AGENDA FOR THE 63rd MEETING OF J.C.M. OF ASA TO BE HELD AT NEW DELHI

1. REVIEW OF PENDING POINTS:

The Decisions taken in the 62^nd JCM Meeting and Implementation of the same on various points of Agreement may be intimated to the Staff side. Further, the Status on the pending points, which are in process of implementation, may also be intimated to the Association.

2. GRANTING OF PERMISSION BY THE DIRECTORATE TO HEAD OF OFFICES OF CIRCLES /BRANCHES FOR FILLING UP OF GROUP D VACANT POSTS ON PRIORITY.

As the Directorate is well aware that majority of the Group D posts have fallen vacant consequent upon the Superannuation/Voluntary retirement of the staff in the recent years in almost all the circles and at branches level thereby it has become very difficult for the Head of Offices of the Circles and Branches in providing adequate security and regular maintenance of the Monuments/Museums/Gardens etc. Hence, it is requested that Directorate may please grant necessary permission to the Head of Offices of Circles/Branches for filling up of existing vacant posts on priority so as to enable them to safeguard the rich cultural heritage of our proud country for which the Department is meant for.

3. GRANT OF PERMISSION TO HEAD OF OFFICES OF CIRCLES FOR FILLING UP THE POSTS OF FOREMAN (WORKS), CONSERVATION ASSISTANTS THROUGH DIRECT RECRUITMENT.

Since from the inception, the posts of Foreman (Works) and Conservation Assistants were filled up by the Head of Offices of the Circles through Direct Recruitment. Of recent the Directorate has advertised for filling up of Sr. C.A., C.A. Gr. II and Foreman (Works) thereby centralizing the powers for appointment at the Directorate. Since the post of Sr.C.A. comes under the promotion quota, this post should not be advertised, since the staff working in the cadre of C.A. Gr. I are being deprived of their promotion. Hence, it is requested that action may please be taken to grant permission to the Head of Circles to fill up the vacant posts on time bound to maintain the statusco as also to give due prominence to the persons at the concerned regions.

4. REVISION OF OPENING HOURS OF SITE MUSEUMS

Consequent upon the introduction of common entry tickets to both the Monuments and Museums, the Directorate had issued O.M. vide Lr. No. F.No. 18-42/2009-Mus dated 1^st December 2009 that the Museums will remain open from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. instead of 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. w.e.f. 3^rd December 2009. The Directorate office while issuing this O.M. has not bothered to publish the same in the Gazette Notification and the decision of such policy matter has not been endorsed to this recognized Association. The issue of this O.M. was a great shock to the staff working in the Museums. A letter has already been addressed to the Directorate vide this Association Lr. No. ASA/2009-602 dated 1.12.2009 appraising the grievances being faced by the Officers and Staff working in the Museums. Hence, action may please be taken to revive the timings as was in practice before 3.12.09 and necessary revised orders may please be issued in this regard expeditiously.

5. SHIFTING OF EASTERN ZONE MUSEUM HEADQUARTERS FROM SARANATH TO KOLKATA

Consequent upon the Revival of erstwhile Museum Branch effective from 1.4.2010, four Regional offices viz., Delhi (Northern Region), Saranath (Eastern Region), Goa (Western Region) and Chennai (Southern Region) were set up for systematic management working system of the Branch. Though, it is a welcome step taken by the Directorate for revival of Branch, it is very much shocking that the erstwhile Headquarters of Museum Branch viz., Kolkata was shifted to Saranath, the reasons are best known to the Directorate. Since from the inception, the Museum Branch Headquarters was located at Kolkata. Kolkata being a Metropolitan City where the Office of R.D. (East) and the Circle Office is located. As per the said orders, the Staff who were working in other offices of ASI are to be placed back to the strength of respective zonal offices and once this is being implemented, majority of the staff who are on the verge of their superannuation presently working under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Circle has to be forcibly shifted to Saranath at too long a distance of nearly 1000 Kms which may also effect the education of their children as also the climatic condition etc. This Association demands in one voice for cancellation of the Eastern Regional Office from Saranath to Kolkata immediately and necessary revised orders be issued in this regard.

6. IMMEDIATE POSTING OF ASSISTANT ARCHAEOLOGIST TO HAZARDUARI PALACE MUSEUM, MURSHIDABAD (W.B).

Hazarduari Palace Museum, Murshidabad in West Bengal is the one and Only biggest Museum being maintained by the A.S.I. where thousands together tourists visit this Museum everyday. Nearly 70 Group D Staff are working in this Museum for strict vigil of the displayed antiquities, maintenance of gallery in neat and tidy condition. During Peak seasons nearly one lakh tourists visit this Museum and huge revenue is being generated. It is very much regrettable to note that no Assistant Archaeologist is available in this Museum for the past 2 years for allotment of watch and ward duties, execution of Approved Works, Reorganization of Galleries and monitoring of Booking Counter, Sale of Departmental Publications, Remittance of Sale Proceeds of Admission Tickets and to assist the A.S.A.M., in developmental activities including guiding of VIP’s and VVIP’s etc. This Association had taken up this matter at appropriate levels at right times, but no concrete action is being taken in this regard so far. Hence, it is requested to expedite posting of one Assistant Archaeologist to this Museum.

7. PROMOTIONAL AVENUES IN THE CADRE OF MARKSMAN/KHANSAMA/ELECTRICIAN.

These posts are isolated posts which do not carry any promotional avenues to the employees working in A.S.I. The Staff appointed against these posts have to retire in the same post. Though, monetary benefit has been extended by granting ACP/MACP, it is very much meager. Hence, it is appreciated that steps may please be taken to promote the employees by reviving the same so that a sort of relief is granted to them during the entire period of service.

8. FILLING UP OF VACANT GROUP C POSTS IN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES OF A.S.I.

It is brought to the notice of Directorate that as many posts of Ministerial cadre mainly L.D. Clerks are vacant in most of the Offices of A.S.I. and in spite of regular correspondence by the concerned offices in time to time, no positive action has been taken by the Directorate for filling up of these vacant posts thereby a lot of additional burden has been imposed on the existing Ministerial staff. Due to non filling up of these posts, the Head of Offices are also facing innumerable problem in day to day administration. Hence, it is demanded that these vacant posts are filled up on priority for smooth functioning of the routine works in right times.

9. UPDATING OF SENIORITY LIST OF GROUP D EMPLOYEES IN A.S.I. FOR PROMOTION TO THE . POST OF L.D.C. UNDER 5% QUOTA.

It is brought to the notice of the Directorate that Seniority List of Group D Staff of A.S.I. with matriculation or equivalent for promotion to the post of L.D. Clerk against 5% quota was prepared and circulated in July 2005. Action may please be taken to update the same by calling for information from all the Offices of A.S.I. so that the eligible Gr D Staff can be promoted against the quota.

10. PROMOTION OF SURVEYOR GR. II

It is brought to the notice that the D.P.C. for promotion of Surveyor Gr. II has not been convened for the past few years thereby the Staff working as Surveyor Gr. II have not got their promotion for almost ten years, though there are clear vacancy of Surveyor Gr. I. Since the Seniority list of Surveyor Gr. II has been updated, it is requested that urgent action may please be taken to convene D.P.C. and grant promotion to the eligible Staff.

11. ANY OTHER POINTS WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE CHAIR.

12. TENTATIVE DATE FOR NEXT J.C.M.

Sd/- x x x

(B.A. CHANDRA SHEKHAR)

Secretary General