NFIR of IndianRailwaymen Federation N?rtional ROAD,NEWDELHI. 11O055 3, CHELMSFORD Affiliatedto : IndianNationalTradeUnionCongress(INTUC) InternationalTransportWorkers'Federation(lTF)

Dated:l0ll0l20l5

No. IVA{FIR/PNM/107 The GeneralSecretariesof Affiliated Unions of NFIR

DearBrother on the introductoryobservationmadein the actiontakenstatement Sub: Supplementary lastPNMA{FIRmeetinghetdon 1Otrand11ftApril 2015-reg. tf**,trrtl.**

please find herewith action taken statement on the issues raised by the Snclosed Railway Board on Federationoutsidethe Agenda in the last PNM meeting of NFIR held with the meeting held on 08th l0,h/11s April 2015 - handed over to the Federation during the PNM October2015.

Yours fratern4-llY, DA/As above

GeneralSecretary MediaCentreA.lFIR.

: RAILMMDOR 9,Rly.22283,22626,Fax:011-23744013'Rly.22382,Telegram 6502729 Ph.: 011-23343305. irindia.com www-nf website_: nfir@sify,com, E-mail: [email protected]; EARLYDETEGT|oNoFH|V/A|DS.PRoLoNGSQUALITYoFL|FE

ST'PPLEMENTARY ACTION TAKEN STATEMENT ON THE INTRODUCTORY

oBsERvATroNsMADErN TIIE tA$T rNMAIFTRMEETTNG nnln cirvioifANn ilrHAPRIL 2ots.

Points Raised

Action Taken Statement

In order to provide medical facilities to the staff postedat way side stations,road mobile medical vans were to the provided in ail the divisions but the same has not vet been implemented.

As announcedby Hon'ble MR in Budget speechfor ttre year 2Al1-12 irutructions regarding provision of 20 Road Mobile Medical Vans have alreadybeenissuedvide Board's letter No.201llW2llFWfS dated 25.11.2011. However, out of 17 Zoies, the scheme could be implementedover six zones only. Metro Railway Kolkata doesnot have scope for deployment of Mobile Medical Vans and other ten zonesare still in the processof implementation.Therefore,extensionof the schemefur*rer can be consideredonly after the current scheme is implemented and resultthereof is evaluated.

A meeting with both the Federations was convenedby the Railway Board in the month of October2A74b discussa detailednote for introducing cashlessmedical services for railway employees and consensus was reached in the meeting to introduce the scheme.About six month period has passed but the orders are still awaited. It was requestedto implementthe schemeearly.

The detailedproposal with policy guideline is already sent to finance for concurrence. EOI from all CGHS empanelledhospitals have already been received from all over India.

The Federationreminded the Railway Board tfrql in NFIR's pNM meeting held on 20ftl2t'tnebruary 2013,the Member staff had announcedintroductign of CashlessMedical services to the RELHS beneficiaries throughout the Indian Railways. Federation saidthat a period of more than two yearshas passed,there is no progress.Federationalso statedttrat the DGIRHS held a meeting with the Federafionson l2\rlovember 2014. but thercis no progress.

In view of heavy shortage of doctors still Doctors in Railways are appointedthrough persisting, Federation stressed to find combined Medical Service Examination solutionto this problemat the earliest. (CMSE) on the basis of recommendations made by the Union public Service Commission(UPSC).However,joining rate of IJPSC selected doctors is very low resulting in vacant position in Railway Hospitals and health units. With a view to attract UPSC recruited doctors to join IRMS, provision for sanctionof sfudy leave has been relaxed. It is expected that the joining rate would improve soon. Two indents of about 700 doctors has been received from IJPSC recently. During current year about tzl tjpsc selected IRMS Doctorshavejoined and the process t: rlitt continuing. Age limit for joining as CMP and HVS doctors has been raisedto 64 years. The financial ceiling limit on engagement of doctorson caseto casebasis has also been done away with. These measureswould further improve availability of doctors. In addition advertisementfor specialist Doctors' direct recruitonent advertisement hasalsobeenissued. Talking on the issue of scrapping New A D.O, letter dated 04.a3.2015 from PensionSchemein Railways, the ieJeration Member Statr (MS) to Secretary,DopT urged Member Staff to follow up the issue with copies marked to Secretaries of with the MoFlDop&T vigorously for DOP&PW and the Departrnentof Financial ggcuringdecision, exempting Railways from Service (DFS), was sent requesting to NewPensionScheme. arrange to communicate Government's decision on the then Hon'ble Minister for Railways, Sh. Mallikarjun Kharge's letter dated 29.$.2Aru written to then Hon'ble Finance Minister, Sh. p. Chidambaram regarding ,exemption of the railway employeesfrom the applicationof the New Pension Scheme CIIPS). MOF has not agreedto the request. The issue was further discussed by the Federationswith Board on 01.10.2015 whereinit was decidedthatameetingof the Federati_ons with Hon'ble MR wilt be fixed

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The wards of safety staff in Gp 1900 are The mattEris underexamination. bging subjectedto written test unnecessarily

ylen thevarebeingofferedupp"in*rr*'ii

GP 1800/- since Gp 19007: is not a recruitunentpost. Federationalso ,uia tfrut on some Zonal Railways when the wards of safetystaff of Gp 1900 failed in the writren test, they have been ofFeredappointment in the GP 1800as this being fe"dJ, Cruaepay for trigher grade pay safe-typost. FeJeration ruriher mentionedthat NFIR has sent letters Railway Board to rectiS rhese i? t. aoerratlons and issueordersnot to suLjectthe wards to written test when tfr.y *J to be

gTT:a_ uppointmentin cp iSOOunder

LARSGESS.But howevertherehas been no response. The serviceas Loco pilots (Shunting) is not countedfor reckoning the toial serviil which rj rfnroper. Federation urged tfr.--iot *f", Staff to see that necessaryclarification is issuedto the Zonal Railways to ,ecton tfre service of Loco pilot (Shunting) for the pu{poseof applicationof LARSCESS.

The matter was examined in consultation with EstablishmentDte. In terms of extant instructionson LARSGESS,last ten years serviceshould be renderedin the concerned lufrty categoryposts, which are identified tbr the Scheme. The categoryof Shuntersis not an identified categoryfor LARSGESS. Hence, service rendered by Drivers as ftong clarifrcation regarding reckoning of Shunters in the last ten years cannot be of quatifying vegl r"i'i." in respectreckoned for determining the eligibility in ?y? ot Loco Pilots, Track Maintainers, specified respect of Quali$'ing service oi se"king in Gp 1800andtgbbunder Voluntary retirementunderLARSGESS. !f.V gut"gories

Liberalized Active Retirement Scheme for

Employment for Safety Staff 9ggf:q (LARSGESS). The Loc,oRururing Staff is deprived of this scnemebecausethe fulfilment of 10 years servicein the last l0 yearsalsoincludes their service rendereda,s Loco pilot (Shunting) which is not consideredas Safety'.Category. The AVC of their promotion is ALp to Lp (S-hunting)and Lp (Shunting; to Loco pilot, while ALP is consideredu, fufrty Category. Tlre Railway Board is therefore requested to take correclive action becausethe Westem

Railway doesnot agreeto treat tfre serviceai Loco Pilot (Shunting)followed by serviceas Loco Pilot in the last l0 yeaf,sfor applying LARSGESS. Federation meritioned about the policy on dnlrkennessfor which Federation'sreply has alreadybeen sent to the Railway Board vide letter dated 09/0612014,unfortunately there hasbeenno responsefrom Railway Board.

Ministry of Railways constituted a Committeeto review the existing policy on drunkennesson duty vide Board's letter No. ERB-V2010/23/11 dated 05.03.2010.The recommendationsof the Committee along with the views of the NFIR were put up to the Board, it was decidedthat as of now the existing policy on drunkenness on duty issued vide Railway Board letter No. 2001/Safety-I123 /4 dated27.11.2001stands good.

Medical facilities to the dependentparentsof Railwayemployees. Federation stated that though the Railway Ministry.has appointed a Committee in the yew 20I'1, unfortrmately the issue has still beenpendingsincethe last 3 years.

The proposal for implementation of the schemefor extensionof medical facilities to both dependentfather and motherof railway employees, as announced by the then Hon'ble MR has been dropped as the presentinfrastructureof medical deparftnent cannot bearthe extraload of beneficiaries.

The Federationshas brought to the notice of the Member Staff that the proposal for constructionof Library-cum-Meeting Hall at NFIR's Offrce premiseswas agreed to be consideredby then Railway Minister. The issue was also discussed in the General ManagerlPNM Meeting. Federation expressed their disappointment over abnorrral delay in according sanction while similar facility was given to the sister Federationyearsback.

Northern Railway have advised that work for the construction of Library-cumMeeting Hall in NFIR's Central Office was proposed in Works Programme Vol-V 2015-16amountingto Rs. 98.47lalrtrsbut it could not be short listed

Medical facilities are deteriorating day by Doctors in Railways are appointedthrough day. There is acute shortageof doctors. At combined Medical Service Examination the sametime there is no proper management (CMSE) on the basis of recommendations for procurement and distribution of the made by the Union Public Service medicinesregularly to the health units and Commission(UPSC).However,joining rate hospitals.The Health units are being located of LIPSC selected doctors is very low at far-flung distances and it becomesvery resulting in vacant position in Railway difficult for the railway employeesto trave1 Hospitals and health units. With a view to for sucha long distancein a stateof sickness. attract {.IPSC recruited doctors to join They may not even get proper keatmenteven IRMS, provision for sanctionof studv leave 4

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after travelling for such a long distance in absenceof doctorsandpropermedicines. It is thereforenscessarythat Mobile Medical Van facilities are made available for the employeeswor*ing at remote places. The Mobile Modical vans already made available earlier'andprovedto be successfulshouldbe extendedto coverotherplaces.

has been relaxed. It is expected that the joining rate would improve soon. Two indents of about 700 doctors has been received from UPSC recently and appointnent letter are being issued to the candidates. This would further improve availability of IRMS doctors. To overcome the shortage, as a stop gap arrangement, Doctors both generai duty and specialists are appointed on contract basis. Further, retired railway doctors are now also being appointedon contractbasisfor two years, As arurouncedby Hon'ble MR in Budget speech for the year 2Ql1-12 instructions regarding provision of 20 Road Mobile Medical Vans have alreadybeenissuedvide Boardos letrer No.201llw2l,lFttt] dated 25.11.2411. However,out of 17 Zones, the schemecould be implementedover six zones only. Metro Railway, Kolkata does not have scope for deployment of Mobile Medical Vans and other ten zonesare still in the process of implementation. Therefore, extension of the scheme further can be consideredonly after the current schemeis implementedandresult thereof is evaluated.

It is a geueral complaint from the Retiring Employeesof the Indian Railways that their PPOsare reachingto the nominatedPension Disbwsing Banks after a period of 4 to 5 months,resulting in Non Paymentof Pension to them in time. This is due to the fact that the Indian Railways have handed over the businessof disbursement of Satary of the employeesas well as Pension of the retired staffto the Indian NationalizedBanl
Single Window System has been implementedwith banks to do away with delays in commencement of pension paymentsinherent in the earlier system. In brief, the schemeenvisagesthat Railways will hand over the PPOs issued during a month to the nominatednodal branchof the respectivebanks (located at the HQ of PPO issuing Railways) by 5* of the following morrth. The nodal branch is responsibleto forward it to tlreir concemed Centralised Pension Processing Centre (CPPC) by lOtrof the following month so that the CPPC can conrmencepension w.e.f. Last day of the following month. The scheme has already been implemented with 22 banks and remaining banks are under processof implementation.

difficulties. This issue @ the Railway Board with the HOD of the banks concemed to set the procedure, making it trouble free. In view of these difficulties, initjal ppos and the papersof the retired employees may be ient to the concerned bank within l0 days of their superannuation.

It has been observed,that repeatedlp many complaints are received from the families and also the employeesin respectof their treafinentin the Hospitals in referral casesor non referral casesto the Recognizedprivate Hospitals.In such cases,they are allowed Medical Reimbursementat CGHS Rates which is too less, Whereasthey have to bear heavy expensesfor their treabnentand when they claim the reimbursement of the exponsesincur:redactually they are not paid the claimed amoun!. This is causing resentment?mong staff which needs to bi remediedsoon. This is almost a burning issue in the present scenario,which needs to bs thought over seriously.

Further,at present,the pensioneris calledto the bank for isubmissionof an undertaking about recovery of excess/ overpayments beforecommencement of pension. In order to obviate delays in the process of cornmencement of pensionon this account, Board, vide leffer No. F@)IIV20OSipNIll3 dated n.A3.2011 has issued instructions that requisite undertaking may be obtained by HOD from the retjring employeebefore his retirement and forwarded to pension disbrnsing bank alongwith ppO by the Acco'untsOfficer. The pensionerwould no longer be required to visit the barrk to activatehis first paymentofpension. In addition,it is plannedto issuee-ppOsto the banks under the centralised pension aoplication(ARPAN) which would do away with the delays altogether. The same is beingtestedand is expectedto be rolled out by end of this year. Railways are being advised to sfictly follow the instructions and monitor timely commencementof pensionto the staff.

Reimbursementclaims axeexaminedas per the laid down provision in Railway Board's circular issued from time to time. The provisions have been laid down keeping in view the policy guidelineissuedUy Mi*itry of Health &Family Welfare with fte concurrence of Finance Wine. Anv deviation from the laid down pofiJy wouli be possible only if Ministry of Health &Family Welfarerevisesits policy.

Federationhighlighted peculiar situation on NormallS Hospitals that accept CGHS North Central Railway, that serving Railwav of Health and Family Welfare),s

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employeesand RELHS beneficiarieswhen referred to private Hospitals for medical treatment,are not entertainedproperly by the private hospitals to which casesare referred forthe reason.thatsuchreferrals are at CGHS rates which are far below the higher prevailing market rates. The Railway employeeslRElHS beneficiarieswhen insist on treatment they qre chargedthousandsof rupees beyond the CGHS rates. Federation requestedthe Member Staff to see that the casesof medical treatmentwhen referred to piivate Hospitals are attended to and dealt properg.

conditions are empanelledby Railways for providing Medical facilities to Railway beneficiaries. In every zorLe,the cases referredto the tie-up hospitalsand paymenl rnadeat CGHS rates without any complaint so-far. Federationis requestedto please highlight specific casesof the irregularities so that necossarycorrective action can be taken.

Discriminatory treatment to the wards of Board's instructionsdated 14.09.2012was railway employees appointed under issuedin pursuanceof DoPT's clarification LARSGESS scheme as Trainee pay issued on 03.04.2012" which in turn Rs.4440/-in 1Spay bandwithout Gp. emanatedfrom the earlier clarification given In terrnsof para 1 of Railway Board's letter by DoPT in December 2A09 while vide No. E(NG)IIII998/RC-1/64 dated reviewing the scheme of compassionate 14109/20t2a person appointed as trainee appointmentin light of specific para 2.2.9 enjoys the stafus of a government servant and 2.2.10 of the 6* Pay Commission from initial day and will be allowed all the recommendations as accepted by the allowancesand benefits.However candidates Govemment of India. In Para 2.2.9, a appointed on compassionate ground as separaterunningpay banddesignatedas -1S trainee in -1S without any GP are denied scalewas recommended for postsbelonging suchbenefits. Ultimately, hundredsof wards to Group'D'. However,the samewasnot to appointed under LARSGESS as gangmen, be countedfor any pu{pose. In para2.2.10, gatemerl klhalasis, TA, NDA, NI{A are Commissionhas also recommendedthat no denied the benefits. WRMS has raised this direct recruitnent in -1 scale would take issue at Zonal level. After deliberationsthe place. The scale would, however, be matter was referred to Railwav Board vide operatedfor regulating emolumentsduring GM@)-CCG's letter N". D.O. the trainingperiod of candidateswho do not possess the minimum qualification of No.E(R&T)I 590/ 60/ 1 ISRRS(Policy)Vol.I dated 1510512014. The Railway Board vide Matric. The Commissionwas of the firm letter No.E(NG)II/19981RC-t/64 dated view that candidates not possessingthe A9107/2014 has advisedCPO-CCGto allow minimum qualifications of Matric could not ] suchbenefitsonly to the personappointedin be recruited in the Government. At ttre I compassionate ground only. It is not sametime, Commissionalso recommendedI understoodhow the Railway Board can deny that in exceptional circumstances like I various allowancesto the personsappointed compassionate cases, Government might I as trainee at par with compassionate need to provide employment opportunitiesI to certiain classes of persons not I appointee. It is fherefore requestedto re-examine the immediately meeting the minimum I 7

-cls:_at Railwayeom educational ctanrrcatoryinstructions to Western Railway could recruit them as traineeswho would be to removediscrirnination. given a regular pay band and Grade pay od{ on acquiring the minimum qualification prescribed under the Recruitmentrules. it is amply clear that Board,s mstructionsdated 14.0.9.2012 applied only exclusively in caseswhere cand'idatebeini considered for appointment on compassionateground were not meetingthe minimum qualification of entry into ttre Governmentservice that is, in'Grade pay Rs.l800/- and the word 'traine"' hu-rrebe"n coined by them only for this limited use. It has nothing to do with trainees in various pay Rs.l900 &above, postsof where lrade rt rs mandatoryfor personsbeingconsidered to clear the entire training pJriod before joTi"g a.working post. Further, during such training period, they are on'stipendl There is a difference betweena trainee and an employee. Where trainee gets stipend, ,1: r*g.loyee gels salary aloig *iif, uU other allowances. The recruifirrrr *1", provide what benefit be given to trainees. The issue standsclarified-in terms oi t"tt", I..^ . E(NG)Iy20l5lRC_t/GenL/2, dt. 23.04.201s.

In clerical cadre, the ,rprur*Jili-lT

$s per extant instructions l2.5yo i"u-r" good compared to other _quite Reservefor ClericalStaffis provided. categories. However w_omen.is

thereis no provisionof IrR resultingCCL beingdeniedil; times they are compelledto- attend ;ffil work while on leave unoflicially fb, ;;; hours

&clear the work. This needsto be remedied.

There is need to have provision of I-T in Ministerial Cadre. rne recoffinendationsof the IIpC

on HOER, The recommendation

mad. uy tlrr@ to tr,e-nail*uyPowerCommitteeconstifuted f}:i 1T _g':".submited to reviewthe B::t{,. rf y_et to betaken

f", airrr*i"i wtm Ni'tK fbr implementation. "p The issueis duty hours of running staff and the other safety related categoiies are rrndei active

longpending.

consideration of the Board.

f iil.July.J014provisionalpensionwas pai< In this regard, it is statedthat a clarifioation to the widows of post 0I/OI/ZAA4deceasc( sought by Western Railway in connection employees(who were appointed on or after with Board's letter dated 08.09.2014has AVU/2}A,4)and coveredunderNew pensior already been clarified vide Board's letter Scheme.However, from July 2014, it har dated09.02.20t5. been _stoppedby ST.AFA/ENG/Churchgate vids letter No.PEN/0S37ZlE7gg/NpS dated llll2/2014 and quoting the reference oj Railway Board's letter No.20I 2tT.(E)ItV(I)/ 4 dated A8/09/ZAA &AFA(pF;s) letrer No.PF/2930/E845AIPS,directing io obtain -opJionin the prescribedfonnat from the legal heirs of the deceasedNpS employees -benefit or invalid employees availing the of provisional pension from Railwavs or accurnulated pensionwealthunderNpS. provisionalpensionpayableto lon-sgeuentlV the New Pension Schemewidowliegal heirs hasbeen'stoppedon the plea that undlertaking needsto be given as below:Option A: i.e. to avail pension or family pensionas per DppW,s OM No.g/41106/p &PW(A) dated A5/05i2009and to transfer lhe accumulatedpensionwealth with NSDL lo the Government department rnconditionally or

)ption B : i.e. to avail the accumulated rensionwealthwith NSDL. n the abovematter no action has beentaken ry the Westem Railway Administration for lqp:"t of monthly pension and paymenrof )CRG etc.,to the widows of formei railway rmployeesunder NpS with the result the vidowshavebeensuffering. rederationrequested the Member Staff to :indly intervene and issue suitable nstructionsto the. GMs etc., for arranging n5rments. RWF adminisfration has recognized two y?jol lospitals as referral hospitals (St. Hospital and M.S. Ramaiafr Hospital), ,Iohn's but.unfortunalelyit is facing some problem

RWF has been advised to renew empanelmentof St. John Hospital at their level vide Board's letter dated 19.05.2015. Fuqther,M.S. RamaiahHospital

for renewal. This has created serious has also been approved for empanelment resentmentanong the staff This may please vide letterdated07.Q7.2A1,4. be solved. Incentive to Qrqf cutting Staff working in RWF vide letter Board's No; Scrap pre conilitioning bay needs to be 20A9lMeUyl/40 dated 17.04.2A74have considered. been advised to review Group Incentive Scheme. The decisionsregarding inclusion of various categoriesof staff would be taken after the sahemehasbeenreviewed ****

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