Dated: 21.07.2025
No. NC/JCM/2025

The Secretary (Finance),
Ministry of Finance,
North Block,
New Delhi.

Sub: Request for Enhancement of Kilometrage Allowance (KMA) by 25% to Running Staff w.e.f. 01.01.2024 consequent upon Dearness Allowance crossing 50% and Grant of Risk & Hardship Allowance to various categories along with payment of arrears

Ref:

  1. Railway Board’s letter No. F(E)I/2024/AL-28/34, dated June 5, 2024 (RBE No. 51/2024).
  2. AIRF’s letter no. AIRF/405(7th CPC) dated 05.06.2024, 12.09.2024, 24.08.2024 & 03.01.2025.
  3. AIRF’s letter no. AIRF/Sub-Committee 294 dated: May 13, 2025 addressed to Addl. Secretary (Pers.), Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
  4. Railway Board’s letter no. E(P&A)II/2022/E(LR)-1 dated 24.12.2024.
  5. Para 906 of Chapter 9 of IREM Vol.-I.

Respected Sir,

We would like to bring to your kind attention the above-subject matter and seek your immediate and positive intervention on two long-pending issues affecting the Running Staff of Indian Railways namely, the enhancement of Kilometrage Allowance (KMA) and the grant of Risk & Hardship Allowance, both of which have been adversely affected despite substantial justification and due recommendation.

1. Enhancement of Kilometrage Allowance (KMA):

The Kilometrage Allowance paid to Running Staff includes 70% of the Daily Allowance (a key component of the Travelling Allowance). Historically, it has been the established practice that whenever the Dearness Allowance crosses 50%, a 25% increase is granted in allowances that are DA-linked. The Kilometrage Allowance, being substantially composed of DA elements, has thus traditionally followed this practice.

However, it is unfortunate that, despite the DA crossing 50% w.e.f. 01.01.2024, the Railway Board has not initiated a corresponding revision in KMA. Instead, the proposal has been declined by the Board vide its letter dated 24.12.2024, on the grounds that KMA is not explicitly indexed to DA. This reasoning does not align with the provisions of Para 906 of Chapter 9 of the Indian Railway Establishment Manual (Vol.-I), which clearly states that the rates of KMA were introduced w.e.f. 01.11.1986 following a revision of pay scales and TA/DA.

Given that Daily Allowance itself has been revised vide Railway Board’s letter dated 05.06.2024 (RBE No. 51/2024), it is both logical and policy-consistent that the Kilometrage Allowance should also be revised by 25%, effective from the same date. The non-revision of KMA in this context is unjustified and demoralizing for Running Staff, who form the operational backbone of Indian Railways.

2. Grant of Risk & Hardship Allowance:

In addition to the above, we also wish to reiterate the demand for the grant of Risk & Hardship Allowance to various categories of railway staff performing critical operational and maintenance duties under hazardous, strenuous, and high-risk conditions.

It is worth highlighting that, considering the 24×7 operational nature of Indian Railways across diverse geographical and climatic conditions, a high-level Joint Committee was constituted by the Ministry of Railways to assess and recommend eligible categories for Risk & Hardship Allowance. The Committee submitted unanimous recommendations, which were subsequently approved by the Hon’ble Minister for Railways and forwarded to the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, for concurrence.

Unfortunately, the proposal has been rejected, which has caused severe disappointment among the affected categories, who had legitimate expectations of being justly compensated for the risk and hardships involved in discharging their duties. It is also pertinent to mention that this issue was deliberated upon during the 63rd Standing Committee Meeting of the National Council (JCM) held on 23.04.2025, where it was agreed that the matter would be reviewed.

In View of the Above, We Humbly Urge the Following:

  1. Issue necessary instructions to the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) to revise the Kilometrage Allowance (KMA) rates by 25% w.e.f. 01.01.2024, along with payment of arrears, in line with the established policy following the DA hike beyond 50%.
  2. Kindly intervene in the matter of Risk & Hardship Allowance, and ensure that the recommendations of the Railway Ministry’s duly constituted Committee, approved by the Hon’ble Minister for Railways, are given due consideration, and the categories performing critical and high-risk duties are rightfully compensated.

Both these issues are deeply linked to the financial well-being, motivation, and morale of Running Staff and other essential railway personnel who continue to serve the nation with unmatched dedication and resilience.

An early and favorable decision in this regard will go a long way in acknowledging their service and ensuring their sustained commitment.

With kind regards,
Yours sincerely,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

Copy to:
General Secretaries, All Affiliated Unions of AIRF – for information.