OBC representation below quota in postal dept, parliamentary panel flags shortfall
A parliamentary panel flagged OBC under-representation in several postal cadres and sought steps to meet the 27% quota, fill 207 backlog vacancies and raise GDS pay.
The Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) has raised concerns about under-representation of OBCs in the Department of Posts, according to a report released on Friday. The reservation system, noted committee chairman Ganesh Singh, aims to ensure equal opportunities for eligible OBC youth and employees, but current data shows representation falls short of the prescribed 27% quota.
In Group A, OBCs make up approximately 7.2% at the Junior Time Scale level, while among Inspectors of Posts, they represent 19.5%, and among Stenographers in Group B, they account for 21%. Postal Assistants/Sorting Assistants and Postmen/Mail Guards in Group C have 25.2% and 26.1% OBC representation, respectively. The committee has recommended taking "concrete and effective measures" to bridge this gap across all groups and keeping progress updates.
GDS, who currently number over 2.5 lakh in the Department of Posts, receive a minimum monthly basic pay of ₹10,000 to ₹12,000, despite their diverse responsibilities that include delivering postal articles and providing financial services in rural areas. The committee highlighted that 207 backlog vacancies reserved for OBCs remain unfilled, particularly in Group C, and urged the department to fill these positions urgently.
Additionally, OBC employees' welfare associations should receive regular meetings, and the committee emphasized that OBC is a constitutionally recognized social category deserving comprehensive support. The report also touched upon rural postal services, noting that around 28,000 post offices are situated in rural areas, and recommended expanding this access through existing Gram Panchayat Bhawans and potential new constructions.
The committee directed the Department of Posts to ensure strict adherence to reservation provisions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBCs in temporary and contractual appointments lasting 45 days or more, citing a Department of Personnel and Training office memorandum from May 2018. Singh emphasized that these recommendations aim to strengthen the reservation system, address backlog vacancies, enhance OBC employee welfare, and expand postal and financial services to rural India, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of inclusive development and equal opportunities.
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