Tuesday 31 March 2020

About UPU action on network disruptions caused by COVID-19


Last updated: 30 March 2020.
The UPU's International Bureau (IB) has been monitoring the disruptions to the global postal supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and is seeking to identify possible ways to mitigate its impact – particularly with regard to the widespread restrictions and cancellations of passenger flights.
The IB is currently looking for alternatives to help Union member countries and their designated operators (DOs) airlift postal dispatches held in the offices of exchange of many countries. In this regard, the IB urges DOs to explore the use of cargo flights as an alternative to passenger flights where possible. There are indications that some airlines are also using their current spare capacity on passenger flights to carry cargo. DOs should explore this possibility with their partner airlines.

If any DOs are already using cargo flights and/or spare capacity on passenger flights to transport postal items, they are kindly invited to share information on these carriers with the UPU's Transport Programme Manager, Mr Ján Bojnanský, by e-mail at jan.bojnansky(at)upu.int. This will enable the IB to prepare a consolidated list of available carriers for reference for other Union member countries and their DOs.
Cooperating with IATA

In a similar vein, the IB has also been in contact with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to explore the possibility of using cargo flights as an alternative to passenger flights to ensure the continued transportation of postal items. Up-to-date information regarding the current availability and status of air cargo carriers can be found at www.tact-online.org/covid-19 and www.iata.org/cargo.
Furthermore, the IB remains in close contact with Union member countries and their DOs with a view to advising them on all existing restrictions owing to passenger flight cancellations and lack of transport capacity. The IB urges DOs to contact their local or regional airlines and surface cargo providers, and to share any information on available transport capacity (by air or any mode of surface transport) with the IB through the contact point indicated above.
Consolidated information

A table consolidating all the information referred to above, including new transport solutions by rail, air freight and sea, is currently being prepared. It will be updated regularly based on input from all supply chain partners, and will be shared with all Union member countries and their DOs. The table will soon be accessible via the Quality Control System (QCS) big data tools, at qcsmailbd.ptc.post, using UPU Documentation Centre user credentials (the same as are used to access EmIS messages). The table provides details of new rail transport routes available between Europe and Asia (both ways), a new chartered cargo flight for the transportation of mail between Europe and China, and sea transport options to Australia, Canada and the United States. Please liaise with the contact persons provided in the table or with Mr Ján Bojnanský for more information.
EmIS messages

In addition, Union member countries and their DOs can view the latest COVID-19 status table, which contains summaries of the messages received from Union member countries and their DOs on measures implemented in relation to the COVID-19 situation, at www.upu.int/en/activities/quality-of-service/communication-from-member-countries-on-covid-19.html. This includes additional information such as direct links to the text of any relevant EmIS messages and the indication of start/end dates (where applicable).

The IB is working to further enhance this status table, to meet the needs of Union member countries and their DOs in terms of accessibility and the relevance of the information provided. For further information or clarification of urgent matters of an operational or technical nature, UPU members can contact the IB by e-mail at urgent(at)upu.int and/or PTC.support(at)upu.int.

Acknowledging the letter of PJCA Odisha, Circle office asks for discussion with the Chief PMG on COVID-19 grievances , if any.

A letter for discussion without time, date and place. 

Surprising! 

And, problems, if any on COVID-19 !!!!!!????????

Extension of validity period of empanelled Health Care Organizations under CGHS up to 30.06.2020


Opening of the April period for the Financial Year 2020-2021


Clarification on retirement of Govt. Servants on 31.03.2020


IPPB reduces interest rate from 3.5% to 3% per annum


Circle Office relaxed cut off dates for joining on transfer, promotion and training etc considering the lockdown period for COVID-19


It may kindly be noted that we have already raised the issue and written to the Chief PMG in this regard. Our letter to C O has already been posted elsewhere in the website.

S B Order 14 / 2020 : Regarding waive off penalty / revival fee (default fee) in RD/PPF/SSA Accounts


Postal Employees demand closure of Post Offices


Monday 30 March 2020

Counting of limitation period for the diverse purposes under CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 - reg



When a global pandemic has your address, but your government doesn’t know where you are

30.03.2020 - Speaking at a Universal Postal Union (UPU) conference on addressing the Director General of the UN specialized agency, Bishar A. Hussein, warned that the lack of addresses could lead to individuals not existing in government eyes. The UPU Chief said this outcome would hit the poorest and most vulnerable hardest because they faced higher risks during natural disasters or an outbreak of disease.

During the 2015 conference, held at the UPU’s Berne, Headquarters, Frederick Norkeh, Liberia’s then Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, also gave a powerful illustration of the terrible impact of a lack of standardized addressing during the country’s deadly Ebola outbreak.  He compared this with a community where the houses had been numbered as part of a 2013 pilot project enabling “contact tracing” for individuals in contact with someone infected by the virus. Norkeh, in his speech, called for enhanced international support for countries to improve their inadequate addressing infrastructure. 
Move forward five years and the world today faces a global pandemic – COVID-19 – that has infected almost every country in the world. Once again, the UPU is highlighting the importance of addresses as a means to enable the deployment of emergency services or the delivery of medical supplies. UPU Addressing and Postcode Expert Patricia Vivas reinforces the importance of addresses when she says, "In Europe, mapping outbreak cases of COVID-19 and deployment of emergency services have been handled in a matter of hours in countries like Italy or Spain. A very different scenario is to be expected in less economically developed countries where the COVID-19 situation is becoming increasingly intense; however, addressing networks and mapping tools have yet to be fully implemented in many of these countries."
Address infrastructure helps in the management of information, which can be coordinated and exchanged at different levels of government, as well as during the distribution of emergency services and management of health assets. Databases that use addresses can help link location data with personal identification details and information on infected cases or vulnerable segments of the population. Examples of critical data include the total number of people living in a neighbourhood struck down by the pandemic, and the number of people, particularly elderly people, expected to be in affected areas.
The response of emergency services is time-sensitive. Identification of a location and the best route to access it are crucial for rapid responses. “Street names and house numbers greatly facilitate the ability of emergency response teams to reach an affected area. When operating in the field, the security and health personnel involved in the COVID-19 pandemic must be kept informed about the actions to be carried out and the risks of their work,” notes Vivas.
In order to make decisions about operations, existing hazards must be accounted for and a comprehensive plan designed. Integrating all of the available information, including spatial information, is a critical factor for making secure decisions. COVID-19-affected countries need maps displaying precise outbreak areas and medical infrastructure to facilitate the identification and access of safe havens for victims and personnel.
For people in quarantine or confinement, the ability to order goods online is essential. However, deliveries need proper address information. Address networks also go far beyond the postal sector; they comprise crucial information – an underlying infrastructure upon which many other services can be built and actions planned. They are a significant step in connecting people and national authorities with rapid emergency response and resources available when a pandemic strikes.
As a UPU publication titled, Addressing the World—An Address for Everyone, acknowledged in 2011: “Addresses facilitate the provision of public and private services, improving the response of aid and emergency services in tackling disease and natural disasters for example, while fostering social and economic development in general.”

Premium payment period for Postal Life Insurance & Rural Postal Life Insurance extended upto 30th April 2020

Ministry of Communications

Premium payment period for Postal Life Insurance & Rural Postal Life Insurance extended upto 30th April 2020

Posted On: 30 MAR 2020 5:16PM by PIB Delhi
In view of the threat posed by the outbreak of Corona Virus (COVID-19), and the complete lockdown across India, Directorate of Postal Life Insurance(PLI), Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications has given an extension of period for payment of their due premium of March 2020 upto 30th April 2020 without charging any penalty/default fee. Directorate of PLI said that although many Post Offices are functional as part of essential services, Postal Life Insurance/Rural Postal Life customers are facing difficulty in  approaching post offices for payment of premium. Therefore, as a measure of convenience to all the PLI / RPLI customers, the period of payment has been extended.
 The decision is likely to benefit approximately 13 lakh policy holders (5.5 Lakh PLI and 7.5 Lakh RPLI)who have not been able to pay premium for current month. As compared to about42 lakh policy holders who paid premium last month, only 29 lakh of them have been able to pay premium for this month till today.
Customers registered on portal have also been advised to pay premium online using PLI customer Portal. 

RAILWAY HEALTH FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO ALL CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES || RAILWAY BOARD DATED 28.03.2020

Provision of essential goods through Mail Vans in Lucknow




D B T Disbursement through Post Offices


VC dated 30.03.2020 of Minister, Communications with CPMsG





Hon'ble MP(Lok Sabha) Kallakurichi Constituency, Tamil Nadu writes to Minister Communications to close all post offices to contain spread of COVID-19



Lockdown measures by Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India



Sunday 29 March 2020

Postal JCA (NFPE, FNPO & BPEF), Odisha Circle writes to the Chief PMG on provision of essential services through post offices during Corona crisis

Hon'ble Prime Minister's Mann Ki Baat 2.0 dated 29.03.2020

Prime Minister's Office

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says social distancing is the most effective way of fighting against COVID-19; urges countrymen to protect themselves and their families.

Sharing his thoughts in Mann ki Baat program, Mr. Modi asserts India will win its fight against COVID-19
 
PM says, certain hard decisions necessary to contain the pandemic; calls upon global community to join hands to exterminate the Coronavirus

PM shares his conversations with those who have recovered and doctors; lauds their grit and determination

People need to show sympathy and cooperation with those in isolation and self-quarantine; says PM.

Posted On: 29 MAR 2020 4:02PM by PIB Delhi
“Many soldiers fighting the Coronavirus are not in the confines of their homes but outside their homes. These are our front line soldiers-especially our brothers and sisters on duty as nurses, doctors and paramedical staff. I spoke to some of them to express my gratitude for their service and to keep their zeal going. Their sincerity and commitment also helps me in keeping up my spirits ”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that social distancing is the most effective way of fighting against COVID-19 and by complying with the lockdown, people can protect themselves.
Sharing his thoughts in the 10th edition of the Mann Ki Baat 2.0 today, Mr Modi said, “Everyone has to protect themselves and their families and for the next many days, they have to abide by the Lakshman Rekha. The determination and restraint of each Indian will help in facing the crisis.”
Mr Modi called upon the global community to join hands  in the resolve to exterminate this virus which poses a threat to annihilate the human race.
“Corona virus has incarcerated the world. It is posing a challenge to Knowledge, science, the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak alike. It is not confined to any nation's borders, nor does it make distinction of region or season. This virus has, in a way, obstinately picked up the gauntlet to annihilate the human race. And that is why humankind will have to rise unitedly, in the resolve to exterminate it”, he said.
The Prime Minister said, in order to battle Coronavirus in a country with 130 crore people, there was no other option but to go for lockdown. He emphasized that the fight against Coronavirus is between life and death and that is why such strong measures had to be resorted to. Mr Modi said, looking at the way the world is going through, this was the only way left. He said, safety of people has to be ensured.
Mr. Modi said, those breaking the rules during the lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 are playing with their lives. He made it clear that those who do not comply with the lockdown rule should understand that it will be difficult to save ourselves from the scourge of the Coronavirus.
The Prime Minister said, ”The world over, many people nursed this delusion and all of them are regretting it now. Since the battle against corona is unprecedented as well as challenging, the decisions being taken during this time are unheard of in the history of the world”.
The Prime Minister told that the steps being taken by Indians to stop the spread of corona and the efforts being made, will ensure that India conquers the pandemic. 
Mr Modi said, “Our sympathy for the poor should also be far greater. Our humanity stems from the fact that whenever we see a poor or hungry person, we first try and feed him or her in this time of crisis”.
He said, we should think of their needs and India can do it as it is part of its values and culture. The Prime Minister cited an adage which means, an illness and its scourge should be nipped in the bud itself. However, when it becomes incurable its treatment is very difficult. He said, every Indian is doing just that these days. 
The Prime Minister said, corona virus has incarcerated the world and it is posing a challenge to knowledge, science, the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak alike across the continents and that is the reason why he has confined to this issue in this edition of Mann Ki baat.  
Mr Modi  extended a heartfelt apology to all countrymen and said he strongly feels from the core of his heart that the people will forgive him because he had to take certain decisions may be resulting in myriad hardships. He specially mentioned the underprivileged brothers and sisters and said, he fully understands what they are going through. Citing another adage, he said good health is the greatest fortune and health is the only way to happiness in the world. 
The Prime Minister said, in this war, there are many soldiers who are fighting the Corona virus, not in the confines of their homes but outside their homes.
He said, “these are our front line soldiers especially the brothers and sisters on duty as nurses, doctors and paramedical staff  who have defeated corona virus”. 
The Prime Minister shared his conversations on phone with some of those engaged in the fight against CIVID-19 boosting their zeal, in turn raising his own enthusiasm as well and said he has learnt a lot from them. 
The Prime Minister said, all these people are persevering to the best extent possible to chase out this scourge.
“What they tell us is not just for us to listen to and it is to be practised in life in the truest spirit” he said.
Prime Minister also praised the selfless spirit of the Nurses and other medical staff.  
“India has been able to fight a battle on such a massive scale, only because of the zeal and grit of frontline warriors like doctors, nurses, paramedics, Aasha, ANM workers, sanitation workers. The country is also concerned about their health and hence the government has announced a health insurance cover of upto 50 lakhs rupees for nearly 20 lakhs colleagues from these fields so that in this battle, they can lead the country with greater self-confidence” he said.  
He praised the small retail storekeeper in the neighbourhood, the drivers and workers, who are working ceaselessly, so that the nation's supply chain of essential goods is not disrupted. Mr Modi said, those working in the banking sector are leading us in this fight. He told that many people are engaged with e-commerce companies as delivery personnel and are delivering groceries in these testing times.  
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the people who are enabling the people to watch uninterrupted television and making digital payments with ease. He requested them to follow all the safety precautions, take care of themselves and their family members.
The Prime Minister said, people need to understand that in the current circumstances, we need to ensure social distance, not human or emotional distance.
He said, he was pained to see that some of those quarantined are being stigmatised and ill-treated. He appreciated those who have quarantined themselves to protect other people from getting infected. 
The Prime Minister said, social distancing is the most effective way of fighting against coronavirus.  He again appealed to the countrymen to stay at home, be careful and safe in order to win this battle.
****

PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO CONTAIN THE SPREAD OF COVID19 - GUIDELINES FOR PROTECTION AND SAFETY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (DIVYANGJAN) DURING COVID-19.

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

DoPT Memorandum

Posted On: 28 MAR 2020 8:21PM by PIB Delhi
 As per fresh Office Memorandum (OM) issued by the Ministry of Personnel, all the Ministries and departments have been instructed that while drawing up roster of staff who are required to attend essential services within their respective Ministries or departments, they may keep in mind that employees who are “Persons with Disability" (PwD) or "Divyangjans" are exempted.
Pertinent to mention that as per an earlier Office Memorandum issued by DoPT immediately following the imposition of 21 day lockdown, the Heads of Departments (HoDs) were asked to draw a list of staff that are “absolutely necessary” to carry out additional essential services within the department.
Meanwhile, through another memorandum issued by DoPT, timeline for submission of Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) in respect of Group-A officers of Central Services has been extended for the year 2019-20, in the light of the situation arising out of the spread of Covid-19. As per the earlier schedule, the date for distribution of blank APARs to all concerned officers was 31st March, which has now been revised and extended upto 31st May. 
Similarly, the date for the submission of self-appraisal by an officer to the Reporting Officer(RO) was 15th April as per the earlier schedule,  but it has now been revised and extended upto 30th June.
Meanwhile, most of the officials have been asked to  continue to work from home and remain available on telephone and electronic means of communication. They may be asked to make themselves available if and when required.
*****

Through media publications NFPE Odisha attempts to appraise the Govt. and the Department the ground reality of Post Offices during COVID-19

News published in the Odisha Pioneer and the Samaj on 29.03.2020


Friday 27 March 2020

Guidelines for Workplace of COVID-19



Revised guidelines for purchase of laptops / notebooks and similar devices for eligible officers


Post Offices provide basic postal and financial services during COVID-19 lockdown

Ministry of Communications

Post Offices provide basic postal and financial services during COVID-19 lockdown

Posted On: 27 MAR 2020 5:45PM by PIB Delhi
During the lockdown to curtail the spread of COVlD-19, Post Offices are providing basic postal and financial services. Priority is being given to delivery of essential Items through the postal network. Facility of withdrawal and deposit under Post Office Savings Bank and India Post Payments Bank is also available. ATM facility and AEPS (Aadhar Enabled Payment System) are made available in Post Offices for withdrawal of cash from accounts standing in any bank.
Department of Posts is also ensuring that essential services are provided by implementing safety measures across its supply chain to protect its employees and effecting safe delivery of services to the citizens.

Joint statement: UPU and UNI Global Union on postal operations during the COVID-19 pandemic

27.03.2020 - In times of lockdowns and reduced social and economic activity, postal services remain running as one of the pillars of society. The postal network ensures daily communication and the delivery of goods to all, even during a crisis.

The current COVID-19 pandemic illustrates why the universal postal service must be regarded as essential. When communication options available to the public are limited and free movement is restricted, the postal network reliably serves every household and provides access to a range of services, from the delivery of household items to payment solutions.
These crucial functions are kept running by dedicated postal workers across the globe.
The Universal Postal Union (UPU), as the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players, and UNI Global Union, as the global representative for postal workers worldwide, are dedicated to ensuring that the world’s postal infrastructure benefits society as a whole, while safeguarding and protecting the well-being of postal workers.
The Universal Postal Union and UNI Global Union are making every effort to support postal operators and postal unions so that they may take an informed and pro-active approach to safeguarding the health of postal workers and customers.
We urge postal operators and postal unions to:

  • Inform all postal workers about the risks of infection, the importance of the use of personal protective equipment, and maintaining hygiene standards.
  • Provide postal workers with personal protective equipment, to disinfect workplaces, work tools and vehicles regularly, and to adapt workplaces to achieve the recommended social distancing needed to prevent virus transmission at all postal facilities.
  • Act to lower the risks of community infections by providing postal workers with the opportunity and time to follow hygiene procedures, to self-isolate as required and take compensated sick leave as may be provided for by applicable work place rules.
  • Adopt processing and delivery methods tailored to mitigating the risks of infection.

Working together with all relevant stakeholders is key to stopping the spread of the virus, saving lives, and building resilient postal operations that provide reliable services during the current crisis and beyond.
The UPU and UNI Global Union are working on a global level to help the postal community face the current challenges together.
The UPU and UNI Global Union thank all postal operators, postal unions and postal workers globally for their dedication and engagement to keeping the postal network running in times of crisis. We firmly believe we will emerge from this pandemic stronger and more resilient, while proudly delivering on our mandates to serve the world’s peoples.

Reimbursement of OPD Medicines : Special Sanction in view of COVID-19



Govt. of Odisha asks all Collector and District Magistrates for utilization of services of the postal department with instruction to allow postal employees to discharge their duties on production of Departmental Identity Cards.


Instruction regarding execution of EOY for 2019-20 in CBS Offices



Appeal of RJCM (Staff Side), Odisha Circle to the Chief PMG on COVID-19

Regional Joint Consultative Machinery
Odisha Postal Circle
At : Ashoknagar Mukhya Dak Ghar, Bhubaneswar – 751 009
Bruhaspati Samal
Leader (Staff Side)
Mobile : 9437022669
Dusmanta Kumar Sethi
Secretary (Staff Side)
Mobile:9438027587


D O No.  OD / RJCM-COVID-19/2020
Dated at Bhubaneswar the 27th March, 2020
Respected Sir,
This has a kind reference to the Directorate letter No. letter No.Z-92011 / 25 / 2020 / Coord / O&M, dated 25.03.2020 and 26.03.2020 circulated to all concerned vide Circle Office letter No. DOP/Odisha/COVID-19/2020, dated 25.03.2020 and 26.03.2020 regarding handling of situation and disruption on account of COVID-19.

2. While the instructions on issuing Curfew Pass and providing transportation facility to the staff brought on duty are very clear in the Directorate letter dated 25.03.2020, the particulars of essential services to be provided are not clear. While Circle Office simply forwarded the letter to all Regional / Divisional Heads, in turn the latter also forwarded to the Post Offices for information and necessary action.

3. Para-2 (ii) of the Annexure to has instructed to ensure booking of Speed Post, Regd. Post, Parcels etc keeping in view the availability mode of flights trains etc. But subsequently, letters issued by Circle Office and Divisional Heads are silent with regard to transmission of the booked articles. In the absence of clear instructions, now we witness that Circle Office is entertaining public complaints in this regard and compelling the post offices for booking of articles without assessing the reality. It is not under stood what is the benefit in providing such facilities in the name of essential services when the booked articles have no further disposal except deposit either in the Post Office or in the hubs.

4. While ordering for opening of all delivery post offices with minimum staff and minimum number of counters vide Para – 3 (i) and (ii) of Directorate letter dated 26.03.2020, Circle office did not clear the position of single-handed delivery post offices in this context.

5. While it is instructed vide Para – 3 (i) and (ii) of Directorate letter dated 26.03.2020 to give priority for delivery of essential items such as medicines, medical instruments, mask, gloves food packets etc, through window delivery system, it is not understood how the officials on duty will detect the contents inside the wrapper/packet.

6. Similarly for adopting traditional delivery method, though it has been instructed  to ensure  appropriate preventive measures  for postmen vide Para – 3 (iii) of Directorate letter dated 26.03.2020, both the Circle administration and Divisional administration  have seriously failed  to provide such materials to the post offices. While Para – 3 (vi) of the said letter has emphasized for provision of hand sanitizer, soap, mask, hand gloves etc with clear instruction to the Circle Heads to take their own decision for providing these items, we do regret that the action taken by Odisha Circle is not at all satisfactory in spite of a series of letters written by the Staff Side, especially by NFPE Odisha State CoC and AIPEU, Group-C, Odisha Circle in addition to personal discussions in this regard to appraise at least the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Odisha to arrange supply  for the same. Most unfortunately, not a single letter was responded.

7. In contrary to the above guidelines in addition to the instructions of the DoPT to adopt preventive measures to contain the spread of corona virus, the Postal Department has ordered to open all the Head Post Offices, Delivery Post Offices, Branch Post Offices (146968 post offices in toto out of 155531) which are manned by nearly 5 lakh employees. In Odisha, out of 8172 post offices in toto all the 6976 Rural Branch Post Offices and all bigger offices like Mukhya Dak Ghar, Head Post Office, General Post Office etc numbering 220 are ordered to be kept open. While use of biometric devices has been dispensed with by Govt. of India, in a recent order issued by the Department on 25.03.2020, the Department has emphasized to ensure financial transactions in biometric mode and for booking and delivery of accountable articles. It is needless to intimate that as many as 25000 postal employees working in 8172 post offices across the state of Odisha will now get the opportunity to  interact with hundreds of customers daily in each post office at the counters and handle lakhs of mails coming from various sources including foreign mails both in Post and RMS Offices in a hazardous condition and now in the present scenario they are quite vulnerable to the Novel Corona Virus. This is the condition of 5 lakh postal employees and workers working in 1.55 lakh post offices across the country interacting with lakhs of customers and handling crores of domestic, national and international mails with dust and unknown viruses.

8. Moreover, at this critical juncture when there is absence of any transport facility including Railways / Airways / State and Private Transports ceasing the transmission of mails completely, booking of article is meaningless. When ATM is provided with cash in every nook and corner and even in Post Offices and when the ATM Cards issued both the banks and post offices can be used interchangeably in post offices and banks, there is no need to open any Post Office in the name of essentiality in service for effecting cash withdrawals. 

9. In addition, the preventive materials are not available in the local market on one hand and no post office has yet been supplied with such materials on the other as guided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, UNICEF, WHO and several orders issued by Govt. of India through DoPT. The departmental orders to arrange for Curfew Pass, transportation facility to bring the officials to office are just in pen and paper since impracticable. We seriously fail to sanitize the Post Offices and thermal scanning of both the customers and staff members. The employees are working without mask, gloves, etc and thus quite vulnerable to spread the deadly virus which directly contradicts the appeal of the Hon’ble Prime Minister for maintaining social distancing and to stay at home.

10. Thus, with deep concern during this national crisis when the growth rate of the affected cases in corona virus is increasing day by day in India, we would like to say that the whole activities of the post offices now ordered vide above Directorate / Circle Office letters directly contradict the social distancing which is the need of the hour and being emphasized by both the Central and State Governments by complete lockdown of the entire nation for next 21 days from 24.03.2020 midnight to contain the spread of COVID-19.   As a result, these offices, if not locked down may become the maternity home for COVID-19 and the sincere efforts taken to contain the spread of COVID-19 both by the Govt. of Odisha and Central Govt. may be futile.

Under the circumstances, on behalf of the entirety of postal employees and workers of Odisha Circle, we would like to sincerely appeal you for immediate review of the position and appraising the case suitably to the Directorate to take immediate action for complete lockdown of Post and RMS offices till restoration of normalcy or otherwise to contain the spread of COVID-19.

History may not excuse us Sir, if the post offices turn into the breeding houses of COVID-19.

With profound regards
Yours faithfully,

(Bruhaspati Samal)
Leader (Staff Side)
To
Sj. Subash Chandra Barmma
The Chief Postmaster General – Cum - Chairman
Regional Joint Consultative Machinery
Odisha Circle, Bhubaneswar – 751 001