Lok Sabha Question No. 2693 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Performance of Extra Departmental Staff
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: YERRAM VENKATA SUBBAREDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2693 TO BE ANSWERED ON  3 RD  JANUARY, 2018

## PERFORMANCE OF EXTRA DEPARTMENTAL STAFF

2693. SHRI Y.V. SUBBA REDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Extra Departmental (ED) Staff in Postal Department are doing remarkable job as branch post masters, mail carriers, mail delivery agents, etc., of postal services in rural and urban areas and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the existing ED Agents have been converted as GDS with a meagre payment and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has constituted Kamlesh Chandra Committee which submitted its Report in November, 2016;
- (d) if so, the details of the recommendations made by the said Committee; and
- (e) the reasons for delay, if any, in the implementation of the said Report which will benefit a large number of GDS employees in postal department?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) The  Extra  Departmental  Employees  [now  called  Gramin  Dak  Sevaks  (GDSs)]  are integral  part  of  Department  of  Posts.  They  provide  basic  postal  facilities  like  sale  of  postage stamps, collection and delivery of mail, Savings Bank, Money Order, Rural Postal Life Insurance etc. The Delivery agents are utilized for delivery of mails while Mail Carriers (MC) are utilised for conveyance of mails. The other categories of Gramin Dak Sevaks like GDS Mail Packer, GDS Mailman and GDS Stamp Vendor function in conformity with their categorization.
- (b) Extra  Departmental  Agents  have  been  renamed  as  Gramin  Dak  Sevaks  since  year 2001. Gramin Dak Sevaks are   holders of civil  post  but  are  outside  the  regular  civil  service. They are engaged for a maximum of 5 hours in a day. Based on the workload,  they are paid Time-Related  Continuity  Allowance  (TRCA).    Details  of  TRCA  are  placed  at Annexure-1. Whenever a Central Pay Commission is constituted, the Department of Posts also constitutes a separate Committee to look into wage structure and service conditions governing the Gramin Dak Sevaks, based on recommendations and the approval of the Government the wages are revised accordingly.
- (c) Yes, Madam.
- (d) The salient features of the report are given in the Annexure-2.
- (e) The recommendations of the Committee have been considered by the Department. After getting the necessary approvals from all concerned, the recommendation of the Committee will be implemented.

## EXISTING TIME RELATED CONTINUITY ALLOWANCES (TRCA) AND OTHER ALLOWANCES OF GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS.

## 1. Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) of Gramin Dak Sevaks

|   S. No. | Category of Gramin Dak Sevaks     | Work load in hours                          | Existing Time Related Continuity Allowance w.e.f. 01.01.2006   |
|----------|-----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | GDS Sub Postmaster                | 4 - 5 hours                                 | Rs. 4575-85-7125                                               |
|        2 | GDS Branch Postmaster             | Up to 3 hours work                          | Rs 2745-50-4245                                                |
|        2 | GDS Branch Postmaster             | More than 3 hours up to 3 hrs.30 min        | Rs 3200-60-5000                                                |
|        2 | GDS Branch Postmaster             | Up to 4 hours.                              | Rs 3660-70-5760                                                |
|        2 | GDS Branch Postmaster             | More than 4 hours up to 4 hour 30 min       | Rs 4115-75-6365                                                |
|        2 | GDS Branch Postmaster             | More than 4.hrs 30 min up to 5 hours        | Rs. 4575-85-7125                                               |
|        3 | GDS Mail deliverer/ Stamp vendor  | For work up to 3 hrs for new entrants       | Rs 2665-50-4165                                                |
|        3 | GDS Mail deliverer/ Stamp vendor  | For Work load Up to 3 hours 45 minutes      | Rs 3330-60-5130                                                |
|        3 | GDS Mail deliverer/ Stamp vendor  | More than 3 hours 45 minutes up to 5 hours  | Rs 4220-75-6470                                                |
|        4 | GDS Mail Carrier/ Packer/ Mailman | For work up to 3 hrs for new entrants       | Rs 2295-45-3695                                                |
|        4 | GDS Mail Carrier/ Packer/ Mailman | More than 3 hrs up to 3 hrs 45 min          | Rs2870-50-4370                                                 |
|        4 | GDS Mail Carrier/ Packer/ Mailman | More than 3 hours 45 minutes up to 5 hours. | Rs 3635-65-5585                                                |

## 2. Other Allowances

| Nature of Allowance                                                     | Existing allowances (w.e.f 01.01.2006)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Office Maintenance Allowance (OMA)                                      | Rs. 100 per month for GDS Sub Postmaster /Branch Postmaster                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Fixed Stationery Charge                                                 | Rs. 25 p.m. for GDS Sub Postmaster /Branch Postmaster and Rs. 10 for other categories of GDS like GDS Mail Deliverer/ Stamp vendor and Mail Carrier doing delivery work.                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Boat Allowance                                                          | Actual charges paid to the Boatman subject to a maximum of Rs. 50 per month for Conveyance of Mail                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Cash Conveyance Allowance                                               | Rs. 50 per month                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| Cycle Maintenance Allowance (C.M.A)                                     | Rs. 90 per month for GDS Mail Deliverer/Mail Carrier who use their own cycle for discharge of Duty. Present Minimum Distance Condition of 10 kms for grant of cycle maintenance allowance stands withdrawn                                                                                                                                                         |
| Combined Duty Allowance (CDA) for Branch Postmasters.                   | 1. GDS Branch Postmasters performing delivery or conveyance duties or both will be paid Rs. 500 P.M. for each item of work separately. 2. If the Branch Postmaster is performing delivery at the BO village only, it will be restricted to Rs. 250 P.M 3. BPM exchanging Mails at Bus stand or at Railway Stations will be compensated at the rate of Rs. 250 P.M. |
| Allowances for combination of duties for Mail Delivery/Mail Conveyance. | GDS MD/MC attached with the additional duty of another post, revised rate of allowance will be at the rate of Rs. 25 per day subject to a Maximum of Rs. 625 P.M.                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| Compensation to Mail Carriers who are detained for exchange of mails.   | Rs. 6/- per hour subject to a Maximum of Rs. 12 per day subject to same conditions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |

## 3. Service discharge benefits

I. Ex-gratia Gratuity: An amount of Rs. 60,000 is being paid as ex-gratia gratuity to GDS on  discharge.  Ex-Gratia  gratuity  is  granted  at  the  rate  of  half  months  basic  TRCA  drawn immediately  before  discharge  of  service  for  each  completed  year  of  service  subject  to  a maximum of Rs. 60000/- or 16.5 months basic TRCA last drawn, whichever is less. Minimum service prescribed is 15 years.

II. Severance Amount: Severance Amount is being paid at the rate of Rs. 1500 for every completed year of service subject to a maximum of Rs. 60000/- provided GDS on discharge has rendered a minimum continuous service of 10 years.

III. Pension: As per rule 6 of GDS (Engagement and Conduct Rules 2011), GDS are not entitled for any pension. However, New Pension Scheme is introduce as per para VIII below.

IV. Maternity grant is made admissible to woman GDS equivalent to 3 months TRCA with DA for the birth of two children out of welfare fund of the Department.

V. Productivity  Linked  Bonus  (PLB) -  Present  calculation  of  the  ex-gratia  bonus  by applying the calculation ceiling of Rs. 7000 as basic TRCA+DA continues to be adopted till such time a new scheme is devised by the Department.

VI. Extra Departmental Group Insurance Scheme - Present monthly subscription is Rs. 50 per month and consequently the Insurance coverage available to Gramin Dak Sevaks on death while in service will be Rs. 50000.

VII. Appointments on Compassionate Grounds The wards/ dependents of the Gramin Dak Sevaks who die while in service are provided appointment in relaxation of normal recruitment process on compassionate grounds.

VIII  Service Discharge Benefit Scheme A Service Discharge Benefit Scheme in lieu of the Severance Amount being paid to them.  It has been introduced for GDS entering into service w.e.f. 01.01.2011 with monthly subscription of Rs.200 per month.

IX Trade Union facilities The GDS are permitted to have their Branch Unions, Divisional level, Circle and All India level.

X Leave  Gramin Dak Sevaks are granted paid leave at the rate of 20 days in a year without accumulation.

XI Limited Transfer Facility Gramin Dak Sevaks are provided with the facility of limited transfer on certain conditions.

XII Assistance from Welfare Fund Assistance from Circle Welfare Fund Scheme is also provided  to  GDS.  Financial  Assistance  from  Head  'One  time  repayment  at  the  time  of retirement'  under  circle  welfare  fund  for  GDS  upto  maximum  of  Rs.11,000/-  is  also  given  on certain conditions.

XIII Medical Facilities Currently,  they  do  not  enjoy  the  health  care  facilities  or  the reimbursement on medical care like the others as they are neither covered by CS (MA) Rules, 1944  nor  under  CGHS.  They  are  however  allowed  Financial  Assistance  in  case  of  major surgical operations in ailments, like cancer, brain hemorrhage, kidney failure/transplant, heart surgery, etc. from Central Welfare Fund to the extent of Rs. 20000/-.

## of the One Man Committee Report headed by  Shri Kamlesh Chandra

- o The old system of payment of Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) is dispensed with  and  replaced  with  a  new  wage  payment  system.  Under  the  new  wage  payment system,  11  TRCA  slabs  are  subsumed  into  3  Wage  Scales  with  two  Levels  each  for BPMs  and  for  other  than  BPMs.  One  wage  scale  would  be  common  for  both  the categories of GDSs.
- o The minimum working hours of GDS Post Offices and GDSs are increased to 4 hours from 3 hours.
- o The new working hours for GDS Post Offices will be 4 hours and 5 hours only.
- o The Level 1 GDS Post Offices / GDSs will have 4 hours as working hours and Level - 2 will have 5 hours as working hours.
- o The Point System for assessment of workload of BPMs has been abolished.
- o The new wage payment system is linked to revenue generation of GDS Post Offices. Under the new system, there will  be  no  increase  in  wages  of  BPMs  from  Level  -1  to Level -2 on the basis of workload but the same will be increased based on achievement of  prescribed  revenue  norms  which  is  fixed  at  100%  for  normal  areas  and  50%  for special areas.
- o The  GDS  Post  Offices  not  achieving  the  prescribed  revenue  norm  within  the  given working hours will have to open GDS Post Offices for minimum of additional 30 minutes beyond the prescribed working hours.
- o The GDS BPMs will be paid Revenue Linked Allowance @10% beyond level-2 wage scale if they will be successful in achieving revenue beyond prescribed norms
- o The GDS Post Offices has been categorized into A, B; C and D categories based on the revenue  generation  norms.  The  GDS  Post  Office  in  A  category  will  achieve  100% revenue norm. The Committee has recommended a set of actions for each category of GDS Post Offices.
- o The  six  approved  categories  of  GDSs  are  subsumed  into  two  categories  only.  One category will be Branch Post Master and all other 5 categories of GDSs are subsumed into one Multi Tasking Category.
- o The  GDSs  working  in  the  GDS  Post  Offices  will  be  known  as  Assistant  Branch  Post Master (ABPMs) and those working in the Departmental Post Offices will be known as Dak Sevak (DS).
- o The minimum wage has been increased to Rs. 10000/- per month and maximum pay to Rs. 35480/- per month.
- o The rate of annual increase is recommended as 3%.
- o A Composite Allowance comprising of support for hiring accommodation for GDS Post Offices as well as mandatory residence, office maintenance, mobile and electricity usage charges etc. has been introduced for the first time.

- o Children Education Allowance @Rs. 6000/- per child per annum has been introduced for GDSs.
- o Risk & Hardship Allowance @Rs. 500/- per month for GDS working in the special areas has also been introduced.
- o A  Financial  up-gradation  has  been  introduced  at  12  years,  24  years  and  36  years  of services in form of two advance additional annual increases.
- o The Ceiling of ex-gratia gratuity has been increased from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 5,00,000
- o The  GDS  Contribution  for  Service  Discharge  Benefit  Scheme  (SDBS)  should  be enhanced maximum up to 10% and minimum up to 3% of the basic wage per month, whereas the Department should contribute a fixed contribution of 3% of the basic wage of the GDSs.
- o The coverage of GDS Group Insurance Scheme has been enhanced from Rs. 50000/- to Rs. 5,00,000/
- o The contribution of Department in Circle Welfare Fund (CWF) has been increased from Rs. 100/ per annum to Rs. 300/ per annum.
- o The scope of CWF is extended to cover immediate family members such as spouse; daughters, sons and dependent daughters in law in the scheme.
- o The Committee also recommended 10% hike in the prescribed limits of financial grants and assistances in the Circle Welfare Funds.
- o The  Committee  has  recommended  addition  of  Rs.  10,000/  for  purchase  of  Tablet  / Mobile from the Circle Welfare in the head 'Financial Assistance of Fund by way of loans with lower rate of interest (5%)'.
- o Provision of 26 weeks of Maternity Leave for women GDS has been recommended.
- o The  wages for  the  entire  period  of  Maternity  Leave  is  recommended  to  be  paid  from salary head from where wages of GDSs are paid.
- o The Committee has also recommended one week of paternity leave.
- o Leave accumulation and encashment facility up to 180 days has been introduced.
- o Online system of engagement has been recommended.
- o Alternate livelihood condition for engagement of GDSs has been relaxed.
- o Voluntary Discharge scheme has been recommended.
- o The Discharge age has been retained at 65 years.
- o The Limited Transfer Facility has been relaxed from 1 time to 3 times for male GDSs. There  will  be  no  restriction  on  number  of  chances  for  transfer  of  women  GDSs.  The powers for transfer has been delegated to the concerned Divisional head.
- o The ex-gratia payment during put off period should be revised to 35% from 25% of the wage and DA drawn immediately before put off.
- o The Committee has recommended preferring transfer before put off duty.

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