NFIR Oral evidence before 7th Pay Commission

 NFIR Oral evidence before 7th Pay Commission on 13th April 2015 and 14th April 2015

NFIR  has  responded   to the  invitation  of 7th Pay Commission and  had  participated   in the  deliberations   on 13th and  14th April  2015.  All  the  issues  raised  in the NFIR’s   7th CPC Memorandum   besides  Railway   related  issues listed in the ]CM  Memorandum   were  discussed  with the 7th Pay Commission   very successfully.   Brief account  is given below:-

13th   April  2015 –  Monday 

•    Direct  Recruitment   Entry  Qualification   may  be enhanced   with  improved  Pay  Scales  (Open  ended) for certain  categories.
• Rationalization    and  Simplification    be done  wherever  jobs  are  allied  in nature.   By  merger  at entry level.
•  6th CPC  had  recommended   qualification   related  Pay  Structure.   However,   in certain  categories,   the same   has   not   been   allotted.    (Example:     C&M    Staff   –   Entry    qualification      B.   Tech/M.Sc. Chemistry   –  whereas   Grade   Pay  of Rs.4200/-   only was  allotted.
•      Entry qualification   for Technician   be revised  to Matriculation   Plus  ITI and  introduction   of Pay scale as per NFIR’s  Memorandum.
•    Course  Completed  Act Apprentices   may be inducted  in Technical  categories  against  vacancies.
•    Master Technician  be introduced  for availing  masterly  skills of Technical  Staff.
•    Training/Retraining/Refresher      Training/Special   Training  for various  categories   be further  improved.
• Designations   of certain  categories   be revised  commensurating   with  the  nature  of jobs  –  ExampIe:­ Helper   as Assistant   Technician.
•      The  existing   aberrations    in  Grade   Pays  in  several   categories   where   Grade   Pay  is  identical   for promotion  posts required  to be rectified.
•      C&M  Staff  may  be granted  revised  improved  entry  Pay  Scales  in view  of their  entry  qualification being B/Tech.lM.Sc.  Chemistry.
•    Entry Qualification   ofESM   be improved  & equaUy pay scale be revised.
•    Single Grade  Pay Cadres  should  be provided  two Grade Pay Structure.
•      Joint   contents   resultant   output,   mental   and  physical   efforts   of  staff,   hard   working   conditions, different    environmental     surroundings,    various   hazardous    in  the   course   of   performing    duties, remoteness   unique  nature  of working  of Railways  etc.  be given  greater  weightage  for providing  pay package  and incentives.
•    The  recommendations/observations      of High  Level  Safety  Review  Committee   (HLSRC)   headed  by Anil Kakodkar  be taken  into account  for granting  benefits  for different  categories  of staff.
•      The   role   of  safety   as  well   public   image   categories    perform   night   duties   throughout    resulting invalidation  as an inherent  part of working  system  which  should  be taken  into account  for providing pay structure  and incentives.
•      Injustice   done   to  Technical    Supervisors    and  Technicians    by  the  previous   Pay  Commission    be remedial.  Justice  Miabhoy   Tribunal   had  recommended   higher  pay  scale  and  special  pay  which  got diluted  over  period  of time  leading  to frustration.   This  needs  to  be addressed.   (Extracts    of Justice Miabhoy   Tribunal    award   was  handed   over  to Pay  Commission.)
•    It was  explained  that  98.9  per cent  employees   remain  in Group  ‘C’  with  only  0.5 percent  in Group ‘8’ Gazetted,   thus  the  scope  of  career  growth   is almost  nil.  (Special  Note  was  given  to  the  Pay Commission   with the request  to consider  open ended (Gazetted)   Pay Scale of Rs.  1,02,000/- to the In Charge  Supervisory  officials  of various  departments  and organizations.
•    Itwas  suggested-that   the Railway  Technicians   be given higher  Entry  Pay Scale of Rs.46,000/-.
• Pay  Commission      was  explained    ofNFTR’s     discussion    with  the  Railway    Ministry    on  Station   Master’s entry  Grade   Pay  as  Rs.4200/-    in lieu  of GP  Rs.2800/-.
•       The  hard  working    conditions     and  difficult    environment     in which   Technicians     of Diesel/Electric      Loco Shed,   EMU   Car  Shed,   Workshops     and  Production    Units   were   explained    in  detail   to  impress   upon  the Pay  Commission,      the  need   to  render   justice.    The  Pay  Commission      Chairman     was   requested    to  visit some  of the  Workshops     more   particularly     Carriage    Repair   Shop  (CRS)   Tirupati.
•      The  case  of  Track   Maintainers,     Gate   Keepers,    Trollymen,     Track   Maintainers     Grade-IT   (Keymen)    and the   role   of   JE/SSE     (P.Way)     and   their    difficult     working     conditions      were    explained     which    was appreciated     by the  Pay  Commission.
•       The   Federation     also   explained     the   Patrolling     duties    undertaken     by  Track    Maintainers      risking    their lives   apart   from   working     on   P.Way    Tracks.    The   Pay   Commission      was   requested     to  give   special consideration     to  these   categories.     Risk  Allowance,     Trekking    Allowance     were  also  proposed.
•       The  difficult    conditions     under   which   Track   Machine    staff  are  performing     duties   have   been  appraised to consider    these   factors   for  rendering   justice.
•      The  issue   of Drawing    Cadre   staff   as  well  as  IE/SSE    were   highlighted,     their   accountability      for  stores maintenance       besides      inspection,       certification,       supervision       was    vividly     explained      to   the    Pay Commission.
•       The   Role   of  S&T   Department     was   explained     in  detail.   The   hard   working    conditions     as  well   as  the accountability      of   S&T   Supervisors      and   staff   for   safe   and   efficient    running    of  train   services    duly ensuring     maintenance       of   assets     in   perfect     conditions      and    in   the   process     the    field    difficulties confronted     by them   were   explained.     It was also proposed  that entry  level qualification   ofESM   needs to  be  enhanced   with  the  corresponding    higher   pay  scale.     (In  this  connection   copy  of  Railway Board’s   letter dated  24th June,  2009 and the minutes  of CSTEs  Conference   held at Rail Bhavan  were submitted  to the  Pay  Commission   Chairman).   The  Chairman   was  requested  to visit  the  route  relay inter-locking   room  for  personally   looking  into  the  difficult  conditions   under  which  the  S&T  staff discharge  duties.
•      Federation   has  also  explained   in detail  the  up-graded   technology   of  Signal  as  well  Telecom   side warranting   induction  of higher  skills. Parity   for Railway   Stenographers Injustice  perpetuated   to this  category  was  highlighted   besides  quoting  relevant  recommendations of 6th CPC. (The Pay Commission   Chairman  was very attentive  to these facts).                                         ~

Revision   of National   Holiday   Allowance

NFIR’s   note  was  presented   to ih CPC  proposing   revision  of NHA  equivalent   to OTA  for  one  day when  the  employee   is made  to forego  National   Holiday.  In this  context  the  recommendation    of Jagannath Oas Pay Commission   was highlighted   for favourable  recommendation.

Classification    of period   as night  duty.

It was proposed  that the  period  from  18 hours  to 6 hours  should  be classified  as “Night  duty”  for the purpose  of payment  of NDA

The Federation  has also discussed  the proposed  revision of vanous  allowances  such as DA/HRA/CCA/HPCA/PCA,      Risk  Allowance,   Hazardous   Duty  Allowance,   Tracking   Allowance,    Special Allowance   of  Controllers,    Road  Mileage,   Enhancement    of  Special   Allowance   to  Gate  Keepers,   Stores Maintenance   Allowance   to  In Charge   Supervisor   Officials,   Special  Allowance   to Trolleymen,   Revision   of Special  Duty Allowance  to NE Region,  Revision  of Shoe Allowance,   Heavy  Traffic  Allowance   to operating staff  etc.  Fixed  Medical  Allowance   was  also  proposed  to be revised  to not  less than  Rs.2,000/-   per  month. Payment  of Washing  Allowance  to all categories  was suggested.

It  was  also  suggested   that  grant  of  Non-Practice    Allowance   to  Legal   cadre  and  Pharmacists   be considered:   The  facilities-proposed     in the  NFIR’s   Memorandum   for  Women  employees   were  explained  to Pay Commission   for consideration  .

Citing   NFIR’s    Memorandum      relevant    Para’s,    it was  requested    to  grant   special   increments/     incentives for  additional    qualification.

MACPS

The  aberrations   arising  due  to  MACPS   implementation   were  explained   in detail.  The  Commission has assured  to look into the points  for taking  a view.

The   discussions    with   the   Pay   Commission    were   very   cordial.    S/Shri   Guman   Singh,   Dr.  M. Raghavaiah,   R.P.  Bhatnagar,   B.C.  Sharma,   P.S.  Suriyaprakasam,    and  V.  Gopalakrishnan    and  NFlR  Team consists  of 14 representatives   have participated   in the deliberations.

Evidence  on 2nd  Day –  14th April 2015 Tuesday

 Special  Issues:

Placement  of JA Grade  Officers  in PB-4:

Railway  Board’s   O.M.  dated  12/02/2014 was  cited  with  request  to recommend   placement   of all JA Grade  Officers  in PB-4 for elimination   of discrimination

Residential  accommodation,    Leased  accommodation   to Railway  employees,  Rent  free Quarters on remote  places:

The conditions under which  the staff are working  were explained  in detail.

Study Leave:

It was  requested  to allow  Study  Leave  without  imposing  restriction   when  such  study  is useful  and advantageous  to Railway  activities.

Operating  Department: Station  Master:

Replacement   of  Entry  Grade  Pay  of  Rs.  28001-  with  42001- corresponding   to  improved  Pay  Scale
(open ended)  was urged.

Section  Controller:

The  difficult  conditions   of this  category  were  cogently  explained   by the  Federation   before  the Pay
Commission  which  were well received  by the Chairman.

Cabin  Man, Lever  Man, Points  Man, Gate Man etc:

The  Pay  Commission   assured  to  give  due  consideration   to  the  points  brought  out  by NFIR  in its
Memorandum.

Trains  Clerk:

Entry Grade  Pay to b~ revised  with  revision  of qualification   besides  allotment  of higher  pay scale.

Shunting  Master  & Shunting  Jamadar:

Case explained  for giving  them  higher  pay scale

Traffic  Saifaiwala  & Safaiwali:

The Commission   has assured  to look into the problems.

Traffic  Assistants,  Metro  Railway,  Kolkata:

NFIR’s    proposal   for  placing   them   at  par  with  the  Assistant   Station   Master   was   agreed   to  be considered.

 Running   Staff:

Assistant   Loco  Pilot:-

Entry qual ification  of the ALP  be revised  to “Diploma”   with corresponding   improved  Pay Scale and revision  of Designation  as Co-Pilot.

The   concept    of   promotion    from    same   grade    pay   to   same   grade    pay   shouldering     higher responsibilities   causing  serious  frustration   among  Running   Staff  was  also  highlighted.   Federation   requested allotment  of higher  pay scales  for Loco and Traffic  Running  Staff.

Additional    Allowance   to Running   Staff:

It was explained   that  Railway  Ministry  had agreed  but however,  due to non-responsive   approach  of Finance   Minister,   the  proposal   did  not  materialise.   The  Pay  Commission    was  requested   to  recommend additional  allowance   to all categories   of Running  Staff. In this  connection,   a copy  of Railway  Board’s  O.M. was also cited.

Train   Guards:

It was  suggested  that  the Grade  Pay system  be modified  facilitating   allotment  of higher  pay scales. Pay Commission   was also requested  to consider  revision  of designation  a6thTrain  Manager”.

Running   Allowance   -admissible    to Running   Staff  and  determination     of pay  element:

The  Federation   strongly  pleaded  that  this  subject  is within  the  domain  of Railway  Ministry  and the two Federations  and hence Pay Commission   should  leave  it to Railway  Ministry.  It was also pointed  out that the  previous  Pay  Commissions    expressed   views  that  the  Running  Allowance   issues  are  to  be dealt  by the Railway  Board with the Federations.

Loco  Inspectors:

It was  explained   that  the  relativity   existed  during  the  period  of  6th Pay  Commission   should  be got
restored  so as to see that  the  pay  scale  of Loco  Inspectors   need  higher  than  the  Loco  Pilot.  The  point  was appreciated.

Motorman    of Metro Railway   Kolkata:

It was requested  to see that parity  is granted.

   Commercial    Department:

Enquiry   –  cum-  Reservation    Clerk   and  Commercial    Clerk:

As part  of  rationalisation,   ECRC  and  Commercial   Clerk  categories   may  be  amalgamated   with  the entry qualification   of graduation  duly  recommending   higher  pay scale.

Ticket  Checking   Staff:

The  Injustice  done to Sr. Ticket  Examiner   be removed  duly  replacing  existing  Grade  Pay 2400/-  in
GP 2800/- with appropriate  open ended  higher  pay scale.

     Medical   Department:” Nursing   Staff:

It was  explained   that  they  deserve   to  be  given  satisfactory   Pay  Structure.   Pay  Commission   was requested  to visit  Northern   Railway,  Central  Hospital   at New  Dethi  to  personally   ascertain   the  conditions under which Nursing  Staff perform  duties.

Dieticians:

The case  was  explained   very effectively.   Pay Commission   was  requested  to remove  the disparity  in Pay Structure  by referring  the case  of Safdarjung  Hospital  New  Dethi.  A note  with  relevant  documents  was given to Chairman  for taking  appropriate   action.

Laboratory  Staff:

It was explained  that  the candidates   with  B.Sc.  plus Diploma   qualifications   are being  inducted  and accordingly  they be allotted  higher  pay scale.

Pharmacist:

Suggested   to  eliminate    GP   28001-. Background    relating   to   introduction    of  GP  42001- by  the Government   of India  was  explained.   Detailed  note  was  also  handed  over  to the  Pay Commission   Chairman who has appreciated  the well documented   material.

Health  and Malaria  Inspectors:

Case was explained  in detail.  The additional  duties  on account  of implementation   of Food  Safety Act were  explained.   Equally  the  improved  pay  scales  granted  by 5th Central  Pay  Commission   in the year  1996 were explained  and highlighted  the relegated  pay structure  for rectification.

Safaiwala  & Safaiwali  (Medical  Department):

Highlighted  the pathetic  condition  of this category  and requested  to see that they are provided  relief.

Radiographer:

Request  was  made  to go through  the proposals  made to the NFIR’s   Memorandum   under  Chapter  IX
for consideration.

ECG/EEG/Holter/TMT     Technicians   etc:

It was  pleaded  that these  categories   should  be given  higher  pay  scales  in view  of entry  qualification being  B.Sc + Diploma.

Cardiac/Cathlab   Technicians:

Wherever   single  Grade  Pay  structure  exists  like Cardiac/Cathlab    Technicians,   it was  requested  to see that proper  pay structure  is provided  with  higher  pay scales.

Artificial  Limb  Centre:

Being common  category,  as a national  issue, this subject  will be dealt with by the Pay COlnJpission.

Dental  Hygienist:

NFIR’s  Memorandum   will be looked  into to award justice.

   Accounts  Department:

Revision  of qualification   entry  level proposed  to be made as ‘graduation’    with higher  pay scales.

IT Cadre:

The proposal  mentioned   in NFIR’s   Memorandum   will be examined.

Ministerial   Staff:  

Entry qualification   of Office  Clerk  is requested  to be revised  to graduation  with  improved  pay scales.

Legal  Cadre:

Points raised  in the NFIR’s   Memorandum   were re-iterated.

   Stores Department:

The  Chairman   was  requested   to  give  due  consideration   to the  inputs  given  in Chapter  No.  XIV  of
NFIR’s   Memorandum.

   Railways  to be exempted  from New Pension  Scheme:

NFIR  explained   the  commitment   given  by the Railway  Ministry  to the Federations   and  consequent proposal  sent on 29th  March  2014    by the Hon’ble   Railway  Minister  to the  Finance  Minister  (Government   of India).  Federation  also  explained   the  discussions   it had with the  Railway  Board  on  ] Ith  March  2015    in the P   M Meeting  and handed  over  copies  of the communications.   NFIR  specifically   requested  the Chairman  to consider  recommending   the exemption.

The NFIR’s   delegation   was  led by its President,  General  Secretary,  Working  President.   In  addition, following  have also patticipated:-

B.C. SHARMA,  JT. GENERAL   SECRETARY, P.S.SURIYAPRAKASAM/AGS
V. GOPALAKRISHNAN,    ZONAL  SECRETARYINFIR K. HEMANT  KUMAR
SHAIK  ANWAR  BASHA
S.K. MEHTA
K.S .AHLAWAT
V. SATYANARAYANA PRAMOD  KHIRODKAR K.VIDYASAGAR S.N.MALIK
P.S. NARAYANA   RAO
R. JAY ARAMAN SMT.  M. REV ATI
MOHD.  MUZAFFARRUDDIN
U. VENKATESWARLU M.K.  HARISH G.NARASfMHAM S.PURUSHOTTAM P.RAJASEKAR P.K.SAHOO E.SUDHAKAR BHUMJKA
B.P. SINGH

Before  summing   up the  discussions   on  14th April  2015,    the  NFIR  has  also  handed  over  a note  on wasteful  expenditure  to the Chairman,   Seventh  Central  Pay Commission   for consideration  .