The Department of Posts (DOP) has recently updated the Administrative Powers of Heads of Divisions and Heads of Sub-Divisions through Office Memorandum (OM) No. Y-28/8/2024-PE-II(Pt), dated 17.02.2025. These powers cover operational management, personnel matters, and legal authority to enhance the efficiency and governance of postal operations at the divisional and sub-divisional levels.
For reference, check the previous articles:
✅ Administrative Powers of Chief Postmasters General (Heads of Circles)
✅ Administrative Powers of Postmasters General (Heads of Regions)
✅ Administrative Powers of Directors Postal Services
🔹 Administrative Powers of Heads of Divisions
📌 Operational Management
➡️ Verification of Balances & Fixing Authorized Balances
✔ Full Powers to verify balances of First-Class Head Post Offices (HPOs).
✔ Full Powers to fix authorized balances of all Post Offices, including HPOs.
➡️ Taking Possession of Records of Post Offices
✔ Powers as per Rule 102 of the Posts and Telegraphs Manual, Volume VIII (No Change).
📌 Personnel Matters
➡️ Powers Regarding Penalties & Appeals
✔ Newly granted powers as per the Schedule of Disciplinary and Appellate Authorities.
➡️ Powers to Transfer Officials
✔ Existing: Full Powers to transfer officials below Lower Selection Grade (LSG).
✔ Revised: Full Powers to transfer officials up to Higher Selection Grade-II (HSG-II) within the division in the same time scale of pay.
➡️ Powers to Grant Leave
✔ Existing: Could grant leave (except special disability leave) up to 4 months.
✔ Revised: Full Powers to grant leave up to 4 months for officials under their direct reporting authority.
➡️ Powers to Accept Resignation
✔ Full Powers to accept the resignation of officials they are authorized to appoint (No Change).
➡️ Powers to Sanction Ordinary Pension & Gratuities
✔ Existing: Full Powers under Civil Service Regulations.
✔ Revised: Full Powers under CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, for officials they are competent to appoint.
➡️ Powers to Transfer Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM) & Dak Sevak
✔ Newly granted: Full Powers to transfer ABPMs/Dak Sevaks on Vigilance Grounds within the Division.
📌 Legal Matters
➡️ Powers to Execute & Sign Contracts on Behalf of the Department
✔ Defined in Chapter IX of the Posts and Telegraphs Manual, Volume II (No Change).
➡️ Powers to Authorize Institution of Criminal Proceedings in Non-Cognizable Cases
✔ Newly granted: Full Powers to initiate criminal proceedings against officials for whom they are the appointing authority.
➡️ Powers to Settle Claims of Defrauded Persons
✔ Existing: As per Rule 223 of Postal Manual V.
✔ Revised: Full Powers to settle fraud claims up to ₹25,000 as per Vigilance Division Instructions (Letter No. 17-07/2017-Inv dated 05.06.2023).
🔹 Additional Powers:
Heads of Divisions will also exercise other administrative powers not listed above, as per orders issued by the Postal Directorate, Chief Postmaster General, Postmaster General, or Director Postal Services from time to time.
🔹 Administrative Powers of Heads of Sub-Divisions
🔸 Heads of Sub-Divisions play a crucial role in managing postal operations at the grassroots level. They are responsible for granting leave, processing resignations, and overseeing personnel matters for Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS), Postmen, and Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS).
➡️ Powers to Accept Resignation of GDS (ABPM & Dak Sevak)
✔ Full Powers for officials they are the Engaging Authority for.
➡️ Powers to Grant Emergency Leave to ABPM & Dak Sevak
✔ Full Powers to sanction emergency leave.
➡️ Powers to Grant Leave (Up to 90 Days) to ABPM & Dak Sevak
✔ Full Powers to sanction leave not exceeding 90 days at a stretch.
➡️ Powers to Grant Leave to Postman & MTS
✔ Full Powers to approve leave for Postman & MTS working in Time Scale Sub Post Offices (below LSG) in their Sub-Division.
🔹 Additional Powers:
The Head of Sub-Division will exercise all other administrative powers granted to them, subject to instructions from the Postal Directorate, Head of Circle, Postmaster General, Director, or Head of Division.