Saturday, July 18, 2020


 
LETTER TO THE SECRETARY POSTS REGARDING IMMUNITY FROM TRANSFER TO THE CIRCLE SECRETARY , AIPSBCOEA MP CIRCLE:

Ref.No.:AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/M.P.Circle/2020 dated- 15.07.2020                                                                                                        
To
     The Secretary,  
     Department of Posts,
     Dak Bhawan ,Sansad Marg,
     New Delhi- 110 001.
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:         1. Letter of AIPSBCOEA CHQ to the Secretary, DOP dated 28.2.20.
                2. Letters  written by the AIPSBCOEA CHQ dt 5.9.19  & 3.12.19 to
               the CPMG, M.P.Circle.
Respected Sir,
Our Association would like to bring to the kind notice of the honorable Secretary Posts, that with reference to the letters Number 2 cited above it has been written twice to the Chief Postmaster General MP Circle for grant of immunity from transfer to Smt. Rekha Swami who was elected as the Circle Secretary of AIPSBCOEA M.P. Circle in the Circle Working Committee meeting held on 28.07.2019 at T.T. Nagar, Bhopal with due permission 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, deputation/attachment of Smt. Rekha Swami to the Circle Headquarter keeping in account the aforesaid facts and entitlement of Immunity from transfer and oblige.
     With profound regards,                                                                       -Sd-                       
                                                                                       (SHP. JASMINE JALAL BEGAM)  
                                                                                                        General Secretary    
Copy To: The Secretary General NFPE,
                 1ST Floor, North Avenue PO building,
                  New Delhi-110 001.     


LETTER TO THE CHIEF POSTMASTER GENERAL , HARYANA CIRCLE REGARDING EXTENSION OF TENURES OF SBCO OFFICIALS:-
 
Ref. No.: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/extension of  tenure/2020                                                        Dated- 10.07.2020
                                                         
To
              The Chief Postmaster General,
               Haryana Circle.
             
Sub:   Regarding  extension of tenures  of SBCO officials.
Ref :  1.  Directorate letter No.X-12/12019-SPN-II of DOP, Personnel Division, dated  17.4.20.         


Respected Sir,

               Our Association would like to bring to the notice of the respected Chief Postmaster General, Haryana Circle that with reference to the letter No. cited above issued  from Directorate ,the Rotational  transfer orders are deferred due to the threat of the pandemic COVID19 virus, which is an appreciable decision taken by DOP. As per the DOP order No.12-1/2019-SBP –II (Pat-1) dated 19.05.2020, all the tenure transfer cases which do not involve TA/TP are to be implemented to the maximum possible.

             Hence on behalf of AIPSBCOEA  CHQ, it is requested that the respected Chief Postmaster General may kindly  issue instructions to all the Postmasters General  in the circle to grant extension of tenure to all the SBCO officials for one year  except for the request transfer cases which do not involve TA/TP .This humanitarian decision  as per the Directorate’s instruction   will be a boon to them  to work efficiently  with mental peace staying with their  beloved family members safe guarding themselves from the life threatening Pandemic spread.


A  line of reply is solicited Please.

With Regards,


Yours Sincerely,                                                                                        

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

LETTER TO THE CHIEF POSTMASTER GENERAL , HARYANA CIRCLE  REGARDING THE PREVENTIVE MEASURE TO BE TAKEN FOR THE STAFF OF SBCO IN VIEW OF THE COVID-19:-

Ref. No.: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/preventive measure for COVID19 /2020                           Dated-  10.7.2020

To
The Chief Postmaster General,
Haryana Circke.

Respected Sir/Madam,
Sub:-    Preventive measure to contain the spread of COVID19.
Ref:-    1.    DOPT order F.No. 11013/9/2014-Estt.A-III Dated the 18th May 2020.
            2.    MHA ORDER No.40-3/2020-DM-I(A) datrd 29.6.2020.

                                We Citizens of India are bound to abide by the Honorable Prime Minister’s declaring of the  Lock down throughout the country. In almost all the states the Lock down is strictly adhered, due to which all the public transports have been stopped.  On behalf of the All India Postal SBCO Employees Association CHQ, the difficulties of the SBCO staff to attend the office due to unavailability of transport and especially the problems of the women employees during this lockdown are represented in this letter. We bring to the notice of the Circle Administration that as per the reference 1 cited above, “The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) vide its Order dated 17.5.2020 has extended the nationwide lockdown till  31.5.2020  to contain spread of Corona Virus in the state/country and has issued the consolidated revised guidelines for strict compliance. In the reference cited above vide para 2 ( b & c ) , it has been decided that “For the staff below the level of Deputy Secretary, all Heads of the Department shall prepare a roster so as to ensure that 50 percent of officers and staff attend office on every alternate day and observe staggered timings”.The state Government has extended the lockdown till 31.7.20 and the same is definitely to be extended further due to the vigorous spread of the pandemic COVID-19.
            
                           The  guidelines  was  issued for attendance for officers/staff at levels below Deputy Secretary, in which the Heads of Departments (HODs) may also direct their officers/staff to attend office in staggered timings  and suitable Roster may be drawn for 50 percent attendance by the Heads of Department  to further avoid crowding in offices/work spaces and maintain social distancing which is need of the hour. With reference to the letter number 2 cited above the lockdown is now further extended till 31.7.2020. As far as SBCO employees are concerned , there are many of them who travel many kilometers from office to residence daily as they are posted from one division to another division usually. So, such employees may be allowed to work at offices near to their residences either within the same division or at  other divisions which will be helpful to the officials and also beneficial to the department to complete the work instead of being at home losing their own leave. It is requested by the AIPSBCOEA CHQ, to kindly cause issuance of orders  throughout the Circle  for the Employees, to implement the DOPT orders  mentioned in the reference above to follow the 50% attendance , roster system , staggered timings and permission to work at H.Os near their residence within same division or other division till the lockdown is lifted totally throughout the circle.

 A line of reply is solicited please. 
With Regards,
                                      
Yours Sincerely,

                -Sd-
(SHP. JASMINE JALAL BEGAM) 
General  Secretary.

BRIEF OF THE MEETING ON  14.7.20  FROM 11.30 A.M TO 12.30 P.M REGARDING CADRE RESTRUCTURING OF SBCO:- 

The meeting held on 14.7.2020 regarding the cadre restructuring of SBCO was really a very cordial one. All the officers of the Committe Sri. Charles Lobo, Sri. Anand , Smt. Smriti Saran listened to our views and suggestions patiently and agreed the same.
 All the suggestions already written on behalf of AIPSBCOEA CHQ were discussed in detail in the meeting. The change of setup and the work nature of SBCO prior to 1991 and as of now were discussed in detail giving justificaiton of cadre restructuring for SBCO as per the number of accounts and the work load. The increase in work load viz, 100% voucher checking, addition of the SOSB work, addition of the sub accounts work, addition of the NSCs and KVPs work to SBCO from DAP were explained with statistics. 
The one time relaxation of the RRs of HSG I and HSG II to fill up all the supervisory posts were demanded as per the letters written already for the same. The justification of amalgamation of SBCO with the DAP was discussed in detail in reference with the Association's letter submitted already. The nature of work similarity of both the wings i.e. SBCO and DAP as both were bifurcated from the AG P&T and SBCO is performing the auditing and checking work on behalf of DAP at the H.Os and submitting the statistics ( Fin & non-Fin ) to DAP.  This suggestion was welcomed by the Chairperson Sri. Charles Lobo. 
The need for the  increase in the sanctioned strength of all the SBCO units was demanded giving the increase in work load and the shortage postion was given circle wise in detail. The recruitment process which needs to be taken up by the Department instead of the SSC which is very slow was pointed out. The vacancies arising due to the superannuation which is to be filled up was also discussed . 
Along with these suggestions the cadre restructuring needs to be done to make SBCO branch work efficiently and indepenently. The demand of " Audit status" was discussed citing the Association's letter along with the nomenclature change as per the table given in the letter for the proposed nomenclature and pay scale. 
The proposal of new RRs of PA/SA was opposed , the identity of SBCO needs to be maintained separately  as the work is purely " Auditing and checking"  for which the General line staff should not be utilised /exchange of staff from SBCO to General line and the vice versa which will pave way for increase in misappropriation of the crores of public money in the POSB and dilution of Audit.
All the suggestions of AIPSBCOEA CHQ were agreed by the members of the cadre restructuring committee and informed that the proposal will be finalised very soon and the meeting was concluded.

 SUGGESTIONS GIVEN ON BEHALF OF AIPSBCOEA FOR CADRE RESTRUCTURING OF SBCO:-
 
Ref. No:  AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/Cadre restructure/2020                                    Dated- 13.07.2020

To,
        The Deputy Director General (Estt)
        Department of Posts,
        Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
        New Delhi- 110 001.

Sub: -Meeting of the Committee constituted to work out the functional justification w.r.t. the Cadre Restructuring of Group ‘C’ employees of RMS,SBCO and CO/RO – Reg.

Ref:-  Directorate letter No.25-10/2016-PE-I, DOP (PE-I-Section) dated 07th July, 2020.

Respected Sir/Madam,

                              With reference to the above mentioned letter received from the Directorate, the supplementary (link) letter to our AIPSBCOEA –CHQ letter dated 09.7.2020 regarding suggestions and proposal for the Cadre Restructuring of SBCO is submitted for consideration of the same .

The Committee was constituted by the Department on Cadre Restructuring of Group ‘C’ employees vide No. 25-04/2012-PE I dated 23rd  Oct, 2013 held its final discussions on 28th April 2014 at 1100 hours under the Chairmanship of Shri. V.P. Singh, DDG (Personnel).

The Committee had earlier met on 27th Nov. 2013, 04 & 05th Feb,2014 and had detailed discussions. The Cadre Restructuring ratio was worked out and agreed to be replicated to the SA cadre of RMS, PA cadre of Circle & Administrative Offices as also to the PA cadre of SBCO.

v The Department vide No. 25-10/2016-PE-I Dt, 10.06.16 & 17.02.17 had called for statistical information from all Heads of the Circle regarding cadre structuring of left out categories including SBCO. In this regard the General Secretary has submitted a proposal to the Department for SBCO staff on 27.02.17 vide Ref . No. :AIPSBCOEA/CHQ-Cadre Restructuring/2017 dated 27.02.17 which clearly produced the justification for cadre review based on the number of accounts, Nomenclature change , Identity of Audit which is to be maintained and placement  under the Postal Accounts as both the wings were earlier part and parcel of P & T Audit and have similar work nature.

An agreement was signed on 28.04.14 between Official side and staff side for cadre restructuring of Postal employees. The salient features of the agreement are as under:-
1.      No. of LSG posts will increase from 8% to 22%.
2.      No. of HSG-II posts will increase from 2% to 12%.
3.      No. of HSG –I POSTS will increase from 1.5% to 4%.
4.      After completion of 2 yrs . in HSG-I  the official will be promoted to Rs. 4800 G.P. (Non Functional basis).
5.      The proposal will be applicable to RMS, CO & SBCO in same ratio.
This agreement was signed by Com. M. Krishnan the then Secretary General,NFPE.

v As done for the General line staff the Cadre Restructuring for SBCO is to be done without reduction of Posts and justification according to the number of accounts.
Now at present , according to the justification the following upgradation may be done.

All SBCO units to have one LSG Post including ICO(SB)/CPU units.
Offices having  1,00,000 to 2,00,000 accounts to have one HSG –II Post.
Offices having  2,00,000  to 3,00,000 accounts to have one HSG – I Post.
Offices having more than 3,00,000 accounts to have one NF HSG – I Post.

So, all the SBCO units will have one LSG Post including all the ICO(SB)/CPU. Units
All the HSG – II Posts will have one LSG Post under it.
All the HSG –I Posts will have one HSG – II Post under it,  according to the number of accounts justification.


% Posts Increase Expected for SBCO for illustration in Tamilnadu Circe:-

Cadre
Before CR
After CR
Increase %
LSG
43
98
228
HSG II
18
68
378
HSG I
5
39+5
880
Total
66
210
318
 
General line given 510% increase in Posts
SBCO is expected to be given atleast 318%
10% of HSG I is identified as HSG I NFG.
We expect 39 HSG I,  5 HSG I (NFG) is justified.

v According to SB Order 03/2018 issued on 12.03.2018 the provision  for 100% verification of transactions by SBCO through MIS server had been introduced, and that is not possible in prevailing under staffed situation in SBCO .  This changed provision introduced against the Postal Manual of SB Control Procedure of Rule 11 & 15 and SB Order No. 14/2015 was a policy matter and must be taken into faith in consultation with service Association.

v The checking work of KVPs & NSCs Vide SB Order 06/2016, Addendum dt. 28.04.17 have been transferred from DPA to SBCO was not adhered by the Circles and after a gap of about 02 years vide Addendum –II dt. 21.01.19 it has been forcibly entrusted to SBCO with pending work which is highly objectionable. The Department has also failed to consult with Service Associations being policy matter at this juncture simultaneously to make good the shortage of staff.

The statistical datas of 2017-18 read with Annual Report of Department for Savings Scheme accounts were reported to Directorate vide Association letter No. AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/SB-03/18 Dt. 23.03.18 & 16.04.18 with figures of about 35,67,14,046 accounts with 1,54,882 post offices for justification of additional staff  for checking of transactions & vouchers.

Now vide Addendum- II Dt. 21.01.19 the new  work of checking and auditing for KVPs & NSCs w.e.f. 01.07.16 have also been entrusted to SBCO without any in service training to the staff. The provision of additional staff have also been considered to manage the work. As per Annaual Report published by the Department for 2017-18 the KVPs sold in 2016-17, 48,83,849 and in 2017-18 up to Nov. 2017 were 25,36,891, total about 74,20,740 and this additional work have been entrusted to SBCO without consideration of required staff for the said work. The datas of NSCs registered with post offices are excluded with KVPs. The details of KVPs/NSCs issued & discharged from 01.07.16 to up to date are also not available with SBCO.

Thus the adequate staff in SBCO for 100% checking of Savings Schemes accounts about 35.67 crores plus 74.20 lakhs for KVPs registered with post offices along with NSCs (Datas not published in  A.R. of the Department) shall be required for the work of checking  & auditing.
It is stated that this arrear work of about 2 years also to be entrusted to SBCO for checking which will take about 12 to 18 months time as and when the present entire staff (shortage) attend this work by keeping in abeyance of routine work. Thus the pendency will increase day by day and become unmanageable in future.

It has been noticed by the Association that checking work of KVPs & NSCs is being done by Postal Accounts Staff (DAP) on percentile basis that is only about 20% whereas the SBCO have burden of 100% checking read with SB Order 06/2016 issued vide No. 32-01/2016-SB Dt. 21.01.2019 like other savings schemes.

v In the sphere of acute shortage of SBCO staff the official position of some circles for examples are laid down as under for assessment to other remaining circles facing acute shortage:-

U.P. Circle:

Cadre
Sanctioned strength
Shortage
PA
496
110
LSG
49
31
HSG –II
14
8
HSG –I
31
31

Bihar  Circle:

Cadre
Sanctioned strength
Shortage
PA
180
71
LSG
18
11
HSG –II
7
1
HSG –I
10
10

Tamilnadu Circle:

Cadre
Sanctioned strength
Shortage
PA
374
90
LSG
41
26
HSG –II
17
9
HSG –I
5
4

Chhatisgarh Circle:

Cadre
Sanctioned strength strength
Vacant
PA
47
21
LSG
4
2

Gujarat Circle:

Cadre
Sanctioned strength
Shortage
PA
188
88
LSG
19
12
HSG –II
4
4
HSG –I
3
1


Jharkhand Circle:

Cadre
Sanctioned strength
Shortage
PA
74
22
LSG
8
7
HSG –II
3
1
HSG –I
3
2

Maharastra Circle:

Cadre
Sanctioned strength
Shortage
PA
507
313
LSG
16
14
HSG –II
31
30
HSG –I
35
35

Madhya Pradesh Circle:

Cadre
Sanctioned strength
Shortage
PA


LSG
11
7
HSG –II
2
1
HSG –I
2
1


Bihar Circle:

Cadre
Sanctioned strength
Shortage
PA


LSG
18
14
HSG –II
7
5
HSG –I
10
10


The number of Posts may be upgraded to LSG, HSG II and HSG I like that done for the General line officials as mentioned in the AIPSBCOEA-CHQ letter dated 9.7.20 without any reduction of Posts. Our Association demands for review of establishment according to the revised time factor in CBS scenario to increase the number of sanctioned strength of all the SBCO units to the tune of 17500 transactions per month per PA  which is the correct justification to carry out the checking and auditing work effectively without any difficulty. It is again emphasized to enhance the sanctioned strength while restructuring the cadre due to the excess quantum of work entrusted to SBCO after the SB Order 14/2015 and all the addendums that followed and the extra work of KVPs and NSCs as mentioned above because many SBCO units are running in under staffed position even singly in many places which leads to stagnation of work  and  mental stress of the official working there.

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  “Senior Auditors”, “ Chief Auditors” ,”Executive Auditors” and “Chief Executive Auditors”. SBCO is performing all the work on behalf of Postal Accounts having similar nature of work. Hence as both DAP and SBCO were formed from the same P & T Audit , SBCO may be amalgamated with DAP which is our very important demand.

v    The Cadre Restructuring may be done based on the number of accounts justification , Increase in the Sanctioned strength of  PA Posts due to entrustment of excess work after CBS, Role redefining of SBCO for change in the nature of work after GL integration, Nomenclature change , Change of Controlling authority, Identity of Audit which is to be maintained and amalgamation with the Postal Accounts as both the wings were earlier part and parcel of P & T Audit and have similar work nature as given in detail in both letters of AIPSBCOEA-CHQ dated 9.7.20 ,13.7.20 and all our previous letters and memorandum.

            The above suggestions will enable independent functioning of SBCO to perform the work effectively on the spot  without any fear of reprisal for pointing out the genuine mistakes and detection of frauds spontaneously.

A line of reply is solicited Please.
           
With Regards,

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


SUGGESTIONS GIVEN TO THE COMMITTEE FOR THE CADRE RESTRUCTURING OF SBCO ON BEHALF OF AIPSBCOEA CHQ:-

Ref. No:  AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/Cadre restructure/2020                                   Dated- 09.07.2020

To,
              The Secretary,
              Department of Posts,
              Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg,
              New Delhi – 110 001.

Sub: -Meeting of the Committee constituted to work out the functional justification w.r.t. the Cadre Restructuring of Group ‘C’ employees of RMS,SBCO and CO/RO – Reg.
Ref:-  Directorate letter No.25-10/2016-PE-I, DOP (PE-I-Section) dated 07th July, 2020.

Respected Sir/Madam,

                                 On behalf of our All India Postal SBCO Employees Association , letters have been written for implementing the Cadre Restructuring for SBCO vide letter numbers
Ref. No: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/Cadre restructure/2019  Dated- 28.08.2019 and 18.5.2020. We thank the administration for accepting our demand and taking up the issue for implementing the same which will be very useful for the youngsters of SBCO.

With reference to the above mentioned letter received from the Directorate, the suggestions and proposal for the Cadre Restructuring of SBCO is submitted for consideration of the same .

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.
Prior to 1.8.1991, the existence of the SBCO cadres are as below,
Head Clerk/ JAO/Supervisor SBCO
U.D.C.
L.D.C
Class IV official.

Now according to the justification the following upgradation may be done.

All SBCO units to have one LSG Post.
Offices having  1,00,000 to 2,00,000 accounts to have one HSG –II Post.
Offices having  2,00,000  to 3,00,000 accounts to have one HSG – I Post.
Offices having more than 3,00,000 accounts to have one NF HSG – I Post.


So, all the SBCO units will have one LSG Post.
All the HSG – II Posts will have one LSG Post under it.
All the HSG –I Posts will have one HSG – II Post under it,  according to the number of accounts justification.


Percentage Posts  Increased for General Side:


Before CR
After CR
Increase %
LSG
4980
26494
532
HSG II
1198
8579
716
HSG I
1160
2123
183
TOTAL
7338
37196
507


Distribution of GROUP ‘C’ POSTS General side  After Cadre Restructuring:-

circles
HSGI
HSGII
LSG
PA
TOTAL
HSGI
NFG
HSGI
Total
HSGI
HSGII
Upgraded
From LSG
And A class SPMs
LSG
For
B & C POs
LSG
others
Total
LSG
others
PA
Total
22
1160
1198
4980
10089
107427
235
2123
2358
8579
18610
7884
26494
69996
107427

Total  is the same 107427

The number of Posts may be upgraded to LSG, HSG II and HSG I like that done for the General line officials without any reduction of Posts.  Our Association demands for review of establishment according to the revised time factor in CBS scenario to increase the number of sanctioned strength of all the SBCO units to the tune of 17500 transactions per month per PA  which is the correct justification to carry out the checking and auditing work effectively without any difficulty. It is again emphasized to enhance the sanctioned strength while restructuring the cadre because many SBCO units are running in under staffed position even singly in many places which leads to stagnation of work  and  mental stress of the official working there.

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. 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.
Already letters have been given regarding this by our Association vide Letter Numbers AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/One time relaxation of HSG I and HSG II/2020 Dated:  20.1.2020 and 18.5.2020.

  The Association  would  most  humbly  bring  to  the  kind  notice  of  the department  that  Savings Bank  Control  Organisation is  at  present  doing  the Audit  work   of  the  Post  Office  Savings  Bank  Accounts. Hence, it is requested to change the nomenclature of SBCO officials as “Auditors” – “Junior Auditors”- “ Senior Auditors” – “Chief Auditors”  according to the grade pay –Length of service.
Letters written on behalf of our Association for “Audit Status” and “Change of role and responsibility of SBCO , Post GL integration “ vide Letter number Ref. No.: AIPSBCOEA/CHQ/input/Suggestion/Change of role  dated- 25.11.2019 and 2.12.2019.

The role of SBCO officials may be redefined accordingly  to suit this CBS and GL integration scenario as written in detail by the Association in the above mentioned letters. The role of Auditors (SBCO officials) play an important role in the POSB checking/accounting/auditing which is to be redefined and modified so as to match with the current scenario.

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. In our strong opinion, an robust internal audit should be mooted out for POSB like various audit organizations (ie) P & T audit General, Audit Civil Audit, Defence and Railway Audit, striving for 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.

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.
           
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.


A line of reply is solicited.

With Regards,

Yours Sincerely,


            
  -Sd-
(SHP. Jasmine Jalal Begam)
General Secretary


Copy to:
The Deputy Director General (Estt)
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, SansadMarg,
New Delhi- 110 001.

                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                      -Sd-
   (SHP. Jasmine Jalal Begam)
General Secretary


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