorandum submitted by Postmen & MTS Staff Unions
Sl.
No.
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Agenda
Item
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Decisions
taken
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1.
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Postmen Committee
Recommendation not Implemented
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(a)
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Extraction of data
entry work from Postman: Suitable
instructions / Orders to all the Circles are to be issued by 30/04/2012;
nothing has been done so far. An early
issue of orders is required to implement them.
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It has been
decided that circles will make necessary arrangements at WCTC or DO/HO to
impart training on Saturdays/Sundays to all those Postmen who are unable to
perform data entry work to bring proficiency.
It is essential for Postman to perform data entry work as the
Department is moving from a present computerized mode to the CSI Software and
Hand Held device for the Postman.
Under MNOP data entry of articles for delivery is a part of the
delivery system. The Hand Held device
will be given to the heavier SP/Regd. Post delivery POs the data of articles
for delivery in a delivery PO coming through CSI Software will be down loaded
into the HH device. The Postmen will
then have to tick ( ) when article is delivered on or choose
from a drop down menu for reasons of non-delivery. Necessary training for
Postmen will be given.
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(b)
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Revision of postmen
norms: Postmen
norms issued by the Department are very old.
The decision taken in the committee are not convincing. As such it is suggested that formation of
fresh Internal Work Study Unit with one / two staff side members to review
all work performed by postmen staff with door to door measurement of beats
was requested. Internal Work Study
Unit for this job is to be ordered by the Directorate as the same does not
come under the jurisdiction of the Committee.
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The norms for
Postmen were issued on 05/02/2010 after discussions with Postal Unions and
were further revised on 19/07/2012.
Therefore, the demand for constitution of a fresh committee for
revised norms is not justified.
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(c)
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Change in procedure
for payment of Speed Post delivery incentive: At present the procedure for payment
of incentive is very lengthy. Nobody
prepares bills. In case the bills are
prepared they remain under verification of PRI/SDI/ASP then go to sanction to
the Divisional Head. After sanction of
bills from Divisional Head to DDOs for payment. Then bills are to be prepared DDOs for
payment office wise. It is suggested
that module for payment of Speed Post Incentive in the computer software be
installed and give powers of payment to the concerned postmaster on weekly/
monthly. After payment the concerned
vouchers be sent to the DDOs for accounting purpose.
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It was decided
that software module for generation of speed post incentive bills shall be
developed for installation in the Post Office. However, the sanction of the incentive bill
will continue to be done by Divisional Office.
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(d)
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Combination of
beat: It was decided in the above meeting that
limit of combination of beat in the post office having 4+ strength will be
removed since it adversely affects the delivery efficiency. But orders on this item are yet to be
issued by the Directorate. This needs
to be done at the earliest.
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It was decided
that combination of beats will continue wherever essential due to leave and
other contingencies so that delivery of mail which is the core business of
Post Office is not adversely affected.
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(e)
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Delivery of Heavy
parcels and EPP articles:
It was pointed out by the staff side that Postman faces difficulty in
delivery of registered parcels weighing more than 5 Kgs each and EPP articles
of which the maximum weight of 35 Kgms., per articles has been fixed. It was highlighted that either some
reasonable rate and mode of conveyance for delivery EPP articles should be
fixed or the rates of coolie charges fixed in the past should be revised for
efficient delivery of the registered parcel.
It was decided that the Directorate will consider reiterating the
instructions on coolie charges to all the Circles so that the delivery of
heavy parcels is not adversely affected.
Whether coolie charges pertaining to heavy parcels have been enhances
due to high prices. As regards EPP
parcels, whether mode of conveyance with rate of each mode have been decided
by the Directorate.
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It was decided that
the new Parcel Division will examine the proposal keeping in view issues of
the heavy parcel and EPP articles.
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(f)
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Corrigendum on
density of population: The staff side drew attention of the
committee to the note of Sl.8 in the Directorate letter No.9-1/2005-WSI/PE.I
dated 05/02/2010 which stipulates that area having a density of population
2500 per Sq. KM may be taken as congested area “and pointed out that the same
has incorrectly been printed as it should refer to 2500 per sq. Mile instead
of 2500 sq. meter. They quoted a
clarification received from PTC, Mytore which has cited Directorate letter
dated 19/02/1976 indicating establishment norms for Postmen and defining
congested area or having a density of population of 2500 sq. per Mile. After discussion it was agreed that
Directorate would examine and issue suitable amendment / corrigendum to the
Note 8 of the revised norms of postmen establishment.
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Matter was
examined and found that vide letter NO.l9-1/2005-WS.I/PE.I dated 05/02/2010,
norms for Postmen Establishment were circulated in which under note 8 –
density of population mentioned 2500 per sq.km., and still holds good. The union is confusing with earlier order
issued in the year 1975.
PTC, Mysore
will also be informed to correct their compendium and send correction to
every booklet sold.
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(g)
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Creating of
justified additional posts: In this connection while implementing the
system for delivery work and allowing postmen to write correct remarks for
non-delivery. The staff side drew
attention to item No. 25 minutes of the last JCM meeting issued on 01/03/2012
wherein it is mentioned that the issue is under examination by the Postman
Committee being chaired by CGM (PLI).
After discussion, the view emerged that this item is not part of
Committee’s mandate and the issue pertains to creation / re-deployment of
Posts which is basically a policy issue.
However, the staff side mentioned that Postmen were not able to write
correct remarks for non-delivery of article due to heavy work in the project
Arrow Offices, it was, therefore, decided that the experience gathered after
implementation of Project Arrow in various Post Offices could be examined. Result on examination has not been
communicated so far in this regard.
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It was decided
that the commitment made in respect of Project Arrow implementation will be
examined by Director (Mail Management). Accordingly, the issue was
examined. As per Postal Manual (Vol.
VI, Part 3), when an undelivered article or MO entered in the Postman’s book
(M 27) is brought back, a remark as to why it was not delivered or paid
should be written briefly but legibly by the Postmen. Therefore, recording the reasons for
non-delivery is part of Postmen’s job, ever since Postal manuals were written.
As Hand Held
device shall soon be issued to Postmen of heavier SP/Regd. Post delivery
offices and GDS – BPM and delivery agents, the entry of reasons for
delivery/non-delivery can be ticked from the drop down option menu by Postmen
at the time of effecting delivery itself.
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2.
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Cadre Restructuring
of Postman an MTS: The
first and foremost issue on which a bias against the Postman is clearly
visible is that of cadre restructuring for this cadre. The Department through conceded to form a
Cadre Restructuring Committee during the strike negotiations with the Postal
Joint Council of Action had issued orders omitting the cadre of Postman and
MTS from the ambit of cadre restructuring.
This shows the mind-set of the Department on the important issue of
cadre restructuring of Postman and MTS cadre.
The stand of the Postal Directorate was against the direction of the
Official Side in the National Anomaly Committee that every department shall
go into the issue of cadre restructuring for boosting the promotional avenues
of employees rather than depending too much on the MACP Scheme for that
purpose. It is a known fact that the
cadres of Postman and MTS have no in-situ promotion in their cadre except the
promotion to the cadre of Postal Assistant through a competitive
examination. Every other cadre other
than the cadres of Postman and MTS have their own hierarchical promotions in
their own cadre and this discrimination cannot be ended without a proper
cadre restructuring in place for the Postman and MTS cadre. Even the flimsy promotion for the cadre of
Postman earlier to the introduction of TBOP / BCR like Head Postman, sorting
Postman etc., have disappeared from the scene and as on date no promotion in
the cadre is available to both these cadres.
Unfortunately, the Department of Posts not only not in a position to appreciate our
contention as well as the proposal for cadre restructuring based on
percentage basis as available to all cadres in the Department of Railways but
no inclined to consider any cadre restructuring proposal to these
cadres. The absence of any promotion
to them in their own cadre leaves them total frustrated and takes away any
incentive to perform better to the services.
This has to be properly appreciated and attended to by the Postal
Directorate in the absence of Cadre Restructuring Committee failed to find
out any alternate proposals to ‘our proposal based on percentage.’
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It was decided
to ascertain as to how many Postmen / GDS / MTS have passed the examination
during the last five years and how many Postmen vacancies were filled through
direct recruitment.
Cadre
restructuring for Group ‘C’ employees was not found justified.
There is only
one cadre i.e. Postal Asstt. after the Postman cadre. The functional requirement of PA Cadre
includes knowledge of computers. They
are also recruited on examination both from DR and promoted. Hence a chance for those who measure up is
already provided subject to fitness.
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3.
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Door
to Door Scientific Measurement of Beats: (A) – At
present the door to door beat measurement system adopted by the department is
not only unsatisfactory but also incorrect one as neither scientific device
like foot meter nor cyclo meter is used to assess the actual length of
beat. The measurement of beats is
generally done while sitting on the table by guess work only. Moreover the workload of mail delivery and
number of houses to be visited during duty of eight hours has no where been
laid down causing extreme harassment
to postmen staff. It is demanded that the number of houses to
be visited and number of articles to be delivered should be laid down in the
interest of delivery efficiency and rationalization of workload of postmen
staff as well.
The Directorate ordered for rationalizing of Postman beats after
hearing our complaints that Postman beats are constructed unscientifically
with long distances humanly impossible to cover on a day. Many examples like more than 70 kilometers
beats were brought to the notice of the Postman Committee to substantiate our
complaints. Based on the discussions
the Directorate agreed to issue orders for measuring the beats and
rationalizing them appropriately.
Unfortunately the CHQs of our Unions are receiving complaints from our
Circles that re-measuring of beats is being done most unscientifically
without using either the cyclo-meters or foot-meters but applying their
imaginary calculations. This has
complicated the problem more and there is wide spread resentment among the
Postman staff. Both our unions urge
upon you to issue strict instructions to measure all Postman beats only by
using cyclo-meters or foot-meters for the purpose of rationalizing the beats.
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The
representative beats intimated by staff side
in Delhi and Haryana Circles have been assessed and the assessment /
study report is enclosed. It has been
found that in Delhi Circle the two POs have excessive manpower while in
Haryana the manpower is short of its requirement.
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(B)
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To fix the meeting of Committee for
Modification in Order No. 31-38/79-PE-I dt. 22-5-1979:- The Committee Constituted for
examination of Modification in Departmental Order No. 31-38/79-PE-I dt.
23-5-1979 in R/O footwork of the Postman from door to door walk in R/O Item
DO 4 of Periodical Meeting held on 29-11-2012 and Departmental Council
Meeting on 28-12-2012.
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This issue was
deliberated by the committee constituted to examine the issues related to
postmen under the chairmanship of the then CGM (PLI) Shri Shekhar Sinha. The committee was of view that the time
factor for door-to-door distance travelled by foot by the postmen is being
taken care of in the time factor provided for delivery of mail The committee
further noted that this aspect has been duly clarified in the note No. 11 of
Directorate letter dated 5/2/2010 which is reproduced below:
“Distance
travelled means distance covered on the main roads, lanes and bye-lanes.
Distance travelled/covered for entering various houses is included in the
time factor for delivery of articles.”
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4.
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. Revision of Syllabus to
Departmental Exams Modification:- (A) As narrated in the earlier paragraph the
only avenue open to the cadre of Postman / MTS for higher promotion is that
Postal Assistants through competitive examinations. The Department opted for
revision of syllabus and pattern of examinations and the Staff Side too
agreed to it. It was told to us that the revision of syllabus and pattern of
examinations would go a long way to help more candidates get through the
examination to avoid many vacancies go unfilled after every examination. It
took a long time for finalizing the syllabus and new method of examination
introduced for LGO exam. However it is found that contrary to what was told
by the Department the examinations of LGOs as well as the examinations from
GDS to Postman and MTS have become so tuff that it has become extremely
difficult to answer many questions.
Many questions are of such a standard that even IPS Officers may not
be able to answer easily. This has led to a situation wherein the candidates
could not get through these examinations and a large number of vacancies
remain unfilled after the examinations. Both of our unions urge upon you to
set up a high level committee of Officers with Staff Side Members in it to
review the whole syllabus for suitably modifying it.
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It was decided that
the question papers of the last three years will be examined by DDG(P) to see whether any question was out of the
syllabus and report submitted in 15 days.
The question papers in respect of minimum three circles will be
examined for the report. Revision of
syllabus is not recommended as syllabus is linked to job content and should
not be compromised in these days of stiff competition from couriers and
public expectancy of service delivery.
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(B)
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Request
to conduct special examination for
recruitment to the Postman & MTS cadres for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 : To avoid recurring vacancies due to
leaving of qualified employees of high standard in the background of submission made above, it is requested that –
1. To fill up the vacancies for the
years 2009 to 2013 in the Postman and MTS cadre a special examination only
for GDS/MTS employees may be conducted.
2. The question paper may be
set on the basis of practical and relevant work routinely done by the regular
MTS and Postman employees.
3. The work of setting question
paper may be got done by a promotee officer who is having
practical knowledge of the nature of work being done by the MTS and Postman
employees.
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The posts are to be
filled as per the provisions of the modified Recruitment Rules, which are
statutory in nature. However, no
deviation from the RRs is permissible.
However, all circles will be addressed to hold the examination as per
prescribed periodicity. Circles will
also be advised to hold training classes on holidays in Divisions on a fee
basis of competiting employees to ensure that syllabus based training is
imparted to upgrade knowledge and skills.
Divisional Supdt. will only be enablers for this process.
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(C)
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Filling
up vacant posts with Residual vacancies:- All vacant post of Postmen & Group D/MTS should be
filled in within 30th June 2013 as directed by Directorate. There
is no chance to fill up vacant posts in due time as no notification has been
issued in many circles like A.P. and Assam Circle etc.
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Status of vacancies
will be reviewed on receipt of feedback from the circles in the first /
second week of July, 2013 which is the time limit given to Circles for this
task.
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5.
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Improving the Quality of Uniforms
and timely supply of all kit items:-The
Postman and MTS are called the uniformed staff in the Department of Posts.
Unfortunately these cadres who are actually moving among the members of
public pose a poor picture to the image of the Department because of the
inferior quality of the uniform cloth. Despite the agreement with the All
India Unions by the Department that facilitated inclusion of staff side
member from the Unions in the purchase committee of uniform cloth to ensure
purchase of better quality of cloth,, the problem persists. This cannot be
sorted out unless the cost price permitted by the DOPT is enhanced on the
face of escalating prices of all commodities including the textiles. The cost
price permitted by the DOPT cannot ensure better quality uniform cloth from
the market. Added to this are the violations here and there in Circles where
the Administration is not sincerely ensuring inclusion of staff side members
in the purchase committee and no protection against ensuring supply of the
selected quality of cloth only to the staff. These have to be addressed
immediately.
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This issue relates to
purchase of good quality of uniform and non inclusion of representatives of
staff side in the purchase committee was taken up with DOPT by this
Department. DOPT had furnished their
comments for procurement of uniform which are as under:
“After coming into
effect of GFR 2005 this Department has issued an OM No.14/7/2003-JCA dated
25/11/2005 which was in supersession of the earlier instructions, clarifying
that the further procurement should be made as per the relevant rules in the
new GFR’s. This implies that
Ministries / Departments can now decide to procure uniform from
anywhere and on rates subject to complying with the provisions of GFR 2005”.
This advice of DOPT is being circulated to all Circles for necessary
action. Further, Circles will be asked
to comply with specifications circulated for uniform while making
supply. Union is requested to bring
specific instances with details and samples for examination, if necessary.
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6.
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Stop Unscientific Measurement of
Postmen Beats:
The Directorate
ordered for rationalizing of Postman beats after hearing our complaints that
Postman beats are constructed unscientifically with long distances humanly
impossible to cover on a day. Many examples like more than 70 Kilometres
beats were brought to the notice of the Postman Committee to substantiate our
complaints. Based on the discussions the Directorate agreed to issue orders
for measuring the beats and rationalizing them appropriately. Unfortunately
the CHQs of our Unions are receiving complaints from our Circles that
re-measuring of beats is being done most unscientifically without using
either the cyclo-meters or foot-meters but applying their imaginary
calculations. This has complicated the problem more and there is widespread
resentment among the Postman staff. Both our Unions urge upon you to issue
strict instructions to measure all Postman beats only by using cyclo-meters
or foot-meters for the purpose of rationalizing the beats.
|
The
representative beats in Delhi and Haryana Circles have been assessed and the
assessment / study report is enclosed.
|
7.
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Cycle Maintenance Allowance to MTS:-The Cycle Maintenance Allowance is
paid to all Postman staff without any conditions whereas the MTS Staff who
are engaged in letter box clearing or other outside office work excluded from the ambit of CMA. This is unjustified.
The MTS Staff also are to be paid CMA without any conditions as like Postman
staff. Both our Unions urge upon you to issue necessary orders to pay CMA to
all MTS without any conditions.
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The Postman’s
duty involves daily visit to delivery letters in his beat and hence if using
cycle the allowance is admissible.
Since different persons, depending on availability of persons, are
used for letter box clearance, the allowance is not admissible. Further, the proposal that MTS staff be
paid CMA without any condition like Postman staff is not acceptable.
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(a)
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Revision
of Fixed Monetary Compensation (FMC):-This
has reference to your office letter No
10-7/2003.P.E.II dated 24th Nov 2010 wherein existing rate on revision has been enhanced for each category except Multi
Tasking staff whose rate of remuneration has been reduced @ Rs 60/- per holiday for 4 hours whereas MTS
staff was getting @ Rs 63.45
per holiday for 3 hrs on hourly basis @ Rs 21.15 per hour. Protracted
correspondence made proved in fructuous. This need to be reviewed for proper
justice to the MTS staff.
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The matter will
be examined as per extant rules by DDG(Estt.) and put up in file within 15
days.
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8.
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Abolition of Nodal Delivery Centers
at all metro cities:-All
Nodal delivery centers should be abolished throughout the Country immediately
to avoid complication in day-to-day delivery system. (Example–West Bengal
Circle, Karnataka Circle, Bangalore, Maharashtra Circle Mumbai GPO).
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Male delivery is the
core business of post and everything should be done to ensure that service to
public is not compromised particularly in view of stiff competition from the
courier industry. Nodal delivery is
functioning smoothly at many places.
In their memorandum, service unions have not cited any specific reason
as to what complications arise out of nodal delivery and why Nodal delivery
should be abolished. In the absence of
complete information, it is difficult to examine the matter.
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9.
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To
Stop harassment:-The
postman staff being tortured for 100% delivery and in various cases by asking
them to work beyond duty hours and many other ways harassment is there it
must be stopped.
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100% delivery is the
duty of Post Office and Postmen and hence there is no harassment in
performing duty. No specific instances
have been brought to the notice of the Directorate by the service
unions. In case any specific instance
of harassment is brought to the notice of the Directorate by the service
unions, the same will be examined.
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10.
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Promotional
posts of Postmen Cadre:
The posts of Mail Overseer, Cash Overseer, Head Postman and Sorting Postman
should be considered as promotional posts for Postmen cadre and an additional
increment or some allowance should be granted for performance duties on such
posts. Seniority criteria of postmen should be taken in view while deploying
on these posts.
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There is no
separate Grade Pay between Rs. 2000 and 2400 in the hierarchy of the Grade
Pay recommended by 6th CPC.
In case we treat these cadres as promotional cadres of the postman
then they will be losers as 1st financial upgradation will be
admissible to them in the same Grade Pay but with only one increment. For
example a direct recruit postman is presently allowed 1st
financial upgradation to the GP of Rs. 2400, 2nd financial
upgradation to the GP of Rs. 2800 and 3rd financial upgradation to
the GP of Rs. 4200. In the event of treating these cadres as promotional
cadres in the same GP but with allowance, they will get 1st financial
upgradation GP of Rs. 2000, 2nd financial upgradation of GP of Rs.
2400 and 3rd financial upgradation to GP of Rs. 2800.
The special allowance provided after
introduction of TBOP effective from 30/11/1983 was withdrawn on introduction
of BCR effective from 01.10.1991. Thus for the posts of Mail Overseer, Cash
Overseer, Head Postman & Sorting Postman, no special allowance is
currently admissible.
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