Exempting Railway Employees from New Pension Scheme – NFIR

Exempting Railway Employees from New Pension Scheme – 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)

No.IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL/Part I

Dated: 23/12/2015

The General Secretaries of
Affiliated Unions of NFIR

Brother,

Sub: The need for Exempting Railway Employees from New Pension Scheme (NPS) — Meeting with Hon’ble Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu on 23/12/2015-reg.

The Hon’ble Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu met the Federations (NFIR) at 15:45 hrs., today i.e. 23/12/2015 and held discussions on the demand for abolition of New Pension System (NPS) in the Railways. “NFIR President & General Secretary have explained that Railways’ working is unique, complex & complicated and cited the observations made by the Justice Khanna, Chairman Railway Safety Review Committee to this effect in his report and urged upon the Railway Minister to meet Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley and see that Government gives clearance for exempting Railway employees from “New Pension System”. In the meeting., a copy of the letter sent by Railway Minister Shri Suresh Parbhu to Shri Arun Jaitley Finance Minister on 20th November 2015 was also given to the Federation (copy enclosed). Hon’ble Railway Minister has assured to discuss with the Finance Minister in this regard for early approval of the Government.

2. The following other issues were raised by the NFIR, requesting Railway Minister’s intervention for ensuring redressal to avoid unrest and agitation in the Railways:-

• Railway Board has failed to place the case of Railway employees in a proper manner before VIIth CPC and the facts relating to agreements reached with the Federations on the following were not apprised to VIIth CPC, consequently the Pay Commission has not given positive recommendations

• Merger of Technician Grade-II with Technician Grade-I in GP 2800/-
• Replacement of GP 4600/- with GP 4800/- (PB-2).
• Allotment of GP 4600/- to Loco Pilot (Mail/Express) and
• In charge supervisory officials and Engineers to be given gazetted status.

NFIR also expressed disappointment over the retregrade recommendations of VIIth CPC, causing serious disappointment among Railway employees.

NFIR has pointed out that Railway Board is indifferent towards the demand for engagement of Course Completed Act Apprentices against safety vacancies and in this regard the Federation highlighted the record note of discussion held by CRB with the Federations on. Federation requested the Railway Minister to intervene for positively settling the issues. NFIR also mentioned that Quasi Administrative Units Staff should be absorbed in GP 1800/-, as they are not outsiders. A copy of the record note of discussions held on 1st October 2015 was also handed over to Hon’ble MR.

The Federation will apprise further developments if any in due course.

Yours fraternally

(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary