Dear Comrades,
We are thankful to our CHQ for
giving us the opportunity to represent as Federal Councillor on behalf of
AIPEU, Gr-C in the 11th Federal Council Meeting of National
Federation of Postal Employees held at Mathura from 25.11.2019 to 27.11.2019.
The Federal Councillors, Circle
Secretaries and General Secretaries discussed all the issues now prevailed in
India and India Post. Apart from sectional issues of the postal employees
including GDS, it was unanimously decided to make the forth coming one day
nationwide general strike a successful one on 08.01.2020.
The issues raised by us and
suggested to the Federal Council for adopting resolutions are reproduced below
for your kind information.
= B SAMAL =
Circle Secretary
Issues Suggested to Federal Council for Resolutions
Suggestion – 1
Conversion of
Single Handed SOs to double-handed
The Sub Postmaster of a single-handed Delivery Post Office who has been
unscientifically given two passwords for Operator and Supervisor. He has to
perform all the functions of a Post Office first as Operator with a given
Password and then will act as his own Supervisor with another Password to verify
the transactions performed by him as Operator. He has to perform all types of
transactions booking, delivery, and despatch, MPCM, POSB in the same system
both as Operator and as Supervisor. If
such post offices are attached with branch post offices, then their sufferings
beggar description. In addition, he has
also to achieve targets, promote business and mange other staff members of his
office which may vary from 2 to 20. A person has his own limitations. But our operative
Postal Assistants are compelled to work regularly beyond their limitations. The
repeated approaches of the employees to convert all single-handed Post Offices
to at least double-handed post offices in the analogy of Checker-Maker system
under CBS platform have invited no result for years together and such Sub
Postmasters are suffering like bonded-labourers from dawn to dusk in the fear
of disciplinary action under high pressure of bureaucratic ego.
Under the Circumstances, it is suggested
to the Federal Council of NFPE, held at Mathura from 25.11.2019 - 27.11.2019 to resolve for
appraising the administration and CHQ for converting all the single handed post offices to double handed due to the
reasons narrated above to redress the plight of the Sub Postmasters.
Suggestion – 2
Creation of new posts
For correct and smooth implementation of I T
Modernization Project, our Postal Assistants possessing technical qualification
were nominated from the existing establishment as System Administrator without
creation of new posts. They enjoyed neither any promotion nor financial benefit
except meagre TA on tour. Further, during Core Banking Solution (CBS) and Core
Insurance Solution (CIS) rollouts, CBS CPCs in every Postal Circle and PLI CPCs
in every Head Post Offices were opened with diversion of Postal Assistants and
System Administrators from the existing establishment without any new creation
of such posts. After establishment of Business Directorate, no post of Business
/ Marketing Executive was created. But again the Postal Assistants were
diverted from the existing establishment. Earlier, Postal Assistants were being
promoted to PLI Development Officers through examination for a short term (3 to
5 years). Now they are re-designated as PLI Group Leaders. They are also from
the existing establishment and there is no creation of new post in this regard.
Further, during launch of India Post Payments Bank, a large number of Postal
Assistants are now on deputation to IPPB.
In this way, the sanctioned strength of Postal
Assistants is decreasing day by day and the workload of such diverted staff
members are shouldered by the existing staff with undue pressure.
Another important
aspect connected with the above diversion/deputation is that after working for
so many years as Business / Marketing Executive, PLI Group Leader, System
Administrator / Manager etc. when these Postal Assistants earn expertise in the
field of business, marketing and technology, their talent in not exploited for
the benefit of the Department since there is no such defined / created post and
thus again they are returned back to their parent post of Postal Assistant.
Their efficiency and experience becomes meaningless. Practically speaking,
though these Postal Assistants do work with the above nomenclatures for a short
term as Executive, Manager, Administrator, Officer etc, they don’t enjoy any
such benefit in proportionate to these high sounding designations.
Under the
Circumstances, it is suggested to the Federal Council of NFPE, held at Mathura
from 25.11.2019- 27.11.2019 to resolve for drawing the attention of proper authority
for creating such posts keeping the sanctioned strength of Postal Assistant
intact on one hand and to utilize the efficiency and experience of the Postal
Assistants gained in the field of business, marketing and technology for the
benefit of the Department on the other.
Suggestion – 3
Change of Nomenclature with
each promotion
The 6th
CPC vide Para 3.1.10 and 3.1.12 states that emphasis should be on recruiting
multi skilled personnel at Assistant level designed as Executive Assistant who
will discharge the function of present day requirement and be designated as
Executive Assistants. As the Postal
Assistants, Supervisory and Operative possess a higher qualitative and
quantitative nature of work, they can be called as Executive Postal Assistant.
The change of nomenclature will cost
nothing. But it can motivate the employee to live with a status in the society.
No one just works for pay and allowances. Everybody wants status and dignity.
The present nomenclature of the Postal Assistant on different stages is very
much confusing and don’t suit to the functional needs of the Department on one
hand and not understood by the members of public on the other. Under the
circumstance, we have the following suggestions to change the existing
nomenclature. The
suggestions are just illustrative.
|
Sl.
|
Existing Nomenclature
|
Proposed Nomenclature
|
|
1
|
Postal Assistant
|
Executive Postal
Assistant
|
|
2
|
Postmaster (L S G)
/ Postmaster Grade – I / Asst. Postmaster (LSG)
|
Asst. Executive
Postmaster
|
|
3
|
Postmaster (HSG-II)
/ Postmaster Grade – II / Asst. Postmaster (HSG-II) / Dy. Postmaster (HSG-II)
|
Executive Postmaster
|
|
4
|
Postmaster (HSG-I)
/ Postmaster Grade – III / Dy. Postmaster (HSG-I)
|
Senior Executive
Postmaster
|
|
5
|
Senior Postmaster
|
Chief Executive
Postmaster
|
Under the Circumstances, it is suggested
to the Federal Council of NFPE, held at Mathura from 25.11.2019 - 27.11.2019 to
resolve for asking the
competent authority to take appropriate action in this regard.
Suggestion – 4
Five-day Week
for Operative Staff
A
serious discrimination is rolling over in between the Administrative and
Operative staff for decades with respect to 5 days and 6 days week
respectively. While the operative staff are working 299 hours a year in excess
calculated as follows, the logic behind not allowing them to avail 5 days week
for treating them at par with the administrative staff is not understood.
|
Particulars
|
Operative Staff in Post Offices
|
Administrative Staff in Post Offices and other CG
establishments
|
|
Closed Holidays
|
17
|
17
|
|
Casual Leave &
R H
|
10
|
10
|
|
Closed Saturdays
|
0
|
52
|
|
Weekly Off /
Sundays
|
52
|
52
|
|
Total Holidays
|
79
|
131
|
|
Total Working days
out of 365 days in a year
|
286
|
234
|
|
Working Hours
|
8
|
8.5
|
|
Working hours in a
year
|
2288
|
1989
|
|
Yearly Excess Woking Hours of Postal Operative
Staff
|
2288 – 1989 = 299 hours
|
|
Besides,
now the employees of Bank and Insurance sector are eligible for availing
holidays on 2nd and 4th Saturday though these
establishments are operative in nature. The basic principle of equality of
status as a major constitutional provision is seriously hampered when postal
operative staff is deprived of the benefit of 5 days week. In spite of serious agaitational programme
already taken by the higher forums, no action is being taken by the Govt. /
Department in this regard.
Therefore it is suggested to the Federal
Council of NFPE, held at Mathura from 25.11.2019 - 27.11.2019 to resolve for drawing the attention of
competent authority to accelerate the movement in true spirit for achieving 5
days week for postal operative staff.
Suggestion – 5
Gazetted Status to HSG-I Postmasters
While officers in
the pay level of Rs.4600/- in various Central Govt. establishments are enjoying
Gazetted status, the Postmasters in Higher Selection Grade-I with similar pay
level are deprived of the status. It is quite unfortunate that though after
implementation of cadre restructuring proposal of Group-C postal employees, now
Postmasters in Higher Selection Grade-I are promoted to Non Functional Grade
(NFG) in the pay level of Rs.4800/, they are still treated as non-gazetted.
Such discriminations need to be addressed by conferring Gazetted Status to
Postmasters in Higher Selection Grade-I.
As
such, it is suggested to the Federal Council of NFPE, held at Mathura from 25.11.2019-
27.11.2019 to
resolve for drawing the attention of competent for taking proper initiative in
this regard.
Suggestion – 6
Financial / Administrative Powers of the
Selection Grade Postmasters
The financial power
of an HSG-I Postmaster who is managing either a Head Post Office or a Mukhya
Dak Ghar with huge staff members is limited to Rs.60/- only in 21st
century which will not permit him to purchase an LED bulb, a mouse, a
key-board, a ribbon cartridge, a packet of paper, a litre of diesel, a bucket,
a broom, a bottle of phenyl / gum, a floor cleaning brush, a register, a lock
etc which are barely required on day to day basis for smooth functioning of the
post office and to maintain the cleanliness. For the purpose, he has to obtain
prior approval from the competent authority, i.e. Divisional Superintendent. If
the mouse or key-board becomes defunct during counter hours, the Postmaster has
no other alternative but to communicate to his higher authority, obtain
approval, purchase the item and then run the counter work. He may also be
directed to collect in person from the Divisional Office. The embarrassing situation
the Postmaster has to face before the members of public beggars description.
Till then, the public at the counter have to suffer and the Postmaster is to be
humiliated. No stand-by accessories are supplied to any Post office and the
supply is centrally done by the Divisional Heads.
Reports from the administration may come that
there is no dearth of supply. But the same is completely far from truth and
reality.
Similarly there is
no administrative power of an HSG-I Postmaster who is managing either a Head
Post Office or a Mukhya Dak Ghar with huge staff members except grant of Casual
Leave and allowing officials to avail earned leave not more than 3 days. They
have no power to sanction earned leave and other admissible leave to an
employee.
They can’t write
the APAR of the employees under their direct control. Presently the APAR is
being assessed by the Divisional Heads who is indirectly controlling such
officials. Such power needs to be decentralized for better administration.
As such, it is suggested to the Federal Council of NFPE, held at Mathura from 25.11.2019-
27.11.2019 to
resolve for drawing the attention of competent authority for taking proper
initiative for enhancement of both the
financial and administrative power of the Selection Grade Postmasters to meet
the exigencies.
Suggestion – 7
One-time filling up of all HSG-II and
HSG-I posts
After
implementation of Cadre Restructuring Proposal for Group-C Postal Employees,
the Post of Higher Selection Grade-II and Higher Selection Grade-I are almost
vacant due to increase in number of posts in the particular Grades on one hand
and non-availability of eligible officials
in the required feeder cadre on the other. Thus, almost all the Post
Offices headed by HSG-I and HSG-II Postmasters are presently managed by Lower
Selection Grade officials. Both the status of the Post Office and dignity of
the post have been affected. For the purpose, the Staff Side has requested
several times in different forums for one-time filling up of all HSG-II and
HSG-I posts which has not yet got any response. Due to no action of the
Department in this regard, while the existing employees in LSG / HSG-II Cadre
are deprived of their future promotions, the Postal Assistants are also
deprived of getting promoted to LSG Cadre.
Onetime filling up
of all vacant posts in HSG-II and HSG-I cadre will not only motivate the employees
to give their best but also help smooth management of post offices increasing
the revenue earning.
As such, it is
suggested to the Federal Council of NFPE, held at
Mathura from 25.11.2019- 27.11.2019 to resolve for drawing the attention of
competent authority for taking proper initiative for one time filling up of all
vacant HSG-II and HSG-I posts
Suggestion – 8
Delinking financial upgradation from
regular promotion
The employees who
are unable to get any promotion are entitled for three financial upgradations
during their entire service career under MACP Scheme after 10, 20 and 30 years
of service. But unfortunately such employees having below bench mark on APAR
are deprived of the financial upgradations.
Secondly, another
hurdle in this connection is that during the course of time, if any official
refuses to accept the regular promotion, he is now debarred from getting the
financial upgradation under MACP which is highly illogical and undemocratic.
Acceptance of regular promotion need not be linked with MACP which is given in
case a employee gets no promotion. Such conditions need to be eliminated for
the benefit of the employees to achieve more productivity.
As such, it is
suggested to the Federal Council of NFPE, held at
Mathura from 25.11.2019- 27.11.2019 to resolve for drawing the attention of
competent authority for taking proper initiative to delink MACP from regular
promotion for welfare of the employees.
Suggestion – 9
Recognition for 5 years with effect from 19.07.2019
After waiting for more than 4 years, the membership
verification result of 2015 could be released on 19.07.2019 only to which NFPE
or other recognized federations / unions are no way responsible. Now, the Govt.
may declare the next membership verification process in 2020 since due after 5
years. It needs to be protested in the
logic of counting 5 years from the date of declaration of the last verification
result.
As such, it is suggested to the Federal Council of NFPE, held at Mathura from 25.11.2019-
27.11.2019
to resolve for drawing the attention of competent authority to take suitable
actions.
Suggestion – 10
Corporatization move of the Department of Posts
The
annual Heads of the Circles Conference was held at Srinagar from 29th
to 31st July, 2019 where in a 100 Days Action Plan and a Five Year
Vision was adopted to align the
Department of Posts with the Prime Minister’s ‘New India’ initiative. The
important decisions taken during the conference with participants from across
the country, inter alia includes converting
the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) into a Small Finance Bank (SFB) to
provide micro credit at the doorsteps to individuals and SME’s, targeting the
milestone of one crore accounts for IPPB in 100 days and restructuring the
Postal Life Insurance and Rural Postal Life Insurance business of the
Department into a fully regulated Strategic Business Unit (SBU) registered as a
company as per the requirement of IRDA. (Complete Resolutions have been published
elsewhere in the report)
The
decisions taken in the HoCs Conference, 2019 are nothing but a policy of the
Govt. for direct implementation of the retrograde recommendations of the Task
Force Committee headed by Shri T.S.R. Subramaian Ex. Cabinet Secretary which
submitted its report in Novemeber-2014 recommending to divide India Post in to
six Strategic Business Units (SBU).
As
we know, the 1st SBU has already come into floor in the name of IPPB
since 01.09.2018. Now the 2nd SBU will be restructured with PLI and
RPLI. Thus there is every point of apprehension that by the end of this term
from 2019 to 2024, all the 5 SBUs will be constituted and the Department will
be fully corporatized.
As such, it is suggested to the Federal Council of NFPE, held at Mathura from 25.11.2019-
27.11.2019
to resolve for adopting suitable agitational program to stop corporatization of
India Post.
.
Suggestion – 11
Opening of CGHS Wellness Centres on Sundays / Holidays
Consequent
upon merger of Postal dispensaries with CGHS Wellness Centres, Odisha Circle
has now got CGHS Wellness Centres at Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Berhampur. But
due to closure of the Wellness Centres on Sundays / Holidays, the beneficiaries
are deprived of getting the benefits.
Department
of Post, being an operative organization and its employees hardly find any time
to attending the Wellness Centres during working days, it is suggested to the Federal Council of NFPE, held at Mathura from 25.11.2019- 27.11.2019 to resolve for drawing the attention of competant authority for
opening of CGHS Wellness Centres on Sundays / Holidays to facilitate the
operative beneficiaries of the Department.
Suggestion -12
Restoration of Pay Fixation benefit to the Post Master Grade-I
and extension of the same to Fast Track LSG officials
It
is quite unfortunate to witness that the 3% Pay fixation benefit already
granted to the Post Master Grade-I officials vide Directorate Letter no.
20-27/2015-SPB.II dated 15/10/2018 has been ordered to be withdrawn vide
Directorate Letter No. 20-27/2015-SPN.II date 21/11/2019.
Such
type whimsical order is really harassing and arbitrary.
The
Competent Authority while granting this benefit had clearly examined and
approved thereafter. Instead of withdrawing the same, it needs to extended to
the Fast Track LSG officials who have also promoted to LSG cadre by appearing Limited
Departmental Competitive Examination in analogy with the Post Master Grade-I and Inspector of Post.
While
the benefit has not yet been withdrawn from I P Cadre, it is quite unfortunate
to withdraw the same from the Post Master Grade-I.
As
such it is suggested to the Federal council of NFPE held at Mathura from 25/11/2019-
27/11/2019 to demand for restoration of the Pay fixation benefit to the Post
Master Grade-I and simultaneously extend the same to the Fast Track LSG
officials.
Suggestion -13
Allotment of Adequate Funds under Building maintenance, TA and
Medical Head
Due
to paucity of funds the Civil and Electrical work are being hampered seriously.
The departmental
building residential colonies and staff quarters are seriously damaged due to
irregular or non-maintenance in due time. When the issues are discussed with
the competent authorities by the Divisional and Circle secretaries, a routine
reply is given to them that there is meagre allotment of funds under building
maintenance head which stands against the periodical regular maintenance.
Similarly,
huge amount of TA bills and Medical bills are pending for sanctions since 2014
in some circles and divisions.
Therefore
it is suggested to the Federal Council held at Mathura form 25/11/2019-
27/11/2019 to appraise the Directorate for allotment of adequate funds under
Building maintenance, TA and Medical head.
Suggestion -14
Proposed revision of Business Hours from Monday to Friday
Recently
the Directorate vide its letter No. 27- 46 / 2015 PO (Pt.), dated 19.11.2019 has ordered for enhancing the Business hours of Post
offices from Monday to Friday by half an hour.
In this regard the following points may be
noted :
1.
Due
hurried implementation of I T Modernization Project, 2012 with shortage of man
power, inadequate hardware and improper software soon after Project Arrow in
2008, when the staff members are seriously suffering for last 10 years, the
Department has not yet been able to bring timely solution to the technical
issues so far compelling the entirety of workers especially those who are
working in grass root level in operative offices to work for more than 12 hours
a day. The concept of fixed duty hours limited to 8 hours a day has already
lost its importance. As such, these staff members are already under serious
mental and physical pressure. Their social and family relationships have
already been affected. At this moment,
the proposed increase in Business Hours in no way will be helpful to increase
the productivity but certainly will increase the staff resentment which will no
doubt affect the productivity.
2.
(a). The proposed revision of the Business Hours
by 30 minutes with a limitation of 6 hours 30 minutes for S B Counter and 7
hours for POS counter is meaningless while Finacle / SAP remain down / slow for
hours together and the poor Counter Assistants become the victim of the public
anger.
(b).
Secondly, after FSI / CSI with MPCM, all counters are performing financial
transactions and thus to allot 30 minutes more to POS counter and 30 minutes less
to SB Counters is of no logic since POS counters which have been assigned /
overloaded with various products and services also collect cash at par with SB
Counters now a days.
(
c ). Thirdly, in addition to collection of cash, generations of reports are
also equivalent in both the counters and thus all counters need to be opened
with equal business hours in the present scenario of digitization.
(d).
In fourth, enhancing the counter transaction hours to 7 hours, it is not at all
possible to close and dispatch the bags within the rest one hour with
segregation of TD/NTD articles etc as per Due Mail and Sorting List and Mail
Motor Schedule. More specifically, this is just next to impossible in case of
‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ Class Delivery Post Offices practically now running
single-handedly in many circles / Divisions. Thus, such staff members will
again be de-motivated with additional burden of unnecessary detention till late
hours regularly.
3.
The
provision of half-an hour lunch break is very much humiliating when it is
ordered to avail without stopping the counter operation. While instructing as
such, the Department has seriously failed to consider the situations of
single-handed post offices. How can it be possible to avail the lunch break
with rotation of staff without stopping the counter operation in such POs? The
Department needs to modify such impractical orders.
4.
While
already a discrimination is continuing in between the operative and
administrative staff members in connection with 6 and 5 workings days in a
week, enhancement of the Business Hours by 30 minutes for the operative staff
will certainly a blot from the blue. First, the Department should pay a
positive attention towards our demand for 5 working days in a week for the
postal operative staff. The Postal Assistants are not born to suffer. They have
also the right to live with dignity and status. The Govt. / Department should
stop to do further experiment with this cadre.
Under
the circumstances, it is suggested to the Federal Council held at Mathura form
25/11/2019- 27/11/2019 for appraising the directorate to stop the proposed
revision of Business Hours from Monday to Friday in the Post Offices. Rather,
it is also suggested for equal Business Hours both for S B and POS counters
restricting to 6 hours in toto henceforth under the present environment of FSI
and CSI. In addition, the proposal for 5 working days in a week for the postal
operative staff needs to be prioritized.awn
