Sub: Request to convene emergent CWC meeting for discussing IP/ASP issues.
Respected Sir,
I am writing this letter with a great sense of dismay and incredulity as central body is not taking the IP/ASP issues to the expectation of our members. Resultantly there is resentment in the cadre. By some measures of activities, Secretary General NFPE and FNPO made goodwill amongst their members. In the first meeting of the reconstituted Postal Departmental Council that was held in August 2010, as many as 135 items were taken in the agenda and out of these 70 items were discussed on the day of meeting itself. Each and every cadre was given representation. The meeting was chaired by Secretary Post and attended by Postal Board Members, other officers of Directorate and staff side leaders. When other unions are paid attention, there is no reason for not taking notice of IP/ASP association. If there is any problem then it is ours, because we are not taking up issues in right perspective and approach in which these are required to be taken. Due to our weakness other unions are also targeting us.
The most disturbing aspect of above meeting for IP cadre is item no.63 that is directly distressing our cadre. You will agree that demand for transfer of all HSG-I posts presently held by ASP cadre officials to General line official is not only unjustified but also irrational and against ethics. This proposal is already under consideration in Directorate. The above point is having far reaching consequences in the promotion avenue of IPs. I request you to kindly take up the matter immediately with Directorate asking not to include any item in JCM meeting having direct or indirect effect on the prospectus of already depressed IP cadre without taking IPASP association into confidence.
Following other issues relating to the cadre of IP/ASP are required immediate attention of the Secretary post. It needs to be taken up convincingly making Directorate clear that in case these are not settled within stipulated time frame, the IP/ASP will leave with no other alternative except to follow the path of mass agitation.
Pay Scale Issue: This sensitive issue need to be take up more vigorously informing Directorate that it is the DOP who is responsible for this disparity as 5th pay commission had placed IPs in the pay scale of 5500 -9000 on par with the inspector in CBEC &CBDT. However Inspectors in CBEC & CBDT after negotiation, litigation and struggle get pay scale Rs. 6500-10500 w.e.f 21.4.2004. Unfortunately the above grant of replacement in scale was not done in the cadre of Inspector Post and Govt. left the issue to be decided by 6th pay commission. This was done on the behest of DOP. The Sixth Central Pay Commission has recommended merger of pre-revised pay scales of Rs.5500-9000 and Rs. 6500-10500 bringing Inspector Post at par with Inspectors in CBEC & CBDT as well as Assistants in CSS and this has also been accepted and implemented by the Govt. Accordingly Inspector Posts have been placed in PB-2 with grade pay of Rs.4200/- at par with Assistant in CSS/Inspectors and Analogous post in CBEC & CBDT. This was done with specific mention for IPs in para 7.6.14. The Grade Pay of inspectors in CBEC & CBDT has been revised from Rs.4200 to 4600 on 13th Nov.2009 leaving Inspector Post in stagger. The Grade Pay of many other categories has also been upgraded from Rs.4200 to 4600 by MOF but the file of Inspector Posts has been returned back simply because we do not have nuisance value that now needs to be created at our level. Is it not a clear case of discrimination? It is fit case for questioning in parliament. We have to fight for our rights without bearing in mind the consequences. Saying that there is one ASP gazetted cadre in hierarchy is not reasonable because this cadre was established only to give one financial upliftment to IP, keeping in view the stagnation in the cadre. No recruitment rules for this cadre are available (see vol IV).Now the sequence has changed owing to grand of time bound MACP. If the department intends to give justice to IPs than there are many option. Gazetted status should not have any hurdle as ASP does not bestow with any special privilege over it. Rather we have obtained it after losing bonus but without any financial powers. The IPs after 10 year of service and at the time of 1st MACP can be conferred Gazetted status under nomenclature of ASP. In case any functional disturbance occurs due to less/excess number of post in ASP cadre in any particular circle that may be interchanged with circles to bring uniformity. Please ask Directorate not to raise objection only to linger on the decision or with the only one motive of not providing relief to IPs.
Respected Sir,
I am writing this letter with a great sense of dismay and incredulity as central body is not taking the IP/ASP issues to the expectation of our members. Resultantly there is resentment in the cadre. By some measures of activities, Secretary General NFPE and FNPO made goodwill amongst their members. In the first meeting of the reconstituted Postal Departmental Council that was held in August 2010, as many as 135 items were taken in the agenda and out of these 70 items were discussed on the day of meeting itself. Each and every cadre was given representation. The meeting was chaired by Secretary Post and attended by Postal Board Members, other officers of Directorate and staff side leaders. When other unions are paid attention, there is no reason for not taking notice of IP/ASP association. If there is any problem then it is ours, because we are not taking up issues in right perspective and approach in which these are required to be taken. Due to our weakness other unions are also targeting us.
The most disturbing aspect of above meeting for IP cadre is item no.63 that is directly distressing our cadre. You will agree that demand for transfer of all HSG-I posts presently held by ASP cadre officials to General line official is not only unjustified but also irrational and against ethics. This proposal is already under consideration in Directorate. The above point is having far reaching consequences in the promotion avenue of IPs. I request you to kindly take up the matter immediately with Directorate asking not to include any item in JCM meeting having direct or indirect effect on the prospectus of already depressed IP cadre without taking IPASP association into confidence.
Following other issues relating to the cadre of IP/ASP are required immediate attention of the Secretary post. It needs to be taken up convincingly making Directorate clear that in case these are not settled within stipulated time frame, the IP/ASP will leave with no other alternative except to follow the path of mass agitation.
Pay Scale Issue: This sensitive issue need to be take up more vigorously informing Directorate that it is the DOP who is responsible for this disparity as 5th pay commission had placed IPs in the pay scale of 5500 -9000 on par with the inspector in CBEC &CBDT. However Inspectors in CBEC & CBDT after negotiation, litigation and struggle get pay scale Rs. 6500-10500 w.e.f 21.4.2004. Unfortunately the above grant of replacement in scale was not done in the cadre of Inspector Post and Govt. left the issue to be decided by 6th pay commission. This was done on the behest of DOP. The Sixth Central Pay Commission has recommended merger of pre-revised pay scales of Rs.5500-9000 and Rs. 6500-10500 bringing Inspector Post at par with Inspectors in CBEC & CBDT as well as Assistants in CSS and this has also been accepted and implemented by the Govt. Accordingly Inspector Posts have been placed in PB-2 with grade pay of Rs.4200/- at par with Assistant in CSS/Inspectors and Analogous post in CBEC & CBDT. This was done with specific mention for IPs in para 7.6.14. The Grade Pay of inspectors in CBEC & CBDT has been revised from Rs.4200 to 4600 on 13th Nov.2009 leaving Inspector Post in stagger. The Grade Pay of many other categories has also been upgraded from Rs.4200 to 4600 by MOF but the file of Inspector Posts has been returned back simply because we do not have nuisance value that now needs to be created at our level. Is it not a clear case of discrimination? It is fit case for questioning in parliament. We have to fight for our rights without bearing in mind the consequences. Saying that there is one ASP gazetted cadre in hierarchy is not reasonable because this cadre was established only to give one financial upliftment to IP, keeping in view the stagnation in the cadre. No recruitment rules for this cadre are available (see vol IV).Now the sequence has changed owing to grand of time bound MACP. If the department intends to give justice to IPs than there are many option. Gazetted status should not have any hurdle as ASP does not bestow with any special privilege over it. Rather we have obtained it after losing bonus but without any financial powers. The IPs after 10 year of service and at the time of 1st MACP can be conferred Gazetted status under nomenclature of ASP. In case any functional disturbance occurs due to less/excess number of post in ASP cadre in any particular circle that may be interchanged with circles to bring uniformity. Please ask Directorate not to raise objection only to linger on the decision or with the only one motive of not providing relief to IPs.
Implementation of Second Cadre Review: Second cadre review case of Inspectors and ASPs is pending since long in the files of our Directorate. The Second Cadre Review Committee for the cadre of Inspectors and ASPs was constituted in 1986 keeping in view the already decreasing promotional avenues of the cadre. You will agree that IP of 1983 is still awaiting elevation to PSS Group ’B’. Today DOP is the only organization where career progression Scheme particularly for Inspectors stand relegated to back seat. Action to further eradicate prospect of IP is underway when 63 type items is being considered. The implementation of second cadre review was finalized in 1990 and orders were issued for implementation after chalking out the modalities but no workable conclusion has arrived for the reasons well known to the department. The scheme envisaged of 245 posts of IP/ASP to Supdt. in PSS Group ‘B’ on matching saving basis. During the past two decade department has even failed to redefine the duties and responsibilities of IP and ASP instead of implementing it. Consequent upon introduction of new business benchers, the Department of Posts is on the verge of conversion into a dynamic organization with projects like changing ambience of the offices, providing good working environment to the staff, providing comfort to potential customers or visitors and various long lasting projects like Digitization of Records, Core Banking, Mail Optimization, Consumer Price Index, Aadhaar Technology, Biometric systems etc. All these projects are being implemented with the support and incessant hard work of IP cadre. Thus it will not be wrong to say that the total responsibility for successful implementing the various innovative schemes has virtually devolved on the IP and ASP. When there is such a surge of schemes burdening IP/ASP, then what is the hesitation to create 245 more posts?
On the other hand with the upgradation of 1772 posts of HSG II HSG I without any commensurate increase in responsibility, the promotion prospects of staff belonging to the General line have also largely improved. Still not satisfied and after grabbing 6% post of PSS Group ‘B’ they have started demanding conversion of all Postmaster (HSG-I) post held by IP to General line. The Deptt has also taken care of the interest of the IPoS and they have derived the benefits of 5 periodical cadre review all at the cost of IP/ASP prospects. Resultantly the promotion prospects of IP & ASP have further deteriorated with a span for promotion to PSS Gr B extending up to 27 years what to talk of promotion to JTS.
Supply of Laptops to IP/ASP : At the time of All India Conference Secretary(Post) has promised to supply Laptops to all IP/ASP beside Sub Divisions also. No such proposal has come out and even is not in the pipeline. This issue also needs to be taken up with Directorate. Laptops should be supplied to IP/ASP irrespect to position of posting.
Enhancement of honorarium for invigilator duties for IPs/ASPs: The IP/ASP put on invigilator duty (mostly on Sunday) is being paid Rs.20/- for one duty subject to maximum of Rs.40/- per day. Whereas the conveyance charges are always more than amount being paid left aside other issues like Sunday duty etc. I request you to take this issue with Directorate to enhance the honorarium equal to, as paid by Staff Selection Commission to the officials engaged for such duties. In case it cannot be enhanced, Directorate should do away with this honorarium as paying Rs.20-40 for invigilator duty is just a joke with IP/ASP.
On the other hand with the upgradation of 1772 posts of HSG II HSG I without any commensurate increase in responsibility, the promotion prospects of staff belonging to the General line have also largely improved. Still not satisfied and after grabbing 6% post of PSS Group ‘B’ they have started demanding conversion of all Postmaster (HSG-I) post held by IP to General line. The Deptt has also taken care of the interest of the IPoS and they have derived the benefits of 5 periodical cadre review all at the cost of IP/ASP prospects. Resultantly the promotion prospects of IP & ASP have further deteriorated with a span for promotion to PSS Gr B extending up to 27 years what to talk of promotion to JTS.
Supply of Laptops to IP/ASP : At the time of All India Conference Secretary(Post) has promised to supply Laptops to all IP/ASP beside Sub Divisions also. No such proposal has come out and even is not in the pipeline. This issue also needs to be taken up with Directorate. Laptops should be supplied to IP/ASP irrespect to position of posting.
Enhancement of honorarium for invigilator duties for IPs/ASPs: The IP/ASP put on invigilator duty (mostly on Sunday) is being paid Rs.20/- for one duty subject to maximum of Rs.40/- per day. Whereas the conveyance charges are always more than amount being paid left aside other issues like Sunday duty etc. I request you to take this issue with Directorate to enhance the honorarium equal to, as paid by Staff Selection Commission to the officials engaged for such duties. In case it cannot be enhanced, Directorate should do away with this honorarium as paying Rs.20-40 for invigilator duty is just a joke with IP/ASP.
In the last but not least I request you to convene emergent CWC meeting to discuss the matter in detail and to chalk out appropriate trade union action to press our demands. Punjab Circle is ready to make arrangements for CWC meeting even at short notice. In case you have any differences with Punjab people, I, alongwith my team, am ready to leave the stage and offer resignation of the present body including Sh .R.K Joshi AGS CHQ. Hoping and waiting for your positive response.
