Our General Secretary writes to Secretary Post regarding reconsideration of revision of norms for assessment of workload of Branch Post Masters.

Ref. No. GDS/CHQ/49/1/2011                                       Dated. 15-02- 2011

To

The Secretary,

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhawan,

New Delhi-110001.

Sub:- Revision of norms for assessment of work-load of Branch Postmasters.

Ref:   Your office letter No.5-1/2007-WS-I(Pt) dated 16.12.2010

Madam,

         

          While appreciating that time factors have been provided for assessing work-load relating several new businesses, we have some serious concern about the time factors revised in case of certain items of work. The process applied also indicates some departure from laid down conversions. Our point of view is furnished below which we are sure, would be taken into consideration and revised norms notified accordingly:-

1.       As has been the practices this union should have been given an opportunity to put forth its views on the time factors to be provided for different transactions. It has not done.

2.                   Secondly, every time we raise certain issues a reference is made to Sri Nataraja Murti Committee. We do not understand why this much of importance to this Committee where as the well reasoned recommendations of other committee including Justice Talwar Committee have been thrown away to gather dust. This particular Committee did have the best of wisdom to over ride others and was rather biased against the GDS employees. We feel, the department will shed the prejudice is favour of this particular committee and recognize the facts on merits.

3.                   Regarding time factor for the following transactions, will submit the following.

(i)           The time factor provided for handling registered article at serial(2), we feel should be and probably is 20 and not 22 registered articles for one point. This may be confirmed.

(ii)          For sale of postage stamps as given at serial (4) i.e. 1 point for Rs. 900/- worth of stamps sold is rather too harsh. Probably some parallel has been sought to be drawn with departmental employees. This is neither proper nor factual. Whereas S.O’s and H.O’s stamps of larger denominations i.e for Rs.5/- Rs.10/- or even larger amounts are sold, in Branch offices, generally postcards, inland letter cards and at the maximum envelops are sold sale of stamps of higher denomination a very negligible. On practical basis. The amount of Rs.900/- should be revised as Rs.100/-

(iii)         The time factor for cash handling i.e one point for Rs. 20,000/- is too harsh and impracticable. The following facts need to be carefully considered.

(a)         Some courts have stayed the application of this harsh time factors and the matter is sub-Judice. As a matter fact this revised norms should not have been issued till the final decision of the courts. On the account the notifications of the revised norm should be kept in abeyance.

(b)         We feel some pages have been taken from the book of norms for cash handling by departmental employees. This is impracticable. In S.Os and H.Os, big sums are deposited is SB or for purchase of postal certificates i.e KVPs and NSC’s etc or in respect of deposits in time deposits. In BOs, small amounts are deposited and coins, even bits and notes smaller denominations are to handled. In MNREGA or old age pensions now her notes of any higher denomination such as Rs.500/- or more are handled. Deposits and with drawals of small amount in SB transactions are made. R.D. accounts of smaller amounts are opened. So, is all fairness, the practicability and ground realities should be taken into considerations, thus the amount of Rs.20,000/- may be revised as Rs.5,000/-

(c)         It is not fair to exclude the amounts of remittance received or made by the B.O. you will agree that the remittances received and made are required to be Counted not only once but twice to make sure that the amount are correct or the BPM has got bear the brunt.

(d)         Similarly, the amount of salaries paid to the E.Ds staff is sought to be excluded for which there can be not Justification. Is it not a fact that the BPM has to count the amounts and make notes of the same in case of salary payment. Then where is the Justification for excluding this amount?

(e)         We sincere feel that in respect of Telephone bills and other bills, the norm should be the point for 10 transactions, be causes 0 in case of these transaction too more or less similar process is to be adopted as in case of SB transactions. The norm may be raised accordingly.

(f)          The preparation of accounts in view of several new transactions and business has become more cumbersome and norms should be provided according by. For this item 28 points should be provided is stead of 14 points.

                   We are sure that the suggestions would considered and accepteed.

 

 Yours faithfully,

                                                               

                               —
                 S.S.Mahadevaiah
                General Secretary
All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union