AILRSA-Central Meeting VSKP

ALL INDIA LOCO RUNNING STAFF ASSOCIATION
Regd. No. 17903 H/Q Yellow Building, P.O. Anara R.S. Distt. Purulia (W.B.) Pin 723126
Central Office : AILRSA BHAWAN, H.No. 333, Bhoor Bharat Nagar, Ghaziabad – 201001.
Tel. No. : 0120-2740025
L. Mony M.N.Prasad
Central President JointSecretaryGeneral,
‘Devi Nilayam’, Kadavil Road, At:Aravindapally, Post:-Adra,
P.O. Vyttila – 682 019, Kochi, Kerala. Dist:-Purulia(WB)
Phone: 09446207312 Phone:09422111478 E-mail mn.prasad@rediffmail.com




To,
The Hon’ble MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS,
GOVT. OF INDIA,
NEW DELHI.

Hon’ble Sir,

Sub: Anomalies in the revised pay structure of Loco Running Staff
I. UPGRADE THE PAY OF LOCO RUNNING STAFF

The pay structure allotted to loco running staff have created much resentment among this category of staff. It is a fact that the previous pay commission too failed to allot a justifiable pay package to loco running staff. In 1997 the pay scales of loco running staff were referred to a fast track committee and some grievances were redressed. Even those meager benefits are taken away by the 6th CPC.

1. Low entry grade pay to Assistant Loco Pilots

The entire Assistant Loco Pilots (ALP) of Indian Railways are aggrieved as the pay allotted to them is with a difference of just Rs.100/- in grade pay than the lowest pay in the Central Government / Railway service. The Pay structure allotted to the lowest post is PB1+Grade pay of Rs.1800. The entry qualification for lowest post is matriculation with normal medical fitness and no training required to discharge the duties attached to the post. The government also decided to absorb all Group D employees even without any educational qualification, to the PB1 band with grade pay of Rs.1800.
In the case of Asst Loco Pilot the entry qualification is matriculation +ITI and shall possess Aye one medical standard which is the highest prescribed in Indian Railway Medical Manual and one which is prescribed for airline pilots. He has to pass psychological test too.
Apart from the above they have to undergo 13 months vigorous training. They have to study General Rules, Subsidiary Rules and various special instructions on normal working, attending failure of signals and communication equipments, during natural calamity and accidents etc. They have to acquire technical knowledge of working and trouble shooting of various locomotives in AC and Diesel traction including imported computer controlled new generation Loco motives. Gain an intimate knowledge of the terrain in the concerned sections, the UP&DOWN gradients, curves, bridges, LC gates, lay out of station yards and signals including sidings. In the OHE sections, whenever there is a problem pertaining to OHE ALP has to attend and secure the wire along with the LP. His duty is much related with public safety and therefore subjected to stringent punishments for every omission from his part and always visits removal/dismissal same as in the case of Loco Pilot.
The working conditions, longer working hours, unscheduled rosters, subjected to the climatic fury and isolation from family and relatives and so on, do not have any comparison to that of any similarly placed posts.
In nutshell the post of Assistant Loco Pilot deserve a much wider difference than Rs.100 now existing between lowest pay and also deserve a better pay than the pay structure allotted to other cadres who have the entry qualification of I.T.I.
It is noteworthy that Assistant class II in Calcutta mint under Ministry of Finance in grade Rs.3050-4590 is upgraded to grade pay of Rs.2800. More over thousands of posts in the Rs.3050-4590 scale under various ministries are upgraded to Rs.3200-4900 i.e. PB1+2000 grade pay. List of some such upgradations are given below.
1) Constables under Home Ministry, CBI & RPF
2) Postmen under Dept of Post.
3) Leading Fireman of fire fighting force.
4) Mail Guard in Railway Mail Service.
5) Navik in Coast Guard.
6) Assistant class II in Govt. mint.
7) Notice server in Department of Revenue.
8) Carpenter in Film Division.
9) Forest Guards.

It may please be noted that under the Central Govt. services/Railway Service all the cadres which have an entry grade pay of Rs.1900, the percentage of posts in that grade is less than 15%where as in the loco running cadre the same is 35% to 40% of the total cadre strength. So in most of the divisions ALPs have to wait for 10to15 years for a promotion to Loco Pilot (Shunting)/Loco Pilot (Goods).
Prior to V CPC the corresponding non running grade was equal to that of senior clerks which was Rs. 1200-2040 and many medically decategorised ALPs were absorbed as Sr. Clerks. Now the pay structure of Sr. Clerks is PB1+Rs.2800 GP. The corresponding non-running pay scale will become PB1+Rs.2400 GP. Due to inadequate pay scales despite harsh working condition, around 20% of the ALPs quit service during their initial training itself and every one is trying to quit job opting even lower posts. Hence Railway Administration is forced to impose restrictions on such exodus
2. Inadequate pay scale of Loco Pilot (Shunting):-
The pay of Loco Pilot (Shunting) and Goods Guards were one and the same prior to V CPC. In order to restore the age old relativity with Goods Guards and also to maintain the relativity to the feeder categories of Asst Loco Pilots the grade pay of Loco Pilot (Shunting) be increased to Rs.4200/-

3. Anomalies due to merger of pay scales:-

The following six categories in loco running cadre with different pay scales and distinct functions are allotted with one and the same Grade Pay of Rs.4200 in PB2.

1.Loco Pilot(shunting) Grade I Rs.5000-8000

2.Loco Pilot(Goods) Grade II Rs.5000-8000

3.Loco Pilot(Goods) Grade I Rs.5500-9000

4.Loco Pilot(Pass)II/Motor Man II Rs.5500-9000

5.Loco Pilot(Pass)I/Motor Man I Rs. 6000-9800

6.Loco Pilot(Mail) Rs. 6000-9800

The recommendation of the commission on merger of pay scales was that, it should first be seen if the posts in the three pay scales viz 5000-8000, 5500-9000 and 6500-10500 can be merged without any functional disturbance. The duties attached to these posts in Loco Running cadre are having functional differences. Therefore on functional considerations distinct Grade Pay should be allotted to each of the posts.
` In 1997 Fast Track Committee (FTC) has allotted higher and distinct scale of Rs.6000-9800 exclusively for Loco Pilot (mail)/Loco Pilot (Pass) grade-I. The contention of the VI CPC that the new scale is given only because of bursting out of pay of Loco Pilot (Mail) is base less. If it was so the FTC would have solved it by increasing upper limit of Rs.5500-9000 scale to 9800. But it was done to maintain the historical relativity with Mail Guards. The scale Rs.6000-9800 is nearer Rs.6500-10500 than Rs.5500-9000 and the recommendation to treat Rs.6000-9800 and Rs.5500-9000 as one is unjust. Otherwise the Loco Pilot (Pass) grade I and Loco Pilot (Mail) would have automatically gone to Grade Pay of Rs.4600 in PB2.
Another anomaly is that 27% Loco Pilot (Goods) and Loco Pilot(Pass) who were getting the pay in the next higher grade is merged to the lower scale.
The revised system of allowing same pay structure to all these six categories will result in difficulties in filling up the higher posts as no increase in pay is allotted for taking up higher responsibilities. So all the posts with distinct functions should be given different grade pays.
The Staff Nurse in the scale of Rs.5000-8000 and Nursing Sister in the scale of Rs.5500-9000 were given Grade of Rs.4600 and 4800 respectively. Asstt. Nursing Suptt. in the scale of Rs.6500-10500 was allotted with Grade Pay of Rs.5400. i.e. even in the case where there is least functional differences , three distinct grade pays are allowed whereas LP(Shunting) I, LP(Goods) , LP(Pass) and LP(Mail) having distinct functions are not given any higher Grade Pays.

4. Effect of modified ACP

Directly recruited Motorman are appointed in Grade Pay of Rs.4200/-. On completion of 10 years, he will get his first financial upgradation to Grade Pay of Rs.4600/- 20th year to Rs.4800/- and 30th year to Grade Pay of Rs.5400/-.
Similarly Pro Guards with whom Loco Running Staff have an established relativity will get his third promotion under modified ACP to the Grade Pay Rs.4800/-. The third promotion to directly recruited Station Masters, Ministerial Staff, Commercial Clerks etc will also attain Grade Pay of Rs.4800/-. In the case of Technical supervisors the third upgradation is to Grade Pay of Rs.5400/-.
The Senior Loco Inspectors and Senior Section Engineers (SSE) are now in the same scale of Rs.7450-11500. As per ACP the grade pay of SSE will become Rs.5400/- whereas that of Sr. Loco Inspectors will remain at Rs.4600/-.

In summary, the Pay Scales of Loco Running Staff be modified atleast as under:
Fireman (FM) II PB1+GP Rs.2400/-

FM I/Asst Loco Pilot PB1+GP Rs.2800/-

Loco Pilot(Shunting) PB2+GP Rs.4200/-

Loco Pilot(Goods) PB2+GP Rs.4600/-

Loco Pilot(Pass) PB2+GP Rs.4800/-

Loco Pilot(Mail) PB2+GP Rs.5400/-

Loco Inspectors PB2+GP Rs.5400/-



II. FIX UP SAME MINIMUM PAY FOR PROMOTEES AND DIRECT RECRUITS
The entry pay for direct recruits in various grade pays are notified in the first schedule section II of Railway services (revised pay) Rules, 2008. This will bring inequality to one reaches on that grade on promotions. So the entry Pay notified to direct recruits should be made applicable to those reach the grade by promotions.
III. PROVIDING CO-PILOT IN SUPER FAST TRAINS
To ensure effective assistance to the Loco Pilot and to improve safety, all express trains having a Maximum Permissible Speed of 105 kmph and above be provided with a co-pilot instead of ALP.
IV. RECTIFY THE SHORT CLAIMING OF ALLOWANCES

In various Railway DA, HRA and other allowances are calculated differently. In some Railways 30% pay element is taken on Band Pay alone. In some other Railways, pay element is taken on Pay in Pay Band and Grade Pay. Staff are highly agitated where pay element is not taken for both Band Pay and Grade Pay. Since the BASIC PAY is defined as Pay in Pay band added with Grade Pay, so the pay element should be taken on Pay in Pay band and Grade Pay and arrears to be paid in full as had been done while implementing V CPC, pending final decision to raise the pay element to 75% for retirement benefit and 60% for other purpose as already justified by AILRSA.

V. MODIFY NEW ACP SCHEME

The scheme of ACP has been introduced to ensure adequate career progression to the employees and to cater their promotional aspirations. The recommendation of the VI CPC is that the promotion under ACP scheme shall be in the hierarchy of revised pay band and grade pay. This negates the very sprit behind the ACP scheme. So a promotion under ACP scheme must be to the higher grade in the hierarchical structure of the particular cadre itself.

VI. EXTEND ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE TO ALP AND LP(GOODS)

An additional allowance of Rs.500/1000 is allowed to Loco Pilot(Pass) and Loco Pilot(Mail) respectively. The ALPs working in Passenger and Express trains too are facing the same working conditions and there is no valid ground to refuse the same. The working nature of LP (goods) too is also onerous and hence this additional allowance should be extended to all Loco Running Staff and the same should be treated as pay for all purposes such as DA, HRA, Running Allowance and retirement benefits etc. Accordingly the definition of basic pay should include the additional allowances too.

VII. ALLOW FULL COMPENSATION FOR PRICE RISE IN ALLOWANCES
The Government decided to raise the rates of allowances by 25% when DA goes up by 50% is unfair for the Government being a model employer. This cause erosion in take home pay of staff. So we plead to allow equal increase in the rates of allowance when DA raises by 50%.
VIII. OTHER ANOMALIES AND DEMANDS:

1) Allow Rs.10,000/- as minimum pay in central services in line with ILC norms.
2) Allow point to point neutralisation of DA.
3) Refix the rate of running allowance to appropriate to the rise in Pay Element w.e.f. 01-01-2006 and there after refix in appropriate to rise in T. A. w.e.f. 01-09-2008.
4) The minimum fixation of pay in the Pay Band be 2.625 times as of group ‘A’.
5) The Grade Pay for all grades should be refixed at 50% instead of 40% on par with highest Grade Pay in PB4.
6) Grant 10% of pay in Pay Band +Grade Pay as minimum increment on promotion/financial up gradation.
7) Date of effect of revised rates of all allowances to be given from 1-1-2006.
8) The reduction of commutation value to be done away and restoration of normal pension after 12 years.
9) Grant statuatory defined pension scheme to the employees recruited after 1-1-2004 and withdraw PFRDA bill from parliament.
10) Compute the pension entitlement on the basis of notional pay as on 1-1-2006 as was done by the recommendation of V CPC. Additional quantum of pension for old pensioners to start from 65 years instead of 80 years.
11) Pay or allowances shall not be linked with performance (PRIS).
12) Retain and improve RELHS.
13) Allow uniform allowance as recommended for nurses and discontinue the present practice of supplying poor quality cloth and stitching charges.
These grievances may be redressed in an appropriate way to mitigate the hardship of Loco Running Staff of Indian Railways as early as possible.
With kind regards,
Yours faithfully,
(M. N. PRASAD)
Joint Secretary General
Copy to:
1. The Chairman Railway Board, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi.
2. The Member (Staff)/RB.
3. The Financial Commission/RB.
4. The Secretary/Ministry of Finance.
5. All GMs/DRMs of IR.
New Delhi
05-10-2008










(Matter for wall poster)


LOCO RUNNING STAFF ON WARPATH

DEMANDS
1) UPGRADE ASST. LOCO PILOT TO GRADE PAY OF RS.2800/-.
2) CONSIDER FUNCTIONAL DIFFERENCES. ALLOT GRADE PAY OF RS.4200/, 4600/-, 4800/- AND 5400/- TO LP(S), LP(G), LP(P) AND LP(M) RESPECTIVELY.
3) ALLOW 55% / 30% PAY ELEMENT FOR RETIREMENT/OTHER BENEFITS PENDING REVISION TO 75% / 60%.
4) EXTEND ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE TO ALL LOCO RUNNING STAFF.
5) APPOINT JUDICIAL REVIEW COMMITTEE ON HOER.
PROGRAM OF ACTION
1) DIVISIONAL DEMONSTRATION ON 22ND OCTOBER 2008
2) INDIVIDUAL LETTER CAMPAIGN FROM 25TH TO 30TH OCTOBER-2008
3) MASS DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF GM’S OFFICE ON 11-11-2008 AND SUBMISSION OF MEMORANDUM.
4) A DELEGATION WILL MEET RAILWAY MINISTER AND PRIME MINISTER IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER-2008 AND APPRISE THE GRIEVANCES.
5) CWC MEETING WILL DECIDE THE DATE FOR MASS DHARNA IN FRONT OF PARLIAMENT AND FURTHER COURSE OF ACTION.





ALL INDIA LOCO RUNNING STAFF ASSOCIATION
Regd. No. 17903 H/Q Yellow Building, P.O. Anara R.S. Distt. Purulia (W.B.) Pin 723126
Central Office : AILRSA BHAWAN, H.No. 333, Bhoor Bharat Nagar, Ghaziabad – 201001.
Tel. No. : 0120-2740025
L. Mony M.N.Prasad
Central President JointSecretaryGeneral,
‘Devi Nilayam’, Kadavil Road, At:Aravindapally, Post:-Adra,
P.O. Vyttila – 682 019, Kochi, Kerala. Dist:-Purulia(WB)
Phone: 09446207312 Phone:09422111478 E-mail mn.prasad@rediffmail.com

DATE: 03-10-2008
A ORGANISTIONAL SMALL COMMITTEE MEETING IS HELD AT VISAKHAPATANAM, TOOK THE FOLLOWING DECISIONS. THIS MAY BE IMPLEMENTED WITH TRUE SPIRIT. THE MEETING IS PRESIDED OVER BY COM. L. MONY OUR PRESIDENT
1. POSTER CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE DONE IMMEDIATELY. THE MATTER OF POSTER IS ATTACHED HEREWITH.
2 THE PROGRAMME OF ACTION HAS BEEN DECIDED AS FOLLOW-
1 DIVISIONAL DEMONSTRATION ON 22ND OCTOBER 2008
2 INDIVIDUAL LETTER CAMPAIGN FROM 25TH TO 30TH OCTOBER-2008
3 MASS DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF GM’S OFFICE ON 11-11-2008 AND SUBMISSION OF MEMORANDUM.
4 A DELEGATION WILL MEET RAILWAY MINISTER AND PRIME MINISTER IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER-2008 AND APPRISE THE GRIEVANCES.
5 CWC MEETING WILL DECIDE THE DATE FOR MASS DHARNA IN FRONT OF PARLIAMENT AND FURTHER COURSE OF ACTION.
THE MATTER OF POSTER
DEMANDS
1) UPGRADE ASST. LOCO PILOT TO GRADE PAY OF RS.2800/-.
2) CONSIDER FUNCTIONAL DIFFERENCES. ALLOT GRADE PAY OF RS.4200/, 4600/-, 4800/- AND 5400/- TO LP(S), LP(G), LP(P) AND LP(M) RESPECTIVELY.
3) ALLOW 55% / 30% PAY ELEMENT FOR RETIREMENT/OTHER BENEFITS PENDING REVISION TO 75% / 60%.
4) EXTEND ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE TO ALL LOCO RUNNING STAFF.
5) APPOINT JUDICIAL REVIEW COMMITTEE ON HOER