India Post's gadgets to streamline NREGA payment

NEW DELHI: India Post will provide gadgets such as biometric fingerprint scanners , magnetic strip readers and thermal printers to its 1,30,000 rural offices to smoothen the process of verification and payment under the national rural employment guarantee scheme .

It has charted out an ambitious rural information technology (IT) plan that will make the wage disbursement under the scheme paperless, said an official with the department who asked not to be named. Although NREGA is administered by the ministry of rural development, payments under the UPA government's flagship job safety programme are routed through the postal network and bank branches. The postal department services more than half of the wage earners under the scheme in most states of the country.

The government has allocated Rs 40,100 crore for NREGA in 2010-11 . It is estimated that the rural development ministry will be able to utilise only about Rs 35,000 crore in the current year. A total of 179,43,189 families have been provided employment under the scheme till June 30 this year.

 

The devices offered to the post offices will have an in-built global positioning system (GPS) to determine the frequency of the postal staff's visits to the villages, which will ensure accountability on the part of the branch post masters. This will also help the department map its delivery territory.

 

The move will help the hugely popular scheme to check leakage of funds owing to fake attendance under the scheme.
In some states of North East, it was found that funds were transferred under the scheme to even doctors and engineers. In Uttar Pradesh alone the leakage is estimated at . 850 crore annually.

 

The department has invited participation of private players in this regard. The IT revamp, which will happen in phases, is expected to be completed in two years, said an official with the ministry of communications and information technology.

 

To ensure that the process is made hassle-free , the devices will have portable web cameras with enabling features such as bluetooth and wifi access for seamless transfer of data that may be required under the verification process for accounts.

 

Transactions under the scheme will happen only when the wage earner's biometric information is matched with data stored in the department's electronic database.

 

"Our devices will be compliant with standards issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India," said YP Rai, deputy director general (rural business) at India Post.

 

As network availability in most rural areas is inconsistent, the devices will have facility to function both online and offline. To address the problem of inadequate power supply, the devises will have an in-built battery with solar chargers.

 

30 Nov, 2010, 06.16AM IST, Souvik Sanyal,ET Bureau  

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

Sub: Introduction of Postmaster Cadre in Postal Wing.

MOST IMMEDIATE

No.4-17/2008-SPB-II

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

 

                                                                   Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg

New Delhi-110001

Dated, 22^nd November, 2010

 

To

 

All Chief Post Masters General.

 

Sub: Introduction of Postmaster Cadre in Postal Wing.

 

Sir/Madam,

 

          I am directed to say that Department of Posts operates mainly through its about 25500 Departmental Post Offices. The services it offers have grown in the traditional areas of sale of stamps, booking of Money orders and Registered letters as also in Savings Bank functions, especially where Post Offices disburse NREGA wages to beneficiaries. In many post offices these activities are carried out electronically, new services like e-payment, e-post etc is also offered. Further the Department has also entered into agreements with private players like Western Union for money transfers. In the areas of mail, both express, parcel and traditional, the Department of Posts faces tremendous competition. It has to offer excellent services by way of continuous upgrades in quality and in the add on value of its mail products, like IOD, national billing, same day delivery of corporate mail etc.

 

2.              In spite of the long existence of the Post Offices and challenges being faced by the Department from private players in the field there had never been an exclusive cadre for Postmasters. The Postal Assistants, LSG/HSG-II, I etc. are posted to man the posts of Postmasters. This system served the Department quite well till some time back. But now in order to improve/upgrade the functioning of the Post Offices, meet the present day requirement of specialization in Postal office management in the wake of introduction f technology, challenges from market and to increase productivity it has absolutely become essential to ensure that key Post Offices are headed by professional managers. Thus. In order to ensure that professionally qualified, trained and meritorious officials head the key Post Offices, it has been decided to introduce a separate cadre of Postmasters comprising the following grades by carving out the posts from existing General Line posts as ordered vide this Directorates letter No.13-2/2010-PE-I dt. 03.02.2010:

 

I.        Senior Postmaster                                                 116 Posts

(Rs.9300-34800+Rs.4800 Grade Pay).

 

II.        Postmaster Gr-III                                         495 Posts

(Rs.9300-34800+4600 Gr. Pay)

 

III.       Postmaster Gr-II                                          511 Posts

(Rs.9300-34800+Rs.4200 Gr. Pay)   

         

IV.      Postmaster Gr-I                                           2097 Posts

(Rs.5200-20200+Rs. 2800 Gr. Pay)           

 

3.                 The Recruitment Rules of the above stated grades have since been framed and notified. A copy of the Recruitment Rules called the Department of Posts, Senior Postmaster (Group B Gazetted), Postmaster (Grade 'III and II'-Group B non-Gazetted)

 

and Postmaster (Grade I-Group C non-Gazetted) Recruitment Rules, 2010, dated 9^th September,2010 is forwarded herewith.

 

4.                 The number of posts in the various grades of the Postmaster carved out of the existing General Line posts in various Postal Circles is being issued separately.

 

5.                 Thus it may be noted that:

 

I.                   A separate cadre of Postmasters has been created at the level of LSG, HSG-II, HSG-I and PS Gr 'B' by carving out the cadre from the existing General Line Cadre posts in Postal Wing and PS Gr 'B' and designated as Postmaster Gr.I. Postmaster Gr.II, Postmaster Gr.III and Senior Postmaster.

 

II.                 Initial constitution of he various Grades of Postmaster shall be done by inventing options/applications form the existing incumbents of LSG, HSG-II, HSG-I in Post offices and PS Gr. 'B'.

 

III.              In subsequent years all the vacancies in Postmaster Gr.I shall be filled up through a Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, from amongst Pas with 5 years regular service in the grade.

 

IV.              All the vacancies in Postmaster Gr.II posts shall be filled up by promotion from amongst Postmaster Gr.I with 6 years regular service in the grade (including regular service in LSG, if any).

 

V.                 All the vacancies in Postmaster Gr.III posts shall be filled up by promotion from amongst Postmaster Gr.II with 5 years regular service the grade (including regular service in HSG II. If any)

 

VI.              25% of vacancies in the grade of Sr. Postmaster will be filled up by promotion of Postmaster Gr. III with 2 years of regular service in the grade (including regular service in HSG I, if any) and 75% by Inspector of Posts (IPOs) with 6 years of regular service in the grade on the basis of Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE).

 

VII.            The officials in PS Gr 'B' and Senior Postmaster (Gazetted) would be eligible for induction in IPoS, Gr 'A' on the basis of a consolidated eligibility list.

 

6.                 To begin with the Postal Circles, as per the provisions of the Recruitment Rules, may call for the options/applications with their bio-data from the willing officials holding the posts in the equivalent grades for appointment as Postmaster grade I, II and III respectively. While inviting for the applications it may be categorically stated that:

 

I.                   Once an official his application he will not be allowed to withdraw the same.

 

II.                 Officials who are still left with at least two years of service to retire may only apply in order to avoid their dislocation at the fag end of their service.

 

III.              In the event of their appointment as Postmaster their further career progression will be in the hierarchy in the Postmaster their further career progression will be in the hierarchy in the Postmaster cadre only as per the provisions in the relevant Recruitment Rules and not in the General Line.

 

7.                 The applications so received may be scrutinized to find out the eligibility of the applicants. Thereafter the applications of the eligible applicants may be placed before the Screening Committee mentioned under Col. 11 of the respective grades for assessing their suitability based on their ACRs and vigilance clearance provided they attain the minimum

 

bench mark of 'Good'. Those who are found suitable they may be arranged in the order of seniority for appointment in respective grade of postmaster as they enjoyed in the General Lin.

8.                 If after filling up the posts as per procedure mentioned in above paragraph certain number of posts still remain unfilled the same shall be filled up by promotion as per the provision contained in col. 12 of the respective Recruitment Rules. It may please be noted that in that event the unfilled posts in Postmaster Gr.I will have to be filled up on the basis of Limited Departmental Competitive Examination. The pattern and scheme for Limited Departmental Competitive Examination to fill up the vacancies in the grade of Postmaster Gr.I would follow shortly.

9.                 All the Postal Circles are requested to follow the time-line mentioned below to fill up the posts of Postmaster:

(i)                Date of Issue of Circle calling for the options/applications           14.12.2010

For appointment as Postmaster Grade I, II and III.

(ii)              Last date for receipt of options/applications along with                15.01.2010

Bio-data.

(iii)             Completion of scrutiny of applications and obtaining                    31.01.2011

Vigilance Clearance and ACR dossiers.

(iv)           Submission to Screening Committee                                          10.02.2011

(v)             Receipt of minutes of the Screening Committee                          25.02.2011

(vi)           Submission of the minutes to the appointing                               01.03.2011

Authority for approval     

 

10.    Thereafter the Postmasters so appointed may be deputed for training immediately in consultation with the Training Division of the Directorate.

 

11.     The receipt of the letter may please be acknowledged.

                                                                                                Yours faithfully,

 

sd/-

  (V.C. KAJLA)

                                                                    DIRECTOR (SPN)

                                                                     Tel.No.23096092

Copy to:

 

1.       PS to MOC&IT.

2.       PS to MOS (C&IT) (K).

3.       PS to MOS (C&IT) (P).

4.       Secretary (Posts).

5.       All Members of the Postal Services Board/JS&FA.

6.       Secretary (PSB)

7.       CGM (BD)/ CGM(MB)/ CGM (PLI)/ Director, Postal Staff College, India, Ghaziabad.

8.       All DDGs.

9.       Director (Staff): For taking necessary action regarding appointment of Senior Postmasters.

10.     Pr. Director of Audit, (Postal), Delhi-54

11.     Additional Director General, APS, R.K.Puram, New Delhi-66.

12.     Chief Engineer (Civil), HQ

13.    Director, PTC, Mysore, is requested to host this letter with enclosure on website.

14.     All Directors, Postal Training Centers.

15.     All recognized Unions.

                                                           Sd/-                                                                                       (V.C. KAJLA)

                                                                       DIRECTOR (SPN)

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

Redesignating erstwhile Group ‘D’ employees as Multi Tasking Staff Group ‘C’ and their revised duties.

No. 11-1/2010-Admn

Government of India

Ministry of Communication & IT

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg

New Delhi – 110001

Dated – 18.11.2010

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: - Redesignating erstwhile Group 'D' employees as Multi Tasking Staff Group 'C' and their revised duties.

*****

In pursuance to Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Department of Personnel & Training OM NO. AB-14017/6/2009-Estt (RR) dated 30^th April 2010 and O.M. No. 1-20/2008-PCC dated 24^th September 2010 of Department of Posts, the designation of erstwhile Central Secretariat Group 'D' employees on the cadre of Postal Dte. Will henceforth be designated as Multi Tasking Staff Group 'C' in the Secretariat.

The following duties have been prescribed for the Multi Tasking Staff Group 'C':-

(a) Maintenance of diary/dispatch/Movement Registers including entry in computer and physical maintenance of records.

(b)  Submission of periodical statements of routine nature like absentee statement, etc.

(c)      Preparation and submission of indents with the approval of Supervisor

(d)               Photocopying and sending of fax messages.

(e)     Delivery of Dak within and outside the building

(f)       Watch and ward/caretaker duties, opening and closing of rooms, generate cleanliness and upkeep of section/unit/office including dusting of furniture cleaning of building, rooms, fixtures; upkeep of parks, lawns, potted plants, etc.

(g)     Other non-clerical work in the section/unit

(h)     Driving of vehicles, if in possession of valid driving license

(i)                Sale of Postage Stamps/Stationery, Assistance in booking of Registered/parcel and Speed Post Articles, Receipt and Dispatch of mails including preparation of Mail/Registered/parcel lists, Preparation of delivery lists for registered articles/Money Orders.

(j)               Scanning of Speed Post Bags/Articles and its uploading on the speed net or any other software dealing with the processing of Speed Post articles or similar other activity.

(k)               Assistance in sorting of mails, exchange of mail, Letter box clearance, etc.

(l)                Handling customer enquiries.

The additional duties assigned to such Multi Tasking Staff Group 'C' are only illustrative and not exhaustive. Any other duty/duties may also be assigned to them by the Superior authority.

                                                                                                   Sd/-

(Bhagwan Dass)

Assistant Director General (Admn.)

 

 

 

 

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

India Post Presentation on Technological Developments

India Post Presentation on Technological Developments
 
Presentation on Technological Developments in Department of Posts was held on 23.11.2010 in the presence of Ms Radhika Doraiswamy. Chairman Postal Board, Ms Manjula Parasar Member (O) Shri S. Samant Member (Technology) Ms Kavari Banarjia DDG (PO&CP), Shri A.K. Sharma DDG(Estt.), Shri Das DDG PMU/DDG (Tech), Ms Aruna Jain DDG (Tiring), Shri Subash Chandra Director( SR)The Staff side was represented by all General Secretaries of All India Unions and Secretary Generals of Federations. The presentation was elaborately dealt with the vast changes that are going to take place in the Department of Posts due to large scale induction of Information and communication Technology (ICT). A budget of Rs. 1800 crores has been earmarked for the project which is to be completed by the year end of 2013.

In this era of fast developing Information and Communication Technology, large scale induction and assimilation of modern means of communication has become vital for sustenance and growth of India Post.

Having created a base of more than 12000 computerised Post offices in the country and a pool of trained human resource, India Post is in the process of implementing mass scale computerization and networking of all Departmental Post offices and Branch Post offices on a single integrated and modular platform connected to a National Data Center.

This National infrastructure, so created will enable India Post to provide state-of-the-art ICT services including Mobile remittance and Banking on a core banking platform and provide inclusive banking to rural and remote areas.

The vast network and infrastructure of India Post, have already enabled it to become the preferred point of inter face between Government and the members of public for delivery of social and economic welfare schemes of the Government of India and various state governments. Introduction of modern ICT will help in timely and transparent delivery of social benefit schemes to the beneficiaries viz. MGNREGS, Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension Scheme (IGOAPS).

Computerised and connected network of Post office on a single integrated platform will also help India Post to retail products and services of other service providers viz. Banks, Government & Non Government financial institutions, Government Agencies and Mutual Fund houses in the rural and remote areas.
Next year August, 2011 under pilot project 6 Postal Circles namely Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, U.P. Circle & Assam Circle computerization will be commenced. We welcome the Technological development. It will give benefit to the rural masses and rural Post offices.

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

Today meeting on Technological Developments in Department of Posts-presentation to the staff side on 23.11.2010 at10.30 am in Committee Room, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi. The General Secretary will be attending the Meeting.

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

Introduction of Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS) for Gramin Dak Sevaks.

GDS/CHQ/41/1/2010                                            Dated: 22.11.2010

 

To

 

The Secretary,

Department of Posts,

New Delhi-110001

 

Subject: - Introduction of Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS) for Gramin Dak Sevaks.

 

Ref:          Your office letter No. 6-11/2010-PEII dated 11.10.2010

 

Madam,                                     

 

        We feel that the proposal submitted vide our letter of even No. dated 23.9.2010 and 24.9.2010 deserve deeper and factual analysis and decision, rather than taking a rigid stand. The following facts are advanced to seek improvement in the scheme:-

 

3.1     The recommendation of any Committee or Commission is simply recommendations and not awards of legal or statutory body. The recommendations of all Pay Commissions and ED Committees have been subject to modifications and the recommendations of some E.D. Committees have been totally altered. We can cite the example of Madan Kishore Committee and Savoor ED Committee which were totally altered and the recommendations of Justice Talwar Committee-a Committee under a retired High Court Judge were very partially implemented and that too with modifications. The one-man ED Committee has nothing special that its recommendations cannot be improved or modified.

 

Secondly, the GDS employees are not private sector employees and in view of several Judicial pronouncements have the attributes of Government employees and these GDS employees cannot be compared with private sector employees. That apart, it is not a fact that the private sector employees are not provided third benefit of social security. We may invite your attention to Employees Pension Scheme 1995 through which the private sector employees are given the benefit of pension. The GDS employees surely do not deserve to be treated on worse footing.

 

It shall be, therefore, in fitness of things that the scheme of pension is provided to the GDS employees in addition to the scheme of Severance Amount.

 

3.2     In this connection the situation may be considered as the things are taken on solid ground. All said and done, there is hardly anything to deny that the word discharge as it is there in public domain means some thing disgraceful. But using the word retirement; the status of the GDS employees does not change overnight. But the word "retirement" gives a sense of respectability and we do not see anything wrong in using this word "retirement" in place of "discharge".

 

 

3.3     Our objection in endorsing a copy of the document to the NUGDS is well founded and our apprehension that some sort of indirect legitimacy is sought to be provided to that unrecognized union. If it were with a view to popularize the scheme only. The letter could have been endorsed to all unions of GDS employees which participated in the membership verification. Any thing less than the prescribed limit are to be ignored. The word "sizable" is vague and subjective. There is no yard stick to gauze the membership "sizable" or otherwise.

 

We hope that in future no action is taken in a way which shows undue favor to a particular union or gives legitimacy to a union which does not deserve it. 

 

3.4     The policy has always been to have a wide ranging discussion with the union in case of issues which have a direct impact on the employees. We do not find any reason why the department should not discuss the subject with us. Discussions would bring about some thing fruitful and will not be in any case a road-block. We hope that wide ranging formal discussion would take place.

 

3.5     We are of the view that no scheme is as rigid as to deny and valid and dynamic improvement. We can quote many schemes which have undergone such improvements. Our suggestion to continue the scheme even after the demise of the employees has a social and humane base. In several types of death, the next Akins is compensated adequately by the government only on social and human considerations. The case of a GDS employee who dies is harness cannot be treated on a different footing.

 

We very sincerely reiterate our views that the dependent next of the kin or the nominee of the GDS employees on death should be paid 60% of the total accumulation and the government should continue the scheme to provide social security to the dependent member of the bereaved family. Otherwise, you may agree that the nominee of the deceased GDS employee shall not have sufficient means to continue the scheme and has no other way than to face acute penury.

 

3.6     We feel that the suggestion has got to be considered, more deeply. That the employees may be absorbed is departmental posts or removed on account disciplinary action is not convincing. In case of absorption against departmental posts, action as prescribed for those opting to retire the severance amount scheme and subsequently absorbed against departmental posts, can be taken. In case of removal an account of disciplinary cases. The same action can be taken as in case of any other benefits. 

 

Our suggestion that on an employee opting to elect the new scheme the sum of severance amount should be transferred immediately to his accumulation is sound and worth implementation. We hope this will be done.

 

3.7     In this Connection we would like to mention that is many cases 50% or above is rounded off to the next completed unit. If there is no provision is the rules, such a provision can be made is accordance with many instances or conventions in vogue. We hope such a provision has legal backing and will be made in the scheme.

3.8     What we suggest is that if there is no provision, such a provision be made to give better social protection to the employees. A provision for part payment either on permanent basis or as a recoverable measure should be introduced.

 

3.9     Our suggestion was for providing sufficient time to the employee to make up his mind while going with final date of implementation.

 

3.10   Our suggestion is very important and valid. The workers' money cannot be lift to the volatility of the market, be it 15% or 10%. There must be some safety provided to the money. In this connection we enclose a paper clipping of the "Times of India" a prominent Daily dated 15.10.2010. The Finance Ministry wanted that a part of the provident fund corpus of workers be invested in shares. The Labour Ministry has resisted the suggestion and refused to abide by it unless the Government gives an assurance that the money will be protected. Similarly if 15% the accumulation is to be invested in shares, let there be some protection from some quarters that the amount will not be washed away is the vagaries of the market. Otherwise the entire amount should be invested is Government Securities or any other scheme of the Government. We are of this firm opinion.

 

3.11   We still feel that our suggestion would be considered to provide wide coverage to the employees.

 

4.        We still feel that on the lines of other recommendations and schemes, this scheme also is within the limits of undergoing improvement and changes and there is nothing which makes it immune from being subjected to change or improvement

 

5.        Our clarifications sought for in our letter dated 24.09.2010 may kindly be provided.

 

            With regards,

 

            Yours faithfully,

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

20th Meeting of the Postal Sports Board held at Chennai on 5th July, 2010-Follow up of action on the decision taken by the Board

Government of India

Ministry of Communication & IT

Department of Posts, New Delhi-110001

 

No. 2-01/2009-WL/Sports                               Dated: 01/11/2010

 

To

 

All Heads of Postal Circles.

 

Sub:  20^th Meeting of the Postal Sports Board held at Chennai on 5^th July, 2010-Follow up of action on the decision taken by the Board

 

Sir/Madam

 

          I am directed to refer to the Department's communication of even number dated 16.07.2010 circulating therewith minutes of the meeting of the Postal Sports Board held on 05.07.2010. As stated therein, items No.2, 12, 18, 31, 39, 44 and 48 were referred to a Committee headed by Chief PMG, T.N. Circle, for its consideration and submission of a report.

 

          The Committee, after examination of the issues, submitted its report on 16.09.2010 which has been further considered by the competent authority and as its consideration and submission of a report.

 

          The Committee, after examination of the issues, submitted its report on 16.09.2010 which has been further considered by the competent authority and as a result thereof, the following order is issued:

 

 

Item No. 2             Enhancement of Kit allowance to `.1000/-

 

          The kit allowance will be enhanced form `.500/- to `.750/- for first time participation and thereafter from `.250/- to `.500/- per year.

 

Item No. 12.          In the matter of appointment to higher grade, age relaxation to be given in labor of Gramin Dak Sevaks having played at State/National level.

 

As per instruction contained in GOI, DOPT's OM No. 15012/3/84-Estt.(D) dated 12^th November, 1987, meritorious sports persons satisfying the provisions contained in para 1(a) of the OM dated 04.08.1980 are allowed relaxation in upper age limit up to a maximum of 5 years (10 years in case of SC/ST) for the purpose of appointment to all Groups of Civil posts. In the light of these instructions, there is need for any further relaxation in the matter of recruitment against sports quota.

 

Item No. 18           Participation of regularly appointed Gramin Dak Sevaks in All India Postal meets even if they do not complete six months of service.

 

          Regularly appointed Gramin Dak Sevaks will be permitted to participated in All India Postal tournaments.

Item No. 31           On the analogy of individual events where cash award is given for achieving 3^rd position in All India Postal Tournaments, it may be extended in case of team events where cash award, at present, is being restricted only in case of teams achieving first and second position.

                            

          Status quo to continue.

 

Item No. 39           The training period should be of 14 days in connection with participation in All India competitions.

 

This issue will be examined when our teams will start participating in National level tournaments and will show good performance.

 

Item No. 44           Organizing National games by major Circles in every five years.

 

          The proposal did not find favour.

 

Item No. 48           Grant of financial assistance to employees whose wards are showing excellence in sports.

 

For participation in the international level tournament, cash award of `.10,000/- may be given. For excellence in National level tournament and procurement of 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> positions, an award of `.5000/-may be given. For mere participation at National level event, consolation award of `.1000/- may be given.

 

          This will take effect form the date of issue and no past case will be reopened.

                                                                                              

                                                                                               

            Sd/-                                                                                 

(Subhash Chander)

 Director (WL/Sports)

 

Copy to:   All Members of the Postal Sports Board.

 

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