Sunday, June 14, 2020

Letter on NFSG issue

All are requested to go through the below letter and suggest corrections before issue 

To
        
Sh. P.K.Bisoi,
         The Secretary (Post)
                     Department of Post
                   Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
                   New Delhi-100001

No.     CHQ/POA/1-6/2020-21                      Dated 15.06.2020

Sub: - Request for issue of speaking orders for grant of GP of Rs. 5400/- immediate on completion of regular service in GP of Rs.4800/- earned under MACP in view of directions of Hon’ble CAT Chandigarh bench orders dated 17-03-2020 in OA 06/0254/2020 and 060.255/2020 the basis on the decision of review petition (civil) no. 2512 of 2018 in civil appeal no. 8883 of 2011 with review (c) no. 2519 of 2018 in SLP (C) No. 17576/2017. .  

Respected Sir,

This Association for the last many years requesting your kind honour for the issue of common orders for grant of NFSG in GP of 5400/- on completion of 4 years in GP 4800/- to PS Group ‘B’ officers. Our many officers have been deprived of this benefit resulting in court cases after court cases. So much so what to talk of extending NFSG to PS Group ‘B’ officer, the pay fixture benefit of higher responsibility on promotion as required under rule FR 22 1(A)1 coupled with Rule 13 of the revised pay rules 2016 to PS Group B officers after even rendering 34 years of service is being denied to those promoted after 1-1-2012.   
Merely placement of Group ‘B’ officers in GP of Rs.5400/- on promotion who were working in the GP of 4800/- as a result of Grant of 3rd MACP without actual pay fixture is against the fundamental rules in view of Rule 13 of CCS (Revised Pay Rules) 2016. No doubt the PS Group ‘B’ officer has been given GP of Rs. 5400/-(Level 9) as a replacement to Rs. 4800/-(Level 8) w.e.f 1.1.2016 by 7th pay commission.  But it is nowhere mentioned that benefit of NFGP after four years of service in Group B or on completion of four years in GP of 4800/ has been withdrawn. Wrong Interpretation of rules by accounts wing officials of directorate with the detrimental approach is harming the interest of PS Group ‘B’ officers which should be taken seriously at the administration level. The accounts line official should be aware that Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has given verdict in our favour leaving no chance for accounts line officials to interpret otherwise and find means to halt our benefits. Association demand that our members should extend the benefit of interest for delayed payments owing to late decision wilfully.     
Furthermore, as is apparent from the recommendation of 7th CPC, Postal Superintendents (PS Group B officers) of DOP have been given upgraded GP of Rs. 5400/- w.e.f 1.1.2016 without withdrawing the benefit of NFGP after four years of service in Group B. Apparently, the benefit of pay fixation as required under Rule 13 of CCS (Revised Pay Rules) 2016 covered under FR 22 1(a)1 is required to be bestowed on completion of four years of service either at level 10 or pay fixture in level 9 who were given 3rd  financial up-gradation in GP of 4800/-. Unfortunately when level 10 has been denied by directorate than under which rule pay fixture in GP of 5400/- now level 9 is being denied is a big question mark. This all is leading to court cases after court cases for which department is paying a hefty amount to Govt. standing counsels for defending the cases. Association wants to know why accounts line officials are not objecting to such unnecessary and unwanted payments SGSC. It should also be said to be wastage of Govt. expenditure besides one day will lead to contempt of court.

It is also reported that recently Hon’ble CAT beach Chandigarh while deciding OA no. 060/0254/2020 and OA 060/0255/2020 has issued directions vide orders dated 17-3-2020 ( copy enclosed) to Union of India for passing speaking orders within three months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of the orders on the legal notice issued thereon. Unfortunately, no action has been taken at the directorate level to pass speaking orders on this also. It is pertinent to mention here that orders issued to the department by Hon’ble High court of Andhra Pradesh has not been implemented so far. Rather our case has been linked to the representation of IPASP cadre that has no relevance to the present case. Our issue pertains to the grant of NFSG as recommended by the 6th pay commission after rendering 34 years of services not involving any financial implications. Whereas the demand for IPASP is for grant of NFSG in level 9 (5400/-) on completion of four years in level 8 (4800/-) which can only be applicable for ASPs placed in upgraded scale as on 1-1-2016 or promoted thereafter.

Apparently, files routing through the Finance wing of directorate who otherwise have the tendency of raising objection to settle their ego without logic is a great injustice to officers who are part of the administration. If the department cannot implement the court orders in time what we can expect for settlement of our long-pending demands. Copies of the letters vide which case was taken is attached for reference.

It is, therefore, requested that pending final decision to the demand of IPASP as linked with POA (India) demand, common orders for Grant of 5400/- with pay fixture on completion of four years of service in GP of 4800/- granted under 3rd MACP benefit as also covered under various court judgments may kindly be issued with all consequential benefits without further delay. This will meet the end of justice who have been deprived of their legitimate rights and will also settle all representation and court cases. This will save the superfluous expenditure of department also

With warm regards
Yours sincerely,


(R N YADAV)
GENERAL SECRETARY
Postal Officer Association

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

LETTER TO HON'BLE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATION


To

Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad
Hon’ble Minister for Communications,
Government of India.
1st Floor, Sanchar Bhawan, Ashok Road,
New Delhi- 110001

No. CHQ/POA/1-3/2020-21                                                              Dated 4.05.2020

Respected Sir,
            The Postal officers Association (India) would like to bring to the kind notice of Hon’ble Minister, the following pending issues relating to the cadre of Sr./Supdt. Of Post Offices for causing early necessary action.
(A)         Issue of common orders for grant of GP of Rs. 5400/- immediate on completion of regular service in GP of Rs.4800/- earned under MACP in view of decision on review petition (civil) no. 2512 of 2018 in civil appeal no. 8883 of 2011 with review (c) no. 2519 of 2018 in SLP (C) No. 17576/2017. .  

In view of a decision on review petition (civil) no. 2512 of 2018 in civil appeal no. 8883 of 2011 with review (c) no. 2519 of 2018 in SLP (C) No. 17576/2017 the department has unnecessarily relegated the file to back seat instead of issuing common orders. The department is implementing the decision in piecemeal for the officers filing court cases only instead of issuing common orders as done by other departments. This is not only enhancing the sense of discontentment due to non-settlement of the same but also pull our members towards unnecessary litigations causing unnecessary expenditure of department and our members too besides wastage of time.

This association wrote numerous letters on this issue to Postal Directorate, copy of main communication is appended as Annex-I but implementation is still pending due to not clearing the file by Finance wing of department who has vested interest. In the extent case DoPT has already passed orders for implementation of Hon’ble court orders to the similarly placed officers of not only other departments but of our department also but selectively for the officers who are taking legal remedial.

Since this was one of the vulnerable issues so after discussion in the CWC meeting held in Ayodhyaji, it was decided by the house to request the department to issue common orders for grant of GP of Rs. 5400/- on completion of four years of service in 4800/- as done in the cases who have taken legal measures. Accordingly, Case was taken with Secretary Posts but unfortunately, department has not taken the final decision up-till now. Copy of the resolution was submitted to the department vide letter attached as Annex-II. Now the hope is on our kind honour for early settlement.

(B)           Request for issue of orders to grant financial benefits on 01/01/2006 to senior IPs, ASPs and Group B officers consequent upon placing IPs & ASPs in the same scale.

Members of the Postal Officer Association (India) have been raising their concern for not settling the issue regarding grant of financial benefit to senior ASPs w.e.f 1-1-2006 but Postal Directorate is silent despite several requests from the staff side. The crux of the case is that consequent upon court verdict various orders like (i) placing of Inspector of Posts (IP) in the Grade Pay of Rs 4,600/- from Rs 4,200/- w.e.f.  01-01-2006 on par with next hierarchical promotional Gazetted Post i.e. Assistant Superintendent of Posts (ASP) and (ii) grand of one increment in the same scale on promotion to next hierarchical Post of ASP cadre have been issued by the department of Post for those who joined the department just after 2006 with all consequential benefits including arrears. These beneficiaries are being allowed the provisions of MACP at the upgraded level. Whereas far-far seniors who were working as ASPs on 1-1-2006, now Postal Service Group B officers have been placed in a detrimental and disadvantageous position. It is pertinent to mention here that many of our senior members are still working at level 8 whereas the juniors have been placed at level 9 on allowing the benefit of 3rd MACP. It is a clear cut case of discrimination.

            Communication made to Secretary Post in this regard is attached as Annex –III. Copy of resolution passed in CWC and submitted to the department is attached as Annex-IV.

            Sir, it ought to be mentioned here that ours is the middle-level executive officers of the Department, who plays a pivotal role in the execution of all the policy decisions of the department. PS Group B officers are now being made as to the stem for implementation of the IT modernization project of India Post, which is expected to bring a paradigm change in the way department functions. These executives are supposed to operationalize approximately 4.5 lakh trained manpower of Department of Posts including Gramin Dak Sevaks. Sir it will not be wrong to say that all responsibilities are evolved on us and when it turns of extending financial benefit or career progression, the finance wing of this department creates hurdles after hurdles even in the implementation of Hon’ble court orders.
            It is pertinent to mention here that even during the covid-19 outbreak our officers have played pivotal rules for making arrangements of point to point delivery of medicines and making AePS payment to the needy at their doorstep. We are doing all this risking our life. This sincerity can be adjudged from the fact that we have lost one of our dynamic SSPOs. He dies of corona while working for the department at Dhule (Maharashtra). Though he was suffering from various diseases but denied leave by PMG Aurangabad and worked under odd circumstances. Copy of the press clipping is attached that will speak itself about our sincerity.
            The Association therefore approach your kind honour and fervently requests the Hon’ble Minister to restore the lost ground by directing the department to settle long pending genuine issues pertaining to officers association so that they can function as effectively as ever and take an active part in the process of quick transformation of the department.  
With profound regards
Yours Sincerely


R N Yadav
General Secretary
Postal Officer Association
Copy to
1.     Secreatary Post Dak Bhawn Sansad Marg New Delhi
2.      The ADG(PPC), Dak Bhawan New Delhi-110001

Sunday, March 29, 2020

LETTER FOR ISSUE OF ADVISORY FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY


All are requested to check the letter before issue and advise changes if required any
To
            Sh. P.K.Bisoi,
            Secretary Posts
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi-110001

No. CHQ/POA/1-1/2020-21                                                  Dated      30.03.2020

Sub: Request for issue of advisory to circles for adhering GOI instructions for occupational safety of Divisional Heads including the grant of leave or work from home norms.  
Respected Sir,
            Postal Officer Association like to bring to your kind notice towards the oppressive instructions issued by CPMG Karnataka Circle asking divisional heads to report for HQ on Monday without showing any excuse or applying for leave.  Such type of callous and inhuman orders demonstrate total disregards to the GOI instructions contained in DoPT office memorandum no. 11013/9/2014-Estt (A-III)ND dated 20-3-2020 wherein relaxation in CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 to grant Commuted Leave without production of a medical certificate to the officers above 50 years of age are there.  
Sir, it is a fact that more than 70 % of the divisional heads have already crossed 55 years of age and prone to infection due to chronic diseases, they already facing.  Moreover, many of the divisional heads are away from their home and family as such totally dependent on restaurants/ Dhabas for the dietaries which are closed due to total lockdown /curfew. How they will manage all things is nobodies’ priority but unfortunately denying leave is the priority for officers sitting at the helm of affair.  So much so leave of Chief Postmaster Anna Road, Chennai who is also our President was not extended through he was on leave with valid permission to leave the station. Moreover, he had applied for an extension of leave on health grounds and compelling circumstances arrived due to complete shutdown and keeping in mind that older people with chronic diseases are at higher risk for COVID-19. The association has a reservation on such inhuman acts of the administrations and compelling us to show insubordinations.
Sir, you will also agree that local administration is not allowing even to leave home for rations due to fear of spreading infection but our officers have no regard to the words/ repeated requests of our Hon’ble Prime Minister. Due to curfew restrictions in some circles, Local district administration is not allowing to open Post offices for any kind of work. Limited timing for the sale of vegetables and opening of grocery shops has been set by the administration and nobody is allowed to move without valid passes which are made for a limited period and time. Under such circumstances what type of work the CPMG/ DPS will take from divisional heads is another question..
The association condemn this type of non-cooperative the attitude of the CPMG Karnataka/ Tamil Nadu and request your kind honour  to take stock of the situation and issue instructions to the all the CPMGs to sanction leave to all the divisional heads covered under the rules or work from home as per the directive of DoPT.  This will help a long way to save society as a whole from the spread of the Virus in our beloved country. The most important factor in preventing the spread of the Virus locally is to support all and sundry and advice taking precautions as per the advisories issued by GOI and not settle ones’ ego. The association assured your honour that once our country comes out of this traumatic stage, our members will again evolve themselves in the progress of department and country.
With warm regards

Yours sincerely,


(R N YADAV)
GENERAL SECRETARY
Postal Officer Association