Highlights of Railway Budget 2013-14: Central Government Railway Employees

Highlights of Railway Budget 2013-14

Ministry of Railways 

26-February, 2013 14:23 IST

• 67 new Express trains to be introduced
  
• 26 new passenger services, 8 DEMU services and 5 MEMU services to be introduced
  
• Run of 57 trains to be extended
  
• Frequency of 24 trains to be increased
  
• First AC EMU rake to be introduced  on Mumbai suburban network in 2013-14
  
• 72 additional services to be introduced in Mumbai and 18 in Kolkata
  
• Rake length increased from 9 cars to 12 cars for 80 services in Kolkata and 30 services in Chennai
  
• 500 km new lines, 750 km doubling, 450 km gauge conversion targeted in 2013-14
  
• First ever rail link to connect Arunachal Pradesh
  
• Some Railway related activities to come under MGNREGA
  
• For the first time 347 ongoing projects identified as priority projects with the committed funding
  
• Highest ever plan outlay of Rs. 63,363 crore
  
• Loan of Rs. 3000 crore repaid fully.
  
• A new fund-Debt Service Fund set up to meet committed liabilities.
  
• Freight loading of 1047 MT, 40 MT more than 2012-13
  
• Passenger growth 5.2% in 2013-14
  
• Gross Traffic Receipts – Rs. 1,43,742 crore i.e. an increase of 18,062 crore over RE, 2012-13
  
• Dividend payment estimated at Rs. 6,249 crore
  
• Operating Ratio to be 87.8% in 2013-14
  
• Supplementary charges for super fast trains, reservation fee, clerkage charge, cancellation charge and tatkal charge marginally increased
  
• Fuel Adjustment Component linked revision for freight tariff to be implemented from 1st April 2013
  
• Enhanced reservation fee abolished
  
• Elimination of 10797 Level Crossings (LC) during the 12th Plan and no addition of new LCs henceforth
  
• Introduction of 160/200 kmph Self Propelled Accident Relief Trains
  
• ‘Aadhar’ to be used for various passenger and staff related services
  
• Internet ticketing from 0030 hours to 2330 hours
  
• E-ticketing through mobile phones
  
• Project of SMS alerts to passengers providing updates on reservation status
  
• Next –Gen e-ticketing system to be rolled out : capable of handling 7200 tickets per minute against 2000 now,  1.20 lakh users simultaneously against 40,000 now
  
• Introduction of executive lounge at 7 more stations: Bilaspur, Visakhapatnam, Patna, Nagpur, Agra, Jaipur and Bengaluru
  
• Introduction of ‘Azadi Express’ to connect places associated with freedom movement
  
• Four companies of women RPF personnel set up and another 8 to be set up to strengthen the security of rain passengers, especially women passengers
  
• 10% RPF vacancies being reserved for women
  
• 1.52 lakh vacancies being filled up this year out of which 47000 vacancies have been earmarked for weaker sections and physically challenged
  
• Railways to impart skills to the youth in railway related trades in 25 locations
  
• Provision of portable fire extinguishers in Guard-cum-Brake Vans, AC Coaches and Pantry Cars in all trains
  
• Pilot project on select trains to facilitate passengers to contact on board staff through SMS/phone call/e-mail for coach cleanliness and real time feedback
  
• Provision of announcement facility and electronic display boards in trains
  
• Providing free Wi-Fi facilities on several trains
  
• Upgrading 60 stations as Adarsh Stations in addition to 980 already selected
  
• Introduction of an ‘Anubhuti’ coach in select trains to provide excellent ambience and latest facilities and services
  
• 179 escalators and 400 lifts at A-1 and other major stations to be installed facilitating elderly and differently-abled
  
• Affixing Braille stickers with layout of coaches including toilets, provision of wheel chairs and battery operated vehicles at more stations and making coaches wheel-chair friendly
  
• Centralized Catering Services Monitoring Cell set up with a toll free number (1800 111 321)
  
• Complimentary card passes to recipients of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna & Dhyan Chand Awards to be valid for travel by 1st Class/2nd AC
  
• Complimentary card passes to Olympic Medalists and Dronacharya Awardees for travel in Rajdhani/Shatabadi Trains
  
• Travel by Duronoto Trains permitted on all card passes issued to sportspersons having facility of travel by Rajdhani/Shatabadi Trains
  
• Facility of complimentary card passes valid in 1st class/2nd AC extended to parents of posthumous unmarried awardees of Mahavir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, President’s Police Medal for Gallantry and policy medal for Gallantry
  
• Policy Gallantry awardees to be granted one complimentary pass every year for travel along with one companion in 2nd AC in Rajdhani/Shatabadi Trains
  
• Passes for freedom fighters to be renewed once in three years instead of every year.
  
• Setting up of six more Rail Neer bottling plants at Vijayawada, Nagpur, Lalitpur, Bilaspur, Jaipur and Ahmedabad
  
• Setting up of a multi-disciplinary training institute at Nagpur for training in rail related electronics technologies
  
• Setting up of a centralized training institute at Secunderabad--Indian Railways Institute of Financial Management
  
• Five fellowships in national universities to be instituted to motivate students to study and undertake research on Railway related issues at M.Phil and Ph.D. levels
  
• Fund allocation for staff quarters enhanced to Rs. 300 crore
  
• Provision of hostel facilities for single women railway employees at all divisional headquarters
  
• Provision of water closets and air conditioners in the locomotive cabs to avoid stress being faced by loco pilots

MKP/Samir/BS

(Release ID :92504)

Source: PIB

Parents of Posthumous Unmarried Bravery Awardees to be Extended Facility of Complimentary Card Pass in 1st Class/2nd AC Passes for Freedom Fighters to be Renewed Every 3 Years

Parents of Posthumous Unmarried Bravery Awardees to be Extended Facility of Complimentary Card Pass in 1st Class/2nd AC Passes for Freedom Fighters to be Renewed Every 3 Years

The Union Minister of Railways Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal has announced the extension of the facility of Complimentary Card pass valid in 1st Class/2nd AC to the parents of posthumous unmarried awardees of Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, President’s Police Medal for Gallantry and Police Medal for Gallantry.

While presenting the Railways Budget for 2013-14 in Parliament today he announced that Police Gallantry awardees shall now be granted one Complimentary Pass every year for travel along with one companion in 2 AC in Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains.

Shri Bansal also announced that the requirement of renewal of the passes for freedom fighters is being raised to three years. Presently, freedom fighters are required to renew their passes every year which causes inconvenience to many of them in an advanced age. 

Source: PIB

Fund Allocation for Railway Staff Quarters Enhanced by 50 %

 Ministry of Railways 

 

Fund Allocation for Railway Staff Quarters Enhanced by 50 %

The Minister of Railways Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal has announced enhancement of the fund allocation under Railways staff quarters by 50% over the previous year to provide Rs 300 crore. While presenting the Railways Budget for 2013-14 in Parliament today he said that construction of staff quarters has been hampered by funding constraints. Encouraged by the success of Ministry of Urban Development in constructing staff quarters through PPP mode, his Ministry proposes to adopt the same in the Railways.

He announced the provision of hostel facilities for single women railway employees at all Divisional headquarters.

He further announced that condition of barracks would be improved to provide better living condition to the RPF personnel.

1.52 Lakh Vacancies in Railways to Be Filled up this Year

1.52 Lakh Vacancies in Railways to Be Filled up this Year

The Minister of Railways Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal has announced that the Ministry of Railways will make concerted efforts to fill up approximately 1.52 lakh vacancies this year. While presenting Railways Budget for 2013-14 in Parliament today, he said that it is a measure of popularity of Railways as an employer that a staggering 2.2 crore applications were received.

For the first time, Railways recruitment examinations were held at more than 60 cities across the country. In the process, a backlog of about 47,000 vacancies earmarked for weaker sections and physically challenged is likely to get cleared.

Outlay of Rs. 63,363 Crore Proposed in Rail Budget

Outlay of Rs. 63,363 Crore Proposed in Rail Budget
Operating Efficiency Likely to Improve to 87.8%

An outlay Rs. 63,363 crore has been proposed for 2013-14 rail budget which will be financed through Gross Budgetary Support of Rs. 26,000 crore, Railway’s Share in Road Safety Fund of Rs. 2,000 crore and internal resources of Rs. 14,260 crore.

Highlighting the importance of financially sustainability of Indian Railways for its efficient upkeep, operation and maintenance, Railway Minister, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal said that we must be realistic in setting targets. He said that during the year the Railways shall have to borrow Rs. 15,103 crore from market and shall have to mobilize Rs. 6,000 crore through Public Private Partnership(PPP) route for its operations proposed in the Budget.

Expecting more revenue through freight and passenger tariff , the Railway Minister said that freight earning is expected to Rs. 93,554 crore, 9% higher than the previous budget year. Similarly passengers tariff earning is expected to increase to Rs. 42,210 crore.

Shri Bansal said that in view of expected growth of 11% and 10% in Other Coaching and Sundry earnings respectively, the Gross Tariff Receipts are expected to be Rs. 1,43,742 crore . While Ordinary Working Expenses for the year are expected to Rs. 96,500 crore. He said that the appropriation to the Pension Fund is estimated to Rs. 22,000 crore and the appropriation to Depreciation Reserve Fund has been kept at Rs. 7,500 crore.

Shri Bansal expressed the hope that Operating Ratio during the budget year will improve to 87.8% from the Revised Estimate of Rs. 88.8% and Railway would be able to close the financial year with the balance of Rs. 12,506 crore to Railway Funds.

NKP/NCJ/BR
(Release ID :92510)

Source: PIB

Prime Minister's statement on the Railway Budget

PM's statement on the Railway Budget

The Minister for Railways has done a commendable job in meeting competing demands of improving and increasing services for commuters and controlling expenditure of his department. It is a reformist and forward looking Budget which presents a realistic picture of Railway finances. I compliment him for his innovations in critical areas of Railway infrastructure and paving the way for capacity expansion.

Source: PIB

Sanctioning of Leave : Dies non – No Work No Pay

Sanctioning of Leave : Dies non – No Work No Pay

All the Central Government employees those who are participated in the Two Day Strike have been warned by the government through its circular dated 15-02-2013, that leave of any kind will not be sanctioned for them. It is under stood that the absence of two days in strike period will be treated as Dies non

The West Bengal State Government too issued a circular a day before , in which it has been said that no leave will be granted to its employees during the strike, and if they aren’t present in office it will be treated as dies non with no salary admissible if they don’t give a suitable reason and produce proper documents for refraining from turning up for duty.

What is Dies non ?

Dies non: In service terms, “dies non” means a day, which cannot be treated as duty for any purpose. It does not constitute break in service. But the period treated as ‘dies non’ does not qualify as service for pensioner benefits or increment.

As per the Postal Manual Volume III, Central Civil Services (Classification,Control and appeal) rules, 1965, the Absence of officials from duty without proper permission or when on duty in office, they have left the office without proper permission or while in the office, they refused to perform the duties assigned to them is subversive of discipline. In cases of such absence from work, the leave sanctioning authority may order that the days on which work is not performed be treated as dies non, i.e. they will neither count as service nor be construed as break in service. This will be without prejudice to any other action that the competent authorities might take against the persons resorting to such practices.

Source: gservants.com

EPF interest rate raised by 0.25 to 8.5 per cent for the current fiscal

EPF interest rate raised by 0.25 to 8.5 per cent for the current fiscal

Employees’ Provident Fund Organization, EPFO, has decided to pay 8.5 per cent rate of interest on Provident Fund, PF, deposits for 2012-13.

It is higher by 0.25 per cent provided in the previous fiscal. It will benefit over five crore subscribers of retirement fund body.

The decision was taken at the meeting of the Central Board of Trustees, the highest decision making body of EPFO, chaired by Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge.

According to the EPFO’s estimates, payment of 8.5 per cent interest rate on PF deposits for current fiscal, would leave a surplus of 4.13 crore rupees with the retirement fund body.