Problems of Postmaster Cadre officials and the reply given by the Department

In the minutes of the discussion held on 21.05.2012 the Secretary (Posts) has assured as follows:

“The issues were discussed at length and it was decided to review it after sometime keeping in view the merits and demerits of the proposal as well as the response of the officials for Postmaster Cadre”.

The minutes did not reflect the real spirit of discussion as it was assured to consider favourably the below items after long discussion.  However, it is high time to review the below cases and settle favourably.  The entire Postmaster Cadre officials are totally frustrated and disappointed due to the negative attitude of the administration towards them.

7.

Problems of Postmaster Cadre Officials (i) Allowing Postmaster Cadre officials to appear for IP and PSS Group B Examination. (ii) Orders permitting the Postmaster Cadre official to officiate in HSG-I vacancies and earmarked Postmaster Grade III Posts. (iii) Allow PO & RMS Accounts cadre official to opt for Postmaster cadre. (iv) Filling up the Postmaster Grade-III posts by granting promotion to Grade-II officials and also by option from HSG-I officials after filling up all HSG-I Posts.    (v) Filling up of all vacant Grade-II and Grade III posts promoting the Postmaster cadre official relaxing the minimum service condition. (vi) Filling up 100% Senior Postmaster/Chief Postmaster posts which are earmarked for Postmaster cadre by Postmaster Cadre officials alone declaring it as a hierarchical promotion cadre of Postmaster Cadre. (vii) Delay in holding LSG, HSG II and HSG – I DPCs and thereby denying the chance for giving option to Postmaster Grade – I, II & III to eligible officials.  (viii) Maintenance of up to date separate gradation list for PM Cadre officials.

The existing Recruitment Rules for IP and PS Group B do not permit officials appointed to the Post of Postmaster Grade -1. The Postmaster cadre and HSG.1 are two different and separate cadres.  The Recruitment Rules of HSG.1 do not permit officials of Postmaster cadre to officiate in HSG.1 posts.  The Directorate has asked the Circles to fill up the HSG.1 vacancies in PO & RMS offices on regular basis from amongst HSG.11 officials in PO & RMS offices by 30.04.2013 and issue promotion orders by 06.05.2013. The posts of Postmasters has been created by carving the same out of the posts in LSG/HSG.II /HSG.I in General line where only the officials in LSG/HSG.II/HSG.I are eligible to opt for this cadre. PM Grade-III Cadre has been carved out of existing HSG.I Cadre in Post Offices.  The post in PM Grade-III are required to be filled up under initial constitution clause by calling options from the regular HSG.I officials in Pos, as per the provisions of the Recruitment Rules.  Thereafter, the posts which remained vacant are required to be filled up from PM Grade-II officials as per the provisions of the Recruitment Rules.  As the Circles have been asked to fill up the vacancies in HSG.I in POs by 30.04.2013, the PM Grade-III will be made operational soon, after a review of the position. As per the existing instructions, the posts in Postmaster cadre will be made functional from the date they are filled up.   Till the posts are filled up under initial constitution clause of the Recruitment Rules, the posts will be manned by officials in General line.  The posts which remained vacant after filling up the posts under initial constitution clause will have to be filled up as per the provisions of the Recruitment Rules.  As the PM Grade-III has not yet become functional under initial constitution clause, the question of filling the posts by promoting the Postmaster Grade-II officials does not arise.  The posts which remained vacant in PM Grade-II after the cadre is constituted will be filled up from PM Grade-I officials who have requisite qualifying service of six years. According to the Recruitment Rules, 75% of the vacancies in the Grade of Senior Postmaster are required to be filled up by Inspector of Posts (IPOs) with six years of regular service in the grade by promotion through Limited Departmental Competitive Examination and 25% of vacancies by promotion from amongst the officers holding the post of Postmaster Grade-III with two years regular service (including regular service in HSG.I, if any).  The Sr. Postmaster cadre has not yet been constituted under initial constitution clause as per options from officers holding the post of PS Group ‘B’. The purpose of lateral induction of IPOs is to induct young blood who due to their inspection duty is already familiar with the relevant rules, regulations, procedures and operations in the Post Offices and duties of Chief Postmasters. PM Grade-I & II has already been constituted by calling options from eligible LSG/HSG.II officials, as per the provisions of the existing Recruitment Rules for this cadre. The Circles have been asked to fill up the vacancies in HSG.I in Pos as per the existing Recruitment Rules, by 30/04/2013 by convening DPC meetings.  The posts in PM Grade-III are required to be filled up under initial constitution clause by calling options from the regular HSG.I officials in Pos, as per the provisions of the Recruitment Rules.  The PM Grade-III will be made operational soon after a review of position. The PM Grade-I and II has already been constituted and, therefore, Circles have to maintain gradation list of these cadres. PM Grade-III and Sr. Postmaster has not been constituted yet and, therefore, maintenance of separate gradation list of officials of this cadre does not arise.