Filling up of GDS posts in Branch Post Offices – review of guidelines

Copy of Directorate letter no 17-103/2007-GDS dated 17-02-2011 addressed to all Chief postmasters General

Subject: - Filling up of GDS posts in Branch Post Offices – review of guidelines regarding

Sir/Madam,

I am directed to invite attention to Directorate letters No. even dated 14th Jul 2009 and 29th Dec 2010 on the subject cited above.

2. Para 2 (ii) of this Directorate letter dated 14th July 2009 provided that the vacant posts of GDs in branch offices with two or more hands may be filled up on the basis of triennial review already carried out and in case the prescribed workload and financial parameters as prescribed for opening of a branch office are not fulfilled but the posts are required to be filled up for operational reasons then the approval of the Chief PMG will be required with concurrence of circle IFA. It was also provided in Para 2(i) of the said communication, that GDS vacant posts in BOs with a single establishment be filled up straight away and the permission was granted to the concerned Divisional head.

3. The above provisions were further reviewed and modified. It was prescribed vide this Directorate letter dated 29 Dec 2010 that the vacant posts of GD BPM may be filled up by adjusting the surplus GDS fulfilling the prescribed qualification and other prescribed conditions failing which action may be taken in advance to fill the vacant post of GDs BPM on a regular basis following the prescribed procedure and following other conditions prescribed under letter dated 4 Jul 2009.

4. Despite issue of above instructions, it has been brought to the notice of this office, that, the Posts of Branch Postmasters are not being filled up immediately, and they are allowed to be managed by additional charge or kept under combined duties, affecting the quality of service. The issue has been considered and competent Authority has decided that the vacant post of GDs BPMs, in Branch offices (irrespective of the number borne on establishment) be filled up by Head of the Division without reference to HOC immediately after its falling vacant initiating action in advance by adopting the following methods: -

(i) By appointment of surplus identified GDs fulfilling the conditions; failing which

(ii) By combination of the duties of GDS in the same BO, provide the combined work load does not exceed five hours: failing which

(iii) By recruitment of outsiders by observing the selection process.

However, the approval of the Head of the Circle shall continue to be obtained for filling up of other categories of GDS which are not justified by workload/financial parameter, but the post is to be filled dup for operational reasons.

4. These orders shall come into effect from the date of issue of the order. This issues with the approval of competent authority.
Yours faithfully,

(Surender Kumar)
Assistant Director General (GDS/PCC)

[Earlier order No. 17-103/2007-GDS dated : 29 Dec 2010 addressed to all Chief Postmaster Generals/All Postmasters Generals ]

Sub: Filling up of GDS Posts in Branch Post Offices- review of guideline regarding.
Sir/Madam,
Reference in invited to this Directorate letter No. even dated 14th Jul 2009 on the subject cited above which provided for the manner of filling up of GDS vacant posts in single handed branch offices and branch post offices having two or more hands.
2. Provisional appointment for a brief may be resorted to only on account of sudden death, dismissal, removal, put off duty, absorption against the departmental post of Gramin Dak Sevaks and unauthorized absence for long period in case regular arrangements cannot be made immediately.
3. In the case of posts falling vacant due to discharge from service of the GDS BPM or absorption of the GDS BPM on the regular departmental posts, efforts should first be made to fill up the posts by adjusting identified surplus GDS fulfilling the prescribed qualification & other prescribed conditions failing which action should be taken in advance to fill the vacant post of GDS BPM on a regular basis by following the prescribed procedure and following other conditions prescribed under letter No. 17-103/2007-GDS dated 14 Jul 2009. [ The Order is given below for reference]. The list of all the GDS, category wise, due to be discharged from service in calendar year may also be displayed on the Department's website in the month of January of each calendar year.
This issues with the approval of competent authority.
· * * * * * * * * [Earlier order No.17-103/2007-GDS dated: 14.07.2009 addressed to All Chief Postmasters General /All Postmasters General.

Sub: Filling up of GDS posts in Branch Post Offices –Clarification regarding.

Sir/Madam,

Directorate has, of late, been receiving a number of references regarding filling up of GDS vacancies in the Branch Post Offices. The undersigned is directed to invite reference to the Directorate letter No. 17-103/2007-GDS dated 8.7.2008 wherein clarifications regarding filling up of vacant posts of GDS were laid down. As per the principle brought out in the instructions of the Directorate referred to above, vacant post of GDS in Branch Office can be filled up if found justified on the basis of work load norms and financial parameters. If the twin criteria of workload and financial norms are not fulfilled then it is necessary to seek the approval of head of Circle. The above stipulations are applicable mutatis mutandis to all the Branch Post Offices irrespective of their establishment i.e. whether the Branch Office has single, double or more than two hands. The procedure reiterated in the aforesaid Directorate letter has resulted in non-filling up of vacant posts of GDS in the branch Post Offices especially in the single-handed Branch Offices.

2. The matter has, therefore, been reviewed in its entirety and it has been decided to fill up vacant posts of GDS in a manner set forth in the ensuing paragraphs.

(i) Filling of GDS post in single handed Branch Offices
In single handed Branch Offices, the GDS post rendered vacant on account of discharge from the service, appointment of the GDS against a departmental post or death of the GDS may be filled up to ensure basic postal services and facilities in the rural areas through the existing Branch Offices.

(ii) Filling of GDS post in Branch offices with two or more hands

The vacant post of GDS may be filled up on the basis of triennial review already carried out. If prescribed workload and financial parameters as prescribed for opening of a Branch Office are not fulfilled but the posts are required to be filled up for operational reasons then the approval of Chief PMG will be required with concurrence of Circle IFA.

3. It should be ensured that the triennial review of Branch Offices is carried out regularly and invariably as per existing instructions.

4. This issues in supersession of earlier instructions issued for filling up of vacant posts of GDS contained in following letters.

(i) Letter No. 40-35/Xth Plan dated 14.08.2003, 23.10.2003, and 17.02.2004.

(ii) Directorate Letter No. 17-103/2007-GDS dated 24.12.2007 except para 4 thereof.

(iii) Head of Circles should endure action accordingly.

(iv) The receipt of this letter may be acknowledged to the undersigned.
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