Registration No. : RTU/Nnn/31/2012

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110055

Affiliated to :
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers’ Federation (lTF)
No.I/15/Part III

Dated: 30/07/2018

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Implementation of Pass Rules and grant of travel facility on privilege pass as per the choice of pass holder – Railway Board’s clarification-requested.

NFIR invites attention of the Railway Board to the provisions contained in Advance Correction Slip No. 32 to the Railway Servants (Pass) Rules, 1986 (2nd Edition 1993) where in Rule 3 (vi) which are as under :-

“Privilege pass shall be issued for journey from the starting station to the destination station as desired by the Railway servant, via shortest route, provided that a longer route may be permitted on the Privilege Pass in the following circumstances:-

a) Two alternative routes are available for a destination, for example – Bombay to Calcutta via Nagpur or via Allahabad and Bombay to Delhi by the Central Railway or by the Western Railway – such pass may be permitted by either route irrespective of the distance involved;

or

b) If the distance to destination via a longer route preferred by the Railway servant does not exceed by fifteen percent of the distance via the direct route such pass may be issued even if a double journey over a small portion is involved (for example – ex Chittaranjan to Kancharapara via Howrah or ex-Lucknow to a station on the Southern/ South Central Railway via Bombay VT), provided the distance does not exceed the distance via the shortest route by more than 15% to take advantage of terminal facilities as in Bombay VT – Kalyan or Madras – Arakkonam sections;

or

c) If the longer route to destination is quicker than the direct route irrespective of distance involved.”

Federation has received staff representations (also retired staff) that when entitlement and choice is available between (a), (b) & (c) as per ACS No.32, the authorities have been reluctant in issuing the privilege/complimentary passes by wrongly interpreting to the effect that clauses 3(vi) (b) and (c) are independent provisions as they have been separated by the word ‘or’ between them, thereby, the provision in Rule 3(vi) (a) is also independent.

Federation contends that the interpretation as above is not correct in view of the fact that the three provisions are meant to allow staff to avail either 3(vi) (a) or (b) or (c) as per their convenience. The incorrect interpretation by the Railway authorities has resulted deprival of right to employee to take journey on his privilege pass, Similarly, the retired staff are also denied, the privilege of travel as per their choice route on their post retirement complimentary passes.

NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to issue suitable clarification to the Zonal Railways etc., to enable the staff to avail privilege/complimentary passes and take journey as per their choice in terms of provisions contained in ACS No.32. copy of clarificatory instructions may be endorsed to the Federation.

Yours faithfully
Sd/-
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary.

Source: NFIR

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Registration No. : RTU/Nnn/31/2012

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.IV/RSAC/Conf./Part VII

Dated: 15/03/2017

The Member Staff,
Railway Board,
New Delhi

The Financial Commissioner (Railways),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Non-payment of retirement benefits to the Running Staff retired on or after 01/01/2016-reg.

Complaints are being received quite frequently from the Zonal Railways that the Running Staff retired on or after 01/01/2016 have not yet been paid pensionary dues duly adding 55% to their 7th CPC Pay Matrix. It is further learnt that due to IPAS problems, almost on all the Zonal Railways, revised pensionary benefits have not been paid and the Administration has also not taken initiatives to solve the technical problem in co-ordination with the CRIS.

NFIR requests kind intervention in the matter so as to see that the retired Running Staff (from 01/01/2016 onwards) are paid retiral benefits duly reckoning 55% of pay as part of 7th CPC pay. Incidentally, Federation also conveys that all those retired Running Staff are entitled for pension arrears on revision of their present pension with the 55% addition of pay element.

NFIR, therefore, requests the Board (MS & FC) to take immediate action in resolving this issue in co-ordination with CRIS.

Action taken in the matter may kindly be advised to the Federation in due course.

Yours faithfully

(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.2015/AAC-II/21/11

New Delhi, dated 30.03.2017

FA&CAO,
Western Railway
Mumbai

Sub: Non-Payment of retirement benefits to the Running Staff retired on or after 01.01.2016.

Please find enclosed NFIR’s letter no.IV/RSAC/Conf./Part VII dated 15.03.2017 on the above subject which is self explanatory.

It is requested to kindly examine the same for taking further action in consultation with CRIS under intimation to Board’s Office.

DA: As above

(V.Prakash)
joint Director Accounts
Railway Board

Signed Copy

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NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 055

No. 1/10/Part IV

Dated: 07/03/2016

Shri Suresh Prabhu,
Hon’ble Minister for Railways, Rail Mantralaya,
New Delhi

Respected Sir,

Sub: Amendment to payment of Bonus Act, 1965-Revision of wage calculation limit from Rs. 3500/- p.m. to Rs. 7000/- p.m. with effect from 01/04/2014- payment of P.L. Bonus to Railway employees at revised rate of Rs. 7000/- p.m.-reg.

Ref: Railway Board’s reply vide No. E(P&A)II-2014/PLB-8 dated 16/02/2016 to GS/NFIR.

While thanking the Railway Ministry for its prompt reply to NFIR under reference No. E(P&A)II-2014/PLB-8 dated 16/02/2016, the Federation re-iterates the following facts for taking appropriate steps by the Government.

(i) The chronological developments since decades need to be taken into account for processing the case for payment of PL Bonus to the Railway employees at the revised wage calculation ceiling limit i.e. Rs. 7000/- p.m. w.e.f. 01/04/2014.

(ii) When the Bonus Act was amended, raising the wage calculation ceiling from Rs. 750 to 1600, the Railway employees were paid PL Bonus at the revised wage calculation ceiling limit. Subsequently, when the Bonus Act was amended, revising the wage calculation limit from Rs. 1600/- to Rs. 2500/-, the said rate was adopted by the Railway Ministry and PL Bonus paid to the Railway employees at the revised rates.

(iii) When the wage calculation ceiling was again revised to Rs. 3500/- w.e.f. 1st April 2006, the Federation took up the issue and explained the merits of the case for adopting the rate of Rs. 3500/- w.e.f. 01/04/2006 for ensuring payment of PL Bonus. The Railway Ministry had processed the case and obtained Union Cabinet’s approval and issued orders vide letter No. E(P&A)II-2008/PLB-10 dated 03/10/2008, duly revising the wage calculation ceiling to Rs. 3500/- with retrospective effect i.e, from 01/04/2006, consequently, PLB arrears for the year 2006-07 were paid to the Railway employees in October 2008.

From the above facts, it could be seen that the payment of P.L. Bonus has been ensured commensurating with the revision of wage calculation ceiling limit made through amendments to Bonus Act, 1965 without any deviation. Similarly when the wage calculation ceiling limit has been raised to Rs. 7000/- p.m., the Railway Employees are entitled for payment of P.L. Bonus at revised rates for the year 2014-15.

NFIR, therefore, requests the Hon’ble Railway Minister to kindly arrange to process the case on top priority for obtaining the approval of the Union Cabinet for making payment of PL Bonus arrears pertaining to the year 2014-15 to the Railway employees at the earliest.

Yours sincerely,

(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source : NFIR

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NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110055

No.IV/NFIR/7th CPC/CORRES (MoF)

Dated: 13-12-2015

Shri Suresh Prabhu
Hon’ble Minister for Railways
Rail Mantralaya, Rail Bhavan, New Delhi.

Respected Sir,

Sub: Serious disappointment among Railway Employees on retrograde and perverse recommendations of the 7th CPC – reg.

NFIR brings to the kind notice of Hon’ble MR that the Railway Employees are very much disappointed over the retrograde and perverse recommendation of the 7th Central pay commission.

Federation desires to state that the pay Commission has not considered the duties, responsibilities, remoteness and hard working conditions of Railways Employees of various categories while deciding the Pay Structure (Pay Matix). On perusal of report, it is also noticed that the Railway Ministry has not conveyed to the pay commission, the hard working conditions, nature of jobs being performed by the Railway Employees and the risks involved while their duties are unique, uncommon and complex.

In this connection, Federation brings to your kind notice that the 6th CPC anomalies relating to Railways Employees were discussed with the Railway Board. Consequently, it was agreed to rectify the under noted anomalies:-

(a) Merger of Technician Grade-II (GP 2400/-)with the Technician Grade-I (GP 2800/-)
(b) Replecement of GP 4600/- with GP 4800/-
(c) Placement of Mail/Express Loco Pilots in GP 4600/-
(d) Placement of JA Grade Officials in PB-4

However, the above proposals of Railway Ministry have not been cleared by the Finance Ministry and when the 7th Central Pay Commission was constituted, the Finance Ministry conveniently evaded. Although the above agreements were highlighted to the 7th Central Pay Commission by the NFIR, it is sad to note that the Railway Ministry has never taken initiative to apprise the 7th CPC relating to the above agreed proposals. The failure of the Railways Board in highlighting the facts and the commitments given to the Federation (NFIR) has caused grave justice to the staff. Similarly, on many issues, the Pay Commission has ignored the valid justification placed by the Federation seeking improved pay structure/Pay Matrix and incentives for railway categories. Overall, there is unhappiness and anger among all sections of Railway employees.

Apart from the above negative situation, the Pay Commission has given retrograde recommendations on “Minimum wage” and “Multiplication factor. Several Allowances have been recommended to be abolished.

In view of the above development, the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) has since conveyed to the Government to take steps for constituting Group of Ministers Committee to initiate discussions for reaching negotiated settlement on the charter of demands by 1st week of February. If the Government fails to work towards negotiated settlement by that date, the Railway Employees as well as Central Government Employees will be driven to go on Indefinite stike from 1st week of March, 2016.

NFIR invites kind attention of Hon’ble MR to the pending issues already discussed with the Railway Board (CRB,MS) more than once by the Federation but unfortunately there has been no satisfactory settlement of the issues.

NFIR hopes that you would take initiative for ensuring negotiated settlement on Railway issues very early.

Yours faithfully,

(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

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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.I/15/Part III

Dated: 03/12/2015

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Revised entitlement of Passes for Railway employees – hardship caused to certain staff who became entitled for 1st Class Pass as per old norms-remedial action urged.

Ref: NFIR’s PNM Item No. 11/2013.

The subject matter was discussed in the special meeting held on 23/11/2015 in the chamber of ED/IR. During the meeting, the Official Side stated that Federation’s demand is not feasible of acceptance in view of revised entitlement communicated vide Board’s letter dated 6th January 2011. Federation has however did not agree with the view and said that those staff who could have become entitled for 1st Class Pass on the notional pay Rs. 5375 should not be denied the entitlement.
In this connection, NFIR re-iterates that when some of those staff whose notional pay touches Rs. 5375/- (provided they are in a scale the maximum of which is Rs. 70001- or above) are eligible for drawing lst Class Pass as per Board’s instructions dated 01/02/1999, denying the privilege on the plea of revised instructions is illogical. Such staff deserve to be allowed to avail 1st Class pass. The number of such cases may not be large.
NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to kindly review and grant special dispensation for allowing 1st Class Pass in the cases where the notional pay reached Rs. 5375/- on and after 6tn January, 2011. A copy of the instructions issued may be endorsed to the Federation.

Yours Faithfully,
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Copy to the General Secretaries of affiliated Unions of NFIR.
Media Centre/NFIR.

File No. II/50/Pt.2 & File No. 11/2013 (PNM).

Source: NFIR

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Staff Benefit Fund – Amendment of provisions relating to Railway Staff Benefit Fund

No.II/28/Part V

Dated: 19/11/2015

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

Signed copy Click here

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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)

Dated: 13/11/2015

No. II/58/Part II
The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Enhancement of Income Tax exemption limit in the case of Running Staff in Railways-reg.

Ref: (i) NFIR’s PNM item no. 39/2012.
(ii) Railway Board’s O.M. No. F(X)I-2014/23/4 dated 23/05/2014 & 08/05/2015.
(iii) Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, CBDT (TPL Division)’s O.M No. 149/21/2013 TPL dated 23/07/2015 addressed to Railway Board.

On perusal of contents of O.M. dated 23/07/2015, (addressed to the Railway Board by Department of Revenue, CBDT TPL Division), copy handed over to the NFIR during the PNM meeting held on 819`” October 2015, Federation felt disappointed that the view of CBDT is unconvincing as the points raised by the Federation in the PNM agenda Item No, 39/2012 have not been taken into consideration. As a matter of fact, the CBDT has generalized the issue ignoring the Federation’s demand seeking revision of tax exemption to the specific category of Running Staff of Railways.

2. Federation however re-iterates below the key points for making proper reference by the Railway Ministry to the MoF/CBDT:-

• In para 1507 of IREC-Vol II (sixth Edition 1987/2″ Reprint Edition 2005), it has been stipulated that the Running Allowance is granted to the Running Staff for the performance of duty directly connected with charge of moving trains and includes “kilometerage allowance” or “allowance in lieu of kilometerage” and is paid on the kilometerage basis.
• The argument of CBDT that the exemption limit was raised from Rs. 6000 to 10,000 p.m. which takes care of progressive requirement of employees working in the different transport sector including Railway employees is not relevant as the revision of exemption sought pertains to Running Staff. Federation’s demand is that when the rates of kilometerage allowance of Running Staff on Indian Railways have been enhanced on DA reaching 50% of pay w.e.f. 01/01/2011 and again on reaching 100% as on 01/01/2014, the exemption limit of Income Tax correspondingly needs to be enhanced retrospectively as there is T.A. component in the kilometerage amount. Therefore, the present exempteq. amount of Rs. 10,000/- is grossly insufficient particularly in the context of upward revision of the rates of T.A which are not taxable.
• The CBDT’s view that moderation of tax rates by way of increase in the basic exemption limits and widening of tax slabs has raised every individual’s exemption limit is not relevant to the issue raised by NFIR seeking revision of exemption limit in the case of Running staff in Railways.

NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to write back to MoF/CBDT duly highlighting that “kilometerage amount paid to Running staff includes T.A. component towards out of pocket expenses” and urging for approval for upward revision of tax exemption limit from the existing Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 20,000/-

Yours faithfully,

(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR – https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B40Q65NF2_7UNjRyY0p1NFdlM2c/view?pli=1

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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. IV/NrFIR/INTUC/Corres/Pt. II

Dated: 12/11/2015

All the General Secretaries of
Affiliated Unions of NFIR

Dear Brother,

Sub: 31st Plenary Session of INTUC General Council Meeting and Election at Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi – 4th to 6th December,2015.

A copy of circular of INTUC, National Head Quarters, New Delhi dated 30/10/2015 is
enclosed.

The programme is given below briefly:

4th December, 2015

1. INTUC Working Committee Meeting at 10:00 hrs at Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.

2. Immediately after Working Committee Meeting the General Council (Subject Committee) will meet and thereafter Industrial Federations meeting will take place at same venue.

5th and 6th December, 2015

1. Shri Rahul Gandhi, MP & Vice President/AICC will inaugurate the Plenary Session at 10:00 hrs, on 5th December,2015.

2. The Plenary Session and other programme will continue till 6th December, 2015.
The members/delegates should deposit Rs.500/- each towards documentation charges including delegate/registration fee and collect their documents from the registration counter at INTUC office on 3rd & 4th December, 2015 morning i.e. before the Working Committee starts.
The affiliates are requested to ensure that all the members/delegates reach INTUC Office on 3rd December, 2015 to deposit Rs.500/- each towards documentation charges and collect documents for participating in the Plenary Session.

Yours fraternally,

(Dr M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Encl: INTUC Circular

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B40Q65NF2_7UakpLVEh5V0plVFJ1YlNvTi1neHNhMjJnclA4/view?pli=1

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Affiliated to :
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

Dated: 09/11/2015

No. I/5(g)/Part V

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Payment of Risk Allowance to the staff in the TRD Wing of Electrical Department on Indian Railways-Reg.

Ref: Railway Board’s letter No. E(P&A) I-2008 SP-I/AD-3 dated 02/05/2013.

*********

The NFIR desires to bring to the notice of Railway Board that the staff working in TRD wing of Electrical Department are denied Risk Allowance even though these staff face continuous risk while perfoniing duties. The TRD staff are engaged in the jobs listed vide annexure to Railway Board’s letter No. E(P&A)I-2008/SP-I/AD dated 02/05 /2013.

2. ln this connection, Federation desires to bring to the notice of the Railway Board following facts for appreciation of NFIR’s point of view:-

• Though the TRD staff while working on the OHE, obtain Block and shut down the power carrying 2500 volt current duly earthing on both ends, but the power of same magnitude and intensity is available in the adjacent up/down line for the purpose of regular flow of rail traffic.
• The high intensity current on the adjacent line causes severe adverse impact on the health of TRD staff due to inherent infection. This gives rise to various diseases as infection is being caused in the human body.

The seriousness can be assumed from the fact that if the amount of current in the human bodv crosses 40 mili-ampere, it can cause even deaths.
3. The NFIR therefore contends that the health hazards faced by the TRD Staff of Electrical Department in their day-to-day working are continuous and they are required to be paid Risk Allowance.
NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to consider the case of TRD staff in all grades and accord approval for payment of Risk Allowance.
Federation may be kept advised of the action taken in the matter.

Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah).

General Secretary

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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. II/97

Dated: 05/11/2015

Shri Alok Kumar
Executive Director Civil Engg. (G)
RaiIway Board
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Proposed Delegation of Powers to the Divisional Officers and further at the Field Levels for improving efficiency and speedy decision making.

Ref: Your communication vide letter No.2015/CE-I/CT/20/4 dated 12.10.2015 to GMs of Indian Railways.

There are number of representations besides telephone calls on the draft document sent by you, seeking suggestions / inputs from the General Managers. Cross Section of railway employees are perturbed over certain draft recommendations as they feel, that the said proposals may cause more problems to the system and generate rivalry at field levels.

In this connection, the Federation invites your kind attention to Note (3) under “Establishment Matters” (Annexure- “A”) relating to the Cadre of Station Master. This specific draft recommendation has generated disappointment among the Supervisors of various cadres.

The Federation therefore requests you to kindly have consultations with us before the EDs Committee finalises the draft document.

Yours faithfully,

sd/-
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah),
General Secretary

Click Here to View the Original Order

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