Proposal for Cadre Review in respect of Group B (Non Gazetted) & Group ‘C’ Cadre in operative side of Postal Department has been submitted

Ref: PF/Cadre Review Dated – 29.05.2012

To

Dr. Salim Haque

DDG (P)

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001

Sub: - Cadre Review Proposal

A propose discussion held on 29.05.2012 on the above subject, the consolidated proposal from the staff side in respect of Group ‘B’ Non – Gazetted and Group ‘C’ cadre in operative side Postal Department is appended herewith.

It is requested to kindly consider the same as agreed upon in the said meeting cited in para supra.

DA: as above

With kind regards,

K. V. Sridharan                                                                                   D. Kishan Rao

General Secretary                                                                          General Secretary

AIPEU Group ‘C’                                                                                NAPE Group ‘C’

Giriraj Singh                                                                                    D. Theagarajan

General Secretary                                                                         General Secretary

AIRMS & MMS EU Group ‘C’

   NURMS & MMS Group ‘C’

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, 1/3^rd 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 2/3^rd by Seniority and 1/3^rd 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 1^st April 2010 to 31^st 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.