Reminding the issue of upgradation of GP of IPs again

As the Department slept over the issue of upgradtion of GP of IPs taking the pretext of the OA No.381/2010 filed in the Hon’ble Ernakulam Bench being sub judice, things are appearing as if the issue has died down. The GS on his part has last reminded the DG(Posts) on 09.08.2010 hoping against hopes that Department will do some favour. It is now learnt that the file remained with the Accounts Wing of the Directorate (JSFA) which after a long time has returned it to Establishment Division in the same Directorate Building with reported remark that the merger  of IP cadre (which is of Non-Gazetted status) is not feasible with ASP cadre (which is of Gazetted status). And the proposal is back to square one. It is now learnt that the Department is toying with the idea of merging two cadres with withdrawal of Gazetted status accorded to ASPs [which will be welcome by many (subject to Chief PMG being retained as the Appointing Authority) as the Gazetted status, far from yielding any benefit  has always created a problem, particularly in the present situation] .  The withdrawal will rather benefit the ASPs for getting PLB on Non-Gazetted status. But it is learnt that no definite proposal on the issue has been communicated to AIAIASP for consideration. No meeting on the issue with the Association has either been convened.

At the field level the IP cadre officials are writhing with anger for the discrimination meted out to them by twisting the facts to their disadvantage and for delaying the upgradation proposal indefinitely. But the Department is going easy with typical slow motion as if every thing is hunky dory for IP cadre officials. The question of upgradation of GP of IPs had come up for consideration after the MOF issued a circular on 13.11.2009 for upgradation of GP of all those who were in the pre-revised scale of 6500-10500 as on 1.1.2006. After the Inspectors in CBDT/CBEC got the upgradation it was thought that the upgradation of GP of IPs is just a matter of formality which would come almost automatically, with just a formal proposal being approved by MOF. But things have now come to such a pass that IP cadre officials are struggling to get upgradation which continues to elude them. Eyes are on the outcome of the OA filed in Hon’ble CAT, Ernakulam Branch even as the hearing of the case is getting delayed. In the aforesaid litigation the Department has put all its might to justify that the IPs are just not eligible to get the upgrdation of their GP to Rs.4600/-.

When this fact was brought to the notice of some senior officers, they mentioned that the Department is strongly behind the IPs for ensuring implementation of the upgradation of GP. But it is quite evident from the stand taken against the OA and from the unusually-slow-action of the Directorate on the GP upgrdation issue that the Department’s sympathy towards IPs is superficial. The issue of upgrdation of GP of IPs has been there since November 2009 after the upgradation of GP was granted to analogous posts in other Departments /Ministries of Govt. of India. The Association has already agreed to the proposal of merger of IP and ASP cadres since 05.04.2010 to remove the obstacle on the way of the upgrdation of GP of IPs. But after more than 5 months the Department now woke up to find out that the Gazetted status of ASPs is an impediment on the way of upgrdation of GP of IPs. What the Department was doing all these months? Was so much time really necessary to discover this position? See the things in contrast in respect of Gr.C and D cadres in the same Department. Ever since the Govt was served with notice for strike from 13.07.2010 (which eventually did not materialise), the Department has moved very fast to settle their demands one after another. But the same sense of urgency and seriousness is never observed in respect of IP line officials. Is it not a criminal negligence to say after 5 months (after the Association informed the Department for merger of IPs and ASPs) that the merger proposal has a feasibility problem? How come the persons in the helm of affairs are so short-sighted not to notice this obstacle earlier? Is it not clear that the Department is playing with the sentiments of the IPs without sensitivity? Still the IP line officials continue with committed loyalty unmindful of real situation that the same very people who keep them engaged in duty day and night are least bothered about the plights of IP line officials. More over, they do not hesitate to rub salt in the wounds of IP line officials by resorting to repressive measures in the name of administrative discipline. Orissa Circle Branch of AIASP is even witness to the situation where IPs are not spared of getting warnings / dies-non for remaining on leave on health ground. Still the IPs are obsessed with (unconditional) loyalty to the administration as if nothing is learnt from the attitude shown to them from these instances.  Some senior officers are shedding crocodile tears for the benefit of upgradation of GP eluding IPs. But time has come the IP line officials to understand the reality and decide with seriousness to chalk out agitational plans. Is it not appropriate at this stage to decide why the IP line officials should take so much of pain and strain to procure business for the Department instead of concentrating on their usual duties for which there is no relief for them from the administration? As usual, Orissa Circle Branch of AIAIASP would urge upon the CHQ to come out with the action plan as enough patience of IP line officials has been tested with submissions of a number of prayers and petitions.