New Catering Policy in Railways

 New Catering Policy in Railways
New Catering Policy has already been notified on 27th February, 2017 with the objective to provide quality food to rail passengers by unbundling of catering services on trains. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has been mandated to carry out the unbundling by creating a distinction primarily between food preparation and food distribution. In order to upgrade quality of food preparation, IRCTC shall be setting up new kitchens and upgrading existing ones. New Catering Policy, inter-alia, includes the following features for unbundling of catering services

(i) IRCTC shall manage catering services on all mobile units.
(ii) Meals for all mobile units will be picked up from the nominated kitchens owned, operated and managed by IRCTC.
(iii) IRCTC will engage service providers from hospitality industry for service of food in trains.
(iv) IRCTC shall not outrightly outsource or issue licenses for provision of catering services to private licensees. IRCTC shall retain the ownership and shall be fully accountable for all the issues pertaining to setting up and operation of the Base Kitchens and quality of food.

33% sub quota for women in allotment of each category of minor catering units at all category of stations has been provided in the new Catering Policy 2017.

In compliance of provision in Budget 2016-17 that IRCTC would begin to manage catering services in a phased manner, new Catering Policy 2017 has come into effect on 27.02.2017 in supersession of Catering Policy 2010. The implementation and roll out plan will have essentially two sub components:- (i) Take over scheme for static /mobile units both departmental and licensee operated units. (ii) Unbundling implementation including identification of sectors and subsequent sequencing for takeover. Accordingly, in the first phase, IRCTC would take over 52 mobile units and 38 static units over the New Delhi -Mumbai (NDLS-BCT) route within the calendar year 2017 wherein contracts awarded by Zonal Railways through Standard Bid Document will be reassigned to IRCTC for starting the unbundling process.

This Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 12.04.2017 (Wednesday).

Supply of Rail Neer

Supply of Rail Neer

At present, Rail Neer is mandatorily supplied to passengers of all Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto/Suvidha trains. There is also mandatory supply of Rail Neer in 139 pairs of trains and 200 stations as identified by the Ministry of Railways. For remaining trains/stations, other brands of Packaged Drinking Water (PDW) bottles are being supplied to the passengers, as approved by the Zonal Railways. Presently, approximately 6 lakh litres of packaged drinking water is being supplied to passengers all over the Indian Railways, through production in seven Rail Neer plants located at Nangloi, Delhi (2003), Danapur, Bihar (2004), Palur, Tamil Nadu (2011), Ambernath, Maharashtra (2014), Amethi, Uttar Pradesh (2015), Parassala, Kerala (2016) and Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh (2017). However, since the estimated demand for PDW is approximately 25 lakh litres per day, six more Rail Neer plants are planned to become operational in the next two years which will augment the total capacity to approximately ten lakh litres per day. In addition, 1106 Water Vending Machines set up by Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) have been installed at 345 stations for dispensing drinking water to passengers at prescribed rates in refills and with containers as under:-

Another 1100 Water Vending Machines are planned to be installed on other railway stations shortly. Further, all railway stations already have provision of potable drinking water on all platforms to satisfy the needs of rail passengers, free of cost. On most of the important stations, water coolers and chiller plants are also in operation for providing cold drinking water to passengers during the summer season.

This Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 12.04.2017 (Wednesday).

Railway News: Rail Development Authority

Rail Development Authority

Ministry of Railways had brought out a concept paper for public consultation on setting up of Rail Development Authority of India. Based on inputs received from stakeholders, a proposal for setting up of RDA has been approved by Government.

Some of the aims and objectives of Rail Development Authority are: pricing of services commensurate with costs; enhancement of Non Fare Revenue; protection of consumer interests by ensuring quality of service and cost optimization; competition, efficiency and economy; market development; creation of positive environment of investment; benchmarking of service standards against international norms; providing framework for non-discriminatory open access to Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC); absorption of new technologies for achieving efficiency and performance standards; and human resource development to achieve any of its stated objectives. Rail Development Authority’s envisaged functions pertain to the above aims and objectives.

It is envisaged that RDA comprising a Chairman and three Members shall make recommendations to Government for appropriate consideration/decision.

This Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 12.04.2017 (Wednesday).

Merger of Dearness Allowance equal to 50% of basic pay w.e.f 01-04-2004 - Reckoning as pay for running Staff.

Merger of Dearness Allowance equal to 50% of basic pay w.e.f 01-04-2004 - Reckoning as pay for running Staff: Railway Board Clarification
 

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

No.EP&A-II/2006/RS-28

New Delhi, dated 20.11.2016.

The General Secretary
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, Chelmsford Road,
New Delhi - 110 055.

Sub: Merger of Dearness Allowance equal to 50% of basic pay w.e.f 01-04-2004 - Reckoning as pay for running Staff.

Ref: (i) DC/JCM Item No.15/2009.
(ii) GS/NFIR’s letter No.IV/RSAC/Conf/Vol.VI dated 28-03-2016.

Please refer to your letter dated 28.03.2016 under reference no. (ii) on the subject noted above. In this connection, it is mentioned that Board’s letter dated 21.10.2014 addressed to both the Federations highlighted that the basis for the exclusions was the Ministry of Finance’s OM dated 01.03.2004 on the merger of 50% DA with basic Pay that was adopted by the Ministry of Railways. Vide letter dt. 28.03.2016, however, NFIR has not agreed with the reply and has reiterated that the exclusions violate the IREM provision of Running Allowance and that the OM dt. 01.03.2004 of MoF is not relevant in this connection.

For a better understanding of the logic on which the three exclusions have been made. the table given below may kindly by seen:-

Clause No.

	Benefit of 30% pay element (mentioned in the clause) applicable to Running Staff	Relevant wording in MoF O.M. dated 01.03.2004 pertaining to the benefit	Remarks
A	Entitlement for Pass/PTO	LTC specifically excluded from revision of entitlement on merger of 50% DA with Basic pay	As Railways, do not have LTC Pass. PTO revision excluded accordingly vide RBE No.77/2008
B	Fixation in pay in stationary posts	Fixation of pay not included as an admissible benefit for revision of entitlement on merger of 50% DA with Basic Pay	Counting of the benefit (of merger of DA with Basic) for Fixation of pay is an issue pertaining to all Government employees and not merely Running Staff of Railways. When this benefit has not been extended to any Government employee, it cannot be extended to Running Staff isolation. RBE NO.77/2008 has been issued accordingly. As erstwhile Basic Pay element (without merger of 50% DA) however continued to be admissible for Fixation of pay of Running Staff in stationary posts, there is no violation of relevant IREM provision.
C	Entitlement of Quarters	Government accommodation specifically excluded from revision of entitlement on merger of 50% DA with Basic Pay.	As Railway Quarters are Government accommodation. Revision of entitlement has been excluded accordingly vide RBE No.77/2008.

As brought out in the table above, there has been no violation of the Rules, It is therefore requested that the item may be closed.

Sd/-
For Secretary/Railway Board

Source: NFIR Click to download

Revision in the rate of Ration Money Allowance in respect of Non-gazetted RPF/RPSF personnel

Revision in the rate of Ration Money Allowance in respect of Non-gazetted RPF/RPSF personnel

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE No.17/2017
No.E(P&A)I-2005/ALL/RPF/2

New Delhi, dated 28.02.2017.

The General Managers
All Indian Railways and Production Units.

Sub: Revision in the rate of Ration Money Allowance in respect of Non-gazetted RPF/RPSF personnel.

In terms of Board’s letter of even number dated 19.06.2015, non-gazetted RPF/RPSF personnel were entitled for Ration Money Allowance at par with Central Para Military Force (CPMF)/Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) Personnel i.e. @ Rs.95.52/- per day/per head w.e.f. 01.04.2014.


2. It has now been decided to revise the rate of Ration Monely Allowance from existing rate of Rs.95.52 per head per day to Rs.97.85 per head per day from 01.04.2015 to 31.12.2015.

3. Accordingly, sanction of the Ministry of Railways is hereby accorded post-facto to revise the rate of Ration Money Allowance from Rs.95.52 per head per day to Rs.97.85 per head per day from 01.04.2015 to 31.12.2015.

4. The other terms and conditions as stipulated in para 4 of Board's letter of even number dated 10.06.2009 remain unchanged.

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

6. Please acknowledge receipt.

(Anil Kumar)
Dy.Director Estt. (P&A)-I
Railway Board

Source: NFIR Download Railway Board Order

Revised classification and mode of filling up of non-gazetted posts - Scheme for filling up of vacancies after 31.12.2016

Revised classification and mode of filling up of non-gazetted posts - Scheme for filling up of vacancies after 31.12.2016.

Benchmark for Revised Classification and Promotion: Railway Board Clarification in view of 7th CPC Report on Revised classification and mode of filling up of non-gazetted posts - Scheme for filling up of vacancies after 31.12.2016

RBE No.20/2017

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

No.E(NG)I-2008/PM1/15

New Delhi,dated 03.03.2017

The General Managers (P)
All Indian Railways & PUs.
(As per standard list)

Sub: Revised classification and mode of filling up of non-gazetted posts - Scheme for filling up of vacancies after 31.12.2016.

Ref: Board's letters of even no dated 03.09.2009, 07.06.2010, 21.11.2011, 23.05.2012, 15.1.2013, 24.05.2013, 03.01.2014, 16.06.2014, 31.12.2014 & 09.02.2016 on the above subject.

Attention is drawn to Board’s order issued on 03.09.2009, consequent upon implementation of 6th CPC recommendations, regarding mode of filling up of Non-gazetted posts consequent upon merger of grades. The above scheme of such mode of filling up of non-gazetted posts has since been extended from time to time, last validity being till 31.12.2016.

2. 7th CPC, in its report in para 5.1.45 has recommended that benchmark for performance appraisal for MACP as well as for regular promotion be enchanced from ‘Good' to 'Very Good'. While recommendation for MACP has been accepted by Government and instructions in this regard have been issued vide Board's letter No.PC-V/2016/MACPS/1 dated 19.12.2016 (RBE No.155/2016), the issue regarding benchmark for regular promotion is still examination in consultation with DoP&T.

3. Accordingly, it has been decided by the Board that till such time instructions for benchmark for regular promotion are issued, the existing methodology and benchmarks for Promotion, as enumerated in the Board’s letters referred to above, may continue till further orders.

Please acknowledge receipt of this letter.

(P.M.Meena)
Deputy Director-II/E(NG)

Signed Copy

Grant of Advances - Seventh Central Pay Commission recommendations - Amendment to rules on computer Advance to Railway Servants

Grant of Advances - Seventh Central Pay Commission recommendations - Amendment to rules on computer Advance to Railway Servants

Government of India (Bharat Sarkar)
Ministry of Railways (Rail Mantralaya)
(Railway Board)

No.I/11-Part I
PC-VII No.: 15/2017
RBE No. 10/2017

No.F(E)Spl./2016/ADV.4/1(7th CPC)

New Delhi, Dated: 07-02-2017

The General Managers and FA&CAOs
All Indian Railways & Production Units
(As per standard List)

Subject: Grant of Advances - Seventh Central Pay Commission recommendations - Amendment to rules on computer Advance to Railway Servants.

Consequent upon the decision taken by the Government on the recommendations of Seventh Central Pay Commission, the Ministry of Finance vide their OM No.12(1)E.II(A)/2016 dated 07.10.2016 have amended the eligibility criteria in the existing provisions relating to the grant of personal Computer Advance.

2. Amendment conditions of grant of Computer Advance are as follows:

Advance	Quantum	Eligibility Criteria
Personal Computer Advance	Rs. 50,000/- or actual price of PC, whichever is lower.	All Government Servants
The Computer Advance will be allowed maximum five times in the entire service
The other terms and conditions governing the grant of personal computer advance shall remain unchanged.

3. Further, Ministry of Finance in their ibid OM have also decided that the other interest bearing advances relating to Motor Car Advance and Motorcycle/Scooter/Moped Advance will stand discontinued.

4. The above mentioned OM of Ministry of Finance relating to grant of Interest bearing advances will apply mutatis - mutandis to Railway employees also.

4.1 So far as the interest free advances are concerned, Bicycle and warm clothing advances stands abolished for Railway employees also in terms of MoF's decision.

4.2 Orders relating to other interest free advances will be issued separately separately by concerned Directorates.

5. Necessary/Advance Correction slip to the chapter XI of the Indian Railway Establishment Manual, Vol.I Revised Edition, 1989 will follow.

6. The revised orders are effective from 07.10.2016 i.e the date of the issue of the aforesaid OM of the Ministry of Finance. Past Cases where the advances have already been sanctioned under the provisions of earlier rules on the subject need not be reopened.

7. Please acknowledge receipt.

8. Hindi version will follow.

(A.C.Jain)
Dy.Director Finance (Estt.)
Railway Board.

Download the Order