No. AIRF/05 (179)
Dated: March 18th, 2026
The Chairman &
Chief Executive Officer,
Railway Board,
New Delhi
Subject:– Grant of higher pay-scales to Railway Accounts Staff with retrospective effect from 01.01.1996 on actual basis – reg.
Reference: – Railway Board’s letter No. PC-V/2014/CC/60/SER dated 21.01.2026
- AIRF’s letter no. AIRF/05 dated 02.02.2026
Dear Sir,
All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) once again seeks to draw your kind and urgent attention to the long-pending and significant issue regarding the grant of higher pay-scales to the Railway Accounts Staff with retrospective effect from 01.01.1996 on actual basis. It is earnestly hoped that the matter will now be resolved expeditiously in the interest of justice and equity.
In this connection, it is pertinent to mention that the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi, vide its order dated 11.01.2024 in C.M. Appeal No. 21148/2022 arising out of WP(C) No. 1523/2016, has clearly held that the benefits arising from the judgment dated 18.12.2019 in WP(C) No. 1523/2016 are to be extended to all members of AIRASA who were members as on the date of filing of O.A. No. 4419/2014.
However, AIRF respectfully submits that, so far as the grant of higher pay-scales is concerned, the same should be extended uniformly to all similarly placed Accounts Staff, irrespective of their membership of any particular Association. The principle of equality mandates that there should be no discrimination in the implementation of pay-scales or in the payment of consequential arrears.
It is observed that, vide Railway Board’s letter dated 21.01.2026, certain details such as date of membership, subscription receipts, etc., have been sought from employees. This has led to widespread apprehension and discontent among the Accounts Staff, as it gives an impression that employees who are not members of any Association or Union may be denied the legitimate benefits, thereby resulting in unjust discrimination.
AIRF would like to emphatically state that all Accounts Staff who are identically placed and covered by the same set of duties and responsibilities deserve to be treated at par. The benefit of higher pay-scales and arrears, therefore, ought to be extended to all eligible employees on a non-discriminatory basis, in line with the spirit of judicial pronouncements and established service jurisprudence.
Considering the sensitivity of the issue and its significant financial implications, AIRF once again requests that an informal meeting may kindly be convened at the earliest to enable the Federation to present its considered views and facilitate an amicable and just resolution of the matter. This matter may please be treated as Most Urgent.
An early and favourable decision in this regard will go a long way in addressing the genuine grievances of the Accounts Staff and in maintaining industrial harmony.
Yours faithfully,
(Signature)
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary
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General Secretaries, All Affiliated Unions – For information
