Medical Insurance to all Railway Employees - AIRF

 

A.I.R.F.
All India Railwaymen’s Federation

No.AIRF/101

Dated: January 23, 2021

The Chairman- Cum -CEO,
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Medical Insurance to all Railway Employees

Ref.: (i) Railway Board’s letter No.E(W)2020/Misc./ Dashboard-GIS dated 04.08.2020, 27.10.2020 and 30.12.2020
(ii) AIRF’s letter No.AIRF/71 dated 06.08.2020, No.AIRF/101 dated 16.09.2020 and 19.11.2020

Your kind attention is invited towards AIRF’s letter bearing number even dated 19.11.2020, addressed to Director General (Human Resources), Railway Board (photocopy enclosed for kind perusal), whereby this Federation had elaborately explained the facts necessitating in-house system of medical facilities presently available for Serving / Retired Railwaymen and their dependent family members.

As we have already explained, keeping in view the peculiar nature of duties of the Railwaymen, who work under various arduous conditions in all weathers 24X7 throughout the year for keeping the wheels of the Indian Railways moving to ensure the overall development of the country, the existing medical facilities were created for them and their dependent family members.

It would be pertinent to mention here that, even in the Colonial Days, British Rulers had recognized the need for medical facilities for Railwaymen and established many Dispensaries and Hospitals during those days. Even after the Independence, Medical System over the Indian Railways has been expanded to a greater extent to meet the medical requirements of the Railwaymen and their families.

Medical facilities, so available for the Railwaymen, have been achieved by the Organised Labour after sustained struggle and persuasions in the wake of aforementioned peculiar working conditions.

Special Casual Leave to be consider the absence during COVID-19 epidemic lockdown period – AIRF

It is a matter of concern that, Railway Board have not given any cognizance to AIRF’s viewpoint, already communicated to Railway Board vide AIRF’s letter dated 19.11.2020, addressed to D.G.(H.R.), Railway Board, and without consulting Organised Labour, who are representing more than one million Railway Employees and equal number of Retired Railway Employees(total number of beneficiaries being around one crore), Railway Board have been proceeding ahead for Medical Insurance to all the Railway Employees. This arbitrary change in the policy of medical assistance to Railway Employees is bound to create a lot of anguish in the minds of Serving as well as Retired Railway Employees.

AIRF, vide its communications No.AIRF/71 dated 06.08.2020, No.AIRF/101 dated 16.09.2020 and 19.11.2020 has already objected to the Railway Board’s proposal of Medical Insurance to all the Railway Employees, quoting various reasons, but instead of holding a discussion with the Recognised Federations, further information is being sought by the Railway Board from the Zonal Railways and Production Units, vide their letter No.E(W)2020 /Misc./ Dashboard-GIS dated 30.12.2020, with a view to proceed further in the matter.

AIRF is of the firm opinion that, Railway Administration should not compel and force Serving as well as Retired Railway Employees to accept the proposal of Medical Insurance being initiated by the Railway Board.

It would, therefore, be quite appropriate that, such type of exercises, which are bound to create avoidable discontentment and resentment among Serving as well as Retired Railway Employees, should be stalled immediately. We presume that, this exercise is being undertaken to appease some of the Corporates who are dealing in Insurance Business.

Railwaymen are already in endurance because of National Pension System(NPS), therefore, AIRF would not accept any kind of Medical Insurance to Railway Employees on Indian Railways, which would further aggravate the situation.

AIRF sincerely hope that, Railway Board will take it seriously, and stall such type of exercises, in the larger interest of Industrial Harmony, otherwise we will be forced to launch a massive agitation against anti-labour policies of the Railway Board.

This may kindly be treated as “Most Urgent”.

Yours faithfully,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary

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Railway Employees under the Medical Insurance Scheme for obtaining treatment in private hospitals - IRMS

Railway Employees under the Medical Insurance Scheme for obtaining treatment in private hospitals - IRMS

Medical Insurance Scheme for Railway Employees

INDIAN RAILWAYS TECHNICAL SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION
(Estd. 1965, Regd. No.1329, Website http://irtsa.net)

M. Shanmugam,
Central President, IRTSA
# 4, Sixth Street, TVS Nagar, Padi,
Chennai – 600050.
Email-  cpirtsa@yahoo.com
Mob:09443140817

Harchandan Singh,
General Secretary, IRTSA,
C.Hq. 32, Phase 6, Mohali,
Chandigarh-160055.
Email gsirtsa@ yahoo.com
(Ph: 0172-2228306, 9316131598)

No: IRTSA/CHQ/Memo .2020-13

Date: 27.11.2020

DIRECTOR GENERAL (HR)
Railway Board
New Delhi

Sub: PROPOSAL OF MEDICAL INSURANCE SCHEME FOR RAILWAY EMPLOYEES.

Ref: 1) Railway Board letter No.E(W)2020/Misc/ Dashboard- GIS, dated 27.10.2020
2) Railway Board order No.ERB-1I/2020/23/30, dated 20.10.2020.

1) Ministry of Railways constituted a committee to examine and tender their recommendations to bring all Railway Employees under the Medical Insurance Scheme for obtaining treatment in private hospitals. IRTSA submits the following for the kind consideration of Railway Board.

 

2) Indian Railways Medical Service (IRMS) is spread across the length and breadth of the country. IRMS is having 125 hospitals and 586 dispensaries, manned by 33,300 medical staff catering to approximately 66 lakh beneficiaries including 12.27 lakh serving employees. In the year 2018-19 Railway Hospitals treated 2.01 crore OPD patients, 5.08 lakh in-patients and performed 1.02 lakh major and specialty surgeries.

7th CPC Transport Allowance and DA granted for Indian Railway Medical Service (IRMS) officers drawing Grade Pay of Rs.10,000/- under DACP Scheme

3) Railway Hospitals performed pre-placement medical examination for 38,000 candidates and carried out periodical medical examination for 1.14 lakh employees. They also examined 12.51 lakh food and water samples.

4) Indian Railways total medical services expenses for the year 2018-19 including cost of medical staff is Rs. 6888.34 crore. That makes average medical expense per beneficiary as Rs.10,500.

5) No medical insurance company in India handles 66 lakh beneficiaries. Medical Insurance doesn’t cover OPD. Since Railway is catering 2.01 crore OPD patients in a year, it may not be possible to include huge OPD beneficiaries in private managed medical insurance.

6) In existing Railway medical system all medical services like OPD, diagnosing, medicines, Surgeries, in-patient care, major treatment/surgeries carried out in referral private/ CGHS hospitals and follow-up checking are part of employees’ welfare scheme offered to employees and their dependents. It is a part of service condition. For retired employees and their dependents who opted for RELHS on onetime payment, same medical services are extended.

7) In the Railway Medical system, no cost ceiling is fixed for entitlement of any required treatment. On the other hand, medical insurance cover is basically extended to in-patient treatments and for surgeries with a ceiling based on the premium paid.

8) For example, United India Insurance Company Limited offers Rs.10 lakh sum insured at premium rate per member Rs.12,386 in age group 41-45. If all 66 lakh Railway beneficiaries are covered under above premium Rs.8370.78 crore will be paid as total premium. Whereas total medical expense of Indian Railways for the year 2018-19 is Rs. 6888.34 crore which is for diverse services given in the Annexure.

9) In the same time there is a need for addition of more private empanelled hospitals in Indian Railways Medical Services with seamless cashless treatment, since large number of serving and retired health care beneficiaries live in the newly developed suburbs of various cities throughout India. It is pertinent to note that in case of emergency, beneficiaries first require to approach Railway Hospital, then they are referred to private hospitals and in many cases precious golden hours are lost in mere formalities endangering the life.

10) Beneficiaries living in faraway places from Railway Hospitals also find it difficult to get their regular treatments and minor treatments occasionally, since they are required to travel long distance to reach Railway Hospitals. These beneficiaries will be benefited if cashless treatment is extended to them in the hospitals available near their living place.

11) Hence it is requested that,

a. Existing Indian Railways Medical Service facilities may please be continued.

b. The proposal for Medical Insurance Scheme for Railway employees / Pensioners and their depended may please be made as additionally facility to the beneficiaries to get their regular treatments including OPD & IPD in empaneled private hospitals, premium thereof may please be borne by Railways.

Thanking You

Yours faithfully,
(Harchandan Singh),
General Secretary, IRTSA

Annexure

List of diverse services performed by Indian Railways Medical Service (IRMS)

1) Attending Railway accidents and similar incidents;
2) Emergency medical treatment for sick passengers;
3) Pre-employment medical examination for prospective employees;
4) Periodical medical examination for employees;
5) Medical boards and other medical certification for employees;
6) Safe water supply at Railway stations;
7) Safe food supply at Railway stations;
8) Running medical first-aid posts for IR factories under the Factories Act;
9) Certification of dead bodies;
10) Certification of perishable goods;
11) Curative healthcare; and
12) Preventive healthcare.

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Special Casual Leave to be consider the absence during COVID-19 epidemic lockdown period – AIRF

Special Casual Leave to be consider the absence during COVID-19 epidemic lockdown period – AIRF

 

No.AIRF/561 Dated: October 12, 2020

The D.G.(H.R.),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Regularization of absence during COVID-19 epidemic lockdown period

Ref.: Railway Board’s letters No.(EG) 2020/LE 2/1 dated 06.08.2020 and 03.09.2020

We are thankful to Railway Board for issuing instructions in the matter of treatment of absence during COVID-19 epidemic lockdown.

Many of the employees have had to remain away from their work, subsequent to the lockdown, whose absence is pending regularization. Many of the employees were forced to remain under quarantine due to various situations, which can be classified broadly as follows:-

(i) An employee was asked to remain in quarantine on return from outstation duty.
(ii) An employee remained in quarantine due to Central/ State Government instructions.
(iii) An employee was advised by Railway Medical Authority to remain in quarantine.
(iv) An employee who chose to remain in quarantine as a precaution.
(v) An employee who worked from home due to co-morbidity or underlying medical conditions as per Central/ State Government instructions.
(vi) An employee stayed at home as a precautionary measure and later found to be COVID-19 positive.

Also check: Ministry of Railways approves 196 pairs of Festival Special Trains 2020 services

It is, therefore, requested that, necessary instructions for treating absence of an employee during aforementioned situations, as “Special Casual Leave”, may kindly be issued at the earliest. Orders issued for maximum 30 days “Special Casual Leave” should also be cancelled as these being granted in special circumstances of COVID-19 epidemic where lockdown had been for more than four months and all sorts of transport had not been under operation.

Also read: Treating the COVID-19 absence period as Special Casual Leave

Comradely yours,
Shiva Gopal Mishra
General Secretary

Source: AIRF

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7CPC - Reduction in the amount of NDA in 7th CPC as compared to 6th CPC and imposition of pay ceiling at Rs. 43,600/- p.m. for entitlement of NDA

 

Reduction in the amount of 7th CPC Night Duty Allowance as compared to 6th CPC and imposition of pay ceiling at Rs. 43,600/- for entitlement of NDA

Dated: 07/10/2020

No.I/5(E)

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Reduction in the amount of NDA in 7th CPC as compared to 6th CPC and imposition of pay ceiling at Rs. 43,600/- p.m. for entitlement of NDA -reg

Ref: (i) NFIR’s PNM item No.35/2018.
(ii) NFIR’s letters No.I/5(E) dated 30th July, 2018, 7th December, 2018 and 18th March,2019.
(iii) Railway Board’s reply vide No.E(P&A)II-2017/HW-1 dated June,2020 to NFIR.
(iv) NFIR’s letter No. I/5(E) dated 24/07/2020 addressed to Railway Board.
(v) Railway Board’s letter No. E(P&A)II-2017/HW-1 dated 29/09/2020 (RBE No.83/020).

Responding to Railway Board’s reply vide letter No. E(P&A)II-2017/HW-1 dated June 2020 to the GS/NFIR, Federation vide its letter dated 27/07/2020, requested the Railway Board to provide a copy of the proposal sent to Department of Expenditure (DoE) for taking further action at Government’s level. It is however observed that copy has not been made available till now, while the Railway Board vide RBE No. 83/2020 dated 29/09/2020 since issued instructions revising the rates of Night Duty Allowance (NDA), fixing unjustified pay ceiling at Rs. 43,600/-per month for entitlement of Night Duty Allowance to be applicable with effect from 01/07/2017. The said decision of the Railway Ministry prescribing pay ceiling of Rs. 43,600/- per month has resulted in deprival of Night Duty Allowance to large number of Railway employees, therefore unacceptable to the Federation in view of the following:-

Also check: 7th CPC Night Duty Allowance – Payment of (NDA) pursuant to the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission

• All Group ‘C’ Railway employees (working in GP 1800 to 4600, PB-1 & 2) are eligible to receive Night Duty Allowance (NDA) as could be verified vide Board’s letters dated 09/06/2016, 14/12/2016, 17/11/2017 & 08/03/2018. These provisions are also applicable to the Group ‘C’ Railway employees in GP 4600 and also those who got financial upgradation under MACPS in GP 4800 & 5400 respectively.
• It is relevant to note that since 6th CPC pay of the Railway employees has been fixed in 7th CPC pay levels applying multiplication factor of 2.57, similar criteria should have been applied for fixing rates of Night Duty Allowance without imposing any ceiling limit.
• With the issuance of Railway Board’s instructions vide dated 29/09/2020, prescribing pay ceiling of Rs. 43,600/-, the Railway employees working even in GP 1900, 2000, 2400/Pay Level 2, 3, 4 and above have been deprived of Night Duty Allowance, although they ‘continued to perform night duty for smooth running of train services at all times.
• The decision of Railway Board vide letter dated 29-09-2020 prescribing pay ceiling of Rs.43,600/- p.m w.e.f. July 1, 2017 would also cause financial hardship to the staff who have already been paid Night Duty Allowance at the rates prevailed till date as it may lead to recovery of the NDA already paid. This situation may lead to resentment and agony among Group ‘C’ employees of all pay levels. The Railway Ministry should take initiative and place the case before DoP&T, highlighting the uniqueness and complex working to review and allow Railway to sort out the matter in consultation with the Federations.

2. Federation also desires to re-iterate again that the issue relating to grant of Night Duty Allowance to Railway Employees w.e.f. 01-07-2016 and 01-01-2017 consequent to increase in the Dearness Allowance rates from 125% to 132% raised vide NFIR’s PNM Agenda Item No.35/2018 and discussed already has not yet been resolved, therefore the same needs to be addressed now.

NFIR, therefore, once again requests to Railway Board to kindly review and see that all the points relating to grant of Night Duty Allowance to Railway employees mentioned above and also in PNM Agenda No.15/2018 are addressed and the correspondence exchanged with the DoE be also made available to the Federation. An early action in the matter is solicited.

Also check: Implementation of Government decision on 7th CPC’s recommendations on Night Duty Allowance (NDA)

Yours faithfully,

(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

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Revision of 7th CPC Grade Pay Level of the category of Railway Ticket Collector apprentices and trainees on Railways – Railway Board

Revision of 7th CPC Grade Pay Level of the category of Railway Ticket Collector apprentices and trainees on Railways – Railway Board

7th CPC Grade Pay Level Ticket Collector

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA / भारत सरकार
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS / रेल मंत्रालय
(Railway Board)

RBE No 80/2020

S.No. PC-VII /157
No. PC-V. 2016 PST (Stipend)

New Delhi, dated 16-9-2020

The General Managers
All Indian Railways and Pls
(As per mailing list)

Sub: Revision of rates of stipend to apprentices and trainees on Railways.

Consequent upon revision of Grade Pay Pay Level of the category of Ticket Collector from GP 1900 to GP-2000 Pay Level-3 vide Railway Board’s letter dated 02-8-2016, one of the Federations (AIRF) raised the issue of revision of rates of stipend to Ticket Collector Ticket Examiner. The matter has been considered and it has been decided to revise the rates of stipend of the category of Ticket Collector at S.No. 41. of the Schedule of Board’s letters of even number dated 02.02.2017 and 1 1-9-2018 as under:

S. No.	Category	Training period	Grade Pay in VI CPC Pay Structure (Rs.)	Corresponding Revised Pay Level in the 7th CPC Pay Matrix	Revised rates of stipend in the corresponding Pay Level (Rs.)
41.	Ticket Collector (erstwhile Ticket Examiner)	26 days	2000	3	21700

Railway 7th CPC Pay Matrix

2. The above revised rate of stipend is applicable with effect from 01.08.2016.

Also check : 7th CPC DA Arrears Ready Reckoner Tables for Level-3

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

(Sudha A.Kujur)
Deputy Director/ Pay Commission
Railway Board

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Regularization of absence period of officers / staff due to lockdown w.e.f. 25th march 2020

Regularization of absence period of officers / staff due to lockdown w.e.f. 25th march 2020

Officers / Staffs who have not been able to resume duties following the completion of the approved leave period due to the suspension of Train Road Communication during the lockout period shall be treated as Special Casual Leave.

EAST COAST RAILWAY
Office of the Principal Chief Personnel Officer
Rail Sadan, Mad Floor, Bhubancswar-781017

No. ECoR/ Pers/ COVID-19 /Bills

Date: 07.04.2020

All PHODsCHODs
DRM/ECoR- SBP/AVAT/KUR
CAO 'Con/ BBS, CWM'CRW/MCS
All Concerned
East Coast Railway

Sub: Regularization of absence period of officers / staff due to lockdown w.e.f. 25.03.2020.

In view of complete lockdown of 21 days announced by Govt. of India, effective all over India w.e.f. 25.03.2020 on account of spread of pandemic COVID-19, a number of officers / staff of this Railway who proceeded on sanctioned leave/ HQ leave/ Duty may not have been able to return to their respective place of duty owing to interruption of train service and road communication etc.

1. Therefore. in terms of Para 7.9 of Master Circular No. 10 of Railway Board, following instructions are issued for guidance:

TYPES OF LEAVE ADMISSIBLE: Leave Rules - CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972

• Officers staff who could not assume duty after completion of sanctioned leave period, due to suspension of Train Road Communication during the lockdown period, their over-stay is to be treated as Special Casual Leave. Similarly,in case of staff who were on HQ Leave permission as on 25.03.2020, their absence from HQ during lockdown period may be treated as Special Casual Leave.
• Staff who proceeded on duty prior ta 25.3.2020 bur could not return to their respective HQs, due to suspension of Train Road communication during the lockdown period, such forced halts period to be treated as on-duty.

2. Officer Staff who arc above 50 years of age and having underlying conditions i.e. Diabetes, Respiratory problem, Renal Diseases and other life-threatening illness may be granted Commuted leave without insisting on RMC for a period up to 4th April vide Railway Board’s Lr.No. E (P&ADI- 2020 /CPC/LE-3 dated 23.03.2020.

3. Officer staff who have been advised for quarantine by the competent authority, their salary may be drawn for the period. However, regularization of the said period will be decided later in due course.

4. Keeping in view the present scenario, the following guidelines / instructions are to be followed by all Bill compiling officers / staff of this Railway :

Check this : 7th Pay Commission Leave Rules

• Salary / Stipend for April. 2020 may be drawn for off existing regular Employees / Apprentices Trainees irrespective of their presence / absence on duty during the lockdown period, except those who are unouthorisedly absent from their duties since long (unauthorized absence prior to 25.03.2020). Over-payment found, if any, will be adjusted in the regular salary of May. 2020 or later.
• List of such employees who were on sanctioned leaves/ on duty/ home quarantined / under Quarantine should be prepared by respective Bill sections Unit in charges and should be sent through the Master Roll and also brought to the notice of respective controlling officers.

This order is provisional and subject to further order guidelines of Railway Board that may be issued in this regard.

This has approval of PCPO.

(R.N.A. Parida)
Chairman / RRC-cum- Dy. CPO/ IR&W
For Principal Chief Personnel Officer

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Covid-19 (Corona Virus) Cases - Precautionary measures needed

Registration No. : RTU/Nnn/31/2012

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

No. II/34/2020

Date: 05.03.2020

The Chairman,
Railway Board,
New Delhi.

Dear Sir,

Sub: Covid-19 (Corona Virus) Cases - Precautionary measures needed - Reg

I) In view of announcement of confirmed Corona Cases officially in different places in our country, the railway employees and their families are worried a lot about their safety. The running staff and other frontline categories staff with public interface are more vulnerable under the present circumstances. In the case of running staff, they have to mandatorily go through the Breath Analyser Test, by which, there are chances of quick spread of Corona Virus. If such unfortunate development takes place, the entire running staff will be affected adversely which may lead to disruption of train services on all zonal railways.

In view of the above critical scenario, NFIR requests the Railway Board (CRE) to consider that the staff who are supposed to undergo the Breath Analyser Test are not forced to take the test till such time Corona Virus is brought under control in India. While suspending Breath Analyser Test, the administration may make alternative mechanism for conducting checks.

Also check: Exemption to employees to mark biometric attendance in Aadhar Based Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS)

II) The staff working in different public interface categories like commercial, operating etc., and also in the field are required to be provided masks to enable them wear while on duty and perform duties with self-confidence. Besides face masks, it may also be ensured to supply alcoholic soap/hand sanitizers at work-places to facilitate the staff to wash their hands very frequently.

III) The present system of Bio-metric Attendance would lead to spreading of virus from one person to another, in view of touching the machine to give attendance by large number of employees. In view of the risk involved, many Corporate Institutions have already suspended the system of Biometric Attendance to its employees. Similar action is also warranted in all the Railway Establishments/Workshops etc., till the period, the Corona Virus is fully controlled.
The Federation (NFIR), therefore, requests the Chairman, Railway Board to kindly arrange to issue instructions to the General Managers of Zonal Railways/Production Units for:

• deferring Breath Analyser Tests on Running Staff
• supplying face masks, hand sanitizers / alcoholic soaps at work places and;
• suspending the Bio-Metric Attendance System in all all the Railway Establishments / Workshops etc., immediately.

You may like: Latest clarification on MACP scheme – Financial upgradation, to Junior Cashier promoted from the post of Senior Shroff / JAA / Senior clerk

Yours faithfully,

(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

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Coverage under Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993, in place of National Pension System, of those Railway employees

NPS

RBE No. 28/2020

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. D-43/12/2018-F(E)III

New Delhi, Dated : 03.03.2020

The GMs/ Principal Financial Advisors,
All Zonal Railways/ Production Units,
(As per mailing list)

Subject: Coverage under Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993, in place of National Pension System, of those Railway employees whose selection for appointment was finalized before 01.01.2004 but who joined Railway service on or after 01.01.2004.

Also check: Good news for NPS employees

A copy of Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DOP&PW’s) O.M. No. 57/04/2019-P&PW(B) dated 171 h February, 2020 is enclosed herewith for compliance and guidance. These instructions shall apply mutatis mutandis on the Railways also. Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 correspond to the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993. The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance’s Notification No. 5n/2003-ECB &PR dated 22.12.2003, mentioned in the DOP&PW’s O.M. dated 17.02.2020, has been circulated on Railways vide this office’s letter No. F(E)III/2003/PN 1/24 dated 31.12.2003.

Also check: Progress of National Pension System by Railway Board Minutes of meetings

Similar to the amendments made in the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 and other connected rules, as mentioned in para 1 of the DOP&PW’s O.M. dated 17.02.2020, the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993 and other connected rules were also amended vide Notification No. F(E)III/ 2003/PN1/38 dated 30.12.2003.

NPS: Additional benefit on death/disability of Government servant covered by NPS

Further, separate instructions with respect to para 9 of the DOP&PW’s O.M. dated 17.02.2020 will be issued by the Accounts Directorate for accountal of the corpus available in the NPS account of the railway servant.

D.A.: as above

(G. Priya Sudarsani)
Director, Finance (Estt.)

Railway Board

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Classification of Cities for HRA as per 7th CPC - X Y Z Classification of Cities for HRA 2020

Classification of Cities for HRA as per 7th CPC - X Y Z Classification of Cities for HRA 2020

No. 2/4/2018-E.II(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

Dated, the 25 February, 2020
North Block, New Delhi

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Re-classification of Mathura-Vrindavan Municipal Corporation as 'Y' class city for the purpose of grant of House Rent Allowance (HRA) - regarding.

The undersigned is directed to invite. attention to this Ministry’s O.M. No.2/5/2014-E.II(B) dated 21.07.2015 regarding re-classification /upgradation of cities on the basis of the population figures of 2011 census for the purpose of House Rent Allowance to the Central Government employees and to say that consequent upon combining of Municipal Council of Mathura and Municipal Council of Vrindavan and constitution of Mathura - Vrindavan Municipal Corporation vide Notification No.1799/9-7-17- 8(Seema Vistar)/ 2016 dated 12.05.2017 of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, resulted in increase In population and hence, Mathura- Vrindavan Municipal Corporation qualifies for classification as ‘Y’ class city/ town for the purpose of grant of House Rent Allowance to the Central Government employees.

2. It has been decided that Mathura-Vrindavan Municipal Corporation shall stand classified as ‘Y’ class city/town for the purpose of grant of House Rent Allowance to the Central Government employees posted there,

3. These orders shall be effective from 1st March, 2020.

7TH PAY COMMISSION House Rent Allowance (HRA)

4. The orders will apply to all civilian employees of the Central Government. The orders will also be applicable to the civilian employees paid from the Defence Services Estimates. In respect of Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees, separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Railways, respectively.

5. In so far as the persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued after consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India, as mandated under Article 148(5) of the Constitution.

(Nirmala Dev)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Classification of Cities in Uttar Pradesh

Already listed cities classified as Y

• Moradabad (M.Corpn.)
• Meerut (UA)
• Ghaziabad* (UA)
• Aligarh (UA)
• Agra (UA)
• Bareilly (UA)
• Lucknow (UA)
• Kanpur (UA)
• Allahabad (UA)
• Gorakhpur (UA)
• Varanasi (UA)
• Saharanpur (M.Corpn.)
• Nodia* (CT)
• Firozabad (NPP)
• Jhansi (UA)

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Reckoning of Charge Allowance for the purpose of revision of Pension of Pre-2016 retirees in terms of 7th CPC

Reckoning of Charge Allowance for the purpose of revision of Pension of Pre-2016 retirees in terms of 7th CPC

7th CPC

Charge Allowance may have been paid w.e.f. 01.01.2016 to 30.06.2017 at old rates which was admissible before 2016, the same may be reckoned for calculation of retirement benefits of employees who retired between the periods from 01.01.2016 to 30.06.2017

PC-VII No.148/2020
RBE No.14 /2020

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. D-43/15/2019-F(E)III

New Delhi, dated: 30.01.2020.

The General Managers / Principal Financial Advisors,
ll Zonal Railways / Production Units.

Sub : Reckoning of Charge Allowance for the purpose of revision of Pension of Pre-2016 retirees in terms of 7th CPC recommendations - reg.

Consequent upon the recommendations of 7th CPC, instructions were issued vide Board’s letters No.2016/F(E)III/1(1)/7 dated 10.08.2016 and 22.05.2017, regarding revision of pension / family pension of pre-2016 pensioners / family pensioners. A number of references have been received in this office for reckoning of Charge Allowance for the purpose of notional fixation of pay and accordingly revision of pension w.e.f. 01.01.2016.

2. The true nature of charge allowance was earlier considered by the Board and it was decided that the charge allowance, which is actually in the nature of pay restricted under FR-35. should be reckoned as 'Pay' as defined in Rule 1303(FR-9)(21) (a)(i) R-II/6th Edition and as such, it would count as pay for the purposes of pension. gratuity etc. as well as for leave encashment. Accordingly, instructions were issued vide letter No. F(E)III/94/PN1/26 dated 23.06.1995.

3. The issue has again been examined in Board keeping in view the earlier decision on charge allowance cited in para 2 above and it has been decided as follows:-

• Since. Board had already decided to treat the charge allowance as pay restricted under FR-35 and to reckon it as emoluments for pensionary benefits vide letter dated 23.06.1995, the charge allowance may be taken into account for notional fixation of pay for the purpose of revision of pension / family pension of pre-2016 retirees w.e.f. 01.01.2016 in terms of first formulation as conveyed by Board’s letter No. 2016/F(E)III /1(1)/7 dated 22.05.2017.
• Pay fixed in terms of Board’s letter No. PC-VII/2017/ 1/7/5/8 dated 08.08.2019 w.e f. 01.07.2017 may also be treated as emoluments in terms of Rule 49 of the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993 for the purpose of fixation of pension.
• Since, Charge Allowance may have been paid w.e.f. 01.01.2016 to 30.06.2017 at old rates which was admissible before 2016, the same may be reckoned for calculation of retirement benefits of employees who retired between the periods from 01.01.2016 to 30.06.2017.

4. Please acknowledge receipt.

(G. Priya Sudarsani)
Director, Finance (Estt.),
Railway Board.

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Aadhaar enabled Biometric Attendance System for Railway Employees

Aadhaar enabled Biometric Attendance System for Railway Employees

AIRF

All India Railwaymen’s Federation

No.AIRF /24(C)

Dated: January 10, 2020

The Member Staff,
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Aadhaar enabled Biometric Attendance System for Railway Staff

Aadhaar-enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) was introduced in the Railways vide Office Order No.08 of 2014 dated 01.12.2014 of the Railway Board.

In the year 2016, Ministry of Law and Justice got Aadhaar Act, 2016, enacted in the Parliament, which was notified on March 26, 2016. Aadhaar Act, 2016 clearly states that identity of an individual through Aadhaar can only be established in case of receipt of subsidy and other benefit of services which are being provided by the Government. Meanwhile Hon’ble Supreme Court in its landmark judgement on Aadhaar Act, 2016, delivered on 26th September, 2018, has categorically struck down Section 57 of Aadhaar Act, 2016, which says that, “Nothing in the Act shall prevent the use of Aadhaar for establishing the identity of an individual for any purpose whether by the state or anybody, corporate or person”. In view of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 and Hon’ble Supreme Court’s judgement, the following points are highlighted:-

• AEBAS was introduced in the year 2014 in the Indian Railways and the system has not been revised after implementation of Aadhaar Act, 2016 and the judgement of Hon’ble Supreme Court thereafter in September 26, 2018.
• Section 8(2) of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 made it mandatory to obtain the consent of an individual before collecting his identity information for the purposes of authentication. In this connection, it is to be pointed out that, getting consent of the employee for Biometric Attendance, as per Aadhaar Act, 2016, is totally against the Act, which says that, authentication, as per Aadhaar Act, 2016, is only for welfare scheme.
• An additional step has been introduced in the Biometric Machines which seeks consent of the Railway Employees and demographic locations before Biometric Attendance is marked, making marking of attendance cumbersome and the employees are made to wait in long queues to mark their attendance on Biometric Machines.
• Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 says that, “Nothing contained in this Act shall prevent the use of Aadhaar number for establishing the identity of an individual for any purpose, whether by the State or anybody Corporate or Person, pursuant to any law for the time, being in force or any contract to this effect. As per Aadhaar Act, this is the only section where anybody, Corporate or Person can use Biometric for authentication, but Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 has been declared void and unconstitutional by Hon’ble Supreme Court in its judgement in September 2018.
• Since Biometric Machines belong to the Third Party, and having software developed and modified by the manufacturer and these machines are connected with the internet, thus make data vulnerable for misuse. Consent of the Railway Employees to use their Aadhaar Number and Biometrics on Third Party’s entity for attendance has put personal data (Biometric and Aadhar Number) of Railway Employees at severe risk in the hands of hackers, who can peep into various Aadhaar linker services of an individual, such as Bank Accounts, Income Tax details and other welfare services linked with the Aadhaar Card.

“Classic example of leakage of Aadhaar linked data has been witnessed in the case of Shri R.S. Sharma (TRAI Chairman and Former Director General of UIDAI (Aadhaar) by the country, in whose case leakage of Aadhar Number made hackers to sneak into 14 services being used by him, that include his Bank Accounts, PAN details and other details, including his family members”.

Also check: Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System for Railway employees - Railway Board Orders

Taking consent from the Railway Employees before usage of Biometric and Aadhar Number, as per Aadhaar Act, 2016, virtually means that, Railways will not take any responsibility if Aadhar or Biometrics of the Railway Employees are misused or in case of fraudulent transaction happens with Aadhaar linked Bank Accounts.

It is evident that, use of Biometric Attendance System in the Railways, to authenticate an individual for attendance, as per Aadhaar Act, 2016, is totally unconstitutional and violates Aadhaar Act, 2016, against the judgement of Hon’ble Supreme Court and blatant attack on the privacy of the Railway Employees.

AIRF, therefore, is of the considered opinion that the above-mentioned issues be given thorough consideration and remedial action taken urgently.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary

Copy to: General Secretaries, all affiliated unions - for information.

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Relief of the railway employees in the event of a transfer request

Railway transfer request

Relief of the railway employees in the event of a transfer request

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

RB.No: 203/2019

No.E(NG)I/2019 /PM2/ 18CC

New Delhi, dated November 26-11-2019

The General Managers
All Zonal Railways & Production Units.
(as per srandard mailing list)

Sub: Relieving of Railway employees in time after order of transfer in cases of request transfer.

As the Railway administrations are aware, instructions already exist which provide that in cases of request transfer, the requests should be dealt with in an organized and expeditious manner so that there is no occasion for any grievance in the mind of the staff in regard to the handling of their request.

It has been observed that despite the existence of such instruction, due to administrative exigencies,it sometimes becomes difficult to relieve the transferred employee a within a reasonable time, which results in loss of seniority to the employee in his new place of posting. The loss is even greater when he goes to posts one grade below, and new recruits from subsequent batches join before him.

Also check: Comprehensive Transfer Policy – Exemption from 5 years service condition – Indian Railways – NFIR

The loss in seniority in such cases resulting from delayed relieving of the emproyee often leads to litigation, and structures passed by Hon’able Courts.

In one such case recently, the Hon’ble CAT/Chennai in OAs, No.751/2019 and other similar OAs, vide their common order dated 05.07.2019, inter-alia observed as under:

Since it is submitted by the applicants that IREC is silent on the above issue and accordingly there is a void in this regard in the policy, we deem it appropriate to direct the first respondent to consider the concerned raised in the OAs as a policy issue and take an appropriate decision on whether and if so, how the interests of such transferred employees should be protected in regard to their seniority at-least from the date from which they where approved for IRT, if they could not be relieved soon thereafter in public interest. Such policy decision may be taken and orders issued within a period of six month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.”

The matter has accordingly been considered in the Board. while it may not be desirable / feasible to assign seniority to transferred employee of approval of in the new unit from the date of approval of the transfer, when the employees is still actually working in the parent unit, every effort should be made to relieve her/him at an early date. Where delay in relieving of the employees after orders are issued exceeds is likely to exceed 3 months, the case should be put up by Sr.DPO/ WPO to DRM/ CWM as the case may be giving specific reasons for the delay and likely date of relief.

Please acknowledge receipt.

(D.Joseph)

Railway Board

Source: NFIR

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Comprehensive Transfer Policy – Exemption from 5 years service condition – Indian Railways – NFIR

Comprehensive Transfer Policy – Exemption from 5 years service condition – Indian Railways – NFIR

NFIR

No.II/4/2018-I

Dated: 07/11/2019

The Chairman,
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir.

Sub: Comprehensive transfer policy – exemption from 5 years service condition-reg.

Ref: (i) NFIR’s PNM Item No. 18/2016.
(ii) Railway Board’s letter No. E(NG)I-2005/TR/20 dated 10/02/2017.
(iii) NFIR’s letter No. II/14/Part VII dated 21st Feb,2017, 23/02/2017 and 12/04/2017.
(iv) NFIR’s letter No. II/4/Part VII dated 15/05/2017 & 04/12/2017.
(v) Railway Board’s letter No. E(NG)I-2015/TR/20 dated 17/01/2018.
(vi) NFIR’s letter No. II/14/Part VII dated 30/01/2018,
(vii) NFIR’s letter No. II/14/2018 dated 23/07/2018.
(viii) NFIR’s letter No. II/14/2018-I dated 22/07/2019 & 25/03/2019.

Federation brings to the kind notice of the Railway Board (CRB) that NFIR’s PNM Agenda Item No. 18/2016 relating to relaxation of service condition of minimum five years service in the case of re-employed Defence Forces Personnel seeking inter Railway transfer on request has been pending since the last three years. During NFIR’s PNM meeting held with the Railway Board on 25/26-04-2019, the Official Side conveyed through Action Taken Statement as under:-

Also check: Comprehensive transfer policy – exemption from 5 years service condition

“The matter is presently under consideration. Feedback has been called for, from all the Zonal Railways. Responses from some of them are still awaited.”

Federation feels sad to state that though a period of over six months passed, progress made into the matter is yet to be conveyed.

In this connection, Federation also brings to the notice of the Board (CRB) that the NFIR General Secretary held discussions at the level of CRB more than once (last discussions held on 22/11/2018), when the CRB gave assurance that the relaxation has been processed and the final orders would be issued very shortly, but unfortunately relaxation decision has not been issued so far.

May I once again seek the intervention of CRB to kindly see that order issued granted relaxation to five years service condition in favour of former Defence Personnel re-employed in Railways, facilitating their inter Railway transfer requests soon.

Yours faithfully,

(Dr. M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary

Source: NFIR

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NFIR President raised following issues in Railway Board Meeting 2019

NFIR President raised following issues in Railway Board Meeting 2019

Every Railwayman should work to curb avoidable expenses, he said and raised following issues for taking speedy action:

Also read: Highlights of PNM Meeting Dr. M. Raghavaiah, General Secretary / NFIR

• The allowances to all the staff was paid from 1st of July 2016 but the KMA and other related allowances to running staff have not been decided. Such delay is a cause of Railwaymen blaming the Federation and gives room for staff agitations. This type of situation cannot do well to the institution. The Railway Board should seriously think and resolve the issues quickly.
• Railway Board constituted a Task Force Safety Committee consisting of five very senior officers (General Managers), the Committee gave recommendations on 10th January 2017 wherein it has been mentioned that the running staff who join duty after leave at 0:00 hours and worked train immediately after resumption, commit accidents. Therefore, the Committee recommended that the running staff should not be booked to work train before 8 ‘o’ clock in the morning when they resume duty after availing leave.
  Unfortunately recommendations of the Committee are not being followed and the running staffs are booked invariably to work first train after 0:00 hours on resumption from leave. He urged the Member Staff to see that suitable instructions are issued to the Zonal Railways to follow the recommendations of the Committee to avoid situations which may cause accidents.
• The Railway Board issued orders in the year 2004, as a result of decision arrived at, in the DC/JCM meeting, but unfortunately this decision has been changed unilaterally in the year 2007 by the Board. This change has created adverse situation like denial in granting appointment on compassionate grounds. He urged the MS that the order of 2004 be restored without delay.
• Time and again the Railway Board had issued detailed guidelines, not to retain money from settlement dues of railway employees on superannuation, but unfortunately these orders are being violated by withholding heavy amounts from settlement despite the fact that employees are not in occupation of Railway quarter and equally no disciplinary action pending against them.
• Retired Railway employees have been re-engaged against vacancies, but they are not paid Night Duty Allowance though they perform night duty. OT Allowance is also not paid to these re-engaged staff when they work over hours of duty at out stations. He empathetically stated that injustice is being caused to the retired Railway employees who are re-engaged as all such rules are equally applicable to them when they have been re-engaged to Railway service.
• The PPOs of running staff are not being revised because concordance tables have not been provided although orders have been issued to revise their pension pay orders by sighting illustrations, but it is not working as the staff have developed habit of working with the assistance of concordance table, as such concordance tables be
  prepared and issued.
• Regarding filling up of vacancies, he expressed satisfaction on the information given by Member Staff that by the end of May 2019, a panel of 62,960 selected candidates of Pay Matrix Level-I and similarly panels of ALPs and SMs will also be made available. He stated that occurrence of 3% vacancies of total cadre is through natural attrition, therefore the sequence of formation of panels should be planned and followed in a methodical manner as a regular course.
• Case of payment of honorarium to cashiers and other accounts staff of NWR for the year 2008, 2009 and 2010, is pending in the Railway Board for sanction. The inordinate delay in payment is a matter of concern for everyone. He requested Member Staff for early communication of sanction to the NWR for which NFIR has also made reference.
  Get More Indian railway news for railway employee
• The condition of railway quarters continues to remain deplorable as there is no maintenance. Our position becomes very embarrassing when staff complain about differential treatment as there is zero maintenance of staff quarters while on the other hand the quarters of officers are well maintained. He requested that immediate action be taken in the matter to mitigate the staff complaints.

Source: NFIR

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Minutes of PNM meeting of Railway Board with NFIR held on 25th and 26th April, 2019

Highlights of PNM Meeting between Railway Board and NFIR held on 25th & 26th April, 2019

Minutes of PNM meeting of Railway Board with NFIR held on 25th and 26th April, 2019.

Dr. M. Raghavaiah, General Secretary /NFIR

General Secretary/ NFIR at the outset thanked Member Staff and Chairman of the PNM meeting for highlighting the significant performance of Railways during the year 2018-19, surpassing the previous targets. General Secretary also thanked the Member Staff for conveying the important decisions towards staff welfare including that of orders issued, granting 10 : 20 : 20 : 50 ratio to the Track Maintainer category in GP 2800, 2400, 1900 and 1800 respectively with effect from 08/03/2019.

While assuring Federation’s support for improving the efficiency levels further, the NFIR General Secretary placed the following points for taking necessary action.

Also check: RAILWAY EMPLOYEES BONUS 2019

I. The PNM meeting now being held after lapse of 111⁄2 months although Agenda was sent on 26/06/2018. Many issues continued to remain unsettled. Activating the PNM Machinery is very much essential for holding formal meetings frequently for sorting out the issues.

II. Railway employees are heavily overburdened due to non-filling of vacancies, for long period. With the recent decision of the Board to fill all vacancies, Federation hopes that the staff hardships may be mitigated to some extant.

III. Railway employees are extremely disappointed over:-

• Government’s failure to fulfill its assurance through Group of Ministers on revision of minimum wage, fitment formula and abolition of NPS.
• NFIR’s meeting with Hon’ble MR on 04/04/2018 and subsequently – latest being 23rd January, 2019 with regard to Federation’s repeated pleas for exempting Railways from NPS as already agreed to, by two successive Railway Ministers in view of complex and unique working of Railways and hard working conditions of Railway Staff akin to defence forces personnel (over 85% work in remote places, Jungle areas where no basic requirements of life exist). Although Hon’ble MR has assured to take action to pursue at Government level, it is observed that there has been no progress. Railway employees are extremely agitated as they do not get covered under Liberalized Pension Scheme. Over 7 lakh Railway employees joined on and after 01/01/2004, are extremely disappointed as they cannot hope for guaranteed pension of 50% of last pay drawn at the time of retirement. General Secretary specially requested the Member (Staff) to take initiative on this important issue.

IV. Aggressive decisions towards closure of establishments, outsourcing regular activities, contractorisation without prior consultations, surrender of posts are indiscriminately, contractorising the activities resulting staff dislocation and loss of seniority and career growth have been contributing for staff unrest. These are required to be addressed and instructions be re-iterated for ensuring prior consultations on all such matters in the interest of healthy industrial relations.

No prior consultations are held and arbitrary decisions resorted to.

Also read: Upgradation of posts in Railways recommended by 7th CPC – clearance of DoP&T and MoF

V. 7th CPC issues:-

• Departmental Anomaly Committee (DAC) was constituted by the Railway Board vide letter No.PC-VII/2016/DAC/1 dated 05/10/2016. NFIR had placed issues before the DAC vide Federation’s letters No.IV/DAC/7CPC/2016 dated 09/06/2017 and dated 16/08/2017. Second meeting of DAC was held on 04/01/2018, but with “ZERO RESULT” as Official Side maintained that the issues dealt did not come under the definition of ‘Anomaly’ (Loco Running Staff, Guards, Technical Supervisors, Pharmacists, Radiographer, ECG Technicians, Physiotherapist, Health & Malaria Inspector etc.).
• Railway Ministry has not initiated action on the positive recommendations of 7th CPC to give benefit to certain categories though a period of over 2 years 9 months passed. GS/ NFIR specifically mentioned NFIR’s letter No.IV/NFIR/7th CPC(Imp)/2016/RB dated 22/09/2016 and 15/11/2016.
• GS/ NFIR reminded that the proposals sent by the Railway Ministry vide No.PC-VII/ 2015 /R-U/9 dated 08/02/2017 to the MoF/ DoP&T relating to revision of pay structure of Senior Supervisors in Group `C’ of all Departments (other than Accounts Department) for upgrading 75% supervisory posts from Level-7 (erstwhile GP 4600) to Level-8 (GP 4800) and revision of Pay Levels of Group‘B’ Officers of all Departments (other than Accounts Department) to Level-9 have been pending for more than 1 1/2 years. He requested prompt follow up action for obtaining clearance.
• Shri Raghavaiah further stated that the Railway Ministry’s proposal for revision of KMA rates for Running staff w.e.f. 01/07/2017 has not been concurred yet by MoF. Similarly the Running staff are not being paid Leave salary on 7th Pay scales on Northern and West Central Railways due to IPAS problems. These issues should be settled without further delay.

VI. Implementation of commitments dated 07/02/2014.

• LPs Mail/Exp – placement in GP 4600/- pending.
• Stepping up of pay of LIs inducted prior to 01/01/2006 – pending.
• Merger of Technicians-II with Tech-I – pending.

VII. Other important issues:-

• VII CPC report – Para 9.2.37. – Hospital Leave, Special disability leave and sick leave subsumed in a new leave named “Work Related Illness and Injury Leave (WRIIL):- Orders yet to be issued.
• RELHS-97 – Railway Board’s letter dated 31/05/2012 allowed post March 2009 retirees/dependents to join as members within one year period. Some retired staff living in remote places were unaware of opportunity, consequently not availed the provision. Railway Board may now provide opportunity for those retired staff/dependents between March, 2009 and May, 2012) to join RELHS. (Board’s letter No.2011/H/28/1/RELHS/Court Cases dated 31/05/2012).
• Extension of Scheme for contract employment of para-medical personnel against vacancies beyond 30/06/2019 is needed as RRB empanelled candidate may not be available by that date, while retired personnel may not join lower level posts. On one Zone there are 2 regular Dialysis Technicians, while contract Dialysis Technicians are working. Similarly, 25 contract Nursing Superintendents in a Central Hospital who may face termination on 30/06/2019 and if posts go unmanned, health care suffers badly.
• Extension of MACPS to Railway School/College Teachers – All Teaching Staff of HRD Ministry, Delhi National Capital Region, Defence Ministry run schools are covered under MACPS. Action be taken for bringing Railway Teachers under MACPS with retrospective effect.
• Minimum educational qualification for Pharmacists in Railways – Government’s Notification/Ministry of Health & Family Welfare not implemented. Action be taken for revising the entry qualification.
• Harmonization of the cadre structure of Medical Laboratory Staff with those in Central Government Hospitals – Case pending despite elaborate proposal sent by NFIR.
• Employees visit Hospitals for eye vision test. After dilation of eyes, it will take hours for them to be able to see. If roll on sun glasses are provided, the present problem can be got solved. Instructions may be issued to stock “roll on sun glasses” in hospitals for use of those undergo eye vision test.
• On S.E.C. Railway – Raipur Division:- Compassionate appointment requests for wards of medically decategorised and voluntarily retired employees are rejected despite Board’s orders. Instructions may be issued to respect Board’s orders and consider rejected cases.
• Pending MACPS issues – Separate meeting at MS/FC level needed as already committed to the Federation.
• 100% objective type question paper – Negative marks stipulation be removed.
• Railway Board’s norms for creation of posts ESMs, JE, SSE (Signal) etc., not implemented. Action be taken for implementation of Norms without further loss of time.
• Lateral induction of Track Maintainers:- Board’s instructions are not being complied with, on Zonal Railways resulting disappointment among Track Maintainers. Board should issue instructions again to GMs.
• No Dues Certificates : The General Secretary, NFIR stated that responding to the instructions issued by the Railway Board vide letter dated 30th July, 2018, Federation requested to issue clear instructions to the GMs of Zonal Railways and Metro Railway, Kolkata not to levy penal/interest charges where dues have been cleared by our affiliated Unions. He requested the Railway Board (MS) to kindly refer NFIR’s letters dated 18/08/2018 & 22/09/2018 and see that this issue is resolved. He also requested the Railway Board to connect Federation’s letters dated 08/10/2018 and 11/12/2018 relating to the specific case of South Eastern Railway and sort out problem.
• Retention of Railway residential accommodation by the Office Bearers of recognized Unions on their superannuation : GS/NFIR invited kind attention of Board (MS) to the instructions issued vide Board’s letter dated 06/04/2018 to various Zonal Railways asking Zonal Railways to get vacated the Railway residential accommodation allotted to the Office Bearers of recognized Unions after their superannuation. He stated that NFIR has sent series of letters dated 11/05/2018, 21/05/2018, 04/06/2018, 23/07/2018, 03/08/2018, 07/08/2018, 21/08/2018 and 11/09/2018, but unfortunately clear instructions to Zonal Railways are yet to be issued. He further said that the accommodation allotted to the Office-Bearers of the Union by the competent authority should be allowed.
• Appendix II A qualified Accounts Clerks as JAA against D/R quota upto 331⁄3% vacancies: GS/NFIR requested the Railway Board to issue appropriate clarification to the Zones etc., to take 331⁄3% of total DR quota vacancies of JAA into account for granting promotion to Appendix-II A qualified Accounts Clerks so that all the qualified staff will have benefit of promotion. He requested that the modification in the Board’s order is necessary in view of some confusion in calculating vacancies against 331⁄3% quota on a Zonal Railway (South Central Railway) wherein the Seniority Units are 2 or more in the Zone.
• Replies to NFIR’s letters : Dr. Raghavaiah expressed disappointment that though the Federation has been writing letters to the Railway Board on various staff grievances there has been no satisfactory response and no replies sent, consequently the references remain pending. He cited NFIR’s letter dated 31/01/2019 wherein list of 33 pending cases and letter dated 13/02/2019 (16 Pending cases) was sent to Railway Board. He urged for speedy resolution of the grievances in favour of staff.
• Incorrect revision of pension in case of pre-2016 Railway pensioners: Mr. M. Raghavaiah stated that the revision in pension has not been taking place correctly in favour of retired Railway employees particularly those who retired prior to 2016. He cited the example of a case of retired Technician Gr-I whose pension revision has been done incorrectly. He further stated that the Federation has also sent a communication to the Railway Board vide No.II/35/2018 dated 22/02/2019 together with copy of incorrect PPO. [A copy of Federation’s letter with enclosure was handed over to DG (Personnel) in the meeting].
• DNB Trainee Doctors S. Railway and other Zones – Stipend according to 7th CPC not paid at Pay Level-11 despite representations: GS/NFIR brought to the notice of the Member (Staff) that DNB Training Doctors on Southern Railway and also on other Zones are not being paid stipend at 7th CPC Pay Scale despite representations by the staff. Federation understands that instructions have already been issued to pay arrears to the DNB Trainee Doctors on 7th CPC Pay Scale. He urged the Railway Board to take action to remedy the situation in order to settle the justified demand of DNB Trainee Doctors working in Railway Hospitals/Health Units.

While concluding, the NFIR General Secretary expressed confidence that the healthy industrial relations on Railways would continue in the coming days also and the issues raised by the Federation will be redressed with speed and positive mindset.

Source: NFIR

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Penalties on railway employees for dismissal / elimination or degradation violation of provisions of the Indian Constitution

Penalties on railway employees for dismissal / elimination or degradation violation of provisions of the Indian Constitution

NFIR

No. II/5/Part III

Dated: 21/09/2019

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Imposition of penalties of 'Dismissal / Removal or Reduction in rank" on employees in Railways - violation of provisions of the Constitution of India - reg.

Ref: (i) NFIR's PNM Item No. 40/2018
(ii) Railway Board's letter No. E(D&A)2012 RG 6-34 dated 30/09/2015.
(iii) NFIR's letter No. II/5/Part II dated 21/02/2017.
(iv) NFIR's letter No. II/5/Part III dated 19/02/2018 & 30/05/2018.

Railway Board vide Order No. ERB-I/2018/23/51 dated 14/12/2018 has constituted a Committee with following terms of reference:-

"To look into the entire gamut of D&AR procedure for speeding up the cases and simplifying the rules and procedures to make them more transparent, intangible, less cumbersome and time-bound".

Also check: Imposition of penalties of dismissal, removal or compulsory retirement – Determination of appointing authority

In this connection, NFIR invites kind attention of the Railway Board to its PNM Agenda Item No. 40/2018 on the subject. Federation further desires to convey to the Railway Board that the Article 311 of the Constitution of India mandates that no person who is a member of a Civil Service of the Union or an All-India Service or a Civil Service of a State or holds a Civil post under the Union or a State shall be dismissed or removed by an authority subordinate to that authority by which he was appointed.

Federation has already brought to the notice of the Railway Board that the schedule of powers on D&A matters followed by the Railway Board or the Zones or Production Units are not in conformity with the provisions of the said Article of the Constitution. Federation vide its letter dated 21/02/2017, 19/02/2018 and 30th May, 2018 had also brought out specific cases, urging for revamping the SoPs on D&AR matters. A copy of these letters are enclosed with the request that the same may also be brought to the notice of the Committee and to take into consideration the Federation's PNM Agenda Item. Federation has also come to know that the tenure of the Committee has since been extended upto 01/11/2019 in terms of Board's Order dated 16/09/2019 for study and making suitable recommendations.

Also read: Imposition of un-warranted quantum of minor penalty – Railway Board to NFIR

Federation may kindly be kept advised of action taken in the matter.
DA/As above

Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

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AIRF Massive Dharna Warning Week from 16 to 19 September, 2019

Massive Dharna Warning Week from 16 to 19 September, 2019 

AIRF

AIRF/ 24(C)
The General Secretaries,
All Affiliated Unions,

Dated: September 3, 2019

Dear Comrades,
Observance of countrywide "Warning Week" from 16-19 September, 2019

As all of you are aware that, burning issue of Corporatization and Privatization was discussed in the meeting of the Standing Committee of AIRF held on 1st September, 2019 at New Delhi.

After long drawn deliberations it was decided to lodge strong protest against such move of the Ministry of Railways (Government of India). Accordingly, it is decided to observe "Warning Week" from 16th to 19th September, 2019, calumniating on 19th September, the "Sahidi Diwas".

All of your are requested to take appropriate action by directing Branch and Divisional Units to observe the "Warning Week" by holding massive dharna, demonstration and rallies, right from the Branch to Headquarters level.

The programme should be given wide publicity through print and electronic media and the report of the observance be sent to AIRF Office.

This may please be treated as "Most Urgent".

With Warm Greetings of Durga Puja and Diwali,

Source: AIRF

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