Important Proposals for General Budget to Finance Minister – All India Railwaymen’s Federation

Important Proposals for General Budget to Finance Minister – All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF)

Important Proposals for General Budget to Finance Minister – AIRF

AIRF has sent suggestions for General Budget to Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley.

A.I.R.F.
All India Railwaymen’s Federation
4, State Entry Road, New Delhi – 110055

No.AIRF/60

Dated: January 20, 2015

Hon’ble Finance Minister,
Ministry of Finance,
(Government of India),
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Suggestions for the General Budget 2015-16

All India Railwaymen’s Federation(AIRF), representing more 1.3 million Railwaymen, being the largest and oldest organization of the Railwaymen in India, wish to put-forth following important suggestions to be considered favourably while finalizing General Budget proposals for the Financial Year 2015-16:-

1. Railwaymen are always termed as “Second Line of Defence” in our country. While National Pension Scheme(NPS) was introduced w.e.f. 01.01.2004 for all the Central Government Employees, however, Defence personnel have since been exempted from this scheme and are covered by the Old Traditional Pension Scheme/Family Pension Scheme with full social security.

AIRF is also struggling hard from the day-one to exempt the Railwaymen also from the NPS, and ultimately the then Hon’ble Minister for Railways Shri Mallikarjun Kharge on persuasions of the AIRF had recommended this issue to the then Hon’ble Finance Minister vide his letter No.2012/F(E)III/1/4-Part dated 29th March, 2014. AIRF, therefore, urges that, necessary provision to this effect may be made in the ensuing General Budget, so as to cover all the Railwaymen, irrespective of their date of appointment under Old Pension/Family Pension Scheme.

2. The BJP in the election campaign of the 16th Lok Sabha had repeatedly assured to raise ceiling limit of Income Tax adequately. It may be appreciated that, due to market inflation, the actual value of the “Rupee” has devaluated to the greatest extent as the Dearness Allowance being paid to compensate the devaluation the rupee has already crossed 107%. Therefore, it would be highly appreciated, if ceiling limit of the Income Tax is raised to at least Rs.5 lakh.

3. Education and medical facilities are gradually going out of reach of the common man because of business type institutions and private hospitals. The public education system and medical facilities have deteriorated over the years, due to inadequacy of funds being allocated under these heads. There being urgent need of augmenting education and medical facilities for the common man, allotment of funds under these heads needs to be raised to 6% and 4% of the GDP respectively.

4. In the wake of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India’s announcement at Varanasi on 25th December, 2014, while celebrating “Good Governance Day”, that different railway stations of the Indian Railways shall be augmented for the purpose of skill development, adequate fund allocation needs to be made for this purpose, so that necessary facilities are created on the earmarked railway stations for this purpose.

5. In the Rail Budget for the year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, the then Hon’ble Minister for Railways made announcement for establishment of Medical/Technical Institutions on certain important Rail-heads, but on account of paucity of funds, these welfare schemes could not see the day of light. Therefore, with a view to augment educational facilities of medical and technical education, some funds may be provided from the General Budget for this purpose.

6. Indian Railways being the lifeline of the country urgently need adequate budgetary support from the General Budget to augment the services as also to run this organization more safely and efficiently. It may also be appreciated that, since Indian Railways is a government organization, no Dividend and Lease Charges should be recovered from the Railways.

7. Indian Railways employees more than 13 lakh employees, and the former Hon’ble Minister for Railways had also announced “Own Your House Scheme”. Therefore, that scheme should be launched, so as to provide them house well before their retirement.

MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED TO HONABLE MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS

Dt.19-01-2015

MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED TO SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU, HONABLE MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS, ON HIS VISIT TO SOUTH CENTRAL RAILWAY, SECUNDERABAD ON 19-01-2015.

Respected Sir,
We welcome you on your maiden visit to the Headquarters of South Central Railway. South Central Railway is one of the best productive Railway out of all the 17 Zones and year by year it is increasing its earnings through freight and passenger traffic beyond the targets fixed by the Railway Board. Under the dynamic leadership of Shri P.K.Srivastava, General Manager, & his team of officers, it is increasing the productivity with disciplined staff who are straining their nerves every movement and bringing laurels from the Railway Ministry.

The following important issues are brought to your kind notice for favourable consideration:

1. WITHDRAW THE DECISIONS OF FDIs AND PPP ON INDIAN RAILWAYS AND SAVE THE INDIAN RAILWAYS.

Indian Railways having more than 64000 Kms. with running of 12,670 Passenger Trains and 7421 freight trains and carrying nearly 24 million passengers and 3 million Tonnes of freight traffic daily. It is the back bone for supply of essential commodities to the masses of this country. Indian Railways is doing great service to the poorest of the poor in the country with reasonable fares from one end to the other end of this country.
The Government’s decision to set up dedicated Freight Corridors and Bullet Trains under FDI is causing a lot of anxiety among the Railwaymen as the Railways will lose its entity as carrier of the poorest of the poor. The recent decision of introduction of Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra (YTSK) under PPP is a wrong step and it will lead to malpractices in the Reservation System.

It is a proven fact, that, dependency on the Foreign Capital is the prime cause for the South East Asian Economic Crisis in the year 1997, when the workers and their families in these countries were affected badly.

Government’s decision in the year 1991 to open the economy completely to outside market did not yield any result. Because of Government of India’s contribution, no bad effect was felt on Indian Railways whereas the other countries suffered huge economic crisis in the year 2008.

In view of the above, your kind self is requested to advise the Government to withdraw the 100% FDI and PPP decision on Indian Railways and save the Railways and Save the Nation.

2. EXEMPTION OF RAILWAY EMPLOYEES FROM OPERATION OF THE NEW PENSION SCHEME W.E.F.1-1-2004.

Indian Railways, on the orders of the Government of India have introduced New Pension Scheme for all its workforce appointed on or after 1-1-2004. The New Pension Scheme has withdrawn the social security cover given to the Railway employees which was in vogue prior to 1-1-2004 under Railway Service (Pension) Rules 1993.

The Defence Forces as well as Paramilitary forces under Ministry of Home Affairs have been kept out of the purview of New Pension Scheme introduced w.e.f. 1-1-2004 and they are continued Old Pension Scheme. On the request of All India Railwaymen’s Federation, the then Hon’ble Minister for Railways, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Shri P.Chidambaram, the then Hon’ble Minister of Finance on 29-3-2014 for exemption to Railway employees from operation of NPS and take necessary approval from the Cabinet and communicate the same to the Railwaymen. He pleaded for exemption from NPS for the Railway employees on consideration of special, riskier and onerous nature of duties which are resulting in heavy death toll among Railway employees on duty.

So far, no decision is taken by the Ministry of Finance and the matter is still pending with the Ministry of Finance.

Your kind self is therefore requested to apprise the present Hon’ble Minister of Finance and take up the issue in the Cabinet and secure exemption for the Railway employees from the purview of New Pension Scheme w.e.f. 1-1-2004, duly bringing them under old Pension Scheme.

3. FILLING UP OF VACANCIES IN THE GROUP’C’ & GROUP ‘D’ CATEGORIES BY LOCAL CANDIDATES THROUGH RRBs / RRCs.

At present, as per the policy laid down by the Government of India, any Indian National can apply for the Central Government Jobs irrespective of his being resident of any state, which rule is causing unrest among the unemployed youth of a particular area, as they are not able to get employment in their local area/state. Article 16(1) of the Constitution of India provides for equal opportunity for employment /recruitment to all citizens of India.

Due to lakhs of applications received for filling up of vacancies on Indian Railways, it is becoming very difficult for the RRBs / RRCs to fill up the vacancies in time and nearly 2 lakhs vacancies exist at any time on Indian Railways.

To avoid hardship in filling up of the vacancies and also to provide job opportunities for the local unemployed youth, you are requested to take appropriate action and issue instructions to fill up the vacancies from the unemployed youth belonging to the particular states which are in the jurisdiction of the particular zone.

4. NON REDRESSAL OF CHARTER OF DEMANDS

The problems of Railwaymen like Filling up of vacancies, Creation of additional posts to commensurate with the additional work load arisen out of introduction of New Trains, New Lines, Electrification, Opening of New Electric Locosheds/Diesel sheds/Workshops, Removal of anomalies arisen out of implementation of VI CPC recommendations, Problems created in implementation of MACP Scheme, LARSGESS, Demand of recruitment of wards of Railwaymen, Grievances of Loco and Traffic Running Staff, Operating Staff, Commercial, ECRCs and Ticket Checking staff, Technical and Artisan staff, C&W Staff, Electrical Staff, A.C.Staff, P.Way staff, Staff of Bridge and Works in Civil Engineering Department, Signal and Telecommunication Staff, Medical and Paramedical staff, Health and Sanitary staff, Stores Department Staff, Ministerial Staff, Accounts Staff, Drawing Staff, Stenographers, EDP Staff, Rajbhasha Staff, Absorption of Quasi Administrative Staff in railways, Engagement of Course Completed Act Apprentices in the Railways etc. are pending with the Railway Ministry for redressal.

Even though several rounds of discussions were held with the Railway Board by the All India Railwaymen’s Federation, no tangible results are forthcoming, which is creating unrest among the Railway employees.
You are therefore requested to impress the Full Board to hold negotiations with AIRF in a time bound programme and redress the grievances, so as to motivate the staff to achieve better productivity.

5. STAFF AMENITY PROGRAMMES – PROVISION OF FUNDS In every Railway Budget, the grant given for maintenance of Railway quarters and Staff Amenity Programmes are reduced in the name of non-availability of sufficient funds.

Due to non-availability of funds, the repairs to the Railway Quarters, drains, water facilities etc. are not properly carried out, which is causing lot of hardship to the employees residing in the Staff Quarters.

In the same manner, due to non-provision of adequate funds for medical facilities and also appointment of regular Doctors, Paramedical Staff, the services are getting deteriorated leading to loss of man hours due to regular health problems to staff.

You are requested to secure adequate funds for the medical services, Staff Quarters and Staff Amenities to help the Railwaymen and their families. You are also requested to issue a policy decision to regularize the Contract Paramedical Staff duly holding required examination by the concerned departments.

6. EXTENDING THE FACILITY OF INCLUSION OF PARENTS IN THE PRIVILEGE AND POST RETIREMENT PASSES AND FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT.

An assurance was given by the then Hon’ble Minister for Railways for including the parents of the serving/retired employees in the Privilege Passes/Post Retirement Passes and also for medical facilities.
Your kind self is requested to issue necessary instructions to the concerned officials in this regard.

7..IMPARTING TECHNICAL TRAINING TO WARDS OF RAILWAYMEN:

Railwaymen work round the clock and in all weather conditions throughout the Country irrespective of availibility of minimum facilities like housing, Education, Medical and Recreation. Their Children are deprived of Good Education, Medical and Recreation facilities due to their parents working in remote villages, forests and border areas. They are also subjected to periodical and administrative transfers to other stations for operational convinence at the cost of their Children Education, medical and other facilities.

Hon”ble Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modiji desire that the youth of this country should be imparted Technical Training by providing Apprentice Training. Railways has got lot of facilities forgiving Apprentice training in Production Units, Workshops, Electrical/Diesel sheds, C&W Depots, Yards and Stations. Necessary orders may please be issued to Rly.
Management to give Apprentice training to the wards of Railwaymen and absorb them in group D vacancies.

8.Appointment in Railways to Licenced Porters, Quasi-administration staff.

Previously Railways absorbed Licenced Porters and Quasi Administration staff in Group D jobs. Similar orders may please be issued to help the poor licenced porters & quasi administrative in group D vacancies .

9.Provision of Super Speciality Hospital at Vijayawada , the new Capital of Residual Andhra Pradesh:

New Capital is built up for Andhra Pradesh State near Vijayawada . Railway services will increase from Vijayawada Junction and Railway Employees strength will also increase.

We request you to sanction in the ensuing budget Super Speciality Railway Hospital to Vijayawada.

10. Provision of POH workshop for Eletrical Locos at Kazipet:

S.C. Railway is housing large number of Eletrical Locos at ELS/LGD, ELS/KZJ & ELS/BZA. A New Eletrical locoshed is coming up at Guntakal . For POH Electrical Engines there is urgent need to sanction POH workshop at Kazipet which is situated in central place of S.C. Railway. You are requested to sanction the same in the ensuing budget.

11. Withdraw matching savings clause for creation of new posts for New trains, New lines etc.:

Railway Board imposed unrealistic clause of MATCHING SAVINGS for creation of New Posts which are necessary for manning New Trains introduced, New lines brought into system, New Electrification etc. Due to non availability of funds in the saving Bank new posts required to maintain safety and amenities to passenger services are not created.. All General Managers & Federations voiced their protest against this clause but Railway Board insists on the same against safety and public amenities.

You are requested to issue necessary instructions to withdraw the matching saving clause for creation of new posts.

12. Removal of ceiling on Productivity Bonus:

Railway Employees are paid PLB during DASARA FESTIVAL. Even though the number of Days Bonus is increasing they are not getting minimum wages as PLB due to the ceiling of Rs.3500/- for month. The minimum wage is Rs.7000/-(Rs.5200 + Rs.1800/- GP) for Group D in Railways. They are not paid at least minimum of Pay per month as Bonus. You are requested to recommend Cabinet for amending Bonus Act to remove the ceiling Limit.

Thanking you,
With kind regards, Yours faithfully,
(Ch.SANKARA RAO)
GENERAL SECRETARY

http://www.airfindia.com/AIRF%202015/Memorandum%20SCRMU%20to%20MR.pdf

Demands of central government employees regarding Interim Relief, Merger of DA etc.

Demands of central government employees regarding Interim Relief, Merger of DA etc.

Staff Side NC JCM writes to Cabinet Secretary for Interim Relief, Merger of DA etc.

Secretary Staff Side NC JCM writes to cabinet secretary regarding demands of central government employees:-

Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary
National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultative Machinery
for Central Government Employees
13C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi – 110001
E-Mail : nc.jcm.np@gmail.com
No. NC/JCM/2015

Dated: January 11, 2015

The Cabinet Secretary,
Government of India,
Cabinet Secretariat,
Rashtrpati Bhawan Annexe,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
I solicit your kind attention to my letter in No.NC/JCM/2014 dated 16 th December, 2014, wherein we had conveyed the decisions taken at the National Convention of representatives of the organisations participating in the JCM. We are distressed that you have chosen not to respond to our letter till date. We have so far not received any communication from any quarter of the convening of the National Council of the JCM. No effort has also been taken by any Ministry to convene the Departmental Councils.

We have now been given to understand that the Government has taken serious steps to set up a corporation to carry on the functions of the 41 ordnance Factories, presently functioning under the Ministry of Defence. We have also noted that the report of the Committee set up by the Government to corporatize the functions of the Postal Department. The inordinate delay in settling the demands for Interim Relief and Merger of DA is causing distress amongst the Central Government employees. The Railwaymen are particularly agitated over the decision of the Government to induct FDI to the extent of 100% in Railways, which we are aware cannot be done without privatisation of the Railways. The declaration of the Convention, which we had forwarded to you vide our letter cited had amply explained the anguish of the Central Government employees.

In order to register our opposition to the recent decision of the Government to corporatize the functions of the Ordnance factories, we have amended Item No.2 of the charter of demands. We send herewith the revised charter of demands.

The National JCA met today and took note of the silence on the part of the Government to our pleadings. The meeting has, therefore, decided to go ahead with the agitational programmes, the first phase of which will culminate in a massive March to Parliament by Central Government employees on 28th April, 2015. If no settlement is brought about on the 10 point charter of demands, we will be constrained to go for an indefinite strike action, the date of commencement of which will be decided on 28 th April, 2015.

Thanking you,

Comradely yours,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary (Staff Side)
NC/JCM & Convener

Copy to: Secretary, DoP&T – for information and necessary action please.
Copy to: Director, JCA – for information and necessary action please.
Copy to: All Constituents of NC/JCM(Staff Side) – for information.

NJCA
National Joint Council of Action
4, State Entry Road New Delhi–110055

No.JCA/2014

Dated: January 11, 2015

Dear Comrades,
As scheduled, the meeting of the National JCA was held at the Staff Side office today, i.e. 11th January, 2015. The list of members who attended the meeting is annexed to this communication. The meeting was chaired by Com. M. Raghavaiah, General Secretary, National Federation of Indian Railwaymen. The meeting made the following observations and took the following decisions:

The Statement made by Shri Narendra Modi, Honourable Prime Minister of the country at Varanasi to the effect that the Railways would not be privatised was misleading and intended to create confusion in the minds of the Railwaymen, especially in the background that the proposal to induct FDI in Railways to the extent of 100% is being pursued vigorously.

The Government has decided to set up a Corporation to carry on the functions of the 41 ordnance factories under the Ministry of Defence.

Except in a few States, the steps required to be taken for form the State level Committees of the JCA have not been undertaken.

In order to expedite the formation of such committee in all States, the NC JCM website will carry the names and addresses of the State leaders of the participating organisations

The Zonal Secretaries of AIRF will be asked to ensure that such committees are formed at all State Capitals before the end of this month and the convention is held on a mutually convenient date for all but before 15th February, 2014.

District conventions or March to Collectorates will be organised by the Committee in all District capitals of the country.

The entire month of March and the first half of April will be utilised for campaigning amongst the employees at all work- spots.

The March to Parliament will be organised on 28th April, 2015.

Every effort will be taken to reach a target of 5 lakh workers to participate in the said March. Target quota for each organisation will be fixed.

The State Committees will advise the National Convenor as to which organisations (those CGE organisations who are not presently participating in the JCM must be addressed to join the movement.

The State Committees after the convention will hold Press Conferences to give media publicity to the decisions taken including the decision to go on indefinite strike action.

The National JCA will hold a Press Conference at Delhi prior to the March to Parliament programme.
The Charter of demands will be amended (Item No.2) to include the following words: “and ordnance factories under the Ministry of Defence.”

Reminder letter will be sent to the Cabinet Secretary expressing distress over his silence and the non convening of the National Council, Anomaly Committee and Departmental Councils of the JCM.

The Convenor reported that the 7th CPC has informed him of their intention to convene the meeting of the organisations for tendering oral evidence in the month of February, 2015.

sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Convenor

List of Members who participated in the meeting:

Comrades Rakhal Das Gupta & Shiva Gopal Misra(AIRF), Guman Singh & M. Raghavaiah(NFIR) S.N. Pathak & C. Srikumar(AIDEF), K.K.N. Kutty,(Confederation) Giriraj Singh,(NFPE) Ashok Singh &, R. Srinivasan (INDWF) and S.K. Vyas.(Confederation).

Source: www.ncjcmstaffside.com