All India Postal Employee Union, Gr-C is the major constituent of National Federation of Postal Employees - The biggest Federation of the Largest Postal Network of the World highlighting the principles of unity and struggle for the advancement of postal workers
Sunday, 28 February 2021
Saturday, 27 February 2021
UPU News - Into the furnace
Between May and October every year, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is faced with a recurring life-threatening challenge.
A challenge that needs to be carefully managed to ensure, first and foremost, its workers’ lives are protected and to minimize impact to operations.
In 2020, this challenge was the biggest it has ever been. The 2020 wildfire season was a record-breaking one for the US as a whole. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, as of 27 November, 52,113 wildfires burned 8,889,297 acres in 2020. This is approximately 2.3 million more acres burned than the 10-year average and almost double the average burned in the 2019 season.
“The postal service has a long history of preparing for and responding to natural disasters, such as, wildfires, tornados and hurricanes, and those experiences have helped us to respond to the 2020 wildfires.“
The western United States was the hardest hit area. Severe thunderstorms ignited wildfires across California, Oregon and Washington in August and September. Due to strong winds and hot dry terrains, these fires turned into record-breaking megafires, which killed around 40 people. These fires are one of nature’s most destructive forces, capable of moving as fast as 14 miles per hour.
Due to climate change, the risk of wildfires continues to rise. In fact, according to NASA, the fire season in the US is now stretching from early spring through to late autumn, with fires igniting as late as 2 December, 2020, in Orange County.
USPS is obviously not alone in tackling wildfire challenges. Postal operators in Europe, South America, Canada, India, and other parts of the world, also face yearly disruption as a result of fires that ravage regions. But USPS’s approach to tackling these natural disasters is one that can help all postal operators. According to USPS senior director for the office of the postmaster general and chief executive officer in the US, Patrick Mendonca, “it pays to plan!”
“The postal service has a long history of preparing for and responding to natural disasters, such as, wildfires, tornados and hurricanes, and those experiences have helped us to respond to the 2020 wildfires quickly to ensure that the mail and our employees are safe,” he says. “In addition, postal officials always work diligently to try to resume operations as quickly, safely and efficiently as possible. Resuming mail delivery after a disaster impacts a community often brings back a sense of normalcy to our customers.”
Responding to the crisis
During the 2020 wildfires, a number of USPS’s post offices were damaged and others were closed due to evacuation orders from the local governmental authorities. “In any instance where a post office is closed either due to an evacuation or damage to the facility, the customer’s mail is made available for pick up at another postal location,” Mendonca continues. “We provide the information regarding disruption in service for our residential customers via a dedicated page on our website.”
Aside from ensuring operational continuity during wildfire season, USPS makes sure its staff are prepared for any eventuality through extensive preparedness and response plans and guides, which have been developed alongside the Universal Postal Union’s Building resilience: A guide to disaster risk management for the postal sector guide. “These plans and guides include a set of actions for wildfire events and checklists to help workers and management prepare,” notes Mendonca.
“They are used by regional and local Emergency Management Teams, which oversee the preparation and response to any hazard. In addition, each facility manager is responsible for managing incidents that affect their facility. These facility managers are supported by the Emergency Management Teams, which receive training on an annual basis to ensure they are well informed,” he continues.
“Each facility has a standardized Emergency Plan, which is updated and certified on an annual basis, or more frequently if needed. The plan is comprised of a concept of operations for how emergency preparation and response is organized and orchestrated; an emergency action plan that covers evacuation procedures; and a continuity of operations plan that identifies which operations will be transferred to what alternate site(s) if the affected facility cannot continue operations onsite,” adds Mendonca.
Prior to wildfire season, USPS identifies at-risk facilities and ensures that evacuation needs are understood by local management. It also makes sure that water and N95 respirator masks are placed and logged in designated supply hubs, and recommends that a master key stock and log is created for all facilities.
“We have an extensive communications package, which includes items for posting on bulletin boards, as well as stand-up talks to be given to employees regarding wildfires and air quality protection.”
During the season, the postal operator uses information from national weather providers to assess risk in its locations. “The USPS issues a weather report to all operations managers that highlights the risks of elevated or critical fire weather conditions for that day based on information from the United States National Weather Service. Additionally, the USPS uses Airnow.gov to monitor local air quality conditions during wildfires,” explains Mendonca.
According to USPS, communication is key during wildfire season. “We have an extensive communications package, which includes items for posting on bulletin boards, as well as stand-up talks to be given to employees regarding wildfires and air quality protection. The Emergency Management Teams use these materials when there is a threat of a wildfire. We also have a National Employee Emergency Hotline, which workers can use to notify other employees and management of the situation,” notes Mendonca.
Supporting others
Alongside USPS’s role to support its workers during wildfire season, it also participates in the United States National Response Framework, which is a guide to how the nation responds to all types of disasters and emergencies. As a vital part of the nation’s emergency response structure, the postal service ensures that mail operations – a lifeline for impacted communities needing access to medications and essential items – are restored after an emergency or natural disaster.
Looking at how other postal operators can best prepare for natural disasters Mendonca concludes, “We recommend that all posts look at the UPU’s Building resilience: A guide to disaster risk management for the postal sector guide. The guide is available on the UPU website here. As recommended in the guide the organizing framework of the ‘3P’s – People, Property and Product’, can be applied to any threat to help ensure that in preparedness and response posts are prioritizing the welfare of their employees, that they understand what is critical in terms of their assets and those that they rely upon, and how the overall effect of a disaster has impacted the posts ability to provide postal services.
“Posts should also identify and evaluate risks and implement mitigation/preparedness activities, including adopting the emergency response checklists for natural disasters."
“Posts should also identify and evaluate risks and implement mitigation/preparedness activities, including adopting the emergency response checklists for natural disasters that are part of the UPU’s disaster risk management guide. Posts should be familiar with their pertinent national emergency authority and its resources, and establish relationships when possible to leverage the extensive knowledge the post has of the community it serves,” Mendonca concludes.
USPS key message during any disaster, including a wildfire, is to, “Think, prepare and act to protect your personal safety and those around you.”
Thursday, 25 February 2021
Government notifies Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021
Social media platforms welcome to do business in India but they need to follow the Constitution and laws of India
Social media platform can certainly be used for asking questions and criticise
Social media platforms have empowered ordinary users but they need accountability against its misuse and abuse
The new Rules empower ordinary users of social media, embodying a mechanism for redressal and timely resolution of their grievance
Rules about digital media and OTT focuses more on in house and self-regulation mechanism whereby a robust grievance redressal mechanism has been provided while upholding journalistic and creative freedom
The proposed framework is progressive, liberal and contemporaneous
It seeks to address peoples’ varied concerns while removing any misapprehension about curbing creativity and freedom of speech and expression
The guidelines have been framed keeping in mind the difference between viewership in a theatre and television as compared to to watching it on Internet
Posted On: 25 FEB 2021 2:44PM by PIB Delhi
Amidst growing concerns around lack of transparency, accountability and rights of users related to digital media and after elaborate consultation with the public and stakeholders, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 has been framed in exercise of powers under section 87 (2) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and in supersession of the earlier Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011.
While finalizing these Rules, both the Ministries of Electronics and Information Technology and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting undertook elaborate consultations among themselves in order to have a harmonious, soft-touch oversight mechanism in relation to social media platform as well as digital media and OTT platforms etc.
Part- II of these Rules shall be administered by Ministry of Electronics and IT, while Part-III relating to Code of Ethics and procedure and safeguards in relation to digital media shall be administered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Background:
The Digital India programme has now become a movement which is empowering common Indians with the power of technology. The extensive spread of mobile phones, Internet etc. has also enabled many social media platforms to expand their footprints in India. Common people are also using these platforms in a very significant way. Some portals, whichpublish analysis about social media platforms and which have not been disputed, have reported the following numbers as user base of major social media platforms in India:
- WhatsApp users: 53 Crore
- YouTube users: 44.8 Crore
- Facebook users: 41 Crore
- Instagram users: 21 Crore
- Twitter users: 1.75 Crore
These social platforms have enabled common Indians to show their creativity, ask questions, be informed and freely share their views, including criticism of the Government and its functionaries. The Government acknowledges and respects the right of every Indian to criticizeand disagree as an essential element of democracy. India is the world’s largest open Internet society and the Government welcomes social media companies to operate in India, do business and also earn profits. However, they will have to be accountable to the Constitution and laws of India.
Proliferation of social media,on one hand empowers the citizens then on the other hand gives rise to some serious concerns and consequences which have grown manifold in recent years. These concerns have been raised from time to time in various forums including in the Parliament and its committees, judicial orders and in civil society deliberations in different parts of country. Such concerns are also raised all over the world and it is becoming an international issue.
Of late,some very disturbing developments are observed on the social media platforms. Persistent spread of fake news has compelled many media platforms to create fact-check mechanisms.Rampant abuse of social media to share morphed images of women and contents related to revenge porn have often threatened the dignity of women. Misuse of social media for settling corporate rivalriesin blatantly unethical manner has become a major concern for businesses.Instances of use of abusive language, defamatory and obscene contents and blatant disrespect to religious sentiments through platforms are growing.
Over the years, the increasing instances of misuse of social media by criminals, anti-national elements have brought new challenges for law enforcement agencies. Theseinclude inducement for recruitment of terrorists, circulation of obscene content, spread of disharmony, financial frauds, incitement of violence, public order etc.
It was found that currently there is no robust complaint mechanism wherein the ordinary users of social media and OTT platforms can register their complaint and get it redressed within defined timeline. Lack of transparency and absence of robust grievance redressal mechanism have left the users totally dependent on the whims and fancies of social media platforms. Often it has been seen that a user who has spent his time, energy and money in developing a social media profile is left with no remedies in case that profile is restricted or removed by the platform without giving any opportunity to be heard.
Evolution of Social Media and Other Intermediaries:
- If we notice the evolution of social media intermediaries, they are no longer limited to playing the role of pure intermediary and often they become publishers. These Rules are a fine blend of liberal touch with gentle self-regulatory framework. It works on the existing laws and statues of the country which are applicable to content whether online or offline. In respect of news and current affairs publishers are expected to follow the journalistic conduct of Press Council of India and the Programme Code under the Cable Television Network Act, which are already applicable to print and TV. Hence, only a level playing field has been proposed.
Rationale and Justification for New Guidelines:
These Rules substantially empower the ordinary users of digital platforms to seek redressal for their grievances and command accountability in case of infringement of their rights. In this direction, the following developments are noteworthy:
- The Supreme Court in suo-moto writ petition (Prajjawala case) vide order dated 11/12/2018 had observed that the Government of India may frame necessary guidelines to eliminate child pornography, rape and gangrape imageries, videos and sites in content hosting platforms and other applications.
- The Supreme Court vide order dated 24/09/2019 had directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to apprise the timeline in respect of completing the process of notifying the new rules.
- There was a Calling Attention Motion on the misuse of social media and spread of fake news in the Rajya Sabha and the Minister had conveyed to the house on 26/07/2018, the resolve of the Government to strengthen the legal framework and make the social media platforms accountable under the law. He had conveyed this after repeated demands from the Members of the Parliament to take corrective measures.
- The Ad-hoc committee of the Rajya Sabha laid its report on 03/02/2020 after studying the alarming issue of pornography on social media and its effect on children and society as a whole and recommended for enabling identification of the first originator of such contents.
Consultations:
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) prepared draft Rules and invited public comments on 24/12/2018. MEITY received 171 comments from individuals, civil society, industry association and organizations. 80 counter comments to these comments were also received. These comments were analyzed in detail and an inter-ministerial meeting was also held and accordingly, these Rules have been finalized.
Salient Features
Guidelines Related to Social Media to Be Administered by Ministry of Electronics and IT:
- Due Diligence To Be Followed By Intermediaries: The Rules prescribe due diligence that must be followed by intermediaries, including social media intermediaries. In case, due diligence is not followed by the intermediary, safe harbour provisions will not apply to them.
- Grievance Redressal Mechanism: The Rules seek to empower the users by mandating the intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, to establish a grievance redressal mechanism for receiving resolving complaints from the users or victims. Intermediaries shall appoint a Grievance Officer to deal with such complaints andshare the name and contact details of such officer. Grievance Officer shall acknowledge the complaint within twenty four hours and resolve it within fifteen days from its receipt.
- Ensuring Online Safety and Dignity of Users, Specially Women Users: Intermediaries shall remove or disable access withing 24 hours of receipt of complaints of contents that exposes the private areas of individuals, show such individuals in full or partial nudity or in sexual act or is in the nature of impersonation including morphed images etc. Such a complaint can be filed either by the individual or by any other person on his/her behalf.
- Two Categories of Social Media Intermediaries: To encourage innovations and enable growth of new social media intermediaries without subjecting smaller platforms to significant compliance requirement, the Rules make a distinction between social media intermediaries and significant social media intermediaries. This distinction is based on the number of users on the social media platform. Government is empowered to notify the threshold of user base that will distinguish between social media intermediaries and significant social media intermediaries. The Rules require the significant social media intermediaries to follow certain additional due diligence.
- Additional Due Diligence to Be Followed by Significant Social Media Intermediary:
- Appoint a Chief Compliance Officer who shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Act and Rules. Such a person should be a resident in India.
- Appoint a Nodal Contact Person for 24x7 coordination with law enforcement agencies. Such a person shall be a resident in India.
- Appoint a Resident Grievance Officer who shall perform the functions mentioned under Grievance Redressal Mechanism. Such a person shall be a resident in India.
- Publish a monthly compliance report mentioning the details of complaints received and action taken on the complaints as well as details of contents removed proactively by the significant social media intermediary.
- Significant social media intermediaries providing services primarily in the nature of messaging shall enable identification of the first originator of the information that is required only for the purposes of prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution or punishment of an offence related to sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, or public order or of incitement to an offence relating to the above or in relation with rape, sexually explicit material or child sexual abuse material punishable with imprisonment for a term of not less than five years. Intermediary shall not be required to disclose the contents of any message or any other information to the first originator.
- Significant social media intermediary shall have a physical contact address in India published on its website or mobile app or both.
- Voluntary User Verification Mechanism: Users who wish to verify their accounts voluntarily shall be provided an appropriate mechanism to verify their accounts and provided with demonstrable and visible mark of verification.
- Giving Users An Opportunity to Be Heard: In cases where significant social media intermediaries removes or disables access to any information on their own accord, then a prior intimation for the same shall be communicated to the user who has shared that information with a notice explaining the grounds and reasons for such action. Users must be provided an adequate and reasonable opportunity to dispute the action taken by the intermediary.
- Removal of Unlawful Information:An intermediary upon receiving actual knowledge in the form of an order by a court or being notified by the Appropriate Govt. or its agencies through authorized officer should not host or publish any information which is prohibited under any law in relation to the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, public order, friendly relations with foreign countries etc.
- The Rules will come in effect from the date of their publication in the gazette, except for the additional due diligence for significant social media intermediaries, which shall come in effect 3 months after publication of these Rules.
Digital Media Ethics Code Relating to Digital Media and OTT Platforms to Be Administered by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting:
There have been widespread concerns about issues relating to digital contents both on digital media and OTT platforms. Civil Society, film makers, political leaders including Chief Minister, trade organizations and associations have all voiced their concerns and highlighted the imperative need for an appropriate institutional mechanism. The Government also received many complaints from civil society and parents requesting interventions. There were many court proceedings in the Supreme Court and High Courts, where courts also urged the Government to take suitable measures.
Since the matter relates to digital platforms, therefore, a conscious decision was taken that issues relating to digital media and OTT and other creative programmes on Internet shall be administered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting but the overall architecture shall be under the Information Technology Act, which governs digital platforms.
Consultations:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting held consultations in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai over the last one and half years wherein OTT players have been urged to develop “self-regulatory mechanism”. The Government also studied the models in other countries including Singapore, Australia, EU and UK and has gathered that most of them either have an institutional mechanism to regulate digital content or are in the process of setting-up one.
The Rules establish a soft-touch self-regulatory architecture and a Code of Ethics and three tier grievance redressal mechanism for news publishers and OTT Platforms and digital media.
Notified under section 87 of Information Technology Act, these Rules empower the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to implement Part-III of the Rules which prescribe the following:
- Code of Ethicsfor online news, OTT platforms and digital media:This Code of Ethics prescribe the guidelines to be followed by OTT platforms and online news and digital media entities.
- Self-Classification of Content: The OTT platforms, called as the publishers of online curated content in the rules, would self-classify the content into five age based categories- U (Universal), U/A 7+, U/A 13+, U/A 16+, and A (Adult). Platforms would be required to implement parental locks for content classified as U/A 13+ or higher, and reliable age verification mechanisms for content classified as “A”. The publisher of online curated content shall prominently display the classification rating specific to each content or programme together with a content descriptor informing the user about the nature of the content, and advising on viewer description (if applicable) at the beginning of every programme enabling the user to make an informed decision, prior to watching the programme.
- Publishers of news on digital media would be required to observe Norms of Journalistic Conduct of the Press Council of India and the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act thereby providing a level playing field between the offline (Print, TV) and digital media.
- A three-level grievance redressal mechanism has been established under the rules with different levels of self-regulation.
- Level-I: Self-regulation by the publishers;
- Level-II: Self-regulation by the self-regulating bodies of the publishers;
- Level-III: Oversight mechanism.
- Self-regulation by the Publisher: Publisher shall appoint a Grievance Redressal Officer based in India who shall be responsible for the redressal of grievances received by it. The officer shall take decision on every grievance received by it within 15 days.
- Self-Regulatory Body: There may be one or more self-regulatory bodies of publishers. Such a body shall be headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court, a High Court or independent eminent person and have not more than six members. Such a body will have to register with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. This body will oversee the adherence by the publisher to the Code of Ethics and address grievances that have not be been resolved by the publisher within 15 days.
- Oversight Mechanism: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting shall formulate an oversight mechanism. It shall publish a charter for self-regulating bodies, including Codes of Practices. It shall establish an Inter-Departmental Committee for hearing grievances.
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SAD NEWS - Govind Chandra Murmu, PA, Cuttack GPO expired on 25.02.2021 morning.
Com. Govinda Chandra Murmu, PA Cuttack GPO who was under treatment in SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack since 14.02.2021 for neurological issues breathed his last on 25.02.2021 early morning.
Since his admission, our Divisional Secretary, Cuttack City Division and his team were in regular touch and extending every cooperation for his early recovery.
The members of Cuttack City Division are greatly shocked with this sad demise of Com. Murmu who was not only a bonafide member of NFPE but a good worker and nice person also.
On behalf of NFPE fraternity, Odisha, we convey our deep condolences to the bereaved family members and pray Lord Jagannath to give them courage to bear with this irreparable loss.
May the divine soul rest in eternal peace.
