Important Order: 3% Fitment Benefit Withdrawn for Inspector Posts After MACPS
Department of Posts Withdraws 3% Fitment Benefit Granted Under MACPS for Inspector Posts Promotion
The Department of Posts has issued an important order withdrawing the 3% pay fitment benefit that was earlier allowed to officials who had already availed Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) and were subsequently promoted to the post of Inspector Posts. The order has significant implications for officials whose pay was fixed based on the earlier instructions.
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Background
Earlier, the Department had issued a letter dated 20 August 2018, permitting officials who had already received financial upgradation under MACPS to avail a 3% fitment benefit at the time of promotion to the cadre of Inspector Posts.
However, after examining the matter in light of the DoPT guidelines on MACPS, the Department has decided to withdraw those instructions.
Reason for Withdrawal
The Department referred to the DoPT Office Memorandum dated 19 May 2009, which clarifies that:
- The benefit of pay fixation available at the time of regular promotion is also available during financial upgradation under MACPS.
- If an employee is promoted to the same grade pay that was already granted under MACPS, no additional pay fixation or 3% fitment benefit is admissible.
- Only when the actual promotion carries a higher grade pay than the one received under MACPS can pay fixation be allowed.
Inspector Posts Promotion Through LDCE
The Department also observed that the Recruitment Rules for Inspector Posts provide for promotion of eligible Postal Assistants/Sorting Assistants through the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE).
Since the promotion is governed by specific recruitment rules and is not treated as a direct continuation of the PA/SA promotion hierarchy for the purpose examined, the earlier decision to allow the additional 3% fitment was found to be inconsistent with the DoPT instructions.
What Has Been Decided?
The Competent Authority has decided to:
- Withdraw the Department's letter dated 20 August 2018, which allowed the 3% fitment benefit.
- Review all affected cases.
- Re-fix pay, wherever necessary, in accordance with the applicable DoPT rules.
- Recover any excess payments, if applicable, as per Government instructions relating to wrongful or excess payments.
Key Takeaways
- The 3% fitment benefit on promotion to Inspector Posts after availing MACPS has been withdrawn.
- The earlier order dated 20.08.2018 stands cancelled.
- Affected pay fixation cases may be reviewed.
- Recovery of excess payments, if any, will be governed by existing DoPT and CCS rules.
Conclusion
Officials who have been promoted to Inspector Posts after receiving financial upgradation under MACPS should carefully review this order and verify its applicability to their individual cases. The Department has instructed that all such cases be examined and dealt with in accordance with the prevailing DoPT guidelines.
Source: Department of Posts Order dated 29 June 2021 regarding withdrawal of the 3% fitment benefit for officials promoted as Inspector Posts after availing MACPS.