Memorandum on issues relating to GDS in Department of Posts

Memorandum on Certain Issues Relating to Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Department of Posts.

Phone no:-23697701

ALL INDIA GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS UNION(AIGDSU) 

Central Head Quarters, Padam Nagar, Delhi-110007.

President: B. Venkateshwarlu.

General Secretary: S. S. Mahadevaiah

L.No. GDS/CHQ/2/3/2024 Dated-20-09-2024

To,
Shri. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia Ji,
Hon'ble Communication Minister, Ministry of Communications
Government of India,
New Delhi-110001

Sub: Memorandum on Certain Issues Relating to Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Department of Posts.

Respected Sir,

On behalf of the 2.73 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS), we respectfully submit this memorandum highlighting pressing issues faced by GDS employees. These employees, forming the lowest strata of the postal workforce, are facing significant challenges. We present this with the hope that you will address these matters, helping to alleviate their insecurity and foster a renewed sense of enthusiasm for their work.

Recognition of GDS Work

The contributions of the GDS workforce have been widely appreciated, notably by the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, especially during the COVID-19 crisis as mentioned in his Mann Ki Baat. GDS employees are known for their dedication to the Department of Posts and the communities they serve, particularly in rural areas, which comprise approximately 80% of India's population. Despite their critical role, they are subjected to exploitative work conditions.

Issues Faced by GDS

1. Perception vs. Reality: The public mistakenly believes that GDS employees enjoy the same benefits as permanent postal workers. In reality, they are engaged on an hourly basis under exploitative terms.

• Accommodation and Expenses: GDS workers must provide their own office space at their own expense, unlike regular employees who receive housing allowances.
• Travel and Delivery Costs: In urban areas, GDS workers use personal vehicles for deliveries without proper compensation for vehicle maintenance. The fuel allowance provided is meager.
• Medical Compensation: GDS employees receive minimal medical coverage, with severe illnesses covered up to only 22,000, We need GDS CGHS folder.
• Ineligible for BPL Cards: Despite their low wages, GDS employees are not entitled to Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards.

2. Work Hours and Compensation: Although GDS are technically limited to 5- hour workdays, they often work 8-10 hours, without receiving overtime pay. A small allowance of ₹1,170 is given for extra work beyond five hours, even when this work justifies the creation of a new post. This policy is impractical and unfair.

3. Historical Exploitation: The GDS system dates back to British colonial policy, initially set up as an agency system managed by landlords and teachers. Today, GDS employees are highly educated, often with high academic scores, and must be computer literate. Yet, their treatment remains akin to the outdated agency system.

Key Concerns

1. Pay Disparities: The principle of "Equal Pay for Equal Work" has not been realized for GDS employees. Their pay is called Time Related Continuous Allowance (TRCA) and increment is termed as Annual Increase, differentiating them from regular employees.

O No Pension Under OPS: Those hired before 01.01.2004 are ineligible for the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). GDS are covered under NPS (Lite/SDBS) from 2011. We request that GDS must be covered under new proposed Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). Their retirement gratuity is capped at 1.5 lakh, even though the pay committee recommended an upper limit of ₹5 lakh.

2. Three-Tier Promotion: The long-pending demand for promotions at 12, 24, and 36 years was finally accepted, but the increments are minimal (360, 460, and 600) and do not include DA, adding to the dissatisfaction.

3. Seniority Discrepancy: Senior GDS and newly recruited employees receive the same TRCA/Pay, creating an unresolved pay anomaly.

4. Pay Reduction: GDS pay is not protected, with provisions allowing for reduction during periodic reviews, contrary to Supreme Court rulings that no pay reduction should occur for Group C and D employees. GDS are treated even below Group D. 5. Union Suppression: The revised GDS (Conduct and Engagement) Rules, 2020, have further restricted legitimate trade union activities, undermining GDS employees' ability to advocate for fair treatment. As GDS workforce consist of near about 3 lacs people, there's need in to include GDS Representatives in NJCM.

Conclusion and Request

We urge your intervention to address the injustices faced by GDS employees. Enclosed is the charter of demands that we previously submitted. Addressing these issues will not only benefit GDS employees but will also strengthen the relationship between the government and the union, fostering a more harmonious work environment.

We remain hopeful that these issues will be resolved, allowing GDS employees to continue contributing to the Department of Posts with dignity and fairness.

With High Regards,

Yours faithfully,

S. S. Mahadevaiah General Secretary

Charter of Demands:

• Grant 8-hour Work & all benefits including Pension. The Unified Pension Scheme must be made applicable to GDS also.
• Immediate implementation of all positive recommendations of the Kamalesh Chandra Committee, including:

a) Rational fixation of TRCA (Time-Related Continuity Allowance) with effect from 1.1.2016, akin to regular employees.

b) Weightage increments for seniors/bunching.

c) Time-bound financial up-gradation (MACP) to be at par with departmental staff.

d) The new component after completion of 12, 24, and 36 years should be counted for all purposes viz., TRCA/Pay, DA, Bonus, etc.

e) Enhancement of the Group Insurance coverage up to 5 Lakhs.

f) Enhancement of GDS gratuity limit up to 5 Lakhs.

g) Carry forward and encashment of paid leave up to 180 days.

h) Provision of medical facilities to GDS and their family members.

Abolish all incentive schemes/systems and include all work done by GDS, such as IPPB, PLI, RPLI, Savings Schemes, and MGNREGS, in their workload assessment.

End all discriminations in granting annual increments and TRCA based on workload, such as:

a) II TRCA to new recruits employed for 5 hours' work under the principles of equal pay for equal work/workload.

b) Ensure uniformity in drawing annual increments for GDS and regular staff.

Absorb all casual laborers in Postal and RMS offices in vacant GDS posts as a one-time measure.

Cease all forms of harassment faced by GDS, including:

a) Business targets.

b) Compelling them to use their own mobile devices against their

willingness or capacity to follow social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Vacate all sorts of victimization after the 12th December, 2023 Strike, including:

a) Irrational disciplinary action against General Secretary, Circle Secretaries, and other leaders for their active role in organizing the strike. Oppose harsh punishments against GDS, even after the introduction of "GRADED PUNISHMENTS," as:

a) GDS employees are being thrown out of their jobs mercilessly and inhumanly.

b) Those awarding such punishments perhaps have not experienced poverty and the insults caused by low pay and sub-standard service conditions.