NFIR References to Board
Non-payment of HRA, Transport Allowance etc., to Trainees appointed on compassionate grounds in Grade Pay 1900/- in artisan category etc-reg.
N F I R
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. II/1-A/Part. 19
Dated: 01/07/2015
The Secretary (E),
Railway Board.
New Delhi
Dear Sir,
Sub: Non-payment of HRA, Transport Allowance etc., to Trainees appointed on compassionate grounds in Grade Pay 1900/- in artisan category etc-reg.
Ref: (i) NFIR’s PNM Item No. 11/2015.
(ii) DoP&T O.M. No. 14014/2/2009-Estt. (D) dated 3rd April, 2012.
(iii) Railway Board’s letter No. E(NG)II/1998/RC-1/64 dated 14/09/2012.
(iv) NFIR’s letter No. II/1-A/Part. 19 dated 16/10/2014.
(v) Railway Board’s letter no. E(NG)II/2015/RC-1/Genl./2 dated 04/06/2015.
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At the outset, the Federation while perusing the contents of Railway Board’s reply received under letter dated 04/06/2015 notes that the Board did not examine the contents of NFIR’s PNM item no. 11/2015 on the subject, which is pending and could not be discussed in the meeting on 10th & 11th, April 2015 due to paucity of time. The reply sent by the Rialway Board, however, does not address the grievances highlighted as the same does not clarify payment of HRA & Transport Allowance to the ‘Trainees’ appointed on compassionate ground etc., in GP 1900 & above and receiving mandatory training for the reasons mentioned hereunder:-
• NFIR further desires to state that the Federation vide references mentioned above had brought to the notice of the Board, the limited grievance more particularly on Western Railway, the wards/widows appointed on compassionate ground in GP 1900/- and above in the Electrical, Mechanical Departments and Workshops are denied payment of allowances like HRA & Transport Allowance on the plea that they are ‘Trainee’ and are not eligible for the same.
• It was for the above reason that the Federation had invited Board’s attention of the clarification issued vide letter dated 14/09/2012 where the definition of ‘Trainee’ clearly states as follows irrespective of the Grade Pay:-
“A person appointed as ‘Trainee’ enjoys the status of a Government servant from initial day and will be allowed all the allowances and benefits allowed to a government servant.”
• Federation is aware that eh ‘Trainees’ appointed in GP 1900/- and above are required to compete training successfully before joining a working post. However, during the training they are eligible to be paid HRA & Transport Allowance and other benefits allowed to regular railway employee as clarified by the DoP&T in the OM dated 3rd April 2012 (item no. 1).
Unfortunately, the instructions issued by the Railway Board under letter dated 23/04/2015 circulated to all Zones/Pus and copy sent to the GS/NFIR with letter dated 04/06/2015, does not clarify the said position and has rather created more confusion.
NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to link NFIR’s PNM item and issue clear instructions to all Zones/Pus for granting HRA Transport Allowance etc., to all trainees irrespective of Grade Pay. A copy of the instructions issued may be endorsed to the Federation.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary
Copy to General Secretaries of affiliated Unions of NFIR.
Media Centre/NFIR.
File No. 11/2015 (PNM).
source-http://www.nfirindia.org/