Artisan staff switching over to 7th CPC Pay Matrices

NFIR

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.1/8/CRC/09/2019

Dated: 07/10/2019

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Subject: Restructuring of certain Group ‘C’ cadres – Artisan staff – Extension of option period for switching over to 7 CPC Pay Matrices

Ref: (i) NFIR’s PNM item No. 20/2018.
(ii) GS/NFIR’ s letter No. I/8/CRC/09/Vol.11 dated 10/10/2016 to Railway Board.
(iii) NFIR’s letter No. IV/NFIR/7 CPC (Imp)/2016/R.B.-Part II dated 11/02/2019 & 23/02/2019 addressed to DG(Pers), Railway Board.
(iv) Railway Board’s OM No. C-VII/2018/RSRP/1 dated 11/03/2019 to the Ministry of Finance.
(v) NFIR’s letter No. I/8/CRC/09/2019 dated 13/08/2019 to Railway Board.
(vi) Railway Board’s reply to GS/NFIR vide letter No. PC-VII/2018/RSRP/1 dated 27/09/2019.

On perusal of the reply of Railway Board to NFIR under reference No. PC-VII/2018/RSRP/1 dated 27/09/2019, Federation felt that the Railway Board have not analyzed this issue properly as raised by the Federation for the purpose of impressing upon the Ministry of Finance, the need for extending re-option opportunity to the Railway employees who have been promoted subsequent to the date of notification i.e. 28th July, 2016. For proper appreciation, NFIR reiterates its contentions as below :-

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• Firstly, the subject relating to extension of option period for switching over to 7th CPC Pay Matrices was tabled by NFIR in the PNM fora under Item No. 20/2018 and the issue is still pending as further discussions are yet to take place.
• The issue was also raised by JCM (Staff Side)/Leader in the National Council JCM meeting held on 13th April, 2019 at Rail Bhavan under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary. In this connection, attention is invited to Para 4.5 of the minutes of 47th meeting of NC/JCM circulated vide DoP&T O.M. dated 13th June, 2019, the same may be connected.
• Attention is also invited to minutes of the Standing Committee Meeting of NC/JCM held on 7th March, 2019 wherein the Chairman desired that the Department of Expenditure may consider the demand of the Staff Side. The JCM (Staff Side) as well the Federation is awaiting for the final outcome of the discussions held on 7th March, 2019.
• In the NFIR PNM Agenda, the Federation has cited the specific case of promotions granted under cadre restructuring w.e.f 01-09-2016 to the Technicians category on Indian Railways and contended that all those staff who came up for promotion w.e.f. September 1, 2016, are entitled for option opportunity to switch over to 7th CPC pay matrices after getting their promotion implemented in the VIth CPC Pay Band if they wish. The Federation has further amplified its contention, stating that 90 days time was given from the date of notification to enable the employees to opt for 7th CPC pay matrices and the said 90 days period ended only on 28th October 2016, whereas the Technicians got promoted w.e.f. 01-09-2016 under cadre restructuring. pointing out this specific case, NFIR they got promoted during this intervening period. This practical situation emerged in Railways could have been explained in detail by the Railway Ministry to the Finance Ministry for rendering justice.
• Federation vide its letter dated 11-02-2019 clearly brought out the relevancy of Rule 5 & 6 of RS(RP) Rules 2016 of Ministry of Railways Notification dated 28th July,2016 and Ministry of Finance Notification dated 25th July,2016 in the instant case, therefore it would be unfair to take a negative view for rejecting the legitimate right of the Railway employees. Federation finds that its letter dated 11-02-2019 perhaps has not been connected in Railway Board’s Office while taking up the matter at the level of Ministry of Finance as the Railway Board’s O.M. dated 11-03-2019 to Ministry of Finance, (Department of Expenditure) has not adequately projected the merits as well Railways case.

Summing up, NFIR urges upon the Railway Board to kindly review the case realistically and support NFIR’s genuine demand, duly making out cogent proposal to Ministry of Finance for extending the re-option opportunity not only to the affected employees in the Railways but also to others. Federation also conveys that it is pained to take note the Railway Board’s perception as mentioned in the last sentence of the reply stating “it is a closed chapter”.

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Yours faithfully

(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General secretary

Source: NFIR