Chronological sequence of events regarding CAT Case-4600 grade pay

Chronological sequence of events regarding CAT Case filed at Ernakulam (Kerala)for Grade pay of 4600 for Inspector Posts:


The 4th pay commission had acknowledged the arduous nature of the duties of Inspector Posts in para 10.42 and recommended higher pay scale for Inspector Posts equivalent to Inspectors in Central Excise, Income Tax and customs provided there should be element of Direct recruitment at the Inspector level (Para 10.44 ).


Extract of IV CPC recommendation:


10.42. Inspectors of Post Office in the sca1e of Rs. 425-700 hold charge of sub-divisions and their duties mainly involve inspection of sub-post offices and branch post offices. They also function as appointing authority for Group-D and extra departmental staff and are vested with disciplinary powers in respect of these categories of staff. The inspectors of the RMS have similar duties and responsibilities………….


10.43. Associations of inspectors and assistant Superintendents of post offices and RMS have requested for better pay scales in view of the arduous nature of their duties and the detailed syllabus for the examination through which they have to qualify.


10.44. The Department has proposed merger of the IPO and IRM cadres and ASPO and ASRM cadres. It has been pointed out that the duties and responsibilities of the two cadres are similar. We find that the pattern of recruitment for posts of inspector in other Central Government organisations like customs and central excise and income tax; provides for direct recruitment through staff selection commission at this level. However, in the postal department, there is no direct recruitment above the level of postal and sorting assistants, or at Group-B, level Even for the posts of postal and sorting assistant, appointment is not through any competitive examination but is based on marks secured in the matriculation examination. In other Government departments there is generally direct recruitment based on competitive examination at clerical level. In the interest of efficiency of service it is necessary to introduce on element of direct recruitment at the level of inspectors/assistant superintendents through the staff selection commission, and we recommend accordingly. If this is done and the two cadres are merged, Government may examine what scale of pay will then be suitable for these posts. Till this is done the scales recommended by us in Chapter 8 will apply.
Higher pay scale could not be given to the Inspector Posts at that time, as the recommendation for Direct recruitment at the level of Inspector / ASP was not implemented by the Dept. of Posts.


In the V CPC, the Dept. agreed for Direct recruitment at the level of Inspectors and hence the pay parity with Inspectors and analogous post in CBDT / CBEC were given and accordingly, the Pay scale of Inspector Posts was upgraded from Rs.1400 – 2600 to Rs.1640 – 2490 and corresponding new pay scale of Rs.5500 – 9000 was given w.e.f 01.01.1996. (Para 62.9).


Extract of V CPC recommendation:
Para 62.9 : …………………..In the chapter relating to Restructuring of Postal Services, we have already recommended that Inspectors of-Post Offices and RMS should be merged, upgraded to Rs.1640-2900 and filled 33-1/3% by direct recruitment from the inspectors Grade Examination of Staff Selection Commission…………………………..


Dept. of Posts accordingly amended the Recruitment Rules for Inspector Posts in 2001.


Later on, the pay scales of Inspectors and analogous posts in CBDT / CBEC were enhanced to the scale of Rs.6500-200-10500 in April’2004 and subsequently the pay scale of Assistants in CSS was also enhanced in Sept’2006 by the concerned Departments. But the pay scale of Inspector Posts remained unchanged. Being aggrieved by this, two OAs No. 424/06 and 211/07 were filed before Hon’ble CAT Bangalore bench by Postal Inspectors of Karnatka Circle seeking the parity with the Pay scale of Inspector Posts and Inspector in CBDT / CBEC. Since the Central Government had constituted the sixth Central Pay Commission to set right the anomalies and to recommend Pay revision in case of Central Government employees, and the said commission had not submitted its report at that time, the Hon’ble CAT disposed these OAs vide its common order dated 27.07.07 directing both the applicants and the Respondents to take up the issue immediately before sixth Pay Commission with the copy of its order.


The demand of Parity in pay scales of Inspector Posts and Inspectors and analogous posts in CBDT/CBEC as well as Assistants of Central Secretariat Service (CSS) was approved by the sixth Central Pay commission and the commission in Para 7.6.14 of its final report, recommended the following :


“Postal Inspectors in Department of Posts have demanded a higher pay scale of Rs.6500-10500 on par with Inspectors and analogous posts in CBDT/CBEC as well as Assistants of Central Secretariat Service (CSS) on the ground that they are recruited through the same examination. The Commission is recommending the merger of pre-revised pay scales of Rs.5500-9000 and Rs.6500- 10500 which will automatically bring Inspector (Posts) on par with Assistants in CSS/Inspectors and analogous posts in CBDT and CBEC. With this upgradation , Inspector (Posts) shall come to lie in an identical pay scale as that of their promotion post of Assistant Superintendent (Posts) [ASPOs]. ASPOs shall, accordingly, be placed in the next higher pay scale of Rs.7450-11500 corresponding to the revised pay band PB-2 of Rs.8700-34800 along with grade pay of Rs.4600..……… ”


The above recommendation was accepted by the Govt. Of India and the same was published in the Gazette of India, No.304 dated 29.08.2008 (Resolution) and according to this Inspector Posts was upgraded in the Pre-revised Pay scale of Rs.6500-10500 at par with Inspectors and analogous posts in CBDT/CBEC as well as Assistants of Central Secretariat Service (CSS) and placed in the Revised Pay Scale of Rs.9300-34800 (PB-2)with Grade pay Rs.4200 w.e.f 01.01.2006, as per Sl.13 of revised pay scale table shown in Part A of Annex-I of the said Gazette Notification.


Later on, Ministry of Finance vide OM F.No.1/1/2008-IC dated 13.11.2009, granted the grade pay of Rs.4600 in the pay band PB-2 in revised pay structure to the posts that existed in the pre-revised scale of Rs.6500-10500 as on 01.01.2006 and which were granted the normal replacement pay structure of grade pay of Rs.4200 in the Pay band PB-2 . Accordingly, the Grade Pay of Inspectors and analogous posts in CBDT/CBEC are upgraded to Rs.4600. But no action taken by the Dept. of Posts to upgrade the same for Inspector of Posts.
It is to mention that Inspector Posts was brought on par with Inspectors and analogous posts in CBDT/CBEC and upgraded to the pre-revised pay scale of Rs.6500-10500 w.e.f 01.01.2006. With this upgradation, ASPOs (Promotion post of Inspector Posts) was placed in the next higher pre-revised Pay scale of Rs.7450-11500, which also proves the claim that the Inspector Posts was upgraded in pre-revised pay scale of Rs.6500-10500 w.e.f 01.01.2006.


Again, vide Memo. No. 1/1/2008-IC dated 16th November 2009 of Ministry of Finance, the benefit of upgradation of grade pay Rs 4600/- was extended to Assistants and personal Assistants of CSS, AFHQ, IFS ‘B’, and Railway Board Secretariat Service and their counterpart Stenographer Services also. In para 4 of the said OM, it is stated that “ one of the reasons due to which Assistants of Central Secretariat are being granted grade pay of Rs.4600 is the fact that there is an element of direct recruitment to the post and that too through an All India Competitive Examination.” Based on this order, the concerned Departments have issued the order for upgradation. It is a fact that Inspector Posts was brought on par with Assistants in CSS by Govt. of India as per the recommendation of the sixth central pay commission, and the Inspector Posts also has the element of direct recruitment to the post and that too through same All India Competitive Examination conducted by Staff Selection Commission.


In the clarification given by Department of Expenditure vide No.MOF, D/o Expenditure, IC U.O No. 10/1/2010-IC dated 27.01.2010, regarding Pay fixation of Assistants / PAs in Ministry of Pertoleum and Natural Gas, it is stated that “In cases of upgradation of Posts as a result of recommendation of sixth CPC, the Grade Pay corresponding to the upgraded post is to be added.”
The Grade Pay corresponding to the Pre-revised Pay Scale of Rs.6500-10500 is Rs.4600 as per the MOF OM F.No.1/1/2008-IC dated 13.11.09. Hence, in case of Inspector Posts, the Grade Pay of the upgraded Post (Rs.6500-10500 ) i.e Rs.4600 should be given.


Also, HSG –II cadre and BCR officials who are being supervised by Inspector Posts are placed on par by placing them in grade pay Rs.4200 w.e.f 1.1.2006. The principle of supervisor should get more pay than the supervised is to be followed and the level hierarchy should be maintained by placing Inspector Posts in the grade pay of Rs.4600 and above the HSG-II and BCR officials .

Agenda for the periodical Meeting with Secretary Posts

General Secretary has sought periodical meeting with Secretary (Posts) to discuss the following matters:

Agenda for the periodical Meeting

Item No. 01: -

Upgradation of Grade Pay of Inspector Posts from Rs 4200/- to Rs 4600/- w.e.f 01.01.2006

It was noted by the VI CPC in para 2.2.19 that “a large number of anomalies were created due to the placement of Inspectors/ equivalent posts in CBDT/ CBEC and Assistants/ Personal Assistants of CSS/ CSSS in the scale of Rs 6500- 200- 10500. The scales of Rs 5500-175-9000 and Rs 6500-200-10500, in any case, had to be merged to resolve these anomalies.”

It was recommended by the VI CPC in para 7.15.13 that “ The posts of Inspectors and equivalent exist in CBDT as well as CBEC. The fifth CPC had recommended the scale of Rs 5500-9000 for these posts. The pay scale of these posts was, however, upgraded to Rs 6500-10500. Demands have been received from other posts existing in the scale of Rs 5500-9000 in these two boards seeking similar dispensation. The Commission has recommended merger of the pay scales of Rs 5000-8000, Rs 5500-9000 and Rs 6500-10500 which will automatically meet this demand. Hence, no specific recommendation on demands seeking such upgradation is being made.”

Above recommendations of the Sixth CPC were accepted by the Govt of India, Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) vide Resolution dated 29th August 2008.

Now again, anomaly has been created by the Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) by revising the Grade Pay of Inspectors in CBDT/CBEC w. e. f. 01-01-2006. Hence, Grade Pay of Inspector, Posts should also be revised from Rs 4200 to Rs 4600 w.e.f 01.01.2006.

Item No. 02: -

Holding of DPC for regular promotion in PS Group ‘B’ cade for the year 2010 & 2011



Above matter was taken up by the Association vide letter no. CHQ/ AIA/ 06/ 2010 dated 06.07.2010 which was acknowledged by the Department vide No. 104/ SR/ Union/ 10 dated 08.07.2010.

Postal Directorate has called for ACRs and vigilance clearance reports from all Circles for the year 2010 only and no action has been initiated by the Postal Directorate so far for the year 2011. Hence, it is requested to kindly finalize the DPC for year 2010 at the earliest and initiate action for holding of DPC for the year 2011.



Item No. 03:-

Non- counting of promotion earned through examination in MACP scheme

Memos issued by various Circles have revealed that promotion earned through examination has been counted while granting II/ III ACP to Inspectors/ ASPs. Many ASPs have not been granted III ACP due to entry in service in Postman/ Mail Guard/ PA/ SA cadre or grant of TBOP before promotion in to Inspector, Posts cadre. If, their promotion earned through examination is ignored, they will get III ACP on completion of 10 years continuous service in ASP Grade. Many officers are working continuously as ASP for a period of more than 10 years and have not got any promotion. Hence, the case may be taken up with the Nodal Department.

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Treatment of SC/ST Officers promoted on own merit without any relaxation

The Govt. has considered the position regarding treatment of SC/ST Officers promoted on their own merits and not owing to reservation or relaxation of eligibility standards in the light of recent judgement of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of UOI Vs Kalugasalamoorthy (WP No.15926/2007).

The Government has decided that SC/ST Officers promoted on their own merits and not owing to reservation or relaxation of qualifications shall be adjusted against unreserved points of reservation roaster. It is decided that this order takes effect from 2.7.97 the date on which post based roster was introduced.

For further details download this DOPT circular No.3601214512005-Estt-(Res) dated 10-08-2010

PA / SA Recruitment

Applications in the prescribed format are called for from candidates for the posts of Postal Assistant / Sorting Assistant / Postal Assistant (SBCO) / Postal Assistant (CO/RO) / for the direct recruitment vacancies of 2009 and 2010.

The total number of vacancies is 150.
The number of vacancies is likely to increase. There may be upward revision in each category, i.e, UR / SC / ST / OBC. The examination to fill up these posts will be held simultaneously throughout the country on 14.11.2010 at 10.00 AM.

Application, Prospectus and Vacancy position chart can be obtained from all the Head Post Offices in Uttarakhand Postal Circle, on payment of Rs.25/-. Separate application for each post should be sent to the officer concerned. Applications and the envelopes should be clearly superscribed, indicating the post for which and the Division / Unit to which applied.

Candidates to be selected against vacancies earmarked for PH/Ex-Servicemen will be adjusted against the total vacancies of the respective category viz., UR/SC/ST/OBC, as the case may be, depending upon the category to which the selected candidate belongs to.

Application duly filled in along with the attested copies of the certificates should reach the officer concerned on or before 05-10-2010 by Registered or Speed Post only. Applications sent by other means will be rejected. Applications received after the due date will also be rejected and no correspondence will be entertained.

Seeking information under RTI Act

Dear Friends,
The following information under RTI Act was requested to address two major issues in Uttarakhand Circle (a- Position of subscription, b- Absorption of official in ASP cadre from other Circle/Units under Rule 38 over viewing present IPOs in the Circle.

1- The amount of subscription collected from Members of All India IP & ASP Association, Uttarakhand Circle Branch, Dehradun since the formation of Uttarakhand Postal Circle i.e, Feb 2001 to July 2010 yearwise and DDO wise.
2- Amount remitted to Association, yearwise (Feb 2001 to July 2010) with details of mode of remittance.
3- Sanctioned strength of IP & ASP cadre after formation of Uttarakhand Postal Circle
4- Details of IP & ASP officials opted for Uttarakhand Circle including those serving in APS.
5- Copy of Gradation list of IP & ASP after formation of Uttarakhand Postal Circle yearwise.

valuable comments are welcome to strengthen the unity of Association

IGNOU Fees for Govt Employees to be reimbursed

Department of Personnel and Training and Indira Gandhi National Open University have come together and signed a MoU for offering Distance & E- Learning Programmes to Government employees. The Government employees can now enrol for a wide spectrum of Distance & E-Learning Programmes offered by IGNOU and get their fees reimbursed on successfully completing the programmes.

The purpose of the Programme is to increase the availability and flexibility of options open to employees for enhancing their knowledge and skills in order to improve the functioning of Government organisations and the delivery of services to the public.
 

The Programme is open to Central Employees (working in Ministries/Departments/Attached offices) and the faculty members of State Apex Training Institutions. The officers working under Public Sector Undertakings are not eligible for the Programmes covered under this Programme.

The specific conditions of eligibility of employees (including level of employee and Ministries covered) for each module/course will be decided for each course/module and notified from time to time by DoPT.

The following category of courses are open for enrolment under this programme:-

• Short-Duration Specialised modules: The specialised Modules are basically oriented to cater to the requirement of Government employees in a specific domain.
• Certificate Programmes.
• Masters, PG and PG Diploma Programmes.

The employees concerned have to apply directly in response to the admission notification of IGNOU subject to availability of funds.

The number of seats for Employees in each programme shall be limited to 50 and these will be offered on a first come first served basis.

Click here to proceed to website of Training Division of DOPT which has more details on this MOU between DOPT and IGNOU
Click here for details of Distance & E-Learning Programmes for Government Employees (DELPGE)

List of Programmes offered under Distance & E-Learning Programmes for Government Employees (DELPGE)

Updated PO SB Man Vol-I & II books on sale

Updated PO SB Manual Vol-I & II books are now available as reference for ensuring pursuance of the latest Rules and procedures of the Department in respect of POSB and Savings Certificates work.  These books are available with the publisher. Requirement of the Sub Divisions may kindly be placed to Divisions for placing order directly to the publisher.

Intimation regarding supply of PO SB Manual Vol-I & II to the Sub Divisions may kindly be submitted through e-mail to the Circle Secretary

latest updates

Visited Postal Directorate on 03.08.10 along with Shri.S.Ravi former CHQ Treasurer and met Director General (Posts) , DDG (Est.) and DDG(P) and had discussion on merger of posts of IP & ASP and revision of higher Grade Pay to IP. The file is with Joint Secretary & FA. The file will be put up to Postal Services Board after clearance by JS& FA.

Supplementary DPC for Group B
Supplementary DPC for promotion to PS Group B for the year 2009 has been held on 23.7.2010. Promotion cum allotment orders for around 22 IP/ASP is likely to be issued very soon.

IP/PS Group B examination result
The result of IP exam held on 03 / 05.01.10 is expected by the end of this month. After announcement of IP result, It will take another few months for release of Group B examination result.

Induction Training for Surplus qualified IPs & Direct IPs.
Lists of Surplus IP qualified candidates for the year 2008 and additional qualified candidates for the year 2007 have been released by the Directorate. Induction training for these candidates will be started during the month of October 2010.
= Latest : Training on 06.09.10 at PTC, Vadodara.