Cabinet may hike dearness allowance by 8%

The Union Cabinet is likely to approve a proposal to increase dearness allowance (DA) of central government employees by 8% on Thursday.

The move to increase DA from 72% to 80% will benefit around 50 lakh employees and 30 lakh pensioners of the central government.

"The Union Cabinet may consider the finance ministry proposal to increase DA in its meeting scheduled for Thursday," a source said, adding the hike would be effective from January 1, 2013 and employees and pensioners would be entitled to arrears. The government had raised DA to 72% in September last year, which had come into effect from July 1, 2012. As per usual practice, DA is merged with basic pay when it breaches the 50% cap. This helps employees get higher allowances as those are paid as proportion of the basic pay.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Cabinet-meeting

Department's apathy ... Cadre's sufferings ...

I am writing this article with heavy heart as I have been compelled by the twitters to tell you the main reason for filing court cases against PS Group “B” and Sr. Postmaster examinations. In fact examination system is the main threat to the unity of this cadre. Our senior ASPs were not happy the way we were raising our issues, may it be a cadre review, grant of higher pay scales or issues concerning our dignity & identity. Gone are the days, when Inspector post usually/does elevated to PS Group ‘B’ within a short span of 14-16 years and Seniors retired with a sense of pride and dignity from the post of PS Group B and many of them as STS officers. But nowadays this span has widened up to 26-29 years due to squeezing of promotions for seniority. Juniors do not have any interest in union matters, they are concerning only about their career by any mean. They know that union cannot help them in building their career but officers can. Ambition compels some of them to have more allegiance towards administration than union. I am not blaming any individual but for the unity of our members it becomes obligatory on my part to file court cases and to take some strong steps that was also inevitable to set the things right at directorate level.
   Before discussing pros and cons of both the court cases I have filed I am telling you an incident that had happened in Patiala Division. This is about plight of Sr. ASPs at the hands of Junior ASP allotted to Punjab, who in the year 2008 passed PSS Group “B” may be due to luck (not caliber) or any other mean (getting 100 out of 100 in paper II perhaps not otherwise possible) and posted as SPOs/Sr. Postmaster Patiala. I regret to inform you that one of such a passed Group “B” officer to settle his ego sealed the office of ASP Sub Dn. to defame him but in the name of search thereby creating fuss for our union. The issue was only resolved on my taking issue with the then DPS Chandigarh. Later on that ASPs was transferred to far flung place without completing his tenure. Now this Sr. ASP is no more in this world. Apparently these inconsistencies lead to ambiguity. It also elucidate that life cannot be lived under certain pre defined set of rules either by Jr. or Sr. because it consist of numerous complexities at social, physical and emotional level. One should be fare in official dealing after all we all are human beings.
    Yes, Punjab IP/ASP Association filed two court cases and instrumental in filing fresh IPGP CAT case that have backing of CHQ and we do not have any excuse for it. Reason being:
    LDCE roster was increased to 192 points from 165 points thereby declaring 32 vacancies (five were shown as vacancies in the 165 point roster). Please let me know which rule permits increase or decrease of the roster suo moto. Moreover, it was a great injustice to Sr. ASPs who were awaiting their promotion for the last 27 years. When examination system was not in vogue the promotion the PS Group “B” was 14 to 16 years. Apparently the present promotion is meaningless as 50% of IPs are not getting promotion to Group ‘B’ what to say of JTS/STS because of Examination and wrong calculations of vacancies.It is due to this CAT case that now not only in our cadre but in others also vacancies are calculated correctly as per roster.
    My salute to Mr.M.Mohanarangam who filed CAT case in Tamil Nadu when with utter disregard to all principles, the department conducted Group B examination by bunching of vacancies for four years viz. 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. This single selection for all the four years remains prejudicial to majority of the eligible candidates. The Department successfully conducted the examination and handed over many infirmities inconsistencies to the cadre. As a result many juniors who were not even eligible for the vacancies of 2004, 2005 and 2006 were allowed to appear, got selected and promoted getting golden chance even after two year of IP service though as per recruitment rules 5 years service in the given vacancy year is required to appear in PS Group “B” examination. Now many ineligible candidates are working as PS Group B officer. Is it not injustice with those on whose cost these 2008 batch officers favourably even by giving 100/100 marks have been promoted. My salute to Mr. Mohanarangam because it is due to this CAT case that now not only in officer cadre but in other cadres also vacancies are calculated on yearly basis and examinations are conducted year wise. Association is waiting for the final verdict of Hon’ble High Court. In case Hon’ble court uphold the original orders then our claim for creation of supernumerary posts to promote all Seniors from the date Junior has arbitrarily been promoted will sustain.
    Consequent upon introduction of Postmaster cadre, department has carved out all 87 Sr. Postmaster Post cadre from 75% quota (seniority cum fitness quota) giving 100% reservation to LDCE blocking chances of ASPs to opt for Sr. Postmaster Cadre. Carving out post in such a manner is even against natural justice because Reservation in promotion by seniority subject to fitness was introduced in 1972 subject to the some conditions. In 1974, reservations in promotion by selection from C to B within B and from B to the lowest rung of Group A were introduced provided the element of direct recruitment does not exceed 50%. Why our department is not looking to it and facing court cases. However under General line 6% quota, 50:50 promotion criteria has been adopted. Now they will compete for 23 post through LDCE in PS Group “B” and rest 29 of 52 post has been earmarked for Sr. postmaster those will be promoted through Seniority cum fitness amongst the Grade-III Postmaster cadre officials. The case against this discrimination is pending in Hon’ble CAT bench Chandigarh with next date of hearing as 16-5-2013. Our comrades will fight till we get justice. Any individual comment from selfish IP/ASP can not deter us from fighting against injustice. IPASP Association….. Zindabad Zindabad !!!
    I am thankful to Punjab Association for giving me a space for writing this article on the blog of Punjab. I am grateful to Sh. Vilas Ingale for filing IP GP CAT case and fighting for the rights of IPASPs. I am also thankful to him for consulting me on every issue before taking up case with appropriate authority. The motto of the union should be toward commitment to our members as a whole and not in individual capacity for personal gains. However genuine demands that do not affect others should be taken in right perspective.
Harimohan
Ex-CS Punjab

Sr. Postmaster CAT CASE updates.

Nothing is going in our way.

Alas. ! This time again,

tareek pe tareek,

tareek pe tareek,

tareek pe tareek.

No proceedings took place and matter simply adjourned to 16th May 2013 for want of Division Bench to adjudicate the issue in the Hon'ble CAT Bench Chandigarh.

 

MOVEMENTS in PUNJAB CIRCLE.

Ms. Meenakshi Yadav, Director Postal Services, recently transferred from Gurgaon and joined as Director Postal Services (Region) Chandigarh vice Ms. Sukhvinder Kaur, who proceeded on long leave. Association wishes Madam Sukhvinder immediate recovery and also welcomes the new officer. Hopefully, Punjab Region will enrich with her expertise.

 

Mr. G.C.Goyal, transferred from Sr Postmaster Jalandhar and joined as Asstt Director-I, while Mr. J.K. Dutta joined as Asstt Director-II, in the Punjab Region at Chandigarh. Association wishes them Good luck and look forward for their support for the welfare of IP/ASP fraternity.

EX-CS FAREWELL MESSAGE

Friends and fellow comrades,

I wanted to take a moment to let you know that consequent upon my promotion to PS Group “B” I handed over charge of secretary ship to Sh. Balbir Singh as per decision of the house arrived in the circle conference held in April12. Now final nod to this decision will be given in the CWC being held on 20^th April 2013. It is hoped that Mr. Singh will do his job with same zeal and gist I did sparing his valuable time from official errands. As far as my two and half tenure is concerned I have enjoyed my tenure here and I appreciate having had the opportunity to work for you and amongst you. Thank you all for the support, guidance, and encouragement you have provided me during the tenure. I have tried my best to work for the association, but still some of my colleagues remained annoyed with me because I have never compromise with my ideology that was selfless service to association demanding justice for all. This sometimes hurts my sentiments and also discouraged me. I may tell you that I have always fight for truth, dignity, selflessness, honesty and justice. I may tell you that still I will never be influenced by diminution of zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of grateful respect for your past kindness; but I should be supported by a full conviction that the step is compatible with both, without a strict regard to all the considerations appertaining to the relation.As such my appeal to all the IP/ASP is that they should shun their ego, do selfless work for the unity and dignity of the association.

I am grateful for the efforts everyone is putting on the IP GP issue that is the main cause of concern for our members. But at the same time I will say that our approach to this common cause never remained realistic, precious time have been shattered while taking decision to file fresh application. Any way now fresh case has been filed which is listed for 10-06-2013. It is hoped that decision on this OA will arrive early. General Secretary to whom Punjab Circle is providing full input is now taking personal interest in the case. He is consulting me on every count and even before issuing letters to the administration. This is a matter of pride for the IP/ASP of Punjab. Even delegates from Punjab remained instrumental in forming general body in Bangalore conference.

       I am indebted for having had this opportunity and wish my colleagues the new CS, good luck with the continuation of this work. I have gained a lot of knowledge and shall always cherish this as one of the most satisfying phases in my life and career. If not for your constant support and encouragement, I would not have been able to perform my duties. I appreciate all the support, insights, and help you have provided me. During the two and half terms I had held the posts, I did my best to discharge the duties cast upon me without fear of reprisal. I must say that I left the post with good feelings and a sense of satisfaction.Since I am in Haryana Postal Circle so attending CWC of Punjab Circle depends only subject to relief by Haryana Circle, so this message to friends and fellow comrades.

Harimohan

Ex-CS Punjab

TIPS

ü    A paper flying in air is due to luck! but a kite flying in air is due to effort ! So don’t worry if luck does not support, efforts are always there.

ü    “Love V/s Exam”

Love: Lots of thoughts in mind but no guts to express.

Exams : Lots of guts to express but no thoughts in mind.

ü    The caliber of a person is not how well he prepares for everything to go right, but how he stands up and moves on after everything has gone wrong.

ü    Real facts of Life - “When u hates some one even their love will irritate u…… When u love some one even their hurtings will be loveable….

ü    New Born Baby asks nurse, “Do u have message offer?” Nurse: “Why. Baby boy, “I want to tell God that I reached safely, & send my lover soon”.

तेल मले का मला रह गया, लंगोटा बन्दे का बंदा रह गया ..........

At last,  Mr Parshottam Dass Asstt Director, Punjab Region  came out from a month long sufferings of apprhension of vicitimization and proudly superannuated on 31st March 2013. All out efforts of digging and searching evidences against the comrade at fag end of his service  proved futile. Ultimately nothing surfaced against him, which could spoil his retirement. Mr Dass bailed out himself successfully from the constant fear. Association wishes him a happy retirement life.

 

Mr Paramjit Singh, Asstt Director, Punjab Region also superannuated on 31st March 2013, after completing a successfull service span of 39-40 years. Association wishes him a happy and prosperous retirement life.   

 

Mr Roshan Lal, ASRM Chandigarh also superannuated on 31st March 2013, after completing nearly 40-41 years of a successfull service life. He commenced his services at Chandigarh Sorting and completed his services at Chandigarh Sorting. It was a proud and cheerful moment for him. On his retirement party he thanks all his colleagues with couplets of shairo shairi, and gathering burst into laughter. Association wishes him a happy retirement life.