There is a clause in the Cadre Restructuring agreement that – “in respect of Postmaster Grade I, Grade II and Grade III posts, once the recommendations of this committee are implemented, the matter will be examined in the light of the same”. Many officials have sought clarification on this clause. Hence the following clarification is given.
As already mentioned by us in our letter given to the Chairman of the Cadre Restructuring committee after the last meeting (published in Website) and also in the circular dated 28.04.2014, the staff side has tried its best to get higher pay scale to Post Master cadre official. Official side took a firm stand that first promotion from PA cadre in General line and Post Master cadre should be to the G.P. 2800/- and rejected our plea for 4200 G. P.
Second argument placed by us is that as all the LSG Post offices/posts are agreed to be upgraded to HSG II, the grade pay of the officials working in those General line posts will be 4200 (eventhough official working in that post is promoted from LSG with G. P. 2800)
Postmaster Grade I officials are working in LSG offices (converted as Grade I). When LSG Post offices are upgraded to HSG II status, Post Master Grade I post offices are also to be upgraded to HSG II status with grade pay of 4200. Inspite of our repeated argument and submission the administration side did not agree to grant G.P. 4200 to PM Grade I. Finally it is agreed to examine the case again once the present proposal is approved by the Government.
If the proposal is approved by the Government, there is every possibility of getting higher pay scale for Post Master grade officials, on the principle of “equal pay for equal work”, as their counter parts working in LSG post offices upgraded to HSG II will be in 4200 G.P. By signing the cadre restructuring agreement, we have already created a strong ground for getting higher pay scale to Postmaster Grade officials. If the proposal signed is rejected by DOP&T and Finance, we have to present our case before 7th CPC. Hence in the interest of both General line and Postmaster Cadre officials, implementation of the present proposal is most important.
(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General
NFPE