The Federation of National Postal Organizations (FNPO) has raised concerns about the Department of Jobs’ recent order to merge Accounts line jobs in the Postal (PO) and Railway Mail Service (RMS) wings into the General line corps. The FNPO has raised several important problems that could arise because of this choice and is asking the department to change its mind.
Thoughts Put up by FNPO
1. Effects on Ways to Get Promoted
Higher Selection Grade II (HSG-II) Assistant Postmaster (APM) Accounts workers could be promoted to Higher Selection Grade I (HSG-I) jobs in the past. According to the current Recruitment Rules (RR), anyone with five years of service in HSG-II can be moved to HSG-I. There is no difference between the General and Accounts lines. FNPO says that HSG-II APM Accounts should still be eligible for HSG-I awards, even if the line doesn’t match the General line.
2. Issues with seniority
There could be differences in grade ranks between the Lower Selection Grade (LSG) and High Selection Grade (HSG) groups after the merger. FNPO is worried that this could cause mail workers to fight, complain, and even go to court.
3. Differences in rates of pay
FNPO has always said that PO and RMS accountants should be paid the same as junior accountants in other central government offices. They are worried that the Accounts corps being merged into the General line during the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) could hurt their chances of getting their pay raised.
4. Transfers by rotation
As the Department of Posts gets ready for its process of rotating transfers, FNPO has stressed the need for clear instructions. A quick merger could make things confusing and make it hard to manage staff moves in Accounts.
5. Problems with operations
To do their jobs well, the Accounts branches at the Divisional/District Office (DDO) level need specific information. There may not be enough efficiency after the merger because General line workers may not know enough about accounting work.
6. Concerns About Exams and Qualifications
There are places where PO and RMS Accountant tests are given and places where they are not. If these groups are merged, FNPO says, the performance gaps between qualified and non-qualified officials may get bigger.
7. Not enough praise for specialised skills
PO & RMS Accountants have to learn how to do complicated financial jobs. FNPO claims that the postal department’s overall efficiency might be compromised due to the merger’s disdain for these talents.
8. Special Allowance and Set Pay
When they were promoted, PO and RMS Accountants did not get any extra allowances like other ranks did. FNPO says this needs to be fixed before they are merged into the General line.
9. Taking on more responsibility
Previous research led by the Director of Postal Services (Headquarters), Rajasthan, revealed that in the Postal Accounts Office (PAO), PO & RMS Accountants have more duties than Senior Accountants or Assistant Accounts Officers (AAOs). FNPO is adamant that these extra duties should be taken into account when structure changes are made.
10. Breaking the rules for hiring
FNPO says the merger order goes against the rules set by the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT), especially the Recruitment Rules (RR).
What FNPO Wants
“Suspend the merger order made on February 11, 2025,” FNPO has asked the Department of Posts.
Accountants at the HSG-II level should be able to apply for HSG-I raises in the General line.
Include this claim in the 8th CPC Terms of Reference to make sure that PO and RMS Accountants get fair pay rates, like junior accountants in PAO.
Conclusion
With great worry, FNPO has expressed worries about the possible bad effects of combining the Accounts line with the General line in the PO and RMS wings. They have asked the Department of Posts to act right away to make sure that raises, pay, and the speed of operations are all fair. It’s still unclear how the Department of Posts will handle these important issues as the situation develops.
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