Man behind unauthorised abolition of posts in Cachar Post Office, Arun Sarkar transferred; DK Chutiya is new SPOs Cachar division

On September 9, 2020, Barak Bulletin published a detailed story explaining how hundreds of posts were getting abolished from India Post’s Cachar Division. The Post Office, which remains a big employer in the valley crippled with lack of employment opportunities. The posts were abolished on the basis of many screening committee reports that date back to 2002.

On September 29, 2020, Barak Bulletin published a follow-up story based on the reply to an RTI filed by one of the employees. The reply made it clear that under Superintendent Arun Sarkar’s supervision, 254 (PA, Postman and Multi Tasking Staff) posts have been abolished. Instead of putting his foot down and justifying those posts in order to save them, Sarkar was a big advocate of abolition.

However, the big revelation of the reply was that 54 posts were abolished on the basis of a memo issued by Superintendent, Arun Sarkar. A retired superintendent said, “Sarkar does not have the authority to abolish posts issuing memos.” After the report was published on Barak Bulletin, chief postmaster general, Assam Circle, RKB Singh traveled to Silchar.

While speaking with the publication, he said, “Any unfair abolition of posts will be withheld. Arun Sarkar does not have the authority to abolish posts and if he has done that, we will investigate the matter, if necessary, a committee will be set up to probe into unauthorised abolition of posts.”

On January 4, 2021, a letter issued by the office of chief postmaster general, Assam Circle announced the transfer of superintendent, Arun Sarkar. From the post of Superintendent Post Office, Cachar Division he has been transferred to chief postmaster general’s office in Guwahati as assistant director, Vig/Inv, CO. Sarkar will be replaced by DK Chutiya who was ASP Headquarters Dibrugarh Division.

“This transfer might be a part of routine exercise. What remains on paper is that Arun Sarkar, despite all the trade union agitation and the word of RKB Singh, did not cancel the memo issued in July on the basis of which 54 posts got abolished. That memo which he does not even have the authority to issue still remains issued and in effect” asserted a former superintendent who feels, getting those posts back could be a herculean task.

“The unions must keep the fight on as once the posts are restored, it will benefit many young jobless in Barak Valley. Even if permanent recruitment is stalled, temporary or contractual appointments on those posts can open doors to earn a livelihood for many,” added the former superintendent of post offices in one of the divisions in Assam.

How DK Chutiya looks into the matter and if he intervenes in the issue of abolition of posts remains to be seen.

Also Read:

https://barakbulletin.com/going-against-pms-vocal-for-local-post-offices-cachar-division-abolishing-over-100-posts/

https://barakbulletin.com/arun-sarkars-decision-to-abolish-jobs-in-post-offices-cachar-div-is-under-scrutiny-guwahati-intervenes/

https://barakbulletin.com/chief-postmaster-general-in-silchar-assures-post-wont-be-abolished-in-cachar-division/