7th CPC: Feedback of AIRF’s Preliminary meeting

All India Railwaymen’s Federation

Dated: May 28, 2014

On the invitation of the Seventh Central Pay Commission for having Preliminary Interaction with All India Railwaymen’s Federation(AIRF), a delegation of the AIRF, comprising of Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra, General Secretary AIRF, Com. Rakhal Das Gupta, Working President AIRF, Com. Ch. Sankara Rao, Asstt. General Secretary AIRF and Com. J.R. Bhosale, Treasurer AIRF, met today, i.e. 28th May, 2014, the Seventh Central Pay Commission(Hon’ble Justice Shri Ashok Kumar Mathur, Chairman, Shri Vivek Rae, Member, Dr. Rathin Roy, Member and Ms Meena Agarwal, Secretary, Seventh Central Pay Commission) in Hotel Janpath(Camp Office of the VII CPC), New Delhi. The following points were raised by the AIRF before the VII CPC:

(i) Extension and improvement in Railway Services

(ii) Safety & Training

(iii) Wages,  Dearness Allowance and Other Allowances

(iv) Living Wage

(v) Interim Relief

(vi) Merger of Dearness Allowance

It was asserted by the AIRF that the Railwaymen are Industrial Workers and are governed by the Industrial Disputes Act, Factories Act and Hours of Employment Regulations etc.

It was stressed by the AIRF that, out of 7,000 railway stations, over 6,000 are road side stations where staff are bereft of all civic facilities like housing, electricity, drinking water, sanitation, medical facilities etc., and the education of their children suffers.

Indian Railways run 19,000 trains daily and additional train services are being introduced without developing infrastructure and adding manpower, rather manpower is being reduced day-by-day. In spite of all impediments, there has been tremendous improvement in carrying goods traffic and passenger services.

AIRF further stressed that, the Railwaymen are working round-the-clock in all weathers and arduous conditions, even sacrificing their lives to keep the lifeline of the nation(Indian Railways) in operation. On the one hand it used to be said that we(the Railwaymen), are the second line of defence, on the other, when the issue of Wage Structure and Allowances comes, the Railwaymen always get raw-deal, saying, they are “Common Categories”. Quoting examples of the Running Staff, Technician, Technical Supervisor, Operating & Commercial Staff, AIRF asked, where we are common? The VII CPC agreed that they would definitely look into these aspects while deciding wages and allowances of the Railwaymen.

It was impressed upon to the Seventh Central Pay Commission that AIRF would lead broad categories/ departments’ representation to VII CPC during oral evidence.

It was also stressed that the Seventh Central Pay Commission should consider the matter of granting Interim Relief as well as merger of Dearness Allowance with the Pay. 

The Members of the Pay Commission, mainly the Chairman himself, interacted with AIRF’s representatives. The Pay Commission gave patient hearing and assured that they could understand the complexity and gravity of the Railway Industry, devotion and dutifulness of the Railwaymen and would try to administer justice to the Railwaymen by way of their recommendations.

Thereafter, representatives of the Staff Side, National Council(JCM), lead by Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra, Secretary, Staff Side, National Council(JCM), along with Com. Rakhal Das Gupta, Com. Ch. Sankara Rao and Com. J.R. Bhosale, Members, Standing Committee, NC/JCM/AIRF, held discussions with the VII CPC. The issues of Fixation of Wages, allowances and the matters of Anomalies of VI CPC, Scrapping of New Pension Scheme, Promotional Policy, General Grade Structure along with the demands of Interim Relief and Merger of Dearness Allowance with the Pay were raised by the Staff Side, NC/JCM. Apart from AIRF representatives, in the delegation, Coms. M. Raghavaiah, Guman Singh, S.N. Pathak, S.K. Vyas, Sri Kumar, K.K.N. Kutty and B.C. Sharma were also present on the occasion.

The Chairman, VII CPC, on persistent demand of the Staff Side, NC/JCM, suggested that the Staff Side can submit separate Memorandum on Interim Relief and Merger of Dearness Allowance, so that VII CPC can seek necessary advice from the Government, as to how to deal with these issues since there has been no specific reference in the matter from the Government to VII CPC on these subjects.

It was decided that detailed memorandum on behalf of Staff Side, National Council(JCM) should be submitted by 30th June 2014, and all the departments, like Railways and others should submit their memorandum by 15th July, 2014. 

 This is for your information and giving wide circulation amongst all sections of the Railwaymen.

 Comradely yours,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)