Pawan Kumar Bansal Launches Wi-Fi Facility on Howrah Rajdhani Express Train.

   The Minister of Railways Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal launched Wi-Fi- facility as a pilot project on Howrah Rajdhani Express (train no. 12302), here today. To introduce internet access in moving train was a technological challenge considering that the train passes through all type of terrain and continuous internet access in all weather is to be provided. After due deliberations on various options for providing internet access, Indian Railways decided for satellite communication link to the train and Wi-Fi connectivity to different coaches. After successful technical trails, today Indian Railways is launching the pilot project on Howrah Rajdhani express in both the directions simultaneously i.e. 12301/12302 at Howrah and New Delhi respectively.

   Presently this facility is being extended free of cost to the travelling passengers. The facility is being introduced for the first time on Indian Railways through state-of-the-art Technology at a total cost of Rs. 6.30 crore covering all the three rakes of Howrah Rajdhani Express. The satellite communication link is arranged through satellite hub facility, set up by Indian Railways. Initially, 4 Mbps download bandwidth and 512 Kbps upload bandwidth is earmarked for internet facility in moving train. The satellite antenna is placed in one of the two Power Cars of the rake. This is linked through Wi-Fi radios provided outside of each coach. This is further distributed inside the coaches through indoor access point. This will help passengers of the Rajdhani Express train to access internet during their journey.

    For accessing the internet facility, the bona-fide passengers will have to access Indian Railway Wi-Fi network. The passengers will be able to register by providing the PNR and other details like mobile number etc. On validation of the data entered by the passengers, as per extant DOT guidelines, the Login ID and Password will be sent through SMS to the registered mobile number. The Login ID and Password will remain valid for entire journey.

   Indian Railways intend to extend this service on other Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto express trains progressively based on customer feedback and acceptance.

EFFORTS MADE AND THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF ALL INDIA RAILWAYMEN’S FEDERATION AND ITS AFFILIATED UNIONS FOR HANDICAPPED RAILWAY EMPLOYEES.

EFFORTS MADE AND THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF ALL INDIA RAILWAYMEN’S FEDERATION AND ITS AFFILIATED UNIONS FOR HANDICAPPED RAILWAY EMPLOYEES.

   All India Railwaymen’s Federation and its affiliated unions have all along paid due attention towards genuine problems of Handicapped Railway Employees and have made serious efforts at various levels for redressal thereof.

  AIRF pursued the Ministry of Railways to launch a special drive to fill-up all the vacant posts earmarked against Handicapped Quota, as a result of which, Railway Board issued instructions to all the zonal railways vide letter No.E(NG)II/2006/RC-2/11 Pt. IV dated 01.05.2012(RBE No.59/2012), and accordingly Special Recruitment Drive was undertaken by the zonal railways etc.

  AIRF has also been pressing hard the Railway Board to secure reservation for the persons with disabilities in promotions. (Ref. AIRF’s PNM Item No.14/2008)

  AIRF has demanded to appoint wards of the deceased railway employees/medically de-categorized employee, the wards having 20% and above physical disability against Physically Handicapped Quota(Ref.: AIRF’s PNM Item No.22/2010 & 22/2012).

  Vide its PNM Item No.01/2009 AIRF demanded grant of Family Pension to physically/mentally disabled children of Railway employees, which has since been allowed vide Railway Board’s letter No.2009/ACII/21/3 dated 25.02.2010(RBE No.03/2010). AIRF has also secured Special Provision of Endorsement in the PPOs for Handicapped dependent wards of the retiring railway employees.

  On the persuasions of AIRF, VI CPC has recommended additional benefit of 4 days leave in the form of Special Casual Leave to Railway employees with disabilities.(Ref. Railway Board’s letter No.E(NG)2008 LE 1/4 dated 26.12.2008(RBE No.201/2008).

  Arrangements for providing ramp, special toilets and other facilities have also been made on persuasions of AIRF and its affiliates at all the work places for the convenience of Handicapped Railway Employees.

  Motorized Chairs and Wheel Chairs as well have been procured through Staff Benefit Fund for the assistance of handicapped employees.

  The handicapped railway employees were being subjected to medical re-examination in railway hospitals while allotting accommodation against Handicapped  Quota, this practice has been discontinued on the persuasions of AIRF’s affiliated  unions.

  Special Employees Camps for Handicapped Railway Employees have been  started on the demand of AIRF and its affiliates.

    All the facilities, as provided for by the Ministry of Railways to Handicapped Employees, have been ensured on the Zonal Railways by the AIRF and its affiliates, like exemption from Type Test on promotion etc.

  AIRF vide its PNM Item No.46/2012 has represented the issues – (i) Payment of Running Allowance to medically de-categorized Running Staff kept on supernumerary posts, (ii) Fixation of pay of medically de-categorized Running Staff while kept on supernumerary posts – Grant of benefits of Running Allowance.

  Vide PNM Item No.53/2012, AIRF has also demanded provision of compassionate ground appointment in place of medically de-categorized railway employees as also appointment on compassionate grounds to the wards/spouse of medically decategorized staff on the Railways(AIRF’s PNM Item No.42/2006).

  AIRF vide PNM Item No.45/2006 had also represented for employment to medically unfitted direct recruits in alternative categories.

  These are but a few illustrative actions taken by the AIRF and its affiliates for the betterment of Handicapped Railway Employees.

Source: AIRF

Nomination of Area Welfare Officers for the calendar years 2013 and 2014 for Delhi/ New Delhi and Outside Delhi.

IMMEDIATE

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No.32/1/2012-Welfare
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training

Room No.361, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi.
Dated the 25th March, 2013.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Nomination of Area Welfare Officers for the calendar years 2013 and 2014 for Delhi/ New Delhi and Outside Delhi.

   The Department of Personnel & Training nominates Gazetted Officers as Area Welfare Officers (AWOs) for residential colonies to look after the welfare of Central Govt. employees and their families residing in these colonies. This Department invites fresh applications from all Ministries/Departments of Government of India for the areas indicated in the enclosed list. As stated in OM of even no. dated 15-10-2012 calling for applications for nomination as AWO, an AWO is only a functional arrangement to provide a link between the Central Government employees residing in various colonies and the concerned civic and other agencies providing service to them. A list of functions of AWO is enclosed. The functions of AWOs are official in nature and are performed by them on honorary and on a voluntary basis. Only those officers who are willing to function as AWO and can spare time for welfare work will be considered for nomination. The AWO serves as a vital link between the Government and residents in various matters relating to the welfare of Government employees residing in various colonies.

   2. The tenure of the AWOs shall be for a period of two years (commencing from the date of appointment and upto 31-12-2014) or till the services are required by the Government whichever is earlier. The AWOs are entitled to use office stationery and service postage stamps etc. for discharging their duties as AWO. They are allowed to leave office, with prior permission, for meeting the civic/police authorities for solving the problems of the residents of their localities.

   3. The applicant should however, not be an office bearer of Central Government employees or any other Residents Welfare Association. Further, officers seeking appointment as AWO should preferably have a residential telephone. No telephone/reimbursement of Telephone rent, facility will be admissible to AWO nominated by DOPT.

   4. Applications from those officers, who are willing to work in honorary and voluntary capacity, as Area Welfare Officers may be forwarded duly recommended by the authority concerned in the Department/administration and must reach the undersigned within 15 days from the date of issue of this Office Memorandum. A format for application is also enclosed.

Sd/-
(PRATIMA TYAGI)
Director (Canteens)

Source:http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02adm/AWO_250313.pdf