NFIR writes to 7th CPC to send Interim Report along with merger of dearness allowance

No.IV/NFIR/7th CPC/2013/Pt.Ii

The Chairman,

Seventh Central Pay Commission,

New Delhi

Respected Sir,

Sub: Preliminary inter-action meeting between 7th CPC & NFIR — reg.

Ref: Seventh CPC’s D.O. No.7CPC/22/Meeting dated 12th May, 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.

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 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.

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)

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.

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 request 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.

We may submit that the 6th  report, more particularly the concept of Grade Pay and Pay Band had generated many anomalies. This led to dis-satisfaction among different 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.

Honhle 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.

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