D.G. Posts No. No:09-01/2005-WS-I/PE.I Dated: 9th April , 2012
The meeting of the Committee was held on 5th March, 2012 at 1100 hrs. in PLI Directorate. The meeting was attended by the following:
i) Shri S.K. Sinha, CGM, PLI …. Chairperson
ii) Shri V.P. Singh, DDG (Establishment)
iii) Shri Satish Kumar, Director (FA)
iv) Mr. M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE
v) Mr. D. Theagarajan, Secretary General, FNPO
vi) Mr. I.S. Dabas, General Secretary, AIPEU Postmen& Group `D'/ MTS
vii) Mr. T.N. Rahate, General Secretary, NUPE Postmen & Group `D'/MTS
2.
The items assigned to the Committee as per the Terms of Reference were
discussed at length in the meeting. The gist of discussions and the
decisions taken are as follows:
(i)
Extraction of data entry work from Postmen: There was in principle
agreement of the staff side that the Postmen had no objection in
performing the data entry work provided suitable time factor for this
element of work was allowed in their overall work load. The Committee
noted that Meghdoot LAN norms for Postmen Module have already been
circulated by the Department on 28.7.2008 for implementation in all
computerized HPOs. It was, accordingly, decided that the time factor
given for various activities in the Postmen Module of MD – LAN may also
be provided to Postmen, if they undertake these activities. It was
further decided that Directorate will consider to issue suitable
instructions to all the Circles in this regard by 30th April,
2012 as some Postmen find it difficult to make computer data entry , it
was also agreed to impart necessary computer training to Postmen.
(I)
Irregular computation of working hours for Postmen working in field
units: Certain items in the revised norms for Postmen as issued by the
Postal Directorate vide F.No.9-1/2005-WS-I/PE.I dated 5.2.2010 were
agitated by the staff side. After discussion, the following decisions
were taken:
a)
The staff side mentioned that the time factor of 0.42 minutes provided
for `delivery of unregistered mail in multi-storied buildings' (Sl.No.2)
is grossly inadequate and needs to be relaxed. It was decided that
while carrying out the review of Postmen establishment, the time factor
for delivery of unregistered mail (other than in multi-storied buildings
as given at Sl.No.1) in the revised norms will also be provided in
cases of delivery of unregistered mail in multi-storied building in
which mail boxes have not been provided at the ground floor;
b)
On the demand of providing the same time factor for delivery of Speed
Post articles as provided for Registered Mail, it was decided that
`while carrying out the review of postmen establishment, the
person-specific speed post articles (Passports, Aadhaar Cards, Driving
Licenses) will be provided the time factor of 2.5 minutes as provided
for registered mail'.
c)
The staff side vehemently demanded to work out suitable time factor for
door-to-door distance travelled by foot by the Postmen. In the course
of discussion, the Committee noted that this demand of the staff side is
being met by providing time factor for delivery of unregistered mail
(other than in multi-storied buildings) to unregistered mail delivery in
such multi-storied buildings which do not have mail boxes on the ground
floor. Moreover, the Committee also noted that no further action on
this demand is perhaps called for in view of Note No.11 provided in the
Directorate letter dated 5.2.2010 which is reproduced below:
"Distance
travelled means distance covered on the main roads, lanes and bye
lanes. Distance travelled covered for entering various houses is
included in time factor for delivery of articles."
The
Staff Side was of the view that since Note No. 11 was prepared many
years back in 1975 -79, it does not reflect the present ground reality.
This aspect may be considered by the department at the time of next
review.
d)
The time factor provided for travelling distance by foot and by bicycle
in hilly and mountainous terrains of less congested areas needs to be
relaxed in view of the extra physical efforts and timing involved in
covering such areas. The staff side was informed that this aspect is
under consideration by the Directorate and comments of several Circles
have already been received in this regard.
(iii)
Removal of minimum cycleable distance for grant of Cycle Maintenance
Allowance of Postmen: The staff side was informed that necessary orders
for grant of Cycle Maintenance Allowance irrespective of the distance
covered by the Postmen have been issued by the Directorate. In view of
this, the staff side agreed to close this item.
(iv)
Scheme of payment of incentive to Postmen for delivery of Speed Post
articles: The Committee was informed that the CGM, Business Development
and Marketing Directorate (BD & MD) has already been requested to
issue suitable instructions to all the Circles to the effect that all
payments of speed post delivery incentive bills pertaining to Postmen
may be cleared by 31st March, 2012. It was, therefore, decided to close this item.
(v)
Minimum and maximum area of beat to be covered on foot/bicycle during
duty hours: The staff side demanded that the Department should prescribe
the maximum beat length which a Postman is supposed to travel by foot /
bicycle as there are several cases in which the Postmen have to travel
30-40 kms. per day in effecting their deliveries. After discussion, the
Committee felt that the incidence of abnormally long Postmen beats is
primarily because of non-review of Postmen establishment in a proper
manner in several Divisions. It was further decided that :
a)The
Directorate will consider to issue instructions to all the Circles to
ensure proper review of Postmen establishment, which should inter-alia include
proper measurement of beat length, the rationalization of beats and
demarcation of beats in such a way that a Postmen is not required to
travel unduly long distance in his duty hours;
b)It
was pointed out that the combination of beats being resorted to in the
Post Offices having 4+ strength of the Postmen should be removed. After
detailed discussion it was decided that Directorate will consider issue
of instructions to all the Circles to the effect that combination of
beats should be resorted to only by exception as it adversely impacts
the delivery efficiency;
c)It
was pointed out by the staff side that Postmen face difficulty in
delivery of registered parcels weighing more than 5 kgms. each and EPP
articles for which the maximum weight of 35 kgms. per article has been
fixed. It was highlighted that either some reasonable rate and mode of
conveyance for delivering EPP articles should be fixed, or the rates of
coolie charges fixed in the past should be revised for efficient
delivery of registered parcel. It was decided that the Directorate will
consider reiterating the instructions on coolie charges to all the
Circles so that the delivery of heavy parcels is not adversely
affected.
Additional Points:
a)
The staff side drew attention of the Committee to note at Sl.No.8 in
the Directorate letter No.9-1/2005-W.S.I/PE.I dated 5.2.2010 which
stipulates that "area having a density of population of 2500 per Sq. KM may be taken as congested area" and
pointed out that the same has been incorrectly printed as it should
refer to 2500 per Sq. Mile instead of 2500 per Sq. KM. They quoted a
clarification received from PTC, Mysore which has cited Directorate
letter dated 19.2.1975 indicating establishment norms for Postmen and
defining congested area as having a density of population of 2500 per
Sq. Mile. After discussion it was agreed that Directorate would examine
and issue suitable amendment / corrigendum to the Note 8 of the revised
norms of postmen establishment.
b)
Creation of justified additional posts while implementing new system
for delivery work and allowing postmen to write correct remarks for non
delivery: The staff side drew attention to Item No.25 minutes of the
last JCM meeting issued on 1.3.2012 wherein it is mentioned that the
issue is under examination by the Postman Committee being Chaired by CGM
(PLI). After discussion, the view emerged that this item is not part
of Committee's mandate as the issue pertains to creation / redeployment
of post which is basically a policy issue. However, the staff side
mentioned that the Postmen were not able to write correct remarks for
non-delivery of articles due to heavy work in the Project Arrow Offices.
It was, therefore, decided that the experience gathered after
implementation of Project Arrow in various Post Offices could be
examined and, if required, instructions with regard to delivery could be
issued by the Directorate.
3.
With the deliberations and decisions as noted above, the Committee
concluded its work with regard to the Terms of Reference assigned to
it. The Committee, however, felt that the Establishment Division of the
Directorate may ensure follow-up action on the decisions of the
Committee so that the issues are taken to their logical conclusion.
4. The final meeting of the Committee ended with Vote of Thanks to the Chair.
Sd/-
(V.P. Singh)
DDG (Estt.)
Copy to:
i) Shri S.K. Sinha, CGM, PLI
ii) Ms. Kalpana Rajsinghot, Director (Estt. & DE) Shri Satish Kumar, Director (Finance)
iii) Shri Prabhu Das Xalxo, ADG (Estt.)
iv) Mr. M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE
v) Mr. D. Theagarajan, Secretary General, FNPO
vi) Mr. I.S. Dabas, General Secretary, AIPEU Postmen & Group `D'/ MTS
vii) Mr. T.N. Rahate, General Secretary, NUPE Postmen & Group `D'/MTS
Copy for information to:
Director
(SR) – with reference to SR & Legal Section's letter No.1/2/2010-SR
dated 9.1.2012 on Formation of a Committee to discuss issues relating
to Postmen – Change in its composition.
