Complaints are pouring in our office from our affiliates all over the Indian Railways that, the Pharmacists working in the Zonal Railways and Production Units, on their placement in Grade Pay Rs.4200(PB-II), are not being provided with benefit of pay fixation equal to 3% of Basic Pay as also consequential benefit of difference as a result of their placement in Grade Pay Rs.4200 despite clear-cut instructions of the Railway Board in this regard……..

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No.AIRF/101 Dated: August 3, 2016

The Secretary(E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Granting of pay fixation benefit to the Pharmacists on their placement in GP Rs.4200 (PB-II) on non-functional basis

Complaints are pouring in our office from our affiliates all over the Indian Railways that, the Pharmacists working in the Zonal Railways and Production Units, on their placement in Grade Pay Rs.4200(PB-II), are not being provided with benefit of pay fixation equal to 3% of Basic Pay as also consequential benefit of difference as a result of their placement in Grade Pay Rs.4200 despite clear-cut instructions of the Railway Board in this regard.

It is worth mentioning here that, Ministry of Personnel, P.G. & Pensions, DoP&T(Government of India) vide para 4 of their O.M. No.35014/1/2014-Estt. D dated 10.06.2015 have clarified that:-

“As regards point (iii), it is clarified that the Pharmacists, at the time of their placement from GP of Rs.2800 in PB-I to GP of Rs.4200 in PB-II, they may be allowed pay fixation benefit equal to 3% of existing basic pay and the difference in GP as consequent to such “placement” not only the Grade Pay changes but does the Pay Band also. This is also in conformity with the para 4 of Annexure to the O.M. dated 19.05.2009, since it is being treated as fist financial upgradation under the MACPS”.

Besides the above, Board’s attention is invited towards their letter No.PC-VI/2009/I/6/6 Pt. dated 23.07.2015, addressed to CAO/DMW/PTA, wherein Board have clarified that:-

“the matter has been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, and accordingly it is advised that the fixation of pay under Rule 13 of RS(RP) Rules, 2008 on grant of NFSG would be applicable”.

It is quite unfortunate that, although the benefit is admissible, the same is not being granted uniformly by all the Zonal Railways and Production Units, resulting in financial hardship to the employees.

The Board are, therefore, requested to communicate appropriate elucidation to all the Zonal Railways and Production Units to extend the benefit of fixation of pay to the Pharmacists on their placement from GP Rs.2800(PB-I) to GP Rs.4200(PB-II).

An early action in the matter shall be highly appreciated.

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