INDIAN RAILWAYS TECHNICAL SUPERVISORS’ ASSOCIATION

No:IRTSA/Memo-24

Date:17.04.2024

Director General (HR)
Railway Board

Respected Sir,

Sub: Leave rules. – Extending the eligibility of half a day LAP to all employees.
Ref: Para-539(2) of Indian Railway Establishment Code Volume-I

IRTSA wishes to emphasize the necessity of extension of half day LAP eligibility to all employees and thereupon submit the following facts to your kind perusal:

1) IREC para 539 given below entitles workshop artisan staff to avail half a day LAP. 539 Leave to Workshop staff. – (1) Skilled artisans as also semi-skilled and un-skilled workman will earn leave on average pay, half average pay and commuted leave and leave not due in accordance with these rules.

(2) Workshop staff may be allowed to take leave with pay, if due, or without pay, for periods not less than half a day. For this purpose leave for half a day means authorized absence from duty for over half an hour either during the first period before interval or the second period of any day on which the workshop remains open for both the periods. This concession however, is restricted to six occasions in a year.

2) The purpose of entitling half a day LAP for one category of staff and not entitling for all other staff is not known clearly since the decision was taken in the year 1949 and this rule was not revised for so many years.

3) Half day LAP entitlement might have been given to workshop artisan staff to make them available for work after attending their personal needs in shorter length of time.

4) In present day situation the reasons for allowing half day LAP remains same for all and all non-gazetted employees are required to record their attendance on bio metric method. Reasons like employees coming for duty from faraway places, delay in commuting in city traffic, requirement of attending personal & family needs for an hour, delay due to natural causes like heavy rain, employees returning to HQ in the morning after availing leave or weekend outing, employees required to proceed on leave for emergencies after attending duty for half a day, etc requires half day LAP entitlement for all staff.

5) If half a day LAP entitlement is given to all employees, it will not be necessary for employees to apply full day LAP when they are in need of half a day leave only. It will improve employees’ availability at work. This will improve overall performance of section/shop/depot/office, etc. Cumulatively throughout Indian Railways lakhs of man hours will be available for productive work.

6) Denial of eligibility of half a day LAP to all employees is in violation of Article 14 of the Constitution of India which says that, “The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.”

7) Hence it is requested that, entitlement of half a day LAP may be extended to all employees of Indian Railways including Technical Supervisors, which will ensure winwin situation for employees and administration.

Thank you in anticipation.

Yours’ truly

K.V.RAMESH
General Secretary, IRTSA

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F. No. 2/1/2023-JCA
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment (JCA) Section

Floor, ‘B’ Wing,
Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated: 20-03-2024

OFFICE MEMORANDUM 

Subject: Formation of 8th central Pay Commission – regarding.

The undersigned is directed to forward a copy of letter No. IRTSA/Memo-7 dated 26.02.2024 received from Shri R.V. Ramesh, General Secretary, Indian Railways Technical Supervisors’ Association on the subject mentioned above to Department of Expenditure for further necessary action.

Encls: As above.

(Gandharv Kumar Sandilya)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Tele: 011-2469 4678

To,
Under Secretary (Admin)
Department of Expenditure
North Block
New Delhi

Formation of 8th Central Pay Commission – Demand quoting gist of recommendations of 3rd, 4th. 5th, 6th and 7th CPC about formation of permanent machinery / next pay commission

INDIAN RAILWAYS TECHNICAL SUPERVISORS’ ASSOCIATION

No: IRTSA/Memo-7

Date: 26.02.2024

Smt. Nirmala Sitaraman
Hon’ble Minister for Finance
Respected Madam, Vanakkam.

Sub: Formation of 8th Central Pay Commission.

1) Central Pay Commissions are being constituted at regular intervals of ten years, “to examine, review, evolve and recommend changes regarding the principles that should govern the emoluments’ structure including pay, allowances and other facilities/benefits, in cash or kind, as well as the specialized needs of various Departments, agencies and services, in respect of Central Government employees”.

2) 3rd, 4th and 5th CPCs recommended for constituting permanent machinery to undertake periodical review of the pay, allowances and conditions of service of the Central Government employees.

3) 6th CPC recommended for implementing its recommendations w.e.f. 01.01.2006, ten years period since the implementation of 5th CPC.

4) 7th CPC recommended that the pay matrix may be reviewed periodically without waiting for the long period of ten years. (Gist of recommendations of 3rd, 4th. 5th, 6th and 7th CPC about formation of permanent machinery / next pay commission is given in the annexure)

5) Since the implementation of 7th CPC recommendations w.e.f. 01.01.2016, many changes have taken place in Government functioning, performance & size of Indian economy, GDP growth, quantum of various tax collections, role of various government departments, inflation pattern, erosion of real wages due to inflation, condition of service, role of private sectors in public utilities and government’s regulation over them, number of employees in each department, number of employees covered under National Pension Scheme (NPS), considerable reduction in poverty, changes in consuming pattern of employees & general public, etc.

6) There are many legal cases pending across the country in various courts regarding anomalies in pay level, increment, pay fixation, promotions, MACPS, retirement benefits, etc, consuming precious time of Courts and affecting efficiency of Government functioning.

7) Efficiency in public services should not be compromised for any reasons. There should be a continuous improvement in quality of public service and scope for administrative reforms. New pay commission needs to be constituted for elimination of disparities/anomalies in salaries between different group of employees and for the reasons explained above. Sufficient time should be given to the Pay Commission to study all principles relating to pay & allowance, working conditions, promotional avenue, classification of posts, etc and to hear the views of every stakeholder including staff side.

8) It is therefore requested to constitute 8th Central Pay Commission immediately to enable it to have sufficient time to give comprehensive recommendations to clear all existing anomalies and without giving room for future anomalies.

Thanking you, with regards,

K.V. RAMESH
General Secretary, IRTSA

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No: IRTSA/CHQ/Memo/2022-8

Date: 23.11.2022

Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw
Hon’ble Minister of Railways
Respected Sir,

Sub: Upgradation of pay structure of certain cadres – Regarding case of Technical Supervisors / Rail Engineers.

Ref : Railway Board’s letter No. PC-VII/20l9iRSRP/3 (RBE No.155/2022) dated 17.11.2022.

1.1) We thank Hon’ble Prime Minister, Minister for Finance and Minister for Railways for improving the promotional avenues of the Supervisory Staff on the Railways.

1.2) Your goodself, as the Minister For Railways, in your speech in the GMs Conference and briefing to the Media, on 16th November 2022, appreciated the role of Technical Supervisors cadre, described them as the back bone of the functioning of the Railways and said that they are stagnated since long and do not have any promotional avenues. Their promotion is restricted to one even after completion of 30 years of service and they are highly stagnated and do not reach the gazetted cadre. Your goodself said that the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Finance Minister issues orders to remove the stagnation and each stagnated engineer will get minimum monthly financial benefit of Rs 2500/- to 4000/- and will be able to reach Group ‘A; and ‘Group “B’ Levels.

1.3) But the Railway Board’s orders, issued vide their letter dated 17-11-2022 Reg. “upgradation of Pay Structure of certain cadres” for improving the promotional avenues of Supervisory staff on the Railways, fall much short of the above said announcement made by the Hon’ble Minister of the Railways as it provides only upgrading of 50% posts in Level 7 to Level 8 in Phase 1 and upgrading of 50% posts thereof from Level 8 to Level 9 as Non-Functional promotion after 4 years in Phase 2, without change of designation and without change of Classification from the existing one in Group ‘C’ phase-I w.e.f. 1-12-2022 and phase-II after four years.

1.4) The Railway Board’s order no RBE/155-2022 dated 17/11/2022 doesn’t reflect the spirit of Hon’ble Railway Minister’s wish as large number of senior Technical Supervisors will remain stagnated and will not get Group ‘B’ or Group ‘A’.

2. Hence, your kind attention is invited to the following points:-

2.1) That the Technical Supervisors /Senior Section Engineers (SSEs) on the Railways will be least benefitted by the said orders even though they are the most stagnated cadre on the Railways as mentioned by 7th CPC and as mentioned by the Minister for Railways himself in his speech in the Video conference with the GMs on 16.11.2022. This may please be remedied by upgrading substantially more posts of Senior Section Engineers (SSEs) to higher pay levels.

2.2) Majority of the SSEs are already placed in the Pay Level-8 & 9 under the MACPS and as such will not get any benefit from the above orders.

2.3) Effect of upgradation in phase-I from 01.12.2022 won’t give any relief to existing stagnated SSEs.

2.4) A large number of SSEs are already working in Pay Level-8 under MACPS for the last many years but will not get any promotion related benefit of the said orders as they will have to wait for another 4 years from the date of effect of the said orders that is 1.12.2022 for getting non-functional promotion to Level 9.

2.5) Restricting further upgradation in phase-II, non-functional upgradation from Pay Level-8 to Level-9 after 4 years of service to 50% posts in Level-8, further narrows down the promotional avenues.

2.6) As per the said order, there will be no change in the nomenclature/designation and classification of the posts after upgradation and they will remain classified as Group ‘C’ which would be totally unjustified and against the existing orders of the Railway Board for Classification of Posts on the Railways.

2.7) Surrender of posts as per said orders of equivalent financial value will further downsize the technical departments and will affect the functioning. There are only a few SSEs who are in Level-7, since around 60% to 70% of SSEs are already placed in Level-8 & Level-9 through financial upgradation under MACPS.

2.8) One of the important cadres of IT engineers working in Indian Railways is not covered in this order. Recommendations of Railway Board’s order No:ERB- I/2011/25/4 dated 14.07.2011 in para 6.v & 6.vi that, existing posts of JE/IT in the Grade Pay of Rs.4200 and Senior Engineer/IT in the Grade Pay of Rs.4600 shall be placed in the Grade Pay of Rs.4600 & Rs.4800 respectively in line with staffing pattern at Railway Board’s computer centre has not been considered.

2.9) Junior Engineers (JEs) working in four technical departments of Railways have been totally left out of the upgradation.

2.10) This order will not clear the stagnation of SSEs at GP Rs.4600 as recommended by 7th CPC in para 10.40.113.

2.11) Ministry of Railways in its proposal sent to Ministry of Finance after 6th CPC, O.M. No. PC VI/2009/DAC/1 (Pt2) dated 11.06.2010, has asked approval for 100% upgradation for JEs from GP Rs.4200 to Rs. 4600 and SSEs from Rs.4600 to Rs.4800.

3) Considering the above short comings in the order dated 17.11.2022, following suggestions may please be considered and accepted.

3.1) All posts of Senior Section Engineers (SSEs) in Level-7 may please be upgraded to Level-8 in all the Departments including Mechanical, Electrical, Engineering, S&T and Drawing/Design etc..

3.2) All Posts of CMS in CMT Labs, CDMS in Stores and Senior Engineer (IT) may please be upgraded from Level 7 to Level 8.

3.3) Effect of upgradation in phase-I may be made from 01.01.2016, ie from the date of implementation of 7th CPC recommendations.

3.4) It is requested that the SSEs who have already put in more than 4 years in Level 8 under MACPS may be given non-functional promotion to Level 9.

3.5) Similarly SSEs who have already put in more than 4 years in Level 9 under MACPS may be given non-functional promotion to Level 10 from the date of implementation of these orders and a Non-Functional promotion to Level 11 after working for 4 years in Level 10, as already provided for the Group ‘B’ Officers.

3.6) 50% restriction in phase-II upgradation may please be removed and who ever completes 4 years of service in Level-8 may be given non-functional financial upgradation to Level-9 without any restriction.

3.7) All posts in Level 8 & above may please be classified in Group B Gazetted as per RBE No.5/2010, dated 08.01.2010. Also, DoPT OM F. No. 11012/10/2016-Estt.A-III,
dated 8th December 2017 classify a Central Civil Post carrying the pay in the Pay Level from 6 to 9.

3.8) Designation of posts of SSEs upgraded to Level 8 may please be designated as Chief Section Engineer (CSE) & the Posts in Level 9 may please be changed as Principal Section Engineer. Since they will be holding vital and hierarchical position in the technical cadre and as such, they cannot be given same Designation for three Pay Levels of SSEs, for effective and hierarchical management.

3.9) Similarly the Designations of CMS & CDMS in upgraded Posts in Pay Level 8 & Pay Level 9 be changed as Principal CMS & Principal CDMS.

3.10) Surrender of posts should not be done for the strength of Supervisory Staff who are already in Pay level 8 & Level 9 under MACPS as there will be no financial implications for upgrading the Posts for this strength of Staff who are getting the higher pay under MACPS.

3.11) Senior Engineers (IT) working in Railways may please be given upgradation staffing pattern equal to that of Computer centre in Railway Board.

3.12) Junior Engineers (JEs) working in four technical departments of Railways may please be placed in Level -7, since they hold direct responsibility of safe, efficient & failure proof production, repair, maintenance and operation of trains, P.Way, Bridges, S&T, OHE and other assets & equipment.

Thanking you, with regards,

Yours faithfully,

(Harchandan Singh),
General Secretary, IRTSA

Source: IRTSA

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No:IRTSA/CHQ/ Memo/ 2022-7

Date:17.10.2022

Dr. Jitendra Singh
MoS DoPT & DoP&PW
mos-pp[at]nic.in

Respected Sir,

Sub: Recommendation of 110th Report on the Subject ‘Pensioner’s Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)’ Submitted to parliament on 10th Dec 2021.

We seek your kind attention on the recommendations of 110th Report of Parliamentary committee on the Subject ‘Pensioner’s Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)’ submitted to parliament on 10th Dec 2021. The committee proposed as many as 31 recommendations on following four main headings are given in Annexure-1,

• Effectiveness of CPENGRAMS and pension Adalats.
• Grievances pertaining to Pension Policy, Pension Structure and other Retirement Benefits.
• Grievances pertaining to Authorization, sanction and processing of pension Authorization, Sanction and Processing of pension.
• Grievances pertaining to disbursement of pension.

We request the Government to accept the recommendations of the committee except the recommendations on proposed monthly contribution of Rs.5000, Rs.2500 and Rs.1500 and proposed change in the ratio of Savings Fund to Insurance Fund in CGEGIS in sl.no. 7 & 8 of Annexure-1.

Memorandum on Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS) – Revision of coverage & monthly subscription is attached in Annexure-2.

We request for earlier action and favourable decision on the recommendations.

Thanking you

Yours faithfully,

(Harchandan Singh),
General Secretary, IRTSA

Annexure-1

Recommendation of 110th Report on the Subject ‘Pensioner’s Grievances – Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)’ Submitted to parliament on 10th Dec 2021

Effectiveness of CPENGRAMS and pension Adalats

1) Constitute social audit panels to identify core grievance prone areas and streamline their systems accordingly.

2) DoP&PW to rope in Quality Council of India and enable the agencies involved in Pension authorization, sanctioning, processing and disbursement to streamline their systems so as to mitigate the volume of grievances and also to ensure citizen satisfaction.

3) Put an accountability mechanism in place and explore the feasibility of holding the grievance redressal authorities concerned answerable for summarily disposing of grievances without appropriate qualitative action.

4) The 100th committee desired that there should be a nodal authority in the department to whom complaints against the orders/ decisions of individual Ministries/ Departments can be made. The Committee hopes that the appellate mechanism shall be operationalized at the earliest. The Department may apprise the Committee about the status of appellate mechanism in its Action Taken Replies.

5) The Committee recommends the Department to harness video conferencing technology and hold Virtual All India Pension Adalats on a half-yearly basis so that the grievances which could not be resolved through CPENGRAMS during the six-month period and beyond can be redressed at once.

6) DoP&PW to explore the feasibility of institutionalizing an alternative dispute resolution mechanism such as pre-litigation conciliation to resolve the grievances of pensioners at pre-litigation stage itself.

Grievances pertaining to Pension Policy, Pension Structure and other Retirement Benefits

7) The Committee recommends the Government to implement the recommendations of 7th CPC and increase the Insurance amount to Rs. 50,00,000, Rs. 25,00,000 and Rs.15,00,000 for Group ‘A’, ‘B’ and C officers/ staff respectively with commensurate enhancement in monthly contribution of Rs. 5000, Rs. 2500 and Rs. 1500 for respective Groups of officers/ staff.

8) The Committee agrees with the observation made by the 7th CPC in this regard and recommended that the ratio of Savings Fund to Insurance Fund be modified from the present 70:30 to 75:25 at the earliest.

9) The Committee, accordingly, recommends that the extant practice of opening multiple GPF accounts by an employee in transferable establishment should be done away with and that only single GPF account should be in operation throughout the duration of his/ her service.

10) The Committee recommends that the Government may consider payment of “Provisional Pension” until the final pension is sanctioned to the retired Government servant.

11) DoP&PW should intervene in the matter of difficulties faced by retirees of Central Armed Police Forces and come up with a viable solution and apprise the Committee in this regard.

12) The Committee is of the view there may be exigencies when the old age pensioners may directly approach non-empanelled hospitals for treatment without first approaching a Government hospital. They should not be deprived of their rightful entitlements under any circumstances. The Committee recommends the Department to play a pro-active role and pursue the matter with the Ministry of Health and Family welfare. The Committee also recommends the DoP&PW to seek details of action taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on the judgements of the Apex Court in this regard and furnish them to the Committee in its Action Taken Replies.

13) The Government may explore opening of CGHS centres at district locations or designate already functional Government hospitals in district headquarters as CGHS Centres to provide treatment to CGHS beneficiaries.

14) The Government may also include settlement of medical facility related grievances of pensioners on the portal of CPENGRAMS as requested by pensioners and the DoP&PW should work in tandem with Health Ministry in this regard.

15) The Committee recommends DoP&PW to take up this issue of enhancement of Fixed Medical Allowance with the Finance Ministry as Rs 1000 is a very meagre amount for an old age pensioner.

16) The recommends DoP&PW and CGA that the procedural loopholes coming in this way should be plugged and ensure that all such pensioners should get FMA Surrender Certificates in a hassle free manner through online mode under intimation to the bank concerned and a timeline should be fixed in this regard.

17) The Committee feels that either the provisions for medical facilities available to serving employees also needs to be extended to pensioners or instead of increasing FMA year after year, DoP&PW may moot a proposal for introducing cashless health insurance facilities for such pensioners in nearby Private Health Centers in lieu of FMA on voluntary basis.

18) The Committee is of the view that the Government should sympathetically consider the demand of Pensioners’ Associations for 5% additional quantum of Pension on attaining the age of 65 years, 10% on 70 years, 15% on 75 years and 20% on 80 years to the Pensioners.

19) DoP&PW should pursue the matter of implementation of MACP w.e.f 1st January, 2006 with DoPT.

20) The committee hopes that additional funds will be provided to deserving pensioners’ associations based on their previous performance and fund utilization.

21) The Committee also recommends DoP&PW to consider the case of Pensioners’ who retired on 30th June and were denied the increment on the plea that next date of retirement is 1st July.

22) Explore the feasibility of amending Central Civil Services Pension rules to enable widows of Paramilitary/ Civil Government Servants get full liberalized pension at par with widows of defence personnel even after their remarriage

Grievances pertaining to Authorization, sanction and processing of pension Authorization, Sanction and Processing of pension

23) DoP&PW to apprise whether Bhavishya software renders end-to-end digitization of the whole pension process possible in its Action Taken Replies.

24) The Department may also inform the Committee about the status of implementation of Bhavishya Software by non-civil Ministries in its Action Taken Replies.

25) The Committee observes that web portal needs more publicity and emphasizes that CPAO should publicise the portal through all possible means including the print and electronic media so that the benefits of the portal reach targeted beneficiaries.

26) The Committee notes that the procedure of obtaining medical certificate/disability certificate by children of a deceased Government Servant is Kafkaesque and needs to be simplified.

27) The Committee is of the view that Head of Office in a Ministry/Department may consider obtaining the forms/ pension papers from the retiring Government servant one year instead of six months before his or her date of retirement and determining the amount of Government dues.

28) The Committee, accordingly, recommends that for the benefit of pensioners/family pensioners’ of paramilitary forces, the Battalion Headquarter should be made place of pension’s disbursement, instead of last place of posting. Further, the Committee also feels that Department needs to explore the feasibility of giving a choice to pensioners to choose place of pension disbursement in case of transferable job.

29) The Committee recommends the Department to gradually expand the scope of digital life certificate (DLC) from Home project, Doorstep Banking and submission of DLC through postal agent to all major cities and towns. The Committee recommends the Department to ensure that Video based Customer Identification Process and Facial recognition technologies are operationalized on a wider scale at the earliest.

Grievances pertaining to disbursement of pension

30) DoP&PW along with Reserve Bank of India and Ministry of Finance to assess the feasibility of utilizing the Business Correspondent network to enable senior citizens to withdraw their pension amount from the comfort of their homes.

31) The Committee notes that pension paying branches, instead of resolving issues raised by the pensioners, either direct the pensioners to approach the centralised pension processing centres (CPPC) or pass on the responsibility for delays and inaccuracy in payment to the CPPC. The Committee also recommends the Department to discuss the matter with RBI and Ministry of Finance and assess the feasibility of appointing a Pensioner Ombudsman on the lines of Bank Ombudsman for resolving grievances arising out of disbursement of pensions and apprise the Committee regarding the same in its Action Taken Replies.

Recommendation of 110th Report on the Subject ‘Pensioner’s Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)’ Submitted to parliament on 10th Dec 2021

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INDIAN RAILWAYS TECHNICAL SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION

Indian railway latest news today

No: IRTSA/ CHQ/ CGEGIS/2022-2

Date: 23.04.2022

Secretary Finance (Expenditure),
North Block,
New Delhi – 110001

Respected Sir,

Sub: Central Government Employees Group insurance Scheme (CGEGIS) – Revision of coverage & monthly subscription.

Ref: 1. Recommendations of 110th report on “Pensioner’s Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)”

2 Our earlier memorandum dated 29.06.2020 (Copy attached)

1. We seek your kind intervention to consider Revision of coverage & monthly subscription on Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS) as per the recommendations of 110th report on “Pensioner’s Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)”

2. Rates of subscription and insurance cover for Central Government Employees Group Insurance scheme (CGEGIS) were last revised in January 1990. Recommendations of Fifth & Sixth CPCs on CGEGIS rates of subscription & insurance cover were not implemented by the Government. Continuing the same rates of insurance amount for 30 long years defeats the basic purpose of providing insurance cover to the employees so as to extend adequate security to the families in the event of employees’ death.

3. In para 3.3. of 110th report on “Pensioner’s Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)”, it was recommended that, “The Committee is of the view that the benefits provided by social security systems should improve quality of life, support independence and compensate for the loss of income after retirement. As regards CGEGIS, the Committee notes that the monthly deduction as well as the insurance amount have remained unchanged since 1990. In the present context, the insurance cover provided by CGEGIS seems to be too meager to be commensurate with the elevated cost of living. Therefore, the Committee recommends the Government to implement the recommendations of Seventh Central Pay Commission and increase the Insurance amount to Rs. 50,00,000, Rs. 25,00,000 and Rs.15,00,000 for Group ‘A’, ‘B’ and C officers/ staff respectively with commensurate enhancement in monthly contribution of Rs. 5000, Rs. 2500 and Rs. 1500 for respective Groups of officers/ staff.

4. In our earlier memorandum (copy attached), we have submitted all detailed justifications with low premium and high risk cover,

a) Cabinet decision taken on 29.06.2016 not to accept the recommendations of 7th CPC due to steep hike in monthly subscription towards CGEGIS recommended by the commission.
b) Cabinet decision and direction to Ministry of Finance to work out a customized group insurance scheme for Central Government Employees with low premium and high risk cover.
c) Premium for risk coverage in insurance policies have come down very drastically since 1990.
d) For 38.6 lakh sanctioned strength of Central Government employees covered in the CGEGIS, subscription for the insurance amount of Rs.50 lakh, Rs.25 lakh and Rs.15 lakh has to be much lesser than LIC’s policies which are offered for individuals and for groups.
e) Availability of LIC policies for the insured amount of Rs.50 lakh with much less premium, etc.

5. OUR PROPOSALS

For the sum assured recommended by 7th CPC the following rates of Monthly subscription @ 20% less than the Premium for Individual Term Insurance plus Savings Fund as derived in table-3 above are proposed,

a) Monthly subscriptions of Rs.1920, Rs.960 and Rs.640 for Sum Assured of Rs. 50 lakh, 25 lakh and 15 lakh for the Levels proposed by the 7th Pay Commission respectively, and payable to the family of the deceased employee in case of an employee’s death.
b) Ratio of the Insurance Fund and Saving Fund should be 25%:75% respectively.
c) In case of retirement, employees be paid a maturity benefit in proportion to the subscription, length of service and applicable interest rates.

Thanking you

Yours’ faithfully,

(Harchandan Singh),
General Secretary, IRTSA

Download IRTSA Revision of coverage & monthly subscription PDF

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INDIAN RAILWAYS TECHNICAL SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION

No: IRTSA/ CHQ/ PENSION/2022-4

Date: 26.04.2022

Secretary Finance (Expenditure), North Block,
New Delhi – 110001

Respected Sir,

Sub: Increase in the rate of Additional Pension and Family Pension to the old pensioners.

Ref: 1. Recommendations of 110th report on “Pensioner’s Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)”
2 Our earlier memorandum No: IRTSA/7th CPC /RB/2015-2 dated 14.12.2015

1. We seek your kind intervention to consider and revise the rate of Additional Pension and Family Pension to the old pensioners as per the recommendations of 110th report on “Pensioner’s Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)”

2. In para 3.28 of 110th report on “Pensioner’s Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)”, it was recommended that, “…. The Committee is of the view that the Government should sympathetically consider the demand of Pensioners’ Associations for 5% additional quantum of Pension on attaining the age of 65 years, 10% on 70 years, 15% on 75 years and 20% on 80 years to the Pensioners. The Committee recommends DoPPW to pursue vigorously with Finance Ministry and apprise the Committee of the outcome”.

Additional Quantum of Pension

3. Sixth Pay Commission had recommended additional Pension of 20, 30, 40, 50 and 100 % for retirees and family pensioners on attaining the age of 80, 85, 90, 95 and 100 years respectively. But this did not meet with the requirements of those in the age group of 65 to 80 years of age for meeting additional expenses on old age diseases and disabilities and other unforeseen exigencies, which further increase even faster in later years. Recommendation of Sixth Pay Commission for grant of 100% additional Pension after 100 years of age was illusionary and unjust in view of rare chances of survival up to or beyond 100 years of age. 7th CPC has also not changed these conditions.

4. 7th CPC in para 10.1.11 observed that of the total 51.96 lakh pensioners, 37 percent are in the 60-70 age group, about 26 percent each are in the 70-80 and ‘Others’ age group. The balance of 11 percent are in the 80 plus category and thus entitled to enhanced pension based on advancing age. 7th CPC recommended for continuing existing rates of additional pension and additional family pension.

5. Granting additional pension / additional family pension from above the age of 80 years only covers 11% of old age pensioners and family pensioners. Pensioners / family pensioners from the age of 65 years incur more medical expenses due to their health conditions, high expenses for medical treatments, medicines, etc.

6. Hence it is requested that, Additional Pension / Family Pension may please be paid at following rates – in view of steep increase in the expenditure on Medical treatment and health care in old age and as recommended by the committee

a) 5% additional Pension/Family Pension after 65 years of age
b) 10% Additional Pension/Family Pension after 70 years of age
c) 15 % additional Pension/Family Pension after 75 years of age

Thanking you

Yours faithfully,
(Harchandan Singh),
General Secretary, IRTSA

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Implementation of MACPS w.e.f. 01.01.2006: IRTSA refers 110th report of parliamentary committee to Secretary Finance (Expenditure).

INDIAN RAILWAYS TECHNICAL SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION

No: IRTSA/ CHQ/ MACPS/2022-1

Date:19.04.2022

Secretary Finance (Expenditure),
North Block,
New Delhi – 110001

Respected Sir,

Sub: Implementation of MACPS w.e.f. 01.01.2006.
Ref: 1. Recommendations of 110th report on “Pensioner’s Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)”

MACP for the Central Government Employees

2 Our earlier memorandum dated 15.12.2019 (Copy attached)

1. We seek your kind intervention to consider and revise the date of implementation of MACPS w.e.f 1.1.2006 (instead of 1-9-2008) as per the recommendations of 110th report on “Pensioner’s Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)”
2. In para 3.35 of 110th report on “Pensioner’s Grievances-Impact of Pension Adalats and Centralized Pensioners Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS)” submitted to Parliament on 10th December 2021, it was recommended that, “The Committee feels that DOPPW should pursue the matter of implementation of MACP w.e.f 1st January, 2006 with DoPT as it will give relief to pensioners retiring in the intervening period i.e. from January, 2006 to August, 2008 as all other benefits were given to them from January 2006 as per 6th CPC recommendations”.
3. In our earlier memorandum, we have submitted other detailed justifications including that of Judgement given by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India & Hon’ble High Court of Bombay, 6th CPC recommendations for implementation of revised scheme of Pay Bands and Grade Pay as on 01.01.2006 retrospectively and Government’s acceptance of the same, implementation of 6th CPC recommendations on Pay Band, Grade Pay and Dearness Allowance w.e.f.01.01.2006 vide Extraordinary Notification of Resolution No.1/1/2008-I C, dated 29.8.2008, revision of Non Practicing Allowance (NPA) effective from the date an employee drawing pay in the revised scale applicable to him in accordance with the provisions of the Railway Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008, i.e. w.e.f. 1.1.2006, etc
4. Therefore without diluting the scheme it is requested that MACPS may please be implemented from 1.1.2006 since MACPS is part of pay structure.

Supreme Court Order delaying the effective date of the MACP Scheme w.e.f. 01.01.2006

Thanking you

Yours faithfully,

(Harchandan Singh)
General Secretary, IRTSA

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INDIAN RAILWAYS TECHNICAL SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION
(Estd. 1965, Regd. No.1329, Website http://www.irtsa.net )

No:IRTSA/CHQ/Memo.2021-13

Date: 28.08.2021

Secretary
Department of Expenditure
Ministry of Finance, New Delhi.

Respected Sir,

Subject: Implementation of recommendations of 7th CPC relating to grant of House Rent Allowance (HRA) for Central Government employees.

Ref: 1) Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure OM No.2/5/2017-E-II (B), dated 7th July 2017.
2) Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure ID Note No. 2/5/2017-EII (B),pt, dated 04.08.2021

1) After freezing payment of increased rates of Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for 18 months, Government decided to pay additional installments of Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for Central Government pensioners & family pensioners due on 01.01.2020, 01.07.2020 and 01.01.2021. DA & DR are paid at the rate of 28% pay & pension w.e.f. 1st July 2021.

2) While reiterating our demand for payment of frozen additional installment of DA & DR, 4% from 01.01.2020, 7% from 01.07.2020 and 11% from 01.01.2021 as arrears to the central Government employees and pensioners, we bring to your notice regarding payment of HRA at increased rate whenever rates of DA crosses 25%.

3) MoF, DoE O.M. dated 23rd April 2020 stated that, additional instalments of Dearness Allowances payable to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief payable to Central Government pensioners due on 1st January 2020, 1st July 2020 and 1st January 2021 shall not be paid. This order is specific only about nonpayment of additional instalments of DA & DR for the period of 18 months, not mentioned about freezing increase in rates of any other allowances.

4) MoF, DoE O.M. dated 7th July 2017, clearly states that rates of HRA will be revised to 27%, 18% and 9% for X, Y & Z class cities whenever rates of DA crosses 25%.

5) MoF, DoF, in its ID Note No. 2/5/2017-EII (B),pt, dated 04.08.2021 told that no separate order will be issued to its O.M dated 7th July 2021 for increasing the rates of HRA whenever rates of DA crossed 25%. i.e HRA should be paid at increased rates w.e.f. 1st January 2021, the date on which rates DA crossed 25%.

6) But, contradicting its own orders dated 7th July 2017, ID Note of DoE allows increased rates of HRA only from 1st July 2021.

7) It is therefore requested that, Rates HRA shall be revised to 27%, 18% and 9% for X, Y & Z class cities w.e.f. 1st January 2021, the date on which rates of DA crossed 25%.

Thanking you

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-
Harchandan Singh,
General Secretary, IRTSA

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IRTSA Write a Letter To Hon’ble Minister for Finance for Freezing of DA and DR till July 2021, Appeal for Review of Decision

IRTSA Write a Letter To Hon’ble Minister for Finance for Freezing of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners at the current rates till July 2021 – Appeal for review of decision

INDIAN RAILWAYS TECHNICAL SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION
(Estd. 1965, Regd. No.1329)
C.Hq. 32, Phase 6, Mohali, Chandigarh-160055.

No:IRTSA / CHQ / Memo. 2021-1

Date: 29.01.2021

Hon’ble Minister for Finance,
Government of India,
North Block, New Delhi-110001.

Respected Madam,

Subject: Freezing of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners at the current rates till July 2021 – Appeal for review of decision;

Also Check: DA Loss Calculation Table for Central Government Employees

Ref: 1) Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure OM No.1 / 1 / 2020-E-II (B), dated 23-04-2020.
2) Our earlier memorandum No: IRTSA / CHQ / Memo / 2020-3, dated 30.04.2021.

1) Indian Railways Technical Supervisors Association (IRTSA) is grateful for proper planning and execution of preventive measures to overcome the pandemic during major part of 2020 by Government of India & State Governments.

2) Central & State Governments are able to implement corona preventive measures seamlessly, keeping the Government machinery with full efficiency, more particularly implementation of major infrastructure improvement works, etc successfully because of untiring effort put up by Central & State Government employees.

Also Read: Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief Table for Central Government Employees and Pensioners

3) Railwaymen are working at the forefront risking their lives to keep passenger, freight & parcel services operational for ensuring the transport of passengers and uninterrupted supply of essential commodities across the country. Indian Railways have taken up many special tasks to fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

4) It is, however, very disheartening that the Government has decided to freeze rates of DA and DR and the same would not be revised upto July 2021; and that no arrears will be paid. This has adversely affected financial condition as well as morale of the employees.

5) IRTSA reiterates the following points and appeal for de-freezing of rates of DA and DR.

Freezing of DA to Central Govt employees

Also Read: Appeal for review of decision Freezing of Dearness Allowance to Central Govt employees

• a) DA is a part of Pay, compensating for the erosion in the real value of the salary. DA can only be deducted either as a punitive measure or with the consent of the employees.
• b) Total loss for employees and pensioners on account of freezing of DA and DR would be over 1.5 months of Pay & Pension and possibly even more than that.
• c) Freezing the DA & DR proved to be counter-productive, as freezing of DA and DR has given a further blow to the market as well as to the employees and the pensioners since the amount paid as DA and DR will actually flow out to the market.
• d) Lower and middle-class employees and pensioners are hard-pressed to meet their liabilities due to heavy inflation which is bound to increase in the post-COVID-19 scenario especially in respect of the cost of Medicines and household requirements.
• e) Central Pay Commissions had recommended for revision of DA and DR every six months.
• f) In its recommendations, vide Para 8.17.37, the 7th CPC continued the same formula of revision of DA and DR every 6 months from 1st January and 1st July. The recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission were accepted by the Union Cabinet. The same cannot be changed or taken away unilaterally through an executive order.
• g) Fair Wages Committee recommended that “It is clearly necessary for this country to continue to pay dearness allowance to neutralize wholly or atleast substantially the increase in the cost of living”.
• h) Payment of Salary / Pension and DA or DR thereon to an employee and Pensioner are not a matter of bounty. It is a vested right of an employee and a Pensioner to receive the salary and pension(Pension is a deferred wage as held by the Apex Court in DS Nakara’s Case and Major General SPS Bain’s case). DA and DR are part of Salary and Pension. It is also a statutory right as it flows from the Service Rules. The right to receive Salary and Pension every month is part of the service conditions emanating from Article 309 of the Constitution of India.
• i) In the case of State of MP Vs. Ranojirao Shinde [AIR (1968) SC 1053], it has been held that the right to asum of money is ‘property’. In the decision in Deokinandan Prasad Vs. State of Bihar & Others [AIR1971 SC 1409], it has been held that, right to receive pension is the property and the same cannot be taken away or withheld by a mere executive order.
• j) Freezing of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief is a blatant violation of the provision of Article 360 of the Constitution of India.
• k) Article 300A of the Constitution of India, which confers a Constitutional Right to Property, includes within its purview, salary as a right to property, and as a sequel thereof, it applies to Pension and the DA and DR thereon.
• l) It is pertinent to mention that, neither the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 nor Disaster Management Act 2005 specifies or confer any power upon any Government to defer the Salary or Allowances due to its Employees and Pensioners. DA and DR cannot be denied under any circumstances.
• m) As per Settled Law, financial difficulty is not a ground for the Government to defer or freeze the Payment of Salary / Allowances or Pension by executive order.
• n) In the past when funds were required for a National calamity like War, Floods, or Cyclones, etc., DA installments were deposited in the Provident Fund with the consent of the employees. It was never frozen as of now.
• o) De-freezing of rates of DA and DR will incentivize consumer spending to help to boost the economy in post-COVID times.

6) As Covid Pandemic situation is under control and many economic indices shown good recovery including record GST collection of Rs.1.15 lakh crore in the month of December 2020, Government can de-freeze the rates of DA and DR to boost the morale of Government employees atleast in recognition of their selfless service during pandemic period.

7) It is, therefore, requested that, keeping in consideration all the above aspects, orders for freezing of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief may please be withdrawn and eligible arrears may please be paid from 01.01.2020.

Thanking you

Yours’ faithfully,

HARCHANDAN SINGH,
General Secretary.

Source: https://www.irtsa.net/

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INDIAN RAILWAYS TECHNICAL SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION
(Estd. 1965, Regd. No.1329, Website http://irtsa.net)

M. Shanmugam,
Central President, IRTSA
# 4, Sixth Street, TVS Nagar, Padi,
Chennai – 600050.
Email- cpirtsa@yahoo.com
Mob:09443140817

Harchandan Singh,
General Secretary, IRTSA,
C.Hq. 32, Phase 6, Mohali,
Chandigarh-160055.
Email gsirtsa@ yahoo.com
(Ph: 0172-2228306, 9316131598)

No: IRTSA/CHQ/Memo .2020-13

Date: 27.11.2020

DIRECTOR GENERAL (HR)
Railway Board
New Delhi

Sub: PROPOSAL OF MEDICAL INSURANCE SCHEME FOR RAILWAY EMPLOYEES.

Ref: 1) Railway Board letter No.E(W)2020/Misc/ Dashboard-GIS, dated 27.10.2020
2) Railway Board order No.ERB-1I/2020/23/30, dated 20.10.2020.

1) Ministry of Railways constituted a committee to examine and tender their recommendations to bring all Railway Employees under the Medical Insurance Scheme for obtaining treatment in private hospitals. IRTSA submits the following for the kind consideration of Railway Board,

2) Indian Railways Medical Service (IRMS) is spread across the length and breadth of the country. IRMS is having 125 hospitals and 586 dispensaries, manned by 33,300 medical staff catering to approximately 66 lakh beneficiaries including 12.27 lakh serving employees. In the year 2018-19 Railway Hospitals treated 2.01 crore OPD patients, 5.08 lakh in-patients and performed 1.02 lakh major and specialty surgeries.

7th CPC Transport Allowance and DA granted for Indian Railway Medical Service (IRMS) officers drawing Grade Pay of Rs.10,000/- under DACP Scheme

3) Railway Hospitals performed pre-placement medical examination for 38,000 candidates and carried out periodical medical examination for 1.14 lakh employees. They also examined 12.51 lakh food and water samples.

4) Indian Railways total medical services expenses for the year 2018-19 including cost of medical staff is Rs. 6888.34 crore. That makes average medical expense per beneficiary as Rs.10,500.

5) No medical insurance company in India handles 66 lakh beneficiaries. Medical Insurance doesn’t cover OPD. Since Railway is catering 2.01 crore OPD patients in a year, it may not be possible to include huge OPD beneficiaries in private managed medical insurance.

6) In existing Railway medical system all medical services like OPD, diagnosing, medicines, Surgeries, in-patient care, major treatment/surgeries carried out in referral private/ CGHS hospitals and follow-up checking are part of employees’ welfare scheme offered to employees and their dependents. It is a part of service condition. For retired employees and their dependents who opted for RELHS on onetime payment, same medical services are extended.

7) In the Railway Medical system, no cost ceiling is fixed for entitlement of any required treatment. On the other hand, medical insurance cover is basically extended to in-patient treatments and for surgeries with a ceiling based on the premium paid.

8) For example, United India Insurance Company Limited offers Rs.10 lakh sum insured at premium rate per member Rs.12,386 in age group 41-45. If all 66 lakh Railway beneficiaries are covered under above premium Rs.8370.78 crore will be paid as total premium. Whereas total medical expense of Indian Railways for the year 2018-19 is Rs. 6888.34 crore which is for diverse services given in the Annexure.

9) In the same time there is a need for addition of more private empanelled hospitals in Indian Railways Medical Services with seamless cashless treatment, since large number of serving and retired health care beneficiaries live in the newly developed suburbs of various cities throughout India. It is pertinent to note that in case of emergency, beneficiaries first require to approach Railway Hospital, then they are referred to private hospitals and in many cases precious golden hours are lost in mere formalities endangering the life.

10) Beneficiaries living in faraway places from Railway Hospitals also find it difficult to get their regular treatments and minor treatments occasionally, since they are required to travel long distance to reach Railway Hospitals. These beneficiaries will be benefited if cashless treatment is extended to them in the hospitals available near their living place.

11) Hence it is requested that,

a. Existing Indian Railways Medical Service facilities may please be continued.

b. The proposal for Medical Insurance Scheme for Railway employees / Pensioners and their depended may please be made as additionally facility to the beneficiaries to get their regular treatments including OPD & IPD in empaneled private hospitals, premium thereof may please be borne by Railways.

Thanking You

Yours faithfully,
(Harchandan Singh),
General Secretary, IRTSA

Annexure

List of diverse services performed by Indian Railways Medical Service (IRMS)

1) Attending Railway accidents and similar incidents;
2) Emergency medical treatment for sick passengers;
3) Pre-employment medical examination for prospective employees;
4) Periodical medical examination for employees;
5) Medical boards and other medical certification for employees;
6) Safe water supply at Railway stations;
7) Safe food supply at Railway stations;
8) Running medical first-aid posts for IR factories under the Factories Act;
9) Certification of dead bodies;
10) Certification of perishable goods;
11) Curative healthcare; and
12) Preventive healthcare.

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