Directorate has proposed to send a 15 member delegation of union leaders to Germany for study of foreign postal administration.The proposed tour is study the German Postal System from 9th March to 12the March 2009 subject to approval of the Screening Committee of Ministry of Finance.From our Association myself and Smt. Shilpa Uday Rane, ASP C.O., Mumbai have been selected.
I will be on tour during the above said period.This is for your information.
S.Samuel, General Secretary
Official side
1.Secretary, Deptt. of Pers. & Training .......... Chairman 2.Member (Staff) Railway Board. 3.Secretary Deptt. of Telecommunications 4.Secretary Deptt. of Posts 5.Financial Adviser (Defence) 6.Ministry of Defence Joint Secretary (Pers) 7.Ministry of Finance Joint Secretary (E) 8.Deptt. of Personnel & Training.Deputy Secretary (JCA) 9.Deptt. of Personnel & Training Member-Secretary
Staff side
1. Shri. U.M.Prohit 2. Shri.M.Raghavaiah 3. Shri. Rakhal Das Gupta 4. Shri. R.P.Bhatnagar 5. Shri. Guman Singh 6. Shri. C.Srikumar 7. Shri. S.K.Vyas 8. Shri. Ch. Sankara Rao 9. Shri. K.S.Murthy 10. Shri. R.Srinivasan 11. Shri. K.K.N. Kutty 12. Shri. S.G. Mishra
4. Re-organisation of Sub Divisions
There is a proposal in the Department to place all Sub Divisions under the control of ASPs. The existing Sub Divisional Inspectors will be attached to respective Divisions. In this process around 450 Sub Divisions which are presently manned by Inspectors will be upgraded to ASP, Sub Division. ASP, Sub Division will be wholly incharge of administrative work. He/She will be allotted inspection work to certain percentage. The remaining work related to inspection and visits will be fully allotted to the IPs attached to Divisions. All the posts of ASP (HQ) will be shifted to Sub Divisions. ASP (HQ) will be manned by Inspector Posts with the redesignation – Inspector (Admin). All the post of ASP (OD) or ASP(R) will remain with Divisional office as it is. Writing CRs, sanction of GPF and power like such will be conferred on all ASP, Sub Divisions. All Sub Divisions will be provided with Lap-top. ASP, Sub Divisions will be conferred with certain amount of Administrative and financial powers. This matter was discussed with me in detail by the officers in Directorate.
Suggestions and views are invited from Circle Secretary & all Members of our Association. Please also guide the CHQ in this matter after discussion with members of your circle.
S.Samuel GS
Sub: Visit to Directorate on 21st to 23rd January 2009
Visited Directorate along with our CHQ Treasurer, Sri.S.Ravi & our former President Sri.P.R.Satyanarayanan (now Retd.). Called on the Secretary (Posts) on 21st January 2009 and expressed my gratitude for the concern shown by the respected Madam on our cadre.
1. The matter regarding delay in convening DPC for promotion to the cadre of PS Group ‘B’ was brought to the notice of DG and a Memorandum was given requesting the Department to convene DPC early and release the list by June every year to suit to the academic needs of our wards. Copy of the letter is attached.
2. The problem relating to claiming of TA/DA by producing ‘food bill’ was also discussed in detail with DG, Member (P) & DDG (Estt.). We have already taken up the case during November 2008. The Department has also strongly recommended our demand and sent letter to Ministry of Finance requesting to issue orders for waiver of food bill. But the Finance Ministry refused to budge in. There was enormous pressure from other Departments and Ministries also. We presented another Memorandum on 21st January 2009 to reconsider the case. IPs & ASPs are touring extensively in rural areas. They are compelled to take food in the hotels/food courts in villages which are normally substandard and unhygienic. They do not issue cash receipt/bills. In the absence of food bills we cannot claim the TA/DA. We are the most affected lot. So we required DG to once again take up the case with Finance Ministry. Copy of our letter dated 21.1.09 is attached for your information. Our demand was accepted and the Ministry of Finance has issued orders to the effect that Daily Allowance can be claimed at old rates if food bills are not produced and DA can be claimed at new rates if food bills are produced. Copy of the Memo No.19030/3/2008-E.IV dated 22.1.09 received from Ministry of Finance is attached.
3. The following cases have also been taken up with the Department for early settlement:
(a) Up-gradation of 240 posts – implementation of Second Cadre review recommendations. (II CRC)
(b) Early finalisation of DPC for promotion to the cadre of Group ‘Á’(JTS)
(c) Permission for reimbursement of mobile phone recharge coupon to IP/ASP of all Circle, uniformly.
4. Re-organisation of Sub Divisions
There is a proposal in the Department to place all Sub Divisions under the control of ASPs. The existing Sub Divisional Inspectors will be attached to respective Divisions. In this process around 450 Sub Divisions which are presently manned by Inspectors will be upgraded to ASP, Sub Division. ASP, Sub Division will be wholly incharge of administrative work. He/She will be allotted inspection work to certain percentage. The remaining work related to inspection and visits will be fully allotted to the IPs attached to Divisions. All the posts of ASP (HQ) will be shifted to Sub Divisions. ASP (HQ) will be manned by Inspector Posts with the redesignation – Inspector (Admin). All the post of ASP (OD) or ASP(R) will remain with Divisional office as it is. Writing CRs, sanction of GPF and power like such will be conferred on all ASP, Sub Divisions. All Sub Divisions will be provided with Lap-top. ASP, Sub Divisions will be conferred with certain amount of Administrative and financial powers. This matter was discussed with me in detail by the officers in Directorate.
Suggestions and views are invited from Circle Secretary & all Members of our Association.
5. Upgradation of Pay Scales
We have already presented a Memorandum in detail regarding the pay anomaly, arisen out of implementaion of 6th Central Pay Commission. Now the Government of India has issued orders to form Anomaly Committee by the respective Department headed by an Officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary & to settle all pay related anomalies within a period of 6 months. An Anomaly Committee will be constituted by our Department very soon. We have to present our case before the Committee. A Memorandum addressed to the Chairman, Pay Anomaly Committee, Department of Posts is prepared for presentation. Copy of the same is attached for information to all members.
Your General Secretary was earlier allotted to Maharashtra Circle on promotion to PS Group ‘B’ cadre. Now the order has been modified and allotted to Postal Directorate. I am likely to join as AD (Rural Business) in the Directorate during the month of March 2009.
Wish you all the best.
(S.Samuel) General Secretary
Respected Madam,
Sub: Selections for promotion to PS Group-B.
Ref: Dte. Memo No.No. 9-31/2008 – SPG dated 26.12.2008.
For promotion to PS.Gr. B, ACRs of 380 officers were last called for as early as 23rd April 2008. It was stipulated therein that the ACRs and other documents be sent before 15.5.2008. It was also mentioned in the circular calling for ACRs that the vacancy position as on 31.3.2009 be taken into account.
This Association has been periodically reminding the Department to release the select list at the earliest. It was learnt that the DPC for the same was held on 25.11.2008. But the select list containing 146 officers was ultimately released only on 26.12.2008. But several Circles are still to release posting orders even for officers allotted to their home Circles. Thanks to our respected Secretary, a supplementary list of 15 officers have been released on 20.1.2009.
The Department has taken more than 8 months to release the first select list. It is for the information of the respected Secretary that out of 146 officers, 9 officers are due to retire before 31.3.2009. The list strangely contains the name of one more officer who has already passed P.S. Gr. B Examination. (Sl. no. 85 ).
The list is replete with mistakes in the name of officers. If this is allowed to remain on record, only the incorrect names of officers would be reflected in the Gazette notification.
After the implementation of sixth Pay commission recommendations, 1st July of every year would be crucial date for drawing the increment and service exceeding six months would count for the next increment. Since the list was released on 26.12.2008, most of the officers are yet to assume the promotional post. As a result, the services of these officers till 30th June 2009 would not count for increment. This has happened due to the abnormal delay in releasing the select list.
The earlier select list was released in the month of October 2007. The Department has taken more than 14 months to release the list for the year 2008. We are sorry to inform that the Department does not appear to have any firm commitment to release promotional orders with in a definite period and at regular intervals, and the Department takes unduly long time to finalise the select list. As mentioned above, the selected officers either retire or lose many promotional benefits. It is therefore requested that from the year 2009 onwards, firm time table may kindly be caused to be drawn up and list arranged to be released within 5-6 months from the date of calling for the ACRs. It was the practice to call for the ACRs in January every year and release the list by June-July of the same year. It would be more convenient if the same practice is strictly followed. This would also suit the academic calendar and many avoidable hardships would be reduced as a result.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
(S.Samuel) General Sec retary
Respected Madam,
Sub: Daily Allowance on Tour - reg.
Ref: Notification No. GOI. MOF. F No. 19030/3/2008-EIV dated 23.09.2008 & clarification dated 19.11.2008.
Payment of Daily Allowance on Tour has been revised radically. Daily allowance can now be claimed as ‘reimbursement of hotel accommodation/guest house’ and reimbursement of ‘food bills’ not exceeding the limits prescribed for respective ‘grade pay’.
The present orders are not implementable in letter and spirit. The present order makes provision only for reimbursement of ‘food bills’. The letter dated 19.11.2008 issued in clarification does not answer many of the doubts. The sanctioning authorities are also reluctant to pas the TA Bills in the absence of clear cut instructions/clarifications.
As already submitted by this Association in our representation dated 5.11.2008, the TA bills of many IPs/ASPs are kept pending for months together. The IPS/ASPs are also not able to produce ‘food bills’ due to the fact the tour involves predominantly semi-urban/rural areas and there are no recognized food courts as in major cities. It would not be possible to produce any food bills and thus claim reimbursement for the same.
The order authorizes payment by the Head of the Department/Controlling officer at the rate equivalent to that provided for re-imbursement of food bill. The duties performed by the Inspector Posts, Assistant Superintendents Posts, and Divisional Superintendents are quite unique and therefore, it is requested that suitable clarifications may kindly be caused to be issued early so that no ambiguity exits in sanctioning the tour TA bills.
Yours sincerely,
/S. Samuel/
General Secretary
Copy of Office Memorandum No.19030/3/2008-E.IV dated 22.1.2009
Subject: Travelling Allowance Rules – Implementation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission
Consequent upon the issue of this Department’s OM of even numbr dated 23.9.2008 and 19.11.2008 on the subject cited above, references have been received regarding para 3 of OM dated 23.9.2008 on daily allowance on tour.
2. Keeping in view the references received, it is advised that “Rates of Daily Allowance on Tour” may be regulated either in accordance with the provisions of this Department’s OM dated 23.9.2008, or as per the old rates prevalent prior to the issue of the said OM, whichever is claimed by the employee. The option to claim will be available as a complete package for a particular tour and not by taking part of either orders. In other words, officers may choose to be governed either by orders dated 23.09.2208 or dated 17th April, 1998, in regard to daily allowance on tour.
3. In case the rate of Daily Allowance on tour is regulated as per old rates prevalent prior to issue of the said OM, dated 23.9.2008, (a) the revised pay range, i.e. pay in the pay band for the purpose of regulation of Daily Allowance only would be as under:
| Pay range (as per OM) | Revised pay in the pay band |
| Rs.16,400 and above | Rs.30,500 and above |
| Rs.8,000 and above but less than Rs.16,400 | Rs.15,000 and above but less than Rs.30,500 |
| Rs.6,500 and above but less than Rs.8,000 | Rs.12,500 and above but less than Rs.15,000 |
| Rs.4,100 and above but less than Rs.6,500 | Rs.8,000 and above but less than Rs.12,500 |
| Below Rs.4,100 | Below Rs.8,000 |
In respect of officers in HAG + and the apex scale, the basic pay as defined in CCS (RP) Rules will be considered for determination of entitlement of Daily Allowance.
b) The classification of cities/towns, as per orders prevalent with the old rates as precluded vide OM dated 17.04.1998 will continues to apply.
4. TA claims already settled as on the date of issue of these orders may not be re-opted.
(Sd)
(Karan Singh)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Respected Madam,
Sub: Implementation of Second Cadre Review – reg.
The accepted recommendations of Second review, finalized in the year 1990, are pending implementation even after 18 years. In this connection, we request your kind attention to our earlier letter dated 25.08.2008 requesting for early clearance of the proposal.
The proposal has undergone several changes. But it has not been implemented even after satisfactory changes to suit the emerging needs of the Department. This Association has taken passive and earnest efforts to persuade the Department to implement the second cadre Review in the best acceptable format. The Association has always leant constructive support to the proposals by suggesting the best possible course to ensure early implementation combined with an assurance to improve productivity significantly.
The Department has been time and again assuring us to implement the second CRC at the earliest. The last initiative taken by the Department just before the announcement of sixth pay commission has only ended with the advice from MOF to refer the proposal to Sixth CPC and the matter stood before the sixth CPC. However, as the terms of reference did not provide for consideration of such issues, the Commission has deliberately refrained from making any recommendation in this regard. Due to the non-implementaion of the proposal for the past eighteen years, many IPs and ASPs have retired without even reaching P.S.Gr. ‘B’. After more than 25 years of service, IP& ASP, IPs are still waiting to be promoted to P.S. Gr. B in their normal turn.
As already requested, the Association requests the Secretary (P) to take immediate efforts to implement the second cadre review recommendations. The members of this Association have remained committed to improving the service and to implement the various promotional programmes and policies of the Department. The Association fervently requests the Department to take immediate steps to implement the second CRC at an early date.
Yours sincerely,
/S. Samuel/
General Secretary
Respected Madam,
Sub: Permission to avail mobile recharge coupons –reg.
The Inspectors and Assistant Superintendent Posts are now being entrusted with activities like marketing departmental products like RPLI, Business Post etc. in addition to their normal field activities. In this process, the IPs and ASPs are required to frequently contact the customers to achieve their target and also to help the customers in extending the required timely guidance/assistance. Due to the availability of mobile telephones, all IPs/ASPs are using their personal mobile phones in the interest of service.
The Department is already reimbursing land line Telephone Bills to IPs and ASPs. Understanding the invaluable utility value of the mobile phones in the interest of service, some of the Circles are already reimbursing telephone bills, both land line and mobile, subject to a maximum limit. But some Circles are still reluctant to reimburse the mobile telephone bills. But the administration continues to utilize the personal mobile phones for official purposes without showing any consideration.
In the present days, effective and timely consideration is a must and it also saves lot of time and money. The Department is reaping the real benefits of the personal mobile phones of IPs and ASPs. It is therefore requested that suitable instructions may kindly be caused to be issued to all Circles so that they also reimburse the mobile and land line bills of all IPs and ASP, subject to the monetary limits prescribed by the administrative heads depending upon the nature of the job performed by them.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
(S.Samuel)
General Secretary
