TO GET THE JUDGMENT ON STEPPING UP OF PAY IN ACP PROMOTIONS {CLICK HERE} 

SCHEME FOR ENGAGEMENT OF GDS ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS-MERIT POINTS AND PROCEDURE FOR SELECTION-REVISED PROVISIONS THEREOF.

D.G. Posts No. 17-17/2000-GDS dated 09Mar 2012.

A reference is invited in this Directorate letters of even number dated 14 Dec 2010 and 01 Aug 2011 vide which the scheme for engagement of GDS on compassionate grounds with merit points & procedure for selection as modified was circulated and made effective for all the compassionate engagement cases to be considered on or after 01.01.2011.

2. The scheme has recently been reviewed in this Directorate and in partial modification in the existing provisions of the Scheme, the following provisions are hereby ordered to be substituted with the approval of the competent authority:

(a) The attribute of assessing indigence appearing at Ser 7- Educational Qualification of Applicant on Page 3 of this Directorate letter No. 17-17/2010-GDSdated 14.12.2010 is deleted.

(b) The attribute of assessing indigence appearing at Ser 2- Outstanding liabilities for Education/Marriage of dependent children on Page-2 of this Directorate letter No. 17-17/2010-GDSdated 14.12.2010 is substituted as under:

Ser	Points	Criteria
1	20 for two or more dependent children	For education of children
	15 for one dependent child
2	20 for two or more dependent daughter	For marriage of daughters
	15 for one dependent daughter

(c) The attribute of assessing indigence appearing at Ser 6-Discharge Benefits i.e Ex-gratia gratuity ,Severance Amount, Service Discharge benefits under NPS Lite and Group Insurance Benefits received by family on Page 3 of this Directorate letter No. 17-17/2010-GDSdated 14.12.2010 is substituted as under:

Ser	Points	Slabs for benefits on discharge
1	20	Rs. 75000 & below
2	15	Below Rs. 150000 but above Rs. 75000
3	10	Rs. 150000 & above.

(d) The word “Proposed” appearing under Criteria 1,3,5,& 6 on page 2&3 of this Directorate letter No. 17-17/2010-GDSdated 14.12.2010 may be taken as deleted.

(e) Apart from the above cases where the wife of the deceased GDS has applied for compassionate engagement for her, she shall get 15 additional points as grace points. This is the line with the general principle that the widow needs to be give preference for compassionate engagement. Such grace points shall not be permissible in the widower applicant.

3. All other provisions contained in the Scheme dated 14.12.2010as further modified under letter of even number dated 01.08.2011 shall continue to apply as already prescribed and all compassionate engagement shall be approved with in the ambit of the prescribed Scheme only. It is reiterated that the existing criteria of 50 Points and above for adjudging hard and deserving cases stands.

4. The above changes shall take effect from the date of application of the original Scheme. All cases which were considered & rejected by the CRC based on the earlier provisions of the new Scheme may be reconsidered afresh based on application of the revised criteria within the time frame allowed under Para7 (e) of the Directorate’s letter No. 17-17/2010-GDSdated 14.12.2010 as fresh cases subject to availability of vacancies in the division concerned in view of removal of ceiling of 10% already without further reference to this Directorate.

5. Pursuant to the provisions now revised where the widow now applies for the compassionate engagement following rejection of the case of one of her child case may also be taken as a fresh case to be considered as per the new Scheme as modified. Thus before the already rejected cases are reconsidered the widow may be given an option to be exercised in writing within one month of date of receipt of the communication to be issued by the Circle treating the application of her child as withdrawn & consideration of her application afresh to follow in due course . Where such as option is exercised, the already rejected application of her child may be considered and her fresh application may be got processed expeditiously.

Sd/

(Surender Kumar)

Assistant Director General (GDS)

OBSERVE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY IN A

BEFITTING MANNER

            It is 8th March:- the International Women's Day that is being observed all over the world. The women who constitute half of the human population continue to be the victims of liberalization policies on the one hand and male chauvinism and feudalistic outlook in the society at large on the other. Even the so called economically liberated women are not fully liberated socially. The much talked about legislations on empowerment of women are yet to take off in our country, despite campaigns unleashed by the enlightened women organisations in frequent intervals

            The women employees in different sectors, where their general problems are being tackled through the organised trade union movement, face several women specific problems on which the trade union leadership are not sensitised so far. The most serious problem that the women employees face and suffer silently is the sexual harassment by fellow workers in general and the officers in particular. Trade unions must take up this issue seriously and ensure that women committees as envisaged by the DOPT.

            The women employees, who constitute more than 20 to 40 percent depending upon the places of work, are yet to be unionised fully. Except for payment of union subscriptions and occasionally attending union conferences to elect the leaders of the associations and unions, seldom they are encouraged to take part in other day to day work of the trade unions.
            There are States like West Bengal and Kerala where women organisations are constituted by the class conscious trade union movement. Such initiatives are needed elsewhere also. Even in All India Federations and Associations such Mahila Committees are only in the formative stages.

            Taking into all these aspects, the Confederation called upon the Affiliates to organise women Committees.  The Confederation convened its all India Women meet at Kolkata. The Kolkata convention elected an all India Women Committee. The said Committee has   been mandated to bring about such committees all over the country..

            The International Women's Day is coming up in this particular backdrop. The All India Women Sub- Committee headed by Comrades  Gita Ghoshal Chair Person and C.P.Shobana Convenor has already called upon the entirety of the Confederation Affiliates to organise special women conventions, seminars and other types of organisational activities with specific reference to mobilisation of women employees working in CG Departments.

            Confederation Headquarters calls upon the State Committees and the Affiliates of Confederation to observe the International Women's Day on March 8th in a befitting manner by implementing the call of the Women Committee of Confederation.

With International Women's Day Greetings

K.K.N.Kutty
Secretary General

RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES AND FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF POSTS.

D.G. Posts No. 6/2/2002-SR (Vol.-II) dated 1^st March, 2012.

            The undersigned is directed to convey the approval of the Competent Authority to the recognition of federations namely, (i) National Federation of Postal Employees and (ii) Federation of National Postal Organizations, in the Department of Posts, in terms of instructions contained in O.M. No. 2/14/98-JCA dated 3^rd July 2002 of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Department of Personnel and Training.

2.         The recognition so granted to the Federations is on the basis of membership of their affiliated but recognized associations of regular employees, secured during the verification of membership carried out by the Department, in the wake of the judgment dated 06.01.2009 of Madras High Court given in WP No. 4704-4707/1999. The Department's Office Order No. 17/9/2007-SR dated 27.03.2008. vide which the federations were recognized on provisional basis,  stands withdrawn.

3.         The federations granted recognition vide this Office Order  will please note that it is subject  to fulfillment of all terms and conditions contained in O.M.  dated 3.7.2002 ibid and the observations of the Department of Personnel & Training conveyed vide Department's letter no 6-2/2002-SR (Vol-II) dated 24.04.2007 , and is liable to be withdrawn any time if the above guidelines are not satisfied . Further the recognition of NFPE will be subject to the final outcome of the W.P. No. 3299/2007 pending before High Court of Judicature at Jodhpur.

Sd/-

(Subhash Chander)

Director (SR & Legal)

EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DEPARTMENTAL COUNCIL (JCM)

A meeting of the Departmental Council (JCM) under the Chairpersonship of Secretary(Posts) was held on 10.02.2012. The following were present:

Official Side

Staff Side

1. Ms. Manjula Prasher, Secretary(P) & Chairperson, Departmental Council(JCM) 2. Ms. Yesodhara Menon, Member(P) 3. Ms. Suneeta Trivedi, Member(Plg.) 4. Shri Santosh Gauriar, Member(O) 5. Kalpana Tiwari, CGM MB&O 6. Shri S.K. Sinha, CGM PLI 7. Shri Tilak De, DDG(MM&Estates) 8. Shri V.P. Singh, DDG(Estt.) 9. Shri Salim Haque, DDG(P) 10. Ms. Aindri Anurag, DDG(PO&CP) 11. Shri A.S. Prasad, DDG(FS) 12. Shri V.K. Tiwary, DDG(R&P) 13. Shri Subhash Chander, Director(SR&Legal)

1. Shri K.V. Sridharan,Leader 2. Shri Giriraj Singh, 3. Shri M. Krishnan, 4. Shri D. Theagarajan 5. Shri D. Kishan Rao 6. Shri Ishwar Singh Dabas 7. Shri T. N. Rahate 8. Shri P. Suresh 9. Shri Pranab Bhattacharjee 10. Shri A.H. Siddiqui 11. Shri K. Ragavendra 12. Shri S. Karunanidhi 13. Shri Surinder Pal

6. Incentive structure for handling UIDAI (Aadhar) cards to the PO staff.

The contention of the staff side was that Aadhar Cards were being handed over to the Postmen for delivery along with other dak which form part of their normal duties without considering their limitations in this regard. Mention was also made about higher rate of incentive being paid in Andhra Pradesh Circle with a request to follow it in other Circles.

It was clarified to the staff side that there is a provision to ensure delivery of Aadhar Cards within 15 days from the date of booking and it was quite a relaxed condition, in comparison to other Speed Post articles. In the matter of payment of incentive, the Chairperson agreed to reiterate the instructions in relation to Speed Post articles (including Aadhar) of the Department to all Heads of Circles. Higher incentive cannot be approved.

9. Release the Pension/DCRG of employees against whom minor penalty proceedings concluded after retirement.

In the light of instructions having been issued by the Department and reiterated vide letter dated 10.02.2012, it was agreed to close the item.

6. Acute shortage of ‘C’ Bags

The staff side was explained that for the year 2011-2012, much of the supply has already started and there are only 2 companies which are yet to start it. Further, action has already been initiated to ensure timely supply of bags for 2012-2013 & 2013-2014. The staff side was also apprised about the constitution of a Committee which will consider decentralization of procurement of stores of other than prescribed sizes, and the Committee will submit its report within one month.

10. Providing additional hand to single handed offices due to decentralization of RD Work etc.

The staff side drew attention to the agreement reached in an earlier meeting of the Departmental Council (JCM) in 2006 in the wake of which a Sub Committee was constituted, which submitted its report in favour of the proposal. In turn, it was explained to them that norms for the work of decentralized schemes like RD/MIS have already been finalized and further, redeployment was within the power of the CPMSG.

13. Allot 19% Group B vacancies for General line and permit all Group C officials in Postal, RMS, Admn. And Postal A/Cs with minimum 20 years of service to appear in the exam by dispensing with present reservation of posts to RMS & Admn. Staff.

It was agreed to constitute a Committee which will look into the matter (other than Postal Accounts) and submit its report within 2 months.

14. Problem arisen subsequent on centralization of Tax related work at HO in S.B.Branch.

The staff side was apprised that TDS is a mandatory income tax requirement and is part of the statutory requirement when commission is paid to agents. There is every possibility that the issues raised by them will be sorted out by the new software. It was further stated that in case the issue does not get resolved with the new Financial Services software, this would be examined separately.

16. Anomaly in the preparation of PA gradation list. Date of confirmation should not be taken now and d ate of appointment be taken for construing seniority. Fixing seniority based on the date of confirmation in unconstitutional and discriminatory and dropping of confirmation examination.

It was agreed to refer the matter to the Committee constituted to consider item No.13

17. Delivery/Remarks on Speed Post articles pertaining to Pass Port - Clarifications sought for.

After discussions, it was agreed to reiterate the instructions of the Department to all concerned.

19. Postal Assistant Direct recruitment – compulsory education in regional language – regarding.

The staff side was informed that in the new recruitment rules for PA/SA, the condition has been changed as regional language/Hindi. After detailed discussions, it was agreed to close the item.

21. Holding of JAO part II Examination – regarding.

It was informed to the staff side that the matter was earlier taken up with the Ministry of Law & Justice and is now under consideration in consultation with the Department of Personnel & Training. It was also stated that in case of eligible candidates, the examination may be conducted without much delay.

23. Removal of age limit for appearing in IPO exam.

After detailed discussions it was agreed to drop the item.

24. Evolution of norms for all duties performed my Multi tasking staff (erstwhile Group-D).

The staff side was informed that norms for all the duties performed by MTS are being evolved.

25. Creation of justified additional posts while implementing new system for delivery work and allowing postmen to write correct remarks for non delivery.

The issue is under examination by the Postmen Committee, under the Chairpersonship of CGM PLI.

27. Providing Security to cash overseers.

The staff side was informed that the present cash limits are not so high to provide for the security and further the Circle Heads would be instructed to ensure adherence to the line limits by all concerned. It was also agreed to examine the feasibility of raising line limits and to provide security guards in the Post Offices located in highly sensitive areas. The issue of utilizing services of the bank branches located in the area will also be examined.

28. Incentive to Mail overseers for procuring PRLI Business.

It was agreed to issue a clarification to the effect that Mail Overseers are also eligible for incentives on par with other departmental officials and depending upon the suitability, they can be engaged for this work.

29. Weight and size limit of express post parcels delivery of by Postmen.

It was agreed to reiterate the existing instructions on the subject to all Heads of Circles.

30. To keep status quo in the post of Departmental Stamp Vendor.

The staff side was informed that the issue is covered by the standing instructions on utilization of surplus manpower and redeployment of posts and therefore, the plea to maintain status quo cannot be approved.

WORLD FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS

Athens, February 24, 2012

To:

Dr. Manmohan Singh

Hon. Prime Minister,

Government of India, New Delhi, India

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

We address you this communication from the World Federation of Trade Unions, the premier International Trade Union organization representing workers in 120 countries from all the continents. Needless to add that we also represent about 10 million workers in India encompassing major Central Trade Unions like AITUC and CITU as well as TUCC, AICCTU, AIUTUC etc. besides number of workers in various sectors and industries.

We are concerned to write to you because we observe that the various economic policies being pursued by Indian Government are adversely impacting the living conditions and livelihood of the common masses of workers. We are aware that India is a fast emerging economy in the world and its more than 400 million workers are a great human asset in shaping the country as a strong and vibrant economy.

But it is distressing and disappointing that the workers are being denied of their legitimate and justified share out of the prosperity and progress. On the other hand workers are confronted with problems of huge job losses, retrenchments and lay-offs, underpayment of wages, elongated working hours, denial of basic trade union rights, violation of labour statutes, outsourcing and contractualsing regular jobs, denial of social security benefits, denial of maternity benefits for women workers, exploitation of unorganized workers, increased peril to jobs and job security, etc. In short workers are being treated unfairly and without equity and justice.

It is also a matter of intrigue that while India is a founder member of ILO, Resolutions like Conventions 87 and 48 relating to right of association and organizing trade unions, etc. are yet to be ratified by the Indian Government.

Further, in the anxiety to pursue the policies of globalization and liberalization, the welfare of workers is being ignored. Labour is said to be an equal partner in development and progress but ostensibly, the scales are not held evenly.

It is in this situation, after repeatedly drawing the attention of the Government to correct the situation and having failed to get any positive outcome, the entire trade union movement and workers class of India has risen as one man to register their stout opposition to these policies through a General Strike on 28, February, 2012.

The fact that all the Central Trade Unions have come together and jointly given the call for the strike action itself is a pointer to the deteriorating conditions of the labour class in India and the concern of the trade unions to espouse their cause. It is expected that nearly 100 million workers will be joining this protest action to press their 10 point charter of demands.

From the World Federation of Trade Unions, we express our full support to the working class of India and total solidarity with the trade unions who have given the call for the strike. We urge upon the Government of India to appreciate the genuine concerns of the trade unions and take all steps to protect the interests of the workers and address the demands of the traded unions.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

Sd/-

GEORGE MAVRIKOS

GENERAL SECRETARY