Introduction of Gramin Dak Sevaks (Grant of financial upgradation) Scheme, 2024

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17-31/2016-GDS
(Fnancial Upgradation)
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
(GDS Section)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi - 10 001
Dated: 15.03.2024

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Introduction of Gramin Dak Sevaks (Grant of financial upgradation) Scheme, 2024 on completion of 12, 24 and 36 years of continuous engagement –reg.

The Department of Posts in consultation with Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance has decided to introduce Gramin Dak Sevaks (Grant of financial Upgradation) Scheme, 2024 [GDSFU]. As per the scheme, al the GDSs would be entitled to a fixed addition of Rs. 360/-, Rs. 460/- and Rs. 600/- per month in the Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) on completion of 12, 24, and 36 years of continuous engagement as regular GDS on the basis of Special performance report / terms and conditions, as prescribed by the Department. A copy of the GDSFU, Scheme, 2024 containing terms and conditions is attached as Annexure to this OM.
2. The scheme shall be applicable to al GDS engaged on regular basis in accordance with the GDS (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, as amended from time to time. The fixed addition will neither be linked to Dearness Allowance nor would count for annual increase.
3. This OM issues with the concurrence of Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance ID Note Number. 07-31/2006-E-III (A) dated 12.03.2024. The GDSFU scheme will be effective from issue of this O.M.
4. Hindi version will follow.

(Ravi Pahwa)
Assistant Director General (GDS/PCC/PAP)

To
All the Chief Postmasters General / Post Masters General

Copy forwarded to :-

1. PS to Minster of Communications/Minister of State for Communications.
2. Sr. PPS to Secretary (Posts)/Sr. PPS to Director General Postal Services
3. PPS/PS to Additional DG (Coord.)/Member (Banking)/Member (O)/ Member (P)/ Member (Planning &HRD)/ Member (PLI)/ Member (Technology)
4. Chief General Manager BD Directorate/Parcel Directorate/PLI Directorate
5. Director RAKNPA Ghaziabad/ General Manager, CEPT Bengaluru
6. Addl. Director General, APS Bhawan, New Delhi
7. Sr. DDG (Vigilance) &CVO/Sr. DDG (PAF)
8. Director General P&T (Audit), Civil Lines, New Delhi
9. Director General, NICF, Ghitorni, New Delhi
10. All the Deputy Director General
11. All General Manager (Finance)/ Director Postal Accounts/ DDAP
12. Director Postal Training Centres.
13. All Sections of Postal Directorate.
14. All recognized Federations/Unions/Associations
15. GM, CEPT, Mysuru, for uploading the OM on India Post Website.
16. Hindi Section, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi: for translation of the OM.
17. Guard File
18. Spare Copies.

Annexure

Gramin Dak Sevaks (Grant of financial upgradation) Scheme, 2024

1. This scheme shall be called as Gramin Dak Sevaks (Grant of financial upgradation) Scheme, 2024 [GDSFU].
2. Applicability: The scheme shall be applicable to al GDS engaged on regular basis in accordance with the GDS (Conduct and Engagement) Rules as amended from time to time.
3 Benefit under the GDSFU:
3.1 The GDSs will get a fixed addition of Rs. 360/-, Rs. 460/- and Rs. 600/- per month on completion of 12, 24 and 36 years of 'continuous engagement'. This fixed amount is in addition to the TRCA being drawn. Dearness Allowance (DA) will not be paid on this fixed addition and this will also not count for grant of annual increase of the TRCA.
Explanation:
At the time of introduction of the scheme, the fixed addition to the TRCA will be as under:

1. The GDS who have completed 12 years of continuous engagement or more (but less than 24 years) will be entitled for a fixed addition of Rs. 360/- per month.
2. The GDS who have completed 24 years of continuous engagement (but less than 36 years) will be entitled to fixed addition of Rs. 820/- (i.e., Rs. 360 +460) per month.
3. The GDS having more than 36 years of continuous engagement will get a fixed addition of Rs. 1420/-(Rs. 360 + 460 +600) per month.

Note: The illustrations may be seen at para 8 for clarity.
4.Continuous Engagement:
4.1 In determining the period of continuous engagement, following periods will be treated as break in engagement unless condoned by the competent authority:

1. Unauthorised absence.
2. Put Of Duty period

4.2 In case of condonation of period(s) of absence/put of duty by the competent authority, the interruption(s) so arising on this account will not be construed as break in continuous engagement (leading to forfeiture of past service); however, the condoned period(s) will not be counted towards determining the length of continuous engagement.
4.3 The competent authorities to condone the period of absence/put of duty will continue to be as prescribed from time to time.
Note: In case of provisional engagement which is followed by regular engagement after completion of prescribed formalities/verification of documents, the date of engagement will be taken as the date of joining on the basis of the issue of the order of provisional engagement.
5. Screening Committee:
5.1 Members: For screening of the cases, a committee consisting of 3 members of Dy. SP/ASP(HQ)/Inspector level to be nominated by the divisional head/unit head will be constituted. Since, the GDSFU Scheme contemplates merely addition to TRCA, it shall not be mandatory to associate members of SC/ST in the screening committee meant to consider the cases for grant of financial upgradation.
5.2 Special Performance Report: A special performance report in respect of all the eligible GDSs (including BPMs after ascertaining their vigilance status) will be prepared by the concerned sub divisional head/unit incharge (LSG and above). Screening Committee shall examine the cases put up before ti on the basis of the Special Performance Report in the proforma given at Annexure-l. The minutes of the screening committee meeting will be kept in record.
5.3 Schedule:
In order to prevent undue strain on the administrative machinery, the Screening Committee will follow the time-schedule, as given below:

1. The committee shall meet twice a year. The cases maturing during first half of a calendar year (January - June) shall be taken u p for consideration by the Screening Committee meeting in the first week of July.
2. Similarly, the Screening Committee meeting in the first week of January shall process the cases that would be maturing during the second-half of the calendar year (July - December).
3. The orders for grant of the financial upgradation by division/unit head will be issued by 31st July/31st January as the case may be. Page 4 of 10 17-31/2016-GDS (Financial Upgradation)
4. Preparation for conducting the screening should be started in the month of April and October every year. Schedule of activities and timelines to be followed will be as under:

table 1 5.4 Guidelines for the Screening Committee:

1. While considering the cases, the screening committee may see that GDSs who have completed 12, 24 or 36 years of continuous engagement, as the case may be, have completed prescribed refresher training on Dak Karamyogi e-learning platform. In case of non-completion of the aforementioned refresher course by a GDS, though the benefit under the scheme will accrue from the due date, but it would be drawn only after the refresher training is completed and certificate to this effect is submitted.
2. While considering the cases of the financial upgradation, the committee shall not recommend the benefits under the scheme in the following circumstances:
1. Pendency of disciplinary/criminal proceedings
2. Put off Duty
3. Currency of any minor/major penalty other than 'censure'

c)The cases not recommended by the screening committee will be placed nil the immediate next meeting of the screening commitee ot assess the suitability for grant of benefit under the scheme. In the cases covered in para (b) above, the GDS would be entitled to the benefits from the due date of completion of 12, 24 or 36 years of continuous engagement only if acquitted or exonerated of the charges or dropping of the proceedings. In case of currency of penalty, the benefit will accrue only from the date of expiry of the currency of the penalty.
d) In case where the financial upgradation is not recommended due to any reason of the GDS being found unfit or due to pendency of disciplinary proceedings etc., this would have consequential effect on the subsequent financial upgradation which would also get deferred to the extent of the delay in the grant of previous financial upgradation.
6. Representation: The GDS who is aggrieved with the decision of the Screening Committee/Divisional Head regarding non-grant of the financial upgradation, would be entitled to submit a representation to the next higher authority, i.e., Regional DPS/DPS (HQ)/PMG/CPMG within a period of three months from such rejection. However, the authority concerned may entertain the representation even after the expiry of the said period of three months if it is satisfied that the dependent had sufficient cause for not submitting representation within the period prescribed.
7. GDS working on Departmental Posts/APS/IPPB etc:
The GDSs working on Departmental posts/APS/IPPB etc shall also be eligible for grant of benefits under the scheme from the due date of completion of requisite period of engagement. Their cases will also be considered by the screening committee in regular course along with other cases. However, the addition to the TRCA will only be allowed once they are repatriated to their original/alternative post of GDS. No arrears of benefit accrued will be paid in such cases.
8. Illustrations: - a. First Financial Upgradation 12 years of Engagement: A GDS working ni TRCA Slab-1 i.e. Rs. 10,000- 24,470 and completed 12 years of continuous engagement and drawn the TRCA in Stage Rs. 13,880/- is eligible for fixed addition of Rs. 360/- p.m. w.e.f completion of 12 years of continuous engagement.
Earnings per month Time Related Continuity Allowance Rs. 13,880 Dearness Allowance @( 50%) Rs.6940 . Fix addition under financial Rs.360 upgradation scheme Other Allowance As applicable 16 years of Engagement: A GDS working ni TRCA Slab-2 i.e. Rs. 12,000- 29,380 and completed 16 years of continuous engagement as on implementation of the Scheme and is drawing the TRCA at the Stage Rs. 16,680/- will be eligible for a fixed addition of Rs. 360/-p.m w.e.f. the date of introduction of scheme. Earnings per month Time Related Continuity Alowance Rs. 16,680 Dearness Allowance @( 50%) Rs. 8,340 Fix addition under financial Rs.360 upgradation scheme Other Allowance As applicable
b. Second Financial Upgradation
24 years of Engagement: A GDS working ni TRCA Slab-2 i.e. Rs. 12,000- 29,380 on completion of 24 years of engagement and is drawing TRCA at the Stage Rs.23,860/- will be eligible for fixed addition of Rs.820/- p.m [Rs.360/- +Rs. 460/-] with effect from completion of 24 years of continuous engagement Earnings per month Time Related Continuity Allowance Rs.23,860 D e a r n e s s A l l o w a n c e @( 5 0 % ) R s . 1 1 , 9 3 0 Fix addition under financial Rs.820/- [Rs.360+Rs.460] upgradationscheme Other Allowance. As applicable
26 years of Engagement: A GDS working in TRCA Slab-2, i.e. Rs. 12,000- 29,380 and completed 26 years of continuous engagement a s o n the introduction of the scheme and is drawing the TRCA at the Stage Rs.25,320/- will be eligible for a fixed addition of Rs. 820 p.m w.e.f. the date of introduction of scheme. Earnings per month Time Related Continuity Allowance Rs.25,320/- Dearness Allowance (@ 50%) Rs. 12,660/- addition under financial Rs.820/- [Rs.360+Rs.460] upgradation scheme Other Allowance. As applicable 17-31/2016-GDS (Financial Upgradation) Page 7 of 10
c. Third Financial Upgrdation
36 years of Engagement: A GDS working in TRCA Slab-3, i.e., Rs. 14,500- 35,480 on completion of 36 years of continuous engagement and is drawing TRCA at the stage of Stage Rs.34,440/- si eligible for fixed addition of Rs. 1420/- p.m [Rs.820/-+ Rs.360/- + Rs. 460/-] w.e.f. completion of 30 years of continuous engagement. Earnings per month Time Related Continuity Allowance Rs.34,440 Dearness Allowance (@ 50%) Rs. 17,220 Fix addition under financial Rs. 1420 [Rs.360+Rs.460+ Rs.600/-] upgradation scheme Other Allowance. As applicable
D Case of annual increase:
A GDS working in TRCA Slab-2, i.e., Rs. 12,000-29,380/- at the stage of Rs. 17,190/- on completion of 13 years of engagement as on date of introduction of the scheme, will be entitled to addition of Rs. 360 to the TRCA on the date of introduction of Scheme. On getting the next annual increase on 1july or 1 January, as the case may be, TRCA will be increased to next stage, i.e... Rs. 17,710/- and he will continue to draw of the fixed addition of Rs.260/- ,p.m.
Earnings per month before Annual Increase Time Related Continuity Allowance Rs. 17,190 Dearness Allowance (@ 50%) Rs. 8,595 Fix addition under financial Rs.360 upgradation scheme Other Allowance. As applicable Earnings per month after annual increase Time Related Continuity Allowance Rs. 17,710 Dearness Allowance @( 50%) Rs. 8,850/- Fix addition under financial Rs. 360 upgradation scheme Other Allowance As applicable

(Ravi Pahwa)
Assistant Director General (GDS/PCC/PAP)

Annexure - I
OM. . no. 17-31/2016-GDS (Financial Upgradation) dated 15.03.2024

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR GRANT OF FINANCIAL UPGRDATIONS TO GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS

S. No.	Description
1	Name
2	Designation
3	Date of engagement as GDS on regular basis
4	Present Basic TRCA and TRCA Slab/Level
5	Period of Unauthorised Absence/Put Off Duty (Not Condoned)
6	Period of Unauthorised Absence/Put Off Duty (Condoned) (Condonation Order to be attached)
7	Details of current penalty, if any.
8	Whether any disciplinary/criminal case pending /contemplated (i.e., Put off duty only) against the GDS
9	Whether GDS has completed refresher course training as prescribed the Department on the Dak Karmayogi or completion of the training.
10	Comments/Remarks (Only meant for improving the efficiency of the GDS)
	(a) Comments on the knowledge of POSB/PLI/RPLIT schemes and rules relating to such schemes
	(b) Comments on taking initiatives in marketing, organizing melas, business procurement etc.
	(c) Whether capable of handling the device/smart phone provided by t h e Department 17-31/2016-GDS (Financial Upgradation)
	(d) Comment on the delivery performance, mail conveyance or any other work assigned.
	(e) Comment on the performance in schemes for which incentives is paid including IPPB services
11	Whether recommended for financial upgradation
12	If not recommended, the reasons thereof.

(Signatures)

Note:

1. Recommendations will be based on the parameters given in 7,8 and 9 above.
2. Parameters from 10 (a) to 10 (e) are meant for improving the efficiency of the GDS and to take suitable measure, if any.