COVID-19 / URGENT
No. P3NFPE-Odisha/11 - 03/2020
Dated at Bhubaneswar the 22nd March, 2020
To
The Chief Postmaster General
Odisha Circle, Bhubaneswar – 751 001
Sub:- Preventive Measures in connection with Novel
Corona Virus (COVID-19) - reg
Ref.- i. Appeal of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
dated 19.03.2020
ii. Appeal of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha dated
19.03.2020
iii. DoPT OM No. 11013/9/2014-Estt..A.III, dated
16/17.03.2020 and 19.03.2020
Respected
Sir,
This
has a kind reference to this Circle Union letter No. P3NFPE-Odisha/04
- 03/2020, dated 16.03.2020 and 19.03.2020 on the above subject.
We are extremely sorry to intimate that while
the officials of the Post Offices are working under every apprehension to be
contaminated at anytime by anybody visiting the post offices, the
administration does not think it proper to respond to the union on the nature
of action taken so far against the issues raised by us. It is highly
unappreciable and regretted.
As per latest updates till writing of this
letter, Corona
virus has infected more than 3,00,000 people and killed more than 13,000 across
the world. Positive cases in India have surged to 341 with 6
death cases (Data Source : ICMR). In Odisha, out of 74 suspected cases, 2 have
been found positive. With every seriousness to maintain social distancing and
to prohibit community contamination, India is observing 14-hour
lockdown (JANATA CURFEW) from 7 AM to 9 PM on 22.03.2020 after Hon’ble Prime Minister’s
appeal for the same on 19.03.2020. Going one-step ahead, the Govt. of Odisha
has now locked down 5 districts and 8 cities in Odisha till 29th March,
2019.
During the above complete lockdown period in the districts of Khurda (of
which Bhubaneswar is a part), Cuttack, Ganjam, Kendrapada, Angul besides the
towns of Puri, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Balasore, Jajpur Road, Jajpur town and Bhadrak from 7 am on
22.03.2020 to 9 PM on 29.03.2020, there
is strict ban on movement of private vehicles. In case of emergency, an
individual has to obtain prior permission from police for his/her unavoidable
movement. The police personnel are seen charging the common citizens who are
moving on the streets with their vehicles during the lockdown period.
Addressing the people, both the Hon’ble Prime Minister and our Chief Minister
have told that time has
come for us to take the extraordinary step and sacrifice to protect our nation/state
and our people. Both the lockdown period and the identified districts /
cities may be extended on review by the State Govt. as told.
Under the circumstances, it is quite evident that the postal
employees will certainly find it difficult to reach the Post Offices which are
functioning under emergency services during this lockdown period in Odisha.
In addition, it has also come to the notice of this Circle
Union that many Circle Heads have already issued orders for closure of some post
offices and adopted roster duty in some cases as illustrated below.
i.
Delhi Circle has ordered for
closure of all Post offices except some important offices like Head Post
Offices, Delivery Post Offices and POs functioning in Govt. buildings with
instruction to closed Post offices for displaying a notice on the closed door
regarding particulars of the nearby Post Offices on availability of postal services.
It has also been ordered to issues a weekly roster on adequate staffing of the
Post offices so that no staff member is put to inconvenience. As known to us,
23 such post offices have been ordered to be closed by SSPOs, New Delhi Central
Division with effect from 21.03.2020 until further orders. Similarly Delhi East
Division has closed down 30 offices from 21.03.2020 to 04.04.2020.
ii.
Similarly Kerala Circle has
ordered closure of all NDSOs from 21.03.2020 to 04.04.2020 except some
important offices like Head Post Offices, MDGs, Delivery Post Offices and POs located
/ attached in Govt. buildings.
iii.
SSPOs, Mumbai North Division has
ordered some offices to function on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and some on
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
But, we do regret to
intimate you that Odisha Circle is not at all expediting its activities on the
issue in spite of our repeated requests while the Govt. of Odisha is ahead
amongst all other states in the country. It is needless to say that the Counter
PAs, the Sorting, Despatch and Delivery staff members both in POs and RMS offices
are working in a hazardous condition and now in the present scenario they are quite
vulnerable to the Novel Corona Virus.
Therefore, before the Post and
RMS Offices become the maternity home for COVID-19, we would like to demand for
taking positive decision on the following issues immediately with effect from
23.03.2020 till restoration of normalcy or otherwise without any further delay
on any ground in addition to a fruitful negotiation with the Staff Side on
Monday (23.03.2020) positively since any kind of further delay may be hazardous
for all of us and the society.
1.
To close down all single-handed Non-Delivery Post
Offices in Odisha Circle including all the post offices functioning in the
hospital campuses irrespective of the status of the concerned Post Office.
2.
To order for roster duty in delivery post offices
adding the staff members of closed post offices.
3.
To arrange supply of adequate preventive
materials, viz. mask, glove, sanitizer etc. to all staff members coming on duty
besides authorizing all SPMs / Postmasters to purchase such materials with necessary
financial approval. If necessary, this may be taken with Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare, Govt. of Odisha with request to arrange supply of preventive hygienic materials (now not easily available in the open market) to all
Divisional heads for distribution to the post offices.
4.
To arrange for thermal scanning of the each
customers coming to the post offices.
5.
To arrange supply of adequate leaflets, banners,
posters etc. containing awareness messages to contain spread of COVID-19 to all
post offices.
6.
To stop functioning of delivery through PMA and
opening of IPPB Accounts.
7.
To fix glass panels in the counters of all post
offices under Project Arrow, Phase-I and Phase-II (e.g. Bhubaneswar GPO,
Ashoknagar MDG, Sahidnagar MDG etc) which are kept open and allowing customers
to create unnecessary crowd without coming in queue.
8.
To modify the SAP Employee Portal suitably in
CSI to accept application for Commuted Leave without Medical Certificate as now
relaxed in CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 vide DoPT OM No. 11013/9/14-Estt (A.III),
dated 20.03.2020 and till then employees who are willing to avail such leave
may be permitted if applied through eMail/Hard Copy.
9.
To treat the absence during the above lockdown
period, reported if any by any official by any means finding it difficult to
reach office due to restrictions imposed by the Govt. of Odisha to obtain proper
permission from police authorities.
10.
To arrange for supply of medicines to all
beneficiaries of CGHS Wellness Centres in Bhubaneswar, Berhampur and Cuttack in
the first attendance or in the first indent if opted for purchase without any
plea.
11.
To instruct all Regional / Divisional / Unit
Heads to act uniformly in this regard.
We hope, the Staff Side will be
taken into confidence and our suggestions will be weighed properly.
Expecting your kind invitation
for fruitful discussion and immediate action to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Confidently, together, we can.
With regards.
Yours faithfully,
(Bruhaspati Samal)
Circle Secretary &
Chairman, NFPE, Odisha State CoC
Copy for kind information to Com. R N Parashar,
Secretary General, National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE), North Avenue
P O Building, New Delhi – 110 001. This has a reference to this Circle Union’s
letter dated 16.03.2020 and 19.03.2020. As per available reports, the states of Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Gujarat and Karnataka are more vulnerable than Odisha. In addition to Odisha, Maharastra,
Rajastan, Bihar and Punjab have joined the lockdown process till month end. But
uniform decision is not seen to be taken by all Circle heads. The Directorate should issue clear and
uniform guidelines to all Circles immediately for closure of Post Offices or
otherwise. He is requested to discuss the issue with the Secretary (Posts)
immediately and arrange to issue orders from the Directorate for uniform implementation
in all Circles. During discussion, our suggestions may be given priority.
(Bruhaspati Samal)
Circle Secretary, Odisha &
Organizing General Secretary, CHQ
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