Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of CGM, PLI to consider the issues related to Postmen

Sub: Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee constituted under the

Chairmanship

of CGM, PLI to consider the issues related to Postmen

D.G. Posts No. No:09-01/2005-WS-I/PE.I Dated: 9^th April , 2012

The meeting of the Committee was held on 5^th 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 30^th April, 2012 as some Post

men find it difficult to make computer data entry , it was also agreed to impart necessary

computer training to Postmen.

(II) 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 i

nadequate 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:

d) “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.

e) 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 31^st 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.