Record Notes/Minutes of Anomaly Committee Meetings held on 29th May, 2015 and 9th June 2015 issued by DoPT

No.11/1/2015JCA

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, P.G. and Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training

Establishment (JCA-I) Section

North Block. New Delhi

Dated the 19th October, 2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Record Note of the 5th Meeting of National Anomaly Committee (NAC) held on 29th May 2015 and 9th June, 2013.

The undersigned is directed to forward herewith a copy of the Record Note/Minutes of Anomaly Committee Meetings held on 29th May, 2015 and 9th June 2015 under the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary for information and necessary action.

Encl: As above.

sd/-

(G. Srinivasan)

Deputy Secretary (JCA)

RECORD NOTE OF THE 5th NATIONAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE (NAC) MEETING HELD ON 29th MAY, 2015

As per the request of Staff Side to discuss the pending anomalies arising out of 6th CPC, a meeting was held on 29.5.2015, in the Conference Room.72, North Block, New Delhi with the representatives of the Staff Side under the Chairpersonship of Ms. Mamta Kundra, Joint Secretary (Establishment), DoPT. A list of participants who attended the meeting‘is annexed.

2. At the outset, Shri Ashok Kumar, Director, Central Pay Commission (CPC), welcomed the representatives of the Staff Side and Official Side and expressed his firm belief and conviction that all the issues/demands can be resolved through the consultative processes. He invited Leader and Secretary Staff Side for their opening remarks on the items.

3. Staff Side have requested that all anomalies /issues of 6th CPC may be resolved /settled before the 7th CPC gives its report and there should not be any communication gap between Official Side and Staff Side. The Staff Side expressed its dissatisfaction over infrequent convening of meetings. Secretary, Staff Side also suggested that the next/early date for the meeting also be fixed. They drew attention to the Minutes of the meeting dated 17th & 27th July, 2012 on the MACP issues and wanted to know about the outcome / finality of the issues discussed and whether these are accepted partially or otherwise. Further, as per 6th CPC recommendations, various issues to be decided by the different Ministries / Departments are pending with DoPT/DoE for last several years. Staff Side expressed its anguish on non-resolution of issues and their reference to 7th CPC. They asked for a Status Report in this regard.


The items were then taken up for discussions.

Item No.1: Review of MACP to Grade Pay of Rs.2000/- where there is no such grade pay in Railways
&
Item No.3: Treatment of employees selected under LDCE Scheme/GDCE Scheme.


Item No.2 i.e. Granting of additional pay to Loco and Running Staff.
7. Staff Side raised this issue that since Loco and Traffic Running Staff are uncommon categories, the demand may be considered. The Official Side agreed that Ministry of Finance would revisit the issue; Ministry of Railways was advised to send a fresh proposal in detail after examination, indicating the financial implication involved in the proposal.

Item No.4 regarding Grant of Minimum Entry Pay meant for Direct Recruits to Promotees.

The meeting ended with the agreement that some more issues/anomalies would be discussed in the next meeting in continuation of this meeting.
***
RECORD NOTE OF THE Sth NATIONAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE (NAC) MEETING HELD ON 9TH JUNE, 2015

In continuation of meeting held on 29.05.2015, a meeting of the National Anomaly Committee (NAC) was held on 09.06.2015 at 3:00 PM under the Chairpersonship of Ms. Mamta Kundra, Joint Secretary (Establishment), Deptt. of Personnel & Training in Room No.72, North Block, New Delhi.
2. Shri Asholi Chalai, Director (JCA) welcomed the representatives of the Staff Side & Official Side and invited Leader and Secretary Staff Side for their Opening remarks on the items.

3. Leader Staff Side requested for Action Taken Report as agreed upon in the earlier meeting and also enquired on the status of a full time Director, JCM.

4. Leader of Staff Side suggested that a decision regarding Pay fixation under Rule S-13 to the staff who are shouldering higher responsibilities may be taken early. They also questioned the need for the concerned Ministry to send their proposals to Finance Ministry for approvals, when the employees are promoted to same grade pay and when the competent authority could take a decision. The matter may be settled within the Ministry / Department as there has been abnormal delays for more than 2/3 years.

5(a). Leader Staff Side further mentioned that the Departmental Anomaly Committee decision at the Railway Ministries level for merger of Technician GP 2400/- with GP 2800/- allotment of Grade Pay 4600/- to Loco Pilots (Mail/Exp) and grant of additional allowance to all Running Staff. These proposals are pending with the Finance Ministry long.

5(b). He also mentioned that Railway Ministry’s proposal for allotment of GP 1800/- to those retired/died between 05.09.2008 and 15.12.2008 is pending with the Ministry of Finance. He said that these former staff are entitled for GP 1800/- as there was no scope for giving them training. He further stated that in this connection, Railway Ministry’s proposal may be connected.

The Official Side noted that suggestions of the Staff Side on the issues mentioned in para 5(a) and 5(b) of the Minutes and stated that the proposal of Ministry of Railways pending with the Ministry of Finance will be examined for appropriate course of action.

5(c). Secretary, Staff Side requested that the meeting of National Council (JCM) may be convened at the earliest so that the 10 point of demands, which have already been submitted to the Government may be discussed and resolved.

The Official Side agreed to consider this suggestion.

6. It was also submitted by the Staff Side that pay fixation of Defence personnel who are re-employed in various Ministries / Departments also needs to be finalised along with cadre restructuring proposals of Ministry of Defence and Postal employees.

7(a). Secretary, Staff Side showed concern that inspite of repeated assurances, the anomalies raised by the Staff Side could not be resolved. If these anomalies are not resolved before 7th CPC, the employees will be at a'great loss.

7(b). He also mentioned that many proposals from Ministry of Railways for merger of Technician GP 2400/- with GP 2800/- to many railway employees is pending with Ministry of Finance and this issue needs to be resolved at the earliest.

The Official Side noted that the issue of merger of grade pay of technician in Railways was already included in para 5(a) and 5(b) of the Minutes. The specific reference from Ministry of Railways will be examined and readdressed.

7(c). It was also submitted by the Staff Side that pay fixation of Defence Personnel who are re-employed in various Ministries/Departments also needs to be finalised along with cadre restructuring proposals of Ministry of Defence and Postal employees.

7(d). The Staff Side Members of Ministry of Defence raised the following issues:-

(i) a proposal for granting ACP benefits to the Labourers of Defence Establishment by granting a one time relaxation of Trade Test, since as confirmed by the Department of Expenditure, the post of unskilled and semi skilled has been merged w.e.f. 01.01.2006, the MOD proposal may be approved.

(ii) MoD proposal for granting 3% increment benefit on promotion of Master craftsman to Charge main in the same GP of Rs. 4200 may be approved.

(iii) MoD proposal for grant of bunching of increment benefits in the pre-revised pay scale of Master craftsman, pending with DoPT may be approved.

(iv) MoD’s proposal for grant of MACP in GP Rs. 4600/- to those Master Craftsman whose pay scale was upgraded w.e.f. 01.01.2006 be approved.

The Official Side informed that these were not part of the agenda for the meetings held on 29th May and 9tlh June, 2015 and therefore would be examined separately.

8. Staff side insisted that matter should be referred to PM again with their earlier agreement.

Official Side informed that as per discussions held in the meeting, the matter will be put up once again to the Finance Minister for decision in the matter.

9. The discussion held Item-wise were as under:-

Items 1 & 8: Anomaly in the Pay Band/Grade Pay of gazetted officer in pre-revised pay scale of Rs.6500-10500. Maintaining horizontal relativity between the Sections Officers of Central Sectt. and the Income-tax Officers, Superintendents of Post Offices, Superintendents of Central Excise and Customs Deptts.

Item No.2: Anomaly in the pay scale of Data Processing Assistants Grade -A.

Item No.3: PB-2 with Grade Pay of Rs. 4200/- for Lab Technicians.

Item Nos. 4 & 7:- Upgradation of Pay Band and Grade Pay of LDC, UDCs and Stenographers Gr.III in Subordinate Offices & Maintaining the horizontal parity as recommended by the 6th Central Pay Commission.

Item No.5 Grant of GP of Rs.4200/- to Senior Clerks of Delhi Milk Scheme.

Item No-6 Removal of anomaly in the case of Artisan staff of different Departments.

Item No.9:- Pay Band and Grade Pay for Medical Assistant of Ordinance Factories.

Item No.10: Store Keeping Staff

Item No.11: Children Education Allowance - Denial thereof.

Item No.12: Note on Master Craftsman in MMS under Department of Posts for discussion in the Fast Track Committee.

Meeting ended with vote of thanks to the Chair.
****
List of Participants who attended the Meeting of the National Anomaly Committee held on 9.06.2015

CHAIRPERSON
Ms Mamta Kundra
Joint Secretary (Establishment)

OFFICIAL SIDE                                            STAFF SIDE
MS A.G. MatheW,JS(PerS)
Department of Expenditure                      Shri M.Raghavaiah, Leader
Shri Mohan Lal,Director (DD)              Shri S.G.Mishra, Secretary
Shri A.K.Qasim,DS,CBEC                      Shri Guman Singh, Member
Smt Neera Khuntia,
Railway Board                                     Shri R.P. Bhatnagar, Member
Shri Vikram Gulati,DPCII,
Railway Board                                     Shri C.Srikumar, Member
Smt Mukta Goe1,Director,DoPT             Shri M.S.Raja, Member
Shri Arun Malik,Director(SR) D/o Posts Shri R. Srinivasan, Member
Shri Surender Kumar,
ADG(PC Cell) D/o Posts                    Shri Rakhal DaS Gupta,Member
Shri Sharda Prasad, Dy. Secy.
 Department of Defence Production Shri J .R. Bhosle, Member
Shri Manmohan Pipi1,DS(CP)
 D/o Defence                                          Shri K.K.N.Kutty, Member
Shri A.K. Jain, DS(Pay), DoPT
Shri Pushpender Kumar,US(Pay), DoPT


Source:http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/11_1_2015-JCA-19102015.pdf
Courtesy CGe Portal

CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT DECIDED TO ORGANIZE NATION WIDE CAMPAIGN AND PROTEST PROGRAMME AGAINST THE NEGATIVE ATTITUDE OF THE NDA GOVERNMENT TOWARDS CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES DEMANDS

INTENSIVE CAMPAIGN AMONG THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES BY ORGANIZING GENERAL BODY MEETINGS, CONVENTIONS, OFFICE TO OFFICE SQUAD WORK, DISTRIBUTION OF PHAMPLETS AND POSTERING

2015 NOVEMBER 6th

NATIONWIDE MASS DHARNA AT ALL IMPORTANT CENTRES

2015 NOVEMBER 19th

(a)   MASSIVE DHARNA AT JANTAR MANTAR, NEW DELHI. ALL NATIONAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION LEADERS (RAILWAY, DEFENCE & CONFEDERATION) AND ALL STANDING COUNCIL MEMBER WILL SIT ON DHARNA.
(b)   NATIONWIDE PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS IN FRONT OF ALL WORK SPOTS AND OFFICES.

Dear Comrades,

The National Secretariat Meeting of the Confederation held at Hyderabad on 09th October 2015 while endorsing the decision of the National Joint Council of Action (Railway, Defence & Confederation) to organize massive protest dharna at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 19th November 2015 and also Nationwide Protest Demonstration in front of all works spot & offices, has decided to further intensify the protest action against the negative attitude of the NDA Government by organizing the following programmes: -
(1)   2015 November 2nd to 6th - Campaign Week.
(2)   2015 November 6th – Nationwide Mass Dharna at all Important centres.

The Campaign and Protest Dharna will be organized mainly on the following three issues: -
(1)   Non Settlement of any of the legitimate demands raised by the JCM Staff Side, National Council by the NDA Government.

(2)   Causing engineered delay by the Government in the submission of 7th CPC report by granting four months extension upto 31st December 2015, even when the Pay Commission was ready to submit its report within the stipulated time i.e. 28th August 2015.

(3)   Unwarranted intervention of the Finance Ministry in the independent functioning of the Pay Commission by issuing a statement asking the 7th CPC to factor into its report the fiscal concern of the government and thereby to pressurize the commission not to recommend wage rise on the basis of a sound and scientific formulation.

All affiliated organizations and C-O-Cs are requested to implement the above campaign and protest programme throughout the country in a most befitting manner.

Yours fraternally,

(M. Krishnan)

Secretary General

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/    

Govt to bring more workers under bonus ambit

Workforce of the country has another reason to cheer in this festive season as the Narendra Modi-led government is set to promulgate an ordinance to amend Payments of Bonus Act 1965 to make more employees eligible for annual bonus.

According to the proposal, those earning up to Rs 21,000 (basic + DA) a month will now be eligible bonus. This would be a steep jump from the current ceiling of Rs 10,000 (basic + DA) per month.

The Election Commission has approved the Labour Ministry’s proposal and the Union Cabinet is likely to take up the issue on promulgating ordinance next week. From this year onwards, bonus will be linked to minimum wages. The government is in the process of revising the minimum wages, a senior official in the Ministry of Labour told Deccan Herald.

In a recent meeting with trade unions and the ministry, the government agreed to amend the Bonus Act by enhancing the eligibility ceiling under section 2(13) of the Act from Rs 10,000 per month to Rs 21,000 month.

It also agreed to calculate ceiling under section 12 from Rs 3,500 per month to Rs 7,000 per month, or the minimum wage notified by the government for the category of employment, whichever is higher, an official in the Ministry told Deccan Herald.

Sources said despite reservations by the industry representatives on the revised ceilings, the government has decided to go ahead with the proposal.

Trade unions

Though the trade unions demanded the abolition on ceiling on payment of bonus due to rising inflation, the government rejected it.

The wage ceiling and the entitlement ceiling were last revised in 2007 and made effective retrospectively from 2006, said Saji Narayan, former president of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh.

Source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/507066/govt-bring-more-workers-bonus.html

HOUSE RENT ALLOWANCE IN 7 CPC - UNDOING DIFFERENCES

Newspapers keep informing us that that the 7th pay commission, which is eagerly expected by all the Central Government Employees will submit its report soon.

A considerable portion of the income that the Central Government Employees receive is from HRA (House Rent Allowance). Next to Dearness Allowance, HRA attracts the attention of most Central Government Employees.

HRA is classified as X, Y, Z according to population. HRA is given for city X as 30%, for Y as 20% and for Z 10%. Recently, more cities have been upgraded according to population and thereby a possibility of getting more HRA has been created.

At the same time, employees working in places which are not cities get lesser amount as HRA. For employees working in areas with lesser facilities like - no basic facilities, lying remote and inaccessible, no good schools for children, no recreation facility for family members, it would be a right decision to provide the same HRA as that which is given to employees who work in the cities.

Only then, such employees will come forward to continue their work in such areas. Otherwise, they will concentrate only on applying and getting a transfer from the area and will remain detached from the locality in which they work.

Just like DA which is given without any discrimination, an equal sum as HRA should also be given to all Central Government Employees without any difference. There can be no doubt about the feasibility of this solution.

Source CGE Portal

Grant of Non-Productivity Linked Bonus (ad-hoc bonus) to Central Government Employees for the year 2014-15.

No.7/24/2007/E III (A)

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Expenditure

E III (A) Branch

New Delhi, the October 16, 2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: -Grant of Non-Productivity Linked Bonus (ad-hoc bonus) to Central Government Employees for the year 2014-15.

The undersigned is directed to convey the sanction of the President to the grant of Non-Productivity Linked Bonus (Ad-hoo Bonus) equivalent to 30 days emoluments for the accounting year 2014-15 to the Central Government employees in Groups ‘C’ and ‘D’ and all non-gazetted employees in Group ‘B’, who are not covered by any Productivity Linked Bonus Scheme. The calculation ceiling for payment of ad-hoc Bonus under these orders shall continue to be monthly emoluments of Rs. 3500/-, as hitherto. The payment of ad-hoc Bonus under these orders will also be admissible to the eligible employees of Central Para Military Forces and Armed Forces. The orders will be deemed to be extended to the employees of Union Territory Administration which follow the Central Government pattern of emoluments and are not covered by any other bonus or ex-gratia scheme.

2. The benefit will be admissible subject to the following terms and conditions:-

(i) Only those employees who were in service as on 31.3.2015 and have rendered at least six months of continuous service during the year 2014-15 will be eligible for payment under these orders. Pro-rata payment will be admissible to the eligible employees for period of continuous service during the year from six months to a full year, the eligibility period being taken in terms of number of months of service (rounded off to the nearest number of months);

(ii) The quantum of Non-PLB (ad-hoc bonus) will be worked out on the basis of average emoluments/calculation ceiling whichever is lower. To calculate Non-PLB (Ad-hoc bonus) for one day, the average emoluments in a year will be divided by 30.4 (average number of days in a month). This will thereafter be multiplied by the number of days of bonus granted. To illustrate, taking the calculation ceiling of monthly emoluments of Rs. 3500 (where actual average emoluments exceed Rs. 3500/-, Non-PLB (Ad-hoc Bonus) for thirty days would work out to Rs. 3500x30/30.4=Rs.3453.95 (rounded off to Rs.345%)

(iii) The casual labour who have worked in offices following a 6 days week for at least 240 days for each year for 3 years or more (206 days in each year for 3 years or more in the case of offices observing 5 days week), will be eligible for this Non-PLB (Ad-hoc Bonus) Payment. The amount of Non-PLB (ad-hoc bonus) payable will be (Rs.12oox30/30.4 i.e.Rs.1184.21 (rounded off to Rs.1184/). In cases where the actual emoluments fall below Rs.1200/- pm, the amount will be calculated on actual monthly emoluments.

(iv) All payments under these orders will be rounded off to the nearest rupee.

(v) The clarificatory orders issued vide this Ministry’s OM No.F.14 (10)-E. Coord/88 dated 4.10.1988, as amended from time to time, would hold good.

3. The expenditure on this account will be debitable to the respective Heads to which the pay and allowances of these employees are debited.
.
4. The expenditure to be incurred on account of Non-PLB (Ad-hoc Bonus) is to be met from within the sanctioned budget provision of concerned Ministries/Departments for the current year.

5. In so far as the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

(Amar Nath Singh)

Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

Source:http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_expenditure/notification/bonus/16-10-2015.pdf

Dr.Abdul Kalam’s birth place Rameswaram declared as AMRUT town

A Committee to work out details of Kalam’s Memorial at Rameswaram

Shri Venkaiah Naidu says Dr.Kalam was a Yogi who dreamt of a Great India

Rameswaram town in Tamil Naidu has been included in Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformatin (AMRUT) for providing basic urban infrastructure. This was announced by the Minister of Urban Development Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu while speaking on the occasion of 84th birth anniversary of former President Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam at a programme organized at DRDO here today.

The Ministry has so far identified 497 cities and towns under Atal Mission under which basic infrastructure is to be developed in 500 cities and towns. Rameswaram is the 498th to be included in the Mission. With the addition of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu would have 32 cities and towns under Atal Mission.

A Committee comprising of Union Ministers Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu, Shri Manohar Parrikar, Shri Pon Radhakrishnan and former Chief Election Commissioner Shri N.Gopalaswamy will work out the details of a Memorial for Dr.Kalam at Rameswaram. This Committee will consult all concerned before giving a final shape to the Memorial. Tamil Nadu Government assured the Ministry of Urban Development that land for memorial will be made available at the place in Rameswaram where the mortal remains of the former President were laid to rest.

Speaking on the occasion of birth anniversary of Dr.Abdul Kalam, Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu described him as a “Yogi who was detached from material life but passionate about the country, its people and their future. He was a great scientist and at the same time spiritual. He was the Missile Man but always thought of the poor and their problems. He was the President who always reached out to the students and the young igniting their minds and giving wings to their dreams”.

Quoting Dr.Kalam saying “We will be remembered only if we give to our younger generations a prosperous and safe India, resulting out of economic prosperity coupled with civilizational heritage”, Shri Naidu said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is committed to fulfill this vision and mission of the former President.

Source:http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=0

Seventh Pay Commission Faces Pay Gap Problem

New Delhi: Seventh Pay Commission faces serious challenge in submitting its recommendation to government till December for hiking salaries and allowances for central government employees as the employees’ unions test its account of controversial pay gap between top and bottom level government officials.

The previous pay commission showed a wide gap in pay between the top bureaucrats and the government employees at the bottom.

The first pay commission was recommended pay of the top bureaucrats 41 times higher than the government employees at the bottom. The top bureaucrats were given salary Rs 2,263 while the lowest earning employees got Rs 55.

Subsequent pay commissions reduced the ratio of pay between lowest earning employees and top bureaucrats from 1:41 in 1947 to about 1:12 in 2006. The minimum basic salary of central government employees is now Rs 7730 while maximum salary at the level of Secretary is Rs 80,000.

Accordingly, the Seventh Pay Commission will have to consider reduction in the disparity of pay ratio between its highest and lowest paid employees because it determines the socialism view of the government and the higher number of central government employees are in the minimum pay slabs.

The pay gap increases employee’s turnover and work-related illness, with all the associated economic consequences.

The bureaucrats with high pay are generally happier, healthier and a better place to live for almost everyone in them compare to the lower earning employees.

A pay gap is calculated as the ratio of the pay of the highest paid employee of an organisation to the pay of the average or lowest paid employee in that organisation.

Seventh Pay Commission can make recommendations on promoting pay fairness in the central government employees’ fraternity by tackling disparities between the lowest and the highest paid central government servants.

The Seventh Pay Commission, headed by Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur was appointed in February 2014 and its recommendations are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2016.

As part of the exercise, the Seventh Pay Commission holds discussions with various stakeholders, including organisations, federations, and groups representing civil employees as well as defence services.

The Commission is ready with its recommendations on revising emoluments for nearly 50 lakh central government employees and 55 lakh pensioners, and will submit report to the Finance Minister till December 31.

Source:http://www.tkbsen.in/2015/10/seventh-pay-commission-faces-pay-gap-problem/

Guidelines on framing/amendment/relaxation of Recruitment Rules on the website - Regarding.

Click here to view

SOURCE AIAIPASP

Reiteration of the instructions on verification of claims of candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes for purpose of appointment to posts/services

Click here to view.

Source AIAIPASP

How to Stop Accidentally Closing Your Browser All the Time

Browser Closes automatically without warning

Some time we may closes the browsers accidentally, so that we may losses the data which is not save at the time of browsing. then we have to start from the first is very difficult job.

CTRL + W is the shortcut used to close the current window

The above shortcut is not only for the closing of  browser window but also closing the windows in Operating System of Microsoft.

No option is found in Google Chrome to warn when closing the Browser Tabs accidentally. But We can Open the previously Tabs.

Ctrl + Shift + T to Restore all the Tabs.

Addon is available to warn Multiple Tab Closes in Google Chrome.

Visit 

But, In Mozilla Firefox, Options > General

Use Mozilla Firefox in Sify Network to Access Allowed Sites without any Issues

More Informaiton

Source POtools

Scheduled maintenance work at Data Centre CEPT Mysore

Due to scheduled maintenance work at Data Centre CEPT Mysore, web sites, servers hosted inside CEPT data centre will not be available from 1900 hours to 2330 hours on 14-10-2015

All applications / services / communications / websites of CEPT Mysore will not be available during this maintenance time window.

Official Link

Source POtools

Survival of postal service hinges on ability to quickly change, innovate, UN highlights on World Day

9 October 2015 – On World Post Day, the head of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) is highlighting that the future of postal services strongly depends on their ability to innovate and to embrace new technologies.

“From liberalization to privatization and the emergence of competition, the Post has faced many challenges to its survival, but none so daunting as the development of modern information technology,” said Bishar A. Hussein, Director General of the UPU in a message.

“Today, the traditional postal business line – letter post – has been greatly challenged by faster and more efficient ways of communication thanks to advancements in information and communications technologies,” he added.

However, the Director General underlined that successful postal services have taken these challenges as opportunities to innovate and establish new market segments. They understand “that a faster and more efficient communication medium is actually what the Post needs in order to build a new business value chain.”

Mr. Hussein said the message is clear: the survival of postal services hinges on its ability to quickly change and innovate. “Customer expectations, needs and tastes are changing, and the Post must change as well to meet these new demands,” he explained.

Meanwhile, with this realization, the draft World Postal Strategy for 2017–2020 identifies postal industry reform as the key driver. “In its blueprint, Vision 2020, the UPU focuses on innovation, integration and inclusion as the main factors that will drive postal business in the future.”

To achieve innovation, Mr. Hussein said it will be critical to develop digital competencies, along with the relevant regulatory frameworks that will support the new environment. For successful integration, post services will need to build a “seamless network that is connected both virtually and physically,” and that has a local and international presence.

Furthermore, with the adoption in September of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by all world leaders, UPU’s Director General said postal services today “have an even more relevant role to play as an infrastructure for development.”

“Given its universal nature, the Post is best placed to drive the economic, social, financial and digital inclusion of all citizens of the world,” he stated. “Through its vast network, the Post should target micro, small and medium-sized enterprises as well as the unbanked population as a new business frontier and create appropriate products to support the market.”

He added that achieving success in this area is one of the best ways to ensure the achievement of the SDGs, for the benefit of the global community.

Since 1969, more than 150 countries markWorld Post Day each year on 9 October, the anniversary of UPU’s establishment in 1874 in the Swiss capital, Berne.

Source: www.un.org
Courtesy SAPost