Implementation of Cadre Restructuring Proposal of Group-C Postal employees in Odisha Circle

Kind attention

All Divisional Secretaries

& Circle Union Office bearers

 of AIPEU, Group-C, Odisha Circle

Dear Comrades,

You might have gone through the C O Memo No.ST/26-6(1)/2017(Postal), dated 23.02.2017 containing regional allotment of eligible officials promoted to LSG Cadre as a part of Cadre Restructuring Proposal for Group-C postal employees in Odisha Circle.

Since this is the first time we are facing this issue and Odisha Circle is ahead of all other Circles in this regard, we have to analyze in details the pros and cons of such implementation to justify its correctness.

As you know, keeping the number of sanctioned strength constant to 3593 posts, the number of PA, LSG, HSG-II and HSG-I were reduced / enhanced from 3398, 103, 45, 47 to 2360, 931, 189 and 83 ( 75 plus 8 NFG) respectively.

After completion of HSG-I NFG as the 1^st phase activity of the Cadre Restructuring Proposal,  now Circle Office has completed the DPC for LSG and approved employees have been allotted region-wise vide C O memo under reference.

Due to non-receipt of any order regarding one time absorption of the exiting LSG and HSG-II, the same has been dropped by the Circle Office and as you know, our CHQ has already reminded the Directorate in this regard. We are yet to be responded.

Now as seen from the current allotment order referred to above, only 834 officials have been approved out of 931 sanctioned posts. We are now receiving several telephone calls from all corners of Odisha regarding deletion of some employees who are eligible to get the promotion as per Circle Gradation List. Thus, you are requested to discuss the issue with the respective Divisional Heads to know the truth and confirm the same to Circle Union in details so that we can take up the issue at Circle level requesting necessary modification required, if any.

Now you are requested to go through the following tabular analysis.

Cadre Restructuring of Group-C Postal Employees in Odisha Circle  : LSG

Sl.	Name of the Division	No. of LSG Posts after Cadre Restructuring	No. of eligible officials approved for promotion to LSG	Excess(+) / Shortfall (-)
1.	Aska	33	34	( + ) 1
2.	Balasore	53	46	( - ) 7
3	Berhampur	67	78	( + ) 11
4	Bhadrak	46	30	( - ) 16
5	Bhubaneswar	52	88	( + ) 36
6	Bolangir	44	30	( - ) 14
7	Cuttack City	47	67	( + ) 20
8	Cuttack North	64	45	( - ) 19
9	Cuttack South	43	20	( - ) 23
10	Dhenkanal	39	34	( - ) 5
11	Kalahandi	30	18	( - ) 12
12	Keonjhar	45	28	( - ) 17
13	Koraput	69	50	( - ) 19
14	Mayurbhanj	76	31	( - ) 45
15	Phulbani	37	23	( - ) 14
16	Puri	62	64	( + ) 2
17	Sambalpur	64	76	( + ) 12
18	Sundergarh	60	72	( + ) 12
	Total	931	834	Surplus : 94 Shortfall :191

1.   H Q Region, Bhubaneswar :

1	Balasore	53	46	( - ) 7
2	Bhadrak	46	30	( - ) 16
3	Bhubaneswar	52	88	( + ) 36
4	Cuttack City	47	67	( + ) 20
5	Cuttack North	64	45	( - ) 19
6	Cuttack South	43	20	( - ) 23
7	Mayurbhanj	76	31	( - ) 45
8	Puri	62	64	( + ) 2
	Total	443	391	Surplus : 58 Shortfall :110

2.   Berhampur Region:

1	Aska	33	34	( + ) 1
2	Berhampur	67	78	( + ) 11
3	Kalahandi	30	18	( - ) 12
4	Koraput	69	50	( - ) 19
5	Phulbani	37	23	( - ) 14
	Total	236	203	Surplus : 12 Shortfall: 45

3.   Sambalpur Region :

1	Bolangir	44	30	( - ) 14
2	Dhenkanal	39	34	( - ) 5
3	Keonjhar	45	28	( - ) 17
4	Sambalpur	64	76	( + ) 12
5	Sundergarh	60	72	( + ) 12
	Total	252	240	Surplus : 24 Shortfall: 36

As seen, while 7 Divisions have been allotted with 94 surplus LSG officials as detailed in the table above, 191 such officials were found short in rest 11 Divisions  in comparison to the sanctioned strength.

As per existing ruling, even if the movement of the LSG officials are restricted within the Divisions according to the sanctioned strength, the surplus approved officials will automatically be posted in the neighbouring Division(s).

Illustratively, if we see the position in Head Quarters Regions, 88 LSG officials have been approved according to the Circle Gradation List in Bhubaneswar  Division against its sanctioned strength of 52. Out of this 52, there are 4 regular LSG officials already in Bhubaneswar Division. So, at best only 48 LSG Officials can be adjusted in the parent Division while rest 40 LSG Officials who have been allotted to Head Quarters Region may be posted in a Division of the Region with shortage of LSG Officials. Contradictorily, Mayurbhanj Division under the Head quarters Region is falling short of 45 LSG Officials and such vacancies may be filled in with the approved officials of Bhubaneswar / Cuttack City / Puri Division

If the above situation happens, the following apprehensions may come.

1.    If 45 officials out of 48 surplus LSG Officials are moved from Bhubaneswar Division to Mayurbhanj Division and rest 3 to any other Division, then the total sanctioned strength of Bhubaneswar Division will be reduced by 48.

Now question arises as to how these vacancies will be filled in to keep the sanctioned strength constant. The Cadre Restructuring Proposal is silent about the issue and there is no guideline from the Directorate in this regard. It is also not known whether Circle Office has sought for any clarification from he Directorate.

2.    Alternatively, when Mayurbhanj Division will get 45 LSG Officials from other Division to fill up its vacancy, the total sanctioned strength (at present 200) will be enhanced by 45. The sanctioned strength will not be affected only if there are 45 vacancies. But this is not the situation now in Mayurbhanj  Division.

Now question arises as to how the pay and allowances of these 45 surplus officials beyond the sanctioned strength will be drawn and paid from the establishment of Mayurbhanj Division.

At all some of these surplus LSG officials are adjusted against the existing vacancy, what about the fate of the existing P As those will be found surplus consequent upon absorption of  officials from other Division. The Divisional administration cannot transfer these P As sou motu.

3.    The approved list contains the name of some SAs, B Es, Trainers, CPC Supervisors and PLI Group Leaders also who are now supposed to be posted as LSG SPMs in the identified S Os since the existing  posts  against which these employees are working are not created and have not also been identified as LSG.

Now question arises as to how these posts will be manned if they are diverted from the current jobs. There may be complete dislocation in undertaking the day to day activities with regard to system failure and software issues if the experienced S As are diverted. Alternatively, if they are retained in their posts, then the proposed LSG posts against the said officials will remain vacant and the T S  P As may be forced to work  without any financial benefit which will be an injustice to them.

4.    In this context, our opinion is that  that there will be serious dislocation in functional activities of the post offices since  the posting order is being issued first for LSG cadre before filling the posts in HSG-I and HSG-II cadre under the cadre restructuring proposal. Since all the existing LSG posts have now been upgraded to HSG-II cadre, the existing LSG officials will certainly be disturbed from the present posts. Thus almost all the HSG-II posts will remain vacant till the exiting LSG officials are eligible for promotion as per the present norm.

Similar will be the position in HSG-I cadre also.

Thus, question arises as to how to manage these large number of HSG-II and HSG-I posts in the absence of eligible officials. Undoubtedly, the P As will be forced to man these posts without pay and seniority benefits and that will be a great injustice to such employees.

The above situations are just illustrative. We may come across several such deficiencies during the implementation of this Cadre Restructuring Proposal.

Thus, you are requested to apply your brain immediately and come forward with your valuable analysis  and suggestions on the deficiencies found if any giving suitable feedback to the Circle Union for going ahead with the issue.

This may be treated as extremely urgent.

With greetings.

Comradely yours,

B SAMAL

Circle Secretary