Year End Review of Achievements and Initiatives of Department of Posts

Year End Review of Achievements and Initiatives of Department of Posts

Year End Review of Achievements and Initiatives of Department of Posts


Department of Posts has the largest postal network in the world. It provides postal facilities within reach of every citizen in the country through its vast network at affordable prices. During the long journey from 1857 onward, India Post network has expanded from 23,344 post offices to 1,55,035 post offices as on 31.3.2008. Of these 1,39,173 Post Offices are in rural areas and 15,862 Post Offices in urban areas with an average post office serving 7,174 people and covering an area of approximately 21.2 sq. kms. Some of the important significant events of the Department, particularly focused at Aam Aadmi are as under:-

Enrolling the citizen for ‘Aadhar’ and dispatching the ‘Aadhar’ letters

MOU between Department of Posts and Unique Identification Authority of India - A Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) was signed between Department of Posts and Unique Identification Authority of India for printing, booking, transmission and delivery of letters carrying ‘Aadhar’ numbers of the residents through Speed Post. More than 2.5 Crores of ‘Aadhar’ letters have so far been printed and dispatched by Department of Posts. Department is also working as Registrar with Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for providing ‘Aadhar' enrollment service through select Post offices. During the year 2011(upto 1st week of Dec, 2011, over 41 lakhenrollments have been done.

Improving Mail processing and delivery

The Department of Posts has initiated Mail Network Optimization Project to improve the quality of mail processing, transmission and delivery. The project seeks to optimize the existing mail network of Department of Posts with a view to streamline core mail operations. It also seeks to bring in greater standardization and improvement in the operational processes relating to mail processing, transmission and delivery and proposes to introduce a more effective Performance Management Mechanism for mail operations.

Setting up of Automated Mail Processing Centre’s - The Department has undertaken a project to set up Automated Mail Processing Centers (AMPCs) in six major cities with a view to automate mail sorting.The letter sorting machines would be able to sort approximately 35000 articles per hour whereas the Mixed Mail Sorter would sort approximately 16000 articles per hour.
The Mixed Mail sorting machines would help in faster processing of large size letters flats and packets/ parcels through the use of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology.
Automation in mail processing would also help the department in modernization of mail network, consolidation of sorting activities and expedite mail sorting and delivery in these cities.

Creation of National Address Data Base Management System - Under this project, the Department has undertaken and initiative to put in place a national address database management system with an objective to effectively manage the address database of public/ customers, update the addresses online, and help the customers in locating correct addresses and PIN codes. The project has been completed in to two metro cities where address data up to street level has been collected and street directory prepared.

Mechanization of delivery processes - The Department has also taken steps to mechanize mail delivery in phased manner. In order to ensure better monitoring of vehicles used for mail delivery, vehicles are being equipped with the Global Positioning System (GPS) device.

Project Arrow

In this year more than 10,000 post offices are being monitored online.
The Department initiated Project Arrow in April, 2008. The project envisages up gradation of Post Offices in urban and rural areas both in terms of upgrading and enhancing the quality of service. The Prime Minister’s Award for excellence in Public Administration was received for Project Arrow-Transforming India Post-2008.

Introduction of e-enabled services


In the current calendar year, the Department of Posts supplied computer hardware and peripherals to 9,600 single handed Post Offices. By the end of December 2010, 14,415 Post Offices had been computerized in the Department. In total 24,015 Post Offices have been computerized so far.

Remotely Managed Franking System- In the wake of evolution of advanced technology in the franking system allowing not only inkjet/digital printing with more security but also creation of electronic support system facilitating remote setting of franking machines with enhanced security and transparency in accounting system, India Post have introduced Remotely Managed Franking System (RMFS) in place of existing electronic Franking Machines. Around 2,981 RMFS machines have been licensed and activated as on November, 2011.
The Department has also signed agreement with two Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to take complete responsibility of satisfactory functioning of the Remotely Managed Franking System (RMFS) server and machines associated with it.

E-Post office- E-Post office Portal was also commissioned during the current year for e-Commerce activity of the Department of Posts which provides for ‘on time sale of philatelic material.’

E-VPP (Electronic Value Payable Parcels) - E-VPP is a service made available in 1,100 post offices; herein the value of payable panel is updated and sent to the sender online by recipient, avoiding the time lag to enable him to make payment through e-payment system of the department.

eMoney Order (eMO) - The electronic money order, which has been launched in October 2008, facilitates transmission of ordinary money orders through electronic media. India Post has also signed bilateral agreement for exchange of electronic international money order service with Emirates posts, UAE.

Contributing to the financial inclusion of the rural people:

Wage disbursal under Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)- Extensive rural postal network of the country is actively engaged in disbursal of wages of MGNREGA with high levels of efficiency. During the year 2011 the Post Offices disbursed about Rs. 6,000 crore by September, 2011 through about 5.27 crore savings accounts of MGNREGA workers standing in the Post Offices. Thus, the Department of Posts significantly contributed towards the success of this unique social security arrangement of unprecedented scale.

Financial Inclusion of Below Poverty Line (BPL) Household- Department of Posts leveraged its network and outreach to financially include BPL households by targeting them for opening their savings accounts in the Post Offices and thus providing them with access to savings services. During the year 2011 more than 84.77 lakh households were financially included through this initiative by October, 2011.

Collection of Data for Computing Rural Consumer Price Indices-MOS&PI (Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation)approached Department of Posts for collection of relevant data from rural areas for the MOS&PI. This would directly help policymaking for rural economy on various important issues. MoU was signed between MOS&PI and Department Posts to collect data on the prices being paid by the consumers in rural areas for selected consumer goods. Due to engagement of Department of Posts it was possible for the Ministry to bring out Rural Consumer Price Index and All India Consumer Price Index in February 2011, for the first time. Since then the Consumer Price Index is being regularly computed and issued by MOS&PI in each month.
Data for Rural CPI is collected for 1181 villages across the country every month. The Branch Post Masters (BPM) concerned ct prices of 185 to 292 commodities from the local market on the weeks fixed for each village.
Other significant initiatives

RGI Logistic Project – Distribution of census materials through Logistics Post was a massive project and it is managed under a Project model. With a vast network of post offices across the country, India Post could arrange for the distribution of the materials in an effective manner. This helped Registrar General of India(RGI) to undertake mammoth task of reaching every citizen of India and conduct the census remuneration work successfully. Distribution project of the census consignments was handled in two phases.
In order to facilitate the operations, which started in last week of December 2010 and Logistics Post booking counters were established in all the printing presses and consignments were transmitted through multimodal transport system in order to effect the timely, safe and secure delivery of the census consignments.
During the phase 2 operations of the project, 9967 MT of census materials was distributed by India Post to nearly 12,000 locations across the country including Reverse Logistics services for collection and distribution of the census materials from the Census Offices in the Talukas/ Municipalities etc. to Directorate of Census Operations in each State as well as Data Scanning Centers.
A web page has also been developed in order to provide real time tracking of the census consignments and to monitor the progress of the project.

Flat Rate Parcel Service (Domestic) - With the Indian economy growing at a fast pace, the express parcel industry has been growing consistently. As a part of business strategy and with a view to restructure its parcel business, Department of Post launched Flat Rate Parcel (Domestic) Service during February 2011.
Flat Rate Parcel provides an added convenience to the customers by offering pre-paid boxes in different weight slab as per the requirement of customers. It is an air express service under the brand 'Parcel Post' and provides time bound delivery of parcels. These boxes available in three capacities viz. 1 Kg, 2.5 Kg and 5 Kg are specially designed to ensure safe and secure transmission and delivery of the consignments. Sold at identified Post Offices only these can be booked at all computerized Post Offices.
ePost - ePost, a hybrid mail service is presently available in 3998 Post offices. During the year 2011(upto Nov, 2011), 9.92 lakh of messages have been sent and Rs.81.07 lakh earned as e-post charges.

Passenger Reservation System(PRS) - In order to provide Railway Tickets through convenient locations, Railway Reservations Tickets of all classes are being sold at the Post office in association with Ministry of Railways (MOR). The service is presently available at 172 Post offices and network is being further extended. During the year 2011 (upto October, 2011), DoP earned Rs.2.04 Crores as commission by issuing 13.73 lakh tickets through Post Offices.

Sale of Gold Coins - India Post sells 24 carat Gold coins of the denomination of 0.5 g, 1g, 5g, 8g, 10g, 20g and 50g through select Post offices. The Service is presently available in 728 Post offices. During the year 2011(upto Nov, 2011), the Department earned Rs.6.25Crores as commission by selling 591.4 KG of Gold Coins.

Creating “Financial Awareness” –This year National Stock Exchange signed an MOU with India Post for installation of LCD TVs in select Post offices for creating “Financial Awareness” among the public.

Round Table Conference - A Round Table Conference on “Partnering India Post: 2012 and Beyond” was organized by the Department of Posts at Hotel Ashok in July 2011. Key stakeholders from Banking/ Insurance/ Telecom/ FMCG/ IT/ e-Commerce/ Logistics/ Publications/ Financial Institutions/ Government Ministries & Departments/ Industry Associations/ Academic Sector participated in the Conference and engaged into discussions to give shape to the India Post 2012 Project and explore strategic tie-ups with India Post.

Customer Care


Customer Grievance Redressal Mechanism- The system of acceptance/receipt of complaints in the Department of Posts is readily accessible to the public. Each post office works as a receiving point for complaints. The Department has also introduced the facility for customers to register complaints online at its website www.indiapost.gov.in from the year 2001. The reach of upgraded interconnectedComputerised Customer Care software for grievance handling is being widened and it is expected to cover 10,459 Post Offices during the current financial year (2011-12).

Implementation of RightTo Information Act, 2005 - CAPIO module developed by NIC for use of the department has been made functional in 4707 Post Offices. Offices selected under Project Arrow are being authorized to act as Central Assistant Public Information Officers (CAPIOs) in addition to the existing ones. Besides this, Department has appointed 845 CPIOs to facilitate Right to Information Act, 2005 in the Department of Posts.

International Relations

India Post successfully hosted the meeting of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Quality of Service Fund of Universal Postal Union in July, 2011. The Board of Trustees comprising 9 elected members from different geographical regions of the world is responsible to oversee appropriate distribution and approval of projects that merit QSF funding. India Post is one of the nine elected members of the BOT.

Department of Post hosted a meeting of an Expert Group of postal administrations of SAARC countries in New Delhi on 15th and 16th of September, 2011 to discuss the Constitution and General Regulations of proposed South Asian Postal Union(SAPU). The meeting was convened successfully with the necessary quorum. Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Nepal could not attend the meeting. They however, expressed their strong support for creation of SAPU. A joint statement proposed by the Chairman was signed by the Expert Group requesting SAARC Chair to announce the formation of South Asian Postal Union. SAPU would promote cooperation among Postal Administrations and improve services in the region, development of common terminal charges and lower postage rates based on regional costing rather than the current system which is based on world averages, facilitate human resource development and sharing of best practices in postal sector.

The Cabinet approved the proposal to join the proposed SAPU comprising of SAARC member countries. The Cabinet also approved the setting up of an ad-hoc Secretariat for the SAPU at New Delhi which will be headed by an interim Secretary General from Department of Posts, Government of India.

Source: PIB Release dated 28th December, 2011.

A Clarion call to protect centurion old postal services

A Clarion call to protect centurion old postal services

Despite our desire to maintain peace and tranquillity for the advancement of service and the workers, we have been pushing again and again towards the wall and forced us to take confronting position just in order to save the service and its workers.

                During   the July settlement, we were optimistic that the Postal Board would honour its commitments which were given in writing and led a peaceful passage for better improvement of service. Perhaps it is our apprehension, that it may be due to the clear mandate of some sitting at the decision taking level with the collusion of some courier agencies or with foreign forces which have taken pledge to pull to pieces the postal from Govt. Services.

                When the department introduced freight carrier through Air India, we record our observation that it would not improve service but deteriorate. But nobody hears. What happened? The freightcarrier has been dropped after one year resulting in the known minimum loss of 300 crores! Just to justify the weight of the freighter carrier, speed post and other articles were back routed and inordinate delay was noticed resulting hue & cry from the circle heads too.            

The very same coteries which were responsible for the freighter carrier,is now annoying to introduce L1 & L2 in sorting despite the fact that they know very well that it will lead to delay in delivery and cause inconveniences to the staff. The inordinate delay in delivery of speed post articles within intra circle resulted in growth of couriers in towns. If there is a loss of even one rupee, the contributory factors are misused against the innocent officials. Whereas for the known Rs 300 crore loss, who was held responsible? What action was taken against them? Whether the same persons’ harpingon  L1& L2 will be taken forward as a reward for the loss caused by them in freighter carrier? We are suspecting that as such in the past many senior postal board members and senior officers became the consultants of couriers and licence holders of franking machines to loot the postal revenue.Is there any lobby or a conspiracyin existence in the Directorate for deterioration of the postal services leaving behind the brighter chance for the growth and development of postal service?.

Can the department come out with the real picture about the realisation of BNPL dues to be cleared by the firms? One institution inChennai has not paid BNPL amounting to the tune of 14 lakhs over nine months despite the fact that it should have been cleared within a month.Crores of rupees are being kept unrecovered amount under BNPL. Is it real business, the department is entertaining now? Without settling the existing loopholes in the service and revamping the service by motivating the staff, the department proposes to introduce L1 & L2 with the definite intention to cause delay in delivery of letters.Can we remain mute spectators allowing the things or will it not be our responsibility to resist such move from the point of a constructive and disciplined organisation? This is the million dollar question before us.

                The Secretary, Department agreed to revise the cash handling points for GDS and also to give protection of TRCA. It was agreed to consider revision of bonus ceiling to GDS as Rs 3500/-. The proposals for the above were simply turned down by the internal finance (not Finance Ministry). Shall the postal Board not be vested with powers to set aside the unwarranted objections raised by IFW and honour its commitments in writing with unions during July agreement? Payment of minimum wage to casual labourers as per 6^th CPC wages is the right as per Supreme Court and earlier orders of DOPT. But this has been denied repeatedly by internal finance by raising unwarranted queries and calling for details? What the Postal Board is doing?

                The IPS officers started their lobbies for the seventh cadre review! Even some minutes were issued for the discussions had with IPO/ASPOs! Whereas more than seven meetings were held so far but there is no minutes; no process. Still we are remaining in the in the initial stage only. The delay over three years in deciding cadre review exhibits the unfairness being extended towards the lowest cadres of the department. The cry of the system administrators could not reach the deaf ears. The acceptance to allow for IPO/Group B exam of Postmaster Grade I officials has not been honoured.

                There is no periodical meeting with unions over eight years. There was only one Departmental Council meeting held over six years. The Department is bluffing in the JCM National Council that the meeting are being held regularly in the Postal Department! It appears in the JCM National Council minutes also. Is it not shameful to give such false reply to the JCM National Council, the biggest body constituted by the Govt of India to redress staff grievances? There is no action yet by the department for acceptance of nomination from postal side to represent the national council.

                The postal workers’ distress has reached the climax and they are not in a mood to await further with hopes any longer as they are totally ignored and neglected by the authorities.There is a sign of desperation and frustration everywhere and in every one’s mind due to protraction in finding the first cadre review proposals where the powers started silently to pursue their seventh cadre review.

                Inspite of the best efforts made by the Federations and unions to proceed cautiously, the mounting discontentment and dissatisfaction prevailing among themasses of postal workers due to the firm determination of the Govtand Postal Board in deterioration of mail services by the proposed L1 & L2 introduction arbitrarily against the wishes of the postal workers, are now finding exposition through sporadic actions here and there like Karnataka, Kerala & Maharashtra Circles.

                All these incidents are but writing on the wall and should serve as a pointer to the authorities responsible for running the administration in the country. They should take a note of it before it is too late.This is our last word and in a sense and a warning to the authorities. Let us hope that good sense will prevail and everything will be considered with a changed outlook so that the postal workers are enabled to serve the postal department with contentment and zeal and render every possible for cause of service in the current days of competition.

Let us therefore organise the workers for a massive strike from 17.01.2012 and record our protest and discontent demanding a fair settlement on all the charter of demands.

Rise like lions after slumber

 In unvanquishable number,

 Shake your chains to each like dew,

Which in sleep has fallen on you –

You are many – they are few.          Shelly.

SENIORITY: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

AND ANSWERS

December 9, 2011

By admin

Department of Personnel & Training Establishment (D)

SENIORITY: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

                                                                                   

1.         From which date the various provisions of consolidated instructions on seniority applicable?

            Unless specifically, otherwise provided against each instruction, the said instructions are effective from the date of the relevant O.M.by which they were issued, prospectively.

2          To whom the instructions on seniority issued vide DOP&T's O.M.No.20011/1/2008- Estt.(D) dated 10.11.2010 are applicable?         

            The instructions on seniority issued vide DOP&T's O.M.No.20011/1/2008-Estt.(D)dated 11.11.2010 are applicable in determination of seniority of the Government servants in Central Civil Services and Civil Posts except such Services and Posts for which separate principles have already been issued or may be issued by the Government

3          Whether the instructions on seniority issued by DOP&T are applicable to

PSUs/Autonomous Bodies/Banks etc.?

            No. The seniority of the officers working in PSUs/autonomous bodies/ organisations /banks are governed by regulations/instructions issued by concerned Administrative Department/ PSUs/banks etc.

4          How the seniority of all direct recruits is determined?       

            The seniority of direct recruit is in the order of merit in which they are selected for appointment on the recommendations of UPSC or other selecting authority. The

persons appointed as a result of  earlier selection being senior to those appointed on subsequent selection. O.M.No.20011/1/2008-Estt.(D)dated 11.11.2010

5          Whether the seniority of direct recruits is determined by the date of confirmation?  

            No. The relative seniority of direct recruits that used to be determined earlier according to date of confirmation and not original order of merit (in cases where confirmation was in an order different from order of merit indicated at the time of their appointment) has been discontinued with effect from  4.11.1992.  O.M. No. 20011/5/90-Estt. (D) dated 04.11.1992

6. How will the inter-se seniority be fixed if a direct recruit officer joins late ?

            Seniority in such cases will be determined according to O.M. No.

9/23/71-Estt.(D) dated 06.06.1978 and O.M. No.35015/2/93-Estt.(D) Dated 09.08.1995

7          How seniority of candidates of two different panels is determined, in case both the panels are received on the same date?

            The seniority of candidates of two different panels received on the  same date is determined by the following procedure:

(i) Chronology of recommendation letter;

(ii) Where the date of recommendation letter is same, chronology of Interview Board

reports and

(iii) Where both (i) and (ii) are also same, then the chronology of requisition made by the respective Ministries/Departments. O.M. No. 20011/1/2008-Estt.(D) dated 11.11.2010

8          How seniority of candidat is determined in case two results of recruitment  through examination are announced for selection to same grade or post within the same year.      

            The seniority of the candidates will be determined as per date of publication/announcement of result. The candidate of the result announced earlier shall be senior to the candidate of the result announced later.

9          How the seniority of the promotee officer is determined? 

            The inter-se seniority of a officer promoted on the basis of the recommendation of a DPC either by selection or non-selection method as per due procedure, shall be determined as in the feeder grade from which they are promoted. O.M. No. 20011/1/2008-Estt.(D)  dated 11.11.2010

10        How seniority of a promote officer is determined in cases where more than one feeder grade is prescribed for promotion to the higher grade and specific quotas are given?

            In such cases, the officer in each grade assess a fit by the Departmental Promotion Committee shall be interpolated in the ratio prescribed in each grade

in the Recruitment Rules for the post, for the purpose of determination of seniority(principle of rota quota).

11        Is a SC/ST Government servant promoted by virtue of rule of reservation entitled to consequential seniority?

            Yes. A SC/ST Government servant on promotion by virtue of rule of reservation roster will be entitled for consequential seniority. O.M. No. 22011/1/2001-Estt.(D) 21.01.2002

12        Can a General/OBC category Government servant promoted through a later DPC regain his seniority of the feeder grade on promotion to higher grade?

            No. A General/OBC category officer promoted through a later DPC will be placed junior to the SC/ST category Government servant promoted through earlier

DPC even though by virtue of rule of reservation. O.M. No. 22011/1/2001-Estt.(D)

21.01.2002

13        What is co-relation between seniority in a grade and reservation roster for other grade? OR Whether a candidate is placed in the seniority list of a grade,

as per his position in the reservation roster or viceversa?

            There is no co-relation between seniority in a grade and the reservation roster for the said grade. Seniority of an officer is determined as per order of merit given by UPSC or selecting authority or panel of promotion given by DPC. A reservation

roster/points are meant only for identifying the vacancy that goes to a particular category of officer

14        How the relative seniority of direct recruit and promotee is determined?         

            The relative seniority of direct recruit and promotee is determined according to rotation of vacancies between available direct recruits and promotees which is based on quota of vacancies reserved for direct recruitment and promotion respectively in the recruitment rules. O.M. No. 35014/2/80-Estt.(D) dated 07.02.1986

15        How year of availability in regard to determination of relative seniority of direct

recruits and promotee is determined?

            The year of availability, both in case of direct recruit as well as promotee, for the purpose of rotation and fixation of seniority is  actual date of appointment after

declaration of result/selection and completion of pre-recruitment formalities, as prescribed. The  year of availability is a vacancy year in which a candidate of a

particular batch of selected direct recruitment or an officer of a particular batch of promotee joins the post/service. O.M. No. 22011/1/2006-Estt.(D) dated 03.03.2008

16        Is a candidate appointed against the carry forward vacancy of earlier recruitment year, allow the seniority of the year in which the vacancy arose?       

            No. The seniority of direct recruits and promotees is delinked from the vacancy and year of vacancy.  O.M. No. 35014/2/80-Estt.(D) Dated 07.02.1986

17        What is the starting point in the recruitment roster for the  purpose of inter-se seniority of officers through direct recruitment, promotion, absorption etc.

            The starting point in the recruitment roster for the purpose of inter-se seniority of officers through direct recruitment, promotion, absorption etc. will be as per provisions contained DOP&T's O.M.No.28011/6/76- Estt.(D) dated 24th June, 1978.

18        How the seniority of an Officer absorbed after being on deputation or absorbed directly without being on deputation determined?     

            The seniority of an Officer absorbed after being on deputation or absorbed directly without being on deputation, If he has been holding already (on the date of

absorption) the same or equivalent grade on regular basis in his parent department, is determined from the date he has been holding  the post on deputation or the date

from which he has been appointed on a regular basis to the same or equivalent grade in his parent department whichever is earlier. The fixation of seniority in aforesaid manner, however, will not effect any regular promotion to the next higher grade made prior to the date of such absorption.  O.M. No. 22011/1/2000-Estt.(D) Dated 27.03.2001

19        How seniority of two or more surplus employees of a particular grade in an office determined in the event of their simultaneous selection for re-deployment in another office?      

            In this case, inter-se seniority in particular grade, on re-deployment in the latter office, would be the same as it was in the previous office. O.M. No. 9/22/68-Estt. (D) Dated 06.02.1969

20        How seniority of a reemployed officer determined?           

            For determination of seniority of re-employed officer is treated as direct recruit. Where Recruitment Rules of the post against which appointment is being made prescribed re-employment as a distinct mode of recruitment .then the inter-se seniority of persons so re-employed shall be determined in accordance with order of selection. The relative seniority of persons so re-employed in relation to direct recruits and promotees shall be determined: Where the Recruitment Rules prescribes specific quota for each of the categories (direct recruitment, promotion and reemployment) then seniority is determined on the basis of rotation of vacancies based on the said quota. In other cases, on the basis of chronology selection. O.M. No. 20011/3/80-Estt(D) Dated 16.06.1980

21        How the seniority of a meritorious sports person appointed in relaxation of

Recruitment Rules determined?           

            Where sportsmen are recruited through the Employment Exchange or by direct

advertisement and are considered along with other general category candidates, they may be assigned seniority in the order in which they are placed in the panel for

selection. Where recruitment to a post is through a selection made by the Staff Selection Commission, whether by the competitive examination or otherwise, the

sportsmen recruited in the department themselves should be placed en bloc junior to those who have already been recommended by the Staff Selection Commission. The inter se-seniority of sportsmen will be in the order of selection. O.M.No.14015/1/76-Estt.(D) dated 4.8.1980

22        How the seniority of a person appointed on compassionate grounds is determined?        

            A person appointed on compassionate ground in a particular year is placed at the bottom of all the candidates recruited/appointed through direct recruitment, promotion etc. in that year, irrespective of date of joining of candidate on compassionate  appointment. O.M. No. 20011/1/2008-Estt.(D) dated 11.11.2010

23        How seniority of persons selected for appointment to different posts in the same grade requiring different  qualification determined?

            The seniority of persons selected for appointment to different posts in the same grade requiring different qualifications is determined as per provisions of para 4.9 of O.M. No. 20011/1/2008-Estt.(D) dated 11.11.2010

(Smita Kumar)

Director (E.I)

ORDERS ON SB

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SB ORDER NO. 31/2011 - MODIFICATION IN PORD RULES, 1981.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SB ORDER NO. 32/2011 - CIRCULATION OF NOTIFICATIONS ISSUED BY MIN. OF FINANCE (DEA) NOTIFYING THE CHANGES IN RULES OF DIFFERENT SAVINGS SCHEMES EFFECTIVE FROM 1.12.2011.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SB ORDER NO. 33/2011 - ISSUE OF CLARIFICATIONS REGARDING PREMATURE CLOSURE OF TD ACCOUNTS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SB ORDER NO. 34/2011 - PROCEDURE FOR OPENING OF SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OF BELOW POVERTY LINE (BPL) HOUSEHOLDS.

FAQS (FREQUENTLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS) LEAVE RULES. 

1. What are the leave entitlement of Govt. servants serving in a vacation Department w.e.f.  1.9.2008?

Earned  leave  for persons serving  in  Vacation Departments:-

(1)   (a) A Government  servant (other  than  a military officer) serving in a Vacation  Department shall not  be entitled to  any earned leave in respect of  duty performed  in  any year  in which  he  avails himself of  the full vacation.

(b)  In  respect of any  year  in  which  a Government  servant avails himself of a portion  of the vacation,  he  shall be  entitled to earned leave in such proportion  of  30 days, as the number of days of  vacation not  taken  bears  to  the  full  vacation: Provided that no such leave shall  be admissible  to  a Government  servant not in permanent  employ  or  quasi-permanent  employ in respect of the first year of  his service.

(c) If, in any year, the Government servant does not  avail  himself  of   any  vacation, earned leave  shall be admissible to  him in respect  of that year under rule 26. For the purpose of  this rule, the term 'year' shall be  construed not  as  meaning a  calendar year  in which  duty is performed but  as  meaning twelve months of actual duty in a Vacation Department.

            A Government servant entitled to vacation  shall be considered  to  have  availed  himself  of  a vacation or a portion of a vacation unless he has been  required by general or special  order  of  a higher  authority  to  forgo such  vacation or portion of a vacation:

Provided  that  if  he has  been prevented by such order from enjoying more than fifteen days of the vacation,  he   shall  be considered  to  have availed himself of no portion of the vacation.

            When  a Government  servant  serving  in  a Vacation  Department proceeds  on  leave  before completing a  full year  of duty, the earned leave admissible  to him  shall  be  calculated  not  with reference to  the vacations which  fall during the  period  of  actual duty  rendered before proceeding on  leave  but with reference  to  the vacation  that  falls during  the  year  commencing from  the  date on  which he  completed  the previous year of duty.

As per Rule  29(1) the half pay leave account of every Government  servant  (other than a military officer shall  be  credited  with half  pay  leave  in advance, in two installments of  ten days each on the  first  day  of  January  and  July  of  every calendar year.

2. Whether encashment of  leave is allowed  after LTC is availed.

            Sanction of leave encashment should, as  a rule, be lone  in  advance,  at   the time  of  sanctioning the LTC.  However, ex-post facto sanction  of  leave encashment  on  LTC may  be  considered  by  the sanctioning  authority  as  an  exception  in  deserving

cases  within  the time  limit prescribed  for submission of claims for LTC.

3.  Whether encashment of Leave with LTC  can be availed  at the time when  the LTC is availed by the Government servant only or  can leave be encashed  at the time when LTC is availed by family members?

            A Govt. servant can be  permitted to encash earned leave  upto  10  days  either at  the  time of  availing LTC  himself  or when  his  family avails it, provided other conditions are satisfied.

4. Whether leave encashment should be revised on retrospective revision  of pay/D.A?

            In  terms  of  38-A  of  CCS(Leave)  Rules, encashment  of EL alongwith  LTC  is  to  be calculated  on pay admissible on the date of availing LTC+DA  admissible on  that  date.  If  pay  or  DA admissible  has been revised with retrospective effect,  the  Govt. servant  would  be  entitled  to encashment of Leave on the revised rates.

5. Whether encashment of Earned Leave allowed  to  a  Govt. servant  prior  to  his joining the  Central  Govt.  is  to   be  taken into account while retiring ceiling of leave encashment  on his  superannuation  and retirement from Central Govt.?

            Encashment  of EL  allowed  by  the  State Governments,  Public Sector  Undertakings, Autonomous  Bodies for  services  rendered  in  the concerned Govt. etc. need not be taken into account for  calculating the ceiling of   300 days  of   Earned leave to  be encashed as  per CCS(Leave) Rule.

6. Whether leave  encashment  can  be sanctioned  to  a  Govt.  servant  on  his superannuation while under suspension?

            Leave encashment can be sanctioned, however Rule 39(3)  of  CCS  (Leave) Rules,  1972  allows  with holding of leave encashment in the case of a Govt. servant who retires  from  service  on attaining  the age of  superannuation  while  under suspension  or while disciplinary  or  criminal  proceedings  are pending against him,  if  in  view  of  the  authority there  is  a possibility  of   some  money  becoming recoverable  from  him  on conclusion  of   the proceedings against  him. On conclusion of  the proceedings  he/she  will become  eligible  to  the amount so withheld after adjustment of Government dues, if any.

7.Whether leave encashment can be sanctioned  to  a  Govt.  servant  on  his dismissal/removal, from service?

            A  govt.  servant who  is  dismissed/removed  from service  or whose  services are terminated ceases to have any claim to leave at his credit from the date of such dismissal, as per rule 9(1).  Hence he is not entitled to any leave encashment.

8.  Whether interest is payable  on delayed payment of leave encashment dues?

            No, there is no provision in the CCS (Leave) Rule 1972 for payment of interest on leave encashment.

9. Whether  a Govt. servant  who  has  been granted study leave may be allowed  to resign  to  take  up  a post  in  other Ministries/Department  of  the Central Govt.  within the bond period?

            Yes, As per rule 50(5)(iii) a Govt. servants has to submit a bond  to  serve the Govt. for a period  of 3 years.  As the Govt. servant would  still be  serving the Govt. / Department he may be allowed to submit his technical resignation  to  take up another post

within the Central Govt.

10. Whether women employees  of Public sector  undertakings/Bodies  etc. Are entitled to CCL?

            Orders  issued  by  DOPT are not automatically applicable  to  the  employees of Central Public Sector Undertakings/Autonomous Bodies, Ranking industry etc. It is for the PSUs/ Autonomous Bodies to  decide the  applicability  of the  rules/instructions issued  for  the central Government employees  to their employees  in  consultation  with  their Administrative Ministries.

11. Whether Govt. servant can  be permitted  to leave  station/go abroad while on CCL?

            Child care leave is  granted to a woman employee to take care of the needs of the minor children. If the child is  studying abroad or the Govt. servant has to go abroad for taking care of the child, she may do so  subject to other conditions laid down for this purpose.

12. What  is  the intention  behind  the instruction that  CCL  is to  be  treated  like EL  and sanctioned as such?

            The intention  is  that  CCL  should be availed  with prior  approval  of  leave sanctioning authority  and that the combination  of  CCL with  other leave,  if any, should be  as per the restriction of combination with EL.  The restriction of the limit of 180 days at a stretch  as  applicable in the case of  EL  will  not apply in  case of CCL. The other conditions like CCL may  not be granted for less than  15 days or in more than 3 spells, etc., in a year, will apply.

F.A.Q. CHILD CARE LEAVE

Q   Who are entitled for Child Care Leave?

A    Child Care Leave can be granted to women employees having minor children below the age of 18 years, for a maximum period of 2 years (i.e. 730 days) during their entire service, for taking care of up to two children whether for rearing or to look after any of their needs like examination, sickness etc. Child Care Leave shall not be admissible if the child is eighteen years of age or older.

Q   Am I eligible to draw Salary for the period for which Child Care leave is availed?

A    During the period of such leave, the women employees shall be paid leave salary equal to the pay drawn immediately before proceeding on leave.

Q     Whether CCL can be debited against any other type of Leave admissible to the employee?

A      Child Care Leave shall not be debited against the leave account. Child Care Leave may also be allowed for the third year as leave not due (without production of medical certificate).

Q   Whether Child Care Leave can be combined with any other leave?

A      It may be combined with leave of the kind due and admissible.

Q   Whether Child Care Leave is applicable for third child?

A       No. CCL is not applicable to third Child.

Q     How to maintain Child Care Leave account?

A      The leave account for child care leave shall be maintained in the proforma prescribed by Govt, and it shall be kept along with the Service Book of the Government servant concerned.

Q     Whether CCL can be claimed as a matter of right?

A      The intention of the Pay Commission in recommending Child Care Leave for women employees was to facilitate women employees to take care of their children at the time of need. However, this does not mean that CCL should disrupt the functioning of Central Government offices. The nature of this leave was envisaged to be the same as that of earned leave.

Q   Whether we can prefix or suffix Saturdays, Sundays, and Gazetted holidays?

A      As in the case of Earned Leave, we can prefix or suffix Saturdays, Sundays, and Gazetted holidays with the Child Care Leave.

Q   Should we have any Earned Leave in Credit for the purpose of taking Child Care Leave?

A    There was a condition envisaged in the Office Memorandum relevant to Child Care Leave to the effect that CCL can be availed only if the employee concerned has no Earned Leave at her credit. However, this condition was withdrawn by the Government and as such there is no need for having EL in credit to avail CCL.

Q     Whether CCL can be availed without prior sanction?

A Under no circumstances can any employee proceed on CCL without prior approval of the Leave sanctioning authority.

Q     Can we avail CCL for the children who are not dependents?

A       The Child Care Leave would be permitted only if the child is dependent on the Government servant.

Q     Is there any other conditions apart from the total number of holidays and the age of the child?

A    The Conditions regarding spell of CCL, imposed upon by the Government are that it may not be granted in more than 3 spells in a calendar year and that CCL may not be granted for less than 15 days.

Further, CCL should not ordinarily be granted during the probation period except in case of certain extreme situations where the leave sanctioning authority is fully satisfied about the need of Child Care Leave to the probationer. It may also be ensured that the period for which this leave is sanctioned during probation is minimal.

Q     Whether Earned Leave availed for any purpose can be converted into Child Care Leave? How should applications where the purpose of availing leave has been indicated as 'Urgent Work' but the applicant claims to have utilized the leave for taking care of the needs of the child, be treated?

A      Child Care Leave is sanctioned to women employees having minor children, for rearing or for looking after their needs like examination, sickness etc. Hence Earned Leave availed specifically for this purpose only should be converted.

Q   Whether all Earned Leave availed irrespective of 'number of days i.e. less than 15 days, and number of spells can be converted? In cases where the CCL spills over to the next year: for example 30 days CCL from 27th December, whether the Leave should be treated as one spell or two spells'?

A    No. As the instructions contained in the OM dared 7.9.2010 has been given retrospective effect, all the conditions specified in the OM would have to be fulfilled for conversion of the Earned Leave into Child Care Leave. In cases where the leave spills over to the next year, it may be treated as one spell against the year in which the leave commences.

Q     Whether those who have availed Child Care Leave for more than 3 spells with less than 15 days can avail further Child C31.e Leave for the remaining period of the current year'?

A      No. As per the OM of even number dated 7.9.2010, Child Care Leave may not be granted in more than 3 spells. Hence CCL may not be allowed more than 3 times irrespective of the number of days or times Child Care Leave has been availed earlier.

Q Whether LTC can be availed during Child Care Leave?

A    LTC cannot be availed during Child Care Leave as Child Care Leave is granted for the specific purpose of taking care of a minor child for rearing or for looking after any other needs of the child during examination, sickness etc.

Q   Whether Child Care Leave is applicable to All India Services?

A    Yes. Child Care Leave is applicable to employees under All India Services.

          With regard to the documents for family pension, including certificate of income, required to be submitted by a claimant member of family (other than spouse) along with application form (Form 14), PPO and death certificate after the death of a pensioner/family pensioner, the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare has clarified that the claims submitted by a claimant member of family (other than spouse) for family pension after the death of a pensioner/family pensioner, in Form 14 and supported by the death certificate and PPO of the pensioner/family pensioner, may be processed in consultation with the Pay and Accounts Officer, who is the custodian of the pension file which contains all relevant Forms and information of the pensioner. In a very rare case where the name of the claimant member is not available in the records of the Head of Office as well as the Pay & Accounts Officer concerned and the claimant member also fails to submit a copy of PPO or Form 3 containing 'Details of Family submitted earlier by the deceased employee/pensioner, the certificates prescribed at serial number 9(v) of Form 14 may be accepted. In addition to these certificates, PAN Card, Matriculation Certificate, Passport. CGHS Card, Driving License Voter's ID card and Aadhar Number may also be accepted. Acceptance of voter's ID card and Aadhar Number is subject to the condition that the pensioner/family pensioner certifies that he/she is not a matriculate and he/she does not have any of the documents mentioned in Form 14 or above Apart from these documents, the Ministries/Departments may accept any other document submitted by the claimant, which may be relied upon and which establishes the relationship of the claimant with the pensioner and/or contains his/her date of birth.

          The applicant has also to prove that no other surviving member in the family, who may have a prior entitlement for family pension is eligible. For this purpose, the above and/or any other documents, such as marriage/death/income certificates of the other members which may be essential in a given situation may be used.