(a) whether postal employees all over the country had gone on strike in support of their demands in December, 2000;
(b) if so, the details of the demand of the employees;
(c) whether any vindictive and punitive action have been taken against workers who participated in the strike;
(d) the demands accepted by the Government and the demands which have not been found viable; and
(e) the total loss suffered by the Government in the wake of strike?
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 64 FOR 26TH FEBRUARY, 2001 REGARDING STRIKE BY POSTAL EMPLOYEES.
Postal employees and Extra departmental Agents(EDAs) all over the country had gone on strike from 5/12/2000 to 18/12/2000 in support of their following demands:-
1. Implementation of positive recommendations of Justice Charanjit Singh Talwar Committee(JTC) for EDAs with particular reference to grant of status and pension.
2. Upgradation of pay scale for Postal Assistants/ Sorting Assistants(PA/SA), Group-D, Postman at all levels, as also Postal Accounts staff and Stenographers.
3. Additional increment for Drivers, Workshop staff and Post Office Accountants.
4. Upgradation of 10% of Higher Selection Grade-II (HSG-II) posts to HSG-I.
5. Issues of Casual labourers.
6. Filling up of all vacant posts in the department.
While orders have been issued for grant of special pay for qualifying in JAOs examination, the demand for additional HSG-I posts for PA/SA cadre, promotion from Sorter to LDC in Postal Accounts Cadre and change of nomenclature of EDAs to Gramin Dak Sewak have been accepted and necessary actions initiated for implementation. The demands relating to Workshop and Postal Accounts Staff are being considered along with the exercise for Cadre review.
Regarding the demands for implementation of positive recommendations of JTC including status and pension for EDAs, the package extended by the Government in December, 1998 was in full and final settlement of all demands relating to JTC recommendations and provided substantial benefits including lump-sum severance amount as post-employment benefit to EDAs. The existing provision of severance amount and ex-gratia gratuity provide sufficient compensation for EDAs and the demand for grant of pension has not been found to be feasible. Issues regarding Casual labourers are under discussion with the Unions and vacant posts in the department are being filled in accordance with the policy of the Government laid down by the nodal Ministry. The other demands regarding upgradation of pay scales of Group-C & D employees, with wider implications being related to 5th Pay Commission recommendations have not been found to be viable.
No vindictive and punitive action has been taken by the Department against the employees for participation in the strike.
The estimated loss suffered by the Government due to Postal strike in financial terms based on the projected revenue estimate for the year 2000-2001 is approximately Rs. 94.44 crores.