Consolidated Guidelines and criteria for grant of 2hrs off/concession to sportspersons and coaches for practice

Government of India

Ministry of Communications

Department of Posts

(Welfare & Sports Section)

Dak Bhavan, Sansad Marg

New Delhi-110001

Dated: 18.03.2025

Also read :Operational guidelines for Bulk customers of registered articles in Department of Posts

To

All Heads of Postal Circles

Subject: Consolidated Guidelines and criteria for grant of 2hrs off/concession to sportspersons and coaches for practice – reg.

Also read :Revocation/ review of the role or access or CSI credentials of all employees who are no longer part of the department DOP Instructions

Madam/Sir,

This office had received multiple references from Staff Unions and requests for clarifications from Circles, on the facility of 2 hours off given to sports persons and coaches for practice. On the basis of various previous orders issued in this matter, a draft consolidated guideline has been attempted (enclosed). All the Circles are requested to go through the guidelines and provide suggestion on additions/deletions in the draft. If no responses is received by 10th April 2025, ‘Nil’ information would be presumed.

Encl: As Above

(Sumita)

Director (Welfare and Sports)

Draft on consolidated guidelines on Two Hour off/concession

Eligibility

a) All Departmental employees (sports quota or non-sports quota) are eligible for grant of this facility subject to fulfilment of below mentioned terms and conditions.

b) The facility is subject to administrative exigencies and cannot be claimed as matter of right.

c) The Postal Sports Board and Circle Sports Board reserves the decision to grant/review/discontinue the facility at any point of time.

Mode of application

a) For all officers/officials wishing to avail this facility may submit an application with their performance certificates to their respective Circle Sports Boards. Circle Sports Board may specify formats or procedure for the same if deemed suitable.

b) The Postal Sports Board may accept direct applications from players for extraordinary cases for extending/reviewing the facility.

Criteria

a) Two hours off (i.e. two-hours lesser duty time from total number of duty hours per day) for practice may be extended to the players/coaches who are actively/regularly participating and performing in National/International Level tournaments and is also participating in All India Postal Tournaments (if the same is conducted in that discipline).

b) In case AIP Tournament in a particular sport is not being organized participation/performance in National/International Level tournaments alone shall be taken into consideration for granting/reviewing the facility.

c) For cases where a non-sports quota player (or sports quota player of a different sporting event) is participating only in AIP tournaments (i.e. not in National/International Event of that sports), the facility shall be granted in a restricted manner while keeping in view the seriousness and performance level of the player.

d) The Postal Sports Board may include or exclude any particular sporting event from eligible sporting events for purpose of this facility.

Definition of Active Participation

Active participation for this purpose may vary from case to case basis, as it is observed that not all tournaments are conducted with the same frequency. To this effect, granting authority may ensure that player is actually participating in maximum possible national/international sporting events and AIP tournaments (if conducted for that discipline), except if administrative exigencies doesn't permit him/her (eg. If an outstanding player is unable to take part in some of the tournaments due to administrative exigencies, he or she may still be granted the facility provided granting authority is satisfied with genuineness of the case).

Granting and Reviewing of the facility

a) Two hours off for practice may be granted and reviewed each year in the month of April based on previous years participation/performance/attitude towards the sports of the concerned player/coach. However, the facility could be discontinued if player/coach is found misusing the facility (eg. not utilizing the time to practice and instead of whiling away the time) However, for players of International Level case may be referred to Postal Sports Board before discontinuing the facility.

b) The facility may be extended/reviewed by Circle Sports Board or Postal Sports Board.

c) The Postal Sports Board, however, may consider performance of any officials of preceding multiple years instead of just immediately previous year.

Other Conditions

a) For participants/artists of All India Postal Cultural Meet facility may be extended only for 1 month before the event.

b) For players performing poorly in AIP tournaments, the Postal Sports Board may recommend discontinuation of facility on immediate basis, for this purpose, report of Central Observer/Technical Delegates might be referred.

c) Copies of orders extending/reviewing/discontinuing the facility may be sent to Postal Sports Board, Dak Bhavan, New Delhi.