M.C. No.18 (Update-January 2021)
Government of India
Ministry of Railways
(Railway Board)

Indian railways latest news today

No. E(W)2019/SC-2/3

New Delhi, dated 22 .01.2021

The General Managers,
All Indian Railways & Production Units

Subject: Provision of schools in Railway Colonies for the children of Railway Servants.

Reference Board’s letter No. E(W)90/SC-2/Master Circular dated 21.12.1990 and E(W)2000/SC2/MC/l 8 dated 31.05.2001. Since then, a number of instructions on this subject have been issued in the form of Supplementary Circulars to the main Master Circular. It has now been decided by the Ministry of Railways to consolidate these instructions and issue a revised and updated version of the Master Circular as under, for information and guidance of all concerned.

2. Railway Schools

2.1 Educational facilities provided on the Railways owe their origin to the necessity for fulfilling the educational needs of the children of European and Anglo-Indian employees who, in the last century, formed a considerable proportion of the Railway servants posted at places where no European Schools were available. With this end in view, Railway schools were established at large Railway establishments. Certain Railways established boarding schools at hill stations for imparting education under European conditions. Other Railways assisted their employees by undertaking to pay a portion of the tuition fees. The educational facilities thus provided for Europeans were later ‘extended to Anglo Indians and when the number of educated Indians began to increase in Railway Services, the Railways began to provide such facilities for the children of Indian Railways servants at places where adequate arrangements did not exist.

2.2 Under Article 246 – Item 25 of Concurrent List/List-III (Seventh Schedule), provision of educational facilities is primarily the responsibility of State Govt./Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (re-named as Ministry of Education). However, Railways have provided educational facilities to the limited extent within the constraint of available resources purely as a measure of staff welfare to meet the needs of wards/children of Railway servants only at such places where there is a concentration of Railway servants and the educational facilities provided thereat by other agencies viz. Central/State & private are found inadequate or are totally absent resulting in hardship or inconvenience to them.

2.3 Educational facilities provided by the Railways are generally confined to Primary/Middle/ High/Senior Secondary Standards. The Railways do not normally enter into the field of college and Technical education owing to their extant policy keeping in view the far-reaching administrative and financial implications.

3. Schools functioning in Railway colonies

Several Railway Educational Institutions comprising a Degree College, Senior Secondary Schools, High Schools, Middle, Primary and ATP Schools are functioning on our system. In addition to this, Kendriya Vidyalayas (both under Civil and Project sector) and numerous private schools are also functioning on Railway land in order to cater to the needs of children of Railway servants.

3.1 It may be reiterated that the provision of educational facilities is primarily the responsibility of the State Govt./Union Ministry Education. It is admitted that difficulties in this respect were being experienced in the past by Railway servants but with the passage of time and considerable and extensive educational facilities being provided by different agencies, Government as well as private at various places, the demands for expansion/upgradation of schools •to the various levels/standards, should considerably reduce and finally cease to exist. Railway servants should, therefore, avail of the existing educational facilities which have been provided by the State Govt. etc. for the general public. To achieve this goal, the Board has also decided as a matter of policy to establish Kendriya Vidyalayas preferably in the “Civil Sector” in Railway colonies which while meeting the needs of the employees, will also reduce our financial burden on the administration of the schools.
(Railway Board’s letter No. E(W)83/SC-2/27 dated 13.9.1988)

3.2 Keeping in view the existing facilities at various places where there is a concentration of Railway servants, the constraint of funds, restrictions imposed on creation/upgradation of posts without matching su1Tender of live posts and imperative need to effect stringent economy in administrative expenditure, etc., the Board desire that a critical review of Austerity Type Primary Schools should be undertaken by respective Railway Administrations and the feasibility of closure, amalgamation or conversion of such schools should be examined and a phased program should be chalked out. Similar study/review should also be conducted in respect of other schools viz. Primary, Middle, High/Higher Secondary Schools on opening/expansion of non-Railway Schools and Kendriya Vidyalayas and efforts should be made to progressively close down the existing Railway schools matching the expansion of Kendriya Vidyalayas and other non-railway schools.

3.3 With this end in view, the following points should be kept in view by the Railway Administrations while forwarding their proposals regarding upgradation/expansion of Railway Schools, introduction of new sections/classes/subjects etc. in the prescribed proforma to the Railway Board:-

Railway school teachers working hours and holidays vacations

• (i) No post-facto sanction of the Board to regularize the action taken by the Railway Administration without their prior approval will be accorded and may also result in reversing the action taken by the Railway Administration and fixing responsibility on the officers concerned for non-compliance of Board’s orders;
• (ii) No proposal for opening of new Railway school should be sent to the Board;
• (iii) Efforts should continue to be made to obtain grant-in-aid from respective State Governments where Railway Schools are situated;
• (iv) Proposals for expansion/upgradation, etc. of Railway Schools should be submitted to the Board for consideration only sparingly and were inescapable and fully justified taking into account the existing schooling facilities, etc. subject to the Railway Administration being able to muster suitable matching surrender of live posts equal to the cost of posts of teaching and non-teaching staff involved in the proposal; and
• (v) On the opening of Kendriya Vidyalayas in Railway colonies, the concerned Railway Administration should take immediate steps to close down the ATP Schools, if any, already functioning at the stations. Steps for closing down the higher classes/schools may be taken progressively with the expansion of the Kendriya Vidyalayas.

Minimum qualifications for recruitment / promotion of teachers for classes I to VIII in Railway Schools – Railway Board Orders

3.4 Proposals regarding the opening of new sections/classes, the introduction of new subjects, upgradation of schools etc. should be sent to the Board (with a detailed estimate of recurring and non-recurring expenditure involved) duly vetted by the FA&CAO in prescribed proforma positively by December each year to enable the Board to consider the same on merit and accord their approval if found feasible before the commencement of the academic session.

(Railway Board’s letter No. E(W)83/SC-2/27 dated 13.9.88)

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MACP

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/MACPS/ 09/Part 11

Dated: 16/09/2020

The Chairman,
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Extension of Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) to the Teaching Staff (Principals, Head Masters, Lecturers & Teaching Staff) on Indian Railways-reg.

Ref: (i) NFIR’s PNM Item No. 03/2019.
(ii) DoP&T O.M.No.35034/3/2008-Estt (D) dated 19th May,2009.
(iii) Railway Board’s letter No. PC-V/2009/ACP/2 dated 10th June, 2009.
(iv) DoP&T O.M. No. 35034/3/2010-Estt (D) dated 03rd August,2010.
(v) NFIR’s letter No. IV/MACPS/09/Part 11 dated 21/02/2019.

With reference to the correspondence resting with communications cited under reference relating to extension of Modified Career Assured Progression Scheme (MACPS) to the Teaching Staff (Principals, Head Masters, Lecturers & Teaching Staff) working in Railway Schools/Colleges besides NFIR’s PNM Agenda Item No.03/2019 pending with the Railway Board, Federation desires to place following important points for kind consideration and taking positive decision:-

1. While the Railway Ministry vide ID Note No.PC-V/2019/MACP/1 (Teachers) dated 29/05/2019 (received in DoP&T on 3rd June, 2019) sent detailed proposal to the DoP&T for replacement of CAS with the MACPS for grant of financial upgradation to the Railway School Teachers, the same has been shuttling between the Railway Ministry and DoP&T/MoF, for taking final decision at the level of Railway Ministry. Federation feels sad to state that though the issue has been raised by GS/NFIR in the 47th Meeting of NC-JCM vide Item No. 4.15 of the minutes held on 13th April, 2019 under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary the proposal is yet to be approved.

2. The DoP&T vide Dy. No. 137/4915/19/CR dated 21/06/2019 sought following information from Railway Ministry:

(i) It may be intimated that as to whether Railway Schools are Autonomous Bodies or attached/subordinate office under M/o Railways.

(ii) Benefit of pay fixation is not available under CAS, in that case as to why the CAS was not discontinued on promulgation of ACP Scheme w.e.f 09/08/1999 in Railway School.

(iii) Whether Staff Side opted to remain under CAS during 09/08/1999 to 31/08/2008.

(iv) It may be intimated that as to whether the present proposal covered under Para 13 of Annexure-I of MACP Scheme or DoP&T O.M. dated 03/08/2010.

(v) It may also be indicated that from which date M/o Railways intends to switch over to MACPS instead of CAS for Railway Teachers /Principals.

In response, Railway Ministry vide ID No. PC-V/2019/MACP/1 (Teachers) dated 18/07/2019 gave following information to the DoP&T:-

(i) Railway Schools are administered by Zonal Railways and Production Units which are subordinate offices.

(ii) Railway School Teachers are common category and their service conditions etc., are regulated as per identical terms and conditions of the Teachers available under Ministry of Human Resources Development (M/o HRD). They have all along been treated at par with teachers under Ministry of Human Resources Development in every respect viz., recruitment qualification, pay structure, age of retirement etc., including Career Advancement Scheme (CAS). Since CAS continued in respect of teachers under HRD, the same was followed in respect of Railway School teachers being common category.

(iii) No such reference from Staff Side to switch over to ACP or to continue in CAS was received during 09/08/1999 to 31/08/2008.

(iv) The present proposal is preferred under para 13 of Annexure-I of MACP Scheme.

(v) M/o Railways intends to switch over to MACPS for Railway School Teachers w.e.f. 01/09/2008, the date of implementation of MACP Scheme.

MACP ON PROMOTIONAL HIERARCHY – MACP Supreme Court Order – Heard & Reserved – Order dated 23 Jan 2020

The matter has been re-examined in the DoP&T and following observations were conveyed to the Railway Ministry (Railway Board) :-

(i) For all service matters of Teaching Staff of Railway Schools, the Railway Board has adopted the same service conditions, as are applicable to Teaching Staff of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangthan (KVS), under the administrative control of the Ministry of Human Resources Development, including Career Advancement Scheme (CAS), which is in operation in Railway Schools since 1988.

(ii) MACP Scheme has not been extended to Teaching Staff of KVS.

(iii) If MACPS is extended to the Teaching Staff of Railway Schools, it is likely to disturb their parity with Teachers of KVS in all service matters. Moreover the demand is for retrospective implementation of the MACPS from 01/09/2008 when the Teaching Staff of Railway Schools would have already availed benefits under the existing CAS for the period 01/09/2008 onwards till date and introduction of MACPS w.e.f. 01/09/2008 therefore would entail withdrawal/recovery of benefits so earned under CAS. Besides this issue, introduction of MACPS, in respect of category of employees who were not covered under ACPS, may give rise to other problems in implementation, as there is no transitional provision in MACPS for such employees who were governed by any other time bound promotion/career progression scheme.

iv) Under the circumstances, since the proposal involves implementation of the recommendations of the 6th CPC, as accepted by the Government, Railway Board is advised to consult Department of Expenditure in the matter and decide accordingly.

Consequently, Railway Ministry vide ID Note No. PC-V/2019/MACP/1 (Teachers) dated 11/2019 sent detailed proposal relating to replacement of CAS by MACPS for grant of financial upgradation to the Railway School Teachers. The Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) examined the proposal and conveyed as under vide communication dated 28/11/2019 with the approval of Competent Authority (Addl. Secretary/Pers):-

“The above matter has been examined in this Department. It is stated that though the above proposal involves the implementation of 6th CPC, it is specifically related to switch over of the existing CAS of Railway School Teachers to MACP Scheme w.e.f. 01/09/2008 as applicable to Central Government Staff in terms of Para 13 of DoP&T’s O.M. dated 19/05/2009 for which DoP&T is the nodal Department on policy issue related to MACP Scheme and this Department has no comments in this matter. Ministry of Railways is, therefore, advised to take appropriate decision on the above proposal strictly as per the opinion of the DoP&T (Estt. D)”.

• In the meantime, Federation learnt that the Ministry of Human Resource Development (Department of School Education & Literacy) vide communication bearing F.No. 18-13/20181S-15 dated 26th November, 2018 addressed to the Railway Ministry conveyed following position with regard to extending the benefit of MACPS to Railway School Teachers:-

“The undersigned is directed to refer to the O.M. No. E(P&A)I-2014/PS-15/PE-2(misc)(Pt.) dated 27/06/2018 on the above subject and to say that as per Section 23(3) of RTE Act 2009, the salary and allowances payable to, and the terms and conditions of service of teachers shall be such as may be prescribed. In the instant case, the Railway Board is the competent authority to decide the terms and conditions of service of Railway school teachers. Further, in respect of clarification on the MACP provisions the Department of Personnel and Training may be approached.”

3. In this connection, Federation further desires to convey that while DoPT and MoF have agreed for decision to be taken by the Railway Ministry for replacement of CAS with MACPS to Railway School Teachers, the following points need to be taken into consideration:-

• Railway Ministry has its own rules/procedure for recruitment staff of various categories including Railway School Teachers. Para 178 of IREM Vol.I lays down rules for recruitment of Teachers of all disciplines duly prescribing educational qualification, experience and scales of pay. In case of any doubt, Railway Ministry has been consulting the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi as can be verified vide Railway Board’s letter No. E(P&A)I-2001/PS-5/PE-5 dated 29/04/2002, (RBE No. 55/2002 addressed to the GM/DLW, Varanasi and copy endorsed to the GMs/All Indian Railways & Production Units) relating to the educational qualifications for Computer Teachers.

• It is also relevant to mention that the MHRD communication dated 26/11/2018 meant not only KVS, but it also included Directorate of Education of Delhi and the Schools of all Union Territories, ISRO’ s Schools etc., run on the guidelines issued by MHRD similar to the Schools run by the Railway Ministry. It is also fact while the CAS was implemented in the year 1988 based on the recommendations of Prof. D.P. Chattopadhay Committee in all the Schools, the same has been replaced by MACPS for School Teachers of all Schools w.e.f. 01/09/2008, however, excepting Railway Schools mainly due to inaction on the part of Railway Ministry ignoring the clearance given by DoP&T/MoF mentioned above. Incidentally, it is mentioned that the DoP&T has given its opinion in case of Railway School Teachers only taking into account the Teachers working in Kendriya Vidyalaya and Navodaya Vidyalayas, which is totally unjustified particularly with reference to the communication of Ministry of HRD which stipulates replacement of CAS with MACPS for Railway Schools on par with other Schools such as Directorate of Education from Delhi, all Union Territories Schools, ISRO Schools etc.

• It will not be out of place to mention that main reason for non-implementaion of MACP Scheme for KVS Teachers is that it is association of Kendriya Vidyalaya Teachers, who had chosen to remain in the existing Scheme i.e. CAS in 1999. On the other hand, the service condition of Railway School Teachers are totally different from KVS Teachers due to following reasons:-

(a) “The Association of Kendriya Vidyalaya Teachers (KVS) does not represent Railway School Teachers.”

(b) Neither Railway School Teachers nor Railway Federations were given any option to choose between CAS and ACP scheme in 1999 by Railway Ministry.

(c) No consent was asked or taken from Railway School Teachers or Railwaymen’s Federations about it, hence the question of choosing/ accepting between CAS and ACP Scheme for the Railway School Teachers, does not arise.

(d) So it is injustice to deprive Railway School Teachers from the benefit of MACPS, while the same is applicable to all categories of railway employees.

(e) KVS is an autonomous organization, but Railway Schools are under the control of Ministry Of Railways administered by Zonal Railways and Production Units, thus the condition governing the autonomous organization should not apply to Railway Teachers, who are hundred percent Employees of Indian Railways. As per para-13 of DOPT O.M. dated 19.05.2009, Ministry of Railways can decide to switch over to MACPS at its own level without sending proposal to DOPT.

(f) Extending MACPS to Railway School Teachers will not affect KVS because the same is different administrative department in another Ministry, therefore, there is no question of disturbance of parity between Railway School Teachers and Teachers of KVS.

• Another point which is relevant to take note is that with the implementation of MACP Scheme in the case of Railway School Teachers w.e.f. 01/09/2008 will not result recovery as per Federation’s assessment. Federation reiterates that with the implementation of MACP Scheme for Railway School Teachers, the staff will be able to get pay fixation benefit which is more beneficial.

4. In addition to above, Federation also desires to convey to the Railway Board (CRB) that the proposal to replace CAS with the MACPS for Railway School Teachers carries the approval of Board (MS & FC), therefore, it is now for the Railway Ministry to implement MACP Scheme for all Railway School Teachers w.e.f. 01/09/2008 similar to other Railway employees.

NFIR, therefore, requests the CRB to kindly intervene and see that orders are issued soon by the Railway Ministry for extending MACP Scheme in favour of all Railway School Teachers w.e.f. 1st September, 2008. Federation may kindly be kept advised of the action taken in the matter.

Yours faithfully,

(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

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Government of India
Ministry of Railways
Railway Board

No.E(W)2013/SC-2/24

New Delhi, dated: 12.08.2013

The General Manager(P),
All Indian Railways &
CLW & DLW

Sub: Steps for improvement  in Railway Schools.

Indian Railways  is running around 200 railway schools at present. These schools are catering to the educational needs of wards of railway performing duties at remote locations. However, it is observed for the past few years that there has been a gradual decline in the strength  of railway  wards in railway  schools  due to poor patronage of these schools. Due attention  in maintenance  and running  of schools is also not being given. The poor  performance of  these  schools may  be  attributed to poor management/negligence such as shortage  of teachers,  absence of basic facilities  like toilets, library,  laboratories  etc.

ln order to improve the performance  and thereby increase credibility and popularity  of Railway  schools and to make them more competitive with other private  schools,  Rairway  Board has decided  the following:-

(1) Railway schools should,  be under the administrative control of CPOs. senior Dpos and  SPos must inspect  the schools regularly.  on the Divisions,  Annual Inspection of DRM must also include an inspection of at least one school by rotation.

(2) Where schools are upto class 10th  and above, they should be affiliated with schools for all classes.

(3)Steps should be taken for periodic training of school teachers/Head Masters/principals  through NCERT/SCERT etc.

Railways are advised to take appropriate  steps to implement above initiatives and compliance of the same be reflected in the MCDO.

Source: NFIR

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RBE No.83/2013

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. E (W)/2011/SC-2/4
New Delhi, dated: 14/08/2013
The General Manager,
All Zonal Railways and CLW & DLW.

Sub : Fixing uniform number of vacations / holidays for Railway school teachers.

In a Court case bearing O.A.No.1239/2005 filed by Shri K.S.Patnaik and 78 other Railway school teachers before Central Administrative Tribunal, Kolkata Bench, Kolkata, regarding vacations / holidays admissible to Railway teachers, the Hon’ble Tribunal has observed

“Leave entitlements and holidays for all teachers in the Railways irrespective of the Zone/State has to be same. This total number should have no relationship with the State in which they are located.

In the aforesaid case Hon’ble Tribunal has accordingly, issued directions that

“This total number can be fixed by the Railway Board on a reference made to it, keeping all factors in view. Once the total number of holidays is fixed it can be left for individual Zones to fix the distribution of such holidays, the overall total remaining the same”.

2. The judgement of Hon’ble CAT/Kolkata in above mentioned O.A.No.1239/2005 filed by Shri K.S.Patnaik and Others has been further upheld by Hon’ble High Court of Calcutta in Writ Petition (CiviI) No.304/2011 filed by the Railways.

3. Pursuant to aforesaid directions of Hon’ble CAT/Kolkata as upheld by Honble Calcutta High Court, the matter has been examined in Railway Board in consultation with Legal Adviser/Railway Board, keeping various perspectives in view including the existing number of vacations/holidays admissible to Railway school teachers over various Zonal Railways, number of vacations/holidays admissible to school teachers in Kendriya Vidyalayas, number of holidays available to Railway employees in general and guidelines issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi, etc.

2. Accordingly, it has been decided to fix uniform number of vacations/holidays for Railway school teachers (including Lecturers/Junior Lecturers in Railway Inter-Colleges wherever existing) over all Indian Railways in the manner as stated below :-

i) Railway schools shall function for 8 hours and 10 minutes duration in a day (total 370 minutes) which shall include assembly/prayer time of 20 minutes at the start in the morning, a recess break of 30 minutes and a total of 8 periods of 40 minutes duration each, distributed evenly before and after the recess.

ii) Number of vacations / holidays admissible to Railway school teachers during the academic session shall be as below:

a) Summer – 50 days (starting from a date between vacations 11th & 15th                  May)

b) Autumn break / Dussehra holidays – 10 days (as per festival calendar).

c) Winter break – 13 days (starting from 23rd 24th December)
The above is the normal schedule of vacations and Zonal Railways are at liberty to distribute these vacations as per local festival/customary requirements or climatic conditions but keeping the total to 73 vacations in a year. Oak Grove School, Jharipani, Mussoorie (Northern Railway) may observe longer winter vacations within the number of vacations prescribed.

iii) 14 compulsory holidays including 3 national holidays to be observed as per calendar circulated by Railway Board every year.

iv) 5 additional holidays from the list of optional holidays / restricted holidays as circulated by Railway Board every year, at the discretion of Zonal Railways.

v) Every Sunday shall be weekly off and every 2nd Saturday of the month shall also be a non-working day in Railway schools.

vi) No separate holiday shall be admissible for Annual Day and Sports Day in Railway schools and these days may be observed by suitable adjustments or compensation.

4. Leave entitlements of vacation staff including teachers are regulated in terms of Liberalized Leave Rules, as amended from time to time.

5. The aforesaid schedule of working/ vacations/ holidays may be implemented in all Railway schools from the academic session 2013-14 and compliance reported to Railway Board.

Please acknowledge receipt.

sd/-
(Debasis Mazumdar)
Director Estt.(Welfare)
Railway Board

Source: NFIR

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