AIRF’s Suggestions for the General Budget 2016-17
All India Railwaymen’s Federation(AIRF), representing more than 1.3
million Railwaymen, has submitted significant suggestions to Hon’ble
Finance Minister on General Budget which is going to be presented on Feb
29, 2015. Budget leaves great impact on the lives of Railwaymen and
their families including pensioners.
Therefore it becomes mandatory to
bring core issues of Railwaymen at forefront so that Railwaymen find
some relief…….
A.I.R.F.
All India Railwaymen’s Federation
4, State Entry Road,
New Delhi – 110055
No.AIRF/60
Dated: January 13, 2016
Hon’ble Finance Minister,
Ministry of Finance,
(Government of India),
New Delhi
Respected Sir,
Sub:
Suggestions for the General Budget 2016-17
All India Railwaymen’s Federation(AIRF), representing more 1.3
million Railwaymen, wish to submit the following significant suggestions
for consideration in the ensuing General Budget 2016-17:-
Provision of Rs.35,000 crore for implementation of VII CPC Report in
the Railways – Indian Railways is broadly functioning as social entity;
serving the vast spectrum of the society, majority of whom belongs to
lower income group. Railways, is therefore, facing financial crunch on
account of little flexibility in freight and fare. To implement report
of the VII CPC Indian Railways require Rs.35,000 crore during the coming
financial year 2016-17. Keeping in view total scenario and financial
health of the Indian Railways as also the aspirations of the people of
this country to modernize the Railways, provision of at least Rs.35,000
crore should be made for implementation of VII CPC report for the
Railwaymen.
2. Exemption of the Railwaymen from the purview of National Pension
System(NPS) – Successive Hon’ble Minister for Railways, accepting the
established fact that the Indian Railways is the second line of defence
of this country, and the Railwaymen have always proved their worth
during all wars, may be 1962, 1965 and 1971, have already recommended
for exemption of the Railwaymen from the purview of National Pension
System(NPS). Since Railways is an operational department, Railwaymen
have to work round-the-clock throughout the year and also have to stay
away from their families for long period time while performing duties in
the areas where adequate facilities are not available. Railwaymen have
to work throughout the year in all weather conditions and their duties
are of such complex and critical as well as hazardous in nature and they
have to sacrifice their lives, while performing duties, in large number
every year, as already accepted by the High Power Committee constituted
by the Ministry of Railways under the Chairmanship of Dr. Anil
Kakodkar. Therefore, Railwaymen deserve exemption from the purview of
National Pension System(NPS), irrespective of their date of appointment
on par with armed forces. It would also be pertinent to point out here
that, the Indian Railways is the only government department which is
shouldering total burden of payment of Pension/Family from its own
resources.
3. Raising the limit of exemption from Income Tax deduction – Despite
several announcements, one of the major issues in the election
manifesto, limit of exemption from Income Tax, could not be raised
during the last General Budget(2015-16) as per aspiration of the people
of this country. It would not be out of context to submit that, value of
the Rupees has substantially devaluated over the years, as a result of
which, Dearness Allowance, which is paid to compensate this devaluation
of money, has already crossed 119% w.e.f. 1st July, 2015 and is further
likely to be increased during this year. This largely justifies that,
limit of exemption from Income Tax deduction should be raised to at
least 5 lakh per annum. AIRF, therefore, urges that, this aspect needs
to be considered in the ensuing General Budget.
4. Provision of adequate allocation of funds for Education and
Healthcare – Education and medical facilities in the market have become
quite costly, as such gradually going out of reach of the common man
because of business type educational institutes and private hospitals.
Public Education System and medical facilities have drastically
deteriorated over the year due to paucity of funds being allocated under
these heads. This is also creating huge imbalance in the Indian
Society. There is, therefore, urgent need of augmenting education and
healthcare for the common man of this country, for which allotment of
funds under these heads needs to be raised to 6% and 4% respectively of
the GDP.
5. Allotment of funds for Skilled India Mission of the Hon’ble Prime
Minister – A number of railway stations are proposed to be developed for
skill development of the youth, as already announced by the Hon’ble
Prime Minister of India, for which, substantial fund would be required.
Since this is a National Mission and the Indian Railways is not in a
position to bear this burden due to financial crunch, adequate fund
needs to be allotted for this purpose in the ensuing General Budget.
6. Budgetary support for modernization and augmentation of Indian
Railways – Indian Railways is the cheapest and most convenient mode of
transport for common man of this country and is virtually lifeline of
the nation. To fulfill the aspirations of the rail users, services of
the Indian Railways need to be augmented to run this organization more
safely and efficiently. It may be appreciated that the Indian Railways
is a government organization. As such, Dividend and Lease Charges need
not be recovered from the Railways, rather budgetary support, which has
drastically declined over the year, should be increased adequately for
modernization and augmentation of the Indian Railways. It has been
observed that, Service Charges are also being taken on many materials
and components manufactured or purchased by the Railways. Being
government organization, Service Charges must not be taken from the
Indian Railways.
7. Implementation of “Own Your House Scheme” for the Railwaymen –
Indian Railways is employing more than 13 lakh employees who work
round-the-clock in all weathers throughout the year. Only a marginal
number of railway staff is provided with railway quarters while others
have to starve badly for residential accommodation or are forced to
reside as tenant. Former Hon’ble Minister for Railways, considering this
apathy of the railwaymen, had made announcement in the Rail Budget
regarding “Own Your House Scheme”, which has not seen light of the day
due to paucity of funds. AIRF, therefore, urges that, necessary funds be
allotted for this purpose, which will not only help in providing
accommodation to needy railwaymen, but also in rapid growth in
construction industry and boost the GDP of the country.
8. Refund of Pension Charges born by the Indian Railways – Indian
Railways is the only government organization which takes care of entire
Pension/Family Pension and Retirement benefits to the Railway employees,
whereas for the whole lot of government employees, Government of India
owns responsibility. At present, Indian Railways is disbursing around
Rs.28,000 in the form of retirement benefits, including Pension/Family
Pension to their employees and their dependents. It would be
appreciated, if this money should be refunded to Indian Railways to
improve economic health, and by this way there will be at least some
provision for improvement in the safety standard and passenger care of
the Indian Railways.
9. Refund of subsidy – Indian Railways is spending around Rs.26,000
crore for the subsidized fare, being given to the passengers. It is
cross subsidy from freight to passengers. It would be in all
appropriateness if this amount should be refunded to Indian Railways, so
that it could take various important projects pending since years.
AIRF earnestly hope that its aforementioned suggestions would be
given due consideration while preparing ensuing General Budget 2016-17
by the government.
With kind regards!
Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary
Source: AIRF
