Non-payment of Fixed Medical Allowance to the Retired Railway Employees

Non-payment of Fixed Medical Allowance to the Retired Railway Employees - cases of N.W. Railway-reg

NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD,NEW DELHI-110055
Affiliated to :
Indian National Trade Union Congress(INTUC)
Intemattonal Transport Workers Federation(ITF)

No. II/13(A)/Part II

Dated: 15/12/2016

The Secretary (E), 
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Non-payment of Fixed Medical Allowance to the Retired Railway Employees - cases of N.W. Railway-reg.

It has been brought to Federation's notice that on North Western Railway, payment of Fixed Medical Allowance is denied to the retired Railway employees by the authorities on N. W. Railway on the plea that they have not opted, inspite of the fact that these staff are members of RELHS and their residence is beyond 2.5 km., from the Railway Health Unit.

In this connection, NFIR places below facts of the case for proper appreciation.-

• A few retired Railway employees of Ajmer Division had erroneously opted for OPD facility at the time of their retirement though their residence is 60 Kms., away from the Railway Health Unit/Hospital.

• As per extant instructions, the Railway employees at the time of retirement is required to submit option with the settlement papers either to.-

(a) Opt for OPD facility to be availed from the nearest Health UnitlHospital or
(b) If the residence of the retiring/retired Railway employee is beyond 2.5 Kms., he/she can opt for payment of Fixed Medical Allowance every month at the prevailing rate.

• Also, there are cases on the Division where neither the OPD facility is being extended to the retired Railway employee nor he/she is being paid Fixed Medical Allowance.

The cases cited above, show that the retired Railway employees have given wrong option in the absence of proper guidance from the Personnel department. While the Federation is aware that the cases of above nature are not covered under Board's instructions contained in letter No. PC-V/98/I/7/1/1 dated 15/07/2002, a special dispensation is needed to be considered and genuine cases of retired Railway employees who have erroneously opted for OPD facility be got reviewed for allowing Fixed Medical Allowance.

NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to consider the situations mentioned above and issue instructions to the Zones etc., for payment of Fixed Medical Allowance as a special case. A copy of the instructions issued may be endorsed to the Federation.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary.

Source : NFIR