Department of Posts incurs deficit of Rs 6,345 crore

 

NEW DELHI: The annual expenditure of the Department of Posts was 13,307.95 crore during FY11, almost double its revenue of 6,962.33 crore, government data showed.

This has "resulted in a deficit of 6,345.62 crore," Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

Similarly, in FY10, while the Department earned 6,266.30 crore, it spend 12,908 crore.

The department's deficit had jumped over 80% to 6,641.30 crore in 2009-10 from 3,593.09 crore in 2008-09 on account of the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission's recommendations.

The government has been working on revamping the Indian postal service. Internet connectivity to post offices and turning post offices to full-fledged banks are some of the initiatives being worked on to give the humble post office a radical makeover.

Replying to another question, Pilot said the government has approved the IT modernisation project for the Department of Posts for computerisation of post offices. "This will involve establishment of required IT infrastructure and development of required software applications with an outlay of 1,877.2 crore," Pilot said.

The IT project is expected to be implemented by 2012-13, subject to the availability of funds, he added.

The department has a network of 1.55 lakh post offices in the country, the largest in the world, of which more than 1.39 lakh are in rural areas.

Courtesy by Economic Times on 22^nd August, 2011

 

The stand-off over corruption

With the anti-corruption movement spearheaded by Anna Hazare winning the first round hands down and the United Progressive Alliance government capitulating to its demand that the Gandhian must be allowed to lead an indefinite fast without any restrictions worth speaking about, the focus shifts to what the agitation can expect to achieve in terms of an effective Lokpal Bill. The conditions seem propitious considering that the unintended consequence of a scam-tainted government's initial reaction — which bore the stamp of Pavlovian conditioning — has been the strengthening of the anti-corruption mood in the country. What the agitation symbolised by Mr. Hazare has succeeded in doing is to totally discredit the content of, and the motivation behind, the Lokpal Bill the UPA government has introduced in Parliament — which Prashant Bhushan, a key member of Team Anna, has taken to calling the 'Promotion of Corruption Bill.' The wise course for the government is to withdraw the Bill immediately, without standing on false prestige. Not to do so would only strengthen the popular perception, reflected in a number of public opinion surveys, that it is bent on perpetuating and covering up corruption.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's exposition of a "constitutional philosophy" in his August 17 statement in the Lok Sabha misses the mark by a mile. Even a cursory look at the history and sociology of how major laws are shaped in India and other parliamentary democracies shows that quite often they are the end product of movements and struggles of various kinds and that the proposition that it is "the sole prerogative of Parliament to make a law" is true only in the most literal, superficial, banal sense. Moreover, in the Indian constitutional scheme (in contrast to the British), Parliament is not supreme; it is the Constitution that is supreme. That said, it does not in the least follow that settling the terms of the anti-corruption institutional mechanism can be left solely to Team Anna or that its Jan Lokpal Bill, which has some impractical and unsound provisions, must be accepted in toto. In quite un-Gandhian fashion, a mood of triumphalism has taken over the current occupants of Ramlila Maidan. Mr. Hazare has stated that he would not budge from the venue until the Jan Lokpal Bill was introduced in Parliament; and Kiran Bedi, a widely admired member of Team Anna, was so carried away by the mood that she proclaimed, perhaps momentarily forgetting the slogan's authoritarian era associations, that "Anna is India and India is Anna." Democratic, progressive, political India needs to find its own way. It must use this favourable moment to push forward and shape a law that centre-stages the principle of independent, effective, and quick-acting investigation and prosecution of corruption.

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

Com. M. K. Pandhe, Ex-President, CITU  has Passed Away - We dip our Banner

Com. M. K. Pandhe, former President, CITU and veteran leader of Indian Working Class has lost his breath on 19.08.2011 midnight due sudden hear attack. We dip our banner in memory of the greatest contribution of this comrade to the common movement of Working Class and Central Government employees and Workers. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved Comrades and his family members.

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

Letter to Govt on-Relaxation appointment of GDS on compassionate grounds-merit points and procedure for selection-Revised Provisions thereof.

GDS/CHQ/41/1/2011                              Dated: 16.08.2011

 

To

 

Ms. Yaesodhra Menon,

Member (P),

Postal Services Board,

Dak Bhawan,

New Delhi-110001

 

Subject:- Relaxation appointment of GDS on compassionate grounds-merit points and procedure for selection-Revised Provisions thereof.

 

Ref:-      Your office letter No. 17-17/2010-GDS dated 01.08.2011

 

Madam,

 

          A scheme for relaxation appointment of GDS employees was announced vide your office letter No. 17-17/2010-GDS dated 14.12.2010 wherein merit points were introduced to measure the suitability for relaxation on GDS on compassionate ground. Since, on our analysis of the point system, we found that the scheme was impracticable and would defeat the very purpose of appointment on compassionate ground, we offered our views vide our letter no GDS/CHQ/41/1/2011 dated 27.01.2011. In our letter we had offered the assessment of the scheme quite vividly to show that the scheme of introducing merit points is not practicable. For quite some time nothing was heard.

 

2.       Now a modification of the scheme has been issued vide your letter under reference. This modification worsens the situation. The remedy is worse than the disease, so to say. The whole scheme negates the purpose of the scheme introduced for providing immediate relief to the bereaved family. This scheme and introduction of the merit points circumvent the fundamentals of introduction of the scheme; as also the basic principles even for appointment of out siders as GDS employees. The following may kindly be examined dispassionately to see whether the scheme of introducing merit points over-rides the basic rules and instructions and runs counter to them:-

 

(a)      In para 4.7 (Educational qualification), the following merit points have been suggested.

 

1.	25	Graduate
2.	20	10+2
3.	2	Below 10+2

 

          Now what qualification is required for appointment to the Post of any category of GDS employees? The Educational qualification, required for GDS posts as laid down vide several letters ending with DG(P) letter no. 17-66191-ED&Trg. Dated 12.03.1993 is as follows:

 

ED Sub-Postmasters and ED Branch Postmasters:	Matriculation [the selection should be based on the marks secured in or equivalent examinations; No weightage need be given for any qualification(s) higher than matriculation](emphasis added)
ED Delivery agents, GDS Stamp Vendors and All other categories of EDAs.	VIII standard. Preference may be given to the candidates with matriculation qualification. No weightage age should be given for any qualification higher than matriculation. Should have sufficient working knowledge of the regional language and simple arithmetic so as to be able to discharge their duties satisfactorily. Categories such as GD messengers should have enough working knowledge of English.

(The term ED has since been replaced by the term GDS)

 

The qualification 'graduate' qualifying for 25 points against the required qualification of matriculation carrying 2 points, runs counter to the basic orders and qualification required for appointment of G.D.S. The can be Justified by no rationale or logic. The instructions contained is the letters dated 14.12.2010 are thus ultra vires and must be withdrawn. Such qualification merit points are not compassionate appointment to department Posts.

 

(b)         The very first paragraph of DG(P) letter no. 14.25.191-ED&Trg. Dated 16.12.1991 says:

 

"The purpose of giving compassionate appointment to one of the eligible dependents/near relatives of the deceased E.D Agents is to render immediate employment assistance to the family which has been left in indigent condition. The delay is finalisation of the requests for compassion appointments not only defeats the very purpose, but also gives rise to serious complaints from the beneficiaries concerned as also public representatives, both outside and inside the legislature. Besides causing suffering to the bereaved families inordinate delay in finalization of such cases also cause embarrassment to the department".

 

          The merit point introduced and clarifications issued run contrary to the such instructions. The merit point system and that "hard and deserving cases" would mean cases over and above 50 merit points" defeat the purpose of compassionate appointment and overrule indigence. You will kindly agree that "indigence" cannot be bound within four walls of merit points as has been introduced. Indigence is what indigence means and not what merit points measure.

 

(c)         We are of very strong opinion that there would be hardly any case which would earn more than 50 points to qualify for compassionate appointment. We take a every indigent case for compassionate appoint and measure it on the scale of merit points.

 

 

          A  G.D.S employees dies in harness leaving behind his wife and a three year old child may be girl or male; has more than 20 years of service left over. His wife is a candidate for compassionate appointment and she is a matriculate. She has got a small thatched house and ¼ acres of land. There is no other earning family member. The terminal benefits admissible to her are between 50,000 to 75,000. She earns the following merit points:-

 

1. No of dependents            :        2 (Including self)              :          7 merit points
2. Outstanding liabilities        :        Education                        :        10 merit points
3. Left over service              :        More than 20 years                   :        10 merit points 
4. Own house and land        :        (both)                                       :          0 merit points
5. Family earnings               :        (No income)                    :        10 merit points
6. Discharge benefits           :        (Rs.50,000—75,000/-)               6 merit points
7. Education                        :        (Matriculate)                             :          2 Merit points

       Total  =       45 Merit points

 

          You will kindly agree that there can hardly be a case more indigent than this but fails to earn over 50 merit points despite having the requisite minimum qualifications of being a very indigent, hard and deserving case. What happens to the lady? She is denied compassionate appointment. Does this fulfill the purpose, which compassionate appointment stands for?

 

3.       This letter is further to and supplement to our letter no GDS/CHQ/41/1/2011 dated 27.01.2011 and may be read along with that.

 

4.       The merit points introduce and the condition for measurement of "hard and deserving "Cases fails to assess the pangs of indigence which means acute suffering. The boundaries of merit points are binding the actual assessment of indigence and thus are not only unpracticable but totally unjust. The conditions harder even than procedure for relaxation appointment to departmental Posts.

 

          We, therefore, request you to kindly consider dispassionately the points raised by us and withdraw the instructions/merit points prescribed in your office letter no. 17-17/2010 which is unjust and bereaft of compassion.

 

          With regards,

                                                                                                  

       Yours faithfully

 

 

 

GDS/CHQ/41/1/2011                                  Dated:  08.08.2011

 

To

 

The Secretary,

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhavan,

New Delhi-110001

 

Subject:-  Nonpayment of revised pay and allowances to Substitute GDS employees since 01.01.2006.

 

Madam,

 

          According to the rules, the outsider candidates working as substitutes of the GDS employees on promotion or deputation or against some vacancies are paid the minimum of the pay-scale/pay bands plus grade pay for the period they have been working as substitutes. The Sixth CPC scales have been implemented with effect from o1.01.2006. The substitutes working on the day and during the period from 01.01.2006 to the date of implementation of the 6^th CPC pay and allowances are due for payment of the revised pay and allowances. But such payment has not so far been made.

 

          You are, therefore, requested kindly to issue necessary orders for payment of the enhanced pay and allowance to such GDS substitutes.

 

          An early action with a word is reply in requested.

                                                                                  

 Yours faithfully,

                                                                                           

(S.S. Mahadevaiah)    

General Secretary

 

GDS/CHQ/41/1/2011           Dated:  08.08.2011

 

To

 

The Secretary,

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhavan,

New Delhi-110001

Subject: - Deputation of GDS employees to Army Postal Service (APS) as Group 'D' (now multi functional Group 'C').

Madam,

          Vacancies of Group 'D' officials in APS are filled through Group 'D' officials in the Post offices; and the vacancies which remain unfilled due to non-availability of eligible group 'D' officials are filled in through GDS employees after the requisite tests. The GDS employees deputed to the APS have all along been discharging their efficiently officially and faithfully. This on one hand serves the APS in manning the vacancies; on the other it provides some further opportunity of mobility to the GDS employees.

 

          Now, for some time it is seen that this practice of deputing GDS employees to APS against available vacancies has been put a stop to. This is neither beneficial to the APS nor to the GDS employees.

 

          We, therefore, request you kindly to have a look at this issus and issue orders that the earlier practice of deputing GDS employees to APS against available vacancies is restored.

 

          We shall be thankful for an early action and a word in reply.

                                                                 

       Yours faithfully,

               Sd-

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

Letter to Govt on - Introduction of RSBY (Rastriya Swasthya Bima Yojna) for GDS employees.

GDS/CHQ/41/3/2011                                                Dated: 08.08.2011

 

To,

The Secretary,

Department of Post,

Dak Bhavan,

New Delhi-110001

 

Subject: - Introduction of RSBY (Rastriya Swasthya Bima Yojna) for GDS employees.

 

Ref:-           Your office letter No. 6-10/2009-PE-II dated 13.01.2010

 

                       

Madam,

 

        A kind reference is invited to the proposal of introduction RSBY for GDS employees as intimated vide your letter under reference. We had proposed certain improvements in the proposed scheme keeping in view the ground realities prevailing in the rural area where the GDS employees work vide our letter no dated 24.02.2010. Since then nothing has been heard and we donot know the fate of the proposal.

 

        You will kindly agree that the low paid GDS employees urgently deserve some scheme for provision of health services. The proposed scheme of RSBY, in its present form with certain improvements as suggested by us is a right step in providing health services to the GDS employees, though a small step. We strongly hold the view that every big journey starts with a proposed RSBY was a step in the right direction and should have been brought in place small step taken is the right adirection. The with the improvement suggested by us. We are of strong view that this scheme should not be allowed to die a natural death.

 

        We, therefore, request you kindly to vitalize the proposal in the interest of the employees. We shall always be available to offer further inputs as and when required.

 

An expeditious action is requested.

                                                                                                                        

Yours faithfully,

 

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

ADMISSIBILITY OF SEVERANCE AMOUNT OT GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS ON RETIREMENT/DEATH AND ON ABSORPTION ON REGULA POSTS-CLARIFICATION REGARDING.

CLARIFICATION ORDERS -ADMISSIBILITY OF SEVERANCE AMOUNT OT GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS ON RETIREMENT/DEATH AND ON ABSORPTION ON REGULA POSTS.

 

No. 6-31/2010-PE II

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

(Establishment Division)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg.

New Delhi-110116

Dated: 05.08.2011

All Chief Postmaster General

All Postmasters General

Director, Postal Staff College, Ghaziabad,

Director, Postal Training Centers,

All General Managers (Finance)/ Director of Accounts (Postal)

 

Sub:  ADMISSIBILITY OF SEVERANCE AMOUNT OT GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS ON RETIREMENT/DEATH AND ON ABSORPTION ON REGULA POSTS-CLARIFICATION REGARDING.

 

Attention of all concerned is invited to Annexure-III of this Directorate order No. 6-1/2009-PE.II dated 08.10.2009 containing details of existing and revised benefits under nature of benefit named 'Severance Amount'.

 

2.          In this context, it is to clarify that the present benefit shown against Severance Amount also includes Severance Amount on absorption on regular posts payable @ Rs. 20000/- (Rs. Twenty thousand only) to an EDA (now called GDS) absorbed on regular basis against a departmental post after 15 years of continuous service as ED Agent (now called GDS) in the light of the common recommendation made by the GDS Committee in Para 14.14.1. Therefore, the revised benefit indicated against nature of benefit 'Severance Amount' is applicable not only on retirement/death but also on absorption against departmental posts @ Rs. 1500 for every completed year of service subject to maximum of Rs. 60000 with reduction in minimum eligibility to 10 years.

 

3.          Therefore, the words "Severance Amount on retirement/death" may be taken as inserted on the top as headline above the existing para under present benefits against 'Severance Amount' starting with "A lump sum severance amount and ending with amount paid is Rs. 20000." Below this para, a new headline as "Severance Amount on absorption on regular posts" & a para beneath it starting as "Severance amount of Rs. 20000 (Rs. Twenty thousand only) is paid on absorption on regular basis against a departmental post after 15 years of continuous service" may also be taken as inserted & accordingly the Annexure III to this Directorate Order No. 6-1/2009-PE II dated 09 Oct 2009 may be taken as amended. Revised Annexure III to this Directorate Order ibid is appended below:-

 

Nature of Benefit	Present Benefits	Revised Benefits
Es-gratia Gratuity	Granted at the rate of half months basis TRCA drown immediately before discharge of service for each completed year of service subject to maximum of Rs. 18000 or 16.5 months basic TRCA last drawn whichever is less. Minimum service prescribed is 10 years	Continuance of the existing formula for grant Ex-gratis Gratuity subject to a maximum of Rs. 60000.
Severance Amount	Severance Amount on retirement/death A lump sum severance amount of Rs. 30000/- is paid on discharge provided a GDS has completed 20 years of continuous service. In case of a GDS completing 15 years of service but less than 20 years of continuous service the severance amount paid is Rs. 20000 Severance Amount on absorption on regular post Severance amount of Rs. 20000 (Rs. Twenty thousand only) is paid on absorption on regular basis against a departmental post after 15 years of continuous service	Severance amount shall be paid at the rate of Rs. 1500 for every completed year of service subject to a maximum of Rs. 60000 with reduction in minimum eligibility period to 10 years.

 

 

3.         This may be brought to the notice of all concerned. This has the   approval of the competent authority.

 

                                                                                                                        Sd/-

 (Surender Kumar)

Assistant Director General (GDS)

           

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