Reference: SSPOS, Dharwad letter No. DWD/B-I/Merger/SBCO/Dlgs/2022 dated 15.10.2024.
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This clarification addresses SSPOs, Dharwad Division’s recent letter regarding the cadre management and seniority considerations in relation to Postal Assistants (PA) and Sorting Assistants (SA). Below are the essential updates following Directorate letter no. X-12/6/2021-SPN-II, dated 31-12-2021:
- Recruitment Unit and Appointing Authority:
- Previously, recruitment for PA/SA was managed at the division level, although the process was conducted at the Circle level. Now, the Circle serves as both the recruiting unit and the executing authority.
- Appointing Authority: The Divisional Head (SP/SSP/SSRM) retains the position as the Appointing and Disciplinary Authority.
- Gradation List Maintenance:
- The division is still responsible for maintaining the PA/SA Cadre gradation list, as stipulated in Rule 32-8 of Postal Manual Volume IV. The Directorate has not amended this rule, ensuring that division-specific seniority lists remain intact.
- Seniority for Promotions:
- Circle-level gradation lists serve only to establish inter-se seniority for promotions within the LSG cadre. For Circle-wide seniority or promotional considerations, division-specific lists remain primary unless there is a promotion to LSG.
- Vacancy Calculations and Reservation Registers:
- Vacancy calculation and reservation tracking have transitioned to Circle-level management for PAs and SAs, which centralizes the oversight of these logistical details.
- Intra and Inter-Circle Transfers:
- For Intra-Circle transfers (transfers within the same Circle), divisions do not need to adhere to specific category or recruitment mode restrictions. However, for Inter-Circle transfers (between different Circles), the category and mode of recruitment restrictions apply.
- Clarification on PA (SBCO) and PA (Post Office):
- The merger of PA roles does not extend PA (SBCO) (a Circle cadre) into the PA (Post Office) cadre, which remains divisional.
Given the above, the SSPOs Dharwad Division should adhere to maintaining a divisional-level gradation list for PAs and SAs. Discontinuing this list is inconsistent with established guidelines and requires corrective action.
