News Letter No. 11

Dear Friends,

I am very much pleased to place in the hands of beloved members yet another long awaited edition of our News Letter, narrating the recent activities of this Four Decade Association in particular and Central Govt. Employees in general. Before placing the activities of this Association, I beg your pardon that the News Letter could not be published in time, since I was very much busy with official activities. However, I would once again assure all my beloved members that I am striving hard to keep up the confidence reposed on me in carrying forward the Torch of ASA in the right path and request your whole hearted co-operation to run the activities of this Association judiciously in the right earnest of our beloved members.

DR. GAUTAM SENGUPTA ASSUMED AS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF A.S.I.

Dr. Gautam Sen Gupta, who was previously working as the Director, National Museum, Govt. of West Bengal, Kolkata has assumed charges as the Director General of Archaeological Survey of India. On behalf of the entire members of this Recognized Association and on my own behalf, i hereby convey our hearty congratulations to Dr. Gautam Sengupta for assuming the prestigious post of Director General of A.S.I. I am of the firm opinion that our Century old Department will reach its peak under the benign administration of our new Director General and expect his wholehearted cooperation in carrying out the welfare activities of this four decade old Association. A Delegation led by the Secretary General and S/Shri. S.C. Sharma, President, ASA, Sanjay Angarey and Rajesh Johri, JCM Members, ASA met Director General in person, appraised the activities of the Recognized Association and also requested him to convene the JCM Meeting in order to discuss some of the important issues in the interest of the members. The Director General while expressing his deep concern towards the employees of the Department has assured to extend all possible help and cooperation to the Association. Dr. Sengupta has also assured to convene the 63rd JCM Meeting during the month of May 2010 which clearly indicates the keen interest shown to this Association

63RD J.C.M. MEETING CONVENED :

The 63rd JCM meeting was convened under the Chairmanship of Dr. Gautam Sengupta, Director General on 17th May 2010 at the Conference Hall of the Office of the Director General, A.S.I., New Delhi. On this occassion, the Chairman was kind enough to have a patient hearing by the Staff Side and has agreed upon to implement the decision taken on the agenda submitted by the Secretary General on a time bound. The Points concerning the welfare of the members were discussed in length and decisions taken in the meeting is as under for kind information of the members. The detailed minutes of the JCM Meeting will be circulated to all the Office of A.S.I. shortly.

1) The Competitive examination for the post of L.D.C’s from the eligible Gr D Staff which was pending for quite some time has now been fixed for 12^th June 2010.

2) The Director General has assured that the Opening and Closing time of the Museums will be reviewed shortly and to restore the timings from 10:00 am to 05:00 pm as it was earlier.

3) 580 posts of Group D has been sanctioned and the same will be distributed basing on their requirement proportionately and communicated to the concerned circles/Branches for filling up these posts on a time bound. Further, Meeting was convened for filling up of 27 Posts against 5% quota for Appointment on Compassionate grounds and orders are being issued.

4) The Recruitment Rules for appointment to Group D posts has been amended to 70% by Civilians and 30% by Ex-serviceman. Necessary Gazette Notification to this effect is expected to be issued shortly by the DOPT.

5) A circular was issued by the Directorate to all the Divisional Heads of Horticulture Branch for admittal of Medical Claims of Staff working under their jurisdiction without sending the same to Chief Horticulturist as is being done which is causing undue delay in clearing of the legitimate claims of Staff.

6) It was agreed to issue Reminder to Head of Offices of Circles/Branches who have not imparted Training to Non-matriculate Group D Staff to place them in the Grade pay of Rs.1800/-.

7) Clearing of all pending ACP/MACP cases of Group C and B (Gazetted and Non-Gazetted) by the concerned Regional Directors under their jurisdiction on time bound.

8) Letter has been issued by the Directorate to S.A., A.S.I., Aurangabad Circle for clearing of long pending Reimbursement bills of staff working in Ajantha from T Junction to Ajantha Caves.

9) Delegation of powers to S.A’s of Circles for filling up the vacant posts in Conservation Cadre.

10) Immediate posting of One Assistant Archaeologist to Hazarduari Palace Museum,

Murshidabad.

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IMPARTING OF TRAINING TO GROUP D STAFF:

As per the recommendations of the 6^th CPC and as per the instructions of the Director General, A.S.I., New Delhi many Circles/ Branches have imparted training programme to the Non-Matriculate Group D Staff and placed in PB-I in the Grade Pay of Rs. 1800/- w.e.f. 1.1.2006. It has come to the notice of this Association that some of the Circles/Branches have not conducted the Training Programme in spite of clear instructions. The Director General has assured that necessary instructions will once again be issued by the Directorate to impart Training to the Non-Matriculate Group D Staff on a time bound. On behalf of this Association and on my own behalf, I thank all the Head of Offices, who have conducted the training Programme and placed them in the Grade Pay of Rs. 1800/- and also request the remaining Head of Offices who have not conducted the Training Programme to convene at the earliest. On this occasion, this Association is ready to extend any sort of help, guidance and cooperation if necessary by the concerned Head of Offices in this regard.

UPDATING OF SENIORITY LIST OF QUALIFIED GROUP D STAFF TO THE POST OF L.D.C. :

The Directorate vide Lr.No. F.No. 12-2/2010-Adm.I dated 16.04.2010 has informed all Circles and Branch Offices of A.S.I. to submit the details of Qualified Group D Staff for updating the All India Seniority list for promoting the officials to the post of Lower Division Clerk against 5% Promotion quota. In this connection, It is requested that the Unit Secretaries/ CWC Members of the concerned Units of Association to bring it to the kind notice of the members and arrange for submission of the particulars to their Head of Offices for necessary action.

POSTING OF 2 SUPERINTENDING ARCHAEOLOGIST (MUSEUMS)

Consequent upon revival of Museum Branch, as per the request of the Association, the Director General has assured that Two posts of Superintending Archaeologist (Museums), one at Kolkata who will look after the Museums under Eastern and Northern Region and one at Chennai who will look after the Museums under the Southern and western Region as was being done before merging of Museums to Circles will be restored.

REIMBURSEMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CHARGES TO THE STAFF AT AJANTA:

Reimbursement of Transportation charges to the staff working at Ajanta was one of the main demand of this Association which was pending for a long time. During the 63^rd JCM meeting held on 17^th May 2010 the Chairman was kind enough to assure that the matter with regard to Reimbursement of Transportation charges to the Staff working at Ajanta from T Junction will be settled within one month. Accordingly, the Director General vide Lr. No. F.No. 7-1/2010/Adm.II dated 2.6.2010 had directed the S.A., A.S.I. Aurangabad Circle to immediately clear the claims of the Staff. Thanks to the Director General for sorting out one of our long pending demands. The action of the Director General is definitely a moral boost to the Staff working in Ajantha to enable them to discharge their Official responsibilities with much more spirit and enthusiasm.

PENDING ACP/MACP CASES OF SOUTHERN REGION CLEARED:

I am very much happy to place here that all the pending ACP/MACP Cases in respect of Group B (Gazetted), Non-Gazetted and C Staff working under the jurisdiction of Regional Director (South) ( except Dharwad and Hyderabad Circles) were cleared and necessary orders issued due to the sincere efforts and timely action of Dr S.V. Venkateshaiah, Regional Director(South), his team of Officers and Staff of Regional Director Office. My special thanks to Dr S.V. Venkateshaiah, R.D. (South), Bangalore for clearing the A.C.P./MACP cases on a time bound.

PROMOTION ORDER OF OFFICIALS IN CONSERVATION AND MINISTERIAL CADRE ISSUED:

Directorate has issued Orders Promoting the Officials in Conservation Cadre viz., Foreman to C.A. Gr. II, C.A. Gr. II to C.A. Gr. I, C.A. Gr. I to Sr. C.A., and Sr. C.A. to A.S.A.E. Also promoted 3 Junior Accounts Officers to the Post of Administrative Officers.

Directorate has also circulated the updated Seniority list of Many Cadres in A.S.I. viz., Conservation Cadre, Archaeological Cadre etc., It is also assured by the Directorate that the seniority list which were not circulated yet will be updated and circulated at the earliest.

6^TH CPC PAY ANOMALY COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED IN A.S.I.

Directorate has constituted the Pay Anomaly Committee to settle the anomalies arising out of the implementation of the 6^th CPC’s Recommendation to the employees of A.S.I., under the Chairmanship of Shri. Pravin Srivastava, Addl. Director General, A.S.I., New Delhi. The Secretary General and President of ASA have also been nominated as members of the Committee from staff side. The Committee is constituted as under.

Official Side

1) Shri. Pravin Srivastava Addl. Director General - Chairman

2) Shri. D.R. Gehlot, Joint Director General - Member

3) Shri. Pratap Singh, Joint Director (Accounts) - Member

4) Shri. Vinod Puri, Section Officer (Planning) - Convenor

Staff Side

1) President, AIASA or his nominee - Member

2) Secretary General, AIASA or his nominee - Member

A formal meeting of the said committee was held on 20^th May 2010 under the Chairmanship of Sri Pravin Srivastava, Addl.D.G., The next Meeting will be held on 29^th June 2010 at Delhi. On this occasion, I would request the Members to convene the meeting at their level and any discrepancy /anomaly noticed in the concerned cadre may please be proposed to the notice of the Secretary General in writing latest by 20^th June so that the same can be placed before the committee for discussions.

WELL FURNISHED, WELL DESIGNED AND SPACIOUS OFFICE ACCOMMODATION OF R.D. (SOUTH) ESTABLISHED:

All of you are well aware that Four Regional Directors were posted by the Directorate during July 2009 in order to have a systematic, smooth and speedy functioning under their regions. Though the Regional Directors were posted, no office was established by them till now. I am very much happy to inform you all that due to the timely action of Dr S.V. Venkateshaiah, one of the active Regional Director (South), he was able to succeed in getting a well furnished, well decorated Spacious accommodation in the heart of the city at Bangalore and the same was got inaugurated by Sri Praveen Srivastav, Addl. Director General (Admn), A.S.I., New Delhi.

TRANSFER OF 21 GROUP D STAFF UNDER BHOPAL CIRCLE :

As per the request of the Association, the application of request transfers of 21 Group D Staff working under Bhopal Circle were favourably considered and Orders got issued by the Superintending Archaeologist. I take this opportunity to convey my special Thanks to Shri. N. Taher, S.A., Bhopal Circle, his team of Officers and Staff of Bhopal Circle for taking keen interest in considering the welfare of the staff.

TRANSFER OF GROUP D STAFF OF BANGALORE CIRCLE : As per the request of the Secretary General, the Superintending Archaeologist, A.S.I., Bangalore Circle was kind enough to consider all request transfers and accordingly orders transferring 20 Group D Staff to their respective places were issued and all the Transferred officials are very much happy. My heartfelt thanks to Shri G.S. Narasimhan, S.A., his team of Officers and Office Staff for their immense help extended to the Staff.

GENERAL BODY MEETING OF BANGALORE CIRCLE CONVENED

The General Body meeting of Bangalore Circle Unit was convened at Shivamogga on 31^st January 2010 inaugurated by Dr. S.V. Venkateshaiah, Regional Director (South), A.S.I., Bangalore attended by S/Shri G.S. Narasimhan, S.A., A.S.I., Bangalore Circle, C. Paramanandan, Dy.S.A.E., C.S. Seshadri, A.S.A.M., P. Aravazhi, Asstt. Archaeologist, S.C. Sharma, President, ASA, B.A. Chandra Shekhar, Secy. General, V. Ramesh, Treasurer, L.R. Sudheendra Rao, B.A. Ranganath, Member JCM, S. Srinivas Rao, CWC Councilor, J. Ranganath, Sr.C.A., Dharwad Circle and large number of well wishers and Members of Bangalore Circle, Office Bearers and Members of Srirangapatna, Halebid and Hampi Museums, Office Bearers and Members of Horticulture Division No. 3, Srirangapatna, Hampi, Halebid etc. S/Shri Arjun Bangargi, Sr.C.A., D. Govinda, Foreman, Office bearers and all the Members of Shivamogga sub-unit were instrumental in conducting the General Body Meeting in a grand and befitting manner.

21 NOS. T.S.CASUAL LABOURERS WERE ABSORBED IN DELHI CIRCLE & 6 IN BANGALORE CIRCLE.

The Superintending Archaeologist, Bangalore Circle, Bangalore had issued Offer of Appointment to 6 Temporary Status Casual Labourers working under Bangalore Circle. Appointment Orders in this regard is expected to be issued at the earliest. One Temporary Status Casual Labour working in Archaeological Museum, Halebidu was also got absorbed and posted as Museum Attendant at Archaeological Museum, Halebidu. 2 Posts of Museum Attendants were got filled up at Tipu Sultan Museum, Srirangapatna. On behalf of Association, I hereby convey wholehearted thanks to Shri. G.S. Narasimhan, S.A., Bangalore Circle, his team of Officers and Office Staff for filling up of these vacant posts.

Further, 21 T.S.C.Labourers working under Delhi Circle were got absorbed as Monument Attendants. All the new recruitees were posted at their present working places. Thanks to Shri. Muhamad .K.K., S.A., Delhi Circle, his team of Officers and Office Staff for this noble cause.

WEB SITE OF ASA: It is brought to the notice of all our beloved Members that in order to have speedy and immediate information of the latest orders issued by the Government of India concerning the welfare of Central Govt. employees in general as also the latest orders issued by the Directorate in time to time will be incorporated in the web site of ASA viz., aiasasrp.blogsopt.com. The Members are requested to make good use of this opportunity.

VISIT OF SECRETARY GENERAL

As per the assurance given in the 25^th AIC, Secretary General along with a team of delegation visited the following units during the period in order to have close interaction with the members as also to have cordial relationship with the Head of Offices.

CIRCLE, HORTICULTURE AND MUSEUM UNITS UNDER BANGALORE CIRCLE: Secretary General along with Shri V.R. Nagaraju, Unit Secretary, AIASA, Bangalore Circle Unit visited the Sub-Units of Bangalore, Mysore, Srirangapatna, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davanagere and Kamalapur. While extending a warm welcome to the Delegation at all the sub-units, the members have in one voice reposed immense faith and confidence in the administration of Secretary General expressed whole hearted appreciation on the activities undertaken by the Secretary General in the recent past in granting of Grade Pay of Rs. 1800/- to all the Non- Matriculate Gr D Staff in particular, clearing of ACP cases and assured to extend utmost co-operation in running the activities of the Association. Secretary General while Conveying heartfelt thanks to the concerned Conservation Assistants and members of Sub-Units for their continued cooperation to the Secretary General and the Association assured that utmost care will be taken by the Association to further improve the service conditions of the employees. He also urged the members to work judiciously and work with much more zeal of spirit and enthusiasm in bringing glory of A.S.I. to its esteem position. A combined Meeting was held at Kamalapur in which dedicated members of Circle, Horticulture and Museum took part. I am very much happy to mention here that for the First time, the young and enterprising members of Horticulture Branch under the chairmanship of Sri H.H. Kote, Horticulture Assistant have hosted the Meeting in their office and felicitated the Secretary General which is a moral boost to the Association. S/Shri R. Moovendran, Unit Secretary, Hampi Museum, V.R. Nagaraju, Unit Secretary, Bangalore, Nagaraja Nee, Jt. Secy., H.D. Unit No. 3 and R.D. Bomble, Jt. Secy., Bangalore Circle Unit and Kumar Pawar, Asst. Secy., H.D. Unit No. 3, Kamalapur addressed the gathering and assured to extend utmost cooperation to the Association.

A Combined meeting of Delhi Circle Unit and Horticulture Division No. II Unit was held at Safdarjung Tomb, New Delhi. Shri Kailash Joshi, Member JCM, H.D No. 2 while welcoming the Secretary General and team of delegation assured to reactivate the H.D. No. 2 Unit and extend wholehearted cooperation in running the activities of the Association. Sri B.A. Chandra Shekhar, Secy. General in his address briefed the importance of the Association, the pains and efforts undertaken in strengthening, reviving and reactivating the units throughout the length and breadth of the country since the day from which he had assumed the post. He also highlighted the grant of 6^th CPC approved by the Govt. of India recently. He urged upon the members to work judiciously in the right earnest of the Department. Sri Bhim Sain, Vice-President, H.D. No. 2 in his address appreciated the recent activities undertaken by the Secretary General and his team of CWC Members and assured full cooperation to the Association on behalf of the units of Delhi Circle and H.D. No. 2. The entire members in one voice reposed immense faith and confidence in the present administration of ASA. Sri Rajendra Kumar was unanimously elected as the Unit Secretary of H.D. No. 2. My Special thanks to S/Sri Bhim Sain, Vice-President, Kailash Joshi, JCM Member, Raendra Kumar, Unit Secy, H.D. No. 2 and Kailash Kumar, Unit Secretary, Delhi Circle Unit for arranging the meeting in a grand manner. The Delegation also met S/Sri Mohammed, K.K., S.A., Delhi Circle and N.K. Ahir, Dy.S.H., H.D. No. 2, New Delhi and requested to deduct the subscription of the newly enrolled members of H.D. No. II Unit.

CIRCLE UNIT, GWALIOR : ASA Meeting of Gwalior Unit was held at Gwalior Fort under the leadership of Sri S.K. Rathore, Chairman of Gwalior Unit in which S/Shri S.C. Sharma, President, Secretary General, K.M. Saxena, CWC Councillor took part. The entire members under the leadership of Sri Pothiram and S.C. Bhargav in one voice reposed immense faith and confidence in the present administration of ASA and assured that utmost cooperation will be extended to the Secretary General in taking vital decisions in the interest of the welfare of the members. The General Body Meeting of Gwalior Unit was also convened and Shri K.K. Sharma was unanimously elected as the Unit Secretary. My Hearty congratulations to the newly elected office bearers. A Meeting was held in the Gwalior Museum in which the Members of Gwalior Museum have expressed to form a separate Unit of Museum. The Secretary General while conveying thanks to the team of members agreed to the proposal and requested them to form a separate Museum Unit and procedures to be adopted for forming the Unit and send the same to the Secretary General for according approval.

CIRCLE AND TEMPLE SURVEY PROJECT UNIT, BHOPAL: A combined Meeting of Circle and Temple Survey Project was held at the Conference Hall of Bhopal Circle. While extending a rousing welcome to the Secretary General, the members in one voice have expressed immense faith and confidence as also appreciated the activities undertaken by the present CWC, assured that utmost cooperation will be extended to the Association which is striving hard to improve the service conditions of its members. Sri Abdul Saleem, Addl S.G. narrated in detail the recent activities undertaken by the Secretary General and President in the right earnest of beloved members and requested the members to be united and strengthen the hands of the present CWC. S/Sri Sanjay Angarey, Vijay Sharma, B.P. Verma, Raja Kharosia, Jagadish Prasad and Santhosh Pathak during their address suggested some of the welfare measures to be undertaken by the Association in the right earnest of the Department and members. While appreciating the nomination of Secretary General and President of ASA for the Pay Anomaly Committee on behalf of the Staff Side, Smt Vinsy Joji, L.D.C., explained in detail the grave injustice meted out to the Ministerial Cadre in the 6^th CPC particularly the L.D.C. and U.D.C., stressed the Secretary General to putforth the same before the Pay Anomaly committee to get justice. An Agenda was also submitted to the Secretary General. Secretary General assured that the same will be placed before the committee for a favourable decision in this regard.

CIRCLE, MUSEUM AND HORTICULTURE UNIT OF SANCHI : A Delegation led by Secretary General along with S/Shri Sanjay Angarey, Abdul Saleem, Vijay Sharma, B.P. Verma and Santhosh Pathak visited Sanchi, one of the famous world heritage site. The Delegation were received with a rousing welcome by S/Shri S.K. Verma, C.A. and Sharma, H.A. amidst thunderous applause. Combined Meeting of ASA was held under the Chairmanship of Miss Radha Ballabhee, A.S.A.M., S/Shri Abdul Saleem, B.P. Verma, Sanjay Angarey and Vijay Sharma addressed the gathering and narrated in detail the welfare activities undertaken by the Secretary General in the interest of the members in the recent days and requested the members to extend wholehearted cooperation to the Secretary General to take up much more welfare measures. The joyous members in one voice reposed immense faith and confidence in the Secretary General and assured that wholehearted cooperation will continue to be extended and are ready for any sort of sacrifice in the right interest of the Department and Association as well. Some of the issues particularly the problems arising out of effective implementation of recently Amended AMASR Act 2010 was discussed in detail. Secretary General while conveying heartfelt gratitude to the entire gathering for the warm welcome extended to the entire Delegation and reposing immense confidence and faith in ASA assured that utmost care will be taken by the Association in arranging proper perspective by discussing this matter with the authorities concerned at appropriate levels as also to safeguard the interest of the Official and Monument. Secretary General wholeheartedly congratulated the Staff of Circle and Horticulture Branch for maintaining the famous Stupa and its environs in a presentable manner. Miss Radha Ballabhee in her presidential address suggested some of the important features to be taken by the Association to protect and safeguard the interest of the Staff for effective implementation of the Amended Act. On this occasion, She had stressed the members to work unitedly and strengthen the hands of the Secretary General as also assured to extend all possible support and cooperation to the Association in taking vital decisions for right causes at right times. Shri S.K. Verma, Conservation Assistant, Sanchi was instrumental in arranging the ASA Meeting in a befitting manner. The Delegation went round the Archaeological Museum and happened to see a moderate change of the objects displayed in the Galleries in a presentable manner. The Museum was kept neat and tidy. The concepts and forethoughts of Smt Radha Ballabhee to upgrade the Museum by way of displayed techniques needs to be appreciated. ASA wishes Good Luck in her future Endeavour in developing the Museum to an International standard. The Delegation in the company of Sri S.K. Verma, Conservation Assistant were very much thrilled by the Conservation, preservation and excellent maintenance of Bija Mandal and Udayagiri, Rock cut caves during the visit to the above sites.

II CWC MEETING:

In the 25^th All India Convention held at Mysore on 6^th and 7^th June 2009, the C.W.C. Members of Delhi Circle Unit, Horticulture Division No. 2 Unit, New Delhi have proposed to host the 2^nd Central Working Committee Meeting at New Delhi. Now the members of Delhi Circle Unit and Horticulture Division No. 2 Unit had informed the Secretary General in writing that they are not in a position to host the 2^nd CWC Meeting. Hence, it is requested that, the Unit which are interested to host the 2^nd CWC Meeting may submit their proposal on or before 25^th of June 2010 in writing so as to enable the Secretary General to fix up the date and Venue for the meeting. If no unit submits its proposal to host the 2^nd CWC Meeting, the Meeting will be convened either at Thrissur or Goa as decided by the CWC. Necessary notification will be issued in this regard at the earliest.

MERITORIOUS AWARD-LIST TO BE SENT TO SECRETARY GENERAL

All the members are well aware that ASA had introduced a scheme to give Cash Awards to the meritorious children of our members who have secured highest marks in the II P.U.C./12^th Std. in every CWC Meetings. Accordingly, applications are invited from the members whose children have secured highest percentage during the academic years 2008-09 and 2009-10 furnishing the particulars viz., 1) Name of the Member/Unit of ASA, 2) Name of Student-Son/Daughter, 3) Official Address, 4) Year and Standard Passed, 5) Signature of the Member supported by the Attested copies of the II P.U.C/12^th Std Marks Card.

Further, all the members who have already submitted their Application for the Meritorious Award are also directed to submit fresh Application along with attested copy of the Certificate. The Application should reach the Secretary General latest by 30^th June 2010. The application reaches after the due date will not be considered.

FUTURE VISITS OF SECRETARY GENERAL

The Secretary General along with President and a team of Delegation proposes to visit the units of Dharwad, Goa, Mumbai, Lucknow, Ranchi, Shimla, Chandigarh, Raipur and Guwahati in the coming months to have close interactions with the members, to strengthen and revive the activities of ASA and also to have cordial relationship with the Head of Offices. The itinerary of Secretary General will be sent to the respective Head of Offices and Unit Secretaries well in advance.

SAD DEMISE OF SHRI BIMAL TEWARI, CWC COUNCILLOR, MURSHIDABAD

With regrets, I express my deep concern on the sudden sad demise of Shri Bimal Tewary one of our Most active and senior member working in Hazarduari Palace Museum, Murshidabad. Shri Bimal Tewary had held various position of ASA and was mainly responsible for strengthening ASA Units in Eastern part of India and was an asset to ASA. On behalf of ASA and on my own behalf, I express deep condolence to the bereaved family and pray the almighty to place his soul in eternal peace.