I am directed to say that references are being received
from Circles seeking clarifications with regard to filling up of the short terms
vacancies in Postmaster Grade-I,II & III. It has been reported that
representations have been received from Postmaster Grade-I /II officials asking
for officiating promotion to Postmaster Grade-II/III although such officials do
not fulfill the prescribed eligibility criteria stipulated under the relevant
Recruitment Rules.
2. It
has been clarified vide Dte's letter of even number dated 7/8-2.2011 that the
posts of Postmaster Grade-III should not be filled up under initial constitution
clause by appointing HSG-I officials for the reason that sufficient number of
regular officials in HSG-I would not have become available. It was further
clarified that these posts can be filled up only after reviewing the position in
the light of options received from eligible officials and appropriate decision
taken by the Directorate in the matter. As per clarification No. 4 of
Directorate's letter of even number dated 10.2.2011, the posts identified for Postmaster Cadres will be deemed
to have been designated as Postmaster Grade-I, II & III with effect only
from the dates those are filled up
regularly. Therefore, the Post of Postmaster Grade III will be
deemed to be so designated only when these are filled up through initial
constitution clause. Infact, in terms of the clarification No.4 dated
10.2.2011, these posts cannot be treated as vacant by the
Circle. In
the given circumstances when at present there are no posts of Postmaster
Grade-III in existence, the question of filling up through officiating
arrangement does not arise. Thus, till the posts so identified as Postmaster
Grade-III will continue to be manned by officials in General line.
3. Regarding officiating arrangement in the vacancies of
more than 45 days in Postmaster Grade-I & II, which have become
vacant after they are designated as Postmaster Grade-I & II by
filling up through initial constitution as clause as per the provisions of
Recruitment Rules, the clarification No. 3 given vide Dte. Letter of even number
dated 10.2.2011 was issued stating inter-alia that for filling up of leave
vacancies / adhoc vacancies for more that 45 days in Postmaster Grade, the
procedure prescribed in Dte's letter No. 137-99/2009-SPB.II dated 23.12.2009
should be followed. It
is envisaged in the said letter that only those employees in feeder grade
fulfilling the eligibility condition prescribed in the Recruitment Rules should
be considered for adhoc promotion.
4. Subsequently, Directorate has issued instructions vide
letter No. 137-64/2010-BPG.II dated 28.7.2011 permitting grant of officiating
pay and Allowances to Selection Grade Officials who officiated in
LSG/HSG-II/HSG-I posts in term of Rule 27 of Postal Manual Vol. IV against the vacancies not exceeding three months. As per
this Rule, the list of approved officers is prepared by the DPC and approved by
the appointing authority and only when administrative exigencies required it, a
person not in the list or not the first in order in the list may be
appointed.
5. Similar benefit has also been allowed to Selection Grade
officials in terms of Rule 50 of Postal Manual Vol. IV which provides for
officiating arrangement against the vacancies of short duration i.e. not more
than one month and more than four months in the cadres in which promotion is
made from officials working in different stations, sub-divisions or divisions in
a Circle and in the cadres in which promotion is made from officials working in
the same office or station.
6. In
view of the above, to make officiating arrangements in vacancies not exceeding
three months and vacancies of short duration i.e. not more than one and four
months in Postmaster Grade I & II, which become vacant after they are
designated as Postmaster Grade-I & II, the Circles may follow the
instructions contained in Dte. Letter No. 137-64/2010-SPB-II dated
28.7.2011.
Sd/-
(Alka Tewari)
Assistant Director General (SPN)