Article No 4 - Possible high risks If the Group C Cadre restructure is deferred!!!

Dear Friends, 

         We are noticing from some blogs that some unions are trying to defer the cadre restructure. But After PA establishment of our department was drastically reduced and converted as Supervisory posts as on 27.05.2016, if cadre restructure was deferred then it may lead to the following threats in our department. This article is published to the awareness of our postal friends.

a.           After cadre restructure, our department PA establishment 100089 posts was drastically reduced as 69996 PA posts and remaining posts were upgraded as LSG/HSG-II/HSG-I posts. After PA posts were upgraded, those supervisory posts cannot be filled from open market. Now instead of 100089 PA posts, only 69996 PA posts can be recruited from direct/LGO examinations.

b.           If LSG/HSG-II/HSG-I posts are not identified and promoted by convening the DPC by the postal circles, then within the 69996 PA posts, they have to manage additionally 30000 LSG/HSG-II/HSG-I supervisory posts also. It may create the immense shortage and chaos in our department. Postal department may become unmanageable.

c.           More over Para ‘f’ of cadre restructure mandates the postal circle that  the vacancies arising out of the restructuring WILL be filled up only from the amongst the official who fulfill the eligibility criteria laid down in the recruitment rules  for the post to serve the exact purpose of cadre restructuring without managing those posts again by Postal Assistants. So it is against to the cadre restructure order too to officiate those posts by PA cadre.

d.           Recently some postal divisions, circulated the RT circulars by calling willingness to the newly upgraded LSG/HSG II posts from PA officials. It is totally against to the gazette notified LSG/HSG-II recruitment rules. After those PA posts are converted as supervisory posts, those circle cadre posts should be filled up by the circle head only as per the relevant recruitment rules.

e.           By mentioning the meager promotional opportunities in Group-C cadre, we had claimed MACPs and now promotional opportunities are widen by the cadre restructure. So it is not at all ethical to claim the pay benefits once again for this cadre restructuring promotions, which was already given without any promotional cadre responsibilities under MACPs.

f.            After prolonged 30 years, after PA posts were reduced drastically and upgraded as Supervisory posts, we cannot defer the cadre restructure single minute.

g.   As per the Postal Directorate - cadre restructure clarifications order no 25-04/2012-PE-I (Pt.) dated 11th November, 2016, clarification serial no 5 of the above mentioned reference 2 of the Postal Directorate, cadre restructuring should be effected first to take precedence to resolve the further issues like changing the recruitment rules, relaxing the service conditions etc., In the same manner without implementing the cadre restructure we cannot take-up the subjects like extending the tenure of the treasury posts.

   h. Vide DOPT OM number 2/1/87-PP dated 23/11/1987, every department should review their cadres once in every 5 years. But unfortunately Group – C cadre was not reviewed for the past prolonged 30 years which was due on 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012 is totally prejudice. After prolonged 30 years delay it was being reviewed now, for that too if we tried to defer it, then history wont forgive us. The resources cannot be transited to the next generation with wide promotional opportunities. All will join as PAs, work as PAs, and retire as PAs. 

i. If cadre restructure is not implemented then seniors cannot be upgraded to Rs.4800 (HSG I-NFG posts) grade pay in their entire life time. They would have been ended with Rs.4600 MACP III grade pay.

j. Junior PAs cannot become Superintendent of Posts (by appearing PS Group B exams) after 5 years LSG service. Without cadre restructure, they can get their LSG only after 25 years or more service.

k. This is not the last cadre restructure, next due for cadre restructure is 2021 as per the DOPT norms, If we deferred this cadre restructure, further upgradation and rationalization of promotional posts, will be affected badly.

l. If willing one official can opt cadre restructure promotion or else he/she can decline. But claiming to defer/kept in abeyance will lead to immense chaos in our postal department after establishment was modified.

m.  As per the bilateral agreement, after this Group –C cadre restructure, PA CO/RO, SBCO, RMS and Postmaster cadre restructure also have to be done. Delaying Group – C cadre restructure will delay further cadres restructure also. We have to still travel a long way to complete the other cadre’s restructure also as per the bilateral agreement.

n. It is must situation to implement the Cadre restructure immediately to safeguard us from acute shortage, stagnation and even for social status too.

The issues put forth by some unions and solutions/suggestions for that.

a.   As per the clarification serial no 5 of the Postal Directorate - cadre restructure clarifications order no 25-04/2012-PE-I (Pt.) dated 11th November, 2016, cadre restructuring should be effected first to take precedence to resolve the further issues like modifying the recruitment rules, relaxing the service conditions etc., In the same manner without implementing the cadre restructure we cannot take-up the subjects like extending the tenure of the treasury posts.

b.   As per the bilateral agreement, without restricting the HSG-I (NFG) posts, all the HSG-I posts served with 2 years’ service may kindly be upgraded to Rs.4800/- grade pay scale – level 8 of pay matrix. That demand too can be taken only after the cadre restructure. Without cadre restructure one cannot get HSG-I(NFG) posts. 

c.   If LSG/HSG-II posts are converted as divisional cadre, then one division junior would become senior and another division senior would become junior in promotional cadres. So it is not feasible to convert those posts as divisional cadre. In the same way, if any official is NOT willing for the shifting if any during promotions, he/she may kindly be allowed for decline such promotion. After debarment period, they may opt further choice of promotions.

d.   As per the recent clarifications of DOPT too, DPC should be convened in the descending order viz., HSG-I(NFG), HSG-I, HSG-II and further to LSG posts.

e.   To rationalize the cadres with minimum officiating chances, cadre restructure order was released. So as per the available norms at present LSG posts only can be filled to the maximum. To avoid once again officiating those posts by PAs at the remaining posts, immediate one time relaxation service conditions may kindly be obtained and recruitment rules service conditions may kindly be reduced to 3 years to each HSG II /HSG I posts and 2 years to HSG-I(NFG) posts. Time frace may kindly be fixed to such relaxations and till then, only to the minimum period officiating/adhoc chances may kindly be given to the PA officials to serve the exact purpose of cadre restructuring.

f.    Since we are in a massive transition period under IT modernization project, as per the finacle checker norms, for upgrading the single handed posts to double handed posts, earliest CSI/RICT project implementations may kindly be done to the earliest to calculate the work load to convert those as double handed offices.

g.   NOT like LSG posts, Postmaster cadre officials have to clear the LDC exams with merit in addition to 5 years of PA service. So Postmaster Grade I cadre should be treated at par with HSG-II and PM Grade II with HSG I and all the Postmaster Grade III posts with HSG I(NFG) posts. In addition to the existing senior PM posts, all the thrown out IP line head post offices may kindly be upgraded as senior postmaster posts to rationalize the Postmaster cadre also.

After bilateral agreement before 3 years, and after cadre restructure order before one year, now trying to deferring the cadre restructure is not fair. 

 Lets clear the blocking validations to Group C cadre restructure!!! for the better growth of the officials of our esteemed postal department.

Brotherly yours,

K.Kalimuthu,

Regional Secretary, 

All India Association of Postal Supervisors,

Madurai Region

Madurai 625011

Mobile No: 9566330927, 8667686382