Saturday 10 October 2015

HURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2015

World Post Day 2015

World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9 October, the anniversary date of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874 in the Swiss capital, Berne.

Verify Employees’ Service Annually: Centre Tells All Depts

New Delhi: All central government departments have been asked to verify employees’ service record annually and inform them of any deficiencies thereof in order to check delay in processing their pension.


With the objective of eliminating delays in processing of cases of retiring government servants, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)asked the departments through Office MemorandumNo.18019/7/2013-Estt.(L) dated September 3o to immediately undertake an exercise to ensure completion of the entries of service verification and conclude within a defined time-frame.

“Any gap in the verification of service may be intimated to the employee concerned, and simultaneously appropriate action for ensuring verification of missing spells may be taken by the Head of Office,” it said in a directive to all ministries.

The government servant concerned may also be informed of deficiencies and gaps as regards missing entries relating to verification of service and the period thereof, the order said.

In order to preclude and cut down on delays in payment of retiral benefits to government servants retiring of superannuation, the ministries may consider annual service verification and intimation to every officer regarding service verification status so that any lapse is timely ascertained and corrective action taken.

“The exercise of annual verification be monitored by every ministry, department or cadre controlling authority on a quarterly basis,” it said.

There are about 50 lakh central government employees.

All ministries are requested to issue suitable instructions to all Heads of Offices, and Pay and Accounts Offices for strict compliance of the instructions so as to preclude any delays in disbursement of retiral benefits of government servants, the directive said.

PTI

Friday 9 October 2015

Seventh Pay Commission Likely To Link Pay With Productivity


New Delhi: The Seventh Pay Commission is likely to suggest linking pay with productivity with a focus on technology, skills and incentives, a move aimed at raising the productivity of central government employees.

The panel is also likely to recommend that in future additional remuneration be linked to increase in productivity.

The Seventh Pay Commission is expected to submit its recommendations by December and the central government asked the pay panel to look in to the issue of raising productivity and improving the overall quality of central government services in the country.

The Sixth Pay Commission had also said that steps should lead to improvement in the existing delivery mechanism by more delegation and de-layering and an emphasis on achieving quantifiable and concrete end results. Emphasis is to be on outcome rather than processes.

Accordingly, the Sixth Pay Commissions had also made several recommendations to enhance productivity and improve administration but previous UPA government failed to implement it.

Now, the central government advised the Seventh Pay Commission to be designated as Pay with a clear mandate to recommend measures to improve productivity of an employee.

The central government also said productivity per employee can be raised through the application of technology in public service delivery and in public assets created.

“Raising the skills of employees through training and capacity building also has a positive impact on productivity. The use of appropriate technology and associated skill development require incentives for employees to raise their individual productivities,” a central government financial panel said.

“The Seventh Pay Commission’s first task, therefore, would be identifying the right mix of technology and skills for different categories of employees. The next step would be to design suitable financial incentives linked to measurable performance,” an officer of the financial panel said.

Thursday 8 October 2015

Inspection Notes for CBS POs in DOP Finacle



Migration Note

  1. See reconciliation report provided by Infosys at the time of migration is available? Whether the copy of the same has been provided to SBCO and SPO? Examine exception report if any given by Infosys and suggest remedial action.
  2. See as to whether the manual records have been migrated to CBS application? If not make a note of it and take remedial action.
  3. Have all signatures migrated to CBS/Finacle application? See signatures of at least 10 accounts in Finacle/CBS application
  4. Talk to the concerned staff and see if any issue observed with the migrated data.

Function and Migration

  • Whether staff has been adequately trained in operating Finacle CBS . Any suggestions for improvement.
  • Whether supervisory staff is regularly verifying pending transactions during the working hours?
  • Whether job aids are available on the desktop of all counters? If not take remedial action and install the same.
  • Whether process documents circulated by Directorate are available in soft or hard copy with counter PAs and supervisors?
  • Awareness about Infosys help desk number and mail id? Number of issues pending for solution. Only genuine issues to be raised with full details of the official.

Hand holding support team:

  • What is the feedback on the support provided by Infosys hand holding support? Any suggestions for improvement.

Common Verificationin DOP Finacle (CBS Offices)

Whether postmaster is taking printout of office accounts ledgers and cross verifying transactions with LOT on daily basis? If not direct Postmaster to do it on daily basis and ensure compliance.
  1. Physically verify certificates stock with stock available in finacle and record results.
  2. Physically verify stock of blank POSB cheque books available in finacle and record results.
  3. Verify cash with one or two counters with their teller cash account and record the results.
  4. Educate on operating agents portal? Check lists created by agents through portal and finacle?
Availability of Account opening forms and CBS passbooks.
Maintaining of SS book
Sending Account opening forms and KYC to CPC on daily basis and preservation of those received back.

Pending Cases in Fiancle

  • Pending AOF rejected .
  • Pending NC4(a)
  • No undelivered NSC available in office.
  • List out major issues pending with help desk.
  • Pending tickets of the post office where solutions are provided.
SBCO tallying 100% vouchers with LOT and writing objection memo pads for manual corrections and consolidation.

Having ATM ?

  • Whether ATM is Installed in the Post Office Premises? If so, is it working?
  • Number of instant ATM Cards / Welcome Kits lying in Stock?
  • Collect some Passbooks form the counter and verify balance available in Finacle CBS by using menu HACLI. Record results.
  • Whether New Account opening Forms and CBS Passbooks are available in sufficient numbers? If no, take remedial action to ensure adequate supply.
See consolidation for all schemes for 4 days and verify with totals of LOT available in Post office.
Whether SS Book is being maintained to paste Specimen Signatures of newly opened Savings accounts? If not, get the same started in your presence.

LDCE : PS Gr. B and Inpector Posts

Department is going to conduct the above examinations ONLINE through outsource agency and not through SSC/UPSC. 

Till date RFP is not issued and question bank is also not ready. 

Calendar of examination is also not finalized.  

      Shri. P.Karunanithy Retired SPOs has written the book “Disciplinary Rules are made simple”. This book contains575 MCQ type questions and answers on the following subjects:

1.       CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965
2.       CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 
3.    P & T Manual Volume III
4.       Schedule containing the particulars of Appointing Authority, Disciplinary    Authority and Appellate Authority in respect of Postal and RMS officials    
5.       Grade Pay of Postal and RMS officials        

This book is useful for:
1.  General office reference book
2.  PSS Group B examination
3.  IPO examination
4.  Postmaster Grade I examination

Price of the book is Rs.140/-. To get the book by Registered Post, please send eMO for Rs. 170/- to the following address:

JEEVAJEGAN PUBLICATIONS,
No.5, MOOVENDAR NAGAR EAST,
MADURAI RESERVE LINES PO,
Madurai 625014

Note: There is no VP / COD service

Payment of DA to Gramina Dak Sevaks at revised rates Wef 01.07.2015

Postal Directorate has issued orders to enhance the Dearness allownace payable to Gramina Dak Sevaks from the present 113% to 119% with effect from 01.07.2015.


Copy of the Postal Directorate order dated 06.10.2015 is reproduced below.

Recovery can not be made after Retirement - CAT Order

It was ordered by Hon'ble CAT Jabalpur bench in OA no 694/2013 filed by Sri K. L. Phoolmali, Rtd Deputy Post Master, Khandwa Head Office that no recovery of excess payment can be made from retired employees or employee who are due to retire within one year of the order of recovery.
Copy of the CAT order is reprodoced below :


CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL, JABALPUR BENCH
JABALPUR

Original Application No. 694 of 2013

 
Jabalpur, this Tuesday, the 19th day of May, 2015

SHRI G. P. SINGHAL, ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBER

K. L. Phoolmali, S/o late Umarao Phoolmali,
DOB 07.1.1952, R/o JM-70, KIshore Nagar,
Meera Kishan Kunj, District Khandwa– 450001 (MP) .------- Applicant

(By Advocate - Shri Vijay Tripathi)
V e r s u s 
1. Union of India through its Secretary
Ministry of Communication & IT, Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi –110001.

2. Chief Postmaster Master General, Madhya Pradesh Circle,
Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal – 462012 (MP)

3. Senior Superintendent of Post Offices,
Khandwa Division, Khandwa (MP) 450001 ------ - Respondents

(By Advocate – Shri Amjad Ahmed, Proxy counsel of Shri A. T. Faridee)
(Date of reserving order : 14.05.2015)
 
O R D E R
 
The applicant has preferred this Original Application for the following reliefs:
 
“8(i) Summon the entire relevant record from the possession of respondents for its kind perusal;
 
8(ii) Upon holding that reducing the basic pay of the applicant as Rs.19960/- is bad in law, command the respondents to calculate all retiral dues and pension of the applicant on the basis of the last basic of Rs. 20,410/-
 
8(iii) Direct the respondents to revise the pension, DCRG, leave encashment, commuted value of pension and pay arrears of the aforesaid amount with 18% interest p.a.;
 
8(iv) Direct the respondent to repay the amount of DCRG of Rs.43,790/- to the applicant with 18% interest;
 
8(v) Any other order/orders, direction/directions may also be passed.
 
8(vi) Award cost of the litigation to the applicant.
 
8(vii) Set aside the order dated 30.10.2012 (Annexure A/1), order dated 6.8.2012 (Annexure A/2) and order dated 4.4.2012 (Annexure R/7) with all consequential benefits.”

2. The learned counsel for applicant submitted that at the time of retirement, applicant was holding the post of Deputy Post Master, Khandwa Head Office in the Pay Band of Rs.9300-34800/- + Grade Pay of Rs.4600/- and his basic pay was Rs.20,410/-. However, while paying him retiral dues, the basic pay has been reduced from 20,410/- to 19,960/-. Further, Rs.43,790/- has been deducted from his DCRG, without assigning any reason. The applicant was inducted in the cadre of HSG (II) in the pay scale of Rs.5000-8000 and posted as Deputy Post Master at Itarsi Head Office. Thereafter, vide the order dated 12.1.2005, the applicant was sent on deputation to work as Sub Post Master, Harda in the cadre of HSG (I) and he was given the pay scale of Rs.6500-10500/-. Appointment of applicant in the cadre of HSG (I) was approved by the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) and orders were issued on 18.8.2005 (Annexure A-3). Thus, there is no justification for reduction of pay of the applicant for retiral benefits and deduction of Rs.43,790/- from DCRG.

3. The respondents, in their reply, have submitted that the applicant was promoted to HSG (I) grade vide the order dated 18.8.2005, Before that, vide the order dated 12.1.2005, he was posted on HSG (I) grade post of Sub Post Master, Harda Head Post Office by Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Hoshangabad. Since the applicant was working at that time with the office of Sr. Superintendent Post Offices, Hoshangabad, there was no ground for posting him on deputation basis in one of its offices. Thus, applicant was not entitled to the pay of HSG (I) grade on this posting at Harda as he was still in HSG (II) grade. In any case, applicant was promoted to HSG (II) grade on 29.10.2004 and had qualifying service of only two months as on 1.1.2005 in that grade, he could not have been promoted to HSG (I) grade so early as the qualifying service of three years was required for such promotion. Therefore, when his pension case was prepared, there was objection in regard to his pay fixation on 17.1.2005 in HSG (I) grade when he joined at Harda in compliance of order dated 12.1.2005 of SSPO Hoshangabad. Therefore, applicant’s pay was accordingly refixed and he was grated HSG(I) grade w.e.f. 23.08.2005 when he was actually promoted to that grade. Thus, due to correction of his pay fixation w.e.f 17.1.2005, his basic pay at the time of retirement was changed and applicant has been paid retiral benefits accordingly. Further, excess salary paid to him during this period has been recovered from the DCRG. Thus, the OA, being without any merit, deserves to be dismissed.

4. Heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the pleadings of the respective parties and documents annexed therewith. I have also gone throught the writtern arguments filled by learned counsel for the respondents.

5. It is undisputed that the applicant was promoted to HSG (I) grade vide the order dated 18.8.2005 (Annexure A-3). Before that, he claims to be posted on deputation basis on a post of HSG (I) grade. However, the order dated 12.1.2005(Annexure R-1) by which he was posted as Sub Post Master, Harda was issued by Sr. Superintendent of Post Offices, Hoshangabad and since the applicant was already working in his jurisdiction, this posting could not be considered as on deputation. In-fact, this is simply a posting order on vacant post of Sub Post Master, Harda on which the applicant was posted on his own cost for which he may have requested at that time. Thus, applicant was not entitled to get the pay scale of HSG (I) grade w.e.f. 17.1.2005 on the basis of order dated 12.01.2005 (Annexure R-1). Therefore, respondents are not at fault in re-fixing his pay, by treating him promoted to HSG (I) grade w.e.f. 23.08.2005. In view of this correction, basic pay of applicant has been revised and applicant has been paid all the retiral benefits based on this pay. Thus, the respondents cannot be faulted in granting retiral benefits to the applicant based on his revised basic pay of Rs.19,960/- in place of Rs.20,410/-, and no interference with the orders of respondents in this matter, is justified, Therefore, the prayer of the applicant in this regard is rejected.

6. So far as deduction of Rs.43,790/- from the DCRG of the applicant is concerned, this amount has been deducted without issuance of any show-cause notice to the applicant. Relying on the judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matters of State of Punjab and others etc v. Rafiq Masih (White Washer) etc., Civil Appeal No. 11527 of 2014, learned counsel for the applicant submitted that in view of the law laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in that order, no recovery of excess payment can be made from retired employees or employee who are due to retire within one year of the order of recovery. Since recovery of excess salary has been done after retirement of applicant, such recovery is not in accordance with law. Therefore, the respondents are directed to refund Rs.43,790/- deducted from DCRG of the applicant, within a period of 60 days from the date of communication of this order. However, no interest shall be payable on that amount.

7. Thus, the O.A is partly allowed. No order on costs.
 
Sd/-
(G. P. Singhal)
Administrative Member

Monday 30 March 2015

CHQ News - Reminder to Directorate to release gradation lists of IP cadre from the year 2011 onwards

No. CHQ/IPASP/Seniority List/2012                                      Dated :   26/3/2015.

To,
Shri Rajkumar,
Director (Staff Section), 
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi 110 001.

Subject : Issue of combined All India Seniority List (Gradation list) of Inspector of Posts from the year 2001..reg.

Ref.        :  Dte. No. 9-09/2011-SPG dated 18/12/2014

Respected Sir, 

Your kind attention is invited to this Association’s letters of even number dated 1/9/2014, 13/10/2014 and 12/1/2015 regarding issue of combined seniority lists (Gradation List) of Inspector Posts cadre from the year 2001 onwards. 

IP/ASP Association would like to once again bring to your kind notice that, Directorate vide memo No. 9-09/2011-SPG dated 21/2/2014 has released seniority list of Inspector Posts cadre for the years 1998 and 1999, and thereafter vide memo No. d9-09/2011-SPG dated 18/12/2014 had issued only seniority list of Inspector Posts cadre for the year 2000 after issue of series of reminders to SPG Division of Directorate by this Association. As you know that during the course of informal meetings with Hon’ble Secretary (Posts) and the then Member (P) it was told that, pending seniority lists of Inspector Posts cadre will be issued in phase manner, but we are sorry to mention here that since last one year not a single year’s seniority list neither prepared nor released. As on date, 13 years seniority lists of Inspector Posts cadre are pending and if it is not released early, then records pertaining to these periods will not be easily available at Directorate (DE and SPG Division) and thereafter more problems will crop up to decide the seniority etc.

In view of the above lines, it is therefore requested to kindly look into the matter personally and arrange for issue of Combined All India Seniority List of Inspector of Posts cadre from the year 2001 onwards as discussed in phase manner and if required IP/ASP staff who have already submitted their willingness to work at Directorate may be taken on deputation for this purpose.

A positive action in the matter will be highly appreciated.                         
           Yours sincerely,

Sd/- 
(Vilas Ingale)
General Secretary