Clarification regarding acceptance of educational qualification obtained through distance education mode from Open University without undergoing formal education for the purpose of employment on the railways – reg.

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

RBE No 116/2013

No. E (NG)-11/2013/RR-1/8  

                                                           New delhi Dated: 30/10/2013

The General Manager (P),
All Zonal Railways/Production Units
(As per standard mailing list)

Sub: Clarification regarding acceptance of educational qualification obtained through distance education mode from Open University without undergoing formal education for the purpose of employment on the railways – reg.

   The issue whether qualification of PG Degree without prosecuting 10+2+3 or 11+1+3 and Under Graduate Degree without prosecuting 10+2 or 11+1 stream of studies obtained by candidates/serving employees for employment/promotion through Open Universities (non-formal/distance education) can be accepted or otherwise has been under consideration of this Ministry.

Modified ACP Scheme (MACPS) for Railway employees- clarification – reg.

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 055
Affiliated to:
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

No.IV/NFIR/MACPS/09/Pt.7 

                                   Dated: 29.07.2013

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi.

Dear Sir,
 
            Sub:   Modified ACP Scheme (MACPS) for Railway employees- clarification –  reg.
           
            Ref:     Railway Board’s letter No. PC-V/2009/ACP/2 dated 31.01.2013.
                                         —————
            NFIR has come across a case wherein the Railway Board has totally changed the clarification issued by the DoP & T detrimental to the interest of Railway employees though the Railway Board Claims to be acting on the advise of the DoP & T,the nodal authority in so far as allowing financial upgradation under MACP Scheme is concerned. To prove its contention, NFIR is furnishing below the details of the case for proper appreciation of the issue:

Fixation of maximum ceiling limit for payment of honorarium to Cashiers and other Cash & Pay staff.

Government of India
Ministry of Railways
(Railway Board)

RBA: 17/2013

No. 99/AC-II/20/2/Pt.

25-7-2013

The General Managers,
All Zonal Railways & Production Units.

Sub:- Fixation of maximum ceiling limit for payment of honorarium to Cashiers and other Cash & Pay staff.

   The issue regarding fixation of maximum ceiling limit for payment of Honorarium to the Cashiers and other Cash & Pay staff for the period from 01.01.2010 onwards, has been discussed with both the Federations (AIRF & NFIR) and it has been decided by the Board as under:-

Acceptance of certificates/qualifications awarded by by Rajasthan State Open School, Jaipur and A.P. Open Schooling, Hyderabad for the purpose of employment on the railways.

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

RBE No. 31/2013.

No. E (NG)-II/2004/RR-1/14.

New Delhi, dated: 4/04/2013

The General Manager (P),
All Zonal Railways/Production Units, CORE/ALD, Metro Railway/Kolkata;
CAO/MTP/Chennai, Mumbai;
CAO (R), DMW/Patiala, COFMOW/New Delhi;
Chairmen/All Railway Recruitment Boards;
Director General, RDSO/Lucknow & RSC/Vadodra;
Director, IRISET/Secundrabad, IRICEN/Pune, IRIEEN/Nasik &
IREM&EE/Jamalpur; DFCCIL/New Delhi and Managing Director/Konkan
Railway Corporation Ltd.

Sub: Acceptance of certificates/qualifications awarded by by Rajasthan State Open School, Jaipur and A.P. Open Schooling, Hyderabad for the purpose of employment on the railways.

   The issue of recognition of qualification awarded by institutions cited in the above subject has been under consideration of this Ministry. The issue has been examined in consultation with M/o Human Resource Development and Department of Personnel & Training, M/o Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

   A copy of office Memorandum No. 14021/1/2012-Estt.D dated 6.3.2013 issued by Department of Personnel & Training, M/o Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions on the above subject is sent herewith for guidance and compliance.

   These instructions will be applicable from the date of issue of above stated office memorandum of Department of Personnel & Training. Cases pertaining to recruitments/engagements finalized prior to the date of issue of these instructions need not be re-opened.

   Please acknowledge receipt.

Sd/-
[Ravi Shekhar]
Deputy Director Estt (N)II
Railway Board.

Source: NFIR

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

Earmarking of accommodation for On-board Housekeeping Staff (OBHS)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.2013/TG-I/20/P/OBHS

New Delhi, dated 22.02.2013

General Managers,
All Zonal Railways.

(COMMERCIAL CIRCULAR NO.15 OF 2013)

Sub: Earmarking of accommodation for On-board Housekeeping Staff (OBHS)

Ref: Railway Board’s letters

   (a) No.2006/M(C)/165/9 dated 01.10.2007, 04.08.2009, 17.07.2009 and 19.07.2010

   (b) No.95/M(C)/141/1 Vol.II dated 21/28.05.2010

   Instructions have been issued by Board for implementation of On-board Housekeeping Scheme on Rajdhani/ Shatabdi/Duronto and important (Mail/Express trains vide letters under reference, In OBHS Scheme, a set of housekeeping staff travels on-board and carries out cleaning activities of coach compartments and toilets.

   2. The issue regarding earmarking of accommodation for OBHS staff has been examined by Board and it has been decided to earmark two berths/seats for them as under:-

   (i) Last two side berths/last two seats of the lowest reserved class available in the train should be earmarked for OBHS staff e.g., in the train having Sleeper Class as the lowest accommodation, berth nos.71 and 72 in S1 coach should be earmarked for them. Similarly, in the trains having AC Sleeper accommodation only, the last two side berths in B-I coach should be earmarked for OBHS staff.

   (ii) The list of trains in which OBHS facility has been provided will be forwarded by Mechanical Department to Commercial Department duly indicating whether this facility is being provided through contractor or through Railway staff.

   (iii) In case of non-Railway OBHS staff the contractor will be asked to deposit the fare for these berths/seats in advance. A flag will be put in the system to confirm whether payment has been received from the contractor or not.

   (iv) The contractor Will be required to give the names of the persons who may be going in the train at least 24 hours in advance. The names of these persons will be indicated in the chart with a special indication so that the public is aware of the same.

   (v) A provision for the cost of this fare will be kept in the contract at the time of calling of tender by Mechanical Department. In case of misuse of these berths/seats established, the only penalty will be cancellation of contract.

   (vi) In case of misuse of these berths/seats by departmental OBHS, strict as well as deterrent disciplinary action should be taken under D&A rules.

   3. CRLS will make necessary modifications in the software and intimate the date of effect to all Zonal Railways.

   4. After Implementation of this Scheme, a feedback may be sent after 3 months indicating the problems faced on this account.

   5. This issues with the concurrence/approval of Finance and Mechanical Directorates of Ministry of Railways.

sd/-
(S.K. Ahirwar)
Director Traffic Commercial(G)    
Railway Board                                         

Source: AIRF

AIRF References: Payment of difference in TA to the employees due to implementation of MACP Scheme.

All India Railwaymen's Federation
4, State Entry Road,
New Delhi-110055.

No.AIRF/159

                 Dated: January 28, 2013

The Secretary(E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Payment of difference in TA to the employees due to implementation of MACP Scheme.

   Consequent upon implementation of the orders, modifying ACP Scheme as MACP Scheme on the basis of recommendations of VI CPC, many employees were granted financial upgradation under MACP Scheme w.e.f  01.09.2008. T.A. amount was claimed by the employees as per their old grade pay prior to their financial upgradation, and they are due for the arrears of TA with retrospective effect due to implementation of MACP orders.

   The matter was taken up by our affiliate, S.C. Railway Mazdoor Union, with South Central Railway Administration, requesting payment of supplementary claims relating to difference of TA on enhanced pay of the employees who have been granted benefit of financial upgradation under MACP Scheme with retrospective effect.

   It is unfortunate, that the above request of our affiliate was not considered favourably by the Railway Administration, saying that the payment of different of TA consequent upon financial upgradation with retrospective effect is not in consonance with Board’s instructions/codal provisions.

   There is a provision exists in the Note under para 1602(2) of the IREC, that, in the case of late authorization/ drawl of increments with retrospective effect, other than those where increments were withheld or where increments take an officer above the stage of efficiency bar, there is no objection to supplementary claims relating to Travelling Allowance, if any, being admitted, on the basis of enhanced pay, including increments.

   In this connection, photocopy of letter No.P(R) 75/VII dated 25.01.2012 of the CPO/SCR is enclosed herewith.

   In view of the above, the Board are requested to issue necessary orders to South Central Railway Administration for the payment of arrears of TA to the employees who were granted financial upgradation under MACP Scheme w.e.f. 01.09.2008.

Yours faithfully,

sd/-
[Shiva Gopal Mishra]
General secretary.

Source:http://www.airfindia.com/AIRF%202013/Payment%20of%20difference%20of%20TA_28.01.2013.pdf

Revision of Breach of Rest Allowance at the revised rates of overtime for the period from 1.1.2006 onwards.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.E(P&A)II/2012/DC/JCM/3

New Delhi, dt. 09.10.2012.

The General Manager,
All Indian Railways.

Sub: - Revision of Breach of Rest Allowance at the revised rates of overtime for the period from 1.1.2006 onwards.

   One of the Federations has sought clarification regarding revision of Breach of Rest Allowance at the revised rates of overtime for the period from 1.1.2006 onwards. It has also been alleged that Breach of Rest Allowance is not being paid on some of the Zonal railways w.e.f. 1.1.2006.