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26/04/2010

Check Price Rise not Dearness Allowance?

Check Price Rise not Dearness Allowance?

After announcement of 8% D.A. to Central Govt. employees, few days back, great hue & cry as visible in the capitalist oriented media both Audio and Video. News papers started criticizing grant of D.A. to employees. Capitalist well-wishers started appearing on the Televisions condemning the announcement with rhetoric of likely impact on prices and consequential mismanagement of economy.

On this occasion some reputed T.V. channels also approached me and asked about my reactions on the announcement of grant of 8% D.A. My simple response was – “Although Price-rise is heavy, yet whatever has been given by the Govt., is welcome”. Instantaneously burst the 2nd question “You are the ardent well wisher of unorganized sector labour, will this consequential price rise will not affect their lives?” I replied in affirmative but owing to this phenomenon, why should Central Govt. Employees, Rail employees, State Govt. employees who have fought for non-freezing of Dearness Allowance be denied their hard fought right.

Media persons again asked me about the solution of this problem. I replied that there exists only solution which is to check-the price-rise.

Comrades, you are well aware that even after so much of constant struggle “fair-wages” are a dream for Govt. employees only Dearness Allowance are a source of some relief to employees and also a source of stomach ache to capitalists. Govt. is helpless in controlling price-rise and capitalists only show a lip-deep sympathy to unorganized labour sector. In fact their empires are the product of labour exploitation by capitalists. They know it, 40% citizenry of the country is deprived of even two times simple meal. Govt. sponsored Commission headed by Sh. Arjun Sen Gupta’s reports that the earning capacity of 40% people is less than Rs. 20/- per day. The statistics released by Tendulkar Committee in respect of “Below Poverty Line” population has also presented horrible condition for every thinker of the country, Central and State Governments are in a fix.

We on our part have always been with unorganized sector labours and wish them to make “Organized”, to free them from exploitation, to implement Labour Laws for them and they should also be compensated with Dearness Allowance at par with organized sector. In reality the actual enemies of unorganized sector labour are those who are shedding crocodile tears for them and have done nothing but indulging in self-promotion games constantly roaming in the corridors of power.

Friends ! We, on our part should not care for what these sycophant’s state instead, we should intensify our struggle which is possible only if we take these unorganized sector people with us. Perhaps this will be the fittest tribute to our martyrs on coming May Day.

Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra

(General Secy./AIRF)

18/04/2010

Criminal Charges Against IAS / IPS Officers

Criminal Charges Against IAS / IPS Officers

The number of IAS and IPS officers facing trial on the Criminal charges in CBI cases as on 31.3.2010 are as under :

IAS : 84

IPS : 33

AS on 31.3.2010, the number of cases being investigated against IAS and IPS officers by CBI are as under :

IAS : 21

IPS : 6

As on 31.3.2010 the number of IAS & IPS officers against whom cases under PC at are being investigated by CBI are as under :

IAS : 15

IPS : 1

Government have taken several steps to restore the public confidence in the IAS & IPS. These inter-alia, include, speedy trial of corruption cases through setting up of Special CBI Courts, conducting disciplinary proceedings against the delinquent officers in a time bound manner, inculcating appropriate values, introducing mid-career mandatory training programme for IAS officers, recognizing and rewarding the good performers by instituting the PM’s awards of excellence etc.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri Prithviraj Chavan in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

16/04/2010

Salient features of ‘Yuva Trains’ finalized UNEMPLOYED YOUTH OF 15-45 YEARS TO BE ELIGIBLE ‘YUVA TRAINS’ TO BE FULLY AIRCONDITIONED WITH CHAIR CAR FARE TO VARY BETWEEN RS.299 AND RS. 399 PILOT ‘YUVA TRAINS’ TO BE INTRODUCED SOON

Salient features of ‘Yuva Trains’ finalized
UNEMPLOYED YOUTH OF 15-45 YEARS TO BE ELIGIBLE
‘YUVA TRAINS’ TO BE FULLY AIRCONDITIONED WITH CHAIR CAR
FARE TO VARY BETWEEN RS.299 AND RS. 399
PILOT ‘YUVA TRAINS’ TO BE INTRODUCED SOON


The Ministry of Railways has finalized the salient features of the first ever ‘Yuva Trains’ which are targeted mainly for the unemployed youths of the country. These new class of trains are to be introduced soon. Initially two separate weekly trains will be introduced as a pilot service between Mumbai to Delhi and Delhi to Kolkata. If successful it will be extended to other areas of the country.
The Minister of Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee in her Railway Budget 2009-10 speech has announced as under about these trains:- “The young generation is our asset and we are proud of them. Due to economic difficulties poor youth are not able to travel on our trains. I will run “Yuva Trains” dedicated specially for the young generation. These trains will be introduced between major cities to ensure that the youth and low income groups can travel at low rates between these cities. The new low-priced fast train service will be started to connect youth in rural hinterlands to major metros/cities.”
The total chargeable fare for Yuva passengers inclusive of all other charges like Reservation Fee, Superfast Train Charge and Development Charge would not exceed Rs.299/- up to a distance of 1500 kms and Rs. 399/- for distance beyond 1500 up to 2500 kms. Minimum distance for charge will be 100 kms for both Yuva and Non-Yuva passengers. Children of 5 years and above but below 12 years will continue to be charged half fare.
The ‘Yuva Train’ fares will be applicable to unemployed persons between the age group of 15 to 45 years who fulfill the criteria of Yuva to be ascertained on the basis of Certificate issued under National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREGA) and valid Registration card issued by a Government run Employment Exchange. Tickets will be issued on production of original of any of the above certificates at the counter, a photocopy of which should be retained along with reservation requisition as in the case of other concessions. Tatkal scheme would not be applicable in ‘Yuva Trains’.
In case the above certificates do not specify age, an age certificate like Identity Card, Ration Card, Driving License., Pass Port, educational Certificate, Certificate from Local Bodies like Panchayat/Corporation/Municipality or any other authentic and recognized document on which date of birth is recorded, must also be carried in original.
Initially, 60 per cent of the total number of coaches will be earmarked for ‘Yuva’ category. The remaining will be earmarked for general passengers (non-Yuva). This will be reviewed after 6 months of introduction of trains. Normal cancellation rules will be applicable for the train. The detailed guidelines about the reservation procedures have been communicated to Zonal Railways.

Hon’ble MR has sanctioned an award of Rs. 30,000 each to Loco Pilot R.K. Singh and Co-Pilot A.K.Khalku, HQ- Gomoh and 20,000/- to the Guard Shri. R Minj

Railway Minister announces special award to crew members of Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani which derailed near Gaya

While train no. 2443 BBS-NDLS Rajdhani Express was on run its train engine and 10 coaches derailed on the Gaya-Mughalsarai section of ECR due to Bomb blast at 23.55 hrs on 22.3.2010.
Some of the Railway staff including crew members who were working this train showed exemplary devotion to duty by exercising vigilance and alertness and applied emergency brakes as soon as the bomb blast occurred. This helped in reducing the extent of damage to the train and injuries to passengers. Earlier the crew members had controlled the speed of the train and were running cautiously at 75 kmph during its run as was advised to them in view of security reasons. The Train Supdt. (TS) advised the passengers that relief and rescue would be immediately made available; he thus prevented any panic in the passengers. He also organized the transshipment of about 462 passengers of the Rajdhani Express to the relief special train.
Hon’ble MR has sanctioned an award of Rs. 30,000 each to the 2 loco pilots/(Loco Pilot and Co-Pilot) and 20,000/- each to the Guard and the Train superintendent for displaying utmost devotion to duty even in the face of adverse situation.
The names of the Crew members and of the Train Superintendent are:-
(i) Loco Pilot; R.K. Singh, Hqrs Gomoh
(ii) Co-Pilot; A.K.Khalku, Hqrs Gomoh
(iii) Guard; R.Minj, Hqrs Gomoh
(iv) Train Supdt; A.C. Ojha, Hqrs N. Delhi.

Status of Rail Bridges Declared Dangerous

Status of Rail Bridges Declared Dangerous

Railway Safety Review Committee had indicated that there are 262 distressed bridges over Indian Railways as on April 1, 1999 and priority be given to early rehabilitation/ rebuilding/ strengthening of these distressed bridges.
Out of these 262 distressed bridges identified by Railway Safety Review Committee (Part I) 1998, a total number of 256 distressed bridges have been rehabilitated/ rebuilt/ strengthened upto March 31, 2010. Out of remaining 6 railway bridges, 5 bridges are expected to be completed during 2010-11 and remaining 1 bridge by 2012.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri E. Ahamed in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Facilities to Minorities in Railway Service

Facilities to Minorities in Railway Service

The details of concession and facilities being given to the Minority Communities in Railway services are as under :

  • For Railway recruitments no examinations fee is required to be deposited by the candidates belonging to minority community, SC, ST, Women and economically backward class having annual family income of less than Rs. 50,000/-.
  • No competitive examination shall be conducted on the days of Community festivals.
  • One member belonging to minority community is also included in the Selection Boards/Committees for recruitment.
    Zonal Railways/Production Units have been directed to publicize the above facilities and concessions available to the minorities.
    This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri E. Ahamed in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

15/04/2010

Access to e-mails soon on trains

Access to e-mails soon on trains

New Delhi, 11 April: Staying connected to your favourite social networking site on a train journey could soon become a reality if the Railways have their way.

As part of the drive to offer new infotainment solutions, the PSU behemoth is exploring the possibility of providing access to a passenger’s e-mail or twitter account, shopping channel or an auction site through a touch-screen based computer unit.

The Research Design and Standards Organisation is understood to be working on the technology, the idea of which was originally floated by an expert committee of the Railways.
The service could be available in flagship trains like Shatabdi Express with shorter daytime journey, having mostly business-class passengers.

“The computer units could be placed behind the seats much like what we have in aircraft, which could also double up as a movie screen,” the source said. So, in addition to twitting or accessing your Facebook or Orkut account, you could also have the choice of placing your order for lunch or dinner over computer. “You could also log on to on-train freight capacity auction site ~ helping businessmen bid for parcel and freight wagon capacity in real time,” a source said. PTI

EXTRACTS FROM THE GPF (CS) RULES, 1960

EXTRACTS FROM THE GPF (CS) RULES, 1960

Rule-12:       Advances from the fund

(1)       The appropriate sanctioning authority may sanction the payment to any subscriber of an advance consisting of a sum of whole rupees and not exceeding in amount three months’ pay or half the amount standing to his credit in the Fund, whichever is less, for one or more of the following purposes.

(a)       to pay expenses in connection with the illness, confinement or a disability, including where necessary, the traveling expenses of the subscriber and members of his family or any person actually dependent on him;

(b)       to meet cost of higher education, including where necessary the traveling expenses of the subscriber and members of his family or any person actually dependent on him in the following cases, namely :-
      (ii) for education outside India for academic, technical, professional or vocational course beyond the High School stage; and
      (ii) for any medical, engineering or other technical or specialized course in India beyond the High School stage, provided that the course of study is for not less than three years.

(c)      to pay obligatory expenses on a scale appropriate to the subscriber’s status which by customary usage the subscriber has to incur in connection with betrothal or marriages, funerals or other ceremonies;

(d)       to meet the cost of legal proceedings instituted by or against the subscriber, any member of his family or any person actually dependent upon him, the advance in this case being available in addition to any advance admissible for the
same purpose from any other Government source.
(e)       to meet the cost of the subscriber’s defence where he engages a legal practitioner to defend himself in an enquiry in respect of any alleged official misconduct on his part.

(f)       to purchase consumer durables such as TV, VCR/VCP, washing machines, cooking range, geysers and computers.
      (1-A) The president may, in special circumstances, sanction the payment to any subscriber of an advance if he is satisfied that the subscriber concerned requires the advance for reasons other than those mentioned in sub-rule (1).

      (2) An advance shall not, except for special reasons to be recorded in writing, be granted to any subscriber in excess of the limit laid down in sub-rule (1) or until repayment of the last installment of any previous advance.

      (3) When an advance is sanctioned under sub-rule (2) before repayment of last installment of any previous advance is completed, the balance of any previous advance not recovered shall be added to the advance so sanctioned and the installments for recovery shall be fixed with reference to the consolidated amount.

      Rule – 15: Withdrawals from the Fund

(1) Subject to the conditions specified therein, withdrawals may be sanctioned by the authorities competent to sanction an advance for special reasons under sub-rule (2) of Rule 12, at any time –

      (A) after the completion of (fifteen) years of service (including broken periods of service, if any) of a subscriber or within then years before the date of his retirement on superannuation, whichever is earlier, from the amount standing to his credit in the Fund, for one or more of the following purposes, namely :-

(a)       meeting the cost of higher education, including where necessary, the traveling expenses of the subscriber or any child of the subscriber in the following cases, namely :-

      (i)for education outside India for academic, technical, professional or vocational course beyond the High School stage; and

      (ii) for any medical, engineering or other technical or specialized course in India beyond the High School stage;

(b)       meeting the expenditure in connection with the betrothal/marriage of the subscriber or his sons or his daughters, and any other female relation actually dependent on him;

(c)       meeting the expenses in connection with the illness, including where necessary, the traveling expenses of the subscriber and members of his family or any person actually dependent on him ;

(d)       meeting the cost of consumer durables such as TV, VCR/VCP, washing machines, cooking range, geysers and computers.

      (B) during the service of a subscriber, from the amount standing to his credit in the Fund for one or more of the following purposes, namely :-

(a)       building or acquiring a suitable house or ready-built flat for his residence including the cost of the site, or any payment towards allotment of a plot or flat by the Delhi Development Authority, State Housing Board or a House Building
Society;

(b)       repaying an outstanding amount on account of loan expressly taken for building or acquiring a suitable house or ready-built flat for his residence;

(c)      purchasing a house-site for building a house thereon for his residence or repaying any outstanding amount on account of loan expressly taken for this purpose;

(d)       reconstructing or making additions or alterations to a house or a flat already owned or acquired by a subscriber;

(e)       renovating, additions or alterations or upkeep of the ancestral house or a house built with the assistance or loan from Government;

(f)       constructing a house on a site purchased under Clause (c);

      (C) within twelve months before the date of subscriber’s retirement on superannuation from the amount standing to the credit in the Fund, without linking to any purpose.

Rule – 16: Conditions for withdrawal

      (1) Any sum withdrawn by a subscriber at any one time for one or more of the purposes specified in Rule 15 from the amount standing to his credit in the Fund shall not ordinarily exceed one-half of such amount or six months’ pay, whichever is less. The sanctioning authority may, however, sanction the withdrawal of an amount in excess of this limit up to ¾ of the balance at his credit in the Fund having due regard to (i) the object for which the withdrawal is being made, (ii) the status the subscriber,
and (iii) the amount to his credit in the Fund [in case of withdrawal under Clause(A) and up to 90% of balance at credit in cases of
withdrawals under clause (B) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 15.

      (2) A subscriber who has been permitted to withdraw money from the Fund under Rule 15 shall satisfy the sanctioning authority within a reasonable period as may be specified by the authority that the money has been utilized for the
purpose for which it was withdrawn, and if he fails to do so, the whole of the sum so withdrawn or so much thereof as has not been applied for the purpose for which it was withdrawn shall forthwith be repaid in one lump sum by the subscriber to the Fund and in default of such payment, it shall be ordered by the sanctioning authority to be recovered from his emoluments either in lump sum or in such number of monthly installments, as may be determined by the President.

CIRCULAR ON RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSING OF ADVANCE/WITHDRAWAL/REFUND

No. NITR/BOT/Circular/07/M/295

Dt: 21-08-2007

Sub:- Rules and Procedures for Processing of Advance/Withdrawal/Refund-reg.

      For some time, our Institute has been recommending undue requests of GPF/CPF subscribers for advances / withdrawals in violation of Govt. guidelines. This is attracting criticism of Audit and exposing BOT officials to disciplinary action. Depleted PF balances are also reducing protection of our employees after retirement.

      In view of the above it is decided that the following rules and procedures will be strictly followed while processing cases of advance, withdrawal or refund w.e.f. the date of issue.

I.       Eligibility:
      A subscriber can apply for temporary advance at any time after commencement of subscription and for withdrawals after completion of 15 years of service or within 10 years before the date of retirement on superannuation, which ever is earlier, for purposes mentioned in Rule 15(1)(A) and any time after commencement of subscription for purposes mentioned in Rule 15(1)(B), except during last 3 months of service.

II.       Purpose:
      Applications for advance/withdrawal for any purpose other than those contained in Rule 12(1)/15(1) will not be entertained / processed. However, withdrawal(s) during last 12 months of service may be sanctioned without linking to any purpose.

III.       Quantum:
      Advances from the fund will be sanctioned for an amount not exceeding 3 months pay or half the amount standing to the credit of the applicant subscriber whichever is less.
      Similarly, withdrawals from the fund will be sanctioned for an amount not exceeding 6 months pay or half the amount standing to the credit of the applicant subscriber whichever is less.

IV. Subsequent Advance/Withdrawal:
      Subsequent advance will be sanctioned only after 30 days of recovery of the last installment and/or full refund of outstanding balance of the previous advance(s), if any.
      Application for subsequent withdrawal for any purpose for which a withdrawal has been sanctioned to the subscriber in any earlier occasion will be processed according to GoI, Dept. of Pen & PW, Notification No. 45/44/97-P & PW (F), dated 18.11.1998.

V. Time Gap:
      At least 6 months time gap will be maintained between any two advances and/or withdrawals.

VI. Disbursement
      Disbursement of sanctioned amount of advances and withdrawals will be made twice (on 10th & 25th) every month for general cases and once (on 10th) every month for special cases. Where 10th and 25th happens to be a Saturday / Sunday / Holiday disbursement will be made in the next working day.

VII. Processing Period
      Applications for advance / withdrawals must be submitted at least 3 working days before the designated dates for disbursement

VIII. Exceptional Cases

      (a) Advances in excess of the limit laid down in Rule12(1) or until repayment of the last installment of any previous advance, withdrawals in excess of the limit (up to 75% of the accumulations) in excess of the limit laid down in Rule 15 (1), and applications for subsequent advance and/or withdrawal within 6 months will not be considered/sanctioned, except for any special reasons, to be intimated by the applicant subscriber and to be approved by the Director, in writing.
      (b) Similarly, applications for advance/withdrawal in less than 3 working days and/or requesting disbursement in any date other than 10th and 25th will not be considered, except for any emergency case(s) to be intimated by the applicant subscriber and agreed by the Chairman, BOT in writing.

IX.       Refund
      Refund of withdrawals and partial refund of advances will not be entertained under any circumstances. Refund of whole outstanding advance will be accepted only within the first week of every month and subject to the condition that the subscriber will not apply for another advance within the next 30 days.

X.       Application
      All applications for advance / withdrawal are to be in the new prescribed format available with the BOT section (sample copy enclosed).

XI.       General
      Rules referred in this circular are of General Provident Fund (Central Services) Rules, 1960. Any other cases not covered in this circular will be as per General Provident Fund (Central Services) Rules, 1960 or Contributory Provident Fund (India) Rules, 1962 or Provident Fund Act, 1925 as the case may be. This circular supersedes all circulars issued in this regard till date.

This issues with the approval of the competent authority.

Sd/-
Secretary, BOT

CAT today restrained the railways from appointing 5,400 group-D employees who had been named on a 2006 panel

Appointment of 5,400 group-D employees in Railways..

The central administrative tribunal today restrained the railways from appointing 5,400 group-D employees who had been named on a 2006 panel.
It asked the committee to draw up a fresh panel after scrutinizing all the 17 lakh applications filed in 2006, when Lalu Prasad was the railway minister. About 3,500 candidates whose names had not figured on the list had moved the tribunal in 2008. It said rules had not been followed during scrutiny of the applications.
Track deaths
Durgapur: Three railway gang men were run over by the Jammu Tawi Express from Calcutta near Durgapur on Friday. Police said they were inspecting the tracks.
3 lynched
Calcutta: Two men and a woman have been lynched in three separate incidents in North 24-Parganas’ Basirhat area after they were suspected of being child lifters. Police said the bodies of the men, in their late 30s, were yet to be identified. The woman was Sonara Bibi, 38, said to be a mentally unstable widow.
Source: The Telegraph

13/04/2010

Railway workers promote rail’s role as safe, sustainable transport

Railway workers promote rail’s role as safe, sustainable transport

This item is also available through the following other ITF sites: ITF Americas, ITF Arab World.

Rail workers around the world will back rail as a vital, sustainable transport resource tomorrow April 13th during an ITF Railway Workers' International Action Day.

As part of the campaign by workers and their unions for a global future for rail, they will stage activities worldwide. Updates, posters and campaign materials for the international action day can be seen and downloaded at www.itfglobal.org/campaigns/RWActionDay2010.cfm, with full roundups of activities by country appearing on the 13th and beyond. For the European events please see www.itfglobal.org/etf/etf-press-area.cfm/pressdetail/4361 and www.itfglobal.org/etf/rw-action-day.cfm .

Mac Urata, ITF Inland Transport Section Secretary, commented: “Railways are vital national and international resources - now more than ever given their environmental advantages. Yet, their survival and their status as a safe and user-friendly transport mode is under threat from privatisation, deregulation and under-investment. Only determined lobbying and promotion of their benefits and importance can protect their future. This event is part of that campaign, a time when trade unionists in particular can defend railways and railway safety for all those who work and travel on them.”

Coming soon: movies in trains

Coming soon: movies in trains

PUNE: Soon, there will be more to look forward to than just digging into ‘batata wadas’ at Karjat or tossing peanuts to simians at Monkey Hill on the Pune-Mumbai train journey.

Central Railway, probably taking a cue from international flights, is set to provide free entertainment, news and more along the route between the two cities.
A high-cost project, for which the railways will rope in private agencies, will see passengers with reserved tickets in as many as eight trains availing of onboard entertainment such as movies, games and comedy shows besides news capsules — all for free.

Passengers asking for this service will be given, on a returnable basis of course, hand-held terminals with LCD screens, individual headphones and seat-display game emulators.

The service will be provided on eight trains — the six Pune-Mumbai intercity trains, the Mumbai-Kolhapur Koyna Express and the Mumbai-Aurangabad Janshatabdi Express.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Coming-soon-movies-in-trains/articleshow/5764995.cms

Rlys to lease real estate assets, eyes Rs 600 cr

Rlys to lease real estate assets, eyes Rs 600 cr

Mumbai, Apr 7 (PTI) The Indian Railways is planning to lease out some of its real estate assets to rake in Rs 600 crore in rentals, a senior Railways official said.

“We plan to lease 15 plots in different metros and Tier 11 cities on long lease this fiscal and hope to net Rs 600 crore through this,” Rail Land Development Authority, Member-Finance F Mehmood told PTI here today.

“We have identified a land-bank of 1,900 hectares for development. This will be leased out in phases. We have appointed 15 consultants for this purpose,” he said.

Most of the land available for lease is in the eastern region, he said.

Leasing its land for residential purposes is not under consideration at present, the official said but added that “if good proposals come, then we may think about it.

http://www.ptinews.com/news/598757_Rlys-to-lease-real-estate-assets–eyes-Rs-600-cr

ACC looking at PPP model for railway wagons

ACC looking at PPP model for railway wagons

Mumbai: India’s largest cement producer ACC Ltd wants to buy railway wagons and would like to have an arrangement with the railways to run them.

The proposal comes after a temporary shutdown of three of its plants in Jharkhand and Rajasthan in the quarter ended 31 March due to a shortage of wagons, managing director Sumit Banerjee told reporters after the company’s annual general meeting on Thursday.

“We expect these problems to remain at least this month,” Banerjee said. “There is no short-term solution to this problem, but if we can have a PPP (public private partnership) model in wagons, it can also help to increase investments in an area where there have been none for years.”

ACC already owns wagons that transport cement to its Kalamboli terminal in Navi Mumbai from its plant in Wadi in Karnataka.

http://www.livemint.com/2010/04/08222112/ACC-looking-at-PPP-model-for-r.html?h=B

Railways opt for European tech to prevent train collisions

Railways opt for European tech to prevent train collisions

Indian Railways have decided to adopt a European technology in certain busy routes to prevent rail accidents.

“We are installing the Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) in 828-km rail route as a preventive measure against collisions,” said a senior Railway Ministry official.

TPWS, a state-of-the-art European technology, is estimated to cost Rs 70 lakh per km.

“If the train jumps the red signal then brakes will be applied automatically under the system,” the official said, adding a “majority of the recent accidents were due to trains jumping red signals in foggy conditions.”

The total cost for installing the TPWS would be about Rs 579.6 crore and the work will be awarded through tendering system.

“We are finalising the tendering process,” he said.

TPWS would be implemented in North Central, South East,Eastern and Western zones.

Earlier, the TPWS was implemented in a suburban section in Chennai and the Delhi-Mathura non-suburban section on a pilot basis.

The trial was satisfactory and now the system would be extended to other zones, the official said.

Railways are also developing “crash worthy” coaches and locomotives and will provide automatic fire and smoke detection system in 20 pairs of long-distance trains on an experimental basis.

“As far as accidents at unmanned level crossings are concerned, we are launching a special drive to man all
crossings in a phased manner,” the official said.

There are about 17,000 unmanned level crossings across the country. While the work for 3,000 unmanned level crossings started in 2009-10, that for another 1,000 crossings are being taken up in the current fiscal.

Besides TPWS, railways are installing anti-collision device in certain sections to prevent accidents.

http://www.businessghana.com/portal/news/index.php?op=getNews&news_cat_id=&id=125218

Railways experiment with cost-effective fly ash sleepers

Railways experiment with cost-effective fly ash sleepers

The Research, Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) of Indian Railways is experimenting with cost-effective sleepers for railway tracks. At present, railway sleepers are made with cement concrete. Now, the RDSO, in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur and NTPC, is planning to use fly ash in the sleepers, which will not only make them more durable, but also cost effective. An initiative of NTPC, the project was undertaken by RDSO in January 2010, and the sleepers will undergo lab tests in the next three months before going for field trials.

Fly ash is a residue of coal-based thermal power plants and is generally considered a waste. However, it is known to acquire cement-like properties when mixed with lime and water because of its pozzolanic characteristics, said V K Mathur, Head of Ash Utilisation Division, NTPC.

India produces 150 million ton fly ash every year and by 2012, the production is expected to reach 200 million tons. Mixing 25 to 30 per cent of fly ash gives 20 per cent more durability to the cement structure as the fly ash particles, being smaller in size than the cement particles, settle in the smallest of voids in a cement structure and make the structure more condense, Mathur told The Indian Express.

He was in town to participate in the two-day UIC Asia Workshop on Optimisation of Pre-stressed Concrete Sleepers organised by the International Union of Railways in collaboration with RDSO. This is the first time that railways organised an international workshop in Lucknow and more than 80 delegates from across the country, as well as from Germany and Australia, participated in it.

“We produce around one crore sleepers every year and if the experiment is successful, it will reduce the cost of production of each sleeper by approximately Rs 30, which will mean an overall cost saving of Rs 30 to 35 crore per annum for India Railways,” said A K Singhal, Executive Director (Track), RDSO.

“In the long run, this will also gain carbon credits for RDSO as it will reduce 0.15 million tons emission of carbon dioxide per annum,” Mathur said. Fly ash is also expected to reduce lime requirements in the process by 0.15 million tons, he added.

“The lab tests on sleepers made of 30 per cent fly ash is being done in IIT-Kanpur and if all goes well, we will be ready for its field trial in the next three months. The first trials on main track will be done in the vicinity of RDSO, Lucknow,” said Singhal.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/railways-experiment-with-costeffective-fly-ash-sleepers/600589/0

Soon, fire, smoke detectors in railway coaches

Soon, fire, smoke detectors in railway coaches

Keeping passengers’ safety in mind, Railways have planned to install a comprehensive fire and smoke detection system in about 500 coaches on a trial basis during this financial year following the successful test of the technology.

The system would be among a host of technologies that it has lined up to minimise loss of life and property in case of a mishap.

Fire-related incidents have claimed a number of lives in the recent past.

Figures indicate that between March and September 2009 alone, 14 cases of fire in coaches have been reported, out of which six cases were solely on account of electrical failure.

According to sources in Railways, they have ‘planned to have the system installed in 20 rakes during this financial year,’ which comes to about 500 coaches to test its efficacy on a variety of coaches.

The Research Design and Standards Organisation earlier tested the system in one rake of the New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express comprising 18 LHB AC coaches.

Trials on this rake were on since November 2009 and the ’system was reported to be working satisfactorily,’ sources said.

They said the unit cost per coach for such a system was found to be about Rs 200,000.

The move comes even as Railway Board has ordered a safety drive for 21 days on a number of items related to safety of pantry cars after it expressed concern over ‘inadequate emphasis’ being given by zonal railways in setting up a system for preventive action against fire in pantry cars.

It has also observed that the generator cars of its flagship trains like Shatabdi, Rajdhani and Duronto trains are most vulnerable to fire.

One of the cars of Rajdhani express was gutted in a fire incident at Rajendra Nagar Terminal on March 8 last year.

During the same month, a blaze was also noticed in the pantry car of Patna Rajdhani express in Mughalsarai station.

On June 6 last year, three coaches of the empty rake of 3240 Mathura-Patna express caught fire at Mathura Railway station.

© Copyright 2010 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.

http://business.rediff.com/report/2010/apr/07/soon-fire-smoke-detectors-in-railway-coaches.htm

PENSION CASES CANNOT BE DELAYED, If delayed, pay compensation for it, pay for the mental agony and stress

PENSION CASES CANNOT BE DELAYED

If delayed, pay compensation for it, pay for the mental agony and stress
Udupi District (Karnataka) Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum
[Case Nos. CC 134/2009 and CC 138/2009.]
Judgment delivered on 22*3*2010.

Case history:
BSNL Corporate office issued orders on 29*5*2008 for merger of DA in pay of employees with effect from 1*1*2007. Those who retired on or after 1*1*2007 should get its benefit in pension also. BSNL authorities at Udupi and Mangalore as well as the CCA office at Bangalore took their own time to merge DA and revise the pension. Udupi District P&T Pensioners’ Association took up the matter, wrote many letters. But authorities did not care. Finally, 13 BSNL pensioners and 6 family pensioners approached the Consumer Forum on 2*11* 2009 against the delay and seeking compensation. Shri George Samuel, Secretary of Udupi District P&T Pensioners’ Association is the first complainant in both the cases. When the authorities came to know about the cases they woke up and merged the DA in pay of the complainants and revised their pension accordingly. But the case continued.
The Consumers’ Disputes Redressal Forum considered the following aspects:
1. Whether the pensioners are consumers? The Forum decided Yes.
2. Whether the delay in merging DA in the cases amounts to deficiency in service? Forum declared Yes. The delay can not be condoned.
3. Whether the complainants are entitled to reliefs? Forum said Yes. After hearing the arguments of complainants and the Opposite Parties (CGMT Karnataka, CCA Karnataka Circle, PGMT Mangalore and Area Manager at Udupi) the Forum passed the following order:
“The complaints are allowed. The Opposite Parties are directed to pay to the Complainants in both complaints, interest @ 9% since and after 11712008 till date of payment of the claim amounts (since paid) along with Rs 2000/1 each Complainant in both the cases as compensation (except the complainant No. 1 in both cases) for mental agony and a consolidated amount of Rs 10000 each towards cost of proceedings in each complaint. The Opposite Parties shall pay the above amounts within a month from the date of this order. The OPs shall pay 2 the above amounts to the Complainants and may recover the same from the employees who are responsible for delay in releasing the revised Pensionary benefits:”
Source: RREWA

11/04/2010

Deduction of Income Tax on account of payment of arrears of 6th Pay Commission and arrears due to MACP – Claiming of relief under section 89 (1) of the Income Tax, 1961

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. F(X)I-2010/23/3                       New Delhi, dated 22.03.2010

(1) Chief Personal Officers, All Indian Railways.
(2) FA& CAO’s All Indian Railways.

Sub:Deduction of Income Tax on account of payment of arrears of 6th Pay Commission and arrears due to MACP – Claiming of relief under section 89 (1) of the Income Tax, 1961.

*************

The question regarding procedure to be followed in allowing the claim of relief under section 89(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 on account of payment of arrears of 6th Pay Commission and arrears due to MACP is under active consideration in Board’s office.

In this regard a copy of the letter received from the office the chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai by Personal Branch of Southern Railway vide No.818/CIfn/PR/2009-10 dated 21.12.2009 along with a copy of Form 10-E and its annexure, on the subject mentioned above is enclosed for information and guidance.

However, the matter is also being referred to the Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue (CBDT) for confirmation Zonal Railways will be advised further on receipt of clarification if any, from the Ministry of Finance.


Joint Director, Finance (Exp.) – 1
Railway Board


GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX
121, MAHATMA GANDHI ROAD, (Nungambakkam High Road)
CHENNAI – 600 034

C.No.818/CIfn/PR/2009-10                             Date: 21.12.2009

To
The Asst. Personnel Officer (Rules)
Southern Railway
Headquarters Office
Personnel Branch
Chennai – 600 003

Sir,

Sub: Issue of clarification on working of relief u/s 89(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 – reg.
Ref: your letter dated 14.12.2009.

Please refer to the above.

2. you have asked for the procedure to be followed in allowing the claim of relief u/s 89(1) of the Income Tax Act. To claim relief u/s 89(1) for the arrears of salary received, the employee has to file declaration in Form 10E before the employer. The employer in turn allow the relief of tax after verification and calculate the tax deductible. The relief thus allowed is to be incorporated in the Form No.16 issued to the employee.

3. A copy of Form 10-E and its annexure is enclosed for your ready reference.


Yours faithfully,
(K.SARAVANAN)
INCOME TAX OFFICER (PR)
O/o CCIT, Chennai I, Chennai 34.

FEEDBACK OF 2nd NAC MEETING

No.AIRF/NAC/2010                                   Dated: March, 29, 2010

 

The General Secretaries,

All Affiliated Unions,

Dear Coms,

 

Sub:  Feedback on the 2nd meeting of the National Anomaly Committee held on 27.3.2010

 

         The 2nd meeting of the National Anomaly Committee was held today, i.e. on 27.3.2010 under the chairmanship of Secretary(P), DoP&T(Government of India).

        At the outset the Chairman expressed that he has an open mind to resolve the anomalies of the VI CPC.

        The Secretary, Staff Side(NC/JCM), Com. Umraomal Purohit, in his deliberations raised the following points:-

(i)     The matters of HPCA/PCA, Risk Allowance are to be settled quickly.

(ii)     The issue of Insurance Scheme should be discussed and in the intervening period, the rates of HPCA/PCA should be doubled as has been done in respect of other allowances.

(iii)    The matter of the MACP Scheme has been agitated minds of the Central Government Employees and the problem needs to be addressed.

(iv)     He also mentioned that CCA has been merged with Transport Allowance causing number of problems.

(v)     He suggested that committees can be formed to sort out the issues.

(vi)     He also stated that we should go little faster in the matter of resolving anomalies.

(vii)    He also raised the issue of Annual Increment and Fixation of Pay on Promotion.

(viii)    Reacting to comments of Com. Umraomal Purohit, the Chairman stated that he is also of the same opinion that early decisions on the anomalies need to be taken.

(ix)     In respect of suggestion for forming committees to resolve the problems of MACP Scheme, HPCA/PCA, Risk Allowance vis-à-vis Insurance Scheme, as recommended by the VI CPC, the Chairman assured that solution could be found out to resolve the genuine anomalies.

(x)     The matter of revision of rate of Fixed Medical Allowance was also raised by the Staff Side, when the Chairman stated that this issue would be decided before the next meeting.

The Official Side agreed to consider the following issues favourably:-

1.     The issue of postponement of Annual Increment because of Extra Ordinary Leave and issue of sanctioning of Annual Increment to the staff whose date of increment falls between February and June could be considered favourably.

2.     In respect of Fixation of Pay on Promotion, the Chairman assured that the whole matter would be examined de-novo.

3.      In respect of application of new commutation factor and reduction of period from 15 to 12 years, the Official Side agreed to look into the matter of calculation.

4.      The mater of increment falling between February to June 2006 had also been taken-up seriously and it was assured by the Chairman that it would be resolved shortly.

        The Official Side also informed the Staff Side that the 46th Meeting of the National Council(JCM) would be held on 15th May, 2010 and the next meeting of the National Anomaly Committee will be held thereafter.

Yours fraternally,
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary

06/04/2010

LPG DSL to LPPass PPC Course No ADDP 006 RESULT ZRTI BSL

LPG DSL to LPPass PPC Course No ADDP 006 RESULT

ZRTI BSL

PPC RESULT

PPC RESULT2

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL (CAT) strikes down termination order of PGT teacher

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL

CAT strikes down termination order of PGT teacher

The Central Administrative Tribunal has struck down the termination order given to a post graduate teacher by the Delhi Education Department, terming it as “cryptic and non-speaking”.

While directing the secretary, Education Department of Delhi, to consider the whole issue afresh, the Tribunal declined to confer any financial benefit to the teacher.

“Evidently, the termination order being cryptic and non-speaking is not in accordance with the stipulations of the basic scheme of re-employment. On this ground alone, we do not find the order in the present form as sustainable in law and strike it down as ultra-vires,” the Tribunal, comprising members Veena Chhotray and Shanker Raju, said.

Vijaya Kumar Mudgal, who was re-employed for a further period of two years after his superannuation in 2007, approached the Tribunal challenging the termination of his services with retrospective effect.

In 2009, the department passed the order terminating his services with a retrospective effect from July 2008.

While the department claimed that the termination was necessary as Mudgal went on leave for eight months without proper sanction and authorisation, the petitioner said he was “medically unfit” during the said period.

On perusing the documents, the Tribunal sent the matter back to the department for reconsideration.

“We are of the considered view that it would meet the ends of justice by remitting the matter back to respondents for reconsideration of the entire case at the senior-most level that is The Secretary, Department of Education for taking a fair and dispassionate view,” it said.

Revision of Pension-pre 96 pensioners, Head Clerks to be stepped up

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.F(E)III/2008/PN1/12                 New Delhi, dated: 18.03.2010

The General Managers
All Indian Railways and Production Units.

Subject:-    Revision of Pension-pre 96 pensioners

*******

        Clarifications regarding revision of pension of pre 1996 and pre 2006 retirees with reference to minimum pay of the corresponding pay scales were issued vide this office letter of even number dated 02.02.2010. Ministry of Railways received a query from Central Railway on the same subject.

2.   It is further clarified that the pay scale of Rs.5000-8000 in Vth CPC was allotted to the Head Clerks who were in service on or after 01.01.1996. However, as per instructions dated 11.05.2001 of Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DOP&PW) and adopted by this Ministry vide letter No. F(E)III/99/PN1/20 dated 20.08.2001, pension of all those employees who retired prior to 01.01.1996 has to be stepped up wherever admissible, w.r.t. the minimum pay of the corresponding scale, not the higher replacement scale. The corresponding scale of pre-revised IVth CPC of Rs.1400-2300 is Rs.4500-7000 in Vth CPC, not Rs.5000-8000, as has also been reiterated in item No. 9 of DOP&PW’s O.M. dated 14.10.2008, circulated vide this Ministry’s letter of even number dated 18.11.2008.

3.     This disposes of Central Railway’s query addressed vide letter No. HPB/C. Bills/Misc. dated 19.01.2010.

(S. SREERAM)
Joint Director Finance (Estt.)
Railway Board.

CAT quashes Rlys order against officer

CAT quashes Rlys order against officer

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has set aside an order of the Railways for a 10 per cent cut in the monthly pension of an officer of the Indian Railway Traffic Service for various charges. A bench of CAT chairman Justice V.K. Bali and vice-chairman L.K.Joshi quashed the August 27, 2007 order against IRTS officer R.S. Harit mainly on the ground of inordinate delay of 15 years in completing the departmental inquiry. Department inquiry proceedings against Harit, an IRTS officer of 1963 batch and a resident of Jangpura in Delhi, was started in February 1992 on nine charges, but it could be completed only in 2007, 12 years after his retirement in 1995. “It is apparent that there has been an unconscionable delay of nearly 15 years in concluding the inquiry, which started in 1992. The explanation of the Railways that the delay was due to a stay granted by the National Commission on Scheduled Caste and Tribes cannot be accepted as the said commission does not have the power to stay disciplinary proceedings. The delay is unexplained,” the bench said. Allowing the IRTS officer’s plea, the bench ordered immediate restoration of his pension and reimbursement of the amount deducted from his pension, with six per cent simple interest, within two months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of its order. It also took note of the fact that some documents relied upon by the Railways were not given to Harit. Harit was served chargesheet on nine counts, the main charge being refunding wharfage and demurrage (W&D) charges without authority. “W&D charges are like penalties to deter rail-users from delaying removal of their goods from Railway premises and the waiving of such charger cannot be said to have been at the cost of the Railway though this meant pecuniary benefit to some rail-users.” The lone witness had died and the inquiry was ex-parte as the officer did not participate in it. Though the inquiry officer indicted Harit on most of the counts, he said that no ulterior motive could be attributed to him. The report also blamed an Assistant General Manager for the lapses.

Taking objection to it, the bench said, “It is now a well settled principle of law that the note of disagreement recorded by the disciplinary authority has to be tentative in nature and not the final expression of the disciplinary authority’s views. The disciplinary authority has to take a final view in the matter after considering the reply of the delinquent to the report of inquiry officer, the tentative note of disagreement, the representation of the delinquent officer and other ancillary information. If the disciplinary authority comes to the conclusion that the charges are fully substantiated without considering the delinquent officer’s representation, it is unlikely that the disciplinary authority would change his views. His mind is made up. He has a closed mind, likely to be impervious to the applicant’s post-decisional pleas.”

Source: Hindustan Times

05/04/2010

Government gives assent to new pension system NPS Trust

Govt gives assent to new pension system
Giving approval to appoint New Pension Systems (NPS) Trust for fund management and other services and the Draft Agreement for signing the New Pension System (NPS) Trust, New Delhi and to adopt the scheme for fund management on the pattern of Government of India a recent state cabinet meeting has pledged to do everything in its power to promote the welfare of the employees of the state.
According a highly placed official source, with a view to introduce pension reform and establishing a solid and sustainable social security arrangement in the country, the Central government notified the Defined Contribution Pension System (New Pension Scheme) for the new entrants to Central government services, except for the Armed Forces, replacing the existing system of Defined Benefit Pension System with effect from January 1, 2004.
The source further mentioned that the matter was tabled in a recent cabinet meeting as an agenda for signing of agreement between the state government and the New Pension System (NPS) Trust, to keep pace with the Central government, as state government also introduced the said New Pension Scheme with effect from January 1, 2005.
Necessary instructions had been issued for recovery of 10% of Pay, Dearness Pay and Dearness Allowances from the monthly salaries of employees appointed on or after January 1, 2005 and for crediting to government account number 8342, other deposit and for debiting the equal share of the state government for Tier-I.
The source said the system is mandatory for all new recruit to the state government service and the existing provision of the Defined Benefit Pension and GPF would not be available to the new recruits.
In addition to the above Tier-I pension account, each individual may also have a voluntary Tier-II withdrawable account at his option.
But, the scheme for voluntary contributions under Tier-II will be made operative during the period of interim arrangement and therefore no recoveries will be made from the salaries of the employees on this account.
The official source further mentioned that as per the agreed guidelines of New Pensions System Trust, an individual can normally exit at the age of 59 or 60 as the case may be. At exit the individual would be mandatorily required to invest 40% of the pension wealth to purchase an annuity (from an IRDA-regulated Life Insurance Company) which will provide for pension for the lifetime of the employees and his/her dependent parents/spouse at the time of retirement. The individual would receive a limp-sum of the remaining pension wealth, which he would be free to utilize in any manner.
Individuals would have the flexibility to leave the pension system prior to age 59 or 60, as the case may be. However, in this case, the mandatory annuitisation would be 80% of the pension wealth.
The guidelines of the trust, further mentioned that, a pension Fund Regulatory Development Authority (PFRDA) has been appointed under executive order of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India pending passing of the PFRDA Bill by the Parliament. PFRDA has signed a contract agreement with the National Security Depository Limited (NSDL) as Central Record keeping agency for administration and customer service for all subscribers of the NPS, issue of unique Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) to each subscriber, maintaining a database of alls Prans issued and recording transactions relating to each subscriber’s PRAN and action as an operational interface between PFRDA and others NPS intermediaries, such as Pension Funds, Annuity Service Providers, Trustee Banks etc.
The official source further mentioned that while tabling the issues before the recent cabinet meeting, it has been mentioned that the CRA system has become operational with effect from June 2, 2008 for Central government employees. The state government of Manipur has already decided to avail the services of the CRA and an agreement has been signed with the NSDL on November 12, 2009 last year.
So far, there are 5,813 new entrants who are appointed under state government on or after January 1, 2005 in 32 departments. Of these recoveries salaries of 5,459 employees have been made but government’s matching share has not been paid by most of the department.
Reconciliation of accounts with those of AG’s figure shall be carried out before the transfer is effected to the trustee Bank. With this elaborate submissions of guidelines of the trust, the recent cabinet meeting has approved to solicit to appoint New Pension System (NPS) Trust for fund management and other services and the Draft Agreement for signing with the New Pension System Trust, New Delhi and adopt the scheme for Fund Management.
Source: Kanglaonline

BSNL Employees on Indefinite Strike from 20-04-2010

bsnl2

ENCASHMENT OF LAP WHILE AVAILING PASS/PTO

PC VI No. 193
RBE No. 43 / 2010

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. F(E)III / 2008 / LE -1 /1         New Delhi, dated 22.03.2010

The General Managers/FA&CAOs,
All Indian Railways and Production Units.
(As per Mailing lists)

Subject:-      Recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission – Encashment of LAP while availing Pass/PTO by re-employed pensioners – Clarification regarding.

***

         Consequent upon implementation of the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission to permit servants to encashment of LAP upto 10 days at the time of availing Passes once in two years, instructions were issued accordingly, vide this office letter of even dated 29.10.2008, incorporating the rule in Indian Railways Establishment Code Vol. I as Rule 540-A.

2.    The Department of Personnel & Training(DOP&T), after examining references received from various Ministries / Departments regarding applicability of encashment of earned leave by re-employed pensioners, have clarified that re-employed pensioners will be entitled to encashment of earned leave along with LTC during the period of re-employment upto the limit of 60 days (including the no. of days for which encashment has been allowed with LTC while in
service) provided he is entitled to LTC.

3.    The matter has been considered by the Board and it is clarified that re-employed Railway pensioners will be entitled to encashment of LAP while availing Pass / PTO during the period of re-employment upto the overall limit of 60 days in accordance with Rule 540-A of IREC-Vol.I (including the number of days for which encashment has been allowed at the time of availing Pass/PTO while in service) provided, he is entitled to Pass/PTO.

4. Please acknowledge receipt.

(S.SREERAM)
Jt. Director Finance (Estt.)
Railway Board.

All India Running Staff Conference of Loco and Traffic Running Staff to be held at CSTM on 09-05-2010

image

All Loco and Traffic Running Staff LPs, ALPs and Guards attend en-masse the All India Running Staff Conference scheduled to be held at CSTM on 09-05-2010 organized by All India Railwaymen’s federation (AIRF) under Leadership of National Railway Mazdoor Union(NRMU) CRly. For following long pending demands of Running Staff":-

  • Constitute High power committee to review duty hours of Running staff to 6Hrs
  • Grade Pay Demands:
  • Asst. Loco Pilot – PB-1 + GP Rs.2800
  • Goods Pilot - PB-2 + GP Rs.4600
  • Loco Pilot (Pass.) - PB-2 + GP Rs.4800
  • Loco Pilot (M/Exp.) – PB-2 + GP Rs.5400
  • Goods Guard - PB-2 + GP Rs.4200
  • Pass Guard- PB-2 + GP Rs.4600
  • Mail Exp Guard- PB-2 + GP Rs.4800
  • Loco Inspectors - PB-2 + GP Rs.5400
  • Rate of Kilometreage of Running Staff should be revised as per Bhalla Committee formula w.e.f. 1.1.2006
  • Additional Allowance to Running Staff – Provision of Special Allowance to all Running Staff incuding LI/SLIs also
  • Remove anomaly of pay fixation of Loco Supervisors inducted prior to 1.1.2006 with reference to their juniors drafted after 1.1.2006
  • One advance increment as a onetime exception in case of those who have having their annual increment from 1st Feb. 2006 to 1st June 2006
  • Absence/Detention of the running staff from their headquarters should be restricted to 24 Hrs
  • On absorption in alternate employment of medically de-categorized Running Staff 55% retirement benefit to be awarded
  • As CCA subsumed by Transportation Allowance 30% benefit to be awarded
image

All India Running Staff Conference

of Loco and Traffic Running Staff to be held at CSTM on 09-05-2010

04/04/2010

Case Study

From: Skumar

To: buddhadeb chakrabarti

Subject: Re: Arrears & fixation as per 6cpc.

Your Pay fixation will be as follows:

01.01.2006   5250= 11120+2800= 13920

01.03.2006    same (Item already raised by AIRF in

                      anomaly committee and is

                      under consideration after

                      letter from Rly Bd you will

                      get one more increment)

01.07.2006  13920+420 (3%)= 14340

01.09.2006  14340+430(3%)-2800+4200= 16170  Sr Gds Promotion

01.07.2007  16660

01.07.2008 17160

01.07.2009 17680

From: buddhadeb chakrabarti

Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 9:32 AM

To: skumar.rail@gmail.com

Subject: Arrears & fixation as per 6cpc.

Sir,

    I am a sr. goods guard working EMU trains at SDAH division.My basic was 5250 on 01.01.06 (4500-7000) as goods guard with increment date 01 March. I was promoted on 29.9.06 to Sr.goods guard (5000-8000) and opted 01.3.07 for the effect of it.Please help me calculating my due arrears and pay fixation as per 6 cpc.(Basic on 01.3.06 was 5375).

buddhadeb chakrabarti

Pension funds face quarterly review

Pension funds face quarterly review
Funds under the New Pension Schemes (NPS) managed by SBI Pension Fund — an arm of State Bank of India — has outperformed its rivals for the fiscal gone by, data on the pension regulator’s website revealed. Pension laws mandate that fresh annual allocations to fund managers be made on the basis of their performance in the past year.
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has now instituted an independent, quarterly review of the seven pension funds for monitoring their performance and compliance to investment guidelines. Morningstar, a mutual fund data research firm, will be conducting periodic reviews on fund managers, its CEO Aditya Agarwal told ET.
SBI Pension Fund has performed better than its rivals with highest net asset value for both central and state government scheme in 2009-10. For Central government employees schemes, SBI Pension Fund NAV ended March 31 at 12.77, LIC Pension Fund at 12.35 and UTI at 12.33, according to the PFRDA website.
Employee’s Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has traditionally provided retirement benefits to government employees. However, civil servants, who were recruited after 2004, are now part of the NPS — a system aimed at encouraging private fund managers. According to estimates, its current corpus stands at around Rs 4,700 crore.
Up for grabs now are their contributions this year — expected to be in the Rs 2,400-crore range. PFRDA allocates fresh accretions every April, depending on the performance of each of the three funds.
In the first year of NPS, PFRDA allocated only Central government employee contributions and last year, it additionally allocated funds to state government pension funds. For state government schemes, SBI Pension Fund’s NAV stood at 10.63, LIC Pension at 10.60 and UTI at 10.59, as per PFRDA data.
Industry officials say the pension fund allocation of Central and state government employees is expected to take place sometime in the second or third week of April. Last year, the allocation was made sometime in May. For 2009-10, PFRDA has allocated 40% to SBI Pension, 31% to UTI Pension and 29% to LIC Pension.
Under NPS, employees have to contribute 10% of their basic salary and dearness allowance, with a matching contribution from their employers. The NPS was thrown open to the unorganised sector last year and private players were also allowed to operate as fund managers. However, the response to NPS from the general public has been modest.
In addition to SBI, LIC and UTI, ICICI Prudential, IDFC, Kotak and Reliance MF also manage pension funds.
Source:Economic Times

All India Running Staff Conference to be held at CSTM on 09-05-2010

All India Running Staff Conference

of Loco and Traffic Running Staff to be held at CSTM on 09-05-2010

image

03/04/2010

withholding of increments

withholding of increments

Order to revise house rent rule

Order to revise house rent rule
A husband and a wife who are government employees are both entitled to house rent allowance if one of them is posted a “reasonable distance” away from the other, Calcutta High Court has said.
The government now offers the allowance to either the husband or the wife if the distance between their workplaces is less than 250km.
But the court today ask- ed the government to redraw the house rent allowance policy using a “reasonable dis- tance” instead of 250km as the cut-off.
The matter came up during the hearing of a case moved by a Murshidabad teacher whose husband works for the railways in Calcutta.
Since Shukla Das’s hus-band stays 225km from her school in Kandi, she is not entitled to her house rent allowance, according to the rule that came into effect following a circular issued in October 2007. “She stays in a rented house at Purandarpur but she doesn’t get any rent allowance as her husband is already getting it,” said her lawyer Kaushik Chanda.
Das welcomed the order. “I had repeatedly told the authorities that I deserved the allowance but nothing happened. So, I moved court earlier this month.”
Opposing the petition, government lawyer Kamalesh Jha had said: “Fixing the house rent allowance for government employees is an administrative decision and the court should not interfere in the matter.”
However, Justice Biswanath Somadder said: “As the transport system and infrastructure in our country are not so developed that an employee can travel 450km a day to attend his/her place of work and return home, the government should fix a reasonable distance from home to the workplace if it wants to give house rent to only one of them.”
Before the 2007 circular, all state government employees were entitled to house rent allowance.
“When the government realised that working couples were drawing double house rent but sharing the same accommodation, it adopted the existing policy. But the 250km norm was impractical,” said Chanda.
Source: Telegrahpindia

Retired employees to get medical reimbursement: Delhi High Court

Retired employees to get medical reimbursement: Delhi High Court

Retired employees to get medical reimbursement: Court
Ruling that all government employees, even those retired, are entitled for medical reimbursement, the Delhi High Court Tuesday asked the Delhi government to pay the medical bills of a man who retired from a government enterprise in 2002.
Justice Kailash Gambhir asked the government to pay the medical expenses of Suraj Bhan and said: 'The state has a constitutional obligation to bear the medical expenses of government employees while in service and also after they are retired. Clearly in the present case by taking a very inhuman approach, these officials have denied the grant of medical reimbursement to the petitioner forcing him to approach this court.'
Bhan had approached court seeking reimbursement of his medical bills.
In 2003, following a circular issued by the government, Bhan got enrolled for the medical scheme and paid the premium on regular basis though he had retired a year earlier. In 2007, a new scheme was introduced, but he was not aware of it.
Bhan was suffering from asthma and was under treatment at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital from July 3 to July 9, 2004. When he moved an application for reimbursement of Rs.33,654 towards hospital bills it was rejected by the employment officer as Bhan was not part of the 2007 scheme.
'It is quite shocking that despite various directions from the courts, the government in utter defiance of the law has taken a position that the pensioner is not entitled to the grant of medical reimbursement since he did not opt to become a member of the said health scheme after his retirement,' the court said and imposed a law suit cost of Rs.10,000 on the government.
The government said that since Bhan had not opted for the new scheme in 2007, he was not entitled to reimbursement.
'The scheme is prospective in nature and the same would be effective once an employee becomes a member of the scheme and not otherwise,' counsel for the government said.
'It is a settled legal position that a government employee during his life time or after his retirement is entitled to get the benefit of medical facilities and no fetters can be placed on his rights on the pretext that he has not opted to become a member of the scheme or had paid the requisite subscription after having undergone the operation or any other medical treatment,' the court said.
Source: Indo Asian News Service

Subsidy for meals/food to running staff in the running room would be Rs. 27 per meal or 90% of the cost of the meal/food whichever is less

Subsidy for meals/food to running staff in the running room would be Rs. 27 per meal or 90% of the cost of the meal/food whichever is less 

Subsidy for meals/food to running staff in the running room would be Rs. 27 per meal or 90% of the cost of the meal/food whichever is less

PNM/AIRF Item No. 20/2009 Absence of Running Staff from headquarters should be restricted to 24 hours

PNM/AIRF Item No. 20/2009 Absence of Running Staff from headquarters should be restricted to 24 hours

PME Due Date

Master Circular No. 25



Copy of Railway Board’s letter No. 69/H/3/11 dated 06.12.1974



Subject: Implementation of the Recommendations of the Visual Sub-Committee.



6. Periodical re-examination of serving Railway Employees:



6.l. In order to ensure the continued ability of Railway employees in Classes A l, A 2, A 3, B l and B 2 to discharge their duties with safety, they will be required to appear for re-examination at the following stated intervals throughout their service as indicated below:



6.1.1. Classes A l, A 2 and A 3 —At the termination of every period of three years, calculated from the date of appointment until they attain the age of 45 years, and thereafter annually until the conclusion of their service.



Note: (l) The staff in categories A l, A 2 and A 3 should be sent for special medical examination in the interest of safety under the following circumstances unless they have been under the treatment of a Railway Medical Officer.



(a) Having undergone any treatment or operation for eye trouble irrespective of the duration of sickness.



(b) Absence from duty for a period in excess of 90 days.



(2) If any employee in medical category A has been periodically medically examined at any time within one year prior to his attaining the age of 45, his next medical examination should be held one year from the due date of the last medical examination and subsequent medical examination annually thereafter.



If, however, such an employee has been medically examined, at any time earlier, than one year prior to his attaining the age of 45, his next medical examination should be held on the date he attains the age of 45 and subsequent medical examination annually thereafter.




Ammendment: It was ammended in 1993 as below



Age Group PME Due



Age 00-45 every 4yrs



Age 45-55 every 2yrs



Age 55-60 every year
Details:-
As per Rly Bd's Guideline of Medical Exam issued vide LNo. 88/H/5/12 dated 24-01-1993

a) PME would be done at the termination of every period of 4 years from date of appointment / Initial medical Exam till the date of attainment of age of 45 years, every 2 years upto 55 years & there after annual till retirement.
b) Employees who has been periodically examined at any time within 2years prior to his attaining the age of 45years would be examined after 2years from the date of last PME & subsequent PME for every 2years upto 55years age.Of

NRMU 4 you
SMLokhande





6.1.2. Classes B-1 and B-2—On attaining the age of 45 years, and thereafter at the termination of every period of five years.