India - Department threatens action, but postmen won't budge

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Postal department threatens action, but postmen won't budge

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Mumbai: A day after postmen in the city went about their work in T-shirts and shorts, to protest against the poor quality of uniforms, the postal department has threatened them with action. However, the postmen are unfazed and have decided to continue the agitation till their demands are met.

DNA had first reported about the postmen agitating for better uniforms on May 17. The postmen want a “superior” quality uniform cloth that costs Rs86 per metre, which was approved last year by the then postmaster general MS Bali. But, the postal department, as per the Union government’s instructions, has ordered for cloth that costs Rs56 per metre.

“The department’s guidelines on the rate for uniform cloth are same across the country and we cannot change them in Maharashtra,” said Abha Singh, director, postal services.

“Postmen in 17 states are wearing the uniform accepted by the department. We will need an additional Rs55 lakh to provide the uniform cloth demanded by the postmen’s union. Who will bear the cost?”

Singh also threatened disciplinary action against the agitating postmen if they do not wear their uniform on duty. “Postmen who are given uniforms are expected to wear it on duty, failing which, disciplinary action can be initiated against them. We have served notices to the agitating postmen. We will wait for their reply and then take action accordingly,” said Singh.

However, CB Surve, circle secretary, All India Postal Employees Union, said the postmen were not afraid of Singh’s threat. “She wants us to wear the uniform on duty. First, she should provide the uniform. We are wearing plain clothes because the postal department has not provided us uniforms since 2008. More than 90% postmen do not have khaki trousers, which are a mandatory part of the uniform,” said Surve.

He added that the department is deliberately neglecting the postmen. “The department is saying that rates for the uniform cloth are same across the country. Is it possible that Bali allowed purchase of the uniform cloth at a higher rate without permission from his superiors?” questioned Surve.