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Saturday, August 31, 2013

Editorial Postal Crusader September, 2013

The Policies that failed
{Editorial Postal Crusader September, 2013}
                In the year 1991 when the New Economic Policy or the Neo-liberal Economic Policy was adopted by the then Narasimha Rao Government at the Centre with much fanfare, it was repeatedly declared that it is a panacea for all the crisis faced by the Indian economy and shall ensure rapid growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  After 22 years, it is the very same neo-liberal policies which is leading the country to an economic disaster.  The then Finance Minister Sri. Manmohan Singh had brush aside the criticism and opposition of left parties and trade unions and they became a target of concentrated attack by the supporters of the neo-liberal policies.  Inspite of stiff resistance from all trade unions the Government went ahead with the rigourous implementation of the anti-people, anti-labour policies of Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation  (LPG).
                While the UPA Government desperately wooed foreign capital and handed out concessions to big business and corporates, the plight of the people has been worsening because of the economic slowdown, falling industrial production and high inflation.  The rupee has steadily depreciated in value, with the exchange rate of the rupee to the dollar breaching the Rs.68 mark last week.  The current account deficit (the gap between exports and imports and other remittances) has reached an unsustainable level, there is rising external debt with the bourgeoning short-term debt, posing immediate problem.  This financial crisis is accompanied by high inflation.  The fact that the creation of two India’s of the rich and the poor, with the gap between them widening alarmingly, is a reality that stares us every moment.
                The first UPA Government was not allowed to implement the reforms in the financial sector, pension sector and retail sector etc. by the left parties who supported the Government.  It prevented the passing of PFRDA Bill by threatening to withdraw support to the Government.  The second UPA Government without the left support, started rigourous implementation of the reforms in all sectors.  All barriers for the inflow of foreign capital to the country was removed and the cap of Foreign Direct investment (FDI) in banking, insurance, pension, retail, defence, telecom etc. are either enhanced or removed.  Large scale disinvestment of public sector has become the order of the day.  Deregulation of petrol pricing has resulted in everincreasing prices of petrol and diesel fuelling inflation which resulted in the increased burden of price rise for the people.  Onions,vegetables and all other necessities of life are becoming out of reach of the people.  The other outcome of the economic slowdown is the loss of jobs in the industrial and services sectors and rising unemployment.
                The UPA Government is seeking to overcome this crisis by attracting more foreign capital and giving more concessions to the multinational companies (MNCs) and Indian big business.  The growing dependence on foreign capital flows and FDI has worsened the situation further and the entire exercise has proved futile.  The bulk of the capital flows out of the country is from equity, debt markets and Foreign Institutional Investments (FIIs), which the Government cannot control.  The neo-liberal policies of the Manmohan Singh Government and the boosting of the economy through Foreign Capital inflows have now come to roost. 
                During the last three years at least, the tax concessions provided to the corporartes and the rich amount to, according to budget papers, to over five lakhs crores every year.  Despite such “incentives”, the overall growth of the industrial production was minus 1.6 per cent in May 2013.  If, instead, these legitimate taxes were collected and used for public investments to build over much needed infrastructure, this would have generated large-scale employment.  This, inturn, would increase the purchasing power of the people and vastly enlarge domestic demand.  This would lay the basis for a turn around in manufacturing and industrial production and put the economy on a more sustainable and relatively pro-people growth tragectory. 
                What the country needs is an alternative pro-people policies.  Such an alternative can be brought about through the intensification of popular struggle of the people and working class in the coming months.

confederation circular no.3

Friday, August 30, 2013

NFPE - CIRCULAR

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES
1st Floor, North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi - 110001
Dated - 29.08.2013
Dear Comrades,
NFPE WESTERN ZONE STUDY CAMP
The western Zone Study Camp of NFPE conducted on 25th & 26th August 2013 at Pushkar (Rajasthan) was a great success. About 220 delegates from Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir attended the camp. Some delegates from Gujarat also attended. (Detailed report placed in the website).
NORTHERN ZONE STUDY CAMP
Northern Zone Study Camp will be conducted at Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) on 21st & 22nd September 2013. Delegates from Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand will attend the camp (For detailed circular see website).
NFPE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT DECISIONS
Federal Secretariat of NFPE met at Pushkar (Rajasthan) on 26.08.2013. The Secretariat took the following important decisions.
(i)        Confederation Campaign programmes:           - The Federal secretariat decided that NFPE should play a leading role in implementing the campaign programmes of Confederation. Relay Mass Dharna (September 2nd to 7th), state and District level convention and the strike ballot (September 25, 26, 27) should be made a grand success.
(ii)      Federal Secretariat decided to organise the strike ballot in a most effective manner. Intensive campaign should be undertaken at Branch/Divisional/Circle level. The model appeal and ballot is enclosed with the confederation circular. All employees including GDS may be contacted and requested to participate in the strike ballot (Full details available in the Confederation circular)
(iii)    Confederation All India Trade Union Education Camp – Mumbai 2013 November 15th & 16th
The following number of delegates should be participated from each affiliated unions. P3 – 30, P4 – 25, R3 – 10, R4 – 10, Postal Accounts – 5, Admn Union – 5, SBCO – 3, AIPEU-GDS(NFPE) - 5, Casual Labour – 2, Total – 95.
(iv)    Confederation All India Women’s Convention: 2013 November 25, 26 – New Delhi
The following number of delegates will be participated in the Women’s Convention P3 – 25, P4 – 10, R3-10, R4-5, Postal Accounts – 5, Admn – 2 SBCO – 2, AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) – 5, Casual Labour – 1, Total – 65.
Diamond Jubillee celebrations of NFPE & 109th year of Postal Trade Union movement
As decided in the Hyderabad Federal Council, the Federal Secretariat decided to commence the celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee of NFPE and 109th year of the Postal Trade Union movement on 24th November 2013. The one year long celebrations shall end on 24th November 2014. On 24th November 2013, the inaugural ceremony of the celebrations will be held at New Delhi. Further details will be decided later.
AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) Parliament march on 11th December 2013
AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) has decided to conduct a massive Parliament March on 11th December 2013. All affiliated Unions of NFPE are requested to extend full support and participation to make the GDS Parliament March a grand success.
The AIC and CWCs of the following unions will be held on the dates and places noted against each
(a)   AIC of R4 Union – 2013 8th, 9th and 10th November at Pune (Maharashtra)
(b)   CWC of AIPAEA – 2013 October 28, 29, 30 at Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh)
(c)    CWC of Admn Union on 2013 September 23 and 24 at Ranchi (Jharkhand)
(d)   CWC of P3 Union will be held at Guwahati (Assam) on 2013 December 14 and 15
(e)   AIC of P4 Union – AIC of P4 Union will be held at Cuttuck (Orissa) on 2013 December 29th, 30th & 31st.
(f)     CWC of AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) will be held at Kolkata (West Bengal) on 26th October 2013.
(g)   CWC of R3 Union will be held at Puri (Orissa) on 8th & 9th December 2013.
ALL INDIA CAMPAIGN JATHA
The Federal Secretariat has decided to explore the possibility of organizing five or Six All India Vehicle Campagin Jathas of NFPE from different part of the country, each Jatha covering 3 or 4 states, before 2014 January. All Circle Secretaries/Divisional Secretaries are requested to intimate their opinion about organizing All India Jathas against the policies of the Government of India.  Each Jatha is to be given grand reception at all important cities. Final decision will be taken by the next Federal Secretariat after reviewing the feedback received from Circles/Divisions.
Fraternally yours,

(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General

PFRDA BILL LIKELY TO BE TAKEN UP IN PARLIAMENT ON 2nd SEPTEMBER 2013. ORGANISE TWO HOUR WALK OUT AND NATIONWIDE PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS

It is reported that PFRDA Bill will be take up in Parliament for discussion and adoption on 2nd September. Confederation National Secretariat once again calls upon all Central Government Employees to organize 2 hour walkout and nationwide protest demonstration on the day if bill is taken up or on the next day if information received late.
(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General

Confederation

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

CONFEDERATION DEMANDS INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA OF THE JCM NATIONAL COUNCIL

The next and 47th National Council JCM meeting is expected to be held by the end of October 2013 - Confederation News
Confederation Secretary General Shri M.Krishnan informed through his official blog today that the next meeting of National Council JCM is expected to be held by the end of October 2013. 

CONFEDERATION DEMANDS INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA OF THE JCM NATIONAL COUNCIL
Agenda for next meeting of the JCM National Council has been finalized on 27.08.2013 in consultation with DOP&T Twelve demands raised by Confederation in the charter of demands are included. (including GDS employees demand) Next meeting of National Council JCM is expected by the end of October 2013.
The letter give by Com. Umraomal Purohit, Secretary, JCM (NC) and the 12 demands included in the agenda are given below:
M. Krishnan
Secretary General
click here to view the demands

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

What is Dies non ?

Dies non: In service terms, “dies non” means a day, which cannot be treated as duty for any purpose. It does not constitute break in service. But the period treated as ‘dies non’ does not qualify as service for pensionary benefits or increment.
As per the Postal Manual Volume III, Central Civil Services (Classification,Control and appeal) rules, 1965, the Absence of officials from duty without proper permission or when on duty in office, they have left the office without proper permission or while in the office, they refused to perform the duties assigned to them is subversive of discipline. In cases of such absence from work, the leave sanctioning authority may order that the days on which work is not performed be treated as dies non, i.e. they will neither count as service nor be construed as break in service. This will be without prejudice to any other action that the competent authorities might take against the persons resorting to such practices.

Monday, August 26, 2013

What is the differences between EPF, GPF and PPF?

What is the differences between EPF, GPF and PPF?: What is the differences between EPF, GPF and PPF?
EPF- Employees Provident Fund
GPF - General Pension Fund (GPF -Frequently Asked Questions ...

ALL INDIA POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION - GDS (NFPE): WESTERN ZONE STUDY CAMP - PUSHKAR (RAJASTHAN)

ALL INDIA POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION - GDS (NFPE): WESTERN ZONE STUDY CAMP - PUSHKAR (RAJASTHAN): N F P E Western zone study camp has commenced today (25 th ) in Pharik Samskritik Bhawan, Pushkar, Rajasthan. About 250 Delegates from NFP...

Sunday, August 25, 2013

The New Circle Welfare Fund Scheme for GDS

                 The Directorate has circulated a draft copy of the proposed Scheme on Circle Welfare Fund for GDS. We made a careful study of the scheme. It is found that the contributory CWF Scheme which now exists in some circles is more advantageous and beneficial than the present proposed scheme. 

For example, in Kerala circle, the financial assistance being granted towards the medical treatment to GDS goes up to 1 lakh and there is no restriction in the claims in respect of all major diseases and also in respect of other welfare measures, it seems with more benefits positively than the present scheme proposed by the department.

More over the maternity grant, death relief, scholarship for children of GDS etc., are being granted already from the Welfare Fund of the Dept irrespective of the contribution made by the GDS. Except grant of loan up to Rs50000 that too for a limited three purposes like construction of room for BO, purchase of computers and motor cycle etc, nothing new in the proposal.

The new proposal is nothing but to manage the welfare grants hitherto granted by the Govt from the welfare grant and from the contribution of the GDS. The employee’s contribution is proposed as Rs.240 p.a and the Dept’s contribution is fixed as Rs.100 p.a.  only. The amount proposed for certain welfare grants are also very meager and reflected the same rates as prevailing today. 

The freezing of benefits and refund for penalties imposed in cases viz., removal, dismissal and resignation etc., is the retrograde provision even though they contributed for the scheme.

Taking into consideration of many other facts, this union is dissatisfied and disappointed on the proposed scheme. However, for those circles where no such scheme is in existence, it may not be ruled out the benefits. 

There may be many changes required in the proposed scheme and the rates prescribed for all the welfare measures are inadequate and requires further revision. Otherwise the scheme will be half-baked and the desired results may not reach the most exploited GDS.


This union is requesting the Department to modify the scheme after studying the schemes now existing in many Circles and make it more attractive and beneficial to the GDS.

P.Pandurangarao
General Secretary

DISCUSSIONS ON THE PENDING JCM SUBJECTS IN THE JCM (DC) STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN 23.08.2013

         The standing committee meeting of JCM (DC) was held on 23.08.2013 under the chairmanship of Member (O) to discuss the pending items of the last JCM (DC). Com. K. V. Sridharan, Leader Staff side, Com. Giriraj Singh, Secretary Staff Side, Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General NFPE Com. D. Theagarajan, Secretary General FNPO represented the staff side. Com. Ishwar Singh Dabas, General Secretary, P4 NFPE, Com. T. N. Rahate General Secretary P4, FNPO were also present to discuss the postmen related issues.
The following are the decision in respect of important items.
1.         A new chairperson will be nominated with in a fortnight for further continuance of cadre restructuring proposal. A meeting with the staff side will be held within one month.
2.         The case of System Assistant will be looked into by the cadre review committee. The uniform duties and other ten demands pertaining to system administrators will be discussed in the same committee.
3.         Droping the practice of obtaining fidelity bond will be reviewed once again.
4.         The protection of pay of the defunct scale of PO & RMS Accountant case is being reviewed.
5.         The revision of cash allowance to the SPMs handling cash in the absence of treasurer will be finalized at the earliest possible.
6.         The committee reports for enhancing the line limits for cash remittance will be decided within a month. Providing van for cash conveyance for MNERGA payment will be considered.
7.         Fixing of norms to PSD and CSD will be considered only after the implementation of IT modernisation project.
8.         Allowing the physically challenged officials to appear in the IP examination, the referred case has not yet been finalized by the department of Social Justice. One more reminder and personal approach to expedite the approval will be made.
9.         The revised HSG I Recruitment rules ensuring 100% HSG I Posts to General line is under process. The revised recruitment rules for HSG I will be finalized within two months.
10.      The proposal for payment of incentive instead of honorarium for processing PLI/RPLI proposal will be finalized shortly. We pointed out about non-payment of RPLI incentive on monthly basis as per 2009, orders in most of the circles. It was assured to issue instructions to adhere the said instructions scrupulously. We pointed out the inadequate allotment of funds of clearing the pending incentive bills to the field officers and Agents and requested to allot the sufficient fund to wipe out all the pending bills forthwith. This was assured.
11.      The proposal for the grant of Excess duty allowance or restoration of charge allowance to the SPMs working in single and Double handed post offices will be considered.
12.      The issue regarding the counting of training period for the benefits of promotion under TBOP/BCR scheme as per the court judgment will be considered after getting the law ministry opinion as well as its implementation in respect of U.P circle at first.
13.      Holding of examination for the post of AMM in MMS and holding DPC for Dy. Manager MMS will be finalized within two months.
14.      The issue of appointment of Superintendent, Sorting in RMS will be finalized shortly.
15.      The staff side demanded to record disagreement in respect of the denial of cash handling allowance to treasures at par with cashiers. The chairman inform that we will have one more attempt with MoF. The staff side assured to submit a fresh detailed not above the justification in this case.
16.      The committee constituted to discuss about Group ‘B’ promotion under the chairmanship of Shir. V. K. Tiwari DDG (R&P) will finalise its recommendation within one month. The staff side presented our views which is enclosed herewith for the consumption of all comrades.
17.      In the issue of anomaly in the preparation of PA gradation list, we insisted whatever settled earlier should not be reopened. This was agreed and DDG (P) assured to give appropriate instruction to Tamilnadu Circle.
18.      Orders issued for protection of pay to employees who seek transfer to a lower post under FR 15(a)/under Rule 38.
19.      Construction for department building for DPA at Hyderabad. Proposal not agreed. In respect of Trivandrum and Patna, this is under process.
20.      Demand fresh establishment review for proposal/revival sanction of peripheral HRA will not be insisted hereafter. Proposal to upgrade the cities for drawal of HRA as per the 2011 census will be take up with MoF.
21.      The unjustified three conditions imposed for appearing IP examination for the departmental quota vacancies will be reviewed and modified shortly.
22.      The Civil wing Karnataka circle ensured the safety of the existing building at Kodial bail HSG I in Mangalore division and no possibility of new construction. As the accommodation is far below the SOA we insisted for shifting of the PO for a better building which will be examined.
23.      The construction work began for the new departmental building at Itanagar HO/North East Circle.
24.      The incentive for IMT work will be finalized shortly. The file is new pending with internal finance for approval.
25.      The recovery imposed on official for interest paid on PPF Accounts in case of Karnataka circle have been ordered to refund to the officials like Mysore and case settled.
26.      In case of fixation of pay for MTS by separate fixation for each MACP has been referred to the nodal ministry for clarification.
27.      Taking dies non period for reckoning of continuous service for grant of MACP will be further examined. We pleaded, in the MACP order, there is no qualifying service and it should be on continuous service for grant of MACP and thus all EXOL, dies non period should be taken as service.
28.      Orders have been issued with regard to recovery of Postage in case of foreign articles returned due to non availability of service – case settled.
29.      Clarification has been issued to fix 1800 grade pay after training for the canteen employees – case settled.
30.      The earlier order denying arrears on encashment of earned leave is modified and orders issued to pay the difference in encashment of EL for availing LTC.
31.      Orders issued to CPmGs to hold immediate DPCs for filling up of all vacant LSG, HSG II and HSG I.
32.      Orders will be issued shortly in relaxing the standard to GDS belonging to SC/ST quota in the appointment of Postal Assistant in the revised PA/SA Recruitment rules. One more instructions will be issue to all circle heads to have a special drive to fill up all the vacancies of PA, Postman etc. kept under residual vacancies.
33.      As the finalization revised recruitment rules for PA/SA is delayed due to non clearance by nodal ministries. It is decided to fill up the PA vacancies of circle office as per the existing recruitment rules.
34.      Orders issued by promoting the OS as AD recruitment.
35.      The earlier instructions will be reiterated in respect of observation of tenure in RMS, HRO and divisional offices.
36.      The IP Posts under Direct recruitment in J&K Circle cannot be filled up due to non allotment from UPSC.
37.      Clarifications were issued for short drawal of Grade pay in case of pharmacists in P&T dispensary.
38.      The recovery effected from the commutation of pension has been stopped as per OM dated 10.02.2009.
39.      A module will be finalised by the Directorate within two months for imparting training to the Group ‘D’ selected under Blind Quota for upgradation of their Grade pay to 1800/-
40.      A reference will be made to the nodal ministry for the grant of grade pay of Rs. 1800- to MTS who retired/expired from service after 13.08.2008 without having been imparted training.
41.      In respect of fixing of norms for postman work, a separate meeting will be held.
42.      The revision of double duty allowance is under active consideration.
43.      The demand for revision of LR strength as per volume IV has been disputed by the official side by citing the MOF order dated 24.08.1995. we are not accepting and conveyed to come up with full details in the next meeting.
44.      A provision will be made in the revised module software in Accounts for online facility of GPF Accounts directly by the officials.
45.      Updating Postal manual, Volumes are underway by a special team. It will be fianlised at the earliest possible.
46.      The proposal for bifurcation of Bastar Division is considered. The proposal for redeployment of Group ‘B’ posts for creation of separate division is under consideration.
47.      All circle heads will be addressed for the timely supply of uniforms to the officials. The staff side is also requested to furnish the details in case of non supply of uniforms to the officials in respect of any circle.
48. Staff side insisted for providing more feeder cadre post in case of PO & RMS. Account line officials and assured to submit a brief note on this for consideration. The meeting ended with the vote of thanks to the chair.

Friday, August 23, 2013

ALL INDIA POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION - GDS (NFPE): GDS substitute arrears - clarification issued by t...

ALL INDIA POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION - GDS (NFPE): GDS substitute arrears - clarification issued by t...: Regarding the substitutes, the Directorate has clarified the engament of substitute in leave periods and guidelines of substitute arrangem...

N.F. P. E. NORTHERN ZONE STUDY CAMP


2013 SEPTEMBER 21st & 22nd at A.L.T.CENTRE (ADVANCED LEARNING TRAINING CENTRE) OF TELECOM DEPTT, RAJNAGAR, GHAZIABAD (U.P.)
 No NFPE/Northern Zone Study Camp /13                         Dated 23rd August 2013                                                                                              
To
            All General Secretaries / NFPE Office Bearers
            All Circle Secretaries of NFPE affiliated unions of U.P. & Uttarakhand Circles.
Dear Comrades,
            As you are aware the South Zone Study Camp of NFPE was held at Chennai and Central Zone Study Camp was held at Vidisha (M.P)& Eastern Zone Study Camp was held at Guwahati successfully. Western Zone Study Camp is being held at Pushkar (Rajasthan) on 25th & 26th August, 2013.  The next camp for Northern Zone will be held at Ghaziabad (U.P.) on 21st & 22nd September, 2013. Delegate from affiliates of NFPE from U.P. & Uttarakhand   shall participate in Northern  Zone Study Camp.
            The number of delegates allotted to each circle union is furnished as below:
Circle
P-3
P-4
R-3
R-4
GDS
Admin
Postal
Accounts
SBCO
Civil
wing
Casual
Labour
Total
U.P.
75
60
20
15
30
5
5
5
2
2
219
Uttarakhand
5
5
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
11




























Total
230
In addition all General Secretaries of the above unions shall attend the camp.
    Circle Secretaries are requested to select the delegates of their unions immediately and instruct them to book the up and down tickets without any further delay.  They should reach Ghaziabad  before 08-30 A M on 21st and   22nd September ,2013. They can leave the camp only after 6 PM on 22nd September 2013.  Maximum lady comrades may be included as delegates. The names of the delegates attending the camp should be intimated to the respective General Secretaries before 31st Aug 2013. Programme will be intimated separately.
            A Seminar on Postal Services will be held in connection with Study Camp. Senior Officers of the Department of Posts will address the Seminar. Special casual leave will be granted to the delegates for attending Seminar. Details will follow.
 Delegate fee per head is fixed as Rs 600/- (Rs six hundred only).
            All General Secretaries are requested to instruct their circle Secretaries suitably to immediate follow up action.
Fraternally yours,

(M. Krishnan)Secretary General