All about 7th Central Pay Commission for Central Government Employees. Dearness Allowance for Government Employees, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS - DOPT, DOPT Orders, Expected DA & more.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)
RBE No.29/2020
No. F(E)HI/2005/PN1/35
New Delhi, Dated : 04.o3.2020
The GMs/ Principal Financial Advisors,
All Zonal Railways/ Production Units,
(As per mailing list)
Subject: Counting of service on joining new service in State Government / Central Government / Autonomous
Body for the benefit of gratuity in respect of Railway employees covered under National Pension System
(NPS).
A copy of Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DOP&PW’s) O.M. No. 7/5/2012-P&PW(F)/B
dated 12th February, 2020 is enclosed herewith for compliance and guidance. These instructions shall apply
mutatis mutandis on the Railways also. Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 correspond to the Railway Services (Pension)
Rules, 1993.
The Railway Board’s instructions corresponding to the DOP&PW’s instructions referred to in their
aforesaid O.M. dated 12th February, 2020 are given under :-
S. No.
DOP & PW’s instructions
Railway Board’s
corresponding instructions.
1.
O.M. No. 38/41/06 -P&PW(A) dated 05.05.2009
Letter No. 2008/ AC-II/21/19 dated
29.05.2009.
2.
O.M. No.7/5/2012 -P&PW(F)/B dated 26.08.2016
Letter No. 2012/ F(E)III/1(1)/4
dated 05.09.2016.
(G. Priya Sudarsani)
Director, Finance (Estt.)
Railway Board.
D.A.: as above
No. F(E)III/2005/PN1/35
New Delhi, dated: 04 . 03.2020.
Copy to Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General of India (Railways), Room No. 224, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi.
Exemption of Railway employees from New Pension Scheme/National
Pension System (NPS) – NFIR writes to Railway Board on 24th October 2015
NFIR National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
No. IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL/Part I
Dated : 24/10/2015
The Suresh Prabhu, Hon’ble Minister for Railways (Railway Board) Rail Bhavan New Delhi
Sub: Exemption of Railway employees from New Pension Scheme/National Pension System (NPS)-reg.
Ref: GS/NFIR’s letter No. IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL dated 26/08/2015 addressed to the Railway Board (MS).
The
Government of India had introduced New Pension Scheme (NPS) applicable
to the Central Government employees appointed on or after 01/01/2004.
Under the scheme, 10% of the Pay of each employee is deducted from
his/her salary every month and equal amount is contributed by the
employer and credited to the NPS Trust controlled by the PFRDA. However
those who were appointed prior to 01/01/2004 have been covered under
“Liberalized Pension Scheme” and their pensionary benefits like Pension,
Family Pension etc., are guaranteed by the Government. While the New
Pension Scheme now being re-named as “National Pension System” is not
applicable to Defence Forces, the same had unfortunately been made
applicable for Railway employees with effect from 01/01/2004.
2.
The duties, responsibilities, risk involved, remoteness, arduous and
hazardous conditions of railway employee are akin to that of Army
Personnel and therefore NFIR has been urging upon the Government as well
the Railway Ministry to exempt Railway employees from New Pension
Scheme. The Federation was compelled to take strike ballot on pending
demands, among them “Abolition of New Pension Scheme” was one of the
most important issues. Responding to the demands, the Railway Board
(CRB, MS, FC) had held separate meeting with the Federations on 7’th
February 2014, wherein the justification for exempting railway employees
from New Pension Scheme was discussed, consequently the Railway
Ministry had agreed to approach the Government. Hon’ble MR Shri
Mallikarjun Kharge had sent communication to the Finance Minister on
29th March, 2014 explaining case and justifying that the Railways
deserves to be exempted from NPS. Unfortunately, there has been no
positive decision from the Government till now.
3. In this
context, NFIR also brings to your kind notice that the JCM (Staff Side)
as well the Federations have decided to launch industrial action as the
Government has not responded to the charter of demands of Central
Government employees. During the meeting with you on 6th August,20l5, we
have also mentioned some of the issues continued unresolved when CRB
and Member Staff were present.
Railway Board (CRB, NPS & FC)
held another meeting with the Federations on lst October 2015 on eight
short listed demands which include “Exemption of Railway Employees from
New Pension Scheme”. After discussions, the Railway Board has agreed to
pursue the case with the Government again. In this connection, NFIR has
earlier sent a communication with full details to the Railway Board (MS)
vide letter No. IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL dated 26/08/2015 (copy enclosed) to
facilitate Railway Ministry to prevail upon the Government to grant
exemption to Railway from NPS. Federation is confident that the Railway
Ministry is taking necessary action on the inputs given by the NFIR for
presenting the case before you.
4. It is, however, shocking to
note that a notice has been issued by the National Pension System Trust
(NPS Trust) to all the subscribers under NPS that the Trust will start
recovering fee/charge @ 0.01% of the AUM on daily accrual basis to meet
its expenditure w.e.f. 1st November 2015. (Copy of Notice dated
19/10/2015 is also enclosed) This provocative and arbitrary decision has
generated deep sense of disappointment and anger among railway
employees”
In view of the above, NFIR invites your kind attention
to the communication dated 29th March 2014 of your predecessor (Shri
Mallikarjun Kharge) to the Finance Minister and in-puts given by the
Federation vide letter dated 26/08/2015 for taking special initiative
at the level of Government for exempting Railway employees from “New
Pension Scheme” (NPS) as a special case.
With regards.
Yours Sincerely sd/- (Dr.M.Raghavaiah) General Secretary
