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                                                                                  Recommendations for  Ministry of Railways

Introduction 7.36.1 Indian Railways is the largest civilian employer in the country. It comprises sixteen Zones and six Production Units namely Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Chittaranjan; Integral Coach Factory, Chennai; Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi; Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala; Diesel Loco Modernization Works, Patiala; and Rail Wheel Factory, Bangalore. There are 9 old Zones with 7 new Zones having been created subsequently. Every Zone has between 3 to 6 Divisions.

Strength 7.36.2 Total number of employees as on 31/3/2005 was about 14 lakhs. The distribution of staff strength in the year 2004-05 is as follows :

Group In position

A 8285

B 7247

C 873536

D 521578

Total 1410646

Fiscal health of

Railways

7.36.3 Indian Railways has become economically viable. For the past few years, the annual Budget presented by the Ministry of Railways reveal that it is generating surplus (net revenue receipts) to the tune of more than Rs.5,000 crore annually. There was a surplus even after paying dividend, payment in lieu of passenger tax and contribution to Railway Safety Fund to the tune of Rs.2,074 crore in 2004-05 and Rs.4,338 crore in 2005-06. Remarkably, this surplus has

been achieved by Railways without substantial increase in the passenger fares and freight rates. Total investment in the Indian Railways during 2005-06 was Rs.65,878 crore out of which Rs.12,816 crore was generated internally.

7.36.4 Gross Revenue Receipts of the Indian Railways for the year 2005-06 vis-à-vis working expenses are as follows:-

2005-06

(Rs.in cr.)

Gross Traffic Receipts 54,491

Total Working Expenses 45,574

Net Traffic Receipts 8,918

Net Revenue Receipts 8,006

Railway Board 7.36.5 Railway Board is the apex body in the Ministry of Railways. It is headed by a Chairman, 5 Members and 1 Financial Commissioner. Chairman, Railway Board is an ex-officio Principal Secretary to the Government of India. The Chairman, 5 Members and the Financial Commissioner are in the pay scale of Rs.26000 (Fixed). The Members are assisted by Additional Members in the Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) Rs.22400-24500. Below Additional Members, there are different Directorates headed by

Executive Directors in the Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) of Rs.18400-22400. The  xecutive Directors are assisted by Directors, Joint Directors and Deputy Directors in respective pay scales of Rs.14300-18300; Rs.12000-16500 and Rs.10000-15200. Director General Railway Health Service and Director General RPF report to the Member (Staff). The other 4 posts of Members are Member (Electrical), Member (Engineering), Member (Mechanical) and

Member (Traffic). All the Members and Financial Commissioner are ex-officio Secretaries to the Government of India.

Different Categories in Ministry of Railways

7.36.6 The following Departments exist in Ministry of Railways:-

1. Administration

2. Accounts

3. Engineering

4. Signal & Telecom

5. Transportation

6. Commercial

7. Mech. Engineering

8. Stores

9. Electrical

10. Medical

11. RPF

12. Railway Board

13. Other Railway Offices including RPSF

14. Casual Labour

Demands

7.36.7 Demands seeking higher pay scales and allowances for various categories in different Departments were made. The same are discussed in the succeeding paras.

Status ofChairmanRailway Board

7.36.8 Presently, the pay scale of Chairman as well as other Members of Railway Board is Rs.26000 (fixed). Traditionally, the status of Chairman has been that of Principal Secretary to the

Government of India. Railway Ministry has proposed that the pay scale of Chairman, Railway Board should be brought on par with that of the Cabinet Secretary viz. Rs.30000 (fixed).

Recommendation

7.36.9 It is observed that a similar demand was made before the Fifth Central Pay Commission who however recommended that the Chairman should be considered as first amongst equals. The Fifth CPC had, accordingly, recommended that pay scale of all Members of the Railway Board including the Chairman should continue to be Rs.26000 (fixed). This recommendation of the Fifth Central pay Commission is justified. The Commission, accordingly, recommends no change in the status or pay scale attached to the post of Chairman, Railway Board.

Unskilled workers in Railways

7.36.10 Various associations of Railway Staff have contended that with growing modernization, both in the field and in offices, there is no unskilled job left. It has been stated that even the Helpers working in the workshops, open line, sheds etc. have to possess elementary knowledge of technology. Reference has been made to the enhancement by the Railway Board of the minimum qualifications to Matriculation plus ITI for appointments as Khalasi (now Helper) of Diesel Loco Shed, Electric Loco Shed, EMU Car Shed, Track Maintenance Machines, etc. This was done in 1982. Subsequently, the Fifth CPC, in their report, recommended that staff recruited with prescribed qualification of Matriculation should be allotted the pay scale of Rs.950-1500 corresponding to the revised pay scale of Rs.3050-4590. Immediately after that, the Railway

Board issued orders lowering prescribed recruitment qualification for all the Khalasis (now Helpers) including Khalasis in Diesel Loco Shed, Electric Loco Shed, EMU Car Shed and Track Maintenance organisation.

 

 

Demands –Commercial Clerks

7.36.11 The existing hierarchy in the cadre of Commercial Clerks is as follows :

                        Commercial Clerks Rs.3200-4900

                        Senior Commercial Clerks Rs.4000-6000

                        Head Commercial Clerks Rs.5000-8000

                        Chief Commercial Clerks Rs.5500-9000

                        Commercial Superintendent Rs.6500-10500

7.36.12 Higher pay scales have been demanded for this category with the demand that Senior Commercial clerks should be brought on par with Senior Clerks. Introduction of the higher scale of Rs.7450-11500 in the hierarchy also has been sought. It has been stated that analogous posts like those of Commercial Inspectors, Commercial Clerks, ECRCs & Ticket Collector etc. should be merged and granted the entry grade of Rs.5000-8000. Cash Risk Allowance and Health Hazard Allowance have also been demanded for this category on the ground that they handle heavy cash and work in goods, parcel, luggage offices & sidings where they are exposed to

dust, chemicals, oils etc.

Recommendations– Commercial Clerks

7.36.13 Insofar as the issue of parity of pay scale of Senior Commercial clerks with that of Senior Clerks is concerned, it is seen that Office Clerks, Commercial Clerks, Ticket Checkers & TNCs popularly known as Non-Technical are recruited in the Railways through a common examination conducted by Railway Recruitment Board. The recruitment grade is Rs.3050-4590 except for commercial clerks whose entry grade was upgraded by the Fifth CPC to Rs.3200-

4900 in view of multifarious functions performed by them. Earlier, the next promotion scale for all these categories was Rs.1200-2040 (corresponding to the Fifth CPC revised pay scale of Rs.4000-6000). However, due to 25% DR quota for graduates in the post of Senior Clerks, the Fifth CPC allotted them the higher grade of Rs.4500-7000, while for others, the scale of Rs.4000-6000 was allotted. This has led to the demand from Senior Commercial   Clerk/ univalent for the same higher pay scale of Rs.4500-7000 on the ground that their job carries higher responsibilities, risk, strain & public interface, round the clock duties and difficult conditions of work in yards, sidings, coaching & goods terminals etc. There is merit in these arguments.

While it is true that there is an element of graduate entry at Senior Clerk level, this alone may perhaps not justify grant of a higher grade vis-à-vis other categories which are recruited along with them and whose nature of duties are perhaps more difficult. In fact it is due to this reason that the entry grade of Commercial Clerk is higher (Rs.3200-4900) vis-à-vis other categories including office clerks (Rs.3050-4590). Thus a lower scale in the next grade for this post is not justified for this category. Even otherwise, the Commission is of the view that posts in the field offices have to be given their due as these posts are at the delivery level and, therefore, are crucial. The Commission, accordingly, recommends that category of Senior Commercial Clerks may be upgraded and placed in the scale of Rs.4500-7000 corresponding to the revised pay band PB-1 of Rs.4860-20200 along with grade pay of Rs.2800.

 

7.36.14 Similar situation also exists in respect of Transit Clerks where, too, the initial recruitment is in the pay scale of Rs.3200-4900 but the first promotion is in the grade of Rs.4000-6000 as Senior Transit Clerk. The next promotion is that of Head Transit Clerk in

the scale of Rs.4500-7000. The functions of the posts of Senior Transit Clerk and Head Transit Clerk are comparable. As such these posts can be merged. Accordingly, the Commission recommends merger of the posts of Senior Transit Clerk and Head Transit Clerk. Transit Clerks will then automatically be eligible for first promotion in the scale of Rs.4500-7000 rresponding to the revised pay band PB-1 of Rs.4860-20200 along with grade pay of Rs.2800.

 

7.36.15 Insofar as the demand for grant of the scale of Rs.7450-11500 to the category of Commercial Clerks is concerned, it is observed that this apex grade has been given to categories where there is an element of direct recruitment of Degree holders at the Supervisory level. Ministry of Railways have clarified that an element of direct recruitment to the extent of 25% in the scale of Rs.5500-9000 (Head Commercial Clerk) exists even in the case of this category. In fact, Ministry of Railways had also mooted a proposal for introducing this scale but the same could not be finalized. Keeping in view the relativities concerned, the Commission is of the view that the category of Commercial Clerks also deserves to be granted the apex Group C pay scale of Rs.7450-11500. The Commission, in a subsequent paragraph, has recommended restructuring of the posts in different grades in the four clerical streams in Railways to

bring them on par with the structure being proposed in various field organizations of the Central Government. As per this, the posts of Head Commercial Clerk and Chief Commercial Clerk will be merged in the scale of Rs.6500-10500 corresponding to the

revised pay band PB-2 of Rs.8700-34800 along with grade pay of Rs.4200. The post of Commercial Superintendent will then be placed in the scale of Rs.7450-11500  responding to the revised  pay band PB-2 of Rs.8700-34800 along with grade pay of Rs.4600.

This will automatically meet the demand for introduction of higher scale of Rs.7450-11500 in this cadre. The Commission is, however, unable to recommend Health Hazard  Aowance/similar allowances for Commercial Clerks as their work is not of such a

nature as would necessitate grant of these allowances. The element of handling cash is part of the duties and any risk on this account has already been factored in the pay scales prescribed for this category. Accordingly, no separate Cash Handling Allowance

is necessary. Demands –Enquiry-cum-Reservation Clerks (E&RCs)

 

7.36.16 E&RCs have demanded introduction of the higher grade of Rs.7450-11500 for the post of Reservation Superintendent in their cadre.

 

Recommendations– Enquiry-cum- Reservation Clerks (ECRCs)

 

7.36.17 An element of direct recruitment to the extent of 25% exists in the cadre of Enquiry-cum-Reservation Clerks who are recruited in the scale of Rs.4500-7000 and move through the grades of Rs.5000- 8000 and Rs.5500-9000 to the apex grade of Rs.6500-10500 carrying

the designation of Reservation Superintendent. The grades of Rs.5000-8000, Rs.5500-9000 and Rs.6500-10500 are being merged. The posts in the existing scales of Rs.5000-8000 and Rs.5500-9000 should be merged. However, the post of Reservation Superintendents has to be granted a higher scale as, apart from being the apex post in the cadre of ERCs, it also constitutes a promotion post for Deputy Reservation Superintendents. The Commission recommends the

scale of Rs.7450-11500 corresponding to the revised pay band PB-2 of Rs.8700-34800 along with grade pay of Rs.4600 for Reservation Superintendents. The posts of Enquiry-cum-Reservation Clerks in the scales of Rs.5000-8000 and Rs.5500-9000 will stand merged

as a consequence of the restructuring of the pay scales being recommended by the Commission. Commercial Inspectors

 

7.36.18 Commercial Inspectors including Inspectors (Claims/Rates/ Booking/goods/parcel) presently have the following structure: -

                        Commercial Inspector Gr. IV Rs.5000-8000

                        Commercial Inspector Gr. III Rs.5500-9000

                        Commercial Inspector Gr. II Rs.6500-10500

                        Commercial Inspector Gr. I Rs.7450-11500

A three grade structure has been demanded for this category. It has been stated that they should be only in the top three grades of pay for effective monitoring and supervision.

Recommendations- Commercial Inspectors

7.36.19 Duties of Commercial Inspectors does not include direct supervision of the commercial clerks, ERCs etc. but are more inspectorial than supervisory. Therefore, the demand based on the rationale that they, being a Supervisory category, should be placed in the top two scales, is not justified. It is also seen that the Fifth CPC had upgraded the entry scale of Commercial Inspectors to Rs.5000-8000 and had also placed the apex post of this cadre in the

scale of Rs.7450-11500. The cadre of Commercial Inspector, therefore, already has an edge, both in the initial and the apex pay scales, vis-à-vis other clerical cadres like Commercial Clerks and

ECRCs whose cadre structure ranges from the scales of Rs.3050-4590 (Rs.4500-7000 in case of ECRCs) to Rs.6500-10500. As such, no further up gradation is necessary. However, Commission has recommended merger of the scales of Rs.5000-8000, Rs.5500-9000 and Rs.6500-10500. Due to this, Commercial Inspectors Grade II, III & IV shall come to lie in an identical pay band and grade pay. It is, accordingly, recommended that the posts of Commercial Inspector Grade IV and Grade III should be merged in the Pay Band PB-2 of

Rs.8700-34800 along with a grade pay of Rs.4200 corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale of Rs.6500-10500. The posts of Commercial Inspector Grade II and Grade I will consequently be also merged in Pay Band PB-2 of Rs .8700-34800 along with a grade

pay of Rs.4600 corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale of Rs.7450-11500.

 

Demands - Ticket Checking cadre

 

7.36.20 The present cadre of Ticket Checking staff is as under:-

                        Ticket Checker Rs.3050-4590

                        Senior TC/TTE Rs.4000-6000

                        Head TC/Senior TTE Rs.5000-8000

                        Traveling Ticket Inspector Rs.5500-9000

                        Chief Ticket Inspector Rs.6500-10500

 

7.36.21 Introduction of a higher scale of Rs.7450-11500 in the hierarchy has been demanded. Up gradation of pay scale of Senior TC/TTE from Rs.4000-6000 to Rs.4500-7000 has been sought on the ground of higher responsibility, risk, strain, public interface attached with the job. Reclassification of all Ticket Checking Staff as Running staff has also been demanded.

 

Recommendations- Ticket Checking cadre

7.36.22 The Commission is of the view that, as far as possible, every cadre in Railways having posts in the scale of Rs.6500-10500 at present should have the apex grade of Rs.7450-11500. Since this grade does not exist in this cadre, the Commission recommends placement of Chief Ticket Inspector in the pay scale of Rs.7450- 11500 corresponding to the revised pay band PB-2 of Rs.8700-34800 along with grade pay of Rs.4600. Traveling Ticket Inspectors,

Head TC/Senior TTE will automatically be placed in the scale of Rs.6500-10500 on account of the restructuring of pay scales. Placement of Senior Ticket Checkers/Traveling Ticket Examiners/Trains Clerks in a higher scale so as to maintain established relativities was considered in light of the higher scale separately being recommended for Senior Commercial Clerks. It is, however, observed that Commercial Clerks are being upgraded because their entry grade is higher i.e. Rs.3200-4900 and, therefore, their first promotional grade cannot justifiably be lower than other categories who are recruited in a lower pay scale. This rationale does not hold good for the categories of Senior Ticket Checkers/Traveling Ticket Examiners/Trains Clerks, etc. As such a higher pay scale cannot be recommended for any of these categories.

7.36.23 As regards the issue of classification of this category as running staff, it is observed that the issue was considered by the Fifth CPC who did not agree to the same as the definition of

running staff includes only those whose duties are directly 516 connected with the task of moving trains. The view taken by the Fifth CPC is justified and no interference therein is called for. Recommendations regarding the clerical cadres in the light of Delivering proposed for field staff

 

7.36.24 The Commission has recommended parity between similarly placed posts in the secretariat and field offices. This involves delivering of various grades. The recommendations are discussed in Chapter 3.1 of the Report. A similar delivering would need to be carried out for the office staff in the field offices of Railways. Four cadres of office staff exist in Railways in different pay scales. In consonance with delayering proposed for field offices in general as well as to bring parity between field offices and the secretariat in Railways, following revised structure is recommended for these cadres:-

 

Train Clerks                                                                                                               (in Rs.)         

Designation

Present pay

scale

Recommended Pay Pay scale

               Corresponding

       PayBand         Grade  Pay         

Train clerk

3050-4590

3050-4590

PB-1

1900

Senior Train Clerk

4000-6000

4000-6000

PB-1

2400

Head Train Clerk

5000-8000

6500-10500

PB-2

4200*

Chief Train Clerk

5500-9000

6500-10500

PB-2

4200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(*Head Train clerks and Chief Train Clerks shall be merged)

 

Commercial Clerks                                                                                                                (in Rs.)

Designation

Present pay

scale

Recommended

Pay scale

        Corresponding

PayBand         Grade  Pay    

Commercial Clerks

3200-4900

3200-4900

PB-1

2000

Senior Commercial Clerks

4000-6000

4500-7000

PB-1

2800

Head Commercial Clerks

5000-8000

 

6500-10500

PB-2

4200*

Chief Commercial Clerks

5500-9000

Commercial Superintendent           

6500-10500     

7450-11500

PB-2

4600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(*Head Commercial Clerks and Chief Commercial Clerks shall stand merged)

 

Office Clerks                                                                                                                          (in Rs.)

Designation

Present pay

scale

Recommended

Pay scale

        Corresponding

PayBand         Grade  Pay    

Lower Division Clerks  

3050-4590

3050-4590

PB-1

1900

Senior Clerks

4500-7000    

4500-7000

PB-1

2800

Head Clerks                    

5000-8000

 

6500-10500

PB-2

4200

Office Superintendent Grade II                          

5500-9000

Office Superintendent Grade I  

6500-10500     

7450-11500

PB-2

4600

Chief Superintendent     

7450-11500  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Head Commercial Clerks and Chief Commercial Clerks shall stand merged

** Office Superintendent Grade I and Chief Superintendent shall stand merged 

 

Ticket Checking Staff (in Rs.) Corresponding Pay Band & Designation Present pay Grade Pay scale Recommended pay scale Pay Band Grade Pay

 

                                                                                                                                                  (in Rs.)

Designation

Present pay

scale

Recommended

Pay scale

        Corresponding

PayBand         Grade  Pay    

Ticket Checker   

3050-4590

3050-4590

PB-1

1900

Senior TC/TTE   

  4000-6000

4000-6000

PB-1

2400

Head TC/SeniorTTE    

5000-8000

 

6500-10500

PB-2

4200

Traveling Ticket Inspector  

5500-9000

Chief Ticket Inspector

6500-10500     

7450-11500

PB-2

4600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(*Head TC/Senior TTE and Chief Ticket Inspector shall stand merged)

 

Demands –Catering Manager/Inspectors

7.36.24 The cadre of Catering Managers/Inspectors comprises posts in the scales of Rs.3200-4900 (Catering Supervisor Gr. III); Rs.4000- 6000 (Catering Supervisor Gr. II); Rs.5000-8000 (Catering Supervisor Gr. I); Rs.5500-9000 (Catering Inspector Gr. II) and Rs.6500-10500

(Catering Inspector Gr. I). The cadre presently does not have any post in the scale of Rs.7450-11500. Introduction of this scale has been demanded.

 

Recommendations– Catering Manager/Inspectors

7.36.25 In consonance with Commission’s approach to allow the apex Group C scale in every cadre of Railways having posts in the scale of Rs.6500-10500 at present, it is recommended that the post of Catering Inspector Grade I may be placed in the scale of

Rs.7450-11500 corresponding to the revised pay band PB-2 of Rs.8700-34800 along with grade pay of Rs.4600.

 

 

 

Demands – Law Assistants

7.36.26 The cadre of Law Assistants comprises posts of Law Assistant and Chief Law Assistant in the scales of Rs.6500-10500 and Rs.7450-11500, respectively. Higher pay scales corresponding to those of Groups B & A have been demanded on the ground of high

academic qualifications and specialized nature of work. Parity of Chief Law Assistant of Zonal Railways with Chief Law Assistant [redesign Ted as Superintendent (Legal)] who exists in the pay scale of Rs.7500-12000 has been demanded. Allowances like Out door monthly allowance, Library allowance and Court Allowance have also been sought.

 

Recommendations– Law Assistants

7.36.27 Keeping in view the higher qualifications attached to the post of Law Assistant, the Fifth CPC had upgraded the scale of this post by two levels. The present position is that the Law Assistant and Chief Law Assistant are placed in the two apex Group C scales. Placing the entry post of Law Assistant in Group B scale is not administratively desirable as supporting staff in the legal stream are required for attending court, liaison with advocates etc. Creation of a separate cadre is also not desirable as the Executives of the department are ultimately responsible for providing the facts and rules and the analysis and the implications of matters under litigation. Post of Chief Law Assistant of Railway Board in the scale Rs.7500-12000 is actually analogous to the post of Assistant Law Officer in the field offices existing in an identical scale of Rs. 7500-

12000. Accordingly, the post of Chief Law Assistant in field offices cannot be upgraded. Instead, the feeder post of Law Assistant may be merged with that of Chief Law Assistant in the scale of Rs.7450- 11500 which will also ensure that this category’s relativity vis-à-vis

the entry grade of Degree Engineers is maintained. Higher scale of Rs.7500-12000 cannot be recommended for Chief Law Assistant as this scale in Railways is a Group B scale and a promotion post (Assistant Law Officer) already exists in this scale. NPA for any category other than Doctors has huge implications. In present days, a large number of employees join the Government with technical qualifications. It is not possible to grant NPA to all such categories.

NPA to legal staff is, therefore, not justified. Grant of Outdoor Allowance and Court Allowance is also not justified as attending courts is part of the duty attached to these posts and, therefore, the element is already included in the pay scale. Instead of Library Allowance, it would be appropriate if proper Library facilities are either created in the organization or membership of other libraries giving such facility is taken for the use of these officers. The Commission recommends accordingly.

 

Demands – Public Relation Inspectors

7.36.28 The present cadre of Public Relation Inspectors is as under:-

Publicity Inspector Rs.4500-7000

Senior Publicity Inspector Rs.5000-8000

Chief Publicity Inspector Rs.6500-10500     

 

7.36.29 Introduction of a new senior supervisory grade for Publicity Inspector has been sought. A demand has been raised for re designation as Asst. Information Officers- Gr. III, Gr. II & Gr. I.

Library Allowance or Institutional Library Membership has also been sought. Monetary benefit or compensatory leave in lieu of working on holidays/nigh shift has been demanded.

 

Recommendations- Public Relation Inspectors

7.36.30 Insofar as the issue of parity of pay scale of Publicity Inspectors (Rs.4500-8000) with Personnel Inspectors (Rs.5000-8000) is concerned, it is seen that employees with five years Group C service and a graduate degree are eligible for selection to this post. This means that a person having a graduate degree and five years service in the scale of Rs.950-1500 can also be appointed directly as Publicity Inspector in the scale of Rs.4500-7000. A higher jump may

not be justified. The Commission, accordingly, recommends that Publicity Inspectors may be granted only the corresponding replacement pay band PB-1 of Rs.4860-20200 along with a grade pay of Rs.2800. Direct recruitment of graduates takes place at the level of Senior Publicity Inspectors. Apart from the recruitment qualifications, the duties attached to the post are also onerous. As such, a higher scale on par with Assistants/analogous posts is justified in their case. In any case, Commission has recommended merger of the scales of Rs.5000-8000, Rs.5500-9000 and Rs.6500- 10500. Senior Publicity Inspectors will, therefore, automatically be placed in the revised pay band PB-2 of Rs.8700-34800 along with grade pay of Rs.4200 corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale of Rs.6500-10500. In consonance with the principle adopted that, as far as possible, Group C cadres in Railways should have the apex

Group C scale of Rs.7450-11500, the next higher post of Chief Publicity Inspector will stand upgraded to the next higher scale of Rs.7450-11500 corresponding to the revised pay band PB-2 of Rs.8700-34800 along with grade pay of Rs.4600

7.36.31 Re-designation as Asst. Information Officers is not desirable as the designation of Group B/A Officers in Railways are similar and this re-designation will cause confusion. As far as monetary benefit or compensatory leave in lieu of working on holidays/night shift is concerned, this would lead to similar demands from other Supervisory categories that fall under the classification of ‘excluded’ category. Accordingly, the demand cannot be conceded. As regards grant of Library Allowance, etc., it is observed that in the present times, almost all information is available on the internet. Therefore, Institutional Library Membership or Library Allowance is not warranted for this category.

 

Demands –Station Masters

7.36.32 The existing cadre structure of Station Masters is as under:-

Assistant Station Masters Rs.4500-7000

Assistant Station Master/Station MastersRs.5000-8000

Station Master Rs.5500-9000

Deputy Station Supdt. Rs.6500-10500

Station Supdt. Rs.7450-11500

 

7.36.33 Starting pay scale of Rs.6500-10500 has been sought by the Station Masters. Demands have been made to stop lateral entry from open market in the scale of Rs.5500-9000 along with redefinition of Station Masters as Station Manager carrying the classification as “Continuous”.

7.36.34 Various allowances have also been sought. These allowances include allowances that are common to all categories. The common allowances have been discussed separately in Chapter

4.2. Grant of any specific allowance exclusively for this category is not considered justified.

 

Recommendations- Station Masters

7.36.35 The Commission received thousands of individual memoranda from Station Masters seeking initial grade of Rs.6500- 10500. It is observed that the category of Station Masters has interlink ages with other categories. Fifteen percent of the posts of Station Masters are filled up through Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) from Group C & D personnel up to 45 years of age and possessing a graduate degree from the operating department and the commercial department. Twenty five percent of the recruitment is made through general election from Shunting Jamadars, Shunting Master, Cabin man Gr. I, Switchman, Senior Signalers and Senior TNC in scale of Rs.4000-6000 and Lever men Gr. I, Points men Gr. I, Stuntman Gr. I, Cabin man Gr. II & TNC in scale of Rs.3050-4590. There is also lateral induction in Rs.5500-9000 with 25% of the posts being filled up by Traffic Apprentices including 50% from open market through Railway Recruitment Boards and 10% from serving (Non-Ministerial) graduates through LDCE.

Giving a higher pay scale to this category will, therefore, upset the established relativities. No anomaly is also apparent in the existing pay structure for this category. The Commission is, therefore, unable to recommend a higher pay scale for this category. In any case, the posts of Assistant Station Master/Station Master in the scales of Rs.5000-8000 and Rs.5500-9000 will automatically be placed in the scale of Rs.6500-10500 on account of rationalization of pay scales being recommended by the Commission. The posts of Assistant Station Master and Station Master in the scales of Rs.5000-8000 and Rs.5500-9000 will, therefore, stand merged.

Consequently, the post of Deputy Station Superintendent and Station Superintendent shall stand merged in the scale of Rs.7450-11500 corresponding to the revised pay band PB-2 of Rs.8700-34800 along with grade pay of Rs.4600.           

 

7.36.36 Classification of Station Masters as ‘continuous’ i.e. placing them in an 8 hours roster is a purely administrative matter that should be decided by the Railways. Similar is the case relating to redefinition of the post. Ministry of Railways being the administrative Ministry will be in a better position to take a decision regarding redefinition and reclassification, if necessary, of the post. The Commission, consequently, makes no recommendation in this regard.

 

Demands – Traffic Controllers

7.36.37 The present cadre of Traffic Controllers is as under:-

Section Controller Rs.5500-9000

Deputy Chief Controller Rs.6500-10500

Chief Controller Rs.7450-11500    

 

7.36.38 It has been stated that the job of Traffic Controllers is more intense than that of Air Traffic Controllers and the cadre has to be recognized as a special cadre without being treated on par with clerical cadres especially as the minimum qualification for any post in this cadre is graduation. Higher grades vis-à-vis other categories with the same minimum qualification have been demanded. A special grade for Chief Controller in charge has also been sought.

Stress allowance and Mike Allowance at the rate of 30% and 10% of basic pay respectively has been demanded. Break down allowance at actual has been demanded as they monitor the break down activities.

 

  

Recommendations- Traffic Controllers

7.36.39 The initial entry grade of this category is Rs.5500-9000. Due to merger of scales of Rs.5000-8000, Rs.5500-9000 and Rs.6500- 10500, the post will get upgraded automatically. Consequently, the posts of Deputy Chief Controller and Chief Controller shall be merged in the sc