POSTAL OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION (India) Central Head Quarters

NEW DELHI

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

Monday, April 29, 2019

5th and last letter given to Member(P) Sir on draft seniority list


To
Sh. P.K.Bisoi,
The Mamber (Personnel)
                        Postal Services Board,
                        Postal Directorate, New Delhi-110001

No.     CHQ/POA/1-60/2018-19                                                              Dated 22.04.2019

Sub:     Regarding Draft seniority list of PS Group B Officers as on 01.04.2017.

Ref:     Directorate letter No. 9-02/2019 SPG II dated 15.03.2019

Respected Sir,

It is to inform your kind honor that department issued two seniority lists dated 24-1-2019 and 15-3-2019 showing different seniority of Group B officers on each occasion. In this regards, Postal officers Association put forth its view point before the authorities against both the seniority list which we considered vital for its members and so as to avoid future complications. Copies of both the communications are enclosed for reference.

It is pertinent to mention here that the main reason for confusion in issuing correct seniority list is wrong calculation of vacancies under 75%, 19% and 6% quota and tilting cadre strength to one side destroying the already settled position. On the basis of recruitment rules the strength reservation in different quota is as under for which separate post based rosters have also been maintained:

Total Number of Posts
866
NO. of 75% IP line posts to be filled through Seniority cum fitness
649
NO. of 19% IP line posts to be filled through LDCE
165
NO. of 6% General line posts to be filled through LDCE
52

This Association several times apprised directorate that distribution of vacancies should only be as per quota under each category without increasing or decreasing the number of posts given in the roster point that could only be in the interest of both IP Line and General Line officials but nothing was done by the Department. In this, regard Dte. order No. 11-15/2007-SPG dated 7-01-2009 issued consequent upon decision of OA No. 657/HP/2007 also refers. The Chandigarh CAT bench in the OA No. 399/PB/2011 has also ordered to promote IPs under respective quota only. In this regards, directorate file number 9-67/2006-SPG refers.

The calculation of vacancies in any other manner can be against the principles of natural justice because reservation in promotion by seniority subject to fitness was introduced in 1972, subject to the some condition. In 1974, reservations in promotion by selection from C to B within B and from B to the lowest rung of Group A were introduced provided the element of direct recruitment does not exceed 50%. But in our case one day will come when above principle would tilt the balance in favour of 25% quota and eventually destroy the object of maintaining roster under fixed quota. The day will come when no promotion will be there against seniority cum fitness (75%) quota.

Furthermore, in PS Group B element of direct recruitment is not involved and in such case how department is referring to DoPT letter no. 14017/2/1997- Esstt.(RR)/pt dated 19-1-2007 is a matter of concern for the seniors waiting for their promotion as per seniority. Even the Chandigarh CAT bench while conveying decision in OA No. 399/PB/2011, has not taken this DoPT letter into consideration because it apparently applicable to reservation in promotion of SC/ST or promotion where element of direct recruitment is involved. The orders of CAT bench in OA no. 399/PB/2011 were not challenged in Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court as did in other verdicts. Had this been done the aggrieved might also have got opportunity to place their view point before Apex court. Now at this juncture changing seniority fixed earlier giving benefit to these out of turn promotes is great injustice with those waiting for promotion to JTS even after rendering 33 years of service in IP cadre and completed mandatory Group B service condition.

In view of above, it is requested to kindly cause intervention and to fix seniority of PS Group B officers within respective quota against 649 posts through seniority cum fitness,165  posts through LDCE from IPs and 52 posts from GL officials. The recruitment done over and above to that may only be adjusted against future vacancies. Seniority list should also be circulated amongst all and enough time should be given to all members to represent and put their grievances.

With profound regards.

Yours sincerely,


(R.N.Yadav)
General Secretary
Postal Officer Association
Annex-I
To
Sh. A.N.Nanda,
The Secretary (Post)
                        Department of Post
                        Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
                        New Delhi-100001

No.     CHQ/POA/1-54/2017-18                                                  Dated 19.03.2019

Sub:    Regarding Draft seniority list of PS Group B Officers as on 01.04.2017.

Ref :    Directorate letter No. 9-02/2019 SPG II dated 15.03.2019

Sir,
           
This is regarding draft seniority list of PS Group B Officers corrected up to 01.04.2017, circulated vide letter referred to above. In a clear and unambiguous term, covering letter demonstrates the view that list needs to be finalized by 25.03.2019 so as to proceed with the DPC for JTS Group ‘A’. In this regard the letter dated 18-2-2019 written by this association (copy enclosed) may also kindly be referred to.  The Association further wishes to bring following facts before the authorities which are vital for consideration so as to avoid future complications.

2.         Directorate while declaring the revised results has categorically stated that these results are subject to outcome of numerous cases pending adjudication before different Benches of entire country by the effected officers of different circles. Pertinently, these cases/Linked cases need to be finalized first. When the results have not attained finality, then how a valid and proper draft of seniority list is made.

3.         Hon’ble APEX Court while deciding the SLP (C) No. 24725/2017 (arising out of impugned order dated 05.12.16 in WP N. 25931/2015 of Hyderabad High Court) in UOI & others Vs Konidela Remesh Babu & others, on 10.10.2017 has categorically clarified that promotion which has already been given may not be disturbed but the respondents will be entitled to be considered against any further vacancies by making suitable adjustment in future in accordance with impugned judgment. As such, law holding the field is that respondents are to be considered against future vacancies. Hence, Draft seniority list is violative of the directions of Hon’ble APEX Court.

4.         It is pertinent to mention that notification issued by the Directorate for conducting LDCE for PS Group B at much later stage, never calls for PS Group B officers in position to compete in the exam. Had such persons were allowed to appear in the exam, they would have got fair chance to appear and in a way would have protected their seniority? Depravation is, thus, writ large in that view.

5.         Draft seniority list has been circulated without keeping in mind the RRs of Indian Postal Service (Group ‘A’ posts), which prescribes for filling up 50% posts from amongst Officers of Postal Service, Group ‘B’ and Senior Postmaster Grade in the scale of pay of Rs. 9,300 – 34,800 with grade pay Rs. 4,800 in Pay Band- 2 with two years’ service in those grades rendered after appointment thereto on regular basis, who have successfully completed minimum two weeks’ Departmental Induction Training.

6.         Further Note below prescribes that where juniors who have completed their qualifying or eligibility service are being considered for promotion, their seniors would also be considered provided they are not short of the requisite qualifying or eligibility service by more than half of such qualifying or eligibility service or two years, whichever is less and have successfully completed their probation period for promotion to the next higher grade along with their juniors who have already completed such qualifying or eligibility service. Moreover directorate has completely ignored the decision given in O.A.No. 399/PB/11 dated 26.5.2011 of Hon’ble C.A.T Chandigarh Bench and not provided any opportunity to the officers promoted on the basis of that orders which is arbitrary discriminatory and injustice with seniors waiting promotion to JTS at the verge of retirement. Had this been done the effected officers would have opportunity to represent or go to Hon’ble High Court for justice but this has not done and department has fixed seniority by circulating final gradation list in 2014. Issue of fresh seniority list without giving opportunity to effected officers is discriminatory.

7.         Meaning thereby, attempt is being made to extend benefit to such persons by fixing their seniority in hurry and casual manner and above the persons who have already completed qualifying service. Moreover here element of direct recruitment is not involved. It is simply out of turn promotion through LDCE against 25% quota and seniority cum fitness against 75% quota for which separate roster have been prepared with fixed number of post which can neither be increased nor decreased, so fixing seniority of officers coming from 75% quota is injustice with senior officers. Besides all, name of officers promoted through seniority cum fitness in a particular vacancy year though now retired has not been mentioned. In such cases how seniority can be compared and checked. Furthermore once gradation list was approved in 2014 and objection at that time was settled, how the seniority of officers can be changed now when many of the officers have retired and the fresh list is not having their names.

In view of above, it is earnestly requested to kindly cause intervention and withholds the seniority list, which is improper and inaccurate from the point of various parameters emerged due to delay in conduct of exam and other aspects. Seniority list should also be circulated amongst all and enough time should be given to all members to represent and put their grievances. It is also requested to kindly given opportunity to hear the members of this association before taking further course of action.

With profound regards.

Yours sincerely,


(R.N.Yadav)
General Secretary
Postal Officer Association
  Annex-II
To
Sh. A.N.Nanda,
The Secretary (Post)
                        Department of Post
                        Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
                        New Delhi-100001

No.     CHQ/POA/1-51/2017-18                                                   Dated 18.02.2019
Subject: Draft Seniority list of P.S.Group ‘B’ officers as on 1.04.2016 – reg.
Ref : Directorate memo No. 9-02/2019-SPG-II dated 24th January 2019
Respected Sir,
Postal officer Association expresses its sincere gratitude to the staff of SPB-II Division of Directorate for issue of draft seniority list of P.S.Group ‘B’ officers corrected up-to 1.04.2016. At the same time it is apprised that the seniority list is full of ambiguities that needs rectification by taking the following into consideration before issue of the final draft. 
Most of the members of this Association particularly senior officer promoted against seniority quota and on the verge of retirement has noticed that above seniority lists has not been prepared correctly as their interest and rights for promotion to JTS have been completely ignored. No care has been bestowed while fixing the seniority as per given quota in the available sanctioned strength of 866 posts in PS Group “B” cadre. As per already settled position, 649 Group ‘B’ posts against 75% quota have been earmarked for selection on the basis of seniority cum fitness, 165 posts against 19% quota for LDCE from IP line officials and 6% i.e. 52 posts through LDCE for General Line officials. For all these three quotas separate post based rosters have been prepared by the department clearly marking the total vacancy earmarked for each quota without any dispute. This fact has been completely ignored affecting the right of senior officers.
It is also brought to your kind notice that when 165 (IP line) + 52(General line) = 217 posts alone are reserved under the 19% and 6% quota for promotion through Limited Departmental Competitive Examination from a particular line how about 220 junior most officers promoted through LDCE can be adjusted in the so called new seniority list ignoring the right of officers promoted through seniority cum fitness. This is despite the fact that more than 100 officers promoted through LDCE of 25% quota roster are already finding place in the seniority list. Apparently post based roster has not been consulted while calculated vacancies and now the present seniority list will further mar the promotion of officers promoted through seniority cum fitness. This shows that there was something grossly wrong with the stand taken by the department to adjust such promote at the cost of seniors waiting their turn in JTS even after rendering 31 years of service in IP line.
Furthermore supplementary DPC for the left out 23 vacancies for the vacancy year 2011-12 was not convened that also disturb the seniority of officers promoted against 75% quota meant for seniority-cum-fitness promotions of the respective year. As such 23 IPs of 1988 batch should be placed above serial number 225 of seniority list.  Moreover name of some the officers selection of those was kept in sealed cover and now promoted in respective vacancy year is missing in the seniority list. Name of officers listed at serial number 228 to 240 needs to be discarded being double entry. In the remarks column, the method of selection whether it seniority cum fitness or LDCE or GL has not been mentioned to check the inter-se-seniority.
It is therefore requested to revise the seniority list by settling the above ambiguity so that no one feels discriminated.
The Association solicits your lawful support and action. 
         
Yours sincerely,


(R.N.Yadav)
General Secretary
Postal Officer Association

No comments: