Challenges to CRC Recomendation regarding Cadre Restructuring, Seniority Issues in Department of Posts

Letter to Chairperson Postal Board regarding Cadre Restructuring

To
The Chairperson,
Postal Services Board
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan
New Delhi – 110001

Respected Madam,

Subject: Objection to CRC recommendations regarding proposed merger of PA and SA cadres and reduction of supervisory posts – reg.

My union submits this representation on behalf of the CWC of NUR-C, which met at Chennai on 28–29 January 2026 and examined in detail the CRC Committee Report dated 28.01.2026.

After thorough deliberation, the CWC unanimously resolved to place on record its strong objection to certain recommendations of the CRC, particularly the proposal relating to merger of the Postal Assistant (PA) and Sorting Assistant (SA) cadres and the reduction of existing supervisory posts in RMS.

Deviation from Earlier Accepted Restructuring Principles:

The present recommendations are not in consonance with the broadly accepted principles that emerged from earlier discussions between the Department and the Staff Side, including the understanding reached on 28.04.2014 and subsequent approvals at appropriate levels.

Those principles aimed at:

• Expansion of LSG, HSG-II and HSG-I posts to remove stagnation
• Grant of NFG after two years in HSG-I
• Maintenance of a pyramidal promotional ratio of 3:1

The CRC report does not adhere to these principles and thereby defeats the purpose of cadre restructuring.

Unjustified Reduction of HSG-I Posts in RMS:

The existing sanctioned strength of HSG-I posts in RMS (409) is proposed to be reduced to 258.

Cadre restructuring is meant to expand promotional opportunities, not curtail already sanctioned supervisory posts. This reduction will aggravate stagnation at the highest supervisory level in RMS and requires immediate reconsideration.

Inclusion of PA-SA Merger in Revised ToR Without Explanation:

The initial Terms of Reference dated 03.06.2025 did not contain any proposal for merger of SA with PA. This provision appeared only in the revised ToR dated 21.08.2025. The reasons for this major change were not explained to the Staff Side, which has led to serious concern among employees

Serious Administrative Complications in Combined Gradation:

The CRC recommendation for merger does not address the practical difficulty of preparing and maintaining a fair combined gradation list, considering the long-standing structural and promotional differences between the two cadres.

For nearly two decades:

• Postal Assistants have received functional promotions and worked in supervisory roles.
• Sorting Assistants, in large numbers, continue in the same post with only financial upgradations under MACP, without change in duties or status.

Ignoring this historical difference while proposing a common gradation will inevitably lead to widespread administrative complications.

Likely Seniority Consequences After Merger:

As per established DoPT principles on cadre merger, seniority in the merged grade is determined with reference to the date of regular appointment to the grade.

In such a scenario, a very large number of Sorting Assistants, appointed prior to 2012, will become senior in the combined gradation list, even over officials who have already served in supervisory grades for many years.

Over time, this will result in most future promotional vacancies in supervisory cadres being filled predominantly from one side, creating severe imbalance, dissatisfaction, and continuous representational issues across units.

This is a practical administrative concern arising directly from the proposal.

5A. Long-term Promotional Imbalance Likely After Merger:

It is also respectfully submitted that, after merger, a substantial number of Sorting Assistants who were appointed prior to 1996 and who are still continuing in the same grade will rank senior in the revised combined entry grade seniority list.

Over a period of time, as supervisory vacancies arise in the unified structure, these officials—by virtue of their position in the combined seniority—will become eligible for most of the future promotions to supervisory grades.

This will gradually result in a situation where a majority of supervisory posts in the merged cadre are drawn from one side, not because of functional experience in supervisory roles, but purely due to historical date of appointment in the entry grade.

Such a development is likely to create structural imbalance, dissatisfaction among units, and may adversely affect the smooth functioning of both Post Offices and RMS, thereby impacting the overall efficiency of the postal system.

This practical consequence has not been examined in the CRC report.

Adverse Impact on Operational Efficiency:

The Hon’ble Minister has consistently emphasized improvement of postal business and operational efficiency. Any restructuring that leads to prolonged seniority disputes, staff dissatisfaction and administrative complexity at unit level will adversely affect morale and, consequently, service delivery.

DoPT Principles on Seniority in Cadre Merger – Practical Illustration:

In cadre merger situations, the Department of Personnel & Training has laid down well-settled principles regarding fixation of seniority. A key aspect of these principles is that seniority is always determined grade-wise and not merely on length of service.

Accordingly, it is first necessary to identify the grades that will exist after merger in the unified structure, for example:

• Common entry grade: PA / SA (merged)
• Supervisory grade: LSG / equivalent

Seniority is then maintained separately for each grade.

As per DoPT principles:

• An official who has already been promoted to a higher grade before merger retains seniority in that higher grade based on the date of promotion.
• An official who continues in the lower grade cannot claim seniority over a person already promoted to the higher grade, even if he is earlier in service.
• Seniority in the higher grade is determined by the date of promotion to that grade, not by the date of initial appointment.

This principle has been consistently followed in cadre merger cases across Departments.

A practical illustration from the present situation may be noted: 

Official	Wing	Date of Appointment in Entry Grade	Position before Merger
A	Post Office	01.01.2012	Supervisor (LSG)
B	RMS	01.01.1996	Sorting Assistant

In this situation:

• Official A will be placed in the seniority list of Supervisors based on the date of promotion to LSG.
• Official B will remain in the seniority list of the merged entry grade based on the date of appointment.
• Official B cannot be placed above Official A in the supervisory grade merely because of earlier appointment in service.

Thus, after merger:

• In the Supervisory grade → A remains senior.
• In the Entry grade → B will be senior among those in that grade.
• This clearly demonstrates that “seniority follows the grade, not the length of service.”

However, when this principle is applied to the present large-scale situation, where a substantial number of Sorting Assistants appointed prior to 1996 are still continuing in the same grade while many Postal Assistants appointed up to 2012 have already moved to supervisory grades, the preparation and maintenance of a combined gradation list becomes extremely complex and administratively sensitive.

This practical difficulty has not been adequately addressed in the CRC recommendations.

In view of the above, the CWC of NUR-C, in its meeting held at Chennai on 28–29 January 2026, has unanimously resolved to register its firm and categorical opposition to the CRC recommendations relating to:

Merger of SA with PA cadres, and

Reduction of existing HSG-I posts in RMS.

The CWC therefore urges the Postal Services Board to:

Drop the proposal for merger of SA with PA cadres, in line with the decision already taken by the Director General in September 2024, and

Reject the recommendation for reduction of HSG-I posts in RMS, as these are already sanctioned supervisory posts and their curtailment will seriously affect promotional avenues and supervisory efficiency.

This is earnestly requested in the interest of administrative balance, staff morale, and efficient functioning of the Department.

Sincerely Yours

//N.K.TYAGI//
General Secretary

Copy to: Shri Sivaji Vasireddy, Secretary General FNPO.