POSTAL OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION (India) Central Head Quarters

NEW DELHI

Central Headquarters: 17/3B Kali Bari Marg, New-Delhi 110001

Thursday, February 15, 2018


To
Sh. A.N.Nanda,
The Secretary (Post)
                  Department of Post
                Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
                New Delhi-100001

No.     CHQ/POA/1-23/2017-18           Dated 15.02.18
Sub:   Fixture of pay of Group ‘B’ officers w.e.f. 1-1-2006 while issuing orders for placing IPs in GP of Rs. 4600/- .
Respected Sir,
        Association wishes to bring to your kind notice the following provisions requiring in-depth analysis, while deciding the pay fixture of IPs in the GP OF Rs. 4600/- w.e.f 1-1-2006. It is hoped that these would certainly find in line and would be taken into consideration before arriving at a just and favourable decision.
Consequent upon grant of GP of Rs. 4600/- to IPs w.e.f 1-1-2006 having equivalent replacement of the 5th pay commission, scale of 7450-225-11500 will certainly create anomalies in the hierarchy that needs to be looked into on priority at each stage of chain in command. Keeping ASPs at the same GP of Rs.4600/- that has not even enjoyed by ASPs before implementation of 6th pay commission particularly being fixture of pay without any bunching or addition of increment is arbitrary, discriminatory and against equality. Under 5th pay commission the ASPs were in the pay scale of 6500-10500 and were given replacement higher scale of 7450-225-11500 without any bunching or increment. Since the ASPs have been placed in identical scale so as provided in MOF OM No. 10/2/2011.E.III/A dated 7-1-2013(copy enclosed), the fixation of pay on promotion from one post to another where promotional post carries the same GP as the feeder post, in such cases fixture of pay will be done in the manner as prescribed in Rule 13 (i) of CCS (RP) rules 2008.  Apparently ASPs are also eligible for fixture of pay w.e.f 1-1-2006 in the identical scale for two different cadres after giving benefit of bunching.
Furthermore, since ASPs and IPs have been placed in the same scale so provision for grant of MACP will have to be redefined when ASPs will get GP of Rs.4800/- under MACP on completion of 10 years of service in revised GP of Rs. 4600/-. Thereafter the question for grant of Grade Pay of Rs, 5,400/- in PB-2 on non – functional basis after 4 years of regular service in the grade pay of Rs.4,800/- in PB-2” will arise. In this contest 1st schedule of CCS (RP) Rules, 2008 as mentioned in Rule 3 & 4 above, pay band & grade pay on the pay scale as applicable for every post/grade shall be specified. Para 7.6.14 of the report of Pay commission would make it clear that a Group “B” officer in PB-2 with a Grade pay of Rs. 4800/- will get the Grade Pay of Rs. 5400/- after completing 4 years of regular service on non – functional basis. The enhancement of grade pay is not dependent on the post, but on regular service of 4 years in Grade Pay of Rs. 4,800/- in PB-2 (Rs.7,500- 12000 pre-revised).
In this context, it is pertinent to mention here that as per GOI resolution 1/1/2008 IC dated 29.8.08 does not make a categorization within Group B cadres viz ASP/ Supdt. in Departments of Post for the purpose of grant of Grade Pay of Rs 5400/- as both cadre are in Group B and enjoying  gazetted status. In terms of MACP scheme notified by the DoPT vide OM No 35034/1/97- Estt(D)  dated 9.8.1999, the financial up-gradation under the scheme should be granted to the pay scale of the next hierarchical cadre.
Similar matter had come up for decision before the Hon’ble Central Administrative Tribunal Madras Bench. The said tribunal had ruled in favour of the employee to the effect that if an officer has completed 4 years on 01.01.2006 or earlier, he will be given the non-functional upgradation with effect from 01.01.2006. The said decision was challenged by the revenue department before Hon’ble High court of Madras. The challenge made by the department had been rejected by the said court meaning thereby the CAT orders stood affirmed. The judgement passed by the Hon’ble High court of Madras was also challenged before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and challenge so made stood rejected even by the Hon’ble Apex court. As such orders passed by CAT bench become applicable to all similar placed officers being the SLP rejected by Hon’ble Apex court so should be applicable to the officer of DOP also.
It is pertinent to mention here that in similar placed applicant other benches of CAT upheld the decision of Hon’ble High Court of Madras and passed orders” Considering the reasoning given by the Hon’ble Madras High Court, we declare the action of the respondents in not granting the grade pay of Rs.5400/- to the applicants on completion of four years service in grade pay of Rs.4800 as illegal and unjustified”.
Recently Ministry of Information and Broadcasting vide letter no F. No.515/63/2016-BA(E) after having approval of Department of Expenditure, MOF as conveyed vide UO NO. 22(4)/E.III.B dated 10.11.2017 extended benefit of Grade pay of Rs. 5400/- in PB-II on non functional basis after 4 years of regular service in the grade pay of Rs.4800/- in PB-II to all similar placed officers in their department (copy enclosed). Whereas, Group B officer of DOP are more analogous than AEs of Ministry of Information  Broadcasting as in Government of India’s Resolution No.  M.F No. 1/1/2008-1C, Dt. 29.08.2008, clause (x) (e),“Group-B officers of Departments of Posts, Revenue, etc. is clearly spelled out.
 In the light of above submissions, it is most humbly prayed that pay of the all Group B officers may kindly be ordered to re-fix w.e.f 1-1-2006 keeping in view the above averments along with grant of non functional Grade Pay of 5400/- to all Group B officers effective from the date they have completed 4 years regular service in Grade Pay of 4800/-. This will meet the end of justice.
        With profound regards.
  
Yours faithfully
  
(R N YADAV)
GENERAL SECRETARY
Postal Officer Association

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