CWC Decision

Decision of Zonal Secretaries and COB’s Meeting is held on 22^nd January 2011 at Nagpur.

This meeting while noticed the absence of some General Secretaries and COB. Which is nothing but shows their lack of seriousness to-ward the Organization which is too when Loco Running Staff are under a severe attack form many corners, MACP is being denied, payment of various allowances are attempted to be stopped an plea of worst economical position, in any case of accidents, the Loco Running Staff are being made escape goat, work load are being increased, psychosocially and mentally are being harassed etc. reviewed the implementation of past decision to take the further Organizational program. Com. N. B. Dutta Jt. Secretary General presided over the meeting.

After a thorough discussion, the following decisions are taken.

(1) a. The Rally / Dharana program on 28^th Feb’ 2011 at Jantar Mantra in New Delhi stands. Zones are advised to take all possible steps to make it strong and grand success. Following the programme of 28^th Feb’ 2011, the CWC meeting will be held in extended form on 1^st March from 10 hrs.

b. Following the Delhi programme on 28^th Feb’2011. The com, who could not go Delhi will organize Rally / Dharna / Deputation at their Divisional level and submit the memorandum to DRM. A copy of memorandum will be sent to you.

c. Com, one thing will be very clear that in no way this Divisional program may weeken the 28^th Feb’ 2011 program in New Delhi. Delhi program on 28^th Feb’ must be made stronger and massive, on first priority.

d. The place of staying will be the same old place i.e. Ambedkar Bhawan, Rani Jhansi Road, Paharganj New Delhi.

e. Com must be ready there latest by 9hrs on 28^th Feb to March to Jantar Mantar.

f. Each Railway must remit Rs. 3000/- levy to meet up the expenditure of above program.

g. Com, Jit Singh Tank is given the responsibility to arrange accommodation and Com. S. K. Goutam Organizing Secretary at NGP for printing 3000 posters and dispatching within ten days. S. Railway will print posters for S. C. Railway, S. R. Railway, S. W. Railway and East Coast Railway and dispatch it at an earliest.

(2) Member Ship drive for 2010 should be completed and statement with CQ must be brought while coming to Delhi on 28^th Feb 2011.

On getting this circular, please circulate it to all concerned in your Railway without any delay.

M. N. Prasad

Secretary General

Read More

CWC at Nagpur

AILRSA Central Working Committee held at Nagpur on 22.01.11, presided by Com. NB Dutta.Com. MN Prasad, Com. DS Koparkar, Com. KC James explained.
Meeting discussed the national situation and decided to go ahead with our earlier decision of Dharna at New Delhi on 28.02.2011. Since the official letter for directing to adjudication is not yet released. Also Sri Harish Rawath was replaced from Minister of State for Labour in the recent reshuffle. There will be extended CWC on 01.03.2011 at Ambedkar Bhavan New delhi.
Mass participation to be ensured.

Read More

AILRSA-SBC -BGM

All India Loco Running Staff Association Bangalore Divisional biennial General Body Meeting held at Hotel New Krishna Bhavan, Malleswaram on 24.01.2011, presided by Sri A Jayachandran, Central Organising Secretary.

The conference was inaugurated by Sri. VJK Nair, All India Vice President, CITU.

Key Note Address: Sri . MN Prasad, Secretary General, AILRSA.

The following were addressed.

Sri. KC James, Assistant Secretary General, AILRSA

Sri. Geomy George, General Secretary, AILRSA, South Zone.

Sri.C. Sunish, General Secretary, AILRSA, SWR

Sri.. R. Surendran, Divisional Secretary.

Sri.A Jayachandran, Central Organising Secretary.

Sri. G Rajan, Ex. Central Vice President, All India Station Masters Association (AISMA).

Sri R Surendran, divisional Secretary submitted the working report for the past 3 years, and it was passed after detailed discussion.

The meeting discussed different issues affecting running staff in general and Bangalore division in particular and passed the following resolutions.

RESOLUTIONS

1) ON ALARMING PRICE RISE

The common people of India are facing an alarming price rise especially on food items breaking all the past records. The poor and workers are pushed to semi poverty. This meeting vehemently protests against the negligence of Govt of India towards the starving population and this meeting demand effective measure to control the price rise which provides vast opportunity to gather wealth by middle men.

2) ON DELHI RALLY BY CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS ON 23^rd FEB 2011

The general trade unions including INTUC are joined together for the first time on the issues of i) price rise, ii) privatization of public sector enterprises iii) curtailing of trade union rights iv) new pension scheme etc. following to the Sep 27, 2010 general strike, the united forum is organizing a rally at New Delhi on 23-02-2010. This meeting whole heartedly supports the movement and also call upon the entire working class to join behind the rally.

3) ON THE DEMAND OF ADJUDICATION ON GRIEVANCES OF LOCO RUNNING STAFF

The entire Loco Running Staff of Indian Railways are agitated on the injustice brought to them by sixth central pay revision. This most vital category of Railways has staged many agitations from the date of announcement of pay revision, under the leadership of AILRSA. The intervention of Labour Ministry to find an amicable settlement of grievances did not win due to the adamant attitude of Railway administration in the year long conciliation meetings before RLC (C), NDLS. This meeting demands the Central Labour Ministry to refer the grievances of Loco Running Staff for the decision of National Labour tribunal.

4) ON REVISION OF HOER

This meeting protest against the denial of fair serving conditions to the Running Staff by the Railway Management who are supposed to be a model employer being a Government institution. It is great shameful to see that the Railway Management did not materialize the agreement on 14-02-2006 with JCM unions for appointing a judicial review committee on HOER. The silence of the AIRF an NFIR on this betrayal is also condemnable. This meeting urges the Railway Administration to set up the judicial review committee immediately.

5) ON DENIAL OF HUMANLY POSSIBLE DUTY HOURS, LEAVE, WEEKLY REST etc.

This meeting vehemently protests against exhausting longer duty hours beyond 10 or 14 hours, denial of leave, periodical rest, lunch break etc. on the threat of DAR action. This meeting demand to cancel all the penal actions initiated on this account and to ensure 10 hours maximum limit for duty, 4 PRs in a month and 30% leave on demand in the interest of Railway safety.

6) ON DENIAL OF MACP TO RUNNING STAFF

This meeting protest against the denial of the benefit of MACP to the Loco Running Staff on the plea of promotion avenue in the same grade pay and treating them discriminately. This meeting demands to neglect the promotions in the same grade pay for the purpose of MACP, to ensure equal advancement in the career on par with other sections of staff.

7) ON DENIAL OF DUE PROMOIONS BY DEPLOYING OTHER DIVISION RAILWAY CREW IN SBC DIVISION

Crews from other Zonal Railways are working in SBC division violating established working pattern and curtailing our jurisdictional rights destroying the promotional opportunities of SBC division staff. Goods crew from JTJ, GTL and ASK were permitted as a stop gap arrangement to be stopped at once and SBC crew to be utilized to work trains.

8) ON UTILISATION OF TRAFFIC RUNNING STAFF AS CRC, PRC etc.

Traffic Running staff/ YM are utilized at SGT/ SBC crew lobby as CRC in violation or Railway Board orders for booking staff for train service and other duties like breath analyzer test, supervision of crew signing on etc., which is a dangerous practice and is going to lead complications because these staff are unaware of the duties of the sensitive Loco Running staff. So this practice of utilizing such staff shall be stopped henceforth.

9) FILLING UP OF VACANCIES IN RUNNING CADRE INCLUDINNG THAT OF CRC, PRC & CCRC.

A scrutiny of scale check will reveal that the vacancies are lying vacant for a considerable period of time, promoting officiating and discontent among the staff due to denial of opportunities. So the procedure of elimination of vacancy by duly filling up shall be done on a war foot measure.

10) ON REVENGEFUL DENIAL OF PROMOTION TO C. SUNISH, LP/ SBC

This meeting vehemently protests against the revengeful denial of promotion to Com. C. Sunish as Loco Pilot (Mail). The entire Loco Pilots of this division consider him as a role model in integrity, safety consciousness and dedication to his duties. So we demand DRM/ SBC to review the case of Sri. Sunish and order to promote him as earlier as possible.

11) ON EXTENDED CREW B E AT OF EXPRESS TRAINS

Extended crew beats beyond Dharmavaram to GTL/ DHNE were implemented from last 3 months. This arrangement did not make any economy in operation, but reduced the Head Quarter availability of Running Staff by 1/3^rd. This will result in consuming most of the rest period at HQ for family requirements and joining duty with improper rest which is a matter affecting safety and hence this meeting demands to revise the crew links with earlier crew beats.

12) ON CREW BOOKING DEPOT AT KJM

All trade unions in SWR had unanimously suggested to shift the Goods Crew booking depot to KJM instead of SGT as proposed by Administration. The present SGT depot is the most inconvenient one and as it is far away from the residences of the staff. The Crew Controller’s office is not only meant for serving Train Orders, but also for other administrative purposes. Now a days staff has to travel to SGT to get a sick memo and to come back to hospital, to meet CCRC to ask leave, getting privilege passes and store items etc. These activities will consume a considerable rest hours of Running Staff and hence we once again demand to shift Crew Booking Depot to KJM in the interest of safety.

13) ON LIMITING DUTY HOUR OF REGULAR AREA SHORT SPECIAL TRAIN CREW TO 10 HOURS

The Light Engine and Area movement train crew are presently utilized for 12 hrs and more. Our Control Department is pressurizing the staff to work even after completion of 11.30 hrs of duty thinking that the minimum limit is 12 hrs. So we demand to limit the duty hour of Area short special trains to 10 hrs from sign on.

14) MIS INTERPRETATION OF HOER WHILE BOOKING LP/ SHUNTING AT YPR

While preparing duty roaster in case of LP/ Shg for utilization at YPR, 8 hour duty is split into two duties of 4 hours each, with a gap of 4 hours rest in between. This is an encroachment of the rest home, because LP/ Shg cannot avail rest either at YPR or at his home. So the roaster shall be modified to 8 hrs continuous as par with other places.

15) ON PROVISION OF POTABLE R-O WATER AT SGT, KJM & SBC LOBBYS

Potable drinking water is essential to maintain good health as contamination of water can cause serious diseases. So necessary steps to be taken to provide R-O/ U-V type water filters at Crew lobbies.

16) ON PROVIDING CREW VAN FOR MOVING CREW TO YPR AND BACK FROM SBC.

Number of trains operating from YPR is increasing day by day. The crew were sent pilot by different trains. Many times they have to spend more time at picking up of trains and even after arrival of trains to go back to SBC. As a solution for this, this meeting demands to provide a crew van ply to and fro between SBC & YPR.

NEWLY ELECTED OFFICE BEARERS

Divisional President : D.S. NIRANJAN LP(M)

Vice President s : S. BALACHANDAR LP (M)

P. DEEPU LP(G)

Working President : V. RAMAKRISHNA LP(M)

Divisional Secretary : D. RAJKUMAR LP(G)

Joint Divl. Secretaries : P. VIJAYAKUMAR RAO LP(M)

S. JAGADEESAN LP(P)

Asst. Divl. Secretaries : P.A. MORIERA LP(P)

V.V. SURESH KUMAR ALP

Org. Secretary : A.T. FERNANDEZ LP(P)

Treasurer : P.MADHAVAN ALP

Internal Auditor : M. KURIAKOSE ALP

Divisional Committee Members

1) K.R. JANARDHAN LP(M)

2) M.V. AJITH KUMAR LP(G)

3) S. MURUGESAN LP(M)

4) N. MALLIKARJUNA LP(S)

5) P.S. SUJITH ALP

6) G. SANAL KUMAR ALP

7) PRINSON JOSEPH LP(G)

Read More

SBC div BGM

Read More

BGM of Bangalore on 24.01.11

All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA) Bangalore Divisional Biennial GENERAL BODY MEETING held at Hotel New Krishna Bhavan,

Sampigue Road, Malleswaram. On 24^th January, 2011.

The conference was inaugurated by Sri. VJK Nair, All India Vice President, CITU.

He explained about the present political scenario and the need of resistance by working class as a whole and the railway workers in particular. Rampant corruption is affected in political level with exception of left parties.

Key Note Address: Com. MN Prasad, Secretary General, AILRSA.

He has explained about the struggles of loco men through out the country. The present railway minister is lead the railways almost to bankruptcy, the financial position of railways is so alarming that the ministry of railways instructed different zonal railways not to pay different allowance till march. Which was implemented and subsequently withdrawn due to the resistance by AILRSA and other organizations. But unfortunately the AIRF and NFIR is not resisting these policies. Railway financial crisis is due to poor planning of Railway minister, corruption is increased, every week new new projects, stations, trains etc are being inaugurated in West Bengal particularly and other places by spending huge money. 12 committees are organized by including her followers for no purpose but spending huge TA and allowances. So many major accidents during this regime causing bigger compensation. She is moving jointly with maovoists.

The follwing were addressed.

Sri. KC James, Assistant Secretary General, AILRSA

Sri. Geomy George, General Secretary, AILRSA, South Zone.

Sri.C. Sunish, General Secretary, AILRSA, SWR

Sri.. R. Surendran, Divisional Secretary.

Sri.A Jayachandran, Central Organising Secretary.

Sri. G Rajan, Ex. Central Vice President, All India Station Masters Association (AISMA).

The conference discussed the different issues in detail and passed number os resolutions.

The following were elected as office bearer for the Association .

President : Sri.DS Niranjan, Loco Pilot Mail

Vice President: Sri.S Balachander, LP Mail

Sri P Deepu, LP Goods

Working President : Sri V Ramakrishna, LP Mail

Divisional Secretary: Sri D Raj Kumar, LP Goods

Joint Secretary : Sri P Vijay Kumar Rao, LP mail

Sri S Jagadeesan, LP Pass

Assistant Secretary :Sri PA Moreira, LP pass

Sri VV Suresh Kumar, Asst LP

Organising Secretary : Sri AT Fernandes, LP Pass

Treasurer : Sri P Madhavan, ALP

Internal Auditor : Sri M Kuriakose, ALP

Read More

Pass rules- clarification by Com. MM Roly.

Dear Comrades,

Sub: Revised pay limits for entitlements of Passes/PTOs-adding 30% of basic pay for Running Staff-reg:-

Ref:-No. (1) E (W) 2008/PS 5-1/38 DATED 06.01.2011

(2) Running allowance Rules 1981

(3) Railway servants (pass) rules, 1986 (Second edition.1993)

(4) RBE No.202/2008 dated 26.12.2008

1. In connection with orders on revised pay limits for entitlement of passes/PTOs under reference (1) above, some Sr.Asst.Loco Pilots and loco pilot (shg) in the grade pay of Rs.2400/- enquired whether their 30% of the basic pay would be added to find out the entitlement of 3 set of higher class passes.

2. Rules and Board orders on this subject are detailed for better understand,

Rule 25(i) (a) of running allowance Rules, 1981 regarding specified benefits for “Reckoning of Running allowance as pay” say that “30% of basic pay of running staff shall be reckoned as pay for entitlement of passes and PTOs”. In the case of running staff Rule 2 (j)(ii) The Railway Servants(Pass) Rules ,1986,(Second Edition,1993) the provisions of which are to be applied in all other respects as per points no 3 of the orders on revised pay limits under reference(i) which reiterates that “Pay means , in the case of Running staff, basic pay plus 30% there of or any other percentage of basic pay declared as pay from timer to time”

3. Railway board on implementation of Sixth Central Pay Commission recommended pay structure of pay bands and grade pay defined” basic pay” as “pay in the pay band plus grade pay” and through RBE NO. 202/2008 dated 26.12.2008 communicated that “The president is pleased to decide that the pay element in Running Allowance for running staff would be30% of the basic pay under the Railway Services (Revised pay) Rules, 2008 for computation of the specified benefits”. The specified benefits are in Rule 25(i) of Running allowance Rules 1981, as mentioned in Para 2.

4. From rules and orders quoted above, it is amply clear that for running staff 30% of their basic pay should be added to the Grade pay shown in RBE No.03/2011 dated 6^th January 2011 to find out the entitlement of type of passes and PTOs.

With regards

Eranakulam

12.01.2011 M.M. Roly

(Central organizing secretary)

Read More

Trade Unions Demand Reversal of Policies.

TUs Demand Reversal of Pro-Corporate Economic Policy Regime

ALL the central trade unions of the country presented a joint memorandum to the union finance minister on January 12, during the pre-budget consultation held by the latter. The memorandum pointed out that “This economic policy regime has only created a few highlands of prosperity, while plunging the people at large into the quagmire of impoverishment and unmitigated sufferings.” The trade unions therefore demanded reversal of the pro-corporate pro-big business economic policy regime and urged for a “truly people oriented budget to address the issues of poverty, unemployment and social infrastructure.”

During the consultation, the leadership of INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, BMS, AIUTUC, TUCC, UTUC and other unions spoke in one voice urging for a paradigm change in the present economic policy regime which is promoting price rise to increase the speculative profit for corporate traders, and is increasing unemployment and poverty despite GDP growth. This is also leading to repression on the working people, denying even the statutory minimum wages to Anganwadi, ASHA and mid-day meal workers, pushing up privatisation and deregulation of the public sector industrial and financial institutions and public utility services to the detriment of the working people and self-reliant development of the national economy.

BOURGEOISIE CORNERS GROWTH

While responding to the claim of the Finance Minister on inclusive growth and higher GDP numbers, CITU general secretary Tapan Sen stated that rising levels of unemployment and sharp declines in the share of wages in the gross value added clearly portray the utterly jobless character of the economic operations besides the sharp decline in the average wage levels. This means that the gains of GDP growth are wholly appropriated by the capitalist class, perpetrating a loot on the working people. Sen demanded that along with GDP figures, employment data must be regularly published on quarterly basis for a transparent assessment of the inclusiveness of the economy.

While referring to the phenomenon of continuing rise in prices of the essential commodities, which is further aggravated by rise in prices of petrol and diesel during the intervening period, CITU referred to the trade unions’ unanimous demand for universalisation of public distribution system and complete ban on the speculation and futures trade of all essential commodities. The government’s refusal to take these measures is tantamount to an ongoing joint venture exercise of promoting price rise to facilitate speculation in commodity market and the continuing windfall profits of the corporate traders.

About resource mobilisation, the CITU stressed the urgency for recovering huge unpaid tax arrears and huge unpaid bank-loans from the corporates, both increasing in a geometric progression every year. It also demanded unearthing of the black money and taxing the affluent and the rich while minimising the tax burden on essential commodities and industrial inputs. Lamenting about resource crunch and selling out the shares of blue-chip public sector companies at heavily discounted rates, while simultaneously shelling out huge concessions to the corporates and big businesses, both domestic and foreign, at an increasing rate of around Rs 5 lakh crore plus every year cannot go together. The CITU demanded a top to disinvestment in the PSUs forthwith.

The CITU also pressed for removal of restrictive provisions on poverty line in respect of eligibility coverage of social welfare schemes under the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, and for allocation of adequate fund for universal coverage of the unorganised sector workers and contract/casual workers for the benefits under the Act.

Along with other issues mentioned in the joint memorandum, the CITU pressed for an employment guarantee scheme for the urban unemployed, regular upward revision of minimum wages and its automatic linkage with price index, extension of the statutory minimum wages and basic social security benefits to the Anganwadi, ASHA and mid-day meal workers, restructuring of the employees pension scheme with increased contribution from the government and the employers to ensure minimum guaranteed pension linked with movement of price index, scrapping the new pension scheme proposal and the PFRDA Bill, scrapping of the proposals and bills for deregulation of the financial sector including the Insurance Laws Amendment Bill, raising of the income tax exemption ceiling for the salaried persons to Rs 3 lakh and augmenting the public investment for agriculture, education, healthcare and revival of the sick PSUs in a big way.

EFFECTIVE PROPOSALS

The joint memorandum of the central trade unions expressed serious concern over the present situation of the country’s economy --- the worrisome agrarian distress, unacceptable levels of inflation leading to sky rocketing prices, and huge job losses in the face of mounting unemployment, among other things. It said the present economic policy regime has only created a few islands of prosperity while pushing the mass of the people into the quagmire of impoverishment and unmitigated sufferings. The memorandum therefore strongly urged that the coming budget should be people oriented and address the issues of poverty, unemployment and social infrastructure.

With this end in view, the trade union memorandum placed some specific proposals. For example, it demanded removal of the ban on recruitment in government departments, PSUs and autonomous institutions, as suggested by the 43 rd session of the Indian Labour Conference, in view of huge joblosses and mounting unemployment problem. Another proposal was that the all stimulus packages funded out of public exchequer must be made conditional to a ban on retrenchment, VRS, layoffs, closures, wage-cuts etc and on creation of employment.

The trade unions also proposed that the scope of the MGNREGA must be extended to urban areas and that employment under it must be for a minimum of 200 days with guaranteed statutory wage. This is also a unanimous recommendation of the Indian Labour Conference.

Further, remunerative prices must be ensured for agricultural produce and public investment in agriculture must be substantially augmented. It should also be ensured that benefits of the increase reach the small cultivators and not the big companies and landlords.

Budgetary provision must be made for provision of essential services including housing, sanitation, water, schools, crèche etc to workers in the new emerging industrial sites. Working women’s hostels should be set up where there is a concentration of women workers.

The financial sector must be encouraged, enlarged and improved instead of imposing on them the so-called reforms which may adversely affect them and weaken their public sector character. Industrial houses should not be permitted to start banking operations.

The memorandum also suggested a stop to disinvestment of public sector units forthwith; budgetary support for revival of viable sick public sector undertakings that are potentially viable; budgetary support for jute, textiles, plantation, handloom and coir sectors that are facing a crisis, etc.

Provision for elementary education must increase, particularly in the context of the implementation of the right to education as this is the most effective tool to combat child labour.

The system of computation of consumer price index must be reviewed as the present index is causing heavy financial losses to the workers. The revision of DA should be done every three months instead of six months.

RESOURCE MOBILISATION

In regard to resource mobilisation, the trade unions’ memorandum demanded a progressive taxation system to ensure the taxing of the rich and the affluent sections who have the capacity to pay more. The corporate service sector, traders, wholesale business, private hospitals and institutions etc should be brought under a broader tax net. There must be an increase in the taxes on luxury goods and reduction of indirect taxes on essential commodities as at present an overwhelming majority of the population are subjected to indirect taxes that account for 86 per cent of the revenue.

Concrete steps must be taken to recover from the corporate houses the huge accumulated unpaid tax arrears which have already crossed the Rs two lakh crore mark, and has been increasing in a geometric ratio. Such huge tax evasions, over and above the liberal tax concessions of around Rs 1.8 lakh crore on direct and corporate taxes as in 2009-10, must not be allowed to continue.

Effective measures must be taken to unearth the huge accumulation of black money in the economy, including the huge unaccounted money in tax heavens abroad. The finance minister must make provisions to bring back the illicit funds stashed abroad, which are at present more than twice the current external debt of 230 billion dollars. This money can well finance the social security measures.

Concrete measures must be expedited for recovering the non-performing assets of the banking system from the wilfully defaulting corporate and business houses.

A tax on long term capital gains must be introduced and higher taxes levied on the security transactions.

The rates of wealth tax, corporate tax, gift tax etc must be enhanced.

Inconsistencies in the present tax regime must be corrected and it must not discriminate against small businesses and PSUs. At present the PSUs are paying more than the private corporates. Similarly, the effective tax rate for bigger companies with a before-tax profit of over 500 crore is less than that for smaller companies with before-tax profit of less than one crore rupees.

Such IT companies, outsourcing business, educational Institutions and health services etc. as are running on a commercial basis must be brought under the service tax net.

The trade unions’ memorandum expressed the hope that the suggestions made by the central trade unions would receive serious consideration from the finance minister. It also urged the minister to hold post-budget discussions with trade unions as is held with the corporate associations and federation

Read More

Railways-Media News.

Railways’ turnaround derails

Srinand Jha, Hindustan Times

New Delhi, January 14, 2011

Faced with the biggest financial crisis of the decade, the Indian Railways have decided to ask to the finance ministry to fund the additional burden of Rs 55, 000 crore that it has been required to shell out over the last three years. Railways finances are in a mess, with the growth rate in earnings plummeting from 11.4% in 2008-09 to 9.1% in 2009-10 — placed at 7.8% until the end of December 2010.

On the other hand, working expenses have grown: 35.5% in 2008-09, by 21.1% in 2009-10 — placed at 1.7% until the end of December last year.

The result of all this is that the Operating Ratio (the sum of money spent to earn a sum of R100) has galloped to 95 %—the highest since 2001-02.

When she presents the budget next month, Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee may be unable to appropriate money for the purchase of new assets and improvements in passenger amenities through the capital fund and the development fund. This is the dilemma engaging top officials in the Railways involved in the budget preparation exercise.

Top ministry sources believe, like it is done in other ministries, the finance ministry should evolve a mechanism to take care of the huge impact that hits the Railways after every pay commission. The ministry will shortly be sending out a proposal on this issue.

Banerjee has not been fortunate about the timing of her stewardship of the railways ministry. Over a three year period beginning 2008-09, the Railways has had to bear an additional burden of R55, 000 crore towards fulfilling commitments of the sixth pay commission.

This year, the Railways also need to shell out an additional R1, 500 crore to its employees under the modified assured career progression scheme.

“Although these factors are beyond the control of the railways, suitable steps are being taken to improve earnings and control expenditure,” Chairman, Railway Board Vivek Sahai said.

Read More

New Monetary units

The large amounts mentioned in the recently surfaced scams have given rise to an idea - new words to refer to large numbers such as :

a) Rs 1,00,000 crores = Rs 1 Raja
b) Rs 10,000 crores = Rs 1 Radia

c) Rs 4000 crores = Rs.1. Reddy (G Janardhan Reddy -Bellary mines)
d) Rs 1,000 crores = Rs 1 Kalmadi

It will be easier to converse and comprehend large numbers. A few examples :

>> Anil Bhai’s home in Pali Hill will cost Rs 4.5 Kalmadis or = Rs1 Reddy.

>> ONGC’s annual output is Rs 1.2 Rajas

>> India’s loss in G2/G3 scam is about Rs 1.7 Rajas

>> India’s total annual subsidy on Kerosene is Rs 2 Radias

>> Poor Pramod Mahajan left behind only Rs 1.4 Kalmadis

Three cheers for Raja, Radia ,Reddy and Kalmadi !!

Read More

SBC-BGM

AILRSA

Bangalore Divisional Biennial

GENERAL BODY MEETING

At Hotel New Krishna Bhavan,

Sampigue Road, opposite to Mantri Mall, Malleswaram.

On 24^th January, 2011, Monday from 09.30 hours.

Welcome Address: Com. D Rajkumar, Divisional Organising Secretary.

Presiding: Com. DS Niranjan, Divisional President.

Inauguration: Com. VJK Nair, All India Vice President, CITU

Key Note Address: Com. MN Prasad, Secretary General, AILRSA.

Addressing

Com. L Mony, Central President, AILRSA

Com. Geomy George, General Secretary, AILRSA, South Zone.

Com. C. Sunish, General Secretary, AILRSA, SWR

Com. R. Surendran, Divisional Secretary.

Com. SD Arnold, Zonal President, AILRSA, SWR.

Com A Jayachandran, Central Organising Secretary.

Com. PS Prasad, General Secretary, Central Govt Employees Coordination Committee.Karnataka.

Com. G Rajan, Ex. Central Vice President, AISMA.

Com. S. Prasanna Kumar, President NREU,

Com. VR Prakash, Ex South Zone Asst. Secretary.

Vote of Thanks: Com. P Easwaran.

Read More

The Hindu News.

THE HINDU

Today's Paper » NATIONAL » KARNATAKA

BANGALORE, January 9, 2011

‘Radia tapes spell death of people's media'

Staff Reporter

‘More attention paid to corporate interests than the poor'

Media matters: Wildlife photographer T.N.A. Perumal and film director Prakash Belawadi (right) at the seminar in Bangalore on Saturday. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar

The Radia tapes exposed the nexus between the media, commerce and politics. In some ways, it spells the death of people's media, said Ambrose Pinto, principal of St. Joseph's College of Arts and Sciences.

He was speaking at ‘Trends and Opportunities in Media', a seminar hosted by M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women (Autonomous), Chennai, in collaboration with St. Joseph's College, Bangalore. With The Hindu as its media partner, the seminar included talks from four noted professionals in various fields.

Fr. Pinto emphasised that the concern of the media ought to be “how to include those excluded” in their reporting. He lamented that more attention was paid to corporate interests as opposed to those of the poor and needy.

‘Must be detached'

In his inaugural address, activist and playwright G.K. Govinda Rao spoke on the duties and functions of the media. The media ought to remain detached from the establishment and must play the role of “an unelected Opposition party leader”. “The media's duty is to help readers and viewers unlearn the prejudices, relationships and attitudes that are learnt at home and at school,” he said.

Prakash Belawadi, journalist and stage and film director, talked about film direction as a career, while T.N.A. Perumal, renowned wildlife photographer, spoke on ‘Photography: A Profession for the Passionate'.

Saurabh Pajwani, post-doctoral researcher (Technology for Emerging Markets) at Microsoft Research India, spoke on ‘New ICT Tools for Supporting Education, while Sneha Iype, executive producer, Nirvana Films, elaborated on ‘Trends and Opportunities in Advertising'.

Those present at the half-day seminar received certificates of participation.

Read More

Revised Pass Rules-2011

RBE No.03/2011

PC-VI No.244/2011

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAILWAY BOARD)

No. E(W)2008/PS 5-1/38 New Delhi, the 6^th January ,2011

The General Managers, All Zonal railway and production Units.

Sub: Revised pay limits for entitlement of Passes/PTOs on the basis of Pay drawn in the Railway Services(Revised Pay) Rules,2008.

***************

1. Consequent up on revision of Pay Scales on the basis of decision of the Government of India on the recommendations of the 6^th Central pay Commission, the question of revision of existing entitlements to Passes/PTOs under the Railway Servants (Pass) Rules,1986 (second Edition,1993) has been under consideration of the Ministry.

2. The matter has been examined and the President is pleased to decide that the entitlements of Pass/PTOs in respect of railway servants drawing pay in the Railway Services (Revised Pay)Rules, 2008 shall be under :-

SL	Category	Type of Privilege Pass & Privilege Ticket Order	Type of Duty Pass
1	Group A & Group B (Gazetted)	Ist Class A Pass	Ist Class A Pass
2	Non Gazetted employees:-
	(1) In Grade Pay Rs. 4200/- and above	Ist Class Pass	Ist Class Pass
	(2) In Grade Pay Rs. 2800/-	IInd Class A Pass	IInd Class A Pass
	(3) In Grade Pay Rs.1900/- and above but below Grade Pay Rs.2800/-	One IInd Class A Pass in a year, remaining passes and PTOs of Second/Sleeper class	IInd Class A Pass
	(4) Employees in Grade Pay Rs.1800/-	One IInd Class A Pass in a year, remaining passes and PTOs of Second/Sleeper class	Second / Sleeper Class Pass

Note: In terms of the extant instructions, the holder of IInd Class A pass shall be entitled to travel by AC 3 tier class in trains other than Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto Exp trains. IInd Class A Pass is of yellow colour.

3. In all other respects, the provisions of the Railway Servants (Pass) Rules, 1986 (Second Edition,1993) will apply.

4. The Railway employees who are already entitled to Ist Class Passes, shall continue to draw Ist class passes, irrespective of their eligibility in terms of these orders.

5. Necessary amendment to the Railway Servants (Pass) Rules, 1986 (Second Edition,1993 shall follow.

6. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.

7. Receipt of this letter may please be acknowledged.

(Debasis Mazumdar)

Joint Director establishment (welfare)

Railway Board

Read More