CREATION OF SEPRATE POSTMASTER CADRE

Creation of separate Postmaster's Cadre
It is learnt that the Postal Board had cleared a proposal for creation of Postmasters' cadre and the Recruitment Rules have been amended and sent to the DOPT and that the first examination also will be held soon in this year. The scheme envisages that 30% of all supervisory posts would be a separate track on examination and 70% supervisory posts at all levels would be another track on seniority-cum-fitness. Officials at every level from LSG, HSG-II and HSG-I would be requested to select either of the two tracks as one time measure. They will thereafter go up only in their selected track and even the posts in Group B level will be segregated for both tracks separately.There are 116 posts of Senior Postmasters (Group B) and 25% of these posts are likely to be filled up by examination by the officials who have been promoted under Fast Track examination (30%) and the balance will be filled up by seniority basis. It is learnt that LSG officials with 5 years service in that cadre will be eligible to appear for the examination. Even Inspector (Posts) is eligible to take up this examination. The officials who are promoted to the posts of Senior Postmasters are eligible to Group A posts after completion of 3 years in that cadre. Already there is a provision that LSG officials who have completed 5 years of service in that cadre can appear for 6% posts in Group B cadre. This will also continue besides the above examination.
Officials in one track cannot cross the other path. There will be separate gradation lists for both tracks. The declining of promotion by seniors and reluctance to move away from their parent divisions is cited as a reason for the department to create a separate cadre for Postmasters and to encourage younger officials with aptitude to get the promotion through examination.The CHQ had expressed its anguish and protest over the attitude of the department for not consulting the Unions concerned before forwarding the proposal to the nodal ministry and sought full details of this scheme.