Dear Comrades,
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 02/08/2013 IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM, DAK BHAVAN UNDER THE CHAIRPERSONSHIP OF SECRETARY (POSTS) TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES RAISED BY THE PJC.
No. 8/4/2013-SR
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & I.T.
Department of Posts
(SR Section)
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi, dated the 16th September,
2013
Minutes of the meeting held on 02/08/2013 in the Committee
Room, Dak
Bhavan under the chairpersonship of
Secretary (Posts) to discuss the issues
raised by the PJCA.
Kindly find enclosed the minutes of the meeting held on 02/08/2013 in the
Committee Room, Dak Bhavan under the chairpersonship of Secretary (Posts) to
discuss the issues raised by the PJCA, for necessary action at your end.
Action Taken Report may be sent to this office at the earliest.
(Arun Malik)
Director (SR)
Official Side:-
1.Shri S.K. Sinha, CGM
(MB&O) 2. Ms.
Saroj Punhani, JS & FA
3.Shri Alok Saxena,
Secretary (PSB) 4. Shri Vasumitra,
DDG (PO)
5.Shri V.K. Tiwary,
DDG (R&P) 6. Shri Anil Kumar, DDG (Estt)
7.Shri V.P. Singh,
DDG(P) 8. Shri Rajneesh
Kumar, DDG (PAF)
9.Shri Rakesh Kumar,
Director (Estt) 10.Shri Aman
Sharma, OSD to Secretary (Posts)
11.
Shri Raj Kumar, Director (Staff) 12.Shri V.C. Kajla,
Consultant
Staff Side:-
1. Shri M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE 2. Shri D. Theagarajan,
Secretary General, FNPO2. 2. Shri Giri Raj Singh, General Secretary, All India
RMS & MMS Employees Union. 3.Shri I.S. Dabas, General Secretary, A.I.
Postal Emp. Union, Mailguards & Gr. D / MTS.4. Shri P. Suresh, General
Secretary, A.I. RMS & MMS Emp. Union, Mailguards and Grade ‘D’ / MTS.5.Shri
T. Satyanarayana, Gen. Secy. A.I. Postal Accounts Emp. Association.6. Shri T.N.
Rahate, Gen. Secy. National Union of Postal Employees, Post & Gr. D / MTS
CHQ.7. Shri P. Panduranga Rao. 8. Shri Pranab Bhattarcharjee, Gen. Secy. All
India Postal Administrative Offices Emp. Union Gr. C & D.9. Shri R. Siva
Narayan.10. Shri G.P. Muthu Krishnan. 11. Shri O.P. Khanna, Gen. Secretary,
A.I. Postal Administrative Office Association.
12. Shri P.K. Gupta.
13. Shri Devender Kumar.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 02/08/2013 IN THE COMMITTEE
ROOM, DAK BHAVAN UNDER THE CHAIRPERSONSHIP OF SECRETARY (POSTS) TO DISCUSS THE
ISSUES RAISED BY THE PJC.
No. 8/4/2013-SR
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & I.T.
Department of Posts
(SR Section)
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi, Dated the 16th September,
2013
A meeting was held on 02/08/2013 in the Committee Room, Dak Bhavan under the
chairpersonship of Secretary (Posts) to discuss the issues raised by the PJCA
in the Memorandum submitted by them on 01/04/2013. A list of participants
is annexed.
Secretary (PSB) welcomed the participants and thereafter the discussions on the
agenda items commenced. After deliberations the following decisions were
taken:
S.
No.
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Agenda Item
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Decision taken
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1.
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Issues relating to Gramin Dak Sevaks
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a.
Enhancement of Bonus ceiling –
In the
matter of enhancement of Bonus ceiling to 3500/- of Gramin Dak Sevaks, it was
assured that another attempt will be made to get the approval of the Finance
Ministry. It was informed that the file has already been submitted to
Finance Ministry with the favourable recommendations of the Postal Board and
Minister, Communications.
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The
proposal has been approved by Department of Expenditure on 21/08/2013.
The matter is now being placed before the Cabinet for approval.
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b. Revision
of Cash handling norms-
On the
issue of withdrawal of upward change in cash handling norms etc., it was
assured that the entire issue will be re-examined. A DDG level
committee was also constituted. Minister of State for communications
has also assured the staff side that needful will be done in this case.
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Data is
being collected from all circles regarding financial implications in case the
cash handling norms are revised. Circles are being addressed to
expedite response. The proposal will be examined after the requisite
data is collected.
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c. Ensuring
no reduction of TRCA under any circumstances –
It was
assured by Minister of State for communications that orders for full
protection
of TRCA will be issued. But, in the orders issued by the Directorate,
protection is given for one year only and thereafter if workload is not
increased TRCA will be reduced without any protection. As per the
earlier orders protection was given up to the maximum of the lower TRCA even
if workload is reduced. As per the new order after one year there will
be no protection at all. When workload is reduced due to circumstances
beyond the Control of the GDS, reducing the TRCA is quite unjustified and
inhuman.
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The
remuneration of the GDS and the policy relating to the same is reviewed every
ten years in consonance with the Pay Commission by a committee and accepted
by the
Finance
Ministry and Cabinet for implementation. The policy governing
remuneration of GDS is related to work load. If work load increases
TRCA is enhanced. On a similar analogy if work load reduces, there is
an impact on TRCA. Protection provided for GDS / BPMs for a period of one
year is a welfare oriented instruction guiding GDS to increase his work load
during the one year period. A fresh establishment review will be done
for such post offices at the end of this one year period, which will end in
October this year and a number of such offices identified and a decision will
be taken.
Secretary
(Posts) urged the staff side to convince GDS to make efforts to increase the
business which in turn will enhance the workload with consequent rise in TRCA
or maintenance of TRCA at the same level.
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d. Removal
of minimum 50 points conditions for GDS Compassionate appointment
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The data reveals that present norms have
yielded compassionate engagement to an extent around 30% - 35% of the
cases which is much more than the regular departmental employees who are
getting only 5% as per DOPT guidelines based on the Hon’ble Supreme Court
judgement, which have restricted compassionate appointment to a maximum of 5%
of the total appointment in Government service. The point system cannot
be relaxed further to enhance the compassionate appointment cases as it is
presently much more than the Supreme Court judgement norms.
Item closed.
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e.
Redeployment of GDS mailman posts in new areas
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The PJCA
has accepted that this is a dying cadre. Therefore, the work that was
hitherto being performed by GDS MM will be reflected in the future
Establishment of Mail as per justification.
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f.
Review of cash conveyance allowance – Monthly ceiling of Rs.50/-
to be removed.
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Details
will be ascertained from circles to know the average expenditure incurred
every month by GDS / BPMs. Proposal will be reviewed thereafter, so as
to ensure that they are adequately compensated to cover cost.
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g.
Introduction of Health Scheme
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The
proposal for GDS health insurance scheme is under active consideration by
Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure.
On
21/08/2013 Secretary (Posts) has demi officially addressed Secretary
(Expenditure) to expedite the approval.
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h.
Norms for RPLI
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GDS BPMs
are already being given incentive on RPLI @ 10% of the first year premium
towards RPLI policies and 2.5% of the renewal premium income collected by
RPLI. No further revision is necessary at this stage.
Item
closed.
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i. Providing norms for cash remittance from BO to AO & Vice Versa
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The reply
sent by Director (SR) vide letter No.8-4/2013-SR dated 22/04/2013 stands
withdrawn.
A committee
has been formed to look into this issue. The proposal “norms for cash
remittance from BO to AO – vice-versa”- will be examined on receipt of report
of the committee.
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2.
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Immediate finalization of Cadre
Restructuring:
After the
narration discussion on the problems put forth in the strike charter on
10.01.2012 & 12.01.2012, Secretary, Deptt. of Posts, has assured both
orally and also in the minutes, Inter alia;
“As
recorded in the minutes of the meeting held on 27.12.2011, the proposal is
under consideration of a committee under the Chairpersonship of DDG(P).
The Staff side expressed their concern about the undue delay in finalization
of the proposal on which the Secretary Posts, desired finalization of this
process by 31st March, 2012. It was assured that the timelines would be adhered
to”. As regards
restructuring
of Postal Accounts officials, it was informed that the proposal was cleared
by the JS&FS and stands referred to the Secretary (Posts). It was
also decided to have a separate Committee under the Chairpersonship of Ms.
Sandhya Rani, PMG (BD) Andhra Pradesh Circle to consider Cadre Restructuring
of MMS Staff. The Committee will submit its report within three months
from the date of formation.”
Again in
the Minutes of the discussion held with the staff side on 21.05.2012, it is
further assured as follows:
“It was
decided to formulate a proposal of 30th June 2012
for further examination in consultation with the nodal Ministries.
Regarding cadre restricting of Postal Accounts it was assured that the matter
will be pursued further with Postal Accounts wing and Establishment Division
and the PJCA will be kept appraised of the progress in the regard.”
Again
during the JCM, Departmental Council standing Committee meeting held on
18.12.2012 and JCM(DC) Meeting held on 28.12.2012 it was assured as follows:
“It was
informed that the report of the committee is under consideration.
Proposal will be formulated by the Department. However, one round of
talks with JCM Members will be held before the proposal is firmed up.”
At one
stage, the staff side has made it clear that if the Department goes on
dragging the cadre restructuring issue indefinitely, the staff side will be
forced to non-cooperate with the IT Modernization project.
It was
repeatedly assured that the cadre restructuring will not be linked with the
IT Modernization Project. But still the proposals are not
finalized. No meeting of the Cadre Restructuring Committee by the
Postal Board was held during the last one year. The undue and
unwarranted delay is causing concern and also strong resentment among the
employees.
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The Cadre Restructuring Committee is being
reconstituted.
Current Status / Postscript
The Cadre Restructuring Committee has been
reconstituted under the Chairmanship of DDG (P).
Sandhya Rani Committee report on organizational
restructure of MMS is under consideration.
The report of “cadre restructuring of Postal
Accounts” has been approved by FA and has been referred to Ministry of
Finance.
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3.
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Revision of
wages of casual labourers and their absorption:
In the
minutes of the discussion held with the staff side on 10.01.2012 &
12.01.2012, the Secretary (Posts) has assured as follows:
“The Staff
side was appraised that a Committee had been constituted under the
Chairpersonship of CPMG Assam circle to look into the issues pertaining to
Casual Labourers and it is likely to submit its report shortly. The
Staff side expressed its concern over the delay in the decision.
Regarding the union’s request for revised minimum wages w.e.f. 01.01.2006,
the matter will be examined on priority.”
Again in
the minutes of the discussion held on 21.05.2012, it was further assured
that_________
“A
Comprehensive proposal on the matter of Casual labourers will be formulated
by 30th June, 2012”.
In spite of
these repeated assurances the payment of pro-rate wages to the law-paid
casual laborers w.e.f. 01.01.2006 has not taken place causing inordinate
delay in payment of minimum wages to those poor
employees.
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The
committee of field officers under the chairmanship of Shri Vishvapavan Pati,
PMG, Hyderabad Region has been constituted to suggest the manner in which the
report of the Monojit Kumar Committee can be implemented. On receipt of
findings of this committee, final view will be taken in consultation with
nodal Departments.
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4.
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Issuing
orders on the items finalized by the Postmen Committee and also follow up
action on certain items to be referred to work study unit.
a. Follow
up action on certain in item of the Postmen Committee constituted by the
Postal Board is yet to be completed, i.e.: maximum beat length, unscientific
resorting to single Postmen beats, Double duty, correction in the definition
of the Congested area etc.
b. In spite
of clear orders issued by the Directorate for filling up of Postmen & MTS
Vacancies for the year 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012, in certain circles (Eg.
Andhra Pradesh) the examination for promotion to Postmen and MTS is not yet
completed.
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A separate meeting has been convened on 02/08/2013
under the chairmanship of Member (P), with Secretaries General of NFPE
& FNPO and General Secretaries of Postmen unions and separate minutes
issued.
All Circles have initiated action for announcing
vacancy of postmen and action for filling up the posts is ongoing.
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5.
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Abnormal
delay in notifying HSG-I Recruitment Rules
The
finalization of revised HSG-I Recruitment rules is being delayed on one
pretext or the other. This is pending over five years. 100% of
HSG I Posts are lying vacant and are being managed by officiating
arrangements without any financial benefits. Due to the delay in
finalizing HSG I Recruitment Rules, Carving out of Postmaster Grade III is
also delayed. It is most unfortunate that orders have been issued by
the Directorate not to fill up the HSG I Vacancies as per the old
r3ecruitment rules. At least this would have been caused to fill up the
vacancies.
It has
defeated the very purpose of matching savings offered to the extent of 680 PA
Posts for availing HSG I Promotion and it is highly deplorable.
Necessary action may please be taken to finalise the HSG-I Recruitment Rules
or at least to fill all the vacant posts forthwith besides carving out of
Postmaster Grade III Posts as per the existing HSG I Recruitment Rules.
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In view of
the observations of UPSC, file regarding RRs for HSG I has been referred back
to DOPT. The vacancies are being filled by the circles as per
provisions of the existing Rules by convening DPC meetings.
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6.
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Abnormal
delay in filling up of vacant LSG, HSG II and HSG-I vacancies due to
non-holding of DPCs in many circles.
In many
circles, the regular DPC to LSG has not been convened. Many LSG Posts
are being kept vacant resultantly causing a heavy shortage in PA Cadre due to
their officiating. Further the delay caused non-filling up of HSG-II
Post due to inadequacies in the eligible candidates in LSG Cadre. In
many circles, HSG-II DPC has also not been convened and many of the HSG-II
Posts could not be filled up on a regular basis due to the officiating of the
incumbents in the vacant HSG I Posts.
In nutshell
all the higher posts are being managed only with the officiating or adhoc
arrangements causing non filling up of basis PA Posts and denying and
depriving the due promotional chances to the eligible candidates.
It is
therefore requested to cause appropriate orders to convene DPC and fill up
all the vacant LSG & HSG II posts immediately by prescribing time
schedule.
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Meeting will be convened under the chairmanship of
Member (P) to examine individual cases of non-filling of vacant posts.
The matter will be taken up with respective CPMGs for immediate action.
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7.
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Problems of
Postmaster Cadre Officials
(i)
Allowing Postmaster Cadre officials to appear for IP and PSS Group B
Examination.
(ii) Orders
permitting the Postmaster Cadre official to officiate in HSG-I vacancies and
earmarked Postmaster Grade III Posts.
(iii) Allow
PO & RMS Accounts cadre official to opt for Postmaster cadre.
(iv)
Filling up the Postmaster Grade-III posts by granting promotion to Grade-II
officials and also by option from HSG-I officials after filling up all HSG-I
Posts.
(v) Filling
up of all vacant Grade-II and Grade III posts promoting the Postmaster cadre
official relaxing the minimum service condition.
(vi)
Filling up 100% Senior Postmaster/Chief Postmaster posts which are earmarked
for Postmaster cadre by Postmaster Cadre officials alone declaring it as a
hierarchical promotion cadre of Postmaster Cadre.
(vii) Delay
in holding LSG, HSG II and HSG – I DPCs and thereby denying the chance for
giving option to Postmaster Grade – I, II & III to eligible officials.
(viii)
Maintenance of up to date separate gradation list for PM Cadre officials.
In the
minutes of the discussion held on 21.05.2012 the Secretary (Posts) has
assured as follows:
“The issues
were discussed at length and it was decided to review it after sometime
keeping in view the merits and demerits of the proposal as well as the
response of the officials for Postmaster Cadre”.
The minutes
did not reflect the real spirit of discussion as it was assured to consider
favourably the above items after long discussion. However, it is high
time to review the above cases and settle favourably. The entire
Postmaster Cadre officials are totally frustrated and disappointed due to the
negative attitude of the administration towards them.
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Meeting will be convened under the
chairmanship of Member (P) to consider these proposals and minutes will be
issued separately.
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8.
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Problems of System Administrators
In the
minutes of the Departmental Council JCM Standing Committee dated 02.02.2012
(communicated in letter dated 06.06.2012) for the 15 items pertaining to
system Administrators including creation of separate cadre, it is furnished
as follows:
“The issue
is under the consideration of the cadre Restructuring Committee constituted
under the chairmanship of DDG(P) vide Department’s office memo
no.01/04/2010-SR dated 05.05.2011”
Finalization
of the proposal by the Cadre Restructuring Committee is being delayed
indefinitely. Recently, during the demonstration of IT Modernization
Project, the staff side has repeatedly requested the Member (Technology) to
create a separate cadre and absorb all the existing SAs as a onetime measure
in the new cadre. Unfortunately no commitment was given regarding the
creation of new cadre, except the assurance that the services of the existing
system Administrators will be utilized in future also. It is high time
to end the present uncertainty by creating a separate cadre for system
Administrators.
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After
deliberations, the PJCA agreed to drop this item.
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9.
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Implementation of speed Post hubs and
L1, L2 Systems
The High
Power Committee appointed to discuss the issues under the Chairpersonship of
then Secretary, Department of Posts assured the following before
implementation of MNJOP proposals.
(i) There
will be no shifting of staff from L1 office to L2 office vice versa for three
years.
(ii)
Irregular or wrong identification of L1 office will be changed after
discussion with the staff side.
But to our
dismay both the promises were not kept. There is a complete violation
and deviation of assurances. Further, even though directorate has
issued instruction to the Chief PMGs regarding change of administrative
jurisdiction of speed post hubs, certain Chief PMGs have not yet implemented
it and still some of the speed post hubs are co0ntinuing under the administrative
jurisdiction of postal superintendent.
Further,
CRC & Speed post norms have been finalized without any consultation with
staff side. The impracticable norms have been imposed upon violating
the earlier decision and agreements on the subject.
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Meeting
will be convened with PJCA under the chairpersonship of Member (Operations)
and minutes will be issued separately.
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10.
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MACP Related issues
The
implementation of the Jodhpur CAT Judgement, i.e. non-counting of promotions
acquired from one cadre to other through examination for MACP, Granting of
MACP counting the total service rendered in each cadre etc has not been
implemented resulting deprival of dues to the senior most promotes in the
Department of Posts. This may kindly be considered.
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This item
will be discussed in a meeting to be convened under the chairmanship of
Member (P) and the minutes will be issued separately.
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11.
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Problems of APM Accounts/Accountants
The
following demands in respect of PO & RMS Accountants have not been
considered yet causing resentment and displeasure amidst the qualified hands.
(i) Proportionate distribution of APM Accounts posts among LSG, HSG 11 and
HSG-1
(ii) Counting special allowance for pay fixation benefits to PO & RMS
Accountants on promotion. Implementation of Karnataka High Court order
not only for a specific period but also till the withdrawal of the TBOP/BCR
Schemes in true spirit. The special allowance should be taken for pay
fixation up to 31.08.2008 for TBOP/BCR officials.
(iii) Date of passing Accounts exam may be taken as the criteria for counting
seniority for promotion, since no amendment has so far been issued to the
statutory rules. Further the earlier passing of examination will have no
relevance in future.
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This item
will be discussed in a meeting to be convened under the chairmanship of
Member (P) and the minutes will be issued separately.
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12.
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Filling up of all vacant posts
Even though
Government of India has lifted ban on filling up of posts from 2009 onwards,
and the Directorate has given repeated instructions to fill up all direct
recruitment as well as promotional quota of vacancies up to 2012, in many
circles posts are remaining unfilled. Similarly in Postal Accounts much
delay in taking place in filling up of posts due to delay in finalization of
the Recruitment process by staff selection commission. Action may be
taken to fill up all vacant posts from 2009 onwards on top priority basis as
the staff are reeling under the pressure of workload which in turn affects
the efficiency of the services rendered by the Department of Posts.
In
conclusion, we hope that all the above issues will be given top most priority
and the Hon’ble Secretary, Department of Posts, shall come forward for a
negotiated settlement with the staff side in a time bound manner.
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Postal
Directorate has taken action to fill up DR Postal Assistant posts for years
2009 and 2010. 11,738 PAs / SAs DR quota vacancies have been filled up.
Examination
for 4841 vacancies for the years 2011 and 2012 for PA / SA DR quota,
has recently been held and result has been declared. The selected
candidates will join their position on completion of pre-appointment formalities.
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13.
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Non settlement of agreed items placed
the Departmental Council (JCM)
Most of the
issues agreed in the last Departmental Council meeting held on 28.12.2012
have not been processed further. Many of them remain as it is.
There is no serious action taken in mitigating the issues put forth in the
departmental council meeting.
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Pending
items will be discussed in the JCM (Standing Committee meeting).
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14.
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Additional item submitted by PJCA:-
While
conducting promotional cum competitive exams from GDS to MTS, GDS and MTS to
Postman cadre we are in receipt of several complaints from the examinees that
the examination papers for the relevant examinations were very tough.
We tried to convince the Administration to set examination paper in liberal
comprehensive manner with the intention that since the aspiring examinees are
already in touch in the routine work and they are not required to face with
complicated and extraneous nature of work and also to cut down the delay in
recruitment process. However, the Directorate has stuck up to its
own decision that the above mentioned examinations are competitive and not
promotional, liberalization could not be considered. Due to the said
decision by the Directorate it will be difficult to Department to hardly get
2 to 5% employees to fill up the vacancies earmarked from GDS to MTS for the
designated job and the volume of vacancies will remain unfilled every year.
It is once again requested to simplify the questions.
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A Committee
has been constituted under the chairmanship of DDG (R&P) to examine the
contents of Question Papers with reference to prescribed syllabus and submit
a report on the standard vis-a-vis the post for which examination is being
conducted and post which is appearing for the
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