NEWS FLASH

ON THE ISSUES OF CASUAL LABOR AS PER THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING WITH UNIONS ON 21-5-2012 ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT VIDE ITEM NO. 3 :-

 A comprehensive proposal in the matter of casual labourers will be formulated by 30^th June 2012.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING DATED 21.05.2012 TAKEN BY SECRETARY (POSTS) WITH POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION (PJCA) COMPRISING OF NFPE, FNPO AND ITS AFFILIATED ASSOCIATIONS.

Subject:-  Minutes of the meeting taken by Secretary (P) with Postal Joint Council of Action on 21.05.2012 at 11 hrs. in Dak Bhawan.

            D.G. Posts No. 8/15/2011-SR (ATR)                 Dated: -    ^th May, 2012

            Please find enclosed minutes of the meeting taken by Secretary (P) with Postal Joint Council of Action on 21.05.2012 at 11 hrs. in Dak Bhawan.

 

2.         It is requested to take necessary follow up action urgently under intimation to SR Section. 

(Subhash Chander)

Director (SR & Legal)

To

1. CGM (PLI)/ CGM(BD&M)/ CGM (MB & O)/ DDG(Estt.)/ DDG(P)/

DDG(RB)/ DDG(E&MM)/ DDG(FS)/ DDG(PAF)/ DDG(R&P)/

CE(Civil)

2. PPS to Secretary (Posts) / Sr.PPS/PPS to Member (P)/

Member(O)/ Member(Plg.)/ Member(Tech.)/ JSFA

3. Shri M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE

4. Shri D. Theagarajan, Secretary General, FNPO

5. General Secretaries of the Unions constituent to the PJCA

MINUTES OF THE MEETING DATED 21.05.2012 TAKEN BY SECRETARY (POSTS) WITH POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION (PJCA) COMPRISING OF NFPE, FNPO AND ITS AFFILIATED ASSOCIATIONS.

            Secretary (Posts) took a meeting with PJCA on 21.05.2012 to take stock of the follow up action in regard to the discussions held in the meetings dated 10.01.2012 and 12.01.2012.

            The gist of discussions, ad seriatim, is as follows:

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.

            Instructions issued vide letter No.28-8/2011-D dated 14.05.2012.  Further discussions in this regard to be held with Member (Operations) on 29.05.2012 (AN).

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

            As discussed, a copy of the instructions issued vide letter No.40-6/2011-Plg (A) dated 21.2.2012 has been made available to PJCA.   

3.         Revision of wages of casual labourers and absorption.

            A comprehensive proposal in the matter of casual labourers will be formulated by 30^th June 2012.

4.         Revised recruitment rules for group-D & postman as agreed and syllabus for group-D examination (25% from GDS) & Postmen/Mailguard.

            Revised rules of recruitment for group-D and Postmen will be notified shortly.

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.

            The issue regarding non reduction of TRCA is under active consideration of the Department.  The issue of bonus ceiling in respect of GDS has not found favour with the Ministry of Finance. The revision of cash allowance of BPM is being processed.

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.

            The order will be issued shortly.

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

            In the wake of advice of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, there is no alternative but to file an SLP in the Apex Court.

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

            The Integrated Finance Wing (IFW) has sought some further inputs on the issue and action is being taken thereon.  Once it is cleared by the IFW, it will be circulates to all heads of circles.

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

            Instructions have been issued vide letter No.18-9/2010-Bldg. dated 10.5.2012.

10.       Non supply of balance statement of NPS to the official as on 31.3.2012.

            The PJCA was informed that the statement of transactions of the subscriber for the period from 1.4.2010 to 30.6.2011 had already been dispatched to the subscribers in the form approved by PFRDA by NSDL, Mumbai vide letter dated 19.9.2011 and information in this regard was sent to all Directors of Accounts (Postal) vide letter dated 18.11.2011.  The contention of the PJCA was that no such statement was received by the subscribers till date.   The matter will be checked up with Postal Accounts Wing again and further clarification in this regard will be sent to the PJCA shortly.

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

            The proposal is under examination in consultation with the Integrated Finance   Wing.

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

            The rates for honorarium for invigilators were revised vide letter dated 26.4.2011.

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

            The issue is under active consideration in consultation with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

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

            The PJCA was informed that a reference in this regard had been made to the Department of Personnel and Training.  However, their contention was that it being a case of financial upgradation,  the proposal should not have been referred to the DOPT.  The position will be checked up for further course of action.

15.       Finalisation of cadre review proposals before 31.3.2012.

            It was decided to formulate a proposal by 30^th June 2012 for further examination in consultation with the nodal ministries. 

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

The issue of payment of incentive is under process and PLI Directorate is being asked to get it expedited.

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

            Suitable instructions in this regard have already been issued to heads of circles.  However, the view point of the PJCA was that  instead of only forwarding the minutes of the meeting,  the PLI Directorate should have issued detailed instructions clearly spelling out the course of action to be taken by the heads of circles  in this regard as well as in regard to decentralization of PLI, RPLI work.   PLI Dte. will be asked to do the needful.

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

            The issued was discussed at length and it was decided to review it after some time keeping in view the merits and demerits of the proposal as well as the response of the officials opting for Postmasters cadre.

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

            The issue was discussed at length and it was decided to review it after some time keeping in view the merits and demerits of the proposal as well as the response of the officials opting for Postmasters cadre.

20.       D.O  letter from Member (P) to all circle heads to fill up all posts of Sorting Postmen, Mail Overseer, Cash Overseer & Head Postmen.

            Instructions were issued vide Member (P)’s D.O. letter No. 37-4/2012/SPB-I          dated 19.4.2012.

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

            Suitable instructions in this regard will be issued shortly.

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

            Instructions issued vide letter No. 141-91/2012-SPB-II dated 2.4.2012.

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

            It was decided to examine the matter in consultation with all heads of circles with           an idea to have a clear picture of sanctioned LR posts, in the first instance.

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

            Instructions reiterated vide letter No. 51-3/2011/SPB-2 dated 10.5.2012.

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

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

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

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

(i) Cases relating to declining promotion prior to issue of MACP order (prior to 2009).

            Suitable instructions regarding (i) above are under issue.  Instructions regarding (ii) have already been issued.  The issues raised at serial number (iii) (iv) are under examination.  The PJCA requested for issue of an early order in respect of cases where the officials declined promotion prior to issue of MACP order in 2009.

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

            The PLI Directorate will be asked to issue detailed instructions in the matter of decentralization of PLI/RPLI instead of merely forwarding the minutes of the meeting.

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.

            A committee constituted to consider the issues relating to Postmen has already submitted the report.  The recommendations of the committee are under process. 

28.       Cadre-structuring and settlement of Group-D and Sorter anomaly issues relating to Postal Accounts. 

            The matter will be pursued further with Postal Accounts Wing and Establishment Division and the PJCA will be kept apprised of the progress in this regard.

29.       Follow up action on civil wing employees issues.

            The recruitment rules are presently pending with Ministry of Law and Justice.  Will be notified immediately after it is cleared and further action to fill up the posts will be taken.

30.       Examination of CRC & EPP norms.

            It was decided to have a meeting with Member (Operations) on 29.5.2012 (AN) to discuss the norms.

            Before concluding the deliberations, Secretary (Posts) brought to the notice of the PJCA about the serious problem which Department is facing in the form of abstraction  of articles from Postal parcels and regarding delayed dispatch, mis-sorting & delivery of Speed Post articles.  The PJCA was informed that lot of complaints have come from Hon’ble Members of Parliament also through news papers alleging abstraction of articles by Postal employees which is adversely affecting the image of the Department,  besides affecting parcel post traffic.  Secretary (Posts) desired all members of PJCA may advise the employees of the Department to desist  from adopting such anti departmental activities, which are detrimental to both the Department as well as its employees during course of their meetings/conferences and consultations etc.

            The meeting ended with vote of thanks to the Chair. 

TRADE UNIONS OPPOSE PETROL PRICE HIKE BY PROTEST RALLIES ON 30 & 31.05.2012

TRADE UNIONS OPPOSE PETROL PRICE HIKE BY PROTEST RALLIES ON 30 & 31.05.2012

our deep condolences on the demise of com. parul bose, wife of com. k.g. bose

COM.PARUL BOSE,WIFE OF COM. K.G. BOSE PASSED AWAY  TODAY EARLY MORNING[27-5-20120].

SHE WAS A TRADE UNION LEADER HER SELF AND HAD TO FACE ASSAULT DURING THE SEMI FACIST PERIOD IN WEST BENGAL.

WE CONVEY OUR HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES.

RED SALUTE TO COM. PARUL BOSE.

OUR UNION EXPRESS HEART FELT CONDOLENCES AND DIP OUR BANNER .

INSTRUCTIONS TO CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

Dear comrades,

 NFPE  fixed quota of 100 members from casual union to participate in the parliament march on 26th July and NFPE convention on 26th evening and to participate in the dharna at jantar mantar on 27th July 2012.

ALL THE CWC MEMBERS ARE REQUESTED TO ATTEND WITH AT LEAST MINIMUM 5 MEMBERS FROM THEIR CIRCLES.

ACCOMMODATION WILL BE PROVIDED BY NFPE.

AS OUR UNION IS NOT HAVING FUNDS CWC MEMBERS ARE REQUESTED TO BEAR TA & DA FROM EITHER CIRCLES OR DIVISIONS AS FOR THEIR FEASIBILITY.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT EITHER WORKING PRESIDENT COM. Y. NAGABHUSHANAM OR GS COM. P. MOHAN OR NFPE . 

ALL ARE REQUESTED TO BOOK THEIR TICKETS IN ADVANCE WITH RETURN JOURENY ONLY AFTER 27TH JULY.

      NFPE                                                                                                NFPE

ALL INDIA POSTAL CASUAL, PART TIME CONTINGENT & CONTRACT WORKERS FEDERATION

NEW DELHI

PRESIDENT: COM. C.C. PILLAI

WORKING PRESIDENT: COM. Y. NAGABHUSHANAM

GENERAL SECRETARY: COM. P. MOHAN

No. aipcwf/cwc                                                                                      dt.26-05-2012

N O T I C E

It is hereby notified under article 9 of our constitution that the central working committee meeting will be held at NFPE office[north avenue post office building] on 25-07-2012 commencing sharp at 10-00 am under the president ship of com. C. C. PILLAI our president to discuss the following agenda.

All the CWC members and circle secretaries of already formed circle unions are requested to attend the meeting without fail.

AGENDA:

1.   Formation of circle unions where ever not formed

2.   Organizational review

3.   Enrollment of membership

4.   Review of the programmes for settlement of our issues and further course of action

5.   Any other item with permission of the chair.

                                                                        [P. MOHAN]

                                                                      General Secretary.

Copy to:

1.   Com. C.c. pillai, president with a request to attend and preside the meeting

2.   All central working committee members

3.   All circle secretaries & in charge circle secretaries

4.   All General secretaries of NFPE affiliated unions with a request to address the meeting

PARTICIPATE & MAKE THE PARLIAMENT MARCH ON

 26TH JULY A GRAND SUCCESS

CONFEDERATION PARLIAMENT MARCH ON 26 JULY 2012 .

 DEMANDING:-

WAGE REVISION, 

          50% DA MERGER, 

                             PFRDA BILL, 

                                         GDS & CASUAL LABOUR ISSUES,

                                   REMOVAL OF 5% CONDITION FOR       COMPASSIONATE APPOINTMENTS ETC. 

NFPE COMRADES SHOULD ATTEND NFPE ALL INDIA CONVENTION ON 26^th JULY 03 P.M. AND GDS PARLIAMENT MARCH ON 27^th  JULY 10 A.M. 

 ENSURE MASS SCALE PARTICIPATION. BOOK YOUR UP & DOWN TICKETS IMMEDIATELY

M. KRISHNAN,

SECRETARY GENERAL

NFPE

HIGH QUALITY OF POSTAL SERVICE- A PRAISE BY UPU

HIGH QUALITY OF POSTAL SERVICE- A PRAISE BY UPU

ASIAN POSTS PRAISED FOR HIGH QUALITY OF SERVICE

16.05.2012 - Members of the Asian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU) are on the right track in advancing quality of service and postal financial services in their region, says UPU Director General, Edouard Daya

 “Asia-Pacific is at the cutting edge of postal development, innovation and diversification,” he said in a speech before the APPU’s Executive Council meeting this week.

The APPU is a UPU restricted union, which facilitates and improves postal relations between 32 member countries in the Asia-Pacific region. During the work cycle 2009-2012, its primary focus was increasing quality of service.

“Quality of service in the Asia-Pacific region is progressing very well, both in terms of actual results, and the use of quality testing and enhancement solutions,” Dayan said.

The UPU’s data shows the region is progressing very well on several key quality of service indicators. More Posts are tracking all classes of mail, including registered letters and parcels, and using the UPU’s systems to exchange electronic data interchange messages and better manage their mail flows. In 2008, only 15 countries had active track and trace on parcels; now there are 36. The region is also performing well with the delivery of EMS items. On-time deliveries of such items remained steady at 90.8 per cent last December, and the region has an impressive 98.9 per cent rate for on-time customer service response.

Facilitating trade

Not to be forgotten is the rise of e-commerce, a market that Asia-Pacific dominates. He advised Posts to focus on trade facilitation and the export market to thrive in this area. “Customers know no borders and are increasingly demanding integrated and secure international postal services,” he said.

But Posts can look to the UPU for a helping hand, he assured. “[The UPU] will support you in your efforts to put in place such strategies [for facilitating] postal export programmes … ,” Dayan said.

The .post initiative will be one way the UPU can help countries “bridge the gap between the physical and electronic dimensions of the postal network” as Posts move online, he added.

As the UPU looks onwards to Congress and its goals for 2013-2016, the director general said the UPU will continue to work closely with the APPU to tackle its designated priorities after Congress: improved quality of service and remuneration systems.

“It is only through this kind of exemplary cooperation, based on mutual trust and a willingness to move forward together, that we can continue to foster the development of the postal sector,” Dayan said.

Courtesy :  http://news.upu.in

turday 19 May 2012

HUNGER FAST BEFORE DAK BHAVAN & CPMG OFFICES DEFERRED Secretary Department of Posts, informed that discussion with Secretary Generals and General Secretaries NFPE/FNPO will be held at 11AM on 21.05.2012 at Dak Bhawan to take concrete decision on remaining items of the Charter of Demands. More orders issued after the announcement of Hunger Fast programme. Remaining items will be clinched in the 21st meeting. In view of the above   THE CENTRAL JCA UNANIMOUSLY DECIDED TO DEFER THE HUNGER FAST PROGRAMME IN FRONT OF DAK BHAWAN AND CPMG OFFICES = M. Krishnan, SG NFPE & D Theagarajan ,SG FNPO

FLASH NEWS MEETING OF CADRE RESTRUCTURING COMMITTEE FOR GROUP ‘C’ EMPLOYEES. D.G. Posts No. 1/04/2010-SR dated 17th May, 2012             Next meeting of Cadre Restructuring Committee for Group ‘C’ employees will be held on 22.05.2012 at 1200 noon in Shri K R Murthy Room at Dak Bhawan, New Delhi. All members of the Committee are requested to make it convenient to attend the meeting. Sd/- (Subhash Chander) Director (SR & Legal

Departmentalization of GDS – Viable

Departmentalization of GDS – Viable

Com. P. Pandurangarao, General Secretary, AIPEU GDS (NFPE) presented a Memorandum to Hon’ble Minster of Communications Sri. Sachin Pilot, on 16.05.2012, demanding Departmentalization of GDS

The full contents of the memorandum is reproduced hereunder for the consumption of all viewers.

MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED TO HON’BLE STATE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

With due respects and regards, We the All India Postal Employees Union – GDS (NFPE) is submitting the following issues for your kind and sympathetic consideration and favourable decision in mitigating the genuine demands the downtrodden and poor GDS employees working in the Department of Posts.

1. DEPARTMENTALISATION OF RURAL POST OFFICES AND ALSO GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS:

The Supreme Court in its judgement delivered on 22.07.1977 held that the ED employee is not an agent, not a casual labourer, and not a part time worker but he is the holder of civil post outside the regular civil service and therefore declared that Article 311(2) of the constitution of India is attracted.Except conduct and service and application of disciplinary provisions, no other benefits available to the Departmental employees are extended to the ED employees. The question of departmentalisation of ED agents remains pending for long and is denied continuously on one pretext or the other.

In the present set up of the social - economic structure of rural areas, the daily wage for an agricultural labourer has been fixed much above the daily rate of an ED agent. Resultantly, the ED employees are not able to meet the family expenses and have one square meal a day.

The declaration of Justice Talwar that “95.70% joined the Postal Department as ED agents hoping to get full time absorption and only 4.08% took it as a side occupation is the real fact still prevailing and they are solely depending upon their wages for their livelihood”. In rural areas, still many of them are underpaid and lesser in the standard of living while comparing the NREGS beneficiaries.

With the hope of departmentalization at one day, they are prolonging their life with more expectation of their future. Their hopes can be considered by introducing various new services in the rural areas with the cooperation's of the Human resource ministry and other developmental activities.

The Post office alone has such a vast network and infrastructure and it can be fully utilized by providing various new services to rural public through post offices by its own saving bank scheme to distribute the Govt welfare measures as if we are doing under the NREGIS Scheme.

We may attempt with the following to provide more services to public as well as departmentalise all the existing BOs.

1.         The works like pension payment, sale of certificates, direct booking of money orders, SB operations with maintenance of independent ledgers may be assigned to the departmentalized branch office so that the existing branch postmasters will be with entrusted more work.

2.         If the proposal of full computerization of BOs is materialised in the ensuing year as proposed, there is every possibility for  introducing all kinds of bill works like acceptance of Electricity bills, land revenue, panchayat taxes etc., under the business activities of the Postal department or tie up with such governmental organizations.

3.         Large scale expansion of telecom can be explored through the branch offices and acceptance of all telephone bills, mobile bills may be entrusted. The Department of Posts may also consider in taking licences for running telecom services in rural areas with subsidiary rates to cater the requirement of rural public as if in vogue in many foreign countries.

4.         Since all the BOs are proposed to be provided with computers and decided to introduce various new services, it is possible to maintain the following works also in the BOs very efficiently with the manpower available in abundance.

a) Collection, maintenance and modifications of any of the work related to census in rural areas.

b) Maintenance, Verification and preservation of records pertaining to the Citizens identity card issued by the Govt of India directly by the Dept of post.

c) Extension of MG NREGS work through post offices by providing work norms for the work instead of incentive as at present extended.

d) Enhance the working hours for eight hours and introduce various new works at village level with the cooperation of other Govt and public sector organizations.

e) Ensuring that all various new schemes introduced by the Govt as policies will be reached to the village level through our network spread over the nation.

It is pertinent to mention that there are more than 10% of the existing BOS having the work load for more than five hours. In accordance with Marathe time test under para 93 (iv) and para 114 (i) if a single handed post office is having 11 hours’ workload, the second PA can be augmented. On the similar analogy such BOs having more than five hours workload can be straight away departmentalized. Further whenever any vacancy arises in the GDS cadre, the duties can be merged for making the office as a departmental office. The recommendations of the Justice Talwar Committee to freeze the GDS system in order to departmentalize all the existing GDS should be given a due consideration.

In order to departmentalize the GDS, the department should consider for fixing the norms for the following works immediately.

1. Work related to NREGIS payment.

2. Work related to verification of Electrol& Election work.

3. Work related to collecting statistics for census etc.

4. Work related to verification of mobile phone connections of BSNL & others.

5. Work related to acceptance of Electricity bills, water bills & telephone bills.

6. Work related to business activities, social security schemes introduced in various circles.

If time factors for all the work performed by the GDS is formulated, certainly it will pave way for the regularization of many GDS who are actually working for more than six hours but not availed the benefits of departmentalization. We don't want any incentives or perks denying our regularization.

The Honble Minister of Communications & IT Sri Kapil Sibil has sought the department about the feasibility of regularization of all the GDS and to departmentalise all the BOs for which the department has furnished that it will cost some exorbitant amount. We sincerely place our abundant thanks and respects on record to the Minister's desire to departmentalize the GDS and his initiatives but as usual the blocks were placed without really considering the realities and the position existed at field level.

If all the GDS are departmentalized by scrapping the existing GDS system with eight hours work and each official is assigned with various new works to improve the functioning of rural post offices in order to make it more remunerative, that will overcome the financial problem. This vast infrastructure will really be an invaluable asset to the department in this era of e-commerce and e-governance and not at all a liability. If post offices are kept open for more hours by introducing more new items of work, there is every possibility of increasing the workload.

We further express our sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Minister for the positive steps being initiated by the department with regard to (i) full protection of TRCA (ii) revising the cash handling norms (iii) with drawl of 25% outside recruitment condition in Postman cadre (iv) relaxing the conditions for compassionate appointment (v) parity in bonus ceiling. We hope that positive orders will be issued in all the issues raised by us earlier.

It is humbly requested to kindly consider the above and cause action to departmentalise the rural post offices and improve the rural postal network.

Dated – 16.05.2012

Place – New Delhi

(P.PANDURANGARAO)

GENERAL SECRETARY

OUR UNION EXTENDS FULL SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY TO THE NEWLY FORMED GDS NFPE UNION.