India after such a long wait has got new symbol for it's currency. After approval the Rupee will be fifth symbol of currencies in the international club of Dollar, Pound, Euro and Yen. The symbol is comprising of 'Ra' Devnagri Letter and 'R' Roman Letter representing both Indian ethics and International standards.
The Symbol of Indian Rupee approved by the Union Cabinet on 15th July, 2010. The Design for the symbol was submitted by Shri D Udaya Kumar.
Govt. of India has made some modification while implementing it's decision on the recommendation of the Sixth CPCRevision of provisions regulating special benefits in the cases of Death and Disability in service - the lumpsum compensation for ex-gratia to the families of Central Govt. Employees. The details of the said OM is reproduced below:-
No.4517/2008-P&PW (F)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare
*******
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi-II 0003
Dated 12th July, 2010
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Implementation of the Government's decision on the recommendation of the Sixth CPCRevision of provisions regulating special benefits in the cases of Death and Disability in service - payment of ex-gratia lump sum compensation to families of central Govt. employees - modification - regarding.
The undersigned is directed to say that in this Department's Office Memorandum of even number dated 16th March, 2009, it was provided that ex-gratia lump sum compensation to the families of deceased Government servants including from sundry Government sources, such as the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, Chief Minister's Relief Fund, etc. should not exceed the aggregate of Rs. 20 lakhs in each individual case. Para 12 of Annexe to this Department's OM 45/55/97-P&PW(C) dated 11th September, 1998 was modified to that extent.
2. The matter has been further reviewed and it has now been decided that there will be no ceiling
for grant of ex-gratia lump sum compensation in terms of Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare's OM No. OM 45/55/97-P&PW(C) dated 11th September, 1998 read with OM NO.38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 2nd September, 2008 and OM No.4517/2008-P&PW (F) dated 16th March, 2009.
3. The above revised provision will be effective from 1.1.2006.
4. All other terms and conditions in the a.M. dated 11th September, 1998 shall remain unchanged.
5. This issues with the concurrence of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure U.O. No. 361/EV/2010 dated 4th June, 2010
6. In so far as persons serving in the Indian Audit & Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.
DoPT has clarified regarding re-imbursement of LTC-80 Fare vide the undermentioned OM.
F.No.19046/1/2008-E.IV
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
E-IV Branch
**********
New Delhi, the 15th July, 2010
Office Memorandum
Subject: Clarification regarding re-imbursement of LTC-80 fare.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM No.7(1)/E.Coord/2008 dated 4-12-2008 wherein Air India's LTC 80 scheme was introduced from 1st December, 2008, for LTC travelers entitled to travel by air. A number of references from different Government Departments/offices have been received in this Ministry seeking clarification whether the prevailing fare on the date of booking of LTC-80 tickets is to be reimbursed or claim is to be restricted to Air India's LTC 80 fare as on 1st December 2008.
2. The matter has been considered in this Ministry and it is clarified that the fare paid on the date of booking of ticket under LTC 80 scheme of Air India may be reimbursed.
The minutes of the meeting held on 12.07.2010 between Department and staff side to consider Charter of Demands given by the Staff side along with notice of indefinite strike w.e.f. 13.07.2010 is reproduced below as submitted by NFPE CHQ.
Meeting was held under the chairpersonship of Secretary (P), in which the following were present:
Official Side 1. Shri P.K. Gopinath, Member Postal Services Board 2. Ms. Kalpana Tiwari, CGM (MB&O) 3. Ms. Suneeta Trivedi, CGM(BD &M) 5. Shri A.K. Sharma, DDG (Estt) 6. Shri Shri Salim Haque, DDG (P) 7. Shri Y.P. Rai, DDG (RB) 8. Shri P.K. Sinha, DDG (PAF) 9. Shri N.K. Tyagi, CE (Civil) 10. Shri Subhash Chander, Director (SR & Legal)
Staff Side 1. Shri D. Theagarajan, Secretary General, FNPO. 2. Shri R.N. Parashar, Asstt. Secretary General, NFPE. 3. Shri K.V. Sridharan, General Secretary, AIPE Union Class. III 4. Shri D. Kishan Rao, General Secretary, NAPE Group ‘C’. 7. Shri Giri Raj Singh, General Secretary, AI RMS&MMS EU Group ‘C’. 5. Shri Ishwar Singh Dabas, General Secretary, AIPEU Postmen & MSE/Group ‘D’ 6. Shri T.N. Rahate, General Secretary, NUPE Postmen & Gr ‘D’ 8. Shri P Suresh, General Secretary, AIRMS & MMS Employees Union, Mailguard and Multi Skilled employees 9. Shri A. H. Siddique, General Secretary, NU RMS & MMS Employees, Mail Guards and Multi-skilled Employees. 10. Shri Pranab Bhattacharjee, General Secretary, Admn (NFPE). 11. Shri O.P. Khanna, General Secretary, Admn (FNPO) 12. Shri P. Rajanayagam, General Secretary, AIPAEA. 13. Shri S.S. Mahadevaiah, General Secretary, AIPEDEU 14. Shri P.U. Muralidharan, General Secretary, NUGDS.
The action points emerging out of discussions are as follows:
Item No. 1 (a) Roll back steps of privatization of Speed Post processing, mail conveyance and data entry work.
The Chairperson made it clear that in case of bulk Speed Post articles and where there is shortage of staff, outsourcing is being done so as to ensure fast movement of articles. However, there is no such policy of the Government either in case of Speed Post articles or for other accountable articles. In the context of Staff Side reference about anti-social elements dealing with the Speed Post articles, an enquiry will be made in this regard.
(b) Cancel the order for downgradation of EDSOs to EDBOs and closure of EDBOs.
Necessary clarification on the demand of the Staff Side about drawal of increments in case of downgradation of EDSOs to EDBOs will be issued. A presentation will be arranged by Technology Branch for the Staff side to demonstrate all the technological developments that are taking place especially in the context of functioning of EDSOS/EDBOS.
(c) Cancel the decision to close down “C” Class Post Offices.
The Staff Side was informed that no such order has been issued by the Department. They were further explained that the policy of the Department was to relocate Post Offices to new areas/townships which are growing. The idea is to rationalize to meet emerging needs. Suitable instructions, in this regard, will be issued to all Heads of Circles.
(d) Outsourcing of mail conveyance.
Purchase of departmental vehicles for conveyance of mail will be pursued.
Item No. 2 (a) Stop violations in the agreements on Status quo of RMS & MMS as well as merger of RMS with less than 10,000 mails.
Reports will be called for from the Circles against the order of status quo.
(b) Create scientific norms for the work in CRC, Speed Post, Logistics and EPP.
This item will be discussed with the Staff Side in a separate meeting to be taken up by CGM (MB & O). Date and time of the meeting will be intimated by Director (SR & Legal), after consultation with CGM (MB & O).
Item No.3 (a) Holding of JCM Departmental Council Meetings and periodical meetings with Federations/Associations.
Departmental Council (JCM) Meetings and periodical meetings will be held at regular intervals.
(b) Referring the issue of discrimination of pay scales between the Telecom TBOP/BCR and Postal TBOP/BCR w.e.f. 1.1.1996 to Board of Arbitration.
This Item will be considered as a part of cadre restructuring of Group “C” employees in PA/SA cadre. In the context of cadre restructuring, the Chairperson gave direction for expeditious consideration so as to complete the process before the close of this year.
(c) Holding of GDS Committee Meetings periodically with GDS Unions.
Periodical meetings as prescribed will be held at regular intervals.
Item No.4 Stop harassment of staff under Project Arrow.
Data sent by various Circles will be subject to proper scrutiny. Heads of Circles will also be addressed to furnish correct information.
Item No.5 (a) Undertake reassessment of vacancies in PA/SA cadre (including Circle Offices) to rectify mistaken calculation of vacancies in all circles.
The position will be reviewed Circle wise for necessary follow up action to be completed before 15th August 2010. For expeditious disposal, video conferencing will be done with the concerned Heads of Circles.
(b) Fill up all vacant posts in all cadres in Department of Posts as on 31.12.2009.
Information in regard to residual vacancies remaining unfilled will be called for from all the Circles for necessary follow up action in this regard.
(c) Allow local recruitment as one time measure in Postal Accounts similar to 1997 Sundernagar.
DDG (PAF) will examine the matter in accordance with the existing rules and instructions on the subject.
Item No.6 (a) Cadre Restructuring of Group C employees (other than accounts cadre).
A Committee comprising DDG (Estt), DDG (P) and Director (SPN) and three members from Staff Side, to be nominated by them, will be constituted to examine the proposals in detail and submit recommendations. The entire process is to be completed before the close of the year.
(b) Withdrawal of order regarding cadre restructuring of Postmasters cadre until comprehensive cadre restructuring of PA/SA cadre is completed.
The Staff Side will be apprised of the details of the new Cadre.
(c) Cadre Restructuring of LDC, Sorters & DEOs in PAOs..
Necessary action to be taken by DDG (PAF).
Item No.7 (a) Grant of Pension, Departmental status to Gramin Dak Sevaks, grant of HRA/CCA, ACP including trade union rights and welfare measures.
Welfare measures in favour of Gramin Dak Sevaks viz relief in case of prolonged illness, relaxation of education assistance schemes will be placed before Postal Staff Welfare Board in its next meeting. The issues of annuity and Health Scheme have been taken up with the Nodal Ministries.
(b) Remove discrimination on bonus ceiling.
Matter is subjudice.
(c) Modify the Rs.20,000 cash handling work points for GDS BPMs – withdraw orders denying revised TRCA wef 1.1.2006 in respect of BPMs.
Matter is subjudice.
(d) Compute work norms for all types of work performed including NREGS, PLI, RPLI, Pension Payments etc to GDS.
The issue will be examined.
(e) Implement enhanced Social Security to GDS like Ex-Gratia Gratuity and Severance Amount w.e.f 1.1.2006.
The benefits were extended as per past practice.
Item No.8 (a) Grant of parity in pay Scale (PB-1 with 2400/-) for MMS Drivers on par with Drivers of Parliament Secretariat.
Staff Side was apprised that the matter was taken up with the Ministry of Finance but did not find favour.
(b) Recruitment of adequate number of drivers.
To be considered along with the issue of filling up of vacancies.
(c) Sanction of OSA for the long distance logistics van drivers of MMS.
Mail Branch will look into it. Action to be completed expeditiously.
(d) Technology training to Work Shop staff and grant of Data Entry Operator’s scale of pay to Work Shop Staff.
DDG (Trg) to take necessary action for providing technical training to Work Shop Staff.
Item No.9 (a) Revision of wages from 1.1.2006 in respect of RRR Candidates, Casual Labourers, Contingent Staff.
Issue of RRR Candidates being sub judice, no action. The case of Casual Labourers is being examined. To be followed up vigorously.
(b) Grant of temporary status to eligible full time status casual labourers, convert part time into full time, absorb full time, part time, contingent in vacant GDS Posts.
The entire issue of Casual Labourers will be looked into with the objective of liquidating their number as per policy of the Government.
Item No.10 (a) Fill up all vacancies of Postmen and Mail guards
To be considered along with filling up of all vacancies in the Department.
(b) Modify certain unscientific work norms of Postmen/MTS finalized by Work Study Unit.
The existing norms will be reviewed after six months from the date of its issue. The Circles have been addressed to give their feed back in the matter and the review process will be completed by October 2010.
(c) Enhance the Postman Double duty Allowance as per the recommendations of 6th CPC.
The entire issue of double duty allowance will be reviewed by October 2010 by a Committee. The Chairperson directed that all issue relating to Postmen will be discussed separately.
Item No.11 Remove all local anomalies in MACP Scheme like application of benchmark of the period prior to introduction of MACP Scheme; grant MACP on Average benchmark like Department of Railways; denial of regular promotion earlier to introduction of MACP.
In the context of bench mark for grant of MACP within PB-1, it was desired to issue order on the pattern of the order having been issued by Ministry of Railways, immediately. The matter will be pursued.
Item No.12 Creation of System Administrators Cadre and financial compensation for special work performed by System Administrators.
A Committee consisting of DDG (Estt), DDG (P) and DDG (Technology) will be formed to consider this aspect along with cadre restructuring of PAs/SAs. As regards grant of Road Mileage Allowance, mater is under examination.
Item No.13 Recruitment Rules for Multi Tasking Staff
The draft rules to be referred to Department of Personnel for their approval. As regards educational qualifications of existing Gramin Dak Sevaks and Casual Labourers for appointment as multitasking staff, status quo will continue.
Item No.14 Amalgamation of Group C Accounts Cadre.
No action.
Item No.15 Roll back of the decentralization of PLI/RPLI – Augment required staff strength and filling up of vacant posts.
The proposal to be considered by PLI Directorate and any problem in this regard to be reported to Secretary (P) within a week.
Item No.16 Parity of scale of pay of Ministerial Cadre in Postal Civil Wing on part with the Postal Assistants and upgradation of posts of Works Clerk Grade – II/head Clerk – Filling up of all vacant posts of technical as well as ministerial posts – Creation of one Civil Wing Circle for each Postal Circle.
The Staff Side will take up this issue separately.
Item No.17 Regularize the HSG-I, HSG-II, LSG arrangements and grant Officiating Pay and Allowances to all Officials holding the posts.
The issue will be looked into afresh in view of the provision made in Postal Manual Volume IV, as stated by the Staff Side, as also in the light of prevailing instructions of the Government of India on the subject.
Item No.18 Enhance OTA and OSA rates in tune with the 6th Central Pay Commission.
The question of enhancing OTA rates stands referred to the Committee of Secretaries by the Nodal Department. The enhancement of OSA rates will be examined by Mail Branch and is to be completed within one month.
Best wishes to all on the eve of Holy Rathayatra 13th July, 2010. May ALMIGHTY LORD JAGANNATH bless you and your family members with lots of happiness.
The JCA, CHQ, New Delhi met today with the Secretary, Department of Posts and after a thorough discussion on all demands have come to a decision to defer the indefinite strike which was to be held from 13th July, 2010 onwards. Few of the following points have been shown as the reasons for postponement of indefinite strike. Full details as and when received will be published in this blog.
Thank you very much for keeping the union spirit high and preparations made for the strike. Let us wait for the minutes to be released by CHQ.
Proposed indefinite strike from 13.07.2010 deferred
The following are the outcome on the charter of demands.
1. There will be no closure of single handed post offices.
2. The demand of the staff side that the annual increments to the erstwhile GDS SPMs should be continued will be considered positively.
3. There is no policy decision of the department to outsource any of the postal services.
4. A separate meeting will be held on 15.07.2010 to discuss about the Mckinsey and the object of restructuring the services.
5. Another separate meeting with the staff side will be held about the technology proposals shortly to discuss the future expansion of technology.
6. There will be no violation of earlier agreement on status quo of RMS & MMS with 10000 mails. Any violation if brought to the Directorate’s notice it will be set aside.
7. The Departmental council & periodical meetings will be held regularly hereafter. Next meeting will be held in next month August 2010.
8. The demand of higher pay to TBOP &BCR for the earlier period will be considered along with the cadre review proposals.
9. There will be no harassment in Project Arrow offices. Furnishing wrong data’s and showing as delivered or redirected will not be allowed hereafter.
10. The demand of the staff side to assess the vacancies as per establishment strength and actual strength in all cadres will be considered and all Chief PMGs will be addressed and appraised to fill up all the vacant posts forthwith during video conferences personally by the Secretary (P).
11. A committee consisting four staff side representatives with DDG(P) & DDG (Est) will be constituted and the process of the proposals of cadre review for all cadres will be completed before the end of 2010.
12. Separate discussions will be made on the proposal of creation of Postmasters cadre also.
13. The welfare schemes to GDS like grant of pension, medical, the proposals were already cleared by the Postal Board and submitted to nodal ministries for approval. It will be expedited.
14. It was assured to reconsider the norms for cash handling to BPMs and also fix fresh norms to RPLI and NREGIS scheme shortly.
15. The proposal for higher pay to Driver with Grade pay of 2400 has been sent to the Ministry of Finance.
16. The revision of O.S.A rates will be made within one month.
17. Technology training to workshop staff will be provided.
18. The proposals for the grant of minimum pay as per the Sixth CPC to casual labourers have been submitted to Ministry of Finance for approval. It will be expedited. The demand of the staff side to grant revised GDS pay to GDS substitutes will be considered.
19. The issues related to postmen norms, delivery, beat etc will be discussed shortly and final decision will be taken before the end of October 2010. One committee will be constituted to sort out the issues.
20. The plea of the staff side to ignore benchmark for MACP has been accepted and the Secretary told the DDG to cause orders today itself. Another request to ignore the earlier declining of LSG promotions prior to the receipt of MACP orders will also be considered.
21. The proposal of the staff side to create System assistant instead of System administrator will be considered along with the cadre review proposals. The orders relating to road mileage allowance will be released shortly. The distribution of work & responsibility etc will be looked into along with the cadre review proposals.
22. The Recruitment Rules for Multi tasked staff will be finalized shortly. Our request to finalise the rules with no educational qualifications as if available to erstwhile Group D has been accepted.
23 The issues relating to Postal accounts like filling up of posts, amalgamation of Group C etc will be discussed further with DDG (PAF).
24. The suggestions of the Admin union about centralization of PLI claim at RO & CO will be considered. Further a separate meeting will be organized with their union to discuss about their issues.
25. Clarificatory orders will be issued soon providing officiating pay to the officials holding higher posts like HSG II & HSG I.
26. The issues of the postal Civil wing will be discussed separately.
After the meeting, the JCA, CHQ, New Delhi met and decided to defer the proposed strike duly considering the positive approach of the Secretary in settlement of our genuine demands.
The indefinite strike is deferred until next meeting as information received over phone from the General Secretary, NFPE, CHQ, New Delhi at 03.50 PM. Please wait for other details. The information will be published in our blog as soon as received from CHQ, New Delhi.
Shri B G Satpathy has taken over the charge of the SSPOs, Koraput Division w.e.f. 12.07.2010. As such from today our Division has regained it's SSPOs status. Best wishes to Shri Satpathy on behalf of all of our employees. We assure him our co-operation and expects the same in return.
