Three Centralized Employment Notifications (CENs) for around 1.41 lakh vacancies for various Group ‘C’ posts (including Level-1) have been notified in 2018. Against 02 CENs, recruitment is completed and, as on 14.11.2019, panels of around 73,500 candidates have already been supplied to Indenting Railways.
Further, in 2019, another four CENs for around 1.43 lakh additional vacancies have also been notified. Recruitment for 01 CEN is completed and, as on 14.11.2019, panels of 1519 candidates have been furnished to Indenting Railways. Recruitment process for remaining CENs is in progress.
Further, for around 10,000 vacancies of Sub-Inspectors and Constables in Railway Protection Force (RPF)/ Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF), three CENs have been issued in 2018 and recruitment for the same has been completed.
A total of about 2.94 lakh vacancies for various Group ‘C’ posts (including Level-1) have been notified in years 2018 & 2019. Retirement (anticipated) is one of the parameters of vacancy assessment process.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAJYA SABHA
QUESTION NO 70
ANSWERED ON 22.11.2019
Outsourcing of employees in Railways
70 Ch. Sukhram Singh Yadav
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :-
(a) whether it is a fact that Railways are conducting an assessment in its Departments to ascertain the places and the number of employees that can be outsourced;
(b) the number of employees working in Railways through outsourcing and the details of social security schemes applicable for benefiting these employees; and
(c) the minimum and maximum salary fixed for outsourced employees in Railways and the actual salary that these employees are getting?
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 70 BY CH. SUKHRAM SINGH YADAV ANSWERED IN RAJYA SABHA ON 22.11.2019 REGARDING OUTSOURCING OF EMPLOYEES IN RAILWAYS
(a) No, Sir.
(b) Information in regard to number of employees working in Railways through outsourcing is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.
Adherence to Social Security Schemes (i.e EPFO, ESIC etc.) as administered by Ministry of Labour & Employment is being ensured through General Conditions of Contract.
(c) As specified in “General Conditions of Contract” (GCC), Minimum wages are being paid as per the provisions of Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
No proposal to privatise the operations of Railways – Rajya Sabha
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAJYA SABHA
QUESTION NO 68
ANSWERED ON 22.11.2019
Privatization of operation of railways
68 Shri Manas Ranjan Bhunia
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :-
(a) whether Government has planned to privatize operations of railways in a phased manner including the maintenance of the platforms;
(b) if so, the details on the exact plan of Government; and
(c) the manner in which this plan would be executed?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 68 BY SHRI MANAS RANJAN BHUNIA ANSWERED IN RAJYA SABHA ON 22.11.2019 REGARDING PRIVATIZATION OF OPERATION OF RAILWAYS
(a) to (c): No, Sir. There is no proposal to privatise the operations of Railways. However, there is a proposal to outsource the commercial and on board services of a few trains and also to permit private players to induct modern rakes to run trains on select routes with an objective to provide improved service delivery to passengers. The responsibility of train operations and safety certification rests with Indian Railways. Outsourcing of certain services like station cleaning, pay and use toilets, retiring rooms, parking and platforms maintenance etc. is being done on need based manner to improve cleanliness and other services.
Enrolling of Ex-Servicemen under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
Under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) skilling is being imparted through Short Term Training (STT) courses and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). STT is being imparted to either school/college dropouts or unemployed youth at accredited and affiliated Training Centres (TCs). Upon successful completion of their assessment, candidates are being offered / provided with placement assistance by Training Providers (TPs). Under RPL, individuals with prior learning experience or skills are being assessed and certified. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV) is the implementing body who is providing placement in support with Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO). The State-wise details of ex-servicemen trained/oriented under PMKVY 2016-20 are as under:
(a) Short term training (STT):
S. No.
State
Enrolled
Trained
Assessed
Certified
Placed
Jharkhand
410
387
347
306
0
Uttar Pradesh
156
156
144
124
0
Uttarakhand
49
0
0
0
0
TOTAL
615
543
491
430
0
(b) Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
S. No.
State
Enrolled
Oriented
Assessed
Certified
Andhra Pradesh
1372
1372
1351
1351
Assam
26
26
26
26
Bihar
3386
3347
3147
2336
Delhi
3626
3626
3311
2567
Goa
55
55
26
26
Gujarat
1476
1476
1411
1352
Himachal Pradesh
1829
1786
1747
1350
Jammu and Kashmir
2977
2878
2884
2209
Jharkhand
3321
3321
3168
2404
Karnataka
11058
10894
10447
8899
Kerala
2748
2748
2539
2302
Madhya Pradesh
14645
14053
14262
11224
Maharashtra
9976
9347
9486
8086
Meghalaya
6746
6746
6474
5500
Odisha
1318
1318
1367
1218
Punjab
110
110
109
81
Rajasthan
88
88
88
62
Tamil Nadu
2829
2759
2623
2029
Telangana
3011
3026
2868
2778
Uttar Pradesh
14601
13854
12897
9503
Uttarakhand
7617
7579
7517
6444
West Bengal
74
74
74
54
Grand Total
92889
90483
87822
71801
This information was given by the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri R.K. Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
State Railway Provident Fund interest rate from October 2019 to December 2019
RBE No. 197/2019
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No. F(E)III/2003/PF1/1
New Delhi, Dated : 14.11.2019
The GMs/Principal Financial Advisers,
All Zonal Railways/Production Units etc.,
(As per mailing list)
Subject : State Railway Provident Fund — Rate of interest during the year 2019-20 (October, 2019 — December, 2019).
A copy of Government of India’s Resolution No. 5(2)-B(PD)/2019 dated 21st October, 2019 issued by the Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) prescribing interest at the rate of 7.9% (Seven point nine percent) w.e.f. 1st October, 2019 to 31st December, 2019 on accumulations at the credit of the subscribers to State Railway Provident Fund, is enclosed, for information and necessary action.
D.A.: as above
(G. Priya Sudarsani)
Director, Finance (Estt.),
Railway Board.
Clarification on enrollment of the substitutes under National Pension System and commencement of the deduction
RBE No.: 188/2019
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No.D-43/7/2019-F(E)III
New Delhi, dated : 07.11.2019
GMs/FA&CAOs,
All Zonal Railways/Production Units,
(As per mailing list)
Sub : Clarification on enrollment of the substitutes under National Pension System and commencement of the deduction.
********
References and queries are being received in Board’s office seeking clarification whether TADK/Substitutes will be covered by the instructions issued vide Board’s letter No.2004/AC-II/21/1 dated 19.11.2004 after completion of 4 months of continuous service (i.e. on attaining temporary status) and whether they can be enrolled under NPS before completion of mandatory screening test after 03 years or applicable period of service.
2. The issue has been examined in consultation with Establishment Directorate of this office. It is clarified that the instructions issued vide Board’s letter No.2004/AC-II/21/1 dated 19.11.2004 are not applicable in the case of substitutes. since as per the instructions contained in Board’s letter No. E(NG)-11/2008/SB/SR/15 dated 17.09.2010. Substitutes are engaged against a vacant post on regular scales of pay and allowances applicable to the post. Further. in terms of letter ibid, the period of service of substitutes is counted for full pensionary benefits from the date of completion of four months continuous service provided it is followed by absorption in regular service, without any break. Therefore. TADK/Substitutes shall be covered under National Pension System (NPS) after completion of 4 months of continuous service. i.e. on attaining temporary status and accordingly. deduction under NPS would start from the date of their attaining temporary status. This deduction of NPS, would, by itself however. confer no vested right/claim to the TADKs/Substitutes concerned for their eventual regularization/absorption in Railway service.
Admissibility of payment of Extra Work Allowance (erstwhile Rajbhasha Allowance) to Sr. Scale, JA Grade and SA Grade officers entrusted with the administrative control of Hindi work, after completion of the period of one year
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)
RBE No. 190/2019
New Delhi, dated 08.11.2019
No. E(P&A)I-2017/SP-1/Gen1-5
The General Managers and Principal Financial Advisers,
All Indian Railways & Production Units.
Sub : Admissibility of payment of Extra Work Allowance (erstwhile Rajbhasha Allowance) to Sr. Scale, JA Grade and SA Grade officers entrusted with the administrative control of Hindi work, after completion of the period of one year.
Ref: Board’s letter No. E(P&A)1-2017/SP-1/Gen1-5 dated 02.01.2018.
*****
The conditions governing the admissibility of Extra Work Allowance (erstwhile Rajbhasha Allowance) to the Sr. Scale, JA Grade and SA Grade officers entrusted with administrative control of Hindi work are enumerated in Board’s orders of even number dated 02.01.2018. References have been received in Board’s Office seeking clarification regarding continuance of same officer as Rajbhasha Adhikari/ Chief Rajbasha Adhikari/ Additional Rajbhasha Adhikari beyond the period of one year in absence of suitable eligible officer to be nominated as such and admissibility of Extra Work Allowance to them in view of the stipulated conditions that an employee shall receive this allowance for a maximum period of one year and that there should be a minimum gap of one year before the same employee is deployed for similar duties again.
2. The matter has been examined in Board’s Office in consultation with Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) and it has been decided that the conditions governing Extra Work Allowance are to be adhered to strictly by all the Railways. In case, however, a suitable replacement is still unavailable for being nominated as Rajbhasha Adhikari/ Chief Rajbhasha Adhikari/ Additional Rajbhasha Adhikari for the second year, the existing incumbent may continue to discharge his duties as Rajbhasha Adhikari/ Chief Rajbhasha Adhikari/ Additional Rajbhasha Adhikari for the second year also, but without payment of Extra Work Allowance. The payment of this Allowance will resume from the 3rd year, if the same officer(s) continue(s) to be nominated as Rajbhasha Adhikari/ Chief Rajbhasha Adhikari/ Additional Rajbhasha Adhikari. Similarly, in case the same employee continues to be entrusted with administrative control of Hindi Work for the 4th year, he will do so without payment of the Extra Work Allowance, which will resume in the 5th year, if the same officer(s) continue(s) to work as Rajbhasha Adhikari/ Chief Rajbhasha Adhikari/ Additional Rajbhasha Adhikari.
3. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.
Leave to a Railway servant who is unlikely to be fit to return to duty
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)
RBE No. 186/2019
New Delhi dated 01.11.2019
No. E(P&A)I-2017/CPC/LE-5
The General Managers/Principal Financial Advisers,
All Indian Railways and Production Units.
Sub : Leave to a Railway servant who is unlikely to be fit to return to duty – reg.
In pursuance to the decision taken by the Government, the Ministry of Railways have decided that leave applied under Rule 522 of IREC Vol.-I, shall not be refused or revoked without reference to the Medical Authority, whose advice shall be binding. Further, any leave debited for the period(s) granted after receipt of the certificate of disability of the Medical Authority, shall be remitted back into the leave account of the Railway servant. The Certificate of Disability is required to be issued in Annexure III-A, which should be signed by a Government doctor of a Government medical board. Further, a Railway servant who is granted leave in accordance with the provisions of clause (b) of sub rule (1) of rule 522 of IREC Vo.-I, the provisions of section 20 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (49 of 2016) shall, suo-motu, apply.
2. This order shall take effect from 19.04.2017.
3. The provisions in respect of Leave Rules are contained in Chapter-5 of Indian Railway Establishment Code (IREC), Volume-I, 1985 Edition (Reprint Edition-2008). In view of this, in exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution, the President is pleased to direct that Leave Rules may be amended as per enclosed Advance Correction Slip
4. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.
5. Please acknowledge receipt.
DA:- Correction Slip.
(N P Singh)
Joint Director Estt.(P&A),
Railway Board
Re-fixation of pay in 6th CPC pay structure – CAT/Mumbai Bench in OA No.688/2014
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)
PC-VI No. 400
New Delhi. dated 13.11.2019
No. PC-VI/2014/Misc/04
The General Manager/CAOs,
All Zonal Railways/Production Units
(as per mailing list)
Sub : Sharing of order dated 16.09.2019 of Hon’ble CAT/Mumbai Bench in OA No.688/2014 filed by Shri Girish Kumar Sabu & Ors Vs UOI & Ors.
A number of court cases have been filed by the employees ( in the pre-revised scales of Rs. 6500-10500/47450-11500) of various Zonal Railways seeking re-fixation of pay in 6th CPC pay structure based on upgraded pre-revised pay scales (Rs. 7450- 11500/7500-12000). The issue has been gone into on the merits by CAT/IVIumbai Bench vide their judgement dated 16.09,2019 in O.A. No. 688/2014 tiled by Shri Girish Kumar Sabu & Ors Vs U01 & Ors, Hon’ble Tribunal has been pleased to pass the following orders:-
“In view of the stipulation under the rules mentioned above and details explained by the respondents in paragraph No.3(i) and 0) above, fixation of pay of the applicant was done correctly corresponding to his earlier pay scale of Rs. 6,500-10,500/, Based on the subsequent clarification issued by the Railway Board dated 22.12.2009, revision of grade pay of the applicant to Rs. 4,600/- has also been done correctly by the respondents. The contentions of the respondents discussed above are, therefbre, justified.
4(j). In view of this, we find that the present OA lacks merit and it deserves dismissal.
5.Decision..-
The OA is dismissed. No costs.”
2. The Railways may bring the above position to the notice of Railway Advocate contesting such other cases and take necessary action to file a copy of above judgement before the respective Tribunals/ court and also to utilize the same during arguments.
DA: AS ABOVE
(U.K.Tiwari)
( Jt. Director, Pay Commission Railway Board
GOVOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)
RBE No.201/2019
New Delhi, dated 21.11.2019
S.No. PC-VI/399
No. PC-VI/2008/1/7/2/1
The GMs/CAO(R),
All Zonal Railways & Production Units,
(as per mailing list)
Sub : Rate of Dearness Allowance applicable w.e.f. from 01.07.2019 to Railway employees continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised pay scale/ grade pay as per 6th Central Pay Commission.
Please refer to this Ministry’s letter of even number dated 01.04.2019 (S.No. PC-VI/395, RBE No,58/2019) revising the rates of Dearness Allowance w.e.f. 01 .01.2019 in respect of railway employees continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised pay scale/ grade pay as per 6th Central Pay Commission.
2. The rate of DA admissible to railway employees of above category shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 154% to 164% w.e.f. 01.07.2019.
3. The provisions contained in Paras 3,4 & 5 of this Ministry’s letter of even number dated 09.09.2008 (S.No. PC-VI/3, RBE No.106/2008) shall continue to be applicable while regulating Dearness Allowance under these orders.
4. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways,
(Authority- MoF’ s OM No.1/3(1)/2008-E.II(B)dated 25.10.2019).
