Mamata’s New Year Bonanza for Railways’ Lowest Grade Pay Employees

Mamata’s New Year Bonanza for Railways’ Lowest Grade Pay Employees

The Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee has extended, for the first time, the facility of 3AC travel with family once in a year for the lowest grade pay employees of Indian Railways. These are the employees like Gangman, Khalasi etc. who work day and night to provide train services to our customers throughout the year in the most difficult situations. They will now have facility to travel once in a year with family in 3AC class on Indian Railways.

Mamata Banerjee provided this as a new year bonanza for all Railway employees based on new pay structure under 6th Central Pay Commission already implemented by the Government of India. This move of the Railway will lead to tremendous motivation to all levels of employees particularly those working in lower grades. Railwaymen in lower grade pay (Group ‘D’) were earlier not entitled to travel in AC classes.

This step bridges the gap and has been felicitated by all employees and federations. Revised entitlement of travel on railway passes has also extended AC 2-tier facilities to all Junior Engineers and their equivalent supervisors working in Grade Pay of Rs.4200/-. This new criteria of entitlement has also simultaneously simplified the existing rules for entitlement with only Grade Pay as the sole criterion as against multiple variables like scale of pay, pay and date of appointment which were prevailing earlier.

Source: PIB

Latest Pass News from NFIR

Latest Pass News from NFIR

NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI - 110 055

Affiliated to :
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
Internatinal Transport Worker's Federation (ITF)

MESSAGE

No.II / 50 / 1
I / 15

Dated - 27-12-2010

General Secretaries of Affiliated Unions
of N.F.I.R.

Reg: Privilege Pass - Eligibility
****

As already advised, those who are in the Grade Pay of Rs.4200/- will be made eligible for AC-2 Tier and those in Grade Pay Rs.2800/- will be entitled for AC-3 Tier in Privilege Passes.

Those in Grade Pay Rs.1900/-, Rs.2000/- and Rs.2400/- while proceeding on duty will be eligible for AC-3 Tier travel.

Orders above position was earlier also conveyed and again reiterated for information of staff.

M.Raghavaiah
General Secretary from Railway
Board, PNM Meeting at Rail Bhawan

Source : NFIR

Voluntary Retirement Scheme in Railways

Voluntary Retirement Scheme in Railways

Safety Related Retirement Scheme (SRRS) was introduced in January 2004 exclusively for two frontline safety categories i.e.. Drivers and Gangmen.

The ward of the employee seeking retirement under the scheme is considered for appointment in the respective category subject to fulfillment of eligibility / suitability etc. The existing scheme has been renamed as Liberalized Active Retirement Scheme for Guaranteed Employment for Safety Staff (LARSGESS) and will cover all safety categories including Gangman with grade pay of Rs. 1800/-.

The condition of having minimum 33 years qualifying service has been reduced to minimum 20 years and the eligibility age group from 55-57 years to 50-57 years. However, in the case of Drivers, the condition of qualifying service i.e. 33 years and eligibility age group i.e. 55-57 will remain the same.

The scheme will result in younger workforce and boost morale of staff by way of provision of job to their eligible dependent wards.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri E. Ahamed in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on 12.11.2010.

Clarification regarding Additional Allowance for Railway Employees

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

S.No.PC-VI/234

RBE.No. 159/2010
New Delhi, dated 02.11.2010.

The GMs/CAO(R)
All Indian Railways/Production Units
(As per mailing list)

Subject : Railway Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 - Schedules for Revised Pay Scales of Pay - Clarification regarding Additional Allowance.

*****

Please refer to item 3 of Annexure 'B' of Ministry of Railways letter No.PC-VI/2008/I/RSRP/1 dated 11.09.2008 (S.No.PC-VI/2 & RBE No. 108/2008) circulating schedules of revised pay strcutre for running staff effective from 1.1.2006. Based on the recommendations of the 6th CPC, the concept of Additional Allowance (on which DA is payable) has also been introduced for certain specified categories of running staff as laid down therein. Doubts are being expressed regarding the date of effect of grant of Additional Allowance to the above categories. It is clarified that the Additional Allowance is admissible to the specified categories of running staff alongwith the revised pay structure from the date the concerned employees opt the revised pay structure. Further, except Dearness Allowance, no other benefit is admissible on Additional Allowance.

2. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

s/d
(U.K. Tiwari)
Dy.Deputy, Pay Commission-VI
Railway Board

Railway Minister gives away Cash Awards to Railway Sports Persons who Won Medals in CWG-2010

Railways to Formulate New Policy to Promote Sports –Mamata Railway Minister gives away Cash Awards to Railway Sports Persons who Won Medals in CWG-2010

The Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee felicitated Railway players who won medals for India in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, Delhi 2010 (CWG-2010), here today. She presented them with a shawl, a memento and the cheque of the award amount. Railway sports persons won 25 Medals for India which include 13 Gold medals, 3 Silver Medals and 9 Bronze medals in CWG-2010.

The medal winners were given special Minister’s Award amount and the awards amount of Railway Sports Promotion Board. The Minister’s special awards were

Rs. 10 lakh for Gold Medal winner,

Rs. 6 lakh for Silver Medal winner and

Rs. 4 lakh for Bronze Medal winner.

These awards were in addition to the awards given by Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB). The awards of the RSPB were Rs. 5 lakh for Gold, Rs. 3 lakh for Silver and Rs. 2 lakh for Bronze and a promotion/increment in the Railway service.

In her address to the gathering during the felicitation function, the Railway Minister directed Railway Board to formulate a new Policy which will further promote the cause of sports and games so that Railways is able to produce many more talented sports persons who will bring glory to the nation. She said that the new policy should be formulated in such a way so that it provides sufficient encouragement, incentive, better career prospects and better professional and practical support to Railway players. She said that new policy should include incentives for railway coaches also and the provision for best professional facilities to railway sports persons. The Minister emphasized that Railways will not be found wanting in providing adequate support to its players in all respects.

She said that the Railway Ministry is committed to the promotion of the sports in the country through RSPB and will intensify its efforts so that its players bring medals for India in the next Olympics as well. She said that the Ministry will prepare a plan of action for the next Olympics after identifying ten sports discipline for this purpose. She said that the Railway players will be provided all kinds of facilities right from infrastructure to modern equipment to best coaching so that their performance is improved in all national and international events. She said that the Railway sports players are bringing glory and laurels to the nation and hence it is the duty of the Railways to take care of their genuine needs and demands so that they can concentrate effectively in their respective sports and games.

Referring to the tragic accident which happened last week in which Archery Coach Mr. Lenin who belonged to South Central Railway, was killed, the Railway Minister expressed profound grief over the tragedy and conveyed her deep condolences to the bereaved family. She said that en ex-gratia payment of Rs. 5 lakh will be given to the next of the kin of the deceased and Railway will also like to offer a job to his wife if she is willing to work.

The Minister of State for Railways, Shri E.Ahamed who was especially present on the occasion also congratulated the medal winners of Railways.

On this occasion, Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Vivek Sahai said that the tradition of encouraging sports in the Railways is very old and this will continue. Shri Sahai said that Railway sports persons in the CWG-2010 brought one third of Gold Medals won by India.

Shri V.N.Tripathi, Member Staff, Railway Board, and President of RSPB, outlined the achievements of Railway players in CWG-2010

Present on the occasion, Railway Board Members, sports persons, coaches and other seniors officials of the Ministry of Railways.

The Indian Railways, winner of the first ‘Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar’ instituted by the Government of India, always takes lead in promoting sports in the country. Railways have sixteen Padamshree, three Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, five Dronacharya Sammaan, six Dhyanchand Sammaan and 134 Arjun Puraskar to its credit which have been awarded to its sports persons.

CWG-2010 Medal Winners of Indian Railways

         CWG-2010 Medal Winners of Indian Railways

Name of Players	Events	Medals
Ms. Anisha Sayyed, (Western Railway)	Shooting (25m Pistol Team)	Gold
Ravinder Kumar, (Northern Railway)	Wrestling (60 Kg. Greco Roman)	Gold
Sanjay, (Northern Railway)	Wrestling (74 Kg. Greco Roman)	Gold
Ms. Anisha Sayyed, (Western  Railway)	Shooting (25m Pistol Indv.)	Gold
Ms. Y. Renubala Chanu, (Northeast Frontier  Railway)	Weightlifting (58 Kg.)	Gold
Rajinder Singh, (Western Railway)	Wrestling (55 Kg. Greco Roman)	Gold
Ms. Dola Banerjee PP, (Eastern Railway) Ms. L. Bombayla Devi , (Eastern Railway)	Archery (Recurve Team Event)	Gold
Narsingh Yadav, (Western Railway)	Wrestling (74 Kg. Free Style)	Gold
Sushil Kumar, (Northern Railway)	Wrestling (66 Kg. Free Style)	Gold
Ms. Krishna Punia, (North Western Railway)	Athletics (Discus Throw)	Gold
Ms. Ashwani A.C. (South Western Railway) MS. Sini Jose (Southern Railway)	Athletics (4X400 Relay)	Gold
Manoj Kumar (Northern Railway)	Boxing (64 Kg)	Gold
Pramjit Samota (Eastern Railway)	Boxing (91 Kg.)	Gold
Ashish Kumar, (North Central Railway)	Gymnastics (Voult Exercise)	Silver
Ms. Prajusha, (South Western Railway)	Athletics (Long Jump)	Silver
Joginder, (Northern Railway)	Wrestling (120 Kg. Free Style)	Silver
Dharmendra Dalal, , (Northern Railway)	Wrestling (120 Kg. Greco Roman)	Bronze
Ashish Kumar, (North Central Railway)	Gymnastics (Floor Exercise)	Bronze
Ms. Suma Shirur, (Western Railway)	Air Rifle (Pairs Event)	Bronze
Ms. Dola Banerjee PP, (Eastern Railway)	Archery (Recurve Indiv.)	Bronze
Anil Kumar, (Northern Railway)	Wrestling (55 Kg. Free Style)	Bronze
Ms. S.Geetha (South Central Railway) Ms. Priya P.K (Southern Railway)	Athletics (4X100 Relay)	Bronze
Ranjith Maheshwari (Western Railway)	Athletics (Triple Jump)	Bronze
Amandeep Singh (Northern Railway)	Boxing (49 Kg.)	Bronze
Dilbag Singh (North Western Railway)	Boxing (69 Kg.)	Bronze

Source: PIB

Grant of House Rent Allowance to Railway employees posted to new Zones/new Divisions

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE.No. 155/2010
New Delhi dated 04.10.2010.

No.E(P&A)II-98/HRA-6

The General Managers/CAOs,
All Indian Railways/Production Units etc.
(As per mailing list No.1&2).

Subject:    Grant of House Rent Allowance to Railway employees posted to new Zones/new Divisions - Regarding.

*****

        Attention is invited to the instructions contained in Board's letter of even number dated 9.3.2004 allowing the House Rent Allowance to the railway employees posted to New Zones/Divisions at the rates admissible at their last place of posting during the period from 2.9.2002 to 31.8.2009.

2.    The issue regarding admissibility of benefit of House Rent Allowance at the rate prevalent at the previous place of posting to those railway employees who on their transfer to New Zones/Division keep their families at the previous station of posting in hired accommodation after vacating the Company/Railway leased/Government accommodation which they were occupying and had to vacate subsequent to transfer to New Zones/Division has been under consideration. The matter has been considered and in partial modification to Board's letter of even number dated 9.3.2004, it has been decided that such railway employees would also be entitled to the benefit of House Rent Allwance at the rates applicable to the previous station of posting as per the Scheme subject to fuifillment of other conditions mentioned in Board's letter of even number dated 9.3.2004.

3.    The issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways..

s/d
(Salim Md. Ahmed)
Deputy, Director, Estt.(P&A)III,
Railway Board

Source: AIRF

Railway Board has proposed to introduce the Risk Insurance Scheme instead of Risk Allowance

Railway Board has proposed to introduce the Risk Insurance Scheme instead of Risk Allowance.

All India Railwaymen Federation published a letter received from the Railway Board regarding the Risk Insurance Scheme.

Board has directed a copy of a letter received from GIPSA(General Insurance(Public Sector) Association of India) to two major unions and requested to review the issue of Scheme.

To know more details about this matter...
Download the official letter
Pl. clcik here...

Child Care Leave in respect of female railway employees as a result of SCPC recommendations - Clarification regarding

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

PC-VI No.229
RBE.No. 144/2010 New Delhi dated 04.10.2010.

No.E(P&A)I-2008/CPC/LE-8

The General Managers/CAOs,
All Indian Railways/Production Units etc.

Subject :      Child Care Leave in respect of female railway employees as a result of Sixth Central Pay Commission recommendations - Clarification regarding

*****

       Please refer to Board's letters of even number dated 23.10.2008, 12.12.2008 and 23.4.2010 regarding grant of Child Care Leave (CCL).

2.        In pursuance of the decision taken by the Government, the Ministry of Railways have decided to delete the condition that CCL can be availed only if the employee concerned has no LAP at her credit, subject to the following conditions:-

(i)        CCL may not be granted in more than 3 spells in a calendar year.

(ii)        CCL may not be granted for less than 15 days.

(iii)        CCL should not ordinarily be granted during the probation period except in case of certain extreme situations where the leave sanctioning authority is fully satisfied about the need of Child Care Leave to the probationer. It may also be ensured that the period for which this leave is sanctioned during probation is minimal.

3.        It is reiterated that the CCL is to be treated like LAP and sanctioned as such.

4.        These orders take effect from 1.9.2008. LAP, if any, availed by women employees before availing CCL subsequent to the issue of the Board's letter of even number dated 12.12.2008 may be adjusted against CCL, if so requested by the employee regardless of condition 2(i) and 2(ii) above.

5.        This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

6.        Please acknowledge receipt.

s/d
(Dharam Pal)
Director Pay Estt.(P&A)II,
Railway Board

Courtesy: AIRF

Safety Related Retirement Scheme in Railways - Clarification

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

New Delhi, dated 07.10.2010.

No.E(P&A)I-2010/RT/2

The General Managers,
All Indian Railways,
All Indian Railways.

Sub : Safety Related Retirement Scheme covering safety categories with Grade Pay of Rs.1800/-.

Ref: Board's letter of even number dated 11.09.2010 and 24.09.2010.

**********

AIRF and NFIR raised a doubt that a large number of staff working in Grade Pay of Rs.1800/- would not be eligible to avail the benefit of the above Scheme after financial upgradation under the MACPS.

2. The matter has been considered and it is clarified that for determining the eligibility for seeking retirement under the Liberalized Active Retirement Scheme for Guaranteed Employment for Safety Staff (LARSGESS), Grade Pay corresponding to the post against which the employee is working on regular basis will be taken into account. In the other words, the staff working on the post with Grade Pay of Rs.1800/- will continue to be eligible for seeking retirement under the Scheme even after getting financial upgradation in Grade Pay higher than Rs.1800/- under MACPS.

3. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

4. Kindly acknowledge receipt.

s/d
(Dharam Pal)
Deputy Director Estt. (P&A) II
Railway Board

Courtesy : www.airfindia.com

Rate of Monthly subscription and insurance cover under CGEGIS-1980 for Railway Employees

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE.No. 145/2010
dated 6.10.2010.

S.No.PC-VI/230
No.PC-VI/2010/GIS/I

The General Managers,
All Indian Railways/PUs etc.

Subject : Rate of Monthly subscription and insurance cover under CGEGIS-1980 for erstwhile Group 'D' employees placed in PB-1, Grade Pay Rs.1800/- and classified as Group 'C'.

-----------

Attention is invited to Ministry of Finance's OM No.E7.(5)-EV/89 dated 15-05-1989 updating the Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme-1980 (CGEGIS), circulated vide Board's letter No.PC-III/89/GIS/I dated 19-09-1989.

2. Consequent upon implementation of recommendations of 6th Central Pay Commission as accepted by the Government and issue of revised classification vide Board's letter No. PC-VI/2009/I/RSRP/4 dated 08-01-2010, the issue of rate of recovery of monthly subscription and insurance cover under CGEGIS-1980 for erstwhile Group 'D' employees placed in PB-1, Grade Pay Rs.1800/-, have been under consideration in consultation with Ministry of Finance, the nodal Ministry for this purpose, for some time.

3. It has now been decided that subscription towards CGEGIS and insurance coverage to the erstwhile Group 'D' employees placed in PB-1 with Grade Pay Rs.1800 and classified as Group 'C' vide Board's letter No. PC-VI/2009/I/RSRP/4 dated 08-01-2010 (RBE No.05/2010), may be enhanced @ Rs.30/- per month from 1st January of the next calendar year i.e. January-2011.

4. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry.

5. Kindly acknowledge receipt.
(This disposes of Metro Railway's letter No.MRTS/E.340/VIth PC dt. 28-04-2010)

s/d
(Hari Krishan)
Director Pay Commission II
Railway Board

Source: www.indianrailways.gov.in

Western Railway's first motorwoman

Western Railway's first motorwoman

Mumbai, Oct 12 (PTI) Like lakhs of Mumbaikars, 34-year old Priti Kumari rode a local train today. The only difference was that she piloted it, becoming the first motorwoman of Western Railway (WR) to do so.

Kumari, who hails from Bihar, drove the 2:29 pm local between Churchgate and Borivli and was guided by a chief loco inspector.

An excited Kumari, who underwent on-field training for six months, said she felt happy with the achievement. Kumari, who was one of three to join WR today, began her day by going to the temple.

Sixty-nine candidates started training for the post in August 2009, of which three were inducted today.

Kumari is also the first woman in Indian Railways to gain direct entry to the post. On Central Railway, motorwomen like Surekha Yadav, the first motorwoman in Asia, worked her way up from the post of assistant driver.



Source: PTI

Bonus order for Railway Employees - Para 5 withdrawn - Bonus to be paid as was done last year

PLB-Corrigendum - Para 5 withdrawn - PLB to be paid as was done last year RBE 148-2010

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE.No. 148/2010
New Delhi, dated 8.10.2010.

No.E(P&A)Ii-2010/PLB-4

The General Managers/CAO (R),
All Indian Railways & Production Units etc.
(As per mailing List No.1&2)

Subject : Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus to all eligible non-gazetted Railway employees for the financial year 2009-2010.

******

Attention is invited to Para 5 of Board's letter of even number dated 7.10.2010 on the above subject wherein it has been advised that the admissible amount of PLB in respect of employees who receive their salary in bank accounts be credited to their accounts unless such employees give an option to receive the PLB in cash.

2. On re-consideration, it has now been decided that the advice given in Para 5 of Board's letter ibid may be treated as withdrawn and the payment of PLB to eligible non-gazetted Railway employees (excluding all RPF/RPSF personnel) may be made as was done during last year.

3.This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

s/d
(Chander Parkash)
Joint Director,E(P&A),
Railway Board.

Source: NRMU

Bonus for Railway employees - Payment before the commencement of the puja holidays

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE.No. 147/2010
New Delhi, dated 07.10.2010.

No.E(P&A)II-2010/PLB-4

The General Managers/CAOs,
All Indian Railways/Production Units etc.
(As per mailing List No.1&2)

Subject : Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus to all eligible non-gazetted Railway employees for the financial year 2009-2010.

*****

The President is pleased to sanction Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 77 (Seventy seven) days wages without any ceiling on wages for eligibility for the financial year 2009-10 to all eligible non-gazetted Railway employees (excluding all RPF/RPSF personnel). Where wages exceed Rs.3500/- per month, Productivity Linked Bonus will be calculated as if 'wages' are Rs.3500/-p.m.

2.'Wages' for the purpose of calculating Productivity Linked Bonus shall include 'Basic pay' as defined in the Railway Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 and dearness allowance drawn during the financial year 2009-10. Other conditions of eligibility, method of calculation of wages, etc., as prescribed in this Ministry's instructions and clarifications issued from time to time, shall remain unchanged.

3. It has also been decided that in the case of eligible employees mentioned in Para 1 above who were not placed under suspension, or had not quit service / retired / expired during the financial year 2009-10 or were on leave where leave salary admissible is not less than that admissible on leave on average pay, may be paid an amount of Rs.8860/- towards Productivity Linked Bonus for the financial year 2009-2010. In the case of employees other than those mentioned above, the amount of Productivity Linked Bonus may be calculated in accordance with the extant instructions on the subject.

4. Further, in relaxation to the provisions in Rules 905(2), 908 and 909 of State Railway Provident Fund Rules, as contained in Chapter 9 of R-1/1985 edition (2003 Reprint edition), such of the subscribers to the SRPF as are entitled to Productivity Linked Bonus may, if they so desire, deposit the whole or part of the amount admissible under the Scheme in their respective State Railway Provident Fund Accounts.

5. It is also advised that the admissible amount in respect of employees who receive their salary in bank accounts be credited to their accounts unless such employees give an option to receive the PLB in cash.

6. Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus for the financial year 2009-10 to all ligible non-gazetted Railway employees mentioned in Para 1 above should be made on priority before the commencement of the puja holidays.

7. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

s/d
( Salim Md. Ahmed)
Deputy Director/E(P&A)III,
Railway Board.

No.E(P&A)1I-2010/PLB-4

New Delhi, dated: 07.10.2010.

Hindi version will follow

Source: AIRF

Railway employees will get 77 days Productivity Linked Bonus

News Flash...

Railway employees will get 77 days Productivity Linked Bonus

The Union Cabinet has approved to award 77 days Productivity Linked Bonus to Non-gazetted Railway Employees for the year of 2009-10.

The amount of bonus for 77 days will be Rs.8860.00.

Bonus for Railway Employees for 2009-10

Productivity Linked Bonus to Railway Employees

Productivity Linked Bonus to group ‘C’ and ‘D’ Railway Employees for the year 2009-10 will be 77 days (last year 75 days). It will be around Rs.8860.00.

We are expecting this issue will be sorted out within this week and authentic orders will be published early.

Expected Productivity Liked Bonus for Railways Employees

Expected Productivity Liked Bonus for Railways Employees

AIRF Secretary Mr.Shiva Gopal Mishra has published a letter in his website regarding the issue of PLB for Railway Employees. In this letter he mentioned that Railway employees may get PLB for 77 days this year, which is increased by 2 days than last year. He hopes that the issue will be sorted out soon and orders to this effect will be issued early.

The amount of bonus for 77 days will be Rs.8860.00.

Special Allowance for child care for women with disabilities and Education Allowance for disabled children of Railway employees

RBE No.135/2010
PC-VI No.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

New Delhi, dated 14.09.2010

No.E(W)2008/ED-2-5

The General Manager (P), All Indian Railways/PUs.

Sub : Special Allowance for child care for women with disabilities and Education Allowance for disabled children of Railway employees - recommendations of the VIth Central Pay Commission.

*********

1. In term of Para 2 of Department of Personnel & Training (DOP&T)'s OM No. 12011/04/2008-Estt.(Allowance) dated 11-09-2008, circulated on the Railways vide Board's letter of even number dated 13-10-2008, reimbursement of Education Allowance for disabled children of Railway employees was granted at double the normal rates prescribed i.e. Rs.24,000/- per annum per child.

2. The matter regarding admissibility of double the amount of Hostel Subsidy for disabled children has been under consideration in consultation with DOP&T and it has been decided that the Hostel Subsidy for disabled children of Railway employees shall be payable at double the rates i.e. Rs.6000/- per month per child, subject to the conditions as stipulated in DOP&T OM No. 12011/03/2008-Estt.(Allowance) dated 02.09.2008 circulated on the Railways vide Board's letter No. E(W)2008/ED-2/4 dated 01.10.2008.

3. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.

s/d
(Debasis Mazumdar)
Joint Director Estt.(Welfare)
Railway Board

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Railway employees - Revised rates effective from 01.07.2010

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE.No. 139/2010
New Delhi, dated 22.9.2010.

S.No.PC-VI/227
No.PC-VI/2008/1/7/2/1

The GMs/CAO (R),
All Indian Railways/Production Units
(as per Mailing List)

Subject :    Payment of Dearness Allowance to Railway employees - Revised rates effective from 01.07.2010.

      Please refer to this ministry"s letter to even number dated 26.03.2010 (S.No PC-VI/194, RBE No 45/2010) on the subject mentioned above. The President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Allowance payable to Railway employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 35% to 45% with effect from 1^st July 2010.

2.      The provisions contained in paras 3,4 & 5 of this Ministry"s letter of even number dated 09.09.2008 (S.No. PC -VI/3. RBE No 106/2008) shall continue to be applicable while regulating Dearness Allowance under these orders.

3.      The additional installment of Dearness Allowance payable under these orders shall be paid in cash to all railway employees.The arrears may be charged to the salary bill for September 2010 and no honorarium is payable for preparing separate bill for this purpose.

4.      The issues with the concurrence of the finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

s/d
(Hari Krishan)
Director Pay Commission II
Railway Board

Source: AIRF

NEED FOR COMBINED CADRE RESTRUCTURING OF GROUP A, B AND C ON THE RAILWAYS...

NEED FOR COMBINED CADRE RESTRUCTURING OF GROUP A, B AND C ON THE RAILWAYS IS MACPS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CAREER PLANNING?

Promotion without improved status is like ‘Crumbs without the Soup’

IRTSA has been continuously seeking Career Planning of Technical Supervisors on Railways for the last nearly 45 years – ever since its inception. While some relief was provided over the years through the Cadre Restructuring in 1979, 1984, 1993 and 2003 – when a varying % age of posts were upgraded in different cadres. This did help in reducing the stagnation in lower pay scales, to a certain extent. But neither there was uniformity in the revised %age between various cadres nor did it bear any relativity with the duties and responsibilities or the increase thereof over the years.

But the worst part of it is that the entire exercise was separately done for the various Groups of Posts in Group A, B, C and D – thus taking away the basic thrust for simultaneous Career Planning. As such, IRTSA recently conducted a special Seminar on “Career Planning of Technocrats on Railways” and also submitted Memoranda to the Railway Board on the issue. But while the response of MM was positive on the issue, AMS felt that the MACPS (Modified Assured Career progression Scheme) will provide the requisite Financial Upgrading – ignoring all together that MACPS did not provide for improvement in status & power – which were equally important for effective Management.

There has been no upgrading or Cadre Restructuring of the Apex Grade of Group ‘C’ (Rs.840-1040 / Rs.2375-3500 / Rs.7450-11500) ever on the Railways – (either in 1979, 1984, 1993 or 2003). Consequently there is extreme stagnancy & resultant frustration amongst the incumbents of the Apex Grade ‘C’ – especially amongst the Technical Supervisors on the Railways.

There has been substantial increase in the duties and responsibilities over the years of the Technical Supervisors (JEs, SEs & SSEs) ¬due to modernisation and advancement of technology on the Railways – but this has not been recognised or remunerated in any manner whatsoever – especially in the case of Senior Section Engineers.

Only about 2 to 3% of Technical Supervisors – (entering with Diploma or Degree in Engineering) - reach Group ‘B’ level and only a small fraction thereof reach Group ‘A’ level – due to very meager number of Posts in Group ‘A’, ‘B’ vis-à-vis Group ‘C’ and non-implementation of DOPs orders regarding Classification of Posts – issued after the last 4 Pay Commissions on the Railways. Large majority of Technical Supervisors (with Diploma in Engineering at JE level and with Graduation in Engineering at SE/SSE level) do not get any promotion except in a very few cases and that too at the fag end of their careers. Even after acquiring long years of experience and expertise they remain and mostly retire in the Supervisory cadre itself.

In the new scenario of modern liberalized economy; and the management requirements thereof, it is imperative that Combined “Cadre Restructuring” of posts in Group ‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’ may be considered to upgrade adequate number of Group ‘C’ posts to Group ‘A’, ‘B’ – to fully meet with the job requirements of the posts of Technical Supervisors on Railways. Most of the employees in other cadres get 3 or 4 promotions or even more in their service in Railways - except the JEs & SE/SSEs. It is pertinent that JEs with Diploma in Engineering and one & a half year of training as well as SE/SSEs with Graduate in Engineering and one year of on the job training - are getting stagnated in the Apex Group ‘C‘ scale without any further avenue of promotion except in rare 2 to 3% cases. JEs who enter in the Grade Pay of Rs.4200 get only one promotion to the Grade Pay of Rs.4600. SE/SSE with Graduate in Engineering qualification enter in the Grade Pay of Rs.4600 - remain stagnant in the entry grade itself.

The JEs & SE/SSEs rot at the Grade Pay of Rs.4600 throughout their career since there are very meager number of posts in Group-B.

In the Technical Departments of Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, Signal & Telecommunications and Stores, only 4274 Group-B posts are available for 5,72,191 Group-C employees, i.e. just 0.74% posts are available in Group-B. After abolition & Up-gradation of Group-D to Group–C the availability of Group-B posts will further dip to very meager i.e. just 0.47%.

In spite of higher nature of duties and responsibilities on account of requirements of Safety & modernisation, Railways have the lowest %age of Gazetted posts in Group A & B vis-à-vis Group C & D - in comparison to all other Departments of Central Government (as cited in the highlights of Power Point Presentation – reproduced in this issue).

With the huge investments and fast coming-up of new projects, more number of posts in the Group-A & B are essentially required, so that decision making and accountability can be broadened in the administrative hierarchy.

Sixth Central Pay Commission in its recommendations and thereafter the Government has made the right decision of abolishing the Group-D posts and upgrading them as Group-C. But similar functional and career improvements (made at the bottom level) have not been carried over to the middle tier in the apex Group-C and Group-B.

Large number of Posts have been upgaraded over the years in Group ‘A’ & ‘B’ to ensure the career planning of the Officers in those cadres but no such upgrading had been allowed in case of Apex Scale of Technical Supervisors – to improve their career prospects or in view of the increase in their duties & responsibilities due to modernisation on the Railways.

All these are not only the root cause of frustration amongst the Technical Supervisors on the Railways - these are also an impediment in effective execution of administrative polices & plans due to lack of executive powers of the Technical Supervisors who are the ‘On-the-Spot Managers. This is bound to have an adverse impact on the efficiency and safety on the Railways, as has been mentioned variedly by all the Railway Accident Inquiry Committees and Railway Reforms Committee.

Combined cadre strength of Technical Departments including all posts in Group - ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ on Indian Railways, should therefore be Restructured – so as to be comparable with - if not higher than - the All India Average % age of Group ‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’ of Central Government employees in other Departments – as cited and fully justified elaborately by IRTSA in its Memorandum to the Railway Board.

Source: Voice of Rail Engineers - July-August, 2010 Issue
Courtesy: IRTSA

Fixation of Pay in merged grades for working on ad-hoc basis on ex-cadre posts in Construction Organisations

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINSTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

S.No.PC-VI/225
No. PC-VI/2009/I/RSRP/6

RBE No.133/2010
New Delhi, dated 14.09.2010

The General Managers,
All Indian Railways,
(As per mailing list).

Sub: Fixation of Pay in merged grades for working on ad-hoc basis on ex-cadre posts in Construction Organisations.

      As per Rule (7) of RS(RP) Rules,2008, initial pay of a Railway servant shall be fxed separately (i) in respect of his substantive pay in the permanent post on which the employee holds a lien and (ii) in respect of his pay in the Officiating post held by him.

2.     As per note 5 below Rule 7 of RSRP Rules, 2008, Where a Railway servant is holding a permanent post and is officiating in a higher post on a regular basis and the scales applicable to these two posts are merged into one scale, the pay shall be fixed under this sub-rule with reference to the officiating post only and the pay so fixed shall be treated as substantive pay”.

3.     Clarifications are being sought by the zonal railways regarding fixation of pay of staff working in Construction Organisation on ex-cadre posts on ad-hoc basis in merged grades. The matter has been examined and it is clarified that in the case of staff working in Construction Organisation on ex-cadre posts on ad-hoc basis, their pay in the 6th CPC pay structure is to be fixed separately for cadre post and ex-cadre post as provided in Rule 7(1) of RSRP, 2008. Note 5 below Rule 7 is not applicable in their case.

4.     This issues in consultation with Establishment Directorate and with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

5.     This disposes of CAO (Const. & MTP), Southern Railway’s letter No.P-5241/I/P/CN dated 12.08.2009 and Southern Railway’s letter No.P(R)524 dated 31.0.2009.

(U.K.Tiwari)
Deputy Director Pay Commission-VI
Railway Board.

www.indianrailways.gov.in