Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Pension fund regulator makes the right move

The pension fund regulator has done well to raise the commission for distributors of the National Pension System (NPS). A higher return for the banks and financial institutions that open NPS accounts for subscribers will motivate them to market the scheme better.

From January 16, distributors are charging Rs 100 to open an account and 0.25% of the amount contributed initially by the subscriber, subject to a minimum of Rs 20 and a maximum of Rs 25,000. A subscriber is also being charged 0.25% for every transaction. PoPs can negotiate these charges with subscribers, but that is going to be cumbersome. Also, the amount is meagre at the lower end.

Yet, the new ad valorem commission structure will induce distributors to market the NPS. Bolder reforms are needed to incentivise fund managers and popularise the NPS, which has the institutional framework to generate superior returns on old-age savings.
The government must make better use of its pension subsidy: instead of augmenting every voluntary subscription below Rs 12,000 by Rs 1,000, the government should use its money to underwrite initial overhead costs in asset management, distribution and record-keeping. The wafer-thin asset management charge of 0.0009% should be supplemented with a grant till sufficient scale is achieved.

Similarly, money should be provided from the Budget to meet central record-keeping costs. The regulator should drop its plan to allow fund managers to negotiate fees with subscribers. Fund managers manage a pool of savings and cannot be expected to negotiate charges with individual subscribers.

In any case, why create incentives for differential levels of asset management focus? It makes sense to limit the number of fund managers in the initial stage, so as to generate viable scale for each fund manager.

The simplest way to remove the need for any subsidy for the NPS is, of course, to amend the Employees Provident Fund Act to allow workers to voluntarily migrate to the NPS. That would swell NPS numbers, increase the pool of funds to be managed and grant fund managers greater flexibility in diversifying their portfolios across asset classes to minimise risk.
Posted by:AIPEDEU,Odisha Circle.

Online Feedback on the Draft National Postal Policy open up to 01st February, 2012

To post comment, please click here

Monday, January 30, 2012

Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) to tie up with India Post


For selling its applications for various courses


Distance education major Madurai Kamaraj University is set to stamp an agreement with India Post for selling its applications for various courses through the vast network of post offices across the State.
A team from the Department of Posts had a preliminary meeting with the Directorate of Distance Education officials of MKU here recently and a proposal was put forth for having Memorandum of Understanding between the university and India Post.
“We are convinced with the postal department's proposal because accessibility and availability of application forms is very important to tap students across Tamil Nadu. And, naturally, the post office would be our first choice since students in rural areas will benefit. Coming together of MKU and India Post is a student friendly move,” A. Thanikodi, Director of Distance Education, MKU, told The Hindu on Saturday.
According to him, the distance education wing will soon place this proposal before the varsity Syndicate for approval.

At present, those students who want to join distance courses of the university have to go to study centres in their places for getting the application or they can receive them by post from DDE (Directorate of Distance Education, MKU). “If the applications forms are sold through post offices, it will be a great thing for us as students will have easy access and it increases student enrolment,” Dr. Thanikodi said.
Apart from suggesting sale of applications, the team from Business Development Cell of Postal Department here comprising of Assistant Director Balachandar, I.P. Gowri, S. Ramachandran, Soundararajan and Senthilvel also mooted other proposals to the university suggesting areas where there can have collaboration.
Distribution of university study materials through the strong logistics network of Department of Posts is one among the proposals and it is also under consideration. Meanwhile, the Directorate of Distance Education is also ready with several other ideas to increase enrolment of students.
“We are planning for new study centres, partnership collaborations and revamping of examination system. These policy decisions are getting delayed due to absence of Vice-Chancellor for a long period. Once the Syndicate gives nod, more initiatives would be taken to put MKU in top position as far as distance education is concerned,” Dr. Thanikodi said.
Source : www.thehindu.com
Posted by: AIPEDEU, Odisha Circle.

Postal dept works towards bank permit

Source:Business Standard
Mansi Taneja / New Delhi Jan 29, 2012, 00:29 IST



The department of posts will formulate a detailed project report for setting up a bank, in the XII Plan.
“The postal department has already conducted a study and has found that the proposal is feasible. DPR (detailed project report) is the next step to chalk out the exact blueprint for the model,” a senior official from the department of posts (DoP) told Business Standard.

The department will apply for a banking licence from the Reserve Bank of India. Post Bank of India may be set up with the required authorised capital of Rs 700 crore, the official added. “The plan is to offer banking services in rural and semi-urban areas by converting our post offices into banks. The department has about 1.5 lakh post offices across the country, which is mainly located in rural areas,” a source said.
The department also operates the Post Office Savings Bank, where it has over 240 million savings accounts. It has a customer base of over 23.75 crore with an outstanding balance of Rs 6,19,611 crore as on March 31, 2011.
The postal department offers schemes such as savings account, recurring deposit, time deposit, monthly income account scheme, postal life insurance, public provident fund, Kisan Vikas Patras and National Savings Certificates.
The feasibility report has already laid out ownership, capital and organisational structure, as well as new product and services to be offered, among others.
According to working group report for XII Plan, the demand for rural banking is particularly high with only 39 per cent of households covered by institutional banking. Globally, postal organisations have transformed financial services into banks successfully. The global firms include Deutsche Post Bank, Japan Post Bank, Kiwi Bank, La Banque Postale (France).
The department is also focusing aggressively on its postal life insurance product. According to the information with the postal department, the department has about 5 million policies under postal life insurance with an assured amount of Rs 58,132 crore, while under rural postal life insurance; it has about 13 million policies with an assured amount of Rs 67,162 crore.
The PLI has been clocking an average growth rate of 32 per cent in terms of premium income while the growth rate of RPLI stood at 60 per cent in terms of premium income in 2009-10 over the previous year.
Posted by: AIPEDEU, Orissa Circle.



Saturday, January 28, 2012

Woman declared dead, ‘wakes up’ before funeral ------- - NEWS Not amazed but .......... WHO IS RESPONSIBLE ?

Jaipur,Jan 26, 2012(TNN): In a bizarre incident a 72-year-old woman, who was declared ‘dead’, started breathing when her relatives were about to burn her ‘body’ on the funeral pyre on Wednesday. The woman is presently ailing since she has a severe blood clot in her brain and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital here.
The incident took place at a village in Nawalgarh district of the state. Hundreds of relatives of Magan Kanwar, a native of Dadi Ka Phatak in Jhotwara, had gathered and were preparing for the woman’s funeral. When some women were performing the ritual of bathing the ‘dead body’, they realized she was breathing. Immediately after, her son Surendra Singh Rathore took her to hospital and in the afternoon she was admitted at another private hospital.
Divulging the details of the incident, Rathore said, “My mother had slipped in the bathroom on January 23. We took her to a private hospital in the city. The hospital authorities on the morning of January 24 declared her dead. We asked them to check again since she was on a ventilator and the doctors had diagnosed her with brain hemorrhage.”
Rathore said when the doctors verbally declared her dead, the family without seeking any death certificate took her to the native village for funeral on Wednesday.
“At the village while performing some rituals we found my mother was breathing and alive. Later, a doctor there told us everything, including her heart beat and blood pressure, was normal. The doctors had said she was unconscious due to severe blood clot in her brain and so we brought her here,” Rathore added.
He claimed the hospital that had declared his mother dead did not gave them a valid death certificate. “I did not get it since I was disturbed at the news of her dead.”
Posted by:AIPEDEU, Odisha Circle.

Recommendations of 6th Central Pay Commission - Applicability of revised Group-D pay scales to Casual Labourers with Temporary Status

Posted by:AIPEDEU

Maximum Sum to be assured under PLI / RPLI revised

PLI Directorate revised the maximum sum assurance limits:
  • From Rs 10 lac to 20 Lac in respect of PLI
  • From Rs 3 Lac to 5 Lac in respect of RPLI 

Monday, January 23, 2012

POSTAL POLICY


Postal Policy: Draft Agenda for Roundtable

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Posted by: AIPEDEU,Odisha Circle.

CONFEDERATIONCIRCULAR No.1.

Dated: 21.01.2012

Dear Comrade,
“MAKE THE STRIKE ON 28TH FEB. 2012 A GRAND SUCCESS’
ENSURE MASSIVE PARTICIPATION OF CG EMPLOYEES.
            The members of the National  Sectt. of the Confederation available at Delhi met today and decided to launch a campaign to elicit the full participation of Central Govt. Employees in the 28th February, 2012 general strike being organized jointly by all the Trade Unions in the Country against the Government’s Economic policies.  It is decided that the National Sectt members must be the observers in the campaign meeting at various Stations.  Appended to this Circular is a list of stations where the meetings are to be organized.  The comrades whose names are indicated against each station will make arrangements for visiting those places on the specified dates.  Arrangements for the stay of the visiting comrades will be made by the respective State Committees.
            The Secretaries of the State Committee will convene a meeting of the members of the affiliates on the specified date.  It must be ensured that the State/ Circle Executive members of each affiliate is present in the said meeting apart from other members.  Ensure that large number of members attend the meeting.  It must be made mandatory that the members of the Managing/Executive Committee do attend the meeting without fail.
            We send herewith draft Strike notice addressed to the Cabinet Secretary, which would be submitted to him by the Confederation CHQ.  Similar notices will be prepared and submitted by each affiliate to their heads of Department or Secretary to the concerned ministry as the case may be.  On 10th February, 2012 demonstrations will be organized in front of all Offices with full participation of all members and the concerned Secretary will  hand over a copy of the notice submitted by the affiliates to their heads of Department.  The affiliates will submit the notices on or before 5th February, 2012.  Confederation CHQ will serve the strike notice on the Cabinet Secretary on Ist February, 2012.
            Apart from placing this Circular letter on our website we are sending it by post, the receipt of which  may be acknowledged through an SMS to the following number:
K.K.N.Kutty-“98110 48303”.
With greetings,
Yours fraternally,
 (K.K.N.Kutty),Secretary General.
            28TH FEBRUARY 2012 STRIKE- CAMPAIGN PROGRAMME
            TOUR PROGRAMME OF CHQ OFFICE BEARERS.
S.No.   Place                `Date   Visiting Comrades  from Confederation CHQ.

1.      Trivandrum-   14.2.2012    KKN Kutty,M. Krishnan,
2.      Chennai-        15.2.2012    KKN Kutty,K.V.Sridharan, M.Duraipandian,   K.V.Jayaraj
3.      Bangalore-     16.2.2012    KKN Kutty, R.Seethalakshmi, S.Mahadeviah,
4.      Hyderabad-    17.2.2012    M.S Raja,Narasimhan, P.Suresh, S.Raghupathy, S.K.Humayun
5.      Bhubaneswar-15.2.2012   M.S. Raja, Giriraj Singh,N.Somayya,
6.      Patna             14.2.2012     K.Raghavendran, Pijush Roy,D.B. Mohanty.
7.      Kolkata-         16.2.2012     S.K.Vyas, K. Raghavendran,Pijush Roy
8.      Ranchi-          15.2.2012     K. Raghavendran, Pijush Roy,
9.      Guwahati-      15.2.2012    Virgu Bhattacharya,Pranab Battacharya,
10.  Lucknow-         13.2.2012     KP Rajagopal, R.N. Parashar
11.  Kanpur-           14.2.2012     KP Rajagopal, R.N. Parashar
12.  Allahabad        13.2.2012     MS Raja,  Giriraj Singh,
13.  Bhopal-            09.2.2012    MS Raja, KP Rajagopal, I.S.Dabas,
14.  Jaipur-             10.2.2012    S.K Vyas, Giriraj Singh, R.N. Parashar
15.  Chandigarh-    16.2.2012     KP Rajagopal, R.N.Parashar.
16.  Shimla-            21.2.2012    MS Raja, R.N. Parashar
17.  Mumbai-         14.2.2012     SK Vyas, AB Salunkhe,Dabas,D.K.Rahate,  B.K.Chalke,
18.  Nagpur -         08.2.2012    Vrigu Bhattacharya,D.K. Rahate, Nageswara Rao.
19.  Delhi-              02.2.2012     SK Vyas, Vrigu Bhattacharya, Ashok Kanojia, Parasar, Giriraj  Singh,I.S. Dabas.
20.  Dehradun         07.2.2012    S.K. Vyas,Vikram Shah, Giriraj Singh.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

MEETING WITH MINISTER
Meeting with Sri. Sachin Pilot, Hon’ble Minister of State of Communications, was held today (21.01.2012) at 11.00 AM. Meeting lasted for 30 minutes. The staff side presented a memorandum to the Minister, containing the issues which needs Minister’s intervention. (See the copy published in the website). Minister agreed to examine each case on its merits and take early decision. The following issues were discussed with the Minister, in detail.
(i) Issues relating to Gramin Dak Sevaks
(ii) Issues relating to casual, Part-time, Contingent employees
(iii) Revision of overtime allowance
Regarding GDS issues like status, promotion etc. Minister assured to examine the cases in detail and taken a decision at the earliest. Regarding reduction of existing allowances of GDS, the Minister gave on the spot instructions to the Secretary, Department of Posts, to issue orders protecting the existing TRCA in full. Further regarding cash handling point Minister directed Secretary that it should be finalized before 31st January 2012. He assured that the other issues like Bonus ceiling, providing norms for left out items etc. will also be given sympathetic consideration. Regarding casual labourers issues Minister gave direction to the Postal Board to expedite the orders. Minister further assured that he will definitely call for the files relating to the other items mentioned in the memorandum and an indepth examination of the issues will be made and decision taken early.
The staff side thanked the Minister for giving us an opportunity to present our cases in front of him. The staff side was represented by Com. M. Krishnan (S/G, NFPE), Sri. D. Theagarajan (S/G, FNPO), Com. K. V. Sridharan, (G/S, P3, NFPE), Com. L. D. Kaushik (P3, FNPO), Com. Ishwar Singh Dabas (G/S P4, NFPE) Com. Ashok Sharma (P4, FNPO), Com. Giriraj Singh (G/S, R3, NFPE), Com. Devendra Kumar, Com. Pawan Kumar (R3, FNPO), Com. P. Suresh (G/S, R4 NFPE), Com. Satish Chander (R4, FNPO), Com. Pranab Bhattacharjee (G/S, Admn. NFPE), Com. S. B. Yadav (AIPAEA), Com. O. P. Khanna (G/S AIPAOA), Com. S. S. Mahadevaiah (G/S AIPEDEU), Com. Gautam Das (Org. Secy., NUGDS), Com. R. N. Parashar (ASG, NFPE).
Posted by: AIPEDEU,Odisha Circle.

MEETING WITH MINISTER










Seventh Delhi State Level Philatelic Exhibition to be Inaugurated on January 22, 2012


Three Day Exhibition “Dharohar-2012” to Display 230 Frames
Curtain Raiser
Seventh Delhi State Level Philatelic Exhibition”Dharohar-2012” is being organized at National Science Centre from 22nd January to 24th January 2012.Disclosing this during a press conference Ms. Rameshwari Handa ,Chief Post Master General(Delhi Circle) said here today that the previous State Level Philatelic Exhibition was held in the year 2008.The Exhibition will be inaugurated by Ms. Manjula Prashar, Secretary Posts. During ‘Dharohar-2012’, 230 frames would be displayed. Three broad categories include Invitation 29 frames; Competition (Senior) 70 frames and Competition (Youth)131 frames. The Exhibition ‘Dharohar-2012’ is being organized in collaboration with the National Science Centre.
To mark this occasion, Special Covers On National Science Centre and Dilli Haat will also be released by Delhi Postal Circle. During the function a Philatelic k it is also scheduled to be released in order to promote Philately among young kids. My Stamp facility will be an additional attraction for the visitors of the exhibition. Numerous other activities are planned during “Dharohar-2012” for the school children. These include workshop on Astronomy for kids, Workshop on Films and Philately, Painting competition, Quiz and Magic Show. The winners of Painting competition organized by Delhi circle on Children’s day on the theme “Post Office 2050” will also be rewarded with Cash prizes, Medals and Certificates.
Closing ceremony will be held on 24.1.12 at 4 p.m. Special cover to promote the awareness about Biodiversity Parks in Delhi as well as Butterflies of Delhi is being launched. A Special Cover representing best designs of winners of the Painting Competition organized by Delhi circle on the theme “100 Years of New Delhi” will also be released. Cash Prizes, medals & certificates will be awarded to them during the Closing ceremony.
As a precursor to this event, four District Level Philatelic Exhibitions were organized. KALINDI – A river of Stamps by New Delhi South Division in October 2011 at WWF, Godrej Auditorium, 172-B, Lodi Estate, New Delhi. DWARKAPEX 2011 – by New Delhi West Division also in October 2011 at Bosco Public School, Sunder Vihar, New Delhi. NILAMBARI 2011 by Delhi North Dn. In November 2011 at St.Xavier’s Sr.Sec. School, Delhi. ARAVALI-2011 A series of Stamps by New Delhi South West Division also in November 2011 at National Rail Museum, New Delhi.
Over 150 children from 30 schools had participated in the Philatelic Exhibitions and displayed their Stamp Collections. Over 6000 children had attended the exhibitions and over 1500 children had participated in the Painting Competitions, Quiz Competitions.
Source: PIB Release, January 20, 2012
Posted by: AIPEDEU,Odisha Circle.                                                                                                                                                     

Saturday, January 21, 2012

MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED TO SHRI SACHIN PILOT, HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON 21.01.2012


JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES
FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANIZATIONS
ALL INDIA POSTAL EXTRA DEPARTMENTAL EMPLOYEES UNION
NATIONAL UNION OF GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS
NEW DELHI
Ref: PJCA/GENL/2012                                                                                         Dated – 21.01.2012
To,
SHRI SACHIN PILOT
Minister of State for
Communications & Information Technology
Government of India, New Delhi - 110003
Respected Sir,
We record our immense pleasure for the kind gesture of the Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications & I. T. for arranging an interview with the staff unions to discuss the pending issues.
We record our sincere thanks to the Hon’ble Minister and we assure our fullest cooperation in the improvement of service to public. We further desire to bring the following issues which are pending for a long to the kind notice of Hon’ble Minister requesting his kind intervention for the mitigation of the same.

1.      Issue relating to Gramin Dak Sevaks

The following long pending issues of the three lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks may kindly be considered favourably.
(a)   Grant of civil servants status for all purposes.
(b)   25% outside quota recruitment in Postmen promotion may be withdrawn.
(c)    Enhancement of Bonus ceiling to Rs.3500/- at par with regular employees.
(d)   Revision of tightened norms for cash handling etc.
(e)   Stop reduction of existing allowance (TRCA) and grant full protection.
(f)     Review of the tightened norms for compassionate appointment.
(g)   Scraping of the newly notified “GDs Conduct and Engagement Rules” and restore previous “GDS Conduct and Employment Rules”.
(h)   Counting of GDS service for pension on promotion to the post of postmen and Group ‘D’ (MTS).

2.   Grant of Minimum Pay to the casual labourers working in postal department and regularization.
Despite crystal clear orders in existence to grant the minimum of Group ‘D’ Pay on pro-rata basis to the casual labourers as per the Sixth CPC report, it has not been extended so far to the casual, part-time, contingent employees working in the Postal department. There is an inordinate delay in releasing the orders. In all other departments pro-rata payment has already been made in the year 2008 itself. Notwithstanding the implementation of the recommendations of the committee on casual labour issues constituted by the Postal Board, it is requested to cause immediate orders to pay the minimum of the pay to the casual labourers w.e.f. 1.1.2006. Action may also be taken for regularization of the service of casual, part-time, contingent employees.

3.     Regularization of RTP Services and ending the discrimination between the restwhile RTPs
(i)                As per the Directorate letter dated 19.4.96, the implementation of the Ernakulam CAT judgment granting the past RTP service as regular service for all purposes was restricted only to the applicants of the O.A. This is against to the decisions of the various judicial pronouncements that the benefits should be extended to the similarly situated persons.
(ii)             During 1970 to 1974, even the pre training services of certain officials engaged as postal clerk were regularized. The RTPs were trained and utilized full time in the clerical posts to manage all the works of the post office. They were recruited only under the Postal Assistant recruitment Rules and no separate recruitment rules were framed at this time.
(iii)            The CAT, Chennai held that the services rendered by the ex RTPs at APS shall be counted as qualifying services for all purposes. The Chennai High Court, on appeal by the department has upheld the decision of the CAT in WP no 37117 to 37119 of 2002 and directed the department to extend the benefits. Based on this the service rendered by RTP was regularized for several APS RTPs.
(iv)            In another case, the Apex court under Civil Appeal No.5739 of2005 filed by Sri M. Mathivanan, Postal Asst, Cuddalore division upheld the decision of extending the benefits and dismissed the appeal filed by the department with costs. Several APS RTPS were regularized based on this also.
(v)             The Directorate has directed the Circle Heads to collect, compile and furnish details of ex-RTPs deputed to APS to consider for extending the benefits to all similarly situated persons. There after there is no action in this regard.
(vi)          The Mumbai High Court has also delivered favourable judgment in this regard on 31.8.2010.
(vii)         When the issue was earlier taken up through the Minister of State by our union, the department has called for the particulars about the RTPs from all circles vide its letter no 44-1/2011- SPB II dated 13.01.2011.
(ix)          We are not demanding the wages for the past periods and only seeking the service be taken for promotion. This will not affect any one’s seniority since during 1983 to 1989, there was no recruitment due to ban in filling up of vacant posts. By construing their service, they will get their LSG and other promotions earlier which will not have any financial benefits to them since all of them, by that time will be in Pay Band II. If their services of RTP are taken for MACP, they will get some monetary benefits for which also there is no provision in the existing rules.
Since this will not have any financial implications, it is requested to kindly consider the same without sticking to the Apex Court judgment issued in 1986 in different context in this case by brushing side the bare facts of justification and other subsequent judgments.

4. Creation of System Administrators cadre & extend other facilities
A rapid modernisation takes place in the department and around 1872 crores have been allotted for further extension of modernization. To modernize the existing Post offices, the role of the existing System Administrators are laudable. They are working from dawn to dusk for the efficient functioning of Pos in computers. But for their active involvement, the modernization of Postal Services could not be possible without incurring any expenditure to the department in the initial stage. Most of the softwares were developed by these section of employees. Now the Department is stating that creation of system Administrator posts is not viable. We have already dropped the demand of creation of System Administrators which carry 5400 Grade Pay as there is no full time justification for such post. ‘System Assistant’ cadre with Grade Pay of Rs.4200/- is in existence in other Government departments. Similar kind of System Assistant cadre may please atleast be created in the department and all the existing personnel may please be absorbed in the existing vacancies since the role of these Technocrats are very much essential for the maintenance of computers & software.

5.   Revision of OTA rates and stop recovery of OTA paid to the officials who are engaged compulsory on OTA overlooking the pay ceiling.
At present, over time Allowance is being paid at the rate of Rs.15.85 per hour which was fixed by the Fourth Pay Commission in 1987. There was to revision eventhough the committee of secretaries to look into the OTA issue has decided to continue the scheme of OTA without revising the rate of OTA. In the Railways the rate has already been revised. Further  the pay ceiling as fixed by 4th CPC as Rs. 2200/- P.M. has not also been revised. As per the new pay, almost all crossed the ceiling amount and they have been ordered to perform OTA compulsory and in many cases they have been charge sheeted for not performing OTA. The meager amounts paid at the rate of Rs. 15.85 has also been recovered subsequently. In all the departments, except Postal, the OTA rates have been revised.
It is therefore requested to kindly cause action to revise the OTA rates and waive the OTA amount already paid based on the duty performed due to unscientific application of OTA ceiling fixed by the 4th CPC.

6.      Grant of cash payment for uniforms and kit items for Postmen, Mailguard, MTS/Group ‘D’
At present the quantity of the uniform supplied is not good. Abnormal delay is also taking place. Action may be taken for cash payment for uniforms and kit items.

7.      Delay in filling up of vacancies in all cadres especially in Postal civil wing and Postal Accounts and Postmen cadre.
(a)              Even though Government has lifted ban on filling up of vacant posts in 2009 iteself, the recruitment process for filling up of vacant posts in civil wing and Postal Accounts are yet to be completed. Postmen posts are also lying vacant due to non-conducting examination. Action for filling up vacant posts in their cadres may also be expedited.
(b)              Further it is requested to take action to revive all the 2/3rd vacant posts kept in skeleton for the period from 2005 to 2008. In metro cities/sub urban areas additional justified Postmen post may be created. Action may also be taken to fill up all MTS posts.

8.      Decentralisation of PLI/RPLI work
It is requested to roll back the decentralization of PLI/RPLI work.

9.  Extend Apex court Judgement in the case of Relaxation of Recruitment Rules (RRR) candidates to all approved candidates awaiting absorption
It is requested to kindly extend the benefits already provided to RRR candidates of Tamilnadu circle to the similarly situated candidates, They are praying mercy and fair play from the Minister as they are being continuously engaged over 14 years and there is no chance for any employment at this stage.

10.  Convening the 11th Meeting of Postal Service Staff Welfare Board
The Hon’ble Minister of State for communication & IT has fixed to 11th meeting of postal services Staff Welfare Board on 05.04.2011 for discussions on 27 items in the agenda which was subsequently postponed. Almost all the items placed in the agenda are pertaining to the welfare of the staff. We request the Hon’ble Minister to convene the meeting and decide the items as notified in the agenda as welfare measure to Postal staff.

11.  Counting of Special pay to PO & RMS Accountants on TBOP promotion
For implementation of High Court, Karnataka judgment in W.P. No. 7593/2003 dt. 18.11.2010 on this issue, the Ministry of Law has opined that this is not a fit case by way of filing SLP before Apex Court. However, the Directorate has sought the opinion from all circles about filing SLP against Karnataka High Court orders. A kind attention is drawn to order 1 of Appendix 8 of FR & SR 1 which is stated inter alia: -
“The Special Pay would henceforth be termed as Special Allowance as recommended by 5th CPC in para 109.5 of the report and would be granted as hitherto fore subject to same conditions as are stipulated in FR 9 (25)”
(Dept of per & Trg OM No. 4/4/97-Estt (Pay II) dt. 22.4.1998)
The Karnataka High Court has upheld the order of Ministry of Personnel granting special Allowance subject to the same conditions of special pay vide FR 9 (25). In the Draft memo circulated by Directorate to all Heads of Circles seeking their opinion, the following are not reflecting the facts of the case.
i)        In para 6, 3rd line it has been mentioned that “special pay having been converted into special Allowance” ….. Whereas in Government order, “as per recommendations of 5th CPC, special pay has been termed as Special Allowance.”
ii)      In para 6, 9th line, it has been mentioned that “Payment of special pay was completely stopped,” – but the stoppage of special pay was not accepted by Govt. As per Vth CPC recommendations, the Special pay is now termed as Special Allowance and would be granted as hitherto are subject to same conditions as are stipulated in FR 9 (25)
Under these circumstances, it is not fair to move with SLP in this case as the DOPT vide its OM dated 22.04.1998 clearly stipulated that the special pay was now termed as special allowance subject to the same condition and as such the problem of pay fixation by taking Special Allowance can be sorted out.
It is therefore requested to kindly implement Karnataka High Court decision to all the similarly situated officials and render justice to the aggrieved officials.

12.  Recovery of alleged overpayment of pay and allowances to postman on account of fixation from the officials of Accounts branches of HPOs
The drawing & disbursing officers should not be made as scapegoats in this case.  According to Rule 87 of P&T FHB Vol I, any excess payment can be recovered at any time.  The Apex Court also confirmed that any excess paid due to administrative mistake, there is no rule which prohibits such recovery (Udaysankaran Vs. Union of India JT 1996 (4) SC).  The most pertinent point is that the Inspection Parties of ICI and Audit have approved and certified such drawal in many places.  There was confusion in interpreting the orders then for which Group C officials are becoming the victims.
On 13.1.09 The Secretary (P) assured to reconsider the issue and ensure no recovery on part of APM Accounts & Accountants. The Secretary observed as unfortunate in the case of Rule 14 initiated charges on the date of superannuation of Sri. V. V. Nargida, APM, Accounts Pune city as he did not pay Rs.727671.61 towards contributory factor for excess drawal to postmen on implementation of 5th CPC orders.
Instead of filing SLP against the decision of the principal CAT, the department has resorted to imposing recovery on APM Accounts and Accountants for the excess drawal resultantly, many officials were charge sheeted and lakhs of rupees is being ordered as recovery. This is totally unjust and against to the natural justice. The Secretary during the talks held on 10.01.2012 has agreed to consider the issue on humanitarian angle.
It is therefore requested to kindly protect the innocent officials from the recoveries arbitrarily imposed in many circles.

13. Denial of three MACP benefits to the Promotees in the Department of Posts
As the promotion to Postal Assistant acquired by writing competitive examination is equated with one MACP promotion, the senior promotees even after acquiring 30 years of service in Postal Assistant cadre could not get the benefits of Rs.4600/- Grade Pay under MACP, where as their juniors are reaching the benefits without any hurdle.
Similarly the Group ‘D’ promoted to Postmen and then appeared for Postal Assistant examination and becoming Postal Assistant could avail only upto Rs.2800 Grade Pay whereas he was earlier availed 4200 Grade Pay under the BCR Scheme. This has caused a resentment among the postal employees and the officials may be discouraged in writing promotional examination if this anomaly is not sorted out. It is requested to kindly consider that in the case of promotees, if they completed 10 years service in the cadre continuously they shall be accorded MACP promotion with next grade Pay.
Further application of bench mark shall be deleted upto pay band II levels as in the Postal there is no provision of review of C. R. entries at divisional level and whatever be the entry made by the divisional superintendent, it becomes final. It is requested to consider deletion of bench mark application in case of officials up to pay band II level in the Department of Post.

14.  Stop harassing staff on Contributory factors for simple and flimpsy reasons by misusing the provision of unbecoming of Govt. servant’ deviating the rules contained in Volume II, FHB etc.
The Directorate guidelines issued vide letter No. 6/8/59-Disc dt. 09.7.1959, 25/44/60-Disc dt. 30.11.60 and 15-9/74-INV dt. 10.02.75 and subsequent orders are being violated and the officials are being proceeded under contributory negligence factors on flimpsy reasons and awarded with huge recoveries. The provisions contained in Rule 106,107,108 & 111 of Postal volume III and the provisions of honest errors can be condoned contained in Rule 204 A (1) Vol. II and the provision of Rule 58, Appendix 4 of FHB Vol. I in dealing of recovery have been totally ignored and sidelined.
The main intention of the Govt. while deciding the degree of an officer’s pecuniary liability , it will be necessary to look not only to the circumstances on the cases but also to the financial circumstances of the officer since it should be recognized that the tendency should not be such as to impair his future efficiency.
We placed this item in the Departmental Council for issuing proper guidelines in deciding, such cases. But it is constrained that the orders issued vide letter No. 14013/03/2010 – VP dt. 22.06.2011 does no mention about all the above said provisions and not a speaking one. Resultantly no one is showing any cognizance to such clarification and innocents are being harassed continuously.
In many cases, the officials at the verge of retirement are being charge sheeted and amount recovered making them as scope goats – The real culprit and main offender become scot free. The main offenders are being dealt with casually. In many places instead of initiating action to recover the amount from the depositors in respect of minus balances, straightaway charge sheets are being issued to recover the amount. The contributory negligence provisions is being misused as a tool against the innocent employees.
It is therefore requested to direct the department to kindly cause appropriate instructions by citing all the above said orders on the subject and to avoid misuse of the provisions.
We seek the intervention of benign Hon’ble Minister of State on the above said items for the immediate settlement of these problems for which we will ever be grateful.
We assure our fullest cooperation in the improvement of service and providing better customer satisfaction to the public.
 Courtesy: aipeup3chq.com
 
Posted by: AIPEDEU, Odisha Ciecle.