Mandatory Induction Training and APT 2.0 Daily Diary Module for Public Relation Inspectors (PRI)
Call for Mandatory Induction Training and Digital Daily Diary Module for Public Relation Inspectors
A proposal has been made to the Department of Posts seeking mandatory induction training for Public Relation Inspectors (PRI) in the LSG cadre and the introduction of a dedicated Daily Diary Module in the APT 2.0 Portal.
The request highlights the important role played by PRIs, also known as Jansampark Nirikshak / Town Inspectors, who are promoted from the Postal Assistant cadre and function as an important link between the Department and the public at the divisional level.
Need for Mandatory Induction Training
The representation points out that, unlike several other postal cadres, no mandatory induction training has presently been prescribed for newly promoted PRI officials. Training programmes have been prescribed for Inspector Posts, LSG/HSG-II/HSG-I, Postal Assistants, Postmen and MTS cadres.
The absence of structured induction training may create difficulties for newly promoted PRIs in areas such as:
- Handling CPGRAMS, public grievances and RTI matters.
- Marketing of PLI, RPLI, POSB and IPPB products.
- Media handling and public relations.
- Using departmental applications such as CSI, CBS, CRM and APT 2.0.
- Performing protocol and other supervisory duties assigned to the cadre.
The representation therefore proposes that at least two weeks of mandatory induction training may be prescribed for PRI officials at Regional PTCs or WTCs, covering customer care, business development, communication skills, grievance redressal, departmental technology and maintenance of the Daily Diary.
Daily Diary and Supervisory Monitoring
The representation also draws attention to the prescribed maintenance of a Daily Performance Diary/Daily Docket in Genl-2 form by PRIs, referring to Rule 79/Rule 280 of Postal Manual Volume VIII.
The diary is intended to record important field activities, including places visited, verification of MO payments, checking of letter-box timings and clearance, checking of Postman bags and beats, action taken on public complaints, and checking of mail bags for unpaid or missent articles.
According to the representation, the diary serves as an important supervisory record and also supports the processing of TA/DA claims.
Proposal for Daily Diary Module in APT 2.0
The representation states that a dedicated facility for maintaining the PRI Daily Diary is presently not available in the APT 2.0 Portal/Platform. As a result, a centralized digital record of PRI field movements and activities is not available for effective supervisory monitoring.
It has therefore been requested that CEPT, Bengaluru, incorporate a dedicated PRI Daily Diary Module in APT 2.0. Such a module could provide a centralized digital record of daily activities and facilitate scrutiny by the concerned controlling officers.
Instructions to Divisional Heads
The representation further requests that necessary instructions be reiterated to Divisional Heads to ensure that the Daily Diary in Genl-2/Daily Docket form is obtained daily from each PRI, scrutinized and appropriately remarked upon, in accordance with the applicable codal provisions.
Expected Benefits
Mandatory induction training would help newly promoted PRIs understand their responsibilities and improve their effectiveness in public relations, customer service, marketing and grievance redressal. At the same time, digitization of the Daily Diary through APT 2.0 could strengthen accountability, supervision, transparency and record management.
The proposal has accordingly sought consideration of both measures on priority, with the objective of strengthening the functioning of the PRI cadre and further improving the public image and service delivery of India Post.