Department of Posts

(SR & Legal Cell)

       MINUTES OF THE JCM STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING TO DISCUSS PENDING SUBJECTS

                The meeting of the JCM  Standing Committee was held on 18/12/2012 at 1500 hrs. in Dak Bhavan, under the chairpersonship of Member (P).  The following were present:-

Official Side:-

1.            Ms. Yasodhara Memon, Member (P)      -              Chairperson

2.            Shri S.K. Sinha, CGM (MB&O)

3.            Ms. Kalpana Tiwari, CGM(BD&MD)

4.            Sh. Tilak De, DDG (Estates)

5.            Ms. Aindri Anurag, DDG(PO & CP)

6.            Sh. Alok Saxena, DDG (Establishment)

7.            Ms. Anju Nigam, DDG (Vigilance)

8.            Sh. Manish Sinha, DDG(PAF)

9.            Sh. A.K. Poddar, GM, PLI

10.          Sh. Satish Kumar, Director (FA)

11.          Sh. Raj Kumar, Director (Staff)

12.          Sh. Arun Malik, Director (SR)

13.          Sh. V.C. Kajla, Consultant

Staff Side:

1.         Shri D. Theagarajan

2.         Shri M. Krishnan

3.         Shri Giri Raj Singh

4.         Shri Ishwar Singh Dabas

5.         Shri T.N. Rahate

6.         Shri P. Suresh

7.         Shri T. Satyanarayana

                The Chairperson welcomed all the members and permitted to take up the agenda.  After detailed discussions on each item, the following decisions were taken:-

               

Sl. No.	Pending JCM (DC) Subjects	Decision taken	Action, if any, to be taken by
1.	Cadre Restructuring for all Non-Gazetted Group B & C cadres	It was informed that the report of the committee is under consideration.  Proposal will be formulated by the Department.  However, one round of talks with the JCM members will be held before the proposal is firmed up.	DDG( Estt)
2.	Creation of System Administrators Cadre.	It was informed that the report of the committee is under consideration.  Proposal will be formulated by the Department.  However, one round of talks with the JCM members will be held before the proposal is firmed up.	DDG (Estt)
3. 3 (1) to (15)	Computation of proper norms for work allotment to existing System Administrators and grant of certain essential amenities.	Discussed.  It was decided to drop this item.	Item closed.
4.	Counting of Special Allowance for pay fixation case of PO & RMS Accountants.	The proposal is under consideration of DOPT.	DDG(Estt)
5.	Request for discontinuance of the practice of obtaining fidelity / security bond from the employees handling cash.	Secretary (Posts) ordered that the security bonds may be continued for the time being॰	Item closed.
6.	Protection of pay of the defunct scale of PO & RMS Accountants who opted for general line under Directorate letter No. 2-22/88 - PE I dt. 01.12.92.	The issue was examined in consultation with IFW and it was revealed that even in the case of Shri Natha Singh, the clarification was not implemented. The issue of Shri Natha Singh has since been referred to Punjab Circle and further action in the matter will be taken on receipt of compliance from Punjab Circle on the observations raised by them.	DDG (Estt)
7.	Revision of Cash Allowance to the SPMs handling cash in the absence of treasurer.	The proposal has been referred to DOPT and Department of Expenditure.	DDG(Estt)
8.	Anomaly in fixation of Pay in respect of the officials promoted on 01.01.96 under BCR Scheme.	The proposal has been rejected by DOPT.	Item closed.
9.	Conveyance of cash with police escort- Problems there on.	(a) Revision of line limits is being looked after by a committee of officers whose recommendations are awaited. (b) Circle Heads have already been addressed to explore the possibilities of providing security guards in the Post Offices in sensitive areas and take appropriate action.	DDG(PO&CP) Item closed.
10.	Ensuring the standard of residential accommodation to the SPMs provided with attached Quarters.	It was informed providing of post attached quarters to Postmaster or Sub Postmaster of a post office is a service condition due to the necessity of ensuring continuous delivery of mail irrespective of external or physical conditions, security of cash and valuables kept in the treasury etc.  Heads of Circles are empowered to decide about de-quarterization.	Item closed.
11.	Fixing Norms/ Time Factors to Postal Stores Depot; Circle Stamp Depot & creation of establishment.	It was explained that the committee is re-examining the matter.	DDG (Estates & MM)
12.	Payment of Special Allowance to the staff working on MPCMs.	Directorate has already notified position to all Heads of Circles that the re-introduction of MPCM allowance is not possible in view of the grant of higher pay scale of Rs.4,000 – 6000/- as per the 5thCPC.	Item closed.
13.	Stop harassing staff on contributory factors for simple and flimsy reasons by misusing the provision of ‘unbecoming of Government Servant’ deviating the ruling contained in Volume III, FHB etc.	It was made clear to the Staff side in the meetings on 10/12/1/2012 that it would not be possible to issue any speaking order as each case needs to be decided on its merits and further that the channels of appeal, petition and review petition are also available to the official concerned.	Item closed.
14.	Recovery of alleged overpayment of pay and allowances to postman on account of fixation from the officials of Accounts branches of HPOs	It was informed that based on the judgement of CAT, speaking order has been issued and there is no change in the stand taken by the Department.	Item closed.
15.	DRAWAL OF PAY TO SENIOR BCR OFFICIALS IN HSG I POSTS AS THE PAY SCALES OF HSG II & BCR IS ONE AND THE SAME & SETTLEMENT OF EARLIER OFFICIATING CASES OF TAMILNADU, WEST BENGAL & OTHER CIRCLES AS ONE TIME MEASURE	Clarification has already been issued to all concerned.	Item closed.
16.	Tenure posting of officials in Single & Double Handed post offices – request to withdraw the conditions	Orders have already been issued vide No.8-4/2005-Inv. dated 12/01/2012.	Item closed.
17.	Restriction in posting of SPM due to minor penalties / CR entries.	Action has already been taken.	Item closed.
18.	Allowing to appear in the Departmental Exam like IPOs – case of physically handicapped officials	It was informed that the matter is under consideration in consultation with Ministry of Social Justice, the nodal ministry of notification of identification of posts for persons with disabilities.	DDG(P)
19.	Enhancement of Split Duty Allowance.	Action has already been taken.	Item closed.
20.	Transfer of all HSG I Posts to General line	The proposal has been taken up with UPSC.	DDG(P)
21.	Payment of honorarium to supervisors & Staff of Divisional offices for processing of PLI and RPLI proposals.	It was informed that the case for removal of ceiling of Rs.4,000/- cannot be agreed as it is within the purview of DOPT and Department of Expenditure.  The proposal of giving incentive may be taken up by the Staff side with PLIDirectorate afresh.	Item closed.
22.	Grant of OTA/Excess Duty Allowance to the SPMs working in single/Double handed Post offices.	Some quarries have been received from DOPT. The matter is being taken up again with them.	DDG(Estt)
23.	Counting the training period for benefits of promotion under TBOP / BCR scheme	Department of Legal Affairs has sought some clarifications.  After obtaining the information from the Circles the case will be examined in consultation with Department of Legal Affairs.	DDG( P)
24.	Holding of examination for filling up to posts of AMM in MMS	The matter is being examined.	DDG(P)
25.	Holding of DPC for filling up the posts of Deputy Manager MMS	DPC will be convened to fill up the posts.	DDG(P)
26.	Appointment to the grade of Supdt. Stg. In RMS	It was informed that posts will be located / identified in consultation with Circles and will be filled after completing the procedural formalities.	DDG(P)
27.	Acute shortage of ‘C’ Bags.	The proposal of procuring canvass bags will be examined subject to availability of funds.	DDG(Estates & MM)
28.	Implementation of recommendation of the 5thCPC with regard to payment of cash handling allowance to treasurers and Asst. Teasurers in Post offices.	It was informed that the proposal will be sent again to the Ministry of Finance for consideration.	DDG (Estt)
29.	Allot 19% Group B vacancies for General line and permit all Group C official in Postal, RMS, Admn. and Postal A/Cs with minimum 20 years of service to appear in the exam by dispensing with present reservation of posts to RMS & Admn. Staff.	Elaborate proposal will be submitted by the Staff side to Director (SR).  The same will be examined by the DDG(Estt) and DDG(P).	DDG(Estt)/ DDG(P) / Director(SR)
30.	Anomaly in the preparation of PA gradation list. Date of confirmation should not be taken now and date of appointment be taken for construing seniority. Fixing seniority based on the date of confirmation in unconstitutional and discriminatory and dropping of confirmation examination.	It was explained that the proposal is specific to Tamil Nadu Circle.  They has already been addressed.	Item closed.
31.	Relaxation of educational qualification in respect of widow applicant for compassionate appointment.	Clarification received from the DOPT has already been circulated vide No.37-34/2009-SPB-I/C dated 19/04/2012.	Item closed.
32.	Request for correct identification of Speed Post Hubs.	It was decided that joint visit (MM and Staff side) will be made to arrive at confirmation of mail at Kurnool and Guntakul for deciding L1 / L2 issue.	CGM (MB) and Staff Side.
33.	Request to extend the Station Tenure to Senior Manager Cadre in MMS.	Department has already issued Rotational Transfer Guidelines vide letter No.141-91/2012-SPB-II dated 02/04/2012 (Copy enclosed), which also cover MMS cadre.  On the basis of these guidelines, necessary information from all the Circles will be called for shortly and further action will be taken in consultation with MV Branch of the Department.	DDG(P)
34.	Pay protection to employees who seek transfer to a lower post under FR 15 (a)/transfer under Rule 38.	The proposal will be taken up by the Staff side directly with DDG(PAF).	Item closed.
35.	To fill up the time scale Driver Post at MMS.	The position was explained to the JCM Members.	Item closed.
36.	Construction of Departmental Buildings for Postal Accounts Offices at Hyderabad, Trivandrum and Patna.	It was informed that the proposal will be considered for construction during the 12th Plan period subject to availability of funds and approval of Expenditure Finance Committee.	DDG (Estates & MM)
37.	Problems arisen subsequent on Centralization of Tax related work at HO in SB Branch.	It was informed that e-filing is to be done by DDOs as per existing IT rules.	Item closed.
38.	Posting of in charge of BPC	Guidelines have been issued to all Heads of Circles vide this office O.M. No.16-10/2011-BD&MD dated 28/06/2012.  Copy enclosed.	Item closed.
39.	Irregularities in the accounting procedure in Post Offices – case of Delhi Circle.	The Head of the Circle is aware of this fact and on CPMG’s direction approximately vouchers of more than 1.75 crores have been sanctioned.  All Units have been directed by the Circle to take necessary action to liquidate this amount at the earliest.  A weekly monitoring is being done for liquidation of pending amount by the Circle.	Item closed.
40.	Removal of age limit for appearing in IPO exam.	Discussed and not agreed.	Item closed.
41.	Providing Security to cash overseers.	(a) Revision of lane limits is being looked after by a committee of officers whose recommendations are awaited. (b) Circle Heads have already been addressed to explore the possibilities of providing security guards in the Post Offices in sensitive areas and take appropriate action.	Since the item is same as Item No.9, this item, i.e. Item No.41 is closed.
42.	Weight and size limit of express post parcels delivery of by Postmen.	Instructions on the subject have been reiterated to all the Head of Circles vide letter No. 14-06/2010-BD&MD dated 25/04/2012.	Item closed.