NEW AMENDMENT TO CCS (LEAVE) RULES 1972-GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION ISSUED

POSTMEN /MAILGUARD & MTS EXAMINATION POSTPONED

DIRECTORATE HAS ISSUED ORDERS FOR POSTPONEMENT OF POSTMAN / MAIL GUARD EXAMINATION AND DIRECT RECRUITMENT EXAMINATION FOR MULTI TASKING STAFF (MTS) SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON 20.05.2012 INDEFINITELY, SINCE THE RECRUITMENT RULES FOR THE POSTS OF POSTMAN/MAIL GUARD AND MULTI TASKING STAFF ARE UNDER REVISION.

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NEW AMENDMENT TO CCS (LEAVE) RULES 1972-GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION ISSUED

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New system of bag number in Mail System

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

Mail Business (Development & Operations) Division

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,New Delhi-110 001

No. 18-7/APS-D                                            Dated   22.03.2012

To

          All Heads of Circles

Subject:_-Introduction of New system of bag number in Mail System  

          This has reference to Directorate memo of even number dated 15.11.2006 on the subject cited above, vide which a new system of bag number was introduced with effect from 1^st January, 2007.

1.            After a review of the functioning of the bag numbering system, it has been decided to discontinue  the bag number system with immediate effect.

2.            This may be brought to the notice of all concerned.

(Rishikesh)

Director (Mail Management)

Holiday

CLOSED HOLIDAY ON ACCOUNT OF THE BIRTHDAY OF

DR. B.R.AMBEDKAR 

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Rates on small savings schemes increased

Rates on small savings schemes increased

In its bid to render the National Small Savings Fund schemes more attractive to investors by way of returns and halt the tendency to switch over to bank deposit schemes, the government, on Monday, hiked the rates of interest on post office small savings plans by up to 50 basis points for the new fiscal year.

Accordingly, while the interest rate on savings deposits has been kept unchanged at 4 per cent — the same as in savings bank accounts — the rates for time deposits of one and two years stand increased by 50 basis points each to 8.2 per cent and 8.3 per cent, respectively.

For the more popular ‘monthly income scheme', however, the increase is slightly lower at 30 basis points and, thus, the interest rate for the five-year scheme stands pegged at 8.5 per cent while the interest on public provident fund has been upped from 8.6 per cent to 8.8 per cent.

The new rates are to come into effect from April 1 this year and remain valid for the whole of 2012-13.According to an official release here, the interest rate for three-year time deposits has been revised up from 8 per cent to 8.4 per cent while that for the five-year time deposit has been hiked to 8.5 per cent from 8.3 per cent. The five-year recurring deposit scheme will also fetch investors a higher interest of 8.4 per cent as compared to 8 per cent for the current fiscal.

Just as banks pay a higher return to senior citizens, the rate for senior citizens savings scheme has also been raised to 9.3 per cent from 9 per cent at present. Besides, the budget for 2012-13 has proposed a reduction in the age slab for the senior citizen category to 60 from 65.

The interest rate on the five-year and 10-year maturity National Savings Certificate has also been revised higher by 20 basis points each to 8.6 per cent and 8.9 per cent, respectively.

FEDERAL EXECUTIVE MEETING

Federal Executive meeting of NFPE was held at NFPE Office 1^st Floor North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi on 21.03.2012. The meeting was presided by Com. D.K. Rahate, President NFPE. Meeting commenced with paying homage to the martyrs and Comrades particularly Com. M.K. Pandhe, Ex. President & General Secretary C.I.T.U. and A.K. Tiwari Ex. Circle Secretary AIPEDEU, Jharkhand Circle, who lost their lives during this period.

The Federal Executive meeting was inaugurated by Com. C.C. Pillai Ex. Secretary General NFPE who elaborately pointed out the working class problems being imposed by the Govt. in the form of globalization policies. Com. K. Ragavendran Ex. Secretary General NFPE and Com. Des Raj Sharma Ex. Dy. Secretary General NFPE also graced the occasion by their valuable speech.

A Draft Report was presented by Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General NFPE on the activities during the period. He elaborately discussed all the issues related to the Postal and RMS employees and described in detail the discussions and settlement of items of Charter of Demands. He also informed that NFPE has been granted recognition by the Govt. of India and Now NFPE nominees will play their role in standing Committee and National Council JCM and will be enable to settle the issues at Govt. of India level.

The General Secretaries of affiliated unions i.e. Coms. K.V. Sridharan (P-III), Giri Raj Singh(R-3), S.K. Humayun (Dep. G/S P-IV), P. Suresh (R-4) Pranab Bhattacharjee (Admn. Union) T. Satyanarayana (Postal accounts), S. Appan Raj (SBCO) and Y. Nagabhushanam Working President Casual Labourers Union expressed their views on report and item related to their section.

All Office Bearers present in the meeting Coms. K.K. Sharma (Vice President, NFPE), I.S. Dabas(Dy. S/G, NFPE) , R.N. Parashar, S. Raghupathy and Ms. Seetha Laxmi (All ASG) and Raj Kumar Financial Secretary participated in deliberation.

President Com. D.K. Rahate conducted the house very effectively and concluded the meeting by offering vote of thanks to all.

CABINET CLEARS 7% DA HIKE FOR CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES AND DEARNESS RELIEF FOR PENSIONERS. THE NEW DA RATE OF 65 PER CENT OF BASIC PAY AGAINST 58 PER CENT EARLIER WILL BE APPLICABLE RETROSPECTIVELY FROM JANUARY 1, 2012.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANISATIONS

	Ref: JCA/AGTN/2012                                                                                                       Dated – 22.03.2012

To,

Mrs. Manjula Prashar

Secretary,

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001

Madam,

Sub: - Undue delay in settlement of agreed items on the Charter of Demands.

A kind attention is invited to the discussions we had during strike Charter of demands and also further assurances to us that unlike in the past whatever assured during discussions will be implemented without any delay.

But to our dismay, many of the assured items are still not disposed of favourably and even the clarifications assured to be issued are still pending. Further it is learnt that the Internal Finance is rejecting the assurances given by Minister for state for communication and also the Secretary, Department of Posts. which causes a serious concern.  The following are the few items in which categorical assurance had been ensured in the minutes of the meeting and also during discussions.

1.      Separate orders communicating the decision that no mail office will be closed for next three years and no dislocation of staff to places outside headquarters.

2.      Orders communicating the decisions about no closure/merger of Post offices if no simultaneous relocation is possible.

3.      Revision of wages to casual labourers & absorption.

4.      Revised recruitment Rules for Group D & Postman as agreed and syllabus for Group ‘D’ examination (25% from GDS) & Postmen/Mailguard.

5.      Revision of cash handling norms to GDS & ensuring no reduction of TRCA under any circumstances and enhancing the Bonus ceiling to 3500/- & revise the cash allowance to BPM at the rate of Rs.50/- per trip instead of month.

6.      Orders revising the instructions liberalizing the powers to the divisional heads instead of circle heads in case of tenure posting to C and B Class offices.

7.      Reiteration of earlier instructions on the Grant of Special pay to unqualified Accountants & Counting of Special Allowance for pay fixation without filling SLP against Bangalore High Court judgment.

8.      Circulation of clarification given to Punjab circle to the remaining circles also in respect of protection of pay of defunct PO & RMS Accountants.

9.      Orders on forcible allotment of staff quarters to the town SOs SPMs as post attached quarters.

10.  Non supply of balance statement of NPS to the official as on 31.03.2011.

11.  Enhancement of financial powers to LSG, HSG II & HSG I.

12.  Enhancing the honorarium for invigilators engaged in departmental examinations.

13.  Allowing the physically handicapped candidates for appearing IPO examinations.

14.  Orders on drawl of Cash handling allowance to Treasurers, Accountants irrespective of their position in MACP.

15.  Finalisation of cadre review proposals before 31.3.2012.

16.  Payment of incentive instead of honorarium for attending the PLI/RPLI work at divisional offices after decentralization.

17.  Orders for repatriation of officials deputed for PLI/RPLI work to CO/RO to their home divisions.

18.  Allowing the Postmaster’s cadre officials to appear for IPO/PSS Group B examination.

19.  Orders permitting the Postmaster Cadre officials to officiate in HSG I vacancies.

20.  DO letter from Member (P) to all circle heads to fill up all posts of Sorting Postmen, Mail overseer, cash overseer & Head Postmen.

21.  Allowing MTS to decline promotion to postmen cadre under seniority quota without loosing MACP promotion.

22.  Reiteration of instructions for rotational transfer for SBCO staff by notifying cluster of divisions.

23.  Issue instructions to all for ensuring filling up of all sanctioned LR posts.

24.  Prompt grant of child care leave – Issue of instructions.

25.  Clarifications to be issued on MACP as agreed upon on the following:

(i)     MACP will not be deferred on the ground at contemplated disciplinary/vigilance proceedings.

(ii)   Instructions on review of ACRs/APARs by scrutiny committees.

(iii) Recovery orders by DAP in the matter of pay fixation on MACP in case of MTS

(iv)  Cases relating to declining promotion prior to issue of MACP order (Prior to 2009)

26.  Issuing clear instructions to all Chief PMGs that in the city areas where RO/Cos are situated decentralisation of RPLI/PLI should not be done to city Postal Divisions, instead the work will be done by RO/CO staff as done before.

27.  Issuing orders on the items finalized by the Postmen committee and also follow up action on certain items to be referred to work study unit.

28.  Cadre-restructuring and settlement of Group D and sorter anomaly issues relating to Postal Accounts.

29.  Follow up action on civil wing employees issues.

30.  Examination of CRC & EPP norms.

Apart from the above, the minutes of the standing committee (JCM) and also the reply to the items already discussed in the strike charter but included on JCM items are yet to be issued.

It is constrained to inform that in the event of non settlement of the above items within one month we have decided to observe one day token fast in front of Directorate by all the General Secretaries.

We trust that your will effectively intervene and maintain tranquility in service.

With profound regards,

           

D. Theagarajan                                                                                   M. Krishnan

Secretary General                                                                               Secretary General

              FNPO                                                                                                   NFPE

NFPE & FNPO MEET SECRETARY , DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

NFPE & FNPO MEET SECRETARY , DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

Secretary Generals NFPE & FNPO along with General Secretaries met Secretary, Department of Posts, today (22.03.2012) and discussed the following issues.

(a) Issues arising out of implementation of L1, L2 concept in RMS

(b) Delay in implementing the written assurances given by Secretary (Posts) with particular reference to Casual labourers issue and GDS issues.

Two letters were submitted to the Secretary (Posts) on the above issues which are published in this website. Secretary (Posts) assured as follows:

(a) A meeting with Member (Operations) will be arranged shortly to discuss the staff side suggestions on L1, L2.

(b) Secretary (Posts) will personally intervene to ensure that follow up action on the assurances given by Secretary (Posts) is taken by the concerned officers.

(c) Regarding casual labourer’s case final decision on the committee report will be taken without any further delay.

The staff side made it clear that if no result oriented action is taken within one month, the JCA leaders shall sit on hunger fast in front of Dak Bhawan.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANISATIONS

 

Ref: JCA/AGTN/2012                                                                                     Dated – 22.03.2012

To,

Mrs. Manjula Prashar

Secretary,

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001

Madam,

Sub: - Issues arising out of implementation of L1, L2 concept in RMS – request for discussions – reg.

As you are aware the L1, L2 concept has been implemented in RMS w.e.f. 15.02.2012. Almost one and a half month is over now. During the January 2012 strike discussions, it was assured that any issues arising out of implementation of the L1, L2 concept, will be discussed with the staff side. Earlier when speed post hub system was introduced a committee under your chairpersonship has been constituted by the Directorate with Secretary General of NFPE and FNPO and staff side has been given enough opportunity to submit and discuss the problems relating to speed post hub system. Finally the following consensus was also arrived at.

(a)   Wherever required, more intra – circle hubs will be opened. Chief PMG’s have been directed to submit proposals. Staff side also submitted its proposal.

(b)   Regarding the change of administrative jurisdiction to RMS Superintendents, instructions were issued to the Chief PMGs to decide the issue at their own level.

Based on the above decisions most of the issues relating to speed post hub could be settled, but still in some circles the Chief PMGs have not taken any result-oriented action. This needs further discussions at Directorate level.

Now after implementation of L1, L2 many issues have cropped up which are to be discussed urgently for finding out remedial measures. Based on the experience at field level during the last one and a half month period, the staff side submit the following suggestions for immediate discussion and settlement with regard to L1, L2.

(a)   There is an urgent need to convert certain existing L2 hubs into L1 in each circle. Similarly the necessity of opening of some new L1 hub at some new locations is also required. The staff side is ready to submit its proposal.

(b)   Regarding closing of bags direct bags are to be closed from L2 to the L1 (to which it is mapped) and also to all other L2 offices under the same L1, to avoid delay and accumulation for mails at L1.

(c)    Direct bags are to be closed from all L1 to all other L2 (under other L1) also to avoid delay and heavy accumulation of mails at L1 offices.

(d)   Inspite of oral and written assurance given by Secretary, Department of Posts, certain CPMGs/PMGs are trying to transfer the staff outside their headquarters. Clear instructions should be issued to all CPMGs/PMGs to avoid transfer of staff outside their headquarters without request.

In view of the above, we request you to

(i)        either to revive the MNOP committee constituted under the chairmanship of Member (Operations) and hold discussion with staff side to arrive at a concensus.

(ii)      or to hold discussion with the staff side at your level.

This may be done at an early date.

We hope that through mutual discussions most of issues arising out of implementation of L1, L2 and remaining issues regarding speedpost hubs can be resolved amicably.

Awaiting favourable response.

Yours faithfully,

M. Krishnan                                               D.Theagarajan                                                                                   Secretary General                                       Secretary General

NFPE                                                       FNPO                                                                                                  

CLOSING OF RMS CENTRE

No Railway Mail Service in (RMS) office has been closed in the country. However, merger or physical relocation of some offices with other RMS offices has been carried out as part of operational needs. Detail of merged/ physically relocated offices are given in the following table.

Details of RMS Offices Merged/ Physically Relocated

S. No.	Name of RMS Office	Merged or Physically relocated	Merged/ Physically relocated with (Name of office)	City	State
1.	TD Sorting, Bangalore	Merged	Bangalore City RMS	Bangalore	Karnataka
2.	CRC Museum Road, Bangalore	Merged	Registration Centre, Bangalore City RMS	Bangalore	Karnataka
3.	Hyderabad Air Sorting, Hyderabad	Merged	Hyderabad Sorting	Hyderabad	Andhra Pradesh
4.	GDK Sorting, Delhi	Merged	Automated Mail Sorting Centre, Delhi	Delhi	Delhi
5.	Delhi RMS (Unregistered)	Merged	Automated Mail Sorting Centre, Delhi	Delhi	Delhi
6.	Delhi International Mail Centre	Physically relocated	Foreign Post, Delhi	Delhi	Delhi

The employees working in the RMS offices which have been merged/ physically relocated are working at the new location in the same city. This information was given in Lok Sabha today by Shri Sachin Pilot,Minister of State, Communication and Information Technology in response to a question.

BK/AT(PIB)

EXPANSION OF POSTAL AND TELECOM CIRCLES

There is no proposal for expansion of Postal Circles. However, modernization of Post Offices in all Postal Circles is underway. The Government has initiated a project called “Project Arrow” for modernization of Postal Circles across the country. The project envisages upgradation of post offices in urban and rural areas both in terms of upgrading and enhancing the quality of service in ‘core areas’ and improving their ‘look and feel’. The project aims at creating a conducive and friendly work environment both for the staff and the customers visiting the Post Offices, providing connectivity, and improving the service quality levels in the core business areas. The Government has also approved a proposal for IT modernization of all Post Offices of Department of Posts. During 2011-12, for computerization of Post Offices, an amount of Rs.90.39 crores approximately was spent. For Project Arrow, during 2012-13, an outlay of Rs.84.00 crores has been earmarked to cover 500 post offices throughout the country. The Government has approved the Modernization Project for a total plan out lay of Rs.1877.2 crores. The Modernization Project of the Department of Posts includes computerization of all the non-computerised Post Offices in the country including supply of Rural ICT Hardware devices and peripherals in the Branch Post Offices in the Rural Areas, development of scalable, integrated and modular software covering all the operations of Department of Posts and establishment of required IT infrastructure. The implementation of this Project has been proposed through eight RFPs. The functional RFPs are at various stages of finalization. The rollout of the Project is expected to be completed by 2014. Thereafter, Circle-wise allocation will be made As regards Telecom Circles, the information is being collected and will be presented immediately on being made available by Department of Telecommunications. This information was given in Lok Sabha today by Shri Sachin Pilot, the Minister of State, Communication and Information Technology in response to a question.

EXPANSION OF POSTAL SERVICES

The Government has formulated comprehensive working plan for the development, expansion and modernization of postal services. Under this, major activities , as laid out in XII Five Year Plan, include opening of branch Post Offices, setting up of Automatic Mail Processing Centers, development and deployment of Rural ICT solution, deployment of Core Banking, increasing insurance cover, establishment of Parcel and Logistics Post Hubs, up gradation of Speed Post Centers, Human Resource Training to Personnel, construction of Post offices/administrative offices, installation of Solar Power Packs and setting up of Postal Training Centers.

The proposed financial allocation for the XII Five Year Plan, in this regard is Rs. 12,000 crore. As for setting up of Speed Post Centres, the erstwhile Centres have been reconstructed in the form of Speed Post Sorting Hubs for operational purposes. Sorting hubs have been set up taking into account the following factors:-

(i) Speed Post Mail handled by a city/town

(ii) Connectivity of city/town in terms of air, rail and road.

(iii) Distance of a city proposed for sorting hub from post offices and other hubs; and

(iv) Mail generations potential of the city/town under consideration.

No new Speed Post Sorting Hubs are proposed for opening in the next two years. The total number of complaints received for speed post articles in 2011 are 1,48,381 out of which 67,420 were for late delivery and 80,961 for non-delivery. A mechanism has been set up in the Department of Posts for prompt disposal of complaints through Customer Care Centre in all Postal Divisions. Instructions are issued to Divisions for cent-percent handling and settlement of web-based complaints. While specific instances are resolved individually, system defects that come to notice are rectified to avoid recurrence of such instances.

This information was given in Lok Sabha today by Shri Sachin Pilot, the Minister of State, Communication and Information Technology in response to a question.