PSI Workshop on Trade Union Rights at Trivandrum

  As announced earlier, PSI/LOTCO one day workshop on Trade Union Rights organized by our Association will be held at Hotel Capitol (former Geeth, behind TVM GPO) on 28.09.13 from 10.00 to 16.00 hrs. In the forenoon session, classes will be held on topics like Trade Union Rights, Violation of TUR, reported cases of violations in India, etc. In the afternoon, in the combined session with CAICGSA, Dr. Suresh Kumar.P, Prof. & Head of Postgraduate and Research Department of Economics, Government College Attingal, will deliver a lecture on the topic 'Relevance of Trade Union Activities in Contemporary India'.

All members of SR and requested to participate in the workshop.

Seventh Pay Commission for central government employees announced

NEW DELHI: Government on 25/9/2013 has announced constitution of the Seventh Pay Commission, which will go into the salaries, allowances and pensions of about 80 lakh of its employees and pensioners.

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved the constitution of the 7th Pay Commission. Its recommendations are likely to be implemented with effect from January 1, 2016", Finance Minister P Chidambaram said in a statement. The setting up of the Commission, whose recommendations will benefit about 50 lakh central government employees, including those in defence and railways, and about 30 lakh pensioners, comes ahead of the Assembly elections in 5 states in November and the general elections next year.

As the Commission takes about two years to prepare its recommendations, the award of the seventh pay panel is likely to be implemented from January 1, 2016, Chidambaram said. The sixth Pay Commission was implemented from January 1, 2006, fifth from January 1, 1996 and fourth from January 1, 1986. The names of the chairperson and members of the 7th Pay Commission and its terms of reference will be finalised shortly after consultation with major stakeholders, Chidambaram said.

Source:The Economic Times dated 25/9/2013.

Transfer of PMGs in Kerala

Shri H K Sharma(lPoS-1979), PMG Northern Region has been transferred to Dte as DDG (Work Study & Manual Revision) and Shri George Ninan (lPoS-1981) has been transferred and posted as PMG (BD&Mktg) Tamil Nadu Circle. 

Shri V Ramulu (IPoS 1992) DPS Nagpur Region has been posted as PMG NR. 

Shri M. Venkateswarlu (IPoS 1992) DPS Vijayawada Region AP Circle has been posted as PMG CR.

To see the order please Click here

GS writes to Secretary(P) on repatriation of Group B officers to their Home Circles

Copy of the above letter is furnished below: 

No.     GS/IPASP/Repatriation/2013                       Dated  : 21/9/2013

To,

          Ms. P. Gopinath,

          Secretary,

          Department of Posts,

          Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,

          New Delhi 110 001.

Sub:   Repatriation of PS Gr. B officers to Home Circle – Reg. 

Ref.:   Directorate No. 9-11/2013-SPG  Dt. 15.02.2013 

Respected Madam,  

          This is in continuation to letter No. GS/IPASP/Repatriation/2013 dated 25/3/2013, whereby it was urged upon to cause issue of repatriation orders, in view of imbalances created by vacancies in Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ cadre. 

          Association has time and again highlighted the issue by way of issuing series of letters for initiating timely action, in order to avoid the void created by non-posting of regular incumbents instead of utilising officiating arrangements, adhoc arrangements for years and years. During the course of informal meeting with Hon’ble Secretary (Posts) & other officers at Directorate, this vital issue was discussed in detail but it seems that a little more than convincing is required.  

          Madam, you will agree that a large number of STS/JTS vacancies are lying vacant in Circles since long and PS Group “B” officers are officiating against these posts creating resultant vacancies in Group “B” in circles and imbalance thereof upto ASP/IP level affecting timely promotion in each cadre. Many a times, adverse position occurs where the approved persons of a particular circle are made to work outside their parent circle, while there exists resultant vacancies in their own parent circle due to officiating of number of incumbents on Group A posts for longer duration. Repatriation of officers working outside their parent circle is the only solution to minimise these imbalances. It may also be explored that willing PS Group B officers (working outside their parent circle) be deputed to their parent circle without any extra remunerations, subject to undertaking that they would not claim regular benefits till their posting against a clear cut vacancy. In this way, Circles would get experienced manpower for their optimum utilization. This would also encourage the promoted officers to never say ‘No’ to the promotion towards fag end of their service career. Ratio of acceptance of promotion would certainly rise and hard work exercise of convening of DPC would not go futile.     

It is therefore urged upon to look into the suggestions, may be considered and put to action please. 

          With profound greetings,

Yours sincerely,

 

Sd/-

(Vilas Ingale)

General Secretary

GS writes to Secretary (P) for withdrawing the compulsory service clause for IPs/ASPs

Copy of the letter issued to Secretary(P) by our GS is reproduced below for information of all concerned:


No. GS/AIAIASP/Merger/IP-ASP/2013                  dated  :       21-9- 2013

To,

Ms P Gopinath,

Secretary,

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi 110 001.  

Subject :      Merger / de-merger of IPO/IRM care  minimum working experience about Postal / RMS wing before promotion to Assistant Superintendent / Superintendent cadre.  

Respected Madam,            

          IP/ASP Association intends to bring to your kind notice that the PE Division Directorate has recently issued an order vide letter no. 25-02/2001-PE-I effective from 9^th September 2013, prescribing a compulsory service of minimum of 2 years in RMS/Postal side for being eligible for promotion to the cadre of ASP and a compulsory service of minimum of 3 years in RMS/Postal side for being eligible for promotion to the cadre of PS Group B.

          While admitting that field experience in both the sides is need of hour for our cadre, but at the same time, it is important to keep in mind the huge difference in ratio of posts between the two sides. After excluding posts of CO/RO/Foreign Post etc, there are 476 number of IP/ASP posts in RMS side while number of IP/ASP posts in Postal side is 3040. Apparently, the huge difference would certainly pose practical problems in implementing the aforesaid orders. Besides, it may be seen that in almost all the Circles more than 90% of the IP/ASP cadre came from Postal side. Eventually, it would be too difficult for the administrative to accommodate the officials for the mandatory service of 2/3 years in RMS. Further the posts in RMS side are scattered across the Circles and to accommodate all those Postal side officials for completion of required service, a massive reshuffling would be involved, causing much hardship to our members, besides steep rise in huge expenditure involved towards TA/TP.

          Furthermore, non-completion of aforesaid mandatory service would jeopardize the promotional prospects of IPs/ASPs in all the Circles. The Sorting Assistants would be benefited from the proposition and there is every apprehension that the juniors (Sorting Assistants) would get earlier promotion to their seniors. This would further complex the position and cause spurt in litigations.

As such, we request your good self to examine the matter and cause necessary action to withdraw the mandatory condition of aforesaid service, which is per-se detrimental to the interest of the cadre and department.  

Hoping for a positive action at the earliest.   

With warm regards, 

Yours sincerely,

 

Sd/-

(Vilas Ingale)

General Secretary

Our Former CS nominated for training in Europe

 Shri Ajith Kumar ASP (PMU) and former CS Kerala along with Shri Deepak Kumar, Inspector Posts (PMU)  Postal Directorate have been nominated for International Training in e-Governance sponsored by Department of Information and Technology at Slovenia and Austria from 21st September 2013 to 30th September 2013. Hearty Congrats and Bon Voyage to the officers....

Govt approves 10% dearness allowance hike, to benefit 80 lakh government employees, pensioners

Govt approves 10% dearness allowance hike, to benefit 80 lakh government employees, pensioners

 

NEW DELHI: The government on Friday approved a proposal to hike dearness allowance to 90% from existing 80%, a move that would benefit about 50 lakh central government employees and 30 lakh pensioners.

"The Union Cabinet approved the proposal to increase dearness allowance to 90% at its meeting. The hike would be effective from July 1, this year," a source said.

This is a double digit hike in DA after about three years. It was last in September, 2010, that the government had announced a hike of 10% to be given with effect from July 1, 2010.

DA was hiked to 80% from 72% in April, 2013, effective from January 1, this year.

As per the practice, the government uses CPI-IW data for past 12 months to arrive at a number for the purpose of any DA hike.

Gujarat Circle Branch developed blog

Gujarat Circle Branch developed blog

     It has been reported by Circle Secretary All India Association of Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents Posts Gujarat Circle that they have developed the new blog & can be viewed on web address http://ipaspgujaratcircle.blogspot.in/. All Circle Secretaries are requested to give link to this blog in their Circle blog. 

Adhoc Postings in PS Group B and Group A

The following orders have bee issued by CO:

1.Sri. B.Mohanan, SPOs TVM(S) promoted to JTS Group A on adhoc basis and posted as DDM PLI, O/o CPMG TVM (leave vacancy)

2. Sri. M.K.Karthikeyan Nair, ASP TVM RMS promoted on adhoc basis to PS Group B and posted as SPOs, TVM(S) vice Sri. B.Mohanan.

3. Sri. V.K.Raveendranath SAS, CO promoted on adhoc basis and posted as OSD, O/o Chief PMG (new post diverting post of Dy. SP TVM(N).

Hearty Congrats to the officers and all the very best in their new ventures......

Merger / de-merger of IPO/IRM cadre & minimum working experience about Postal / RMS wing before promotion to Assistant Superintendent / Superintendent cadre.

Merger / de-merger of IPO/IRM cadre & minimum working experience about Postal / RMS wing before promotion to Assistant Superintendent / Superintendent cadre.

To view Directorate's order No. 25-02/2001-PE-I dated 9th September 2013, please Click Here

 

CS writes to Chief PMG on reimbursement of Food Bill for touring officers

Copy of the letter issued to Chief PMG on the above subject is reproduced below for information of all members:

No.  IP/ASP/ASSN/13                                                                                         Date: 18.09.13

To,

The Chief Postmaster General

Kerala Circle

Trivandrum-695033

 Respected Madam,

                                        Sub: Reimbursement of Food bills while on tour- reg:

This is to bring to your kind notice that Sub Divisional Heads are at present facing difficulties in getting their food bills reimbursed as per the revised TA Rules due to the fact that in rural areas bills for meals taken in Hotels/Restaurants/Dhabas are not provided by the establishments resulting in non-admission of TA claims by the respective DDOs.

In this connection, it may kindly be seen that Tamil Nadu Circle had recently issued an order, copy of which is enclosed for favour of ready reference, stating that in case wherein receipts cannot be obtained, a certificate in respect of expenditure incurred on account of food bills can be furnished by the touring officer in the prescribed format. Such a practice would be highly beneficial to all the Sub Divisional Heads of this Circle also in so far as they would be able to claim TA at the revised rates by furnishing certificates in cases where obtaining receipts is not possible.

 As such, I request your good self to cause necessary action to issue a similar order in this case as has been issued in Tamil Nadu Circle for which we would be ever grateful to you.

 

    

Thanking You,

                                                                                                                                    Yours faithfully

                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                         Ajith Kurian

                                                                                                                         Circle Secretary

Question Bank for departmental examinations

Sri. C.H.Eswara Prasad, SPM(HSG-1), Gandhinagaram PO, Vijawada has brought out a 'Question Bank' consisting of more than 3700 short questions and answers along with past question papers with answer keys of various competitive examinations held recently which can be used as a reference book by candidates appearing in the various departmental examinations like IPO/PS Group B etc. The author has made efforts to cover almost all the relevant topics in his compilation. 

Those members who wish to have a copy of the said 'Question Bank' can purchase the book at a cost of Rs 700/- (postage included) by sending the amount by MO/EMO to the address given below and the book will be supplied within a weeks time. 

     For Copies:

    Smt. C.H.Vijaya Sai
    D No.23-28/2-8B
    Challapallivari Street
    Satyanarayanapuram PO
    Vijayawada
    AP-520011

  

Association wishes all members a very happy & prosperous Onam......

GS writes to Secretary (P) on the issue of filling up IPO line HSG-1 posts

Copy of the letter issued to Secretary(P) on the above subject is reproduced below:



No. CHQ/IPASP/HSG-I/2013                                         Dated :  13/9/2013 

To,

Ms P. Gopinath,

Secretary,

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi 110 001. 

Subject : Filling up of vacant posts of HSG-I (IP Line) cadre.

Respected Madam,

               I would like to bring to your kind attention to this Association’s letter of even number dated 23/4/2013 regarding filling up of vacant posts of HSG-I (IP Line) cadre. The Department has issued orders vide Memo No. 04-44/2012-SPB.II dated 18^th April, 2013 permitting circles to fill up the vacant posts of HSG-I in Post Offices and RMS Offices on the basis of existing recruitment rules, as amendments of revised Rules of HSG-I have not been approved by DOP&T and UPSC. Directorate vide letter No. 04-20/2013-SPB.II dated 25^th June 2013 has clarified that they never issued any instructions to the Circles that DPC meeting should not be held for filling up HSG-I posts in SBCO and CO as per the provisions of existing Recruitment Rules of these cadres.

              It is seen from the above memo that department has overlooked the fact that there exist HSG-I in IP line as well. No orders have been issued to fill the vacancies in HSG-I held by IP line officials thereby further eroding the promotional prospects of Inspectors causing frustration amongst the Inspectors cadre.  

      The Department has no any concrete steps to implant the accepted recommendations of the Second Cadre Review Committee also even after more than two decades. It is therefore in the interests of this cadre that the present cadre strength should be maintained and any attempt to reduce the cadre strength at HSG-I level without taking into account the declining promotional avenues of the Inspectors cadre would be detrimental to the interests of this cadre. It is apparent from the return of file by DOP&T that the proposed creation of separate cadre of Postmasters and that too by amalgamating the share of Inspectors cadre and General line had disturbed the subtle equation between the General line and Inspectors line and creates more problems to the administration than respite that could be visualized at present.

      This Association is of the view that there is no need to seek any further clarification from DOP&T to fill the IP line vacancies of HSG-I particularly when these are to be filled on old recruitment rules which are otherwise common for that purpose and sanctioned posts. There should also be no mention about referring the matter to DOP&T in the said memo rather Circle should be given clear instructions to fill the vacant post of IP line too simultaneously but unfortunately this has not taken place.   

       It is therefore requested to kindly issue instructions to all Circles to fill all the vacant post of HSG-I (IP Line) on the same analogy as given in the case of HSG-I General line. If any change is still felt to be necessary in the interest of better efficiency, it would be only fit and proper that association may be consulted before revising the recruitment rules and resubmitting file to DOP&T. 

      

               An early action in the matter is requested.   

               With respectul regards,

Yours sincerely,

 

Sd/-

(Vilas Ingale)

General Secretary

GS writes to Secretary (P) on grant of honorarium to IP/PO

Copy of the letter on the above subject issued to Secretary(P) is reproduced below:


No. GS/AIAIASP/GDS-Hon/2013                                       dated :  13/9/2013

To,

Ms P. Gopinath,

Director General,

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi 110 001.  

Sub: 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. 

Ref:   DG memo No C-32016/03/2005-VP dated 23.08.2005 

Respected Madam,

IP/ASP Association would like to draw your kind attention to this Association’s letter of even number dated 22/6/2013 on the above captioned subject and to intimate that Directorate vide memo No 32016/12/2011-VP dated 04.07.2011 on the basis of notification issued by DOP&T has revised honorarium rates for Inquiry Officers/ Presenting Officers engaged for conducting departmental enquiries which was further revised on 8.1.2013. Under the existing structure details, minimum Rs 5000/- and Maximum 10000/- are required to be sanctioned if the enquiry is completed within stipulated time frame. No such revision whatsoever has been made for IO/PO forconducting GDS inquiries, perhaps this was not part of DOP&T memo as no such cadre exists in any other department except DOP.  

Although the responsibilities of IO/PO are predefined and similar in nature both for departmental and GDS employees, yet the honorarium rate is not in parity as is apparent from the below noted table, that also needs upward revision at par with departmental inquiries.    

Details	GDS inquiries	Departmental inquiries
	Wef.23.08.2005	Wef. 04.07.2011	Wef. 31.07.2012
Inquiry Officer (IO) Part time	Minimum Rs 400/- Maximum Rs 1600/-	Minimum Rs 1500/- Maximum Rs 3000/-	Minimum Rs 5000/- Maximum Rs 10000/-
Presenting Officer (PO) Part time	Minimum Rs 250/- Maximum Rs 500/-	Minimum Rs 750/- Maximum Rs 1500/-	Minimum Rs 5000/- Maximum Rs 10000/-

   

            Furthermore, the annual ceiling of Rs 4000/- per IO/PO per year bestowed to the Head of the Circle since long is still in vogue and no action to revise this limit has been taken concomitantly leaving aside benefit granted above. However, DG Posts has the power to sanction honorarium up to Rs 5000/-, means all the cases will have to be referred to Directorate for sanction. In such cases, either the beneficiary will be deprived of his/her right or will have to wait for long to get the desired relief.  

Since the minimum rate of honorarium has been revised for departmental inquiries and the FR 46 B stood amended (vide MOF, DOE I.CU.O.No.4.2/5/2008-IC dated 29.01.2009), the ceiling and the Financial Powers delegated for sanction of honorarium may also be revised suitably for all purposes at the earliest. 

          Hoping for favourable action and line in reply. 

Yours sincerely,

 

Sd/-

(Vilas Ingale)

General Secretary