Counting of Induction Period for MACPS

Respected viewers,

            This article is regarding the counting of induction training period for MACPS.

In this connection, the following orders may be referred.

1.     Directorate letter no 44-2/2011-SPB dt 5.5.2016

2.     DOPT OM no 16/16/89-Estt(Pay-I) dt 22.10.1990

3.     DOPT OM no 16/16/89-Estt(Pay-I) dt 31.3.1992

4.     Directorate letter no 4-7/(MACPS)/2009-PCC dt 18.9.2009

5.     Directorate letter no 4-7/(MACPS)/2009-PCC dt 23.6.2006

6.     Directorate letter no 4-7/(MACPS)/2009-PCC dt 2.7.2018

The counting of induction training period for TBOP/BCR/MACPS is now discussed everywhere.

Separate orders are issued in this regard on various dates as cited in the above references.

            Whether the period of training is included for TBOP/BCR/MACPs is not the case. What is important is that whether such induction training period is counted for increment or not. Without going in to this vital issue there are so many questions regarding this issue. If any period is counted for increment, it would automatically counted for the promotions/financial upgradations. Let us see the developments in these cases.

            As per the reference cited 2 above, the induction training period was ordered to be counted for increment. This benefit was extended to those officials who underwent training on or after 1.1.1986 and the benefit was notional from 1.1.1986 to 30.9.1990 and on actual basis from 1.10.1990 vide reference 3 above. Those officials enjoy this benefit of counting their induction training period for increment. By virtue of this fact, this training period is also counted for TBOP/BCR automatically.

            After a prolonged battle, this benefit was extended to those officials who underwent training prior to 1.1.1986 vide communication cited 1 above. This is implemented in very few divisions, that too partially as mentioned in my previous article.

            As per Government of India’s orders (1) below FR 26, training period before appointment on stipend or otherwise counts for increment.

            On the basis of the above, for those officials who underwent training on or after 1.1.1986, this period should automatically counted for MACPS also. All the orders issued for MACPS to these officials should have been issued by counting the training period for this MACPS, in as much as such training period had already been counted for increment.  Any period which counts for increment will automatically counts for promotion.  As is the case, for these officials, since their training period had already been ordered to be counted for increment, this period should be counted for MACPS also, without any orders. In my opining no separate orders are required in this regard.

            For those who underwent training prior to 1.1.1986, orders for counting their induction training period for increment has been issued vide reference cited 1 above. Till such time the benefit could not be extended as the period of training had not been counted for increment. After the issue of this order dated 5.5.2016 and clarification thereof, these officials are also entitled for counting the training period for increment and consequently for TBOP/BCR/MACPS.

            The orders for MACPS and clarifications thereof had been issued vide references cited against 4,5 and 6. For these officials who underwent training prior to 1.1.1986, till 5.5.2016 there was confusion about the inclusion of training period for TBOP/BCR/MACPs. After the issue of the orders dated 5.5.2016, which extends the same benefit of counting the induction training period for increment on par with their counter parts trained on or after 1.1.1986, every official is entitled for this benefit of counting such training period for TBOP/BCR/MACPS, as the case may be.

            It is very important that counting of training period for increment and hence for TBOP/BCR/MACP is entirely different from counting of such period as qualifying service pension. Both are on entirely different footing. In the case of the erstwhile RTPs in whose case there is a break between the period of training and the date of appointment, this training period will be counted for increment but not as qualifying service for pension. This is because, for pension, the service should be continuous. It is suffice to add here that there are provisions to count such period of training for pension which is out of scope of this article. Unless and until action for condoning the break is issued, such training period cannot be taken as qualifying service for pension.

            To conclude, in my opinion, even in the absence of the 3 orders on MACPS, all the officials who underwent training on or after 1.1.1986 are eligible to count the training period for MACPS on the strength of orders dated 31.3.1992. Also those officials who underwent training prior to 1.1.1986 are eligible to count the training period for MACPS on the strength of orders dated 5.5.2016 and clarifications issued thereof.

            I hope action will be taken at appropriate level to include this period of training for TBOP/BCR and MACPS.

            Thank you.

Article by:

R.Hariharakrishnan

Manager,

Postal Stores Depot,

Tirunelveli 627002