This blog is meant for use by members of the Association for news and views. Send comments / suggestions / views to e-mail Id: aiaipasp.ors@gmail.com

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Punching PIN must for debit card use from Dec 1

New Delhi, Nov 30 (PTI) Debit card holders will from Sunday be required to punch in their PIN numbers every time they use the card, a move aimed at minimising frauds.

In June, the Reserve Bank had extended the deadline for implementation of mandatory PIN punching at Point-of-Sales (PoS) and merchant outlets till November 30 following representation of banks.

RBI allows banks to pay interest more frequently

Triggering a potential deposit war among banks, the Reserve Bank of India on Friday gave commercial banks the option of paying interest on savings and term deposits at intervals less than three months. The RBI move, announced in a notification, is expected to make banks woo depositors more aggressively with a little extra interest payment.

Interest calculated with shorter periodicity will yield a little higher sum in absolute term for savings account and term deposit holders. Public deposits traditionally are the cheapest source of funds for lenders, which have been struggling to raise money from common people. Bank deposits grew 15.45% year-on-year to around Rs 74-lakh crore for the fortnight ended November 16.


RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, however, had said he is not happy with the deposit growth. "The most recent numbers have FCNR-B (foreign currency non-resident—bank deposits) in it. I would like to see deposits growth, especially CASA (current and saving account)," he had said.

Increasing the frequency of interest payment — mentioned in the central bank's second quarter monetary policy in October — may put margin pressure on banks. Lenders have already been facing strains on their interest rate margins as they are compelled to pay high rates to depositors, while the government has directed them to lower lending rates.

"Monthly interest payment on deposits will raise costs marginally, but it will help banks to woo customers with a little extra payment without raising deposit rates," KR Kamath, chairman and managing director at Punjab National Bank, had said at the time of the credit policy.

Currently, banks calculate interest on a quarterly basis for deposits. Some of them do make monthly payment, but they pay a little less after discounting their losses for early payment. For example, if quarterly interest is Rs 300, they do not pay Rs 100 a month to depositors for three months. They pay a little less on monthly basis.

Source:-The Economic Times

Poll panel introduces new plastic voter's card

AGARTALA: To avoid duplication and forgery, the Election Commission has decided to provide plastic Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) instead of the current laminated paper card to all voters in India, officials said here Saturday. 

"The new PVC (plastic) EPIC has many scientific security features to prevent duplication, forging and tampering. Tripura is probably the first state in India to introduce the newly designed EPIC," state Chief Electoral Officer Ashutosh Jindal told reporters. 


He said that unlike the present paper voter's card, the PVC-EPIC has inserted coded information of the elector. 

The new PVC-EPIC was formally introduced Saturday here by Tripura Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar Panda. Some voters received the new cards Saturday. 

The new card is being issued through the Common Service Centre of the central government's Information Technology department. 

"The information and government logos of the new EPIC would be visible only in ultraviolet light," said Siladitya Sarkar, regional manager of the Information Technology department. 

Delivery of the new PVC-EPIC cards would also start in Mizoram next week and then in Uttar Pradesh, he said. 

Jindal said Tripura would also be the first state in the country to introduce online process of all types of applications of new and existing voters. 

Source:-The Economic Times

CHQ News:-General Secretary visited Postal Directorate...


General Secretary, CHQ President, CHQ Treasurer, CHQ OGS-II, CS WB and CS Haryana  Circle visited Postal Directorate on 27/11/2013 and 28/11/2013 and met with Member (Personnel), DDG (P), DDG (Estt), Director (Staff), Director (Estt), OSD to Secretary (Posts) and also to concerned ADGs/SOs. S/Shri Ajith Kumar ASP (PMU) and Parmanand ASP (PMU) also accompanied to CHQ team and extended their  full co-operation.  During the course of meetings, following pending issues were discussed in detail and present status is noted against each. 

S. No.
Items discussed
Present status
1
Supplementary DPC for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B
Directorate is going to call for the information from all circles about joining / declining the promotion in PS Gr. B cadre by officer/s who selected under Memo No. 9-33/2013-SPG dated 10/10/2013 and then only proceed further for holding of supplementary DPC if needed.
2
Repatriation of PS Gr. B officers to their Home Circle
It was assured that repatriation memo will be issued immediately after receipt of information from circles.
3
Formation of revised Recruitment Rules for the post of PS Gr. B cadre
There is no progress in the matter. Some creation memos of PS Gr. B cadre are still awaited to reply the query raised by DoPT.
4
Cadre restructuring / promotional aspects concerning Inspectors and Assistant Superintendent Posts.
This vital issue discussed in the meeting held with Member (P) at length. GS, President, Treasurer, CS WB, CS Haryana and OGS-II have taken active part in the discussion. Member (P) / DDG (P) and Director (Staff) who attended the meeting have principally accepted the proposal. CHQ team also met with DDG (Estt.), Director (Estt.), ADG (Estt.) and discussed the issue and requested them to move the proposal as early as possible. OSD to Secretary (P) told us that, Madam is also in favour of the proposal.   
5
Holding of DPC for the promotion to JTS Gr. A for the year 2012-13 and 2013-14.
Few periods CRs /APARs of 32 officers are still awaited for which Directorate has asked for NRC from circles. Vigilance clearance report i/r/o one officer from UP circle is awaited. The representations submitted by one officer each from Gujrat, Maharashtra and Odisha circle against below bench mark in their CRs/APARs have not been finalised by circles. In view of these problems, DPC for the year 2012-13 is said to be delayed. DPC for 2013-14 will be convened after holding of DPC for 2012-13.
6
Request for grant of Grade Pay of Rs. 5400/- to the ASPs after completion 4 years of regular service in G.P. of Rs. 4800/- earned under MACP Scheme.
The matter is still under process at Directorate.
7
Grant of honorarium to part time Inquiry Officers/ Presenting Officers for conducting inquiries under Rule-10 of GDS (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2011 and revision of financial powers delegated to CPMG for sanction of the Honorarium
File already sent to DoPT for enhancing the limit.
8
Revision of monetary ceiling of briefcase/ladies purse for official purposes
This issue discussed with DDG (Estt.). DOP is thinking to seek the approval from MoF for which Association took objection and requested to approve the limit GP wise.
9
Non convening of DPC for the promotion to Dy. Manager MMS.
DPC for 4 posts of Dy. Manager MMS will be convened in next month.
10
Formation of revised Recruitment Rules for the post of Assistant Manager in MMS.
New concept on Direct Recruitment and Departmental Quota is under consideration. The report of study committee is awaited.
11
Irregularity in promotion and postings in PS Gr. B cadre- Case of Shri P.M. Parmar (Gujrat).
Review DPC is likely to be convened very soon.
12
LDCE for promotion to the cadre of Sr. Postmaster (Gazetted).
No progress. Directorate has not received the outcome of CAT cases either from applicants or concerned circles.
13
Identification of Posts of HSG-I (IP Line) for Postmaster Grade III in Karnataka Circle.
Directorate have issued instructions to all circles for filling up of vacant posts of HSG-I.
14
Declaration of review results of Inspector Posts for the year 2008.
Few candidates missing CRs are being traced at Directorate and then review result will be declared.
15
Filling of back log of Direct Recruit Quota of Inspector Posts in all circles.
DOP is going to formulate new policy on Direct Recruit quota. This year good number of candidates allotted to circles by SSC.
16
Merger / de-merger of IPO/IRM cadre minimum working experience about postal /RMS wing before promotion to ASP / Supdt. Cadre.
This will not be affected on regular promotion to any IP/ASP. In this regard instructions are being issued shortly.
17
LDCE for the promotion to the cadre of PS Gr. B for the year 2013.
Due to receipt of large number of representations on previous examination result and CAT cases, notification for next examination will not be issued till taking over the proper action / decision thereon.
18
Declaration of result of IP and PM Grade-I examination 2013.
The representations received from candidates are under examination / scrutiny. It will take some time.
19
Inter Circle Transfer Rule 38 transfer cases of Inspector Posts.
Directorate have already issued guidelines to all circles for regulating the requests received from IPs. CPMsG are competent to decide the transfer cases on merit. The specific issue, if any may be taken up with Directorate for consideration.
20
Issue of combined seniority list of Inspector Posts cadre
It is under issue.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Guide on the Right to Information Act, 2005 - Updated Version.

To view please Click Here.

Gazzette Notification on Higher Selection Grade-II Recruitment Rules, 2013

To view the Gazette Notification please Click Here.

Gazette Notification for introduction of Express Parcel and Business Parcel

Gazette Notification regarding introduction of Express Parcel and Business Parcel services has been issued on 18th November, 2013 vide GSR 738 (E). Further vide this gazette notification rule 66 - B of IPO Rules 1933 relating to inland Speed Post, rule 72 of IPO Rules 1933 relating to insurance have also been amended.
Further by inserting rule 10-I in IPO Rules 1933, provision for Cash on Delivery has also been made.

To view the Gazette Notification please Click Here.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Invitation to Bidders for Workshop to understand Technology/Market trends for providing IT solution to Rural Post offices...

To view please Click Here.

Invitation to OEMS for Workshop to understand Technology/Market trends for providing IT solution to Rural Post offices...

To view please Click Here.

Sexual harassment cases at workplace leave male employees feeling confused, fearful

By Kala Vijayaraghavan, Rica Bhattacharyya & Deepali Gupta, ET Bureau 


This week, the human resources head of a top-notch consumer goods company recently spoke to the vice-president (marketing), gently advising him to tone down his habit of putting his arms around junior women colleagues. "He is this over-effusive, friendly person prone to physical display of affection to both male and female team-mates," the HR head told ET on condition of anonymity. "But with growing incidents of sexual harassment cases at workplaces, we wanted the person to correct his behaviour for his own sake. A friendly hug could also go against him." 


Recent developments - a new act to prevent sexual harassment of women at the workplace and separate cases involving a chief executive officer, a Supreme Court judge and a prominent magazine editor - are finally forcing India Inc to adopt a 'zero tolerance' posture on sexual harassment.


But, at the same time, the heightened sensitivity and rigorous new codes of conduct are leaving male executives confused, awkward and perhaps even a little fearful over what is appropriate in their work-related engagement with women and what is not. 

Unexpected Repercussions


"Some CEOs have told me their male managers are refusing certain postings where there are women-intensive roles," says Saundarya Rajesh, founder and head of Avtar Career Creators, a talent strategy consulting firm. "Men are now afraid their natural behaviours may be seen through a different lens and land them in trouble." 


Sexual harassment cases at workplace leave men feeling confused and fearful
Adds a Mumbai-based senior manager at a consumer company: "My boss and my wife have asked me to watch my words and actions while dealing with female colleagues." 

Such fears — both well founded and otherwise — are also causing other unexpected repercussions. "I don't have evidence, but I fear hiring of women may slow down as an immediate effect," says Zia Mody, managing partner, AZB Partners.


Many companies are swinging into action. At one level, they are tightening workplace codes to protect women. "Over the last week, an increasing number of corporates have asked us to look at their manuals, conduct trainings, check compliance with Vishaka guidelines (the name by which the new act is commonly referred to)," says Mody. 


At another level, companies are also sensitising male employees and addressing their concerns and fears. About a dozen top officials and consultants ET spoke to said HR heads and company leaders are working overtime, gently correcting borderline behaviour and also addressing fears male managers have of committing a faux paus or being unfairly maligned by women colleagues.


RPG Group has kicked off etiquette workshops for men on how to behave in the workplace or even on social media to safeguard themselves. The group also conducts powerful story-telling sessions around such incidents to help leaders get a sense of what is right and what is wrong and help them pick up the essence of how to correct their behaviour. Vodafone India took some senior and mid-level managers for a similar workshop. The company is keenly stepping up gender diversity.

Men are being advised to avoid involuntarily sizing up women, putting up offensive or seemingly sexual screen-savers on computers and laptops. A general manager at a leading financial services company had the 'gentlemanly habit' of making loud offers of dropping his junior women colleagues home if they happened to work late. "It was a harmless and helpful attitude. But we requested him to offer office cars," the HR chief of the company told ET, also on condition of anonymity. "It is better to be safe than sorry. We cannot put our organisation's reputation at risk." 


Men need to be educated. "My interaction with several male employees during the course of my training programmes is that three-fourth of them don't even know what kind of behaviour could have sexual connotations or where they have crossed the line," says Priya Warrick, an etiquette trainer and clinical psychologist and president-cum-executive director of Priya Warrick Finishing School.



The etiquette school does gender sensitisation workshops for male employees through role plays and role reversals. 


Source:-The Economic Times

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Tata Sons withdraws application for new bank license: RBI

Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, has withdrawn its application for a domestic banking license, RBI said in a statement on Wednesday. 

"The company has indicated that its current financial services operating model best supports the needs of the Tata Group's domestic and overseas strategy, and provides adequate operating flexibility to its companies, while securing the interests of the Group's diverse stakeholder base," the Reserve Bank of India said. 

The RBI has accepted the application withdrawal request, according to the statement. 


Tata Sons had filed the application on July 1, according to the RBI. Companies in the Tata Group include Tata Consultancy ServicesBSE -0.52 % Ltd, Tata Motors LtdBSE 2.31 %, and Tata SteelBSE 0.73 % Ltd. 


RBI had said in September that Value Industries, a unit of diversified conglomerate Videocon Industries BSE 0.03 % Ltd, had also withdrawn its application. 

Source:-The Economic Times

Handbook for Personnel Officers - 2013

To view please Click Here

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Arrangement among PS Group-B Officers in Circle Office

The following arrangement in PS Group “B” Officers of Circle Office has been ordered vide C.O. Memo No.ST/2-4(2)/2013 dated 26-11-2013.

Sl. No
Name of the officer
Present Post
Post on new arrangement
1.
P.C. Mohapatra
AD(BD/TO/ML)
AD(PMU)
2.
D. Rana
Dy. Manager, PPP, Bhubaneswar
Attached to CO as AD(Staff)
3.
D.P. Dash
AD(Staff)
AD(BD/TO/ML)

Monday, November 25, 2013

EC missive to states for holiday on election day

New Delhi, Nov 25 (PTI) Employees of government and other establishments, including private, in all poll-bound states will get a paid holiday on the day of election.

"I am directed to invite your attention to Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 which provides for the grant of paid holiday to the employees on the day of poll," said an Election Commission order to chief secretaries of poll-bound states.

Cancellation of Rural ICT Hardware (RH) RFP issued on 12.07.2013...

The Department of Posts has decided to cancel the Rural ICT Hardware (RH) RFP issued on 12.O7.2013. To view please Click Here.

Friday, November 22, 2013

144 govt officials penalised by CVC for graft

New Delhi, Nov 22 (PTI) 144 officials working in various central government departments have been penalised by Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) for their alleged involvement in corruption.

Of them, a maximum of 55 are working in Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), 16 in Department of Telecommunications, 11 in Ministry of Railways and six each in Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, UCO Bank and Bank of Maharashtra, the CVC said in its performance report for September.

LIC to stop selling 14 life insurance policies

Country's insurance giant Life Insurance Corporation has decided to stop selling as many as 14 policies, including Jeevan Mitra and Anmol Jeevan. 

Of this 14 products, LIC has already withdrawn seven policies, including Convertible Term Assurance, Children Deferred Endowment Assurance, with effect from November 16. 

As many as five policies including Jeevan Mitra, Jeevan Paramukh Plan, LIC's Bima Account I and II will go off LIC's shelves from November 23. 

Besides, two policies New Jeevan Nidhi and Anmol Jeevan I will be discontinued from November 30. 

Many of these policies are being discontinued as part of regulatory compliance, a senior official of LIC said. 

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) had extended the deadline for implementation of new individual product regulations for the life insurance industry by three months to December 31. 


The new guidelines are aimed at making insurance policies more customer-friendly. 

"All the existing group policies and all the existing individual products not in conformity with the provisions of this regulation shall be withdrawn from August 1, 2013 and January 1, 2014, respectively," IRDA had said in a circular. 

With regard to group policies, the life insurers have been asked not to enroll these policies after the immediate policy anniversary falling due after July 2013. 


However, it had said, all group policies at the time of renewal of such policy shall be given an option to switch over to the modified version of the group product, if any, once introduced. 

LIC has outperformed its peers in the private sector by recording a 7 per cent growth in premium collection during the first half of the current fiscal. 

The company witnessed a 7.26 per cent growth in premium income to Rs 37,906 crore during the six-month period ending September. 

As per the company's website, LIC has so far withdrawn 19 other policies, including Jeevan Astha, Market Plus I and Jeevan Nischay and Jeevan Varsha. 

Source:-The Economic Times 




Thursday, November 21, 2013

IRCTC launches e-wallet scheme for booking tickets

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has launched e-wallet, a user-friendly scheme aimed at making purchase of e-tickets easier.

The e-wallet is a rolling deposit scheme wherein the customers will have an account with theIRCTC and deposit money to be used in future for booking e-tickets from its website (irctc.co.in), said a senior IRCTC official involved with the project.

Currently, one has to make the payment for the fare of the ticket, while booking e-ticket, through credit card, debit card or net banking. The process is a bit longer as the customer is transferred to the bank's server, from IRCTC's server, for making the payment and thereafter he is once again taken back into the IRCTC site which takes considerable time for booking a ticket, he said.

There have been instances when customer's login, in the IRCTC site, expires during this process and money is deducted from his bank account but he fails to get the ticket. The problem is being addressed with the launching of e-wallet scheme, he said.

Since the customer's money is already deposited with the IRCTC, he is not transferred to the bank's server for payment. This way precious time is saved and the chances of money deduction and not getting ticket are also nullified.

Only PAN card verified users can register this scheme and in case of ticket cancellation, the due refund will be credited to the e-wallet account next day.

Source:-The Times of India

Guidelines for suo motu disclosure under RTI Act, 2005 by State Govt.

To view please Click Here.

Record Note of the meeting held on 24.10.2013 at 3.00 PM to discuss the possible Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 7th CPC with the representatives of the Staff Side of JCM.

To view please Click Here.

Transfer and Posting against the Post of Director, Postal Accounts, Cuttack

Department of Telecommunications, Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi-110001 Order No.5-02/2013-SEA-I dated 21st, November, 2013. 

Shri Sukhbir, Director, Postal Accounts, Cuttack has been transferred and posted as Director, DOT Hqrs. 

Shri S.R. Swain, Jt. CCA, O/o CCA, Odisha has been transferred and posted as Director, Postal Accounts, Cuttack. 

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

GS writes to Secretary (Posts) for Merger of ASP cadre in to PS Gr. B cadre--- Proposal regarding.

No. GS/AIAIASP/Merger-ASP/2013                                      dated          20/11/2013.
To,
Ms P. Gopinath, 
Director General,
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi 110 001.  

Subject: Merger of ASP cadre in to PS Gr. B cadre--- Proposal regarding.

Respected Madam,  

This Association would like to bring to your kind notice that Directorate has constituted a committee under the Chairpersonship of Member (Personnel) vide memo No. 1/1/2011-SR dated 9/9/2011 and accordingly, first meeting was held on 18/10/2011, followed by another meeting on 3/11/2011.  

(A)         During the course of meetings, it was brought to the notice of the Department about the stagnation being faced in the cadre of IPs/ASPs and the long span of service running up to 26 years which IP/ASP have to put in, before getting promotion to PS Gr. B.  The issue of restructuring of IPs /ASPs cadre was also discussed in the meeting but it did not materialize. The issue of parity of GP and promotional prospects of IPs in the Department like Income Tax and Central Excise etc was also discussed at length and department has not considered this also. Chairperson brought to the notice of this Association that it is the difference in the hierarchical structures between Department of Posts and other Departments like Income Tax and Central Excise as also Central Secretariat. While in other Departments, Inspectors get promotion direct to PS Gr. ‘B’ but in the Department of Posts there exists an intermediary grade of ASPs having Gazetted status. The response of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure was also informed in the matter of raising the Grade Pay of Inspectors from the existing Rs. 4200/- to Rs. 4600/- so as to bring them on par with Inspectors in other Departments. While discussing the possibility of upgrading certain posts in the Circle Offices and other field formations to Gr. B so as to accelerate the promotional prospects of IPs/ASPs, it has been informed that Department of Expenditure has not favoured it unless the gazetted status of ASPs has foregone so as to have single level in the cadre as it may facilitate raising the grade pay of IPs from the existing Rs. 4200/- to Rs. 4600/- and may pave way for speedier promotion due to upgrading of certain posts to Gr. B.  In the said meeting, this Association has assured that the proposal of foregoing the gazetted status of ASPs will be discussed in the next CWC meeting of this Association and revert back to the Department with a final proposal.  

(B)         This Association had their 37th All India Biennial Conference in Bangaluru on 28/1/2012 and 29/1/2012 in which the issue of merger of ASP cadre into IP cadre was discussed in depth and the august house passed a unanimous resolution detailed here under:-

    “This Association is against the merger of Inspector Posts and Assistant    Superintendents Posts cadre. Inspector Posts should be granted Grade Pay   of Rs. 4600/- with effect from 01/01/2006 at par with Inspectors of   CBDT/CBEC in tune with directions of the Hon’ble CAT, Ernakulam Bench”.  

          The decision arrived at AIC was forwarded to Member (P) by name under letter No. CHQ/IPASP/1/2012 dated 22/2/2012. But till date neither any reply has been received from Directorate nor this Association was called for further discussion in the matter. Thus, the vital issue still remains unresolved. Therefore this Association has requested Directorate to relook in to the issue of merger of Inspector Posts and Assistant Superintendents Posts and clarify the following points sought for vide Association letters dated 17/7/2012, 20/9/2012, 1/10/2012, 11/1/2013, 14/6/2013 and 19/8/2013. It is obvious that these letters were also not given the much desired attention.

1.            What would be the nomenclature of the merged cadre without Gazetted status.

2.            At present, IP/ASP cadre is having separate Appointing / Disciplinary Authority i.e. DPS is the Appointing Authority for IPs and Chief PMG for ASP cadre. Powers for imposition of minor penalties on IP cadre vests with Divisional Head while for ASP cadre, the authority competent is DPS. For major penalties, DPS is the competent authority for IP cadre and Chief PMG for ASP Cadre. Hence it may be clarified as to who will be the Appointing Authority and Disciplinary Authority for the merged cadre.

(C)         This Association would like to indicate that 5th CPC in para 32 of Appendix 1 of volume 3 stated that cadre review has become part of cadre rules and they are to be mandatorily held once in 5 years. It has also been observed that holding of cadre review itself is a justifiable matter. However, the department has not taken any further effort to implement the accepted recommendations of second cadre review committee and also to review the promotional prospects of this cadre once in 5 years as recommended by the 4th CPC and also accepted by the Govt. In view of the stagnation faced by the Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents Posts and ever increasing span of promotion, we have made repeated requests to the Department to constitute third Cadre Review Committee and we have also suggested re-organisation of postal sub divisions as a possible outcome of the cadre review. But the Department has not constituted any such committee so far nor has the Department initiated review of the promotional prospects of this cadre on its own.  

(D)     The duties and responsibilities of the Inspector Posts / Assistant Superintendents Posts are laid down in Chapter III Rule 260 to 302 and 320 to 335 of Postal Manual Volume VIII. However, this does not give the clear picture about the actual duties performed in particular by Sub Divisional Inspector / ASP. The duties and responsibilities attached to Inspector Posts / Assistant Superintendent Posts has undergone a major change. Apart from duties prescribed in the above quoted rules, they perform many more functions, which are not specified in the rules. Broadly, they can be classified as follows:

·         Mandatory inspections of sub post offices, branch offices & submission of IR within stipulated time

·         Visits / second inspections

·         Investigations in loss & fraud cases/ past work verification of all passbooks of all types of SB schemes in case of fraud in HO/ SO/ BO.

·         Sanction of leave/ paid leave to GDS & acting as appointing authorities of GDS & disciplinary authority of GDS.

·         Achievement of targets in r/o PLI/ RPLI & marketing of different premium products and supervision & after sale service.

·         Credit verification in r/o RPLI premium collected by BOs

·         Est-2 verification (to ensure justification of existing PO & creation of new PO)

·         Verification of statistics relating to work load of PAs, SAs ,Postman, MTS GR-C, Branch PM, GDS etc.

·         Invigilation duties in r/o departmental exam.

·         Settlement of pending SBCO objections / minus balance cases.

·         Heavy cash withdrawal verification

·         SB/NSC claim verification

·         RPLI incentive bill verification

·         RPLI death claim verification & processing of papers.

·         Collection & verification of Pension papers of PA, SA, Postman, MTS etc.

·         Collection of relaxation appointment papers & verification.

·         Functioning as IO.

·         Functioning as PO.

·         Functioning as Ad-hoc disciplinary authority.

·         Verification of mark lists submitted by the officials.

·         Preparation of special report for departmental selection committee.

·         Franking machine checking.

·         Checking of passbooks/ money order payments

·         Attending court cases (CDRF/CAT/High Court) & meetings with AGP/PP/Govt. Counsels.

·         Checking of punctual clearance of letter boxes by Posting “Test letters”

·         Periodical mail survey

·         Initial and final verification of house building cases

·         Being the member of checking squads for detecting the leakage of revenue or any other specific purposes.

·         Imparting training to GDS / Postman/ MTS Gr-C/ PA/ SA.

·         Monitoring of Project Arrow post offices- sending of DET file daily.

·         Checking of delivery status of concerned Project Arrow POs daily.

·         Cash conveyance to BOs/SOs/HOs with or without escorts.

·         Conveyance of State Govt. Public Service Commission / SSC / UPSC examination materials in postal bags to respective head quarters under police protection /escort.

These are not exhaustive and still there are many functions the Sub Divisional Inspectors / Assistant Superintendent Posts are required to perform. Though many of the new additions are major in nature, the relevant rules have not been amplified to include the entire gamut of work performed by the Inspector/Assistant Superintendent Posts. It will not be wrong to say that the total responsibility for successful implementing the various innovative schemes launched by department are virtually devolved on the IP and ASP but department had have never taken care of the demands of the cadre, may it be GP issue/ cadre review or anything  

(E)     The 4th Central Pay Commission noticed that the pattern of Recruitment for posts of Inspector in other Central Government Organizations like Customs and Central Excise and Income Tax provides for direct recruitment through Staff Selection Commission at the level of Inspector. However, in the Postal Department, there was no direct recruitment above the level of Postal and Sorting Assistants, or at Group-B level.   In the interest of efficiency of service, it was felt necessary to introduce an element of direct recruitment at the level of Inspectors through the Staff Selection Commission in the Department of Posts.  The 4th Central Pay Commission recommended for introduction of direct recruitment to that level under the Department of Posts to rectify the anomaly and suggested that the two cadres of IPO/IRM and ASPO/ASRM cadres can be merged, and accordingly, the Government was advised to examine what scale of pay will then be suitable for these posts.          

          The 5th Central Pay Commission reiterated its recommendation that Inspectors of Post Offices and RMS should be merged and upgraded to Rs. 1640-2900 (Rs. 5500-9000 revised) and filled 33.1/3rd% by direct recruitment from the Inspectors' Grade examination of Staff Selection Commission. The scale of pay of Inspector of Post Offices/ Inspector of RMS was revised to Rs.5500-9000 with effect from 01-01-1996 as recommended by the 5th Central Pay Commission as per Office Memorandum dated 06-04-1998. It is submitted that the scale of pay of Rs.5500-9000 granted to the Inspector of Posts was equivalent to the scale of pay granted to the Inspectors and analogous posts in CBDT/CBEC and Assistants in CSS.

          Accepting the recommendations of the 4th and 5th Central Pay Commissions in regard to introduction of direct recruitment at the Inspectors level, the President in exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution and in supersession of the Posts and Telegraphs Department (Inspectors of Post Offices, Inspectors of Railway Mail Service and Inspectors (Uniforms)) Recruitment Rules, 1997 promulgated Department of Posts, Inspector of Posts (Recruitment) Rules, 2001 introducing direct recruitment to the grade of Inspector of Posts and Inspector of R.M.S.  Column 11 of the Schedule appended to the Recruitment Rules, 2001 provides that 33.34% posts of Inspector shall be filled by Direct Recruitment through Staff Selection Commission and 66.66% by promotion through Limited Departmental Competitive Examination.  

          The introduction of direct recruitment at the level of Inspector under the Department of Posts, the Inspectors of Post Offices are brought on par with Inspectors of CBDT/CBEC without there being any perceptible functional differences, in the matter of duties and responsibilities or in the hierarchical status.  

          The pay scales of the post of Income Tax Inspectors under Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Posts of Inspector of Central Excise were revised from Rs.5500-9000 to Rs. 6500-10500 as per Office Memorandum dated 21-04-2004. The pay scale of the analogous posts of Assistants/PA's in Central Secretariat Service (CSS) and Central Secretariat Stenographers Service (CSSS) was also upgraded  from Rs.5500-9000 to the scale of Rs. 6500-200-10500 w.e.f 15.09.2006 as per Office Memorandum dated 25-09-2006. However, the pay scale of the Inspector of Post/Inspector of RMS under the Department of Posts has not been upgraded to the scale of Rs. 6500-200-10500 without any justifiable reasons.          

(F)    This Association would like to enclose herewith a chart showing the sanction strength of IPs/ASPs circle wise and post wise. The consolidated chart shows the total wing wise sanction strength.         

          This Association is not in favour to merge the ASP cadre into IP cadre. The decision arrived at AIC Bangalore was already communicated to Directorate and now it has been decided to go for merger of ASP cadre into PS Gr. B cadre, as ASP cadre have already been conferred Gazetted status in 2005. All the post of Sub Divisional Heads presently manned through ASP cadre i.e. 627 to be downgraded to IP and remaining posts of ASPs i.e. available in DO/RO/CO etc would be upgraded to PS Gr. B level.  

1.    Total ASP Sub Divisions (Postal)       : 596

2.    Total ASP Sub Divisions (RMS)         :   31

              Total (1+2)  ......                            : 627

         3.    Total ASPs                                      : 1824 (As per revised RRs)

4.    After down gradation of ASP sub Divisions to IP Sub Division there will not be any change in the number of sub divisions. Only ASPs posts will be reduced and IPs posts will be increased.
i.e. Total ASPs would be                   : 1824 – 627 = 1197  

5.    Total PS Gr. B posts as on date         : 866 + 10 = 876

6.    After merger of ASP to PS Gr. B        : 876 + 1197 = 2073
                  i.e. Total PS Gr. B would be 
7.    Total IPs                                        : 2187 (As per revised RRs)
Matching Savings :

As on date GP of above three cadres are as under :

a)    Inspector Posts (IP)                    : Rs. 4200/-

b)   Assistant Supdt. Posts                 : Rs. 4600/-

c)    PS Gr. B                                    : Rs. 4800/-

 a)    The difference of GP between PS Gr. B and ASP is Rs. 200/- only.
     Net effect including DA, HRA etc. would be Rs. 425/- only.

     If ASP cadre merged with PS Gr. B cadre then additional expenditure would be as under:

     1197 x 425   = Rs. 508725/- per month

     Rs. 508725/- x 12 = Rs. 6104700/- per annum (Rs. 61 lacs)  

b) The difference of GP between ASP and IP is Rs. 400/- only.
     Net effect including DA, HRA etc. would be Rs. 850/- only.

     If 627 ASPs Sub Divisions are down-graded to IPs, reduced expenditure    comes to as under :

     627 x 850 = Rs. 532950/- p.m.

     Rs. 532950 x 12 = Rs. 6395400/- per annum (Rs. 64 lacs) 

Apparently net saving as worked out is Rs. 3 lacs per annum.

The number of resultant sanction strength would be as under:

IPs          : 2187 + 627          =       2814

ASP         : Nil                       =       Nil

PS Gr. B   : 876 + 1197          =       2073 

Conclusion: Since last 33 years no cadre review has taken place for IP cadre whereas all other cadres had managed to get benefits in their favour periodically. Only one cadre review was taken place for IP cadre whereas 5 cadre reviews have already been carried out for IPoS cadre and 6th cadre review is presently under consideration. Last year this Association was called for to attend meeting in connection with Organizational Restructuring in Department of Posts and in the said meeting it was discussed about up-gradation of Class II divisions to Class I division and in each division there would be 2 PS Gr. B officers. In view of the said meeting, the upgraded posts of ASPs to PS Gr. B may be placed in division/RO/CO. 

We are waiting for positive response and if required meeting may be held with our Association for detailed discussion/clarification.

Yours sincerely,

Sd/-
(Vilas Ingale)
General Secretary 

Copy forwarded for information and necessary action to :  

1.    Shri S. Sarkar, Member (P), Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110001.

2.    Shri V. P. Singh, DDG (P), Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110001.

3.    Ms Trishiljit Sethi, DDG (Estt), Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110001 w.r.to ADG (SPN) letter No. 137-89/2013-SPB-II dated 11th October 2013.

4.    Shri Arun Malik, Director (SR), Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110001 w. r. to his letter No. 01/01/2011-SR dated 25/8/2011, 14/11/2011,  6/9/2012, 4/10/2013, letter No. 02/02/2012-SR dated 17/4/2012 & letter No. 10-9/2013-SR dated 27th August 2013, 30/9/2013.

Note:- CS, Odisha Circle has communicated the view of Odisha Circle Branch to the GS in favour of straightway accepting merger of Inspector Posts and Assistant Superintendent of Posts cadre with Head of the Circle as appointing authority for merged cadre vide letter dated 29/10/2013. To view the letter please Click Here.