Schedule of Financial Powers of Head of Postal Division - Comparison, Revocation and Modification of Financial Powers

Comparison of Financial Powers Delegated to Divisional Heads (SSPOs/SPOs) in Department of Posts

Revised Schedule III for Head of Postal Division

Schedule III Older Version

1. Financial Powers Comparison

Item of Expenditure	Divisional Head Powers (Schedule-III)	Revised Powers (OM)	Schedule-III PO	Remarks
Salaries (Object Head-01)	Full Powers	-	-	Consistent across documents.
Wages (Object Head-02)	Full Powers	-	-	Consistent across documents.
Pensionary Charges (Object Head-04)	Full Powers	-	-	Consistent across documents.
Allowances (Object Head-07)	Full Powers	-	-	Consistent across documents.
Leave Travel Concession (LTC)	Full Powers	-	-	Consistent across documents.
Domestic Travel Expenses	Full Powers	-	-	Consistent across documents.
Foreign Travel Expenses	Full Powers (with prior approval)	-	-	Prior approval required.
Office Expenses (Object Head-13)	-	-	-	-
- Non-recurring contingent expenditure	Rs. 10,000/- per case	-	Rs. 5,000/- per case	Increased limit in Schedule-III.
- Purchase of office equipment (non-computer)	Rs. 5,000/- per case	Revised to Rs. 15,000/- per case	Rs. 5,000/- per case	OM increases limit to Rs. 15,000/-.
- Purchase of furniture & fixtures	Rs. 2 lakh per annum	-	Rs. 30,000/- per office (Divisional)	Schedule-III has higher limit.
- Holding customer meets	Rs. 10,000/- per meet	-	Rs. 5,000/- per meet	Schedule-III allows higher spending.
- Printing & binding	Rs. 20,000/- per annum	-	Rs. 10,000/- per annum	Schedule-III allows higher spending.
Rent for Buildings (Object Head-14)	-	-	-
- X-class cities	Rs. 15,000/- per month	-	Rs. 5,000/- per month	Schedule-III allows higher rent.
- Y-class cities	Rs. 12,000/- per month	-	Rs. 4,000/- per month	Schedule-III allows higher rent.
- Z-class cities	Rs. 8,000/- per month	-	Rs. 3,000/- per month	Schedule-III allows higher rent.
Minor Civil & Electrical Works	-	-	-
- Government buildings	Rs. 50,000/- per case	-	Rs. 10,000/- per annum	Schedule-III allows higher spending.
- Rented buildings	Rs. 5,000/- per case	-	Rs. 2,500/- per annum	Schedule-III allows higher spending.
Legal Charges	Up to Rs. 2 lakh per case	-	As per Govt. rates	Schedule-III specifies a higher ceiling.
Refunds	Full Powers	-	Full Powers	Consistent across documents.

---

2. Powers Revoked/Modified

Item of Expenditure	Original Power (Schedule-III PO)	Revised Power (Schedule-III)	Remarks
Purchase of office equipment	Rs. 5,000/- per case	Rs. 15,000/- per case (OM)	Increased limit.
Rent for buildings (X-class cities)	Rs. 5,000/- per month	Rs. 15,000/- per month	Significant increase.
Non-recurring contingent expenditure	Rs. 5,000/- per case	Rs. 10,000/- per case	Increased limit.
Holding customer meets	Rs. 5,000/- per meet	Rs. 10,000/- per meet	Increased limit.
Printing & binding	Rs. 10,000/- per annum	Rs. 20,000/- per annum	Increased limit.

---

Key Observations:

Increased Financial Powers:

• Schedule-III (latest) generally provides higher financial limits compared to Schedule-III PO.
• The OM specifically increases the limit for purchase of office equipment from Rs. 5,000/- to Rs. 15,000/-.

Consistent Full Powers:

• Salaries, wages, allowances, LTC, and refunds remain fully delegated across all documents.
• Stricter Controls in Older Versions:
• Schedule-III PO imposes lower limits for rent, printing, and contingent expenses compared to the updated Schedule-III.

Revoked/Modified Powers:

• The OM explicitly revises the limit for office equipment purchases, overriding the older Rs. 5,000/- limit.
• Other increases (e.g., rent, printing) indicate a trend toward greater delegation in the latest version.

Conclusion:

The latest Schedule-III and OM reflect an expansion of financial powers for Divisional Heads, particularly in operational expenses like equipment purchases, rent, and contingent expenditures. The older Schedule-III PO had stricter limits, which have been relaxed in subsequent revisions.