Thursday, September 16, 2010

(please click)

No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

New Delhi, dated the 16th September, 2010
Office Memorandum

Subject: Guidelines on Air Travel on Tours / LTC

This Department is receiving repeated references seeking clarifications with regard to purchase of Air tickets through authorized agents and relaxation for travel by Airlines other than Indian Airlines. The following guidelines may be noted for compliance:

1. On Official Tours :
(i) For travel by Airlines other than Air India because of operational or other reasons or on account of non-availability of Air India flights, individual cases for relaxation to be referred to M/o Civil Aviation, as stated in this Ministry's OM No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 13.07.09.

(ii) Air Tickets may be purchased directly from Airlines (at Booking counters/Website of Airlines) or by utilizing the services of Authorized Travel Agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours.

2. LTC :
(i) Travel by Air India only.

(ii) In Economy class only, irrespective of entitlement.

(iii) LTC-80 ticket of Air India only to be purchased.

(iv) Air Tickets may be purchased directly from Airlines (at Booking counters / Website of Airlines) or by utilizing the services of Authorized Travel Agents viz. M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company, M/s Ashok Travels & Tours and IRCTC (to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoP&T OM No. 31011/6/2002-Estt.(A) dt. 02.12.09).

3. LTC for J&K :
(i) Relaxation to travel by Private Airlines to visit J&K while availing LTC is available to all the categories of Govt. employees, including those entitled to travel by Air [DoPT OMs No. 31011/2/2003-Esst.(A-IV) dated 18.06.10 and 05.08.10 refer].

(ii) For purchase of Air tickets, however, the procedure as given under para 2 (iv) above should be followed.

4. All Ministries/Departments of Govt. of India are requested to strictly adhere to these instructions.

Sd/-
(Karan Singh)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India





An increase of 10% in DA and DR -Release of additional instalment of dearness allowance to Central Government employees and dearness relief to Pensioners due from 1.7.2010 to compensate for price r

The Union Cabinet today decided to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 1.7.2010 representing an increase of 10% over the existing rate of 35% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise.

The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission.

The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief will be of the order of Rs. 9303.2 crore per annum and Rs. 6202.1 crore in the financial year 2010-2011 (for a period of 8 months from July,2010 to February, 2011).

Wednesday, September 8, 2010


  1. Revised recruitment rules for MTS ( Group D) has been approved and will be released within a fortnight. All the MTS posts will be filled up with GDS without any qualification shortly.

  2. An internal committee has been formed to finalise the revised syllabus for LGO examination. The questions will be in objective type. The process is expected to be finalized before the end of this year.

  3. Medical insurance to GDS may be released shortly.

Implementation of Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) Instructions on Benchmark regarding.Please click Page 1 and Page 2

Stepping up of pay of Senior Officials on pay with Juniors in cases of anomaly arising out of fixation of pay on placement in TBOP/ BCR schemes Please click Page 1, Page 2 & Page 3

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Conditions of child care leave have been relaxed -in view of demand submitted by Central BMS and GENC

No. 13018 /1/2010-Estt. (Leave)
Government of India
Min of Personnel, P.G. and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)
New Delhi, the 7th September, 2010



Office Memorandum

Sub: Child Care Leave in respect of Central Government employees as a result of Sixth Central Pay Commission recommendations - Clarification regarding

The undersigned is directed to say that this Department has been receiving representations from Government Servants through various quarters like the Public Grievances CelVAssociations etc requesting to review the decision to allow Child Care Leave (CCL) only if the employee has no E.L. at her credit.

2. This Department's O.M. No.13018/2/2008-Estt.(L) dated 11/09/2008 regarding introduction of Child Care Leave in respect of Central Government employees and subsequent clarifications vide O.Ms. dated 29/9/2008, 1811 112008 and 2/12/2008 were reviewed. It has now been decided in consultation with Department of Expenditure, to delete the condition that CCL can be availed only if the employee concerned has no Earned Leave at her credit, subject to the following conditions:-
(i) CCL may not be granted in more than 3 spells in a calendar year.
(ii) CCL may not be granted for less than 15 days.
(iii) CCL should not ordinarily be granted during the probation period except in case of certain extreme situations where the leave sanctioning authority is fully satisfied about the need of Child Care Leave to the probationer. It may also be ensured that the period for which this leave is sanctioned during probation is minimal.

3. It is reiterated that the leave is to be treated like Earned Leave and sanctioned as such.

4. These orders take effect from 1.9.2008. Earned Leave, if any, availed by women employees before availing CCL subsequent to the issue of the OM 13018/2/2008-Estt. (L) dated 18- 1 1-2008 may be adjusted against CCL, if so requested by the employee.
5. Hindi version will follow. (Please click here for orders)









Friday, September 3, 2010

Introduction of a new Service Discharge Benefit Scheme (SDBS) for Gramin Dak Sevak working in the Deparetment of Posts

Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6 & Page 7 

Sailent Features
  1. On discharge benefits scheme which is in lieu of pensionary benefits and the existing severance amount scheme.
  2. This scheme is optional for the existing GDS employees and compulsory for those entering into service from 1.1.2011 .
  3. The GDS who are left with only three years or less service shall not be eligible.
  4. For opted to new scheme, the severance amount @ Rs.1500 per annum for every completed years of service will be added to the accumulated contributions at the time of discharge for annuitization.
  5. Govt shall contribute Rs200/- No recovery from GDS.
  6. The contributions shall be credited to the Trustee bank designated by the PFRDA.
  7. Not eligible during Put off periods, Provisional appointments and substitutes.
  8. On promotion, the accumulations shall be transferred under New Pension Scheme.
  9. On attaining the age of 58,the GDS can withdraw 20% of the accumulations.
  10. At the time of discharge 60% will be paid. 40% shall be invested for purchase a Life Annuity from Insurance Company.
  11. On removal & dismissal no amount will be paid.
  12. Option should be given before 30.9.2010.




Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Allotment of approved candidates for appointment in Relaxation of normal Recruitment Rules – one time measure against the residual vacancies of Departmental quota

In pursuance of orders pronounced by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on 30.07.2010 in SLP No.2976/08 (Civil Appeal No.7773 of 2009) and 31 others pertaining to regularizing the services of candidates appointed on compassionate grounds communicated vide DDG (P)’s DO letter No. 19-5/2003-SPB-I/C dated 17.08.2010, the Chief Postmaster General, Tamilnadu Circle, Chennai 600 002 is pleased to allot the candidates mentioned in the Annexure who were approved under Relaxation of Recruitment Rules for regularisation in their respective cadres from the date of their initial engagement. The allotment of the candidates is against the available Direct Recruitment quota vacancies (5%) earmarked and kept aside for compassionate appointment for the years from 2006 to 2009 and also, as a one time measure against the residual vacancies of Departmental quota for the years 2009 first and then if no sufficient vacancies are available in any Divisions / Units, from LGO residual vacancies of 2006, 2007 & 2008.

The candidate selected for appointment on compassionate grounds should be adjusted in the Roster against the appropriate category viz. UR/SC/ST/OBC depending upon the category to which he/she belongs. If there is any excess in any reserved community on account of this, the same may be adjusted against the future reserved vacancies

Sunday, August 29, 2010

click here for Orders of severence allowance payable to GDS Page No 1 & Page No 2

click here for orders of Hon payable to GDS Page No 1 & Page No 2

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Legislation for Whistleblowers

The Government is aware that many people are reluctant of becoming whistleblowers as they are susceptible to threats, harassment, victimization or even killed. The Government is ready with the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection to Persons Making the Disclosures Bill, 2010 for introduction in the Parliament. The Bill inter alia provides -

  1. For bringing within the scope of the Bill, public servants being the employees of the Central Government or the State Government or any corporation established by or under any Central Act or any State Act, Government Companies, Societies or local authorities owned or controlled by the Central Government or the State Government and such other categories of employees as may be notified by the Central Government or, as the case may be, the State Government, from time to time, in the Official Gazette;
  2. Adequate protection to the persons reporting corruption or willful misuse of power or willful misuse of discretion which causes demonstrable loss to the Government or commission of a criminal offence by a public servant;
  3. A regular mechanism to encourage such person to disclose the information on corruption or willful misuse of power or willful misuse of discretion by public servants or commission of a criminal offence;
  4. The procedure to inquire or cause to inquire into such disclosure and to provide adequate safeguards against victimization of the whistle-blower, that is the person making such disclosure;
  5. Safeguards against victimization of the person reporting matters regarding corruption by a public servant;
  6. Punishment for revealing the identity of a complainant, negligently or malafidely; and
  7. Punishment for false or frivolous complaints.



IT Modernization Project of Department of Posts – Phase-II

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved the IT Modernization Project – Phase-II proposal of the Department of Posts. The decision is to computerize all the Departmental and Grameen Dak Sevak (GDS) posts offices in the country. The approval has also been accorded for creation of IT infrastructure including establishment of Data Centre, Networking of the Departmental post offices, development of scalable, integrated and modular software for all the operations of the Department of Posts. The Project will be implemented over a three year period covering 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13.

The total expenditure involved in this project will be Rs.1877.20 crore and it will cover all the Post Offices throughout the country in all the State and Union Territories. The Department of Posts will be floating tenders for procurement of hardware and development of software. Pilots will be held in rural and urban post offices. The final roll out will be completed by September 2012.

Handheld devices will be provided to all the Grameen Dak Sevak (GDS) Post Offices in the rural areas and necessary software application developed. Banking solution will be implemented for the Post Office Savings Bank (POSB) scheme. Software Integration solutions will be developed for mail operations enabling tracking solutions for all registered and Speed Post articles.

The Postal Life Insurance services will be available in all the Post Offices including rural pot offices in the country through computers and rural ICT devices. Comprehensive training will be given to staff in Customer relations, application, IT management and system training skills.

Background: The Post Office presently handles 654 crore pieces of mail annually. POSB has a corpus fund of Rs.5,63,000 crore. Significant trends like liberalization and globalization; urbanization, increased demand for financial services, increased funding by government for weaker sections and rural sector, make it imperative that India Post develop new processes and supporting technology.

 


Monday, August 16, 2010

12th All India Conference of Bharatiya Postal Employees Union Class-III, will be held from 02-10-2010 to 03-10-2010 in “SWAMINARAYANWADI” Patawadigate, Kodki Road, Bhuj 371 001 (Gujarat)

BP-III / AIC/12/10                                                                                      Dated 14th Aug 2010

NOTICE

It is hereby notified that, as per provision in clause 19 read with clause 15(a), 16(a) and 17 of the Union Constitution, 12th All India Conference of Bharatiya Postal Employees Union Class-III, will be held from 02-10-2010 to 03-10-2010 in “SWAMINARAYANWADI” Patawadigate, Kodki Road, Bhuj 371 001 (Gujarat) to discuss the following items of agenda. Shri B. P. Yadav All India President will be in chair. The inaugural Session of the conference will commence at 10.00 hrs sharp on Sunday the 02nd Oct 2010.

AGENDA


  1. Confirmation of the minutes of 11th AIC held at Shivprasad Bhakt Niwas, Mahadevi Road Shri Trimbakashiva Temple, Trimbak 422 212 Nashik (Maharashtra)

  2. Adoption of General Secretaries report on activities of All India Union for the period from 01-04-2006 to 30-09-2010

  3. Adoption of accounts of the All India Union for the period from 01-04-2006 to 30-09-2010.

  4. Financial Review.

  5. Organisational Review.

  6. Review of publication of “Postal Bharati” and other means of publicity.

  7. Review of agitational programmes

  8. General problems of Postal staff of various cadres it’s remedial measures and resolutions thereof.

  9. Aftermath effect of VIth CPC report on postal employees

  10. Membership verification under CCS (RSA) Rules, 1993 and matters related thereof like limited Trade Union facilities, Recognition of Unions / Federations; including legal battle

  11. Amendments to the Constitution.

  12. Policy and programmes, Globalisation effect on Postal Services.

  13. Election of CHQ office bearers Federal Councillors and appointment of Chartered Accountant.

  14. Venue of the next All India Conference.

  15. Any other items with the permission of the Chair.
SD/-
(M K Khamborkar)
General Secretary

BP-III /AIC / 12/10                                                                                     Dated 14th Aug 2010


  1. All CHQ Office Bearer and Circle / Regional / Divisional / Branch Secretaries

  2. The Secretary General, BPEF, T-21, Atul Grove Road, New Delhi – 110 001

  3. The Secretary General, BMS (CHQ) New Delhi – 110 055.

  4. All General Secretaries of Union affiliated to BPEF

  5. The Director General Posts, Dak Bhavan New Delhi – 110 001. He is requested to kindly cause to grant special casual leave as a gesture an special case to the office bearers of All India Union, Circle / Regional Secretaries and delegates representing various Divl. / Branch Union advising Chief Postmaster General accordingly

  6. The Director (SR) SR Section Dak Bhavan, New Delhi 110 001

  7. All the CPMGs/PMGs with similar action

  8. The Secretary General GENC New Delhi
SD/-
(M K Khamborkar)
General Secretary


Please click here for copy of notice in pdf. Page 1 and Page 2





Friday, August 13, 2010


No. 3601 11212010-Estt.(Res.)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel. Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
***
New Delhi, dated: the 10" August. 20 10

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Appointment of candidates belonging to Halba Koshti IHalbi

KoshtiKoshti caste against vacancies reserved for the Scheduled Tribes - Implementation of judgement of the Supreme Court in the case of State of Maharashtra Vs. Milind and Ors. ***
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM No.4201 1/22/2006-Estt.(Res.) dated 291h March, 2007 wherein it was stated that admissions and appointments of candidates belonging to the Halba KoshtiIKoshti caste who were party in the Civil Appeal No.2294 of 1986 [State of Maharashtra V/s Miiind & Ors] and other similar cases in which the Court had given specific relief shall not be disturbed and that the cases other than those protected by the specific order of the Supreme Court shall be dealt with in accordance with the instructions contahed in this Department's OM No. 1 10 12/7/91 -Estt.A dated 19.5.1993.

2. The matter regarding the effect of the judgment of the Supreme Court in Milind's case has been considered by the Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No. 1547 of 2007 [Punjab National Bank & Anr Vs. Vilas, S/o Govindrao Bokade] and some other cases. The Supreme Court in these cases has observed that it had held in Milind's case that though the status of Scheduled Tribe could not be conferred on candidates belonging to Halba Koshtil Koshti caste, protection had been provided in no uncertain terms to admissions and appointments that had become final. Thus the Supreme Court has held that such candidates belonging to Halba Kosht~IKoshti caste whose appointment had become final on or before 28.1 1.2000, the date on
which the Supreme Court had decided the Civil Appeal No.229411986 [State of Maharashtra Vls Milind & Ors], shall not be affected.

3. The matter has been examined in consultation with the Department of Legal Affairs and it has been decided that the persons belonging to the 'Halba Kosht~l Koshti' caste who got appointment against vacancies reserved for the Scheduled Tribes on the basis of Scheduled Tribe certificates, issued to them by
the competent authority. under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 (as amended from time to time ) relating to the State of Maharashtra and whose appointments had become final on or before 28.1 1.2000. shall not be affected.However, they shall not get any benefit of reservation after 28.1 1.2000,

4. Contents of this OM may be brought to the notice of all concerned

Director
Tel: 23092158



No.3601214512005-Estt. (Res.)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
North Block
New Delhi- 110001.
Dated the 10"' August. 201 0.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Resewation in promotion - Treatment of SCIST candidates promoted on their own merit. --------

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department'sO.M.No.36028117i2001-Est(tR.e s.) dated I lLhJ uly: 2002 which clarified that SCI ST candidates appointed by promotion on their own merit and not owing to reservation or relaxation of qualifications will be adjusted against un-reserved points of the reservation roster and not against reserved points.It was subsequently clarified by this Department's O.M. .3602811712001-Estt. (Res.) dated 31.1.2005 that the above referred O.M. took effect from 11.7.2002 and that concept of own merit did not apply to the promotions made by non-selection method.

2. Central Administration Tribunal, Madras Bench in O.A. No.90012005[S. Kalugasalamoorthy vls. Union of India & Others] has set aside the O.M.No.36028~1712001-Estt. (Kes.) dated 31.1.2005 and held that when a person is selected on the basis of his own seniority. the scope of considering and counting him against quota reserved for SCs does not arise. The High Court of judicature at Madras in the matter of UOI vls.S. Kalugasalamoorthy [ WP No.1592612007 ] has upheld the decision of the Central Administrative Tribunal.

3. The matter has been examined in the light of the above referred judgments and it has been decided to withdraw O.M. No. 36028/17/2001-Estt. (Res.) dated 31.1.2005 referred to above. It is clarified that SC/ST candidates appointed by promotion on their own merit and seniority and not owing to reservation or relaxation of qualifications will be adjusted against unreserved ~ o i n t so f reservation roster. irresnective of the fact whether the promotion is made by selection method or non-sele.c t~onm ethod These ) C % orders will take effect from 2.7.1997. the date on which post based reservation was introduced.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Grant of Fixed Medical Allowance

Grant of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) to the Central Government Pensioners residing in areas not covered under CGHS increased from RS 100/- to Rs 300/- w.e.f.01/09/2008

Download Now

Tuesday, August 10, 2010


Addressing letters directly to Secretary(P)/Joint Secretary, DOP&T without following the due channels are not in consonance with the CCS(Conduct) Rules and may attract disciplinary proceedings.

Monday, August 9, 2010



Govt. Ministries/Departments/Offices.
No.35011/03/2008-Estt (D)
Government of India
Ministry of Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)
Establishment (D)

Sub: Extension of Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme to the Staff Car Drivers of Central Government.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. No.35034/3/2008-Estt(D) the 19th May,2009 regarding introduction of Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) for the Central Government Civilian Employees and to say that para 13 of Annexure-I of the Scheme provides that Existing time bound promotion scheme including in-situ promotion scheme. Staff Car Driver Scheme or any other kind of promotion scheme existing for a particular category of employees in a Ministry/Department or its offices, may continue to be operational for the concerned category of employees if it is decided by the concerned administrative authorities to retain such Scheme, after necessary consultations or they may switch over to the MACPS. However, these Schemes shall not run concurrently with the MACPS.

2. In pursuance of the decision taken in the meeting of the Departmental Council (JCM) of Department of Personnel & Training held on 08.05.2010 in respect Agenda Item No.57.31, it has been decided in consultation with the Department of Expenditure, the benefit of the MACPS shall also be extended to the regular Staff Car Drivers of the Central Government Ministries/Departments/Offices, as a fall back option, if they are unable to get promotion within the percentage based present system.

3 Para 13 of the Annexure-I of the MACPS accordingly stands modified to this effect. In other words, the Staff Car Driver Scheme and the MACPS shall run concurrently.

4. All Ministries/Departments may give wide circulation to this decision for general guidance and appropriate action in the matter.

5. Hindi version will follow.

Sd/-
(Smita Kumar)
Director(Estt.I)


Disbursement of salary /wages to the Central Government Employees in the State of Kerala for the month of August, 2010 on account of ONAM festival.

No3 (2)/TA/2010/256
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
Controller General of Accounts
Lok Nayak Bhawan
Khan Market, New Delhi
Dated.05.08.2010

MEMORANDUM

Subject: Disbursement of salary /wages to the Central Government Employees in the State of Kerala for the month of August, 2010 on account of ONAM festival.

In view of the "ONAM" festival the Government have decided that the salary of all Central Government Employees in the State of Kerala for the month of August, 2010 may be drawn and disbursed in the Central Government Offices (including Defence, Posts &Telecommunications) on 20th August, 2010.

2. The wages for August, 2010 of the individual employees of Central Government serving in the State of Kerala may also be disbursed in advance on 20th August, 2010.

3. The salary /wages so disbursed are to be treated as advance payment and will be subject to adjustment after the full months salary/wages of each employee is determined. The adjustment, if any, will be made without exception from the salary /wages as the case may be from the month of September, 2010.

4. The concerned Ministry/Departments are requested to bring these instructions to the notice of their offices located in the State of Kerala for necessary action immediately.

SD/-
(Vibha Pandey)
Jt. Controller General of Accounts


NO. 6- 23/2010-PE-II
Government of India
Ministry of communication & IT
Department of Posts (Establishment Division)
Dak Bhawan Parliement Street
New Delhi-110001 Dated 21-07-2010

All Chief Postmasters General
All Postmasters General

Sub:- Implementation of recommendations of One-man Committee on Gramin Dak Sevak Mailmen.

Sir/Madam

I am directed to intimate that One-man Committee constituted under Shri. R.S. Nataraja Murti Chairman examined the issue of deployment of Gramin Dak sevak Mailmen posted in Mail Offices by conducting a study and submitted its recommendation in para 5.22 of the Report.

2 The recommendations of One-man Committee on GDS Mailmen have examined by the department and after a careful consideration, the Competent Authority ordered the following.

  1. Conducting of a work study by Internal Work Study Unit (IWSU) for laying down the standard for various operations/ work done by Mailmen in Mail Offices/Transit Mail Offices/Mail Agency.

  2. The existing vacancies of GDS Mailmen and future resultant vacancies of GDS Mailmen failing vacant either due to discharge/ absorption in Department shall not be filled up in future.

  3. The category of GDS Mailmen be considered as a wasting group.

  4. The present GDS Mailmen engaged in Mail offices on regular basis shall continue till they vacate the post either due to discharge/absorption in department or death.
3. The instruction may be brought to the notice of all concerned. The compliance may sent in the prescribed enclosed proforma .

4. Receipt of this letter may be acknowledged to Assistant Director General(Establishment)

5. This with the approval of Secretary (posts)
DA: As above

Yours Faithfully
SD/-
( A.K.Sharma)
Deputy Director General (Esst)

Friday, August 6, 2010

Thursday, August 5, 2010

ANOTHER GREAT VICTORY FOR BPEU CLASS-III

Govt reversed it’s stand on compassionate appointment filed in an additional affidavit on the line of solution put forth by BPEU Class-III for last 8 years as “one time measure”. Compassionate Appointment as one time measure in residual vacancies; theses stand is granted justice to 200 + R R candidates in Tamil Nadu Circle. BPEU Class-III now pursing the matters for implementation of these policy in other Circle also. Great Victory for Peaceful Agitation. Some text of judgment is appended herewith.

ITEM NO.53(PH) COURT NO.9 SECTION XII

S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
CIVIL APPEAL NO(s). 7773 OF 2009
Civil Appeal NO. 7779 of 2009
(With appln.(s) for C/delay in filing SLP)
Civil Appeal NO. 5131 of 2005

Date: 30/07/2010 These Appeals were called on for hearing today.UPON being mentioned, the Court made the following

O R D E R


Civil Appeal No.5131 of 2005 arising out of SLP(C) No.19587 of 2003 is delinked from other matters.

The remaining appeals are disposed of in terms of the signed order.
(Sukhbir Paul Kaur) (J.P. Sharma)
Court Master Court Master
(Signed Order is placed on the file)

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 7773 OF 2009

UNION OF INDIA & ANR. ...APPELLANTS

VERSUS

M. NALLAVAN ...RESONDENT

WITH

O R D E R

We have heard learned counsel for the parties.During the course of hearing of this batch of appeals, the appellants represented by the Director (Staff), Ministry of Communication & I.T., Department of Posts filed an additional affidavit which may put an end to the controversy between the parties. In fact, the said additional affidavit has been filed pursuant to certain observations made by this Court while hearing the appeals.

It is evident from the affidavit that the entire matter was reconsidered by the Department and upon such reexamination based on humanitarian considerations, found that out of 204 respondents in all 202 respondents working in the Department against short term/leave vacancies can be accommodated against compassionate appointment vacancies for the years 2000-01 to 2009 as per the departmental guidelines. However, in the case of Postal Assistants (PA)and Sorting Assistants (SA) cadre, according to the Ministry, the number of vacancies is not enough to accommodate all of them in the cadre. It is stated that the number of vacancies earmarked for this period is only 113 whereas the number of respondents claiming the relief is 152. However, it is stated that as a one time measure, the Department is willing to accommodate them against residual vacancies of the Department. The statement made in the affidavit is made part of the record directing the respondents to act upon the same.

In the circumstances, the appellants are directed to regularize the services of all the 202 respondents who are working in the Department against short term/leave vacancies with effect from their date of appointment.

However, the respondents shall not be entitled for payment of any arrears on account of such regularization. But their pay and pensionary benefits are protected.

In view of this order, it is made clear that the findings recorded by the Tribunal and as well as the High Court with regard to the interpretation of office memorandums and circulars of the Department are set aside and those findings and observations shall not be treated as precedent for the purpose of any other case or cases that may be pending.

The questions of law, if any, are left open.

The appeals are accordingly disposed of without any order as to costs. The interlocutory applications are accordingly allowed.
........................................................J.
(B.SUDERSHAN REDDY) 
..........................................................J.
(SURINDER SINGH NIJJAR)


Tuesday, August 3, 2010


F.No. 7/19/2010-E.III (A)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
New Delhi, the 2nd August, 2010

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Clarifications regarding pay fixation of existing Group ‘D’ Employees in the revised pay structure.

Reference is invited to this Department’s Office Memorandum No. 1/1/2008-IC dated 24th December, 2008 wherein clarifications were provided regarding various aspects of placement of the existing Group ‘D’ employees in the revised pay structure.

2. As per the clarification at Sl. No. 1, those Group ‘D’ employees who did not possess the minimum qualification and who have retired/ died in harness between 1.1.2006 and date of notification of Revised Pay Rules will be granted pay band -1S and the grade pay corresponding to their pre-revised pay scale as notified in CCS (RP) Rules, 2008.

3. The aforesaid issue was raised in the 46th Ordinary Meeting of the National Council (JCM) held on 15th May, 2010 and the Staff Side had requested that the cases relating to the non-matriculate class IV employees who retired or died between January 2006 and August 2008 without any re-training be re-considered and such employees should be granted the benefit by re-fixing their pension/ family pension at par with those employees who were retrained and whose pay was fixed in PB-1 with a grade pay of Rs.1800/-.

4. The request of Staff Side on the subject has been considered and it has been decided that the Group ‘D’ non-matriculate employees who died in harness or have retired between 1.1.2006 and the date of notification of CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 from those Ministries/Departments which have since re-trained all the eligible serving non-matriculate Group ‘D’ employees and have placed them in PB-1 with grade pay of Rs.1800, would be placed in with grade pay of Rs.1800 with effect from the same date that the retrained eligible employees were placed in this pay band and grade pay.

(Renu Jain)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India.





ONE OF THE DUTIFUL AND FIGHTER TREASURER OF MAHARISHTRA CIRCLE UNION RETIRED FROM SERVICE

SHRI N. B. KHEDASKAR ADPO MUMBAI GPO ONE OF THE DUTIFUL AND FIGHTER TREASURER OF OUR CIRCLE UNION RETIRED ...  Mumbai GPO Branch Union honour his loyality and dutifulness...


(SOME PHOTOGRAPHS WHILE WISHING BY MUMBAI GPO BRANCH and SC ST UNION OF MAHARASHTRA CIRCLE )

Sunday, August 1, 2010

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EXPERT COMMITTEE ON HARNESSING THE INDIA POST NETWORK FOR FINANCIAL INCLUSION

Recommendation 1: India Post should deliver lightweight, lowcost bank accounts to all Indian citizens and especially to the financially excluded population.


Recommendation 2: India Post should look for ways to leverage its low cost platform by providing India Post branded accounts to other strategic partners, such as MFIs, mutual fund and insurance companies, and telecom operators.


Recommendation 3: India Post should apply itself towards the challenge of achieving high volumes of moneyorders where payments of as little as Rs.10 are achieved at a charge of less than Rs.0.1 while requiring no subsidy from the exchequer.

Recommendation 4: India Post should evolve the moneyorder to become a mechanism for transferring money from one POSB account to another, instead of just being a mechanism for delivering cash from one person to another.


Recommendation 5: India Post must build a payments infrastructure, through an array of contracts with partners, connecting up all POSB accounts and accounts of its partners, to effectively become a persontoperson moneyorder capability (through mobile phones or web browsers) for a large swathe of India.


Recommendation 6: India Post must elicit a large number of partners in terms of financial inclusion players, mobile service providers and innovative new technological choices in order to increase the size of the network.


Recommendation 7: India Post must work closely with a diverse array of government agencies so that their G2P payments requirements are met through a combination of POSB accounts held by citizens and moneyorders delivered by government to those POSB accounts. The Ministry of Finance must work with India Post in rapidly rolling out this platform and network, given its important implications for direct, targeted delivery of government subsidies.


Recommendation 8: India Post should play a role in the emergency credit aspect of financial inclusion, through a platformbuilding approach where private lenders deliver credit to the poor through a competitive framework.


Recommendation 9: India Post should request the addition of its financial inclusionproject into the Terms of Reference of the recently announced Technology Advisory Group for Unique Projects, and the leadership team of the India Post financial inclusion project should closely engage in the work of this Group, so as to bring in the best practices forproject management.


Recommendation 10: The role of the Post Office Savings Bank as an agent of theMinistry of Finance should be revisited and expanded to enable India Post to play a larger, direct role in financial inclusion and build appropriate enabling architecture.

COUNTING OF APS SERVICE FOR TBOP/BCR

The Department has issued orders to count past adhoc services in APS as regular service for TBOP/BCR promotion.

(Copy of Letter No 93-25/2003-SPB-II dated 21.07.2010 of Department of Posts)

Sub: - Counting of ad-hoc services rendered in Army Postal Service (APS) for the purpose of grant of financial upgradation under Time Bound One Promotion (TBOP) Scheme – Reg.

I am directed to refer to the references received regarding the issue of counting of ad-hoc services rendered in Army Postal Service (APS) for the purpose of grant of financial upgradation under Time Bound One Promotion (TBOP) Scheme introduced by the Department.

2. It is observed that the issue under reference was considered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in C.A No. 5739 of 2005 in the case of UOI Vs Shri Mathivanan. The Apex Court in their judgment dated 09.06.2006 held that the official has completed 16 years of service (after taking into account his adhoc service rendered in APS) and would be entitled to the benefit of paragraph 1 of TBOP scheme and the action of the authorities in not granting the said benefit was illegal and contrary to law. Hon’ble Court observed that so far as placing of an officer in the next ‘higher grade’ is concerned, what was relevant and material was that such official belonging to basic grades in Group ‘C’ and D must have completed ‘sixteen years of service in that Grade’. They pointed out that it no where uses the connotation ‘regular’ service. It was also inter-alia observed “The scheme merely perused that any person having rendered 16/26 years of service without obtaining any promotion could be entitled to benefit therefore. It is, therefore, not a case where promotion to the higher post is to be made only on the basis of seniority.

3. In view of the dismissal of Civil Appeal No. 5739 of 2005-UOI & Ors Vs M. Mathivanan by the Hon’ble Supreme court on the above grounds vide their order dated 09.06.2006, the order dated 03.04.2002 of the Hon’ble CAT, Madras Bench pronounced in OA No. 1094 of 2001 was implemented subject to condition that the official will not be entitled to claim any seniority over those absorbed in the Postal Departmental before he was absorbed, for any purpose whatsoever.

4. It had been brought to the notice of the Directorate that a number of cases have been filed by the officials who have rendered adhoc service in APS seeking the benefit of above stated Apex court order in their cases also. The Department has considered the matter. Department of Personnel & Training and D/o Legal Affairs have also been consulted in the matter.

5. Keeping in view the Apex Court’s decision in M. Mathivanan’s case and the fact that TBOP is not to be granted on the basis of seniority. it has been decided with approval of competent authority to extend the benefit of the Apex Court’s order to similarly placed serving officials.

6. The TBOP scheme now stands withdrawn w.e.f. 01.09.2008 after introduction of Modified Career Progress Scheme (MACPS). It is, therefore, advised that all the cases of officials similar to the case of Shri. Mathivanan for grant of TBOP/BCR upto the period 31.08.2008 may be decided by counting the adhoc service rendered by them in APS.

7. This issues with the approval of Secretary (Posts)

Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(Suraj Bhan)
Asstt. Director General (SPN)





Saturday, July 31, 2010

GREAT ACHIEVEMENT WITHOUT SHOW OF STRIKE

DOP has restored 20% SUPERVISORY POSTS & 6% OPERATIVE POSTS. THIS IS GREAT ACHIEVEMENT WITHOUT SHOW OF STRIKE. THIS DEMAND IS PLACED BY SHRI M.K.KHAMBORKAR GENERAL SECRETARY BPEU CLASS-III. NO SUCH DEMAND PLACED BY NFPE AND FNPO UNION AS PER THEIR CHARTER OF DEMAND.

Consequent on implementation of time Bound One Promotion (TBOP) Scheme and Biennial Cadre Review (BCR) Scheme, Department of Posts had imposed cuts of 5% in operative staff and 15% in supervisory staff w.e.f 30.11.1983 under TBOP Scheme and later on, additional cuts of 1% in operative staff and 5% in supervisory staff were introduced w.e.f. 01.10.1991 under BCR Scheme. These cuts were introduced as measure of matching savings to offset the financial implications on account of grant of financial upgradations to staff and for obtaining additional productivity.

The said TBOP and BCR Schemes have now been withdrawn w.e.f 01.09.2008 consequent upon implementation of Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACP). Consequently, the number of operative/supervisory posts existing as on 01.09.2008 will be taken into consideration for the purpose of periodical reviews or augmentation proposals of Post Offices establishment. Thus, provisions relating to reduction of staff under TBOP/BCR Schemes stand also withdrawn w.e.f 01.09.2008.”

PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH TO LISTEN SHRI M.K.KHAMBORKARJI GENERAL SECRETARY VERY SHORTLY IN HIS OWN WORDS ABOUT THIS VICTORY

Friday, July 30, 2010

RAISE IN DA FROM JULY 2010 WOULD BE @10% TOTAL DA WOULD BE 45%

All India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers on Base 2001=100 for The Month of June, 2010

All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) on base 2001=100 for the month of June, 2010 increased by 2 points and stood at 174 (one hundred and seventy four).

During June, 2010, the index recorded an increase of 8 points in Varanasi centre, 6 points each in Quilon and Giridih centres, 5 points in 4 centres, 4 points in 8 centres, 3 points in 13 centres, 2 points in 17 centres and 1 point in 19 centres. The index decreased by 1 point each in Ludhiana and Ghaziabad centres, while in the remaining 12 centres the index remained stationary.

The maximum increase of 8 points in Varanasi centre is mainly due to increase in the prices of Rice, Wheat, Fresh Milk, Onion, Vegetable and Fruit items, Electricity Charges, Bus Fare, Tailoring Charges, etc. The increase of 6 points in Quilon centre is due to increase in the prices of Rice, Fish Fresh, Onion, Vegetable and Fruit items, Cigarette, Tailoring Charges, etc. and in Giridih centres it is due to increase in the prices of Mustard Oil, Fish Fresh, Turmeric Powder, Vegetable and Fruit items, Soft Coke, etc. However, the decrease of 1 point each in Ludhiana and Ghaziabad centres is due to decrease in the prices of Onion, Vegetable items, Sugar, etc.

The point to point rate of inflation for the month of June, 2010 is 13.73% as compared to 13.91% in May, 2010.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

COMBINATION OF DUTY TO GDS - CLARIFICATION NOTHING NEW (click here for pdf copies)


No.6-1/2009-PE-II
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
(Establishment Division)
Dak Bhawan, Parliament Street
New Delhi-110001
Dated 15-07-2010


The Chief Postmaster General
UP Circle
Lucknow—226001
Sub: Combined Duty Allowance to Gramin Dak Sevaks employees who perform the duties of Gramin Dak Sevaks Branch Postmasters in addition to their own duties.

Sir,
I am directed to refer to your letter no.Estt/M-377/34/GDS/Corr./2009/1 dated 24-06-2010, on the above mentioned subject.
2. The issue has been examined. DG Posts letter no.14-11/1988-PAP dated 16-07-1990 provided for payment of Rs.50 as combined duty allowance to GDS MD/MC who perform the work of EDBPM in addition to their normal charge of duties. It was also clarified that, GDS Mail Deliverer/Mail Carrier are not eligible for this Combined Duty Allowance if they perform duties other than that of GDS BPMs

3. As per the recommendations of One—man Committee and approved by the government, the GDS MD/MC attached with the addition duty of another Gramin Dak Sevak, revised rate of allowance will be at the rate of Rs.25 per day subject to a maximum of Rs.625 per month. Accordingly, the Mail Deliverer/Mail Carrier entrusted with the duties of BPMs in addition to their own work, are eligible for this additional remuneration as compensation. However, they will not be eligible for any Combined Duty Allowance which is now paid to Branch Postmasters towards delivery and conveyance work

To cite an illustration, if a Branch Post Office has one BPM and one GDS MD/MC on its establishment. In the event of GDS MD/MC performing the duties of Branch Postmasters in addition to his own, he will be eligible for a compensation of Rs.25 per day subject to a maximum of Rs.625 per month in addition to his normal Time Related Continuity Allowance. However, he will not be eligible for further Combined Duty Allowance paid to Branch Postmasters.

4. This issues with the approval of DDG(Establishment).

Yours faithfully
(K Rameswara Rao)
Assistant Director General (Estt.)

No.6-22/2010-PE-II
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
(Establishment Division)
Dak Bhawan, Parliament Street
New Delhi-110001
Dated 15-07-2010
The Chief Postmaster General
Kerala circle,
Thiruvananthapuram. 695033
Sub: Implementation of Recommendations of Shri R.S. Nataraja Murti Committee.

Madam,
I am directed to refer to your letter no.Est/66-2/2009-dlg dated, 11-5-2010 on the above mentioned subject.

2 The points raised by the Circle have been examined and the following clarifications are provided.

Points on which clarification sought

1.Whether the benefit of fitment is admissible to Gramin Dak Sevaks officials whose scale of pay changed after 1-1-2006 due to transfer of redeployment. Similarly the above order is silent on protection of allowances

Position
The order dt. 9-10-2009 makes it clear for providing fitment at the time of fixation based on the TRCA drawn as on 1-1-2006 and it can not be applied to the GDS for change of pay scale after crucial date either due to transfer or redeployment. Such cases of fixation have to be guided by Dte letter no.14-16/2001-PAP (Pt) dt. 11-10-2004. Further, the OM dated 09-10-2009 is only about revision of TRCA and it has not revised or annulled the earlier order issued regarding protection of allowances in the case of reduction of workload or redeployment. The instructions issued in the letter no. 14-16/2001-PAP(Pt) dt.11-10-2004 are still in vogue and not Superseded or modified.

Points on which clarification sought
2.Prior to introduction of he above order GDS SPM/BPM doing mail conveyance are not entitled for combined duty allowance it the work is entrusted due to short fall n workload for justifying retention of Higher TRCA. Similarly, if the incumbent is working on protection of allowance they are not entitled to combined duty allowance. But the latest order is not clearly stated the position.

Position
The contention of the Circle appears to be not in order. The earlier order issued on 17-12-1998 provides that “the delivery and conveyance allowance to EDSPMs/EDBPMs who have been entrusted the additional work of conveyance of mails or delivery will be increased form the existing Rs.50 per month to Rs.75 per month. The flat rate of Rs.75 may be paid to all EDSPMs/EDBPMs to attend to conveyance/delivery or both.”

Therefore, payment of combined duty allowance is not connected to workload on account of delivery or conveyance or both. But the same is paid as compensation towards entrustment of additional work of conveyance/delivery or both. One—man Committee recommended revision of combined duty allowance to Branch Postmasters and separated conveyance work/delivery work and recommended payment of combined duty allowance for each item of work. Again, this was not related to workload of BPMs but towards entrustment of additional work of delivery/conveyance or both.

As per the order dated 11-10-2004, if the BPMs who is in a higher TRCA gets dropped in the workload, Combination of duties or mail delivery/mail conveyance has to be examined and to ensure that total workload of the post does not exceed 5 hours and in such cases only where the allowance is protected and additional work is given to him in such cases only combined duty allowance was not admissible.

However, One—man Committee recommended revision of combined duty allowance. This is applicable even in the cases of BPMs whose allowance has been protected and if they are doing conveyance/mail delivery work or both..

Points on which clarification sought
3. Kindly clarify whether GDS MDs are also entitled for combined duty allowance.
Position
As per the recommendations of One-man Committee and approved by the Government, the GDS MD/MC attached with the addition duty of another Gramin Dak Sevak, revised rate of allowance will be at the rate of Rs.25 per day subject to a maximum of Rs. 625 per month. Accordingly, the Mail Deliverer/Mail Carrier entrusted with the duties of BPMs in addition to their own work, are eligible for this additional remuneration as compensation. However, they will not be eligible for any Combined Duty Allowance which is now paid to Branch Postmasters towards delivery and conveyance work.

To cite an illustrations, if a Branch Post Office has one BPM and one GDS MD/MC on its establishment. In the event of GDS MD/MC performing the duties of Branch Postmasters in addition to his own, he will be eligible for a compensation of Rs.25 per day subject to a maximum of Rs.625 per month in addition to his normal Time Related Continuity Allowance. However, he will not be eligible for further Combined Duty Allowance paid to Branch Postmasters.

In regard to clarification sought at item no. 4 of your letter, it is not clear whether he is exchanging mail with Account office or at an Intermediary office. The Circle is therefore requested for providing full details as to how a Branch Postmasters can make exchange in one way, and whether exchange is at a Bus stand or Railway station, or at Account office. The circle has to provide specific instances of four or five cases for further detailed examination.

This issue with the approval of Member (Personnel)

Yours faithfully
(K Rameswara Rao)
Assistant Director General (Estt.)

TRANSFERS OF GDS - REVISED ORDERS CONTAINS NO NEW THING

File no. 19-10/2004-GDS (part)
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
(Establishment Division)
Dak Bhawan, Parliament Street
New Delhi-110001
Dated 21-07-2010
All Chief Postmaster General
Postmaster General

Sub: Limited transfer facility to Gramin Dak Sevaks.

Sir/Madam,

I am directed to refer to this office letter no. of even dt 17-7-2006 on the above mentioned subject.

2. One-men Committee with Shri R.S. Nataraja Murti as Chairman, for examining Gramin Dak Sevaks system, studied the above issue and made recommendations in para 16.12.1 of the report.

3. The recommendations of the Committee were examined by the Department and after a careful consideration, the Competent Authority has ordered the following:

(i) All the five grounds stipulated for allowing the Transfer of Gramin Dak Sevak in para 2 of letter no. 19-10/2004-GDS dt. 17-7.2006 will be retained. The transfer facility can be availed by Gramin Dak Sevaks only once in whole career. However, an exception has been made for women Gramin Dak Sevaks, who availed the transfer facility on the ground of extreme hardship due to a disease and for medical attention/treatment before their marriage, can avail the facility for a second time in the event of their marriage/remarriage.
(ii) Past service of Gramin Dak Sevaks will be counted for the eligibility for appearing in the Departmental Examinations and for Ex-gratia gratuity and will rank junior in the seniority list of new unit.

(iii) However on transfer to a new post, the Gramin Dak Sevaks cannot have any claim for protection in their Time Related continuity Allowance drawn in the old Post. His/her Time Related Continuity Allowance will be fixed at the minimum of the Time Related Continuity Allowance slab of the transferred post, depending upon the work load of the aid post. In the case of Mail carrier/ Mail deliverer/packer, the work load has to be assessed on cycle beat. The transfer has to be approved only if the Gramin Dak Sevkas is willing for the new post, and an undertaking to the effect has be obtained and kept on record. This condition is provided to prevent the misuse of the limited transfer facility so that it can be availed only by those who genuinely need it.

4. All the other conditions laid down in letter no. 19-10/2004-GDS dt. 17.7.2006 will continue to apply.

5. The Heads of circle are requested to keep the above modifications in view while deciding the cases of transfer application of Gramin Dak Sevaks.

6. The contents may be communicated to all concerned for wide circulation amongst the Gramin Dak Sevaks in vernacular understanding.

7. This issues with the approval of Secretary (Posts)

Yours faithfully,
(K. Rameswara Rao)
Assistant Director General (Estt)