"JOIN MASSIVELY IN AIGDSU WHICH STANDS ALWAYS FOR THE CAUSE OF GDS"
Welcome to AIGDSU CHQ Website, AIPEDEU NOMENCLATURE CHANGED AS AIGDSU
MAKE SUCCESS AIGDSU STRUGGLE PROGRAMME.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Pension fund regulator makes the right move

Pension fund regulator makes the right move

The pension fund regulator has done well to raise the commission for distributors of the National Pension System (NPS). A higher return for the banks and financial institutions that open NPS accounts for subscribers will motivate them to market the scheme better.

From January 16, distributors are charging Rs 100 to open an account and 0.25% of the amount contributed initially by the subscriber, subject to a minimum of Rs 20 and a maximum of Rs 25,000. A subscriber is also being charged 0.25% for every transaction. PoPs can negotiate these charges with subscribers, but that is going to be cumbersome. Also, the amount is meagre at the lower end.

Yet, the new ad valorem commission structure will induce distributors to market the NPS. Bolder reforms are needed to incentivise fund managers and popularise the NPS, which has the institutional framework to generate superior returns on old-age savings.
The government must make better use of its pension subsidy: instead of augmenting every voluntary subscription below Rs 12,000 by Rs 1,000, the government should use its money to underwrite initial overhead costs in asset management, distribution and record-keeping. The wafer-thin asset management charge of 0.0009% should be supplemented with a grant till sufficient scale is achieved.

Similarly, money should be provided from the Budget to meet central record-keeping costs. The regulator should drop its plan to allow fund managers to negotiate fees with subscribers. Fund managers manage a pool of savings and cannot be expected to negotiate charges with individual subscribers.

In any case, why create incentives for differential levels of asset management focus? It makes sense to limit the number of fund managers in the initial stage, so as to generate viable scale for each fund manager.

The simplest way to remove the need for any subsidy for the NPS is, of course, to amend the Employees Provident Fund Act to allow workers to voluntarily migrate to the NPS. That would swell NPS numbers, increase the pool of funds to be managed and grant fund managers greater flexibility in diversifying their portfolios across asset classes to minimise risk.



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

Saturday, January 21, 2012

MEETING WITH MINISTER






MEETING WITH MINISTER
Meeting with Sri. Sachin Pilot, Hon'ble Minister of State of Communications, was held today (21.01.2012) at 11.00 AM. Meeting lasted for 30 minutes. The staff side presented a memorandum to the Minister, containing the issues which needs Minister's intervention. (See the copy published in the website). Minister agreed to examine each case on its merits and take early decision. The following issues were discussed with the Minister, in detail.
Issues relating to Gramin Dak Sevaks
Issues relating to casual, Part-time, Contingent employees
Revision of overtime allowance
Regarding GDS issues like status, promotion, etc. Minister assured to examine the cases in detail and taken a decision at the earliest. Regarding reduction of existing allowances of GDS, the Minister gave on the spot instructions to the Secretary, Department of Posts, to issue orders protecting the existing TRCA in full. Further regarding cash handling point Minister directed Secretary that it should be finalized before 31stJanuary 2012. He assured that the other issues like Bonus ceiling, providing norms for left out items etc. will also be given sympathetic consideration. Regarding casual labourers issues Minister gave direction to the Postal Board to expedite the orders. Minister further assured that he will definitely call for the files relating to the other items mentioned in the memorandum and an indepth examination of the issues will be made and decision taken early.
The staff side thanked the Minister for giving us an opportunity to present our cases in front of him. The staff side was represented by Com. M. Krishnan (S/G, NFPE), Sri. D. Theagarajan (S/G, FNPO), Com. S. S. Mahadevaiah (G/S AIPEDEU), Com. K. V. Sridharan, (G/S, P3, NFPE), Com. L. D. Kaushik (P3, FNPO), Com. Ishwar Singh Dabas (G/S P4, NFPE) Com. Ashok Sharma (P4, FNPO), Com. Giriraj Singh (G/S, R3, NFPE), Com. Devendra Kumar, Com. Pawan Kumar (R3, FNPO), Com. P. Suresh (G/S, R4 NFPE), Com. Satish Chander (R4, FNPO), Com. Pranab Bhattacharjee (G/S, Admn. NFPE), Com. S. B. Yadav (AIPAEA), Com. O. P. Khanna (G/S AIPAOA), Com. R. N. Parashar (ASG, NFPE).
GDS/CHQ/4/1/2012                              Dated: 21.01.2012
To
Sri Sachin Pilot
Hon'ble Minister of State for Communications & I.T.,
Government of India,
Electronic Niketan, 6 CGO Complex,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110001

MEMORANDUM
Respected Sir,
Most respectfully we are submitting herewith a memorandum on most urgent and pressing problems of the Gramin Dak Sevak employees for your kind perusal.
The Department of Posts is the only department of the Government of India where there is a special category of employees working called Gramin Dak Sevaks. In fact the Gramin Dak Sevaks are the backbone of the postal department. The postal functions rendered at the nook and corner villages of the country covering 74% of population by the Gramin Dak Sevaks are of high order and quality. Almost every postal service i.e. M.N.R.E.G.S., Postal Life Insurance ( P.L.I/R.P.L.I) old age pension is provided in one or the other way at the Branch offices manned by the Gramin Dak Sevaks. The GDS officials are working more than ten hours a day to serve effectively to the villagers. But they are getting wages only for three to five hours work. Unfortunately, most of the facilities granted by the department to the departmental employees are denied to these low paid poor employees where as the duties, services, functions, risks and responsibilities of the G.D.S employees are similar and equal to those of departmental employees. Unlike other Bureaucratic committees, the independent committee headed by a retired Justice Charanjit Talwar had studied the service conditions of GDS, traveling length and breadth, and recommended all benefits due at par with Departmental staff but unfortunately the same were not implemented by the then Govt. in 1999. A few benefits were extended to them, that too with the same tradition of continuing exploitative policies. In fact the recommendations were based on rational and justified reasoning!

We, on behalf of the three lakh GDS employees urge your goodself to take necessary action to grant status/Regularisation as Government servant to GDS employees as recommended by Justice Talwar Committee. The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in its landmark judgment dated 22-04-1977 held that the Extra Departmental agents (now Gramin Dak Sevaks) are holders of civil post.

We are submitting herewith a short note on most urgent and pressing problems of the Gramin Dak Sevaks who are the subjected to discrimination and exploitation.

1. Gross injustice and discrimination has been done to Gramin Dak Sevak employees by denying Bonus ceiling of Rs.3500/-, at par with Departmental staff. Bonus ceiling to GDS may be Rs.3500/- without any discrimination, please consider.

2. Removal of tightening of norms for GDSBPMs, Rs.20,000/- Cash handling per point is unreasonable. Hither to Rs.1000/- per point for Cash handling was in force. Similarly no norm is fixed for transactions done under MNREGS up to 20 transactions, Stamps sales norms Rs.900/- is unreasonable against the present Rs.45/- etc. Immediate review is requested as the most exploited GDS staff are subjected to much harassment. Their pay should be on the basis of minimum hours of attendance like Departmental staff, not on the basis of workload assessed unscientifically and irrationally.
3. Pay revision is always UPWARDS, but in case of many GDS downward revision has taken place and recoveries are ordered on the plea of wrong fixation. This is because of reading the rules and instructions in between the lines by local level officers/Audit officers. Pay hike is not as simple as assured to Departmental staff, utter discrimination towards HAVE NOTS.

4. Snatching away 25% of Promotional avenues of GDS employees against the prevailing rules, convention and practice. GDS officials are treated as outsiders for all purposes and their promotion is treated as DIRECT RECRUITMENT. Practice and pre-existing rules and norms for absorption of GDS in the department is logical and reasonable. Hence we request your kind honour to intervene in the matter. The ideal should be to systematically absorb the GDS into department by various method of DEPARTMENTALISATION, SO WE CRAVE FOR YOUR KIND INDULGENCE.
5. Hither to Compassionate appointment to the wards of GDS have been given as a welfare measure, without any condition or restrictions. Imposing unethical and unreasonable conditions and norms prescribed recently is against the principles of natural justice and law of the land. Introduction of irrational and unscientific methods to assess indigent circumstances of the family are quite unreasonable and unjust. Please look into this issue objectively and compassionately. Further no compassion is shown in respect of cases of physical disability/incapacity of GDS who toil for the department and the rural people unlike departmental staff. This facility is a mere gesture of humane approach towards.
6. The appointment of GDS employees in urban areas is itself a misnomer as the very name indicates that such employees are to be employed in rural areas only. Such GDS are deprived of HRA, CCA, Transport allowance etc., as the cost of living and transport, education, medical etc., are higher in metro and urban areas. Such employees need to be compensated adequately by extending all benefits that are given to regular employees. As regards urban area there are already recommendations not to appoint GDS. However appointment of GDS continued in clear violation of these principles. It is now requested that existing GDS in urban areas should be regularized as departmental staff and there should be no more employment of GDS in metro/urban areas.
7. The Departmental of Posts revised the then existing "Department of Posts E.D Agents (Conduct & Service) Rules 1964" as Department of Posts G.D.S. (Conduct & Employment) Rules 2001" after the partial and truncated implementation of the recommendations of Justice Talwar Committee. Since this was an obvious attempt of substitute the 'service' of the ED employees to mere'employment' in order to obviate the recommendations of Justice Talwar Committee, we had registered our strong reservation and protest to this change, but the department chose to hang on to its decision.
We, therefore, request you kindly to consider the case keeping in view the Judgement of the Supreme Court and issue necessary orders to withdraw the amendment. We would further request you kindly restore the 1964 Conduct & Service Rules.

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

Thursday, January 19, 2012

CHQ CIRCULER DATED 17-01-2012


No.GDS/CHQ/1/5/2012                                   Dated 17-01-2012

To,

All Circle/Divisional/Branch Secretaries
All CWC Members, A.I.P.E.D.E.U.     


Dear Comrades,

We are furnishing hereunder some recent developments concerning the postal employees in general and GDS employees in particular.



Indefinite strike from 17.01.2012 by postal employees JCA & GDS Unions Called off.


We are overwhelmed with the tremendous response to the Strike call from every quarter of this organisation and we extend warm revolutionary Greetings to each and every member. The reports that we were receiving about the preparations were heart thrilling. Hats off to you, Comrades! Once again it is proved that the battle will not stop till we achieve desired results.  It was a collective decision rather in the interest of both the department and the public. In the mean time certain developments have taken place. On 13th January, 2012 JCA meeting was held at Delhi and reviewed the Strike preparations.  Some section/cadres and some Circles had not taken action for due mobilization.  However, the department called meeting on 27th December, 2011 and 10th January 2012 and 12th January 2012 with Secretary Dept. of Posts and Members of Postal Board. The minutes of the meeting is enclosed herewith.  Of course there is slight improvement in few items like In the matter of enhancement of bonus ceiling of Gramin Dak Sevaks to Rs.3,500/- now finance Ministry agreed to re-look into, The issue of withdrawal of upward change in norms for cash handling etc. New recruitment rules for promotion of postman, Compassionate appoint of GDS agreed to reviewing the same, Filling up of GDS Mailmen posts in RMS Department agreed to re examine. The following issues of   (a) Supply of chappal (b) repairs/replacements of fans (c) review of cash conveyance allowances.  (d) providing norms for new work like RPLI etc. It was agreed to look into these. Other issues still we have to continue our efforts to achieve our goal.  Keeping the entire developments and circumstances in view in the interest of unity in JCA we have also agreed to call off the indefinite Strike of 17.01.2012.



HISTORIC STRIKE ON 28.02.2012

JOINT CALL OF ALL CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS, FEDERATIONS & INDEPENDINT UNIONS

INTUC, BMS, AITUC, CITU, HMS, AIUTUC, AICCTU, UTUC, TUCC, LPF, SEWA

AGAINST THE ANTI WORKING CLASS POLICIES OF THE GOVERNMENT



All the central Trade Unions to organize/observe countrywide strike on 28-02-2012 on most pressing demands of the workers, including postal workers and general, It is a historic call. Never before have all the central trade unions joined hands to call National wide strike. We have always participated in such National wide strike. In a meeting held on 23.12.2011 a large number of Federations including confederation of CGE's AIDEF, Banks, Telecom, Insurance, State Govts Employees Federation and Transport etc.etc. agreed to observe the strike. We should therefore observe this strike.



The attack on Postal and RMS Employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks is mainly due to the policy of the Government against which all the Central Trade unions and Federations are jointly fighting. We as Postal workers, it is our duty to join the working class in its fight against the anti-labour policies of the Government. The Central JCA (NFPE, FNPO, AIPEDEU,  calls upon the entire Postal and RMS employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks to conduct intensive preparations for making the 28th February 2012 All India Strike a complete success. Strike notice will served by the Central JCA to the Secretary, Department of Posts.



7th All India conference of our union from 6 to 8 Aril 2012:

 The 7th all India conference of AIPEDEU is being held at "Gurukunj Ashram" Amravati district of Maharashtra Circle, from 6 to 8 April 2012. Further details information will be followed by reception committee and CHQ. All are requested to make necessary arrangement for railway reservation.



GDS CHQ released Book Van Guard to GDS Ruling:

It is a matter of pleasure that On the nice occasion of JOINT CIRCLE CONFERENCE OF KARNATAKA CIRCLE at SHIMOGA ON 08.01.2012 THE BOOK VAN GUARD TO GDS RULING IS RELEASED. Updated information GDS rulings/welfare available for your daily references.  We believe that it would be useful in the routine to address many issues/problems. 

                                

The book is sold for Rs.100/- on no cost and no profit basis.  Please buy and encourage all to have one.  The CHQ will send VVP to the Divisional Secretaries; all are requested to collect it. We also publish Hindi version now under print.

 

Remmittance of Quota and Dues:

Comrades, the position of receipt of quota by the CHQ is again very disheartening. The Divisional/Branch union get their subscription every month from the DDO's but the remittance of quota to CHQ is rather very casual. The Divisional Presidents and Secretaries will please ensure timely remittance of quota.

Appeal

The CHQ calls upon All the CWC Members/Circle/Divisional/Branch Secretaries and active members to make the ONE DAY GENERAL STRIKE ON 28.FEB, 2012 a programme of resounding success. It is requested to arrange press conference and other publicity to popularise our demands. A report may also be sent to the CHQ.



We request you kindly to translate this circular letter in local language and circulate among the staff. This fact may be explained to the membership through group meetings and general body meetings.



With salutations and greetings for a happy New Year.

                                                                                              
Yours fraternally,

S.S. Mahadevaiah
General Secretary

                            

No. 08/15/2011-SR                                                       Dated the 16th Junuary, 2012




Subject:-  Notice of indefinite strike w.e.f 17.1.2012 served by Postal Joint Council of Action- Minutes of the meetings taken by Secretary (Post)/Postal Board with Postal Joint Council of Action on 10.01.2012 and 12.1.2012 in Dak Bhawan.



Please find enclosed minutes of meetings taken by Secretary (Post)/Postal Board with Postal Joint Council of Action on 10.01.2012 and 12.1.2012 for information and necessary action.



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

Encl:- As above                                                                               

                                                                                                                                    (Subhash Chander)

                                                                                                                  Director (SR& Legal)



Minutes of the meetings taken by Secretary (Post) with Postal Joint Council of Action (JCA) on 10.01.2012 on the charter of demands served with notice of indefinite strike with effects from 17.01.2012.



2 (A) Grant of Central Civil Servant Status to Gramin Dak Sevaks.

 Attention of the staff side was drawn to relevant portion of the minutes of the meeting held on 27.12.2011. In the matter of scrapping the new recruitment rules for promotion of postman, staff side was explained the view point of Department of Personnel and Training regarding prescribing some minimum quota of direct recruitment element, all recruitment to be made at the level of either MTS or Postman, and was asked to give suggestions in the light of the above for further consideration by the Department.



2 (b) In the matter of enhancement of bonus ceiling of Gramin Dak Sevaks to Rs.3,500/- the staff side was apprised of the position as reflected in the minutes of the meeting held on 27.12.2011. it was further made clear that as per decision taken in the meeting held with the staff side earlier , the matter was examined in consultation with intrigated finance wing where it failed to find favour. However another attempt will be made to send the case for approval of finance ministry.



2 (c) The issue of withdrawal of upward change in norms for cash handling etc. was decided to be relooked into, as per minutes of the meeting held on 27.12.2011. Further the issue of stopping reduction of TRCA in case of reduction of work load will be reviewed in the light of decision taken on the issue of norms for cash handling etc.



2 (d) Compassionate appoint of GDS

The system of awarding marks for making compassionate appointment in case of GDS will be examined in the light of proposal given by the staff side.



2 (e) Filling up of GDS Mailmen posts in RMS.

As record in the minute of the meeting held on 27.12.2011 the feasibility of redeployment of mail men in new posts in new areas eg. Employment in IAP areas will be examined.



The staff side desired to following issues to be examined:

(a) Supply of chappal (b) repairs/replacements of fans (c) review of cash conveyance allowances.  (d) providing norms for new work like RPLI etc. It was agreed to look into these.

Minutes dated 27.12.2011


2(a) Grant of Central Government Civil Service Status to Gramin Dak Sevaks

The staff side was apprised of the background of instruction of EDA/GDS system in the Department of Posts, especially in the context of their conditions of engagement which are totally different from regular Government employees. Special mention was made about their part time nature of work and the additional source of income which were the basic conditions for their engagement. While commending the role of Garmin Dak Sevaks in the functioning of Department of Posts, Member (Personnel) as Chairperson of the committee explained to the staff side the improvements which have taken place in their engagement conditions over the years.



Note: - Minutes dated 27.12.2011

2(e) Withdrawal of tightened norms for cash handling

The Chairperson agreed to have a relook into the matter.

(NB: The basic issues such as Civil servant status, Bonus etc. will be further discussed in the Minister's meeting)


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

Friday, January 13, 2012

This Minutes we publishing only GDS issue

The central JCA decides to call off the proposed indefinite strike from 17.01.2012.

 

 

This Minutes we publishing only GDS issue

Minutes of the meetings taken by Secretary (Post) with Postal Joint Council of Action (JCA) on 10.01.2012 on the charter of demands served with notice of indefinite strike with effects from 17.01.2012.

 

2 (A) Grant of Central Civil Servant Status to Gramin Dak Sevaks.

 

Attention of the staff side was drawn to relevant portion of the minutes of the meeting held on 27.12.2011. In the matter of scrapping the new recruitment rules for promotion of postman, staff side was explained the view point of Department of Personnel and Training regarding prescribing some minimum quota of direct recruitment element, all recruitment to be made at the level of either MTS or Postman, and was asked to give suggestions in the light of the above for further consideration by the Department.

 

2 (b) In the matter of enhancement of bonus ceiling of Gramin Dak Sevaks to Rs.3,500/- the staff side was apprised of the position as reflected in the minutes of the meeting held on 27.12.2011. it was further made clear that as per decision taken in the meeting held with the staff side earlier , the matter was examined in consultation with intrigated finance wing where it failed to find favour. However another attempt will be made to send the case for approval of finance ministry.

 

2 (c) The issue of withdrawal of upward change in norms for cash handling etc. was decided to be relooked into, as per minutes of the meeting held on 27.12.2011. Further the issue of stopping reduction of TRCA in case of reduction of work load will be reviewed in the light of decision taken on the issue of norms for cash handling etc.

 

2 (d) Compassionate appoint of GDS

The system of awarding marks for making compassionate appointment in case of GDS will be examined in the light of proposal given by the staff side.

 

2 (e) Filling up of GDS Mailmen posts in RMS.

As record in the minute of the meeting held on 27.12.2011 the feasibility of redeployment of mail men in new posts in new areas eg. Employment in IAP areas will be examined.

 

The staff side desired to following issues to be examined:

(a) Supply of chappal (b) repairs/replacements of fans (c) review of cash conveyance allowances.  (d) providing norms for new work like RPLI etc. It was agreed to look into these.



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

Thursday, January 12, 2012

INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 17 JANAURY-2012 UNITE, ORGANIZE, MOBILIZE & MAKE GRAND SUCCESS

INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 17.01.2012
 
 
INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 17 JANAURY-2012 UNITE, ORGANIZE, MOBILIZE & MAKE GRAND SUCCESS
 
--
S.S.Mahadevaiah
General Secretary
All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union

FILLING UP OF VACANT POSTS OF GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS

DEPARTMENT ISSUED ORDERS FILLING UP OF VACANT POSTS OF GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS
&
INSTURCTIONS REGARDING INVOKING OF FR 17A AND RELEVENT PROVISION IN GDS CONDUCT AND ENGAGEMENT RULES.
 
 
Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

(SR Section)

 

No. 08/15/2011-SR                                                          Dated the 09th Junuary, 2012

 

To

 

            All Heads of Postal Circles.

 

Subject:-  Insturctions regarding invoking of FR 17A and relevent provision in

                 GDS Conduct and Engagement Rules.

 

Sir/Madam,

 

          I am directed to refer to Department's d.o. letter No. 8-27/97-SR/Pt. Dated 23.6.98 vide which instructioins to deal with strike situation were issued. As stated in para-2 of the said d.o. letter, the provisions of FR 17-A in respect of departemntal employees and corrresponding provisions in GDS Conduct and Engagement Rules my be invoked only in cases of incitement, instances of violence/sabotage etc.

 

2.         It is requested that the above said instructions may be followed in letter and spirit, while following the principle of "No work, no pay" to deal with the strike situation.

 

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(Subhash Chander)

Director (SR & Legal)

 

 

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

(SR Section)

To

              All Heads of Postal Circles [By Name]

 

 

No. 17/103/2007-GDS                                                        Dated: 06 Jan 2012

 

FILLING UP OF VACANT POSTS OF GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS

 

          Postal Joint Council of Action has taken up the issue of filling up all vacant post of GDS as one of the strike issues with the Department. While the Department has periodically reviewed the existing instructions on the issue and reiteratd the same to all concerned from time to time in the past, it appears that the instructions issued on the subject are not being meticulously followed in the field. The need for timely action to initiate action to fill up the vacant posts and adherence to guidelines for substitute and provisional arrangements need to be realized in right perspective in the overall operational interest by all concerned. Keeping this in view, the gist of the instructions/guidelines on the issue is, therefore, again circulated for the information and strict compliance as under:-

 

(a)         Vacant posts of GDS BPM in Branch Post Offices with a single establishment were allowed to be filled up straight away by the Divisional Head to ensure basic postal services and facilities in the rural areas through the existing Branch Post Office vide Para 2(i) of DG Posts letter No. 17-103/2007-GDS dated 14.07.2009. It was further provided in para 2(ii) of the letter ibid that the vacant post of GDS in Branch Post Offices with two or more hands may be filled up on the basis of triennial review already carried out. However, if prescribed workload and financial parameters as prescribed for opening of a Branch Post office are not fulfilled but the posts are required to be filled up for operational reasons, then the appproval of Chief PMG will be required with concurence of Circle IFA. In respect of category of GDS BPM, this power earlier vested with Chief PMG was delegated to the Head of Division for filling up the vacant posts of GDS BPM without reference to HOC by adopting the method firstly by appointment of surplus identified GDS fulfilling the conditions faling which by combination of duties in the same BO provided the combined workload does not exceed five hours failing whichy by recruitment of outsiders by observing the selection process as per DG Posts letter No. 17-103/2007-GDS dated 17 Feb 2011. This dispensation was given only for the vacant posts of GDS BPM in Branch Post Offices irrespective of number borne on extablishment. It was made clear in the letter dated 17 Feb 2011 that approval of the Head of the Circle shall continue to be obtained for filling up other categories of Gramin Dak Sevaks which are not justified by workload/financial parameters in case such posts are required to be filled up or operational reasons. For the category of GDS Stamp Vendor, the existing vacncies of GDS Stamp Vendor including the posts likely to fall vacant on account of discharge, absorption or death, etc, are not allowed to be filled up if not justified statistically i.e. if the prescribed norm of Rs. 1000 sale per hour is not fulfilled as ordered vide DG Posts letter No. 6-24/2010-PE II dated 21 Jul 2010.

(b)         The guidelines at (a) above apply to all approved categories of GDS notified in Rule 3(d) of GDS (Counduct and Engagement) Rules, 2011 i.e. GDS Branch Postmaster, GDS Mail Deliverer, GDS Mail carrier, GDS Mail Packer and GDS Stamp Vendor. No other category, which is not included in Rule 3(d) is allowed to be filled up.

 

2.       Elaborate instructions for making substitute arrangements were issued under letter No. 17-115/2001-GDS dated 21 Oct 2002. Such instructions in nutshell are reiterated as under:-

          (a)     In Short term arrangements, as far as possible, work is to be managed by

combining duties, Substitutes will not be provided in leave arrangements. In single handed BOs, the work will be managed by giving combined duty to GDS MD/GDSMC of neighboring BO in whose beat BO falls.

(b)         In long term arrangement, combination of duites as per above, may be resorted to. Substitutes will be allowed only if workload of the BO as well as financial position justifies such arrangement or filling up of posts on regular basis.

(c)         In town and cities where departmental officials are also available in same office, the possiblity of managing the work by regular staff by combination of duties or by grant of OTA beyond normal working hours may be explored.

(d)        No substitute is to be alowed to take over charge unless the competent leave sanctioning authority/appinting authority is fully satisfied that the subsitiute possesses the prescribed qualification for that appointment and has been privided under the risk and responsiblilty of the regulr incumbent.

(e)         Continuation of subsitutes beyond 180 days at a stretch may be allowed only by the next higher authority to the appoining authority and only in exceptional cases where action has been initiated for regular appointment if justified by workload and financial norms.

(f)          No substitute arrangement shall continue beyond one year. If it is to be continued on unavoidable reasons, specific approval of HOC will be necessary for reasons to be recorded by the concerned authority in writing.

(ii)          It may again be made clear that combination of duties is permisible only in cases where the combined workload does not go beyond five hours.

 

3.           Elaborate instructions for making provisional arrangements were issued under letter No. 17-115/2011-GDS dated 21 Oct 2002. Such instructions in nutshell are reiterated as under:-

 

(a)         In case of provisional arrangements, such appointments should be resorted to in case where the GDS is unable, quite unexpectedly, to undertake his duties due to his own actions (unauthorized absence, fraud, misappropraiation, etc.), due to circumstances beyound his control like sudden illness/accident/death or because the Department does not want him/her to continue (due to reasons of misconduct/dismissal/removal/put off duty, etc). In other cases, action should be taken well in advance to fill up the post on regular basis. Even where the post falls vacant unexpectedly, efforts should be made to manage the work by combining the duties keeping in view the limitation outlined in Para 2(ii) above..

(b)         Where provisional arrangement becomes unavoidable, action may be initiated to fill up the post following all the formalities prescribed for regular appointment but clearly stipulating that the appointment is on provisional basis.

(c)         In case of death, there is no objection to a dependant being allowed to function on interim basis provided he/she fulfills the qualification required for such post. Again, this may be resorted to if arrangement by combination of duties is not feasible. Such interim arrangement should not exceed one year.

(d)        Approaval of next higher authority is to be obtained in all cases where provisional arrangement exceeds 180 days. Where the period exceeds one year, the approval of Head of Circle would be necessary.

 

4.           It was also clarified vide DG Posts letter No. 41-437/87-PE II dated 16 Dec 1987 and 06 Jul 1988 that wherever combination of functions is resorted to, the designation of the person may be ED Branch Postmaster (now called GDS Branch Postmaster), if he performs any other function in addition to his work as Branch Postmaster and, in all the other cases, the designation may be of the function which is the most predominant i.e. where delivery agency and main conveyance constitute the combind functions of an individual, he can be designated as Delivery Agent or Mail Carrier depending on the longer time devoted on the particular duty. In such cases, the pre-dominant function & designation given resultant thereto determines the admissible TRCA plus allowances.

 

5.           Wherever the combination of fucntion is resorted to, the resultant another post, the functions of which are so combined, may be relocated to another office by way of redeployment & in case of non-relocation, the same needs to be abolished/kept held in abeyance. In case of future needs when the combined workload exceed 5 hours, the action would involve creation of post by adopting the prescribed process or by redeployment of surplus posts or by reviving the post ordered to be held in abeyance. Similarly, the posts, which are declared not to be filled up, need to be ordered to be abolished on being fallen vacant, viz., GDS SV (only not justified statistically) and GDS Mailmen, etc.

 

6.           As and when information is called for, it has been observed that incorrect information about the vacant posts of GDS is furnished. In case of observance of the process as outlined above, the sanctioned number of GDS posts minus actual strenght at any given point of time would reflect the actual number of GDS posts minus actual strenght at any given point of time would reflect the actual number of GDS posts vancat for the purpose of initiating action for engagement on such posts. Where the instructions issued do not put a bar on filling up a particular category of post & the prescribed parameters are also fulfilled; action needs to be initiated promptly/well in time to fill up such posts adopting the prescribed process. In other cases where the presecribed parameters are not fulfilled, the Divisional Head is only a uthorized to decide about filling up the only posts of GDS BPM. In other cases, the process of obtaining appoval of HOC may be initiated promptly; if, however, any of such posts is considered to be filled up for operational reasons, the Divisional Head shall send the proposal at least in a month's time from the date of vacancy and in advance (particularly in the cases of discharge, absorption to regular departmental posts). The Divisional Head should monitor its process with due diligence. The CO/RO shall also closely monitor their MIS.

 

7.           The above position may brought to the notice of all concerned for information and strict adherence.

                                                                                                Sd/-

                                                                                                          (Surender Kumar)

                                                                                  Assistant Director General (GDS)

 



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