Proposal for Cadre Review in respect of Group B (Non Gazetted) &
Group ‘C’ Cadre in operative side of Postal Department
JUSTIFICATION FOR CADRE REVIEW
1.1 In the first Chapter of the Annual
report 2007-08 of the Department of Post under the Caption of 'Overview', it
was mentioned that the Cadre Review was conducted in 2007 with the prime aim of
restructuring the Cadre to meet the challenges to the Department, and
especially to cater the marketing and business development.
1.2 Whereas the similar to the cadre review
exercised at JAG/SAG level has not been extended to the grass root level
employees who are actually carrying out the policy and programme of the Postal
organisation despite there is ample justification after the modernisation of
postal services and introduction of various new projects and products. Not even
a single post of System Administrators for maintenance of hardware and software
has so far been created despite the posts of Systems Manager/ Systems
Administrators/ Project officers etc. are in existence by converting the Postal
Assistant posts by keeping those posts vacant. Many Postal Assistant posts were
now christened as Marketing Executives without any monetary benefits and also
keeping the Postal Assistants posts vacant which are being managed by the rest
of the staff without any monetary compensation.
1.3 As per the report cited above in para
supra, there is a dire need to transform the human resources abundantly
available in the Department to a multi dimensional one to meet the challenges
and also to improve the services in the competition era for which the officials
should be motivated by offering good packages and promotional opportunities.
The Cadre
restructuring exercises have been done by the various departments in large
scale. In many departments like Railways, Audit & Accounts, the cadre
restructurings were exercised in Group C cadres many times and the ratio of
promotional avenues between the feeder and promotional cadres are being
maintained under the ratio of 20:80.
The Staff of the
Postal Accounts in our department have also been blessed with this beneficial
scheme of eighty percent upgradation of posts during Sep 87 based on the cadre
restructuring to Postal Accounts staff exercised after the implementation of
the Fourth Pay Commission's recommendations.
So far, in
respect of Postal department, the Postal Board has not exercised any cadre
restructuring to the Clerical (Group C) cadres but has resorted to other
schemes like TBOP, BCR on matching Savings. The conception of TBOP/BCR was to
ensure that an employee does not stagnate in the maximum of the pay scale of
the Cadre and promote to next grade (Selection grade) in two spells (i.e) one
first after 16 years and second after 26years of service. The agreement for
TBOP and BCR were signed by providing matching savings for the schemes to the
extent of 20% in supervisory and 6% in operative Posts and withdrawal of
special pay and so on.
Prior to
introduction of TBOP, in May 1974, by an agreement in the JCM Departmental
Council, 20% of the posts in the operative grade were placed in the next higher
grade of LSG. This was withdrawn at the time of introduction of TBOP, as the
LSG promotions were granted on the length of service of individuals and not by
the existence of posts under the TBOP scheme.
The Department has issued various
clarifications on TBOP/BCR and in almost all the clarifications the TBOP and
BCR promotions were equated with LSG & HSG II. HSG I promotions were
accorded during the years in between 1995 to 1998 based on the BCR Gradation
list. Suddenly in 1999, the TBOP & BCRs were termed as financial up
gradations and they were denied the equal status with LSG & HSG II. Thus
the benefits arrived after the TBOP/BCR in the years 1983/1991 were freezed and
those promotions were lost its identity and sanctity. Finally while adopting
MACP Promotions the erstwhile TBOP & BCR Schemes were scrapped and now not
in existence. Thus all the three exercises similar to cadre review in different
forms were withdrawn and virtually, it appears that there is no cadre review
for Group C cadre has been exercised so far.
The
Sixth Pay Commission did not recommend any separate pay scales for LSG &
HSG II and resultantly the Pay Bands applicable to TBOP & BCR are thus
being applied to LSG & HSG II promotions. After equating the TBOP & BCR
with the similar Pay Band to LSG & HSG II, the contention of the Department
that they are financial upgradation is having no relevance. Thus there is ample
justification for exercising cadre restructuring for the supervisory cadres in
the department.
Meanwhile, the Sixth CPC in its recommendations under Para 3.3.17 maintained
that it has refrained from conducting cadre review of individual services and
left the job to the respective departments. Thus we propose the following
proposal for cadre review for consideration.
Since we are aware that despite ample functional justification for upgradation
of grade pay to the extent of Rs.2800/- to Postal Assistants, there is no
chance of considering to grant higher pay scale to Postal Assistants under the
proposed cadre restructuring, we are restraining ourselves only to the increase
the number of supervisory posts in existence in respect of hierarchical cadre
to the Postal assistants and formation of new cadres pertaining to technical
posts.
It
is pertinent to mention that in many departments, the percentage wise cadre
restructuring of posts were considered and the functional justification has not
been insisted. For example, Railways in the case of Ticket Checking staff who
are in 1900 GP Entry level pay, have been provided with the promotional cadre
like Senior Ticket Examiner; Head Ticket Examiner; and Chief Ticket Inspector.
In the case of Railway Commercial clerks, who are in 2000 GP at Entry level
pay, have promotional cadres like Senior commercial Clerks; Head Commercial
Clerks; and Chief Commercial Clerks under the cadre restructuring doing the
similar duty with different nomenclatures.
Under the Cadre Restructuring exercised in Railways 14% of officials are
retained in Entry level pay scale of both these cadres; 16% officials in next
pay scale level of 2400 GP; 46% to next level of 4200 GP; and remaining 24% in
4600 GP in the case of Ticket Checking Staff. Out of these staff most of them
work as operative staff and the senior most staff only are working as
Supervisors in second and third level and only the fourth level are fully real
supervisory staff. According to Railway formula these higher cadre restructured
posts were not based on functional justification. It is the bare fact that on
functional justification basis many could not have obtained this much
percentage of higher level posts.
Even
though, we are of the opinion that the cadre restructuring shall be exercised
at par with railways or at least with the earlier review made for staff car
drivers based on the percentage of posts in basic cadre to each promotional
categories, we are placing below the availability of functional justification
also in case of PA cadre for kind information and consideration..
LSG, HSG II/HSG I
2.1 At the outset, we wish to place on record
that the existing nomenclature for supervisory posts viz. LSG, HSG-II &
HSG-I does not exhibit the nature of status to our world and it requires
revision. Let it be called with the nomenclature of Supervisors, Senior
Supervisors and Chief Supervisors or Executive Manager, Senior Manager, and
Chief Manager. It is most opt to mention that the earlier station masters are
now called as station managers; Engine drivers are now called as Loco Pilot;
Group D is now called as Multi Tasked Staff; Mechanics sheds are called as care
centres. Similarly, the Postal Assistant shall also be called with decent
nomenclature instead of this present LSG, HSG II & HSG I
2.2 The Supervisors/Postmasters have omnibus
task of management, providing guidance and supervision in all activities
including the various marketing/business activities.
2.3 The scope and functions of Postmasters/Supervisors
may broadly be categorised as follows.
They are
responsible for drawal/remittance of funds involving huge financial
responsibility.
They have
to enforce efficient supervision office and Postal operations.
They have
to enforce the orders strictly in maintaining the office and its day to day
functions.
They have
to plan and execute the orders and promote more business and improve the mail
functioning.
They have
to supervise the subordinates as on administrator and in some cases act as
disciplinary authority also.
They
should possess a through knowledge on all Postal transactions with updated
rulings in order to run the office smoothly with the customer satisfaction.
They have
to take all efforts for prompt delivery of mails besides averting any public
complaints.
They have a
thorough knowledge about their powers, responsibilities, and duties and also to
acquaint him with all departmental rules and procedures
Under the changed scenario, due to complete
modernisation and venturing various business activities, the role and
responsibilities of the supervisors and postmasters become abundant and there
is a dire need to place them in higher pay band of II right from LSG post
onwards.
2.4 In nutshell, they should function as a
Manager, Public Relation Officer, Bank Officer, Welfare Officer and also a good
Administrator. Based on the job content, the responsibilities and specialised
knowledge needed for efficient functioning; there is a sound case for
upgradation of all the posts of Postmasters into supervisory cadre. After the
decentralisation of various works at S. O. levels like RD/MIS works and
launching various business activities there is a qualitative change in the
supervisory duties of the Single/Double handed offices which require a better
senior officials to supervise the work. Notwithstanding our claim to place the
LSG in pay band II with grade pay of Rs.4200; HSG II to Rs.4600 & HSG I to
Rs.4800, We are proposing the following for increase the number of supervisory
posts which will cater the need and also based on the functional justification.
2.5 The Department is having a total number of
Postal Assistants to the extent of 83,696 Posts. We are having 6989 LSG Posts,
1703 HSG II & 1649 HSG I Posts; out of which 2097 post of Postmaster Grade
I, 511 posts of Grade II Postmaster & 495 posts of Grade I Postmaster were
carved out while forming a separate cadre of Postmaster. While comparing the
existence of basic cadre Postal Assistants, the present number of LSG Posts is
just only 8.35%. Even the assured 20% operative posts in LSG during May 74 and
implemented is no where in letter & spirit and we have gone back to the
period prior to 1974.
2.6 The staff side therefore requests to
consider the following proposals in the case of supervisors.
Considering the
more nature of supervisory works now available in B & C Class offices, the
posts of SPMs of those offices may be upgraded to the present status of LSG
with the revised nomenclature of 'Supervisor' or Manager. As on date we are
having 11395 singled handed post offices and 6719 double handed offices. It
will result in creation of new supervisory posts equivalent to present LSG
cadre to be extent of 18114 which will work out to 21.65% LSG Supervisory
posts.
The SPMs working
in present 'A' class and LSG offices & other LSG supervisory posts may be
upgraded to the present status of HSG II and called them as 'Senior Supervisor
or Senior Manager'. This will add to the present LSG strength of 6989 with
addition of 3732 postmaster of Triple handed post offices with the total
strength of 10718 which will maintain the promotional avenues from LSG to HSG
II to the extent ratio of 2 : 1.
The present
posts in HSG II & HSG I may be amalgamated and called as 'Chief Supervisor
or Chief Manager' with the present HSG I status. The existing posts of HSG II
& HSG I to the extent of 1703 and 1649 posts respectively (i.e.) 3352 posts
will maintain the ratio of promotions from HSG II to HSG I as 3:1
A separate
identification to the extent of 30% of the HSG I posts may please be accorded
as Non functional posts in Group B status with grade pay of Rs. 4800/- in Pay
Band II.
If the above process of elevation of more supervisory posts considering
the requirement of more supervisory posts on functional justification is
carried out, it will provide more supervisory posts and not to have any
disturbances in the pyramidal structure since the total no. of supervisory
posts will work out to 32184 which is 38.45% not exceeding 40% of the basic
cadre.
POSTMASTER’S CADRE
3.1 The Department has
unilaterally introduced Postmaster’s Cadre vide its No. 4-17/2008-SPB II dt.
22.11.2010 by carving out 2097 LSG posts, 511 HSG II posts and 495 HSG I posts
out of 5695 LSG posts, 1077 HSG II & 1176 HSG I posts. The staff side was
not in favour for formation of separate cadre since it will create a division
among the existing supervisors and also the concept of supervisors to know all
the nature of work is being shrinking due to separate formation. However, the
Postmaster cadre is being implemented as a separate hierarchical cadre.
3.2 The recruitment
rules applicable to other supervisors are being applied in respect of Postmasters
cadre. During cadre restructuring the following shall be considered.
When the Postmaster
cadre is separately created, all the promotions up to the posts of Chief
Postmaster shall be open only to that cadre. Entertaining IPO line officials is
not fair. Their option may be obtained for postmaster cadre if willing.
Thereafter all posts shall be filled up only from the Postmasters cadre.
At the time of
upgradation of more supervisory posts under cadre review, 1/3rd
posts may also be carved out for the postmasters cadre.
At present there is no
provision to fill up the Postmaster Grade I posts on seniority. The principle
of 2/3rd by Seniority and 1/3rd by merit shall be
introduced in Postmasters Grade-I also.
4. RMS
4.1 At present, there
are 7599 Sorting Assistants; 5544 MACP II SAs & 3311 MACP III. Whereas the
present supervisory posts available in the RMS in LSG 1053; HSG II 415; HSG-I
415, which is not even reaches 5% in LSG to the comparison of Sorting Assistant
4.2 After implementation
of mail network redesign in speed post as well as First class mailing offices
and there are vast changes being taken place, more promotional avenues shall be
provided in RMS. Considering the above, more Promotional Posts in LSG, HSG-II &
HSG-I equal to the ratio provided to Postal Assistant under the cadre review
may please be considered, the existing promotional Posts shall be increased at
least by three times.
4.3 Further a new
cadre of Non Functional Group ‘B’ may please be carved out to the extend of 30%
of the total HSG I Posts by providing one NFS Posts to each RMS division for
effective supervision and monitoring.
5. SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATORS
5.1 The Sixth Pay Commission in its report vide
item No. 7.6.21 observed interalia: -
"Postal Assistants assigned the jobs of
Systems Administrators and Marketing Executives have demanded creation of a new
cadre with higher pay scales. Creation of a new cadre in their case is not
functionally justified. The commission, in any case, is not looking into
demands relating to individual cadre reviews, status -quo may, therefore, need
to be maintained especially because the existing scenario always usage of
available manpower for need based multifarious function."
5.2 The Sixth CPC did not dealt the issue with
due note of the existence of such category in postal exclusively performing the
duties properly and arrived at the conclusion causing severe discontentment in
the minds of the officials who are toiling since inception of computers in the
post offices and rendered their unstinted service without any extra
remuneration for the total computerisation of postal services.
From the report of the
Sixth CPC, it is quite evident that the actual nature of work involved as
'Systems Administrators' in the Department of Posts has been quite
misunderstood and the projection of the same has been made devoid of the acumen
and dexterity actually involved. In nut shell, the work of 'Systems
Administrators' has been evaluated on facts that are miles away from the ground
realities. In other departments, the nature of work entrusted to Systems
administrators are quite different and they are being with the grade pay of
Rs.5400. Here we are calling them as systems administrators; but their role and
responsibilities are entirely different.
In certain
departments, the posts of ‘Computer Assistant’ or ‘System Assistant’ in the pay
scale of Rs. 9300-34800 with grade pay of Rs. 4200/- have been created with the
Qualification of graduation/BSC with PGDCA/DOEACC – A level with 55/- marks or
two years’ experience is required for the selection as system assistant. The
nature of work in existence in postal can be equated with that of systems
assistants. Based on the same structure, a separate cadre of system Administrators
can be created by providing further promotional avenues in the cadre.
The Department has
formed a separate Technical wing at the Directorate to deal the problems of
Systems oriented and it has given a hope that the long pending demands of the
System Administrators would also be considered and decided. The Department has
also constituted another three DDG Committee vide is letter No.1/1/2010-Sr
dated 19.7.2010 comprising DDG (Estt), DDG (P) and DDG (Technology) to consider
about creation of systems administrators cadre and directed to submit its
report within three months. We are not aware of the recommendations of the
committee.
Further, the
Department of Posts vide its letter No. 23-15/2004-PE II dt 24.12.04, after the
formation of Separate Committee under the Chairmanship of the DDG (Technology)
directed to consider the following: -
Assess which of special categories of Staff
will be required at Sub Post offices, Head Post offices, Sorting offices, Speed
Post centres as and various Administrative and Accounts offices to effectively
tackle problems which arise while implementing the Computerization plan:
Assess number of Staff in each of these special
categories that will be required in SOs/HOs/Divisions etc and nomenclature (for
example, PAC Technology). System administrator, Systems Manager etc.) for each
category.Recommend:
Pay scales to be given to such staff
Selection criterion for such staff and career
Career progression for such staff.
The Director (T&E) has sought views and
suggestions on the above vide his letter cited above. However, it seems no
decision has so far been taken by the committee or Department.
According
to Para 10.1 of the Annual report of 2010-11 of the Department of Posts, during
the period from 1st April 2010 to 31st December 2010 ,
computer hardware and peripherals have been supplied to 1811 post offices. Thus
till December 2010, 14415 post offices have been computerised under Plan Scheme
of Computerisation of Post offices. Further all Postal Circle Offices, Regional
Offices, all Postal Accounts Offices and 1205 Divisional Offices have also been
computerized. Besides, a number of enabled services were started in these post
offices. The Govt has approved IT modernisation project of the Department of
Posts for computerisation of all the non-computerised post offices, mail
offices, administrative and other offices, establishment of required IT
infrastructure, development of required software applications to be completed
by 2012-13. .
The
Department has entered with contracts for implementation of financial services
solution and there are eight projects for the I.T. modernisation of India Post
at on overall out lay of Rs.1877 crores. As per the contract for financial
services solution, it includes commissioning of Postal Banking operations
entailing core banking solution and ATM switch. The dept proposes to introduce
and install Rural ICT hardware devices and providing network connectivity to
1.30 lakhs branch post offices enabling all post offices to perform e
transactions.
It is very
pertinent to point out that this could be achieved only by having specialised
and trained man power pool inside our organisation. Imparting training,
maintenance of hardware and software, attending faults at 1.30 lakhs branch
post offices etc, we require a large number of expert personnel for which the
creation of systems assistant or call by any name like Technical Assistant,
Computer Assistant etc is inevitable. The role of existing Systems
Administrators in total computerisation of Post offices must be recognised.
They are very much frustrated and the discontentment is mounting due to the
continuous exploitation of these categories over ten years.
It is
therefore requested to consider their plights and convert the existing Systems
Administrator posts as Promotional Cadre to Postal Assistants possessing
required qualification in computer appreciations as if available in other
departments for the post of Systems Assistant with grade pay of Rs.4200.
The
existing Systems Administrators may be absorbed in the promotional posts by
conducting simple Trade test in token of recognition of their services in the
past in the total computerisation of post offices. It is pertinent to mention
that it is only the postal department, the computerisation to this extent
possible without engaging any outside agencies and also without incurring more
expenses with the technically qualified Postal Assistants available in the department.
They must be recognised by this way.
The pay
scale of the Systems Assistants may be decided as follows.
Systems Assistants - Grade Pay 4200
I Promotion: Systems Manager - Grade Pay 4600
II Promotion: Sr. System Manager - Grade Pay
4800
10% posts may be identified as Gazetted with
Grade pay of Rs.5400/- as existence in other departments as Systems
Administrators for monitoring the entire Technical developments.
5.14 Even
though all the supervisory posts in Postal operative side can look after the
postmasters work and there is no need for creation of separate cadre, the Dept
has created the Postmasters cadre recently which the staff side not resisted.
Whereas
in the
case of Systems assistants, there is ample justification for creation of
separate cadre considering the nature of their duties and requirement to the
service and this may be considered in true spirit.
Notwithstanding our demand for the creation of
System Asst. With Rs. 4200/- Grade Pay, it is agreeable to convert the Posts by
LSG and other hierarchical promotions based on the functional requirements and
declare it as a promotional cadre to Postal Assistants.
6. PO & RMS ACCOUNTANTS
The Sixth Pay
Commission has rejected higher pay scale to PO & RMS Accountants as if
there is no functional justification exists for the same and recommended to
revise the special allowance of Rs.180/- in double the rates. The description
of the Sixth CPC that they are not belonging to the organised accounts cadre
without looking the merits through their nature of duties and responsibilities
are nothing but a farce. This cadre has met a raw deal over the last three
decades.
The comparative pay
structure of Accountant post in different Department / Ministry / organized
Sector are detailed below for kind perusal.
Name of the Department Designation / Existing
pay scale after 5th CPC/ Revised pay scale
Indian Audit & Accounts
(a)Auditor/Accountant 4500-125-7000
Department/ subsequently revised to 5000-150-8000
(b) Sr Auditor/ Accountant
5500-175-900 (Para 7.56.4 6th CPC)
(c) Section Officer 6500-200-10500
Railway Department (a) Accountants Assistants
5000-150-8000
(Para 7.56.6 6th
CPC) (b) Divisional Accountant 5500-175-9000
Ministry of Consumer Affairs (a) Accountant cum
cashier 5000-150-8000
Food & Public Dn (b) on promotion
5500-175-9000
(Para 7.1.14 6th
CPC) (c) -DO- 6500-200-10500
The Survey of India Land
Development Office (b) On Promotion
5500-175-9000
(Para 7.46.41
6th CPC) (c) -DO- 6500-200-10500
Indian Tourism Office (a) Accountant
4500-125-7000
(Para 7.44.7 6th
CPC)
Postal A/Cs & Finance (a) Auditor /
Accountant 5000-150-8000
(Para 7.56 6th
CPC) (b) Sr. Auditor/Accountant 5500-175-9000
(c) Section Officer 6500-200-10500
This will be the
testimony that this cadre of PO & RMS Accountant alone is deprived and
denied the dues. The exploitation of this cadre is continuing over 20 years.
This may please be pursued with the Government and see that the PO & RMS
Accountants are placed at least with the Accountants working in Postal Accounts
office of our department.
The following is
the proposal; we desired to put forth for kind consideration
i. The Po
& RMS Accountant examination may be declared as vacancy based examination
instead of the present qualified one
ii. The official after their selection shall be
posted as Accountant with the Grade Pay of Rs.2800.
iii. PO & RMS Accountants cadre shall be
declared as a separate cadre with hierarchical promotional benefits.
iv. At the time of up gradation of 1622 HSG II
posts to HSG I, many APM accounts LSG posts were identified as HSG I posts.
Resultantly there is very lesser number of LSG Posts ie. in the feeder cadre
available for promotion to PO & RMS Accountants. This has blocked the
promotional chances for the existing PO &RMS Accountants .In many places,
the due DPC for LSG posts could not held due to dearth of LSG vacancies. Hence,
it is the dire need to restore the LSG position to the extent of 50% of the
total posts of APM Accounts by upgrading simultaneously in the general line
posts. Those posts can be identified to the present status of HSG II with Grade
pay of Rs.4200.
v. 30% of the remaining APM Accounts post may
be declared with present HSG I status with grade pay of Rs.4600.
vi. The remaining 20% of the APM Accounts posts
may be declared as Gazetted posts with grade pay of Rs.4800.
The determination of status on LSG, HSG II,
HSGI and Gazetted may be decided based on the status of the offices and also
the supervisory nature of the posts. This is possible. The nomenclature of the
posts may also be changed at par with the proposals we suggested for the
supervisory posts. Unless the cadre is declared as a separate one, the anomalies
in existence over three decades will continue. It is therefore requested to
consider the proposals by analysing all these factors prevailing in the work
spot.
7. MISCELLANEOUS
7.1 In order to provide more promotional
avenues to the youth possessing more skills & qualifications, the following
establishments may be upgraded and elevated to the standards of supervisors.
D.Kisan Rao
Secretary General
NAPE Gr- C
New Delhi.
Secretary General
NAPE Gr- C
New Delhi.
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