Thursday, March 26, 2020



ALL INDIA POSTAL SBCO EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
(Affiliated with National Federation of Postal Employees)
H.Q:1stFloorNorth AvenuePost office Building,NewDelhi-110001
Email:jasminejalalbegam@gmail.com  Blog:http://aipsbcoeachq.blogspot.in/

No:  AIPSBCOEA/03-2020                                                            Dated : 24.03.2020
Bulletin 03
Dear Comrades,

The work report for the period of seven months from the All India Conference held at Haridwar (from 5.7.19 to 7.7.19)  till February 2020 is as below:

CWC MEETING HELD ON 28TH& 29TH FEBRUARY 2020
AT M.P. CLUB, NORTH AVENUE, NEW DELHI-110001

WORK  REPORT

Dear Comrades,
         After the successful  5thAll India Conference held at  “Gateway of God” -Haridwar in Uttarkhandfrom 5th to 7th July 2019 in a grand manner, we have privilege to again assemble in our scheduled Central Working Committee Meeting today at a crucial juncture in the hall of M.P. Club, New Delhi.
         On behalf of AIPSBCOEA (CHQ), I welcome all the delegates, observers, guests and members arrived from all over the country to grace the CWC by taking part in the discussion on our burning issues and challenges arising day to day faced by us. I feel privileged to welcome Com. R.N.Parashar Secretary General NFPE , CCGE&W  and General Secretary-P3 ,  Com. Pradip.U.Khadse, G/S R-III and Com. S.B. Yadav, G/S AIPAEA as well as members of NFPE affiliated unions who spared their valuable time to grace the meeting.
We are assembling in this Central Working Committee Meeting to discuss all the developments objectively from the All India Conference held from 5th to 7th July 2019 till today and to decide future course of action for the betterment of AIPSBCOEA. We have learnt many lessons from our movements and agitational programmes launched by NFPE & CCGEW in the interest of Central Govt. Employees & Workers.
Homage:
We pay respectful homage to Shri ManoharParrikar, Ex. Defence Minister & Ex. Chief Minister Goa expired on 17.3.19, Com . N. Gopalakrishnan ,Ex-Working President NFPE P-3 expired on 22.4.19, com. A.K. Roy, Veteren Leader of CITU  3 times MP from Dhanbad expired on 21.7.19, Smt. Sushma Swaraj, Former Union Minister, Senior Leader of BJP and First Lady Chief Minister of Delhi expired on 6.8.19, Shri. ArunJaitley Ex. Finance Minister expired on 24.8.19, Com .R.L.Bhattacharjee, Ex Dy Secretary General, NFPE, passed away on 10.9.19 at Kolkata. He was a legend and an Uncompromising fighter. He lead so many struggles in P & T trade union movement.


National Situation:
“We realize the importance of ‘democratic rights’ when they are taken away. During the emergency, people realized that ‘something’ was snatched”.
But in contradiction, now we feel that all the democratic rights of the employees and workers of the country are being snatched away one by one. What had not been done earlier especially before 2014 are now being implemented gradually and almost all the Central Govt. establishments are heading towards corporatization and privatization including the Department of Posts and the benefits which we were / are enjoying as the Central Govt. employees and workers are being snatched away one after another. As if there is an undeclared emergency.  
The following acts of the Government shows its unwavering commitment to neoliberalism:-
·         Dismantling of public sector and all public services including Railways, Defence, Health and education.
·         Placing the entire economy and people, at the mercy of the “Market”.
·         Labour law amendments to impose flexible and servile conditions on workers to promote “Ease of Doing Business”.
·         Wiping of welfare measures totally.
·         Rural economy and agriculture sector in distress.
·         Slavish submission to imperialism, international finance and corporate opening the floodgates of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
·         Strong ideological commitment to communal agenda.
·         Display of authoritarianism and extreme intolerance to slightest opposition, attacks on rationalists, subversion of constitutional and parliamentary norms and processes.
The retrograde recommendations of 7th CPC have snatched away the allowances and advances with worst ever pay hike. The written assurances given to the NJCA leaders through a Press Release on 30.06.2016 has been dropped on the floor of the Parliament stating that there is no proposal pending before the Govt either to hike the minimum pay or revise the fitment formula. The social security of the young generation employed after 01.01.2004 has been snatched away in the name of New Pension Scheme. The future of the unemployed mass is put on hold by not filling up of lakhs of vacant posts in various Govt. establishments. The hurried implementation of I T Modernization Project in India Post with inadequate and outdated hardware, improper software and shortage of manpower has taken away the concept of fixed duty hours, mental peace and social relationships of the employees. The sluggish connectivity with continuous link failure has stood on the way of prompt and effective service delivery inviting public anger and converting post offices the unhealthiest workplace now a days. The continuous pressure of the administration for achieving the unachievable targets has done away with so many lives of the employees. We are continuously struggling for settlement of the above issues.
The aspiration for a ‘New India’ where the only ambition is to think to reform and perform in order to transform which was communicated by Hon’ble Minister Communications to the officers of India Post in the annual Heads of the Circles Conference held at Srinagar from 29th to 31st July, 2019 adopting a 100 Days Action Plan and a Five Year Vision to align the Department of Posts with the Prime Minister’s ‘New India’ initiative.
The important decisions taken during the HoC conference, inter alia include converting the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) into a Small Finance Bank (SFB) to provide micro credit at the doorsteps to individuals and SME’s, targeting the milestone of one crore accounts for IPPB in 100 days and restructuring the Postal Life Insurance and Rural Postal Life Insurance business of the Department into a fully regulated Strategic Business Unit (SBU) registered as a company as per the requirement of IRDA.  
The decisions taken as above are nothing but a policy of the Govt. for direct implementation of the retrograde recommendations of the Task Force Committee headed by Shri T.S.R. Subramaian Ex. Cabinet Secretary which submitted its report in Novemeber-2014 recommending to divide India Post in to six Strategic Business Units (SBU) i.e. (i) Banking and financial services (ii) Insurance  (PLI/RPLI), (iii) Distribution of third party products (Services on behalf of private parties on payment basis), (iv) Management of Govt. services (v) Parcel & Packets and (vi) communication delivery.
As you know, the 1st SBU has already come into floor in the name of IPPB since 01.09.2018. Now the 2nd SBU will be restructured with PLI and RPLI. Thus there is every point of apprehension that by the end of this term from 2019 to 2024, all the 5 SBUs will be constituted and the Department will be fully corporatized. Though we have protested and are protesting such corporatize move of the Govt, we have not yet succeeded.
On 23.07.2019, the Government introduced the Code on Wages Bill, 2019 to amend and consolidate the laws relating to wages and bonus and matters connected therewith and the Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Bill, 2019 in LokSabha to amend the laws regulating the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions of the persons employed in an establishment. Now the Code on Wages Bill, 2019 subsumes relevant provisions of The Minimum Wages Act, 1948, The Payment of Wages Act, 1936, The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 and The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976. The Code on Wages Bill, 2019 has already been passed in LokSabha on 30.07.2019 in RajyaSabha on 02.08.2019. The Bill will become as an Act after Presidential assent. It will be the first Code to become an Act out of the four Codes.
Similarly, the Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Bill, 2019 has been drafted after amalgamation, simplification and rationalisation of the relevant provisions of the 13 Central Labour Acts viz. The Factories Act, 1948;The Mines Act, 1952;The Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act, 1986 ;The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 -,The Plantations Labour Act, 1951; The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970; The Inter-State Migrant workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979; The Working Journalist and other News Paper Employees (Conditions of Service and Misc. Provision) Act, 1955; The Working Journalist (Fixation of rates of wages) Act, 1958; The Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961; Sales Promotion Employees (Condition of Service) Act, 1976; The Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment)Act, 1966 and The Cine Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers Act, 1981. After the enactment of the Code, all these Acts being subsumed in the Code will be repealed.  
As is evident, in the name of simplifying labour laws, this is a pre-planned attack of the present Government on the entire working class. All the workers from the lowest paid to the highest, from those who live in villages to those in metropolitan cities, from those who work in the smallest of farms, fields and inside households to those who work in the most modern factories and offices will be affected with such arbitrary amendment.  The Government’s own description of the Bills is evidence enough that it favours employers. The failure to implement labour laws over the last 25 years has been the most significant route through which workers’ rights have been undermined. All trade unions have long been demanding that non-payment of minimum wages and such other violations of basic rights be made cognizable offences. Rather than responding to this, the Bills actually remove deterrents including the attachment of property in cases on non-compliance. Both Bills also clearly define the responsibility of the labour contractor as final. This is an important departure which takes away the key responsibility of the principal employer for payment of wages and other benefits including bonus; as also the criminal liability for workplace accidents and deaths. There is one law for the rich and for big companies and another for ordinary citizens. In a violation of Article 14 of the constitution – the fundamental right to equality under law – the government is seeking to grant the executive power to define how a company’s profits are to be computed. This will affect every worker in the country not only in terms of bonus payments but also, at the lowest end, in minimum wages as employers will make claims on the ability to pay owing to low profitability. 
This apart, the Govt, is now quite curious for imposition of FR – 56 (J).  As per a reply of the Minister, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions to LokSabha Unstarred Question No. 5182, dated 24.07.2019, for the period from July 2014 to May 2019, a total of 36756 Group-A and 82654 Group-B officers have been reviewed under F R – 56 (J) and similar provision under Rule-48 of CCS (CCA) Pension Rules, 1972 and Rule 16 (3) of All India Services (Death—Cum-Retirement Benefits) [AIS (DCRB)] Rules, 1958, out of which the provisions have been invoked  / recommended against 125 Group-A and 187 Group-B Officers.
Besides, the common problems of the Central Government Employees, we have our own several sectional issues.
Under the circumstances, when the existence of this largest postal network  of the world is at stake and our democratic rights are being snatched away in name of reformation, the coming future should put an end to the several challenges before us and as such, at this critical juncture, our participation, role and contribution in the coming struggles will certainly have a definite importance in determining suitable strategies to save the nation and safeguarding the interest of employees and workers.
Attack on Central Govt. Organisation and its employees specially for Department of Posts introducing Task Force Committee report, non filling of vacant posts, imposition of FR-56(J) and change of labour laws including New Wages Bill 2019
   The Govt. has accelerated its arbitrary move for corporatizing the Central Govt.  establishments including Wage Bill 2019 and amendment in Labour laws undermining the rights of the employees and workers but favouring the employers and corporate world to kill and snatch the rights of the Central Govt. employees which were gained by them through struggles.
The CCGE&W  decided to protest the anti-employees movement of the Central Govt. and served the notice to Cabinet Secretary on 12th Dec 2019 for call on One Day Nationwide Strike on 8th Jan ‘2020 for settlement of our 10 points charter of demands.
10 Points Charter of Demands are as under:-
1.    Scrap New Contributory Pension scheme (NPS). Restore Old defined benefit Pension Scheme (OPS) to all employees. Guarantee 50% of the last pay drawn as Minimum Pension.
2.    Honour assurance given by Group of Ministers (GoM) to NJCA leaders on 30.06.2016. Increase Minimum Pay and Fitment formula. Withdraw the proposed move to modify the existing time-tested methodology for calculation of Minimum wage. Grant HRA arrears from 01.01.2016. Withdraw “Very Good” bench mark for MACP, Grant promotional hierarchy and date of effect from 01.01.2016. Grant Option-I parity recommended by 7th CPC to all Central Govt. Pensioners. Settle all anomalies arising out of 7th CPC implemention.
3.    Stop corporatization/privatization of Railways, Defence and Postal Departments. Withdraw closure orders of Govt. of India Printing Presses. Stop proposed move to close down Salt Department. Stop closure of Govt. establishments and outsourcing.
4.    Fill up all six lakhs vacant posts in the Central Government Departments in a time bound manner. Reintroduce Regional Recruitment for Group B &C Posts.
5.    (a) Regularisation of Gramin Dak Sevaks and grant of Civil servant status. Implement remaining positive recommendations of Kamalesh Chandra Committee report.
      (b) Regularise all casual and contract workers including those joined on or after 01.09.1993.
     6.   Ensure equal pay for equal work for all. Remove disparity in pay scales between Central Secretariat staff and similarly placed staff working in field units of various departments.
      7.   Implement 7th CPC Wage Revision and Pension revision of remaining Autonomous bodies. Ensure payment of arrears without further delay. Grant Bonus to Autonomous body employees pending from 2016-2017 onwards.
      8.   Remove 5% condition imposed on compassionate appointments. Grant appointment in all  eligible cases.
      9.   Grant five time bound promotions to all Group B & C employees. Complete Cadre Review in all departments within a time-frame.
10. (a) Withdraw the anti-worker wage/labour codes and other anti-worker Labour    reforms. Stop attack on trade union rights. Ensure prompt functioning of various negotiating forums under the JCM Scheme at all levels.
      (b) Withdraw the draconian FR 56 (j) and Rule 48 CCS (Pension Rules 1972).
      Remember, all our existing benefits & rights are achieved through struggles and sacrifices only.
No Strike action will go in vain! No sacrifice will go in vain!
We will fight and we will Win! Scrap NPS and restore OPS!
Participation in agitation programmes, Strikes of CHQ/Federation/Confederation of CGS:

The CCGE &W  and NFPE had called for the 1 day Nationwide Strike to be  observed on 8th Jan 2020. National Secretariat of CCGE&W and Federal Secretariat of NFPE have unanimously decided on same charter of demands for future course of agitational programmes. The NFPE Federal Secretariat formulated 24 points charter of demands including Withdrawal of NPS and Guarantee minimum pension 50% of last pay drawn, filling up of vacancies in all cadres including SBCO, Implementation of cadre restructuring for left out categories including SBCO, Scrap Bench Mark in MACP, implement 5 days week in postal, Status of audit to SBCO.
CHARTER OF DEMANDS:
1.    Withdraw NPS and Guarantee minimum pension 50% of last pay drawn.
2.    Implement all positive recommendations of Sri Kamlesh Chandra Committee report and grant Civil servant Status to GDS.
3.    Fill up all Vacant Posts in all cadres of Department of Posts, i.e. PA/SA, Postmen, Mailmen, MMS, MTS, GDS, Postal Acctts, P.A Admin Offices, P.A SBCO & Civil Wing etc. within a time frame and separate identity of all cadres.
4.    Settle all the problems arisen out of implementation of C.S.I &R.I.C.T.
5.    Membership verification of GDS and declaration of result of regular employees membership verification conducted in 2015.
6.    Implementation of orders of payment of revised wages and arrears to the casual, Part time, Contigent employees & daily rated mazdoors as per 6th and 7th CPC and Regularize Services of casual Labourers.
7.    Implement Cadre Restructuring for left out categories i.e. RMS, MMS, Postman/MTS, PACO, PASBCO, Postal Acctts, Postmaster Cadre and Civil Wing etc.
8.    Stop Privatization, Corporatization and out sourcing in Postal Services.
9.    Scrap Bench Mark in MACP.
10.  Implement 5 days week in Postal and RMS.
11.  Enhancement of higher pay scales to those categories whose minimum qualification has been enhanced e.g. Postmen, Mail guard.
12.  Grant of pension to the promoted GDS based on Supreme Court Judgement in SLP No.(C) 13042/2014.
13.  Withdraw orders of enhancement of cash conveyance limit without security.
14.  Implement all High Court and Supreme Court decisions in C/W MACP, RTP and others.
15.  Cash less treatment under CGHS and allotment of adequate fund under head MR & T.A.
16.  Retention of Civil Wing in the Department of Posts.
17.  Holding of Departmental Council Meetings and periodical meetings at all levels.
18.  Stop Trade Union victimization and in the name of unscientific targets.
19.  Provide 40 percent SCF quota promotion in AAO cadre and amend RR incorporating the modifications demanded by AIPAEA.
20.  Status of audit to SBCO.
21.  Restore Special Allowance to PO & RMS Accountants and OSA to RMS/MMS Staff.
22.  All NSH and I.C. Speed Post Hubs should be under the administrative control of RMS and All L-2 Mail Offices should be identified as I.C. Speed Post Hubs and as Parcel Hubs.
23.  Permission to all Staff of Circle Office, Postmaster Cadre , SBCO, Postal Account and RMS/MMS staff to appear in Departmental Examination for promotion to PSS Group B.
24.  Amendment in Transfer Policy guide lines and under Rule-38 Transfer guidelines.
The following programmes of action had been decided by the Postal JCA.
1.    Submission of Memorandum addressed to the Secretary (Post) by PJCA by all Divisional/Branch Secretaries in all Divisions by holding lunch hour demonstration on 29th July 2019.
2.    Holding of one day Dharna at Divisional level on 21st August 2019.
3.    Holding one day Dharna at Circle level on 11thSeptember  2019.
4.    One day Dharna at JantarMantar, New Delhi on 4th October 2019 by All India Office Bearers of all Unions of NFPE, FNPO, AIPEUGDS & NUGDS.
Even after, if no fruitful result comes out, PJCA will decide serious programme of action including indefinite Strike.
Auditor – Shri. K.K. Singh  Supervisor SBCO, (Bihar Circle)
MAHILA SUB COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF AIPSBCOEA
CONVENOR                 :        Smt. SHP. Jasmine Jalal Begam ,Tamilnadu circle.
ODISSA CIRCLE            :        1.      Smt. Sujata Behera
                                             2.      Smt. Simanchala Das
                                             3.      Smt. Thinlay Bhutia       
Madhya Pradesh         :        4.      Smt .kalpna Jain – Raisen HO
                                             5.      Smt. Anita Gajbhiye -  Bhopal GPO
Kerala circle                :        6.      Smt. Krishna Jagadeesh – Trivandrum GPO
                                             7.      Smt. Indira
Chattisgarh circle        :        8.      Smt. Juleta Xalco  -Bilaspur Ho
                                             9.      Smt. Helna karketa – Rajnadgav HO
Assam circle                :        10.     Smt. Pallabi
West Bengal                :        11.     Smt. Ratna sarkar
Tamilnadu                    :        12.     Smt.K. Lakshmi –Park Town H.O
                                             13.     Smt.Gayatri – Mylapore HO
                                             14.     Smt.A.J.Divya – Anna Road HO
Maharastra                  :        15.     Smt.Sarita patel
Haryana                      :        16.     Smt.Meenu Sharma
Telungana                   :        17.     Smt.Bhanu 
                                             18.     Smt. Ramsree
                                             19.     Smt. Nalini 
Bihar                            :        20.     Smt. Radha Devi PA/SBCO Patna HPO

GREAT ACHIEVEMENT OF AIPSBCOEA :

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Ref. No:  AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/Cadre restructure /2019                                                  Dated- 28.08.2019
To,
              The Secretary,
              Department of Posts,
              Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
              New Delhi – 110 001.
Sub: - Implementation  of  Cadre  Restructure to  SBCO – Reg.
Respected Sir,
The Association   would  most  humbly  bring  to  the  kind  notice  of  the administration  that  Savings  Bank  Control  Organisation   is  at  present  doing  the Audit  work   of  the  Post  Office  Savings  Bank  Accounts.  Ours  being  a  circle   cadre  and  promotional  opportunities  are  very  megre  for   the  youngsters  who  enter  the  department  with  professional  and  technical  qualifications . Also  the  number  of  LSG,   HSG II and  HSG I  posts  are  very  limited  that  every time   the  LSG or  HSG promotions  when  awarded  to  the  officials,  they  are  not  able  to  accept   it   as   either   there  are  no  posts  available   in the  areas  with  HRA   or  feasible  to  them   or   there  are  no  posts  in  that  region  where  the  official   is  working. 

For  illustration,  if  one  circle like  Tamilnadu  is  taken, there  are   only  around  49  LSG Supervisor posts in SBCO whereas  there are  around  60-70  in  general  line  for  the PAs  in  a  division  itself. So,  comparatively  the  chances  for  promotion  for  the  SBCO  PA is  very less. As also  many  senior  officials  are  retiring  whose  posts  are  lying  vacant  and   the  young  officials  who  have  just  entered  the  department  are  forced  to  take up  the  incharge  seat without  any  financial/cadre  upgradation  as  there  is  no  officiating  arrangement  in SBCO.
It  is therefore   kindly requested   to  implement  the  Cadre  Restructure to  SBCO  wing  which  will  enable   the  young  officials  working   at  SBCO  to  get  their  promotions  under  LSG,  HSGII and  HSG I  at the  earliest  in   service  without  disappointing  them.
With Regards,
Yours Sincerely,
                   -Sd-                                                             
(SHP. Jasmine Jalal Begam)   
General Secretary

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No.: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/FRMU/2019                                                                          Dated- 28.08.2019
To
               The Secretary,
               Department of Posts,
               Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
               New Delhi – 110 001.
Sub: -  Dispensing of FRMU alert work from SBCO - regarding.
Ref: -   (i)   Association letter No. AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/FRMU/20019 Dated 19.3.2019
(II)  Directorate letter No.F.1-3/2017-PCO/PMLA Dated 15.4.2019
Our  Association  would  like  to  bring  to  the  kind   notice  of  the   references  as  above in   which  reply  was    given  to  the  association  that  the   circles  have  been  asked  to  strengthen  the  circle FRMU/AML unit by  posting  Inspectors/Asp and staff at  a Central  location  for  checking  alerts and  that  there  is no  specific  order  from   Directorate  relating  to  any  other  staff.  But  when  this  is  being  implemented  at  Division  level  it  is  cited   that  as per  the  Directorate  letter No.  17-15/2016-Inv dated 8.5.2019  regarding  SOP   for  processing  FRMU alerts   it  is  stated  that  the  SBCO  Supervisor  to  do  the  following   checks.
1.      Cross verify  with  the  closure  voucher  (SB-7A)
2.      Verify the Signature  using  IES Menu in Finacle
3.      Check the CIF modification details  using  HAFI  menu of Finacle
4.      For subsequent accounts, check with AOF/SB-3 form.
The above 4 points mentioned for the SBCO supervisor to verify is not in the SB control procedure and  moreover the work which is already being carried out in SBCO as 100% checking of vouchers by PAs and  5% verification done by the supervisor SBCO. All closures including PMCs are checked as a part of duty by the SBCO branch. As per the above points it is duplication of work which will cause wastage of time and manpower to check the same work again as of now all SBCO units are suffering from acute shortage of staff and regular supervisor are very few. It will moreover accumulate pending of voucher checking at SBCO branch. 
The real purpose of FRMU will serve unless and until the depositors are personally met with by the investigating/field officers and SBCO is not a investigation branch also. It is therefore kindly requested to dispense the above work mentioned as per the Directorate letter No. 17-15/2016-Inv dated 8.5.2019 regarding SOP for processing FRMU alerts which is an extra burden on SBCO.

With Regards,
Yours Sincerely,         
                    -Sd-                                    
(SHP. Jasmine Jalal Begam)   
General Secretary

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A  Letter was written by the All India CHQ regarding the Directorate letter mentioned  below in the reference  (Input/Suggestion for Prevention of Fraud) asking SBCO to view the signature and closure PBs:
Ref. No.: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/ Input/Suggestion on prevention of Fraud/2019      dated- 16.9.19
To
           The Secretary,
           Department of Posts,
           Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg,           
           New Delhi – 110 001.
Sub:    Submission of  Input/Suggestion on Prevention of Frauds reg…
Ref:     No.25-11/2016-FS-CBS,Govt of India, Ministry of Communication, Department of Post(F.S Division) dated 11.9.19 at Dak Bhawan New Delhi- 110 001.
Sir,
Input/Suggestion on prevention of frauds in CBS Post Offices:
In the recent memo No.25-11/2016-FS-CBS,Govt of India, Ministry of Communication,   
Department of Post(F.S Division) dated 11.9.19 at Dak Bhawan New Delhi-110 001 regarding input /suggestion on prevention of frauds in CBS Post Offices, the third point is about Signature checking of all closed accounts by SBCO in Finacle.
The duties of SBCO  are already  well defined in Manual for SB Control, Pairing & amp; ICO Procedure. Accordingly the SBCO staff are exercising the decentralized Audit & Accounts duties and their work actually starts after accounting of the transactions. SBCO has to exercise the Audit work, (ie) thorough checking of all the mandatory items by doing 100% voucher checking including all closures as per control procedure laid down for SBCO and the SB ORDER 14/2015 and the Addendums w.r.t the AOF forms/SB-3 cards for signature of depositors.
But, checking the signature in Finacle is not laid down in the Control Procedure of SBCO and it is irrelevant to SBCO where as it is a prime duty on the part of  the counter staff  and APM only before effecting  payment of amount to the depositor to prevent Fraud.
The second point in the memo number mentioned above regarding sending of closure  passbooks  to SBCO along with the closure form SB-7A  will not prevent fraud in any way as Pass book is not mandatory for doing transactions across the counter in CBS environment.  The  entries are not being made at regular intervals in the PBs vide the printers and only manual entries are made by posting the last transaction along with the BAT in the PB. Also nowadays amount can not only be withdrawn through ATMs but also closed, transferred from POSB to IPPB and from IPPB to any other bank account  without  passbook.
Closure of accounts may be done with Aadhar enabled verification (finger print matching/Irish matching).The customers those who are unable to come to post offices may be given door step service for Aadhaar enabled verification with service charge. If door step service cannot be provided then inspecting officers may verify the genuineness by meeting the customers personally.
It is irony that the objection memos raised by SBCO must be paid serious attention and be settled without delay in Post offices which is the responsibility of the concerned postmasters as mentioned in the SB ORDER 14/2015 but, it is not adhered to. Instead reports are being asked from SBCO for early settlement of the same which is another reason for occurrence of frauds.
There is acute shortage of manpower at every level right from MTS to PA cadre which is the main reason of occurrence of frauds.  The work of  two to three PAs are done by a singe SBCO PA in most of the units and almost all H.Os are running without the supervisors   except very few which are managed by the junior officials who have just entered the department. The Association has already written letter regarding cadre restructuring to SBCO cadre to solve ths problem vide Ref. No:  AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/Cadre restructure/2019  Dated- 28.08.2019. The shortage of manpower is experienced at the level of  the General line PAs  also which pave way  to the persons who do frauds intentionally and make the innocent officials  the scalp goats. A drive for recruitment may be conducted and vacancies may be filled upto the sanctioned strength as a one time measure.
The Silent revival (revival of dormant accounts) ,freezing and unfreezing of  a/cs with heavy amounts and exceeding the prescribed limits, transfers of sols, closures of B.Os / Single handed  SOs accounts , issue of duplicate Passbooks, issue of ATM cards , issue of cheque books  may be sent to the concerned H.Os for doing the same after verification by two Supervisors(APMs). A separate PA may be spared for the same like  that done for the claim sanction cases  as of now.
The higher value verification memos to be prepared every day at the SB branch and sent to the inspecting authorities who should verify the genuineness on daily  basis by meeting the depositors personally  and report the same.
Our Association would like to bring to the kind notice of the administration that prevention of Frauds can be done only  by evolving  necessary some additional ways and means at counter level  before effecting payment of amount to the customer and by entrusting the verification of genuineness of payment to the inspecting officers/field officers by visiting the depositors personally. 
It is requested that the suggestions  given above may be taken into consideration so  that the Frauds  can be prevented to some extent as the same have been heeped in crores of amount  after implementation of Finacle and CBS in savings bank comparatively more than when sanjay post was in usage. Hence the infrastructure and technology may be improved in such a way that except the depositor nobody can withdraw his money by linking Aadhaar , SMS alerts,OTP generation for closures and by making photograph of depositor mandatory which should be scanned for identification during payment of money at the counter. The Biometric method of payment was already suggested by our Association in the meeting under the chairmanship of Member(T)  dated 1.3.17  which was the first item in the 25 charter of demands and the minutes was received for the same by 21.4.2017 in which the suggestion was not taken into account. Atleast now the same may be implemented to prevent the fraud upto 90% by biometric method.
SBCO section is responsible for its routine work of audit nature only (ie) downloading the datas from Finacle and finding out any violation of prescribed rules while carrying out  voucher checking with utmost concentration and raising of objections if needed.
The term AUDIT defines “an official inspection of an organizations account by an independent body and it cannot be expected to detect every fraud”.
The SBCO wing is doing the Audit work and hence may not be fixed as  the co-offenders or sub-offenders which is against justice of nature as SBCO officials are in no way connected with the monetary transactions  taking place across the counter directly.Many innocent SBCO officials are already being pulled inside the trap by some way or another and penalized with the recovery under contributory negligence , hence it is requested that the act of injustice  needed to be stopped immediately. The verification of signature in finacle and  giving the closed passbooks to SBCO will not prevent frauds instead it will pave way to penalize the SBCO officials who are already over burdened with work done by SOSB, Sub accounts, CC bridge , vide many orders issued day by day. It is therefore requested that instead of issuing some orders day by day a meeting may be called for with the concerned branches with their representatives along with the technology team to sit and discuss the ground reality and follow the measures which will be suggested by them.
The FRMU alert verification is also entrusted to SBCO which is an additional work and it is already emphasized by the Association that the same may be verified by the inspecting/investigating authorities or by a centralized team at RO/CO to serve the real purpose of prevention of Frauds vide the Association’s letter Ref. No.: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/FRMU/2019 dated 28.8.19.
Hence both point number 2 and 3 mentioned in the memo No.25-11/2016-FS-CBS,Govt of India, Ministry of Communication, Department of Post(F.S Division) dated 11.9.19 at Dak Bhawan New Delhi-110 001 regarding prevention of Frauds  may please be dispensed with as it is an extra burdern on SBCO and will only make the voucher checking pending in under staffed situation and not prevent the Fraud. Hope the administration would understand the core of the suggestions given by the Association and implement it favourably for the smooth functioning of POSB and SBCO cadre.
 With Regards,
                                                   Yours Sincerely,                                          -Sd-
                                                                                                   (SHP. JASMINE JALAL BEGAM)
                                                                                                           General Secretary
Copy To:
Shri.Sachin Kishore,
DDG, FS Division,Dak Bhawan, New Delhi -110001.
The Assistant Director (SBPG) F.S Division
Dak Bhawan ,New Delhi -110001.
The Chief Postmaster General,
Tamilnadu Circle,
Chennai -600002.                                                                                            -Sd-
                                                                                                 (SHP. JASMINE JALAL BEGAM)
                                                                                                             General Secretary
Description: F:\downloads\Oct 2019\Input 10.10.2019.jpg
A Letter was written by the All India CHQ  regarding the Revised Recruitement Rules for PA/SA by the Directorate:
Ref. No:  AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/Recruitment Rules/2019                                      Dated- 20.09.2019
To,
            Shri  P.K. Bisoi,
            Honourable Secretary,
            Department of Posts,
            Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg,
            New Delhi – 110 001.
Sub:-   Framing of Department of Posts (Postal Assistant and Sorting Assistant) Recruitment Rules 2019 – Reg.
Ref:-    Directorate letter F.No. 04-05/2015-SPB-I ,Government of India, Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi, dated18.9.2019.
Respected Sir,
Our Association would like to bring to the kind notice of the competent authority with reference to the letter number cited in the above reference, regarding revision of the recruitment rules (RRs) for appointing the Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant including SBCO in the Department of Posts, with the following guidelines:
As per Para-2(b)PA(SBCO):
(i)        There will be no further appointment in SBCO cadre.
(i)        Existing officials of PA(SBCO) cadre will continue to be in PA(SBCO) Cadre till they are promoted or retired.
(iii)      All existing and consequent vacancies of PA(SBCO) shall be added to the strength of PA of Postal Division.
(iv)      Posting of PA(SBCO) will be done from Divisions as in Post offices.
It is transpired from the above points that the SBCO branch under Department of Posts is going to be abolished in due course which is completely in-contravention of the following prescribed procedures of the CAG, Government of India.
The SBCO and ICO(SB) branches were introduced in the Department of Posts bifurcating from  Accountant General , Posts & Telegraph as per the order of AG P & T No.  Admn. III/5(S)4A-KWiii/2806 Dated at Simla the 31st March 1964. The aim of the bifurcation was to transfer of Audit and Accounting work to the HPO. Since then, SBCO has been performing the Audit and Account functions of the various SB categories of accounts involving crores of Rupees of  lacs of Depositors in HPO.
1.    The Audit function of SBCO has been mentioned clearly in 1960 under Para-1(Preamble) of introduction POSSS Part-IV by A.N. Dureja authorized by the then P & T Board.
2.    The Internal control wing which is similar to SBCO is now called as “Internal Audit Office” as per Directorate Letter No. CIS/AU-1/101-06-07/2276 Dated 05.02.2007.
3.    The withdrawal vouchers have been checked by the SBCO staff (even now)  by putting their signature  in the place marked as “Auditor” on the SB-7.(withdrawal voucher).
4.    As per the Directorate order No.97-8/95-SB Dated 12.10.1995 newly created , the posts of Supervisor SBCO are carrying out the functions of JAO of erstwhile Audit and Account office.
5.    SBCO has to carry out the reality check to avoid delayed detection of fraud vide the Directorate Letter No.25-31/2017-FS-CBS Dated 19.11.2018.
6.    Preventive Vigilance –Procedure has to be followed by the SBCO to prevent fraud vide Directorate Letter No.4-5/DR-02/2018-Inv.Dated 20.12.2018
Through an Act of amendment by Nodal Ministry (Ministry of Finance) Small savings Audit & accounting work was transferred from the Audit office to the Post Office in 1964 with formation of new nomenclature as “SBCO”. Since then miseries of SBCO Employees are notwiped out  in the last 55 years and have lost everything from Designation to the pay & perks. On similar lines the Account wing was also introduced in the Department of Posts w.e.f.01.04.76 in the form of Office of Director of Accounts (Postal). Both the wings  were previously part of AG P & T.
Later on ,  Shri. J.S. Bhatia Member P & T Board (FD & AF) formulated a separate manual known as “Postal Manual of SB Control, Pairing & Internal Check Organisation” for duties of SBCO staff headed by AO ICO(SB) on the pattern of P& T Audit.
Time and again, our Association is demanding that the SBCO wing should be brought under the control of Director of Accounts (Postal) for effective functioning. Of late, an order was issued assigning  the work of NSCs & KVPs  to SBCO  which was previously done by DAP w.e.f  01.07.2016 vide SB Order 06/2016 issued vide No.32-01/2016-SB Dt.21.01.2019.
Ultimately SBCO section is dealing with the work of audit only (ie) downloading the datas from Finacle and voucher checking with utmost concentration. The term AUDIT defines “an official inspection of an organizations account by an independent body.Fortunately, the work being done by SBCO has coincided with the definition of AUDIT. SBCO cadre is called as distinct category according to the department, in other words independent body. POSB is very large banking institution under the Department of Posts having crores of account holders and multi crore of rupees as investment by the people.Proper audit to POSB system is inevitable.In our strong opinion, an robust internal audit should be mooted out in POSB like various audit organizations (ie) P & T audit General, Audit Civil Audit, Defence and Railway Audit which are watchdogs to the safety  of public money.
In Finacle the SBCO Auditor’s manual issued by India Post reveals that all the transactions are to be verified by the SBCO staff or auditor and all SBCO staff/Auditors have to get login IDs from CEPT, Chennai to view LOT. These lines are incorporated in page No. 03 of the said manual. Accordingly, the entire Manual indicates the detective controls by SBCO/Auditor staff.
In the Auditor’s Manual under the head “Detective Controls”-Comparison of Account number and amount in the voucher with LOT, it has been written as “However, the SBCO staff or Auditor has to verify all the transactions from the vouchers received from the LOT available in the Finacle Application. All SBCO Staff/Auditors have to get Login IDs from CEPT Chennai Team to view LOT either in production or through MIS server.
Under the head “ Sample LOT is given below” it has been written as “ SBCO/Auditor has to verify Account Number and Amount mentioned in LOT with the voucher and in case of any discrepancy, full transaction can be viewed in Finacle Application with input as TRAN ID mentioned in LOT and voucher. SBCO/Audit has to raise the objection procedurally for the discrepancy.
There is a head written as “Inquiries and reports for SBCO/AUDITOR staff. Menu options
1.    HACSP
2.    HACLI
3.    HACLPCA
4.    HACI
Under the head “Detective Controls – Interest Inquiries” written as
All Financial organizations will be receiving various income. The major share of the income for Min. of Finance comes from interest. SBCO/AUDITOR has to see that annual interest , closing interest and the post maturity (overdue) interest has been correctly accounted for.
The two types of interest inquiries are:
Interest Inquiries
Interest Reports
These inquiries are on the various activities/transactions conducted by the employees working in a Post Office. These reports and inquiries are effective for operations as well as detective controls for SBCO/AUDITOR staff.
It has been written as All other field shown in the screen are auto populated. The Auditors can even specify what type of Interest they are looking for, for example, additional, overdue or penal and so on, by choosing from the dropdown in interest type.
The Reamendments of Recruitment Rules for PA/SAs Cadre (PA(CO), PA(SBCO), PA(PO), PA(RLO) and SA-Proposal vide Directorate F.No. 09-03/2017-SPB-I Dt. 18.10.17 was proposed  earlier which was strongly opposed by the General secretary of AIPSBCOEA through individual ballot in the letter dated 03.11.2017.
In  fine, the following points are appended with reference to the proposed RRs mentioned in the letter cited under reference :
The Savings Bank Control Organisation was set up w.e.f 01.01.1960 with the approval of AG P & T , CAG and Ministry of Finance to ensure an On-Spot Checking over the work of Small Savings Schemes for audit & accounting, vouchers checking & reconciliation work vested within AG P&T which has its own separate identity other than existing PA Cadre in the Department being their nature of duties identical to the Audit & Accounts wing.
It is pertinent to mention that all the financial institutions must have a separate wing for Checking, Auditing & Accounting to safeguard the public money and on that’s why the Department has termed SBCO as unique cadre and recruit the personnel separately.Inter-change of SBCO staff with operative work (POs)viceversa,was not allowed.SBCO is considered as custodian of small savings business records in order to prevent any untoward incidents of misuse.
It is understood that the RRs of PA(SBCO) notified on 21.05.15 under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution were framed for 100% direct recruitment (Col. 10) with promotional avenues through DPC headed by DPS as Chairperson  and they come under Circle Cadre.
In 2017, the proposed RRs of PA/SA cadre circulated is strongly opposed by the entire rank and  file in SBCO and it was requested to maintain separate identity for SBCO cadre in proposed amendments in RRs of PA/SA cadre or consider their absorption with Audit & Accounts Wing being originated from AG P & T. Hence the RR proposal vide Directorate F.No. 09-03/2017-SPB-I Dt. 18.10.17 was dropped.
We are, still affirm since both SBCO and DAP were bifurcated from the erstwhile AG P & T by 1964 and 1976 respectively, the basic work of Audit continues to be common to both SBCO and DAP. The nature of work is of similar type dealing with the POSB  Audit and Accounting and the financial transactions of pay and allowance of employees which are also accounted through the POSB Accounts only.
In view of the above  it is requested to kindly reconsider the framing of the present proposed Recruitment Rules and to rechristen the SBCO as SB Audit Organization and PA (SBCO) as AUDITORs in  order to function effectively under the control of GM(PA & F) for the proper caring of crores of money deposited by lacs of customers.
With Regards,
Yours Sincerely,
                 -Sd-
(SHP. Jasmine Jalal Begam)
General Secretary
Copy To:
1.    The DDG. FS Division, DOP, Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg, New Delhi -110 001.
2.    The DDG. Establishment, DOP, Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg, New Delhi -110 001.
3.    The DDG. SR Legal, DOP, Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg, New Delhi -110 001.

Description: F:\downloads\Oct 2019\Framing RRR 10.10.2019.jpg
A Memorandum was given on behalf of our All India CHQ during the  visit to Directorate on 6th and 7th November 2019 containing all the long pending sectional demands of SBCO.
MEMORANDUM
To
The Secretary,
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg,
New Delhi – 110 001.
Ref. No.: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/memorandum/2019                                                   dated- 4.11.19                                                           
Sir,
It is to bring to your kind notice that on so many occasions, we SBCO have raised our long pending genuine demands before the Department. But it is highly regretted that no effective steps have been taken by the Department to mitigate the problems causing more sufferings to the employees. We are bringing all the problems faced by the staff at ground level separately on each subject but no solution is coming out. All our long pending demands have been narrated as below:
CHARTER OF DEMANDS:

1.  Change of Administrative control:
It is learnt that SBCO was part of the AG P&T and through an Act of amendment by Nodal Ministry (Ministry of Finance) Small savings Audit & accounting work was transferred from the Audit office to the Post Office in 1961 with formation of new nomenclature as “SBCO”. Since then miseries of SBCO Employees started and in the last 55 years, have lost everything from Designation to the pay & perks. On similar lines the Account wing was also introduced in the Department of Posts w.e.f. 01.04.76 in the form of Office of Director of Accounts (Postal). Both wings of the Department were part of AG P & T but there is vast difference in pay & perks with promotional avenues between SBCO and Postal Account staff. In Postal Account Office directly recruited. Jr Accountant are getting Rs. 5400 G.P. by way of MACPs in the SBCOs, the PA being similarly situated is getting Rs. 4600/- G.P. The Department of Posts is undergoing a sea-changes because of modernization and technological advancement. The Department has launched its prestigious project CSI and in the post modernization and in CSI environment SBCO has its specific role . The Association demands that the SBCO wing should be brought under the control of Director of Accounts(Postal) being same nature of work and in recent days a order regarding the work of NSCs & KVPs is also assigned to SBCO cadre which was previously done by DAP.

2.  Permission for appearing in PS Gr. ‘B’ Examination:
Presently the PA (SBCO) is  a common cadre of Postal  Assistant having same pay & perks but their promotional avenues  are restricted and the  SBCO  staff have been debarred for appearing in PS Gr ‘B’ DepartmentlExamination.This item was taken and discussed on 16.12.2014 in JCM (DC)  meeting and also on 7.1.2019 in PJCA meeting.

3.  Higher Pay scales for higher responsibility Posts (LSG, HSG-II &HSG –I):
It is learnt that after introduction of financial upgradation  schemes the NB Supervisory Posts are downgraded in their grade pay while they are shouldering higher responsibilities and supervision of the work of the officials under him. Accordingly the officials promoted against these NB posts are not interested to carry out the higher responsibility resultantly maximum no. of posts are still unfilled. It is  pertinent to mention that the Department of Posts is only a Department  where on promotion the officials are getting less grade pay and by virtue of that refusals for promotion arise.

4.  Filling up the vacant posts in SBCO:
The SBCO is facing acute shortage of staff in all the Circles and the G/S has addressed a detailed reference on 12.3.16 to the Secretary (Posts) which is unattended to. After role out of CBS hundred percent vouchers checking and other CBS works have been assigned to SBCO subject to there should not be more than 2-3 days pendency, but it is impossible to carry out the work in under staffed situation. The checking of NSCs & KVPs vouchers have also been deployed to SBCO in these situations are unmanageable without staff. That a special drive for recruitment of SBCO staff may be launched to make good the shortage of staff in SBCO as early as possible to avoid the pendency because about 50% to 60% posts of PA(SBCO) are lying vacant in all the Circles of the Deparment.

5.  Contributory Negligence/Irregular Recovery imposed on SBCO staff:
The duties of SBCO staff are well defined in Manual for SB Control, Pairing & ICO Procedure. Accordingly the SBCO staff are exercising the decentralized Audit & Accounts duties and their work actually start after accounting of the transactions. Therefore , penalizing the SBCO employee by imposing recovery of loss irrationally for frauds committed in the Savings Schemes in Sub Offices / Branch Offices is contrary to statutory Rules. The SBCO staff is not directly related to any type of monetary transaction and accordingly they should not be imposed as offender/co-offender in misappropriation cases. It is learnt that under Rule 11 (iii) of CCS (CCA)Rules 1965 the penalty of recovery can be imposed on a Govt. servant  who is directly responsible for the act of negligence or breach  of orders causing the financial loss and accordingly the SBCO staff should not be held responsible for any type of recovery in misappropriation cases, so that the SBCO staff be exempted from contributory negligence as they are not directly involved in any monetary transactions.

6.  Restoration of powers for recording APARs of SBCO staff to AO ICO (SB) in place of Divisional Heads:
SBCO functions are devised for checking, auditing and accounting according to the prescribed procedures. PAs (SBCO)  belong to circle cadre and their Appointing Authority is Director of Postal Services. The progress of the work performed by the officials of SBCO is virtually reviewed by AO ICO(SB) acquire knowledge about the staff and their performance. Since the SBCO is an audit section, it has to bring out the deficiencies and discrepancies of the SB Branch by raising objections and reports. This action is not relished by the Divisional Administration and the SBCO Branch is being considered as nuisance by them. As such , the power of writing of CRs over SBCO staff vested with Divisional Administration to coerce the SBCO staff for not raising genuine objections. Hence, it is resolved to restore the power of writing of CRs to AO ICO (SB) to enable the SBCO staff for maintenance of proper accounting and auditing as per SB Control Procedure and pattern independently.

7.  Impractical Adhoc time factor should be modified:
The exparte adhoc time factor formulated by the Department should be modified and enhanced as per actual time taken for the particular work in consultation with Association’s representative.

8.  Cadre restructuring of SBCO staff:
The cadre restructuring proposal was accepted by the staff side in 2014 with agreement between official side and only Pas (PO) have been awarded restructuring on 27.5.2016 and SBCO cadre have been left out. Thus the promotional avenues of SBCO cadre are held up. The 7th CPC has also directed to evaluate the cadre structuring to all Central Govt. employees. Thus the fundamental rights of SBCO cadre is hammered despite of subsequent agitational programmes.
The Association would most humbly bring to the kind notice of  the administration  that  Savings  Bank Control Organisation is a  present doing the Audit work of the  Post Office  Savings  Bank  Accounts. Ours being a circle cadre and promotional opportunities are very megre for the  youngsters who enter the department  with  professional  and  technical  qualifications . Also  the  number of LSG, HSG II and HSG I posts are very  limited  that  every time   the  LSG or  HSG promotions when awarded to the officials, they are not  able  to  accept  it  as  either   there are no post  available  in the  areas with  HRA  or  feasible  to  them  or  there are  no  posts  in  that  region  where  the  official   is  working. 
For  illustration, if one circle like  Tamilnadu  is taken, there are  only  around  49  LSG Supervisor posts in SBCO whereas  there are  around  60-70  in  general  line  for  the PAs  in  a  division itself. So,comparatively the  chances for  promotion  for  the  SBCO  PA is  very less. As also  many  senior  officials  are  retiring whose  posts  are  lying  vacant  and   the  young  officials who have  just  entered  the  department  are  forced  to  take up  the  incharge  seat without  any  financial/cadre  upgradation  as  there  is  no  officiating  arrangement  in SBCO.  A letter has been sent by the AIPSBCOEA CHQ for the same. 
 It  is therefore kindly requested to implement the Cadre Restructure to  SBCO  wing  which will enable the young officials working  at  SBCO  to  get  their  promotions  under  LSG ,  HSGII and  HSG I  at the  earliest  in  service  without  disappointing  them.



9.  To Dispense the work of FRMU Alert from SBCO:
With reference to the Directorate letter No.F.1-3/2017-PCO/PMLA Dated 15.4.2019,it is brought to the kind notice of  the administration that  reply  was   given  to  the  association that the circles have been asked to strengthen the circle FRMU/AML unit by posting  Inspectors/Asp and staff at a Central  location  for  checking  alerts and  that  there  is no  specific  order  from  Directorate  relating  to  any  other  staff.  But  when  this  is  being  implemented  at  Division level it is cited that as per  the  Directorate  letter No. 17-15/2016-Inv dated 8.5.2019  regarding SOP for  processing  FRMU alerts   it  is  stated  that  the  SBCO  Supervisor  to  do  the  following   checks:
1.    Cross verify  with  the  closure  voucher  (SB-7A)
2.    Verify the Signature  using  IES Menu in Finacle
3.    Check the CIF modification details  using  HAFI  menu of Finacle
4.    For subsequent accounts, check with AOF/SB-3 form.
The  above  4  points  mentioned   for  the  SBCO supervisor  to  verify  is  not  in the SB control  procedure  and  moreover  the  work  which  is  already  being  carried  out  in  SBCO  as  100%  checking  of  vouchers   by  PAs  and  5%  verification   done  by  the  supervisor SBCO.All closures  including  PMCs  are  checked  as  a part  of  duty  by  the SBCO branch as per the control procedure and SB order 14/2015 and the Addendums.  As per  the  above  points  it  is  duplication  of  work  as after few months again  alerts have been sent to verify  once again  from the beginning which  will cause wastage  of  time  and  manpower  to  check  the  same  work  again , as of  now  all  SBCO  units   are  suffering  from  acute  shortage   of  staff  and  regular   supervisor  are  very  few. It  will moreover  accumulate  pending  of  current voucher  checking  at  SBCO  branch.  As far as the checking of CIF modification and signature verification using IES is concerned , it is not in the control procedure of SBCO and it is a routine to be completed at the counter level itself before payment of the amount to the depositor.
The  real  purpose  of FRMU  will  not serve   unless  and  until  the  depositors  are  personally  met  with  by   the  investigating / field  officers  and  SBCO  is  not  a   investigation   branch also.   It  is  therefore  kindly  requested   to  dispense  the  above  work  mentioned   as  per  the  Directorate  letter No.  17-15/2016-Inv dated 8.5.2019  regarding  SOP   for  processing  FRMU alerts   which   is   an  extra  burden  on  SBCO. A letter has already been sent regarding FRMU  alert to the Directorate vide Ref. No.: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/FRMU/2019 dated 28.8.19.

10.  Non Adherence of the Union constitution regarding  granting immunity from transfer to the Circle Secretaries:
In some circles the Circle secretaries of AIPSBCOEA have not been granted immunity from transfers  (for example Assam circle, Odisha circle , Madhya Pradesh circle, Uttarkhand circle)  according to the Union Constitution which is strongly condemned by the AIPSBCOEA CHQ and an immediate  intervention is needed to implement the same as per the DG (P & T) No.69/18/70.SPB I dated the 7th December 1970.

11.  Audit status to SBCO staff and change of nomenclature as Auditor in place of PA(SBCO) & grant of promotions accordingly:
The G/S on behalf of AIPSBCOEA has already submitted cadre restructuring proposal on 15.1.14 to the Department where in the justification for change of nomenclature of PA(SBCO) into Auditor has been elaborated. The two round discussion with Chairman Cadre restructuring committee have also been held on 05.02.14 & 07.02.14. After introduction of CBS the SBCO staff have been ordered for Auditor’s training in Postal Training Centres.In view of aforesaid discussion the nomenclature of PA(SBCO) into Auditor should be accepted and the house expressed his concern accordingly to pass the resolution. It is learnt that the SBCO staff was decentralized / born from Audit & Accounts and are liable  to promotional avenues at par with them, Proposed Nomenclature & their promotional avenues are as under:-
Present
Designation
Proposed
Designation
MACPs

Proposed
Scales of pay
PA(SBCO)
The duties of
UDCs (SBCO) are at Present assigned to them
Auditor
(Entry level)
-
5200-20200
GP-2800


MACP –I
9300-34800
GP-4200


MACP-II
9300-34800
GP-4600


MACP-III
9300-34800
GP-4800
LSG
(Supervisor)
Sr. Auditor
-
9300-34800
GP-4200
HSG –II (Sr. Supervisor
Chief Auditor
-
9300-34800
GP-4600
HSG – I (Chief  Supervisor)
Executive Auditor
-
9300-34800
GP-4800
-
Chief Executive Auditor (Gazetted)
-
9300-34800
GP-5400

Ultimately SBCO section is dealing with the work of audit only (ie) downloading the datas from Finacle and voucher  checking with utmost concentration. The term AUDIT defines “an official inspection of an organizations account by an independent body and it cannot be expected to detect every fraud”.
Fortunately the work presently done by SBCO has coincided with the definition of AUDIT . SBCO cadre are called as distinct category according to the department, in other words independent body. POSB is very large banking institution under the Department of Posts having crores of account holders and multi crore of rupees as investment by the people. Proper audit to POSB system is inevitable.
In our strong opinion , an robust internal audit should, be mooted out in POSB like various audit organizations (ie) P & T audit        General, Audit Civil Audit, Defence and Railway Audit, taking in account of safety  of public money.
Now the Government/Department should take initiative to declare the SBCO as SB audit organization and its cadres  as Audit and cause order the DPS/AO ICO(SB) as controlling authority straightaway delinking powers of Divisional Heads and Postmasters of HO over SBCO.

12.  Retaining  of  posts at  CPU/CPO as per  justification  after diversion of  Surplus  posts : Diversion of all  the Circle pairing  unit (CPU)/Central Pairing Office(CPO)  posts  (Supervisor and PA  posts)  to  justified  SBCO  units  immediately  as per  the  Directorate  Letter No. F. No. 109-01/2017-SB dated  03.05.2019 after keeping atleast one supervisor and one PA at the  CPU/CPO  as per  justification  to  attend  the  pending  UD and  UCs  remaining  due to  some  non migrated offices (non CBS)   which  are  still there.

13.  The Role of SBCO cadre in future :
The recent Directorate order F.No.04-05/2015-SPB-I, Government of India, Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan ,SansadMarg, New Delhi. Dated 18.09.2019 regarding Framing of DOP (Postal Assistant  and sorting Assistant) Recruitment Rules, 2019 – regarding , Our Association would like to inform the Department that the cadre of PA(SBCO) should not be merged with General line PA and as per constitution an option should be given for merger with DAP from where SBCO has been bifurcated as SBCO is an AUDIT wing. Any decision may be  taken only after discussion and suggestion of  Union representatives of SBCO cadre .A separate detailed letter was sent by the Association to the Department on 20.9.2019 regarding the Revised Recruitment Rules 2019.
Our Association likes to  bring to the  notice of the Department  that most of  the demands mentioned above were also passed as Resolutions in the 5th All India Conference held at Haridwar from 5.7.19 to 7.7.19 . Hence it is requested to take necessary action to solve the long pending issues in SBCO cadre mentioned above as the Department knows the importance of SBCO and its necessity to maintain a separate identity.

A line of reply is solicited please.

With Regards,

Yours Sincerely,
             -Sd-
(SHP. JASMINE JALAL BEGAM)
General Secretary

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Ref. No. : AIPSBCOEA/CHQ-Uttarkhand Circle/2019                       Dated : 05.09.2019

To,
            Shri. S.R. Amin,
            Director (SR/Legal)
            Department of Posts
            Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
            New Delhi – 110 001.
Sub :   Regarding formation of Adhoc Committee for AIPSBCOEA in Uttarkhand Circle. 
Respected Sir,
            It is requested that as per decision/resolution passed in 5th All India Conference held at Haridwar (Uttarkhand), the house unanimously directed the General Secretary to proceed for formation of Adhoc Committee of Association in those circles where no Circle Association of AIPSBCOEA is in existence/defunct.
            In compliance of aforesaid decision/ resolution the adhoc committee of AIPSBCOEA for Uttarkhand Circle is constituted as under:-
1.         Shri. Prakash Singh Mawadi                      -           Convenor
            PA (SBCO) , Haldwani H.O.
2.         Shri Narendra Singh Kandari                     -           Member
            PA (SBCO), Kotdwar H.O.
3.         Shri  Vipin Kumar                                         -           Member
            PA (SBCO) Roorkee H.O.

It is therefore requested to kindly cause for formation of adhoc committee at Uttarkhand Circle and oblige.
                                               With profound Regards,
                                                                                                         Yours sincerely,
                                                                                                               -Sd-
                                                                                            (SHP. Jasmine Jalal Begam)
                                                                                                                General Secretary
Copy to:-
                 The Chief Postmaster General, Uttarkhand Circle, Dehradun for causing Recognition to the adhoc committee.
                                                                                                               -Sd-
                                                                                            (SHP. Jasmine Jalal Begam)
                                                                                                                General Secretary








Ref. No. : AIPSBCOEA/CHQ-Karnataka Circle/2019                  Dated : 05.09.2019
To,
              Shri. S.R. Amin,
              Director (SR/Legal)
              Department of Posts
              Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
              New Delhi – 110 001.
     Sub :   Regarding formation of Adhoc Committee for      
                AIPSBCOEA in Karnataka  Circle. 
              Respected Sir,
                 It is requested that as per decision/resolution passed in 5th All India Conference held at Haridwar (Uttarkhand), the house unanimously directed the General Secretary to proceed for formation of Adhoc Committee of Association in those circles where no Circle Association of AIPSBCOEA is in existence/defunct.
                In compliance of aforesaid decision/ resolution the adhoc committee of AIPSBCOEA for Karnataka Circle is constituted as under:-
1. Shri. Girish  A                                       -      Convenor
PA (SBCO) , Chikkaballapur H.O.
2.Shri.  Kirankumar Nayak,                     -        Member
PA (SBCO), Vijayapura H.O.
3.Shri. Gurasiddappa Halijol                    -        Member
PA (SBCO)  Vijayapura H.O.
It is therefore requested to kindly cause for formation of adhoc committee at Karnataka Circle and oblige.
                                              With profound Regards,
                                                                                                         Yours sincerely,
                                                                                                               -Sd-
                                                                                      (SHP. Jasmine Jalal Begam)
General Secretary
Copy to:>
                 The Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka  Circle, Bangalore  for causing
Recognition to the adhoc committee.
                                                                     -Sd-                                                                                                                                                   
                                            (SHP. Jasmine Jalal Begam)
General Secretary
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Ref. No:  AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/Circle Conference Karnataka 2019                     Dated-18.11.2019
NOTICE
Notice under the provisions of Article 30 of the Constitution of All India Postal SBCOEmployees Association is hereby issued that the  Circle Conference of Karnataka Circle will commence at  10 a.m on  15.12.2019 (Sunday) , at Hotel Paarag,Rajbavan Road, opposite to GPO Complex, Bengaluru -560 001 , under the supervision of CHQ.

       The following shall be items of the agenda :-
1.       Organisation Review – Review of the present membership to spread largest union in the Circle.
2.       Review of filling up of vacant posts lying in the Circle .
3.       Implementation of Cadre Restructuring to SBCO.
4.       Contributory negligency cases imposed on SBCO staff of the Circle-Review regarding.
5.       Review of MACPs promotion and benchmark.
6.       Review of the framing of Department of Posts(Postal Assistant and Sorting Assistant) Recruitment Rules 2019.
7.       Discussion on scrapping of NPS.
8.       Remittance of quota to C.H.Q.
9.       Election of the Circle Office Bearers.
10.   Any other item with the permission of Chair.
                                                                                                                          -Sd-
                                                                                                           (SHP.Jasmine Jalal Begam)
                                                                                                                  General Secretary             
Copy To:
1.       The Secretary, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg, New Delhi- 110001 for information please.
2.       The Director, SR Legal, Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg, New Delhi-110001 for necessary action.
3.     The Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Circle,  for necessary action.
4.     The Secretary General,NFPE, 1ST Floor, North Avenue P.O. Building, New Delhi-110001.
5.     Com.ShrikanthMallick, President, AIPSBCOEA CHQ.
6.       Members of AIPSBCOEA in Karnataka Circle.
7.       Notice Board.
8.       Office Copy.
                                                                                                                     -Sd-
                                                                                                          (SHP.Jasmine Jalal Begam)
                                                                                                                  General Secretary             
Ref. No:  AIPSBCOEA/CHQ-Accomodation/12/2019                                             Dated- 05.11.2019
To,
            Ms. AindriAnurag,
            Chief Postmaster General,
            Delhi Circle, MeghdootBhawan,
            New Delhi – 110001.
Sub:     Allotment of Office Accommodation to All India Postal SBCO Employees Association recognized and affiliated with NFPE. 
Ref:      1.  Your Office File Mark –Bldg./5-455/AIPSBCOEA/2013
            2.  Our Association letter No.AIPSBCOEA/CHQ-Accomodation/11/2019 dt 23.08.2019
Respected Madam,

               The Association is requesting since years together for the allotment of office accommodation, as already the SD -7 at Dev Nagar which was allotted to our association but before taking its possession it was allotted to some other person without any intimation to the Association.
              The Association has submitted a detailed representation on 27.8.18 and 23.8.19 (vide reference cited above) for allotted of accommodation  at the UD-7 lying vacant and under the encroachment by the adjoining people. If this UD-7 IS allotted to the Association this type of encroachment may be avoided.
             It is therefore requested to kindly look into the matter personally and cause reallotment for UD-7 at Dev Nagar or any centrally placed accommodation surrounding area of Postal Directorate preferably quarters in Kalibari Marg P & T being a lady General Secretary feasible for attending Directorate and oblige.
                                              With Profound regards,
                                                                                      Yours Sincerely,
                                                                                                                                 -Sd-
                                                                                                                         (SHP. Jasmine Jalal Begam)
                                                                                                                                    General Secretary

Ref. No:  AIPSBCOEA/CHQ-Circle Conf./UP/2019                                                                          Dated- 05.11.2019
To,
The Secretary,
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg,
New Delhi – 110 001.
Sub:       Non grant of recognition to the newly elected office bearers of AIPSBCOEA, U.P. Circle by  way of Circle Conference held on 07.04.2019 at Lucknow.
Ref:        The Association letter No.AIPSBCOEA/CHQ-Circle Conf./UP/2019 dt 09.07.2019 & 14.08.2019.
Respected Sir,
               The Association has already written a letter vide the reference cited above regarding the biennial Conference of U.P. Circle  was conducted on 07.04.2019 at Lucknow and the list of office bearers was submitted to the CPMG, U.P. Circle for grant of recognition & trade union facilities for next term. But it was stated that the Conference held before 25.04.2019 may not be recognized.
                In this regard the Association stated that Dte. Letter No. 16-75/2010-SR Dt. 27.02.2018 issued in pursuance of judgement/Order dt 07.12.2018 of Honourable Calcutta High Court Passed in W.P. No. 16021(W) of 2013 to be finalized within three months was meant for abeyance the trade union facilities only. There was no restrictions for internal activities of the Association like CWC, Conferences, Seminars,Meetings etc. Thus the plea of CPMG, U.P. Circle is not admirale at all.
               Being a recognized Association ,it is once again requested to kindly look into the matter personally and cause instructions to the CPMG, U.P. Circle Lucknow for grant of recognition and trade union facilities to the newly elected office bearers of AIPSBCOEA, U.P. Circle in the Conference concluded as per norms of bylaws of the Association to avoid debarment of fundamental rights & oblige.                     
                                              With Profound regards,
                                                                                         Yours Sincerely,
                                                                                                                                                                             -Sd-
                                                                                                                          (SHP. Jasmine Jalal Begam)
                                                                                                                                    General Secretary
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Ref. No:  AIPSBCOEA/CHQ-Circle Conf./UP/2019                                                        Dated- 22.11.2019
To,
The Chief Postmaster General,
Uthra Pradesh Circle,
Lucknow.  
Sub:     Non grant of recognition to the newly elected office bearers of AIPSBCOEA, U.P. Circle by  way of Circle Conference held on 07.04.2019 at Lucknow.
Ref:      Directorate letter F.No.18-02 2019-SR ,Govt Of India, Ministry of Communication,          Department of Posts (SR Section) , Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110 001 dated 18th November  2019.
Respected Sir,
               With reference to the Directorate Letter number cited above it is requested to grant  recognition and trade union facilities to the newly elected office bearers of AIPSBCOEA, U.P. Circle in the Conference concluded as per norms of bylaws of the Association as early as possible  to avoid debarment of fundamental rights & oblige.                     
                                              With Profound regards,
                                                                                     Yours Sincerely,
                                                                                                                                 -Sd-
                                                                                                                          (SHP. Jasmine Jalal Begam)
                                                                                                                                    General Secretary
Copy To:
The Director, SR/Legal, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi–110001.





Ref. No.: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/Change of role of SBCO/2019                             dated- 02.12.2019
To
The Secretary,
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg,
New Delhi – 110 001.
Sub:    Regarding input/Suggestion reg- Change of role and responsibility of SBCO, Post GL integration.
Ref. :   Association letter No.AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/ Input/Suggestion on prevention of Fraud/2019 dated- 16.9.19.
Ref. :   Association letter No.AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/AUDIT STATUS/2019 dated- 25.11.2019.
In continuation with the Association’s letter dated 25.11.19 written in reply to the Directorate’s letter dated 22.11.19  regarding inpupt/Suggestion reg- Change of role and responsibility of SBCO, Post GL integration the following suggestions are given in respect of change in role,working scenario, changes in procedures, administrative control :-
ROLE:-  SBCO  to be given the status of  AUDIT  as per the previous letter dated 25.11.19 written by the Association to work independently without any kind of influence like a local AUDIT for effective functioning and detection of frauds.
A letter was already written by the Association   vide Ref. No.: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/ Input/Suggestion on prevention of Fraud/2019  dated- 16.9.19 in which all the suggestions to prevent frauds were given  in detail.
WORKING SCENERIO:-
The  Finacle Consolidation to be received by SBCO on the next day.
SBCO To Download  the Finacle consolidation and compare with that received from all the H.O/S.Os  for any difference or manual corrections /manipulation and raise objections.
General check:- The General check of vouchers as per para 5 of SB Order 14/2015.
Withdrawals/Closures for RD,MIS,TD,SCSS:-  The vouchers of withdrawals for more than Rs. 50000/- and all closures / Premature closures , the AOF/SB-3 Cards received for the closures to be scrutinized with utmost care,  checked by SBCO by generating the LOTs in finacle and cross verifying with the sent voucher for correctness. If any deviation from the rules , omissions ,difference in signature noticed objections to be raised.
Loan payments :-The  RD & PPF Loan disbursement vouchers to be checked for any deviation.
Checking of interest bearing categories :- AS per SB order 14/2015 add II para 3 serial no. 7, voucher checking for PASBCO in r/o LSG and above offices and below LSG offices prescribed may be changed as follows For SB,  PPF,  SSA:
1.         Rs.20000/- and above for LSG and above offices shall be changed as Rs.50000/- and above.
2.         All the vouchers in r/o offices below LSG shall be changed as Rs.20000/- and above.
3.         Checking of single handed S.Os:- All the transactions of every single handed S.O to be checked thoroughly for any deviation of rules to avoid any misappropriation of public money.

Deposits: - All new accounts opened vouchers for the amount of Rs. 5 Lakhs and above.
Interest adjustments:- The interest corrections will be given through HIARM menu by the supervisor SBCO after confirming the correctness of the excess or short payment of interest intimated by the H.O/S.Os after getting approval  (as of now).
Revival of silent accounts :- There should be atleast two checks  for all the revival of silent accounts  at counter level to prevent fraud.
Transactions in discontinued accounts:- All the transactions done in discontinued accounts  of all categories including TD, RD, SCSS, MIS  to be checked at the stage of posting itself  to avoid fraud. 
Issue of ATM cards:- In Finacle there should be a  check  for the correctness of issue of ATM cards to depositors either by linking Aadhaar or personal appearance for signing to get the cards to prevent frauds.
Unused cheque foils:- To be maintained separately (as of now) in a register after receiving from H.O/S.Os for destruction during inspection by AO, ICO(SB).
Undelivered passbooks:- To be maintained separately (as of now)  in a register after receiving from H.O/S.Os for destruction during inspection by AO, ICO(SB).

Sending of returns by SBCO:-
1.    The Non – Financial  report generated by the CPC  to be consolidated and sent  every month as of now.
2.    The Interest  cum Silent account Summary report generated at CPC  from Finacle to be compiled  and sent to DAP every year (as of now).
Preservation of Records:-
As per SB order 14/2015  add II, para 5.11 preservation of record needs to be changes as follows.

S.no
Particulars
Prescribed
Proposed
Remarks
1
Vouchers with Consolidation
5 yrs
1 yr
@
2
Consolidated Journal
1 yr
1yr

3
Undeliverable Passbooks
1yr
1yr

4
Statistical Register
3 yr
1yr
#
5
Objection Register
2 yrs after settlement of all Objections
1 yr after settlement of all Objections
$
6
Interest Adjustment Register
5 yrs
1 yr
%
@ since transactions once entered in finacle could not be changed at any level and voucher checking completed as prescribed in SB order 14/2015 add II
# Since statistical figures are being maintained based on the report generated and sent by CPCs
$ Since voucher checking completed, figures not able to modified / changed in finacle and objections settled
% Interest adjustment of an account is effected through ‘HIARM’ menu by the Supervisor, SBCO only and report forwarded to GMPAF and AO ICO (SB) at the close of the month in which Interest adjustment effected.

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL
As of now, SBCO officials recruited are appointed by the Regional DPS after getting allotment to the respective regions and postings and transfers are controlled by the Regional DPS. The officials are placed in SBCO units in each Head Post office and day to day administration vested with Head Postmaster and other controls executed by Dvl Head.
            Multiple conflict - controls over SBCO by Head Postmaster,Divisional Head and Regional DPS causes so many disturbances in the functioning of SBCO. While the appointing authority is the controlling authority of other departmental officials, it differs in respect of SBCO officials. This needs to be set right .For this the following two types is suggested:
A.   SBCO shall be brought under the control of GMPAF. As the nature of work now carried out by SBCO is more or less equaling to audit function, this type of control is very much appropriate.
B.    SBCO shall be brought under the direct control of DPS of the Region. As the appointing and transferring authority remains the same.
            The Administrative hierarchy shall be as furnished below:
DPS  / GMPAF   -  Chief accounts officer (or) Senior accounts officer at the HQs – Supervisors in Selection grades – PAs SBCO.
1.Day today administration rests with the Supervisor HSG I in respect of other selection grade officers and PAs SBCO.
2.Writing of APARs of SBCO officials rests with Accounts officers of the HQ
3.Other administrative powers shall be vested with DPS / GMPAF
Note :  SBCO is the guardian of Public money as well as Exchequer. The present Administrative control by Postmaster of HO, Divisional Head make lot of disturbance in the functioning of SBCO and officials working with so much constrains. If the suggestion given above is considered favourably, it will pave way for the smooth functioning of SBCO and Public and Exchequer money will be safe.
Thus the Accounting and Auditing work will be done by SBCO effectively and independently under the Nomenclature of “AUDITOR”  as mentioned in the Association letter dated 25.11.19  to be a custodian of  crores of  public money for Lakhs of depositors who have faith and confidence on the Department of Posts.

With Regards,
                                                                                                                 -Sd-
                                                                                              (SHP. JASMINE JALAL BEGAM)
                                                                                                        General Secretary
Copy To:
1.    Smt. Meera Kumar, DDG (P), Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan ,SansadMarg, New Delhi – 110 001.
2.    Shri. Sachin Kishore, DDG FS, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg, New Delhi – 110 001.
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Ref. No.: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/AUDIT STATUS/2019                                                dated- 07.01.2020

To
The Secretary,
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg,
New Delhi – 110 001.
Sub:    Consolidated Charter of demands submitted by NFPE & FNPO vide their letters No. PF-12-C/2019 and No. FNPO/S.N/2019 dated 12-12.2019.
Ref:     1.         Directorate letter No.08-12/2019-SR Govt of India, Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts, (SR Section), Dak Bhawan , New  Delhi dated 06.01.2020.
            2.         All India Postal SBCO Employees Association (CHQ) letter No. AUDIT STATUS/019 dated 25.11.2019


         Our Association would like to bring to the kind notice of the Department that a detailed letter citing the reasons for the demand of AUDIT STATUS TO SBCO was already sent on 25.11.2019. The details of the letter may be taken into consideration for the point No.20  regarding Audit status to SBCO in the Charter of Demands. The content of the Association’s letter is again reproduced as below:           
AUDIT STATUS TO SBCO -  REASONS
                          (MATTER SAME AS THAT OF THE LETTER NUMBER DATED 25.11.2019)
It is pertinent to mention that all the financial institutions must have a separate wing for Checking, Auditing & Accounting to safeguard the public money and on that’s why the Department has termed SBCO as unique cadre and recruit the personnel separately. Inter-change of SBCO staff with operative work (Pos) vice-versa was not allowed.. SBCO is considered as custodian of small savings business records in order to prevent any untoward incidents of misuse. The nature of work is of similar type dealing with the POSB Audit and Accounting and the financial transactions of pay and allowance of employees which are also accounted through the POSB Accounts only.
In this context, it is a compulsory requirement that Audit status to SBCO staff should be granted and change of nomenclature as Auditor in place of PA(SBCO)  and  grant of promotions accordingly: Ultimately SBCO section is dealing entirely with the work of audit ie. down loading the data from Finacle and voucher checking with most concentration.
The term AUDIT defines “an official inspection of an organizations account by an independent body and it cannot be expected to detect every fraud”. Fortunately the work presently done by SBCO has still coincided with the definition of AUDIT. The SBCO cadre is treated as distinct category in the department so far. POSB is very large banking institution under the Department of Posts having crores of account holders and multi crore of rupees as investment by the people. Proper audit to POSB system is a must and inevitable. In our strong opinion, robust internal audit should, be mooted out in POSB like various audit organizations (ie) P & T Audit, General Audit ,Civil Audit, Defence and Railway Audit, for the sake of safety of public money.
It is pertinent to point out that the duplicate accounting done by SBCO wing has been abolished with induction of CBS & Finacle in POSB banking operations. As such the SBCO wing is now entrusted with sole work of auditing of day to day transactions of POSB and Certificates by the latest orders. This work is being done by the SBCO on behalf of Ministry of Finance. Now the Government/Department should take initiative to re-designate the SBCO wing as POSB Audit wing and grant Audit status to SB Control Organization and treat its cadre are Auditors and make it as part of Postal Audit office. The status of the staff of present SBCO should be re-designated as “Junior Auditors” or “Senior Auditors” and supervisory posts as “Audit Officers”.
            The above suggestion will create an independent cell to perform the work on the spot under the Postal Audit Office without any fear of reprisal for pointing out the genuine mistakes and detection of frauds spontaneously.
            With Regards,
                                                                                                                    Sd-
                                                                                                     (SHP. JASMINE JALAL BEGAM)
                                                                                                         General Secretary
Copy To:
1.   Shri. Sachin Kishore, DDG FS, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg, New Delhi – 110 001.
2.   Shri. S.R. Amin, Director, SR/Legal, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi – 110 001.
3.   Shri. R.N. Parashar, Secretary General ,NFPE, First floor,  North Avenue Post office building, New Delhi – 110 001.
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AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/EFFECTS OF RRR/2020                                          DATED: 22.01.2020
To
The Secretary,
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg,
New Delhi- 110 001.
Subject:-  Framing of Department of Posts (Postal Assistant and Sorting Assistant)Recruitment Rules, 2019 reg.
Ref. :  1.    Association letter No.AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/ Input/Suggestion on prevention of Fraud/2019 dated- 16.9.19.
           2.    Association letter No.AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/AUDIT STATUS/2019 dated- 25.11.2019.
           3.    Association letter No. AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/Change of role of SBCO/2019 dated-2.12.2019.
Respected Sir,
                            Our Association has written many numbers of letters for maintaining separate identity of SBCO and not to merge with the General line PAs . Even in the Directorate meeting conducted on 17.1.2020, it was strongly emphasized by our Association that SBCO is an internal check organization and sensitive wing which is the watch dog of crores of public money and accounts of POSB category.
The policy of the Revised Recruitment Rules 2019 is against the control procedure laid for SBCO and against the SB order 2/2008 dated 4.2.2008, para 5 d (ii) in which it is clearly mentioned that “ No staff of SBCO will be utilized for any Postal operations.” Interchange of General line staff in place of PA SBCO will dilute the entire Audit and Accounts checking procedure and the frauds will be heaped.
 Already staff of all cadres are experiencing acute shortage due to the stagnation in recruitment process as a result of which frauds are increasing day by day and the innocent officials are being trapped under contributory negligence and many are not relieved to their requested offices of transfer.
Mostly, all the officials are already overburdened on the above issue. The only solution to address them  is conducting one time drive of recruitment by the Department of posts  and filling up all vacancies up to the sanctioned strength in all cases of SBCO. Still,  the Department intend to proceed with implementation of  the Revised Recruitment Rules 2019, it will create new problems that will affect the interest and efficiency of the employees.Finally, it is sincerely conveyed if our concerns are not given due consideration there may be chances of untoward consequences like scot-free frauds for which employees should not be put responsible.
                              If at all the Department wants to Merge the SBCO staff, let them be merged with the staff of Director of Postal (Accounts) and brought under the control of Accounts Officer, GM PA&F.  No matter even if the DPA is to be Decentralized , let the SBCO staff , cadre who were already decentralized may work along with the staff of DPA under the control of the Accounts Officer . As already in all the previous letters of our Association , the identical work nature of SBCO and DPA were explained in detail and that both wings were bifurcated from the AG P & T .
    Our Association once again requests your honourable self that SBCO may be maintained as such with a separate identity and nomenclature, assigning a new redefined role according to the present scenario or be merged with DPA under the control of the Accounts Officer and decentralized along with DPA.

With Regards,
                             -Sd-
(SHP. JASMINE JALAL BEGAM)
General Secretary

COPY TO:
1.         Shri. Sachin Kishore, DDG FS, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg, New Delhi – 110 001.
2.         Shri. S.R. Amin, Director, SR/Legal, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg, New Delhi – 110 001.
3.         Shri. R.N. Parashar, Secretary General ,NFPE, First floor,  North Avenue Post office building, New Delhi – 110 001.




AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/one time relaxation in RRs of HSG I and HSG II /2020        DATED: 20.01.2020
To
The Secretary,
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg,
New Delhi- 110 001.
Subject:-  One time relaxation in RRs of HSG I and HSG II for SBCO reg.
Respected Sir,
            Our Association would like to bring to the kind notice of the honorable Secretary Posts, that in SBCO there are so many HSG I and HSG II posts  lying vacant due to  very few eligible officials in the feeder cadre of LSG posts. This creates a lot of problems in almost all units wherever the HSG I and HSG II posts are vacant as the junior officials who have just entered the Department are forced to look after the duties of the Supervisory (HSG I & HSG II) Posts and are overburdened. Hence our Association requests that one time relaxation in RRs of HSG I and HSG II Posts may be given for SBCO officials so that the eligible officials in LSG posts may be accommodated in the vacant HSG I and HSG II posts. Also the PA/SBCO will have promotional chances to LSG as a result of this.
            Hence one time relaxation may be given in RRs of HSG I and HSG II for SBCO similar to the Postal and RMS side as the process for the same is going on. This will be a very big boon to the staff of SBCO for getting their promotions as their promotional avenues are very much limited as of now and ofcourse beneficiary to all units where there are vacancies in the Supervisory posts for smooth functioning of SBCO.
With Regards,
                  -Sd-
(SHP. JASMINE JALAL BEGAM)
General Secretary
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LETTERS FROM AIPSBCOEA CHQ FOR IMMUNITY FROM TRANSFER REGARDING:
Ref. No.: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/Assam Circle/2019                                               dated- 03.12.2019
To
            The Chief Postmaster General,
            Assam Circle,
            GuwahatI- 781001.
Sub :   Request for transfer of Sri Bidit Moy Burman Circle Secretary AIPSBCOEA, Assam Circle from Nalbari H.O. to  Guwahati Under the immunity from transfer.
Ref:     Letter written by the Circle Secretary Assam Circle dt 4.11.19
Respected Sir,
            With reference to the letter Number cited above Sri Bidit Moy Burman was elected as the Circle Secretary of AIPSBCOEA Assam Circle on 14.3.19 from which time he has been involving himself in all the union activities in a systematic and devotional manner.
            It is learnt that Sri Bidit Moy Burman being Circle  Secretary of the Association is entitled for immunity from transfer as per provision of Dte. No.69-18/70-SPB-I Dt. 07.12.1970 and 69-52/72-SPB-I Dt. 23.03.1973 and 02.01.1974.
            Sri Bidit Moy Burman was transferred from the Headquarter Guwahati to Nalbari HPO vide order No. Staff-21-3/Part – III/2016 dated 14.3.19 and relieved on 4.6.19. From that time the work of  the Association is very much affected due to non availability of Circle Secretary at Circle H.Q.
            It is therefore requested that your honour shall be pleased to consider and cause transfer of Sri Bidit Moy Burman to Guwahati SBCO keeping in account the aforesaid facts and entitlement of Immunity from transfer and oblige.
            With profound regards,                          
                                                                        Yours Sincerely,
                                                                                                                    -Sd-
                                                                                            (SHP. JASMINE JALAL BEGAM)
                                                                                                     General Secretary

Ref. No.: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/M.P. Circle/2019                                                    dated- 03.12.2019
To
            Shri. A.K Sharma,  
            Chief Postmaster General,
            Madhya Pradesh Circle,
            Bhopal.
Sub :   Request for transfer of Smt. Rekha Swami Circle Secretary AIPSBCOEA, M.P. Circle from Vidisha H.O. to  Bhopal Under the immunity from transfer.
Ref:     Letter written by the AIPSBCOEA CHQ dt 5.9.19
Respected Sir,
            With reference to the letter Number cited above the Circle Working Committee meeting held on 28.07.2019 at T.T. Nagar, Bhopal with due permission, unanimously elected Smt. Rekha Swami as the Circle Secretary of AIPSBCOEA M.P. Circle from which time she has been involving herself in all the union activities in a systematic and devotional manner.
            It is learnt that Smt. Rekha Swami being Circle  Secretary of the Association is entitled for immunity from transfer as per provision of Dte. No.69-18/70-SPB-I Dt. 07.12.1970 and 69-52/72-SPB-I Dt. 23.03.1973 and 02.01.1974.
            Smt. Rekha Swami now working at Vidisha H.O. which is very far away from the Headquarter and the work of  the Association is very much affected due to non availability of Circle Secretary at Circle H.Q. Moreover being a lady Circle Secretary, she also has to take care of her family and two teenage daughters. Hence she has to be supported by the administration as there is a threat on social security of women as of now.
            It is therefore requested that your honour shall be pleased to consider and cause transfer of Smt. Rekha Swami to the Circle Headquarter Bhopal SBCO keeping in account the aforesaid facts and entitlement of Immunity from transfer and oblige.
DA – Enclosed           
With profound regards,
                                                                                                                    -Sd-
                                                                                                (SHP. JASMINE JALAL BEGAM)
                                                                                                        General Secretary     

Ref. No.: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/M.P. Circle/2020                                                    dated- 13.02.2020
To
            The Chief Postmaster General,
            Madhya Pradesh Circle,
            Bhopal.
Sub :   Request for transfer of Sri Krishna Kumar Ahirwar Circle Treasurer                AIPSBCOEA, M.P. Circle from Hoshangabad H.O. to  Bhopal Under the immunity from transfer.
Respected Sir,
            The Association would like to bring to the kind notice of the Chief Postmaster General that Sri Krishna Kumar Ahirwar was unanimously as the Circle Treasurer of AIPSBCOEA M.P. Circle on 15.07.2018 from which time he has been involving himself in all the union activities in a systematic and devotional manner.
            It is learnt that Sri. Krishna Kumar Ahirwar was transferred from Damoh H.O to Bhopal CPU. But as the CPU was closed in June 2018, he was again transferred to Hoshangabad H.O. Being Circle Treasurer of the Association Sri Krishna Kumar Ahirwar is entitled for immunity from transfer as per provision of Dte. No.69-18/70-SPB-I Dt. 07.12.1970 and 69-52/72-SPB-I Dt. 23.03.1973 and 02.01.1974.
            Sri. Krishna Kumar Ahirwar now working at Hoshangabad H.O. which is away from the Headquarter has to take her aged mother who is at Bhopal for treatment  and the work of  the Association is very much affected due to non availability of Circle Treasurer at Circle H.Q..
            It is therefore requested that your honour shall be pleased to consider and cause transfer of Sri. Krishna Kumar Ahirwarto the Circle Headquarter Bhopal SBCO keeping in account the aforesaid facts and entitlement of Immunity from transfer and oblige.
     With profound regards,
                                                                                                                 -Sd-
                                                                                          (SHP. JASMINE JALAL BEGAM)
                                                                                                   General Secretary          





Visits of the General Secretary to Directorate:
1.    The one day meeting on 27.8.19 regarding launching of Citizen Service Centers in DOP in tie up with Private software company. All suggestions were given on behalf of AIPSBCOEA along with NFPE and affiliated unions. The next day on 28.8.19 the officers were met to discuss all SBCO issues.
2.    The two days meeting with all higher officers at Directorate on behalf of AIPSBCOEA CHQ, by the General Secretary  and our Ex General Secretary Comrade Virendra Tewary on 6.11.19 and 7.11.19 was very beneficial to our cadre at this crucial time.             The issue of the new Revised Recruitment Rules was discussed in detail with the DDG (P), Smt. Meera Kumar and a letter was again given, a positive reply in favour of our cadre was given as demanded by our CHQ. The DDG (FS) Sri Sachin Kishore was met and all the software issues were discussed and some suggestions were given regarding removal of limit for report generation for SBCO users and the necessity of Revised Control Procedure after GL integration was emphasized. The Director SR Legal Sri. A.R.Amin was met and all our Union dealings were discussed. The  Memorandum as above was given citing all the long pending issues and charter of demands.
3.    The meeting called for by the Directorate regarding the RRR 2019  on 17.1.2020 was attended by the General Secretary along with comrade R.N.Parashar SG NFPE and all the justification for maintaining separate identity of SBCO cadre (or) merger with DAP (or) Audit Status to SBCO were discussed in detail. Hoping for the favourable decision from the Department.
                As the financial status of CHQ  which was produced before the honourable House of CWC, it was clear that the AIPSBCOEA is running in financial crisis therefore all of you are requested to arrange make good the deficit amount by remittance of regular quota and with liberty to donation.
--------------------
MEMORANDUM, CHARTER OF DEMAND AND AGITATION PROGRAMMES OF AIPSBCOEA AS DECIDED IN THE ALL INDIA CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT NEW DELHI ON 28.2.20 AND 29.2.20

    Ref. No.: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/memorandum/2020                                          dated- 09.03.2020                                                                 
MEMORANDUM
To
              The Secretary,
              Department of Posts,
              Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
              New Delhi – 110 001.
Sub: Submission of Phasewise agitation programmes on 20 Charter of Demands.
Sir,
Our Association is constrained to note that no action was taken upon the genuine demands of SBCO cadre even though they were already submitted to the Directorate several times i.e. on  18.9.19 , 5.11.19 & 17.1.20.  Non consideration of even single demand is causing unrest and agony among the staff. In the Central Working Committee Meeting of our Association held in New Delhi from 28.2.20 to 29.2.20 heated debate was witnessed and came to conclusion unanimously as there is no other option except to go for struggle programme. Details of demands and series of struggle programmes are enclosed.


PHASEWISE AGITATIONAL PROGRAMMES OF THE ALL INDIA POSTAL SBCO EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION:-

1.    LUNCH HOUR GATE MEETING  AT ALL HEAD OFFICES     on   20.04.2020
2.    BLACK BADGE CAMPAIGN                                               on   27.04.2020 & 28.04.2020
3.    POSTCARD CAMPAIGN                                                     on    04.05.2020 
4.    HUNGER FAST  AT ALL CIRCLE OFFICES                             on    11.05.2020
5.    HUNGER FAST AT DIRECTORATE                                         on    18.05.2020
CHARTER OF DEMANDS:

1..Audit status to SBCO staff and change of nomenclature as Auditor in place of PA(SBCO) & grant of promotions accordingly:
The G/S on behalf of AIPSBCOEA has already submitted cadre restructuring proposal on 15.1.14 to the Department where in the justification for change of nomenclature of PA(SBCO) into Auditor has been elaborated. The two round discussion with Chairman Cadre restructuring committee have also been held on 05.02.14 & 07.02.14. After introduction of CBS the SBCO staff have been ordered for Auditor’s training in Postal Training Centres.In view of aforesaid discussion the nomenclature of PA(SBCO) into Auditor should be accepted and the house expressed his concern accordingly to pass the resolution. It is learnt that the SBCO staff was decentralized / born from Audit & Accounts and are liable  to promotional avenues at par with them, Proposed Nomenclature & their promotional avenues are as under:-
Present
Designation
Proposed
Designation
MACPs

Proposed
Scales of pay
PA(SBCO)
The duties of
UDCs (SBCO) are at Present assigned to them
Auditor
(Entry level)
-
5200-20200
GP-2800


MACP –I
9300-34800
GP-4200


MACP-II
9300-34800
GP-4600


MACP-III
9300-34800
GP-4800
LSG
(Supervisor)
Sr. Auditor
-
9300-34800
GP-4200
HSG –II (Sr. Supervisor
Chief Auditor
-
9300-34800
GP-4600
HSG – I (Chief  Supervisor)
Executive Auditor
-
9300-34800
GP-4800
-
Chief Executive Auditor (Gazetted)
-
9300-34800
GP-5400
Ultimately SBCO section is dealing with the work of audit only (ie) downloading the datas from Finacle and voucher  checking with utmost concentration. The term AUDIT defines “an official inspection of an organizations account by an independent body and it cannot be expected to detect every fraud”.
Fortunately the work presently done by SBCO has coincided with the definition of AUDIT . SBCO cadre are called as distinct category according to the department, in other words independent body. POSB is very large banking institution under the Department of Posts having crores of account holders and multi crore of rupees as investment by the people. Proper audit to POSB system is inevitable.
In our strong opinion , an robust internal audit should, be mooted out in POSB like various audit organizations (ie) P & T audit        General, Audit Civil Audit, Defence and Railway Audit, taking in account of safety  of public money.
Now the Government/Department should take initiative to declare the SBCO as SB audit organization and its cadres  as Audit and cause order the DPS/AO ICO(SB)/AO GM PA & F as controlling authority straightaway delinking powers of Divisional Heads and Postmasters of HO over SBCO. Letter already written by the Association AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/Audit status/2019 dated 25.11.19, dated 2.12.19, 7.1.20, 17.1.20, 22.1.20 etc.

2.The Role of SBCO cadre in future :
The recent Directorate order F.No.04-05/2015-SPB-I, Government of India, Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts, Dak Bhawan , Sansad Marg, New Delhi. Dated 18.09.2019 regarding Framing of DOP (Postal Assistant  and sorting Assistant) Recruitment Rules, 2019 – regarding , Our Association would like to inform the Department that the cadre of PA(SBCO) should not be merged with General line PA and any decision may be  taken only after discussion and suggestion of  Union representatives of SBCO cadre . A separate detailed letter was sent regarding this, Letter already written by the Association AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/Audit status/2019 dated 25.11.19, dated 2.12.19, 7.1.20, 17.1.20, 22.1.20 etc for maintaining separate identity of SBCO and grant of Audit Status to SBCO and if at all merger is necessary , SBCO officials to be merged with Director of Postal Accounts from which they were bifurcated as nature of work is similar and Controlling Officer needs to be the Accounts Officer of GM PA & F.

3.Change of Administrative control:
It is learnt that SBCO was part of the AG P&T and through an Act of amendment by Nodal Ministry (Ministry of Finance) Small savings Audit & accounting work was transferred from the Audit office to the Post Office in 1961 with formation of new nomenclature as “SBCO”. Since then miseries of SBCO Employees started and in the last 55 years, have lost everything from Designation to the pay & perks. On similar lines the Account wing was also introduced in the Department of Posts w.e.f. 01.04.76 in the form of Office of Director of Accounts (Postal). Both wings of the Department were part of AG P & T but there is vast difference in pay & perks with promotional avenues between SBCO and Postal Account staff. In Postal Account Office directly recruited. Jr Accountant are getting Rs. 5400 G.P. by way of MACPs in the SBCOs, the PA being similarly situated is getting Rs. 4600/- G.P. The Department of Posts is undergoing a sea-changes because of modernization and technological advancement. The Department has launched its prestigious project CSI and in the post modernization and in CSI environment SBCO has its specific role . The Association demands that the SBCO wing should be brought under the control of Director of Accounts(Postal) being same nature of work and in recent days a order regarding the work of NSCs & KVPs is also assigned to SBCO cadre which was previously done by DAP.
3 (i)Restoration of powers for recording APARs of SBCO staff to AO ICO (SB) in place of Divisional Heads:
SBCO functions are devised for checking, auditing and accounting according to the prescribed procedures. PAs (SBCO)  belong to circle cadre and their Appointing Authority is Director of Postal Services. The progress of the work performed by the officials of SBCO is virtually reviewed by AO ICO(SB) acquire knowledge about the staff and their performance. Since the SBCO is an audit section, it has to bring out the deficiencies and discrepancies of the SB Branch by raising objections and reports. This action is not relished by the Divisional Administration and the SBCO Branch is being considered as nuisance by them. As such, the power of writing of CRs over SBCO staff vested with Divisional Administration to coerce the SBCO staff for not raising genuine objections. Hence, it is resolved to restore the power of writing of CRs to AO ICO (SB) to enable the SBCO staff for maintenance of proper accounting and auditing as per SB Control Procedure and pattern independently.

4.Contributory Negligence/Irregular Recovery imposed on SBCO staff:
The duties of SBCO staff are well defined in Manual  for SB Control, Pairing & ICO Procedure. Accordingly the SBCO staff are exercising the decentralized Audit & Accounts duties and their work actually start after accounting of the transactions. Therefore , penalizing the SBCO employee by imposing recovery of loss irrationally for frauds committed in the Savings Schemes in Sub Offices / Branch Offices is contrary to statutory Rules. The SBCO staff is not directly related to any type of monetary transaction and accordingly they should not be imposed as offender/co-offender in misappropriation cases. It is learnt that under Rule 11 (iii) of CCS (CCA)Rules 1965 the penalty of recovery can be imposed on a Govt. servant  who is directly responsible for the act of negligence or breach  of orders causing the financial loss and accordingly the SBCO staff should not be held responsible for any type of recovery in misappropriation cases, so that the SBCO staff be exempted from contributory negligence as they are not directly involved in any monetary transactions. Many officials of SBCO are not getting their usual MACPs, LSG/HSG I & HSG II promotions due to the non-related contributory negligence cases and irregular recovery imposed against them which is highly injustice done on the SBCO officials which should be immediately withdrawn.

5.Filling up the vacant posts in SBCO:
The SBCO is facing acute shortage of staff in all the Circles and the G/S has addressed a detailed reference on 12.3.16 to the Secretary (Posts) which is unattended to. After role out of CBS hundred percent vouchers checking and other CBS works have been assigned to SBCO subject to there should not be more than 2-3 days pendency, but it is impossible to carry out the work in under staffed situation. The checking of NSCs & KVPs vouchers have also been deployed to SBCO in these situations are unmanageable without staff. That a special drive for recruitment of SBCO staff may be launched to make good the shortage of staff in SBCO as early as possible to avoid the pendency because about 50% to 60% posts of PA(SBCO) are lying vacant in all the Circles of the Deparment. . The Department of Posts may conduct the exams directly for filling up of vacancies raised as and when instead of conducting exams through the SSC as the recruitment process is very much slow when handled by the SSC.

6.To Dispense the work of FRMU Alert from SBCO:
With reference to the Directorate letter No.F.1-3/2017-PCO/PMLA Dated 15.4.2019,
it is brought to the kind notice of  the administration that  reply  was   given  to  the  association that the circles have been asked to strengthen the circle FRMU/AML unit by posting  Inspectors/Asp and staff at a Central  location  for  checking  alerts and  that  there  is no  specific  order  from  Directorate  relating  to  any  other  staff.  But  when  this  is  being  implemented  at  Division level it is cited that as per  the  Directorate  letter No. 17-15/2016-Inv dated 8.5.2019  regarding SOP for  processing  FRMU alerts   it  is  stated  that  the  SBCO  Supervisor  to  do  the  following   checks
  1.  Cross verify  with  the  closure  voucher  (SB-7A)
  2. Verify the Signature  using  IES Menu in Finacle
  3. Check the CIF modification details  using  HAFI  menu of Finacle
  4. For  subsequent accounts,  check with  AOF/SB-3 form.
The  above  4  points  mentioned   for  the  SBCO supervisor  to  verify  is  not  in the SB control  procedure  and  moreover  the  work  which  is  already  being  carried  out  in  SBCO  as  100%  checking  of  vouchers   by  PAs  and  5%  verification   done  by  the  supervisor SBCO. All closures  including  PMCs  are  checked  as  a part  of  duty  by  the SBCO branch as per the control procedure and SB order 14/2015 and the Addendums.  As per  the  above  points  it  is  duplication  of  work  as after few months again  alerts have been sent to verify  once again  from the beginning which  will cause wastage  of  time  and  manpower  to  check  the  same  work  again , as of  now  all  SBCO  units   are  suffering  from  acute  shortage  of  staff  and  regular   supervisor  are  very  few. It  will moreover  accumulate  pending  of  current voucher  checking  at  SBCO  branch.  As far as the checking of CIF modification and signature verification using IES is concerned , it is not in the control procedure of SBCO and it is a routine to be completed at the counter level itself before payment of the amount to the depositor.
Even after clarification issued from the Directorate dated 30.10.2019 that only in suspicious cases, verification to be done by the postmasters in consultation of SBCO supervisor as the relevant records/vouchers are in SBCO;  the FRMU alerts are directly sent to SBCO for verification of the same which is highly irregular. It is requested that the copy of the clarification issued regarding FRMU alerts  from Directorate to the Association dt 30.10.2019 may be circulated to all the Circle heads for implementing the same and not to pressurize the SBCO staff.

The  real  purpose  of FRMU  will  not serve   unless  and  until  the  depositors  are  personally  met  with  by   the  investigating / field  officers  and  SBCO  is  not  a   investigation   branch also.   It  is  therefore  kindly  requested   to  dispense  the  above  work  mentioned   as  per  the  Directorate  letter No.  17-15/2016-Inv dated 8.5.2019  regarding  SOP   for  processing  FRMU alerts   which   is   an  extra  burden  on  SBCO. Letter already written by the Association AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/FRMU/2019 dated 28.8.19.

7.One time relaxation of  RRs of  HSG I & HSG II Posts for SBCO as the eligible officials are very less for the Supervisory posts.  Letter already written by the Association vide AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/One time relaxation of RR of HSG I & HSG II dated 20.1.2020.

8.Higher Pay scales for higher responsibility Posts (LSG, HSG-II &HSG –I):
It is learnt that after introduction of financial upgradation  schemes the NB Supervisory Posts are downgraded in their grade pay while they are shouldering higher responsibilities and supervision of the work of the officials under him. Accordingly the officials promoted against these NB posts are not interested to carry out the higher responsibility resultantly maximum no. of posts are still unfilled. It is  pertinent to mention that the Department of Posts is only a Department  where on promotion the officials are getting less grade pay and by virtue of that refusals for promotion arise.

9.Cadre restructuring of SBCO staff:
The cadre restructuring proposal was accepted by the staff side in 2014 with agreement between official side and only Pas (PO) have been awarded restructuring on 27.5.2016 and SBCO cadre have been left out. Thus the promotional avenues of SBCO cadre are held up. The 7th CPC has also directed to evaluate the cadre structuring to all Central Govt. employees. Thus the fundamental rights of SBCO cadre is hammered despite of subsequent agitational  programmes.
The Association would most humbly bring to the kind notice of  the administration  that  Savings  Bank Control Organisation is presently doing the Audit work of the  Post Office  Savings  Bank  Accouts. Ours being a circle cadre and promotional oppurtunities are very megre for the  youngsters who enter the department  with  professional  and  technical  qualifications . Also  the  number of LSG, HSG II and HSG I posts are very  limited  that  every time the  LSG or  HSG promotions when awarded to the officials, they are not  able  to  accept  it  as  either   there are no post  available  in the  areas with  HRA  or  feasible  to  them  or  there are  no  posts  in  that  region  where  the  official   is  working. 
For  illustration, if one circle like  Tamilnadu  is taken, there are  only  around  49  LSG Supervisor posts in SBCO whereas  there are  around  60-70  in  general  line  for  the PAs  in  a  division itself. So, comparatively the  chances for  promotion  for  the  SBCO  PA is  very less. As also  many  senior  officials  are  retiring whose  posts  are  lying  vacant  and   the  young  officials who have  just  entered  the  department  are  forced  to  take up  the  incharge  seat without  any  financial/cadre  upgradation  as  there  is  no  officiating  arrangement  in SBCO.
     It  is therefore kindly requested to implement the Cadre Restructure to  SBCO  wing  which will enable the young officials working  at  SBCO  to  get  their  promotions  under  LSG ,  HSGII and  HSG I  at the  earliest  in  service  without  disappointing  them. Letter already written by the Association AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/Cadre restructure/2019 dated 28.8.19 and acknowledgement for the same received on 27.9.19. A Committee was constituted for the Cadre restructuring of Group ‘C’employees of RMS/Savings Bank Control Organisation (SBCO)/CO/RO vide memo No. dated 13.12.2019 to work out the functional justification and make recommendation for utilization of the posts which have been proposed to be created for upgradation in LSG,HSG II, HSG I & HSG I(NFG) grades in RMS,SBCO and CO/RO under the chairmanship of Shri. Charles Lobo , CPMG, Karnataka circle to submit its report/recommendations within 3 months. Now that its going to be three months it is requested that the process of cadre restructuring for SBCO may be implemented immediately as it is the only promotional avenue of the SBCO employees.
 Recently a committee has also been constituted for Cadre review/restructuring of Gr ‘C’/Gr ‘B’(Non –Gaz) of PAOs vide memo dated 05.03.2020 under the chairmanship of Sr. DDG (PAF). As  our Association is already demanding for bringing the SBCO staff under the Director of Postal Accounts(PAO) the Cadre restructuring may be done for both SBCO and PAO employees together and place them together on seniority basis.

10.Retaining  of  posts at  CPU/CPO as per  justification  after diversion of  Surplus  posts : Diversion of all  the Circle pairing  unit (CPU)/Central Pairing Office(CPO)  posts  (Supervisor and PA  posts)  to  justified  SBCO  units  as per  the  Directorate  Letter No. F. No. 109-01/2017-SB dated  03.05.2019 after keeping atleast one supervisor and one PA at the  CPU/CPO  as per  justification  to  attend  the  pending  UD and  UCs  remaining  due to  some  non migrated offices (non CBS)   which  are  still there.

11 (i).Providing  full time  MTS to SBCO as the work of SBCO branch is increasing multi fold in CSI scenario.
11 (ii).Impractical Adhoc time factor should be modified:
The exparte adhoc time factor formulated by the Department should be modified and enhanced as per actual time taken for the particular work in consultation with Association’s representative.

11 (iii).Provision of New control procedure to SBCO to work  in this modified  CSI scenario which  is  completely different  from the V2sbco and Sanjay post period. The software to be corrected according to the SB ORDERS framed on day to day basis.

11 (iv).Permission  to weed  out  the  time  barred  old   records  at SBCO branch  periodically. In many  units  the same is denied due to some long pending fraud cases. The  investigation of cases needed  to  be  completed  within a stipulated  time  period so that due dates of weeding out of old records shall be ensured.

12.To implement the supreme court order for the TBOP/BCR at par with junior financial upgradation as the same is not yet implemented in almost all the circles except very few.

13.To remove the limits for report generation in both live and production servers for SBCO staff as the purpose is only for viewing the correctness of day to day transactions.

14.The  new  RT guidelines  are  issued  for  transfer  which  needs  to  be  transparent  in all ways  and  it is suggested to have  a  Counciling process to ensure transparency in genuine manner .

15.The  Sr. Accounts  officer , ICO (SB)  should  be  a member of the transfer  committee  for  ensuring   proper  transfer  movements  of  the  SBCO officials.

16.Officiating  arrangements in Supervisory cadre with eligible officials  may  be  provided  to  those  SBCO  units  wherever  regular  supervisors are  not available.

17.APARs  not  to be  taken  into  account  while  giving  regular  MACP promotions  as  already  CCS conduct Rules  are  followed  to ensure the conduct of officials. (or)
Three out of the five years of APARs may be taken into account for giving the regular MACP to officials completing 10, 20 & 30 years of services as these are the only financial upgradations given to them.

18.A common  training / workshop to  be  organized  to  all  the SBCO  units  to work  in CSI  scenario  by  the  Directorate  instead  of giving  different  trainings  in  different  units locally and induction trainings may be given to all the SBCO officials as soon as appointed.

19.Necessary instructions may be issued to provide assistance to SBCO as per SB order 14/2015 , wherever shortage of staff is experienced.

 20.Permission for appearing in PS Gr. ‘B’ Examination:
Presently the PA (SBCO) is  a common cadre of Postal  Assistant having same pay & perks but their promotional avenues  are restricted and the  SBCO  staff have been debarred for appearing in PS Gr ‘B’ Departmentl Examination.This item was taken and discussed on 16.12.2014 in JCM (DC)  meeting and also on 7.1.2019 in PJCA meeting.

Our Association likes to  bring to the  notice of the Department  that most of  the agendas mentioned above were also passed as Resolutions in the 5th All India Conference held at Haridwar from 5.7.19 to 7.7.19 . Also all the above agendas were passed as resolutions in the Central Working Committee Meeting held at New Delhi , M.P. Club, North Avenue from 28.2.20 to 29.2.20. Hence it is requested to take necessary action to solve the long pending issues in SBCO cadre mentioned above  as the Department knows the importance of SBCO and its necessity to maintain a separate identity.

                                                          Yours faithfully,         
                                                          
           -Sd-
(SHP. JASMINE JALAL BEGAM)  
General Secretary
AIPSBCOEA

Copy to:
The Director,
SR Legal, Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi- 110 001.
                                                                                                              -Sd-
                                                                                           (SHP. JASMINE JALAL BEGAM)  
                                                                                                     General Secretary
                                                                                                              AIPSBCOEA

Working Class of India, is heading for stupendously challenging situation, but that is not insurmountable . That gives an opportunity as well, to reinvent the leading role of the working class in the battle against the exploitative system and its peripheral instrumentalities. There might be retreat or even defeat in the last round of battle, but we have a war to win, We have a rich history of heroic struggles by the working class against all adversities and brutalities right from the colonial days and its legacies and lessons are with us. We have the history of many successes in defending the interest of the working class, farmers and the country as a whole. That rich history of struggles and sacrifices, which we proudly inherit, will inspire and give us confidence to unitedly confront and combat. We will definitely overcome, we will fight and we will win.

LONG LIVE NFPE!!      LONG LIVE AIPSBCOEA!!    NFPE ZINDABAD!!     AIPSBCOEA  ZINDABAD!!

With Revolutionary Salute

Fraternally Yours,

       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     -Sd-
(SHRIKANTH MALLICK)                                                             (SHP.JASMINE JALAL BEGAM)
  President –CHQ                                                                                  General Secretary

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