Condolences to the family members of Sri Kulasekhar, PA(SBCO), Tirupathi HO.

This Union expresses deep condolences to the family members of Sri Kulasekhar, PA(SBCO), Tirupathi HO.

CHQ Bulletin-6

ALL INDIA SAVINGS BANK CONTROL EMPLOYEES UNION

(Service union under Dept. of Posts)

CHQ UNION WEBSITE: http://www.aisbceu.blogspot.in/

[HQ-NO: B-105, JAY DWARAKA CHS LTD, NEW AYARE ROAD, DOMBIVALI [E], DT, THANE-421201

MAHARASTHRA  CIRCLE]

R. K. TANDON         PRESIDENT O/O CPMG, U.P.CIRCLE LUCKNOW-226001 CELL: 09415025900,  09616500831   Email: rakeshshobha@gmail.com

P.A.MHATRE GENERAL SECRETARY SUPERVISOR, SBCO MUMBAI CENTRAL HO - 400008 CELL: 09819188067 Email: prakashamhatre@gmail.com

K.R.DESHMUKH TREASURER SBCO, AKOLA HO  - 444001 MAHARASTHRA CIRCLE CELL: 8485812990

Bulletin No. 06                                                       Dated: 16.12.2015

To,

All CHQ Office Bearers, Circle Secretaries and Members,

Dear Comrades,

                I am very happy to meet you all through this bulletin with XMAS & NEW YEAR Greetings. On the auspicious of these both days, I wish you all very happiness and the fulfillment of all dreams of you and your family members.

          Myself along with Shri N. Kalinathan, retired Supervisor SBCO, Delhi Circle visited Directorate on date 02.12.2015 and 03.12.2015 and discussed all SBCO matters with DDG (Estt.), Director CBS, DDG (P) and Director (Legal & SR).

        Again on date 08.12.2015, I attended the meeting on 7^th CPC issues with Secretary (P). Shri V. K. Mourya AGS I & Circle Secretary Delhi Circle and Shri N. Kalinathan were with me in the meeting. Details of my visit are as under.

       I discussed with Shri Sachin Kishore, Director (CBS) on the difficulties caused in implementation of SB Order No. 14/2015. Our union has submitted some suggestions in SB Order No. 14/2015. The Director (CBS) has assured me to consider on the issues submitted by our union. The changes sought by our union vide letter submitted to Ms. Kavery Banerjee, Secretary (P) is reproduced in this bulletin.

CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING - 05.03.2016 & 06.03.2016 The CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING of the union will be held at Indra Bhavan, 19, Rani Ka Bagh, Opposite Shivala, Amritsar, Punjab Circle, PIN Code 143 001 on date 05.03.2016 [Saturday} to 06.03.2016 [Sunday]

.        Our union has submitted representation to DDG (Estt) for new working norms for SBCO under CBS environment. I also discussed on the proposal sent by CPMG, Maharashtra Circle for temporary down gradation of HSG I and HSG II posts to LSG. The DDG (Estt) assured me to look into the said matter. If this proposal is accepted by the Directorate some of the HSG II and HSG I posts will be downgraded to LSG temporarily and most of the senior PAs will get LSG (NB) promotion.

      Our union has represented to Shri V. P. Singh, DDG (P) to reconsider rotational transfer policy of SBCO staff. Previously our staff was being transferred within the cluster of two – three HOs. But now as per recent Directorate’s order, our staff will be transferable within the cluster of two- three Divisions. In this case the Hon,able DDG (P) has advised me to get the clusters formed in each circle and represent on the clusters with are not suitable to the staff. All Circle Secretaries are therefore requested to get the clusters formed in their Circles and intimate to CHQ on any difficulties that will faced in particular cluster so that we can represent to CPMG/Directorate.

 The Directorate called our union to submit our views on demands of our staff with 7^th Central Pay Commission. On date 08.12.2015 in the morning session the meeting was held with federations (NFPE, FNPO and BDKS) on the demands of the unions with Pay Commissions. In the afternoon session all the non federated unions/associations attended the meeting. Our union had submitted our views and discussed thoroughly on the same. But our main demand of declaring   our cadre as Organised Account Cadre was rejected in meeting with federations and also in meeting with non federated unions. The Secretary (P) has stated that after implementation of CBS and CIS the Department is going to redefine the Roll of SBCO and DAP office once again. Hence our demand of organized account cadre is not considered by the Directorate. In this case our union has decided to represent to Hon,ble MOC once again and final decision will be taken in forthcoming CWC to be held at Amritsar going to be held on date 05 & 06 March 2016.

CHQ LR NO: AISBCEU/7^TH CPC REPORT VIEWS/51-2015 DATED: 05.12.2015 TO SRI.ARUN MALIK DIRECTOR [SR&LEGAL] Department of Post Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110001

Sub: Subject:  Notice for Meeting with Representatives of recognized non affiliated Service Associations/Unions and recognized Associations/unions to           discuss the issues relating to the recommendations of the Seventh        Pay Commission.

Ref: Dte. Lr.No. 06/04/2015-SR Dated: 02.12.2015

      The comments of the 7^th CPC report is brought by AISBCE Union to your kind information with the following changes/suggestions required.

PARA	7TH CPC RECOMMENDATIONS	CHANGES/SUGGESTIONS REQUIRED
5.1.27	Fitment factor of 2.57 is being proposed to be applied uniformly for all employees	The fitment factor must be allowed as given in Pay Matrix table-5  according to their previous Pay Band to maintain their status of the employee  instead of 2.57 for all employees Pay Band  I    – 3.00 Pay Band II    – 3.05 Pay Band III   – 3.10
5.1.45 & 46	The Commission recommends that this benchmark, in the interest of improving performance level, be enhanced from ‘Good’ to ‘Very Good. The Commission is therefore proposing withholding of annual increments in the case of those employees who are not able to meet the benchmark either for MACP or a regular promotion within the first 20 years of their service.	It may be considered to the cadre other than Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ employees
8.7.15	HRA should be rationalized to 24 percent, 16 percent and 8 percent of the Basic Pay for Class X, Y and Z cities respectively.	The HRA for the cities ‘Z’ may be considered as 10% instead of 8%, since almost the rent applicable to ‘Y’ cities is the same to ‘Z’ cities
8.17.51	Fixed Medical Allowance to Pensioners -300 Revised to Rs.500/= w.e.f.19.11.2014	The existing amount of Rs.300/= has to multiplied by 3.00= rounded as Rs.900/= in view of their old age medical expenses
8.17.53	Funeral Allowance	Must be continued
9.1.4	Advance for Medical/LTC	Must be continued. These advances should not be included in the list of interest free advances. Eventually abolishing these advances will make the central government employees not to avail LTC facility and medical treatment in Private hospital, since the amount of 90 % of the expenses paid in advance will not be available for them any more due to this recommendation. By availing this advances they were able to manage the Medical Expenses and by availing this advance only they were able to by Air or Train Tickets to go on LTC. Without these advances, the Group C and B employees cannot imagine availing of LTC to visit some places in India with their family. The Central Government should not accept the proposal of Abolishing these advances..
10.1.27	The minimum pension based on the recommendations of this Commission will increase by 2.57 times over the existing level	It must be increased as given in Pay Matrix table-5  according to their previous Pay Band grade pay stage  to maintain their status of the pensioner  instead of 2.57 for all pensioners Pay Band  I    – 3.00 Pay Band II    – 3.05 Pay Band III   – 3.10
11.8.26	SBCO cadre staff have demanded an increase in the entry grade pay of Postal Assistants (SBCO) from GP 2400 to GP 4200, on the grounds that their duties are such that they cannot be equated with postal assistants in postal circles but more pertinently with audit staff	The SBCO [Savings bank Control Organization] wing is one of the separate identity cadre in the Department of Post to attend the audit function of Postal Savings Bank transactions.            The P&T board decided in 1960 to take over the SB control work from the A.G P&T and abolish the duplicate ledger card system maintained in branch Audit office. The approval of the A.G, P&T, C.A.G and Ministry of Finance was also obtained. Initially, the scheme was started w.e.f.1.1.1961 and then extends in all office w.e.f.01.10.1965. As such, our parent cadre is Postal Audit and even after bifurcation from audit office, still we are doing the auditing work as a separate group with separate identity called as SBCO cadre in all Head Post Offices. This cadre should be identified as a separate “Audit wing”  for the POSB transactions.
11.8.27	The Commission has noted that the stipulated entry level qualification and recruitment process of Postal Assistants (SBCO) is similar to that of direct recruit Postal Assistants in the Postal Assistants’ cadre and their promotional channel is also identical. The Commission is therefore of the view that no upgradation is warranted	The both basic cadre was with the strength of  LDC [20%]/UDC [80%] and also the qualification for UDC is Graduation. Later date, both LDC/UDC post were merged and it is called as PA, SBCO. The recruitment procedure and entry level qualification was recently changed.  In SBCO, pre 1983 the pay scale of LSG Supervisor post 425-15-500-15-560-20-700 equivalent to IPO scale, but the scale of LSG Supervisor in Post side 425-15-560-20-640. In the recent CBS implementation, our role is defined as Auditor for controlling the daily Savings Bank Transactions Even though, our cadre is not considered as Organized cadre by the 7th CPC due to the entry level qualification is same for Postal assistant, our SBCO wing gas to be identified as Audit wing which is part of DAP office and their designation has to be changed as given below PA [SBCO]                              -     AUDITOR PA [SBCO]  -MACP -I            -   SENIOR AUDITOR   PA [SBCO]  -MACP -II        - DY. SENIOR AUDITOR PA [SBCO]  -MACP –III     - CHIEF AUDITOR LSG SUPERVISOR     -  ACCOUNTANT HSG-II SUPERVISOR  -  SENIOR ACCOUNTANT HSG-I  SUPERVISOR  -  CHIEF  ACCOUNTANT

                                                                                  

        The above comments and suggestions of our Union may please be considered.

                                                                                                      [ P.A.MHATRE, GENERAL SECRETARY]   

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CHQ Lr.No: CHQ/51-SBCO-Transfer cluster/AISBCEU/2015 Dated 06.12.2015 To Ms. Kavery Banerjee, Secretary (P) Department of Post,

Sub: Rotational transfer policy of SBCO staff – Non adherence of instructions issued Vide  DGs.Lr. No: 93-8/97-SPB-II Dated 30.09.99 & 141-77/2000-SPB-II dated 02.03.2000

 Ref: 1. Our Union letter NO: CHQ/14-SBCO-Transfer cluster/AISBCEU/2014 Dated 30.09.2014& 28.12.2014

        2. D.G. Posts letter No. 141-141/2013-SPB II dated 31.01.2014 & No. 141-229/2014-SPB II dated     

                          28.01.2015

             With your kind prior permission, our Union wish to bring your kind notice about our one of the burning problem of transfer policy which was recently changed by the Directorate vide letter dated 28.01.2015 for your kind consideration.

           In SBCO cadre, the total number of staff in SBCO cadre is approximately 3000 in all over the 900 Head Post Offices in India. One SBCO branch is established with minimum staff strength of 2 to 5 officials to audit   the daily Savings bank transactions of Head Offices and Sub Offices.

At the end of tenure of 4 years, they will be transferred within the cluster of Head post offices as per the earlier policy vide letter dated 02.03.2000 that It has now been decided that 2-3 HPOs as far contiguous as possible should be grouped together and the SBCO staff transferred to such group of HPOs after they complete their prescribed tenure.

            The above policy had been taken to avoid hardship facing by the staff during the Rotational transfers as given below:-

a.       Since our cadre is a smaller one in the lower grade of Group “C”  with lesser no of staff in each Head Post offices up to 2 to 6 officials for Savings Bank auditing purpose, if they have been transferred to the nearer Units , it will avoid hardships during Rotational transfer.

b.      In every occasion of transfers, the employees are facing problem in getting school admission and they have to contribute some higher amount as donation in every transfer occasion.

c.       If suppose, they left their family in their home station, they are put in compulsion two maintain two establishments one for him and other one for his family. In this situation, the children will lose their parents care.

d.      In every transfer, they have to find the new residence in the new area with the costly rent even though they had own house in the home place.

e.      The cluster of Divisions will increase the distance up to 100 to 200 KMs  from one Unit to other Unit where as cluster of HOs will restrict the distance with in 100 KMs. So, the employees need not spent huge expenses for bus journey.

Further, it is not known the necessity to change the transfer policy issued in the year of 2000 and which is in force for the past 15 years without any anomalies, why the Department has to change it as cluster of Divisions instead of the existing policy of cluster of HOs.

This problem had already been taken with Directorate in two occasions vide Union letter NO: CHQ/14-SBCO-Transfer cluster/AISBCEU/2014 Dated 30.09.2014 & 28.12.2014. Since, the Department is denied to consider the welfare matter of transfer policy and reiterated their earlier stand vide D.G. Posts letter No. 141-141/2013-SPB II dated 31.01.2014 & No. 141-229/2014-SPB II dated  28.01.2015 that

 “the rotational transfer of the staff of the Savings Bank Control Organization may be made within the cluster of Divisions and / or Head Post Offices only, which fall in the same Postal Division  or/ and  a neighboring Postal Division and are located in the same Region. It is presumed that the Circles/Regions have already worked out the clusters of HPOs for this purpose”.

Due to this above order, all Circles have issued orders by clubbing both Divisions as one cluster with a distance of 100 KMs to 200 KMs and now they are ready to issue Rotational transfer during this year of  March 2015. If the new policy will be implemented this year, many of our staff and their family members including children will suffer.

In view of the above genuine reasons, our Union put the following two prayers for your kind consideration as early as possible.

1.       The implementation of above clarifications dated 28.01.2015 must be deferred until the disposal of the case, till such time as per the existing policy issued in the year of March-2000 may be followed.

2.       The transfer policy of the officials must be considered by the Department with mercy, since it is one of the welfare issues of the staff and also to their family members. Hence, it is kindly requested to give necessary modifications to the order dated 28.01.2015  as done in the year of march-2000.

Thanking you, Sir.                 

                                                                                                                                                                                               

Encl: As referred above                                                                                                                 [P.A.Mhatre]                                                                                                                                                                                                General Secretary              

                                                                     

Sub :-  Suggestions  regarding  new  role  of  SBCO  under CBS environment -Reg.

Ref :- SB Order No.14/2015  dated  at  ND-1  the  19.10.2015.

Control Organisation and significance :— The Savings Bank Control Organisation has been set up in each Head Post Office to maintain control accounts of Savings bank and carry out day-to day checks of the work done by the SB Branch. The Organisation has a very important role in respect of Savings Bank operations. Unless the performance of this Organisation is efficient, the working of Savings Bank Branch will suffer and frauds may be facilitated.

         As  SBCO wing  was  originated  from  A.G, P & T audit  for the  post  audit  natured  duties  , receipt  of  vouchers  from  directly  sub account branch  and  preparation  of  consolidated  journal  by  S.B.C.O  are   irregular  instead  the  present  procedure  of  receiving  SB  returns   from  APM(SB)  is  suggestible

GENERAL:

As in Annexure –I of SB Order 14/2015	Modification/Suggestion required
1.1. After migration, the staff of SOSB branch may be reduced and re-deployed to POSB Counters,CPC or SBCO	1.1. After migration, the staffs of SOSB branch must be re-deployed with first preference to SBCO branch, since most of the SBCOs are being managed with single/Double handed PAs only. The spirit of the order above is good but Executive officers will not spare even one official from SOSB to SBCO branch in practical. After providing sufficient PAs to SBCO branch, in case of any surplus, they may be re-deployed to CPC or SOSB Counter. Clear instruction is required in this regard. Other-wise, again likewise ledger agreement pending, all the checking work will be put in arrears in SBCO branch. Provision of additional Computers: In addition to that, the computers using in SOSB branches are to be diverted to SBCO branch for checking of vouchers/LOTs . [Normally, in case of any surplus PAs in General line, the Postmaster/Divisional Heads are in habit to provide them first to Counters. More over the time factors have  to be announced to all kind of work  under the new procedure.
1.2. In charge of SBCO will identify one SBCO PA to take voucher bundles with consolidation from sub account branch	1.2. Under POSB Manual Vol-I Para.48, this work is assigned to the PA of SB branch. As discussed in the Group of SBCO officials meeting held at Chennai, in every HO, at least one PA will remain in SOSB branch who will take vouchers and LOTs from Sub Account and prepare Consolidated Journal of SOs and add HO figures As  SBCO wing  was  originated  from  A.G, P & T audit  for the  post  audit  natured  duties  , the receipt  of  vouchers  from  directly from  sub account branch  and  preparation  of  consolidated  journal  by  S.B.C.O  are   irregular,  instead  one of the General line PA under the control of Counter APM[SB] may be nominated to receive the vouchers & preparation of consolidation to hand over the same to SBCO branch and the SOSB branch may be abolished. [Actually, the SBCO branch is formed to audit the primary work of SB branch and not to attend the primary work by themselves.]
1.5.Account  Opening  Form  (SB-3/AOF)  where  KYC  documents  are  attached  will  not  be transferred to SBCO along with Account Closure Voucher. APM/SPM should record on the closed vouchers that “ SB-3/AOF retained with KYC documents”. In case of any SB-3 or AOF with whom KYC documents are not attached (subsequently opened accounts), SB-3 or AOF is to be attached with the closed voucher and sent to SBCO	1.5. This instruction is not clear. In the first stage, it is stated that it  (SB-3/AOF) may not be transferred to SBCO along with closed voucher, subsequently it is stated that it is to be attached with closed voucher to send it to SBCO branch. The SB-3/AOF may be retained at SB branch of HOs/SOs to attach the same for the subsequently opened accounts. It is not necessary to forward it to SBCO branch

OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED WORK IN SBCO

Present Nature of work	As in Annexure –I of SB Order 14/2015-after implementation of CBS	Modification/Suggestion required
3.1.Receipt of Returns	Will be discontinued. SBCO PA will receive Vouchers and Consolidations of SOs directly from Sub Account and APM (SB) HO Counter for HO	1.3. Under POSB Manual Vol-I Para.48, this work is assigned to the PA of SB branch. As  SBCO wing  was  originated  from  A.G, P & T audit  for the  post  audit  natured  duties  , the receipt  of  vouchers  from  directly from  sub account branch  and  preparation  of  consolidated  journal  by  S.B.C.O  are   irregular,  instead  one of the General line PA under the control of Counter APM[SB] may be nominated to receive the vouchers & preparation of consolidation to hand over the same to SBCO branch and the SOSB branch may be abolished. [Actually, the SBCO branch is formed to audit the primary work of SB branch and not to attend the primary work by themselves.]
3.2. Checking List of Transactions [SB -60/76]	Will remain continued as at present. SBCO has to match account number on LOT (to be viewed from Finacle	LOT printing is required for the following genuine reasons. 1.Generating of LOT in the Finacle server is taken too much time due to the poor network configuration. 2.Account number of LOT  verification directly with system will take too much time . 2.Sufficient systems is not available in SBCO branch
3.6. Consolidated Journal of all the Schemes *	Has  to  be  separately  prepared  for CBS Post Offices (if all SOs are not migrated) by SBCO for the purpose of tallying  totals  of  SOs  with  SO Summary and HO with HO Summary.Total amount has to be added below Consolidated Journal of Sanchaya Post received from SOSB and tallied with HO Cash Book.	3.6.Under POSB Manual Vol-I Para.48, this work is assigned to the PA of SB branch. one of the General line PA under the control of Counter APM[SB] may be nominated to prepare the  consolidation to hand over the same to SBCO branch due to the following problems in the MIS server and shortage of staff in SBCO branch. a.It is not possible as some of the SBCOs are having only single staff nor having two hands. b.Net work issue, almost all the reports are not generating as and when required (almost blank. For generation of reports we have to wait more time, some of the time it will not generate. c.You might have seen in the counter some of the days the finacle is not working for more than 2 to  5  hours, than our officials are also not able to get the reports, in turn the work will also be in arrears.  d.Through MIS server, the LOT/consolidation is not generating properly, verification/examination of LOT will be in arrears. Now a day’s reports are not generating properly, everything we have to raise the tickets with screen shot.  Whether it is possible?
3.7. General check of vouchers & checking of vouchers And 5.Proposed duties of SBCO PA/Supervisor - 5.2. General check of vouchers	Will remain continued as at present	3.7. Regarding General check of vouchers , the existing procedure may continue. No change is required. 3.7. Regarding voucher checking,  it is stated in Para.5.Proposed duties of SBCOPA/Supervisor Para.5.2. General check of vouchers only. There is no specification about voucher checking. In the CBS operation, there is no need of voucher checking other than the following cases as discussed in the Group of SBCO officials meeting held at Chennai as given below: 1.    Vouchers where account number or amount differs in voucher and LOT. 2.    Where there is any manual correction either on the voucher or in the LOT. 3.    The voucher checking Register may be maintained for the above 1 & 2 items only.
5.1.1.SBCO PA	Receipt of vouchers & consolidation from sub account branch	5.1.1. Under POSB Manual Vol-I Para.48, this work is assigned to the PA of SB branch. As discussed in the Group of SBCO officials meeting held at Chennai, in every HO, at least one PA will remain in SOSB branch who will take vouchers and LOTs from Sub Account and prepare Consolidated Journal of SOs and add HO figures. The staff of SBCO should be directed to attend the post audit work only
5.1.2.SBCO IN-CHARGE	Countersigned by the Suupervisor, SBCO in the consolidation.	5.1.2. The consolidation has to be countersigned by the APM[SB} and the Supervisor [ SBCP] will countersign it after verifying the figure with HO cash Book scheme wise.
1)    5.2 checking of LOTS	Checking of entries in LOTs viewed from Finacle MIS server	Checking of LOTs with MIS Server is a tedious process because LOT in MIS Server will show the transactions as per Teller ID but the vouchers are arranged by TRAN ID. So, PRINTED LOT has to be taken by the SOs/HOs and the same has to be sent to SBCO branch for voucher comparison with LOT during general checking as at present. Otherwise, lot of man power put in waste for this above kind of checking work. The generation LOT by SBCO branch could not be possible for all offices, since it takes long time process to generate and the routine of SBCO branch could not be completed in time and this work will come again pending likewise ledger agreement.
5.11.(i) Preservation period of vouchers & consolidation	5 Years	5.1.(i). In most of the SBCOs, there is no space to keep the vouchers & other records. Whenever, it is brought to higher authorities, they are keeping silent, but in case of any frauds happened, they are charging the concerned officials. It is the prime duty of the administration to provide sufficient space for keeping vouchers. In out post office set up, it could not be possible, for which all offices are functioning with in sufficient accommodation. Hence, the preservation period of vouchers may be reduced for THREE years instead FIVE years.In case of any loss of vouchers kept in open space, the officials should not be punished.

                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                               SD: P. A. Mhatre, General Secretary

EXPECTED DA JANUARY 2016 : On a fair guess, assuming that the AICPIN points remain the same for the remaining three months, one can expect Dearness Allowance of 6 percent and the total Dearness Allowance will increase by 125 percent. Unless there is a dramatic change in the AICPIN points, the total Dearness Allowance will very likely be around 125 percent. 

GOVERNMENT WILL CUT RATES ON SMALL SAVINGS CAUTIOUSLY: FM Arun Jaitley:  Government will cut interest rate on small savings "cautiously" so as to protect vulnerable sections like retired employees, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today while expressing confidence that 7th Pay Commission report will not upset the fiscal deficit targets. Most small saving instruments pay an interest rate of 8.75 per cent, compared to 7.5 per cent on deposits at SBI. Source : The Economic Times

INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 1st WEEK OF MARCH 2016: In the proposed strike called by the NJCA, our Union will also take part along with other Unions.

PAY COMMISSION IMPLEMENTATION GAZETTE TO BE ISSUED IN APRIL

New Delhi: The gazette to put into effect the Seventh pay commission recommendation will be issued in April before the announcement of West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and Tamil Nadu states assemblies’ election in May 2016, which will benefit 50 lakh central government employees and 52 lakh pensioners including dependents, Sources of Finance Ministry said Sunday.

Sources also said the Implementation cell of the Seventh pay commission recommendation in Finance Ministry works hard to send a summary of the pay commission implementation to Expenditure Secretary Ratan Watal for approval. After Watal’s approval, it would be placed before the cabinet for its nod through the group of secretaries of revision pay panel report headed by cabinet secretary. Sources said the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations implementation gazette will be issued in April, after cabinet nod.

       [SD: P.A.MHATRE, GENERAL SECRETARY]