ALL INDIA POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION POSTMEN & MTS/GROUP 'D'
NATIONAL
UNION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES POSTMEN AND MTS
No. Memo/Postmen -JCA/2013 Dated : 15th July 2013
To
The Secretary (P),
Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan
New Delhi-110001
MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED TO THE
SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF POSTS ON URGENT ISSUES OF POSTMEN AND MTS STAFF
Reference : Your office letter No 08/11/2013-SR dated 08th July 2013
With
reference to your letter mentioned above, Lpara-wise comments of your reply given to issues relating postmen and MTS staff
submitted vide memorandum No. Memorandum/ Postmen JCA/2-13 dated 07th
June 2013 are as under:-
Postmen Committee Recommendation not implemented.
(a) Extraction of data entry work from Postman-
In this connection it is suggested that at present
Postmen staff is doing data entry work daily without proper training. There
should be no problem for providing time factor for this job like P.A. The reply
given is not convincing since it delays the issue. The Postman Committee has accepted to give the
same Time Factor to Postman as given to the PA, but the Administration has not
yet circulated the Order, it is still pending.
(b) Revision of postmen Norms
As regards norms, these pertains to long back, say
22-5-1979. However, changes made in the year 05.02.2010 and 19.07.2012 are negative for example ( time factor was
reduced from 0.75 to 0.72 for delivery
one ordy letter) which is not justified and union opposed this revision and
demanded fresh revision to be explored by work study. This was not accepted as
the formation of Work Study for this job does not come under the jurisdiction
of Postmen Related Issue Committee. Under the present scenario, traffic
bottlenecks has increased like increase in the width of roads causing heavy
traffic and also multiplying one building into many houses further
multiplying like divisions on increase of family members on their internal matters. As such negative reply given is not
matching with the stated reasons. It would be pertinent to revise the norms on
the basis of facts provided. There is no positive and realistic measurement
of the footwalk by the postman for which Union has been harping upon since
long. Besides the developing areas of small and big cities are not taken into
assessment while computing the statistics for revision of staff.
(c) Change in procedure for payment of Speed Post delivery incentive
Union opposes the proposal as it creates delay in
payment. It would be pertinent to
mention that the delivery of SP should be included in the workload of postmen
staff instead of any incentive OR delivery of SP be stopped in case incentive
is delayed by two months. Further the genuine remarks made of the SP articles
regarding non-delivery are not taken as disposal of the article to be qualified
for 100% delivery.
(d) Combination of beat:
The proposal for combination beats is acceptable
when only it lasts for one or two days. Longer period means to cover staff
deficiency is not at all agreeable since the postmen staff is already
overburdened and combination of beat results in extreme harassment. In this
connection attention is also invited to the Departmental Order No. 10-7/2001
PE-II dated 2/9/2008 which the Subordinate Authority have been directed to
deploy necessary essential delivery staff to dispose of the mail as a core
business. However, due to some reasons or others subordinate Authority are not
inclined to implement the Order.
(e) Delivery of Heavy parcels and EPP articles:
This type of slang reply causes not only delay but
also leads to confusion and uncertainty to clinch the issue. As regards
delivery of EPP /Logistics parcels, these are carried on hiring auto by postmen
and the charges paid should be reimbursed to the postmen on the same day or
conveyance of heavy parcels arranged by the department... As regards coolie
charges, coolie charges presently available need to be revised on priority
basis due to high prices of these days This issue need to be
decided and ordered within a
month.
(f) Corrigendum on density of population:
The plea given is not tenable and request to issue
corrigendum as suggested.
(g) Creating of justified additional posts:
To affect 100% delivery in all cases is not
possible due to excess work and no time to cover the whole beat to affect the
delivery of the articles pertaining to that area. If such remarks, like excess work and no
time for delivery, when given in the postman book are not accepted though being real and actual remark. When there is
prediction regarding receipt of extra mail for delivery like Adhar
Card. Old-age pension by E.MO Money
Orders, issue of new cheque books by all Banks being delivered through post
offices and creation of new cities like Raipur (New Capital of Chhattisgarh). If
the suggested remark are not acceptable to the Department, any other way to
show the disposal of heavy excess work may be indicated.
Issuing
of Hand held device has no concern in this regard. This would not serve the
purpose for the reasons given above. The reply given is not convincing.
2. Cadre Restructuring of Postman and MTS:- Union opposes the reply given. Moreover cadre
restructuring should be on the analogy of %age basis.
Since
the recommendations of the VIth CPC Postman and MTS staff is classified as
Group ‘C’ staff. Therefore, all the prospects given to other Group ‘C’ Staff
should also be given to the Postman and MTS staff on equality basis. So far,
Postman staff is concern there is available scope for systematic restructuring
the cadre. For example, for a postman a certain percentage of the staff can be
upgraded to the level of Stamp Vendor, Sorting Postman, Head Postman, Overseer,
Mail Overseer, Cash Overseer etc. As regards to MTS staff there is a scope to
upgrade them cadrewise as Jamadar, Head Jamadar, Hall Jamadar, Daftary etc.
Presently, though there is no specification for these posts but all the
relevant work pertaining to the above category is being got done by the
existing staff in the respective category. Union has been demanding above type
of cadre restructuring in the long time past. If close consideration is given
to this suggestion it will certainly help in the productivity and Division of
labour will be achieved with specific responsibility and transparency.
3. Door to Door Scientific Measurement of Beats:- Door to Door scientific measurement of beats by
mechanical devices like cyclometer and foot meter is not done. In this
connection our letter No. P-IV/CHQ/Periodical M/2013 Dated 10th July 2013
wherein actual position regarding measurement of beats Pushpa Bhavan PO,
Saraswati Vihar PO (New Delhi) and Bahadurgarh HO (Haryana) have been stated.
It would be appreciated, if the circles are ordered to be strict for physical
measurement of beats by applying mechanical devices as stated above to
ascertain the facts.
In
the present scenario there is increasing trend to build towers and high rise
buildings all over India. The towers and highrise buildings are intended to
give modern look to the Indian panorama. Proportionally, it is admitted that
Postal Administration is found to be incapable to give official service (door
to door) to the new changing towers and high rise buildings. Admittedly, the
reason is shortage of delivery staff. It is also a fact that the determination
of the justified staff for delivery as per practice in vogue is best on
revision statistics. Presently, there is no scientific device to determine the
staff strength required for delivery in precise manner. It claimed that as per
study report prepared by the Department the time factor is adequate and include
time allowance for footwalk. It is also claimed that for door-to-door ordinary
articles 0.72 is also adequate. Union do not agree with the findings of this
report. The reason is that there is no inclusion of any co-efficient in the said
time factors, human body not a machine. Consequently, the delivery staff cannot
be expected to work like machine at every second and every minutes. Human
endurance has limits, he may intermittently need to take a pose to wait at the
door to wait for arrival of the addressee of the door, complete process of
delivery even by lending a pen to the addressee for signature, waiting for the
return in case of an old and illiterate person helping him for giving him
proper acquittance for deliver the articles. To go for nature call if required
and also to refresh himself if needed. All these ancillary functions are not
adequately reflected in the allotted time factor which is without any
co-efficient. Consequently, the allotted time factor need to be re-looked with criteria
mentioned above. Further, it is also added that the Union suggest to authorise
the delivery staff in respect of Ordinary mail to hand it over in bulk to the
security posted for the highrise buildings and towers where there is no
provision of letter boxes available at ground floors made by the towers and
highrised buildings.
(B) To fix the meeting of Committee for
Modification in Order No 31-38/79-PE-I dated 22.05.1979
It is
claimed that a new Committee under the Chairmanship of CGM (MB) was constituted to have re-examination of the
modification in Order No. 31-28/79-PE-I dated 22-5-1979, but since last couple
of months no meetings is convened by the designated Committee. Consequently,
the issue has remained inert in the light of the detailed submission made in
the Union’s reply in the foregoing item. Still there is a need to reassess
regarding the time factor and arrive at precise time factor.
4. Revision of Syllabus to Departmental Exams:- It is an admitted fact the present syllabus is
nothing more than hard nut to crack. It is beyond the reach of appearing staff
for the examination is very poor in knowledge and study due to long duration of
service. If no change is brought into the syllabus, the percentage of passing
the candidates will be negligible one.
Even the experienced candidates with sufficient knowledge working in the
department will repent at leisure when they are unable to get promotion. On the
other hand, outsider going through the examination with such hard syllabus will
not stay in the department for longer period because they will try for other
coveted posts. The department will always face deficiency. It would be in the
interest of department and the candidate as well to look into the issue
seriously regarding sufficient change in the syllabus so that departmental
candidates would aspire for promotion with dedication of work and sincerity. It
is claimed by the Department that the syllabus is linked to job content, if it
is so, the experienced staff in Group ‘D’/MTS, Postman etc. would be more
advantageous and useful to the Department. Further, it is also noticed that
highly competitive staff go for better prospects whereas the GDS, MTS and
Postman staff having associated with Postal Work for years together do not
incline to leave the job.
(B) Request to conduct special examination for
recruitment to the Postman & MTS cadres for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and
2012
Private coaching for long duration may help to
upgrade knowledge and skill to go through the examination. This would not help for the reason that
learning deep knowledge with reference to present syllabus will prove futile
without change of syllabus with modified questions which are easy answerable.
(C) Filling
up vacant posts with Residual vacancies:
Second Week of July has set in. We would
appreciate if the time limit is strictly maintained. Latest position in the
matter need to be intimated to the Union. Positively and also the action of
compliance.
5. Improving the Quality of Uniforms and timely
supply of all kit items:-
The solution of problem put forward would not meet the requirement for timely
supply of good quality of uniform, kit items and Shoes/Chappals. The
proposal given to affect payment for which the supply is not made. Similarly for the other kit items and shoes.
Correspondence made in the past made no affect for supply of uniform and other
kit items. Positive solution need to be examined/worked out.
It
is not understood that despite of existing clear instructions under OM No.
14-7-2003 JCA dtd. 25-11-2005 why so much delay is caused in procuring and
supplying Uniforms and kit items to the eligible staff. The sample
specification given by the Union at the proper time of submission is
substituted with inferior quality of cloth and the process is being avoidably
prolonged and effective solution for supply of cloth and kit items need to be
decide at an early date. Due to vulnerable market prices and change in texture
of the cloth, the powers for purchase of cloth and kit items may be delegated
to the respective Head of the Region/Circle, so that appropriate requirement of
texture of cloth and kit item would be satisfactorily met with.
6. Stop
Unscientific Measurement of Postmen Beats:- Suggestion given in para 3
above would help to correct measurement of beats. Generally measurement of beats are made on
guess work causing reduction of beats and staff. This type practice need to be
stopped. In this connection our letter No. P-IV/CHQ/Periodical M/2013 Dated
10th July 2013 may please be referred
to.
7. Cycle Maintenance Allowance to MTS:
As regards cycle maintenance allowance to MTS, it
is justified as the allowance itself speaks maintenance allowance means the
officials using own cycle for Government work.
It would be appreciated, if the cycle maintenance allowance is ordered
for the MTS to avoid step mother treatment with them. The matter need to be re-examined. It is
observed that in mofussil area MTS staff is using cycle for LB clearance. So if
the concern Authority is satisfied regarding use of the cycle for the
Government work, the necessary CMA may also be paid to the concerned MTS staff.
.
(a) Revision of Fixed Monetary Compensation (FMC)
Agreed to the present status of the file. May be
intimated to the Union.
8. Abolition of Nodal Delivery Centers at all
metro cities:-
In order to provide quick & efficient
delivery, nodal delivery Centers at all metro cities need to be abolished for
the very reasons it wastes time and causes inconvenience to postmen staff
affecting delivery efficiency.
In
this connection, detail submission stand already submitted. The contention of
the Department is not convincing. If reports from the Circle Heads is called
for regarding abolition of Nodal delivery system, the matter would confirm that
Nodal delivery system not only involve delay but also involve disrupting the
staff strength from where the additional Postman staff is supplemented from
other Post Offices. Accordingly, is observed the disadvantages of centralise
nodal system is more advantageous than delivery of articles through regular
delivery POs. The reasons are in nodal system. The nodal delivery staff is
required to cover the unknown delivery area whereas in delivery POs the
delivery staff is well associated with the delivery area this saves time delay.
If it is still intended to carry on with Nodal delivery system then the Nodal
delivery PO should be provided with separate delivery staff for the purpose.
Presently, for Nodal delivery centre the additional staff is drawn out from the
various other POs disturbing the regular strength of the original PO which
result in shortage of delivery staff from where the additional staff for Nodal
delivery offices supplemented. However, the reports of the Head of the Circle
who have abolished the Nodal delivery system would throw more light on the
subject. In case of non delivery from Nodal delivery PO the customer is put to
avoidable inconvenience to visit and collect the article from Nodal delivery
Centre (PO).
9. To Stop harassment:- It is stated that affecting 100% delivery is out
of question as there are many bottlenecks despite working of postmen staff
after their working hours. The actual
reasons so given coming up as bottlenecks like inquiry of incomplete address or
when the postmen is unable to complete his beat due to excess work and paucity
of time. The mail left for delivery goes without remark as remarks no time if
given on the article is not accepted.
To try level best to maintain 100% delivery when taken as moral duty and
remarks like no time left due to excess work and long beat given by the postmen
on the letter. Harassment is meted out by giving oral orders by Postmaster and
delivery work like showing paid money orders of unpaid money orders, keeping
the amount of money orders in pocket for
next day payment and pressurized for undelivered articles as delivered with the
signature of postman and affecting delivery next day. Postmen are also directed
to go two or three times for affecting delivery of undelivered articles. If refused, they are charge sheeted.
10. Promotional Posts of Postmen:- It is stated that promotion to postmen after long
service is elevated to the posts of Mail Overseer, Cash Overseer, Head Postman
and Sorting Postman. To recognize his past service rendered devotedly for
public service, some allowance or one increment
should be provided in order to feel justified for its promotion.
Yours faithfully,
