Dear
Comrades,
You might have
heard the 17th century proverb “Keep your shop and your shop will
keep you” which was parodied by one of the America’s leading actress Mae West,
“I always say keep a diary and some day it will keep you.” Yes, if one takes
care of a store or shop, it will not only take his care but also the
generations that are to follow. Of course, one has to face a few problems to
keep the store or for that matter any business establishment going. It can
demand a lot of one’s time. But one should not lose heart. Even if one has to
face some problems initially, it will be a great asset in the future, as once
it is established; it will be a source of livelihood for many generations that
follow. So, one’s hard work and time devoted to establish, renovate, transform
and reorganize any organization is an investment that will pay for itself in
the long run.
The same hard
work and the same devotion is now required from all of us to save India Post,
our own organization when it is going through a transition from manual to
digital. As you are aware, the century
old organization was functioning manually till early nineties and so we were.
But the Department started computerization through
counter mechanization installing 102 personal computer-based MPCMs in 22
selected post offices during the year 1990 – 91 and conceived the Project Arrow concept in April, 2008 under
“Look & Feel Good” concept
which has been extended to 18600 Post Offices by 2012-2013. In November, 2012,
the Government of India has approved the Department of Posts’ IT Modernization
Project, 2012 with a total outlay of Rs.4909 crore aiming at modernization and
computerization of all post offices in the country including 129378 Branch Post
Offices in rural areas. It is an ambitious IT transformation project undertaken
by the Department of Posts to emerge as an engine to transform the rural
economic landscape in the country besides providing value-added mail and
financial services to the urban customers such as Mail Operations, Postal
Banking, Insurance, Finance and HR.
And the
success of India Post IT Modernization Project is only possible with the
constant engagement of its officers and staff for which the SSPOs, Bhubaneswar
Division had arranged a meeting on 24.10.2013 with SPMs / Postmasters of
Bhubaneswar Division. Sensitizing the participating
staff members, the SSPOs told that since we are rapidly proceeding to achieve
the Core Banking Solution shortly, it needs some extra care like settlement of
minus balances / S B objections, cent percent signature scanning etc. To be
more customer friendly, we have to pay proper attention to customers’ demand
with suitable and pleasing reply, to ensure prompt disposal of customers at the
counters, to handle public complaints including web-based complaints promptly
through identified CCCs, to ensure cent percent delivery of all kinds of mails on the day of receipt
preferable keeping an eye on the tolerance limit , to help minimizing receipt
of missent articles, to ensure recording
of correct remark on the returned articles, to upload the articles in the
systems running all the clients, viz. eMO, ePayment, SpeedNet and RNet, to
upload all foreign articles in IPS Web, to print and deliver ePost messages
regularly, to open the eMail twice/thrice daily and ensure suitable reply to
the sender and to provide all kinds of services for which the PO has been identified. Expressing concern, the
SSPOs told that most of our staff members are not so much particular on all
these issues which just need some extra care and attention only and nothing
more. We are delivering cent percent. But unless it is properly uploaded in the
system our performance will be zero and our Post Office, our Division and our
Circle will be questioned by the higher authorities. Just by a single click on
the concerned client, we can save the image of our Post Office, our Division
and our Circle. Showing a video clip on how practice makes a man perfect, the
SSPOs requested all staff members just to make it a habit to run all clients just
after switching on the Server. Habit is the second nature which will gradually
make us perfect. Yes, problems may be there. Sometimes, the broad-band does not
function, the system fails, generator/UPS becomes out of order, the System
Administrator fails to respond and such series of other problems may come
before us. But there is hardly any problem which can’t be solved. It needs a
little bit involvement rather than shifting the responsibility. The time of
writing a letter and awaiting silently for solution has been over now. Cent
percent alertness is required. However, assuring the participating SPMs / Postmasters,
the SSPOs told to extend from administrative side all kinds of cooperation
needed to maintain the good will of the Division and the Department.
Another important
thing which came up during discussion is the punctuality in attendance. I have
no hesitation to intimate through this blog that most of our staff members are
habitual late comers which not only tarnishes the image of the Department but
affects the output also. It is really shocking to witness as a staff
representative. While we are demanding a lot of things from the administration,
it is our responsibility also to reciprocate accordingly. As we are fighting for our genuine demands
through unions, administration similarly expects us to work genuinely as per
rules for which timely attendance is a must. Before telling others, let’s
rectify ourselves first.
To conclude, I
can just say that no outsider will come to save us and our Department. The vision
of the Department is that India Post’s products and services will be the
customer’s first choice and we are the people to satisfy it with our effort and
efficiency. In this context, I would like to appeal all our staff members to be
very particular in discharging their duties as the responsible employees of
India Post. Unless the department
exists, where will we be? The existence of India Post comes first, then
anything else. And to make it a self-sustaining organization we have to work
harder in spite of all hurdles. Let’s be committed. If others can do, why not
Bhubaneswar ? Achievement of great importance requires dedication for
accomplishment.
Are not we dedicated?
Bruhaspati Samal
Divisional Secretary
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