Decision on hiking dearness allowance deferred.

   Decision on hiking dearness allowance deferred

   The government on Tuesday deferred a decision on hiking dearness allowance (DA) of central government employees to 80 per cent, from 72 per cent at present.

   An increase in DA would have benefitted about 50 lakh employees and 30 lakh pensioners.

   "The proposal on DA has been deferred as the Finance Minister was not present," Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari told reporters after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here.

   Finance Minister P Chidambaram is on an official visit to Japan.

   A hike in DA has been proposed with effect from January 1, 2013, according to sources.

   The government had hiked DA to 72 per cent in September last year. The increase was with effect from July 1, 2012.

   The Confederation of Central Government Employees has demanded merger of up to 50 per cent DA with the basic pay and setting up the seventh pay commission at the earliest.

   As per the practice, the DA is merged with basic pay when it breaches the 50 per cent cap. This helps employees get higher allowances as those are paid as proportion to the basic pay.

Source:economictimes

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