All India Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Union, Manipur division on Friday gheraoed Imphal Head post office, demanding the release of union subscription fee, resuming payment of risk and hardship allowance and settling the issue of anomalies in level-1 and level-2 Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA).
Speaking to the media, GDS Manipur division president Wahengbam Ibohalbi alleged that the director of Postal services, Manipur had stopped the release of union subscription for nearly seven months without providing any valid reasons. “A sum of Rs 30 is deducted monthly from GDS employees’ salary for the union fund but the director has failed to release the funds accumulated till date,” he added.
He further claimed that the director scrapped the payment of risk and hardship allowance of GDS employees from June, 2022. Ibohalbi highlighted that the allowance was started in 2018 under the Disturbed Area Status Act. “The allowance is given for GDS employees working in ‘disturbed areas’ in the country; however, the director stopped the allowance,” he said.
The union president further pointed out that the postal department did not provide any stationery materials and infrastructure required by GDS employees. Ibohalbi claimed that GDS employees had to purchase all the materials required such as deposit, opening forms and thermal papers among others.
He further demanded reinstatement of 331 GDS employees who had been suspended for 89 days without following proper protocols. “Under the GDS service rule an employee must be given advance one month notice prior to their suspension or removal but such protocols went out the window in the above mentioned suspensions,” he said.
Ibohalbi also added that the pay system for GDS Level 1 employees had been implemented for GDS level 2 employees of the state.
He urged authorities concerned to reinstate the employees and further cautioned that the agitation will continue till all their demands are resolved swiftly.
