Difficulties being faced by the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) employees working in the Department of Posts

F.No.SC-12/22/2024-SCT-DOP

Government of India Ministry of Communications

Department of Posts

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110001

Dated: 17 September 2024

To
1. All Chief Postmasters General,
2. Chief General Manager, PLI Directorate,
3. Chief General Manager, Parcel Directorate,
4. Chief General Manager, BD & M Directorate,
5. Director, RAKNPA/ Directors of all PTCs,

Subject:- Difficulties being faced by the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) employees working in the Department of Posts - reg.

Sir/Madam

I am directed to inform that Federation of National Postal Organisations vide their reference No. FNPO/PWD Staff/Welfare dated 23.08.2024 has raised following problems being faced by the PWBD employees in the Department:

Sl. No. (1)

Problems being faced by the PwBD Employees

Most of the Deaf, Dumb and blind employees are forced to worked in counters where they find it difficult to connect with the customers.

(ii) Orthopedic handicapped employees are forced to work in above floors where there is no proper arrangement of lift/elevators.

(iii) Deaf and hard of hearing employees mostly suffer from Migraine or Tinnitus and due to long period continues work their such symptoms get worse.

(iv) Physical handicapped employees who also suffering from some kind of other diseases while working for the department find it difficult to perform their work as before and provide standard. They are still forced to work on heavy duties.

In this regard, Department of Personnel & Training vide their O.M. No. 36035/44/2023-Estt. (Res.-II) dated 02.02.2024 (copy enclosed) have circulated the guidelines for providing certain facilities in respect of PwBDs, who are already employed in the Government for efficient performance of their duties.

3.Para 2 A of the said O.M. provides the facility of "Identification of jobs". All Head of Circles/Units are requested to identify the type of jobs which could be easily performed by the PWBD employees. Such persons should preferably be posted to perform such identified jobs and they be allowed to continue performing such jobs, as far as possible.

4. Para 2 (D) of the said DoPT O.M provides that "access from main building entrance to their work stations and access to common utility areas such as Toilets, canteens etc. Lifts/elevators should be made accessible by providing Braille Signage and Audio Outputs. Similar direction was also given by Hon'ble Court of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disability (CCPD) and the same was circulated to all Head of Circles vide this office letter No.SC-12/25/2023-SCT-DOP dated 14.12.2023 (copy enclosed).

Para 2 (H) of the said DoPT O.M provides that "As far as possible, the persons with disabilities may be allowed to continue in the same job, where they would have achieved the desired performance. Further, preference in place of posting at the time of transfer/promotion may be given to the persons with disability subject to the administrative constraints. The practice of considering choice of place of posting in case of persons with disabilities may be continued. To the extent feasible, they may be retained in the same job, where their services could be optimally utilized."

6.All Head of Circles/Units are requested to follow the above instructions in letter and spirit.

This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.

Encls:- As above.

Yours faithfully,

Signed by Prabha Sharma

17-09-2024 17:18:15

(Patna Sharma)

Assistant Director General (PE-I & SCT)

Copy forwarded to: -

1. Sr. PPS to Secretary (Posts)/Sr. PPS to Director General Postal Services

2. All Deputy Director General

3. Chief Engineer (Civil), Postal Directorate