Date : 28.11.2017
Life of a discharged GDS : GDS are forced to beg on the streets after retirement - Small Analysis.
Committee observations :
Committee in its report in para no.18.6 presented their observations as follows.
The Committee was also informed that the discharged GDSs are dependent upon their family members for subsistence and most of them face troubles in old age. During the interaction with GDSs in Tamil Nadu Circle, the Committee was informed that *few GDSs are forced to beg on the street due to their pathetic condition.*
They requested the GDS Committee to look into these issues in depth and recommend proposals which can provide sufficient means for respect life after discharge from their service.
• Total amount received by GDS after retirement is not enough in present context to manage even his/her own post discharge life.
• They will also not capable of doing any physical work to earn their livelihood after their discharge at the age of 65 years.
• They suffer from health related issues and have no or little support to look after their well being.
National Union ( FNPO & NUGDS ) stand :
At present Severance Rs.60,000 , Ex-gratia gratuity Rs.60,000 and Group Insurance nearly 10,000 with a total of Rs.1,30,000 admissible to GDS after their discharge from service.
If that entire amount received by GDS is deposited under MIS, GDS will receive only Rs.845 per month as income.
Is it sufficient for his livelihood ?
It is evidently proved by the GDS Pay Committee that the Rule 3A(iii) of GDS Conduct & Engagement Rules,2011 (GDS must have other sources of income for better livelihood) is not practical and it is in paper only.
Because of not having other sources of income, GDS are completely depend up on the TRCA only.Due to this , majority of GDS not getting enough salary for look after the welfare of his family and parents.
90% of the GDS children education is only SSC with average marks because they are all studied in Government Schools.( They are not entitled to CEA which were available to regular Departmental employees).
With low standards of education & less marks , their children are not even getting the so called GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS JOB.
GDS Childrens educational qualifications were proved before the Committee & Directorate by illustrating the GDS Compassionate engagements( in every Circle, 90% of the dependents whose qualification is SSC only who are selected for GDS). (This is only because of low paid salary)
With this minimum qualification , how a dependend look after the welfare of a dicharged GDS (with out any pension, medical benifit)
So GDS are in a position , they are unable to manage better livelyhood for him , his family and parents while they are in service. At the same time dependents are also not capable to look after the welfare of the GDS when they discharged from service.
But, the Seniormost GDS offcials are the real heros of India Post why because , with out their comfortable service from Kaashmir to Kanya Kumari , the INDIA POST BANK is not possible.
Conclusion :
By considering all these hungry issues , Committee must recommend some welfare measures like pension (EPF), medical fecility (ESI) to GDS.
But, they simly forward these issues to Department of Posts and suggested to discuss with the Service Unions in this regard.
Even after completion of 1 year ,DoP not recognised the suggestion of Committee and till now Directorate not invited the service associations to discusss in this matter.
This is nothing but anti labour and Feudalism.
CH.Laxmi Narayana
CS, NUGDS
