IRCTC: Counter Ticket Cancellation Procedure

IRCTC: Counter Ticket Cancellation Procedure

1. Enter PNR Number, Train number along with Captcha.
2. Select check box to confirm that rules and procedure are read.
3. After click on submit an OTP will be sent on mobile number given at the time of booking, enter the received OTP and click submit.
4. After the OTP is validated PNR details will be displayed on the screen.
5. After verifying the details Click on ‘Cancel Ticket’ for full cancellation. Refund amount due will be displayed on the screen.
6. An SMS will be sent with PNR and refund details. Sample format: “Your PNR xxxxxxxxxx has been cancelled. Collect refund amt xxxxx from journey commencing station or nearby satellite PRS locations. Ref. Terms & conditions”
7. For tickets cancelled (including return journey tickets) before 24 hours of scheduled train departure time:
8. Refund of fare as permissible can be collected on submission of original PRS counter ticket from any PRS counter of Indian Railways upto 4 hours before the scheduled departure time of the train in case of confirmed tickets and upto thirty minutes before the scheduled departure time of train in case of RAC/waitlisted tickets.
   For tickets cancelled (including return journey tickets) between 24 hours and upto 4 hours for the confirmed tickets and upto thirty minutes for RAC/waitlisted tickets before the scheduled departure time: Refund of cancelled PRS counter tickets through IRCTC website or 139 at present is permitted only at the journey commencing station or nearby satellite PRS locations by surrendering original journey ticket. Please check the convenience of collecting refund from journey commencing station before cancelling your ticket
   During first two hours of the opening of PRS counters on the next day for the tickets for the trains whose scheduled departure as under:- time is (i) between 1801 hours and 0600 hours.
   Upto 4 hours after the scheduled departure of the train during the working hours of PRS counters/current counters/special counters where cancellation is permitted round the clock on the tickets for the trains whose scheduled departure time is (i) between 0601 hours and 1800 hours.

Authority: www.irctc.co.in

Revision in the procedur of cancellation and refund of value of Rs.10,000/- and above for the PRS counter tickets booked from 09.11.2016 to 11.11.2016

Revision in the procedure of cancellation and refund of value of Rs.10,000/- and above for the PRS counter tickets booked from 09.11.2016 to 11.11.2016

COMMERCIAL CIRCULAR No.561 of 2016

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

No. TC-II/2003/2016/refund

New Delhi, 10.1.2016

To Chief Commercial Managers
All zonal Railways
Managing Director/CRIS/Chankyapuri/New Delhi
Managing/Director/IRCTC/New Delhi

Sub: Revision in the procedure of cancellation and refund of value of Rs.10,000/- and above for the PRS counter tickets booked from 09.11.2016 to 11.11.2016.

Ministry of Railways desire that tie procedure for cancellation of tickets and refund of value of Rs.10,000/- and above for the PRS counter tickets booked from 09.11.2016 to 11.11.2016 shall be revised as under:-

(i) Cancellation of such tickets and refund of fare of value Rs.10,000/- and above shall NOT be allowed in cash or through green pay order or by any means involving cash across the counter. The payment shall be only through Cheque / ECS payment.

(ii) Such ticket may be refunded through filing of TDR only on surrendering of original ticket. TDR shall filed within the prescribed time limit for cancellation of ticket across the counter as per Refund Rule e.g. TDR shall be filed only upta half an hour before the scheduled departure of the train for RAC/WL tickets and for confirmed tickets upto 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, for which ticket has been issued etc.,

(iii) In such cases TDR and rerund of fare as per refund shall be allowed for waitlisted tickets also only through Cheque / ECS payment.
(iv) This shall be implemented with immediate effect.

This issues with concurrence of Finance (Commercial) and Accounts Directorates of Ministry of Railways.
CRIS may make necessary changes in the software.

Ensue action accordingly and confirm.

sd/-
(Vikram Singh)
Director Passenger Marketing
Railway Board

Authority: www.indianrailways.gov.in

Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus to all eligible non-gazetted Railway employees for the financial year (2015 to 2016)

Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus (2015 to 2016) : Railway Board Order
 

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD )

RBE No. 114 /2016.

No. E(P&A)II-2016/PLB-9

New Delhi, dated : 28.09.2016.

The General Managers/CAOs,
All Indian Railways & Production Units etc.

Subject : Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus to all eligible non-gazetted Railway employees for the financial year (2015 to 2016).

The President is pleased to sanction Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 (Seventy Eight) days wages without any ceiling on wages for eligibility for the financial year 2015 to 16 to all eligible non-gazetted Railway employees (excluding all RPF/RPSF personnel). Where wages exceed 7000/- per month, Productivity Linked Bonus will be calculated as if  wages are 7000/- p.m.

2. Wages for the purpose of calculating Productivity Linked Bonus shall include Basic pay as defined in the Railway Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 and dearness allowance drawn during the period from 01.04.2015 to 31.12.2015. Wages during the period from 01.01.2016 to 31.03.2016 shall include Basic pay as defined in the Railway Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016. Other conditions of eligibility, method of calculation of wages, etc., as prescribed in this Ministry's instructions and clarifications issued from time to time, shall remain unchanged.

3. It has also been decided that in the case of eligible employees mentioned in Para 1 above who were not placed under suspension, or had not quit service/retired/expired during the financial year 2015-16 or were on leave where leave salary admissible is not less than that admissible on leave on average pay, may be paid an amount of 17,951/- towards Productivity Linked Bonus for the financial year 2015 to 16. In the case of employees other than those mentioned above, the amount of Productivity Linked Bonus may he calculated in accordance with the extant instructions on the subject.

4. Further, in relaxation to the provisions in Rules 905(2), 908 and 909 of State Railway Provident Fund Rules, as contained in Chapter 9 of R-1/1985 edition (2003 Reprint edition), such of the subscribers to the SRPF as are entitled to Productivity Linked Bonus may, if they so desire, deposit the whole or part of the amount admissible under the Scheme in their respective State Railway Provident Fund Accounts.

5. Disbursement of Productivity Linked Bonus for the financial year 2015 to 16 to all eligible non gazetted Railway employees mentioned in Para 1 above should be made on priority in the same mode as payment of salary before the ensuing Puja/Dussehra holidays.

6. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

(Salim Md. Ahmed)
Dy. Director / Estt. (P&A)II
Railway Board.

Click here to download Railway Bonus 2016 Order

Railway News: Cabinet approves Productivity Linked Bonus to railway employees

Railway News: Cabinet approves Productivity Linked Bonus to railway employees

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to pay Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 days wages to eligible non-gazetted railway employees (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel) for the financial year 2015 to 16. The approval entails a financial implication of approximately Rs.2090.96 crore.

Payment of PLB would result in motivating a large number of railway employees to improve the performance of the Railways and enhance the productivity levels further besides maintaining industrial peace.

The payment of this Bonus to eligible Railway Employees will be made before Dussehra/Puja holidays.

PIB

Exemption of Railways from National Pension System – NFIR

Exemption of Railways from National Pension System – NFIR

Exemption of Railways from National Pension system (NPS) as recommended by the Railway Ministers – kind intervention and approval requested

NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

No.IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL/Part I

Dated: 26.6.2016

Shri Narendra Modiji,
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India,
South Block,
Raisina Hills,
New Delhi-110011

Sub: Exemption of Railways from National Pension System (NPS) as recommended by the Railway Ministers – kind intervention and approval requested.

The National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) brings to your kind notice to the standing demand raised by the Federations seeking exemption of National Pension System (NPS) and restoration of Defined Benefit Pension Scheme [Liberalized Pension Scheme i.e. Railway Services (Pension) Rules 1993].

In this connection, the NFIR brings to your kind notice that the nature of duties performed by the Railway employees are akin to those in the armed forces. The NFIR also invites your kind attention that since British Rule, the Railways was conceived and operated as un auxiliary wing of the Army. It is an admitted fact that by virtue of its complex nature, Railways required a high level of discipline and efficiency to be able to perform its role as the prime transport mode. Railways is an operational organization required to run the services round the clock throughout the year. The Railway employees are expected to work in inhospitable conditions, braving extreme weather conditions under open sky, unfriendly law and order scenario and inherent risks associated with the Railways operations itself.

It needs to be appreciated that as in the armed forces, large number of Rail Workforce stays away from their families for long period while performing duties in remote and jungle areas where minimum required facilities are lacking. The nature of duties of Railway employees is critical and complex & hazards involved are also very high. Though efforts are made for enhancing safety measures, a large number of Railway employees lose their lives or meet with serious injuries in the course of performance of their duties each year. This was also admitted by Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, High Level Safety Review Committee in his report presented to the Railway Ministry.

Conceding the plea of NFIR, the former Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and also the present Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu have sent proposal to the Finance Minister in March, 2014 and November 2015 respectively urging upon the Government to exempt Railway employees from the purview of National Pension System OPS). In spite of proposals of the Railway Ministers, the Government has not yet accorded approval for exempting Railways from National Pension System (NPS). There is alround dissatisfaction and resentment among the Railway employees against.New Pension System.

The Railway employees are also a dissatisfied lot as the 7’r’ CPC has not done justice in respect of their pay structure etc. Added to this, non-abolition of National Pension System [NPS) has generated anger among all sections of Railway employees which compelled us to serve Strike Notice on 09’n June 2016.

NFIR, therefore, requests your kind intervention in the matter to see that the proposals of the Railway Minister seeking exemption of Railways from National Pension System (NPS), is approved by the Government without further loss of time.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,
(Dr.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Grant of House Rent Allowance to Railway Employees posted to new zones/new divisions

Grant of House Rent Allowance to Railway Employees posted to new zones/new divisions

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE.NO.63/2016

NO.E(P&A)II-98/HRA-6

New Delhi, dated 13.06.2016.

The General Manager/CAO’s
All Indian Railways & Production units.

Sub: Grant of House Rent Allowance to Railway Employees posted to new zones/new divisions – regarding.

Attention is invited to the instructions contained in Board’s letter of even number dated 9.3.2004 and 17.02.2016 on the above subject.

2. The matter has been considered by the Board subsequent to issue of letter No.E(G)2009 QR-1-2 dated 05.04.2016 and it has been decided that railway employees posted to ECR and NWR may be allowed house rent allowance upto 31.12.2016 on the same terms and conditions laid down in the letter of even number dated 09.03.2004 ibid and as emended/clarified from time to time.

3. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

sd/-
(Salim Md.Ahmed)
Dy.Director/E(P&A)-II
Railway Board.

Source : http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/

Two Years Achievements of Ministry of Railways (May 2014 to May 2016)

Two Years Achievements of Ministry of Railways (May 2014 to May 2016)

I .PASSENGER AMENITIES AND DIGITAL INDIA INITIATIVES

• Indian Railways launched three social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube with the handle @railminindia.  Ministry of Railways employed first of its kind, a real time 24×7 public grievance system through Twitter and provided medical, security and other emergency assistance to travelling passengers
• All India Security Helpline 182 set up to report any untoward incident and seek emergency help during travel
• The All India Passenger Helpline ‘138’ provided for all other query/complaints during travel
• A mobile based application viz. Complaint Management System (COMS) launched
• E-catering facility launched at 100 stations. 408 railway    stations designated for providing E-catering
• A massive scheme for providing Water Vending Machines (WVMs) to provide RO Water at affordableprices is under implementation by Railway PSU IRCTC
• Reservation quota of two lower berths per coach in Sleeper class enhanced to four lower berths per coach for Senior Citizens and Women
• Tatkal reservation timings have been staggered to serve dual purpose of providing convenience to the passengers and for staggering traffic on the e-ticket portal.All agents are debarred from booking tickets during first thirty minutes of opening of booking
• Automatic refund of Confirmed /RAC e-tickets on cancellation of trains similar to waitlisted e-tickets is granted without filing of TDR
• Time limit for booking reserved tickets was increased to 120 days w.e.f. 01.04.2015
• Destination alert and wake up alarm services launched on 139
• Automatic Destination Alerts to passengers through SMS for Rajdhani and Duronto trains.
• E-ticketing facility launched for disabled persons and for accredited journalist on concession pass.
• Mobile charging facilities in all new general class coaches initiated.
• Out of 1252 Stations identified for upgradation to Adarsh Stations’, 986 stations have so far been developed. 160 developed in last two years
• Scheme namely ‘SMS Gateway’ launched enabling passengers to get SMS alerts on the status of reserved tickets
• New Generation system put in place which can book 7200 online tickets instead of 2000 tickets per minute and can attend 2,00,000 enquiries instead of 50000 per minute
• Rationalization of Computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) done to enable passengers to buy tickets even after the preparation of reservation charts
• Paperless unreserved ticketing including Paperless Platforms tickets through mobile phone introduced in suburban sections of Western Railway, Central Railway, South Central Railway, Southern Railway, Eastern Railway, South Eastern Railway
• Pilot Project of hand Held Terminals for TTEs launched
• E-booking of disposable linen started on trains at New Delhi Railway Station and Nizamuddin Railway Station, Mumbai Central (BCT), Chattarpati Shivaji Terminus (CSTM), Southern Railway
• E-booking of Wheel chair launched
• Currency Coin cum Card operated Automatic Ticket Vending Machines installed at select stations.
• Initiated one of the largest free public wifi fi systems in the world. Launched at 26 stations with a plan to extend it to 100 Stations by December this year and to 400 stations by 2018.
• The booking of retiring rooms at different railway stations made online making it convenient and transparent
• E-Ticketing portal in Hindi launched
• 60 lifts and 150 escalators provided in last 2 years at Railway stations
• Model Rake (a passenger carrying train with 24 coaches) developedwith improved interiors, colour scheme, aesthetics and amenity fittings. This is running as a train between New Delhi and Varanasi.
• Cancellation of confirmed, RAC and Waitlisted PRS counter tickets made easy using IRCTC website or phone No. 139.
• Provision made for acceptance of international debit and credit cards for payment of E-ticket through IRCTC website
• Yatri Ticket/Sewa Kendra (YTSK) Scheme launched to allow private agents to operate ticketing terminals for selling reserved as well as unreserved tickets
• Indian Railways started six pilgrims’ special tourist trains. More such trains being planned in subsequent phases
• Dustbins to be provided in non AC coaches also
• NIFT, Delhi has been engaged for designing of bedroll etc.
• A new ‘Rail Neer’ plant for package drinking water set up at Ambernath (Mumbai).
• In order to increase availability of accommodation for general class passengers on long distance Mail/Express trains, GMs were delegated powers to de-reserve Sleeper Class (SL) coaches as General Coaches (GS) in identified trains & sectors
• Suvidha Trains with graded pricing structure introduced with facility for booking on PRS in addition to e-tickets and facility of limited refund on cancellation of ticket
• The Defense Travel System to eliminate exchange of defense warrants was rolled out on the NGeT platform. Till date about 2000 Defense units have started issuing tickets through this platform without exchange of warrants
• Number of berths available for physically challenged has been increased from 2 to 4
• ‘VIKALP’, Alternative Train Accommodation System (ATAS)  launchedwith a view to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also to ensure optimal utilization of available accommodation. This facility is now available on New Delhi – Jammu, New Delhi – Lucknow, Delhi-Howrah, Delhi- Chennai, Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Secunderabad Circuits,
• Launched pre-cooked (ready-to-eat) meals of reputed brands on some trains.
• Commencement of provision of Braille signage on 3000 coaches has been given in order to facilitate travel to visually impaired passengers.
• Provision of foldable ladder in First AC coaches launched

• Provision of Bio degradable garbage bags to passengers started on pilot basis

• Escorting ladies special trains and ladies compartment by security squad

• Security helpline 182 activated and real time complaint resolution through Twitter employed with a high priority to women security issues

• Fitment of CCTV surveillance cameras for women security in trains initiated with first such fitment undertaken in Amritsar-New Delhi-Shan-e Punjab Express

• Development of security App over some of the Zonal Railways

• Middle bay reserved for women

• Pilot Project of Sale of Unreserved Tickets  through Hand Held Terminals initiated at Hazrat Nizammudin Railway Station of Northern Railway.

1. INFRASTRUCTURECREATION AND SUPPORT TO MAKE IN INDIA INITIATIVE

• Indian Railways has taken a giant leap forward in ‘Make in India’ drive by signing Agreement for setting up of Diesel Locomotive Factory (DLF) at Marhowra, Saran district, Bihar for procurement and maintenance of mainline most modern high power Diesel Electric Locomotives with M/s GE Diesel Locomotive Pvt. Ltd. A separate agreement signed with M/S ALSTOM for setting up of electric locomotive factory at Madhepura, Bihar for procurement and maintenance of most modern high power electric locomotives, both major PPP and FDI tenders of Indian Railways. This would be one of the highest FDI’s in India amounting to order book of almost Rs 40,000 Crore.

• The Ministry has initiated process for procuring high speed train sets which will improve average speed of passenger carrying trains thereby reducing journey time.

• MoU between India and Japan signed for Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project using Shinkansen Technology covering a total of 508 kms. A new entity named National High Speed Ra Extension of newly introduced cancellation facility for PRS
• il Corporation Limited has been set up in February, 2016 to implement the project

• Further high speed studies are being conducted by Ministry of Railways on Diamond Quadrilateral High Speed Rail network. Feasibility studies of Delhi- Mumbai, Mumbai- Chennai and Delhi- Kolkata are underway.  The feasibility studies of Delhi-Nagpur and Mumbai –Nagpur corridors are being taken up through G2G cooperation with Chinese and Spanish governments respectively

• Ministry of Railways launched Gatimaan Express, country’s first semi high speed train with a maximum speed of 160 kmph between Delhi and Agra heralding a new era of high speed rail travel in India

• Redevelopment of 400 Stations to be developed on e-bidding on as is where is basis; 10 stations handed over to IRSDC

• Indian Railways commissioned 2828 Km of Broad Gauge lines, highest ever in 2015-16 against an average of 1528 Km from 2009-14.

• IR commissioned two mega bridges over river Ganga at Patna and Munger.With these, the Railway networks of North and South Bihar have been integrated.

• The executions of the biggest infrastructural projects in the country, Eastern and Western DFCs have been fast-tracked.  Revised cost estimates have been approved by the Cabinet and funding has been tied up.  Rs.25,320 Cr worth of contracts have been awarded in the last two years, which is more than double of the total contracts of Rs.12,240 Cr awarded since commencement. The first ever section on DFC of 56 km between Durgawati-Sasaram has been commissioned. The project is progressing well for commissioning in phases by 2019

• Rail Wheel Plant, Bela commissioned and regular production started

• Diesel loco factory at Varanasi is being expanded

• DEMU factory at Haldia was commissioned and Mid-life Rehabilitation Workshop for coaches at Jhansi completed.

• One of the most challenging railway projects, conversion of 1500 V DC to 25000 V AC traction system has been successfully completed over the entire Mumbai division of Central Railway.

• During 2014-16, 3105 route kilometres have been electrified, which is an average of 1552.5 RKM/ annum as against 1236 RKM/annum during previous five years.

• Construction of Electric Lolo Assembly & Ancillary Unit of CLW at Dankuni in West Bengal completed

• Modern LHB Coach manufacturing facility commissioned at ICF Chennai.

• The Chhapra factory has started regular production of cast wheels for rolling stock. The installed capacity of the plant is 1Lac wheels per annum.

• Foundation stone laid for setting up Traction Alternator Factory at Vidisha to manufacture 100 traction alternators per annum of high horse power diesel locomotives which are currently being imported

• Significant boost in elimination of unmanned level crossing which has resulted in safe operations. In 2015-16, a total of 1253 unmanned level crossings were eliminated and 1024 Road over/ Road under bridges were constructed. This marks an improvement of 35% against the average number from 2009-2014

III.REFORMS

• A Memorandum of Understanding with LIC of India for obtaining funds to the tune of Rs.1.5 lakh Cr signed.
• MOF approved issue of tax free bonds by IRFC amounting to Rs.6,000 Cr
• Discussions initiated with World Bank for setting up a Railway Infrastructure Development Fund of around USD 30 Bn
• Powers delegated and decentralized for improving efficiency and transparency. Measures for E-tendering, E-auctioning, E-ticketing, E-Governance, E-Freight Demand, E-Catering, E-Wheel Chair, E-Concierge etc. takenfor efficiency and transparency
• Ministry of Railways (MoR) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for formation of Joint Venture Companies with six State Governments viz. Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.JVs would undertake project development works for an identified basket of projects, which will inter-alia include surveys, preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) and getting requisite approvals, processing for sanctioning of identified projects and monitoring
• Ministry of Railways conducted world’s largest online exam for recruitment for almost 90 lakh aspirants. With a view to increase transparency, a new system of handing over the Question Booklets to the candidates has been introduced.A pilot project of uploading of Answer Keys and Cut-off marks has also been initiated.
• Deloitte, a consulting firm has been engaged for studying the manpower rationalization of the Group A services.  Report submitted and is under examination
• Four Centres of Railways Research set up in premier educational institutions
• Development of an online system initiated for grievance redressal of both serving as well as retired railwaymen
• Railways signed MoU to set up its own Railway Design Centre in collaboration with  National Institute of Design (NID)
• The process for putting in place a regulator “Rail Development Authority” has been initiated. A concept note was uploaded to receive feedback from all stakeholders. Process for drafting of a bill/executive order underway.
• 100 % FDI allowed in identified areas of railway sector and sectoral guidelines on FDI formulated
• Ministry of Railways implemented 100% E-procurement solution for all kinds of contracts – goods, works and services. It isIndia’s largest e-procurement system
• A web-enabled IT-Application “Project Monitoring and Information System (PMIS)” launched which will be implemented in Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramullah Rail Link (USBRL) project, followed by other mega and complex projects of Indian Railways. This will increase transparency in project monitoring

• “Technology Mission on Indian Railways (TMIR)” for Development/Research/Innovations in Railway Technologies in association with Department of Science & Technology, MoHRD and representatives of Industry has been set up
• Creation of Mobility Directorate in Railway Board’s Office
• Creation of Non-Fare Revenue Directorate in Railway Board’s Office
• Release of Handout on ‘Railway initiatives for Ease of Doing Business’ and Nomination of ‘Key Customer Managers’

1. GREEN INITIATIVES

• Commissioned 26 MW wind mill power plant at Jaisalmer

• 10MW Solar Plants installed in two years. Massive solarisation (1000 MW Solar Power Plants) planned in next Five years with an eye on making Railways, the largest solar power producer in the country

• Railways provided27,000 bio-toilets in trains in the last two years.A target of 30000 bio-toilets setfor the next financial year
• First ‘Green’ DEMU train introduced on Northern Railway to run between Rewari-Rohtak section

• A hybrid toilet system, combining best features of a   vacuum toilet system and indigenous bio-toilet system has been installed for trial in a First Class air conditioned coach of Dibrugarh Rajdhani which is running wellsince September 2015. The system does not require any waste handling facilities for evacuation and processing of waste. This system uses significantly less quantity of water is used for flushing
• A new separate Environment Management Directorate formed to address all environment related issues in a focused and integrated manner
• M/s. RITES has been engaged for setting up of two pilot plants at NDLS and JP for disposal for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in an environment friendly manner including conversion of Waste to Energy (bio-methanation)
• A major push was given to get additional sanction of more than 30 Water Recycling Plants during 2015-16. As against this, less than 30 WRPs have been functioning all these years
• Setting up of Automatic Coach Washing Plants in major coach maintenance depots
• After field trails, IR has now developed the environmental friendly composite sleepers made up of recycled plastic waste, which will be used over all girder bridges in future for improved maintainability and facilitating higher speeds and higher axle loads.
• Indian Railways has started a massive exercise of planting trees alongside Railway Track with the signing agreement with Haryana & Punjab Government in the first phase.

V. CLEANLINESS
Indian Railways joined the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan in a big way. It formulated an integrated policy on cleanliness

• 27 Charitable Institutions/Social Organizations invited to take part in ‘Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ through Shramdaan campaign

• Criterion for qualification of OBHS trains revised to include all importantmail &express trains. 7 more Clean Train Stations added and 240 new trains added on OBHS in last two years

• “Clean My Coach” Servicelaunched for any cleaning requirement in the coach. A passenger can send an SMS on a mobile number 58888 or book through app and his request is attended to

• 16 more mechanised laundries set up in the last two years. Now around 45 percent linen is cleanedthrough mechanised laundries

• Intensive mechanised cleaning of coaching in coaching depots through professional agencies – 132 Coaching Depots in different Railways already have the system

• Cleaning of 50 major stations has been outsourced to professional agencies

• Cleanliness audit through 3^rd party started for Railway stations institutionalised. Ranking of stations based on cleanliness would be generated periodically

1. CONNECTIVITY IN NORTH EAST AND J&K

• Indian Railways completed Udhampur-Katra Broad gauge line in the State of Jammu and Kashmir bringing Katra on Broad Gauge Railway map
• Lumding-Silchar Broad gauge section inaugurated giving seamless BG connectivity to Barak Valley of Assam
• Meghalaya came on the rail map with the flagging off the first ever train from Guwahati to Medipathar in Meghalaya
• The Prime Minister laid the foundation for a new line to take rail connectivity to Mizoram’s capital Aizwal
• The Tripura’s Capital Agartala came on the broad gauge rail map
• Meter gauge will be fully eliminated in North-East in near future
• IR commissioned 545 KM of Broad Gauge lines in North East in 2015-16 in comparison to 110 KM per year from 2009-2014

VII.PPP IN RAIL LINE PROJECTS

• In 2015-16, Indian Railways generated an investment of Rs.15,000Cr through PPP. This is the highest achieved till now.
• Partnership with State Governments, Industry is being encouraged to undertake coal and mining connectivity projects.
• To encourage port connectivity projects, thrust has been given to implementation of projects under the participative model policy of 2012. Rail connectivity to Tuna Port at a cost of 142 Cr has been implemented in 2015. Also approvals under Joint Venture model have been granted to build rail connectivity to the ports of Jaigarh (Rs 771 Cr.), Rewas (Rs.349 Cr), and Dighi (Rs.724 Cr.)

• Ministry of Railways for the first time has decided to launch three annuity projects Badrak- Nargundi 3^rd line (900Cr.), Nagpur – Wardha 3^rd line 550Cr. and Kazipet- Vijayawada 3^rd line 1566 Cr in the current calendar year.

VIII. FREIGHT

• Massive rationalization of freight policies initiated
• Merry-Go-Round system introduced to capture short lead traffic near steel plants and thermal power house
• Post congestion charges withdrawn which will help in increasing traffic from the Ports to hinterland
• Two-Point/Multi Point/Mini Rake facility extended to maximize traffic.
• Roll on – Roll off scheme launched on Digha Rail Bridge over River Ganges near Patna. Under this scheme loaded trucks would be moved on the flat wagons to avoid congested roads across Ganges
• Busy season charge withdrawn.
• Automatic Freight Rebate Scheme for traffic loaded in Traditional Empty Flow Direction introduced
• Computerized system to register demands for wagons introduced. Electronic forwarding note and Electronic Railway Receipts introduced to enhance efficiency and transparency in freight operations
• Liberalised Wagon Investment Scheme, Wagon Leasing Scheme, Special Freight Train Operator Scheme, Private Freight Terminals, Automobile Freight Train Operator Scheme, accelerated to improve freight
• Auto hub at Walajabad in Chennai Division developed for automobiles moment
• Flagging off of Roll-On-Roll-Off(Ro-Ro) train Ex.-Bihta to Turki in Bihar.

1. SAFETY IN RAIL OPERATIONS

• Working towards ‘Zero Accident’ Mission.
• TPWS is a safety Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system conforming to European Train Control System (ETCS) Level-1.    TPWS trials at 160 Kmph were successfully conducted.
• 282 Level Crossing Gates have been interlocked with Signals to enhance safety.
• A cost effective indigenous safety system – Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is being developed indigenously by RDSO and the trails are on.
• Pilot Project initiated for Improving Safety at Unmanned Level Crossing which include automatic warning to road users through flasher light and Sensing of Obstruction on level crossing and visual warning to train drivers

1. MISCELLANEOUS

• In the last two years, 14 MoUs/MoCs/other agreements for cooperation in rail sector have signed with Railways/Governments of Czech Republic, China, South Korea, Canada, Kazakhstan, Slovak Republic, UK, Japan, Germany, France, Russia & Sweden.
• Under Skill India Initiative, 53 locations across the country have been identified by setting up training centres
• Indian Railways made successful arrangements to transport drinking water to drought-affected areas of Latur district in Maharashtra
• Indian Railways lent helping hand during the Nepal earthquake tragedy by providing ‘Rail Neer’ bottles and by transporting Nepal evacuees
• Railways also helped during the J&K floods
• Railways were in the forefront in extending help to the Indian nationals returning from Yemen
• Indian Railway weightlifters (5 Women & 1 Men) represented India in the Commonwealth Youth; Junior & Senior Weightlifting Championship held at Pune from 11^th to 15^th November, 201. All Railway players won medals in this Championship
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed Ministry of Railways and PEC University of Technology for setting up of ‘Kalpana Chawla Chair’ on Geospatial Technology for Indian Railways at PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh.

PIB

Cabinet approves Mau-Tarighat New Railway line project

Cabinet approves Mau-Tarighat New Railway line project

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for a new broad gauge line between Mau Station of North Eastern Railway and Tarighat Terminal station of East Central Railway. The total length of this new broad gauge line will be 51 kilometers.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs.1765.92 crore and expected completion cost is Rs.2109.07 crore with 5 percent escalation per annum. The project is likely to be completed in the next six years during 12th and 13th Plan period.

This project will provide alternative, shorter convenient and better transport infrastructure to the area separated by river Ganga so as to remove the transport difficulties in the area and to boost the socio economic development. The catchment area of project line will serve passenger requirement and will facilitate the people of the area for travelling to different parts of the country. In addition, this new line will provide an alternative route connecting Northern and East Central railway via NE Railway. This project line has huge potential in enhancing railway traffic and also gives opportunity to develop this area by providing more efficient transportation system.

The new line crosses the river Ganges at the downstream of existing road bridge for NH 97 and is located almost parallel to it and joins the existing BG line from Tarighat to Dildar Nagar. This line will be alternative route for train passing from Howrah to New Delhi and back. Construction of this line will provide a link to Allahabad-Patna double line electrified section. It will also decongest the Allahabad-Mugalsarai-Patna route particularly around Mugalsarai yard.

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Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners – Revised rate effective from 1.1.2016.

Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners – Revised rate effective from 1.1.2016.

 F. No. 42/06/2016-P&PW(G)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market,
New Delhi – 110003 Date: 11th April, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Grant of Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners – Revised rate effective from 1.1.2016.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM No. 42/10/2014-P&PW(G) dated 28th September, 2015 on the subject mentioned above and to state that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Relief (DR) payable to Central Government pensioners/family pensioners shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 119% to 125% w.e.f. 1st January, 2016.

2. These orders apply to (i) All Civilian Central Government Pensioners/Family Pensioners (ii) The Armed Forces Pensioners, Civilian Pensioners paid out of the Defence Service Estimates, (iii) All India Service Pensioners (iv) Railway Pensioners and (v) The Burma Civilian pensioners/family pensioners and pensioners/families of displaced Government pensioners from Pakistan, who are Indian Nationals but receiving pension on behalf of Government of Pakistan and are in receipt of ad-hoc ex-gratia allowance of Rs. 3500/- p.m. in terms of this Department’s OM No. 23/1/97- P&PW(B) dated 23.2.1998 read with this Department’s OM No. 23/3/2008-P&PW(B) dated 15.9.2008.

3. Central Government Employees who had drawn lump sum amount on absorption in a PSU/Autonomous body and have become eligible to restoration of 1/3rd commuted portion of pension as well as revision of the restored amount in terms of this Department’s OM No. 4/59/97-P&PW (D) dated 14.07.1998 will also be entitled to the payment of DR @ 125% w.e.f. 1.1.2016 on full pension i.e. the revised pension which the absorbed employee would have received on the date of restoration had he not drawn lump sum payment on absorption and Dearness Pension subject to fulfilment of the conditions laid down in pars 5 of the O.M. dated 14.07.98. In this connection, instructions contained in this Department’s OM No.4/29/99-P&PW (D) dated. 12.7.2000 refer.

4. Payment of DR involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.

5. Other provisions governing grant of DR in respect of employed family pensioners and re-employed Central Government Pensioners will be regulated in accordance with the provisions contained in this Department’s OM No. 45/73/97- P&PW (G) dated 2.7.1999 as amended vide this Department’s OM No. F. No. 38/88/2008-P&PW(G) dated 9th July, 2009. The provisions relating to regulation of DR where a pensioner is in receipt of more than one pension will remain unchanged.

6. In the case of retired Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, necessary orders will be issued by the Department of Justice separately.

7. It will be the responsibility of the pension disbursing authorities, including the nationalized banks, etc. to calculate the quantum of DR payable in each individual case.

8. The offices of Accountant General and authorised Pension Disbursing Banks are requested to arrange payment of relief to pensioners etc. on the basis of these instructions without waiting for any further instructions from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Reserve Bank of India in view of letter No. 528-TA, 11/34-80-II dated 23/04/1981 of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India addressed to all Accountant Generals and Reserve Bank of India Circular No. GANB No. 2958/GA-64 (ii) (CGL)/81 dated the 21st May, 1981 addressed to State Bank of India and its subsidiaries and all Nationalised Banks.

9. In their application to the pensioners/family pensioners belonging to Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with the C&AG.

10. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their OM No. 1/1/2016-E.II(B) dated 07th April, 2016.

11. Hindi version will follow

(Charanjit Taneja)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Click to view the order
Authority: http://pensionersportal.gov.in/

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees – Revised Rates effective from 01.01.2016

Dearness Allowance from Jan 2016 to Central Government Employees and Pensioners: Finmin Orders

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees – Revised Rates effective from 01.01.2016(32 KB)PDF File Opens in a new window[Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees – Revised Rates effective from 01.01.2016

No.1/1/2016-E-II (B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 7th April, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees – Revised Rates effective from 1.1.2016.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s Office Memorandum No. 1/3/2015-E-II (B) dated 23rd September, 2015 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 119% to 125% with effect from 1st January, 2016.

2. The provisions contained in paras 3, 4 and 5 of this Ministry’s O.M. No. 1(3)/2008-E-ll(B) dated 29th August, 2008 shall continue to be applicable while regulating Dearness Allowance under these orders.

3. The additional installment of Dearness Allowance payable under these orders shall be paid in cash to all Central Government employees.

4. These orders shall also apply to the civilian employees paid from the Defence Services Estimates and the expenditure will be chargeable to the relevant head of the Defence Services Estimates. In regard to Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees, separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways, respectively.

5. In so far as the employees working in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued with the concurrence of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

sd/-
(Nirman Dev)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Finmin-da-orders-for-jan-2016
Authority: www.finmin.nic.in

Expected DA July 2016 – AICPIN For February 2016

Expected DA July 2016 – AICPIN For February 2016

No.5/1/2016- CPI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR BUREAU

CLEREMONT, SHIMLA-171004
DATED: 31st March,2016

Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – February, 2016

The All-India CPI-IW for February, 2016 decreased by 2 points and pegged at 267 (two hundred and sixty seven). On 1-month percentage change, it decreased by (-) 0.74 per cent between January, 2016 and February, 2016 when compared with the decrease of (-) 0.39 per cent between the same two months a year ago.

The maximum downward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing, (-) 2.21 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Rice, Arhar Dal. Masur Dal, Moong Dal, Urd Dal, Groundnut Oil, Mustard Oil, Poultry (Chicken), Eggs (Hen), Garlic, Onion, Vegetable and Fruit items, Flower/Flower Garlands, etc. are responsible for the decrease in index. However, this decrease was checked by Wheat and Wheat Atta, Fish Fresh, Goat Meat, Milk, Tea (Readymade), Sugar, Cigarette, Tailoring Charges, etc., putting upward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 5.53 per cent tbr February, 2016 as compared to 5.91 per cent for the previous month and 6.30 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 6.18 per cent against 7.61 per cent of the previous month and 7.42 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Giridih reported the maximum decrease of 8 points followed by Madurai, Tiruchirapally, Munger-Jamalpur and Bengaluru (7 points each) and Sholapur. Mundakkayam and Belgaum (6 points each). Among others. 5 points decrease was observed in 3 centres, 4 points in 8 centres, 3 points in another 8 centres. 2 points in 14 centres and 1 point in 10 centres. On the contrary, Quilon recorded a maximum increase of 5 points followed by Mysore and Rajkot (3 points each) and Kodarma (2 points). Among others, 1 point increase was observed in 9 centres. Rest or the 14 centres’ indices remained stationary.
The indices of 34 centres are above All-India Index and other 44 centres’ indices are below national average.

The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of March, 2016 will be released on Friday, 29th April, 2016. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in.

(SHYAM SINGH NEGI)
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL

PIB
Click to view Press Release in English
Click to view Dettailed Report of AICPIN

Cabinet approved 6% DA and DR for Central Govt Employees and Pensioners due from 1.1.2016

Cabinet approved 6% DA and DR for Central Govt Employees and Pensioners due from 1.1.2016

Release of additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners due from 1.1.2016

Press Information Bureau
Government of India

23-March, 2016

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to Pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2016. This represents an increase of 6 percent over the existing rate of 119 percent of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise.

This will benefit about 50 lakh Government employees and 58 lakh pensioners.

The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC). The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be of Rs. 6796.50 crore per annum and Rs.7929.24 crore respectively, in the financial year 2016-17 (for a period of 14 months from January, 2016 to February, 2017).

PIB

Physical Verification of Retired Employees in Indian Railways

Physical Verification of Retired Employees in Indian Railways

As per extant instructions, every pensioner/family pensioner is required to submit a life certificate to the pension disbursing authority in the month of November every year. The pension for the month of November and onwards is released to the pensioner/family pensioner by the pension disbursing authority on submission of the life certificate. No specific directives have been given for physical verification of pensioners aged between 80 and 100 years. The total number of pensioners on Indian Railways is 1378937.

The total pension expenditure incurred by Railways during 2014-15, including pension payment to pensioners above age of 80 years is `28642.08 crore. There are approximately 286093 pensioners/family pensioners above 80 years of age. However, no separate expenditure is recorded agewise.

The exercise of obtaining life certificates is carried out by pension disbursing authorities in the month of November, every year. However, the certificate is accepted in subsequent months also.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 16.03.2016.

Reservation for SCs and STs in Allotment of Shops/Stalls at Railway Stations

Reservation for SCs and STs in Allotment of Shops/Stalls at Railway Stations

The Catering Policy 2010, presently in force on the Railways, provides for 25% reservation in allotment of minor static catering units at A, B & C categories of stations and 49.5% reservation in allotment of minor static catering units at D, E & F categories of stations, with a view to protect interests of socially backward and economically weaker sections of the people. Out of the total 25% reservation at A, B and C category stations, a quota of 6% for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 4% for Scheduled Tribes (STs) has been reserved for allotment of minor catering units. Similarly, out of the total reservation of 49.5% at D, E & F category of stations, a quota of 12% and 8% for SCs and STs respectively, has been reserved. Allotment of stalls for SCs/STs is done by zonal railways by calling application through press notification. .

1572 shops/stalls have been earmarked for allotment to SCs and STs out of which 532 shops/stalls have already been awarded to SCs and STs as per extant provisions of the Catering Policy. Allotment of stalls for SCs/STs and clearance of backlog thereof is an ongoing process

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 16.03.2016 (Wednesday).

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Indian Railway Decides to Continue Facilitator Scheme

Indian Railway Decides to Continue Facilitator Scheme

The Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) were introduced to facilitate passengers in getting unreserved tickets without manual intervention. In the initial phase, to popularise the use of smart cards and to make the general public accustomed to using the ATVMs, the scheme for Facilitators was introduced.

Initially, instructions for engaging facilitators on Central & Western Railway were issued and subsequently all zonal Railways were allowed to engage facilitators. Thereafter, the scheme has been reviewed from time to time and extensions were given on annual basis. The last extension has been given upto 31.03.2016.

This issue has been examined again and based on the feedback received from zonal Railways a decision to continue with the scheme up to 31.03.2017 has been taken. It has, however, been decided that on those zonal Railways where this concept was introduced in 2011-12, this scheme will not be extended beyond 31-03-2017. It has also been stipulated that ATVMs shall be earmarked on rotational basis to facilitators and general public. This has been done keeping in view the complaints that the machines of facilitators function properly whereas those for general public remain out of order.

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Highlights of Railway Budget 2016-17 in Questions and Answers Format (Q & A Format)

Highlights of Railway Budget 2016-17 in Questions and Answers Format (Q & A Format)

Ministry of Railways
Press Information Bureau,
Government of India

03-March 2016

For the Convenience, the Highlights of Railway Budget, 2016-17 have been complied in questions and answers format which is given below : – Rail Budget 2016-17

Q. What is the theme of this Budget?

• To Reorganise, Restructure and Rejuvenate Indian Railways.
  · A new approach, a new way of working – “चलो, मिलकर कुछ नया करें”.
• Objectives:
  Ø to improve customer service,
  Ø regain the lost modal share, and
  Ø to introduce a new way of working by relooking the processes and structures.
• 3 pillars of the strategy :
  Ø Nav Arjan or New revenues (focus on new sources of revenue),
  Ø Nav Manak or New norms (optimising outgo on each activity), and
  Ø Nav Sanrachna or New Structures (revisiting all processes, rules, and structures).

Q Is this budget reform oriented?

• Yes, the Budget 2016-17 focusses on consolidation of the vision set out in the Budget 2015-16.
• Draft Bill on regulator to be finalized
• Restructuring Railway Board on business lines
• Forming cross-sectoral directorates
• Setting up Railway Planning and Investment Organisation
• Setting up a holding company for Railway PSUs
• Creating a separate organization Special Railway Establishment for Strategic Technology & Holistic Advancement (SRESTHA) for R&D
• Creating an organization Special Unit for Transportation Research and Analytics (SUTRA) for data analytics
• Setting up duly empowered missions to take forward 7 activities with time bound targets – missions are for switching over to 25 tonne axle load, increasing speeds, accounting reforms, commissioning 100 sidings/PFTs in 2016-17, preparing a blueprint of utilizing the network once DFC is commissioned, zero accident for safety and for procurement and consumption efficiency.

Q How is capacity augmentation planned?

• Plan Budget is pegged at Rs. 1.21 lakh crore, 21% higher than the expected Plan expenditure in 2015-16.
• 2015-16 will surpass target of commissioning 2,500 km Broad Gauge lines.
• 2016-17 commissioning of 2,800 kms of Broad Gauge track.
• 90 new projects involving a total investment of Rs. 1,26,172 crore covering about 8,432 kms covering new line, doubling, gauge conversion and Metropolitan Transport Project (MTP) included in the Budget.
• In 2016-17, Broad Gauge lines at the rate of over 7 km per day against an average of about 4.3 Km per day in the last 6 years.
• This pace will increase to about 13 kms per day in 2017-18 and 19 kms per day in 2018-19
• Railway Electrification – 1,600 kms to be commissioned in 2015-16; in 2016-17 propose to electrify 2,000 kms.
• High speed passenger corridor from Ahmedabad to Mumbai; SPV to be registered; will bring in modern technology for the country.
• DFC – three new freight corridors: North-South connecting Delhi to Chennai, East-West connecting Kharagpur to Mumbai & East Coast connecting Kharagpur to Vijayawada through innovative financing mechanisms including PPP
• Port connectivity: Tuna Port commissioned in 2015-16 and rail connectivity projects to ports of Jaigarh, Dighi, Rewas and Paradip under implementation. For 2016-17, to take up connectivity for the ports of Nargol and Hazira under PPP.

Q What is there for the Common Man?

• Introduction of Antyodaya Express, a long-distance, fully unreserved, superfast train service, to be operated on dense routes
• Addition of two to four Deen Dayalu coaches in some long distance trains for unreserved travel with facility for potable drinking water and a higher number of mobile charging points
• Sale of tickets through hand held terminals
• Sale of platform tickets through ticket vending machines both cash and card compatible
• E-ticketing facility to foreign debit/credit cards for foreign tourists and NRIs
  Facility of cancellation through the 139 helpline using ‘One Time Password’
• Bar coded tickets, scanners and access control on a pilot basis
• Progressive CCTV coverage at tatkaal counters
• ‘Vikalp’ (Alternative Train Accommodation System) scheme to be expanded to provide choice of accommodation in specific trains to wait-listed passengers.
• IRCTC to manage catering services in a phased manner.
• Extending e-catering services from 45 stations to all 408 ‘A-1’ and ‘A’ class stations.
• Explore making mandatory catering services optional in trains.
• Introducing a new policy where each stall at station can provide multiple products including milk products and OTC medicines
• Option to our customers for drinking tea in kulhad
• To convert all operational halts into commercial halts.
• Information boards in trains to list on-board services and also GPS based digital displays inside coaches to provide information regarding halts.
• A1 class stations to be manned with duly empowered Station Directors supported by cross functional teams.
• Passenger amenities and beautification on stations at pilgrimage centres including Ajmer, Amritsar, Bihar Sharif, Chengannur, Dwarka, Gaya, Haridwar, Mathura, Nagapattinam, Nanded, Nasik, Pali, Parasnath, Puri, Tirupati, Vailankanni, Varanasi and Vasco.
• Aastha circuit trains to connect important pilgrim centres.
• Porters to have new uniforms and train them in soft skills, to be henceforth called sahayak.

Q What is there for Cleanliness?

• ‘Clean my Coach’ service through SMS.
• Ranking of A1 and A stations based on periodic third party audit and passenger feedback.
• Waste segregation and recycling centres.
• ‘Awareness campaigns’ for cleanliness.
• Additional 30,000 bio-toilets.
• Providing portable structures with bio-toilets at all platforms of select stations for senior citizens, Divyang and women travellers.

Q What is there for farmers?

• Encouraging development of cold storage facilities on vacant land near freight terminals. Local farmers and fishermen would be given preferential usage of the facility. A policy in this regard would be issued in the next 3 months.
• Allowing floriculture/horticulture along tracks.

Q What is there for Industry?

• Expanding the freight basket by looking beyond core commodities
• Starting a time-tabled freight container, parcel and special commodity trains on a pilot basis
• Container sector to be opened to all traffic barring coal and specified mineral ores and part-loads during the non-peak season.
• Existing terminals/sheds to grant access to container traffic, where feasible
• Review of tariff policy to evolve a competitive rate structure vis a vis other modes, permit multi-point loading/unloading and apply differentiated tariffs to increase utilization of alternate routes
• Signing long term tariff contracts with key freight customers using pre-determined price escalation principles
• To develop Rail side logistic parks and warehousing in PPP mode
• 10 goods sheds to be developed by Transport Logistics Company of India (TRANSLOC) in 2016-17.
• Inaugurating soon India’s first rail auto hub in Chennai to capture automobile traffic.
• Exploring feasibility of opening up leasing of general purpose wagons.
• Appointing Key Customer Managers to liaison with our major freight stakeholders.

Q. What are the measures for environment and energy conservation?

• To reduce energy consumption in non-traction area by 10% to 15%; all new light provisions will be LED luminaire only
• More than 2,000 locations provided with Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) facility; RWH systems will be provided in a phased manner in all establishments having rooftop areas of more than 200 square metres
• Environmentally friendly composite sleepers made up of recycled plastic waste will be used over all girder bridges
  · Tender documents for 50 MW solar plants at rooftop issued and facility for another 100 MW being set up
• To commission 132.5 MW of windmill power plants in 2016-17
• Automatic coach washing plants to be commissioned in major coaching depots with a holding of more than 500 coaches
• To convert all production units as well as at least one workshop in each Zonal Railway as green industrial unit

Q. Are there any measures in the budget for Staff Welfare?

• To tie up with the Ministry of Health for ensuring an exchange between Railways hospitals and Government hospitals.
• Introduce ‘AYUSH’ systems in 5 Railway hospitals.
• All gang men to be provided devices called ‘Rakshak’ which will intimate them about approaching trains.
• to reduce weight of the tools carried by gangmen while patrolling
• Provide toilets and air-conditioning in cabs for loco pilots.
• one C T Venugopal chair on Strategic Finance, research and policy development
• One Kalpana Chawla chair on geo-spatial technology for IR.
• Rail University at Vadodara
• Skill development on IR premises with Ministry of Skill Development
• Railway Workshops and Production Units to develop ‘Centres of Excellence for Skill Development’, focussing on one/two specialized activities for the general public
• Join hands with prominent NGOs to provide skilling to people in remote areas including wards of Railways employees.

Q. Are there any passenger friendly initiatives to cater to special needs, including Senior Citizens, Divyang (differently-abled) etc?

• Expansion of Sarathi Seva to help old and disabled passengers requiring assistance at stations.
• Strengthen existing services for enabling passengers to book battery operated cars, porter services, pick up and drop, and wheel chair services – Rail Mitra Sewa.
• Ensuring all stations under redevelopment are accessible by Divyang
• At least one Divyang friendly toilet at each platform in A1 class stations in 2016-17.

Q Are there any measures for the business traveller?

• For passengers transiting railway network for freshening up before moving on with their business for the day, hourly booking of retiring rooms to be allowed instead of the existing minimum of 12 hours.
• Retiring rooms to be handed over to IRCTC for management.

Q What is there for Suburban systems?

• Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) III to be taken forward.
• Financial closure and an early award of tenders for two elevated suburban corridors between Churchgate-Virar and CSTM-Panvel
• Raise all low level platforms in Mumbai suburban stations in 2016-17
• Issues related to East West Corridor of Kolkata Metro resolved and Phase I will be completed by June 2018; working on the possibility of extending the East West Corridor by 5 km.
• Reviving the Ring Railway system in Delhi in partnership with the State Government.
• Major programme to build an integrated suburban ecosystem of IR by launching a new investment framework with sharing of equity contribution with the State Governments and ensuring cost neutrality on operations; detailed policy in 4 months.
• Partnership with State Governments of Gujarat, Telengana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu for developing suburban sections in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai, respectively by deploying innovative financing mechanisms.

Q Are there any measures for Women?

• To make available of children’s menu items on trains.
• Baby foods, hot milk and hot water to be made available on stations
• Changing boards for babies would be provided in train toilets.
• CCTV cameras would continue to be installed in coaches
• Sub-quota in allotment of stalls
• Encouragement to self-help groups to supply food on trains

Q. Are there any measures for youth?

• Open up IR to 100 students across Engineering and MBA schools for 2-6 months’ internships each year.
• Wi-Fi at 400 stations in next two years
• Rs. 50 crore earmarked for Innovation Fund for encouraging innovations and start-ups.

Q. Are there any measures for journalists?

• E-booking of tickets on the concessional passes available to them

Q What is there for the North East & J&K?

• States of Mizoram and Manipur will come on the Broad Gauge map of the country with commissioning of the Kathakal-Bhairabi and Arunachal-Jiribam Gauge Conversion projects.
• Decongestion work on the Jalandhar- Jammu line, an important link to the valley, is going on in full swing. Doubling of two bridges will be commissioned by March 2016, while the other two bridges will be completed by 2016-17.

Q What are the provisions for Technology?

• Integrating various facilities into two mobile apps – one dealing with all ticketing issues and the other for receipt and redressal of complaints and suggestions.
• Physical progress on DFC to be monitored in 2016-17 using latest drone and Geo Spatial based satellite technology
• Initiated system wide integration of IT programs/systems, both horizontal and vertical, akin to an ERP through innovative partnership models.
• Process leading to award of tenders electronically to be rolled out on a Pan-India basis in 2016-17.

Q Is there anything related to innovation and startups?

• Setting aside a sum of Rs. 50 crore for innovation grants to employees, startups and growth oriented small businesses
• Innovation labs to be set up in workshops and production units to support creative innovation by locals and staff.
• Annual innovation challenge
• To develop a Test Track for testing prototypes.

Q What is there for State Governments?

• Creation of Joint Ventures with State Governments for undertaking rail based projects. Received in principle approval from 17 states, out of which 6 MOUs have already been signed.
• 44 new line, gauge conversion and doubling projects proposed in partnership mode

Q How are resources proposed to be mobilized?

• LIC has agreed to invest Rs. 1.5 lakh crore over five years on extremely favourable terms.
• Looking forward to setting up a Fund with multilateral assistance for financing railway projects.
• Non fare revenues
• Station redevelopment will help monetize land and buildings through commercial exploitation of vacant land and space rights over station buildings.
• Monetizing land along tracks
• Monetizing soft assets such as data, software and some of the free services such as PNR enquiry, e-commerce activities on IRCTC website.
• Target to increase the advertising revenues by more than 4 times the current revenues.
• To liberalize the current parcel policies including opening the sector to container train operators
• Expanding our service offerings specially to growing sectors such as e-commerce.
• Pilot project for online booking of parcels.
• Revenues from manufacturing activity of production units and workshops for domestic and international market; revenue targeted at Rs. 4,000 crore by 2020.

Q Make in India

• After agreement for setting up two loco factories in India with an order book of about Rs. 40,000 crore, a similar bid process started for train sets for Rajdhani and Shatabdi services; current procurement to be increased by 30%.
• Production units and workshops to aim at generating annualised revenues of about Rs 4,000 crore by 2020 through manufacturing products for domestic and international markets.

Q Is there anything special for the passenger services?
For the unreserved passenger

• Antyodaya Express, a long-distance, fully unreserved, superfast train service, to be operated on dense routes.
• Addition of two to four Deen Dayalu coaches in some long distance trains with facility for potable drinking water and a higher number of mobile charging points.
• For the reserved passenger
• Humsafar would be fully air-conditioned third AC service with an optional service for meals.
• Tejas will showcase the future of train travel in India. Operating at speeds of 130 kmph and above, it will offer onboard entertainment, local cuisine, Wi-Fi, etc.
• Overnight double-decker, Utkrisht Double-Decker Air-conditioned Yatri (UDAY) Express on the busiest routes.
• Modern coaches
• Designing coaches to ensure higher carrying capacity and automatic doors, bar-code readers, bio-vacuum toilets, water-level indicators, accessible dustbins, ergonomic seating, improved aesthetics, vending machines, entertainment screens, LED lit boards for advertising, PA system.

Q Have any social initiatives been announced?

• IRCTC has begun the process of empanelling Self-help groups for providing catering/cooking services.
• Partnering with NABARD to provide support and access to our IRCTC website to ensure extensive e- marketing for products produced by the Self-help groups.
• Partnered with Khadi and Village Industries Commission to support creation of employment and self-reliance in rural India resulting in the generation of 17 lakh man days; will continue to partner with them
• Will encourage sourcing of products from SC/ST entrepreneurs.

Q Are there any measures related to tourism?

• Partner with the State Governments for operating tourist circuit trains and explore the possibility of a revenue sharing model.
• Recently upgraded our National Rail Museum; promotion of tourism through Railway museums and UNESCO world heritage Railways
• To spread awareness about our National Animal, the Tiger, we will offer complete packages including train journey, safaris and accommodation to cover the wildlife circuit comprising Kanha, Pench and Bandhavgarh.

*********

PIB

Allotment of Revised Pay Structure for Official Language Staff

Allotment of Revised Pay Structure for Official Language Staff

Railway Board letter to NFIR regarding Allotment of revised pay structure for Official Language Staff in Indian Railways

Ministry of Railways has sent a letter to Secretary regarding grant of revised pay structure for Official Language Staff in Indian Railways

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. PC-VI/2015/IR-N/1

New Delhi Dated: 18/02/2016

The General Secretary,
NFIR,
3, Chelmsford Road,
New Delhi – 110055

Sub: Allotment of revised pay structure for Official Language Staff on Indian Railways – reg.
Ref: NFIR’s letter No. IV/NFIR/Vlth CPC/Part 11 dated 02/02/2016.

Dear Sir,
    Undersigned is directed to refer to NFIR’ s letter under cited subject. In this context, copy of Ministry of Finance’s O.M  No.6(1)/E.III(B)/2011 dated 01.08.2012 is enclosed for ready reference.

DA:- As above

Yours faithfully,
For Secretary Railway Board

Download Railway Board letter No. PC-VI/2015/IR-N/1 dated 18.02.201

No.36(1)/E.III(B)/2011
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

***

New Delhi, dated the lst August 2012

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Allotment of revised pay structure for Official Language staff of Indian Railways.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Ministry of Railways, Railway Board’s OM No.PC Vl/2008/1/5/2 dated 26.04.2012 on the subject mentioned above,

2. The matter has been examined. It has been agreed to upgrade the Grade Pay of Rajbhasha Sahayak Gr.II .from Rs.28,.00 in PB-1 to that of Grade pay of Rs.4200 in PB-2· and its merger with Rajbhasha Sahayak Gr.I and bringing the Rajbhasha Staff of Zonal Railways at par with their counterpart in CSOLS subject to the following conditions:

i) The future recruitment in the grade of Rajbhasha Sahayak would be made through 100% by direct recruitment

ii) The educational qualification of the entry Grade (Rajbhasha Sahayak) may be kept as Master’s Degree at par with Jr. Hindi Translator of CSOLS.

iii) The necessary amendments may be made in-the RRs and all future recruitment would be done based on such amended RRs.

iv) The grade of Rajbhasha Sahayak Gr.II would be phased out by placing the existing incumbents who possess the prescribed educational qualification in the higher grade and for those who do not possess the requisite qualification be placed in the higher grade only on completion of 6 years of regular service in the lower grade.

v) The benefit may ,be extended on prospective basis.

vi) Ministry of Railways satisfying itself that this will not have repercussions on any other categories or personnel.

3. This issues with the approval of JS (Pers.).

(Sunita Bansal)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Big Boost to the Railway Sector: CCEA approves construction of additional Railway lines

Big Boost to the Railway Sector: CCEA approves construction of additional Railway lines

The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved construction of six Railway Lines and a Railway bridge to cater to both increased passenger and freight needs in various areas of the country. The proposals will cost over Rs.10,700 crore and most part of the expenditure will be met through extra budgetary resources (Institutional Financing). Details of the six approved projects are as follows:

1) Doubling of Hubli-Chickajur railway line

Doubling of 190 km long Hubli-Chickajur broad gauge single railway line has been approved. The total estimated expenditure will be Rs.1294.13 crore. The project is likely to be completed in 4¼ years during 13th Plan period and will cover the areas of Chitradurga, Davangere, Haveri and Dharwad.

Entire route from Pune-Miraj-Hubli-Bengalore has been identified for doubling which will not only improve smooth flow of traffic but also boost overall development of the region.

This stretch is part of an important rail link of passenger trains between Mumbai and Bangalore and goods trains to the ports at Mangalore. On this route, doubling between Bangalore-Tumkur and Arsikere-Chickajur have already been completed. On balance portion, doubling work between Hubli-Londa part of Hubli-Londa-Vasco-da-Gama, is also in progress.

2) Construction of Wardha (Sewagram) – Ballarshah 3rd railway line

Construction of Wardha (Sewagram) – Ballarshah 3rd railway line of 132 km will be taken up at an estimated completion cost of Rs.1443.32 crore. The project is likely to be completed in five years during 13th Plan period and will be located in Wardha and Chandrapur districts.

The line capacity utilization of the section is saturated and running of additional Mail/Express and Goods traffic over the section cause detention to the trains. Wardha (Sewagram) – Ballarshah section is very important from goods originating point of view of Nagpur Division where many collieries and many sidings are proposed on the section.

3) Doubling of Ramna-Singrauli railway line

Doubling of 160 km long Ramna – Singarauli railway line has been approved at a cost Rs.2675.64 crore and is likely to be completed by 2019-20. The project will cover the districts of Garhwa in Jharkhand, Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh and Sonbhadra in Uttar Pradesh.

The Ramna-Singrauli section falls in Dhanbad Division of East Central Railway. At present traffic utilization of the section is 105%, resulting in detention of trains and loss of revenue. In order to attain the desired fluidity and increase in the sectional capacity, doubling of this single line section is very essential from operational point of view. The project will serve the freight and passenger traffic needs in the jurisdiction of Northern Coal Fields and series of power plants and associated small scale industries in and around Anpara and Shaktinagar, namely Anpara Super Thermal Power Plant, Rihand Super Thermal Power Plant, Renusagar Hydro Power Plant,Singrauli Super Thermal Power Plant, Vidhyachal Super Thermal Power Plant.

4) Construction of 3rd railway line between Anuppur-Katni

Construction of 165 km long 3rd railway line between Anuppur-Katni in Madhya Pradesh has also been apporved at a cost of Rs.1595.76 crore. The project is likely to be completed in 5 ¼ years spanning over 12th and 13th plan period.

The project would cover the districts of Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria and Katni districts of Madhya Pradesh.
There has been tremendous surge in coal and one mining which has been geared up in the recent past and ambitious plans for an enormous leap forward in the ensuing years to tap these resources lying hitherto untapped. As a result of the rapid industrialization, number of industrial townships have also grown up along the project line. These developments have resulted in large demand for additional coaching services on the section. With this anticipated increase of freight traffic, the capacity utilization will reach upto 175%. Apart from this substantial additional coal traffic from IB valley, Korba area, East Corridor and Gevra Road – Pendra Road Project would be channelized through this route to the respective destinations. In order to meet the growth in the freight and passenger traffic, tripling of 3rd line between Anuppur-Katni is essential.

5) Doubling of Katni-Singrauli railway line

Construction of doubling of 261 km long Katni – Singarauli railway at a cost of Rs.2084.90 crore has been approved. The project will be completed in 5 ¼ years. The project would cover the districts of Katni, Shahdol, Sidhi and Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh.

Katni-Singrauli is a critical and busy section carrying coal from Northern Coal Fields towards Western and Northern thermal power plants. This section intersects Allahabad-Mumbai route at Katni. Provision of doubling between Katni-Singrauli section would provide the necessary line capacity for introduction of additional mail/express and passenger trains to serve the people of the area and transportation of coal from collieries. This will also boost overall development of the region.

6) Construction of additional Bridge and doubling project of Rampur Dumra-Tal-Rajendrapul

Construction of additional Bridge and doubling project of Rampur Dumra-Tal-Rajendrapul sector in Bihar at a cost of Rs.1700.24 crore has also got CCEA’s approval today.

The project is likely to be completed by 2019-20. The project is located in Begusarai and Patna districts of Bihar.

The existing rail-cum-road bridge at Hathidah has single line track and doubling is not possible. Present traffic utilization of the section is 123.5%. At present this is the only railway bridge connecting both North and South Bihar. Existing single line has resulted in heavy detention of goods and passenger traffic.
In order to streamline the operation of traffic in this single line section, it is very essential that one additional bridge and doubling of this section is undertaken. By providing this facility, there will be ample fluidity in maintaining train operations as well as introduction of more passenger/goods trains in the section and it will augment line capacity too. This will also facilitate in minimizing the running time of trains between Kiul-Barauni and Mokama-Barauni section and will ease out the existing operational constraints in this section.

PIB