Uniform Pension Scheme to retiring Railways employees at par with ex-servicemen
NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD,NEW DELHI – 110 055
Affiliated to:
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
Dated: 06-09-2015
No.IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL
Shri Narendra Modi,
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
South Block,
Raisina Hills,
New Delhi.
Respected Sir,
Sub: Uniform Pension Scheme to retiring Railways employees at par with ex-servicemen – reg.
At the outset, the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) thanks the Government for conceding to the demand of ex-Servicemen for introduction of “One Rank – One Pension” for them.
In this connection, I would invite your kind attention to the case of Railway employees numbering over 1.3 million as placed below:-
The Railway employees have been subjected to injustice as a result of introduction of New Pension Scheme (which is a contributory pension scheme) with effect from 01/01/2004. Consequently, those employees who joined railways on and after 01-01-2004 are governed by the contributory pension scheme with present nomenclature “New Pension System”(NPS).
Presently, there are two sections of Rail Workforce – One governed by the Liberalized pension Scheme (applicable to pre 01-01-2004 appointees) and the other one governed by the contributory pension scheme i.e. NPS applicable to post 01.01.2004 appointees.
Since 2004, NFIR has been pressing the Government of India and the Ministry of Railways to withdraw New Pension Scheme as the duties and responsibilities of Railway employees are very complex, Complicated and their working conditions are arduous as they perform duties at remote places, extremist infested areas, jungle areas, without any supply chain. Vast percentage of Railway employees cannot afford to have timely medicines, social life, schooling facilities etc.,
pursuant to the discussions held with the Railway Ministry on our pending demand seeking abolition of New pension-Scheme in Railways, the then Railway Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge had agreed with the demand and accordingly he had sent a communication to the Finance Ministry on 29-03-2014 duly explaining the nature of duties of the Railway employees and seeking Government’s approval for exempting the Railway employees from the NPS whereby they can be governed by the Liberalized pension scheme. This issue is continued to remain unresolved.
For your kind appreciation, I mention here that according to the report of the Dr.Anil Kakodkar committee, Submitted to the Railway Ministry in the year 2012. the death rate of Railway employees in the courses of performing duties was much larger than the public. I quote below the figures given by the High Level Safety Review committee headed by Dr.Kakodkar.
| Killed | Injured | |
| (a) Railway employees | 1600 | 8700 |
| (b) Passenger/Public | 1019 | 2110 |
| (c) Unmanned Level Crossing | 723 | 690 |
The above position reveals that the Railway employees killed during the period 2007-08 to 2011 were 1600 while those injured on duty were 8700. This figure would convince that the duties of Railway employee cannot be treated as less arduous in comparison with the defence and para-military forces. Like armed forces, Railway employees are expected to remain at their place of posting even during periodic rest and they cannot afford to leave the headquarters and they perform duties under open sky facing inclement weather conditions and ensure running of trains round the clock.
It would therefore, be necessary to exempt Railway employees from the New Pension System (NPS).
2. Need to provide Uniform pension Scheme or One Rank – One Pension to Rail Workforce:
The Railway employees discharges their duties round the clock by shifts and over 85% staff work in remote places where no human life exists. Their duties are safety- oriented. The are facing continuous stress and strain in the course of performing. Train passing duties causing health hazards leading to pre-mature death, medical invalidation at a scale larger than the armed/Par-Military forces. The demand for introduction of Uniform Pension Scheme to Railway employees of the same rank regardless of their date of retirement deserve consideration like that of retiring armed personnel.
I therefore, request you to kindly see that the Government accords approval, exempting Railway employees from the New Pension System for the purpose of covering them under the Liberalized Pension Scheme. I also request that “One Rank – One Pension” Scheme i.e. uniform pension for Railway employees retiring in the same rank regardless of their retirement may kindly be approved by the Government, considering the fact that Railway personnel are serving the nation, transporting military hardware and the army to the borders and ensuring uninterrupted movement of rail transport services at all times round the clock in all weather conditions.
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary.
Source: NFIR
s k pandey says
Demand of OROP as per Army Personals for Railwaymen is justified and legitimate.
AG says
Still I will hope that the declaration of Mr Narendra Modi should not be a lecture Bazi of Indian cheap politicians.
Kindly publish the government of India order on OROP stating that orop is applicable for 15 years pensionable service. Ministry of Defence should immediately clarify and publish the order immediately.
AG says
What about Gaurav Rally at Jantar Mantar on 12 September 2015 and written order of Government of India on OROP at per Mr Narendra Modi’s lecture at Chandigarh that OROP for every exderviceman those who have put up 15 years of minimum pensionable service.
Government of India should immediately release the order without further delay as they have done on releasing 119% DA.
Vivek says
If railway employees are ready to serve only for 15 to 17 yrs then they should really get the benefits of OROP!
raj kumar says
why separate treatment for rail employees, why not for entire central govt and state govt employees, to bring financial disaster for the country. every civil employee who is asking for parity with military personnel, should also declare his willingness for at least 5 years combatant service in army or navy or airforce, in which death can be a natural consequence. Or conversely, before extending OROP for civil pensioners, let there be a rule of compulsory 5 years national military service, before anyone enters civil services under central or state govt.
AG says
Can any body help me to send message in Major General Satbir Singh’s e-mail id or mobile no.
I would like to send congratulation on win over OROP directly to sir.The real hero of war&peace. The inherent military leader with honesty and devotion.
Satsreeakaal shahabji.Tusi da great.
AG says
If credit goes to Mr.Narendra Modi and team ministers then definitely a special award goes to Major General (Retried) Satbir Singh , Colonel Pushpendra and team Veterans.Indian citizens(those who are making breads &butter in politics as profession) should take serious lesson of doing agitation for any legitimate demand to Government/any organization in India . Inspite of LATHI CHARGE by Delhi Police and taken chance to turmoil politically by Mr Rahul Gandhi ,so peaceful agitation of armforces personnel who made bloodshed mass destruction of enemies to win over 1965, 1971
etc.We all Indian citizens give you all RED SALUTE. If alived, Father of the nation also would have salute the veteran.
Specially the leadership of Major General (Retried) Satbir Singh Shab is really commandable.Once again he has proved that in this critical situation country needs such GENERAL to tackle the embracing ambiguity.
Though the Major General is having lot of highest military gallantry awards still I shall request to our Fouji loving Priminister Mr. Narendra Modi to recommend Major General (retried) Satbir Singh’s name for next civilian gallantry award of PADMASREE in the next .General shab is the true honest nonpolitical entity with very rare quality God partical persona.May not be fit for any Governor of state but definitely right candidate for our next VICE PRESIDENT OF INDIA.
Jai Hind.
ASHOK GHOSH
THIRD EYE NATION BUILDING
SK verma says
First ask to dissolve railway unions, forget your bonuses,OT Allowance, night duty allowance, get ready to compromise your fundamental rights and be prepared for an early retirement at an age of 40 or below.
R Venkateswaran says
The rail man should not forget one thing they draw every year bonus at about 25% of their annual salary, they earn OT for every additional hour they spend in work place. they get every year three train pass which they almost travel with out signing and using a free travel to them and family through out the year. They don’t go out of their regain through out their employment. even some of them sit in the same chair for their entire period of employment.
further they never discharge their duty. if any one booked them for wrong doing they create nonsense to the end user through their unions.
can they deny the above. any were any one getting a benefit they are greedy.
About Govt civilian employes. Have you gone to your office on time except on the day of joining and left the office on time. have you discharge your duty with honesty and sincerity. Even this OROP is dragged due to bureaucrats and Civilian staff of Central Govt because you never done any thing with out your personal benefit in it. Even in the last movement you brought the term VRS in the announcement and made problem even you are not aware that there is no VRS in Armed force.
I request you all please ask your conscious honestly (if it is there before putting such a demand,
J D says
Don’t say One Rank One Pension for Railway Employees, because there is no Rank structure in the Railway like Defence.
BALACHANDRAN NAIR P K says
WHY ONLY TO RAILWAYS. LET THE ENTIRE CENTRAL GOVT PENSIONERS BE BRING THE SAME SCHEME AS ANNOUNCED FOR EX SERVICEMEN ONE RANK ONE PENSION.