History of POSTMASTER CADRE....

ONCE UPON A TIME

There was a cadre of Post Master, which was governed by the Postmaster Services Class II (Recruitment) Rules, 1975. The post of Postmaster, according to these rules, had been classified as Class II Gazetted, Non-Selection Post. This post was to be filled up 100% by promotion in the following manner :

A. 10% posts from amongst General line officials holding posts in Higher Selection Grade (Grade II) (scale Rs.550-760) and Higher Selection Grade (Grade I)(scale Rs.700-900) with 5 years’ service in either or both of the grades after appointment thereto on a regular basis, failing which from amongst officials of the above categories with less than 5 years’ service but with a combined total service of 8 years in these grades and in the next lower grade of Lower Selection Grade (scale Rs.425-640) after appointment thereto on a regular basis.

B. 90% posts from amongst Inspectors of Post Offices (scale Rs.425-700) with 5 years’ service in the grade, including service in the grades of Higher election Grade (Grade II) (Rs.550-750) Assistant Superintendent of Post Offices (Rs.550-900) and Higher Selection Grade (Grade I) (Rs.700-900) rendered after appointment thereto on a regular basis.

2. There was a cadre of Postal Superintendents which was governed by the statutory set of rules equivalent to the Post Master Services Class II Rules, 1975.

3. In the year 1987 both these cadres were merged and were governed by the recruitment rules known as Department of Posts, Postal Superintendents/ Postmasters Group ‘B’ Recruitment Rules, 1987. These rules had also classified these posts as Group ‘B’ Gazetted Non Ministerial and it was a selection post and to be filled up by promotion in the following manner :

(1) 94% from amongst officers holding the post of Inspector, Post Offices or Inspector, Railway Mails :-

(i) With 5 years regular services in the scale of Rs.1640-2900, including services in the scale of Rs.2000-3200, if any or equivalent, failing which

(ii) With 8 years regular services in the scale of Rs.1400-2300 or above or equivalent.

(2) 6% from amongst General Line of Officials by means of a Departmental Competitive Examination amongst officers belonging to Higher Selection Grade-I (scale of pay Rs.2000-3200), Higher Selection Grade II (Scale of Pay Rs.1640-2900) and Lower Selection Grade (Scale of pay Rs.1400-2300) with 5 years regular service in either or all the 3 cadre together”.

4. In 1993 the above said rules were amended and the quota of 94% was bifurcated into 75% and 19% and it was laid down that 75% of the total posts shall be filled up by promotion from amongst Inspector of Post Offices & Inspector of Railway Mail Service (Pay Scale of Rs.1400-2300) with 5 years of regular service in the grade.

5. Under the 1987 rules, ASPOs were not eligible to appear in the examination for promotion to the post of Postal Services Group B as such a clarification was issued on 23-8-1994 making ASPOs and HSG-I officials eligible for appearing in the examination.

6. On the basis of the above rules in the cadre of postal Services Group B, total posts in the different quotas are as under :

(a) 75% quota 649

(b) 19% quota 165

(c) 6% quota 52

TOTAL 866