Indian Rail Worker July 2014

India is ours - Indianization is our Religion MONTHLY JOURNAL OF NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDIAN RAILWAYMEN

Founder : Keshav H. Kulkarni Vol. 50 No.2

www.nfirindia.org

36 pages

July-2014

Editor : M. Raghavaiah `.7.50/- per copy

We Should Perform or We Will Perish : Railway Minister R ailway Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda urged upon the General Managers, Divisional Railway Managers to ensure dedicated and focused team work for improving aspirations of people.

In the meeting of GMs & DRMs of Indian Railways at National Rail Museum, New Delhi on June 19, 2014, Mr. Gowda said that every one should work to build strong and vibrant India. He further said that GMs/DRMs should feel that they are the “Ministers, they are the Chairmen” and lead the team for achieving best results.

The Railway Minister said that every employee from top to bottom should work together and cautioned the officers and employees that issues cannot be solved by conventional thinking and excuses cited for non-performance will not be tolerated. He further said that the Indian Railways stand much behind efficiency and punctuality and every one should question to himself whether the Indian Railway can be made “best in the world.” He told the officers that with change of Government there should be “change of direction”. The important priorities of IR according to the Railway Minister were improvement of Safety, Cleanliness in the trains as well at stations,

Catering services, punctuality and services related to reservations, ticketing etc. He also said that any DRM can meet him at any time and place innovative suggestions for consideration.

Earlier, CRB Mr. Arunendra Kumar expressed that work culture

NFIR Affiliates condoled the Sudden Demise of Shrimati Guman Singh National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) affiliates conveyed their condolences to NFIR President Guman Singh on the sudden demise of his wife on 12th June, 2014 at Jaipur.

Many cadres of NFIR reached Jaipur and shared the grief and consoled NFIR President.

NFIR General Secretary, M. Raghavaiah conveyed condolences to Guman Singh telephonically from Hyderabad.

Smt. Raghavaiah also expressed shock over sudden demise of Smt. Guman Singh and conveyed condolences.

NFIR/IRW places on record its deep sense of shock over the death of Mrs. Singh.

should improve, style of work should undergo change and a time line be adhered to. MSR Manoj Sinha also expected the Railway Officers to ensure quality services to the customers.

NFIR General Secretary, M. Raghavaiah while greeting the Railway Minister and Minister of State for Railways, pointed out that IRCTC is a total failure as the traveling public criticize the quality of food and pleaded for restoration of departmental catering system. He further appealed to the Railway Minister that contractorization of the cleanliness activities needs to be Contd. on page...16

At A Glance

2 Central Trade Unions Pre-Budget Meeting with Finance Minister 4&5 NFIR's Proposals to Rly. Minister & Finance Minister for Budget 11 Memorandum to VII CPC on DA Merger with Pay 19 NFIR's Affiliates Activities 30 NFIR References to Rly. Ministry 32-36 Railway Board's Decisions

INDIAN RAIL WORKER – YOUR UNFAILING GUIDE

Central Trade Unions Pre-Budget Meeting with Finance Minister T he leaders of Central Trade Unions met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on June 6, 2014 and submitted the following: Central Trade Unions’ Proposals Take effective measures to arrest the spiraling price rise and to contain inflation; Ban speculative forward trading in commodities; Universalise and strengthen the Public Distribution System; Ensure proper check on hoarding; Rationalise, with a view to reduce the burden on people, the tax/duty/cess on petroleum products.

There must be massive investment in the infrastructure in order to stimulate the economy for job creation. It is our considered view that the Public sector should take the leading role in this regard. The plan & non-plan expenditure should be increased in the budget to stimulate jobs creation and guarantee consistent income to people.

Minimum wage linked to Consumer Price Index must be guaranteed to all workers, taking into consideration the recommendations of the 15th Indian Labour Conference as enriched

by Apex Court of the country as reiterated in 44th ILC in 2012. In any case, it should not be less than Rs. 15,000/- p.m.

FDI should not be allowed in crucial sectors like defence production, telecommunications, Railways, financial sector, retail trade, education, health and media.

The public sector units played a crucial role during the year of severe contraction of private capital investment immediately following the outbreak of global financial crisis, PSUs should be strengthened and expanded.

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Disinvestment of shares of profit making public sector units should be stopped forthwith.

Budgetary support should be given for revival potentially viable Sick CPSUs. In view of huge joblosses and mounting unemployment problem, the ban on recruitment in Govt. deptts, PSUs and autonomous institutions (including recent Finance Ministry's instruction to abolish those posts not filled for one year) should be lifted as recommended by 43rd Session of Indian Labour Conference. Condition of surrender of posts in govt. departments and PSUs should be scrapped and new posts be created keeping in view the new work and increased workload. Proper allocation of funds be also made for interim relief and 7th Pay Commission.

The scope of MGNREGA be extended to agriculture operations and urban areas as well and employment for minimum period of 200 days with guaranteed statutory wage be provided, as unanimously recommended by 43rd Session of Indian Labour Conference.

The massive workforce engaged in ICDS, Mid-day meal scheme, Vidya volunteers, Guest Teachers, Siksha Mitra the workers engaged in the Accredited Social Health Activities (ASHA) and other schemes be regularized. No to privatization of centrally funded schemes.

Universalisation of ICDS be done as per Supreme Court directions by making adequate budgetary allocations.

Steps be taken for removal of all restrictive provisions based on poverty line in respect of eligibility coverage of the schemes under the Unorganised Workers

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Social Security Act 2008 and allocation of adequate resources for the National Fund for unorganised Workers to provide for Social Security to all unorganized workers including the contract/casual and migrant workers in line with the recommendations of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour and also the 43rd Session of Indian Labour Conference.

Remunerative Prices should be ensured for the agricultural produce and Govt. investment public investment in agriculture sector must be substantially augmented as a proportion of GDP and total bodgetary expenditure. It should also be ensured that benefits of the increase reach the small, marginal and medium cultivators only; Budgetary provision should be made for providing essential services including housing, public transport, sanitation, water, schools, creche health care etc. to workers in the new emerging industrial areas. Working women's hostels should be set up where there is a concentration of women workers.

Requisite budgetary support for addressing crisis in traditional sectors like Jute, Textiles, Plantation, Handloom, Carpet and Coil etc.

Budgetary provision for elementary education should be increased, particularly in the context of the implementation of the Right to Education' as this is the most effective tool to combat child labour.

The system of computation of Consumer Price Index should be reviewed as the present index is causing heavy financial loss to the workers.

Income Tax exemption ceiling for

July , 2014

the salaried persons should be raised to Rs. 5 lakh per annum and fringe benefits like housing, medical and educational facilities and running allowances should be exempted from the income tax net in totality.

Threshold limit of 20 employees in EPF Scheme be brought down to 10 as reco-mmended by CBTEPF. Pension benefits under EPS unilaterally withdrawn by the Govt. should be restored. Govt. and Employers contribution be increased to allow sustainability of Employees Pension Scheme and for provision of minimum pension of Rs. 3000/- p.m.

New Pension Scheme be withdrawn and newly recruited employees of central and state govts on or after 1-1-2004 be covered under Old Pension Scheme; Demand for Dearness Allowance merger by Central Govt. and PSUs employees be accepted and adequate allocation of fund for this be made in the budget; All interests and social security of the domestic workers to be statutorily protected on the lines of the ILO Convention on domestic workers.

The Cess Management of the construction workers is the responsibility of the Finance Ministry under the Act and the several irregularities found in collection of cess be rectified as well as their proper utilization must be ensured.

Resource mobilization A progressive taxation system should be put in place to ensure taxing the rich and the affluent sections who have the capacity to pay at a higher degree. The corporate service sector, Traders, wholesale business, private hospitals and institutions etc. should be brought under broader and higher tax net.

Increase taxes on luxury goods and reduce indirect taxes on essential commodities as at present the ovewhelming majority of the populations are

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

subjected to Indirect taxes that constitute 86% of the revenue.

Concrete steps must be taken to recover huge accumulated unpaid tax arrears which has already crossed more than Rs. 5 lakh crore on direct and cor-porate tax account alone, and has been increasing at a geometric proportion. Such huge taxevasion over and above the liberal tax concessions already given in the last two budgets should not be allowed to continue.

Effective measures should be taken to unearth huge accumulation of black money in the economy including the huge unaccounted money in tax heavens abroad and within the country. Finance Minister should make provisions to bring back the illicit flows from India which are at present more than twice the current external debt of US$ 230 billion. This money should be directed towards providing social security.

Concrete measures be expedited for recovering the NPAs of the banking system from the willfully defaulting corporate and business houses. By making provision in Banking Regulations Act, CMDs and Executives to be made accountable for creation of NPAs. Tax on Long term capital gains to be introduced; so also higher taxes on the security transactions to be levied.

The rate of wealth tax, corporate tax, gift tax etc. to be expanded and enhanced.

ITES, outsourcing sector, Educational Institutions and Health Services etc. run on commercial basis should be brought under Service Tax net. Govt.

Small saving instruments under postal and other agencies be encouraged by incentivizing commission agents of these scheme.

Concern Over NonSettlement of 10 Point Charter We would like to express our

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strong resentment that the previous Govt. failed to positively respond to the collective voice of the Central Trade Unions on the very important issues concerning the working people of India, both organized and unorganized, consistently repeated in the form of a '10 point charter' backed by several collective nationwide programmes. We expect that this Govt. will take initiative to discuss these issues with the Central Trade Unions in order to find a solution.

We also express our opposition to the so called Banking Reforms encouraging private sector/ capitalists banking at the cost of public sector banks which saved the economy to an extent during the last global financial meltdown. We also oppose increase in limit of FDI and disinvestment of enquity in insurance sector and FDI in pension. We strongly oppose the FDI in Defence and Retail Sector. Several such measures against the working men and women in this country including anti workers proposals contained in the New Manufacturing Policy have our strong opposition, as in our experience these kinds of measures have helped the growth of only a small section of the capitalists while the larger sections of the working population continue to be marginalized and impoverished.

Post Budget Discussions Successive Finance Ministers have agreed to hold post budget meetings/consultations with the central trade unions. However, it has not been materialized except for one occasion. We understand such meetings did take place with the Corporate Associations/Employers Federations. We would like to importunate upon you to arrange such post budget meeting with trade unions also.

Representatives of INTUC, BMS, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, UTUC and LPF have participated in the meeting with Finance Minister.

July, 2014

Rail Budget – 2014-15

NFIR’s Proposals to Railway Minister G eneral Secretary, NFIR has addressed a letter to Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Hon’ble Railway Minister to consider NFIR’s proposals for announcement in the ensuing Rail Budget – 2014-15.

Extract of GS/NFIR’s letter is given below: The NFIR requests the Hon’ble Minister for Railways to kindly consider following proposals for inclusion in the ensuing Railway Budget 2014-15 to be presented in the Parliament in the ensuing month.

Railway Projects The Railway Projects which are expected to yield rate of return of not less than 20% be considered for execution.

Safety Air conditioning of Locomotive Cabs.

As a measure of improving working conditions of Running Staff, NFIR has been requesting for air condition loco cabs. Though the decision has already been taken by the Rly. Ministry earlier, implementation has not been done. Hon’ble MR may fix time frame of six months for ensuing air-conditioning of all locos.

Enlarge scope of Liberalized Active Retirement Scheme for Guaranteed Employment of Safety Staff (LARSGESS) by covering the safety category staff in GP Rs. 2400/-, 2800/- & 4200/- facilitating their voluntary retirement on completion of 20 years service, for appointing their wards in safety posts.

Women Railway Employees Separate Rest Rooms for Women Railway Employees proceeding to out station on duty need to be provided at all important places.

Health care facilities for Railway staff There is strong demand from

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

Railway employees working in the Diesel Shed at Krishnarajapuram (Bengluru) South Western Railway for provision of a Health Unit.

Adequate justification exists for sanctioning Health Unit to take care of medical needs of Railway employees (serving & retired) and their families.

Upgradation of Cardiology Department at Jagjivan Ram Hospital, Mumbai with full compliment of Doctors and paramedical staff. Infrastructure has already been established.

Railway Medical College be established at Chennai very soon as per the commitment made by Railway Ministry. Rly. Nursing Colleges may be sanctioned at important places (This was one of the Budget announcements of Railway Minister).

There is heavy shortage of Railway Doctors leading to dissatisfaction among employees as adequate care is not being taken towards patients. The superannuation age of Railway Doctors may be enhanced to 65 years as suggested by NFIR to the Hon’ble MR in its letter No.I/ 12/Pt.3 dated 16-10-2013.

Railway Quarters, Colonies & Approach Roads Inadequate allocation of funds for construction and maintenance of Railway quarters is causing serious resentment and frustration among Railway staff.

Adequate provision of funds in the Rail Budget 2014-15 needs to be made for construction of staff quarter and equally for maintenance of quarters, Railway colonies and approach roads.

Quasi-Administrative Units staff in Railways?

Regularization of QuasiAdministrative Unit staff on rolls, need to be considered by restoration

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of earlier policy directive of 1973 and 1997. Railway Board may be directed accordingly.

Post retirement complimentary passes to Railway Employees of Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala.

To counter the menace of extremism in the Punjab State three decades ago, the Ministry of Railways on the directives of the then Prime Minister, had recruited local unemployed youth of Punjab State in the Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, duly granting upper age relaxation.

These employees are denied post-retirement complimentary pass on superannuation as they could not fulfill the 20 years qualifying service condition due to the circumstances beyond their control.

Hon’ble MR may kindly accord approval for allowing postretirement complimentary passes to these employees in view of special circumstances.

Staff Welfare Per capita contribution towards Staff Benefit Fund should be considered for enhancement from Rs. 500/- to Rs. 900/- for the welfare of Rly. employees.

At Zonal and Divisional Headquarters, Recreation & Library Halls needs to be provided for retired Railway employees.

At Tirupathi and Tirumala, the best Holiday Homes have been provided in large number for Officers whereas for staff very small number has been provided for catering to the needs of staff on Indian Railways without adequate facilities. This needs to be given priority.

NFIR is confident that the Hon’ble Minister for Railways would give serious consideration to the above proposals and would be pleased to make announcement through Rail Budget 2014-15.

July , 2014

General Budget – 2014-15

NFIR’s Proposals to Finance Minister Mr. M. Raghavaiah, General Secretary, NFIR has given proposal to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to consider for the announcement in ensuing General Budget – 2014-15 to be presented before Parliament.

Progression Scheme (MACPS) may be made applicable to them.

Extract of GS/NFIR’s proposal is given below:

All allowances may be exempted

The NFIR requests the Hon’ble Finance Minister to Kindly consider following proposals in the ensuing General Budget 2014-15 which would provide relief to over 34 Lakhs of Central Government employees (including 14 Lakhs of Railway employees) and also other workers.

Annual income amounting to Rs. 5 Lakhs may be exempted from the purview of income tax in view of steep rise in prices of essential commodities. For senior citizens, exemption upto 7 lakhs may be allowed.

A communication may be sent to VII CPC to send interim report on Staff Side Memorandum for merger of DA with pay.

Bonus Act may be amended for ensuing payment of Bonus including that of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) on actual monthly wages, alternatively, the limit may be enhanced to Rs. 10,000 for payment of PLB to Railway employees.

Accept Railway Minister’s proposal for exempting Railway Employees from New Pension Scheme and restoring Liberalised Pension Scheme w.e.f. 1-1-2004.

Grant of additional pension to retired employees on attaining 70 years of age.

Earned Leave & LHAP to the Teachers and Lecturers of Educational Institutions, under Central Government.

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

NFIR is confident that the Hon’ble Finance Minister would give serious consideration to the above proposals for making Budget announcements.

Merger of DA with Pay – NFIR’s letter to Finance Minister GS/NFIR’s letter No. I/5(A)/Pt.I dated 28.05.2014 sent to Hon’ble Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley on Merger of Dearness Allowance with Pay is reproduced below: While enclosing copy of Federation's letter No. 1/5(A) dated 27-92013, NFIR desires to bring to your kind notice, the following facts for consideration.

In the Standing Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of the Secretary/DoP&T, on 7th May, 2014 the agenda item pertaining to merger of D.A. with pay was discussed by the JCM/Staff Side representatives. There has, however, been no positive response from the Official Side on the issue probably the VII CPC has started working on the terms of reference.

Now that the D.A. has become 100% of pay w.e.f. 1-1-2014 and another instalment of D.A. @ 6% of pay is likely to be granted by the Government w.e.f. 1-7-2014 as per the figures of Consumer Price Index, continuing D.A., without merger, is highly unjustified. In the past i.e. during the year 2004, the Government of India has merged 50% DA with pay for all purposes.Similar decision has, unfortunately, not been taken by the previous Government.

Seventh Central Pay Commission has already sent communications to JCM constituent organisations etc., to submit Memorandums. At this juncture, it would be proper to convey to the Chairman, 7th CPC to consider the JCM (Staff Side) demand for merger of DA with pay with retrospective effect and send interim report to the Government for consideration.

NFIR, therefore, requests you to kindly consider our request and see that the Government makes reference to 7th CPC consider DA merger with pay and to send its interim report to the Government for favourable consideration.

READ

Transport Allowance may be exempted from the purview of income tax.

For adequate career growth of Teachers and Lecturers of Central Government Institutions, the Modified Assured Career

from Income Tax.

REGULARLY

THE INDIAN RAIL WORKER 5

July, 2014

Points Raised by M. Raghavaiah, General Secretary/NFIR in the Meeting of Hon’ble MR with GMs & DRMs Etc. – 19th June, 2014 A t the outset the General Secretary/NFIR Shri M. Raghavaiah heartily greeted the Hon’ble Minister of Railways Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha, Chairman/Railway Board, Members of the Board, General Managers, Additional Members, DRMs etc.

The General Secretary/NFIR expressed confidence that under the leadership of Hon’ble MR and MSR, Indian Railways will achieve best results particularly in improving cleanliness, punctuality, efficiency and safety standards.

In his address the General Secretary/NFIR raised following points for consideration of Hon’ble MR, MSR and appropriate action:

Catering in Railways : IRCTC

is a total failure, Travelling public have been complaining bitterly against the Railways over supply of sub-standard food items by contractors of IRCTC. He requested that Departmental Catering should be restored and the departmental catering staff presently under IRCTC and sought transfer to Catering Units of Railways may be deployed without loss of time.

Cleanliness – Improvement :

Contracterization of cleanliness activities has spoiled the environment as workers under the contractors have not been able to ensure cleanliness and when they desert the jobs, the Zonal Railways CMEs have been managing by utilizing departmental staff. Thorough review of existing policy is required to be done on priority. There are instances of contractor giving the work to another sub-contractor.

Bed rolls supply and AC staff escorting the trains – reg :

The GS/NFIR mentioned that the

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

activities of bed rolls supply and AC staff escorting the trains should not be given to private vendors and this job should be entrusted to departmental staff as outsourcing these activities is leading to lack of security to travelling public and giving scope to anti-social elements, unauthorized hawkers to entrain the coaches and helpless Ticket Checking Staff have not been able to control mainly due to their workload being unbearable.

Scrapping of New Pension Scheme in Railways : Shri M.

Raghavaiah, GS/NFIR drew kind attention of the Hon’ble MR to a decision taken jointly by the Railway Ministry with both the Federations on 7th February, 2014 for Scrapping New Pension in Railways in view of uniqueness nature of duties and responsibilities of Railway staff who face several hazards while performing duties.

Shri Raghavaiah said that pursuant to the inputs provided by the NFIR, former Railway Minister had addressed a D.O. letter to the Union Finance Minister on 29 th March, 2014, seeking exemption of railway employees from the purview of New Pension Scheme (National Pension System) and cover them under the old Liberalized Pension Scheme.

Shri Raghavaiah requested the Hon’ble MR to prevail upon the Finance Minister and Government of India, to accord approval for granting exemption of Railway employees from the New Pension Scheme.

6th CPC issues : The General

Secretary/NFIR brought to the kind notice of Hon’ble MR that the Railway Ministry after holding several rounds of discussion with the NFIR in the Departmental

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Anomaly Committee meeting had referred following cases to the Ministry of Finance seeking approval Merger of Technician-II with Technician-I with GP Rs. 2800/(PB-1), Revision of entry grade pay of Station Masters – to be revised to Rs. 4200/- (PB-1), Replacement of GP Rs. 4600/with GP 4800/-(PB-2) w.e.f. 1-12006.

Revision of Grade Pay of Loco Pilots (Mail) and Guards, Allotment of entry GP Rs. 5400/to Group ‘B’ Gazetted.

Upgradation of Apex Group ‘C’ posts to Group ‘B’ Gazetted.

Shri Raghavaiah stated that the above issues have been pending with the Ministry of Finance since long.

He, however, further stated that several issues pertaining to 6th CPC anomalies were also discussed but unfortunately approval not given.

Hon’ble MR was requested to intervene and to pursue with the Ministry of Finance to get clearance.

Hard working conditions faced by Track Maintainers :

The GS/NFIR while inviting kind attention to the hard and tough conditions faced by the Track Maintainers requested the Hon’ble MR to get implemented the unanimous recommendations of the Joint Committee, in toto without any dilution.

Unviable Projects : Shri Raghavaiah suggested to the Hon’ble MR that those projects which have been listed for execution where the expected rate of return is less than 23% may be shelved in the interest of Railways.

July , 2014

Energisation of Rail routes (electrification) : The General

Secretary/NFIR brought to the notice of Hob’ble MR that although several sections have been energized (electrification), the required number of posts have not been sanctioned with the result those section are not commissioned. The so-called policy of providing matching money value should be dispensed with at least in those cases where posts are required to be created to maintain new assets and man new services.

Punctuality : On punctuality, the General Secretary/NFIR M. Raghavaiah suggested that superfast trains although running as per schedule, are kept at signals of the destination stations for long period causing serious disappointment among the travelling public. He cited Bengaluru, Secunderabad and Chennai stations as example. He urged upon the Hon’ble MR to see that additional platforms are provided for ensuring improved punctuality. He also suggested that the halting time for crew change as well as change of Commercial Staff en-route may be reduced to ten minutes instead of allowing twenty or twenty five minutes at present.

While concluding, he assured Hon’ble MR and MSR of NFIR’s cooperation in improving the image of Indian Railways.

DOP&T Clarifications on CCL

Department of Personnel & Training (DOP&T), referring their O.M. No.13018/2/2008Estt.(L) dt. 11.09.2008, subsequently clarified vide OMs. Dated 29.09.2008, 18-11-2008, 02.12.2008 and 07-09-2010 have further clarified vide O.M. No. 13018/6/2013-Estt.(L) dt. 5 th June, 2014 that requirement of minimum period of 15 days Child Care Leave has been removed.

There is no change as regards other conditions of this leave.

These orders take effect from the date of issue of this Office Memorandum.

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

The Central Railway Employees' Co-Operative Credit Society Ltd. Established in the year 1913

Head Office at Byculla(W), Mumbai - 400 027 Tel. No. 23005722/23082247 Branches : Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Bhusawal, Nagpur, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Jhansi, Agra, Sub - Branch : New Katni Jn. Biggest Salary Earners Multi States Co-Op. Credit Society in Asia Catering the needs of employees' of Central Railway, West Central Railway and North Central Rly. Spread over Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh Fixed Deposits :

Our Deposit Schemes - Rate of Interest

Recurring Deposits :

45 Days to 180 Days - 7% p.a.

181 Days to Less than 1 Year - 7.5%p.a.

1 Year 1 day to 3 Years - 8.5%p.a.

3 Years 1 day and above - 9.5%p.a.

3 Yrs. (Interest Payable on maturity) -10.5%p.a.

For 1 year For 2 years For 3 years For 5 years

7.5% 9% 9.5% 10%

p.a. p.a. p.a. p.a.

Saving Deposit : 5%p.a. Compulsory Monthly Thrift Deposit Scheme 9% p.a.

Lakhpati Bano Yojana :- By contributing Rs. 1,000/- per month for 75 months, Maturity Amount of Rs. 1,00,000/- will be paid on the 76th month.

Double Deposit Scheme : Any amount deposited becomes double in 84 months from the date of deposit w.e.f. 1-12-2011 Monthly Interest Paying Fixed Deposit Scheme :For Retired Railway employees within the area of operation of the Society and Retired Staff of the Society For an amount of Rs. 3,00,000/-& above and further in the multiple of Rs. 10,000/- w.e.f. 1-12-2011 10% p.a.

For an amount below Rs. 3,00,000/9.5% p.a.

(Minimum amount to be deposited in this scheme will be Rs. 1,00,000/- and further in multiples of Rs. 10,000/-. Lock in period will be 3 years) For members/Staff of the Society 9% p.a.

Awards/Scholarship to the children of Shareholders Cash Award for S.S.C/H.S.C. General Category 70% marks or above Rs. 750/Reserved Category including OBC 60% marks or above Rs. 750/Physically handicapped / disabled 50% marks or above Rs. 750/Special Cash Awards for :S.S.C./H.S.C. 85% or above Rs. 1.000/90% or above Rs. 1,500/95% or above Rs. 2,000/Graduation (Degree any Faculty) First Class Rs. 2,000/Post Graduation (Degree any Faculty) First Class Rs. 3,000/Scholarship for professional Courses :Diploma Courses 60% or more Rs. 3,000/- Per Year Degree Courses 60% or more Rs. 5,000/- Per Year C.A./C.S. Courses :- (On successful Completion of Course) Rs.10,000/Award for continuous Membership of 20 years or more Rs. 4,000/Relief to family in case of death of a Member while in service Rs.17,000/one time relief to Members sufferring from :Paralysis/T.B./HIV/ : Rs. 5,000/Kidney failure/Cancer Rs. 10,000/Loan slabs : Length of service Minimum Maximum No. of per case (`` ) per case (`` ) month's pay 1 Year to less than 5 years 5 years to less than 10 years 10 years to less than 20 years 20 years and above

1,75,000/2,00,000/2,50,000/2,75,000/-

3,50,000/4,00,000/4,50,000/5,00,000/-

16 month's Basic pay + Gr. Pay 17 month's Basic pay + Gr. Pay 18 month's Basic pay + Gr. Pay 20 month's Basic pay + Gr. Pay

Rate of Interest on Loan i.e. 6.5% p.a.

Computer Advance Rs. 30,000/- (Once in Service) Rate of Interest i.e. 5% p.a.

Always at the service of the Railwaymen since last 100 years.

(Nitin S. Pradhan) (J. N. Patil) President (Nitin A. Nivsarkar) Vice - President Chief Manager

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July, 2014

Committee to Review Policy on Drunkenness on Duty Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) vide their Note No.2009/ Safety(DM)/6/12/Committee dated 20.05.2014 requested General Secretary, NFIR to furnish the comments on the Report of the Committee appointed to review the existing policy on drunkenness on duty.

Railway Board’s letter No.2009/ Safety(DM)/6/12/Committee dated 20.05.2014 on the subject along with the Revised Policy (2012) and the Comments of General Secretary, NFIR (letter No. IV/Safety/A dated 09.06.2014 is reproduced below:

RAILWAY BOARD’S LETTER DATED 20.05.2014 Policy on Drunkenness on Duty Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) constituted a Committee to review the existing policy on drunkenness on duty vide Board’s letter No. ERB-I/2012/23/11 dated 5-3-2010. The committee submitted its report on 28-9-2010 after deliberation at Board level including CRB, ML, Adv.(ME), etc whose suggestions have been duly incorporated in the revised Policy (2012) of Drunkenness on duty which is under issue and is enclosed. In this regard, Financial Commissioner (Railways) has desired that the paper outlining Programmes and Schemes for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse, under the aegis to Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment be given wide publicity amongst the target groups, Supervisors/Controlling Officers and Federations. Zonal Railways are being advised to make wide publicity amongst the target groups, Supervisors/Controlling Officers and Federations.

Before the revised Policy (2012) of Drunkenness on duty is issued to Zonal Railways, views of your Federations are solicited for incorporation. You are requested to furnish your comments within a

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

fortnight so that the same may be incorporated in the said policy.

Revised Policy (2012) Drunkeness on Duty

of

The aim of the revised policy on Drunkenness on duty is as under Ensure that staff who are habitual of drinking are identified.

Such staff is counseled about the ill effects of alcoholism.

Prevent risk to co-staff, passenger / general public from abuses of alcohol by staffs in safety category posts as well as those in Public contact.

Prevent any risk to safety in train operations from drunkenness on duty.

Sufficient opportunity is given to such staff to shun their habit.

Ensure deterrent action against such staff who are incorrigible.

Staff Covered : Staff who would be covered under the Revised Alcohol Policy are in two categories which are as under : Category 1 : The staff who are directly involved in train operations/train, passing.

Train running staff i.e. Drivers/ Motormen/Asstt.

Drivers/ Guards etc.

Train passing staff i.e. ASMs/ SMs/Station/Yard staff etc. /

Category : 2 On-board staff which is not directly involved in trains operations or train passing. These Railway staff in drunken condition brings dishonor and disrepute to the Rlys. but do not endanger safety.

On-board Mechanical, Electrical, Commercial, Operating, RPF staff etc.

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Plan of Action : Preventive strategy

Aim of the Revised Policy :-

Pointsmen / Levermen Cabinmen / Switchmen etc.

Other on-board non-Railway staff including Private catering staff.

Since running staff are directly involved in train running and mistake on their part may cause a serious accident which is detrimental to safe running of trains, the running staff viz Loco Pilots, Asstt. Loco Pilot and Guards shall undergo breathalyzer test both at the time of Signing-ON and Signing off as per the existing Railway Board instructions.

All the staff listed at Para 2 above shall be subjected to sample test/Surprise test by Supervisors and officers carrying portable breathalyzers.

All Sr. Supervisors should be advised to take feedback from different sources and maintain a list of staff working under then who are habitual of drinking.

In case any staff is found habitual of drinking during initial training his services should not be confirmed.

All Railway staff should be counseled that it is their moral duty to report in case above category staff is found under the influence of alcohol.

Such Staff identified to be habitual should be made aware/ counseled of the following during mandatory courses/ trainings at training centres and during Periodical Medical Examinations (PMEs) (a) Short-term/long-term ill effects of alcohol. (b) Not to take alcohol eight hours before going on duty or while on duty.

All crew lobbies must be provided with State of the art

July , 2014

breathalyzers capable of indicating exact level of Alcohol content in the blood including printouts need to be introduced.

These breathalyzers should necessarily have the memory function so that a printout can be taken at a convenient location/time in case of suspect. At standby breathalyzer should also be available.

"Expenditure payment to NGOs/De-addiction camps will be brone by staff concerned on his own leave."

All supervisors/inspectors associated with above category of staff must be provided with portable breathalyzers for conducting surprise checks.

In case the staff is again reported to be consuming alcohol regularly, he may be again sent for another de-addiction camp on the advice of doctor.

All these Supervisor/Inspectors should normally carry portable breathalyzer when on inspection on line.

Staff who refuse to undergo deaddiction shall be dealt with as follows:

No. Running staff will be allowed to ‘sign on’ for duty without undergoing the breathalyzer test.

In case the result of the breathalyzer test is positive then a printout of the readings must be obtained for further D&AR action and endorsement should be made in his service records.

In case the staff refuses to cooperate in undergoing the breathalyzer test, he should be taken up under D&AR treating it to be a case of positive breathanalyzer test as per Para 4.0 (B) of this policy and action should be taken accordingly.

Reformative strategy On the recommendations of Doctors such identified habitual staff may be sent to de-addiction camps.

The Zonal Railways may decide to organize de-addiction camps within their own resources or alternatively, NGOs should be identified for the purpose.

Organizing of these camps at regular intervals must be a continuous process and should not be given up after a one time exercise and therefore, the modalities for organizing such de-addiction camps may be worked out with each NGO on a long-term basis.

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

Staff who go for the de-addiction camp and successfully complete it will be kept under watch for a further period of 6 months and if they get reformed then will be taken off from the list of habitual drunker.

(a) No further promotion. (b) Special check to be kept on their working with more frequent and surprise breathalyzer tests and blood/urine examination samples.

Deterrent Aspects : Breath analyzer test 1S mandatory for running staff at the time of Sign ‘ON’ & sign’OFF’.

Random surprise checks should be carried out on all the staff on duty listed at Para 2 if they refuse for breathalyzer test it should be treated as a positive test accordingly to Para 4.0 (B) of this policy.

Post Accident Medical Examination of all the concerned staff should invariably be resorted to immediately. This should be irrespective of whether the staff concerned is prima-facie responsible for the accident or not.

The Staff should not be allowed to perform his normal duty while waiting for the results of the Post Accident medical examination.

Punishment : For category 1 staff Norms : (A) Alcohol level between 1-20 mg/100ml of blood Action to be taken : Staff riot to be allowed to perform duty and endorsement should be made in his service records.

Norms : (B*) Alcohol level >21

9

mg/100ml of Blood or 2nd occasion of alcohol level between 1-20 per 100 ml of blood Action to be taken : Removal from service.

Breath alcohol estimation to be supplemented with blood alcohol test till calibrated of art state art breath analyzers are available all across Indian Railways.

Punishment for category 2 staff When any Railway servant is found intoxicated on the Railway premises or suspected to be in a state of intoxication the evidence of two independent witnesses and if possible medical report regarding his condition should be obtained.

Arrangement for his relief should be immediately made and concerned authorities should be informed who will take deterrent D&AR action at the earliest.

For category 2 staff, para 172 of Indian Railway Act will also be applicable which is reproduced below:“If any Railway servant is found in a state of intoxication while on duty, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees and when the performance of any duty in such state is likely to endanger the safety of any person travelling on or being upon a Railway, such Railway servant shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.”

Changes required in Manuals and Rule Books: The Directorate concerned of Railway Board will review following Manuals/Rule Books according to the revised policy for the Indian Railways and make amendments, if any: (i) Indian Railway Act. (ii) Medical Manual (iii) General and Subsidiary rules.

A booklet should be got printed by all zonal Railways briefly explaining the revised alcohol policy of Indian Railways, its aims and objectives along with its benefits

July, 2014

both for the staff as also for the organization as a whole.

NFIR COMMENTS VIDE LETTER DATED 09.06.2014.

Rly. Board vide above reference cited above sought comments on the report of the committee (constituted to review the existing policy on “Drunkenness on Duty”) In this connection, NFIR conveys its response as below:Punishment norms: Existing norms : (Ref-Railway Board’s letter No. 2001/Safety-1/ 23/4 dated 27-11-2001) (i) Alcohol level bet 01-20mg/ 100ml of blood-will not be permitted to perform duty.

As per committee’s report (RefDirector (Safety-III)/Railway Board’s letter No. 2009/safety(DM)/ 6/12/Committee dated 20-5-2014. (i) Alcohol level bet 01-20mg/ 100ml of blood-staff not be allowed to perform duty and endorsement should be made in his service records.

Existing norms : (ii) Alcohol level between 21-40mg/100ml of bloodwill be issued minor penalty in each case.

As per committee’s report : (ii) Alcohol level>21mg/100ml of blood OR second occasion of alcohol level between 01-20mg/ 100ml of blood-Removal from Service (above norms for train running staff i.e. Drivers/Motorman/asst.

Drivers/Guards and for train passing staff i.e. ASMs/SMs/ station/yard staff/pointsmen/ levermen/cabinmen/switchmen).

Existing norms : (iii) Alcohol level bet 41-70mg/100ml of blood-will be issue major penalty in each case. (iv) Alcohol level above 70mg/ 100ml of blood-Suspension and reversion from safety post. (v) Repeated detection of 3 times, irrespective of level of alcohol detected-Reversion from safety critical post.

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

NFIR’s comments : The committee report is not acceptable as the proposed minimum punishment of (if staff found “positive” level of alcohol between 01-20mg/100ml of blood) “removal from service” is draconian which may have demoralization effect on staff leading to untoward incidents.

Punishment cannot be imposed simply on the basis of breathalyzer test. There are cases wherein breathalyzer tests indicated different alcoholic levels for same person tested twice/thrice.

Alcoholic level test results taken by breathalyzer (Instrument) needs to be considered only as preliminary report and not as final/authentic report in respect of presence of alcohol contents in blood.

If staff suspected to be found under influence of alcohol, the blood sample may be collected by senior Railway doctor duly adhering to the norms laid down in Indian Rlys. Medical Manual vide para 566 (5) (i, ii, iii).

Collected blood sample should be sent to State Government run Forensic Science laboratory seeking report. Results & analysis of blood sample declared by State Forensic Science laboratory be taken as basis for initiating action under rules (D&A rules).

NFIR came across a few cases of Loco Pilots whose blood when tested by the Forensic Science Laboratory found to contain Alcohol although they never consumed alcohol during their entire life time. This aspect needs to be considered. In some cases the reports of Forensic Science Laboratory are made available after a lapse of one year as “positive” when the breathalyzer test proved “negative” at a given time.

The test of breathalyzer at the time of sign “ON” for Loco/ traffic Running staff indicates “positive” the staff should be checked whether he has consu-

10

med any medicine like cough syrup homeopathy medicines etc since these medicines etc. since these medicines when consumed, there is also a chance of presence of alcohol in blood.

Similarly even presence of alcohol can be noticed if a person consumes tobacco (Zarda/gutka etc.)

The concept of “Removal from Service” as mentioned in committee’s report is unjustified.

In the present scenario, the percentage of alcoholic prone staff is very less as they are better educated any very much conscious of their duties. There may be around less than 1% of staff who consume alcohol while not on duty. Such staff can be identified and counseled to get them away from alcoholism. In case a person addicted to alcohol, such staff can be persuaded to leave job through voluntary retirement instead resorting to retribution.

It is worth to highlight the unfortunate accident of train No. 16591(UBL-SBC) Hampi Express at Penugonda station (SBC Division/S/W Railway) on 225-2012 where blood samples of both I.P. and ALP were tested at Karnataka State Forensic Science laboratory. Bangalore It was found that 16.26mg/100ml & 14.04mg/100ml (percentage) in blood of I.P. and A.I.P. respectively Opinion of Karnataka State Forensic Science laboratory was that both persons were “not under the influence of alcohol” when Railways does not allow even 0.1mg/100ml (percentage).

This aspect needs to be taken into consideration for remedying the position.

In view of the above NFIR requests that the committee’s report be REJECTED and Railway Board should initiate dialogue with recognized federations on this vital issue. The Federation also suggests that seminars be organized at Zonal level in association with NFIR Unions for eliciting opinion from stake holders.

July , 2014

Memorandum to VII CPC on Dearness Allowance Merger with Pay T he JCM Staff Side had preliminary interaction meeting with 7th Central Pay Commission on 28th May, 2014 on general matters as well as 7th CPC “Terms of Reference” and the need for Dearness Allowance merger and also grant of Interim Relief.

As follow up to the discussion, the JCM had internal discussion and finalized the Memorandum.

The said Memorandum seeking Dearness Allowance merger and grant of Interim Relief was sent to the Chairman of 7 th Central Pay Commission on June 3, 2014 to enable the Commission to consider and recommend to the Government..

Gist of Memorandum The Dearness Allowance is considered as a device to protect the real income of wage earners and salaried employees from the adverse effect of rise in process. Constant rise in the price level, might bring about a situation whereby the quantum of allowance shall go up. Such a phenomenon of constant increase of prices of commodities gave rise to the demand for merger of Dearness Allowance with pay so as to make it pay, rather than an allowance, with all concomitant benefits. A committee to advice the Govt. on the portion of such DA to be treated as pay was appointed on 15 th July, 1952 (Resolution No. F6(6)E-II/52).

The terms of reference of the Committee was: “Taking in to consideration the rates of dearness allowance that have been sanctioned to date for Central Govt. servants, and the level at which cost of living index are likely to stabilize in the foreseeable future, to recommend the percentage of dearness allowance now given to the Central Govt. servants which should be allowed to be treated as pay for all purposes in future, provided that by doing so that present total pay and dearness

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

allowance is not enhanced:” The said committee was headed

by Shri N.V. Gadgil, Member of Parliament. The Committee in its report concluded that “we have recorded the various reasons which we have taken into account in arriving at the conclusion that the appropriate level below which the All India cost of living index is not likely to fall, should be taken as 265-284. We find that for the index figure of 265, the Central Pay Commission formula allows Govt.

Employees in the lowest pay group a dearness allowance of Rs.20/- and this amount remain unchanged until the cost of living index go above the index of the next level i.e. 285. We, therefore, consider that the employees in this pay group, a sum of Rs.20/- which represents 50% of the present dearness allowance of Rs.40 per month should be treated as pay (page 22 chapter V Report of the Dearness Allowance Committee).”

The Committee also enumerated in their report the purposes for which the DA shall be treated as pay as under:Retirement Benefits Travelling allowance Compensatory allowance House rent allowance Compensation of Leave Salary etc.

The 3rd CPC, whose recommendations were implemented with effect from 1.1.1973 had no reference from the Govt. on the question of merger of DA. Still while dealing with the issue of Dearness Allowance (Vol.IV – Page 1 Ch.55) the Commission noted that “no other country in the world (except Ceylon and Pakistan) seems to be following the practice of paying dearness allowance or cost of living allowance as a separate element of wage. In most of the countries compensation to Govt. employees for

11

the increase in the price level is given by way of periodical salary revisions. Prior to the setting up of the 3 rd CPC, pursuant to the discussion in the National Council, JCM, the entire dearness allowance as on 1.8.1966 was treated as Dearness pay and the consequent increase in allowance was granted by the Government with effect from 1.12.1968. In para 16, the Commission recommended that should the price level rise above twelve monthly index of 272 (1960=100) the Government should review the position and decide whether the Dearness allowance Scheme should be extended further or the pay scale themselves should be revised. (Page 4, Chapter 55, Vol.4, 3 rd CPC Report). On crossing the index point of 272, the Government conceded the demand for merger of 36% of DA with Pay. Later, based on an agreement reached at the National Council JCM the DA granted up to the index level of 320 points i.e. 60% of the Basic Pay was merged through executive instructions for purpose of allowances and pension. Before the 4th CPC was set up in 1983, the issue of further merger of DA with Pay was raised by the employees. Conceding the demand the Government decided that DA entitled to be drawn up to the index average of 568 points be treated as pay for all purposes.

Since the Pay Scale were to be constructed with reference to the consumer price index as on the date of revision, every Commission had to perforce merge the entire DA when the actual revision was made.

The DA on such revised pay is to be computed on the basis of annual average rise of index after every six months interval. Therefore, the question of merger of DA again rose at the time of negotiation with the Government for setting up the 5 th CPC. An agreement was reached on merger of certain percentage of DA and interim relief. (Rs.100/-) in

July, 2014

September, 1993. In April, 1994, the Government issued notification setting up the 5th CPC (resolution No. 5 (12) E-III/93 dated 9.4.1994).

The Staff Side JCM placed before the 5th CPC the necessity to merge DA with Pay at an index level below which prices were not likely to move downwards. Pointing out that in the last two decades i.e. 1980s and 1990s there had been not a single occasion when the annual average index had fallen consequent upon which the DA rates were to be reduced, they requested the Commission to merge the entire DA which had been at 97% of the Basic pay as on 1.7.1993. (The AICPI index being 1201.66). The Commission after deliberations on the memorandum and discussion with the JCM staff side, recommended that 97% of Basic Pay as DA admissible from 1.7.1993 be treated as Pay for all purposes. However, they suggested that the said merger might be given effect only from 1.4.1995.

The 5th CPC submitted its final report to the Government on 19 th January, 1997.

Before the commission, the Staff side JCM had demanded that as and when the consumer price index exceeds 25% of the base index at which the pay is fixed that proportion of Dearness Allowance should be treated as Pay for all purposes and the decision on this must not be left at the discretion of the Government. The Commission considering this demand observed that: “From the past trend of CPI given in annexure 118.1 it is observed that 50% increase in prices generally takes around five years to materialize. A mid-term quinquennial revision of salaries of the Government employees is not something the Government should grudge. In view of the above, we recommend that DA should be converted into Dearness Pay each time the CPI increases by 50% over the base index used by the last Pay Commission. Such DA should be termed as Dearness Pay and be counted for all purposes including retirement benefits. (Chapter 105 page 157)”.

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

The 5th CPC thus regularized the periodical merger of DA into a well thought out scheme. They also established that wage revision is needed either when the DA exceeds 50% over the base index or after five years.

The Government, however, did not act upon this recommendation, when the percentage of DA exceeded 50 (52%) as on 1.7.2002, though it had accepted the recommendation in 1997. With the persistent persuasion, ultimately, the Government issued orders treating 50% DA as Dearness Pay for all purposes with effect from 1.4.2004.

Even though the 5 th CPC had brought about a finality on the approach to the question of merger of DA with pay, the 6th CPC reopened the issue afresh. The Commission made the following observation.

“This conversion (merger of DA with Pay) is however not necessary in the revised structure being recommended where increments are payable as a percentage of Pay in the Pay Band and Grade Pay thereon and provision has been made for all allowances/benefits to be revised periodically, linked to the increase in the price index. The Commission is, therefore, not recommending merger of DA with Basic Pay at any stage.”

The 3 rd, 4 th and 5 th Central Pay Commissions had approvingly endorsed the recommendations made by Gadgil Committee in 1952.

The practice of periodical merger had been followed as a device to protect the erosion in the real value of wages (including allowances) especially at the lowest level of employees. This erosion becomes unbearable when DA crosses over 50%. To say that the increment rate which is presently 3% of pay would take care of the erosion is to say the least, atrocious. Increment is granted as a legitimate reward for the service rendered by an employee for a year.

It has nothing to do with the erosion in the real value of wages. No doubt, the 6th CPC has recommended that a few allowances should be revised by 25% as and when the DA crosses over the stipulated 50%. Such

12

allowances are very in number.

Moreover, 25% rise as a compensation when the DA itself rises to 50% is arbitrary and conceived to compensate the worker with lesser amount than what he is entitled to.

In view of the foregoing paragraphs, the Pay Commission was requested that the Dearness Allowance as on 1.1.2014 which stood at 100% of Pay may be recommended to be merged with Pay and treated as Dearness Pay for all purposes including that of retirement entitlements. It was also requested that the Commission may also recommend the similar merger in respect of pensioners and Gramin Dak Sewaks of Postal Departments.

Interim Relief Barring the 6 th Central Pay Commission, all other Commissions had recommended grant of Interim Relief to the Central Government employees. As per the 5 th CPC, Interim relief represented a provisional arrangement during the period between setting up of a Pay Commission and submission of a report by the Commission and its acceptance by the Government. Most of the earlier Commissions with the exception of 1 st & 6 th Central Pay commission had taken 2-3 years and sometimes more to finalize their recommendations. Despite the specific reference made to the 6 th CPC, by the Government to consider grant of Interim Relief the Commission took the position that having decided to submit its recommendation within the stipulated period of eighteen months and having arrived at a view that its recommendations must be effective from 1.1.2006, it shall not waste time on the question of interim relief.

What the 6th CPC failed to appreciate was the erosion in the real value of wages that had taken place over the years due to inflation and rise in prices of essential commodities and the inability especially of the employees at the lower level to make the both ends meet with the available wages. No doubt, the employees had been to some extent benefited by the decision of the Government to merge 50% Dearness

July , 2014

Allowance and treat it as pay for all purposes including DA thereon.

Every Pay Commission which had recommended Interim Relief had made it amply clear that it wads intended to provide some relief to the employees pending a comprehensive determination of their salary structure and other benefits. The relief granted was treated as sui generic (one of its own kind, unique) and it was not taken into account for determining any allowance or benefit.

“2.g. To examine desirability and need to sanction any interim relief till the time the recommendations of the Commission are made and accepted by the Government.”

While the Government did not initially refer the question of Interim Relief to the 5th CPC the Staff Side of JCM had submitted memorandum to the Commission on I.R., consequently the Government had to amend the terms of reference and refer the issue to the Commission for decision. This factor establishes the need for a relief in view of the erosion in the real value of wages, the need to fill the widening gap in wages when compared to outside rates and the fact that final recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission are bound to revise the wage structure and above all the necessity to provide some relief to the employees who would retire before the Commission’s recommendations are finally submitted to the Government and accepted by them.

A Table indicating the retail prices of the commodities which goes into the computation of minimum wage as per Dr. Ackroyd formula as on 1.1.2006 (quoted by the 6th CPC in their report. Page 53. Table 2.1.1 Chapter 2.2.) and the actual retail price of those very commodities as on 1.1.2011 is placed below.

The percentage increase in the prices of each commodity is also given in the table. The average rise in prices was o the order of 174%, whether as the Dearness Allowance entitlement was only 51%. The table clearly indicates the erosion in the real value of the wages. (See Table)

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

Name of articles

Price as 1-1-2006

As on date

% increase

Rice

18

38

120

Dhal 4 varieties; average

40

87

120

Raw vegetables

10

40

400

Green veg.

10

56

560

Other veg.

10

40

400

Fruits

30

100

330

Milk

24

32

40

Sugar, jiggery, average

24

43

95

Edible oil.3 varieties average

50

95

95

Fish

120

300

150

Meat

120

240

100

Egg Detergents/soap Cloth

2

3

50

200

350

75

80

120

50

Average increase

174

The need based minimum wage computed on the basis of Dr. Ackroyd formula as on 1.1.2014 will be around Rs.26,000 bringing about a gap of almost 12,000 at the level of an MTS.

years : Rs. 13,894

The only Public Sector undertaking in which the wage agreement has been reached in 2013 is the Coal India Limited. As per the said agreement, the minimum wage at the lowest level of the worker as on 1.1.2014 is:

F. 57.55% of Rs.14,000 : 8,857

Basic Pay

Rs. 15,712

Dearness Allowance 29.6% Special allowance

4.0%

Special DA

1.795%

Attendance bonus 10% Total : 49.395% Total Salary:

Rs.7,132.46 Rs. 22,844.46

At the MTS level 22.844.46 x 13% Rs. 29,697.00 As per the formula adopted by the 5th CPC, the minimum wage will work out to Rs.22,857 as under: A. Per Capita NNP at constant price for 2004-05 : Rs. 24,143 B. Per Capita NNP at constant price for 2011-12 : Rs. 38,037 C. The increase registered over 8

13

D. Percentage increase over 200405 : 57.54877% E. Emoluments of an MTS as on 1.1.2014 : Rs. 14,000 Rs.

G. Wage to be fixed in the case of MTS as on 1.1.14 : Rs. 22,857 From the above it is seen that Central Government employees presently have a very depressed salary structure. The final outcome of the deliberations of the 7th CPC will become available only by 2016.

It is, therefore, necessary that the employees have to be compensated in the form of Interim Relief. The Commission may, as has been done by the various earlier Pay Commissions, recommend at least 25% of Pay in Pay Band plus Grade Pay as Interim Relief subject to a minimum of Rs.2,000/-.

Passive Resistance Persistence and faith in one's mission, faith in the Supreme Power makes one humble and fearless.

- M.K. Gandhi

July, 2014

Minutes of the Meeting held on the Left over PNM Items T he PNM Items could not be discussed in the formal PNM meeting on 30 th and 31 st January, 2014 for want of time were taken up for discussion in the special meeting held at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi on 19 th May, 2014. S/Shri Guman Singh, President, M. Raghavaiah, General Secretary, R.P. Bhatnagar, Working President and B.C. Sharma, Joint General Secretary have participated in the discussions.

Extract of minutes placed below: Minutes on Items EDPC-I 18/2004 : Revision of special allowance to the Accounts staff for passing Appendix II and III examination with effect from 1-1-96. & 9/2012 : Qualification pay to Accounts staff on passing Appendix III (IREM) Examination – Rectification of anomaly – reg.

A proposal for antedating the date of effect for allowing Qualification Pay to Appendix III qualified staff on the lines it has been done in the case of Appendix II staff has been processed and efforts are being made to do the same in-house.

General Secretary/NFIR has requested to expedite the issue for finalization.

8/2008 : Fixation of pay to the staff posted from one project to the other.

It was agreed to reiterate instructions drawing attention to para 4 Board’s letter E(P&A)-II/85/ PP-24 dated 31-12-1985.

13/2010 : Payment of Transport Allowance to Railway Employees working at Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon and INDIAN RAIL WORKER

Noida which are classified at par with Delhi as ‘X’.

Federation stated that recently some orders have been issued by DoP&T based on court directions. It was agreed to connect the same and then examine.

1/2011 : Grant of Financial Upgradation under MACPS to the staff who are in the same Grade Pay for more than 20 Years.

Official Side stated that DoP&T had been consulted in the matter who have not agreed. Federation pointed out that the issue came up in the Standing Committee meeting held by DoP&T on 27-7-2012 when it was decided that Ministry concerned is to consult with the Federation in the matter and make reference to DoP&T, where necessary. However no consultation was made by Railway Board with the Federations before the reference was made to DoP&T. On the demand of the Federation, it was agreed to make available copies of reference made to DoP&T and reply received from them in the matter so that they can evaluate if there is any scope for further reference in the matter, and if so, in facilitating Railway Board to send proposal.

5/2011 : Categories exempted from the period of officiating – Revision of Daily Officiating Allowance.

Official Side agreed to examine revision in the rates of Daily Officiating Allowance on introduction of VI CPC pay scales and issue necessary instructions accordingly.

Federation suggested that those shouldered higher responsibilities should be paid higher rate retrospectively.

8/2011:

Reckoning 14

of

Additional Allowance as pay for all purposes including computation of Retirement Benefits – Running Staff.

Federation requested that this issue may also be referred to VII CPC with recommendation and copy be given to them. Federation’s proposal was agreed to.

9/2011 : Application of Safety Related Retirement Scheme (LARSGESS) to the Loco Pilots drafted to work as Crew Controllers.

It was explained that Crew Controllers are non-running staff, hence cannot be included in LARSGESS. Federation stated that Official Side’s reaction in this case is unreasonable and illogical and demanded a meeting with CRB. Federation further insisted that there is no post of Crew Controller and according to instructions the posts of Crew Controllers became part of Loco Pilot Cadre.

16/2011 : Abolition of Pay Scale and Introduction of upgraded Pay Scale with revised designation – Senior Section Engineers (Drawing) – Clarification on entry Grade Pay. & 16/2013 : Non-grant of benefit under MACP Scheme to the Stock Verifiers working in Zonal Railways/Production Units. & 17/2013 : Grant of financial upgradation under MACP Scheme – Wrongful clarification issued by the Railway Board.

Position was explained by the

July , 2014

Official Side. However, on the insistence of Federation, file is to be put to MS drawing attention of the minutes of the meeting of Federations held with full Board on 7-2-2014. Federation stated that it has sent list of MACPS issues to Board already.

22/2011 : Grant of Transport Allowance to the employees availing the facility of Workmen Trains.

Official side stated that the Federation’s demand for grant of Transport Allowance to the employees availing the facility of Workmen Trains at par with the employees availing RCP facility is not feasible for acceptance, and accordingly, the position has been communicated to the Federation vide letter dated 19-3-2014.

Federation demanded discussion on this issue with MS and FC.

1-A/2012 : VIth CPC Recommendation – Allowances to Staff.

Instructions for allowing Special Allowance @ Rs. 200/- p.m. from 19-2008 and Rs. 250/- p.m. from 1-12011 to staff working in Ticket Checking Squad of Railway Board have been issued vide Board’s order dated 13-12-2012. (Closed)

1-B/2012 : VIth CPC Recommendation – Allowances to staff.

Instructions in respect of revision in the rate of Special Allowance admissible to Nurses working in Operation Theaters/ICU have yet not been received from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The Ministry was again reminded in the matter on 27-3-2014.

7/2012 : Payment of Allowance to the Running Staff working Duronto Express Trains.

This is under review in consultation with Coaching Directorate.

10/2012 : Stepping up of pay of Seniors – Case of Loco Running Staff posted as INDIAN RAIL WORKER

Instructors in the Zonal Electric Railway Training Centres.

Discussed and Closed. (Closed)

20/2012 : Selection for promotion to the post of Loco Inspector (Electric Traction)Western Railway.

A letter No. E(P&A)II/2007/RS14 dated 28-1-2013 has already been issued to WR in this regard. (Closed)

22/2012 : Grant of Incentive to the Accounts Stock Verifiers who have been posted from the cadre of Junior Accounts Assistant on passing Appendix – IV-A (IREM) Examination.

Necessary data will be collected and given to Federation. General Secretary suggested that a meeting with Adv (Accounts) be arranged soon.

26/2012 : Pay fixation of V CPC Pay Scale – Injustice to the Senior batch of directly recruited Apprentice Mechanics of I.C.F., Perambur – Rectification – Requested.

Details given by Federation vide letter dated 17-2-2014 will be examined.

34/2012 : Revision of Special Pay granted to Trolleyman working in Engineering and S&T Departments.

It was explained to the Federation that Trolleyman was de-notified for grant of Risk Allowance in accordance with the recommendations of the V CPC and as such there was no question of revision in the rate of Risk Allowance for such categories.

Federation requested that it may be checked if originally it was ‘Risk Allowance’ or ‘Special Pay’ because Federation feels that this was ‘Special Pay’ and as such needs to be doubled.

40/2012 : Admissibility of House Rent Allowance in the event of non-acceptance or surrender of Rly. residential 15

accommodation.

It was explained to the Federation that wherever there is a house earmarked, the employee cannot be allowed HRA. Federation wanted that a clarification be issued in the matter which was agreed to.

Federation also contended that the administration cannot deny HRA when the earmarked quarters are not fit for occupation.

45-A/2012: Problems faced in the implementation process of LARSGESS- Discontentment among safety staff.

Federation requested that CPOs be asked to strictly go by the recruitment cycles. Official Side stated that existing instructions are already there to adhere to the cycles, but the same will be reiterated as requested by the Federation.

56/2012 : Counting of service of D-2 khalasis in CLW for extending benefits of financial upgradation under MACP Scheme – reg. Ref:. NFIR’s Letter No. III/CRMC/1 dated 19-9-2012.

Matter is under examination.

58/2012: Grant of PCO Allowance to the Drawing staff (Jig & Tool) working in Parel Workshop/Western Railway.

It was explained to the Federation that PCO Allowance is intended to protect drop in emoluments in the case of staff transferred from Shop floor to PCO. The staff while working on Shop Floor are entitled for Incentive Bonus which is not admissible on PCO. As such to compensate them for the loss of Incentive Bonus, PCO Allowance was introduced. It was however agreed to call for remarks of Western Railway to ascertain the factual position in respect of the Drawing staff (Jig & Tool) working in Parel Workshop/Western Railway.

5/2013 : National Holiday Allowance – Upward revision of rate – urged.

On

the

insistence

of

the

July, 2014

Federation it was agreed that this will be further examined.

8/2013: Committee to determine the quantum of pay element in Running Allowance – Withdrawal of Railway Board’ arbitrary decision.

It was advised to the Federation that on the demand of the Federations, the Empowered Committee has been kept in abeyance till VII CPC recommendations are received.

Federation stated that all running Staff issues be referred to the Committee as it was agreed in the Full Board Meeting held on 7-2-2014 that AMs Committee will be constituted to discuss with the Federations.

13/2013 : LARSGESS for the staff of Safety categories on Zonal Railways – Misinterpretation of policy decision resulting denial of opportunity to Track Maintainers (P.Way Mate).

This is to be re-examined as demanded by the Federation.

14/2013 : Liberalized Active Retirement Scheme for Guaranteed Employment for Safety Staff (LARSGESS) – widening scope and improper application.

Vide Board’s letter No. E(P&A)I2010/RT-2 dt. 24-3-2014, five more categories in GP Rs. 1800/- have been covered under the purview of LARSGESS. (Closed)

15/2013: Rectification of MACPS anomalies – Stepping up of Pay of Senior incumbents at par with Juniors – item No.8 of the minutes of meeting held on 27-7-2012 at North Block, New Delhi.

Meeting is Adv.(Accounts).

to

held

with

EDPC-II 57/2012 : Non-implementation of the benefit of cadre INDIAN RAIL WORKER

restructuring w.e.f. 1-11-2003 on Raipur & Bilaspur Divisions of SEC Railway.

Federation brought out that the benefit of cadre restructuring effective from 1-11-2003 has not been extended to steam surplus staff on SEC Railway who were on the rolls on 1-11-2003, and had retired thereafter on 30-4-2004. Federation stated that list of retirees on or after 30-4-2004 can be obtained from the Railway concerned and position may be checked up. It was agreed to ascertain the position from SEC Railway accordingly. Meanwhile, the Federation can submit specific names, if any, to facilitate cross check.

EDE(N) 32/2012 : Lack of career growth-points Man category of Operation Department in the Railways. (Transferred by EDPC-II).

Official Side advised that proposal has been sent in this regard to both Federations. While reply from NFIR has been received, AIRF’s response in the matter is awaited.

On receipt of the reply from AIRF, matter can be further discussed.

EDE(GC) 35/2004 : Inadequate promotion opportunities for Technical Supervisors in Railway printing presses.

Providing additional avenues to Technical Supervisors of Printing Press to Group ‘B’ Gazetted of Stores Deptt. Will be explored, so that they too will be eligible to appear for ACOS’s selection.

We Should Perform.....

Mr. Raghavaiah drew the attention of Railway Minister to the proposal sent by his predecessor Mallikarjun Kharge to Finance Minister on March 29, 2014 for abolition of New Pension Scheme and restoration of Liberalized Pension Scheme in Railways and expressed hope that the Railway Minister would get it cleared soon considering the uniqueness of Railways. He also sought Minister’s intervention for obtaining clearance of proposals on 6 th CPC issues pending with Finance Ministry, particularly Technicians merger with Grade Pay Rs.2800/-, Station Master entry Grade Pay Rs.4200/-, replacement of Grade Pay Rs.4600/ - with Rs.4800/-, Higher Grade Pay to Loco Pilots and Guards and Upgradation of apex Group ‘C’ posts to Group ‘B’ Gazetted. He specially highlighted the hard working conditions of Track Maintainers and appealed to the Minister to see that Joint Committee Report is implemented in Toto. Mr. Raghavaiah also urged upon the Railway Minister to shelve project proposals where the expected rate of return is less than 23%. He also requested the Railway Minister to see that additional posts are automatically created for manning and maintaining new services/new assets. On Train punctuality, Mr. Raghavaiah suggested that the Super Fast Trains are kept at Signals for want of Platforms at stations and to avoid detention additional platforms need to be built at major stations on priority.

General Secretary NFIR, while concluding his address has assured Railway Minister of NFIR’s cooperation for toning up the efficiency and safety standards of the Railways.

Contd. from page...1 abolished for ensuring improvement in cleanliness. He further said that supply of Bed Rolls and escorting AC Coaches by private individuals should be dispensed with in order to ensure safety, security of traveling public.

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When you have a good cause never descend to personalities

- M.K. Gandhi

July , 2014

CPOs Conference

G eneral Secretary, NFIR has addressed the CPOs Conference at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi on June 20, 2014. Important points raised by the General Secretary are given below briefly: Cadre Restructuring implementation

(a) Cancellation of Trade Test/ Selection proceedings for promotion to Group ‘C’ Entry Grade Pay post of Rs.1900/- PBI was a wrong step as the cadre restructuring was granted in Group ‘C’ Cadres and the said decision was nothing to do with promotion to GP Rs.1900. (b) Non-filling of Pre 1-11-2013 as well as post 2-11-2013 vacancies through promotion has resulted serious resentment among the staff.

Several employees are retiring without promotion benefit. (c) Delay in implementation of cadre restructuring of Track Maintainers has caused severe set back to their career growth.

The residency period should have been relaxed for granting promotions to these staff. (d) Non-finalization of avenue of promotion for Track Maintainers to face selection to JE (P. Way) has virtually deprived the promotion opportunity to this category. (e) It was also conveyed that where MACP was granted to same Grade Pay, there will be no financial implication as a result of promotion under cadre restructuring CPOs may take note of this for implementing the restructuring orders. In any cadre restructuring orders should be implemented without further delay. It was also highlighted that Member (Traffic) has written a letter that no posts are available for surrender in operating and commercial categories.

It was urged that posts should not be surrendered while implementing cadre restructuring decisions.

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Mutual Transfer Cases The Cases approved by the Competent Authorities should be dealt on priority and staff relieved.

RRBs/RRCs While RRCs workload is tremendously increased, the performance of RRBs needs to be reviewed for streamlining the system.

Strengthening of Railway Schools Railway Schools and Colleges should be made functional by allowing non-Railway children after giving priority to wards of serving/ retired Railway employees. However, fees may be levied on nonrailway children who seek admission as is being done by other educational institutions.

PNM Meetings CPOs should ensure conducting PNM Meetings regularly for resolving the issues.

Retirement benefits There are cases on Zonal Railways where retirement benefits are not granted on some pretext or the other. These should be settled.

Compassionate Appointments CPOs were requested to take initiative in extending real compassion to the wards of the deceased/medically de-categorized employees. The Railway Board was also requested to consider deletion of “Rarest of Rare” for granting compassionate appointment as office clerk.

Selection General Secretary expressed disappointment over non-holding of selections on the pretext of implementation process of cadre restructuring orders.

Redeployment of surplus and medically de-categorized staff It was urged upon the CPOs that

17

the requests of these Staff be considered & re-deployed them as per their choice as far as possible.

General Secretary also mentioned the following: (a) 20 years service in safety posts for extending benefit under LARSGESS. General Secretary explained that the Track Maintainer whose lien is continued as such has been deployed to perform duties of Painter or Carpenter or Welder etc. by the competent authority. In these cases it should be taken that 20 years service shall be the criteria for applying LARSGESS. He further said that this aspect was accepted by Member Staff. He urged early orders. (b) Appointment to wards of Commission Bearers/Venders died/ invalidated : General Secretary pointed out that the orders issued by Railway Board in the year 2007 have not been implemented on South Eastern and East Coast Railways. He requested CPOs to peruse NFIR’s letters and take immediate action for offering appointment of wards. (c) Screening and observation of substitute on NF Railway (Alipurdwar Junction): General Secretary invited the attention of CPO to Board’s letter dated 21 st December, 2010 for taking quick action for screening and absorption. (d) Shortage of Ministerial Staff in Personnel Department: In view of increasing work load there is need to fill all the vacancies.

The so called ban clamped in the year 1991 should be lifted, GS told the Board. (e) Delay in settlement of dues due to clearance of Railway Board awaited: General Secretary emphasized the need to pursue such cases by CPOs at Board level as staff who retired 2 to 3 years back are suffering a lot due to non-payment of retirement benefits for want of D&A clearance/disposal. (f) LARSGESS: On some Zones

July, 2014

the wards of safety staff (GP Rs.1900/-) are subjected to written test and when they failed they are offered safety post in GP Rs.1800/On a few zones when such wards fail in written test, jobs are denied.

General Secretary wanted Railway Board to issue clarification that in all such cases the wards of safety staff be granted appointment in the entry Grade Pay of Rs.1800/- which is the entry post for safety staff. (g) Non-payment of Arrears to Cashiers on North Western Railway: NWR and Board was requested to expedite the same and see that payment is arranged. (h) Allotment of Grade Pay of Rs.1800/- : Those who died during the period 1.1.2006 and September, 2008, i.e. prior to implementation of revised pay structure, were entitled for Grade Pay Rs.1800/- PB-I w.e.f.

1.1.2006. But unfortunately on some Zones they are denied the Grade Pay and consequential pay fixation benefit and pension. These cases are required to be reviewed for grant of benefit with effect from January 1, 2006. (i) MACPS: There are cases of Safaiwalas/Safaiwalis etc. in GP Rs. 1800/- PB-1 retired after 1.9.2008.

These staff have not been granted MACP on some Zones, consequently the legitimate financial up-gradation in GP Rs.1900/- or GP Rs.2400/- as the case may be is yet to be granted to them. These deserving cases should be considered and benefit of MACP extended and arrears paid besides ensuring pension re-fixation.

Pension payment to the staff (ad-hoc promotees): On a few Zonal Railways 50% of pay drawn by employees (ad-hoc promotees) was not granted as pension. This is in violation of codal provision (Rule 1303). The denial of pension is leading to Court cases and the retired employees are paid pension only when Court directions or when contempt of Court cases came up for hearing. Railway Board is requested to clarify suitably and see that Rules are not violated by the Zonal Railways.

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S.C. Rly. Employees' Co-op. Credit Society Ltd., Secunderabad (Regd. No. 1548 Estt. 1923)

This Society is the biggest Multi State Cooperative Credit Society in Andhra Pradesh, catering the needs of the shareholders on the entire South Central Railway.

The Society is offering the following Schemes for the welfare of its shareholders.

I. Quantum of Loans: (Rate of Interest 6% ) Service upto 5 Yrs. 5 basic sub. max. Rs. 60,000/Service over 5 Yrs. & upto 15 Yrs. 7 basic sub. max. Rs. 80,000/Service over 15 Yrs. 10 basic sub. max. Rs. 90,000/CMTD assets Rs. 30,000 & above 10 basic sub. max. Rs. 1,00,000/Gaz. Officers 10 basic sub. max. Rs. 1,50,000/II. Special Loans : (Rate of Interest 7.5%) If CMTD If CMTD If CMTD If CMTD holdings below holding holding holding Rs. 40,000 Rs. 40,000 Rs. 60001 Rs. 80001 to 60,000 to 80,000 & above Loan Sanction Rs. 80,000 1,10,000 1,20,000 1,30,000 III. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE : (one time only)

AIDS Amputation of legs above knee cap Brain Operation Cancer : Rs. 6,000/Amputation of both legs : Rs. 4,000/Heart Surgery Kidney Operation Orthopaedic Operation (major) : Rs. 3000/Amputation of one hand above elbow : Rs. 2500/- Paralysis Amputation of hands Below elbow Gynic Operation Abdominal operation Amputation of one leg below knee cap Spinal Cord operation : Rs. 2000/-.

IV. MUTUAL BENEFIT FUND : Rs. 30,000/- will be paid as Death Benefit.

V. SURETY RELIEF FUND : Relieve Sureties for payment of borrowers liability in case of Death of the Borrower while in service.

VI. Retirement Benefit Fund : Min. Rs. 1000/- Max. Rs. 3000/VII. Book Bank : Books for Tech, Inter, Degree, PG and professional courses worth upto Rs. 3000/- for two children of a shareholder.

VIII.Educational Scholarships : (Eligible only one ward of the Shareholder who continues further studies)

SSC Courses : Rs. 600/- SSC (Merit, marks above 80%) : Rs. 1000/Intermediate : Rs. 600/- Degree : Rs. 600/- Degree (Merit marks above 80% (final year) : Rs. 1000/Technical (ITI) & Diploma courses : Rs. 600/PG, Engg and Medical Courses : Rs. 1000/Engg. Medical and PG Courses Ward of Shareholders in PB-I and grade pay upto Rs. 2800/- : Rs. 1500/-.

IX. CASH AWARDS TO SPORTS PERSONS : (i) Rs. 1000/- for National & International Achievements (ii) Rs. 500/- for State Level achievement.

FIXED DEPOSIT SCHEME : Re-Investment Plan (RIP) Term 12 months 9.00% Term 24 months 9.50% Term 36 months 10.50% Minimum Deposit Rs. 5000 and additional deposits accepted in multiples of Rs. 5000/- Maturity value Deposit Amt. 12 Months @ 9.00% 24 Months @ 9.50% 36 Months @ 10.50% 5,000 5,466 6,033 6,817 10,000 10,932 12,066 13,634 25,000 27,330 30,165 34,085 50,000 54,660 60,330 68,170 1,00,000 1,09,320 1,20,660 1,36,340 Special Benefit : Interest rates are higher than offered by Banks No Tax

Deduction at Source on interest on income received as per Sec. 194(A) of I.T Act 1961 Safety for your money SCR ECCS Ltd., is a 86 year old organization and certified as 'A' Class Society by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies SCR ECCS Ltd has strong financial base and sound growth record.

Note : The Board of Management is proposed to enhance the General Loans shortly and it will be intimated to all the shareholders.

Implementation of NEFT :- It is to inform all the shareholders that S.C. Rly. Employees Co-operative Credit Society is the first society in Indian Railway Sector to implement the National Electronic Fund Transfer for disbursement of loans.

(P. Durga Prasad Rao) (K. Vijay Kr.) (B.R. K. Murthy) Vice - President President Asstt. Secy.

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July , 2014

Highly Successful SCRES Genl. Body Meeting T he three days General Body Meeting of SCRE Sangh was successfully concluded on June 17, 2014.

On 15 th June, 2014, apart from celebrating the Birth Day of SCRES General Secretary, M. Raghavaiah, the Working Committee met and discussed GS Report, Draft Resolutions, adoption Honorary Members, Organizational Matters, SCRES Annual Accounts. After deliberations the Working Committee has decided to recommend the same to the General Coucil and General Body for consideration.

The 28th Biennial General Body meeting was held on 16th and 17th June 2014 at Rail Kalarang, Secunderabad, attended by mammoth gathering of SCRE Sangh cadre. M. Raghavaiah, SCRE Sangh General Secretary unfurled the Flag. The meeting was formally inaugurated by lighting lamp by S/Shri.

Raghavaiah, Prabhakar Andrew, CPS Sarma, A. Rajagopal and Smt. M. Uma Nagendramani. Prayer was conducted by Smt Aruna Rajeswar.

Shri G. Prabhakar Andrew, in his welcome address, explained the programmes of the sessions and appealed to delegates to take part in the deliberations duly maintaining discipline in and around the venue.

He narrated the activities and developments during the last two years on the following issues – Constitution of 7th Central Pay Commission Secret Ballot Elections 2013 Abolition of New Pension Scheme Career Progression of Trackmen category Liberalised Active Retirement Scheme for Guaranteed Employment for Safety Staff Productivity Linked Bonus Trade Union Subscription through Salary Deduction He thanked M. Raghavaiah, General Secretary of SCRE Sangh for

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

his guidance and support without which it would have not been possible to run the affairs of Central Office and requested the same vigour and dedication in the future too. He placed on record his sincere thanks to all Central, Divisional and Branch office bearers for their continued cooperation. He also placed on record his appreciations to Hyderabad Division for making elaborate arrangements for 28th Biennial General Body Meeting. He finally advised the delegates to highlight the achievements of SCRE Sangh and get the support of the field level employees.

SCRES General Secretary, in his inaugural address, congratulated the delegates and leaders for their excellent performance in the 2nd Secret Ballot Elections held in Indian Railways for grant of recognition to the trade unions in April 2013 and which resulted SCRE Sangh emerging as No. 1 union in the zone.

However, he pointed out that the cadre must have intensified their efforts to secure still better results. He desired that preparation for future elections should be done with a view to achieve only one union in S.C. Railway i.e. S.C.R.E. Sangh. He explained various issues pertaining to the Railway employees which include preparation of memorandum to 7th CPC covering all categories, scrapping of New Pension Scheme, Merger of DA with pay, grant of Interim Relief, merger of Tech II with Tech. Gr.I, with GP Rs. 2800/-, Replacement of GP Rs. 4600 with Rs.4800/-, entry Grade Pay of Station Masters as GP Rs.4200/-. He advised the delegates to deliberate freely and frankly to precise the issues so as to give opportunity to all who wish to speak on various matters.

Photo exhibition In the First day open session held on 16th June, 2014 Shri Pradeep Kumar Srivastava, General Manager.

South Central Railway was the chief Guest. He was warmly welcomed by thousands of the delegates present

19

in the session. The ‘Photo Exhibition’ which was first of its kind in the history of SCRE Sangh was inaugurated by General Manager.

He appreciated SCRE Sangh for its prestigious and valuable memories preserved in the record and congratulated General Secretary and also the team that has shown the excellent performance in organizing the exhibition.

Dignitaries S/Shri. M.C. Das, retired General Manager, K. Sesha Sai, Chief Personnel Officer, S.K. Gupta, Chief Medical Director, S.K. Misra, Divisional Railway Manager, Secunderabad Division, Rakesh Aron, Divisional Railway Manager, Hyderabad Division, M. Surya Narayana, Retired Deputy CPO & his wife, V.V. Naik, Vice President, All India SC & ST Railway Employees’ Association and President of SC & ST Association of South Central Railway were present on the dais. Dr. Girija Shankar, Chief Health Surgeon was specially greeted by the General Secretary. He also warmly greeted PCE, CME, CSTE besides Suryachandra Rao, Sr. DCM, Hyderabad Division.

Felicitation Shri. M. Raghavaiah welcomed all the dignitaries on the dais and greeted them. He especially appreciated and explained the excellent services rendered by M. Surya Narayana, retired Dy. CPO and expressed happiness for honouring him in the Mega session.

He felicitated General Manager, South Central Railway Pradeep Kumar Srivastava all other dignitaries including Mr. & Mrs. Surya Narayana.

General Manager, P.K. Srivastava acknowledged the warm felicitation extended to him. He appreciated the employees of S.C. Railway for their excellent performance during April and May 2014 to bring down the ‘operating ratio’ to 80% that is lesser than the one of same months of last year. GM

July, 2014

View of SCRES General Body Meeting GM/SCR seen in centre Singing the Song

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20

July , 2014

added that this is a record ratio in Indian Railways itself.

He categorically stated that SCRE Sangh under the leadership of Shri M Raghavaiah playing a crucial role in shaping S.C. Railway a model one in the country. Shri. M.C. Das, retired General Manager narrated the issues related to pensioners and requested Shri Raghavaiah to pay personal attention on them. Shri K. Sesha Sai, Chief Personnel Officer who is retiring on 30th June, 2014 also acknowledged the felicitation extended to him and said that he has learnt many things from Mr. Raghavaiah during PNM meetings and informal meetings. DRMs of Secunderabad and Hyderabad Divisions greeted GS & SCRE Sangh on the occasion and thanked for the felicitations extended to them. Shri M. Surya Narayana, Retd Dy. CPO expressed his over whelming happiness for the invitation to participate in General Body Meeting and felicitation. Shri V.V. Naik, Vice President of All India SC & ST Railway Employees’ Association and President of Zonal SC & ST Association thanked for the felicitation and stated that he is a disciple of Shri Raghavaiah and follow his policies.

Cultural Programme A cultural programme was organized where Shri Vinod Babu and party and Vijay Lakshmi sang Melodious songs which was one of the highlights of the day. Vijay Babu sang popular songs of Telugu and Hindi. Inspiring from the songs presented by Vinod Babu and party and the cultural events, Shri P.K. Srivastava, General Manager sang two songs, one independently and another with Smt. Vijaya Lakshmi, a popular singer of the country, winning the hearts of the audience.

The session of the day was ended in a pleasant atmosphere.

Delegates Session In the morning session of the second day i.e. on 17th June, 2014, the delegates session commenced at 10/ - Hrs. The delegates presented their views on various issues causing anxiety. The local issues besides the issues pending at the Railway

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

Board’s level were highlighted by the speakers. They also thanked the SCRE Sangh for providing opportunity to present their problems in the General Body Meeting. At this juncture, S/Shri Neti Vidya Sagar, Chairman, Telangana Legislative Council, Smt. Akula Lalitha, an Ex. MLA and State Mahila Congress President, Smt. Adam Uma Devi, a Senior Corporator of GHMC and Shri. Venkateswara Reddy, a Senior Congress Leader and Ex. MP Anjan Kumar Yadav also visited and greeted the delegates. They were received in the meeting and on to the dais with heavy clapping of the huge gathering, Shri. Adam Santosh Kumar, Vice President of SCRE Sangh.

Shri M. Raghavaiah, GS/SCRES welcoming all the above leaders explained about the glorious history of SCRE Sangh and NFIR. He also added that how relations were maintained with many central and state leaders of the country in the past who reciprocated with their responses whenever the issues of employees were taken for redressal.

He also said that the demand of allotment of House Sites to the Railway employees was placed before many State Government leaders including Late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, Ex CM of AP which could not materialize so far.

All the dignitaries on the Dais were grandly felicitated by Mr. Raghavaiah, GS/SCRES. Shri Venkateswara Reddy, Congress Leader and Smt. Akula Lalitha, President, State Mahila Congress, Smt. Adam Uma Devi spoke and expressed their gratitude for invitation to participate in such a historic meeting of popular Trade Union, i.e. SCRE Sangh. They offered their services any time to the Railway employees.

Shri Neti Vidya Sagar, Chairman, Telangana Legislative Council expressed his happiness over participating in such a huge crowded meeting of SCRE Sangh and reciprocated to the issue raised

by GS/SCRE Sangh about allotment of Housing Sites to the Railway employees. He said that the issue

21

will be discussed with Chief Minister of newly formed Telangana State Government within a week and result will be given favourably. He thanked for the invitation and felicitation extended to him.

Shri G. Mohan Rao, SCRES Joint General Secretary delivered vote of thanks. He specially thanked each and every dignitary on the dais highlighting their special qualities and affinity towards SCRE Sangh besides President & General Secretary of SCRE Sangh, other Central leaders and delegates present in the meeting.

A Booklet containing the 55 milestones achieved by SCRES was released by the Chairman, Telangana State Legislative Council Mr. Neti Vidya Sagar.

Resolutions adopted Resolutions on the following were unanimously passed by the General Body.

Withdrawal of New Pension Scheme.

Merger of DA with Pay and Grant of Interim Relief.

Formation of Kazipet Division as well as Balaji Division.

Absorption of staff working in Quasi Administrative Offices/ Organizations against vacancies.

Filling up of Vacancies.

Unsatisfactory condition of Railway Quarters.

Stop outsourcing and privatization activities in Railways.

Continuation in sick list in violation of IRMM provisions.

Provision of additional posts for new assets/services.

Appointment of wards of deceased/medically de-categorized employees.

Induction of wards of Railway employees for providing training under Apprenticeship Act 1961.

Ensure Time Bound Negotiations

July, 2014

for settlement of pending issues.

And Union Government should redress pending issues raised by NFIR. The Account Statement for the last two years was placed by Shri C.P.S. Sarma was passed unanimously by the House. GS/ SCRES presented 123 pages 28 th Report explaining the events during the last two years including the status of the issues pending with Railway Board, Finance Ministry, Government of India. The delegates expressed their satisfaction over the Report submitted by the General Secretary/SCRES.

Elections General Secretary, SCRE Sangh was authorized unanimously to conduct the elections. The following office bearers were elected unanimously by the delegates under the supervision of GS/SCRES appointed to conduct the election: S/Shri G. Sanjeeva Reddy Patron, S. Muthukrishnan Honorary President, G. Prabhakar Andrew - President, Adam Santosh Kumar - Working President, Smt. M. Uma Nagendra Mani - Vice President, M. Raghavaiah - General Secretary, A. Rajagopal, G. Mohan Rao - Jt General Secretaries, V. Veerabhadraiah, M. Bharani Bhanu Prasad, P. Raghuram, M. Rudra Reddy, P.S. Perumal - Asst.General Secretaries, C.P.S. Sarma, Treasurer.

Elected/nominated divisional office bearers & working committee members Secunderabad Division S/Shri Atul Bhattacharya, Divisional President, D. Bhujanga Rao, Divisional Secretary, V. Yellaiah, N.V.N. Choudhary, Dy. Divisional Secretaries.

Hyderabad Division S/Shri K.V.R. Prasad, Divisional President, K. Bhikshapathi, Divisional Secretary, Ch. Venkateswarlu, M.Y. Sanjeeva Reddy, Dy. Divisional Secretaries.

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Vijayawada Division S/Shri K. Jagapathi Raju Divisional President, B.V. Chalapathi Rao, Divisional Secretary, K.V. Venkateswara Rao, A. Venkateswara Rao, Dy. Divisional Secretaries.

Guntakal Division S/Shri K. Prabhakar Rao, Divisional President, K.V. Srinivasulu, Divisional Secretary, D. Babu, S. Kaja Gariban Nawaz, Dy. Divisional Secretaries.

Guntur Division S/Shri T.Bramhaiah, Divisional President, B.K. Visweswara Rao, Divisional Secretary, Ch. Venkateswarlu, S.M. Anwar, Dy. Divisional Secretary.

Nanded Division S/Shri R.K. Chawhan, Divisional President, U. Venkateswarlu, Divisional Secretary, Prakash S. Hatkar, M. Sridhar, Dy. Divisional Secretaries.

Workshop Division S/Shri K. Hemanth Kumar, Divisional President, B. Ranjender, Divisional Secretary, P. Narsinga Reddy, S.V. Sambasiva Rao, Dy. Divisional Secretaries.

Working members

Committee

S/Shri G. Srinivasulu, K.V.V. Prasad, M. Nageswara Rao, Akula Raghavendra Rao, I.S.R. Murthy, K.B.K. Raju, P. Butchi Reddy, P. Sudhakar, R. Bhargava Ram, C.V.P. Raju, Smt. Aruna Rajeshwar, Anjani Kumar Sinha, K.V. Narasinga Rao, D.N. Reddy, B.Babu Naik, B. Krishna, Smt. P. Venu Kumari, Smt. M. Rama Pallavi Newly elected Working Committee met and decided to strengthen the organization with young cadre at grass root levels.

At the end Sales Counter of Home made soaps, powder and domestic use articles manufactured by Railway staff was also inaugurated by the SCRES General Secretary, M. Raghavaiah.

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ILO’S Red Card Campaign Against Child Labour International Labour Organization (ILO) thanked NFIR for the support given on Red Card Campaign against Child Labour. The Message conveyed by Mr. Corinne Vargha, Head of the International Labour Organization’s programme to combat child labour, is reproduced below: ‘All Together Against Child Labour’ “Hi National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR), I’m Corinne Vargha, head of the International Labour Organization’s progamme to combat child labour, and I want to thank you for supporting the Red Card to Child Labour Campaign.

Your support is very important because there are still 168 million children in child labour around the world. If we all work together we can fight child labour and give these children a fresh start.

We hoped you enjoyed listening to the song “Till everyone can see”. If you haven’t already done so, please take this opportunity to share it with your friends.

Share the song To learn more about child labour and how you can take action, visit our website. (www.ilo.org) You’ll also find lots more music from around the world under the Music against Child Labour Initiative.”

Enjoy the music!

Corinne Vargha Chief of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work International Organization

Labour

July , 2014

SCRES Women Conference held during the Course of General Body Meeting During the course of SCRES 28th General Body Meeting, Zonal Women Conference was conducted on 18 th June, 2014. Smt. M. Uma Nagendra Mani, presided over the conference. Hundreds of women from various corners of the zone.

Participated. Smt. Raghavaiah was the Chief Guest and Smt. Adam Uma Devi was a special guest in the conference.

Smt. Uma Nagendra Mani, while welcoming the delegates in the conference stated that the very importance of women participation in the trade union struggle is prioritized by Shri Raghavaiah, GS/ SCRE Sangh and this opportunity shall be utilized to the optimum level. A woman crossing the age of 50 years is burdened from all corners that need special attention by the management and government.

Like that of Provision of ‘Child Care Leave’ as introduced by the 6th CPC on the struggle of NFIR, a ‘Family Care Leave’ shall also be introduced by the Government to help those women crossing 50 yrs of age so that the women can manage their responsibilities and perform duties to the entire satisfaction of the administration. Similarly, when the woman employee completes 15 yrs of service, she must be allowed to proceed on voluntary retirement with pension and grant an appointment to her ward as being done in the scheme of LARSGESS. Smt. Uma Nagendramani added that Women Hostels should also be provided to the women working in Divisional and Zonal Headquarters.

She also demanded that more women be taken in the committees of branch and division levels of SCRE Sangh and also in the decision making bodies of railway administration.

A coat affixing the logos of NFIR and INTUC was released in the conference by Shri M. Raghavaiah that was presented to all the woman

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delegates who wore it during the remaining course of General Body Meeting.

Many women delegates spoke in the conference and expressed their problems in the field and sought the help of GS/SCRE Sangh for redressal. The chief guest of the conference Smt. Raghavaiah, in her address pointed out that the women harassment is increased day by day despite many steps taken to curb it.

She added that it is an insult to the men and they should focus their full attention to remove such discrimination totally and harassment in the working areas. She advised that it is the primary responsibility of men to respect women all around. Since she belongs to a Railway Family, she too agitate, strive and work for elimination of violence against working women.

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Shri M. Raghavaiah, while summing up the issues raised by women assured that all efforts will be made to safe guard the women folk in Railways and congenial atmosphere will be ensured for their peaceful and safe working. He added that the issue of granting voluntary retirement on completion of 15 yrs of service is a difficult issue but stated that it will be taken to the appropriate authority.

Shri M. Raghavaiah, GS/SCRE Sangh, Smt. Raghavaiah, Chief Guest of the conference, Smt. Adam Uma Devi, Special Guest of the conference were felicitated by the women representatives of SCRE Sangh. Smt. Aruna Rajeswar anchored the programme. Smt. Jhansi Lakshmi delivered vote of thanks.

July, 2014

SCRES Conducted Ex-Servicemen Railway Employees Meeting Ex-Servicemen re-appointed in South Central Railway through Railway Recruitment Cell have met at Secunderabad in the SCRE Sangh Central Office premises in large number under the auspices of SCRE Sangh on 18th June 2014 to explain and discuss many issues that are causing anxiety.

Shri M. Raghavaiah, General Secretary, SCRE Sangh was the Chief Guest.

Central Office bearers of SCRE Sangh were also present in the meeting.

Shri Venkata Rao, Junior Engineer of Carriage Repair Workshops of Lallaguda, Secunderabad welcomed the leaders on the dais and delegates in the meeting. He, at the beginning, felicitated GS/SCRES M. Raghavaiah and other central office bearers of Sangh. Chandra Sekhar Reddy of ELS/BZA explained the following issues of ex-servicemen in railway Service being faced by them: Fixation of pay on re-appointment in Railways, Issue of Railway Passes counting their military service, Posting at Home Station on appointment, Permission to seek inter departmental transfer, Recruitment in Technical Departments in 1900 GP, Eight (8) Hours duty instead of 12 hours duty at LC Gates etc.

Shri G. Mohan Rao, Joint General Secretary of SCRE Sangh while speaking explained that the Ex-Servicemen while working at the borders of the country, work in a disciplined way and struggle to safeguard the security of the country. All this is being ignored by Government of India while recruiting ex-servicemen in Railways.

Their sincerity towards the country which they already performed, they

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

are deprived of many benefits and are put to work in the field by allotting inferior type of work. Their past service and experience has not since been taken and utilized, he added. He requested GS/SCRE Sangh to examine the problems of Ex.-Servicemen and take them to the appropriate level for redressal.

While addressing Shri M Raghavaiah, GS/SCRE Sangh agreed the fact that the re-appointed ex-servicemen are humiliated in their field of work by ignoring their past service and experience and appears to be insulted by the respective authorities. He assured that special attention will be paid on their grievances expressed by them and for this purpose, two delegates from each zone will form an executive committee who will sum up the problems and send to NDLS for thread bare discussions and tackle them suitably.

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After passing Vote of thanks by Shri Nagesh Kumar working in LOFP, the meeting was concluded.

DONATE YOUR BLOOD Save Human Life July , 2014

Birthday Celebration Raghavaiah at SCRES

of

M.

their grievances solved. He congratulated Mr. Gedda Suresh and the whole team of NFIR Media Centre for having invented a very useful application on mobile which will help the Railway employees to get latest information, any time.

Concluding the function, SCRES Joint General Secretary, A. Rajagopal thanked the participants.

JCM Staff Side Met 7th CPC – Preliminary Interaction

South Central Rly. Employees’ Sangh (SCRES) celebrated 79 th Birthday of SCRES/NFIR General Secretary M. Raghavaiah at Secunderabad on 15 th June, 2014.

Hundreds of employees have reached from different corners of S.C. Railway and greeted him. The delegations from Southern Railway Employees’ Sangh (SRES) comprising several Office Bearers besides Rail Wheel Factory Karmika Sangha participated in the function and congratulated Shri M. Raghavaiah and wished him a long life for serving working people. .

The felicitation function was started with Pooja performed by Mrs. and Mr. M. Raghavaiah and his family members and chanting Ved Mantras by pundits. Thereafter Cake Ceremony was conducted wherein all the Central Office Bearers of SCRE Sangh were present.

Shri. G. Prabhakar Andrew, President of SCRE Sangh, while welcoming the largely attended gathering said that SCRE Sangh is fortunate to have a leader like Raghavaiah whose guidance as General Secretary is available to the SCRES cadre for the last five decades. SCRES Zonal Treasurer CPS Sarma, also spoke on the occasion and greeted Mr. Raghavaiah.

On this auspicious occasion Mr. Raghavaiah inaugurated the Mobile

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

JCM (Staff Side) delegation met Seventh Central Pay Commission on 28 th May, 2014 in Room No. 129, Hotel Janpath, New Delhi and held preliminary interaction.

RAILWAYMEN ON THE MOVE Application of NFIR website, which was developed by one of the NFIR Media Centre team members and Junior Engineer of Wagon Workshops of Guntupalli (Rayanapadu), Mr. Gedda Suresh. It was explained that due to mobile application, the android mobile phone holders can see the NFIR website on phone with all relevant links like, INTUC, ITF, ITUC & ILF etc., in addition to the information of Railway Reservation and the information of their PF Balances.

Mr. Raghavaiah, while acknowledging the greetings of the leaders and the cadre, explained as to how his trade union life was commenced, hurdles surpassed and finally he could serve the poor and needy people in Railways and outside. He said that preparation of Memorandum suggesting better pay scales and benefits to the Railway employees is under process and will be submitted soon to the Chairman, VII Central Pay Commission for consideration. He also said that long pending issues will be discussed with Railway Minister. He advised that cadres should reach the employees in the field and try to get

25

JCM (Staff Side) leader, M. Raghavaiah and leaders of JCM constituent organizations namely S/ Shri S.G. Mishra, Rakhaldas Gupta, J.R. Bhosale, Shankara Rao, Guman Singh, Pathak, C. Srikumar, K.K.N. Kutty, B.C. Sharma and S.K. Vyas participated in the discussions on important issues, mainly D.A. Merger and Interim Relief.

B.C. Sharma Inaugurated Newly constructed office of URMU Building Shahjahanpur Branch U ttariya Railway Mazdoor Union (URMU) General Secretary, B.C. Sharma inaugurated the newly constructed Office Building of Shahjahanpur Branch of URMU on 30th May, 2014. S/Shri Ram Prakash Sharma, NFIR Zonal Secretary and Prem Chand, Divisional Secretary, Moradabad Division/URMU were present on this occasion.

Earlier URMU General Secretary, B.C. Sharma was warmly welcomed on arrival at Shahjahanpur Railway Station where hundreds of cadre were present.

Addressing the workers General Secretary B.C. Sharma said that Indian Railways is a unique and complex transportation system serving the nation round the clock by running over 19000 trains every

July, 2014

meeting was organized by Shri. M. Rudra Reddy, Asst. General Secretary and Smt. M. Uma Nagendra Mani, Vice President of SCRE Sangh . Shri. M Raghavaiah was the Chief Guest. All the Central Office Bearers of SCRE Sangh were present on the dais.

Smt. M. Uma Nagendra Mani, Vice President of SCRE Sangh welcomed the workers and leaders.

She explained, how number of problems are being solved removing the hurdles in the way.

Shri. M. Rudra Reddy, also spoke in the conference and stated that the harassment to the unorganized and contract labour are closely watched and will not be tolerated further more. Hundreds of workers will be brought under the flag of SCRE Sangh and their problems will suitably be dealt at appropriate levels, he added.

day. He said that separate pay commission should have been constituted for considering the pay structure etc., of Rail workforce. He demanded that Government should scrap the New Pension Scheme and restore the old pension scheme.

NFIR Zonal Secretary, R.P. Sharma spoken on the occasion and said that 6th CPC anomalies should be removed soon.

Sangh and SCR Construction Contract Workers Sangh, a conference of unorganized and contract workers was held on 18th June 2014 in office premises of SCRE Sangh. Hundreds of unorganized contract workers of both the genders have attended the meeting. The

The Contract workers while deliberating explained their sufferings from numerous problems as also by the harassment of contractors. Lot of discrepancies being faced by the men and women at their working place were brought to the notice of GS/SCRES M. Raghavaiah with the request to solve them at his level. They highlighted the problems such as “there is no shelters for even taking food and no toilet facilities available at their work place. No dress changing room for women is available and on the other

URMU Divisional Secretary, Prem Chand, Vice President, Shalabh Singh besides Shri Harishankar Sharma, Sanjay Mathur, Somnath Malik, Ajay Tiwari, Pawan Singh, Santosh Shukla, Rajpal, Krishna Kumar Sharma, A.K. Chaubey, Office Bearers were also present in the meeting.

Contract & Construction Organization Workers Conference U nder

the auspices of SCRE

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

26

July , 2014

side women are compelled to work continuously for more than 10 hours in a day�.

Resolutions on the following issues were adopted in the conference: Payment of Minimum wage, Welfare of Workers like Medical facility, PF and Job guarantee etc., Grant of Weekly Holiday, Provision of Rest Rooms, Issuance of Identity Cards and Service Certificates.

Issuance of Pay Slips.

Decide Working Hours as per the norms.

Application of Compensation Act,

Workmen

Regularization of services of Security Guards in the Railways.

Social Security.

Implementation of Unorganized Workers Social Security Act 2008.

Review of Box Porters Wages and

INTUC Delegation participated in the ITUC World Congress at Berlin (Germany) A delegation of INTUC led by its

President Dr. G. Sanjeeva Reddy participated in the 3 rd World Congress of ITUC held at Berlin (Germany) from 17th May, 2014 to 23 rd May, 2014. The delegation consisted S/Shri R. Chandrasekharan, INTUC Vice President, Mrs. M. Uma Nagendramani & Rakeshwar Pandey, INTUC National Secretaries, N. Devarajan, Org. Secretary, Amit Yadav, Youth Chairman, R. Kuppusamy, Ms. Devika Singh, Ms. Jane Ancil Francis and MS Swetha Yadav.

Mrs. Uma Nagendramani conveyed strong message relating workers right prevailing in the present national scenario and expressed to resolve the same world wide. She also actively participated in the Solidarity Rally of the Industrial Workers of Germany under the aegis of the DGB Trade Union in support of the demands of the workers in USA.

Dr. G. Sanjeeva Reddy was elected as the Vice President and Ms Sharan Burrow as General Secretary respectively of ITUC.

ERMC Blood Donation camp on Death Anniversary of Late Rajiv Gandhi, Former Prime Minister Eastern Railwaymen’s Congress (ERMC) Naihati Branch organized 23rd Blood Donation Camp on death anniversary of late Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India on 21st May, 2014.

Late Rajiv Gandhi Portrait was garlanded by the distinguished Guests. Krishnalal Maity, a Child Literature & Poet, hoisted the National Flag. Tapas Chatterjee, veteran singer of TV and Radio sang the opening song. Central Blood Bank, Medical College Blood Bank and Barasat State Blood Bank assisted in conducting the Blood Donation Camp.

Ex. MP Debi Ghosal, inaugurated the programme by donating

Regularization of Contract Workers who rendered 10 years of service etc.

SCRES General Secretary, M. Raghavaiah while summing up said that the issues raised in the conference shall be taken up for their redressal.

He congratulated unorganized and contract workers for expressing their faith & coming under the roof of SCRE Sangh. He assured that proper steps will be planned for redressal of grievances.

To facilitate the contract workers for their problems, necessary branch offices will be opened at important places so as to enable the workers to be united in their respective locations and get their issues attended by the representatives of SCRE Sangh regularly and timely.

Vote of thanks was passed by Shri. M. Rudra Reddy, AGS/SCRES.

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27

July, 2014

Mrs. Daizy Thomas awarded with “National Florence Nightingale Nursing Award 2014”

by President of India M rs. Daizy Thomas, Chief Matron, Central Hospital, Lallaguda, Secunderabad was awarded with ‘National Florence Nightingale Award - 2014’ by Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Hon’ble President of India on May 12, 2014 in a function held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi in recognition of her devotion towards duties and responsibilities and commendable job. She was given a Merit Certificate and cash prize of Rs. 50,000/-

blood. Apurba Ghosh, General Secretary, West Bengal Blood Donation Forum and D. Ashis, Secretary, Hatkhola Blood Bank, both blood donation motivators were present and addressed.

Branch Secretary, Rajat Bose, Debasish Lahiri/RHA, P. Banerjee/ SDAH, Subir Chakraborty/Chitpur, representatives of BDC and Printing Branches, Howrah were also present. PWI/KPA, C&W/NH, PWI/NH youths & workers and Women employees of different depots provided their assistance enthusiastically.

Indian Railways to greater heights and at the same time assured their cooperation and support.

Responding to the points, Mr. Gowda said that he will be interacting with the leaders of Federations/Associations to work towards improving the quality and customer care. S/Shri Guman Singh, M. Raghavaiah, R.P. Bhatnagar and B.C. Sharma of NFIR, Raman Kumar Sharma of IRPOF, Shri S.R. Reddy, Uma Shankar Jha and Dharamvir of IRPFA were prominent among those called on the Railway Minister.

“Daizy Thomas is presently working as Chief Matron Grade-III and is in-charge of the surgical intensive care department of the South Central Railway Central Hospital, Secunderabad.

She is very efficient supervisor known for the special care of the patients either terminally ill or with burn injuries. According to the Medical Director of the hospital, Mrs. Daizy Thomas’s special care for patients with burn injuries have resulted in their survival with minimal deformities and also minimum referrals to the plastic surgery unit. This has brought laurels for the hospital, Dr. Anjaiah, Medical Director said. .

Mrs. Daizy Thomas is courageous and heroic in her deeds in her

P.N. Sarkar, ERMC Vice President & NFIR Working Committee Member who was also one of the blood donation motivators & donated 137 times blood, conducted the whole programme.

Meeting with Railway Minister T he leaders of Railway Federations/Associations called on Railway Minister D.V.Sadananda Gowda at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi on May 29, 2014. The leaders wished him success in taking the INDIAN RAIL WORKER

28

July , 2014

presence of Office Bearers, Staff Council Members and large number of Railway employees participated.

As part of May Day Celebration, a Free Gastroenterology Screening and Awareness Programme was organized on 3rd and 4th May, 2014 in coordination with Noble Hospital, Chennai. Officers and Railway employees besides Office Bearers of ICFMS were present. More than 500 employees were medically examined. Various tests including USG Scan were taken on need basis and the employees were benefited with investigations etc.

DA Rates w.e.f.

01.01.2006 on VI CPC Pay Scales 01.01.2006 01.07.2006 01.01.2007 01.07.2007 01.01.2008 01.07.2008 01.01.2009 01.07.2009 01.01.2010 01.07.2010 01.01.2011 01.07.2011 01.01.2012 01.07.2012 01.01.2013 01.07.2013 01.01.2014

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

NIL 2% 6% 9% 12% 16% 22% 27% 35% 45% 51% 58% 65% 72% 80% 90% 100%

professional life�.

NFIR/SCRES General Secretary, M. Raghavaiah also felicitated Mrs. Daizy Thomas on 16.06.2014 in General Body Meeting of SCRES at Secunderabad, in the presence of South Central Railway General Manager and number of dignitaries.

ICFMS Celebrated May Day - Gastroenterology Screening and Awareness Programme Organized ICF Mazdoor Sangh (ICFMS) celebrated May Day on 1st May, 2014.

ICFMS President M.K. Sukumar hoisted the Union Flag in the

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

29

July, 2014

NFIR References to Railway Ministry Letters to Chairman Rly. Board Creation of new posts for maintenance of new assets on East Central Railway –reg.

need for upward revision of various allowances, incentive etc.

NFIR vide its letter dated 18/03/ 2014 had invited attention of the Railway Board (CRB&ME) regarding creation of new posts for maintenance of new assets on East Central Railway. There has however been no response to Federation’s communication.

NFIR is one of the major Federations in the railways functioning for the cause of rail workforce (serving & retired) and equally for the growth of Nation as well Railways since the last over six decades.

Federation wishes to reiterate that several proposals for creation of the posts of SSE/P.Way, JE/P.Way, Keyman, Patrolman, Gate Keepers, Track Maintainers submitted by the Division on East Central Railway have been kept pending in headquarters office, Hajipur without finality. It has also been reported that due to non-creation of posts the Zonal Rly. has not taken over the new assets built by the Construction Organization as also by the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).

NFIR, therefore, once again requests the Rly. Board (CRB&ME) to kindly intervene and see that the posts required in P.Way cadre be got created, facilitating taking over of the built assets by Zonal Railway very soon. Federation may please be kept advised of the action taken.

(NFIR's letter No. II/44/Pt.I dated 21-5-2014).

Preliminary inter-action meeting between 7 th CPC & NFIR – reg.

Ref: Seventh CPC’s D.O. No.7 CPC/22/Meeting dt. 12th May, 2014.

We express our sincere gratitude to the 7 th CPC for extending invitation to the NFIR to take part in the inter-action meeting. As this being the first meeting of preliminary inter-action nature, NFIR submits certain facts briefly for appreciation. The Federation would, however submit detailed memorandum separately on various issues as well as the proposed pay structure for Railwaymen/Women and the

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR)

NFIR is one of the major constituents of the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM). M. Raghavaiah, General Secretary/NFIR, is also the Leader of Staff Side/JCM.

Indian Railways Indian Railways is a unique and complex transportation system under the control of Central Government, serving the needs of people since the last more than 160 years. Indian Railways handle over 19,000 regular trains (Freight & Passenger) per day besides about 3000 special trains a day during various seasons.

Its route kilometerage is 65,187.

During the year 2012-13, Indian Railways moved more than 1010 Metric Tonnes of freight traffic and joined as fourth member of the select Billion Tonne Club of USA, China and Russia. The operating ratio has been around 90% barring the 3 years period between 2005-06 & 2008. The Indian Rlys. incur losses as a result of fulfilling the social service obligations. The approximate loss on this account is around Rupees Twenty Thousand Crores per annum.

Railway Employees’ Role : The railway employees perform duties for ensuring uninterrupted flow of services. They work at over 7000 railway stations. Most work places do not have access to facilities and basic amenities for their living. The employees are compelled to work under the open sky and inclement weather conditions. They face hazards associated with the job environment, remoteness, inhospitable terrain etc.,

30

Although, railway employees are part of Central Government Employees, their nature of work, duties and responsibilities are uncommon and not comparable with any other system/industry. The staff who maintain railway tracks, rolling stock, signal/telecom network, train operations, trains planning, punctuality, safety are skillful and devoted to the system but however, these factors have not been given due weightage by successive Pay Commissions. The running staff i.e. Loco Pilots, Asst. Loco Pilots, Guards, operating staff, station masters, controllers etc., perform their jobs facing many odds. They are expected to perform duties even beyond the prescribed duty hours.

We may incidentally cite para 2.3 of the report of the Chairman, High Level Safety Review Committee headed by Dr. Anil Kakodkar submitted to the Railway Ministry.

According to the said report the number of railway employees killed in the course of performing duties has been higher as can be seen from the following figures (period 2007 – 08 to 2011) (a) Railway employees : Killed 1600, Injured - 8700 (b) Passenger/Public : Killed 1019, Injured - 2110 (c) Unmanned Level crossing : Killed - 723, Injured - 690 The nature of work, duties, responsibilities of railway staff justify grant of better pay structure and other benefits treating the Railway Workforce as unique and not comparable with other Central Government employees. We shall explain the facts through our memorandum for consideration of Hon’ble 7th CPC.

NFIR’s Memorandum and Evidence : As the NFIR is one of the major constituents of the JCM, our memorandum will be drafted and finalized after the submission of memorandum by JCM (Staff Side). In

July , 2014

view of this, we request that we may be given time to submit our memorandum by 31st July, 2014.

equally hopes that this Pay Commission would render justice to the Railway employees.

As the Hon’ble Pay Commission is aware that 1.3 million staff belonging to hundreds of categories are working in the railways, we request that the Federation be given more slots in phases to facilitate us to explain the case of every important category cogently.

(NFIR's letter No. IV/NFIR/7th CPC/2013/Pt. II dated 29-5-2014).

Satisfaction Level of 6th CPC Report: We may submit that the 6th CPC report, more particularly the concept of Grade Pay and Pay Band had generated many anomalies. This led to dis-satisfaction among different categories of railway employees.

These anomalies are yet to be rectified by the Government. The proposals of Railway Ministry on 6th CPC issues are pending with Finance Ministry. MACPS aberrations have also been very large in number. Our efforts at the level of Railway Ministry as well Ministry of Personnel/MoF have not yielded positive result.

We hope that the Seventh Central Pay Commission would look into these issues in a realistic manner for mitigating the injustice caused to staff.

Dearness Allowance – It’s Merger with Pay : Hon’ble Pay Commission may kindly appreciate that the Dearness Allowance (D.A.) has become 100% of pay w.e.f. 01/01/2014. This scenario was never anticipated by the 6 th CPC. It may however be appreciated that in the past, the Government had merged DA with pay when it crossed 50% (In the year 2004). We are expecting 6% DA w.e.f. July 1, 2014, thus the DA would be 106% of pay in July, 2014.

We therefore, request the Hon’ble Pay Commission to kindly consider this aspect for sending interim report to the Government recommending merger.

Concluding: NFIR assures its co-operation to the Pay Commission by way providing facts and material &

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Letters to Secretary Rly. Board Honorarium payable to various functionaries involved in conducting written and PET Tests for recruitment in erstwhile Group ‘D’ posts - reg.

Ref: Railway Board’s letter No.E(G)/2006/HOI-14 dated 07/ 02/2014 (RBE No.18/2014).

Federation invites attention of the Railway Board to the instructions issued vide letter dated 07/02/2014 wherein rates for payment of honorarium to various functionaries involve in conducting written test & PET have been issued giving effect from 7th February 2014 only.

It has been represented to NFIR by the affiliates that the said instructions of Railway Board do not cover cases of examinations conducted by the Zonal Railways prior to 07/02/2014, the date of issue of the letter and are considered discriminatory. Federation has also been given to understand that written test & PET were also conducted in the year 2012. These instructions are required to be implemented from the 1st written test and PET onwards for eliminating discriminatory treatment.

NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to review and issue modified instructions duly revising date of effect to retrospective date i.e. the date when RRC examinations were first introduced by the zones.

A copy of the instructions issued may be endorsed to the Federation.

(NFIR's letter No. I/8/Pt.I dated 55-2014).

Entitlement of 1st Class Privilege Passes to those staff joined on inter railway requests in lower Grade pay - reg.

Ref: (i) Rly. Board’s Letter No. E[W]2008/PS5-1/38 dt. 06.01.2011, (ii) Rly. Board’s Letter No. E[W] 2012/PS5-1/4 dated 10.09.2013, (iii) NFIR’s letter No. I/15/Pt.II dated 15/11/2013.

31

Federation wishes to invite attention of the Railway Board to letter No. E(W)2008/PS5-1/38 dated 06.01.2011 (RBE No.03/2011) wherein issued revised guidelines on entitlement of Privilege Passes & PTOs to the employees working in different categories have been issued. The revised instructions have conferred the entitlement of travelling in 1st Class (AC-2 Tier) on privilege passes by the employees.

On references from some of Zonal Railways regarding entitlement of privilege passes for those railway employees who are transferred on inter railway transfer, Railway Board vide letter No. E(W)2012/PS5-14 dt. 10.09.2013 have clarified that Rly. employees who have been trans-ferred on inter railway transfer at their own request and are already entitled to draw 1st class passes, shall continue to draw 1st class passes irrespective of their eligibility. With these instructions, the employees who were entitled for 1 st class privilege passes and had joined on transfer on request to lower grades have become eligible to avail 1st class pass facility in the new unit/organization.

In this connection, Federation wishes to point out that the similar benefit of 1st class pass facility has however been denied by the South Central Railway to those employees who were in Grade Pay of Rs.4200/ - and had joined on own request transfer in another unit in lower grade pay/scales prior to the issuance of revised entitlements by the Rly. Board vide letter dt. 6/1/2011.

NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to issue clarificatory instructions to Zones more particularly to S.C. Railway, granting 1 st Class Pass to those employees who were in Vth CPC pay scale of Rs. 5000-8000/- or PB-2 + GP Rs. 4200/ - (VIth CPC) and had joined subsequently on interunit/inter railway transfer in lower GP of Rs.2800/(PB-I) in the new seniority unit/Rly. prior to issuance of Rly. Board’s instructions dated January 6, 2011.

A copy of instructions issued may be endorsed to the Federation.

(NFIR's letter No. I/15/Pt. II dated 5-5-2014).

July, 2014

Railway Board's Decisions Permission to Board Double Decker AC Express trains from originating and intermediate stations.

Some Zonal Railways have raised queries regarding the granting of permission to passengers, not holding confirmed reserved ticket, to Board Double Decker AC Express trains.

It has been decided that henceforth for boarding the Double Decker AC Express trains, both at originating and intermediate stations, the minimum class of ticket as indicated below will have to be purchased before permission is granted by On-board ticket checking staff.

Class of travel : Minimum class of ticket required for permission to board the train from originating and intermediate station.

Executive Class : Ist Class Ordinary AC Chair Car : AC Chair ticket through UTS The passenger, who do not have any reserved ticket and who could not get the reservation at current counter, shall be required to purchase minimum class of ticket as stated above and must approach ticket checking staff manning the coaches before boarding the train.

Under no circumstances, passenger should board the reserved coaches without the permission of on board ticket checking staff.

Necessary instructions may be issued to all concerned.

Information on this account should be disseminated though all available means for information of general public. This disposes off North Western Railway’s letter No. C-436/Double Decker dt. 24-4-2014.

Railway Board’s letter No. 2005/ TG-V/26/01 dated 21-5-2014.

Syllabi for professional papers for 70% Selection and 30% LDCE for promotion to INDIAN RAIL WORKER

Group ‘B’ posts of APO in Personnel Department of Railways/Production Units.

Ref: Railway Board’s letter No. E(GP) 80/2/75 dated 27-2-81 & E(GP) 86/2/61 dated 15-02-91.

Revised syllabi for professional papers for 70% Selection and 30% Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) for promotion from Group ‘C’ to Group ‘B’ posts in Personnel Department of Railways/Production Units is enclosed for guidance. This may be given wide publicity and circulated amongst the eligible candidates.

The revised syllabi shall be effective from the date of issue of this letter. However, Selections and LDCEs for which written examinations have already been held or which are under process, need not be disturbed.

Syllabus for 30% limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) for Promotion to Group ‘B’ Post of APO in Personnel Department.

Paper -1 Part I : 50 Marks Official Language General Knowledge Part II : Professional Subject 100 Marks Constitutional Provision of Right to Employment under Article 16 & 17 of the Constitution of India.

Manpower planning & Recruitment: (a) Manpower planning, surrender and creation of posts, work charged posts, temporary posts, supernumerary posts, vacancy bank etc. Zero-based calculation of requirement/creation. (b) Recruitment: (i) Recruitment at various levels and methods of recruitment : Functioning of Railway Recruitment Boards.

Recruitment at Zonal Railways

32

including recruitment of artisan staff. Concept of Lead period, normal attrition while placing indent.

Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) – role and functions.

Appointment as Bungalow peon, land losers compassionate ground appointments.

Liberalized Active Retirement Scheme for Guaranteed Employment for Safety Staff (LARSGESS). (ii) Recruitment to various Group ‘A’ Railway Services. (iii)Direct recruitment quota as well as quota for recruitment for intermediate grades. (iv) Reservation in recruitment, horizontal and vertical reservation, reservation roasters etc.

Apprentices Act, 1961 and it Implementation.

Absorption of medically decategorized staff in alternative posts.

Concept of Deputation, Foreign Service etc. and its impact on Pension, Foreign Service Contribution.

Training and Development : a. Basic concept of training and human resource development. b. Training and Development of Railway employees. (i) Training employees.

of

Group

C

(ii) Functioning of Zonal Training Schools and other training institutions. (iii) Training of Gazatted Officers in Railways as well as nonRailways institutions. (iv) Various Railway Training Institutes like NAIR, IREEN etc. c. Future developments in Railways, the changing roles of Railway personnel and the need for on the job training multi skilling etc.

Pay and Allowances: Computerization of Pay Bill,

July , 2014

AFRES, I-Pass Concept Pay in the Government i.e. Pay bands, Grade pay etc.

Principles of pay fixation in case of appointment and promotion.

Pay fixation in case of functional and non functional promotions etc.

Instances of pay protection etc.

Fundamental Rule (FR) & Fixation.

Various allowances admissible to the Railway employees including allowances to the running staff.

Seniority and Promotion : Rules regulating determination of seniority and procedure for promotion against selection and non-selection posts.

Provision of reservation for Schedule Caste and Scheduled Tribe employees. Maintenance of various reservation rosters.

Relaxations available to SC/ST candidates for promotion in safety and non-safety category posts and procedure for dereservation of posts.

Performance appraisal – APAR, procedure, maintaining of records, communication of adverse comments etc. Impact of Vigilance investigation during and after Selection.

NBR, sealed cover procedure etc.

Organization and Role of Personnel Department, its functions and objectives, Schedule of Powers in Establishment Matters. Maintenance of records-Service Registers, Personal Files and preparation of claims – Pay Bill, etc. Computerization of records and personnel management functions (Human Resource Management System) benefit challenges and implementation. Computerisation of official record and its retrieval.

Loans and various advances admissible to the Railway employees and conditions thereof, PLB, TA rules etc.

Disciplinary & Appeal Rules (1968), Railway Services Conduct Rules (1966) & Schedule of

INDIAN RAIL WORKER

Disciplinary Powers. Various judgements of Supreme Court on D&AR (1968) and Railway Services Conduct Rules (1966).

Pass Rules Retirement benefits : Pension Rules (new and old), Provident fund rules, Leave encashment rules, Gratuity rules etc.

Retirement benefits under different circumstances (superannuation, Voluntary retirement, resignation, dismissal, technical resignation etc).

Impact of Disciplinary & Appeal Rules, penalties etc on retirement benefits.

Pension adalats, timely settlement and Redressal of grievances related to benefits.

Retirement benefits under Provident Fund & Pension rules and Schemes of Financial Settlement.

Leave Rules and joining time.

Reimbursement of tuition fees and legal expenses.

Medical assistance to Railway employees and retired Railway employees. RELHS & its membership.

Various Industrial & Labour Laws: Industrial Dispute Act, Payment of Wages Act: Contract Labour Regulation and Abolition Act: Trade Union Act, Factories Act etc.

Paper-II Part-I : 50 Marks Establishment Rules & Financial Rules Part II : 100 Marks Professional Subject Recognition of Trade Unions and dealing with unrecognized Trade Unions/Associations Industrial disputes, their causes, strikes, lockouts, layoffs, provisions of Industrial Disputes Act and functions of Labour Enforcement Officers and Labour courts.

33

Labour legislations viz, Factories Act, its applicability to Workshops and other Railway establishments, Special Rules for Workshop staff in Railways, payment of wages, Workmen’s Compensation Act, exgratia payment, incentive bonus scheme, Minimum Wages Act, etc.

Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1972, Sexual Harassment of women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal), Act, 2013.

Service Law, CAT, High Courts, Supreme Court and effective handling of court cases, filing of Review Petitions, SLP, engagement of Advocates and payment of fees to them and their related issues. Hours of Employment Regulations, conducting of job analysis, payment of overtime, etc.

Engagement of casual labour and substitutes, policy and procedure thereof.

Grievance Redressal mechanism, Staff Welfare – Staff Benefit Fund, Consumer Co-op. Societies, medical assistance, Workers’ Education Scheme, Societies and educational assistance.

Syllabus for Selection to the Group ‘B’ Post of APO against 70% Selection Establishment Rules : 50 Marks Financial Rules : 100 Marks Professional Subject : Personnel department on Indian Railways, Legal framework, industrial laws, industrial relations and grievance redressal system : Organization and Role of Personnel Department, its functions and objectives, Schedule of Powers in Establishment Matters Service law, CAT, High Courts, Supreme Court and effective handling of court cases, filing of Review Petitions, SLP, engagement of Advocates and payment of fees to them and their related issues.

Labour legislations viz, Factories Act, its applicability to Workshops and other Railways,

July, 2014

establishments, Special Rules for Workshop staff in Railways, payment of wages, Workmen’s Compensation Act, ex-gratia payment, incentive bonus scheme, Minimum Wages Act, etc.

Hours of Employment Regulations, conducting of job analysis, payment of overtime, etc.

Engagement of casual labour and substitutes, policy and procedure thereof. Contact Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1972, The Sexual Harassment of Women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal Act, 2013).

Recognition of Trade Unions and dealing with unrecognized Trade Unions/Associations Industrial disputes, their causes, strikes, lockouts, layoffs, provisions of Industrial Disputes Act and functions of Labour Enforcement Officers and Labour courts.

Grievance Redressal mechanism, Staff welfare- Staff Benefit Fund, Consumer Co-op.

Societies, medical assistance, workers’ Education Scheme Societies, educational assistance.

Manpower planning, methods of recruitment in Railways: a. Manpower planning, surrender and creation of posts, work charged posts, temporary posts, supernumerary posts, vacancy bank etc. b. Recruitment : (i) Recruitment at various levels and methods of recruitment : Functioning of Railway Recruitment Boards.

Recruitment at Zonal Railways including recruitment of artisan staff. RRC, its roles and functions.

services and recruitment to organized Gr. ‘A’ Railway Services.

tutes like NAIR, IREEN, IRITM, IRISET etc.

(iii) Direct recruitment quota as well as quota for recruitment for intermediate grades.

Future developments in Railways, the changing roles of Railway personnel and the need for on the job retaining, multi skilling etc.

(iv) Reservation in recruitment, horizontal and vertical reservation, reservation rosters etc.

Apprentice act and Implementation of Apprentices Act. Absorption of medically decategorized staff in alternative posts.

Computerized Reservation Office Working hours M inistry of Railways (Railway Board) since conveyed that Board’s letter No. 91/TG-I/20/P dt. 29.11.1991 and 22.04.1993 wherein uniform timings 0800 hrs. – 1400 hrs. in 1st Shift & 1400 hrs.

– 2000 hrs. in 2nd Shift on week days and 0800 hrs. – 1400 hrs. on Sunday were advised to Zonal Railways. Railway Board has further advised that Zonal Railways may, subject to demand from passengers and availability of manpower, open the RRS counters beyond 20/hrs., on week days and beyond 14/- hrs., on Sundays.

Ref: Railway Board’s letter No.2010/TG-I/20/P/Wkg. Hrs. dt.

15.05.2014 (Commercial Circular No.18 of 2014).

Training and Development : Basic concept of training and human resource development.

Training and Development of Railway employees with emphasis on the following aspects.

Pay and Allowances : Pay and allowances in the Railways i.e. Pay bands, Grade pay etc. Principles of pay fixation in case of appointment and promotion (functional and non functional promotions etc). Instances of pay protection etc. The various allowances admissible to the Railway employees including allowances to the running staff.

Reimbursement of tuition fees and legal expenses. TA rules, Loans and advances admissible to the Railway employees and conditions thereof, PLB etc.

Seniority and promotion : Rules regulating determination of seniority and procedure for promotion against selection and non-selection posts.

Provision of reservation for schedule Caste and Scheduled Tribe employees. Maintaining of reservation roasters.

Other relaxations available to SC/ST candidates in safety and on safety category posts and procedure for de-reservation of posts.

Performance appraisal – APAR, procedure, maintaining of records, communication of adverse comments etc.

NBR, sealed cover procedure etc.

Retirement benefits: Pension rules (new and old), Provident fund rules, leave encashment rules, Gratuity rules,

Appointment as Banglow peon , land losers, compassionate ground appointments.

Functioning of Zonal Training Schools and other training institutions.

Retirement benefits under different circumstances (superannuation, voluntary retirement, resignation, dismissal, technical absorption etc).

Liberalized Active Retirement Scheme for Guaranteed Employment for Safety Staff (LARGESS)

Training of Gazatted Officers in Railways as well as nonRailways institutions.

Impact of Disciplinary & Appeal Rules, penalties etc on retirement benefits.

(ii)

Various Railway Training Insti-

Pension adalats, timely settle-

Various Gr. ‘A’ organized

Training of Group C employees.

ment and Redressal of grievances related to settlement.

Retirement benefits under Provident Fund & Pension rules and Schemes of Financial Settlement.

The Disciplinary & Appeal Rules, (1968), Railway Services Conduct Rules, (1966) & Schedule of Disciplinary Powers.

Pass Rules, Leave Rules and joining time. Medical assistance to Railway employees and retired Railway employees.

Computerization of records and personnel management functions (Human Resource Management System) – benefits, challenges and implementation.

Railway Board’s letter No. E(GP) 2013/2/24 dated 21-5-2014.

Enhancement examination fees.

in

RRB

Ref: (1) Board’s circular No. 98/ E(RRB)/25/52 dated 7-4-1999 (RRCB No. 02/99), (2) Board’s circular No. E(RRB)/2002/25/32 dated 8-8-2002 (RRCB No. 11/2002), Board’s circular No. E(RRB)/2009/ 25/21 dated 28-10-2009 (RRCB No. 5/2009).

In order to partially set off the heavy burden of expenditure incurred on conduct of examinations by Railway Recruitment Boards, in partial modification of instructions referred (1) above, the Railway Board have decided to enhance the examination fees for applying for all Group ‘C’ posts through RRBs as under : For all candidates except those Rs. 100/- (inclusive of postal mentioned in sub para (ii) below expenses) For candidates belonging to SC/ ST/Ex- NIL Servicemen/Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Women Minorities and Economically Backward Classes.

The enhanced examination fee shall be applicable to all Employment Notifications published by RRBs after the issue of these orders.

Other provisions for waiving off

Record Note of Discussion held by DG(RHS) with NFIR on PNM Item No. 59/ 2012.

R ecord Note of Discussion held by DG (RHS) with NFIR on PNM Item No. 59/2012 - Eligibility (or accommodation in the Railway Hospitals/Recognized Hospitals – Non observance of laid down instructions – staff facing hardship – review urged) is given below: “Official Side explained the difficulties in deciding eligibility criteria for accommodation in private empanelled hospitals with regard to the Retired Railway employees for whom there is no grade pay and only pension is there. The official side suggested that criteria laid down by CGHS could be adopted over the Railways, but the Federations did not agree to the same. It was accordingly decided to maintain the status-quo as per the provision already maintained in Para 633 of the IRMM, 3rd Edition, 2000 and the eligibility of Railway employees for Special Ward shall be decided as per the same pay equivalent of new Pay Commission (VI CPC).”

S/Shri Guman Singh, President, M. Raghavaiah, General Secretary and R.P. Bhatnagar, Working President, NFIR participated from (Staff Side) in the discussion.

Ref: Railway Board’s letter No. 2014/E(LR)I/NM 1-1 dated 13.06.2014.

examination fees for candidates belonging to Women, Minorities and Economically Backward Classes contained in Board’s letter referred (3) above, will remain unchanged.

Railway Board’s letter No. 2013/ E(RRB)/25/22 dated 22-5-2014.

Rates of Night Duty Allowance w.e.f. 1-1-2014.

Consequent to sanction of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance vide this Ministry’s letter No. PC-VI/2008/I/7/2/1 dated 283-2014, the President is pleased to decide that the rates of Night Duty Allowance, as notified vide Annexures ‘A’ and ‘B’ of Board’s letter No. E(P&A)II-2013/HW-2 dated 29-10-2013 stand revised with effect from 1-1-2014 as indicated at Annexure ‘A’ in respect of ‘Continuous’, ‘Intensive’, ‘Excluded’ categories and workshop employees, and as indicated at Annexure ‘B’ in respect of ‘Essentially Intermittent’ categories.

Annexure 'A' Rates of Night Duty Allowance (NDA) with effect from 1-1-2014 for 'Intensive', 'Continuous' and 'Excluded' categories and Workshop staff.

Pay Band

Grade

Rate of

Pay

NDA (in Rs.)

4440-7440

1300

67.35

4440-7440

1400

68.30

4440-7440

1600

70.15

4440-7440

1650

70.60

5200-20200

1800

134.90

5200-20200

1900

135.80

5200-20200

2000

136.75

5200-20200

2400

140.45

5200-20200

2800

144.20

9300-34800

4200

244.20

9300-34800

4600

247.90

& above

RNI No. R.N. 7243/63 Regd. No. DL(C) -01/1121/2012-2014 Posted at SRT Nagar Post office New Delhi -110055 Licensed to post without pre-payment No. U(C)-279/2013-14 Date of Publication : 1st July, 2014 Date of Posting - 3rd & 4th every month

Annexure 'B' Rates of Night Duty Allowance (NDA) with effect from 1-7-2014 for 'Essentially Intermittent' categories of staff.

Pay Band

Grade

Rate of

Pay

NDA (in Rs.)

2011 their cases be considered as per policy instructions for own request transfer of other Railway employees.

Railway Board's letter No. 2014/ E(Sports)/4(1)/1 dated 29-5-2014.

Amendment of provisions relating to Staff Benefit Fund Chapter 8 of Indian Railway Establishment Code (Volume-I).

4440-7440

1300

44.90

4440-7440

1400

45.55

4440-7440

1600

46.75

4440-7440

1650

47.05

5200-20200

1800

89.95

5200-20200

1900

90.55

5200-20200

2000

91.15

Indian Railway Establishment Code (Volume-I)

5200-20200

2400

93.65

Chapter-8 (Staff Benefit Fund)

5200-20200

2800

96.15

Advance Correction Slip No. 122

9300-34800

4200

162.80

9300-34800

4600

165.25

& above Railway Board’s letter No. E(P&A)II-2014/HW-1 dt. 23-05-2014.

Transfer of sportspersons recruited against sports quota from one Railway/Unit/Division to another Railway/Unit/ Division.

Ref: Railway Board's letters No. 2011/E(Sports)/4(3)/4(Transfer Policy) dated 17-2-2011 & 07-3-2012.

Please connect Board's policy letter mentioned above on the subject matter.

Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) have decided that non-active sports persons who are not involved in coaching or sports in any capacity and fulfilling the eligibility condition as mentioned in Para 2(i) of Board's letter No. 2011/E(Sports)/ 4(3)/4(Transfer Policy) dated 17-2-

In exercise of the powers conferred by proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution, the President is pleased to direct that Rules 807 and 808 of Chapter 8 of Indian Railway Establishment Code (Volume-I) be amended as per enclosed Advance Correction Slip No.122

Rule 807 : Clause(vi)may be added below clause (v) of Rule 807 and read as follows:(vi) One representative each from All India Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes Railway Employees Association (AISC & STREA) and All India OBC Railway Employees' Association (AIOBCREA).

Rule 808 : Clause (iv) may be added below sub-rule (1) of Rule 808 and read as follows:(iv) One representative each from All India Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes Railway Employees Association (AISC & STREA) and All India OBC Railway Employees' Association (AIOBCREA).

(Authority : Board's Letter No. E(W)2012/FU-1/6 dated 27-5-2014).

Railway Board's letter No. E(W)2012/FU-1/6 dated 27-55-2014.

Rail Travellers’ Service Agents (RTSAs) Scheme – Rules Amended In pursuance of the judgement passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, a decision was taken in 2004 by the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) to modify RTSA Rules with a view to ban entry of RTSAs in Computerized Passenger Reservation (PRS) centers and to allow them to book reserved tickets only through internet which were notified in the Gazette of India also. After getting the permission from Hon’ble Supreme Court and in consultation with the Ministry of Law, the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) has further amended the RTSA Rules and Authorization of Rail Travellers’ Service Agents Rules, 2014 have been notified in the Gazette of India Vide S.O. No. 1219(E) dated 07.05.2014.

As per these amended Rules, the RTSAs are not authorized to book reserved tickets through computerized PRS Centers now.

IRCTC will take necessary action to appoint these RTSAs as e-ticketing agents (on approach) as per provisions of Authorization of Rail Travellers’ Service Agents Rules, 2014 and Zonal Railways should issue necessary certificate to RTSA as required in Para 4 (2) of these Rules.

Ref: Railway Board’s letter No.2004/TG-I/23/P/Review/Pt. dt. 20.05.2014 (Commercial Circular No. 22 of 2014).

Printed and Published by M. Raghavaiah on behalf of NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDIAN RAILWAYMEN, 3, Chelmsford Road, N. Delhi-55, Tel.: 011-23343305 (MTNL), 65027299, 22283,22626 (Rly.) Fax : 011-23744013 (MTNL) 2-2382 (Rly.) Tel. : RAILMAZDOR, E-mail : -gs@nfirindia.com, -nfir@sify.com Printed at Rakmo Press Pvt. Ltd. C-59, Okhla Indl. Area-I, New Delhi-110 020