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Representation Of OBCs In The Central Government Services

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Representation of OBCs in the Central Government Services

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

04-April-2018 16:11 IST

Strength of Employees

As per information received from 77 Ministries/Departments including their attached/subordinate offices, the representation of SCs, STs and OBCs in the posts and services under the Central Government as on 01.01.2016 is 17.49%, 8.47% and 21.57% respectively.

Representation of OBCs in the Central Government services is less as compared to the percentage of reservation for them because reservation of OBC started in September, 1993.

As per available information, representation of OBCs as on 01.01.2012 was 16.55% which has now increased to 21.57% as on 01.01.2016. Therefore, there is an increasing trend in the representation of OBCs in the posts and services of Central Government.

Department of Personnel & Training has issued instructions to all Ministries/Departments to constitute an in-house Committee to identify backlog reserved vacancies, study of the root cause of backlog reserved vacancies, initiation of measures to remove such factors and to fill up such vacancies through Special Recruitment Drive.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

BPMS - Minimum Guaranteed Pension Under NPS

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Minimum Guaranteed Pension under National Pension System (NPS) – BPMSREF: BPMS/17th TC/NPS/Cir/33


Dated: 31.03.2018

To,
The Office Bearers and CEC Members
Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh
&
The President/ General Secretary
Unions affiliated to the federation

Subject: One day Agitational Programme on 24.04.2018 on Minimum Guaranteed Pension under National Pension System (NPS).

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Sadar Namaskar

It is hoped that all of you are well and busy in accelerating trade union activities. As all of you know that the Central Executive Committee Meeting of this federation was held on 26, 27 and 28 March 2018 in Dehu Road, Pune where it was decided to hold one day agitational programme on 24.04.2018 on Minimum Guaranteed Pension under National Pension System (NPS).

A resolution to this effect was also passed in the CEC Meeting held at Hyderabad during September 2015 and subsequently several correspondence were made. However, in spite of lapse of such a large time, no tangible action has been seen from the Govt side on the issue.

Therefore, in absence of any concrete step from the Govt side on the issue it becomes necessary to register our displeasure over the lethargic attitude of the Government and register our protest to constrain the machinery to redress the Grievance.

Hence, you are requested to hold one day agitation programme on 24.04.2018 using all feasible and effective trade union instruments like Gate Meeting, Use of Black Badges, Slogan Shouting, publicizing of programme at humongous level through posters/ hoardings/ banners/ pamphlets/ social media so that the issue may be resolved at the earliest. Further, you are requested to submit a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister of India through proper channel on 24.04.2018.

With regards,

Brotherly yours

(M P SINGH)
General Secretary

Source: BPMS

BPMS - Grant Of One Time Relaxation For Compassionate Appointments

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Grant of One Time Relaxation for Compassionate Appointments – BPMS

Govt. of India, DoP&T O.M. No. 14014 / 6 / 94- Estt (D) dated 09th Oct 1998 read with O.M. No. 14014/23/ 99- Estt (D) Dated 03rd Dec 1999 has a provision to give a compassionate appointment to one of the dependent for the survival of his family, if the employee unfortunately dies during his service period; leaving his family behind to survive, but it is limited to 5% of the vacancies falling under direct recruitment quota in any Group ‘C’or ‘D’ post. Not only this, under this 5% quota DR of Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ defence civilians, the dependants of Group ‘A’ & ‘B’ defence civilians and all uniformed personnel (of Army, AirForce & Navy) are being granted compassionate appointment but the 5% vacancies under DR of Group ‘A’ & ‘B’ defence civilians and uniformed personnel are not added. Due to this, a large number of wards are waiting for their appointment on compassionate grounds to look after the family.

This federation has made lot of efforts on the subject and it may be noteworthy to mention the following correspondence (1) BPMS Letter No. BPMS / MOD / Comp. Apptt. /219 (8/3/L) . dated 04.04.2016 (2). Hon’ble RM’s DO No. 4930/VIP/RM/2016, dated 02.06.2016 (3). MOD ID No. 19(1)/2016-D(Lab), Dated 05.07.2016 (4). OFB letter No. 039(6)/PER/POLICY, Dated 14.07.2016.

Further, this issue has been discussed on several occasion with the present Raksha Mantri also but no action is seen as yet.

On the other hand, the families of dependents are suffering and are becoming desperate on account of inaction on such an important and sensitive issue.

The Central Executive Committee Meeting being held at Dehu Road (Pune) took serious cognizance of the issue and demands that the Government should take immediate necessary steps to solve the issue.

Resolution passed on 28/03/2018.

Railway Board - Promotional Avenue of ESMs in S&T Department

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Promotional Avenue of ESMs in S&T Department

RBE No. 48/2018

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.E(NG)I/20 15 /PM 8/ 1
The General Manager (P)
All Zonal Railways & PUs

New Delhi, dated March 26th March, 2018

Sub: Promotional Avenue of ESMs in S&T Department.,

The issue regarding promotional avenue of ESMs in the S&T Department has been under consideration of the Railway Board. The matter has been examined in detail in consultation with the concerned technical directorate and both the Federations, and it has been decided as under: –

i) Direct Recruitment to the extent of 33-1 / 3% in Signal Maintainer Grade-II to be discontinued subject to 15% Direct Recruitment quota to be introduced in Signal Maintainer Grade-l. The remaining 85% vacancies in Signal Maintainer Grade I is to be filled by promotion·

ii) The revised qualification for ESM Grade-III should be either (a) Matriculation (i.e. 10th Class) and ITI Certificate in Electronic/ Electrical Fitter/ Wireman Trade or (b) Pass in Plus Two stage with Physics and Maths in Higher Secondary or equivalent.

iii) The educational qualification of direct recruiters at Signal maintainer Grade I level should be pass in B.Sc. ·
iv) On one tlme basis to fill up vacancies of Signal Maintainer Grade-III, the residency period for LDCE should be reduced from 3 years to 2 years.

v) The vacancies in Signal Maintainer Grade-Til may be calculated by taking resultant vacancies of higher grade posts of Signal Maintaner.

Please acknowledge receipt.

(D.Joseph)
Joint Director Estt (N)
Railway Board
New Delhi, dated March , 2018

Source: AIRF

National Informatics Centre Informed Government Websites Not Hacked

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Government Websites Not Hacked – Clarification issued by NIC

Ministry of Electronics & IT

Government websites not hacked they become inaccessible due to a technical fault
After due diligence the officials of National Informatics Centre (NIC) have confirmed that Ministry of Defence and any other website hosted in the NIC data centre have not been hacked and there had been no cyber attack of any nature.

The site showed what appeared to be a Chinese character and it was understandable that the site was perceived to be hacked . However, it has since been identified that the sites have not been hacked. Since late afternoon today, due to a technical issue in storage, about 10 Government websites hosted in the NIC data centre became inaccessible to the public.

The website of Ministry of Defence , MHA , Department of public enterprises, Election commission, EPFO, Ministry of Labor, Department of Science & Technology have since been up & running. The NIC team further assured the citizens that services would be restored soon for any other websites if they are facing any problems.

Source: PIB News

Railway Board - 5% GST applicable to supply of food and drinks made available in trains, platforms or stations

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5% GST applicable to supply of food and drinks made available in trains, platforms or stations

Ministry of Finance
5% Uniform rate of GST to apply in all railway catering services in trains or on stations

With a view to remove any doubt or uncertainty in the matter and bring uniformity in the rate of GST applicable to supply of food and drinks made available in trains, platforms or stations, it has been clarified with the approval of the competent authority that the GST rate on supply of food and drinks by the Indian Railways or Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. or their licensees, whether in trains or at platforms (static units), will be 5% without input tax credit. The copy of letter F.No. 354/03/2018-TRU dated 31.03.2018 (Order No. 2/2018 – GST) issued to the Railway Board is available at www.cbec.gov.in .

SC Judgement To Bank Employees

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Anomaly in Computation of Pension – SC Judgement

Anomaly in computation of Pension Civil Appeal No. 5525 of 2012, Filed in the Hon`ble Supreme Court of India by Bank of Baroda & Ors with other Civil Appeals

HR & INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

No.HR&IR/2018-19/G2/4786
April 3, 2018

Chief Executives of Member Banks which
are parties to the 7th Bipartite Settlement

Dear Sir,
Anomaly in computation of Pension Civil Appeal No. 5525 of 2012, Filed in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India by Bank of Baroda & Ors with other Civil Appeals.

On 9-10-1993, a Bi-partite Settlement was signed at Industry level between Indian Banks’ Association (representing member Banks) and Workmen Unions (representing Workmen) under the provisions of Industrial Dispute Act, 1947 for introduction of Pension as a second retiral benefit in lieu of “Banks contribution to Provident fund.” On similar lines a Joint Note dated 29-10-1993 between Indian Banks’ Association (representing member Banks) and Officers Associations (representing Officers) was signed.

2. The respective member Banks in exercise of their power under Section 19 of Banking Companies (Acquisition & transfer of undertakings) Act, 1970/1980 pursuant to above referred Bi-partite Settlement/Joint Note, framed and notified in the Gazette of India “Bank Employees Pension Regulations, 1995.”

3. Another Joint Note/Bi-partite Settlement was signed between respective parties as mentioned herein above on 14-12-1999 and 27-3-2000 respectively relating to Wage revision. As per the provisions of said Joint Note / Bi-partite Settlement, 1684 points of Consumer Price Index (CPI) were merged with existing basic pay of Officers/employees and revised basic pay was worked out accordingly. However, as per agreed terms & conditions, pay for the purpose of pension was worked out after merging 1616 points of CPI as against 1684 points. These provisions were made effective w.e.f. 1-4-1998. As such, pay for the purpose of pension was less than the actual Pay the Employee/Officer concerned was getting on or after 1-4-1998. This anomaly was removed vide Joint Note/Bi-partite Settlement signed on 2-6-2005. However, monetary benefits were given w.e.f. 1-5-2005.

4. Due to this anomaly, the employees/Officers who retired after 1-4-1998, including those who retired under Special Voluntary Retirement Scheme, 2000 filed various Writ Petitions before different Hon’ble High Courts, praying that they be held entitled to Payment of Pension on the basis of actual average pay drawn by them during last 10 months as per the provisions of Bank Employees Pensions Regulations, 1995.

5. When the matter came up before Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka and Madras, the Hon’ble Courts decided the matter against Banks and ultimately concerned Banks approached Hon’ble Supreme Court by filing Civil Appeals viz., CA No 5525/2012, 6254/2012, 5611/2012, 3026-3253/2013, 3257-3262/2013, 11205-11340/2014, 11342-11435/2014, 9533-9646/2014, 8557/2014, 4711-4800/2014 and 1880/2018, 1881-1888/2018, 1890/2018, 1892-1912/2018, 1918/2018, 1919-2087 and 2088-2092/2018.

6. The Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its order dated 13/2/2018 (copy enclosed) have dismissed these appeals filed by the Banks and inter-alia has held that:-

“17…the provisions contained in Regulation 35 also make an incumbent entitled for opting the pension on the basis of average emoluments. The average emoluments have to be calculated on the basis of the preceding ten months. Adding Explanation (c) to Regulation 2(s), as done, could have created no fictional basis in view of clear and unambiguous provisions in other provisions of the Regulations. Besides, the definition of the average emoluments in Regulation 2(d) itself makes it clear that it is average pay drawn “during the last ten months” of his service by an employee. It cannot mean pay drawn by the employee even before several years. Mentionably there is no amendment made in the aforesaid provision of Regulation 2(d) and the expression during the preceding last ten months before date of retirement is clearly culled out in Regulation 38(1) and 38(2). Thus, in our considered opinion, the view taken by the then Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen as he then was, at Karnataka High Court and by the High Court of Madras are appropriate and the view taken by the Delhi High Court cannot be said to be sustainable for the various other reasons too mentioned hereinafter.

29. Thus, in our opinion, the Regulations which were in force till 2003, would apply with full force and as a matter of fact, the amendments made in it by addition of Explanation (c) in Regulation 2(s) did not have the effect of amending the Regulations relating to pension, as contained in Regulation 38 read with Regulations 2(d) and 35 of the Regulations of 1995. Even otherwise, if it had the effect of amending the pay and perks ‘average emoluments’, as specified in Regulation 2(d), it could not have operated retrospectively and taken away accrued rights. Otherwise also, it would have been arbitrary exercise of power. Besides, there was no binding statutory force of the so called Joint Note of the Officers’ Association, as admittedly, to Officers’ Association even the provisions of Industrial Disputes Act were not applicable and Joint note had no statutory support, and it was not open to forgo the benefits available under the Regulations to those officers who have retired from 1.4.1998 till December 1999 and thereafter, and to deprive them of the benefits of the Regulations. Thus, by the Joint Note that has been relied upon, no estoppel said to have been created. There is no estoppel as against the enforcement of statutory provisions. The Joint Note had no force of law and could not have been against the spirit of the statutory Regulations and the basic service conditions, as envisaged under the Regulations framed under the Act of 1970. They could not have been tinkered with in an arbitrary manner, as has been laid down by this Court in Central Inland Water Transport Corporation Limited & Anr. vs. Brojo Nath Ganguly & Anr., (1986) 3 SCC 156 & Delhi Transport Corporation vs D.T.C. Mazdoor Congress, (1991) Supp.1 SCC 600.

33. The only purpose of the addition of Explanation (c) to Regulation 2(s), was to take away the actual computation of the pension on the basis of the salary, which was drawn in the preceding ten months. Thus, we have to hesitation to strike it down being arbitrary and repugnant to other provisions/Regulations namely 2(d), 38(1)(2) and 35. The Explanation (c) to Regulation 2(s) is hereby struck down, as it could not have been enacted retrospectively to take away accrued rights. Even otherwise also it is held to be arbitrary and irrational. More so, in view of the fact that only by way of a temporary measure, that discrimination was created and the Explanation was deleted with effect from 1.5.2005.”

34. Thus, we set aside the judgment rendered by the High Court of Delhi and affirm that of High Courts of Karnataka at Bangalore and the High Court of Madras. The appeals filed by the Banks are dismissed and the appeal filed by the Association is allowed. Resultantly, let the amount which was due and payable be paid with 9% interest, be calculated and paid within four months from today.

35. All pending applications stand disposed of.”

7. The matter was put up to the Managing Committee of IBA in its meeting held on 28.3.2018. The committee resolved that the judgement of the Hon’ble Supreme Court may be forwarded to all member banks which are party to above mentioned Joint Note / Bipartite Settlement for their necessary action. As such, a copy of the judgement of Hon’ble Supreme Court is enclosed.

8. As directed by Managing Committee we have taken a Legal Opinion to know the impact of the judgement on various Banks which is given below:
(a) All Nationalized Banks who have Pension Regulations, 1995 will have to give effect to the judgement and pay the differential arrears in the amount of Pension which was due and payable with 9% interest within 4 months from the date of judgement i.e. 13.02.2018.

(b) Banks incorporated under special statutes will also have to give effect to the judgement if they have implemented provisions of the above mentioned Joint Note / 7th Bipartite Settlement.

(c) Private Banks which are not amenable to the Writ jurisdiction of the Hon’ble High Courts/Supreme Court, though can take the plea that captioned judgement is not applicable to them, should also give effect and comply with the captioned judgement if they have implemented provisions of the above mentioned Joint Note/7th Bipartite Settlement. The view expressed in this point Is based on the possibility that if the employees of the Private Banks approach the Civil Court on the basis of said Hon’ble Supreme Court judgement, they would procure a favourable verdict.

Yours faithfully,
B Raj Kumar
Deputy Chief Executive

Authority: http://www.iba.org.in/



NFIR - Transport Allowance To The Railway Employees

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Transport Allowance to the Railway employees – Deprival of higher rate to those working in pay Level 1 & 2 – NFIR

No.IV/NFIR/7CPC(Imp)/Allowance/2016/Part I

Dated: 08/0412018

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Government’s decision on recommendation of the 7th Central Pay Commission – Transport Allowance to the Railway employees – Deprival of higher rate to those working in pay Level 1 & 2-reg.

Ref:
(i) Railway Board’s leffer No.PC/V/2017/A/TA/1 dated 17/08/2017 (RBE No.9612017).
(ii) NFIR’s letter No.IV/NFIR/7CPC/Allowance/2016/Part I dated 28/08/2017.
(iii) Railway Board’s letter No.PC-V/2015/PNM/NFIR/4 dated 17/20-1l-2017.

Federation does not agree with the view taken by the Railway Ministry in this case as conveyed to NFIR vide Board’s letter dated 17/20-11-2017. Federation wants that the Railway Ministry should prepare proper case based on the facts and contentions of NFIR as explained in our letter dated 28/08/2017 tobe placed before DoP&T/MoF.

II. Federation reiterates that as a result of issuance of instructions dated 17/08/2017, a situation has arisen wherein the Railway employees in Pay Level 3, drawing pay Rs. 21,700/- and above upto Level 8 hitherto entitled for Transport Allowance @ Rs. 3600 + DA thereon (in A1/A class cities and in other cities @ Rs.1800 + DA thereon) have been deprived of the said rate due to the new norm for entitlement only when their pay reaches Rs.24,2001/-.

III. Further it is relevant to take note that pursuant to acceptance of the recommendations of 5th CPC and 6th CPC, the rates revised as follows:-

(a) Recommendations of 5th CPC – Transport Allowance RBE No. 179/1997 (rates w.e.f. 01/08/1997)

S.No.
Pay Scale of the Employees
A1/ A class city
Other Places
1
Rs.8000-13500 or above
800
400
2
Rs.6500-10500 or above but below Rs.8000-13500
400
200
3
Below Rs.6500-10500
100
75
 Above position reveals that all the employees working in pay scale below Rs. 6500-10500 i.e. upto Rs. 6000-9800 (S1 to S10A) were allowed Transport Allowance at the uniform rate of Rs. 100/- p.m. in A1/A class cities irespective of their pay.

(b) The Railway Board vide circular (RBE No.111/2008 – effective from 01/09/2008 and RBE No.95/2015) had prescribed following rates for payment of Transport Allowance to the  Railway employees.
Employees drawing Grade Pay of Rate of
Transport Allowance for A1/ A class cities
GP 5400 & above
3200 + DA
GP 4200 – 4800, GP below 4200 and pay in pay band: Rs.7440
1600 + DA
GP below 4200 and Pay below Rs.7440
600 + DA

IV. From the comparison of two tables mentioned above, it could be seen that the Railway employees were allowed higher rate of Transport Allowance on drawing pay Rs. 7440/- irrespective of Grade Pay/Pay Band. The modified Board’s instructions issued vide letter dated 03/08/2017 and I7/08/2017, have deprived the Transport Allowance @ Rs. 3600+DA thereon to those in Pay Level 1 and 2 (7th CPC) due to imposition of restriction i.e. reaching the pay Rs.24700/- ignoring the fact that the staff were already drawing pay @ Rs.7440 in 6th CPC Pay Band/Grade Pay.

Federation, therefore requests the Railway Ministry to kindly anange to make out case in the light of NFIR’s contentions for rendering justice to those staff of Pay Level 1 & 2 for granting Transport Allowance at rate i.e. 3600/- + DA thereon when they reach the corresponding pay @ Rs.21700/- and not 24200/- to meet the ends of justice and refer to MoF.

A copy of the reference made to the MoF may be endorsed to the Federation for taking follow up action.

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

Source: NFIR

IBA Circular - Anomaly In Computation Of Pension

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Anomaly in computation of Pension – IBA Circular

Anomaly in computation of Pension Civil Appeal No. 5525 of 2012, Filed in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India by Bank of Baroda & Ors with other Civil Appeals.HR & INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

No.HR&IR/2018-19/G2/4829
April 6, 2018

Chief Executives of Member Banks which
Are parties to the 7th Bipartite Settlement

Dear Sir/Madam,

CORRIGENDUM

Anomaly in computation of Pension Civil Appeal No. 5525 of 2012, Filed in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India by Bank of Baroda & Ors with other Civil Appeals.

Please refer to our circular No. HR&IR/2018-19/G2/4786 dated 3rd April 2018 on the captioned subject.

2. There is a typographical error in the date mentioned in para (I) of the above circular. Kindly read as under-

“ On 29-10-1993, a Bi-partite Settlement was signed at Industry level between India Banks’ Association (representing member Banks) and Workmen Unions (representing Workmen) under the provisions of Industrial Dispute Act, 1947 for introduction of Pension as a second retiral benefit in lieu of “Banks contribution to Provident fund”. On similar lines a Joint Note dated 29-10-1993 between Indian Banks’ Association (representing member Banks) and Officers Association (representing Officers) was signed”.

Inconvenience caused is regretted.

Yours faithfully,

B Raj Kumar
Deputy Chief Executive


Authority: http://www.iba.org.in/

NFIR WRITES TO MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

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NFIR WRITES TO MINISTER OF RAILWAYS


No.II/95/2018

Dated: 05/04/2018

Shri Piyush Goyal,
Hon’ble Minister of Railways & Coal,
Rail Bhavan,
New Delhi

Respected Sir,

Sub: Meeting with the Federations on 4th April, 2018 at Rail Bahvan, New Delhi-reg.

Ref: Railway Board’s letter No. 2018/E(LR)III/Ref/NFIR & AIRF/03 dated 02/04/2018.

While thanking you for sparing your valuable time and joining the Federations during discussions with Member Staff on 4th April, 2018 at Rail Bhavan, New Delhi, I desire to bring your kind notice that though agreements were reached on the following issues years back, between the full Board and the Federations, the orders are however yet to be issued:-

(i) Stepping up of pay of Loco Inspectors inducted prior to 01/01/2006.
(ii) Replacement of 6th CPC GP 4600 with GP 4800.
(iii) Upgradation of Apex Level Group ‘C’ posts of 6th CPC GP 4600 to GP 4800 (3335 posts).

You may kindly appreciate that abnormal delay on the part of Railway Ministry has been causing disappointment among Railway employees in general and those working in critical safety categories in particular. I seek your kind intervention to see that Railway Board issues orders for implementation of commitment on the above.

Yesterday i.e. on 04th April, 2018, during discussions I made a special appeal to you to reach the Finance Minister and Hon’ble Prime Minister for exempting Railways from the National Pension System (NPS), considering the uniqueness of Railways and its complex working and un-comparable nature of duties being performed by Railway employees under open sky facing all odds for ensuring uninterrupted movement of trains and maintenance of infrastructure. I am thankful to you for positive response on the subject. I however, once again appeal to you to kindly take special initiative so that Railways is exempted from NPS. I also enclose copy of my letter No. IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL/Part I dated 19/03/2018 for kind perusal and necessary action.

Yours sincerely,

(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

View letter

Source: NFIR

NFIR - Exemption of Railways from New Pension Scheme (NPS)

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Exemption of Railways from New Pension Scheme (NPS)


No.IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL/Part I

Dated: 19/03/2018

Shri Piyush Goyal,
Hon’ble Minister of Railways,
Rail Bhavan,
New Delhi

Dear Shri Goyalji,

Sub: Exemption of Railways from New Pension Scheme (NPS) –reg.

Ref: (i) Hon’ble MR’s D.O. No. 2012/F(E)III/1/4-Pt dated 29th March 2014 to Hon’ble Finance Minister, Government of India
(ii) Hon’ble MR’s D.O. No. 2012/F(E)III/1/1/4-Pt dated 20th Nov 2015 to the Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitely.
(iii)NFIR’s letter No. IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL/Part I dated 13th Feb, 2017, 26th Oct, 2017 and 11/12/2017.
(iv) Railway Board’s letter No. 2012/F(E)/III/1(1)/4-Pt dated 13/02/2018 to GS/NFIR.

Kind attention is invited to the correspondence cited under reference, latest being Railway Board’s reply received vide letter dated 13/02/2018 wherein the Federation has been conveyed that the Hon’ble Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs has communicated that the matter was re-considered in consultation with Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and the request for exempting Railway employees appointed on or after 01/01/2004 from the application of NPS does not seem to be a feasible proposition. While NFIR does not agree with the reply of Hon’ble Finance Minister, the Federation re-iterates the valid points placed below, urging upon the Railway Ministry to impress upon the Government, the need for exempting Railways from “National Pension System (NPS).

The Ministry of Finance and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) have failed to appreciate the facts that the nature of duties performed by the Railway employees is un-comparable, unique, complex, hazardous and akin to the duties being performed by the Armed Forces, in whose case the NPS has not been made applicable.

The Finance Ministry has also failed to appreciate that even during the British rule the Indian Railways was conceived and operated as an auxilary wing of the Army by virtue of its complex nature of role and uniqueness of working of Railway employees which in turn requires a high degree of discipline, efficiency to run the services and carry passenger and freight traffic throughout the country including supplies to the borders of the nation.

The Finance Ministry has also failed to evaluate that it is the Indian Railways which works as supply line to the Armed Forces during crisis periods by transporting troops from one corner to the other including the nation’s borders besides transporting Military hardware and other war material. In no way the performance of Railway employees can be underestimated than that of the Defence Forces Personnel.

Like Armed Forces, many of the Railway Personnel do stay away from their families for longer durations in the course of performing duties at remote places where minimum basic amenities like suitable accommodation, schooling, drinking water, health care facilities have been missing. Comparing the structure and importance of Railways with that of the Army, it would not be out of place to state that just as the “Army requires a critical mass to fight battle/war, in similar way critical mass of trained employees is required to maintain Railway Tracks, Rolling Stock and ensure operation of services”. On an average over 700 Railway employees die per annum while performing their duties and nearly 3000 employees sustain injuries as reported by High Level Safety Review Committee (HLSRC) headed by Shri Anil Kakodkar. The sacrifices of Railway employees are unparallel.

Considering the strong merits in the demand of the Federation, Hon’ble MRs have written to the Minister of Finance to have a re-look into the case to be considered favourably to exempt Railways from the ambit of National Pension System (NPS)

Federation desires to mention that the Finance Ministry has erred and equally not considered the justified demand of the Railway employees projected by NFIR, perhaps applying different logic and ignoring the facts mentioned above. In this connection, NFIR reminds that the Federation leaders in the meeting held on 09th February, 2018 at Rail Bhavan, New Delhi had specifically requested the Hon’ble MR to kindly reach the Hon’ble Prime Minister for getting Railways exempted from the application of National Pension System (NPS). It is a known fact that the NPS has generated lot of anger and anguish among the younger generation of Railway employees appointed on or after 01/01/2004 due to the inherent disadvantages of the NPS which does not guarantee even minimum pension i.e. half of the last pay drawn by the Railway employees.

NFIR, therefore, once again urges upon the Hon’ble MR to kindly take steps for reaching the Hon’ble Prime Minister for getting exemption of Railways from NPS at an early date.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

(Dr. M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary.

Source: NFIR

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