To
The Hon’ble Chief
Postmaster General (By name),
Punjab Circle,
By Regd Chandigarh-160017.
No. AIAPC Punjab/Misc/17/2017 Dated at Shahpur Kandi T/S the 25.07.2017
Sub: - Regarding pending major/minor
issues – PM cadre in pitiable position – A prayer letter to intervene
Respected Sir,
This association would
like to bring your kind attention that PM cadre is very discontented with
following issues: -
MAJOR ISSUES
1. Non-approval to AIAPC Circle Committee: - This association wrote many request
letters to Circle Office to grant approval to AIAPC Circle Committee vide its
No. AIAPC Punjab/Corr//01/2016-2017 dated 20.09.2016, No.
AIAPC/Punjab/Corr/06/2017 dated 19.12.2016 & No. AIAPC/Punjab/Corr/09/2017-2018
dated 18.01.2017. Sir, your office approved adhoc AIAPC circle body vide letter
No. Union/9-22/2016 for three months with condition to conduct afresh electons
with three months. In response, this association served one month advance
notice for afresh election vide this association letter No. AIAPC
Punjab/Election/15/2016-2017 dated 15.03.2017 and afresh election was held at
Conference Hall, Punjab School Education Board, Sector-62, Phase-62, Mohali
& sent request letter for approval of fresh AIAPC Circle Committee vide its letter No. AIAPC Punjab/Circle
Committee/16/2017 dated 25.04.2017, but there is great lull and no action heard
from Circle Office.
2. Non-holding
DPC for promotion under one time relexation: - The Hon’ble Directorate
New Delhi issued instructions vide its letter No. 04-43/2013-SPB-II dated 28.04.2016
to all circle heads to hold DPC immediately to fill up vacant posts of
Postmaster Grade-II & III offices with one year relaxation for regular
promotion and for adhoc promotion where relaxation falls more than one year as
a onetime measurement. This association also made requests vide its letter No.
AIAPC Punjab/Corr/2/2016-2017 dated 26.09.2016, followed by reminders vide its
letter No. AIAPC/Punjab/Corr/07/2016-2017 dated 28.12.2016, No.
AIAPC/Punjab/Corr/10/2017-2018 dated 01.02.2017 & No.
AIAPC/Punjab/Corr/13/2017-2018 dated 14.03.2017. Circle Staff section always
inter-alia replied and no action seen by the circle office till date. Sir, purpose of the Dte letter No. 04-43/2013-SPB-II dated 28.04.2016 is
going to useless as LDCE exam passed PM Grade-I are also going to
complete their regular six years service while opted Postmasters Grade-I have
completed seven regular services, when many circles already held DPC under this
action and granted regular/adhoc promotion from Postmaster Grade-I to Grade-II,
Grade-II to Grade-III since long. But Punjab Circle has not shown interest
in this regard, which is injustice. Delay in action means injustice with this
glory cadre.
3. Non-Cadre
Restructuring of Group ‘C’: - This cadre has fulfilled its
necessary time limit required for restructuring as per DoPT’s OM dated
23.11.1987 and as per DoPT’s D.O. No. 1.11019/16/2016-CRD dated 20.12.2016,
cadre review of other services (Group-‘B’/’C’/erstwhile ‘D” services) might
also be undertaken and status report had to be submitted by 31.03.2017. Sir,
cadre has been created for some special purpose as detailed in para 2 of Dte’s
letter No. 4-17/2008-SPB-II dated 22.11.2010. The cadre is now the proven
backbone of modern postal machinery. At present the Department is witnessing
the changes in growth which was expected while creating this new cadre. But
Punjab Circle has not taken action on cadre restructuring. This association
made request to circle office vide its letter No.
AIAPC/Punjab/Corr/14/2017-2018 dated 14.03.2017 to take action on cadre
restructuring of Group –C including general line officials as per Directorate
letter No. 25-04/212-P.E.I dated 27.05.2016 and enhance posts of PM cadre in
the light of general line officials and proposed to create posts of APMs in the
office of Grade-I, II & III after cadre restructuring.
4. Non-holding
DPC for Sr. Postmaster amongst Postmaster Grade-III: - As per Directorate
No. 4-17/2008-SPB-II dated 22.11.2010 under para No. 5(vi), 25% of vacancies in
grade of Sr. Postmaster will be filled up by promotion of Postmaster Gr.III
with 2 years of regular service. As per circle gradation list of PM cadre
corrected upto 01.07.2014, our three Postmaster Grade-III viz. Shri C.L. Meena
Jalandhar Cantt, Shri Dalip Singh Sonkhla Rajpura HO & Shri Chaman Lal
Ludhiana CPO has completed 2 or more regular services in the grade, but no
action has been initiated so far. Thus, this association requests your goodself
to intervene the case and take up the matter with Directorate.
5. Non-holding
LDCE exam for Postmaster Grade-I: - Department has conducted
LDCE examination for Postmaster Grade-I since last three years, resulting there
are huge posts of Postmaster Grade-I lying vacant. So, this association urges
your goodself to take up matter with Directorate for the very purpose.
6. Shortage
of staff : - Post Offices are
operative & frontline offices of the department. Nowadays, shortage of
staff in all categories is common especially PA cadre. Department of Posts is
changing in many aspects and transforming into Hi-Tech. New products and
services are being added day by day. Managing in such situation especially in
shortage of staff by the Postmaster for smooth functioning and providing
quality services has become very tough. Some post offices are facing acute
shortage of staff even below 50%, resulting declining quality of services and
non access services/products to general public. Some of our Postmaster Grade-I
are managing with 1 + 1 staff posts while sanctioned strength is 1 + 3, 1 +4.
One of our Postmaster Grade-I faced 1 + 1 strength and also without PA during
demonetization and when he requested Divisional Office to depute staff, rather he
was awarded charge sheeted without conducting inquiry. This shows ill will by administration
at divisional level. So, this association urges your goodself to fill up all
vacant posts of PA and issue instructions to all divisional heads to provide
adequate staff in big offices like PM Grade-I and above.
7. Review
of post office buildings: - Many post offices buildings are very
old and in dilapidated condition especially rent free or departmental
buildings. Space in some building is not upto mark especially in congested area
and not according to master schedule. India Posts is competing with banks,
couriers & with insurance companies, but shabby looks of PO building, dull
white-washing is definitely discouraging the customers. There is hardly basic
amenities available like customers chairs, water, fan & urinal in public
hall in a very few post offices. So,
this association requests to your goodself to get details on this topic and
take appropriate action in this regard.
8. Computer
peripherals/Printers/UPS/CCTV Cameras: - Sir, this association would
like to bring to your kind notice that there are still P-III computers with low
RAM below 1 GB which processes very slow and make delay in daily routine works.
Besides mostly Dot Matrix printers are also very old used on MPCM counters.
Kindly replace these old computer peripherals & printers with new ones.
Many post offices are still working without UPS, whenever power failure, all
office works held up and depends on power supply of PSPCL besides it harms to
PCs. Many post offices are facing problem of batteries backup. So, please ensure supply of UPS to all post
offices & replace old batteries with new ones. CCTV cameras are very
necessity and all malls, banks, insurances companies, hospitals and even small
shops are using CCTV cameras. This association would like to suggest installing
CCTV cameras in all post offices with connectivity to DO/RO/CO to monitor
activities of post offices employees, their punctuality, dealing with
customers. It not only secures in theft, but also serves third eye of
department. Fire extinguishers are also hanging without refilling in many post
offices, which will not solve for the purpose.
9. Non-working/supply
of passbook printer: - This association would like to draw your
kind attention that there are still many post offices either where still no
pass book printer supplied or supplied pass book printer are not working. Report
must be asked from individually post office, because divisional offices are not
taking interest.
10.
Fire extinguisher: - Fire extinguishers are also
hanging without refilling in many post offices, which will not serve the
purpose in necessity.
11. Supply
of furniture: - Presently situation of supplied furniture in
post offices is pitiable. Mostly counters are supplied in post office are very
old and now damaged by termites that also supplied by Western Union company.
So, this association urges to review on this very important point and collect
information from all divisional heads and ensure supply of new furniture/counters
according to project arrow.
12. Circle
Gradation List: - The PM cadre came into existence in 2010.
But first Circle Gradation List was issued after corrected as 01.07.2014.
No importance seems to be issued CGL.
As per department rules, every Gradation List has to be updated every after 3
years. Now CGL of PM cadre is on
01.07.2017. Thus, this association requests to your good self to issue
necessary instructions to issue CGL
corrected as on 01.07.2017.
13. To
grant MACP-II: - Some
Postmasters Grade-I who were already benefitted by MACP-I, passed exam LDCE of
PM exam, now have completed 20 years service in the department and are eligible
for MACP-II. They have neither
been promoted to Grade-II nor are they are granted MACP-II. Circle
Office is requested to look into the case and solve the issue, please.
14. Supply of fake note
detecting & counting machines: - This association made requests
vide its letter No. AIAPC/Punjab/Corr/04-2016-2017 dated 15.11.2016, No.
AIAPC/Punjab/Corr/12/2016-2017 dated 07.03.2017 regarding supply of good
quality fake note detecting & counting machines with latest features to all
Grade-I and above post offices. But
no attention is given by the Circle Office in this regard. Thus, this
association once again requested to your good self for this purpose, please.
15. Non-updated
inspection documents:- It is matter of great concern that perhaps
a few post offices in Punjab circle may have updated inspection documents i.e.
memo of hours, memo of distributions of works, Due Mail & Sorting List,
Letter box statement, etc. No attention is being taken by Divisional Offices.
16. No-security
guards in Post Offices: - Banks/financial institutions have
armed guards to protect valuables/lives or they have insurance of cash. But our
post offices where cash flow in lakhs and even in crores in HOs/GPOs, have no
security measures. Post offices run on mercy of God in view of security point. Risk
of life & valuables always fear to postmasters. In recently, such an incident
happened in Amritsar Division, where robbers took away cash in lakhs on gun
point and department has set recovery
from the innocent postmaster. Thus, this association argues to consider this
very-2 important point and arrange to provide armed security guards in post
offices and insured for cash in light of ATM.
MINOR ISSUES
1. Posting of System Managers
in HOs/MDGs/GPOs only: -
No doubt system managers are playing vital role in technology for
department. At least 8-10 system managers are working in all divisions. But
sometimes it becomes critical to run small post office where one PA is also
performing duties of system manager too. Occasionally system managers remain on
official tour to install new softwares and as a technical trouble shooter. The
post of that system manager become vacant and manage with shortage of staff,
becomes really bad. Moreover, it becomes more critically situation when one PA
already on leave, one call from division office to relieve system manager. So, this
association urges to post system managers in HOs or MDG only, so that system
manager can easily be utilized for technical purpose.
2. Verbal
orders are in practices: - This association would like to
bring into your good self that downward instructions are mostly in verbal mode.
Grant of leave, deputation of official or any urgent order is mostly verbal by
divisional staff to post offices. Whenever a postmaster or any postal assistant
applied for Casual leaves/earned leaves, no action is seen at the moment of
relieving. There is to call again and again to divisional office for action,
but all is ignored mostly. Sometimes, deputation of PA is ordered by staff
assistant only verbally without notice to Div head or OS/ASP (D). It came to
notice that some staff clerk in divisional office biased on union based. So,
this association urges your good self to issue suitable instructions to all
divisional heads in this regard.
3. Posting
of new entrants in Divisional Office: - This
association would like to bring into your kind notice that nowadays posting of
divisional office staff of new enterers which have no experience of post office
and their problems. They have not had rulings of post office or even their
branch/section. Rather working as guide, often divisional staff ask/enquire any
ruling from subordinate post office which is tarnish the image of the
department. So, this association requests to your good self kindly issue
instructions to all divisional heads to post experienced staff in divisional
office.
4. Work
style of CPC (PLI): - It came to notice that working of CPC
(PLI) in HO level, is not satisfactory. Issue of new polices/dispose of mature
policies/updating policies in Mc Camish is below bench mark. It usually takes 1
to 2 or even 3 months at CPC (PLI) level to issue new polices where department
pressurize to sold more and more policies. Insurant waits for couple of weeks
for their maturity and visits again in post office where CPC (PLI) has no
tension. Moreover, CPC (PLI) do not care for updating policies in Mc Camish,
unlocking user IDs or new IDs. Divisional staff seems no control over CPC (PLI)
who does not care any one. Kindly look into this serious issue.
5. Operational
staff must be well versed with all departmental modules/softwares/rules: - Nowadays post office is facing problems of
operational staff is not aware of all departmental modules/softwares/rules. For
example, if one PA is working in SB branch, he is continuously posted in SB
branch in another office too. Whenever, he/she is ordered to work in mail
branch/MPCM, he/she refused to do so with plea he/she never work in mail
branch/MPCM. Secondly promoted/MACP-II or III PA mostly pretends of non
knowledge of computer and put his/her right that he/she is most senior and
should be given light duty of manual work. It becomes critical situation in those
post offices where working strength is mere two or three PAs. Keeping in mind
that technology is changing day by day and be ensured every PA must be updated
with departmental modules/softwares/rules, otherwise it has become a headache
for a Postmaster. Department has to be ensured that all operational staff must
be well versed with all departmental modules/softwares/rules.
6. Pressurizing
of targets: - Every postmaster is being pressured by the divisional heads to achieve
targets of iMO/MMTS/Philately/e-Posts, etc. for which general public is not
interested. Being helpless, postmaster has to book iMO/MMTS/e-Posts from his/her
own pocket to escape. He/she has to open philately accounts from own pockets. Whenever
Gold bond issue opens, he/she also bear of it from his/her own pocket. If any
postmaster fails to do so, he/she is tortured in the chamber of the divisional
head to threaten to less grading in APAR.
7. Marking
less grading in APAR than subordinate staff: - It
came to notice that divisional head has adopted the policy to tarnish the image
of postmasters in their subordinate staff by marking less grading in APAR than
PA. When a post office grows, why a postmaster graded less marks in APAR than
PAs. It not only creating inferiority complex for a postmaster, but also down
the moral. Thus, this association urges to look into the matter and get rid from this kind of unhealthy practice.
8. Writing
& speaking SPM to Postmasters:- It is very common to
write & speak SPM to postmasters in each Divisions. It is unable to
understand whether divisional administrations are unaware or knowingly to do so
with jealous. Kindly look into the matter, please.
In nutshell, Postmaster Cadre is doing its
best in every field, especially youngsters LDCE examination passed had played
vital role to recall glory of post office in the eyes of general public &
generated more revenue for department. Postmasters are carrying same spirit as
Ms Doray Swami Ex-DG (Posts) dreamt and created this cadre. But, unfortunately
this cadre has borne great loss, inferiority complex, no chance to grow up. Now
this cadre has no charm in the cadre, as LSG promoted officials after 2011, are
promoted in HSG-II after three years and posted in HOs/MDGs and
working/enjoying as Postmasters in HOs locally, but seniors Postmaster Grade-I
who opted this cadre are still in posted as Postmaster Grade-I and these Sub
Offices are under of HOs where after promoted LSG officials are now HSG-II and
commanding in HOs over seniors. Respected Sir, this cadre always cared for this
department and seems themselves to part and parcel of administration. But
administration always behave like step mother. Sir, this letter is the voice of
all postmasters in the cadre, requests with fold hands to consider above said
points with kindness and intervene the case.
With hoping for positive response!
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(NARINDER PAL)
CIRCLE SECRETARY
Copy to: -
1. Shri
P.M. Lal worthy PMG, Punjab West Region, Chandigarh-160017 for information and
further necessary action please.
2. Ms. Manisha Bansal Badal DPS (HQ), Punjab Circle,
Chandigarh-160017 for information and further necessary action please.
3. Ms. Minakshi Yadav DPS (Region), Punjab West Region,
Chandigarh-160017 for information and further necessary action please.
4. Shri Balveer Singh,
General Secretary AIAPC, Camp at PM Grade-II,
Jaipur City (Rajasthan)-302003 for information and with request to pursue these
issues at directorate level please.
5. Office copy.
