Divisional Union writes to SSPOs on Poor Service Delivery by Bhubaneswar GPO

National Federation of Postal Employees

Ashoknagar Mukhya Dak Ghar, Bhubaneswar – 751 009
PRESIDENT Com. P K Pattnaik Mob: 9937699605	No. UN-BN/AIPEU-Gr.-C/ 03–01/2015 Dated at Bhubaneswar the 23rd  January, 2015 To The Senior Superintendent of Post Offices Bhubaneswar Division, Bhubaneswar – 751 009 Sub:-    Poor Service Delivery by Bhubaneswar GPO –  reasons & resolutions Sir, This is regarding poor service delivery by Bhubaneswar GPO now in discussion by its esteemed customers as published in various newspapers recently and complaints registered by several customers even directly before the Chief PMG, Odisha Circle. A copy of such publication noticed by this Union in the popular Odia daily “The Samaj”, dated 17.01.2015 is enclosed here with for ready reference. This union has no contradiction to the facts published in the above newspaper. In this context, we would like to request you to kindly refer our discussion in the monthly Union Meeting on 16.01.2015. Some aspects have already been discussed in the monthly meeting. Already, we have strongly registered our dissatisfaction on non-involvement of GPO administration in resolving the minor problems occurred day to day in the operational activities vide our letter No. UN-BN/AIPEU-Gr.-C/ 01–01/2015, dated 07.01.2015. However, though some problems, especially related to CBS were discussed in the above meeting and full assurance was given to this union for immediate solution, no instruction as discussed has yet been issued to the Sr. Postmaster, Bhubaneswar GPO. As a result, the problems still stand as usual. On 21st January, 2015,  this Divisional Secretary had an occasion to interact with Sri Bagabat Sethi, DPM, Bhubaneswar GPO and Sri H K Ojha, P A. As per discussion, there was a meeting in RBI on the day  relating to cheque clearance and other miscellaneous issues and the presence of the Sr. Postmaster was essential to realize the problem for finding out reasonable solution being the head of the office. But, he refused to attend the meeting telling that his presence was not necessary and the attendance of the man dealing with the issue was sufficient.  Sri Ojha being a Group-C official is not at all competent to assure anything, if required during the course of discussion on behalf of the Department and thus running away from the responsibility by GPO administration is not at all appreciable. Secondly, the GPO administration is not at all serious regarding the problems of the counter P As. Though there are 4 defined MPCM counters in Bhubaneswar GPO, most of the days only 2 or hardly 3 counters do function and thus invite  delayed service delivery due to rush of customers in long queues. Similarly, improper leave arrangements without deployment of suitable P As in counters invite public resentment and de-motivate the one or two counter P As facing the huge rush of customers in Bhubaneswar GPO most of the days. While POSB counter(s) has/have been witnessed to be suspended on several occasions, we are surprised to note that the night counter of Bhubaneswar GPO is being manned for months together by an outsider on daily wage basis which puts several questions on its staff management.
VICE-PRESIDENTS Com. A K Mohanty Com. Lingaraj Sahoo Com. D Mohapatra
SECRETARY Com. Bruhaspati Samal Mob: 9437022669
ASSISTANT SECRETARIES Com. D R Mohanty Com Shantilata Rath Com. Rama  Ch. Kandi Com. Radha K Pradhan
TREASURER Com. Sukhlal Tudu Mob: 9777528152
ASSISTANT. TREASURER Com. Hemant Ku. Ojha
ORGANIZING SECRETARIES Com. N R Pattnaik Com. D C Mohanty Com. N  C Senapati Com. Saroj Ku. Patra
AUDITOR Com. A K Mishra
CIRCLE COUNCILOR Com. K C Sahoo Com. Tapan Ku. Sahoo
WOMEN SUB-COMMITTEE
CHAIRPERSON Com.Nandita Mohanty Mob: 9438643941
CONVENER Com. K M Bhatt Mob :943924290

 Non-availability of IPOs and cash certificates in Bhubaneswar GPO itself and non-supply of the same to S O units in time are also the causes of sub-standard service delivery rendered by Bhubaneswar GPO. Even, the limited stock available is not proportionately distributed to the S O units due to lack of proper supervision. As a result, while some offices are not at all supplied, some are sufficiently supplied. In spite of placing indents well in advance the stock and supply of IPOs and Cash Certificates to the post offices are quite insufficient resulting customers dissatisfaction on poor service delivery to which the Group-C employees facing the members of  public directly has no fault on any manner. This is not the problem in Bhubaneswar GPO only. All the post offices under Bhubaneswar Division are facing such problems since long.

Another important reason of poor service delivery is non-availability of approved MDW in Bhubaneswar GPO even though discussed by this Divisional Union since February, 2011. On the basis of an old MDW prepared prior to computerization and introduction of several new products and services, the workload of many P As have been irrationally distributed. Most of the time, verbal orders are issued at the sweet will of the administration. Illustratively, one of the  System Administrators attached to Bhubaneswar GPO is seen to deal with purchase and distribution of computer stock items forgetting his own business to provide instant service to the systems which affect the service delivery at the time of need.

While the Working Hours of APM (Treasury), Bhubaneswar GPO ( now vacant  due to non-availability of LSG Supervisor ) is from 7AM to 11AM and from 4 PM to 7 PM, the same has been ordered to be performed by ATR-I whose duty hour is from 9 AM to 5 PM in addition to his own duty without any financial benefit like OTA etc. As a result, the official performing both the duties has been compelled to work for  more than 12 hours a day continuously since the treasury work is never seen to be completed by 7 PM which is inhumane and irrational. In spite of representation and requests  by the concerned official, no attention is being paid to his grievances and the official concerned though performing both the duties under pressure  giving due regards to the order of the Sr. Postmaster is being de-motivated day by day. Similar is the position of SOSB branch. Out of 8 P As, 5 seats are always vacant. In addition, the branch is functioning in a very unhygienic condition. The roof has been cracked. A big size polythene appears in the middle of the section to protect the records from rain water. There is not space for keeping the record which are piled in sacks in the entrance. It is needless to reiterate the condition of SBCO also. The condition of the branch  grossly puts a question mark on the Swachh Bharat Mission.

This union has been discussing since long regarding non-availability of basic amenities in Bhubaneswar GPO both for the customers and the staff members as well without any positive result. The entrance is not disabled friendly. Though there is rush of customers in Bhubaneswar GPO always, there is no provision for public lavatory. There is no drinking water facility in the public space. The issues relating to Air –Conditioners remained in discussion for years together. This union is being replied several times that the required  estimate has been done and approval is awaited. The women employees of Bhubaneswar GPO are the worst suffers. Only one urinal available in the 2^nd floor which is becoming inconvenient for the employees working in ground and first floor.

It is needless to reiterate that due to untiring efforts of our staff members we could be able to create history in Odisha Circle on CBS platform through successful migration of Bhubaneswar GPO as the first CBS HO on 01.12.2014 and subsequently Raj Bhawan S O as the first CBS SO. But the genuine problems of the staff members are not seen to be given due importance. We are experiencing non-involvement of GPO administration in solving its operative problems. While the grass root level officials are working day and night without caring for their health and family, all their genuine problems need to be taken care of instantly for rendering  proper and effective service delivery to the members of public.

Hope, all the pending issues already discussed with this union with positive assurance will be solved within no time.

A line of reply with the nature of action taken is sincerely requested.

With regards.

Yours faithfully,

Encl.- As above (Paper Cutting)

( B. SAMAL)

Secretary