No.08/11/2013-SR
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
(S.R. Section)
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi dated the 16th August, 201
Subject: Minutes of the Meeting with PJCA Members
held on 02/08/2013 under the chairmanship of Member (P) to discuss one of the
issues viz., postmen committee recommendations.
Kind find enclosed the minutes of the above meeting for information and
necessary action at your end.
(Arun Malik)
Director (SR & Legal)
Official Side:
1. Shri S.K.
Sinha, CGM (MB&O)
2. Shri Anil
Kumar, DDG (Estt)
3. Shri V.P.
Singh, DDG (P)
4. Shri V.K.
Tiwary, DDG ( R& P)
5. Shri V.C.
Kajla, Consultant.
Staff Side:
1. Shri M.
Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE
2. Shri D.
Theagarajan, Secretary General, FNPO
3. Shri I. S. Dabas, General Secretary, AIPEU Postmen & MTS / Group
‘D’
4. Shri T.N.
Rahate, General Secretary, NUPE Postmen & MTS
Copy for
information to:-
PPS to Member (P)
Minutes of the
Meeting with PJCA Members held on 02/08/2013 under the chairmanship of Member
(P) to discuss one of the issues viz., postmen committee recommendations.
The above meeting
was held on 02/08/2013 in the Committee Room, Dak Bhavan at 1430 hrs. under the
chairmanship of Member (P) to consider the memorandum dated 07/06/2013,
submitted by the All India Postal Employees Union Postmen & MTS / Group
‘D’and National Union of Postal Employees Postmen and MTS.
Following were
present:-
Official Side:
1. Shri S. Sarkar,
Member (P) - in Chair
2. Shri S.K.
Sinha, CGM (MB&O)
3. Shri Anil
Kumar, DDG (Estt)
4. Shri V.P.
Singh, DDG (P)
5. Shri V.K.
Tiwary, DDG ( R& P)
6. Shri Arun
Malik, Director (SR)
7. Shri V.C.
Kajla, Consultant.
Staff Side:
1. Shri M.
Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE
2. Shri D.
Theagarajan, Secretary General, FNPO
3. Shri I. S.
Dabas, General Secretary, AIPEU Postmen & MTS / Group ‘D’
4. Shri T.N. Rahate,
General Secretary, NUPE Postmen & MTS
After
deliberations following agreements were arrived at:-
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Sl. No.
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Agenda Item
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Decisions taken
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1.
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Postmen Committee Recommendation not Implemented
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(a)
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Extraction of data entry work from Postman: Suitable instructions / Orders to all the Circles
are to be issued by 30/04/2012; nothing has been done so far. An early issue
of orders is required to implement them.
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Heads of Circles
have been requested to impart training to the postmen who are unable to
perform data entry work on computers. It has been agreed to accord time
factor for data entry work using same norms presently used for calculating
work- load of Postal Assistant, in case work is being done by postman.
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(b)
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Revision of postmen norms: Postmen norms issued by the Department are very old. The decision
taken in the committee are not convincing. As such it is suggested that
formation of fresh Internal Work Study Unit with one / two staff side members
to review all work performed by postmen staff with door to door measurement
of beats was requested. Internal Work Study Unit for this job is to be
ordered by the Directorate as the same does not come under the jurisdiction
of the Committee.
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The norms were
formulated after intensive scientific work study by the IWSU of the
Department in 2008. Since five years have already elapsed, a study by
departmental officials or by a third party may be conducted to review the
postmen’s norms keeping in view that IWS Unit no longer exists.
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(c)
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Change in procedure for payment of Speed Post delivery incentive: At present the procedure for payment of incentive
is very lengthy. Nobody prepares bills. In case the bills are prepared they
remain under verification of PRI/SDI/ASP then go to sanction to the
Divisional Head. After sanction of bills from Divisional Head to DDOs for
payment. Then bills are to be prepared DDOs for payment office wise. It is suggested
that module for payment of Speed Post Incentive in the computer software be
installed and give powers of payment to the concerned postmaster on weekly/
monthly. After payment the concerned vouchers be sent to the DDOs for
accounting purpose.
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The software for
generation of Postman incentive bills is being developed by the CSI partner
under the IT Project. Meanwhile it has been decided to issue instructions to
all circles that incentive bills may be cleared on monthly basis till the
software is developed.
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(d)
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Combination of beat: It was decided in the above meeting that limit of combination of beat
in the post office having 4+ strength will be removed since it adversely
affects the delivery efficiency. But orders on this item are yet to be issued
by the Directorate. This needs to be done at the earliest.
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Staff side was
informed that orders have already been issued in this regard. A photocopy of
the order No.10-7/2001-P.E.II dated 02/09/2006 is enclosed for needful.
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(e)
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Delivery of Heavy parcels and EPP articles: It was pointed out by the staff side that
Postman faces difficulty in delivery of registered parcels weighing more than
5 Kgs each and EPP articles of which the maximum weight of 35 Kgms., per
articles has been fixed. It was highlighted that either some reasonable rate
and mode of conveyance for delivery EPP articles should be fixed or the rates
of coolie charges fixed in the past should be revised for efficient delivery
of the registered parcel. It was decided that the Directorate will consider
reiterating the instructions on coolie charges to all the Circles so that the
delivery of heavy parcels is not adversely affected. Whether coolie charges
pertaining to heavy parcels have been enhances due to high prices. As regards
EPP parcels, whether mode of conveyance with rate of each mode have been
decided by the Directorate.
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Staff side was
informed that New Parcel Division is examining this issue. The proposal to
revise the coolie charges will also be examined by the Parcel Division.
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(f)
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Corrigendum on density of population: The staff side drew attention of the committee to
the note of Sl.8 in the Directorate letter No.9-1/2005-WSI/PE.I dated
05/02/2010 which stipulates that area having a density of population 2500 per
Sq. KM may be taken as congested area “and pointed out that the same has
incorrectly been printed as it should refer to 2500 per sq. Mile instead of
2500 per sq. kilometer. They quoted a clarification received from PTC, Mytore
which has cited Directorate letter dated 19/02/1976 indicating establishment
norms for Postmen and defining congested area or having a density of
population of 2500 sq. per Mile. After discussion it was agreed that
Directorate would examine and issue suitable amendment / corrigendum to the
Note 8 of the revised norms of postmen establishment.
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The staff side
was informed that there is no typographical error. The definition of the
congested area as 2500 per square kms. is correct.
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(g)
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Creating of justified additional posts: In this connection while implementing the system
for delivery work and allowing postmen to write correct remarks for
non-delivery. The staff side drew attention to item No. 25 minutes of the
last JCM meeting issued on 01/03/2012 wherein it is mentioned that the issue
is under examination by the Postman Committee being chaired by CGM (PLI).
After discussion, the view emerged that this item is not part of Committee’s
mandate and the issue pertains to creation / re-deployment of Posts which is
basically a policy issue. However, the staff side mentioned that Postmen were
not able to write correct remarks for non-delivery of article due to heavy
work in the project Arrow Offices, it was, therefore, decided that the
experience gathered after implementation of Project Arrow in various Post
Offices could be examined. Result on examination has not been communicated so
far in this regard.
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Circles have
been requested to review the Post Office Establishments. On receipt of
reports from all the Circles, the justification, if any, of the additional
posts will be examined in consultation with Ministry of Finance.
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2.
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Cadre Restructuring of Postman an MTS: The first and foremost issue on which a bias
against the Postman is clearly visible is that of cadre restructuring for
this cadre. The Department through conceded to form a Cadre Restructuring
Committee during the strike negotiations with the Postal Joint Council of
Action had issued orders omitting the cadre of Postman and MTS from the ambit
of cadre restructuring. This shows the mind-set of the Department on the
important issue of cadre restructuring of Postman and MTS cadre. The stand of
the Postal Directorate was against the direction of the Official Side in the
National Anomaly Committee that every department shall go into the issue of
cadre restructuring for boosting the promotional avenues of employees rather
than depending too much on the MACP Scheme for that purpose. It is a known
fact that the cadres of Postman and MTS have no in-situ promotion in their
cadre except the promotion to the cadre of Postal Assistant through a
competitive examination. Every other cadre other than the cadres of Postman
and MTS have their own hierarchical promotions in their own cadre and this
discrimination cannot be ended without a proper cadre restructuring in place
for the Postman and MTS cadre. Even the flimsy promotion for the cadre of
Postman earlier to the introduction of TBOP / BCR like Head Postman, sorting
Postman etc., have disappeared from the scene and as on date no promotion in
the cadre is available to both these cadres. Unfortunately, the Department of
Posts not only not in a position to appreciate our contention as well as the
proposal for cadre restructuring based on percentage basis as available to
all cadres in the Department of Railways but no inclined to consider any
cadre restructuring proposal to these cadres. The absence of any promotion to
them in their own cadre leaves them total frustrated and takes away any
incentive to perform better to the services. This has to be properly appreciated
and attended to by the Postal Directorate in the absence of Cadre
Restructuring Committee failed to find out any alternate proposals to ‘our
proposal based on percentage.’
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Cadre
Restructuring Committee headed by the then DDG (P), Shri Salim Haque had been
given this mandate and issue will be decided after finalization of the
Committee report.
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3. (A)
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Door to Door Scientific Measurement of Beats: (A) – At present the door to
door beat measurement system adopted by the department is not only unsatisfactory
but also incorrect one as neither scientific device like foot meter nor cyclo
meter is used to assess the actual length of beat. The measurement of beats
is generally done while sitting on the table by guess work only. Moreover the
workload of mail delivery and number of houses to be visited during duty of
eight hours has no where been laid down causing extreme harassment to postmen
staff. It is demanded that the number of houses to be visited and number of
articles to be delivered should be laid down in the interest of delivery
efficiency and rationalization of workload of postmen staff as well.
The Directorate ordered for rationalizing of Postman beats after
hearing our complaints that Postman beats are constructed unscientifically
with long distances humanly impossible to cover on a day. Many examples like
more than 70 kilometers beats were brought to the notice of the Postman
Committee to substantiate our complaints. Based on the discussions the
Directorate agreed to issue orders for measuring the beats and rationalizing
them appropriately. Unfortunately the CHQs of our Unions are receiving
complaints from our Circles that re-measuring of beats is being done most
unscientifically without using either the cyclo-meters or foot-meters but applying
their imaginary calculations. This has complicated the problem more and there
is wide spread resentment among the Postman staff. Both our unions urge upon
you to issue strict instructions to measure all Postman beats only by using
cyclo-meters or foot-meters for the purpose of rationalizing the beats.
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Same as 1 (b)
above.
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(B)
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To fix the meeting of Committee for Modification in Order No.
31-38/79-PE-I dt. 22-5-1979:- The Committee Constituted for examination of Modification in Departmental
Order No. 31-38/79-PE-I dt. 23-5-1979 in R/O footwork of the Postman from
door to door walk in R/O Item DO 4 of Periodical Meeting held on 29-11-2012
and Departmental Council Meeting on 28-12-2012.
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As in 1 (b)
above.
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4. (A)
(B)
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Revision of Syllabus to Departmental Examinations
Request to conduct special examination for recruitment to the Postman
& MTS cadres for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 : To avoid recurring vacancies due to leaving of
qualified employees of high standard in the background of submission made
above, it is requested that –
1. To fill up
the vacancies for the years 2009 to 2013 in the Postman and MTS cadre a special
examination only for GDS/MTS employees may be conducted.
2. The question
paper may be set on the basis of practical and relevant work routinely
done by the regular MTS and Postman employees.
3. The work of setting
question paper may be got done by a promotee officer who is having
practical knowledge of the nature of work being done by the MTS and Postman
employees.
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A committee has
been constituted under chairmanship of DDG (R&P) to examine the contents
of question papers set by various circles with reference to syllabus
prescribed and submit a detailed report.
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(C)
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Filling up vacant posts with Residual vacancies:- All vacant post of Postmen & Group D/MTS
should be filled in within 30th June 2013 as directed by
Directorate. There is no chance to fill up vacant posts in due time as no
notification has been issued in many circles like A.P. and Assam Circle etc.
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Necessary action
has been initiated in circles. It was decided that the orders to fill up the
vacant posts will be reiterated to the circles.
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5.
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Improving the Quality of Uniforms and timely supply of all kit items:-The Postman and MTS are called the uniformed
staff in the Department of Posts. Unfortunately these cadres who are actually
moving among the members of public pose a poor picture to the image of the
Department because of the inferior quality of the uniform cloth. Despite the
agreement with the All India Unions by the Department that facilitated
inclusion of staff side member from the Unions in the purchase committee of
uniform cloth to ensure purchase of better quality of cloth,, the problem
persists. This cannot be sorted out unless the cost price permitted by the
DOPT is enhanced on the face of escalating prices of all commodities
including the textiles. The cost price permitted by the DOPT cannot ensure
better quality uniform cloth from the market. Added to this are the
violations here and there in Circles where the Administration is not
sincerely ensuring inclusion of staff side members in the purchase committee
and no protection against ensuring supply of the selected quality of cloth
only to the staff. These have to be addressed immediately.
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This item will be discussed in the JCM Standing Committee meeting to be
held on 23/08/2013.
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6.
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Stop Unscientific Measurement of Postmen Beats:
The Directorate
ordered for rationalizing of Postman beats after hearing our complaints that
Postman beats are constructed unscientifically with long distances humanly
impossible to cover on a day. Many examples like more than 70 Kilometres
beats were brought to the notice of the Postman Committee to substantiate our
complaints. Based on the discussions the Directorate agreed to issue orders
for measuring the beats and rationalizing them appropriately. Unfortunately
the CHQs of our Unions are receiving complaints from our Circles that
re-measuring of beats is being done most unscientifically without using
either the cyclo-meters or foot-meters but applying their imaginary
calculations. This has complicated the problem more and there is widespread
resentment among the Postman staff. Both our Unions urge upon you to issue
strict instructions to measure all Postman beats only by using cyclo-meters
or foot-meters for the purpose of rationalizing the beats.
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Same as 1 (b)
above.
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7.
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Cycle Maintenance Allowance to MTS:-The Cycle Maintenance Allowance is paid to all Postman staff without
any conditions whereas the MTS Staff who are engaged in letter box clearing
or other outside office work excluded from the ambit of CMA. This is
unjustified. The MTS Staff also are to be paid CMA without any conditions as
like Postman staff. Both our Unions urge upon you to issue necessary orders
to pay CMA to all MTS without any conditions.
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The Postman’s
duty involves daily visit to deliver letters in his beat and hence if he is
using cycle the allowance is admissible. Since different persons, depending
on availability of persons, are used for letter box clearances, the allowance
cannot be given to any specific official. Further, in many Post Offices one
or two bicycles are generally kept. That can be used for clearing Letter
Boxes. The proposal that MTS staff be paid CMA without any condition like
Postman staff is thus not acceptable.
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(a)
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Revision of Fixed Monetary Compensation (FMC):-This has reference to your office letter No
10-7/2003.P.E.II dated 24th Nov 2010 wherein existing rate on revision has been enhanced for each category except Multi
Tasking staff whose rate of remuneration has been reduced @ Rs 60/- per holiday for 4 hours whereas MTS
staff was getting @ Rs 63.45 per holiday for 3 hrs on hourly basis @
Rs 21.15 per hour. Protracted correspondence made proved in fructuous. This
need to be reviewed for proper justice to the MTS staff.
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The staff side
was informed that the matter is under examination in consultation with IFW.
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8.
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Abolition of Nodal Delivery Centers at all metro cities:-All Nodal delivery centers should be abolished
throughout the Country immediately to avoid complication in day-to-day
delivery system. (Example–West Bengal Circle, Karnataka Circle, Bangalore,
Maharashtra Circle Mumbai GPO).
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The staff side
was asked to furnish the specific cases with details of the complications due
to creation of Nodal Delivery Centres. Department’s view is that Nodal
Delivery is functioning smoothly in such centres.
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9.
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To Stop harassment:-The postman staff being tortured for 100% delivery and in various
cases by asking them to work beyond duty hours and many other ways harassment
is there it must be stopped.
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Staff side was
asked to furnish specific cases so that this could be taken up with
respective circles.
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10.
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Promotional posts of Postmen Cadre: The posts of Mail Overseer, Cash Overseer, Head Postman and Sorting
Postman should be considered as promotional posts for Postmen cadre and an
additional increment or some allowance should be granted for performance
duties on such posts. Seniority criteria of postmen should be taken in view
while deploying on these posts.
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This item will
be discussed in a meeting decided to be held under the chairmanship of Member
(P).
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At the end,
Director (SR) appealed to the unions to withdraw the proposed Dharana on
20/08/2013 and indefinite strike from 16th September, 2013.
Meeting ended with vote of thanks to the chair.
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