LETTER SENT BY GS ON ORGANIZATIONAL RESTRUCTURING

To,

Ms.Kalpana Rajsinghot

Director (Estt. & DE) &

Member Secretary of the Committee.

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi 110 001.

Subject:  Regarding organizational Restructuring in Department of Posts.

Reference: letter No. 23-1/2012-PE-II  dated 10-5-2012

1. The department has issued the above letter calling view of the Association regarding organizational restructuring in DOP. It is seen that main stress of the department is to help executives structure their enterprise to create accountability for results. This move of the department is appreciable and will definitely go a long way, if done, keeping in view the interest of organization as a whole and administrative side particularly.
2. With the invent of technology on DOP and Consequent upon introduction of new business branches, 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 and to the most adhering to the norms fixed on citizen charter. All these projects are being implemented with the support and incessant hard work of IP cadre, PS Group “B” officers who are proposed to be elevated to Class-I with the proposal to upgrade Class-II Divisions to Class-I. 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/Group “B”. Thus without taking into consideration career prospective of IP/ASP/Group “B” officer no organizational Restructuring will work.
3. There has been no upgrading or cadre restructuring of the apex Grade of these cadres. Owing to extreme stagnancy there is resultant frustration amongst the incumbents of this cadre. Even after acquiring long years of experience and expertise they are not elevated to Group “B” what to say of Class-I. All these are not only the root cause of frustration amongst the IP cadre but these are also an impediment in effective execution of administrative policies and plan. This is bound to have an adverse impact on the efficiency of the department. Thus, cadre review along with proposed organizational Restructuring is the solution.
4. An inspector of post offices  feels over burdened at the beginning of his career  as he has to do every type of work in his office may be of  a peon in his own office, clerk & typist as it is a single man office who bears the brunt of all failings in the department as he is at the lowest rung in the administrative hierarchy. “The results – he thinks of leaving the department to join other establishment thereby brain drain. No organization can last long with the service of its frustrated employees. It is therefore necessary to strengthen the backbone of the department with a fair deal. All existing Sub Divisions should be provided office staff and post of Mail Overseer can be converted to Asstt. Inspector (PA cadre/system manager). 
5. At present 141 HSG-I postmaster posts are filled from ASPs, now in view of  Postal Directorate letter no 4-19/2012 – SPB – II dated 02.05.2012, the provision of filling up of HSG I posts by ASPOs will not be possibly operated thereby diminishing our promotional prospects. In order to compensate IP/ASPs and to keep us in administration hierarchy separate posts of SP (Technology & BD) may be created in each proposed class-I division.
6. It is one of the best ideas and will be in the betterment of things if organisational restructuring is done along with cadre review in the revised format in view of changed scenario.
7. However in view of the terms of reference of Committee the views of IPASP Association are as under:

Ø  Creation of new Postal Divisions and Regions as well as upgradation of Class II Divisions into Class I Divisions: In our beloved country there are 28 States and 7UTs so all the states and if justified UTs should have independent Circle HQ, the concept of Region should be dole out. To avoid duplicacy of work RO may be merged with Circle by creating the post of PMG (BD & Technology).However bigger States can have more than one independent Circle(s) on the Telecom Circles analogy. The Class-II postal Division should  be upgraded to Class-I in the following format:

ü  General administration: The posts of ASP (HQ) and that of sub divisional heads can be included in this category under the control of Class-I Divisions. All the posts of ASP (HQ) and IP/ASP (Sub Divisions) should be elevated to PS Group “B”. Examination system as in vogue presently should be dispensed with immediately as it is creating junior/senior impediment. Only experienced Inspector line officials should be promoted to PS Group “B” those should be further elevated to Class-I There should be no entry of General line official in the General administration. Their entry should only be restricted to Sr. Postmaster Cadre only.  

ü  Inspection & investigation:  A separate Inspection and investigation units should be created at Circle level. This can be compositions of Inspectors headed by PS Group ’B’ officers under the control of DPS (IR/INV) by creating new posts of JAG. Beside investigation/vigilance visits, the inspection work of all the HOs /divisional offices and bad offices should be entrusted to this unit. The other inspection work can be done by Sub Divisional officers along with his set team. Consequently upon introduction of Core Banking Solution (CBS) on DOP and decentralization of PLI ,there is need  to have separate inspection team to inspect and monitor the work of CBS &PLI  at Circle level. So it is suggested that two units one for CBS on the pattern of Banks and PLI should also be established under the control of Class-I officer.   

ü  Business, technological & allied works: The present incumbent   working as System Manager & MEs can be posted on the basis of some benchmark to be fixed by department on justified posts immediately by creating equal number of Post. They can put under the supervision of PS Group “B” officer by creating the post of SP (Technology) in each Class-I division.

ü   Sr. Postmaster Cadre: As per Postmaster recruitment rules 2010, 25% of posts in the grade of Sr. Postmaster are to be filled up by promotion of Postmaster Gr.III with 2 years of regular service in the grade including regular service in HSG- I and 75% through IPs only through LDCE. Further the Sr. Postmaster will form part in combined Group “B” officer list after availing one opportunity of elevation through examination so department should do away with PS Group “B” examination system which is otherwise also giving rise to litigations. The presently working general line PS Group “B” officer may be posted as Sr. Postmaster en-block particularly in view of DOPT instructions to keep IP line separate from general line. There should be no entry of General line officials to administration & vice versa. Even the Inspector Post appeared in Sr. Postmaster exam after rendering 6 year service as IP should have no right to come back to the administrative line. In Class-I such promote should only be posted as Chief Postmaster on Class-I posts.

Ø  Organizational restructuring of field formations: At present, duplicacy of work is being done in Regional Offices. Hence, there is no need of RO.There should be only Circles. All establishment working in ROs be shifted to Circles and utilised for implementation/monitoring of decisions of the Department. Each revenue District should have atleast Class-I division(s) and Tehsil/Taluka should have Class-II Sub Division. In case any extra division i.e more than one  division is justified in any particular District as per existing norms or being framed by the committee then the district can have two or more divisions.    

Ø  upgradation of Post Offices: There should not be any single handed SO in the DOP and as such all single handed SOs may be considered for closure and existing manpower be utilized in other needy post offices. Status of all triple handed SOs be upgraded as LSG/PM Grade-I converting them into a delivery Post Offices. Simultaneously the Status of all LSG/PM Grade-I SOs be upgraded as HSG-II/PM Grade-II and that of HSG-II/PM Grade-II HOs/SOs be upgraded as HSG-I/PM Grade-III. There should not be any departmental Post Office with in the distance of 2Km. 

Ø  Creation of Posts of Assistants / Sorting Assistants Posts in view of the increased need of System Administrators. With the enormous increase of work pressure on the Postal Sub-Divisional Heads, one post each of PA and system manager should be attached with the Sub-Division to look after computer related work of the post offices under the control of respective sub division and other clerical work.

           In my views, there is no harm to upgrade Class-II divisions to Class-I but simultaneously the posts of ASP (HQ), ASP (Sub Divisions) must be upto PS Group “B”. This will definitely prove result oriented and every cadre will provide their true commitment to various policies and programmes of the department by ensuring its successful implementation. All the Sub Divisions may be upgraded to Class-II level and should be provided with adequate infrastructure and manpower as the work in the sub Divisions has been increased manifold and without the assistance it is difficult to run the Sub Division efficiently.

Punjab Circle IPASP Association is grateful to GS for incorporating their views in the above letter

PROMOTION FOR IPs

Following officials of Inspector Posts cadre has been promoted to Assistant Supdt.Posts in the Pay band of Rs. 9300-34800/- with Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/- on regular basis with immediate effect.

Sr. No.	Name of the official Shri/Smt.	Present posting	Posting on promotion	Remarks
1.	Ravi Kumar	Officiating ASPOs (HQ) Hoshiarpur	Allotted to Punjab Region	-
2.	Narinder Singh	Officiating ASRM-I ‘LD’ Dn Ludhiana	ASPOs Khanna Sub Dn	Vice Sh. Sukhtej Singh transferred
3.	Rekha Sethi	Officiating ASRM (HQ) ‘LD’ Dn Ludhiana	ASRM (HQ) RMS  ‘LD’ Dn Ludhiana	On regular basis
4.	Atam Kharbanda	Officiating ASPOs Rajpura Sub Division, Patiala	ASPOs Rajpura Sub Dn Patiala	On regular basis
5.	Nitish Kashyap	SDI NW Sub Dn. Amritsar	Allotted to (HQ) Region	Posting orders will be issued separately
6.	Vijay Kumar	Officiating ASPOs Bathinda	Allotted to Punjab Region	-
7.	Roshan Lal	Officiating Manager (ASRM) MBC Chandigarh Sorting ‘LD’ Dn.	Manager ASRM (MBC) Chandigarh Sorting ‘LD’ Dn	On regular basis
8.	Sandep Kumar Shorie	Officiating ASPOs (W) Patiala	ASPOs (W) Patiala	On regular basis
9.	Vikas Sharma	Officiating ASRM Jalandhar RMS ‘I’ Dn	ASRM Jalandhar RMS-I Dn	On regular basis
10	Satinder Singh Lehri	Officiating ASPOs Gurdaspur Division	Allotted to Punjab Region	-
11	Rashmi	Officiating ASPOs (BD & Mktg) CO	ASPOs (BD & Mktg) CO	On regular basis.

The adhoc promotion in ASPOs cadre, granted to the above named officials stands terminated with immediate effect. 

Association congratulates all IPs on their promotion and wishes all success in their life.It is hoped that next DPC against future vacancies will be held very shortly.CS will meet Circle Chief in this regard. Tenure transfers and adjustments will also be done in next memo likely to be issued shortly. 

CAT CASE ONE AFTER ANOTHER

No doubt, our General Secretary has repeatedly requested our Directorate to withdraw the exam notification in view of various disparities pointed out in the different communications to Directorate but to no result. Our GS was right while raising our concern with Directorate not to adopt two parameters by allowing some similar placed candidates to appear in PS Group “B” and no to others. Results being the aggrieved are approaching the Hon’ble CAT for relief. Hon’ble CAT Lucknow bench giving relief to the applicant has stayed the final result of PS Group “B” examination that will be subject to the final orders of the Tribunal. Such circumstances and adamant attitude of the administration is not only going to be the  root cause of frustration amongst the IP cadre but these can also be an impediment in effective execution of administrative policies and plan. This is bound to have an adverse impact on the efficiency of the department. No organization can last long with the service of its frustrated employees. It is therefore necessary to strengthen the backbone of the department with a fair deal. Still the department should think of the step motherly treatment to the cause of IP/ASP. GS has rightly said that it is not understood why department is going against the rules to promote officials without any health competition. Now in such circumstances out of the strength of around 4000, IP/ASPs only 1000-1500 may be eligible and around 100 will be serious. Can we say will it be a health competition? Any way exam will be held and our best wishes are for those who are appearing in the exam against all odds. Sr. Postmaster CAT case filed in Chandigarh bench come up for hearing before Hon’ble CAT (Single bench) on 30-5-2012. As Govt. standing counsel was not present in the court so no hearing took place. Next date of hearing in the case has been fixed for 2-7-2012

REQUEST TO GS TO TAKE UP ISSUE WITH DIRECTORATE

Dear GS

It is to inform you that authority of Punjab postal Circle has not allowed some of our members to fill the OMR sheet on the ground that training period spent before induction in IP cadre is not to be reckoned as qualifying service. The second reason being adverse entry like ‘warning’, ‘reprimand’ emerged in last 5 years’ ACR/APAR, though otherwise their grading in APAR remains between 6-8(very good).

Since both the reasons of the department are unfounded and against the rules in vogue so this request. In view of such acts, few members of this Association have knocked the doors of Courts for relief and as such got relief. Hon’ble CAT Ernakulam Bench OA No. 380/2012 and 232/2012 filed at Bangalore CAT bench may kindly be referred to. Since our members were not part to any OA filed by other members and get relief so they approached Directorate through different representations to allow them to appear in the examination. Their representations are still pending for decision and as such, the circles will not be in a position to allow them to fill OMR sheets. Not allowing all eligible even those who have not approached the court will be against the natural justice and infringement to article 14 & 16 of the Constitution. It will also be a discrimination to other eligible similar situated candidates who are not party to the OA.

In view of above it is requested to take up case with directorate immediately with the request to either allow all similar situated IP/ASP by issuing roll number well before examination or the examination may be postponed to afford opportunity.

It is to inform you that I have already mailed my comments on organizational restructuring in DOP, the same may kindly be accepted. 

CAT CASE UPDATE

Sr. Postmaster CAT case came up for hearing today but no hearing took place. Next  date of hearing has been fixed as 30-05-2012. 

INTERIM RELIEF FOR PS GR.B ASPIRANTS

_{The Hon'ble CAT Ernakulam Bench passed an interim order today (21/5/2012) in favour of the applicants in OA No. 380/12 filed by Sri. M.P.Ramesh and Smt. V.Sarada. The applicants had approached the Tribunal aggrieved by the stand taken by the Department that the IP induction training period cannot be taken into account for determining the length of service required for the PS Group B Examination. When the said OA came up for admission today (21.5.2012), the Hon'ble Tribunal passed an interim order directing the respondents to admit the applicants provisionally for the PS Group B examination scheduled to be held on 3.6.12 and also to issue OMR applications to the applicants.}

COURTESY: Blog IPASP Kerala

All eligible IP/ASP of Punjab Circle are requested to move their representation immediately to  avail the opportunity.

REMINDER OF GS TO DOP

No. GS/AIAIASP/PS Gr. B/2012                                                              dated 19st May, 2012

To,

Ms Manjula Prasher,

Director General,

Department of Posts,

Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi 110 001.

Subject : Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for  promotion to the  cadre of PS Gr. B for the year 2012.

Ref.   :   Postal Directorate  memo No. A-34012/3/2011-DE dated

    10th April, 2012  

Respected Madam,

          Kindly refer to this Association letter of even number dated 3/5/2012 (copy enclosed) on the above mentioned subject.

         This Association would like to bring to your kind notice that many of our members who have received any adverse within a span of five years and few members induction training period spent before entering in IP cadre was not counted as qualifying service are not allowed to fill the OMR sheet and even not given opportunity by providing kit thereby making them ineligible to appear for the said examination.

           As per the GOI Instructions contained in Rule 11(21) of CCS (CCA) Rules-1965, an official can be admitted to the examination if though the official is under suspension or disciplinary case is contemplated but here the official having good record and let off with warning  by virtue of his minor lapse has been debarred by Circles.  Moreover, the condition and procedure governing the selection for promotion to Group ‘B’ posts are given in the relevant para of a set procedure that cannot be ignored.

          Regarding condition and procedure governing LDCE, the provisions of relevant Recruitment Rules and administrative instructions issued from time to time needs to be referred to. It is not understood why the Department is going against the rules to promote officials of their choice without any healthy competition. Under such circumstances nobody will own responsibility because, madam you can see that in our Department ‘warning’ is a meagre issue and is imposed even without wrong doing.

          It is pertinent to mention here that Directorate vide letter no 23-1/2012-PE-II dated 10-5-2012 has called for comments of Circles to revisit the norms for creation of new postal divisions and up-gradation of existing Class-II Divisions into Class-I Divisions. This will again disturb established arrangement. It is not understood why department is inclined to conduct examination without completion of the prerequisites.

          Furthermore, the department is in the process of amending Recruitment Rules and there will be definite variation in number of vacancies under each quota. That is why the Department could not calculate and advertise number of vacancies for the given examination. The new casting will definitely disturb the present settled position. This Association therefore request that in order to make the entire process transparent, our Association should be consulted before the revision of Recruitment Rules and other related issues such as debarring the officials from examination so that our members are not taken as surprised.

          This Association further brings to your kind notice that, PS Group ‘B’ Recruitment Rules are not revised since years together and as per the clause 3.1.5 of Department of Personnel and Training OM No. AB-14017/48/2010-Estt (RR) dated 31st December, 2010 “The Recruitment Rules should be reviewed once in 5 years with a view to effecting such changes as are necessary to bring them in conformity with the changed position, including additions to or reduction in the strength of the lower and higher level posts”. This Association has already submitted the detailed proposal under letter dated 4/7/2011 regarding distribution of quota for PS Gr. B Examination and Sr. Postmaster Examination and also requested to notify the vacancies of both the examinations together. But till date vacancies are neither notified nor Recruitment Rules of PS Gr. B cadre are amended.

           In view of the above submissions, your kind honour is once again requested to look into the matter personally and arrange for withdrawal of the notification issued to conduct the PS Gr. “B” examination scheduled to be held on 3rd June 2012 and hold the said examination only after the issue of Revised Recruitment Rules of PS Gr. B Cadre along with vacancy position of both Examinations (PS Gr. B and Sr. PM) together. It is also requested to issue necessary instructions to all Circles to allow the IPs/ASPs who are declared ineligible on the above mentioned grounds & allow them to fill OMR sheets to avoid litigation in the matter. 

          Hoping for favourable action please.