The guidelines for filling the Treasurer post in postal Head Offices (HOs) and Sub-Offices (SOs) are detailed in a series of Circular Orders (COs). These instructions define the eligibility criteria and conditions for officials considered for this important role.
1. Eligibility Criteria and Initial Rules
The Treasurer post is reserved for experienced personnel, with eligibility requirements outlined across several COs. Here’s a breakdown of the criteria:
Officials Not Under TBOP Scheme: As per CO Staff/1-125/COrr/II dated 09.11.1989, officials promoted under the Time-Bound One-Promotion (TBOP) scheme should not be posted as Treasurers. Although the TBOP scheme has since been discontinued, this rule initially aimed to keep the Treasurer post distinct from other promotion schemes.
Five Years of Service Requirement: Eligible officials must have at least five years of service at their current station, and postings should follow seniority. This rule ensures that experienced and stable personnel fill the Treasurer post.
Exclusion of LSG Postal Assistants: Per CO Staff/1-125/88 dated 17.03.1986, officials promoted to Lower Selection Grade (LSG) Postal Assistant positions should not be posted as Treasurers. This distinction preserves the Treasurer post as an allowanced role, with separate responsibilities from those assigned to LSG PAs.
Consideration of Disciplinary Cases: According to CO STA.18/14/III .85.86 dated 10.09.1986, any pending disciplinary or vigilance cases or imposed penalties must be reviewed by the Divisional Superintendent before appointing an official to the Treasurer post. This ensures that only officials with clear records are considered for this trusted role.
Involuntary Appointment If Required: In cases where no eligible official volunteers for the Treasurer post, the Divisional Superintendent may appoint the most suitable official based on eligibility, irrespective of willingness (CO Staff/1-125/Rlg/ dated 08.07.1987). This rule helps ensure continuity in the Treasurer post.
2. Special Cases and Specific Exclusions
Some specific exclusions are noted to keep skilled personnel in suitable roles:
Exclusion of Trained Signallers: According to CO STA-40/HTTC/88 dated 19.10.1988, trained signallers should not be posted as Treasurers so that they can continue their roles in combined office settings. Trained signallers in the LSG or TBOP grades should also ideally be retained in combined offices.
Adjusted Eligibility Requirements in PA Cadre: The service requirement was reduced from ten to five years in the Postal Assistant (PA) cadre (CO Staff/1-125/Rlg/ dated 02.01.1989), making more officials eligible for the Treasurer post. If PAs with five years of service are unavailable, those promoted under the TBOP scheme can be considered, provided they are willing.
3. Recent Considerations and Local Practices
A recent suggestion emphasizes that non-LSG PAs with seniority and clean vigilance records should be prioritized for the Treasurer post. Additionally, restructuring efforts have resulted in the Treasurer post being upgraded to LSG in some divisions. However, inconsistencies remain; in our division, the Treasurer post—along with ME, SA, and DOPLI posts—has not been upgraded to LSG status. Some divisions have also transferred Treasurers upon their promotion to LSG posts, moving them between HO and SO roles based on local policies.
Conclusion
The COs set a structured approach for filling the Treasurer post in HOs and SOs, focusing on experience, eligibility, and integrity. While variations exist due to local policies, these guidelines provide a consistent framework, helping ensure that the Treasurer post is filled by qualified officials who meet the defined criteria.