7th CPC HBA - Amendment to Rules on House Building Advance

7th CPC HBA - Amendment to Rules on House Building Advance

"Grant of Advances- Seventh Central Pay Commission recommendations- Amendment to rules on House Building Advance (HBA) to Railway servants"

Government of India (Bharat Sarkar)
Ministry of Railways (Rail Mantralaya)
(Railway Board)

No. F(E)Spl./2008/ADV.3/6 (7th CPC)

New Delhi, Dated: 28.03.2018

The General Managers and PFAs
All Indian Railways & Production Units
(As per standard list)

Subject: Grant of Advances- Seventh Central Pay Commission recommendations- Amendment to rules on House Building Advance (HBA) to Railway servants.

Please refer to this Ministry’s letter of even number dated 05.12.2017 on the above cited subject, vide which, the revised provisions relating to the grant of House Building Advance (HBA) as issued by Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (Housing-Ill Section) vide their OM No.l.17011/11 (4)/2016-H-111 dated 09.11.2017 pursuant to acceptance of 7th CPC recommendations, were mutatis-mutandis made applicable to Railway employees.

2. Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs vide their OM dated 31.01.2018 (copy enclosed) have now issued clarifications to the fulfilment of extant conditions mentioned in para-2(viii) of their aforesaid OM dated 09.11.2017, which shall be applicable mutatis-mutandis on the Railways.

3. Please acknowledge receipt.

4. Hindi version will follow.

sd/-
(G. Priyt Sudarsani)
Joint Director Finance (Estt.)

Railway Board

Source: AIRF

Dopt: Posting of Husband and Wife at the Same Station

Posting of Husband and Wife at the Same Station - Dopt

Concerning the posting at the same place of husband and wife who are working in Government service, the transfer issues have been raised in Parliament on several occasions. In 1980's these demands began to show its seriousness, because the percentage of women employees were increased in joining the Government services. The Central Government also observed this issue from various forums, a circular had been issued by the Department of Social Welfare in Feb 1976 to all Head of Departments to give serious consideration to the requests of posting of husband and wife at the same station. In order to that order, lot of women employees started to send their request to transfer at the place where their husbands are posted.

The Central Government gave its utmost importance to this issue and as far as possible and within the constraints of administrative feasibility, the husband and wife should be posted at the same station to enable them to lead a normal family life and to ensure the education and welfare of their children. The Department of Personnel and Training issued an OM on 3.4.86, in accordance with the guidelines and instructions in the order given by the Government, all cadre controlling authorities should consider such requests with the utmost sympathy.

The Department of Personnel and Training issued various office memorandums regarding this matter from time to time. The motive of the Government on the petitioners, said in the orders repeatedly, to give utmost importance attached to the enhancement of women's status in all walks of life and to enable them to lead a normal family life as also to ensure the education and welfare of the children.
Till recently, the persmin has issued total of six orders pertaining the above subject on its website. After implementation of the 6th CPC, the last order has been issued on 30.09.2009. The order said that "On the basis of the 6th CPC reprot, Government servants have already been allowed the facility of Child Care Leave which is admissible till the children attain 18 years of age". The consolidated guidelines concerened this subject has been provided in the OM dated 12.06.1997. The consolidated guidelines has been amended and published in the last order after implementation of 6th CPC.
In the main guidelines, "The husband & wife, if working in the same Department and if the required level of post is available, should invariably be posted together in order to enable them to lead a normal family life and look after the welfare of their children especially till the children attain 18 years of age. This will not apply on appointment under the central Staffing Scheme. Where only wife is a Govt. servant, the above concessions would be applicable to the Govt. servant. Complaints are sometimes received that even if posts are available in the station of posting of the spouse, the administrative authorities do not accommodate the employees citing administrative reasons. In all such cases, the cadre controlling authority should strive to post the employee at the station of the spouse and in case of inability to do so, specific reasons, therefor, may be communicated to the employee".

We have made a table of orders for your kind consideration…

No.	O.M. No./O.M. Date	Subject Link
1.	No.28034/7/86-Estt.(A) 03/04/1986	Posting of husband and wife at the same station
2.	No.A-B14017/41/90-Estt(RR) 10/05/1990	Posting of Physically Handicapped Candidates
3.	No.AB14017/41/90- Estt.(RR) 15/02/1991	Posting of Government employees who have mentallyretarded children
4.	No. 28034/2/97-Estt. (A) 12/06/1997	Posting of husband and wife at the same station
5.	No.14017/16/2002-Estt(RR) 13/03/2002	Posting of physically handicapped candidates
6.	No. 28034/9/2009-Estt.(A) 30/09/2009	Posting of husband and wife at the same station
7.	No. 41017/10/2015-Estt.(A) 17/04/2015	Status of implementation of the Supreme Courtjudgement dated 31.10.2013 in WP(Civil) No. 82/2011 in the matter of Shri T.S.R. Subramanian and Others vs. UOI and Others - Parliament Assurance in Rajya Sabha Unstarred Q.No.988, answered on 17.07.2014, on Amendment in Rule 3(3) of All India Service (Conduct) Rules - regarding
8.	No. 11013/10/2013-Estt.(A) 02/07/2015	Framing a Transfer Policy in all cadres - regarding

The affected employees feel that although the all guidelines for implementing the facility issued by the Government, the Head of Departments are not feasible to make it clear to stricken employees.

Inter Railway mutual transfer of Railway Staff working in GP 1800/Level 1 (7th CPC)

Inter Railway mutual transfer of Railway Staff working in GP 1800/Level 1 (7th CPC)-reg.

No. II/14/2018

Dated: 08/05/2018

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Inter Railway mutual transfer of Railway Staff working in GP 1800/Level 1 (7th CPC)-reg.

Ref: (i) NFIR's letter No. II/14/Pt. dated 27/02/2017 addressed to GM, N.F.Railway and GM, S.C. Railway.
(ii) GM (P), N.F. Rly's letter No. E/283/60/M/C&W/IRMT/PSK dated 25/05/2017.
(iii) NFIR's letter No. II/14/Part VIII dated 19/06/2017.
(iv) Railway Board's reply to GS/NFIR vide Board’s letter No. E(NG)I-2017/TR/19 dated 02/08/2017.
(v) Railway Board's letter No. E(NG)I-2017/TR/24 dated 22/09/2017.

Federation vide its letter dated 19/06/2017 brought to the kind notice of Railway Board, a specific case of inter railway mutual transfer of Railway Staff working in erstwhile GP I 800/Pay Level 1 and requested to issue modified instructions for approving mutual transfer request of Railway employees working in lowest entry pay scale even though working in different Departments/Units.

Responding to Federation's letter, the Railway Board vide letter dated 02/08/2017 addressed to General Secretary, NFIR conveyed that the General Managers of Zonal Railways have been authorized to decide the cadre of the employees seeking mutual transfer and further stated that the individual cases may be taken up by the affiliates of the Federation at Zonal level to be sorted out in consultation with the respective Zonal Railway. Subsequently, Railway Board vide instructions dated 15/09/2017 (RBE No. 130/2017) directed the General Managers of Zonal Railways and Production Units that all cases of mutual transfer which have been accepted by the Zones/Units should be implemented within the next 15 days and all employees involved in such transfer should be spared by 30th September, 2017. Thereafter Railway Board vide letter dated 22/09/2017 (RBE No. 131/2017) issued yet another instructions simplifying the procedure for mutual transfer particularly in respect of divisionally controlled posts as well head quarter controlled posts and fixed a timeline.

It has since been represented by the staff of various categories working in Pay Level-1 (lowest scale of Pay) through our affiliated Unions that while issuing instructions and simplifying the procedure, the Railway Board in its letter dated 22/09/2017 has fixed a condition vide note placed below Item No. 2 (b) (iii) which is reproduced below:-

Note : Mutual Exchange is between two employees of the same grade and cadre. This must be verified by the Personnel Department at every stage of processing of applications.

Reports received by the Federation reveal that the Divisions/Zones etc., have not been entertaining the inter-divisional/inter-railway mutual transfer request of staff working in the lowest grade pay in different Departments are not being accepted citing the condition of note laid down in Board’s letter dated 22/09/2017. Federation feels sad to convey that the Board’s instructions have failed to simplify the procedure and on the other hand complicated the matters.

NFIR, therefore, once again urges upon the Railway Board to issue clarificatory instructions on the subject to the Zonal Railways etc., to accept the inter-divisional/inter-railway mutual transfer requests of staff working in the lowest Pay Level-1 without any restriction relating to their working in the category/cadre/department as this being lowest post to be filled by open market recruitment.

A copy of the instructions issued may be endorsed to the Federation.

Yours faithfully,

S/d,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source : NFIR

Minimum educational qualification for open market recruitment to the post of Pharmacist Gr.III in the Medical Department on the Railways

Minimum educational qualification for open market recruitment to the post of Pharmacist Gr.III in the Medical Department on the Railways

No.II/1/2018

Dated: 08/05/2018

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Minimum educational qualification for open market recruitment to the post of Pharmacist Gr.III in the Medical Department on the Railways.

Ref: Railway Board's letter No.E(NG)II/2001/RR-1/45 dated 22/05/2015 (RBE No.49/2015) and 05/04/2018 (RBE No.54/2018)

Federation desires to bring to the notice of Railway Board that the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (CGHS Division) vide Notification dated 11th March, 2015, circulated in the Gazette of India published weekly (March 8 - March 14-2015, at New Delhi), issued recruitment rules with the approval of the President. citing following educational and other qualification for direct recruitment of Pharmacists from open market in supercession of all previous instructions to be followed by the other Central Ministries and the Central Government Health Scheme Organization:-

(i) 12th Class Pass with Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry and Biology), or equivalent from a recognized Board or University.

(ii) Diploma in Pharmacy from recognized institution and registered as Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948; and

(iii) Two years' experience as Pharmacist in any recognized Hospital or Pharmacy after duly registered as Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948; and

OR

(i) Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy (B. Pharm.) from a recognized University or equivalent; and

(ii) Registered as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.

Federation is surprised to note that the Railway Board vide letter No. E(NG)II/2001/RR-1/45 dated 22/05/2015 (RBE No. 49/2015) had issued instructions after reviewing the minimum educational qualification for direct recruitment to the posts of various categories in the Medical Department on the Railways in consultation with the Health Directorate of Railway Ministry decided to prescribe the qualification for recruitment of Pharmacists Gr. III (PB-1/GP 2800) as mentioned below of course without discussing with the Federation.
"10+2 in Science or its equivalent with 02 (two) years Diploma in Pharmacy and registration with Pharmacy Council of India or registration with State Pharmacy Council"

Federation has also come across instructions issued by the Railway Board vide letter No.E(NG)II/2001/RR-1/45 dated 05/04/2018 (RBE No.54/2018) wherein the minimum educational qualification for recruitment of Pharmacists Gr.III from open market in the Medical Department on the Railways have been reviewed arbitraily, without consultations with the Federations. The revised educational qualification for recruitment to the post of Pharmacist Gr.III in Railways is as follows:-

"10+2 in Science or its equivalent with Diploma in Pharmacy from recognized institution and registered as Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.

OR

Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy (B.Pharma) from a recognized University or equivalent and Registered as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act 1948."

Federation is surprised to note that the Railway Board while reviewing the educational qualification for the post of Pharmacist has totally ignored the Gazette Notification issued by the Government of India as published by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the nodal Ministry and issued its own instructions. This action of the Railway Board in therefore not justified.

In this context, Federation desires to mention that in the Board’s letter dated 05/04/2018 (in Para 2) it has been discussed by the Board with both the recognized Federations. In this context, NFIR desires to clarify that the NFIR has never agreed for review of qualification for the post of Pharmacists Gr. III only. On the other hand Federation had urged the Railway Ministry to consider upgradation of the posts with respect to upgrading the Pay Scale/Pay Level which commensurate with the Pay Scales/Structure given to the other categories having Degree qualification, accordingly the Pharmacist after review of educational qualification should have been placed in erstwhile GP 4600/Level-7. In this connection, our letter No. IV/NFIR/7th CPC/CORRES/Pt. V dated 27/05/2015 and 28/05/2015 addressed to the Secretary, 7th CPC and the Secretary (E), Railway Board demanding improvement in the entry qualification with improved Pay Scale commensurating with the improved and upgraded educational and technical qualification for the post of Pharmacist may be connected. However, copies of Federation’s letters dated 27/05/2015 and 28/05/2015 are enclosed for ready reference.

NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to withdraw its instructions issued vide letter dated 05/04/2018 (RBE No. 54/2018) and convene a meeting with the Federation to discuss the subject matter for finding an amicable solution.

Federation may be replied of the action taken on this letter.

DA/As above

Yours faithfully,

S/d,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

NFIR - Reduction of Duty Hours and revision of classification of Engineering & Traffic Gate-man as "Continuous"

NFIR

No.IV/HOER/3/2006 (DC)/HPC

Dated: 08/05/2018

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Reduction of Duty Hours and revision of classification of Engineering & Traffic Gate-man as "Continuous"-reg.

Ref:
(i) NFIR's PNM Item No.31/2015 & 34/2016.
(ii) NFIR's letter No.IV/HOER/4 dated 04/05/2017 & 2/05/2017

Through the Action Taken Statement (during NFIR's PNM meeting held with the Railway Board on 13/14-11-2017) it was conveyed that instructions have been issued vide letter No. 2012/E(LL)/HER/23 dated 30/09/2016 to conduct job analysis on duty hours of Gate Keepers.

In this connection, Federation invites kind attention of the Railway Board to its PNM Agenda Item No.31/2015 wherein NFIR demanded that duty hours of all safety category staff in EI category, specially the Gate Keeper should be reduced irrespective of the distance of quarter/residence of the employee from the work place (Para 5.5.5 of the recommendations of High Power Committee/R&S refers). Federation also highlighted Para 5.5.6 of the same report wherein the HPC (R&S) had recommended that on high density routes where the number of trains in each direction are more than 72 (on double line sections) or more than 24 (on singly line sections) no safety category staff (excepting the shunting staff) should be classified as EI category.

Federation conveys that the instructions issued by the Railway Board vide letter dated 30th September, 2016 asking the Zonal Railway Administration to conduct "factual job analysis" for deciding classification/duty hours of Gate Keepers, is not enough as there has been no positive results though over 1 1/2 years have passed.

Apart from above, Federation vide its letters dated 04/05/2017 & 24/05/2017 brought cases of Gate Keepers (Engineering) who are forced to perform 12 hours duty continuously day or night. Federation however feels sad to mention that there has been no response from the Railway Board so far.

NFIR, therefore once again urges upon the Railway Board to look into the genuine demand for reduction of duty and revision of classification of Engineering and Traffic Gate Keepers as "continuous" under HOER and issue instructions to the Zonal Railways accordingly as recommended by the HPC/R&S. A copy of instructions issued may be endrosed to the Federation.

Yours faithfully,
S/d,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Air Travel entitlements for journeys on tour or training revision of instructions

Air Travel entitlements for journeys on tour or training revision of instructions reg

Government of India / Bharat Sarkar
Ministry of Railways / Rail Mantralaya
(Railway Board)

No.F(E)I/2017/AL-28/41

RBE No.67/2018

New Delhi, dated 10.05.2018

General Manager,
All Indian Railways, PUs etc.
(As per Standard Mailing List)

Sub: Air Travel entitlements for journeys on tour or training revision of instructions reg.

In continuation to Board's letter of even number dated 24.04.2018 (RBE No 61/2018), it has been decided that regular SAG officers, on tour may travel by 'J' / Business Class by Air within the country also

2. This has the approval of competent authority.

3. Please acknowledge receipt.

S/d,
(Jitendra Kumar)
Dy. Director Finance (Estt.)
Railway Board.

Empanelment of private hospitals (including dental clinics and eye centres) and diagnostic centres under CGHS Delhi & NCR

CGHS: Additional List of Private Hospitals in Delhi & NCR

No.S.11011/03/2018-CGHS (HEC)

Government of India
Directorate General of Central Government Health Scheme
Department of Health & Family Welfare

Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi.
Dated the 11th April, 2018

OFFICE ORDER

Subject: Empanelment of private hospitals (including dental clinics and eye centres) and diagnostic centres under CGHS Delhi & NCR.
In continuation of this Directorate's Office Memorandum of even no. dated 26.12.2017 regarding empanelment under continuous empanelment scheme, the undersigned is to convey that in addition to the list of the hospitals (including dental clinics & eye centres) and diagnostic laboratories already empanelled, the hospitals (including dental clinics & eye centres) and diagnostic laboratories as per the list attached (22 HCOs) have also been empanelled under CGHS in Delhi & NCR with issuance of this order. The newly empanelled hospitals (including dental clinics & eye centres) and diagnostic laboratories may be treated as included in the existing list of empanelled health care organization under CGHS on same terms and conditions as have been indicated in the Office Memorandum dated 26.12.2017.

sd/-

[Dr. D.C. Joshi]

Director (CGHS)

Source: http://www.cghs.gov.in/

NFIR: TA/DA, PF, Pass, Medical and accommodation facilities to the contract Para-Medical Staff working in Railways

NFIR: TA/DA, PF, Pass, Medical and accommodation facilities to the contract Para-Medical Staff working in Railways

No.II/57/Part I

Dated: 08/05/2018

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: TA/DA, PF, Pass, Medical and accommodation facilities to the contract Para-Medical Staff working in Railways-reg.

Federation is thankful to the Railway Board for issuing instructions vide letter No. 2017/Trans/01/Policy/Pt. I dated 12/04/2018 to revise the remuneration of Para-Medical Staff on contracts basis working in the Railway Health Units/Hospitals on Indian Railways.

Federation however feels that the Para-Medical Staff, working on contract basis deserve to be granted following facilities which are presently denied to them:-

• No TA/DA is paid to these staff when they are sent on duty to other places,
• No Provident Fund is deducted from their monthly remuneration and credited to respective EPFO,
• These staff are not granted the facility of Pass/PTo, Medical, accommodation etc., though they have been performing duties similar to the regular Para-Medical Railway Staff. They are also not provided periodic rest other than Sunday while they have been performing duties of 12 hours in a day.

Federation also contends that the Para-Medical Staff working on contract basis are entitled for above facilities in terms of the extant provisions of Contract Labour R&A Act, 1970.

NFIR, therefor, requests the Railway Board to kindly consider above points and issue instructions to the GMs of Zonal Railways to grant facilities to the Para-Medical Staff working on contract basis and mitigate their hardships.

A copy of instructions issued may also be endorsed to the Federation.

Yours faithfully,

S/d,
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Cadre Control/Manpower Management of Mechanical & Electrical Staff involved in Diesel Maintenance & Operation and EMU/MEMU/TL/AC Maintenance and Operation

Cadre Control/Manpower Management of Mechanical & Electrical Staff involved in Diesel Maintenance & Operation and EMU/MEMU/TL/AC Maintenance and Operation

Government of India
Ministry of Railways
(Railway Board)

No.2018/O&M/8/1

New Delhi, Dated 1st May 2018

The General Managers,
All Indian Railways.

Sub: Cadre Control/Manpower Management of Mechanical & Electrical Staff involved in 
Diesel Maintenance & Operation and EMU/MEMU/TL/AC Maintenance and Operation.

This is in supersession of all orders issued earlier on this subject.

2. Board has revisited the issue of complete separation of Traction and Coaching verticals at divisional level and decided the following.

a) The cadre control of Non-Gazetted staff diesel maintenance and operations would be under MTR and the cadre control of Non-Gazetted staff of MEMU/EMU/TL/AC would be under MRS.
b) The Administrative control of the officers manning diesel maintenance and operations would be with MTR and the administrative control of the officers of electrical coaching, including MEMU/EMU, TL/AC etc. would be under MRS.
c) Cadre control of Electrical Divisions, if there is a separate Sr.DME/DME for O&F wing, he would continue to look after the power wing till a Sr.DEE/DEE (OP/TRO) is posted and technically report to PCEE. If there is only one Sr.DME looking after both C&W and Operations, then diesel operations shall be placed under DME/AME and kept under administrative control of Sr.DEE/DEE of the division and the Sr.DME would look after Breakdown and C&W and would continue to report to PCME..
e) In Divisions, where the post of Sr.DEE/DEE (OP/TRO) is available, work of Diesel operations shall be transferred to Sr.DEE/DEE (OP/TRO) and the post of Sr.DME/DME (Power/O&F) would be re-designated as Sr.DME/DME (Freight) or Sr.DME/DME (EnHM) or as considered necessary in the mechanical cadre by the General Manager.
f) In electrified Divisions where the post of Sr.DME/DME(Power) and Sr.DME/DME(Freight) are both available, the post of Sr.DME/DME(Power/O&F) can be used as Sr.DME/DME (EnHM) or as considered necessary in the mechanical cadre…
g) In all divisions, the entire paraphernalia of TL & AC be placed under one DEE/AEE who would report to Sr.DME/C&W. On similar analogy one post of DME or AME (Power) along with the running staff looking after operation would report to the Sr.DEE looking after operations. while dual reporting should generally be avoided, however concerned DRM’s shall take a final call in the overall administrative interest whenever there is only one DEE/AEE or DME/AME.
h) The ministerial staff under Sr.DME/DME Power would be suitably redistributed by the DRM between the Sr.DEE (OP/TRO) and Sr.DME(EnHM) or Freight or as the case may be.
i) The same strategy as at 2(e) above shall be followed in non-electrified Divisions once Sr.DEE(OP/TRO) is posted.

3. The breakdown staff is generally provided by C&W and in few cases by Diesel sheds. While this arrangement shall continue and can be streamlined subsequently, the work of breakdown/accident relief should be assigned by the DRM's normally to a Sr.DME from the coaching side while implementing this order. PCME shall also continue to remain the technical head for breakdown/accident relief works.

5. The implementation of the above all over IR be completed in the next 15 days. Any minor issues that emerge subsequently should be sorted out at the level of GM’s without making any reference to Board.

6. The above issues with the approval of CRB.

S/d,
(H.Moharana)
Joint Secretary/Railway Board

Waival of revenue stamp for all payments on the basis of EC

Waival of revenue stamp for all payments on the basis of EC

No.Pay/Tech-I/0195/XXX

Dated: 04/05/2018

To
All CFA(Fys)/All Branch AOs
Subject: Waival of revenue stamp for all payments on the basis of ECS

A point has been scheduled to be raised in the forthcoming 23rd Ordinary Meeting of OFB JCM-III Level regarding affixing of Revenue Stamp on bills etc. It is alleged that some factories are insisting to affix Revenue stamp on bills above Rs 5000/- on or bills above Rs 25000/- while making payments through banks. In this connection please find enclosed herewith this office letter bearing No Pay Tech-I/0195 dated 8/12/2011 wherein detailed guidelines have been elaborated. It is, therefore, advised to follow scrupulously the guidelines laid down therein to avoid unnecessary confusion/ doubt while making payments made through ECS.

sd/-
Addl CofA(Fys)

Office of the Principal Controller of Accounts (Fys)
10A, S.K. Bose Road, Kolkata - 700001
No. Pay/Tech-I/0195

Dated: 08/12/1011

To
The Secretary
A/A Section,
Ord.Fy.Board,
Kolkata

Sub: Proposal for waive of Revenue Stamp for all payments on the basis of ECS.
Ref: Your No. 111/A/A dated 08-11-2011

With reference to above cited letter please refer to Exception below Rule 92(1) of Swamy's Compilation of Central Government Account, Receipts and Payments Rules which states- "In case of payment credited directly to the bank account of the officers/staff the acknowledgement of the bank branches for the cheque sent to them is to be watched by the Drawing and Disbursing Officers and confirmation made to Pay and Accounts Office. No formal quittance is to be obtained from the bank or officers/staff". As such stamped receipt may not be insisted upon if payment is made through ECS.

sd/-
Asst. Controller of Accounts (Fys.)

Source: http://pcafys.gov.in/