UNITY FOR STRUGGLE, AND STRUGGLE FOR UNITY - UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL
37th All India Conference of All India RMS & MMS Employees union, Mailguards and Multi Tasking Staff Group’C’ was held from 25th to 27th May 2022 The following office –bearers were elected unanimously for the next session. President Com.. S.N.Jadhav MTS Mumbai Air Mail Sorting Division- ( Maharastra) Vice-President 1 Com.. B.Paranthaman MTS Chennai Sorting Division ( Tamilnadu) Vice-President 2 Com. R.N.Mahanty MG RMS BG Division Bharampur (Odisha) Vice-President 3 Com. B.J.Chouan MTS RMS W Vadadora (Gujarat) General Secretary Com.. K.Mukatar Ahmed MG RMS Z Division (Telangana) Assistant General 1 Com. Naveen Kumar MTS Delhi Sorting Division ( Delhi) Secretaries. 2 Com. R.S.Suresh Kumar MG RMS TV Division Trivandrum (Kerala) 3 Com Saket Behari Gupta MG RMS O Division Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) 4 Com. Laxminaryana MTS Benguluru Sorting Division (Karnataka) 5 Com. T.Kannaiah MG RMS TP Division Tirupathi (Andhra Pradesh) 6 Com. Elumalai MTS Chennai APSO Division (Tamilnadu) 7 Com. Vittal Abinave MTS RMS B Division Pune ( Maharastra) 8 Com. Tarun Kumar Panja MTS RMS WB Division Howrah ( West Bengal) 9 Com. Abdul Khadeer SS MMS Hyderabad Division ( Telangana) Treasurer Com. Ramesh Chand MTS Airmail Sorting Division (Delhi) Federal Councillors 1 Com. Raju Chakraborty (Assam) 11. Com. G.N.Anantha Ramu ( Karnataka) 2 Com. LelaDhar Pandey (Chattisgarh 12. Com A.K.Singh (Delhi) 3 Com Ragavendra Paswan (Bihar) 13. Com P.Sathaiah (Telangana) 4 Com. Ravi Kumar (Punjab) 14. Com P.P..Radha Krishna (Kerala) 5 Com. Rohit Saini (Haryana) 15 .Com R.K.Mahanti (Maharastra) 6 Com. Ashik Ansari (Jharkhand) 7 Com Ravi Kumar (Tamilnadu) 8 Com.Rahut Chougad (Madhya Pradesh) 9 Com. Rahul Sharma (Rajasthan) 10 Com. G,S,Sastry (Telangana)
R4 NFPE CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT MLA HOSTEL CIVIL LINES NAGPUR (MAHARASTRA ) FROM 3RD TO 4TH JULY 2023.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Special Concessions/Facilities to Central Govt.Employees working in Kashmir Valley in attached/subordinate offices or PSUs falling under the control of Central Govt.

The union Government is offerred Special Concessions/Facilities to Central Govt.Employees working in KAshmir Valley in attached/subordinate offices or PSUs falling under the control of Central Government vide Memo No.18016/3/2010-Estt.(L) dated 28/12/2010.
FOR DOPT ORGINAL CLICK HERE

Proceedings of the Interactive Session on e-service book - DOPT Order

CLICK HERE FOR DOPT ORGINAL ORDER

Pension Rules for Employees of PSUs

Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has issued orders which, inter alia, provide pension scheme within 30% ceiling of Basic Pay and DA. The Pension Scheme is to be framed and operated by the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). DPE has issued orders enhancing Gratuity to Rs. 10 lakh in respect of CPSEs employees    CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Filling up of GDS posts in Branch Post Offices – review of guideline regarding. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Monitoring the annual performance appraisal Reports(APARs) of CSS officers by Nodal officers

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ORDER

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

NON FUNCTIONAL GRADE

Recommendations of the Fifth Central Pay Commission on scales of pay of posts of Superintending Engineers and equivalent in the Organized Group ‘A’ Engineering CLICK HERE FOR DOPT ORDER

CADRE REVIEW

A formal meeting for discussion of the cadre review proposal was held on 27.12.2010. There was no concrete decision arrived in the meeting but there was more progress. The following are only the gist of proposals. 1. Postman: - The present establishment inexistence in this cadre is as follows
Basic – Postmen : - 46381   Mail overseers : 2955   Cash overseers : 739   Head Postmen : 594        Sorting Postmen : 2456  Overseer Postman : 424  7168 - 7168 (Around 16%)
Among the above establishment, TBOP - 12900  BCR - 3195  (No figures on MACP I, II & III available)
At present, there is no supervisory cadre in existence for Postman. Earlier Mail overseers, Sorting Postmen etc were called as LSG and there after it lost significance after introducing TBOP/BCR promotions.
It is proposed by the staff side to provide three promotional layers to this cadre by keeping 70% in basic, 15% in the first, 10% in the second and 5% in the third promotions. It is suggested that out of four postmen, one of the post may be identified to supervise the other three postmen in ensuring 100% articles taking for delivery and remarks in the return apart from his delivery work. Similarly the postman entrusted with Data work for preparing delivery slip, taking returns etc may be provided to the status of next promotion layer and similarly the existing Mail overseers etc may be brought to the third promotional layer. Since the cadre review pertains only to improve the promotional posts and not to review the pay scales, the pay band may be decided like 2000, 2400, 2800 & 4200 for basic, I, II & III Grades retrospectively.


2. Multi Skilled Staff (Group D)
There is 37757 Multi skilled staff in existence in the Department out of which 17700 in Postal and 14000 in RMS and the remaining are working in administrative offices. Since the MTS are not getting any II & III MACP promotions and even some are not getting MACP I also, special attention is required. It is suggested to form three layers of Promotion like basis 70, 1st 15, 2nd 10 & third 5% of posts. It is suggested that the MTS assisting Treasury & Sub Accounts may be identified as higher posts. Similarly van attendant, Jamedar in RM and Record Keeper, Chowkidar etc may be identified as higher posts for providing promotions. Since MTS (Group ‘D’) is a common cadre for all Central Government employees, the identification of area and responsibility becomes a must for consideration of care review proposals.


3. Postal Assistant & Sorting Assistant
Basic cadre - 83696  LSG - 6989  HSG II - 1703  HSG I - 1649   Out of which  Postmaster Gr. I - 2097
Postmaster Gr. II - 511 Postmaster Gr. III - 495 Senior PM - 116
As on date, the total number of supervisory posts works out only 12.35% it is suggested that all the single handed & double handed post offices may be identified as LSG Posts (Single handed offices 11395 & Double handed offices 6719). Since the elevation of pay band with Grade pay Rs. 4200/- is not immediately possible to LSG since it has long process and left the decision with nodal ministries, the present LSG posts 6989 posts may be merged with HSG II cadre. (For example 2899 LSG offices plus 3732 Triple handed post offices & plus other LSG Posts). Similarly the present HSG II & HSG I posts shall be amalgamated. There will be no change of Grade pay in any cadre since it will not come under the jurisdiction of cadre review.
It is suggested that the nomenclature of existing LSG, HSG-II & HSG-I shall be revised as Supervisor/Manager, Senior Manager/ Supervisor, Chief Manager/Supervisor respectively. It is further suggested to convert the HSG-I as Gazetted as if equal to the present status of Asst. Supdt. of POs.
Whatever be the increase in the number of Supervisory post, it will have simultaneous reflection in the Post master’s cadre also.

PO & RMS Accountant, System Administrators Marketing Executive & others
After identifying the number of Grade I, I & III posts from the Postal Assistants, separate cadre for PO & RMS Accountants, Systems Assistants, Marketing Executive will be carved out from the promotional posts and declare the posts as promotional posts to Postal Assistants.
(i) The PO & RMS Accounts qualified officials will be placed in Rs. 2800/- grade pay and on qualifying they may be engaged in accounts branch. A separate promotional avenue can be carved out for APM Accounts from the existing LSG, HSG II & HSG I Posts.
Marketing Executive will be placed in Rs.2800/- Grade pay and a separate cadre will be explored in higher promotional posts.
System Administrators will also be carved out similarly to this. However, it is suggested that in respect of System Administrators, they may be placed in the Grade pay of Rs. 4200/- as if available in other Governmental organization. PMAs will be brought under the category of System Assistant.
Similarly there are 300 DOPLI and they may be placed in the Grade Pay of Rs. 4200/-
In respect of RMS, What is the proportion maintained in Postal Assistant cadre in higher posts in the postal, that will be maintained.
Circle office staff
In respect of circle office there are 2400 officials working and at present there is only one promotion of section supervisor with Grade Pay of Rs. 2800/- available.
It is proposed to form II layer of promotion as deputy office superintendent with Grade Pay of Rs.4200/- and elevate the office superintendent with Grade Pay of Rs.4600/- Similarly another layer of Director with grade pay of Rs,4800 may be formed. The Percentage proposed is 50 + 20 + 15+ 10 + 5. There are 59 regional offices in which, it is suggested to upgrade the office supervisors. Similarly all PLI section officers may be elevated to the status of office superintendent.

SBCO staff
Total staff is 4100. There is no HSG II at present. It is suggested to provide four layers of promotions with the ratio of 50:20:20; 5: 5. The SBCO in charge of All Gazetted HPOs (116) may be converted to HSG I. There are 442 divisions and all the in charge of such divisional head quarters may be considered for HSG II. It is further suggested that the in charge of SBCO having up to 50,000 entries may be converted to LSG, above 50,000 up to 100000 may be to HSG II and above 1 lakh, it will be HSG I, Similarly all working in (PWCs/ICOs shall be placed in promotional posts.
Matching Savings
Official side proposed to accept closure/ merger of 3000 single handed post offices/ RMS offices as matching savings in urban areas which will be decided on the following grounds:
i. Offices having less than five hours work load (excluding sub accounts work)
ii. Post offices situated within 2.5 kilometers.
iii. The personnel relieved due to the closure/merger will be accommodated in the single/ double handed offices where work load justify for further augmentation.
The staff side seeks time to discuss on matching savings among them and to form a joint proposal on all the above discussed items.
Comrades,
Please note that the above proposals are not accepted totally and it were in the discussion stages only. A broad consensus and discussions are required to improve many of the items mentioned above. Staff side will sit shortly and discuss the above and submit its proposal shortly. The next formal meeting will be held on 22.1.2011 at 11 hours to finalize the proposal.
All are requested to offer their comments on this to have further study and improvement of our proposals.

(K. V. Sridharan)
Leader, Staff side





Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Issue of Individual Plastic Cards to CGHS Beneficiary-Guide Lines to Pensioner beneficiaries

Department of Health issued fresh guide lines to Pensioner CGHS beneficiaries vide Memo no.6024/2007/CGHS(HQ)/CGHS(P) dated 27/12/2010.
FOR ORGINAL ORDER CLICK HERE

Monday, December 27, 2010

BRIEF NEWS

Cadre Restructuring meeting 27-12-2010 formal meeting was held with DDG(Est).A broad understanding was reached.However no decesion has been taken.Next meeting will be on 22/01/2011.
MTS Recruitment Rules ( Group'D')
MTS recruitment rules expected first week of January 2011.
Postman Issue
A meeting will be held with staff side on 21/01/2011 probably.
OSA: (Out Station Allowance)
Ministry of Finance returned the fie with some queries.Our Dept clarified and sent to Ministry for approval.
SCHEME FOR ENGAGEMENT OF GDS ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS-MERIT POINTS AND PROCEDURE FOR SELECTION
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

INDIA POST MARCHES AHEAD

Mail Sorting to be Automated in Metros

National Address Database Management System Envisaged
India Post is the largest postal network in the world. It provides postal facilities within reach of every citizen in the country through its vast network at affordable prices. India Post has made a long journey. From 23,344 post offices at the time of independence to 1,55,035 post offices (1,39,173 Post Offices are in rural areas and 15,862 Post Offices in urban areas) with an average post office serving 7174 people and covering an area of approximately 21.2 sq. kms.
Project Arrow
The Department has launched “Project Arrow”, to lay the foundation for a comprehensive, long term transformation of India Post. Project Arrow aims at comprehensive improvement of the core operations of the post office as well as the ambience in which postal transactions are undertaken. The response of the general public and the staff of the Department to the initiative has been overwhelmingly positive and Project arrow offices have shown significant increase in revenue earnings. The initiative Project Arrow- Transforming India Post has also won the Prime Minister’s award for Excellence in Public Administration for the year 2008-09. So far 1530 Post Offices have been covered under this project.
Mail Operations
In order to streamline the processes relating to processing, transmission and delivery of mail and to improve the quality of service of mail products used by the public, the Department of Posts has undertaken a number of new initiatives. Mail Network Optimization Project has been launched to optimize the existing mail network of Department of Posts and streamline core mail operations. It also seeks to bring in greater standardization and improvement in the operational processes relating to mail processing, transmission and delivery.
The Department has undertaken a project to set up Automated Mail Processing Centers (AMPCs) in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad with a view to automate mail sorting. These automated systems would be used for sorting of mail, which would help the Department in increasing the productivity at Mail Offices in these cities.
The Department has inducted a dedicated cargo aircraft for carriage of mail, parcels and logistics to the North East Region in order to bring in consistency in mail transmission. The India Post aircraft operates on Kolkata-Guwahati-Imphal-Agartala-Kolkata route on a regular basis. This initiative has provided a vital communication link for the NE region in terms of its linkages with the rest of the country and helped the Department e-solve the problems associated with mail transmission to and from this region.
The Department has also undertaken an initiative to put in place a National Address Database Management System with an objective to effectively manage the address database of public/customers, update the addresses online, and helping the customers in locating correct addresses.
The Department has also mechanized the mail delivery processes in the North-East Region of the country with a view to expedite the mail delivery process in hilly and difficult terrains of the Region. GPS device has been provided in all Mail Motor Vehicles in NE region for better and safe monitoring of mail movement in the region.
Computerization and Networking of Post Offices
Under the plan project of computerization and networking of Post Offices, Department of Posts has supplied computer hardware, peripherals and power back up equipments to 14324 Post Offices till date.
Under XI Plan Scheme, upgraded computer hardware viz. servers, desktops peripherals etc and power backup equipments like UPS and gensets have been supplied to 1939 Post Offices computerized during earlier five year plans.
1308 sites/ locations have been connected under Wide Area Network (WAN). All Head Post Offices, Administrative Offices, Major Speed Post Centres and Accounts Offices have been connected under WAN. 10530 Offices have been provided with broadband facilities.
The IT Modernization Project Phase II of India Post under XI plan envisages computerization of all the non-computerized Post Offices in the country (Departmental single handed Post Offices) and all GDS Post Offices phased over the financial years 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13.
Extensive computerization of the post offices have allowed the introduction of many e-enabled services such as:
iMO
An on-line domestic money transmission service called iMO was launched in January 2006 which enables the customer to receive money in minutes from any of the post offices providing this service. Under this service, a person can send amount from Rs.1000/- up to Rs.50,000/- in one transaction. It is already functional in 9250 Post Offices across the country.
e-Money Order (eMO)
The electronic money order, which has been launched in October 2008, facilitates transmission of ordinary money orders through electronic media. eMO have the same tariff structure as the existing money order service. India Post has also signed bilateral agreement for exchange of electronic international money order service with Emirates posts, UAE.
e-Payment
e-Payment is a ‘Many to One’ service through which bills (telephone, electricity, municipal dues, taxes etc.) are paid by customers in Post Offices which are then electronically consolidated and paid to the service provider. The service is presently available in more than 8,000 Post Offices across the country and will soon be extended to all computerized Post Offices.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
India Post is pursuing the objective of financial inclusion through its 1,39,182 post offices in rural areas and 15,797 post offices in urban areas. The total number of accounts with post office has increased from ` 14.23 crore in 2003-04 to 24.10 crore in 2009-10. The outstanding balance in Post Office Savings Bank accounts in 2009-10 was ` 5,83,789 crore. India Post has already computerised its Savings bank operations in 11,000 post offices. Some of the new initiatives in provision of Financial Services are:
Postal Finance Mart
Postal Finance Mart (PFM) offer all the financial products and services under one roof “One Stop Shop for Financial Services” in a fully computerized office supported by technology, at par with reputed banking institutions. During 10th Five Year Plan, a total of 313 postal finance Marts have been set up across the country. A target for setting up of 500 postal Finance Marts has been fixed for the 11th Five Year Plan, out which 122 have already been set up.
Core Banking solution for Post Office Small Savings Scheme customers
Any-where, Any-time and Any branch banking i.e. Core Banking Solutions (CBS) is included in the X1 Five Year Plan with a financial outlay of Rs. 106 crores for development of CBS software, Customer Relations Management, Training Project Management Unit, Centrallized Bank Office, etc. which support Post Office Savings Bank and Saving Certificates business with improved operational efficiency with delivery channels like ATM, internet, phone and mobile banking services to Small Savings Scheme customers.
PLI/RPLI.
The post offices also provide insurance services to Government and semi-government employees and to the rural populace under the banner of POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE (PLI) and RURAL POSTAL LIFE INSURANCE (RPLI). The number of Rural Postal Life Insurance policies has increased from 26.66 lakhs in 2003-04 to more than 70 lakhs in 2008-09 and more than 99 lakhs in 2009-10. Postal Life Insurance policies were more than 44 lakhs as on 31.3.2010
PREMIUM SERVICES
Premium services such as Speed Post, Bill Mail Service, Business Post, Express Parcel Post, Logistics Post, Media Post and retail Post etc. are being provided through the postal Network across India. The revenue from premium products has been growing consistently. During the year 2009-10 revenue through these services was 1625 crore, an increase of 13.24% over the revenue of 1435 crore accrued during the year 2008-09.
LEVERAGING OF THE POSTAL NETWORK
National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) The Department of Posts has been given the responsibility to disburse the wages to NREGS beneficiaries through Post Office Savings Bank account. Starting with Andhra Pradesh Postal Circle in 2006, the payment of wages under NREGS is currently operational in 19 Postal Circles comprising of 21 States. The scheme is operational through 96,895 post offices (including HOs/SOs/BOs). Nearly 4,67 crore NREGS accounts have been opened up to October 2010, and the amount disbursed during the Apr- Oct 2010 is approximately Rs. 7113 crores.
Collection of Rural Price Index Data:
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implmentation (MoSPI) has entrusted the collection of statistics for acertaining the Rural Price Index to 1,181 post offices across the country with effect from October, 2009. The data so collected are electronically transmitted to MoSPI.
Tie-up with Reliance Money Limited
Sale of gold coins by tying-up with Reliance Money Limited has been launched on 15th October, 2008 as part of retail post in selected post offices. Scheme is available through 700 POs. The Department has sold 421 kg.Gold and earned Rs 3.61 crores from 1st April, 2010 to 30th November 2010.
Old Age Pension
Old Age Pension is being paid through 29.52 Post Office Savings accounts in Bihar, Chattisgarh, Delhi, Jharkhand, M.P., Maharashtra, North-East and Uttarakhand, and through money order in Karnataka, Kerala, M.P., Maharashtra, N.E., Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand.
On Line Acceptance of RTI Applications :
The Department has designated 4707 CENTRAL ASSISTANT PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICERS (CAPIOs) at least one in each Tehsil level across the country. The officers in charge of the computerised Customer Care Centres have been identified to act as CAPIOs for the Department and to receive RTI requests and appeals on behalf of other Central Public Authorities who have agreed to avail of this facility in Post Offices in pursuance of Section 5 (2) and 19 of the RTI Act, 2005. The designated CAPIO at a Post Office receives requests and appeals under the RTI Act 2005 for forwarding the same to the Central Public Information Officer or senior officer specified under sub-section (1) of section 19 of the RTI Act 2005 or the Central Information Commission (CIC), as the case may be.
International Operations of India Post
The Post Office is an important channel for international trade, enabling individuals and organisations to transfer goods, money and information across the borders for commercial purposes.
International Parcel and Express Services
Parcel Exports and imports in packet-sized shipments have seen a spurt in recent years. India Post has responded to this trend by revamping its portfolio of international products in tune with the current demands of the market. Standardised cartons have been introduced for parcels under the product name International Flat Rate Boxes. These boxes are convenient and secure, and they ensure faster handling during transmission. The accompanying customs documentation has been simplified for convenience of customers.
World Net Express
India Post has also launched a premium express service called WorldNet Express through a unique collaboration with Duetsche Post, the national postal carrier of Germany. This service enables customers to despatch express parcels to over 200 countries, and has advanced features like tracking of parcels through internet, telephone and SMS. This service is also supported by a 24 hour telephone help line.
While fast and reliable solutions are today available for transhipment of goods to individuals and institutions engaged in international trade, this is mostly limited to the metros and larger cities. The efforts of India Post is to make such services available across the country, thus bringing international trade within the reach of individuals and SMEs even in remote towns and villages. India Post has also initiated discussions on plans to make international trade more inclusive with the Customs Department and agencies like the Federation of Indian Export Organisations.
International Remittance Services
The contribution of international remittances to the country’s GDP has been gaining increasing recognition in recent years. According to World Bank estimates, India would be receiving US $ 55 billion in remittances from abroad during 2010, which is much more than any other country. The Post Office is widely considered the friendliest and safest channel for remittances. India Post has recognised the significance of this business segment, and is offering a portfolio of remittance services to customers. This ranges from instant money transfer on the Western Union platform , to electronic money orders on the International Financial System, the latter being a collaborative platform among postal operators. India Post has recently launched the MO Videsh international money order service on the Euro Giro platform. India Post is also actively supporting the efforts of the Universal Postal Union to set up worldwide systems for money remittances and payments, that are accessible and affordable to the common people.
e-Commerce
e-Commerce has been identified as a priority area by India Post for increasing the access to citizens to postal services and also as an area for diversification of business. A pilot project in this sector is being readied for launch, under the brand e-Post Office. This portal is being developed with the technical support of the National Informatics Corporation. The e-Post Office will initially retail postal products like money orders and sale of philatelic stamps. Customers can access the portal through internet from any part of the country, and carry out the booking of money order or purchase of stamp using their debit or credit card. Once the transaction is completed on the portal, its delivery will be effected through the physical network of India Post. The e-Post Office will subsequently expand its scope to include all postal and postal financial services. It will ultimately emerge as a self-contained e-Commerce portal supported by India Post’s nation-wide ‘brick- and- mortar’ network at the back-end, and facilitating trade at global level through tie-ups with partner postal organisations. The e-Post Office is envisaged as an inclusive enterprise capable of taking postal and other government services beyond the four walls of the office building to the doorstep of the citizen.
Human Resource Development
In a labour intensive service organization like Postal Service, the employees play a major role in achieving high quality of service and customer satisfaction. The Department is going through a process of transformation. Upgrading the skills of the employees, sensitizing them to the changes and preparing them for the transformation through IT Induction is of prime importance. In the XIth Plan a comprehensive plan for training covering all the cadres has been put in place.
A new cadre for the Postmasters has been created so as to bring in professionalism in management of the post offices. This cadre will play a critical role in making post offices vibrant and user friendly organizations as well as in successful implementation of the flag ship project India post 2012 for induction of IT and modernization.
Source: PIB

Employees may not be able to challenge CAT judgement in SC

NEW DELHI: Bad news is in store for government employees contesting matters relating to their service conditions in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) as they may not be able to challenge the judgement in the Supreme Court. Government employees not satisfied with CAT orders on their service matters will continue to appeal in High Courts as government's plan to enable them approach the apex court directly has received a thumbs down from the top law officer. 

Recently, the Department of Personnel had asked the Law Ministry whether the present system of CAT orders being challenged in High Courts be changed to fast track disposal of cases of government employees relating to their service conditions and employment rules. 

The Law Ministry referred the matter to Attorney General Ghoolam Vahanvati who opined against the move saying a 1997 Supreme Court judgement on the issue should continued to be followed. 

"As of now, the buck stops here (on the issue)," Law Minister M Veerappa Moily told PTI when asked to comment on Vahanvati's opinion. He said his ministry was trying to find a solution. "But I would not like to add anything more to it," he added. When the CAT was established in 1985 by an Act of Parliament, its rules clearly stated that its judgements on service related matters of state and central government employees can only be challenged in the apex court. While the same rules is in operation even today, a 1997 Supreme Court ruling held that judicial review is the basic feature of the Constitution and a High Court's power on judicial review cannot be taken away. After the judgement, appeals against CAT rulings were entertained in High Courts. "The Armed Forces Tribunal Act has been borrowed from CAT. Appeals against Tribunal's orders can only be challenged in the Supreme Court. But in CAT's case, it has become a three tier system...the entire purpose of CAT has been defeated," said a CAT functionary. He said while CAT usually disposes off a case in six months, appeal in High Court often takes years. "They pay Rs 50 as fee to move CAT, but they have to pay thousands of rupees in High Court...if the matter reaches Supreme Court, the time and cost involved is massive," he said.  

Click here for Paper News Source: Economic Times

 

The department of posts has initiated external consumer audits


            NEW DELHI The department of posts has initiated external consumer audits to understand the growing needs of urban customers worried over decline in its market share in mail service business that it once dominated.
      India Post will conduct these audits primarily in its urban post offices to gauge market sentiments of the urban population, which is rapidly switching to private courier service providers.  


      The idea is to build India Post brand for greater acceptability in cities," said an official with the department. In the recent years, the department's revenues from its postal operations have been on the decline. The specific areas of business where the department's revenue receipts appear on the decline are ordinary post, money-orders and postal-orders. 
There has, however, been recent improvement in the department's revenue figures. Figures as on October 2010 show the department's revenue receipts on postage realised in cash at Rs 1,321 crore, which is a 11% increase to the figure as on October 2009.

            However, commission on money-orders and postal-orders have made only marginal improvements, a concern which has prompted the department to initiate major overhaul in the way it handles mailing operations.

            To arrest the slide in business, India Post has initiated the process of redesigning its existing mail network. It has introduced innovations such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology in mail processing for better tracking of mail bags and articles to draw high-end and urban mail customers.

            In the 11th plan period (2007-12), the department has undertaken measures to improve the quality of mail operations, including automation of mail processing activities, induction of dedicated freighter aircraft for transmission of mail and restructuring of existing mail network.

            "These new initiatives are expected to result in better quality of service which in turn, would help the department in increasing mail traffic and revenue," said the official, requesting anonymity. The department recently conducted a customer satisfaction survey at a select few top-tier urban centres. The department during the current fiscal is expected to generate revenues of Rs 6,956 crore, way below its estimated working expenses of more than Rs 10,552 crore.

            The department's inability to arrest its declining revenues has come under criticism from the Parliament as well. "We strongly recommend analysis of the position and taking up of effective steps to increase the revenue receipts particularly when the working expenses of the department are increasing year after year," said a Parliamentary Standing Committee report.
Source: Economic Times 27 Dec-2010

Friday, December 24, 2010

Last Date For Change of Option as per Rule No.11 CCS Rules(Revised Pay) 2008 is 31.12.2010

AS PER RULE NO:11 THE LAST DATE FOR CHANGE OF OPTION IS 31.12.2010
When the 6th pay commission was implemented ,all central govt employees were asked to give option form as per rule No:11 in the CCS (Revised Pay) Rules-2008, it was asked that whether the implementation of 6th cpc is to be from 01/01/2006 or on any other date. Almost all employees opted 01/01/2006 for the implementation

But employees requested in the JCM level that, they may get additional financial benefit of they option for any other date rather than 01/01/2006.The govt accepted the JCM s opinion and provide one more chance to give new option as per Rule No.11 to the beneficial employees. This chance is closing at 31.12.2010.

Particularly employees who got promotion after 01/10/2006, have to calculated the differences individually and they may get some financial benefit the last Date for this exercise is an 31st December, 2010
What says Rule No.11…
Fixation of pay in the revised pay structure subsequent to the 1st day of January,2006 -
“where a Government servant continues to draw his pay in the existing scale and is brought over to the revised pay structure from a date later than the 1st day of January
2006,his pay from the later date in the revised pay structure shall be fixed in the following manner;-
     (i)  Pay in the pay band will be fixed by adding the basic pay applicable on the later date,the dearness pay applicable on that date and the   pre-revised dearness allowance based on rates applicable as on 1.1.2006.this figure will be rounded off to the next multiple of 10 and will then become the pay in the applicable pay band. In addition to this, the grade pay corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale will be payable .Where the Government servant is in receipt of special pay or non-practicing allowance ,the methodology followed will be as prescribed in Rule 7(i),(B),(C) or (D) as applicable, except that the basic pay and dearness pay to be taken into account will be the basic pay and dearness pay applicable as on that date but dearness allowance will be calculated as per rates applicable on 1.1.2006.”
See the table given below for your information…
Except the first two basic pay(pre-revised scale) multiply with 1.86, there is some difference with comparing to others. Please follow this article, clarify your pay fixation details with your departments heads individually once again before give option…
Difference
30501.86567356805880200
32001.86595959606060100
40001.86744074407440-
45001.86837083708370-
50001.86930093009300- Source: www.govtempdiary.com




Thursday, December 23, 2010

IMPORTANT ORDER ON CASUAL LABOUR

Important interpretation on the engagement of Casual Labour/Contingent workers Postal Directorate issued orders for discontinuation of Casual labourers in the Circle Offices/Divisional.Offices/D.A(P) offices w.e.f. 01-12-10. The spirit of this order is not to remove the workers who are already engaged. No new appointment of Casual labour  should be made after the date of this order. This is correctly interpreted by the CPMG, A.P. Circle. Copy of this order is reproduced here under for taking up the matter in your Circles, if needed.

CLICK FOR A.P. CIRCLE ORDER COPY

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

CADRE RESTRUCTURING COMMITTEE MEETING ON 27.12.2010

Cadre restructuring of Group ‘C’ other than Accounts cadre – constitution of a Committee
It has been decided to hold a meeting of the above Committee on 27/12/2010 at 11 a.m. in the chamber of DDG (Establishment).

Monday, December 20, 2010

CLOSING OF PPF (HUF) ACCOUNTS ON MATURITY –AN AMENDMENT TO PARAGRAPH (9) OF PPF SCHEME 1968.

D.G. Posts No. 32-01/2010-SB dated 13.12.2010 (S.B. Order No. 23/2010)
            The undersigned is directed to say that as per GSR 286(E) dated 13.5.2005 circulated vide SB Order 10/2004 dated 23.6.2005, only individuals can open PPF account from 13.5.2005. A further clarification was issued vide then DDG (FS) D.O. letter No. 113-10/2004-SB dated 5.9.2005 and again reiterated vide SB Order No.20/2005 dated 14.11.2005 vide which it was conveyed that existing PPF accounts opened in the name of HUF would continue till maturity and enjoy all facilities available under earlier rules but their maturity period cannot be extended further after 13.5.2005 .Therefore the present position of PPF (HUF) accounts is :
●          PPF accounts opened in the name of HUF prior to 13.5.2005 cannot be further extended after maturity and no further deposit can be accepted in such accounts after maturity.
2.         Now, MOF(DEA) vide GSR(E) dated 7.12.2010 (F. No. 7/4/2010-NS-II dated 7.12.2010) has amended Paragraph 9 of PPF Scheme rules by adding a provision below Sub-paragraph (3) of this Paragraph according to which from 7.12.2010, the position of PPF accounts opened in the name of HUF prior to 13.5.2005 will be as follows:
          PPF accounts opened in the name of HUF prior to 13.5.2005 will be closed on maturity i.e. 31st March of the 16th Financial Year from the year in which account was opened. No further interest will be admissible.
●          PPF accounts opened in the name of HUF prior to 13.5.2005 but have already been matured but not yet closed, shall be closed on 31st March, 2011 after which no further interest shall be admissible.
3.         Copy of amendment issued by MOF (DEA) is enclosed. It is requested that this amendment should be circulated to all post office handling PPF scheme and above matter given in bullet points should be displayed on the Notice Boards of these Post Offices. It is also requested that strict instructions should be issued to all postal staff at the counters to see the passbook at the time of deposit of subscription in PPF accounts and not to accept deposits in such accounts. Any over payment of interest if made shall be the responsibility of the Counter PA and the Supervisor.
4.         This issues with the approval of DDG (FS).
                                                                                                          Sd/-
(Kawal Jit Singh)
Assistant Director (SB)

G.S.R. 956(E).- In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section(4) of section 3 pf the Public Provident Fund Act,1968(23of 1968), the Central Government hereby makes the following Scheme further to amend the Public Provident Fund Scheme,1968,

FOR ORGINAL ORDER CLICK HERE

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme

Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme for the Central Government Civilian Employees – Clarification regarding

No. 5034/3/2008-(D) (Vol.II)
Government of India
of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training) / Establshment (D)

North Block, New Delhi the 1st November, 2010

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme for the Central Government Civilian Employees – Clarification regarding.
A joint committee is set up to examine the anomalies pertaining to the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) vide Department of Personnel & Training O.M.
No.11/1/2010-JCA dated 03-05-2010.
2. During the joint committee meeting it was pointed out by the Staff Side that the word ‘new organization’ of the last line of para 24 of Annexure-I of MACPS dated 19.05.2009 was not in consonance with the spirit of the Scheme. The issue has been examined and it is clarified that in case of transfer ‘including unilateral transfer on request, regular service rendered in previous organization / office shall be counted alongwith the regular service in the new organization / office for the purpose of getting financial upgradation under the MACPS. However, financial upgradation under the MACPS shall be allowed in the immediate next higher grade pay in the hierarchy of revised pay bands as given in CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008. Para 24 of MACPS stands amended to this extent.
3. The Staff Side also raised an issue on the ‘benchmark’ for MACP as given in para 17 of Annexure-I of MACPS dated 19.05.2009, which provides that the financial upgradation would be on non-functional basis subject to fitness, in the hierarchy of grade pay within the PB-1. Thereafter for upgradation under the MACPS, the benchmark of ‘good’ would be applicable till the grade pay of Rs.6600/- in PB-3. The benchmark will be ‘Very Good’ for financial upgradation to the promotion to the grade pay of Rs.7600 and above. It was pointed out that in some cases the promotion to the next higher grade was made on the basis of ‘fitness’ as the method of promotion as specified in the relevant recruitment rules, was ‘non-selection’. Therefore, such cases benchmarks should not be insisted upon under the MACPS. The issue has been examined and it is clarified that where the financial upgradation under MACPS also happen to be in the promotional grade and benchmark for promotion is lower than the benchmark for granting the benefits under MACPS as mentioned in para 17 ibid, the benchmark for promotion shall apply to MACP also.
4. All Ministries/Departments may give wide circulation to the contents of this O.M. for general guidance and appropriate action in the matter.
5. Hindi version will follow.

s/d
(Smith Kumar)
Director (Estt-I)
Source: www.persmin.nic.in

Dearness Allowance is the most eagerly awaited subject now-a-days by the Central government employees…


Dearness Allowance is the most eagerly awaited subject now-a-days by the Central government employees…

In the past, after getting job in the Central government establishments, they wait for promotion to gain some financial benefits… But today employees eagerly awaits for the announcement of Dearness Allowance twice a year, because…

Even if an employee gets a promotion after a prolonged time, the grade pay and increment is very meager. From Rs.1900 to 2000, from 2400 to 2800, from 4200 to 4600 and from 4600 to 4800….so on, the hike in pay is in between Rs.100 to Rs.400 only and so the financial benefits are not upto their expectation.

The annual increment is only 3% of the basic pay, but the DA which is announced twice a year is much more than that as the DA from January to July 2010 was 8% and from July to Dec was 10% which total of 18%.

The Central government announces the DA as per the recommendations of the Labour Bureau which calculates the prices of different essential commodities at different places. There was incidence of government announcing 12%  of additional Dearness Allowance once and 1% additional Dearness Allowance on another occasion. Hence, everyone wants to know the calculations taken for DA in deep.

In the next year – 2011, the DA from January to June will be around 6%. It can be increased upto 7% which depends upon the AICPIN. Anyway, the total DA will surely cross the 50% to 51%or 52% for which the Central Government Employees have to wait for some times.
Source: CGELN

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Mobile Number Portability to be launched from 20-01-11-Steps to be taken

Telecom Service Providers have made necessary changes in their network for implementation of Mobile Number Portability (MNP). The MNP has been launched in Haryana on 25-11-2010 and it is to be launched in rest of the country w.e.f. 20-01-2011.
Guidelines-for-Mobile-Number-Portability The guidelines for criteria to be adopted for MNP services have laid down by TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India). The consumers will have the choice of selecting their Telecom Service Provider (operator) without changing their number, provided a minimum period of 90 days has elapsed after subscription to the mobile service of the current service provider. For change of service provider i.e. porting, a subscriber has to send a SMS (short message service) from the number he wishes to be ported, to number 1900 whereby a Unique Porting Code (UPC) will be received on SMS from his current service provider. The subscriber will need to apply in the prescribed application form to the chosen new service provider quoting the UPC which will act as a reference while filling up the application form with new service provider. The new service provider will then take action to get the required process completed to enable the subscriber to get connected to his network. Porting has to be completed within 7 working days. TRAI has put a ceiling of Rs. 19/- on porting charges which the new service provider may collect from the subscriber. Post-paid subscribers before making the porting request, have to make sure that their last bill has been paid failing which the request for change to new service provider shall be rejected. In the case of pre-paid subscriber any balance amount left will not be carried forward when the number is transferred to the new service provider.

Steps to be taken for activating MNP:
1. Send a SMS from the Number he wishes to be ported to num 1900.
2. He will Receive a Unique Porting Code (UPC).
3. Apply in the prescribed application form to the chosen new subscriber.
4. Quote the UPC in the application form.
5. New service provider will take the necessary action.
6. Porting has to be completed in 7 Days.
7. Porting Charge is 19 Rs.
8. Post Paid subscribers has to Pay all the due bills.
9. For pre-paid users the balance amount will not carry to new number.

Fresh empanelment of private hospitals and revision of Room Rent applicable under CGHS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ORDER

Friday, December 3, 2010

RESOLUTIUON ADOPTED BY THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS IN ITS MEETING HELD AT MUMBAI ON IST DECEMBER, 2010.

RESOLUTION
The National Council Meeting of the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers held at Mumbai on 1st December 2010 congratulates the BSNL employees who are on strike for 3 days from 1st December to 3rd December 2010 to object to the attitude of the Government of India towards the BSNL and its concerted efforts to make it a sick unit to pave way for the private telecom providers to amass the spoils and maximize their profit.


The Government has not allowed to either make investment for expansion of the services of the BSNL or allowed it to purchase technology or materials to compete with other service providers in the market, with the result the profit of the public sector undertaking has been dwindling over the years. The Government's present move to disinvest 30% of its shares and reduce the workforce through a V R Scheme is with an ulterior motive of winding up the BSNL ultimately. The employees are therefore on struggle to save this Public Sector Enterprise and the strike is organized with a patriotic fervour to ensure the assets created with the public money is not transferred to private hands. The saddest part of the whole episode is that the Telecom Ministry has been handled for many years by corrupt politicians and bureaucrats, which has resulted in the biggest scam in the post independent era emanating from the telecom sector.

The National Council has called upon the Central Govt. employees throughout the country to extend their wholehearted co-operation and solidarity to the striking BSNL Employees and appeal them to popularize the issues raised by the striking workers amongst the rank and file of the membership of Central Govt. employees organizations and demand the Govt. to desist from the move to disinvest BSNL shares and allow the BSNL management to immediately undertake steps to purchase the requisite material and technology to enable BSNL to widen its business.
S.K. Vyas.
President

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Decisions taken at National Council of Confederation at Mumbai

  • Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers has held its National Council at Mumbai on 01-12-10. Some of the important demands on which the Confederation is going to launch the agitation are: 1. Revise the wages for every 5 years. 2. Merge the D.A with basic pay when the D.A. cross 50%. 3. Remove ceiling on compassionate appointments. 4. Settle all anomalies in a time-frame. 5. Implement all the arbitration awards, etc. Please await the Confederation circular.
  • March to Parliament on 23rd February, 2011 by Central Trade Unions. Confederation is also mobilizing all the employees from the States nearer to New Delhi and is participating in the protest march. 
  • First national Women Employees Convention is going to be organized at Kolkata by the CoC, West Bengal from 07-02-2011 to 08-02-2011. Throughout the country excluding the Kolkata Confederation is sending about 100 women employees  to attend the Convention. Be in touch with the local CoC and try to include our women comrades also in the delegation. Detailed circular will be issued by the Confederation.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

POSTMASTER’S CADRE

FOR DETAILS AND ORGINAL ORDER CLICK BELOW
PAGE 1   PAGE 2  PAGE 3  PAGE 4

NFPE CIRCULAR

PF. No. 01(e)/4/201 Dated: 26th November, 2010

To
All General Secretaries, CHQ Office Bearers
Circle Secretaries of all affiliated Unions

STUDY CAMP AT THEKKADY (KERALA)

Dear Comrades,
A study Camp of NFPE is scheduled to be held at Thekkady (Kerala) from 13th to 15th February 2010. All NFPE office bearers and office bearers of All India Unions and Circle Secretaries/Circle Presidents should compulsorily attend the study camp. The up and down Tickets may be booked early. Nearest Railway Station is Kottayam or Ernakulum Junction. From Kottayam or Ernakulum (Kochi) 3 hours journey by Bus. Kumily is one of the famous tourist destination of Kerala, which is near to Munnar. On 15th February Reception Committee has arranged sight seen trip.
Delegate fee Rs. 500/-
Contact No.(i) Com. T.D. Jose Divisional Secretary P-3
Mobile No 09447151902 Idukki Division.
(ii) Com. Peer Mohammad, All India Vice President P-4
Mobile No.09995283187

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

India Post's gadgets to streamline NREGA payment

NEW DELHI: India Post will provide gadgets such as biometric fingerprint scanners , magnetic strip readers and thermal printers to its 1,30,000 rural offices to smoothen the process of verification and payment under the national rural employment guarantee scheme .
It has charted out an ambitious rural information technology (IT) plan that will make the wage disbursement under the scheme paperless, said an official with the department who asked not to be named. Although NREGA is administered by the ministry of rural development, payments under the UPA government's flagship job safety programme are routed through the postal network and bank branches. The postal department services more than half of the wage earners under the scheme in most states of the country.
The government has allocated Rs 40,100 crore for NREGA in 2010-11 . It is estimated that the rural development ministry will be able to utilise only about Rs 35,000 crore in the current year. A total of 179,43,189 families have been provided employment under the scheme till June 30 this year.
The devices offered to the post offices will have an in-built global positioning system (GPS) to determine the frequency of the postal staff's visits to the villages, which will ensure accountability on the part of the branch post masters. This will also help the department map its delivery territory.
The move will help the hugely popular scheme to check leakage of funds owing to fake attendance under the scheme.
In some states of North East, it was found that funds were transferred under the scheme to even doctors and engineers. In Uttar Pradesh alone the leakage is estimated at . 850 crore annually.
The department has invited participation of private players in this regard. The IT revamp, which will happen in phases, is expected to be completed in two years, said an official with the ministry of communications and information technology.
To ensure that the process is made hassle-free , the devices will have portable web cameras with enabling features such as bluetooth and wifi access for seamless transfer of data that may be required under the verification process for accounts.
Transactions under the scheme will happen only when the wage earner's biometric information is matched with data stored in the department's electronic database.
"Our devices will be compliant with standards issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India," said YP Rai, deputy director general (rural business) at India Post.
As network availability in most rural areas is inconsistent, the devices will have facility to function both online and offline. To address the problem of inadequate power supply, the devises will have an in-built battery with solar chargers.
30 Nov, 2010, 06.16AM IST, Souvik Sanyal,ET Bureau

Monday, November 29, 2010

FMC REVISED W.E.F 24.11.2010

File No. 10-7/2001-P.E.II
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts (Establishment Division)

Dak Bhawan Sansad Marg
New Delhi – 110001Dated the 24-11-2010
Chief Postmaster General
Postmaster General
General Managers (Finance)
Director of Accounts Postal


Subject: - Revision of Fixed Monetary compensation (FMC) to delivery staff and remuneration to other staff


Sir/Madam,
I am directed to refer to Directorates letter of even number dated 4-9-2002 and 28.1.2003 on the above subject.
2. The Department has received a number of references from the staff Associations requesting for upward revision of fixed Monetary compensation (FMC) admissible to Postmen staff. A Committee of Senior Officers was constituted for looking into the issue and the report of the Committee has been examined carefully in consultation with integrated Finance wing and the Competent Authority has ordered enhancement of the Fixed Monetary compensation (FMC) admissible to Postmen staff. The details are as under:
Sl. No. Item Existing Rate Revised Rate
(a)When One Postman performs Rs. 25 per day Rs.50 per dayduty of an absentee Postman by combination of duties
(b)When two Postmen perform duty Rs.14 per day Rs.24 per dayof an absentee Postman by sharing the beat
3. The competent Authority has also ordered fixation/revision of Holiday Monetary Compensation payable to Postmen Staff and other Departmental staff brought on duty on 2nd consecutive Holiday if three consecutive holidays occur as shown under:
Sl. No. Category of Departmental Employees Rate of Remuneration
1. Supervisor Rs.85 per holiday for 4 hours
2. Postal Assistant Rs.85 per holiday for 4 hours
3. Postmen/Sorting Postmen Rs.85 per holiday
4. Multi tasking staff Rs.60 per holiday for 4 hours


4. All other conditions for payment of Fixed Monetary compensation (FMC) issued vide OM No.10-23/87-PE.I dt. 21.12.93 and delivery of Unregistered letters on holidays issued under 9-25/92-CI dt. 10.9.92 will remain unchanged.
5. The Expenditure on account of revision has to be met from the allocated funds of the units under the prescribed Head of account.
6. These orders will take effect from the date of issue.
7. This issues in concurrence with the Integrated Finance Wing vide their diary number 286/FA/10/CS dated 24.11.2010.


Sd/-
(K. Rameswara Rao)
Asst. Director General (Estt)

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS COMMITTEE

A committee to discuss about system administrators issue has already been constituted. The content of the letter is as follows:
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts(SR Section)
Dak BhawanParliament Street
New Delhi 11001Dated – 19 July, 2010


No. 1/1/2010-SR


Subject: - Secretary (P)’s meeting with Postal Joint Council of Action on 12.07.2010 at 11 hrs. in Dak Bhawan- Item No. 12 creation of System Administrators Cadre and financial compensations for special work performed by System Administrators Please refer to minutes of Secretary (P)’s meeting dated 12.07.2010 on the above – mentioned subject.


2. It was decided to constitute a Committee comprising DDG (Estt), DDG (P) and DDG (Technology) to consider creation of System Administrators cadre. As regards grnat of Road Milleage Allowance, the matter was reported to be already under examination.


3. In the light of the above, a Committee comprising the following is constituted to consider the creation of System Administrators Cadre


DDG (Estt.) Chairman
DDG (P) Member
DDG (Tech) Member
The Committee will submit its report within 3 months of its formation.
Sd/-
(Subhash Chander)
Director (SR & Legal)

Friday, November 26, 2010

Drawal of Revised wages to Paid Substitutes in short term Vacancies of GDS employees-Clarification Issued by Andhra Pradesh Circle office

Dear Comrades,
Circle Office issued a clarification regarding drawal of revised wages to Paid Substitutes working in short term GDS Vacancies vide Memo No.EST/Wage Rate/DE/09 dated 26/11/2010. According to the clarification "All Substitutes engaged in the place of GDSs on or after 09/10/2009 will be eligible for minimum revised TRCA".
FOR ORDER CLICK HERE

Regular Promotions to PS Gr.B Cadre

Directorate has issued orders for promotion of 140 senior ASPs to P.S Gr.B cadre on regular basis vide lr.no.9-35/2010-SPG dated 25-11-10.
CLICK HERE FOR ORGINAL ORDERS

DOPT published an important order regarding seniority - "Instructions and Guidelines on Seniority"

CLICK HERE FOR DOPT ORDER

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Advice of CGHS/other Government Specialist/CMO in-charge permission for undergoing Laboratory/pathological tests/specific investigations in case of non-emergencies should be obtain

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

India Post Presentation on Technological Developments

Presentation on Technological Developments in Department of Posts was held on 23.11.2010 in the presence of Secretary, Department of Posts, Member (Technology), Member (Operations) and other officers of the India Post. The Staff side was represented by Secretary Generals of Federations and General Secretaries of All India Unions. The presentation was elaborately dealt with the vast changes that are going to take place in the Department of Posts due to large scale induction of Information and communication Technology (ICT). A budget of Rs. 1800 crores has been earmarked for the project which is to be completed by the year end of 2013.
The gist of the presentation can be summed up as follows:
In this era of fast developing Information and Communication Technology, large scale induction and assimilation of modern means of communication has become vital for sustenance and growth of India Post.
Having created a base of more than 12000 computerised Post offices in the country and a pool of trained human resource, India Post is in the process of implementing mass scale computerization and networking of all Departmental Post offices and Branch Post offices on a single integrated and modular platform connected to a National Data Center.
This National infrastructure, so created will enable India Post to provide state-of-the-art ICT services including Mobile remittance and Banking on a core banking platform and provide inclusive banking to rural, remote and hitherto unbanked areas.
The vast network and infrastructure of India Post, have already enabled it to become the preferred point of inter face between Government and the members of public for delivery of social and economic welfare schemes of the Government of India and various state governments. Introduction of modern ICT will help in timely and transparent delivery of social benefit schemes to the beneficiaries viz. MGNREGS, Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension Scheme (IGOAPS).
Computerised and connected network of Post office on a single integrated platform will also help India Post to retail products and services of other service providers viz. Banks, Government & Non Government financial institutions, Government Agencies and Mutual Fund houses in the rural and remote areas.
India Post has already taken initiative for re-engineering processes and making it compatible to suite the new ICT solutions and customer requirements.
One of the pre-requisite for transformation of India Post is upgradation of the skills of the work force and capacity building. Training of the human resources has been given its due importance and recognition in the project. The Services of the newly recruited 15000 Postal Assistants will also be utilized to the maximum extent. The Branch Post offices will not be provided with computers, instead they will be provided with modern-technology oriented hand devices.
Secretary General, NFPE insisted that the services rendered by the existing System Administrators in maintaining the computer network of more than 12000 Post offices is to be acknowledged in its true perspective and they may be absorbed in suitable posts such as System Assistants while implementing the project. The Secretary Post stated that this aspect will be given positive consideration. While we pointing out the delay in discussion on cadre review proposals, it was assured to finalise very shortly. Introduction of accrual based accounting system is also becomes part of the project. The apprehension about the mass redeployment or surplus has been focussed by us for which the Secretary, Posts assured that there will be no staff movements or reduction.
The Leader Staff side requested to arrange a similar presentation to the Circle Secretaries also for which the Secretary (Posts) responded positively.
The following news were made known to us during the course of discussions and interactions.
(i) For the current financial year, the modernization will be restricted up to B class offices, 628 crores had been allotted for this purpose.
Single handed offices & BOs will be taken in the next year project.
For Pilot Project six circles have been identified viz. Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh & Assam. It will come into functioning before August 2011.
Instead of cost accounting, accrual basis system will be introduced. This is almost implemented in all major organizations including Telecom as per the Government of India decisions.
1800 ATMs will be established after the introduction of Core banking. Call centers to collection of logistics, MO etc will be formed. Track & trace facilities will be implemented for all services.
On Phase II, the rest of 16 circles will be completed.
Softwares are being developed as per the recommendations of ‘Accenture’.
Expression of Interest was segregated to three instruments. One major National level Data server. Second 2600 departmental Post office net week interrogators, third Rural ICP hardware solutions. All net work equipments, connectivity, maintenance will be entrusted to vendor for 24 X 7 (Per week). He is solely responsible for everything. The penalty clause provision has been included.
Data centre, hire space and installation area will be ours. The rest software, maintenance etc will be entrusted to the providers.
While comparing previous year, 13% revenue has been increased in postal operations.


MAIL NETWORK OPTIMIZATION PROJECT


An interaction with the staff side on Mail Network optimization project also took place during the meeting. It is explained that the scope of the project is to (1) optimize India Post Network from collection to delivery (2) to standardize processes with focus on significant quality improvement & reduction in network complexity (3) put in place an effective performance measurement system through regular reviews (4) improve the ambience of mail offices (5) upgrade processing facilities and improve working condition for employees and (6) make staff and customers proud of being associated with India Post. The key operational areas of the network optimization are (i) Speed Post and (ii) First class mail. First class mail optimization study is in progress.
The interaction mainly concentrated on the newly introduced Speed Post Network optimization programme (hubs). The Staff Side pointed out that the introduction of the speed post hubs has resulted in delay in processing and transmission of speed post articles resulting in delay in delivery. This issue should be addressed on top priority basis and corrective measures to avoid delay should be taken. The staff side further pointed out that while more than 80% of the speed post hubs are functioning under the administrative control of RMS Superintendents, the remaining hubs are controlled by Postal Superintendents. This has created on apprehension in the minds of the RMS employees that in the longer run the identity of RMS will be lost and eventually it will be merged with Post offices. Taking into consideration of this aspect, the Staff Side requested that all the Speed Post hubs should be under the control of RMS Superintendents. The Secretary, Posts assured to consider the request positively.


MEETING WITH DDG (ESTABLISHMENT)



The Secretary General NFPE and General Secretaries of affiliated unions of NFPE met DDG (Estt) on 23.11.2010. The following is the outcome of the meeting.

The preliminary (first) sitting of the Cadre Restructuring committee will be held on 26.11.2010 at 3 PM.
The first sitting of the Committee on Postmen related issues will also be held on 26.11.2010.

Regarding the revision of wages of casual labourers it is informed that the file is being sent to nodel Ministry for approval. It is expected to be cleared by the Nodal ministries within 2-3 weeks. The wages will be revised with effect from 01.01.2006.

The Department has issued orders clarifying –
No casual labourers shall be engaged in the Administrative offices i.e. CO/RO/DO/PAO with effect from 1st December 2010.The work of sweepers and scavengers should be combined or the same may be outsourced wherever feasible.

Since duties of waterman, watch and ward, gardening, cleaning etc are now part of duties assigned to Multi Tasking staff, the existing practice of engaging casual laborers as waterman, Gardner, watch and ward and any other miscellaneous category shall be dispensed with effect from 1st December 2010.

The Department has appraised the law ministry about the existence of GS and the promotion on seniority basis to erstwhile Group D now MTS. The law ministry in now approving the revised Recruitment rules. Orders are expected within a fortnight

The file relating to enhancement of OSA has been submitted to J.S. F.A. (Finance) for approval