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Saturday 28 October 2017

Circle Union writes to CHQ on problems arising out of CSI rollout in Odisha Circle


No. P3NFPE – Odisha / 15 – 10 / 2017
Dated at Bhubaneswar the 27th October, 2017
To
Com. R N Parashar
General Secretary
AIPEU, Group-C, CHQ
Dada Ghosh Bhawan, New Delhi - 110008


Sub: - Problems arising out of CSI rollout in Odisha Circle  

Respected Comrade,
This is to bring your notice that with the recent launch of the Pilot Project of Core System Integrator (CSI) in Cuttack City Division, the Department has been facing technical glitches for the past few days. Ever since the CSI rollout in the division on October 6, the shift from the old system is moving at a snail’s pace and this has slowed down the transactions in all most all the post offices across the Division.

As brought to the notice of this Circle Union by our Divisional Union, Cuttack City, all the staff members of Cuttack City Division have not been trained in operating new version of the software. The entire treasury branch of Cuttack GPO including supervisors are neither imparted with any training nor assigned with defined work as required under CSI environment. As a result, many important treasury functions are now stopped i.e. CTS cheque clearing works, remittance received/drawn from bank, payment through cheques and issue of cheques etc inviting serious public resentment.

In addition, all most all the single/double handed SPMs are unable log in and access to the CSI software due to non-availability of compatible hardware and thereby counter transactions have almost come to a halt inviting public anger. Contradictorily, suitable trained officials preferably User Champions are not available for instant solution. 

            In this context, we have written to / discussed severally with the Chief Postmaster General, Odisha Circle with request to defer next phase CSI roll out dates till installation of the required number of compatible hardware and smooth completion of proper User Champion and End-User Training to avoid future complicacies.

            Now, the proposed 2nd phase rollout on 17.10.2017 which had been rescheduled to 27.10.2017 has now been dropped since the TCS failed to resolve the existing issues by the dates so fixed.

            As per information gathered from our staff members of Cuttack City Division who are presently working and members of other Divisions who are undergoing User-Champion / End-User training, the following deficiencies are coming to our notice.

1.    The trainings are not being imparted as per TCS Blue Book on CSI which requires at least 18 days for User-Champion Training. Instead, our User-Champions are being imparted with such training for 8 days which becomes very difficult to follow and educate themselves to train the End-Users suitably. Similarly while the End-Users are to be trained in 11 modules for at least 29 days in average, they are practically being trained just for 3 days in Odisha Circle for two different modules only. The most unfortunate thing is that neither the User-Champions nor the End-Users are supplied with a guide book and the Trainers from TCS are moving hastily just to complete the training programme for name sake.

2.    Both the hardware and software are not compatible as per  TCS Blue Book for CSI. The mandatory check-list for compatible OS, updated service pack etc. are grossly ignored. It is too piteous that most of the offices in Odisha Circle are having pirated version of windows 7 which will certainly hamper data transfer.

In spite of several correspondences / discussions, the outdated systems, and other accessories like printers (both dot-matrix and laser including Pass Book Printers), barcode scanners etc beyond the prescribed life period have neither been condemned nor new systems supplied to suit the need of CSI as per Blue Book. Even when the CSI software interface is very large and can be properly view on 19 inches or more bigger size  monitors, most of the post office are having small size (15 inches)  monitors which put more strain on the of our officials. Every time the discussions are ended with paucity of funds for purchase of new systems / accessories as required.

Adding salt to the injury, no prompt and effective step is taken by the administration for immediate repairing of UPS, Generator and replacement of damaged batteries in spite of continuous discussions and correspondences. Many Post Offices are now running with direct current and suffering a lot during power failure. The offices in rural areas are the worst sufferers.

3.    All the post offices in Odisha Circle migrated to CBS Finacle in Odisha Circle till date are having 512 Kbps under NSP-1 and 256 Kbps under NSP-2 irrespective of the systems in use by the offices. But as per TCS Blue Book for CSI, 1 Mbps is mandatory for offices having 1 or 2 PCs and similarly 3 Mbps is required for offices having more than 5 PCs. Regretfully, some post offices are there in Phulbani and Koraput Division where both NSP-1 and NSP-2 are non-functional. In spite of several discussions with both the Chief PMG and Regional PMG, the issues are still unsettled.

4.    Another important thing to intimate that Odisha Circle has experimentally started RICT in three Divisions only. There are still 15 Divisions for RICT roll out. If CSI roll out is initiated without completing RICT, then the PMs/ SPMs working in MDGs/SOs will have to log in to B O User ID for every purpose, viz. Cash Receipt, Cash Remittance, Receipt of Accountable Articles, Rebooking of B O Transactions etc. Since the work has to be finished on the day itself, the BOs having huge number of transactions will certainly create problems for their Account Offices. Therefore, completions of RICT before CSI roll out needs to be considered first.
                       
Therefore, under the above facts and circumstances, we would like to request you to take up the issue at the Directorate level for instructing Odisha Circle not to go ahead with the CSI roll out further till completion of RICT in the Circle and suitable solutions to the above hardware, software, connectivity and training issues.

Awaiting your positive action and immediate response.

With regards.
 Yours Comradely,

 (B SAMAL)

Circle Secretary

Wednesday 25 October 2017

Download by clicking the below link
 
ETTER ADDRESSES TO MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS & IT BY NFPE
  
National Federation of Postal Employees
1st Floor North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi-110 001
Phone: 011.23092771                                                      e-mail: nfpehq@gmail.com
       Mob: 9868819295/9810853981                       website: http://www.nfpe.blogspot.com

NO.PF-NF/2017                                                                                                Dated 24-oct-2017

To
                   Sri. Manoj Sinha
                   Hon’ble Minister for Communications & IT
                   Govt of India, Sanchar Bhavan,
                   New Delhi-110 001.
Respected Sir,
                   National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE) and all its affiliated Unions/Associations representing about 70% of the Postal Employees request your immediate intervention to save the Department of Posts and five and a half lakhs employees working in the department including about three lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks.
                   As you are aware, the finance Ministry has already issued notification permitting all Nationalised Banks and three private Banks (ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and HDFC Bank) to accept deposits for all Small Savings Schemes, viz; Recurring Deposit (RD), Time Deposits (TD), Monthly Income Scheme (MIS), Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS), Sukanya Samridhi Account (SSA), Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) and National Savings Certificate (NSC VIII issue) with effect from 10th October, 2017.
                   Small Savings Schemes are the monopoly of Postal Department and hence they are known as “Post Office Small Savings Shemes”.  The compensation paid by Finance Ministry to Postal Department for running the Savings Bank business on agency basis is a major source of revenue for the department.  About 45% of the revenue of Department of Posts accounts for compensation received for Small Savings business.  Permitting Banks also to operate Small savings will adversely affect the business of Post offices and revenue will fall steadily, thereby increasing the total deficit of the Department of Posts.
                   Further, about 50% of the work load of Post offices comes from the Samll Savings related work.  Outsourcing this work to Banks including private Banks will result in fall of overall workload of the Post Offices and staff becoming surplus.  Thus, in the long run the very existence of Post Offices and Postal employees will be at stake.
                   Secondly, we want to bring to your kind notice, the plight of about three lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks working mostly in the Branch Post Offices in rural villages of our country.  Their wage revision has not yet taken place eventhough the wage revision of their counterpart (departmental employees) had taken place and orders issued on 25-7-2016 itself.  The one man committee headed by Sri. Kamalesh Chandra, Retired Postal Board Member had submitted its report to the Government on 24-11-2016.  Almost one year is over and the file is still pending with Finance Ministry.  Justice to this poor, downtrodden section of employees is long overdue. 
                   Similarly, the Re-verification Membership of Gramin Dak Sevaks under Check-off system under the provisions of GDS (RSA) Rules for grant of recognition was ordered by the Department and the verification process reached in the final stage.  Recovery of subscription from pay of the officials in respect of all the Applicant Unions/Associations was made in the month of September 2017.  But suddenly Department issued an order stopping the membership verification process until further orders.  The Reverififation of Membership of GDS was due in the year 2015 itself as the recognition granted to one of the GDS Union had expired in 2015 after five years period fixe by the Government.
                   In view of the above, we most humbly request the Hon’ble Minister is personal intervention so that favourable orders will be issued in the following issues:
(1)     Stop the implementation of the Finance Ministry’s notifiation permitting Banks to do Small Savings business.
(2)     Immediate Implementation of favourable recommendations of Kamalesh Chandra Committee on Gramin Dak Sevaks.
(3)     Completing the Re-verification process of Membership under check-off system and granting recognition to eligible applicant Unions/Associations of GDS.
        With profound regards,
                                                                                                                       Yours faithfully,
                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                  (R.N. Parashar) Secretary General,NFPE

Sunday 22 October 2017

Comparison chart for PLI vs LIC and RPLI vs LIC


GDS CIRCLE WELFARE FUND SCHEME - 2013

          The Guidelines for Grant of Financial Assistance & Grant of Loan under Circle Welfare Fund for GDS has been issued by the Directorate vide lr. No.19-31/2012-WL/Sport dated 02-12-2013.

Important points Instructions:


>All the regularly appointed GDS as on record will become the members under this scheme.

>The GDS will have to fill in an application in prescribed format (Form-I) for joining in the CWFGDS and to submit the same in the Divisional office.

>Leave substitutes & provisionally appointed GDS in leave arrangement are not eligible for the benefits of the Fund.

>@ Rs.20- per month, a lumpsum of Rs.240- will be deducted in the monthly salary of every April.

>From Govt. side @ Rs.100- per year for one GDS will be added to the Fund.

>Applications should be sent through the Divisional Office.

>A Regional level / Circle level committee will decide the sanction of grant / loan

>Every quarterly months all the applications will be persuaded for sanction but not for death relief sanctions.

>Terms & conditions will be applied for sanction of grant / loan.

>Recovery of Rs.120- has been made in the salary of October 2013 for six months (i.e, from October 2013 to March 2014)

>Funds are also has been allotted to the Circles vide Lr. No.19-31/2012-WL/Sport dated 14-10-2013.

CWFGDS has three components for sanction of grant to  GDS:

(i) Financial Assistance :

1. Financial Assistance to families of deceased GDSs to meet immediate expenses following death, irrespective of whether death occurs during duty / outside duty hours ---  Rs.10,000/-

2. Death due to terrorist activity / dacoity while on duty --- Rs.1,50,000/-

3. Financial assistance in case of death of GDSs due to riots, attack by robbers & terrorists while not on duty --- Rs.12,000/-

4. Financial Assistance in case of death of GDSs while being on duty due to accident --- Rs.25,000/-

5.Funeral expenses on death of GDS (payable in cases in which last rites of deceased GDS are performed by brothers or sisters or near relatives in the absence of any other next of kin) --- Rs.5,000/-

6. Financial Assistance in case of major surgical operations in ailments, like Cancer, brain hemorrhage, kidney failure / transplant, heart surgery etc,.-- Rs.20,000/-

7. Financial Assistance in case of accident of GDS while being on duty requiring hospitalization for more than three days ---  Rs.5,000/-

8. Financial Assistance for nutritional diet to GDS suffering from TB (only once for a maximum period of six months, provided the GDS has put in at least six years of service & treatment is taken in Govt. hospital ---  
Indore treatment- Rs.400/- p.m
Outdoor treatment- Rs.200/- p.m

9. Grant of scholarship under educational schemes to the children of GDS (as per existing terms & conditions) --- IIT, AIIMS & IIM = Rs.1,000/- p.m

Technical Education -  

Degree = Rs.280-pm 
Diploma=Rs.190-pm

Non-Technical Degree --  

BA/BSc/BCom/Degree in Fine Arts = Rs.150-pm 
ITI certificate course =Rs.940- p.a

10. Incentive for excellence in academic achievement for 10th & 12th class position in Circle/Region 

1st Position = Rs.10,000/- 
2nd Position =Rs.8,000/-
3rd Position =Rs.7,000/-
4th Position =Rs.6,000/-
5th Position = Rs.5,000/-

11. Scholarship for physically handicapped children of GDS (for maximum 8 years & as per the existing terms & conditions) -- Rs.200- p.m

12. Maternity Grant to woman GDS --- Equivalent to three months TRCA with DA for the birth up to two children only.

13. Financial assistance in case of natural calamities like fire, floods etc., ---  Rs.5000-

(ii) Repayable Loan at 5% rate of Interest :

1. For construction of one room with flush toilet facilities for housing the Branch Post Office --  Rs.50,000/-

2. For purchase of Computer / Laptop to encourage computer literacy among the GDS --- Rs.20,000/-

3. For purchase of moped / scooter / motor cycle which will also facilitate travel while discharging duty like exchange of BO Bag, visit to Account office etc.,---  Rs.20,000/-

(iii) One Time Repayment at the Time of Retirement :

1. Less than 5 years -    No amount payable
2. 5 years from the date of start of contribution - Rs.1000/-
3. 10 years from the date of start of contribution  - Rs.2000/-
4. 15 years from the date of start of contribution -  Rs.3000/-
5. 20 years from the date of start of contribution - Rs.4500/-
6. 25 years from the date of start of contribution -  Rs.5500/-
7. 30 years from the date of start of contribution -  Rs.6500/-
8. 35 years from the date of start of contribution -  Rs.8000/-
9. 40 years from the date of start of contribution -  Rs.9000/-
10. More than 45 years from the date of start of contribution

*****
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FPE & AIPEU-GDS : Protest demonstrations in front of all Post Offices on 23-10-2017

Dear Comrades,

The Govt authorized the Public Sector Banks & ICICI Bank, Axis Bank & HDFC Bank Ltd., to receive deposits / subscriptions in the Post Office Small Savings Scheme viz., NSC, POTD, PORD, Monthly Income Account Scheme, NSC(VIII issue), Kisan Vikas Patra, Sukanya Samriddhi Account, PPF, Senior Citizen Savings Scheme vide Notification dated 10-10-2017. This is nothing but the outsourcing the POSS Schemes from the Postal Department. It affects the revenue of the Dept and establishment of the staff etc.,

The Recommendations of GDS Committee is still under  the consideration and mandatory approval of the Finance Department of MoF. It is well aware that for the last 4 months the file is being moved in between DoP & MoF. The delay caused much resentment among the GDS cadre as the Committee Submitted its report on 24th Nov 2016 i.e., almost one year.

The process of GDS membership verification had been commenced during March 2016 and notification given during June 2017. It is well known that the collection of Letters of Authorization from the GDS members is a very tedious & strenuous task. As per the old procedure, Letters of Authorizations have been collected from the GDS members in 23 circles by all participant unions as per the guidelines and instructions issued by the Department and submitted on 5th September 2017. 

While the process of Recognition of Service Associations is going on, astonishingly, the Directorate has stopped the process of verification (lr. dated 06-10-2017) for the reasons best known to the concerned. 

The AIPEU-GDS participating in the membership verification after a long waiting of 5 years i.e., from April 2012 and seeking recognition in this Membership Verification. We are demanding the Department to continue the process as per the schedule of the Notification issued and pronounce the results of membership position for the participant unions in GDS cadre.



The NFPE & AIPEU-GDS decided to proceed with the series of agitation programmes to resolve our justified demands. The programme on 23rd Oct 2017 i.e., protest demonstration in front of all Post Offices by the members of NFPE Unions and AIPEU-GDS would become a resounding one to show our resentment over the attitude of the Govt & Department towards GDS.

All are requested to participate in the agitation programme on 23rd and make it a grands success.

=P.Pandurangarao
General Secretary

Wednesday 4 October 2017

SOCIAL SERVICES BY NFPE UNIONS OF HOWRAH DIVISION - WEST BENGAL CIRCLE

       BY DONATING ONE MONTH'S 1% DA ARREAR ,THE MEMBERS OF NFPE, HOWRAH DIVISION HAS CREATED A HISTORY. ON THE AUSPICIOUS OCCASION OF OUR GREAT FESTIVAL 'DURGA PUJA' STARTED A NEW PROJECT CALLED " AMADER DURGA"

    IN WHICH, DISTRIBUTED ABOUT 304 NEW DRESSES AMONG THE STREET CHILDREN, ORPHANAGE, FLOOD AFFECTED AREA CHILDREN, CHILDREN FROM VERY POOR REMOTE VILLAGES OF MIDNAPORE DISTRICT, EVEN TO THE CHILDREN OF VERY POOR MINORITY VILLAGES TOO.

    NOT ONLY THE EMPLOYEES OF HOWRAH DIVISION AND ALSO MANY OTHERS FROM OTHER DIVISIONS HELPED US IN THIS PROJECT.