Copy of the letter given to CPMG/DPS as per the decision taken at the CWC at Kochi is reproduced below for information of all concerned:
No. IP/ASP/ASSN/12
Date: 8.1.2013
To,
The Chief Postmaster
General
Kerala Circle
Trivandrum- 695033
Respected
Madam,
Sub: Clerical Assistance in Sub Divisions-reg:
At the outset, let me take this opportunity
to wish your good self a very happy New Year on behalf of all the members of
this Association. We sincerely hope that the Circle will reach new heights this
year under your able leadership and guidance and assures all support and
co-operation of our cadre to achieve this goal.
However, we cannot but ignore the growing frustration
and discontent that is being felt by the members across our cadre especially by
those working as Sub Divisional Heads. It is but a reality that the concept of
job satisfaction has virtually disappeared from our cadre. Neither we
ourselves, nor the administration or even those staff under us are happy in the
present scenario. In fact, if the present trend continues, things will reach a
stage where there will not be any takers for the post of an IP/ASP. The present
trend seen while calling for officiating arrangements in IP posts are indeed
warning bells.
Mam, as you would agree, all of us have passed
a highly competitive examination while in the PA/SA cadre so as to enter into
the cadre of IPs. The virtual cream of the PA/SA cadre is entering into the
IP/ASP cadre. However, as soon as he/she enters this cadre, most of us are
branded as underperformers or shirkers by the administration. We, as a cadre of
middle managers, have always stood hand in glove with the Administration and
have always considered ourselves as a part and parcel of the administration,
always striving hard to put in our very best in all our areas of work. However,
we have always felt like a neglected cadre by the Department, as if the administration
has been taking us for granted, steadily heaping on us duties and tasks without
caring to see whether these jobs can be performed satisfactorily by an
individual. As one of the Divisional
Head has put it recently, we cannot help but feel as if we are unwanted…
The exact duties expected of a Sub Divisional
Head are not spelled out in clear terms even now. No efforts are being made to
assess the work load of a Sub Division in the changed scenario over the last
decade. The persistent request for providing a clerical assistance to a Sub
Divisional ASP/IP has been falling on deaf ears. A recent study conducted in
the matter points to a justification of more than 3 clerks to assistant a Sub
Divisional Head. The fact regarding the increase in the workload of a sub
divisional head over the last decade, due to the new ventures, new products,
agency works, new schemes etc introduced and entered into by the department and
not to forget the technological advancement taking place in the department, is
conveniently ignored by all concerned. The ‘carrot’ of cadre restructuring
offered to
us is still at its infancy. The proposal to form a team for inspections, which
is highly essential in the present scenario, has also not found favour with the
Department. Whatever small benefits which are given to us by the Pay Commission
or Government like a raise in Grade Pay is also being denied to us in spite of
favourable verdicts from the Courts. Group B promotions which is the only avenue
for our career advancement (be it for Rs 200/-) are badly delayed. DPCs are not
held promptly. To put it short, a situation has arisen where some of us forced
to think even about reversion.
Admittedly,
all of us are intent on serving the Department with utmost sincerity and
dedication. However, the present scenario in Sub Divisions is in such way that
perfection cannot be achieved in any area of work. Priorities change on a daily
basis. We ourselves are at a loss what to do and what not to do. No proper
guidance and support is being received from any quarters. An occasional pat on
the back, which is highly essential to keep our morale high, has become a rare
commodity these days. Not to speak of other harassments by some of the
Divisional Heads in the form of explanations for not taking over the charge of
HOs at times of strikes! We cannot help but feel that nobody is listening to
our plight and difficulties and decisions are always taken sidelining our
genuine interests. To cite an example, in the recent business review meeting
held at Thiruvananthapuram, no attempt was made to listen to our grievances and
problems rather than criticizing and de-motivating us in the worst possible
manner. No attempts were made in the said meeting to identify our problems, to
see whether incentives are being paid to the Sub Divisional Heads promptly or
to chalk out a marketing strategy to be followed in the remaining months. As
you may recall, more than twenty specific targets/tasks were assigned to all
the Sub Divisional Heads in various different areas in the said meeting to be
completed by January 2013. Needless to say, it is not humanely possible to
complete all these tasks within the prescribed time limit by a single
individual without some kind of clerical help in the sub divisions. It is not
that we are not intend on completing these targets. We have been striving hard
to achieve all our targets and we will continue to do so. However, as your good
self would realize, these tasks are over and above the traditional duties of
IPs/ASPs prescribed in Volume VIII. Hence when all these duties are heaped on
one individual, he/she would be forced to compromise on quality whether he/she
like it or not.
In
this said scenario, it is but essential that a clerical assistance is provided
to Sub Division so as to reduce the workload to some extent. Either a PA or a
GDS can be provided. There are many GDS posts which are being kept unfilled for
lack of justification in most of the Sub Divisions. Such posts can be diverted
to Sub Divisions for this purpose. So creation of additional post for this
purpose also will not be required. It is to be pointed out here that in many
Circles like Rajasthan, Orissa etc such assistance is already being provided to
Sub Divisions. Hence, this Association appeals to your good self to take a favourable
decision in this matter which would help us to raise the bar in all our
activities in the Sub Division.
Thanking You,
Yours
faithfully
Ajith
Kurian
Circle Secretary
Copy
to
DPS
(HQ) for favour of information.
