From the Desk of General Secretary

Dear Postmasters,

            In present scenario our Postmaster friends have no correct information about the actual fact happened in the Postal Directorate regarding our future. Here I am trying to explain about the developments taken place so far in this regard. On 30.05.2019 last, an informal meeting was held at the Directorate with this Association between 14:30 to 17:00 hrs regarding “Examination of the issues relating to Postmaster Cadre”. The meeting was purely informal with the Officers of Different Sections of the Postal Directorate and we cannot claim any documentary evidences regarding the minutes of the meeting from the Hon’ble Directorate. However, discussions were held in a very fruitful manner and the Officers presents there were very cordial to hear all of our issues in a very enthusiastic manner. The meeting remained as an interactive one and various views were exchanged during the 2½ hrs. Specific questions were raised by us seeking view of the Hon’ble Directorate particularly on merger issue and benefit of our officials after the proposed merger and elicited nothing extra than those mentioned in the draft report dtd 25.02.2019.  

1.     Notional Promotion to HSG-II: Treatment of eligibility condition as 3 years for promotion of all LDCE passed Postmaster Grade-I to Postmaster Grade-II/HSG-II who were in the cadre as on 19.11.2013 (the date of publication of revised RR of HSG-II) and notional promotion of all those officials to HSG-II w.e.f. their respective crucial date of eligibility was not agreed to.

2.     Notional Promotion to HSG-I: Similarly, the treatment of eligibility condition as 3 years for promotion of all Postmaster Grade-II officials to Postmaster Grade-III/HSG-I who were in the cadre as on 17.07.2014 (the date of publication of revised RR of HSG-I) and notional promotion of all those officials to HSG-I w.e.f. their respective crucial date of eligibility was not agreed to.

3.     Allow NFG for all HSG-I officials: The association clearly raised the issue that only after receipt of approval of the competent authority to allow NFG for all HSG-I officials vide para 4.1.4 (a.) of the report and issue of necessary notification thereafter, the merger process may be started which was also not agreed to.

4.      Compensation in lieu of non-promotion to Sr Postmaster:  The proposal for compensation for past eight (8) years to the senior Grade-III officials for non-promotion to Sr. Postmaster was not agreed to.

5.     Recognition to AIAPC: On principle the Directorate is in view to favour this association by including us in the next membership verification process.

We attended the meeting with an open mind if most of our officials are given benefit through this merger proposal, i.e. merger with the pre-conditions given in our comments dated 01/03/2019, but getting no such assurance/ agreement on the issues as mentioned at Sl 1 to 4 above. Thereafter, following proposals were evolved:

1.     Continuation of Postmaster Cadre with 100% posts of Sr Postmaster:  The Directorate at present not in a position to render any promotion in these posts with past effects, however, assured for consideration for filling up of 29 posts only as future action.

2.     Cadre Restructuring of Postmaster Cadre: This may resolve the issues like stagnation in promotion and posting to remote areas.

3.     Resumption of LDCE for Postmaster Gr-I:  We also proposed for immediate  resumption of LDCE for Postmaster Gr-I which was agree to.

Our evaluation

We observed the situation very closely at the meeting.  Our Postmasters have undergone tremendous pain for the past eight years as there was no minimum support from Department and have lost many opportunities in the form of Examinations or financial benefits. AIAPC has tried its best to pray the Department to look into the issues related to the Postmaster Cadre.  AIAPC was  writing / appealing continuously, but the Department does not care about our prayers or writings, instead the Department kept simply adopted the policy of keeping it mum and not responded to our issues all these years.  Having no option left, AIAPC knocked the doors of Honourable Courts by way of filing Writ Petition in High Court and several CAT cases.  I am very thankful that many of our Postmasters have supported me in all the way and still they are so enthusiastic in attending the issues related to our cadre very dedicatedly from every nook and corner of the country.

Department has never explained about the difficulty/ obstacles in continuing the Postmaster Cadre and now after eight long years Department has come up with an easy idea given by other unions/ associations to merge our cadre with the General Line.

Conclusion and solicits the opinions of the members:

But the most important aspect of the meeting held on 30.05.2019 that now the Department has understood their mistakes which were done previously and started responding in positive and fruitful manner. Therefore we may hope for the best for our cadre.

Friends, here we have to observe one thing that all the CAT cases are nearing to its decision and now the Department has thought of going for easy way by choosing Merger. 

Benefits that may come in near future:

The benefits may be kept in mind while choosing the next course of action by our Postmaster friends :

1.     Level 6, 7 & 8 for PM-I, II & III respectively through CAT Chandigarh Bench: It is pending due to lack of a Division Bench for arguments and decision only.

2.     100 posts of Sr. Postmaster through CAT, Jaipur Bench: There is fare chance of winning this case as the DOP is finding only procedural lapses on our part rather defending the case.

Truly Yours,

{Balveer Singh}