FNPO Opposes Deployment of Postal Assistants to Sub Divisional Offices

FNPO Opposes Deployment of Postal Assistants to Sub Divisional Offices

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The Federation of National Postal Organisations (FNPO) has raised serious concerns regarding the recent practice of attaching Postal Assistants (PAs) to Sub Divisional Offices for clerical assistance. In a letter addressed to the Secretary, Department of Posts, FNPO Secretary General Sivah Vasireddy highlighted the adverse impact of this move on operative staff and postal services.

Unjustified Deployment of PAs

FNPO pointed out that several postal circles have been issuing orders to attach PAs to Sub Divisional Offices, despite the fact that these offices are meant to function with an Inspector of Posts (IP) and Mail Overseers. This practice has resulted in the redistribution of IPs’ work to PAs, essentially turning them into clerical assistants, which FNPO argues is unjustified and lacks a logical or scientific basis.

In some regions, Limited Replacement (LR) PAs from operative offices are being deployed to these offices, while others have diverted surplus posts from Railway Mail Service (RMS) to the postal side. FNPO criticized this approach, emphasizing that a significant portion of posts had already been surrendered between 2000 and 2014 under the Annual Direct Recruitment (ADR) Plan. This reduction in workforce has increased the workload on remaining staff, and the current redeployment further aggravates the situation.

Impact on Operative Offices

The letter detailed the strain caused by excessive diversion of PAs:

• PAs are already burdened with responsibilities such as handling Marketing, PLI/RPLI, legal assistance, system administration, and deputation at divisional, regional, and circle offices.
• Many divisions deploy 15-20 PAs beyond the standard workforce norms, leading to increased workload and a rise in the risk of errors and vigilance issues.
• Further reducing the strength of operative staff, who handle the core functioning of postal services, could severely impact efficiency and service quality.

Workload of Sub Divisional Offices Has Decreased

FNPO argued that the workload of Sub Divisional Heads (SDHs) has significantly reduced due to modern technology and digital tools. Finacle, MIS dashboards, WhatsApp groups, and Google Meet have streamlined monitoring tasks, while mobile and data reimbursements have empowered SDHs to manage business development activities more efficiently.

Moreover, responsibilities such as mail verification, claim processing, and inspections have either been simplified or eliminated, further reducing the need for additional clerical assistance. The role of Mail Overseers has also diminished over time, making the justification for additional PA deployment weaker.

Disparity in Pay and Allowances

FNPO pointed out pay disparities between operative staff and IPs:

• The 6th Pay Commission significantly increased the grade pay of IPs from ₹2800 to ₹4600, while PAs continue to be underpaid despite handling additional responsibilities.
• The eligibility criteria for PAs have been raised to a graduate level, yet their pay remains stagnant, unlike their counterparts in CBDT and other departments.
• IPs receive promotional pay fixation, while PAs do not benefit from similar provisions when promoted to higher roles.

FNPO’s Demands

FNPO has urged the Department of Posts to:

1. Withdraw the attachment of PAs to Sub Divisional Offices immediately.
2. Ensure that operative staff is not burdened further by redeployments.
3. Reconsider workforce management policies to prevent unnecessary staff depletion.
4. Maintain a balance between operative and administrative roles, prioritizing service efficiency over administrative convenience.

Conclusion

The FNPO strongly opposes the ongoing deployment of PAs to Sub Divisional Offices, citing its negative impact on postal operations, increased workload on operative staff, and the lack of justified need for additional clerical assistance. The organization has called upon the Secretary, Department of Posts, to take immediate action and instruct all Circle Heads to withdraw these attachments to safeguard the efficiency and morale of postal employees.

FNPO remains committed to advocating for the rights of postal employees and ensuring a fair and just working environment in the Department of Posts.

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