The Department of Post (DOP) has issued a new order revising the administrative powers of different authorities. These updates are detailed in Office Memorandum (OM) No. Y-28/8/2024-PE-II(Pt), dated 17.02.2025. The order defines the powers of various postal authorities, including Chief Postmasters General (Heads of Circles), in areas such as record preservation, security, and inspections.
To help postal employees and stakeholders understand these updates, i outlined the key points below
ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS OF CHIEF POSTMASTERS GENERAL (HEADS OF CIRCLES)
Operational Management
📌 Q1: Who has the authority to fix the period of preservation of records in a Circle Office?
✅ The Chief Postmasters General have the power to decide the preservation period of records in a Circle Office, except for those specified in the rules.
📖 Reference: This power remains as per Rule 16 of Postal Manual Volume VIII (No change).
📌 Q2: Can the Chief Postmasters General order the destruction of Post Office records?
✅ Yes, they have the authority to order the destruction of Post Office records (except Accounts records) that are of a permanent nature.
📖 Reference: This power remains as per Rule 25 of the P&T Manual Volume VI (No change).
📌 Q3: Who can authorize police escorts for cash transmission in special cases?
✅ The Chief Postmasters General can authorize Divisional Heads to apply and pay for police escorts when required for secure cash transmission.
📖 Reference: No changes have been made; full powers remain with the Chief Postmasters General.
📌 Q4: Can Chief Postmasters General modify the standard Inspection Questionnaire?
✅ Yes, they have full powers to add questions to the standard Inspection Questionnaire to address local requirements for Post Offices and Mail Service Offices.
📖 Reference: No changes; full powers remain unchanged.
Establishment Matters
📌 Q1: Can a Branch Post Office be converted into a delivery or non-delivery Branch Post Office?
✅ Yes, the Chief Postmasters General now have full powers to convert a Branch Post Office into either a delivery or non-delivery Branch Post Office.
📖 Reference: This power was not available earlier. Now, it is granted subject to the condition that the TRCA of the incumbent BPM/ABPM will be protected.
📌 Q2: Who has the authority to merge Branch Post Offices?
✅ The Chief Postmasters General have full powers to merge Branch Post Offices as per the existing rules.
📖 Reference: No change, powers remain as per Postal Directorate letter No. 40-06/2011-Plg (pt) dated 25.08.2011.
📌 Q3: Can a Branch Post Office or Sub Post Office be opened through relocation, redeployment, or upgradation?
✅ Yes, Chief Postmasters General have full powers to open a Branch Post Office or Sub Post Office through relocation, redeployment, or upgradation.
📖 Reference: Powers remain as per Postal Directorate letter No. 40-4/2002-Plg dated 06.01.2003, but now require consultation with Circle IFA.
📌 Q4: Who has the authority to merge Sub Post Offices?
✅ The Chief Postmasters General now have full powers to merge Sub Post Offices.
📖 Reference: This power was not available earlier but has now been granted in full.
📌 Q5: Can the posts of Branch Post Master, Assistant Branch Postmaster, and Dak Sevak be redeployed?
✅ Yes, Chief Postmasters General now have full powers to redeploy these posts.
📖 Reference: This power was not available earlier, but now it has been granted in full.
📌 Q6: Who can fix the jurisdiction and headquarters of Postal/Mail Service Divisions and Sub-Divisions?
✅ The Chief Postmasters General have full powers to determine the jurisdiction and headquarters of Postal/Mail Service Divisions and Sub-Divisions.
📖 Reference: This power was not available earlier but is now granted in consultation with Circle IFA and as per Department norms.
Personnel Matters
📌 Q1: Can pensioners be re-employed in non-Gazetted appointments?
✅ Yes, Chief Postmasters General now have full powers to re-employ pensioners in non-Gazetted appointments, as per government instructions.
📖 Reference: Previously allowed under Article 520(iii), Civil Service Regulations, subject to conditions in Article 521 and Rule 5 of P&T Manual Vol. IV. Now, it follows government/postal directorate guidelines.
📌 Q2: What are the powers regarding appointments, penalties, and appeals?
✅ The Chief Postmasters General now have powers as per the Schedule of Appointment, Disciplinary, and Appellate Authorities.
📖 Reference: This power was not available earlier but is now granted.
📌 Q3: Can Chief Postmasters General grant leave to officers under their reporting authority?
✅ Yes, they now have full powers to grant leave to officers for whom they are the reporting authority.
📖 Reference: Previously, they could grant leave except disability leave. Now, they have full powers.
📌 Q4: Can they grant leave exceeding 4 months for officers under the Postmaster General?
✅ Yes, they now have full powers to grant leave exceeding 4 months for officers under the Postmaster General’s reporting authority.
📖 Reference: This power was not available earlier but has now been granted in full.
📌 Q5: Who can make officiating arrangements for Selection Grades, Inspector Posts, ASPs, and Group B?
✅ Chief Postmasters General have full powers to make officiating arrangements, provided it does not exceed 4 months and follows Postal Directorate (Personnel Division – SPN) guidelines.
📖 Reference: Previously, they could make officiating arrangements for the first 4 months in vacancies of any nature. Now, they have full powers with conditions.
📌 Q6: Can Chief Postmasters General transfer officers within their jurisdiction?
✅ Yes, they now have full powers to transfer Senior Time Scale (STS), Junior Time Scale (JTS), Postal Services Group B, ASPs, and equivalent cadres within their jurisdiction.
📖 Reference: Previously, they had full powers only for Group B and Junior Time Scale (JTS) officers.
📌 Q7: Can they transfer non-Gazetted officials within the Circle for administrative reasons?
✅ Yes, they have full powers, subject to F.R. 15 and F.R. 22, and ensuring no transfer is made from a higher scale post in one station to a lower scale post in another station.
📖 Reference: This remains unchanged from Rule 36 of Postal Manual Vol. IV.
📌 Q8: Can they accept the resignation of officials?
✅ Yes, Chief Postmasters General have full powers to accept the resignation of any official whom they are competent to appoint.
📖 Reference: Previously, they could accept resignations for officials they appointed. Now, they have full powers.
📌 Q9: Can they sanction ordinary pension and gratuities?
✅ Yes, they have full powers to sanction ordinary pension (including gratuities), subject to CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, and DoPPW/Postal Directorate instructions.
📖 Reference: Previously, they had full powers under CSR for officials they appointed. Now, it must follow new pension rules.
📌 Q10: Can they authorize an official to travel on duty outside their jurisdiction?
✅ Yes, Chief Postmasters General have full powers to allow an official to travel on duty outside their jurisdiction, except for international travel.
📖 Reference: No changes; full powers remain.
📌 Q11: Can they issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for deputation within or outside the Department?
✅ Yes, they have full powers to issue NOCs for deputation up to the level of HSG-I, as per government/postal directorate instructions.
📖 Reference: This power was not available earlier but has now been granted.
Legal Matters
📌 Q1: Can Chief Postmasters General execute and sign contracts on behalf of the Department?
✅ Yes, they have the same powers as defined in Rule 436 of Postal Manual Volume II.
📖 Reference: There is no change in powers from the existing provisions.
📌 Q2: Can they authorize the institution of civil suits against defaulting guarantors?
✅ Yes, they have the same powers as per Exception (2) to Rule 127 of P&T Manual Volume II, to recover deficits against guarantees.
📖 Reference: No change in the authority to file civil suits against defaulters.
📌 Q3: Do they have the authority to file or defend civil suits related to lands and buildings?
✅ Yes, they retain the same powers as per Exception (3) to Rule 127 of Postal Manual Volume II.
📖 Reference: No change in powers related to land and building disputes.
📌 Q4: Can they authorize criminal proceedings against officials in non-cognizable cases?
✅ Yes, Chief Postmasters General have full powers to initiate criminal proceedings in non-cognizable cases, except for officials appointed by the Director General or higher authorities.
📖 Reference: No change from the previous rules.
📌 Q5: Can they employ Government Pleaders for criminal cases on behalf of the Department?
✅ Yes, they can employ Government Pleaders as per Rule 146 of P&T Manual Volume II.
📖 Reference: No change in the authority to hire Government Pleaders.
Miscellaneous
📌 Q1: Who has the authority to fix the amount of security deposits for Cashiers and Store Keepers?
✅ The Chief Postmasters General have full powers, as per Rule 193 of Postal Manual Vol. II.
📖 Reference: No change in existing rules.
📌 Q2: Can security deposits be forfeited, and who has the authority?
✅ Yes, the Chief Postmasters General have full powers to order forfeiture of security deposits, subject to Rules 258 & 259 of Postal Manual Vol. II.
📖 Reference: No change from existing provisions.
📌 Q3: Who is responsible for settling claims of defrauded persons?
✅ The Chief Postmasters General have full powers to settle claims in cases of fraud for amounts beyond ₹25,000, in accordance with Vigilance Division’s guidelines (Letter No. 17-07/2017-Inv dated 05.06.2023).
📖 Reference: Revised powers now include amounts exceeding ₹25,000, following updated vigilance instructions.
📌 Q4: Can Holiday Homes be opened or closed within a Circle?
✅ Yes, the Chief Postmasters General have the authority to open or close Holiday Homes, as per Postal Directorate (Estates Division) guidelines issued from time to time.
📖 Reference: Previously, no such powers existed. Now, they can act as per Directorate instructions.
📌 Q5: Who approves the schedule of accommodation for hiring or constructing official and residential buildings?
✅ The Chief Postmasters General have powers to approve accommodation schedules, in line with the Delegation of Financial Powers issued by the Postal Directorate (Integrated Finance Wing).
📖 Reference: This is a new power, aligning with financial delegation limits.
🔹 Additional Note: Apart from the powers mentioned above, the Chief Postmasters General will exercise all other administrative powers not explicitly listed here. These will be governed as per the Orders/Instructions of the Government of India and the Postal Directorate, which are subject to updates from time to time.