Voluntary Discharge Scheme for all categories of GDS on Medical Grounds

19-19/2024-GDS

No. 19-19/2024-GDS Government of India 

Ministry of Communications

Department of Posts (GDS Section)

*******

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi - 110 001

Dated 25-02-2025

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Voluntary Discharge Scheme for all categories of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) on Medical Grounds - reg.

In compliance with the provisions of Section 20 ofRights of People with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the order dated 11.04.2024 of the Hon'ble High Court of Kerala in OP (CAT) No. 85/2021, the Para 2.2 (Scheme-2: On Medical Ground) of the OM No. 17-31/2016-GDS dated 14.12.2018 is hereby modified as under:

2. SCHEME: VOLUNTARY DISCHARGE SCHEME ON MEDICAL GROUNDS:

I. Scope: Intended for those who suffer on account of anycontagious disease or bodily or mental infirmity which permanently incapacitates him/her for engagement as GDS.

II. Scheme Options for GDS:

(Option: A) In case a GDS suffers on account of any contagious disease or bodily or mental infirmity which permanently incapacitates him/her for engagement and the GDS does not wish to quit, following provisions shall be applicable :

No authority shall dispense with or reduce TRCA of a GDS whosuffers on account of any contagious disease or bodily or mental infirmity, which permanently incapacitates him/her for engagement:

Provided that, if a GDS after acquiring disability is not suitable for the post he/she was holding, shall be shifted to some other post, irrespective of its TRCA level, which is suitable for discharge of his or her duties as GDS.

Provided further that if it is not possible to adjust the GDS against any post keeping in view the nature of disability, he/she may be kept on a supernumerary post until a suitable post is available or he/she attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

(Option: B) In case, the GDS suffers on account of any contagious disease or bodily or mental infirmity which permanently incapacitates him/her for engagement and neither willing to be shifted on any other post nor to be retained on the supernumerary post, he/she may quit Gramin Dak Seva (in short Seva) permanently.

III. Term and Conditions:

The exercise of any of the above option by the GDS will be subject to following conditions:

i) An application for quitting the Seva in prescribed proforma (as per Annexure-I) will be submitted by the GDS.

ii) In case GDS is not in a position to sign the application, it can be submitted on his behalf by his/her spouse or any other family member, above 18 years of age.

iii) On submission of application, the GDS is to be directed by the Divisional Head to appear before the appropriate Medical Authority (i.e., Civil Surgeon or a District Medical Officer or Medical Officer of Govt. Hospital) immediately but not later than 15 days from receipt of his/her application for quitting the seva.

iv) Upon being referred by the Divisional Head, the appropriate Medical Authority, who will examine the fitness of the GDS and in case he is found to be fit he will certify accordingly. In case the GDS is not found fit, the Medical Authority would certify that:

a) the GDS suffer on account of any contagious disease (name of disease) or bodily or mental infirmity (name of infirmity) which permanently incapacitates him/her for engagement as GDS.

or

b) the GDS is fit for further service of less laborious character than he is presently doing.

v) A certificate so obtained from the Medical Authority without the prior approval of the Department will not be valid.

vi) Where the medical authority has found the GDS fit for further service or fit for the work of less laborious character, the GDS will not be allowed to quit and he/she will be offered alternative post. In case the Medical Authority certify him to be unfit, the competent authority will accept the request forthwith.

vii) The Divisional Head will be the competent authority to accept and approve the voluntary discharge for all categories of GDS. Date of effect will be the date of acceptance of the request.

viii) The scheme is purely voluntary and there will be no compulsion on any GDS to quit under this scheme.

ix) The scheme will not be available for GDS under put off duty, oragainst whom any disciplinary action/criminal action is pending or contemplated.

x) The scheme will be effective from the date of issue of this O.M. and applicable to all the GDS who are engaged on regular basis in accordance with the GDS (Conduct & Engagement) Rules, as amended time to time, subject to fulfillment of all other conditions of this scheme.

IV. Entitlements: Normal discharge benefits proportionate to the period of engagement rendered. In case the GDS quits engagement before completion of 10 years of engagement period, she/he will not be entitled to get any monetary benefits.

V. Note: The powers of Divisional Head will be discharged by the Head of Unit of not below the rank of the PS Group 'B' in case of independent units (e.g., GPOs, Foreign Post office etc.).

3. This issues with the approval of the competent authority.

4. Hindi version will follow.

Digitally signed by RAVI PAHWA Date: 25-02-2025 15:09:48

(Ravi Pahwa) Director (GDS/PCC)

To

All the Chief Postmasters General / Post Masters General

Copy to (for information):

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

2. PPS/PS to Member (Service Quality & Marketing)/Member (Infrastructure)/ Member (Operations)/ Member (Personnel)/ Member (HRD)/ Member (Financial Services)/ Member (Technology)

3. CGM, BD Directorate/Parcel Directorate/PLI Directorate/CEPT Bengaluru 

4. Addl. Director General, APS Bhawan, New Delhi

5. Sr. DDG (Vigilance) & CVO/Sr. DDG (PAF)

6. Director General P&T (Audit), Civil Lines, New Delhi

7. Director General, NICF, Ghitorni, New Delhi

8. Director RAKNPA Ghaziabad/ GM, CEPT Bengaluru

9. All the DDGS, Dak Bhawan

10. All General Manager (Finance)/ Director Postal Accounts/ DDAP

Download DOP Order No.19-19/2024-GDS dated 25/02/2025 in PDF