NFIR

National Federation of IndianRailwaymen 3, CHELMSFORD ROAD,NEWDELHI- 110055 Affitiated t0 : Indian NationalTrade Union Congress(|NTUC) InternationalTransport Workers' Federation(lTF) No. tVA{FIR/2ft CpC/CORRES(R.B.)

Dated:t2/02/20r6

Shri SureshPrabhu, Hon'ble Minister for Railwavs. Rail Bhavan, NewDelhi RespectedSir, Sub:

Retrograde recommendationsof 7h CPC - serious unrest among Railway employeesinterventionrequested-reg. *****rt***{<

NFIR brings to your kind notice that the 7h CentalPay Commissionhasdonegraveinjustice to the Railway employeesof various categories.It is very sadto convey that the 7ft Central Pay Commissionhas failed to give due weightage to the rniquenessof Railways working, complex, hazardousand difficult working conditions of Rail Workforce who are involved in ensuringunintemrptedservicesround the clock facing all odds,inclementweatherconditions,remoteness,lack of minimum baiic amenitiesetc. In the meetingchairedby the Chairman,Railway Board on 04fr February2016,NFIR hasexplained the injustice doneto Railway categoriesby VII CPC and resultantdisappointnentand angeramongvarious categoriesof Railway employees.The Federationhas specially requestedthe CRB to take iniiiative in taking the matters to higher levels of the Government,impressingthe need for improving the 7ft CpC recommendations.Federationshave also given "5 pagesbrief', to the Member Staff and other Railway Board's Officials on 8fr February,2016for takingt"-"diul measures. ' In this connection,NFIR invitesthe kind attentionof Hon'ble MR to the following specificirr.r"r'(D

Technical Supervisors(JEs & SSEs):

Junior Engineers and Senior Section Engineers in Permanent Way, Works, Bridges, Track Machines, Ca:riage & Wagon, Loco, Mechanical, Electrical, S&T etc., are shouldering greater responsibilities and providing fuIl technical support to the Railways in ensuring maintenance,trouble shooting, prevention of failures and un-intemrpted flow of services round the clock. While entry qualification of Junior Engineersis "Diploma plus Induction training", the GraduateEngineersare inducted as SSE in GP 46001-(PB-2). Vast majority of this categoryis of technicallyqualified engineerswho are classified as "excluded" under HOER and are expectedto be availableon duty round the clock for 24 hours a day.Thereis no careergrowth at all to this categoryas the Group 'C' highestGradePay is limited to Rs. 4600/- (PB-2) only, therebythe directly recruitedtechnocratsfrom OpenMarket in GP 46001-continuedto remain in the gamerecruitment GradePay excepta very few engineerswho may rise to the level of Group 'B' (Gaz).Though it was agreedto replaceGP 4600/- with GP 4800i- when the issuewas discussedin the Anomaly Committeemeeting,the Railway Ministry had not implementedthe saidagreement. Contd.Page...2

While the 7^ CPC hasadmitted(Para11.40.113)that thereis an elementof stagnationat SSElevel, for their careerprogression.The the Commissionhasunfortunately,not madeany specificrecommendation SSEsin addition to,..!heirsupervisoryand technical duties are custodiansof stores/materialworth croresof rupees and equally responsible for establishmentmatters of the staff working_under their control. It is (3'" CPC)which was lowered relevantto takenote that SSEswere grantedpay scaleof 840-10401840-1200 down gradually by successivepay commissions.Resultantlythe Award given by Railway labour Tribunal headedby Justice N.M. Miabhoy which was acceptedand implementedby the Governmenthas been scuttled.The vertical and horizontal relativities were also disturbeddue to placementof SeniorTechnician and JE in one and the same Grade Pay of Rs. 4200/-, causing disappointrnentto Junior Engineerswho supervisethe working of SeniorTechnicians. to placethemin the pay In orderto mitigatethe injusticedoneto JEs& SSEs,it would be necessary Matrix levelsasbelow:JEs

in 7n'CPCPayMatrix level8

SSEs

in Pay Matrix level 9 with appropriatestatus(Gazetted)and further career progression.

(ii)

Technicians in Railways: !

The Techniciansin various deparhents of the Railways are performing the duties of maintenance net worl of varioustypes of assets,buildings,P. Way tracks, equipments,rolling stocl SignaVTelecom over-head equipments of Electric Traction on Open Line, PoH activities in Workshops/manufacturing activities in production units and various other technicaljobs under the open sky in all weatherconditions, facing noiseldustpollutions in sheds,depots,yards, pit lines, stations,and also on running trains. The 7ft CPC while recommendingrevised Pay Matrix level has ignored the duties of complex and unique nature perfonned by railway techniciansin all shifts round the clock throughout the rail network which are not comparable with the technicians of any other ministry/deparhent. The Technicians in Railways are . extremelyunhappyand seriouslyagitatedover the injustice doneto themby 7rt CPC. It is worth-mentioning that the Railway Ministry had, in fact, agreedfor merger of Technician-Il andkep pendrng with Technician-Iin GP 28001-(PB-1),but howeverthe saidproposalwas procrastinated for years by the Ministry of Finance.The VII CPC has unfortunately ignored this fact, inspite of NFIR's presentationbefore the commission.The Railway technicianstherefore deserveplacementin higher Pay Matrix levels. It is therefore proposed that Pay Matrix level 7 be provided with designation"Master Techniciad'to this categoryand equally the Pay Matrix levelsbe upgradedto the Technicianssuitably. (iii) (a)

Running Staff: '6l,ocoPilotoocategory:

The entry qualificationof Asst. Loco Pilots (GP 1900/-)is matriculationplus ITI (NCVT). Those selectedthrough RRB, after clearing the aptitude test and Aye-One standardmedical examinationare given rigorous trairing in general& subsidiaryrules (open line) for performing train running dutiesin all weather conditions.It is unfortunatethat the ALP categoryhasbeengiven normal replacementPay Matrix levels in place of existing Grade Pay Rs. 1900 & 24001-.This is a unique categorydirectly involved in trains workingwhich deservesimprovedPayMatrix levels. Contd.Page...3

The High Level Safety Review Committee headed by Dr. Anil Kakodkar had in fact recommended for upward revision of entry qualification to "Diploma in Engineering" but the said recommendation has not been considered by.,the Railway Ministry as also VII CPC. It is sad to note that the Pay Commission vide Para 11.40. 63 has concurred with the views of Railway Ministry stating that "effectiveness of the Loco Pilots can be improved by revamping their training rather than enhancing the minimum educational qualification" inspite of the fact that the staff of this category are expected to possess knowledge on technical aspects of 19 types of Locomotives for safe running of trains. It would therefore be necessaryto abolish GP 1900/- in the case of ALP category and upgrade GP 24001-to 2800/- for placement in the Pay Matrix at appropriate level. The 7ft CPC has failed to addressthe anomalies in the 6ft CPC Pay Structure of Ioco Pilot category . which has resulted in gontinuance of Loco Pilot (Shunting), Loco Pilot (Goods), Loco Pilot (Passenger)and Loco Pilot (Mail) in one and the same Grade Pay of GP 4200/- although the responsibilities and accountabilities of these staffare higher in promotion posts. When the 5ft CPC had done grave injustice to the Loco Pilot (Mail) category, the matter was dealt by NFIR at the level of Govemment, consequently, the Union Cabinet had approved for alloftnent of improved Pay Scale of Rs. 6000-9800 to the Loco Pilot (Mail) w.e.f. 01/0111996.Unfortunately, 6h CPC had brought down the Pay Scale to GP 4200/- and made Loco Pilot (Mail) equivalent to that of Loco Pilot (Goods). {hen this was dealt in the Departrnental Anomaly Committee to resolve the issue, the Railway Ministry had agreed for placement of Loco Pilots (MaiD in GP 4600 (PB-2). But the said decision has not been implemented, leading perpetual deprival of Grade Pay to these Staff. Hence there is need for allofrnent of higher Pay Matrix levels (Level7 & Level 8) to toco Pilot category. O)

"Train Guard" category:

The 7ft CPC has failed to rectifu the anomalous Pay Structure of "Train Guards" category. While the entry Grade Pay 2800/- of Guard (Goods) is continued, the Sr. Goods Guard, Passenger as well as Mail Guards are placed in replacement Pay Matrix level of GP 4200, thus the Pay Matrix level has become one and the same even on their promotion. In the case of Station Master category, the 7ft CPC has rightly recommended abolition of GP 2800/- on the ground that the entry qualification is "Graduation", but unfortunately, for Train Guard category, though the enfry level educational qualification is "Graduatiod' similar to that of Station Master, the existing Grade Pay Rs. 28001- has not been upgraded to GP 42001- for placement in the corresponding Pay Matrix level. There is therefore need to upgrade the Pay Matrix levels of Train Guards duly abolishing entry GP 28001-(PB-l). (iv)

Serious discoftentment Officials:

and frustration

among the Apex Group 'C' Grade Supervisory

In spite of effective and cogent presentation made by the NFIR before the 7ft CPC justifying the need to recommend Gazetted status to the Apex Group 'C' Supervisory Officials in various departrnents, the 7th CPC has unfortunately ignored the valid points placed before the commission. The Supervisory Officials in Railways in all departments are perforrning multifarious duties and their duty hours are unlimited and they are accountable for lapses, irregularities, failures etc. Most of them are not even entitled to avail weekly rest under HOER as they come under "Excluded" category. These are important field officials who contribute for effrciency, punctuality, quality, safety and productivity. NFIR therefore, seeks Hon'ble MR's intervention for taking the matter to the Government for granting them Group 'B' Gazetted status and onwards career growth. Contd.Page...4

il4t (v)

Need for negotiated settlement on Charter of Demands:

The Indian Railways has a Track Record of providing services to the customer with devotion. The Railway employees are committed to serve the Railways and they never failed in rising to the occasion for the cause of nation. On no occasion, there was stoppage of train services during the previous forty years and not a single man day was lost. This uniqueness of Railways needs to be preserved, hence gteater responsibility rests on the management for ensuring industrial peace & healthy industrial relations. More than one employee dies on an average per day in the course of performing duties in Railways while over ten employees on an average sustain injuries every day while perfonning duties to keep the wheel moving at all times. Non-finalization of grievances pending since long, non-rectification of 6ft CPC 'anomalies are contributing for serious resenfinent among the Workforce. Though the Hon'ble Ministers had ications io the Finance Ministry urging Government of India to exempt Railways from New Pension Scheme, there has been no positive response from the Government till now. The decision to bring FDI and import trains sets has created fear among Railway employees who strongly feel that the Government is aggressively pursuing to pivatize various Railway activities. Bibek Debroy Committee's report is also one of the contributory factors for Railway employees to feel insecure and fearfirl that corporates would take over railways sooner or later. Considering the new situations emerged in Railways as above and also in Defence, postal and other departrnent3 of Central Govemment, the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) consists of JCM constituent organizations of Central Govemment employees has decided to go on Indefinite Strike from 1lft April 2016 (6:00 A.M. onwards), in case of no negotiated settlement by that time on the Charter of Demands already sent to the Govemment of India. In Railways, the Federations have decided to serve *Strike Notice" on 1lft March 2016. The Federation is of the strong view that the Govemment as well as Railway Minisfry should take initiative to work towards reaching a negotiated settlement for averting Indefrnite Strike. NFIR" therefore, requests the Hon'ble Minister for Railways to see that the Govemment/Railway Ministy takes speedy measures for resolving the issues listed in the Charter of Demands amicably through negotiated settlement for averting "Strike".

Yours sincerely,

.1.

@r. M. Raghavaiah) General Secretary Copy to Shri Manoj Sinha, Minister of State for Railways, Rail Bhavan, New Delhi for information and necessaryaction please. Copy to the Chairman, Railway Board, New Delhi for information and necessary action please. Copy to the Mernber Staff, ttailway Board, New Delhi for inforrnation and necessary action please. Copy to the Financial Commissioner (Railways), Railway Board, New Delhi for infomration and necessary action please. Copy to the Executive Director/IR, Railway Board, New Delhi for.information and necessary action please. Copy to the affiliated Unions of NFIR. Media CentreA.{FIR File No. IV95lPart VIII. File No. rVA{JCA(N)I 2014/Part l. -