GRAMIN DAK SEVAK ISSUE IN LOK SABHA – 22-03-2017

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF POSTS
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3450
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22ND MARCH, 2017

GRAMEEN DAK SEVAKS

3450. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:
SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:
SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:
SHRI TAMRADHWAJ SAHU:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the total number of postal circles in the country and the number of GPOs, SPOs and EDBOs functioning under these circles alongwith number of these post offices located in rural and urban regions separately;
(b) the number of post offices manned by Grameen Dak Sevaks (GDSs) State/UT-wise alongwith the details about the monthly salary of the GDS;
(c) whether Grameen Dak Sevaks (GDSs) are eligible for pension like other Government employees and if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether Government is contemplating to constitute any Committee to look into the salary structure and other service matters of Grameen Dak Sevaks and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the said committee has submitted its said report and if so, the salient features of the said report; and
(f) the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) Madam, the total number of Postal Circles in the country is 23. The total number of GPOs is 24, the total number of Sub Post Offices (SPOs) is 24753, the total number of Extra Departmental Branch Offices (EDBOs) is 129346. The details of these post offices rural and urban regions wise is enclosed at Annexure-I.

(b) The number of post offices which are manned by Gramin Dak Sewaks (GDS) is given in the Annexure-II. Details of the monthly wages admissible to various categories of Gramin Dak Sewaks are given in the Annexure-III.

(c) No, Madam. The legal status of the Gramin Dak Sevaks as held in 1977 by Apex Court is that they are holders of the civil posts outside the regular civil service. Being a distinct and separate category, CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 are not applicable in the case of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS).

(d) Yes, Madam. To examine the system of Branch Post Offices, engagement conditions, existing structure of allowances and all other welfare issues pertaining to Gramin Dak Sevaks, a one-man Committee under the Chairmanship of Shri Kamlesh Chandra, Retired Member Postal Services Board was set up.

(e) Yes, Madam. The committee has submitted its report. The salient feature of the report is given in the Annexure-IV.

(f) The recommendations of the committee are being examined by the Department of Posts. No timeline is specified to implement the recommendations of the Committee.

Annexure-I : Distribution of Rural and Urban Post Offices as on 31.03.2016

Annexure-II : State wise list of number of post offices manned by Gramin Dak Sewaks

Annexure-III : Details of the monthly wages admissible to various categories of Gramin Dak Sevaks

Annexure-IV : Salient features of the GDS Report