NFIR writes to 7th CPC to send Interim Report along with the aspect of merger of DA

NFIR writes to 7th CPC to send Interim Report to the Government along
with the aspect of merger of dearness allowance with basic pay after Preliminary inter-action meeting between 7th CPC & 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)

Dated: 29-05-2014

We express our sincere gratitude to the 7th CPC for extending
invitation to the NFIR to take part in the inter-action meeting. As this
being the first meeting of preliminary inter-action nature. NFIR
submits certain facts briefly for appreciation. The Federation would,
however submit detailed memorandum separately on various issues as well
as the proposed pay structure for Railwaymen/ Women and the need for
upward revision of various allowances, incentive etc.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDIAN RAILWAYMEN (N.F.I.R.)

NFIR is one of the major Federations in the railways functioning for
the cause of rail workforce (serving & retired) and equally for the
growth of Nation as well Railways since the last over six decades.

NFIR is one of the major constituents of the Joint Consultative
Machinery (JCM).  M. Raghavaiah, General Sccrctary/NFIR, is also the
Leader of Staff Side/JCM.
 

INDIAN RAILWAYS

Indian Railways is a unique and complex transportation system under
the control of Central Government, serving the needs of people since the
last more than 160 years. Indian Railways handle over 19,000 regular
trains (Freight & Passenger) per day besides about 3000 special
trains a day during various seasons. Its route kilometerage is 65,187.

During the year 2012-13, Indian Railways moved more than 1010 Metric
Tonnes of freight traffic and joined as fourth member of the select
Billion Tonne Club of USA, China and Russia. The operating ratio has
been around 90% barring the 3 years period between 2005-06 & 2008.
The Indian Railways incur losses as a result of fulfilling the social
service obligations. The approximate loss on this account is around
Rupees Twenty Thousand Crores per annum.

RAILWAY EMPLOYEES’ ROLE:

The railway employees perform duties for ensuring uninterrupted flow
of services. They Work at over 7000 railway stations. Most work places
do not have access to facilities and basic amenities for their living.
The employees are compelled to work under the open sky and inclement
weather conditions. They face hazards associated with the job
environment, remoteness. inhospitable terrain etc.,

Although, railway employees are part of Central Government Employees,
their nature of work, duties and responsibilities are uncommon and not
comparable with any other system/industry. The staff who maintain
railway tracks, rolling stock, signal/telecom network, train operations,
trains planning, punctuality, safety are skillful and devoted to the
system but however, these factors have not been given due weighage by
successive Pay Commissions. The running staff i.e. Loco Pilots, Asst.
Loco Pilots, Guards. operating staff, station masters, controllers etc..
perform their jobs facing many odds. They are expected lo perform
duties even beyond the prescribed duty hours.

We may incidentally cite para 2.3 of the report of the Chairman, High
Level Safety Review Committee headed by Dr.Anil Kakodkar submitted to
the Railway Ministry. According tlo the said report the number of
railway employees killed in the course of performing duties has been
higher as can be seen from the following figures (period 2007—08 to
2011)

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

The nature of work, duties, responsibilities of railway staff justify
grant of better pay structtire and other benefits treating the Railway
Workforce as unique and not comparable with other Central Government
employees. We shall explain the facts through our memorandum
for consideration of Hon’ble 7th CPC.

NFIR‘s MEMORANDAM AND EVIDENCE:

As the NFIR is one of the major constituents of the JCM, our
memorandum will be drafted and finalized after the submission of
memorandum by JCM (Staff Side). In view of this, we reques that we may
be given time to submit our memorandum by 31st July, 20l4.

As the Hon’ble Pay Commission is aware that 1.3 million staff
belonging to hundreds of caegories are working in the railways, we
request that the Federation be given more slots in phases to facilitate
us to explain the case of every important category cogently.

SATISFACTION LEVEL OF 6th CPC REPORT:

We may submit that the 6th report, more particularly the conccpt of
Grade Pay and Pay Band had generated many anomalies. This led to
dis-satisfaction among diffcrent categories of railway employees. These
anomalies are yet to be rectified by the Government. The proposals of
Railway Ministry on 6th CPC issues are pending with Finance Ministry.
MACPS aberrations have also been very large in number. Our efforts at
the level of Railway Ministry as well Ministry of Personnel/MoF have not
yielded positive result.

We hope that the Seventh Central Pay Commission would look into these
issues in a realistic manner for mitigating the injustice caused to
staff.

DEARNESS ALLOWANCE — IT’s MERGER WITH PAY:

Hon’ble Pay Commission may kindly appreciate that the Dearness
Allowance (D.A.) has become 100% of pay w.e.f. 01/01/2014. This scenario
was never anticipated by the 6th CPC. It may however be appreciated
that in the past, the Government had merged DA with pay when it crossed
50% (In the year 2004). We are expecting 6% DA w.e.f. July 1, 2014, thus
the DA% would be 106% of pay in July, 2014.

We therefore, request the Hon’ble Pay Commission to kindly consider
this aspect for sending interim report to the Government recommending
merger.

CONCLUDING:

NFIR assures its co-operation to the Pay Commission by way providing
facts and material & equally hopes that this Pay Commission would
render justice to the Railway employees.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-

(M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary/NFIR