CENTRAL CABINET APPROVES KAMALESH CHANDRA COMMITTEE REPORT- THE GDS STRIKE HAS ENTERED THE 16TH DAY.

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Cabinet approves Revision in the wage structure and allowances of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Department of Posts

Posted On: 06 JUN 2018 3:16PM by PIB Delhi

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has approved the revision in the wage structure and allowances of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Department of Posts. The revision in the wage structure would entail an estimated expenditure of Rs 1257.75 crore (Non recurring expenditure – Rs 860.95 crore and Recurring expenditure of Rs.396.80 crore) during 2018 -19.

3.07 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks will be benefitted by this wage revision.

Details:

     i.         Time Related Continuity allowance (TRCA) structure and slabs have been rationalised.  The total GDSs have been brought under two categories viz. Branch Postmasters (BPMs) and other than Branch Postmasters namely Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPMs).

   ii.         The present 11 TRCA slabs will be merged into only three TRCA Slabs with two levels each for BPMs and other than BPMs.

 iii.         Introduction of new Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) will be as below:

Minimum TRCA of two types of proposed categories of GDSs as per working hours / levels
S.No. Category Minimum TRCA for 4 Hours / Level 1 Minimum TRCA for 5 Hours / Level 2
1 BPM Rs. 12000/- Rs. 14500/-
2 ABPM/Dak Sevaks Rs. 10000/- Rs. 12000/-
  1. Dearness Allowance will continue to be paid as a separate component, and also revised from time to time whenever it is revised for Central Government Servants.
  2. It is decided to continue the calculation of the ex-gratia bonus by applying the calculation ceiling of Rs.7000 as basic TRCA + DA till such time a new scheme is devised.
  3. Arrears for the period 1.1.2016 to the date of implementation will be paid by increasing the basic TRCA drawn during the period by a factor of 2.57. The arrears will be paid in one instalment.

vii.       Annual increase at the rate of 3% and the same may be given on 1st January or 1st July of every year as the case may be based on the one time written request of GDSs.

  1. A new Risk and hardship Allowance has been introduced. Other allowances Viz. Office maintenance allowance, Combined duty allowance, Cash conveyance charges, Cycle maintenance allowance, Boat allowance and Fixed Stationery Charges have been revised.

Implementation strategy and targets:

The revision would result in improving the wages, allowances and discharge benefits of Gramin Dak Sevaks resulting in providing efficient & cost-effective basic postal facilities in the rural area. The proposed increased emoluments will enable him to improve his socio-economic standing.

Impact:

The Branch Post Offices are the fulcrum for provision of Communications and financial services in the village and are located in remote areas. The Post Master has to deal with large sums while making payments to customers; hence accountability is already built into his work. The enhanced remuneration will increase the sense of responsibility. Moreover, with the roll out of the India Post Payment Bank (IPPB), the CDS network is expected to play a key role in the process of financial inclusion of the rural population.

Background:

The Extra Departmental system in the Department of Posts was established more than150 years ago to provide basic, economical and efficient postal services in the rural areas where there was no justification for engaging full time regular employees. One Lakh Twenty-Nine Thousand Three Hundred forty-six (1,29,346) Extra-departmental Branch post offices are primarily manned by Gramin Dak Sevak Branch Postmasters. In addition, Gramin Dak Sevaks other than Branch Postmasters are also working in Branch, Sub and Head Post offices. The main features of the engagement of Gramin Dak Sevaks are that they work for part time ranging from 3 to 5 hours per day and supplement their income from other vocations so as to have adequate means of livelihood for themselves and their families. They remain in service up to the age of 65 years.

 

EXTENDED EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF HOWRAH AND SERAMPORE DISTRICT BRANCHES HELD.

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An Extended Executive Committee Meeting of AIBDPA Howrah and Serampore District Branch held on 06.06.2018, at Uttar Para Telephone Exchange to discuss about the preparation of the 3rd All India Conference of AIBDPA, Scheduled to be held at Kolkata, in the year 2019. The meeting was well attended. Circle Secretary Com.Sanjib Banerjee,
Asst. circle Secy, Com.Mihir Dasgupta, BSNLEU Circle President Com. Prabir Datta and District Secy.com.Ajit De sarkar addressed the meeting. Com Ranjit Das district President, presided.

COM.G.L.DHAR PASSED AWAY

Prominent leader of AITUC and former leader of the central government employees, Com.G.L.Dhar has breathed his last at New Delhi on 06-06-2018.

AIBDPA expresses profound grief and conveys heartfelt condolences to the family and comrades of the departed leader.

COM.R.S CHOUHAN , CIRCLE SECRETARY, BSNLEU, NTR, NEW DELHI BECAME LIFE MEMBER OF AIBDPA.

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A meeting of NTR circle Branch was held on 06-06-2018 at the council hall of BSNLEU, NTR, New Delhi under the presidentship of Com.M.C.Malhotra, Circle President. Com. D.P.S.Shishodia, Circle Secretary welcomed the gathering and presented the issues for discussion. Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary inaugurated the meeting and explained the issues of the pensioners as well as 3rd PRC and the current position. He also shared the outcome of the discussion had with Member (Service) and DDG (Estt) at DoT regarding pension revision of BSNL absorbed retirees with 15% fitment from 01-01-2017 without waiting for the wage revision. Some of the comrades raised the issue of delay in payment of medical bills and difficulties with regard to CGHS which were adequately replied.

Com.R.S.Chouhan, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU , NTR, New Delhi who has played a pivotal role in organising AIBDPA in NTR  was heartily welcomed to the meeting and the life membership receipt of AIBDPA was handed over to him by Com. M.C.Malhotra, Circle President.  Com.R.S.Chouhan has retired from service on superannuation on 31-05-2018.

The GDS Strike continues on 14th Day – Government should intervene and settle.

Almost the entire two and half lakhs Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) workers, who  runs the Postal Services in the rural areas and partially in the cities, are completely on strike for the last two weeks since 22nd May 2018, demanding implementation of the Kamalesh Chandra Committee report on the wage and service conditions of the GDS. The report was submitted on November 2016 to the Government, which have some favorable recommendations.  While the government implemented the recommendations of the VII Central Pay Commission, which are mostly retrogressive, for the regular employees stating that the committee reports are treated as ‘Awards’, the GDS Committee report is not implemented.

The entire rural postal service is paralyzed. No letters, money orders, parcels, speed posts, registered articles delivered. About 1,30,000 Sub and branch Post Offices in the country closed due to strike. Still the government is silent and is not prepared to meet the unions, discuss and settle the  issues.

Despite their difficulties, the common people support the striking workers, well knowing under what conditions and negligent low wages they are working without any benefits that the workers are eligible. They understand the wage slavery imposed on the GDS workers.

All the trade unions in the country and political parties are supporting the poor underpaid GDS workers’ strike; But the government is still silent and unresponsive. It was in the same way when  it dealt with the demands of the kisans and other workers.

The GDS workers are firm in their decision to continue the indefinite strike till their fully justified demands are met. The regular employees, who withdrew from the strike after a few days,are fully in solidarity with the striking GDS comrades.

The central government should immediately discuss with the union leaders and concede the fully justified demands, so that the strike can be ended and the Postal services restored.

GULBARGA DISTRICT GENERALBODY MEETING HELD

 

The first General body meeting after the biennial conference was held on 03-06-2018 at the E- 10 exchange premises, Gulbarga. Com. Mohd Iqbal presided over the meeting. Com. S.G.Sharanappa, District Secretary welcomed the gathering. The sad demises of Coms.A.N.Mule and G.Pushpanath, active members were condoled. The financial position of the District Branch was explained by Com. M.R.Ujalambakar and the members responded positively. Com. Bhosle, Patron also addressed and stated the current position of wage revision and pension revision.