The Minister of Railways Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal has announced enhancement of the fund allocation under Railways staff quarters by 50% over the previous year to provide Rs 300 crore. While presenting the Railways Budget for 2013-14 in Parliament today he said that construction of staff quarters has been hampered by funding constraints. Encouraged by the success of Ministry of Urban Development in constructing staff quarters through PPP mode, his Ministry proposes to adopt the same in the Railways.
He announced the provision of hostel facilities for single women railway employees at all Divisional headquarters.
He further announced that condition of barracks would be improved to provide better living condition to the RPF personnel.
26 new passenger services, 8 DEMU services and 5 MEMU services to be introduced
Run of 57 trains to be extended
Frequency of 24 trains to be increased
First AC EMU rake to be introduced  on Mumbai suburban network in 2013-14
72 additional services to be introduced in Mumbai and 18 in Kolkata
Rake length increased from 9 cars to 12 cars for 80 services in Kolkata and 30 services in Chennai
500 km new lines, 750 km doubling, 450 km gauge conversion targeted in 2013-14
First ever rail link to connect Arunachal Pradesh
Some Railway related activities to come under MGNREGA
For the first time 347 ongoing projects identified as priority projects with the committed funding
Highest ever plan outlay of Rs. 63,363 crore
Loan of Rs. 3000 crore repaid fully.
A new fund-Debt Service Fund set up to meet committed liabilities.
Freight loading of 1047 MT, 40 MT more than 2012-13
Passenger growth 5.2% in 2013-14
Gross Traffic Receipts – Rs. 1,43,742 crore i.e. an increase of 18,062 crore over RE, 2012-13
Dividend payment estimated at Rs. 6,249 crore
Operating Ratio to be 87.8% in 2013-14
Supplementary charges for super fast trains, reservation fee, clerkage charge, cancellation charge and tatkal charge marginally increased
Fuel Adjustment Component linked revision for freight tariff to be implemented from 1st April 2013
Enhanced reservation fee abolished
Elimination of 10797 Level Crossings (LC) during the 12th Plan and no addition of new LCs henceforth
Introduction of 160/200 kmph Self Propelled Accident Relief Trains
‘Aadhar’ to be used for various passenger and staff related services
Internet ticketing from 0030 hours to 2330 hours
E-ticketing through mobile phones
Project of SMS alerts to passengers providing updates on reservation status
Next –Gen e-ticketing system to be rolled out : capable of handling 7200 tickets per minute against 2000 now, 1.20 lakh users simultaneously against 40,000 now
Introduction of executive lounge at 7 more stations: Bilaspur, Visakhapatnam, Patna, Nagpur, Agra, Jaipur and Bengaluru
Introduction of ‘Azadi Express’ to connect places associated with freedom movement
Four companies of women RPF personnel set up and another 8 to be set up to strengthen the security of rain passengers, especially women passengers
10% RPF vacancies being reserved for women
1.52 lakh vacancies being filled up this year out of which 47000 vacancies have been earmarked for weaker sections and physically challenged
Railways to impart skills to the youth in railway related trades in 25 locations
Provision of portable fire extinguishers in Guard-cum-Brake Vans, AC Coaches and Pantry Cars in all trains
Pilot project on select trains to facilitate passengers to contact on board staff through SMS/phone call/e-mail for coach cleanliness and real time feedback
Provision of announcement facility and electronic display boards in trains
Providing free Wi-Fi facilities on several trains
Upgrading 60 stations as Adarsh Stations in addition to 980 already selected
Introduction of an ‘Anubhuti’ coach in select trains to provide excellent ambience and latest facilities and services
179 escalators and 400 lifts at A-1 and other major stations to be installed facilitating elderly and differently-abled
Affixing Braille stickers with layout of coaches including toilets, provision of wheel chairs and battery operated vehicles at more stations and making coaches wheel-chair friendly
Centralized Catering Services Monitoring Cell set up with a toll free number (1800 111 321)
Complimentary card passes to recipients of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna & Dhyan Chand Awards to be valid for travel by 1st Class/2nd AC
Complimentary card passes to Olympic Medalists and Dronacharya Awardees for travel in Rajdhani/Shatabadi Trains
Travel by Duronoto Trains permitted on all card passes issued to sportspersons having facility of travel by Rajdhani/Shatabadi Trains
Facility of complimentary card passes valid in 1st class/2nd AC extended to parents of posthumous unmarried awardees of Mahavir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, President’s Police Medal for Gallantry and policy medal for Gallantry
Policy Gallantry awardees to be granted one complimentary pass every year for travel along with one companion in 2nd AC in Rajdhani/Shatabadi Trains
Passes for freedom fighters to be renewed once in three years instead of every year.
Setting up of six more Rail Neer bottling plants at Vijayawada, Nagpur, Lalitpur, Bilaspur, Jaipur and Ahmedabad
Setting up of a multi-disciplinary training institute at Nagpur for training in rail related electronics technologies
Setting up of a centralized training institute at Secunderabad–Indian Railways Institute of Financial Management
Five fellowships in national universities to be instituted to motivate students to study and undertake research on Railway related issues at M.Phil and Ph.D. levels
Fund allocation for staff quarters enhanced to Rs. 300 crore
Provision of hostel facilities for single women railway employees at all divisional headquarters
Provision of water closets and air conditioners in the locomotive cabs to avoid stress being faced by loco pilots
Indian Railways will introduce by the end of this year a “next generation” e-ticketing system that will improve the speed of online ticket booking, railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said on Tuesday.
The new system will have the capacity to book 7,200 tickets a minute as against the current capacity of 2,000, Bansal said while presenting the railway budget in the Lok Sabha.
Bansal pointed out that congestion at the IRCTC web site caused a lot of problem for passengers.
“The next generation ticketing system will significantly improve the situation,” he added.
Indian railways is concerned about the safety of women passengers, and has created 4 companies of women RPF personnel for their safety, Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said.
Ladies coaches in metros are being accompanied by women RPF personnel, he added.
There has been a reduction in the number of train accidents, even though passenger and freight volumes have increased, Bansal said in his maiden Railway Budget speech.
Indian Railways face mounting scarcity of resources, he added.
“Howsoever high a flight may be, we must remain connected to the ground,” he said.
Pawan Kumar bansal started his speech with the usual homage to Congress leaders. He is the first Congress Railway Minister in nearly 17 years and expectations are high from his Rail Budget speech.
Bansal had in January hiked railway fares across the board for the first time in a decade. The decision had met with widespread political criticism.
Indian Railways will set up an employees’ training institute at Secunderabad and strive to fill 1.52 lakh vacancies this year, to add to the “family” of 14 lakh railway employees, Pawan Kumar Bansal announced.
Other key points in his maiden Railway Budget were —
Arunachal Pradesh has been brought into the railway network for the first time.
Indian Railways is aware of the problems of the IRCTC website, and will create a next generation e-ticketing system by end of this year, Bansal said.
Aadhar can be helpful for Railways in many respect, from booking tickets to tracking pension of rail employees.
Indian Railways will run a special luxury coach with the best of ameneties, named ‘Anubhuti’, with select trains.
Railways is concerned about the safety of women passengers, and has created 4 companies of women RPF personnel for their safety, Bansal said.
Ladies coaches in metros are being accompanied by women RPF personnel.
There has been a reduction in the number of train accidents, even though passenger and freight volumes have increased, Bansal said in his maiden Railway Budget speech.
Indian Railways face mounting scarcity of resources.
“Howsoever high a flight may be, we must remain connected to the ground,” he said.
Pawan Kumar bansal started his speech with the usual homage to Congress leaders. He is the first Congress Railway Minister in nearly 17 years and expectations are high from his Rail Budget speech.
Bansal had in January hiked railway fares across the board for the first time in a decade. The decision had met with widespread political criticism.
The retirement savings accumulated in your employees’ provident fund (EPF) account would fetch a return of 8.5% in 2012-13, labour and employment minister Mallikarjun Kharge announced on Monday at a meeting of the board of trustees of the EPF organisation.
The trustees also agreed to free up the moribund norms followed for EPF investments, though stock market investments continued to get a thumbs-down.
The decision to pay 8.5% offers minor relief to Rs 8.15 crore formal sector employees, whose EPF savings got only 8.25% in 2011-12. But it also marks the second year in a row that EPF returns are less attractive than small savings instruments like the public provident fund (PPF) and National Savings Certificates.
EPFO had proposed to pay 8.5% as a ‘feasible’ return this year based on its income and liability estimates. By contrast, PPF savings have been earning 8.8%, while 5-year and 10-year national savings certificates offer a return of 8.6% and 8.9%, respectively, since April 1, 2012.
An audit of the EPFO’s accounts for the previous year had revealed that the EPF scheme began 2012-13 with a negative balance of Rs 1336 crore because it ended up paying its members more than it had earned in 2011-12.
If it had started the year on a clean slate, the EPF rate for 2012-13 could have been 9%. The audit has warned that this negative balance could grow further and lower the EPF rate for 2013-14 as well.
To boost the EPF scheme’s income, the board gave a green signal to invest in bonds of private sector firms with a net worth of at least Rs 3,000 crore and a five-year track record of paying 15% or more dividend. EPFO’s fund managers have been urging the board’s finance committee to route a small portion of its corpus to Dalal Street and liberalise some of its stringent conditions.
EPFO currently follows an investment pattern notified by the finance ministry in 2003. Though the finance ministry allowed provident funds to invest upto 5% in equities in a fresh pattern applicable since 2005, the PF board had rejected the revised norms in entirety citing its discomfort with equity investments.
F.No. 11059/03/2012-AIS-III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated:20th February, 2013
To
All Ministries/Departments of Govt. of India
Subject: The All India Services (PAR) Rules, 2007 – Revised proforma for annual health check-up of IAS Officers and revised rates thereof.
Sir,
I am directed to state that this Department vide notification of even number dated 19th February, 2013 have notified revised proforma for annual health check-up of IAS Officers. Copy of the revised proforma for annual health check-up is enclosed.
2.It is also informed that Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has approved the revised rates for health check-up, i.e. Rs. 2000/- for men and Rs. 2200/- for women in respect of AIS Officers at par with Group ‘A’ officers of CCS.
3.It is further informed that only part “C” of the Annual Health Check-up is required to be attached in the PAR of Member of Service.
4. The content of this letter may be brought to the notice of all the members of the All India Services.
As directed by the Prime Minister, senior Ministers in the Union Cabinet – Shri A.K. Antony, Defence Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar, Minister for Agriculture and Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister for Labour & Employment held a round of discussions with the representatives of the Central Trade Unions on the evening of 18th February to convey the serious intent of the Government to resolve the various issues raised in their charter of demands. The list of participants is at.
The representatives of the Central Trade Unions reiterated their demand for the Government to take concrete measures to contain price rise, to ensure employment generation, strict enforcement of labour laws, universal social security for unorganized and organized workers, stoppage of disinvestment in Central and State Public Sector Undertakings. Some of the issues raised by them also related to payment of minimum wages of Rs.10,000/-, abolition of contract labour, payment of equal wages and benefits to contract workers at par with regular workers, removal of all ceilings on payment and eligibility of bonus, provident fund, increasing the quantum of gratuity, assured pension for all, compulsory registration of trade unions within 45 days and immediate ratification of the ILO Convention No.87 and 98.
The Ministers explained to the representatives of the Central Trade Unions the various measures taken by the Government to control price-rise and contain inflation in the country. Particular attention was drawn to the huge food subsidy incurred by the Government to ensure availability of food grains to the poor at very concessional rates through the Public Distribution System. The Government’s efforts to pass the Food Security Bill in the Parliament will further increase the availability of subsidized food grains to the larger segments of the population and the Government is prepared to meet the extra burden on this account. The Government’s commitment to help the poor is also evident from the large amount of subsidy for fertilizers and fuel to ensure their supply at reasonable rate to the people.
The Government is also keen to introduce amendments to the Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970, Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and various other labour laws to improve the conditions of the workers and to give them substantial relief. A National Employment Policy is going to be announced shortly to encourage higher employment to women, to promote skill development and inclusive growth. Some of these proposals are going to be discussed in the meetings of the Union Cabinet shortly. The Government has already approved the National Manufacturing Policy in November, 2011 which envisages the creation of 100 million jobs in the country by 2022.
The Ministers pointed out the huge loss to the economy in case the strike is resorted to by the Central Trade Unions. Apart from substantial production loss, the strike is also likely to cause inconvenience to the general public and loss of wages to the workers. In view of this, the Ministers appealed to the Central Trade Union Leaders to call off the strike.
At the end of the meeting, the representatives of the Central Trade Unions informed that they are going to discuss the proposal of the Government in a meeting on 19th Feb., 2013 and take further decision on the proposed strike.
The Central Government is disappointed to note that a section of the bank employees has decided to join the strike called by certain Trade Unions on February 20-21, 2013.
Prime Minister of India has made an appeal to the Trade Unions not to go strike. Government has also set-up a Group of Ministers to talk to the Trade Union leaders. So far as bank employees are concerned, there is really no reason at all to join the strike. None of the main points contained in the charter of demands has any connection with the bank employees. Banks provide employment to a large number of people and continue to recruit every year. Bank employees have social security cover. They hold regular jobs which carry attractive scales of pay. They receive bonus, PF and gratuity in accordance with applicable laws. They are entitled to pension.
In view of the above, the Government would once again appeal to the bank employees not to join the strike on February 20-21, 2013.
Indian Bank has informed BSE that United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) consisting of AIBEA, AIBOC, NCBE, AIBOA, BEFI, INBEF, INBOC, NOBW and NOBO have given a call for observance of two days nation-wide strike in banks on February 20, 2013 and February 21, 2013 in support of their demands. If the strike materializes, a section of the Bank’s employees may take part in the proposed strike on the said dates, in which case, the normal functioning of the branches / offices of the Bank may get affected.
