Dear Comrades,
D.G. Posts No. No:09-01/2005-WS-I/PE.I Dated: 9th April , 2012
The meeting of the
Committee was held on 5th March, 2012 at 1100 hrs. in PLI
Directorate. The meeting was attended by the following:
i) Shri S.K. Sinha, CGM, PLI …. Chairperson
ii)
Shri V.P. Singh, DDG (Establishment)
iii) Shri
Satish Kumar, Director (FA)
iv) Mr.
M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE
v) Mr.
D. Theagarajan, Secretary General, FNPO
vi) Mr.
I.S. Dabas, General Secretary, AIPEU Postmen& Group `D'/ MTS
vii) Mr.
T.N. Rahate, General Secretary, NUPE Postmen & Group `D'/MTS
2. The items assigned
to the Committee as per the Terms of Reference were discussed at length in the
meeting. The gist of discussions and the decisions taken are as follows:
(i) Extraction of data
entry work from Postmen: There was in principle agreement of the staff
side that the Postmen had no objection in performing the data entry work
provided suitable time factor for this element of work was allowed in their
overall work load. The Committee noted that Meghdoot LAN norms for Postmen
Module have already been circulated by the Department on 28.7.2008 for
implementation in all computerized HPOs. It was, accordingly, decided
that the time factor given for various activities in the Postmen Module of MD –
LAN may also be provided to Postmen, if they undertake these activities. It was
further decided that Directorate will consider to issue suitable instructions
to all the Circles in this regard by 30th April, 2012 as some
Postmen find it difficult to make computer data entry , it was also agreed to
impart necessary computer training to Postmen.
(I) Irregular
computation of working hours for Postmen working in field units: Certain
items in the revised norms for Postmen as issued by the Postal Directorate vide
F.No.9-1/2005-WS-I/PE.I dated 5.2.2010 were agitated by the staff side.
After discussion, the following decisions were taken:
a) The staff side
mentioned that the time factor of 0.42 minutes provided for `delivery of
unregistered mail in multi-storied buildings' (Sl.No.2) is grossly inadequate
and needs to be relaxed. It was decided that while carrying out the
review of Postmen establishment, the time factor for delivery of unregistered
mail (other than in multi-storied buildings as given at Sl.No.1) in the revised
norms will also be provided in cases of delivery of unregistered mail in
multi-storied building in which mail boxes have not been provided at the ground
floor;
b) On the demand of
providing the same time factor for delivery of Speed Post articles as provided
for Registered Mail, it was decided that `while carrying out the review of
postmen establishment, the person-specific speed post articles (Passports,
Aadhaar Cards, Driving Licenses) will be provided the time factor of 2.5
minutes as provided for registered mail'.
c) The staff side
vehemently demanded to work out suitable time factor for door-to-door distance
travelled by foot by the Postmen. In the course of discussion, the
Committee noted that this demand of the staff side is being met by providing
time factor for delivery of unregistered mail (other than in multi-storied
buildings) to unregistered mail delivery in such multi-storied buildings which
do not have mail boxes on the ground floor. Moreover, the Committee also
noted that no further action on this demand is perhaps called for in view of
Note No.11 provided in the 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 time
factor for delivery of articles."
The Staff Side was of
the view that since Note No. 11 was prepared many years back in 1975 -79, it
does not reflect the present ground reality. This aspect may be considered by
the department at the time of next review.
d) The time factor
provided for travelling distance by foot and by bicycle in hilly and mountainous
terrains of less congested areas needs to be relaxed in view of the extra
physical efforts and timing involved in covering such areas. The
staff side was informed that this aspect is under consideration by the
Directorate and comments of several Circles have already been received in this
regard.
(iii) Removal of
minimum cycleable distance for grant of Cycle Maintenance Allowance of Postmen: The
staff side was informed that necessary orders for grant of Cycle Maintenance
Allowance irrespective of the distance covered by the Postmen have been issued
by the Directorate. In view of this, the staff side agreed to close this
item.
(iv) Scheme of payment
of incentive to Postmen for delivery of Speed Post articles: The Committee was
informed that the CGM, Business Development and Marketing Directorate (BD &
MD) has already been requested to issue suitable instructions to all the
Circles to the effect that all payments of speed post delivery incentive bills
pertaining to Postmen may be cleared by 31st March, 2012.
It was, therefore, decided to close this item.
(v) Minimum and maximum
area of beat to be covered on foot/bicycle during duty hours: The staff
side demanded that the Department should prescribe the maximum beat length
which a Postman is supposed to travel by foot / bicycle as there are several
cases in which the Postmen have to travel 30-40 kms. per day in effecting their
deliveries. After discussion, the Committee felt that the incidence of
abnormally long Postmen beats is primarily because of non-review of Postmen
establishment in a proper manner in several Divisions. It was further
decided that :
a)The Directorate will
consider to issue instructions to all the Circles to ensure proper review of
Postmen establishment, which should inter-alia include proper
measurement of beat length, the rationalization of beats and demarcation of
beats in such a way that a Postmen is not required to travel unduly long
distance in his duty hours;
b)It was pointed out
that the combination of beats being resorted to in the Post Offices having 4+
strength of the Postmen should be removed. After detailed discussion it
was decided that Directorate will consider issue of instructions to all the
Circles to the effect that combination of beats should be resorted to only by
exception as it adversely impacts the delivery efficiency;
c)It was pointed out by
the staff side that Postmen face difficulty in delivery of registered parcels
weighing more than 5 kgms. each and EPP articles for which the maximum weight
of 35 kgms. per article has been fixed. It was highlighted that either some
reasonable rate and mode of conveyance for delivering EPP articles should be
fixed, or the rates of coolie charges fixed in the past should be revised for
efficient delivery of 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.
Additional
Points:
a) The staff side drew
attention of the Committee to note at Sl.No.8 in the Directorate letter
No.9-1/2005-W.S.I/PE.I dated 5.2.2010 which stipulates that "area
having a density of population of 2500 per Sq. KM may be taken as congested
area" and pointed out that the same has been incorrectly printed
as it should refer to 2500 per Sq. Mile instead of 2500 per Sq. KM. They
quoted a clarification received from PTC, Mysore which has cited Directorate
letter dated 19.2.1975 indicating establishment norms for Postmen and defining
congested area as having a density of population of 2500 per Sq. 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.
b) Creation of
justified additional posts while implementing new 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 1.3.2012
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 as the issue pertains to
creation / redeployment of post which is basically a policy issue.
However, the staff side mentioned that the Postmen were not able to write
correct remarks for non-delivery of articles 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 and,
if required, instructions with regard to delivery could be issued by the
Directorate.
3. With the
deliberations and decisions as noted above, the Committee concluded its work
with regard to the Terms of Reference assigned to it. The Committee,
however, felt that the Establishment Division of the Directorate may ensure
follow-up action on the decisions of the Committee so that the issues are taken
to their logical conclusion.
4. The final meeting of
the Committee ended with Vote of Thanks to the Chair.
Sd/-
(V.P. Singh)
DDG (Estt.)
Copy
to:
i) Shri S.K. Sinha, CGM, PLI
ii) Ms. Kalpana Rajsinghot, Director (Estt. &
DE) Shri Satish Kumar,
Director (Finance)
iii) Shri Prabhu Das Xalxo, ADG (Estt.)
iv) Mr. M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE
v) Mr. D. Theagarajan, Secretary General, FNPO
vi) Mr. I.S. Dabas, General Secretary, AIPEU
Postmen & Group `D'/ MTS
vii) Mr. T.N. Rahate, General Secretary, NUPE
Postmen & Group `D'/MTS
Copy for information to:
Director (SR) – with
reference to SR & Legal Section's letter No.1/2/2010-SR dated 9.1.2012 on
Formation of a Committee to discuss issues relating to Postmen – Change in its
composition.
Source: AIPEU P3 CHQ
