Justification to Scrap New Pension Scheme by AIRF

Justification to Scrap New Pension Scheme by AIRF ALL INDIA RAILWAYMEN'S FEDERATION No.AIRF/24(C)                                            Dated: February 13, 2014 The Executive Director, Estt.(IR), Railway Board, New Delhi Dear Madam, Sub: Justification to Scrap New Pension Scheme It was agreed in the Joint Meeting, held on 7th February, 2014 with Full Board that, necessary material/justification may also be furnished by the Federations for proposed reference to be sent to Hon’ble Finance Minister from the Hon’ble Minister for Railways. Accordingly, we are sending herewith a detailed justification for taking necessary action in the matter. Encl: As above AIRF's Justification to Scrap New Pension Scheme (NPS) 1. Discriminatory treatment between two sets of Railway employees viz - one appointed before 01.01.04 and the others appointed on 01.01.2004 and thereafter. 2. Although the contribution is defined, the benefit has not been defined. 3. Extract from Railway Safety Review Committee, 1998 - vide para 2.1.1 and para 2.1.2 the Committee has recommended that the working in the Railways is more closely allied to the armed forces than the sometimes lacks civilian forms. As such railwaymen cannot be bracketed with other Central Govt. Employees for the purpose of Social benefit. Para 2.1.1 During the colonial period, the Railways was conceived and operated as an auxiliary wing of the Army, primarily because it provided the transport muscle that enabled rapid movement of troops across the Indian sub- continent. There was, however, another less visible but important reason for the close linkage with the Army. The colonisers realized that the Railways, by virtue of its complex nature, required a high degree of discipline and efficiency to be able to perform its role as the prime transport mode. This , in turn, meant a system of working more closely allied to the Armed Forces than the sometimes lax civilian forms. Thus ,historically, Indian Railways (IR) has functioned differently from other Government institutions. Para 2.1.2  "....It is not only unrealistic but also dangerous to treat the Railways and its problems on par with other Government departments which has unfortunately been the case during the last five decades....." 4. Committee on railway safety was appointed by the Ministry of Railway under the Chairmanship of Dr. Anil Kakodkar. Vide para 2.3 of the report is cited below:                                                    Killed                                       Injured                                       Railwaymen                              1,600                                      8,700 Passenger / Public                       1,019                                      2,118 (Unmanned Level Crossing)         723                                          690 It would be seen that number of Railwaymen killed and injured while on duty during the period 2007 - 08 to October, 2011 was much more than passenger and public killed during the year. 5. Railwaymen are the second line of Defence. During Chinese aggression in the year 1962 there was massive exodus of civil population near in Arunachal Pradesh and North Bank of Brahmaputra, currency notes were burnt at the order of Dy. Commissioner, Tezpur (Sonitpur), the jail birds were freed but the Railwaymen did not leave their duty post. In this connection extract from Special Gazette published by the Railway Board during Railway Week, 1963 is given below. "On the night of 20/21 November, 1962 following the exodous of Civil Population from Rangapara North in the Wake of reported Chinese advance Shri Rakhal Das Banerjee bravely struck to this post in the Station, displaying an extra ordinary sense of duty and great courage, he ensured safe custody of Railway Cash amounting to Rs. 26 lakhs". Similarly when Pakistan attacked India during 1965, the Railwaymen at the Western Sector saved lives of thousands and thousands of people by sacrificing their own lives while Bomb was exploded on Oil Tankers (Railway Wagon Tanker) (This News was appeared in the Railwaymen of 1965, may be 1966), they parted the effected wagons from the rest, but in the effort an good number of Railwaymen burnt alive. Braving insurgency, Railwaymen continued to maintained the services in North Eastern Region, Naxual infested areas in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh etc. In May 2008, Loco Pilot of Lumding N. F. Railway saved lives of many persons at the cost of his own life and he was awarded „KIRTI CHAKRA‟. The incident is as under. "On 15th May, 2008, Shri N. N. Bora, Loco Pilot, Lumding was booked to work Security Special from Lumding. When the Special reached near Tunnel No. 3 at KM 57/12 between Lumding - Badarpur section terrorist pumped bullets injuring Shri N. N. Bora critically. Despite critical injury Shri Bora‟s devotion to duty and presence of mind worked, the train was pushed back to a safer place and Shri Bora succumbed to the u\injury. He could save lives of all his colleagues in the train, sacrificing his life". 6. NPS is an additional financial burden in the Railways Exchequer. Indian Railway is paying pension and family pension and in addition to that the Indian Railway is to contributing 10% of pay and 10% of Dearness Allowance to the Pension Fund (NPS). At present the number of New Pension Holders are 4.5 Lakhs taking the average salary of such newly recruited persons as Rs. 20,000, at present the Railway is paying Rs. 2160 Crores annually towards Pension Fund. This will go on increasing with more and more persons to be recruited vice retirement and the amount will also be compounded because of annual increment, increase in the rates of Dearness allowance, MACP & Promotional benefits. This is the additional burden which the railway will have to bear with its compound effect from coming years to years on the Railway's Finance. 7. Effect on Industrial relation Gradually the number of new recruitees on or after 01.01.2004 will take over the number of persons appointed prior to 01.01.2004 and they will compel their pre 01.01.2004 counterparts to join precipitate ve action to secure their (NPS Holders) rightful claim of social security i.e. Pension and Family Pension and this will leads to serious industrial unrest in the Railway Industry. Taking all these factors into consideration all Railwaymen irrespective of date of appointment should be covered under Pension and Family Pension Scheme. Source:AIRF

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Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus to Railway employees for the year 2012- 13-AIRF-NFIR

Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus to Railway employees for the year 2012- 13-AIRF-NFIR No.A1RF1387/13/ NFIR/1/l0/Pt.IV                                               Dated: 17/09/2013 The Chairman, Railway Board, Rail Bhavan, New Delhi Dear Sir, Sub:- Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus to Railway employees for the year 2012- 13—reg. The Railway Board are aware that due to the continued initiatives of both the Federations involving all categories of employees, the efficiency of the Indian Railways has been improving from year to year. It is worth-mentioning that over three decades, not a single man day was lost and this has been possible due to the matured approach on the part of the two major railwaymen’s Federations. 2. Last year, the railway employees have been paid PL Bonus equivalent to 78 days wages with notional calculation at Rs. 3500/- p.m. On comparison with the performance of the year 2011- 12, the Indian Railways have achieved still better results during the year 2012-13 with the freight traffic exceeding one Billion Tonnes, and emerging as 4th best Railways in the World. Due to the dedication of railway employees, the Operating Ratio of 88.8% could be achieved during the year 2012-13. 3. The Federations are however shocked to note that the PL Bonus days are proposed to be reduced in the name of “Capital Weightage and modified Staff Strength”. This news has spread to the different corners of Indian Railways, consequently disappointment and anger is growing among rank and file of the Railway employees. In fact, Railway employees are expecting more bonus this time than the previous year in view of good results achieved during the year 2012-13. 4. During discussions with the Railway Board (CRB, FC & MS) on 16th September, 2013 the leaders of the two Federations (AIRF and NFIR) have conveyed the hurt feelings of workers on the proposed reduction of PL Bonus and urged upon the Board to take note of the serious field situation, It was also made clear that the Federations are not in a position to accept any reduction in PLB days. 5. It is also relevant to mention that the PL Bonus Scheme was evolved in the year 1979 for providing substantial motivation to the workforce towards achieving higher production by way of increased output and improved quality of service. The railwaymen/women have given best account of themselves during the year 2012-13, consequently the freight performance was highest ever and equally the Operating Ratio was good. In view of this, the Railway employees cannot afford to accept any reduction in the PL Bonus days. They, in fact, expect more Bonus this time. 6. We, therefore, appeal that Railway Ministry should take initiative for ensuring payment of PL Bonus more than the previous year in order to create motivation among the Railway employees. The infirmities in the present calculation formula are required to be reviewed through negotiations later on and for reaching consensus, the Federations will participate in the discussions with open- mindedness. Summing up, the Federations trust that the Railway Ministry would solve the matter satisfactorily for preserving the decades long industrial peace and preventing agitation in the Railways. Yours faithfully, sd/- (Shiva Gopal Mishra) General Secretary/AIRF sd/- (M. Raghavaiah) General Secretary/NFIR Source :AIRF

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Grant of Financial upgradation under MACPS to the employees holding feeder post in a cadre where promotional post is in same Grade Pay

Grant of Financial upgradation under MACPS to the employees holding feeder post in a cadre where promotional post is in same Grade Pay GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (Railway Board) No PC-V/2011/M/4/NFIR New Delhi, dated 05.03.2013 The General Secretary NFIR 3, Chelmsford Road, New Delhi-110055 Sir, Sub :- Grant of Financial upgradation under MACPS to the employees holding feeder post in a cadre where promotional post is in same Grade Pay. The undersigned is directed to refer to NFIR’s letter No. IV/MACPS/09/Pt-6, dated 31/01/2013 and to state that the provisions contained in Para-1 of Annexure to Board’s letter dt.10-06-09 may be read alongwith the provision contained in Para-8 of Annexure to said letter dated 10-06-09 which stipulates that promotions earned in the Post carrying same Grade Pay in the promotional hierarchy as per Recruitment Rules shall be counted for the purpose of MACP Scheme. It is further stated that on receipt of references from Zonal Railways seeking clarification as to what Grade Pay would be admissible under MACPS to an employee holding feeder post in a cadre where promotional post is in the same Grade pay, a reference was made to DoP&T seeking their clarification. Based on the clarifications given by DOP&T, Board’s letter dated 13-12-2012 has been issued Since DoP&T is nodal department, of Govt. on the subject of MACPS, this Ministry is not in position to deviate from the instructions/clarifications issued by them. In view of the above, Federations is requested may please appreciate the position. Yours faithfuly, sd/- for Secretarty/Railway Board Source : NFIR

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AIRF’s proposal for Railway Budget 2013-14

AIRF’s proposal for Railway Budget 2013-14. ALL INDIA RAIWAYMEN’S FEDERATION D.O.No.AIRF/60               Dated: January 30, 2013 Respected Shri Bansal Ji, Sub: Proposals for the Rail Budget 2013-14 All India Railwaymen’s  Federation, the oldest and largest organization of the Railwaymen in India, takes this privilege to  put-forth the following important proposals with the hope that the same would receive due consideration in the Rail Budget 2013-14, which not only help moral boosting of  the Railwaymen, but also improve upon the Railway Industry as a whole: 1. Educational Facilities for the children of Railwaymen  Educational Institutions in majority are being run by the private  entrepreneurs, with the result that,not only higher education but also education up to Intermediate level is day-by-day becoming beyond the reach of common Railwayman in general and were particularly the low paid  Railway Staff. Taking this aspect into consideration, the then Hon’ble Minister for Railways had made proposals in the Rail Budget to open Central School, Technical Education Institutions and Medical Institutions on railway land to provide better educational facilities to Railwaymen’s  children on the persuasion of AIRF. These proposals could not be materialized due to financial crunch, as such there is glaring need to provide adequate funds for this purpose. 2. Medical Facilities  The existing medical facilities are quite inadequate, particularly because of shortage of Railway doctors and paramedical staff, besides inadequacy of infrastructure facility of Mobile Medical Vans was, therefore, thought of to provide medical facilities for the staff and their family members posted on roadside stations and remote areas. Again, due to financial crunch, this proposal has not been implemented as yet. Adequate budget allotment for provision of at least 6-7 Mobile Medical Vans in each division may, therefore be done in the Rail Budget 2013-14.2 3. Extension of LARSGESS Scheme  The safety of Rail operation  is  supreme for all of us. The safety related Voluntary Retirement Scheme was, therefore, introduced for the staff of Safety categories, initially for Trackman and Loco Pilots after though consideration of all the related aspects. The scope of this scheme with modified  nomenclature of LARSGESS was subsequently extended covering all the safety staff in Grade Pay Rs. 1800 and Rs 1900 sustained  persuasion of AIRF. This scheme further needs extension of scope covering all the staff working up to Grade Pay of Rs 4200 and Rs 4600 and the appointment of the wards under this scheme be made on the basis of  compassionate  ground  appointment, appointment of medically de-categorized staff and the children of land losers, so that young blood are inducted in the safety categories for safe operation of trains. 4. Staff Benefit Fund  The fund allotted under this head is used for several welfare activities of Railwaymen including Women Empowerment, Education assistance to girl- child of low paid staff etc. The per capita allotment is still inadequate as such needs to be enhanced to Rs. 800/- in the ensuing Rail Budget. 5. Maintenance of Railway Quarters and Colonies  During the last few years a conation of Railway Quarters and Colonies has destroyed rustically because of non availability of adequate fund, as a result of which,  the residence of Railway employees and his family members continue to face adequate hardship on this account. With this view, to provide some relief to them, adequate fund allotment may be ensured during the current Budget so that maintenance and up keep of Railway quarters and colonies is possible. Here it is worth mentioning that in CPWD, per quarter maintenance cost has been provided Rs.35,000(Thirty Five  Thousand) in  comparison  to  the Railways of Rs.10,000(Rupees Ten Thousand ) which also does not use to be spent. Our demand for  Maintenance  Allowance to cover minor repairs/white washing/painting of quarters should also be considered. 6. Absorption of Quasi-Administrative Staff in the Railways  The issue of absorption of quasi-administrative offices staff in the Railways was raised by the AIRF several times in various Negotiating Fora, but unfortunately, up-till now, nothing has been done in this regard. We also brought their apathies before your goof-self. Absorption of quasi-administrative offices staff in the Railways will not only help their regularization in the Railways but also Railways will get a trained manpower. 7. Appointment of substitutes at DRM’s/CWM’s level to fill up the large number of vacancies  There continued to remain large numbers of vacancies unfilled, particularly in Safety  Category,which we are of opinion,    is safety hazards. The present system of recruitment through RRC in erstwhile in Group ‘D’ category does not fulfill requirement. As such, the time tested process of engaging substitutes at DRM’s/CWM’s level is to be revised, wherein preference should be given to the wards of Railway employees. This would not only provide employment to the ward of Railway employees but also will help in smooth Rail operations. 8. Improvement in Training Facilities  Indian Railways are progressing towards modernization for providing World  Class service to rail users, for which  technical advancement is  inevitable. Staff are, therefore, required to impart adequate training to educate them. With latest technology, the training facility therefore, needs to be upgraded and modernized to make them capable of imparting adequate training for staff, for which sufficient fund allocation needs to be done in the Rail Budget. 9. Privilege passes for Parents  In almost all the organization, viz. Defense, Airways etc., the parents of the staff  avail the facility of free travel on par with staff, i.e. both father and mother are entitle for free travel to the serving wards. Unfortunately, in Indian Railways, a mother can only avail this facility after death of his husband,which is highly unfair. The Railways should therefore, have gesture to provide privilege passes to father and mother of Railway employees also. 10. Creation of posts  As creation of post is required for maintenance and commercial activities of Railways. Posts  are created on matching saving basis, on account of which, the required number of posts are not created commensurate with the requirement. Due to inadequate Ticket Checking staff, there is remarkable Financial loss because a number of coaches remain unmanned,  providing scope for irregular traveling of the passengers. Similarly, shortage of the maintenance staff does result in a proper maintenance of rolling stock, track and signaling etc., which endangers the safety of train operations.Therefore, there is urgent need of create adequate posts for the above purpose, for which funds allotment would be necessary. 11. Non-Introduction of new trains  It has been observed in all the Rail Budgets that more than 100 new trains use to be introduced and numbers of services use to increase in weekly or by weekly trains without creation of posts and provision of staff and infrastructure which leads stress on staff and safety also use to be endanger. Therefore, it is requested that no new trains should be introduced without creation of staff and  provision of infrastructure. AIRF is confident that the Hon’ble Railway Minister for Railways would give serious consideration to our above proposals to make announcement through the Rail Budget 2013-14. Source : AIRF

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AIRF has extended its support to General Strike proposed by the Central Trade Unions on 20th and 21st, Feb., 2013.

AIRF has extended its support to General Strike proposed by the Central Trade Unions on 20th and 21st, Feb., 2013. AIRF ALL INDIA RAILWAYMEN'S FEDERATION 4, State Entry Road, New Delhi-110055 INDIA Dated : February 13, 2013 No.AIRF/376 The General Secretaries, All Affiliated Unions, Dear Coms, Sub: Support to “General Strike” proposed by the Central Trade Unions As you are aware that the 88th Annual Conference of All India Raliwaymen's Federation, met at Vishakhapatnam from 18th to 20th December, 2012, had decided to reiterate its all out support to the programme drawn in the National Convention of all the Central Trade Unions, held on 4th September, 2012 at Talkalora Stadium, New DeIhi (Resolution No.5). It has, therefore, been decided by the All India Railwaymen’s Federation to extend its fullest support to the countrywide two days “General Strike” proposed by the Central Trade Unions on 20th and 21st February, 2013 on the following demands: 1. No contractonsation of works of permanent/perennial nature of wages and benefits to the contract workers at the same rate as available to the regular workers of the industry/establishment. 2. Amendment of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage irrespective of the schedules and fixation of statutory minimum wage at not less than Rs. 10,000 linked with Cost Price Index. 3. Remove all ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus, Provident Fund: Increase the quantum of gratuity. 4. Assured pension for all. 5. Compulsory registration of the Trade Unions within a period of 45 days and mediate ratification of the ILO Conventions Nos.87 and 98. You are, therefore, advised to conduct gate meetings, demonstrations, dharnas, protest rallies etc, at all the important places to ensure our solidarity to CTUs’ call of two days’ "General Strike”. In this connection, we are also enclosing herewith a copy of the appeal made by all the Central Trade Unions. End: As above Comradely yours, sd/- (Shiva Gopal Mishra) General Secretary Dated 4.1.2013 APPEAL TO ALL THE WORKERS & UNIONS TO MAKE 20-21 FEBRUARY GENERAL STRIKE A GRAND SUCCESS All the 11 Central Unions along with independent Employees / workers Federations are jointly appealing to all workers in the country to gear up in large number at the grass root level to prepare and to go on strike on 20-21st Feb.2013. Since the Government has become more aggressive and has not shown any interest to consider our demands, we are compelled to go for two days All India General Strike. It is only through this action the Govt. could be made to come out from its adamant attitude. To pressurize the Govt. to shed the anti labour attitude, it is very necessary and important to participate in the strike on 20-21 Feb. 2012.  Once again, we all the 11 Central Trade Unions appeal to all the working people of our nation to make the strike a grand success. sd/- BMS sd/- INTUC sd/- AITUC sd/- HMS sd/- CITU sd/- AIUTUC sd/- TUCC sd/- SEWA sd/- AICCTU sd/- LPF sd/- UTUC Dated 4.1.2013 APPEAL TO ALL THE UNIONS AND FEDERATIONS IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR TO JOIN 20-21 FEBRUARY STRIKE Dear Friends, Taking into consideration of the Govt’s aggressive attitude towards working people, all the Central Trade Unions and other independent unions and Federations have unanimously decided to go on 2 days strike on 20-21 Feb. 2013. The sky rise inflation, disinvestment of the profit making public sector undertakings including financial sector and non-implementation of labour laws, etc. has become the order of the day. To pressurize the Govt. to shed the anti labour attitude, it becomes necessary to observe the All India Strike on 20-21 Feb. 2013. The National Convention of the CTUs on 4th Sept. 2012 has taken the decision to go for two days strike. Considering the importance of the issues being faced by the working class, it is necessary that all employees and workers including in the banking and insurance sector to participate in the strike. We appeal to the employees and officers in the financial sector to make the strike a grand success by extending full support and keeping the entire sector closed on 20-21st Feb. 2013. sd/- BMS sd/- INTUC sd/- AITUC sd/- HMS sd/- CITU sd/- AIUTUC sd/- TUCC sd/- SEWA sd/- AICCTU sd/- LPF sd/- UTUC  Source: AIRF

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Treatment of employees selected under LDCE Scheme / GDCE Scheme.

Treatment of employees selected under LDCE Scheme / GDCE Scheme. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS RAILWAY BOARD No. PC-V/2011/M/3/AIRF New Delhi, dated 05/02/2013 The General Secretary AIRF 4, State Entry Road, New Delhi - 110055 Sir, Sub:-Treatment of employees selected under LDCE Scheme/GDCE Scheme. The undersigned is directed to refer to AIRF’s letter No.AIRF/MACP (9), dt. 08/01/2013 on the above subject and to state that on perusal of para 140(i) of IREM Volume-I, it has been observed as under- 1. 75% of the posts in the category of Chargeman ‘B’ in scale Rs.1400-2300 in Mech. & Elec. Eng., Deptts. & in the cadre of Draftsmen in these Departments will be filled by induction of Apprentice Mechanics as under:—- (i). 50% plus shortfall, if any, against inter apprentice quota as at (ii) below, from open market through Railway Recruitment Board, and (ii) 25% from serving employees fulfilling the following qualification:- (a) Must have passed ITI  Act Apprenticeship in the relevant trade or 10+2 in science stream. It is evident from the above position of IREM that it prescribes 50% quota in chargeman 'B’ grade to be filled from open market i.e by direct recruitment and another 25% quota has been earmarked to be filled from amongst serving employees. As such only those employees who have been appointed as chargeman 'B’ against 50% quota prescribed to be filled from open market can be treated as direct recruits in that grade and the case of employees selected against 25% quota earmarked to be filled from serving employees shall be treated as promotion for MACP purposes. Yours faithfully, sd/- for Secretary / Railway Board Source: AIRF

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