Strike Ballot – 95% Railway employees want strike

Strike Ballot – 95% Railway employees want strike

PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi: 14th February, 2016 – On the clarion call of the National Joint Council of Action(NJCA) and All India Railwaymen’s Federation(AIRF), strike ballot was conducted all over the Indian Railways among the Railwaymen on 11-12 February, 2016 against retrograde recommendations of the VII CPC, 11-point Charter of demands of the Central Government employees as also non-settlement of long pending genuine demands of the Railwaymen.

The Convener of the NJCA and General Secretary AIRF, Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra said, “there is serious resentment among the Central Government employees in general and the Railwaymen in particular on against retrograde recommendations of the VII CPC and non-settlement of their long pending genuine demands. As a result of which, in the strike ballot conducted all over the Indian Railway on 11-12 February, 2016, more than 95% Railwaymen casted their votes in favour of the strike with full enthusiasm”.

Shri Mishra further said, “overwhelming voting in favour of strike ballot has proved that the Railwaymen are totally in favour of the strike”.

Shri Mishra also told that, “keeping in view result of the strike ballot, notice for withdrawal of labour, i.e. Strike Notice, will be served to the respective general Managers on 11th March, 2016 for “indefinite strike” from 06:00 hrs. of 11th April, 2016, in case the government does not resolve the genuine demands of the employees and this will be the biggest and historical strike of the Railway employees, responsibility of which shall be of the Government of India”.

Source: AIRF

Lakhs of Railway Employees participated today in 3 days Protest Programme – AIRF

Lakhs of Railway Employees participated today in 3 days Protest Programme

Lakhs of Railway Employees participated today in 3 days Protest Programme starting from 19.01.2016 to 21.01.2016

On the clarion call of the National Joint Council of Action(NJCA), three day (19th to 21st Jan, 2016) sit-in programme in all the state capital and industrial centers started today, wherein affiliates of All India Railwaymen’s Federation, National Federation of Indian Railwaymen, All India Defence Employees Federation, National Defence Workers Federation, National Federation of Postal Employees, Federation of National Postal Organisation, Confedration of Central Government Employees & Workers participated en mass.

FOR PUBLICATION

New Delhi: 19th January, 2016 – On the clarion call of the National Joint Council of Action(NJCA), three day (19th to 21st Jan, 2016) sit-in programme in all the state capital and industrial centers started today, wherein affiliates of All India Railwaymen’s Federation, National Federation of Indian Railwaymen, All India Defence Employees Federation, National Defence Workers Federation, National Federation of Postal Employees, Federation of National Postal Organisation, Confedration of Central Government Employees & Workers participated en mass.

At Jantar-Mantar, New Delhi, thousands of Central Government Employees, including the Railwaymen started peaceful sustained struggle, demanding redressal of long pending genuine demands of the Central Government employees, removal of retrograde recommendation of the 7th CPC, scrap Natioal Pension System(NPS) and restore Guaranteed Old Pension Scheme, payment of arrear of Productivity Linked Bonus, filling-up of vacancies, stop indiscriminate outsourcing, stop amendment in Labour Laws in favour of corporate, non-creation of new posts for new assets,

On this occasion, a mammoth peaceful rally of thousands of Central Government Employees, including the Railwaymen, was organized at Jantar-Mantar, New Delhi, which was addressed by Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra, Convener, NJCA and General Secretary, AIRF-NRMU, Shri S.K. Tyagi, President/NRMU, Shri B.C. Sharma, General Secretary URMU, Shri R.N. Parashar, General Secretary NFPE, Shri A.K. Kanojia, ITEF, Shri V. Bhattacharjee, Civil Accounts, Shri Giriraj Singh, President NFPE, Shri Devendra Kumar, FNPO, Shri R.K. Singh, General Secretary, Diploma Engineers’ Federation.

Giving stern warning to Government of India, all the speakers said, if their aforementioned demands are not resolved by the end of February 2016, all the Central Government Employees will be compelled to go on “Indefinite Strike” in the month of March 2016.

For General Secretary

Source: AIRF

Deduction of Tax at source - Income Tax deduction from salaries during the Financial year -2015-16 under Section 192 of the Income Tax Act,1961

 Deduction of Tax at source - Income Tax deduction from salaries during the Financial year -2015-16 under Section 192 of the Income Tax Act,1961.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (Bharat Sarkar)

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)

(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. F(X)I-2015/23/2

New Delhi, dated: 04.01.2016

As per Standard List I,II,III

Sub.: Deduction of Tax at source - Income Tax deduction from salaries during the Financial year -2015-16 under Section 192 of the Income Tax Act,1961.

Copy of Cicular No.20/2015 {(F. No. 275/192/2015-IT(B)} dated 02.12.2015 issued by Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) Central Board of Direct Taxes,on the above noted subject are enclosed for information and guidance.

2. It is further advised that in case more copies of the said Circular are required, these may be obtained from the website of Income Tax Department- www.incometaxindia.gov.in/communications/circular/circular20-2015.pdf.

3. please acknowledge recepit.

sd/-

(Niraj Kumar)

Director,Finance (Exp.)-I

Railway Board

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On 13th October 2015 - Observance of “All India Demands Day” - AIRF

Observance of “All India Demands Day” – 13th October, 2015

This 91st Annual Convention of All India Railwaymen’s Federation, held at Jodhpur(NWR) from 3-5 October, 2015, after reviewing all the situations, has decided to intensify the struggle of the AIRF, and as a first step, to observe 13th October, 2015 as “All India Demands Day” through processions/dharnas, mass rallies, mass meetings demonstrations, etc. all over Indian Railways to put pressure on the government on the following legitimate long pending demands of the Railwaymen

All India Railwaymen’s Federation

4, State Entry Road, New Delhi – 110055

No.AIRF/03

Dated: October 4, 2015

The General Secretaries,

All Affiliated Unions,

Dear Comrades,

Sub: Observance of “All India Demands Day” – 13th October, 2015

This 91st Annual Convention of All India Railwaymen’s Federation, held at Jodhpur(NWR) from 3-5 October, 2015, after reviewing all the situations, has decided to intensify the struggle of the AIRF, and as a first step, to observe 13th October, 2015 as “All India Demands Day” through processions/dharnas, mass rallies, mass meetings demonstrations, etc. all over Indian Railways to put pressure on the government on the following legitimate long pending demands of the Railwaymen:-

(i) Publish the report of the VII CPC without any further delay.

(ii) Remove ceiling of Rs.3500 p.m. and pay enhanced PLB to the Railwaymen well before Durga Pooja.

(iii) Inclusion of All Railway employees in pension and family pension schemes irrespective of their date of appointment

(iv) Scrap proposal of inducting FDI/PPP in the Railways.

(v) Scrap report of the High Level Railway Restructuring Committee, constituted under the chairmanship of Dr. Bibek Deb Roy.

(vi) Resolve all the outstanding demands of the Railwaymen.

Reports of observance of “All India Demands Day” day should be sent to AIRF Office on the same day through email.

Yours faithfully,

sd/-

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

General Secretary

Source: AIRF

Grant of 30% HRA to staff working Umdanagar, Medchal and Gundlapochampally on par with the staff working in GHMC limits

Grant of 30% HRA to staff working Umdanagar, Medchal and Gundlapochampally on par with the staff working in GHMC limits.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. E(P&A)II-2012/HRA-1

New Delhi, dated 18.9.2015.

The General Manager (P),

South-Central Railway,

Secunderabad

Sub:- Grant of 30% HRA to staff working Umdanagar, Medchal and Gundlapochampally on par with the staff working in GHMC limits.

Please refer to your office letter No. SCR/P-HQ/Ruling/O/811/HRA dated 29.06.15 on the above noted subject.

As per the dependency certificates dated 23.6.2015 issued by the District Collector of Ranga Reddy District, Umdanagar, Medchal & Gundlapochampally in Andhra Pradesh fulfill all the conditions prescribed in Para 2 of Board’s letter No.PC-65/HRA-1/3 dated 22-7-1965, as amended from time to time. The President is, therefore, pleased to decide that Railway employees posted at Umdanagar, Medchal and gundlapochampally, in Andhra Pradesh may be paid House Rent Allowance at the rates applicable to those posted with the classified city of Hyderabad (UA) [‘X’ class city] subject to fulfillment of the conditions laid down for grant of House Rent Allowance.

2. These orders will be valid from 01.06.2015 (a) for a period of 3 yrs i.e. upto 31.05.2018 or, (b) till the conditions prescribed in Para 2 of Board’s letter 22-7-1965, referred to above continue to be fulfilled in respect of Umdangar (ii) Medchal & (iii) Gundlapochampally or (c) until issue of any further orders in this regard by the Ministry of Railways, whichever is earliest.

3. The period at (a) of Para 2 above may, however, be extended after obtaining a fresh Dependency Certificate as prescribed in clause (ii) of Para 2 of Board’s letter dated 22-07-1965, as amended from time to time and in accordance with the provisions of Board’s letter No. E(P&A)II-85/HRA-12 dated 11-3-1986.

4. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

sd/-

(Salim Md. Ahmed)

Dy. Director, Estt.(P&A)II

Railway Board

Source: NFIR

Exempting Railway employees from the NPS and also consider ONE RANK ONE PENSION – NFIR

Exempting Railway employees from the NPS and also consider OROP – NFIR

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

3, CHELMSFORD ROAD,NEW DELHI – 110 055

Affiliated to:

Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)

International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

No.IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL

Dated: 06-09-2015

Shri Narendra Modi,
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
South Block,
Raisina Hills,
New Delhi.

Respected Sir,
Sub: Uniform Pension Scheme to retiring Railways employees at par with ex-servicemen – reg.

At the outset, the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) thanks the Government for conceding to the demand of ex-Servicemen for introduction of “One Rank – One Pension” for them.

In this connection, I would invite your kind attention to the case of Railway employees numbering over 1.3 million as placed below:-

The Railway employees have been subjected to injustice as a result of introduction of New Pension Scheme (which is a contributory pension scheme) with effect from 01/01/2004. Consequently, those employees who joined railways on and after 01-01-2004 are governed by the contributory pension scheme with present nomenclature “New Pension System”(NPS).

Presently, there are two sections of Rail Workforce – One governed by the Liberalized pension Scheme (applicable to pre 01-01-2004 appointees) and the other one governed by the contributory pension scheme i.e. NPS applicable to post 01.01.2004 appointees. Since 2004, NFIR has been pressing the Government of India and the Ministry of Railways to withdraw New Pension Scheme as the duties and responsibilities of Railway employees are very complex, Complicated and their working conditions are arduous as they perform duties at remote places, extremist infested areas, jungle areas, without any supply chain. Vast percentage of Railway employees cannot afford to have timely medicines, social life, schooling facilities etc.,

Pursuant to the discussions held with the Railway Ministry on our pending demand seeking abolition of New pension-Scheme in Railways, the then Railway Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge had agreed with the demand and accordingly he had sent a communication to the Finance Ministry on 29-03-2014 duly explaining the nature of duties of the Railway employees and seeking Government’s approval for exempting the Railway employees from the NPS whereby they can be governed by the Liberalized pension scheme. This issue is continued to remain unresolved.

For your kind appreciation, I mention here that according to the report of the Dr.Anil Kakodkar committee, Submitted to the Railway Ministry in the year 2012. the death rate of Railway employees in the courses of performing duties was much larger than the public. I quote below the figures given by the High Level Safety Review committee headed by Dr.Kakodkar.

	Killed	Injured
(a)    Railway employees	1600	8700
(b)   Passenger/ Public	1019	2110
(c)    Unmanned Level Crossing	723	690

The above position reveals that the Railway employees killed during the period 2007-08 to 2011 were 1600 while those injured on duty were 8700. This figure would convince that the duties of Railway employee cannot be treated as less arduous in comparison with the defence and para-military forces. Like armed forces, Railway employees are expected to remain at their place of posting even during periodic rest and they cannot afford to leave the headquarters and they perform duties under open sky facing inclement weather conditions and ensure running of trains round the clock.

It would therefore, be necessary to exempt Railway employees from the New Pension System (NPS).

2. Need to provide Uniform pension Scheme or One Rank – One Pension to Rail Workforce:

The Railway employees discharges their duties round the clock by shifts and over 85% staff work in remote places where no human life exists. Their duties are safety- oriented. The are facing continuous stress and strain in the course of performing. Train passing duties causing health hazards leading to pre-mature death, medical invalidation at a scale larger than the armed/Par-Military forces. The demand for introduction of Uniform Pension Scheme to Railway employees of the same rank regardless of their date of retirement deserve consideration like that of retiring armed personnel.

I therefore, request you to kindly see that the Government accords approval, exempting Railway employees from the New Pension System for the purpose of covering them under the Liberalized Pension Scheme. I also request that “One Rank – One Pension” Scheme i.e. uniform pension for Railway employees retiring in the same rank regardless of their retirement may kindly be approved by the Government, considering the fact that Railway personnel are serving the nation, transporting military hardware and the army to the borders and ensuring uninterrupted movement of rail transport services at all times round the clock in all weather conditions.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary.

Source: NFIR

Ramzan Ifter – Muslim Railway employees may be allowed to leave office early – Railway Board order

Ramzan Ifter – Muslim Railway employees may be allowed to leave office early – Railway Board order

Relief for Muslim Employees observing fast during Ramzan month & traveling long distances for IFTAR

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.2015/G/35/1

Dated : 15.06.2015

CIRCULAR

During the Holy month of Ramzan, the time of Iftar coincides with setting of the sun, which takes place quite early.

It has, therefore, been decided that those Muslim Railway employees who observe fast and are required to tavel a long distance to their residence for Iftar, may be allowed to leave office early wherever feasible.

sd/-

(P.S.Meena)

Director (General Admn.)

Railway Board

To,

All Officers/branches in Railway Board’s Office.

Click to view the order

Source: NFIR

Mandatory Yoga Training for all officers/Staff of Indian Railways including RPF personnel

Mandatory Yoga Training for all officers/Staff of Indian Railways including RPF personnel

G.I., Min. of Railways, Railway Board, O.M.No.E(MPP)2015/3/10, dated 15.06.2015

Sub: Mandatory Yoga Training for all officers/Staff of Indian Railways including RPF personnel

Zonal Railways may kindly refer to Board’s letter No.E(MPP)/2000/19/1/Meditation dated 23.11.2001 (RBE No.231/2001), vide which Yogo training was introduced for trainees in the Railway Training Centres’. These instructions were reiterated and were made permanent vide Board’s letter No.E(MPP)2009/19/1/pt.(Meditation) dated 13.11.2003 (RBE No.194/2003).

It has been established that Yoga/Meditation courses help in improving levels of concentration, alertness and reduction in stress and hence with a view to provide greater thrust, it has been decided to cover all officers and staff including RPF personnel in the progromme, for general well being of employees. Further, in Budget 2015-16, it was emphasized that training in Yoga will be imported to the staff especially from RPF.

In the light of foregoing, Board has decided to include mandatory Yoga Training progrommes in all the Centralized Training Institutes and Non-Gazetted Training Centres including RPF Training Centres. Accordingly, all the training progrommes whether Initial, Refresher, Promotionol or structured training progrommes would provide for slots for Yoga Training as per details specified below:

Accordingly, all Training Centers are advised to arrange these training progrommes. In case necessary, tie up may be mode with certified/Professional Yoga Centres/Trainers on payment basis as may be decided by the concerned General Managers of Zonal Railwoys, PUs and Heads of CTIs etc., in consultation with their Associate Finance under the Zonal Railways/CTIs budgetary powers. Necessary tie up as mentioned above may be finalized within 2 months and training on Yoga in terms of the aforesaid directions may be started immediately thereafter. There would be no exemption from attendance in this progromme unless there are adequate reasons to be accepted by Head of Training Institution personally.

As regards the batch size, the minimum batch size should be 20, however, where more numbers are proposed to be covered in a batch, the some should be decided in consultation with the trainer. In so for as RPF personnel are concerned, RPF Directorote hove alreody issued instructions vide their letter No.2013/Sec(E)/TRG(POL)-1/1 dated 19.3.2015. These instructions are subsumed and would form part of the aforesoid instructions for RPF personnel.

These instructions supersede all previous instructions on the subject of Yoga Training including the ceiling limit fixed for payment of remuneration to Yoga Instructors/Trainers, hired for the purpose.

As regards the number of officers/staff who are being imported Yoga Training, monthly statement showing total number of officers/staff and RPF personnel trained per month will have to be sent to the Board on a continuing basis on the training progrommes begin.

This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.

Click to view the original order

Authority: www.indianrailways.gov.in