The Deputation Dilemma: Who Stays and Who Goes? – Postal employee deputation process in India.
In the world of postal employees, especially among PAs (Postal Assistants) and SPMs (Sub Postmasters), there’s always a bit of confusion when someone goes on leave. Here’s how it typically plays out:
An SPM goes on leave, and a senior PA from another office is deputed to step in as the Officiating SPM. But now, when another deputation order arrives, the question is: who should go this time? The regular PA who was already in the office, or the deputed PA who’s acting as the SPM?
The general rule is clear: the deputed PA should go. Sending the regular PA would mean paying Travel Allowance (TA) for both the deputed PA and the regular PA—an unnecessary expense for the department. However, things don’t always go by the book. Sometimes, the deputed PA conveniently avoids deputation, leaving the regular PA to deal with the situation.
Seniority and Special Treatment
What makes things more complicated is the favoritism around who gets deputed in the first place. Senior PAs often get to choose where they’re deputed—usually to a more comfortable or convenient post office. Meanwhile, the regular PA is left to cover the less desirable spots. This is common in many divisions, where senior PAs seem to get the better deals, while others have to suffer in silence.
Cadre Restructuring Confusion
To add to the mess, after cadre restructuring, there’s been a noticeable issue with LSG (Lower Selection Grade) officials. Even though they’re promoted, many are still working in non-LSG seats, either because they want to or because the higher-ups allow it. Technically, an LSG official should work in an LSG post, but these rules seem flexible depending on the situation.
In some cases, PAs have been stationed at the same place for over a decade, never moving despite promotions, thanks to union influence and internal politics. This practice creates frustration among those who feel stuck in less favorable positions while others get the perks of deputation to choice locations.
In the Postal Assistant deputation process, things can get tricky when multiple PAs and SPMs are involved. The key rule is that the deputed PA should be the one to go when another deputation order arrives, preventing unnecessary expenses. However, irregular practices and favoritism often lead to confusion, with regular PAs sometimes unfairly bearing the brunt of these decisions.- Where internal politics prevails
At the end of the day, it’s the deputed PA who should go, but irregular practices and favoritism can lead to confusion and unfairness. And let’s be honest, sometimes the rules in the postal department seem more like suggestions than actual policies.
And a little postal humor to wrap it up:
Why do postal employees always have trouble with deputation?
Because no one ever wants to “deliver” the bad news when it’s their turn to go!