No. P3NFPE – Odisha / 06 – 11 / 2017
Dated at Bhubaneswar the 13thNovember, 2017
To
Dr. S K Kamila, IPoS
Chief Postmaster General
Odisha Circle, Bhubaneswar – 751 001
Sub:- Provision of Police Escort in Cash Van & Deployment of Arm Guards inside/in the campus of Post Offices
Respected Sir,
Illustrating today’s (13.11.2017) unfortunate incident in Berhampur HO where one lootera tried to rob Rs.160000/- from the S B Counter of the HO and subsequently caught by our staff members with the help of the members of public and handed over to the police, this is our compulsion to bring it to your kind notice that keeping in view the recent ongoing robberies in broad-day light from banks and other cash counters in cities on one hand and considering the amount of per day cash transactions by our post offices, we had given a proposal to the administration for deployment of arm guards inside / in the campus of Bhubaneswar GPO way back in 2006. Due to our continuous pursuance, the matter was discussed at Circle level with the DPS (HQ) by the Circle Union on 16.11.2006 and as replied by the DPS (HQ), the matter would be referred to the Directorate since related to all India and not only the case of Bhubaneswar GPO. But since then, we are in dark on the progress of this issue.
Many Post Offices have witnessed such incidents severally in the recent past.
Similarly, we were also discussing the issue of deployment of police escort in the cash vans which was lastly closed with reply that Divisional Superintendents have been ordered to deploy private escorts as per rules wherever necessary. But practically, this is not being carried out and our poor Postal Assistants including the cash overseers and part-time casual drivers are thrown / compelled to bear high risk for regular collection / conveyance beyond the prescribed limits.
Reiterating the facts, we have our submission before you that both the above items were taken up at Directorate level by AIPEU, Group-C, CHQ on 11.03.2014 and Directorate vide its letter F No. 18 - 1/-2012 – PO, dated 20.03.2014 has directed the Chief PMG, Odisha Circle to follow the instructions of Postal Directorate issued on security of cash at Post Offices and conveyance of cash from Post Office earlier issued vide Directorate’s letter No. 24-4/2003-PC, dated 10.10.2007 and No.32 - 1/86-CE,, dated 09.01.1986 authorizing the Circle Head with full Administrative and Financial Powers in this regard.
It is needless to say that while the ATMs carrying too less cash have been attached with armed guards, the Post Offices / Cash Vans collecting / preserving and conveying heavy cash are ignored. We are sorry to say Sir, now a day, while the main culprit is easily escaped in case of any mishap; the poor subsidiary offenders are heavily punished.
Anything would have happened today in Berhampur HO. Had the culprit not been caught, the poor counter P A would have been compelled to make good the cash or taken into task on several pleas as per our Postal Manuals.
A video of this unfortunate incident has been made viral now in the social media which is a talk of the state today. The culprit has entered inside the office daringly and taken away the bundles of notes from the backside of the counter P A who is working sincerely looking at the desk top and / public. Thank God, another P A could be able to notice and shout. This has happened only due to lack of proper security arrangement in the Head Office itself.
Therefore, in this context, we would like to request you once again to kindly take the issue very seriously and arrange for deployment of armed guards in the campus and inside each GPO, HO, and MDGs, preferably in the first phase and to provide police escorts in cash vans as guided vide Directorate’s letter No. 24 – 4 / 2003 - PC, dated 10.10.2007 and No.32 – 1 / 86 - CE, dated 09.01.1986 to save the Govt. cash / valuables and the life of the staff members.
Expecting your kind response, Sir.
With regards.
Yours faithfully,
(B SAMAL)
Circle Secretary
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