GDS wages and Allowances Implementation Order issued

GDS wages and Allowances Implementation Order issued

Introduction of new Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA)

No. 17-31/2016-GDS
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
Establishment Division

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi – 110001.

Dated: 25th June, 2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Implementation of recommendations of One-man committee on wages and allowances of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDSs)

One-man committee headed by Sri Kamlesh Chandra, Retired Member, Postal Services Board was set up by the Government of India vide Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts’ Resolution No. 17-13/2013-GDS dated 19.11.2015 for examining the conditions of service and emoluments and other facilities available to the Gramin Dak Sevaks(GDS). The committee had submitted its report to the Government on 24.11.2016. The Government has carefully considered the recommendations of the One-man Committee regarding revision of TRCA and allowances and is pleased to order the following.

2. Introduction of new Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA)

The entire GDSs posts shall be brought under two categories viz. Branch Postmasters (BPMs) and other than Branch Postmasters. GDSs other than BPMs and working in Branch Post offices shall be designated as Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPMs) and GDSs working in departmental offices shall be designated as Dak Sevaks. There shall be two slabs of working hours Viz. Four (4) and Five (5) hours and two levels of TRCA slabs each for BPMs and other than BPMs. For this purpose, the working hours of GDSs with 3 hours, 3 1/2 hours and 3 hours 45 minutes shall be revised to 4 hours and those with 4 1/2 hours workload shall be revised as Five (5) hours, with effect from 1.7.2018.

The revised TRCA slabs / levels applicable to these two categories will be as shown in Table 1:

2.1 Clubbing (Merging) of old TRCA SLABS

The existing 11 TRCA slabs shall be merged into three TRCA Slabs with two levels each for BPMs and other than BPMs as shown in Table 2. Effectively, there shall be only 3 TRCA Slabs as one TRCA Slab will be common for both the categories.

Acronyms: MC-Mail Carrier, MP – Mail Packer, MD – Mail Deliverer, MM – Mailman,SV-Stamp Vender.

2.2 Fixation Formula

The GDSs shall be brought to the respective levels in the new TRCA matrix wef 1.7.2018. For fixation of TRCA of the Gramin Dak Sevaks in the new TRCA slabs, the existing Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) for the GDS in the 11 TRCA slabs in the pre-revised structure as given in Table-2 above, as on 01.07.2018, shall be multiplied by a factor of 2.57. The amount may be rounded off to the nearest rupee. The figure so arrived at is to be located in the level corresponding to GDS’s TRCA in the new TRCA Slab as given in Table-3.

2.3. If a cell identical with the figure so arrived at is available in the appropriate Level, that cell shall be the revised TRCA; otherwise the next higher cell in that Level shall be the revised TRCA of the GDS. However, in order to guide administration / DDOs in fixing the revised TRCA of GDS in the new TRCA matrix correctly, illustrations in this regard are annexed at Annexure-II.

2.4 In respect of GDS whose annual increase of TRCA is due on 1st July, 2018, his/her TRCA consequent on annual increase in the pre-revised TRCA be effected first and then his/her TRCA be fixed in the new revised TRCA Matrix as in Table-3.

2.5 If a GDS happens to be on leave on 01.07.2018, the revised TRCA will be effective from the date of rejoining of duty. In case of GDSs on put off duty as on 01.07.2018, they shall continue to draw ex gratia payment based on existing TRCA and fixation of his TRCA shall be subject to the final order on the pending disciplinary proceedings.

3. Annual Increase.

The annual increase of TRCA is 3%. After fixation of TRCA in the appropriate stage in the TRCA Matrix /slab as specified in Para 2.2 above, the next annual increase will be effected after completion of 12 months of continuous engagement from that date subject to para 3.2 below. Subsequent increase in TRCA scale shall be at the immediate next stage in the respective levels of new TRCA matrix at Table 3.

3.1 In respect of the GDSs engaged on or after 01.07.2018, the initial fixation will be done on first stage of Level 1 of the respective category.

3.2. There shall be two dates of annual increase in TRCA namely, 1st July and 1st January of every year; provided that a GDS shall be entitled to only one annual increase in TRCA on either one of these two dates depending on the date of engagement.

4. Other Allowances

Other allowances namely, Office Maintenance allowance, Fixed Stationery Charges, Cycle Maintenance Allowance, Combined Duty Allowance, Risk and Hardship Allowance have been revised as detailed in Annexure-I.

5. Dearness Allowance

The existing practice to grant the Dearness Allowance will continue, as per the Seventh CPC recommendations, as a separate component, and also as revised from time to time, whenever it is revised for Central Government Servants.

6. Productivity Linked Bonus

Present calculation of Ex-gratia bonus by applying the calculation ceiling of Rs. 7,000 as basic TRCA + DA shall continue until further orders.

7. Date of Effect

The revised TRCA as per the matrix at Table-3 for all GDSs shall be applicable w.e.f. 01.07.2018. The revised rate of other allowances at Annexure-I shall also take effect from 01.07.2018.

8. Payment for the Period from 01.01.2016 to 30.6.2018.

The arrear payable to GDS will take into consideration the following two figures:

(i) Due for the period from 1.1.2016 to 30.06.2018 calculated on the basic of TRCA already drawn multiplied by a factor of 2.57

(ii) TRCA including DA drawn for the above period from 1.1.2016 to 30.06.2018.

(iii) the difference between (i) and (ii) will be the amount payable to GDSs on account of arrears.

Illustrations in this regard are given at Annexure-III

9. The payment due to GDSs, according to instructions at Para-8 above may be initiated immediately so as to ensure disbursal latest by 15th July, 2018. Likewise, the process of fixation of TRCA in the new TRCA matrix as at para 2.2 may be completed before 25th July 2018. with regard to the payment for the period from 1.1.2016 to 30.6.2018, an undertaking in the prescribed format (Annexure-IV) should be obtained from each Gramin Dak Sevak and kept on record before disbursement of the arrears.

10. The Circle Postal Accounts Office shall carry out cent percent verification of fixation of TRCA consequent on revision. The entire process of vertification should be completed by 31.12.2018.

11. This OM issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) vide their ID Note Number 7/31/2006-E.III(A) dated 02.04.2018.

(Smriti Sharan)
Deputy Director General (Establishment)

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