Department of Posts Holds Meeting with Staff Associations on Key Employee Issues
The Department of Posts held a meeting with the Bharatiya Postal Employees Federation (BPEF), its affiliated service associations and the Bharatiya Gramin Dak Karmachari Sangh (BGDKS) on 3 August 2026 at Dak Bhawan, New Delhi, under the chairpersonship of Member (P). The meeting discussed various issues concerning departmental and GDS employees, service matters, cadre restructuring, vigilance, recruitment and delivery services.
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The meeting earlier conciliation proceedings, during which BPEF had agreed to defer the proposed one-day strike scheduled for 5 August 2026 and the indefinite strike proposed from 18 August 2026, subject to examination of its Charter of Demands and submission of responses before the next conciliation proceedings scheduled for 13 August 2026.
Key Issues Discussed
1. Targets for Departmental and GDS Employees
The association raised concerns regarding exploitation of departmental and GDS employees in the name of targets. The Department clarified that targets are allotted to Circles after scientific examination to achieve revenue, and no direct targets are assigned to individual departmental and GDS employees. Cases of malpractice, if brought to notice, may be taken up with the concerned Circle for necessary action.
2. Road Transport Network for Mail Services
The demand to stop unnecessary fuel expenditure and wastage through the Road Transport Network (RTN) was discussed. The Department stated that RTN complements, rather than replaces, the existing transportation network, including RMS. India Post Parcels are generally transported through surface modes such as road, rail and waterways, while air transportation is used where it provides a transit-time advantage. Specific routes and issues raised by the associations may be submitted for re-examination.
3. Vacancies in Mail Motor Service and Civil Wing
The association demanded immediate filling of vacant posts in Mail Motor Service and abolition of the dying cadre in the Civil Wing. The Department informed that recruitment is a continuous process through DR, DPC and departmental examination. It was also decided that details of MMS Driver and Artisan vacancies could be obtained from Circles for further examination. The Cadre Review proposal of the Postal Engineering Wing had already been approved by DoPT and DoE.
4. Vigilance and Disciplinary Matters
The meeting discussed corruption, recovery from employees in cases involving subsidiary offenders and negligence in disciplinary proceedings. The Department highlighted initiatives to strengthen preventive, predictive and prescriptive vigilance through ICT-based tools and risk management mechanisms following the launch of APT.
The eFRM module was under development, with UAT and security checks being undertaken by CEPT. The Department also proposed workshops for Vigilance Officers of Circles to create awareness regarding recovery from subsidiary offenders and negligence in disciplinary proceedings.
5. Decentralization of Postal Accounts
The demand to stop decentralization of Postal Accounts was discussed. The Department stated that no proposal for de-centralization of PAO is currently under consideration, and the item was closed.
6. Cadre Restructuring
Several cadre-related matters were considered. The Department stated that cadre review of Group A posts in MMS was under consideration and submitted to DoE for approval, while cadre restructuring of artisans in MMS was under submission to DoE.
The posts of Assistant Manager and Deputy Manager, MMS, had been merged with IP and ASP respectively. The issue of allowing Junior Accountants to appear in the IP LDCE examination was also raised and was assured to be reviewed by the concerned Directorate.
7. Provisions for Foreign Post Offices
The association sought implementation at other Foreign Post Offices of provisions relating to promotion from PA (FPO) to LSG (FPO) in Mumbai, including the provision concerning the place of posting. The association was advised to submit a detailed proposal to the Personnel Division for further review.
8. Pay Fixation of Re-employed Employees
The issue of pay fixation for re-employed employees recruited through the ex-servicemen quota was discussed. The Department referred to the applicable CCS rules and stated that instructions regarding the applicability of the relevant provision to re-employed PA/SA had already been issued.
It was also decided that the association could meet the DDG (Estt.) during the week beginning 10 August 2026 and submit its representation for review.
9. Compassionate Appointment of Dependants
The issue concerning dependants of deceased employees who could not obtain departmental appointment due to the 5% ceiling was discussed. The Department referred to the guidelines allowing eligible family members of deceased departmental employees to apply for compassionate appointment against vacant GDS posts, while their claim remains against the 5% quota of direct recruitment vacancies in departmental posts.
A one-time relaxation for compassionate engagement as GDS was also available for certain cases involving deaths occurring between 1 January 2020 and 24 February 2025, with the relaxation available for one year up to 30 December 2026. The item was marked closed.
10. Vishwakarma Jayanti / National Labour Day
The demand to declare 17 September, Vishwakarma Jayanti (National Labour Day) as a holiday in the Department of Posts was discussed. The Department stated that DoP&T is the nodal Ministry for declaration of holidays in Government offices. The item was closed.
11. Delivery Services and Delivery Centres
The demand to restore the old delivery system and stop NDC was also discussed. The Department stated that it is revamping mail and parcel delivery through centralized delivery services by operationalizing Delivery Centres. These centres consolidate delivery areas and are being established separately from existing Post Offices so that Post Office staff can concentrate on counter operations.
The Delivery Centres are intended to separate backend delivery functions from counter operations and facilitate improved monitoring and flexible delivery services, including Sunday/holiday and second-delivery services.
Focus on Staff Welfare and Revenue Growth
During the meeting, the Department highlighted that 16% revenue growth during 2025–26 was achieved with the dedication and wholehearted support of employees. The Department also reiterated its commitment to staff welfare. Representatives of the Federation and associations appreciated the Department for arranging the meeting and assured that the proposed agitations would be deferred.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks. The discussions and decisions recorded in the minutes provide updates on several important service and employee-related issues across the Department of Posts.