MINUTES OF DISCUSSION ON POSTMEN DEMANDS
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.
*****
