AdmissibiIity of House Rent Allowance in the event of non-acceptance or surrender of railway residential accommodation

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

RBE Np.I762010.
New Delhi, dated 08 -12-2010

NO.E(P&A)ll-2010/HRA-2

The General Managers,
All Indian Railways & Production Units etc.
(As per mailing lists No.I&III)

Sub: AdmissibiIity of House Rent Allowance in the event of non-acceptance or surrender of railway residential accommodation.

Ref: Board’s letters No.
(i) E(P&A)ll-87/HRA-15 dated 16-5-1988
(ii) E(P&A)ll-95/HRA-3 dated 14-2-1996
(iii) E(P&A)ll-99/HRA-2 dated 12-7-1999 & 16-3-2000
(iv) E(P&A)ll-2002/HRA-4 dated 16-10-2002 and,
(v) E(P&A)ll-2002/HRA-4 dated 9-5-2003

Attention is invited to Board’s letters quoted above delegating powers to the General Managers and other Heads of Organisations directly controlling allotment of quarters to railway servants for sanction of House Rent Allowance in accordance vith the prescribed conditions to the categories of railway employees specified therein. This delegation of powers was valid upto 31-3-2010.

2. The question of renewing this delegation of powers beyond 31.3.2010 has been engaging the attention of the Board. On the basis of the reports received from the Zonal Railways and Production Units, the matter has been considered and the Board have decided to renew the sanction contained in para 5 of their letter dated 16.5.1988 ibid and as amended modified from time to time, w.e.f 1-4-2010 upto 31-3-2017 whereafter the question of renewing this delegation will be considered by the Board and a fresh sanction, if necessary, issued on the basis of reports received from the General Managers etc. Directly controlling allotment of quarters, in regard to the position of availability of railway accommodation under their control.

3. In case at any point of time it transpires that some accommodation is likely to remain vacant/un-occupied due to lack of demand, it should be made compulsory to submit applications for such types where there is surplus accommodation, and consequently, the employees entitled for such types would not be eligible to draw House Rent Allowance.

4. This delegation is also subject to the over-riding condition that these orders are liable to be withdrawn/modified at any time during this period, if it is considered necessaiy by the Board to do so.

5. This has the approval of the President and issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

6. Kindly acknowledge receipt.

(Salim Md.Ahmed)
Deputy Director, Estt.(P&A)Ill,
Railway Board.

Source: IRTSA

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Recruitment of Sportspersons in Railways

Recruitment of Sportspersons in Railways

During 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10, total 1328 sportspersons were recruited on Indian Railways against Sports quota.

These sportspersons were recruited in Aquatics, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Ball Badminton, Basketball, Billiards & Snooker, Body Building, Boxing, Chess, Cricket, Cross Country, Cycling, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Powerlifting, Shooting, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling.

Sportspersons on Indian Railways are recruited through Open Advertisement as well as Talent Scouting Scheme. The sportspersons fulfilling the criteria as per norms, are invited for selection trials. The sportspersons found fit during trials are issued offer of appointment, after verification of certificates and completing all requisite formalities.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri K.H. Muniyappa in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Admissibility of full pension to Railway servants retiring on or after 01.01.2006

PC-VI -- 223/2010
RBE No.118/2010

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. F(E)III/2008/PN1/13

New Delhi, dated 10.08.2010

The GMs & FA & CAOs,
All Zonal Railways & Production Units,

(As per mailing list).

Sub:     Admissibility of full pension to Railway servants retiring on or after 01.01.2006 - regarding.

***

            Clarifications are being sought from this office by the Zonal Railway Administrations in connection with the revised instructions issued by the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare regarding grant of full pension to Government servants retiring on or after 01.01.2006, and its applicability to those employees who are absorbed in Public Sector Undertakings/Autonomous bodies.

2.        It is informed that the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare, vide their O.M. dated 10.12.2009, circulated on the Zonal Railways etc. vide this office letter of even number dated 15.12.2009, has dispensed with the linkage of full pension with 33 years of qualifying service with effect from 01.01.2006, instead of the earlier to pension cut off date of 02.09.2008. As such, all employees becoming entitled to pension on completion of 10 years of qualifying service in accordance with Rule 69(2) of the Railway Service (Pension) Rules, 1993, on or after 01.01.2006, are eligible for pension equal to 50% of the emoluments or average emoluments, whichever is more beneficial to them. With the issue of these instructions, the concept of pro-rata pension has ceased to exist with effect from 1.1.2006. This provision is equally to those employees who have been permanently absorbed in PSUs/Autonomous Bodies and have since become entitled to monthly pension in terms of the extant instructions.

3.          All the Zonal Railways etc. are, therefore, advised to settle the pending cases accordingly.

4.          Please acknowledge receipt.

s/d
(Sunil Bhardwaj)
Deputy Director Finance (Estt.)III
Railway Board.

More details...
www.indianrailways.gov.in

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Railways provide more facilities for Physically Handicapped Persons

Facilities for Physically Handicapped Persons

The number of orthopedically handicapped/paraplegic persons traveling on concession tickets in reserved segment during the year 2009-10 is approximately 9.84 lakh. Indian Railways have been manufacturing passenger coaches with specially designed compartments and toilets for wheel chair borne passengers. Facilities for ramp etc. for ingress/egress are not available in the current designs of coaches.

Facilities already exist for provision of wheel chairs at stations. This service is provided free of cost, duly escorted by coolies (on payment) as per present practice. Zonal Railways are also attempting to provide ‘Battery Operated Vehicles for Disabled ad Old Age Passengers’ at railway stations through commercial publicity route.

All major railway stations have been provided with ramps at exit/entry. Ramps and pathways have also been provided at the end of the platforms at all major railway stations to facilitate inter-platform transfer for physically challenged passengers. Provision of ramps at remaining stations is undertaken by Railways in a phased manner.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri K.H. Muniyappa in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
PIB

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Ministry of Railways is developing ‘Single Window Commercial Portal’

Railways Developing a Single Window Commercial Portal to Enhance Passenger Convenience

In a move to enhance passenger convenience and ensure hassle-free ticket booking, the Ministry of Railways is developing a ‘Single Window Commercial Portal’ which is envisaged as an e-commerce platform integrating a wide gamut of commercial activities. To develop a Single Window Commercial Portal has been a well deliberated decision taken more than two years ago and is aimed to augment the e-ticketing services in addition to other activities under the single window e-commerce platform. Such options already exist in aviation sector where there are stand alone ticketing portals as well as parent platforms where travellers can subscribe to other Umbrella/Value added services offered by the carriers. As and when adopted, the additional portal services of Railways will supplement the existing services so as to cater to the increased passenger traffic as well as the demand for e-ticketing given its flexibility.

Constant innovation, process improvements and use of contemporary technology has been a conscious step of Indian Railways towards increasing the ease of ticketing in general and e-ticketing in particular. The Ministry of Railways has recently taken several measures in this direction, which include liberalized norms such as acceptance of more number of ID-proofs and extension of e-booking facility 24X7 (except for one hour down time which is mandated for maintenance). In addition, restrictions have been imposed with respect to blocking access to agent during the peak hours i.e. 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the morning. Moreover, special drives and checks have also been intensified to curb touting activities. These measures have been undertaken to ensure that genuine travelers can avail the services and the measure is not directed against a particular entity.

Indian Railways is also adopting a number of measures aimed at proliferation of not just e-ticketing but also ticketing in general such as use of Mobile Ticketing Vans, appointment of Jansadharan Ticket Booking Sewaks, Automatic Ticket Vending Machines and tie-ups with Banks and Post Offices.

PIB

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Vital changes in the pay structure of the Railway employees

Shiva Gopal Mishra General Secretary of AIRMF addressed a press conference on 25.06.10 at Press Club of India, New Delhi. He touched various burning issues in Indian Railways. We reproduce full text of the letter as follows...

PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi, June 25, 2010, “There will be vital changes in the pay structure of the Railway employees”, this was stated by Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra, General Secretary, All India Railwaymen's Federation and Northern Railwaymen’s Union in a Press Conference held here in Press Club.

Shri Mishra stated that, keeping in view the interests of the Railwaymen working in various categories; Railway Board has given its consent to change their Pay Bands widely. He stated that, after the meeting of Departmental Anomaly Committee, it was recommended to provide GP Rs.4800 to all Supervisors of apex grade as well as modification in other cadres have also been suggested.

Shri Mishra stated that more than one lakh Technicians, working in the Indian Railways and used to call Technician-II with GP Rs.2400, will now be merged with Technician-I GP Rs.2800. This will also be applicable on more than 36,000 Ticket Collectors in GP Rs.2400 and they will be provided with GP Rs.2800.

Shri Mishra informed that the Railway Board has also recommended to improve the grade pay of Technical Supervisor, Section Engineer, Jr. Engineer from GP Rs.4200 and 4600 to Rs.4600 and 4800 respectively.

“Railway Board have also recommended grade pay of Loco Pilot and Guard; and based on this, Loco Pilots of Mail and Express trains will be provided with GP Rs.4600. Besides this, Railway Board have also recommended to give Additional Allowance to the Loco Pilot(Goods) and Guard(Goods)”, Shri Mishra informed.

Shri Mishra stated that, keeping in view recruitment qualification(Graduation) and special working conditions of the Asstt. Station Master, Railway Board have recommended to provide them Entry GP Rs.4200.

Shri Mishra further stated that the main reasons of all these improvements were better coordination between AIRF and Hon’ble MR and Railway Board and also pressure of the MR on the Railway Board. Shri Mishra informed that all these recommendations have been sent to Ministry of Finance by the Railway Ministry.

“Hon’ble MR has given assurance that every possible efforts will be done to resolve the problems of the Railwaymen”, Shri Mishra informed.

“I had also raised the issue of payment of arrears to Loco Pilot and Guards w.e.f. 1.1.2006 and KMA before Hon’ble MR, which has been rejected by the Fast Track Committee. She has assured that it will be looked into”, Shri Mishra stated.

Shri Mishra also informed that the Railway Board has decided to constitute a committee to improve pay scales of more 2.5 lakh Gangmen, Keymen, Mate, Gatemen working on the Indian Railways and also to provide them Special Package. Shri Mishra further added that this category is unique, which used to be recruited and retired in GP Rs.1800.

Shri Mishra stated that he had raised the issue of filling-up of around two lakh vacant posts without further delay. Hon’ble MR has given him assurance; and some action has also been taken to overcome this problem.

Shri Mishra informed that I had also raised the issue of entitlement of Privilege Pass before the Hon’ble MR and she has assured for its early finalization.

Plese visit for more details http://www.airfindia.com

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